Jack Jeanne: Mitsuki Shirota
Oct. 2nd, 2024 02:45 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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This was so good. I loved it!
The route is very much Not About gender, with a few minor changes they could both be any gender. It's about Mitsuki and Kisa learning to trust and rely on each other and form a creative partnership, and work with everyone else in Quartz to overcome the obstacles in their way. The romance is often pretty understated but they are absolutely lovely together and I had a lot of feels.
By being a story about two crossdressers that's not about gender, it ends up feeling really queer. Mitsuki pings pretty strongly as trans to me but could definitely be read as a cis guy who's just fine with cross-dressing and is shy about nudity. But he canonically does not care what gender Kisa is, or how she presents (except for practical consequences like the possibility of her being expelled if her gender gets out) and falls in love with her when he thinks she's a boy.
Content note: Child abuse and neglect, possible dysphoria or other body image issues
Mitsuki is prissy, grumpy, blunt, and very focussed on singing. He's constantly complaining about the weather, food, loud noises, sunlight, etc damaging his throat or making him uncomfortable. He gets pissy if other people don't focus on singing or he is forced to focus on anything other than singing. He makes a big deal about not wanting to help anyone and not understanding why anyone has ambition but does actually enjoy and is good at offering advice/teaching.
He comes across as kinda autistic: he can't deal with loud noises, too much socialising, bright lights, strong flavours, or skin discomfort. Also he has heartburn and allergies.
His mother shows up at school telling him to perform at a friend's birthday. Mitsuki gets angry, saying she can't neglect him for years then only show up to ask for a favour. His mother goes to hit him and Kisa takes the blow instead. Mitsuki is surprised but appreciative. He says he came to Univeil as a way to get away from his parents, and to sing, but never cared about any of the rest of it.
He says he hates being looked at and Kisa apologises for having stared at him, but Mitsuki says she somehow doesn't exert the same pressure as men or women.
Suzu: Is Mitsuki done being changed? He really doesn't like anyone seeing him huh? Even more than you, Kisa.
Kisa: (thank you for making it easier to hide, Mitsuki)
Neji: We must respect the feelings of our Jeannes. In Rhodonite the Jacks have to change in the hallway.
Suzu: Ha, though Fumi doesn't care, he'll strip off in front of anyone. Mitsuki's taking so long, maybe I should just start getting changed out here...
Neji: Ooh a strip show :D Kisa, grab some bills!
Mistuki: I'm done. Ugh. The only thing worse than having people watch me change is seeing other people...
In the second play he says he doesn't usually think much about character motivations, but feels like his female character is in love with Kisa's male character because he doesn't see her as just a pretty face but appreciates her as a person. I didn't remember any sign of that, so I reread the log for the end of the play and I really don't see it. YOU'RE PROJECTING, MITSUKI.
I did forget that they do a song together in the second play, though Kisa isn't playing a character, just doing backup vocals.
Mitsuki says it's great Kisa has shown everyone that feminine looking guys like them can be Jacks if they want to, but shows no sign of wanting to be one himself.
Ahh oh no
Mitsuki: Sometimes it feels like you have something pushing you, like you feel you have to succeed for some reason you haven't explained. Is it your family? You never talk about your family, or even your reasons for coming to Univeil...
Kisa: ...
Mitsuki: I see. I thought we were friends. I suppose it's troublesome having someone you don't care bothering you. I'll go.
MITSUKI
Aww and then he comes back and says "Hey, we're going to the coffee shop. Come on."
HE ASKS HER TO SAVE HIM FROM A BUG
Kisa: Oh, a stag beetle! Hello summer friend :D
Mitsuki: YOU CAN TALK OUTSIDE >:(
Haa when they bump into each other at the hot spring he tells her to keep her distance and sits in another spring nearby, too focused on hiding his body to notice hers.
Overall he does this whole grumpy tsundere thing about how she's a troublemaker who meddles and takes on too much responsibility, but he really respects her, appreciates the way she helps him and others grow as a person, and does his best to help her grow and take care of herself.
Mitsuki sees her being friendly with another second year boy, Minorikawa the Rhodonite Jack. Mitsuki shouts at Minorikawa not to touch her, even though he wasn't. Mitsuki runs off and says he hated the way the Minorikawa (who wasn't being flirty but has sometimes come across as quietly having a thing for Kisa) looked at her.
Mitsuki touches her face and says "I hate when people look at me, but when you look at me it calms me... But you won't tell me about yourself."
She gets drenched and loses her key and he says she can use his shower. When she is clearly uncomfortable with the idea of him even possibly seeing her naked, he gets angry, asking if she's afraid of him and doesn't trust him.
And then. He takes off his shirt. I'd been thinking maybe he had some Secret Reason to hide his body beyond implicit dysphoria, but he just looks like a skinny, sad, pale amab person.
Mitsuki: Are you able to take your clothes off in front of me? Are you able to show me everything about who you are?
Kisa: ... I can't, I'm sorry :(
Mitsuki: Damn it. How can I be so despicable? What in the world am I doing? I wanted you to rely on me. You always help me, so I just wanted to help you in return. I wanted to mean something to you.
*I go off to flail at a friend at how incredibly queer this is*
"I'm sure you hate me now. Maybe one day I can become someone worthy of your trust" noooo baby
And of course Kisa feels apalling.
Man and they don't have their big "I realised you were just crossdressing and I understand why you lied and I care about you" hug for MONTHS
ahhhh but it was sweet when it did happen. Him having romantic feelings for her doesn't particularly change how that plays out, and him finding out she's a girl makes absolutely no difference to how he treats her beyond the fact it means he knows why she's being secretive.
Afterwards he tells her that he will always see her as his partner from now on, even if they act with people, even if she moves on.
Once his path starts, she outright tells him that she's a girl instead of leaving it unspoken, and apologises for lying. He hugs her and says he's been hiding something too: that he's in love with her. He was confused by his feelings for a long time, which is why he got so angry when he felt she was hiding something from him.
It's really sweet, and there is absolutely no 'no homo' about it: he fell for her thinking she was a boy, and makes no mention of his feelings changing when he found out she's a girl.
And then I took a break for a week, just because I liked the moment so much and there was always the chance the route would go somewhere I didn't like. But I'm back!
Mitsuki invites Kisa out to the shrine for new years. She hesitates, knowing he hates crowds and extreme weather, and he says it will be alright if she's there. She notices him praying very seriously.
Mitsuki: This is my first time going to the shrine. I don't like relying on gods and faith. It's faster to rely on myself. But I guess some things are out of my hands.
Yeah yeah the threat of the Great Chui. This is all so repetitive ugh.
I am curious to know how shippy the plot of the final play will be this time, since Kisa and Mitsuki both play girls, but every other LI got to be the LI in the play. I'm wondering if there'll be an initial setup with a Jack Ace that gets fixed by yuri.
Unexpected Neji lore! He's doing surprisingly competent traditional calligraphy of the motto he draws (along with less competent art) on the white t-shirts he uses for training, since he needs to translate I guess it's Chinese? *fails to remember if Japanese has characters so hard/obscure a teenager might not know them* It means to do your best at everything.
Mitsuki: Quartz is going to win! Otherwise... never mind.
GOD this section of nearly identical exposition about Quartz and Amber's plays and how everyone feels about the gets more boring every time. At least I know it's pretty safe to zone out for a few scenes.
*realises I zoned out through something new, scrolls through log*
Ok, since I can see them coming up again: the two other major second year characters are Rhodonite's Jack Ace Minorikawa, and Onyx's Al Jeanne Sugachi.
A bunch of unnamed Rhodonite second year Jacks say Kisa etc have no hope of beating Amber, and Minorikawa and Sugachi tell them to stop being idiots. Mitsuki stares the students down, coldly saying "Apologise" until they do.
Mitsuki's role in the antiracist circus is the doggedly apolitical singer Carlo.
HER LOVE INTEREST IS SISSIA, A MAN?? ooh. Once Mitsuki is cast as Carlo, Sou, Mitsuki and Kisa all quietly think "Oh no, that means Kisa won't be a lead and will be expelled :(" while Suzu is sad none of the first years will get a lead role.
BUT KISA IS CAST AS THE JACK ACE
Huh! I'm guessing it HAS to be genderswapped later just because Sissia's 3d model, dancing, and singing are pretty feminine. So what's going to cause that? The power of yuri??
The other students mutter about it being unfair on the third years and Quartz as a whole that none of the leads are third years (and thus more likely to net a win).
Student: Why would you cast Mitsuki as Al Jeanne when Kisa is so much better?
Mitsuki: :(
Haaa and then everyone realises that Sissia gets the solos, not Carlo. Which was just as true, and odd in universe, in the other routes, but noone mentioned it.
Neji: The goal is not to win.
Everyone including me: WTF?
Ahhh the plan is to train everyone so they're stronger next year, when the third years are gone and they have to fight against a fully matured Chui. He's preparing Mitsuki and Kisa to be partners who will lead all of Quartz by giving them new challenges: a purely acting lead role for Mitsuki, and Jack Ace for Kisa.
Mitsuki angry shouts that this disrespects the third years, and the work everyone in Quartz has put in to get strong. But Fumi is determined to follow "his" plan (Mitsuki later says he thinks Fumi is deliberately taking full responsibility since he can handle the backlash) This is not dissimilar to the Sou route plan and people did not get angry about that but anyway!
The principal says Fumi and Kai are trying to save Quartz from the same sudden rudderlessness they experienced after Tsuki graduated.
Mitsuki says that knowing this casting is at least good for Kisa is the only thing keeping him sane.
Kisa: You're so busy. What can I do to help you fix this?
Mitsuki: I am busy, and... oh. I understand now. I accept it. We have to act like adults, or we can't protect anything.
Me and Kisa: ???
Temporary as it may be, I am enjoying this male version of Sissia after seeing so many female ones!
Carlo: He is such a delicate man, and his voice is so clear and soothing.
Fumi gives Mitsuki tips on looking smaller than Kisa haha, I bet he's had to do that a bunch as a tall Jeanne. Mitsuki stoicly accepts lots of criticism on his acting choices while Kisa is surprised to get none.
Kisa's boy!Sissia voice is notably gruffer than her girl!Sissia voice. She has some self doubt about playing the Jack Ace but tries not to wallow in it.
Kisa is discouraged from doing voice training with Mitsuki. The singing teacher talks about how Mitsuki is a sad sensitive boy who expresses his pain through singing. Yet Mitsuki makes a veiled remark about being willing to give up his singing for Quartz: he joined Univeil to get away from his family and have a place to sing, but over time the dreams of his classmates have become his dream too.
I think the plan may be to have Kisa become the new Quartz Tresor/soloist, while Mitsuki focusses on being the leader. But Mitsuki has to sing, that's too sad :(
The singing teacher is played by an Actual Tarazuka Actor, playing a very flamboyant man.
So, being long term "partners" is usually a very intense relationship with at least some romantic subtext: Tsuki/Fumi, Kai/Fumi, Neji/Chui, Sugachi/Onyx's Jack Ace, Kisa/Her love interest. And you have guys like Minorikawa and Kasai who talk about wanting to be partners with Kisa in ways that feel very much like romantic interest.
But I never got any romantic vibe from Rhodonite's Jack Ace (Minorikawa) and Al Jeanne (Tsukasa), especially since Tsukasa gave me trans lesbian vibes and Minorikawa is quietly fixated on Kisa. Minorikawa explains that Tsukasa was partners with an older Al Jeanne, who graduated, and never entirely became true partners with Minorikawa, though they do respect each other a lot.
Specifically, Tsukasa used to be the Tresor to the previous Al Jeanne. But once he graduated, Tsukasa was stuck being Tresor, Al Jeanne, and leader. And at least Rhodonite has a single focus, singing Jeannes who usually had some existing experience. And most of the time, class leader is handled by the Jack Ace.
Quartz tends to be assigned inexperienced students who train to be good at everything, so there's a lot more work keeping things afloat. Mitsuki will probably have to give up being on stage much at all to become class leader, working purely as a vessel.
Me and Kisa: Noooooo :(
Damn, and this probably was happening in the other routes, we just weren't focussed enough on Mitsuki for it to come up.
Aww Suzu noticed Kisa was worried about Mitsuki and passed it on, so Mitsuki invites her out for coffee to cheer her up.
Ahhh and now Kisa realises the many 'acting' tips that Mitsuki has been getting from the third years are often really writing and directing tips.
Utsuri accuses Kisa of having no resolve and she can't dispute it.
Kisa: I can't be proud of myself like this! Wait, I'm shivering, that means...
Chui: So they've made you a Jack again. In Winter, you risked something worse than death, your right to be on the Univeil stage.
Kisa: He knows D:
Chui, in his usual dreary monotone: Your very breath made my soul tremble with glee. You are to live for me. A transparent vessel to absorb and reflect what lies deep within others. Neji sees everything from a great distance. But your body and knows well that you can rise beyond all others simply by taking my hand. Hold my hand and I will rid you of your worries.
Kisa: No, I...
Chui: Your body can sense my presence, you cannot take your eyes off me when I stand before you. Your talent is what seeks me.
Mitsuki: GET AWAY FROM MY PARTNER
There's a cute CG of him all up in Chui's face GLARING DAGGERS despite being like a foot shorter.
Chui: Partner? I see. Her anxiety is a reflection of your muddled heart. You have lost hope, and your voice. You will be sacrificed to gather the pieces of Quartz after it shatters.
Mitsuki: How do you... Kisa, we should go.
Chui: But who is the greatest vessel here? Who should be sacrificed? Tachibana Kisa.
Mitsuki: SHUT UP!!
Chui: Tachibana Kisa's talent will be the vessel sacrificed to hold Quartz together. It is futile to keep her in a class that will crumble to dust. I can make her talent shine. Your heart is muddled and you are unable to lead her to the right path.
Mitsuki says he can already see how much Kisa is sacrificing to try and keep everything together.
Mitsuki: I tried to take care of everything myself, and hid things from you, after telling you to be honest. I'm sorry. And I do lack resolve... I want us to win, all of us together! I want to sing for Quartz! I want to sing...
;_;
And I know he doesn't get any solos in the end!! But I guess it's ok for ONE play as long as he gets to sing in general.
This is all giving me a lot of feelings considering I usually find the class politics stuff pretty boring. I could do with a little more overt romance, though, like they are SUPER cute together but I'm not even sure if they're dating.
Aw Neji says that as a freshman singing was all Shirota could do, but training Kisa helped him start down a path of being more versatile, and then gives Kisa a recording of Shirota singing as a freshman to 'motivate her'.
When Kisa says she's going off to train at singing, Mitsuki asks for permission to be the one to train her, and Neji cheerfully gives it.
He notices that she's been training with Minorikawa in Rhodonite style singing, Kisa acts like he might get jealous but he says it's fine, he'll just make sure to teach her how to build on those techniques in a Quartz way. Then he asks if she'll sing their shippy duet from the previous play and the two actors take turns singing in a very conversational, casual, and affectionate way, it's really sweet. He says he didn't realise how much he needed singing before. And he wants Quartz's singing to win.
Kisa: I will fight with you. And I love your singing. Will you ask to do the solo?
Mitsuki: No. I am entrusting it to you. I will teach you everything I know, and you will sing us to victory.
Mitsuki organises for them to practice singing together every day, and Kisa to get extra singing lessons from Rhodonite, while he trains himself to be a better dancer with Fumi.
Mistuki: Let's keep each other updated on our progress. That will help keep me motivated.
Kisa: Me too :)
Aw but Suzu and Sou still feel bad about Quartz losing. Mitsuki and Kisa didn't update them on the Plan To Win.
Suzu: Wait... I get the feeling Kisa has another Last Minute Sneaky Plan going on :D Well then we gotta be aggressive if we're gonna keep up!
Ha, Fumi is surprised but delighted when Mitsuki asks for extra dance training, versus avoiding it as much as possible.
Mitsuki is struggling to understand everything Neji is teaching him, though Kai helps break the ideas down into simpler parts. Mitsuki says Sou could probably do a better job on the scripts and... yes he could? Why not have him do that then?
With no sign of self consciousness, Mitsuki says he's not very fit, and that by comparison Kisa is one of the fitter people in class. Kisa offers to help him train and he says that would be motivating, aw.
Mitsuki, Sugachi and Minorikawa all decide to work hard to make their respective classes strong, building a new Univeil as next year's third years, to continue the legacy of this year's third years and support their underclassmen. They all motivate themselves as rivals fighting to win, not just against Amber, but each other.
Sugachi: I know it's a lot to ask, but can I be up front? I want to do everything I can for Onyx, and you!
Jack Ace of Onyx: You're my partner, alright :D I was waiting for you to ask! I want you to be Onyx's dancing princess!
They're so cute together.
Rhodonite Jeanne: Ugh are you going to make us do more practice?
Minorikawa: From today on... I'm no longer supervising practice! I'm going to focus on my own singing, and become a Tresor!
Tsukasa: :D
Rhodonite Jeanne: What. Well we can't have you beat us! Ugh now we have to practice MORE.
...the writers have apparently totally forgotten about Ion, the fat dude who tells you the lyrics of songs, whose character bio says he is a Rhodonite Tresor.
Ha! Carlo gets the same "punch the bad guy" moment the other leads do.
Ahh they have the CUTEST valentines day, she bakes him apricot jam cookies. Mitsuki says he used to find the "same year as Chui" trauma bonding annoying but now he's glad for friends like Minorikawa and Sugachi. Though he's still jealous of Minorikawa wanting to "be partners" with Kisa.
Mitsuki, blushing: Hey. I like you.
Kisa: ...ah...
Mitsuki: Let's work hard together, ok?
Kisa: Yeah!
Everyone in Onyx, Rhodinite, and Quartz is inspired by all this hard work led by the second years, including the third years of Quartz.
There have been several scenes where Mitsuki is clearly trying to build up the courage to ask Kisa to refer to him by his given name (I've been using "Mitsuki" and "Kisa" for clarity but they're both using each other's surnames), it's adorable.
Kisa's singing has vastly improved, but still isn't quite good enough. There's only three days left and she's still playing a guy!
Mitsuki: Can I train Kisa in the theatre a little longer?
Neji: Hmm, Amber's due to use it soon, so there'll be no negotiation... if you see Chui, just run! It'll be fine, he'll just stare into your soul with rage.
Mitsuki asks her to sit with him in the seat she was in when she watched Tsuki perform as a kid, and was inspired to join Univeil.
Mitsuki: To be honest... I resented Tsuki, and the effect he had on Quartz. But because of him, you're sitting here next to me. Otherwise I'd still be watching things from a distance. Life would have been easier, but boring. Do you remember when we met, I said you looked like a Jeanne? Strike one for me, you're a Jack Ace. You looked so fragile and unreliable. Strike two for me, you were strong enough to take a hit from my mother. I learned your secret as we got closer, and I caused you trouble. But during the Winter performance I thought to myself that everything would be fine as long as you were with me. And then you told me your secret. You surpass all my expectations. I know we're asking unreasonable things of you. But somehow... I feel you can still pull through.
Kisa: (He believes in me... I need to believe in myself. I need to be my best...) Mitsuki. Can you please sing for me? Show me how to fill the theatre with song. I want to etch it into my mind.
She listens to him sing, and thinks "I can't sing like this. But it's giving me strength"
Utsuri: They're on our stage! I'll get rid of them!
Chui: Don't. The vessel is being polished. The transparent vessel who doesn't look at me at all... Mitsuki Shirota is the one loved by her talent.
Mitsuki: It's Chui! Make a run for it!
Ha, he's quickly left panting, while Kisa is fine. They're surprised by a light fall of Spring snow.
Mitsuki: Keep how I sing in mind... but sing the way you usually do. I like how you sing. Fill Univeil theatre with your voice.
In the other routes, the oppression of one nation by another in the final play feels like a metaphor for sexism, and the male love interest and Kisa working out their relationship as man and woman and fighting gendered restrictions. But in this route it's about Amber versus Quartzsince Mitsuki is a woman too, and it feels like that was always some of the subtext: the country names are Arbine versus Quatra, and the war lasted for 77 years, when Chui and Mitsuki's year are "the 77th Term".
So there's a lot about Working Together To Fight Even Though It Seems Hopeless and less about Protecting The Girl's Secret.
Suzu and Sou organise a thank you party for the third years, and get Mitsuki to give a speech.
Mitsuki: I never understood why everyone missed Tsuki Tachibana so much. But now that the third years are leaving, I understand. We're going to struggle too, and question whether we can ever live up to them. But we're going to build Quartz with our own two hands, just the way they did. And the time is now. We'll stand beside them on stage, and show our thanks with a win!
Kisa, and then everyone else: Yeah!!
Neji: Us upperclassmen decided to sacrifice this year's chance of winning to get everyone to grow. But we were wrong! The Quartz we have now can win! So we're going to follow you, and see what kind of Quartz you intend to create.
Fumi: Mitsu... Your singing humbled me when I thought I was king of the world, but also supported me. You're more than just a singer now. Quartz is in good hands. So I have one last favour... be Quartz's class leader.
Did they not actually agree on that that before now? I feel like they really should have discussed it instead of all this implication and stoic silent self sacrifice. BUT I GUESS IT ALL TURNED OUT FINE.
New Chui & the evil twinks CG spotted.
There is an extended metaphor about followers flocking to the demon who cares for nothing, birds resting on the tree of death, purified as he paints himself with their blood. I guess... because Amber is becoming The Chui And His Supporters House and will collapse when he graduates in a year? Sometimes I am really not cut out for the metaphors in this game.
Wait they left Sissia a guy and DIDN'T update the design?? That is... one girly looking dude, then, with his cheongsam-ish dress slit to the hips. But ok!
Female singer Carlo irritably teaching the earnestly cheerful guy Sissia to sound less foreign (and thus less easily pegged as an escaped refugee) is pretty cute. Kisa's voice actor sometimes forgets to put on her gruff manly affect but she did have to play this character four other times as a girl.
The happy heterosexual couple:
"Kielce" means something that spins. In the oppressed country of Quatra, it's pronounced "Circus".
*loses points on the dance game trying to figure out if Sissia's 3d model has boobs and... it's ambiguous but definitely kinda booby*
Carlo: Stop doing hatecrimes! *punch*
Racist Policeman: Woman, did you just hit me?!
Carlo: You were being unpleasant. Just disappear >:(
Racist Policeman: Why you-
Sissia: LEAVE HER ALONE *punches* Oh no I'm so sorry!
Carlo: You look so scrawny, but I guess you do have some strength.
As much as I find the near identical plot of the final performance incredibly boring at this point, they have done SOME work to make each LI's version interesting. Sou played a lost childhood best friend, Fumi was the son of an evil general, Suzu was... well, kind of just A Dude but I did him first so it didn't bother me, and Neji was the playwright.
Carlo wanting to do the Performance That Ends Colonialism even if it gets them killed has a little more oomph storywise from a previously apolitical woman than the similar moments with the already political dudes, especially the way it lines up with Mitsuki's personal arc. I'm curious how they'll make Kai's ringleader character unique. I guess him being the ringleader has potential to be interesting, maybe we'll get Kielce Lore.
Fumi interrupts Carlo's impassioned speech with ad-libbing about being happy to see 'her' so passionate. Kai and Neji agree. Sou and Suzu chime in to say they'll follow where-ever she leads.
I really like the arc of Mitsuki having always admired and appreciated the third years from afar, then slowly learning to engage with them as a respected peer, taking over where they left off, and inspiring his underclassmen in turn.
Carlo: Sissia. You've changed me. So I need you to take responsibility and stand beside me until the end. I need you.
Sissia: I need you too. *gruffly* I need you to fix my accent ;)
Carlo: I won't be lenient!
Sissia: Got it :D
Mitsuki, softly: Thank you.
Carlo: I didn't know it could make me so happy to reach an audience... I've been ignoring a lot of my feelings, you made me understand that.
Haa, this version of the play involves the female love interest being fridged for the man's pain, but I'll allow it.
Carlo, dying: This is what I get for trying to be a lead... This will make it hard to sing. I so wanted to sing with you... go on, and sing my part. This is your dream. And my dream... is you. Just... remember how to pronounce 'C'. It's the first letter of my name... say my name...
Sissia: Carlo! Carlo, Carlo...
Carlo: You're so bad at it. Say it again.
Sissia: Stop teasing me, Carlo.
Carlo: That one was better. Now go sing. You have such a beautiful voice. I love you.
;_;
Chui: Mitsuki Shirota offered what was of most value to him, as Kisa Tachibana did during the winter performance. He sacrificed his voice, more important to him than life itself, to nurture Kisa Tachibana. That is something I cannot do. Their performance was good.
And then Kisa AND Mitsuki get gold, beating Chui :D
Minorikawa and Sugachi come next, with joint bronze, but are super happy for Mitsuki.
Chui: being in the 77th year had no meaning to me. But perhaps the number has meaning, now that I know the talent associated with it. I am looking forward to your performance next term.
Mitsuki: I won't lose. You'll always be a towering wall that we in the 77th have to overcome. Thanks for being here.
Everyone praises Kisa, and Mitsuki smiles about his partner being appreciated.
Kai: That last song was like seeing the two of you sing together.
Fumi: It brought to mind images of the two of you on stage together, taking the world by storm.
Mitsuki: But I'm not well rounded like you, Fumi, I can't be Al Jeanne and dance and do a solo.
Fumi: Being well rounded doesn't make you the best.
Neji: Look at me, I can't beat anyone with a specialised skill!
Kai: We were being too overprotective. There's a better path for you.
Neji and Suzu: BUT FIRST, PARTY TIME
Mitsuki: So much noise... but I don't mind it at all :)
Aww Kai comes across as less in love with Kisa and more shipping Mistuki/Kisa, having worried about Mitsuki since seeing him so alone as a first year. Kai says Kisa is an inspiration to other students who might think they have no hope to become a Jack Ace.
Neji: That song of love could only be sung by you: Sissia and Carlo, and you and Mitsuki. He will need someone to have his back, can you do that?
Kisa: yes!
Suzu: Mitsuki will support you so you don't overwork herself helping everyone else. He likes you.
Kisa, aware they appear to be a gay couple: Uh?
Suzu: He always smiles when you're around, no wonder you're partners! I'm a little jealous, I was your partner first! I was Jack Ace and you were Al Jeanne...but now you're a Jack Ace! I can barely keep up! I guess my jealousy will have to fuel me to do my best for Quartz!
Aww. I still believe in you as a big loud Jeanne, Suzu.
Sou is a little more down about how he could tell Mitsuki and Kisa trust each other, and he's not capable of that yet.
Fumi is happy that Mitsuki is still asking him for dance and Jeanne training.
Fumi: Your dedication to Quartz inspired him. Thanks.
Kisa: No, he was moved by upperclassmen like you. He wanted to win first place for you.
Fumi: I thought I could only get first place by fighting with my own hands... but you taught me I could fight with everyone in Quartz.
Man, something about the way Fumi's actor says "Kisa", "Kai", and "Kuro" (Neji) always sounds so shippy. He's very fond when he says everyone else's name but there isn't that element of breathy yearning.
Principal: I can't tell if Mitsuki Shirota knows she's a girl. I guess those two will get along regardless. Let's just carry on as if we don't know anything.
Mitsuki says he's going to be both an Al Jeanne and Tresor, for the good of Quartz, and because he has a new dream: To stand on stage and sing beside Kisa, whether she's a Jack Ace or Al Jeanne.
*happy non binary feels*
Mitsuki: Carlo was really sad knowing that her time with Sissia was coming to an end... Sissia's singing is what cradled her to sleep to dream happy dreams of singing with him. She didn't want either of them to sing alone. She forgave Sissia for the trouble he caused when she heard him call her name with his beautiful voice. The sound of hearing the one you love say your name... I don't know what it feels like.
Kisa: Shirota-senpai...
Mitsuki: Yes?
Kisa: Mitsuki :)
Mitsuki: Suddenly, I feel like singing. Will you sing with me?
That last CG was so cute and androgynous I actually TOOK A PHOTO OF MY SWITCH WITH MY PHONE since I couldn't find it online (I did find a lot of fanart of Mitsuki looking sad and beautiful in dresses, and a few of him looking disconcertingly manly lol) While I was in the gallery I actually did a proper count, and of the ones I've unlocked:
CGs just involving Kisa and the love interests: like 100
CGs of an entire class other than Quartz: 6 (2 each of Amber, Rhodonite, and Onyx)
CGs involving Tsuki: 3
CGs involving Chui and his creepy Jeanes: 11
CGs involving anyone else (all different characters): 3
Anyway. THAT WAS SO GREAT. I am having FEELINGS.
Asides from that one time he took his shirt off, which had a bunch of things going on, Mitsuki comes across as the least sexually motivated of the love interests. I can see them taking a long time before either gets up the courage to ask for a kiss haha.
This was so good. I loved it!
The route is very much Not About gender, with a few minor changes they could both be any gender. It's about Mitsuki and Kisa learning to trust and rely on each other and form a creative partnership, and work with everyone else in Quartz to overcome the obstacles in their way. The romance is often pretty understated but they are absolutely lovely together and I had a lot of feels.
By being a story about two crossdressers that's not about gender, it ends up feeling really queer. Mitsuki pings pretty strongly as trans to me but could definitely be read as a cis guy who's just fine with cross-dressing and is shy about nudity. But he canonically does not care what gender Kisa is, or how she presents (except for practical consequences like the possibility of her being expelled if her gender gets out) and falls in love with her when he thinks she's a boy.
Content note: Child abuse and neglect, possible dysphoria or other body image issues
Mitsuki is prissy, grumpy, blunt, and very focussed on singing. He's constantly complaining about the weather, food, loud noises, sunlight, etc damaging his throat or making him uncomfortable. He gets pissy if other people don't focus on singing or he is forced to focus on anything other than singing. He makes a big deal about not wanting to help anyone and not understanding why anyone has ambition but does actually enjoy and is good at offering advice/teaching.
He comes across as kinda autistic: he can't deal with loud noises, too much socialising, bright lights, strong flavours, or skin discomfort. Also he has heartburn and allergies.
His mother shows up at school telling him to perform at a friend's birthday. Mitsuki gets angry, saying she can't neglect him for years then only show up to ask for a favour. His mother goes to hit him and Kisa takes the blow instead. Mitsuki is surprised but appreciative. He says he came to Univeil as a way to get away from his parents, and to sing, but never cared about any of the rest of it.
He says he hates being looked at and Kisa apologises for having stared at him, but Mitsuki says she somehow doesn't exert the same pressure as men or women.
Suzu: Is Mitsuki done being changed? He really doesn't like anyone seeing him huh? Even more than you, Kisa.
Kisa: (thank you for making it easier to hide, Mitsuki)
Neji: We must respect the feelings of our Jeannes. In Rhodonite the Jacks have to change in the hallway.
Suzu: Ha, though Fumi doesn't care, he'll strip off in front of anyone. Mitsuki's taking so long, maybe I should just start getting changed out here...
Neji: Ooh a strip show :D Kisa, grab some bills!
Mistuki: I'm done. Ugh. The only thing worse than having people watch me change is seeing other people...
In the second play he says he doesn't usually think much about character motivations, but feels like his female character is in love with Kisa's male character because he doesn't see her as just a pretty face but appreciates her as a person. I didn't remember any sign of that, so I reread the log for the end of the play and I really don't see it. YOU'RE PROJECTING, MITSUKI.
I did forget that they do a song together in the second play, though Kisa isn't playing a character, just doing backup vocals.
Mitsuki says it's great Kisa has shown everyone that feminine looking guys like them can be Jacks if they want to, but shows no sign of wanting to be one himself.
Ahh oh no
Mitsuki: Sometimes it feels like you have something pushing you, like you feel you have to succeed for some reason you haven't explained. Is it your family? You never talk about your family, or even your reasons for coming to Univeil...
Kisa: ...
Mitsuki: I see. I thought we were friends. I suppose it's troublesome having someone you don't care bothering you. I'll go.
MITSUKI
Aww and then he comes back and says "Hey, we're going to the coffee shop. Come on."
HE ASKS HER TO SAVE HIM FROM A BUG
Kisa: Oh, a stag beetle! Hello summer friend :D
Mitsuki: YOU CAN TALK OUTSIDE >:(
Haa when they bump into each other at the hot spring he tells her to keep her distance and sits in another spring nearby, too focused on hiding his body to notice hers.
Overall he does this whole grumpy tsundere thing about how she's a troublemaker who meddles and takes on too much responsibility, but he really respects her, appreciates the way she helps him and others grow as a person, and does his best to help her grow and take care of herself.
Mitsuki sees her being friendly with another second year boy, Minorikawa the Rhodonite Jack. Mitsuki shouts at Minorikawa not to touch her, even though he wasn't. Mitsuki runs off and says he hated the way the Minorikawa (who wasn't being flirty but has sometimes come across as quietly having a thing for Kisa) looked at her.
Mitsuki touches her face and says "I hate when people look at me, but when you look at me it calms me... But you won't tell me about yourself."
She gets drenched and loses her key and he says she can use his shower. When she is clearly uncomfortable with the idea of him even possibly seeing her naked, he gets angry, asking if she's afraid of him and doesn't trust him.
And then. He takes off his shirt. I'd been thinking maybe he had some Secret Reason to hide his body beyond implicit dysphoria, but he just looks like a skinny, sad, pale amab person.
Mitsuki: Are you able to take your clothes off in front of me? Are you able to show me everything about who you are?
Kisa: ... I can't, I'm sorry :(
Mitsuki: Damn it. How can I be so despicable? What in the world am I doing? I wanted you to rely on me. You always help me, so I just wanted to help you in return. I wanted to mean something to you.
*I go off to flail at a friend at how incredibly queer this is*
"I'm sure you hate me now. Maybe one day I can become someone worthy of your trust" noooo baby
And of course Kisa feels apalling.
Man and they don't have their big "I realised you were just crossdressing and I understand why you lied and I care about you" hug for MONTHS
ahhhh but it was sweet when it did happen. Him having romantic feelings for her doesn't particularly change how that plays out, and him finding out she's a girl makes absolutely no difference to how he treats her beyond the fact it means he knows why she's being secretive.
Afterwards he tells her that he will always see her as his partner from now on, even if they act with people, even if she moves on.
Once his path starts, she outright tells him that she's a girl instead of leaving it unspoken, and apologises for lying. He hugs her and says he's been hiding something too: that he's in love with her. He was confused by his feelings for a long time, which is why he got so angry when he felt she was hiding something from him.
It's really sweet, and there is absolutely no 'no homo' about it: he fell for her thinking she was a boy, and makes no mention of his feelings changing when he found out she's a girl.
And then I took a break for a week, just because I liked the moment so much and there was always the chance the route would go somewhere I didn't like. But I'm back!
Mitsuki invites Kisa out to the shrine for new years. She hesitates, knowing he hates crowds and extreme weather, and he says it will be alright if she's there. She notices him praying very seriously.
Mitsuki: This is my first time going to the shrine. I don't like relying on gods and faith. It's faster to rely on myself. But I guess some things are out of my hands.
Yeah yeah the threat of the Great Chui. This is all so repetitive ugh.
I am curious to know how shippy the plot of the final play will be this time, since Kisa and Mitsuki both play girls, but every other LI got to be the LI in the play. I'm wondering if there'll be an initial setup with a Jack Ace that gets fixed by yuri.
Unexpected Neji lore! He's doing surprisingly competent traditional calligraphy of the motto he draws (along with less competent art) on the white t-shirts he uses for training, since he needs to translate I guess it's Chinese? *fails to remember if Japanese has characters so hard/obscure a teenager might not know them* It means to do your best at everything.
Mitsuki: Quartz is going to win! Otherwise... never mind.
GOD this section of nearly identical exposition about Quartz and Amber's plays and how everyone feels about the gets more boring every time. At least I know it's pretty safe to zone out for a few scenes.
*realises I zoned out through something new, scrolls through log*
Ok, since I can see them coming up again: the two other major second year characters are Rhodonite's Jack Ace Minorikawa, and Onyx's Al Jeanne Sugachi.
A bunch of unnamed Rhodonite second year Jacks say Kisa etc have no hope of beating Amber, and Minorikawa and Sugachi tell them to stop being idiots. Mitsuki stares the students down, coldly saying "Apologise" until they do.
Mitsuki's role in the antiracist circus is the doggedly apolitical singer Carlo.
HER LOVE INTEREST IS SISSIA, A MAN?? ooh. Once Mitsuki is cast as Carlo, Sou, Mitsuki and Kisa all quietly think "Oh no, that means Kisa won't be a lead and will be expelled :(" while Suzu is sad none of the first years will get a lead role.
BUT KISA IS CAST AS THE JACK ACE
Huh! I'm guessing it HAS to be genderswapped later just because Sissia's 3d model, dancing, and singing are pretty feminine. So what's going to cause that? The power of yuri??
The other students mutter about it being unfair on the third years and Quartz as a whole that none of the leads are third years (and thus more likely to net a win).
Student: Why would you cast Mitsuki as Al Jeanne when Kisa is so much better?
Mitsuki: :(
Haaa and then everyone realises that Sissia gets the solos, not Carlo. Which was just as true, and odd in universe, in the other routes, but noone mentioned it.
Neji: The goal is not to win.
Everyone including me: WTF?
Ahhh the plan is to train everyone so they're stronger next year, when the third years are gone and they have to fight against a fully matured Chui. He's preparing Mitsuki and Kisa to be partners who will lead all of Quartz by giving them new challenges: a purely acting lead role for Mitsuki, and Jack Ace for Kisa.
Mitsuki angry shouts that this disrespects the third years, and the work everyone in Quartz has put in to get strong. But Fumi is determined to follow "his" plan (Mitsuki later says he thinks Fumi is deliberately taking full responsibility since he can handle the backlash) This is not dissimilar to the Sou route plan and people did not get angry about that but anyway!
The principal says Fumi and Kai are trying to save Quartz from the same sudden rudderlessness they experienced after Tsuki graduated.
Mitsuki says that knowing this casting is at least good for Kisa is the only thing keeping him sane.
Kisa: You're so busy. What can I do to help you fix this?
Mitsuki: I am busy, and... oh. I understand now. I accept it. We have to act like adults, or we can't protect anything.
Me and Kisa: ???
Temporary as it may be, I am enjoying this male version of Sissia after seeing so many female ones!
Carlo: He is such a delicate man, and his voice is so clear and soothing.
Fumi gives Mitsuki tips on looking smaller than Kisa haha, I bet he's had to do that a bunch as a tall Jeanne. Mitsuki stoicly accepts lots of criticism on his acting choices while Kisa is surprised to get none.
Kisa's boy!Sissia voice is notably gruffer than her girl!Sissia voice. She has some self doubt about playing the Jack Ace but tries not to wallow in it.
Kisa is discouraged from doing voice training with Mitsuki. The singing teacher talks about how Mitsuki is a sad sensitive boy who expresses his pain through singing. Yet Mitsuki makes a veiled remark about being willing to give up his singing for Quartz: he joined Univeil to get away from his family and have a place to sing, but over time the dreams of his classmates have become his dream too.
I think the plan may be to have Kisa become the new Quartz Tresor/soloist, while Mitsuki focusses on being the leader. But Mitsuki has to sing, that's too sad :(
The singing teacher is played by an Actual Tarazuka Actor, playing a very flamboyant man.
So, being long term "partners" is usually a very intense relationship with at least some romantic subtext: Tsuki/Fumi, Kai/Fumi, Neji/Chui, Sugachi/Onyx's Jack Ace, Kisa/Her love interest. And you have guys like Minorikawa and Kasai who talk about wanting to be partners with Kisa in ways that feel very much like romantic interest.
But I never got any romantic vibe from Rhodonite's Jack Ace (Minorikawa) and Al Jeanne (Tsukasa), especially since Tsukasa gave me trans lesbian vibes and Minorikawa is quietly fixated on Kisa. Minorikawa explains that Tsukasa was partners with an older Al Jeanne, who graduated, and never entirely became true partners with Minorikawa, though they do respect each other a lot.
Specifically, Tsukasa used to be the Tresor to the previous Al Jeanne. But once he graduated, Tsukasa was stuck being Tresor, Al Jeanne, and leader. And at least Rhodonite has a single focus, singing Jeannes who usually had some existing experience. And most of the time, class leader is handled by the Jack Ace.
Quartz tends to be assigned inexperienced students who train to be good at everything, so there's a lot more work keeping things afloat. Mitsuki will probably have to give up being on stage much at all to become class leader, working purely as a vessel.
Me and Kisa: Noooooo :(
Damn, and this probably was happening in the other routes, we just weren't focussed enough on Mitsuki for it to come up.
Aww Suzu noticed Kisa was worried about Mitsuki and passed it on, so Mitsuki invites her out for coffee to cheer her up.
Ahhh and now Kisa realises the many 'acting' tips that Mitsuki has been getting from the third years are often really writing and directing tips.
Utsuri accuses Kisa of having no resolve and she can't dispute it.
Kisa: I can't be proud of myself like this! Wait, I'm shivering, that means...
Chui: So they've made you a Jack again. In Winter, you risked something worse than death, your right to be on the Univeil stage.
Kisa: He knows D:
Chui, in his usual dreary monotone: Your very breath made my soul tremble with glee. You are to live for me. A transparent vessel to absorb and reflect what lies deep within others. Neji sees everything from a great distance. But your body and knows well that you can rise beyond all others simply by taking my hand. Hold my hand and I will rid you of your worries.
Kisa: No, I...
Chui: Your body can sense my presence, you cannot take your eyes off me when I stand before you. Your talent is what seeks me.
Mitsuki: GET AWAY FROM MY PARTNER
There's a cute CG of him all up in Chui's face GLARING DAGGERS despite being like a foot shorter.
Chui: Partner? I see. Her anxiety is a reflection of your muddled heart. You have lost hope, and your voice. You will be sacrificed to gather the pieces of Quartz after it shatters.
Mitsuki: How do you... Kisa, we should go.
Chui: But who is the greatest vessel here? Who should be sacrificed? Tachibana Kisa.
Mitsuki: SHUT UP!!
Chui: Tachibana Kisa's talent will be the vessel sacrificed to hold Quartz together. It is futile to keep her in a class that will crumble to dust. I can make her talent shine. Your heart is muddled and you are unable to lead her to the right path.
Mitsuki says he can already see how much Kisa is sacrificing to try and keep everything together.
Mitsuki: I tried to take care of everything myself, and hid things from you, after telling you to be honest. I'm sorry. And I do lack resolve... I want us to win, all of us together! I want to sing for Quartz! I want to sing...
;_;
And I know he doesn't get any solos in the end!! But I guess it's ok for ONE play as long as he gets to sing in general.
This is all giving me a lot of feelings considering I usually find the class politics stuff pretty boring. I could do with a little more overt romance, though, like they are SUPER cute together but I'm not even sure if they're dating.
Aw Neji says that as a freshman singing was all Shirota could do, but training Kisa helped him start down a path of being more versatile, and then gives Kisa a recording of Shirota singing as a freshman to 'motivate her'.
When Kisa says she's going off to train at singing, Mitsuki asks for permission to be the one to train her, and Neji cheerfully gives it.
He notices that she's been training with Minorikawa in Rhodonite style singing, Kisa acts like he might get jealous but he says it's fine, he'll just make sure to teach her how to build on those techniques in a Quartz way. Then he asks if she'll sing their shippy duet from the previous play and the two actors take turns singing in a very conversational, casual, and affectionate way, it's really sweet. He says he didn't realise how much he needed singing before. And he wants Quartz's singing to win.
Kisa: I will fight with you. And I love your singing. Will you ask to do the solo?
Mitsuki: No. I am entrusting it to you. I will teach you everything I know, and you will sing us to victory.
Mitsuki organises for them to practice singing together every day, and Kisa to get extra singing lessons from Rhodonite, while he trains himself to be a better dancer with Fumi.
Mistuki: Let's keep each other updated on our progress. That will help keep me motivated.
Kisa: Me too :)
Aw but Suzu and Sou still feel bad about Quartz losing. Mitsuki and Kisa didn't update them on the Plan To Win.
Suzu: Wait... I get the feeling Kisa has another Last Minute Sneaky Plan going on :D Well then we gotta be aggressive if we're gonna keep up!
Ha, Fumi is surprised but delighted when Mitsuki asks for extra dance training, versus avoiding it as much as possible.
Mitsuki is struggling to understand everything Neji is teaching him, though Kai helps break the ideas down into simpler parts. Mitsuki says Sou could probably do a better job on the scripts and... yes he could? Why not have him do that then?
With no sign of self consciousness, Mitsuki says he's not very fit, and that by comparison Kisa is one of the fitter people in class. Kisa offers to help him train and he says that would be motivating, aw.
Mitsuki, Sugachi and Minorikawa all decide to work hard to make their respective classes strong, building a new Univeil as next year's third years, to continue the legacy of this year's third years and support their underclassmen. They all motivate themselves as rivals fighting to win, not just against Amber, but each other.
Sugachi: I know it's a lot to ask, but can I be up front? I want to do everything I can for Onyx, and you!
Jack Ace of Onyx: You're my partner, alright :D I was waiting for you to ask! I want you to be Onyx's dancing princess!
They're so cute together.
Rhodonite Jeanne: Ugh are you going to make us do more practice?
Minorikawa: From today on... I'm no longer supervising practice! I'm going to focus on my own singing, and become a Tresor!
Tsukasa: :D
Rhodonite Jeanne: What. Well we can't have you beat us! Ugh now we have to practice MORE.
...the writers have apparently totally forgotten about Ion, the fat dude who tells you the lyrics of songs, whose character bio says he is a Rhodonite Tresor.
Ha! Carlo gets the same "punch the bad guy" moment the other leads do.
Ahh they have the CUTEST valentines day, she bakes him apricot jam cookies. Mitsuki says he used to find the "same year as Chui" trauma bonding annoying but now he's glad for friends like Minorikawa and Sugachi. Though he's still jealous of Minorikawa wanting to "be partners" with Kisa.
Mitsuki, blushing: Hey. I like you.
Kisa: ...ah...
Mitsuki: Let's work hard together, ok?
Kisa: Yeah!
Everyone in Onyx, Rhodinite, and Quartz is inspired by all this hard work led by the second years, including the third years of Quartz.
There have been several scenes where Mitsuki is clearly trying to build up the courage to ask Kisa to refer to him by his given name (I've been using "Mitsuki" and "Kisa" for clarity but they're both using each other's surnames), it's adorable.
Kisa's singing has vastly improved, but still isn't quite good enough. There's only three days left and she's still playing a guy!
Mitsuki: Can I train Kisa in the theatre a little longer?
Neji: Hmm, Amber's due to use it soon, so there'll be no negotiation... if you see Chui, just run! It'll be fine, he'll just stare into your soul with rage.
Mitsuki asks her to sit with him in the seat she was in when she watched Tsuki perform as a kid, and was inspired to join Univeil.
Mitsuki: To be honest... I resented Tsuki, and the effect he had on Quartz. But because of him, you're sitting here next to me. Otherwise I'd still be watching things from a distance. Life would have been easier, but boring. Do you remember when we met, I said you looked like a Jeanne? Strike one for me, you're a Jack Ace. You looked so fragile and unreliable. Strike two for me, you were strong enough to take a hit from my mother. I learned your secret as we got closer, and I caused you trouble. But during the Winter performance I thought to myself that everything would be fine as long as you were with me. And then you told me your secret. You surpass all my expectations. I know we're asking unreasonable things of you. But somehow... I feel you can still pull through.
Kisa: (He believes in me... I need to believe in myself. I need to be my best...) Mitsuki. Can you please sing for me? Show me how to fill the theatre with song. I want to etch it into my mind.
She listens to him sing, and thinks "I can't sing like this. But it's giving me strength"
Utsuri: They're on our stage! I'll get rid of them!
Chui: Don't. The vessel is being polished. The transparent vessel who doesn't look at me at all... Mitsuki Shirota is the one loved by her talent.
Mitsuki: It's Chui! Make a run for it!
Ha, he's quickly left panting, while Kisa is fine. They're surprised by a light fall of Spring snow.
Mitsuki: Keep how I sing in mind... but sing the way you usually do. I like how you sing. Fill Univeil theatre with your voice.
In the other routes, the oppression of one nation by another in the final play feels like a metaphor for sexism, and the male love interest and Kisa working out their relationship as man and woman and fighting gendered restrictions. But in this route it's about Amber versus Quartz
So there's a lot about Working Together To Fight Even Though It Seems Hopeless and less about Protecting The Girl's Secret.
Suzu and Sou organise a thank you party for the third years, and get Mitsuki to give a speech.
Mitsuki: I never understood why everyone missed Tsuki Tachibana so much. But now that the third years are leaving, I understand. We're going to struggle too, and question whether we can ever live up to them. But we're going to build Quartz with our own two hands, just the way they did. And the time is now. We'll stand beside them on stage, and show our thanks with a win!
Kisa, and then everyone else: Yeah!!
Neji: Us upperclassmen decided to sacrifice this year's chance of winning to get everyone to grow. But we were wrong! The Quartz we have now can win! So we're going to follow you, and see what kind of Quartz you intend to create.
Fumi: Mitsu... Your singing humbled me when I thought I was king of the world, but also supported me. You're more than just a singer now. Quartz is in good hands. So I have one last favour... be Quartz's class leader.
Did they not actually agree on that that before now? I feel like they really should have discussed it instead of all this implication and stoic silent self sacrifice. BUT I GUESS IT ALL TURNED OUT FINE.
New Chui & the evil twinks CG spotted.
There is an extended metaphor about followers flocking to the demon who cares for nothing, birds resting on the tree of death, purified as he paints himself with their blood. I guess... because Amber is becoming The Chui And His Supporters House and will collapse when he graduates in a year? Sometimes I am really not cut out for the metaphors in this game.
Wait they left Sissia a guy and DIDN'T update the design?? That is... one girly looking dude, then, with his cheongsam-ish dress slit to the hips. But ok!
Female singer Carlo irritably teaching the earnestly cheerful guy Sissia to sound less foreign (and thus less easily pegged as an escaped refugee) is pretty cute. Kisa's voice actor sometimes forgets to put on her gruff manly affect but she did have to play this character four other times as a girl.
The happy heterosexual couple:
"Kielce" means something that spins. In the oppressed country of Quatra, it's pronounced "Circus".
*loses points on the dance game trying to figure out if Sissia's 3d model has boobs and... it's ambiguous but definitely kinda booby*
Carlo: Stop doing hatecrimes! *punch*
Racist Policeman: Woman, did you just hit me?!
Carlo: You were being unpleasant. Just disappear >:(
Racist Policeman: Why you-
Sissia: LEAVE HER ALONE *punches* Oh no I'm so sorry!
Carlo: You look so scrawny, but I guess you do have some strength.
As much as I find the near identical plot of the final performance incredibly boring at this point, they have done SOME work to make each LI's version interesting. Sou played a lost childhood best friend, Fumi was the son of an evil general, Suzu was... well, kind of just A Dude but I did him first so it didn't bother me, and Neji was the playwright.
Carlo wanting to do the Performance That Ends Colonialism even if it gets them killed has a little more oomph storywise from a previously apolitical woman than the similar moments with the already political dudes, especially the way it lines up with Mitsuki's personal arc. I'm curious how they'll make Kai's ringleader character unique. I guess him being the ringleader has potential to be interesting, maybe we'll get Kielce Lore.
Fumi interrupts Carlo's impassioned speech with ad-libbing about being happy to see 'her' so passionate. Kai and Neji agree. Sou and Suzu chime in to say they'll follow where-ever she leads.
I really like the arc of Mitsuki having always admired and appreciated the third years from afar, then slowly learning to engage with them as a respected peer, taking over where they left off, and inspiring his underclassmen in turn.
Carlo: Sissia. You've changed me. So I need you to take responsibility and stand beside me until the end. I need you.
Sissia: I need you too. *gruffly* I need you to fix my accent ;)
Carlo: I won't be lenient!
Sissia: Got it :D
Mitsuki, softly: Thank you.
Carlo: I didn't know it could make me so happy to reach an audience... I've been ignoring a lot of my feelings, you made me understand that.
Haa, this version of the play involves the female love interest being fridged for the man's pain, but I'll allow it.
Carlo, dying: This is what I get for trying to be a lead... This will make it hard to sing. I so wanted to sing with you... go on, and sing my part. This is your dream. And my dream... is you. Just... remember how to pronounce 'C'. It's the first letter of my name... say my name...
Sissia: Carlo! Carlo, Carlo...
Carlo: You're so bad at it. Say it again.
Sissia: Stop teasing me, Carlo.
Carlo: That one was better. Now go sing. You have such a beautiful voice. I love you.
;_;
Chui: Mitsuki Shirota offered what was of most value to him, as Kisa Tachibana did during the winter performance. He sacrificed his voice, more important to him than life itself, to nurture Kisa Tachibana. That is something I cannot do. Their performance was good.
And then Kisa AND Mitsuki get gold, beating Chui :D
Minorikawa and Sugachi come next, with joint bronze, but are super happy for Mitsuki.
Chui: being in the 77th year had no meaning to me. But perhaps the number has meaning, now that I know the talent associated with it. I am looking forward to your performance next term.
Mitsuki: I won't lose. You'll always be a towering wall that we in the 77th have to overcome. Thanks for being here.
Everyone praises Kisa, and Mitsuki smiles about his partner being appreciated.
Kai: That last song was like seeing the two of you sing together.
Fumi: It brought to mind images of the two of you on stage together, taking the world by storm.
Mitsuki: But I'm not well rounded like you, Fumi, I can't be Al Jeanne and dance and do a solo.
Fumi: Being well rounded doesn't make you the best.
Neji: Look at me, I can't beat anyone with a specialised skill!
Kai: We were being too overprotective. There's a better path for you.
Neji and Suzu: BUT FIRST, PARTY TIME
Mitsuki: So much noise... but I don't mind it at all :)
Aww Kai comes across as less in love with Kisa and more shipping Mistuki/Kisa, having worried about Mitsuki since seeing him so alone as a first year. Kai says Kisa is an inspiration to other students who might think they have no hope to become a Jack Ace.
Neji: That song of love could only be sung by you: Sissia and Carlo, and you and Mitsuki. He will need someone to have his back, can you do that?
Kisa: yes!
Suzu: Mitsuki will support you so you don't overwork herself helping everyone else. He likes you.
Kisa, aware they appear to be a gay couple: Uh?
Suzu: He always smiles when you're around, no wonder you're partners! I'm a little jealous, I was your partner first! I was Jack Ace and you were Al Jeanne...but now you're a Jack Ace! I can barely keep up! I guess my jealousy will have to fuel me to do my best for Quartz!
Aww. I still believe in you as a big loud Jeanne, Suzu.
Sou is a little more down about how he could tell Mitsuki and Kisa trust each other, and he's not capable of that yet.
Fumi is happy that Mitsuki is still asking him for dance and Jeanne training.
Fumi: Your dedication to Quartz inspired him. Thanks.
Kisa: No, he was moved by upperclassmen like you. He wanted to win first place for you.
Fumi: I thought I could only get first place by fighting with my own hands... but you taught me I could fight with everyone in Quartz.
Man, something about the way Fumi's actor says "Kisa", "Kai", and "Kuro" (Neji) always sounds so shippy. He's very fond when he says everyone else's name but there isn't that element of breathy yearning.
Principal: I can't tell if Mitsuki Shirota knows she's a girl. I guess those two will get along regardless. Let's just carry on as if we don't know anything.
Mitsuki says he's going to be both an Al Jeanne and Tresor, for the good of Quartz, and because he has a new dream: To stand on stage and sing beside Kisa, whether she's a Jack Ace or Al Jeanne.
*happy non binary feels*
Mitsuki: Carlo was really sad knowing that her time with Sissia was coming to an end... Sissia's singing is what cradled her to sleep to dream happy dreams of singing with him. She didn't want either of them to sing alone. She forgave Sissia for the trouble he caused when she heard him call her name with his beautiful voice. The sound of hearing the one you love say your name... I don't know what it feels like.
Kisa: Shirota-senpai...
Mitsuki: Yes?
Kisa: Mitsuki :)
Mitsuki: Suddenly, I feel like singing. Will you sing with me?
That last CG was so cute and androgynous I actually TOOK A PHOTO OF MY SWITCH WITH MY PHONE since I couldn't find it online (I did find a lot of fanart of Mitsuki looking sad and beautiful in dresses, and a few of him looking disconcertingly manly lol) While I was in the gallery I actually did a proper count, and of the ones I've unlocked:
CGs just involving Kisa and the love interests: like 100
CGs of an entire class other than Quartz: 6 (2 each of Amber, Rhodonite, and Onyx)
CGs involving Tsuki: 3
CGs involving Chui and his creepy Jeanes: 11
CGs involving anyone else (all different characters): 3
Anyway. THAT WAS SO GREAT. I am having FEELINGS.
Asides from that one time he took his shirt off, which had a bunch of things going on, Mitsuki comes across as the least sexually motivated of the love interests. I can see them taking a long time before either gets up the courage to ask for a kiss haha.
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Date: 2024-10-03 03:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-10-09 12:39 pm (UTC)Me too :D