Jack Jeanne: Kai Mutsumi

[alias_sqbr]

Masterlist

This was a really lovely, if sometimes implausible, story of two sad, lonely, self sacrificing people learning to be happy and let themselves reach for what they want.

While the route leans heavily into Kai as the big chivalrous Jack and Kisa as the tiny beautiful Jeanne, to my surprise Kai is the closest to overtly bi of the love interests: he finds out Kisa's gender late in the game and it makes zero difference to his behaviour or feelings.

While Kai has a bunch of Angst to work through, the route also digs much deeper (which is to say... at all) into Kisa's emotional issues than the others.

There's a bunch of Big Romantic Moments which will either land for you or feel silly/unrealistic/unwise. They worked for me most of the time.

Content Note: mention of suicidal thoughts

Me before starting this route: Ehhh seems a bit manly for me, but I guess he seems nice.
Me shortly after starting this route: OH WAIT. MOURNFUL EARNEST KUUDERES ARE MY KRYPTONITE.

Also I saw someone describe him as needy, with low self esteem, which I'm not not into.

First things first, since he seems spiritually connected to the Magic Weasel, let's look up Japanese Weasel Folklore. Huh, is that moon shape on the weasel's stomach actually a crescent shaped scar??

First romance scene: Kisa sees Kai walk into a CHURCH?? Is he more like the horny priest character than I thought?? I'd think him being Christian might cause friction with Fumi's devout Shintoism but I know religion doesn't work that way in Japan.

He's been volunteering to teach the children there (orphans??) how to dance, but only knows the Jack dances. So Kisa offers to teach the Jeanne dances. They're both struck by how easy they find it to dance together.

Which is cute but this route better not have ANYTHING bad to say about Fumi as a partner, because he is PERFECT. (EDIT: Ok maybe he... had SOME flaws...)

Ok that's cute, he lets the mixed gender group of children decide if they want to be Jacks or Jeannes and it doesn't match being a boy or girl.

Boy: I want to dance like this really pretty Jeanne I saw once.

Kai GREW UP IN AN ORPHANAGE and so VOLUNTEERS TO HELP OTHER ORPHANS

Kisa bumps into him praying at the local shrine, home to a god of Performance where the founder of the Tamasaka Troupe is interred, and he says he doesn't have much connection to gods but it's part of Univeil's traditions.

I thought he was connected to nature and the Mysterious Mountain because he's Spiritual, but he just really likes nature. There's a bunch of sweet scenes of him admiring the changing seasons, or having earnest interactions with the cute little Mysterious Weasel that keeps showing up.

Kai invites Kisa out to a coffee shop to thank her for helping with the children. When Fumi and Mitsuki find out they're all "What, did you SAVE HIS LIFE or something he NEVER goes to places like that. Or asks for help in his personal life!"

Aw. It's sad Kai and Fumi never quite connected on that level, I can see Fumi being good with kids! Mitsuki too, actually.

Aww, it's the arc where Kisa is cast as a Jack and keeps feeling inferior to Kai, before realising he himself feels unworthy of the spotlight and isn't given the chance to shine.

And it's not like Fumi isn't willing to share the spotlight, he even tries to get Kai to be more assertive, but Fumi isn't so much the giving type as the sort to go here! Take it! and wait for the other person to step up to his level. Fumi!route Kisa has the drive to follow Fumi's lead but Kai doesn't.

Kai: Kisa, you look troubled. Are you alright? You should talk to people you trust if something is bothering you.
Kisa: Do you do that, Kai?
Kai: I'm not good at talking >.>

Kisa stumbles across Kai and Fumi working on their dance together, discussing choreography back and forth and brainstorming how to portray the romantic feelings of their characters through body language.

Kisa: Can I really play a Jack?
Kai: I ask myself that all the time :(

Kai's special skill is looking at Jeannes like he's madly in love with them, so the Jeanne looks more hot. He works with Fumi and Mitsuki on how best to achieve this with both their characters. And then he works with Kisa to make her male character seem cool and clever.

One thing I like about this arc is that Kai teaches Kisa how to be a Jack who supports others, and then she supports him, like she's his apprentice at being a supportive man. He obviously really enjoys what an earnest, talented, and hard working student she is, and tells her he looks forward to seeing her growth and will help as much as he can.

Fumi: You and Kisa's acting has really improved since you started working together.
Kai: Kisa's character is so bright and energetic, mine just feels worse about himself.
Fumi: Gives me a challenge consoling you with my character (the love interest) Let's go practice.

Also, the scripted relationship starts with Kisa's character being supportive of Kai's character's goals and frustrated at him putting himself down. But then because Kisa as an actor wants to support Kai, she makes her character meaner, to make Kai's character more sympathetic.

After the play he is really appreciative of what she did for him.
Kai: You reminded me of myself, when I first played a Jack Ace. I planned to teach you, but I learned from you instead. I am glad that you were my partner.

Every other love interest had shown some sign of overt interest by this point but Kai is staying solidly in Good Sempai mode. He is SO the type to pine silently, though, and I am happy to wait, this is sweet as shippy gen!

Haha Neji treats Kai like a pack mule to buy stage props and miscellaneous items he wants.

Kai invites Kisa into the mountains and says they remind him of his childhood, living in a small mountain town with his mother, who slowly died, smiling to the end. He was passed around relatives and ended up in temporary care. Just as he was wondering how he would be supported going forward, he saw Univeil perform and the principal invited him to apply. Kai had no background in acting etc, but was big and strong, and the Tamasaka Troupe had a tradition of taking in and training orphans.

And so Kai felt he didn't belong, compared to others like Tsuki and Fumi. I get the vibe he has a bit of an uneducated slow spoken country boy vibe, eg Neji calls him a "mountain man".

Kai: And so I spend my time in the mountains. The sky here is the same as where I grew up... I am reminded of when I enjoyed life. Sorry, I must have bored you with my story :(
Me and Kisa: KAI ;_;

Kai: For some reason I feel comfortable around you. Perhaps because you're so kind to everyone. But I can't have you wasting your time on me...

He grabs her hand to stop her slipping, and they both just look at her hand in his.
Kisa: (his hand is so big...) Uh ...Kai?
Kai: ...so small...

After that every now and then he'll just stop and stare at her, presumably having guilty gay feelings.

In the hot spring he just sits there quietly staring at the steam while Kisa silently freaks out haha. He definitely hasn't realised she's a girl.

Kai: I have never sought the role of Jack Ace, I just fulfil my responsibilities. But were it not for being Jack Ace, I would not have gotten to work with a talented underclassman like you.

I am definitely headcanoning him as having an intense crush on Fumi which he never said anything about, but Fumi noticed and went oh no I like Kai a lot but not like that, or was interested in theory but not with Kai being so passive, and it just made everything between them more awkward.

Mitsuki: To protect your throat, you should avoid spicy food, sweet food, hot food, cold food... Kai, why are you staring at me?
Kai: I was just thinking that you're very helpful.
Mitsuki: Well I am a second year now.
Kai: You sure are :)
Mitsuki: Stop looking at me with such a gentle expression.

I could ship it.

Kai: I know you're having trouble with your lead role, and feeling worried about Sou's feelings since he was dropped from the main cast. I can't entirely understand either of your feelings, but I can imagine them. I was always in the ensemble until summer last year, when Neji chose me to be Jack Ace, and lead roles had always seemed out of reach. I will keep an eye on Sou. So please, take care of yourself and don't worry too much.

Haa there's a choice about the possibility of ever being better than Fumi: "I want to win", which gets you points with Fumi and I forget who else, and "It's not possible", which gets you points with Mitsuki and Kai.

Kisa can't sleep, and comes across Kai, alone in the dance studio in the dark, repeating old lines, dances and songs, alone. He keeps returning to the story of the tapir that swallows a man's dreams until he is left empty. It feels like he might just vanish.

When he notices her, he apologises, saying that sometimes it feels like waves come and steal all his thoughts, and leave him empty and alone, like he was when his parents died. He has so many friends, but selfishly it's not enough for him, he's still like this. He sort of implies he's considered suicide. Perhaps a family would help, but can't imagine himself ever finding someone who he could live with, and would want to live with him. Quartz is his support now, but he feels like one day, he will die alone.

Kisa says he is so kind and wonderful that she's sure he will one day find someone he wants to live with, who will feel the same way, and they will be happy together. And everyone in Quartz cares about him the way the he is, more than Kai realises. He is not and never will be alone.

He starts crying, and says he didn't even cry when his mother died.

It's so sweet?? And not even gendered, this could absolutely be m/m or even smarmy friendship.

Aw, he talks about the importance and challenge of being in the ensemble, and how that experience is the foundation of his performance now. He's helping Sou work through his feelings of inadequacy in a really sweet supportive way.

"Sou looks up to you and Suzu. I'm sure he gets depressed at times, seeing you standing together. But at the same time he's able to work hard because you exist. Now that Suzu has entrusted his role to Sou, Sou will come chasing after you at full speed. You just need to keep going and not look back. Chasing after someone you'll never catch is sometimes painful, but also joyous."

Me and Kisa: Kai ;_;

Onyx's Jack Ace is Kaido, a manly and earnest corporate heir who sees Kai as his rival.

Kaido: Kai should come horse riding with me again! He hadn't ridden before yet tamed our wildest horse by getting her to trust him.
Neji: Kind of like how he tamed our wild Al Jeanne, Fumi ;)
Kai: Fumi changed by his own efforts... and perhaps it's better for wild horses to run free.

Kisa helps Fumi fully express himself by going all out as an unhinged villain, Charles. Kai says when he didn't see Kisa any more, but just Charles, he was reminded of watching Fumi acting with Tsuki. Kisa helped dispel the shadow of Tsuki from Fumi's heart.

Kai's realised now that he was limiting himself by trying to fill Tsuki's shoes as Fumi's partner, instead of exploring his own potential.

Once Fumi starts as a Jack in the next play, Kai gets depressed at the thought that Fumi could have been excelling as a Jack Ace all this time, with Mitsuki as his Al Jeanne. I think you vastly overestimate how well that would go, Kai. Did you miss Mitsuki's depressed freakout at being Al Jeanne instead of Fumi in this play.

Interestingly the Kai specific scenes haven't really dug into him initially rejecting the offer to join the Tamasaki Troupe.

When Kai sees Chui dancing with Kisa, he says he saw her as a woman, but seems to view that as Chui doing a good job of enhancing Kisa's Jeanne acting.

When Kisa struggles with expressing her femininity, Kai asks to dance with her, and when she looks into the mirror he says "For this scene, look only at me. Trust me to see how beautiful you are, and show it to everyone else." Later it turns out he didn't want her to see how feminine she looked with him and get spooked.

At the point where Mitsuki realises Kisa is a girl, Kai can tell she's sad but not why.

Kai: You've helped me realise... I do have a dream. I want to be on the stage. Preferably with you... no, that's too much to ask.

When he sees her in the winter play that got even Neji to realise she's a girl, he just thinks she did VERY good acting. Sweet himbo baby.

The route starts! He shyly asks if he could maybe hang out with her on Christmas day, giving cake to orphans, and awkwardly mentions having gotten her a present.

me to Cam: Everyone else had figured it out by now. Maybe he did figure it out and never said anything?? But it really feels like he's just planning on quietly pining for his tiny cute male classmate forever, where is this going...

And then
She gets HIT BY A CAR saving an ORPHAN

In the ambulance Kai is distraught and tells the medic "this is Kisa, he's male, age..."
medic, checking Kisa's body: This... is a woman??
Kai: ???

And now he's giving her this big I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO DIE hug and I guess the romance will start but still ahhh

Cam: It would have been better if he'd seen her naked lol.
Me: He did! They were in a hot spring! He just didn't notice! He's kind of a high wis low int type character.

Kai: When I found out you were a girl, I was surprised, but it did explain why you have different physical traits to other students, and were so self conscious about appearing feminine. It must have been so stressful!

And then her being a girl basically never comes up again.

Kai: When I thought I might lose you it was unbearable. You once told me that one day I would find someone I wanted to live with... I've realised that person is you. However you feel about me, I will always support you.
Kisa: I feel the same way.

And then he gives her the present, a bouquet of preserved flowers she admired way back when he took her a coffee shop.

That's so sweet and delightfully ungendered. I did not expect Kai to be the most indifferent to Kisa's gender but what a fun note to end on!

There have been a bunch of cute scenes where Kisa hangs out with Kai and the Mysterious Weasel (who Kai named Tummy) When Kisa explains that she's Tsuki's little sister, Kai talks about Tsuki also liking to hang out on this mountain and being friendly to little first year Kai when they bumped into each other here, then seems to stop himself from saying that Tsuki seemed sad. The weasel makes some little noises and now I'm like... IS THE WEASEL TSUKI??

Anyway this is all ADORABLE but I'm going to take a break to enjoy where things are now before the game feels the need to add more DRAMA.

haaa so I joined a Jack Jeanne discord server, which is very nice and they're very good about spoilers, but I clicked one for Kai's route anyway because I am weak and apparently Kisa is going to nearly die at least another time guess I was right predict drama haha. Also they opened my eyes a little to Chui's good points, I may have been a little unfair to the guy. I GUESS.

Neji and Fumi encounter Kisa and Kai practising the summer play about the male actor tormented by an androgynous tapir, except with Kisa playing a Jeanne actor and Kai a Jack tapir. Neji asks Kisa to play it the same way, but with Fumi. Kai looks quietly sad.

Kisa: (whoa, Fumi is immediately alluring, captivating, and beautiful)

Kisa I agree but this is the Kai path

Fumi stalks towards her sexily and she can't look away. Is Kai going to feel jealous of how much hotter and more talented Fumi is nooo.

Fumi: That was mean.
Neji: Did you see his expression?
Fumi: I did. I've never seen him so frustrated before.
Neji: Well, I can't suddenly be lenient now.
Fumi: Heh. You and your moods.

Poor Kai, dealing with these two self confident geniuses all the time has got to be exhausting.

Kai: Summer camp was fun. The sightseeing, the hot springs... (WAIT, THAT'S RIGHT, KAI SAW ME IN THE HOT SPRING)
Kai: We also went to the convenience store
Me: Haha does he just not care that she turned out to have been a girl
Kai: Kisa, I...
Me: Oh wait is he just slow
Kai: I may have encountered a ghost at the host springs *blushes* Unbelievable, what am I saying...
Kisa: That was me
Kai: ...I need some time to wrap my head around what you just said...

SWEET HIMBO BABY

Kai talks about how I am Death requires the inhuman Jack to be filtered through the reactions of a Jeanne, who must be on Chui's level acting-wise to be an effective vessel. So far noone has managed it.

*plays two puzzle games while Neji explains the plot of the play, vaguely pondering how it could be cute for Fumi to join Kai/Kisa and make Kai feel extra loved, if the route leaves space for it in the end*

Neji: And the Al Jeanne, Sissia, will be.... Kisa!!
Me: Phew. Now, will the Jack Ace be Kai right away, or will there be some drama where it starts out at Fumi or something before switching?

Neji: For this play I will choose the best Jack Ace...
Me: Wow Neji, way to stir the pot.
Neji: There are two men Sissia longs for...
Me: NEJI. NEJI WHAT ARE YOU DOING.

At least he didn't do this to Sou with Suzu, can you IMAGINE. But now I guess we either get a LOT of Fumi/Kai/Kisa fodder or proof of why it will NOT happen.

I say, assuming it will be Fumi. It could still involve Sou going slowly mad lol.

So! Kai's ringmaster Levi created the antiracist circus The Central Nation of Kielce to ferment rebellion and spread joy, out of a love of theatre and FREEDOM.

And yep the other arm of the love triangle is Fumi's aristocratic dancer Adra.

Neji: And I have not decided yet which character will be the Jack Ace! Also, as a side note, Kai is playing Levi and Fumi will be playing Adra.

Neji you TROLL

Neji: And I will decide by... a vote of hands! Lol, just kidding, I'd never rely on democracy. They have both studied hard to be their best. So I'll simply ask them both... do you want to be Jack Ace?

Fumi: Sure, why not. It always puzzled me why I was assigned to Quartz: I was trained in dance well enough for Onyx. I have experience playing female roles enough for Rhodonite. And I have the ego for Amber. But then Tsuki broke my ego in thinking I was the best there ever was. I put a barrier around me that kept me away from others, and everyone here took it down. So I want to dance with everything I've got in Univeil's final performance, as a leading role. A Jack Ace.

Kai: ............ Fumi would be perfect as Quartz's Jack Ace.
Everyone: Kai :(
Kai: But I would be best at bringing out the best in Kisa. I want to support Quartz's Al Jeanne as a proper vessel. I want to lead Quartz to first place. I want to be the Jack Ace!

Neji: I see! Then the new Jack Ace will be........... Kai!

Kai: Me?
Fumi: You said you wanted it! Getting cold feet? ;)
Kai: I... No.
Fumi: Then stand tall. Congratulations, Kai :)
Kai: Fumi... thank you.

THESE GUYS

Haa and then Neji never mentions the love triangle ever again, I bet that was him and the writers messing with us.

Awww Mitsuki keeps talking about supporting both Kisa and the upperclassmen he's such a sweetie.

Haha as everyone's role is announced they talk about supporting Kisa... except mean boy Otori who says "I won't support Kisa but I'll do whatever I can for the upperclassmen".

haha and then Neji hands out pre-printed scripts which already have Kai listed as the Jack Ace.
Suzu: Then what was all that??
Fumi: Kuro asked me to put on a show to make sure our lead really wanted to star in the play.
Suzu: Ah. Neji shenanigans :/

Principal: Your brother played an especially captivating Al Jeanne in the final performance of his first year. If he'd continued as an Al Jeanne he'd have left a legacy noone would have been able to top. You have a captivating way of playing an Al Jeanne of your own... some might say it's easier for a girl, but you have to wear the mask of a boy and the veil of a Jeanne of your own weaving.

Aww, he says he's proud of both Kisa and Kai for getting leads, since they're both students he personally invited to the school.

Kai: If I backed down, how could I ever face Fumi or Quartz again? But I only expressed the truth. I am best suited to make you shine. This is the first time I've ever felt the desire to be Jack Ace.

Ah! Kai's character Levi acts as stage manager behind the scenes!

Mitsuki: Kisa has two solos, despite not being a Tresor... it just goes to show the importance of his role as Quartz's star flower.

*has Mitsuki route related feelings*

Me: Oh god it is so boring watching all these nearly identical scenes again after 4 other playthroughs.
Neji: Ok now let me give a recap of the scene we just rehearsed!

COME. ON.

Kisa has a lot of heavy expectations on her, to be the star of the whole play bringing Quartz to victory. Everyone is supporting her, but in some senses she's alone.

Neji: Now let's do the scene again!

/o\

I get to decide which approach Kisa takes, and Kai matches his reaction to her mood. It's a nice way to illustrate how that choice must have felt for Kisa!

Heh is the Japanese for vocabulary really "vocabulary" or was Mitsuki using an English word to drive home the point he was making about Suzu's ignorance.

Anyway. Since Kai will just follow Kisa's lead, she effectively has responsibility for both characters. This is why Fumi used to put so much thought into his roles as Al Jeanne to Fumi's Jack Ace.

Kai: Don't worry. We can think together about how we can best express our characters. Isn't that right, Neji?
Neji: Absolutely! We'll just keep testing the waters with this scene.

And then they do, OFF SCREEN, hooray.

Haha Sou is practicing his jokes to Rhodonite, not because they're good at being funny but because they don't hold back on their feedback.

Kisa: Can you show me that dance again, Fumi? (Ah, he's so beautiful and hard working. Yet even he isn't good enough. How can I possibly be better?)
Fumi: Kisa? Was I too captivating?
Kisa, earnestly: Yes
Fumi: I was only joking. But I can do this as many times as necessary for Quartz's Al Jeanne.

Onyx's Al Jeanne Sugachi happens to see Fumi and Kisa practicing. After Fumi leaves, he's able to demonstrate a move Kisa was struggling with, having seen it once, but then shows how he'd do the whole dance in his own style.

Me: Yes, yes, Kisa feels bad about not being as good an Al Jeanne as Momonashi and Kamiya, I've seen this before...
Kamiya: Ugh. I can't practice with him here.
Momonashi: Then why doesn't he try playing the princess :)

...ok that's new.

Kamiya is initially horrified but agrees when he sees how bothered Kisa is by the idea.

Momonashi: Here are the lines you'll need. But you'll only have one chance to learn them :)

Kisa does (imo) an ok job of Intense Creepy Bloodlust but the Amber students are not impressed and laugh at her. WOW.

Momonashi: At least you were trying your best :)
Kamiya: Are you proud to call yourself an Al Jeanne? You're a pretty flower that everyone watered diligently only to rot it's roots. And with Kai Mutsumi as Jack Ace, Quartz really did give up on winning.
Kisa: Why do you have to be so horrible. Bad mouth me if you want but leave the others out of it!
Momonashi: Yes, we should be polite to the upperclassmen. I'm sure he can support you as a vessel now since he couldn't support Fumi :)

Kisa is quietly furious, and determined to not make Kai look bad again.

Sou notices she seems down and asks what's wrong.
Sou: Rehearsals have been going well and you're doing your best. But you could come with me to Rhodonite and see if that offers lessons on being a Jeanne.

Mare: KISA, SAVE ME FROM SOU'S TERRIBLE JOKES
Minorikawa, the Jack Ace: He is trying his best

Every time we see another Al Jeanne about to perform, Kisa thinks "Something amazing is about to happen".

Kisa is overwhelmed by the difference between her singing and that of the Al Jeanne, Tsukasa. Yes but Kisa you have not seen Tsukasa's dancing or Sugachi's singing, I'm guessing it's not as impressive.

Minorikawa picks up her mood and says he also feels the pressure of being compared to other Jack Aces like Kai and Chui.

Kisa: I'm going to practice, before I forget what I learned.
Sou: So late? Well then I'll join you, like Tsukasa said, it helps to have an audience.

Suzu: You went to Rhodonite with Sou and then practiced together? I never get to do things with you any more, I want to help too. But I gotta go to Onyx and train in somersaults...
Kisa: Can I come with you?
Suzu: :D

Haaa she's planning on just watching Sugachi but gets drafted into jumping practice with Suzu.

Kaido takes them out to lunch in his family's hotel. Sugachi reassures them it's ok to just order whatever they want. They are SO married.
Kisa: Is it true you saw Kai as a rival ever since you started at Univeil?
Kaido: Yes but he didn't recognise his own potential. He lacks the ability to see his own talents despite being an excellent observer. Which is why I'm so glad he's agreed to join the Tamasaki Troupe and said he wants to be Jack Ace! I want him to take over in my stead when I leave the theatre to take over my family's business. Though I plan to participate in a way only I can, by preparing artistic and cultural events.

Kisa realises Sugachi is so serious about his performance because he wants to celebrate Kaido's last performance with a win.

Suzu: You're practising again today? Are you sure? Then... I'll help! And let's call Sou! You'll need a Jack, right? And Sugachi's not the only one who wants to send off the third years with a win.

I was a little annoyed there was no option to talk to anyone this weekend, just to train, then realised that was because Kisa herself chose not to do any socialising.

Kai worries she's pushing herself too hard and says she has her own strengths and doesn't need to compare herself to others. But he is willing to practice with her as much as she likes.

Ooh. Levi's angsty backstory is that he was a war orphan who got adopted by someone from the other country, but when the war ended and the wall was built, they were separated, and he can only assume his adopted mother was forced into slavery. This is why he's so determined to bring down the wall.

The way Levi keeps his emotions in check even when discussing such a traumatic events reminds Kisa of how Kai always puts others first. What can she do to help him achieve the one things he's let himself ask for, for Quartz to win?

Kamiya: Filth like you has no right to watch Amber rehearse.
Chui: What do you mean by "Filth"? Explain.
Kamiya: Uh...
Chui: Did you using a word you don't understand?
Kamiya, in a small voice: ...I'm sorry for interrupting.
Chui: I see that you are hungry, Kisa Tachibana. You knocked on Amber's door despite your fears. I will give you something of value in return. Play the princess Takihime.
Kisa: ...uh...
Chui: You possess the same sense of loss. What is this loss you are grieving?
Kisa: Uh
Chui: Live and breathe Takihime. That is what it means to act.

Kisa: (Does he want me to draw on my grief over losing Tsuki? Then... she doesn't care about vengeance. But she prays constantly, for the one she lost...)
Kisa, in an intense whisper: Gods... I will give you my everything... (Tsuki...where are you...)
Kamiya: Sorrow?? She's supposed to be SUMMONING A DEMON!

Kisa: (She relies on vengeance after the loss of her father. Am I... relying on Univeil?)
Chui: Transparent vessel. Your body hungers for more talent. The only one who can satisfy your hunger is the one to whom you offered your prayer. She does not seek the demon. She seeks her father. But beware. She may go mad if she is mistaken.

Kisa wonders if what she's been chasing is Tsuki's Al Jeanne.

Kisa you can't spend every weekend practising this is unhealthy and also kinda boring and unsettling for me mechanically. Kai invites her to look at the newly budding plum blossoms and she just gets overcome with the passage of time towards his graduation.

Earlier I was thinking it felt a bit uncomfortable for this to be ANOTHER route about Kisa feeling inferior to Fumi. But it's not! And now we're ACTUALLY DISCUSSING TSUKI???

Kisa asks Sou to help her find a video of Tsuki as an Al Jeanne. He does, but says he has a feeling she shouldn't watch it, that she might not be able to come back.

"The young man walked between male and female, possessing an allure unlike either side" is a kinda weird thing to say about your brother but ok. In the CG Tsuki looks like a delicate yet strong and confident flower.

"I thought- is this person really my brother? My body and limbs were numb with cold while my heart was burning like fire. I see... this is Tsuki Tachibana..."

She goes up into the mountains, and tells a sad little weasel she wants to be alone.

Oh god I'm so TENSE

*saves, turns off switch, does something else for a while*

At the next rehearsal, Kisa is vibrant and captivating, speaking quickly and with intensity. Her voice also sounds a little more boyish. (Props to the actor for getting all that across!)

Kai: Are you sure you don't want to rest? You look tired, physically and emotionally.
Kisa: Yes. I'm still not fit to be an Al Jeanne.
Kai: You're already more than fit to be an Al Jeanne. You have more to you than anyone else.
Kisa: (But I'm still not close to Tsuki Tachibana)
Kai: ...then I'll help you practice.

The translation just says "Tsuki" but she's switched from Tsuki-nii (brother) to Tsuki Tachibana (his full name, not how you'd usually refer to a relative). MAN I wish I spoke Japanese I KNOW a lot of other stuff is going over my head.

Mitsuki: Neji, we need to put a stop to this. It's like he's possessed.
Neji: Kisa's always possessed talent, now talent possesses him.
Mitsuki: He's exposing all his emotions, and singing in a way that's bad for the throat.
Fumi: It's the same with dance, it's like Kisa's lost sight of healthy limits.
Neji: I agree it's not healthy... but forcing someone at full throttle to break may cause more damage.
Mistuki: Then what do we do?!

Mitsukiiii

Mitsuki is approached by Sou and Suzu, who are also worried about Kisa. Sou mentions Kisa watching the video without saying it's her brother, but Mitsuki points out the problem predates it. And then they hear some Amber students laughing that if they'd been shown up by Momonashi and Kamiya like Kisa was they'd have left theatre forever.
Sou: What did they say?
Amber students: Haha, well, you know they...uh... aren't the friendliest sorts, and they don't like Kisa...
Mitsuki: Kisa's the sort to get angry when someone speaks badly of others. So who else did they insult? Was it Kai? SPILL IT.

Fumi finds Kai angsting quietly in the woods. He just walked Kisa back to her dorm after a long practice since it was the only way to get her to stop.
Fumi: Hey, Kai. Are you reminded of Tsuki, just before his final performance? He always pushed himself like he was possessed. He was really hard to be around. And now it's like I'm seeing him again.
Kai: ...
Fumi: I still send him messages sometimes, about what's going on with Quartz, asking what he's doing. This year I told him about our great new freshman. I never get any replies though. I've always regretted that I wasn't able to support Tsuki more. So don't you end up regretting things too.

Kai has a memory of he and Tsuki talking about how the mountains reminded them of their family.

Kisa is so tired she can barely move, and goes outside to get some fresh air before Kai arrives for practice. She looks up at the moon, not quite full, and thinks it's like her, never quite a moon (tsuki)

And then she hears Tsuki's voice (which is her voice)

Mitsuki encounters Kai, who is trying to figure out where Kisa is since she didn't show up for practice. He tells Kai what happened in Amber.

Kisa is in the mountains. Tsuki's voice is gone, and she thinks she probably is losing it to have ever believed she heard him. She starts to feel dizzy and cold, and realises she's lost. She can't even see the moon.

After nearly stumbling over a cliff, she decides to stay put. She realises she's not cold any more, just sleepy. She can't even remember why she's here. But as she starts drifting off, she smells something sweet, and finds the plum blossoms Kai wanted to show her.

Kisa: Kai... he's probably worried for me... I should head back...back to Kai...

A distraught Kai is searching the mountain for her, and finds her at the plum blossoms.

Kisa: I'm sorry... I got lost...
Kai: You're so cold. I'll carry you.
Kisa: (He came for me... he's so warm...)

She remembers. Tsuki performing. Neighbours discussing how it must be so hard for her, with her brother, and her father's job.
Kisa: They don't know how to whisper... why did you leave, Tsuki? You always leave me behind.

She wakes in bed, with Kai holding her hand.
Kisa: I'm sorry.
Kai: I have been where you are. And you were beside me then, too. I hear I have something to do with your worries. I realise now I can't just be your vessel. But don't worry, just rest. I will like you no matter what. So like the people I like, too.

By coincidence, Kisa is at zero energy game-mechanic-wise right now, which feels very appropriate.

It's the weekend, and finally there's a chance to hang out with Kai. Kisa wakes, and he's beside her, and then she falls back asleep, still holding his hand.

At the next rehearsal, just as Kisa is wondering how she can perform better when she's so lacking in energy, Kai tells everyone he wants to be a flower now, not just a vessel, standing in the centre of the stage beside Kisa, not just offering support from the shadows.

Fumi: I don't see anything strange about it. From the moment he steps on stage he's too eye catching to stay in the shadows.

Neji improvises some new lines for the more central Levi, doing a pretty good Kai-as-Levi impression, and then says he'll have Kisa and Kai take turns as flower and vessel depending on the scene.

When Kai goes to speak, Kisa gets the sense something amazing is going to happen, just like she did when she watched the Al Jeannes.

Kai: I want to see how far I can go. Will you help me?
Kisa: Of course! (Did he do this because he's worried about me?)

And then for the first time, he looks away from her, and goes to practice on his own.

Mitsuki and Kisa have a conversation which is hard to summarise. But he picks up that's she's worried about Kai ignoring her and tells her not to overthink things.

Kai takes her out to the coffee shop and tells her to order something to build back up her energy. He's still avoiding her gaze and she is trying VERY hard not to take it personally.
Kisa: What about you? Aren't you hungry?
Kai: I suppose I am. I'll get the same thing.
Kisa: Will that be enough for you? Here, the combo comes with soup and bread.
Kai: ...ah, yes. It's embarrassing, I invited you out, but I don't actually have much experience ordering in restaurants.
Kisa: Then leave that stuff to me :)
Kai: I guess my order will taste better if you choose what I should have to eat.
Kisa: *has a moment*
Kai: Then again I can't let you do everything. I'll learn how to order. You can evaluate me next time.
Kisa: Heh, alright. Next time :)

Kai struggles with putting emotion into the lines about Levi losing his parents, and says it's because it reminds him of his own pain.

Kisa and Fumi encourage him to take time for himself.
Kai: I'm sorry I'm causing trouble for the class, and bringing something so pathetically personal onto the stage.
Fumi: Are you including yourself in 'the class'? Taking care of yourself is what's best for everyone.
Neji: The stage is a PERFECT vessel for EVERYONE'S trauma :D Anyway, I'm glad you've hit a wall. You're always a martyr, I want you to challenge yourself.
Fumi: I'd be happy if you finally turned your attention to yourself.
Neji: It would make you human! Humans are made of greed and selfishness!
Kai: Thank you. I feel a little better now.
Neji: I'm glad our boundless kindness got through to you. But Kisa is especially kind to others, right?

Kai comes across Momonashi and Kamiya mocking Kisa for being part of a "garbage duo". He tells them not to use him to hurt others.
Kai: You are both talented and hard working. It's all for Chui isn't it? So you should focus on what he's looking at, what he seeks. Otherwise you won't attain what you seek.
Kamiya: Shut up, you're just some vessel to Sarafumi Takashina!
Kai: I don't know Chui well, but he is clearly very serious and earnest when it comes to the stage. That's something he has in common with Kisa. Can you be proud of your actions in front of Chui? Who is he to you? And Momonashi, he sees what kind of person you are, even if you hide behind the shadow of others. Listen. The moment you learn who Chui is, is when he will respond to you. Do your best. Let's go, Kisa.

Later he says she shouldn't worry about what others say about him. And that while Momonashi and Kamiya shouldn't have said those things, in some ways he's the same as them...
Kai: You should go to singing practice. If I... it's hard being away from you... Nevermind.

Hot DAMN the next scene. Ok.

So Kisa makes Kai some chocolates for Valentines and he's very endearingly taken aback that she would make something for him. When he says he wished he had something to offer in return she asks for him to spend some time with her.

They talk for a bit and he says he feels unworthy to play the self sacrificing, principled Levi, and Kisa is just, but that's you??

I can't remember the exact context but he stops and says "I was going to lie to you. I've never thought of lying before. But... I want to be on the stage with you for personal reasons. I want you to look at me. I didn't want my parents to die. I've always wanted someone to be there for me. And when you were chasing after someone else, after Tsuki... I was so jealous. I couldn't look at you, in case my desires tainted you. I wouldn't be surprised if you don't like me any more." His usual calm manly manner becomes shaky and boyish.

And Kisa's like... show me everything. I want to know everything about you. I'll never leave you. I want to keep looking at you and have you looking at me. They touch each other's faces and talk about their feelings and it's all VERY romantic.


The next day Kai asks to practice the scene where Levi talks about his dead mother. He asks Kisa to be his vessel. He is still quiet, but with pain underlacing his words. He stops, and looks at Kisa, and she thinks "Don't worry, I'm listening. I have my eyes on you."

Sissia: Why are you telling me this, when it could get you arrested for treason?
Levi: I sense in you the warmth of the country we are forbidden to speak of.

Everyone watching is touched by Kai's acting and the horrors of racism. (There is only one character in this game who is canonically not 100% ethnically and culturally Japanese, Dante the half-Iranian Sexy Exotic Bisexual) ANYWAY!

Fumi: Heh. Kai... everyone will follow the ringleader with confidence.
Kai: Fumi ;_;
Neji: Yes, and it was beautiful how Sissia listened and empathised with his sorrow. Kai and Kisa have set the foundation, now for the rest of us to decorate the stage!

Kai thanks her and says whenever she acts as his vessel he realises how important that role is.
Kisa: I could tell that, just as you trusted Fumi, he trusted you. And Neji has entrusted you with everything, knowing what you've been through.
Kai: I am blessed to be surrounded by wonderful people. The flower and the vessel... but we don't have to keep that structure. We can choose whatever fits us in the moment. And we'll do that together.

Neji thanks Kisa for making him realise he'd been locking Kai into being a vessel for too long, as a flawed attempt to help Kai access the talent Neji always knew he had.

Kai offers to help all the younger Jacks with Jack tips, and to bring Mitsuki along to learn how Kai gives progress reports to their supervising teacher (Neji is incapable of doing it in under an hour)

Seeing Fumi smile at all this, Neji says "Do I spot a doting parent's eye?"
Fumi: I have never once thought of myself as that.

Yeah Fumi is noone's Dad, thank you, he is their sempai.

Kai tells Kisa he enjoys teaching now that she's helped him become stable enough to have space for it. He hadn't realised how unstable he was, and appreciates that Neji and Fumi were picking up the slack.

"The people I like will be happy if we win first place" He keeps saying "the people I like" and it is VERY easy to read him as being in love with Neji and Fumi.

The Rhodonite Jeannes all agree Sou is hilarious now, aww. And then they and the Onyx Jacks are taken aback by how unapproachably pretty and Al Jeanne-ish Kisa looks just standing around. Kisa comes up to ask if she's cold and they're all like WHOA. SUCH A COOL JACK ACE.

Mare the Jeanne: Our Jack Ace Minorikawa isn't like that.
Kasai the Jack: He's a talented Jack Ace but he's never really expressed his stance as one. He's very reserved. But now Kai has a confidence he's never had before.

GENDER

Mare and the Jeannes ship Kai/Kisa super hard

Kai: I look forward to my life in the Tamasaki Troupe but I will miss my life with you :(
Kisa: Since this is our last day off before the performance, do you want to spend it together? We could go to the coffee shop, or somewhere else.
Kai: ...My room?
Me: Oooh is he hoping for hot hand holding action

And sure enough he makes tea then asks her to SIT NEXT TO HIM omg. The hand holding is fade to black but I know how to read between the lines *waggles eyebrows*

Kisa: *literally breathes*
Momonashi and Kamiya: HIS POWER LEVEL. IT'S OVER 9000

Kamiya: Ch-chui, I still think she was wrong to play that scene with so much purity but... if that is what you want... may I have permission to add purity to my own performance?
Chui: Show me and I will assess.

Kai: I know you're getting ready for the performance, but if you have time there's something I want to look at with you.
Me: Plum blossoms?
Kai: The video of Tsuki's Al Jeanne.

Huh!

She's worried it'll set her off again, but he says he wants Tsuki to be a positive memory for her, not a source of fear.

Ohhh Kai says Tsuki's beauty is him capturing Kisa's beauty, because she was so important to him. Just as Kisa has been thinking of Tsuki, he was thinking of her. Kisa bursts into tears and Kai hugs her.
Kai: Stand on the stage with confidence. The person who inspired you was also inspired by you. And I feel the same way.

Time for the final performance!

Amber's vengeful princesses are now sad and beautiful, slowly corrupted by death until their father's memory is distant as they tread with bare feet upon mud filled with bones.

(Chui and his creepy twinks CG count: 12)

Neji: Oh. This is an entirely different story. How did they come up with this interpretation?
Kai: I sense Kisa's presence.
Suzu: I thought they hated Kisa??
Fumi: They're acting with conviction. They must have taken action on their own.
Neji: Maybe the two freshmen turned away from their egos to satisfy Chui's desire. It seems Amber has finally found their Al Jeannes. They have two flowers for their vessel.

Wait is Chui their vessel? I didn't think he had it in him!

Everyone's feeling dispirited, so Kai gives a calm but heartfelt pep talk about how amazing everyone in the cast is, one by one. It's really sweet. Mean Boy Otori starts crying when Kai praises him for having a different perspective but working towards the same goal as a vessel for the whole class.

Kai: And now I have something more personal to say... I want to win. So do your best, for me!
Neji: So the mountain man has become a monster!! :D
Kai: I haven't been visiting the mountains lately. I've been visiting the coffee shop.
Neji: You city slicker! I never expected you to switch classes!
Kisa: Do your best for Kai!
Kai: You heard my Al Jeanne!

Aw Kaido is so happy to see Kai embracing his potential.

Sou (as Isaac): Ah Adra (Fumi) your dancing is as beautiful as ever. Whoa, if it isn't the fine Crowley (Neji) embracing our elegant Adra! I wonder what our resident genius has in store for us today?
Crowley: A dance with the lovely Adra!

Neji and Fumi have been very cute this route.

Kamiya: Her joy performance level... it's so high!
Chui: This is no performance. It's true joy at being onstage.

Aw, Sissia feels able to trust Levi enough to say she's from across the wall, I don't think she tells anyone else directly.

Rhodonite Jeannes: AWWW
Dante: The girls are gushing all over them :)
Nagayama the homophobic Onyx Jack: None of them are girls!

This sort of thing is why I never talk about you in my recaps, Nagayama.

Tsukasa: It's soothing to watch two lonely people finding comfort in each other's arms, right Chui?
Mare: Hey, big brother! Don't stir up drama!
Kaido: He's the same as us, a Univeil student! And our friend!
Me and Mare: Friend?! (I think he said something more like nakama which I guess... sort of fits??)
Kamiya: Even if you're the leaders of Rhodonite and Onyx you better not go near Chui, or I'll... >:(
Chui: They are healing the souls of those who suffered the tragedy of "I am Death". Kisa Tachibana is growing onstage at an alarming rate.

It's funny to see Amber to talk about Kisa like some sort of deadly Kaiju instead of the other way around.

Kai apologetically asks Neji if he can improvise slightly different lines in the final scene, to better express his sense of Levi's growing feelings. Neji is excited to see it. Kai does not ask Kisa so much as tell her, but she is also enthused to create the scene with him and he's grateful.

Aww Fumi also asks Neji to improvise some lines, and it turns out to be a little speech to Levi.
Adra: It was always my role to lead everyone to the stage... but you running at the forefront is simply mesmerising. You can do anything thrown at you, so... be proud of yourself, and lead us onward!

Kai's adlibbed lines are a sweet metaphor about how it may be dark but the sun will rise... and then "I want to carry you into a church and make our eternal vows"???

Kisa is into it so, sure, I guess.

Kisa: I will sing. For Levi, for Kielce, for the audience... and for myself.

Suzu: Something amazing is about to happen.

Chui: She has replaced the sorrow in the audience's hearts with the purity of love. You two learned of Kisa's sorrow and have grown through it, so I am sure you both understand.

I know this isn't Chui shipping Kamiya and Mononashi but it's an amusing thought.

Kisa: I was moved watching Tsuki on this stage, but now I'm standing here. The audience is smiling with joy... the view from here is so beautiful.

Awww Kaido comes to congratulate Kai, crying hot manly tears, and Kai says "I will do my best in the Tamasaki Troupe, for you".

Aww and then Tsukasa and Sugachi come to congratulate Kisa on being such an excellent Al Jeanne.
Sugachi: But I won't lose next time. And of course, I'm not the only one thinking that way...
Kamiya: I'll never accept that you're a better actor than me. I'm going to prove that I'm better than you to everyone!
Monomashi: Which is why we're going to stop meddling with you. After all you seem to get better every time we get involved. And we're too busy focussing on Chui's vision.
Chui: Kai... I hear you offered guidance to Momonashi and Kamiya. You have guided Kisa into becoming an unrivalled Al Jeanne. You are the profound and beautiful vessel of the dawn that brings about all beginings. Your performance was splendid. Farewell.

Yes yes, fine, he can be prety sweet sometimes. I GUESS.

Aw, Momonashi got an award but not Kamiya. I believe in you Kamiya.

Haa Fumi handles Kai beating him to the the third year gold award with much more grace than when Neji did it.

Neji: You better not put on that "I'm noone special" face, when you beat Master Serafumi Takashina!!
Fumi: You really know how to rub me the wrong way >:/
Neji: Ah! Stop! No to violence!

Mitsuki: Kai told me Kokuto's way of being class leader isn't sustainable, which encouraged me to take a break.

Aww. Also you're calling Neji by his first name now? You weren't calling Kisa by HERS at this point in your route!

Neji: I have to write an even better play, so I'll probably die in the process, but at least I'll die happy! And the same goes for you, Kai and Fumi, who all need to find new even better partners. I said the Kai and he frowned very bitterly. That city boy is jealous!
Neji (in a more sincere tone): But partner relationships are special. I was partnered with Chui for only a short while, but we still have a unique connection between us. We're sort of bonded for life. Which is why I'm hoping you and Kai can build a new and lasting relationship.

You know at first I thought Chui/Neji were like metaphorical exes, but, uh.

Suzu: I used to want to be a Jack Ace like Tsuki Tachibana. Then I decided to be a Jack Ace only I could be. But after seeing Kai, he's so uniquely cool... and you were able to be five thousand times your usual power! So should I keep going my own way, or try to be that supportive a partner?!

Suzu: What's worse is I'll probably have to go up against Sou to see who'll be Jack Ace... WAIT and I can't rule out YOU going after the Jack Ace spot! I gotta go practice!! But I'm not gonna lose to Kai, I'm gonna shoot to become the perfect Jack Ace partner for you, too!

Sou is working on gaining the physical strength to be a Jack, as well as scriptwriting. Sou thinks back to Kai talking about feeling inferior to someone, implicitly Tsuki, and Sou now hopes to one day overcome his own "wall of a person", as Kai did. He also aims to become the Jack Ace, though interestingly, unlike Suzu, doesn't talk about this being in relation to Kisa. Maybe they don't want us to think about how weird he was about that on his route haha.

Aww. Fumi says that Neji was all "You should have been that kind of Jack Ace the whole time" but Kai said he only managed it because of Kisa, and isn't sure he can do it again. But he doesn't want to be dependent so is doing his best.

Fumi: Partner... I kept pushing Kai to fill Tsuki's role. He didn't complain but I should have let him speak his mind. I didn't consider his wishes. I guess that's what makes me immature.
Kisa: I don't think Kai would ever think badly of you.
Fumi: I guess I'd have to agree with you. Which is why I'm glad you became his partner. I think he finally found the confidence he needed because he accepted you into his life. Oh, and he really likes you ;)
Kisa: ...eh? >.>
Fumi: The feeling's mutual, right? All I ask is that you two stay partners.

Aww. I can definitely ship Kisa/Kai/Fumi from this route, Kai and Fumi obviously really care about each but couldn't make things work before Kisa showed them a better way. And Kisa and Fumi are plausibly into each other and Not Going There Because Of Kai.

The principal feels a little like a proud parent to Kai and Kisa and is glad these lonely kids are making each other happy. "A girl forced to give up on her dream and a boy afraid to dream at all".

Kai takes Kisa up into the mountains to look at the plum blossoms, which are now in full bloom. He says he has been avoiding the mountains: he was using them to soothe his sense of loneliness at being left behind by remembering his past, but it also trapped him in that lonely, backwards looking headspace. Now that he has to leave Kisa behind, he realise how much it hurts, and imagines his parents hated to leave him and wouldn't want him to stay lonely now they're gone. But he can come here with Kisa and appreciate the mountains for what they are.

He quotes Levi's line about going into a church, though says it's not the time for that yet. Kisa is a bit overwhelmed (being a HIGHSCHOOLER) but not not into it.

Kisa makes sure Mitsuki has time to sing despite being class leader!

Kai takes Kisa to the coffee shop then invites her back to his new house for sweets and tea. It's lonely living alone, but one advantage is that there are things he can't say to her until they're alone.

Kisa gets very flustered and Kai smiles and suggests something she might like off the menu.