It’s been some time I last sat down to type things down, but all things must come to an end and other things begin from it. The month’s break came in good use, I would’ve otherwise found myself a kind of nervous wreck you see some people being, burning themselves down for no good reason. I know too many people who have taken the world’s burden unto themselves, and when their strength hasn’t been enough and they’ve exahusted themselves, burning the sheer will to go on with anything, it’ll only hurt them and everyone around them. Purchasing my own place to live in, moving all the furniture and collections, then trying to arrange them into their proper places all the while purchasing necessities (like a new bed because the old one literally blew itself apart when I loosened some screws) and then living more than two months on a razor’s edge regarding my job, something that in earnest is still a thing, I’m sure you can tell that I didn’t need any extra weight on my back. We’re not going to back to normal schedule just yet, however, as I’ll have to prioritise work and things with this new-old house, both of which are delivering constant headaches. There are no plans, but I have some ideas and seedlings that I want to type about, but hopefully, our favourite Digimon blogger A9, or The Doc, will get his promised Star Trek post done at some point to cover my ass a little bit.
As for what’s been happening with the month, there hasn’t really been any time for me to keep up with events. However, I did notice that Kimi ga Nozomu Eien, or Rumbling Hearts, Visual Novel has been confirmed for an English language release. While I’d like to say I have been waiting for this VN to be translated like the rising moon, I have to admit that the time has passed for me. My currently longest, and one of the oldest, post is all about one specific route of the VN, the one that is probably “canon.” I put quotes there, as it’s really best to think KGNE as its own thing from Muv-Luv despite the two sharing overall continuity and were designed to be counterparts. Alas, their history is not exactly that. The two work are very different and the strings the play and the beats they hit are very different, and ultimately I would argue that their audiences are different. Sure, VN fans will eat anything semi-decent they’ll get their hands on, but KGNE is in its own league. It’s often cited to coin the term tsundere, though that’s not exactly correct. The reviews and articles of the time did call it the first nakige for ‘crying game’. KGNE‘s story beats hit points where you find yourself for numerous reasons, tearing up. Be it because something lovely and touching is happening, or because or something massively horrifying hit your way. From what I’ve read, it was also one of the first numbers of VN titles that, in its own way, legitimised the format for the common consumers. Sure, VNs had seen ports to home consoles well before KGNE hit the scene. yet this one didn’t just get ported to Dreamcast and Playstation 2, but also probably is still one of the handful few VNs that have properly well made animated adaptation. The now-busted podcast we had in Muv-Luv Kickstarter’s wake had a special episode just for KGNE and it’s one of the few things I would recommend anyone to listen to just because there are three other guys that aren’t me discussing the series. The show wasn’t just a hit in Japan, it was for a time a popular culture landmark and the work that defined âge as a development studio as well as setting them a benchmark all of their works would be compared to in the future, whatever they may be. It’s a work âge can’t surpass with Muv-Luv. They would need to create something new, something that wouldn’t have the baggage and expectations of a whole franchise and do it as if their life depended on it. Muv-Luv Alternative is damn close to this. I’ve heard that thematically Leaf’s White Album 2 has similar overall thematics, and to quote anon late 2014 It does Kimi ga Nozomu Eien better. Dunno, would be good Japanese practise, I’d guess.
I don’t know how many VN companies would do board games based on a family restaurant and side-characters working in said restaurant. I’d really want that Sky Temple tea set though, it exists out there somewhere
Anyway, KGNE is one of those titles that probably will feel old to VN readers due to its age. The medium has changed in subtle ways since 2001. Many things it does in writing probably will be seen archaic and somewhat driven to the ground, but that’s where perspective has to play a part. This is a thing that I had a discussion with few friends recently, with some of them being VN readers. A point was raised that even taking into ML‘s Kickstarter into account, translating KGNE now is rather late. It being removed from its frame of time will necessitate the aforementioned perspective, but most people won’t do that. They’ll go in expecting something grand and world-shaking. If you come from ML or numerous other hard-hitting VNs, there’s bound to be something to disappoint you. It’s very nature as a grounded slice of life, or This is true life as one of the taglines for the English anime release went, isn’t exactly something that seems popular or wanted nowadays. It has no fantastical elements to it to speak of. In business sense, KGNE doesn’t lend itself for sequels or franchising, which is really a plus from an individual point of view. It’s a single work that tops what it does. You don’t need anything more. The story starts and ends here, and that’s great.
Timing has never been âge’s strengths, and they’ve often kept pushing titles back due to delays of some kind, which ultimately kills interest, even among fans. The core build-in audience âge has, of course, is their main audience, with people who are nostalgic for the anime in the Western front being their second target. I can’t keep track how many times I’ve seen someone mentioning they’ve watched the show ages ago when they were a kid or something similar, showcasing interest to explore that original work. While âge fans will know how KGNE is tied to Muv-Luv, I would consider it a misstep if that was the main point in the advertisement. Sure, that’s probably the easiest way go with it, yet that’ll build the image that these being tied tightly together means you can’t really enjoy one without the other. Separation is needed to deliver the best possible impact between the two IPs. A triple combo of presenting KGNE VN as a defining work of the company and massively classic piece of work in the medium would be the first hit, followed by striking nostalgia people feel toward the anime still by pulling in some recognisable bits and bobs, then followed by connecting it to Muv-Luv indirectly. KGNE has to be allowed to breathe by itself. I just hope it’s not too late. âge knows how to heat the flames in the forge when it comes to the fans, but the steel tends to cool down or burn out in the forge if left unattended, ultimately flame itself burning through all that coal.
If you’ve never seen AyuMayu Theatre, I would urge you to track it down and watch itComing Soon? I doubt, unless 2030 is soon for you
I’m glad KGNE is finally getting that English translation. It is a work I do think should be available for everyone. In the same breath, I must mention that I do consider every single sex scene in the work to be of importance. It’s part of the way the story is structured, and one of or two truly feel like traditional VN design where porn was a must. I do think the same way about Muv-Luv‘s scenes, mind you, though only a handful of them are truly necessary and highly important. Funny that really, all of them involve Sumika. Nevertheless. the translation also has to impeccible, but knowing how much love is involved with everything, I’ll show faith in proper handling of the work.
With âge intending to remake Kimi ga Nozomu Eien sometime in the future, I can’t help but I have to consider this to be the right step. Re-introduce the work to the Western audience, maybe try to get some kind of deal with whoever has the English license at the moment to release the Blu-Ray pack to strike gold with that nostalgia even more. With Sayori of Nekopara fame working on the KGNE Remake, I have to admit having no interest in it at the moment. Kimi ga Nozomu Eien Latest Edition was an expansion of the original for modern hardware all the while including new routes from Kimi ga Nozomu Eien Special Fandisc. Even after the Remake/Reboot, whichever they want to call in the end, Latest Edition will stay the definitive version of the original Kimi ga Nozomu Eien and should be considered as. âge doing the reboot means they have an insanely difficult task to surpass the original in every possible way, something I can’t believe they would be able to do. Perhaps a miracle will happen and I’ll be applauding it the finest piece of âge’s history. That’ll remain to be seen.
One pastime I’ve seen Muv-Luv taking part in has been making up ways how the core story could be translated and adapted for animation. Everything from two cours (aka twenty-four episodes) to a series of movies, things have been explored a lot. However, very few of the discussions have been what I’d describe realistic. They’ve been best case scenarios after all. With the announcement of Muv-Luv Alternative in Animation, the issue has become less academical. I’ll be using that in Animation suffix when specifically speaking about the upcoming animation to make a clear difference. It’s not its official title or anything, but I like the sound of it. Sue me. Guesses are left and right what form the adaptation will take and how many episodes, what changes will be made, what studio will be working on it and how the air-intake hairs will survive. Looking at modern trends and the history of Muv-Luv in animation should give us some idea.
The main reason Muv-Luv as a whole can’t be adapted for television or otherwise is because at its core the storytelling is broken. Fans know that Muv-Luv was originally supposed to be relatively contemporary piece to Kimi ga Nozomu Eien/Rumbling Hearts (which really should be Trembling but âge English is kinda like that.) It was not intended to be three-part sprawling venture, but as KGNE saw success, plans grew and bloated to the point where it had to be cut in half. Extra was meant to be its namesake, an extra chapter after you’ve managed to find the one true love that would prevent world from going to hell with The Day After, not a character-setting twelve hour comedy romp it became. Unlimited wasn’t supposed to be a thing on itself even, but more akin to different routes that lead to similar ending. After multiple read-through, perhaps needing to unlock all other endings or just few at first, you would be able to find the titular True Love route. With ML Alternative putting emphasis on Takeru being cycled over and over again with little to no memory all the while retaining physical attributes, the original core design of the Visual Novel was completely different what we got. Its scale was smaller, more focused and KGNE‘s running success changed that. âge originally pushed back Muv-Luv to a 2002 release instead of its original 2001 as they revised its scale, but ultimately had to be pushed out in February 2003 due to the company running out on time and money. At that point, the story the original product was already split and broken. Alternative would definitely follow in 2004. It wouldn’t until February 2006, and in the meanwhile some smaller stopgags like Muv-Luv Supplement were pushed out.
Muv-Luv is often described as a trilogy, but in two titles. This still trips people up, which further shows that something went wrong at some point. Maybe making a difference between Unlimited and Extra was a mistake in itself and something better should’ve been implemented. Merch and spinoffs make good use of the labelling though, but only if you already know what’s what. There is no product separately sold as Muv-Luv Unlimited
Muv-Luv and Muv-Luv Alternative has been criticised for being badly paced, and that’s just one result of the work as a whole becoming so huge. The Genre Shift between Extra and Unlimited is a direct result of this as well, which has lead many people to dislike the now-first part of the three core stories. Multiple real-world events changed the plot-line here and there, like the 2005 London bombing. Certain event later in Alternative probably saw the most changes, as âge wanted to avoid accusations of portraying terrorism in a positive light. That wasn’t the only issue, during development âge always feared that their work would be be labelled as extremely right-wing, so the original version of MLA’s Imperial Japan went through revisions. Some hints to the original plotlines still exist in the final work, like having a tsunami at the end of Operation 21st, whereas originally it as supposed to devastate Niigata. 2004 Chuuetsu earthquake was the reason its results are largely glossed over rather than be a significant part of the story, where Kashiwagi was supposed to have a major role. Discussion whether or not real world events should be allowed to influence artistic integrity and vision like this may be relevant, but at the same time we also have to remember how Muv-Luv overall is a commercial product and companies have to be aware of how they depict things in order to avoid bad rap. It’s a careful balancing act, sometimes you have to sacrifice some of your vision for the sake of the product itself.
With numerous revisions that weren’t originally intended, bloat finding its way in with meandering bits here and there, it’s not hard to see where bloat sets in by itself (just like this post, amrite guys?). Things kind of just ran ahead of themselves as the scope grew, but deadlines are a bitch and you can’t delay a product indefinitely, no matter how âge would like to do so. All three parts suffer from spots where the story grinds to a halt. The VNs are somewhat infamous for halting the progress of the story to deliver information to reader in major sections as info dumps. Very few works have managed to drop an hour’s worth of info into the reader’s lap and expect the reader to absorb it, and Muv-Luv isn’t one of them. No matter how interested you’re into the characters and the world, being stuck in a literal school lesson for information that could have been worked in better is simply bad design. Lacrosse arc’s existence is literally just to foreshadow how the character dynamics will clash later in, and has an equivalent even later in the story, yet the arc itself is considered to be low point in the whole body of work. It’s dull and we already knew the character’s personalities at that point. It’s overly long and some people just skip it. Despite the story itself being damn well written at its core, the bloat shows itself here and there. Muv-Luv is at its best when it has a nice jogging pace with few moments to slow down here and there before the events hit a nitro boost. It likes to wallow in going on and on about things, especially during Alternative. Being invested into the characters is its saving grace, but that’s almost a coin toss.
If an animation would like to cover all of Muv-Luv as it stands now, from the very start of Extra to the very finish of Alternative, we’re too late for that. With the lack of success with Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse and near total disaster with Schwarzesmarken, I can assure you Muv-Luv Alternative‘s animation adaptation will not get more than one cours, twelve episodes. The IP may have been in a better in late 00’s when Akane Maniax was supposed to set Muv-Luv animation up, which never happened as the deal fell through, but now the IP is volatile at best, dangerous money waste at worst. âge has not produced anything that has made an impact since Alternative and I’d argue their most successful project after that was the Kickstarter. That of course attracted lot of attention and played large part in the future of âge. A million dollar crowdfunding from an internationally unknown company is bound to raise some attention. We know that something is always going on in the corporate background, and you can bet animation rights were discussed in the background at that time, culminating in in Animation. Avex’s obtaining âge from Acid and ixtl being terminated in favour of /restructured into aNCHOR are all results from âge’s media failures and Kickstarter’s success. We should put an emphasis on the Kickstarter, as it served as a cornerstone for âge’s real realisation that they got international fans and untapped market. Well, as untapped as you can get with Visual Novels, they’re not exactly a success in Japan either with handful of companies going bust each year. The media being sold as games harms it, as it does not represent its true nature as literature allowed by our digital age. In short; VN based IPs are pretty fucked at the moment, unless they can diversify themselves. âge’s both mobile games have failed and closed in about year after their launch, VNs sales have been lacking (mostly due to lack of products) and both television shows were effectively bust. âge might still have faith in the IP, but the surrounding companies will think twice or thrice before throwing their lot in.
All this, and the current trends, tells me that Muv-Luv Alternative will be a one cours show with about twelve episodes. We’ve already seen numerous redesigns of the characters in Exogularity books, and modern take on the characters is effectively required. The show and the story must be retooled to fit the modern age, both in its core structure and in designs. I’ll argue that the Tactical Surface Fighters are the best designs in the franchise, as they’ve been designed to be largely ageless. They don’t really look like mechas from the early and mid-00’s. Hell, if anything the visual flavour TSFs are in has become somewhat popular. Sure, you have the paper thin waist and some oddities here and there, but largely TSF designs are made well enough to still look fresh. The same can’t be said for the characters, who look like they’re stuck in the change of millennium. Anime style has dropped geometrical (and puffy) hair in favour of sleeker, flatter hair. I don’t find anything offensive about the characters despite being an old fart who still buys 1980’s comics like they were new, yet we can’t ignore how each era has its own visual flavour. The above are not the animation designs or anything related to the animation in itself, but this is the direction we’re going to some extent. âge is a trend follower rather than setter in this. Despite Ban being 10/10 in visual style and I would want him to be employed 24/7 with everything I love, you should expect something different still. Something that’s already tested the waters and that is massively successful. Maybe the guy who did Girls und Panzers or the LoveLive guy will do the redesigns for the anime. Those have been popular shows, and something people would recognise. Hell now I want to see Sugimori-style Muv-Luv content just for the kickers.
One cours adaptation might be able to fix Muv-Luv‘s pacing as much as it probably will completely destroy it. If it gets more than one cours, hey that’d be fine too. However, what Muv-Luv Alternative in Animation needs from the original work is its core intention. The original form of Muv-Luv is still there, under all that extended plotlines and content, all that bloat and info dumps, under all the sectioned and split parts. Let’s take it as face value and consider the title as true; it will be just the Alternative portion of the package. This would mean both Extra and Unlimited would be relegated to being flashbacks and references. The series would be build on mystery about this one guy who clearly knows something bad is going to happen if things aren’t done the right way, but at the same time he doesn’t belong here. There’s a crashed giant robot outside his home, but somehow that doesn’t really phase him. Familiar faces, familiar places, but it’s not his home. Muv-Luv Alternative in Animation would have to build itself on the last cycle of the original design, and on Alternative we got, relegating Extra and Unlimited as necessary flashbacks, maybe even visiting those events. You could start the series with one episode of showcasing everyday comedy in Extra setting, then move into an episode ending cliffhanger with the BETAverse. In between this, show Takeru dreaming of all the other possible routes and events, all the misery and death the world would know if he didn’t put the foreknowledge be obtained from repeated deaths into proper and immediate use. While the Visual Novels build on the reader becoming invested into the characters and even falling in love with them, that is the result of the whole product having been restructured. It has become the VNs main strength and weakness. If you’re dedicated and invested in these characters, you will stand through the bloat and bad pacing. Hell, you probably won’t notice them all that much, because you’re heart and soul is in it. If you’re not, the rest will probably kill your interest before you get to the main dish of the whole story. Muv-Luv Alternative in Animation has to focus on the core and leave all what we now consider as set-up as something a mystery. Other characters will get emphasised, lesser ones will be cut. The same applies to events, and some will see modified, rest assured. Twelve episodes is enough to adapt Alternative with some Extra and Unlimited trickled in, but as said, it’s a delicate surgeon’s job. It will be familiar to the fans, but at the same time, this show really needs to be a hit with the larger audience. At this point, a Muv-Luv Alternative animation can’t serve just a commercial vehicle for the Visual Novels, we’re about a decade too late for that.
While we’re at it, go watch Ayu Matu Theater
I have no data why âge’s 20th anniversary stream didn’t put anything solid down on development and releases outside Project MIKHAIL. All we got We’d like to do this and We don’ have budget set. At face value you could almost believe that âge doesn’t have the money to put projects into full development cycle and publish their products. Maybe that rumoured Kimi ga Nozomu Eien translation got stuck due to the same issue, maybe requiring crowdfunding down the line or be split into two products like Schwarzesmarken was. SM VN’s sales were terrible, mind you, splitting a whole product like that is never a good idea. Except they kind of did that with Muv-Luv already. Still, the lack of sales would indicate this for sure, but at the same time I have to question if the fans have been the only thing keeping âge alive? If the fandom wasn’t so solid and willing towards the company, would âge have gone the way of the dodo already? That Kimi ga Nozomu Eien remake has been in the works on some level for at least five years now, and Muv-Luv Integrate seems to take elements from Strike Frontier’s second season but I’ll get to that whenever I write about Integrate. A new The Day After probably will most like maybe be done. Everything’s vague, outside that we’re going to get that animation, and that’s probably a linchpin in all this. If this is the third time a Muv-Luv animation fails, they don’t have much material to work on anymore. The core story where everything else stems from has to hit the mark, there really aren’t any other options.
Just as a quick tangent, what can they hope to do with Kimi ga Nozomu Eien‘s Reboot? The story doesn’t need more elaboration on, it is a full package unto itself. The only worthwhile addition I can see it happening to it if they’d actually make it more an actual game, with scheduled events, character stat management and Adventure game styled options to interact with each scene. I don’t have faith that modern âge can add anything worthwhile to the package. If it’s going to end up being similar to Kimi ga Ita Kisetsu remake, aka worthless waste of everyone’s time, I can say I’m not interested. I may be be a fan, but I’m not one to blow money blindly on products that can’t make their original versions obsolete. Sure, modernise it with new style, tweak the story a bit here and there to fix some of its problems, maybe add a scenario or two, but what are they going to do in order to add unique value? Tie it more to Muv-Luv? I’d consider that a major misstep. Integrate may be a project to bring all that together, but Christ if everything just ends up being Muv-Luv in a way or another, I’d like to have that early 00’s struggling âge back in order to force them to work with smaller scale titles and even more limited budget and staff. It’d be the very opposite of diversifying your product line. KGNE Reboot has to have value on its own, something that will both obsolete the original product and its Latest Edition iteration, and make it stand alone on its own two feet without resorting to nostalgia and other IPs.
It’s both rather funny and disheartening to consider Kimi ga Nozomu Eien to be âge’s breakout title, but also the title that made the company name to be reckoned with. As much as Muv-Luv Alternative is talked to have influenced this and that, like Attack on Titan, it still had less an impact that KGNE. Hell, at the time I was reading Japanese magazines claiming the title solely created so-called nakege, titles intended for the consumer to cry over due to its emotionally hitting writing and topics. Tsundere is often coined for âge and KGNE as the originator, which isn’t exactly all that correct, but sure let’s just go with it. It was also KGNE animation that broke through to the general consensus and people who didn’t care for VNs at the time were reportedly picking up the PS2 version just to check the it out. The sheer success of that one property was never replicated in later works, and ultimately âge became almost obsessed solely to make Muv-Luv related products, dropping their other sub-brands completely and all other types of products they were making. I don’t see this as a healthy way of doing business. Visual Novel companies never had million dollar budgets to throw around, especially now that they’re a slowly dying niche. It is a small miracle Muv-Luv and Alternative were even made with in their current form, especially by a company who often gets criticised for mishandling scheduling and budgets.
I’m not worrying over Muv-Luv Alternative in Animation. If it fails, nothing has changed and the course of the company will stay the same. If it succeeds, âge should have more resources under its belt to get something off the ground again. While you can live on your core fans to certain point, with remakes, localisations and sequels, expanding that base is required if you want to do more and expand your company. Maybe building a full-fledged strategy RPG could do the trick, or an action game similar to Virtual-On and Another Century’s Episode could do draw in some attention. The setting surely allows all this. Perhaps finally create something new and not rely on Muv-Luv as the only piece they have to offer.
I hope I’m not alone in thinking how Muv-Luv and Muv-Luv Alternative together make a great story, but the way the story is told in the Visual Novels is not exactly a class in masterclass prose. Perhaps the original intention was worse, maybe it was better. Maybe all those revisions, all the work that, blood and tears that went into making its final form, flawed and lacking as it may be, allowed the title to be the very best it could. It might have become somewhat impenetrable to some. Muv-Luv may not have become a pop-cultural juggernaut, but its impact on different sects of popular sub-cultures can’t be denied. If Muv-Luv were ever to get a full-on remake, I’d wish the originally intended form to be implemented, that its original intention would be realised in full-scale. in Animation has all the chances to fix the spots where Alternative faulters. It’s going to be a tough job, especially all the while it has to be modernised for completely new audience that wasn’t there in the early and mid 00’s. Expectations are high. We’ll have to sit tight to wait and see.
On July 6th, âge announced that ixtl, the company that was put up in 2011 to manage their copyrights and IPs, has now been renamed as anchor. Their website has also been revised accordingly. It would seem that anchor’s role is not just to manage âge’s rights, but also to design stories, i.e. story content creation of sorts. XR experience can be loosely equated to VR and other experiences that might come in future, e.g. themed hotel room or such.
This comes in the wake of Avex Pictures acquiring ixtl in 2017, ixtl having a survey for international and Japanese consumers what they’d like to see from them as well as Avex and Graphinica announcing they have established Flagship line, a company to produce goods, such as animation, games and VR titles.
Perhaps most importantly, anchor’s site specifically teases a new project coming soon, there is already something in the works. Considering Avex Pictures took notice of the million dollar Kickstarter, renewed interest to revamp a company branding and other changes, it should not be too hard to guess what they’re ramping up to.
This post was know as To step from eternity to the future prior to editing and slight reworking
This post is dedicated to one friend faraway in another land, to a friend who used to download everythinghe could get his hands on, to all friends I haven’t seen in ages, and to all those who have survived âge’s PTSD train. Thank you to all of you, and sorry for the grammar errors and all that.
When I started reading Muv-Luv a little less than a yearago, I didn’t know what I was getting myselfinto. Yes, I had previous experience with âge’s stories and yet it struck me like lighting. The story didn’t just speak to me, it changed something within meme on a fundamental level, just like their previous story. It was something unexpected, something inspiring that just rushed in, kissed me and said that she would never leave me. Well, that’s a way to describe a story.
But âge’s previous work, Kimi ga Nozomu Eien, was something completely different. I’m going to say something personal, and something with a strong basis here; Kimi ga Nozomu Eien is âge’s masterpiece sofar. Has Muv-Luv become more popular? I… can’t really say. I haven’t been a part of the visual novel community at large oneither side of the sea, so I can’t tell. Perhaps quick Googling would yield some results, but that’s unimportant now.
Yes, it’s time for a personal post once more, but in similar spirit as my most popular post in the blog. Actually, no. This isn’t a personal post even thou it might seem like it. This is story about a story which affected one person’s life to an extended degree. That person just happens to be me. This time I will discuss only a little about Muv-Luv, and more about KimiNozo. Just remember our agreement on Muv-Luv; whenever I’m mentioning of it, or making asome sort of reference to it, take a drink. You might be wasted by the end of this post.
I had immense difficulties with this post in general, as I tried to trim down the pictorial content and leave outas many Youtube linksas possible. That, and I had horrible pains of consciencefor spending a whole week working on one post that I know goes against majority of the posts in this blog. However, it’s something that I need to get offmy chest. Still, you can see this post as a sort of review and overview, much like majority of Muv-Luv’s are. There’s just a personal story included. I’ve been meaning to make a sort of post about Kimi ga Nozomu Eien anyway, and now it’s finally time to blow the bank vaults open.
Let’s have some personal history out of the way. You can read how I met with KimiNozo from the Muv-Luv post, but I think that’s far too condensed. Let’s say that a person nicknamed Daironeri can be faulted forthis initially. He introduced the series to me, and told something along the lines ofCheck the first two episodes, and then decide whether or not you want me to get more for you. Sure, I did check the first episode and I was rather impressed,to be honest. It was like I was watching, to quote another friend, some little girls’ princess shit. Yeah, the first episode can be called that, but I really can’t do it. This is partially because I know the story, but mostly because I’ve started to learn to see those little things that are left in, hinting something beneath the surface and foreshadowing elements that exist in the scene. Back in ’03 I was a child, I don’t deny it. I didn’t know what to look at. A year later I did, but I didn’t come back to KimiNozo for a reason, but I did visit it once, and then once more, until I finally managed to properly rewatch it last year after reading Muv-Luv.
The second episode of the animation adaptation ends where the first “chapter” of the Kimi ga Nozomu Eien visual novel ends; the story defining theturn that sends the main character into a spiral of a mental breakdown. I began to love these characters without noticing it, calling it a girlish story, a fairy tale for children. Because of this love towards these characters the second episode struck mehard.
At this moment I am sitting opposite to you, dear reader, and telling how I finally closed a matter that has haunted me for a long time, a matter that has been there in my head and calling me back.
I’m here, at this moment, to tell you how a manspendssix years being afraid of his own emotions, and whichstory made him to intowhat he is today and how the same story has managed to change him yet again.
Dear reader, take a sip from your glass and let this old lonely man tell about the eternity he wished for. Allow me to tell you a story so you can experience it through me.
With Muv-Luv I’ve seen a lot of people telling that You will never experience Muv-Luv for the first time again and I wish I could reread it completely fresh again. They are all good hopes and ideas in a way, as Muv-Luv really is an unique piece with no real competition to match it. The again, Kimi ga Nozomu Eien wrestles in a completely different series. While I’d love to experience it completely anew, I’m afraid that it would be a completely different experience, as pretty much every major experience I’ve had, even in my personal life, can be traced to influences from KimiNozo. The experience I had with the series is completely and utterly unique. Especially with Muv-Luv; it would not have been as a strong experience without KimiNozo and what influence it had over me.
This point is important; Kimi ga Nozomu Eien did not make me, it did not transform me nor did it suddenly change me; I allowed it to influence me. I’m not even that easy to influence, thou I willfully give a different kind of image to some. I can’t call it a positive choice, but it wasn’t negative either. It was a choice of subconscious, as the series just spoke to me.
How KimiNozo exactly influenced me is an open question. Did it wakemy suppressed emotions? Did it make me realize somesort of fragility of life? Did it tell me to value my friends and make choices before it was too late?
Honestly, I need a bit more time to answer questions, but perhaps I do not need answers in words. I have no doubt that you, my dear reader, can read between the lines I never typed in.
Eight years ago years ago I started reading the original Kimi ga Nozomu Eien visual novel on Dreamcast. It still sits on my shelf. I remember getting my hands on it, seeing the calendar and thinking that this is pretty sweet, I can finally see the original story.
Only some weeks prior… It’s history now, so I may as well tell youthe whole story. I met my girlfriend of that time around those times as well, and after only a month or so I broke up with her after having a high fever for a week. On Friday she came to meet me, and I broke my wishes and reasons to her face to face. A month went by between us under rather harsh conditions, during which few weeks and I was running KimiNozo from my Dreamcast when she came to visit me as usual. She saw the VN, knew what it was and broke down into tears. She had misunderstood a song I had put up when I broke upwith her, Precious Memories, and I felt horrible even whenwas just a silly misunderstanding.
After that day I never could put Kimi ga Nozomu Eien into my Dreamcast again. I never managed to finish the that particular version. I don’t think I never took the disc out of the jewel case after that.
I searched the PC version from the Internet some yearslater and ploughed it through, stopping mostly with the naughty bits, and for most important story bits. I gleamed it through once with thought, but I recall nothing of that time. Nothing. While I technically did finish the visual novel, I never thoughtI did. I remember nothing of it as I most likely blocked all the memories and all the emotions. I felt that this series, which was so important to me, had hurt the person I loved even when it had been nothing but a misunderstanding.
Some six monthsago I noticed that there was this thing called Latest Edition of Kimi ga Nozomu Eien visual novel, mostlybecause a kind anonymous person on that image board of the fourth kind pointed out to me, as I had been trying to stay away from the VN. I got my hands on it mostly by pure luck (and some money). I held inmy hands, feeling the guilt seeping back into my consciousnessand I put the case on my shelf. During the next weeks I looked over the box many times, seeing the main heroines Haruka and Hayase there. It was somehow too much for me.
A month later I popped the disc in. When the opening video, the same as above started playing I quickly reacted to it by pressing Ctrl+F4. It was something new I wasn’t expecting. I didn’t really want to see it either. An hour later I booted the VN again, and managed to watch it all the way through, and broke down in tears on my keyboard. Ctrl+F4 was my friend at that time once more.
I remember staring at the Menu screen for a long time and listening to the gentle yet somehow ominous music.
Then I took the dive; I clicked to start the story once more and… I was amazed. Latest Edition adopted a lot from Muv-Luv Alternative in its system, refined the sprites and graphics, renewed them and generally made everything look more sleek, shinier and polished. It was a bit of a shock at first to be honest, seeing their mouths move as the characters spoke and the spritesmove so dynamically. I still seem to regard Visual Novels as arather static genre, thou they can be insanely dynamic as well, in a wayMuv-Luv Alternative showed me. It’s a small wonder what rUGP can do. Now creating something like this iscraftsmen’s work, not artists’.
And the characters there. It always begins and it always ends on That Hill. Seeing it all again like this was… I was there again, but at the same time for the first time. Not because of the upgraded system, but because I knew more about the language spoken, and because of many other reasons. I was there. Nostalgia had nothing to do with it.
When I heard Taira Shinji’s voice for the first time in a long, long time I chocked a bit. I have a lot of respect towards this fictional… OK, let’s make this clear; these characters might as well exist for me, in my mind. I have a lot of respect towards this man, who is the best friend of the main character of the story; Narumi Takayuki.
But I couldn’t take it a much more, when Hayase Mitsuki stepped into the scene with her carefree attitude and small banter she always makes with Takayuki. I gazed at her like I gaze at old friends after meeting them after long time, with greeted her with a smile. Then I just noticed that I could barely see. I was lucky I had a tissue box next to me, so I could take these weird salty drops away from my eyes. I wonder how this kind of water could get near my eyes, you don’t cry because of fictional characters, right? Your crush towards a fictional character can’t be rekindled with just one sentence from her, right? Yeah, sometimes it seems I take these things a bit too far, but remember; I’m a romanticist. Loving something fictional isn’t out of my books, but everything has to have it’s limits and extensions. But still, those blue eyes, that voice and that stature… it’s something that a man can drown into. Not to mention that her long, flowing hair is quite a sight as well, thou I prefer her… older self with that somewhat shorter hair.
There’s few things that Hayase’s younger self does in this first chapter that she drops. One of her most prevailing catchphrase is 三二一はい！ as in Three Two One Go! whenever she’s asking something even slightly important from Takayuki or similar. The anime version downplays this way too much, basically using it once for the fans’ sake and then dropping it altogether. It’s pretty sad because it’s really endearing. I like it, and I’d love to steal it, but I just know people would think I’m some kind of freakish guy of I just go and start spouting moonlanguage in the middle if conversation.
Ah, the feeling that wallowed inside of me was like lemon with honey. The first chapter before the accident is nothing but sweet life at its best. Some would compare it as like watching a trainwreck or the like, but that’s inaccurate as hell. The more proper comparison would be that the first chapter is like watching four best friends spending their days without a worry, but seeing small hints from every character of their (ulterior)motives, of their true feelings and difficulties that were to be, but before anything could truly become a fruit it all suddenly ends with a tragic crash.
People should really start learning that few minutes might make all the difference in the world.
OK, let’s get you with the program anyway. The first chapter lays the groundwork on which the whole story stands on. We see the three people we’ve already met, Takayuki, Hayase and Shinji, spending grand time together and trying to survive the horrible twists that school may present. Hayase shows some hints of having certain emotion towards Takayuki, but still she and Shinji set up Takayuki with another girl; Suzumiya Haruka. She is the hardest character to read from the cast for certain reasons to which we will return later on. There’s a reason her Character Song is called Nemuri Hime, the Sleeping Princess. Now that I think of it, there’s a lot elements in the storytelling, and in her character, which deliberately leaves out a lot of small but intricate details that are vital to her character. She is not only stronger than she looks, but also far more… how should I put it? Well, perhaps I can find the proper word when the time comes to discuss more about her.
So, the boy meets with the girl in a book store. The girl starts to look towards the boy. The normal stuff, right? Yeah, you could say that. During Takayuki’s and Haruka’s first meeting he just tries to help her to give her a book she couldn’t get from the top shelf. She just gets a bit scared, the book gets dropped and she runs. Takayuki’s left there standing and wondering just what the hell was with her. Well, not with those exact words, but still. Still, the good man he is, he doesn’t let it weight on him and pretty much forgets about the incident.
Some time later on the previously discussed set-up takes place during a festival. Hayase brings Haruka along and basically tags Takayuki to look after her. Takayuki remembers the small incident with her, but Haruka’s encouraged enough to come out of Hayase’s shadow.
That’s some bullshit right there Haruka. Sorry, this just… I think she did it intentionally, kind of. It’s not against her, it’s just how she is.
During the festival Takayuki and Haruka get separated from Hayase and Shinji. This has to be on purpose from Hayase’s part, and I can’t fault her choice. No, yes I can. Hayase is a bit stupid in her own way, but she really wishes the best for Haruka, and she really wishes her to become a proper item with Takayki. They’re all just bunch of kids anyway, and none of them have enough experience with these emotions and the way some things just go in life.
Wanting the best for your friend is a good thing indeed, one of the best things you can do. However, if you can’t think your own best when time demands so is stupid. If you can’t support yourself then, how are you going to support your friend in any situation when you falter in your own?
I should know the answer. Sometimes we just learn things far too late, and that we call experience. Some times we gain experience with heavy cost. Experience asks time, and there are situations where we have no time at all, or too much of it.
Still, Takayuki’s and Haruka’s “date” goes pretty well, even if Haruka is a bit afraid of the fireworks. Well, she has a reliable man at his side, so she takes cover behind him and clings to his shirt. I can hear some of you laughing at that. Takayuki, reliable? Don’t fuck with me Aalt, we know it ain’t so. to which I answer with a sip from my whiskey and answer; yes, the man is reliable and wait for you to see my determination. With your laughter silenced, I take another sip and tell you that yes, Takayuki might not seem reliable, but he is. You ask why and I answer you; because he is Takayuki.
The two finally meet with Hayase and Shinji, and the quartet walk to the train station, where Shinji and Haruka say goodbye and take their leave towards home. Takayuki is left with Hayase, who inquires a bit on their time, but her getta seems to be malfunctioning a bit and she falls, but Takayuki manages to grab her. The two share a small, but somewhat intense and important moment, as Hayase gets flustered and quickly gets away from him. This is the second point in the story we see clear cut nudge to Hayase’s real feelings on the whole deal. It’s not really subtle, but I could see my younger self… no, I wasn’t that dense back then. And boy, was I dense.
Well, the next day comes and it’s raining like hell. No, not like that. Why do I mention this? There a scene that still shows Hayase’s feeling, but in a far more subtle way. Takayuki manages to lose his wallet, and Hayse loans her cellphone (cellphones in ’98? Hayase’s parents [at least mom] must’ve been stacked wit money), but it ends up being found by none else than mothercocking Homura Manami, the craziest bitch in the whole series who ends up being a nurse. Christ, I’ve never see anything worse than what Homura did to Takayuki on her route.
Oh yeah, that… and that and that and that…
So OK, Homura isn’t the worst thing I’ve ever seen, but she’s the worst thing Takayuki can ever face. Oh, you want to know what she does? Well, imagine Takayuki in an insanely fragile state, in which she steps in, breaks him into even smaller pieces, shattering his psyche and rebuilding him to be her very own sex toy. And by rebuilding I do mean something along the lines of involuntary gender reassignment surgery followed by rape, both mental and physical. And that’s just wrong, man. Just… holy shit that’s just WRONG.
And this same bitch is the nurse who takes care of Takeru in Alternative after Marimo’s head gets eaten!
Ahem, let’s forget her for now. For all time if it was up to me, but I just know some of you will go and search down the CGs or the VN just to see how the hell she does that. Enjoy your NO JUST NO. AT least Latest Edition seems to have more happier ending between Takayuki and Homura but by God I’m not that desperate for complete CGs to wander her route. Yet.
Ok, let’s get back to the main story and not the sidetracks.
After the whole wallet fiasco Hayase shows something Sumika has in common with her; the ability to strike her man with force of thousand suns. Well, not really, but her Zero Range Snipe can be directly compared to Sumika’s Milky Drill Punch.
The discussion between Takayuki and Hayase afterwards shows further her feelings, but you wouldn’t really give it a much thought, as the subject doesn’t really give much leeway to that direction. That, or I’m just seeing every blush she makes as an indication. Good thing I don’t think a girl has a crush towards me when I get their faces red.
Well, fast forward a bit again. Takayuki for once is going early to school and meets with Hayase and Haruka on his way. Hayase has a proper reaction to it with What the hell are you doing here?! It’s pretty clear what they were talking about, and Hayase does really bad job at covering it. I love this kind of thing in KimiNozo’s first chapter. It’s well written and… serves a certain sinister agenda. In Muv-Luv EXTRA serves as a way to introduce the characters properly in a normal setting until it makes 90-degree turn. KimiNozo’s first chapter kinda does the same thing, but it doesn’t make a 90-degree turn; it takes the line, picks it off and throws it somewhere in the horizon. It doesn’t just introduce the characters and make us know them pretty damn well, but almost love them already. It represents none of the characters in negative light, but you are sure to pick up your favourite from the bunch.
The shit hits the fan a bit later.
Normal school day continues, and Takayuki bumps into Haruka, who’s carrying a load of cardboard boxes. At this point Takayuki offers his help (if the reader so chooses,) but the right (wrong?) options just lead to more Homura on the screen. Later on The Trio are signing at karaoke to spend some quality time between friends, until Hayase’s cellphone rings and she needs to out a bit. Shinji knows what’s going on, and only moments later Haruka enters the karaoke box. So, the Trio has been officially made into a Quartet. I know, I used the word before but that was with a small q.
Haruka sings when Takayuki’s out for a while, and when he enters her song starts to falter. Even her bangs jump in the air. She’s clearly pretty flustered and awkward with Takayuki but oh god does she like him. Well… More every time she spends with him.
On their way home by train, Haruka falters a bit due to the train’s movements and she bumps into Takayuki. The usual, but I can’t ignore that she looks pretty damn cute when she’s clumsy.
Hayase’s attempts to bump Takayuki more and more into Haruka’s direction seem to pay off, and ultimately Haruka wants to meet with him alone. So, Hayase tells him to go to that hill. Takayuki does as instructed, and meets Haruka there. She managed to say that she was one What follows is a somewhat awkward, but honest love confession.
And Takayuki’s reaction to it as honest What? in his head, but he accepts her feelings.
And the following morning Hayase’s there to inquire about how things went. Her reaction is… less than excited. Perhaps worried could be called the right description, which it is, but as with most scenes with her and Takayuki alone something just shines through.
Cue for rather happy days with this dense bastard who doesn’t really know anything about dating a woman, especially with as timid as Haruka. Good thing Haruka has Hayse, who is constantly kicking Takayuki to a more appropriate direction for the two and making sure that the damn man really pays his attention to her. And then there’s Shinji, who doesn’t really kick him to any direction, but stands next to him like a good friend should. She doesn’t provoke anything, but makes the right questions to make Takayuki think his position as a boyfriend. Shinji’s character doesn’t really change during the story, but it grows and becomes more mature. He is perhaps the most mature character of the series next to Haruka’s parents, but even he can falter in a given situation. Shinji’s kind of man I wouldn’t mind hugging and calling him an awesome man, even he does few things that makes me want to punch him in the nuts. Between the two, Hayase is far more forceful for her own reasons, and for Haruka.
Well, things seem to go well with Haruka and Takayuki to a point, but because of Takayuki’s own denseness he is made to properly solidify his relationship with Haruka, and take her as his first priority in many things. (Christ, saying that makes feel rather bad) So, Takayuki takes her on that hill and makes a stance; they’re and item, and he needs to start treating her as his own precious girlfriend she is. They share their first kiss. Makes me a bit teary eyed every time, but that’s mostly because I know far too well what’s coming. So might you. Mostly because I already told you but that’s beside the point.
We’re introduced the fifth and last major player of the main group of the characters; Haruka’s little sister, Akane.
Akane’s pretty interesting character whose main drive for the first part of the story is to cheer on her more timid big sister and get them share a bed proper. She’s far more aggressive than Haruka, far more energetic and some of her stuff are just dirty as hell. Well, at this younger age she is basically Hayase 2.0 with the power of Duracel battery bunny. Akane even uses Hayase’s 321 Go! catchphrase as her own! She idolizes Hayase to an extent and pretty much continues Hayase’s original life dream later on. Still, the only one who can properly stand against her is Takayuki on his own weird way, and Haruka with her directness. Something that really never changes is that she always listens to Hayase and takes her word into consideration, even is she refuses to listen. She’s an interesting character who really would need an extravagant character to balancer her out. Someone really out there, someone who could just turn into a knight to fight against an evil alien invasion. But that kind of character would need to be almost a parody, right? It’s not like âge’s just going to throw their characters into a giant robot and fight against alien invaders.
Oh, right…
Well, when we meet Akane we have a small arc of her, Hayase, Haruka and Takayuki at swimming pool. We don’t really get anything special out of it, except that Takayuki does value the sight of women in their bikinis and he manages to learn some pool safety rules as well.
I never liked meatpies before. I don’t really like the idea of having certain kind of meat inside a bread. On top I don’t have problems with, but inside? That’s just nasty, but that’s how I used to think. Meatpie’s Takayuki’s favourite of sorts, and Haruka offers him her very own handmade meatpie on a date. This arc is really nothing special, but it’s there further to show how the two fit together quite well even thou some things do exist to… I can’t say that it doesn’t matter, but I can say those things are there. They’re not explicit, but they are there, having an effect or two on all of our characters. Nevertheless, the two have a grand time.
However, the following part of the story has a bit larger part, and Akane’s playing the cupid of sorts in this one, basically dragging Takayuki to her family’s residence to make him meet with her. Well, this of course leads into a Haruka getting a bit flustered and she falls down the stairs on her little butt. Haruka soon introduced her room for him and here we truly see Haruka’s love for picture books. Sure, she was looking at a picture book exhibition ad earlier on, but here Haruka tells us her dream; to become a children’s picture book writer and artist. The way her words are conveyed by the voice actor is… it just tells us that this is something that she will be doing as soon as it is possible for her. It’s not just a dream, it’s… it’s something she feels that she is meant to do.
With this Haruka has opened up a bit more to Takayuki, and they share a soft, intimate kiss that is separated and interrupted by a certain little sister. Akane, I like you but goddamn your interest in other people’s sexual matters are not your concern, so stop interrupting Takayuki’s seduction of this fair maiden in front of him! Well, Haruka’s strong opinion of Akane-get-the-hell-out works well here. Haruka then escorts Takayuki out into the night outside her home, and they share a quick lover’s parting kiss, and Takayuki heads home.
These picture books that Haruka speak of are one of the motifs of the whole story. Kimi ga Nozomu Eien’s first chapter is indeed a almost a complete fairy tale when you first see or read it. Haruka’s favourite books is called Mayauru’s Gift. She doesn’t own the book yet, as it’s kinda rare. This might be a good chance Takayuki to score some points if he would manage to get his paws in the book.
Mayauru’s Gift was sold with the first Kimi ga Nozomu Eien DVD as a gift set in Japan in a rather limited fashion. You can deduce how much it all matters to me to own this book plus the first DVD
Mayauru’s Gift is a story that tells about a fairy who had lost all of her memories and lives alone in a forest. One day a girl to meet with Mayauru, and the two become friends. The next day the girl comes with friends, and they all played together. However, as Mayauru didn’t age like humans, the children gradually grew older and played less with Mayauru, until they finally forgot about her. The girl who first met with Mayauru was the last one to meet with her, but even she grew into adulthood and couldn’t play with the fairy any more. Nevertheless, she never forgot about Mayauru, she refused to forget about the fairy in the forest.
One day the girl went back to the forest. Mayauru was very happy, like nothing had changed and the girl went to meet with Mayauru every day. The grown up girl became very lonely because of this, but she couldn’t leave Mayauru alone. One day the girl burst into tears, and Mayauru smiled at her, and gave her a present as her gratitude towards her;
“The words of farewell“
The time the two had spent together was a good, but what if the time they would spend together would become sad? For these sad events, remember those words of farewell. The girl cried more and tried her best to laugh. Mayauru laughed with a bright smile and taught the girl the words of farewell.
Until this no one knew the words of farewell. With this word, the girl became the happiest person of all people.
“Let’s say farewell with a smile”
Mayuru’s Gift is close to Haruka’s heart, and in a way it is a mirror of her as of now. She is, without a doubt, a kind of fairy herself. Mayauru’s Gift is a kind of pillar which is hidden in the first chapter, but as the story continues the pillar becomes more and more visible, until another pillar shows itself. That we will leave for a a bit later.
There’s a small story arc in the VN, which further expands on the characters. As Haruka and Takayuki are dating a rumour starts spreading; Hayase’s seeing someone. When Takayuki decides to confront her on the subject she’s very evasive. Of course she is, she wouldn’t want to have him and Haruka worrying over her, but goddammit Takayuki, the nicest guy in the town, sees her at the town with a some weird looking ace and starts tailing them.
Well there’s a new type of character
Yeah, Hayase’s feeling a bit awkward with her, but the guy just keeps pushing on like a rocket. I kinda feel for the guy, as he is asking to know Hayase’s friends as well. He really seems like a cool guy, thou he might a bit out there at first, but I trust my instincts on this one. It’s either that, or this guy just ends up being an idiot and humps a damn chair during important situations. Well, Takayuki faces her about him indirectly after the guy has left. She naturally feels a bit offended by his concerns as his head should be filled with care for Haruka, not her. Still, she seems relieved that he is here, and I guess it can be said that without Takayuki’s kind stalking she might’ve done something stupid on the long run. Spending your lovetime with a person you don’t care for is unhealthy as hell, and I can testify this, my dear reader.
Akane’s cupid role is cute and all that, but it’s not really clear at all why she’s so out there to basically push the two lovers together so closely. She even goes to the point that she calls Takayuki to tell her that something bad is going on and there’s a need for him. Of course, the gullible idiot he is Takayuki takes runs like North wind to the Suzumiya residence and finds out that Akane tricked him there just to ask him to play with her as Haruka and parents are out shopping. However, this ultimately ends Takayuki meeting with the Parents Suzumiya and have a dinner with the whole family.
I’ve got to say that I love Dad Suzumiya’s moustache and his attitude towards things. His like a role model I never had, but goddamn if I manage to half as good father some day as he is, I can say that job well done. He is the kind of dad who sits down, talks pretty calmly and friendly with his daughter’s boyfriend whom of he just has heard stories from Akane. Well, mostly from Akane, I’m sure Hayase has said a word or two about Takayki. I’m not sure about Haruka, but it’s safe to say the Haruka has given her two cents as well. Dad Suzumiya takes it all well, sits down and smokes some pipe. Damn, pipes are awesome. I should abandon cigars and start smoking pipe very rarely.
Mom Suzumiya is more like your typical Japanese mother, or a good image of such. She’s what you’d expect from such archetype, and she does it well. There’s nothing much said about her at this point, but that she makes good food and looks a bit like Kagami Sumika.
Just take a look at that dear lord that looks so HNNGGG
Dear God, what if Sumika grows up to be this kind of hot mother character later on? No, I mustn’t think so, both characters are saints in my head and nothing good comes out of that anyway. Well, at least Mom Suzumiya is, Sumika’s just far too close to me to properly to tell anything properly without resorting to dry (read; bad) humour and pulling my punches the wrong way.
Aalt, you’ve described these characters and events for five thousand words worth now and then some. Are we almost done yet? you ask. I order another bottle of the same drink you’re having and sip a little bit of mine and tell, that we’re almost done with the constitution that needs to padded down. So this is padding? No, this is what I initially regarded as just a minor part of the story, an introduction. No, this is a sort of introduction to the characters and to the situations that we need to discuss before we hit the big stuff. But it’s also important, so highly important. So I can take a break now? You might, you’re the one listening, but if you will allow me to tell you a bit more, then we’ll have that break.
On evening Takayuki finally faces Hayase while she’s training at the school’s pool. They end up speaking their minds to each other loud and clear beside the pool so long that the sunset eventually turns into night. I have to admit that how âge did the changing sky in here is subtle, until it’s almost dark. It’s eerie in a way, but it gives an impact that very few things can do. Hayase tries to run away by going to the lockers and changing her clothes, and makes Takayuki wait nearly twenty minutes. Then the two then walk to that hill behind the school with the tree.
This is kind of conversation only very close friends could go on, about love, life and friendship. They’re both a bit down, a bit distracted. Hayase tells that a lot boys have come up to her, but she’s turned them all down. With a smile and gentle voice she says she’s going to punch Takayuki because of his amazement that she’s that popular. The hair she has, the long swaying hair, is a kind of burden to her. Everybody tells her that it looks good, but for her it really is nothing but a burden. However, she refuses to cut it down for a reason; there was a person who once said that it looked good on her, and so she has kept her hair long just for this person, even thou this person has forgotten all about it. Even so, she’s still very happy to know, that this person said it. She then turns the table around, and asks what’s matter with him.
Takayuki’s problems aren’t that big, mostly concerning Haruka and his situation with her, the dinner and all that. Not really a problem, but the man needs to vent it to somebody, and Hayase is his closest friend next to Shinji, but it’s pretty clear that Hayse’s closer to Takayuki that Shinji. Well, Takayuki’s dense as always.
It’s kinda bad to see that Hayase speaks of this one guy, and Takayuki has no clue of whom she is talking about. Well, men need to do these always to grow a bit. But damn if women are not as dense when spoken similarly. Still, the two keep talking, and it turns more into the every day banter they’re having.
That is until Shinji comes with Haruka to the tree. Shinji’s pissed off, seeing Takayuki spending some night-time with Hayase under this tree, and then there’s the fact that Takayuki had a date with Haruka to which he never appeared. Shinji has a case on Takayuki’s ass, but Hayase steps in to say that it was her fault to cause this, but Haruka resorts countering that she was worried about her as well. And if Haruka isn’t mad, Shinji drops his case. Dammit man, stand on your ground more! What if you had forced everybody to say their feelings at that moment in all complete honesty at this moment? Bah, let’s not get to that. Still, the four stand under the hill, and take a picture to commemorate their friendship with no hatred in sight. They’re all happy, all so happy.
Takayuki walks Haruka home at that night, and Haruka asks Takayuki to make a vow between the two.
“ Like the stars that twinkle in the night sky
Hearts that have melted together will never come apart.
Even though these hands let go
As long as neither of us forget “
Later, the two take date to the park, and Haruka has an incident with pigeons. After their rather successful date, they end up in the Suzumiya residence alone. They talk this and that, every day stuff, read a picture book, until Takayuki leans over her for a kiss that she too yearns for. It’s a passionate kiss, more intimate than what they’ve done before. It leads them to Haruka’s bed and Are you really going to describe me who the two have sex? Have you no dignity Aalt? No, no I’m not. The thing is that they both want to share their bodies with each other, dwell into each other’s emotions and open themselves on most physical level and connect to each other. They do manage to get their clothes off, but it never really goes anywhere else, as Haruka’s having doubts and some performance anxiety, Takayuki less so. There’s a tender moment in this scene he tells Haruka that they have all the time in the world, that there’s no reason to hurry.
Later on Akane confronts him and tells that his shirt smells bad. She just came from the pool where Hayase had been training her to become a swimmer like her due to Akane’s own request. Akane goes on small details, on how the lovers’ are having a date on the picture book exposition and how Takayuki has to look his best for Haruka there.
And then she just blabbers it out; Akane asks if her sister was a tasty one, she asks in which way he ate her sister, how many times and what orifice on her body he defiled with his manhood and how long it took. And yes, that directly. She goes all out on him. Takayuki evades this by acting completely and utterly ignorant on what she’s speaking of, and he does admit kissing but he doesn’t know what the hell Akane’s talking about. Her reaction to this is just pure adorable comedy, as she turn completely red with proper sound effects and distances herself from Takayuki, only to slap him multiple times. She gets completely pissed off and say that he better marry her sister, otherwise she’ll never forgive him. Their banter reminds me of Takayuki’s and Hayase’s banter, but in a more direct manner. Akane even goes as far as using Hayases 321Go! phrase to fetch an answer from him, to which he does answer honestly; he’ll make tomorrow’s date a good one. Akane also says something that Takayuki doesn’t really get, but the reader can read between the lines and see that her face is now blushing in a different manner now. She goes inside, leaving Takayuki to walk home. I’m sure she had read it all from some magazines she herself got her hands on. That, or from very late 90’s Internet.
I woke my neighbours that night and another knocked my window to ask if I was all right. I had laughed at this scene so loudly that even the dogs two stairs up had gotten restless, and this building is pretty well soundproofed for a 60’s Finnish building. It makes me feel more for Akane than previously. Do I feel more for her because I know what’s going to happen, or did I sincerely take her as she was now, at that moment? I’d love to think it’s the latter.
Now can I take the break? One more part dear reader, just one more part.
It’s the fated day of picture book exhibition, and Takayuki meets with Shinji on that morning to give the picture from earlier. A bit later on the main man meets with Hayase and gives her piece of the picture, which gets less than warm response, but it was taken with the moment. You can’t expect the best picture of your life with throw shots. Still, that kind of pictures do capture the best of people. Posing for a picture is something that you do when you’re going to be in a picture that’s going to be official or the like. The best pictures always come when the objects are in their natural state. I never understood why people want to pose completely fake in pictures, even thou it might have memories beneath. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I do understand memento pictures, but making them fake on purpose just doesn’t sit well with me.
Well, the next thing Takayuki hears from Hayase that she’s going home, as she had turned the man she was loosely dating. Well, it’s also Hayase’s birthday, so she’s got to have plans, right? She does seem a bit down at one point, but soon drags Takayuki to buy her a small present. Because dammit, if your best friend has a birthday, a date with your woman shouldn’t stop you from buying something from the nearby stand. Well, Takayuki’s a man enough to stand his side on the business and won’t purchase anything that’s far too expensive. Hayase slips “perhaps a ring isn’t a good idea after all…” and is calling the whole deal off. Damnit Hayase, stop being so blushed about the idea. I think Takayuki had the same idea, and buys her a ring just as she’s about the leave. Instead of 1500yen ring he selects a 4000yen silver ring in which the rings are interlocked together.
As of this writing I have made a proof of concept, and skill, of this ring from steel. I can make. I will make it.
After this Hayse promptly asks Takeru if he is getting for his date. And the man just jumps and realizes that of he doesn’t hurry he is going to be late. Just before he takes off like a Nato missile, Hayse gives her parting words
“Thank you for the present… I’ll cherish it, always.“
And so the man runs for his train. On his way Takayuki curses that he’s late and Haruka’s gonna be mad at him. Well, he just needs to apologize properly and make this the best date ever. After all, he wouldn’t want to face Akane’s wrath as well.
At this point of the Visual Novel I can feel my tension rising, my blood pressure getting a bit higher. Stress creeps in and I notice my breath getting heavier, louder. It could be compared to the similar tense feelings that I had just before Muv-Luv Alternative’s fights started. This however was a tension to make me ready for action.
As Takeru steps out from the train, he notices that a lot of people are flocking to certain direction. An accident had taken place, so the station is a bit more chaotic than normal. Takayuki doesn’t really concern himself with it and concentrates on finding Haruka. He hears people talking to each other about how bad it looks. A car had hit somebody, and that can’t really end well. But something catches his eye, something that makes him wish that the person in that accident is all right. People can’t really see who was in that accident, until someone says that it was a girl, that she looks dead.
Takayuki’s heart beats. Haruka’s nowhere to be seen, and he panics a little bit. He pushes through the crowd, calling for Haruka. The ambulance takes off. It’s my heart that now beats louder than the one from the speakers. As Haruka’s nowhere to be seen, she must’ve gone home already. He was too late it seems. Then he hears a policeman radioing information.
Aalt, surely you expected this from the start? I mean, this is kind of apparent from the get go, right? Especially after you told me this in the beginning. Dear reader, it’s time for that break now. I need a new tissue box anyway.
Go on, take that break. I’ll be here when you get back.
I never expected it. The series makes no indication on what would occur, and I expected it to be just another slice of life romance series. It’s not unheard of to have very low key series series that doesn’t tell anything special, and I was really expecting nothing more. To be completely honest, I expected far less from the story. I followed the first episodes with innocence only a child could have. I’m afraid Kimi ga Nozomu Eien has a lot of to do with me analysing TV-shows and movies even before they have properly began. I don’t really like it. It takes so much away from their existence if the first thing I do is rip them apart on structural level.
I’ve shared my first experience with Muv-Luv a few times over with friends, but I’ve never told you whole real deal. Back in early 00’s I used to watch any series Daironeri burned for me on CD discs. It was a sort of ritual for us at the time. Of course, it cost me shitloads of money to buy new CDs, so it didn’t last that long, even with RW discs. I used to watch these discs and whatever was on them on my dad’s laptop computer, which served as his work computer as well. At the time the security systems weren’t that good on work laptops, so I could install pretty much whatever I wanted. I don’t remember the date or anything like that, but it was already dark outside during evenings, so it must’ve been autumn or winter at this point.
And there I was, sitting on my bed in a room meant for two, and watching KimiNozo with headphones borrowed from my brother. At that evening my brother was out as usual, and my dad was drinking at local bar, as usual. Not the nicest way to spend an evening /night alone, but it had to do. I rewatched the first episode, and then jumped into the second episode. It was the story and the characters that caught me, and never loosened their grip. And the ending of the second episode just echoed in my head. At that exact moment, when the title screen hits the screen I noticed something weird; there was tears. It shook me, as I never before had cried because of something fictional. Hell, the only times I had cried before was when I was a little kid and had hurt myself. I loved my grandfather, and I didn’t cry at his funeral. But this… this just struck somewhere deep within my psyche.
I remember sitting on that bed after the end scene for a long time. I just couldn’t get that bloody bow out of my head. I just stared. I was woken from my state when my intoxicated dad came home. He never checked if I was sleeping or not, so he just fell asleep in the kitchen in a sitting position. I remember this because I shut the lights and left a note on his shirt to remember to eat a bit before going to bed.
When I got back to my room, the laptop’s screen was still showing the same scene. I rewatched the scene again and again. I listened to the song, trying to understand what it said without the subtitles. I slept lousy that night. I couldn’t get it from my head and I couldn’t understand why.
Aalt, are you really crying because of bunch of fictional characters? Yes. I can cry for fiction, but it seems that I can’t cry for real people for reason or other, not until lately. You can’t blame Daironeri either, as I was the one who made the call for more. Perhaps it drew something deep within from me, something long ignored. I’d like to think so, even thou the reality may be something different and far less romantic.
With the Latest Edition version of the VN I kind of new what was going to happen. After all, I had seen the series and started the Dreamcast port. It’s almost ten years later and I still wasn’t ready for it. Kind of. There’s so much more what the VN has what the animation doesn’t, thou the animation does some things far better in audiovisual department.
It was hard, but I enjoyed the first chapter insanely. And then I took almost half a year break, because I couldn’t make myself read it any further. Just after this, there’s a scene of nothing but rain from the sky and Takayuki’s own inner monologue. That, and a woman’s moaning faintly resonates with the falling rain drops. I saved my progress there, and couldn’t look at it.
Many times I tried to boot up the visual novel. The disc just sat there inside my drive, waiting for me. Whenever I booted it I skipped the introduction video, but always froze in the Menu screen, unable to continue. Sometimes I even managed to open the Save Load screen. I still ended up pressing Ctrl+F4, or close the window.
I’ve got no excuses outside “I couldn’t force myself.” I knew roundabout events that would going to take place, I knew there would be differences and a lot of things from the original VN. I knew it would a roller coaster of emotions on more than on level, that it would break me down. Still, every single time I booted the VN I had gathered a bit more courage to face whatever emotions might come against me. I think that I was more afraid of myself in the end, rather than the story itself.
I finished the visual novel a week ago. I’ve told you hows and whys I kept going on even thou it didn’t seem like my kind of story. Dear reader, please hang on a bit longer with me during this evening and pour yourself another glass. We have yet to discuss how it all ends, but before that we must go through the rest of the story (hopefully not a painstakingly detailed this time) and introduce few new characters that do not perhaps serve a great purpose in the grand scheme of things at first, but I think you’ll see things a bit differently after this.
So, is this another long story? I’d say we’re about the halfway through now.
Let’s rewind few weeks back, somewhere around August 20th I said ‘fuck it’ and continued reading. I was expecting soul crushing scenes from the get go, but what I got was daily banter in a family restaurant.
Think of the silver ring for a moment. I have referenced it earlier and pretty much everywhere. Those who know, and have been able to read between the lines know that I have one dream that I’m not backing from; to make that silver ring, and give it to someone I love. That ring is the reason I’m in design at this very moment. I wanted to learn to make silver rings, so I could make that same ring by my own hands. I wanted to cut the silver, bend it, hammer it, solder the seams and polish it by these very two hands. I wonder if it was that moment when the decision was made in my unconscious or not. Shit, I’ve made handful of silver rings, but I’ve yet to make the one ring I want, as I have no trust in my own skills to pull it off.
I’m going to try to make it this year. I need to make it at least once for practise. I need to have it in my hands, as my own creation. It’s still an open matter to me.
So, it all bogs down on something you had not experienced before, and to a one silver ring? Seems like it, doesn’t it? Your call is just as valid as mine, I guess.
Let’s get on with the program. I still need to introduce few side characters. While they’re just side characters, they do offer a lot of importance to the story from the sidelines, as they’re the ones giving Takayuki what we could call a normal daily life at one point.
It’s three years since the accident. Haruka has been in coma ever since. Takayuki didn’t really take it well, and suffers of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and blames himself on the accident. During these three years he has been standing next to suicide and he would’ve most likely killed himself if it wasn’t for Mitsuki.
The first scene we start here is with a view of Takeru’s unchanged room, and Mitsuki’s voice, and there we see her, laying next him, talking with a soft voice. She’s grown, her hair is shorter and… well, she speaks of moving somewhere else, as ‘this place is a bit far away.’ The ring is on her hand, as ever.
In the morning she has fixed some breakfast, and then Takayuki takes off to his work; the family restaurant Sky Temple. It’s a bit different day from all others, as they’re getting a new manager. Still, he tries to creep in to the work, as the man seems to be late once more. Still, he bumps to his co-worker, Daikuuji Ayu.
So yeah, this girl divides opinions like Moses divides the Red Sea. Ayu, by all means, is the first character to be called tsundere as âge pretty coined the term. She acts cold, aggressive and looks Takayuki by her nose. It’s not evident from the start, but Ayu’s from a high-status family. She shows her affection towards Takayuki few times over, but never directly. She is able to speak very, very politely to whomever she chooses so, which is the manager and her family.
I find it Visual Novel version of Ayu far more attractive than her animation counterpart, as she’s a bit more reserved and less of a loudmouth, plus she has mannerism that I haven’t really seen anywhere else. She has her own way of speaking which is somewhat between very polite and offensively arrogant, and still a combination of both. She’s a unique character, and lot of characters sharing her archetype just blow everything into stratosphere how much of an insane bitch they are. Sure, the animation Ayu does that a bit, but the VN is much more reserved in a very good way.
Still, she has a love/hate friendship with Takayuki. They fight, they bicker, sometimes the help each other without the other noticing and play tricks at each other. It’s just their nature. In other kind of situation they could’ve been more.
Well, the manager is introduced after this. While not really the largest side character to grace the story, the manager is still important in a sense that he plays role of Takayuki’s own reflection and anchor in few moments where the man needs some reality banged into him with direct and careful words. The manager isn’t a father character, but he is someone who can help Takayuki to realize points in situation where he really can’t talk to anyone else. For example, a discussion about perverts kind of confuses the manager, but Takayuki has to come to his level and explain things. Afterwards, the manager asks that the discussion is left between them, as it’s a bit embarrassing. I wish I had this level of reservation sometimes. There’s just something in this man that you just have to admire.
Nevertheless, he tells that another waiter will be joining their ranks, and he wishes them both to show her the ways of Skytemple.
After long good day of work Takayuki goes home and we witness rather infamous shower scene, that was referenced in the animation version as well. They spend the evening together, with and without clothes, until Mitsuki has to go. Cue for next day and the last major supporting character that has a route.
There we have them; the whole staff of Skytemple.
Mayu is a soft spoken klutz, who does mean well but always bumbles down and breaks plates and gets dizzy because there’s some blood spouting from her finger. In comparison with Ayu, who is more like friendly rival or badmouthing sister, Mayu is like that little sister you always have to take care of even if she was supposed to manage something by herself.
Well, she’s a bit bland person in the VN, as she speaks v e r y s l o w l y at times. Her animation counterpart is far more energetic, even if she’s more like Ayu’s sidekick there. Here she has her own show going on next to her. Takayuki mostly treats her as his co-worker, but in more softer way than she does with Ayu. As such, Mayu offers a nice balance with her more reserved and innocent nature than Ayu, who knows a thing or two about men that Mayu doesn’t.
These three know Takayuki as he is now, not from the first chapter. At least Ayu has been there for some time, knowing him and seen him grow a little bit. Ayu must’ve been his first friend he made after the accident and all that came after it, and I always got the feeling that Ayu pissed Takayuki on purpose give him more boost in everything he needed next to Mitsuki. Hate or love Ayu, she’s rather important background figure (unless you decide to aim for her, but we’re not doing that.) They’re the counterbalance for all that Takayuki will go through, and they’re the ones that give him a helping hand when his feeling down at work… in their own way.
Well, Mitsuki visits the restaurant in the middle of the day, and Takayuki’s a bit hesitant to waiter her first, until she puts on her disappointed face. He makes her order a sandwich. You can make your own joke here about that. They talk this and that and banter a little bit. Mitsuki has changed and not just by appearance. She’s not as flamboyant and forthcoming, thou her words still carry certain high amounts of weight in meaning.
I just have to love VN Ayu’s siren like quotes, like she was playing as the police car siren but with words. Here she goes on Kanojo~ Kanojo~ Kanojo~ for girlfriend. Then Mayu asks whose girlfriend and the situation just explodes in Takayuki’s face in a small manner. Chichikuri~ Chichikuri~
Well, the man gets her woman the sandwich she ordered, and basically she says that Takayuki needs to eat today as she can’t be there making him his dinner tonight, and then Mitsuki’s off. Mayu creeps beneath Takayuki to mention that he has a gentle girlfriend.
Sigh.
And that Mayu’s a bit jealous of him. Ayu steps in with a frown, repeating Chichikere pretty breathless. Has she been repeating that all this time? Well, seems like she doesn’t mind it all, but really she just seems to be on his level now. Perhaps for the better.
When Takayuki gets home, he sees that there’s two messages left to his phone. One is from Shinji, who asks for him and Mitsuki to join for a drink. The second message is from Father Suzumiya, who tells that Haruka has woken up. He flashes to the day of the accident, momentarily freezing in time.
I’ll break how the VN tells the story at this point. We know that Mitsuki and Takayuki have been… well, you could call that they are dating, but it has never really been said aloud, not before one point and even then it’s left to the reader to decide whether or not it’s said out loud. During these three years he has gone through very harsh times with his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and there’s strong hints that there were multiple points where he was ready to kill himself. He has managed to get a life that resembles normal on the outside, but he still lapses. His relationship with Mitsuki is clearly the one that has kept him from stepping over the edge, as he hasn’t really been in contact with Shinji either. In all regards, he is pretty well prior to the message.
What sets him off here is that he most likely couldn’t give any proper through to Haruka any more. Takayuki blames himself on that fact, and he visited her bedside every day, setting next to her bed, talking to her and crying. One day he stopped visiting. The reason to this is because Father Suzumiya stood stern on his ground and told him not to visit his daughter any more, as he was damaging himself both mentally and physically by the guilt. However, this wasn’t just because he saw Takayuki’s slow ruination, but because he too put some blame on him in his anger. What parent wouldn’t? Same can be said of Mother Suzumiya, who didn’t directly agree or disagree but saw it as a good thing as well. As such, it can’t be blamed on Takayuki that he wasn’t by her side. In the end, he also had his own life to live. If he had stopped to that time for all eternity, what would have come of him?
Shit. I think I just got why the story is called Eternity You Desire. Well that didn’t took long, just eight years.
So, Takayuki has been robbed his life meaning to an extend. You can see what’s his first solution to an empty life is. However, for him there was Mitsuki. Perhaps it was because Haruka wasn’t there any more, perhaps it was because Takayuki needed someone, or perhaps it was that Mitsuki saw all of his misery and loved him too much to see him destroy himself. There’s no clear line anywhere between those, as it was just how the situation was. For Takayuki Mitsuki was ready to give on her dream to become an Olympic level swimmer and quit school to take care of him. In the end, they grew closer to each other on every level and ended up having a relationship. Whether or not it was healthy is a bit moot point, as it clearly wasn’t. Healthy or not, it’s thanks to Mitsuki that Takayuki has been able to live. She made him food and made him eat, and even dragged him out. It wasn’t just love or dedication, not mere friendship. She had to deal with her own feelings towards him, and with her guilt. She blames herself on Haruka’s accident as well, as she was the one who wanted Takayuki to buy her that ring. However, she never came forth with her guilt to anyone except to one later on. Mitsuki had told herself at one point that she had to take care of Takayuki for Haruka’s sake, but this reasoning is also behind her insecurity.
Mitsuki’s insecurity towards Takayuki is because of Haruka and the stand-still situation they live in. While they all lived their life onwards despite Haruka’s coma, only Shinji really advanced in his life. Mitsuki might lose him any moment now with Haruka’s awakening, and has a need to connect with Takayuki physically to keep him close, and to reassure herself that he indeed loves and wants her. I have no doubts that Takayuki only used Mitsuki at first, but at some point after becoming much more healthier, his member got inserted with love rather than lust. As said, their relationship isn’t what you’d call healthy. Still, if Haruka hadn’t been there, these two would’ve started dating with each other, at least I believe so. They both show feelings towards each other prior Haruka asks Mitsuki to introduce her. Without Haruka, they both can be more honest to their feelings, even if it’s in this somewhat twisted way. That does not mean that Takayuki didn’t love Haruka, but rather that Mitsuki never was really in his grasp before as neither of them stepped over the line of friendship towards romance. However, Haruka was brave enough to do so.
Takayuki as a person is one who never had a real reason to live, he just went day by day without thinking things too much. He did things on his own way, had fun with his friends and did as people expected of his to an extent. With Haruka he slowly had a reason to actually start to live and do more than he already had. A dreamless guy who gets confessed by a lovely girl; a fairy tale come true for him. He had a base on his life to stand on, perhaps a proper structure he ever had next to school and all that. With the accident, everything fell apart. During those three years he most likely rebuild his basis back together; he starts stitches himself back together piece by piece because there’s someone there. Ultimately, he begins to learn how to live for himself once more, and not for the Sleeping Princess or for the Silver Ring. Still, he has questions to answer and choices to make to truly rise from the stagnation he still voluntarily lives in.
“Your place is the same as three years ago”
Takayuki is a gentle person, a kind person. He does things out if good nature without thinking it any further. Both Haruka and Mitsuki fell into this side, and one things that never goes away from his character is this kindness. He had his first choice when Haruka confessed her love to him; he chose to accept her feeling mostly out of kindness. He stopped to buy Mitsuki’s present because he felt that it was the right thing to do, as it is in his nature. He never made the hard choice over Haruka or Mitsuki, because it would’ve gone against his nature. If the accident never had took place, would he had been able to live with Haruka to the fullest extent? I believe he had, and Kimi ga Nozomu Eien Special Fandisc agrees with me.
Takayuki’s just too kind for his own good. He has spine, he has will, he does right things for the right reasons. Never doubt that. Much like with Muv-Luv it’s very easy to say I wouldn’t be that wimpy in that situation, but in reality I think a lot of us would be. Same with Takayuki; if we were in the same situation, we’d do think in another manner, but never necessarily any better. His personality wasn’t equipped to handle what happened. Then again, when was the last time you managed to be completely stern and make rational decision when your most precious person has been in a life threatening situation?
Now, let’s visit the hospital where Haruka eagerly waits for Takayuki. The first person he meets there is a green haired nurse NO HOMURA GO AWAY NOBODY WANTS YOU JUST LEAVE ME ALONE GODDAMMIT.
Luckily, Kouzuki Motoko steps in and takes the lead. Takayuki’s clearly not in best of shapes, and we need somebody who understands people’s hearts and minds.
Thankfully, Motoko seems to know how insane Homura is and drives her away. Unlike her younger sister, she treats people like human beings rather than something to experiment with. She shows loving care for everybody, even if its with tough words. She’s the last person we meet who give her support to Takayuki, and the one who tells him straight how the matters are and how his actions are to influence others. She’s the voice of reason when there is none. Her presence is highly appreciated. It doesn’t really matter whether or not her attitude towards people is just because of her occupation. It feels that Motoko truly cares about people she meets.
Dammit, when she works with her sister, things got to get completely insane. The things they could together. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Motoko’s BETA-verse counterpart was the one responsible on Haruka’s artificial legs, or majority of 00-Unit’s body.
Motoko inquires if Takayuki heard of Haruka from Father Suzumiya, and he tells her that he got contacted yesterday. She condemns his haste with the matter. She notes that he then now have a different face. Mentioning past seems to make him lapse back a bit, but he holds together well.
Motoko asks about what he does now, and he answers, until she asks him about the new girlfriend. This causes him to lash out a bit, asking her to stop, and wondering if she knows about Mitsuki. It’s a hint that they’re not really on public on their relationship, but it must be hard to keep such thing a secret. Takayuki is loved by many, and there are numerous people who know him. Rumours do start from the smallest thing, and this isn’t really a small situation they’re having. Things have changed since three years ago. Nothing stands still in time. Still, Motoko has to calm him down a bit as they walk towards Haruka’s room.
There’s no reason that she woke now. It’s nothing short of miravle. Three months or three years, it makes no matter. However, for Haruka, there has been no three years. For her it’s like a yesterday when the accident happened, and these three years have been nothing but a dream.
Takayuki’s allowed to meet with Haruka mostly because she herself has asked so, but also because Takayuki can be the key for her well being, and encourage her to get better faster. As it is now, Haruka can’t walk, and her body is rather fragile. For example, she tires herself quite fast, and has other problems as well. That’s why Motoko asks Takayuki to protect her from time, to act like he was three years ago. This is a lot to ask, and Motoko knows it. To ask Takayuki to return as he was may not be the best choice for him, but at the moment her highest priority is Haruka.
Comatose patients lose their conscious of time rather often, so as such this is not a rare case. Losing that time is not the problem at hand, rather her fragile state. Physically, too large of a shock might bring her system down to a point of death. There are other points as well; Haruka has lost memories of herself, and others as well in detail. For example, she does not remember how her hair was before the accident, thus she accepts her own physical self as it was back then. During these three years she has grown as well, but it’s a question if her mind can accept this body she has now? From her fingertips to her hair, to her voice and her whole body, nothing is the same any more. Time does not wait, not even those who sleep.
With these things in mind, they step inside the Haruka’s room to meet familiar faces; Father and Mother Suzumiya, and Akane. They’re all grown with visible changes. Akane the most, and her smiling serene face soon takes turn to a more shocked and despising, as they all slide away.
And there she sits, on top of the bed.
And he flashes back to all those times with her, ever since the festival. Without words his tears begin to fall down, as he himself. Father Suzumiya retreats from the room, taking Mother and Akane with him.
Neither of them can speak, but they both cry. The only words he can bring forth from his throat is I’m sorry. He finally can let it out to her, all of his regrets and tears he couldn’t give before. With this Haruka manages to say, that it was her fault, because she couldn’t make it to the promised date. She asks her to come closer, and he does. They’re close to each other again. He doesn’t really believe that’s she all right, and even Motoko resorts asking whether or not she’s feeling well. Nevertheless, Haruka convinces both of them that she’s feeling fine.
And then Haruka asks why Takayuki is here. Motoko intervenes and tells that he has to go now, to which Haruka seems to be displeased a bit. She would like to be with him a bit more. In a way, she’s acting like a little kid, to which Motoko treats her like. Perhaps against his will, Motoko removes Takayuki from the room with words he has to go home now and they step out.
Anyone would be confused and angered. Takayuki seems to be both, but more there’s more than just those. Parents Suzumiya were waiting for them. Father greets Takayuki with a bow, as does his wife. Father admits, that he didn’t think that Takayuki would grant his wish and visit the hospital after what the two had asked him before. Mother asks how her daughter was, and Motoko allows Takayuki to describe what had taken place. Things are as they are; this is the start.
Mother Suzumiya steps a bit forth, and with motherly worry she asks Takayuki to visit Haruka again. Father quickly responds to this, but she continues begging of him; now that she has finally opened her eyes after all this time, not knowing anything. Here is where Father gets second of the three points of respect from me; he acknowledges that it has been three years, that Takayuki has his own life to live now. Even after his wife tear up, he can only give his regrets, but Mother asks whether or not this sits right with Takayuki; that it’s OK to him to leave things as they are in his memories. Father sternly asks her wife stop, which she does. They both know in which position they are, unable to make such bold request to a boy they drove away not just from their family, but from his loved one as well to a world where nothing mattered.
Takayuki thinks. Can he act like he was back then? Motoko will allow him to visit her, if he can do so. She wishes him to think this not as her boyfriend, but as an individual person.
There are two options given to the reader and to Takayuki. We will choose to see her, because here Father will ask whether or not Takayuki will be able to think more himself at this point. Takayuki says that he can. Three years ago before this man stood a boy, crushed by his own guilt who barely ate enough to live. Now, this man looks into the eyes of a person who has overcome those times, and who wants not to falter back the way he once was. With those words, Father Suzumiya once more gives part of his daughters care into Takayuki’s hands.
As Motoko walks Takayuki out, she inquires of his friends, of Mitsuki and Shinji. Motoko would like them to visit Haruka as well, as it may yield yet another change, perhaps for the better. As walks out, Takayuki confronts Akane.
It’s been a long time between these two as well, and Akane’s less than ecstatic to meet him. With a sharp tongue she directly tells him that Good for you for having fun life my sister slept, Mr. Narumi. It has been long time. With a smile Akane insults both him and Mitsuki, and won’t forgive is the two appear the way they are now in front of her sister. With steady and low pace she brings forth the worst kind of guilty trip on him. Takayuki clearly seems to think that Akane didn’t know about Mitsuki, to which she imply resorts that whole town knows about them. Akane is not just angry, she’s also despising him and makes her best to have Takayuki feel even worse. Takayuki mostly stands there, letting her lash out words that she must’ve bottled inside for a long time now. Of course you come here to see my sister because she needs you.
“But you, Narumi, don’t need my sister any more, is that right?”
This makes Takayuki answer with thoughtless word, which only makes her lash out more on him, and requests of him never to talk to her that friendly, unless in front of her sister. With yet another request to think what he can do for Haruka, Akane leaves with tears.
Akane seems to know more than most other people. After the accident she must’ve searched high and low for him after Takayuki stopped seeing Haruka. It’s most likely that her parents never told that it was their decision to stop him coming to the hospital. Akane’s world must’ve collapsed bit by bit without Haruka and Mitsuki, and then she finds out that Mitsuki has abandoned her everything just to take Haruka’s place next to Takayuki. In the animation Akane walks on them while they’re in bed. It’s a good scene and serves its purpose for the story quite well, but here Akane only hears people talk, sees the consequences of Mitsuki’s choices, but never really sees what hell Takayuki had to go through. She feels nothing but contempt towards person whose words were filled nothing but empty promises, and shed crocodile tears. In her eyes, they both are traitors and back stabbers of worse kind. Akane can barely see how things are from anywhere else but from her own point of view, and out of all characters she is the one who is most stuck and obsessed with returning with the way things were. For her it was too much, and she still lives Mitsuki’s shadow so to speak. Before she truly can find herself, and her own way in life, she’s always be second to Mitsuki, and to her sister. While her fate in this story is the most saddest, she does not go through the worst. That place is for Mitsuki.
Just before Takayuki is leaving she bumps in holy shit Homura why the hell are you following me like this? Did I make wrong choices in the first chapter this time because goddammit if I did. Well, Homura asks Takayuki to cheer up, and perhaps he does. Well done Homura, you made his day a bit better. You’re still my Life’s End Boss.
At home Takayuki calls to Skytemple. Ayu answers with her usual flavour, but soon changes to a more low level voice. She gives the phone to the manager, who inquires of Takayuki’s current situation a bit, and he answers to it bit absent minded. They rearrange his works schedule a bit, and the manager changes back to Ayu. She tells him to go step on cat shit. Then he calls Shinji, who complains that if the man has a phone, then the man should call! His a bit silent, until Shinji asks if something has happened, and he drops the bomb on him as well. They’ll go together to meet her next day, but he can’t answer whether or not he’ll tell to Mitsuki. Shinji mentions, that he sees courage in Takayuki, and that he shouldn’t rely too much on him; otherwise Mitsuki’ll get mad. Like a real friend, he recommends Takayuki to think things through.
So he does, again and again, until his doorbell rings. It’s Mitsuki. She was coming to his place to see his face, but on the way her reason changed; Shinji had called her about Haruka. She’s naturally a bit mad, as Takayuki seemed to have little intentions of calling her, but he also feels a bit offended by her at the moment. Her reasons were worry and care, and they both lay low in front of each other, until Mitsuki breaks the atmosphere and begins to talk about good smelling yakitori at the local Super Tama De. She just mentions some market, so it just might Super Tama De. She bought bunch of them, thinking that Takayuki might want to eat some. With that, Takayuki drives his suggestion to drink through her, even thou tomorrow’s a work day (hell, if you don’t have a flask of whiskey with you, how the hell you do think you’ll manage those design workdays?)
With Takayuki almost plastered, Mitsuki gets Takayuki to sleep in the bed. In the twilight between dream and awake, he flashes to Haruka and call her. Mitsuki takes him, and tells him to look at her, and only her. With a kiss, the two spend the night intimately. Party due to Takayuki’s drunkness, partly due to Mitsuki’s own faltering confidence.
This is the setting we have now. Sounds like shit might get real any time they meet. So it does, my dear reader. Every time these people meet, one of them ends up involuntarily hurting somebody. Things can’t stay stable for a long time like that. You can guess that there will be dark feelings thrown around, and that only few will come out with clean slate to continue with. Haruka’s situation is pretty bad, but is seems that she’s got the short end of the stick. I wouldn’t say so. They all got the short end of the stick. We’ll need to skip a lot of details from now on, because none of those have high significance where the story leads us. I want to describe and discuss those that matter the most. To quote KimiNozo’s Special fandisc’s MuvNozo, Takayuki has to “choose in the name of true love.” Bartender, bring another bottle of Hibiki! We need another break.
So, the reunited friends are going to go to see Haruka the following day. Takayuki has a little bit of problems to wake up due to slight hangover, but Mitsuki pulls him up nevertheless. Before meeting with Haruka they need to visit the doctor HomuragetoutIdon’twanttoseeyou. Kouzuki remembers both Mitsuki and Shinji, even thou they really don’t, and mentions that they all have changed during these three years. Especially Mitsuki, who has become more beautiful as the time has moved, and her hair. It might be a problem, but on the other hand it just might be a blessing in disguise. Nevertheless, next to Takayuki Mitsuki is the person Haruka has been wanting to see the most. After this small meeting, they go to meet with Haruka.
Akane’s there, and her her greeting towards the doc is stopped in the middle as she notices the three of them. Her face flashes through slew of emotions, until she takes her evasive stand once more. Haruka notices Takayuki first, until the other two visitors step behind him to greet her. Haruka’s a little bot more than surprised.
Mitsuki breaks the ice and silence that had fell upon them, until Haruka realizes, or rather remembers, who they are. Shinji gives Haruka the flower they have brought, to which Akane puts her best fake smile on. Akane does things well, and reacts as she meets Shinji for the first time. Shinji slips a bit by telling that they have met once before, but of course she wouldn’t remember it. Still, they manage to pull everything through by introducing themselves. Haruka seems to enjoy all this. After this Akane takes off, perhaps because she just doesn’t want to be there, next to the person she despises the most.
Haruka asks them all shit down, and she asks with a puzzled expression if Mitsuki has cut her hair. With a quick reply she tells that she had it cut yesterday and inquires if it looks good. Haruka just asks why she did it. Mitsuki resorts to a white lie about upcoming tournament, but Haruka presses in with a stern face if she had cut it already during the festival. Takayuki steps in here before Haruka asks something to which none of them could answer. However, Haruka won’t let go, and asks in what grade they are, to which Takayuki answers promptly and accurately 3rd year students. Haruka seems to remember that she and Mitsuki were in different classes. Akane comes back with better attitude and wider smile.
Takayuki is lost in his thoughts, and thinks how everything’s just strange. Haruka clearly has some memories, an almost complete schema of Mitsuki, and of times and places. Shinji awakes him, just as Haruka shows signs of tiredness. Indeed, they must have discussed matters at least for an hour now. Haruka again complains about them going, but Shinji and Mitsuki do say that they’ll come visit soon again. Just as they are leaving, Takayuki asks Akane with them, which makes her lose her stance and guard, and even her voice reverts to normal.
Outside Akane waits no empty moments. She inquires what is that Takayuki wanted of her. The moment he manages to ask what was that in Haruka’s room with her, Akane begins to lash out about him and Mitsuki. She even asks Mitsuki to stop calling her by her first name the second Mitsuki opens her mouth. Before Takayuki manages to step in and actually show some damn spine, Mitsuki stops him. But still continues, and Mitsuki resorts asking her permission on seeing Haruka. She says without hesitation a direct no, but she can’t stop it as Mitsuki is her sisters friend, but asks her to do it when she’s not around. Mitsuki basically drags Takayuki out before he can go ballistic on her sorry ass. Akane, I do like you, but goddammit you’re a childish bitch a this moment. Yes; you feel anger and betrayed, and that you have no other way to vent it out, but…. I can’ tell her to grow up, as she’s just a child, just as they all were three years ago, much like I was in her age.
On the train Takayuki is deep in his thoughts, until Shinji tells that he is right and Akane’s wrong. They discuss the matter, and at their stop they all split up. Takayuki ends up in work.
In a way, things go like this for the time being. Takayuki juggles between going to work and seeing Haruka at the hospital, and the rest of the time is divided between Mitsuki and whatever he feels like doing. In a way, his work is the least stressing time he spends in his everyday life at the moment. What about the time he spends with Hayase? Mitsuki’s an extremely good question, to which we’ll come a bit later on. How late? You’re over 15k words in already. Eh, not too late. We’re getting to the speedzone now.
One day Takayuki is alone with Haruka in the hospital room, as Akane basically kicked herself out to buy them ice-cream. Haruka, with shy expression, asks for a kiss.
Well, nothing in the work really goes well as Mayu breaks Wait, did he kiss her? Does it matter? YES. Ok, it’s a choice question to or not to. However, you have to ask yourself whether or not Takayuki will still grasp on those feelings he had three years ago that are resurfacing, or will he keep his sight on the future just Father Suzumiya had requested. This is important, as during this time, and the third chapter, Takayuki will constantly have flashbacks to the day of the accident at the hospital. It’s up to you as a reader to decide on it, but you may also decide it on the character of Takayuki. Throughout the story thus far Takayuki has shown spine and will to continue onwards. He does waver, as he does in the animation, but the question is does he waver enough, and to what direction.
There’s a time when Haruka asks him to recite the vow they had made. Will he remember, or will he not? It’s once again up to the reader, but this time I’m certain that he would, albeit with slight difficulties. For him it has been three years, but even I with my infamously bad memory can cite certain words I’ve told to the most important person I’ve had. If I can remember those words, he can remember the vow.
I have to mention one night Takayuki and Mitsuki go out and drink. She gets pretty plastered, and I can’t fault her… much. Mitsuki asks him into a love hotel, and as they kiss Takayuki has a flash of Haruka, but this time it’s him who presses on, and they spend the night with embracing each other. The following morning Mitsuki decides to visit Haruka after all, as she believes that she’ll be fine if Takayuki’s there. I believe that this here is the first time Mitsuki has said anything like that; she’ll be fine as long as he is there. If he wouldn’t be, what would come of her?
Haruka’s sleeping when they are at the hospital, but the two have a discussion with Mother Suzumiya, who still regards Mitsuki as her daughter’s best friend, and mentor for the younger one. Mother asks her to walk more with her face up, and in all essence, to be more happy.
This sort of juggling with visiting Haruka, going to work and doing whatever Takayuki wishes during evenings finally take their toll; she asks how long is he going to continue with this charade? How long will he spend time with her? Will he play the role of Haruka’s boyfriend for all time it takes her to properly recover? That alone can be anywhere between one to ten years, and even more. Their argument over Haruka’s condition and Takayuki’s position in it soon leads to a question of whom he thinks of these days. For Mitsuki he is her greatest concern, and nowadays the man’s face is more and more tired every day. He convinces that whatever he is doing is temporary. And she agrees to watch over him. Mitsuki is allowing him to act to his own accordance, even if she’s the one getting hurt because of it.
Some time later, Takayuki buys Haruka a present called Mayauru’s Gift. He spends one evening looking for it, and by Haruka’s side they read it together. He still remembers the first time they met at the bookstore, as Haruka was eyeing the very same book, but couldn’t never reach to it but wanting it so badly, like a fruit in a tree just out of reach. It’s late, after visiting hours, and doc Kouzuki catches them red handed. She understands his worry over Haruka, but firmly places him where needs to be; this is a hospital, and hospital is no place for fooling around.
The very same evening Mitsuki has been waiting for him. Takayuki couldn’t leave the book to Haruka yet (most likely because it was re-printed after the accident) and Mitsuki notices it. She remembers that the day of the accident he had this same book with him, and she still remembers his smiling face. She remembers it, because that one copy got destroyed, and realizes that Takayuki had to go and buy a new one.
Takayuki’s kind, but thoughtless. No, not thoughtless, but lost. He doesn’t know what’s the right thing to do, or how to do those right things. To this Mitsuki quotes Father Suzumiya and Takayuki’s promise to live his life for himself. She just wants to know if she exists in those thoughts of his life… and why he can’t get mad at him, even thou she has hurt him many times this evening. Is she so worthless in his eyes now?
Why did you go to see Haruka? is her question. Why he went there? There’s no answer, but she knows how he feels.
Mitsuki will go home, until he can give her the answer.
With this, Mitsuki has given the choice of two he had to make one day; her or Haruka. He can always choose to run away, but even then misery would follow him, either by just one night stand, by losing a loved one or losing himself for one bastard nurse.
What if he had made the choice three years ago? Good question. At then there was just three friends, and later one lover. Mitsuki never was an option, she never made herself as one, even is she wanted. These two shared a common feeling towards each other, but never confronted each other.
She could’ve said few simple but hard words to achieve a different future. The same goes for Takayuki. However there was Haruka.
Mitsuki tells Takayuki to call her when he can give him the answer, and closes the door.
On the following day Takayuki finds feverish Akane sitting on the bench outside the hospital, and basically drags her out and escorts her safely to the Suzumiya residence. She wanted to see Haruka, but honestly Akane, your sister might die because of a shock. Do you WANT to give her weak system a goddamn fever bug? Takayuki leaves before Mother Suzumiya can properly thank him or change words. Perhaps it was for the best not to meet with Haruka on that day, as he got more time to think while getting Akane home. Still, he goes to meet Haruka the next day, and she’s a bit miffed that they couldn’t read more of the book.
Last night she had a dream, that she had been sleeping here for ever and that Takayuki came next to her, crying. Day after day he had came and cried, and whatever he said and told to her went to deaf ears; she didn’t wake up. She too in her sleep was crying, but no tears would ever come out. Her hands would not rise, not her mouth would allow a word to be spoken. One day, he stopped coming, never to return. Because of this dream, she’s really happy to see him. If he had not come, there’s no telling what she’d thought or done.
Haruka asks where she has changed.
Her face, her body and these hands of her, where has she changed? Takayuki dances around the question, but Haruka presses the matter. She questions if her hand really is her own, and once more asks; has she changed? With each small realization that something has changed, Haruka cries, and nobody can give her answer, not directly. Takayuki assures Haruka, that nothing is wrong, that her hand is her very own hand, that her body belongs to no one else and never has but to her.
As Takayuki steps out, Father Suzumiya is there. Here, he gets the last part of my respect; while he hears her daughter’s distress through the door, he does not back from their promise, but further asks Takayuki to stay true to himself; whatever he would do will never bring back these cruel three years Haruka has already lost. Takayuki has already lived a life without her, and he still continues to do so.
And for him, to Takayuki alone, that is a victory over many hardships.
Father Suzumiya deeply appreciates Takayuki for cherishing her, but at this moment which feelings and emotions have given risen to it? He wishes nothing more than Takayuki ponder this question not just for his own sake, but for their all. For him, Takayuki is nothing short of family. He will now say anything, as long as Takayuki stays true to himself, and through that to everybody else around him.
Damnit Father, you’re an awesome man.
Takayuki steps inside Haruka’s room for a moment, where doc Kouzuki is checking on her. With a gentle voice, Haruka requests to see the one picture they took on that hill. She wonders what had happened to it. With stronger voice she maker her case heard, until she stops… to ask that if it really is Takayuki standing there. Kouzuki kicks him out soon enough as Haruka’s having a seizure. The two nurses rush in…. as does the green haired one.
Takayuki waits, and loses sense of time, until doc Kouzuki startles him. For now Haruka is sleeping soundly. She asks if he has the picture with him, and if he is going to be carrying it in the future as well. With this, the doc recommends him to go home and settle down a bit.
That evening Takayuki sees Mitsuki in a pinch, as she’s been drinking with her coworkers, and her boss it totally drunk and feeling up on her. The man he is, he just hits her boss and snatchers her away. They run a bit further away.
For some reason Takayuki’s not feeling quite right, and Mitsuki notices this. His face is red, as the man’s having pretty bad fever. Mitsuki’s reaction is as expected; a bit angered, but more worried. He must’ve caught it from Akane. Mitsuki basically drags his sorry ass to home, makes him change clothes and get into bed. She goes out to get some medicine and food, during which Takayuki is able to reflect matters, before he falls into sleep. He wakes up as Mitsuki sits by his side, and offers some food and strong medicine.
For today, Mitsuki’s going to be next to him. The only thing he can say is a lousy apology, to which she just replies with her worried face, and asks him to not think of bad thoughts. With her gentle voice, Mitsuki lulls miserable Takayuki into sleep.
In the mornig he wakes up still sick. He feels a warm hand holding his. She never went away, she stayed by his side the whole night. Now that he is awake, Mitsuki offers some medicine and call to Skytemple. Soon, he falls into sleep again, but Mitsuki never leaves his sides, except when she goes out buying necessities because Takayuki asks her.
Takayuki takes this chance and goes out to see Haruka in the hospital. Doc and Akane are there. Akane seems genuinely smiling this time, as if she had resolved something. Somebody must have done something good for her. He gives Haruka rose he picked up on his way, but doc Kouzuki soon sees that our main man isn’t feeling quite right at the moment. Mitsuki’s voice is soon heard from the door, and with stern voice she asks what the hell is he doing?
Well, aren’t we all? Yes dear reader, we are. I can’t really get over this small arc for two reasons; it signs the end of chapter two, and that I hate my decisions and thoughts when I’m in a fever. How so? Once I came to a conclusion which I still kind of hate myself for. But I already told you about that as the reason why I never finished Dreamcast KimiNozo.
Mitsuki shows more stern concern and genuine pissed-off attitude and even cuts Akane’s words in a one swift sentence. The man’s having 39°C fever, which sends everybody into a spiral of visible concern. In the first case he could die. I should know, I regularly have 41°C fever if I ever have one. At this point Mitsuki is slipping, but manages to tell it all in a simple but covered words; if you care of her, take care of yourself first.
Mitsuki tells him to give the rose to Haruka. Then it’s go time. As he gives the rose, he calls Hayase as Mitsuki. Haruka notices this straight, as does everybody else, and the picture slips out of his pocket.
The picture has date for 2001. Three years after the accident.
After looking at the picture for a moment, Haruka asks who are these people in her room. She goes into a fit, asking what has happened to everyone, what’s going on, and what the hell is 2001? She pushes Takayuki away and finally realizes it all and finally asks what time it is. Doc Kouzuki’s words do not really help on panicked Haruka, and Takayuki comes out straight, telling her that she has been in coma for three years. In a way, this calms her down, and she asks whether or not Mitsuki and Takayuki are… together I suppose.
And then he collpases straight down. This here starts the ‘third chapter.’
During his fever sleep he remembers the first time Haruka came to visit his house, and found his badly hidden men’s magazine. As always, it’s just for research. Not just only that, but also to a time when he and Mitsuki were friends, before Haruka was in the picture. In this memory Takayuki remembers Mitsuki asking of him if he would like to have a girlfriend, to which he asks if she would like to have a boyfriend.
Takayuki wakes up in the hospital. He hears Mitsuki and doc Kouzuki speaking outside his room, and the doc requests Mitsuki not to mention what has happened to Haruka, as the shock might be too much for him. Mitsuki steps into his room, and the first question after asking how long he has slept is about Haruka, to which Mitsuki is a bit more than reluctant to answer, and he won’t get any answers out of her. His only option seems to be to get up and see Haruka by himself, even if Mitsuki asks him to drop the matter for the time with a gentle voice.
Takayuki finds an empty bed in Haruka’s room. Even the loli nurse acts completely oblivious, or as oblivious as her nature allows her to. She’s saved from Takayuki’s clutches when her co-worker calls for her. Doc Kouzuki manages to find him, and makes an exception; she’ll allow Takayuki to see Haruka, but only after preparing him with antiseptics and all other preparations. Haruka has slipped back into coma. She evens his burden with kind words, but also agrees that she is not perhaps completely guilt free either, as it was her idea to begin with to allow Haruka to live in a lie.
That’s one motif in the story, sort of. People tell lies to protect their loved ones, and ultimately they tend to hurt the most. Then there’s simple part of not telling certain things at all, even thou these small thing might mean a world for someone else. Because of these two there’s also responsibility of your actions, and Takayuki has evaded that most of the time, even if Mitsuki has confronted him on this.
But now, Kouzuki once more kicks Takayuki home, and tells that the only thing that could help Haruka is a miracle. His deeds, or anyone else’s, will not be enough. After the doc leaves, Mitsuki approaches him only to be target of his frustration. Realizing that he is being an immense asshat at the moment, he apologises. The two go together as far as the train station, and Takayuki goes home alone. He begins to shatter once more in the empty room with nothing but drink. In his sleep, he goes back to the past again.
Takayuki remembers how there were rumours if him and Mitsuki dating, which they deny, but in their words there’s something that tells a different story. Mitsuki manages to slip away, and Takayuki later finds her on that hill. The young bastards they both are, Mitsuki puts up a deal that they both try to find a companion for the other. If I were Takayuki in that situation, regardless of my age, I would have asked “Would you like to be my girlfriend?” Dammit Mitsuki, why couldn’t you just say it then?
The following day Takayuki goes to the hospital to see Haruka’s empty room, and meets with Akane. Akane seems to be a bit relieved and having found new faith in him, but the more important part is this.
In the animation there is a similar scene which plays after Mitsuki has broken down and lost all of hope to be with Takayuki again. It’s well played and shows the worst situation she could find herself. No, there’s worse situation she could be in, but let’s not got to those. In the animation Shinji has taken advantage of drunk Mitsuki and has taken her to a love hotel. He seems to be regretting it afterwards, and we see completely shattered Mitsuki trying to fix her high heel in nigh catatonic state, until she begins to cry. Later on, he drags Takayuki out from Skytemple, and basically beats his PTSDing ass with crying eyes yelling at him that for Mitsuki there can be no one else; it has to be him. With this, he realizes something that has always been there.
In the VN things are not as explosive. Shinji meets Takayuki in front of a market (might as well Super Tama De again.) Shinji is worried, and sees straight through him. He tells Takayuki directly that he can’t do anything to change things as they are. With a worried face he asks of Takayuki not to return to the way he was. No, with a voice of man to another, he tells not to slip back the way he was. Shinji knows that Takayuki has the strength to stand on his own two feet now, and tells that he needs to think Mitsuki as well; he needs to hold her closer to himself than he has before. For now, Shinji will only watch, and say no word, but if Takayuki will hit the limit he will step in. With this, the two go to their separate ways, and Takayuki has a lot to think again.
In the morning doc Kouzuki calls him. It’s about Haruka’s condition. She has opened he eyes again, and it seems that she has returned to a more normal condition, remembering more than she did before. Haruka wishes to see him. With the doc’s helping word, he decides to meet with her, even though it’s not just her emotions that must be in shambles, but his as well.
Wait wait wait, why would his feelings be in shambles? Takayuki has given responsibility to major decisions. First, he needs to decide what is best for him alone. Second, this decision will affect both Haruka and Mitsuki regardless of anything else. And thirdly… he has to think of Mitsuki as well. And yet, he feels that Haruka needs him, that it is his duty to be there for her and support her the best he can. As such, it’s not just his emotion are not the only thing that’s in shambles, but his very self as well as he is ripped apart by guilt, responsibility and love, not to mention his ever looming PTSD that wishes to drag him back to the ditch he barely managed to climb out and live almost a normal life.
When he arrives at the hospital, doc Kouzuki takes him to her room. Haruka is sleeping, but wakes up as he gets closer. She recognizes him, but with a sad face which is soon coloured by tears. She can’t really believe that it has been three years already, but she recognizes that Takayuki has grown into a man. She remembers her dream of him crying next to her, but in a way for her it’s a relief that he has stayed true to himself. She acknowledges that Akane has changed a lot. Still, for her the day of the accident is like yesterday. She inquires more on what has taken place during those years, what have her friends been doing and they’ve lived. Naturally she’s surprised to hear that Mitsuki quit swimming. She make a note on Takayuki calling Mitsuki by her first name.
Haruka knows that emotions and feelings have changed during that time.
Akane steps in, and to be honest, she’s the most honest she’s ever been now that moment, even though she excuses herself soon to get doc Kouzuki. She makes her usual checkup on Haruka with a gentle smile (thou she might want to discard the cigarette there) and notes how Takayuki really hasn’t changed at all and still walks around with the same face when he is around Haruka. Still, Takayuki has to go, and he departs from melancholic Haruka.
The next time Takayuki visits Haruka, they talk about those three years. How he quit school and is working. Haruka has been thinking of why Takayuki still is here, as those three years must’ve seen a lot of change, but he is still here like nothing had happened. She meant nothing bad with those words, but it’s a point made. Things have moved on, but he hasn’t.
Next time he goes to meet with Haruka, Mitsuki is there. Haruka wishes to speak with the two alone. Somehow, Haruka is less than excited to see her visitors. She wishes to know something to which only these two can answer… or rather only the other can answer.
You two are… dating, right?
I broke down at this question. Even thou Haruka says that there’s nothing wrong in it, that it’s something she herself has noticed, that she just wants to confirm it, it hurts. Personally, it hurts to answer, because I know what it does. Lies have hurt people enough, and it’s finally time to choose. Whatever has happened during these three years does not make them any less friends, she proclaims to Takayuki and Mitsuki.
For her honesty one can only answer with honesty, but also for Mitsuki. It might not been the most healthy relationship the world has known, but there is no denying it. The answer is left up to the reader, but truly there’s only one option. Regardless how the animation portrayed Takayuki, he still almost a different person now. For him alone, returning is not an option. He has an unknown future. There’s a person who truly needs him for a while longer, and there’s a person who will need him for the rest of her life.
With honesty, Takayuki simply says Yeah, we are.
It’s a shock to Mitsuki. For a moment Haruka is speechless, but with a smile she responds that it can’t be helped, it has been three years after all. She puts her best face on, wondering why they kept it as a secret and we’re acting like nothing was between them, but she saw through both of them. Especially Mitsuki, who is lousy at lying overall. In her way, Haruka gives Takayuki to Mitsuki’s care, bit in exchange she wants to be friends once more, with all four of them. She’s honest; she thinks that it might be impossible, but she still believes the four of them can be friends once more. To this Takayuki once more shows his spine and basically tells Haruka that nobody cares what she has thought would be impossible, because the four of them will always be friends. With this, Haruka is assured, and that she wishes to see them all. With air filled with mixed feelings, Mitsuki and Takayuki leave saddened Haruka, promising to come see her again.
We’re always be friends, right?
Yes…
Outside the hospital Mitsuki breaks down.
For the first time during her time with Takayuki he has said this. For him it was not a matter of anything else but say how things are, and to stay true to his own self just as he had promised. Perhaps for the first time in a long time he has been honest to himself, but this is just a first step. A large one, but still just the first one.
But for Mitsuki that one sentence is nothing short of absolute relief, a thing she has looked after and wished to hear for all this time she has spend with him. She falls to embrace him, and they stand there, in the night.
At the station, Mitsuki is going home, even thou now she wants to be with Takayuki. Her chest is bursting with happiness, but she has a lot to do. She’s high in the clouds, still thanking him for those words. Still, she manages to a grip of herself and she just might burst open with happiness if she was to be too much with him, kinda.Still, there’s a looming dark cloud in their words; she asks him to go see Haruka, as he has thus far and then leaves.
That night he sees a dream from his past, one of those days when he buys Mitsuki a pair of mugs. Those play much more important part in the animation, and the way they were handled there was really well done, as they reminded the two of their bond, and the first day Takayuki managed to be dragged out from his near-death slumber.
Next time Takayuki meets with Haruka is with Shinji, and they both reminisce how well Takayuki and Mitsuki went together. Haruka also tells Takayuki that she has gotten a lot better, so he needn’t to worry so much about her any more. He has more important matters with Mitsuki, and she wishes him to spend more time with her, the time he spends when he visits seeing her. Haruka also has a request for Shinji; she wishes him to watch over Takayuki, because he tends to be too kind. Takayuki’s getting a bit nervous at this, and the Two Nurses step in, as well as Akane. It’s time for rehab baby! No, that just sounds wrong…
From this day on, Haruka will begin to try and walk. It’s not just Mitsuki and Takayuki who are doing their best, but Haruka as well. This is a good place for the guys to leave. Outside the two have a discussion on Haruka, and about seeing her, in an uplifted spirit. Everything seems to be going all right, but Takayuki seems to be lost still. With Shinji’s friendly words of Takayuki’s own courage to walk the path he has chosen (has he?) Shinji can give it all.
At that evening Shinji brings Mitsuki to Takayki’s place and at least a bagful of alcohol. I’ve seen enough alcohol bags here to know where this is going. No doubt it’ll end up someone dancing on the table without a shirt while one of them is hurling over the balcony’s railing. That, or they all end up smoking cigars and talking about Laserdiscs and how good plots the 70’s porn movies had.
Well, not really. There’s a small awkward moment with Takayuki and Mitsuki, but on that evening it’s Takayuki’s turn to let it all out. Still, they all spend rather nice evening, and the loosen a bit.
But Takayuki’s still torn apart. Even when he has faced something that he has kept bottled inside, Haruka invades her mind. There are people who need him, but one of them needs him less and less every day…
Well a good day work at Skytemple should clear his mind, but he still goes to see Haruka afterwards. WHY? Good question my dear reader, and the only thing that really brings him back is the memories and feelings he had; he isn’t on the clear yet, and hasn’t done the most important decision he has to make.
Still, Haruka seems to be bit down when she sees him, but soon she finds her smile when they begin to discuss how the world has changed, what the outside world beyond these hospital windows look like nowadays. Haruka also wishes to hear more about him as he is now, and the days he has lived without her next him. The two also speak of Akane, how she must’ve gone through hard times, and not just because of her world being lost due to Takayuki’s and Mitsuki’s relationship.
One rainy night Takayuki goes alone to see Haruka. After changing few words with doc Kouzuki, he arrives at her slightly open door and hears her silent wailing. With anger Haruka tells her legs to move time after time, cursing the time she has lost; she can’t be happy the way she is now. What has she done to deserve this? The way she is, she can’t be beside him.
Even if Takayuki tries to be silent, Haruka notices a presence, asking if someone’s there. Whether or not the reader wants to stay unnoticed or not, Takayuki enters the room. For a moment the two speak of Haruka’s rehab, but ultimately she asks whether or not Takayuki’s properly playing attention to Mitsuki, if he has called her, taken her to date and all that. Haruka’s worried about Mitsuki, not just because of the rain, but also because of her work. Takayuki’s awkward mumbling (that someone could call an answer) Haruka hurries him to worry about Mitsuki more; during days like these it would be better if he didn’t come and would stay next to Mitsuki. Even if he protests that he is here because the man’s just worried about his friend, Haruka tells him that the face he makes is not the face of a worried friend. She’s truly glad that he comes to visit her, but for his own good, it would be better if he wouldn’t come again. If he were to come to see her, Haruka asks him to come with Mitsuki. With this, he leaves.
What makes Haruka say these things? Alone she’s angered, feels betrayed and yet pushes the one man away who would wish there for her. So, does she not love Takayuki? No, she loves him far too much, and it’s evident that he does love him, but is his love an obligation he feels to have? After all, Haruka is pushing him away for his own good. No, there’s another reason as well. The man doesn’t realize it yet, but he has made his choice already, but he can’t act on it. He never has been able, but soon after he will.
That night Mitsuki comes to see Takayuki, mostly because she was worried about him. Seems like he had drank a bit more than usual, as in a lot more. She can’t help it, through rain, wind and ice she’ll come to see him if she feels worried. Even thou he has come clean to Haruka, he is still having awkward time with Mitsuki, but she puts on her best. Perhaps this “silence” between them triggers Mitsuki’s wish to reassure herself once more with him. On that night, she breaks into tears next him, but won’t tell the reason. She just thanks him. It’s like she has distanced herself from Takayuki a bit. His words back in the hospital seems to have closed something, but with this he has also opened a path he never thought of; What if Mitsuki would be willingly let him to be beside Haruka, and disappear? But why would she do that? Guilt and friendship are a company of two, sort of.
The next time Takayuki visits Haruka, she is in the middle of rehab training. Akane’s there with doc Kouzuki, and they follow Haruka’s steps from afar.
She falls down only to get up. Her instructor, a strict lady person, tells her to rise and walk if she has time to sit down. She does again, and again. It’s just been two days, but it’s sort of miracle that she can stand this well already. Just as Takayuki is to enter the room proper, doc Kouzuki stop him and asks what is his intentions. With stern voice she tells him to get out if he is to offer a helping hand; Haruka won’t be able to walk by herself, if there is someone holding her. Her place is not in this hospital for all time, nor in wheelchair. She can do it as long as she has the drive, as long as she finds a need to take one step at a time. This moment for her is the most cruel, and not because of the rehab; she has lost all the good times, all the bad times, and she can’t run after the lost time. Haruka’s only wish is catch that lost time, and denies herself the possibility to lose any more precious time. If she was to lose, it would end everything.
Haruka’s strong. With each taken step, her body as well as her mind becomes stronger, until she finally walks under her very own strength.
Before she enters the room, the doc tells few selected words to Takayuki; what Haruka needs now is the cruel truth, not reality coloured by lies. She is strong enough to face whatever this world is to throw at her, even if she looks alone, frightened and fragile.
“You’re all young and all of your lives are just starting.”
Kouzuki hopes, that no person in this world would be alone, that there would always be a person beside one other. With these words, she enters the room, leaving Takayuki to stand there. He reflects all that Haruka has said in these past days for him, all that has taken place. And then, his thoughts turn to Mitsuki. He has made his decision. Akane has stood there for moment midst his silence, and finally asks what has he been thinking. With a newfound resolution he tells Akane that he’ll go now, leaving Akane there.
The next day Shinji comes to see Takayuki at the Skytemple as he has something to discuss with him. Takayuki seems to have drink quite a bit the other night if even Shinji comes to see him this late. I mean, nobody ever asks about my hangover two/three days after getting boozed up (thou that’s very rare event anyway.) Just as Shinji’s allowing him to decide on his small order, Akane steps in the restaurant. Goddammit, Skytemple was his last escape from the whole deal, and now it’s been finally brought in here as well. She wishes to see Takayuki after his work is over. Seems like Akane has something to discuss with him, and she wishes Shinji to come along as well.
Ayu’s reaction is proper; Why the hell are you bringing your trouble here? She manages to bring him a bit about with her usual means of insults and getting Mayu backs her up. Chichikuri~ Of course, Takayuki manages to insult her back just as much. I hope this little event managed to lift some pressure off him, but it sure didn’t from me.
The three of them find a quiet place near the harbour.
Here, Akane comes out with it all; she requests him to return to her sister. She knew what Takayuki had been thinking the day before, and asks if he is fine with his decision, if he truly wishes to choose that one person over her sister. It’s not like her sister wished to sleep for the three years, she has done nothing wrong nor she knew nothing. Yet still she woke up into a lonely world without him there. This is how Akane sees things, never admitting herself that those three years have changed things and people. As much as Takayuki has stayed the way he has, she has grown much to see things from larger view. She has never stopped thinking what her sister’s true feelings are.
Akane argues through her sister’s feelings and through Takayuki’s love towards her from three years ago. She can’t convince him to turn his decision, and finally resorts to tell him the real reason why Mitsuki had stopped swimming. Shinji steps in, only to be scolded by Akane before another word is said. It’s not that Mitsuki couldn’t go with her chosen path, but she choose not to. Mitsuki has allowed Takayuki to blame himself on Haruka’s accident even thou she herself carries part of that blame, and that it was she who kept Takayuki from going to that date, that she knew that would happen. Mitsuki never said a thing about this, and allowed Takayuki to carry the blame. She only wished to be there for him. Thus Akane asks; would he had allowed her to be there is he had known Mitsuki’s thoughts and deeds? Even during time when Haruka and Takayuki dated, Mitsuki had loved him. Now that Haruka was not there, he was hers to take away and do as she pleased.
This stops Takayuki out cold, and draws a sad look from all of them. He snaps out the moment Shinji asks if he too thinks that Mitsuki is this kind of person who allows other to live in a detrimental lie only to nab them away from the person whom they love? No, he does not. Even thou things look like that on the outside, was it not also Takayuki who had feelings towards Mitsuki at that time? Was he not the one who needed Mitsuki by his side the most?
Even Akane knows this. She has lost him completely. If he had stayed as her sister’s lover, she could’ve lived near him, always calling him big bro. She has always stayed silenced, looking over him, losing his heart to another. And he tells with words of affection, not just towards Mitsuki but towards Akane as well, that he is truly sorry to cause so much pain and grief to her.
With kind words, Akane’s heart is gently shattered piece by piece. He can’t return to Haruka’s side any more, and thus, he’ll never be at her side either. Takayuki thanks her for coming out to confront him properly for the first time after all this time. With eyes full of tears Akane tells him not to thank her, runs away.
Shinji tells him one last bit of Mitsuki that Akane couldn’t know. As Mitsuki saw into what state Takayuki had fallen in, she herself fell into a shock. She had said to herself that This person loved Haruka this much… At that time Shinji wanted to do something for her, but couldn’t. Shinji had tried to take her away from Takayuki, but with that Takayuki says that it doesn’t matter any more. What now, Shinji asks. Haruka will be feeling alone, and Akane will feel responsible. Takayuki has stood on his ground, and has not wavered.
Later that evening Shinji still calls him, and tells that he has managed to get time to see Haruka with him and Mitsuki. With slight precaution, he agrees to go. After all, Shinji knows that the man has courage to pull things through.
So the following day Takayuki slips out from work a bit early with Ayu’s protest echoing behind him. He meets with Mitsuki, who just had a call from Shinji. He can’t make it, and that raises a few questions. Mitsuki grabs his arm, and on their way they are. Takayuki’ lost in his thoughts to the point he doesn’t notice the train.
Haruka’s happy to see the two. Haruka and Mitsuki soon find their pace just as they used to. Haruka admits that he was pushing Takayuki to spend more time with Mitsuki, which draws a certain surprise. She still sees through both of them, and is a bit worried about the two. There’ still an awkward atmosphere, which Haruka tries to brake it off by saying, that it can’t really be helped, and that Mitsuki has nothing to apologise for. Haruka tells that she remembers how good the two looked together when they were at school, to which both Mitsuki and Takayuki answer with a surprised face. Haruka reminisces how the two of them always smiled, laughed and seemed to have good times together; that she thinks this is for the best.
This causes Mitsuki to stop her with a serious face, and she asks of Haruka if she’s serious. Haruka’s clearly confused as Mitsuki seems to be angry. Her answer is almost a simple so what. This pisses Mitsuki ever further, asking if she realizes how much shit Takayuki has gone through after all this time. She knows, and knows it’s because Takayuki is too kind for his own well being. But the same thing can be said of Mitsuki’s behaviour. Takayuki steps in and tries to settle things, but he only receives Mitsuki’s harsh words about it all. And Haruka just asks what is it that she wants her to say? That she hasn’t forgotten about him yet? How can she say something like that when Mitsuki is the one who loves Takayuki the most? Why can’t she show more happiness that she was chosen over the two? Oh much fun the two must’ve had during those three years when she was sleeping, how Mitsuki must’ve joyed herself that Haruka had that accident. Perhaps all this time Mitsuki had thought that it would’ve been better if Haruka had died, that even Takayuki must’ve thought so –
With wavering words and a scared face Mitsuki runs out from the room. Takayuki yells after her for nothing, and as he helps Haruka up she asks why isn’t he running after her. If he were to stay there, Mitsuki won’t come back. Without Mitsuki, Takayuki can’t be long longer. With bitter words, Haruka tells him that she will be alright by herself. She asks if he will regret. No, it’s almost as she asks him to regret.
“Aren’t you going to go to Mitsuki?”
And he flashes to all the hard times he has seen Haruka pulling through. And he runs. First on the roof, taking his phone out and calling, and call he does as he continues to run after her. Finally, she answers with no voice. Not only he speaks and she answers with a wavering voice. She doesn’t answer where she is, but he hears familiar bell ringing somewhere in the background. So he runs once more.
And so, there she stands. On that hill that has started so many things.
“I was … always waiting. For me … that was happiness.”
This time she can’t do so any more. She was scared to answer his call, to hear his words. She has done a horrible thing to Haruka, but she just couldn’t stand it any further. Not until Takayuki tells her directly of his wishes and decisions, as well as Haruka’s, she realizes the true shape of things. Even after all this time, she can only think of how she must’ve hurt a Haruka’s feelings; how in the end she came to point with it all came out in one burst. After Takayuki has calmed her down, Mitsuki tells that she wishes she could go back those three years, so that nobody would have these cruel memories, and he would still have a happy future. So that they all could laugh as friends.
“And that would be alright!?”
Takayuki makes Mitsuki listen; is she willing to forget these three years? Does she want to forget all these days the two have spend together? All the good times, all the bad times, is she willing to just let go of those feelings they have now?
No, she does not want to forget these feelings, she does not wish to let his love away. She has always loved him.
But as she is now, she can’t be next to him, because she has lied to him; he has fallen into the fake her. She begins to tell the true reasons she stopped swimming and is about to come out with it all, but Takayuki just embraces her. There’s no meaning what she has done, because she was always there, and the reasons she has had were always true to herself; she has not done anything wrong.
Two to get to Takayuki’s place, but Mitsuki’s still in an emotional state, still apologising. Takayuki needs to have her promise not to to do so any further. For the first time in a long time they can be with each other without anything holding either of them back, even bantering with each other properly for the first time after Haruka’s awakening. They allow their emotions take control, and spend the night together in passion.
During that night Takayuki wakes up as Hayase’s leaving. She can’t really go to the work with the same set of clothes. Takayuki’s about to pull Mitsuki back, but allows her to leave after that.
Takayuki still goes to see Haruka the following day and is met by one of the nurses. Haruka’s gone missing from her room. They search high and low, until Takayuki sees her at the beach from the hospital room. He sprints there, seeing her standing on her two feet. Haruka just wanted to see the ocean. As Takayuki gets closer, Haruka tells him that there’s nothing to worry about, that she’s alright; she can do it by herself. She even makes him watch as she walks around a bit, but as she gets closer to Takayuki, she falls on him. In that moment she kisses him. She apologises fast with a tearful voice.
“Let’s say… Farewell”
She wished that all of them could see each other as friends like they used to, but now what happened yesterday would just repeat itself. Haruka herself does not know what would happen to her if she was to be near him again. That’s why they can’t see each other any more. Takayuki agrees with regrets, but Takayuki says that one day things will be different, that one day they’ll still be able to be friends.
As they sit on the beach, Haruka tells Takayuki that she always knew Mitsuki’s feelings towards him, but she was afraid. So, Haruka through that she could become something more to him than just friends. Haruka admits that things are different, that those three years have changed Takayuki to a person whom she doesn’t know. The person she has chased, the person she loves, is no more. For her that one month with him is a dream. That dream for her was most fun and happy. She thanks him for it, and tells him farewell.
farewell. The book that brought these two together shall now separate them, as Haruka gives Takayuki the gift that Mayuru gave for humanity; the happy words of farewell.
With a smile they say that word to each other, and Takayuki walks away.
Mitsuki is waiting for Takayuki. She knows it must’ve been hard for him, and he allows himself to fall into her arms, crying. With this, their life can truly start.
And so, we close the third chapter. One heckuva story, gotta admit. Then let me tell you the last part, the epilogue. Awwshit man. This won’t take long, I promise.
Later on Takayuki and Mitsuki are looking for a new apartment and they’re flipping through magazines to find a good one. Takayuki answer a phone and after some silence Akane’s voice tells him that Haruka has been dispatched from the hospital, and she asks if he can and come see her. Akane’s response to Takayuki’s is to close the phone. Akane needs someone else to help her, someone with a passion for life. Mitsuki’s face shows that she’s still a bit wry of the past, but soon they continue on their task at hand, and for the last time leave this place that has stayed the same for more than three years now. Finally, they can step from this still time to a future.
Some unspecified time later Takayuki’s rushing home from work. She decides to go by a bookstore and flip through their selection if he was to find something of interest. He remembers there the time when he met Haruka, and walks by the children’s book department. There, a name hits the corner of his eye, and he picks it up. And he reads the pages one after another.
He buys and rans home to Mitsuki. She has been waiting for him with tears and as soon as he comes home Mitsuki makes him read a letter. It’s from Akane, in which she tells of her and Haruka, that she herself has finally been able to move on with her life. It’s more than enough to make them both cry of happiness. Then, Takayuki gives the book to Mitsuki to read.
The book is named True Treasure, written by Murakami Haruka. Mitsuki reads it, and much like me, she falls into tears.
Alrighty, I think I can! Today, once again, Haru the Ferret Is climbing the great big hill with all her might She has in her tiny body. Today, once again, the four friends will take a nap together. Alrighty, I think I can!
When Haru arrives at the top of the hill The sun has also arrived, to the very top of the sky. To take a nap on top of the hill is a joy to Haru. But today, something is different.
On top of the hill three ferrets have gathered. Gathered here, what are they doing? “Wow, this is a wonderful place. Would it be all right for us to nap here with you?” Haru responds, brimming with happiness, “Yes. Let’s all nap together.”
Alrighty, I think I can! Today, once again, Haru the Ferret Is climbing the great big hill with all her might She has in her tiny body. Today, once again, the four friends will nap together. Alrighty, I think I can!
“Let’s plant a giant tree here!” Says Aki the Ferret. “If we do, this place will become even better!” Everyone agrees.
This tree is their treasure. It is a treasure planted with all their hard work.
Alrighty, I think I can! Today, once again, she will nap together with her four friends, Gathered beneath the tree at the peak of the hill. What’s this? The tree has given a fruit. Upon the tree one teeny, tiny, lonely fruit has sprung forth. A new treasure has been borne.
“What a delicious-looking fruit! I’d like to eat it,” Says Haru the Ferret.
“No way! It was I who found it! I’ll eat it,” Says Nattsu the Ferret.
“Idiots! If the tree has borne this fruit, Many more are sure to follow,” Says Aki the Ferret.
“I don’t think so. No, definitely not. This fruit has come forth only with great difficulty,” Says Fuyuyu the Ferret.
Oh no! Oh no! Things have degenerated into a quarrel. Because there is just one fruit these quarrels have arisen. Soon, everyone will no longer nap and play together
“Goodbye.” “Goodbye.” “Goodbye.”
At the peak of the hill, only Haru remains. Before, everyone took soothing naps together. Now, only Haru remains.
The next day, Haru naps at home. And the next day. And the next day. She naps alone. “I’m lonely. I’m so lonely. I want to see my friends. I want to see everyone!”
… Alrighty, I think I can!
The following day, Haru is once again
Climbing the hill with all the might in her little body.
I think I can! I think I can! I think I can!
On the top of the hill is a tree that has become a giant. It’s massive branches have borne much fruit. But Haru remains sad. Even though these are the treasures she pined for, She no longer wants them.
“I’m so lonely! It’s so miserable to be alone! I miss my friends! I want to see them again.”
So saying, Haru has found the true treasure.
I think I can! I think I can! I think I can! Haru has found the true treasure. She believes. She believes with all her heart that the day will come When once again everyone will be able to sleep peacefully together.
With this hope in her heart, Today, once again, Haru the Ferret Is climbing the great big hill with all the might In her little body. Alrighty, I think I can!
And so, I got my closure with Kimi ga Nozomu Eien. I believe I don’t need to say much about the ending, except it made me cry like bitch. Eight years ago I saw a story that touched me, and it has taken me this long to finally finish it. With those last words in the story, I reached a catharsis. I’m not really a person who believes into destiny, but I managed to bring this Visual Novel to an end pretty much the same day it ends within the story.
Few years ago the KimiNozo was a hurtful thing. I couldn’t make jokes about it and I hot mad at people for the pettiest of reasons. I’ve managed to come far from that time, as I can make and laugh at jokes about getting hit by a car and falling into coma for three years. Hell, whenever I see Daironeri either of us is bound to make the joke. I can value all the stupid things the story has, all the idiotic things I’ve said and done because of it, like this post. It’s been hell to write this within a week, but it’s something that needed to be said.
Are you OK? Your eyes seem a bit red. Yeah, I’m fine. Dear reader, I hope you have been given a glimpse of this story through my eyes. There’s so much I could tell you about it, so much to show, but I think I’ve overshot everything that I was aiming at. It’s been rough to write this on both physical and emotional level. Even now as I’m finishing this I’m having a massive headache through two Panadols.
So many things have been hanging there in the air, in the imaginary space. Now, I can finally take them down.
It’s a sad story filled with happy and cruel moments. Without it I would never had so many experiences, so many different things to laugh at and to cry for. Even Muv-Luv would’ve had been a completely different story Kimi ga Nozomu Eien had not been there before. I wouldn’t have my life thus far any other way. It may sound stupid, but I truly believe that friendship does last like this, even though we need to say farewells to get our own time, we can always meet again and be friends. There are those times when we might not be able to see each other, there might be times when we fight, and there might be times when we willingly become separate. And yet, the next time we meet, we’ll still be friends.
While time is a cruel mistress, it’s also the one who heals our wounds.
Afterwords 27.8.2013
It’s been now a year. Today is Hayase’s birthday, and I saw it fit that the this post should get updated on this day. Looking back at my own text makes me feel uneasy. Not just because the horrible grammar and typos that exited for all this time, but… we all know it. This is a hard story that will draw emotions from you. There are few clear things Kimi ga Nozomu Eien is saying; we all are victims in life we triumph in. Road to hell is pawed with good intentions. We can only blame ourselves for hurting others and ourselves. Inaction leads to the same position. In human relations, we must be bold and take that step to say I love you. At the same time we have to be just as bold to say I do not love you. Then, we have to stand our grounds and act the best way we can. The world moves and time passes on, neither waits for anyone. Even when we say goodbye, we can always say hello again.
In Haruka’s case, she went all out even when she knew she’d hurt her best, and perhaps only friend. The accident is something we can’t expect to see in our daily lives, whatever it may be for you. Things change, and we change with them. When and if it happens, we must continue living on. Stopping in your place only does disservice to you. If a person like Takayuki learned to be honest with himself and take responsibility of his actions and to a tight grip on his own life, what keeps us from doing the same? In the end, they had to say goodbye only so that they could say hello again.
I had no title for this post, just a placeholder. I made peace with my past while I wrote this a year ago, and now I have found the title for it. The name is for all those who I call me their friend, for all those who love me back as much as it is to describe the friendship between the characters in Kimi ga Nozomu Eien. We have the unyielding strength and will to be happy, together as friends. This is what I choose to believe.
I’ve been reading a story that I couldn’t finish eight years ago. Something that’s still important to me, and to an extent has defined me to a point. I started reading it properly again six months ago, and I could’ve read it in a week or so, but for a reason I couldn’t. There’s a point where the story makes me stop and makes it hard to continue onwards.
I’m hesitant to call it a masterpiece, but this is a fact; I’ve never met a person who has been left out cold after seeing or reading the story. They’ve either hated it, loved it or they’ve been completely speechless by it.
I didn’t really notice it, but I’ve done the same thing here what I did with the largest Muv-Luv post I have; spontaneous post about it without context, a monthly music tied to it, and then followed by the main post.
Funny how things happen like this sometimes.
As previously, be sure to wait for the whole story…
Edited and tweaked on 25th of December 2012 to honour the yearly Sadohashima Day, also known as the Christmas Day
There exist two stories that I keep close to my heart. One story is from nine years ago, and the other is as recent as from few weeks ago. These two stories are what I reflect much of myself against, and how I will grow in the upcoming years. This is something that I want to tell and share with those who are willing to listen. I want to share the tears I’ve shed and the sorrow I’ve felt for these stories. However, I afraid this post will be spoiler heavy. If you want to enjoy both Kimi ga Nozomu Eien and Muv-Luv to the fullest, please go through them before reading this. Otherwise, do continue onwards.
Some years ago a friend of mind burned me a disc called Blue People Special. The Disc contained the first episodes of then-new series of Sonic X, Kimi ga Nozomu Eien and some series I can’t recall. While Sonic X was fun to watch, Kimi ga Nozomu Eien was the one that, without a doubt, changed my life. The title of Visual Novel and the series translates something along the lines of The Eternity You Wish and is commonly abbreviated as KimiNozo. It is a small story of three friends, love and tragedy. Before we get to the core of this post, Muv-Luv, we need to go through some of the KimiNozo’s plot, and I’ll abbreviate the first three episodes of the series here. They can be skipped, but I’d recommend you either watch the series or read the VN.
“ Like the stars that twinkle in the night sky
Hearts that have melted together will never come apart.
Even though these hands let go
As long as neither of us forget “
Kimi ga Nozomu Eien is a story of your normal life, a story of a love triangle of harshest caliber. Suzumiya Haruka, quite timid girl is in love with Narumi Takayuki and asks her friend Hayase Mitsuki to introduce them to each other. They hand out for some time together, untilOn That Hill Haruka finally manages to confess her love to Takayuki. Takayuki decides to answer to her feelings and they start to date. Takayuki is dense and oblivious to dating and barely can understand Haruka’s feelings, but tries his best nevertheless. Mitsuki feels jealous at times, and even though she doesn’t admit or show it anybody, it’s clear. After some time Takayuki and Haruka become closer to each other to the point that they show their love in physical form. At one day, Takayuki’s late for their date, due to him buying Haruka a book she has been looking for, and for the fact that Mitsuki steals more of his time and makes Takayuki to buy her a present; a silver ring. However, life can be cruel, as even those five minutes or so Takayuki is late decides the fate of all of them for the next three years; Haruka is hit by a car and falls into coma, Takayuki has a complete mental breakdown and suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Mitsuki is the one and only line keeping Takayuki from killing himself, even if it costs her most of her life.
Rumbling Hearts, the opening of the Visual Novel, is the ending song of the second episode of the series
Three years have gone past. Takayuki is a part-timer in local restaurant Sky Temple, and seemingly is doing fine. He meets Mitsuki and Shinji, a long time friend since forever. They spend some time drinking and changing news from each other. Later, Mitsuki and Takayuki spend a night together, where Mitsuki asks him whether or not he would like to live with her. Takayuki leaves the answer open, but asks her in the morning whether she would like to move in with him.
” …Your place is the same as three years ago… “
In all reality, neither Takayuki or Mitsuki are doing fine. Mitsuki is tortured by her love to him and the guilt she feels towards Haruka. Takayuki phases out every time accidents are brought up, and is rather anti-social to other people outside his job and closest friends. However, Mitsuki manages to make things clear with Takayuki and they both manage to agree that they’ll be sharing their lives together. While they’re walking back home, they meet with Haruka’s younger sister, Akane, who is furious at them both, even more so at Takayuki who hasn’t visited Haruka’s bedside in years… due to her parents forbidding him, for her and his own sanity. At one point in the past, Takayuki took comatose Haruka to a date, denying everything that had happened.
Ultimately, Mitsuki decides not to move in with Takayuki, and admits that their relationship is stretched thin to her senior member of the company she works in. At the time, Takayuki phones her to arrange them to meet later that day. Much to Mitsuki’s surprise Takayuki has decided to continue living on and starts to search for a place they both can live together.
” I don’t think this is wrong. It’s not as though we’re trying to forget about Haruka. It’s just that right now, we have our own lives to live. Your’s and mine’s… “
Mitsuki falls into tears (as did I), Takayuki has seemingly taken a step forwards in his life and seemingly admits many things about himself. Months pass on as they search for a place and keep living their life quite happily, eating curry rice. One day Akane makes a phonecall.
Takayuki jumps to the phone, spilling his drink. Haruka wants to see Takayuki, she wants to see him more than anything else in the world. Both of them are startled to the point of Takayuki falling back into his mental breakdown, Mitsuki falling into desperation. They decide to visit Haruka the day together, even if Takayuki doesn’t really want to initially.
Haruka does not know that it has been three years since the accident happened.
And thus, Dr. Kouzuki decides to protect Haruka’s fragile mind and body in form of charade; no one is to tell Haruka that three years have passed, no one is to act that way for her safety. When he sees Haruka, it all floods back to Takayuki, he can barely watch at Haruka, until Mitsuki pushes him a bit forwards next to her, breaking him down to tears due to all the guilt he has beared to that moment.
Akane dumps all her hatred towards Takayuki and Mitsuki, burdening them with more guilt for the love they feel.
From here on, everything changes for the third time and the rawness and cruelness of life lifts its head.
This is essentially the first four episodes of the series in a tight package. What drives the series is the story and characters. The Visual Novel might have those numerous scenes of sex as per genre, and Kimi ga Nozomu Eien uses them to depict how fragile, or strong, the human nature is. KimiNozo is about the feeling of the heart rather than feelings of the flesh. âge’s main writer Yoshimune Kouki researched Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in-depth with rest of the staff in order to convey most realistic depiction they could’ve muster. Kouki managed in this so well, that there is numerous readers/ watchers that have told to have PTSD themselves to an extent. The story is strong, cruel, unhappy, filled with emotions and tears. There is nothing that is supernatural or over the top. It’s the tragedy of it all, how people cope with difficult situations, breakdowns, lies and love.
I wouldn’t say that I enjoy KimiNozo, I doubt very few people actually enjoy it. KimiNozo is a story that mangled my own feelings up and down, punched me to guts more than I can remember, made me cry my eyes out… and made me realize that love is a cruel and selfish thing.
Humans by their nature are cruel and selfish, and this is core of KimiNozo. Because of KimiNozo, I began to wonder what it really means to love somebody. Before that I’ve never thought of loving anyone; I always saw myself as the one guy who every one can depend on, but no one really cares deeply for. It made me wonder whether or not I was the kind of person who deserves to be loved to the point where I shunned people away from me just to keep me from hurting them. I acted like a fool, teased a lot of people and acted like I never understood other people’s feelings and wants just to keep that away by a touch, but close enough so I wouldn’t be left alone. KimiNozo changed me somewhat; to this day I still look how I act and wonder why is it so hard to stop being this kind of idiot. Surely, I act less foolishly than before, but the fact that I still act obliviously about other people’s feelings is a pain.
Ultimately I am a selfish person who wants to be of use for all around me.
You could say that I still have an open wound from KimiNozo, and that wound most likely will stay there until the end of my days. It’s a wound I can’t really heal myself from alone. KimiNozo thus carries huge amount of memories for me just from watching it, but there’s a one particular memory that still hurts me, because KimiNozo once hurt a person close to me. Thou that person is still close to my heart, she’s only a friend nowadays, a good friend at that I would not want to lose.
Just hearing the music of the series make me teary eyed, and sqeamish. A friend of mine remembers me being a total ruin for a half year or so. We’ve both agreed that without KimiNozo I wouldn’t be the person I am today. The story had something that struck me down and struck me hard. It’s a love story, and story that I regard high in value. Without a question, Kimi ga Nozomu Eien is my favouite series.
There’s one more thing I learned in Kimi ga Nozomu Eien; sometimes, to love is to let go.
First time when I saw KimiNozo I was divided by the ending in two. It basically broke me down and it took me a long time to think through whether or not the ending was good. To put it more clearly, only few years ago I decided that the ending was the one I wanted. I rewatched the series while writing this post, and this was the first time I could watch it completely without much trouble. That would be thanks to Muv-Luv.
The ending wasn’t as melancholic as I remembered; it was not as crushing as I remembered. Watching it all again made me realize that the ending, after it all, is a happy ending; Haruka realizes her dreams, fights to make it atop the hill, and meets her friends for the first time in years. After all this time I had somehow managed to miss this small and yet the most important detail in the whole story. A weight of nine years was lifted from my shoulders.
Still, this is the first story to ever make me crumble to pieces. I love the characters, flawed as they may, I love the sombreness of it all and the feeling when it all ends. Loving it would be a wrong word, but there is no real way to convey what I feel properly. To me, Kimi ga Nozomu Eien is important. It’s something I want to keep remembering and mirroring my past and current self unto.
And it has a sequel of sorts. With giant robots. and aliens.
You may imagine the FURY I had. I couldn’t understand why would âge create a story with goddamn aliens and giant robots in the same world as KimiNozo. It was like a sledgehammer had fallen to my head. I denied the very existence of it completely. For years I dropped following âge completely. I wanted to stay true to KimiNozo, and I did. I’m a stubborn man if you hadn’t noticed yet.
Two years ago the sequel was translated. People jumped the ship and read the Visual Novels. Back then I passed it off as bunch raving loonatics who couldn’t understand a good story even if stepped unto them like Godzilla.
But before that, let’s talk about a side story known as Akane Maniax, which serves as the bridge between KimiNozo and Muv-Luv. It’s a tale about Gohda Jouji, a man with a soul of fire. He became âge’s gag character practically in every title he is in and at times transforms into Tekkuman Blade. The OVA based on the Visual Novel is three episodes long and tells the story pretty well. The thing that really irks me is the fact that how I loathe it. Well, more accurately I loathed it. I rewatched it after reading Muv-Luv and watching KimiNozo, and found it highly amusing mix of KimiNozo’s strong, serious feelings and the over the top comedy of Muv-Luv Extra. It soon begins at the end of KimiNozo, and ends at 22nd of October 2001, where Mitsurugi Meiya forcibly takes Jouji’s seat next to one named Shirogane Takeru. Jouji either becomes Tekkuman Blade, or gets transferred to another school.
Passing the torch
As stated, I hated the idea of aliens, giant robots or even comedy in my KimiNozo, thus swept everything under the rug that I didn’t want to see and told myself that they were shit and never could stand to the quality that is KimiNozo.
Jesus Christ I’m glad I was wrong as anyone can ever be anywhere in this existence or in any other.
SUMIKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
About three weeks ago the kind bunch of anonymous at an image board of a fourth kind with mechanical tendencies convinced me to give a go with Muv-Luv, explaining that there is a thing that keeps so-called Extra-verse where KimiNozo and Extra-part of Muv-Luv separate from the world of aliens and robots. With this, I ventured in with only two or three spoilers. Oh god I was not preraped to go it all through again, not like this.
All rights to original owners, and thanks to the anon who made this
Muv-Luv is not really a sequel to Kimi ga Nozomu Eien. It takes place in the same world, in the same city but few years later after Haruka’s accident. Muv-Luv is separated in three parts; Extra, Unlimited and Alternative. There is an epilogue, but I’ll get into it much later. Some characters appear in Muv-Luv’s Extra, mainly Akane. Thanks to an imbecile named Jouji Gouda, she got over the events of KimiNozo and doing pretty well. Later, some other KimiNozo characters are to appear… but differently.
From now on you’ll excuse me. I will most likely sound a raving fanboy and all that. What I want to through here isn’t a synopsis of the novel or a review, but my own personal experience with Muv-Luv. It was something that I couldn’t stop, it’s something that almost tortured me, something that broke me down, made me question my own believes and ultimately gave me realizations and a resolution I’ve been seeking for.
For my own sake, I’ll be going through each of the three episodes one by one.
Welcome to Extra; enjoy your stay. You’ll want to come back soon
Muv-Luv Extra begins with a slice of life comedy, contrasting directly to the somber tone of KimiNozo in pretty much every way. The main character, Shirogane Takeru, has a childhood friend and girl-next-door Kagami Sumika. Sumika has a habbit to run through the Shirogane household and wake Takeru up. Otherwise he’d be late for school. Sumika could be described as your-of-the-mill energetic high-school girl with small violent tendencies and strong wish to be with Takeru ’til the end of times. The reader can clearly see where this is all going from this, but then it was the 22nd of October 2001 one morning.
It’s my dream as well to wake up next to a woman with GP02 head. Wait no it isn’t. Not that I wouldn’t mind…
During that morning, Sumika finds Takeru waking next to a mysterious blue haired woman named Mitsurugi Meiya, the sole daughter of Mitsurugi and the one who shall inhert the most powerful corporation in Japan. NOW you can see where this is going.
Muv-Luv Extra does not only begin with a high and fun note, but keeps it up all the time. Meiya’s personality is very dignified and she thinks everything can be solved with money and power. Her status is very and so is her attitude towards everything. Meiya’s is noble to the heart and bears strong believes and convictions. There are slew of other characters as well that are close to Takeru, either romantically or just as friends. As per Visual Novel standard, you can take pretty much any of these characters to bed. How the story goes, the reader is encouraged to read all the routes through for better understanding of events and characters. However, the two main heroines are the main focus, and finishing both Meiya’s and Sumika’s routes open the next part of Muv-Luv; Unlimited.
Extra continues on with high-school shenigans all around with overblown comedy scenes here and there. Takeru’s a gamer-extraordinaire in an arcade game called Valgern-ON, which is by all intents and purposes a Virtual-On expy of the series. The arcade machine has a cockpit where the player sits in and plays the game like he was really piloting it. Takeru always keeps rivaling with his friend, Mikoto Yoroi. Mikoto’s gender is open for question for now and we might never know if Mikoto’s a boy or a girl. In one scene Meiya’s wishes to learn to play Valgern-ON in order to get closer to Takeru, and they play 2-on-2 game which both sides find rather entertaining. Then there’s a sports arc where Takeru has to maintain a team of lacrosse players mainly consisting of newbies. Tensions are even more tight, words are thrown around and people are getting mad at each other… and Sumika’s a klutz.
The class rep. is Sakaki Chizuru, a little uptight girl who has had a hard life, and who’s small light in life is soon going to be taken away as the lacrosse club in the school is going to be shut down due to disinterest. Even then she’s a strong person who cares for people, even is she doesn’t show it. Her direct opposite in the story is Ayamine Kei, a Rei Ayanami clone. She’s silent, direct, playful and incredebly good at close combat in every part of the story.
Then there’s always the classic “mascot” of the bunch, Tamase Miki. She’s an upbeat, short and pink-haired girl who looks and acts like a cat most of the times, but excels greatly in archery. She’s always bringing something happier to everyone’s lives. They all have their own routes in the story if the reader wants to advance romantically with them as per Visual Novel standards. It would be a good idea to walk through these for more insight they give for each character and to their nature. Muv-Luv has one thing that will make you come back to them later on.
From 6 onwards clockwise, it’s Sakaki Chizuru, Kashiwagi Haruko (a true fembro), Yoroi Mikoto of unknown gender, Ayamine Kei the sly Rei clone done right, Mitsurugi Meiya and the one I fell on love, Kagami Sumika
There’s also these two teachers, Kouzuki Yuuko and Jinguuji Marimo. Yuuko makes Marimo wear Morrigan-like cosplay at times and emotionally tortures her as best friends should. Whereas Yuuko is an insane genious with theories about quantum causality theories she got from a PS2 game while Marimo’s kind and sofhearted teacher. She’s actually a good teacher, but her constitution isn’t really that up to her. They both support Takeru in their own way, and Yuuko even has a route of her own.
Just remembering how it all went down makes me feel a bit uneasy, knowing what’s coming after.
Towards the ending there’s the ‘compulsory’ hot spring / onsen arc, where Sumika shows her feelings towards Takeru. The scene is soft and romantic and delivers Sumika’s feelings to the reader quite well, and makes one wonder his selected options again.
Up until this scene my main choice was Meiya. Sumika’s a strong girl, the one who knows to survive anything that’s thrown at her. Meiya felt like a person who would need someone to love her. This scene is where Sumika threw her feelings at Takeru, at the reader, at me. This was the point where I stopped thinking in a manner “who would need me most” and started to think “who I really love.”
Extra might be rather generic at points, but it’s well written and conveys all the characters well. All of its intentions is to make the reader get into the core personality of the characters, to care what happens to them and basically fall in love with them. I couldn’t let myself go for Meiya after all, and decided to stick true to my own feelings and chose to follow the road that lead to Sumika.
And how it did with it all. Extra’s an integral part of Muv-Luv as it sets everything that is going to come afterwards. It’s a happy slice of life that captivates the reader long enough.
Extra leaves a warm feeling after it has ended.
If you have any intentions of reading Muv-Luv, then stop here right now. I think spoiling Extra even to this extend has an impact, but for any further spoiling will be fatal.
Then, one morning Takeru wakes up and wonders why isn’t Sumika barging in and taking names again. School’s going to start soon. When he goes out, the only thing he sees is devastation, empty and crumbled houses… with a giant robot on top of what’s left of Sumika’s house next door.
Welcome to Unlimited.
Muv-Luv Unlimited comes in the same package as Muv-Luv Extra, simply branded as Muv-Luv. However, they’re treated as two separate entities most of the time.
Takeru decides that’s his dreaming; after all, giant robots are obsession of all healthy teenage boys. He promptly walks towards Hakuryo school, which seems to have changed into a military base. At this time he’s strained and detained, and then thrown into detention cell block. There he slowly starts to realize that something’s wrong, really wrong. Then, Professor Kouzuki Yuuko comes to him, releases from his cell and discusses the possibilities from where Takeru has come from. By all logic, they come to an conclusion that Takeru’s from another world.
In this world history has taken another path, and final straw was the extra-terrestrial enemy known as the BETA, or Being of Extraterrestrial origin which are Adversary to humanity. The BETA have decimated the human population to mere one billion from six and ravage the lands so that not even grass grows where they live. Unlimited portrays the desperate struggle against the BETA in most effective way; you do not see the conflicts or the enemy, but you will feel the effects. The strongest weapon the BETA has to them is their sheer insane amount of numbers behind them. The BETA… well, we’ll get to them later on. Unlimited in the end is the second part of Muv-Luv. Here begins Takeru’s growth, and to what he has to be.
Unlimited brings back most of characters you met in Extra, in a whole different world. Here they have grown in a world of war and destruction; serving in the military for their nation and mankind itself is crystal clear. To defeat the BETA is to save mankind. There is no middle line. All the core personalities are there, but they have small changes all around. Meiya for example doesn’t act all that high anymore, and is far more rooted to the ground, understanding “the commoner.” Her ideals and believes are even stronger, and that’s not just because the world is going even more bonkers. Or rather, the world has no hope, literally.
You wouldn’t notice it right away, as Takeru’s very existence contradicts a lot about the world around him. He’s sloppy, talks in a strange manner, has interests that nobody knows about, and generally being one of the few men around.
The one thing I would (not) want to see when waking up for school
Takeru wants to join the cadets of the Hakuryo Military base in order to pilot some goddamn giant robots. Who wouldn’t!? Well, knowing what the world is like…
Personally I got some nice flashbacks and memories from those five days in army. While Extra didn’t really bring up any memories or the like at first, Unlimited did; the schedules, the strict rules, all of it. It was fun and I felt that it mattered to an extent that I was there, even though I acknowledged that there’s not much that I can do just as a soldier; I need to be higher and be used by the higher people in order to become their equel and use them to complete my own goals. However, there’s no need for that in this world yet, we aren’t in war with anybody at the moment, and I hope from my heart that it will stay so.
But Unlimited. Compared to the Extra’s wacky high-school comedy shenigans, Unlimited is more akin to “cadets in high-school with militaristic overtones” setting. There’s a huge change in the atmosphere in between Extra and Unlimited, and it keeps pressing the reader the further one reads Unlimited.
There’s an island arc where the cadet team is sent to their final test whether or not they can become one of the Eishi, pilots of the Tactical Surface Fighter, or TSF for short. Actually, this is the second time this particular cadet team is taking it. The first time around they failed it. Without much of Takeru’s assistance, they somehow manage to survive the ordeal and began their TSF training with simulators in full fledged pilot suits.
I know what you’re all thinking about, but I assure you that it’s not. The suits are form of powered armour that gives greater resistance, protect from external physical traumas. The they’re like that is to get rid of personal shame and all that, as in the frontlines there’s no room for privacy; men and women are to share are places without a second thought. In design and by use this is one of the nicest looking pilot suit out there. Function follows a form a bit, but it doesn’t let it lack. Ultimately it fills the in-universe needs completely.
And yes, the men get exact same suits. The transparent membrane is also cheaper to produce than coloured one. Cuttings costs in a world where the only real economy is in war machines this kind of thing is expected. All the food is artificial in the world. While some things are stil lacking when compared to Extra-verse, Unlimited has some really neat technology, mostly thanks to BETA and the war against them.
As I said, Unlimited brings most of the characters from Extra to this other world. A certain human called Kagami Sumika does not exist in this world. However, there exists a girl named Yashiro Kasumi, a Russian ESP user from Alternative III. The Alternative projects are a plans to understand and go against the BETA. All Alternative Plans from I to III are failures, and Alternative IV is what’s left of III. Russian albino psychic loli girls, anyone?
Whereas Sumika is love incarnate, Kasumi’s cute incarnate
Yuuko worked on Alternative IV with Kasumi, and Takeru wanted to become an awesome pilot to stop the destruction of mankind. 24th of Decemember, the colonel of Yokohama base told the new Eishi that Alternative IV was cancelled, and Alternative V was to step into action; to choose handful of surviving human and send them to space for an interstellar travel towards another planet, which may or may not exist.
In all regards, Unlimited’s Meiya route ends in two ways, and only the other one is slightly more happier. To me, the ending was about Takeru and Meiya switching each other places in one of those space vessels, until they decide that it is Meiya who should go. In the end, Meiya gives Takeru a child in that faraway planet, telling her tales of her courageous father fighting the BETA in a world that used to be her home. Howeber, the second part of Alternative V is to bombard the Earth with G-Bombs, making it practically a dead rock with salt seas instead of oceans in most places. People living in close contact to each other, riots, murders and everything that could ever go wrong when the world in ending happens. Then there’s the remnant BETA forces that keep destroying the last of humanity’s homes, and there’s very little what UN or anyone can do at this point.
To say the least, Unlimited ends in a desperate note. There’s very little that gives actual hope for survival, just the small glimpse of humanity’s life on another planet, on another world. Takeru is willing to defend alone this planet for the true love he has found.
Unlimited asked me to think what I think my position in life, and to an even more extend what I can do, what I’m capable of. It begged me to ask again Who am I? The answer I gave was “A man who can cry.”
In the end, there’s always Alternative
The second you see that, you realize that Alternative is something not to take lightly. Long has gone the pink logo, high-school antics and bubbly music. Extra and Unlimited laid down the base that is Alternative. The name itself should tell you what to expect, and I’d say forget it all. This episode is where the nature of the world steps towards you without a second thought, looks at you and punches you in the gut while grinning. It is raw, grotesque, violent, realistic, warm, loving, brave and proud.
Alternative begins on October 22nd 2001 when Takeru wakes up in his home for school, noting that Sumika’s not there to wake him up. He enjoys thae fact that all of Unlimited has been a dream… until he steps outside to the vasteland that is his hometown.
Naturally, Takeru feels that something’s strange. He walks to the military base again, and the guards once more start ti pin him down. However, this time Takeru isn’t the weak himself, he has served in the militray past three years according to his memories and seen the devastation the world will see because of Alternative V, and thus puts up a nice fight against the guards to the point they draw their gun at him. They call for Yuuko, and Takeru manages to convince her to listen. During their talk Takeru tells what kind of world he comes from… from what two kind of worlds he comes from; one that he was born in, the world of peace, and the world ravaged by BETA and G-Bombs in the future. He wants to save the mankind and he needs Yuuko’s help in order to complete Alternative IV so that Alternative V never takes off.
This is where Alternative begins, where the second core of Muv-Luv lies; in the desperate struggle against time, humanity, BETA and life itself. Takeru is adamant about saving the world from its destined future, but first of all he has to make sure that he and the other cadets graduate before they did last time. Takeru has to meet everyone again; Shizuru, Kei, Meiya, Mikoto, Miki, Marimo and Meiya. Takeru’s training makes it all worth it this time and he is cadet-extraordinaire, successing in everything he does. While he thinks this might damage the morale of the group, his competence and will inspires people around him to think why they are there, and to push themselves to their limits and beyond.
At one point Takeru travels to his original world with Yuuko’s help in order to fetch a theory that helps in the completion of Alternative IV’s most important component; the 00 Unit. Takeru being the causality conductor he can do that. He is the one that connects the worlds together. With Yuuko, Takeru’s going to save the world and destroy whatever made him the causality conductor in order to return to his world.
Takeru manages to make them all graduate earlier than before, and his aptitude test to become an Eishi is top in the whole world history… just like last time. Here starts what he can; Takeru’s an excellent pilot, but an Eishi, not yet. At one point he wants Yuuko to modify the OS (Operating System, like Windows and so on) to make it far more effective and more like the Valgern-ON arcade game. In other words; to make piloting a giant robot easy.
There is an event where the squad is equipped with the experimental OS against live enemies, rebels of sorts. Here, the Grand Shogun appears and Takeru is the one who is trusted with her health. Becauce of Takeru’s manouvers and the TSF’s movements she soon looses her consciusness. This prompts his superior to give him a direct order to administer a drug that could take the Grand Shogun’s life. He is hesitant, even if he has made his decree to save the world no matter what. Takeru questions his convictions if he can’t sacrifice even one person for the good of all humanity.
Theories that he and Yuuko with bunch of engineers in use are proved against real-life aces that have survived in the frontlines against the BETA. Even the ace’s are impressed about the new OS, and one even offers some sexual action, that Takeru refuses.
At this point, Takeru is filled with hope, filled with courage and want to save all those around him. With this new OS and better machines, he can do it, he save them all!
In the middle of the training exercise, the BETA attack the battlefield. None of the soldiers in their TSF’s have real weapons, only paintballs and such. Takeru looses it completely and starts shooting the BETA with with peaguns of paint. He is struck down and almost dies if it was not for Captain Isumi.
Afterwards, Takeru is devistated; all of his work, all of his talent and will couldn’t be of any use. He shattered before the real enemy for the first time, he lost it just by seeing a BETA. Marimo comes to talk to him, tells him about her past and what an Eishi should strife for. Takeru feels a lot better when talking to her.
Even if I knew of this scene beforehand to an extent, I wasn’t prepared for it. It struck me deep and hard. Without a doubt I trembled, I vividly remember my hands shaking and I couldn’t stop them. This, if anything, is a turning point in Alternative that assured the reader that from now on nothing will be easy, no goal is achived without a sacrifice and stained blood. The reader at this point acts like Takeru does; he runs away. There was few morning when I woke up to Sumika waking me in my dream, then another morning where Kasumi woke up, and morning where I woke up in cold sweat to bone gnawing sound and deep stretching and cracking of flesh. Alongside with the sound CODE 991 alarm sound. It’s a sound I do not wish to hear anywhere in this real world ever again. Even during the week I was startled by a sound of an alarm clock and associated it with BETA. Even the sound of people scuttling around made me uneasy.
Takeru is collapses completely, becomes catatonic for a while due to psychosis, drugs and trauma. After he wakes up in his quarters, Meiya comes to concolate him, but Takeru in all of his anger almost rapes him. Meiya offers her body to him if it were to help, but Takeru manages to pull himself together a bit and runs away.
He wants to go home, to the peaceful world he came from and forget everything that has ever happened. Yuuko agrees and sends him to the place where he wants to escape. From this moment a world known as Extra Branch is born, where Takeru’s own selfish nature and him running away from his problems kills a person close to him and… hurts the person she loves the most in far more ways than one.
Takeru hears from Teacher Yuuko that it is because he is the causality conductor, and the only way to revert everything that has happened is to find what made him the causality conductor and destroy it. As long as Takeru would live in this world he would allow memories of other world flow into this one and cause events to happen that would never occur otherwise. In essence, Takeru is the BETA of his own home world, bringing pain and suffering from the other world he has lived in. There are two ways; to end his life there, or to return to the other world, save the mankind and find whatever made him the causality conductor.
Takeru has no choice. He returns to the other world and begs this world’s Yuuko to let him help to finish the Alternative IV and save whatever he can. Seeing the person he loved most hurt opened his eyes and he found a resolution to finish it all, even if was to stain his hands in blood. Lucky for him, during the week he was absent the 00 Unit was completed.
In this world a girl named Kagami Sumika did not exist. Only her remains, a brain in a glass case that Takeru had always seen when visiting Kasumi. Sumika’s part is a painful and traumatic one, filled with hatred towards the BETA and what they did to her and this world’s real Takeru. 00 Unit is essentially a quantum computer in a body that resembles human… with a quatified human persona in it. The theory Takeru brought back earlier let Yuuko to kill of what was left of Kagami Sumika and create 00 Unit. In essence, Takeru’s hands are stained in the blood of the one he never wished to hurt, the one he always truly loved… and he never realized that she was this close, even if it is some other world’s Sumika, she’s always Sumika.
00 Unit is almost catatonic, and only few times react to anything, but with Takeru she becomes unstable and replies with strong intent of killing of BETA. It is up to Takeru to bring out the humanity in her, to bring forth all that is Kagami Sumika. In few days Takeru manages to draw Sumika more and more out of her shell, making the 00 Unit more human. She acknowledges that she is not what you would call human; body of artificial origin, brain of silicon and inner structure of BETA materials. She may have the softness and warmth of a human, but she’s far more than that. Takeru manages to stabilize Sumika to the point she recognizes the world and him. 00 Unit is ready for her first mission in XG-70 ‘Susano’o.’
Takeru and his squadmates are joined the Isumi’s Valkyries far before any of this happen. Well, just before Takeru runs away. Captain Isumi is a woman who I admire in every respect. Without her help Takeru would’ve stayed as an innocent brat. Captain made him realize few facts about what he needs to do. The motto of Valkyries is not to be understated, especially in this world.
“ Complete your mission with all your might
Despair not ’till your last breath
Do not die in vain “
This motto is something I believe in. These words are strong, and hold a meaning of what it means to be one of the Valkyries. I can’t help myself but to think of those five days where I found part of the resolution I came to have during Alternative.
Enter Sadogashima. Welcome to place where hell reigns. Begin mission to eradicate a BETA Hive that has threatened Japan to this day.
Sadogashima is a cruel arc that shows all that has come up to this point in Takeru’s life. He has to use all of his experience and might to overcome the BETA here. The enemy is in tens of thousands, literally. Even when this mission officially is co-operation between the UN, Japanese Army and American forces, the true reason is to test the Alternative IV’s 00 Unit in the field.
When the 00 Unit and Susano’o enter the battlefield, there’s little hope around. In one miraclous flash Susano’o wipes out massive amounts of BETA and decimates the upper structure of the Hive in one blast. Susano’o is the trump card humanity is relying on alongside 00 Unit. Here, Takeru has a flashback from Unlimited where he and Meiya shared their bodies in love. One of Sumika’s powers as 00 Unit is ESP much like Kasumi’s. She tries to be conscious of Takeru all the time on the battlefield and reads every thought and emotion he has. Seeing him having sex with another woman makes her collapse, Susano’o along with her.
The battle turns for the worst. Immense amount of BETA are attacking the human forces from underground tunnels. Takeru has to retrieve Sumika from Susano’o, and the Captain has to make the machine self-destruct. Things turn for the worse, when one of the Valkyries get damaged and stays behind to support Captain, who can’t engage the self-destruct sequence. This Valkyrie, Kashiwagi, dies in the hands and teeth of the BETA. Isumi makes the Susano’o self-destruct by force.
Without a doubt, Captain and her words to the Valkyries during her final moments were carved into my mind. Just as Takeru clenches his teeth, I realized that I would do anything to protect those who I love. I had gained a resolution to protect smiles of those whom I don’t know, the laughs of that I can’t hear. It sounds idealistic, but in this world there’s few deeds that anyone can do to protect those people he loves most. I’ve decided to join the army no matter the condition I am in, to guard over the freedom my friends may enjoy if it ever were threatened. Freedom is a fragile thing that can be lost so easily. In this current world there are people who would like to lose their freedom in order to live a secure and controlled life. Perhaps I’m one of those people to an extent, but I admit it. I want to see how far I can take myself in the service, how long I can make it.
After the mission Sumika is introduced rest of the crew. By all means she is now Kagami Sumika rather than just 00 Unit. She seems a bit uneasy with all these people she is with now, but that’s understandable due to the situation at hand. During the introductions Takeru gets flashbacks from his past, multiple of his past. At this point it comes clear that this isn’t the first time Takeru has looped back in time, but he has indeed looped numerous times, and these flashbacks of the other girls are from those different timelines, and due to him being the causality conductor these memories also flood to his squadmates memories.
In the end, Takeru mans up and confesses his feelings to distressed Sumika. Finally, the very thing Takeru has been fighting for and this world’s Sumika can achieve… and Sumika turns Takeru down. Ultimately, she tells hims that he bother her, his a distraction from her mission and that Takeru isn’t needed anymore. Sumika has already finished making preparations for Takeru’s transfer out of Yokohama base somewhere where he should stay safe. Sumika leaves broken Takeru On That Hill, until Meiya comes up there. Takeru tells her everything, and Meiya tells him that Sumika was runnin past her with a face filled with tears. At that moment, with Meiya’s help, Takeru realizes that Sumika’s Sumika; she always does and says differently what she really wants. The following day he confronts Sumika again and makes everything clear; after that they’re through. Whatever it is Sumika’s hiding won’t make him stop loving her, nothing could.
What Sumika tells and shows Takeru in this scene was shocking. The BETA had caught hundreds of humans and slowly took them away, until only this world’s Takeru was to defend Sumika… and he was killed in the most gruesome way he could see. And what they did to Sumika made me feel sick. It’s something that I never wanted her to experience. Just like Takeru, I felt my stomache turn, but after the scene I wanted to hold her in my arms and loved her even more.
Whatever she said, whatever they did to her didn’t matter. She’s here and now, that’s all what matters.
The following night is the night Sumika becomes one with the man she has always loved, the one she has always longed for.
The happiness did not last long, as the remnant BETA from the destroyed Sadogashima Hive are attacking the base with full force. The fight is long and hard, and things get worse when the military realizes that the BETA are using human tactics against them, something that they have never done before. This proves that the BETA can think tacticfully, but have never shown this before. The Valkyries are the final line of defence against th BETA, as they ram their way inside the bottom of the base where a BETA reactor still fucntion for various purposes, least of which is keeping Sumika alive. At this time, two of the Valkyries sacrifice their lives for other to live; Suzumiya Haruka and Hayase Mitsuki.
To see them in this world at first was a nostalgic scene, but to see them die in the hands of enemies like this struck me hard. Haruka is killed violently by a BETA warrior while she was trying to shut down the BETA reactor. Hayase sacrifices herself to destroy the reactor. Since Takeru’s return, and even before that, death and sorrow has been a constant partner to the reader. âge has been punching my buttons before, but this time they’re using a sledgehammer to break me down. It’s not just the deaths, it’s the absolute despair of it all.
Soon after Hayase’s noble deed he is put into sleep. All of his squadron has been fighting almost a day straight, and with that one pill they can get rest.
Upon Takeru’s awakening, he is now Storm Vanguard 01, the leader of Isumi’s Valkyries. While there’s little they can do, they check their TSF’s condition and stand-by for orders, but they can’t just stand there doing nothing. By Takeru’s command, the Valkyries are to help with food distribution for the wounded. Takeru takes it all as the one who has the responsibility and he knows it.
Because of the recent attack one thing has become devastatingly clear; the BETA reactor was not only the thing powering part of the Yokohama base, but also a BETA computer that spread information onwards to the Original Hive. This means that less than in three days the Original Hive will have all knowledge of mankind’s strategies and tactics due to Sumika’s “blood” being purified by it. Soon BETA would know everything and more. Yuuko starts to prepare fast launch of the Operation Ouka; an all-out assault to the Original Hive with almost-completed XG-40d Susano’o 4 spearheading the attack against the Main Objective with Valkyries serving their role as the protectors.
âge made put a day of comedy and love here. It’s something every reader needs before the ascencion to the Original Hive.
Yuuko’s plan is to send the Valkyries in the core of the Hive alone. All other forces that are to join would only slow them down. The Royal Guard that has been looking over Meiya and the Grand Shogun decide to give their own TSF’s for the Valkyries use, as their own machines are completely bust after the BETA attack. These machines are from the very top of the line, specifically made for those who are one of the Royal House; the Takemikazuchi.
With these, the probability of achieving the object and destroying it rises, as does their chance of survival.
Takeru is to pilot the Susano’o with Kasumi and Sumika is serve as the the main computer for it. All other Valkyrie’s main and only objective is to protect them.
The Original Hive infiltration is a success thanks to the sacrifice of all soldiers send to their deaths alongside the Valkyries. Death takes its tolls inside and outside the Original Hive, and the Valkyries soon find their Main Objective; the Main Hall. They just need to pass two doors and be doen with it. However, the amount of BETA is something they didn’t expect, even if this was the Original Hive where all BETA on Earth originally came from. Chizuru and Ayamine are the first one to admit their feelings towards Takeru between each other, and sacrifice their lives to stop part of BETA invasion by triggering a cave-in with their selfdestruct devices.
They are followed by Miki, who has a damaged Takemikazuchi from earlier fight, and she stays put, sniping them one by one, until her unit is run over. Mikoto engages shut procedure of the first door after the Susano’o has passed it at the cost of her own life.
With Meiya’s help Takeru is face to face against the Main Objective, the which calls itself as Superior Existence. BETA do not see anything carbon based as a lifeform as per their creators’ programming, and see humanity as something to be recycled, a raw material. The Superior’s attacks halt the Susano’o, causes Sumika to regress back to her previous state and Kasumi to lose control of her own self. The Superior speaks to Takeru through both of them, learning of humanity and of him, as does Takeru. One of the most staggering thing he hears is taht the Creators are a silicon based species, and that there are 10^37 Superior Existances in the this Universe. Meiya soon arrives to help Takeru, but struck down and forced to be become shield against Susano’o’s Particle Cannon. The Superior begins to probe Meiya’s body as BETA did with Sumika, forcing her hand and mind into regions she never wished to go. She pleades Takeru to shoot, to end it all in one shot. The catatonic Sumika slowly awakens as Takeru’s own mind is starting to crumble a bit, until Sumika pulls everything she can into one moment where all powers are restored only to Takeru to pull the trigger, ending a life she valued so highly of… and saving the mankind.
” I could not give you my love, thus I give you my life “
This song, the Flame of Life, is my the song I stand by. It’s a sad song, a sad march for all those who have died and potrays the ultimate sacrifice one can give for others to live on. All of the Valkyries stood by their believes to protect those they loved the most, to protect the one person closes to their hearts.
The Original Hive is destroyed, the Superior Existence no longer exists on Earth and Takeru with Kasumi and Sumika are the only ones that managed to escape with Susano’o’s escape shuttle.
Upon waking inside the shuttle Kasumi informs of Takeru that the mission was successful. The Superior Existence is dead. She tells that Takeru can now return his own world that the thing that made him the causality conductor no longer exists. She tells Takeru that Sumika, the 00 Unit, is no longer with him. Sumika had given her all for Takeru to survive, so that he could go back to his world. Sumika shown Kasumi that it was her own will that made Takeru the causality conductor. The very core of her when she was just brain only longed to see Takeru. The purest form of subconscious and the will to trigger causality pulled Takeru’s of various realities to this world in 22nd of October 2001, and she was the one that caused Takeru to loop every time he had died. It was Sumika’s will to see him alive and hold him in her arms again. All this ceased to be when Sumika finally became one with Takeru that one night, the night where 00 Unit was not more and Kagami Sumika was born again in this world.
Takeru asks Kasumi to lock the shuttle doors for five minutes, he asks five minutes where he can be Shirogane Takeru and cry not just for Sumika, but all of that have lost their lives today for him, the Valkyries. In those five minutes he lets himself to be human once more rather than the saviour of all mankind. After that he will greet every person outside with a smile of an Eishi, proudly carrying the weight of the Valkyries and everything he has done to achieve this moment.
Even if Takeru wants to stay in his world and fight the remaining BETAs, there is nothing to keep him in this world anymore. The memory of Shirogane Takeru will be lost from all men in this world, except from the memories of Kasumi and Yuuko, who both will take these secrets to their graves. Nobody will ever remember the name of Shirogane Takeru or the members of the Valkyries, there will never be a person to know what has taken place and what was done in order to humanity to survive.
As Takeru starts to fade back to his own world, Kasumi tells her feelings over the whiteness that overcomes.
The story of Muv-Luv is about love and courage, to the point where one has to stain his hands in order to save something larger than oneself. It’s about a love that could be never given. It’s about untold sacrifices made for us and about those brave souls that did them. With this the story of Muv-Luv comes to an end. A sad end with a bright future filled with tears.
After Alternative there starts a small epilogue called Final Extra. This is the world where Takeru returned to. He holds no memories what has come to pass. As the cause of causality conductor has ceased to exist, all the damage he has done are reverted in all the worlds.
Final Extra begins on 22nd of October 2001, where Takeru wakes next to an unknown blue haired girl, and Sumika rushes to wake him up. Everything seems to play like in Extra, but here Mikoto is clearly a girl… and Mitsurugi Yuuhi, Meiya’s older twin sister, is alive.
There is also one person who did not exist in Extra, and that one person is Yashiro Kasumi.
She comes up to Takeru and Sumika, thanking them both of all what they have done and bursts in tears. With this, all those who have died in the war against BETA will always live on in another world, if only in the memories of two people. From this moment on, the bratty saviour and all of his Valkyries may live in this world peacefully until the end of their days.
As you might’ve noticed, KimiNozo had a great influence on my emotions and view of life’s cruelty. It woke me from my state of sort of self-pity and made me realize that even to me there is love and closeness by. Even if during the last year I’ve returned to the mind-setting of “there’s nobody for me, I’m good as a servant to all” it’s far different from what I was like ten years ago. With Muv-Luv I realized that if I want to become servant to all, I mustn’t be afraid of what lies ahead. Indeed army service might not be the ideal solution for that, but it is something that I want to go through. It is something that I feel I can do for those I want to protect, and that ultimately whatever the future holds it will serve me as well. Takeru’s conviction to make it through spoke to my own loyalty towards my loved ones, my friends and my country. I found matters that I want to defend, matters that I see in the films and books of Winter War. Perhaps it could be said that after Muv-Luv I’ve become a bit more patriotic. I found a sense of duty that I can do.
Indeed, the other thing I found in Muv-Luv is that I can do things with these two hands.
I discussion with during the Alternative arc with a teacher prompted me ask myself whether or not I realize that these hands of mine as skilled. For the first time in my life I was willing to admit that I am good at something, and the feeling has been growing steadily since that.
As I went through a journal of threads I kept as I travelled through Muv-Luv I noticed that few people mentioned me becoming and sounding more like Shirogane Takeru as time went by. Looking it back now I find myself having some of the same elements that build up Takeru. We both are joking assholes most of the time, always dense with other people’s feelings and passing important things by. However, when time calls it we both become serious and do what needs to be done. Some of the words and mindsets are the same. No doubt I become Shirogane Takeru in the story itself, and it affected me greatly. Now, outside the story, I wish something of him won’t ever leave my soul and mind, that I can always carry the burden he did with me so that it may drive me forwards. Is the love I feel towards Sumika real? Whether or not it’s real, it doesn’t matter that much. What matters the most is that I can say that I can love again.
There is something that I can do, there is something I must do. There is something that I want to do, even if it would mean to give my life for all those I love.
While writing this post during these last days I have gone through everything again in my mind from the beginning to the very end. Muv-Luv is my favourite piece of fiction with Kimi ga Nozomu Eien, and 生命の炎 / The Flame of Life has become me favourite piece of music, somber as it is. Every time I listen to this song I find myself become serious and my eyesight becomes less with the tears pushing through. There was times when I wanted to quit and tell myself “Muv-Luv’s too much work, quit here and pretend that the story had a happy end,” but I kept pushing myself forwards, bracing for the impacts that âge would deliver. Whatever I did I never was prepared. The story is well written and extremely well presented, and the passion from both original writers and from the translation team seeps through. Muv-Luv, much like KimiNozo, is an end-product that has been crafted will great care and love. The emotions it dugged up from deep within me will last long, of not until I die. It’s not nothing new that a fictional story affects one’s life so greatly, but to me Muv-Luv is something far larger than just a story. It’s a tale that I want to pass on to the future generations in some form, a story worth retelling to those that come after me.
I’m sure I’ve missed tons of details I wanted to go through and there’s bound to be countless of typing errors and grammar is bonkers. That doesn’t matter as long I managed to tell my own experience with this.
“What’s next?” I’ve been asking from myself. In the future I see nothing as usual, but now it glimmers and shines with hope. Slowly I’m overcoming matters of love that have been pressing me down during the last year. Perhaps somewhere in the days of tomorrow I can let myself fall in love again. Perhaps I can tackle my own skills and use them to create new things and sharpen these eyes even further. Perhaps I will one day stand in the line with fellow soldiers and vow to protect the nation I love so much; a country is nothing without its people, and people are the country. If it ever were to take place, I want to protect these people whom with I live.
We’re human and we hurt each other daily. We are human and we heal these wounds after every day. In the end, I want to see every person smiling and laughing. That is my selfish wish. It’s my own desire to let others go first, leaving me behind so I can support them. However, this wish denies my the chance to protect them. If I have to lose my own smile and laughter over others, I’d be glad to give them away. I believe that there is something good in all of us that wishes the same thing, something that makes us ‘human.’
The ground I stand by is my own principles and believes. These things keep me pushing on after every harship I face… and I was losing them before I read Muv-Luv. I can now stand again with sort of pride in my hands, and clearly say for once who I am. Idealistic view? Yes, very much so, but that’s who I am, and will always be.
There is a flame that burns inside of me brightly. I won’t let it die out ever again.
To end this post with a little brighter end, let’s listen to one more song, the song that serves both as the opening of Muv-Luv, and as the ending.
It’s been about two weeks when I started reading MuvLuv. Now it feels that everything’s just starting.
8.9.2012 Edit. if you enjoyed this post, be sure to read this as well.
Aaltomies 
