Title: Love in an Elevator
Author: polka_dot3
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Katou/Iwaki
Length: Drabble gone wrong

Just in case people haven't seen this, I wanted to rec this delightful little ficlet, which was posted on the Youka Nitta LJ community (under F-lock, so you must be a member to read it). It's short but sweet, with great characterization, particularly of Katou. An impatient Iwaki doesn't understand why Katou is determined to have him view an office suite on the 25th floor of the building, but of course Katou has ulterior motives. (Hint: take a look at the title.) Katou is just so typically Katou that the story cracked me up, and it does feel like something that could have happened in canon.

Added bonus: Katou is apparently pretty good at math. (You'll understand after you read the story. ^_^)

Earlier tonight, for a break, I proofread some pages of a book titled Chats on Japanese prints by Arthur Davison Ficke that will eventually end up on Project Gutenberg. It's been unexpectedly fun, in part because random bits of Edgar Allan Poe-esque poetry keep interrupting the flow of academic discourt, but ACK,talk about stumbling into a plot-warren teeming with Harudakian plotbunnies. There's this 18th-century artist named Sharaku, see, about whom not very much is known except that he was also a Noh actor and that he was a bit of a maverick.
( really long quotes beneath the cut )

Finally finished the story--sorry it took so long!

Title: Family Visit: Okinawa, Part 4, Part 5
Rating: NC-17 overall
Fandom: Haru wo Daiteita (Embracing Love)
Pairing: Kikuchi/Onozuka, implied Yoshizumi/Kenzaki
Characters: Kikuchi, Onozuka, Yoshizumi, Asano, Katou, Miyasaka
Word count: ~9,550 for Part 4, ~7,640 for Part 5
Disclaimer: No money is being made off this story; consider it a little wish fulfillment on my part
Summary: (Part 4) Kikuchi comes up with a creative solution to the lack of privacy surrounding himself and Onozuka, and later gets a surprise visit from a friend.
(Part 5) Asano's jealousy of Onozuka continues to grow; Onozuka and Kikuchi film a romantic scene for the movie; Kenzaki receives a surprise gift from Yoshizumi.

(Previous chapters can be found here: (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)

bronze_ribbons already recced the awesome Iwaki/Katou fic Dust to Dust (which is great; you should absolutely go read it), so I'd like to add one more Yuletide rec, that I stumbled across when checking to see what other Haru fics were available on the archive:

Title: No Life Save When the Swords Clash
Author: anonymous until New Year's Day
Rating: Mature
Pairings: Mochimune/Miyasaka, Kikuchi/Onozuka, Sawa/Yukihito, Iwaki/Katou
Word count: 7938
Summary: The problem with making a masterpiece is that there's usually other people involved.

Title: Dust to Dust
Author: anonymous until New Year's Day
Pairing: Iwaki/Katou
Rating: Teen and up
Author's summary: "Even in the most loving and deep relationships there are problems once in a while, some more serious than others. That is what Iwaki realises when he finds out the hard way that he has been neglecting his lover. Katou sets right the misconception that he will always be there for Iwaki, despite his love for him. Getting their life back on track challenges Iwaki, teaching him that he can't always do things by himself."
Wordcount: 3273
Why you should read this: Yoshizumi and Mochimune have strong roles in this fic. Iwaki and Katou are very Iwaki and Katou. It's short (unlike the other Haru fic this year - I'm sticking to fics under 5K at the moment). It's a glimpse of our guys beyond the last episode. This fic wasn't written for me, but it might as well have been (I did mention Yoshizumi being awesome, yes? Yoshizumi being awesome = insanely happy Ribbons).

Excerpt:

Iwaki-san, the note had said, I am leaving. My Iwaki-san is using his life and his abilities to further his company, and I will not stand in his way if that is what he wishes for. Iwaki-san has pursued his dreams so persistently, and who would I be if I were to ruin what my beloved Iwaki-san aims for?

Um. I had not planned to write any fic whatsoever today, but after reading Geri's A Gift for Miya-chan during lunch, I immediately wanted to do something to thank her. Enter baby plotbunny right on cue. Which turned into this. Thank you SO much for all your support and meta and fics, Geri!

Title: Present Understanding
Summary: Yoshizumi and Kenzaki make a point of not exchanging Christmas presents.
Disclaimer: Characters belong to Youka Nitta, Comeback-verse belongs to Geri. Definitely a bit of wish fulfillment on my part, as she's got me rooting hard for her Yoshizumi and Kenzaki to truly end up together. ;-)
Notes: Directly inspired by Geri's portrayals of Yoshizumi and Kenzaki in her Comeback series. I still haven't read WMLM yet (long story), so my depiction of Kenzaki is entirely based on Geri's - my apologies for any OOC blunders.


( It was one of the most handsome kimonos Kenzaki had ever seen, let alone received... )

This is a little last-minute, spur of the moment Christmas present to my fellow Harudaki fans, inspired by a previous news post (see afterword for details). Hope everyone has a lovely holiday!

Title: A Gift for Miya-chan
Rating: R (mainly for language and suggestive dialogue)
Fandom: Haru wo Daiteita (Embracing Love)
Pairing: Implied Miyasaka/Mochimune and Kikuchi/Onozuka
Characters: Miyasaka, Onozuka
Word count: ~1,240
Disclaimer: No money is being made off this story; consider it a little wish fulfillment on my part.
Summary: Onozuka gives Miyasaka an unexpected Christmas present.

Follow the link to my journal...

I posted 2 more chapters of my current Kikuchi/Onozuka fic on my journal. It's almost done, but not quite finished--I expect to wrap it up in another chapter or two.

Title: Family Visit: Okinawa, Parts 2 and 3
Rating: NC-17 overall
Fandom: Haru wo Daiteita (Embracing Love)
Pairing: Kikuchi/Onozuka, implied Yoshizumi/Kenzaki
Characters: Kikuchi, Onozuka, Yoshizumi
Word count: ~7,640 for Part 2; ~8,625 for Part 3
Warnings: Voyeurism (sort of--see the Part 3 afterword for details)
Disclaimer: No money is being made off this story; consider it a little wish fulfillment on my part.
Sequel to: Unexpected Opportunities, Comeback (Part 1 and Part 2), Forgiveness, Firsts, First Date (Part 1 and Part 2), Going Steady (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6), Audition (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), Cookout (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), Press Conference (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), Sanctuary, The Prince vs. the Groupie (Part 1, Part 2), and Family Visit: Tokyo (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5), Gigolo (Part 1, Part 2), Yoshizumi's Night Out (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), and Interlude. The series also includes two side-stories that are outside of the main timeline: Valentine's Day Surprise and Strictly Business.
Summary: The cast and crew arrive in Okinawa, and Onozuka gets a surprise visit from his uncle, who invites the director and Onozuka's co-stars to stay at the family inn.

Follow the links to my journal: Part 2, Part 3

I posted two new Haru fanfics on my journal in my "Comeback" series...

I was reading the historical shoujo manga title Kaze Hikaru (which I mentioned at the end of this post), and in volume 14, p. 85 of the Viz edition, it's stated that the wife of Commander Kondo Isami of the Shinsengumi is "the eldest daughter of a Shimizu house general. She serves as a secretary for the Hitotsubashi house." A footnote explains that the Hitotsubashi house was one the Gosankyo, or three branches of the ruling Tokugawa clan. (The Gosankyo consisted of the Tayasu, Hitotsubashi, and Shimizu branches of the Tokugawa, and were descended from the eighth Tokugawa Shogun, Yoshimune.)

So our beloved Shimizu-san might be descended from a very old and powerful samurai family! Which does not surprise me--she certainly has enough strength and determination to be a samurai woman. Heh heh, a Shimizu ancestor could have been in Fuyu no Semi! ^_^ Kikuchi and Mochimune also have surnames from old samurai clans as well.

In an earlier post, I compared Mochimune to Kurosawa. Today I came across a reference to another famous Japanese director who reminded me a bit of Mochi. I was reading a book called Asian Cinema by Tom Vick. There was, of course, a chapter on Japanese films, and the author spent some time discussing the works of Yasujiro Ozu, who directed such films as I Was Born, But... and Tokyo Story. Vick wrote: "Ozu's directing style allowed for very little freedom for his actors. He dictated every gesture, movement, and line reading, sometimes putting actors through such grueling rehearsals that they were reduced to tears. And yet he repeatedly worked with a handful of dedicated thespian collaborators who understood the value of this harsh treatment." (p.43)

Title: Yoshizumi's Night Out, Parts 1-3
Author: geri_chan
Rating: NC-17 overall
Fandom: Haru wo Daiteita, When a Man Loves a Man
Pairing: Kenzaki/Yoshizumi
Characters: Yoshizumi, Asano, Kenzaki, Kikuchi, Onozuka
Word count: ~6,855 for Part 1; 5,240 for Part 2; ~4,190 for Part 3
Warnings: spoilers for the When a Man Loves a Man series
Disclaimer: No money is being made off this story; consider it a little wish fulfillment on my part.
Sequel to: Unexpected Opportunities, Comeback (Part 1 and Part 2), Forgiveness, Firsts, First Date (Part 1 and Part 2), Going Steady (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6), Audition (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), Cookout (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), Press Conference (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), Sanctuary, The Prince vs. the Groupie (Part 1, Part 2), and Family Visit: Tokyo (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5), and Gigolo (Part 1, Part 2). The series also includes two side-stories that are outside of the main timeline: Valentine's Day Surprise and Strictly Business.
Summary: Yoshizumi grows restless during a night of drinking with the cast, and decides to seek out some companionship at the host club Rusty Nail.

Follow the links to my journal: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Title: Birthday Surprise
Authors: geri_chan and snapelike
Pairing: Iwaki/Katou
Rating: Mild NC-17
Word count: 2,700
Warnings: Public and slightly rough sex
Notes: For the lovely and supportive minhha on their birthday. Congratulations, minhha
Summary: Katou is disappointed. It seems as if all his friends have forgotten his birthday...

( Birthday Surprise )

Title: How to Tame a Lover in Three Easy Steps
Pairings: Mochimune/Miyasaka; Kikuchi/Onozuka; Miyasaka/Onozuka
Universe: Haru o Daiteita
Word count: 7,250
Warnings: Fisting (implied), exhibitionism, voyeurism, changing partners, a bit of coercion and dominance.
Rating: NC-17
Notes: I had promised to write a few anniversary drabbles for various people... you know... tiny, little stories around 100 words. Last time I did that, it ended with 40K of Carlo/Magira. This time I've limited myself. So this er- drabble is for sexyscholar who wanted "...something around Onozuka/Miyasaka. I don't have a specific plot, but fisting would be lovely, along with an occasional use of the word "slut." I don't have a preference as to who dominates -- let your imagination take you where it will.".
This can be seen as a sequel to Autumn Fire and Masks, Removed. Beta by red_day_dawning.
Also, I had to find a given name for Director Mochimune for this, and it did take me a while, since I plan to write quite a bit more about the man. Mochimune is an old noble name, and as I'd like to stay with the bushi naming, I poked around and found Hideharu (秀治) which can mean "brightness unfolding" or "beauty's reign" - a fitting name for an arrogant, first class film maker. So in the future my Mochimune will be Mochimune Hideharu, except if Nitta-sensei decides something else in the last, final chapter of Haru o Daiteita (which I doubt).
Summary: A drunken challenge and two hurt lovers. Revenge and victory turned on its head. Onozuka has effective ideas when it comes to letting his lover know that he is not satisfied by being treated as a toy to save Kikuchi's pride. Director Mochimune is taught a similar lesson, and Miyasaka learns a bit about feelings himself.

( How to Tame a Lover in Three Easy Steps )

Recently, a friend and I were talking about the latest Studio Ghibli film, which led to a discussion about anime and Japanese films in general. And then my friend, who is something of a film buff, started talking about Akira Kurosawa and claimed that Kurosawa hated actors, and that Toshiro Mifune was the only one that he really respected.

I'm working on a Yoshizumi/Kenzaki fic as part of my "Comeback" series, and I had a question about the end of the WMLM series...

Here's the latest fic, a crossover with the Hana-Kimi manga (a shoujo title by Hisaya Nakajo):

Title: Gigolo
Rating: NC-17 overall
Fandom: Haru wo Daiteita (Embracing Love)
Title: Gigolo
Pairing: Kikuchi/Onozuka
Characters: Kikuchi, Onozuka; Akiha and Ebi from Hana-Kimi
Word count: ~6,190 for Part 1; ~5,260 for Part 2
Warnings: Spoilers for the Hana-Kimi manga
Disclaimer: No money is being made off this story; consider it a little wish fulfillment on my part.
Sequel to: Unexpected Opportunities, Comeback (Part 1 and Part 2), Forgiveness, Firsts, First Date (Part 1 and Part 2), Going Steady (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6), Audition (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), Cookout (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), Press Conference (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), Sanctuary, The Prince vs. the Groupie (Part 1, Part 2), and Family Visit: Tokyo (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5). The series also includes two side-stories that are outside of the main timeline: Valentine's Day Surprise and Strictly Business.
Summary: Kikuchi and Onozuka's day off is interrupted with the unwelcome news that the Gigolo photo shoot has been moved up.

Follow the link to my journal: Part 1, Part 2

Sorry this took a little longer to finish than I'd planned, but hopefully the extra chapter is worth it! ^_^

Title: Family Visit: Tokyo, Parts 3-5
Rating: NC-17 overall
Fandom: Haru wo Daiteita (Embracing Love)
Pairing: Kikuchi/Onozuka
Word count: ~6,390 for Part 3, ~5,850 for Part 4, ~5,810 for Part 5
Disclaimer: No money is being made off this story; consider it a little wish fulfillment on my part.
Sequel to: Unexpected Opportunities, Comeback (Part 1 and Part 2), Forgiveness, Firsts, First Date (Part 1 and Part 2), Going Steady (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6), Audition (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), Cookout (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), Press Conference (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), Sanctuary, and The Prince vs. the Groupie (Part 1, Part 2).
Summary: Kikuchi surprises Onozuka with a visit to his parents.

Follow the links to my journal: Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

In my Kikuchi/Onozuka series, I made Kikuchi's father a retired detective. Recently, in this comment (*swats away Sawa and crossover bunnies. I swear...*) on one of my fics, bronze_ribbons reminded me that Sawa used to be a detective--giving me more plot bunnies to add to the gazillion already clamoring for attention! >_<
( Read more... )

This is still a WIP, but as it's turning into something of an epic, I thought I'd go ahead and post the first two chapters. I estimate that it will take another two chapters to wrap up, and I'll try to have it finished by next weekend.

Title: Family Visit: Tokyo, Parts 1 and 2 (of 4?)
Rating: NC-17 overall
Fandom: Haru wo Daiteita (Embracing Love)
Pairing: Kikuchi/Onozuka, Iwaki/Katou, Miyasaka/OFC
Characters: Kikuchi, Onozuka, Yoshizumi, Asano, Miyasaka, Iwaki, Katou
Warnings: Non-graphic het, exhibitionism (sort of)
Word count: ~6,270 for Part 1; ~6,550 for Part 2
Disclaimer: No money is being made off this story; consider it a little wish fulfillment on my part.
Sequel to: Unexpected Opportunities, Comeback (Part 1 and Part 2), Forgiveness, Firsts, First Date (Part 1 and Part 2), Going Steady (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6), Audition (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), Cookout (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), Press Conference (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), Sanctuary, and The Prince vs. the Groupie (Part 1, Part 2). The series also includes two side-stories that are outside of the main timeline: Valentine's Day Surprise and Strictly Business.
Summary (Part 1): Onozuka has to deal with a jealous coworker, and the movie studio receives a surprise visitor.
Summary (Part 2): Onozuka has a plan to manipulate both Katou and the paparazzi; Miyasaka is tired of the being the odd man out, and seeks companionship to console himself.

Follow the links to my journal: Part 1, Part 2

A bit about honorifics in Haru vol. 10&11... In 11, ch. 1 there is a lot of Onozuka-Miyasaka-Iwaki-Katou action, and the use of honorifics says quite a lot about their relationships at this point.
First of all, this made me rethink the relationship between Iwaki and Katou. We have assumed that it is Iwaki who holds back, mainly based on the fact that Katou and he have had a discussion about given names, and when to use them. But if we look at how Iwaki and Katou address each other and how they speak about each other to other people, it is clear that Iwaki's relationship with Katou is more... intimate than we think - he is not holding back. No, it is actually Katou who might be the one who (inadvertently, perhaps) who have set the up barrier which prevents that the family names are put away. It is Katou, after all, who tells Iwaki that he'll reward him by calling him Kyousuke at the Golden anniversary whereas Iwaki wants call Katou Yousuke already at their Silver ann. :D

Here is why: Iwaki always - always - adresses Katou with no honorific. He speaks of him in the same way, thus signaling that their relationship is a deep and intimate one. Katou, on the other hand always uses the respectful -san, both when he speaks with Iwaki, and when he speaks of him. -San is of course a vastly more intimate address than "Mr" - which can in no way be compared to -san. This sets up an invisible barrier - it is one of respect and care, but a barrier nevertheless.

Now, on to Miyasaka and Onozuka. It is obvious that the two fools young men are casual with honorifics. They call each other -kun, and Onozuka makes a small distinction (maybe because he's the brain) and calls Miyasaka Miya-chan as often as -kun. -Chan is of course a loving address, between very good friends, more intimate than -kun. It happens often, especially if they're angry at each other, that the honorifics are dropped. The same goes for the their respectful language when it comes to Katou. Miyasaka and Onozuka also speaks of Katou without the -kun, just as Katou addresses the both of them with or without the -kun added. Katou, on the other hand, is angry when he thinks Onozuka dares call Iwaki Nii-san (in ch 2/36).

It should be noted that honorifics are never used when a worker from one company speaks of a colleague to others. This is a part of the humble language (keigo): one never raises up one's own company by using honorifics added to co-workers' names. I don't think this has anything to do with the three friends here, but it is worth remembering.

On an entirely different note... Mochimune... his name seems to be written with two non-touyou kanji, which means that they are not on the government-approved list of approximately 2,000 kanji that one needs to know to read modern Japanese (I suck at kanji, so I might be wrong here). However, the name Mochimune *is* an old high-ranking bushi (daimyo, shogun, shogunate administrators-all warrior nobles) name from the time that only 20% of the Japanese (namely the noble and the bushi - the samurai) were allowed family names. Might explain his immense arrogance. *loves on him*

I'm working on my current fic, where Miyasaka decides to go off to a nightclub alone after Katou and Onozuka abandon him in favor of their lovers. They had previously been at Lime, which the manga says is located in Ginza, so I was just doing a quick web search on "Ginza" to get ideas, and I found this entry for Lime:

Lime is a popular "aquarium" lounge bar. If you come as a couple and are lucky enough, you might be seated in front of the aquarium, which is 20m long and houses 2,000 tropical fish. If you come with friends, you'll probably be seated in the Southeast Asian-themed area of the bar. In either case, you'd better book ahead.

Pretty cool, huh? I guess that the Lime in Haru probably refers to this club. We haven't seen the aquarium, but since Katou and co. seem to be seated in a private room (in Book 13), it probably wouldn't be visible from where they're sitting.

Also, in case you didn't see the entry on my personal journal, there is a sushi restaurant called Katsuya in Brentwood in Los Angeles.

Title: The Prince vs. the Groupie, Parts 1 & 2
Rating: NC-17 overall
Fandom: Haru wo Daiteita (Embracing Love)
Pairing: Kikuchi/Onozuka
Characters: Kikuchi, Onozuka, Yoshizumi, Asano, Takashi, Ayumi
Word count: ~4,840 for Part 1, ~6,080 for Part 2
Warnings: Spoilers for "Groupie"
Disclaimer: No money is being made off this story; consider it a little wish fulfillment on my part.
Sequel to: Unexpected Opportunities, Comeback (Part 1 and Part 2), Forgiveness, Firsts, First Date (Part 1 and Part 2), Going Steady (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6), Audition (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), Cookout (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), Press Conference (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), and Sanctuary. The series also includes two side-stories that are outside of the main timeline: Valentine's Day Surprise and Strictly Business.
Summary: A crossover with the "Groupie" manga. The famous groupie Takashi sets his sights on Kikuchi, much to Onozuka's displeasure. Takes place immediately after Sanctuary.

Follow the links to my journal: Part 1, Part 2

According to airisu7425 at LJ's Youka Nitta comm, Digital Manga will be publishing Otodama in English in February 2010, under the DokiDoki imprint.
This is airisu7425's source: http://www.801media.com/blog/?p=326

Over at YN@LJ, a poster links to Nitta-sensei's post here.

Nitta-sensei announces the upcoming publishing of the last chapter of Haru (in BBoy Gold - which probably means #8, the tankoubon #14 will be out in the fall 2009 although the date is not set yet) and apologises for her wrongdoings, the long wait and thanks the readers for their support and mails during her hard time. I am not sure whether this means that Nitta-sensei is back - as I read it, it seems as if she is allowed back only for this to finish Haru. There is some talk about all her manga being pulled, and of the delay of the next BLCD in the series. Maybe Geri can shed some light over my wonky translation?

ETA: I've gone over the info that seemed most important again and got it to something like "Essentially, at this point in time the intention is to end Haru o Daiteita drawing the last part (in exchange) for the long support recived from the reader-sama (who are able to) distinguishing between right and wrong. The full/ended work will come with apology and gratitude."

Sounds like this is the end, both of Haru and of Nitta's work.

OMG! I so don't want Haru to end!!! *wails*

Title: Sanctuary
Rating: PG
Fandom: Haru wo Daiteita (Embracing Love)
Pairing: Kikuchi/Onozuka
Characters: Kikuchi, Onozuka, Yoshizumi, Asano
Word count: ~5,160
Disclaimer: No money is being made off this story; consider it a little wish fulfillment on my part.
Sequel to: Unexpected Opportunities, Comeback (Part 1 and Part 2), Forgiveness, Firsts, First Date (Part 1 and Part 2), Going Steady (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6), Audition (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), Cookout (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), and Press Conference (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3). The series also includes two side-stories that are outside of the main timeline: Valentine's Day Surprise and Strictly Business.
Summary: Kikuchi tells the younger men a story about how he took sanctuary in a church ten years ago.

Follow the link to my journal...

After first reading Boku, I made this post in which I said that I found Jouchi really irritating. Now that I'm getting ready for the RPG, I went back to read the manga more closely, and I think I have to revise my opinion slightly.

In the middle of creating character profiles for boku_no_koe, I became immensely annoyed with the translation of vol. 1. Compared to the Japanese version, there is quite a lot of swapping, or worse, removal of the suffixes. The scanlation is simply not trustworthy. I've seen -san swapped for -sensei, -san and -chan removed so no suffix is present. It is irritating because the suffixes work very well to determine relationships and moods, and the depth of those. So I had to cross-check all the info...

( More reflections. OMG, RP-ing is more demanding than I remembered it! )

I was working on Katou's and Iwaki's profiles for the Boku no Koe RPG, and I realized that Katou's profile was very easy to create--in fact, I had to pare it down a little, because it was getting too long. But I was filling out Iwaki's profile and I realized that there are some things that I just don't know about Iwaki.

Having It His Way by sagemuraken --- 868 words of Iwaki/Katou shirt bondage + English lessons. Squee!


Miss you all. Still playing double-pedal catchup on life. *squishes and kisses*