jigokulogs | APRIL 2022 EVENT

APRIL 2022 EVENT

1. HANAMI

The week of the Night Parade is marked by the traditional symbols of Spring in Japan. Somehow, several city blocks have been turned into cherry blossom groves as a show of goodwill by the Sutoku Alliance. These cherry trees don't feel normal. They are more like spectral manifestations. Rumor has it they grew so quickly because they're planted on top of a graveyard. That's just a rumor, though. Don't pay it any mind! Don't listen to any whispers you might hear if you walk through the rows of trees alone and certainly don't dig under them for proof of their provenance.

Accompanying the hanami are copious amounts of food and drink. Such as dango, specialized bento, sake, and festive drinks. They are all available to purchase from stalls near the spectral grove. The refreshments may have a little something special added to them:
Ingredients that promote peace (calming any angry or upset feelings)
Ingredients that promote romance (gives soft, warm feelings towards the first person you see).
These effects are mild and only last as long as you're in the boundary of the grove. Eat, drink, and be merry with your fellow lost souls.

2. KANAMARA MATSURI (NSFW IMAGERY)

In addition to the simple joys of flower viewing and the cherry blossoms blooming, new festivals pop everywhere. They are inspired by various regional festivals from all over Japan. Some of these are benign and feature your normal festival fair. Others are a little more unusual, such as the Kanamara matsuri-inspired treats. You can thank the Tamamo Clan for this. Don't mind the giant phallus being carried down the street or the wooden phalluses you can ride on or the interesting mascots walking down the sidewalk, or the suggestive vegetable carvings.

Surprisingly, none of these foods are spiked, at least not more than the experimental recipes had been during the parade preparations. The spirit of the thing is more just the amusement of genital-based foods rather than anything meant to entice a sexy sort of good time. That will come as the parade rounds out onto the bath district...

3. HADAKA MATSURI

cw: nonsexual nudity

If that cheeky festival isn't your kind of fun, maybe the hadaka matsuri is more your speed. The Department of the Enma are probably the most stressed out faction in the entire city, so the Enma has allowed them to put on a festival to blow off some steam! It's a bit different from the traditional celebration: it's not contained to just men and it's not contained to a shrine.

This event is a mobile mob of nearly naked people and youkai running after a cart with a masked person throwing out small sticks. They represent good luck for the people who manage to nab them. There are far fewer sticks than there are people present and everyone will do a lot to get one of the coveted prizes. Try not to get in their way!

Or you can get caught up in it all and try to snag one yourself to see what your fortune holds. (No, the Enma isn't participating. Too dirty, for his tastes.)

4. FESTIVE FUN

A. SUMO
Some other festivities you might come across are miniature sumo tournaments put on by the Shuten Clan. Raised dirt circles with chalk rings on the outer perimeter pop up seemingly everywhere. Two people are allowed in the ring at one time and there are strict rules to be followed. If you disobey the rules, you may find yourself suddenly ejected from the ring with magical or physical means, and at the mercy of a Shuten enforcer.

Play by the rules to beat your opponent and victors will find themselves rewarded with a strong bottle of booze. The winners of each bout are handed out a commendation by Toraguma himself, which comes in the form of a commemorative sake gourd. This is probably the kind of prize you'd expect from an Oni at a festival like this.

B. FOOD RUNNERS WANTED
If you're in the mood to pad your pockets, maybe you want to help the Tamamo Clan out by running food delivery. This opportunity is available to anyone regardless of affiliation. Runners will be fitted with a contraption to carry the food orders on their person and may proceed either on foot or on a small motorbike. Be careful and make sure not to drop anything! Any ruined or undelivered orders will come directly out of your pay.

It's harder than it looks not to drop the food with all the excitement going on and your delivery recipient may be similarly hard to locate.

C. HOT BATHS (NSFW + cw: optional aphro)
The Tamamo Clan has set up a sanctioned orgy in one of their larger brothels. Rooms are available for whatever your heart desires, including one with exposed windows if you like being watched or if you want to watch in kind. Baths and pools are available for all your indulgent fantasies. Everything you could need is at your disposal: toys, restraints, costumes, lubricants, condoms, aphrodisiacs in many forms. It's a proper bacchanal celebration!

All that matters is your consent and enthusiasm.

5. NIGHT PARADE

One of the primary highlights of the Night Parade are the fantastical floats depicting scenes of legendary events. Keen-eyed observers may note that the humans are portrayed as the bad guys in most of them. While a few of these are mounted on motorized vehicles, most of them are carried by people. That means you'll probably be called on to help carry one along the parade route. It's a fun job, if exhausting.

If you're not the type to wear yourself out carrying a float, ride on one instead! There's plenty of things to toss out into the crowd along the street; candies and trinkets. Dress up in a fitting costume and walk around the float. Have fun scaring bystanders or just have fun hamming it up and celebrate the peaceful night.

5. FIREWORKS

The parade's central stop is the festival square in the heart of the city, just under the shadow of the Kaigo no Bou Tower. There is a stage set up here where the four faction leaders and their personal entourages have assembled. All of them are giving pretty typical speeches. The Enma has declined to give one, having no patience for unnecessary oration. Tenkohime gives praise to the unifying factors of love in the city, while Toraguma rallies the crowd like a sports hero; encouraging them to get stronger and do better in the coming year.

The Daitengu is the last to speak and they also seem to have the largest entourage. The entourage is quite conspicuous: White Wolf Tengu, each standing well-taller than the Daitengu themselves. They are carrying massive broadswords strapped to their backs and hunting about the area for anything suspicious with keen eyes that seem to see right through the crowd and the heat of night.

The Daitengu's speech is also pretty typical, although much more humble than their fellows. Mostly, they just wants to hurry up and get to the fireworks. Just as they finish speaking, the sky lights up.
There are a few peaceful moments beneath this spectacle as the crowd enjoys the display of unity and phantasmal wonder that this unique and strange world has created.

But the explosions aren't just in the sky. One particularly loud boom seems to rattle the very earth beneath the crowd. That is the only warning anyone gets before...

6. A NIGHT PARADE TO REMEMBER

Every manhole cover on the street bursts open, injuring anyone that was standing nearby. Far worse is the deluge of steam that rushes out from the underground. Pillars of hot, blinding steam spill into the air, quickly filling the streets. The luminescence of the festival lamps and city lights are diffused and blurred into singular blobs of color, obscuring all vision and making it impossible to see what's going on. The panicked cries of the crowd also make it impossible to hear. Everything happens so suddenly, so violently, that ascertaining what's going on takes time.

Too much time.

In the chaos, gunshots are heard. They seem to come from several directions. Fighting is breaking out. It's difficult to tell from where and who is in the brawl. Previously unseen figures in full-body black coverings appear from nowhere, rushing the stage. They zoom past any Lost Souls nearby, ignoring their presence. They are focused on a singular goal. The barking of the White Wolf Tengu further indicates the goal of the attack.

Struggle in the steam, help others get to safety, get caught up in fighting the other factions, try to protect the Faction leaders, or try to keep up with the black-suited youkai rushing the stage; do as much as you can.

When the steam finally begins to clear, however, there will at least be one thing that is certain: the Daitengu has been killed.

Welcome to the April event!

If you have any questions about event content, please ask them here!
We also have OOC top levels for Shuten Sumo Results, Tamamo Partner Cards, and Hadaka Luck Draws!
If you have questions about the game itself, please check out the premise, FAQ, and rules pages.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's pretty and all, but kinda sucks too.

[ itadori is here to ruin the romantic vibe under one breath. he stood next to his old friend with his arms folded against his chest in a seemingly bitter mood. junpei didn't need to ask, and even if he didn't want to know what was annoying him, he'd share it anyway. ]

I lost a bet in a sumo wrestling match ...

[ in his defense, the guy he bet on was a lot bigger and had some serious muscles on him. it's so easy to fall victim to that kinda fraud, especially when his opponent is a young girl. the beating he got was unreal, and itadori's confidence in his win vanished in an instant. what a fucking lie that was, and now what little money the sorcerer had ... is all gone. so much for enjoying all the nice food here.

with a heavy sigh, he decided to stress about his poor finances later. he finally smiled at the other, properly greeting him. ]

Are you having fun?

[ If this were normal Junpei he’d likely break into a lecture about gambling.

Instead, his expression actually softened even further at registering it was Itadori he was talking to. What was said to him wasn’t nearly as important as who was saying it, and emboldened by the loving feelings coursing through him he reached out to cusp the other’s cheek in one hand. ]

Yuuji ...

[ Yes, right to his first name. Warm and familiar. There was a distinct dreaminess to Junpei’s tone and his eyes were full of fondness. ]

I’m so happy to have you here with me.

[ ........ oh.

at first, itadori just looked— confused by the random approach. his gaze followed the hand until it brushed against his skin, then down at junpei again; he can almost hear a subtle slur in the other's tone now, and finally he figured it out.

he sighed, back hunched a bit. honestly, does he need to shadow this guy at every party/festivity? just to make sure he doesn't get drugged every single time. it's fine to live it up a little and have some fun, they need it in this terrible place, but it also made junpei vulnerable to the wrong crowd. that's a lecture for another day, though. ]

Come on. You're going home.

[ he grabs into that same hand, ready to drag him away if he had to. ]

[ To Itadori, he’s taking Junpei ‘home’ to get him out of a possibly disastrous situation.

To Junpei in his current lovesick state, all he heard was that Itadori wanted to go somewhere alone, and it made his expression light up instantly. As such there’s no debate when he’s pulled along, his heartbeat quickening in his chest because they were holding hands! Under the cherry blossoms! A flurry of giggles spilled from his lips. It is fairly similar to how he’d be tipsy, actually.

Suddenly what Ydris had said to him a few weeks back returned to his mind. At the time he’d been highly offended by the dragon’s suggestion, but all of a sudden, looking at Itadori ... ]

Maybe you can help me with Ydris’s assignment!

[ ... ydris?

he never heard that name before, no idea who it was, but it seems like a close friend to junpei. as much as itadori wanted him to have a bigger circle of support, to have people around him at all times to care and be there for him (since itadori lowkey felt he wasn't doing a great job himself. but, that's a conversation for another day.)— he is still a bit wary of this boy trusting others too fast.

a bit hypocritical of yuuji, since he's not one to judge when it comes to befriending people on the spot.

he kept an easy pace, still holding hands and somewhat enjoying it too; mindful of their surroundings because he still had a job to do. ]

Who's this 'Ydris'? And what is this assignment you're talking about?

They’re a dragon.

[ He said it so casually. Like it was nothing. Well, with all the youkai around was it really so odd? What’s so weird about a dragon when your boss is a tengu?

At this point he’s known Ydris for at least a month and, in spite of Junpei’s insistence that indifference is his ideal, the reality is it’s incredibly easy to worm ones way into his trust with even basic kindness. Ydris may go a little overboard in their protectiveness and inspire protests from Junpei about it, but he already has an attachment to them. ]

Well, they don’t look like a dragon. They look like a person. But they said I should be intimate with people regularly and wanted me to get three more hickeys —- ah! Yuuji! Have you eaten?

[ As they walked past the booth where Junpei had gotten his tainted food and drink he became suddenly distracted, stopping in his tracks. Never mind that he just dropped a very ... saucy bit of info like it was nothing on poor unsuspecting Itadori. ]

I can get you something! It’s all really good!

[ the dragon part didn't startle him, nothing more than a casual 'ah!'. listen, dragons are cool. they are mostly portrayed as noble and honorable creatures in the stories, sometimes played as villains but mostly come off as this awesome beast whom you want on your side. so, yeah! he was glad his dear junpei is making good friends, enjoying himself.

until— a very questionable piece of information is shared about them. ]

... what.

[ still dumbfounded, he watched as the other ran off towards the nearby booth, not really paying attention to the food itself. he just stood there trying to figure out whether it was a drunken confession, or is it real? whenever junpei returns to his side, he dismisses everything and asks again; with a firm tone this time. he needs that guy to focus. ]

What kind of advice is that?! To sleep around with people more often? Three hickeys? ... Is that dragon trying to pimp you or something?

[ surprisingly, it's an honest question. ]

No? Wouldn’t that mean they’d earn money if I slept with people? They want me to sleep with people for free!

[ Duuuuh, Itadori! Keep up!

There was a small pout about the other ignoring his offer for food, but it was quickly forgotten as he opted to hang off one of his friend’s arms and look over at him adoringly. ]

You’re really handsome, did you know that?

[ Even the other’s clear discomfort with the bomb that was dropped on him didn’t put a damper on the blissful haze Junpei was in. Everything was wonderful. Just talking to Itadori made him feel lighter than air. He still thought this conversation was going to lead to them both being in Junpei’s hotel room together, but there wasn’t any rush on that. Anticipation was so sweet, drawing it out was fun. He wondered idly what kissing him would be like - he’d have to show Itadori some of the things he’d learned at the nightclub! ]

I ... don't know. I don't think I like that dragon too much. They're kinda weird.

[ then again, it is junpei choice on who he associates himself with. itadori didn't want to be that person who dictates everything; it's not his personality either. it was just an honest observation, from one friend to another, and junpei can take it the way he wants. even if he still felt a bit uncomfortable about it, he'd let it go for now.

he just needs to take this boy somewhere safe, allow him to sober up and get back to normal. as they continue walking, itadori was about to change the conversation to a lighter topic. it seems junpei beat him into it, once again catching him off guard. he blinks, eyes wide— ]

... Do you really think so?

[ handsome, huh. well, that's a first. no one ever called him that! alright, yes, he knew junpei is intoxicated or something, but is it so bad to have a little ego boost? with a sheepish smirk, he shrugged his shoulders with his free hand making a vague gesture. ]

Well, thanks! You're pretty good-looking too!

[ he finally catches a glimpse of the way junpei is looking at him, with those eyes, oh so lovingly— uhhh. yup, he knows what's going on here. he can see the warning signs. in which itadori clears his throat, forcing a frown, back straight. totally a bit flustered now. ]

Let's walk faster.

[ Even if just on a subconscious level, Junpei had thought Itadori was attractive from their first encounter.

All right maybe not right off the bat when the guy was hurtling towards him clutching a tiny curse, but after a few minutes of talking to him that day the thought he was cute idly passed through his mind. But the Junpei of then didn’t give much more thought to the matter, having much more overwhelming things to deal with.

Now though, in this second chance at getting to be friends with Itadori and with his brain soaking in a romantic brine, the thought was front and center. Not to be ignored.

When the other gave him a compliment back it didn’t matter how basic it was, it made Junpei’s face light up and his heart soar.

Oh, he’d walk faster all right. They couldn’t be alone soon enough. He started giggling again, bringing up one sleeve covered hand to his mouth as his cheeks went bright pink. ]

Of course I think so! Do you really reaaally think I’m good looking too?

[ This was barely above passing a note in class that says ‘Do you like me? Circle one!’. Junpei was making up for years of missing out on typical teenage puppy love hijinks. ]

Edited (what even are tenses ) 2022-04-10 02:53 (UTC)

[ junpei will never forgive him for finding this endearing, but it is. it didn't mean itadori will abuse the situation or encourage it. after all, he understood one side is sober and the other not so much. he kept his focus on the road ahead as they navigated out of the crowded festival and into the quiet streets. ]

Yeah, I really do. I remember when we were having dinner at your home, at some point I caught myself thinking— "he has kind eyes and a nice smile."

[ his lips curled up, nostalgic. it's always the small things that get to him the most, and sharing a meal with junpei and his mother, eating and laughing together— is probably one of the happiest moments of his life. he's still trying to heal from the pain that followed them after that day, but it didn't stop itadori from enjoying the beautiful memories. they will always warm up his heart no matter what.

he takes in a breath, finally regarding the other- ]

You're going to bed as soon as we get there. You got it?

[ Gasp! He said he had a kind eyes and nice smile! It really was impossible for Junpei to glow any brighter, he grinned from ear to ear and felt like he could fly if he really wanted to. He hadn’t been the least bit excited about this festival that morning when he’d gotten out of bed, but suddenly it had transformed into the best day of his life.

That dinner held fond memories for Junpei as well as his last moment of actual happiness in his life before everything turned totally dark. It was as much a part of why it felt especially good to have these feelings for Itadori as finding the other attractive. There were already positive associations there, giving a strong foundation for the crush to be built on.

The other’s words were absorbed, a downright mischievous grin coming to Junpei’s face complete with half-lidded eyes. The statement was being read as innuendo, even if Itadori had meant exactly what he’d said. ]

And you’re joining me, right?

[ Itadori had his work cut out for him. ]

Nah, I can't. I need to get back to work.

[ innocently so, itadori didn't think there is anything wrong about sharing a bed with a friend. he would do it without assuming there is some unspoken expectation behind it. it's completely normal; if anything it's fun and just begs for a night of staying up late, watching movies, and feasting on snacks before passing out. he's been meaning to have that kinda sleepover with junpei, but— damn, it's been busy.

it was only when he, once again, had to rerun those words while staring down at that playful expression on the other's face— that's when he understood how junpei interpreted it. itadori's cheeks burst in warmth, quick to shake his head and redeem himself. ]

That's not what I meant! God, this drug ... I need you to sober up, Junpei! So, you're going to sleep it off! That's all!!

[ lucky for them, they are getting closer to the apartment. just one block away- ]

Edited 2022-04-11 16:01 (UTC)

[ The initial rebuff didn’t even faze Junpei, instead he slid up next to his friend and whispered in a singsong voice right in his ear: ]

All work and no play makes Yuuji a dull boy!

[ Yes, quoting The Shining. Even like this he was still the same nerd. Doing so set him off in a fit of giggles again, thankfully not until he’d pulled away from Itadori’s ear so as not to cause him discomfort. Once he recovered from making himself crack up he continued to try and persuade the other. ]

It’s a festival! Aren’t we supposed to be off? Are you really going to leave me all alone in that dreary hotel room? You told me to have fun, right?

[ His voice dropped an octave, accompanying a cheeky grin. Who even is this? He’s much more confident than regular Junpei aside from being way more flirty. ]

I want to have fun with you.

[ oh god, he's struggling now. between trying to keep his friend from slipping off his grip, and composing himself as junpei got too close; warm breath brushing against his skin and making him blush like crazy. oh no, focus! itadori probably skipped a step, but other than that he kept his calm— kinda. taking in a deep breath, his eyes narrow as they approach the accommodation. almost there! ]

I don't mind being dull if it keeps you safe. Hold still!

[ this is the drug talking. there's nothing into those words other than a mind clouded with intoxication. itadori refused to consider it anything more. with some effort, he managed to walk them up to the door, gently nudging junpei off his arm, so he could unlock it. ]

You know what else is fun? Sleeping. A nice long nap on a comfy bed! Doesn't that sound great?!

[ The problem was that Junpei was the one with the key, and he started to sense that his attempts to sweet talk Itadori into keeping him company weren’t working.

That blush was adorable, though, and it made him want to pull out the big guns before the other truly did leave him alone.

With a sigh he reached into the folds of the yukata he was wearing, seemingly to fish for his room key.

Oh, clumsy him! In his rummaging he made things looser, allowing one side of the outfit to slip down his arm and leave one shoulder bare. Right there out in the open. Scandalous.

Women always looked sexy doing this, didn’t they? ]

[ itadori waits patiently; arms folded against his chest and half-scowling because he knows what's going on. junpei is not subtle when he's acting as if he's struggling to find his key. it was kinda amusing as well, but he shouldn't encourage it. until— that happened!

first of all, he didn't expect things to go that far. second, he misunderstood the teasing gestures as something more lewd. he thought junpei was about to fucking strip down naked, right here, right now, in the middle of a public hallway! so itadori, in a moment of panic, stepped forward and forcefully covered the other boy up; gripping so hard on the fabric and securing it around his slimmer frame. ]

Oi! You c-can't do this outside!!

[ fuck it. itadori begins to search through junpei's attire with one hand, looking for that damn key, while the other kept his friend from pulling that trick again. ]

[ In spite of Itadori’s actual intentions, this outcome was not exactly ... bad. Junpei was getting close personal attention from the person he was attracted to. Even better, the guy was practically groping him for all intents and purposes of anyone strolling by. Sure, it more tickled than anything and had him letting out more giggles and wiggling around, but it was something! It was a romance potion after all, and this was the kind of thing teenagers in love did, right? Horse around a little in public?

He playfully tried to tickle Itadori beneath his ribs in retaliation, definitely not being anywhere close to helpful in procuring the key. Besides, he knew the other had a cute laugh and it’d be nice to hear it instead of him looking so stern. ]

Y-yuuji! Hahaha! This looks even worse than what I was doing! Haha!

[ Eventually if he kept searching Itadori would come across the little pouch Junpei had secured by his hip where both his key and some yen coins were stored. But not before he had made his friend a blushing, snickering mess. He would be practically leaning on the other to keep himself from tumbling down. ]

[ oh god, the tickling. itadori had to, literally, stop himself from accidentally swinging at his intoxicated friend because damn— his first reflexes involved knocking out whoever is trying to send him into a frenzy. once that was settled, and he restrained himself, itadori was forced to endure it. he's pretty sure tickling is some form of torture in the middle ages because behind his mad laughter, there is pain. oh, so much pain. ]

Stop it!!

[ gonna have to— shove junpei away from his shoulder, make it a little harder for him to reach for more evil tickles. between the struggling, he managed to find the key, yanked it out of the pouch, and unlocked the door. finally! he takes in a breath, dragging himself and junpei's weight inside the privacy of the apartment— almost out of breath from laughing too hard. this is a workout!

now that they made it in, he pulled away from the other; if junpei ends up on the floor that's fine. he needs to collect himself right now. ]

You owe me for this! Remember my words!!!

Edited 2022-04-15 17:41 (UTC)

[ It’s all fun and games until you fall onto the gross carpet of your sad hotel room without so much as a single smooch from the cute guy you’ve been heavily flirting with to show for it!

There was a small pout from Junpei as he looked up at poor flustered Itadori. ]

I’d pay you back right now if you’d let me.

[ With a low huff he turned his back to the other and pulled himself onto his bed, the yukata slipping off both shoulders to reveal his back. If Itadori was determined to abandon him he was just going to show him exactly what he would be missing! To his credit he didn’t let it fall down past his hips, but there was a very pointed glare over his shoulder at the other teen. ]

And how exactly do you plan to keep me here if you’re leaving? Do you really think I feel like sleeping?

[ Part of him felt guilty over bothering Itadori even with the effects of the drink still strongly coursing through his system. It wasn’t as if he was the sort that enjoyed making problems for people. It was just frustrating to be in a romantic mood and have nobody to indulge in it with. He was certain he could be an excellent cuddler if given a chance! Was he not charismatic enough? Not showing ENOUGH skin? If only he had the key to unlock the door to the other’s heart. ]

[ itadori muttered under his breath 'pay me back?' — this sounds like more of an exchange of sexual favors instead of an innocent cuddling session by the second, or maybe the sorcerer had a dirty mind. in his defense, he's still a teen, and this city is unkind in persuading him into a dark path; surrounded by beautiful people and heavily sexual themes in every corner. it's easy to be confused, curious, and— reckless.

he hunched forward with a weary sigh, not surprised junpei is getting mad at him. a part of him is nonchalant, and another is appreciating the way the fabric is losing its hold over the other's body. ]

I can knock you out cold?

[ he says with a sly smirk on his face. he's teasing, and itadori chuckles to lighten the mood; hands on his hips. ]

Real talk. I don't like being too close to anyone who's under some sort of drug, or not in control of themselves. It's one thing if I was intoxicated as well, but to be fully sober and encourage this? Do you ... really think we can be friends after that?

[ with a softer tone, and an equally soft smile— itadori continued. ]

I'm just trying to look out for you. I haven't done a great job when we were alive ...

[ Junpei furrowed his brow, looking at Itadori as if he was trying to figure out if he was making a joke or not. Awkwardly he turned around, the bed loudly creaking in protest beneath him. ]

Intoxicated? What are you talking about? I don’t drink alcohol! All I had today was a bento and a ramune soda! I’m totally normal!

[ He was absolutely not normal at all. Even now he didn’t care that the yukata was slipping off his torso totally, leaving half his body exposed. Junpei wasn’t exactly the sort to go around showing his chest off even if such a thing wasn’t taboo for guys.

But, the last part did hit its mark. He looked away guiltily, still very much full of strong emotions over how his life had ended. Strong enough to override even his current intoxication. It’s hard to just shrug off dying. ]

You ... did the best you could do. It was out of both of our hands. I’ve had a lot of time to think about it, and ... you were my only real friend. I owe you a lot.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

APRIL 2022 EVENT

HANAMI - romantic

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