[Fic] Eyeshield 21 - This Part

[dayofcaligula]

Title: This Part
Author: dayofcaligula
Ratings/Warnings: K, Karin's musings, lighthearted.
Pairing/Character(s): Unsui Kongo/Karin Koizumi
Fandom: Eyeshield 21
Disclaimer: I don't own Eyeshield 21 or any of its characters.
Summary: There was a subtle conflict in Karin's mind on how she is finally seeing her friendship with Unsui.
A/N: Timeline for this story is

Comments

[cherry_tiger]

Aww, I love it! I was thinking there probably should be more fic of how they developed before they got together (still working on that idea) and you didn't disappoint with this one. You can tell Karin is uncertain about things, but by the end of it, she seems content and certain. Simple, comforting and downright cute, the way you make these two talk with each other is exactly why I now adore this pairing so much.

[dayofcaligula]

I only had Karin's POV, but I hope Unsui's uncertainty over this can be felt in the story as well. I also had him attempting to finally hinting his frustrations/worries with Agon to Karin, a start of an opening.

Oh, their conversation continues in my head (this is happening while they are running):

"When we get there, let's see who complains on whose idea was this in the first place."

"You don't get to run in the rain that often."

"I won't get sick, but you might. See, you're all wet. I don't think protein can defend you against this cold."

"Are you still cold?"

"No, no! Let's get back to you..."

"I don't want to depend on medicine, but if this comes to that I might have to take some then."

.... etc. But I had to have that kind of impact in my ending, so I had to end it there.

Btw, happy xmas!

[cherry_tiger]

Oh, I definitely noticed it! And I like how subtle it was in the actual conversation too, like it was so normal and you could miss it if you weren't paying attention.

Oh man, you REALLY have their conversations done so well. You're making me love this pairing more and more, especially with how frank they can be with each other, and how casual their conversations are. Seriously, thank you so much for this lovely insight on them!

And yes, Happy Christmas to you too! Hope you had a lovely one!

[dayofcaligula]

And, there's also Karin testing the subject by generalizing it like what Unsui did. She knows that he knows that she knows what he meant. She's letting him do it on his own. In this story, for now, he didn't pursue it. Eventually, of course, he will tell her everything.

Also, the two of them love compromise. It was something that they discovered in their friendship along the way. With Unsui being Unsui, Karin has to find her ways to lessen his burden. When their relationship develops, it becomes a synergy, which I find to be very beautifulI am also thinking that their personalities causes their only problem: Unsui not being comfortable having Karin helping around when he knows he can do it on his own (and it disrupts his individuality/insert-Buddha-here). Karin, on the other hand, is challenged by her love of preoccupation. She didn't feel quite at ease at the fact that Unsui is now a part of it, something/someone so constant and something/someone that wouldn't change, like a detour to her unending maze - a glitch in her search for

[cherry_tiger]

Hot damn, I love your third paragraph so much. Cause it's making me love this pairing so much more. You're totally right, Unsui doesn't want to depend on anyone, especially since he's trying to be his own person after stepping away from Agon's shadow. And I love what you have in mind for Karin, I never really thought of it that way and yet it totally makes sense! I can see her trying to just explore a new world for her to create new stories for her manga, and the fear that having someone to constantly love may limit that.

And I wouldn't worry too much about whether or not they're being in-character. As a lot of this happens after the manga, and it is basically fanon, a lot of this will go down to guess work anyways. If anything, you're definitely respecting the characters in what you develop for them and it fits them so well. Besides, it makes you (and us few readers) incredibly happy! And I think that matters. ^^

[dayofcaligula]

It's more of Unsui trying to be his own person and not trying to be a burden to other people because he's selfless just like that. He prefers to give and rejects receiving (and only accepts by virtue of dependent origination). Karin, on the other hand and by the end of the day, accepted her love for Unsui realizing that it's actually good to have a detour in her unending maze: for her not to get lost and have somewhere to return to (like a person to his/her home

[cherry_tiger]

I definitely love the idea for your AU! I checked out Shamo for a bit too so I can get a better grasp of the whole fighting thing, and I can totally see how this could work, especially with Unsui taking over Agon's identity and with even the possibility of Agon coming back to haunt him. It sounds so fascinating and something I'd definitely check out!

Would you like some help to write the chapters out? Or I could beta for you if you want. I understand the frustration of writing action scenes. I'm kinda struggling with them myself currently, but I'm slowly, really slowly, developing it. So far so good and no complaints! But one can never be too sure, and mine's really fantasy based rather than one that involves martial arts (which I have very little info on, my sister took up Tae Kwan Do which is far from perfect for this story for me to use), so I may not be too much of an aid but I'll do my best to help out and see this happen! (It MUST happen!)

[dayofcaligula]

I don't want to reveal a lot of things, but I guess it's alright since it's a given that Agon will reappear. Also, I might not do it now, and not so soon even, but I would really like to know more of your input in my story. I'll contact you ever so often as soon as I get this fic machine in my head going (most likely by summer next year, when there is a school break)! Thank you! As I calculate it in my head, this is going to be a big project and I'm not sure I'm willing to invest a lot of time researching and doing something like this, but we'll see! I love Unsui/Karin enough so I guess that'll motivate me further.

For the mean time, have a happy new year!

[cherry_tiger]

Oh, I'm sorry if I revealed a bit too much. I was thinking Unsui HAS to face Agon at some point anyways if he ever wants to truly be "free". This same logic applies in ES21, where I seriously wish they'd show Enma facing Saikyoudai, cause not only do we get Sena facing Hiruma, Unsui also has to face Agon, which would be amazing to witness!

I'm still liking the idea for this though and yes, you're totally free to contact me! I'll definitely do my best to help you in any way I can! Be sure to write down whatever little ideas you have so that you don't lose track. It's all right if you don't follow them straight, but having those pointers and plans really help. Good luck! I'll definitely be here to support!

And yes, have a Happy New Year to you too! ^^

[dayofcaligula]

No worries! It's inescapable that Agon will reappear, anyway. By big project, I mean it as a challange of me writing a very long story per chapter, things I'm not really comfortable nor currently able to do. I'm sure I don't want to do something half-assed, but this is also why I'm uncertain on actually making it. Time is indeed gold and I don't want to waste it. Oh goodness, I'm just apprehensive

[cherry_tiger]

You'll do fine as long as you keep your head in it and some good support! I'll definitely be there for you when you need help with this. Just do what you can and never be afraid to take the plunge. You'll learn more by doing so than to regret never writing it at all! ^^

Oh my gosh, I LOVE this extra bit of them! They're both so concerned about each other, not wanting to trouble the other as much, and the whole cockroach incident is so amusing! Especially with Unsui carrying Karin and then letting the cockroach out... it sounds so much like him!

Well... I guess if they're just walking fast paced, it'd be okay. If they were running, it would be quite a stretch. XD

And them spending time together like that makes my little fangirl heart squeal with glee! They're just doing so much together, trying to use up whatever little time they have to get to know each other more. It's really sweet!

You writing this is a really good drug! One which I am totally having the pleasure of being able to read it myself! ^^

[dayofcaligula]

Unsui grew so concerned (finding it unusual for someone to get scared of little creatures) thinking Karin might feel uncomfortable coming back to their clubroom that she might not do her manga work properly when there so he handed it to himself the mission of searching for the cockroach and set it free (because he is just not going to kill the harmless).

When Karin saw the cockroach, she instinctively went to Unsui. So much love.

Also, they already know each other so it's just them trying to make most of the time that they have to do something productive and feel positive and love.

Thank you!