by Akane Arisu (赤音アリス) (mirrors http://s2b2.livejournal.com/38288.html) Jin. The name whispered through his dreams like nightmares or nostalgic memories. A laughing, “entertain him,” as Asa was pushed to the next man where, at best, he’d be expected to dance. At worst, he’d wake up with cramped shoulders from being tied in an awkward position for hours. […]
Author Archives: ssbb-admin
15
Feb
Takeo’s Angel
by Marmalade Cat (マーマレード猫) (mirrors http://s2b2.livejournal.com/38548.html) In Tokyo the rain is falling in endless waves across the backs of the people below. It streaks the polished walls of the high towers of chrome and reinforced glass, making the streets reflect the emblazoned neon of billboards like straight-backed techno-serpents of fire and light. It extends its […]
15
Feb
The Eagle and the Frost Giant
by Tamari Erin (玉里えりん) (mirrors http://s2b2.livejournal.com/38880.html) As a child, Alain had never like New Year’s Eve. It was his mother’s favourite holiday, and for her sake, he’d tried to enjoy — or at least pretend not to hate — its pageantry and wild abandon. She’d take him with her to buy their masks and though […]
15
Feb
Enlightenment
by Tsukizubon Saruko (月図凡然る子) (mirrors http://s2b2.livejournal.com/39061.html) The clear sounds of an altercation without his office door drew David’s attention at last from his proofs, and he looked up with a slight frown between his brows. Hard to say what reason there could be for a scuffle and raised voices at four o’clock in the afternoon, […]
15
Feb
Turfan
by Matsuo Akane (松雄あかね) (mirrors http://s2b2.livejournal.com/39243.html) Xian wore his hair down that night. Tien couldn’t keep his hands out of it, nor, after nearly six months away from his lover, could he keep his hands off Xian. He kept pushing Xian off-balance as they stepped through the dusting of snow on the ground, leaving the […]
15
Feb
Social Disorders Can Always be Cured with a Kiss
by Eric Shun (エリック旬) illustrated by pearljamz (mirrors http://s2b2.livejournal.com/39639.html) “My son hasn’t left his room in months.” Hiro nodded as he placed groceries into plastic bags, taking special care not to squish the French bread with the jars of jam. “He won’t even come out to eat dinner. I have to leave it in front […]
15
Feb
A Matter of Honour
by Shinko Hisada (身固之妥) (mirrors http://s2b2.livejournal.com/39814.html) Sitting beneath a tree and grateful for its shade, Kale took another sip from his water canteen. Unfortunately the road between the port and the capital didn’t follow a river, so they had to ration their water between towns. Playing honour guard was supposed to be a cushy assignment, […]
15
Feb
Hanabi
by Bloodsucking Llama (mirrors http://s2b2.livejournal.com/40165.html) The fireworks blossomed in the night sky, sparking the darkness with dazzling streams and shimmering showers of glowing colors. The red lights lined along the dock shined vibrantly as customers bought gyutan and glass-bottled sodas or triumphantly held their just won goldfish in plastic bags of water. The salty sea […]
15
Feb
Yellow Fever
by shukyou (主教) (mirrors http://s2b2.livejournal.com/40199.html) The glass in his hand held a pale imitation of the drug that burned through his system — vodka, straight, the way his father had taught him to drink it, a cold fire in his belly that still couldn’t hold a candle to the flame in his veins. Neither the […]
15
Feb
Takayuki + Touya = Takaya
by Murasaki Makoto (紫 真琴) (mirrors http://s2b2.livejournal.com/40506.html) Editors’ note: We apologize for the broken images in this entry. The images were hosted on the artist’s own server and we’ve been unable to contact her. Love0
15
Feb
What Doesn’t Kill You
by Shinju Yuri (真珠百合) illustrated by calintz (mirrors http://s2b2.livejournal.com/40939.html) When Hyun-woo rose up from his seat and said, “I should go back; Sung-min’s mother is visiting”, he silenced the entire room. “….Lee Sung-min’s mother?” said Eun-jae finally. “Yes,” said Hyun-woo. “She’s been criticizing his housekeeping all week, so he’s a little upset.” He turned and […]
15
Feb
The Taste of Red
by Octavius (mirrors http://s2b2.livejournal.com/41152.html) They were bright hard things, shouldering through markets, butting heads with rifles, swiping New Year’s oranges from displays, and singing Nanniwan is a beautiful place, it’s the best Jiangnan in north Shaanxi softly like a prayer. “Zhijan! Zhijan!” You think you can almost see him up at the gate slouching against […]
15
Feb
Valence
by Kagamino Kage (鏡乃 影) illustrated by calintz (mirrors http://s2b2.livejournal.com/41353.html) “The fourth one in a week!” “What d’you suppose’ll happen if this one turns it down too?” “Who knows – nothing, I expect. But I do wish someone would take it. It unnerves me so, the way it just lays there and stares and stares […]
15
Feb
The Promiscuous Boy and the Monk
by Eric Shun (エリック旬) illustrated by pearljamz (mirrors http://s2b2.livejournal.com/41486.html) Samurai weren’t allowed to attend kabuki performances for a reason. Officially the shogunate declared that samurai, being elite warriors as they were, should not mingle with the common folk and take on their affairs. Kabuki, of course, was considered as “one of those affairs”. But the […]
15
Feb
The Overseers of Harmful People
by Takiguchi Aiko (滝口アイコ) (mirrors http://s2b2.livejournal.com/41854.html) Siberian mornings had less substance than Grigoriy was used to. The air in St. Petersburg, admittedly, could be chewed, but Siberia – something about the cold or the quality of light – was thinner in a way Grisha could not quite articulate, should he have anyone to whom he […]
