Pure Speculation: Romance?

[jmc]

I know, 12K isn't a love story and Youko will probably spend the rest of her long long life alone, but of the male characters which do you think would be the best for her if circumstances were different?

Keiki? No way. He's not even half human. The whole thing is disturbing to think about. And he didn't seem to play along well when the previous Emperess liked him. One plus is that he is reasonably good looking.

Rakushun? The obvious choice, and he is certainly more human that her Taiho. We know he finds her attractive and they do get along. And he is plenty smart, so when he gets done with his schooling in En she might be able to give him a job at court.

My choice: En-ou. Why? He's smart, albeit in a different way than Rakushun is. He's got the knowledge Youko needs after all his years on the throne, which is probably why she keeps asking him for advice. He's got a good personality, more or less (OK, brothel-going is a flaw, I admit it) and is the most physically handsome man in the show bar none. Most importantly of all, he has been where Youko is going and will understand what it will be like for her after decades and generations pass with her governing, settling disputes, fighting wars, etc and seeing everyone else obey her orders rather than be her equal. No matter how much she might want to pretend otherwise, Youko cannot truly have peers among her subjects. The one she treats as an equal would not be subject to her authority and would resent it if that changed for some reason. Being a leader is the loneliest job in the world, and I think that in the end no one else but another monarch could understand that.

[RakushunLover]

My vote is for Rakushun! LOL. Isn't that obvious?

I agree with all your points about Keiki. Also, I think he's a bit too serious for Youko . . . Can anyone actually see them having fun together??? It's probably also against Tentei's law.

While you have a good argument for En-Ou, I think you're forgetting one important thing. Even if En-Ou does understand Youko's position better than anyone else, the very fact that he *is* an emperor would cause difficulties. I mean, it would be one heck of a long-term relationship . . . and I highly doubt Tentei would really approve of two rulers getting together. Wouldn't that totally mess up the heavenly plan of keeping the kingdoms independent? I mean, even if the two of them managed to keep their personal and professional lives separate (think about how hard that would be) other kingdoms might feel threatened by such a situation (because the rumours, at least, would get out). En-Ou also doesn't seem like the type to settle down. It HAS been 500 years, after all . . .

On the other hand, I think Rakushun is in the perfect position to be both advisor and romantic partner for Youko (well, once he's done repaying his debt in En and assuming someone enrolls him in those lists of immortality so he's not 83 years old at that point) since he can play both roles with no conflict of interest. It's true that he would be in a subservient position to her (I mean, she IS an empress) but Shoukei's mother was the royal consort (notice they didn't call her empress) and it's not like that mattered. I also think Rakushun would be good at Youko's side because he sort of plays the role of everyone's conscience and he knows how the people think and live and understands them from the point of view of a person who was born and raised in that world. He can help guide Youko and keep her on the right path better than anyone else. I mean, she has respect for En-Ou and Keiki but I don't ever think she'd dismiss Rakushun's advice out of hand. (Unlike *cough*Keiki*cough* - tho' she's getting better there.) And despite being a half-beast, he's such a great guy I think the people would all grow to love him. (Which saves Youko a lot of headaches down the road - once again bringing Shoukei's mother to mind)

Okay, but my real reasons?

He's cute; he's sweet; he's wise; he rocks! And I think he's rather sweet on Youko (even if he won't admit it) and I can really see Youko returning the feelings after a while (she did give him that bird, after all, and he IS one of her very best - if not best - friends). Plus, he understands her better than anyone else. (Keiki still gets confused.)

BTW, I'm assuming an Emperor/Empress can get "married" (in the "living together but not having children way") after ascending the throne because Enki asked En-Ou whether he had finally found a wife upon seeing Youko that time . . . or was he just joking around?

I do think Youko and En-Ou will continue to be (and probably become even moreso) good, close friends and companions. Because En-Ou is really cool too.

BTW, I find it sort of disturbing that I've found Japanese sites pairing Youko and Enki up . . . o_O

[musouka]

BTW, I find it sort of disturbing that I've found Japanese sites pairing Youko and Enki up . . . o_O

Guess you haven't seen all the Enou/Enki sites yet.

But, yes, I've kinda wondered about that too. I've found at least five or six sites devoted to that particular couple, and I'm just kinda like "uhhh, okay." Granted, I don't particularly think they'd be a horrible couple or anything (if you guys have problems with Keiki's humanity issues, at least Enki seems more human than he does), but it's impossible to see them togeter. And I don't even want to think of the issues that would rise with another country's kirin being interested in another country's empress.

Now, as for the rest, I'm actually an equal oppuritunity type of person when it comes to 12K pairings. I like Youko with Rakushun. I like her with Keiki. She and Shouryuu have their own appeal. Hell, pair her up with Sugimoto if you think it would work! As long as it was interestingly presented in a way that at least made some sort of sense, it's all good.

[bigfire]

My choice: En-ou. Why? He's smart, albeit in a different way than Rakushun is. He's got the knowledge Youko needs after all his years on the throne, which is probably why she keeps asking him for advice. He's got a good personality, more or less (OK, brothel-going is a flaw, I admit it) and is the most physically handsome man in the show bar none. Most importantly of all, he has been where Youko is going and will understand what it will be like for her after decades and generations pass with her governing, settling disputes, fighting wars, etc and seeing everyone else obey her orders rather than be her equal. No matter how much she might want to pretend otherwise, Youko cannot truly have peers among her subjects. The one she treats as an equal would not be subject to her authority and would resent it if that changed for some reason. Being a leader is the loneliest job in the world, and I think that in the end no one else but another monarch could understand that.

Hey, brothel isn't illegal in the Twelve Kingdoms. And he's got to support the local economy (and there are all kind of information you'd pick up in brothel for being a good customer).

[JK Newbie]

(or is it whom/whom?)
This interest seems to thread thru the entire forum in various guises and I see it as the JK story big tease. Keep them guessing. Don't provide enough if any intimate moments but allow furtive glances.
IF we run off with what if's, JK leaves the door wide open, at least for those of us who only know anime eps to 39. So...
Enou and Yoko - he's the ooooolder man and unlikely to have much interest in watching her grow up except as a worthy ruler. Pretty couple though. Wasn't there a comment that emperors were not allowed to form personal alliances although some emperor said they had economic agreements for trade.
Yoko with any Saiho - interesting and there is the previous empress's one-sided affair w/Keiki. But Yoko is different and is earning the admiration of many. The kirin are called the other half of the emperor, not unlike married couples. Were those admiring glances by those Ki for Yoko's leadership only?
Yoko and Half Beasts - She made a deliberate pass at Rakushun not to mention a dreamy look after one of the hugs and this was before she knew his human form. Yet when she saw him human she blushed. Maybe the affection was for his cute mouse fuzziness, yet, that dreamy look and that offer to bathe ... He was no help. Kept telling her to back off.
Poor Yoko - she was jealous of Asano/Yuka, snuggled with Asano under the Tree very closely. She liked Enki at first sight but seemed in awe not in lust. Hard to say about Keiki but fighting is the first sign of love in mushy stories. She definitely wants comforting but who can she go to? I get the impression she wants to jump some male figure if only for caring but she's an unskilled virgin with queenly privacy problems.

Guess it's to the Kei brothels in disguise. She might meet Enou in the En brothels, now that would be funny. Naw, just don't see her as the brothel type even if despirate.

[drifterx]

En-Ou is just too much of a player to keep Youko happy. He might just drive her crazy enough to become a bad empress.

Keiki and empresses don't mix. It's just not gonna happen.

Rakushun is the only way. He will show Youko that he's Mighty not just for his wisdom.

[kaiszah]

i would have said asano of course that was before the episode in which he died

[RakushunLover]

Except he was in love with Yuka the entire time. >_>

And he was bonkers for a bit, you know. I mean, other people got swept to the 12 Kingdoms and most of them seem to have retained some shred of sanity . . .

Basically the only thing he has going for him is the fact that he and Youko were childhood friends (which as we have seen doesn't necessarily mean all that much). >___<

Though I'll admit he improved a bit at the end.

[Foodbunny]

I love Rakushun and wouldn't be unhappy to see him paired with Youko, but I also like Kantai. He's cute, wise, and can defeat an army on his own and has his own quiet sense of humor.

[oion]

I thought about it before... (Oh good grief, don't bother perusing the Japanese auction sites - the doujinshi are scary as hell XD)

Originally I would've liked En-Ou with Youko, but the political problems that would entail is just too much. More episodes for us, not too happy for them.

Rakushun seems a perfectly logical choice...

But Kantai - mmm, Kantai. Still, that would pose another political problem and she might be seen as playing favorites, or he would be scrutinized for bending her ear to his favor. It may work better if he retired from being her Imperial Army general and became a personal bodyguard instead. Oh, I don't know; maybe he could still work fine as her general because the Imperial Army is commanded by her personally anyway.

I'd vote for either Rakushun or Kantai - but Rakushun is a lot closer to Youko.

(Wonder whatever happened to Rakushun's mother... o_o)

[garamir]

Since when does Youko have any emotional attachment to Kantai? The guy's going to try to slip out of the spotlight the moment he can, anyway.

[oion]

Well, just a theoretical "looks good" pairing.

Who knows, perhaps in future stories there's more development between them. Bah, moot...

[Reckless Angel]

on Kantai... he and Shoukei work very well together.

just a thought.

I think Youko and Rakushun work more than well together as well.
if he'd only get more comfy with his human body. otherwise I could forsee some trouble ahead =^_^=

- reckless.

[oion]

Er, isn't that why the topic says "pure speculation"?? haha

I guess Kantai and Shoukei would look good together; better than with Youko, at least.

(hmm, wonder what ranks Shoukei and Suzu actually got... "courtier"?)

[garamir]

(or is it whom/whom?)

No, you used it correctly. "Whom" is only used in a with whom/for whom/about whom sense.

I don't really foresee any romance actually developing in the series.. unless it's fanmade >_>

Welcome to the Internet. If it wasn't down at the moment, I'd load up FanFiction.net to see how many thousands of horrible stories have already been written for Juuni Kokki. :P

[oion]

Bah, forget those plain-text wannabe fan works, go get some real stuff - a dozen auction pages of doujinshi, or convention 300Yen doujin, heehee. ^_-

... Granted most of the artwork is downright scary, and, uhh... lots of yaoi. And pedo. -_-# ... Nevermind, it's not worth it. heehee

[saiki]

Babies are born on trees, so are people in the 12 Kingdoms "equipped" the same way we are?

Can they even "do it"?

[MegaDuck]

Well the Emp of En spends alot of his time in a Brothel so YES i guess they can.

[garamir]

Babies are born on trees, so are people in the 12 Kingdoms "equipped" the same way we are? :wink:

Can they even "do it"? :shock:

Y'know, we've already had a whole thread devoted to questions like that...

[saiki]

Y'know, we've already had a whole thread devoted to questions like that...

Sorry, I should go read the old threads. I wonder if Kirins poo...

[oion]

Gee, speaking of pure speculation.... LOL

And Kirins eat. Therefore.... what goes in, must come out.

Next!

[Animal4890]

hmm....

Yoko and Raku: This pair seems most logical. It's obvious both have feelings for each other. The only question is of the half-beast thing...

Yoko and Shoukei: Yoko is somewhat masculine at times (albiet in a beautiful way). Shoukei is very feminine and beautiful. This could probably work fairly well being that one is a princess and the other an empress. As to what cultural restrictions and laws they have regarding intimate relationshiops and marriage is something yet to be completely revealed (atleast up to ep. 39).

Yoko and Rouken: A bit of a long shot. It would certainly take time to develop this one and I'm not totally sure he's her type. However, they seem to be on the same level of thinking and he does have a very high status.

I'm not so sure they will develop a love story. Hoever, I have seen signs of one developing. Shoukei, Enou and his Kirin, and serveral others have shown subtle signs of noticing this Yoko/Raku relationship form. It may be that this is all a very sublte build-up and eventually it'll come out in the open more. I actually hope it does because it would be a shame to see that part of Yoko's life unfulfilled.