Mirella Ricardo Granato
Author / Artist / Lawyer
Brazilian writer blending cyberpunk worlds with other themes. Currently writing Half in Darkness, a dystopian novel exploring love, loss, and secrets.
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/minhoca.rg
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@minhocaartista
LINKTREE: https://linktr.ee/minhoca_
FRAGMENTED UNIVERSES: https://fragmenteduniverses.art/
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NOTES
SUBMERGED SECRETS
1. Kūchū no Kyūden (空中の宮殿) — literally "Floating Palace."
Kūchū (空中): "in the skies," "suspended in the air."
Kyūden (宮殿): "palace."
➝ A suspended palace symbolizing unattainable power, far removed from the ordinary world below.
2. Mizukagami (水鏡) — literally "Water Mirror."
Mizu (水): "water."
Kagami (鏡): "mirror."
➝ A name rich in poetry in classical Japan, used for lakes and surfaces that reflect the sky.
3. Kurayami no Sora (暗闇の空) — literally "Sky of Darkness."
Kurayami (暗闇): "deep darkness," total darkness.
Sora (空): "sky."
➝ Evokes the absence of light as an absolute presence, a "sky that swallows."
4. Kaigan (海岸) — literally "coast, beach."
Kai (海): "sea."
Gan (岸): "coast, shore."
➝ Used to designate beaches and coastal edges. Here, an urban beach marked by technological scars.
5. Tairamachi (平町) — can be translated as "Flat Village" or "Flat District."
Taira (平): "flat, balanced, peaceful."
Machi (町): "town, district, neighborhood."
➝ An invented hybrid place name, but plausible within Japanese neighborhood-naming conventions.
HIDDEN INHERITANCE
6. Okaasan (お母さん) — Japanese term for "mother." Used affectionately or respectfully by children.
7. Kigen Library (起源図書館) — literally "Library of Origin."
Kigen (起源): origin, genesis.
➝ A symbolic name referring to the search for roots and primordial knowledge.
8. Ninkyō dantai (任侠団体) — literally "chivalrous organization."
➝ The official designation many groups use for themselves, seeking legitimacy as heirs to a code of honor (ninkyō) associated with loyalty, protection, and justice on their own terms.
➝ Functions as an institutional façade: a term used in formal records and public statements, or to sustain the image that they are not criminals, but rather a traditional brotherhood that "defends the weak"—even though, in practice, they engage in illegal activities.
➝ By contrast: Yakuza is the popular/pejorative label, Bōryokudan is the state's legal designation ("violent organization"), and Gokudō is the identity embraced from within.
9. Hika-chibi / Hika-chiba — affectionate nicknames for Hikaru.
Chibi (ちび): "small, short," often used affectionately.
Variations such as -chiba create intimate wordplay between mother and son.
10. Mirai Yokocho (未来横丁) — literally "Alley of the Future."
Mirai (未来): future.
Yokocho (横丁): an alley or side-street district, typical of areas filled with bars and small shops in Japan.
➝ Here, a vibrant, chaotic neighborhood surrounding Kigen Library.
11. Kōsetsu (降雪 / こうせつ) — can mean "snowstorm" or "snowfall."
➝ A poetic name for the guard robot, suggesting coldness, silence, and inevitability—like snow covering everything.
BROKEN BONDS
12. Ryuho-kai (龍鳳会) — "Dragon-Phoenix Association."
Ryū (龍): dragon.
Hō (鳳): phoenix.
Kai (会): group, society.
➝ A fictional name following the naming conventions of Ninkyō dantai clans, evoking mythical strength and rebirth.
13. Karyū (火流) — "Current of Fire."
Ka (火): fire.
Ryū (流): flow, current.
➝ A symbolic place name evoking incandescent, destructive energy.
14. Ryūden (龍殿) — "Dragon Palace."
Ryū (龍): dragon.
Den (殿): palace, hall.
➝ The clan's monumental headquarters, projecting power and authority.
15. Hakama (袴) — wide, pleated trousers traditionally worn by warriors and monks, and on formal ceremonial occasions.
16. Jinbei (甚平) — light, comfortable traditional Japanese attire consisting of a short jacket and trousers.
17. Kimono (着物) — traditional Japanese clothing. Literally "thing to wear."
18. Oyabun (親分) — supreme leader of the Ninkyō dantai.
Oya (親): "parent."
Bun (分): "part, status."
➝ Literally "parental figure"; represents the patriarchal leader of a clan.
19. Nienes (pronounced "ní-eni"; fictional) — a fictional currency derived from the Japanese yen, adapted to the narrative's universe.
20. Saiko-komon (最高顧問) — "Supreme Advisor."
Saikō (最高): supreme, highest.
Komon (顧問): advisor, counselor.
➝ A highly prestigious position within the Ninkyō dantai hierarchy, serving as the oyabun's direct advisor.
21. Shatei (舎弟) — literally "younger brothers."
➝ In the Ninkyō dantai context, refers to subordinate, lower-ranking members bound to the oyabun through a hierarchical relationship of loyalty.
A RELUCTANT MASTER
22. Kobun (子分) — literally "son" or "disciple."
➝ In the Ninkyō dantai context, refers to members subordinate to an oyabun (boss).
23. Katana (刀) — a traditional Japanese sword with a curved blade, a symbol of samurai honor.
24. Chikushō (畜生) — a strong interjection, something like "Damn!" or "Damn it!"
➝ Literally "animal" in the sense of a non-rational being.
25. Gaki (餓鬼) — a derogatory term for "brat" or "punk kid."
➝ Literally means "hungry spirit" in Buddhism, but became an insult for children in colloquial usage.
26. Baka (馬鹿) — a common insult meaning "idiot, stupid."
➝ Depending on the tone, it can be offensive or even affectionate.
27. Usotsuki (嘘つき) — "liar."
➝ From uso (嘘, lie) + tsuki (つき, "one who says/does").
28. Kuso (くそ / 糞) — a swear word equivalent to "shit."
➝ Used as an interjection expressing frustration or anger.
29. Sensei (先生) — literally "one who was born before."
➝ Used for teachers, masters, doctors, artists, or anyone regarded as a guide.
30. Kohai (後輩) — "junior," someone younger or lower-ranking in relation to a senpai.
➝ In this context, Inoue had never imagined having someone who would treat him as a master (sensei).
31. Hika-baka — a blend of nickname and insult, something like "Hikaru-the-idiot."
➝ Expresses affectionate harshness, a mask Inoue uses to conceal the bond beginning to form.
TEMPTATION
32. Kurokawa (黒川) — "Black River."
Kuro (黒): black, dark.
Kawa (川): river.
➝ A fictional neighborhood with a name typical of Japanese localities, evoking dark waters.
33. Gokudō (極道) — literally "extreme path."
➝ A term used as a synonym for Ninkyō dantai, emphasizing the criminal path as a way of life.
34. Osuinu (雄犬) — literally "male dog."
Osu (雄): male.
Inu (犬): dog.
➝ Used here to degrade Hikaru in animalistic terms. In an erotic-violent context, it echoes "filthy little male dog," carrying insult, possession, and perverse affection at once.
35. Ninkyō dantai tattoos (irezumi, 入れ墨) — traditional body tattoos, generally depicting dragons, flowers, waves, and mythical animals, used as marks of identity and power within the clans.
36. Kore nan da kuso?! (これ何だクソ?!) — "What the fuck is this?!"
Kore (これ): this, that.
Nan da (何だ): "what is this?"
Kuso (クソ): "shit, fuck."
37. Da kore kuso?! (だこれクソ?!) — an even more colloquial and aggressive way of repeating the same exclamation.
38. Erosen (エロセン) — a fictional drug.
The name combines ero (エロ, "erotic") + sen (線, line / thread).
➝ Induces prolonged states of arousal, mingling pleasure and torment; used here as a weapon of degradation.
ALIGNING FREQUENCIES
39. Hika-chan (ヒカちゃん) — an affectionate/diminutive form of Hikaru.
-chan (ちゃん): an affectionate suffix used for children, close friends, pets, or to convey tenderness.
➝ Here, it resonates as distorted intimacy, a mixture of affection and dominance.
CYCLES
40. Tanjōbi omedetō (誕生日おめでとう) — "Happy birthday." A common expression of birthday congratulations.