Angels × S

Angels × S (エンジェルズーエクスーエス, Enjeruzu ekusu esu) is Raindrop's 1st Story, originally created in Fall-Winter 2020 and revived in September 2022. The story mostly takes place in Wing 1, which centres around Koriko Chounabayashi and her misfortunate life at Shiyabi Girls' Middle School, as well as her desire to remain important to her crush Himeko Hachimitsu and the consequences that come with it.
== Synopsis ==
Angels × S is split into 3 parts, known as Wings, refer to increments of time, roughly 1 Japanese schoolyear apart from eachother. Wing 0 occurs in the 2nd Year of Junior Highschool, and is the prequel to Wing 1, which occurs in the 3rd Year of Junior Highschool, and the final schoolyear, Wing 2 is the sequel set in the 1st Year of Highschool. Each Wing is told through multiple perspectives, but focuses on 1 character the more than others. There is also some exceptions to the rule, which are Wing 0.5 and Wing 1.5, which take place during the summer breaks between the standard Wings. See Terminology for further reading.
=== Wing 0 ===
Wing 0 of Angels × S centers around 5 different perspectives: Fumika, who moved to a new after moving to Japan and minorly Bansoko, who's meek and miserable without friends, and separately, Koriko Chounabayashi when her heart was closed off before meeting Himeko, Himeko Hachimitsu herself and her personality prior to her true popular days, and Yotsuya, a mysterious and eccentric girl with unknown connections. Despite the number of perspectives, Fumika would be considered the protagonist of Wing 0 due to her having the most focus in her perspective. The story is without a duotagonist, and Himeko's and Yotsuya's story is the secondary focus of the series.
As for that perspective and this story, a Middle School student named Fumika transfers to a new school after moving to Japan after the death of her mother, and focuses on her trying to live her life after that. Secondarily, Koriko begins to develop a crush on Himeko without realizing while Himeko herself is being stalked.
=== Wing 1 ===
Wing 1 of Angels × S centers around 4 different perspectives: Koriko Chounabayashi, an apathetic and cold girl, Himeko Hachimitsu, an idolized and confident popular girl, Bansoko, an anxious and unconfident girl, and Fumika, a cheerful and positive girl. Yotsuya is still present, but has less told from her perspective specifically. Despite the number of perspectives, Koriko would be considered the protagonist of Wing 1 due to her having the most focus in her perspective. Himeko is the Duotagonist, and Bansoko and Fumika's story is the second focus of the series.
As for that perspective and this story, a Middle School student named Koriko realizes her crush on a popular girl in her class, Himeko, and does her best to remain well-liked while hiding her problems from those close to her. Despite things seeming to be going relatively well for her, as well as with their other friends Hasumi and Ayacchi, Koriko can’t help but shake the feeling that she disagrees with Himeko’s perspective and way of life, especially the lengths she goes to so she can remain as popular she is. Ontop of that, it also seems that she isn’t the only one who thinks so. Secondarily, After Himeko begins bullying Bansoko, Fumika tries to figure out how to make Bansoko not end herself.
=== Wing 2 ===
 Wing 2 of Angels × S centers around 6 different perspectives: Bansoko, tearful without friends again, Saki from Shinitagari Shoujo, a melancholic girl with identity issues, Koriko Chounabayashi, an apologetic and obsessive girl, Himeko Hachimitsu, a now hated hateful girl, Fumika, navigating life with lost connections. Yotsuya now also has far more time from her perspective. Despite the number of perspectives, Bansoko would be considered the protagonist of Wing 2 due to her having the most focus in her perspective. Saki is the Duotagonist, and Himeko's and Koriko's continuing story is the second focus of the series. Yotsuya and Fumika's views tie into it in their own ways.
As for that perspective and this story, a Highschool student named Bansoko goes through a friendship breakup between her and Fumika, shattering both of their lives. Secondarily, Koriko struggles to continue living when seeing Himeko being bullied by the very people they used to be friends with. 
== Content Warning/Trigger Warning ==
Angels × S contains graphic and violent content all throughout the story/series, with central themes being:
* Self Injury
* Bullying
* Emotional Abuse
* Suicidal Ideation
And other things that would require warnings such as body horror, general violence, trivialization + romanticization of such things, and so much more that would be considered spoilers if everything was listed. In order to prevent giving spoilers to those who don’t want it, a list of trigger warnings for Angels x S can be found in the Trigger Warnings section.
Please keep this in mind when viewing the series in any media, from song to MV to artworks. If something would be too disturbing for you, feel free to look away. And when posting about this series, especially the more graphic parts of it, it is highly encouraged to use the correct warnings. Not using CWs/TWs can be severely damaging to the safety of those who accidentally stumble into it, especially those who might be affected personally. Making mistakes sometimes is human, and if you forget it’s advised to add them when you remember. Not using CWs/TWs intentionally is against Raindrop’s Policy, which is required to follow when engaging with her content.
== Timeline ==
In relation to Raindrop's other Stories, it shares a universe with Shinitagari Shoujo and For The Train Station of Dreams, the timeline overlapping with the former. The Chronology goes as follows:
* Shinitagari Shoujo's Season 1
* Angels × S’ Wing 0
* Angels × S’ Wing 0.5
* Angels × S’ Wing 1
* Angels × S’ Wing 1.5
* Angels × S’ Wing 2
* Shinitagari Shoujo's Season 2
Despite this, they don’t have to be watched that way, and due to crossover appearances outside of Saki being limited if not none, it’s advised not to due to this series being focused on characters and not premise. If you want a full overview of timeline, feel free to do so, but you should keep in mind that content of Shinitagari Shoujo is delayed due to prioritizing Angels x S.
== Story Development Process ==
=== Original Concept (2020 Version) ===
Angels × S was Raindrop’s earliest known story, started all the way back sometime during Late 2020. Due to Raindrop’s bad memory, she doesn’t remember if it was in August or September, so she switches between the two. The story originally only had Saki, Bansoko, and Himeko as characters, with Bansoko being the protagonist. Bansoko and Himeko were designed as opposites with Saki being a neutral between them. While this fact is still somewhat true, Raindrop doesn’t reveal much information about it due to personal embarrassment of her old works. 
Angels × S’ development began sometime in Fall 2020 to Winter 2020. Raindrop has stated her memory wasn’t very good in regards to anything happening around then, so it doesn’t have an official start date. Additionally, Angels x S has been an on-and-off project for her, such as when she quit working on Angels × S from March 2021 to August 2022, a total of 17 months, simply because was bored of it. 
=== Revival Concept (2022 Version) ===
The 2022 version of the story was secondly centered around Saki, Bansoko, and Himeko, with the creation of Koriko happening in early October 2022, Yotsuya in late October 2022, and Fumika's, Mid November 2022. They tend to be listed in that order as it was the order of their creation. Raindrop hasn’t given much information on the original storyline, and seems to refuse to do so, likely due to her same embarrassment of older versions of her work.
=== Ongoing Development ===
==== In 2023 ====
Since she resumed her work on Angels × S in late August of 2022, she decided to have September be the first anniversary month to match the original creation date. But despite the seemingly long time Raindrop has had to work on Angels x S, she only became serious with writing in March 2023, consulting her assistant in late April of 2023 for help with the project and decided to start her social media specifically for it in May-June 2023. 
Throughout 2023, Michitsugu and Saki were introduced. 
==== In 2024 ====
To be Added.
== Storytelling Method ==
As previously stated, Angels x S is a multimedia project. It mostly consists of artwork posted onto Raindrop's Instagram, but for the more storytelling parts, she plans to upload MVs to her YouTube channel and also post trivia on her twitter. Additionally, as stated in the previous section, Angels x S is still ongoing, so the timeline will be told in separate parts through different perspective in numerous ways.
=== Artworks ===
Raindrop creates art of the cast of her OCs relatively often, posting them mainly on Instagram and Twitter. Once character designs have been finalized through Raindrops concept art/refrence sheets, it can be expected to see far more artworks on there, as seen with Paranoia.
=== Reference Sheets ===
No reference sheets are currently available.
=== Comics ===
Raindrop intends to create short comics of her OCs in 4-panel scenarios comparable to 4-komas and slightly longer comics comparable to MINIGRAMs. See Comics.
== Story ==
=== Wing 0 ===
To be Added.
==== The Ribbon Scene ====
Yotsuya gave Himeko her Ribbons at the end of Wing 0. More is to be Added.
=== Wing 0.5 ===
Summer Break? Beach Stuff?
=== Wing 1 ===
==== The BitchBastard's Introduction Scene. ====
Himeko introduces Koriko to Hasumi and Ayaka. More is to be Added.
==== Michitsugu's Suicide ====
Michitsugu commits suicide due to bullying. More is to be Added.
==== Bansoko Boxcutter Scene ====
Bansoko is crying to Fumika about her problems, and feels that Fumika doesn't understand her. Bansoko begins to freak out and starts cutting herself infront of Fumika. Panicked, Fumika tries to knock the boxcutter out of Bansoko's hand, but ends up messing with her balance causing Bansoko to need stitches.
==== Fumika’s Confrontation ====
Fumika confronts Koriko to convince her to convince Himeko to stop bullying Bansoko. More is to be Added.
==== Koriko’s Confrontation ====
Koriko, convinced by Fumika, confronts Himeko to try to convince her bullying Bansoko. It fails miserably. More is to be Added.
==== Himeko Un-Self Harm Scene ====
Himeko is on the floor, considering cutting herself from stress. She sees Yotsuya, who might not be there. She thinks of The Ribbon Scene, gets frustrated and snaps the boxcutter shut. More is to be Added.
==== Strawberry Milk Scene ====
Himeko finds Koriko having a mental breakdown and cutting herself, and takes her feelings out on her. Himeko breaks the keychain she bought Koriko and denounces her from the friendgroup she'd been in, laughing at Koriko while pouring a can of strawberry milk into her wounds before leaving. Koriko put the broken glass of the keychain back into her bag, cutting up her hands in the process. More is to be Added.
==== Broken-Nosed Bansoko Scene ====
Himeko breaks Bansoko's nose. More is to be Added.
==== Koriko Lights Scene ====
Koriko stumbles into the bathroom, wide eyed from crying and freaking out. She turns on the lights and looks in the mirror, hyperventilating and pulls out a boxcutter. She tries to convince herself into dying, but is convinced she has a fear of dying.
==== HimekoCide Scene ====
Himeko finds Koriko in this messed up state. She mocks and berates Koriko for being unable to kill herself, so Koriko freaks out and begs Himeko to kill her instead. Himeko finds Koriko's loss of sanity amusing, and helps her commit suicide. Despite laughing while watching Koriko bleed out and die, she freaks out and gets help so Koriko doesn't die at the last minute. 
=== Wing 1.5 ===
Koriko goes to a hospital/mental hopsital for attempted suicide. She ended up wearing and sleeping in Himeko's Cardigan while in the hospital, showing no resentment to Himeko for her actions.
=== Wing 2 ===
==== Fumika befriends Saki ====
Fumika befriends Saki due to being in the same class. More is to be Added.
==== Saki's Introduction ====
Fumika introduces Saki to Bansoko. More is to be Added.
==== Ayaka and Hasumi's Apology ====
Ayaka and Hasumi approach Koriko, fake apologizing for bullying Koriko and putting the blame on Himeko for it as a part of a plan they made to throw Himeko under the bus as to not be perceived negatively for driving someone well-liked to suicide. (As it wasn't a problem with Michitsugu because she was unpopular but people would give backlash with Koriko as even though she was previously disliked everyone feigned pity for Koriko because she tried to die and lived.) Koriko knows they're lying to her.
==== Fumika/Bansoko Friendship Breakup ====
Fumika is upset by Bansoko's behavior of doing everything she can be pitiful resulting in her hurting Fumika, while Bansoko is upset by Fumika's opinion of not seeing her being pitiful anymore because she hurt her. The two go through a friendship breakup. More is to be Added.
== Known Locations ==
See Locations.
== Trivia ==
* The term “Bitchbastards” (ビッチバースタードズ、Bichibasutadozu) refers to Ayaka and Hasumi due to the creator’s personal dislike of them.
* Shinitagari Shoujo was originally supposed to be an all-girls school and Angels × S a mixed gender school from March 2023-June 2023-ish, but this was swapped because Raindrop wanted to prioritize Angels × S without learning how to draw guys.
** Shinitagari Shoujo and Angels × S were originally supposed to be in different universes until May-June of 2023-ish, but this was changed because Raindrop wanted Saki to have more focus like the rest of the main cast did.
* Bansoko was originally the protagonist of Wing 1 from September 2022-March 2023.
* You are supposed to say the ‘x’ in Angels x S.
* The ‘S’ in Angels x S was originally supposed to stand for ‘Savior’ as of March 2023, but Raindrop felt that title would be too character-specific. However she grew attached to it, and shortened it to ‘S’ anyways. She intends to come up with a new title someday.
== Etymology ==
Angels x S is written in Katakana.
== References ==
Category:In Angels x S
Category:Stories