Keisara

Keisara is the het ship between Keiji Shinogi and Sara Chidouin from the Your Turn To Die fandom.

Chapter 1, Part 1
After the Death Game starts, Keiji wakes Sara up, making him the first character that Sara meets when the full cast is introduced.

In the JPN text, Keiji calls Sara "Sara-chan" right from the get-go, using both her given name and a diminutive suffix, which is very casually intimate and strange given Japan's cultural practices.

Sara can choose to go along with his suggestion for everyone to introduce themselves, or call him out on him being over-familiar. If she agrees on introductions, Keiji compliments her, saying the calm ones know what to say. If Sara calls him out for being too friendly, Keiji refutes her statement by claiming that he doesn't have any other way to refer to her, which is why the introductions are necessary. Even after introductions, however, he does not change how his manner of referring to Sara, no matter the player's previous decision.

In the Blue Room, after Sara has obtained the Dummy Bullets, Real Bullets, and Revolver, she can initiate a conversation with Keiji about the meaning of why the kidnappers gave the participants a weapon. Keiji supposes that perhaps they wanted to create discord among the group, but then mentions that with Sara here, the participants won't fall into that trap.

Due to all his previous support of her despite their status as strangers, Sara is suspicious of his reasoning and asks why he trusts her so much. Without any pause, Keiji tells her that it's because she's cute. Unaffected by the flirtatious remark, Sara wonders to herself about why Keiji has been guiding everyone to trust her, understanding that his response was intended as a deflection of her question. Keiji is briefly disappointed in her lack of reaction to a compliment, and Sara then brings up the Dummy Bullets she found in the Pink Room.

After Russian Roulette is over, because Sou has disappeared, Joe offers to search together with her. Sara has the option to refuse and say that she prefers any of the other men in the room: Keiji, Kai, and Q-taro. If she says that she prefers Keiji, Joe jokingly complains about his kindness being rejected, and Keiji tells her that she's too good to settle for him, and that he'll just keep shabbily tagging along with Q-taro and Kai.

Chapter 1, Part 2
In Chapter 1, Part 2, the group deals with the aftereffects of Mishima's death.

After a voice over the intercom informs the participants that they need to leave the Pink Room in order to allow for collection of the body, Nao panics and runs away with Mishima's head shoved into the box Qtaro brought, prompting Gin to immediately take off after her. Joe, Keiji, and Sara follow behind in the confusion.

Initially the group includes Joe, but upon reaching the Central Hall with no sign of Nao, Sara can decide to either split up and search, or search the Second Floor together. If Sara chooses to search the Second Floor together as a group, Joe immediately denies the suggestion, worried that Nao could be on the First Floor still. He volunteers to search the First Floor, and asks Keiji to search upstairs with Sara. If Sara chooses to split up, Keiji takes the initiative to ask Joe to search the First Floor. Immediately, Joe asks if it wouldn't be dangerous with just the two of them searching the new floor. Lackadaisically, Keiji mentions that it could be a dangerous date. Joe seemingly accepts this dubious answer, and tells them that if they're late getting back, he'll call for the others. In the end, the final result is the same, as Joe splits off from the group and leaves Keiji and Sara to search the second floor.

Thus starts Keiji and Sara's unofficial partnership.

As the two explore the Second Floor together, they come across the Mirror Room which has a puzzle that requires both sides of the room to be symmetrical. There is a light-bulb on the ceiling that needs to be moved to another spot, but it is too high for Sara to reach on her own. Keiji half-jokingly offers to give Sara a ride on his shoulders in order to get the light-bulb, but is surprised when Sara quickly agrees. After they get the lightbulb and move it to it's proper location, Sara thanks Keiji and jokingly praises him like he's a dog (much to his chagrin).

Chapter 2, Part 1
In Chapter 2, Part 1, Sara is tormented by her self-imposed hallucinations of Joe and the other dead victims of the Death Game.

When Keiji tells her that she should get some rest, Sara tells him that she doesn't want to sleep. The player has the option to ask Keiji to stay with her or tell him that she wants to move around. Regardless of the player's choice the end result is the same, in which Keiji offers his shoulder to Sara.

While Sara sleeps, Keiji quietly comments about how now even Sara's affected by hallucinations, and as his own hallucinations show up, he tells Sara to not end up like Mr. Policeman.

After Q-taro's confrontation with Rio Ranger ends, Keiji and Sara stay behind and begin their own discussion, theorizing about the Death Game and Kai's motivations. Keiji brings up an old incident called the Hades Incident.

Afterwards, Keiji informs Sara that if she ever needs help with something, he'll be her partner.

During the Final Attraction, the two of them are separated, as Keiji is in the cage with the rest of the high-placers, and Sara is with the other low-placers in the Impression Room.

As Sara comes to the conclusion that the Reko with them is an imposter doll, Keiji is the first to believe in her. Telling her that it's the kind of bold idea that only she would come to, Keiji says that he'll take her word for it and that he's on board.

Chapter 2, Part 2
In Chapter 2, Part 2, the Second Main Game begins, and the surviving cast must deal with the new forcible trading phase.

While searching for Gin on the First Floor, Keiji and Sara discover a hidden vent passageway into a secret room that wasn't explored before. As they explore Miley's Room, they witness yet another Victim Video, depicting Shunsuke Hayasaka's execution, where he states that the Death Game must revolve around Sara herself, and that everyone must be gathered here for her sake. As Shunsuke dies, he threatens the Death Game Masterminds and Sara, telling them that he'll kill them all and that he'll curse them from hell.

Sara is shocked by the video and tries to proclaim her innocence, in order to save her reputation with Keiji, knowing that the video just now made her very suspicious. Keiji thoughtfully tells her that she may just have an intimate connection with the Death Game. Trying to deny it, Sara ends up begging for Keiji to believe in her. Surprisingly, Keiji seems to be amused by the sudden turn of events, wondering out loud if Sara will be their goddess of victory, or their angel of death. Smiling, he comments that it doesn't sound bad to bet his life on that.

Taken aback by his response, Sara asks what he means by that, and Keiji informs her that it's been his plan for a while now, and asks if he can trust his life to her. Sara has the option to accept or reject this proposal. If Sara accepts, she tells him that she understands, and that she'll take his life in her hands, to which Keiji confidently replies that that's the partner he knows. If Sara rejects, she tells him that it's a heavy burden for her, to which Keiji coolly pauses and replies that it's too bad then.

Still worrying about Shunsuke's final message, Sara hesitantly asks Keiji about what if she was actually an angel of death. Keiji thinks about it for a moment and then asks if she's willing to die along with him. Sara can also accept or reject this proposal. If Sara accepts, she tells Keiji that that's fine with her, and that she'll die with him. Keiji then laughs and comments about how now he won't be lonely. If Sara rejects, she tells Keiji that she doesn't intend to die, and Keiji nonchalantly comments that that's a good answer.

After this, they return to searching Miley's Room, but Sara's mind continues to ponder their conversation. She thinks to herself about trust, and admits that she's always been a bit suspicious of Keiji. His unwillingness to talk about himself and the lack of forthcoming details about his past as an "ex-detective" as revealed by the Four Papers, only adds to her present suspicion. However, Keiji's willingness to bet on her, shakes her resolve, and she asks herself if she's willing to bet on him in return.

When the group is escaping up the Long Stairs, the topic of what everyone wants to do when they escape comes up. Keiji wonders out loud what he wants to do after getting his freedom back and the player has multiple options to respond with. One option involves Sara telling Keiji that he should find something worth doing. This leads Keiji to thoughtfully respond that maybe he should find a reason for living, to which Sara immediately replies that she'd be glad to assist. Keiji is noticeably taken aback until he realizes Sara is unaware of the secondary meaning behind her literal statement, and thanks her, much to her confusion.

Chapter 3, Part 1-A
Prompted by the familiar surroundings, Keiji talks to Sara about his childhood hero.

In the final confrontation with Midori, only the humans are taking actions against him, as the dolls are torn in relation to their own self-interest.

When Keiji is downed and having trouble moving, Sara notices that he's not in a good condition and is the only one who can choose to calm him down. Breathing heavily, Keiji thanks her and tells her that he can still do this.

In the case that you do not succeed in the final confrontation with Midori, the story briefly branches. Upset, Sara refutes the situation, shouting Keiji's name in worry.

Keiji almost says something to her, however, with his face pale, he loses balance and backs away, overcome with the fear of looming death. Sara desperately denies the situation as something she doesn't want, and forcibly wonders if she can do anything. Here, Sara has the ability to either give up, thinking that she can't do anything, or choose to tag Keiji, and sacrifice herself for him.

If she chooses to tag Keiji, Sara makes a last-ditch offer to take Keiji's tag from him by begging him to give her his hand. Keiji, who had previously been overcome with the fear of death, slowly calms, and then refuses. Contrasting his previous countenance, Keiji tells Sara in his usual cool tone that he's sorry, but that's the one thing he doesn't want to do. Sara screams Keiji's name as Midori throws him into his open coffin and locks the door.

General
Keiji occasionally calls Sara "cute", usually to deflect from answering her questions properly. However, he also often flirts with Sara without prompting, and other characters have commented on his flirtatious remarks toward Sara.

There's a few re-occuring jokes and themes in their relationship, such as Sara teasing Keiji by comparing him with a dog, and the two of them as "partners".

Your Time to Shine
In Mishima's Route, in Keiji's First Fondness Event, Keiji asks to drink with Mishima, and when Mishima hesitates and plans to refuse, he offers to drink with Sara instead, despite her status as a minor who is not legally allowed to drink alcohol (as she is under 20 years old). Mishima points this fact out and Keiji lazily asks if the laws apply on the island, which is enough to make Mishima hurriedly take his offer.

In the case that Sara has died before the event, rather than choosing a different under-aged character to threaten Mishima with, Keiji insteads holds himself hostage in order to persuade Mishima.

In one of Sara's death scenes, Keiji is there to mourn her, and vice versa.

Nankidai Tweets
As the creator of YTTD, Nankidai often draws the cast of YTTD in a series of situations ranging from the ridiculous to the serious and back to ridiculous again.

February 14, 2018: In the first image, Keiji tells Sara that as expected of her, she's rational, while he sits on Sara's shoulders (in a reverse shoulder car from the piggyback ride he gave her in canon), dealing with the lightbulb puzzle in the Mirror room. Sara holds in her fury as she struggles to hold Keiji up.

February 20, 2018: In the first image, Kanna threateningly lifts up Q-taro with a single hand, derisively commenting that if that’s the best they can do, nobody can defeat her older sister. In the second image, Keiji chows down on food and tells Sara that only she can stop Kanna’s one-woman rampage.

March 17, 2018: In the first image, on the first day of her mushroom cultivation journaling, Sara talks about buying a mushroom cultivation kit and being surprised that Keiji grew out of the pot. In the second image, on the sixth day of her mushroom cultivation journaling, Keiji does not appear to be doing well as a giant mushroom is growing out of his back, and Sara panics and says she has to do something. In the second image, on the seventh day of her mushroom cultivation journaling, Sara enjoyably chews with her cheeks full, claiming in a mumbled voice that it was delicious. (The implication being that she had eaten Keiji.)

April 10, 2018: In the first image, Sara looks worriedly down at Keiji lying down on a bed, as her hand rests on his forehead, saying that he has a terrible temperature. In the second image, Sara's hand is revealed to have cracked an egg on Keiji's forehead, instead of taking his temperature like the previous image led the viewer to believe, and Sara disbelievingly exclaims that the egg has been half-cooked already. In the third image, Sara reaches out a pair of chopsticks for the fried egg, with an anticipatory look on her face and a plate prepared. Keiji weakly tells her that she can't take the egg yet, as fried eggs should be fully-cooked, and Sara smilingly refuses.

April 21, 2018: In the first image, Keiji gingerly cradles Sara's limp body and apologizes to her, his face hidden in shadow. In the second image, Keiji tells Sara that "At least with my own hands..." while seemingly burying her. In the third image, Keiji continues, saying that he'll "Turn her into tempura...!" as he regretfully dips Sara's tempura-fried body in a shallow dish full of sauce, the previous image of him "burying" her belatedly revealed to have been him covering Sara with tempura panko.

October 4, 2018: In the first image, Sara challenges Keiji to a Ten Times Quiz, asking him to say "One" ten times, and Keiji obliges. In the second image, Sara gleefully interrupts in an extremely pleased manner, since she successfully tricked him, and teasingly tells him that he sounds like a dog. ('Wan' is the Japanese onomotapia for 'bark.') In the third image, some amount of time has passed and Keiji ominously smiles and asks if Sara is afraid to answer when its her turn to take the challenge, and Sara, anxiously faking confidence, asks if he thinks she'll run away from the Ten Times Quiz.

January 7, 2020: Keiji deeply compresses a Ring Fit Adventure Wheel within his arms, and comments that he's beaten Sara-chan.

September 27, 2020: Holding an egg with a straw pierced into the shell, Keiji chuckles and asks if Sara drinks eggs. Nankidai then held a poll to choose what Sara should do out of four options. "Drink eggs", "Warm eggs", "Throw away eggs", and "Lay eggs". Due to popular response, the next day, a cheerful Sara "lays" small, patterned eggs out of her ear, telling Keiji that if she hits her head, eggs come out.

Official 4-komas
Official 4-komas exist as a series of comedic comic pages about the cast of YTTD.

In 4-koma Season 2: #13, Sara fiercely throws darts at an unspecified target. Keiji compliments her on her aim, telling her that he wouldn't have expected it to be her first time as all three darts were thrown excellently. Sara blushes, commenting that Keiji always jumps to praise her, but that even though it's just flattery, she's still happy to hear it. The punchline of the comic comes when Keiji is revealed to have been Sara's target with all three darts embedded into his forehead, as he casually reminds her to remember the rules, and not aim at people, while bleeding heavily from his head.

In 4-koma Season 2: #23, Sara asks Keiji whether he wants coffee or tea after his meal. After Keiji teasingly jokes about wanting Sara instead, Sara casually follows up and sets a steaming cup down at his table, saying that in that case her sweat should be fine. While Keiji nervously faces down the cup, Kai quietly asks Sara if the cup really had her sweat, and Sara says that it's just lukewarm water. Later, in Nankidai and Higelectrick's screenshot correspondence, Higelectrick asks if Keiji drinks the cup in the end. Nankidai says that Keiji held out til the last moment, (but drank it), and Higelectrick jokingly exclaims about that being an antimony.

Manga Adaption
The YTTD manga only loosely follow game canon, and is therefore not considered canon, despite its status as an official adaptation.

In chapter 11, Sara examines her doll, wondering about how the clothes were the same, including the fabric. She then checks her doll's accuracy by suddenly lifting the doll's skirt. Verifying that her underwear is the same, Sara reports that it was identical. Keiji, who was watching Sara examine the dolls, sees her underwear as well in the process. Shocked by Sara's abrupt action, Keiji comments about how she's very serious.

Fanon
Keisara sailed as a result of Keiji's constant flirtatious behavior as well as the two characters' complex relationship of trust and distrust. It is by far the most popular ship in the Japanese fandom, while it's somewhat controversial in Western fandom spaces due to the age difference between the two characters.

For the Western audience, however, Sara is considered underage, which disturbs many fans, regardless of how small the age difference could be. Certain fans who are bothered with this fact are willing to ship the two as soon as Sara reaches adulthood and the more universal age of consent, but generally, most Western Keisara fans acknowledge the preexisting problematic context and separate fiction and reality.

In most Japanese prefectures, the general age of consent of 13 has been raised to a range of 16-18, unless the party is considered to be in "sincere romantic relationship", which is usually determined by parental consent. The age of marriage is 16 for girls and 18 for boys with parental permission, and 20 without permission. This is because the age of majority is currently 20 in Japan. Following suit, Sara would not be considered an adult in Japan until she turns 20.

Eastern fandoms are very stringent in separating fiction and reality, so such moral considerations in regards to fiction are more or less nonexistent. For many Eastern fans, the most popular age difference headcanon for Keiji and Sara is generally viewed to be a difference of 10 years, with Sara being 17 and Keiji assumed to be in his late 20's. The imbalance of power due to Sara's status as a minor and Keiji's status as an adult is taken into consideration for the ship and the difference in level of life experience is considered one of the many charm points of Keisara.

Fandom
FAN FICTION

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Trivia

 * Keisara has the most fanworks out of any Your Turn to Die pairings on the Japanese site Pixiv, amounting to up to 425 works as of September 20, 2020.
 * At the current time, Keiji has called Sara "cute" 8 times throughout the game.
 * The first instance is when Sara first asks Keiji why he trusts her so much and he tells her it's because she's cute.
 * The second instance is when Sara asks why Keiji wants her to be the Challenger in Russian Roulette and he tells her that it's because she's cute, asking her how many times she's going to make him say it.
 * The third instance is when Sara is hearing his pitch, and asks Keiji why trade with her and he tells her that it's because she's cute, and that he wishes she'd just remember it already.
 * The fourth instance is when Sara asks him why he's choosing to trade with her (if the pitch is already heard) and he claims that he's already answered her, and tells her that even she can't make him say it endlessly.
 * The fifth instance is when Sara asks him why he's choosing to trade with her (if the pitch hasn't been heard) and he tells her that it's because she's cute, and that he wishes she'd just remember it already.
 * The sixth instance is when Keiji asks if she's mad at him (for refusing to give her 50 of his tokens) and tells her not to mess up that cute face.
 * The seventh instance is during the Second Main Game when he says he can confirm people's alibis, and asks Sara if the "cute little detective" has any other questions.
 * The eighth instance is when they confront Midori in the secret room, and Sara asks if the change will come from within their bodies (the incorrect answer). Keiji chuckles and tells Sara that she's cute when she's dimwitted
 * Due to the nature of Japanese honorifics, certain moments of the game involving Keiji and Sara take on additional context with their inclusion.
 * Generally, Keiji attaches "-chan" to Sara's name, but at times, Keiji calls Sara without any honorifics, which changes the tone of the dialogue. While some characters forgo honorifics in general, and therefore have a casually rude tone, it is a different story to change a preexisting honorific, as that signifies a change in relationship.
 * Notable moments where Keiji directly calls Sara by her given name:
 * 1-2
 * Immediately after the First Main Game's preliminary vote, when Sara is panicking due to her being chosen, Keiji shouts at her to get a hold of herself, and then belatedly and noticeably attaches the honorific he didn't use.
 * 2-2
 * In the optional Bad End, when Sara dies via the poisonous doorknob needles on the door to the Pink Room, Keiji calls out her name in shock, telling her to get a hold of herself and that she can't die.
 * When talking to the Keiji AI, Sara notes that Keiji seems different. This tonal difference is more obvious in the Japanese version, as the AI actually calls her "Sara", rather than "Sara-chan", which gives a strange, colder vibe to their dialog.
 * In 3-1-A, due to the way the chapter part was updated in pieces, the original update ended in the elevators. When the game was updated again, players who loaded a save in the elevator received an extra scene involving Keiji and Sara.