it was indeed the status menu and doesn't require Y+B but instead in my game is requiring the D-pad+B, again not a super terrible thing BUT i'm just hoping it doesn't break later game stuff. nothing else seems effected so far but i'm only just now at the 1st boss.
just in case it matters i have installed the translation patch, sins of mana base, normal mode, the extra late game fight, and skip spell animations.