Oh! Mega Scoop; I can eat!

Oh God, I can eat.

"Nom! Nom! Nom!"

"Wow... is the ice cream that good?" Tanaka-nii-san asked me.

No, buddy. It’s not about the ice cream.

It’s the joy of someone who hasn’t been able to eat properly finally regaining their ability.

The kind of joy the less privileged feel when life decides to cut them some slacks.

Later I sent Shizuka a text anyway:

[You guys should come over here, we’ll take a group photo together.]

[Sweet! Can we do a sexy shot? Or group nude snaps…? Ah, wait, you had a phone?] [Shizuka]

[Let’s not talk about it, please.]

***

We stepped into an anime-themed photo booth and took one crazy picture after another.

It felt just like old times; back when we were still in middle school... when life was a bit lighter and we didn’t have as many worries. Being fresh out of hell's training and all.

Except, of course, a few of us were missing now.

Later, we moved our gathering; a scenic stroll through historic streets towards Gion, then just a short walk more to reach the riverside.

The path was beautifully preserved and rich with Kyoto’s traditional charm.

And beside the riverbank, we sat on the grass, letting the soft blades tickle our hands, appreciating the landscape stretched out before us.

The warm orange hues of the sunset spilled across the glistening water, washing everything in a glow that made the world seem a little gentler than it actually was.

I was grateful that no civilian brought up my body which looked a bit… well, non-human.

A curious little kid did walk up to me though and asked, “Onee-san, what type of suit are you wearing?”

That was the moment his mother finally realized something about me was different.

“And get this—she actually still tried to kiss me after the sex,” Shizuka started up her gossip, waving her hands dramatically. “I had to be straightforward and tell her I don’t do love. I mean, I know I’m hot and all, but love is just… problematic. Right, Kiyoshi-chan?!”

“Wh-why are you asking me?!” I stammered.

Shizuka looked over at me with a sly grin and sneered, “Nothing much, hehehe.”

Creepy bitch. She’s definitely hiding something.

“What nonsense are you vomiting now?” Rei shot back, narrowing her eyes. “You refuse to do love because it would interfere with your precious freedom to sleep with every person you come across.”

“Ack!” Shizuka flinched, clutching her chest like she’d been stabbed. “I’m j-just sharing my love with everyone!”

Rei let her head drop onto Benimaru’s shoulder like a clingy cat that refused to let go of its favorite spot.

“You hedonist... you fail to understand,” she said with a soft, amused smile. “Love is a hinge. It comes by accident, but it is divine. Just take a look at yourself. That is exactly what people without love look like.”

“Hahhh? You wanna go?!” Shizuka barked, snapping her fist shut like she was ready to throw hands right then and there. “At least I’m not in some twisted relationship with my own brother, or wrapped up in any socially rejected nonsense like that.”

I can't believe Shizuka has the nerve to judge other people this seriously.

Honestly, she’s the one who needs a love partner. Someone who can keep her on a leash before she tears everyone apart.

“Kiyoshi’s probably still a virgin, right?” Shizuka shot out again, smirking.

How did the conversation even turn towards that angle?!

“Would you leave the poor guy alone already!” I snapped, louder than I meant to.

“Ooohhh! Look at you defending him. Tell me why, huh? Tell me.” She crawled over to my side with this mischievous grin, poking me like she’d just found a weakness.

“Be… Because Kiyoshi is mine to mess with! Hands off!” I blurted, dragging the red-faced Kiyoshi to my side, like I was staking a claim before she could get any closer.

“Haha, I knew it,” she giggled, leaning back with that devilish sparkle in her eyes. “I don’t mind though. Honestly, threesomes with FFM are wonderful. While he’s licking one, his balls could be going to town on the other’s pus—”

“Shut up, shut up, shut up!” I yelled, slapping my hands over my ears. “See no evil, hear no evil!”

The argument was getting way too dirty, and by this point, the people around us were turning red in the face just listening.

Shizuka is just terrifying in her ability to evoke unclean emotions in people.

As she laughed and moved on to torment Tanaka-nii-san, I could only sit there wondering to myself…

Starting tomorrow, I’ll be Onibara’s dog. It’s depressing, really.

By the time night fell, around seven or so, the riverside became particularly atmospheric; lit by lanterns and bustling, but still calm. We all finally decided to go our separate ways.

Rei and Benimaru hopped on the train to Nagano, Tanaka-nii-san headed back toward the Great Arakawa Bridge, and Kiyoshi and I trudged back to the Lab together… disheartened, because the looming shadow of Shizuka still hung over us.

Torment, here we go.