[Decomposition]
Tatsuya deftly evaded Alpha's punch, smoothly sidestepping, chopping her arm with a precise 'magic slash'. The severed arm, however, morphed into a shadow, and within seconds, Alpha's arm regenerated back to its original state.
Bam!
With a forceful twisting sidekick, Alpha propelled Tatsuya crashing into a robust tree. 'She's relentless,' Tatsuya mused, his gaze briefly shifting to Fumiya, who lay unconscious nearby. Escaping the game had become the paramount objective now.
'No other option.'
Tatsuya couldn't afford to withhold his abilities any longer; he needed to swiftly conclude this confrontation and return home.
"Hmm?"
Alpha's focus shifted, her attention captured by the distant sound of approaching vehicles. Though she allowed them to draw nearer, her gaze turned to an unexpected sight – a man dressed like a butler sprinting toward them. He offered a respectful bow to Alpha.
"Who?" Alpha inquired, eyeing the white-haired man as he extended his hand.
"Please forgive my informality, sir. I am Hayama Tadanori, a butler in the service of Yotsuba Maya."
"What do you want?" She glanced back at Tatsuya, who appeared far from exhausted or injured despite their intense clash. Hayama then presented a letter, holding it out with both hands.
"Yotsuba Maya-sama sends her apologies through this letter to the company's owner. She also assures compensation for this incident," Hayama explained, his voice tinged with nervousness.
"Apologies? It seems like the Yotsuba really think my liege is a joke. Do you believe you can just walk away without facing the consequences of your actions?" Alpha's voice dripped with threatening intensity. A wave of killing intent swept over Hayama, Tatsuya, and the accompanying bodyguards.
'My liege?' Tatsuya and Hayama thought that title.
"Yotsuba Maya-sama pledges compensation for this incident as the Yotsuba wish to establish a tie with Yuki Enterprise," Hayama responded, wiping the cold sweat from his brow.
"Well, considering my liege has good character, I've decided to allow all of you to depart for now," Alpha proclaimed, her action prompted by a message from Jarvis.
"Thank you, sir." Hayama bowed once more, his eyes lowering. He refrained from asking about Ayako's location, considering Maya's assurance that the Yuki Enterprise wouldn't readily meddle with the Yotsuba blood.
As her weapons and attire dissolved into shadows, Alpha vanished from sight.
---
"Great job, Alpha," Haku praised before returning his attention to penning his café plans.
Alpha's satisfaction mingled with a sense of duty accomplished. The clash with Tatsuya had provided invaluable insight into his magic. She longed to share her findings immediately, but her joy was tempered by concern for her liege. She observed Haku, who remained absorbed in his work despite the late hour, fully aware of the looming weight of responsibilities like Ragnarok and his strength called [Unknown] that had been bugging his eyes since he began seeing things.
Meanwhile, Haku's own rest was compromised. Placing an unconscious Kuroba Ayako into the Life Cradle was his plan. He meticulously fortified the cradle with a magic barrier, preparing to shrink it using [Sukunahikona] and then store her within the timeless dimension of [Daikokuten]. While a barrier alone would usually suffice, the extra efforts underscored Ayako's importance and assured his peace of mind.
(Note: Sukunahikona can shrink living beings, but survival in the quantum realm is reserved for Haku and his shadow due to its extreme conditions in the quantum realm.)
This safeguard was necessary, especially as Haku intended to involve Ayako in his forthcoming meeting with the Yotsuba. Kidnapping attempts by the Yotsuba were a concern he couldn't afford in his absence, so didn't want to underestimate Yotsuba's cunning move.
Haku's eyes shifted to Alpha, who was now wearing a revealing nightgown. 'She's trying to sleep?' Being a gentleman, Haku felt inclined to give her a rest.
"You may go and rest..."
At Alpha's nod and compliance, Haku's thoughts turned inward. As he continued his focused work in the dim room, he remained oblivious to Alpha's nearly soundless retreat to Haku's bed, where she settled in for some well-deserved rest.
---
I had barely caught a few winks of sleep last night, as I had only managed to hit the sack around one in the morning. It's become somewhat of a ritual for me to rise before the sun, kick-starting my day with a gym session. But damn, imagine my surprise when I woke up and found Alpha snuggled up to me as her bosom pressed against my chest, her head nestled in my heart.
"Is this what success feels like? Not too shabby," I mused, still sprawled on my back, gazing up at the ceiling. I absentmindedly stroked my chin, caught in a whirl of thoughts – what is this feeling, anyway?
Today held significant weight. A promise loomed on my schedule with Mari-senpai, and later tonight, I had a plan with the demon king from the east (Maya) who had attempted to filch something from me.
It struck me, the little girl I'd rescued in Dahan turned out to be that infamous tyrant. Call it luck or misfortune, right? I mean, it's my time-travel magic stash.
Tatsuya and Miyuki also crossed my mind. For the longest time, I'd regarded them as a pair of peculiar siblings with mundane bullshit crap backgrounds.
But hey, back to the matter at hand–today is leg day. Off to the gym, it is.
Surprisingly, after an entire fuckin month of pumping iron, my physique hadn't bulked up as expected. Goddammit! Sure, I'd shoot up 0.89 cm taller after a growth spurt, but seriously? I wheezed, "Pant... pant... that makes 200 reps." I reckon it had been a good two hours, grappling with the heavy barbell. I heaved the weight onto the rack and plopped onto a nearby bench.
Meanwhile, Alpha was deep into her own set of squats, wielding a substantial load that had a hint of magic boosting its heft. See, her muscle tissue was crafted from Vibranium, which compelled her to enhance the barbell with magic as she increased the weight. Watching her work her magic. She had evolved into an incredibly unique being through these times. I never thought I would have an elf all to myself.
But hold on, there was no denying the primal stirrings in me as I caught sight of her performing those squats in those tight leggings and a sports bra that clung hugged her curves. As a red-blooded male, let's just say things got really exciting. A niggling thought – was she doing it on purpose? I sure hoped she wasn't parading around like this in public.
"Huhh... huh..." Even her breaths were having an effect on me. Nevertheless, my day was filled to the brim, so to clear my mind, I took a cold shower.
Juggling a few tasks at the office and squeezing in a morning jog, I left Alpha at home overseeing the pair of Parasites whose corporeal forms were taking shape. The next errand brought me to the café kitchen.
---
Today, I'll be training Mari-senpai and giving the menu a go.
The cafe's back doorbell jingled, and there stood Mari-senpai.
"Did you have a hard time finding my address, senpai?" I teased.
"Huh? Don't underestimate me. I've got Tokyo's nooks and crannies down."
Nonchalant, I wasn't too fazed by the whole ordeal. Upon seeing the lunch she'd brought along, I had a hunch Mari-senpai knew her way around the kitchen. We got the particulars sorted, the salary, and all the other nitty-gritty.
"Alright, senpai, uniforms are a work in progress, but here's an apron for now." I passed her the apron, a grin accompanying it.
"Sounds good. So... what's cooking?" she inquired, her eyes flitting to the dough on the countertop.
"Croissants, plain and simple for now. First, though, you'll want to peruse the recipe and watch me whip it up. Then, I'll give you the grand tour of the kitchen." My hands were busy creating those iconic layers of croissant dough.
A nod from Mari-senpai and time ticked on.
"What's this?" I feigned innocence, a mischievous glint in my eye. Her attempt at crafting a latte bore an uncanny resemblance to abstract art.
"I-I..." She stammered, her cheeks releasing a cloud of embarrassment. "Am I on the right track?"
Taking a sip, I struggled to suppress a chuckle. Sweetness had overrun her latte, and the milk's froth wasn't quite there.
"Kekeke..." A sly grin spread across my face. As I doled out lessons, I couldn't resist a little teasing – my way of exacting revenge for all those discipline committee assignments she'd dumped on me. Turns out, she wasn't exactly cut out for the bureaucratic grind; her true talents lay in delivering swift kicks to students' asses.
Now, it was break time.
Mari-senpai comically leaned against the table, exclaiming, "Who knew cooking in the kitchen could be this tough? Thank goodness I was born in this era." Her words were met with a chuckle from me as I snapped a quick selfie, knowing that Mayumi-senpai would get a kick out of Mari-senpai's kitchen struggles. I could already envision the reaction she'd have if she weren't invited.
"Heh... giving up already?"
"Of course not! This is all part of my plan to refine my ladylike image," Mari-senpai responded with a mischievous grin.
I raised an eyebrow, amused. "Ladylike, you say? Well, I'll give you some credit for that."
"Oh, so you do think I have a shot at being a proper lady?" Mari-senpai retorted playfully.
I smirked, playing along. "Nah, I think everyone's got their own unique traits. It's actually refreshing to witness a DC chairwoman like you struggle to whip up a latte."
Mari-senpai's lips formed a pout at my comment.
As I stood there, sharing this lighthearted moment with a high school girl who exuded both an energetic and a strong spirit, I couldn't help but relish the break from my own crap reality. Tonight, I was slated to meet with the head of the Yotsuba clan, which had me grappling with a pounding headache. Yet, for now, in the company of Mari-senpai, I felt a fleeting respite from the turmoil.
Just as my thoughts started to calm, a torrent of messages from Mayumi-senpai flooded my terminal screen. A barrage of "How mean!" and a mix of angry and crying emojis inundated my notifications. I had playfully teased her earlier, and this was her spirited comeback. She inquired about our current location, and without delay, I promptly shared my home address.
"Senpai, why are you working here instead of studying for university entrance exams?" I quizzed, genuinely curious about Mari-senpai's priorities.
She flashed a confident grin in my direction before taking a sip of her coffee. "I'll be enrolling in the National Defense Academy after I graduate. Once that happens, my days of mundane activities will be numbered."
The notion of Mari-senpai, with her tomboyish charm and a streak of slyness, dedicating herself to the military maybe suits her the most. "So, you're opting for the military path? But what about university?"
A wistful chuckle escaped her lips. "Magic University isn't my cup of tea. It's not that I'm averse to learning, but that sort of structured education just isn't my forte, hehe."
Her nonchalant attitude masked the underlying complexity of her decision. As I listened, I couldn't help but recall the grim portents of the worlds – the Ragnarok, the catastrophe Alpha had warned me about during my time at the hospital. The thought gnawed at me: If Mari-senpai embraced the military and Ragnarok were to strike, what fate would befall her?
"Senpai," I began, my voice tinged with a hint of gravity, "can I ask you something? It might seem like a dumb question, but it's been on my mind. Are you prepared to put your life for the country?"
Her expression shifted, caught between contemplation and uncertainty. It was as if she were grappling with the weight of my question, the implications of her choices. "I won't pretend to be some grand patriot," she said, her tone thoughtful. "But there's something about the idea of betrayal that doesn't sit right with me. And if there's a reason worth risking everything, it's for the people I hold dear and the chance for a peaceful life."
Are you sure, though? We're teetering on the edge of a catastrophe, and would you honestly step onto the front lines, risking everything? I wished I could voice that concern, but it felt like the question was meant for my internal dialogue alone. I refrained from saying about Ragnarok, as I didn't want to come across as delusional.
My current plan is to create a large number of Parasite soldiers, after the completion of the [Beta] and [Delta] Parasite projects. While Beta and Delta are replicas of the Alpha parasite, they aren't as formidable as Alpha, but both of them possess their own advantages.
I still possess two Parasites that possess the same strength as Alpha. Consequently, I intend to initiate the collection of monsters by venturing into another world known as [Dicathen] by passing the [Wardrobe to Another World]. It's quite amusing, even though I harbored disdain for that bitch system, I must acknowledge that it astutely comprehends my needs.
I possess soldiers with the ability to conceal themselves within a shadow or shrink to the size of an ant or smaller while remaining unnoticed.
I could put 'em to work guarding Hana and even folks like Jack, who's got some real history with the old Haku. Yeah, the damn System might say my backstory's made up, trying to make me think it's all just some NPC nonsense!
But screw that, I'm not gonna let this connection slide. Hana's well-being means a helluva lot, and my current situation is as real as it gets. I'm sticking with this family bond, no doubt about it.
[You know, all that monologue won't earn you any points, right?]
The shitty system chimed in after eavesdropping on my thoughts.
[Alright, alright. But what about trying cross-dressing again? Your karma points have been stuck since the Blanche invasion. Just throwing it out there~]
Fuck bitch! This system had a bitch personality, and it was right about my karma points taking a hit after splurging on that [Holy Water of Life], for Hana's cure. Well, it drained a whopping 250 million karma points from me.
"Hey, Kohai-kun, got something on your mind?" Mari-senpai raised an eyebrow, observing my expression.
"Ah, it's nothing. You were talking about protecting loved ones—does that include the boyfriend you mentioned?"
For now, I attempted to divert the conversation from my internal musings.
"Absolutely, Shu-kun is at the National Defense Academy, fighting for the same cause as me!" Mari-senpai's pride shone as she showcased her boyfriend.
"Trying to give yourself a good reason to chase after him, huh?"
"Come on, it's not like that! My love for this country is genuine."
"Alright, alright, I trust you."
Mari-senpai crossed her arms, inadvertently highlighting her rather ample assets. Our talk provided some clarity, lightening the weight on my mind.
"Kohai-kun, there's something I've been meaning to ask..." I nodded, taking a sip of my latte.
"Ever since the Blanche incident, I've had so many questions. Like, why—"
Before she could finish, the café's doorbell chimed, announcing a new visitor.
"Huh? Mayumi? What brings you here?" Mari-senpai's gaze shifted toward me, as though expecting an answer.
"Hold up, Mari! I could ask the same. Why are you two having fun while I'm stuck in my room, bored out of my mind!?"
Mayumi-senpai stormed over, her footsteps heavy with anger.
After calming her down, I seated her at the round table, presenting her with a freshly baked croissant and an espresso.
"How is it?" I asked, breaking my croissant in half.
"Damn, this is amazing." Mari-senpai's praise warmed my heart.
"Mmm, so delicious!" Mayumi-senpai chimed in, her mouth full. "Haku, swear that you're not secretly working as a chef. Don't lie!"
"Seriously, I've never worked in a restaurant. But you could call it a hobby."
"Who turns half their house into a café? Your kitchen could feed an army. I might believe the hobby excuse, though..."
Mari-senpai offered a knowing nod, while Mayumi-senpai stole glances at us, clearly skeptical.
"Well, then let me join the café crew!" Mayumi-senpai raised hand signaled an odd enthusiasm.
"Mayumi, you can discuss that later. We're in the middle of something important here."
Mari-senpai rapped her fingers impatiently on the table, clearly annoyed.
"What? Is that more important than me? Hold on... hmph~! You two were having a secret chat while I was not around?"
Mayumi-senpai put on a pouty expression, playing the victim card.
Sigh... 2x
In any case, the three of us refocused on the topic at hand, summarizing the various points that had emerged.
"Ugh~ I'm starting to feel the pressure of university life. Ugh! Growing up sucks!" Mayumi-senpai dramatized her distress, though her last sentiment struck a chord.
---
(Third POV)
"Have you thought about your plans after graduation? Maybe it's too soon to ask, but I'm just curious," Mari always wanted to ask her junior about his future plans. Concerned about him, she felt a desire to help after a recent incident.
However, she can't directly inquire from Haku about his motives for resorting to such a cruel approach in the Blanche incident.
Back then, like everyone else, Mari had witnessed Haku amidst the chaos, gripping a man's hair as he dragged him to the center of the school.
She had frozen in fear, sensing the strong pressure behind his actions, which only Katsuto and Tatsuya dared to confront.
As a disciple of the Chiba Dojo, Mari was familiar with their teachings, which starkly contrasted with Haku which caused her to develop a distaste for Haku's methods.
"Honored Swordsmen" serves as the motto of the Chiba dojo.
Chiba's teachings aimed for swift, objective kills in dire situations, minimizing the enemy's pain. Haku, on the other hand, seemed to relish making his enemies suffer before ending them. Mari contemplated the past that could have molded him, abstaining from outright condemning him, even though her disdain was stronger towards the terrorists who had claimed lives.
Mayumi, too, shared Mari's doubts and concerns about Haku.
To her, he seemed like an outsider in the magical society, raising suspicions about his origins, and then the recent Ten Master Clan meeting had plans to bring Haku to them, prompting Mayumi's father to jest, "Don't you have a boyfriend?" Aware of her father's hidden intentions, Mayumi grasped his meaning.
Haku munched on his croissant, responding, "I don't really have a solid plan after graduation; I'm focused on my current goals." Sensing their silence, he continued, "As for my path as a magician, I'm striving to create options beyond just joining the military."
Having pioneered flying magic, Haku's next project was a [Thermonuclear Fusion Reactor]. He had been inspired after reading Howard Stark's diary. Haku believed that by taking on this ambitious endeavor, he could maintain his identity as Yuki Haku on the sidelines while using another persona to prevent the Ragnarok, safeguarding his new friends and family from the impending war's frontlines.
This plan aimed to ensure they could contribute to the world's welfare by utilizing their magic for clean energy.
'This might sound strange, but since I'm part of this world, I'll make sure they're not left vulnerable. My Parasite soldiers can take their place if a war erupts, especially one involving monsters from other realms,' he thought, inwardly sighing at the complexity.
Mari and Mayumi listened, their skin tingling with goosebumps as Haku spoke with unwavering seriousness. They believed in him.
---
The afternoon sun cast its warm glow as I strolled alongside Mayumi-senpai. She mentioned her driver waiting near [Minato Cabinet Station].
Meanwhile, Mari-senpai had been picked up by her boyfriend, and I pieced together why Erika had been hostile towards her—apparently, Mari-senpai was dating Erika's brother.
"Is sibling obsession a common thing in this world?" I pondered internally, considering Miyuki's extraordinary level of devotion. Speaking of Miyuki, she and Mei might be cousins, sharing a similar vibe. While I had heard rumors about the intimidating nature of Yotsuba clan members, I decided not to be overly concerned about Mei's distant connection.
Thankfully, my background as an orphan turned adoptee spared me from a complicated family.
"Hm... surprised to find such thoughts in your head," Mayumi-senpai initiated a conversation.
"Thoughts about my plans?" I raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
She nodded, sporting a playful smile. "But it's also intriguing how your ideas align with Rin-chan's."
Ah, Rin-chan—probably referring to that senior with the stern demeanor, Ichihara-senpai.
"Well, this concept isn't entirely rare, especially now that [Sustained Gravity Control-Type] magic exists," I replied, prompting a chuckle from Mayumi-senpai.
"It's strange, though. I always thought you were more like Mari," she teased, taking a gentle jab at me after I'd treated her to food.
"Anyway, have you made up your mind, Cafe Owner-kun?" Mayumi-senpai halted, giving me a mock pout.
I glanced at her, bemused. "Are you seriously considering working at my cafe after witnessing the chaos?"
Undeterred, Mayumi-senpai looked up at me, her eyes twinkling with confidence. "Hehe~ Don't worry... this Onee-san knows her way around. I've got this!" Her pride was unwavering, making it clear that her stubbornness wasn't easily swayed.
"Man, time really got away from us. Your driver's waiting over there," I gestured toward where her ride was parked.
Mayumi's smile warmed the air. She had that big sister aura about her. "Thank you for today, Haku."
"No problem. Take care, see you around," I waved before turning to head back home.
There's just something about my place that feels more tranquil than that flashy penthouse. Maybe it's the vibes, you know?
Walking alongside the neighborhood lake, I spotted someone nibbling on grass as if it were a gourmet dish.
How sad, was she that hungry? I pulled out some sandwiches from [Daikokuten] and extended them to her.
"Excuse me, miss, but you can't just..." My words trailed off as I got a good look at her face. Talk about a surprise.
"Mei? What in the hell are you doing here?"
She met my gaze, a flicker of surprise in her eyes, but then her eyes turned lifeless.
"Is that for me?"
I nodded. "Yeah, thought you might need this." I felt a twinge of sympathy, but seeing Yotsuba's young heiress munching on grass was unexpected, to say the least.
Could she really be in such dire straits?
She attacked the sandwich I handed her like she hadn't eaten in days.
-Growwwwl!!!
Then her stomach rumbled again, quite audibly.
"Could I borrow some money?" Mei inquired, her expression as stoic as ever, despite her protesting stomach.
"Come with me," I suggested, tugging at her hand.
I couldn't just leave her like that. So, I led her to my place and rustled up some food.
"Thank you for the food," Mei acknowledged, digging into a bowl of rice and a big pot of curry.
Yeah, I knew she could eat that much.
That curry was fit for a sumo wrestler, but she tackled it with ease. She reminded me of those mukbang streamers who effortlessly polished off food like it was a contest.
"That's not enough? there's more rice," I offered.
She nodded, proceeding to consume the entire bowl I'd set out. Her stoic expression held firm, even in the face of a meal suitable for a construction worker.
"Let me ask, what's been going on with you? Did something happen with your family?" I couldn't help but inquire.
She shook her head. "No, I'm the one who decided to leave my apartment," she replied, her calm demeanor unwavering.
I let out a sigh.
"Listen, Mei... I'm not trying to pry, but you should be cautious out there, especially as a girl. I mean, sure, you're tough one, but still... Anyway, how long have you been missing to resort to grass for sustenance?"
What I'm trying to say, you're well-off, so what the fuck is going on?
She gave another nod. "Around a day."
"What?! Where have you been staying? Please don't tell me you were homeless now."
Mei shook her head. "No, I spent all my money on a hotel for the first three days, and then it was... well, grass."
So, she indulged herself for a while and then hit rock bottom. Okay, I didn't want to delve deeper into her family issues, but now I was pondering what to do next.
Here I was, playing host to the sole daughter of the Yotsuba clan. It's a bit amusing how I should be jittery, but here I am, composed as can be, leading her to my modest abode.
Just to clear things up, I'm no creep or anything. I'm a 14-year-old guy, mentally adult at least. So, having a runaway teenage girl in tow, I figured I wasn't breaking any laws or anything.
My plan? Lend her some money so she can rent a motel room or something.
"Hey... would it be okay if I stayed here for the night?" Mei asked once her curry feast had disappeared.
"Wait, what?". Though, there's that vacant room. Should I call her mother and voice my concerns? "Hold on... Are you serious about this?"
She nodded.
"No need for that. I can lend you the money."
She hesitated. Even though her poker face remained intact, I sensed a hint of disappointment. But I was curious. Didn't she have any other friends, especially female ones?
"Listen, I'm not trying to be difficult, but I'm a guy. What if someone we know spots us and starts spreading rumors?"
"I'm not bothered..." Her crimson eyes didn't even twitch. For Odin's sake, it's like I'm behaving like some inexperienced guy.
Fuck, I couldn't just leave her in the lurch. And who knows, she might end up munching on grass again or, worse, getting into some risky situation like... you know what I mean. So, I agreed to let her stay at my place. It's freaking weird, man. What the hell is up with my destiny-kun? There's a whole bunch of Yotsuba peeps around me, and now this? Later tonight, I gotta deal with her mom, hoping she ain't the crazy type.
She's the best crazy type ... A hot one
If she's not hot, I don't think we'll enjoy it...
Hmmmm.....if you make it interesting then sure go ahead.
Ugh, can't wait till next chapter to see Maya's reaction ...
Thanks for the chapter!
Sorry Haku, but I wrote about Maya before, she's a total yandere type even if you save her from the rapes and experiment xD she latch on her savior so easily.
crazy mommy