Chapter 02: The Devil's visit
Previously:
"Master, what happened? Did you…. Have a nightmare?" The Artificial Intelligence asked, two red question marks popped up on the black screen.
"I…I don't know." Konjiki no Yami replied, with voice reflecting nothing but calmness, but a hint of confusion. Though she did not speak her mind.
What… was that? She questioned herself as she got off the bed and headed towards the shower room to the corner of the cabin, leaving Luna more puzzled than ever.
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Chapter 02:
It was your cliché bright and sunny morning. The rays of sunlight penetrated through the clear window in front of the occupied kitchen sink, peppered with ingredients and their holders. The sun rays illuminating the otherwise dark room that was the kitchen. A boy dressed in plain shorts, indoor slippers and a simple shirt stood behind the kitchen area. His hair messy hair has turned neater as well as softer (aka. His hair in to love RU darkness). The pot in front of him made 'pick-pack!' noises as the interior boiled with soup. He stirred the soup for a few moments, before placing the ladle near his nose, and drinking the little bit of soup in the spoon. He smiled in satisfaction and positively shuddered.
With a last look at all the food he had prepared, he walked over to the backyard.
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(Yuuki Backyard…)
Though no sign of rain was present, the backyard vegetation were damp, glistering with dews of fresh water.
There stood a petite middle school girl on the lush green carpet of grass. Adorned her was a yellow top, covered by the short red hoodie, which she zipped half way up, her sleeves just reaching mid forearm. The bottom of her yellow top could be seen resting nicely above her short skirt, which was frilly and blue, with the top hem being an exception, and was white. In addition, she wore white knee socks which stretched up to her mid-thigh, exposing the skin between her skirt and them. She had slippers on. In her hand was a silver watering can, its water flowing free from the sprout and onto the potted plants which were situated right before the small porch….
Well….one less potted than others anyway.
Sitting on the other side of the garden, was a sunflower. But unlike any other, it stretched as high as the roof of the house. It was an extremely huge sunflower with purple petals around the face, which consisted of a mouth and sharp teeth. It had two huge leaves behind its head, and the vines rooting off were spiked and green. The roots were thick and green, stretching down onto the ground in a mess of tentacles. Its vines wriggled around wildly.
"Hai, hai. You too, Celine-chan." The girl said sweetly as she walked over to the humongous plant and tilted the canister, sprinkling water onto the roots of the plant, to which the 'Celine-chan' rested in comfort. Seeing the rapid change in behaviour, she giggled to herself. "Just like a baby…"
"Breakfast is ready!" A sudden male voice called out to the girl. She blinked in slight surprise as she turned and entered the house, placing the watering can beside the porch as she did so.
Entering the house, she took off her slippers and walked towards the kitchen. The salty aroma in the house made the girl's mouth water, and quickly she turned the corner into the corridor. But she blinked in shock at what she saw.
"La-La-Lala-san!" the brown-haired girl stuttered in shock at the person before. Before her stood a girl with long pink hair, dressing in nothing but a blue towel which only wrapped around her head, wiping water away from her bubble gum hair. Lala was looking up the stairs. Her tailed wriggled behind her.
"Peke! Wake up already!" She wined. But hearing the stuttering of the girl behind her, she turned around, overjoyed at the newcomer. Her face lit up into a bright smile "Ah! Mikan-chan, Ohayo!" She greeted. Showing everything to the little Yuuki.
"Yo-you should learn to be a little embarrassed, La-Lala-san!" Mikan scolded urgently as she walked up to the girl, grabbed the towel from her head and wrapped it around her curvaceous body.
"Huh? Why?" The Devilukean asked curiously, looking at Mikan with innocent, emerald green eyes. The little sister comically fell on the ground from the childish question.
"Rito is also here, you know?" Mikan told her, hoping to change her view of things. But seeing those unwavering yet questioning eyes, she could only sigh as she turned and walked into the dining room, where the kitchen resided. Lala followed in suit.
Walking past the miniature archway into the dining room. A wave of nostalgia hit her. It has been almost one two months, and still she couldn't believe how normal, how peaceful her life has reverted. No longer was she submerged in darkness and pain, but instead, she was back home. Home, where there were people she held dear, where people loved her. She stepped in and took a quick glance around.
A lot sure has changed since her return, but at the same time, not much has changed. The house remained exactly the same, with the exception of a few brand new windows and additional potted plants. The plain brown table and chair remained constant at the centre of the room.
"Ah, Rito, Nana, Momo, Ohayo!" A now covered up Devilukean cheered with a raised hand and leg. The pink haired twins by the table looked towards the newcomers.
"Ohayo, Onee-sama." Momo greeted.
"Good morning, Mikan-san." Nana said to the little girl with a faint smile, a small fang visible.
"Ohayo, Lala, Mikan, late start?" The only male in this house, however, still had his back turned from the girls as he stood in front of the two stoves. A frying pan on his left hand and a chan in his other. A soft blue glow and smoke could be seen emanating from before him, hidden from view. The boy had his back turned, but soon turned around with four plates in his hands, two flat on each forearms and the others in his hands.
He had thrown on a pair of brown shorts a simple white shirt on with a sketch of an eagle on it. But the illustration was covered by an obscenely pink apron which hung loosely around his figure. The apron had pockets and love knitted love hearts all over it, somehow contradicting the very nature of the boy. The golden brown-eyed girl couldn't help but stifle a giggle at the appalling yet cute sight.
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(Living room, Shortly after…)
"Breaking news in today's Universal news flash. It only occurred yesterday, but the life of yet another planet within the outer region of the unified galaxy region has mysteriously ended. As you can see, these images display the remains of the hypernova that has outshined its galaxy just last night. Devilukean officials speculate that the sudden end of this uninhabited star was completely natural and citizens have nothing to fear. But despite their claims, there have been at least five recurring events over the past three days, and citizens near central sector are getting restless. This brings us to our conclusion, we'll be sure to update you the moment we have news. Universal News reporter Ayame out." And with that remark, the screen on the television flashed to darkness as the repetitive music of the news report came to an abrupt end.
Five teenagers, each sitting on sofas and carpet, could only stare at the fizzy reflection of the television as their minds remained at the news report.
Finally, after a deafening fifteen second silence, the people gradually spoke up. "This makes the sixth time…" Momo began, looking at the coffee table before her, twiddling a lock of her pink hair with her finger.
"I wonder what's happening?" wondered a flat chested Nana. Even the usually charismatic Lala fell silent.
"Well… there's hasn't been any loss of lives. All the planets hit were uninhabited, according to the news…" Mikan added.
Everyone then looked to the middle of the sofa of a loud grunt was heard. Rito gave a big stretch, closing his eyes and extending every part of his limbs outwards, shuddering for a few seconds. "Well whatever….YAWN….. I have to do some shopping today, so you guys can either do whatever you want or come with me..…." Rito concluded half-heartedly as he flopped up from the sofa and walked out of the room, making the people sitting next to him bounce slightly. Everyone could then hear the muffled steps that emanated from beside and eventually above their heads, signalling that the boy went upstairs.
I need to get some new clothes… Rito thought as he entered his room and begun to change into adequate clothes, that is to say, a pair of black shorts and a new shirt. He walked over to his study desk and grabbed his phone, but accidentally bumping the edge of the desk, causing the drawer to its right to falter and slid open by a thin margin.
Surprised, but yet not surprised at his godly clumsiness, his hand reached for the handle of the drawer. He was about to close it when he halted at the sight of a sparkle emanated from within. Curiously, he pulled on the drawer slightly. His eyes immediately softened at what he saw.
There sat his two best friends in the world, in that little compartment of his desk. His helper and saviour, his hide and seek, his life and death, his past and history. His small wrist blades. The thin metal boxes which held the petite blades within gave an alluring glow as light reflected off it, despite its dusted state. They were magnificent objects to lay his eyes upon. Caught in his own trance of the blades' beauty, his hand slowly reached out for his old friends. But without warning, his winced in pain as he lurched forward and stumbled backwards, both hands grabbing his temple in pain as he fell onto the ground, shutting his eyes in pain. His vision briefly flashed red as a wave of dizziness overcome him, though only by a few moments.
What the heck….was that… His mind thought frantically as he stood up and marched forward, slamming the desk drawer forward and grabbed his phone, shoving it into his front pant pocket. The drawer coughed up dust upon slammed upon.
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(Around ten to fifteen minutes later…)
I don't really mind the four of them tagging along, but… Rito thought with a sweat drop as he looked towards his horizon. Those three….why am I getting tired at the start of the day…. He thought dryly to himself.
Before him, on the pedestrian streets of the shopping district of Sainan City, were three tailed girls with pink hair of different lengths. They had run off from the Yuuki siblings and forward past a non-particular junction. They waved their hands in the air, signally the earthlings to catch up, with happy smiles plastered on their beautiful faces.
"Oy, Rito! Hurry up! We have to get to the shops early!" Nana called out with both hands surrounding her mouth, making her noise reach seemingly further.
"The stores doesn't open 'till nine!" Rito retorted with a smile as he forced himself to move along the empty road.
"Riiiittto!" Lala called out impatiently, her spaded tail behind her wriggled excitedly behind her.
"Hai hai…" the boy waved offhandedly as he gave a shook his head, eyes looking at his shadow before him.
Mikan had watched their simple exchange of dialogues with unwavering fascination, her gleaming golden brown eyes fixed onto her brother, who walked by her side happily. To the eyes of the little sister, Rito has changed, a lot. No longer was he the sweet and carefree little boy that she last remembered him to be, now a stronger, more mature older brother, who has become less erratic and gentler, though his positive aura that shone off him still remained. Mikan remained silent as he peered at him with her hands behind her back.
"Y-you've changed." She nervously started, startling Rito as his head snapped to his right.
"I-is that so?" the orange haired boy stuttered in response whist walking along. "I don't th-"
"You have!" Mikan interrupted with a surprising outburst, causing Rito's eyes to widen. "I…I mean…. You're a bit taller and stronger. You can cook, you can do the laundry, you even cleaned your own room…..I mean…you can even talk to girls now….I…"
Mikan… Rito wondered within his mind as he stayed silent, allowing the girl to continue.
"Th-the point is… I…I…" Her face now down casted onto the concrete ground below her, a slightly guilty look on her face. "I'm sorr-"
"No!" Rito breathed out as he lifted up a hand, gripping her lightly on the shoulder, stopping her in her tracks right before a junction. This not only stopped her feet, but also her heart. Rito took a only a moment to look around them, and seeing as there were no people around, he softly embraced her. Mikan soon found her head resting comfortingly on his chest, hearing his erratic heartbeat.
"Don't ever apologise for that." He hushed, tightening the hug. "That was in the past, let's just look forward and live on, ne?" He then relaxed and ended the hug, though his hands still remained on her shoulders, comforting the teary eyed girl.
"Ha-hai!" She responded with a gradual smile, blinking her tears away.
"That's the spirit!" Rito cheered as he roughly ruffled the brown hair on Mikan's head, then briefly speeded off, briefing leaving his sister biting the dust. "Now, I'll race you down the road, last one to get there is the-" He began as he began jogging down the road whilst looking back.
But not before crashing into a figure, who appeared conveniently around the junction corner.
Moments later, he found himself lying flat on the ground, but weather he was facing up or down, he could not tell, as he face was covered with a mixture of textures. The figure found herself on top of boy, sitting square on his mouth, her gothic black dress as well as strands of golden hair smothered his face. Her hands involuntarily resting onto his crotch for support.
"Umph…..hm…Uhmmm!" Rito could only muffle into a certain piece of cloth both individuals realised the position that they were in.
"The way in which accidents occur around you defies the laws of physics, Yuuki Rito." A voice hissed dangerously as she jumped away from the boy.
"Ya-Ya-Yami!" Rito snapped back to his senses he hastily stood up, but found it impossible to do so as a strand of sharp silver pressed onto the skin on his throat. "I…Ano….eto…he…" he stuttered.
Soft….white…yellow… NO! Rito thought as he briefly recalled his 'visions' during the accident, to which his face burned alit.
"Yami-san!" Konjiki no Yami heard multiple voices call out her name as she turned her head left.
On the contrary, nothing has changed, huh… Mikan thought to herself dryly, a sweat drop present on her head.
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(Moments later…)
"Dress Shopping?" Yami asked. During the course of her new life on Earth, she has tried to integrate into human society through…well… being like on. But this 'shopping' was still a foreign concept to the female assassin.
"That's right! You wanna join us?" Momo asked excitedly, her eyes sparkling.
"Now that I think about it… Yami-san doesn't wear anything else, does she?" Nana asked herself out loud as she looked over Yami's state of clothing, which was still her usual black battle dress.
"There is no need for extra clothing. This battle dress the most suitable for combat and movement." Yami replied ever stoically, much to everyone's expectations.
As expected of Yami-san. I have to work hard if I want Yami to express herself to Rito! Momo thought determinedly.
"There's no n-"
"That is a really great idea! How about it, Yami-san?" Mikan chirped nicely and smiled, her hands behind her back.
"I'll have to pay you back for giving me those galactic Milk to drink. If not, I would still be small!" Lala voiced out in her usual upbeat tone. "Plus, it would be a shame if a cute girl like you doesn't wear cute clothes, Yami-chan!" Lala thanked happily.
"Isn't that right, Rito?" Lala asked expectantly, causing both former assassins to blush.
"Ehh…." Rito couldn't think of a reply. "Ye-y-y-yeah…..?" He answered with a tone of uncertainty, afraid of the girl's reaction.
"…" Yami held her tongue and gave no reply. Earthling fashion…
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(Nameless clothes shop, Sainan Shopping district, roughly half an hour later…)
"Sugoi! There's all kinds of things here!" Lala exclaimed in a childish glee as she dragged the closest person with her away in a rush, which unfortunately, was none other than Mikan.
"Waaait…." Mikan voice trailed off in the dust left behind by the two, making everyone sweat drop.
"I guess we'll meet back here in a while then!" The older brother cheered as he walked off, leaving the rest of the group free to browse.
"Now that I think about it, I haven't actually took them anywhere since I've met them…" Rito mumbled mindlessly as he followed directions and signs and ended up in the men's section of the department store. There he walked around and looked over a few items, just to kill time.
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(Later on…)
Having spent enough time in the men's section of the store, Rito decided to head back and search for his lady friends. And being your average person that he is, he returned to the meeting point. But to his expectations, he found no one there.
I wonder where they went? He asked himself as he wondered around. But he unconsciously ended up to a certain women's section, standing beside a certain girl.
The girl had long golden hair stretching down her back, her ever constant black battle dress adorned on her as usual, but in her hands was something less usual, at least for Rito.
In the girl's hands was a pair of pink panties, the sides frilly and cute. Rito soon found himself rooted to next to the girl, standing awkwardly next to her and before the huge selection of panties. He could only blush as his eyes peered the opposite direction. However, Yami didn't seem to mind at all, she however kept staring at the piece of garment in her hands with expressionless blank eyes.
"Rito-san…" His ears then suddenly picked up. It was a soft voice, but laced with a hint of mischief and playfulness. Having been unexpectedly called out, he jerked in surprise as he turned around. Seeing nobody in his vicinity, slowly turned around. "Rito-san…. Over here…" The voice once again persisted, this time making its direction clearer to the boy.
Rito turned and walked to what he thought was the origin of the voice, but was in fact a group of change rooms, located near the back of the store. Each room had bright orange curtains before it.
"Over here…" Repeated the sweet voice from one of the change rooms. With the boy's curiosity peaked, he swallowed a nervous gulp and marched over to the changing areas, his hands brushing past every curtain.
But without warning, a hand reached out at high speed from one of the curtains and gripped onto Rito's forearm unsuspectingly. "Wh-" But the orange haired teen did not have the chance to finish his sentence as he was dragged briefly into a darkened area.
But being the 'miracle performer' that he is, Rito's right foot overlapped with his left one as he tripped forward, conveniently stumbling and crashing into the room.
"A-ahh!...Rito-san….huah….." Rito heard familiar moans as he his eyes snapped open.
"M-M-Mo-M-MOMO?!" Rito shrieked as he found himself sitting on top of the Devilukean princess, who was damn near naked, if not for her small pieces of lingerie.
"Ara, You're so daring, Rito-san." Momo said sweetly as she got up from the ground and started crawling on all four towards the corner of the small room, where a stuttering and utterly speechless Rito was frozen against, his cheeks burning red.
"Wh-why did you pull me here?!" Rito stuttered hastily, nervously looking around.
"I just wanted you to pick out my bra and panties…." Momo then got in close with the boy and leaned in and whispered next to his ear. "After all, you will be then one taking them off of me, right?" She then nibbled playfully on his ear lobes, causing the teen to give out a soft grunt and shuddered. I know all your weak spots, Rito-san!
But just then, the curtains slid wide open, causing light to shed into the confined room of darkness. It was there where everyone else found them.
Momo and Rito immediately broke off of each other in a state of panic and turned around towards the light with eyes of surprise.
"Mo-Momo-san!" The voice of a female Yuuki exclaimed shockingly, her face equally reflecting her emotions.
"A…ah…Rito-san, what colour d-do you prefer? Pink or green?" Momo asked Rito, who was already flat on the floor, steam steadily rising from his reddened head. "Ah!"
"D-don't try to cover this up now!" Mikan and and Nana yelled comically while Lala just giggled at the silly sight.
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(Late afternoon…)
Since the minor incident in the store, nearly half a day has passed, and the group found themselves calmly walking back, calmly strolling on a clear road. Towards their right was a green grass slope, which eventually lead them down to a river, and on their left was the main road for vehicles, separated by yet another slope of grass. The sky was bright and blue, with clouds occasionally showing up, only to disperse whenever there's a breeze. The chirping of birds filled the air.
"It's a shame Yami-chan couldn't join us…" Lala said her hands waving about, causing the bags of grocery in her hands to wobble and swing about.
"W-what the milk cartons, Lala-san." Mikan warned.
"Haaaai!" Lala sang.
As the light conversation between the two went on, the tails of the Devilukean twins could only wriggle in the air in fascination as they watched Rito, who walked in front with bags of clothes and other items in his hands.
It's sure a long day… Rito thought, but it was interrupted when he felt two people appear next to the lone boy as both twins looked at him expectantly.
"Wh-what?" Rito stammered out at the intense stares.
"You're being awfully quiet, Rito. Something wrong?" Nana asked, her hands behind her back, her back bending slightly forward, trying to look at Rito's face.
"Nothing's wrong, just a little tired, that's all." Rito replied. "No need to worry-" But he did not complete his sentence as a jolt of pain ripped through his head from left to right, causing the Yuuki to stumble a step as his head sharply turned right. "Uh… oww…"
"Rito-san, daijobu?!" Momo asked in panic as she ran up to the boy, using her one free hand to support Rito, who still kept his eyes shut, hissing in pain.
But ever so slowly, his golden brown eyes widened as his vision once again returned. His rapid breathing slowly reverted to normal ones as he sighed in relief. "I-I'm okay, just a little dizzy, that's all." He said and smiled, assuring everyone of his status quo. "But I think we should hurry up home." He said as everyone complied.
These headaches again….and my eyes…..
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(Yuuki Household entrance, later on…)
The group of five turned the corner and entered their street. Being the perfectly normal people that they were, they walked up to the entrance of their house. But something was wrong.
There stood a figure of tall structure. He was an above average looking man with greyish hair, though it did not cover his heterochromic eyes. His well-built figure was exaggerated with the abnormal knight armour that he wore, which consisted of segmented and clawed shoulder pads, chest plate, arm guards, and various other parts. He had his arms folded, and his eyes looking intently at the direction of the group.
"You're back." The figure spoke in a flat tone, looking down onto the teenagers who came closer.
"Zastin-san/Zastin!" The princesses and Mikan yelled in surprise at the Devilukean.
"Zastin, this is….unexpected." Rito said. "Haven't seen you in a while. What are you doing here?" Rito asked curiously.
But in response, Zastin only gave out a 'Hn.' Grunt and turned around, walking into the house.
"Gid Lucione Deviluke, king of the galaxy, wishes to see you, Rito-dono." The man addressed seriously as Rito's eyes widened.
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AUTHOR'S NOTES: THIS CHAPTER WAS DELAYED DUE TO MY YEARLY EXAMINATIONS. BUT HERE IT IS!
CELINE IS FINALLY INTRODUCED INTO THE STORY, AS A NUMBER OF YOU REQUESTED
NOT MUCH ELSE TO SAY, EXCEPT FOR THAT CHAPTERS WILL BE UPLOADED SLOWER THAN USUAL, 'CAUSE I STILL HAVE EXAMS
BUT AS USUAL, MORE CHAPTERS STILL TO COME!
REVIEW ARE HIGHLY APPRECIATED AND LOVED!
CRITICISMS ARE ALSO ACCEPTED.