The first chapter of the year! I hope everyone is enjoying this new year, with lots of new future chapters~.
Guadadominguez4: I'm glad everyone was so happy about the double chapter! Undertaker's POV was really hard to do, he is one shady bastard.
jj510: I'm really hoping he doesen't crew up too badly, if he does. The possible consequences wouldn't be pretty. x3
Tsuki: About the two Ciels... as of chapter 129-130 of the manga it's not a theory anymore.
PhantomMeow: Thank you for your review! It really makes me happy to see people like my story!
Disclaimer: I have never owned Black Butler, and I probably never will.
The Gamer: Fun and Games
'After sleeping in your coffin you wake up with your HP and MP completely restored, all negative buffs removed.'
'Status effect [Trauma] has been blocked and is no longer active.'
I woke up surrounded by warmth.
It was nice, these last few days the main thing I remember feeling was...
Nothing.
Cold.
Empty.
This change... was nice.
I liked it.
I embraced change.
Change snored.
Wha-?
Opening my eyes I found myself surrounded by black. But I hadn't gone blind, it was the kind of blackness that came when one was under a blanket.
Trying to untangle myself from the 'blanket' revealed that this wasn't a 'blanket' at all.
It was Undertaker's robe.
With a sleeping Undertaker inside.
Snoring.
Well, wasn't he a charmer?
I... barely remember falling asleep, after a few nights plagued by nightmares.
I don't know what Undertaker's excuse was, he had been sleeping inside his room.
Lazy ass.
I seriously considered kicking him away, but that would be rather cruel. And I was all warm and cozy in this Undertaker burrito.
I yawned.
And promptly had to spit out some silver hair that got in my mouth.
I should...
I looked at the window.
Nope, I should be sleeping, it's dark still.
Since Undertaker was using me as a heater, might as well and use him as a pillow.
I don't know how he did it, but he was always slightly colder that what should be normal. Not right now, though. Right now, he was stealing all of my body heat by wrapping himself around me like a monkey.
Idiot.
He... had been awfully nice...
He had given me the comfort I needed, had let me tag along when the mere thought of being alone made me feel nauseated, and hadn't tried to pry into what had happened.
What had happened...
I was stupid, that's what happened.
I remember... feeling anxious and panicky, after that everything feels like a blur.
The real next clear image I remember was being home and hiding inside my coffin. And even that didn't feel like a very clear memory.
I know Undertaker went to pick me up... and I remember... a broken door... and Tofu...
I know the man didn't do anything to me, but I panicked.
I was so scared.
I closed the alert boxes.
A trauma, Huh?
I really am useless… useless and broken.
This is stupid. Wasn't the gamer mind supposed to protect me from Psychological effects or something? Was I really so pathetic that I...
No, relax.
I took a deep breath.
This is not going to help. It never has. Calm down.
I couldn't go back to sleep, I was feeling restless, my mind was slowly driving me insane.
But I couldn't move. I had a very heavy man using me as a dakimakura.
Uh... not a good comparison.
A pillow. Using me as a pillow.
What could I do?
Oh.
I had this power, didn't I.
Why hadn't I thought of it then?
I was useless. I really hadn't considered of using the gamer's power.
I was so stupid and useless.
I was the worst one that could have been given this power.
Anyone else would have realized that I could probably use one of my skills, or maybe somehow use the [Create ID] Skill to escape.
Maybe even use the broken teacup to escape. Or my frying pan to smash open the window.
Kim would have been far more suited for this than I was.
Looking at the Main menu, I didn't find anything different.
[Status Window]
[Skills]
[Inventory]
[Quests]
[Traits]
[Relationships]
[Map]
[Settings]
I needed anything to distract myself... maybe I could see if anything at the map had changed.
Uh... still grey.
But there was a marker that read "Undertaker's". If I ever got so lost that I didn't know my way back, I would probably be able to use this to go back.
I needed to know more about this.
This is not a game anymore. I need to protect myself if I ever find myself in a situation like that.
I cannot panic.
I gave another look at my skills.
Yes, most brought memories, memories I would rather keep burrowed and locked inside the back of my mind. But I needed to do this. This can't happen again.
If I just had paid more attention when I went shopping. If my [Detect Presence] Skill had been higher, if I had thought of using Observe on that man, if I hadn't panicked and rationally thought about what I was able to do...
Nothing would have happened.
This was my fault.
I was as useless as kicking a tree.
I wanted to change that.
I needed to change that.
Having a look at my skills...
They were mostly non-combat oriented.
Some would prove useful in unpleasant situations, like Stealth, but even then, they were more of the mindset of AVOIDING the danger, not really useful when danger was already about to snack me.
I needed to become stronger.
I was scared, but I couldn't let that hold me down.
Which was ironic because I was currently held down by a snoring god of death.
Speaking of said God of Death. I needed him to train me, this time seriously.
Not that mockery of a training session we did once every two weeks, where he mostly laughed at my incompetence.
I needed to train every day, whatever time is left after doing my duties, I have to employ in training.
Even if Undertaker is busy with his own duties, I cannot slack off. I have to enter a dungeon and level up.
I will not let this happen again.
I have to change.
Holding Tofu in my hands I bowed this, to him and myself. I wouldn't let myself get separated from those I care about.
"I can't do it... I'm dying... wateeeeerrr..."
"I told you~, you should progressively increase your training as you get used to the strain~ but I do have to commend you, I thought you would have given up three hours ago~"
Growling at the snickering old man proved to be far more tiring that expecting, and I dropped like a dead weight.
Undertaker peeked into my field of vision. "Oh~? Should I fit you for one of my coffins, dear~?" No. Go bald you old man.
"Blergh... Grwaargh" I think my mouth stopped being able to make human-like sounds.
"He he he~ very cute~ I have to say, you are progressing more than I thought, you seem to need less rest before stopping feeling tired~ even if you don't think so~"
I didn't think so.
I was feeling beat.
Dead.
Please make me a coffin.
"Your improvement is far above normal humans, this is most likely caused by this game-video power. I wonder..."
He stopped taking to me, and instead started muttering to himself.
He can go talk to trees for all I care.
Whatever floats his boat.
Getting up I demanded the lesson to recommence.
Starting once again the training of Hell.
Cleaning the whole shop to perfection now took a matter of half an hour.
Considering I left the floor clean enough to eat on, I was quite impressed with my progress.
Even if the moment a client entered it would become dirty again. I was still impressed.
And so was Undertaker, because he now left me clean the morgue, as long as he was with me.
Let me tell you, the basement is scary and I would rather hug a Zombie that spend five minutes in there alone.
Speaking of Zombies and monsters in general. As I spent more time in the dungeon I found out that Legions and Ents weren't really bosses.
Because I found the real boss.
For the Zombie Dungeon, I had noticed that whenever I killed some Legions, another bigger, angrier and higher leveled monster appeared.
And I couldn't escape. Not for the lack of trying, though.
The message I was given read something like this: "you cannot escape from a boss fight."
So... there's that.
Something similar had happened with the Ents and a big turtle of sorts, but that time I had been with Undertaker, and I basically used him as a meat shield.
We had been specifically looking if the boss fight would happen in other Dungeons, or if it was exclusive of the Zombie one, which meant we had been aware of the possibility of a boss appearing and were prepared.
So he wasn't particularly cross that I set him up with a turtle.
Giant Turtle.
Made of Rocks.
He hadn't looked very happy either, but that had been easily resolved when I offered one of my cookies.
Of course I didn't let him take the cookie. "No take, just look." But that made him laugh enough to put me back into his good graces.
A month had passed, and the cold weather left, to let the warm spring take a hold of London with unexpected vigor.
Flowers bloomed, the wind brought pollen everywhere, and short minded Shinigami took a nap in our backyard.
Really, I would have expected him to get tired already.
I don't even know what he's doing here anymore, I just find him from time to time, thrown across the floor, sleeping.
I learnt to ignore him like one ignores a piece of furniture they aren't fond of, and went out to greet Hercules.
Every day I find him more adorable.
Cuter than yesterday, less than tomorrow.
Hercules, I mean. is not cute. More like an annoyance.
After making sure the donkey was fine and didn't need anything, I went back inside, stepping over the unconscious Shinigami.
Really, one would think he had better things to do. Didn't he have souls to judge or something?
It wasn't my business to question, so I wouldn't. Even if I just did.
Yawn.
I need cookies.
The kitchen was as small as always, but today, it seemed especially cozy and homey.
Maybe because I found Undertaker inside.
Baking cookies.
"Ah, ah, ah~ you need something with your cookies, young lady~ don't think I will let you leave eating just that~"
Aww
Fooled once again
"But I wannaaa~"
"He he he~ you can still have your cookies, dear~. After you drink your milk."
Milk with cookies?
Oooh, he was in a good mood.
Not as good as if he made CHOCOLATE with cookies, but it was right below that in the "Undertaker's happy food chain".
"Undertaker's happy food chain" was the type of food Undertaker made, depending on his mood.
I wasn't very good at giving names.
For example when he was nostalgic or sad, like at the beginnings of last month, soon after I snapped out of my stupor, he spent a whole day all melancholic, making cookies without any shape, like he was just playing with the dough.
When I tried to make lunch, I had been gently pushed aside, so Undertaker could play in the kitchen. Out of that, we got some shapeless, tasteless cookies, burnt pork and a single potato that seemed to have gone through hell and back.
He was still forbidden from cooking anything but cookies because of that.
So, having seen how he cooked when he was at his lowest, I was healthily dubious of what the other, completely opposed, range of the spectrum would entail.
"What happened?"
"What do you mean~?"
"You're... happy. More than usual."
"Is that a crime~?"
Yes.
"No... Unless you're happy because of a crime, in which case, yes, it's a crime."
"Aww~ How cruel~ and here I thought you would be happy for me~"
What, was he getting married or something?
"Eh..."
I didn't have to look for another home, did I? What if she didn't like me?
"Congratulations?"
"He he he~. What for~?"
Eh... for... getting married?
Now that I think about it, what kind of asylum escapee would want to MARRY Undertaker?
There had to be another explanation.
"Just stop beating around the bush and- You are enjoying this aren't you?"
"Very much~"
Go bald old man.
Gulping down the milk I pounced on the cookies.
Mine.
"I'm going out to see some clients of mine~, be a good girl~, will you~?"
I nodded, I can be a good girl.
Almost second nature.
I made a cute face, as if daring him to say I wasn't a good girl.
'[Charm] Increased by one.'
Undertaker cooed and gave me another cookie.
Considering what just happened, being cute wasn't that bad.
It got me cookies.
Had to be cute more often.
"... Before you leave..."
"Yes~?"
"Give me my brush"
"Aww~. What makes you think-"
I took my brush from him without waiting for him to deny being in possession of my brush. As if he could claim innocence. I saw him.
I started brushing his long hair.
It was comforting, I liked his long hair, and I loved how white it was, it flowed down to his knees, like a pearly waterfall.
Did I already say I loved Undertaker's hair?
Well, I did.
Even if it was attached to a stupidly infuriating old man.
"I wish I had your hair..."
"Did you say something, little Lia~?"
"No. Your mind plays tricks on you. You are getting quite old, after all, who knows, maybe you're going senile."
"Aww~ such mean words to me~ why do I get this, when everybody else gets a smile~?"
I tried to fight it, but that did get a smile out of me.
Ass.
I had grown quite fond of Undertaker. For all the mean words he got, I think I haven't been this happy since Kaito.
No.
I don't think I have ever been this content.
I was happy.
I made a new friend and, while I was in an unknown dimension and had lost contact with Kim and Kala, I felt more happy than I would have been, hadn't I met Undertaker.
I really owe him a lot.
I owe his so much… that I am reluctant to leave him.
But I still needed to return home.
I had a hard time making friends, and while I was easily prone to flee when in distress, I found it hard to leave people behind. Especially if I considered them friends.
I was torn.
On one hand, this wasn't my home, it is true that I had adapted quite well, thanks to Undertaker, but I still got weird looks when I got out. This wasn't my time, and it was painfully obvious.
And Kim and Kala were most likely waiting for me.
I couldn't bear the thought of staying here, leaving my friend worried for the rest of her life, while I happily pranced around eating cookies.
That was what Kaito did. That wasn't something I could do.
On the other hand... I really felt I owed Undertaker a big deal, he had rescued me, given me a place to sleep, food, trained me...
Now that I think about it, I feel like a dog…
Still, I felt I could not leave without repaying him somehow.
Something better than the laughs I gave him daily.
There had to be something.
Sigh.
I still had time, I hadn't gotten any clues on how to go back home.
The only quests I received since coming to this time were Minor Quests.
I don't know what I need to do, to activate a Major Quest.
How does one usually gain a Main Quest, in videogames?
By following another Main Quest.
Sigh.
Useless.
The only Main quest I got was the one that brought me here, meaning that technically I should be able to find another main quest here.
Such a thing hadn't happened.
Sigh.
"You're sighing an awful lot, this morning~. Is something in your mind?"
Would he feel offended if I said I was thinking of how to get home?
"I don't know what to do, to thank you for all you have done for me so far."
"Oh~? Nonsense, dear~. You provide me with the only thing I could ask for~, and more~ hi hi hi"
"Yeah, laughter."
"And company, dear~"
I blinked. Huh...
I blushed, it was nice to hear your presence was appreciated, especially when you are technically freeloading.
Never mind the fact that I technically work here.
Still.
He had done so much for me.
I have improved leaps and bounds this last month.
I was level 25! I was quite proud of my progress in this little time.
'[Name]: Dalia
[Title]: Undertaker's little pet
[Race]: Human
Lvl 25
Exp: 77% (2000 Exp)
Hp: 276 Hp
Mp: 180 Mp
Strength: 20
Vitality: 46 (26+20)
Dexterity: 21 (30+1)
Intelligence: 30
Wisdom: 30
Luck: 25
Points: 0'
I felt like blushing happily at my Stats every time I looked at them.
I had to find a way to repay him.
As good as cookies were, I don't think he would appreciate them as much as I wanted him to.
It had to be something that made him tear up every time he looked at it and think: "that's my cute little assistant~" with that creepy drawl he has.
A material gift then?
Of course, the memories we made won't be forgotten and I will definitely never forget Undertaker, but… I wanted a physical representation of our friendship.
Something that showed how much though and work I'd put into it.
Something handmade, maybe?
But what?
I wasn't good at crafting things...
Well, no, that's not true. I know how to sew.
A scarf? Uhh...
I tried imagining Undertaker with a green scarf around his neck.
It wasn't bad, it was a better idea than a hat or a pair of mittens...
But, would that get a smile out of him, every time he laid his eyes on it?
The scarf wasn't a bad idea, but it probably wasn't the epiphany I was looking for...
I could still make the scarf, I just needed... something else, something funny, but something that was still... me.
"Looks like steam is about to come out of your ears, little Lia~." We exchanged positions, with him blatantly setting the brush aside, and playing with my hair.
Sigh.
My hair was already tangle-free, but if he kept playing with it, I would need to brush it again.
Going back to what I had been thinking.
I don't know what to give him, I could draw silly fluffy animals killing each other and he would still like it.
Probably.
You know what? Epiphanies only happened in anime and shows, so I'll just make a scarf, maybe with one or two fluffy animals sown into it.
Because fluffy animals were cute.
I closed my eyes, imagination running wild.
Ideas flooding my brain like water.
Sewing a scarf turned out ridiculously easy, as I had been practicing my [Sewing] Skill, which apparently also included knitting.
I ended up sewing a cute sheep and a cat into one end of the scarf, a skull on the other end. The sheep was fluffy and cute.
I liked the sheep.
But, of course, only now I realize that the best time to give the scarf would have been in winter...
Which had just finished. It was still slightly cold, but not enough to gift someone a scarf.
Sigh...
Next, I ended up making a cute, fluffy alpaca doll, it was cute, but I wasn't sure that it would be an appropriate gift either...
I had put my birthday as time limit, which was bad, because I only had three days left, and any and all gifts I made turned out to be... not good enough.
I couldn't even gift him ALL of my possible gifts, because I would end up literally swarming him under a pile of gifts. I couldn't go around overbearing my poor boss.
In fact, I even had to get my hands on some paper to make a list with every gift I had already made, with another list of ideas I had already discarded.
Mainly, because I found myself considering ideas I had already tried, which was a precious time lost, time I couldn't spare.
My memory had improved, but I was still capable of forgetting my own head if it wasn't because it was attached to me.
I looked at my cute doodles of the sheep and cat.
Damn, that was precious space and time wasted, I would need more paper.
I blinked.
Huh.
I could just draw him something... like a comic or something funny like that...
I gripped my head between my hands, Wait I was having an idea...
Eh...
Ah... it's gone...
No it's not!
Alright, I have it.
He liked laughing. I could draw him funny stories that would make him laugh. The funny adventures of Mr. Sheep and Tom the Tomcat.
I wasn't the most imaginative around, alright. I had exhausted all my imagination power in the last gifts.
And THEN I could give him all of those gifts that had Mr. Sheep and Tom the Tomcat on it.
Maybe I could somehow include the alpaca.
It would be like...
... what was the word?
Advertising? No...
Merchandise!
And everything would be like one whole gift. And it wouldn't be as overwhelming as if I just gave him everything without reason.
Yes, yes. That is perfect!
Well done, Dalia. You're a mastermind.
I need more paper.
Alright, I had finished.
I made a story worthy of a prize. It had love, it had cuteness, a great mystery, an exciting fight, blood, death, and a wonderful plot twist.
The plot twist might have been a last minute arrangement, but after writing a very big and imposing 'The end' I realized I had put an extra page...
Oops.
So I actually could consider that last page like the... that sequence that comes after credits, in the movies...
What was the word? After-credits? Epilogue?
Urgh, doesn't matter.
My story has one.
With a plot twist and character death. Was I evil or what?
I started laughing evilly, I wasn't very good at it, but it's the thought that counts.
"Mwahahaha!"
"What has gotten into you now?"
Sadly, I had completely forgotten Undertaker was in the same room.
He he…
I blushed.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
An eyebrow rose up to his hairline, out of sight thanks to his messy hair, which was partially covering his eyes and forehead.
I noticed he doesn't bother hiding his eyes as much, when it's just the two of us.
I don't mind, I have grown used to his eyes, and now I think they are quite nice. They are still a bit too intense to look at for long periods of time, but I was making progress.
I still think blue eyes would be better suited for him.
Not my kind of blue eyes, of course. I meant icy blue eyes.
He would look like a snow queen.
I wasn't about to say it to his face, though. I didn't feel like being laughed at.
"Did you gain anything in the dungeon?"
Oh, yeah. Lately monsters have started giving me more money and items. Maybe because of my luck.
I opened my inventory, and dumped a wide assortment of goods, ranging from Zombie teeth, to Ent Wood, including an enchanted pickaxe, Deer horns and even a sweet substance that smelled like honey, which I got from the carnivorous plants.
"You didn't have to dump it all on me, dear~. I just asked~"
Nyeh, he can keep that. I noticed he likes to investigate anything that comes out of my ability.
I don't need the wood anymore. I had already finished the cover of my book. It was more of a pamphlet, but I still managed to use a bid of wood as a cover to make it a little less… pamphlet-like… eh… to give it a more official look. I had polished the wood and sown the pages together with string. All completely handmade.
"You look happy, dear~. Can I ask as to why~?"
"Because I am"
He probably wasn't expecting that answer, which made me snicker.
He he.
He looks like a dork.
"Ah, tomorrow..." Uh... how can I ask this?
I blushed. Tomorrow is my birthday, and I want to spend the day together, even if we don't celebrate it.
I want to have fun in my birthday, at least this year.
But... would I come across as needy, if I asked if we could close shop tomorrow, and go do something interesting?
We didn't even need to go out.
We didn't even need to close the shop, he still has a job to do… and I'm not sure if he has to go to a funeral tomorrow.
I just want to...
Spend my birthday with someone.
Not alone.
I tried to blink away treacherous tears with moderate success.
How to ask this?
Should I even bother?
Maybe he already has something planned, he has two jobs after all, and I would be selfishly imposing my wishes above his own...
"Ah... never mind..."
A hand snatched mine, preventing me from running away. A pale hand with black, long nails, with a ring on its index finger, and a scar in the pinky one. Undertaker's hand.
"Now, now~ how about you finish asking your question, before running away~? I don't bite, my dear~"
I know. I was the one who had a tendency to bite anything that gets in front of my mouth. Like that time I accidentally bit Undertaker finger, thinking it was a cookie.
It was an awkward moment. At least for me, Undertaker found it hilarious.
"Tomorrow is my birthday... and I thought we could do something together... to celebrate..." that came out even worse that I thought.
Undertaker blinked. "Tomorrow is your birthday? Well, why didn't you say so~ I would have bought ingredients to make you a cake~ with cookies~"
Cookies?
'[Charm] has leveled up by one.'
Oh, I have the [Charm] Skill quite high... does that mean I get the cookies?
I kept giving him the puppy eyes, at least until he confirms that I am getting cookies for my birthday.
He snickered and bopped my nose.
I gave a little squeal.
So I get the cookies, right?
"Cookies?"
"Yes, cookies~"
Yes!
I tackled him. He's definitely my favorite person right now.
I rubbed my cheek against his. "What kind of cookies?"
"Any kind you want~"
Any kind?!
"Chocolate cookies?"
"Of course~"
That's it.
I'm creating a new religion in which I will praise him as the god of cookies.
I'm calling it… Cooki-ligion.
"Feed meeee..."
"He he he~"
I might have said that a little bit more creepily than necessary, considering I was literally next to his face, but Undertaker was the king of creeps, so he shouldn't be too bothered.
I am more bothered with my own creepiness than he is.
I still didn't miss the comical anime sweatdrop on his head.
"Glad you have me in such high regards~..."
I gave him space to breath and laughed at his face.
It was nice to sometimes be able to laugh at his expressions, instead of the other way around.
A singsong voice urged me to awake, cold hands pulling at my cheeks and a voice like melted honey saying words my brain was too asleep to properly register.
"Noo... 'Taker... stop..."
The roughhousing didn't stop, rather it seemed to increase, and as I was forcefully dragged from the realm of the dreams, I recognized what I was hearing as a birthday song.
As the song ended, bleary eyes opened and rested on the dark and white, blurry figure of my boss and benefactor.
"Go bald..."
That was the only thing my mouth and my brain seemed to agree on, as I uselessly attempted to go back to sleep.
I had to give up, as Undertaker's laugh was a force of nature that could shake mountains and awake sleeping beauties without needing a kiss at all.
He laughed so loud, that I don't think even the dead could sleep through that.
"Why...? Why you hate me so...?"
"Hi hi hi~ Wakey Wakey~ today is your birthday~"
Ah, yes. One more year that I have been alive in this world. Go me.
I had wanted to spend my birthday with someone, that did not mean I wanted to celebrate or anything.
Of course that did not mean that I DIDN'T want to celebrate...
I just don't appreciate being woken up.
"Go bald, 'Taker..."
"Aww, that's not very nice~. After I went through the trouble of making you chocolate cookies~ I guess I can eat them by myse-"
I flew to the kitchen before he even finished talking.
"Cookies!"
He's not getting any. ANY.
Alright maybe one. But not more than one.
Undertaker found me in the kitchen, eating cookies like my life depended on it.
"Be careful now~ wouldn't want you chocking and dying on your birthday~"
"This is the best birthday I have ever had" It was completely true, nothing could compare to this. And it's not like there was anything to compete with.
"The day barely started dear~ I don't see how you can say this is the best birthday you've had"
Oh, believe me, it is.
"I have a gift for you."
He blinked, surprised. "I'm afraid you misunderstood what birthdays are: you are supposed to RECIEVE gifts, not give them~."
I blinked at him.
"Don't care, I made this, and I might as well give it to you."
I blushed. Was it alright, to give him this?
I already made it, so I wasn't about to turn back now.
I took the handmade book, which still looked more like a pamphlet. But with covers.
"It's a story about a cat and a sheep."
Alright, now I feel stupid. Obviously, it had been a horrible idea. Why did I even think he would appreciate this?
"He he he~ this looks interesting~ how about you read it to me while I brush your hair~?"
"-Hello, Mr. Hitsuji, would you like a cup of tea?
and Mr. Hitsuji says: No, thanks, I don't like tea.
Alphye the alpaca gasps and shouts: ah! How could you not like tea?! This is a great slight to my family line, and I will have to kill you!
Then Alphye tries to kill Mr. Hitsuji despite her unrevealed feelings for the Sheep.
Blood flies.
BLOOD! ~
Blood and guts.
No dead though, only blood and guts."
A snicker.
"But then, suddenly! Tom the Tomcat comes in and offers them cookies, and everyone makes peace, because everyone likes cookies.
The end."
Undertaker couldn't contain himself any longer.
"Ha ha ha! He he he he~ hi hi hi~ I have to- I have to say- he he he~" I smiled happily.
At least he had liked it, even if it was childishly stupid. But that was the goal.
Should I reveal the plot twist after the end? I wanted him to discover it himself, but at the same time, I had noticed that here 'the end' was a terribly final thing.
In my time, hardly ever any movie ended with a 'the end', because we simply couldn't comprehend that something could be absolutely final. There was always a continuation, a second part.
Even death wasn't a 'the end'. After life there was a continuation, an afterlife, Heaven or Hell, that would be better or worse, but it was a continuation of death.
Maybe I shouldn't have put a 'the end'? Even movies, after credits, there usually was a few more minutes of movie, a continuation.
In my book, after the ending, there was a continuation, and at the end of it I had put a 'the end?' As a playful joke. Now I wasn't sure if he would get it.
Maybe I should explain that there was another page...
Maybe I should leave him to discover it on his own though.
It would be like a surprise, if he ever decided to re-read the book.
I liked that idea.
"He he he~ I have to say, the sheep on these pictures, Mr. Hitsuji, reminds me an awful lot of that cute pajama of yours~"
Uh, well I might have taken a bit of inspirations here and there.
"The cat reminds me of you~" Eh? Well... that's...
I grumbled something under my breath, trying to hide my blush.
Lies, that's not true. The cat was just rightfully appreciative of the wonders of cookies.
Undertaker was being an annoying old man.
"Awww~ how cute~"
Shuddup.
I think by now my whole face was a deep scarlet color.
I gave him the pamphlet and took the brush from his hands, he hadn't even been using it, just looking at the pamphlet as I read, with his chin resting on my shoulder.
I turned around and made him do the same, brushing his hair to absolute perfection.
Like liquid silver.
Sigh.
I loved his hair.
"What is the plan~?"
Uh... did there need to be one?
"How does 'no-plan' sound?"
"He he he~ interesting~"
"I need you to take over the shop today, dear~."
Eh?
I have never taken over the shop.
At most, I have simulated to, under the supervision of Undertaker.
"Something very interesting came up~, but I find myself unable to close the shop, as I'm expecting the Earl to come pick up a special delivery~"
So... I had to stay here and give Phantomhive his "delivery".
"I will... do my best."
Yesterday, my birthday, had definitely been one of the best birthdays I had. It wasn't anything fancy or anything that complicated.
Just two friends, laughing and talking.
With the occasional cuddle.
Undertaker was very cuddly.
I would have never figured that out if it wasn't because every day I woke up to find myself trapped in a hug.
Ah...
I blushed.
Nothing scandalous, of course, it was a platonic kind of cuddle, but it was nice to have someone close while sleeping.
It made me feel less lonely.
And it had been the only way for me to get some shut eye, after my freak out.
I never figured out what happened, exactly, just that I was kidnapped and had a breakdown, before Undertaker rescued me.
We had started sleeping in the same coffin... after Undertaker had gone through that strange melancholic mood swing.
It had been on the first week of April... he had just suddenly started doing disasters in the kitchen.
It was insulting to the art of cookie-making.
So I tried to cheer him up with an advice I was given, long ago.
I'm not sure it worked, but that night neither of us had wanted to sleep alone.
Since then, every night one of us sneaked into the other's sleeping place.
Since then Undertaker was... even cuddlier than normal...
It reminded me of Cat, to be honest. A mix between a plea for attention, a sense of entitlement to being cuddled and a slightly overbearing, but cute nonetheless, enticement into doing exactly what he wanted.
All in all.
He was a cuddly ass.
Speaking of another kind of ass.
"Are you taking Hercules with you?" He seemed to consider it for a while.
"Yes, you can go make sure everything is in order~. One last thing~ Give this only to Phantomhive or one of the servants you have met. No one else~"
'New Minor Quest! [In Charge]
Quest requisites:
-Attend all the customers that come while Undertaker is away.
-Give [Mysterious Package] to [Panthomhive carrier]
Quest Rewards:
- Increased Friendship with [Panthomhive carrier]
- Increased respect with [Undertaker].
-800 exp points.'
'Quest accepted'
Ok.
I can do that.
It shouldn't be- No, don't tempt fate.
Learn your lesson.
After Undertaker left I stayed in the shop, staring blankly at the door.
...
I'm in charge.
I'm boss.
...
Being boss is boring.
No one is coming.
Blerg.
No, Dalia stop making funny faces, if someone does come in, you don't want them to think you're insane.
If someone enters I will greet them warmly and nicely, putting all of my... 14 levels of Charm to good use.
14 already? My goodness.
I blushed.
I wasn't that cute, though.
Maybe this month I had let myself use the cuteness skill a bit more, but that doesn't mean I am.
I was red faced.
Was I really cute? But cute things are... cute.
I was... cowardly, useless, and definitely not cute.
Well, maybe I didn't need to be cute to use the Charm skill.
I had noticed...
Since I got to level 10 in Charm, sometimes the background does... strange things.
Like... a background full of... flowers and... Cookies.
I... don't quite understand how.
But it smelled an awful lot like anime.
I... should just accept this like everything else in my life.
Not questioning.
I heard footsteps outside the door and, perking up I gave the first customer of the day the biggest friendliest smile I could come up with.
Now that I think about it, since leveling up my Charm, my smiles and facial expressions are far easier to do and less fake looking.
Feeling but ignoring the flowery background behind me, I kept smiling while greeting the customer.
"Hello~. Welcome to Undertaker's shop, How can I help you today~?"
The woman looked terribly spooked. Why? What had I done wrong?
"I... I wanted to- could you make a coffin with these measures?"
Undertaker also made his own custom coffins. It was part of the job.
Seeing as I had somehow scared the woman, I tried to be even more welcoming, if possible.
"Yes, of course~! Is there a specific material, time limit or any other specifications you would like to make~?"
This wasn't working, the woman was clearly disturbed. Maybe it was the spooky environment? But I had improved it since I got here? Wasn't it good enough?
"N- No..."
No? It wasn't good enough?! Did she read my mind- Ah, no.
She meant no specifications.
Making sure to get some way to contact her when the coffin was ready, I saw the woman leave.
I was doing something wrong.
The next three customers showed similar reactions.
Why?
Did I smell funny? Was something in my hair?
Was I accidentally wearing Undertaker's clothes?!
No, to all of them.
Then, why was I scaring customers?
This is not making sense.
I had been half the day attending customers, without barely moving from the front room of the shop. There weren't a whole lot, but I still didn't want to miss any, if I did go away for even a second. Or miss the Panthomhive.
The door opened again.
Alright, Dalia, one more time.
"Hello~. Welcome to Undertaker's shop, How can I help you today~?" I was sure that by now the background had more glitter than a circus performer, but I had to give it my all, despite that, with every spooked customer, my courage to act more or less normal, evaporated.
This time it was a man, and he looked quite... disturbed.
"Good day, Miss Dalia, I am here to pick up a package for Vincent."
Eh?
I squinted at the man.
After a good five minutes I realized he was the German man I met when I went with Undertaker to Panthomhive's.
The scary one.
What was his name...?
Oh, yes.
"Good day Mister Wilson, Undertaker had to leave, but he gave me the package for Mister Vilvent."
The man smiled politely, his eye twitching.
"I see you still have trouble with names..."
Oopsie. I blushed. What was his name again?
"My name is Diedrich, miss."
Ah, Yes...
"Sorry..."
Oh, well... he could give me an answer to the problem I have been having.
Should I…?
Yes, I needed to, I had to do this right. I was boss for today.
"Say... you looked quite... spooked when you entered, and I noticed some people have been having that same reaction... Uh... usually it would be easily explained by Undertaker's presence, but... he's not here, and it keeps happening, and... I know it could be because it's a funeral parlor but... any thoughts?"
Die... Diedrich?
Diedrich looked at me with an unreadable expression.
"It's a funeral parlor, normally people are not so... happy to receive dead people... you are far too happy."
I froze.
I was a dingus.
Of course people would be disturbed by me, I was practically sprouting sparkles like an electric power plant.
I depressedly took the package from my inventory, where it was safer, and gave it to Wilson.
'Minor Quest Update! [In charge]
-Give [Mysterious Package] to [Panthomhive carrier] -Completed-'
"Thank you, Miss Dalia, I hope you have a good day... and don't mind scaring the customers, I am sure your boss does that enough on his own." He seemed unsure with his reassurance, but he was quite nice to try.
And, well...
His words were definitely true.
"Goodbye Mister Wilson! Have a good day~!"
Before the door closed after Wilson, he almost missed his step and almost fell, luckily he made an impressive recovery, turning around and shouting: "It's Diedrich!" With an angry expression.
I gave him a sheepish smile through the door, and he finally left.
I need to start remembering names.
Diedrich, like someone that died being rich. He's a rich zombie.
Alright, no, he's not a rich zombie, I need better ways to learn names.
Not many more customers came, before Undertaker did. I told him I gave the package to... Diedrich.
'Minor Quest Completed! [In charge]
Quest Rewards:
-Increased Friendship with [Panthomhive carrier]
-800 exp points.'
"Well done little Lia~ How were the customers, I hope none tried to bite you~?"
Uh... no, more like I completely freaked them out.
I said nothing.
Undertaker blinked, pushing his hair away from his face.
"Did someone bite you?"
"No..."
"Did you bite someone?"
Hey! I resent that.
"No..."
"What did you do~?"
"Nothing! I greeted customers, asked what they wanted, wrote down everything because I already forgot all of it, and may or may not have creeped them out a bit... unintentionally."
A snort.
"Looks like you did my job better than me~ I will have to consider putting you in greeting duty more often~."
Eh...
"I would definitely want to see what did you do, to scare customers~."
"It just... I didn't mean to, alright? I'm gonna go make something to eat, do you want anything in particular?"
"That stew you made the other day~"
I went to the kitchen to see if we had everything. "If you get us the ham, I think we have everything else we need for the stew…"
"Anything else we might need~?"
"Uh… Potatoes... and pork, and anything else you want to eat tonight… And whatever you need to keep making cookies."
He snickered, but covered his eyes once again, preparing to go outside.
I could swear I heard a pedant: "You only want me for my cookies", before he left.
Duh.
That was obvious.
