"There's nothing in the fridge." Ciel clicked her tongue in disapproval. The fridge was empty except for a few cans of beer.

Rimuru laughed awkwardly, "You know I don't really cook. The few dishes I was able to make in the past were all because you guided me. How about we order pizza? You can choose as many toppings as you want."

"Fine." Ciel used the landline to order pizza before joining Rimuru and her human counterpart in the lounge. She changed to her red slime form and hopped onto his lap.

"You like this form huh?" Rimuru asked, pulling her close to his chest. No wonder Shion and Shuna liked to hold him. It was soft and somehow comforting the way a slime body could mould to your own.

Ciel cuddled closer in response.

The doorbell sounded.

Rimuru and Ciel could hear muffled voices on the other side.

It was his otherworlder self, or 'Satoru', and it looks like he brought Tamura with him.

This should be interesting. Satoru had no idea what had happened between Rimuru and Ciel since they weren't synced. Perhaps Rimuru should play a prank on himself?

"Could you answer the door?" Rimuru asked human Ciel.

Ciel instantly understood that he wanted to have a little fun at his own expense. Jeez, this husband of hers. Well, if that's what he wants, Ciel could have her own fun too.

.•° ✿ °•.

Satoru had just told Tamura his story about being reincarnated as a Slime.

Albeit a very summarized version of the events and he left out details that would be too hard to describe. He ended his story by explaining that he travelled back in time to this world in order to save himself so he could experience living this life until he died of old age.

Tamura had a very complicated expression on his face. "Senpai, it's not that I don't want to believe you. There was so much blood and I'm sure I saw you die. And then, miraculously that beautiful woman came and healed you. You're fully healed and there's not even a scar left behind. I can sort of believe she was you. But, being reincarnated as a Slime? It's too much like a fantasy novel. You're not trying to prank me right?"

"It's real. It's real."

Tamura still eyed him suspiciously.

Come on, Satoru liked to prank his friends but he wasn't that bad, okay?

Satoru sighed. "Look, I'm not crazy nor am I trying to fool you. Believe what you want. I really did reincarnate as a Slime."

"Alright, I'll believe you Senpai. By the way, do you need a ride home? Your car is still parked at work isn't it? That's pretty far from the hospital."

"Yeah. If it's not too inconvenient, please give me a ride home."

"It's the least I can do. You did save my life. If you ever need anything, call me."

Satoru called for the Nurse so that he could be released. After another quick checkup from the doctor to make sure that he was really fine and that no he did not need to stay overnight for observation, thank you, he got into Tamura's car and left.

On the drive home Satoru stared out the car window at the familiar scenery of Fukuoka City. He thought he might feel relief at being back in his old world. Instead, all he felt was… homesickness.

It was good to be back but as expected, his heart was still in Tempest.

Satoru leaned back in his seat, "I forgot how tired humans get. Is everything okay at work? You're not in trouble for being here right?" It was well past their designated lunch break after all.

"It's fine. Tanaka-san is covering for me. Everyone was worried about you when they heard," Tamura looked regretful when he said the next part, "Boss isn't happy, but he relented to giving you some time off to recover if you need it."

"Hah? That old slave driver? When is he ever happy? Don't worry about him. I don't think I'll be returning to work after this week."

"Eh? What do you mean you won't be returning?"

"I mean exactly that. I'm quitting. I'll email my resignation letter and collect all my things by the end of the week."

Tamura looked sad, "So I won't be seeing Senpai as much then."

"Well, we can still meet up for coffee or something if you want, but I figure we'll both be pretty busy in the next few months so I can't promise anything. I guess I'll be seeing you at your wedding celebration next as one of your groomsmen."

Tamura brightened up at the mention of his wedding, "Yes! Luckily Miho-chan has taken full control over the wedding planning. I don't have much to do aside from choosing my suit, favourite food and music. My bachelor party is another story though, let's not mention it to Miho-chan."

"Just watch as your credit card moves even further into red…"

"Oi! Don't say scary things like that…"

The two old friends chatted until they reached Satoru's apartment complex. For some reason, Tamura insisted on walking Satoru up to his door.

Satoru rang the doorbell.

"Senpai, how come you don't have your key with you? I thought you lived alone."

"Well, I have a guest staying over right now. I gave him my key to get in."

"Wait, by 'guest' do you mean…"

The door opened.

Satoru's eyes widened in surprise. The person who answered the door wasn't his other self. A beautiful dark blue haired woman leaned against the doorframe and smiled coyly at him.

"Anata, welcome back." The woman leaned into his space. She placed her hands on his shoulders and kissed his cheek. That cheek immediately turned red.

Satoru could feel Tamura's eyes burning holes through his head, but that wasn't his focus right now.

"W-Who are you?"

The woman pouted, "What do you mean? It's me, your wife."

Satoru choked on his own spit.

Wife?!

If only!

And how did she get into his apartment? Where was his other self when you needed him?

Tamura, "So Senpai is actually married."

"Oi! Tamura, I'm not married. I don't know who she is."

The woman's eyes suddenly became watery and her lips trembled. "How could you say that?"

Satoru was pretty sure those were crocodile tears, but it made him feel shitty nonetheless. Tamura looked at him like he was disappointed.

Tamura, "Senpai, I expected better of you. A man has to take responsibility."

Oi, isn't that what I always tell you?! Satoru screamed in his mind, full of nerves.

A loud laugh rang in the apartment. The next moment, Satoru received a rush of memories that was just as surprising as this situation. His face flushed as this woman's presence took on a whole new meaning. This was embarrassing. Turns out, he was being pranked by his other self again. Was he really that bad?

"Okay Ciel. That's enough." Finally, his other self decided to show up. A red slime embraced against his chest. Slime Ciel was currently doing her best impersonation of a plush toy.

Human Ciel's tears instantly dried up and her face was back to her stoic expression. Satoru looked at her disbelievingly. Who knew she could act like this?

"Oh! It's you," Tamura recognized, "senpai's reincarnation. Rimuru right?"

"That's me. Sorry, but I need to borrow Satoru here to talk."

Tamura, "Alright, I need to head back to work anyway. Senpai, call me if you have any problems."

Human Ciel, "No need. I'll be taking care of Shujin-sama."

"... Senpai you're lucky. Miho-chan would never refer to me as her 'Shujin', she insists on 'Otto' when we get married. Don't make such a good beautiful woman sad anymore okay?"

"Tamura!"

"Bye~"

When Tamura left, Satoru threw a deadpan look at Rimuru. "That wasn't funny."

Rimuru laughed, "I disagree. Come on, let's go inside and wait for Diablo to finish his job."

.•° ✿ °•.

"Sir, the gold has been appraised. It's value has amounted to 180.5 Million Yen."

Diablo didn't reply. Instead he stared at the greedy man with amusement. Not that the man could see his eyes as Diablo wore his dark shades even indoors.

The man began to sweat, "Sir? Is something wrong?"

"You're lying." Diablo decided to call the man out.

"You -How rude! Young man, our establishment has been exchanging gold for longer than you've been alive. Rest assured, our professionals know what they're doing."

"Oh do they? That would indeed be the value if it was regular gold. This gold however, is extremely pure. The purest in fact. Its value is above that of common gold. I already know the true value of this gold. Since you're dishonest, I'll take my gold elsewhere."

Diablo saw the man sweat even more. Pathetic. Were they betting on his supposed 'youth' that he wouldn't know the difference?

The man tried to come up with an excuse, but clammed up. Unnoticeably, Diablo was releasing just a speck of his aura throughout the conversation.

Diablo leisurely got up and headed for the door.

"W-Wait… Sir! How about 240 Million?"

Diablo paused and turned around. A devilish smile split his face. "That's what I like to hear."

It still wasn't the correct value, but it was close enough. Rimuru-sama would be pleased.

.•° ✿ °•.

Author End Notes

'Shujin' means 'husband' but is closer to 'master'. Thought it was appropriate.

'Otto' is a more casual term that just means 'husband' as is what most modern Japanese women use to refer to their spouse.

'Anata' means 'dear' or 'darling'.