It was nearly dusk, and Yuuto and the girls were on their way back home from the sushi restaurant. The girls had all enjoyed the meal, especially Kasumi, who spent most of the meal being awe-struck by the turntable which ferried all the different sushi dishes around the bar. Everyone had a fair helping of food, and they all decided to pay for themselves, much to Yuuto's relief. While chatting as they came through the front entrance, the receptionist from the front desk called out to the human.
''Kazama-san, there's a package here for you.''
Yuuto turned to see a young human woman with long brown curly hair and blue eyes, wearing a white button-up shirt, a black skirt, a black tie, black high heels, and a pair of slim, red-framed glasses. There was also a long, rectangular cardboard package on the desk. He made his way to the front desk with a look of confusion.
''For me? I haven't even ordered anything since I moved in.'' He replied as he scratched the side of his head.
''Well, it was addressed to you. Perhaps it's a parcel from a relative.'' The woman replied with a smile on her face.
Yuuto was looking over the package to see that was the case. He found a hand-written label, with his name, and the address of the apartment building.
''Yeah, that's definitely me alright, but who could've sent it?'' He puzzled as he continued to search for the sender's address.
''Maybe you've got a secret admirer, Beesh.'' Zombina said teasingly from right behind him, with a massive grin on her face.
''I've already got Kasumi keeping an eye on me. I don't need a full-on stalker on top of that.'' Yuuto replied in an annoyed tone with his eyebrows furrowed.
''Maybe he bought a load of flesh lights and doesn't want us to find out.'' Doppel suggested with a mischievous grin from the other side of him.
'…Doppel, I really worry about what goes on in that head of yours sometimes.' He responded, raising an eyebrow at the doppelganger's remark.
'Wait! What was that about Stud getting flesh lights?!' Blare yelled in shock and the sudden discovery. ''Why would you want one of those when you've got me right next door?!''
The blonde's face went red with embarrassment at the hellhound's outburst. ''Okay! First of all, there are no flesh lights! Secondly, you know it's illegal for the two of us to have sex!'' He shouted out in response.
'So, that means you would if it was legal?!' She exclaimed excitedly, her tail wagging now a blur and the flames from the corner of her eyes blazing brightly, her eyes full of hope.
'I NEVER SAID THAT!' Yuuto practically screamed in protest at Blare's insinuation.
'Geez Stud. You can be really stingy sometimes…' Blare pouted as her ears pressed against her head, and her tail drooped in disappointment.
Zombina was laughing hysterically at the exchange, while Doppel was snickering to herself. The poor woman behind the desk just stood there in shock, surprised by the sudden vulgar conversation taking place in the public lobby of the apartment building.
'E-E-Excuse me, Kazama-san. C-Can you reframe from talking about illegal illicit activities so openly in public please?'
Yuuto turned back to the young woman behind the desk. 'You did hear me say no, right?'
'E-Even so, this is not the place to be conversing about such matters.' She replied shyly, finding the whole situation rather awkward.
''…My apologies for me and my friend's vulgar comments. This will not be a regular occurrence, I assure you.'' He apologised, bowing before the woman, in hopes of defusing the situation.
''I-It's quite alright, make sure it doesn't happen again.'' The woman replied with a timid smile.
'Of course.' Yuuto stood up straight again as he started to re-examine the package that arrived for him. ''C'mon, there has to be a return to sender address here somewhere.'' He muttered to himself, as Zombina, Doppel, and Blare, checked out the package from over his shoulder. 'Ah, here it is. Mr Takahiro Kaza…' He paused suddenly once he realised who it was from.
''Beesh, what's wrong?'' Zombina asked out of concern from the sudden pause.
''…It's from my father…'' Yuuto was barely audible when he mentioned this, though it was clear by the now troubled look on his face that the mere mentioning of his father did not please him in the slightest.
''Your dad? Don't you guys…'' Blare's question was cut short when Doppel put a hand on the hellhound's shoulder. Turning her head to face the doppelganger, she saw that the small woman was shaking her head a her with a disapproving look on her face.
''It's obvious that he doesn't want to talk about it, so let it be, Pup.''
'But…' Blare wanted to protest, but was cut short again as Yuuto spoke up.
''It's alright, Blare. It's just that me and my father haven't been on good terms for a while. It's a long story I'd rather not talk about right now.'' Yuuto said with a sad smile, still looking down at the package.
Blare quietly placed a padded hand on his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him, which caused Yuuto to look back up at the girl, whose face was full of concern.
''Thanks Blare. I'll be alright''
Blare returned a smile, though she was still worried about what was going on with him.
Yuuto picked up the package in one hand and rested it against his shoulder once Blare had removed her hand. He then bowed towards the receptionist. 'Thank you for accepting the package for me while I was out.'
''It's no trouble, Kazama-san. Enjoy the rest of your evening.'' The woman replied with a wave as the group left the front desk and made their way towards the elevator.
'So, what do you think it is?' Zombina asked curiously as she pressed the call button for the elevator.
''Not sure, but I don't like the fact that he just sent it without informing me.'' Yuuto replied, just as the door opened.
The group stepped into the elevator, with Zombina pressing the button for the third floor, and Yuuto pressing the button for the fourth floor. The doors then shut in front of them, and Yuuto rested the package on its end next to him, before the elevator started ascending.
''What's wrong with that, Newbie?'' Doppel asked in a sceptical tone.
Yuuto's face had a troubled look on it once again as he continued. 'He only ever does anything that benefits him directly. I can't help but find this gift from him suspicious.''
As if sensing his anxiety, Zombina placed a hand on his shoulder, and gently squeezed it in an attempt to comfort him. ''Don't worry, Beesh. I'm sure it's something good for you. Maybe he just wants to make amends.'' She said with her signature grin.
Yuuto looked back to the laid-back zombie with a smile of his own. 'I wish I could be as optimistic as you sometimes.'
The elevator dinged as it reached the third floor, shortly followed by the doors opening.
'Well, this is our stop. Take care.' Doppel said with a smile and a wave.
Before Zombina followed after the doppelganger, she pulled her human comrade into a hug, which he reciprocated. ''Cheer up, I'll come by and check on you later, okay?''
'Sure thing, and thanks for the support, as always.'
'No problem.' She replied as she broke off from the hug and left the elevator. 'Seeya later, Beesh!' She exclaimed with a wave.
'Later Zee.' He replied as he waved back at her, before the doors shut once more, and the elevator started making its way to the fourth floor.
Blare could sense that her captain was still feeling uneasy in regard to his father's 'gift', and it was eating at her to see him this way. She stood next to him so they were shoulder to shoulder, and she rested her head on his shoulder.
''Stud, you know I'm always here for you if you need me, right?'' The hellhound asked, trying her best to reassure her friend.
Yuuto looked down at her to see her face full of concern. Feeling guilty about worrying her, he placed a hand on top of her head and stroked her gently.
'Yeah, and I really appreciated it. Thanks Blare.' He smiled down at her as he started to gently rub her ears.
Blare couldn't help but nuzzle her head against his shoulder as she beamed up at him with her cheeks red and her tail wagging joyfully at the affection she was receiving. ''I'm going to have to say that more if this is the treatment I'm going to get.'' She replied, glad that she managed to make him feel a bit better at least.
''Don't start expecting it every time you get me to smile, got it?''
'I make no promises.' Blare replied, winking at him and sticking out her tongue.
The elevator dinged once more as they reached the fourth floor and the doors opened in front of them. Blare stepped out while Yuuto picked up his package and followed after her. As they neared their apartments, they saw that Kasumi was waiting outside for them in front of Yuuto's front door.
''Hey Kasumi, what's up?'' Yuuto asked, unsure as to why the empusa was waiting outside his apartment.
Upon hearing her name, Kasumi looked towards their direction as a smile crossed her face. ''Senpai, we didn't get chance to talk while we were out today, so I thought we could get the chance to catch up now.''
'Yeah, looks like you were having fun at the store earlier, Stud, and without us too.' Blare added teasingly with a wink.
''Well, I guess I can make time for you two now. Not like I'm in any rush to open this thing.'' Yuuto replied as he placed the package down to retrieve the key to his apartment from his pocket.
'Why not? I was under the assumption that humans enjoyed receiving gifts from one another.' Kasumi checked the exterior of the package over while Yuuto was opening the front door of his apartment.
''It's a long story I'd rather not talk about right now.'' Yuuto replied with a grimace. With the door now open, he picked up the package and walked inside. 'Anyway, make yourselves at home, girls. You two want tea? Coffee? Maybe some beers?'
Blare and Kasumi followed him inside at his request, both looking forward to putting their feet up.
'Coffee sounds great right about now!' Blare exclaimed as she stretched her arms before taking a seat at the couch.
'Could I have tea please? Milk and no sugar thank you.' Kasumi answered politely as she took her seat at the opposite end of the couch.
Yuuto placed the package on his bed before making his way to the kitchenette to fill the kettle with water. ''Sure thing, it'll take a couple of…'' He lost his train of thought when he discovered the contents of the sink bowl. 'What the hell?'
'What is it Stud?' Blare asked with a look of concern, while Kasumi got up from her seat to investigate the sink.
'I think it might be easier if you see it for yourself.' Yuuto replied as he was struggling to make sense of his discovery.
Blare begrudgingly got up from her seat to see what the big deal was. ''Seriously, what could be so interesting about what's in the HOLY CRAP! WHAT IS THAT?!''
What the three MON agents saw was a pool of orange liquid in the sink bowl. It looked gooey in nature, but the substance did look familiar to Yuuto and Blare.
'I think it might be a slime. Thought you would remember what one looks like considering you were immersed in one just last week.' He replied with a chuckle at remembering the hellhound's misfortune.
''You don't need to remind me, Stud!'' Blare shouted in annoyance, remembering the unpleasantness of the experience of swimming inside a slime. 'How did it even get in here?!'
'I can only presume it came in through the plumbing.' Kasumi explained as she examined the orange goo.
'Hmmm, I wonder…'
Without hesitation, Yuuto stuck out the index finger of his right hand, and prodded the substance in the sink to see if it was truly a slime they were dealing with. The instant he made contact, a pair of yellow orbs opened up on the surface of the goo. Blare flinched backwards while Yuuto quickly yanked his finger from the slime. After a moment, two small stubs formed on the surface, along with a tendril with a yellow tip that draped over the right orb, which was presumably the slime's eye. Not long after, the slime condensed itself into a sphere, and placed its stubs on the edge of the bowl and looked over the rim towards the human. After calming down, Yuuto crouched down so he was at eye level with the orange slime.
'Hey there. What are you doing here?' Yuuto asked the slime in a friendly tone as a smile crossed his face.
The slime raised one of its stubs and waved at him, now feeling more comfortable around the three MON agents.
Yuuto chuckled at the adorable gesture and waved back at the slime. ''It's nice to meet you too.''
'I wonder if it understands us…' Blare muttered to herself as she crouched down next to Yuuto.
The slime turned to face the hellhound and nodded at her.
'It seems intelligent at least.' Kasumi added as she also knelt down next to Yuuto. 'I hear slimes are very quick learners and have excellent memories on top of that.'
As if to prove her point, the slime decided to climb out of the bowl and onto the work surface, and slowly inched its way to the tap. It then turned on the cold water and filled up the bowl she was found in. It then turned off the tap again, and proceeded to dip its feeler into the bowl of water, and started to suck it up.
''I guess she's thirsty. Maybe she might be hungry too.''Yuuto reasoned before he stood up and made his way to the fridge. He opened the fridge door to find a couple loafs of bread, butter, milk, some ham, cheese, eggs, a collection of fruit and veg, and a six pack of beer bottles. 'I wonder what she'd like…' He muttered to himself as he checked the contents of the fridge.
While he was rummaging through the fridge for something to give her, the slime emptied the contents of the bowl and was now twice the size it was before, all the while Blare and Kasumi watched the slime with intent curiosity. It then made its way to the edge of the work surface and its form started to change shape.
'The hell is it doing?' Blare asked with a quizzical look on her face.
''I don't know, but I suggest we should stand back for now.'' Kasumi replied, realising that staying where they were would be unwise.
As the pair stood up and backed away from the sink, the slime started to expand, and grew out a pair of arms and legs, as well as growing four additional long tendrils from what was becoming her head, likely imitating hair, two of which stretched down her back and the other two dangling in front of her chest, while her feeler tendril grew in length down the side of her face, acting like a fringe. It had even grown a small nose and a small mouth on its face. Once finished, the slime had taken on the form of a young girl, similar to a certain other slime's child-like form.
'Wow, she can take on a human form just like Suu.' Blare said as a sincere smile crossed her lips.
'Suu?' Kasumi questioned, unsure of who Blare was talking about.
''Oh, she's a slime too, but she's blue with green tendrils.''
Feeling comfortable in her new form, the slime pushed herself from the work surface, and landed on her newly formed feet. She was unstable on her feet at first, possibly because she's never had legs to use before now, but after a moment, she stood up straight with a smile and a giggle. Yuuto looked from the fridge upon hearing the slightly echoey giggle to see the slime in human form. He then stood up straight and made his way to her.
'Nice job little missy. You really are a quick learner.' He praised the slime as he patted her head.
The slime looked up at him in confusion at first, before she realised that the head patting she was receiving felt good, at which point her face turned into one filled with joy with a massive smile, accompanied by another adorable giggle.
After a moment, Yuuto lifted his hand from her head. 'Anyway, do you want something to eat? My treat.'
The slime nodded eagerly as her face lit up with anticipation.
''Hey Stud! Why aren't you offering us food?!'' Blare yelled, starting to get jealous of all the attention the slime was getting from her squad captain.
'I must agree, I feel rather left out myself.' Kasumi added, pouting at the human.
'Did you two already forget about the sushi you stuffed yourselves with earlier?' Yuuto asked with an annoyed look directed at the pair.
''That's not the point! Don't go forgetting about us just because a slime showed up out of nowhere!'' Blare ranted with her tail standing on end and flames bellowing from the corners of her eyes.
'A good point. Senpai, have you not considered that this slime might be here illegally?' Kasumi asked in a serious tone.
Yuuto's eyebrows furrowed at the question, as he slowly was getting tired of the pair's complaints. ''Okay. First of all, don't you think you two are overreacting a bit? I'm pretty sure that the situation isn't as bad as you make it out to be. Also, even if our slime friend here did enter Japan illegally, I don't see the problem. Ms Smith let Suu stay at Kimihito's place without batting an eyelid. Granted, she probably did that just to avoid paperwork, but I don't see why she can't do the same for her. She hasn't even done anything wrong.''
'Um, Stud?' Blare said hesitantly.
'What now?' He asked now starting to get irate with her.
'May I suggest keeping an eye on her?' Kasumi questioned while pointing one of her sickles in the general direction of where the slime was.
Yuuto looked down to where the slime was standing, only to find that she had gone missing during his rant. 'Where did she go?!' He exclaimed in a worried tone while frantically looking around the room.
He noticed that Blare and Kasumi were pointing in the general direction of the fridge with nervous looks on their faces. Now looking towards the fridge, he saw that the orange slime had crammed her head into it, possibly consuming all the contents of the appliance. He rushed over to the slime to find that she had consumed all the fruit and vegetables and were floating around within here, being slowly digested. She turned around to face the human, content with what she was able to consume with a massive smile and a giggle.
'Well, someone likes their greens.' Yuuto stated, relieved that the slime didn't eat out the entire contents of the fridge.
''More power to her. Can't stand the stuff myself.'' Blare added with a massive grin and her hands held behind her head.
'Regardless, it seems her hunger has been sated for the time being.' Kasumi added flatly, still cautious of the slime.
Yuuto knelt down till he was at eye level with the slime. ''I know that you're hungry, but you can't just raid the fridge like that.'' He told her sternly.
The slime's smile faded and is replaced with a look of guilt, feeling bad about what she did.
Yuuto smiled at her again and started petting her head again. ''Hey, it's okay. I'm not angry with you. Just wait for me to get something for you in future, okay?'' He said in a gentler manner, as not to scare her.
Her face lit up again as he reassured her. She then extended her feeler and placed the yellow tip onto his forehead.
'Wait, what are you…'
Yuuto was cut short as a sharp pain went through his head, but in an instant, it disappeared. He winced in pain momentarily as the slime girl removed her feeler from his head. Blare and Kasumi quickly made their way to the pair when they noticed that their captain was in pain.
'Senpai, are you alright?' The empusa asked in a worried tone as she knelt next to him.
''It's alright, just stung for a second, that's all.'' Yuuto replied to ease the girl's concern.
'What the hell was that for, Slimy?!' Blare yelled at the slime girl for hurting him.
The slime looked up at her, her face guilt-ridden once again. ''I'm sorry Blare, I didn't mean to hurt Yuuto, but I wanted to know more about you guys.'' She replied in an apologetic tone.
The three MON agents just stared wide-eyed at the slime girl, surprised that she had suddenly started talking out of nowhere. What was more surprising was that she knew Blare's and Yuuto's names, despite not having mentioned them since they met the slime.
'So, she can talk.' Kasumi broke the silence, stating the obvious.
''TALK?! She just blurted out our names out of nowhere, and you're more intrigued by the fact that she can talk?!'' Blare exclaimed sounding both worried and angry at the same time.
'I think she just read my mind.' Yuuto answered calmly as he rubbed his temple.
'DID WHAT?!' The hellhound exclaimed in shock once again.
''It's alright Blare. Last time we were at Kimihito's place, he told me that Suu can do something similar.'' He explained as he stood up straight along with Kasumi.
'Now that is a useful ability to have.' The shinobi added, slightly jealous that she can't do the same.
The small slime girl looked up curiously as the group talked amongst themselves about her, now armed with the knowledge she ascertained from Yuuto from reading his thoughts and his memories. They were all still a jumbled mess in her mind right now, but she would eventually make sense of it all.
''That's all well and good, but she hurt you doing that!'' Blare continued to rant about the slime.
'Only for an instant.' Yuuto replied, before turning his attention back to the slime girl. ''Besides, she said she was sorry, so there's no problem.'' He added as he petted her head once more, which she smiled and giggled at.
'But…'
'Blare, can you really stay mad at such a cutie like her?' He asked the hellhound as he gestured her to look at the innocent looking slime girl, who had her feeler gently wrapped around his arm and wrist with a content smile on her face.
''He's right Blare, she seems innocent enough.'' Kasumi added with a sincere smile.
Blare looked down at the slime girl, and she saw that she wasn't hostile, but curious and inquisitive, and adorable on top of that. ''Fine. I'll admit, she's pretty cute.'' She said begrudgingly as a blush appeared on her cheeks.
Happy with her answer, Yuuto ruffled Blare's hair with his free hand, which she really enjoyed. After a moment, he removed his hands from their heads and knelt down to be at eye level with the slime again.
'Sweetie, do you have a name? Seems fair to know seeing you know ours already.' He said smiling at the girl.
She shook her head at him before she replied. ''My people are solitary creatures, so we don't have names for each other.''
'How about I give you one?'
''I'd love that.'' The slime girl replied as her face lit up with joy.
'Why not call her Slimy?' Blare said, thinking it would be suitable enough.
'Seems a bit unimaginative if you ask me.' Kasumi answered as she tilted her head to the side.
''I'd like to see you come up with a better one!''
'…Gelleta Ooze...' Kasumi suggested with a quizzical look.
''That's too much of a mouthful!''
As the pair were arguing over names, Yuuto as puzzling over names himself, until he noticed the vegetables still floating around inside her. Suddenly, an idea leapt at him in his mind.
'How do you like Vee?' He asked the slime girl.
She repeated the word 'Vee' in her head over and over, trying to figure out if she liked it. 'Vee!' She exclaimed suddenly, which caused Yuuto to jump back suddenly. 'I like Vee!' She exclaimed joyously.
A smile crept onto his face as the slime girl repeated the name out loud. 'Okay, Vee it is.'
'I thought my name was good…' Kasumi pouted to herself.
KNOCK KNOCK
There was a sudden knock at the door. Yuuto could only presume that Zombina had come to check on him. Before he could get up, Vee ran off towards the front door.
''I'll get it!'' She exclaimed excitedly as she reached the front door.
The orange slime girl opened the door to find Zombina and Tio waiting outside of Yuuto's apartment.
''What the hell? What's a slime doing here?'' Zombina asked out loud with a look of confusion.
'AWWWWWWW! SO CUUUUUTTTEEEE!' Tio squeed before she wrapped her arms around Vee and lifted her into a loving embrace. ''Bina-chan, she's so squishy and adorable!'' She exclaimed as she nuzzled her cheek against the slime girl's head, while Vee was giggling with glee.
Yuuto came running up to the front door with Blare and Kasumi in tow. ''Oh, hey Zee. Hey Tio. I guess you've already met Vee.'' He said as he nervously rubbed the back of his head.
'Yeah, where the hell did she come from?' Zombina asked, still curious as to why a slime was in Yuuto's apartment.
''Not sure, I found her in my sink when I got back here.''
Tio had finally calmed down and placed Vee back down. 'Sweetie, what are you going to do with her?' The ogress asked as she started to pet the slime girl.
'I was hoping I could persuade Smith to let me look after Vee for the time being.' Yuuto replied as he looked down at the slime girl with a sincere smile.
'Yuuto…' Vee looked up at the blonde human with a massive smile on her face.
''Yeah, yeah. We can deal with that tomorrow, but we've got more important things to deal with right now.'' Zombina butted in with a massive grin.
'Like what?' Yuuto asked with a quizzical look.
''Like what's in that damn package of yours!'' The red-head yelled excitedly.
'Zee…' He looked at the zombie with his eyebrows furrowed.
''C'mon, what it that package is dangerous?! We need to find out!''
''…You just want an excuse to see what it is, don't you?'' He accused the zombie with a hint of annoyance.
''Dammit Beesh, I need to know! It's killing me here!'' Zombina yelled, her curiosity getting the better of her.
''But isn't Zee already dead?'' Vee asked as her feeler changed into the shape of a question mark.
''I didn't mean it literally!''
'…Fine, I might as well get it over and done with…' Yuuto said begrudgingly, before inviting his new guests inside his apartment.
'Stud?'
''It's okay Blare. Can't avoid the damn thing forever…'' He replied sounding upset as he passed by her and Kasumi.
'I think he might have had a big falling out with his father from what I can guess.' Kasumi said to the hellhound in a hushed tone, as not to grab the attention of their squad captain.
'Yeah, but still…' Blare replied as her tail drooped and her ears pressed against her head.
The group made their way to his bed where he left the package. Yuuto moved the package to one side before taking a seat on the bed, and then placing the package on his lap. Blare and Kasumi took a seat at either side of him, while Zombina, Tio, and Vee, stood in front of him.
'Okay, can someone pass me some scissors, please?'
Blare raised a claw-tipped finger, while Kasumi raised one of her sickles.
''I guess they'll work.''
With that, the hellhound and the empusa got to work on carefully cutting open the package on either side of Yuuto with their tools of choice.
''I wonder what it could be.' Tio muttered to herself, her arms wrapped around Vee.
''I bet its booze!'' Zombina exclaimed with a massive grin.
'Well, fingers crossed.' Yuuto said flatly, trying his best to be hopeful.
As Blare and Kasumi finished cutting open either end of the package, Yuuto ripped open the seal in the middle, and removed the wrapping. His eyes went wide as soon as he saw what was inside.
''No way. He couldn't have…'' He muttered to himself in disbelief.
What he found was a large black container, covered in an oriental flower pattern.
'What is it, Stud?' Blare asked out of curiosity.
'Do you know what it is?' Kasumi asked with her head tilted.
'If it is what I think it is.'
'Oh, what a pretty box.' Tio said with a smile on her face.
''Who cares about the box? It's what's inside that I wanna know.'' Zombina blurted out impatiently.
Vee just looked at the box in awe, wondering what secrets it held for them.
With a deep breath, Yuuto proceeded to lift the catch that sealed the lid before opening it wide. Once open, the group saw that it contained a katana. The handle was black, and had a gold criss-cross pattern going down the side, and a golden leaf pattern on the end. The hilt was also black, and was designed in the shape of a lotus flower. The sheath that the blade was held in was black and had now patterns on it, only decorated with a black leather strap on the end.
''It's my father's katana, Black Lotus.'' Yuuto explained, surprised by what he'd been given.
''Holy crap! That's awesome!'' Blare exclaimed excitedly.
'That is quite the gift.' Kasumi said, staring at the sword with admiration.
'No way! I want one too!' Zombina shouted, feeling very jealous.
''Wow, That's amazing Sweetie.'' Tio said while staring at the blade in awe.
'Wow.' Vee said out loud.
Yuuto lifted the weapon from the case before Kasumi picked up the case and placed it at the end of the bed. He stood up with the katana in both hands, and partly drew the weapon from its sheath, revealing a sharp steel blade, which was well taken care of if the quality of the shine and the sharpness of the blade was an indication.
''Yeah, it's the real deal.''Yuuto said as he pushed the blade back fully into the sheath.
While he was doing that, Kasumi noticed a paper envelope inside the case, so she decided to pick it up. ''Senpai, there's a letter in here for you.'' She said to him before standing up and presenting the envelope to him.
He turned his attention away from the katana at Kasumi's statement. 'Oh, thanks Kasumi.' He replied before taking the letter from her.
He placed the katana on the bed before opening up the envelope, and pulling the letter out. He unfolded the letter and skimmed its contents quickly. After doing so, a face of anger crossed his face.
'Girls, do you mind giving me a few minutes alone, please?' He asked in barely contained anger.
A look of concern crossed Kasumi's face briefly, before she recomposed herself, and nodded at his request. 'If that is what you wish.' She said before making her wait to the front door.
''What's the matter, Stud?'' Blare asked as she tried to place a hand on his shoulder, before Zombina grabbed her by the wrist. Blare looked at the zombie in shock before she spoke up.
'You heard him. We should leave him be for now.' Zombina said in a serious tone.
'…Right…' Blare replied hesitantly before backing away from the human.
'Yuuto?' Vee asked worriedly.
''C'mon Vee, we should do as he's asked. You can come and visit Yuuto's other friends while we're out.'' Tio said, trying to keep up her chipper mood.
'Okay.' The slime girl replied as she was guided out of the room by the kind-hearted ogress.
''We'll see you in a bit, Sweetie.'' Tio said while waving her free had at him.
Once all the girls left the room, Yuuto started reading the letter.
To my son, Yuuto.
I hope this letter finds you well. It has been some time since we last spoke, and I wish to enquire on your well-being. I am writing to you in hopes to persuade you to come back home and serve the family as you should. I have heard of your induction into the ranks of MON and the Interspecies Cultural Exchange Program, and I am disappointed that you are wasting your talents on such a lost cause. I have sent Black Lotus to you as a reminder of your position in the family as my heir, and of your responsibilities to the Kazama clan. I hope that you, as well as Hikari, put an end to your childish selfishness and come home as soon as possible, and bring honour back to the Kazama name.
Yours Sincerely,
Takahiro Kazama, Head of the Kazama Family.
As Yuuto finished reading the letter, he was barely able to hold back his anger and he resentment towards his so-called father. He picked up Black Lotus and held it to his side, before scrunching up the letter in his other hand, and threw I into the air. In a split second, he drew the blade from its sheath, and simultaneously cut through the ball of paper effortlessly. As the remains of the letter scattered across the floor of his apartment, tears that he had been holding back trailed down his face, now contorted in rage.
'That bastard hasn't changed one bit…'
A/N: Hi everyone, sorry about the delay. This chapter took longer than expected, but hopefully you'll enjoy it. As a warning, the updates for the story make take up to two weeks from now on, as I'm starting to struggle for ideas for chapters, so if you have any suggestions, please feel free to PM me with suggestions. As always, feel free to follow and favourite if you've enjoyed the story so far, and feel free to leave a review. Thank you very much for reading.