Hello, everyone! This is a new chapter! Chapter 105! I hope everyone will enjoy it and without further ado, let's start!
- Normal POV-
After Aichi (IF) and Kai (IF) left for someplace, Aichi finally let out a sigh of relief.
" Hey, what's going to happen now?" Suiko ask
" Beats me. I told him to do whatever he wants. You're free to follow them, but I have somewhere to be." Aichi replied
Rimuru and Kai came out from their hiding spots afterward.
" I can follow after them. They aren't the sharpest tool in the shed, so I can probably go after them without getting spotted." Rimuru said
" Go with him, Kai-kun. I'll be okay alone." Aichi assured
" ... Fine."
Aichi waved to them and left for a place. He made sure he was wearing his high school uniform before entering the school building. As he expected, he found the distortion world's Naoki and Shingo, surprised to see Nakagami inside fighting Naoki.
" You're..." Naoki exclaimed
" The Outsider, yes. The Aichi Sendou from here is currently out for..." Aichi trailed off but decided against telling them the details, " ... business. He most definitely won't be bothering anyone."
" Then why are you here?" Shingo ask
" I was thinking about talking. But Shingo-kun will be a little busy, so I can make do with Naoki-kun." Aichi. replied
" Okay..."
Naoki quickly ended his fight with Nakagami with a win and went outside the clubroom with Aichi.
" How is it, finally remembering your true self?" Aichi ask
" While I don't understand how I even became that Orange Cyclone, but there was something definitely wrong with this world. That was how I felt. It was a lucky thing that I could go back to myself. But now it's just Aichi... If he could just remember fun times with Vanguard..." Naoki said
" But it seems like he doesn't want to acknowledge Vanguard because it caused misery for the Toshiki Kai in this world. It's a good intention, but with a sacrifice." Aichi said
" You seem to know a lot of things. That Toshiki Kai from the Outside World and that girl with you too. She's strong, so I'm sure..." Naoki said
Aichi blinked, thinking about who Naoki was talking about before letting out a giggle.
" Oh, that one. Sorry to have used you guys as training dummies. She needed the training with a sword." Aichi said
" F-Figures..."
" We were instructed by Takuto-kun to not meddle with too many affairs in this world, so we've been holding back until that day. To save this world would be another issue though. I have the feeling that we won't have to wait any longer." Aichi said
" Huh?"
" Nothing. We can just wait now. I promise this world will be in its rightful form soon." Aichi said
" Yeah! We're counting on you guys and the magical girls, Aichi!" Naoki said
" Of course."
They did a fist bump to close off the promise.
- Rimuru POV-
Kai had summoned a cloud for us to ride on while we followed after this distorted world's Aichi and Kai. I can use my enhanced senses to keep watch over the two and listen to their conversations. Of course, I also removed my mask for convenience's sake.
" How is it?" Kai ask
" They seem to be going to some crowded place..." I replied
" Huh?"
I can't tell them... Those two are...
" This way." Kai (IF) had guided the way
" Where do you think you're bringing me to?!" Aichi (IF) exclaimed
" A small amusement park. Let's have fun here." Kai (IF) grinned
" Huh?! Listen, you can come here with your parents! I'm not the one you're supposed to come here with!" Aichi (IF) exclaimed
" Why not? You agreed to go wherever I want today. So we're doing exactly that. Don't be mistaken though, this is most definitely a date!" Kai (IF) stated
" Wha?!"
Damn... Even as a distorted self, Kai can be such a smooth talker in any world.
" This is why I can't take handsome guys..." I muttered
" Hm? What's that face for?" Kai ask
Crap, he noticed.
" Nothing. I'm just gonna keep watching, so don't interrupt me." I said
" Okay..."
Anyway, Aichi (IF) had been protesting strongly against this forced date plan, but without his innate powers to work with, he's practically a normal boy right now. So he can be taken anywhere with enough force.
" I'm not like that Outsider!" Aichi (IF) protested
" It's exactly because you two are different. The only thing similar right now is those eyes and that face. The difference? You two are pretty different in character." Kai (IF) said
" Then why?!"
Whoa, whoa! You guys are in public! Don't just pin the poor kid in kabedon style out in the open like that!
" Wai-"
Kai (IF) looked closely at the poor sap's face. His face is red enough to paint the wall behind them.
" Pfft! You're definitely similar this way too! Shows that you're the same person inside as I thought!" Kai (IF) laughed before grabbing Aichi's (IF) hand again, " Let's go!"
" W-Wait!"
" Hey! Quit staring at me with that face! What are you seeing?!" Kai exclaimed
" Oh, nothing much. It just makes me wonder how many smooth talks you're so good at when Aichi's around you." I said
" Huh?"
We might be here for awhile... Those two are having quite a good time. Although Aichi (IF) doesn't smile much, he does seem to be enjoying his time. It was almost evening when they finally ended their fun with dinner in a cafe.
" Are you done emulating your happy times with that Outsider?" Aichi (IF) ask
Ouch, that's rough. That Kai (IF) is actually trying to get your attention, you know.
" I'm not. I wanted a few happy memories with you. That part is true. I enjoyed the date." Kai (IF) said
" Quit calling it that. I don't remember accepting to become your friend, much less a..." Aichi (IF) trailed off, turning his head away, " ... Anyway, I've satisfied my part of the deal with you. The next time we meet, we'll still be enemies."
" Come on, don't lie! I know you've definitely enjoyed yourself." Kai (IF) said, he seemed to think about something before looking back up again, " Ai... I mean the Outsider told me things. His absence until now also left me thinking about many things. Hey. Let's not do this anymore. This world can remain distorted, but I can never be truly happy as I am right now."
" What are you talking about? You're happy right now. Your parents are with you." Aichi (IF) retorted
" No. I can't be happy. You're not there. How can I be?" Kai (IF) ask
" Huh?"
" Don't you understand? You saw those two together. I can't feel anything missing in their current life. Do you know why? They filled each other's holes. The holes in their hearts." Kai (IF) said
" Holes?"
" Without my parents, I was lonely while being pushed from family to family. You were bullied and had no friends. We were both lonely. But just one Vanguard card continued to bring us back to each other in the end. Even now, Blaster Blade is the card that is connecting us. Why can't you see it? It's as if the entire universe is even saying that we can't be complete without each other." Kai (IF) explained
W... Wow. Even I feel like this conversation can go any way now... Handsome men and their smooth like butter tongues.
" You're looking at me like that again!" Kai exclaimed
I shrugged.
" So, even if you leave now, consider what I said. Please. I just know it. Without you, I..." Kai (IF) said
He was holding onto Aichi's (IF) hands again, looking into his eyes. But it's over now.
" Aichi's here." I informed
Yeah. Aichi arrived right after that heartfelt confession. Naturally, Aichi (IF) just removed his hands from Kai's (IF).
" Is this enough?" Aichi (IF) ask
" ... If you feel like that is enough. I've kept your powers off for far too long anyway." Aichi shrugged
" Wait! Please, I really need you to think harder about this! I can always be waiting for your answer!" Kai (IF) exclaimed
" ... It's impossible between us. One of us will have to sacrifice another's happiness. And I want that burden to be put on me instead of you." Aichi (IF) said as his powers were returned to him, " Goodbye."
In that instant, he teleported away as Kai (IF) sighed.
" You tried your best. I know very well how stubborn I am. So don't worry about it." Aichi assured him
I signaled for Kai to land us on the ground to carry Aichi and Kai (IF) back to a mansion.
" What did you and Aichi do?" Emi ask
" Huh? Well... Let's talk about that later." Kai (IF) said, a small blush on his face
" Okay..."
" It can't be helped. You can always try again next time." Aichi said
" I hope we have that chance again..." Kai (IF) said
At least he didn't get discouraged so easily. We arrived at a mansion through Suiko's instructions. It looks a little rundown with vines growing around the exterior of the mansion, but it seems liveable for them.
" We'll be parting here." Kai said
" Yeah, you guys need to rest for tonight. It's been a long day." Aichi added
" Yeah..."
But then the fairy, Shuka, just gasped and looked up at the sky as did Aichi and Kai.
" The fate of stars is being overwritten!" Shuka exclaimed
" Huh?!"
The stars are changing shapes and alignments... Is this some sort of constellation of fates?
" And we'd worked so hard to fix all those distortions!" Emi exclaimed
" Someone's messing with history." Aichi said
" Check the book." Kai said
Suiko nodded, flipping through the red book she was holding, her eyes widening.
" A page has been torn out!" Suiko exclaimed
" Someone altered history with that torn page." Kai said
" What?!"
" Who did it?!" Kai (IF) exclaimed
Suddenly, an eerie sounding whistling is heard and we looked towards the direction where the sound was coming from. Ibuki slowly walked out from the bushes, stopping his whistling once he came close.
" Ibuki!"
" You're okay! What have you been doing?! When you got swallowed up in the forest, I..." Kai (IF) started jogging towards him
Aichi quickly stopped him, his eyes narrowing.
" Don't."
" W-What is it?" Kai (IF) ask
" I recognize that look of yours, Ibuki. It's as if you've gone back to that time." Kai said
" Which would you be talking about?" Ibuki smirked
" Are you one of those Jammer guys? Or... You've fallen?" I ask
" You've guessed correctly. He's a Sanctuary Knight. Though it's not exactly a fallen. He's been awakened. My final trump card. Silver... Juggler." Kourin said, floating down behind Ibuki
Ibuki changed his attire to that of the Sanctuary Knights, the scenery around us changed to a terrain while some skeletal units appeared.
" So he's been brainwashed... That's what altered history." Kai said
" Huh?!"
" Emi! Shuka!"
The two girls transformed into their magical girls attires. Should I join in on this fight...?
" Let's watch, Rimuru-sama." Aichi said
" Are you sure? They look like they might need some help." I said
" They have to learn. The true terror of Deletors." Kai said
So this is their way of training these guys? They're not good fighters but I guess... Wait, did they just summon a robot and ride it? That's... pretty cool. They seem to be doing okay.
" ... Docking Deletor... Greion!" Ibuki declared
Another skeletal unit appeared and this one looks even more dangerous.
[Report. The unit, Greion, possesses the Delete ability.]
Then that means it can delete their units. This is bad. The robot disappeared in an instant. Even that Kai (IF) can't fight back properly against it when riding a card. He's gonna get deleted!
" Aichi! Kai!"
" Just wait a little." Aichi said
" Huh?"
Suddenly, a boomerang appeared out of nowhere to save Kai (IF) from becoming deleted. That blond... Isn't that Taishi Miwa?
" Doing okay, Kai?!" Miwa yelled
" Miwa..."
" You dare betray us, Pink Hurricane?!" Kourin exclaimed
" Betray you?! Ha! I don't recall ever joining your little club! See, I'm their friend, not yours! Taishi Miwa!" He grinned
" Let's leave." Aichi said
" Yeah."
In an instant, they managed to create a sandstorm with wind and we teleported out of the terrain. We were now near a roadside further down from the mansion.
" Is everyone okay?" Aichi ask
" Yes..."
" You really show off at the last minute, Kai. I mean, Outsider Kai." Miwa said
" You too. It took you so long, I thought we might have to start interfering." Kai smirked
" Kinda wish you did interfere, you know..." Miwa sighed
" If we did, these guys will never learn a little. How's the Deletor powers treating you guys?" Kai ask
" It was actually really scary..." Shuka said
" Yeah..."
" ... I remembered something too. I think I fought Ibuki before and got Deleted." Kai (IF) said
" Hm? But then... You weren't Deleted, Kai." I said
" Huh?"
" In our timeline. I was stopped before I could fight Ibuki. It was a lucky break on my part. Seems like your original timeline involved you getting Deleted." Kai said
" That's surprising..." I said before looking over to Aichi, " I guess you were the one who warned him off."
" Not me. Something else warned Kai-kun. I think I wasn't even conscious during that incident." Aichi said
What the hell even happened in that alien invasion...? These two really went through a lot.
" I told Ibuki to meet us at the place of beginning tomorrow. Will you guys help us out again?" Miwa ask
Aichi and Kai looked at each other before shrugging.
" Why not? I think we can do more than helping." Kai said
Uh huh. I think there won't even be a battle. The Deletors might not even fight because of their presence and skill.
" I'm gonna come over tomorrow too." I said
" No."
" Huh?!"
" Don't 'huh?!' us! You still have the business with Youm-san becoming Champion! If we continue letting you come over, what will we tell Shuna-san and the others?!" Aichi scolded
" Ugh... Okay, fine. In exchange, gimme more training. I still haven't gotten training on some things I was interested in, you know. Pride of a swordsman, remember?" I reminded
Aichi now seems to be contemplating it.
" Okay then. Tomorrow morning." Aichi said
" Alright!"
Kai was shaking his head at this discussion.
" Don't spoil him too much." He said
" I won't."
" Then we'll see you guys tomorrow morning. Make sure you get a good rest." Kai said
" Okay."
Aichi and Kai opened the portal back to Tempest and we entered it. Once we were safely back in Tempest, Kai entered another portal to get Tasuku back from their world. He returned with Tasuku, his nose a little red and his eyes teary.
" They said he woke up crying and with a little fever." Kai sighed
" Ah, poor kid must be suffering." I said
I patted Tasuku's hair and he immediately wanted me to carry him. Kai nodded and I carried Tasuku while he sniffled.
" There, there."
" I'm sorry. It must have hurt." Aichi cooed
[Notice: Apito's honey has medicinal properties that can heal and nourish individual Tasuku.]
I know that, but he's too young for flavors. If it had been the babies of monsters, it might work but human babies are different after all.
" ... Wanna stay over at my place tonight?" I ask
" Huh?"
Before they could respond, Tasuku was cooing at my question. Does he understand that?
" It doesn't hurt to stay there. Milim should be housing at Shuna's right now, so it shouldn't be a big problem. Tasuku seems to want to anyway." I said
" ... Okay. Thank you, Rimuru-sama."
I nodded and had someone bring our dinner to my hut. Now in my slime form, Tasuku was bouncing about on me. He doesn't look like a sick baby at all, which is good. It means he's at least not suffering that badly from the side effects.
" Glad you're having a good time with my slime body." I said
" Are you sure you want us to eat first? Tasuku-kun won't bother you too much?" Aichi ask worryingly
" No problem. I like kids, you know. Rather, if it was my previous life, I would've had a kid or a grown-up one by now..." I sighed
" Rimuru-sama..."
" It's okay. I kind of let that idea go by now since I'm practically genderless." I assured them, using my slime tendrils for Tasuku to grab, " Hurry up and eat."
" Okay."
Playing with a baby using this slime body is convenient too. I'm quite flexible in this form, so I can just form any shape for this baby and he can be easily entertained.
" ... Have you ever thought of being a godbrother or something?" Kai suddenly ask
" Huh?"
" Tasuku already has a godmother back in our world, but you know, he still doesn't have a sibling yet." Kai explained
" 'Yet'... How many children do you guys even plan to have?" I ask
" Five... Maybe. We can always change our minds, but I do want siblings for Tasuku one day. I discussed this with Aichi before." Kai said
" Wha... Five... Don't overwork Aichi. As a majin, he'll become weaker every time he gives birth." I said
[Notice: It does not apply to individual Aichi, who had originally been from a different world. His powers will be passed on to new offsprings while maintaining his original powers.]
H... Huh? These two are practically going to be powerhouses then. If I tell that to Kai, he might...
" Rimuru-sama? What do you mean by that?" Aichi ask
" N-Never mind what I just said. It seems like you won't be affected by the logic of this world." I explained
" Then it's safe to have multiple children without risking Aichi's life?" Kai ask
" It seems to be that way." I replied
That means Kai also won't be affected when he has new offspring. That's... pretty amazing for them. Kai's practically beaming.
" Aichi-"
" Not in another few years, Kai-kun." Aichi cut him off his thoughts
I knew it. This guy takes any chances he gets, huh?
" ... Okay, in another few years." Kai agreed pretty easily
Aichi smiled at that reply.
" Back to what we were saying, how about it?" Kai ask
" Oh, but why a godbrother? Wouldn't godfather be more suitable?" I ask
" Not with that face and body. No one would believe us." Kai waved off my question
" Do you even know how long you've been alive in this world?" Aichi ask
" You mean after reincarnation? I was 37 years old in my previous life, but if you mean right now then... Almost one year..." I slowly realized
I'm an almost one-year-old slime! Practically the age of a baby!
" That's why." Aichi said as if reading my thoughts
" ... Makes sense. You think Tasuku will like me as a godbrother though?" I ask
" Of course he will. Look at him now. He likes you a lot." Aichi said
Well, yeah. Tasuku's just happily clapping along while we were having this conversation. Maybe it won't be that bad...
" Oh! Does that mean you two will finally be casual with me?" I ask
" No."
" No way."
" Damn..."
Well, I can't help it since they insist on that. It's kinda nice to have them around sometimes. There's a sense of calm and peace around them that I like.
" Okay! What do you want to play now, Tasuku?" I ask
He was cooing happily when I said that and we continued playing around.
And that's the end of this chapter! Thank you for reading! I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and I'll see everyone in the next chapter!