Disclaimer: All respective rights/ownership go to their rightful owners. I claim no ownership besides any OC. I only wish to write a story :d.
What exactly makes a God or Goddess?
Well first and foremost, it would be faith. If no one believed in the said deity, they may as well not even exist. The issue with this, is showing that you exist.
In the past, way before I even existed, there used to be only one Goddess. There isn't much to go on about her time as a Goddess, but one could gather that she interacted very differently from our Goddesses of today. Our Goddesses constantly show themselves to us either in their HDD form (which is most of the time), or in their 'human' form. From what one could barely scrap together from the original Goddess's rule is that she barely ever showed herself. She gave displays of power and ensured the people lived comfortably, but she almost never showed herself like our current Goddesses. That is until some great war happened, and you could see her fairly often from there until she separated her powers and created our Goddesses. So the records of the past say at least.
You would think it'd be a good idea, as each Goddess could keep each other in check and we could all live-in harmony, which didn't happen of course. Beings of power tend to be that way, which led to the long drawn out Console War. The power that sparked this Console War. Without it, each of our Goddesses would die. So, it's in their each respective best interest to maintain a good flow of shares. Of course, in exchange, we are protected by our Console Patron Unit. A mutual effort to keep each other alive.
In the case of our Goddesses, they create games and ensure that we all live as best as they can possibly provide us. In a sense, you could call them our parents.
Which doesn't help how I feel currently.
Lady Noire left me at one of the many food court tables to go get us some food. She felt bad about how our exchange with Kasumi went, and insisted on treating me to make up for it. Regardless of how much I told her not to, she remained strong and refused until I conceded. Not like I would have lasted long anyway, refusing you're Goddess is as good as signing a death warrant.
Which leaves me to sit here and think about the last half hour or so. I know… No. I feel that I made the right choice in staying with Lady Noire. She's the friend that I had just made, so it wouldn't be right to just leave her in favor of Kasumi. Right? I mean, I've allowed Kasumi to be my focal point for the majority of my life. It isn't wrong to want to spend time with other people. It doesn't help that Lady Noire is the Goddess of my home, I don't know if she'd be vengeful or understanding, but she's a Goddess. Not like there is much of a choice when you factor that in…but. When I think back on it, Kasumi is most likely the reason that I never had more friends besides her. My own lack of social skills didn't help to that dilemma, but Kasumi didn't help with how…possessive she is? I'm not sure if that's the word I should be using. I mean, I was and have been her only friend, so I COULD excuse someone for not wanting to lose that. But, at the same time, isn't that what she's always did? But maybe I should have gone with Kasumi? I haven't known Lady Noire for as long as I've known Kasumi, so maybe that wouldn't incur Lady Noire's wrath? I don't know. I had to break my self-made promise, was it worth it? Breaking that promise hurt me more than anyone could possibly understand. Nothing but maybes are swirling around in my head. I do feel that staying with Lady Noire was the correct decision though. From how she spoke about having friends before, it leads me to believe that she may not have many friends. Didn't I stay with Kasumi oh so long ago for the very same reason?
Ugh, my head hurts. So much drama.
Still, I just can't help but think about how Kasumi acted throughout her exchange with Lady Noire went. She felt off. Really off. The amount of aggression she had towards Lady Noire felt completely unnatural. Like, ugh. If I were to best describe it, I'd say a predator coming upon something that was in its territory? Yea, that sounds like the best analogy. Makes a shiver run through me though.
Thinking through it all like this still hasn't helped me sift through my confusion. I mean, I feel like I've thought through as far as I can with the information I have and the only way I can know more is if I ask Kasumi. I can only hope that she'll be even a little forthcoming with something.
"Hey, sorry it was a while, the lines were a little long." Lady Noire says apologetically as she once again brings me back to reality. "Don't worry Lady Noire, a little waiting never hurt anyone." She smiles and nods as she lays out our food and we begin to eat. I can't help but notice how she said that. She could have easily skipped the line by flaunting her power but chose not to and waited like anyone else. I'm pretty sure anyone would have literally bended over the second she even began to speak. It makes her oddly human…
We didn't really talk much after that. We sat in silence and enjoyed our respective meals and shortly decided to leave the mall. Even in our walk back to the exit, we didn't talk. It wasn't like it was awkward (least I think it wasn't), but at the same time it wasn't comfortable.
"So, Adam." We had just arrived back outside of the mall and were standing face to face as Lady Noire began to talk. "I hope you appreciated the time you spent with me, after all, it's not like any Goddess would spend her time like this with just anyone you know?" I'm totally going to get used to her tsundere antics.
"I did enjoy myself. Thank you for the great time Lady Noire." She openly glows at my thanks, never thought she'd ever be this transparent. Anyway, now would be the best time to apologize. "I'm sorry about Kasumi by the way. I have no idea why she acted the way she did, and I'll try to talk to her about today later." I do have a slight idea of Kasumi's issue. I'm not 100% of what her thoughts are so I can't say anything for sure, but I know I'm in for it later.
"It's okay Adam! It's not like I care about your relationship with Kasumi or anything, but you definitely need to talk about what happened today with her. It doesn't sound like it was normal. After all, it's times like this where friends are most important" Ah. Well. It's best she thinks that way. At the very least, she's right that Kasumi's behavior was different, albeit only slightly from the usual. Wait. I feel like there might be something wrong with that previous thought…
"You sound like a real pro talking like that Lady Noire." She sputters and turns red at my words. "But your right Lady Noire, I'll try my best to figure out what is going on with her." I say with fake gusto. I know I won't figure out what's REALLY wrong with Kasumi unless I take her up on her proposal, which for various reasons won't happen. I mean, I'll have plenty of time to find out. Up until now, I've just ignored the problem without making any effort to solve it. I've just hoped that it would blow over if I ignored Kasumi long enough. Until I've procured another sword that is. Can't do much hunting without it, and I can't afford to spend much money on a good blade, but I need a good one to fight. Ugh. Life.
"Mhm. Just don't get into any trouble mister."
"Gotcha."
…
…
…
Well, this is awkward. This feels like the time we'd be saying goodbye and going our separate ways, but I can't muster up the words to do so. I mean. What kind of person would I be to dismiss the Goddess of Lastation like that? I'd be destroyed on the spot. So, I must let Lady Noire signal our departure, but she isn't. She's just looking around us observing all the people that are currently leaving the mall. I don't know exactly what she's looking for bu-
"Hey Adam."
"Y-yes!" Pull yourself together Aoi! "What is it Lady Noire?"
"Are we really friends? Not that it matters if we are or not, I just want to know what you think." Lady Noire says as she locks eyes with an intense gaze. Wasn't she the one that wanted us to go out like this and be friends in the first place? I'd normally attempt to vocalize this, but the tone of her voice prevents me. She genuinely wants an answer to this, tsundere remarks aside.
"If I'm being honest, I'm not exactly sure." She visibly slumps her shoulders down a bit and loses the edge in her eyes. "I haven't had much experience with friends, Kasumi wasn't lying when she said we only had each other, but our relationship is quite different Lady Noire. I… honestly can't say exactly where we stand, I don't know, but I really did enjoy the time that we spent together today. I…I definitely would like to do it again. So long as you're willing to excuse my awkwardness, I'd like the chance to really be friends with you." Holy Goddess, I can't believe I just said that! I'm so embarrassed! If I could die right now, I wouldn't be slightly upset about it at all. Goddess help me! Oh. Wait. The Goddess is right in front of me… Anyway.
When I had posed my question, I had looked away in embarrassment. I really can't believe I let something out like that. It just came out so naturally! She isn't saying anything either, is that good or bad!?
…
…
…
…
…uh. Is she okay? I have no choice but to look if I want to know. Big breath Adam.
I turn around and look at Lady Noire to see that she's staring at me open mouthed and red faced. Well. This is unexpected. I uh, really don't know what to do. Uh.
"That Lady Black Heart look alike is really flustered."
"Jeez, I wonder what her boyfriend said to her to make her like that."
"If that was the real Lady, everyone would have to kill that guy for doing whatever he did to fluster the Lady like that!"
"Definitely! But are you sure that's not Lady Black Heart? It's waaay to good to be a cosplay."
"Well, Lady Black Heart doesn't normally wear glasses…"
Alright. I'm now completely sure that the people of Lastation are just insanely gullible.
"Hey, Lady Noire. Uh, we can talk about this later if you'd feel like. I'm sorry if I was a little forward so ple-"
"No!" With a frantic and excited voice, Lady Noire interrupts me and surges towards me. "Don't be sorry! You just caught me off guard is all! I mean, no you didn't catch me off guard, but you did! I mean, uggh. I was going to ask you the same, but I was really nervous to ask because I thought you didn't really like being out with me, I mean, who would? I'm pretty boring and just do paper work all day, I'm told that my attitude is pretty hard to deal with as well, and I'm the Goddess of Lastation! I wouldn't think that there's no way anyone would be comfortable being around me without worshipping my every step! Like, wouldn't they think that if they said or did anything to me that they'd feel like they should die? I know I'm amazing and all, but no one that is a real friend to me should think like that towards me! I'm nice and really try to take care of people and it'd be nice to have a real friend who wouldn't worship me like those cults do. I've never really had a real friend, so this would be amazing that you'd like to be my friend too, I'd love to hang out with you more as well!" Lady Noire rapid fired all this at me with a starry-eyed look really close up to. As a result, I barely catch a word she just said. The only thing I can say that I really heard is that she wants to hang out again. It's probably better that I don't know whatever else she just said.
"Uh, well." She's reaaaaally close. Like, way to close. If this is what it's like when manga characters describe the blood rushing to their face, I don't want to experience this again. I'm just gonna scooch back a little. "I'd like to hang out with you again as well Lady Noire. Like I said, I enjoyed today, and you obviously did as well. Let's keep in touch and set up another date okay?" Wait, did I just say da-
"D-d-date!?" Holy Goddess I did say what I thought I said! "I didn't mean it like that Lady Noire! I'm so sorry for making it sound confusing, I just meant that we should hang out again, I'm so sorry for wording it like that!" I say as I instinctively bow down in apology. "I-it's okay Adam. You just caught me off guard is all, I totally knew what you meant. J-just raise your head Adam! We're in public and it's embarrassing!" Lady Noire nervously says as she takes a moment to calm herself. The way she said that makes me wonder what would have happen if I meant what I said for a second. Of course, the thought is dashed in the same moment that it came. Me? A no name citizen with no real future, who barely has any special talents, is only moderately good at swinging a sword around and more mental issues than I'd ever be willing to talk about. To ask the Goddess of Lastation out to a date? Never. Not in a million years would that ever be possible. Period.
"Ah, sorry." Oh man, a quick look around us proves that multiple people are giving us odd looks. I gotta get outta here. Any more embarrassment and I might actually die! "A-anyway, we have each other's numbers. You or I can text each other. I'll just…I'll see you later Lady Noire!"
I'm not proud to say this, but I, Adam Aoi. Ran away with my tail between my legs away from Lady Noire.
"W-wait! Adam! Come back!"
I've never felt the desire to die before, but the events that just transpired now, made me sincerely hope for it.
"So how was it?"
"It was good. We enjoyed ourselves a lot, and even plan on going out again sometime."
"Really now? I don't know what you did to get her to come out with you again, but it must have been something amazing."
"I'm not to sure about that, I was just myself."
"Hmm, if you say so, just don't embarrass yourself to much around the Lady."
"Ha-ha, sure. Of course."
If only you knew mom, if only you knew. It's best that she doesn't though, I'd have to sincerely wish for death if she knew.
I had gotten home at around 7PM. Apparently the time had flew by with Lady Noire and my mom rushed me into the living room to talk about my time out with her. I told her just about everything excluding the Kasumi encounter, I also had played down the MANY embarrassing moments that happened. I don't need to relive the shame.
"Well, it sounds like you had a fantastic time, what do you think you two will do the next time?"
"I uh. I have no idea. I don't have much experience with this stuff mom."
"True, most of your time was spent with… that girl. Maybe hanging out with Lady Noire will make you better." My mom says as she muses this thought out loud.
"Yea, sure mom. Hey, I'm going to go upstairs and turn in early today. I'm kinda drained."
"Oh. Sure, go ahead Adam. Sleep well."
"Night mom." With that, I make my way upstairs towards my room to immediately open and close the door.
I probably spooked my mom doing that. Abruptly leaving like that, but I couldn't help it. Whenever she talks like that about Kasumi… I know she only thinks that way because of how Kasumi has been acting, but I couldn't help but feel this overwhelming feeling of anger towards my mom at that moment. I know. I know that I shouldn't. I have no room to be. But I can't help but feel angry.
Kasumi didn't deserve this, she has to have a reason for all this. Like, I've thought about it so many times. I know that her family owns a rather important business and that must put all kinds of pressure on her to do well in life. I have no real idea of her family life really, I've never been to her house and she never talks about it. Her personality is cold and unforgiving, but she can be warm and super nice. She isn't what everyone thinks she is, she is so much better than anything anyone can say about her. She isn-
"Stop Adam. Stop." I whisper to myself in the haze of my mental panic. I know that for a fact. I would NEVER know anything for certain until I get any sort of confirmation from Kasumi about her side of things. I've gone round and round about this stuff before, and I know I can't get anything of this. Ugh. Kasumi…
I have to call her. I need to call her.
With this one thought in mind. I left my room and promptly left the house before my mother could catch me. I rushed to a nearby children's park and called Kasumi in favor of ignoring my mother's text that had just buzzed in.
*Beep…Beep…Be-*
"Hello Adam, I did-"
"Kasumi, please answer me. What changed, why did it change, and what can I do to bring it back?"
"I already told you Adam, I can't tell you unle-"
"I KNOW!"
"…"
"…"
"Please. Kasumi, everything was going so well before. I know a lot changed since the incident. My father died, my mother could barely live, you… did whatever you've been doing, and I had to learn how to swing a sword. Just tell me something. Anything. I'll take a vague hint or something."
"…"
"…"
"Kasumi?"
"Adam Aoi. You're the only person in this world that I could ever call a friend. You have no idea how thankful for you being in my life, and I'm sorry that our relationship has devolved to what it is today. In truth, I'd love for us to go back, but that isn't possible."
"Why, you could just sit down with my mother and talk it out with her. I'm sure that you tw-."
"You're right."
Her sudden admission floors me, and I'm at a loss for words.
"I could just do just that. Make amends with her and go back to normal. But I'm sorry Adam, I can't do that. The game has changed for me and I can't just settle for our previous relationship. I can't lose you, so marriage is the only option."
"What?"
"Yes, and I'd prefer if you didn't interact with the Lady of Lastation. A Goddess and human relationship could never work. Besides, you should know."
"…Know what?"
"We only need each other, Adam Aoi."
"…"
"Good-night. I will see you later."
*Click*
"…"
That… wasn't what I thought I'd get. I know I wanted information, but this was a little much. Surely, she must know that something like that isn't possible. It's not healthy, and it isn't humanely possible. For humans to just interact with one and only one person isn't a good thing. I just. I don't know. I have no idea what to do/think now. I don't want to think about this anymore. Screw it.
I got up and slowly started to make my way back home.
*Bing*
Getting home, wasn't fun. I had apparently returned sometime around 8, and my mom was furious at me for suddenly running out of the house. After she thoroughly scolded me for a good half hour, a promise to never do that again, and she finally let me go back up to my room.
Which leads me to me laying down in my bed in my sleep wear. A simple white T-shirt that's a size up, and black shorts. Nice and comfortable, the perfect outfit to be sleeping. If I could that is.
With the load of information that had been dumped on me, I was completely unable to fall asleep. My mind just kept circling through it all over and over. At the end, it points to me having to take up Kasumi's proposition for anything between us to ever move on. Or. Stop being friends with her.
Ugggggggggggggggh.
I roll over my in my bed to face myself into my pillow.
"I just want to sleep." I mumble to myself as I let my eye lids droop down…
WAIT!
I wake myself back up and scramble to my phone on the nearby night stand.
I completely forgot about Lady Noire! I know I probably looked like a total coward when I ran, but I have to say something to her before the night is over. At least an apology so she doesn't think anything bad.
Unlocking my phone, I'm surprised to see that Lady Noire had already texted me.
I'm pretty… amazed actually. I didn't think that she would text me tonight. Well, I didn't really think about Lady Noire for the last couple hours, so I really shouldn't be thinking that. It's still a surprise though. I'd think that a CPU like Lady Noire wouldn't have the time to text. Well, I shouldn't think that either, I don't exactly know what she does on a given night. Would be wrong of me to assume she doesn't have a life.
Well, let's see what she says and respond properly before I lose my nerve.
"Hey Adam, hope you got home alright. I'm sorry if I made you upset or anything, and I just wanted to confirm if you still wanted to hang out again." Lady Noire, 7:40PM.
Guess this is what my running away implied. Better fix this.
"Hey Lady Noire, I got home just fine and sorry about running away. I just felt really overwhelmed from the day. I'm really sorry, but nothing like a good night's rest won't fix of course! Anyway, I'd be happy to hang out with you again. Just name a time and place." Adam, 8:50PM
I really hope she accepts my apology. I really didn't mean to offe-
*Bing*
Well now. That was quick.
"Oh no problem Adam! It's just good to know that everything is fine. In any case, I'm fairly open for this week, so it's just a matter of what day is best for you." Lady Noire, 8:51PM.
Well, looks like she's going to let me decide what day/what we'll do for it.
Which leaves me with quite the dilemma.
I WANT to hang out with Lady Noire, but I can't help but have Kasumi on my mind. I just broke my long-standing promise with her, and I feel absolutely horrible about it. It makes me want to spend some time with her. Half to see where we stand now, and half to see if we can talk. About what? I don't know, I just feel a need to see and talk to her.
At the same time, I don't want to leave Lady Noire hanging. We just started our relationship, and it wouldn't be right to just leave her hanging like that. I know I'd hate it if something like that were to happen to me, which leaves me in this horrid situation.
Best friend.
New friend.
Childhood friend.
Goddess.
Kasumi.
Lady Noire.
...
...
What do I do?
A/N: Sorry for the cliffhanger! Gotta keep everyone on their toes, even me! Even though I know what's gonna happen... ANYWAY.
I'd just like to take a second to thank everyone who's follow/fav and read this story so far. When I first posted this, I never thought it would have gotten the amount of attention it's gotten. So, big thanks to everyone!
Anyhow, I'll try to keep the wait for the next chapter shorter than this one was. This chapter actually has more pull than anyone would think in terms of the direction the story is going, so I had to be a little slow with it. If I were to describe it, it's like picking different routes in a visual novel. That's the sort of pull this chapter brings. Where will it lead it? Who knows!
As always, thank you everyone who reads this! Enjoy and have a wonderful morning/evening/night!