AN: To answer the question you asked in your review, Pallbear "Are there any plans to include Mia, Amy, Melissa, Mel and perhaps Daniel and Charlie?"

To be honest, I really don't know at this point as I really don't know that much about THEM as characters. While I have Fantastic Days downloaded, I haven't really played it all that much so far. Most of what I do know, referring to Cielo, Lia, and Erika, comes from watching YouTube vids of the game that includes them.

I know a little about Mel, from a vid that has her showing up at the mansion with a baby she claims is Kazuma's kid which gets the girls (especially Megumin) mad but the rest I know squat diddly save for images of some of them that come from the Konosuba wiki.

Anyways, long story short, I'm not planning on it but that could change in the future and if they do show up, it'll probably just be cameo roles; nothing big or major.

Anyways, time to gift these Crimson Demon girls with a new chapter about them...

Chapter 3: Gifting these Crimson Demons with Happiness

==========================={Part 1: Encounter}==============================

The first thing I took notice of when I woke up was the feeling of stiffness throughout my whole body.

I was also in a weird position too.

I was in a sitting position; my head resting on folded arms laid out upon a wooden table.

It took me a few moments before my groggy brain started to piece together the full account of it all.

I was here, at my work station.

I must have fallen asleep while finishing up with the clock last night.

I finally sat up; yawning and stretching before rubbing the remaining sleep from my eyes.

I then turn my attention to the clock; seeing that it was still ticking away.

Guess that means I finally got the manatite power source to keep the gears turning.

Still though; why did I end up sleeping down here?

What was I doing-

"Oh... right..."

I recalled the events of the previous evening.

Megumin and I had ended up an a rather embarrassing position with one another; while in the bath.

Cielo had walked in on us; leading to even more embarrassment on top of everything else.

I'm still not entirely sure what happened next between the three of us?

All I know is that I found myself once again before Eris; having suffered another near-death experience.

We ended up talking for a good while after that.

She confirmed that both Megumin and I had indeed been influenced from exposure to the Salamando goo being blasted onto us.

Here's hoping that Yun-whatever her name was had been able to get cleaned up before it happened to her.

I then spoke to her about my little discovery relating to my Adventurer's card.

Finally, I asked her about what I should do from here on out; if there was any chance I could get myself out of this one?

"Kazuma, I know you will. While we god's and goddess's are limited in what we can see about the future; I know that somehow, someway, you'll find a way. While I don't know the details, I have seen that you will soon find that chance you'll need to prove yourself. You'll just have to make the right choice."

That was what she said to me; though she couldn't elaborate on what the choice was.

I also asked her if she had any idea on what that Aldarp guy had done back there; during the trial.

"He clearly made use of some sort of manipulation magic; of that we can be sure of. But the question with him is what kind. To be able to control so many, including Darkness and Megumin; that isn't something any old manipulation spell can achieve. I fear he may have a connecting with a Devil here."

I asked her what it was I should do then?

Her response was to keep the girls close to me; to protect them.

She would have Chris start an investigation; to try to steal that ring of his if an opportunity arose.

Eris said that she would very much like to intervene herself but, do to the rules that govern her, she could only do that if an actual Devil was involved.

As of right now, she was confident that Aldarp had a Devil Artifact in his possession.

That didn't mean he had made a contract with a Devil though; only that he had come into possession of a DA which, like with a Divine Relic, didn't necessarily return to where it belonged following the death of its owner.

It was then we realized just how long we had been talking.

Eris confirmed that I could return and opened the gate for me.

Before leaving, I asked her what I should do about the 'incident' once I got back?

"Probably not bring it up with them. That whole affair was embarrassing for all involved. Oh, and don't worry, Kazuma. I'll be sure to let Chris know she doesn't have to worry about the deal anymore."

Damn, I was kinda hoping I could trick Chris into joining me too once she got back.

Oh well, there's always next time.

Once I regained consciousness, I found myself laying on my bed; a towel covering my crotch.

As I got dressed and left the room; I found the mansion to be rather quiet-

To quiet in fact.

I called out to Megumin and Cielo; getting no reply.

I tried to open Megumin's bedroom door only to find it locked.

I took that to mean that they must both still be here; just hiding from me in their rooms.

I then went down stairs; made dinner, then called out to them, telling them dinner was ready.

They never came down to join me.

After I was done eating; I took their meals up to them and left them beside their bedroom doors.

After I spoke up; telling them dinner was sitting outside their doors, I returned downstairs and went back to work on the clock.

Later; I went back up to grab a few items from my room and found the plates sitting out, and empty.

Either they had eaten or perhaps Chomusuke had helped herself to a meal, where ever she was now?

Or maybe it was Anna; did ghost girls need to eat?

I collected their dishes; went back downstairs to clean them, then returned to my work where I guess I ended up falling asleep, thus leading me to my current situation.

"Burning the midnight oil, are we?"

Came the voice of Anna as she appeared before me; floating over the work table.

"So it would seem. Are Megumin and Cielo still here by any chance?"

Anna shakes her head before saying-

"They left earlier; I'm guessing Cielo still has some duties to perform at the cathedral and Megumin told her something about a little festival that was being held in Axel she wanted to go check out."

Festival?

"Oh, that's right. I heard that there were plans to throw one; to celebrate the city surviving it's encounter with Vah Rudania last week. Geez, it feels like a lifetime ago."

"Vah Rudania?"

Asked Anna curiously.

Oh, that's right; we had yet to tell her about what went down with the Destroyer.

I stand and collect the three items I had created; stuffing them into my Adventurer's pouch along with the blueprints before heading towards the kitchen.

"I'll fill you in later."

I told her as I left the room.

After eating and getting dressed; I head towards the front door when I hear a meow sound from behind me.

Looking back, I see Chomusuke looking up at me with wide eyes.

"Hm? Did you want to come along or did you want me to get you something?"

Chomusuke licked her lips; guessing that meant she was hungry.

Didn't Megumin feed her own familiar before leaving?

Or does this mean Chomusuke was a glutton; always looking for some poor sucker to feed her?

Either way, I walk back into the kitchen and grab a large cold fish from the cooler.

I lay it down before her; then proceed to leave again only to be stopped by a strange sound.

My eyes go wide at what I was seeing as Chomusuke had taken to sitting upright while holding the fish with her little front paws-

And was cooking it by breathing fire from her mouth.

"Wait, you can do that?"

I cried; giving her a shocked expression.

She replies by looking at me then giving me a wink and a big toothy smile.

I then become all robotic like as I leave the mansion.

OK, things in this world were starting to become way to weird for me now.

After reaching Axel, I made a direct beeline towards Wiz's shop; hoping that she has already gotten back from her trip.

It was during this walk that I saw her again; Megumin's hottie of a rival.

She was standing in the middle of the path; her eyes glued onto a stall that was serving something that looked like kabobs.

I felt a heat rising up in my cheeks; my heart beating just a little bit faster.

Damn; that girl really was my type, physically speaking.

She even had a nice personality, based on how she had presented herself yesterday.

But my strike zone was two years younger and she was outside that zone at present.

But was that really a rule I needed to enforce here with her... with anyone really?

OK, I decided. I won't actively try to make her fall in love with me right now.

But I can at least start earning some affection points for a potential later romance route option.

I walk forward as I call out to her-

"Hey, it's you; Megumin's friend-rival, whatever. Looks like we meet again."

The girl jumps before looking around; her eyes quickly locking onto me.

She both breathes a sigh of relief yet also shows a little concern too.

I wonder what was up with that?

"Oh... um, hi there. Megumin's comrade... mister... um, I'm sorry. What was your name again?"

I smile as I reach her, saying-

"I'm Satou Kazuma; just Kazuma is fine. And you were... sorry, I guess we both forgot each others names, huh? Guess we can both be a bit absentminded with stuff?"

The girl giggles; which I took as a positive.

So far, so good here.

"Yeah, I guess so. I'm Yunyun. So, what are you doing out here? Is Megumin with you?"

I shake my head then tell her-

"I'm sure Megumin is here somewhere. She left earlier; wanting to check out the special festival that's going on in Axel. It's a celebration for not only surviving an encounter with the feared Destroyer, but for actually being the place that saw it defeated."

"R-Really; it was actually destroyed then?"

Well, I don't know about it being destroyed...?

"Yep, that's right. And wanna know something else. You are looking at the guy who made it all possible. Yeah, if not for my brilliant thinking and leadership. Everyone here in Axel would have been totally screwed."

Of course, it only came here because of me too, but there was no need to tell her that, right?

Oh crap, what am I doing here?

Bragging like I am; this is a good way to turn her off of me, to lose those romance points I'm trying to build up here.

"Amazing, Kazuma. No wonder Megumin stays with you. I can tell you are something special."

Oh, thank god I didn't drive her away.

"Anyways; enough hearing me gloat here. So, wanna tell me why you're just standing here, looking at the stall there?"

Yunyun becomes nervous; fidgeting a little before finally responding to my words.

"Well, I wanted to buy one of those interesting looking food items they have but..."

"You don't know how to do it? I take it you've never bought anything from a stall before? Do they do anything like this in the Crimson Demon village?"

Yunyun shakes her head.

"We do have Festivals back home; but you usually just have to walk up and grab what you want; no eris needing to be spent. I tried that recently, during my travels and I got into serious trouble for 'attempted theft.' Ever since then, I've been a little nervous with approaching any stall."

"I see, I see. Then, how about I help you out?"

Before she could respond; I had already stepped forward and purchased two kabobs from the guy who had been watching us warily.

I then return to Yunyun and hand her one.

"See, as simple as that."

"Thank you, Kazuma... you didn't need to do that though."

I take a bite into my kabob; Yunyun doing the same a moment later.

Once I swallowed; I said-

"No, I didn't. I did want to though. Anyways, I need to be on my way. I have a potential business meeting with a local shopkeeper here in Axel."

I go to walk away, but stop and look back at her.

"Want to come along? We can hang out and talk about stuff; get to know each other a bit better."

For a moment; Yunyun's eyes widen as a smile forms on her face.

She looked so happy; then a shadow comes over her as she looks down a little.

"I-I'm sorry, Kazuma. But I can't do that. You see, me and Megumin are rivals and since you and her are friends and comrades; we-we can't be seen associating with one another like that. I-I really need to be going now; to find Megumin and challenge her I mean. Th-thank you for this though."

She then quickly bows before turning and running off.

I just stand there; wondering what had just happened here.

Off to the side, I hear the guy from the stall I had just got the kabobs from, say-

"Looks like you struck out there, kid. Don't worry; not everyone is meant for love."

He then laughs at me as I chuck the rest of the kabob at him.

=============================={ Part 2: Gift }===============================

"So, what do you think of my offer?"

I asked Wiz as she examined the three items I had brought her.

"Oh yes, I am sure these will sell well once the word about them gets out. It may take a little time before I can begin selling them though. I'll first need to set it up with a new manufacturer to produce these items in mass then I'll need to get the word out about them..."

"Me and the girls can handle that one, if you need us too. I can ask Darkness if there's any chance her father could endorse these items... though I'd feel bad for asking her to do any more for me. I could also talk with Luna over at the guild about getting the word out as well."

Wiz nods before trying out the backscratcher on herself; looking very happy with the results.

"By the way, Kazuma. I-I'm sorry about what happened to you while I was gone. I've heard about it already and I really should have been there. It should have been me who was put through all that, seeing as it was me who performed the teleportation and all."

I shake my head at her; then I say-

"It's better this way, Wiz. If it had been you that day; you would most definitely not be here now. I still have a chance to get out of this mess. You would already be dead by now if it had been you though I guess you're already technically dead to begin with."

"Thank you for that, Kazuma."

Her smile made my heart skip a beat.

Damn, why was it all the normal girls I meet are the ones who weren't my comrades?

Why was I stuck with all the weird ones?

Though, I guess to be fair, those girls weren't all that bad.

If nothing else, they kept my life interesting.

"Well, I better go find Megumin and Cielo. See if they're up for doing a Quest right now. After all, we still have a LONG way to go before that debt to Aldarp is cleared and we don't have much time to work with."

I turn to leave; but stop and look back at Wiz and ask her-

"By the way, I'd like to ask you something. How well do you know Crimson Demons...?"

Once I had left Wiz's shop, I made my way over to the Erisia Cathedral to pick up Cielo.

Here's hoping she wasn't still trying to avoid me after what happened last night.

Not long after; I found myself once again walking the streets; having just left the cathedral.

Turns out Cielo wasn't there; only went in to ask mother Clerica something before taking off to find Megumin.

I was now heading to the guild; hoping that I would either run into one, or both, of them along the way, at the guild, or that Luna would know where I could find them.

As I walked, a familiar figure came into my line of sight once more-

It was Yunyun again; now looking on towards another stall where two little love birds seemed to be shooting stuffed dolls with a little toy bow and arrow.

"So, we meet again, Yunyun. You know, some would say these meetings; happening in rapid succession, could only mean one thing."

Like before, Yunyun jumps at the sound of my words.

"Ah... Kazuma, don't scare me like that. I thought you might have been... never mind."

"Ah-ah-ah, none of that, now. Finish what you were going to say, please."

Yunyun hesitates for a moment before sighing.

"When I was last here in Axel; I had an encounter with a guy. He seemed nice at first; helping me out with... things I wasn't well versed about. I thought for sure he and I could be friends. And then he started to get a little to friendly with me; especially after he had a few beers. I was luckily able to avoid anything unwanted happening to me but... well, I'd like to avoid running into him again if I can help it while looking for Megumin."

I nod my understanding, then I ask her-

"Who's this guy, anyways? I can let you know if he's still around or not."

"Hm, I can't recall his name; but I remember he has blonde hair and wears a red jacket..."

"Say no more, I know who you're talking about here. Yes, that guy is still here in Axel. You'll often find him either down at the guild or over at the bathhouse... peeking into the girls area."

Hearing me say that makes Yunyun flinch; understandable really.

I then decide to change the subject.

"So, what are you looking at now? I can help you, if you want?"

Yunyun hesitates again, then says-

"I-well, I was wanting to win that Winter Shogun doll that's on display but I have no skill with archery. In fact, apart from magic; the only other thing I'm good at is with using daggers and short swords which I why I have a short sword strapped to my waist here."

She then motions to the blade hanging at her side.

Funny; why didn't I notice that earlier?

"So, does that mean all Crimson Demons are skilled with one handed weapons too?"

Yunyun shakes her head before saying-

"Not really. All Crimson Demons are skilled with magic; as I'm sure you already know from hanging out with Megumin. Besides magic; we are also skilled with one or two other things like alchemy, blacksmithing, speech-craft. In my case; I was found to also be good with one handed weapons."

"Wow, that's pretty cool. Megumin never told me about that. So, what other talent does Megumin have that she's been holding out on?"

Yunyun shrugs.

"Who knows. She's never told me; probably has never even bothered to find out herself, really. You know her pretty well now, right? You know just how obsessed she is with Explosion magic. It's not a lie to say that Explosion is the ONLY thing she cares about; apart from her family."

That makes sense; disappointingly so.

"If you ever come to our village, Kazuma. Don't tell anyone about Megumin, OK. Apart from me, I doubt anyone else back home knows she has learned Explosion except a few people and even then, they probably all believe she has since learned more spells. It would break everyone's hearts to learn that the best mage in the village has locked herself into only knowing one spell. The one everyone laughs at and calls a joke spell as well."

I understand her words; knowing what it was like to never meet someone's expectations no matter how hard you try.

"And to finish up what we were talking about before. That stall there looks like one that's meant for couples to go do together. Seeing as I am alone; it would be really embarrassing to just go walk up and try to win, especially when I know I'll fail."

"Oh, we'll see about that..."

I then step forward; ignoring Yunyun's words for me to wait.

I then plop some eris down as the guy off to the side takes it and hands me a bow and toy arrows.

I go, take aim, and fire; nailing the Winter Shogun right between its eyes.

Behind me, Yunyun gasp loudly at how easy I made it look.

And, seeing as I still had two shots to go, how about...

"Hold it right there, buddy. Did you, by chance, fail to read the sign here?"

I look to see said sign; it saying that no one who was an archer or knew archery skills was allowed to play this game.

I scoff at the guy before saying-

"Oh, so me getting lucky just now means I'm an archer, huh? So I must have cheated then; all because I got lucky with my first shot? Why does my gut tell me that this game here is rigged? Perhaps I should go get the authorities and have them look into your stall... just to be safe, friend."

The guy behind the counter begins to sweat before grabbing the Winter Shogun and hands it to me hurriedly.

He then shoos me away as I complain I still had two shots left.

I relent though and return to Yunyun, presenting her with Winter Shogun.

"Here you go; I believe you wanted this guy?"

Yunyun hesitates for a moment before taking it into her arms and hugging it close.

She then looks at me with a big smile; a slight blush, and teary glowing eyes.

{ Insert Image 1 }

"K-Kazuma, t-thank you. You didn't have to do that for..."

"Yeah, I know. But I wanted to. Anyways, I'm going to look for Megumin and another member of our party. Wanna come with me?"

Yunyun becomes excited by my request, quickly saying-

"Y-yes, I would like to... I can't. I'm sorry Kazuma, but I shouldn't try to... with my rivals..."

I rolls my eyes before forcefully taking hold of one of her hands; then pulling her along with me as I start to walk.

"Geez, you are a really difficult girl for a guy to try to befriend, ya know. Are all Crimson Demons this difficult to deal with? Do me a solid here and just shut up, come with me, and accept my friendship already."

She doesn't respond; but I do feel her strengthen her grip on my hand.

After a moment, she says-

"You... called me a friend just now? That you want to be friends with me? Do- do you really mean it?"

I look back at her; confused till I recalled the words Megumin had said about her before.

"Why are you so doubtful? Wait, are you saying you've never had friends before?"

"N-no, of course not. I mean, I had... f-friends back home, like Funifura and Dodonko and..."

"OK, stop right there, I think I can see where this is going here. No matter; as of right now, we are friends, Yunyun... if you want to be friends that is?"

She looks at me for a moment before smiling happily and giving me an affirming nod.

"Thank you, Kazuma."

"No problem. Now, let's head to the guild and see if Megumin is there. As we go, you can help me with keeping an eye out for her too. Say, if you want, you can even come along with us and do a quest together. In fact, there's no choice in the matter; you WILL be joining... joining... join... us..."

Yunyun frowns at me as I come to a stop.

She then gives me a worried look as I ponder the sudden idea that had entered into my head.

I then turn back to look at Yunyun-

"Yunyun; I want to ask you something..."

==============================={ Part 3: Bet }===============================

I entered the guild; making a quick beeline over to the Quest board.

There were only a few quest posted on the board; all of them outside our current skill range.

I mean; all of them were considered 'Graduation Quest' which one would undertake in order to see if you and your party are ready to move on to an intermediate guild in another city.

"Sorry, Kazuma; I know none of these can help with your current situation. At this time of year; the number of available quest really becomes sparse. I could put together another Snow Sprites quest I guess...?"

I quickly shake my head at that idea.

"No, thank you. I've had enough of those things to last me an eternity. Besides, I've had enough close calls this year already. I don't need another close call right now. Furthermore, I'm already pushing my luck at it is at the moment."

After a pause, I add-

"Are Megumin and Cielo here, by any chance?"

Luna nods before asking me-

"Did something happen between you three? They've been sitting in the back for an hour or so and when I try to ask them about you. They start blushing madly while frantically saying everything's fine; that you are back at the mansion working on a side project. On that subject, what have you been working on, anyways?"

"I'll tell you later; I mean all of it later. I need to clear the air with them right now."

Luna nods before returning to her daily routine.

I, meanwhile, walk into the mess hall and quickly spot my party; walking over to join them quietly.

"Why do I feel like you two are trying to avoid me?"

My words make them jump; both saying my name in surprise at the same time.

I reply by bringing a finger to my mouth; telling them to not be so loud or obvious that something 'weird' happened between us.

I then look back; seeing that the few other Adventurer's and waitress's in the guild paying us no mind.

I then go to sit beside Megumin who, possibly subconsciously, moves away from me, which did hurt.

I then say in a low voice that only they should be able to hear-

"Well, are you two trying to avoid me after what... happened last evening?"

"N-no, of course not. We're not t-trying to... avoid..."

Cielo stammers out before her words fail her.

Megumin then finishes, saying-

"We are trying to avoid you, aren't we?"

"Yes; actually. Truth told; I don't blame either of you for avoiding me. I'm just as embarrassed as the two of you are about the... incident. All we can do now, for all our sakes, is to try to forget about what we... saw and move on. Otherwise, it'll only make things more awkward for us going forward."

They both nod; showing signs of visible relief for the first time since I first spotted them in here.

"By the way; I know I said we should move on and all, but you both know I have to ask. Just what exactly happened after you walked in on us, Cielo? The last thing I remember was the three of us screaming. I then find myself with Eris and we talked... for a good long while, and then waking up in my room, more or less naked save for a towel covering my crotch."

The two of them hesitate at first, maybe because they were still understandably embarrassed.

Cielo is the first to speak; having built up the courage to do so.

"Well... you s-suffered a massive nose bleed after seeing us. I used Healing to save you from dying from the blood loss that resulted and then we dried you off and took you up to your room so you could finish recovering comfortably. And also..."

"Thank you for the food you made for us... you know, for dinner. Sorry we didn't come down to join you when you called for us but... well, you know."

Adds Megumin nervously.

I look at them; giving them a long hard look which makes them even more nervous.

I finally sigh and say-

"Well, I guess that makes sense. It lines up with how I woke up so at least I know you two didn't take the opportunity to do anything perverted... RIGHT?"

They both laugh nervously as I look at them suspiciously.

There was no question in my mind that they weren't telling me everything.

Perhaps the next time I spoke with Eris, I could get her to tell me exactly what had happened.

I mean; I know she did 'look down below with her eyes' and immediately blushed like crazy and when I asked her what was wrong; she was quick to stammer out that it was nothing; that she had seen nothing.

I just assumed it was from seeing me; possibly Megumin and Cielo, naked in the bathroom.

"Well, like I said before; it's in the past so let's just forget about it. Anyways, are the two of you up for going out of town for a bit? I mean, me and Megumin do have an Explosion awaiting us. You should come along, Cielo. It'll help get your mind off... things."

Megumin quickly smiles as she jumps to her feet.

"Yeah, you should come with us. I've often found that an Explosion is the best cure to help one to forget your worries... and your embarrassments."

Cielo nods as she gets up as well.

"Sure; I don't need to do anything at the Cathedral for the next week anyways."

After getting up as well, the three of us head out of the guild and begin to make our way to the southern gate, which was the closest gate to the guild.

It wasn't long into our walk when a familiar face comes into view.

"Megumin, I'm here to challenge you. Do you accept?"

Megumin groans at seeing Yunyun while Cielo ask who she was; which I quickly explain to her.

"Yunyun, you really need to find a hobby to keep yourself busy. We aren't students at Red Prison Academy anymore; I'm part of a team now and I have to give them my focus. Sorry, but we already have something we need to go do. Check back in with me tomorrow and I'll see if I can fit you in."

Megumin goes to walk past Yunyun who; after a moment to regain her composure, says-

"What's wrong, Megumin. Are you afraid that today will be the day you finally lose one of our duels?"

"WHAT WAS THAT?"

Said Megumin as she spins around to face Yunyun; her face no longer passive and dismissive.

Yunyun simply smiles in response before taking on a battle pose.

"OK, it that's how it is, then I'll accept your challenge. We'll go out into the fields and see which of us has the more powerful and impressive spell. Kazuma and Cielo here will be the judges."

I then hold my hand up and get their attentions onto me.

"Actually, I have a better idea you both can do as a duel. How about a game of rock-paper-scissors? Best of three wins and the winner gets the make one request of the other that the other has to grant no matter what, within reason of course."

Megumin and Yunyun look at me; Megumin being surprised by my suggestion.

I then explain to her-

"Would you rather waste your one Explosion today on a duel? I mean, you do remember what today is, after all? If I was you, I'd rather go with this method so as to not let your special Explosion for today be put towards an unneeded challenge."

After a moment to think; Megumin agrees with my opinion.

Yunyun then speaks up, and says-

"How does this sound as a reward, Megumin. If you win; then I will acknowledge that I can never surpass you as an Archwizard and will always be number two to your number one. And, if I win, you will honor any one request I will ask of you; which won't be you seeing me as your better from now on."

Megumin takes a moment to think about that; carefully, before she finally nods.

"Very well, Yunyun. I will accept your terms but are you sure about this? There won't be any take backs when all is said and done."

Yunyun nods as well as I move to stand close to Megumin while Cielo remains in the spot she stopped at.

They then begin the game.

"Round one goes to me."

Declared Megumin happily.

Round two also goes to Megumin; Yunyun then starts to sweat.

"Ha, got one."

Shouts Yunyun happily.

She then wins round four as well.

Megumin then gives her a smug smile.

"Don't tell me you actually think you have a chance here. I let you win those last two rounds just to make you feel confident but now, it's time to win the game and claim my reward."

Megumin then begins to laugh as Yunyun looks at me; I return her look with a reassuring wink.

I then carefully hold up two fingers; Yunyun nods which Megumin fails to notice.

They then go for the final round; Megumin goes with rock-

And Yunyun has paper; making Megumin go wide eyed from pure shock.

"I-I-I lost. I a-actually lost a game t-to Yunyun. How... I can't lose, I've never lose to her."

This time, it was Yunyun's turn to laugh; possibly the first cocky laugh she has ever laughed before.

"Do you remember what Arue told you before, back home in the village the day we left on our shared journey? She warned you to never let yourself become to cocky, Megumin. That a day would come when you would finally lose one of our duels and it seems that today was that day."

"Damn it all."

Cried Megumin as she falls to her knees; beating her fist weakly into the ground.

After a few moments; she finally recovers before standing again and saying-

"I can't believe I'm saying this; so much that I refuse to acknowledge this duel in my score book. But a deal's a deal. What do you want me to do for you?"

Yunyun looks at me and I nod; she then looks back at Megumin and says-

"I want your vote for me to officially join the party."

"Wait, you want what?"

Asked Megumin as she does a double take.

"I want to become a member of the party and I want you to cast your vote in my favor."

"But I can't just... I mean, the party already has me and we don't need another mage and..."

I clear my throat; getting everyone's attentions onto me.

"Megumin, do you remember what you agreed to the day we officially made this party? If another mage came around; wanting to join us, you'd welcome them into the party with open arms and without complaint. In turn, they would be seen as the secondary mage in the group; dealing with the trash mobs while you save your Explosion spell for the big boss at the end of the Quest. Besides, you can't really refuse her request, can you?"

"Also, Megumin; I'm tired of being alone out here, while living as an Adventurer."

Adds Yunyun.

Megumin looked like she wanted to argue that point but she finally sighs before nodding her head.

"OK, Yunyun. I'm fine with you joining us. Just remember that I'm the main mage here, OK. You'll be my underling and do what I need you to do. Is that OK with you?"

Yunyun nods happily.

The two of them look at me and Cielo.

"Well, if Megumin is really fine with it; then I guess I am as well. Nice to meet you, Yunyun."

Said Cielo.

"Well, it looks like you're joined our crazy family that's always getting themselves into trouble. Now then, Cielo; could you help Yunyun bring her stuff over to the mansion and help her get settled in? Me and Megumin will come help once we finish her Explosion for the day."

"Sure thing, Kazuma. It'll give us a chance to get to know each other. Well Yunyun, let's go get your stuff."

"Thank you. I don't have much really; just a few extra things over at the hotel I'm staying at."

I then watch them as they walk off before feeling a tug on my sleeve.

Looking back, I see Megumin looking at me expectantly.

"So, ready to go make some noise, birthday girl?"

"Yep, I know a good spot for us to go do this at too."

"Then lead the way, Dynamite."

And lead she did with me trailing behind her by a few steps.

I do take a moment to look back though; looking towards Yunyun as she looks back at me in turn.

I then give her a quick thumbs up and a smile which she is quick to return.

I then turn back to look at Megumin; the smile remaining on my face.

MY plan had worked out perfectly.

============================={ Part 4: Present }==============================

"Megumin, y-you... do know where it is we're at right now?"

This 'good spot' she was referring to was also one that was very familiar to the two of us.

It was the old castle Verdia had been using as his base not to long ago.

Thinking back; I did think it rather strange that as soon as we had exited the south gate; she had suddenly led me towards the west instead of going further south.

I should have put two and two together immediately but was to lost in thought over my plans to have really taken notice until right now.

"Yeah, I know. I figured this was as good as place as any, right?"

"And do you also recall all the issues that were caused because we started blasting this place back then too?"

She waves off my concern; rather easily I might add, with a wave of her hand.

"Don't worry, Kazuma. I came out here not to long ago and checked the place out. They haven't started doing any of the restoration work on the place yet. Probably waiting till spring comes around or something. The way I see it, one final Explosion won't hurt anything, right? They'll probably just assume it was caused by heavy snow fall on a weakened infrastructure or something."

That did NOT alleviate my concerns here; not one bit.

I go look at Megumin; to tell her no way to this-

Only to see her looking at me with pleading, puppy-dog eyes.

"Megumin..."

"Please, Kazuma. Please, please, please. It's my birthday, after all."

I wanted to resist; wanted to tell her no here but... damn, why was it so easy for these girls to wrap me around their little fingers.

Was I really that weak and gullible of a guy?

"OK, fine then. Go blast it ONE last time. But this will be the last time, OK?"

Megumin nods happily as she takes aim with her staff.

I then mumble to myself as she prepares herself-

"Sometimes, I really wonder if you ever really think about the future; about the trouble you could cause others with your inability to consider the consequences to the actions you undertake."

Megumin heard my mumbling though as I immediately feel her conk her staff against my head.

"You worry to much, Kazuma. It'll be fine this time, I promise. Now, stop distracting me so I can do my thing here."

And you don't worry enough; I wanted to retort back at her but I didn't.

Megumin then begins her chant and; for a second, I hesitate on if I wanted to go through with this plan of mine after all.

I mean; given the target and what doing this could bring about in the future.

I sigh, finally deciding to just give in and see this through despite my better judgment.

I reach back into my pouch and pull 'that' item out and then hold it out before me; touching it against Megumin's staff.

This action makes her stop chanting as she looks at what was touching her staff before looking at me.

"Kazuma...?"

I respond to her confusion with a smile; seeing that she still didn't realize, I finally say-

"So, wanna start over, Megumin. I can't speak fast enough to catch up to you by the end."

She still looks at me for a second, then at the staff I had brought up to touch hers, then back at me again.

I can see the gears inside her head beginning to turn at last as realization finally set in.

Megumin's eyes then widen excitedly as she finally realizes what it was I was doing here.

She smiles as she turns back to the task at hand; starting the chant over from the beginning-

Except this time, I join in with her.

"Darker than black, darker than darkness, combine with my intense crimson. Time to wake up, descend to these borders and appear as an intangible distortion."

As we chanted, a swirling disc of vertical energy began to take shape before our staffs; the magicite crystals beginning to glow with a radiant light.

"Dance, dance, dance! May a destructive force flood my torrent of power, a destructive force like none other! Send all creation to its source. Come out of your abyss. Humanity knows no other more powerful offensive technique. It is the ultimate magical attack."

"EXPLOSION!"

{ Insert Image 2 }

Our combined power merged together within the swelling of magical energy that made up the disc before it was sent rocketing towards the castle; the sight of it and the earth it rested upon being consumed by the blast; leaving nothing behind but a mountain of smoke, from what I could see.

Yes, that was easily worth-

"Two thousand points."

I said before collapsing to the ground.

Megumin was right behind me; falling to my side into the gentle yet unforgiving snow.

For a moment, I just look up into the sky; awaiting the return of my energy, when I feel a small but warm hand reach over and take hold of mine.

I look over and see Megumin looking at me; her eyes teary, on the verge of full on crying, as she has a goofy looking smile that was trying to grow wider than what was possible for a human mouth.

"Kazuma... y-you learned... Explo..."

"Happy birthday, Megumin."

The tears finally started to flow as she began to make hiccup like sounds in her throat.

She then looks to the sky; proclaiming as loudly as she could that together, the two of us would become the greatest power the world had ever seen or will ever see.

I, personally, doubt that; but I'll let her have her chuunibyou delusion on this matter.

I mean, who knows, maybe she would be proven right here, one of these days.

Not long after, I finally felt ready to move again so I got back onto my feet, wobbly though they still were, and then picked up a still unmoving and very confused Megumin, getting her on my back.

"Kazuma, how were you able to recover so quickly?"

"Same way I was actually able to cast an Explosion just now. Yunyun gave me a manatite crystal earlier and I was touching it in my pocket and using Drain Touch upon it while chanting. Surely you noticed I was only holding your old staff with one hand back there?"

Megumin goes quiet; probably thinking back on when she first saw her old staff and saw me holding it.

"Needless to say, it's probably going to be a while before I can cast another Explosion spell as I currently don't have the minimum amount of mana needed to perform such a feet again."

I could feel her shake her head before saying-

"I don't mind waiting a little longer. And Kazuma, thank you for this... for all of this; everything you have ever done for me since the day we first met. Not only have you made this the best birthday I have ever had, but you've made these last few months the greatest in my entire life."

I look back at her and smile.

"And that is only the beginning. Stick with me and you'll find it will only get better from here on out, barring a few minor bumps on the road here and there. You got that, you now legal dwarf."

Megumin chuckles at my words though I do feel her tighten her hold around my neck just a little; probably a warning to not go ruining the moment here.

"On another topic, Kazuma. That whole game you suggested me and Yunyun play together back there; you planned that whole thing out. Giving her a suggestion about what to choose there in the final round, didn't you?"

"Yeah, I did. I know you well enough that I knew you'd make her think she had a chance at winning before beating her down into the ground, so I stood just off to the side; giving her a sign on what I would choose as my final choice. Low and behold, my luck served her in the end."

I finally decide to stop standing there and begin to walk back to Axel as Megumin thinks on my response.

"You should have just talked to me about letting her join the party beforehand. Would have saved us all the trouble."

"Are you so sure about that, Megumin? Considering the fact you can only think of her as a rival and not as a friend; would you have really let her join us if I had asked you?"

"No... I guess not. Kazuma, please understand something about us Crimson Demons. When we have a rivalry with someone; it can be... difficult for us to say aloud that we see them as friends too. But just because we don't say it doesn't mean the feeling isn't there. Yunyun has always been a bit odd though. She's one of those super rare Crimson Demons who gets embarrassed by her name and by our ways."

So, in other words, she the normal one in a clan full of what society would see as freaks-

Good to know.

"Why did you want to bring her into the party anyways, Kazuma?"

"Because she was lonely. Even though I only just met her yesterday, I can already tell she doesn't have anyone. To top it off, she's really shy and even a little naive; both of which are dangerous qualities to have, especially when you are a young girl with a body like hers. She already told me that when she was last here in Axel; she allowed herself to get to close to a guy just because he was nice to her and in doing so, allowed him to get a little 'to close' with her in turn."

"Wait, what?"

Yelled Megumin as she jerked; almost making me drop her.

"Don't worry; from what she told me, I don't think he did anything to uncalled for. I mean, I don't think she slept with the guy or even lost her first kiss to him. From what I gathered; I think the worse that happened was she may have been groped by him or maybe he touched her butt or something."

"Do you know who it was? If so, I want his name right now, Kazuma."

"... No, I don't know his name. But if I ever find out, we'll both go have a little talk with him."

That was a lie of course as I already had a good idea on who it was and was planning on having my own little private chat with him in the future about this matter.

"Anyways, Megumin. Given Yunyun's overly trusting nature, I figured it would be a good idea if she joined the party. With all of us keeping an eye on her, guiding her and helping her, we can insure she doesn't find herself getting into a situation she would never recover from in the future."

"That's my Kazuma, alright. Always looking out for us and saving us from ourselves; even if the cost of doing so is usually more trouble than its worth for him. Thank you for this too, Kazuma. For being a friend to my... friend. If you tell Yunyun I called her my friend though, you'll get punished with a thousand deaths, got it."

"Got it."

I give her a nod as we go quiet for a moment; I find I want to ask her what she meant when she said I was 'her Kazuma' and all.

Just as I go to ask that question; we both become aware of a strange noise coming from behind us.

I turn back around, allowing the both of us to see what remained in the castle, off in the distance-

It then suddenly collapses in on itself; leaving nothing behind but a new plume of smoke in its wake.

I just stand there, eye twitching at this latest disaster.

"Um... Looks like you're in trouble again, Kazuma..."

"I take back my previous score. Negative three thousand points!"

"EEEHHH?"

============================={ Part 5: Fantasy }==============================

It was later in the evening and everyone had turned in for the day; following Megumin's birthday party.

Earlier, before me and Yunyun had arrived at the guild; I had reminded her about Megumin's birthday being today.

After she had Cielo had parted ways; they had made a pit stop at some store and purchased a few party favors that they had managed to just finish setting up by the time we had returned home.

I then found myself making up a birthday dinner while the three of them, and Anna and Chomusuke, had been playing some weird sounding Crimson Demon games in the living room.

I wished I could have made a cake, or at least had purchased one for the party but what can one do?

After all the fun had come to an end, everyone had retired to their rooms.

And I was now looking up at the ceiling; wondering what it was we should do tomorrow.

A knock at my door draws me from my thoughts.

It was probably Megumin?

"Come in; it's unlocked."

I said to the person on the other side.

I quickly get up when I find that it wasn't Megumin that had come to see me, but rather Yunyun.

Wearing a rather mature looking night gown; one that you would think a girl like her would never be caught dead wearing.

"Yunyun, what brings you here at this hour? Judging from your garments, is this some sort of night raid or something?"

She quickly tries to cover herself but doesn't run away either; instead closing the door behind her-

And, very surprisingly, locking it.

Wait, was this really happening?

Was I actually right for once that this was indeed a night raid she was doing here and now?

Oh, thank you Eris, thank you.

"K-Kazuma, please don't stare at me l-like that. It's e-embarrassing."

"Can't be helped now, can it? I mean, having such a beautiful girl like yourself, coming into a guys room at such a late time at night, dressed in such adult attire no less; how else is a guy like me suppose to act in this situation?"

I say that, sounding all cool and confident even though on the inside, I was more or less freaking out.

"W-what do you mean? I-isn't this how all girls my age dress? The guy who helped me pick out my Adventurer's garments before when I first came to Axel said..."

Huh?

What did she just say?

"Yunyun, care to explain that in detail to me? Are you saying that the clothes you were wearing earlier; the same clothes I saw you in when we first met yesterday as well as the night gown you are wearing now... they were all chosen for you by the same guy you told me had gotten a little to friendly with you before?"

Yunyun nods shyly; or maybe it was a nervous nod?

"He said the garments I was wearing; which was my old Red Prison attire, weren't proper enough for me to go make friends with. He helped me pick out the clothes I now wear and even suggested this sleep wear as well; saying all this will help me make friends way more easily than if I didn't wear them."

I smack my forehead hard; making the poor girl jump in surprise.

"Yunyun, you... he wasn't exactly wrong but he failed to tell you one thing. One very important thing back then. The clothes he suggested for adventuring with would make it easier to make someone think you're some sort of easy girl. If I may be so bold as to say this; your skirt is way to short and your top makes it easy for someone to come up from behind you, reach around, and pull your top down to expose your breast."

"And that night gown of yours. Sure, it's OK I guess... for an adult woman to wear and to show off to her lover when they want to get all 'hot and heavy' with one another. It's not something you should let just anyone see; even a guy like me who's an actual friend to you would take seeing you wear that in a very perverted way."

Yunyun looks at me; my words working their way through her brain-

And then her eyes go wide with horror; the sudden realization of my words hitting her hard.

And she goes to shriek from embarrassment though I was quick to get to her; covering her mouth with my hand.

"Yunyun, shh, shh, shh. Everyone it asleep right now, or at least trying to fall asleep. If Cielo or Megumin, especially Megumin, were to hear you right now and they managed to see you in here with me, dressed like that, things would get very bad for the both of us real quickly."

Yunyun nods, understanding, as I pull my hand from her mouth.

"So, do you want to hold off talking about whatever it was you came here for or do you want to continue?"

Yunyun thinks for a moment, then says-

"I'd like to finish up... um, do you have anything I can cover myself with, Kazuma?"

I nod as I remove the jacket of my track suit and hand it to her, leaving me with just my black undershirt and green pants.

{ Insert Image 3 }

I then sit back on my bed with Yunyun sitting beside me, surprisingly; albeit a few inches away.

She then seems to struggle with saying whatever it was that brought her here to me to begin with.

So, to break the ice, I say the first thing that comes to mind.

"I really need to get you out of your current clothes..."

Damn it, that wasn't the right thing to break the ice with.

Yunyun agrees as she jerks, looks at me; and even jumps back to her feet.

"K-K-K-K-Kazuma, what exactly are you saying...?"

I hold my hands up in my defense.

"Sorry; that didn't come out at all the way it was meant to. What I meant was I need to go take you shopping here soon; help you pick out some new attire that will be better suited for a girl like yourself. If you're OK with that, of course?"

Yunyun thinks about my words then she sits back down beside me.

"You would do that for me, Kazuma?"

"Sure; and you can also have final say on what you get? Did Du-did the guy who helped you before let you make the final call on what he suggested for you?"

Yunyun shakes her head, then says-

"He just asked me to trust his judgment. Like an idiot, I did so even though I really didn't feel comfortable in his choices."

"Then it's settled. First thing tomorrow morning... after breakfast that is, we'll go into town and I'll help you pick something out. Do you still have your old school uniform?"

Yunyun shakes her head; leading me to say-

"OK, then I'll let you borrow my track suit here unless you're OK with wearing your current Adventurer's outfit one more time."

"Thank you, Kazuma. I'll let you know in the morning."

After that, there was a pause between us.

I decide to break the ice once again; this time putting some thought into it before just speaking out at random.

"So... what brought you here into my room at this time of night anyways?"

Yunyun didn't respond immediately; probably thinking about if she should still do it or not.

"I... wanted to talk to you about Megumin; about Crimson Demons in general, actually."

"OK? What about them then?"

"Megumin told me, while you were making dinner for us... thank you for that, by the way. It was really enjoyable. Anyways, Crimson Demons have a little quirk about them; a quirk that sees us do stuff that, to the common person, would seem rather crazy, foolish even. A quirk that would make anyone question our sanity, our very grip on reality itself."

I nod my understanding as it was something I had become all to familiar with thanks to Megumin.

"Oh yes, I know of that which you speak of well. More times than I can recount, she has done things that has... made me question the processes that goes into making our Adventurer's cards; question how she can have the highest intellect stat out of everyone here and yet make such... questionable choices and make such bizarre judgment calls on even the most obvious to answer things."

It was Yunyun who nods her understanding this time.

"On behalf of the village; I apologize for her; for the trouble this quirk has caused you."

"OK, no problem. So, does this quirk have a name or something it goes by?"

"Yes, it has a name. We call it... Crimson Fantasy."

Crimson Fantasy?

That's a rather cute name, if I'm being honest about it.

Hm, I wonder if Crimson Fantasy is this world's way of saying chuunibyou delusions?

Only one to find out-

"So, what exactly is this Crimson Fantasy? How does it affect Crimson Demons?"

"Well, Crimson Fantasy is basically what it sounds like. From birth, all Crimson Demons have this particular mindset that has us creating and believing in a fantasy, complete with our own rules and assumptions of right and wrong and just how much is to much; going to far, within our own minds."

"We often also create these delusions within our minds about having some insane powers; often originating from some made up past life or something. I'm sure Megumin has told you at least once that she was a God of Destruction in some past life, right?"

I nod at Yunyun's question.

"So, you Crimson Demons really do suffer from chuunibyou delusions? That's just great."

"Chuunibyou delusions?"

Asked Yunyun; cocking her head in confusion.

"That's a term used to describe like minded individuals back where I'm from; Chuunibyou's."

"I see; that's a comfort to know, truly. Knowing that it's not just us that has this issue."

After a pause, Yunyun continues-

"Anyways; Crimson Fantasy is a quirk all Crimson Demons suffer from but we, for the most part, grow out of it once we reach adulthood. That doesn't mean it's still not present in adults; rather it means adults have both the mental and emotional maturity needed to not let it control and dictate their actions in life. There are a few exceptions there, but those exceptions are thankfully few and far between."

"Younger Crimson Demons, like Megumin, are a different matter entirely. Due to their mental and emotional immaturity; they don't have the ability to control their Crimson Fantasy thus it heavily influences their thoughts and actions. This is made even more dangerous if any particular Crimson Demon has an especially strong belief in something that is real; again I refer to Megumin and her obsessive love for Explosion."

"I was afraid you were going to say that, Yunyun."

I lower my head into my hands and groan sorrowfully.

It was far worse than I could have ever imagined it would be.

Wait, if this Crimson Fantasy effected every Crimson Demon, then what about-

"Does that mean you're also influenced by it, Yunyun?"

Yunyun shakes her head.

"I'm sure Megumin has already told you about me; that I'm a bit of an oddity amongst my clan. I'm the Crimson Demon who gets embarrassed by my name; embarrassed by my clans antics. While this has made me something of an outsider; the plus side to all this is that I have never been controlled by a fantasy of my own creation."

"Don't get me wrong, Kazuma. It's not that I haven't formed a fantasy within my own mind at any point in my life. I'm just able to keep that fantasy and the reality of the wider world fairly separated and out of conflict with one another. This has helped both me, and a certain someone from mine and Megumin's past, from getting into serious trouble when things got out of hand."

I subconsciously reach out and place my hand of Yunyun's shoulder; getting her to look at me.

"Wanna talk to me about that past?"

Yunyun shakes her head; then gives me a warm smile right after.

"It would be better if I don't talk about it. Megumin might not like me bringing that subject up."

"Gotcha; thanks for telling me about this, Yunyun. Knowing all of this helps me to better understand Megumin and your clan. It helps me to understand you a little better too."

"Thank you, Kazuma. It feels... nice to finally have someone to talk about this stuff with; someone who doesn't look at us Crimson Demons as weirdos."

I laugh at that; then quickly say-

"Don't get me wrong here. I do think you Crimson Demons are a bunch of weirdos; but that isn't necessarily a bad thing in my eyes. I mean, after all, I can be pretty weird too... sometimes."

Yunyun giggles at my words.

"I do have one great fear where Megumin is concerned though. I fear, because of just how strong her Crimson Fantasy can get; it will one day lead her to make a mistake so big, so damaging that, while it may finally force her to wake up from her fantasy, the cost of waking up will be... to painful for her to bare."

"If that day ever happens, Yunyun; take comfort in knowing we'll all be there to help her recover and overcome whatever pain her awakening will bring about. That's what friends do, after all."

I give Yunyun a comforting smile and a thumbs up; making her smile warmly at me in turn.

"Anyways; we should both turn in for the night; unless there was anything else you wanted to talk with me about. I mean, you do still want me to join you in finding yourself a new Adventurer's attire in the morning?"

Yunyun nods as she stands, then walks over to the door but stops and looks back at me.

She stands there for a moment; maybe because she was debating something in her mind.

Finally, she simply says-

"Goodnight, Kazuma..."

She then exits my room; leaving me to wonder if she did want to do something else just then?

And, if so, just what was it she was thinking about doing?

Next time: Kazuma and Yunyun go shopping for new clothes but have a surprise waiting for them upon returning; Darkness, who needs Kazuma's help immediately. What does Darkness need Kazuma's help with and what will the others do in the meantime?

Image 1: Yunyun holding the Winter Shogun doll close to her chest

Image 2: Kazuma and Megumin unleashing their shared Explosion spell.

Image 3: Yunyun sitting next to Kazuma; wearing her 'mature' night gown and Kazuma's track suit jacket (open)