Previously on Continuum T:
After avoiding a heart attack caused by an unknown substance, Tenchi has announced his decision: all of them. Instead of choosing one of the girls, Tenchi has chosen to love all five. I hope the author doesn't decide to write what I think he could write, or I'm quitting.
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Continuum T, Part VIII – Time Splitter
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But the moment had to end sometime. And it ended now.
"Tenchi, could I have a word in private?" Washu asked. "I promise I won't try anything, but there are a few things you need to know before we continue. Please?"
"Okay," Tenchi said hesitantly, and followed Washu into her lab. "I'll just be gone a minute. Don't worry."
They entered and the door closed behind them. Washu walked up to one of her many experiments and started idly tinkering with it.
"Um, Washu?" Tenchi asked.
"What do you think you're doing?" Washu said.
"W, what?" Tenchi was taken aback by the question.
"Why did you choose all of us? That's really selfish, you know."
"Selfish? It's anything but selfish. I know I should choose just one, like my conscience says, but I chose you all. I sacrificed some of my contentment to please you. How is that selfish?"
"No you didn't. You just didn't want to make a choice. This way, you get out of choosing one of us, and you make us all happy."
"That's what I'm trying to do, make you happy."
"But happiness comes at a price, Tenchi," Washu said. "There is no happiness without sadness. There never is."
"But I'm not sad, and I don't think any of them are, either. It must be you."
"No, Tenchi. Actually, it's you."
"Me?"
"Yes. Subconsciously, you're unhappy, because you should choose one, but instead you chose five. Subconsciously you've decided. You've chosen one. Unfortunately, you don't even realise that."
Washu sighed. "You're a kind and considerate person, Tenchi. You can't help it; it's who you are. But you need to care just about yourself at least sometime. Eventually you're going to realise your true decision and announce it. It will make several people unhappy, but they will get over it. The first step is to realise that you can't live your life around other people. Sooner or later you're going to have to make a decision for yourself, and for you alone. The universe doesn't revolve around you, but your own world does. Make your world, and yourself, happy."
Washu looked at Tenchi. "You know I'm Washu, the goddess of the mind. All those sample collections were only for fun. If I actually wanted to do it for real, I wouldn't let you escape. But the truth is, I wasn't really bothered. I'm old enough to realise that people like you come and go. I shan't be very disappointed if you choose another. That's the truth."
Washu cocked her head slightly. "It's something to think about. Now, about the others." She walked up to a control panel. "I'm sure you'll be glad to know that you can't cause any adverse pregnancies."
Tenchi choked. "Pregnancies? But I wasn't even thinking about that."
"Come on. Surely you don't think that not even Ryoko has thought about such things, do you? Sex, I mean."
Tenchi just kept coughing.
"You haven't been willing to donate any samples of your semen, so I can't tell directly that you aren't compatible, but there are other ways. The other readings I've taken over the past few months all suggest that your sperm have been altered somehow. I'm still trying to determine the cause, but I can safely say that just enough has been altered to make you incompatible for conception with all of us. It's not harmful at all, but without more information I can't say if the process is reversible. So that's why you're not in danger of impregnating any of us.
"The other thing is the timetable. You can't seriously expect them all to be with you at once, do you? You need to come up with some way to split your time with them, say, one a day?"
"But why me?"
"They'll listen to you. Leave it to them and it'll never get resolved."
"But what about you?"
"Hey, you chose me as well, didn't you? I shall expect you to be as fair with me as any of the others." Washu put on her cutest expression. "Just because of what I said doesn't mean I don't like it. It just means that I'm looking out for you. I want you to be happy."
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"Tenchi, you're back!" Ryoko exclaimed as Tenchi and Washu emerged from the lab. "What did that awful woman do to you?"
"I'm still your mother, you know," Washu said. "You're not too old to be punished."
Ryoko glared at her and flew over to Tenchi. "I missed you, you know, Tenchi," she purred.
"That's nice. We just talked about a few things. That's all," Tenchi said. "And one of those things was about a schedule. I think some sort of timetable is needed if we're going to carry through with this. One day each, and I do what I want over the weekend. Agreed?"
They all nodded hesitantly, then in agreement.
"It seems the most sensible way," Ayeka said.
"But how are we going to decide who's getting which day?" Sasami asked.
"I think the simplest works best," Tenchi said. "Names in a hat."
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And so it was. A hat couldn't be found, so a salad bowl took its place. Identical pieces of paper with each of the five names were placed in the bowl and shuffled. Tenchi pulled out the first paper.
"On Friday it's Washu," he said.
The second came out.
"Mihoshi's on Thursday."
And the third.
"Ryoko has Wednesday."
"Sasami has Tuesday, which means Ayeka has tomorrow," Tenchi announced.
There was some grumbling from Ryoko about her Wednesday, but she quietened down. "At least it's better than not getting you at all," she laughed.
"Now that it's decided, a few rules need to be made. No trying to get others to switch days by any means. We're going to do this every week, so you might get lucky next time. No provoking others into fights on their days. If you do that you forfeit your day. And finally, the changeover is at nine in the morning. Agreed?"
It was.
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The rest of the day was spent watching television. Considering the rest of the day was only a few hours, it wasn't that bad. Then Tenchi got up.
"I'm going to bed," he announced. He turned to go.
"Tenchi?"
Tenchi turned to Ryoko. "Yes?"
"Can I sleep in your room again tonight? After all, you have chosen me."
"And I've also chosen the others. You can do what you want on your day, but not now."
"Okay," Ryoko sighed. She turned to face the others, all glaring at her. "What? It was worth a shot."
"Goodnight, everyone," Tenchi called.
"Goodnight, Tenchi," they called back.
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The night passed without disturbance. Tenchi awoke the next morning at about eight o'clock. He got up, showered and dressed, contemplating the foreseeable future.
I don't really like this way of doing things, he thought. But it'll have to do until we can find something better.
"Subconsciously you've decided. You've chosen one. Unfortunately, you don't even realise that." Washu's talk yesterday suddenly recalled itself. "Eventually you're going to realise your true decision and announce it."
Maybe she's right, Tenchi thought. Maybe I already have decided, but I just can't see it.
He shrugged this off and went downstairs in search of breakfast. He found Ayeka instead.
"Good morning, Ayeka," Tenchi greeted.
"Good morning Lord Tenchi," Ayeka replied, a bigger than usual smile on her face. Tenchi noticed this.
"Don't worry," Tenchi said. "I haven't forgotten. But remember what I said. Your day starts at nine, and it's only half eight."
"But what's half an hour between good friends," Ayeka said sweetly, trying to charm Tenchi. But it didn't work.
"I'm sorry, Ayeka, but rules are rules. I want to wake up first." To emphasise this he yawned and stretched. "Come on. Let's go get breakfast."
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And so they did. Tenchi noticed that Ayeka ate slightly faster today, and was subtly prompting Tenchi to do the same. Perhaps she was worried that Tenchi would suddenly back out on his promise, but Tenchi wouldn't do that. He loved them too much.
It was 8:57 when breakfast was over. Everyone except Sasami, who washed up, went to watch television. Tenchi sat at one end of the sofa, and Ayeka moved next to him. She sat and watched. Out of the corner of his eye, Tenchi couldn't help noticing that Ayeka's gaze kept flittering between the television and something near it. Tenchi didn't think about it much, and went back to watching television.
A few moments later, Ayeka shuffled up to Tenchi and rested her head on his shoulder, sighing contentedly. Tenchi looked at the video recorder. The time of nine o'clock glowed back at him.
Tenchi smiled, and wrapped an arm around her. She murmured contentedly, and grabbed his arm and held it close to her.
The television continued displaying.
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It was now later on. About an hour later, actually. Tenchi and Ayeka had gone for a walk. They came to a halt in a small clearing in the trees next to the lake. Ayeka sat down on the grass, and Tenchi sat next to her. They embraced each other and gazed out over the water.
"It's funny," Ayeka said. Tenchi turned his head and looked at her. "I've dreamed of something like this happening for months, now, always imagining what I would do if it ever happened. But now I can't seem to think of anything."
"That's life," Tenchi replied. "Things never happen as you imagine them. Sometimes it's worse, and sometimes it's better."
"Which do you suppose this is?"
Tenchi looked at Ayeka for several moments before answering. "Much better," he smiled.
Ayeka started to lean in, but it was obvious she wanted more than to hug. She closed her eyes in anticipation.
Tenchi was understandably apprehensive. It was his first kiss. But he set aside his worries and leaned in.
Their lips met. Fire coursed through their nerves and registered in their brains as pure pleasure. Imaginary fireworks exploded all round as love expressed itself. Time itself seemed to slow down as the two lived forever in one moment. Even more poetic licence happened, which won't be looked at in detail here.
Their lips separated. Ayeka was quivering.
"Was that how you imagined?" Tenchi asked.
Ayeka gasped for breath, forgetting to do so over the past moment. She caught it and looked at Tenchi.
"Much better," she smiled.
They resumed watching the lake.
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Meanwhile, somewhere across the lake, Ryoko was angry.
"I can't stand it," she exclaimed. "She could be doing anything with him right now. Doesn't anyone else care about that?"
"Ryoko, we all agreed that this was the best way," Sasami said. "Don't go sneaking up on them. You'll have your go on Wednesday. You can do whatever you want then, but leave them alone."
Ryoko slouched angrily in a chair.
"What do you suppose they're doing?" Washu said.
"Maybe they're having a romantic moment," Mihoshi giggled.
Ryoko visibly angered.
"Oh, yes, sister and Tenchi would be doing that," Sasami said. "I know Ayeka. I think she'd be doing just that."
"Well, maybe Tenchi just got scared when Ayeka tried to put her moves on him, and ran away," Ryoko said, in an effort to dispel her fears. "He's still Tenchi, you know. No-one can change that much overnight."
"Maybe not," Washu said. "But he did announce his decision to us. He's become a lot less withdrawn over the past few days. Especially with Ayeka."
"What does that mean?" Ryoko threatened.
"I'm just saying that maybe Tenchi feels more comfortable expressing himself now."
Ryoko 'h'mph'ed and stared frustrated out of the window, waiting for the first sign of Tenchi.
"She'd choose a romantic spot, probably next to the lake," Sasami continued.
"They'd sit down and look at the lake for a while," Mihoshi picked up, "before looking at each other and..."
They both started giggling.
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After about half an hour, Tenchi and Ayeka returned, greeted immediately by a slightly annoyed Ryoko, to put it very mildly. Tenchi managed to calm her down, at least temporarily, before going inside.
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After a mostly lazy day, and some more kissing, the mid evening finally came round. Everyone sat around talking. Tenchi sat in the single chair, with Ayeka on his lap. She had decided to be bolder and suppress some of her manners in order to be more romantic. A tiny part of her also knew that it drove Ryoko mad. She whispered something into Tenchi's ear, which made them both blush.
Ryoko looked on in envy and annoyance. Ayeka would pay come Wednesday. She chuckled to herself, thing of subtle things she could do with Tenchi that would really annoy Ayeka.
Sasami was talking with Washu about a new super cooker the genius had invented. Apparently it worked fine, as long as you didn't mind your food glowing afterwards, or growing legs and walking off.
Nobuyuki and Katsuhito were talking about their days, albeit with a certain amount of tedium and repetitiveness; their days were usually quite boring. However, today was slightly different. They hadn't been told about the agreement between Tenchi and the girls, an oversight on their part. They were confused as to why Ayeka was on Tenchi's lap, but Nobuyuki was hopeful that Tenchi had at last decided, and was soon to be a man.
Mihoshi was talking with Tenchi and Ayeka about how the day had gone. The detective giggled slightly as Ayeka related a half-true version of what had happened. Tenchi kept whispering corrections to Ayeka, causing Ayeka to whisper threats back of what she'd say if Tenchi didn't stop interrupting. Obviously the threats would be very embarrassing to Tenchi, as he blushed every time Ayeka suggested one. This caused Ayeka to blush as well, at the thought of saying those things out loud. Obviously what she was telling Mihoshi wasn't the whole story, as she preferred to keep some things private.
It was around this time that Ayeka had a thought. She whispered to Tenchi. "Tenchi, you said that our days ended at nine in the morning, right?"
"Yes," Tenchi whispered back hesitantly.
"Does that mean that night time is included?"
A violent coughing fit from Tenchi caused everyone in the room to look at Tenchi. Tenchi lifted Ayeka off himself, and led her to the kitchen. Once they were safely out of earshot of the others, Tenchi spoke. "What exactly are you implying?"
"I just thought that it would be nice if I, well, slept with you tonight," Ayeka said. "I mean, if I slept in your room. Since I only have one day a week with you, I'd like to enjoy it as much as possible. I want to be with you for as long as I can."
"Umm..." Tenchi started. He was remembering something Washu had told him. "Surely you don't think that not even Ryoko has thought about such things, do you? Sex, I mean." Washu's words made him uneasy. But Ayeka didn't know that. She couldn't know what Washu had said. She was quite probably being innocent in her request. Of course she was. She's a princess. She wouldn't disgrace herself like that, especially not so soon, considering the circumstances. "I guess you could," Tenchi said, unsure of what he was getting himself into. "You can sleep on a spare futon. Or you could have the bed, if you want, while I have the futon."
"That won't be necessary," Ayeka said, nervous of what she was about to say. She had never been so bold before. "You have a big bed. Could I sleep with you, in your bed?"
Tenchi's animé counterpart would have turned to stone at this suggestion, but this is real life. Tenchi stopped blinking, now staring into nothing, and ceased breathing. In fact, all his senses and automatic body functions stopped.
"I apologise if I have offended you, Lord Tenchi," Ayeka said. "The fact is that I do love you, and I want to be with you as much as I can. Tenchi?"
Tenchi shook himself out of his daze. "I'm sorry?"
"I realise that you may not be ready for such things, and to tell you the truth, I don't think I am either. I'm sorry for bringing it up."
A week ago Tenchi wouldn't have dreamed of saying anything like this, but that was a week ago. "Okay," he said hesitantly. "Why not?"
This was not the response Ayeka was expecting. "Excuse me?"
Tenchi had to reassert himself now, or back away. "I said yes," was his reply, albeit shakily. "You can sleep with me tonight."
Tenchi was suddenly feeling very thirsty, but found that he couldn't move to get a drink. This was because Ayeka was hugging him closely. They looked at each other, then leaned in and kissed.
"Don't mind me," Mihoshi's voice snapped them out of the embrace. "I'm just getting snacks for everyone."
"Mi, Mihoshi?" Tenchi stuttered.
"Yes, Tenchi?" Mihoshi stopped what she was doing and looked at him.
There was an awkward silence. "Let me help you with that," Tenchi offered, his voice slightly too hasty. Mihoshi didn't pick up on this.
"Thank you, Tenchi," she said. "Hold this while I get the fruit." She handed him a tray. Tenchi looked round to see Ayeka standing in the same place, looking embarrassed and blushing slightly, although she did have a bit of a smile on her face.
"Come on, Tenchi," Mihoshi's voice stopped him from staring. "They're waiting."
"Oh, sure." Tenchi started to follow Mihoshi out, when Ayeka grabbed his arm, nearly causing him to drop the tray. He steadied it, smiled at Ayeka and walked back in.
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"Tenchi, there was something I was meaning to ask you," Nobuyuki said as they entered. He stopped short when he saw Ayeka clinging onto his arm. He cleared his throat and continued. "It's actually about that." He gestured towards Ayeka. "You two seem awfully friendly today. I was wondering why."
Tenchi set the tray down on the table and sat down. Ayeka sat on his lap again. "Well, dad, it's kind of a long story..."
"No it's not," Mihoshi said. "Tenchi chose us all to be his girlfriends, and today is Ayeka's day."
"Thank you Mihoshi," Tenchi said, ever so slightly sarcastically. Mihoshi just smiled at him, and picked up an apple.
"Is that so?" Nobuyuki said. "Well, why didn't you tell me? This is a cause for celebration! I'll go and get the sake." He stood up.
"Dad, I really don't think..."
"Nonsense!" Nobuyuki dismissed Tenchi's protests. "This is the perfect time for a drink. You're becoming a man, Tenchi. Act like a man. Have some fun." He went out.
Tenchi sagged into the chair, shifting Ayeka's balance. She toppled backwards, and was caught by Tenchi's arm. She was now lying across his lap, their faces very close to each other. They paused, not knowing what to do. The others looked on, other conversation forgotten, each in interest, embarrassment, or acute jealousy.
Nobuyuki walked back in with a tray laden with glasses and a bottle of sake. He nearly dropped them when he saw the awkward position Tenchi and Ayeka were in, but soon came back to his senses. "A bit too eager to show off, eh, Tenchi?" he said.
Ayeka scrambled up and Tenchi looked hard at his father.
"I know, you'd prefer it to be private," Nobuyuki sympathised. "I was your age once too, you know. Your mother and I wouldn't dare express our love in front of our parents either. We only did that in private."
"Yeah, thanks dad," Tenchi said, not too eager to continue this conversation. Nobuyuki sensed this and started pouring out drinks for everyone.
"Dad, I don't think we should be drinking, especially not Sasami. She's only eleven."
"Don't be like that, Tenchi," Nobuyuki said. "I was only going to give Sasami a taste, if she wanted. As for the rest of you, I think you're old enough to handle it. Besides, I've been saving this for over seven years for just such an occasion. It was actually your mother's idea."
"My mother?" Tenchi trailed off. "I guess it can't hurt, just one glass."
He reached out for a glass, as did everyone else. Nobuyuki raised his glass for a toast. The others followed his lead.
"To new love," Nobuyuki said, "and maturity!"
Everyone groaned inwardly as they accepted the toast.
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Tenchi has a slight headache as he awoke the next morning. Then again, so did everyone else. Between them all they had finished off an entire bottle of perfectly fermented sake, so this was understandable.
Breakfast that morning was quieter than usual, and devoid of Ryoko's usual antics. However, Tenchi's and Ayeka's moods were subtly different, in that they were both slightly happier than normal, and were more free in expressing their feelings for each other over the meal. Some of the others thought that they just had a nice time the previous night, while the rest thought the same, but for a different reason. Tenchi and Ayeka, obviously, didn't say anything, but there was something different about them that morning.
At nine, Sasami's day started. She suggested that they all go on a picnic, but bad weather forced them to cancel their plans. Instead, they stayed at home, having the picnic there instead. Afterwards, as there was nothing else to do, they watched television, Sasami sitting on Tenchi, his arms wrapped around her, as they watched an episode of the latest 'Tenchi Muyo!' series.
Throughout the day, Tenchi didn't try anything more than a kiss on the cheek, as he knew that Sasami was too young, despite her protestations. And that's when it hit him: "You've chosen one. Unfortunately, you don't even realise that." He had chosen all five, to avoid disappointing any of them. Washu's words resounded again, clearer than ever. He realised then that Sasami, although a very good friend, was not his subconscious decision. He felt sorry for Sasami, but at the same time he knew that he was one step closer to realising something he had already decided a long time ago.
He sighed, and hugged Sasami slightly tighter. The rest of the day passed uneventfully, and Sasami decided not to sleep with Tenchi that night, as "I'd just disturb you when I get up tomorrow morning to prepare breakfast". Even though Tenchi knew that she wasn't his choice, he pressed the matter, but she refused. He went to sleep, thinking about his true choice, and how hopeless it seemed trying to realise who it was.
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The next day started as any other day did. The sun rose, as it was accustomed to do now. The mist cleared from the lake, leaving it sparkling. The orange sky changed to blue. Birds woke up and flew around.
Inside the Masaki household, the people also awoke. One of them in particular was very excited. It was her day today.
Ryoko bounded down the stairs early, and floated around impatiently for Tenchi to come down. She had almost lost all patience when Tenchi stepped out of his room. They greeted each other and went to have breakfast. It was then nine o'clock. Ryoko's day had begun.
Ryoko hung around Tenchi all morning as he tended to the fields, making sure they hadn't been washed away by yesterday's rain. They were fine, so no repairs had to be made.
Lunchtime came and went. Ryoko and Tenchi talked a lot during the meal, even more so than the others, so they were late at finishing the meal. Ryoko floated over to the main room, while Tenchi cleared their plates away. He then also went to the main room. As he walked past the main door, there was a knock.
"I've got it!" Tenchi called. He opened the door and stopped.
"Hello, Tenchi," the other Tenchi said.
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In the next episode of Continuum T:
We discover the identity of this mysterious "other Tenchi", and what he wants. He seems to want what all villains want: to destroy the hero. A fight breaks out, and only one will survive, in "Evolution Revolution". Will our Tenchi win, or be consigned to the afterlife? Will there even be a real fight, as Tenchi still doesn't use his Saiyan powers? And will we ever discover what happened between Tenchi and Ayeka the other night? Find out in the next episode of Continuum T.