Once a NEET always a NEET 6
Disclaimers, I don't own Kono Suba, Isekai Quartet, or any of the other properties that are listed available.
Another day in the Satou household, another day for Kazuma staying at home, difference being was that he slept a lot better than night, because of Sora and Shiro.
This was later confirmed after Darkness got off the phone with Stephanie as she informed them before going to sleep that they seemed to be playing nice last night.
"Alright, is everyone ready to go to school today" asked Darkness, "Yup, and I finished preparing Kazuma's lunch" said Aqua as she handed everyone else their lunch for the day.
"So what did Stephanie say to you" asked Megumin, "She said that while there was bantering amongst them, none the less she felt like Sora and Shiro hit it off with Kazuma, who was aware of them going back to school on the regular" said Darkness.
Seeing as this satisfied their curiosity, the girls left the house without saying a word as Kazuma stepped out the bathroom to continue sleeping.
With Tanya
Ever since her discussion with the members of the Reincarnated Afterlife Battlefront, Tanya decided for the time being that she'll keep a speed dial length away from them given their very diverse and animated personalities amongst the group.
Regardless she learned some pretty important information from the group like how they only attended class on 2 different occasions, one was on the first day and the other out of pity cause their teacher begged them to attend at least for testing.
Still with that information at hand, she can call bullshit on whatever future events that Mr. Roswaal will try to rally the students behind, while also mark him on her list of suspicious people.
Especially since the school only made a dramatic announcement towards the well being centered around Kazuma.
While Tanya no doubt she could easily brush this off and would none the less let Kazuma drop out and miss school like he wanted to, there was still the lingering feeling that he must be important in some way.
If they already had students not attending or participating in anything school related, why go through the trouble of making Kazuma's case such a big event and deal.
Regardless as to why, Tanya still has to make an effort to apologize to Kazuma, and whether he accepts it or not is his choice, as her priorities were now going to be centered around discovering the true purpose of this world.
For now, her and her team will continue to attend class like everyone else, as evident when she was present in class and greeted Ainz.
"Good morning Tanya" said Ainz, "Good morning to you too Ainz" said Tanya before both notice that Ram came into class with a bandage wrapped around her nose and a more pissed off look on her face than usual.
"Wonder what happened to her" asked Tanya, "If you like, I'd be more than happy to explain" said Demiruge as he stood next to Tanya and Ainz.
"Demiruge, did you remember our talk or forgotten it already" warned Ainz as he glared at his floor Guardian, where the devil began to clear his throat and adjust his collar.
"Forgive me Lord Ainz" said Demiruge with a bow before going to his seat as Tanya looked at Ainz with confusion.
"He's a good man that will no doubt do what's best for the Nazarick, but he lacks any human touch, and frankly I nearly forgotten mine" explained Ainz as Tanya read in between the lines and remembered what happened when they tormented Kazuma that night.
That and being fully aware that neither one are in their true form and bodies, even before coming here, Tanya chose not to press on and wait to interrogate Subaru later on.
Speaking of which, he barely made it to class in time as Roswaal began to take attendance.
Later
"Hmm, should've figured he wasn't going to forgive us like that" said Tanya as she, Subaru, and Ainz were talking in private as leaders and representatives of their peers and friends of their worlds do once and while, including the now absent Kazuma.
"Honestly, I surprised he didn't beat the shit out of me or cursed us out the house" said Subaru, "Speaking of, what exactly did Ram say to piss off Kazuma to break her nose like that" asked Tanya.
"It wasn't him, rather it was Darkness and as to what she said it's not hard to imagine" said Subaru, "Color me impressed that masochist can deliver the same amount of pain as she can take" said Tanya.
"What I'm curious about is the new students you have mentioned and brought over" said Ainz as he was looking at a table where Sora, Shiro, and Stephanie were sitting at, as Tanya eyed the members of the Reincarnated Afterlife Battlefront as they were happily eating lunch.
"They seemed alright people to me, and from what Stephanie has informed me, they became real friends and really fast for Kazuma" said Subaru before regretting not choosing his words correctly.
While neither Tanya or Ainz can say that they on the same level as friends, more so Tanya, they none the less couldn't deny that amongst their rag tag group of misfits in his party, he's the most sane one and has proven himself to be a leader, and that much they had to respect.
"Well I'm glad to hear that Kazuma has friends he could rely on now" said Ainz before a group approach them.
"Hey Ainz, how's it going" greeted Shinichi as he was accompanied by Myucel and Elbia.
"I'm doing well Shinichi, and you" asked Ainz, "You know, just trying to fit in alongside everyone else, considering how we had to take a bit of an extended leave so I can catch everyone up in speaking Japanese fluently you know" said Shinichi with a smile.
"Hey Ainz, who's this kid" asked Tanya as she had suspicions that he seemed like the lot to get along with Kazuma, Subaru, Sora, and Shiro no problem.
"Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Shinichi Kanou, I am the president of the Otaku Club, and one of the only 5 students that are officially active and ever present in class D" said Shinichi.
"So you're from class D huh, I'm curious to know about the rumors of no one ever attending class to be true" asked Subaru, "You wouldn't be wrong, since I only ever got to see the rest of my classmates like twice since we enrolled here, and a lot of them honestly scare me a little" admitted Shinichi.
"What do you mean" asked Subaru, "Well let me put it like this, these guys literally have no chill and without a second though will stab, shoot, or anything that would normally kill anyone else, comeback to life and brush it like it was nothing, did I mention they come to class carrying guns and swords" said Shinichi.
So I guess I'm not the only immortal here, thought Subaru as maybe he was willing to check these guys out for himself and see what they're like in person.
"They're not all bad, there are some nice people like Otonashi, Tachibana, Yurippe, I even find Yui and Hinata to be quite cute don't you think" said Myucel with a smile before realizing all eyes fell on her.
"Oh sorry, my name is Myucel Fourant everyone" greeted the half elf, "And I'm Elbia Harneiman" greeted the werewolf as she wagged her tail.
"Nice to meet you guys, my name is Natsuki Subaru, I'm an immortal who's completely penniless" greeted Subaru with a smile, as Tanya figured this was her cure to greet herself.
"My name and title is Major Tanya Von Degurechaff" said Tanya with a salute, "Well it's a pleasure to meet you guys" said Shinichi with a smile.
"Hey Shinichi come over here and have lunch with us already" cried Petralka as she was waving at the group, and sitting next to her was her cousin and captain of her guards, Garius who waved at them back.
"Be there right now" said Shinichi, "Sorry everyone please excuse us" said Myucel with a bow, "Hold on Shinichi, I must request a favor from you" said Ainz.
"What's up Ainz" asked Shinichi, "This is a personal request which I will gladly go into more detail with you later on, but I need help in reaching out a friend of ours" said Ainz.
"You're talking about Kazuma, aren't you" asked Shinichi as this clearly showed he was in the loop as Ainz nodded.
"No worries, you can count on me" said Shinichi before leading his friends to sit with his group.
"So how did you guys originally met again" asked Subaru, "I decided that during our after school club activities my friends were to stay in the club room and think about and write down an apology letter to Kazuma when we see him later on tonight" explained Ainz.
"While they did that, I decided to go visit other club rooms and try to think for myself when I heard about this Otaku Club the school had, and with my curiosity at its peak, I wasted no time in arriving at the room where I got to meet Shinichi and his friends, and the rest is history" said Ainz.
"Tell me, what was their initial reaction, and be honest" asked Tanya with a smirk as everyone will openly admit they had their own reaction after first meeting with Ainz.
"Well to be completely honest, Garius drew his sword and stood in front his cousin and Shinichi as Myucel was readying a spell and Elbia whipped out her claws, luckily Shinichi was willing to listen to me when I said I wasn't a threat" said Ainz.
"You know, I'm still expecting there to be someone out there who would pull an Aqua on you" admitted Subaru as Tanya nodded, "Good to know" said Ainz not realizing he said Kazuma's catch phrase as he killed the mood again.
Even with them being able to joke around, it didn't felt the same, and won't feel the same without having Kazuma present.
At this point they deserve to feel bad for what they did to their friend, and only wish him the best for what becomes of Kazuma.
With Kazuma
Once more he had finished eating the packed lunch Aqua had made for him as he put it away and began to do the dishes since he could admit he was responsible for the growing pile.
Before he could even think about going back and play TF2 on their home console station, and massacre those plays like the PC pro that he is, he decided to be a little more proactive in cleaning the home he lived in.
"Hey Alexa" said Kazuma as they did own an Alexa, because honestly, "What can I do for you Master Kazuma" said Alexa in a sultry voice who was programmed to call Kazuma master.
"Play me LINKIN PARK's One More Light album" said Kazuma as he began to roll up the sleeves to his tracksuit, "Playing LINKIN PARK's One More Light album for Master Kazuma, starting with Heavy" said Alexa.
As Kazuma began to sweep the floor and take out the trash, he originally had Alexa played some music to fill in the vacant background that was the currently empty house.
But during the middle of the song, Kazuma stood there and began to listen to the lyrics, and found himself singing along, and before he knew he was on the floor crying.
His heart ache as the lyrics of the song resonated with how he was currently feeling at the moment and was left asking himself 'Why is everything so heavy'.
No matter how many times he asked himself, how he strived to adapt and make his life more comfortable, he felt like he was alone holding on to that last bit of lingering hope that this was all just a bad dream that he was gonna wake up and tell his friends that he's thankful everyday in knowing them.
But this wasn't a dream and no matter how much they lie to him claiming to be better and do things for the greater good, their actions wound up in his expense, and that their attempts was to manipulate and abuse him a lot longer till he served their purpose, before tossing him aside for good is what's keeping him from ever accepting of their forgiveness or friendship.
Even if he'll forever be alone and his friends will only be strangers online, this was a lot better than him getting ridiculed and betrayed for one more time in his life than he was willing to tolerate.
Picking himself up, he turned off Alexa before returning to his room where he screamed and cried away his pain, frustration, and the ever confusion feelings that are telling him to trust him as his heart beats to these twisted emotions in pain.
Eventually having enough, Kazuma decided to go back to sleep as he continued wish that this nightmare was over and that if he was responsible for the end of this world and the lives of everyone, he only asked he was killed in his sleep where he would be at peace, and hoped it was quick and painless.
Later
It was the one night where all the girls were coming back home late cause they all had to work on the same night at their respective jobs.
Coincidentally, it would've been the same for Kazuma, as they would normally pass by and pick themselves up so Lenny's before heading home together.
Still it didn't mattered as they made a conscious effort in picking up his favorite pot roast dinner the way he liked it, along with a root beer.
"So Cocytus said that he along with Ainz was coming over with some additional company of their own" said Darkness, "I swear it better not be any more undead, demon, devil worshipping bastards" Aqua said.
"Aqua, be nice, Ainz and his friends are coming over to apologize to Kazuma, last thing we want is to further upset him with a fight inside the house" said Darkness.
"Fine, but if they step out of line I get to send them all to the afterlife" said Aqua, "You will not" said Darkness, "But you got to punch Ram the other night".
"I did, but I never killed her, so I expect the same thing from you" said Darkness as they saw Ainz and company walking down the street.
"Greetings Darkness" said Cocytus, "Good to see you Cocytus and everyone else. I take it you must be the guest that Ainz has invited" said Darkness as she was referring to only Shinichi and Myucel who attended.
"That's right, my name is Shinichi and this is Myucel, Ainz was kind enough to fill us in what's going on and we'll try our best to talk things out with Kazuma" said Shinichi.
"They don't appear to be undead, better double check to be sure" said Aqua as she laid her sights on Ainz, "Aqua" called Darkness and Megumin as the goddess begrudgingly decided to let it go for now.
Soon everyone stepped inside casa de Satou, where Ainz was the first to stepped forward and proceeded to knock on Kazuma's door.
"Kazuma, it is I Ainz Ooal Gown, I came here to apologize" said Ainz as he got nothing but silence in return.
"Sigh, Kazuma it wasn't right that you had to endure that injustice you suffered over this previous weekend, and the fact I did nothing and allowed my guardians to do as they please, I take full responsibility for not telling them to stop, much less help you out" said Ainz.
"I understand that if you wish to neither want to talk to me, or anyone as you have every right to hate us, but just know that I am truly sorry for what I should've done" said Ainz as his generals made sure to pay attention to their great leader.
"So what are you guys doing here" asked Megumin towards Shinichi, "We're here to serve as middlemen and help you guys out" said Shinichi.
"I get that, but why" asked Megumin, "If I may but in, I'd be happy to elaborate as to their purpose as this was all Ainz idea from the get go" said Demiruge.
"Demiruge!" shouted Ainz as there was a sudden chilling atmosphere in the room as the devil was force to face his master who was angry after countless times of being told what not to do.
"Master Ainz, please forgive me" said Demiruge as he was losing his composure, "I have forgiven you long enough, and my patience was already thin as it is with you" said Ainz.
"Master Ainz, I beg of you it won't happen again" said Demiruge as he bowed to his master, "Damn right it won't happen again, Demiruge, once we leave the Satou residence, you are hereby banished and are forbidden to even dare to associate yourself with me or any of the other guardians from the Great Tomb of Nazarick, until Kazuma has forgiven, and if you dare as to approach me or anyone else, or speak on my behalf without my permission, I will do anything, even allowing Aqua here to rid you of your very existence, are we clear" said Ainz as the room went silent.
To ashamed to even speak up to his master, Demiruge could only let out inaudible noises in response for shaming Ainz for the last time.
"What's with all the ruckus out here" said Kazuma as he barely woke up to see it was Ainz in company, before retreating back to his room while looking at the group in disgust.
"Please forgive us for causing a scene, I shall return momentarily, Shinichi if you could step in" said Ainz to their new friend, "Of course said Shinichi, "Thank you, everyone else outside right now".
Once he gathered the guardians were outside, Ainz was ready to speak, that is until Demiruge left as all eyes rested on the devil.
"What are you still doing here Demiruge, beat it" said Shalltear as the Devil was ready to respond, until he saw Ainz shaking his head no.
With no room to defend himself, the devil begrudgingly left the group until further notice.
"Everyone, I must say something to all of you first and foremost" said Ainz as all eyes fell on him, "I'm sorry".
"What are you apologizing for master Ainz" asked Albedo, "I'm apologizing for not proving myself to be strong and affirmed leader" said Ainz.
"But Ainz, you're a great leader" said Mare, "While that's kind of you to say, I honestly haven't felt I have been for a long time, cause if I was I wouldn't allowed any of you to torment Kazuma like you did these past weekend" said Ainz as that stung everyone.
As mention, Albedo was responsible on 2 different occasions for giving Kazuma the worst dick tease ever and laughed at him hard about it on the second occasion.
Shalltear took part in knocking things over, insulting him, and throwing a damn pineapple at his crotch, and had lead Mare and Aura into his room where the properly destroyed and vandalized it for no reason except for shits and giggles.
As mentioned, both Fiore twins did assist in destroying his room on top of knocking things over and insulting him
Cocytus took part in ensuring his legs remained frozen in place so he wouldn't escape as people had pelted him with crap that night, before punching his lights out for good when they were all done.
"As such, it is my responsibility to take on and lead yourselves to be better individuals, so that we can apologize to a friend who feels broken cause we destroyed his trust in all of us, while I have to bare the burden of doing nothing and allowed you all to be monsters" said Ainz as the word monster really hurt them.
"We're sorry master Ainz" said everyone as they all knelt before him, "Don't apologize to me, apologize to Kazuma first, and until he forgive us, I will forever feel like I failed all of you till the end of time" said Ainz.
Taking in their masters word to heart, everyone will try and promise to better themselves and not because they were told to, but because they know it's the right thing if they want to get Kazuma back.
"Now, you shall all wait here, I'm going to see how things are transgressing for our friends inside" said Ainz as he made his way back inside the house.
Once inside he saw Shinichi and Myucel barely exiting Kazuma's room.
"So how is he" asked Ainz, "He's sad and broken, that's for sure" said Shinichi as he and Myucel were having a hard time looking at everyone after probably what they heard from Kazuma's point of view.
"There wasn't much we can do in getting Kazuma to hear you guys out, at least this time around, but no worries we'll try to persevere in talking to all of you again" said Myucel as she didn't want to let anyone's feelings get hurt.
"And lucky for you guys, me and Kazuma have the same interests, so give me some time, while we game online, and I'm certain you guys will be all talking together again as friends in no time" said Shinichi with a genuine smile.
"Speaking of, we should hurry" said Myucel, "Yeah we better hurry up, we only got so much time to play some MVM before doing our homework and going to bed" said Shinichi.
"See you tomorrow guys" said Shinichi, "Take care" said Darkness as the duo walked out the front door.
"I better leave too, until next time" said Ainz, "Take care Ainz" said Megumin, "And don't do anything unless you want me to kill you like that devil ex-friend of yours" said Aqua as she pointed a finger at Ainz to which he lightly chuckled at before departing.
Once Ainz left, Aqua made her way and knocked on Kazuma's door.
"Hey Kazuma, Ainz and everyone else are finally gone, so come on out and get your dinner" said Aqua as she had it in hand.
Opening his door, Aqua caught a glimpse how his bed was a disaster almost as Kazuma as he felt a little more sad and broken as he took his dinner from Aqua's hands.
With a concerned look, Aqua could only imagine what Kazuma was going through before informing the girls as the thought will keep them up at night.
Alright I'm going to end things here for now, since next chapter we'll be focusing on Shinichi and his discussion with Kazuma, before shifting things to Naofumi, and eventually the members of the Reincarnated Afterlife Battlefront members.
Also thank you guys for your continuous support, especially since I got a little more personal in the previous chapter than I usually do, like how I do in every chapter, you've all been really cool about it.
Just a heads up, the next one will be the second to last chapter before we go into hiatus as I do have other projects I got to commit to, but I promise that I shall return, hopefully by the end of Isekai Quartet season 3 so we get to know who else joins the roster, and if I'm lucky it'll be an anime I've watched this year, or some cosmic coincidence one that I have or will mention at some point.
Speaking of, leave me your thoughts as to whether I should include SAO or not, cause I figured that would be interesting to add, and I got a gut feeling it'll join the Isekai Quartet family within time.
This has been your Humble Narrator Tobi Yaza. =3
