The World The Girls Also Knows: The Girls God Can Only Save
AU after Goddesses Arc. Keima has to keep the affection of the seven Goddess hosts and Chihiro at the same time. And he still has to exorcise loose souls from girls by making them fall in love with him. Miyako has a loose soul that needs to be exorcised, and the God of Conquests gets himself a new disciple in the game world named Aoba Fuse.
And I do not own The World God Only Knows.
And thanks to xellos540 for the beta job!
And I do not own The World God Only Knows.
Summary of the last chapter
It's the last hour of Kanon. Yui and Mars conspire after the events in Keima's house. Keima evaluates the Girls for their weekly performance. The Goddesses meet in a slumber party.
As for some characters:
Aoba Fuse is a light novel heroine. I took her characterization both from the light novel, and also from Wrathie Winsre's stories.
Oh and an announcement and request. In the near future, I probably would run out of events that the girls could do with Keima during their "official" time. So if any of you could suggest activities that they could engage in one hour, two hours, or three, as long as those activities are in character, please tell me. I'd probably include it, with full credit of course.
ARC II
CONSPIRACIES
Flag XIV
Saving Miyako
Translation of Manga Terms that I use
Nii-sama = Big Brother, Exalted Brother, Beloved Brother
Kami-Nii-sama or Kama-Onii-Sama = Divine Brother
Kami-sama = Divine One, Godly One, God. Aoba Fuse calls Keima Kami-sama, so I use Divine One.
Kami = God
Sama = Lord or Lady so Kujo-Sama is Lady Kujo, or Tsukiyo Sama is Lady Tsukiyo
Otamegane or Otamega = Glasses Wearing Game Nerd or Game Nut. I left it mostly untranslated.
Sensei = Teacher. But in context, I use Mr. or Miss. So Kodoma-Sensei would be Mr. Kodoma.
Otome Games = Games for Girls. The female equivalent of male dating sims.
Ojou-sama = aristocratic lady or noble lady
Mai-Hime = Princess from Maijima, the title of Aoba Fuse in the Gaming Community
Part 135 – The Prologue Is Nearly Done
Sunday Morning…
It was a beautiful morning as two teenagers walked down the streets of Maijima. One was a bespectacled, brown-eyed, brown-haired seventeen-year-old boy. He was holding a game console as he walked, playing without looking ahead, but doing it smoothly and fast, without tripping or bumping. He was used to walking like that and had developed an expertise in such.
Besides him was someone who looked like a young teenage girl. She called herself the boy's "younger sister" although she was actually not his sister, nor was she younger. But by looks and mental age, she gave off that impression. She was carrying a broom with a bolt at the end.
Flying above them, sitting on her floating scythe, was an invisible purple-haired devil who also looked like a teenager. She followed them as part of her mission, ready to do the requests of the boy whom she called her buddy.
"I'm so excited, Divine Brother! We can finally begin the conquest!" Elsie, the "younger sister", exclaimed as they walked to their destination.
"I'm glad I finally got all the preliminaries done," muttered Keima Katsuragi, the boy with the brown hair. "Who knew that the prologue would be such hard work?"
"Prologue?"
"Yes, Elsie. In games, there are certain events, or even entire games themselves, that are just preliminary to the main event. They are not the main story itself but are needed to set the stage for the main story. It does not matter how long or how laborious it is. By its very nature, it's just a prologue. A prequel. There are so many games that are just prologues to other games. And what I did last week was just a big prologue."
"So last week, all those dates were just a prologue?"
"Yes, my dear Elsie."
"Prologue to what?"
"For what will happen. Miyako Terada's and other future conquests, for example. Or the next five years with the members of the schedule. I've laid the foundations, and I believe, did so in such a secure way that I need not revisit it. All girls now fully accept the necessity of the schedule. All agreed that they have to wait for five years for my decision. All agree that they must share me in the meantime. All agree that I must save girls from the Weiss by making them fall in love with me and kissing them. I can now turn on autopilot for the rest of the five years," he explained. "It's just maintenance from here on."
Elsie had a confused look on her face. "I don't get it."
"I don't need to do much. I'll let the girls of the schedule lead," he expounded. "The routine for the next five years has been set. We can have a normal life. A new normal that is different from the normal from before the Goddess search, but a normal nonetheless. We have reached a state of balance and equilibrium between the seven girls of the schedule, New Hell, and me. Let's go back to our normal routine."
"Normal routine?"
"Of capturing loose souls. One that I prefer since they would not remember after it's done," he spoke as they reached Terada Dry Cleaning. "We're here."
Elsie rang the doorbell, and a minute later, the door opened.
"Elly! Katsuragi! Oh, I nearly forgot! It's the tutoring!" cried an embarrassed Miyako Terada. "Come in, come in."
Both members of the Katsuragi household came in.
"My parents are out," she informed. "Early this morning. They won't come back till evening."
The black-haired girl led them to the kitchen, where she prepared sandwiches and drinks.
…
"This food tastes great!" Elsie complimented as she wolfed another sandwich.
"That's just ordinary mayonnaise, I can't take credit for that," Miyako disavowed. "So Katsuragi, how's the food?"
"It's fine. It's not sweet," he said.
"That's because Beloved Brother doesn't like sweets!"
Miyako smiled. "Guess I'm lucky I didn't make them sweet. So how was your week?"
"Busy," blurted Keima without elaborating more.
"Yeah. We have so much to do!" Elsie confirmed.
Miyako narrowed her eyes. "Strange. Our schoolwork this week isn't much compared to other weeks. The midterms just ended, after all. And Katsuragi, you're not a club member, so that can't be it."
"Extraschool activities. Can't say more. It's a secret," Keima stated to cut off the discussion. It could lead to dangerous avenues if allowed to continue.
…
Part 136 – The Study Room
"So where shall we start? We're here to tutor Elly to pass the next exams, and to tutor Katsuragi to teach Elly!" Miyako proclaimed as she led them to the basement of their home.
"And don't forget, I'm going to tell you how I got 100 in the exam and how I got Chihiro and Ayumi 100 in their exams too."
…
"This is Miyako's study room, Divine Brother. This is where the 2B Pencils studied for the midterms."
The 'study room' was the size of an average room. The floor was heavily carpeted. On one end was a small whiteboard with markers on it. There were three plastic armchairs, a small wooden chair behind a large desk, and a shelf of books.
On the walls, above the shelves, were various awards and certificates received by Miyako Terada through the years. Lots of first runner ups, second runner ups, silver medals, bronze medals, etc. The very few first-place finishes, gold medals, and trophies were given pride of place. What was interesting was that those few first-place finishes were all won during elementary. All the recent awards of the pianist were second-place finishes or silver medals.
Speaking of pianists, he looked at some awards she received on that score. The gamer was flabbergasted. At first and second grade, she won the elementary piano contest. So that meant she beat six graders too. Was she a genius at playing the piano? A modern Mozart? And she won it consistently until junior high. When she suddenly ended up in second place. Then the piano awards stopped. What happened?
At the end of the room, there was an upright piano. Looking at it, dust and all, it wasn't used recently. Maybe it was because she was using her modern electronic keyboard instead—the same that she used for 2B Pencils activities.
On the other side of the walls were various tests. All with scores ranging from 79 to 94. Nothing approaching his level. On earlier tests, there were notes written by the teacher, stating that she got the highest in class. Then it stopped. The next set of tests was when he became her classmate. Then the notes kept saying that she was second place. That was the time that he displaced her.
That confirmed his theory that he made after watching Haqua's raiment the night before. The problem was how to tackle it.
Before he could do anything, he needed to get close to her. Solving a problem for a heroine without getting close to her was useless, as it would only brand the protagonist as a helpful person, not a potential love interest. And it was not even guaranteed to work. At the current time, she might not even listen to him. The best way was to get close to her, establish his presence in her life, and then solve the problem.
Then the flags that would lead to the conquest would appear on their own.
"Let's start. Show me how you teach Elsie," demanded Miyako.
"Fine. This is also the same way I study," he said as he went to the whiteboard and took a marker. "Can I?"
"You can," Miyako whispered.
He erased what was written on the whiteboard, and he looked at the pianist.
"What shall I teach Elsie?"
"Hm. Let's say that tomorrow, there would be an exam in history based on what we've learned in class so far. Your job is to make Elsie pass the examination."
"History. Based on her last exam, Elsie got 51, thanks to you, Terada."
"And you got a hundred," said Miyako.
"Yes. How can I transfer that to Elsie?" he wondered. "She certainly has no time to memorize everything that might appear in the exam. Do you want to do that, Elsie?"
"Divine Brother! Anything but that!"
"So instead, she only has to study and memorize what will come out of the exams. Preferably, she would study the questions that would probably come out," he explained. "That way, her efficiency in studying would be maximized."
"That's true, but there's no way you could actually predict the questions," Miyako pointed out.
Keima smirked. "That's where you're wrong. Okay, let's start."
He got the marker and began writing furiously on the whiteboard.
Part 137 – Keima's Study Methods
When he finished, he stated, "these are the first ten questions that are going to be asked by Nikaido if she's going to give a pop quiz tomorrow. I'd write more, but there's no more space on the whiteboard. Elsie, please copy it."
Elsie groaned as she did as asked. "Um, okay, Divine Brother."
Miyako's eyes widened. "Wait! How do you know that? Can you read Miss Nikaido's mind?"
"Easy. I analyzed her past examinations and analyzed her personality. Based on that, I was able to narrow down the most probable questions. It's not 100% accurate, but you can probably get eighty to ninety percent based on this. Then I can give you extra tips to get you to 100%."
"How did you know her personality?" asked a flabbergasted Miyako.
"Research. Reading people is way easier than reading tons of text, not that I can't do that too, but it's more efficient to analyze teachers than just memorizing everything. That way, I can have more time for games," the genius gamer lectured. "But of course, you need to know the lessons beforehand to actually predict. I already memorized the textbooks the teachers used beforehand. Then I used the personality of the teachers to predict which part of the textbooks they will draw their questions from."
"Wait. You memorized the textbooks?"
"At the beginning of the school year. That way, I don't have to do anything for the rest of the year. That means more time for games for me."
"I don't believe you!" she said as she got her history textbook. "Okay. On page 256, what is written in the first sentence."
"Page 256 is just an illustration of the Battle of Tsushima Strait."
"Okay. How about page 175, third paragraph? What's the first sentence."
It took him about fifteen seconds to think and come up with an answer.
"On the year 1185, Minamoto Clan defeats the Taira in the Battle of Dan-no-ura, ushering the era of the shoguns."
"What's the second sentence?"
"Yotshisune Minamoto attacked the Taira in Shimoneseki Strait."
"Okay. Let's go to page 316," said Miyako. "What's the third sentence of the first paragraph."
"Page 316? Hm, Let's see. That's the chapter of the rebuilding of modern Japan. Let's see. What is it again?"
He was silent for about thirty seconds.
"Ha, you don't know it!" the Terada girl proclaimed.
"Oh, yes. It's 'The bullet trains were a complete success.' I'm right again, Terada."
"I can't believe it! I can't believe you!" spluttered Miyako as she stared at the sentence in her textbook.
"Oh, Divine Brother is a genius."
"That's nothing. I can memorize the exact parameters of thousands of game heroines, and I still retain all the tens of thousands of routes of all the games I've ever played since I was seven. Books are nothing compared to what I've been doing before."
"You're joking!" she barked, her eyes wide at his words. "Nobody can do that. That's not human!"
He smirked. "I'm not even the best in memorizing books in our school. Do you know Shiori Shiomiya?"
"Wait! Did she write that small book for the Mai-High Festival about her time in the library?"
"The very same. She memorized all the books in the library."
"What?"
"Aoba Fuse called her the book genius for that reason. The only thing lacking to make her a true genius is her lack of self-confidence and feeble logic. And she prefers to remember fiction rather than facts."
"If you can memorize that much, why bother with the personality of teachers?"
"It saves time in the examinations. You see, retrieving information will take time. It's like going to the library. You know the books where the information you wanted is kept. It takes time to go to the section, to take the book, and to go to the table to read it. What I do, with analyzing the personality of teachers, is like going and taking the books and checking them out before the exams and opening it. So when the exam starts, it's right before me. I know the answer the second I read the question. I do this so I can finish exams quickly, and I can play more games."
"So memorizing is like buying books for your mental library, and the personality analysis is like checking them out?"
"Bingo. It's also makes my answers more accurate. You see, people make mistakes in the retrieval of the memorized information. It's like getting the wrong book or turning the wrong page. That's why it's rare to get perfect scores. By doing the retrieval earlier, I catch mistakes much more easily. Thus, I can get 100% all the time. And I also do this at the start of every week, to predict what the teachers will teach and ask in recitation. That way, I can answer correctly when I'm called to recite even if I'm not paying attention in class. That's the reason I was able to say what's on page 175 without any delay. It's our lesson for the week. I already filed the necessary information for easier retrieval. The other pages took me more time because it's just stored here in my brain without checking it out beforehand."
"What about the game information?" asked Elsie, curious about it.
"Most game information I already checked out of my mental library," he said. "If it's game information, most probably, I can recite it without even thinking. Are you finished copying the questions, Elsie?"
"Yes, Divine Brother," she beamed, showing her notebook.
"Good," he said as he erased the whiteboard, and again began writing more questions on the board. "Here's the second part of the pop quiz' questions."
"Wow! I mean, wow! If those questions turn up," the pianists cried out, amazed.
"Normally, they do turn up. Not always, but you can easily pass with these," he muttered as he watched Elsie copy the questions.
…
Part 138 – Miyako's Study Methods
"Now that's all the questions. Time for your personal tutoring," he informed as he stood before Elsie and began to personally tutor her. "I'm giving you 25 minutes."
"Personal tutoring?" asked Miyako.
"Yes. Based on her scores on the previous test, and where she's weak at and where she excels," he said as he began to tutor the devil.
As Miyako watched him, she was astonished. Katsuragi turned out to be completely different than what she first thought of. She earlier thought that he was just a nerd, a dweeb, the Otamegane of Chihiro's world.
To her, Keima Katsuragi was a unique boy, a student who nobody will ever forget, even if the memories of his peers were mostly negative. One memory was that he did not pay attention in class. He was just playing games. Yet to the perplexity of everyone, Miyako included, he never failed to top the class, routinely getting 100% on everything except the practical portion of Physical Education. That enraged the teachers even further, but what could they do? His academic achievements were a mystery that no one had been able to crack.
Nobody can be that smart. So Miyako concluded that secretly, he was studying hard. Harder than she was. She firmly believed that hard work equals success, so he must have done some clandestine studying at home, and the PFP thing was just a front to fool the others into complacency. Maybe Katsuragi was just attending a different cram school?
That was the reason—aside from her general friendlier personality—she was more respectful of him than say, Ayumi or Chihiro. She knew what he had been doing to get those perfect marks.
Well, based on what she just witnessed, she was not wrong. Katsuragi does study hard. Not just in the same way that she does. He only makes it seem effortless.
Still, his methods of studying and tutoring left a lot to be desired. How can he predict the questions of teachers? No matter what he said, that was impossible. Yet he made Ayumi, Chihiro, and Kanon get 100. So, he must have been right. Or was he just lucky?
Whatever it was, it was not enough for Elsie.
Still, despite coming up short, it was impressive. He got his sister up from 18 to 45. Not bad at all.
She found in Keima Katsuragi a remarkable boy. His memorizing skills were mind-blowing. How could he have such a brain? Was he a true genius, one that she only heard about and seen on TV or books? IF so, he was the perfect combination of genius and hard work.
Still, she was not sure of his ability to predict the quiz and exam questions. Ayumi or Chihiro may have exaggerated. But if it was true, then he was godly. And even without those predictive skills, Katsuragi was still the perfect student in academics, something that she longed to be.
As she looked at him, she had a sinking feeling that she could never ever hope to catch up. It pained her heart to think about it. Miyako would never ever regain the crown that she lost to him a long time ago if things continued as they were.
And she found herself lost in admiration of his skill and intelligence.
…
"There. Less than one hour of studying, and I believe that's enough to get 100 if there's a pop quiz tomorrow," Keima Katsuragi declared. "That's how I study and how I tutor. And it works. Most of the time. There must be something I'm missing with Elsie. Can you tell me what that is?"
Miyako shook her head. What was missing from his teaching? She was sure it was effective if what he said was true. What was it? How does she teach and tutor in comparison? Maybe brilliance at learning does not precisely correlate with brilliance at teaching?
"Well, I think your method is only effective at short term memory retention for a particular exam," she finally concluded. "Not for you, of course, since you retain everything in that brain of yours, but the person who you tutor might forget about it afterward. And sometimes, I would guess you would get your prediction wrong. For me, the best way to study is not cramming as much information to your brain as possible, but to understand the lesson and its essence. Then try to memorize. If you understand something, it's much easier to remember, don't you think? So I try my best to make the person I'm teaching understand first. That's also how cram schools work. Here, let me show you. Elly?"
"Do I have to?"
"Yes, you do," said Keima, looking at the younger sister.
"Fine," whined Elsie.
"Thank you. Now, let's begin," Miyako instructed.
Keima observed the two girls. And he must admit, her study method was not bad. It was effective for long-term memory retention with someone who doesn't have his extraordinary memory. Miyako first made Elsie understand the lessons. It took a long time. When she finished, she made Elsie memorize what she needed to. She used techniques like mnemonics, word associations, and other methods to aid in retention. It just took longer. By the time Miyako finished, it was lunchtime, about four hours later.
Keima shook his head. That was so inefficient. Effective, but not time efficient. How many games could he have played at the same time? Still, he believed that Elsie would most likely retain her knowledge with Miyako teaching her.
Of course, he knew that the real reason Elsie got better under Miyako than himself was that by the time the midterms got underway, Elsie had a better grasp of both Japanese and English than during the earlier English examination when she only got 45. And during the earlier examination, Elsie's written knowledge was almost entirely Hellian. Thus, it was a miracle that she even got 18 on that exam.
It was no surprise for him that the cleaning devil finally passed during the midterms under Miyako's tutoring. She just can read earth languages better than before.
…
Part 139 - Unwelcome Intruders
"Wow, Miyako! This is really good!" said Elsie as she ate the lunch made by the pianist.
Keima concurred. "I agree. You really are a good cook.
"Thanks," beamed a proud Miyako Terada. "It's a family recipe."
"Wow! You're not only a good student, a great pianist, an outstanding runner, but you're also a great cook too!" he praised. "Is there anything you could not do?"
That made Miyako blush. "Well, I'm not that great. You're better than me at school, and Ayumi's better than me at running. And I'm sure lots of others out there are better than me at cooking. Really, I'm just an average girl."
And his theory was confirmed. He was right about the gap in her heart.
"Stop being modest, Terada. You are not average. At all," he said.
"Oh, stop it. You're just flattering me. Why do you think that?" asked the pianists, her eyes at her food.
"Terada, look at me."
The girl looked up from her food.
He looked at her in the eye. "When I look at you, I see a girl who tries her hand in everything and ends up excelling at everything. True, you're second to me in class, but being second is still excellent. And you're third in the entire year. That's greatness right there. And you're just behind Ayumi in the track and field! You can boast of that silver medal you've got!"
And Miyako could not blush harder as her head was red as a tomato.
"Stop that! Can't you see? If I'm not number one, I can't be—"
Then the doorbell rang.
And Keima cursed. He was so close. All he needed was a little push, and someone had the gall to interrupt.
"I'll get that!" the pianist said, and she literally ran from the kitchen to the living room.
What rotten timing Miyako's parents have.
"Hello, Miyako!" he heard Chihiro greet.
"What's up?" said Ayumi.
And he cursed all his rotten luck. Didn't he tell them not to interfere? Wait! Do they even know that it was time for Miyako's conquest? Yes, that's right. They did not know. It's just a coincidence. No need to get angry at them. It's not their fault that they came here to interrupt a conquest. Nobody told them that he's here.
"Otamegane! What are you doing here?" asked Chihiro, in a surprised voice when they entered the kitchen.
"Yeah, I never imagined you to be the social type! Are you and Miyako up to something? We're we interrupting something?" Ayumi teased when she saw him in the table.
"Ayumi! Chihiro! We're doing some tutoring!" Elsie exclaimed as she went and greeted her bandmates, saving an irate Keima the necessity of an immediate response.
…
It was three in the afternoon. Keima and the girls were all in the study room, "studying", i.e., exchanging gossip. Keima was down there, dragged by the girls, to "tutor" them, but since there was no exam looming, that was forgotten.
"What are you doing here?" asked Keima when Miyako was in the kitchen, getting some snacks.
"You're here to conquer Miyako, aren't you, Otamegane?" Chihiro asked.
"Yes. Now could you leave? I can't work with you around," ordered Keima in a gruff voice.
"Don't be like that. We would like to help," Ayumi offered.
He fumed. "Have you forgotten what we've talked about last week? Do you even know what I'm going to do?"
"Yes, we know," admitted Chihiro. "You're gonna go all playboy on her."
"And kiss her at the end. Come on, don't worry. It's fine," Ayumi assured. "As I repeated time and time again, it's for Miyako's sake. Want us to set you up on a date with her?"
"That's a great idea!" Elsie blurted.
"No, no, and no! I already have a plan in motion, which you so rudely interrupted," Keima whined, irritated at them.
"We want to help!" Chihiro insisted. "Come on! She's our best friend."
"Doesn't it hurt you to see me romance your best friend?" he bluntly asked.
He received a smack on the head from the normal girl for that and kick from the runner that sent him sprawling on the carpeted floor.
"Don't be such an insensitive jerk!" said Chihiro, whose face was red. "Just because we're both in love with you doesn't mean you can just say what you want."
"Fine, fine," said Keima as he stood up. Definitely deserves a lot of negative points. "Still, the question stands. You're here. You know what to expect. It would hurt, right?"
"You know what, yes, no, I don't know. I don't know, will it?" mumbled Chihiro, looking at the floor. "That's how much I want to save my friend. If I'll be hurt, then I'll be hurt. But I'm betting I won't, because she'll forget, right?"
Ayumi looked him in the eye even as her face wouldn't stop blushing. "Maybe it would, but I still want to help. If you're doing your job for the next five years, we girls of the schedule need to get used to this. I want to be next to you when you save Miyako. No matter what. Because I love you that much, Keima, I want to support you. I want to stand by you, and I will smile when I see you kiss her and drive out that loose soul. Because I want to show you that I understand your mission. I'm not selfish enough to deny you your head, because if you got your head blown off by that collar because you're feeling guilty about hurting me, I don't think I can live with that."
"What she said," Chihiro added her face as red as a tomato. "We both talked through it, and I too want to be there when you kiss her and take out that loose soul. That's the only way for us."
Keima looked at them with a resigned look on his face. "Fine. You want to help? I'll let you help me."
"That's great, Divine Brother!"
He sighed. "Look, if you want to help me, do as I say. I'm the director, the boss. And yes, if you want the privilege of watching me catch a loose soul, then I'll give it to you. I'm just warning you that I'm going to kiss her to do it, okay?"
The champion runner sighed. "Yes, we both know that."
"You don't have to repeat that, Otamega! We get it!"
"Then here's my new plan," he began.
"Wait! One more thing."
"What is it, Chihiro?"
"This doesn't violate the rules of the schedule, does it?" the normal girl asked.
He rolled his eyes. "Of course not. You're not here to spend time with me. You're not even aware I'm here in the first place!"
"Yes, yes, you're right," Ayumi agreed. "We're just worried that you might think that we did this just to have an excuse to spend time with you. Well, that's not true."
"Fine, fine. Could we go back to the plan? Elsie, go upstairs and delay Miyako as long as possible."
…
Part 140 – Miyako's Piano
"I'm sorry for being late," said Miyako as she returned with a tray of drinks. Elsie was behind her with a plate of sandwiches.
"Don't worry about it," said Chihiro as Miyako and Elsie put the food on the table.
"Hey, Katsuragi, why don't you have a bite?" asked Ayumi at the gamer playing his PFP.
"I've already eaten," he brushed off.
Chihiro rolled her eyes. "In games, I assume."
"It's the only thing that matters!" he proclaimed as he continued to play.
"Hey, I didn't know you had that," said Ayumi, pointing to the upright piano at the end of the room.
"Oh, that. I kinda am not using it very much ever since I got my electronic piano," explained Miyako, walking over it and lifting its cover. She sat down and played a song. It was a 2B Pencil song.
"That sounds much better than the electronic piano," Chihiro commented.
"Yeah. Too bad I can't bring it on stage, can I?"
"That's true," said Ayumi. "Hey Katsuragi, want to look at this?"
"That's a real-world instrument. Why would I be interested in that?"
"Just go here, you doofus!" Chihiro barked.
"Fine," he sighed as he pocketed his PFP.
"Why not try it?" asked Ayumi.
He looked at her as if she grew horns. "Me? I don't have a musical bone in my body."
"Hey Miyako, let's see him try it. I bet it's worse than his singing," Chihiro laughed.
Miyako shrugged as she stood up. He sat down and began playing.
It was bad. He just randomly hit the keyboard, and the sound was a disjointed mess.
"Ha, ha, ha! Good one!" Chihiro guffawed.
"It's bad! Really bad!" Ayumi cried, laughing too.
"Don't laugh at Divine Brother!" Elsie defended before she too succumbed to laughter.
Miyako was more sympathetic. "Yeah. Katsuragi is not a pianist. It's only natural that he's clueless."
"I am clueless. Maybe you can teach me how to play?" asked Keima as he looked at Miyako.
"You? Learn how to play? That's rich!" shouted Chihiro.
"Terada, you're an excellent pianist! Look at all the piano awards you've got," he said, looking at it displayed on the walls. "You're the best pianist!"
That made her blush. "No, no. I'm not the best. Not even close," she said modestly.
"I don't believe it," said Keima. "Hey Ayumi, Chihiro, know other pianists who's better than Miyako?"
"Come to think of it, no," answered Chihiro.
"You're the best," said Ayumi.
"Oh, no, no. Just look at the piano competition last month. I can't even approach their talent," Miyako pointed out, trying to hide her face from the others.
"That's because you didn't even try," Keima rebutted. "You hadn't joined any competition ever since you got fourth place when you were in sixth grade, am I right?"
"What? How did you even know that?"
"Never mind that. Have you ever taught someone how to play?"
"Me?"
"Yes, you."
"Not really."
"Then let me be the first! Please make me the best pianist there is. Well, second-best after you, Terada."
"Me? Make you the best?"
"Yes. You've excelled in every field you've tried. And you're an outstanding teacher. Just look at the results of the last examination. I'm sure you can teach piano well," he complimented, looking at her.
Miyako blushed harder as he said those words. "I don't excel in every field… Why do you even want to learn how to play?"
"I want to play my favorite game music. It would make me appreciate the ideal world of games even more."
"Why don't you do it, Miyako? If you can make that tone-deaf dweeb even a decent pianist, you're the best piano teacher there is!" Chihiro encouraged.
"Yeah. Katsuragi knows absolutely nothing about music, let alone playing an instrument. If you can make him play even passable music, then it's a miracle! You would deserve to get the music teacher award for all time," Ayumi added.
"Please do it, Miyako!" pleaded Elsie, getting into the spirit.
Keima then faced her and took her hand. "Please, Miyako. I think you can make me a passable piano player."
That made her even blush harder as she looked away. "I guess I can do so," she relented, snatching her hand away.
He then shook her hand. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
…
Part 141 – Not A Normal Girl
Later…
Keima, Chihiro, Elsie, and Ayumi were walking home after saying goodbye to Miyako. They were walking towards a common intersection. Keima, as usual, was playing his PFP. He was also carrying a heavy bag on his back.
"So, Keima, what's going on? How's it going?" queried Ayumi.
"Yeah, Otamegane. Did you figure out her gap yet?" asked Chihiro.
"I did."
Chihiro looked at him in surprise. "You did?"
"Once I got the full picture, it was easy to see. Miyako Terada is an extraordinary girl thinking that she's just a normal ordinary girl while wishing that she's something extraordinary."
"What? How did you figure out that one?"
"Her type is a common one in games. Although I was wrong at first. I first bought what she thought about herself—that she was just a normal girl. I was wrong. She's not normal. And extraordinary girls are way easier to figure out than normal girls. Way easier for flags to be raised."
Ayumi looked at him, confused. "But how did you—"
"Easy. She gives off the vibe of being just a normal girl. If you look at her without knowing anything about her background, you would immediately think—ordinary, normal girl. Like you, Chihiro."
"Hey!" Chihiro whined before she smacked Keima on the head.
He shrugged it off. "Before today, how did you see Miyako?"
"A nice girl," answered Ayumi. "A good friend. Hardworking."
"Um, my best friend," said Chihiro. "A good pianist."
"Um, a nice smart girl?" added Elsie.
Keima agreed. "Precisely. Nothing extraordinary. The reason for that is she acts ordinarily. Why does she do so? Because she believes herself to be just a normal girl. But she's not. Not in the slightest. She's one of the most extraordinary girls in our school. Comparable to Shiori Shiomiya, Aoba Fuse, or even Yui Goido. In fact, she's closer to Kanon Nakagawa than she is to Mobuko."
Chihiro looked at him with narrow eyes. "What and how?"
"When she was in elementary—you don't know this since she didn't come here until junior high, but she was the best girl ever. She topped her class, she's the best runner, she's the greatest pianist, she even was the best swimmer. She's everything. Just look at all the awards she received during that time. But when she moved to Maijima Private High, that came crashing down. She's no longer the best."
"No longer the best?" asked Elsie.
"But only one of the best," Keima continued. "She regularly comes number two or three or four in every endeavor she participates in. She rarely comes in number one. Why? Did she become dumber or less talented? No. That's because she met someone better than her in specific activities. Like you, Ayumi. Miyako's the best runner in her class in elementary. But when she became classmates with you, she became second. And not only second. A far second to you."
"That meant that in class, she also became second to you, Katsuragi," Chihiro continued. "And a far second. She doesn't have a hope of catching up with you, does she?"
"She does not. Also at the piano. She's not the best anymore. She came in fourth during her first piano competition in sixth grade. Looking at her record, she tried to join many activities, yet never topped any of it. That's why she thinks she's normal. To her, if you're not at the top of anything, that's ordinary. Yet she wishes she were extraordinary. She wishes to be recognized. She wants to go back to the good old days of her elementary years. But she is extraordinary. Look at all the activities she joined. And look at what she achieved. She always got either second or third place. To me, that's more impressive than just getting first place in one single activity. She's one of the best in everything."
The 2B Pencils members just stared at him in awe and disbelief.
"So what are your plans? Why make her teach you piano?" the normal girl finally asked when she was able to regain her equilibrium.
"I want to establish in her mind that I am the best in school in academics and that I am a genius who can be the best at many things. Not a hard task, given that I am at the top of our class. Thus, I would come off as better than her. However, at the same time, I'll make it clear that she is better than me at music, or specifically, the piano. What I want is to make her the best piano teacher there is in school. That would boost her confidence and be a step forward."
"So you're gonna be a good pianist, then that would make Miyako a great teacher? The best?" asked Elsie.
"No. I will be a great pianist because of her. Better than anyone, except her. If she sees how great I am because of her, no matter if I surpass her, that will put her as the best teacher in her mind, don't you think?"
"That's great and all. Except for one thing," Chihiro pointed out.
"And that is?" asked the gamer.
"You don't know anything about music! You, the Otamegane, being a master pianist? That's rich!" the normal girl laughed hard. "I'm sorry, but you don't have a single musical bone in your body!"
"That is true," Keima Katsuragi agreed. "But I don't need to be actually great. I only need to convince her that I'm great. Besides, even if I'm not a musical person, I'm not totally devoid of such experience."
"What? Are you going to tell me that you have experience in music from games?" asked Ayumi.
"Precisely. I played several piano-based games before. They were the hardest things ever! You know Piano Master Girl, with ten editions? And Piano Tutor Heroine too? And Mozart's Apprentice? You know those games? They are just piano tutorials barely disguised as galges! Don't you know I have to memorize all 88 notes on a piano just to complete those games? And I not only have to memorize it by name but by tone too? Damn! You could only save the heroines if you complete all those music minigames they put in! It was torture! But I did it! I completed about 45 torturous piano galges!" he ranted. "After that, I swore that I would never go near a musical instrument ever again."
Part 142 – Three Types of Conquest
They reached the crossroads, and they went their separate ways to their homes.
"Haqua!" Keima called as he and Elsie walked home.
"Katsuragi," called the tsundere devil as she appeared beside them. "I can't believe you! That Terada girl was eating out of your hands."
"And I can't wait for Miyako to fall in love with you," gushed Elsie.
"She already likes me," Keima stated as they walked.
"What?" asked Haqua.
"You said it yourself. She was eating right out of my hands."
Haqua looked at him in disbelief. "How did you know that?"
"It's simple. You've been listening to what I said to Chihiro and Ayumi, right?"
Haqua nodded slightly. "Yes."
"See, her type is an extraordinary girl who thinks and pretends to be ordinary. She longs to be extraordinary. And most likely, she is attracted to extraordinary boys. She's like Chihiro. She longs to be with someone special so she could feel special herself. And I think there's no disagreement that I am an extraordinary boy, don't you think so, Haqua?"
"Well, uh," she blushed as he addressed her, before saying, "Yes, you are extraordinary! Just how do you know about that?"
"I've lots of experiences with those types of girls. In games. Besides, it seems that I am the ideal son-in-law for her parents too. You see, when I met her parents, they were so insistent on pairing me up with their daughter. But what do they know about me? That I just got the highest score in an examination. It occurred to me that they're the type of parents that would want an overachiever for a son-in-law. And my research confirmed it for me."
"You mean my research!" Haqua whined. "It's not you who had been breaking open private records of the Terada girl and her parents and making copies of them, you know. And it's not you who not only spied on that girl but on her parents too! You had no idea how creepy it was to do all those things."
Keima ignored her as he continued. "Normally, what the parents of the heroine consider the ideal isn't always what the heroine considers the ideal. But in this case, we have a rare coincidence. That meant that both her and her parents would consider me attractive. That will create an overwhelming fertile ground if I am to court her. She is like Chihiro. She already likes me. Even if she won't admit it to herself."
"All that from games?" Haqua questioned.
"Mostly. Even if I hate to admit it, I also got some from my experiences in the real. Chihiro's situation opened my eyes to the possibility that some girls might like me for myself and not for anything I do to conquer them. It's like a free bonus in games. It makes the game so easy that it's considered a cheat."
Haqua looked at him with wide eyes. "So you consider Chihiro already liking you without you doing anything like a game cheat?"
"Yes. That's why it's bad for games to have that. Unfortunately, I forgot during Chihiro's conquest that I played such easy games before. Those games were bad. If I remembered those, I could have easily have seen the signs. But I was blind."
"You are such an insensitive bastard!" Haqua commented. And you're still blind, you jerk!
Keima continued. "So, based on all that, based on the fact that I have been ahead of her ever since she came to school, there's a possibility that she already liked me for a long time. Or maybe since just this afternoon when I showed her how utterly behind me she was. The important thing is that at this moment, she likes me. At the very least, a crush."
"So this ought to be easy, right, Katsuragi? Why don't you just kiss her if she already likes you?" the valedictorian asked.
"Unfortunately, it's not that simple. It might work. Love itself would drive the loose soul out. But as you said, Haqua, that love is an unstable way to drive out loose souls. What does unstable mean?"
"Just using love would mean that there is a possibility that it would reopen again, Katsuragi. And not a tiny one. A big one. That's why it's rarely recommended. Elsie's the first one who tried it big. And frankly, I'm surprised it worked so well for you."
"Yes. That's the first type of conquest. Making the girl fall in love with me without solving any of her problems. It's enough if there's no loose soul involved. I used it to reconquer the girls during the Goddess search. Like Tsukiyo. Or Yui. There wasn't a gap that I needed to fill. I just wooed them, and that's that. The only girl I needed to solve a problem for during the Goddess search was Shiori.
"The second type of conquest is when you solve the gap in the heart of the heroine without making the girl fall in love with you. That is what your former buddy did, right? Yukie Marui was able to fill the gap of the hearts of many people without using love. And I tried using that too. That's how I saved Hinoki Kasuga. And Rieko Hinaga.
"The third type of conquest is what I usually do. It's the reason that despite using love, the closing of the gap of their hearts is stable. I solve the problem that caused the gap itself to make them fall in love with me. That's usually what happens in games too. When that happens, they fall in love with me, but their problems were also solved. Two birds with one stone. It is the most effective and efficient in time and effort."
"Oh, I see what you mean," Haqua replied. "It took Yukie a long time to drive out the loose souls. Weeks, or months, in some cases. You just took a few days or a week."
"Yes. Divine Brother always solves the problems of the girls. That's why the girls always fall in love with him."
"That is how I'm going to conquer Miyako. I'm going to use the third type. I'm going to solve her problem to make her fall in love with me and close the gap in her heart," he declared.
"Isn't Divine Brother wonderful?" asked Elsie.
"And Haqua, Ayumi and Chihiro are going to help. Not the best situation, I know. They might mess up or disobey my instructions. I want you to look after them. Help them if they need it. And make sure they don't mess things too much," he instructed.
"What am I? Their babysitter?"
"Of course not. I only asked that because I know you can do it. I have confidence in you. Or am I mistaken?"
"You have confidence in me?" asked the devil as she blushed."Say that again."
Keima wanted to roll his eyes. Haqua and her self-esteem issues! "Yes, I have confidence in you, Haqua! Now, can you look after Ayumi and Chihiro?"
"Of course, I can do that. It's simple and easy. I'll look after those two."
"Thank you," he said.
…
Part 143 – Fifth Place
Keima, Haqua, and Elsie were in Keima's room.
"Okay, one more thing before you leave," said Keima. "Haqua, could you create a piano? Not an upright one. That's too big for my room. But an electronic one, one that I can pack and carry?"
"Huh? What for?" asked the valedictorian.
"I will need to learn and practice in my room. That way, I can be good on my own, but Miyako would think that it's her teaching that's making me good so fast," he explained as he dumped the contents of his bag. Inside the bags were numerous piano beginner and intermediary lessons owned by Miyako. The pianist had lent it to him at his request. He would put it to good use that night.
"Fine, fine. That's easy enough. But I want you to do something in exchange," said Haqua.
"What?"
"Your evaluation of the girls. You're not finished," she continued.
"Geez! You really want your gossip, don't you? Fine. Just don't tell this to anyone. Where were we again?"
Haqua looked at her partially completed reports. "Kanon's at the bottom and Ayumi's at sixth place."
"So fifth place already? That's where Chihiro Kosaka belongs."
In truth, Keima was disappointed by how Chihiro performed for the week. Maybe it was because he loves Chihiro, so he expected more from her. Chihiro's efforts were fine if he looked at it in isolation. He was actually impressed by what she did when she did it. It was just that, the efforts of the other girls blew her away. Looking at it after all seven girls had their chance, Chihiro, despite his love for her, wasn't anything special. She was firmly in the middle of the pack. Not the worst. But not the best. Normal. Ordinary.
It really pained him to admit it.
The race just tightened. She was still ahead because of events before the week, but Keima acknowledged that the chance that she might be overtaken increased.
"First of all, the positives. Her positives are not low. But they are not that high either. It's middling. Like her acceptance of the schedule. She wasn't as low as Kanon, who tried to get me to dump it. Or even Ayumi, who did not want to be in the schedule at first. She accepted it in the end. But it does not compare to the acceptance of Tsukiyo, Shiori, Tenri, or Yui. There was no difficulty in those four. They were very enthusiastic about it. I didn't have to do much. I even tried to discourage them to test them. For Chihiro, I had to explain what happened during the Goddess search. Sure, it was my fault, and I really shouldn't blame her for that, but it would be unfair to the other girls. They all had issues with me, but they wanted to be part of it unconditionally. Chihiro wanted an explanation first before she'd join. I had to give it to her."
Both devils, having no personal knowledge of what happened between Keima and Chihiro, just nodded. Keima himself regretted having to say that about Chihiro, but he had to be fair to the other girls. He could not just absolve her just because he loved her. He hurt the other girls too. Especially Tenri. Knowing how Tenri was holding that hurt in her for that long, and comparing that to Chihiro's pain, and Chihiro comes off very unfavorably.
Such was the pitfall of being a harem protagonist.
"As for her other positives. She knows the rules very well. Not as well as Yui, for example, but well enough that she was able to arrange that double date with Ayumi to Dezeni Sea. And she was creative in how she got time with me outside the schedule. But not as much as Yui, so she cannot have full points there. She also gave me bento lunch last Saturday, so that's another point, but she only gave me a bento once during the week, while other girls gave me twice. So she gets half the points those girls got. She easily accepted the fact that Aoba Fuse's just my disciple, but not as much as Tenri and Kanon did. And she's also confident of being picked. I had no need to reassure her that she has a chance. And that's her positives."
"And I guess it's time for her negatives? Don't be too harsh on her, Divine One," pleaded Elsie.
"She's got the smallest score at accepting the Miyako situation. At first, she got high positive marks. She insisted that I save her. But then she kept bugging me about her. That was irritating. And she tried to have me save her without making Miyako fall in love with me. Now she thinks she's an expert at extracting loose souls."
"That's mean!" Elsie said, pouting as she listened.
"For the negatives. There's only one real negative, but that's a big one. It's the time I spent on that Double Date at Denezi Sea. Chihiro got the same negative points as Ayumi. What I said during Ayumi's evaluation on Dezeni Sea applies to Chihiro too. And that's that."
"So how many points did Chihiro get?"
"19 out of 60. That's higher than Ayumi's 16. Want to see the card?" [1]
"Yes."
Part 144 – Fourth Place
"Fine. I'll give it to you later. Now, for the fourth place. It's Tsukiyo Kujo."
"Tsukiyo?" asked Elsie.
"Yes, Tsukiyo."
"Aw, you were so romantic with her," Elsie gushed. "I remember you two dancing on the shrine! You looked so handsome in that suit! And she's just wearing her winter clothes. Next time you dance with her, why don't you let me make a beautiful gown for her so she won't look out of place?"
"What? You danced with her?" asked Haqua.
"Yes, the Divine One did dance with Tsukiyo. I was there. I watched the whole thing. Do you like to dance with him?"
"Of course not! Why should I dance with him? I don't have the time!" she muttered.
"Hey, I can hear that," Keima said.
"Of course, if it's part of my duties, and he asked, I wouldn't refuse! But only because I have to, not because I like it too! Why? Do you like to ask me to dance with you?"
"Whatever. Do you want me to continue? Tsukiyo's in fourth place."
A red-faced Haqua picked him up using her scythe, and slammed him against the wall of his room. "Such an insufferable, insensitive jerk!" she remarked.
"I don't know what's wrong with you!" grumbled Keima as he picked himself up. "Let's just continue where we left off!"
"Fine. So I guess the top three would be Tenri, Shiori, and Yui?" asked Haqua.
"Not in that exact order, but yeah," he acknowledged. "Now for Tsukiyo's evaluation. She has middling to high positives, but almost no negatives. That meant that she has a far higher score than Chihiro, but not as high as the top three."
"So start with the positives," Haqua said, eager to hear what he has to say about the moon-lover.
"She has full marks on the acceptance of the schedule, like Tenri, Yui, and Shiori. I didn't have to make any effort to persuade her on that score. She was insistent. I even tried to discourage her, but she would have none of it. That's very admirable. That's less effort for me. She gave me a bento for lunch twice, so that full marks for her. And she feels it's her fate and destiny to be picked. She gets full points for that. That's for her full marks.
"She has adequate knowledge of the rules. She actually scored, along with Shiori, lowest on that category. She accepted Aoba was my disciple, but only after accusing me of cheating with her. And she did not believe her like I wanted her too. She just believed me. So she can't get as high marks as Tenri or Kanon, both of whom befriended her. She understood and accepted the situation with Miyako, but not as much as Tenri or Yui or Kanon. Finally, for her negatives."
The two devils looked at him in anticipation.
"She slapped me. And that's a very tiny negative. That's it."
"So what's her overall score then, Beloved Brother?"
"About 27 out of 60. About eight points higher than Chihiro," said Keima.[2] "Want an evaluation card for her too?"
"Sure," said Haqua.
"I'll give it to you later, with Chihiro's. As for the rest, I'll tell you later. I need to do something else. Could you please make the piano already?"
The valedictorian sighed. "Okay, I'll make the piano. But can you at least tell me the name of the third placer?"
"Fine. You win. It's Shiori. Happy? Want me to tell you the second placer too?"
"No, no. I'll wait," said the valedictorian. "It's exciting! Just tell it to me when you ready with the cards."
"Fine," he grunted. "Just make the piano already."
"Don't be too pushy," she said as she created an electronic piano using her raiment.
As he watched, he looked at his watch impatiently. He would practice later that night. Before that, he would go to the studio and sign the agreement with Okada. He had already read the contract she made, and it reflected the deal they made the night before. He just hoped he did not need to face the cameras.
…
Part 145 – Yui's Dilemma
Meanwhile…
"What? Why did you do that for? I would lose five weeks of my time with Keima!" Yui Goido cried as she walked in the streets. She was talking to Mars using the reflection of her phone. The way she was talking, fewer people would look at her funny because those people would just assume that she was talking with someone on the phone.
"Only if we lose the bet. You are sure of Fuse's intentions, are you not? So how can you lose?"
"Still, you shouldn't have made that bet!" Yui complained.
"It's the only way they'll accept my proposal so I had to do this. They still do not believe that Fuse's after Katsuragi. Cheer up, Yui. I believe you. You must believe in yourself too. You were so sure that I had no hesitation making those bets," said Mars.
"And what would happen when the others find out the bet? They won't want to believe Fuse's in love with him, because they'll get my time if I lose!" Yui pointed out.
"Don't worry about that. I got a promise from my sisters that they won't tell their hosts about this until after Fuse confesses. Thus, the other girls won't do anything just for the time." Mars informed. "But they will have to vote for her if she confesses, so they won't lose their time to you."
"But please tell your sisters to try to convince them to vote for Fuse but not because of the bet. Just use other arguments. I don't want them to welcome Fuse to our ranks just to avoid losing time to me! They'll hate me, and they'll hate Fuse if they find out!" Yui complained. "I'll gladly give my time if we lose. After all, I want this. But not them! Please, tell your sisters to tell their hosts to vote for Fuse but not for the reason of losing a bet!"
"Fine. We won't tell the others of the bet until after the vote so they won't be under any sort of pressure. But they'll tell them afterward, and the bet will still stand. It was already agreed upon. So you better win, and they better vote for it. Don't worry, I have faith in you."
"You know this is going to put pressure on me. I have to make Fuse confess her love before the week's over, or that's bye-bye to Keima till after New Year for me. That is going to be complicated."
"And why is it going to be complicated?"
"Because I like Fuse as a friend. And she made friends with the others. If she confesses that she loved him all along and was after Keima, that would mean that she lied to all of the girls, right? I don't want to be the one to destroy friendships, especially with a nice girl like Fuse."
"She lied and deceived all of us," Mars argued.
"That may be true, but I understand. Love is war, and whatever goes, goes. That's why I don't hold it against her. That's why I want to be her friend. Besides, I just can't tell it to the others. I might not hold it against her, but I'm not sure about the others. What's the most likely thing that will happen? Not only would Fuse lose all her new friends but their trust too. And they will never vote for her if that happens. The only way that the girls will accept her is if they like her and trust her. Can't you see the dilemma?"
"I see your point," the Goddess of War admitted. "But I do not know a way out of this problem."
"Don't worry. We'll think of a way," Yui assured as they reached the destination. "See you later, bye."
"See you later, Yui."
She put her phone in her pocket.
And looked at the house in front of her.
It was an ordinary middle-class home. Nothing outstanding about it. Not poor. Not rich.
She rang the doorbell.
A middle-aged woman with glasses and blonde hair emerged. "Can I help you?"
"Hello. I am Yui Goido. I am Aoba Fuse's friend. She's expecting me," she said as she bowed.
"Another friend for Aoba. I'm so happy that my daughter is making so many," she said. "Come in, come in."
"Thank you, Mrs. Fuse," she said as they entered the house.
The mother led her to the living room. Where she saw was not only Aoba Fuse but also Tenri Ayukawa and… Tsukiyo Kujo?
What was going on? Why were two other girls of the schedule in Aoba's home?
"You're late," said Aoba when she arrived.
"Hello, Fuse," Yui greeted, hugging the blue-haired girl. "Miss Ayukawa! Miss Kujo! Never thought to see you here."
"Hello Miss Goido," said Tenri, standing and bowing to her.
"That's Lady Kujo to you," said Tsukiyo in a haughty tone, holding a doll as she did so.
"Ahem. Now that you're all here, please follow me," the Princess of Maijima instructed.
"Where are we going?" asked Yui.
"To my room."
Part 146 – Aoba's Students
She led them upstairs to her room.
Yui Goido looked at Aoba Fuse's room for the first time. It looked like a standard room, except for a few things. In the corner was a small bed. On one side of the walls were shelves of books—a lot of textbooks, and a lot of other books, mostly non-fiction, on various topics. But on the other side, there was a shelf that had nothing but games. A mix of Guy Games and Gal Games. Mostly three to four months old. She had a sizeable collection, bigger than Yui's, but it was nothing to Keima's game library.
"You're planning on getting a room just for your games?" the heiress asked.
"I already have a room full of books," she informed. "But my parents finally agreed to convert the other empty room into my game library room, as long as I keep my grades up and make some friends. After seeing the Master's game collection, nothing else would do."
"Wait. Keima has a room full of games?" asked Tsukiyo.
"Yes, Lady Kujo. It's wonderful," answered Aoba. "I'll be just like him. Just you see."
"I saw it a couple times before. Keima really is amazing," Tenri added.
"He is God," Fuse simply replied.
"Agreed. Keima darling is Godly!" gushed Yui.
"He is beautiful," Tsukiyo honestly added. She usually wouldn't hand out compliments, but she was not about to contradict the three other girls in the room. She was in no mood to argue.
She looked around the room. One of the walls had two screens hanging on the wall.
"You're already starting with your own God of Conquest mode?" asked Yui as she also spotted a chair with a makeshift handle in front of it. There were two controllers attached to it.
"Yes. Except it would be presumptuous for me to call myself a God. I'll call it the Princess of Maijima mode."
"Princess of Maijima?" asked Tsukiyo.
"That is my title in the gaming community. I am the Mai-Hime—Princess of Maijima."
"I see. Can we start now? My time is precious," Tsukiyo demanded.
"Of course, my lady," soothed the girl gamer. She looked at Yui and asked, "you did bring your own PFP?"
"I did," said the crossdresser as she plucked a gaming device from her pocket.
Aoba nodded as she went to her drawer and pulled a box. From it, she got three PFPs. She handed two of them to Tenri and Tsukiyo.
"What's this? I'm not here to learn how to play, but only how to talk like Keima," the doll-like girl asserted.
"Yes, I did promise to teach you that, my lady, but it would be better for you to learn how to play, or you won't understand the gaming talk that I'm going to teach all of you. You want to learn how to talk the game? Then play the game first. Besides, the Divine One would appreciate it if you learned how to play. It shows that you care about the things he cares about. Just imagine him being happy that you learned about his games. It would be beautiful."
Tsukiyo blushed at the thought. "Fine. I'll learn how to play. Just to learn how to talk like him."
"Yes, we're all here to understand Keima better," Tenri chimed in, after being mostly silent.
"Thank you, Lady Kujo, Miss Ayukawa, Goido," said Fuse as she picked up a couple of games from the shelf and handed it to the three. "Ladies of the Schedule—"
"Ladies of the Schedule? That's a beautiful name to describe us," said Tsukiyo. "Outsiders won't get what it means, but those of us in the know would understand it perfectly."
"It's sure better than harem or harem members, that's for sure," said Yui, chuckling.
"You know of the schedule?" Tenri queried.
"Yes. For a couple of days now," the gamer girl replied.
"Who told you?" asked the timid childhood friend.
"She figured out by herself!" said Tsukiyo. "She has a beautiful mind."
"Really? How did you do so?" Tenri persisted.
"Using games," said Aoba. "You see, games are not just something you do for entertainment. It also contains information useful in the real world. The God of Conquests uses game information all the time to solve his problems, and mostly, from what I've observed, it works. Now, the games I gave you are the easiest I've got. It's for beginners. Before I start, there are two types of dating sims. The first one is Galges. It's the ones the Divine One plays. It's for boys who conquer girls. The second one is Otome games or games for girls. It's for girls like us. And we play it to conquer boys. These are the games I usually play, though I play a lot of Galges, just like the Master sometimes play Otome games too. I'll ask you first, which type of game do you like to learn first?"
Tenri answered first. "Galges. That's what Keima plays, right? I want to learn the game he plays, so I can understand it. I'm not here to have fun, but to learn."
"Same," said Tsukiyo.
"I prefer galges too," said the crossdresser.
"I thought so too. That's why I gave you that game—it's a galge. So let's start."
…
For two hours, they played a simple and basic game. Aoba herself played the same game but connected the PFP to one of the screens on her wall so the other three could see it. She guided them on how to play, gave tips, explained every relevant detail, and answered questions. Slowly, they learned how to play.
Tenri was fascinated with what she was playing. She was not that engrossed at first. Perhaps if it were an Otome game, she would be more interested. But she kept saying to herself she needed to do it to understand Keima. Little by little, her interest crept up, and playing the game, she began to understand a bit more of her Keima. Why he kept referring to girls as heroines. What he meant by routes. Why was saving heroines important. Why he appreciated what he called the ideal. She began to appreciate his nobility. Tenri fell even harder for Keima if that was possible.
She still had a long way to go, but her understanding of him was growing. Hopefully, she would know the reason for his actions, and not just believe in him because of her blind faith, like before.
Tsukiyo aimed to learn the gaming lingo Keima had been using. So far, she was learning. At first, she had no interest in the game mechanics for its own sake. Yet somehow, she became fascinated. She would definitely try playing Otome games next. She had to admit—there was something beautiful about playing these types of games. Her respect for Keima increased as a result.
Yui was enjoying her time. She was finally able to load and start a game. When she told Aoba before that she was unable to even start, she was not lying. She wanted to laugh at how simple it was to start a game. Still, she had a long way to go if she was to be her darling's disciple. Yes, she would master the games, and be worthy of being Keima's student.
…
Part 147 – Absent Master
After two hours, they took a break when Mrs. Fuse came up with a tray of snacks.
"Aoba, could you get the drinks upstairs?" her mother asked.
"Yes, Mom," the daughter said. "We'll continue this later."
The mother smiled at them as soon as Aoba was out of the room. "I'm so glad that you're here. My daughter never had friends over before. Her new hobby is a blessing. She's more social than before. Who would have thought that these games could bring out a new side of her?"
Before any of the three could reply, Aoba returned with a tray with four cups and a pitcher of juice.
"Have fun, girls," the mother said before taking her leave.
…
"Hey Fuse," said Yui before she took a bite. She chewed and swallowed before saying, "It's unfair that you know that all of us like Keima Katsuragi."
"What's so unfair about that?" asked Tenri.
"Well, she knows about our love life. She should tell us about hers," Yui asserted.
"Huh? It's a private thing. She shouldn't—" Tenri replied.
"Come on, Fuse. We already know you're already in love with someone else. Tell us about him! Or we might think you're really in love with Keima darling!" Yui teased.
"Yes, I am curious about this love of yours," Tsukiyo said as she poured herself a cup of juice. "What's his name? What does he look like?"
That stymied Aoba. "To tell you the truth, I can't remember his name. Or what he looks like," she confessed. "I'm still trying to find him. One day, I will. And I will marry him."
The girl gamer sighed. So far, she had not gotten anywhere in her search for him. No matter where she looked, she always has reached a dead end. When she thought she had some breakthrough, a voice in her head would lead her away from it. It's as if some supernatural force was trying to keep her away from her beloved. But that's impossible. Her rational mind concluded that it was probably her subconscious leading her away from the wrong answer. So she would keep looking for him. And perhaps, when she's on that right path, her subconscious won't block her way.
Aoba Fuse could also blame her new duties for her lack of progress. Her new master was everything she dreamed of and wished for. He was very close to the ideal gamer. His game knowledge and his game collection was something to behold, and his room was awesome. And his God of Conquest mode—it was godly. Keima Katsuragi is God. And nothing was going to convince her otherwise.
If it weren't for her loyalty to her first master, she did not doubt that she would have allowed herself to fall in love with him. But she must remain loyal! No matter her feelings for Keima Katsuragi, it would be treason to fall in love with him when her first master was out there, waiting for her. The only feelings she allowed herself to feel towards Keima Katsuragi was admiration, awe, worship, adoration, and care. But not love.
"How can you even find him?" asked Tenri.
"Especially if you can't even remember his name or how he looks?" Tsukiyo added.
"I'll know him when I see him. He's the one who brought me into this ideal world. He was the one who introduced me to games. He's the reason I'm a gamer. Before, I was bored, and I had no purpose in life. I'm a genius without any direction, without any challenge. He gave me that purpose. He challenged me by bringing me games. He completed me. I love him. But he just disappeared from my life. But I'm sure he's out there, waiting for me to find him."
"Games? Are you sure it's not Keima?" asked Tsukiyo, her eyes narrowing.
"No. My current and first master are completely different. I did consider the possibility long ago when we first met, but my brain and my heart kept telling me that he's not the same guy. As I said, I will know him when I see him. I saw the Divine One plenty of times. And he's not it."
"I do hope you find your first master," Tenri comforted.
"How unfortunate. To forget your first love's name and face, that must be terrible," Tsukiyo added.
"I know. It's a burden that I carry in me. But I know that one day, I will find him," she said dreamily.
Yui just smiled knowingly.
Part 148 – Kanon and Her "Brother"
Suddenly, Aoba received a text message. It was from Keima.
Watch the news.
"You received it too?" asked Yui as she also checked her phone.
Both Tenri and Tsukiyo nodded.
Aoba Fuse then disconnected the wires from one of the screens to her gaming consoles and connected another cable to it.
She took a remote control beside her bed and turned on the TV.
There was Kanon Nakagawa, inside a TV studio. She was looking straight at the camera.
"Good evening," she began. It was already six in the evening. "First of all, I want to thank the studio, Miss Okada…"
And Kanon thanked all the personnel around her.
"During the past two weeks, there had been rumors that I have a boyfriend. And that his name is Keima Katsuragi. Those rumors started because I allegedly confessed to him in class during my English examination.
"I want to tell a tale of friendship. Keima Katsuragi is my classmate in school. We met before, and he helped me with a problem I had regarding my career. I wouldn't say much, except that I won't be as famous today if it were not for him. I nearly no-showed my first big concert because of some personal issues, but he talked me out of it and encouraged me to be the best idol I could be.
"It's true. I confessed to Keima Katsuragi in the middle of the English examination. I told him that I love him. And when I confessed, that's how I felt. I do love him.
"But that was two weeks ago. Since that time, I've been thinking. And it turns out that I don't love him romantically. I only thought of it as romantic love because I never had been in love before, and I felt that what I felt was romantic love. But I realized that it was not romantic love. Instead, it's familial love. It's a love of a sister to a brother. He cares for me like family. He loves me like a sister. And I love him like a big brother. He's my best friend and my brother. So I ask you, my fans, to treat him with respect as my brother and friend.
"I received reports that he was bullied in school and was scorned because they thought that he was my boyfriend. I am sorry for that confession, my brother Keima. It was wrong for me to do so. I should have searched my feelings first before I did so.
"I repeat. He is not my boyfriend, and I am not his girlfriend. We do not love each other romantically, but only as brother and sister. And I would always visit him because he's like family. He's my big brother, and I am his little sister. Thank you for that."
"What? Is Kanon giving up?" asked Yui, starting at the TV screen.
"No, she' not. It's clearly a ruse," Aoba said. "She was in the schedule, after all."
Then she received another message from Keima.
Kanon is still in the schedule.
"Did you receive this message too?"
The other girls looked at their phone.
"Yes, Kanon's still in the schedule," Tenri confirmed.
"Likewise. What's going on?" asked Tsukiyo.
Yui shrugged. "We'll soon find out, I guess. Does Keima know about this beforehand?"
"Most likely," answered Aoba Fuse.
End of Flag XIV
Appendix
[1] Chihiro's Evaluation Card
Fun Involving Games = 0 out of 10
Acceptance of Schedule = 5 out of 10
Knowledge of Rules = 6 out of 8
Outside Schedule Rules = 3 out of 4
Embarrassed Keima = 0 out of (-6)
Accepted Aoba Situation = 3 out of 4
Bento Lunches = 2 out of 4
Accepted Miyako Situation = 0 out of 6
Physical Injury to Keima = 0 out of (-5)
Understanding Keima = 0 out of 4
Unhappy Keima Activities = (-4) of (-4)
Hope of Being Picked = 4 out of 4
Helpful to Keima = 0 out of 6
Total points: 19 out of 60
[2] Tsukiyo's Evaluation Card
Fun Involving Games = 0 out of 10
Acceptance of Schedule = 10 out of 10
Knowledge of Rules = 4 out of 8
Outside Schedule Rules = 0 out of 4
Embarrassed Keima = 0 out of (-6)
Accepted Aoba Situation = 2 out of 4
Bento Lunches = 4 out of 4
Accepted Miyako Situation = 4 out of 6
Physical Injury to Keima = (-1) out of (-5)
Understanding Keima = 0 out of 4
Unhappy Keima Activities = 0 out of (-4)
Hope of Being Picked = 4 out of 4
Helpful to Keima = 0 out of 6
Total points: 27 out of 60
Author Notes
Aoba Fuse is a light novel heroine. I took her characterization both from the light novel, and also from Wrathie Winsre's stories.
Oh and an announcement and request. In the near future, I probably would run out of events that the girls could do with Keima during their "official" time. So if any of you could suggest activities that they could engage in one hour, two hours, or three, as long as those activities are in character, please tell me. I'd probably include it, with full credit of course.
Review Replies
To ZelgadisGW, thank you for your review.
Yep, the first week is over now. If have the time, energy, or the imagination to do the entire 259 weeks, I may consider it. But I'm too lazy for it, haha!
The second week would be a bit different, even if there would be some similarities with the first week. I can't tell what it is, but it would be clear once we reach Monday.
Yep. After what happened during Kanon's first hour, after her attempt to get Keima to abandon the schedule, Kanon really needed an assurance from Keima so that her affection points will remain steady or rise. I think Kanon's love for Keima increased based on that last hour. And it was mostly Elsie who was doing all the extra work, with the stage and food.
Ha ha, yep, it was fun writing Haqua's reaction to the gossip.
As for the numbers, you're right. I first considered not to put it. But then again, I remembered that Keima has a habit of putting numbers on girls he courts, during the Goddess Arc, specifically affection points. So Keima, I'm sure, also make affection points, but his affection to the girls, instead of vice versa.
As for his feelings for Chihiro, this chapter answers that question. He loves her, but he cannot make that influence his judgment. He's trying to be objective, like a good harem protagonist should be.
You're right! The Goddesses were not that ethical when they made their bets. Though in their defense, they were very sure of their position, and that in their minds, they are only taking the time away from the other girls, not the time of their hosts.
Only Yui, at this point, knows about the bets.
And Miyako's conquest begins!
To Rahmanism, your welcome, and thanks for your review too.
Thank you for telling me your favorite and your least favorite time with the girls. And yes, Kanon would try to make it up to Keima.
I won't be telling you know who Keima would confess too. But you're right. All the girls are just too precious! Luckily, it so far off that Keima doesn't even have to think who he will choose!
To makoto88, thanks for you review.
Unfortunately, I cannot speak Spanish. Hopefully, this google translation is accurate. According to google, your review said:
"I like how the characters act similar to the originals and how they relate in addition I already want to see how miyako's route turns out"
Hopefully, that's accurate.
Anyway, thanks. I try to make the characters act in character like in the manga and anime. And yes, Miyako's route is beginning!
Thanks!
To xellos540, thank you for your review, once again, Xellos540!
Once again, this is originally a PM that I posted here for the enlightenment of other readers.
...
That's Keima. I don't think he could enjoy anything unless it's related to a game. Well, that's what he thinks anyway. He could enjoy non gaming things, sure, but if asked, he would only think about anything relating to gaming. Still, if someone tries hard enough, I'm sure that anything could be made galge related.
As for Keima having not a single romantic bone, that's just Kanon's opinion. But yeah, outside of conquests and jobs for New Hell, Keima isn't very motivated to actually be romantic. Good thing that his interests are galges, or he would be in deep trouble.
I really don't think Kanon would remember Miyako. Maybe if she is shown a picture of her, she would remember her, but that's it. And yes, it would be a double edged sword.
It's not winter yet, it's late fall, as it's November. However, Elsie did some magic thing to make the weather more pleasant. I should've included that. So yeah, even if ordinarily it would be unpleasant, Devil magic would solve any problem.
Yep. She even made much of the food sweets! I'm sure Keima had Haqua and others help Elsie prepare the food.
As for if it was an existing song, I have no idea. I really have very little knowledge of Kanon's songs, or even the lyrics, except those that I saw on the anime. And it's not explicitly dedicated to him, his name isn't actually mentioned, but those in the know could read between the lines.
Normally, Keima would not do that (well, he did do that with Ayumi). But after what had happened during the first hour, with Kanon trying to dump the schedule, failing, and crying, he felt he needed something to raise her affection points up. And yeah, Kanon knew he was just acting, but was touched that he would try to do it just to make her feel better. And she was very flattered. Keima's acting is really good.
Yes, I'll try to makes kisses more descriptive in the future. Though with the amount of kisses that had already happened, with an average of two kisses per girl in the schedule since the start of the story, some would be repetitive, I'm afraid. Don't worry, that isn't the end of the kisses yet! There's Miyako's conquest. And maybe, Aoba too, but who knows?
Yep. That's Yui's advantage over the other girls. She was so obsessed with winning Keima that she was willing to do so. As for repeating points several times, yeah, but it's hard to solve because of the repetitive nature of having seven girls, and sometimes, the reactions may only be slightly different, but sometimes, those slight differences would be important later on.
As for the evaluation, yeah, the reason I gave the numbers is that it's just Keima-like. I got the idea when I remembered the affection points meter during the Goddess search arc, so Keima would naturally have his own meter regarding his affections towards the girls. And that's why I put the rating in the Appendix at the end of the chapter, so it won't disrupt the flow. And the subsequent ratings explanations would be shorter as it has already been explained in the chapter.
Yeah. As I explained, someone has to be at the bottom, and Ayumi and Kanon are unlucky.
I enjoyed writing the Goddess banter too. I read the manga part of their sleepover before I wrote that and I partially based it on the manga, with some additions and changes. It shows how the Goddess sees the entire thing. And yeah, the older Goddess had such a dirty imagination that would defile a young mind like Minerva! XD
As for Diana doing anything about her feelings, I think she would only encourage Tenri. She cannot do anything for Keima to love her—that would be the deepest betrayal. She felt guilty about falling in love with Keima. How much more if she does something about it? Anyway, Diana shouldn't complain. She could feel Keima's kisses when he kisses Tenri. xD
So does that mean that Vulcan could feel Keima's kiss too when Keima kisses Tsukiyo? That would be really hilarious! Or maybe she wouldn't if Vulcan was controlling the doll.
Diana and Haqua interacting would be closer than you may think!
Yup! That's Vulcan!
And thank you for your review once more!