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.
Summary of the Last Chapter
Keima goes to Miyako's place to start the conquest. He is interrupted by Chihiro and Ayumi, who wants to help. He discovers Miyako's gap and her feelings. Aoba teaches Yui, Tenri, and Tsukiyo. Kanon makes an announcement.
And I do not own The World God Only Knows.
And thanks to xellos540 for the beta job!
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 XV
The Second Café Meeting
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 149 – Confrontation With Okada
Miss Okada finally figured out what was plaguing her mind as she watched Kanon speak to the cameras to the live national audience.
"Those three days," she whispered to the boy beside her. They were backstage. Keima had donned a disguise and was officially Okada's "nephew" to the staff.
He was playing his PFP.
"It was you who suggested it, not her, wasn't it?" she asked.
"Why don't you stop Kanon if that is so?" he asked, not bothering to deny it.
"I know Kanon. No way she could think of it. If she really were crazy about you, she'd hold out for more than three hours per week. She would demand, say, six, seven, or even an entire day from you. No way would she settle for just three hours," she whispered. "And five years! She would have settled for the rest of your life."
"Maybe you're right," he commented.
"Clever boy," she conceded. "Just how did you make her agree to that?"
"It's either three hours or nothing at all," he answered. "I was prepared to leave her without her TV speech. She really is a pain, you know. Three hours was a compromise. She gets weekly time with me, I get to be away from her as much as possible. And get peace. Aren't you mad?"
"A little bit. More to myself for falling for it—your act, I mean. Why did you have to put that act in front of me?"
"You wouldn't believe our story otherwise," he explained, "and you wouldn't sign the agreement. Now you already did. It's too late to back out now that Kanon has spoken to the country."
"You're a bastard, you know that Mr. Katsuragi?" she remarked, but with a hint of admiration.
He just played his game.
"I want you to apologize for that! I don't want to be insulted!" she demanded with a hint of malice.
He pocketed his game and looked at her with steely eyes and bowed. "Then, I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I didn't mean to insult you."
That took Okada off her guard. And he sounded so sincere. She knew better, but could not find it in herself to refuse.
"Fine. You're forgiven. I understand your position. I would have done the same in your shoes."
"I knew you would figure it out this fast. Less than a day. Nobody else would have," he said. "You really are a great manager of Kanon."
"Flattery will get you nowhere."
"Are you going to call off the deal then?"
"You know I won't. And I couldn't if I wanted to, not after Kanon's speech. And besides, the deal's advantageous to me. Just three hours per week means she would have more time for work. I don't have to worry about her sneaking out on me. And she seems happy with it. Her reputation will recover. There's nothing for me to gain throwing a tantrum about it."
"And you can control her time with me," he finished.
"Yes. Tell me, do you really plan on choosing her after five years?" asked Okada.
"I may. I may not. It depends if she makes me fall for her in the meantime. She knows that too. But having a chance is better than no chance at all."
"I wonder if I could put you on my staff. As a strategist and negotiator. You seemed the type to get what you want and have your own way," she wondered. "It's useful. I imagine you could run hoops around the opposing negotiators."
"As I said, I'm at your service, just as long as I could do it. You have to remember, though, before you think of hiring me, that I am a student, and my priorities are my studies. If you have done your research, you would know that I am the top student in my school. I will maintain that."
Okada nodded. "Yes. Though there are rumors that you don't need the time to study. You can just play games in class and get perfect all the time."
"You really think someone could get at the top of the school by just playing games all day? I have to prepare for the examinations in my third year, you know."
"I know that. Don't worry. I will only call upon you when I know you have the time. Have you seen the press release that I prepared for you?"
"I have. It's fine," he said. Unlike Kanon, he will not speak to the cameras. Instead, he will, through Miss Okada, release a press release to the newspapers of Maijima explaining his position.
"Look, I'm not asking you to love Kanon," Okada stated. "After what you've experienced with our idol, that's not probable. I'm happy that you're giving her a chance. Even a ten percent chance is better than zero. What I'm asking you as a manager is that she should be motivated to perform at her best. Without you around, she would become depressed, her performances would be subpar, and she would be more prone to disobey me. She might even quit just to come after you. I want an improvement from her. If her performance does not improve after this, I am going to call the whole thing off."
He looked at her from his game, saving it before pocketing his console. "You don't have to worry about it. Kanon will perform up to her standards. This whole deal hinges on that, am I right?"
"Yes. That's the only reason I'm not backing out of this deal we have."
"I know."
"And one more thing, Mr. Katsuragi."
"What is it?"
"You may think I'm a dumb adult. I had thought of you as a gullible teenager, but after this, let's stand on an even playing field," Okada proposed. "I am sorry for how I thought of you before. Let's not insult each other's intelligence. Let's treat each other as equals. You got my respect by how you pulled this off. If that was your intention, to make me respect you, then you have succeeded. Now I want something equivalent. Respect me as someone who seeks the best interest of Kanon at heart."
He looked at her as they shook hands. "Yes, that's best for both of us. May I ask one more favor from you, Miss Okada, please?"
She raised an eyebrow. "This has something to do with our deal?"
"Yes."
"Fine. But you're going to owe me one. What is it?"
…
Part 150 – The "Alliance"
"Thank you," Yui said to Mrs. and Mr. Fuse as they were about to depart. She was speaking for herself, Tsukiyo, and Tenri. The three girls bowed as she did so.
"You're welcome. Come back again!" said Mr. Fuse. He was tall and had blue hair with thick glasses.
Mrs. Fuse smiled as she waved her hand. "Yes. Having Aoba's friends come over is a real treat. Take care."
"We will," said Tsukiyo, before they walked out.
Tsukiyo, carrying Luna, looked at Tenri. "Miss Ayukawa, could you go on ahead? I need to say something to Goido here."
Tenri looked at the two. Tsukiyo's face was indecipherable, while Yui just grinned while shrugging her shoulders. "Okay, then. Miss Goido, Lady Kujo, take care," she said as she picked up her pace while the two other girls slowed down.
"What do you want to talk about?" asked a curious Yui.
"Try to guess."
"I dunno," said Yui as the two girls continued their walk. "That announcement on TV. Wonder what that was about? Why would Kanon say that when she's still in the schedule?"
"Can't you see?" Tsukiyo pointed out. "It's part of Keima's plan."
"I guess so. But what plan is that?"
"We'll find out, Goido. By the way, I need to ask you about something."
"Yes, Kujo?"
"That's Lady Kujo to you," Tsukiyo barked with a hint of iciness as soon as Tenri was very, very far ahead. "I heard that yesterday, you spent time with Keima. It isn't your schedule. Are you trying to cheat on us?"
Yui looked at her before laughing. "Oh, that! That's nothing. I was just learning how to play games! Just like we are today. Like you and Ayukawa, I also wanted to learn and get into Keima darling's world. So I asked Fuse to teach me. It just so happens that she was going to darling's home to see his games. So she invited me so I can learn too."
"And I suppose that spending time with Keima was not your real reason?" she asked.
"Of course, it was!" Yui easily admitted. "The thing is, you must have another valid reason for spending time with Keima outside of the schedule. My reason is valid."
"Who says it's valid?"
"Why Keima himself. If it weren't valid, he would have told me to leave," Yui defended. "Keima himself would decide what's a valid reason or not."
"And I suppose he wasn't motivated by your refusal to believe that Fuse's not in love with him?"
"Maybe. So what? It's still Keima's decision in the end. And Fuse is so in love with Keima."
"You're just using that to get close to Keima!"
"I am not! Fuse's really in love with him! And I can prove it!"
"Like you can."
"I can. Really. By the way, just in case. I know you don't believe me, but what if, Fuse's really in love with Keima and she's really after him. What would you do?"
"Demand that she be included in the schedule, naturally," said Tsukiyo.
"What? Why?"
"It would be unfair. Fuse has so many advantages over us while outside the schedule. If she's in, at least, we can control her and make it fairer, don't you think? If Fuse refuses to join, then Keima must drop her as a disciple."
"Precisely! I think we should work together to get the other girls on board with that!" declared a delighted Yui. "How about an alliance, Lady Kujo?"
Tsukiyo raised an eyebrow at what Yui called her. "Why would I join an alliance with you?"
"Well, how about this. If I fail to prove that Fuse is in love with Keima by the end of the week, I'll give you my three hours in the week after next week," Yui offered. "If I'm right, you join me and persuade the other girls."
"You're that confident? Fine. It's a deal. It's free hours for me," said Tsukiyo. "But if Fuse refuses to join after you've proved it, you must make Fuse and Keima break their discipleship. Is that clear?"
"Crystal!"
"And you must always call me Lady Kujo from now on," Tsukiyo declared.
"As you wish, my lady," Yui conceded as they approached their destination.
Café Grandpa.
Part 151 – Gathering at the Café
It was already past closing time, so they knocked on the door. They were greeted by Elsie Katsuragi.
"Miss Kujo! Yui!" she happily welcomed. "Come in! Come in!"
"Elly!" Yui exclaimed, hugging Elsie.
"Elsie," greeted Tsukiyo in a polite tone.
They saw that Chihiro and Ayumi had already arrived, and were seated around one table. Yui promptly joined her fellow 2B Pencils band members. Tsukiyo went to an empty table and put Luna on a chair beside her.
Tenri was at another table. Like Tsukiyo, she was by herself. She was too shy and too distant to join the other girls. They were practically strangers to her. She had arrived a little earlier than Yui and Tsukiyo.
Haqua was seated on another table by herself.
"Is Kanon going to be here?" asked Chihiro.
Yui shrugged. "Who knows? Kanon's just made that announcement at the studio. Does she have enough time to go here?"
"She must have," Ayumi reasoned. "She's part of the schedule. At least that's what Keima told us. We're here to receive this week's schedule, after all. Hey Elly, where's Keima?"
"Divine Brother is coming soon!" she answered as she heard the door open.
Mari Katsuragi entered.
"We have more?" the mother inquired.
"Yes, Mom. This is Tsukiyo Kujo," Elsie said.
The blonde girl stood up and bowed. "Hello, Mrs. Katsuragi."
"My, my, Keima's coffee really is popular. Not that I blame you! It's to die for!" she said as she shook Tsukiyo's hand.
"This is Ayumi Takahara, our champion runner, and Chihiro Kosaka, the leader of our band!" Elsie said, pointing to the two girls. Mari had already earlier seen them but had to leave when there was a phone call.
"Hello, Mrs. Katsuragi," Ayumi bowed.
"Hello," Chihiro also bowed.
"Friends of Keima too?" asked Mari.
"They all are!" said Elsie. "And they all want a sample of his famous coffee!"
"I suppose Yui told them all?" said Mari, looking at the crossdresser who just smiled.
"I sure did! Mrs. Katsuragi, my future husband's coffee deserves to be recognized!" she proclaimed.
"My, my, with Kanon's announcement, we have, let's see. We have Aoba Fuse, Yui Goido, and Kanon. Then Kosaka, Takahara, and Kujo. And Tenri! That's seven girls that Keima knows! I'm surprised my son is so popular with girls!" she giggled. Before she could say anything, there was a knock on the door.
"I'll get it," shouted Elsie, and she ran to the entrance of the door. When she opened it, there was a timid librarian.
"H-h-he-l-lo," she squeaked, looking around. Upon seeing many people, her face became red as she tried to hide behind a book that she had brought with her.
"Come in," said Elsie, grabbing her right hand and pulling her towards Mari. "Mom, this is Shiori Shiomiya. She's here too for the coffee! And she's Keima's friend!"
Shiori tried to compose herself as she bowed. "H-he-e-el-l-l-lo. Mm-m-m-mrrssss. K-k-k-katsura-ra-ra-ragi."
Mari cooed. "Hello, Shiori Shiomiya."
Shiori was frozen, unable to do or say anything. Her mind was mired in indecisiveness.
Oh no! It's Katsuragi's mother! What shall I say? I had no idea she's here! I'm not prepared. I need to say the right thing, or she may have a bad impression of me. If that happens, would she reject me as Katsuragi's girlfriend? I can't let that happen. I need to say the right thing so I can make myself Keima's one and only. But what can I say? What did all the heroines in all the romance novels say when they met their future mother-in-law? What would Simone say to Casiraghi's mother? But I'm not prepared! It's too soon to meet the parents!
What to do?
What to do?
What to do?
What to do?
What to do?
Please tell me what to do?
Luckily, Tsukiyo came to her rescue. "Please forgive her, Mrs. Katsuragi," the moon-lover pleaded. "She's a shy girl, and was overwhelmed by the moment."
"Don't worry. I understand. Shiori, don't be shy around me," said Mari.
The red-faced librarian could only nod as she kept thinking about the correct response.
"Now, where is that boy of mine?" muttered Mari. "I don't know why he's so stubborn about that recipe of his!"
The door leading from their home opened, and Keima Katsuragi entered. The first thing that Mari noticed was that all the girls, barring Elsie, blushed at his entrance. It was his usual entrance, playing his PFP, his eyes on his game. All the girls stared at him.
Wait! Do all these girls like my son? Do they have a crush on him?
Behind him, about a meter apart, was his disciple and friend, Aoba Fuse. She kept a respectful distance, even as her hands clutched her own PFP. When they entered, she pocketed her game as she followed him.
He stopped, and Aoba walked beside him, as she bowed. "Good Evening, Mrs. Katsuragi."
"Are you here for his coffee too?"
"No. I am his disciple. He's teaching me games. We were talking about games while we walked."
"Yes, Mom. I can teach her while we're walking around," said Keima as he saved his game and pocketed the PFP. "We were just discussing the most underrated galges and otome games of the past three years. I was enlightening her why, aside from One Leaf, the greatest game in the past three years is Sakura's Trouble version 6."
"No, I am enlightening you why that game deserved the bad reviews it got, and why it was Heroine of the Light version 8, among the Galges of the past three years, that was the true gem."
"No. Heroine of the Light, while fun, doesn't compare to Sakura. I have played both games, and I can say that Sakura is better!"
"I have played both of them too, Divine One. It pains me to disagree with such a great player like you, Master, but Heroine is better!"
"Look, I am your master, and I say that Sakura is better!"
"You may be my master, but it doesn't extend to when you're wrong. Sorry, Divine One, but I can't see why Sakura is better."
"Now, now, there's enough time for that," interrupted Mari. "Keima, your friends here came to sample your coffee."
"All of them?"
They looked at the assembled girls, and all of them except Haqua nodded.
"I'm here to visit Elsie," the valedictorian informed.
Before Mari could say anything else, her sharp ears heard the doorbell. "Excuse me. Keima, I'm leaving you in charge."
With that, Mari left them.
There was a collective sigh of relief when Mari left as if they were worried that they might be caught doing something if Mari remained in the café.
Before the girls could say anything, Keima declared, "Let's wait for Kanon."
…
Part 152 – Aunt Mari
Mari Katsuragi almost ran from the café to the front door of her house. Her extreme curiosity about what was going on in the café made her want to curse whoever rang the doorbell. Hopefully, she could brush off whoever it was, and she could get back to the café.
She opened the door, and there was a stern-faced woman in business clothes, and a girl in a brown overcoat, beret, and glasses.
"Good evening. Are you Mari Katsuragi?" the woman asked.
"Yes?" the mother replied.
The woman looked at the girl. Then she remembered her. She was the same girl who went to the café a few days ago, looking for her son's coffee. She could not forget such a ridiculous get-up.
The girl removed her beret and coat.
And it was Kanon Nakagawa. "Hello, Mrs. Katsuragi," she greeted as she bowed.
"May we come in?" asked the older woman.
Mari stared at them for a while as if she could not believe her eyes and ears. "Are you really—"
"Yes, I am Kanon Nakagawa, the idol."
"May we come in?" the older woman repeated.
"Yes, yes," said the mother as the two went inside their home. Mari led them to the couch in the living room.
"You know why we are here, I gather?" the woman asked.
Mari narrowed her eyes. "Does this have to do with the TV announcement?"
"Yes," said the woman. "I am Miss Okada, Kanon's manager."
"As you already know, I am Mrs. Mari Katsuragi, mother of Keima Katsuragi."
Kanon bowed again. "Please to meet you, Mrs. Katsuragi."
"Well, Miss Nakagawa, is what you told the nation on TV true? About you and my son Keima?"
"Yes. He helped me a lot. If it were not for him, I would not be the idol I am today. I owe him my career. That's why I love him..."
Mari looked at her.
"…like a brother," she finished. "And he cares for me like a sister. In that case, you're like a second mother to me! Could I call you mother?"
Okada and Mari looked at her like she grew horns. Okada clearly was not expecting that.
Mari finally regained her composure. "I would be honored. But I can't. It would be inappropriate." And it would be insulting to your actual mother.
"Could I call you aunt then? I want to be close to Keima, so I have to be close to his family too. Could I call you, Aunt Mari?" she requested, her pink eyes behind her glasses pleading.
"I, I suppose you could," Mari uttered, still unable to believe that a famous idol wanted to consider her family.
"Oh, thank you, Aunt Mari!" Kanon cried as she suddenly hugged her. "Thank you, thank you. For bringing my brother Keima to this world, and for raising him to be such a wonderful boy. Keima is my life, and I cannot live without him, my brother!"
"Kanon—" Okada tried to say.
Then tears began to pour from the idol's eyes. "I can't believe it! I'm gaining a second family. Thank you, thank you!"
The manager just rolled her eyes at that. She did not expect that.
Mari, still unsure what's precisely happening, managed to say, "I'm honored."
"Now, now, Kanon, don't overdo it. Mrs. Katsuragi, I would like to speak to you in private," Miss Okada said to the mother.
"Oh, yes. Kanon, my…. niece, I suppose…" she mouthed, unsure of what to say. She never had this situation happen to her before.
"You called me, your niece! I'm so happy! If only I'm a Katsuragi in name too!" Kanon exclaimed. "Kanon Katsuragi! That's so nice, isn't it, to have the same name as my brother? Anyway, thank you for calling me that!"
"Well, um, Kanon, you know where our café is, right? Why don't you go there? Keima is there," Mari suggested.
"Can I see my big brother? Can I?" asked Kanon. Kanon was born in March, while Keima was born in June of the previous year, so Keima was older by a few months.
"Yes, you can," Mari answered.
Kanon bowed. "Thank you." She then walked to the door leading to the café.
Mari sighed as she looked at Okada. "Care for some tea?"
"Yes, please," the manager replied.
…
Part 153 – Keima in the Gathering
Keima, with Elsie helping as the waitress, had just served all the girls his special coffee. As expected, all of them were impressed.
Then the door leading to their home opened, and Kanon Nakagawa entered.
"Big brother!" she began upon seeing the girls in the café.
"Just in time," said Keima as he handed her a cup of coffee before Kanon could even speak.
"Keima?" the idol began, confused as she looked around.
Keima walked to the middle of the café with Kanon following. "Let's start," he began. "You all watched Kanon's announcement on TV, right?"
"We did," said Aoba Fuse, who was also drinking a cup of coffee. She was sitting with Haqua.
"That's just a cover story, a ruse," the gamer announced.
"It's true," Kanon added. "It's just for convenience sake. I know how much hardship my confession did to Keima. So it's just for the ears of outsiders. But to you, fellow ladies of the schedule, I tell you this. I am not giving him up. I love Keima, not like a brother, but like how a girl loves a boy, how a wife loves her husband."
"He's not your husband yet!" Yui shouted.
"He will be, after five years," Kanon declared as she smiled at them.
"No, he will be mine!" there was a loud shout.
Everyone looked at the source. It was Shiori. And she was now hiding behind the menu.
"Congratulations, Shiomiya," said Tsukiyo, besides Shiori. "That was beautiful. Even if I disagree. He'll be mine."
Shiori wanted to crawl inside a hole. That was so embarrassing! But I can't help it! Katsuragi will be mine. Please don't look at me! All of you look at something else!
She couldn't show her face as it was red with embarrassment.
"Calm down, calm down, girls," he said. "All of you have a chance. Kanon, please sit down."
"Yes, brother Keima," Kanon teased. She looked around. Seeing Tenri alone, she went and sat with her.
Keima continued. "Please, maintain the ruse. Don't tell anyone about this. If someone asks, just tell them you believe what Kanon said on TV. That she just loves me as a brother. Speaking of ruses, let's review the ruses we devised. Kanon?"
"Oh, I consider you my brother, and I love you as a brother because of what you did, and you care for me as a sister."
"Ayumi?"
"Um, I'm just acting nice to Elsie as Elsie is your sister. I'm don't really like you, but Elsie is my best friend, so I have to be nice to you for Elsie's sake."
"Chihiro?"
"Same with Ayumi. I'm just acting nice to you to be nice to Elsie. But you're still a dweeb! You're still the Otamegane!"
"Shiori?"
"Um, you're helping me with my novel."
"Yui?"
"Same. I'm just acting nice to Elsie. And I'm just pretending to be in love with you because I'm sorry that you don't have friends and that people think you can't get a girl to like you."
"Tsukiyo? Wait, scratch that. We haven't devised a ruse yet. You haven't been seen with me, right?"
"Yes. But if someone asked, you're my butler, my servant. You did something bad, and you're paying for it by serving me."
"I guess that would work," Keima laughed. "Tenri?"
"Um, you're my childhood friend. I love you like I love a brother!"
"Thank you all. Please remember each other's ruses so that when someone asks you about what the other girls are up to, we can maintain our cover. Anyway, I know I'm asking you a lot. That you should lie for me. It's tough, knowing the truth, but not being able to tell anyone else about it. But we are lucky. We have each other to confide with."
Keima felt it was the right time to tell them all. He already had tested the line with Chihiro and Kanon during the week. He wouldn't dare say it to a girl he was conquering for the first time, but he felt that he could do so after the events of the week. The girls really were, as Elsie would describe it, head over heels in love with him at this point. Their affection points were extremely high. So much so that he got them to accept sharing him with one another for the next five years. And he prepared the girls for what he had to say based on his words and actions during the week.
"As I've told some of you before, when you became part of the schedule, lying, deceiving, and manipulating becomes inevitable. The very nature of what we're doing, of what I'm doing, means we can't be honest with outsiders. And sometimes, we can't be honest with each other too. I'm going to tell you right now that, in the future, for your own good, I may lie to you and manipulate you. I may keep secrets from you. If you notice it, please, please, keep in mind that if I do so, I have a good reason for it. I do not like to lie and manipulate girls, but if I have to, I will. Sometimes, I will have to make you cry. Just have faith in me, okay? I may be a lying bastard, but I'm a lying bastard that cares for each one of you. Every dishonest thing that I do is for you. Will you have faith in me?"
Kanon immediately stood up. "You already told that to me during my time. Yes, I have faith in you, Keima."
Chihiro followed. "Yes, dweeb. I understand. We already talked about this last Monday, so yeah, I'll understand if you lie and manipulate me. As long as you have a good reason, it's fine."
"After what happened this week, I understand," said Ayumi. "You have no choice but to do this, and you have no choice on how you're going to do this. I have faith in you, Keima."
"I always have faith in you, Keima," Tenri finally said. "Even before the—" She was about to say 'during the Goddess search' but remembered that Fuse was there, "before the schedule, I always had faith in you, even when you lie to me."
"It's not beautiful. But I understand. It's not your fault. Just explain it to us afterward, if you have to lie, okay? And yes, like the others, I will have faith in you, Keima," Tsukiyo declared.
Shiori stood up. "Me too. Yyyyyou ccccan lie to me, but just tell me afterward," said Shiori. Too shy to say anything else, she sat down, her face red from stage fright.
"You know my answer to that, darling. I understand you have to do this. Just remember that love can fix all problems! I have faith in you, Keima!" Yui declared.
Keima sighed. Now he had carte blanche to use whatever means he judged best to conquer girls. Or achieve his other objectives. He could use the best weapons of his arsenal without much objection from the girls of the schedule.
He bowed in front of everybody. He then said, "Thank you very much for that vote of confidence."
All the girls except Aoba knew that he was talking about lying and deceiving during the conquests of girls in his mission. As for Aoba, she thought it was about lying to strangers about the schedule to keep their ruse and cover.
Part 154 - Closing the Meeting
"Before I give the week's schedule, there's one more thing I want to take care of," he said. "This past week, I have obtained a disciple in games. You already know her, but I'd like to formally introduce her to you. Aoba?"
Aoba was surprised by her being mentioned. She was actually wondering why she was there at all. She had received a message from her Master shortly after the three girls she was teaching had left her home. She met him walking from the studio towards his house. He asked that she accompany him. Being a faithful disciple, she readily complied.
To know about the schedule was one thing. To see all the girls in one place, openly discussing the schedule was another. Even if outwardly, she retained her icy demeanor, she was flabbergasted, even if not totally surprised. It confirmed to her several things she already suspected—Haqua really was involved. Mari had no idea. And the girls were fighting over him. It was surreal to finally see a harem in action.
She learned some new things. Foremost among them was that Keima was going to choose among them in five years, but not sooner. Really, what was going on? What was so important that he could only end this after five years?
She stood up and went in front and bowed to all the girls. "Hello. I am Aoba Fuse. I am the disciple of my Master, the God of Conquests, Keima Katsuragi. Please, don't mistake my intentions. I am not part of this schedule, and I do not love him. With that, I am in your care."
Elsie clapped, and the rest of the girls clapped too.
…
After that, Haqua came and distributed the schedule for the week to each of the girls. She also discreetly gave a version to Aoba—the rules were the same except all references to 'conquest' was removed.
After that, like they earlier planned, Aoba excused herself.
"Wait!" a tiny squeak shouted. All looked at the source of the voice. It was Shiori. She was again blushing as all eyes were on her. But she stood up and, despite being utterly nervous, approached the girl gamer.
"Thanks, for One Leaf," whispered Shiori as they shook hands, in a voice so faint only they could hear. "It really worked. I owe you one."
"Your welcome, Shiomiya," she merely said, surprised by the action of the timid girl.
Shiori then ran back to her table and hid her face behind the menu.
After her, Tenri went and shook Aoba's hand too. "Miss Fuse, thanks for being Keima's friend and teaching us too," she whispered. "We'll be excellent friends, I hope."
Aoba only nodded.
After Tenri, the rest of the girls did the same.
"Thanks for agreeing to teach me, Miss Fuse," said Tsukiyo. "And for becoming Keima's friend."
"Thanks for becoming my friend," Yui uttered loudly even as she whispered, "Welcome to the schedule, Fuse."
That caused Aoba to be confused.
"We're already friends. Miss Fuse, I hope we can be the best of friends," Kanon smiled. She then whispered, "thanks for fending off that girl." She was referring to the time they first met on Saturday evening.
"Hey Fuse, we're still hanging out sometime, if you got the time," Chihiro reminded when it was her turn.
"Just tell me in advance, Kosaka," Aoba replied, "so I can clear my time."
"Don't make Keima too much of a nerd," laughed Ayumi.
"Welcome to the club, Aoba!" Elsie shouted as she shook her hand very enthusiastically.
"I'll let you shake my hand," Haqua declared before she shook her hand. She then complimented the girl gamer. "You're an outstanding actress,"
"Thank you all," said Aoba after the shaking of the hands. "Thanks for accepting me."
"Oh, and Aoba?" Keima suddenly interjected.
"Do you like my coffee?" he asked.
She was bewildered but replied. "It's nice. I wouldn't mind having another try," she answered politely. "It's better than any coffee I've tasted, that's for sure."
"Thank you," he said before waving her off.
After that, she left, very happy, and very confused.
Keima himself was very happy at her general acceptance. Yes, getting her as a disciple was not a mistake at all.
…
"One more thing," he said as soon as the disciple had left, "You already know this, but Miyako Terada has a loose soul. I will conquer her within the week! Some of you don't know who she is. Elsie here will show a picture of her."
Elsie went to the front, used her raiment, and showed a picture of Miyako Terada.
"Oh, that's Terada!" exclaimed Kanon. "I remember her! She was at that concert, right?"
"The very same," Ayumi confirmed.
That was the last event of the evening. It was getting late, and the girls needed to go home.
Keima took center stage once more.
"Girls, thank you very much. This week, I think we could all agree, was a success. Hopefully, this will continue for the next five years. I am looking forward to spending time with you during the week. Oh, and if my mother asks you what happened, just tell her that you had nice coffee."
"We sure did!" Yui shouted to that before the rest laughed.
"Goodbye, and see you later!" Keima said. "And by the way, do you like my coffee?"
The girls gave their hearty approval of his coffee before they gave their goodbyes, each one approaching him, shaking his hand, and giving him a warm hug before leaving the café.
Except for Kanon. She was supposed to be the last, but she discreetly stayed behind along with Haqua.
Kanon, Elsie, and Keima went back to the living room of their home, while Haqua followed.
…
Part 155 – Adult Talk
Meanwhile…
Okada and Mari Katsuragi were sitting on opposite couches facing a center table.
They were drinking Mari's tea, as well as gossiping and looking at a photo album.
"This is Keima when he was ten years old!" Mari cooed as she pointed at a picture of a ten-year-old boy.
"He's holding a game device," Okada observed.
"Yes. By age seven, he was already fond of games."
"What kind of games does he prefer?"
"Galges, dating sims, you know those kinds. I saw an advertisement with Kanon sponsoring one of those games," Mari said.
"He seems especially fond of galges."
"You don't know the half of it! Obsessed is more like it. He's completely devoted to such games! Sometimes I wonder if I'm ever going to get grandchildren at the rate he's going. He's so obsessed with games that he loves and idealizes girls from games and hates real girls. Real girls are inferior to games girls, he keeps telling me! But there's hope for him yet. He's brilliant! The most intelligent boy his age or any age for that matter that I've ever seen! Yes, there's lots of hope for him after this week."
"Especially after what happened to him with Kanon," Okada mentioned.
"So how long were you with Kanon?"
And so the two women talked about Okada's time as manager with the idol, how Kanon became acquainted with Okada, how Okada became the manager of Kanon, how she navigated the split of Kanon from Citron, her joys and difficulties with Kanon.
"Honestly, managing Kanon is like being a mother to a child. You have to take care of everything since everything in her life has an impact on her career," Okada sighed. "Sometimes, I wonder if I am a manager or a babysitter. I guess I'm both. I spend more time with Kanon than her own parents did ever since she became an idol. Still, I would not trade this job for any other in the world. Kanon is a precious girl. I will do everything to advance her career and protect her."
Mari nodded. "I understand. It's hard to be a mother to a headstrong, stubborn son like Keima. But he's wonderful. He's so brilliant and smart! He can do anything he sets his mind to!"
"Yes, about your son," Okada began, "I'm sure you're curious about why I am here?"
"I am."
"I am afraid Kanon and I owe you and your son an apology."
"Apology?"
"Don't take this the wrong way. Kanon never intended harm to you or your family. There was no malice in it. Yet Kanon is a teenager, and teenagers sometimes make decisions based on their heart, not their head, without thinking it through."
"I don't get it."
"Surely, you are aware of the rumors between your son and Kanon."
"I am, but those are just rumors. I was assured that nothing romantic is going on. He just helped Kanon, and Kanon fell in love with him. When Kanon made the TV announcement, I thought that Kanon's not really in love with my son, and that was that."
"Not really. Kanon did not tell the whole truth in her TV announcement. The truth is, Kanon is in love with your son. She fell in love with him because he helped her, that's true. But she's still in love with him. Crazy in love."
"So did Kanon…"
"No. Kanon loves Keima like a brother, true, but she also loves him romantically. It's both. Kanon did not lie. She just did not tell the entire truth," Okada interjected.
"I see. But why?"
"The announcement? It's simple. And this is the reason why we are apologizing. Kanon confessed in the middle of an English examination to your son. Yes, in the middle of an exam, that she barely finished. In front of her entire class and the entire school. That started the rumors. And that ruined your son's life."
"Ruined? Surely, that's an exaggeration."
"Yes, it did. It made him an object of bullying and media speculation. I'm sure you've seen the countless articles about him and Kanon in the media. All of what's written is unfounded. Believe me, I know. It's my job to read all of them."
"All are lies," Mari agreed. "After a while, I just ignored them. It's easier that way."
"Then please, accept our apologies," Okada said.
"I do. Nobody's at fault. Who can blame the teenage heart for its foibles?"
Okada nodded as she sighed.
"So, what's the reason for the lie, I mean the half-truth?"
"The truth of the matter is, Kanon wants to be with your son. Always. But your son would have none of it. He wants to keep as large a distance from her as possible. But he also cares for Kanon, but only as a brother. That part is true. To your son, Kanon is an annoying little sister."
"Kinda like Elsie," mumbled Mari.
"Excuse me?"
"Nevermind. Continue."
"Kanon knows that your son does not love her romantically. So she wants to court your son."
"What?"
"Yes. Can you see the clash here?"
"I don't understand."
"There's another thing that your son wants."
"And that is?"
"Peace. I mentioned that Kanon's act ruined your son's life. He wants to fix it. Kanon can fix it. So I brokered a deal."
"Deal?"
"Yes. In exchange for that announcement, he agreed to give Kanon a limited amount of time per week. Three hours to be exact."
"Wait! What?"
"Your son agreed to give three hours of his time each week to Kanon, for the next five years. In exchange, she made that announcement telling the world that she only considers him her brother."
"I see. Why did you not simply make the announcement without getting anything in return from my son? Surely, that's the best solution. I don't like my son's time being used for that reason. He shouldn't date Kanon if he doesn't like her. Period," Mari insisted.
"Because I also need to look after Kanon. Kanon is in love with your son. So much so that without him, her performances in public suffer. Surely, you noticed a drop in the quality of her shows for the past two weeks. And she's liable to sneak off and try to get close to your son, no matter the consequences to her career. I'm sorry, but I can't be generous without taking into consideration the interests of my charge. And yes, I have talked to her numerous times. But after all that, she won't budge until she's given time with him. I'm sorry if we're selfish, but it is what it is."
Mari frowned as she sipped her tea. "Still, I don't like it."
"But if your son consents, we ask that you give us your blessing."
"What do you mean?"
"Your son already consented to this. However, if you want, we'll ask again tonight, without strings attached, if he consents to our arrangement. If he consents, I ask that you give it your blessing."
"Fine. But only if my son consents without any strings attached, okay?"
…
Part 156 – Keima's Consent
Keima Katsuragi, Kanon Nakagawa, Elsie Katsuragi, and Haqua du Lot Herminium left the café through the door that led to the Katsuragi home. Once there, they walked to the living room.
"They all left, Mom," Keima announced.
There was a twinge of disappointment in Mari's voice. "That's nice. They liked your coffee, I presume?"
"They loved it! They can't get enough of it," Keima answered. It was not really a lie since they did give their approval of his coffee. That was the reason he asked the question at the end, so he would not have to lie about it to his mother.
"It's wonderful, Aunt Mari," Kanon answered.
Keima looked at her and raised an eyebrow.
Mari smiled. "Elsie, you must invite them all one more time! I'm sure they wouldn't mind another cup of Keima's coffee. Oh, and where are my manners? Elsie, this is Kanon Nakagawa!"
"I already met her, Mom, at one of her concerts," Elsie answered with a big smile, even as she shook Kanon's hand and hugged her.
"And this is Miss Okada, her manager," Mari informed.
"Hello, Miss Okada," Elsie said as she gave a big smile, bowing as she did so.
Mari turned to the valedictorian. "Oh, Haqua, you already know Kanon, right? And this is Miss Okada. She's Kanon's manager. Miss Okada, this is Haqua du Lot Herminium, best friend of my daughter."
They bowed to each other.
"Haqua dear, could you and Elsie go somewhere else? We need to talk privately," the mother instructed.
Elsie then dragged Haqua away. They went upstairs, to Elsie's room, where Haqua used her raiment to spy on what was happening downstairs.
…
Mari looked at Miss Okada, who looked at Kanon.
Kanon reacted as if she was remembering her cue, and went in front of Mari Katsuragi and Keima.
"Keima, Aunt Mari," she began and bowed before the two. "I am very sorry for confessing in front of Keima's class. It was the wrong place at the wrong time. I did not think it through."
She was very sincere, and her voice was very contrite.
"It's fine. You did not know that would happen," Keima acknowledged.
Mari smiled. "Yes, I accept your apology. You did nothing wrong. You're in love with my son, aren't you?"
"I was. And I still am," said Kanon. "Please, Keima, let me spend time with you. I know you don't love me or even like me, but please give me the chance to win your heart. Just those three hours for the next five years would be enough."
"Yes, Mr. Katsuragi. We did our part. However, we are not holding you to our deal. Whether or not you want to continue with it is entirely up to you. We won't bother you anymore if you do not want to follow through."
The gamer looked at the idol and asked, "So you want me to be your boyfriend for the next five years?"
"No, no. That would mean that you like me, or that you couldn't give other girls a chance," said Kanon, surprising Mari. "Right now, I want to be your friend, your dear sister, and a chance to win you. Being your girlfriend means you already like me, and I cannot be that until I win your heart. But I will win it."
"Kanon—" he began, but she continued.
"But I know you cannot choose right now. I can wait. If you want to give other girls a chance too, it's fine, as long as you don't show favoritism, or give chances to them that you don't give to me. Because I know that in the end, if everything's fair, you will choose me, and I will become your girlfriend."
"Kanon!" Mari shouted, "are you giving my son permission to see other girls while you are spending time with him?"
"Yes. Because until he says he loves me or likes, I cannot claim him for my own," the idol said. "But when he does choose me, he can only be with me."
"Miss Okada, surely, you cannot allow Kanon to do this!" Mari said.
"I cannot stop Kanon if that's what she wants," the manager replied. "Just think of it this way. It's perfectly acceptable for multiple boys to court one girl, and until the girl chooses, a suitor can't stop her from seeing other suitors. Here, Kanon is the suitor, so until your son chooses her, other girls can court him."
"I suppose I can't argue with that," Mari sighed. "It's up to you, Keima."
Everyone looked at Keima. "Kanon, as I said before, I don't love you, or even like you. Now. But I care for you. If you want a chance for my heart, then I'll give you that chance. Let me warn, though, that there's no guarantee that I'll choose you in the end. Are you still sure of it?"
"Yes, Keima! I'm sure! All I want is the chance! And the opportunity to spend time with you!" the idol declared.
"What if I give the same chance to other girls?" asked Keima.
"I don't care! I'll win!" Kanon said.
"Mom? I wish to give Kanon a chance, but I need your blessing."
"You'd still do it even if I say no, right?" Mari sighed. "Fine, I'll give my blessing. But the moment you start to have feelings for her or any other girl, you must immediately choose, and just stick to her, am I clear?"
"Crystal, mother," he replied with a poker face. "And thank you."
Part 157 – "Okada's" Plot
"Thank you, Mrs. Katsuragi. One more thing. We all know that my ward here loves your son as a girl loves a boy. But the world should not think that. Please, please, don't tell anyone this. If anyone asks, just tell them what Kanon told the world. That she loves him as family," Okada pressed. "The ruse is very important to us, and to your son. That's another reason why I also allowed him to see other girls. To keep up the ruse. If he's seen with other girls, then the public would be less likely to think that he's really her boyfriend. Please don't be mad at your son if you see him with other girls."
"Yes, mother. I do not like the world to know that I am Kanon's boyfriend," said Keima, "because I'm not her boyfriend."
"So that's the reason you're allowing him this? Wait! It was your idea! You put that idea to his head that he can have other girls, so Kanon's public image could not be tarnished! To maintain the ruse, right? Because it's so very convenient for Kanon. It squelches all of the rumors about her having a boyfriend, and she remains a national heartthrob as she's single!" Mari accused as she removed her own glasses and looked Okada in the eye. "Everything was all your idea!"
"Yes, it was my idea," Okada admitted. "But your son didn't oppose it."
"Yes, mother. I want the world to know that we're just brother and sister," he said. "This is the best solution. Please, mother, give your approval."
Mari sighed. To her, it was clearly Okada's plot of using her son's caring attitude toward Kanon to repair Kanon's image while giving Kanon what she wants—time with Keima. It was all very one-sided, as she knew Keima was not even aware of other girls liking him. Keima proposing to be with other girls meant nothing to him as he only liked game girls.
She looked at Kanon, and Mari knew that Kanon was also innocent. She was being manipulated by her manager. She looked at her son. Keima, smart as he was, probably knew he was being used, but he didn't care because he cared about the idol.
If that was what Kanon and Keima wanted, then she won't stand in the way. She could only pray that this would all turn out right in the end.
"Fine. I'm not totally on board with this, but as long as you're honest with each other, I won't oppose it. Yes, for the sake of our family, I'll tell the world that your relationship is like family. And yes, I won't get mad at Keima if he dates other girls, since you consent to it Kanon. And yes, I'll allow you to have time with my son," the mother conceded. She knew she can't win this battle. It was very, very strange. "But son, this stands only while you don't have feelings for her or any other girl. As soon as you do, you must make a choice, are we clear?"
"Yes, mother. You approve of it?" asked her son.
"I give my blessing. You're not lying to each other, after all," the mother sighed.
"Thank you, mother."
"Thank you, Aunt Mari."
Mari's heart melted upon seeing the cute idol bowing at her then looking at her in pure gratitude.
Kanon stepped forward. "I know it's hard, and it's unusual. So, thank you, Aunt Mari. I would never forget this."
And she hugged the mother. And began crying.
"I'm so happy that I'll have my chance with him. And I'm so happy that I get to know his family. Thank you, thank you, thank you."
And whatever resistance she still held in her heart to the whole deal collapsed at that moment.
She surrendered. "Don't worry. I will give my wholehearted support for this entire thing."
…
Part 158 – Third Placer
Later…
Kanon and Okada had already left, leaving the mother and son in the living room. Mari was still shocked over the entire thing.
"Keima, I know you care about Kanon. And that you want to do this for her sake, and that you probably want to have other girls—wait, do you know what that means?"
"Yes, Mom."
"Are you going to get a real girlfriend then?"
"No, mother. You know that Kanon aside, no girl would actually want to be my girlfriend. I'm too much of a nerd. But I have female friends, who I think I can talk into pretending to be my girlfriend," he said. "Don't worry, I won't deceive any of them. I won't tell any girl that I like them or love them without really meaning it. I have no intention of being sucked into the real. Game girls are the only girls I love."
Mari shook her head. She knew that there were many girls, especially those in the café earlier that evening, who would love to "pretend" to be Keima's girlfriend. But she doubted Keima knew that.
"Just be careful, son. Let me warn you. That Okada is crafty. She might be up to something behind our backs."
"Yes, but she won't do anything that would harm Kanon's career. I don't think reneging on our deal would benefit Kanon, so I think we're safe."
"Are you sure? Do you really know what you're getting into?"
He looked at her with pleading eyes. "Yes, I do. Mother, everything I do, I do for a good reason. Please, please, whatever it looks like, no matter how bad it may seem, please, please trust me, your only son."
"Of course, I trust you. Why would you even ask that?"
"Because there are things that I cannot tell you right now, no matter how much I want to. Please, don't ask about it," he admitted. "Just trust me, okay?"
Mari looked at him, a bit surprised. She wondered what secrets her son may be keeping from his mother. Probably typical teenage secrets. Still, he sounded serious. But Keima's her son, so she had to trust him. "I do, Keima, my only son. I trust you, and I love you. Don't forget that."
…
Later…
Keima was with Haqua and Elsie in Elsie's room.
"I guess you're here for the rest of the evaluation?"
The devils nodded.
"As you already know, Shiori's in third place. Quite high from what I initially expected. She has middling to high positives and no negatives. Let's see. Top of the list was that I had fun with her with the ideal. Getting me that Yokyyun book was the best! Oh, Yokkyun! It was a blast! It was great! It was the greatest gift one could give me! Finally, I will be able to see the book form of the greatest girl in the word, Yotsuba Sugimoto! I love that novelization. And Shiori giving me her novelization completes me! It catapults her near the very top of the list. Still, she's not the best in making me happy with games. Yui has her beat in that."
"Honestly, Katsuragi! I still can't figure out what makes all those girls head over heels over you! You're impossible!" Haqua commented.
"That's because Divine Brother is the greatest!" Elsie answered.
"She accepted the schedule unconditionally, so that gets her full positive points like Tsukiyo. She easily accepted Aoba as my disciple, though her acceptance wasn't as welcome as that of Tenri's or Kanon's. She easily accepted my need to conquer Miyako, but not as much as Yui, Tenri, or Kanon did. She was very sure that she'll be picked. She gave me a bento lunch, but the others gave me two, so she got half of their points. And she demonstrated adequate knowledge of the rules, but she's the lowest among the girls. And that's it for her positives. She has no negatives."
"And what's her overall score?" asked Haqua.
"37 out of 60." [1]
Part 159 - Top Two
"So, who's second?"
The two held their breath.
"The second placer is Yui Goido."
"So that means Tenri Ayukawa won the evaluation?" asked Haqua
"Yes," he said. "It's not actually that surprising if you think about it."
"So, can you tell us how Goido got second place?" asked the valedictorian devil.
"She's the most improved. Compared to what she was before the schedule, she's way better now than before. She has lots of negatives, but her very high positives outweigh it a lot. Let's start with the negatives. She doesn't believe me about Aoba Fuse, unlike all the other girls. That's a big negative. She embarrassed me a lot when she made the declaration to my mother that she's going to be my wife in five years. That's a very big negative too. There were other negatives, but they were canceled by other factors. For example, she made me wear a dress, she's too pushy, but that was canceled by the fact that it was needed for me to play in her house. She acts like a player. I really don't like that. She should be more of a heroine, but that was also later offset. Generally, most of the things I disliked about her she showed during her actual time, and as I said, all those were canceled by later events.
"Now for her positives. I appreciate her efforts to know the rules. She memorized every single word. That is impressive. I never thought she could do that. I love that. And I love her being able to twist and bend the letter of the rules to her advantage. She got perfect points on knowledge of the rules.
"And she behaved herself outside her three hours. She never violated a single rule! I thought I had to struggle to impose my rules on her, but she was surprisingly accepting of it. Yet she was able to find ways to spend time with me outside her schedule while still following the rules. She got far more time with me than any other girl as a result. I was very impressed. She gets a perfect score on that.
"She readily accepted the need for the schedule, and so I had no need to persuade her. She got very high scores on that, the same as Tsukiyo, Tenri, and Shiori. She easily accepted my need to conquer Miyako. I really like that. And based on that, she understood me. But not as much as Tenri."
What gave the crossdresser high marks in understanding was that Yui made him think about the effects of the memory wipes on him. That got to him and affected him, but he would be damned before he would say that to anyone.
"She, of course, had no doubt of being picked. She gets perfect marks for that. She gave me a bento, so she gets half the score of the girls that gave me two. But the best part was letting me play games in her house, using her throne, in my God of Conquest mode. That was so much fun. I played games for almost two hours! That was the happiest time of the entire week! That single moment is such a treat! It almost wiped out every negative I have of her! That's the reason she's number two!"
Both devils rolled their eyes at that. Typical boy.
"So that crossdresser gets the silver medal," Haqua remarked as she wrote in her notebook. Not that she needed it. The entire thing was being recorded in her raiment. And it was automatically transcribed into a written format.
"What's her score?"
"38 out of 60." [2]
"And Tenri won," smiled Elsie. "She's the best girl!"
Keima nodded. "Very deservedly too. She's at the top of the bunch, right now. She gets the gold medal."
"So aren't you gonna give us the details?"
"Fine. She has very high positives and no negatives. The lowest category for her was her hope of being picked. She's not that hopeful, in comparison to the other girls. I had to convince her that she has a chance. Then we get to her other positives. She has enough knowledge of the rules, but in comparison to other girls, she scored quite low. And I did have fun with games with her. I like it when she kept insisting that I play games when I'm with her. That made my time with her quite fun. Not as fun as with Shiori and Yui, but higher than the other girls.
"She the most helpful of all the girls! When you, you bug demon, forgot that I'm still wearing the girls' uniform, Tenri was kind enough to let me change and lent her room for that purpose. She gets the highest marks for how she handled both the Aoba and Miyako situations. Tenri actually tried to make friends with my disciple! Without even being prompted by either Aoba and me! And she was so understanding regarding Miyako. I can't help but be impressed. And she's so understanding in other ways!"
Keima cannot help but note that Tenri knew almost everything—that everything that he was doing was somehow connected with the Goddesses. And that he loves Chihiro among all the girls. Yet she was so understanding that he cannot but appreciate her.
"Tenri knew that I lied to and manipulated girls, including her, time and time again, and I'm still doing so. Yet she wasn't mad or angry that I'm such a deceiver. She did not need me to tell her that I will do it for her own good. She already understood. She's the nearly perfect heroine of the 3D as of this moment. She's still far behind game heroines, of course, but this week, she's proven to me that she deserves the number one spot.
"And her score is?" asked Elsie.
"41 out of 60." [3]
Haqua looked at her list. "Hm, so let me get this straight. First is Ayukawa at 41. Second is Goido at 38. Third is Shiomiya at 37. Fourth is Kujo at 27. Fifth is Kosaka at 19. Sixth is Takahara at 16. Seventh is Nakagawa at 8. Am I correct?"
"Yes," said Keima. "Now if you would excuse me, I need to start my piano lessons."
…
Part 160 – Clandestine Meeting
Later…
Haqua du Lot Herminium was just outside the Astronomy Club. She was holding a sheaf of papers, her eyes reading it and blushing. She wanted to giggle so much but stopped herself. It was not the time and place.
She knocked on the door of the said club. She waited. She heard the door being unlocked.
She turned the knob, and as expected, the door opened. She entered. She looked around the sumptuous Astronomy Club.
"Hello?" she called in a soft voice.
"What are you holding, Haqua?" a female voice asked.
"It's nothing."
"Can I take a look at it?"
"No. I'm not giving it to you nor showing it to you! It's wrong!" Haqua asserted.
"So, what are you doing here?"
"I'm just curious about the Astronomy club," the valedictorian said as she laid the papers on the table. "And I think I left my bag when I came here while I was pretending to be Elsie. Have you seen it?"
"Haven't seen it," said the other person, who had a halo and black hair with two pink ribbons.
"Can I look around?"
"I suppose you can. But you better not mess anything up, or big sister will kill me."
"Don't worry, I'll be careful," the purple-haired devil assured. She walked around, her eyes darting every which way. "Damn. I could not find it. I was sure I left it here. Are you sure you haven't seen it?"
"No. I haven't seen it."
"Well, I better get going," the devil said, and hurriedly left.
The girl with the halo picked up the sheaf of papers on the table and read through it. A big smile formed on her face and said, "Yes! I knew you could do it, Tenri!"
She used her powers to make an exact copy of the bundle of papers before returning it to the table.
Suddenly, the door opened again. It was Haqua.
"Oops. I forgot my papers," a sheepish devil said, getting the papers from the table. "Well, I better go."
Before she could do anything, they heard a thunderous voice.
"What's going on?" a loud voice roared.
The girl with black hair had barely time to react. Before she knew it, the papers in her hands were snatched away.
"Big sister!" she shrieked, her face almost white with fear. "I thought you weren't due for another hour!"
"I changed my mind," the big sister answered as her eyes looked at the papers. "I already called the others. I was about to call you when I saw you here. What are you and Herminium up to?"
Haqua was about to sneak out when someone entered the room and blocked her path.
"Big sister, we're here! So she's early?" a blonde female with long hair, also with a halo, entered. "What's Du Lot Herminium doing here? I didn't call for her. Did someone invite her?"
Then three more females, all with halos, entered.
End of Flag XV
Appendix
[1] Shiori's Evaluation Card
Fun Involving Games = 7 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 = 3 out of 4
Bento Lunches = 2 out of 4
Accepted Miyako Situation = 4 out of 6
Physical Injury to Keima = 0 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 = 3 out of 6
Total: 37 out of 60
[2] Yui's Evaluation Card
Fun Involving Games = 10 out of 10
Acceptance of Schedule = 10 out of 10
Knowledge of Rules = 8 out of 8
Violation of Rules = 0 out of (8)
Outside Schedule Rules = 4 out of 4
Physical Contact Outside Schedule = 0 out of (4)
Embarrassed Keima = (-6) out of (-6)
Accepted Aoba Situation = (-2) out of 4
Bento Lunches = 2 out of 4
Accepted Miyako Situation = 6 out of 6
Physical Injury to Keima = 0 out of (-5)
Understanding Keima = 2 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: 38 out of 60
[3] Tenri's Evaluation Card
Fun Involving Games = 5 out of 10
Acceptance of Schedule = 10 out of 10
Knowledge of Rules= 4 out of 8
Outside Schedule Rules = 2 out of 4
Embarrassed Keima= 0 out of (-6)
Accepted Aoba Situation = 4 out of 4
Bento Lunches = 0 out of 4
Accepted Miyako Situation = 6 out of 6
Physical Injury to Keima = 0 out of (-5)
Understanding Keima = 4 out of 4
Unhappy Keima Activities = 0 out of (-4)
Hope of Being Picked = 0 out of 4
Helpful to Keima = 6 out of 6
Total: 41 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 xellos540, thank you for your review.
Once again, this is originally a PM that I posted here for the information and enlightenment of other readers.
I was certainly surprised with the speed of your review! Thank you. If you must know, my life hack for writing fics would be to be three or four chapters ahead of what I post so I have consistent updates. Right now, I've finished writing chapter 15 and 16 already, am starting 17, and still proof-reading 15. When I posted chapter 1, I've already written about three chapters. So I can edit and proof-read one chapter while writing another. And could edit earlier unposted chapters.
Yep! It's a new arc! After that first week, the second week would have a different feel to it, although it would somehow be still similar. And yeah, there would be more than one conspiracy, and you will soon find out what first one is. (Well, Yui already has a conspiracy among the Goddesses in motion).
The prologue is both applicable in-story and 4th wall breaking sense. Keima himself sees the entire story as the five years until he would choose the winner and rid himself of his collar, so the first week would seem like a prologue to him.
About maintenance, yes, I know. Keima certainly hopes that he could cruise along the line he had set up for that week, but things could still go pear-shaped for our favorite Otaku.
The awards certainly gives an insight into the Miyako situation, and Keima may be right in his analysis. But there could surprises and unknows in the future. There may be or may be not something more to it. Let's see what will happen.
On the Japanese history lesson, you're welcome. Though I must confess, I just got some of it from Wikipedia. And yes, Keima memorized that book, but other textbooks too, for the reasons he tells Miyako.
Miyako got into the spirit of competition, and somehow, wanted to prove Keima's wrong. It became a game to her. So she thought she could gloat a bit. But it's all in good fun. There's no malice in it.
Everyone in his classroom thinks he's a dweeb, the Otamegane, even if not everyone is actually rude enough to call him that to this face. After all, his actions and antics in class would lead to no other conclusion. But just because you think someone is a nerd and a dweeb does not mean you cannot be nice towards that person. That's Miyako's position. She never called him Otamegane.
Partly that. She thinks there is more to Keima than just what he shows in school. And she imagines him having cram school too like she is. So yeah, she thinks he's a lot like her. And that lead her to respect him more.
Yep. She still, secretly, wants to be the best. And when she can't be the best, she thinks she's average or normal, so she's similar to Chihiro. The difference between the two was Chihiro never even tries, while Miyako tries all her best and comes just short of being the best. Chihiro is a slacker, one who doesn't do things seriously, as Keima accused during her arc, while Miyako does not have that problem.
Ha, ha, she's like Haqua, I agree! Except Haqua really was top of her class! Even if she sucks in the field in comparison to Elsie.
"That's going to either end up well or really, really bad" – On Ayumi and Chihiro wanting to help, truer words were never written. Yep, it could either be really helpful, or blow up in everyone's face. And ensure those two girls' place at the bottom of the list. Yep, negative points already!
Oh yes. They want to witness the culmination of the conquest of a girl to make sure they can take it. Whether they could is another matter. As for Keima agreeing, yeah. He has a purpose for that. If the girls could take it, then things would go much easier for him. But if not, no harm done.
Don't worry, we'll see her teach him piano in the future. We'll see how fast he could learn new things.
Miyako, at least in this story, could be considered a 'jack of all trades, master of none' kind of girl. But she's not just average with all kinds of things—she's near the best on all those. That makes her really remarkable and exceptional. But you're right—it's hard to notice those things. Getting number one in something is what gets attention.
As for Miyako liking extraordinary boys, let's just say that's not yet set in stone. After all, Keima is fairly new to the "girls like me without me trying to conquer them" theory. And do Miyako actually like Keima before? Maybe. Maybe not. Keima actually said that it's only a possibility. Another possibility was that she came to like him only that afternoon. What he was sure of was that Miyako already likes him by the time they were walking home that day. Even if Miyako does not admit it.
Yep. I was dying to write that bit about three types of conquests ever since I started this fic. It was something I noticed when I watched the anime the first time. So I just want to have a setting appropriate for Keima to make the observation.
As for Keima knowing what words to make Haqua do as he wants without knowing how Haqua really feels, yeah. It reminds me of the time when Keima told Haqua that if she lost the bet, she would do what he tells him to do. And she kept imagining what ghastly things that he would demand of her. Only to realize that he just wanted information.
Anyway, Keima's just flattering her ego. At least that's what Keima's thinking. So he kept saying words that he thinks would flatter her. And he's that blind.
Chihiro and Tsukiyo being fifth and fourth really sucks for them, but oh well. Not everyone can be at the top.
I think Haqua's just subconsciously trying to bait him to ask her to dance. And as a buddy, she most likely will obey Keima with regards to his duties with New Hell. So if dancing was part of his duties…
Ha! Does Haqua even know how to dance? Yes, thanks for the idea. I'll try to see if I could squeeze that in.
Yep! Yui vs Tenri!
I mean, who wouldn't be angry at Mars at what she did? At least Mars has so much faith in Yui that to the Goddess, it's a sure thing.
Thanks for the idea of Yui playing that game! And so fitting too, as Yui, as Keima notes, is more of a player than a heroine! And Aoba and Keima are both players too!
Yep! Aoba Fuse figured out that if she's going to teach three girls games, might as well teach them at the same time to save time. Then it wouldn't be too much of a burden for her. So why not do it on a Sunday? She can't do it on school since Tenri doesn't attend the same school.
I knew you'd like the Princess Mode! Still, we haven't seen her in that mode yet. Only the chair. But at least she's trying. I wonder what will Keima say when he sees it?
Yep. Yui's love life question's part of her plan, not just curiosity and gossip.
Yep. It's like in Mio or Kusonoki's cases. In Mio's case, Hell replaced Keima with Morita during that dance outside the party, while in Kusonokis' case, her dojo mates replaced Keima. In Aoba's case, Keima's face and was erased but not the events, and it's actively preventing her from finding out the truth. Kind of shitty, if you ask me. But Hell's methods is kinda shitty in general, if you think about it.
Aoba is just wishful and hoping that her "first master" is romantically waiting for her. She's after all, a girl in love. She "knows" he's waiting for her. And yes, she meant romantically. Even if she has no proof of it.
You're right about the reactions. Not everybody would believe it, of course. Some would make their own conclusions. The thing is, with Keima, he can answer questions thrown his way about Kanon. And he can conquer girls more easily because he has an explanation for the Kanon thing. As you said, many would not believe it at all, because as you said, her agencies could make her say that. Others would want to believe Kanon as they would believe everything she says, or because they don't want to believe that she could lie to them.
Finally, the beauty of it was that it finally "explained" all the rumors surrounding her. The rumors were very damaging to Kanon and Keima. Even if not fully credible, at least there is an "official" story about it.
Thanks for the review.
To ZeldagisGW, thank you.
Congratulations for calling it! Although there could still be twists and turns about it.
Yes, Ayumi and Chihiro were very sweet, although it was infuriating for Keima. Those two girls were in a very unique situation, after all.
Yeah, she's not exactly in the middle, but that's just Keima's opinion. It was just below the middle.
Unfortunately for Keima, he knows that. And he was disappointed that the girl he loved didn't rank higher. It's just that, his situation sucks and he can't just act on his feelings at that moment. He needed to consider the efforts of the other girls.
Thanks! I'm glad you like the scene of Aoba teaching the three other girls!
To issei, thank you for your review.