this chapter was brought to you by danzy the unpaid amateur writer
Just completed Metro Exodus too, got good ending but still depressed cuz Metro Exodus. And because i can't play it for the first time anymore
And am now hooked to Warhammer 2 especially with the new skaven dlc. Rat gatling gunners yes-yes
Everyday Life with Supernatural Girls
Chapter 11
||Eve - Pt. 2||
It stopped snowing because Japan is neither the North Pole or Canada. The niggling cold could still be felt tickling the skins, however, and it was still uncomfortably cold for beings more accustomed to warm temperatures. Take Riser Phenex, for example. Despite boasting the fact that he shared the same bloodline of the Phoenix, the legendary Immortal Bird who will rise from its own ashes, their cold resistance wilted compared to Kunou's. The ten-year-old Kitsune who was half his size.
Him and his sister were cocooned in layers of blankets, gingerly drinking a cup of steaming hot tea prepared earlier by Yasaka. The two stared the other livelier kids, trying hard to brush off the weird feeling of defeat.
Noting the discomfort apparent on their faces, as a concerned host, Issei offered a hand. "Any of you want some extra blanket or something?"
"No thanks. We'll be leaving. Soon." Ravel grumbled with as much dignity as she could manage, staring at her brother with clear intention. "Sorry for the trouble."
Issei shrugged it away as he was disturbed by something else.
"Why don't you just… I dunno, warm yourselves nyan?"
Kuroka asked exactly what was bothering him. It must be nice to be able to say whatever the hell she wanted to say.
"We're not allowed to use our powers here except for going back. Even then it must be at a secluded place." Ravel answered straightforwardly. "Wait- why did you ask that? You should know that. You're one of us too. In the supernatural sense, I mean."
"Uh-huh. Sure-nyan." Kuroka levitated the TV remote into her hand. "Oh, whoops. I guess I'm getting arrested nyan."
Ravel reacted as if she had witnessed a crime. "You can't do that!" she warned, looking outside the window that only led to the backyard in panic. "That's- that's illegal! What if someone saw that?!"
"But no one did nyan. It's only half-illegal."
"That's no way to condone doing that!"
"Huh. No special agents, window isn't broken, nobody barging through the door- I guess it's fine." Riser observed. "Hey you, mind if I spark some flame?"
"Well…" Issei considered, "…Don't set anything on fire please." Everything in the house was under insurance, but he didn't want to bother Azazel with avoidable paperwork either.
"Heh. I'll be careful." With that cocky reply, a wisp of flame popped out of nowhere, circling around Riser's shrouded body. He looked as if he had discovered heaven.
"Whoa." Issei muttered in quiet surprise. It would be exciting if he could do the same. It would change his life. He would be seen as the 'human torch', or 'Issei Flame Fingers'. Or he would accidentally burn his shirt and then the house.
After a brief consideration, he's fine being his limited-human-self.
"B-brother?!" Ravel cried, "Yubelluna- you're his girlfriend or whatever- talk some sense into him! You don't want him to turn into a lawbreaker, do you?!"
"Hmnn… If it's only a little, I think it's fine. 'Lawbreaker' sounds… cool." The lady said with just the hint of a smile on her velvet purple lips, aimed at Riser himself.
"Gaahhh— am I the only one here with common sense?"
"Sheesh, live a little nyan. You're young but so rigid. Aren't birds supposed to be lively?"
"This is what you call being responsible!" Ravel fumed. Issei thought she would emit smokes, but alas real life is not a cartoon. "And I'm NOT a bird!"
Kuroka stuck out her tongue. "You nitpicky."
"Hmph. Unbelievable." She groaned, once again disappointed by the stellar display of her brother. Although the idea did sound tempting. However, she refused to lower herself to her savage brother. It was then she felt something brushed against her cheek. Something furry and unbelievably soft that left her wanting for more. "What the-"
"Bonjour." Kunou greeted with a smile with a fresh orange moustache. It also should be 'bonsoir' but the only people who cares are stuck-up people. "Want some orange juice? It's good. It's like orange you know? But liquid-y."
"Oh, it's just you… huh…?" As Ravel gazed upon Kunou's other half of her body, which was on the other side of the couch because she had phased through it, a blackout happened.
"Huh? She fell asleep? Oh wow, so fast!" Kunou excitedly turned to the older brother. "Can you do that too mister?"
"No. I think she fainted." Riser was a bit freaked out too. More than he'd like to admit.
The Kitsune gasped, "Really?!" and was confused, "But why? How come? Anemia? OH! Why is there a fire flying around you?"
"Pretty sure you're the cause…" Riser said. He wasn't feeling cold anymore thanks to his revolving orb of flame, which evaporated as he stood up. "I better bring her back before she wakes up and melt my ears."
Effortlessly, Riser lifted his little sister – and then slung her on his shoulder like a bag of rice. Issei quickly looked away as he didn't want to see some brat's panties and be sent to jail.
"Ile, Nel, we're going home."
There was a loud whine coming from the kitchen area, followed with the sullen looking twins with sagged steps. After they thanked the ever-patient Yasaka of course.
"Bye-bye." One of them said.
"We'll come some day later okay." The other twin said. Might be Ile, might be Nel. Issei couldn't tell. Their voice sounded the same.
"Aww, m'kay," Kunou walked through the couch as if it wasn't there, "don't miss Kunou okay? Mom said she is very miss-able."
Not rarely Issei wondered; 'Where the hell did that confidence come from.' and until now he still wondered the same.
"Hehe, we'll try." The three had a short giggling session. Making friends seemed to be the least of Kunou's problem. "Bye everyone else~ Shirone too!"
"Mmn." The white-haired Nekoshou nodded. Quiet as always. Issei thought she was shy. After living together for a few weeks; he knew that wasn't the case.
"We'll take our leave." Riser said, "Ms. Yasaka has my number. If you have any complaint about your bedroom then give me a ring, and I'll see if I'm not busy."
"…Right." Look at this softie trying to act high and arrogant. "Thanks."
"Yubel, if you please."
To them, even Kunou, everything that was happening was considered a normalcy. Or maybe it wasn't, and they reacted blithely because they had seen it before. But for Issei, a suddenly appearing orange magic circle on the floor, almost the exact same ones he saw in some books about mysteries and other spooky stuff, was a bit unsettling. He felt as if he was in some kind of a demonic rite or some summoning thing like in those movies, except he was not in a movie or an alternate dimension and in fact was still standing under the house.
Riser and Ravel, Yubelluna, and the twins all stepped inside the magic circle as it emitted a brief yet luminous orange glow that enveloped them whole. In the next second, they were gone, and so was the mark of the magic circle on the tiled floor.
"…Huh."
"S'that your first time seeing nyan?"
"Yeah." Issei huffed, slouching back to his seat. "It's pretty cool."
"Heee… boys." Kuroka 'mufufu'ed. Next to her, Shirone could be spotted smiling a bit.
"I think that's just human." Issei replied, knowing the unordinary might struck as ordinary for the unordinary.
Sometimes he forgot he was living with supernatural beings. That they were also living in the world he had been in for his entire live without him knowing. Individuals with unnatural powers or abilities whose origin he didn't know yet. But maybe, it was a good thing; being accustomed to their presence.
Because after meeting more and more of their side, he didn't see much different in them and the human race. They all had their own personalities. Their taste, their wants and what they don't want. They get cold too, but don't we all?
Hopefully in due time, they wouldn't have to hide their presence anymore. He wanted to see Kunou running around wherever she wants as long as her mother permits it.
"Ise, dear, have you eaten yet?"
"Oh yeah," Issei suddenly remembered he was supposed to be hungry. He got off his seat again to make his way to the kitchen. "I haven't. What did you cook Yasaka-san?"
"Hamburg steak." The Kyuubi giddily replied. "There's still some left, would you like it to be reheated?"
"It's fine, I'll heat it myself." He might not be as good as Yasaka, but he was confident he wouldn't burn the house down.
"Ise, you just came home and you haven't eaten yet. Please take a seat."
"W-well…" Anyone would be troubled by that softly-spoken reprimand. "Alright."
As he seated himself, he heard thundering footsteps.
"KUNOU WANTS ANOTHER ONE!"
Still lazing on her couch that she commandeered long ago, Kuroka sneered as the energetic Kitsune blazed to the kitchen. "Sheesh. She's small but she can eat nyan."
"..."
"…Shironyan, you want some too?!"
It wasn't a Christmas Eve like one that he had imagined. He wasn't with his good friends and he wasn't browsing through 'categories', or fantasizing what could have been if he had a girlfriend or had attained his harem. In fact, it was like any other nights. Just him and the girls eating dinner – second dinner for Kunou and Shirone.
Maybe it wasn't that special, but for him, it was kind of a special thing. One he wouldn't trade for anything else, including the special edition magazine Matsuda had.
…Wait, Matsuda borrowed that from him.
"What're you frowning at nyan." A semi-wild Kuroka appeared next to him. "Don't like it? I'll eat it for you nyan~"
She surprised him. Constantly. "Nah, Yasaka-san's cooking is never bad. Leave my meal alone."
He heard a giggle by the counters, where Yasaka was washing the frying pan.
"Heee~ someone's happy. Shironee~ your sis wants some. A bite please~"
Issei could see the slight reluctance in those amber eyes. It almost made him want to surrender his hamburg steak. Almost.
"Mmmn. Meat. Kunouuu-chaaan~ your turn. Feed this Oneesama please."
"NUO! She's KuNOu not KuYES-su."
"Ehh… come on, don't be so stingy nyan."
It was a night like yesterday. Another night he would never trade for anything else.
Break
It was now nearly half an hour past eleven. The cold outside had easily penetrated the poorly reinforced glass-paned sliding window and invaded the living room. Issei hadn't yet stepped a foot in his brand-new bedroom, since he forgot about it. He had changed his clothes, but the clothes were in his old bedroom – now the Nekoshou's bedroom -, and was comfortably lying about on the sofa, surfing the TV channels.
Everything was filled with the gleeful and cheerful and hopeful Christmas-themed movies, Home Alone being one of the many classics. It was funny watching the two burglars failing hard at being burglars, watching them slip and fall and outwitted by a single boy. He tried picturing what would happen if it was Kunou instead, but he realized that was not something he want to imagine happening.
It only piled up his worries, the evil 'what ifs' scenarios that had small chances of happening but he couldn't shake off. He supposed it was the same feeling his parents get when he had to watch over the house to himself. Luckily, Kunou won't be alone by herself any time soon.
But then he started to worry about something else. The crime rate is low, but what if a burglar broke in? And in broad daylight? What if they see the residents of this house wasn't human? What if they plan something malicious such as using them like zoo animals? Kept as attraction?
He changed the channel and Issei vigorously ditched away the thoughts, thinking this must be a sign of him getting old; he worries about everything. After a little while, he decided to get some sleep. Tomorrow was a day off, but he had plans. Which was a rarity.
He climbed the stairs, and the excitement of having a new room finally dawned on him. How would it look like? The Devils earlier looked like nobles, what if his new bed was more expensive than the entire house? What size would it be?
The second floor suddenly got bigger. door was right next to his old bedroom, looking the same as to not ruin. He could feel his heart rate gradually rising as he held onto the door handle. Taking a deep breath, he opened to the new world waiting for his back.
Lo and behold, everything was exactly the same minus the bed. It got upgraded to queen-size, but everything else was the same. The reason he could still see was due to the curtains not blocking every light from outside and completely turning the room into a dark abyss. Maybe the paint was the color too, but he couldn't tell as the lights were off. It didn't smell like a new paint however. Must be the Devil magic or something.
Oh well. Maybe it was for the best. He wasn't one to swim around in luxury, if any, luxuries made him uncomfortable. All in all, Issei was grateful he didn't have to sleep on the couch anymore.
But as he walked and shut the door, he was greeted with a being.
"Hm…?" The blanket rose up from the bed, causing a sudden heart attack on him. "…?"
It was a drowsy-looking Shirone, staring at him with her half-lidded eyes. "…Ise-san…?"
Alas. It wasn't his bedroom, for there were already two creatures resting on the bed, one of which he woken up. He facepalmed. Of course. Why would the new bedroom be for him when he already had one?
"…Ise-san?"
"I'm sorry. Wrong room." Issei quietly said as he retreated, cursing himself for getting so worked up and massively disappointed. He began his downtrodden journey to his room.
Meanwhile, Shirone stared listlessly at the door, confused and left wondering if she was dreaming. In the end, she thought nothing of it since sleep was the better thing to do by miles.
And then Kuroka sat up some seconds later, looked around, annoyed, checked on her sister, and went back to sleep.
Break
Issei couldn't sleep.
His room was just like he remembered, now with two less Nekoshous robbing him off his entire bedroom. His bed was the same, and granted the heavenly embrace his body had longed. However. It smelled very much unlike him now. He didn't know how to describe it, or if he was only imagining it, but the scent was different. It was more… girly-like, and it flustered him so.
He couldn't sleep here. Say what you will but it bothered him too much.
He retreated again, this time to the couch. Give his room a day and hopefully the scent would go away. He could withstand another night or two sleeping on the couch. Or so he told himself, while his back was already tearing up for the prolonged torture.
The lights were on – that's weird. Issei was sure he turned off the lights before he even watched the TV. The explanation came soon though, as Yasaka was shifting through the kitchen. Strange. She rarely, if ever, go out for a midnight snack – it's not midnight yet, but let's not sweat the details.
Actually, no one in this house ever had a midnight snack aside from himself. The rest were always asleep like the good people they are. Or in Kuroka's case, lazy.
As he resettled himself on the uncomfortable but nonetheless faithful couch, Yasaka noticed his presence, followed with his pillows and blankets which stirred confusion.
"Ise?" There was concern in her tone. "Are you planning to sleep there again tonight?"
"Ah… well…" Telling her the reason would be too embarrassing for him. "I… kinda feel like it. It's nothing. Anyway, it's rare for you to be up this late Yasaka-san."
Yasaka didn't press more. Well, she never did. "Hmmn… I can't seem to sleep tonight." She said with a wry smile. "I'm heating some milk to help. Would you like some as well?"
"Actually, that'd be nice." Anything to ease his sleep. After adding the blanket to pad the couch's crevices, Issei walked towards the kitchen. He wanted some snack actually. He told himself that, while in all honesty he just wanted to watch the swaying tails. It's all about the tails.
He sat on the stool by the countertops, giving him the perfect view as Yasaka heated the milk. She might not be aware of it, but her tails always sway when she made something. But it was only this time Issei asked.
"Do you enjoy cooking Yasaka-san?"
"I do, yes." She looked over her shoulder only briefly. She didn't want to overheat the milk. "Do you want me to cook something for you?"
"Wait… that's not why I asked." Issei chuckled. Although he could use some snack to go along with the milk. He didn't know what though. "I was just wondering since you're the only one who can cook in this house, if you're doing it because you have to."
That feeling didn't rise until she completely digested his words.
"Worrying about such things. You're too considerate Ise." She said. She couldn't look at him at the moment. Not until her cheeks stopped feeling tingly.
"Ah well… I don't want you to feel forced on doing anything. You're already doing most of the household stuffs after all Yasaka-san. I feel like you're the one doing everything to be honest." At this realization, Issei realized he needed to pull his own weight – but more importantly that certain someone. "…Have Kuroka ever helped you cleaning by the way?"
"Oh… sometimes. She watches Kunou and Shirone too. She keeps them busy when I couldn't. I don't want to impose her either..." The milk was heated and ready to be served, but she couldn't calm herself yet to turn around and prepare them. He said all of those things so casually, but those words made her happy. Too happy, perhaps. Maybe it was her who overreacted?
"Still, though… At least let her clean her own room now that she has one. Wouldn't want her to turn into a NEET… a supernatural one. I'll clean my own too of course." Issei paused as another realization hit him. "…Wow. I sounded exactly like my mom."
Issei lamented. Is this what becoming old meant?
Yasaka poured the milk into two mugs and set one near Issei. She had calmed down enough. "Here's yours Ise."
"Thanks, Yasaka-san." He dragged the tan porcelain mug closer, and then pushed it away after the hot steam splashed his face. Not the most pleasant feeling even in this winter night.
He stared at the tiny white lake for a while. So many thoughts invaded his mind tonight. He couldn't tell why either, it just happened. He couldn't help it. He got philosophical from time to time and think as if he's the Japanese incarnation of Socrates.
Yasaka tidied a bit before grabbing her own mug. She felt suddenly conscious and found herself not knowing what to do as she too, stared at her cup of milk. A bit nervous. Maybe it was due to the night air, or the odd uninvited insomnia messing her current schedule. She also found herself rewinding his words earlier and smiling a little.
Done with being a pretentious sage, Issei peered at the ticking clock hung on top of the TV. Few minutes until the next day. Few minutes until Christmas. And then, few days until New Year.
"…It feels like 2018 just started yesterday. Man, this must be why my parents keep saying time flies faster when you get older."
Yasaka's ears perked up. "Isn't tomorrow Christmas?"
Issei nodded. "What do you usually do at Christmas, Yasaka-san?"
"It's the same like any other days." Yasaka shifted from behind the countertop and walked to take a seat beside him. All that awkwardness gone from her and leapt to Issei. "Azazel-sama comes by with a cake normally."
"Huh. I guess he's not that much of a cheapskate."
She giggled. "He's a busy man."
Issei took a sip. The warm milk immediately embalming his chest with warmth. God bless anyone whoever thought to squeeze a cow's udder.
"What about you Ise? What do you normally do?"
"…Well…" 21 years and still not one Christmas he had spent with a girlfriend. "…I don't celebrate as in celebrate it, like gifts and such. My parents dine out while I stay home most of the times."
"Oh? You didn't come along?"
"We eat out somewhere in the afternoon, then I stay at home at the evening. I don't really like going outside for too long, haha…" Lies. He couldn't wait to open the 'gifts' he exchanged with the M&M.
"I see… maybe I should try to bake a cake tomorrow."
"You've never baked one before?"
Yasaka smiled weakly. "No. There was no oven in the old shrine."
"Right. That makes sense." All of it was made of wood after all. "Well, I'm no expert at cooking or baking, but I think baking a cake would be easier... You're very good at cooking Yasaka-san, I'm sure it'll be great too."
"Thank you." Now she really had to bake one tomorrow. Or rather, today. "Ise?"
Issei had just finished his milk. He was a fast drinker, unlike her who took her time. "Yeah?"
"Merry Christmas Ise."
Somehow, that standard greeting was amplified by the look she gave to him. That kind, warm, gentle and calm look, accompanied with a smile not less pretty than the carrier herself. Up close, Issei was reminded how beautiful this woman sitting beside him.
He cast aside the fluster before it became awkward for the both of them.
"Merry Christmas Yasaka-san."
"Fufu, you have some milk on you." She said as she reached out to brush the spot between his mouth and nose, where some of his stubble had regrown, wiping the white stain so casually despite Issei's imminent breakdown.
Issei stared eyes-wide. Yasaka just then realized he wasn't her daughter, and after realizing what she just did, became extremely embarrassed and pulled her hand away, clutching it by her chest.
"I-I'm sorry! I acted out without thinking!" She couldn't stare at him again, instead looking down at her still full mug of milk.
"I-it's alright." As if. His heart nearly jumped out his chest. "Don't worry about it too much Yasaka-san, ahaha…" So should he.
"…I'll head back inside. Thank you for accompanying me, Ise-dono." She nervously got up, bringing the mug along. "Please don't stay up late..."
How kinder could she be? Equally embarrassed and yet she still paid attention to his health. It made him calmer somehow. "I'll try… Good night, Yasaka-san."
"…Good night, Ise."
And thus, she retreated to her room.
He could still feel the trace of her slender thumb, the soft and the slight scent of soap. Crazy to think how impactful it was. Her motherly and composed air was beautiful, but seeing her being overflustered that she even raised the pitch of her voice was another level of cute.
"Ah shit. Get a hold of yourself you virgin…"
Both of them had difficult time sleeping that early Christmas morning. It didn't help that Issei kept staring at his phone and watch silly internet videos before going down the rabbit hole after watching something weird for two hours.
But they were both happy, and neither regretted they had stayed up later than usual. It was a night the two of them would look back fondly, and perhaps, would draw laughter.
This chapter was brought to you by the Yasaka-gang
Wait. That's it? 4 months without update and that's it?
Yes my bruddas. It's not that long of a chapter, but I swear I won't take that long anymore to pump out a new chapter
Anyhow. You think I forgot Yasaka? HAH AS IF
This chapter would've been perfect if I released it last Christmas, which was my intention, but shit happened
but danzy wtf where you been
long story short, i was captured. i dealt with my cunt thesis, moved back to my home, and is now a working man.
like I said, I was captured. This is my plea for help
also, im a fiance now. and no, it's not with your mom, and no, it's not with mine either
And one thing about the poll, I didn't know you can't change your choice once you picked it. So I guess this is sort of like an election. Goddammit I knew it all boils down to politics in the end – even in fanfiction. thanks obama
Anyway, merry belated Christmas, happy belated new year, happy belated valentine, happy easter etc. and in case I don't update in time which is pretty much a certainty by now, happy Hanukah, merry 4th of July, merry Christmas happy new year 2k20
Lastly, very kind peoples asked if I have a pateron or something for them to donate to, which I don't have and thankfully doesn't need. Thank you for being so considerate, but gib them to someone who does need them yes-yes? Like restoring the Notre Dame or smthing
Okay bbye