damn man. 2020 just started but i'm tired of it already. Fukin jake paul didn't catch any fist on his cunt face fam like come on
Australia's on fire and now coronavirus? Like bruh. Even the ocean water's getting too acidic that even crab shells are melting. If you got some money to spare, now's probably a great time to donate some
just not to PETA cuz they suck ass ( ͠° ͟ʖ ͡°)
Stay safe dudes and dudettes
Everyday Life with Supernatural Girls
Chapter 15
||A Start of a New Beginning||
"Wh-what? You have to work tomorrow?"
"Haha, yeah." Such is the life of the working class. "It is how it is- until I get a better job maybe."
She had lived for more than twenty years, but even Yasaka wasn't aware that people had to work this much. "But tomorrow is only the 2nd day… can't you take a day off?"
"Mn, no. I can't." Issei rubbed his neck as he sipped on his hot coffee. "Part-timers don't get annual leaves. It's okay Yasaka-san, I've asked for a night shift on the 4th. We can still go to the shrines together, it's no big deal."
"I understand, but…" She trailed off, unsure of what to say next. She fully realized Issei worked for money, and other than that, to lower outside suspicion on how a boy could life in a comfortable place without working, but mostly to save up once the government start to lower the allocated funds.
Of course, by that time, her kind should be able to take a job as well. But does that mean until that time comes, he has to work every single day?
On the other hand, Issei couldn't be more grateful to whoever was granting this to him. To have someone as kind and beautiful be concerned about him. That much had made his day, and it had only just started.
"…But won't you be tired?"
"It's alright. I'm still young." Issei smiled confidently, puffing out his chest to brag in a joking manner. "You don't have to worry that much, Yasaka-san. Besides…" He briefly debated whether or not he should say it, because it'd be as if he was an excited child days before a field trip.
'Screw it.'
"I kinda am looking forward to that day you know… I kinda wanted to go somewhere else with you other than the market."
That sounded like a proposal to date. Issei just realized that once the words got out of his mouth. But it was vague so maybe Yasaka didn't comprehend it the same way—
-was what he hoped for, as he noticed her ears were flailing slowly side to side, her soft cheeks reddening, and her lips quivering to a small bashful smile. She was being shy and it was so damn cute. Her kind of blushing is one that warmed the soul, a sort of compliment to the eyes and conveying her delicate sweetness within. Her faint smile showed a connection, that the smile and shyness come from some deep emotion... and that was a beautiful thing. She is beautiful.
But her blush caused memories of last night flooded into his head, and his heart raced wildly. Issei glanced down at his empty cup and pretended there was still some tea in it, drinking it as he calmed himself. It'd be hard to get rid of those thoughts, or the smell of her soap, or the light reflected by her glistening back, and it might be impossible, but damn him if he didn't try—not that he was going to completely forget it. That'd be a waste and possibly the stupidest thing to do.
"W-well I mean with everyone else as well," Stammered Issei, "Not just with you—though not that I mind…"
That was a ballsy move rarely done by a romcom manga protagonist. Unfortunate that Yasaka was too enraptured by his earlier words to take notice.
"…Y-yes? I'm sorry… I-I wasn't paying attention."
'Mission failed. We'll get them next time.' Echoed in his head. "Nah… it's nothing."
Both turned to the stairway as they noted someone was heading down. To everyone's surprise – Kuroka, and with one hell of a bedhead too. Her black hair had been so smooth which was likely caused by her idleness, but there were tufts of hair sticking out everywhere. Her pajamas couldn't be any more crumpled either.
Her hair looked puffy, to put simply, and Issei wanted to feel them.
"Fuwa— mornin'…" Kuroka yawned. It was highly strange for her to come down before 8. It was very normal of her to take control of the sofa, however; already she was sprawling all over it and then curling to make her seem smaller to keep her warm.
She wanted to catch more sleep, obviously, but it was pretty hard to do when two pair of eyes were glued on her. "…What're you lookin' at… I ain't a painting."
"You'd probably be an abstract painting."
A pillow hit Issei square in the face.
"Would you like anything to eat or drink, Kuroka-san?"
"Ehhh… Nah. I drank some water. Not hungry… yet."
"Okay."
A stray question wandered over to Issei's surprisingly constantly thoughts-filled head. "Kuroka, can you cook?"
Kuroka lifted one eye open. "Does water count?"
"Thought so."
Another pillow landed on his face. Issei then hugged both of them as he was sure it would be only a matter of minutes until Kuroka whined about her lack of pillows.
"Oh! Happy New Year Kuroka-san. Please look after me this year as well."
"Hm? Oh, right. Merry new year. Please cook for me this year too."
Other people would had said something smart or snarky, but not Yasaka. She just smiled and giggled a little, never seeing the bad in people. Even to someone as lethargic as this nekoshou specimen.
"You're thinking something rude ain't you nyan."
"No I wasn't." Issei blatantly lied. Didn't bother to make the slightest pinch of effort.
Which Kuroka noticed. Unfortunately for her, she had run out of pillows to throw.
"Odd of you to wake up before Shirone. You even slept pretty late." Issei pointed out. Yasaka wanted to ask the same but she didn't have the heart as she thought it was a rude question. Bless her soul.
Kuroka stretched her hands to her front and her rear to the air; just like an oversized cat, before responding; "Slept too much yesterday's afternoon. Probably. Nyan."
"…Figures." At this point, he should've known better.
It didn't make her mad since it was true, but Kuroka wanted to say something to get back on him. And it was at that moment a wicked idea tickled Kuroka's mind.
With a suggestive grin, she looked at the two on their own separate couch, and said; "What about you? So relaxed after your little bath together hmnnya~?"
Yasaka's face was quick to turn red, while Issei had trouble keeping his mouth from curling into a victorious grin.
Kuroka boredly added; "Yeesh. Just go out already. What even are you two waiting for you silly geese."
Now Issei started to blush and panic. Yasaka was pretty much fuming. "Whoa… hang on a minute here… Isn't it a bit too early for this?"
"Oh please. It's obvious you two like each other. I mean look at her tails and her face. Or just her tails."
"Kuroka-san… please stop." For whatever good it would do to her, Yasaka hid her face behind her hands as her tails flailed wildly, unable to lie just like their owner. It was overwhelmingly adorable that even Kuroka's heart skipped a beat.
Issei's heart raced like it never had, eyes cemented on her. It was as if he just had sprinted 100 meters and back without breaks. His palms were sweaty, knees weak, arms were heavy. He was nervous, on the surface he didn't look calm or ready.
Because he wasn't ready. He felt he wasn't ready. Did he have what it takes? He was only a young idealistic boy with little remaining dreams, but one of them was to make her happy. He knew she didn't hate him, but he didn't know if she wanted to be with him—but if so, then why did she share a bath with him? Surely she wasn't the kind of person to just take baths with other people?
His mind was telling him 'yes', every fiber of him told him to go ahead and stop being a wimp, but there was this one tiny part of him that told him otherwise. The romcom protagonist part of him that told him he didn't want for things to change, for things to stay the way they are, for him to wait for a better moment to confess, and other bullshit reasons to prolong this whole escapade.
"Well I-" he stuttered as all eyes were suddenly on him—Yasaka peeking between the gap in her fingers. Kuroka's were widened as she didn't seem to expect this outcome, but was 100% committed in watching things unfold. After taking another deep breath, Issei restarted.
"I mean… I know I have many flaws… My job isn't that great, and I don't know if I'm a good person… and… there's still a lot for me to learn, but I want to learn more about you. I know I'd do anything to make you and Kunou happy, Yasaka-san. And uh… yeah. I… like you. So… if you go out with me, that'll make me the happiest in my life."
10/10 confession right there. If Issei could turn back time to redo it all over, he'd do it this instant.
Also, for some reason, Kuroka got nervous and excited.
And now it all depended on her. Her response could either make or break this 20-something year old of a boy in his transition on becoming a man. Both were nervous, both were bashful as hell, but only Issei had the courage to say what he felt so far.
"B-but I'm and old woman, Ise-san… a-and I have Kunou too. I don't want you to regret anything…"
"I won't regret anything!" Issei said with headstrong determination, surprised at himself. "And age isn't important, it's the maturity, I think… that matters to me."
Kuroka's tails were swishing wildly. This was actually her first time seeing a confession live.
"O… okay…" she muttered quietly as she showed her face, cheeks rosy red and full of a timid smile. Her eyes glimmered with tears of uncontainable joy while her heartbeat skyrocketed. She made Issei fall in love in her again with just a single, bashful, teary look.
"If you would have me… P-please look after me… Ise-san."
.
.
.
There was a long, heated silence. All parties were embarrassed that even Kuroka was flicking her tails as a sign of discomfort, and splattered on her cheeks was a very light pink tinge.
"W-well! Imma take a long hot shower now nyan. Ciao~ You two lovebirds have fun while you can."
'Coward! YOU did this!' Was Issei's thoughts as he helplessly watched the nekoshou fled the scene. But nonetheless, Issei was a very, very happy man, and Yasaka was a very happy kyuubi.
She flinched as Issei let loose of a sigh like he was deflating. Wiping her teary eyes, she looked at him with concern.
"Oh man… that was nerve-wracking." He chuckled, covering his eyes with one hand. "You've no idea how happy I am right now. This is kinda embarrassing."
He played it coolly to make Yasaka less nervous, but in truth, he wanted to yell at the top of his lungs, at the top of the highest building, and shout 'I got a girlfriend and she's cute' to the entire world.
"M-me too…" Yasaka muttered, tails still actively wagging. "Just being with you… makes me happy, Ise-san."
"…Thanks." Oh crap, his heart was going to burst. Could this be the joy of having a girlfriend? No. This is the joy of going out with Yasaka. Or maybe because he ended his 22-years-without-girlfriend streak. That, or the thought of rubbing it on Matsuda and Motohama's faces. They were certain to be jealous and Issei could not wait for that day to come where he could brag about it.
His entire body jittered as he felt a hand on his. Yasaka made the first move and grabbed his hand; he was ashamed, but happy. It was a fleeting feeling, however, as Yasaka retracted her hand just as quick.
"I… um… sorry…" She whispered as she looked on her hand. "I was curious to know what it's like…"
'Oh lord, she's so cute how is this fair.' Issei gulped, and in exchange, touched the palm of her hand while looking at her straight in her golden eyes.
"Me too. I want to hold your hand."
Yasaka thought Issei was the coolest person she had known at that moment.
"Okay…" She held his hand as she stared at their linked hands, and smiled. Strange how this simple thing could make her feelings all fluttery and put her mind at ease.
Learning something new… it seemed that would be how this year would go for her.
As Yasaka looked at him, at the man who was looking the other way to hide his grinning face, she knew she held the hand of a kindhearted and good man, and most importantly, a man who Kunou was the happiest with.
And speak of the little devil, and out she came from the door next to them, rubbing her sleepy eyes for a moment, and as she remembered something, suddenly sparked with energy as she darted to her mother and her Caretaker, giving them a small big hug and a great smile.
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"
"Happy new year dear." Yasaka replied warmly, with her warm smile.
Issei returned the smile with his own wacky one, "Happy new year Kunou. Be a good girl this year too yeah?"
"Mhmm, mhmm. Kunou be good- and wh-!" Issei swore to god, the face she made fit exactly to the 'OwO' text emoji that one friend used, only this time it didn't send shivers. "What's this? Hold Kunou hands too!"
And they held hands happily ever after.
||The end||
jk lol
Issei wanted to spend the whole day just being next to her. Talk about stuffs, learn more about her hobbies, what she liked or disliked, think about what kind of gifts would make her smile, or just listen to her humming in the kitchen. But alas, promises were made and he intended to fulfill them, for Hyoudou Issei is a man of his words.
It was a shame, but Issei had promised to meet with his friends today, and that he did.
The same, astonishingly enough – or perhaps unsurprisingly enough, Yasaka felt the same. She, too, wanted to spend more time with him.
But she shouldn't be selfish. She herself didn't truly understand the idea of 'dating', as in what to do and what not to do, what she should and shouldn't. For once she didn't know much, and for once, Yasaka had something new she was eager to learn.
"Wow. Someone's over the moon."
Her tails jerked and froze from wagging as Yasaka turned her head around, finding Kuroka lazing on the counter but was staring at her with judgy eyes.
"Yes? Would you like to have something Kuroka-san?"
"Yah, I want that tail of yours. They're so cuddly and warm. Mine's too thin to be hugged, see." She flicked her tails to make her point. Then she smirked. "Ise's a lucky guy eh~? He's a sucker for those puppies y'know. He might've wanted you cuz of those."
A little bit mean for a tease and cruel for someone who had just started going out, but Kuroka was honest with herself. She was honestly irked seeing this fox-lady swishing and swooshing her tails all day every once in a while, undoubtedly thinking about the boy.
"R-really? He thinks so…? I'm glad…" But Yasaka's reaction was beyond her expectation; the kyuubi was pleased. She even went ahead and cupped her own cheeks while her tails wiggled lightly. "…Fufu~"
And she had the gall to titter cutely in front of her. What outrage. With a collapsing sigh, Kuroka smushed her cheek on the counter. "You're too much."
"Yes? I'm sorry?"
The girl was in her own little world right now. She was like someone who hadn't yet see the cruelty of the world, and Kuroka was a little bit worried about it.
"Nothing." Huffed Kuroka. "Now that you're lovey-dovey with him, what if Issei likes someone else other than you?"
Maybe she shouldn't have said it when Yasaka was wiping the plates, but to her surprise, she took it with no trouble.
"Oh, how nice. I'd rather not tie him down as much… there's not much I can do for him, and I know even if he becomes fond of somebody else, it doesn't mean he hates me."
"W-whoa, that's some heavy stuff. What makes you say that nyan?"
Yasaka smiled as she looked at her. "Because I trust him. He said he'll make me happy."
"And you just buy it because he said that?"
"Yes. Because he's Issei."
"…" Gods her smile was dazzling. She was head over heels for him, and Kuroka wasn't sure if that was a bad thing.
"Fine. Then what if that other girl wants him for herself nyan? You know humans. They can get greedy."
Yasaka was solemn for a good five seconds, thinking. "Then I believe, Ise-san will choose who he thinks is best, and I'll try to support him should he choose the other."
How this woman could say that with a straight smile was beyond her.
"Why do you ask, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Nothin'." Kuroka grumbled, tucking her chin on top her arms. "I'm not saying I am, this is just a what if… What if I like him too nyan? You gonna get mad at me hmnya?"
Yasaka tipped her face to one side, her ear lopping along. "Hm? Why would I? I think it would be nice… I'm certain I will learn much from you, Kuroka-san."
There should be a limit on how much innocence a person could have, supernatural or not. But one thing for sure; Kuroka lost decisively on this matter. However, anyone ever dared to hurt Yasaka in any way, they'd have to go through her first.
Well. If she felt up for it.
"What's wrong?"
Her right ear perked up as she heard the light and quiet voice. Her sister was standing to her side, looking up at her with clear worry in her eyes, at the time donning a fluffy white cat onesie that Issei bought as a late Christmas gift.
Kuroka squealed as she squeezed the living of Shirone, the latter regretting her choice of coming as shown by her attempt to squirm away.
"You're so cute nyan~"
"…Let me breathe…"
Successfully wriggling her way out, and after giving her sister a 'what the hell' kind of pout, Shirone glanced at Yasaka, and stared at her.
Everyone seemed to like staring at her today. "Yes?" Yasaka asked, "Would you like something Shirone-chan?"
"You just assume everyone's hungry when they talk to you huh nyan."
"You look dazzling Yasaka-san." Shirone said, a bit mesmerized. "Are you very happy?"
Her sister was quick on things like this it seemed. Must be because of her quickness, Kuroka thought proudly.
"Oh my, is it obvious? Dear… that's a little embarrassing… but yes, I am very happy Shirone-chan."
Break
"Dude."
.
"Dude."
.
.
"Dude!"
.
.
.
SMACK
"OW! What the hell?!"
Matsuda found that slapping the shoulder was the quickest way to sober someone. A tried and proved method.
"Dude, you were daydreaming! You're like a creep dude, smiling and giggling like a little girl."
"He's probably thinking about tits." Motohama added as he fixed his glasses by the bridge.
"You too. You need to cut that shit out."
"Cut what out? That was a genuine guess."
"The whole 'I am fixing my glasses because I am smart' thing. I just read something and every glasses dudes always do that kind of thing."
"They were slipping off, I wasn't trying to be cool. Like I could be cool. Hell you want me do? Push it up with my nose?"
"Get a new one you cheap bastard."
Meanwhile, Issei wondered how Yasaka would look with glasses on. Tie her hair into a bun, wear something semi-formal, and then BAM. Instant hot teacher/manager/co-worker. Probably. Definitely cute though.
"Agh- screw your glasses. He's drooling again already."
"Am not."
"Yes you were." The M&M said in unison.
"Come on man, spill the beans. Let the cat outta the bag. Blabber. Give us the good stuff. Why're you grinning like an idiot? I mean, I know you're an idiot, but still."
"Naaah, not now. I'll tell you guys, but not now. I'll tell you, I swear."
The way he was smiling ear to ear made them rethink their choice. "Actually, keep it. It's probably something that's gonna make me angry."
"Did you eat Yasaka-san's cooking? Is that it? Or— you spent New Year with her!?"
Issei reflexively made a 'heh' noise. A smug noise that was sure to raise suspicion and mild irritation.
"Yea but that's not it."
"Shit, I'm jealous already." Matsuda admitted. Better to cut loss than be severely green-eyed by his friend's luck. "I don't wanna hear the rest of it."
"…Wait, you couldn't have possibly spend a New Year with her… right?"
Issei's grin grew wider.
Matsuda's expression dropped a few degrees. "You motherfucker."
"Don't tell me…" Motohama muttered as his glasses slipped off again. "…You walked in on her while she was changing?!"
"Hell no!" Actually, he shared a bathroom with her. Realizing that, Issei stammered. "…W-well…"
"This is a code red situation here." Both of the boys' chest were starting to burn with envy. "Ise you lucky bastard."
"So It's about Yasaka-san…" Motohama affirmed, "Ise. What the hell did you do with her."
"Hey-hey… lay off already. I'll tell you when it's time."
"When is the time?
"Not now." Issei quickly replied. "Look guys, if I can tell you, I'd told you already. Just know that it's good shit."
Motohama narrowed his eyes. "Will we get jealous?"
"Most likely."
Matsuda grudgingly drank his glass of ice cold cappuccino. "Then I don't wanna hear your shit anymore."
"Hah! You will, man." Issei smirked. "Anyway. Where's your girls? Are they coming?"
Coolly, Motohama took a swig of his sweet ice tea, and placed it down gently.
"Katase came last Christmas."
Matsuda and Issei gawked at their glassed friend with eyes of disbelief. Issei was about to urge Matsuda to kill him together, but his dreams were shattered as Matsuda did the arm wrestle handshake and stared into each other with mutual respect.
And the dreaded word came from Matsuda's lips; "Murayama did the same."
Issei knew it was inevitable. When a boy and a girl love each other, they bang (unless they're in a harem anime), but to learn they had passed them right in front of his eyes, the realization washed him away like flash flood.
"Impossible." Issei muttered in disbelief, grabbing his head in severe distress. "How could this be?"
"My, my. How the turntables." Matsuda smugly puffed his chest as they were now in the position of power.
"You know what Issei?" Motohama leaned over, nearly causing his glasses to fall as he gave Issei a sinister look. "It felt amazing."
"NOOOOO!"
.
.
.
"But seriously, you guys did it?"
"Hell yeah man." Matsuda proudly stated while Motohama nodded along, obviously gratified.
"All those years spent researching on those eroges has finally paid off."
"Right. 'Research'." Issei rolled his eyes. These guys were no longer virgin but their lameness level remained the same. "Did you put drugs on her drink?"
The M&M went quiet. "Dude."
"Okay, sorry. Sorry… So… I'm guessing your uni got some chloroform laying around?"
"DUDE."
"Alright, alright. I was just joking." Issei laughed, "…Were they drunk?"
This time, the M&M glared at him in silence.
"Fine. Chill out. Congratulations, I guess. I don't want to listen to your last night escapade any further."
Motohama raised an eyebrow. "You sure? I got some juicy news."
"No, because I'll get jealous as hell so no." Issei grumbled, "But it makes me glad you guys did it. That means I still have hope."
"Alright, listen here ya little shit. This bald head will head you to oblivion."
"Please don't give me head. I'm not that desperate."
Later on, when the boys exited their cheap hang-out spot; a recently opened coffee house, heading to their next destination which was a budget conveyor belt sushi establishment, the unsuspecting Issei was headbutted on his back.
During their lunch, and as there were plenty other customers to drown their intelligent discussion, their established smartest guy of the trio raised an interesting yet pointless point.
"Why do characters go 'ahom' when they eat their food."
"Cuz it's cute, duh." Matsuda answered, and thus ending the discussion.
Motohama and Issei nodded several times, digesting the fact and their food.
"Okay, here's another one;" Motohama said, "In every harem, there's the loli, the big boobs, the tsun-but-rarely-dere, the flat, and then the childhood friend."
"Don't forget the ara-ara Oneesan." Issei added. "…I don't mind this one though."
"No one does." Matsuda agreed. "Worse if it's a shonen show dude, all that girls and all the bath scenes and the MC is still a fucking virgin loser."
The trio nodded solemnly at a point well made.
"It's an epidemic of romcom protag syndrome."
"Well… maybe they want to avoid being rated R…" Issei argued
Which was shot down instantly by Motohama. "Dude. They show panties and bare tits. And if they want to avoid censorship, they could've just had a time skip. Or even a fade to black when they're on bed eating each other's mouth."
"True. Maybe they think it's funny. More obnoxious means funny. Kinda like those gaming youtubers, but weebified."
And the conversation died for a little while, until Motohama said something that unnerved everyone including those who overheard without intending to.
"You know those confession stalls, right? The one in catholic churches…"
"Yea? What about it?"
"…" Motohama paused for a moment, before continuing, "They say 'Forgive me Father, for I have sinned', right?"
"Yeah…?" Issei didn't like where this was heading while Matsuda was still chugging down fishes and shrimps.
"…Do you think someone ever said 'Forgive me Daddy, I've been a very naughty girl'"
Matsuda choked on shrimp meat, Issei wanted to scream and erase his thoughts from ten seconds ago, and the whole crowd went into an unnerved state of silence.
And they talked about the current situation of the internet, about the latest memes and the latest degenerate anime or manga they could think about while gulping down rolls of economical sushi for almost half an hour, until Motohama checked his phone.
"Huh… Katase wanna join us. Murayama's in too. You cool with that dude?"
"Yeah sure. What the hell." They might be their girlfriends, but they were his friends still. Despite the beatings. He actually forgot to text them for New Year too. "We should move table then. That one's empty."
And so, they asked to be moved to the six-seater, and waited there.
.
.
.
The trio froze as they saw the girlfriends weren't alone, but also with a certain bluish black-haired young girl who made every male in the store turn their eyes for a moment as if entering a trance, and all were flustered as Himejima Akeno zipped down her coat, revealing her turtleneck sweater that had quite the swell.
"Big-tiddy onee-sama." Matsuda whispered in a voice that only his boys could hear.
"Hello boys. We met her not far from here. Apparently, she was lost." Murayama greeted, taking off her red blocktech coat as she took a seat in front of Matsuda. "You won't mind—pf, what am I talking about. It's obvious you won't mind her joining."
Her threatening glare was met with a sheepish smile from the bald idiot who couldn't have make his leering more obvious.
As she squeezed between the table and the chair to sit next to Murayama, Katase had a rather similar reaction towards Motohama. Only hers were silent and instead of glary eyes, hers were the sad, doe-like eyes that pierced through his guilty conscience.
"Erm… Hey."
"…You didn't have to look at her for too long."
At moments like these, Issei was the only who could grin, until he remembered he too now have a girlfriend. But even so… tits… they were a force to be reckoned with.
"Good afternoon," Akeno greeted, taking a seat beside Katase. "Happy New Year everyone. I hope I don't disturb much, ufufu~"
As she slouched her posture, her breasts were lied on top of the table.
'I sense a great disturbance within my pants.' Thought the three idiots, altogether as they all took a sip of their free-refill cold green tea and stared at their transparent glasses for an escape. Self-control was crucial. At least for Motohama and Matsuda at their current state.
"This place is bigger than I thought, ufufu, I keep getting myself lost at a new place."
"You'll get used to it Akeno-chan. Even if you keep getting lost, you'll run out of places to be lost."
"Ara… That would be sad. I love discovering new places."
'Damn. That was pretty deep.' Thought the three idiots.
"Do you like travelling Akeno-san?" Asked Murayama whose peppy air had put the boys at ease. Because after all, the boys weren't known best for their communication skills. Towards other girls at least.
"Yes! I love going around- even though I don't really know where I was, ufufufu~" Akeno placed a hand on her cheek; another thing that the boys thought could only be seen on anime.
"Ehhh… you're bad with directions aren't you."
"My, yes." A light tinge of blush splattered across Akeno's smooth cheeks. "It's a little embarrassing. I can't seem to remember much. Hopefully that changes now."
Katase started to brush her pink hair with her fingers, "There's not many obvious landmarks in this town… except maybe that shrine."
"Oh! That's my house." Akeno smiled cheerfully while the others had a surprised look on the face. Except Issei. His manager told him.
"Whoa… you live in a shrine? That's pretty wild." Murayama said as she grabbed a moving tray of sushi without looking. It was like she knew. "Can we come visit you sometimes?"
"Of course! I'd be happy to." Akeno smiled pleasantly, causing heartbeats to be skipped. "That's where I was trying to go to, but here I am instead ufufu~"
Not knowing how to get back to one's home at this day and age was something rather worrying, yet Akeno showed the least sign of worry compared to the others.
Issei had a wild guess that she flew back to her home once not many people were on the streets, but that was just his wild guess. He didn't know how high a fallen angel could fly. He then went of a tangent and wondered if there's a fallen angel who's scared of height. That'd be very sad but a bit funny.
"Wh-what about a phone?" Murayama suggested, "You can always take a look at the map from there."
"You can do that?" Akeno tilted her head as she took out her phone from her small purse; a touch screen mobile. Though it wasn't the latest phone and was a few years behind.
It was just like Issei's; he didn't care much about having the newest phone since he didn't use it to play. As long as it could play 'videos' then he's peachy. Although, he felt bad for expecting her to not have a phone. Or to have a flip-phone just because she lived at a shrine.
"Can you please teach me how?"
"Sure thing! Katase, you do it."
"…" Katase had expected this outcome. "Here, Akeno-san… you can either look from the google maps app or install a new one like—"
As the girls taught Akeno, Issei and the boys stared at each other awkwardly, somewhat amazed at the girls' naturality of making friends and how fast they could get Akeno to be all chummy with them within minutes.
Then again, they're girls. If they were dudes – say, Kiba - the trio would be pissed instead.
"By the way, are you in uni Akeno-san?" Issei decided he had to try to get to know people. He couldn't remain an introvert who didn't want to try to communicate.
"Hm? I'm not going to any university at the moment Issei-san. My family moves a lot quite often."
Issei had a guess on that. Yasaka had to constantly move until the last shrine; shrines don't often get visitors, and he suspected it was the same reason why her family moved here. This town wasn't big, the people lax, and many enjoyed a slow-paced living unlike the bustling cities.
"My father is too overprotective of me to allow me to live on my own." Akeno sighed and puffed her cheeks, her lips creating a small pout. All agreed it was cute. "Are you all living by yourselves?"
"Yeah, we're all renting a place." Matsuda answered first. "It's near the Gremory Uni. It's the biggest thing in this town, you can't miss it. We all live close-by since the rent is cheap - except this dude. This guy's at the suburbs."
"Dude's got money." Motohama added. "The rent there is like twice of ours."
"Yeah, well, I am working you know. And the landowner is a friend so I got a discount." Technically, Riser is his landowner, and 'free' is a 100% discount – though not counting for the utilities. He'd need a better job if he was to finance his small group's daily living.
"Damn. You're a lucky guy aren't you."
"Sure, sure." Issei shrugged off Matsuda's semi-compliment, and readied his counter. "You say that, but I'm not the one who got lucky at Christmas."
As the girls and the boys caught what he meant, and started to nervously try to find something to distract themselves with; grabbing another serving, ordering some drinks, anything to not look at their partner, Issei felt victorious. In his arrogant triumph, he smirked - just a small pouting of the lips; a narrowing of the eyes and a tilting of the head. Sure felt good to be smug. No wonder Kunou liked it.
Akeno didn't catch the hidden meaning, but she was clearly jealous. "How nice… What's it like living by yourself?"
"Hmm…" Matsuda crossed his hands. "Probably… nice? I wanted to go away when I was in high school. I don't got no complaints."
"Me three~" Murayama joined. "There's no one to nag you and it's like… liberating, y'know."
"Same here." Motohama finally took off his glasses that kept slipping off his nose. And, for some a reason that was rather bizarre, Katase was blushing, and only Issei noticed those red streaks on her face.
Goddammit, he wanted to see Yasaka soon.
"What about you Katase-chan?" Asked Akeno.
"H-hm?! O-oh… It was scary and lonely at first, but I get used to it... I'm lucky I have my friends nearby."
Motohama narrowed his eyes. "Why're you nervous all of the sudden. Your face's red too."
Katase averted hers. "…Nothing."
"Prolly thinking 'bout Christmas time." Issei adlibbed.
They blushed. They quieted. They got nervous. Issei smirked. Rinse and repeat.
"How nice…" Akeno muttered. "I'm so jealous of you. What about you Issei-kun? Do you like living alone?"
"Ehh… well… I live in a shared house, so I'm not exactly alone." 'Crap', he thought. He should have said 'yes' and be done with it instead of raising the suspicion.
"…Shared house?"
Goddammit. He forgot Motohama was sharp. His intuition was like a dog's nose, but instead of drugs it's about anything that might increase his envy; new porn games, new porn magazine, or just porn in general.
Matsuda's eyes widened as he caught his friend's signal. "Dude… no way… you're not living with Yasaka-san aren't you?"
"No, I'm not."
"Look at me in the eye and tell me you're not."
Issei looked at Matsuda's eyes. "I'm not."
"Without grinning you bastard."
"Dammit." The fox was out of the bag.
"Ehhh?! With that Yasaka-san?!" Murayama exclaimed, "Woah, woah, that's crazy! How could anyone agree to have you there?"
"Hey! I'm a changed person!" Issei defended, "…kinda." Still a pervert at heart, he was. He just learned how to control it better and not show it at all times like an idiot. He was already on his 20s. He couldn't live as a degenerate forever.
Katase placed a finger on her lips. "I'm worried now… Do you share the same bath?"
"No, no, my room got its own shower- hey don't just think badly of me!"
"That's not something easy to do, you know, considering your past deeds." Both Murayama and Katase each glared at him and then at their respective boyfriend, who all had cold sweat.
"Past deeds?" Akeno echoed, "What past deeds?"
All the boys shook their head, frantically begging her to not tell her about their dark, perverted past.
Sighing, Murayama answered, "They were bad boys Akeno-san. Used to, at least…" and gave a gentle smile that immediately eased the boys' mind.
They were redeemed, at last.
"I'm sure they've reflected on it." And the smile was replaced with a glare. "Deeply."
"Yes. Yes, we have ma'am. Regret it deeply we have." Said the formerly notorious Perverted Trio. "We should have asked for permission."
Murayama and Katase felt the sudden urge to forcefully knock senses to their head.
Break
"See? It's easy to use right?"
"Mhmm. Thank you Katase-chan."
"Now don't you get lost again!" Murayama said with a 'genki' grin.
'Oh shit.'
Was all that Issei could think of as he made his way back to his house. He was overjoyed that he'd get to see Yasaka again after a whole day of not seeing her, but he was also restless. Why? Because he wasn't the only one going.
Murayama thought it would be a great idea to walk Akeno home, but then Akeno asked if she could have a look at what a shared house looked like, and then everyone wondered what a shared house looked like due to their peasantry, and now he was stuck in a rut.
He couldn't think of viable reasons to assure them they couldn't go in. Shared house rules basically depended on its residents, but saying 'no to outsiders' sounded like an unreasonable rule. And he'd hate if anyone started to think he was living with a control-freak.
But at least, the M&M couldn't tag along; their girlfriends forbid them. Though that was only a small relieve for him.
He had sent messages to Kuroka and Yasaka, as well as Azazel since he couldn't think of anything else. There was no response yet from the girls, and most likely due to Yasaka rarely ever keep hold of her phone, and Kuroka rarely ever keep herself awake.
As for Azazel—
He called him.
As his phone rang, Issei walked a little bit ahead from the girls before picking up his phone.
"…Yo."
"Yo." Azazel sounded not as pissed as he'd imagined. "Your friends coming over eh?"
"Yea- what do I do? I can't think of anything—must be the beers."
"Drink responsibly." Azazel said, "Anyway, don't panic. It's cool; you don't need to worry. I've sent Raynare over, so anything goes wrong; she'll wipe their memory."
"Whew, alright. That's relieving. I forgot you can do that."
"That's why we're the Overseers. We cleanup the Caretakers' mess." Azazel proudly replied. Issei could imagine the guy thinking he was cool for saying that. "Besides, it won't be long now before the announcement."
"What announcement?"
"The announcement." Azazel hinted, "The govs want to start the year strong. Tonight at 8, it'll be broadcasted everywhere on every channel. It's late here because it's scheduled at 11pm GMT or UTC. I forgot what you Japs use."
A massive wave of joy crashed over him. "You mean?!"
"You heard me. Go take the girls somewhere nice at the weekend."
Issei's mood took a 180-degree turn, and his smile emerged. "Holy sh- that's great news!" Kunou would be elated, he realized, and his mood climbed higher. More so as he imagined how Yasaka and Shirone would react. Kuroka probably would have a weak response.
As the call ended, he turned around at his girl friends, who all had the same questioning look on their faces.
"You look happy." Murayama pointed out.
Issei sniggered, "You'll know why soon enough."
"Should we be worried?" Katase muttered, and Murayama agreed with her. Issei felt a little hurt.
"Wh- so mean! It's nothing bad, I swear!"
Akeno small-ran up to his side, walking beside him much to the other girls' surprise.
Issei's too. "Y-yes?"
"I'm sorry," she whispered. Her voice was quiet enough that only he could hear, "I forgot you're a Caretaker, Issei-kun… is it okay? I can maybe convince them to stop."
"Ah… well, don't you worry about that Akeno-san." Issei beamed, giving her not just one, but two thumb's up.
"Everything's gonna be just alright."
To be continued
I am become danz, destroyer of garbage romcom clichés
Who here is super mad when a good romance manga ended the moment a couple was born? Or worse; axed? Surely it can't be just me
Ohman ohman, I so like writing this story cuz it got it's fluffy warm feeling sorta thing. Left it on a high note because I'm planning to post the next chapter hopefully by next week. It's half done already, so fingers crossed
Who knows. Maybe leaving reviews could motivate me enough to keep my words winkwinknudgenudge ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
(This is such a first world problem btw) But srlsy. If you want to leave a review, then make give it some effort. I don't count "Nice" as a review. Ever.
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Anyway, toot toot motherfucker, give way for SS Yasaka - sorry for blueballing you tho. This chapter don't have much of them getting flirty. Don't worry. More to be had at next chap
Rest in peace, Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and all the people in the horrible heli crash. I don't follow basketball but I know Kobe. Anyone who makes a homeless shelter is a decent human being in my book. Yelling 'Kobe!' when I yeet something won't be the same
I hope this story can ease anyone affected who read this