Author's Note: Update and update, until I ran out of idea or time. Again, thank you for all my readers! 40+ favs and 40+ follows might be low for you guys. But for me, it means a super lot. The reviews are what really inspired me to never be shamed or disappointed in my story. If you're reading this, seriously thanks means a big lot to me. Well, enjoy the chapter!
Disclaimers: I don't own Konosuba…

Chapter 12: The Aftermath

*Thunder cracks*

With the ear cracking sound of a thunder strike, and the sound of heavy raindrops crashing in our stable. Aqua just breathes heavily and her face, noticeably showing that she's not REALLY THAT sick.

'Oh no…..What am I going to do!?'

She never gets sick! Of all the days for this to be happening is a day where it's raining thunderbolts.

"*inhale…*exhale*" Aqua tries her best to catch her breath. With a face clearly showing that she's in a really bad shape.

Every anger, frustration, doubt and fear I felt a while ago, was instantly replaced by worry, pain, and…..love.

'Tch! I should be angry at you damn it!'

Panicking, my eyes went to Sui and Hikki. Them just looking worriedly at their sick blue haired owner.

Some sort of hope filled my body as I remembered something important when I came to this parallel world.

'Yes…I'm not alone anymore' A smile coming out from me after my first rejection.

My face quickly became serious as I saw the sick goddess that just rejected me a minute ago.

'…..There's no way I'm leaving you just from being rejected…We're always stuck together right Aqua?'

Aqua just breathes heavily as her breathing gets louder and louder.

"I'm going to make that face smile again…There's no way I'll leave you."

'It's more like a responsibility though. Like a father caring for her daughter…. That's just wrong…Boyfriend caring for her girlfriend then.'

I quickly carry Aqua and laid her in our haystack of a bed. Getting a small basin and a cloth, I went out to get clean water from the back of the stable.

After washing the cloth with cold water, I gently laid it out in Aqua's grilling forehead.

"Tch, your burning up so much." A slight anger coming from my voice, as I feel how hot her forehead is.

Aqua shivering, weakly complains. "I-It's …..h-hot… K-Kazuma…" As she breathes heavily.

'Seeing her suffering this way…Is worse than her traumatizing event with the alligators.'

I look through our small, cramped….and stinky stable room. Our clothes are even hanged in a line throughout our room.

'Aqua can't rest properly in this place.'

This room clearly cannot even compare to properly laid out bed. This room already is hot enough, Aqua cannot be dehydrated. She at least needs a fan to help her rest properly. She even needs to change her clothing to make her comfortable.

"Tch…"

My eyebrows twitch for my foolishness.

'I can't take care of her here, not in this pig smelled room. Even I'm uncomfortable with it.'

I hold my chin as I quickly plan how to properly take care of her.

'First, she needs proper rest. And the second she wakes up I'll quickly give her some medicine, rehydrate her, change of clothes, give her some soup or porridge can really help and needs to be in proper room.'

Hehe, I have a lot of knowledge about this stuff! I averagely get sick actually. My family always takes care of me, and I…kinda….got…observant.

FLASHBACK

*Door opens*

"Kazuma, here eat up. You need to at least have some food in your stomach to help you feel better." My mother holding a tray of her homemade cooked soup.

"Kazuma, I've already bought medicine for your fever. Take it once you're done eating okay?" My dad holding a small plastic containing medicine.

"Nii-san! I brought different kinds of fruit here! Vitamin C can really help a sick person!" My little brother carrying a basket full of oranges.

"There's only orange in there…" I said weakly with a slight smile.

"Ohhh… *scratches hair*"

*Laughter!*

FLASHBACK END

Widened eyes staring at the wall. A tear flowing down my face. A slight chuckle escaping my lips. I wipe away this tear of realization. As I hear the rain drizzling from outside.

"I'm such an idiot. For even doubting my families love for me." I just smile looking at my tracksuit, my only memento of the other world.

I look at Aqua's burning face, breathing heavily. My eyes becoming serious as I hear the drizzle from outside getting weaker but still pretty strong.

"*cringe!* Tch!..." Aqua already twitching in her current state.

'No time to waste.. This is my chance.'

I quickly wrap Aqua's burning body with the blanket. Securing and covering her head properly. I easily carry her bridal style, weighing light as a feather due to my adrenaline rushed body. Stopping for a moment to achieve maximum coolness.

"We'll be back soon Sui and Hikki!" I declared determinedly to our goldfish. As I run outside, into the rain. My face determined enough to face this storm.

'It's my turn to take care someone I love!'

*Thunder Cracks!* *Drizzle!*

Despite the loud thunder strikes and the loud rain pouring mercilessly throughout town. The sound of water splashing through every puddle ran into. Fails in comparison to the sound Aqua's heavy breathing.

"*pant* *pant* *pant*"

My body already drenched from the rain. Doing my best to cover Aqua's burning body to the merciless downpour. My clothes feels uncomfortable as I continue running to Wiz's shop.

My time really limited, the longer Aqua stays out in the rain, the worse her condition will be. Luckily for me, I see Wiz's shop showing off a bright light saying that she's open.

Fortunately, I double covered Aqua with blankets so she's nothing compared to my drenched body. But even still….

"Wiz!" I slammed her door open, quickly running towards her, not caring about wetting my surrounding.

"K-Kazuma san!? A-Aqua san!?" Her surprised look quickly became a face of worry.

"She's sick with a terrible fever! I can't take care of her in the stable so I brought her here. Do you have a bed!?" Not caring about the minor details, I just quickly ask her.

"A-Ahhh! Upstairs! In the first room you'll see!" She said surprised.

"Ok! Sorry about the mess!" I run upstairs not bothering to hear her response.

*Slam!*

A nice breeze passes through me as I slammed the door open. Looking at the apartment sized room, I ran towards the bed and gently laid her down. Removing her covers away from her.

"*inhale* *exhale*" Aqua still breathing hardly just laid down to her really comfortable bed. Only after 3 seconds her face slightly became better but not her fever.

'Tch! Need a change of clothes and a moist towel for her forehead.'

The room is perfect for rest.

Wiz runs into the room, as she's going to ask me a question I quickly interrupted her.

"Wiz, can you look after her for a while!? I'll be back with some things. I'll clean up after I get back!"

"Y-Yeah!"

"Thanks!" Not wasting anytime I ran back outside.

Seeing the sun surrounding around town.

Its mighty light just there…..dark clouds already away for some reason…..

'….You motherf*cker'

Not minding my ACHING temples I just ran back to the stable.

After having a one minute bath, I go back to Wiz's shop. My clothes already dried up.

I enter the room and I see Aqua still burning but with a pretty noticeable difference. She's not breathing heavily anymore.

'That's great~'

"Ahhh Kazuma san!" Wiz stands from her chair.

"Yo, I'l clean up don't worry. I brought a change of clothes for her and brought other guards too." I show Wiz Hikki and Sui.

"They're cute~" Wiz stares at our goldfishs, happily swimming after seeing their owner getting some rest properly.

"Ahhh Kazuma san, those clothes." Wiz's eyes widens as she saw the change of clothes I brought for Aqua.

"Well, sorry that I brought this one. I just read that people with fever should wear loose and comfortable clothes. This one was always comfortable for me when I sleep."

Yes! The change of clothes is none other than my tracksuit! It's not because I wanted to see what she looked like when she wears it…..She just needs something comfortable to wear!

I put the goldfishbowl to a nearby table besides Aqua. Getting a mop so I can clean my wet markings from earlier.

"So, how is she?" I worriedly asked, as I mop through the floor.

"It was a really good thing that you brought her here. Even when it was raining-" she whispered something. "(Even though the rain was going stop if you waited for a while)"

"What was that?" Hearing something rude from her, but I cannot quite figure it out.

"N-Nothing! *ehem!* Good thing you brought her here Kazuma san. With the condition she was in, I was able to heal her just a bit to make her rest properly." Wiz became serious for a moment as I just continued moping.

"I'm going to research why Aqua-san got sick. It's really unusual for her to get high fever." She said in a serious tone.

"Yeah, it really is unusual." I replied with the same tone.

'I'll leave it up to Wiz then.'

"Ahhh…..Kazuma-san? Can you go downstairs for a while? I'm going to change her clothes." She said embarrassed.

"S-Sure! I was going to clean downstairs after all."

A hint of shade appears on my cheeks, as I go through the stairs.

'Wanted to see her change though.'

After waiting for a while. I return to the room. Seeing Aqua covered in a blanket, with a wet towel on her head.

'Her body's fully covered. I can't see my tracksuit!'

What a shame….And I can't just look under her blanket…I'll be charged with molesting and sexual harassment.

"Wiz, don't worry about Aqua. I'll take care of her. You go tend your shop." I thankfully said to Wiz.

"Ahhh…Thank you Kazuma-san." She bows appreciately.

"No! No! We're the ones intruding here. I should be the one thanking you for letting Aqua rest here. She can't properly rest in our stable room." I bow respectfully at her.

Sui and Hikki also put their heads down, thanking Wiz.

"Don't worry about it, Kazuma-san." Wiz surprised by my actions probably.

'Oh yeah...Maybe I should do this I guess.'

"Wiz, do you have a kitchen here? If so, where is it?"

I quickly change Aqua's already dry towel with a newly moistened towel. I ran to Wiz's kitchen.

….

"Is that really Kazuma-san?" Wiz's asked herself surprised.

'Okay…..How did mom make it again?'

"Uhhh….."

As I wake up inside, a great splitting head-ache instantly takes over my body. Also feeling a bit hot, but the cold towel in my forehead helped me forget how hot it was. Feeling a little bit comfortable, probably because of my clothes? The haystack, feeling comfortable like a bed? And….why doesn't it smell like horse sh*t today?

I try to sit up. But to no avail, my body can't move.

'Am…I sick?'

So this is what it feels like to be sick. Not being able to move. Feeling really weak and a little bit hot. I try and open my eyes. Only to achieve in opening them half-lidded as a bright light shined over them.

'Where…..am I?'

Unfamiliar scenery engulfs my half lidded eyes. Unfamiliar ceiling, unfamiliar furniture, unfamiliar bed and…..unfamiliar smell.

'Was I kidnapped?' My mind and body unable to react to the shock and fear of that thought.

I then see Sui and Hikki swimming happily just beside my right, in a table. A sign of relief weakly escaped my lips

'Phew…guess I wasn't kidnapped.'

Feeling a little bit afraid, because of my body being too comfortable in this unfamiliar clothing. I look under my blanket.

My eyes only slightly widened weakly, as I saw the clothes of the guy who just confessed to me last night.

My head then reminded me of the events that happened just last night. My already burning face, turned into a tomato as I remember Kazuma's confession for me. Pinning his arms to the wall, blocking my chances to escape, and seriously declaring his confession.

…And I just rejected him….

'Is this…..his farewell gift to me?'

Leaving me with Sui and Hikki, giving me his trademark tracksuit and even giving me a nice place to stay?

'Yeah…it's only natural for it to happen.'

Of course he'll be fed up because of me…..I'm not surprised….Actually, I was expecting for this to happen…

I already expected it then…why does it hurt so much?

My already weak body, weakening even further from having these thoughts.

'I'm…..alone again huh?-'

With the last word of that thought I hear the door open. Looking at it open with my half-lidded eyes. Sadness, regret, frustration is replaced by shock. As I weakly saw the owner of the tracksuit, holding a tray of what it seems to be hot rice porridge.

'I…..rejected you didn't I?'

Then….Then why are you still here?

Kazuma…

After looking through some recipe books. I made a rice porridge, since it was easy to make, good for people with fevers and my mom always makes this for me.

As soon as I open the door, my eyes saw a pair of half-lidded eyes weakly looking at my direction.

"Oh…you're awake." I said a little bit surprised.

*nod*

My body became in a state of worry as I see her face clearly. Still seeing a deep shade of red coming from her because of her fever.

I set down the tray in a nearby table. As I took Aqua's dry towel and put it in the cold water below.

"How are you feeling?" The usual line escaping through my lips.

"Not….so….good…" Aqua replied slowly.

My eyebrows twitch. 'Tch…You're barely able to talk..'

"Don't waste your energy when you're really sick, bakero."

I present her the tray with my trademark rice porridge.

"I know you're hungry. Here, rice porridge. I made it myself since it's great for people with fevers." A small smile emerging from me as I remember mom's porridge.

Aqua just stares at me in reply…..Just staring…Surprised by my actions perhaps? Or….

'Shucks! I forgot she was sometimes a picky eater. Well, I wasn't that confident with my cooking anyway. So I'll get her something else.'

"Ahh, sorry. I didn't know you hate porridges. I'll get you something else you want to eat. I wasn't that confident with my cooking anyway. Wait right there." I turn around, ready to go out the door.

*Tug….*

I feel a weak pull in my clothes. Surprised, I turn around and saw Aqua pulling me.

"I…don't….want…to..eat..anything..else..I..love..porridges..HikiNEET." She demanded weakly.

Butterflies sprout in my stomach as I repeat her words for me.

'Man, do I really love you.'

"I said don't waste your energy. Well, can you move?"

Finally following my orders, she just shakes her head.

'*Sign* Well no choice here then.'

"Okay, I'll make you sit up don't worry."

I walk up to her and remove her blanket.

My eyes widened as I saw what's underneath her blanket.

'My tracksuit…I forgot she was wearing it.'

My face reddened as I cover my face with my hand.

'She looks beautiful goddammit!' Green's pretty great with her too huh?

After removing her blankets, I clumsily sit her up. Just from touching her shoulders I can already feel how hot she is.

'Now this is a problem.'

She can't lean through anything. The bed isn't placed in a nearby wall and so.

'Why am I embarrassed? I should be happy with this.'

I sit in the bed and let Aqua lean through my front.

She weakly looks at me, probably surprised with my actions.

"I'm sorry. There's no wall for you to lean on." I said looking away from her gaze.

'Close! Too close!'

This is another step through our "couple acting business".

My embarrassment vanishes and is replied with a hint of seriousness and worry.

'She needs to rest….I can't be embarrassed now…Need to do this quickly.'

I feel her grilling hot body through my own. I need to feed her now!

"Let me guess, you can't move your hands?" I asked her, a little embarrassed, knowing what's coming up next.

"I…..can…" She replies, as she slowly reached for the spoon.

Only to drop it after holding it.

"Just rest Aqua…You really need to rest…Leave everything to me." I smile at her actions.

Feeling Aqua's breath in my neck, I reach for my rice porridge. My face having a deep shade of red, doing my best to hold the spoon normally.

*Inhale* Doing my best to relax. I scoop up the food, blowing on it a little and guiding it near Aqua's mouth.

*Badum!* *Badum* Being nervous on what the porridge tastes like after being eaten by Aqua.

'Why do people don't taste the food they cooked? Anime girls always do this.'

I rest the spoon in the bowl.

"So, h-how is it?"

Feeling her get closer to me, adjusting her head closer to me to be more comfortable, and a smile that melted my heart.

"….Oishi." She said weakly but….with happiness in her voice.

….My heart almost breaking my rib cage on how loud it just beated in my body.

'Aghhhhhh!' My hand covering my face to desperately try and hide what I'm feeling right now.

"Kazuma…give…me..more." She weakly pleaded.

'AGHHHHHHHHH! My heart!'

I screamed internally, my heart not settling down, my face burning, and my mind almost misunderstanding the "more" part.

After spoon feeding Aqua, we relax for a while. We just lean on each other for a while. Aqua's eyes closed, just relaxing her head on my neck, and I just relax while breathing her aqua blue hair.

'I think I've been drugged.'

After eating, the sick person must let the food digest for a while so they can't lay down.

'I'm not making any excuses for letting her lean to me…. I swear!'

If you don't believe me then I'll lay her down then!

I shake Aqua gently, waking her up.

"Aqua, lie down so you can rest properly."

"Uhhh~…" Aqua weakly shakes her head in my neck.

'Aghhhh! My heart again!'

"…Y-You don't want to?" Why am I wanting to make my heart bursts for asking a question I already know the answer to!?

"Uhhh~.." She weakly nods.

'Aghhhhhhh! My ribcage!'

Seriousness came over me as I feel her hot body in my chest. But I can't resist being happy in this situation. Whoever would be disgusted by this?

"Haha, come on Aqua. You need to rest. I promise I'll be back with more delicious foods for you." I happily promised her.

Hearing the food part in my promise she immediately nods.

'*Sign* I do love you after all' A small laugh escapes my lips, the thought of she's still the Aqua I know and love even when she's sick, makes me chuckle.

I carefully lay her down her bed and fixed her blankets for her.

"Feed….Sui…..and…Hikki."

'*sign* Disobeying my orders for our Goldfishs.'

"Pfft! I told you to do not waste your energy. And I was going to!" I poke her grilling forehead to check her temperature.

'She's still grilling hot but I know she'll feel much better with some rest.' I thought to myself as I feed Sui and Hikki, and they replied with some happy swimming.

'Just keep swimming~'

I know it will lighten her mood somehow.

"Oh yeah, forgot something!' I punch the palm of my hand.

"?"

I open the window, threw out the water in the basin, chanted 'Create Water' in the basin, washed the small towel with the newly fresh and cool water and walked towards Aqua.

Wringing the towel slightly, embarrassedly putting away Aqua's bangs and put the wet towel in her forehead.

"Hehe! Now you can rest properly!" I cockily grin at her.

Aqua just weakly stares at me, red in her face, staring at me with half-lidded eyes.

'Did I do something wrong perhaps? Why is she staring? Is the towel too wet for her?"

"Towel too wet for you? I'll wring it properly-"

As I was going to reach for the towel, I feel her hand weakly gripping mine.

'So you can move your hands!' I feel her hand shaking a little bit though. Is she forcing herself to just hold my hand? I can't deny that my face instantly rose to deep shade of red as I saw her hand weakly gripping mine.

I look at Aqua's face…And I see again that one thing I hate about her…Only this time, there's no sound effects.

Aqua just silently cries with her eyes open while holding my hand. Despite her hand holding mine, I reach out to wipe those tears away.

*sniff*

"Baka, I told you, I hate it when you cry." I seriously said as I look in her eyes.

'Well in the past, yeah I was a sadist but again I'm OOC now. Of course everyone won't help but hate it when his love one is crying.'

I expected that she would at least smile and laugh in my comment. But to no avail, she just cries some more, as she just weakly holds my hand on her cheek.

"I-I…*sob*…t-thought…*sob*..t-that…*sob*.y-you..l-left..me." She said to me stutteringly due to her crying.

The thought of leaving her just shocked my heart. Like a sword just stabbed my chest.

"Huh? Why would you think that?!" I asked her surprised.

"I..*sob*..l-last..night.."

'Last night?'

Hmmmmm, oh yeah! I actually forgot. And how the hell did I forget that traumatizing memory. But no way are my feelings that weak!

"Actually…I forgot that rejection." I give her a slight smile.

"*sob* E-Eh?..." Aqua just weakly stares at me.

"Pfft! You think that my feelings are that weak? I'm not going down with just one rejection.. And most importantly."

I wipe Aqua's tears and gently pinched her cheek.

"I don't think we'll ever be separated from each other. I'm always stuck with you after all. So deal with it! You're stuck with a guy who just loves you so much, and I'm stuck with the girl I love." Not a hint of embarrassment in my voice, so I can show her I'm serious.

That comment just made her cry more.

*Sobs!* *Sobs* *Sobs*

"Stop crying already…" I pleaded her.

Aqua then weakly took my hands off her cheek…

….

…..

….

…

*chu* and gently kissed the back of my hand.

'AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! My rib cage hurtsss!'

My mouth wide open, my brain stopped processing and just stare at Aqua's already smiing face.

"It…looks…like…you're…stuck..with..me.." Aqua happily said to me as she kisses my hand again.

"Ahhh~ You'll pay for this~" Happiness in my voice as I quickly walked away to the door.

Hearing a slight giggle from behind, I leave the room.

As I closed the door I looked at my hand. Still feeling the warmth from it.

*gulp*

….

….

….

….I kiss the part she kissed

'Hehe! Revenge!'

Revenge for what actually?

"HAHAHAHAHA! I feel great!"

Feeling good all over I just skip my way down the stairs.

"Hmmm~ Hmmmm~ Hmmmm~" Loudly humming as I go down.

"Kazuma-san?"

"Hmmm~? Yes, Wiz~?" I happily asked her.

" Kazuma-san your being creepy." She said a little scared.

"Is that so~?" Not really bothered by her comment I just kissed the back of my hand again.

"Ahhh. Kazuma-san. I need to tell you something."

*kiss* *kiss* *kiss* *kiss* *kiss* *kiss*

"Yeah~?" My back hand a little bit wet with saliva.

"It's about Aqua's sickness." Wiz said seriously.

This is the first time I heard Wiz be this serious, so I stopped kissing my hand. I just looked at her seriously showing that she's got my full attention.

"As you know Kazuma-san, Aqua-san doesn't really get sick probably due to her great amounts of mana and strength."

I nod at every facts she's saying.

"But actually that's not the case." Her voice starting to sound depressed.

'Huh?'

"She doesn't get sick because she's a goddess. People from the Axis Sect give her a lot of power and magic power. Even a simple prayer from outsiders can even strengthen her so much."

'Don't tell me…'

"And if she loses those people….Her power and even health decreases drastically."

My eyes widened as I grip the hand she kissed.

'No way…'

"So her people are getting less huh?" With my head down, I just said it unemotionally.

"Yes….Since she left the Afterlife realm, she can't perform the miracles that her people believed and loved for quite a long time." She said sadly.

'Tch!...'

"Some of her people stopped believing in her…."

…Those sick people...They're so greedy about miracles happening to them...

"They probably started doubting that their goddess exists…"

'…What a load of bullsh*t!'

"They probably joined the Eris Sect…Since she probably can perform a lot more miracles than Aqua right now."

'So my ex-love is pretty mean huh?'

"So Kazuma-san, please be ready when Aqua gets worse."

'You mean….this stage is just the beginning?...The stage of having a grilling fever, a weak body is just the beginning!?'

"Ahhh, Kazuma san? Are you okay?" Wiz asked a little shocked.

I realized that I'm practically glaring at Wiz, gripping my hand so hard that it hurts. Regret, frustration, and anger filling my body.

"I…..I need to go outside.." Obviously lying, I still tell Wiz.

Not really wanting to talk anymore I quickly walk outside.

"Kazuma-san….."

'I wasn't finished…There may be another reason why Aqua got sick..'

But…..I'm really surprised…Kazuma-san took it a lot harder than I thought.

'Tch…This was all my fault.'

Aqua got sick because of me…Because I took her here in this world…..She can't give her blessings anymore….And just when I thought it was the best thing in my life when I got her… Only to realize that I'm just being too selfish…

'Aghhhhh! Why did I bring her here!? If I didn't bring her here she would have-' My eyes widen as the memories flowed to my head.

"Arigato Kazuma! Arigato! Arigato! Arigatoooo~!" She starts frolicking in my back.

"Come…back to me…Pls..I..need…you..hikiNEET.."

"No one's ever said that they need me before. Even from the people in the Axis sect. So…I'm happy that you said that to me….Thank you Kazuma."

"Don't challenge me when we're in a body of water, Kazuma." She giggles.

"I *hic* tho-thought, you *hic* s-said *hic* yo-you needed me, hikiNEET! You liar!"

"She said that someone needs her here." Said the crusader.

"Okay, okay! I'm sorry! Can I hold your hand now?" She said demanding.

"How can I not cry in this situation? I can't suppress this happiness right now *hic*." She tried her best to not stutter in her sentence.

"This little guy is really smart. The only fish that didn't get tricked by me. He's probably a loner, a meanie, a cheater but deep down I know he's a really kind guy. It really reminds me of a guy I know." She looks at my burning face and just smiled at me.

"Pffft! *Laughs* Hikki! I'm not cursed! Hahahaha!" She laughs with my lookalike Hiki.

"And I've always wondered if I can experience that. I was happy seeing those people but I also felt jealousy. I wanted to know if you can be truly happy if you attend in this events. I do love my job, but I also get lonely you know? And I now know how much happy you can really get when you go to these festivals. And it's all thanks to you." She happily looks at me.

"You're a hikiNEET. You took all of my first times, Kazuma the Brute. The first guy who saw me in a yukata, the first guy I spent the festival with, the first guy who defended from others, the first guy who tried surprising me, the first guy who held my hand. Everything, you gave me everything Kazuma. Thank you so much." Can't contain her happiness any longer, she finally cries in my chest.

"Morning Sui and Hikki! Starting now we will only be eating bread. HikiNEET told me that we are only eating bread for the next month. Baka HikiNEET making me eat only bread for the next month." This useless goddess happily told our goldfishes.

"*giggle* I never said I hated it, though." She just tenderly smiles as she leans against me again.

"I was already trembling with fear and I was almost going to cry earlier. But when I saw your face, all of my fear just vanishes. I already told you not to worry about me….But you still went on your way just to help a troublesome, crybaby goddess… If I am special to you…..Then of course your special to me."

"…Pfft! Hahahaha!" I laugh out loud, not caring about the stares of anyone in town. My face having a slight blush, as I have a mini heart attack.

'Yeah…..There's really no way I'm regretting that I brought her here.'

With everything we've been through….

I'm not giving up…..Not today!

I know she's happy and she knows I'm happy. I can't live without her anymore.

'She made me so happy….Made me strong….Made me love my family again…And she made me love again.'

And there's no way I'm giving her back to heaven. I'd rather be eaten by a Giant Toad just instead of giving her back.

I use my gears to come up with a plan.

Hearing some claps nearby, I saw some people singing a birthday song as the birthday boy blows up the candles from his cake. An idea popped into my head.

'Hehe! Get ready to be full Aqua!' Grinning like a maniac, I look at the sky.

New found determination feels my mind as I kissed the back of my hand yet again.

KONO!-SUBA!

THE NEXT FIVE DAYS

'Uhhhhhhhh~ Where is that hikiNEET!?'

He's last visit was like five days ago! I've been waiting for him for five straight days! Hmmph! After promising me he'll bring lots of foods, that hikiNEET!

"Aqua….You okay? ...You missing Kazuma~?" Megumin asked me grinning.

"H-Huh!? No way! I'm just looking forward about his promise about bringing lots of food!" I said, confident enough that she believed my lie.

For the past five days, Megumin and Darkness took care of me throughout my sickness. My body already feeling pretty great. My fever gone and my body overflowing with mana.

"Just wait for him Aqua. I think he misses you too. Ahhh~!" Darkness squirms a little as she feeds Sui and Hikki with our month-supply of bread.

"Uhhhhh~ I already said I just want the food!" Still lying,

I just complained ever since that guy stopped visiting.

*Nature's Beauty!* *whoop*

I shoot the line of water in Sui and Hikki's bowl. They just swim happily, since my Nature's Beauty's water already consisted some Shara in it.

"AGHHH! I want to eat some rice porridge!" I didn't realize that my body just slipped up.

"Huh? Rice porridge? Why'd you want to eat something that simple?" Megumin asked me curiously.

'Because he made it obviously!' And there's no way I'll say that to them.

"*whistle* O-Oh nothing!" I said looking away a little blush on my face as I whistle.

"Something's fishy here Megumin…" Darkness proceeds to whisper in Megumin's ear.

"Yeah….She's even whistling here. She always whistles when she lies." Megumin agreed.

'I-Is that true!? I never notice it when I whistle!'

The two of them got closer to me. Staring at me with half lidded eyes.

"Is it about Kazuma again?" They asked in unison.

I just stare at them in the eye…..I started sweating a little…..Hiding my lips….As I stare at them innocently…But suddenly my eyes slowly looked away….

"N-No way…..*whistle* *whistle*" Doing my best to not whistle too much.

They both looked at me with widened eyes.

'SHE'S A TERRIBLE LIAR!'

"*sign* You're always talk about Kazuma ever since the day we started taking care of you." Megumin said shaking her head.

"Ohhhh~! Look you're even wearing the tracksuit he's treasuring so much!" Darkness just wiggles as she uses her masochism move.

'A-Am I always talking about him now? I never noticed….since it just felt so natural.' I blush at my thoughts as I stare at Sui and Hikki.

I touch my lips, I clearly remember what I did to his hand before he left. As I did so, Sui and Hikki opens and closes their mouth again and again…Like they're laughing at me..

"What are you guys laughing at!?" I get close to their bowl as I just talk to them.

Unknowing of me, the two of my comrades suddenly looked in the window as they just nodded.

"Aqua if you're hungry then want to come with us?" Megumin asked….too nicely.

"Yeah, we're just going to e-eat~ outside." Darkness said….sort of acting the eat part.

'Now this is what I call fishy… But whatever, free food!...And maybe I can see that hikiNEET.'

Hehehe, I'm going out with this clothes. Revengeeeeeee~

"Haha! Let's go! Free food!" I said pumping my hands up.

"Yeah! It's free food!" They mimicked me.

"Hey! You're going to treat me so it's free only for me!"

"Ahhhhh….We don't think so~"

'Huh?...What are they talking about?'

And before I could ask them, they just pulled me downstairs and into the door.

"Where's Wiz? Isn't she tending the shop?"

"Nope there's a celebration today!" Megumin said happily.

"Yeah! A really big celebration!" Darkness exclaimed happily not a single ounce of masochism in her voice.

"Ohhhhh! Then let's go! I haven't drank for a long time so let's go!"

Like time became slower as I pushed open the door…

…The light blinding me for a mere second, my eyes quickly got used to the light as I saw the image outside…

….And a loud bang enveloping my ears.

…..

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AQUA!" The whole town screamed in unison…..Megumin and Darkness also greeted me at the same time….The sound almost making my ears bleed, as I can only mutter one word.

"….Eh?" I asked with dumbfounded eyes.

"Hahaha! Look at her face! The plan was a success!" A familiar voice screams as everyone, laughs at me.

"Success! Ohhhhh! Aqua let's go feast now!" Every adventurer we know…Every neighbor and every worker I know pushed me to where the main square is located.

'I can only go with the flow due to the shock that I got due from all of this.'

And as we get closer and closer to the main square. A figure so familiar caught my eye instantly. That figure just grinning like a fool as he saw me running with everyone to go there.

The figure known as hikiNEET, only a few meters ahead of me. Everyone from town just circled around us two and just witnessed the scene.

Kazuma probably knew that I was so much shocked that I can't speak. So he just comes close to my ear as he said something quietly just for me.

"You never had a birthday did you, Aqua?" He asked me quietly.

I could only shake my head in reply.

"I heard you quietly weeping in the stable before….On why you can't have a birthday just like everyone else."

'You…heard that?' My eyes just staring, as my face became slightly flushed.

"So here, I want you to feel to be like a true goddess to this town you saved. You damn-right deserve it. Just party all you want." He said in a grin.

…Something completely filled my body….And it's not happiness.

"Oh yeah…. Are you feeling better? If you still have a fever then don't drink too much beer-" Kazuma stopped speaking as he felt something touch his stomach.

Not containing it any longer I chanted a *God Blow* and just hit him in the stomach….

But to no avail…It had no effect. I hear everyone's ooohhhs for a moment. Until the atmosphere felt silent.

'God Blow" is a lethal fist that carries a goddess's rage and sorrow…Anything it strikes perishes…..right?'

Then why?

Why?

"Why!?" I screamed at the top of my lungs as everyone just stared at me, including Kazuma.

"Why!? Huh!? Why didn't *God Blow* work!?" I weakly punch Kazuma's chest, again and again.

'I'm not happy right now right!? I'm angry right!? Then why!?'

"Just why….Kazuma…..why are you doing this to me?" My punches finally stopping, as I just looked at him with my tearing up eyes.

'This is not just fair….'

"Kazuma….You do know that you don't deserve me right? You deserve someone who's not an alcoholic *hic!*, not a debtful person *hic*, not someone stupid *hic*, someone not someone useless *hic* and…..*hic* not someone troublesome!" My tears finally flowing down from me. Dropping at Kazuma's treasure tracksuit.

"Why are you doing something troublesome , for me? Just…..nande?" I look down… not bothering to look at the townspeople.

The mainsquare just silent… With only the sound of my tears dropping to the floor…

…..

"Isn't it already obvious?" Kazuma said seriousness to the max.

And I just look at him in the eyes. Feeling my fever coming back.

'No you wouldn't, Kazuma…Aren't you scared on being embarrassed?...Don't you want your reputation to be safe….' Starting to have a heart attack, as it gets stronger by the second.

The eyes of the people already widened as they get ready for those 3 words.

"It's because….it's useless."

….What?

"EHHHHHHH!?" Everyone screamed surprised.

I just put my head down…..not depressed. As I can only mutter, with my unemotional eyes.

"Is…that so?" I just asked crying because of sadness now.

"Yeah…..it's useless…. No matter how hard I struggle…..I can't deny the fact that I already fell in love with you….."

"Eh?" I said dumbfounded.

"EH?" With everyone mimicking me.

"Ai-shite-ru, Aqua." He said in a grin.

"OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!?" Every one screamed happily as they all jumped up.

"HAHAHAHA! You dang couple! Let's start the feast!" Our ex boss announced.

Happiness overflowing from my body. I grab Kazuma's hand as we run to the feast. Both of our faces flushed, with the biggest grin on our faces, as we are attacked with heart attacks.

As everyone grabbed their food just waiting for the signal. Kazuma first had something to announce.

"Minna! We're now starting the celebration of Aqua's birthday! But first I have a request! Please pray for the goddess, Aqua's cosplaying for! We won't have the Aqua we know and love today without the goddess from the Axis sect! Please everyone!" Kazuma bowed slightly.

'What did he just say?' I asked as I already started drinking.

"Ohhhhhh! Of course we will! We're going to pray everyday! If that goddess was the reason Aqua came, then that goddess deserves a pray or two!" They happily exclaimed, putting their drinks up.

"Now, without further ado!...Cheers!" Kazuma started the toast.

"Kampai!"

"Umaaaiiii! Kazuma this food is the best!"Megumin shot out in happiness.

"I want to be eaten!" ...No comment in that.

"Ohahaha! So Kazuma, why did you requested the townspeople to pray for me?" I, finally drunk a little. Just let my desires flow.

"Ohhhh, well one of the reasons is of course, I wanted you to have a birthday. And the other reason is *whisper* *whisper*" He explains to me the whole reason why he decided to have a birthday for me.

'What the f*ck did he just say?'

"Ahhhhh. Kazuma-san?" Wiz butts in with a shamed look on her face.

"Oh hey Wiz. Come on let's drink! You're the reason why this party was created the first place!" Kazuma said toasting with Wiz's drink.

"Ahhhh…Kazuma-san I don't know how to say this but…..they may be another reason why Aqua-san became sick."

'The look on Kazuma's face was that of being crushed by a blue whale. Eyes widened…Jaws open….as he heard Wiz's announcement.

"It maybe because of the monsters called Bitter Sharks."

Doing my best not to laugh out loud as I see the look on his face.

"Bitter Sharks, got its name due to the 'bitterness' they have when they see a couple."

'*Pfft!* "What the hell!?" is probably what Kazuma's saying inside.' Kazuma clutches his head.

"No! Yamete! Don't say it!" He hits his hed in the table.

"They show their bitterness by, leaving one of the couple with a devastating fever, mostly the girl."

Kazuma stayed silent as I just hide and laugh behind his back.

"I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG ABOUT THOSE BITTER SHARKS!"

Not containing it any longer, I laugh so hard that it was probably heard throughout town.

'Yeah…..This is the best birthday party ever.'

'This sucks….This just sucks…..'

Why does this always happen to me? *sob* *sob* Those sharks….Those goddamn sharks….*sign* Bitter my ass!

'...That party was still a blast though…'

"Uehehehe! Wahaha! I feel like I can fly right now!~" Aqua walked drunkly, her arm on my shoulder.

'Especially for you….You were probably the one who had fun the most.' I just smile at her, wearing my tracksuit.

"Don't barf anywhere, Aqua…" I quickly warned her.

"Whaaaaat~? *ba-ba* *barffffff~*" Aqua goes to a nearby wall.

'And just after I warned her not to do it.' I just chuckle as I pat her back, to make her feel better.

After her barfing session, she just leans on me for support. Having a mini heart attack as she did so.

"Hahh…Carry me home, Kazuma~." She looks at me with drunken eyes.

'Pfft! Can I even disobey you now?'

I kneel with one leg, in front of her. Remembering this kind of scene from the past. I say that line from before.

"Be thankful I'm carrying you." I smile at her, as she tenderly smiles back as if not drunk.

"You said that with a gentleman face?" Clearly remembering that memory she speaks back.

We laugh for a while…..And I now proceeded the piggy back ride.

"Wahahaha! I'm so happy~!" She hugs my neck so hard, that I couldn't properly breathe.

My face turning violet from the suffocation, I just wait for her to stop.

But suddenly she stopped hugging my neck, and I was able to breathe again.

"…..I'm scared…" Aqua said sadly, hugging my neck weakly.

'Is she scared of barfing again?'

"….I'm scared…I'm afraid that I'll wake up any minute now…Realizing this was just a dream...I don't want to wake up!...I don't want to wake up from this dream…" She hugs my back, with a sad face emerging from my back.

I pinch her leg.

"Itaiiiiiii!" Screaming in pain, she headbuts my head.

'Ouch!' I feel a little bump appear in my head.

"Why'd you pinch me, hikiNEET!?"

"It's your fault for thinking of this for a dream! I did not go through that effort and shame just to be told by you that this is just a dream."

"Demo….I don't deserve-" I immediately interrupted her.

"Here you go again, *sign*. If you didn't deserve it….Then why did the townspeople even participated in the first place?"

"…Huh? Isn't because there's free food in that party?"

'Guh!...'

"Well that's one reason though….But, they wanted to express their appreciation for the things you've done for this town." I looked up, staring at the night sky as I continued.

"Saving them….Being a goddess for everyone… Performing party tricks for everyone…Being our one irreplaceable member….And the reason why I got here in this wonderful world…So you better deserve having a birthday…And the townspeople knows that…" I said happily my heart attack increases bit by bit.

…..

…

…

…

*chu* She kissed my neck..

…

…

…..

'Wat…Is this….cancer….'

I just stand in place not moving…..

"I-If you don't stop being s-sweet. I'll keep doing t-this…" She said, whispering in my ear.

"…B-Bring i-it on!"

'Then I won't stop…' My face,with cancer visible in it.

"HikiNEET….." She snuggles to my neck as she drifts into sleep.

I continue walking to the stable…Put her down in the hay…. Seeing her form in my tracksuit…..A little sad since she's using my pajamas…. I also lie down in the hay….Just looking at the ceiling….Just badmouthing the sharks in my mind…

As I think about the sharks….A little giggle escapes the goddess's lips as of reflex…..

'Happy Birthday, Aqua….' Excited about tomorrow I slowly close my eyes. Feeling that I forgot about something, I just shrugged it off. And drifted into slumber.

*Wiz's room*

Sui and Hikki swimming gingerly in their bowl. As they wait for their owners to pick them up.

My mind thought a great question before I drifted to sleep.

'….I wonder what would have happened if I met Aqua in the real world?'

Chapter 10 END!

Author's Notes: Phew! Finally finished! Again it's OOC right? Sorry about that. XD Thank you for the ones reading! Also writing a bonus story in the next chapter, about that 'real world' thing..Huhuhu, I think you guys are gonna like the concept on this one! So look forward to it! And lastly, I'm very excited about the season 2 coming out this January! It may give a lot of ideas for the story….So, wish me luck guys! Thank you for the support!