This Wonderful World

by HolyGuacamole21

I am not blind. I am not deaf. I'm sure as hell, not a masochist. I am clearly not a pedophile for a certain exploding crazy kid. I may be a 'little' bit sadistic, but that doesn't mean I would hit on a pain-loving tank Ojou-sama. I don't have a fetish for self-proclaiming, useless, glutton, alcoholic, goddess. I could have had a harem for heaven's sake! HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?

18. Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Clarification

Gods and goddesses... The supreme beings of our world. The powerful, the invincible, the all-knowing, the timeless, and dive beings of the whole planet. They all have many names Zeus, Ares, Odin, Thor, Loki; Depends on your mythology and religion. They inspire, they grant wishes, they offer a helping hand to those who are worthy of seeking their power. All having one thing in common... Masters of hiding in plain sight. This is a fact.

---

Aqua being a goddess of water she proclaims to be is not a fact. Well, Aqua being called useless by Kazuma is certain.

"WH-WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN SEARCHING, HIKI-NEET!" The useless-goddess did her best not to scream out loud, her blue eyes gaping at Kazuma's browser history.

Kazuma having rather...strange tastes on how he "prefers" his coffee is also certain.

"Do-Don't judge me!" Kazuma having been found out of his secret stash by his girlfriend(?) worst of all, made him embarrassed of course (Any guy would). "I told you to close your eyes!"

"Strange..." Kazuma's younger brother surveyed the room thoroughly. I thought I heard voices coming from Nii-san's room... Guess I'm just tired." The 14-year-old boy rubbed his eyes as he closed the door. The sounds of his footsteps slowly went further and further away from Kazuma's room.

Aqua, who was holding her breath the entire time, her cheeks puffed out and who was also sweating. "Pwaah!" Suddenly exhaled loudly the moment the footsteps had not been heard anymore.

"Shhhhh~!" Kazuma deactivated his Lurk skill, silently shushed the out of breath Aqua, putting a finger on her lips. "Be quiet!"

"Wait, Nii-san never had goldfishes before."

'THAT'S THE REASON YOU CAME BACK!?'

Now having a proper look at Kazuma's room, Tekite finally noticed the blue-haired girl hiding poorly at the center of the room. Having the unknown person being a really pretty girl made him slightly not nervous at the stranger.

"Who are you? What are you doing in my Nii-san's room?" he asked cautiously.

Aqua began to sweat nervously as she didn't expect to be found out. "Etoo~... I'm... I'm...ahhh." she looked around hoping to find the hidden Kazuma.

'Say you're my girlfriend for Christ sakes!' Kazuma thought out, clearly as nervous as Aqua.

"Are you perhaps... Nii-san's girlfriend?" The younger brother sensing the pitiful wish of his brother's spirit asked having a sudden rush of excitement.

'Nice one, little brother!' The bond of the 2 brothers was strong.

"Ahhh...Yes! My name is Aqua!...I was your brother's... girlfriend." Aqua said embarrassedly as a small blush goes through her face.

"I knew it! Nii-san did have a girlfriend!" The younger brother suddenly welled up in happiness as he finally met the girlfriend of his brother (A miracle).

The moment Kazuma's younger brother screamed the words Nii-san and girlfriend, footsteps suddenly went through the other side of the house running towards Kazuma's room.

'Oh no...' Kazuma sweatdropped nervously when he heard those footsteps who was bigger than the other one.

"NANI~!? KAZUMA!? GIRLFRIEND!?" A rather big and well-built man suddenly appeared right outside the room, his eyes widened as he saw a beautiful blue-haired girl sitting on her knees. "I-I-Impossible...THAT Kazuma and this beautiful lady?" he walked slowly backward as the shock of the whole situation slowly came to him.

"Ara? What seems to be the problem?" Now, a rather young looking lady calmly walked towards the commotion. Her eyes went towards Aqua was just sitting in Kazuma's room. "Oh my, a guest? I didn't know Kazuma had a beautiful friend like her." she covered her mouth as a small blushed surfaced.

"That's Kazu-Nii-chan's kanojo, Mom!" The younger brother corrected his mother.

The parents were silent when they heard those words... It was like having a cure for stage 5 cancer... An ostrich being able to fly towards the sky... A cure for Darkness's masochism... It was that breathtaking.

"I think you were just hallucinating there, son. Want me to take you to the hospital just in case?" The unexpectedly gentle father asked, putting a hand on his son's shoulder.

'That's rude!' Kazuma thought out Lurking on the curtain.

"That's mean! Of course, Kazu-Nii-chan can have a beautiful girlfriend!" The younger brother defended his idol.

'Tekitte!' Kazuma rubbed a tear at his younger brother statement.

"He probably did something shady for her to do that of course." The traitor added suddenly.

'TRAITOR~!' Kazuma rubbed a tear that came from his heart.

Having one last hope from his heart, he looked towards his non-aging mother. Ignoring his dad and younger brother that was backstabbing him. 'Every mother always believes in her children, no matter what they say!'

The mother walked towards the blushing Aqua, kneeling in front of her, Sui and Hikki looked upwards at their owner's mother... Suddenly drops of water dropped on their bowl, Kazuma's mother was crying.

'...Kaa-san?' Kazuma's eyes felt an emotion as he looked at his mother. The very 1st time he had seen his mother cry.

The mood of the situation had turned silent as Kazuma's family are silent, only watching the scene. Aqua was panicking a little bit, not knowing what to do.

"Thank you so much for helping Kazuma trick us that he had a girlfriend before he died." The tearful mother genuinely said in front of Aqua and unknowingly, her invisible son.

"Eh?" The lovers(?) only muttered out.

"So that's the reason...Kazu-Nii-chan." The younger brother now teared up like her mother as he realized the truth.

"I knew it..." Manly tears now flowed down the father's face as he desperately tried to wipe it away. "I knew it was impossible for Kazuma to even have a friend in the first place... But, why does it hurt so much? UHUHUHU~!" Not taking it any longer, the grown man howled sadly, as the tears only got bigger.

"I know that you only went there to get the payment Kazuma had promised... But, thank you so much!" The family covered their mouths in sadness as they gratefully thanked the blue-haired goddess in front.

'...' Kazuma stared as his family hugged the pitiful victim named Aqua the useless goddess.

'...So this is what happens in the end.' Kazuma only kneeled on the floor. 'I was given three party members from hell, risked my life to save my party and to survive, and I did my best to make that blue-haired freak fall for me.' He hit the floor as silently as he could. 'AND THIS IS WHAT I GET!? MY FAMILY THINKING THAT I PAID THAT CLOWN TO BE MY GIRLFRIEND!?' A waterfall was made with a face of pity. 'NANDEYO~!?'

---

"Ara, sorry for that horrible misunderstanding and that bad introduction." The mother said embarrassed as she wiped off the last of her tears with a tissue.

"No, I really don't mind." Aqua just scratched her hand, fishbowl placed on the table.

The family, including Aqua, were seated at the Satou's dinner table. Kazuma the burglar, is hiding behind the curtains, Lurk still activated completely invisible.

"So, let's do this again." The mother clapped her hands in response. "Hi, Aqua-chan. I'm Kyouka Satou, as you know Kazuma's mother ." Kyouko said calmly, but with gentleness and elegance of a mother.

"N-Nice to meet you, Kyouka-san!" Aqua slightly raised her voice, nervousness clear on her voice as she bowed.

'Wow... Aqua's actually nervous. Now this a sight for sore eyes.' Kazuma thought as he watched the scene, literally having sore eyes from crying so much earlier.

"Please. Call me Kyouka, it makes me feel younger." Kyouka motioned her hands as the calmness of her voice never left.

"N-Not at all! You still look so young, Kyou-san!" Aqua replied almost immediately nervous at every word she's saying.

"Ara, ara! You're embarrassing me, Aqua-chan." Kyouka blushed at the compliment as she held her face.

'So true... If I'm actually into incest, I'd probably fall in love with Mom.' Kazuma...admitted with guilt. 'But even if I was, there's no way I'll be able to because-'

"Hehehe, you have good eyes Aqua!" The built man grinned proudly at his wife.

'Because of that old man... Obsessed with Mom.' Kazuma only shook his dejectedly.

"Well, I'm next! The name's Inuzuma Satou, that pervert of a son's father!" Despite his harsh words about Kazuma, Aqua had felt the love of the words Inuzuma had said.

Aqua's nervousness started to settle as she lightly smiled at Kazuma's old man. "Nice to meet you, Inuzuma-san." Aqua bowed calmly this time until a blank face suddenly appeared on her after. "And yes, Kazuma is a huge pervert."

'SCREW YOU, UNGRATEFUL B*TCH!' Kazuma glared daggers at the blanked face Aqua, face completely showing wrath. 'You should have been angry and protect my dignity from the old man!'

"I knew it! Idiot son of mine!" Inuzuma facepalmed himself. "Ever since he's 10 he always peeked at his mother changing and bathing!" The ugly and embarrassing truth was revealed.

The worst disgusted face was clearly showing at Aqua's expression. Her darkened eyes looked towards the corner for a moment, knowing where Kazuma was hiding. She shook her head in disgust, and Kazuma losing a ton of love points.

'NO! THAT'S A LIE, AQUA! DON'T BELIEVE ON WHAT THAT OLD MAN IS SAYING~!' He desperately prayed at his disgusted lover. Hoping that she would not break up with him.

"*SMACK!*" A loud smack was heard at the dining room, as Inuzuma's head had a sudden large bump at it, and the impressively built man was knocked out unconscious at the dinner table. "Hora, Anata~?" Everyone at the room shuddered in fear. Kyouka's gentle eyes were no more as red eyes showed at her open eyelids. "Don't reveal any unnecessary facts... To Kazuma's girlfriend no less."

Aqua made a mental note not to make the mother angry.

'M-Mommy~!' Kazuma looked at his mother tenderly, as the gods answered his prayers.

"Oh no! Sorry for my husband's rude behavior Aqua-chan!" The gentleness of her eyes had returned as the red eyes were sealed now.

"I humbly apologize..." Inuzuma only replied weakly as he tried to move.

Aqua only laughed nervously as her eyes now went to the last member of the family. A splitting young image of Kazuma was this younger brother's face. Only this time his eyes are a different shade of green than his older brother. Aqua was holding back not to hug the youngest Satou.

"H-Hello... I'm Kazu-Nii-chan's younger brother, Tekitte Satou..." Tekkite said meekly, slightly embarrassed. Aqua's resistance was crumbling down at this point. "C-Can I call you Aqua-nee-chan?" he finished a blush in his face.

"Kyaaaah~! You're so cute~!" Aqua sprawled out of her seat as he hugged the 14-year-old version of Kazuma. "You look like Kazuma if he's actually cute!" The blue goddess said as Tekitte tried to breathe from her clutches.

'WHAT WAS THAT YOU LITTLE B*TCH?!' Kazuma's grip on the curtains was so menacing that it left scratch marks from his hold. His eyes went towards his younger brother...in anger of course, not jealousy obviously.

"Right~?! Tekitte was always told that he looked like Kazuma ever since they were kids." Inuzuma, now recovered from his wife's ferocity, now commented from his chair.

"That brings back so many memories! Remember when the two of them were almost thought as twins because of Kazuma's slow growth spurt?" Kyouka's voice hinted a sense of joy as she reminisced on the memories.

"That was a slow-growing brat! If it wasn't for his circumcision Tekitte would have probably outgrowth him now! " Inuzuma not caring about the fact that his son's girlfriend was in the room, continued on spouting insults.

"*Pffft!*" Aqua's cheeks puffed instantly as she looked at the dark corner behind.

'S-S-SCREW YOU, OLD FART!' Kazuma's head was about to explode from all the tension.

"*sigh~*" Inuzuma sighed contently as the memories flowed in his head, still as unforgettable than ever. "The neighbours were almost going to report me to the police because of how much exercise I was giving that son of mine to be healthy." Inuzuma's voice was starting to waver as he reminisced a little bit more. Kyouka's smile suddenly paled as she looked at her husband.

'My body was sore all over the month because of your "Healthy Kazuma" plan, old man.' Kazuma shuddered as he also reminisced on the memories.

"Idiot son of mine, being all smarty pants on me and deciding to live alone." Inuzuka's hand started to clench at the table. Tekitte, just looked at the ground and the happiness he was displaying earlier was shot out the window.

'Hey! It's not my fault that I became like that after watching so many cool anime protagonist!' Kazuma thought of his reasons as he just listened at the conversation, still not looking at his family in a pouty manner.

"The most ungrateful son out there... Not even calling us to ask how we were doing, or even call us when he has nothing to do or s-something." Inuzuka started to stutter as the well-built man started covering his eyes. The smooth hands of Kyouka started soothing her husband's back.

'There's no way I'd call you! You'd like almost tease me and be all cocky like as you say it to my face what a daddy's boy I am!' Kazuma still didn't notice the mood of the family as he was still pouty.

"And just like that... When we do get the phone call about him for ages, it was to tell us that our son had passed..."

Aqua already slumped on her seat, looked at the family in front of her. As she noticed the droplets of water that was staining the floor and the table.

'Well sorry about that, not like you guys cared since you just laughed it off.' Kazuma thought as a joke, as he just snickered about his cringing death yet again.

"We all laughed so much when we heard the phone call, thinking that it was all just a joke... It was just all too sudden... The moment I saw the call from Kazuma, the moment I called the whole family over excitedly, the moment I heard the nurse's voice, and the moment I announced it to my family..." Kyouka, and Tekkite just held the clenched hand of Inuzuma's at the table. As they all cried beside him.

Aqua could only stare, a little bit guilty that she misunderstood the part the family laughed at the day of Kazuma's death. Sui and Hikki just cooped up together as they listened sadly.

Inuzuma's sniffled for a second as he tried to catch his breath for a second. And that sudden sniffle caught the attention of the pouting Kazuma. 'The heck's Aqua sniffling for agai-...' Kazuma's thoughts suddenly went blank as he saw his father cry like a girl. ' Old man?' Kazuma finally took notice of his whole family that was suddenly crying in front of him.

"My heart stopped beating the whole time, and all I can do was laugh loudly at that moment... I can only slump on the floor as the news hit me." Inuzuma continued, as his tears got bigger.

Kazuma cautiously walked closer towards his family... Almost forgetting that the slight awareness of his presence can deactivate the Lurk skill.

Kazuma POV

"I was so shocked that I actually lost consciousness for a while." Mom said, grasping the muscular hand of the old man, the old man's figure looking smaller for me.

'What are you guys saying?' I can only think as my steps got dangerously close.

"*sniff!* I was so sad that I just locked myself in my room for the whole day." Tekitte added, seeing that he was still crying so much meant that he hadn't coped up with my passing.

'Come on, guys... Stop messing around... You're probably just giving a good impression at Aqua.' I thought sarcastically, as I felt my body shake again.

"I didn't even show that idiot... Not even a word of praise... I was always mean and making fun of him! But deep down... I was always proud of him, and I never felt ashamed that I'm his father." The old man broke down, as he clenched his teeth, and he hid his eyes as he wept. "It's my fault... If I had been a proper father, he wouldn't have thought of moving out... DAMN IT!" he screamed at the last part, as Mom just shook her head as she patted his back.

'Dad...' I felt my face froze up, as my eyes burned, my nose dripping with snot...

"*sniff~!* Papa~!" I unconsciously sniffled aloud and muttered aloud as I shot out my arm towards my family... Not knowing that my Lurk had deactivated as they heard sounds from the living room.

"Eh?" Tekitte muttered out as he was the first one who noticed me. His eyes were so wide as he was staring at something unbelievable.

"What's wrong, Te-kun?" Mom wiped out her tears as she looked towards the direction where Tekitte was looking at. Her eyes widened noticing me too. "Eh?" she also muttered aloud.

"What's with the "Eh?" is it that unbelievable for me to cry again?" Now it was the old man's turn. He wiped off all the tears and snot he was producing as he now looked at my direction. Seeing that I was crying like a baby, with snot all dripping out of my nose. "EH?"

"EH?" My family muttered out again as they stared at me.

"Now's my chance!" Aqua who was holding back her hunger earlier, now just ate the snacks that were in the table. Sui and Hikki pleading their owner with fishy eyes wanting her to share some for them.

"ARE YOU SERIOUSLY EATING RIGHT NOW, IDIOT!" The anger I had for the goddess burst as I properly set my attention to my fam.

'This is bad... This is really bad.' I thought, sweating immensely as I felt the worst possible outcome from my mistakes. I turned my back towards them, as I quickly wipe all the snot and tears that were in my face a second ago. Fixing my hair, I turned towards them. "Hey," I said as I waved at them.

Mysteriously, my family just stared at me. Not even moving a muscle or even a blink. Their faces devoid of any emotion as they only looked at me. "Whoa, are you guys that shocked? It's not like a came back from the dead. Wait, I did come back from the dead." I tried opening up a conversation, but the 3 of them still continued to stare at me. "Hello~?" I waved at them... Still no reaction. I moved out of my spot, but yet their eyes did not follow me. They were only just blankly staring at that same direction I was in. I walked closer to them ignoring the feast Aqua, Sui and Hikki were having.

I poked my brother's cheek... No reaction.

I smelled the familiar shampoo out of my mother's hair... No reaction.

I pinched my old man's left nipple... Still no reaction.

"You disgust me even further, Hiki-NEET." Aqua looked at me disgustingly as she sipped from her tea, all the snacks already vanished.

"What the heck is happening? Why are they not moving?" I asked her blankly, continuing to mess around at my family members' frozen bodies.

"Just wait for a while... Their memories are just being replaced... Man, that hits the spot~." Aqua sighed out of content and satisfaction as she poured green tea at Sui and Hikki's bowl.

"Huh!? Why!? Did we mess the space-time continuum!? The bill comes due!? Are we going to be erased from history!?" Panicking, I now worried for what will happen to them. Also worried for Megumin and Darkness for bringing them into this mess. Also including Sui and Hikki. But not as hell worried about Aqua.

"Don't worry! This realm will just revert back to how it was if you hadn't died. Everyone's memories turned back to how it was back then. Just a simple thing~. I'm hungry~" Aqua said nonchalantly like it's not a care in the world.

"REALLY!? Everyone's memories will be the same as back then!?" I rushed up with delight as I heard what the useless goddess had to say.

"Well, technically no. Their memories will be the same as back then but it a fast forward time. It's been a while since you died. So their memories are currently being replaced with ifs scenarios with what would have happened afterward if you did not die. Basically, it's like you're continuing the new present of your life if you had not died." Aqua explained, rather properly. Which surprised me, to be honest.

"Are you SERIOUS~!? Holy crap, why didn't you say this sooner!? WHY~!?" I beamed out with excitement as I just pinched the blue-haired goddess with pure delight.

"Yhou dhidn't ask~! Ihf yhou're sho hgappy, hy ar u hinching me~!?" (You didn't ask~! If you're so happy, why are you pinching me~!?)

"It's because I'm really happy~!" I felt my eyes shine as I just grinned like an idiot at her. "It's like I have a second chance to make things right here!" Due to all the possibilities that went to my head, I unconsciously hug Aqua. "I can finally spend time with my family one last time!" I yelled out in pure delight as I just shake in excitement, unconscious of my actions.

"W-Well... Good for you, I guess." Aqua just replied meekly as she looked away embarrassingly.

I suddenly realized something as I remove my embrace from the goddess. "I need to be in the proper position!" Saying that I immediately returned to my spot as I just brush off my clothes and fix my appearance. Aqua just looked at me like I was some sort of child. " Are you crazy? You still look the same creepy NEET so don't bother fixing up."

Not even bothered by her insult I just grinned like a total idiot. "Heh! It's the creepy NEET that my family was crying over, just a minute ago!" I said cockily as I just licked my eyebrows clean.

Aqua just blinked as she let out a gentle smile towards me. A smile which completely took me off guard. "You're so childish." She said with a soft tone.

"URK~!" I felt a squeeze on my chest the moment I saw it. 'Crap, that caught me off guard.' I tried to calm down. 'Or is it be because of the frustration that our roles reversed.'

"So, how long will it take for the adjustments to kick in?"

"Oy. Why did your expression suddenly changed from a blush into a blank expression?" Aqua's soft smile had vanished as she asked.

Sui and Hikki just swam contently as they just enjoyed watching their two owner's usual bickering.

Suddenly, the old man's blank face twitched. "Hey Kazuma, you better get ready. The adjustments are almost done." Aqua warned me, also noticing the faces of my other family members' twitch.

"That was fast!" I said in a panic as I immediately return to my pose. 'Keep calm Kazuma... Keep calm... You're just talking to your family who you did not see for 8 months... NOT a big deal.'

"Here it comes," Aqua announced, snapping me back to reality.

And I... turned my back to my family, as I await the warm hugs that was to come. What seemed like time was frozen as I urged my shaking body to calm down.

Normal POV

"Wow, did I just blackout for a second there?" Inuzuma said, rubbing his eyes to remove the sudden vagueness of his sight.

Kazuma felt hot, as sweat built up in his body.

"You too, Dear? I deeply apologize, Aqua-chan. That was really rude of us." Kyouka lightly bowed, as she rubbed her slightly aching temple.

"How come it happened to all of us..." Lastly, it was Tekitte's turn to speak. However, he was the first one to notice that someone was standing in the living room. He immediately rubbed his eyes to verify if what he's seeing is real. And as that standing figured didn't disappear. "...Kazu-Nii-chan?" he mumbled, slowly pointed for everyone to see.

Inuzuma immediately reacted the moment his son said that name. Quickly turning around to see his eldest son. The father's body completely shaking from disbelief as he tried to speak. Kyouka was in the same position but only covering her gaping mouth.

"...Kazuma?" Inuzuma spoke up making Kazuma twitch in surprise, asking the standing figure on the living room.

Kazuma turned slowly, now seeing his father finally looking him in the eye. "...Old man?" he said, almost like a whisper. His body is now emotional for finally seeing his family for all this time.

"Kazuma!" Suddenly, the muscular father now sprawled out of his chair towards Kazuma.

Kazuma's eyes now started to burn as tears started to form in pure happiness. "DAD!" He yelled out unexpectedly, as he also dashed towards his father.

"KAZUMA!" Inuzuma now yelled out, as the two of them started to get closer. The father's face completely mimicking his son's. Slowly, his muscular arms spread out into the air. "SATOU!"

Kazuma's face turned into complete joy, as his eyes continued to tear waterfalls. Slowly, he also spread out his arms just like his father. "DADDY~!" he yelled out like a little kid.

"SON!"

"PAPA!" Now, like a little b*tch.

And as their bodies were about to collide any second now, every fiber of Inuzuma's muscle suddenly sprout out every piece of vein of muscle in his body. His expression that was befitting for a loving parent, had suddenly turned into one like an evil tyrant. His gentle hands, turned into fists of steel as the initiating hug from earlier turned into one TKO punch towards his son's face.

And Kazuma's expression was like the expression of a sinner that was going to get executed. As the punch slowly connected his face, forming a face that made Aqua completely burst out in laughter.

"YOU UNGRATEFUL BRAAAT~!" The tyrant father roared smacking Kazuma's deformed face all the way to the ground his feet way up in the air like he performed a swan dive of some sorts. A small shockwave was felt by everyone in the room, as smoke literally came out from the unconscious Kazuma.

"That's what you get for not visiting us for almost a year." Inuzuma angrily said, cracking his knuckles.

"Yeah, make sure to let him get it, Dad." Tekitte said his expression completely looking like his Dad's.

"'Dad Blow' is a lethal fist that carries a neglected father's rage and sorrow." Aqua hugged their pet's bowl in fear, not wanting to be punched by that spell of a punch. "Any ungrateful son it strikes perishes."

Kazuma lifted his swollen lipped face towards his father. "WUT THU HIELL~! THET"S NUT A WARM WELCOME!" he shouted his complaints with incomprehensible language.

"HUH~!" An angry vein sprouts out in the father's temple. What was that!? You want another warm welcome, you unappreciative brat!?" And as the angry Inuzuma was about to deliver his Dad Blow yet again, the gentle pair of hands of his wife suddenly held him back.

"Dear... I know that you're angry. I understand that." she felt the cheek of her husband, grasping it lovingly. "But, I also know that you really missed our son after all this time of waiting." she gave a loving smile, as Inuzuma just blushed from the sudden embarrassment.

"Huh?! No, no, no! There's no way that I missed this ungrateful, perverted of a son!" Inuzuma said nervously, not looking his wife in the eye.

'Screw you, old man!' 'Heh, pervert-NEET.' The two thought out at the same time.

"Ara, ara~? Then why are you blushing like when we first had our first date?" the teasing wife asked,

"I'm not! I'm not blushing!" Inuzuma defended, seeing Kazuma having a smug grin forming from his chapped lips. "Don't look at me, you brat!" the father just covered his face from his eldest son, not being able to push away his sadistic wife.

Finally letting go, Kyouka now turned to their youngest. "How about you, Tekitte?" she asked Tekitte who was not looking at her direction. "Did you miss your big brother?" she asked trying to look at her son's face.

That question broke down the last of Tekitte's will as his body was now noticeably shaking. It was weak, but the sounds of sniffing were now filling the room. The young brother nodded.

"Come on, look at me when you say that." The gentle words of a mother were heard.

"Uhhh~! *sniff!* " Tekitte listened, as he turned his face, now facing his mother. "I...*sniff!* missed him!" he said in sobs, as Kyouka just patted her son in the head, smiling gently to make him calm.

'Kyouka-san is so much like Wiz...' Aqua thought out, impressed by Kazuma's mother. 'Except the fact that she's not undead like that Lich.' she added, rude to Wiz as ever.

Kazuma only looked at his younger brother, devoid of any emotion as he just stared. 'Tekitte...'

"There, there~..." she soothed her son, almost humming a lullaby. "Aren't you happy that he finally visited us?" wiping away her son's tears, she asked.

"*sniff!*.. Yeah!" he said genuinely, nodding his head.

'Tsk... What a crybaby as always...' Kazuma thought now, being hit by his brother's feelings. His words not following the expression of his face, as his tears now started to water.

Now finished with their youngest son, Kyouka now walked closer to Kazuma. Kazuma just looked happily as he awaited his mother with a crying battered-up face.

"Now..." she started, now looking Kazuma dead in the normally shut eye lids, revealed the most crimson pair of eyes almost on par with the One Shot Bear. "I wonder what kind of excuse you have for not visiting us for almost a year, Kazuma-kun?" That sentence meant 'EXECUTION' in every sense of the world as the neglected mother gazed at her disobedient son.

'This is the true Demon commander in this world.' Aqua hid behind their pet's bowl, with Sui and Hikki now hiding in fear.

"Hii~!" Kazuma hid in fear, and so did his family. The entire family knowing that this woman is not someone they should mess with. The whole reason the father of the house buffed up, was to at least have some courage to back him up when this happens. But even though he was completely bigger in size, it was all still for nothing.

"Do you have anything to say for yourself?" she asked, her tone as cold as ice. A tone that can even fear off the most territorial Silver Back Gorillas in the Amazon forest.

Kazuma immediately bowed his head, knowing that there is nothing else he can do. "I deeply apologize, dearest mother! PLEASE FORGIVE ME~!" Kazuma bowed and bowed again like he was praising some kind of god.

'I want Kazuma to do that to me.' Aqua thought out.

"Ara~? What are you saying?" The whole atmosphere felt ominous as fear was felt all around the room. "All I'm hearing is 'Please punish me' from you," she asked maniacally as the mother just smiled terrifyingly.

"NOOOO~! PLEASE NO!" The son yelled out in fear as he bowed his head so hard on the ground, making a small shock wave on the floor. "DON'T BRING OUT THE NAIL BAT-"

And as the eldest son screamed out, in fear of his mother's deadliest weapon... He felt the loving arms of his mother. Her gentle hands wrapping around her loving son.

Kazuma just stared... Feeling the all too familiar embrace. The feeling of her mother's arms... The feeling he had missed the most. Her mother now started to shake. "Kaa-san?" he muttered out, now worried that she was not speaking.

Then... he felt his back getting wet... as sounds of sniffing and sobbing was heard. But this time, it was not because of Tekitte.

" You worried me so much... I thought about what happened to you... You're just a handful." Kyouka said slowly... trying to keep her composure up trying not to sob.

'She never cries... She was always there in the house... Always smiling, always in the kitchen, always waiting for us to be home, always greeting us with a smile, she doesn't complain, she isn't sad, and... she always supported me.' The eldest son thought out.

And that just tore Kazuma all apart inside. As his tears burst out his eyes hugging his mother dearly. "I'm sorry, Mom..."

"Why haven't you visited all this time... Did something happen... What did we do wrong..." the weeping mother cried out, the rest of the family now getting closer.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..." Kazuma can only apologize deeply as he just cried so much. And that was all that took for Tekitte, and Inuzuma to also join the embrace of the family. The warm embrace Kazuma was hoping for all this while.

"Took you long enough, you despicable son of mine. Making your mother cry, her beautiful face is not meant for that." Inuzuma said casually, as he just messed with his eldest son's hair.

"Well I get a punch out of it anyway, so shut it you old father of mine," Kazuma said blankly.

Those last words were the words Inuzuma missed all this time. And that now broke down Inuzuma, as he now just hugged his son tightly.

"Such a softie..." Kazuma can only give out a faltering smile as he also felt his father's embrace. He looked at his little brother this time. "I missed you too, little bro," he whispered to him.

"Kazu-niichaann~!" Tekitte who just stopped crying, now cried out too as he finally reunited with his big brother. He joined in on the embrace.

And that was all that took for Tekitte, and Inuzuma to also join the embrace of the family. The warm embrace Kazuma was hoping for all this while.

...

...

"Eto~?" Aqua now said out loud, feeling awkward that she was the only one sitting in the chair.

"You don't matter right now, Aqua. Go outside if you want." Kazuma said out blankly shooing her as he still felt bitter from what she had done earlier.

"WHAT WAS THAT, HIKI-NEET!?" she immediately got up from her seat, dashing towards Kazuma.

She went towards his back since it was the only spot not occupied. The blue-haired goddess knelt, looking down at Kazuma with an angry look. "Say that to my face again!"

Kazuma only looked up at her, just staring at her face for a while. 'This wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for you... Thanks.'

Aqua's eyes widened a little, and she suddenly laughed as she looked at Kazuma's face. "H-Hiki-NEET! Your face looks like a mess! You have drool and tears all over the face!"

"Oh is that so?" Kazuma only took it calmly, as he tried to come out with a plan. "Can you please wipe it off for me then, Aqua-sama?" he countered.

"Hehehe! since you asked nicely, I'll do it for you! Be grateful!" Aqua took out the towel that she had received from Kazuma earlier and proceeded to wipe him off. "Blegh! Disgusting! Why is your snot so thick! Look! Ewwww! I don't want it going through my hands~." she complained, like how Kazuma complained earlier, her words not following the gentleness of her actions.

"Huh!? I was only copying the way you cry!" Now Kazuma. lost his composure, and yelled to the goddess that was currently wiping him.

"I don't cry like a little baby!"

Sui and Hikki just shook their little heads as they just watched their owners having their usual arguments.

It took a while for the two to notice, but the 3 family members just looked at the 2 blankly for a while. The family has been completely forgotten for a while.

"Ahhhh, so this is the reason." The 3 of them said in sync.

---

KONO-SUBARASHIII~

"Aqua-chan have you had dinner yet?" Kyouka asked, feeling rather guilty that she had forgotten to ask Aqua earlier.

"Actually, Kazuma hasn't let me had dinner," Aqua said smugly, looking at Kazuma.

"Oho~? What kind of a boyfriend are you...Kazuma-kun?" Kyouka's crimson eyes showed yet again as she looked at her son.

"Hih!" Kazuma yelped out in fear, as he glared at the usual goddess. "OY! Don't makeup lies!"

"Hehe. You guys are so smart and cute!" Tekitte smiled happily as he sat on the couch playing with Sui and Hikki. He placed another ring with his fingers on top of the water, and Sui and Hikki jumped through it again.

"Okay... To sum it all up. You started to work for a construction job since you wanted to earn some money. And because of a really far workplace and almost everyday work schedule, you weren't able to visit very much?" Inuzuma asked starting to get the gist of everything.

"Yes, very much." Kazuma nodded as he explained, feeling rather guilty that he had to tell a lie to his dad.

'Having to make up a believable story is such a pain.' Kazuma thought out, the fatigue starting to get to him. Having to tour 3 country bumpkins, sneaking through his house, and crying like a little baby was really tiring.

"Hm... So that's why." Inuzuma just nodded his head, fortunately believing his son's story. "And... why did you not tell us?" He looked at his son's eyes yet again, looking for another serious answer.

'Hm... I know what you're doing old man. You looking me seriously in the eyes won't make me slip up.' Kazuma grinned in his head. 'I've already mastered the art of lying.' But then he suddenly clicked his tongue. 'But this is the toughest question since I really have to make a believable story of the reason why I forgot about them for so long.' he thought out quickly in his head.

Looking at Aqua...

"Oh man, you really are a good cock, Kyouka-san!" Aqua exclaimed stuffing her face with the food, the barely called leftovers seriously looking like a delicacy served from restaurants.

"Ara~. You're flattering me too much, Aqua-chan." the mother shook her head embarrassingly. "Please, eat all you want. It is just leftovers after all."

'This is the best story.' Kazuma grinned.

"It's because of Aqua." Kazuma said calmly. "Ever since we met she was always there whenever I go."

Which is true.

"I'm always there to take care of her."

True.

"I take responsibility for her."

True.

"I cover for her mistakes."

SO true.

"And she never leaves my mind."

True, since she's always the one making problems.

Aqua not hearing a single thing Kazuma had said, nudged Kazuma's side. "Hey, eat with me! Your mother's cooking is the best!" she said her cheeks completely bulged out like a chipmunk.

'How can you eat like that in front of my parents! Have you no shame!?'

"Is that so?" Inuzuma just raised a brow at Kazuma, not completely believing his story. "Aqua-chan are you really dating this pervert of a son? He probably paid you to be his fake girlfriend just for show."

Kazuma twitched.

"Oh come on, Dad! There's no way that Nii-chan paid Aqua-nee-chan!" Tekitte now joined the conversation as he faced them on the couch.

Kazuma welled up in joy.

"There's no way Nii-chan will use money. He's way too cheap! He probably blackmailed Aqua-chan or had some dirt on her!" Now Tekitte added.

Kazuma was betrayed by the Tekitte the traitor.

"Stop it you two." The mother shined like an angel in Kazuma's eyes. A mother's love for her children is absolute. No matter their face, attitude, and flaws are. A mother doesn't badmouth her children. "Aqua-chan is probably blind or maybe brainwashed or something."

Kazuma shattered like glass, as a lone tear shined of his eye.

"WHAT KIND OF FAMILY ARE YOU~!?" Kazuma yelled out in tears as he released a tantrum on the floor like a kid.

"See? No way did Aqua-chan fall in love with that-"

"Kazuma is a PERVERT," Aqua said out blankly, the last word was genuinely said. "He always looks at other girls with big boobs, and steals some of their underwear."

'WHAT THE HELL!? DON'T SAY THAT TO MY FAMILY!'

"See?" Inuzuma snickered.

'WHY ARE YOU SMILING LIKE YOU KNOW!'

"He is also really really cheap. Not even buying anything for me, even if how much I beg for it." she continued, her eyes completely looking at her lap.

'IT's BECAUSE YOU'RE WAY TOO COSTLY!'

"Hm. Hm." Tekitte nodded knowingly.

'JUST BECAUSE I DIDN'T BUY YOU A CREPE THAT ONE TIME, DOESN'T MEAN I"M CHEAP!'

"I think I am blind or something. His face is really not nice to look at very much." Aqua said, her words really cutting like a knife.

'THAT HURTS, YOU B*TCH!'

"Oh my, I know that feeling." Kyouka just agreed.

'YOU SAID I WAS HANDSOME, MOM!'

Kazuma just hugged his knees as he just silently cried. "You guys are the worst-"

"But..." Aqua now blushed as she tried to come up words. "He...does have some good points here and there..." She looked away from the family's stares as her face was now burning. "H-He's always complaining about every little thing but he still helps out in end. He's not always the kind of guy that is always nice to me, but I know that he truly has a kind heart. He may be the most perverted guy out there, the cheapest, and he doesn't have a handsome face..." Aqua said it straightforwardly, but the blush on her face never left as she looked at Kazuma's family. "I still-"

And as Kazuma was finally about to hear the words he's been dying for, there was a loud siren beeping about just outside the outside. Making everyone stop for a while, and it also made Aqua snap back to reality.

"N-Never mind the sirens! What were you about to say, Aqua!?" Kazuma hurried to urge Aqua.

"N-N-Nothing!" Aqua replied in stutters waving off her hand. "T-That's right! I'm still hungry so I'm going to keep eating!" The useless goddess excused as she continued to munch off the exquisite dinner.

"NOOOOOO~!" Kazuma rushed towards her, as he just shook her chair. "You were about to say something! I know it!"

Aqua only ignored the screaming Kazuma as she continued munching, her cheeks now starting to build up again.

"Ahh~ To be young again~." Kyouka just watched the two as the proud mother felt the nostalgia of love. "Do you remember when we first met Dear? You were so much thinner that tim-"

"Okay~! I'm going to look outside to see what's going on!" Inuzuma rushed out of his seat, as the embarrassed father went towards the front door.

"And he escapes yet again~." Tekitte just continued to play with Sui and Hikki, smiling ear to ear all the while.

Kazuma just sat on his chair as the goddess he was urging on was now just eating to her heart's content. 'I'll freaking make her say it... No matter what it takes...' Kazuma just wished out, sighing all the while. He looked at their clock.

"8:30 PM... We like have 30 minutes left." Kazuma mumbled out sadly, as he just looked at his house. 'At least I reunited with my family for the last time... That's all that matters.' A light smile formed on his face.

'I guess me, Aqua, Sui, and Hikki can relax for at least 30 minutes mor-'

...

...

"Am I like forgetting something important?" Kazuma mumbled out questioningly.

"D-Don't insult me!" A certain crusader yelled out to the police officer. "Do you mean to say that I look like a prostitute to you!?"

The police officer slightly felt embarrassed at the foreign woman's choice of word. "I didn't say that, ma'm." he explained, "But a foreign woman out alone at this time of the night? Where are you from? Can you show me your VISA please."

'Holy crap, I completely forgot about those two.' Kazuma just rubbed his headache, as he will probably think of another story to make up. "And why the heck are they not questioning Megumin? She's a little girl, cosplaying, and it's already nighttime."

"WHAT"S A VISA!? ARE YOU RIDICULING ME!?" Darkness yelled out, now getting irritated by the cops.

"Don't worry, Darkness! Kazuma never mentioned that I can't use spells for self-defense." Megumin gave off a thumbs up, as she removed her eyepatch and threw it out hitting the cop right in the face. "This will be quick."

"NO~! DON'T BLOW UP MY HOUSE!" And Kazuma immediately ran out of the house, preventing a nuke attack in his hometown.

---

KO-NO-SUI-BA-HIKKI

"My deepest apologies for causing a scene just outside your house, Ms. and Mr. Satou." Darkness bowed out of shame, as Megumin copied her also.

"Oh no. Don't think too much about it!" Kyouka immediately waved off her hand. "We really didn't mind, it's been so long since we had this house so lively! It actually made us more relieved if anything." the calm mother explained, immediately taking a liking to her son's friends. "And please, just call me Kyouka. I really don't like knowing how far off my age has become."

"I was really surprised when I found out that you were Kazuma's mom! You look soooo much younger!" Megumin said making the calm Kyouka blush yet again. "Agreed. Most women your age are already filling up with wrinkles, but you're skin still looks so gorgeous." Darkness also agreed.

"Oh no. You're making me blush! You two must be hungry since you were with Kazuma." Kyouka now stood up as she now fixed a meal for her son's friends.

"Yeah, he left us right outside and forgot all about us," Megumin said with a pout as she rubbed her shoulders from the cold earlier.

"Ara~... Kazuma-kun." The mother's scarlet eyes shone red again. "What kind of man are you? Leaving 2 beautiful ladies outside, alone with the cold winter air?"

"I'm sorry! Will not do it again!"

"Okay... To sum it all up. Again. "You started to work for a construction job since you wanted to earn some money. And because of a really far workplace and almost everyday work schedule, you weren't able to visit very much. Also, you started dating Aqua, which you met in the construction job. And you met Darkness and Megumin after a while. Darkness is from overseas, and Megumin is a cosplayer from a secluded village, explaining her cosplay clothing." Inuzuma asked starting FINALLY get the gist of EVERYTHING.

Aqua just lay down the sofa drooling, having a blanket on her. She was on a food coma from eating too much. Sui and Hikki just rested on some table, trying to have rest. Tekitte just looked towards Kazuma's other group of friends. Slightly mesmerized by Megumin.

"Yes... That about sums it all up." Kazuma just sighed, finally over with explaining the stories. Fortunately, Megumin and Darkness were too busy eating to hear what he had said.

"Why is this so good! I don't know any of the food here, but it still tastes great!" Megumin exclaimed, chewing as she spoke.

Darkness, being the mature chivalry knight swallowed her food before she spoke. "These dishes are superb, It really is so much on par or even better than what we have at home."

"You guys are flattering me too much." Kyouka just shook her head in embarrassment yet again, as she enjoyed the continuing compliments of the two as they ate.

"What a rowdy bunch of friends you have." A content sigh escaped from Inuzuma's lips.

"Yeah, they're really a handful set." Kazuma copied his father's expression as they just relaxed for a while. The usually quiet house was so much lively and full of energy today. And full of snores from Aqua.

And after a while, the other 2 also went in a food coma. Darkness lay on the ground, leaning on the sofa Aqua was laying on. With Megumin beside her, leaning on Darkness, her witch hat sitting on her lap.

The family then just sat on the dinner table, sipping on tea as they relaxed with the company of each other.

"Say, I saw you looking at Megumin there earlier, Tekitte." Kazuma snickered, looking at his younger brother who suddenly choked on his tea by what Kazuma suddenly said. "You like her?" the sadist brother teased, raising his eyebrow.

"*cough!* N-Not in the slightest!" The younger brother countered, wiping his mouth. "I was just impressed that she looked like that girl in that anime! Just because we're at the same age, and she looks really cute. Doesn't mean I have a crush on her or anything!" he defended, now making his family smile teasingly.

"Ara~? We never said that you have a crush on her. And why are you being really defensive right now?" Kyouka teased, slightly revealing her crimson eyes as she sipped on her tea.

"Oh, little Tekitte you're now in that age huh?" Inuzuma said proudly, as he chugged his tea. "They really grow up so fast, dear," he exclaimed as Kyouka refilled her husband's glass. "I think it's time I gave you 'The Talk'."

Tekitte looked horrified as he heard those last words. "NO! I DON'T NEED IT!" Tekitte immediately refused his father's suggestion, as he ran back to his room. "I-I think I forgot something in my room, so I'm going to go get it now!" he escaped.

The family just gave the youngest member a joyful smile as they went on with their tea.

"So, Kazuma." Inuzuma started the conversation.

"What's up, old man?" The son replied, sipping his tea. Still happy that he's with his family now.

Inuzuma's face twitched trying to ignore his son's statement. Wanting not to be angry, since his son is finally home. "Considering that you started working, does that mean you want to go to college again?" he asked normally, just wanting to ask his son and not intending to pressure him or anything.

Kazuma's body tensed up as this career talk was the whole reason why he left home. 'Crap, crap, what should I say.' he thought out nervously, as his body started to shake. He looked at the clock quickly, wanting to escape this conversation. '10 more minutes.' he thought out helplessly.

"You want to continue being an engineer? I can train you this time if you want?" The father said thoughtfully, not sensing what Kazuma was feeling.

'No...No... No... Please don't give that kind of talk.' he thought out as he dropped his head. 'I know you're a great engineer, you old man... I'm proud that I have a father like you...But.' he gripped his pants tightly. 'But I'm not like Tekitte... I'm not good with that... I know that you want us to be like you... But I can't...' his hands were shaking as he again felt the pressure and the expectations of his family yet again. It was crushing him.

"Dad..." he looked at his parents. "I'm so-"

"Did Kazuma want to be an engineer?" Aqua interrupted, now slumped on the sofa, as she looked at the family. Yawning, she rubbed her eye tiredly.

'Eh?' Kazuma, thought out in shock as he looked at Aqua.

The parents widened their eyes slightly from Aqua's question.

"Of course he does." Inuzuma immediately replied, nodding his head.

'...Figures.' Kazuma just slumped in his seat, as he heard those words from his father. 'He just wants us to follow in his footstep-'

"Yeah, he's really into those figures where you have to assemble those parts together," Kyouka added, smiling from the memories of Kazuma's childhood.

"Huh?" Kazuma muttered in disbelief.

"Sure did. This smart-ass here can easily assemble those parts in no time flat. He's was so much better than me at that." The father agreed, a proud smile painting his face. "So we thought that wanted to become an engineer since he likes to make assemble stuff."

'You... It's because of you collecting those types of figures that I became like that... I wanted to impress you...' Kazuma thought out, now shaking in shock.

"Yeah, yeah remember when he beat you in a race in putting all the parts together the fastest?" Kyouka asked her husband, as she smiled all the way.

"Of course. The little prick had a cocky smile the whole day after that. Had to give him a whooping to shut him up." The father grumbled, feeling bitter by his defeat.

"I thought..." Kazuma said slowly, his parents now looking at him seriously as he finally spoke up. "I thought that you wanted me to become an engineer... I thought that you wanted me to follow your footsteps..." he said, making his parents surprised.

"Are you an idiot?" Inuzuma said, rather angry. "What kind of parents are we, if we forced you to take something you don't even like."

Kazuma looked at his parents in shock. The whole reason he left home.

"You think we can do something that horrible to our own son?" The father continued, his words piercing Kazuma. "I don't care if you don't follow my footsteps, there's no way I wouldn't be happy if you even if you did not take Engineering."

Those expectations that Kazuma wanted to achieve so badly.

"Don't belittle our love for you, Kazuma. A mother's happiness is simple. Just the thought of her son coming home and saying 'I'm back' is all it takes to make us feel joy." Kyouka said, beside Inuzuma.

The thoughts of his family being disappointed in him, and thoughts that they didn't need him.

"I studied so hard just to compete with you, Nii-chan." Tekitte now added as he returned from his room. Holding a new figurine set. "Because I was so happy whenever we built those figurines from scratch. I wanted to become an engineer because I thought you wanted to become one."

Everything Kazuma thought out before... suddenly vanished in his mind. And with those thoughts flowed out of him, so did his tears.

"I thought you wanted me to become an engineer..." he said in a daze as he cried. "I thought that you were disappointed in me that I failed the entrance exam..." Kazuma continued still in a daze, his vision hazy from crying. "I thought that you..." he closed his eyes as he cried so much. "I thought that you guys didn't need me here."

A loud bang was heard throughout the room, making Darkness and Megumin twitch in their sleep. Inuzuma slammed his fist in the table, as he looked at Kazuma. "YOU DON"T HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY THAT!" the father of the house yelled in anger. "You don't have the right... After we raised you in here after we became your pillar of support, we always have each other's backs, experienced different kinds of things, and after we went through happy times and sometimes," he said, his arm shaking. "And now you say we don't need you?... You don't have the right to say that... You really don't." The father muttered as he went closer to his son. He grabbed Kazuma's collar and lifted him up in the air.

"Dear, no!" "Dad, stop it!" The other 2 who also had tears in their eyes, rushed to stop the man of the house.

'I deserve this...' Kazuma thought out in guilt. 'He's right... What kind of son of am I to even think of those things about my family...' Kazuma just smiled as he realized such a simple reason. 'Yeah... It's probably because I love them so much.' Inuzuma's fist reared back slowly, ready to punch his son. Kazuma only closed his eyes as he smiled.

But there was no impact... Kazuma just dropped on the floor landing on his bum... And a hard yet gentle sensation enveloped him. Only this time, it was his father who did it.

"Old man..." Kazuma could only mutter yet again as he looked in shock.

"*sniff!* Don't call me old man! I always hated that part of you! Cheeky brat!" his father yelled, manly tears trailing down his face. "Thinking that I don't even need his sorry ass in this world! SUCH AN UNGRATEFUL SON! WAAAH~!" Inuzuma who was such a big and muscular man started screaming as he cried. A waterfall flowing out his face.

Kazuma choked on his tears as he now hugged his father tightly. "DAD! WAAHHH~!" he also screamed and cried as the two men embraced. Kyouka, and Tekitte just smiled as they rubbed off the tears in their eyes.

"And that's 'Kazuma Crying Like a Little Baby' Part Two," Aqua announced, holding Sui's and Hikki's bowl, to show them the scene.

"Inuzuma-san must have really missed Kazuma." Darkness said, feeling rather homesick and wanting to see her father.

"Now this is a family drama." Megumin added as she was munching a candy bar she had received from Kyouka earlier.

---

KO!-NO!-SU!-BA! (CRYING EDITION)

"You better visit! Once a month at least! I don't want you thinking of something stupid again!" Inuzuma angrily yelled, his arms crossed he glared at his eldest son.

The family was now in the front door, seeing Kazuma's group off.

"Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I'll try and visit more often." Kazuma scratched his head tiredly, as he heard his father rumble again. 'I feel guilty that I won't be able to keep that promise. I know that maybe I won't come back ever again... But.'

"You better! Or else I'm going to your house and I'm going to beat the inner pervert out of you!" Inuzuma warned again.

"You better, Dear. I'm not going to hear another excuse there, Kazuma-kun." Kyouka said menacingly, revealing yet again her eerie scarlet eyes.

"You better come back next month Kazuma-Nii-chan! I'll buy next months set and wait for you every month." Tekitte said excitedly, disappointed that his brother is leaving but was still satisfied that he finally came home.

'I'm satisfied now... I can leave them with no regrets.' Kazuma just released a sad smile as he looked at his family.

"Don't worry! We'll make sure that this guy won't forget to visit!" Megumin saluted.

'Yeah. Thanks.' Kazuma thought out sarcastically at Megumin's comment.

"We'll keep an eye out for him. We'll guarantee that he wouldn't get caught by anyone bad." Darkness said, swearing on her chest.

'I've already been caught with someone bad.' Kazuma blankly looked at Darkness.

"I'll make sure that he doesn't steal any more underwear! He'll come back a changed man!" Aqua gave a thumbs up, Sui and Hikki giving off a fin-up also.

'I wish that you would also change, Aqua-sama.' He sighed internally, a smile just forming in his lips. '3 minutes left.' Kazuma thought out looking at the clock from outside.

"Man, Kazuma must have been blessed by the gods for having such nice friends," Inuzuma said feeling rather happy that his son had other people to rely on.

"No, old man. It's the other way around."

He was ignored.

"You all should also come back. I'll make sure to make a feast for you all to enjoy." Kyouka said to the group of girls who were excited from her offer. Especially Aqua.

"That's probably the reason why they would want to come back, Mom."

He was ignored yet again.

"M-Megumin-san! When you come back next month, I'll show you my whole collection of figurines!" Tekitte said nervously, slightly blushing as he faced Megumin.

"Nice flag chance, little bro."

Ignored.

"*sigh~* Well, I'm off guys." What seemed like the most nostalgic line Kazuma had said throughout the day. His eyes widened as he looked at the nostalgic scene in front of him.

"Have a nice day!" Kyouka smiled gently, looking at her son.

"Buy me something when you get home, Kazu-niichan!" Tekitte waved off, grinning ear to ear.

"Don't go perving on any hot girl you see! You have Aqua-chan now!" His old man smiled, as he just crossed his arms to see his son off.

'Crap...' Kazuma face started to shake again as he was starting another fit. 'I know I won't see them again... But there are things I need to say.' He said trying to put the sadness at the back of his head.

2 MINUTES LEFT

He walked to his Mother, earning a curious look from Kyouka. The son hugged his dear mother, and the mother easily hugged her son back. "Mom..." Kazuma muttered, almost like a whisper for only her mother to hear.

"Yes, Kazuma-kun?" she replied gently.

Kazuma looked at her mother with tears in his eyes. "There were times that I stole your underwear from your dresser... And I know you that you beat up Dad thinking that he did it."

"Huh?" Kyouka muttered, her eyes immediately shining bright red.

Kazuma just smiled sadly with tears in his eyes. "But it was I who did it... And hid it because I know you were going to kill me if you knew... Gumene." He said his last farewell to his mother who was still in shock and unable to move. He moved to Tekitte.

"Little bro." He hugged his younger brother.

"Yes, Kazu-Nii-chan?" Tekitte hugged his older brother, expecting a sad farewell like he thought his mother had, who was still in shock.

"I know that you hide the collection of your best snacks at the secret drawer in your room..." Kazuma said, with tears in his eyes smiling sadly. "And when you were away... I would eat all of them, and I replace them with cheap snacks and placing those special stickers of your collection at the new cheap snacks." he continued as he patted his younger brother's head. "Gumene." he smiled sadly as he went to his father next.

"...Huh?" Sudden flashbacks of multiples thousands of yens spent were replaying at Tekitte's head from what he heard. The younger brother only stared blankly like the mother beside him.

1 MINUTE LEFT

"Dad..." Kazuma said before hugging his father.

Sensing his son's seriousness, Inuzuma immediately hugged back with a worried expression. "Yes, son?"

Kazuma choked on his words but still tried to say what he needs to say. "I did so many terrible things at you that I can't say all of them." Kazuma sadly smiled at his father.

"...Eh?" Inuzuma can only mutter in disbelief by what his son had said.

"But... All I can say is this." Kazuma slowly went to his Dad's ear. "Porn...Show...Mother." he whispered slowly, as he removed his embrace from his father.

Immediate flashbacks displayed from Inuzuma's mind. His one month sleeping on the couch, almost being battered half to death every day, and his wife's sudden coldness at him. It all makes sense now. The shocked Inuzuma can only land on the floor as he cried while hitting it.

Kazuma can only skip sadly at his spot with the others as he sadly smiled at his family. The party just looked at their leader with blank eyes, shivering from the memory when Kazuma did the exact thing to them.

"I'll miss you... My family." he finished his farewell as an unknown force closed the front door in front of them.

30 SECONDS LEFT

"Ahhhh, I can pass away, now satisfied." he spread his arms as he awaited his send-off.

"Kazuma, are you sure!? I feel evil coming from that house right now!" Aqua screamed, shaking the calm angel posed Kazuma.

20 SECONDS

"I've never felt so alive!" Kazuma said calmly, smiling like he was ready to pass away.

"Why do I have the feeling that my Explosion, can't even leave a dent in that house right now." Megumin muttered, shaking from her staff.

"YES! YES!"

10 SECONDS LEFT

Darkness was shaking as she was feeling hot from looking at Kazuma's house. "I want to enter in that house." she muttered with hot breaths as her body wriggled.

"NO! NO!"

5 SECONDS LEFT

"*bloop~!* * bloop~!* *bloop~*" Sui and Hikki blooped in between bubbles.

"YEEEEEES!"

1...

Kazuma understood every bloop of it. "Yes, I am ready to leave," Kazuma said smiling all the way. "Take me!"

Soon a blinding white magic circle enveloped the party, a strong gust of wind came from below as they were carried through the air.

Until...

Darkness enveloped their vision. Kazuma opened his eyes, as he looked at the night sky and he lightly smiled.

"We're back. The city of Axel," he muttered as he looked in front of him.

His house that was looking like a Demon Lord's Castle at the moment was still there.

"Huh?" he can only mutter as he rubbed his eyes. "Why... are we still here?"

Aqua and the others only looked at him with sympathy. As Kazuma started sweating uncontrollably.

...

...

...

*knock!* *knock!*

The house's front door slowly opened, the small opening already released dark energy.

Kazuma smiled warmly as an angel, as the door opened. "I'm back... My family-"

He didn't finish his words as darkness engulfed his vision.

---

KO!-NO!-SU!-HIYAAAH~!

"Okay... To sum it all up...AGAIN." Inuzuma, pretty much tired at this point still continued. "Darkness-chan, Megumin-chan, and Aqua-chan can't go back to their home due to some accident back at their hometown at the SAME TIME, and COINCIDENTALLY need a place to stay for a day?" The father crossed his arms as he asked.

"...Hyep." A battered Kazuma said pitiably.

"Please let us stay for the night!" The party members bowed their heads, Sui and Hikki also bowed their little fish bodies.

"*sigh* What do you say, dear?" The tired father asked his wife, who was now smiling from excitement.

"Of course you all can stay. Everything for Kazuma-kun's friends." The mother exclaimed joyfully. "Ara~. It's been some time since this house has been so lively. Let me ready everyone's futons." Kyouka said as she rushed towards the storage room.

"YES~! We can stay the night!" The three yelled out happily, having another day to enjoy Kyouka's cooking.

"I wish I have their happiness right now," Kazuma muttered tiredly as he looked at Aqua who was spinning with Sui and Hikki. 'What a kid... Getting all happy from such a small thing.' he let out a small smile as he looked at her with a battered face.

The spinning goddess stopped when she noticed Kazuma staring at her, she gave her usual cocky smile. "Oya? Oya? Are you happy that I, the great Aqua-sama will be sleeping in your house? Are you? Of course, you are!" she nudged the now blankly staring Kazuma.

"Yeah... I am so happy that the one I love gets to sleep in my home, that I can't describe it in words." Kazuma said nonchalantly but still meant every word.

"Eh?" Aqua felt her face warming up, didn't expect the Hiki-NEET to agree. "I-I knew that! Y-You don't have to tell me!" The burning goddess said, looking away from the Hiki-NEET's direction.

Everyone in the room looked at the couple blankly. Including Sui and Hikki.

"How cheesy~," Tekitte said first.

"That son of mine is such a wet cheeseball." Inuzuma followed, shaking his head disapprovingly.

"If you think that's already cheesy, you should see how Kazuma always treats Aqua." Megumin announced to the family members.

"I wholeheartedly agree. It's like she's always his priority first." Darkness said, slightly shaking her body.

Kyouka now emerged from the corridor having a problematic look on her face. "I think we have a problem," she said, making everyone look at her. "We only have two futon-"

"Okay Aqua-sama, let's go to my room." Kazuma immediately held Aqua's hand as he quickly led her to his room.

"YOU'RE SLEEPING ON THE COUCH!" Inuzuma quickly sprang from his seat, yelling at the corridor.

"Tch. Screw you, old man! Don't you dare get in the way of a young man's innocent heart!" Kazuma immediately countered, holding his chest.

"No! I'm getting in the way of a pervert's!" The angry father yelled back.

"I've already slept together with Kazuma, so it's okay," Aqua mentioned, nonchalantly raising her arm.

...

...

...

"Ara~ Ara~" Kyouka just cooed out embarrassingly.

"Kazuma-Nii-chan's already walked the stairs toward adulthood..." Tekitte muttered out in shock.

"H-H-How many times already!?" Inuzuma screamingly asked.

"A lot of times," Megumin answered, not thinking too much about it.

"Eh!?"

"Yeah. For the past months, the two of them would sleep together, since it proved to be more convenient." Darkness explained, still not getting why the family was reacting oddly.

"WHAT!? MONTHS!? PLURAL!?" The father can only look at Kazuma with angry eyes. "What did you do to Aqua-chan for months, you perverted son-of mine!" He shook his son.

"NOTHING! I NEVER LOOKED AT HER AS A GIRL FROM THE START ANYWAY!" Kazuma reasoned out, Inuzuma pausing from what he heard.

"...YOU SLEPT TOGETHER EVEN BEFORE YOU STARTED DATING~!?" Inuzuma went berserk.

"IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK, PERVERTED OLD MAN!"

Kyouka just ignored the two-man of the house as the 1st problem had now been solved. "I still have one thing to address. Tekitte, since you and Megumin-chan have the same body size and even age, can you let her borrow some of your clothes? And are you okay with that, Megumin-chan?" Kyouka asked gently towards the two youngest in the house.

Tekitte slightly blushed from having his clothes being worn by a girl, but he still nodded.

"Thank you for your hospitality." Megumin saluted at Tekitte who was just waving it off that it was fine.

"Now, Darkness-san you can borrow some of my clothes. Since we're pretty much the same height. Sorry if they will be too tight for you." Kyouka lightly bowed.

"No! No! I'm honored that I would wear the same clothes from a beautiful lady such as yourself, Kyouka-san!" Darkness immediately responded, genuinely meaning what she had said.

"Now that's just too much~!" Kyouka responded with a blush on her face yet again. "Now lastly, Aqua-chan-"

"I can wear Kazuma's clothes. His tracksuit is pretty comfy to use." The useless-goddess interrupted again.

...

...

...

Kazuma just let out a cocky smile.

The father shook his soon yet again. "YOU COCKY SON OF A *!"

"YOU'RE JUST JEALOUS THAT MOM DOESN'T WEAR YOUR CLOTHES, OLD MAN!" Kazuma retorted, now butting face with his old man.

"WHAT WAS THAT, YOU PUNK!? YOU'RE MOTHER JUST SAID, "Dear, you're shirts are too big for me these days.", THE OTHER DAY WHILE ONLY WEARING MY SHIRT!" The jealous father said, acting out a girly voice.

"HUH!? THERE'S NO WAY THAT HAPPENED! NOT EVEN IN YOUR WILDEST FANTASIES!" Kazuma replied, "slightly" jealous from what the father said.

"Come on, Dad. We should be already happy that Kazuma-Nii-chan even brought a friend here." The innocent Tekitte said. "And now there's a girl that is even okay in wearing his clothes? Now, that's a miracle!" he smiled like an angel at the last part. Genuinely happy for his brother.

Inuzuma was deep in thought as he put Kazuma down. "You're right..." he said out loud. "Thank you, Tekitte. You've shown me the true path, and that I should be happy that this pervert even brought a human girl home, and that I shouldn't be jealous of him." The father now smiled fondly as he patted the young Tekitte. Proof that something genuine can always be happy.

But genuine feelings can't always be happy.

'Are you mocking me you little *!' Kazuma thought out staring deadly at his younger brother.

"Ohhh~? Is that what I should be hearing from the kid who's clothing will also be worn by Megumin~? Which is not even his girlfriend~?" Kazuma, let out a dark grin as he faced the two.

Emotional music played at the back, as the father slowly looked back at his youngest son. A lone tear flowed down his face as he shook his head sadly. His expression saying out "TRAITOR"

"YOU BETRAYED ME!" The father yelled again as he headbutted his two sons.

The girls in the room just rubbed their heads from the men's stupidity. "Let's leave those men for themselves. Anyone want to have a bath?" Kyouka now led the group away from the men.

"Yeeep~!" The three exclaimed their approval as they follow the mother towards the baths.

The fishbowl sat at the dining table. Hikki looked at Sui, imagining if she was colored green, and just swam away disapprovingly.

---

KO!-KO!-NO!-SUBA!

"Man, was today such an unbelievable day..." Kazuma exclaimed, laying like an old man in his. Sui and Hikki right with him. "I came home to Japan, took my friends, saw my family, understood the misunderstanding, then we're going to spend another day in my house... This is going to be one long Another Realm chapter." he counted off with Sui and Hikki. "You guys better remind me to thank Wiz for the box," he said to them, earning a nod immediately. "But we wouldn't be spending another day here if it wasn't for you guys."

4 is the limit of people that can be brought to Japan for 12 hours. Bringing more than four means you get another extension of 12 hours each.

Sui and Hikki just swam happily as their owner felt grateful because of them.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm really thankful at you guys." he said knowingly, as he patted them with his finger. "And it's because of your other idiot owner for actually thinking of bringing you guys here." The two just swam knowingly from what Kazuma said.

The door to his room suddenly opened, as a blue-haired girl walked in. Her hair was still wet as she was drying it off with a towel, and she was wearing another pair of tracksuit, only this time it was color blue. She was drying up her hair with a towel. "Man~. Did we take a long time in the bath. Megumin and Darkness were so awed by the showers and the unlimited options of shampoos."

Kazuma just blankly stared at the girl with a deadpanned expression.

"Huh? I thought you were going to sleep in the couch, Hiki-NEET." she said, slightly irritated by Kazuma staring at her like she was an eyesore. "What are you staring at me for!?"

"Holy crap, I think I'm actually going to sleep in the couch... I don't think I will last here." Kazuma stood up from the bed after saying his goodnights at Sui and Hikki and walked out of his room.

"HUH!? What does that mean!? Oy! Hiki-NEET!" Aqua screamed, not knowing what Kazuma had meant.

The now blushing Kazuma went towards the living room, seeing his parents there. Kyouka finishing on covering up the sofa. "Oy, Kazuma! I thought you actually slept in your room, I was about to charge there myself any minute now." Inuzuma said, which Kazuma ignored.

The dazed Kazuma just lay down on the couch, as he immediately covered himself with his blanket.

"Goodnight, Kazuma-kun. *yawn~* There's some extra blankets in our room if you want some more." Kyouka tiredly said, walking back to their room.

"Hmph! If I see you there in Aqua-chan's room, there will be hell to pay!" The father warned his goodnights as he went back with his wife.

They turned off the lights before walking away, Kazuma just turned on his sofa as he held his now burning face. "I need to release one...Now..." he muttered to himself.

The sound of rustling was heard beneath those blankets hiding what scary things were happening.

---

The night continued, all the lights of the neighborhood was shut down. Not a single house was springing up with life, as every member of the family had been asleep in their comfy beds.

"Mghh!" Kazuma turned again on the sofa, trying to find a comfortable spot yet again. "I can't sleeeep!" he sat up, already having eyebags on his face. He looked at the clock seeing that it was already past 12 am. Kazuma just rubbed his eyes, already sleepy but can't seem to fall asleep. "Guess, I'll drink some milk and walk around," he said, walking towards the fridge. The Sleepy NEET opened the fridge, grabbing the milk, he checked its date of expiration, after confirming its safe, he drank the milk directly from its carton. "Ahhh~. It's been a while since I drank good milk." he gave off a sigh of satisfaction, and brazenly put the carton of milk back in the fridge.

He now walked at the hallway as he went first to his parent's room. He used Lurk just in case, as he silently went in. What first caught his eye was his two party members who were sleeping soundly on the floor.

"Explosion~... And another one~... And another one~..." Megumin uttered out in her dream, as she held out her hand.

'I'm not even surprised at this point.' Kazuma thought out looking blankly at Megumin.

Surprisingly enough Darkness was sleeping nobly on her futon. The crusader's hands placed on her chest, like Snow White who was waiting for her prince to come.

Kazuma now looked at his parents together on their bed. Fortunately, his father for being so muscular didn't even snore loudly or even move in his sleep. But the surprise coming from Kyouka instead, who was drooling and unwomanly posed on her sleep.

'Man, now that's a surprise.' Kazuma can only smile knowingly, already familiar with sight since he was a kid. He looked at them for a while more and proceeded to get out of the room silently.

He now went towards Tekitte's room. Opening it, he was surprised by his younger brother's huge collection of figurines, already a lot more compared to before Kazuma died. Kazuma looked at his younger brother who was slightly snoring in his sleep. He patted his brother's head, smiling somewhat sadly. 'You've been busy, huh?' he thought out, patting him some more. And after a while, the older brother fixed Tekitte's blanket as he silently went out of the room.

Kazuma now stood in front of his room, he replayed his father's warning in his head. But still blankly went in. Thug Lifestyle. Seeing that Sui and Hikki were placed on his table, the two goldfishes swam idly by, only hovering in the water. The Hiki-NEET gave their bowl a light touch as he now turned over Aqua.

The useless goddess was sleeping her usual way in his bed, not even a sense of shame and embarrassment showed in her face that she was sleeping in Kazuma's bed. She was drooling and rubbing her stomach that was now uncovered by Kazuma's tracksuit.

"How the hell can you still sleep like that even in my own bed?" he muttered out his question, smiling crookedly.

Aqua suddenly turned on her sleep, making Kazuma surprised for a moment. Her eyelids started to budge as her eyes open slightly. "It's still night, Kazuma~," she said, half-asleep.

Kazuma removed his Lurk ability, somewhat surprised that Aqua still saw him with his Lurk on. "Then go back to sleep, useless-goddess~," Kazuma said whispering to the half-asleep Aqua.

"Hehehe~. I get it now.~" The dazed Aqua, just gave a drooled grin as she looked at Kazuma. "You just want to sleep together, with the great Aqua-sama don't you~? Don't you~? Of course, you do~." she said cockily with a sleepy voice.

"Yes, please. I would be honored to sleep together with the great goddess of water, Aqua." Kazuma said out blankly, going with the flow.

"Hehehe~. What would you do without me~?" Aqua now scooted over as she gave some space in the bed. "Be thankful~. I, the great Aqua give you permission to sleep beside me, Hiki-NEET~." she was still half-asleep and was not taking no for an answer.

'Kazuma you are a gentleman. You've heard that if the girl was the one who initiated it, you, as the man, should be the one to deny it. You love this girl, and you would not take advantage of her mental state right now. And wait for the time she asks of you this again when she is in her right mind.' Kazuma thought, 10 words per second.

Kaxuma quickly lay down, facing the other way from Aqua. 'That's in another lifetime.' he thought out, now blushing hard. Nervousness filled his whole body, as he sweated hard. 'WHY THE HELL AM I FEELING LIKE THIS!' Kazuma thought out, feeling Aqua's breath in his neck. The bed is for only one person only, so their bodies ended up really close to adjust some space. 'It's not like this is the first time you slept together, Kazuma! I've slept with her countless times, and I even rustled sometimes!' he was slightly guilty at the last part. 'So why am I nervous now!?'

Suddenly, he felt two arms hugging him from behind. Kazuma let out some soft groans as he felt some pair of softness at his back. "W-W-W-W" he tried to speak but did not have the ability to form words.

"Hehehe~. You just missed me, didn't you~? You do right~? Of course, you do~." Aqua spoke up still half-asleep. "It's been a while since we slept together..." her voice became slightly sad at that last part. Aqua's head slowly leaned on Kazuma's back.

"Aqua..." Kazuma muttered out, clearly surprised from what the sleepy goddess said. 'So that's why...' he can only smile from his sudden realization. Kazuma slowly turned around now facing the now sleeping goddess. The Hiki-NEET, still blushing as he stared closely at the sleeping soundly useless goddess. 'This is the first time we slept together since we confessed.' he thought out fixing Aqua's blue hair.

"Ugaaa~." Aqua's face now opened up, as fresh new drool flowed down her mouth.

Kazuma can only let out a grin, wiping the drool away, he just gently pinched the goddess's cheek. "Why am I in love with you~."

"It's because you love me~." Aqua sleeptalked, as she tried to escape the pinch.

The Hiki-NEET just gave the goddess a deadpan look. 'It's probably wrong if I kissed her right now isn't it? Yes, it's probably wrong.' he blankly thought out as his face now started closing in. Kazuma now noticed the sweet smell coming from Aqua's hair. She used the same shampoo he had used. 'I don't know why, but having your girlfriend use the same shampoo as you really freaking makes me happy!' he thought out, being more giddy and wanting to kiss her more.

Kazuma blankly stared at her lips which was overflowing with drool again. "I don't have that kind of fetish yet, so no." he looked for other options beside the mouth, which was the best spot but not an option. "How about the cheeks? But I have to move upwards if I'm going to kiss it. But, I don't want to move from her soft embrace. How about her arms, legs, boobs, between the *****." his train of thought became more perverted, Aqua sensing an evil presence, instinctively smacked the evil presence, which was Kazuma's stomach.

"Urk!" he let out a pained growl but managed to not scream. His thoughts now died down, as he saw the angry look on the sleeping goddess's face. "Okay, okay, the forehead it is then. I did hear it's the most special place to kiss the girl." The now calm Kazuma shrugged, as his face went closer to Aqua. He placed his lips on her forehead, kissing it for a second. Aqua's face regained it's usual drooling form as she continued to snore happily. 'Now that was fast.' Kazuma thought out, now giving out a sleepy yawn.

"Guess I should sleep now." he lightly smiled looking at the snoring Aqua's face, he snuggled up close to her and now closed his eyes. Immediately falling asleep in her warm embrace. And after 10 seconds, the Hiki-NEET's face immediately copied the useless goddess's. "Ugaa~." he let out having a drool fall out his face.

---

KO!-NO!-S-UGAA~

Morning came, giving light to the once nocturnal and dark neighborhood. Darkness was soon replaced by light as the sun slowly rose up to its throne. The town that was devoid of life, became bright yet again. A new day was starting.

The father was the first one to wake up in the Satou's household. His eyes slowly sprang open, he quietly grumbled as he sat up from their bed. He rubbed his eyes trying to remove the sleepiness left. Inuzuma then looked around the room, seeing his wife's bizarre sleeping position yet again he let out a little smile. His attention suddenly went towards the friends of Kazuma. The army like sleeping Darkness, and the sleep talking Megumin. "K-Kazuma!... N-Not my panties again..." she grumbled in her sleep.

A vein popped out of the father's temple first thing in the morning. "I'm gonna have a good long~ time beating him now," he muttered to himself menacingly. Quietly standing from their bed, putting on his slippers, he fixed his wife's appearance and hid her in the blankets before going out of the room.

Walking through the hallway, he went towards the kitchen going to the coffee machine. Turning on the machine, he loaded it with coffee beans, and pushing the button he let the machine do its work. And while waiting for his coffee to be done, the father went out of the house, breathing the fresh air outside and receiving the morning paper. Hearing the beep from the machine Inuzuma rushed back. The smell of fresh-brewed coffee was in the air as Inuzuma poured it in his mug while reading the headlines of today's paper. "Akihabara Chaos! A group of juvenile teenagers reeved chaos through the streets of Akihabara. Running through every street known to Akihabara culture, drivers complained and cursed left and right as the group dashed even through green-lighted districts! Are teens right now this rogue!?" Inuzuma can only shake his head from how far the young generation had fallen. Sipping his coffee, he looked at the shot of those said teenagers. Seeing an awfully familiar pair of faces, Megumin and Darkness screaming their heads off while a creepy pervert looking Kazuma and a wet abused Aqua chased after them. "Mphrrgg! Sh*t! H-Hot!" Inuzuma spat his coffee, burning his body at the process.

"Oy, Kazuma! What the heck were you guys doing in Akihabara!?" he stomped towards the living room, only to see an unoccupied sofa.

The father can only glare at the messy state of the sofa, he held the blanket, and slowly held it up.

There was a visible stain there… Inuzuma slowly let go of the defiled blanket and dashed towards Kazuma's room.

"*snoreee~*… U-Ugaaa~." Kazuma was now sleeping halfway on the floor, drool already dripping down.

Aqua, still on the bed was sleeping like an old man yet again. But, miraculously turned on her sleep, as she fixed her sleeping form. Her face relaxed, placing her hands on her chest, she truly slept like a goddess at that moment.

The door slammed open as the tyrant father went in. His eyes glaring at the immoral son who was sleeping shamelessly like a scum beside the breathtaking, divine sleeping girlfriend of his. Aqua mysteriously shined like she was Mother Marry.

"*snork!* H-Hguh!?" Kazuma immediately awoke from his slumber, drooling, he looked up at the tyrant with a dreamy look.

"HAVE YOU NO SHAME, PERVERT!?" Inuzuma gave a blow to the sleeping Kazuma's head.

"ITAI! What kind of good morning was that, old fart!?" Kazuma's scream awoke the sleeping goddess.

"That's what you get for sneaking at night and for sexually harassing Aqua-chan!" Inuzuma replied, still furious.

"*yawn~* Ohayou~." Aqua greeted sleepily. "Ahh. Goodmorning too, Aqua-chan~." The father smiled warmly as he greeted back. "Now, Kazuma. Explain to me why the hell are you in Aqua-chan's room?" Inuzuma cracked his knuckles.

'Now it's her room?'

"Don't you "Ohayou~" me." Kazuma rubbed his aching head, looking at Aqua expectantly. "Oy, Aqua. Explain to this old man what happened last night."

"What do you mean what happened?" Aqua rubbed her eyes, still a little bit drowsy.

Kazuma grinned to himself as he thought of last night. Inuzuma feeling more fury when he saw his son's perverted smile. "You know..." The Hiki-NEET tried to remind her.

"I don't remember anything last night," Aqua replied nonchalantly. "I only felt someone lay beside me, and I felt something wet being rubbed on my body," she said, wanting to go back to sleep.

...

...

...

"WHAT KIND OF DIRTY EXPLANATION IS THAT!?" Kazuma yelled out angrily, panicking as he felt a huge burst of destructive intent coming from Inuzuma. "IT WAS A KISS, OLD MAN! A KISS! IT'S NOT REALLY WHAT YOU'RE THINKING!" The scared Kazuma tried to explain.

"Man, it's been a while since I got a good workout in the morning." The father stretched his neck. "You're not getting out alive here, Kazuma." Inuzuma cracked his knuckles loudly as he closed the room's door.

And the house was lively yet again first thing in the morning, the others waking up, and left the 2 men alone. Sui and Hikki were awake too.

---

"Ohh~! The drawings are being moved by magic again!" Megumin yelled out in wonder, as she looked closely at the TV. There was an anime trailer being shown.

"Megumin-chan! Don't be so close at the T.V. screen! You'll ruin your eyes!" Kyouka warned her, fixing up a huge breakfast for the whole family.

"It's going to destroy my eyes!?" Megumin went back to the sofa in fear. "Is it poison!? Aqua, heal me quick!" she rushed towards the blue-haired goddess who was relaxing on the couch. Sui and Hikki relaxing with her.

"It's noht poibon. Jub be quiet anb watbch." Kazuma blabbered, words not understandable between battered lips. "Anb you." he looked at Aqua. "How can you relax like that at someone else's home? If you don't have the decency to be polite at least my face."

"Ehhhh~?" Aqua brushed it off. "It's your fault for assaulting me in my sleep, Hiki-NEET." Sui and Hikki nodded with their owner.

"Why do you not remember!? You specifically said, " "Be thankful~. I, the great Aqua give you permission to sleep beside me, Hiki-NEET~." as you open up your arms to me!" Kazuma said, imitating Aqua's voice.

"There's no way that can happen even in your wildest, creepiest Hiki-NEET dreams!" Aqua landed her foot at the NEET's face.

"THERE'S NO WAY IT CAN, BECAUSE IT ALREADY HAPPENED!" Kazuma retaliated grabbing her foot. Sui and Hikki ignored their owner's usual bickering as they just watched the TV.

"Is this like a common thing for them?" Tekitte said, helping Kyouka set up breakfast.

"Always. You would not believe how many times this two bicker in a day." Megumin said blankly, her eyes suddenly shined when the TV showed a commercial of an anime.

"They get along so well." Kyouka smiled in delight as she continued to cook.

Meanwhile, Inuzuma was training with Darkness.

"This sword is really light and really great for training. What was it called again? A shinai?" Darkness gave a sigh of satisfaction, as she held up the bamboo sword. "We only used wooden swords when we train in our city."

"Your folks seriously never heard of this type of practice sword?" Inuzuma wiped out his sweat. "Shinai's is a weapon used for practice and competition in kendo. Shinai is written with the kanji 竹刀, meaning "bamboo sword", and is an irregular kanji reading. (Wakipedia)" he explained looking at the nostalgic weapon. 'I first met Kyouka when she was holding this.' Inuzuma gave a gentle smile.

"Kendo? K-Kanji?" Darkness tilted her head questioningly from those words she did not know the meaning of.

Inuzuma looked at the crusader with a confused expression.

"Hey! Bright morning as always, Inuzuma!" An old man suddenly greeted, getting the attention of the two training partners. Beside the old man was his family's Shiba Inu.

"Morning! Walking your dog as alway-"s huh?" As Inuzuma was about to walk closer towards his neighbor, Darkness immediately shoved him away.

"IT'S A WOLF! INUZUMA-SAN, HIDE! LEAVE ME BEHIND! NIGEROOOO~!" Darkness threw the shinai as she spread out her arms like she was being a noble sacrifice.

"*BARK!* *BARK!*" The Shiba Inu barked as it went ran immediately towards Darkness much to her pleasure. It panted as it licked all over the shivering blushing crusader.

"Having a taste test before devouring me, y-you savage b-beast!" she said with a shaking breath as the Shiba Inu's tongue went over her face slowly.

"She part of the big family, Inuzuma?" The old neighbor just sweatdropped, feeling slightly uncomfortable at the scene.

"Well... you could say that." Inuzuma scratched his neck embarrassingly.

The dog continued to pant as it looked at Darkness at the eyes. Seeing the crusader's rather flushed face, it stood still for a while.

Darkness looked at the predator questioningly, wondering why it hadn't attacked her yet.

Not until... the dog ran towards Darkness back and started humping the crusader.

"Hiyaaah~! Y-You beast!" Darkness yelled in delight. "D-Defiling me in front of Kazuma's family! Y-Y-Y-You monsteeeer~~!"

Inuzuma and the old man just looked at the crusader in horror.

"Y-Y-You're even at the same level of bruteness of K-K-Kazuma!" The crusader screamed as the dog continued to do its thing.

Inuzuma's muscles immediately flexed his muscles angrily as the neighbor just looked at the father in disgust.

"Itadakimasu!" "Itakakimapsu!" The Satou family said in unison, one member saying it pitifully.

The arch wizard and crusader blinked not knowing what happened. Aqua didn't bother thanking for the food as she immediately started eating. "What does ITADAKIMASU~ mean?" Megumin asked.

"It's how they show their gratefulness for the food on the table." Aqua stuffed her face with some toast, giving some parts to Sui and Hikki.

"Ohh~. Is that so~." Megumin cooed out, looking at Darkness the both of them suddenly nodded as both of them clapped their hands together. "ITADAKIMASU!" They both screamed their gratefulness as they now started eating.

"Good thing the TWO of them can even show their gratefulness for the food that MY family served for ALL of us." Kazuma said out loud, looking at the shameful goddess.

Aqua looked annoyed. "Why should I do it also? I am the great goddess of w-OW!" A kick was sent at her under the table before she finished her sentence.

"Goddess? What does that mean?" Inuzuma asked, munching away his food.

"My goddess! She's saying that she's my goddess!" Kazuma immediately covered up. "Right, AQUA-SAN?"

"Yes~..." Aqua said painfully, rubbing her leg.

"So... Aqua-chan." Kyouka swallowed the food in her mouth before continuing. "When did you and Kazuma meet?"

"I wanna know that too!" Tekitte butted in looking at the couple, wanting to know their relationship more.

Kazuma was on the edge of his seat, as the questions now start to come up again.

"Hmmm. Me and Kazuma met 8 months ago, at the construction site actually." Aqua said, deep in thought. "I was usually the plasterer and the best one there. He was stuck on heavy lifting with the other guys. Kazuma was really~ weak from the start. The boss was this close in firing him." The family laughed from her story, as the useless goddess continued on telling the 1st days Axis.

Kazuma sighed in relief, knowing Aqua has the gist of the situation, he started to eat again.

"So when did you guys start dating?" Inuzuma was now the one who asked.

"A week ag-"

"8 months! We've actually been dating for 8 months now!" Kazuma quickly butted in before Aqua spoke.

"Ehhh? Do you even know how to count, Kazuma? Didn't it happen 7 days ago?" Megumin butted in.

'You little! Why did you say that!? They will get suspicious as to why me and Aqua are so close! SLEEPING TOGETHER EVEN BEFORE WE WERE DATING IS NOT A GOOD IDEA FOR THEM TO KNOW THAT!' Kazuma looked at Inuzuma's raging muscles. 'I DON'T WANT TO BE PUMMELED AGAAAIN~!'

"OUR 8TH MONTH ANNIVERSARY! THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED 7 DAYS AGO!" he added, desperately wanting to prevent another beatdown.

"Anniversary? If it was, you did nothing befitting for a joyous occasion like an anniversary. Except for the fact that you sexually harassed all your female comrades." Darkness said blankly.

...

...

...

'YOU MASOCHISTIC W*TCH!'

"Ohhh~? Kazuma did that?" A mixture of powerful muscles and crimson eyes was now aiming towards Kazuma.

"I WAS GOING TO SAVE THE REAL CELEBRATION FOR WHEN WE VISIT HERE!" Kazuma added yet again with tears for in his eyes.

"Eh?" The party members muttered out in sync.

---

KO-KO-KO-NO-NO-NO-SUBA!

"Tch, she's late."

A casually dressed Kazuma was waiting on the Town Square checking the time at his phone. 'I told her to come at exactly 11 o'clock, but its already 11: 20.' he though out, irritated at the tardy goddess. Hiding his phone. the NEET just rubbed his head tiredly as he thought back what happened earlier this morning.

---

"Are you really sure that I and Aqua can have a date for the whole day? I should really come with you guys in your shopping." Kazuma said, slightly worried.

"Of course, you worthless boyfriend of a son. HAHAHA! You just really don't want to leave your family don't you!" Inuzuma cockily said.

'That's not why I want to come...'

"What should I bring for this quest!? Should I bring some mana potions just in case of another Explosion? Where's my staff!?" Megumin dashed towards the parent's room.

"Y-You don't have to bring anything, Megumin-san!" Tekitte sweatdropped as he followed the excited Megumin.

"Hah~... Hah~." Darkness excitedly panted. "I wonder what kind of other brutes will I face-off this time... K-Kazuma's world is delightful~!" she sat on the couch as she shivered in thought.

Kazuma watched the scene blankly. "...I should really come with you guys. THESE TWO will really be a pain to deal with."

"It's not like I wasn't a parent of two children back then. What's the worse that can happen?" The father shrugged.

'Everything.'

"And besides... " he looked at his son in the eyes. "I really know you want to spend some ALONE time with Aqua-chan."

"Eh!? No, no, no! She's also an eyesore to be with you know! In fact, she's actually worse than these two!" Kazuma reddened as he fumbled around.

'Man. was I also like this with Kyouka in our first date?' Inuzuma thought out with nostalgia. Missing the days when he and his wife were young.

"Just don't make a fool of yourself in front of her. And try to be sweet to her and always compliment her, stuff like that." The father slapped his son's back as he gave his share of advice.

'No way will I be sweet to her. Saving money is way more important. And I can't compliment her ALWAYS, her head's bigger than it already is.' Kazuma thought out blankly as a cocky faced Aqua appeared in his mind.

Inuzma's phone suddenly vibrated, signaling a text message had come. He opened his phone and slowly read out its contents.

"Okay, Kazuma. You better head out in your meeting spot, first." Inuzuma announced.

"Ehhh? Can't we just go together?" Kazuma complained tiredly, already worried that he'd wait for a very long time.

"You want to tell that to your mother?" Inuzuma threatened, making Kazuma shudder. "She's fixing up Aqua for your date, so at least be grateful and just follow her."

"Fine. Fine~." Kazuma looked at the party members. "You two, PLEASE don't make so much trouble with me gone," he said at them blankly. "Don't run off without my family, don't get into any fights with ANY of the people in the city, don't challenge any animal you come across with, and MOST importantly DO NOT EMBARRASS the Satou name. Got that?"

"Aye, sir~!" The two just saluted at their leader.

A tired sigh came over the NEET's face as he went towards his brother. "Tekitte, I leave you with taking charge of Megumin. She's the most troublesome." the brother whispered.

"Leave it to me!" Tekitte whispered his excitement.

"You can hold her hand, just make an excuse that she can't separate from you." Kazuma left out a piece of advice making the younger brother blush in response.

Kazuma grinned, and now went towards Sui and Hikki who was still watching TV. "Hey, you guys." he lifted their bowl.

The grumpy Sui and Hikki just swam from the opposite direction of Kazuma. "Don't give me that look... I know you two want to come with, but I and Aqua need some date time together. I might get to kiss her again todaaay~." he acted out excited, expecting a good response from them.

The two fishes still did not look the owner in the eye.

"I'll bring home some snaaacks~." The NEET revealed his trump card. The 2 immediately perked up, nodding their heads devoid of any angry thoughts. The 3 saluted as Kazuma returned the bowl to its spot in front of the T.V.

Kazuma then walked towards the door, "Well, I'm off. Please tell Aqua not to make me wait for too long. PLEASE." he said already feeling like he jinxed it.

"Have a nice date!" Everyone in the room said with a smile on their faces.

Kazuma just tiredly smiled back as he went out the door.

---

"I think I'll go and just bail on this date." Kazuma stood up from his spot.

"Gumeee~! I'm latee~!" Now, a voice all too familiar for him came from behind. "Ahh! You were thinking of bailing now, weren't you!"

'Making me wait for at least 30 minutes if she looks ugly and not even cute I'll really dropkick her.' Kazuma thought, really serious with what he had thought out. "I was already planning on ditching you anytime now, useless-goddes-!" he didn't finish his sentence the moment he turned around.

Aqua, if you would think she's not Aqua. You are probably right. The goddess who wears middle school clothes, and clothes that are not for young audiences, was now wearing clothes that were seriously girly and cute. Her aqua blue hair in a curly ponytail signifies that she had her hair done, a light touch of makeup already making her already beautiful face more gorgeous, and to top it all off her clothes were really breathtaking. A pink dress that went up to her knees, and a light blue cardigan to hide her sleeveless shoulders.

"It's not my fault! You picked a location 6 stations away, of course, it's your fault!" the breathtaking Aqua defended, as she went closer.

Kazuma just blankly looked at her, 'YOU WENT OVERBOARD, MOM!' he thought out now looking away from the goddess's face. Hiding his burning face, and a body with a rampaging heart. "C-C'mon let's go eat first. I'm already hungry just waiting for you." he walked away in a rush.

"Oy! Wait for me!" The oblivious goddess chased after the escaping NEET. Suddenly remembering something, she immediately went in front of Kazuma. "Wait just a minute!"

"AHHHH~!" Kazuma hid his eyes from the bright light.

"Kyouka-chan said that if you do not say anything about my appearance I will not move from my spot!" she said, now trying to look the NEET in the eyes.

"She's not here anyway. So you don't need to do that." he tried calming down and managed to look at the goddess now.

"It was a promise of women! And I promised to do it!" she crossed her arms as she looked at the NEET in the eyes.

"Tsk." Kazuma clicked his tongue with a blush on her face.

Aqua finally noticed the NEET's expression and was already grinning the cockiest grin she ever had yet. "I look really REALLY pretty right~? I do right~? Of course, I do~!" she went closer in his face as she made the Kazuma blush more and looked away from her direction. "Oho~? Why aren't you looking at my direction, Hiki-NEET? Do I look that pretty to you~?"

"S-Stop being cocky! You're still the alcoholic, debt-making, money-hungry, pig, crybaby, goddess of party tricks, clown, coward, dumb, and useless-goddess in the inside! It doesn't change a thing!" Kazuma let his mouth run, not thinking the things he had said.

"Uhhhhh~" Aqua now had tears in her eyes, as her cheeks puffed up holding back her twitching lips.

'Crap.'

Kazuma hid her mouth as he looked at another direction. "B-But...you do look better than before. I'll give you that I guess," he said.

"Eh?" Aqua was dumbfounded for a second. "Only better?" she asked, still acting like she was about to cry.

"OKAY! OKAY! YOU LOOK REALLY REALLY~ BEAUTIFUL RIGHT NOW!" Kazuma said in a rush and loudly, now looking at the goddess who had a cocky grin planted on her face again.

'I got tricked!'

"Ohhh~? So I look really really~ beautiful you said? How beautiful? The most beautiful goddess right now~?" she rushed him to praise her more.

"STOP BEING COCKY AND LET'S GO!" Kazuma just grabbed the now overly confident Aqua and proceeded to walk away.

"Hiyaaah~, you can't take it any longer so you held my hand~." Aqua still continued to talk...until a dark blush now painted her face. Trying to hide it with her teasing. 'Thank me, that Kazuma didn't notice...' she thanked herself with a nod, the person she had held hands with suddenly stopped.

The useless goddess looked slowly towards the Hiki-NEET, and a horrified expression now went over her. 'Nooooooo~!'

"Oho~? Why are you blushing right now, the beautiful Aqua-sama~?" Kazuma now went closer her face, trying to look at her and Aqua trying to dodge his gaze. "Are you happy that I complimented you hmmmm~?"

"N-No! I-I already know that I'm pretty! I didn't need you to tell me!" she tried to hide her face from the smug NEET.

Kazuma just gave a demon grin. "You're really BEAUTIFUL~!" Kazuma said yet again.

"NOOOO~! DON'T SAY THAT WORD~!"

The people who spectated the situation just gave cold glares and death stares to the idiot couple at the center of the square. "Death to normies..." they gave off their curses as they ignored the still bickering duo.

-MEANWHILE-

"Oh my~. I'm really sorry for making you all wait for me." Kyouka with her casual clothes apologized to the group who were waiting in the living room.

"You didn't need to rush, honey. You made breakfast, and even fixed Aqua-chan TOO WELL for that idiot." Inuzuma said, stretching from sitting too long.

"Yeah! I didn't even know that was Aqua. She looks soo girly! Kazuma will probably get excited the moment he sees her." Megumin added, eating her Pocky.

"I have to agree. Your skills are really divine, and perfect, Kyouka-san." Darkness agreed, wanting Kyouka to fix her too sometime.

"Oh no, oh no! Aqua was already beautiful from the start, I just gave her some fancy clothes and light makeup." Kyouka shook her head embarrassingly from the compliment.

"I never saw those clothes before, Mom. Were those yours before?" Tekitte asked.

Inuzuma and Kyouka blinked at the statement. Inuzuma just scratched his head with a light blush on his face. "I think I'll go and set-up the car." The father ran away from the group.

"It's a secret!" Kyouka mischievously said, holding up a finger in her mouth.

"Ehhh~? No fair~." Megumin and Tekitte spoke up their disappointment.

"I wonder what's their story..." Darkness whispered to herself, wanting to hear the parent's love story. "It might be a really touching one." Sui and Hikki, who was resting on the crusader's lap just nodded their heads from her statement.

A minute has passed from Megumin and Tekitte trying to persuade Kyouka who was just giggling from their desperation to hear the history of that dress. Suddenly there was a sound of a car horn going off, which made the arch wizard and crusader gasp in surprise.

Kyouka stood up from the sofa. "Guess the car's ready. Let's go, everyone-"

"THERE'S A GIANT BEAST OUTSIDE KAZUMA'S HOUSE!" Megumin yelled, running towards the parent's bedroom to get her staff.

"I'LL DISTRACT IT! NIGERO~, EVERYONE! DON'T COME BACK FOR ME!" With no weapon in hand, the crusader rushed outside. Darkness offered herself as bait to save Kazuma's family, the thought making her drool with excitement. "WHAT BRUTE MONSTER WILL I FACE THIS TIME~!?"

"Don't worry!" Megumin now appeared, wearing her witch hat and her staff at hand. "I'll protect Kazuma's family with Explosion magic!" she threw her eyepatch, hitting Tekitte right in the face.

"Wh-Wh-Wha." Darkness gasped in disbelief, seeing Inuzuma taming the "car" that Kazuma had spoken of yesterday. "You truly are a master, Inuzuma-san!" she bowed her head towards Inuzuma, who was in the car with the window down. "Please teach me the ways to tame a small Destroyer! I p-promise I will train myself to use it on mysel-! I will train myself to use it to protect my party!" The crusader "properly" requested, already getting excited about the countless possibilities of having a machine that can lethally damage a person.

"EHHHHH~!? INUZUMA-SAN IS A S LEVEL TAMER!" Megumin yelled out with shining eyes. "Please let me test my Explosion skill against your Destroyer!" Megumin requested, already readying her staff.

Kyouka just giggled at the 2 newcomers, Tekitte having a mark on his face tried to explain the man-made machine to them, and Inuzuma just sweatdropped, feeling that this day will really be a tiring one.

"Now I get why Kazuma wanted to come..." he muttered to himself looking at the sky with little regret.

Sui and Hikki just watched TV in the living room.

---

"Brr~." Kazuma suddenly shuddered, making him rub his arms. 'Why do I feel like I did something that I really regret...' he thought out blankly.

"Oy, Hiki-NEET! Can you order already?" The girly looking Aqua rushed in front of him. "You can leave this idiot with his daydreaming waiter, you can go and grab my orders first."

The duo was eating at a family restaurant in Tokyo. Wanting to eat first, before doing anything else. Mostly because Aqua didn't stop complaining about how she was hungry.

"If you can waiter, please remove almost everything this idiot ordered. Just pick one from what she ordered, and only go with that." Kazuma interrupted, making the waiter just smile crookedly as she erased all the orders she had just written.

"Huh!? You Cheap-NEET! That won't be enough for me!" the cranky girly goddess kicked Kazuma's feet under the table.

"NO! Do you want to spend all my money just to eat?! This is a DATE! Not a goddamn buffet!" Kazuma rubbed his slightly sore foot.

"It's not like you're going to spend that money anytime soon." Aqua, now grumpy just puffed up her cheeks as she leaned on her seat cross armed.

'She didn't deny it was a date...' Kazuma slightly felt giddy.

"Tsk... Waiter, please choose 3 from what she ordered and the Special Crepe." Kazuma sighed, and just rubbed his head while returning the menu to the already tired waiter.

"You're an angel, Kazuma-san~!" Aqua's mood turned a 360 as she smiled sweetly at Kazuma.

"I'll be slightly more nice to you since you're cute and all right now." Kazuma grinned teasingly seeing Aqua slightly blush.

"S-Shut up!" she kicked the Hiki-NEET's foot again, making him cringe as he rubbed it again. "I don't want you praising me too much... It feels weird." Aqua said looking at through the window.

"It even feels like you really don't mean it." she felt slightly saddened when she said it.

'...Why are you acting so much like a girl right now? Is it because of those clothes?' Kazuma thought out, still taken aback from her appearance. Seeing Aqua's lone hand resting at the table, he gulped with a quickening heartbeat, he held her hand.

"Geez, stop acting like a girl already... You already looking like one is already too much for me." Kazuma also looked through the window as he said those words.

Aqua slightly blushed at the sigh of affection, always used from the rough things always Kazuma does, but not used when he shows his gentle side. "So... you really do think I look pretty?" she looked at him with upward eyes, Kazuma slightly blushing at the upward look pose.

He can only nod really feeling like his head is about to pop-off.

"Hehehe. Why do I feel really happy hearing that from you." Aqua smiled happily, her face the same as Kazuma's.

'NONONONONO' Kazuma Overheat. Kazuma Overheat.

"But still, it is NATURAL for me to look really beautiful. I do remember my followers always praying to want to see my face, feeling that it's really beautiful." The goddess's head was now getting bigger. "Of course they do~, I am the great Aqua-sama after all. So you should consider yourself lucky, Kazuma." she now grinned cockily towards the NEET.

"Yeah... The fact that I still didn't see you as a girl from the start is still a fact. And it will always be a FACT." Kazuma now said blankly towards the usual goddess.

"NOOOO~! I know that's a lie! I knew that you were sometimes rustling on our blanket whenever we sleep back then!" The customers now looked at Kazuma with disgust.

Kazuma relentlessly kicked the goddess's foot. "IDIOT! Don't say that in a family restaurant! There are kids here!"

"Itai! Then you're setting up a bad example! Abusing a beautiful goddess such as myself!" she kicked back.

"They need to learn gender equality!" Kazuma's reply abusive kick, made the parents cover the eyes of their offspring. Not wanting them to be an abusive person in the future.

The couple was back on their usual selves, the nervousness from earlier already away from the air. They just played around, unconsciously holding the hands of each other. The sudden interruption of the waiter bringing their food made them stop.

"Here is your order!" the waiter announced, placing Aqua's orders. "One sizzling beef steak, one super-sized omurice, and a basket of fried chicken." The waiter bowed when she finished placing the orders. "Your Special Parfait will be served shortly. Please enjoy your meal."

"Ohoooo~! This is paradise~!" Aqua said, her eyes shining as she looked at the feast.

"It's been a while since I saw these kinds of food." Kazuma looked at the omurice with nostalgia.

"You guys draw on the omurice before eating it, right?" The goddess grinned as she grabbed the Ketchup bottle. "I'll make a masterpiece out of this!" she said confidently, her hands moving swiftly. And not even a minute had passed she was already done drawing. "Behold!" she turned the omurice for Kazuma to see. There was ketchup drawn Sui and Hikki in their glass bowl, the drawing completely in detail, from the bubbles coming out of their mouths and the expression on their faces.

"Impressive... Why are you so good at art? That was always one of your few talents." Kazuma brutely said.

"Hehehe~! What can I say? I'm an artist! Wait, what was that last part you said?"

"Nothing~." Kazuma blankly cooed out.

Aqua feeling that it was something rude, she just brushed it off because of her hunger. "Oh well, let's eat!" she clapped, as she started wolfing down the food.

'What a glutton...' Kazuma just watched with a light smile on his face. Now, suddenly realizing that he didn't order his food. 'What a drag. I have to call a waitress to order again.'

"Yor nut iting, Kezuma?" Aqua asked with her mouth full.

'It's pretty embarrassing to say that I forgot.' Kazuma thought.

"Y-Yeah. I-I'm still pretty fu-" he didn't finish his sentence, as the still untouched omurice slid closer to him.

"Yu can eat sume of that if yu want. Jast remembir tu saib some for me." Aqua said still with her mouth full as she resumed devouring her food.

Kazuma was taken aback from her action, as he felt giddy inside. "O-Of course I can eat it. I'm the one who paid all of this anyway." he embarrassingly grabbed the plate of omurice, he marveled over the drawing again as he held his spoon. 'Why am I feeling guilty?' he thought as he slowly scooped the spoon through Sui. The drawing looking like Sui and Hikki were crying red tears, made Kazuma almost spit out the food but the deliciousness refrained him from doing so.

"Huw does it taste?" still with puffed cheeks, Aqua asked the sad-looking Kazuma.

Kazuma just scooped another part of the omurice, this time through Hikki. Their expression now looking like they were betrayed by their owner. Kazuma started crying from the guilty pleasure he is feeling. "No~! Don't look at me like that! I don't think of you guys as food, I sweaaar~!" he sadly cried as he kept eating.

"Yur embarrassing, Hiki-NEET." The squirrel looking Aqua said blankly, crumbs and sauces smeared on her face.

10 minutes was all it took for them to finish all of the food, well mostly Aqua finished everything. Kazuma did not even finish the whole plate of omurice, making it another meal for the gourmet goddess. "How much space do you even have in that stomach of yours, useless goddess?" Kazuma asked, the two of them leaning back in their seats.

"More than enough, Hiki-NEET." Aqua replied, rubbing her still "slightly" bulging out tummy. "And besides, I don't want to leave any leftovers since you bought it all." she nonchalantly added satisfied from the meal.

'Aghhh! Can you stop acting like that!?' Kazuma thought out feeling giddy again.

"Thank you for the wait!" The waiter suddenly appeared, placing the abnormally large parfait on the duo's table. "One Special Parfait. Please enjoy yourselves." she immediately left them, not wanting to associate with them any longer.

Aqua's eyes shined, already salivating at the sight. "This looks so goood~!"

Kazuma looked to the side to speak with her, the pretty large parfait blocking their sight. "Are you seriously still not full?" he asked.

"I have a second stomach for desserts," Aqua said proudly.

'Yeah, another bottomless pit...' The Hiki-NEET blankly thought.

Kazuma was the one who tasted it first. "Wow, this is good," he said taking another bite.

"Really?" Aqua asked, excited to know what it tastes.

Kazuma looked to the side, still seeing who still Aqua leaning on her seat. "You're not going to eat? That's quite a miracle, the glutton goddess not eating a dessert." Kazuma nodded, impressed.

"Ehhh~." The goddess contemplated whether to eat or to stay in her comfy position. She suddenly had an idea, "Then feed me, Hiki-NEET." she commanded him.

"No." Kazuma immediately replied with a blank look, hiding behind the large parfait. "Feed yourself, if you're being too lazy then don't bother eating," he said as he continued to eat.

"Ihhh~! Feed me, Kazuma~! One of my wishes is to make you feed me like a disciple feeding his master~!" Aqua kicked his foot yet again,

"After saying that there's really no way I'll feed you then." Kazuma just held the spoon in his mouth, as he just dodged the kicks. "How much is this even?" Kazuma checked the menu, seeing the price going off into 2000 yen for the parfait alone. But there was a special offer for couples today. If the parfait has been finished for 15 minutes, it will be considered free.

"Hey, Aqua!" he looked to the side to speak with her, the huge parfait blocking their sight. "We're finishing this immediately!" Kazuma said, immediately starting to devour it.

"Ehhhh~? I thought you don't want to let me eat~? " Aqua now grinned teasingly as she saw Kazuma desperately try to even leave a dent at the parfait.

Not thinking what he was doing, Kazuma scooped some of the parfait and placed it near Aqua's mouth. "Eh?" Aqua slightly blushed at the sudden change of attitude.

'If she tastes it, she'll surely want more of it!' Kazuma thought out still not thinking properly what he had done. The moment Aqua put the spoon in her mouth now made him reflect his actions. He felt more giddy as he saw the goddess's childlike reaction.

"It's so good~!" she exclaimed, her body springing out in happiness. "Ahhh~!" Aqua opened her mouth, not even bothering to ask.

"You have a spoon for heaven's sake. Just use it if you want to eat more!" Kazuma pointed at the spoon at Aqua's side of the table.

"Ahhh!" The useless goddess rushed, not bothering to reach for the spoon.

'What a sloth...' Kazuma thought scooping a bigger portion. He suddenly had an idea in his head as he smugly smiled. He quickly spoon fed Aqua not waiting for her to chew he quickly scooped another portion. The sooner he was finished scooping, Aqua had already swallowed the treat delightfully.

'This could work!' Kazuma grabbed the other spoon from Aqua's side and used it as another scooping device for himself. So he was alternately feeding his self and Aqua.

2 minutes later

"MHORE, HIKI-NEET!" The now squirrel cheeked goddess said as she chewed parfait as quick as she swallowed.

"JOST FIID YURSELF!" The also squirrel cheeked NEET said as he rushed, slightly panicking thinking that they are almost out of time.

The people who were also in the family restaurant just watched with irritated looks on their faces, as they witnessed the new record uphold by the couple. "May you die in a fire, freaking normies..."

---

"Careful, everyone!" Darkness announced, blocking the family right in front of the grocery store. "This might really be a trap door monster this time."

"Nice one, Darkness!" The little arch mage hid closely behind the crusader. "Don't worry, everyone! I'll blast it the moment it reveals itself!" Megumin's staff illuminated for a brief moment.

Inuzuma just smiled crookedly, as the people just watched the situation. Kyouka just giggled at the two, while Tekitte just watched embarrassingly.

"Seriously," Inuzuma lightly pushed Darkness's arm away. "What kind of secluded place do you two live on? Is it like a mysterious island that hasn't been discovered by modern humans?"

The two-party members blinked at Inuzuma's question. "We live in a city where beginner adventurers start their journey." Both of them said obliviously.

...Inuzuma just blankly looked at them, 'I don't even know what that means!' he irritatedly scratched his head. "*sigh~* Let's just go inside." The father said tiredly, walking towards the automatic door. He was met with a cool breeze from the A.C. and a greet of welcome from the employees.

"Whooooah~!" The two-party members exclaimed their admiration. Slowly, they entered the mall. And was out of breath when they entered the mall. Their eyes looked in wonder at all the food that was being kept inside, modern civilization at its finest as it preserved different kinds of food in all shapes and sizes.

"How much magic is even required to operate this kind of place!?" Megumin ran towards the nearby guard. "Tell me! Tell me!" the mage's eyes shined as she asked the clearly confused guard.

"How can you guys even protect this utopia for food from all kinds of monsters and thieves out there!?" The crusader attacked the other guard. "Is there a sacrificial party or a human shields out there!? H-How shameless, I need to see it!" A maddening blush now appeared on her face, as the guard backed away uncomfortably.

"I should have left them in the house..." Inuzuma said in regret, as he facepalmed.

"They would have burnt the house if you did." Kyouka just smiled at the two.

"Or even worse," Tekitte said, nodding his head from his mother said.

---

KO-NO~!-SU-BA

The odd couple continued their date with full stomachs (Not Aqua), as they now just walked all throughout the square. Checking whatever caught their eye, games, clothes, and all manners of things. The two of them just window shopped almost every store in sight, unconsciously holding the other's hand not knowing who was the one who held first. The two would bicker, give off their opinion at anything that comes to mind, and Aqua would point at a snack bar for another desert. Kazuma would just pull her away from seeing the delicacy, but he would just sigh and scratch his head as he bought a snack for her. It was a churro this time.

"What kind of girl just always stuffs herself with every food that she sees?" Kazuma asked, almost wanting to barf as he saw Aqua still eating.

"What's wrong with eating? You just have a weak stomach." Aqua replied, munching delightfully at the chocolate-flavored churro.

See? This is one of the reasons why I didn't see you like a girl before." Kazuma blankly looked at the goddess.

"Well, that's before! You totally see me as one now, right!?" she pouted looking directly at Kazuma.

"Of course~!" Kazuma sweetly said.

'Probably...'

"Of course you do~! I am the great goddess of water, Aqua after all!" Aqua agreed happily as she continued munching away her snack.

'That's called a White Lie, Aqua-sama.' The Hiki-NEET thought as they walked closer at a nearby arcade. A group of girls walked out of the arcade suddenly, they were probably high school students due to their choice of fashion, and the way they act.

"Look! Look! I look so much prettier here!" One of the members said, pointing at her more filtered appearance at the photo.

"Ehhh~? You don't even look that different!" A reply from the other member.

The group of friends now walked away from the arcade, photo strips at hand.

The couple(?) was watching the scene, Kazuma suddenly stared at the useless goddess beside him,

"*stareeeee~*

"?" Aqua looked back while still munching, confused at why the Hiki-NEET's looking at her.

'Do I really want a picture of the useless goddess's first and probably last's outfit before she goes back to using the one outfit she always uses and will only use forever?' he thought out while still staring at the eating Aqua.

"Yes, I do." he blankly said, as he immediately turned towards the Arcade.

"What the!? Wait, Hiki-NEET! I haven't even finished eating yet!" Aqua said in a panic as she now quickly munched the remaining stick before entering the arcade.

"Welcome to ShutterChance!" The photobooth announced as Kazuma and Aqua walked in.

"Wow~. This is really an advanced man-made machinery." Aqua said, impressed by the machine as she sat down first.

Please put 500 Yen for a magnificent photo for you and everyone! 4 shots for a single print, now that's a bargain!" The Photo Booth machine continued, the female voice persuading the two.

"Wiz should probably take lessons from the AI of this machine," Kazuma said, sitting beside Aqua and closing the curtains.

"Have you taken a picture here before?" The useless goddess asked, looking at all the apps this machine offers.

"I actually haven't tried this," Kazuma admitted, putting the 500 yen at the slot. "I didn't have any friends to do this with, so I just ignored it whenever I go to arcades."

'Crap... I said too much.' Kazuma thought out as Aqua looked at him funnily.

"Ukususu~! T-That's not s-surprising... H-Hiki-NEET!" Aqua snickered quietly, as she just hid her laughing mouth.

"Oy! It's because I don't have any female friends! What kind of guy would want to come in here with another guy!" Kazuma defensively said, a slight blush on his face.

Aqua looked at the Hiki-nEET with disgust, "So that's why you're buddy buddy with all our co-workers in the labor job."

"THERE'S NO WAY I SWING THAT WAY! NOT IN A MILLION YEARS!" he yelled out, slamming his fist on the touch screen of the now functioning machine.

"You have selected the Lovers Mode, please wait for a second while the filters are being prepared." The machine announced as heart designs fill the screen.

"Nice one, Ms. ShutterChance." Kazuma gave a thumbs up, as he now readied his attire and hair.

"W-What kind of mode even is that!?" Aqua blushed, trying to push all manner of buttons to try and decline the decision. Seeing that the machine wasn't responding, "O-Oh yeah! I think I'm going to go get some ice cream," she said nervously, trying to go out the machine.

"No, no, no, Aqua-sama. You haven't even passed half an hour of not eating yet again." Kazuma said blankly, blocking out the exit.

"Thanks for waiting! The picture taking is going to begin after 10 seconds! Be ready, young couple!" The Announcer said excitedly.

"I-I-I just forgot! I w-was about to go the bathroom!" the panicking goddess said, once again trying to escape.

"Oyah? I thought goddesses don't go to the bathrooms?" Kazuma said, now having a devilish grin as the countdown was already on 3. "Let's take a picture now...my goddess~." he said creepily as the picture taking started.

"Hiyaaaaaaah~! Help me~!" A helpless cry for help was heard throughout the arcade.

The people inside just put their hands together as they chanted a curse for the show off couple(?). "Die in an explosion, freaking normies." they all said in unison.

---

"Ugu~! *sniff~!* I've been defiled~." Aqua, who was now wiping her tears of defilement away, was now standing outside the machine.

"You say that, but look." Kazuma was looking at the picture that was taken really properly. Aqua's poses and even her expression was already on every shot. The ShutterChance was giving out a recommended pose at the screen when it started the photoshoot, much to Kazuma's delight and Aqua's un-delight. 1st shot was a picture of them just side by side each other giving deadpan looks while holding out peace signs at the camera, 2nd was one where they were pinching each other's cheeks, 3rd was one where they just blushed side by side closely as the recommended pose that showed was one where an embrace was needed, and last shot was one they were grinning at each other.

"What kind of smile is that anyway? I told you to give just a natural smile, not a full grin reaching up to your ears. You look stupid." he said, not even regretting in the slightest about the picture.

"Huh!? You're the one who grinned first! I just mimicked you because I don't want to waste the last picture where you're the only one who looked like an idiot!" The useless-goddess said, now devoid of tears.

The couple(?) now bickered at their usual pace, the rowdiness circulating all around the arcade. Normies just looked at them with death stares as they immediately exited the arcade.

Aqua, seeing the vending machine now felt like drinking something. "Give me 1000 yen, Hiki-NEET." she demanded, holding out her hand.

"You glutton goddess, one isn't always enough for you is it?" Kazuma said sourly, giving out the 1000 yen. One drink is only 250 yen.

"Are you an idiot? I'm also buying you one, you know," she said as she walked away.

"*Heart Squeezeee~*!" A sudden attack was launched, as Kazuma watched the goddess go towards the vending machines...

...Now noticing there was an ice cream vending machine beside the beverages one.

"You scammer! You're buying ice cream for yourself, aren't you!?" Kazuma said, now devoid of the heart squeeze earlier.

"Tch! Busted..." Aqua whispered to herself.

Kazuma just sighed tiredly, as he sat on a nearby kiddie ride. Checking his wallet, already feeling light as air. "I withdrew 30,000 yen..." he muttered. "30,000 YEN... And almost all of it just evaporated in the air." Kazuma then looked at the eating yet again goddess at the far end of the arcade. "...We're not going on another date in 2 years."

Suddenly, the arcade doors shifted open as a couple walked in. Their impressive outfits looking grander than the normal high school student. The guy's eyes suddenly widened when he saw a familiar face.

"...Hey, is that you Kazuma?" The blonde high school looking guy asked, his dashing appearance and fashionable attire completely overlooking Kazuma's.

"...Keita?" Kazuma returned the surprised look, as he recognized the guy.

"HAHAHA! What the heck man, you finally got out your "cave"?" he laughed in disbelief,

'Seeing that you're still cocky as ever means that you haven't changed...' Kazuma thought sourly at the middle school bully.

"Hey~, Kei-kun let's go already~. Don't talk at this loser." The girl beside Keita said, holding Keita's arm.

"Just a second, honey~," he replied intimately at his girlfriend.

Kazuma eyed the woman, her light brown hair, hands and face full with accessories, full with makeup, an outfit that fashionable as it was expensive, and a body...that was slightly more "healthier" than Aqua's. Kazuma stared blankly at the "healthier" parts...

'Still Aqua...' Kazuma looked disapprovingly, as he looked back at the laughing Keita.

"How you been, Keita? You still have a harem?" Kazuma lightly smiled, seeing Keita nervously looking at his girlfriend since he knew that otaku word.

"Harem~?" Mei asked, oblivious to the otaku language.

Keita gave a relieved sigh, "Don't bother knowing it, honey. Only Kazuma's kind knows those disgusting terms." he lightly glared at the whistling Kazuma.

'I hate dealing with this cocky ass guy...' Kazuma thought out, as he stood up from his seat.

"I think I'll go excuse myself, I don't want to interrupt "one" of your "precious" dates, Keita-kun." he said as Kazuma waved off his hand, trying to walk away.

"Oy, we're not done her-." Keita was about to stop the fleeing Kazuma, but was stopped by his date.

"Don't bother talking with that guy, Kei-kun. He's probably a loner and a guy that hasn't even been surrounded by girls anyway." Those words were as sharp as swords when Kazuma heard them.

'Don't bother, Kazuma... Don't even bother...' he urged himself to ignore it.

"He's probably still a...V-I-R-G-I-N."

"*URK!*" That was the finishing blow for the Hiki-NEET.

"Pfft! You're definitely right there, hon." Keita snickered. "He probably only has that anime body pillow in his home." Keita teased.

"Eeew! He probably talks to only anime figurines at home!" The couple now teamed up as they said their harsh words at Kazuma. The couple only laughing as their teasing worsened with every line, ruder and ruder.

"Oy." Kazuma, suddenly turned around to face the couple an angered expression on his face.

The couple was surprised for a moment and just smiled cockily at the Hiki-NEET. "You got something to say, wee-?" Keita was interrupted as someone rudely bumped his shoulder. He had an annoyed expression on his face and was about to fight the rude guy, but his heart skipped a beat when he immediately laid eyes on the blue-haired person that bumped him. Her beauty clearly surpassing those models you see on TV.

"Oh. Sorry about that." The mesmerizing blue-haired girl said with little emotion, like a dignified beauty as she walked past him.

"...No, I don't mind..." Keita replied slowly as he just stared at the girl, the shimmering light that shined on her body, and the fragrant perfume that lasted on his mind... Until that girl was suddenly bonked by Kazuma.

"Itai~! What's your problem, Hiki-NEET!?" Aqua complained, holding her head painfully.

"How much of a glutton can you get!?" Kazuma yelled, completely forgetting that Keita and Mei were there who were looking at him with mouth gaping expressions. "How much did you freaking buy!?" The Angry-NEET pointed at Aqua's plastic bag which was full of different flavors of ice cream and soda.

"Eto~... I couldn't choose so I bought them all. Teehee~!" the useless goddess said, trying to act all cutely as she put her tongue out.

...

...

There was a moment of silence as Kazuma just looked at Aqua completely blank and face devoid of any emotion.

"Did I not do it right? I saw it in one of the commercials..." Aqua coughed, trying to rile up her throat as she wanted to try again. "I bought them all. Teehee~!" she did it again, still sticking her tongue out, only this time she was like imitating a cat. Making Keita's heart squeeze from cuteness, but not the Hiki-NEET.

A moment of silence just passed...

"I am not pleased." Kazuma was really not pleased as he turned around and walked away from Aqua.

"OY! WHAT DOES THAT MEAN!? OYY! KAZUMA!" Aqua slightly felt embarrassed, she now noticed that there was a couple was watching them. Due to their still shocked expression, Aqua's face was now devoid knowing that someone saw her act like that. . She walked towards Keita and Mei and gave both of them some ice cream. "...Please forget all of that," she said blankly, as she now ran off towards Kazuma. She then walked beside him completely staring off dead in space like the Hiki-NEET.

"I would like you to not do something that AWFUL ever again... PLEASE." Kazuma was the first one to speak,

"Yes, Kazuma-san. I deeply appreciate that." Aqua was second now looking at the floor.

The couple unknowingly held hands again before exiting the Arcade. Keita and Mei just stared at the exit as no form of thought circulated in their heads.

"What the heck just happened?" Both of them asked out in sync.

---

"Ah, Ojou-san? I-I think you had enough.." The market employee said nervously, seeing the crusader take another bite of the free samples. Darkness on her 10th sample, still going and was not thinking of stopping.

"Oh, I apologize. Were they not free?" The oblivious Darkness said, not thinking that her actions were wrong in the slightest.

"N-No, they are..." The male employee thought hard of giving an excuse, "You know what, you can just take how many you want." And in the end, just sighed defeatedly as he just let Darkness go ham in the free samples.

"Thank you." Darkness just responded with a sweet smile, making the employee slightly flustered. "You are quite the gentleman," she said, the employee now not even regretting his decision even if he will get yelled out by the manager later.

"Look, Tekitte!" The hyper arch mage pointed at the aquariums that was holding different kinds of edible fish. "What are they doing to the fishes?... Are they experimenting on them?!" she asked questions, as the archmage looked closely at the aquarium.

The employee that was guarding the isle just looked at Megumin funny.

"No, Megumin san." Tekitte just laughed embarrassingly, at Megumin's lack of knowledge of the modern world. "They are just keeping the fish fresh so they would taste better when people buy them," he explained, as he walked beside Megumin.

"Sugoi~." Megumin looked at the aquariums, impressed by the convenience of the modern world yet again. "I wish I brought Sui and Hikki here, I think they would like it if they got reunited with their species," said Megumin, looking at the catfish tank.

"No. I don't think they'd last if they got placed in the same tank with these ones." Tekitte said, imagining Sui and Hikki being fish food to those rather glutton fish.

"Wait, what's that!?" Megumin's attention shifted immediately yet again, her attention span is like a young child that is curious about everything. Tekitte's reflex activated as he immediately grabbed the arch mage's hand, keeping her from being separated.

"C-Calm down, Megumin-san." Tekitte now blushed, only just realizing what he had just done. "I-I'll show you everything you want to see, so take it slow."

'I'm holding a girl's hand for the 1st time!' he thought, a victory pose showing in his brain.

Megumin was surprised for a moment but just smiled excitedly. "You better!"

'He's really like Kazuma. If his face was cute and actually good looking.' Megumin thought, feeling the gentleness of Tekitte's hold of her hand.

"Our youngest has grown up, Darling," Kyouka said, watching the scene with a sweet smile on her face.

"Great. Now I feel more like an old man now." Inuzuka said, scratching his head a little bit sad.

"Now, now, remember when we first held hands?" Her husband suddenly took an uncharacteristic expression for someone with his stature. "I couldn't wait any longer so I just-"

"I think I'm going to buy some soy sauce! We're all out at the house!" Inuzuka escaped yet again as he rushed away from his wife.

"I really would like to hear the story of how you two met, Kyouka-san." Darkness again asked for the umpteenth time.

"It's...a secret." Kyouka dodged the question yet again, her tongue out in a teasing expression.

---

"Hey! Wait just a goddamn minute!" Keita yelled out chasing after the couple(?), who were currently binge eating the ice cream that Aqua had bought. Wanting to eat it as quickly as they can before it melts.

"Great. What does he want now?" Kazuma mumbled, still having the stick of the ice cream in his mouth.

"Who's that?" Aqua asked, she had 3 sticks in her mouth, already forgot that she had spoken with Keita earlier.

Keita, now catching up to them was soon followed by Mei as they took a short breather. "What the heck is this?" he pointed at the two.

"What do you mean?" Kazuma asked blankly,

"Thaaaat!" he specifically pointed out where Kazuma and Aqua's hands were interlocked with each other.

The two just looked at where Keita had pointed, "How did that happen?" Kazuma asked first.

"Beats me. You probably held my hand first." Aqua replied to him, shrugging her shoulders.

"Huh? You held mine first obviously." Kazuma replied, clearly in denial that he was the one who held first.

"HUH!? Why would I hold yours first!?" Aqua now fought back, as the two now argued who was the one who made the first move. Their pride at stake, knowing that they should not yield to the other one.

The now bickering couple(?) yet again forgot that Keita and Mei were just standing there clearly watching the scene with stunned expressions.

"Is this seriously happening right now?" Mei was the one who spoke first.

"Impossible... That Kazuma... The nerd, otaku, pervert, guy in high school... Bickering, let alone talking to a beautiful girl." Keita mumbled to himself, 'And the most beautiful girl I've ever seen at that.' he thought out like the ladies ma he is, even with his current girlfriend beside him.

"Oh, you guys are still there?" Kazuma asked normally, but his voice sounded cocky in the ears of Keita and Mei.

"There's no way I'll believe that a creep like you would get a girl like her," Mei said as rude as ever, still on denial.

"We are not going away until you make us think it's true," Keita said in a challenging tone. His pride still not accepting what he's seen.

'You really haven't changed, Keita... Still the same cocky ass guy, not accepting that someone's better than you or even having a girl that's better than yours.' Kazuma thought out, a light glare on his eyes.

"What's up with these guys? Did you like steal his girlfriend's panties, as usual, Hiki-NEET?" Aqua said out loud. Mei had a slight blush and gave Kazuma a more disgusted look.

Kazuma looked at Aqua, 'As much as I really want to show off... I mean I REALLY want to show off.' he slowly let go of her hand. 'But, getting out of his skin so he could finally leave us alone comes into priority.'

"She's just a PayGirl." Kazuma said as he pointed at Aqua.

"Eh?" The three muttered out in response.

"You know the PayGirl that's all the rage these days. The ones where you choose a girl you like in the app then paying her to have a date with you. That sort of thing." Kazuma explained,

"Huh!? There's no way I'm a PayGirl!" Aqua retaliated, "If I know that there is such a thing like that, I would have been a millionaire by now!"

"Idiot!" Kazuma whispered in a very low voice. "I'm doing this so they would finally get out of our skin!" Aqua just ohhhh~d in response, "Just follow my lead, useless goddess!" They faced Keita and Mei again.

"So yeah, she's a PayGirl. I paid her so she can have a date with an otaku, creep, pervert like me." Kazuma gave a thumbs up,

"That's me! I'm Ako! The most famous PayGirl in the app!" Aqua winked already in character, "Man if you would believe how much money this guy paid just to get me to have a date with him. It was so pitiful that I HAD to have a date with him!" Aqua relentlessly said without holding back.

'Ohhh~. That's too much Aqua-sama. You are clearly getting smacked later.' Kazuma thought, a vein popping out his temple.

Keita and Mei just blinked at the couple(?), "Now that makes sense!" Keita was the first one to react now getting the whole picture.

"It really was impossible from the start that they were dating for real!" Mei agreed, now thinking disgustingly more of Kazuma. "You're disgusting, having to pay a girl to have a date with you."

'I think having a date with a PayGirl would be way more cheaper than having a date with her.' Kazuma thought out, not even bothering to feel offended.

"I agree! He's probably the most disgusting guy I'd ever had a date with!" Aqua just laughed in response as she continued on with the act.

'And you're clearly having too much fun since you finally had a chance to talk crap about me.'

"Eh, no biggie. out of all the girls I could have taken a date, I only picked you since you're just the most beautiful out of the bunch. And that's all going for you. Nothing more, nothing less." Kazuma unintentionally said harshly, the stress from earlier making him harsher than usual.

...

...

Aqua now pouted her cheeks, tears starting to form in her eyes as her lips started to quiver, clearly hurt from what Kazuma had said.

'Crap, I was too harsh.' Kazuma thought out now feeling guilty.

"You're a disgusting brute." Mei gave Kazuma a scornful look.

"Hey! She started it!" Kazuma replied back,

"You *sniff~* meanie! I was *sniff~!* only following what you told me!" Aqua now sniffed between words, her more girly crying appearance made Kazuma more guilty than usual.

'This is so UNFAIR! When you talk crap about me, I don't care. But when I do it, you cry!' Kazuma thought,

Kazuma just rubbed his head sheepishly, "Oh come on, stop crying. You know I wasn't serio-"

"Ako-san why the heck are you even dating a guy like him." Keita butted in, "If you just needed the money then let me help you. I'd even give more money if you want." Mei was slightly offended that her boyfriend was being sweet to another girl, but knew that he just wanted to save her from the freak.

"I would even think that you would enjoy having a date with me, than this guy over here," he said pointing at Kazuma.

Aqua didn't hear a word from Keita as she just continued being a crybaby.

Keita didn't know however and now went closer to her. "Come on, let's go away from him." Keita's hand now slowly shot towards the crying Aqua.

But Kazuma pushed it away, looking at him with a glare. "Hands off my goddess, you playboy," he said now in a serious tone as he now looked at Aqua. Who was still crying by the way. "Come on~. Why are you ruining Mom's make up? Such a kid, crying like a baby knowing that I was lying(mostly)." The Hiki-NEET said gently, now using a handkerchief to wipe away the trademark Tear spell of Aqua.

"It's *sniff~!* your fault, Hiki-NEET!" she complained as Kazuma wiped her face. "I didn't even sense *sniff!* if you were actually telling the truth or not!"

Kazuma was mildly surprised by what she said, "Eh." he only shrugged his shoulders. "There was probably some truth in what I said," he admitted blankly, making Aqua more into tears. "No, I'm actually pretty sure that it was the whole truth."

"SEE~!? Uhhh~, you even admitted it twic-"

"But I do still love you anyway." Kazuma immediately butted in, now this time looking into her crying eyes. "I didn't like you for your appearance, I didn't like you since your superior(goddess), I didn't like you for your attitude, and I sure didn't like you for your uselessness." Each statement that came from the blank Kazuma's mouth were like spears in Aqua's ego.

"ARE YOU MAKING ME FEEL BETTER OR WORS-"

"But I still love you." he again butted in, now his voice sounding more gentle like he was speaking at something precious to him, "You might be all those things... But I still do love you." he now went slightly closer to the crying Aqua's face.

Aqua just blushed as she now lightly sobbed away. "...Meanie." she muttered, "What you still said was awful and untrue things about me anyway." she pouted looking away.

Kazuma just grinned, "Then let's kiss and make up." he said as he went closer.

"Don't push your luck, Disgusting-NEET." Aqua now looked at his face. Now devoid of tears and completely blank as she looked at him with a disgusted expression.

'Finally back...' Kazuma thought out a tired sigh escaped his lips.

"Oh yeah, I forgot to add. Taking a Paygirl on a date would be heck of a lot cheaper than having one with you." Kazuma added,

"WHAT WAS EVERYTHING YOU SAID TO ME A SECOND AGO FOR THEN!?"

The two couple(?) now bickered with their usual day to day attitude, again forgetting that Keita and Mei were only there watching the whole scene. "Again, what the heck just happened?" They just muttered a question.

Kazuma now noticing the both of them again, just looked at Keita with a cocky grin. "So yeah, she's my girlfriend(?), Ako-chan." he said, pulling Aqua closer. Clearly overjoyed at having a comeback to the rude couple.

Aqua just gave off a slight blush, and just went on with the act for now. "Sorry for lying~! I'm his girlfriend(?), Ako!" she placed an arm on Kazuma's shoulder as she gave a peace sign, Her acting skill still on.

"We don't believe you." Keita and Mei said in unison.

"Pfft! You guys just don't want to admit that a guy like me would get a goddess like her?" Kazuma looked so cocky, releasing all the pent up wanting to show off his accomplishments.

"Oh, how low I have fallen." Aqua looked in the ground as a dark expression was on her face.

A vein popped out of the couple's temples as they can't think of a comeback.

"Ora? Ora? Cat got your tongue? My weeb talk too much for you~? We too much of a good couple(?)." The cocky Kazuma still went on, as Keita and Mei just looked past him as something piqued their interest.

"If you really are a couple... How about a contest?" Keita grinned as a mischievous Mei smiled beside him.

"Eh?" Kazuma and Aqua was now the one who replied in shock.

---

"They ask you how you are, and you just have to say that you're fine when you're not really fine but you can't get into it because they would never understand."

Sui and Hikki just watched in interest at the T.V, slightly being hungry and was grateful that they had been fed before the whole family went out.

"*scratch!* *scratch!*"

Their attention now wandered as they heard unnatural sounds from the house, looking at the window they swan in a panic as a group of cats were watching them hungrily as they scratched the glass.

"Next up! The Delicacies of Japanese Sushi!" A commercial in the T.V. played as it showed its appetizing fish dishes that made the cats more intent on opening the window.

Sui and Hikki just swam in a panic as they were going to be The Delicacies of Japanese Sushi! (Cat's Edition).

---

CHAPTER 18 END

Author's Note: Oh man... I really cant bring myself to apologize for not uploading for a year. I'm super supeeer sorry for not sticking at a proper upload period. I was really pressured in making a more proper chapter of my story since I didn't really expect that there would be people wanting to read it, and I really didn't think that I would reach up to this point today. I will do my best to upload properly from now on. Crap, time sure does fly by. I was 15 when I first wrote this fic, and now its been 3 years and now I'm in college. Holy heck I feel old. HAHAHA! I can't thank you guys enough for still sticking with my story and my writing even though how cringy it already is... Well it was cringy already from the start. Anyways! I would like to clarify somethings in the Original Chapter (Part 1) that I did today. Some points so you guys would get what I wrote HAHA! 1. Kazuma stopped at high school. He tried an entrance exam in a college of engineering when he was 2nd year in high school to see if he can pass it. (That was in my mind at least, I was still a kid when I thought of this so I sticked to that no matter how unrealistic it may seem.) 2. The Chapter 9 that I made showed that he was living alone right? Yes that is true in the story, but he still visited his family even though he did live alone. And that's about it, I guess. I really HOPE that you guys at least slightly enjoyed this chapter since it was longer than the last one. Please keep supporting me,and I'll try and do my best :)

PS: I can't apologize enough how OOC Kazuma and Aqua here. And the only excuse I can give is... it's the atmosphere of the real world XD! Anything can happen!