Please read the note at the end of the chapter but other than that enjoy :)
After living a hectic two weeks in Nagazora, I was convinced that everyday was going to throw me something new that I would have to deal with. Then that would somehow evolve into something even worse later down the road with no end in sight.
Hell I was convinced that by the end of this semester I'd be fighting the Final Herrscher all by myself.
So two days after my visit to the Raiden Estate and school resumed its operations, I was expecting the worst.
The moment that I had taken a seat at my desk I was besieged by my classmates as they crowded around my desk, all asking what I went through.
"Are you okay Haruto-san?!"
"I heard that they were convicts that escaped from jail, is that true?"
"It must have been scary fighting them all alone."
"Hey next time, call me and I'll show those punks who's boss."
I merely smiled and thanked each one of my classmates for their worries about me and that I was recovering nicely now. It felt kinda nice to be the center of attention but it sure was exhausting to deal with them all.
"Must be tough," Mei looked at me knowingly as everyone dispersed and went back to their respective seats.
"I don't even know how you can deal with this," I moaned tiredly as I rested my head on the desk. The first class hadn't even started and I already wanted to go back home and take a nap. "I just wanna curl up into a ball right now and take a nap."
The heiress simply smiled as the first teacher of the day walked into the classroom, greeting everyone a good morning before the lecture began. Even if everything seemed to be acting like normal, I still couldn't help but feel on edge.
After all I was jumped at a grocery store by an S-Rank Valkyrie, I could so easily have to fight for my life once more. Maybe this time I'd fight a Judgement Class Honaki Beast if fate really wanted to mess with me.
So as the day continued on, I was merely waiting for something to happen.
Anything.
Yet as I walked down the steps of Chiba Academy, the sun was already setting and Keji was walking alongside me. My fellow club member was catching me up on some shenanigans he and [Haxor_Bunny] had been up to while I was out.
"You should've been there when he realized that [Haxor_Bunny] was actually on our team!" The chess nerd laughed as I lightly laughed in response.
"It sure must've been something to see," I mused, my mind still currently occupied on the fact nothing crazy had happened.
Maybe today was just my lucky break.
"Hey Keji want to grab some food? I've been craving some burgers lately."
"Sure! I know a great place that has the best burgers!"
Letting Keji lead the way, I wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Though maybe that could change in a week.
6 days later.
"Are you okay Haruto?" Mei asked worryingly as I removed the kendo helmet from my face, taking in deep breaths of air as beads of sweat rolled down my face.
"Yeah," I nodded as I sat myself on the floor of the dojo, taking a deep chug of water to quench my thirst. "Being on the opposite end of your bokken is something else."
Mei didn't seem convinced by my answer. "Are you sure? We can take a break if we're moving too quickly."
I just waved off her concern as I sat back up and placed my helmet back on. "Just give me some time to adjust and I'll be good," I drew my bokken in the ready position. "Give me your best shot."
The heiress just shrugged her shoulders as she settled into her own ready position, her grip on her bokken was much more confident than mine.
"Maybe something crazy will happen in the next few days," I thought before the next thing I knew was Mei's bokken approaching my head as I resisted to scream out like a little girl as the wooden sword was about to come into contact with my helmet.
1 week later.
"Haruto you're getting distracted," Ishigami chided as he moved a chess piece forward.
"Sorry," I apologized as I moved a piece forward. "It's just that I've been on edge for the last two weeks, I'm expecting something to happen."
"Something similar to what happened to you during your nightly grocery run?" The lab coat wearing teacher raised an eyebrow as he moved a rook to take out a bishop.
"I know that it's strange of me to keep on worrying but it's just that the attack came out of nowhere and-" I was cut short when in a surprising twist the chess grandmaster tipped his queen over, forfeiting the match.
"Many would have put that ordeal behind them by now, add in the fact that Anti-Entropy stills patrol the city would all but quell such thoughts." Ishigami smiled at me as he began to arrange his pieces.
"But not you, and that is a good thing."
"How is that a good thing?" I questioned as I began to mirror my teacher and started to arrange my own pieces. "If anything I sound like a paranoid man right now."
"There is no harm in worrying about the potential dangers that you might face, but it is foolish for that worry to consume your every waking thought." Ishigami looked at the clock that hung in the clubroom.
"However it is good that you are proceeding with caution, I do not believe that fate is not done with you yet."
"Fate?" Now that was surprising, I had always assumed that my teacher was one to value logic and facts over something like fate. "You didn't strike me as someone who believed that fate exists."
"I do not believe that all of our lives are already preordained." He assured me as he leaned back into his chair. "The notion that no matter what you do is useless as you will wound up back on the plan that fate has for you is a foolish one."
"However I do believe that some people are destined to live much more complicated lives than other people." He looked at me and I couldn't help but shudder at how intense his eyes were looking at me.
"A-And you think I'm one of those people?" I couldn't help but ask.
"Whether or not you are one of those people remains to be seen, who's to say that grocery attack is a fluke and you'll continue to live a normal highschool life?" Ishigami questioned. "Or maybe this is all but just the tip of the iceberg?"
I made no comment as I knew the answer to his question was that of the latter, and that made me uncomfortable with what he was implying.
Cause if that was just the beginning, I did not want to know what it snowballed into.
"Regardless of what happens, you should enjoy this peace and quiet right now." The teacher had an assuring smile on his face. "You should go home now, relax. Keji should be back now anytime soon and I know he would not pass up an opportunity to play some more chess with me."
He left no room for argument so I did the only thing that I could, "I'll see you tomorrow then Ishigami-sensei." I bowed before I picked up my bag and left the room.
Relax huh?
Wouldn't hurt to try and cut back a bit.
One month later.
"I was told that if I tried to drink that much, I'd be in the hospital for the entire night." Akihiro loudly proclaimed as he slammed his beer can onto the wooden dinner table, a flushed pink colored his cheeks as he grinned from ear to ear.
"But ojisan," Sora interrupted as she took a sip from her drink. "You did spend the night at the hospital."
"Sora!" Akihiro cried out. "You weren't supposed to tell them that!"
My grandmother only laughed in response to his failed attempt at storytelling. "Even if Sora never said anything, I would have called you on your bluff." She took a quick drink of her respective beer. "You think that I wouldn't know if my record there had been dethroned now did you?"
"You guys sure are getting super into it," I deadpanned as I casually brought my spoon to my lips. It wasn't super uncommon for Akihiro and Sora to join us for dinner, hell I was sure now that it had become a weekly thing now.
Kuro just meowed from the side as she continued to enjoy her meal in front of her.
"Haruto-niichan," Sora looked up at me with her wine red eyes. "Would it be alright if Kuro came over tomorrow?"
I merely reached up and ruffled her hair, to which I got an adorable pout out of. "Of course, anything for my imouto."
"If you wanted a little sister, all you had to do was say so." My grandmother smirked. "I'm sure your mother and father wouldn't mind some good ole action again."
"Obasan?!" I cried out indignantly as I covered Sora's ears. It didn't help that my cheeks were red with embarrassment. "There are children present!"
"I don't see what the problem with that is." She just shrugged her shoulders as if revealing the birds and bees to a five year old child was nothing to be worried about.
"Nii-chan, what does she mean by 'action'?"
"Uh...ask Akihiro-san. He can explain it to you much better than I can."
"HUH?! Why are you passing it down to me?!"
"Hahaha! Yes Akihiro-san, I too am interested in what you will say about-"
"You can shut the hell up Akane-san!"
"Why don't you come make me?"
"Why you-"
"For the love of-"
Yet as chaotic as the dining room table had become, I couldn't help but smile.
This was bliss.
2 months later.
Who would've thought huh?
Ever since getting jumped by Carbon Stalker, I always assumed that my life would be a hectic mess. One crazy event after the other. I fully believed that I was going to die before even finishing the semester.
And yet…
"Remember that winter break is not a time for you to slack off, I expect each and every one of you to brush up on your knowledge before coming back to school." Ishigami reminded everyone as he looked at our class.
"But it goes without saying, do enjoy your break to the fullest." He picked up his stuff and left before the final bell of the fall semester rang out, with it the commencement of the long awaited winter break.
I somehow managed to survive one semester at Chiba Academy.
As our teacher took the final step to leave the classroom, the entire class broke into celebration as the worst was finally over.
"Finally it's over!"
"I've been dreaming of this moment ever since that first test!"
"The nightmares! They're finally over!"
"You got any plans for the break!"
"I'm going on a cruise with my family, how about you?"
"We're visiting England!"
"Korea for me!"
I couldn't help but shake my head as I overheard my fellow classmates trade their plans for the vacation. "And how about you princess?" I asked my seat partner. "Any exciting plans for you over the break?"
Mei just shook her head. "I'm afraid not, it's quite hard to go anywhere when your father is the CEO of one of the biggest corporations. The paparazzi is quite relentless so I spend most of my time at home during these breaks."
"Not even a little trip to another country?"
"Not this year, though I do hear that Paris is quite an interesting place to visit around this time." The heiress looked over at me. "How about you Haruto? What plans do you have for the winter break?"
"Oh you know," I began to pack my stuff into my bag. "I plan on heading back home with my obasan, catching up with my family while spending Christmas and New Years there as well."
"I forgot that you didn't live in Nagazora originally. What is your hometown like if you don't mind me asking?" Mei asked as she began to do the same.
"Well it's nothing too significant there." I explained as I thought back to the place that I had grown up in. "We're not known for anything hugely significant, the only thing that I can think of that can make us stand out is our festivals."
"Is that so?" She asked as we both sat up from our desks and began to walk through the halls of the academy. As far as the eye could see there were groups of classmates talking amongst each other, discussing the plans that they had to enjoy their break.
"I mean we have this japanese shrine but it's been in disrepair for as long as I can remember," I thought back to the creepy shrine that sat abandoned in my hometown. No one dared to clean it up as the rumors of murderous ghosts living there deterred anyone from doing so.
"We have a shrine here as well, you should visit it sometime." We soon exited the building as we walked towards the front gate of the academy, snow dusting the city of Nagazora.
"Maybe during Golden Week, we can visit the shrine." I smiled when I noticed her black limousine parked right in front of the gates, the driver side window open to reveal her driver drinking a coffee.
"Ah Nakamura-san," Sato greeted as he lowered his coffee down. "I wish you a very relaxing winter break."
"And to you as well, Sato-san." I responded in kind before looking at Mei.
"Well I suppose this is where I say see you Spring."
"Yes, I hope you have a great break Haruto." She smiled at me and I couldn't help but mirror the same action
"Likewise Mei," I watched as Mei stepped into the limousine and stood there as the sleek black vehicle pulled into traffic.
After watching the vehicle pull into the street, I turned the other way and began my walk home. "Haruto!" Mei's loud voice stopped me in my tracks as I looked behind me to see the purple haired sticking her head through the limo's windows, waving at me.
"Have a good winter break!"
I chuckled at that as I began to wave back at her. "You as well!" I yelled back before the limousine soon drove out of my field of vision.
Bringing my hand down and ignoring the strange looks I was getting from the people around me, I turned my body back around and began to walk back to my apartment, a content smile on my face.
Because soon enough…
"Kaa-san, Otou-san," I greeted as I stepped out of the car, bracing my body as it became sandwiched between their hugs. I looked up to see the home that was the same as it was when I left for Nagazora.
"Oh my baby boy," My mother cried as she tightened her hold on me. "I'm so sorry we couldn't go to Nagazora when news of your injury reached us."
"It's fine," I mumbled into their arms as I pushed my head further into their arms, missing the familiar feeling of being held by them. "I missed you all a lot."
"We feel the same son," My father tightened his hug around me.
"Oh is this a family group hug?" My grandmother soon butt her way into the hug as she wrapped her arms around us. "Count me in!"
"Kaa-san!" My mother protested.
"I don't know about you but I'm starving!" She began to push us towards the house, despite the fact that she was pushing three people by herself. "Driving from Nagazora sure takes a lot out of you, I hope your fridge is stocked!"
"Is that so Kaa-san?" My mother deadpanned as we all separated from the group hug but still made our way to the door. "I thought you agreed to stop drinking for your health."
"Paah, the alcohol has never made me feel more alive," She dismissed before wrapping her arm around my shoulders. "If anything the beer has made me younger, right Haruto?"
"I make no comment," Was all I said before my bag began to tussle with activity as Kuro popped her head out, meowing for the whole world to hear.
"Is this…" My mother took the feline into her arms before cooing at the cat. Kuro for her part was indifferent as she just laid in the arms of the woman who had the same colored hair as her stupid human.
"Yeah this is the cat that I adopted," I confirmed as Kuro let out a meow of confirmation.
"Why don't we head inside before the food gets cold?" My father offered. "You can tell us everything that happened to you at Nagazora while we eat. I'm sure there's a lot you wish to tell us."
"That sounds good," I nodded as I could feel my stomach grumble in agreement. You just couldn't beat good old fashioned home cooking.
"Well what are we waiting for!" My grandmother cheered as we made our way inside the house. Taking the first step back into the home, I took in a deep breath as I refamiliarized myself with the place that I grew up in.
It was good to be home.
3 weeks later.
"Haruto!" My mother yelled as I placed a folded shirt into my suitcase. "Are you almost done packing up!?"
"Just finishing up!" I yelled back before looking at the pile of clothes that I needed to finish packing into my suitcase.
"Well once you're done go to sleep early! You have a long drive ahead of you back to Nagazora, remember!" She reminded me.
"Of course Kaa-san, good night!" I said as I could hear my mother's footsteps getting lighter and lighter, probably heading back to her room.
"Time flies fast doesn't it Kuro?" I looked back at the black feline sleeping on my bed, who yawned at me before curling up into a ball. Seems she too wanted to get as much rest as possible before our trip back to Nagazora.
"Still," I mused as I looked up at the ceiling, recalling everything that I did in my hometown. "Even if our break was only for three weeks, it feels like I've spent only half of that time here."
Besides catching up with my family, I didn't do much otherwise. I took Kuro to any notable places that I could think of, though there wasn't much to show. Besides the abandoned shrine that was here, the next notable landmark was my old school.
And speaking of my old school, reuniting with my previous classmates was weird to say the least.
Leaving for Chiba Academy had created a rift between everyone I knew, a rift that made any interaction awkward.
It was all by chance as well. I had been shopping at the grocery mart for a quick snack when I ran into a group of classmates that I used to be particularly close with. I gave them my greetings but was surprised when only one of them gave me a meek wave back.
Attending an Elite school like Chiba Academy seemingly made me an outcast to them now, as if I had become a different person by attending the academy.
And to an extent that was true, the things that I learned at my time at Nagazora did change who I was before.
But it still hurt to see that the people I had been somewhat close to just ignored my presence.
"I wonder what this spring semester will bring?" I wondered as I finished folding the last article of clothing. Pausing, I thought back to the peaceful weeks that had followed my hospitalization at the claws of Stalker Carbon.
It was like I hadn't gotten myself involved in the crazy war that was fought in the shadows, like I hadn't almost died to the 2nd ranked S-Rank Valkyrie.
The prospect of having to encounter that all over again in a new semester was terrifying to even think of.
"Enough Haruto," I patted my cheeks to make me steer away from such negative thoughts. "Focus on getting yourself ready to go back to Nagazora, then we can worry about the future."
Pushing away any thoughts of what might happen, I put all of my attention in getting my stuff ready for the trip back. Luckily all I had to do was place some folded clothes back in my suitcase before I could tuck in for the night.
And soon enough I found myself under the covers of my bed, the lights already turned off as I could feel my mind already begin to drift into the realm of sleep.
However the sound of crashing waves told me that sleep wasn't the only thing I needed to be concerned with.
"Took you long enough," Was all I could think before I felt my mind being whisked away to god knows where.
I had expected to wake up in the water world that Apollo favored so much, ready to have another conversation. Hopefully this time I would finally get the answers that I waited patiently for.
I did not expect to wake up on the sandy beach of the island that made me ask such questions in the first place.
"Why the hell-" I was about to question why I was back on this island again until a familiar voice interrupted me.
"Surprise, Surprise," I looked to my side to see Apollo sitting not too far from me, the notorious hood stil covering their face. "Didn't expect to wind up back here now did you?"
"Why," I stood up from my position, glaring at the hooded man as I struggled to understand his reasoning. "I thought that coming back to this place was dangerous!"
Apollo looked unfazed by my outburst, "Well some things happened so here we are." He nonchalantly said before he threw a rock towards the ocean, watching it bounce several times across the azure surface before it sank into the abyss.
"But we will get to that soon enough," He looked towards me, the hood shadowing his face to prevent me from trying to put a face on this entity. "How about you Haruto? How's the peaceful life treating you?"
"It was good, until you showed up again," I replied, still miffed at how our last conversation went. "Still waiting on those answers you promised me."
"Patience, patience," Apollo assured as he threw another stone into the ocean. That must've been his last stone as the hooded figure stood up from his position. "We will have all the time for answers, I assure you."
"Though to start," He motioned to the sea. "Do you feel anything for this place? Any emotions this place stirs up?"
Emotions? I focused my gaze towards the ocean, trying to identify any emotion that might''ve been invoked by the sight.
Nothing.
I felt nothing as I stared at the bright azure waters. Not of sadness, happiness, fear, trepidation, nothing. I just felt…
"I feel empty," I gave him my answer.
"Is that so," Apollo sighed before bringing up a hand, snapping his fingers. "What about now? Do you feel anything now?"
Unsure of what exactly he was trying to prove, I took another look at the ocean. What was the point in all of this? There wasn't anything special aside from the fact that it looked like the ocean that me and my family would go to when-
Wait?
Why was this suddenly familiar?
A sudden wave of nausea overtook me as I fell to my knees, clutching my chest as my breathing became labored as sweat dripped down my face and onto the sand.
"We're going to be late!"
"Did you bring the ice cream?"
"What about the beach balls?"
"Is Uncle ****** coming?"
"What about *****?"
"How about ******?"
"Rest assured that they are all coming."
"I can't wait for some barbecue!"
Scenes of my old life began to play out, each one about the beach that our family would visit every summer. It was a tradition that every summer the family would meet up at the beach and simply enjoy the time together.
We would do everything we could think of doing at the beach, and every moment that I spent there with them was a cherished memory. But why was I just suddenly remembering this?!
How did I forget about it in the first place?
"What did you do to me!" I demanded as I leveled a glare at Apollo. Any notions of patience had flown out the window. I wanted answers now!
The hooded entity responsible for this confusion remained unfazed by my outburst as he looked back to the ocean, as if he had been expecting such an outburst. "Well I suppose I should go back to the beginning then, specifically the moment you died."
The scene where I met my fateful end by the truck played out in my head. "When a human dies, that's it. Your mind literally snaps in two because it cannot handle the strain of what it means to 'die'. Your soul was meant to reincarnate into another human without your memories, a clean slate."
Then the scene of my arrival into this world played out, my mother holding my frail baby self close to her body as she cried tears of happiness. Just seeing that scene again made me conscious of just how far I had come from that moment.
"But that didn't happen for you, not only were your memories kept intact; you were reincarnated in the wrong universe."
Wait, wrong universe? "What do you mean by wrong universe?" I confusedly asked, my anger forgotten for the moment. "You said that people reincarnated when they died."
"They do, in their own universe." He explained. "Life begets Death, Death springs forth new Life. That is how it works, but yet you somehow crossed the universal boundaries into this universe during that transition."
"Wouldn't that be natural?" I asked, my previous anger all but forgotten for as of now I wanted answers to this. "Unless there's a place where souls are kept until the time comes for their reincarnation?"
Apollo extended one finger, "For starters there is no repository for souls, any notion of Heaven or Hell is just made up. They simply float around in the void till their time comes," He extended another finger. "Two, your transfer to this world was almost instantaneous after your death."
"So you're saying someone brought me here?" Curiosity was now replaced with dread as I connected the dots, dread over the idea that some omnipotent figure had orchestrated my birth into this world.
"Your guess is as good as mine," Apollo shrugged his shoulders. "For all we know you could be the cosmic outlier of the century by slipping through the boundaries of the universe, though the chance of that being the case is very low."
"Wow," I breathed out as I sat back down on the sand, my mind reeling on what I had just been told. I knew my case was special but not like this. "Could you continue please."
"Are you sure?" Apollo's tone was sympathetic. "We could always continue this at another time if it's too much to handle."
"I'll be fine," I assured him as I took in a shaky breath. It was a lot to process but I needed this , "I wanted these answers in the first place, I need to hear all of it."
"If you say so," The hooded entity relented before continuing his explanation as the memory of me as a child was now playing out.
"Even if you were somehow blessed with this new life, the problem of your old memories was still a major concern. My only guess why your mind didn't just cave in on itself was the fact that it was still trying to process your death alongside your reincarnation. After all the mind isn't really working during either of those times"
"However I knew that once it did your mind would just shatter," Apollo's tone grew somber. "So I did the only thing that I thought I could, I sealed away your memories."
"My memories?" I wanted to say that I still had all of my memories, but the sudden reappearance of that beach memory said otherwise.
"If I sealed away everything then you would only grow suspicious about it, further complicating an already troublesome situation," Apollo sighed. "But I had to do something lest you suddenly end up dead in your bed."
"So I went about removing the memories that seemed the most volatile to your mental state, carefully balancing them so that there were enough memories for you to properly grieve on."
Huh so that was why I still went through that process, now that I think about it there were some memories that I thought I grieved on but never actually did. I suppose I just chalked it up to being a baby once more that my memories had been affected.
"Then what did you exactly do with those memories?"
"I sealed them away," He replied as the memories ceased playing. "Sealed them away in the deepest corners of your mind with the intention of not letting them see the light of day."
"Unfortunately," Frustration took over. "It seems that your close brush with death by Stalker Carbon undid that seal and with its destruction, so did -"
"Him." I finished as realization set in on why that other figure appeared on that specific night. I always wondered why he appeared on that day of all days. "Who is he?" I asked, hoping that the next words that would come out would give me an answer.
Yet those hopes were dashed when I noticed the hesitation of Apollo. "Please don't tell me that you can't answer me." My face fell as I could see the hooded figure struggling to answer me.
"I-" I didn't even need for him to complete whatever he was going to say as I could just hear the guilt in his voice.
"You're kidding me!" I cried out in anger as I accusingly pointed a finger at them. "I thought you said that you would answer everything I had!"
Apollo in his defense did not look happy with the situation either. "Believe me I would love nothing more than to tell you but...I am bound by the contract I made with them."
That stopped me in my tracks. "Contract?"
"The agreement was that I would be able to explain this island to you, the circumstances behind it." He then gestured to himself. "In exchange I will not be able to divulge his or my true identities until he deems so."
At that revelation, I could only stare at him in shock. Just when I thought I would be getting all the answers, the most important of them all was still out of reach.
I wanted to scream out in anger, to make my frustration known; but I knew that Apollo was under no obligation to tell me this. "T-Thanks for all of this," I honestly told him. "You didn't need to do this but...the closure was good."
"I'm glad then."
"But what happens to those memories? Will they continue to be sealed?"
"There's no point in sealing them if you already know," Apollo crossed his arms. "They'll gradually be released at times most appropriate, we can't have you crying in the middle of class now can we?"
"That would be bad," I laughed before a sudden wind started to pick up on the island.
"It seems that this conversation must be cut short, you do after all have to wake up early for your trip back." Apollo waved at me. "Have a nice night Haruto."
"You too Apollo, and...thank you once again." I responded before my consciousness blacked out, this time properly going to sleep.
And for the first time ever since I had reincarnated into this universe, I don't think I've ever felt this much peace with myself.
Winter soon gave way to Spring.
Cold gave way to warmth.
Wilted green soon blossomed into vibrant flora.
The start of a new beginning.
And with it the start of Chiba Academy's spring semester.
"You're late Haruto?" Mei said in disbelief as I gave a grunt of acknowledgement to her as I took my seat.
"Had to help someone in obasan's apartment move some stuff, my neighboring tenant is moving out and they needed some last minute things moved out before the new tenant's things were put in." I explained as I groaned tiredly.
"Also I accidentally overslept which meant that I woke up later than usual." I began to take my stuff out of my bag, but not without noticing the empty seat to the right of me.
"Hey Mei," I pointed to the empty desk. "What happened to Sakamoto-san?"
"Ah he had to relocate cities," The heiress explained. "Something relating to his parent's job at my father's corporation."
Huh that was strange.
"Is someone taking his spot?" I asked, a sudden feeling of trepidation filled me when I looked back at the empty seat. Oh god the deja vu was acting up now.
"I think-" Whatever Mei was going to say was interrupted as our first teacher of the day walked into the classroom.
"Good morning everyone, welcome back for your spring classes." Our teacher greeted us as she walked up to the front, setting down her stuff. "However before we begin today's class I have an announcement to make."
"Due to Sakamoto-san's departure this class has an opening for a new student," She motioned to the door. "I want you all to meet-"
"ME!" A voice suddenly called out as the student slid through the open door, stopping right in front of the classroom.
"Kiana Kaslana!" The white haired transfer student introduced with a wide grin on her face. "Nice to meet you!"
Every student in the class burst out into laughter at her introduction, even Mei cracked a few laughs at Kiana's behavior. In the back Midori suddenly started to choke on her spit when she heard the transfer's name.
And I?
Oh god I was having a full internal meltdown when I saw Kiana's face. I didn't even need to wait for an introduction to know who she was.
Her face is on the goddamn Honkai Impact Icon for crying out loud! Who wouldn't recognize her!?
"Nakamura-san," My teacher suddenly shifted her attention onto me. "Kiana has none of the materials to do classes for today, may I ask you to share your books with her for today?"
"U-Uh hai." Was my automatic response, not trusting my brain in fear of saying stupid instead. I was barely aware of the fact that I was already moving my desk right next to Kiana's desk.
Which just so happened to be next to mine!
Kiana flashed me a grin as she took her seat, the ever so iconic Kaslana smile on full display. "I hope we get along, senpai!"
Oh god someone kill me now.
TADA! How did you like this chapter-
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Or is this really the end of the chapter?
Apollo watched as Haruto's figure disappeared, his connection fading from the island as the human went to sleep. No doubt he wanted to catch as much sleep before his trip back to Nagazora.
Back to the city where fate would resume its course.
However all was not finished as Apollo mentally counted to ten to ensure that Haruto was no longer present in this place. It would not end well if he was still present for what was about to happen next.
After mentally counting ten, Apollo turned around to glare at his doppelganger. "How long have you been watching us?"
"Long enough," Was all they said as Apollo gritted his teeth.
"Are you trying to cause another episode with him?!" He demanded.
"You're no saint either, oh little Apollo." They laughed while leaning forward. "Why didn't you tell our hero the true reason why you created the seal? That you were afraid of little ole me?"
"He does not need to know that." He firmly stated.
"Oh sure he doesn't," The entity shifted towards a mocking tone. "Because we both know that sealed memories alone cannot manifest an entity like me, he will know something is not right sooner or later."
"Which could've been avoided if you allowed me to tell him everything behind it-" The name of the figure that was standing in front of him was just on the tip of his tongue, ready to be uttered.
"And add more to his plate?" They interrupted as they spread their arms out wide.
"Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, World Serpent." They listed the factions off. "All three have taken an interest in him, and we are lucky that it is a slight interest that they have in him, hence the subtly."
"Do you wish to implicate Honkai into this as well?" They stared at him. "The moment he learns my true name then Honkai itself will know of his existence, and we both know that Honkai is not one to be subtle when interested."
As much as Apollo hated the entity in front of him, he could not deny that truth. Haruto was not ready to confront the Honkai yet.
"Besides, his plate will be full soon enough with what happens next."
Apollo narrowed his eyes. "Of course, with Kiana coming its bound to-"
"Kiana he says," They laughed as their hood slightly parted to reveal a maniac grin. "Of course I know K-423 will shake things up, that's given with her nature as the 'protagonist' of this universe."
"I'm referring to what happens after she's arrived. A little spoiler, it gets quite messy."
Omake/Extra Scene: Happy Birthday to...whoever you are
"Haruto you're going to miss the countdown!" My mother yelled as I closed the door to my room.
"Be there in a sec!" I yelled back as I walked up to my desk and placed a tiny box on top of it. "Just got to finish something!"
I was alone in my room, Kuro was downstairs with the family as the countdown to New Year's was just a minute away. I knew that I should be down there with them to celebrate the new year but something within me just pushed me to do…
This.
I carefully opened the tiny box to reveal a chocolate fudge cupcake, a single candle on top of it. I had been in the midst of buying some last minute things for this New Year's Party when a sudden urge overtook me, that I needed to celebrate someone's birthday.
Words could not describe how I knew this but I just had this feeling to celebrate this person's birthday.
Even if I didn't know the name of the person whose birthday I was celebrating.
"So uh," I lit the candle up, watching the flame flicker on top of the cupcake. I smiled just as the New Year's Timer hit zero, fireworks being fired into the sky as I said my piece.
"Happy birthday." Fireworks erupted in the background as I blew the candle out.
Meanwhile…
"Durandal-sama?" Rita asked with concern as she saw the Captain of the Immortal Blades looking away from the firework display that was taking place at the Schicksal Base.
"Ah it's nothing Rita," Durandal responded as she turned to face her dear friend, a chocolate fudge cupcake in hand. She looked down to the cupcake in her hands, a smile on her lips as she took a bite of the delicacy.
"I've just received the best birthday gift I could ever ask for."
You know I love my cliffhangers. In the famous words of an Anemo Archon…
Hehe :)
So how was the chapter? Did the timeskip of the entire timeskip flow well? I was hesitant to try and timeskip spanning three-ish months but at the same time I did not want to dedicate boring chapters for them.
I would die if I had to do that.
How was Apollo and his doppleganger? I knew that there was some problems with them and I tried to fix their personalities and how they interacted. What did you like? What didn't you like?
Suggestions are deeply appreciated.
SO KIANA HAS FINALLY ARRIVED! And with it the black hole of food that is Kiana will now make things interesting for Haruto.
In more ways than one…*Laughs darkly at the next arc planned*
How did you like the omake on Durandal's birthday? I wanted to do it ever since I planned the timeskip but couldn't find a good way to fit it in the chapter so I decided to do it as an omake.
Would you like to see more stuff like that in future chapters?
ALSO BAAL IS FREAKING PERFECT! LOVED THE CUTSCENE, THE OFFICIAL ART, EVERYTHING! AND IT ALSO HELPS THAT I HAVE GUARANTEED PITY SO NOW JUST TO WAIT FOR HER BANNER!
And some of you have raised concerns about getting burned out and to be honest this took me a while to do. And I haven't responded to some comments so expect that after this chapter goes up.
I do plan on taking a break soon though, but not without leaving you on a cliffhanger :)
Support has been crazy and I want you to know that I deeply appreciate all of you.
Welp that's all for this chapter. If you enjoyed it, drop a fav/follow/kudos as they really help me out with creating great chapters. Reviews are deeply appreciated and if you have a question or a really interesting theory I am more than happy to reply. Please be patient if I don't respond to you super fast.
Peace!