So it has been a crazy journey that started about a month ago. I am truly happy to have been able to write this for you guys. Its has been a dream to write a Noragami fanfic and i'm glad I got the chance to write this. Shoutout to paulavara140 and lotus nanase for reviewing. Even though you guys were the only ones to review, those reviews kept this story alive and helped me write it till the end. May I present to you the second last chapter of "To Love or Not to Love". I don't own the world of Noragami. It belongs to Adachitoka sensei!
"Welcome to the party!" Yato said as we appeared next to them. For the first time, Akito didn't puke but he swayed a little before regaining his balance. "That it?" I asked as I saw a huge crowd milling outside of my shrine. It was in chaos, people shouting and throwing stuff into it, defiling the place. "Repair what you have done!" they shouted as they tossed garbage inside. Some even threw swear words at me. My heart sank as the humans cursed me and I felt like I was dying inside.
"Come on, now! We have that to worry about for now!" Yato shouted as something moved in a distance. What seemed like a large mass of hate moved in the distance, many eyes poking around its huge body as Bishamon slashed into it. "Come on!" she shouted as she sliced into it with a large sword. It barely fliched as she sliced, throwing a claw out to send her flying. "Bishamon!" Yato shouted as he flew to take her place. Not long after, he got hurled after her.
"What the heck is going on?! They're some of the best war gods around and they can't hurt it?!" I gasped as the Phantom came towards me. "Hate! I hate you!" it muttered as it came to me. I gulped as the other two got up and headed back towards me. "It seems that it may only respond to you, Lady Aiko," Kazuma said Bishamon called him.
"Why me?" I said as he pushed his glasses. "It is made from the cries and hates of the humans you hurt the year before. Therefore, the only way to get rid of it is for you, the targeted goddess to strike it down," he said. "Man, sounds like a movie but worth a try," Yato said as he swung Sekki onto his shoulder like a schoolbag. "You ready?" I asked Akito, who smiled his signature smile. "Whenever you are, my goddess," he said as I lifted my hand.
"Come, Denki!" I shouted as he turned into a flash of light and slammed into my open hand. I gasped as I saw the weapon I had, a double sword, blades on the ends of a long golden rod. The others gaped at me as I gazed at my Blessed Regalia. "Holy shit! She has a Blessed Regalia now?!" Yato shouted as Bishamon gaped at me. "Join the club!" Yukine shouted as his master gaped at me. "Wow. Akito…" I whispered as I shed silent tears. "My goddess…" he whispered as he stared at himself in awe, if a double sword could stare.
"Come on!" I shouted as I rose into the air, leaping towards my foe. As I flew, the shouts of the people below ripped through me like arrows piercing me and I coughed, blood dripping from my mouth a little. "Aiko!" Akito shouted as I steeled myself. "Come! Let's show them what the goddess of love and her Shinki are made of!" I shouted as he grinned. We sailed through the air, hacking at the Phantom, some of its limbs flying in multiple directions. It howled as we sailed through the air, landing the roof of a mall, the Phantom swiveling its many eyes at us. "Eat!" it shouted as it scrambled towards me. I grinned as I lifted my fingers.
"You, who dare to desecrate this Land of the Rising Sun! By my advent, I, Aiko, lay waste with the Denki and expel thy defilement! Rend!" I screamed as I sliced into it. It howled as it shattered into as shower of light, taking it back to wherever Phantoms go after they die. As I stared at the still angry crowd below, I took a breath as I prepared to reforge Denki once more. "Your cries have been heard! By my advent, I, Aiko, mend your relationships! Seal!" I shouted as I sliced into all of the humans present there. Some of them screamed in surprise as I mended their relationships, landing on the steps of my shrine with grace.
Some of them stared up, wondering what was going on. Some were muttering among themselves and hugging each other, apologizing for all the wrongs they had done. Some were calling their loved ones and telling them how much they loved them. I smiled as I sat down, Denki in my hand. I looked more like a war goddess now than a love goddess. As I breathed a sigh of relief, a small hand tugged my shirt. "Thank you for bringing love back to my family, goddess Aiko!" a little girl squeaked as she hugged me. Still bewildered why a child could see me, I patted her head as her parents called her to them. She waved at me as she returned to her family, her smile so wide it could split the heavens.
The others joined me, their faces wide with their smiles, although they were wiped off quickly when they realized who was standing next to them. "So, what are you going to do now, goddess Aiko?" Bishamon asked as I stood up. "I guess I'm allowed to go home now. I have completed my mission after all," I said as I stroked Denki. I gained a Blessed Regalia. That was the best gift and blessing a god could ever receive.
"You have a worthy Shinki here, goddess. Take pride and care of him," she said as she held out a hand. "Come on, no need to be so stiff," I grinned as she flung herself on me, shocking both me and Yato, who started to laugh. "Wahaha! The goddess of war is actually a softie and a hugger! Who knew?!" he roared as she whacked him across the floor with her sword. It was a miracle he didn't split into two. Well, you didn't call him a god of calamity for no reason. "Come on, Akito," I said as he returned to human form, a smile on his face as he took my hand. "Let's go home," I said.
…..
"You're really leaving, Ai-chan!" Kofuku sniffed as she hugged me again. My hands were laden with gifts they had given us upon our return to the heavens. They had issued me a letter of acknowledgment of my status as a goddess and allowed me to return home the next day. We spent the night packing and partying, even Hiyori had a time of her life drinking so much sake Yukine and Yato had to drag her home. She couldn't see us off the next day so I made a mental note to make sure she had a good husband someday, even if it means that smelly Yato.
"Do come visit us again, my lady," Daikoku said as he bowed. "Sure," I said. "You guys are welcomed to visit anytime. Although please refrain from causing too much damage. I'm pretty broke now," I said as they nodded. "Yeah yeah. I'll make sure I come party every night," Yato grinned as Yukine knocked him over. "Come and skateboard sometime, will ya?" he asked Akito, who bro-fisted him. "You got it," he smiled as both boys hugged each other. "Well at least you fulfilled my request," I said to Yato, who smiled sheepishly. "Well, you kinda did it on your own, but oh well. Can't say no to a compliment," he grinned as we stepped onto the grass. "Can't wait to see your new home? Properly though, this time," I said as he laced his fingers with mine. "Sure," he said and as the others waved at us, we disappeared in a flash of light.
….
"Welcome to your new home," I smiled as I lead him to the door. The last time he had been there, he was nearly skewered through the heart. I hope he would erase that from his mind as he entered the entranceway. The place was deserted and he looked puzzled as he glanced around. "Where is everyone?" he asked as we walked through. Our footsteps echoed through the house as we made our way to the center atrium, where a large green area with a rose arbour was located. I grinned silently to myself as the light shone into us and shouts rose into the air.
"Welcome home and Happy birthday, Akito!" all the Shinki shouted as they blew streamers and balloons in his face. Akito looked slightly stunned as he tried to process what had happened. "Birthday?" I gaped as Ayato put on a hat on his head. "Eh?!" he blurted as he stepped back from the guy who nearly skewered his heart. "Yo!" Ayato grinned as Akito tried not to turn pale. "Anyway. Sorry I tried to kill you. No regrets?" he asked with his hand out. Akito sighed as he shook hands with him and everyone applauded.
"Speaking of which, why birthday?" Akito asked. "Well, I met you not long after I was exiled to the human world so I thought why not throw in a birthday party for you along with your welcome party?" I grinned as I lead him over to the table. Food weighed it down along with a large fountain spouting coffee, which was his favourite drink and a large cake was at the center. A sword rose from the top, its gleam in the sun along with several samurai depicted around the cake. I had ordered the cake a few months in advance so the baker didn't had to stress out too much, although I was pretty sure he did.
"Wow," Akito muttered as he eyed the cake. Some tears welled in his eyes as I came behind him. "Like it?" I smiled as he spun me around, hugging me tightly. The others gaped for a minute before exploding into applause, Ayato included. "Okay people! Enough with the chit chat and let's party!" I shouted as speakers rose from the ground and Minato grinned from behind his DJ set. "Let's rock and roll, people!" he shouted as he started to play the music, Blue bird filling the air as everyone shouted, dancing to the music. All of Akito's favourite songs had been recorded so they played the entire day.
We danced to the beat, laughing and dancing as the sun rose high above us, not caring about getting tan. We didn't tire until evening where we stopped for some cake and food. I munched on soba while I saw Ayato hacking away into a large mackerel. "Thanks for everything," Akito said as he drank coffee. "You had no idea how much trouble I had to go through to get you that coffee fountain," I groaned as the others filled their glasses with the foul liquid. "You can keep it in your room by the way," I added as some of the girl Shinki pulled him to his feet and dragged him away.
I waved them off as I went to my room, grinning as I changed into the outfit. As I stepped out, some of the other Shinki laughed as they pushed a baffled Akito towards me, dressed in his Sebastian butler outfit. He flushed as he saw me wearing a longer version of a maid outfit, the hat topping my head. I smiled as I handed him a tray with a small box on it. "Your gift, master," I grinned as I bowed low. He gulped a little as he picked it up, opening it to see a small key in it.
"What is it?" he asked as I tried not to laugh. "Your room of course. Unless you want hordes of female Shinki coming to your room, I suggest you lock it," I said as everyone started to laugh. From the booth, Minato had started to play music again and everyone moved back to the dance floor. Akito turned to face me, his smile so wide that it lit up the world around me. "My lady, may I have this dance?" he asked as he bowed low. "It would be my pleasure," I replied as I curtsied and he took my hand, maid and butler swinging to the music.
"Thank you," he whispered into my ear, making me jolt. "For what?" I asked. "For making me your Shinki. For letting me have a place by your side," he said. "No problem. Although I just upgraded your room to a larger one because you're now a Blessed Regalia," I said as he looked in mock horror. "You wound me," he said as we laughed. "Lets just stay this way forever," I whispered as I leaned my head into his chest. "Of course, my lady," he said as we danced into the night, the stars in the heavens shining upon us.