For all those who had reviewed last chapter (and chapters before that), I have to thank you. Reviews are my motivation, so I wouldn't have gotten this far without you guys. That goes the same for you, my Beta Reader.

Disclaimer: I don't own Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai and I don't own Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu. No copyright infringement intended.

Enjoy!

Chapter Seventeen: "H-Have we kissed before?"

The evening storm rattled the Yoshii household, where Keima tried to explain everything, from Archaic to Diana's appearance. Haqua grit her teeth. "More Goddess Hunters!? We have to stop them-"

"A-Actually, Haqua," interjected Shiori, "that isn't the most... pressing issue." Shiori nodded, signalling for Kanon to fill in the blanks that Shiori's speaking deficiency left.

"The Goddesses are... missing," deadpanned Kanon, making Team Devil's jaws drop. Thunder shook the building. "It's kinda like this: when we look into where we expect the Goddesses are residing, they aren't there. Wait, let me rephrase that. It's like they're dormant. We're pretty sure they're still in our souls, since I was able to fend off a deity, but they aren't communicating with us. We both think that Keima should try to awaken the Goddesses with more love. Right Shiori?" The introvert nodded in response.

"I still think we should hunt the Archaic," objects Haqua, glaring the two humans down. One shrinks back, and hides behind a book, while one gives off a very, very fake smile. "They could attack at any moment. While they're down by one, we should strike."

"Two problems with that, Haqua," interrupted the gamer, pressing a few more buttons on his handheld. "One, we haven't actually defeated a Fallen Goddess. Remember what Ares said? 'You only have cut off my connection to my host.' She didn't seem like she was lying. Plus, attacking Archaic now would be reckless."

"Then what should we do, Kami Nii-sama?" asked Elsie, adding her two cents to the conversation. Keima paused, then put away his PFP.

"Nothing." The apartment complex was yet again battered by a volley of rain. Before an uproar could be formed, Keima added, "I have a theory-"

"This isn't a time for theories Keima!" exclaimed Haqua, getting off of her seat to get all up Keima's face. "Baseless conjecture won't get us anywhere-"

"My 'baseless conjecture' helped saved the Goddesses," countered Keima, making Haqua sit down. "Anyway, I have a theory. There are Goddesses in this dimension, and when our Goddesses teleported into the former's 'domain', our Goddesses 'deactivated'. That confirms that there are Goddesses in this realm. By doing what we usually do, bringing out the Weiss, we might bring out a Goddesses. I'm gambling that the Goddesses have gathered around me, just like in Maijima. As an added bonus, we'll have more firepower against Archaic with the power of a Goddess on our side. Happy now, Haqua-"

Ding dong! All eyes swiveled towards the door. Akira Yoshii had just left for Cambridge a day ago, so it was definitely not her. Haqua pointed at the door, and Kanon nodded, and the two somersaulted (Hod did they somersault? Kanon had gymnastics for flexible muscles in case of intense choreography; Haqua is a devil) to the doorway and stood at watch, weapons in hand. They both looked at Keima, who sighed. He got up, and walked to the door. At the doorway was a familiar face.

Shouko Kirishima, soaked to the bone.

"T-Thanks a lot, Akihisa," said Shouko, who was sitting by the oven for heat. Apparently, only the bare essentials could be found in Akihisa's apartment, and Akihisa must have though that a heater was unnecessary. Wrapped in a towel next to the heat the oven was radiating, Shouko smiled. "I really appreciate it."

"It was nothing," replied Keima, his usual fake smile on his face. "Not to be rude, but isn't your house a more suitable place to be in this situation? I mean, it is raining very hard."

"Wow Akihisa, I never thought I'd see you say something... smart," said Shouko, an eyebrow raised. "What was the cause of that?"

"Sorry to disappoint, but I was the one who asked first," said Keima. He wondered why she was dodging the question. Sure, it could be her pride as a rich, intelligent lady, but it could also be for a more delicate reason.

"But you are the host of this household, are you not?" countered Shouko. Keima was surprised. Losing to someone in verbal warfare was rare, and the only one who had accomplished that feat was Chihiro. The boy grimaced, remembering that fateful night on the Mai-High rooftop 'C-Chihiro, I'm sorry... I didn't really mean what I said that time...'

"...Touché," said Keima, admitting defeat. Shouko's smile grew. "I-I just wanted everyone to stop calling me an idiot. 'Idiot!' here, and 'Baka!' there everyday grew tiring. It... hurt, to be called an idiot, especially by someone so close to me, so I decided to get my act together." Keima smirked inwardly. Shouko looked him in the eye, trying to catch a bluff of any kind. It was then that Keima noticed how much the Yandere had changed.

The unreachable Shouko Kirishima used to be so mechanical, so monotone, so... cold. Even to her love interest, Yuuji Sakamoto, she would be unforgiving if he was even suspected of being unfaithful to her. All that changed after the Capture. Sure, she was now more quiet and reserved without someone to pursue, but she was... happier. "Akihisa, I need to know something."

"I'm sorry if I sound insensitive, but I would like an answer to my question," replied Keima. Shouko chuckled a little.

"I wasn't trying to segue into a different topic, if that was what you were thinking," said Shouko, her smile never-fading. "The reason why I'm here is just that it rained hard so suddenly, and I couldn't get to my house in time. Your house was the nearest, and here I am." Keima was relieved that he hadn't triggered any invisible flags in Shouko's Route, otherwise, he'd have to have a change of plans. "Anyway Akihisa, I need to know something."

"Go ahead." The sudden change of tone signaled a change in topic, and Keima didn't like the sound of that. Did he set off an invisible flag after all? Shouko, rising to her full height, leered into Keima's eyes, trying her best to intimidate him. Of course, the Capturing God returned the favor. It was a stare down, and the four women behind the couch - namely Elsie, Haqua, Kanon, and Shiori - couldn't predict the outcome. Shouko's cheeks were flushed ever so slightly, but the God of Conquests saw the red tint. He knew what she was going to say before it even came out of her mouth.

"H-Have we kissed before?"

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Okay, shameless advertisement over. Anyway, I'll see you later!