Ryoko's Car - With Rito and Ryoko
"So, where are we going this time, Ryoko?" Asked Rito evenly as he looked out the window of her car. After all this time, he was finally beginning to get used to dating her, so long as she didn't put any extra effort into embarrassing him. Though, since she usually put forth enough effort to embarrass him anyway, it was a slightly hollow victory.
"A nice restaurant I heard about from a friend awhile back." She replied. "It's got good food, good music, and a dance floor as well." She noticed his face get slightly red at the mention of 'dance floor'. 'Perfect.' She smirked. "My friend told me that the place seems to favor music that makes for some good, fast paced, 'up close and personal' dances." Rito's face got even redder. 'Just a little more.' She thought slyly. "Oh, and I forgot to mention that a few dances will be required on this date." That did it.
"Required?" Asked Rito nervously.
"Of course," Replied Ryoko happily. "Where's the fun in going to a restaurant with a dance floor if we don't have at least six or seven dances?"
"Why so many?" Rito asked, 30% curious, 70% nervous.
"It takes a lot to tire me out these days." She responded, flexing her arm in front of his face much to his dismay. "I wanna dance until we both start getting hot, sweaty, and short of breath." Rito's face turned beet-red again. 'He really is way too cute.' Ryoko observed. 'I can't wait until the day he says those three magic words that will set my heart ablaze.' She sighed fondly as she pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant Sallem had told her about. 'And knowing how good Sallem is at anything he sets his mind to, it won't be long until I hear them.'
"Yohohohohoho." Chuckled Sallem from inside the restaurant, he and his wives watching the live feed of Rito and Ryoko's date from Chibi-Robo's camera and Telly's microphone. "Looks like things are going exactly as planned."
"Sallem~," Whined Benitsubasa. "Put down that TV and let's dance."
"In a minute," He chuckled. "I've gotta see Rito's reaction to Ryoko's outfit."
"I bet you just wanna see her outfit for yourself." Teased Haihane.
"That is not true," He denied. "...Completely." He amended.
"Why you little." Benitsubasa seethed. "I thought you said that you already had us."
"Put on some well-defined muscle and I won't need to look at anyone else." Sallem retorted shamelessly. "But that aside, you seemed to rather encourage my relationship with all three of you with that comment just now." Benitsubasa turned a vivid shade of red.
"Sh-Shut-up, that's not what I meant and you know it!" She denied "Besides, I doubt that anything she has on could hold a candle to what I'm wearing."
"You mean what we're wearing," Corrected Haihane. "We've all got the same kind of dress on."
"That's not entirely true," Pointed out Karasuba. "I'm in black, you're in blue, and Benitsubasa's in red."
Sallem, thankful for the distraction, was still listening to their conversation with keen interest. He had to admit that their dresses did look stunning on them, though since he picked them out himself, that was to be expected. They each wore a backless one piece dress with a decent sized V-neck. The dresses reached from their necks to just a few cm above the floor, and each dress had a slit on the side, exposing a fair amount of each of their left legs. Whereas Sallem was dressed much more modestly in his usual outfit that he'd stolen various parts of from powerful fighters he pummeled throughout his travels; though the scarf was a gift, the hat was a knockoff, and the boots were just because he couldn't find any decent footwear on any of his opponents.
'They really are very beautiful.' He thought as he spared them a glance. 'Now let's see what Ryoko's wearing.' He thought as he directed his attention back to his monitor, expecting something exciting, and he was not disappointed in any way.
'WHAT IS SHE WEARING!' Panicked Rito the moment Ryoko took off her coat for the, now very panicked busboy.
His shock was highly justified, as was that of every other turned head, and not just because of her muscular figure. She was wearing a one piece dress that reached down to just above her feet, which were wearing heels, and both were just as red as her hair. But the color of the dress was the last thing on everyone's mind compared to the shape it had. It was completely backless down to just barely above her rear, showing off all of her toned, broad, and muscular back and shoulders. The dress had no sleeves, showcasing every stretch and ripple of the muscles of her tree trunk sized arms. It had not one, but two slits for both of her well toned legs to show, all the way up to her hips. And the V-neck was made by two straps that reached down to her midriff, flaunting all of her highly impressive cleavage, as well as most of her eight-pack. The 'dress' was essentially a narrow Y in the front attached by two narrow strips of cloth to another strip of cloth in the back that only covered herself from the waist down.
'That dress only covers-up the essentials!' Panicked Rito. 'If she's wearing this on only the third date, what will she wear on the fifth?'
'Way. To. Go. Ryoko.' Though Sallem somewhat perversely as he saw her outfit on his monitor. 'I am so glad that you took my advice up to eleven.'
"Why. You. Little." Growled Benitsubasa as she Haihane squeezed Sallem's shoulders once they saw what was on the screen. "C'mon! You're getting off that thing! And we're going to dance! Understood?"
"Oro?" Went Sallem as Benitsubasa and Haihane dragged him out to the dance floor, Karasuba keeping watch from a distance, chuckling at the confused expression on her husband's face.
'I guess I was asking for this,' Realized Sallem. 'In more ways than one.'
Flashback
"...On the third date," Sallem continued from the flashback in chapter 10. "You'll be halfway through, which means this will be the top of the hill, and everything before and after this would just be a downward slope. So you're gonna have to catch him off guard by pulling out all the stops." He explained seriously. "A romantic dinner at a beautiful restaurant! Music of great caliber! Dancing until you're both sweating like crazy! Some of the sexiest clothes you'll ever wear! Flaunt everything you've got at every chance! Say things that will make him redder than a tomato! Don't let him relax for a second! You've gotta show him the single craziest, sexiest, and most romantic night of his life thus far!" He explained dramatically.
"And what exactly will this accomplish?" Asked Ryoko curiously. "You always have a good reason for everything you do. I can't imagine that you'd suggest that I do this for a reason as simple as catching him off guard."
"How right you are." Sallem said with an odd grin on his face, though with his face, grins were always odd. "It actually has a lot to do with basic physics and some advanced mathematics, but I'll try to keep it simple." He began in a scholarly tone. "I stated before that this halfway point of yours is basically like the top of a hill, meaning it will be the highest natural point of your five dates with Rito. Ergo, you're going to have to make this date unnatural. What you'll have to do with this date is make it rocket up so fast from the last one, that the emotions caused by this date will continue to fly higher and higher, even after the date is over. 'For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction'. That's the principal being used here. I guess you could say that the third date would be somewhat like a slingshot in that regard. For that reason, I recommend that you wait three days after the second date before you make him go out on the third one. Too short and the rubber band won't be long enough to make emotions fly high. Too long and the rubber band will start to droop and your efforts will crash into the ground instead."
"I suppose that makes sense." Agreed Ryoko. "But, exactly how sexy do I need to be? I don't mind showing off in the least, but I'd like to know what limits to set so that I don't give Rito a heart attack."
"No one can get a heart attack from the sexy, it just distracts them." Pointed out Sallem. "As to the dress code, just make sure that you're wearing a dress that covers at least the essentials and you'll be fine."
"What about the fourth date?" Ryoko asked. "Am I going to be using the slingshot method again?"
"The slingshot method doesn't work twice in a row with romance," Pointed out Sallem. "Though it works quite well for manga, especially One Piece. No, for the fourth date you're going to..."
End Flashback
"Are you going to show my boyfriend and I to our table?" Ryoko asked the shaking busboy.
"Uh, er, I, yes!" Stammered the red-faced busboy. "R-Right this way." He said, leading them to a small table. "Here are your menus. I'll be back in a minute to take your orders. Would you like anything to drink?" He said stiffly once they were seated.
"Just water for me, thank you." Answered Ryoko. "Would you like something Rito?"
"I, er, uh, I, er." Babbled a steaming red Rito, his brain momentarily fried by the sexy.
"Fufufufufufu," Chuckled Ryoko at her date. "He'll just have a root beer if you have any."
"Right away." Said the busboy stiffly before he walked away.
"Ohhh~, Rito." Cooed Ryoko seductively, while propping her elbows on the table and her head on her hands, flaunting her cleavage. "What's got your tongue tied? You know it pains me to see my lover look so flustered. It makes me want to ravish you on this table right now." Steam burst profusely from Rito's now red head instantly.
"WHAT ARE YOU TA-" Rito began to outburst, but Ryoko put her finger to his mouth to put a stop to it.
"Shhh, calm down now Honey, I was only joking." She admitted playfully. "Like I said before, I'll save it for when we're married." Rito's eyes turned into spirals.
'I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT!' Panicked Rito. 'SHE WAS JUST TRYING TO GET MY GUARD DOWN THIS WHOLE TIME!' He was worried that he might really lose his virginity on this date, but then he calmed down when he realized. 'But at least she can't do anything with so many people around.'
"So Rito," Ryoko began. "What do you think of my dress?" She asked seductively as she put her hands behind her head, puffed her chest out a bit, and gave him a flirtatious look, much to Rito's dismay.
"I-I-I," Rito stammered as the busboy quickly came and left with their drinks. He quickly took a large drink from his own. "I-I-I think that it looks very, very," He gulped nervously. "Fine."
"Fine." Ryoko said as if there were some seductive hidden implications to the word that Rito was unaware of. "What about the rest of me? Does that look 'fine' as well?" She asked as she leaned forward and folded her think arms under her enormous bosom, making them even more apparent.
"F-Fine, fine, you look fine." Rito replied quickly, his head spinning so rapidly, he was only aware enough of what he said that he could tell that he was saying things that could be easily be misunderstood.
"Really now? Because I think that suit suits you very well." She sighed. Rito was sweating and steaming so much, it was a wonder he hadn't passed out from dehydration. Suddenly, the band that had been playing slow music in the background the whole time sped up in tempo. "Oh my! Looks like the band's decided to liven things up a bit. Care to join me out on the dance floor, dear?"
"Okay." Rito replied dumbly, his mind, unable to deal with all this stimulation, had placed his body on auto-pilot, though his mind was still fully aware of what was happening.
'What am I doing?' Rito panicked as Ryko led him onto the dance floor. 'There are so many ways this could go horribly wrong! I should know, I've already gone through many ways things like this could go wrong!' He thought as Ryoko grabbed his arms and they started swinging in time with the music. 'Why isn't my body moving how I want it? At least look away from her breasts!' He commanded his body the moment he realized he was eye-level with said breasts, which were subtly jiggling seductively with the music.
After a few minutes of dancing, he managed to get enough control of his body to turn his blood-red head away from Ryoko, and onto anything he could distract himself with. He saw a few other people dancing, though most of them were distancing themselves from Ryoko. 'Of course they are,' Thought Rito. 'She's so huge and dressed in so little, after all.' Thought Rito before he was swung around so that his face landed in Ryoko's chest. 'There's the nosebleed!' He panicked as he recoiled from her bosom so quickly his head turned up, causing him to come face to face with Ryoko.
"Oh my Rito," Cooed Ryoko playfully. "If you wanted to feel me, all you had to do was ask." She said as she grabbed his hands and quickly slid them onto her rear.
"R-Ryoko," Stammered Rito nervously, his hands feeling everything in a place he'd already felt too much of in the past. "Why are you doing this to me?"
"It's like I've said before Rito," She began tenderly. "I love you with everything I have, so I don't see any reason to hold anything back." Steam shot out of his head again.
"Can you please stop?" Rito strained out.
"Of course we can," Replied Ryoko to a very relieved Rito. "We've been dancing for so long, we're starting to build up a real sweat." All of Rito's embarrassment instantly turned into confusion.
"We have?" He asked as Ryoko began walking toward their table, the sight of her broad and well muscled back, glistening with sweat answering his question, as well as bringing a slight blush to his face again.
"We have." Parroted Ryoko as she sat down. "And it looks as though someone made a slight mistake and gave us quite the meal by accident while we were dancing for the past," She paused to look at her watch. "45 minutes."
"45 minutes!" Said Rito in mild shock as he sat down at a their, now fully supplied table. "Were we really dancing that long? And what about this food?"
"Like I said before, someone must have made a mistake." Said Ryoko as she took a bite from what looked like some kind of bread. "And I'm not about to pass-up a chance for free food." She said with a wink.
"But what if a waiter just set it here for a seco-"
"Rito," She cut him off. "They have carts to put the food on. If it's on the table, someone must have made a mistake, and I've never been one to look a gift horse in the mouth. Now just eat and enjoy." She said as she popped a shrimp into his mouth.
Rito mumbled with the food in his mouth for a second before swallowing. "...That was pretty good." He admitted.
"I'm glad you like it. We got this food at random, so we really have no room to complain. Sushi?" She asked.
"Well," Said Rito uncertainly as he scratched his cheek. "I don't really feel right about taking food that someone else ordered."
"The restaurant made a mistake, so they'll fix it." Brushed off Ryoko as she stuffed the sushi into his mouth. "This food will probably be thrown away if someone doesn't eat it. I'm not about to let good food go to waste."
Rito had to pause to swallow again. "Well," He hummed as he looked at the food, hunger and uncertainty in his voice and eyes. "It would be bad if this all went to waste wouldn't it?"
"Yes it would," She said as she popped some salad into his mouth. "Now eat." She sighed seductively as she leaned forward, pushing her breasts up with her arm again.
Rito paused once more to swallow. "Would you please stop that?" He requested somewhat angrily, the fact that they were in an obviously high-class restaurant the only thing keeping his voice at a low volume.
"What?" Asked Ryoko, obviously feigning innocence. "The flirting? Feeding you? The shameless show of my body?"
"All of the above."
"I suppose I could do that. You look like you've had enough anyway." A light bulb suddenly lit-up in Rito's head.
"Were you doing all that on purpose?" He asked nervously.
"Of course," Ryoko said shamelessly. "Flirting and teasing may come naturally to me, but even I have to work at seduction."
'Of course.' Realized Rito.
Later - Ryoko's Car - With Rito and Ryoko
"So Rito," Began Ryoko as she drove Rito home. "How did you like our 'special night of passion'?" She asked suggestively.
"Would you please stop talking like that!" Exploded Rito. "You've been saying stuff like that this whole evening. Can't you give it a rest?"
"Not until we get to your house." She rebuked. "I've only got two dates left to seduce you, and I'm not going to waste a second of either of them."
"Do you seriously think that people can fall in love just like that?" Mumbled Rito.
"You won't be falling in love 'just like that'." Denied Ryoko. "We've already been on thee dates, and we still have two more to go. People have fallen in love through less."
'People have fallen in love through less?' Though a panicked Rito. 'She does have a point there. I guess some people are just like that. Hell, most people I know who have someone they like, usually me,' A dark cloud appeared over his head for dramatic effect at that thought. 'Fell for that person almost instantly.' The dark clouds started raining. 'And here I am. I love two girls, and I might be falling for a third for all I know. I didn't exactly notice my feelings for Lala until they were almost right on me after all.'
"We're here Rito," Said Ryoko as she slowed to a stop at his house. "You can get out now, unless you want to come home with me?" She asked flirtatiously.
"No! No! No!" Panicked Rito as he got out of the car. "I'm getting off here." He said as he rushed to his house.
"Rito." Ryoko called out to him just before he got to the front door, causing him to halt and turn. "I had a wonderful time tonight. I know that I said this before, but I really do love you, and I hope that you'll feel the same way about me someday." She said sincerely, giving Rito a subtle blush. "I'll call you about our next date when I'm ready. Look forward to it." She finished as she drove off.
Rito stood on his front step for a few seconds before leaning against the door with a sigh. 'Why are women always saying that about me?'
Morning - The Next Day
'I wonder what Ryoko has in mind today.' Thought Rito from his bed as he waited for her arrival. 'Mikan said that she asked her to prepare some things for when she arrived, but she's not telling me about what they are.' Sighing, he laid down on his bed and tried to figure out what it could be, but he didn't get too far because his door suddenly slammed open, jolting him upward with a start.
"Good morning~!" Sang Sallem as he threw something at Rito's head, knocking him to the floor with a sadistically satisfying thud. "How are you doing on the morning of your fourth date with Ryoko?" He asked with his sadist face.
"What is your problem?" Rito winced once he managed to stand up.
"My problem is that you're one of the toughest nuts I've ever had to crack." Sallem explained happily, his expression unchanging from his sadist face.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Asked Rito bitterly as he rubbed the sore spot on his head, not noticing Sallem step-up to right in front of him.
"That is none of your concern." Replied Sallem in a somewhat distorted voice as he gave a sharp yank to Rito's leg, painfully flipping him on his back. "Your only concern now is to have your date with Ryoko and enjoy it, roach." He explained as he gave a sharp jab with two of his fingers to his foot.
"Ow! What was that for?" Demanded Rito.
"For being a roach." He replied darkly as he swiftly twisted his foot and painfully bent three of his toes.
"OW! Would you stop that?" Rito asked, raising his voice.
"Once more." Sallem said menacingly as he poked four pins into the base of his foot.
"Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Somebody help!" Cried out Rito.
"They cannot hear you." Began Sallem in a deep, evil voice as he went face to face with Rito. From Rito's perspective, he could see that Sallem's scarred smile looked like it had sharp teeth from front to back, and that his green eyes were narrowed and glowing slightly in a menacing dark hue. At the sight of pure terror before his eyes, Rito could only gulp and shiver in fear. "I've placed a soundproof barrier around this room to prevent anyone from interfering in our conversation."
"Wh-What do you want?" Rito stammered fearfully.
Sallem glared at him for what could have been seconds, minutes, or hours for all Rito could tell. Once Rito began to think that he couldn't take the fear instilled into him from the look he got from Sallem, he heard him say...
"Your date has arrived just now, Rito." He said cheerfully with a pleasant look on his face as he painlessly took the pins out of Rito's foot and swiftly bandaged it up. "I hope you enjoy your time with Ryoko." He said as he walked off.
"Uhhhhhh." Was all that Rito could say and think at the moment.
"Oh, and by the way," Said Sallem as he stopped and turned by the door. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone about what happened this morning."
"Wh-What?" Said a befuddled Rito, his mind still trying to catch-up with the world around him. "Why should I keep it a secret? You're pretty much torturing me." He said defiantly.
"Eh? You won't keep it a secret?" Asked Sallem innocently as he put his index finger to his chin and a slightly disheartened expression marred his face.
'If I don't keep it a secret... He'll kill me!' Panicked Rito, understanding what his expression meant. "R-Right, it's a secret." He conceded.
"Wonderful," Said Sallem pleasantly, though Rito understood that it was obviously an act. "Have fun on your dirty and sinful date with Ryoko, and make sure you use protection."
A few seconds after he left, Rito decided that it would be best for his health if he quickly went on his date before Sallem had a chance to pull something else.
"He'll be down momentarily." Sallem explained to Ryoko once he got downstairs.
"That's good." She replied. "Mikan, did you get the things I asked for?"
"Of course," Mikan said as she handed Ryoko a duffel bag, giving her two, in addition to the one she had brought with her. "Be sure to tell me how it goes." She grinned slyly.
"Oh, I already have a pretty good idea about how it's going to go." Ryoko said mischievously. "And if it's going to go how I've planned it, you may soon have a few sisters-in-law." She winked.
"Here's hoping." Mikan responded playfully.
"What?" Said a baffled Nana. "Mikan, are you serious? I thought that even with all your teasing you were against this."
"I was at first," Mikan responded. "But once I saw how happy Sallem, Karasuba, Haihane, and Benitsubasa were together, I realized that there might be some merit in the idea."
"Speak for yourself," Grumbled Benitsubasa as she walked down the stairs with a red duffel bag. "I still say that I'm all he needs." She insisted.
"Your words say one thing, but your face says another." Teased Haihane as she walked down the stairs with a blue duffel bag. "You can't imagine life without us, can you?" Benitsubasa was about to retort when...
"She has a point, you know." Interjected Karasuba as she got off the couch, a black duffel bag strapped over her shoulder. "Let's face it, we've all grown too accustomed to the life we have together to be comfortable anyway else." She shrugged before her face adopted an evil glare. "If it weren't for that and Sallem, I would have probably killed you both long ago." She said dangerously. Almost everyone stared at he in shock. There was a long pause before...
"Yeah, I keep this kind of company." Shrugged Sallem as he walked over to Karasuba. "Some people might call it dangerous, but I prefer to think of it as 'last-chance-rehab'." He explained as he got behind Karasuba and placed his hand on her head. "I help or hurt those who would be dealt with by the law otherwise, depending on my mood and the individual in question." He finished as he subtly squeezed Karasuba's head tightly. "Watch your step." He silently reminded Karasuba in a deep voice. "Keep in mind that the only thing keeping you alive right now is your fear of me. If you cease to fear me before you love me, I may have to kill you again to teach you your place once more." He said as he subtly pulled her away.
"And then what?" Asked Karasuba mockingly. "Bring me back to life with your medical skills again? You've shown me Hell once before, once more will do little harm." She reminded him as she rubbed off some of the cover-up around her neck, revealing a noticeable scar. "You chopped my head clean off and then put it back on. After that, there's not much left to fear."
"There are fates much worse than death, I assure you." He pointed out darkly. "My medical instructor, Madaraki Fran, has proven that cruel fact of life time and time again, as have I."
Karasuba didn't bother to try and hide her fear and rage at his words, as he would no doubt read her like a book regardless. She knew from experience that this man was not one to be trifled with. Ever. She may be highly cruel by nature, but she still placed high value her own life and well being. If, in order to stay alive and well, she had to act the part of a loving wife, so be it. So long as she caused no trouble without his command, she actually had the freedom and money at her disposal to do whatever she wanted.
For most, that would be an almost ideal life, but the only thing Karasuba wanted more than all else was the only thing that she couldn't have right now. Bloodshed. She missed causing so much pain, suffering, and death. She missed the thrill and rush of the battle. She missed the times when she was still on her own world, or whatever world it was she had spent her life on after the ship she was on crashed. The other two were content to remain with that man for the rest of their lives, but she was not. She wanted out, but the moment since he'd first killed her and brought her back, she knew her fate was sealed, and she reluctantly resigned herself to her fate.
If there was any silver lining to the life she was leading now, it was that, so long as he took his medication, which she knew he had yet to do this morning, he was actually rather bearable. The only things that really irked her, aside from his demand that she not hurt anyone, was that he insisted she spend time with him and the others, and that she go along with his stupid matchmaking schemes.
"Understood, master." She growled bitterly through her teeth.
"Call me 'dear'." Sallem reminded her sweetly, though she could easily sense the hidden threat behind it.
"Understood, dear." She growled even more bitterly.
"Well then you three," Sallem said cheerfully as he turned back to his other wives. "Let's get going before people start to get suspicious."
"Suspicious of what?" Mikan asked suspiciously.
"My point exactly." Sallem responded happily as he got out a remote. "See you all when we get back." He pressed a button on his remote and he and his wives were gone, just as Rito came down the stairs.
"Good morning Ryoko." Rito said when he noticed her, actually sounding happy to see her. "What's in the bags?"
"Oh, it's a surprise, dear." She responded playfully. Rito, much to his credit, didn't blush at all when she said 'dear'. He'd finally gotten used to the fact that she would constantly make their relationship seem closer than it really was. "Now come on," She said as she grabbed his arm. "Today, we're going to spend the whole day together. From start to finish." She explained as she dragged him out the door.
"Have fun Rito." Teased Mikan, Rito was used to that.
"Playboy." Scoffed Nana, Rito felt some embarrassment.
"Make sure you use protection." Smirked Momo, causing Nana, Rito, and Mikan to glare at her.
"Don't be afraid to pick out wedding rings." Cheered Lala, everyone stared at her.
"Lala, why would you say something like that?" Panicked Rito.
"I agree, that doesn't seem like something you'd say," Agreed Ryoko. "Though I wouldn't mind doing that sometime soon." She added playfully, much to Rito's displeasure.
"Sallem told me to say it." Lala admitted. "He said it would help you two get along."
'Of course he did.' Everyone deadpanned inwardly.
"Well, at any rate, we should get going now, Rito." Said Ryoko as she led the boy to her car. "I'll have him back by 6:00." She called back.
"Which 6:00?" Asked Momo playfully.
"You know what I mean." She responded as she got in the car and drove away.
Ryoko's Car
"So, where are we going this time?" Asked Rito once they were on the road. He knew that she had said she wouldn't tell him on the phone yesterday, but since she'd told him about where they'd be going on their third date once they were in her car a little over a week ago, he figured it was worth a shot.
"I already told you, it's going to be a secret until we get there." She reminded him. "But rest assured, I'm going to make you want me by the time this date is over." She said confidentially.
'What's she planning?' Panicked Rito slightly. 'She's saying that with such certainty, and after the other three dates I've gone on with her, I wouldn't put it past her to come up with something that could make her words come true. It's like she knows exactly what to do to make herself as desirable as possible.' He stopped to think about that. 'Well, knowing her, she probably does. But still, the level she takes it to is way beyond the mild teasing she used to stick to... Then again, now that I think about, that's her normal behavior, and it's normal for people to be a lot better at things once they apply themselves, I've seen it happen before. Yami was a lot more dangerous back when I first met her and she was actively trying to kill me, compared to now, where she only beats me up a little whenever I offend her, which is actually almost every time I see her now that I think about it.' He realized pathetically.
For the entire drive, Rito kept coming up with more and more ideas about what Ryoko may be planning, each one somehow worse than the last. By the time they finally got to where she was taking them, he was already sweating bullets about what she might have in store for him this time. What he saw when they arrived at their destination however, filled him more with shock and confusion than anything else.
"A gym?" Was all that Rito managed to make come out of his mouth.
"That's right." Replied Ryoko as she got their stuff out of the car. "Since I went through so much pain and trouble to get so well-built, even though it wasn't my choice, I figured that I may as well work-out in order to keep it." She explained as she flexed her arms.
Rito was having a hard time processing what exactly was going on, so he was understandably speechless for a few seconds. When he finally opened his mouth to speak, instead of his usual loud outburst at the strange, painful things in his life, his words were perfectly reasonable. "You've been coming here often?" He asked politely.
"Almost every day since our first date." She replied happily as they went inside, and when they did, they were instantly bombarded with...
"RYOKO-SAMA!" Chorused almost everyone in the gym as many people rushed over to her, not even noticing that most of them, rather painfully, pushed Rito out of the way.
"You weren't here yesterday." Said one man.
"Did something happen to you Ryoko-sama?" Asked one worried woman.
"Don't tell us you found another gym?" Panicked someone who was obviously the manager of all people.
"Relax everyone," Said Ryoko soothingly. "I just had some things I needed to take care of. Nothing bad happened."
"What a relief." Sighed many of the people present.
"Ryoko-sama, could you help me draw-up a good workout today?" Asked another woman.
"I've been keeping up my daily routine. How long do you think it'll be before I can go on to pro bodybuilding?" Asked another man.
"Calm down everyone," Ryoko said in an effort to get some space. "I just came here to workout today. You can't expect me always help you out with everything."
"Of course, Ryoko-sama." Chorused everyone present as most of them walked off.
Rito was completely baffled at the sight before him. Everyone here seemed to worship Ryoko on some level or another. Why, Rito wasn't entirely sure, but he had a few guesses. 'Maybe they all just look-up to her because she's so strong looking. She looks stronger than anyone else here at least.' He thought as he took a good look at everyone else present. 'Given where we are, I think it's safe to say that gym clothes are packed into those bags.' He realized.
"Hey, Ryoko-sama, why do you have two bags?" Asked the strongest looking man present suspiciously.
"I've brought someone with me today and felt like surprising him." Ryoko replied, many people froze.
"Him?" Growled the large man, Rito felt a shiver go up his spine, Ryoko nodded. "Where is this guy?"
"I believe that's him in the corner." Ryoko said as she pointed at a frantic Rito.
"Hmmm~." Went the large man dangerously as he got a good look at the quaking Rito, until his expression brightened. "Oh, I see." He said pleasantly. "You decided to bring your little brother to the gym with you. You're a really nice woman, ya know."
Rito's fear suddenly evaporated. 'Thank goodness.' He sighed inwardly. 'It's obvious that he was jealous of the idea of Ryoko with someone, but since he only thinks I'm her little brother, I'm in the clear.' He was suddenly unnerved by the sound of Ryoko chuckling.
"Oh no, Rito's certainly not my little brother." She said pleasantly.
'Not good!' Panicked Rito.
"Hm, oh sorry, nephew then." Corrected the large man.
'Please leave it at that, Ryoko! Please leave it at that!' Begged Rito.
"Wrong again." Hummed Ryoko as she walked over to and bent down next to Rito.
'I can't ask for even one favor, can I?' Realized Rito fearfully.
"Rito is," She began as she playfully planted a kiss on his cheek. "My lover." Everything suddenly got really quiet.
After about a minute, the first person to break the silence was the burly man who'd been speaking before. "Your... lover?" He strained out tensely, Ryoko nodded. "Don't you think that he looks a little... young for you?" He strained even more tensely.
"Not at all." Replied Ryoko bluntly as she dragged Rito away by his wrist because he was frozen in fear. "I think he's just old enough for me. Not to mention that he's such an incredible charmer, I don't even mind that I have to share him." Everything got quiet again, except for Rito, who was shaking so violently that you could literally hear his bones chattering.
'Why do you keep adding fuel to the fire?' Rito panicked as Ryoko dragged him off.
Outside the Locker Rooms
"What was that all about?" Hissed Rito angrily.
"Well, I'm a doctor and I'm so well-built that people just kept coming to me for advice and it eventually turned into what you saw." Ryoko explained as she handed him the bag Mikan had packed for him.
"That's not what I meant!" He panicked as he took the bag. Justified, given the many angry glares he was getting from men and women throughout the gym.
"I know." She said as she quickly walked into the lady's changing room.
"Ryoko, wait a-" He began before a harsh tug backwards caused him some mild choking. "What was tha-" He stopped when he saw who'd pulled him back.
"Hey there, Ri-to." Growled the large man he'd seen earlier. "What brings you to this gym?"
"Um, well, Ryoko brought me here for-Hieeee!" He began weekly before the large man punched the wall next to his head.
"I think you mean Ryoko-sama. Right Ri-to?" Growled the large man again. "Even I call her that, and I'm the strongest man in this gym."
"R-Right, Ryoko-sama." Agreed Rito pathetically as he noticed everyone else in the room turn away.
The large man just glared at him for a few seconds. "You know something kid?" He finally said. "I don't like you. Do you know why?" Rito shook his head weakly. "It's because you think you're good enough for Ryoko-sama. In fact, you think you're too good for just her, playboy."
"I-I never said-"
"Shut-up." The large man cut him off. "Let me tell you something brat. You may think that you're good enough for Ryoko-sama, but I say otherwise, and in this gym, what I say, goes. Understand?" He growled.
Rito was panicking. Normally he'd be too frightened to go against anything someone as big and angry as this guy said, but for some reason, some small part of him felt defiant. He couldn't completely explain it, but he just felt like this guy was someone he had to take down. It was completely ridiculous. The guy was obviously too dangerous for him to do anything about, but he just couldn't stand the sight of this guy acting like he owned the place, and Ryoko too! He knew that a guy like this was a selfish jerk of a very high caliber, but he couldn't exactly do anything about it. Ergo, the next words out of Rito's mouth, and actions his body took, surprised even himself.
"Why don't you just drop dead?" He deadpanned as he swiftly kneed the large man square in his family jewels. 'What did I just do?' Panicked Rito as he got a good look at the large man's face, which was currently distorted in a lot of pain. Feeling the strange burst of courage and nerve he just felt evaporate instantly, he opted for an escape plan. "I-I'm sorry! I've gotta go!" He panicked and fled into the men's changing room.
"That... little... brat..." Squeaked the large man in a helium voice. He quickly looked around in an effort to find the brat who had the nerve to kick him in the nuts, and only found people looking away from the incident that had just taken place. "Dammit." He cursed, knowing that there were no witnesses to the blow he'd just received because everyone was too scared of him to even pay attention to his 'conversation' with the brat. Sure, he could try to threaten one of the other people at the gym to vouch for him against the guy, but people have a way of being too obvious when they're lying under pressure, as a few witnesses to some of his scrapes with the law in the past can attest to, some of which were still in body casts. "That brat's going down." He squeaked.
After Changing
'What just came over me?' Thought Rito, a bit more calm than before. 'I've never hit anyone before. Sure, I may have tried once or twice in dangerous situations before, but I've never actually managed to hurt anyone. And what was with my attitude? I've never been so... so... I don't know what to call it, but I definitely don't act like that normally.' Before he could toy with the idea further, his thoughts were interrupted.
"Ah, Rito, there you are." Came Ryoko's voice from behind him.
"Ryoko," Sighed Rito as he turned to her. "I really need to..." He suddenly trailed off.
"Hm, I see you like my outfit, Rito." Ryoko cooed pleasantly and posed once she noticed what was grabbing his attention.
Rito had to admit that her outfit certainly was appealing. She wore a sports bra, which did a poor job of covering her cleavage, and a sarong that was opened on one side, showcasing one highly toned leg, both of which were a vivid shade of red to match her hair. A little under dressed, revealing, and not to mention sexy she was, though this was the norm for her. Fighting back a blush, Rito managed to quickly regain his nerves. "Yes, it's very nice Ryoko, but I really need to talk to you about-"
"I know what you want to talk to me about." Ryoko cut him off.
"Y-You do?" He asked, stupefied.
"Yes," She nodded. "I knew that every single man here would be furious if they found out I was spoken for."
Alarms quickly went off in Rito's head. "You knew that would happen!" He hissed, not wanting to draw any more attention than he already had.
"Of course I did Rito," She chuckled. "I'm trying to make you fall for me, and this is all part of that."
"How are the two related?" He panicked.
"That. Is. Secret~." She teased playfully. "If I told you how it works, it wouldn't work. It sorta works like magic in a way. Now come on," She said as she grabbed him by the arm. "I told everyone I'd have you back by 6:00, so that leaves us with six hours to fill."
"Six hours?" Panicked Rito. "There's no way I can workout that long!"
"Don't worry, we'll break at 1:00 for lunch, and it takes about 30 minutes to drive from here to your house." She said before she got a seductive look on her face. "Not to mention that there's a sauna and pool." She breathed directly into his ear, sending chills up his spine. "Both of which are mandatory." Placing a seductive emphasis on each syllable of 'mandatory'.
Before Rito could open his mouth to object, he suddenly found himself walking on a treadmill. "What the..." He said, before it sped-up, forcing him to do the same.
"This is the start of the workout, Rito." Explained Ryoko, who was obviously going at a faster pace. "We'll spend 30 minutes doing this, before going onto the rest of the workout. 30 minutes of arm muscles. 30 minutes of leg muscles. 30 minutes of shoulder muscles. 30 minutes of the abdominal region. 30 minutes of pectorals. 30 minutes of back muscles. 30 minutes of swimming. 30 minutes in the sauna. And the remaining hour and a half will be spent on breaks." She explained as if it were no big deal.
"I'll die before we're done!" Exclaimed Rito.
"Actually, from what I've seen of your physical abilities, you could go on much longer than that." Ryoko replied. "Not many people could keep-up with the life you've been living, after all."
"Don't say that like it's a good thing." Whined Rito.
About 5 Hours Later
'I can't believe how much it hurts.' Thought a barely conscious Rito from a bench, as he was too tired to even speak.
"Hey Rito," Panted a mildly tired Ryoko as she sat down next to him. "Was that a great workout or what?" Rito had no idea how she was still walking. All throughout the workout, she'd worked with at least five times as much weight on every routine as he did. Not to mention that each time he felt like he had almost gotten his strength back and his heart rate back to normal, Ryoko pulled him back onto a machine and got him working again.
"Uhhhhh." Groaned Rito, hoping his response would get his point across.
Ryoko chuckled. "I know it's hard on you, but the worst of it's over now. All that's left is to unwind in the sauna and then-"
"Uhhhhh." Groaned Rito, unable to protest in any other way.
Ryoko hummed as she thought over his response. "I see, you've already done enough sweating today, and you'd rather soak yourself instead."
Rito nodded weakly.
Ryoko smirked as she picked him up and cradled the boy in her arms. "I know just the place where you can get back some energy." She explained over his groans of protest as she carried him off.
Rito could do nothing but think as Ryoko carried him off to who-knows-where. 'Is this what Ryoko felt like after she got off of Lala's machine? Is this what it was like for her in my arms?' If he wasn't in so much pain he would have been more embarrassed. 'This isn't so bad, but I really wish it wasn't so public, and that I knew where I was going, and that she wasn't pressing my face into her chest... Yeah, this is pretty bad, isn't it?' He realized dully.
'I'm completely at her mercy, even though she probably cares about my feelings enough to not do anything really serious when I'm like this, but I still have no clue where she's taking me. And why am I so calm? Am I so tired that things like logic don't really matter anymore? Was Ryoko this relaxed when she was exhausted? I feel like I can see everything in my head so much more clearly. Maybe that's why Ryoko confessed to me after she woke-up from her workout induced coma, because she was so lightheaded she could see her own thought in a much clearer way, and deep down she realized that she loved me. Maybe I could figure out my own love troubles while I'm like this too.'
The small part of his brain that was still thinking less clearly than the rest of him saw this as a great opportunity, but also as a double-edged sword. 'Let's see, who do I love? I know that I love Haruna and Lala, that's not changing. I know I should feel a little creeped out at this, but I don't. What about Ryoko, though? I really like her, but I don't think that I love her, do I? Then what do I feel for her? I think it may be like that time Lala's sisters made me tell her how I feel about her in that video game they made. I like her enough to almost love her, but not quite. Given what's happened so far, if we go on one more date, I'm pretty sure it could become love. That would be... WHAT THE HELL AM I THINKING?' He panicked as his more logical mind started to come back to him. 'Ryoko! Me! Why would I... Why is my shirt coming off and why am I wet?' He thought as he managed to open his eyes.
"Ah, I see you're doing well." Said Ryoko as she came into focus in Rito's eyes. "I decided that a good soak in a hot tub would do you some good." Rito nodded thankfully. "I'll be right back with some towels." She said as she walked off.
A few second passed before Rito noticed something odd out of the corner of his eye. It was the large man he'd kneed in the jewels earlier. The words 'not good' came to mind.
"Finally," Smirked the large man. "I was beginning to think that she'd never leave your side." Rito knew he had to get away, but he still couldn't move. "I've really wanted to thank you for our last encounter." Rito had no idea how that had happened. "And now that you can't move, I think it's time for a little-" He didn't get the chance to finish that sentence, since something sent him flying halfway across the gym.
It was Rito's fist.
'How did that happen?' Wondered Rito as he vaguely felt his fist throbbing. 'First with the knee, and now this. Something weird is going on here.'
"I'm back Rito." Said Ryoko as she slipped off her sarong, revealing a pair of red boyshorts swimwear underneath, and stepped into the hot tub. "Anything happen while I was gone?"
'Yes, something happened, but I don't know what.' He thought, as he was too tired to talk right now. Suddenly, he felt himself being turned over on his stomach, and something soft rubbing up against his back. Unable to communicate properly, he had to settle for groaning once again.
"You seemed a little tense," Observed Ryoko. "So I decided to scrub your back to help you unwind. I'm using a towel right now, but I could switch to something else if you wanted." She whispered into his ear as she rubbed her chest into his back slightly. "Maybe on our next date, you could wash my back?" She suggested.
Rito just groaned.
"Yohohohohoho." Chuckled Sallem as he observed the scene from the same hot tub Rito and Ryoko. He had to admit, everyone else at the gym was taking his external machinery, ears, and scar much better than he thought they would. They only stayed away from the area he was in instead of outright leaving the gym. "Everything's going according to plan."
"How is this according to plan?" Scoffed Benitsubasa. "All that's happened today is us getting sweaty."
"He probably has a reason, I think." Retorted Haihane uncertainly. "What is the reason, anyway?"
Sallem looked very serious for a few moments before replying. "You three and Ryoko are wearing the same outfits." He deadpanned, receiving a slightly less than playful whack on his head from Karasuba and Benitsubasa for his troubles.
"Of course we're wearing the same outfits as her." Scowled Karasuba. "These are common sportswear after all."
"The color scheme is the same as on our last date." Haihane observed. "Do we really like these colors that much?"
"It took you that long to notice?" Scoffed Benitsubasa. "I just happen to think that red looks good on me, that's all."
"You know I can see right through you three." Teased Sallem. "I know that you're all wearing those colors because I said that they suited you. I even seem to recall you three going by, what was it again? Black Sekirei. Blue Sekirei. Red Sekirei. I think that was it." Benitsubasa and Haihane both blushed, while Karasuba just looked somewhat amused and somewhat annoyed.
"Just explain your logic so we can go home." Karasuba scolded.
"Right, right." Conceded Sallem as Chibi and Telly popped out of his exposed neck. "Could you two please play part 4 of my conversation with Ryouko on the subject of Rito?"
"Of course Sallem." Replied Telly. "Could you please get out the monitor, Chibi-Robo?"
"!" Said Chibi before he opened up the lid on his head and popped out a flat-screen TV, and four sets of headphones, which the quartet quickly put on.
Flashback. ON TELEVISION!
"...Employ a method I like to call, Richter Scale." Continued Sallem from the flashback in Chapter 14.
"Richter Scale?" Ryoko tested the word. "I know what that is, but what do earthquakes have to do with love?"
"It's an expression," Chuckled Sallem. "What it means is that you have to make the mood of the fourth date shake violently from one direction to another, like a needle on a Richter Scale."
"I think I get the general picture," Replied Ryoko. "But explain it to me, just to be sure."
"It's just as I say, you have to make him go from feeling good to feeling bad!" He explained dramatically. "Make him enjoy the date then make him hate it! You have to show him both sides to a relationship in quick succession over and over and over again in order to catch him off guard! This is how lifelong relationships are born, and this is how they work! But beware, for this method is a double-edged blade. If the fourth date doesn't end on a good note, your chances of winning Rito over by the time your five dates are over will shoot down to less than 1%." He explained sternly.
"And where exactly do you suggest I go with Rito to achieve this?" Ryoko asked skeptically.
"It's rather simple. Where is the one place where a woman of your appearance will be irresistible? Where is this place where someone will constantly be pushed to the limit of joy and sorrow? Where will you be able to make him really sweat?" He asked energetically.
"Hmmmm," Ryoko thought it over. "A gym?"
"Exactly!" He exclaimed happily. "But if you want this method to work to the fullest potential, you'll have to go to the gym during most of your downtime, at least until your date with him there, and wait until he begins to recover from the shock of the third date, because that's when his feelings for you will reach a peak. I'll keep an eye on him and tell you when that time comes." He put his foot on a chair and pointed at her dramatically. "If it works the tremors of emotions will catapult his feelings for you to an all time high!"
"You certainly have a flair for drama," Observed Ryoko playfully. "And how do I go about getting him to fall for me completely on the fifth date?"
"Ah yes, the fifth date." Sallem said coolly. "For that I have to recommend..."
End Flashback. ON TELEVISION!
"That was rather interesting," Observed Karasuba. "Though the fact that you recorded this is rather disturbing."
"I record a lot of stuff." Brushed off Sallem. "Even now, a drone is recording every important detail of their date."
"Why would you do that?" Said a slightly disturbed Benitsubasa. "It's kinda creepy."
"He's probably just recording it so he can watch it again later." Said Haihane.
"Exactly, I'm just creepy like that." Said Sallem proudly.
"There's just one thing I don't get though." Observed Karasuba. "How did Rito manage to hurt that large man so badly?"
"I have Momo to thank for that." Began Sallem, gaining him some odd stares. "She's able to talk to and summon plants, so I had her call-up a few with pollen, spores and other parts that could be used to cause some... 'unusual' effects in a person."
"Define 'unusual'." Asked Karasuba suspiciously.
"By 'unusual' I mean; making a person super strong, or highly out of character for brief moments." Sallem explained. "It helps even more when you hit the right pressure points in the foot on the same day as the application of the plants."
"You drugged him." Karasuba clarified.
"Nothing that will harm him in the long run, but yes. I drugged him."
Rito's House - After the Date
"Why is Rito so tired?" Asked Mikan as Rito and Ryoko walked into his house, though 'walked' would perhaps not be the best term to describe how Rito entered.
"So tired." Groaned Rito as he limped over to the couch and fell onto it.
"I think maybe I pushed him too hard." Chuckled Ryoko as she walked over to Rito. "I had a great time though. You're such a strong young man." She said as she bent over and kissed him on the cheek. "I look forward to our next date, or whenever I next see you again." Rito, in his barely conscious state, smiled with whatever glee he could feel at the moment as Ryoko took her leave with a similar grin on her own face.
5 Days Later - After School
"Hey Rito! How ya doing?" Said Sallem loudly as he slapped Rito on the back. A playful gesture to an observer, but Sallem had put enough force in his slap to really hurt.
"Have you had your medicine yet today?" Groaned Rito as he rubbed his now aching shoulder.
"Yes I have, but remember, these things tend to slip through every few days." Reminded Sallem. "Anyway, how are tricks? Has Lala caused ya any trouble lately? Has Yami pummeled you in the last few days? Has Yui called you shameless recently? Has Ryoko asked you out for your fifth date yet? Tell me! Tell me! Tell me!" He said excitedly.
Rito let out a long sigh before replying. "Lala hasn't caused much trouble since you arrived, aside from three days ago when one of her inventions blew-up again, leaving me half naked in public, again. Yami's beaten me a little harder than usual recently, though I hardly ever see her around anymore. Yui calls me shameless more often than usual, and I suspect that it has something to do with you following me around. And I haven't even seen Ryoko since our last date. Does that answer all your questions?" Rito deserved much credit for being able to remember all of Sallem's questions in order, but Sallem had been asking Rito rapid-fire questions frequently since his arrival, so it's understandable that he'd get used to it.
"All of my questions? Far from it. Just the ones I asked you? Yes." Replied Sallem with a cocky grin. "All things considered, your life seems to be rather quiet recently compared to what Mikan told me about how things usually are for you."
"What do you mean?" Asked Rito curiously.
"For one thing, you seem to be seeing and groping a lot less of the female body." Sallem joked to a now blushing Rito. "For another, you're in a rather stable relationship with a rather attractive woman, whether you like it or not."
"Go ahead and laugh, my next date with Ryoko will be the last one I owe her." Rito pointed out.
"Hurtful~." Observed Sallem. "You don't have to say it like that. What if Ryoko had heard you say that just now?"
"If I heard what just now?" Asked Ryoko from behind them.
"Ah! R-Ryoko! I didn't mean! What I meant to say was! I, er, I." Yammered Rito.
Sallem gave the stuttering boy another painful pat on the back. "Try syllables and sentences, Rito. What are you doing here Ryoko? From what Rito said you haven't been anywhere near him for the past few days."
"I've just been doing my job and thinking about how to spend my fifth date with Rito," Replied Ryoko. "And I'm almost ready for it. I just need to wait until the weekend before it can happen."
"Really?" Asked Rito curiously. "Well in that case, I suppose I'll see you then."
"You seem rather calm about this." Observed Ryoko with a playful glint in her eyes that didn't even faze Rito for once. "I might have to change that during our next date." She pretended to think it over for a few seconds. "Perhaps I could just walk around naked during the whole date." Now Rito was panicking.
"N-Now wait a second!" Exclaimed Rito. "There's no need to do anything like that, is there? I mean, you can't exactly walk around naked in public, after all." He pointed out hopefully.
"Who said we'd be in public?" Asked Ryoko teasingly. "Our fifth date could be at my house again for all you know."
'Damn it!' Panicked Rito. 'She just had to figure that out!'
"I'll see you on Saturday, Rito." Ryoko said as she knelt down and planted a kiss on his cheek before walking off.
Rito was frozen with a noticeable blush on his face. 'I can't believe that she would do something like that in such a public place.' He thought, before something occurred to him. 'Actually, on second thought, I can believe it.' He thought calmly, at least until something else occurred to him. 'Wait a second... Public place?' He heard a slight growling coming from behind him, prompting him to slowly and fearfully turn to see what it was.
"Rito." Growled Saruyama, as he and a pack of angry looking guys formed behind him. "You already have Lala, and yet you feel the need to go after the 'hot-even-when-she's-buff' Mikado-sensei too." Rito knew he was in big trouble.
"Sallem!" Rito panicked as he grabbed onto Sallem's collar desperately. "You've gotta help me! Use that teleporter remote of yours to get me outta here!"
"Teleporter remote?" Sallem wondered with a sadistic grin. "What on earth are you talking about?"
'I'm on my own!' Realized Rito fearfully as he ran away screaming, an angry mob of jealous men chasing after him.
"That was funny." Observed Sallem, still grinning. "And now it's just getting sad." He continued with a bored expression after five seconds. "I guess I'd better go help the guy... but that doesn't mean I can't have some more fun while I'm at it, now does it?" He grinned as he raced off after Rito.
'I'm so dead! I'm so dead! I'm so dead!' Panicked Rito in his head, over and over again as he ran from the mob. 'Don't these people have anything better to do with their lives than get crazy jealous of others?'
"I'm afraid that they don't." Deadpanned Sallem, shocking Rito into almost tripping.
"Stop reading my mind!" Exclaimed Rito. "And what are you doing here anyway? I thought you were planning on letting me get pummeled."
"If I let that happen, then how else am I supposed to have fun?" Asked Sallem wittily.
"So I'm basically just a way for you to get your kicks, huh?" Deadpanned Rito.
"More or less," Replied Sallem. "Now do you want me to get you outta here, or not?" He asked as he held up his remote.
"Please! Get me outta here!" Begged Rito.
"Not so fast, playboy." Teased Sallem. "If I do this for you, you gotta do something for me."
"What do you want." Groaned Rito, wondering if it might be worse than the mess he's in right now.
"Don't worry, it's nothing too bad." Sallem replied to his thoughts. "I'm just going to have you do some philosophical thinking, that's all."
"Philosophical thinking?" Parroted Rito, wondering if he'd heard right.
"That's right. Now do we have a deal, or not?" Sallem asked.
"Fine, just get me outta here!" Panicked Rito, as the mob was gaining.
"Alright! We're outta here!" Exclaimed Sallem as he pressed a button on his remote, and they vanished. However, Sallem, ever the witty one, had left behind holograms to keep running and distracting the pathetic mob until their three hour batteries ran out.
In Front of Rito's House
"I'm home." Panted Rito as he noticed where Sallem had warped them. "I'm safe."
"Yes you are, now I have a deal to collect on." Reminded Sallem.
"Right, the 'philosophical thinking'." Remembered Rito. "What was that all about?"
"I just want you to reflect on your life a bit." Explained Sallem calmly. "Do you remember when I threatened you with my guns?"
"How could I forget?" Shuddered Rito. The memory of that incident would likely follow him to the grave. "What about it?"
"Do you remember what I asked you?"
"I think it was... what girls could I name off the top of my head?" Rito guessed, he'd been more focused on the guns than anything else at the time.
"Exactly. And your response?"
"Well... I know that I said Lala, Haruna, and Ryoko, and I'm pretty sure I said Nana, Momo, Oshizu, Yami, Yui, and Run too."
"BANG!"
"GAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Panicked Rito as he crouched low to the ground.
"I'm just kidding." Chuckled Sallem. "I only said 'bang', I didn't actually shoot anything."
"That wasn't funny." Grumbled Rito as he got up.
"It was for me." Pointed out Sallem. "Now back to my point. I want you to ponder your relationship with each of those women, for the duration of my stay on this planet. Do that, and you can consider your debt repaid."
Rito just stared dumbly at him for a few seconds. 'He's probably trying to set me up with all of them.' Realized Rito once he recalled that one of his hobbies was matchmaking.
"Of course." Replied Sallem to his thoughts mercilessly. "Somebody give me points for honesty."