At School - Classroom
"Alright everyone, we're having a pop quiz today," Announced Honekawa-sensei, much to the dismay of almost the entire class. "Would someone mind handing out the tests for me?"
"I'll do it Sensei!" Volunteered Yui enthusiastically, to the surprise of no one.
"Thank you Kotegawa-san," Said Honekawa-sensei gratefully as he handed her the stack of tests. "Hm? Kotegawa-san, are you by chance wearing gloves?" He asked as he felt her fur brush against his fingers when he handed her the papers.
"Um..." Panicked Yui quietly, at least until she remembered what she had rehearsed for situations like these. "Yes I am. My skin has developed a slight rash, so I've taken to wearing long gloves to keep myself from scratching." She lied with her head held high, ignoring the several quiet snickers that may as well have been broadcast over a loudspeaker with how sensitive her well hidden new feline ears were.
"Oh, well then do you need to go to the nurses office?" Asked a concerned Honekawa-sensei. "It won't do to have a model student infecting others."
"Not at all Sensei," Replied Yui, proud at being called a model student. "My doctor has assured me that I'm noncontagious." She lied smoothly as she went to hand out tests.
"Oh, well if you're certain then." Agreed Honekawa-sensei cordially.
Humming to herself with her head held high, Yui handed out the tests with a smile on her face. She didn't care that she was part cat now, as this trail run she'd just gone through had proven that her feline features could be easily hidden or excused with the right cover. Thanks to her boosted confidence from being able to deal with Sallem now, as she was handing out tests, she paused at the desks of a few students to get a few words in that she felt needed to be said for the longest time now.
"Let me just say one thing right now, Princess," She said as she narrowed her cat eyes at Lala. "This school has had to put up with your inventions and antics for long enough. If I see just one more of your little devices wreaking havoc at this school, I'm confiscating your phone. Do I make myself clear?" She demanded as she slapped a test down on her desk, not even bothering to wait for an answer.
"Alright now, Yami," She began, a bit more politely than she did with Lala, and with some genuine concern as she arrived in front of Yami. "I understand that you're new to this school, but you should know that we have a few rules here that I'll make note of as they come up. First and foremost is that public displays of affection are forbidden. Which means that I don't want to see you fraternizing with Rito during school hours. If you want more information, I suggest you read the school handbook." She finished civilly as she placed a test on her desk.
"I've already read the handbook, and I'm not going to stop spending time with Rito during the precious years of my youth." She shot back quietly, obviously having gotten that last line straight out of a particularly corny book.
"Well, well, look at how the mighty have fallen." Yui couldn't resist taunting with a Cheshire Cat grin as she reached Sallem, who just glared in strained silence as she placed the test on his desk. "Awww, who's afraid of the big bad wolf now?" At this provocation, Sallem made a loud breathing noise. "What's the matter doggy? Cat got your tongue?" Glad to see that he finally seemed to know his place in the education system, even if it was only a temporary one, Yui was about to walk off when Sallem flaunted the test she'd just given him in her face, and to her amazement, it was completely filled out. "What the-?" She wondered as she grabbed the test and looked over a few pages of it. She was amazed to see that every page was filled out neatly.
"But how did he-? In such a short-?" As she stared at him in amazement, his eyes were crinkled up in such a way that she knew he was smirking under that scuba mask of his. Her pride as a woman wanted nothing more than to claw that smug look off his face, but her pride as an upstanding student said to accept his completed test with as much dignity as she could muster, and hand it over to her sensei without giving him the satisfaction of getting a rise out of her. In the end, her pride as a student won over, and she walked off with his completed test in hand, and her head held high.
If she had bothered to look back, she would have noticed the mischievous glint in Sallem's eye as he subtly pressed a button on his remote to signal his camera crew to catch what was coming.
When she finally reached Rito's desk, she had a few choice words in mind for him now that she had the reflexes of a cat to counter the perversion of the terrorist ghost haunting him. "Alright now, Rito. I've had all I can stand, and I can't stand anym-" She stopped short as she took two seconds to get a look at Rito, and what a sight it was. His hair was slightly wet for some reason, and it clung to his head like he'd just come out of the rain. His clothes were rumpled against his skin as if he's showered in them. His overpowering manly scent was- 'WAIT A SECOND!' Panicked Yui as she stiffened bolt upright, blood rushing to her face and some of it dripping out of her nose as she frantically rubbed off the saliva she just noticed had accumulated on her lower jaw while she was fawning over Rito. 'Did I seriously just think that?! What the hell is wrong with me today?!'
"Yui, are you feeling alright?" Asked Rito, concern evident in his voice. It was a simple enough query, but just hearing his melodic voice made Yui absolutely swoon. If either of them had been paying any attention, they would have noticed Sallem quietly snickering to himself at his desk.
"I-I-I'm just fine Rito-sama!" Panicked Yui, only realizing her slip of the tongue too late. "I mean-! What I mean to say is-! You're very-! What I want to say is-! Your mother~ sings very strange songs~!" She finished melodically as she fell over onto Rito in a limp pile of joy. If one were to posses any sense of irony, they might find a great source of amusement and poetic justice in the exact location and way in which she fell.
Face first, on Rito's crotch.
Now, I won't gross you out with the details, but suffice to say, her landing was a hard one. In addition, as Rito frequently did absentmindedly, her own hands did a little bit of wandering where they shouldn't have, making things all that much worse.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!" Shouted a mortified Rito as he slapped Yui away. In that instant, time seemed to freeze completely for Yui.
'What going on here?' Thought Yui, her sense of time so distorted that mere seconds seemed to inch by in minutes. 'Did I just do something shameless to Rito? Did I just get slapped away? Usually this works the other way around... Wow. This is so surreal. So this is what it feels like, huh? That's what it was like to feel people in ways they shouldn't be. This is what it's like to get your just desserts for being obscene in public... I don't like it. It doesn't even feel like it's my fault really. Some sense of dizziness and panic just overcame me, and I wound up falling. Is this how it happens for Rito all the time? It must suck to have things like these happen all the time. I don't know how I could put up with it. I should probably-' Her thoughts came to a sudden stop, as she landed with an unceremonious thud on the floor, and her sense of time returned to normal.
As everyone in the room just stared at where the shocking sight that had just occurred, Rito and Yui in particular were the ones most out of touch with reality at the moment. If one were to ask either of them, they would say that neither of them even remotely expected something like this to happen. In fact, after this point, if you were to ask Yui, she'd quite honestly say that everything that she knew and held dear in her life was suddenly thrown into doubt. She may not be dying, but she still felt as if her whole entire life had just flashed before her eyes. She recalled the innocence of her youth, to her development into a stickler for the rules, right up to the moment she first ran into Rito and her whole life changed, and during it all, one thing stood out above all else.
For over half of her life, she'd been too focused on constantly moving forward to stop and smell the roses.
'Wow,' Thought a still dumbstruck Yui. 'All this time, I've been making my life boring when there was so much stuff going on around me. I've been too focused on making certain that both myself and other people set good examples, that I've barely had any time to make me happy, while everyone else around me was going about and enjoying their lives. I should have been worrying more about my own happiness sometimes. It's really funny when you think about it. Even after getting knocked down, I feel so relaxed and happy. Why is that? Is it just because I've realized how I've been going about my life wrong? Or is it something else?' As she thought this, her tired eyes wandered over to Rito, who was looking at her with concern and saying something she couldn't quite hear for some reason. Which was pretty odd if she would stop to think about it, since her hearing is so sharp now thanks to her cat ears.
"Yui? Yui?! Are you alright?" His words finally got through to her.
"Am I... alright?" Parroted Yui lazily as she continued to stare at Rito, completely lost in his facial features. However, almost like a rubber band that had been pulled too far and snapped, everything that had happened in the past few minutes came rushing back to her all at once. She was up like a bolt, and stiff as a board. "I am perfectly fine. Here's your test. Sorry for the mishap." She said stiffly and almost mechanically as she handed him a test and went on to the rest of the class.
"Okay?" Blinked Rito in confusion as he glanced at his test. "If you say so?" Baffled at this turn of events, but not so much that he was too messed up to think straight like he usually was, he got to work on his test with nothing more than a final sideways glance at Yui.
Rooftop - During Lunch
"Remind me again why we're all eating lunch on the roof?" Asked Rito as Lala and Yami both cuddled up beside him, and Ryoko pulled him into her lap. "I know I said that I love all of you, and that I'd make sure to spend time with each of you, but don't you think this is a bit much?"
"I read in a book that eating lunch together on the roof is what students do when they're in love." Explained Yami. "It also said that the girl is supposed to feed the boy." She added as she picked up several onigiri with her hair.
"Hold on a second, Yami!" Panicked Rito as he grabbed a few of her hair hands. "Haven't you noticed that girls usually feed their boyfriends just a little at a time?"
Glancing quickly at all the food in her hair hands, something seemed to click in her head as she placed all but one onigiri back in the bento she made for Rito, and held out the remaining one in both of her regular hands for Rito.
"Thank you, Yami." Rito smiled as he bit a chunk out of the onigiri. "It's really good. Did you make these yourself?"
"I did," Nodded Yami as Rito took another bite out of the onigiri. "I know it's very simple, but I'm doing my best to learn more."
"Well you're making some very good progress already." Beamed Rito as he kissed Yami on the forehead. "Mikan had better watch out, you'll give her a run for her money in no time."
"Rito! Try what I made next!" Requested Lala cheerfully as she stuffed a sandwich in his mouth.
Unfortunately for Rito, she had seasoned her cooking with Devilukian spices again, thus setting his mouth on fire. Fortunately though, Ryoko was quick to the rescue by placing something in his mouth that cooled his mouth off before he could breath fire. "Ryoko, what did you just put in my mouth?" Asked Rito suspiciously, not entirely trusting her cooking, at least based on past experiences.
"Don't worry, Rito," She reassured him, sensing his unease. "It was just some milk chocolate I brought just for this. Dairy neutralizes the burning effects of spicy foods, and since Deviluke cuisine is known for it's fiery taste, I though it would pay to have some on hand."
"Thanks Ryoko," Sighed Rito gratefully. "You really saved my mouth there." He whispered to her so that Lala wouldn't hear and get upset.
"My pleasure, darling." Smiled Ryoko before she descended upon him and captured his lips in a long, strong, upside-down, deep kiss. "Mmm, you taste so good, I could just eat you up." She teased him as she pulled his head deep into her cleavage and he tried to wriggle free. "Speaking of which, if you really wanted me to "Eat you up" I'd be more than happy to. If you catch my drift." She whispered in his ear sensually.
As Rito squirmed in the extra large bosom of his haremette Ryoko and began to dissuade her from taking him here and now, Yui observed quietly, yet angrily from the shadows. 'What do those four think they're doing on school grounds?!' She fumed silently. 'Never mind the fact that Mikado-sensei isn't in her office, she's outright seducing a student in broad daylight! I mean, sure Rito's got charm, and class, and he's kindhearted, and he's - WAIT A SECOND! Why am I thinking like this again?!' She panicked as she took a moment to shake all of the shameless thoughts she was having out of her head.
When she looked back to the scene, Rito had managed to get Ryoko to behave, and the four of them began to fall into a bit of a routine. Yami feeds him some onigiri, Lala catches him off guard with more of her cooking, and Ryoko slips him some more milk chocolate. During the whole thing, all of them also occupied their time just talking of things in their lives, eating some food themselves, and overall just enjoying the company they provided one another. 'What's going on here?' Thought Yui. 'I would have thought that something perverted was going on up here, but they're just talking with each other. They don't even look like a harem, really. They just look like a group of people who are really close to each other, that just happens to be gathered around an incredibly attractive guy. Why do I keep having these thoughts?!' She worried in frustration. As if it wasn't bad enough that Rito and his harem were closer to each other than is allowed on school grounds, she didn't trust herself to go in and break it up without getting involved herself. After all, she'd been having several shameless thoughts herself today for whatever reason.
'What is wrong with me today?' Yui scolded herself mentally. 'Is my cat DNA messing me up this much? It must be! I would never have thoughts like these normally! I've got to get back in control of my mind before I do something I regret. Just repeat to yourself, Yui. I am the master of my own mind. I am the master of my own mind.' As she strictly recited this mantra to herself over and over, she continued to observe Rito and his harem for anything that would seriously violate school rules. With her mind as it was, she couldn't risk stepping in unless it really demanded her attention.
During her observations, things kept continuing as they had since she started spying. Eat, drink, and be merry was an apt way of putting their interactions. However, after a minute or two more of observation, some subtle changes began. Rito nestled herself further into Ryoko's cleavage, and he pulled Yami and Lala's closer to him as his hands wandered up and down their backs.
"Rito," Began Yami as she noticed her boyfriend's unusual behavior. "Don't you think this is a little close?"
"Maybe not close enough." Whispered Rito seductively as he gently pulled Yami's head into the crook of his neck, brushing her blushing head all the while. "I mean, is it really so wrong to hold someone you love close and not want to let go?"
"Well, no, but..." Hesitated Yami, though she found it hard to resist the gentle embrace and kind nature of her beloved.
"Then just relax and enjoy our time together." Reassured Rito as he gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "It's perfectly alright, Yami. You're in the company of people who love and care about you. You don't have to be alone anymore, remember?" He reminded her as he pressed his head into Ryoko's boobs and gave a small lick.
Ryoko gasped as she felt Rito's tongue against her sensitive breasts. "You certainly seem frisky today, Rito darling." She observed, surprised that he'd go so far as to taste her, even with the aphrodisiac she'd slipped into the chocolate she'd given him.
"I feel better than ever actually." He responded as he pressed his face against Yami's head and inhaled her scent deeply. "I mean just look at things. I'm surrounded by women I love who love me back, I'm young and have my whole life ahead of me, and Sallem, while he is a jerk, is still setting me up with more and more women. Not to say I'm dissatisfied with you three, but I like the thought of a big family."
Normally, Yami would hit him for a remark like that, but she was so comfortable and calm nestled up to Rito, so she settled for just a firm jab to his ribs. It stung quite a bit for Rito, but he got over it quickly.
"Rito? Are you feeling alright?" Wondered Lala as she placed a hand to his forehead, baffled by his strange behavior. "You seem different today."
"Maybe I'm just trying to be romantic?" He joked as he nestled Lala head under his chin next to Yami, who Lala could see was also getting confused by Rito's behavior. "We're all one big family here, man and future brides." Lala, Yami, and Ryoko all felt themselves flush at that remark. "Speaking of which, when the time comes, how many kids do you think we should have?" He asked casually.
At this moment, even though they were all slightly unsettled by Rito's uncharacteristic behavior, each girl of Rito's harem found themselves fantasizing about what their kids with Rito would look like.
Lala's Fantasy
"Look mama!" Cried a boy with short pink hair and a devil-like tail enthusiastically as he held out a small comic he'd drawn. "I'm making manga! Do you think that I'll be as good at it as grandpa someday?"
Yami's Fantasy
"Darn it!" Scowled a girl with long orange hair in frustration. "Momma, what do I need to do to stay transformed?" She asked with respect, admiration, and hope in her eyes.
Ryouko's Fantasy
"Alright then," Hummed a young man in his late teens with pointed ears, a small goatee, and long red hair drawn up in a ponytail as he stirred a concoction. "I just need one more thing before I can slip this to my girlfriend and finally get somewhere." He chuckled.
'How wonderful that would be...' Each girl found themselves thinking absentmindedly. At least until a loud noise interrupted their thoughts.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Exploded Yui as she pounced out from behind the wall she'd been hiding behind. "SCREW RESTRAINT! I've got to put a stop to this shameless nonsense right now!" Upon Rito and his harem in an instant, she yanked Rito away from the three girls and glared at them angrily. "I'm deeply ashamed of all three of you! To do something as shameless as throwing your common decency aside all at once! I have never seen such an offense to self-respect in my entire life!"
In spite of their shared feelings for Rito, and their acceptance of being part of a harem, Lala, Yami, and Ryoko all had to admit that she had a point. They had, admittedly, tried to take things a bit too fast. As the three of them shuffled in awkward silence and embarrassment, Yui turned her attention to Rito.
"And as for you-!" Yui began to scold Rito, but she stopped short as her tongue suddenly stuck to the roof of her mouth. She didn't know what it was that was driving her crazy whenever she was near Rito, but being this close to him caused her to freeze up for some reason.
"Yes? What about me?" Asked Rito slyly as he intertwined his fingers with hers. "Did you have something to say to me?"
"I-I-I..." Stuttered Yui as Rito got dangerously close to her face. "I, you, what I mean is... You smell so nice." She said in a relaxed tone as Rito literally swept her off her feet into his arms.
"Is that all you have to say to me? Or are you going to scold me some more?" Rito asked playfully.
"Scold you...?" Wondered Yui as she tried to remember what she came here for in the first place. "Scold? Scold!" She suddenly regained some of her senses and tried to fight off whatever was lulling her mind into submission. "Wait a second. This isn't right. I'm not supposed to be like this. I'm not."
"Who says what you are and aren't supposed to be like?" Whispered Rito seductively. "You're just as alive and feeling as anyone else. It's only natural that you would have some stirrings of affection at some point. I know you feel something deep for me, and it's just so wrong of you to fight it, so go ahead and tell me exactly how you feel."
"How I feel...?" Murmured Yui softly as her thoughts trailed off to the Rito she knows so well. He's always groping women, but is it his fault? She didn't know. He's kind and considerate, enough to attract a whole harem, but did she like him? She didn't know. He's friendly and nurturing, always finding time for others, but did he find time for her? 'I think he does.' Thought Yui as she brushed Rito's face. Almost unconsciously, she asked. "What if what I felt, was for you?"
"If what you feel is for me, then... I... er...?" Trailed off Rito as the effect of the aphrodisiac wore off and he returned to his senses. Looking down, he saw Yui looking practically stoned while cradled in his arms, his earlier words completely forgotten as he visibly panicked. "Yui?"
"Yes, Rito darling?" She asked as she nuzzled up against his face, tail wagging and ears twitching.
"What are you doing?" He asked nervously as his eyes wandered anywhere but Yui. As he looked around, he noticed Lala, Yami, and Ryoko playing cards. 'Why aren't they helping me out here?!'
"Don't play coy, handsome." She smirked seductively as she trailed her fingers up and down his torso. "It really doesn't become someone like you. Now why don't you and I have some fun together. Maybe make some kitties like you and I talked about earlier?" She requested as imaged of a litter of orange and black haired cat children came to her mind and she pounced on Rito, knocking them both to the ground. "Now let's see if you can make this kitty purr." She smirked as she started unbuttoning his shirt, nuzzling up to him all the way.
"Wait a second, Yui!" Panicked Rito as he tried to back away on his hands, but Yui held strong. "I don't know what's gotten into you, but this isn't like you at all! Something strange has obviously happened to you and-OH GOD!" He panicked as Yui nibbled on his neck.
"Oh, Rito! you're so... so..." She trailed off as she spat something funny tasting out of her mouth. As she did, she regained some of her senses and smelled something funny on Rito. Still somewhat zoned out and not herself, she continued sniffing about Rito's body until she came to a startling conclusion. "Rito. Are you... covered in catnip?" She asked, her voice and posture getting angrier as she started regaining her wits about her.
"Catnip?" Repeated Rito as he brushed his hair in confusion and felt a few flakes come off in his hand. Bringing his hand to his face, he saw some kind of pollen had been stuck to his hair. "Uh-oh." He gulped as he saw Yui glaring at him furiously, her cat eyes making her look more intimidating.
Classroom - With Sallem
"Yohohohohoho." Sallem laughed as he watched a live feed on a pair of sunglasses he was wearing of Yui chasing Rito about the roof with her claws extended, trying to slice him up, while the others present on the roof didn't bother to try stopping it, since Lala misinterpreted what was going on, Ryoko thought that it would be a good learning experience for the both of them, and Yami was letting this be his punishment for Rito acting too forward too quickly with her. 'I've gotta admit, paying those kids to throw a water balloon filled with catnip at Rito and convincing Ryoko to drug the chocolate she gave him was pure genius. After all, just because I can't let my presence be known to Yui anymore, doesn't mean that I should just give up outright on setting her and Rito up. I've had to work secretly before, and just because I don't like working like that, doesn't mean that I can't.'
After School - Friday - Weather Cloudy
"Time for some fun~" Chuckled Sallem as he pressed a button on his remote, making a huge sack appear in front of him.
"What are you up to this time?" Asked Rito sternly as Sallem heaved the huge bag over his shoulder.
"Yohohohohoho! Don't worry, Rito," Reassured Sallem jovially. "It's not going to involve you this time. I promise."
"What about Yui?" Rito asked suspiciously.
"No." Denied Sallem flatly.
"Lala?"
"No."
"Haruna?"
"No."
"Ryoko?"
"No."
"Yami?"
"No."
"Anybody I know?" Rito asked finally.
"Again. No." Finalized Sallem. "I'm just going out into the woods to play with high powered explosives with some guys I met online. There, are you satisfied?"
"Almost," Replied Rito, deciding to ignore the part about explosives. "I've gotta go pick up some stuff for my dad right now. I really don't have time to worry about you at this point, so please, act against your nature and behave for once." His complaints now known, he set off on his usual course for writing supplies, as Sallem teleported away.
With Yui
'Another day, another valuable learning experience at school.' Smiled Yui happily as she walked down the sidewalk, paying little mind to where she was going, and just enjoying the peace a serenity of it all. The reason she was happy was because Sallem hadn't caused any trouble since she became part cat. While she was still justifiably upset about the whole thing, she'd quickly learned how to hide her new feline features, and was now living life just as well, if not better than she had before. While most people would bemoan and whine about the whole 'no longer human' thing, she'd been around aliens for long enough that she'd subconsciously developed a low-level immunity to weird things. Something like this wouldn't freak her out.
'And besides,' Thought Yui happily, 'I love cats.' Just then, a thought occurred to her. "Since things are going so well lately, I think I'll enjoy myself and go look at cats at the pet shop today." Her mind made up, she set a course for her favorite pet shop.
As she made her way there, it wasn't long before she came across a shrine that stirred up some sense of nostalgia for her. "Wait a second... There's something familiar about this place." She hummed to herself as she struggled to recall what was so important about this location.
Flashback
It was a simple day, just like any other. A young Yui - still in grade school - was going out for a stroll to the pet shop to look at the kitties she loved so much, when she passed a shrine and saw that a small cat was stuck in a tree. Being the cat lover she was even back then, she instinctively went to help it...
Back in the Present
'And then what happened?' Thought Yui as she strained to remember the rest of what had happened back then, but her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a familiar voice calling her name.
"Yui? What are you doing here?" Asked Rito curiously.
"Rito?!" Recoiled Yui in shock, before glaring at him suspiciously. "What are you doing here? It seems a bit odd that we'd be walking in the same area at the same time, don't you think? You're not stalking me or something, are you?"
"I'm not!" Denied Rito bluntly. 'Why is it that she always automatically assumes the worst of me?' He thought. "I'm just on my way to pick up some materials my dad needs for work."
"Oh," Yui calmed down quickly, her suspicion vanishing. "He needs you to get him some supplies? Is Sallem involved in this at all?" She couldn't help but feel the need to ask. In spite of his allergies to her, she still didn't trust Sallem to control his maniacal urges. After all, she'd been on the receiving end of those urges one too many times.
"Not a chance." Scoffed Rito. "Last I saw he went off to blow up some stuff in the woods with some guys."
"Blow things up?!" Exploded Yui, thankful that this wasn't a heavily trafficked area. "I knew he was a menace to the school, but now he's committing setting off explosives in a highly flammable area?! If word about this gets out, our school will forever be known as the place where one of the biggest psychopaths the world's ever seen attended! I've got to find him and stop him!" But before she could begin her search, Rito restrained her by her shoulders.
"Just calm down for a second, Yui." Requested Rito as he struggled to hold her back. "I know that you're upset about this, I am too. But just think for a second. Even if you knew where to look, which I don't think you do, he has a teleporter, remember? He'll be out of there before you get anywhere near where he is."
Considering what Rito was saying as she struggled to get out of his grip, Yui had to admit that, even though she would love nothing more than to send Sallem into a massive sneezing fit right now, Rito did have a good point. Not only did she not have a clue where Sallem would be right now, but even if she knew where all the local gardened areas were, she had no way of knowing which, if any of them, he'd be at. After all, with his teleporter remote, he could be causing explosions halfway around the world for all she knew. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she turned to Rito.
"Alright, you win." Relented Yui begrudgingly. "I suppose I'll just have to deal with his misconduct later."
"Good," Nodded Rito. "I'd really hate to see you get hurt. Even if he is allergic to you, it would still be pretty hard to deal with Sallem. I know that pretty well myself." He tagged on awkwardly.
"Yeah," Hummed Yui thoughtfully, her cat eyes narrowed in contemplation. "Speaking of which, he's the one who set you up with your... harem in the first place isn't he?" She scornfully emphasized the word 'harem'. "Exactly what kind of degenerates are you two?"
"It's not like that, I swear!" Insisted Rito. "I don't know what he's getting out of all of this, aside from some kicks, but I swear nothing about my harem was my intention!" Taking a seat on a nearby bench, he sighed. "You don't know what it's like having the guy hound you all the time. You deal with him on an occasional basis, but I have to deal with him all the time because he rarely leaves me alone. You can never tell exactly when he's working some kind of angle, and even if you know something's up, everything he does comes completely out of left field." Scratching his head tiredly as he reclined on the bench, he stared up at the clouds before continuing. "I love my harem, yes, but it's not like I really had much choice in who I fell in love with. Even though I'm happy with the way things are, Sallem's the one who pushed this all through against my will. And let me tell you, he's so good at what he does, he's probably doing something to set the two of us up even now."
Seething with rage as her claws popped out and the fur on her arms stood on end, Yui swore to herself that the next time she saw Sallem, she'd slash the tubes on his scuba gear to ribbons and shed some of her fur right in his face. Since Sallem wasn't here at the moment, however, she directed her anger at the nearest person available. "Rito," She began sternly, causing Rito to gulp in fear of her claws. "Exactly what kind of person could be so hopelessly heartless as you?" She huffed as she turned her head away in disdain.
Rito, confused at the sudden change of pace, tilted his head in contemplation. "Heartless? I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about." He remarked.
"Oh don't play dumb," She scoffed, glancing at Rito out of the corner of her eye. "If you hate what Sallem's doing as much as you say you do, then why is it that you let him push you around into girl after girl? If you ask me, that sounds very hypocritical."
"Really?" Asked Rito curiously. "Because I'm partially inclined to agree with you."
"Only partially?" Questioned Yui as she zeroed in on Rito. "Why not completely? If you're going to be insensitive to women, then at least be completely up front about it and admit it like a man." Shaking her head in contempt, she murmured to herself. "Honestly, why is it all men are like this?"
"Who ever said I was being insensitive to women?" Said Rito calmly. "I really don't think I am. I just see myself as a man who loves too much, and who's loved too much in return."
"Loves too much is right," Scolded Yui as she paced in front of Rito like a lecturing teacher. "I don't know what planet you think you're on with all these aliens surrounding us, but here on Earth, stuff like that is called adultery. Not only is it a crime, but it's insensitive to the feelings of others, and it has no place in our society. What you're doing is a serious taboo!"
"I know," Nodded Rito lazily. "But can I just say one thing?"
"What?"
"I'm beginning to think..." Rito hesitated momentarily. "I might not care what other people have to say about my relations with multiple women." All of a sudden, Yui stopped pacing and just stared ahead.
'Boys,' Yui thought scornfully. 'They're all the same. They're lazy, unhelpful, rude, and perverted. They're all the same, no exceptions!' She thought hatefully. 'But then why? I already knew this, so why does it feel so empty to have it confirmed? Shouldn't I be happy that I've finally managed to prove beyond anyone's doubt that I was right about a glaring fault and have made the first major step towards correcting it? Correcting it in a way that nobody can ruin? So then why? Why does it feel like there's a hole burning through me?'
Staring at Rito out of the corner of her eye for several seconds, a thought worked its way into her head. 'Is it because it's him? Was I actually hoping that there might be something decent about just this one boy? I'll admit, thoughts have crossed my mind about this. That something might happen. That he would get his act together and become a model citizen. I know he of all people could pull it off, so why did he degrade himself like this? Why?'
"Why?" Yui uttered quietly, looking at Rito in disappointment.
"I'm not entirely certain myself," Answered Rito, unaware of the turmoil that had been going on in Yui's head until now. "Maybe I'm just sick of looking at the world like it's so complicated? I mean, I know there will always be things out there that I don't understand, ways of life I don't know, things I could have done differently, but I'm just living life my way. And my way of life is always being devoted to the people I care about." Rito scratched his head in thought before continuing. "I can't always conform to all the rules in the universe, or even just Earth, so I've decided to just follow all the ones I can, and avoid the ones that hurt people important to me. Isn't that kinda what you do, Yui?" He asked.
"What are you talking about?" Asked Yui, angry at the accusation that she might be no better than a womanizer. "I've dedicated my life to making certain that morals are upheld, and rules are followed. In what way am I ever breaking rules?"
"Well..." Began Rito as he closed his eyes thoughtfully and scratched his cheek. "There have been times where your actions could technically be classified as assault. Not to mention that you sometimes go over the top and try to force your ideals on others." He remarked bluntly. "While the later isn't really against any rules that I know of, it's kinda fascist to act like that."
Yui was sorely tempted to scratch his face raw for that remark, but that would only further support his point. So instead, she opted to continue this battle of wits. "And who are you in any place to be lecturing anyone, least of all me about morals, when you're just a pervert who-"
"I keep telling you those are all accidents." Insisted Rito. "That would be like me saying that time with the catnip was all your fault."
"That was not my fault!" Insisted Yui as she stomped her foot in protest. "That was due to freakish circumstances, beyond my control and-!" She stopped suddenly as she took in the slightly amused expression on Rito's face, realizing that she'd fallen into his trap. Blushing like the schoolgirl she was, Yui huffed and held her head high indignantly. "W-Well, neither of us really have any proof that those were all accidents, whereas I was able to confirm it was the catnip making me act that way." She insisted stubbornly.
"Freakish circumstances, eh?" Mused Rito thoughtfully. "I suppose there's been a major strain of freakish circumstances ever since Lala first came to Earth. Not to mention that it seems to have boosted into overdrive ever since Sallem arrived."
"Exactly!" Agreed Yui heatedly, obviously caught up in the moment. "Ever since aliens started getting involved in my life, my best efforts at my own goals have been thwarted at every turn! As for Sallem, I couldn't agree more. Where does he get off, really? He has no regard for the education system, the safety and well being of others, or even the slightest care for basic sanity! I'm amazed that he hasn't been arrested by somebody yet!" Her emotions having been run higher and higher during this entire conversation, she didn't even notice the slightly amused look on Rito's face until a few seconds after she'd finished her tirade. "What's with that grin?" She asked stone-faced, her earlier over-enthusiasm forgotten.
"Well," Began Rito awkwardly. "It's just that, the way you said that, makes me think that we, or at least our circumstances, are a lot alike."
"What are you talking about now?" Growled Yui, angry that Rito was once again comparing himself to her.
"Think about it for a second." Started Rito. "My life's been hectic and riddled with awkward situations ever since Lala and all these other bizarre people arrived, and yours has too. Things never seem to go the way I want or expect them to, same with you. I keep finding myself wishing that my life had been so much simpler, but I'm having trouble imagining my life being good any other way than it is now, warts and all, well... you get the picture."
Yui stared at Rito silently for a moment, then huffed stubbornly. "That's completely irrelevant!" She insisted. "Granted, life has been getting hectic, things don't seem to go my way lately, and of course I wish my life was simpler. In fact, I don't think it's really fair to ask me to put up with all this nonsense. However, there is one point we differ greatly on here!"
"And that would be?" Asked Rito, who had no idea what issue hadn't been addressed.
"You seem to have given up on having your old, normal life back," She pointed out. "Whereas I still have hopes for my old life back, and the drive to make it happen!"
At that moment, Rito's eyebrows shot up in epiphany before he hung his head depression. "I see." He remarked as he stood up. "Well, I think that I understand now."
"You understand?" Repeated Yui, her voice upturning with veiled hope. "You mean you're going to turn your life around?" She asked uncertainly.
"Actually, what I'm saying is that I understand what Sallem is aiming for this time." Corrected Rito uncomfortably.
"Isn't that much pretty obvious?" Yui frowned, referring to his earlier blatant attempts to set her up with Rito, clearly unaware that he hadn't given up yet.
"Yes and no," Mused Rito. "I mean, I know he wants to set me up with you now, but it's the way he's going about it that I figured out."
"You know how he's planning to do it?" Said Yui breathlessly before rushing Rito and grabbing him roughly by his shirt collar. "Tell me!" She demanded, only realizing and getting embarrassed by their close proximity after her chest was already pressed up against his. "I-Ignore that!" She said as she quickly backed away.
Straightening his shirt, Rito began. "Well, every time Sallem sets me up with someone, it seems like he targets one aspect of a person and uses me to attack it until it breaks."
"Go on..." Gestured Yui.
"With Ryoko, she told me that Sallem had come up with everything for our dates," Rito paused, waiting in fear of painful scratches that never came. "So I'm pretty sure that what she had trouble with was serious relationships. With Yami, it's pretty obvious that the goal was to make her drop the idea of killing me, after that things just fell into place. And with you..." He trailed off for a second, carefully considering how to word this part of the explanation. "I'm pretty sure that he's targeting your desire for your old life back."
"I see." Seethed Yui as she struggled not to slash away at the nearest thing available. Realizing she was fighting a losing battle, she turned away from Rito. "Alright then, I think it'd be best if we both left now." She said as her tail twitched irritably.
"Right," Agreed Rito nervously as he walked hurriedly back on track to get the supplies his dad requested. "I'll just see you around then."
As he was walking away though, Yui saw what he looked like from behind, triggering some long forgotten memories to surface once more.
Back to the Flashback
Sad to see the kitty stuck in a tree, Yui tried to climb up and save it herself, but try as she might, she couldn't manage it and fell down. Still hurting from her attempt, she tried to recruit help from some boys from her class playing in the area, only to be rudely shot down. Angry at the callousness of her male peers, she was about to direct that anger towards getting her second wind to save that kitty when someone else managed to save it. She didn't know who he was, only that he had spiky orange hair, was with his sister, and had a kind expression. Seeing such a boy reminded her that there were at least a few good boys out there.
It was a small encounter with little impact at the time, but years later, it would come to have a profound effect on Yui's mind.
Back in the Present
"Rito," Yui called out, neither in protest nor pleading.
"What is it?" Rito asked calmly as he turned to face her.
Thinking for a second on how she could ask without exposing too much, she began. "Do you come this way often?"
Tilting his head slightly at the odd question, Rito answered without hesitation. "Yeah, I always come this way whenever my dad needs materials for his manga. I used to do this with Mikan up until a few years ago, but since she started getting too busy with schoolwork and housekeeping, she hasn't really had the time to come with me."
"I see," Responded Yui as the pieces began to fall into place.
"Why do you ask?" He questioned.
Her face reddening as she strained to keep an impartial expression while looking at Rito, Yui kept her response as short as possible. "No reason." She lied before walking off stiffly.
As she walked off, Rito had one clear thought on his mind. 'Whatever game it is you're playing, Sallem, you're better at it than I am.' He thought as he went his own way.
As Yui walked off, she also had one clear thought on her mind. 'To think that my first love could be... No! I refuse to accept it!' She denied as she shook her head frantically.
Before either of them could get very far however, for no reason at all, a brilliant fireworks display started to go off in the sky, drawing the attention of them both. Since it was such a dark and cloudy day, the sparkling fires of the explosions shown heavily against the black skies. As they looked down from the booming display, their eyes locked for a moment, both of them awestruck by the sheer stroke of chance that this had occurred just as they were about to part ways. The absurdity of the situation caused them both to burst out laughing, clutching their stomachs to ease their sore sides and eventually stumbling up to each other and propping themselves against each other for support.
As they both observed the fireworks and laughed at the amazing irony of the situation only they could understand, they shared a unified thought.
'Maybe Sallem actually has a point with this.' They pondered as they smiled at each other fondly, only turning away in embarrassment once their though processes caught up to the present. Though they still kept their partner for the moment on their feet.
Later - With Rito
"Well that was... interesting." Remarked Rito as he continued his errands. "Those fireworks just came out of nowhere, and we just... stopped and laughed." Taking a moment to contemplate things, Rito had to admit at least two things. One, he liked Yui. Not really liked her, but something close to it. It was like how things were a little before he fell for Lala, before he fell for Ryoko, and before he fell for Yami. There was no solid way to describe it, he just knew that with one more solid push, he'd fall for her like a redwood to a lumberjack. Two, Sallem was too good at what he does. 'If he wanted to, he could probably set me up with every girl in Japan.' Rito shuddered at the thought. 'Better not mention that to him, it might give him ideas.' As he walked on, Sallem fell down from the sky right in front of him, though Rito wasn't the least bit surprised.
"Hello, Rito." Smirked Sallem in his crooked grin. "Miss me?"
"Barely noticed you were gone." Replied Rito honestly. "Though that's probably because you never really let me out of your sights, did you?" It wasn't a question.
Pouting now, Sallem pressed a button on his remote, causing a bag to appear in his hand. "You're starting to take the fun out of menacing you." He said as he forced the bag into Rito's hands. "Here, it's the manga supplies your dad asked for. I was going to put spiders, snakes, and scorpions in there to freak you out, but if you're gonna be boring about it I'm not even gonna bother."
"Thanks," Deadpanned Rito as he checked the bag for any of the mentioned animals, along with anything else that might freak people out. Satisfied at finding nothing but art supplies, he took a second to get his bearings and start heading out for his dad's office.
Sallem was actually mildly surprised at Rito's cool reaction to his scare tactics. Not one to give up though, he prowled after him like a wolf on a hunt. "So Rito, have a good time while I was gone?"
"I know you planned that." Rito remarked casually.
"Planned what?" Asked Sallem mischievously, deliberately failing at acting innocent.
"Me running into Yui. The fireworks. I'm not stupid." Rito explained.
"I've seen your test scores, dude." Chuckled Sallem. "Quite frankly, those tell a very different story than what you're spinning right now."
"My grades aren't that bad!" Panicked Rito, finally set off.
"You keep telling yourself that buddy." Sallem laughed as he pat Rito on the head like a dog. "Hey, here's a thought; if you're so smart, then why don't you start a study group with your concubines so they can benefit from your obvious genius?" He remarked sarcastically.
"They're not my concubines." Insisted a red-faced Rito. "It's... complicated." He explained as he turned away.
"Then what are they?" Asked Sallem in a cocky tone. "Because I'm building a seraglio in your house for them. Nice place, very spacious, lots of gardens and whatnot. Honestly, I just stole a spaceship from a woman I don't like and modified it. I could live there in all honesty."
"A what?" Asked Rito, who had no idea what a seraglio was, but could guess it was some sort of living area.
"A living quarters used by wives and concubines in a Muslim household." Elaborated Sallem bluntly. "Put simply, it's a big place for your harem to move into when you start living together."
"We will not be living together!" Insisted a streaming red hot Rito. "At least... not for a while." He muttered quietly.
"Suuuureee you're not." Snickered Sallem sarcastically. "And I'm not working on expanding my own harem while I'm working on yours." Rito didn't doubt that he was building his harem. Sallem was as girl-crazy as he was just plain crazy.
"When are you going to leave?" Asked Rito tiredly.
"My vacation's over at the end of the month." Grunted Sallem as he stretched himself out. "Until then, you're more or less stuck with me."
"What will it take to get rid of you before then?" Questioned Rito. "Because I'm not sure exactly how much longer I can handle having you around."
"Go on a romantic date with Yui." Sallem answered immediately, not really surprising Rito at all. "You do that, I'm out of your hair."
"Right," Nodded Rito absently. "And I suppose that wherever I take her, you're going to be right behind making sure we fall in love by the end?" It wasn't a question.
"Well it's worked well so far." Shrugged Sallem with an utterly false sense of innocence. "It's like you humans say, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it' and I see no reason to question your planet's customs on this one."
"It's funny how you think like a human only when it's convenient for you." Noticed Rito suspiciously.
"Guilty as charged." Admitted Sallem shamelessly. "So if I were you, I'd get to thinking of how to make a good impression on Yui when you ask her out. A nice place, not too fancy or pricey, think of what she might like, make sure not to come on too strong. Eh, you know, make a good impression on her for once. Ta ta!" He wrapped up as he pulled out his remote, pressed a button and disappeared in what looked like a mini nuclear explosion, but was actually just an elaborate hologram.
Sighing, Rito stared off at nowhere in particular as thoughts whisked around in his head at a casual pace. "Yui and I, huh?" He hummed as potential images of him and his harem passed through his mind's eye. On a group date, relaxing at home, at the beach, at the alter, in the delivery room, and so on and so forth. "Maybe it could happen." With Sallem gone for now, and his mind at ease, Rito was finally free to spend some quiet time alone with his thoughts.
With Yui
'I can't believe this!' Panicked Yui as she rushed home, tail literally between her legs. 'How on Earth could I have possibly shared what was obviously an intimate moment with Rito?! He's... He's... GAH! My head is so mess up I can't even think straight!' Her mind continued to flounder fruitlessly in search of accurate ways to describe how shameful that shared contact with Rito was until she reached home and threw herself face first into her pillow. 'Honestly! Why would I even begin to want anything to do with him? He's so... so... shameless!'
"Oi! Yui! Are you alright in there?" Called her brother from beyond her door. "You just stormed in and ran into your room. What's the matter? Have a bad date with Rito?" He teased.
"Shut up!" Growled Yui. "It was not bad! I-I mean it wasn't a date! I-I mean it wasn't either one of those things!" She denied furiously, stumbling over her own words more than once.
"Oh?" Teased Yuu knowingly. "So it wasn't a date, but your time with Rito was good anyway?"
"Stop putting words in my mouth!" Retorted Yui angrily, even though she couldn't see his face, she had a sinking feeling that her brother was struggling not to laugh at her embarrassment. "I never said that I ran into him on my walk!"
"You never said you didn't." Pointed out Yuu tauntingly. "So come on. Did you or didn't you run into him?"
Brushing madly at her older brother's surprisingly great perception, Yui huffed, "Since when is my personal life any of your business?"
"Since the day you were born, that's when." Answered Yuu immediately, surprising Yui with how tender his voice was just now. "Look, Yui, I know we may get on each others nerves from time to time, hell I'd be hard pressed to find a time when you weren't totally steamed at me for some reason or another," He joked, trying to lighten the mood. "But seriously, what kind of big brother would I be if I didn't look out for my little sister's happiness?"
Narrowing her eyes at the door, Yui scoffed. "If you're so set on looking after my happiness, then why do always poke fun at me and brush me off whenever I'm trying to talk to you?"
"I don't always do that." Rebuked Yuu casually. "It's just that you're so stuck up about everything that I can't help but try to get you to loosen up a little. You worry too much all the time. Sometimes you just need to take a step back and see that there are people that really care about you and want to help you. Like family and friends. You do have friends, don't you? Or are you all alone at that school of yours?" He asked, genuinely concerned.
Yui, taken aback by the heavy sense of care in her brother's words took a second to deflate her anger a bit. She knew that she had people who cared about her, almost everyone did after all. However, when she got right down to it, the people she would readily put on that list without a second thought were slim at best. The fellow members of the Disciplinary Committee were enforcers with her, but she'd never really taken the time to know any of them personally. As far as she was ever concerned, it was strictly a professional thing. She had her family, she knew that much for sure, even though her brother did annoy her more often than not, and her mother's head was full of fairy tales. But friends? People outside her family? The closest thing she had to that were the ragtag bunch of misfits that seemed to intrude upon her life from distant corners of the galaxy, or in one case from the afterlife.
'Wait,' Thought Yui calmly. 'Not the closest thing. As much as I may hate to admit it, those people are my friends. Haruna, Yami, Oshizu, Run, even Risa and Mio, odd as they are, strike me as friends. As much as I really loath to admit it, Lala and her sisters are close enough to me to be considered friends too, while Celine is kinda like a little sister, in spite of what people say when they see her with me and Rito.' That brought a blush to her face as she remembered what one lady had said about them looking like parents out for a walk with their child. 'Rito... child...' She thought for a moment as her mind began to wander aimlessly, eventually arriving at an image of her her, Lala, Mikado-sensei, and Yami, all with stomachs swollen with unborn infants, Yui's especially so, looking to be full-term with quads, at least.
"How are my favorite women in the universe doing today?" A fantasy version of Rito in a suit said as he entered the room.
"I'm doing great, Rito!" Fantasy Lala said, just as energetic as the real thing. "Our little girl is really kicking today! Do you want to feel her?" She asked as she placed Rito's hands on her abdomen without waiting for an answer.
"What makes you so sure it's a girl?" Fantasy Rito joked, though clearly he didn't mind Lala's actions.
"I've been reading about it," Fantasy Yami said as she latched onto Rito, smiling brightly. "They say that a mother can just tell these things."
"That's right, Sweetie." Beamed Fantasy Ryoko as she casually rubbed her belly, paying no mind to the blush forming on Rito's face at the sight of her semitransparent nightgown. "And let's be honest, you really don't want to ever question a mother-to-be when it concerns their child."
"Or children, as my case may be." Yui's fantasy self said as she placed her hand against the small of her back as she struggled to get up. "I may not know exactly how many kittens are in there," She remarked as she finally stood up and gently caressed her massive belly. "But at the rate I'm growing, I'm afraid I may become the next octomom."
"Or maybe even squidmom." Teased a slightly older Mikan as she walked in, her belly swollen as well. "Either way, I'm looking forward to being an aunt and a mother."
'Wait a second!' Panicked the real Yui as her fantasy grinded to a halt. 'Wh-Why am I think about things like this?! It's like I'm wishing for it or something!' Shaking such thoughts from her head frantically, Yui returned her attention to her brother. "Of course I have friends!" She huffed insistently.
"Oh yeah?" Asked Yuu suspiciously. "Like who?" He goaded her.
"Like... like... Didn't I say that my personal life is none of your business?!" She rebuked.
"Yui," Began Yuu tenderly. "It's okay if you have a crush on Rito." He said, obviously enjoying himself.
"I do not!" She barked.
"Whatever you say Yui," He chuckled. "But seriously, that Rito's a much nicer guy than I hear you give him credit for most of the time. I know, I've seen enough of him to know that he'd go beyond his limits for people he cares about, and I know you're one of those people. If I'm ever gonna have a brother-in-law... Well, let's just say I'm putting my money on him."
Before Yui could retort, her sensitive hearing picked up his footsteps walking away from her room. Having nowhere else to vent her frustrations though, she called out after him anyway. "I will not marry Rito!" Enough of her anger spent in her last objection to cool herself down a bit, she flopped face first into her pillow again. "Honestly," She mumbled. "A girl like me could never feel anything for a guy like him." She'd said something to the effect of these words several times in the past, and never had she doubted them more than she did now.
Sunday Morning - Yuuki Household
Grumbling as he stirred from his sleep, Rito felt something soft in his hand. 'I know what this is.' Thought Rito as he pulled his hand back, thoroughly tired of this routine by now. 'My guess is that Momo's getting frisky again.' Slowly opening his eyes and pulling off his covers to face reality he saw that it was indeed Momo. 'Two points for me.' He thought as he casually got out of bed and put some pants on. He wasn't entirely sure where along the line waking up with Momo in his bed had lost the panic factor it once had, but as he slipped on his socks, he just brushed it off as either finally adapting after a year or so of this kind of thing happening, a side effect of Sallem setting him up with a harem over the past two and a half months, or more likely some combination of the two.
"Speaking of Sallem," Whispered Rito to himself as he left his room and headed downstairs. "I still have to ask Yui out on that date, though I have no idea where she'd like to go with me." Rito wasn't naive, he knew that there was more often than not at least some extent of planning involved in a date. If there was one thing he could respect Sallem for, it was the obviously great amount of forethought and planning he put into everything he did. Setting up all those dates like he'd done so they'd be just right was no small means of feat, and now that Rito was the one who had to do the planning, he couldn't help but long for the times when Sallem would do the work for him. "Listen to yourself, Rito." He sighed as he shook his head. "Sallem makes your life a train wreck and you want him to wreck it some more now? Show some backbone for once."
"They say people who talk to themselves are either mad or brilliant." Sallem said as he once again came out of nowhere, though this time Rito had honestly been expecting it. "So which one are you?" He asked as he popped off his head and held it upside-down.
"Compared to you at least, I don't think I'm either." Remarked Rito sarcastically as he ignored Sallem and made a beeline for the kitchen.
"Did you just call me mad and brilliant in a witty remark?" Asked a stunned Sallem. "Yohohoho! I think you did! I'm so happy to be rubbing off on you!"
Trying not to think about the implications Sallem was making, Rito sat down at the table as he saw his sister at the stove. "Hey Mikan, what's for breakfast?"
"A few things Sallem got from one of his usual outings." Mikan answered as she held up two large frying pans with two equally large omelets. "Sallem says it's supposed to be a Chicken Tiger Egg omelet mixed with chunks of Ozone Herb and Jewel Meat and topped with Melk Stardust."
"I'll pretend to have an idea as to what that means." Sweat-dropped Rito as he turned to Lala and Nana, who were already at the table. "So what do you two plan to do today?"
"Sallem and I are gonna work on my old video game project." Smiled Lala. "You remember that, don't you?"
"How could I forget?" Replied Rito awkwardly, still a bit nervous about somewhat confessing to Lala in that elaborate prank by Nana and Momo, even though he'd confessed outright to her since then. "So why is he so interested in it?" He asked uneasily, not wanting another encounter with that game.
"He says that he wants to market it and sell billions." Lala explained, causing Rito to sigh in relief. "Personally, I'll just be glad to share it with everyone else. Even though I gave up on it halfway through, just the thought of one of my inventions being shared with the rest of the galaxy makes me so happy!"
"As long as it makes you happy, Lala." Smiled Rito sheepishly as he grabbed the newspaper, still not certain that he liked the idea of Sallem getting his hands on something like that game. As he flipped through the paper he asked, "Hey Lala, where do you think Yui would like to go with me on a date?"'
"WHAT?!" Nana suddenly cried in outburst as she grabbed Rito harshly by his shirt and shaking him, not believing her ears. "What do you think you're doing asking my sister a question like that?! Have you forgotten that she's your fiance, and not some neko-onna?! I like cats as much as the next girl, but your adultery has been going on for long enough now! Either you dump those girls right now or-"
"Nana," Said Lala in a scolding tone as she grabber her younger sister's arm and pulled her away from a dazed Rito. "That's enough."
"But Onee-sama!" Whined Nana. "He's blatantly disrespecting his engagement to you! Why would you defend him?"
"Technically, I'm the one who's been disrespecting that false engagement." Pointed out Sallem as he walked into the kitchen, his head still detached and in his hands. "Besides, Lala has her reasons, don't you?"
"Right," Nodded Lala. "You see Nana, when I first asked Rito to marry me-"
"By that, you of course mean that you attempted to force him into it so you could run away from home, when you knew that his feelings were for another." Corrected Sallem bluntly.
"How did you know that?" Asked Rito.
"I probed your brain." Sallem answered as he sat down at the table and Rito had a freak out. "Don't worry, I left everything just the way I found it."
"That doesn't make me feel better." Bemoaned Rito.
"Tough Twinkies." Scoffed Sallem as he reattached his head. "Now as you were saying, Lala. Forced marriage, running away, complete disregard for Rito's feelings, sanity, well-being, the fate of his planet, and all that jazz."
"Ummmm..." Hesitated Lala, her careless behavior from when she first arrived suddenly weighing heavily on her conscience. "Well..."
'I think he hit a sore spot.' Thought Rito, though he didn't say anything because Sallem's words, while harsh, were technically too painfully dead on for him to deny. Instead, he opted to take more interest in the paper for the time being.
"Well, the point is that Rito didn't want me around at all in the beginning, and I didn't really care about him." Lala said quickly, trying to change the subject as fast as possible. "Anyway... then Rito said something to me that made me fall in love with him for real-"
"Translation, you misinterpreted something he said for his own sake and freedom as something he said in defense of you." Said Sallem callously.
"Right," Amended Lala, who was feeling increasingly awkward and embarrassed. "After that, I enrolled in his school to get closer to him, and then a while after that, dad showed up on earth and tried to force Rito to marry me against his will." She glanced at Sallem to see if he was going to say anything again. Getting no response, she continued, a bit more confident. "But since I knew that wasn't what Rito wanted, and I'd already caused him enough trouble as it was, I decided to call off the engagement."
"An engagement you had no right; moral, legal, or otherwise to decide from the beginning." Added Sallem cheerfully.
"Yes, that's true." Laughed Lala awkwardly, actually starting to visibly sweat under the pressure. "Eventually though, Rito confessed to me out of his own free will, and I decided that after all I'd put him through already, I wasn't going to deny him what he wanted in the first place before I showed up."
"Yes, true love and all that." Smiled Sallem. "In spite of all the very legitimate reasons and excuses he had to flat out reject you at a moment's notice that no one with even a semi-logical mind could fault him for. Truly you could not be further from the pick of the litter."
"You're one to talk!" Pointed out Nana. "I've seen you do worse stuff almost every time I see you! You've blown up parts of the palace, traumatized the guards-"
"Slipped you a potion so that your breasts would never grow." Added Sallem casually before sipping some tea he seemed to pull out of nowhere, prompting Nana to suddenly freeze.
"What... did... you... say?" Seethed Nana, her grip on the table actually causing the wood to splinter.
"That was a joke. Yohohohohohohoho." Chuckled Sallem quietly. "You just have naturally small boobs."
With that, Nana gripped the table so hard the the part she was holding shattered in her hands. Before she could even utter her first curse at Sallem over his transgressions against her and attempt to brutally rip his head off, he'd already teleported a transparent, soundproof, and bulletproof case around her, effectively leaving her like a caged animal.
"While she's cooling her heels in there like a raging chimpanzee, I suggest we eat out breakfast while we can." Remarked Sallem as Mikan set out breakfast for all of them, as if on cue. As he dug in though, he was the only one to do so, as Rito and Lala were still both feeling awkward from Sallem's commentary, Nana was still raging in a cage, and Mikan just looked at him disapprovingly. "Don't worry, the box has a 4th Dimensional air supply hooked up to it. The planet will run out of air before she does."
Seeing Lala in such a saddened state as she fiddled with her eggs made Rito's heart break slightly. Unable to take seeing a woman he - against all odds - had fallen in love with so sad, he pulled her away from the table. "Lala, could you step outside with me for a moment?" He asked as he lead her out the back door.
Smirking at the retreating pair, Sallem happily continued his eggs.
"What are you up to this time?" Asked Mikan suspiciously.
"What makes you think I'm up to anything?" Asked Sallem coyly.
"Because you always are." Pointed out Karasuba as she walked into the kitchen and quickly grabbed an entire omelet for herself and sat down at the table.
"Looks like somebody has a hollow leg today." Joked Mikan.
"I'm hungry, so sue me." Replied Karasuba as she started eating. She and Mikan had reached a mutual understanding of each other these past months. "So what do you think those two are up to?" She mumbled with her mouth full.
"That's for them to know, and us to not." Remarked Sallem as he stuffed a huge piece of egg into his mouth. Noticing the sudden odd stares he was getting from the others, he broached the question. "What?"
"Nothing," Brushed off Karasuba. "It's just that you're not usually one to respect people's privacy."
"Whatever." Shrugged Sallem as he got back to eating. "Even I have some standards after all."
Outside - With Rito and Lala
"Rito, what is it?" Asked Lala nervously, feeling bad at the reminder Sallem gave her of how much trouble she'd caused Rito since she'd entered his life.
"Look Lala," Began Rito, blushing and struggling to maintain eye contact as he realized there was no easy way to say what he needed to. "When you first entered my life, and for some time after, I'll be honest, there was nothing I wanted more at the time that to get rid of you."
"Oh," Replied Lala quietly, her earlier sadness now turning into outright misery.
"But," Continued Rito, his face getting redder as he did. "As things went on, and I started getting used to having you around well... I..."
"Yes?" Pleaded Lala for him to continue, starting to feel hopeful.
"Well... you annoy me." That, Rito knew was definitely not the best thing to say, as he saw tears forming in Lala's eyes. "But... even though you cause me no end of trouble, and even though there are a lot of times when I wish that you'd leave your phone locked up where no one - including you - can get at it," Lala was crying freely, yet quietly by now. "I'm still able to look past all that and see the bright, cheerful, well meaning, friendly, caring, and loving Lala that I love." By now, Rito was blushing madly and barely able to keep his head up, while Lala's tears had almost instantly vanished.
"Rito~!" Cried Lala excitedly as she suddenly hugged him in a vice-like grip, knocking the wind out of his lungs. "It makes me so happy to hear you say that!"
"Don't mention it, Lala." Grunted Rito as he pat her on the back while struggling to breath. "Now, do you think you could ease up on the hugging? You're kinda crushing me."
"Oh, right." Laughed Lala awkwardly as she stepped back, her tail twitching in embarrassment. "Sometimes I forget my own strength."
"Wait a second..." Hummed Rito thoughtfully as he observed Lala's twitching tail. Suddenly, his face lit up in epiphany. "That's it! Lala, you're a genius!" With, before he knew what he was doing, he grabbed Lala by her shoulders and kissed her. It wasn't deep and didn't last more than a few seconds, but when Rito pulled away and realized what he'd done, his face lit up like a Christmas tree. "Uh, Lala, I don't know what-"
"My first kiss..." Lala cut him off as she touched her lips in surprise. "And it was with you." She smiled with more joy than Rito had ever seen her have. "I'm so happy that, even though I may not be your first, you're still my first."
"Your first kiss..." Rito mumbled quietly as he looked back on everything, realizing that even though he'd admitted his feelings for Lala months ago, he'd never once actually kissed her. Looking at Lala's smile, he couldn't help but return it. If she was glad to have him as her first kiss, then that made him happy for some reason he could only guess was love. Slowly, fully aware of what he was doing this time he kissed Lala again. Taking it slow at first, when she made no protest and actually seemed to be enjoying it, he deepened the kiss for several seconds before they both had to come up for air.
When they parted they were both blushing madly and averting their gaze from each other awkwardly.
"I, uhhh, think we should go back for breakfast before it gets cold." Suggested Rito nervously.
"Or someone else eats it all." Lala shuffled her feet sheepishly.
As they went inside, they both knew something had changed. For better or worse could only be determined by going forward, but as they glanced at each other, they had high hopes for whatever may come.
10:27 - With Rito
'If I'm remembering this right, she should live right here.' Rito though as he came across a house he'd gone to only once or twice before. 'Well, here goes nothing, I suppose. I still can't believe that I'm actually doing this though.' He thought to himself as he rang the doorbell and waited, hoping that Yui would be home, and more importantly in a good mood. In no time, the door was answered by Yuu, who looked even more happy than usual when he saw Rito.
"Well isn't this interesting?" Asked Yuu rhetorically though well meaning as he let Rito in. "What brings you here, Rito? It's not a school day and my sister isn't sick. Don't tell me you're here to ask her out?" He joked.
"Actually yes." Answered Rito immediately, throwing Yuu for a loop. "How have you been by the way?" He asked, keeping his manners in mind.
"Well... I've been alright, I suppose?" Answered Yuu uncertainly, still reeling from the casualness with which his young friend had said that he was planning to ask out his sister. No offense intended on his part, but Yui was a real handful even at the best of times. "Really, I'm the one who should be asking you that question. Seriously, are you feeling alright? Because, and I mean this in the nicest way, it doesn't sound like you have your head on quite right at the moment. I mean, did you seriously just say that you wanted to ask my sister out? As in, on a date?"
"That's what I said." Confirmed Rito as Yuu's expression turned into a nervous smile. "I know what you're thinking, or at least the general idea." He sighed. "Believe me when I say that things have been pretty hectic for me these past few months. Under normal circumstances I probably wouldn't try to ask Yui out, but something happened a few days ago that made me feel... I don't know, something connect with her, one idea lead to another, and now I'm here asking you for permission to date your sister," Rito took a pause to deeply inhale before he quietly and quickly said. "In a relationship that will probably wind up with her as part of some kind of harem if and when Lala's dad forces me to become king of the universe." He finished pathetically.
An eyebrow twitching in disbelief, Yuu let Rito's words sink in for a moment before he let himself make any sort of comment. Sighing as he shook his head in frustration, he gathered his thoughts for a response. "Tell me Rito, would you say that you love my sister?"
"I'm... not entirely certain myself." Admitted Rito sheepishly. "I just know that I want to take a shot, and don't want any regrets about it."
"I see," Yuu nodded, his composure returning. "Well if you do fall in love with her, what guarantee do I have that you'll treat my little sister right?"
"She'll kill me if I don't," Deadpanned Rito, to which Yuu could only nod sagely in complete agreement. "Also, I'm nowhere near smart enough to manipulate her in any way. She's a very strong willed girl to say the least, and my grades are only slightly above average anyway."
"You're right, I really don't need to worry about that kind of thing, do I?" Joked Yuu as he scratched the back of his head. "But, even knowing all that, you still wanna ask her out? She's not exactly the pick of the litter after all." After a few moments Yuu and Rito both realized the obvious cat pun that had been made and couldn't help giggling.
Unknown to both of them however, Yui had been listening in on them in secret from behind a wall almost since Rito had walked in. Her keen cat ears having heard everything, she wasn't too happy at what Rito had been discussing with her brother, taking personal offense to the idea of being degraded to part of a harem instead of Rito's one and only. Another part of her however was genuinely flattered and slightly enthusiastic about the idea of Rito reciprocating her feelings. Yes, she loved Rito. She no longer bothered hiding it from herself. In hindsight, she didn't even understand why she'd made so much effort denying it all this time.
'But this!' Seethed Yui mentally. 'I can honestly see myself dating, even marrying and starting a family with Rito,' In spite of her acceptance of her feelings, a blush still rushed to her face. 'But a Harem?! Unacceptable! Outrageous! Completely shameless! I will never degrade myself like that!' But before her mind could conjure up any suitable images that could describe her mood, she was pushed out into full view of Rito and her brother.
As all three of them stared at each other nervously, Rito and Yuu out of fear of how much Yui might have heard, and Yui out of having her eavesdropping being discovered. For several moments they just stared in silence, none of the three parties having the nerve to make a move, when a small noise caught Yui's attention to where she had just been moments ago.
'Mom!' Panicked Yui. 'What is she doing?! Did she just push me out here?! Why would she do that?!' Things quickly fell into place however, when her mom made gestures of 'Go on, go on' and started blushing and giggling like a schoolgirl. 'Seriously mom?! What is it with the sudden interest everyone around me is taking in my love life?! I do not need a boyfriend that badly, or at all for that matter!' Even as she thought this though, there was still the steadily growing voice that said. 'It would be really nice to have one though, especially if it's Rito.' Not wanting thoughts like that to rule her though, she quickly righted herself and stood with an air of authority.
"What do you two want?!" She demanded harshly.
"How long have you been listening?" Asked Rito nervously.
"Because our answer will depend on your answer." Admitted Yuu bluntly.
Glaring at her brother with contempt, she didn't falter for a moment. "I asked you first." She rebuked, ignoring her mother signaling her to calm down for a moment and listen.
Scratching the top of his head as he looked around nervously, Rito responded. "You've been listening since I came in haven't you?"
"I-I have not!" Denied Yui, a faint blush on her cheeks.
"Don't worry," Reassured Rito calmly. "I've been forced to be around Sallem and his expression reading abilities for long enough to pick up a few tricks, whether I wanted to or not."
"You... you have?" Asked Yui nervously, not the least bit happy at the thought of having her mind read.
"Yeah, just a few things here and there, though." Elaborated Rito. "Mostly I can only read moods and make a few guesses, I'm honestly just an amateur compared to him."
Both Rito and Yui shuffled their feet on the ground awkwardly, neither really knowing what to say. Meanwhile, Yuu had gone over to his mom and was observing the situation from a safe distance.
"So," Rito began after several moments of unnerving silence. "Are you free after school this Friday?" He bit the bullet and asked her.
'He said it.' Thought Yui in embarrassment. 'He actually went and asked me out on a date! While he's in a relationship with three other women at once! Shameless! Seriously, for all I know he may have even more than just those three. Even more shameless! Enemy of all women! I've got to put a stop to this right now before things get even more out of hand. Go ahead Yui, tell him exactly what you think about him.'
"I... don't have any plans for that time at the moment." Yui said nervously, eyes averted from Rito. Inwardly however, she was panicking. 'What am I saying? If it's like this I sound like I actually want to go on a date with him! I've gotta turn this around quick!'
"Then in that case," Said Rito stiffly. "I know of a few places I think you might like to go. Would you... wanna go out with me?"
'He's actually saying it!' Screamed Yui mentally, so much blood had rushed to her face it was a wonder it wasn't coming out her nose yet. 'Rito has just asked me out on a date! Does he seriously think that I want to go out with him?! Well I do, but that's not the point! The point here is - Mom, Yuu! What do you two think you're doing giggling at this situation I'm in?! I know at least Yuu knows I can hear him! How shameless! How shameless! How shameless! How-!'
"Sure." The word came out of Yui's mouth before she could stop it, much to the protest of the tsun-tsun side of her tsundere.
"...Alright then." Said a confused Rito, surprised to see that she actually agreed so easily. "Then I'll see you in front of the school building after the final bell?"
"...Fine." Said Yui, her dere-dere barely winning over her tsun-tsun. "Just make sure no one interrupts us!" She tacks on sternly.
"Don't worry," Says Rito. "I'll make sure to tell as many people as I can to stay away from the places I have planned. I was actually going to do that anyway. See you then." He said before he took his leave.
"Right..." Replied Yui hesitantly. Once he was gone, her jaw dropped, her face froze, and her thoughts raced. 'What did I just do?! What did I just do?! What did I just do?! I just agreed to go on a date with Rito! Date! Rito! Date! Rito! What on Earth was I thinking?! What am I gonna do?! What am I gonna do?! What am I gonna do?!' As those thoughts and similar ones raced through her head on an endless loop, she didn't even notice as she was swarmed by her mother and brother.
"Oh, my little girl has a date!" Gushed Yui's mom. "I was afraid that this day would never come! You always have been a bit uptight dearie, but to hear you accepting a date from such a handsome young man helps put my mind at ease."
"Yeah, it helps that she's been secretly crushing on him for a while now." Goaded Yuu as he mussed up his little sister's hair. "Rito's a good kid. Trust me, I know the guy, and I know he'll treat you right."
"Oh that's wonderful!" Cried Yui's mom as she hugged her daughter enthusiastically. "I knew that you had someone special in your heart ever since I saw you making that valentine chocolate. Not to mention he's even a friend of your brother's. That's a ringing endorsement if I ever saw one." Eventually though, she realized that Yui wasn't moving or saying anything. "Yui dear, is something wrong?"
"Lemme check." Hummed Yuu as he looked Yui straight in the eyes and placed a hand to her forehead. "Hmm, I think she may have gone into shock or something." He guessed.
"NYAAAAAA!" Screeched Yui suddenly, her fur standing on end as she raced upstairs to her bedroom.
"...I think we broke her." Said Yuu nervously.
Friday - With Yui
It would be no exaggeration to say that Yui was very frustrated with how the week had been going thus far. Every time she tried to talk to Rito about getting out of the date she agreed to for reasons even she herself didn't understand something always managed to get in her way. Like a groping from Risa and Mio, Yui slashed their faces for that. Or Rito being dragged away by Lala, Ryoko, or Yami, which only served to further remind Yui of the many relationships the guy she liked had. And then there was that one incident where someone had brought sushi to school for lunch, the trauma involved in that encounter would require many months of therapy... for the guy who brought the fish that is. Though Yui's "condition" did get out to the whole school during the scene, that was thankfully all that happened to her.
Now it was the end of the school day, and she quickly made a beeline for the exit, using her cat reflexes to weave past all in her way. Her deadline for canceling her date with Rito was upon her, and she'd found that as the week went on, her resolve to shot him down got weaker and weaker, the only option she had left to her now was to ditch him, lest her remaining resolve fade away as well. As she made her way to the front gates though, she slowed her pace, her determination to run away from her problems had stalled, giving her time to think.
'What am I doing?' Yui asked herself, her head hanging in shame. 'I'm just running from obstacles instead of confronting them head on. Is this seriously who I am? Someone who talks big, but acts like a coward when things get too hard on me emotionally?' Shaking her head and painting a resolved expression on her face, she turned around to face the challenges life had thrown her way as she always did. Head-on, with cast-iron nerves. Even as she saw Rito jogging towards her, running short on breath, she stood her ground like a champ.
"There you are, Yui." Panted Rito as he stopped to catch his breath. "You ran away so fast after the final bell that I was worried you were running away."
"Don't be ridiculous." Insisted Yui strongly. "I never run from anything. I just didn't want to stay in there any longer than I had to after the sushi thing a few days ago." She quickly thought up a lie and stuck to it.
"Yeah, that was pretty bad, wasn't it?" Chuckled Rito as he awkwardly scratched his head. "I suppose you won't want this then." He said as he opened a small container he'd been carrying and pulled out a box of assorted sushi, which quickly caught Yui's eyes.
"Uhhh..." Drooled Yui, her feline eyes widened, instincts kicking in as she smelled fresh fish. "How did you keep those so fresh all day?"
"Sallem made a cooler for them when I asked for his help." When Yui's eyes narrowed, Rito knew he had stepped on sensitive ground. "But that's all I had him do for this, I swear. He had nothing else to do with preparing for our date."
Yui, partially because she trusted Rito, and partially because the fish were drawing her like moths to a flame, quickly snatched the sushi and began enjoying them. "This is so good." Mumbled Yui happily, not caring about the stares she was getting from a few passing students. "How is it that something so simple could be so good?"
"Glad you like it." Grinned Rito awkwardly. "So are you ready to go?" He asked as he held out his hand.
Pausing in the middle of her meal, Yui stared at the hand Rito was holding out for a few moments before wiping her hand off on her shirt and grabbing it in her own. "I'm warning you, if you try anything, I'll slash your face." She cautioned.
"I'll make sure not to try anything then." Said Rito nervously as he lead the way.
As they started off on their date, Yui had one thought going though her mind. 'This is just one date. That's it. That's the ultimatum. If he can't impress me in that time, I'm gone. But if he can... I'll do it... I'll join his harem willingly. If I didn't go into this with at least that much resolve, I wouldn't be me.'
With Yui and Rito
'Well, here I am.' Though Yui as she let Rito casually lead her through the city. She didn't know where he was taking her as he said he wanted it to be a surprise. This surprised her slightly, as she didn't expect him to be this sly when it came to dating, when his usual interactions with women typically ended with his hurt, embarrassed, sputtering madly, or far more often some combination of the above. 'Maybe that's just with girls he's not interested in.' She thought. 'Either that or he's just getting better with women the more of them he has.' Yui shuddered at the thought. If he was this smooth with just three girls - she still didn't count herself among his harem - if the number kept going up, she might not know up from down in a few years.
"Rito, when are we going to get to where we're going?" Yui asked.
"It's not that much further now," Reassured Rito. "Trust me, you're really gonna like where we're going. Just wait a little bit longer, okay?"
"If you say so." Accepted Yui. "But tell me, why did you suddenly decide to ask me out all of a sudden?"
Rito sighed before turning to look at her. "Well, there are actually two reasons, really." He admitted sheepishly. "Do you want the good reason first, or the bad reason?"
Yui quirked an eyebrow, wondering how someone like Rito could have a bad reason for asking someone out. "Bad. That way I'll have a reason to hold back from scratching your face until you give me a good reason. I want to be certain if you deserve it or not."
Rito shuddered as he knew Yui would have no problem with backing up that claim, but was thankful that she was at least willing to hear him out first. "Well, the bad reason is because Sallem agreed to leave me alone until it's time for him to go home if I asked you out."
"I'm already finding it hard to blame you for that." Deadpanned Yui without hesitation. "That man is unquestionably a menace to civilized society as a whole."
"I honestly can't say I disagree." Said Rito in full agreement. "As for the good reason, well..." He paused nervously.
"Well?" Asked Yui. "What's this good reason of yours?"
"Well," Continued Rito. "I'm not really sure if you could call it a reason, per say. But I, kinda just wanted to take a chance." He admitted. "At this point, I'm honestly not certain whether I'm for a harem, or against it. I mean, if you were to classify what I have with Lala, Ryoko, and Yami, most would instantly say harem, but I'm honestly still on the fence about the whole thing." Sighing as he scratched his head, he reached his conclusion. "I suppose what I want the most right now, is to know whether or not what I have could possibly be a lifelong thing. Do you know what I'm saying?"
Hearing Rito say this, Yui was torn. On the one hand, she did understand what he was saying, at least on a fundamental level. On the other hand though, her instincts were telling her to be mad at the very notion. However, Yui was nothing if not a logical person, and so she decided to take a middle ground by accepting his words as they were for now, and letting his actions decide what her eventual conclusion would be. "I suppose I'll just have to take your word for it for now. At least until I see where this goes."
"That's all I'm asking for." Smiled Rito. "And speaking of where this is going, we're here."
"Here? Where is-?" Yui instantly stopped dead as she saw where they were. Turning a sour glare at Rito, she said. "You really don't play fair."
"Sorry about that," Shrugged Rito. "This just seemed like the best place to start things off." Holding out an arm to her, he asked. "Are you ready?"
Sighing, Yui took his hand. "Of course I'm ready. This is one of my favorite places, after all." She agreed as Rito lead her into the pet store.
In the Pet Store
"Nyaaa, nya nyya. Nnnnyaaa!" Said Yui as she held her face close to a large cage with several cats in it, her ears and tail twitching in delight as she did so. "Nya nya, nyaaaaaaa."
"Can you actually speak their language?" Asked Rito as he noticed the odd stares Yui was getting, though she seemed to ignore them.
"I can understand most of it," Confirmed Yui as she stood upright. "Though it can get a little touch and go sometimes. Believe it or not, cats actually have several different accents and dialects depending on their environment."
"Seriously?" Asked Rito, now highly intrigued. "What do these cats sound like?"
"Theirs is heavily laden with English words," Explained Yui. "Meanwhile, strays sound more like yakuza. I've even heard them mention inter-gang wars from time to time when I pass by alleys. And house cats tend to mimic their owners. I've even met a few cats owned by people working at stores who start up their own businesses."
"I had no idea that cat culture was so rich and diverse." Said an astonished Rito. "What do they use for money though?"
"They usually barter," Said Yui. "Though kitty treats tend to be used as a rudimentary form of currency more often than anything else, at least among house cats. Although relatively fresh fish seem to be worth the most to any cat out there. The fresher and bigger the better, especially if they have family members they need to take care of."
"It's actually pretty cool that you've been able to figure all of that out in such a short time." Noticed Rito. "After all, you've only been part cat for a few weeks now."
"Well, once I figured out that I could talk to cats I made sure to do my research." Replied Yui. "I know I've said this before, and you've obviously retained it," She said as she gestured around her at all the cats in the store, causing Rito to chuckle awkwardly. "But I love cats. They're my favorite animal after all."
"Then I suppose it's pretty lucky that you got merged with cat DNA, after all." Said Rito cheerfully, at least until Yui held her claws up to his face.
"Not lucky," Corrected Yui sternly. "Just... not unlucky."
"Right," Agreed Rito nervously. "I guess that after all the weird stuff that's happened to me ever since Lala came into my life, something like becoming part cat doesn't really phase me anymore."
"You're not the one who has to live with it." Pointed out Yui as she retracted her claws. "So where's our next stop for this date? I'm always glad to be around cats, but I hope you don't think that this is enough to win me over."
"Of course there are a few more stops." Smiled Rito. "I may not know exactly what I'm doing, but I like to think that I can think a few steps in advance."
"Here's hoping your plans can live up to your high expectations." Huffed Yui as she and Rito left the pet shop.
Next Scene
"I hate you so much right now." Deadpanned Yui the moment she saw where Rito had taken her. "I really do."
"Sorry about that." Apologized Rito sheepishly. "I really don't mean anything bad by the choice in location, it's just that the lighting and scenery seemed good for a date. You being part cat had nothing to do with it, I swear."
"It doesn't matter if you don't mean anything by it," Insisted Yui. "The fact stands that I'm part cat, and this is an aquarium." She said as she pointed at the sign hanging above the entrance. "For all we know I might go crazy over the fish and try to eat them."
"I really don't think you could manage that." Pointed out Rito. "I've been here before, all the fish are behind glass, and aside from the employee only areas there's really no way to get at the fish."
"Knowing my instincts I'll probably just try to scratch at the glass to get at the succulent fish." Complained Yui.
"Alright then," Rito agreed, trying to pacify Yui. "If you don't want to go in there, we don't have to. I just though you might like the aquarium as a person, not a cat. I'm not trying to offend you."
Rito's words took Yui by surprise, making her cheeks flare up. "You really brought me here... because you thought I'd like this place as a human, not a cat?"
Now Rito was confused. "Of course that's why. You may be part cat now, but you're still the same person as ever on the inside." Suddenly, Yui looked down as she shuffled her feet. From what Rito had managed to pick up from Sallem's ability to read people, that meant something was wrong. "Yui, is there something bothering you?"
For several moments, Yui was quiet, finding her feet more interesting than anything else. Suddenly, she whispered. "Do you really think that?" She asked. "After everything since this happened?"
"What are you talking about?" Pressed Rito calmly. "I don't understand."
Yui turned her head abruptly towards Rito, an angry expression adorning her features. "I'm part cat now, Rito." She said. "We've already seen a few things this does to me. Catnip, fish, going into heat, and who knows what else. My new instincts can overtake me at any time. It's getting in the way of my life. How is it that you expect me to just ignore all of this?" In spite of her temper, she had managed to keep her voice level, not wanting to draw another crowd like Rito told her she did at the pet store.
Rito sighed. He honestly hadn't thought all that much about how being part cat could impact Yui's life so much. "I'm sorry that this happened to you, Yui." He apologized out of courtesy. "I never thought that this was something that impacted your life so much."
"Have you not noticed how things have gone these past few weeks?" Huffed Yui as she turned away from Rito. "Really, anyone would notice that I'm not having an easy time adapting."
"I'm sorry I didn't notice how much trouble you're having sooner." Said Rito. "Truth be told, you've always stuck me as someone strong willed enough to adapt to anything, so it never occurred to me that your transformation would do anything to you that you couldn't learn to handle."
Turning her head back to Rito slightly, Yui asked curiously. "You've always... thought I was strong willed?"
"Yeah," Nodded Rito. "I mean, if it's you, there doesn't seem to be anything that could bother you for very long before you can find some way to get through it. You've always held your head high in any problems, only rarely asking for help. Really, I think you're the kind of person who could move mountains if she put her mind to it."
Yui couldn't hide it, she was red as a tomato. Hell, it was so blatant, even Rito managed to notice it. "Well of course I can adapt to anything. Who the hell do you think I am, anyway?" Yui boasted proudly. "C'mon," She said as she grabbed Rito's wrist. "Let's get our tickets already."
"I thought you were worried about the fish." Reminded Rito.
"As if some measly snacks can keep me from enjoying my first date!" Yui said boldly as she brought a stunned Rito close to her face. For several seconds, her bravado and Rito's surprise managed to keep them perfectly still. Eventually though, Yui began to run out of steam and let Rito go, her face red again, while Rito just blinked at her oddly for a few seconds before smiling softly.
"Alright then," Accepted Rito as he grabbed Yui's hand and pulled out his wallet. "Since I'm taking you out, this is my treat. Okay?"
"O-okay." Agreed Yui as Rito began counting out the money for the entrance fee.
Inside the Aquarium
After the tickets were bought and they were inside, Yui had immediately gotten up close to the glass walls, placing her hands against the glass and staring at it intensely, just like a cat.
"Are you enjoying yourself, Yui?" Asked Rito awkwardly.
"Fish. My fish. Hungry." Replied Yui in a comically serious tone. However, she quickly shook the stars out of her head and regained her senses. "I mean, it's alright for a first date I suppose."
"Does this mean there will be a second date?" Asked Rito curiously.
A chill crawled up Yui's back as she glared at Rito. "What brought that up so suddenly?" She asked, a biting cold tone in her voice. "I thought you just took me out to take a shot. Now you're asking for more?"
"You heard that, did you?" Asked Rito, though it wasn't really a question.
"Of course I heard it!" Huffed Yui indignantly. "My hearing is as sharp as a cat's, after all. Also, I don't appreciate being treated like some one time thing. Honestly, thinking about it now, I can't even remember why I agreed to this in the first place."
Taking only a moment to think, Rito soon responded. "I'm sorry if I offended you at all when I said that, Yui, but I didn't mean anything bad by it." He apologized. "When I said that I wanted to take a shot, I meant that we should take this through a trial run before we commit to anything serious. I've heard that some relationships can really take a turn for the worse from time to time, after all. I just wanted to make sure this could work."
Yui blinked in confusion before her face started twitching slightly in embarrassment and she turned away again. "Well of course I know all of that was the right way to go." She insisted pridefully. "I just needed to make sure that you did." Even though she said that, her mind revealed a different story. 'Is that seriously the best I could come up with?!' She asked herself in a panic. 'Honestly, even a real cat could come up with a better comeback, and I would know!'
"Alright then," Accepted Rito honestly, causing Yui to turn in surprise. "Like I've said before, you're smart, at least more so than I am. Not to mention that you're always thinking of what's best for people, so I understand."
'Just like that? He accepted it?!' Thought Yui. 'Really, that kind of calm and honest way of speaking just screams 'I'm too honest and trusting for my own good'. Learn to question things a bit more!' All that came out of her mouth though... "Fine, just so long as you understand it."
"I understand perfectly." Nodded Rito, though Yui couldn't help but notice that he seemed to have some kind of twinkle in his eye. "Well then, I know where the dolphins are. Would you like to see them?"
"That sounds fine." Consented Yui as she took Rito's hand, allowing him to lead the way.
After the Aquarium - En Route to the Yuuki Residence
"I refuse to go back there, ever again." Insisted Yui as she dried her hair off with a souvenir towel. "Those dolphins went far beyond what was acceptable. Seriously, where do they get off spraying me like some misbehaving house cat? I may be human by birth, but I have the heart of a powerful stray cat. The Alpha Female, the Top Cat, the Apex Predator." Taking a pause to dry off her face, she continued. "And honestly, dolphins really drive me crazy. They're mammals that live in the water for Pete's Sake! Water is a sacred hunting ground for cats to search for fish, not confused warmblooded creatures that are supposed to be on land."
"Um, Yui," Began Rito nervously. "Are you feeling alright?"
Yui sighed. "Don't worry, Rito, I'm fine." She apologized. "Getting sprayed by every dolphin in the show just set me off a bit. I'm fine now."
"That... wasn't exactly what I was asking about." Clarified Rito awkwardly. "I'm not trying to step on any toes here, but the way you were talking just now sounded a lot like something a cat would say."
"Oh, that." Deadpanned Yui. "Sorry about that, but I've been spending so much time talking to cats since I discovered that I could, that I've picked up a few of their behavioral patterns."
"I see," Sweat dropped Rito. "So it was something like that then?"
"Yeah," Nodded Yui. "Anyway, you still haven't mentioned why we're going to your house yet."
"I already told you, it's just for dinner." Said Rito.
"A likely story." Huffed Yui as she wrapped the towel around her neck. "If the both of us weren't on friendly terms with aliens and a ghost, not-so-friendly terms with other extraterrestrials, you weren't haunted by an evil spirit, and I wasn't part cat, I may believe that you had something normal in mind for the end. However, since all of those things are part of our lives, do you honestly expect me to believe that there isn't something unusual planned for dinner?"
"Yui... how do I put this?" Asked Rito as they arrived at his house. "This and that are two entirely different things. There really isn't any solid correlation."
"Oh, so that group of people I hear shuffling inside your house doesn't have anything to do with our date?" Asked Yui rhetorically as she opened the front door, Ryoko, Lala, and Yami all waiting eagerly for her.
"Rito! Yui! Dinner's ready for everyone!" Cried Lala enthusiastically.
"Welcome to the harem, Yui-chan." Winked Ryoko mischievously.
"Welcome." Seconded Yami quietly.
Rito chuckled nervously under Yui's slightly judging glare. "Just for the record, the oddities in our lives and what I asked the others for help with still technically aren't connected directly." He pointed out.
"Well, I guess this is just how you do things then." Said Yui casually as she walked inside. "And for the record, I'm not part of this harem you have going on." She scolded Ryouko.
"Not yet, anyway." Cooed Ryoko as she picked up Yui in her big strong arms bridal style.
"Mikado-sensei!" Protested Yui. "What do you think you're doing to me?"
"It's a habit I've developed since I started working out." Explained Ryoko as she scooped up Rito into her arms as well. "I just love to carry people around."
"L-let me go this instant!" Demanded Yui as she struggled. "I don't like this one bit!"
"Y-Yui! Calm down for a second!" Pleaded Rito as he struggled to keep a hold on her. "I know this isn't ideal, but-" Suddenly, he was shifted about by Ryoko walking, causing his mouth to collide with Yui's.
For a moment, as it always was, the minds of Rito and his unlucky target took a few seconds to catch up with what happened. When their brains finally caught up with them, they both struggled to get away from each other, but due to being limited by Ryoko's unyielding arms, all they succeeded in doing was getting even more tangled up with each other.
"Get your face out of my breasts!" Demanded Yui.
"I'm sorry! I'm trying!" Mumbled Rito.
"Where do you think you're putting your hands?!"
"I can't even feel my hands!"
"Ahhh! That's my tail, you idiot!"
"Hold on a second, you two." Pleaded a struggling Ryoko. "At least let me put you two down before you start doing that. Otherwise I might-Ah!" It was too late, as the fracas had caused Ryoko to fall down.
"Owww," Groaned Rito as he rubbed his head and tried to get up, though with little success, as he felt the all too familiar sensation of breasts in his hands. "I'm sorry!" He panicked as he pulled his hands away, causing him to fall down on Yui.
"Oof!" Coughed Yui as she tried to push Rito off of her, though he success was also limited due to Ryoko being on top of both of them. "Get off of me!"
"Ohhh! My back~," Whined Ryoko as she rubbed her lower spine, not wanting to get up just yet due to the pain... And also because she was enjoying the feeling of her breasts rubbing against Rito's back, but that went without saying. "Ohhh! My boobs~!"
"Hey! That looks like fun!" Cheered Lala before she began working her way underneath Ryoko to cuddle up with Rito and Yui. "This is sorta like twister, isn't it?"
"Ecchi," Deadpanned Yami, not making any move to untangle the mess. "I'm in a harem with ecchi people."
"I'm pretty sure that much would go without saying." Pointed out Sallem, who had just arrived out of nowhere in his scuba gear. "Harems always are by default ecchi, at least to some extent. This is the kind of thing you have to expect to happen from time to time when you sign on for one."
"What are you doing here?" Asked Yami. "Your allergies are such a burden for you around cats that you need an alternate source of air. So why would you come this close to Yui, knowing she hates you?"
"Yami," Began Sallem sagely. "A quick word of advice. Wherever there is comedy to be found, I am there. Let that be a lesson to you in all your future endeavors."
"I'll make a mental note of that." Yami nodded.
"See to it that you do so." Said Sallem.
"That... Is... ENOUGH!" Exploded Yui as she threw Rito, Ryoko, and Lala off of her, fur standing on end, claws extended, and a feral look on her face. "I cannot believe this! You," She pointed at Ryoko. "Are supposed to be a helpful faculty member, a productive member of the school, and not part of the harem of one of your students! You," She pointed at Lala. "Have been causing problem, after problem, after problem for the moral and decency of the school and the community! You," She pointed at Sallem. "Are beyond the shadow of a doubt, the single worst thing to happen to this planet, ever! You endlessly harass everyone you come in contact with! And you!" She pointed at Rito. "I don't care if you are being haunted by an evil ghost! You have violated the bodies of so many women - myself included - that the only way you could possibly get any worse would be if you actually started raping people! And I shudder to think how the evil spirit haunting you would go about doing that! To think that even I've become a member of your harem! How far have I fallen to accept that?!"
All her energy spent on her tirade, Yui panted as her posture slouched in exhaustion. Everyone was dead silent, having nothing to say after the explosion of pent up energy, rage, and frustration they had just witnessed. Suddenly, a slow clapping noise reverberated throughout the room.
"Bravo," Said Sallem mockingly. "Bravisimo, huzza, encore, and all that sorta jazz and whatnot. I must say, I am very impressed to see the normally at least partially restrained and proper Yui just let it all out like that."
"Who asked you?" Growled Yui tensely as she brought her claws to bear. "One more word outta you, and I'll slice you to pieces. Exposing you to all the allergens that set you off."
Sallem just creased his eyes in a way that implied he was grinning and said. "Word."
"That's it!" Roared Yui as she slashed through Sallem's air hoses, only to pass through them as if nothing were there. "Huh?"
"Do you honestly believe that I'd show up here in person when you're in such a bad mood?" Asked Sallem rhetorically. "It's just a holographic projection. I'm just doing this to annoy you." Suddenly, Yui was slashing away like a woman possessed at Sallem's hologram. "Yes, go ahead and vent all you want, I won't do anything to stop you." Yui continued to slash away at him, and likely would have done so even if he hadn't given consent. "Well, while you go ahead and do that, why don't I just go ahead and playback something interesting I heard just now?" He remarked snidely as he pulled out a seashell and pressed the apex of it.
"And you!" Came Yui's voice from the shell, as if it were some manner of recording device. "I don't care if you are being haunted by an evil ghost! You have violated the bodies of so many women - myself included - that the only way you could possibly get any worse would be if you actually started raping people! And I shudder to think how the evil spirit haunting you would go about doing that! To think that even I've become a member of your harem! How far have I fallen to accept that?!" Listening to the recording of herself, Yui's face paled.
"Let's listen to that again, shall we? Just the last part this time." Said Sallem playfully as he twisted the apex of the shell slightly, then pressed it again.
"To think that even I've become a member of your harem! How far have I fallen to accept that?!" Yui's voice sounded out of the shell again.
"One more time!" Cheered Sallem, obviously enjoying himself greatly.
"That's enough! That's enough!" Panicked Yui. "We don't need to hear it again!"
"Oh? Then you admit you said this?" Remarked Sallem snidely.
"Shut up!" Demanded Yui harshly. "I was angry! I didn't know what I was saying!"
"Then I suppose all the complaints you had about Lala, Ryoko, Rito, and myself weren't true either then?" Said Sallem as his hologram casually walked right through Yui.
Shivering, Yui turned around in a fury. "Those complaints were completely serious and legitimate! I meant every word of them!"
"Well which is it then?" Danced Sallem. "Is it true, or is it false? Because - and I'm telling you this from personal experience - when you push the right buttons on somebody, they always rage about either nothing but the truth, or nothing but lies." Taking off his scuba mask and grinning his half-Glasgow Grin wildly at Yui, he asked. "So which is it in this case?"
Yui's entire body shook in a rage as she suddenly realized that she had never once had an advantage against Sallem, even with his allergies to work with. She glanced at Rito, who looked a bit confused, but his expression also showed patience and understanding. Then she looked back to Sallem's hologram, who still had a cocky smirk adorning his features. Finally, she herself sighed in exasperation. "You want to know which it is?" She asked dangerously. "And you want to know too, don't you?" She asked Rito, her tone just a fraction softer. "But... you're willing to wait for my answer, aren't you?" Rito nodded, a determined look in his eyes. It was really all he needed to say, even though he hadn't really said anything. Yui sighed again. "Fine then. I'll answer."
And with that, Yui grabbed Rito by the scruff of his shirt, and planted a kiss right on his lips. It caught Rito off guard, but he had gotten used to such things, and was quick to return the kiss. It wasn't very long or deep, just enough to let each other know that they were serious about this. "There," Gasped Yui after they had parted. "That's my answer."
Smiling, Rito kissed her forehead. "I love you too, Yui." He admitted with a mild blush. Suddenly, the pair found themselves surrounded by affectionate haremettes.
"One more for the party!" Cheered Ryoko as she pulled the two into her bosom.
"Hooray! Yui!" Smiled Lala as she hugged them both.
"My boyfriend is very ecchi." Deadpanned Yami, though she too snuggled with Rito. "But just in this case, I don't mind... too much."
"Awww," Gushed Sallem as he watched from a distance. "I'd cry if I hadn't replaced my tear ducts with hard light projectors. Yohohohohoho!" Suddenly, the phone started ringing. "Could somebody get that? I'm a little short on physical mass at the moment."
"I'll get it." Grunted Rito as he squeezed his way out of his harem's clutches. As the girls began to disperse, Rito picked up the phone. "Hello, Yuuki Residence. Rito speaking."
"Rito! Thank goodness you're here!" Came Oshizu's panicked voice from the receiver. "Is Ryoko there?"
"She is. Why do you need her?" Asked Rito as he signaled for Ryoko to come over.
"It's Haruna! She was hit by a truck!" Cried Oshizu.
"What?" Gasped Rito, as some strange evil aura began to envelop him, making it hard for everyone to breath.
"Oh shit." Gaped a wide eyed Sallem, who had heard the conversation with his keen hearing. By the looks on Yui and Ryoko's faces, they had heard too. "Take cover!"
Not needing to be told twice, Yami was quick to grab her fellow haremettes in her hair and rushed them out of the room, only Sallem staying behind, due to his communicating through a hologram. As he saw the evil aura - no doubt from the ghost feeding off of his negative emotions - surrounding Rito grow larger, Sallem felt a sense of unease he'd only felt a scant few other times in his life. The sense that things were completely out of his hands for once.
"What happened?" Asked Rito, his voice filled with fear. "Is she going to be okay?"
"She's unconscious and injured, but her condition is stable." Explained Oshizu, still crying. "Do you think you could get Ryoko though? She should really be here to help."
Sallem, sensing his chance to change things around, jumped at it. "Do you hear that, Rito? She's going to be alright. With Ryoko and I working together on it, she'll be fine in no time. There's nothing to worry about. Do you hear me?"
"Haruna-chan..." Murmured Rito, Sallem's words not getting through to him as the aura maintained a stable level. However, as it seemed that Rito was gone to the world, he suddenly got a strong whack to the head, making the aura shrink. "Owww!"
"What is this all about, Rito?!" Demanded Yui hotly. "We just confessed our feelings to each other, and now you're suddenly getting all bent out of shape over another girl? I may have accepted that I'm going to be part of your harem, but for you to suddenly get this bent out of shape over something that can be fixed right after we first shared our love? Unacceptable! If you're really a man, then show some backbone!"
"Yui..." Whispered Rito as the aura shrunk some more.
"Don't worry Rito," Said Ryoko as she gently held Rito to her bosom. "Sallem and I are both medical geniuses. This will be solved soon enough."
"Ryoko..." He whispered, aura shrinking again.
"We're here for you," Said Yami as she grabbed his hand in comfort. "You brought me out of my inner darkness, now it's my turn to return the favor."
"Yami..." Once more, the aura shrunk.
"Rito," Whispered Lala. "Haruna's important to me too, so I'm just as upset about this as you are. But there are times when you have to keep strong, and always believe that things will get better."
"Lala..." This time, the aura was gone completely.
"And even though I know Lala ripped that line right out of some anime, I'm inclined to more or less agree with her." Shrugged Sallem, getting many glares for his blunt comment. "Anyway, it seems that Ryoko and I are both needed right now, so we'll have to take our leave. Sorry to break this up, but you'll have to save the touchy feelly stuff for later." Pulling out his remote, he remarked to Ryoko. "Coming?"
"Guess that's my cue." Sighed Ryoko as she let Rito go. "Sorry things wound up this way, but I promise to have her back up and running as fast as I can. See you later." Ryouko nodded at Sallem, and he pressed a button on his remote, taking them both to Haruna.
Ryoko's Clinic - Haruna's Room - 30 Minutes Later
"I feared as much." Sighed the real Sallem as he observed the readings from his scanners.
"What is it?" Pleaded Oshizu. "Is she not going to..." She trailed off, not wanting to finish that sentence.
"No," Sallem shook his head, Oshizu sighing in relief. "If it was that simple, I could do something about it. No, this is being caused by the ghost haunting Rito."
"There's a ghost haunting Rito?" Asked Ryoko in astonishment. "And you didn't mention this to me before now, because...?"
"There wasn't a need to," Explained Sallem. "When I first came here, it was with the understanding that my capture of this ghost would be more or less like any other. I come in, expose the evil spirit's weak point, I catch it, I turn it into artwork. But that's not going to happen now."
"Why not?" Asked Oshizu.
"Because of this." Sallem pointed at Haruna. "Even though it's just a mass of brainless instincts lacking in any common sense, it somehow came to he conclusion that Haruna joining Rito's harem after he accepted the idea would make the hold it has on Rito weak enough to be captured. To that end, it used what power it had to place some curse on her, to prevent her from joining the harem. Sorta like Sleeping Beauty, except more brutal, and no kiss from Prince Charming will break this spell."
"Can't you wake her up though?" Ryoko asked. "If you of all people know the problem, you should be able to figure something out."
"I have figured something out." Said Sallem. "However, because of the huge power boost the evil spirit got from Rito's despair, it's not going to be easy, and I can't do it alone."
"I'll do anything I can to help!" Said Oshizu automatically. "Haruna's my best friend, and I won't let her suffer like this!"
"Glad to hear it," Smiled Sallem. "Because we're gonna need your help most of all. Here," He said, giving Oshizu a scroll. "Follow the directions written on that scroll, and you'll be able to remove the curse from Haruna."
"I'll start working on it right away!" Said Oshizu, determination in her eyes as she left the room to find a quiet spot to read. Ryoko however, eyed Sallem suspiciously.
"Funny how you seemed to have something like that on hand," Remarked Ryoko. "Especially since this all just happened so suddenly."
"It's not what you're thinking." Denied Sallem. "What's written on that scroll is just a training manual for spirits. She has the abilities for the job, all she needs now is the power to put behind them to remove the curse on Haruna. When it comes time for her to play her part, then I'll explain what little instruction outside of training she actually needs to hear."
"And what about Rito?" Asked Ryoko suspiciously. "You said that Oshizu would remove the curse on Haruna. What about making the spirit haunting Rito weak enough to capture?"
"That's where you come in." Smiled Sallem, glad to be around someone quick on the uptake. "We're going to need another member for Rito's harem. Someone of extreme beauty, and kind, nurturing personality."
"Wouldn't that just be giving the spirit what it wants?" Questioned Ryoko.
"Exactly," Smirked Sallem. "When people don't get what they want, they tend to react badly, with more power and aggression than they normally have. Correct?"
"I'm with you so far." Nodded Ryoko, beginning to see where this was going.
"By that logic, when things go your way, you tend to calm down a bit." Explained Sallem. "What I'm planning, is to give the spirit - and to some extent, Rito - what they want, so that the ghost will lose power. Enough so that the curse on Haruna will be removable by a good spirit who's only had a few months at most to bolster her powers, and it can be captured."
"Sounds like a lot of work for just one ghost." Remarked Ryoko. "What makes this one so special?"
"It's a long story that I'd rather not get into." Sallem held up his hand to silence any questions. "Let's just say I have a personal stake where this ghost is concerned."
"I see," Nodded Ryoko, almost all of the pieces finally coming together. "So what do you need my help for?"
Relaxing, Sallem asked, "I don't suppose you could get in contact with your old friend Tearju, could you?"
Ryoko nodded, smirking with a twinkle in her eye. "It shouldn't take me too long to track her down, especially if I had the resources of Zero Industries at my disposal."
"I'll inform the investigators of my company." Consented Sallem. "At any rate, I've been away from my company for long enough now. I need to get back to work soon. Will there be anything else?"
"Just one thing," Said Ryoko, holding up her index finger. "Why did you get involved in all this in the first place? Lala's your friend, and you want the ghost, but what are you really getting out of this?"
"Sorry, Ryoko." Apologized Sallem as he pulled out his remote. "I wish I could tell you some grand story about magic, dreams, and adventure, but really, it's just revenge with me. Always has been to be honest." Pressing a button on his remote both he and everyone he brought to the planet all vanished, teleported instantly into a remote planet in deep space.
A content smile on her face, Ryoko started her search for Tearju. Personally, she thought it'd be nice to add her old friend to the harem she was in, even though Yami might find being in that same harem as her 'mother' a bit off putting. But they'd cross that bridge when they came to it.