Note from hotelkatz : When this chapter was originally uploaded, it had gotten corrupted. Magister Fay pointed it out in a review.
"I want the next part of Mara the wishgranter "asked Mokkukalfi.
"You seem very enthusiastic. Is there a special event in this issue?" Mara asked.
"Now that Kles is "I want the next part of Mara the wishgranter "asked Mokkukalfi.
"You seem very enthusiastic. Is there a special event in this issue?" Mara asked.
"Now that Kles is part of history, yes. This is an excellent opportunity to study her methods and weaknesses. It will benefit me in the future." Replied the chief engineer.
"You're still fighting? Why this time?" Asked Hild.
"It really is not about a dispute, majesty. More like a rivalry. She spends her time trying to sabotage my machines. In return, I try to test my inventions on her. Kles is the ideal test subject to see if my robots can withstand the toughest conditions." Explained the little demon.
"It's still a beautiful friendship," Hild commented wryly, adding, "Let's see the result."
-o-o-o-
Mara was chasing Kles in the apartment.
"YOU BETTER FIX MY BED IMMEDIATELY !" Yelled the blonde.
"But cousin, your coffin is really too small for two. How Keiichi and you can make a good team if you do not develop your intimacy? And what better than a bit of SM for that? This torture table is perfect for this." retorted Kles, avoiding the broom that her cousin had thrown in attempting to knock her down while she floated in the air.
"ONE. There is NO WAY that I do "S&M", as you say, with Keiichi. Or with anyone for that matter. TWO, Keiichi is a human, not a demon. He is far too fragile to your archaic S&M methods. THREE, DO NOT MESS WITH MY CONTRACT !" Mara screamed, continuing to try to hit Kles with her broom.
"What's going on?" asked Keiichi, who had just returned.
Mara quickly indicated the direction of her coffin to the boy.
Keiichi, of course, had no idea of the "good intentions" of Kles seeing a torture table instead of Mara's coffin. However, some aspects of the thing inspired fear. A wooden table blackened with chains and rusty handcuffs, as well as burning embers in a medieval atmosphere, did not inspire anything else. Mara's coffin was almost attractive in comparison.
"Nasty, isn't it? My cousin always had cheesy taste." the demon said.
"Nasty? Scary, yes. Are you going to torture someone?" Keiichi asked, trying to sound funny.
"Hm? No. When we want to torture someone, we use more psychological methods. This table is rather for punishing demon children who want to spend a "hot" moment with a boyfriend," Mara explained.
"Punishing demon children? Isn't that a bit too... extreme?" Asked the boy.
"Do not worry. Our children are much stronger than yours. We love them, but we are much stricter than most humans, because demons are by nature much more capricious and difficult to discipline."
"Really? "
"Of course. Our species advocates for change first. We are not trying to create a world where war suffering and misery would reign. What we really want is a changing world, which offers new opportunities, new center of interests. Moreover, we place great hope in humanity. This last century has brought much change without our help. Video games for example. It is extremely popular in Hell; myself, I am a fan. We hope very much that your race will evolve and that humanity will become a "sister" race for us devils," the demon said with a hint of excitement in her voice.
Keiichi ... did not know what to think. Humans becoming demons? It would be ... a good thing? To hear Mara, he had to believe so. It did not matter anyway. The future would be written in its time and Keiichi had not the means to influence something that colossal. Better to worry about his immediate future, than the one much more distant from humanity.
It was then that Mara left her dreaming thought that which she had entered and taken up hunting.
"Kles ! YOU COME BACK HERE !" shouted the boy who wanted to make understand to Kles that masochism was NOT AT ALL his style.
"Jeez, I'm only trying to HELP you two old fuddy-duddys. Don't get all bent outta shape," Kles replied.
Mara then resumed her fight with her cousin, while Keiichi looked in the newspaper where he could invite Mara for the next days.
Then he found something. A small advertisement that should suit his puposes.
A corner shop organized karaoke. The first prize was an invitation at a great restaurant, or for a concert.
The idea of Mara dancing at a concert before inviting her to a good restaurant after, pleased the boy, who preferred to go to the concert. A great restaurant would not agree with Mara. Certainly, the gluttony of the blond would be satisfied, but she was not one to love places where the people must "look good." Moreover, she preferred a good hamburger, rather than a highly refined dish. Glutton yes. Gourmet, no. Keiichi was warming to this idea already.
In fact, He REALLY was burning. The fight between Kles and Mara threw sparks and one of them had reached the pants Keiichi to the safest place ... Hmm ... In the lower back. The sharp pain he felt when the spark ignited pulled him from his dream.
Mara quickly reacts by throwing a cold spell to save ... The dignity of her partner.
Misfortune their obsession with the two friends, Keiichi was completely soaked and had to change clothes. At least, Mara could easily fix the pants. Now she possessed her power again at maximum, she had no reason to hold back for these kind of things.
Meanwhile, Kles had completely disappeared.
However, before he can invite Mara anywhere, Keiichi had to win the contest.
For once, Keiichi was confident in his chances. It was a small amateur competition area, organized by a local grocery store. Not a professional singing contest.
The young student had a little talent to sing. People had often told him he had a beautiful voice and indeed, without being a professional, he was doing pretty well. Therefore it considered to have a serious chance in this contest.
The day of karaoke came and ... There is many more participants Keiichi had expected. Not only his chances were drastically reduced, but in addition they would have to wait all morning, especially since he had to go last. Mara, who hated to wait for hours, decided it was out of question, and walked away without winning.
"You know how to sing?" Keiichi wondered who had never heard before.
Mara almost laughed at the question. "Oh yes I can sing. Simply put, some high-level spells become much more effective when channeled through song, rather than the raw magical energy. That is why almost all demons learn to sing. Over time they become more and more talented. I sang already before the world became the world," Mara explained.
"Ah? And uh ... When did the world become the world?" Asked the boy who had a little trouble understanding the concept.
"I think it was a Thursday, but this is not very important. What matters is that I sing better than any human being ... And besides you'll help me," Mara said firmly.
"Help you? I will, but how? If you sing that well, I don't see how I can help you. "
"Two reasons. First, we are partners. This is a good opportunity to learn to work together. Second, if I sing, given the level of excellence that I will achieve it is possible that judges are no longer ... Still conscious at the end of the song. It is as if they were going to take a hundred concerts; made by the best artists of the world, in 3 minutes. They may spend several hours in a vegetative state after that. So I'm going to need you to decrease the quality of singing. It will be like when a professional duet with an amateur. The song is very beautiful but the quality is very diminished." Explained the blonde.
Keiichi was a bit upset by what the demon had said, but she was right: it was the opportunity to work together and he would show that he was not bad at all when it comes to singing. Moreover, in retrospect, the idea to sing a duet with Mara was very pleasant in itself.
"What are we going to sing about?"
"I'll let you decide. Choose the song you know best."
The young student thought for a moment. "I choose "Pirouette Peanut Butter." This is a small French-born song I always liked," Keiichi replied.
"Okay. Sing it once in a whisper so that I can remember while we await our turn."
The boy sang the song, unable to give the full measure of his abilities because he could not raise his voice or get really in the mood, in the middle of the street.
Mara listened to the song carefully, all her demonic senses were fully focused on every word, on rhythm, on every octave to absorb the essence of the song.
Gradually, as people sang, Keiichi realized he had been too optimistic. While it clearly was singing better than almost all the singers ... but not all. Three of them exceeded. Not by much, but enough to make a difference. The idea of her as a partner became more and more a necessity.
So relying on Mara hoping she had not exaggerated her vocal qualities and especially would happen to agree with her, was his only hope. When their turn came, Keiichi was ready. He was not overwhelmed by stress as he had feared. Instead, he was delighted to sing with the demon.
Mara also was ready. The song was very easy to remember, easy pace, and her control over her own voice went well beyond what humanity was currently capable. The only unforeseen factor was the talent of Keiichi for the song. It was not a real problem though. Even if he was the worst singer in the world, she would have no difficulty to compensate his nullity.
Both partners went on stage and began to sing.
Mara was unprepared. The beginning of the song was a lot of better than she had expected. Keiichi was really gifted, especially for a non-professional. A pleasant surprise ... But she need to decrease the quality of her own song.
Indeed, the judges were falling into a kind of lethargy. Beatific smiles like children appeared on every face, the significant level of enjoyment that the song created. If Mara did not react, people would no longer be able to declare a winner and give the award when the song was over.
So Mara stopped singing a few moments for the spectators to find their mental faculties. Keiichi, for his part, was protected from Mara's singing because his own voice, and by the concentration he showed to sing. When the song was about to conclude, the demon sang a last chorus to enhance the overall level of their performance.
It was a thunderous applause. The judges all attributed a score of 10/10 (and one gave them 11/10). The duet had won and everyone wanted to congratulate them.
The judges immediately gave them the ticket to the concert with a bonus of hundreds of discount coupons valid in the various businesses in the area.
"Say... you had hid the fact that you could sing, Keiichi. I am really impressed," said the demon.
"People always told me I had a beautiful voice when I sing. However, to be honest, beside you, I might as well be mute." the boy replied, blushing a little pride.
"In fact, what did we win?" Asked the demon who had forgotten to inquire about it.
"Well, I thought that a Rock 'n Roll concert followed by a pizza would please you. At first I had thought of a fancy restaurant, but I didn't think that was your style".
What was true elsewhere, but what troubled Mara is that the event was changed because of her presence. Keiichi chose to take her to a concert instead of a restaurant. So ... there was the unexpected. From the unpredictable.
Previously, Mara would not have liked the idea of going anywhere with Keiichi. But since the affair of the holiday to the park, she had changed her mind about it, as long as things weren't going too far. In addition, she loved the idea to go to a rock concert too much to complain about anything.
'Let's hope that at least Kles won't come and disturb us,' she thought.
Mara hoped but didn't count on it. If Kles had really took the place of Urd in the flow of time, then she would come as Urd had done the first time. She was not the only one to worry about elsewhere. Keiichi shared the same apprehensions.
"Anyway, don't tell Kles. Okay?" Keiichi suggested.
"Okay," Mara said simply.
"Hee hee! I heard it all!" Murmured Kles behind a wall, touting the "couple" with a kind of micro spy hidden somewhere.
While Kles preparing plans, Keiichi was lost in his fantasies. He imagined things about Mara, if all went well after his appointment. At first, it was relatively innocent thoughts. Stuff as a simple cuddle in bed with Mara in a tender embrace. However, the demon was so... stimulating, his thoughts soon made more images. Naughty. The kind of things that all boy lovers think about the objects of their affection... The night... In bed.
It was at that moment that he realized something.
It was a ROCK N ROLL concert. Mara told him she loved this music so much that she could not help but dance when she heard. It was a unique opportunity to dance with the demon. Except he would need a suit to set the mood... and he did not.
No way was he going to miss such an opportunity. He had to find a suitable outfit for this concert. Of course, Keiichi could have sought the help of Mara, but he preferred to fend for himself and surprise her.
For that, his sempai Otaki was the expert Keiichi needed, therefore he went to see him. "Anybody home...?" He asked when entering in the "den" of the auto club.
Fortunately for him, Ootaki was present, the young student could therefore expose his problem.
"Okay, li'l buddy, take whatever you see that suits yer fancy!" Kindly offered the tall blond with glasses.
"Whatever I see...?"
"So how 'bout my leathers? They'd be perfect!" Declared Ootaki.
Indeed. The leather jacket and bracelets his sempai would do the trick ... That's when Keiichi realized that dress in the clothes that Otaki constantly wore didn't fit him at all.
The boy politely refused and went before the growing enthusiasm of club members, making various decisions for him.
He wandered for a while, wondering what to do. That's when Kles appeared suddenly, and Keiichi fell back with a surprise.
"K ... Kles! "Stammered the boy.
"Aw, c'mon ... You can't be that unhappy to see me! I heard the chat with my cousin about take her to a rock concert!" Said the demon.
Seeing that it was useless to deny it, Keiichi sighed. "Good. And then?" He asked, resigned.
"And then I watched you and I know about your clothes problem. I can arrange that."
"In exchange for what?"
"I intended no consideration to, just for my pleasure. But since you asked, say ... Mochi? I've never tasted Japanese pastries." Answered Kles with a look of greed.
Keiichi was surprised by the request. He did not expect something so simple. "You have a deal." he said enthusiastically.
Sometime later….
As he descended the subway that led them there, Mara could not help, but compliment Keiichi. "You've been in the mood. You look really nice in this suit!".
Mara was stunned to see Keiichi dressed punk. She never thought that this style would suit him as well. She felt...pride. After all, the Rock and Roll is of demonic origin and it is herself who had introduced to humans. Now, she had evidence before her that the Rock could pervert and "demonize" even the most innocent boy. Keiichi took her to the concert, she perceived this as a party in her honor, as she had received her class ring a few days ago ... Yes, decidedly she was happy and proud now.
"Yes. Thank you to your cousin, she was very efficient about it." Keiichi replied while thinking 'I never thought that a demon could swallow as many cakes.'
Mara stopped walking.
"Kles? This is Kles who provided you these clothes? I thought we had decided not to tell her."
"In fact she appeared before me and said she knew everything and she would assist me find something to wear," explained the boy.
"She led you to her bondage club with her friends in the Succubus Department or she asked you to buy pastries?" Asked Mara who knew her cousin.
"Pastries."
"You are lucky for this one then. Be more careful in the future with she, or you risk uh ... I prefer not to say and spoil the mood, but be careful."
The day before, Mara had looked in her notebook this event in more detail. The probable arrival of Kles therefore does not surprise. By cons, she wondered if Sayoko was coming as she did in the previous timeline restaurant. The Campus Queen to a rock concert? It seemed so incongruous as idea.
'Relax, stand up straight, be cool and everything'll be just perfect,' Keiichi thought.
Then he saw Kles, Keiichi opened his eyes, worried, (Mara had spotted her before, but had preferred to act as if she didn't saw her).
"Kles! What's she doing here?"
"I'm not here for you. I love Rock concerts too. All this chaos, the delirious crowd screaming, the lights, the noise. For a demon of change it is a ... ORGY. And this is the first time that I can observe a Rock 'n Roll concert in human world. I was not going to miss such an opportunity," Replied the demon telepathically.
"Pay no attention to her at the moment. I undertake the matter if she goes too far. Amid the crowd dancing, noise and lights, no one will notice anything," Mara whispered in the ear of Keiichi.
"Okay, okay. Let's hope we will not have any problems," He replied.
Mara had also taken some precautions. As she could not help, but dance when she heard of the rock she had decided to wear earrings that intermittently emitted a small signal that subconsciously perceived and that allowed her to retain her control. This was pumping her magical energy, but now she had a ring amplifier, it was not a problem…. except she DISLIKED earrings.
At first, things went pretty well. The concert was not only one group, but many performed. Kles did nothing if observed, while accepting to dance with those who proposed to her.
After half an hour, Keiichi and Mara was perfectly relaxed. However, the demon had to give some accelerated course of dancing to Keiichi which, although not as good as his singing, danced honorably.
Between two groups, Keiichi devoted himself to fetch drinks. Mara had chosen a 7-up while he chose an orange juice.
When he returned, the view of the next group almost made him drop the cans he held. Mara also opened her eyes wide like a fish.
The new group consisted of members of the Nekomi Auto Club. Tamiya and Otaki particular.
"OH, NO! The Sempais are here too! But what are they doing here? I did not tell them anything yet," he stammered vaguely.
"It was I who warned them. I think the evening will be much more funny with those boys," Kles said telepathically.
Keiichi had passed suddenly on the verge of anxiety attack. For once, his apprehension was not justified. Otaki, holding a guitar in hand (Curiously, Tamiya was behind a piano. Who would have thought it of him?), Took the microphone and said.
"Our group is special. We are the auto club of the University of Nekomi and music is not our specialty. We mounted our group in a hurry to be ready today. This is a special occasion. Indeed, one of our members is here tonight with his girlfriend, who is also the mascot of our club, and we wanted to wish them well with this song. We wish all our wishes to Keiichi Morisato and Mara... uh ...Mara everything short ('ll have to ask her familly name later)."
With that, the spotlight was on Keiichi and Mara.
The boy was a little embarrassed and put his hand behind his head, trying to smile. Mara for her part was almost turned red peony. She was much more embarrassed than Keiichi. This Otaki fool declared before a huge crowd that she was the girlfriend of Keiichi when she was not. She could not, however, deny it before so many people.
The thunderous applause that ensued with some jealous looks of some boys and some girls, helped her out of her embarrassment and smiled in her turn by placing her hand behind her head as Keiichi. The feeling of embarrassment gave way to a feeling of pride of being the center of public attention.
'You're really a cute couple together,' thought Kles who admired the situation with amusement.
The auto club sang ... Not too bad for beginners, enough anyway to allow everyone to have a good time, especially as they had wisely chosen a tune of the Rolling Stones "Paint it Black", which, by amusing coincidence, was one of Mara's favorite song... for better or worse.
The earrings proved completely ineffective against this song.
The qualities of the dancers of the demon, driven by "Paint it Black" were totally unexpected consequences. She began to exude a kind of energy. It was invisible to humans, but caused them to dance like never before. Mara was literally about to contaminate the whole concert. It was a real tribute for her, the demon who had publicized Rock 'n Roll to humans. The latter, without her knowledge, was even now waiting for the demonic energy of the blonde demon to slightly tilt the balance of power in favor of Niflheim.
Only Kles was not affected by this phenomenon. She watched quietly, sipping a cocktail based drink. The evening was long and seemed endless. The auto club played other music. Other bands did not even want to come forward, as they were carried away by the intoxication of the moment.
When the evening was over, Keiichi went home, carrying a half-asleep Mara on his back.
"Keiichi?" She muttered semi-conscious.
"Yes?"
"The evening was great. I was not amused me like that since ... It dates back to… when was the Hadean?"
"The Hadean?"
"Yes, when the oceans began to form on this planet?"
Not being a specialist geological time, Keiichi did not know the answer, and Mara was too exhausted to think clearly.
"It's been exactly 4,540,769,544 years, within a few months," Kles replied, while following them.
"Yeah, that should be about right. It was sad. All these beautiful lakes of molten lava and this magnificent planet gray/brown that was starting to change color to become this kind of crap blue/green. The mega fiesta that has organized Niflheim in farewell for a century," Mara vaguely remembered.
"It's true. I think it was all good fun, that century. But we will do better when the sun dies and explodes. I have already started making my preparations in anticipation" happily added Kles. Keiichi hardly paid attention to this discussion beyond him.
"In any case, I'm glad you came. This kind of evening is not my thing, but I had so much fun and you looked so happy, Mara. We'll need to repeat it," he said before adding.
"I had planned for a meal afterwards, but I think we'd better go to sleep".
Mara's snoring was an eloquent response to Keiichi' proposal.
Sometime later, it was New Year. Keiichi had therefore made a resolution list according to tradition. List that, in fact, consisted of a single resolution.
"I resolve to get closer to Mara."
Keiichi Morisato.
Mara had not made a "vow of resolution" for her part, nothing special planned. Just like Christmas, the New Year has not really been adopted in Niflheim.
However, Kles, who had studied well the human customs in Japan (which she had not done since her last visit to the Buddha's time), was still prepared something. Not by goodness of her heart of course, but because she saw the opportunity to test new recipes and have fun.
It should be noted that if the specialty of Urd in the first timeline was potions, Kles it, is rather addicted ...to pastries. If the Norn of the past was seen as a goddess of love in addition to its main function, Kles considers herself a demon of gluttony. She prepared cocktails and cake instead of potions, candy rather than pills. That is not strange, since her secondary energy source ... is chocolate (inside cake if possible).
In the present, she had prepared a cake ... Strange. A black liquid flowed on top, and sugar that covered the summit hardly concealed a smell ... Even stranger. Japanese rarely prepared this recipe, not even humans. But Kles loved standing out.
When she offered her cake to Keiichi and Mara, it was an apprehension before this unusual dessert. Not that they doubted Kles intentions, but the cake seemed too strange.
"Aw, buzz off, Kles."
'So you're not eating my cake huh? What'cha got there? Lemme see your paper!' thought Mara's cousin.
While she was reading the paper Keiichi had written, Mara taken a part of meal he had prepared. Having become the official chef of the apartment, Keiichi knew the preferences of the demoness. Pretty simple, actually. Mara like to love roast chicken with fries and tartar sauce. All with a good beer or a carbonated drink. She did not seem to tire of this type of American fast food.
Kles was more difficult to satisfy. Her tastes were no more sophisticated than those of Mara, but always prepared sugary meals, especially with foreigner recipes, it is not simple. Indeed, the demon seemed not appreciate the Japanese desserts made from bean paste and rice. Keiichi observed, however, that regardless of the quality of what he was doing, the more sugar, the more Kles was satisfied. Especially when the meals were caramelized. At times, he even wondered if he should make life easier by serving her a sugar mountain, with a cherry on top. It would at least save time.
While Mara swallowed food as usual under the smug look of Keiichi, who was moved to see her eat so heartily, Kles was reading the paper that the boy had written.
"Get closer to Mara? Oh yes I see ... If my memory is good, an opportunity will arise very quickly... "
At that time, someone rang the doorbell.
"Who ...?" Mara wondered.
"Keiichi Hi! I brought some new year's rice cakes for you!" Said Megumi entering the room ... Followed by some "guests" not necessarily the most desirable.
"Yo Morisato!" Said Otaki.
"Duh ... Happy new year!" Added Tamiya.
The wink that Sayoko launched at Mara's partner finally convinced her that the day would be "unforgettable".
While everyone was settling, Kles followed her intuition, and put into action the plan that had germinated in her head. "You're supposed to play games on new year's day, right? So how about a game of "Sex Life Sugoroku Special Version?" She.
This is where Mara threw herself upon her by shaking her like a plum tree. "You're crazy?! We are here in Japan, with humans. Not in your little perverse club with your girl sexfriends of the Succubus Hotline !"
"But everyone always ends up loving the game. And that kind of relationship is a great way to get to know someone ... In depth." said Kles.
"Fuck. There is no question that I and Keiichi... Besides there is no question that ANYONE HERE would do that !".
"About what are you speaking?" Sayoko asked intrigued.
"Nothing. Uh ... My cousin suggested to play a game ... which is not for children shall we say. She has a sense of humor completely unhelpful Hahahaha" Mara stammered awkwardly hiding her as best she could.
Sayoko had understood ... But the images that it conjured in her head did not please her, and she preferred not to dig the matter further.
"Well, then play the "Life Sugoroku special "gag" demonic edition" it's less funny but that's fine. Anyways you have no choice, cousin. To stick to the time frame, we MUST play this game today." Mara's cousin said by sending a telepathic message.
At these words, Mara felt hersel go cold be a moment ...before boiling over, thinking Kles had put her hand in her notebook.
"YOU SEARCHED IN MY ROOM ! "Shouted Mara, always telepathically.
"No need. You thought you could hiding it for long? I was wondering why you chose that boy as a partner. He has little or nothing that makes him interesting for our contracts. So ... I led a little survey. Reading 34,500 sheets for an authorization request for a time travel was a real nightmare... but I have given myself the trouble. It is true that with all the failures you have had in the original story, you had no other choice but to start over from the beginning. Anyway, today Keiichi and his buddy have played this game. You will not be able to avoid it and I give you a hand. So why are you complaining?" Said Kles with childlike joy.
Mara knew that although she says, her cousin was right and anyway, the moment wasn't good for a long "explanation".
Very good. Okay for one game of demonic Sugoroku release. For the rest, we'll talk later," the blonde reluctantly conceded.
"Life Sugoroku special" gag "demonic edition ...?! Some stupid board game?" Sayoko disparaged.
"Heh, heh, heh! This is not ORDINARY board game, toots! In THIS game, what's written in the space, you land on will REALLY COME TRUE! Only the wheel of the DAMNED knows what fate has in store for you. But since this is a demonic version of addition, it is always funny ... For the others. But the reward is worth the suffering," Kles retorted with a devilish smile.
Nobody really believed it, except Keiichi and Megumi, who suspected that this game would actually be special since the demon Kles said so, but when everyone saw what the reward win after they were all taken from the wild desire to try.
GOAL: You win! The person you choose must make your wish come true!
'I would ask Mara to give me a kiss,' Keiichi thought.
'We will engage Morisato at the next race in hiking,' inwardly exclaimed Tamiya and Otaki.
'I oblige Kei-onee to tell me about her love life with Mara,' decided Megumi.
'I oblige Keiichi to date with me before Mara,' Sayoko chooses.
'I would attend the little Kei in an evening with the girls of the succubus office, to forge his character ... Or I would make him eat my cake,' Kles hesitated.
'I oblige Kles to leave the apartment for one month,' Mara wished.
Unconscious of the multiple dangers that awaited him from everyone except Mara, Keiichi accepted without hesitation.
It was Mara who turned the first wheel ... landing on three.
-You Are going to take a shower before your friends- was written on the box where Mara fell.
"A shower? While it is being repaired? Impossible." Keiichi said, smiling.
At that time, Otaki, which had been absent for a moment to fetch a glass of water, stumbled on one of the mats and dropped his glass on... Mara, who was not surprised, knowing how the game works.
"HA HA HA HA ! I know it's just a coincidence, but this game starts to please me," laughed Sayoko, to the discomfort of the demoness.
"Wait a bit. This is an "demonic" edition, there are only dirty tricks, except for the winner who sees his wish fulfilled," Mara grimaced with bad look.
Indeed. Sayoko turned the wheel and she was by no luckier than Mara ... 8
-You will spit fire-
"I'm upset. You take me for a dragon?" Wondered the heiress of Mishima…. As she swallowed a bite of cake left Kles close the game.
Indeed, Sayoko somehow spat fire.
"WHAT IS THIS CAKE?" She screamed hoarsely as she swallowed a bottle of water to wash it down.
Believing she had done well, Kles replied. "This is a new recipe to me. An adaptation of a chocolate cake with coulis of black peppers. How do you like that?"
Normally, Sayoko would have wondered if Kles mocked her because who would be stupid enough for to spice up a chocolate cake? However the taste in her mouth and down her throat left her no doubt as to the veracity of the words of the demon.
"... Kles. You have studied the local cuisine? This kind of flavor is totally inappropriate in this part of the world at that time," Mara told her telepathically.
"Oops."
It was now the turn Keiichi to launch the wheel ... 1.
-You will change hair style-.
"Hey, if that's what the board says ..." Said Otaki.
"Den it Godda cum it's true, right?" finished Tamiya.
Keiichi had not the strength to resist his Sempais as they made him a haircut with a "banana" style, like Elvis Presley.
"Kles! Are you interfering with this game?" Mara asked.
"Useless. You know this game gives bad luck to everyone and that only the winner is rewarded,"
Indeed, Kles was not cheating. She found it much more fun to leave everything to chance. It is in the nature of the demons of change to do so.
Now it was the turn of Ootaki.
11
-Walk on your hands-
Otaki could not see where the gag was not the danger that represented for him this request. So he did not mind showing his acrobatic talents.
The problem is that in this position, his coat and sweatshirt slipped, revealing to everyone the ridiculous shaped daisy tattoo he wore above the navel. (This was actually done by a friend one night when he was drunk).
This immediately triggered a mad fit laughter.
Megumi had understood that the game was cursed in some way, but it did not deflate. She really wanted to know the sentimental little secrets of life of his brother ... And if that meant taking risks, then she would take risks... 9
-You will run away-
"Run away? Me? I would like to see that. No way will I give up."
That's when one of the Maras's clever rats (who lived under the floor) attracted by all the noise that kept him from sleeping, decided to go out to see what happens... Through a small hole between Megumi's lap.
The latter, feeling something move between his legs looked down.
"EEEK ! A RAT !" She screamed before fleeing in a panic.
People looked around but saw no rats (scared too, he fled immediately into the hole and no one had had time to see it).
Tamiya was not much luckier when he slipped on a banana peel out of nowhere.
It was finally the turn of Kles.
3
"If wheel said it cousin, it must be true," Mara said mischievously while watering her cousin with a small water pistol that came out of a pocket dimension. Kles did nothing to reproach the blonde bitch for that. It was fair and it was part of the game.
Now it was Mara's turn again, who was noticed a new inconvenience. Everyone went against all odds, without giving up.
'It's weird. These humans continue this game without asking any question. I know that fate is trying to recover and that history repeats itself but still. They should have suspected that something was not right,' thought Mara after a , Kles had not cheated, but she still made a small change to the game. 'I bet she HAS done something to the spinner.'
She was right. Just after an incantation, a strange little old woman appeared 30 centimeters above the wheel, invisible except for Mara.
"Yeah? Whad da there want? I'ma busy, sugar !" she said.
'Just as I thought ... The obsession lady.'
"Obsession Lady" is a small creature that has the power to push others to persevere in the same situation when it is unfavorable. The demons use her to prolong situations that cause general chaos, or for give bad luck to someone, or put an enemy on the path of ruin. As there's a balance, that spirit also gives the strength to persevere despite all the obstacles, which, after many difficulties, can lead to the achievement of an objective for the one who suffers…. Or his final destiny. Some demons voluntarily resort to a "Obsession lady" to support their life very difficult sometimes. Mara herself thought sometimes to use one before her time travel.
Mara had nothing to do though. In fact, she was quite agreeable with the presence of the little creature. This would go to the end and everyone would think he would of his own free will without being aware of the magical influence.
The game could not last forever though. After many setbacks, the winner was... Keiichi.
He was about to ask the kiss the the demon but at the last moment he changed his mind. That it seemed a good idea at the time but to take action, he realized that it would not be sincere, and even that Mara could blame him. So he chose to make a statement.
"Mara ... Do you will teach me to dance to Rock 'n Roll?" he asked.
The demon was surprised by this request. Having reminded of a note in her notebook about the event, she knew that Belldandy had embraced Keiichi to "warm her lips" after winning the game. This time it's Keiichi who won, so logically she had feared, a moment, ask for the kiss of the winner. She would never know how much she had almost been right.
However, it suited instead. She was even closer to the heart of the boy and she could avoid the kiss she feared.
"With pleasure, but training will be tough," She replied with a vampiric smile.
Keiichi had a slight fright, but he quickly pulled together, remembering that he had followed training with Mara when racing against Etsuchi.
While Mara was about to give a dance lesson to his partner, everyone went home.
"Poor K1. I would not be in his shoes," Megumi sighed.
'All this could only to be a manipulation. There were too many coincidences. They drew me into a trap. You'll pay for this, DEAR MARA !' thought Sayoko.
A few days later, the winter holidays were over, and Keiichi had to prepare himself for an important exam in September.
"You have a problem? You've been up all night for the last few days," Mara asked.
"I'm fine. I've got just one exam left tomorrow," Keiichi replied before adding "I've gotta bust my brain tonight ..."
At that time he met with one of his Sempais.
"Hey, Morisato! We're all done with our Finals," said Otaki.
"SO IT'S PARTY TIME !" adds Tamiya.
"Not for me. I-have still one left. So do not try to drag me into your plans!" Said Keiichi by fleeing before his Sempais 'drag him into their plans.'
Keiichi succeed in escaping, but Mara was not reassured. She saw clearly the star of misfortune in the sky that was close.
"We gotta keep him company in this hour of need," decided Otaki.
"We gots to help 'im out. Yeah! Cause we's his club pals!" agreed Tamiya.
Instead of revising quietly, Keiichi therefore had access to his Sempais that evening, partying and too much noise to be able to concentrate.
Kles didn't help matters by offering to play Sugoroku. Fortunately, Keiichi managed to dissuade her. "Look, just stash it in closet 'til next year. Okay?"
Keiichi finally resolved to go and seek help in Mara. Normally the blond demon liked to party, but tonight, she was not in the mood. She had other concerns. Also, the noise bothered her a lot. She was furious after returning with Keiichi in the late afternoon to find that her cousin Kles had authorized Keiichi buddies to come and settle. She could not expulse them of the apartment without risking damage to her relations with them. Besides these rednecks could still be useful... sometimes.
So when she saw Keiichi enter in her room, she interrupted the course of her thoughts and was seized with fear: Her partner was disguised as a woman.
"Eek! You're so ugly," she said.
When Keiichi had finished explaining his problem, Mara agreed to help.
"I guess I don't have a choice," She said, starting to prepare a potion.
"Wha ... What's that for?!" Asked Keiichi watching the strange mixture.
"A simple soporific potion. Warning, this is very powerful. Stay away."
"You'll make them drink it?" The boy asked.
"No. Instead, I will put it in a jar when it's ready, and then throw it among your Sempais. They will collapse like flies."
The star of misfortune, however, was a bit closer. Not only Keiichi, but also Mara. A moment later, Tamiya, who sought Keiichi, brutally entered the room shouting "Morisato !"
In aftermath, Mara was pushed and fell head first into the mixture. The liquid effect was much more powerful than the gas effect. The blond fell into a deep sleep while her preparation was spread on the floor.
Tamiya, who do not really paid attention to this because he was half drunk, confined himself to bring Keiichi in the living room.
Between Sempais almost completely drunk, and Kles who had a sudden attack of "I will make him a real man to strengthen him" (in other words to make him eat her pastry) the boy would hardly have the time to review this night.
Finally, when morning came, Kles was the first to awaken. At his side, she saw Keiichi was lying on the ground completely exhausted from not being able to sleep all night and full with the demon's cooking (but fortunately, it was normal cake, not magic).
"... Exam. My exam ..." He said in his sleep.
Deciding that she would not leave it like that (and seeing the opportunity to test her new recipe), Kles made a decision.
"Good. A small muffin should do the trick."
In recent days, Kles had perfected her cake recipe with black pepper sauce. The effect was the same, but without the burning sensation.
While Kles stuffed one part of the cake in the throat of Keiichi like we stuffed a turkey for Christmas, the boy awoke, ramrod straight. ... Energetic. But not at all fit.
In addition he was late, the exam would start in a few minutes.
"All this for nothing," he whispered.
"What? What's the problem? You do not like my muffin?" Kles was indignant.
Without answering her question, Keiichi simply explained that he was late for his examination and that it would be a big problem.
"Okay, Okay ! I'll help you get to your stupid exam." Said the demon.
"You'll teleport?" Asked Keiichi in a hopeful start.
"I could have, but to teleport others, it requires precision. Me, precision is not my thing. If I teleport you, you risk to find you somewhere in the constellation Cygnus. Instead, I will take you directly," Answered the demon unrolling a carpet.
Guessing what was happening, Keiichi asked:
"You have a magic carpet?"
"Yes. Most demons use a broom to fly when they do not move themselves. However, I do not like to be like anyone else. So I use a carpet." Said Kles.
Keiichi had little time to protest when Kles force him to sit down on the carpet and led directly to the university.
In doing so, Kles created unprecedented chaos (and it was no coincidence) she was not flying high in the sky as she could, but in sight of everyone without complying with traffic. Keiichi was too busy clinging to the carpet as well in order not to fall. More than once he had considered jumping but he might kill himself by doing that.
"I WANT TO GO DOOOOWWWWNNNN !" He screamed.
"Of course you're going down, when we arrive," Answered the demon.
When Keiichi arrived, he was on the verge of fainting.
"You look pale. Wait, there's a little lift," says Kles, v while preparing to give another muffin to Keiichi.
Having no desire to try once again to this pastry of dubious effect, Keiichi immediately returned color to his face and stepped back. "No need. It's strange but I feel much better suddenly."
"You don't want it? It's delicious." Said Kles taking a bite of her own muffin.
When they were at the door of the examination room, it was too late. "Jeezus ! The exam's already started by now! And I'll bet that damn Ozawa doesn't let people in late!" cried the boy.
Kles thought for a moment the problem and had an idea. The demon murmured a word and immediately, a sort of waffles merchant stand appeared. "Put that on your nose," said the demon, holding a nose clip to Keiichi.
"You asphyxiate them?" He asked worried.
"A little trust for me please." Kles, began to make her cooking. A stack of waffles, or at least something like it, was beginning to pile up.
"It should to be enough. Now, move on to phase two."
"O wind spirit,
O gluttony spirit
Fly fly little aroma,
And brings them all in my net." Whispered the demon.
Immediately, a small wind rose and a kind of yellow vapor from the waffles began to spread toward the class. "Now will place yourself at the door and wait they they come out, and then you go inside the class." Explained the demon.
Sure enough, moments later, the door of the examination room opened, and all the students and the teacher Ozawa, walked toward the smell, the look as hungry as zombies.
"Hunger...eat." They said, heading slowly but inexorably towards the stand of Kles like zombies.
Despite the nose clip, Keiichi had the greatest difficulty to resist. Kles had enough waffles for everyone to eat two or three. Thus giving Keiichi all the time to enter quietly into the room.
When the effect wore off, the students and Professor Ozawa wondered what had taken them out of the examination room like that. So they returned to class immediately. Seeing as Keiichi was there, Ozawa knew that he had been tricked, but he had no way to prove it since everyone, especially himself, was outside when Keiichi came in the class. How then Ozawa could prove that Keiichi was not there before?
Thus Keiichi passed his exam. Kles told Keiichi he owed her nothing. Not only she had had fun last night, but she also could test her waffles recipe on students and bring disorder in school.
This did not prevent Mara continue to try catch her again with the broom a little later, when she had regained consciousness.
It was then that the TV went out.
"Then Mara? What's your opinion?" Asked Hild.
"I think, your Majesty, that we should install protection on this TV. All this rock n roll put me in the same condition as the other Mara, except that I'm exhausted without being happy."
"Oops. Sorry. I had not thought of that. My humblest apologies Mara" Mokkukalfi said with a smile that betrayed her thoughts. Hild then sent a small flash to Mara who immediately regained her energy, while experiencing some pain (on purpose) in the process.
"Seriously Ma-chan. What do you think of this?" Asked again the Daimakaicho.
"Frankly majesty, it looks a little too big to me. My other self is clearly starting to feel more and more feelings for Keiichi. Kles however, is perfect in her role. She, as usual, is ... peppy. That's the Kles I know. I liked the Sugoroku game. It's like watching a cartoon.".
"I guess for sticking as to the story as possible, Mara began unconsciously to feel more and more feelings for Keiichi, like Belldandy. Or he has really just more charm than we think at first sight. As for Kles ... Well, given that concert, I do not see what she could have done more. And you Mokky, what do you think?"
"I think, O my queen, the strangest is that we have not seen anything about the goddesses in this episode. Curious," Replied the engineer.
"I guess we will see them when Urd-chan will arrive. Anyway I enjoyed the joy on the face of the other Mara. This is ... touching." Hild said watching Mara looked up to the sky, making a face at the thought.
"You said that this machine shows alternative universes who really exist. You are absolutely sure of that?" Asked the class 1 demoness to Mokkukalfi.
"I'm not sure about that. I explained that the possibility of alternative universes was a simple THEORY. There's a way to check, but this would result in a suite of potentially catastrophic events. I would not take the risk. Anyway, even if we had doubles in other universes, we would all be connected to one another. Independent, yet connected. You want me to make you a long explain about harmonic vibration and resonance particles in a space of 21 dimensions?"Mara was not in the mood for that. She therefore declined the proposal.
"By the way, it seems to me that this time, the machine showed us fewer things than usual. Why Mokky?" Asked the demon with brown skin.
"I think Hild-sama, it is because we have already asked this question a lot lately. The TV did not finish establishing and recording the rest of this scenario. It needs time to continue its work." Answered "Mokky"
"So we wait for the next part" concludes the Daimakaicho.
This was the last part published in the fanfic "what if" of Hotelkatz. Now, the next part will be published in the fanfic "Mara the wishgranter".