During yesterday's celebration for Reina's recovery, we decided we should go shopping the next day. Reina still needed a number of things since she was going to live with us now.
Since it was still a weekday, we'd end up going out a little late, but it should be fine to just buy some things. At the end of the day, this was just a way to celebrate and blow out some of the stress we had accumulated.
"Everyone ready?"
"Yes dear."
"Yes."
"Yes desu!"
"Alright! The Moriokas are off now!"
Dad was in high spirits. We all left the house after getting ready.
Our objective was the shopping mall. Needless to say, we'd take the family car there.
How should I put it? After going to school in Lizel-senpai's car every day for months now, dad's car just feels… normal.
But Reina seemed excited about it.
"Waaa! So this is papa's car."
"Yeah. Does Reina want to see how fast it can go?"
"Please don't get into an accident, dear."
Dad, I know you want to show off, but please don't get us killed.
Thankfully, mom spoke some sense into dad, so we got to the shopping mall in one piece. Once there, it was time to begin our shopping spree.
Since we didn't want to be carrying bags around, we decided to first go see furniture. We didn't have to buy anything right now, but even if we did we'd have it delivered, so it wouldn't get in the way.
Reina was really indecisive, but with mom and dad's help, she chose a few things to buy. And we would always come back if she needed more.
Once that was done, it was time for us to eat together. Of course, we went to a family restaurant. It seemed to be Reina's first time in a place like this.
She didn't say a word, but it was like she was asking if this was really okay. It would take time, but she would get used to her new family. We also would have to get used to Reina as part of our family now.
We eventually finished eating, so it was time to continue shopping.
"Reina and mama are going to check some clothes now desu."
"We'll meet you boys in about an hour."
"Alright. Have fun you two."
"Take care, Reina, mom."
And so we broke up into 2 groups. But that wouldn't last long.
Dad and I decided to go into a bookstore. Naturally, the sections we were interested in were different.
"Yuuto, I'm going to go check the books over there."
"And I'm going to be over there."
Dad went to the anime and manga section and I went to the current events section. Wait… this seems like it was switched around, doesn't it?
To be honest, I'm also not one to have much interest in reading that kind of stuff, but I wanted to know about the Devil King War. I now know there is a special magazine focused on Devil World stuff, so I'll try to find that.
I remember the Devil King told me Moon had died, that made me realize that what I see is only a small part of the Devil King War. So I thought I should at least try to not run around like a headless chicken.
After a few minutes of reading, something strange happened.
[Warning, threat level 10. Yuuto!]
I never thought I'd hear the Arcana sounding so desperate. Wait, isn't level 10 like the maximum level?
I can't feel any mana or anything like that. There's dad and other innocents around, so if this becomes a fight, I have to take it somewhere else.
But, just as I turned around, I saw someone. Lost, Death's Candidate.
"Oh, sorry. I thought I'd give Yuuto a slap on the back as a greeting, but I guess Yuuto's instincts must have gotten a lot more honed since back then."
"Lost…"
There was something strange with Lost's face. It was like he was trying to hold back something. Could that… be what the Arcana was worried about?
"Anyway, I'm sure Yuuto's heard of the alliance I'm making. Hell, I know Marios attacked you, so surely you already know about it."
"Y-yeah, I heard about it."
"Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that I had… a word with him. You don't have to worry about him coming after you again. But I'll still ask Rinne to keep an eye on you just in case. I'm sure you prefer a girl like her hanging around you than a guy like me, haha."
There was… something strange with Lost. At the same time that I could feel hostility coming from him, it also felt like it wasn't.
My memories about Lost are… missing. I know he's my friend, but I can't remember when we first met or anything like that. My earliest memory of him is from the Unveiling.
But even so, I know we're friends. And not like we once studied in the same class or something. We're friends friends. Which makes this hostility all the stranger.
"Anyway, that's all I came to say. Try to keep yourself alive, Yuuto."
"Lost, you-"
Lost disappeared before I could say anything. After he was gone, everything returned to normal, as if nothing had happened.
The family outing continued after that, but I couldn't get my mind off Lost. Just what was going on?
