{|} Chapter 2: A Quest to Catch-up With {|}
{|} A-Part {|}
(the past)
A light rain was falling upon Katsuragi Primary school, the sound of the rain being the only sound on this otherwise quiet weekend day. That sound is immediately broken by a new sound, the sound of someone crying out from the sudden attack.
A young girl, a new addition to the school, was cruelly pushed to the ground by a bunch of bullies. She was then surrounded by five other kids; four girls and a boy. They stood over her, lording over her like she was a slave and they her masters.
The boy then asked the outcast girl if she was enjoying their way of welcoming a newcomer to their school. The four girls laugh as the outcast girl, covered in mud from the soaked ground began to cry. She managed to ask why they were doing this to her.
The reason was because of her hair. Her blonde hair made her stand out in their class, in their school where everyone had dark colored hair. In contrast, the new girl's blonde hair made her status of not being true Japanese more obvious.
The new girl counters, saying she is true Japanese; that she was born in Japan, and she didn't know why her hair was blonde when her parent's hair was naturally dark. This resulted in the girls making little mud balls which then then cruelly threw at her as they continued to laugh while she cried.
The sole boy then makes one of his own, making sure to include a small rock at its center to make sure it left a lasting mark on the new girl, but he never got the chance to throw it at her for in their focus on the new girl, they failed to notice the sound of the approaching footsteps.
And then came the BONK sound as the sole boy collapses to his knees, now crying himself as his hands go to cover the spot on the back of his head which had been hit. The girls look back and see another boy, holding a toy bat in a threatening manner.
One of the girls says he wouldn't dare hit them with that bat. The boy responds that he was someone who didn't care for gender stuff, only in punishing anyone who was being an asshole to someone who didn't deserve it. The four girls consider their options, then they make a run for it as they knew this guy was crazy enough to carry through on his threat.
The mean boy finally picks himself up, saying that the little hero would regret this, then runs off himself. Once they were alone, the little hero walks up to the new girl and holds his hand out to her. The new girl looks at him, unsure on if he was someone she could trust.
"Kazuma!"
He told her his name and she found it to be a nice name. Furthermore, the smile he was sending her made her think she could trust him. The new girl finally takes his hand as she smiles back at him before introducing herself as well.
"I'm Erika!"
And it was on that day that a precious friendship between two outcasts would be born.
(present day)
"Kazuma?"
Kazuma quickly stands, his height greater than the girl's as he continues to look at her wide eyed.
"Erika?"
The two of them just stood there in silence, both unable to process the fact they were seeing the one person they honestly didn't think they would ever see again. Naturally, this had drawn the attention of everyone else currently inside the guild. And as for Aqua herself, well...
She huffs as she rest her head upon her hand while averting her gaze in annoyance.
"Oh, this is just great. The NEET and the idol have been reunited. Well, my day is now officially ruined."
Kazuma and Erika ignore her, still lost in the own little world as Erika goes to reach out with her right hand, bringing it close to, but not quite touching, Kazuma's cheek.
"Kazuma... it's really you, isn't it? This isn't some kind of dream I'm having, right?"
"Yeah, it's me. What about you, Erika? Am I really seeing you standing before me now?"
To answer his question, Erika finally works up the courage to touch her hand against his cheek, making Kazuma reach up with his own hand to rest it over hers. Finally, the tears that had been building up in Erika's eyes finally begin to fall free as she starts to sniffle.
"Kazuma... it's you, it's really-really you. I... I..."
Erika then jumps forward, hugging Kazuma against her as tightly as she could as her crying was so intense that it made her body shake. Kazuma, for his part, returned her hug with his own as he closed his eyes and allowed a few tears to fall as well.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."
she said over and over again. Kazuma didn't say anything in response, feeling that there wasn't any need for him to say anything. He did run his hand up and down her back in order to comfort her.
The scene they were creating was getting plenty of 'oo's and ah's' from the onlookers while Aqua made a forced gagging sound before saying-
"Geez, if this is going where I think it's going, then do us all a favor and get a room. No one wants to see a NEET's copulation ritual."
Once again, Kazuma and Erika ignore her, or perhaps they hadn't heard her. Either way, they stayed in the hug for a little bit more till Erika finally pulled away and moving their reunion on to the next step.
"Kazuma, why are you here? I mean, how did you get here. I mean... damn it, I have so many questions right now that I don't know where to begin."
"And I don't? I also have more than my fair share of questions for you too."
"We really have a lot to talk about and catch up on, huh?"
"No kidding. Well, no time like the present as they say. You want to go first? We can take turns, go back and forth and such."
"Sure, that's fine. OK, I guess I should start off with..."
"Something wrong?"
"Actually, let's not do this here. From the looks of it, our little reunion has drawn the attention of everyone onto us and I really don't want to continue giving them a show here."
The two of them look around and see that they did indeed have everyone's attentions upon them now.
"What, afraid they'll see you crying up a storm... assuming you're still the overly emotional type."
"There's nothing cute about putting on the water works when around people you don't know."
"Still have that little quirk about you, huh? Guess you really haven't changed at all, huh Erika?"
"Oh, I've changed plenty, in case you haven't noticed. (takes a few steps back to let him take her all in) So, what do you think?"
Kazuma takes a moment to study her, resting a hand against his chin in a studying manner, then finally says-
"Well, I can see that puberty has been super kind to you. You've grown some nice tits since I last saw you."
The normal reaction a girl would have after hearing that would be to cover her chest, turn away a little bit, and call the person who said that a pervert. But in this particular case, Erika just huffs as she places her hands on his hips and says in a commanding voice-
"Eyes up here, Satou Kazuma. Save ogling my girls for later whenever you think I'm not looking."
"(chuckles) Yeah-yeah, I hear you. Seriously though, I see you've finally grown your hair out long enough to do the pony tailed looked you were always wanting to rock. And the bubblegum pink color... correct me if I'm wrong but aren't you a natural blonde?"
"Yes, I am a natural blonde... or at least I was."
"OH... explain."
"Ever since coming here to this world, I have never once had to redye my hair to the pink coloring you're seeing now. Not sure if that's normal or some kind of weird fluke that happened because of my rebirth here, but I am now a natural pinky pie girl."
"Which works for you, I guess, seeing as the pink coloring goes well with your love for all things cute."
"Damn straight. Now let me take a good look at you."
Erika then gives Kazuma a once over and he stands there, waiting to hear her assessment of his current self following puberty.
"Well?"
"Eh, you're not... bad looking, I guess. You used to be so much cuter, but I guess we can't all expect to remain cute as we get older."
"Damn, you're a harsh one to please."
"(laughs) Ah, don't be upset, mister Yakuzama (combining Yakuza and Kazuma together), I'm willing to make an exception or two when it comes to hanging out with NON-cute things. Never mind that for now, let's go take on a quest and we can catch up while doing that."
Erika then grabs Kazuma's hand, pulling him with her as she begins walking quickly towards the job board.
"Erika, do we really have to... I mean I'm sure there's plenty of other places in Axel we could talk..."
"Ah, don't be like that, Kaz. I really want to see you in action, see you being the cool guy I know you can be so stop resisting and let's go kill some things as we catch up on old time."
"But I don't have my gear on me."
Erika ignores him as she leads him onwards. Aqua, on the other hand, just remains sitting at the table, watching them as they reach the job board. Erika then examines it for a moment before selecting one of the pieces of paper and hands it to Luna's stand-in. Erika then drags Kazuma towards the front entrance.
"Well, there they go, off to do who knows whatever dirty deeds weirdos like them do when alone together."
One of the waitress's then walks up to Aqua and asks her-
"Are you not going with them, miss?"
"And why would I do that?"
"Um... well, aren't you a part of their part..."
"Hell no, I'm not part of their little group. In fact, you'd have to force me, drag me along against my will before I would ever..."
Before Aqua could finish, strange glowing markings appears upon her exposed flesh, specifically around her neck. Immediately, Aqua recalls an important detail as she groans out-
"Oh god damn..."
Aqua then shoots forward, slamming into the table and across it before being sent hitting the floor hard before the invisible force dragging her sends her rocketing across the ground, crashing her into many more things, including the wooden beams the acted as an entry arch for the guild.
She cries out, screaming for someone to save her and asking "Why me" as everyone watches her, wondering what the heck was going on here.
Whether Aqua liked it or not, she was going to be going with them. One way or another.
{|} B-Part {|}
"So... where are we going again?"
"Seriously Erika? You were the one who chose the quest we're doing here and you're now telling me you don't know how to get to our destination."
"(conks the side of her head playfully) Yeah, I know. Silly me, huh? In my defense, I've only just gotten back to Axel after spending most of my time in this world living in Veridae so my memories of those early days here in Axel are rather fuzzy."
'You originally showed up here in Axel, the same as me? If that's the case, then how in the hell are we only NOW reuniting with one another? Even during that trip we did to Veridae should have... oh right, that reminds me...'
Kazuma comes to a stop, making Erika stop and give him her full attention.
"Erika, bringing up Veridae made me remember something important. First, to get some clarification here, you've been going by the moniker of Harp Song, right?"
"Yeah, that's right. Harp Song was my idol name I went by back in Japan. After coming here, I decided to go ahead and stick to that name when it comes to my on on-stages performances too. What about it?"
"Does Hatsume Miku know you're stealing her songs, especially since coming here to this world?"
"(averts her gaze) I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Oh really? Then it wasn't you doing a Hatsume Miku cosplay while singing Weekender Girl during that one performance night which I just so happened to be present for and participated in."
"Ah... wait, you're the guy Lia was talking about, the one who had that special duet with Lia's friend Cielo and that other girl in the red dress. (Kazuma nods) Then that means YOU must have been the guy Aqua was complaining about during that week too."
"The one and the same (Kazuma then takes a bow)."
"Damn it, now I'm really wishing I had been paying more attention to the other performances from that night instead of being focused on reaching a maximum cute look. Aqua, you should have told me it was Kazuma you were talking... Aqua?"
Erika then realizes that Aqua wasn't with them, making her cock her head to the side in confusion.
"Something wrong, Erika?"
"Not really. It's just weird that Aqua isn't here with us right now."
"Should she be? I mean, I doubt Aqua's idea of a good time is hanging out with the likes of us. More than likely, she's probably back at the guild, doing something stupid."
"You're right but that's not what I meant... oh right, you wouldn't know this. When I was sent down here, I was given a Divine Relic by Aqua's brother on top of having to babysit Aqua herself, whose being punished for being stupid and stuff. She's to remain down here till she grows up a little."
"Then she's going to be in the proverbial doghouse for a long time, huh."
"(giggles) Agreed, but the thing of it is that she can't get too far away from me without a special magic enchantment that's on her, that she can't break, activating and forcing her back to being at my side. It's a means to keep her in check and under control."
"Maybe you turned it off without realizing it?"
"Did I? I don't recall doing before..."
Erika's words are stopped as both she and Kazuma finally hear the cries of panic, making them turn to see Aqua come into view, colliding with both people and objects as she rolls and tumbles along the ground till she finally comes to a stop before them, covered in dirt and scrapes because of her trip.
"Oh, there you are Aqua. What took you?"
Aqua quickly gets to her feet, huffing in anger as she shouts out-
"Damn it, idol-girl. Did you forget something important back there? You did because I was that something you forgot. Just look at me, all beaten and battered because if that stupid spell my brother placed on me. How are you going to compensate me for being treated like trash?"
"(playfully) But isn't that what you, sort-of, already are, Aqua?"
"Shut your face, NEET. No one was talking to you."
""Don't me rude to my childhood friend, Aqua. And don't go blaming me for what just happened to you. Sure, maybe I did forget about you back there. That's my bad, I admit. But you going through what you did was your fault, if only because you didn't get up to join us quicker."
"How dare you blame a delicate goddess such as I. As reparations for your cruelty, you have to buy me one hundred... no, TWO-HUNDRED bottles of high-quality wine and then maybe I'll consider forgiving you."
Erika and Kazuma look at each other before they burst out laughing, making Aqua really fume.
"Ah, now that was a nice funny to make the day brighter. Anyways, we should get going as the quest, and the catching up, won't complete themselves here. Kazuma, if you would."
"Yeah-yeah, I know. Just follow me girls."
"Say, what kind of quest are we doing anyways? Better not involve any stinky undead because I can't promise I'll remain composed if that's the case."
"Nothing like that. We're just going to a nearby farm to help with some gardening or something."
"More like harvesting but yeah, more or less that."
"Then let's get going all... wait, something looks off with you, Kazuma."
"Is there?"
"Yeah, you have a strange black lump growing out of your head."
"A black... oh right, guess I should introduce you two to someone really special."
Kazuma then reaches up, taking Chomusuke in hand. At first, she's a litt;e annoyed at having been rudely awakened, but quickly mellows at seeing the two figures standing before her and Kazuma.
"Erika... Aqua... please allow me to introduce you two to my party's mascot. Her official name is Chomusuke, though her actual name is Wolbach. She also answers to Nia as well."
"Oh wow, she's such a cutey. About her name, though."
"Technically, her true name is Wolbach. Something we only learned about recently. One of my party members, a mage with a bit of a screw loose in her head, is the one who came up with Chomusuke, a name the rest of us feel doesn't fit well with her, hence I gave her the nickname of Nia till her true name was revealed."
Erika and Aqua nod as Erika pets Chomusuke, getting a cheerful purr from her. But when Aqua tried to pet her...
"Ow, why did that little beast only scratch me? Actually, now that I'm looking at her, I can see a dark and evil aura coming from her."
"Are you sure you're not just seeing your own natural aura there, Aqua?"
As Aqua fumes, Kazuma returns Chomusuke back to resting on his head though she chooses to remain awake now. They then continue their walk to their destination.
As they walk, there was a few minutes of silence before Aqua decides to say something for the sake of making conversation.
"So, how did you two... CRAZY KIDS meet each other."
Erika looks back at Aqua and says-
"You mean you really don't know?"
"Like someone as important as I..."
"Don't you mean self-important?" (x2)
"Shut up. Like I was saying, like someone as important as I would waste time looking over every little detail of a person's life."
"Fair point, I suppose."
After another pause, Erika then says-
"We were fairly young when we first met, second year of primary school if I remember. I was a new student at the school and due to me having bright blonde hair when everyone else had dark hair made me stand out, and not in a good way. After my first week at my new school, I was asked to come to the school grounds by a couple of other female students from my class."
"It was raining off-and-on that day and the ground was pretty muddy."
"Yeah, which was weird they would want to meet outside in such weather, not that I considered that beforehand. Anyways, upon arriving, I was ambushed by those girls and a guy who then proceeded to bully me. I was scared and heartbroken for the treat until..."
"A knight in shining armor appeared and showed those bullies what for."
"(giggles) Well, something like that. While the whole knight in shining armor bit is a stretch, Kazuma was the hero... the friend I needed in that moment. We quickly became inseparable, spending as much time together as we could."
"So, you two were really close as kids, huh?"
"So much so that I told Kazuma I would become his bride once we had grown up."
"Seriously, hearing that makes my stomach want to heave for some reason."
"Don't be mean, useless goddess. Anyways, when Erika told me that, I found myself being inspired to work my ass off to be the best student I could so that I could be the best partner she could ever want in life... not that my efforts were ever enough for my parents."
"Eh?"
"They never changed their tune, Kazuma?"
"No, nothing I did was ever good enough for them. Even our friendship was something they heavily frowned upon. When we parted ways, they told me that had been the best thing that ever happened to me, and I should move on with my life."
"I'm sorry..."
"So... if you two had such a close friendship, then what happened to drive you two apart."
Kazuma and Erika hesitate for a second before Erika finally says-
"Well, it all started during..."
Before she could finish, a new series of sounds catches their attention, making them look to see several things happening nearby.
One was a man, clearly a member of the Axis cult based on the way he was dressed, trying to do very questionable things to a girl who was clearly not wanting his advances. And his lecherous touch.
The second was someone being very obstinate and pushy with trying to get the people he was talking to to convert to the Axis faith.
And the last was a woman audibly sending a prayer to Aqua before she begins chucking rocks at several homes, shattering windows, all the while laughing happily while proclaiming the damn Eris following dogs would suffer for their dark heresy.
They watch these things happen for a moment before Kazuma looks at Aqua and says-
"Aqua, do you remember our talk from before; the hypothetical question I posed to you? And remember how you said your darling faithful would never do anything like what I described. Well, allow me to offer you not one, not two, but THREE examples of your kids being assholes."
"Kazuma's right, Aqua. I think it's high time you finally reign these followers of yours in."
Aqua just turns her head away defiantly, refusing to acknowledge the truth being presented before her.
{|} Intermission {|}
"Damn it, why can't I find the cause behind this problem."
Currently, Eris was within her throne, sitting before a series of images that were displaying various bits of important information to her concerning something that was very alarming to her.
'No doubt about it, the mana levels within the Elroad kingdom have dropped down into the danger zone. That means the mana levels of the world as a whole have dropped below forty percent. At this rate, the entire planet, save Empyria itself, will be completely devoid of mana.'
Eris then switches the image to that of Empyria, specifically the source of the mana of the world itself, the Mana Tree of Life. She then triple-checks the data coming from it, her lips forming a frown.
"Just what the hell is going on? The mana being produced by the tree is still where it needs to be. In fact, Empyria as a whole is still showing the expected mana levels. But somewhere during the feed of mana to the rest of the world, the mana is being stolen away and absorbed by... something. But what?"
A shimmer of light comes to lite within the room and a angel appears who quickly walks over to Eris.
"Lady Eris, what are you still doing here?"
"My job as you can see. Why Clover, should I not be here right now?"
"I'm sorry, lady Eris, but honestly, yeah you shouldn't be here right now. Have you forgotten what today is?"
"Is Hestia throwing another one of her party's over in her world or something? I heard that Bell guy she's so into achieved something incredible lately."
"No, not that. You have forgotten. Today is the first day of your Festival."
Eris just looks at Clover for a few moments before she finally remembers that fact, sending her into a panic.
"Oh crap, I did forget about that. Damn it, off all the times for this to happen..."
"What are you so focused on anyways, lady Eris?"
Eris motions for Clover to come closer, allowing her to see what she was looking at. As Clover looks the information over, Eris explains-
"As you know, the mana levels of my world have been dropping off over the last year. In fact, it has recently begun to accelerate. Right now, more than sixty percent of the world has become devoid of mana and if I can't find the answer soon, the entire world save for Empyria, will be completely devoid of its mana."
"I see. And you can't figure out what's causing this, I take it."
"Nor can I figure out where all the mana being released from Empyria is going to either."
Clover nods as she considers what she has been told before asking-
"Shouldn't you be checking the Divine Archive then? Surely it would have the answer..."
"I thought about it, but I was stopped by executive orders from the leadership. They told me I needed to try and figure this out on my own and will only be allowed to use the Divine Archive should we reach the critical point. In other words, once the loss of mana exceeds ninety percent."
"And by then, the greater damage will have been done to the recovery time for the world will be around one human lifetime."
"Exactly, which is why I need to solve this mystery while I still can because once the issue reaches eighty percent is when things are going to become a truly serious issue for everyone. And if that wasn't enough, there's still the issue with the Charisma Choker being out in the wild."
Clover nods, then thinks about it for a moment before an idea comes to her.
"OK, then this is what we'll do. You go ahead and head down to enjoy your festival, as best you can. Seeing as this week is your big week, it's safe to assume the person who has the Charisma Choker will likely show up to use if to get many new converts to the Axis faith; assuming the person who has the choker is a follower of lady Aqua."
"Yeah, that does makes sense. But what about..."
"No need to concern yourself with that, lady Eris. I'll take over for you and see if I can find anything during your break. Maybe having someone with their own personal perspective on things could be the game changer. If nothing else, the little break could help you once you get back and get back to this issue."
"You're right, maybe some time off will help me figure this out."
"And, as a bonus, you can spend time with mister Kazuma. I'm actually jealous about that one."
'Spend time with...'
"Alright, I'll take you up on your advice. I'll get myself ready and I'll be heading down there to join with Kaz... with the others. Make sure you keep me informed if you learn anything interesting and if you happen to pick up the chokers energies, make sure you let me know about that too."
"Will do, boss."
Clover then makes a salute like pose as she takes Eris' spot on the throne. Eris then excuses herself to go get ready for her transition down to her world, a happy smile on her face.
''Getting to spend most of the week with Kazuma... I mean everyone. Maybe I can relax and enjoy myself for a bit after all.'
{|} C-Part {|}
"I can't believe I'm saying this but... I'm actually wishing you had chosen a kill quest for us instead."
"I agree. Maybe we'll get lucky and some of these veggies will go all rabid on us and we'll be forced to defend ourselves."
"Hey you two, less talking, more working. How much longer do you expect a sacred goddess like me to remain down on her hands and feet, toiling away her day like some lowly farm hand."
Kazuma and Erika both turned to look at Aqua who, despite being currently dressed for farm work, wasn't actually doing any work. She was just sitting off to the side with her arms crossed, acting like some kind of overbearing task master. In fact, if she had a whip in hand, she'd probably be making use of it to add to the effect.
'How about you say that AFTER you've actually joined us with doing some work here, Aqua' thought both Kazuma and Erika in unison.
The quest Erika had chosen from the guild job board was to come out to Alabam Farms, located outside the city of Axel which was responsible for much of the cities produce. The details on the job hadn't been given any detail, only to speak with the head farmer and he would tell give them the details then. And what was the job that was so important that it required making a request to the guild?
Helping with farm work for the day, as a lot of the usual farm hands had asked for the day off to enjoy the Eris Festival. In fact, so many had asked that the head farmer had failed to notice how many had asked for the same day off and since he hated to tell someone no after saying yes, well... you know what his solution ultimately was.
The head farmer also warned them to be on the lookout for any movement from beyond the tree line as it was alarmingly common for toads to capture both livestock and workers for their meals.
"Hey you two, say something already. All this silence is getting on my nerves."
said Aqua, making both Kazuma and Erika glare at her before Erika finally points out.
"You just told us to stop talking and focus on the task at hand and now you're wanting us to talk just so you won't feel bored. Aqua, you..."
"Hey, if you're that board, how about you come join us over here where the work is. Maybe doing something simple and honest could do wonders for you."
"Less talking, more working peasants."
Kazuma and Erika sigh then look at each other again, sending each other a knowing look the other was able to easily understand. The look sent a message that was crystal clear; we'll punish this bratty goddess later, when she's least expecting it.
"Say, how about you finish that story you were telling me earlier. I think you were just getting to the juicy parts, Erika."
"You annoying little... fine, but no complaining if you know what's good for you. Now, let me think..."
After a moment, Erika continued telling Aqua about her and Kazuma's past.
"It was the start of summer, following our fifth year of primary school. Me and Kazuma had originally planned on spending it together, like we had with the last couple of summers since we had first met. But then my parents decide we should go visit relatives on the other side of Japan for a few weeks."
"I confess I was really bummed when Erika told me she was going away for the better part of the vacation as it would leave me stuck alone with my parents and little brother. I figured at the very least, I could catch up on my gaming and maybe up my skills at mine and Erika's favorite fighting game."
"I'm still undefeated by the way, Kazuma."
"Don't remind me."
Normally, Kazuma prided himself on his many victories when it came to gaming. Only Erika had ever been able to beat him each and every time they played together. At least Kazuma's victories at rock-paper-scissors was kept as that was the one thing Erika couldn't win against him.
Probably the reason why Erika refused to play that game with him after the first few times.
"I promised Kazuma I would make it up to him once I got back. Little did I know how life changing this particular summer would be for me and what it would cause me to both gain... and lose, as a result."
"And that was?"
asked Aqua, cocking her head to the side. Kazuma wanted to hear this as well, for obvious reasons, seeing as that day, when Erika had told him she would be going away for most of the summer with her family, was the last real time they ever truly interacted with one another.
"While away, I went to this karaoke shop with a few of my cousins. There we were, just singing and joking around, having fun and such. But, as we go to leave, a woman approached us, revealing herself to be a member of a well-known idol group. She said she couldn't help but overhear my singing in particular and asked me if I wanted to come by a local studio to show her bosses what I was capable of."
"While everyone was worried about this, thinking it could be a trap, the fact remained the girl who had approached us was herself a famous idol and if she saw I had potential, then there was no way I was going to let myself miss such an important chance like this."
"Probably didn't hurt you had been going on about becoming an idol one day, huh Erika."
Erika playfully conks her head while playfully sticking her tongue out. Aqua then asks her to continue.
"Turns out I was really good when it came to singing. Amazing even, according to everyone present. They were so impressed, in fact, that I was signed to a contract almost immediately. By the time I got back home, I was about as much on cloud nine as anyone could ever hope to be. And what made things even better, there was a training slash recording studio back home I could use to help me prepare for my eventual debut performance. Sadly, my parents didn't always have the time to take me there themselves so the son on the guy who ran the studio would drive me there himself."
"So that's what was going on."
"Kazuma?"
both Erika and Aqua turned to look at him, waiting for him to clarify his sudden words.
"One day, as I was leaving a store with some gaming mags, I saw you go driving by, hugging yourself to some random guy, and looking all cozy with him and his motorcycle. I didn't even know you had come back home and to see you acting so friendly and close with another guy, I... well..."
"(looks away sadly) I'm sorry, Kazuma. I was so excited about what was coming, so focused on getting prepared for it, that I must have forgotten to let you know I had gotten back. In fact, I... I think I actually forgot about the fact you even existed. At least, I had forgotten... until that first day of our sixth year in primary skill."
"I was getting ready for class and finding myself being harassed by a few of the girls who were wanting to know if it was true, that I was looking to become a professional idol, when Kazuma finally appeared before me."
"After seeing Erika on the bike with that older guy, I found myself suffering from shock. I admit I took it harder than I should have though I tried to lessen the blow by telling myself he must be a cousin of hers or something. I tried to call you Erika, but I was told you were always busy so I figured I would approach you once school started back up and find out why you suddenly started avoiding me."
"Yeah, that was on me. I can remember mom telling me you had called, and I told her I would call you back later, but I never did because it would always slip my mind, or her words didn't truly register within my mind. Anyways, when you suddenly appeared before me that day Kazuma, asking me what was going on and how my summer went, I..."
"You said you didn't know me, something you were insistent about. So much so that those other girls pushed me away to protect you. And whenever I tried to approach you after that, I never even made it to you before they drove me off."
"I'm so... I'm truly sorry about that, Kazuma. Honestly, I don't know why I did that, acted like I didn't know you that day. All I can say is that I must have panicked. Why I panicked, I can't even begin to guess, but panic I did, and you obviously remember the rest. I wasn't aware you tried to approach me again after that, even if only for a time. When did you..."
"When it became clear you didn't want to talk to me anymore, if only because of how protective the other girls had suddenly become. I guess hearing that you could become an idol was the difference maker to see them change their attitudes about you."
"After that first encounter, I told myself I would come see you later and that I WOULD make it up to you. But that was my problem back then. It was always LATER with me. I kept losing track of time, putting more thought and focus to my idol training that anything and everything else became irrelevant and unimportant and soon enough, I had forgotten all about it, I... I had forgotten all about... you."
Erika then lowered her head, tears now falling onto the ground. Kazuma moves over to her, placing a hand on her back, rubbing it gently.
"Thank you, Kazuma... though you shouldn't be wasting such actions with me. Not after the pain I caused you. I mean, I can't even begin to imagine what you must have been going through during that time. Certainly more suffering than I was, seeing as I was too busy enjoying the idol life to even spare you, or anyone else, a thought."
'You're not wrong, Erika. Our friendship was important to me. I didn't even know how important till you had left me. In fact, it was because of our 'breakup' that I lost my drive to become better which led to my life going downhill like it did... though I guess I have only myself to blame for what I became. I could have, should have, been better and done more but at the time... (sigh) No excuses, Satou Kazuma. That's not being fair.'
Kazuma had wanted to say what he was thinking aloud, but he chose to keep those thoughts bottled up inside, like so many other things he wasn't yet ready to talk about, Instead, he asks-
"So, what happened after that?"
"Well, as I'm sure you know, I left public school and entered a private school the agency had set up for me, to make my training easier. And then came my debut performance and to say I stole the show was an understatement. For years, I wowed the stage and the audience with my skills, and I become very popular. And in that time, I didn't think of anything else. I didn't allow myself to think about anyone else as I was living out my dreams and for me, what could be more important than that."
"I'd soon find out though as, about a year ago, I took a mandatory vacation back home to see my parents. It was then, when I was in my room, going through my stuff for the memories, I came across my old treasure box where I found all my precious physical memories that connected me and you together."
"For the first time since... well, forever; I found myself finally thinking of you again. And with those memories came the painful truth of what I had done, and what I had failed to do. I immediately left my room, planning on heading over to your place to talk to you, to hopefully repair what I had damaged and thrown away so coldly, but I was stopped by my mother, who after learning why I was heading out so suddenly, told me the sad truth."
"That I had died?"
"(nods) Being told that you had died hit me hard, far harder than I ever thought was possible. I don't even remember what happened next as the next thing I knew, I was back in my room, laying in my bed. According to my mother though, I became quite hysterical, to the point that I ended up passing out."
"After that day, I was never the same. I never had the same energy, or the same drive, as I did before learning the truth. Sure, I kept going as I always did but those who knew me could tell there was always a hint of sadness in my voice, in the aura I gave off. When I found myself coming here to this world, I saw it as a chance to start over from... well, from the beginning, to leave all my past regrets behind me. Who would have thought I would find myself meeting you here as well."
"Well, sorry for throwing you world into chaos again."
Erika shakes her head while reaching out to take his hands with her own.
"Don't be. Having you here with me... is the best kind of chaos I could have ever asked for."
"Good to hear. So, how did you die, Erika?"
"You first."
"Honestly, I don't really know for sure. After our little... you know, my grades started slipped, not that my grades had ever been good enough for my strict and overbearing parents to begin with. It got so bad that they sent me to some special school for those kids that were believed to have no future to look forward too. It got so bad that I just stopped going, locking myself away from the world for the most part. One day, while I was out to get a game, I saw this girl playing on some tracks with a train fast approaching. I went to save her but... well, I instead found myself before Aqua and then here."
"So you were hit by a train?"
"I don't know. Aqua said something but I honestly can't remember what exactly. What was it you said about my death again... (Kazuma and Erika look to Aqua, seeing she has clearly lost interest in their talk at some point and was now playing around with a cute looking sheep. They sigh as they look back at each other and Kazuma says) Any chance you know how I died?"
"All I know is that you were found near some train tracks, dead. No sign of injury to my understanding. I've been told your parents took it harder than they wanted to show people, so much so that they started treating your little brother differently, spoiling him more and letting him do what he wanted to do over what they wanted him to do."
"That's not saying much, seeing as they were always like that with him because he was the child they always wanted. I've always wondered if my parents ever regretted how they raised me, treated me, in the past. Maybe they did... maybe they didn't. Guess neither one of us will ever truly know."
"Kazuma..."
"Never mind me, what about you. What sucky situation led to you to find yourself before Aqua."
"Not much to tell, really. Was doing a show with a few other idols, things were going as they should, and then there were these loud banging sounds, followed by this sudden wave of cold coming over me. The world became fuzzy, and everything fell on its side and then, everything went dark and then I found myself before Aqua and her brother."
"Wait, you were shot? Did it... ya know, hurt at all?"
"I don't know. Maybe I had been shot, or maybe the lighting rig above us had been hit and came falling down, fatally injuring me as a result. Either way, I don't recall it hurting but seeing as it was all so sudden, my brain probably didn't have time to process it all. Of course, I may not have had an active brain in that moment either, all things considered."
"You probably couldn't process it because either way, it wasn't a cute way to go out."
"Yeah, you're probably right."
They both laugh for a few moments, then go quiet. Erika, after a moment of struggling, finally says-
"Kazuma, do you think... we could go back. Back to the way we were before that day."
"Erika, I... I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that's impossible. As nice as it would be, we both know that isn't an option for either of us. We can't change the past, nor can we just ignore what happened."
"Yeah, I guess you're right. Thinking that we could... I guess it was a stupid thought."
"... That said, I don't see any reason why we can't start things over from scratch. We can become friends again and let things move forward naturally."
"You mean it? I can accept that then. Us starting over from the beginning, I mean. Ah... what about our promise to one another..."
"Sorry Erika, but I'm afraid that's no longer an option for me, seeing as I already have a girlfriend here... I think. (quietly to himself) Maybe a couple? I'm not really sure."
"Oh, what's this I'm hearing. Always so shy and nervous Kazuma has himself a lover now. When do I get to meet this girl."
Erika was now poking Kazuma's side, a mischievous grin on her face.
"I can introduce you to her later... though I'm worried how that meeting will go. If nothing else, I would warn you against telling her about our past as she is a very protective person who would likely blow you away the moment she hears any of the negative sounding stuff."
"I'll keep that in mind. So, what kind of crazy adventures have you..."
DING-DINGA-LING
The sound of the break bell rings out, stopped Erika in the middle of her latest question. They both sigh before standing up. Kazuma then says-
"Looks like it's lunch time. Let's continue this after."
"Right... OK Aqua, let's go get something to... Aqua?"
Kazuma and Erika look around for the fallen goddess, finding her nowhere to be seen.
"Now where did she run off to. Wasn't she over there, enjoying the fluffy wool of the sheep when we last saw he?"
"Yeah, she was... and speaking of sheep, I've noticed one is missing from the group too."
"Really? Wait, you don't think..."
Understanding what Erika was hinting at, Kazuma activates his Farsight skill and carefully examine the area. It takes him a few moments, but he soon sees it, a toad hidden beyond the tree line... with a pair of legs sticking out of its mouth.
"Found Aqua... in a position I can't help but feel is rather nostalgic for some reason."
Erika, having spotted what Kazuma was seeing too, lets out an annoyed sigh before saying-
"Well, as tempting as it would be to leave her to her fate, I guess we should go save her. Let's go..."
And thus, their day working on the farm continued...
{|} D-Part {|}
"sniff... hic... Why me? Why do bad things always happen to me?"
"Must be a reason, Aqua."
After rescuing Aqua from the inside of the giant toad, the rest of day had gone by quickly. Currently, the threesome had returned to Axel as the sun had begun to set on the day. As an amusing side note, Aqua was still covered in toad goo, something Erika was very much aware of as she says-
"Aqua, how much longer are you going to stay all slimy, gooey, and sticky for? You know being covered in that stuff can't be good for one's health."
"What did you want me to do, go clean myself using the hog troth. It's obvious you haven't been paying attention to me as I've been asking since that happened for you to bring me back to Axel so I could get cleaned up."
"I heard you and I believe my response was for you to go back yourself. I had turned the lock on you off so you could go do that. I even said you had three hours to get back before I turned it back on."
"No you didn't. You're just trying to be mean to..."
"Aqua, here's a thought. If you were that desperate to get yourself cleaned up, then why didn't you just raise a hand to the sky and use a little Create Water. You could blast a small amount into the air directly above you, then let gravity bring it falling back down onto you. It may have taken a few blasts, but you would be cleaner that you are now."
"... Nobody asked for your opinion."
Judging from Aqua's actions, it was clear she didn't consider that option and was just too prideful to acknowledge it. After a few more minutes, the reach a crossroad as Erika comes to a stop.
"Well, I guess this is where we'll part ways for today."
"Hm, aren't you two heading back to the amphitheater? I was thinking of going there with you two, seeing as I need to meet with Lia to sign some papers and such."
"That would be nice, but I'm going to take Aqua to one of the public bath spots, take the chance to clean myself up as well. After all, don't want to get the carpets all dirty if I can avoid it."
Kazuma nods, then says-
"Well, guess I'll go on ahead then. If I've already left by the time you and Aqua get back, then I'll try to find time to stop by so we can hang out in the coming days."
"And failing that, maybe we'll run into each other over the next few days."
"Enough wasting time, idol. Quit flirting with this shitty NEET and guide me to the baths."
Kazuma and Erika roll their eyes before Erika goes to join Aqua, but stops and runs back over to Kazuma, quickly planting a kiss on his cheek before quietly saying-
"Thanks for coming back into my life, Kazuma!"
Erika then walks back to Aqua, the two of them now walking away though Erika looks back and adds-
"Little Nia, do me a favor and keep an eye on that guy. He has this habit of getting himself into trouble if no one's keeping him in check."
"That's where you're wrong, Erika. I'm not the one who gets me into trouble, but the people around me who go dragging me into troublesome situations. And as for you Aqua. Think about the things we talked about before. The world doesn't revolve around any one person but everyone as a whole. The sooner you get that into your head and accept it, the sooner you can truly start growing as a person."
Aqua just looks back and gives him a raspberry, which was a badly timed choice as she immediately trips and falls on her face, earning a laugh from the various randoms around the place.
"Hm, well today was quite the eventful day, huh Wolbach? (Nya) Yeah, you're right. Anyways, what do you say we head home and see about making some dinner."
Chomusuke definitely agreed to that idea. A bit later, Kazuma was coming up on the eastern gate of Axel when he hears-
"Kazuma... Hey Kazuma, wait up."
Kazuma looks back to see Cielo running is way. Once she had arrived, Kazuma asks-
"Hey Cielo, you look like you've been busy. Something happen?"
"Yeah, a lot of things, actually. All those Axis cultists walking around Axel have been keeping us over at the Erisia Cathedral busy. Sorry, by the way."
"Sorry? For what?"
"Not meeting up with you and the others at lunch. With all that was going on, I... Kazuma?"
When Cielo had said that it made Kazuma remember an important detail he had completely forgotten about due to his run in with Erika.
"Oh crap-crap-crap-crap-CRAP! I completely forgot about meeting up with everyone."
"Huh?"
Kazuma then explains to Cielo what had happened.
"Yeesh, and I thought I had the busy day. Was it nice; reuniting with your childhood friend?"
"Yeah, actually. It was. Helped me to find closure with certain things from my past. Also made me realize just how stupid and weak willed I was back in the day too. I mean, letting myself become so depressed that I wanted to fully close myself off away from the world just because of one break-up, one I could have avoided to some degree if I hadn't given up trying to talk with a certain person, it's just..."
"What matters right now is that you have grown beyond that, right Kazuma!"
"Maybe you're right. Try not to be so depressed about who I was but who I am now. Anyways, seeing as I was MIA for the lunch meet up, I wonder what Megumin and Yunyun..."
"Satou Kazuma, I've been looking for you."
Kazuma and Cielo jump at the third voice speaking out. They turn to see the Captain of the Knight Guard, who keep the citizens of Axel safe walking up to them. As he comes to a stop, Cielo asks-
"Is something wrong, Captain."
"I'll explain as we walk but I'm going to need to you to come down to the station with me, Kazuma."
"(sigh) What did she do this time."
"Well, the thing is..."
One hour later, the fivesome of Kazuma, Cielo, Megumin, Yunyun, and Anna emerged from the Knight Guard station. Kazuma looked annoyed, even a little angry too, Yunyun had her head lowered in shame, Cielo was trying to comfort Kazuma, Megumin was looking proud, and Anna was going on about how being thrown in jail was a new and interesting experience for her to have.
"I can't believe you destroyed over a dozen festival stalls, Megumin. And then there's all those people who needed to receive emergency healing treatment on top of that."
"It wasn't my fault. It was all those crazy Axis cultists. If they hadn't gotten so friendly while harassing us with their attempts at converting us, no one would have needed to suffer."
"And what about you, Yunyun. Why didn't you stop her. And why didn't you help Yunyun, Anna."
"I'm so sorry, Kazuma. I did the best I could."
"Why would I try to stop Megumin, big brother. She was clearly in the right on this matter."
"I honestly don't care if she was in the right or not. Because of what happened, I had to pay a hefty sum to both the stall owners and to those people you injured with your little temper tantrum. I actually had half a mind to let the Captain keep you three locked up till the festival is over. Be grateful I was able to talk him into letting you three out."
"Putting that aside, what should we do now?"
Everyone stops and looks at Megumin, sending her looks of 'you can't be serious.'
"What are we going to do now? WE are heading back to the mansion for the day. You know, Megumin. I have half a mind to extend your being grounded from using Explosion magic for another week, on top of this week."
"You wouldn't dare."
"Try me, legal dwarf."
"I wouldn't go pushing your luck, Megumin. I'm actually in agreement with Kazuma on this one."
said Cielo with Yunyun nodding in agreement. This only makes Megumin fume even more. Kazuma sighs, then says-
"While I am tempted to do that, I'm not going to. That said, I want to make it clear, Megumin. You screw up like this again, or worse before the week is over, I'll ground you from using Explosion magic till the end of summer. You got me."
Kazuma had gotten up close and personal while saying that, his tone being enough to make even make the hardheaded Megumin shrink back in fear. Finally, she nods nervously and says-
"OK, I promise. No more getting carried away for the rest of the week."
"Good, now let's head back home."
A while later, upon stepping inside the mansion, Kazuma begins walking up the stairs, then stops and looks back at the girls.
"If it's OK with you all, I'm going to go lay down for a bit. Yunyun, can you handle making dinner for everyone tonight."
"Sure, I can do that... but Kazuma..."
"Are you really sure you want to go take a little nap NOW?"
"Why, is there a problem with me taking a nap, Megumin?"
"No... not really. I was just thinking you might not want to cause yourself any trouble falling asleep when it comes time to go to be bed later. Don't want to sleep in tomorrow, right."
"It'll be fine. I'm not planning on sleeping, just laying down and relaxing for a bit."
"But... never mind. Go try to relax... I guess."
Cielo and Anna give Megumin a confused look while Kazuma sends her a questioning look. He then looks at Yunyun, seeing she also looked nervous for some reason.
Kazuma finally continues up to the upper floor and waste no time in entering his room...
And sees the work Megumin and Yunyun had done in his room while he, Cielo, and Darkness, had been out. Kazuma then hears the sound of the front door being swung open quickly and the sound of running quickly following, making him shout out as loudly as he could...
"MEGUMIN... YUNYUN... GET YOUR ASS's BACK HERE RIGHT NOW. I HAVE SOME RATHER CHOICE WORDS FOR YOU BOTH!"
{|} to be continued {|}
Next time: The second day of the Eris Festival has arrived, and so has Chris to join in the fun. What crazy fun times will Kazuma and girls find themselves having, especially when Luna has a quest for them to do... involving giant cicadas.