In the quiet solitude of Jaune's room, the curtains filtered soft moonlight that cast a gentle glow on the walls. He sat cross-legged on the floor, eyes closed in deep meditation, breathing steadily to a rhythmic cadence that mirrored the calmness of the room. Memories flooded his mind like a stream, each one a piece of a puzzle waiting to be connected. Flashes of faces, places, and moments played before his closed eyes, a montage of life not entirely his own but not wholly unwelcome.
Jaune had discovered Jaune-B's memories. He blocked out most of them due to their extreme pervertedness. The room became a canvas where the colors of his experiences painted a vivid tapestry. Whispers of conversations, the scent of familiar places, and the echo of laughter intertwined in his mind.
In the hushed ambiance, Jaune sought understanding, reaching for threads of connection between the fragments. The memories carried emotions ranging from joy to sorrow, love to heartache. He navigated the intricate web, piecing together a narrative to comprehend his situation. Jaune had realized that his life was more complicated than he had initially thought, and he was determined to make sense of his newfound memories.
Outside, the world continued its restless journey, unaware of the introspective voyage Jaune embarked upon within the confines of his room. The weight of the memories settled on his shoulders, but with each breath, he embraced the complexity of his newfound self. Jaune had always considered himself open-minded, but now he had to be even more so as he explored his 'second identity' memories.
The room remained a sanctuary of quiet contemplation, a sacred space where Jaune sifted through the mosaic of memories, seeking the essence of his being. The journey was ongoing, the revelations unfolding like petals in the moonlit night — a dance of self-discovery guided by the gentle rhythm of his breath.
As Jaune emerged from the depths of his introspection, the serenity of his room lingered like a quiet echo. The air held a subtle energy, charged with the residue of his contemplation. With a composed demeanor, he rose from his seated position, leaving behind the sacred meditation space.
The soft creak of the door announced his departure as he stepped into the hallway. The warm glow of the hallway lights embraced him, casting a gentle illumination on his features. Shadows played on the walls, mirroring the complexities still lingering in his mind.
As he descended the staircase, a familiar murmur of voices and the comforting aroma of a shared meal filled the air. Jaune's parents stood at the bottom of the stairs, their expressions a mix of curiosity and worry. They beckoned him to join the gathering that awaited in the living room. Upon entering, Jaune found his friends gathered, their eyes holding a silent worry about the changes they noticed that happened hours ago.
A few minutes later, Jaune sat comfortably on the couch with a warm cup of chamomile and honey tea that Akeno had kindly prepared. He savored its sweet and slightly floral taste and complimented Akeno on her exceptional brewing skills, ignoring his friends' curious and worried gazes.
As he sipped tea, Jaune's mind wandered back to his meditation session, where his past and present memories had intermingled. He had focused on the memories with Asia and felt proud of himself for disobeying Rias and saving her. Though he failed in the end, he showed great bravery. Jaune had pieced together a narrative to understand his situation, but he was now back in the present, mentally preparing himself for the questions that were sure to come from his curious friends.
Jaune said casually, "So? Will you ask me questions, or will you just stare at me like some animal in a zoo?" He specifically addressed Rias Gremory.
As Jaune observed Rias Gremory, her beauty was nothing short of captivating. Long, crimson locks cascaded down her thighs, a vibrant testament to her heritage as she stood in the living room. A single, rebellious strand, known as an ahoge in Japan, stood proudly atop her head, adding a playful touch to her otherwise regal appearance. Her eyes are mesmerizing, blue-green shades framed by loose bangs covering her forehead and side bangs gracefully framing her face. They added an air of mystery to her confident gaze.
In the well-fitted Kuoh Academy uniform, Rias's voluptuous figure couldn't be ignored. With measurements of [B99-W58-H90 cm], her curvaceous form exuded grace and power. The curves of her body were a captivating blend, drawing the eye without overshadowing the undeniable strength that radiated from her presence, which reminded Jaune of Nora, weirdly enough.
Standing at 172 cm, her height and regal bearing made her a 'commanding figure,' demanding attention and respect. Rias Gremory wasn't just a beautiful woman; she was a formidable force, an embodiment of elegance and strength that left an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to witness her.
Jaune saw Rias was about to say something, but the space distorted and he was back in Remnant, back to where he was when the flash of light happened.
Jaune was shocked. Why was he back in Remnant all of a sudden? The voice answered his question.
[Beep! Awakening user from forced simulation has been successful]
Jaune was confused and didn't know what was happening. "What?" he asked.
[Beep! The Beast of the Rift used its ability to force you into a simulation]
Jaune's heart ached, but he didn't know why. He shrugged it off. "I see. How long was I gone?"
[Beep! In world time, barely a minute]
Jaune sighed. He returned to doing what he did earlier, but his movements were sluggish.
Elsewhere in the middle of the night.
Rias stared outside the window, her mind on the promise someone had made to her about saving her from the marriage her parents had arranged for her. She didn't know who it was, but it was a memory she wished to come to true, for that person to come and sweep her off her feet and proclaim that she would not allow anyone to marry her but him and that anyone that dares would be shown his wrath. The memory was hazy, and all she could see of his features were his blonde hair and blue eyes that were more dazzling than any gem she had ever seen.
Not far from Rias was Akeno. She was brewing tea for her King, but her mind was wandering on a memory of a blonde man who proclaimed that he would find a way to bring her mother back and how she explained that it would be impossible as her mother was already dead. It was silly, but the blonde man smiled at her with a confident smile that told her that it wasn't as impossible as she would think it was. This made her chuckle, but she shook her head. It was nothing more than a dream. An impossible dream that would never come true.
Sitting on a couch, Asia was staring at a blank space. She knew what she was remembering was not real. There was no Jaune Arc that tried to save her. She knew this because Rias and the others were the ones who resurrected her, and there was no other blonde man besides Kiba that day. Asia balled a fist by her heart, telling her that it was just a dream, but she couldn't let it go, try as she might. In her mind, she reminded herself, 'It isn't real! There was no one called Jaune that day! I wouldn't be here if it weren't for Koneko finding me when she was tracking down the Fallen Angels. But why do I long for him if it isn't real?' She didn't understand.
As for Koneko, her snack did not taste as delicious as it once was. She remembers the snack that Jaune would bring her. She would pretend it was only okay because she didn't want him to get a big head since he was already a massive pervert. Seeing her put down and stop eating her snack was such a weird scene. However, since everyone was preoccupied with their thoughts, they did not react to what would have been a shocking event.
Even Kiba was not in the mood. Jaune might have been a pervert, but he was a great friend. It has become such a lively place since he became part of the group. To know that it was not real hurt him. It felt like he was losing someone he cared about, just like that day.
If just one of the people in the room asked what was happening with them, they would have realized something amazing. However, inside an average house was another story.
A middle-aged woman with dark brown hair cried as her husband comforted her. The woman was Hyoudou Miki, who dreamed of having a wonderful family. Still, it was never going to happen, as she could no longer bear children due to the miscarriage she had during her first pregnancy. In Japan, a woman who could not give birth to a child is a huge disgrace. Thus, she blamed herself for being unable to make a family with her husband.
Although a woman unable to bear a child is disgraced, her husband, Hyoudou Gorou, loved her very much and thought the world of her. Like Miki, Gorou went through the same thing as his wife, but he stayed strong as he knew how much what happened to their first pregnancy had traumatized his wife.