Reunion with the Kijin
It started out as another ordinary day, I got up and had some breakfast while Rubi was helping out my mom and dad with some last minute preparations around the house. From what my dad told us a few days ago an old friend of his would be coming over to visit him along with some old family friends of ours. It's been some time since we've seen them and this was also going to be Rubi's first time meeting them in person.
Dad: Kazuto did you remember to buy ingredients for tomorrow's dinner?
Kazuto: Dad for the fifth time yes. I bought the meat, potatoes, rice as well as the strawberry cake that Uncle Benimaru likes so much.
Mom: Honey I know you haven't seen Benimaru for a few years but you really need to relax.
Glad to see mom was so calm about all of this, although I knew she was just as excited to see her old friend Albis again since she got married to Benimaru a couple of years ago.
Rubi: I personally can't wait to meet them, from the stories you three have told me you all seem really close to them.
Rubi was actually taking a small break as she was looking through my parents photo album while sitting down next to me. She was looking over the pictures they took back during their younger days at Yokai Academy as they could be seen studying, laughing, basically just enjoying their time together. Looking at these pictures reminded me of the pictures I took of me and the girls near the end of our first year and how much I missed having all of us together.
Mom: Of course we are, after all we all met at Yokai Academy and we've been keeping contact since then. Both Benimaru and Albis were like older siblings to Kazuto when he was really young. I even remember when Kazuto was 5 and he kept getting jealous of Benimaru and would often say how he was going to marry Albis when he grew up.
Kazuto: ( embarrassed ) Mom!
Rubi: Aww that's so cute.
For the rest of the day we pretty much cleaned up the house to prepare for tomorrow. My dad kept nitpicking everything we did and he didn't stop until mom gave him her infamous glare that made him calm down. I guess that'll teach him to question mom's cleaning methods.
Mom: Care to repeat that honey?
Dad: ( scared ) N-Nothing dear!
Mom: That's what I thought.
Rubi/Kazuto: ( Note to self: never, ever, piss off mother/mom. )
After working for several hours that day the moment of truth had finally arrived. While Rubi helped out my mom in the kitchen my dad was busy making sure he looked as presentable as possible. Meanwhile I was back in the cave working on my sword techniques, a while back I asked my mom to start teaching me some kendo and after I told her what happened back during my first year at Yokai she believed it would be a good idea if I knew how to defend myself. I was in an empty cavern practicing my strikes and evasion as well as my blocking techniques as I repeated the motions to get myself used to it.
Great Sage: Notice: your breathing has become slightly erratic and your techniques are slightly incorrect. I recommend slowing down your movements for a short period.
Kazuto: Yeah, I have been at this for the last two hours. A break does sound nice right about now.
Just as I was about to sit down on a flat rock and drink some water I felt an eerie presence fill the cavern. Somehow the cavern filled with this intense malice that was almost suffocating.
Kazuto: Great Sage, we aren't alone are we?
Great Sage: Negative, it appears there is another individual along side us. However they are currently hiding their presence making detection of their exact whereabouts impossible even with the use of your skills.
So someone else was here hiding themselves to the point of being completely invisible. I took my bamboo sword and went into a defensive stance as I looked around me to hopefully catch even a small glimpse at who it was trying to sneak up on me.
Kazuto: ( This is bad, without being able to rely on my skills to find them I'm completely wide open. And I don't think relying on my eyes will be much help either. )
I could feel my heartbeat increase as my nerves started to get the better of me. Rather then panic I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to clear my mind.
Kazuto: ( Focus Kazuto, don't let your fear take over. Try and figure out another way to sense their presence. )
The eerie feeling from before could still be felt around me, I decided to use that and see if I could possibly detect when they were going to strike. The eerie nature suddenly intensified as I swung behind me only to feel the sharp tip of a blade touching my back.
Kazuto: ( Did I miss!? )
????: Not too bad, you were able to sense my killing intent quite well. However I'm afraid that you still lack the necessary reaction speed and experience a swordsman needs to survive on the battlefield.
I then heard the sound of a blade returning to its sheath as I turned behind me to see a familiar looking old man with a smile on his face.
????: Though I will give you some credit as you haven't had much time practicing the ways of the sword.
Kazuto: Grandpa Hakurou!
I quickly enveloped him in a hug that was soon returned as he pat my back while a chuckle escaped him.
Hakurou: It's so good to see you again my boy, your parents told me you were here practicing so I thought I would give you a test of sorts to see how your progress has been coming along.
Kazuto: Let me guess, I still have a ways to go.
Hakurou: Yes, quite a bit actually. But it seems that you are fully aware of that and I can tell that you're fully intent on improving.
As we separated I noticed he was carrying something on his back covered in a red cloth.
Hakurou: Ah, I see you noticed. Unfortunately Kurobe couldn't join us but he wanted me to make sure you received this.
Kazuto: Me?
Hakurou: Of course, this was something he made for you. I hope you will accept this gift.
As he handed me the cloth I unwrapped it to reveal a jet black katana. I ran a quick appraisal of it and found that the blade was focused on durability. This sword would never break, never bend and it was capable of adjusting itself to my magical power.
Hakurou: I was told that this sword would grow and evolve alongside you. As you grow in strength so will your blade, however it's appearance will remain the same.
Kazuto: Incredible. So this is really for me?
Hakurou: Kurobe spent a long time gathering the materials, and even longer making sure this blade was forged with the utmost care and precision. It's no exaggeration to say this is one of his best works.
Looking down at it I could easily tell this was no ordinary blade. My reflection was shining back against the polished metal as I began to smile.
Kazuto: Thank you. Please tell Uncle Kurobe I will take good care of this blade.
Hakurou: I'm sure he already knows that you will. Now let's return to the house, I believe the others have waited long enough to see you again.
As we made our way back we engaged in some small talk to see how we've been. Apparently Hakurou has taken the time to refine his swordsmanship the last few years and has taken in some students, although their progress has been slow he does see some promising young swordsmen in his group. I also told him about my time in school and he was impressed that not only have I gotten stronger but that I also defeated a fox demon in a one on one fight. Once we entered the living room where everyone was waiting I was suddenly pulled away and smothered into a large pair of breasts that surprisingly didn't belong to Kurumu.
????: It's so great to see you again Kazuto!
After struggling for a bit to catch my breath I felt myself being pulled away by someone grabbing on to my arm.
????: Shion that's enough! We haven't seen Kazuto in years and the first thing you do is nearly suffocate him!
Shion: That's not fair Shuna, I wasn't finished hugging him yet! Besides, Kazuto loves my hugs!
Looking next to me I see Shuna holding my arm protectively while glaring at Shion with an adorable pout on her face.
Kazuto: ( No way, this is Shuna? I remember her being pretty cute but now she's just plain beautiful. )
Shuna noticed me staring at her as she quickly turned away while blushing.
Shuna: Senpai is everything alright, you're staring at me. Do I look weird to you?
Kazuto: N-No not at all! You just look so pretty that I kind of froze for a second.
Shuna: Really? That makes me so happy to hear that from you. Thank you Senpai.
Okay why is she calling me Senpai? Before I could ask her that I felt two soft mounds pressing up against my back as Shion wrapped her arms around me.
Shion: This isn't fair Shuna, let me hug Kazuto for a little while longer!
I turned my head to see her more clearly, and as I did Shion gave me a warm smile as she rested her head on top of mine.
Kazuto: ( This busty babe is Shion? She always looked kind of wild back then, now she looks a lot more refined. )
Shuna: Big brother said that we shouldn't be hogging him to ourselves, so please let him go!
Shion: Look who's talking, you let him go!
Thankfully my saviors showed up just in time before this turned into the world's deadliest game of tug of war.
????: It seems these two can't stop fighting over you, even after all these years you still have a way with them don't you Kazuto.
Dad: What can I say, my charm and good looks must be hereditary. After all he does have 6 girlfriends since he started high school.
Shuna/Shion: GIRLFRIENDS?!?!?!
Never mind, they aren't my saviors. If anything they just sealed my fate.
Suddenly the room filled with an aura of evil intent as both Shuna and Shion looked at me with murder in their eyes. Shion was visibly mad at me but Shuna was smiling sweetly as if nothing was wrong.
Great Sage: Notice: a large concentration of energy is detected behind her smile.
Kazuto: ( Tell me something I don't know! )
Shuna: Tell me Kazuto, is what your father said true? Do you really have 6 girlfriends?
Shion: How could you, after you promised us that we would be your first girlfriends after we saw you last time!
I did what now?
Shuna: It is true that it has been some time since we've seen each other, and while we have no intention of stopping your from pursuing romantic relationships...
Shion: ... It is still worth noting that you broke your promise to the two of us. A promise that we have held close to our hearts for years!
Shuna/Shion: What do you have to say for yourself!
I knew making up an excuse for this situation would only backfire on me. So I went with the only option I had left. I released myself from their grasp by changing into my slime form and sitting in front of the two of them.
Kazuto: I'm so sorry!!!
First step: Bow low.
Kazuto: I have no excuse!
And finally I will use my slime cuteness to win over their sympathy.
Kazuto: Please forgive me.
It seemed to do the trick, I had them successfully trapped as they couldn't help but adore my slime forms unbeatable, adorable appearance.
Shuna: Very well, I suppose all is forgiven.
Kazuto: ( That was close. )
Shuna: Just live off Shion's cooking for the rest of the day and that will be that.
Kazuto: Thank goo-... WHAT?!?!?!
Shion: Do you really meant that Shuna!
Shuna: Of course, make sure to do your best.
Shion: Yes! Just wait Kazuto, my cooking has improved so much since last time!
I looked around the room to see everyone looking disgusted and horrified at the same time. Rubi especially looked terrified since my parents told her how bad Shion's cooking is.
Kazuto: Can we make it just one plate of food instead?
Shuna: No. The rest of the day.
Kazuto:...okay.
Shion then left for the kitchen with my mother right behind her to make sure it didn't suddenly blow up due to her inability to cook anything remotely edible. As I sat on the couch back in my human form I felt a hand on my shoulder and saw Benimaru trying to comfort me.
Benimaru: Don't worry, with any luck your mother might help Shion make something halfway decent.
Kazuto: You do realize this is partly your fault too right?
????: He does have a point. Honestly I'm surprised that after all this time the first thing you do when seeing him again is get him into trouble.
A third person sat next to Benimaru and I was glad to see a familiar smile aimed at me.
Albis: It's wonderful to see you again Kazuto, you've grown so much since the last time we saw you.
Kazuto: It's nice to see you too Albis. How's married life treating you?
Albis: It's going smoothly, however I do wish that my husband wasn't so busy most of the time.
Rubi: Maybe you should take Kazuto's offer and marry him instead.
Albis: Hmm, now there's a thought. Is the offer still available my dear Kazuto?
Kazuto: ( embarrassed ) Come on you two quit it!
Rubi: I'm sorry, it's just that ever since I found out about that I can't help but think how adorable it must have looked to see you like that.
Albis: It really was quite adorable. He said I was the prettiest girl in the world and that I deserved a nice husband who would love me very much.
Benimaru: I also remember him trying to look intimidating whenever I got close to Albis. He was like a little wolf pup trying to look tough in front of its pack leader.
As they chuckled remembering my childhood I just covered my face with my hands to hide my shame.
Kazuto: ( defeated ) I hate you. I hate all of you.
After getting over my trauma we were then called over to the table to eat. The amount of food on display was so good but before I could sample a bite I was pulled away by Shion who then handed me a big plate of...
Kazuto: ( What the heck am I looking at here? )
Great Sage: Answer: Death.
I guess the best way I could describe it was some kind of blue and purple ooze that looked raw and burnt all at the same time. How that was possible I had no idea, not even Great Sage knew what this was supposed to be which made me even more nervous than I already was.
Kazuto: ( Why does Shion have to be the embodiment of that overly used trope? The one where the seemingly capable hot woman actually sucks at cooking. )
Shion: Don't be shy, please eat as much as you want. I even have seconds and thirds if you're still hungry afterwards.
Kazuto: ( Why trope?! Why?! )
She was practically beaming at me while the others looked like I was about to sign my death warrant. Shuna looked a little sorry for me while Benimaru just looked away from me while sweating bullets.
Kazuto: ( Hey! Look at me you jerk! Look me in the eyes before I die! )
I then realized that Hakurou was suddenly missing, well maybe not missing but more like blending into the background completely.
Kazuto: ( And the old man's just casually hiding his presence. Traitors! )
Benimaru: ( Please forgive me Kazuto. )
Hakurou: ( Think of this as part of your training. )
Shion: Eat up Kazuto~.
I picked up my spoon and said a silent prayer before getting a small portion of it from the plate.
Kazuto: ( scared ) It... looks... delicious.
Shion: I know, thank you.
On one hand there was a good chance eating this would most likely kill me, on the other hand Shuna wouldn't have suggested this if it was that dangerous. As I brought the spoon closer to my mouth I then looked at the " food " and saw what looked like a face that was moaning in agony like some kind of cursed spirit.
Kazuto: ( Okay, relax. There's no way this food just creepily smiled at you. It was just your imagination. )
Great Sage: A simulacrum: the tendency to see a face in anything with three distinctly visible points.
Kazuto: ( Thanks, but I wasn't looking for an explanation. )
I kept looking at my spoon as Shion was continuing to watch me, it was pretty obvious that she was fully intent on watching me eat her cooking. Unfortunately there wasn't anyone for me to pawn this off to so my only option at this point was to man up and eat it.
I closed my eyes and without giving myself time to think I began eating as fast as I could. Bite after bite I kept eating what could only be described by Great Sage as the physical embodiment of death until my plate was cleaned. I had my head resting on the table while Shion looked very pleased.
Kazuto: ( sickly ) Thanks for the meal. I can't eat another bite.
Shion: I'm so glad you enjoyed it! You must really love me if you cleaned your plate that fast!
I then felt Shion pick me up and suffocate me in her chest but I was too traumatized by what I just did to really care. Everyone else was understandably shocked that I survived and silently agreed to never suggest this as a punishment to anyone, not even our worst enemies.
Great Sage: Notice: you have successfully acquired the new skill Poison Resistance.
Hold on, is Great Sage telling me that Shion's cooking is so bad that it's basically categorized as a lethal poison?! Guess I should consider myself lucky that I gained a resistance to it but it almost seems like it wasn't worth it. After a while I regained enough of my appetite back to enjoy some of the other food that we had while we talked about what we've been up to. Hakurou quickly went over the story of my fight with Kuyo while the others silently listened. I had to go over some of the details that I didn't mention to him earlier and Rubi mentioned a few things I missed.
Albis: I see, it's hard to believe that someone like that was in charge of the Security Committee.
Benimaru: Still I have to commend you Kazuto. Fighting a fox demon is no small feat, as I'm sure you're aware they are considered extremely powerful monsters. If it were me I would say we would've been at a stalemate.
He had a point, since Benimaru was a kijin he was already considered as an extremely powerful being, not to mention that Kuyo was the kind of person to underestimate those he considered weaker than him.
Shion: If I were there I can assure you that he would be reduced to a mere stain with a single swing of my Hercule's Edge! Nobody harms my Kazuto and gets away with it!
Despite her tendency to get overly aggressive I did appreciate her desire to help me, I then reached over and gave her a pat on the head as she leaned into it while hugging me from the side. Shuna did the same as she wanted head pats too so I indulged her and she was smiling soon after.
Rubi: It was pretty impressive, even now I still can't get over how he was able to successfully separate Kuyo from his powers.
Albis: Really? Does that mean Kazuto was able to turn a monster into an ordinary human?
Rubi: Yes. Not only that but Kazuto absorbed Kuyo's power and now he can not only turn into a fox demon himself but he gained some new skills with it as well.
I was really getting embarrassed from all this attention, to me fighting Kuyo was about protecting my friends and ending his reign over the school.
We then switched over to a new topic, it was actually about Shion and Shuna. According to Benimaru this would be the year that Shuna would begin to attend Yokai Academy as a first year student.
Kazuto: That explains why you called me Senpai earlier.
Shuna: Of course, as you're my senior I have to show you the proper respect. Please take good care of me Senpai~.
Did I detect a hint of lust in her tone or was that just the effects of Shion's cooking still effecting me? Anyway aside from that Shion would start working as the Headmaster's assistant alongside Rubi this year.
Rubi: I'm looking forward to working alongside you Shion.
Shion: So am I Rubi. I hope we can work well together for the foreseeable future.
After a few more hours it was time for them to leave. After saying our goodbyes I got a surprise kiss from Shion and Shuna on the lips as they said they are now my girlfriends and officially part of my harem.
Kazuto: Huh?
Shion: That's right. We understand that the girls from school really care about you but so do we.
Shuna: We promise you that we'll work hard to get along with them. Since we all care about you it won't do to have us arguing all the time for your attention.
As far as the two of them were concerned the matter was settled. After everyone had already left I went to my room and made a very important call.
Kurumu: THEY DID WHAT?!?!?!
I had a feeling this was going to happen, honestly it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that Kurumu would respond this way. I was simply sitting on my bed as a magical projection showed each of the girls as we were using communication orbs that I made using some spare magic ore to call one another. Not only was this more effective than writing letters or making phone calls since the signal was far better but it also saved us some money on our phone bills.
Yukari: Calm down Kurumu, you look like you're on the verge of a panic attack.
Kurumu: Of course I am, what I don't understand is how are the rest of you so calm about this!
Mizore: Probably because we are waiting for Kazuto to explain the situation before we overreact.
Moka: So Kazuto, you said that they're old friends of yours right?
Kazuto: Yeah. I actually met them a few years before I met you Moka. They ended up moving due to Benimaru accepting work in a new city and we haven't had many opportunities to see them again over the last few years. I think the last time I saw them was maybe 3 or 4 years ago.
Yukari: I see, and it's safe to say that you made a strong impression on them since they confessed to you today.
Kazuto: Pretty much. According to Shuna I made a promise to the two of them that they would be my first girlfriends when we were younger and thinking back on it I do vaguely remember saying that. Sort of.
Just then I saw Moka having the same expression that Shuna had earlier, even though she was smiling sweetly I could easily tell she was mad at me.
Moka: ( sweetly ) I see, so you made a promise with them just like me. And you also forgot about it too.
Great Sage: Notice: a large concentration of-...
Kazuto: ( I know already!!! )
Even though we weren't in the same room I still felt every instinct telling me to run for my life. Even the other girls were praying for my end to be swift and painless. Sort of.
Yukari: ( praying ) Please don't let Kazuto suffer.
Kurumu: ( praying ) If he dies and reincarnates somewhere else please keep other girls away from him so when we reunite I can have him all to myself.
Mizore: ( praying ) If he survives please let me be the first to bear his children.
Kazuto: Hey who's side are you on?!
They then severed the connection as Moka spent the next 10 minutes lecturing me about keeping my promises, especially if they were made to girls who clearly were in love with me so I wouldn't possibly hurt them in the future. Once it was safe we all resumed our conversation from before.
Moka: ( ahem ) Now that we have that out of the way I believe Kazuto had a few other things he wanted to talk to us about.
The others looked a little terrified since by my expression it looked like Moka put me through the wringer.
Yukari/Mizore/Kurumu: ( Note to self: never piss off Moka. )
From there I explained my family's relationship with Benimaru and the others, I then went on to tell them that Shuna would be starting out at Yokai Academy this year and that Shion and Rubi would be working together as assistants to the headmaster.
Kurumu: So we'll be her seniors starting this year, and Shion will be helping around the school?
Mizore: At least this means we'll be able to see them quite often. Better for us since we won't be strangers at the very least.
Yukari: Not only that but Shuna sounds like someone I can get along with. I'm really looking forward to meeting her face to face.
Kurumu: I personally want to meet Shion. After all someone needs to show her who has the best chest pillows for our darling Kazuto.
Kazuto: Seriously?
Kurumu:Of course, there's no way I'm losing to another girl when it comes to my boobs. Just watch my destined one, when I win I'll snuggle you up in my divine chest as much as you want.
Yukari: You already do that enough so what difference does it make boobzilla.
Kurumu: What was this little miss washboard!
Yukari: ( gasp ) Take that back!
Kurumu: Make me!
While the two of them argued I couldn't help but chuckle, moments like this were ones that I really missed and I was looking forward to seeing them again together at school.
Mizore: I almost forgot to ask but where's Rubi?
Kazuto: Oh she's in her room sleeping, it was a long day so I'm sure she's tired.
Moka: I can imagine, so I guess it's safe to say that your reunion with them went well?
Kazuto: Pretty much. Now all that's left for me to do is to patiently wait until the school year begins.
Moka: I know I can't wait either, it's been so long since we've all been in the same place together. I really miss all of you.
Mizore: Me too. Although...
We turned our attention to Kurumu and Yukari who continued to argue while calling each other names.
Mizore: Is it wrong that I don't miss the two of them arguing like a bunch of five year olds?
Kazuto/Moka: Not particularly.
We then spent the next hour catching up as well as discussing our plans for when we got back to school. We said our goodbyes as we counted the days until we could all see one another again.
Unbeknownst to any of us this year was going to be one to remember. New friends would be waiting to meet us, new adventures were just over the horizon, and old enemies would return.
The newest chapters of our story would soon unfold and now the time has come to make a name for ourselves.