A/N: I am delighted to present to you the latest chapter of the All Worlds Alliance Stories series. I am deeply gratified by the positive reception of the preceding installment and eagerly await your engagement with this new addition.
Number01BlazblueFan - Nothing in mind at the moment.
Marvelesque1Der - Wow! That's a question I haven't got for a long time. Like 2017-2018 question. Anyway, the answer is simple, because I find it unique.
Below are additional characters with single names who have now been given both a last name and a first name in this story:
Shiina - Eri Shiina (According to the Angel Beats! Fandom)
Shin-Ah - Shin-Ah Seiryuu (Taken from his alias 'Seiryuu' which means 'Blue Dragon')
Shinobu - Shinobu Mizuki (Taken from her JP seiyuu, Nana Mizuki)
Shirayuki - Shirayuki Akagami ('Akagami' means 'red hair')
Shiro - Shiro Hanazawa (Taken from her JP seiyuu, Kana Hanazawa)
And with that done, let's get this chapter on the go!
Disclaimer: I do not possess any characters featured in this story, unless they are my original characters who seldomly appear.
-New Normal Earth-
-Izu Peninsula, Japan-
On one part of Mt. Omuro, Motoharu the Delinquent is busy working at a pop-up outdoor eatery, juggling both cooking and serving duties, with Ram Oni and Rem Oni helping him out as waitresses. This little restaurant is a short-term deal; Motoharu managed to get the okay to set it up because he's trying to save up some cash to buy a camper van for future adventures.
At a nearby table, Emilia Pietermann and Subaru Natsuki are digging into some delicious curry rice when Estellise Sidos Heurassein and Farah Oersted come by and decide to join them. Meanwhile, over at another table, Flash Thompson, Flynn Scifo, Yuri Lowell and Yuu Kanda are enjoying a meal of tonkatsu ramen. For Yuu, they've added a little something extra: bean sprouts, just the way he likes it.
Then, there's Victor Nikiforov, Yuri Plisetsky and Yuuri Katsuki at their own table, savoring a dish of jambalaya along with some chilled beers to wash it down.
As the group of friends—Akari Inuyama, Aoi Inuyama, Chiaki Oogaki, Ena Saitou, Mai Iida, Minami Toba, Nadeshiko Kagamihara and Rin Shima—walk by, they spotted the eatery and decide to check it out.
"Hey, I didn't know there was a place to eat here on the mountain." Chiaki uttered out loud while sounding a bit surprised.
"It's a temporary thing." Mai filled them in, "The person who started this got permission for just three days and today's the last one." she explained.
Nadeshiko takes a deep breath and smells the mouthwatering aromas coming from the kitchen, "Mmm, that smells amazing!" she exclaimed with a big smile.
"Why don't we grab a quick bite before we head over to the Cactus Zoo?" Aoi suggested.
"Yey!" Akari exclaimed and is obviously excited at the thought of food.
"Sounds good to me." Minami chips in agreement.
Consequently, the group chose to partake in a modest repast at the outdoor eatery, during which each of them placed an order for a dish of their preference.
Rin was the final participant to specify her selection, "Could I possibly order a sumashijiru?" she inquired.
Motoharu acknowledged her request without turning to face her, "Certainly." he replied succinctly and then proceeded to prepare her order. Following a brief interval, he presented her with a serving of sumashihiru, "Here it is for your enjoyment." he presented with a smile.
As Rin extended her hand to receive the bowl, she inadvertently made contact with Motoharu's hand. This innocent touch elicited a sudden, intense sensation akin to an electrical current coursing through both their bodies. Upon making eye contact, their surroundings were momentarily adorned with a sparkling array akin to a celebratory spectacle, and their hearts pounded as though in rhythm with a festival's ceremonial drums.
Motoharu and Rin found themselves incapable of averting their gaze from one another, their cheeks gently suffused with a crimson hue.
Without any warning, the world around them was immobilized, as if a cosmic hand had reached down to halt the very fabric of time itself, leaving all within their vicinity in a tableau of suspended animation.
Amour then emerged into the line of sight, her countenance adorned with a malevolent smile, "Allow me to elucidate the circumstances that have transpired before you." she announced, "While my inclinations typically favor polyamorous constructs, I concede that there exist moments where adherence to the principles of monogamy is warranted." she admitted while gesturing a hand towards Motoharu and Rin, "These two individuals, as you observe, embody one such exceptional union that I am prepared to recognize." the goddess affirmed, "However, it is imperative that they declare their affection for one another within the next ten months." she revealed with a sinister chuckle, "Should they fail to do so, they shall meet the same tragic fate as those who have gone before them." she concluded and her voice suffused with an eerie sense of amusement, "Indeed, it remains to be seen whether they will withstand the trials ahead and emerge unscathed, or succumb to the inexorable march of fate." she pondered with a diabolical smile.
With that, Amour strutted out of view, and just like that, the world snapped back to life. People began moving again, as if they hadn't just been frozen statues.
Motoharu, looking like he'd just seen a ghost, took out a big sigh, "P-Please, enjoy your meal." he stumbled out with his face as red as a beet.
Rin nodded in response with her cheeks matching his, "T-Thank you." she murmured before walking away and is lost in her own thoughts, "What on earth was that?" she wondered while utterly perplexed.
And poor Motoharu, he couldn't contain his panic, "Why is my heart racing like this?!" he thought with his voice echoing in his head, "I'm scared out of my wits!" he exclaimed to himself while trying to keep the laughter from bubbling up.
Rin hurried over to where her friends were sitting and plopped down at the table. As soon as she sat, Nadeshiko couldn't help but spot the pink blush spreading across Rin's cheeks.
"Hey Rin, are you okay?" Nadeshiko asked while sounding a bit worrie, "You're looking a bit flushed." she pointed out.
"Oh, I'm totally fine." Rin reassured quickly while trying to play it cool, "I'm just a little warm, that's all." she reasoned but it was totally obvious she was hiding something.
"But it's not even that hot out here!" Chiaki chimed in while raising an eyebrow.
Ignoring their curiosity, Rin took a mouthful of her food and her eyes went wide, She chewed for a second, then swallowed and took a sip of soup, "Wow!" she exclaimed in her thoughts, "This is really delicious." she commented, "And the soup is just how I like it." she admitted, "I guess that guy's cooking is way better than Nadeshiko's and Aoi's." she compared.
But then she saw something that made her pause mid-bite. Derek Padilla, Justice and Sadness were all sitting at a nearby table, and to her surprise, Sadness had a little smile on her face. It was such a heartwarming sight that Rin couldn't help but smile too. It was clear that the girl who always seemed so down was finally starting to feel a bit better.
Across the area, Motoharu was busy stirring a big pot of curry while Ram poked him with a ladle like she was trying to start a duel, "What's with the flirty moves?" she teased him, "Are you really focused on cooking or are you just goofing around?" she chastised.
Motoharu didn't miss a beat, "That wasn't my intentions." he replied while keeping his cool.
"You are just like Barusu." Ram said with a smirk, "Always getting distracted at work." she stated.
"Hey!" Subaru's voice called out from somewhere nearby and obviously not thrilled with the comparison, "Leave my name out of it!" he berated.
Once they had all enjoyed their meals and descended from the top of Mt. Omuro, they hopped into their cars and set off to their next destination.
-BREAK-
After a short drive, they reached the Izu Cactus Park, which is like a cool blend of a botanical and zoological garden. It's nestled right beside Mount Omuro, which has this really eye-catching, grassy volcanic cone that's hard to miss if you're in the central Ito area on the Izu Peninsula.
The park is home to over a thousand different types of cacti from all over the world, all chilling out in their greenhouses. And if you're into animals, there are plenty to see too - birds flying around, little rodents scurrying about, and even some cheeky monkeys making their home there.
"Finally..." Akari trailed, "... we finally get to see the capybaras!" she cheered in excitement.
"Akari-chan has been looking forward for this the whole time." Nadeshiko commented before spotting something at the side of the roads, "Look, peacocks!" she pointed out.
"And pelicans are over there." Chiaki added.
"What kind of monkey is that?" Ena asked in awe.
"Wow." Rin muttered out loud, "They're roaming free right at the gate." she stated.
"Pelicans are so elegant." Aoi commented.
Once they had all parked their cars, people started heading over to the ticket booth.
"Please buy your admission tickets at the vending machine over there." the female employee beckoned.
"I love that the animals here roam free right up to the edge of the property." Minami shared her thoughts with a smile.
"What?" the female employee gasped in surprise before getting up from her seat a little bit, "Shirai-san, they're on the loose again!" she called out.
Nagisa Shirai suddenly appeared in the scene and his eyes are wide with surprise, "Jesus Christ!" he exclaimed while visibly frustrated, "Not again!" he groaned while shaking his head, "Fine, I'll go take care of it." he conceded before sprinting off.
"So they aren't free range?" Minami questioned in her thoughts.
After that, everyone started to wander around the park, going from place to place. Aoi ended up feeding some llamas while Rin couldn't help but gawk at the massive shoebills. Chiaki and Nadeshiko somehow got stuck in the middle of a bunch of humongous cacti, with expressions on their faces that made it seem like they were either holding their breaths or had just realized they'd forgotten to breathe at all.
They all eventually made it to this outdoor hot spring area, and boy, was it something! There were capybaras just lounging around in the warm water, and it was so peaceful to watch that everyone started to feel like they were in a tranquil state of mind, like they'd been transported into a capybara's world. But then they'd snap out of it, remembering they weren't the ones soaking in the springs.
Minami had another idea, and suggested they head over to a petting zoo to actually get up close and personal with the capybaras. Akari was totally on board with this, jumping at the chance to get closer to her favorite animals. Chiaki couldn't help but tease her, saying Akari would go for anything capybara-related without even thinking twice.
Upon their eager arrival at the enchanting petting zoo, Akari found herself in a state of unbridled joy as she was engulfed by the welcoming presence of the capybaras. These gentle giants of the rodent world seemed to gravitate towards her, allowing her to embrace and caress them in a manner that filled her heart with unparalleled contentment. Meanwhile, the crowd looked on in amazement as Fluttershy Breeze demonstrated her divine prowess in handling the creatures. It was as though the capybaras recognized her as a deity, bowing before her in an act of reverence that was nothing short of captivating.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, amber glow over the bustling gift shop, Akari's eyes sparkled with excitement at the sight of the capybara-themed merchandise laid out before her. Ena, Nadeshiko and Rin had meticulously selected a treasure trove of items, including a colossal plushie that could swallow her whole, a cozy hoodie adorned with the likeness of her newfound friends, and a variety of snacks that bore the smiling face of the creatures. Akari's desire to claim these tokens of her unforgettable experience grew with each passing moment.
Yet, as she reached into the depths of her pocket to retrieve the funds necessary to complete her purchases, she was met with a harsh reality. The coffers of her wallet were not as plentiful as her enthusiasm. In a moment of desperation, she approached Chiaki, her voice tinged with hope, to request the use of the New Year's money that had been granted to her. However, the bespectacled girl, ever the pragmatist, offered a gentle but firm rebuttal.
-BREAK-
Subsequently, the entire group bid farewell to the Izu Cactus Park and made their way back to the Iida Wine Shop, where the ever-attentive Tadahisa Iida eagerly awaited their return.
Upon arriving at the quaint wine shop's frontage, everyone gathered their belongings and prepared to depart. Amidst the flurry of activity, a touching scene unfolded as Mai and Tadahisa lingered in the yard.
"Take care, everyone." Mai expressed with a smile, "You're welcome to drop by whenever you'd like." she added.
"Hai." Ena replied with a smile, "I hope you come to camp in Yamanashi sometime, too, Iida-san." she expressed.
"You can mail order Ikeike, sensei." Tadahisa beckoned towards Minami, "Put in an order when you run out, okay?" he advised.
Minami then responded by presenting a bottle of alcohol that she bought from the shop, "You bet I will!" she declared in excitement.
Subsequently, everyone boarded the van and commenced their journey, with Mai and Tadahisa gracefully extending a farewell gesture as the automobile disappeared into the distance.
"Sensei, can we visit the gift shop on our way home?" Ena requested.
"Sure." Minami accepted, "Why don't we stop at a roadside section?" she suggested.
"How many geospots did we hit?" Rin asked.
Aoi checks her phone, "Let's see..." she trailed, "... twelve in total." she revealed.
"We went to quite a few." Rin uttered out loud.
"Let's do them all next time." Chiaki beckoned.
"How many are there in all?" Akari asked.
"I never counted but I think there were more than a hundred." Aoi replied.
Chiaki then paled in response, "What, seriously?" she uttered in disbelief.
"Our Izu Camp trip's almost over, huh?" Ena pointed out, "It's been a while since we all went camping together." she reminded, "So, I had fun." she declared.
"Yeah." Rin uttered in agreement.
"Now, wait." Nadeshiko chimed in, "It isn't over until we're all back home." she pointed out.
"She's right." Chiaki piped in agreement, "Don't let your guard down, Private Ena." she beckoned.
Ena saluted in response, "Understood, ma'am!" she acknowledged and everyone started chuckling.
Upon visiting the gift shop at the convenient roadside station, the group returned to the serene Shuzenji Hot Springs, where Rin was eagerly reunited with her trusty motorbike.
Her heart filled with determination, Rin revealed her decision to embark on a solo journey, diverging from the rest of the group's path. In a show of genuine concern, Minami, ever the nurturing mentor, gently reminded Rin to exercise caution during her travels.
As the thought of loneliness briefly crossed Rin's mind, Akari sweetly inquired if she would feel isolated without their company. In an attempt to offer comfort, she proposed lending Rin her beloved capybara plush toy for companionship. However, Rin gracefully declined, preferring to face the road ahead without any encumbrances.
Chiaki, ever the spirited friend, suggested they could swap places and she would ride the motorbike instead. Yet, the group chuckled at her enthusiasm, as they were all too aware that Chiaki lacked the necessary license to operate such a vehicle.
With a poignant moment captured, Nadeshiko snapped a photograph of Rin astride her motorbike, symbolizing the beginning of her solo adventure. The air was filled with a mix of excitement and bittersweet farewells as they prepared to go their separate ways.
The van, now carrying the remaining members, turned onto the broad, straight highway, while Rin, with a wave and a smile, disappeared into the distance, her bike's engine humming as it carried her down the winding, scenic route that lay before her.
-BREAK-
-Nanbu-chou, Yamanashi, Japan-
After a couple of hours on the road, everyone except Rin arrived back in their hometown. Nadeshiko was the first to hop out of the van, with Aoi giving her a hand to unload her things into her house.
"Nadeshiko, I'll upload the photos later." Chiaki informed.
"Got it." Nadeshiko replied before turning to Minami, "Thank you for taking care of me for the past few days, Miss Toba." the big eater expressed in gratitude.
"What matters is that you're safe and sound." Minami replied with a smile.
Nadeshiko then turns to Ena, "Ena-chan, make sure you play a lot with Chikuwa!" the pink-haired girl beckoned.
"But of course!" Ena exclaimed in agreement.
"See you, Nadeshiko-chan!" Akari expressed while waving her hand.
"See you!" Nadeshiko replied.
Nadeshiko waved her hand as the van disappeared from view, watching it drive away. She took a deep breath and was about to turn and go when she heard the sound of footsteps. She spun around to find a familiar figure heading her way. It was none other than her distant cousin, Kenji Kazama, someone she had playfully said she would marry when they were little kids, much to his horror at the time.
Now, Kenji looked pretty cool in an elegant black bomber jacket with a fur collar, white turtleneck, black pants, and some snazzy red astronaut boots. He had a skull-themed beanie on his head and sunglasses hiding his eyes.
"Hey there, Nadeshiko." Kenji called out with a smile.
Nadeshiko lit up with a warm, heartfelt smile that you couldn't help but want to shield from the world. She dashed over to Kenji and enveloped him in a bear hug.
"Ken-chan, it's so good to see you again!" Nadeshiko exclaimed with her voice brimming with happiness.
"Ugh!" Kenji gasped for breath, "I forgot how tightly you hug people." he grumbled in disbelief, "Okay, let go now before we give anyone the wrong impression!" he protested with his voice a mix of annoyance and a hint of actual concern.
Nadeshiko stuck out her bottom lip in a playful pout, "You're such a party pooper." she murmured softly, "Remember when we used to hug like this all the time in elementary school?" she reminisced.
"Your memory for cringe-worthy moments never ceases to amaze me." Kenji retorted in dread.
Nadeshiko giggled in response, "So, what brings you here today?" she inquired.
"I figured it's been ages since we hung out, so I came to visit." Kenji replied and then handed her a couple of bags, "And I brought you guys some goodies from my trip to Izu." he announced.
"Izu?" Nadeshiko uttered and her eyes widened with astonishment, "You went to Izu?" she questioned.
"Yeah, I had the chance to go there." Kenji affirmed.
"No way!" Nadeshiko shrieked with surprise, "I just got back from a trip to Izu with my friends!" she shared with her voice filled with excitement, "It was a three-day getaway!" she added.
Kenji's eyebrow shot up in bewilderment as he remembered that quick glance at a van with someone inside who had pink hair and then it clicked.
"So, it was really you in that van, huh?" Kenji uttered in surprise.
Nadeshiko giggled and began tapping his shoulders lightly, "Why didn't you call out to me when you saw me?" she complained, "I could have introduced you to the people I was with!" she added.
"Well, it's a good thing I didn't." Kenji replied rather bluntly, "As I don't intend to introduce my companions to you." he said.
"What do you mean by that?" Nadeshiko asked.
"I've got, like, fifty of them." Kenji revealed, "No way am I doing that one by one." he grumbled.
All of a sudden, Kenji and Nadeshiko heard additional footsteps. They both quickly spun around to find that two figures were approaching them.
The first figure is a mature woman with an average height, she had a slender frame and a fair complexion, she had a long violet hair tied in a low ponytail by a black ribbon, she had a clear water-blue eyes and wears a clear square-rimmed glasses. She wears a big fluffy beige color scarf around her neck, she wears a navy color jacket over a green sweater, she wears a khaki skirt over a black panty hose, and a pair of light-brown boots. This is Shizuka Kagamihara, the mother of Nadeshiko.
The second figure is a middle aged man with a tall stature, he had a heavy set build and a fair complexion, he had a short dark-brown hair and facial hair, and he had brown-colored eyes. He wears a white scarf around his neck, black jacket over a dark-blue collared shirt, red pants and black boots. This is Shuuichirou Kagamihara, the father of Nadeshiko and husband of Shizuka.
"Oh, my, Nadeshiko's back!" Shizuka exclaimed with a smile.
"And look who we've got here, it's Kenji!" Shuuichirou added with his grin widening.
"Hey, Mom, Dad, I'm home!" Nadeshiko called out cheerfully.
"Welcome back, sweetie!" Shizuka replied warmly.
"Kenji, I didn't know you'd be dropping by." Shuuichirou admitted in amusement.
Kenji chuckled in response, "Yeah, I probably should've given you a heads up." he lamented.
"Let's get inside first, it's freezing out here." Shuuichirou suggested while rubbing his hands together.
"Sounds good to me." Shizuka said in agreement.
The four of them headed into the Kagamihara House, their voices filling the air with cheerful chatter. Meanwhile, Kenji couldn't help but furrow his brow slightly, remembering a chat he'd had with someone a little while back.
-FLASH BACK!-
-Somewhere in the Multiverse-
AWA Starship, AWA Academy
Inside the headmaster's office, nestled within the AWA Academy, there's a scene where Kenji is in deep conversation with C.C. and Lelouch Lamperouge.
"Why are we here?" Kenji asked with a blank expression.
With a graceful motion, Lelouch revealed a compact gadget, its surface adorned with a cerulean button. Upon pressing it, a colossal holographic display shimmered into existence, showcasing the visage of a young lady named Nadeshiko.
"Does this individual hold any significance for you?" Lelouch questioned with his gaze fixed on Kenji.
Kenji's pupils dilated in astonishment while recognizing the person within the projection, "That's my distant relative, Nadeshiko!" he exclaimed with his voice echoing with astonishment, "What on Earth is happening here?!" he exclaimed in shock and his bewilderment palpable.
"Allow me to elucidate, Kazama-san." C.C. began with her tone measured and composed, "Our quest has led us to the pursuit of potential vessels for the Zero Goddesses within the realms of New Normal Earth." she explained while allowing the gravity of her words to sink in, "Through meticulous investigation, we've identified Miss Nadeshiko Kagamihara as a likely candidate." she revealed, "However, the precise deity that dwells within her remains a mystery to us." she conceded.
"Hence, we seek your vigilance over her." Lelouch said with his voice a blend of authority and reassurance, "Your unique capabilities render you the most suitable for this mission." he affirmed, "We are cognizant of the overwhelming nature of this revelation but your comprehension is essential." he communicated with his eyes conveying a silent plea for Kenji's cooperation.
-END OF FLASH BACK!-
Even though he kept his cool on the outside, Kenji was boiling with anger on the inside, "Why did it have to be Nadeshiko?" he grumbled to himself. The mere thought of his cousin getting tangled up in AWA matters didn't sit right with him but the real kicker was that she was now connected to an unpredictable Zero Goddess. That put her in serious danger and it had him really worried. He clenched his fists tightly while making a silent promise, "Don't you worry, Nadeshiko." he reassured, "I'll keep you safe, no matter what it takes!" he declared.
A/N: Thank you for taking the time to read this chapter, I appreciate your support and I hope you found it enjoyable. The Izu Tripnarrative has drawn to a close, and we are now reverting to the usual AWA shenanigan. Rest assured, with the revelation that Nadeshiko is a host of a Zero Goddess, the cast of Laid-Back Camp will inevitably be integrate into the AWA's endeavors in the foreseeable future.
These are the characters that debuted in this chapter:
Shizuka Kagamihara and Shuuichirou Kagamihara are from Laid-Back Camp△.
Following this, I shall be presenting a narrative centered on the Missions theme, incorporating a Monster High plotline. Given that it has been an extended period since my last engagement with the aforementioned IP, I kindly request that you await this forthcoming installment with anticipation.
Until then paalam!
The sun was beating down on Evangeline Athanasia Katherine McDowell's beach villa, and Chizuru Tachibana was sitting there, cross-legged, with his eyes closed, really concentrating hard on something. But then, all of a sudden, his eyes flew open and he looked absolutely furious.
"THAT UNCOOPERATIVE BITCH!" Chizuru yelled out in annoyance.
Chizuru jumped to his feet and started stomping around in the sand while throwing a bit of a tantrum. He even picked up a rock and chucked it into the water.
"Having no luck?" avoiced asked.
Chizuru spun around to find the Author walking up to him.
"Nope." Chizuru grumbled, "I've tried everything." he said, "Talking, reasoning, you name it." he listed off, "But she just won't budge from her hatred and need for revenge." he groaned and was really getting worked up now, "What's the deal with this goddess?" he questioned, "Why'd I end up with such a stubborn one?" he added.
The Author looked at him with a hint of disappointment, "I see what you're saying." he acknowledged.
"I'm basically the only host who hasn't managed to tap into all the goddess's powers." Chizuru uttered out loud while looking pretty bummed out.
"There might be another way." the Author spoke so softly it was almost a whisper.
That got Chizuru's attention and he looked confused, "What do you mean?" he asked.
The Author looked at him seriously, "There's another method." he repeated, "But it's not something I'd usually suggest." he admitted, "But given where we're at, I think we might not have much choice." he conceded.
"Okay, what is it?" Chizuru asked.
The Author's expression turned a bit grim, "You'd have to become the next God of Harmony." he declared.