Author's Note: (I don't own the characters. They are from the Light novel/Anime/Manga called "Juuni Taisen" story made by NisioIsin) This story is not original and, it takes place after the Anime where the Winner got his One wish where the other 99 wishes got rejected.
[Hey, I know there may be bad grammars, not clear details or something but, my mind is flooded with this! It's been a long time to write some fanfictions that I barely worked on.. So please don't be harsh on me.. thank you..]
Chapter 2: "The Warrior who provides Motherly Love"
=RAT/NEZUMI POV=
It's been two weeks since I woke up from my slumber and nothing has changed. Well, some of them sort of. Because of how that small family got attached to my return, Inoka, the small cheerful little girl, always dragged me out of my house and watch over her in the park every weekend.
In afternoon, she always invited me to her favorite places to visit, hoping to convince that the place was changed after my disappearances. I was free to decline the offer to go with her and I wanted to because I'm too tired to go outside but, something change lately that forced me to stick with her.
It all happened during my first weekend in the morning, there was a red envelope with a neat letter at the door. When I opened and read a letter, it was from an unknown writer with no address, thinking it would be a prank, I didn't take them seriously until I read it carefully. It was a warning letter.
The only details I could find is that "Staying in your house every weekend during days is a matter of time before you end your trials". I don't understand what this message implies but reading it back feels like this writer is taking this seriously.
One problem after another comes another risk, huh? Of course, as someone who encountered multiple wars, this is not the first time. There are multiple ways to solve this situation.
First, I used my ability, "Hundred Paths of Nezumi" to check my routes of staying in my house and ignoring the warning letter and the result is, somehow, Unknown. For some reason, all I could get in my hundredth same total outcome is that my vision was black. Maybe I was sleeping there? Another extended nine month disappearance? Or it could be worse that my deathbed has already begun.
Second, maybe staying at Inoka's place and watch over her. I don't see why not since they always accept me to stay over and sleep in their house. But it's better not to tell them about this problem otherwise, they could get mixed up.
And lastly, run away from your house and use my ability to find a better place to spend time being alone. Honestly, that would be comfortable but also tiring to keep up since I have to drain my mental state and energy for using my ability again and, the outside wind is very cold. That leaves me no choice.
"Nezu-niichan look, I made it to the top." Inoka waved her arm with a smile as I looked up and see she was on top of the net. I waved in return with an expressionless tone.
Honestly, that children's playground might be dangerous if she falls down from the net but I'm surprised she's capable of climbing there all by herself. The other kids around her were amazed she can do that. They wanted their parents to take them or play the same thing as Inoka did.
The parents agreed and allow them to play with her. Congratulations girl, you became the spotlight of this playground. While Inoka's getting the attention she deserves, I didn't notice a lady sat on a bench next to me.
The lady observed at those children playing around and smiled before she turns her head down to the ground. She has a normal outfit that looks motherly. I wasn't interested in meddling other people's business but seeing her pink haired and her head makes me wondered, Is her pair of big horns on her head real?
I flinched and felt nervous when that woman suddenly spoke, "Oh children, if only they turned back into babies. To think they're so cute when they play around without worries. Don't you think it's better for them to stay little, young man?"
She turned her head towards me, hoping I can answer her question. It was so sudden when she starts a conversation with me. Maybe she was bored or something. Upon answering her question, I noticed she had this terrible smile and that crazy eyes, looking at me like she's trying to scare me if I lied. To prevent that, I tried to relax and put a normal answer with my blank expression.
"I think, not. Staying young will make them bored. Of course, it's up to their decision to stay innocent. But doing so won't improve themselves."
"So you think it's better to let them grow and leave them behind?" The woman with horns asked, her observing eyes makes me feel like I've been stung by a bee. It feels like a strong gaze that I'm forcing to answer in an honest way but, she started to laugh and changed the topic. "But other than that, people had other ways to decide their fate."
The woman turned her eyes back to the children, leaving me confused on her deal. Good thing her terrifying gaze is gone for now. She started to relax and continued talking to me like we're an acquaintance.
"I used to have a friend who wants to be a Mother of small babies. Unfortunately, she can't produce one and every man she met always scares her. So she kidnap a baby and took care of them." The woman with horns said, making me scared and wonder about this story like, isn't kidnapping children supposed to be illegal? Though I reacted differently, the pink haired woman continued,
"When the babies grow up, she returns them back to their real parents. However, her obsession won't stop as she kidnaps more babies and raise her as her own again. The time they grow up, she returns to their parents again, doing the same habit over and over again. Her addiction to raising kids won't stop until the public finds out and eventually, she became a criminal." She answered in a sad tone, learning that her friend's actions was brought to the case.
"A criminal is a criminal. My friend accepts her crimes and was arrested along with the same criminals with different sins. We- I mean, my friend and their criminal mates have formed a friendly alliance during their life in prison, and despite having a company, my friend was ready to die since she has no purpose to live for."
"However, she suddenly change her mind." She paused as she turned her head and glared at me. I wonder where the story is going but, why is she giving me that look? Did I do something to offend her again?
"That time. Someone infiltrates and stopped us from killing criminals one after another. That day, when my friend saw a young boy with a mysterious aura, who trespass their prison battlefield, she tried to attack him but he immediately stopped the system and escaped. But after he's gone in one blink, my friend and the other criminals were brought outside the prison. Based on the records found in the remaining computers, the people told them, 'They're Free, their criminal records are being erased.' All thanks to that mysterious trespasser."
She clenched her fist and sighed back, trying to calm herself. "Even if their records were erased, my friend doesn't want to die because of being saved by a certain warrior, that is actually, their team's target to eliminate of!"
"Wow, that seems tough for her." I said in a not caring but normal tone. Thinking about this mysterious trespasser and a warrior sounds odd, he seems courageous of taking this risk of saving criminals. "I wonder if your friend has already met that person, you think she's okay to kill him?"
After asking, the Woman with horns gave me a confused look before her hand is on her head with a disappoint expression. "Honestly, I don't understand you. I mean- she doesn't know. After being coped up in 12 months in prison, she struggles to follow her vows. Being alive couldn't find another happiness. Her desire for death and her addiction of wanting kids are losing her mind, thinking that maybe killing her savior would be far better than committing suicide."
"Hhmm.. If that's your friend choice, shouldn't she take her second chance? Why don't getting a job will do? You know, a job where she takes care of small children." I recommend and said it with a straight face. The woman looked at me and wasn't impressed of my answer.
Before she said anything, a young girl interrupts us as she was standing at the center, trying to give attention with her arms raise and calling my name.
"Nezu-niichan! Can you carry me to the top again?!" Inoka said cheerfully as she watches us turning our eyes on her. Before I stood up, she noticed the woman beside me and asked, "Who is this?"
"Well.. uumm.." I tried to make an excuse answer but suddenly, the woman stood up and introduced herself, "Hello little one, I'm your brother's acquaintance, my name is Luke Michelle."
I noticed she's a tall woman and bigger than me. But other than that, when they got their introductions, Inoka stared at her head and she rose her hands with a smile and asked, "Michelle-neesama, can I touch your Horns?"
"Sure thing, little girl." The woman named Michelle held her hips and lift her up near her head. She allowed Inoka to touch her red horns and the little girl was enjoying it. The other kids notice and went closer to them, raising their arms and asking to touch her horns as well.
Seeing those exciting children made Michelle smiled and accept their offer. She grabbed one of those children at a time to take turns of touching her horns. Sometimes, she bends down and the kids wonder if they are real or not. Looking at the Tall woman playing with the children is kinda like she's playing as a mascot to entertain them.
The parents are happy to see this show while I just sit back on the bench with a shade from the tree, eating my cheese sandwich and watching Inoka. So far so good, nothing has changed but, I'm starting to get tired soon.
Moments later, I woke up from the cold wind and noticed the kids went back to their parents while the Woman named Michelle is still talking to Inoka. I stood up and went over to them to join their conversation.
"Did you have fun?" I asked to the young girl, who looked towards me with a joyful smile.
"Yes! Listen Nezu-niichan, Michelle-neesama offers me to have dog ears as my next birthday. Isn't that great?!" Inoka said cheerfully.
"It is." I said with an sleepy soft tone and pat her head. Then, I turned my eyes on the tall woman who was beside Inoka, "Michelle-neesama, thank you for looking after her."
"No problem, it was quite fun to have those kids around me." Michelle said with a wide grin expression.
When observing this lady, I remember she was pale a while ago until her time of being close with them has managed to gain her spirits and make her excited.
During her time of playing with children, I noticed this lady is enjoying her time with those children. Even her horns stands up the most, it seems she provides some playful company to play with them. That brings up from my mind,
"Why don't you try working as a Preschool Teacher?" I suggested, which Michelle widened her eyes before I continued, "Or work as a Nanny or Daycare Teacher? You seem good at taking care of the kids."
Hearing her story about her friend's obsession with babies may be out of my line but, seeing her being a motherly caring person to those children in the park suddenly comes to my mind and, I felt it resembles to the story and the problem solution he told me back in the twelfth war night.
There was a time I remembered one of my erased path memories where I got along with a Warrior, who works at Preschool and was good at taking care of kids. He suggested that if I saw someone who loves to play with young children, try to recommend on taking a daycare job since most people nowadays are focused on business works other than caring new generations. That's what I had in mind but, I wonder why I brought that up and decide to share it to someone I just met.
The pink haired lady showed her terrifying gaze at me and asked, "Are you saying you suggest me to start a new life and be a Preschool teacher?"
I nod back in reply while my body felt shivers down my smile when seeing her wicked smile and a look that makes me tell that she's going to kill me for some nonsense suggestions.
Michelle sighed back and answered calmly, "I'm sorry. I could try but, you think everyone will accept a foreigner like me? I was just playing with them for spare time. A person like me would never accept to be a Daycare teacher for kids. I'm sure everyone knows that."
"That's not true!" Inoka suddenly interrupts and rose her hand, "I know where everyone will accept you! Come on!"
"Hey Wait-" Michelle felt someone held her hand but she won't let it go. Inoka showed her optimism as she grabbed Michelle's left hand and drag her out of the park. I followed after them and wonder where she's going to take this tall woman.
Later on, Inoka brought us to the Small Nursery Preschool where young kids were educated with preschool teachers. Two staffs came at us for question and Inoka being a brave and courageous little girl pointed at Michelle and asked them to let her work.
At first, the staff are confused and I wanted to stop this brave girl but, Michelle held her shoulder, taking Inoka's place and bows down, asking if she can try to work here. The staff fell silence, then turning their heads to each other before making a decision.
Michelle's hands were shaking and I have a feeling she was scared to listen to a rejected answer. However, the Staff tell us that she can work as a volunteer and test her out. If she can prove that her experience of taking care of children is suitable, they would allow her to take this job.
Even if Michelle has no papers or documents, the staff always wanted to add a new member since their school has a lack of team. Hearing that answer gives a hopeful ambition chance to be a preschool teacher.
Inoka was proud of her as she was bouncing with excitement. I tried to calm her down and commented, "Hey, just because she got a volunteer, doesn't mean she's official. She needs to undertake a trial before she becomes one of them. If she fails, she'll lose her chance."
"Don't worry, Michelle-neesama will pass, I'm sure of it!" Inoka spoke with determination.
"Oh really?" I said, not taking expectations too lightly. It's not like I underistimate that tall woman's skills. I just don't want to give my hopes up for any unpredictable trials.
Before they gave Michelle her first volunteer trial, Inoka gave her encouragement, believing she can do this and pass this trial. Michelle gave a smile in return as she pats Inoka's head before she heads inside.
Moments later, Michelle went outside and showed us the paper with a proud smile. Inoka and I went for a closer look to check the paper and believe it or not, I was surprised and didn't expect she could go this far. she gave us a thumbs up and replied,
"I pass!"
=TAURUS/MICHELLE POV=
It's been three weekend since I woke up from 12 months ago and so far, I'm starting to like this job for babysitting preschool kids. At first, I thought they were scared of my appearance. My terrifying gaze could end up like a Boogey man and scare them. But after treating them as my children, they started to open up with me and care for me as if I'm their second parent.
Seeing those youngsters makes me believe that my wish was granted all along. Even if they don't look like babies, their innocence could tell how young they are. Still, getting used to this volunteer job takes more time to shepherd them, which is very fun. Not only this volunteer job gives me a second chance, the staff offers me to give a raise payment.
Of course, I refused, not using my obsessive passion for work and earn money. I used this job as a spare time while the other reason for staying here is to gain more information.
That's right, my job is not over yet. My comrades need me.
When I first met that young boy Nezumi, I was planning to kill him because he was the champion of the organisation that we hate. But after slowly talking to him and getting a bonus volunteer job of taking a role of a preschool teacher, I don't think that killing him is the right thing to do, for now.
After all, I still have more questions to answer. And one of those is his relationship to those assassins who planned to kill him every afternoon on weekends. For some reason, I discovered this case on the second week where I met him.
Before meeting Nezumi, I secretly used my ability to create a clone using my gene and some random subject I found and borrowed at the alleyways.
["Imagination Recognition"]
I gave my clone a task to investigate the target's house. At the same time, I was looking after my target while my clone does the investigation work. My ability can only last long five minutes before they melt. So they don't have time waste as they head over to Nezumi's house.
Getting inside his house was a piece of cake because he forgot to lock the door. My clone managed to sneak in without suspicions and what they found inside, was a red envelope that has an open letter, revealing to be a warning sign of someone coming in to kill the owner. Oh boy, it seems that this Champion Nezumi, has another predator to watch his back for.
Before the clone continued their search, they suddenly heard someone opened the door and it was a stranger wearing black assassin burglar suit.
"Who are you?!" The Black assassin showed his dagger and asked, "You're not one of the targets! What are you doing here?!"
The clone didn't say a word but I ordered them to fight to those who interfere their task. There's still four minutes left before they melt. So they took out their white sword and called out their Warrior name,
"War Criminal of Taurus, Swear to Kill, Look Me!"
They took a battle stance while the Black Assassin was the first to charge and attack them. Luckily, the first strike dodged them as the clone used her white sword and hit the target's legs, forcing him to fall down. They stab their ankles and their legs again, making sure the enemy won't rise up.
To think the battle lasted for ten seconds, the enemy must be far weaker than the War criminals that I met. When the Black Assassin couldn't feel their legs and took their breath, the clone was going to drag him out and put him unconscious so that they can capture and have a word with him.
However, the enemy suddenly bit his tongue, forcing himself to commit suicide before he reveal his answers to the clone. Not just that, his body suddenly shakes, causing their blood to spill out, making a red blood mess in the front door room.
This is bad, if that Rat Warrior came back and saw this mess, he will suspect me and I would definitely get in trouble. So I ordered my clone to clean this place and remove the body as fast as they can. Don't worry, there's still three minutes before they melt.
It doesn't take a while to finish this job and carry the body on the quiet street. In the end, the clone succeeded their task and was melted away. The body of the assassin is hidden in the bush, so it's only a matter of time before I retrieve it to my team.
One job of getting information has complete.
=RAT/NEZUMI POV=
I went to the class and the classmates greet me as always. Before I lay my head on my desk, I could hear my classmate's gossip about a new transfer student will be coming in our classroom. Not interested in the topic, I yawned and fell asleep peacefully. When I woke up but closing my eyes and listening to the teacher coming in and a footstep behind them.
It must be a transfer student but, I don't pay it too much as I tried to sleep again. Then, I heard some boys whispered of how cute the transfer student is. So, it's a girl. By the time she bowed down and introduced herself, suddenly, I couldn't sleep back again.
"Nice to meet you everyone. My name is Meland Sherry. I come from a foreign country. My parents and I stayed this place for two months. It might be a problem but, I hope we can get along." The white haired girl said.
That transfer student's voice sounds familiar and my body is giving me another shivers down my spine. It's the same mysterious trigger again, like how that terrifying look of Michelle-neesama's eyes glare at me. Could she be someone I remember from one of my previous paths in my battle as a warrior?
The teacher gave her a seat near the exit door but the white haired girl named Meland Sherry, pointed a seat she wants to take. While I was struggling to sleep back, I didn't notice her footsteps are getting closer until she stopped and asked that other student to take her empty seat.
When I lift my head up and turned to that voice, I watched as the transfer student took a seat next to me. This is my first time I see her and the way she looked at me, felt like she doesn't want me to sleep back. The other classmates gave us a questioned look, something like "Did you two know each other?"
I didn't pay attention to those surrounding me but, the transfer student looked like she wants to have a company with me. She gave me a small chuckled and smiled gently,
"It's nice to meet you Nezumi-kun, I hope we can get along."
*Character Details 2:
Name: Look Me/Luke Michelle
Occupation: Volunteer Daycare Teacher
Title: Former War Criminal of Taurus
Ability: Imagination Recognition
Warrior Quote: "Swear to Kill/Vows to Kill"
Wishing Quote: I want a Child
(My Creative Non-Cannon) Personality:
Obsessed of taking care of babies and small children. She has a normal lovable personality when it comes to caring her teams and desires. However, she also has a Crazy Chaotic Expression that makes everyone fear at her in first glance but all children won't find it scary for some reason.