{Family Bonds Arc - Finale}
1st of June, 2031.
It was almost time for Mio and Shinji to move into one of Ratatoskr's owned properties and leave Shido behind. Over the course of the last 3 years, Mio, Shinji, Shido and myself have all been spending a lot of time together by going out shopping, on trips and so fourth. I've also been talking with Nia here and there to keep her within arms reach should I need to get in contact with her.
Today, me, Shinji, Mio and a 7 year old Shido were all at the beach for a day out. I was laying on a towel underneath an umbrella while I saw the Takamiya family go for a swim in the ocean in their swimsuits, with Shido wearing floats.
"They're having so much fun.. honestly, I'm glad I get to witness this one last time before the chaos that will eventually ensue over the next decade." I quietly said to myself with a smile on my face.
The breeze that was present that day felt like a gentle paintbrush on my skin, the feeling of it making me feel at peace as I read a book, my mind indulged in the activity.
"Scara! Come join us!" Shinji called out as he and Mio were splashing each other.
"One day, that'll be me and my future love having fun there with our future child.. though, I doubt it'll happen for at least a while, if not forever." I thought to myself as I closed my book, slowly standing up to take a step forward but as I was about to do so...
"Scara! Didn't expect to see you here!" Nia called out, making me turn around.
"Nia? I did not expect to see you here either." I replied with a stoic expression.
"What brings you to the beach?" Nia asked out of curiosity.
"Just tagging along with some friends and their child. It was the least I can do." I mentioned with a slight smile.
"Ahh, that's very kind of... you?" Nia said as her voice trailed off as she saw Mio, obviously remembering her from all the way back in 2012, when she first became "Sister."
"I assume you've met Mio before then?" I asked, wanting to know the details.
"Y-yeah... it was nearly 20 years ago.. but she looks so much different now compared to when she gave me Rasiel." Nia replied with a slightly surprised expression.
"She's a friendly woman, trust me. If she can start a family, I'm sure that tells you everything you need to know." I said with a smile.
"You're not wrong there.." Nia replied, regaining her composure now.
I don't know whether it was my darkened heart or my stoicism preventing me from realising earlier, but I only just now noticed that Nia wasn't wearing anything but a swimsuit.
"Why am I thinking about THAT now of all times?! Scara, stop it, don't get flustered over a swimsuit you buffoon!" I thought to myself frantically as I blushed slightly.
"Uhh, Scara? You okay there?" Nia asked, confused to my reaction.
"Yep, yep, everything's fine." I replied after shaking my head rapidly.
"My... was you actually flustered over my swimsuit?" Nia teased with a slight blush.
"N-no I was not! Shush!" I replied frantically.
After that, I could feel Nia staring at my figure.
"Why does he look so damn cool.. almost as cool as some of those dreamy 2D characters.. wait! Why am I even thinking about that?! I only love 2D!" Nia thought to herself as she blushed a moderate shade of red.
"Jesus Nia you're blushing up a storm." I said in a composed manner.
"No I'm not! You're imagining things! Yep, you're just imagining it!" Nia said as she tried to cover her face in embarrassment, her flustered nature showing in its entirely. Honestly? I thought it was kind of adorable.
I then stared off into the horizon while Nia was busy being flustered as memories of my previous life flooded back into my mind; the heartache, the boredom and other things. It was quite a bitter moment.
"Scara?" Nia called out.
"Ahh, yeah?" I responded as I snapped out of my trail of thought.
"You looked as if you were reminiscing for a second." Nia said, intrigued.
"I wish I could call it 'reminiscing' but it's more like 'unconsentual torture.' You wouldn't want to remember the stuff I'm remembering right now." I replied calmly with a distant look on my face.
"I see." Nia said with a hint of reluctance.
"Uncle! Come play with us!" Shido called out.
"I'll be there in a second!" I called back.
"Wait, uncle?" Nia asked confused.
"Not biologically. He just calls me that because I'm a close friend of his parents." I answered with a chuckle.
"That's understandable." Nia replied with a grin.
After that, I introduced Nia to Shinji and re-introduced Nia to Mio and everyone got along swimmingly.
As the day went on, I couldn't help but think about how I'd approach this next decade. Honestly? It was only just starting to sink in how long I've actually been around.
No matter how many times I come back to this beach, I'm always reminded as to why it will never get old to me.
"You know Scara, I'm only just starting to realise how precious this moment is going to be. You know, our last time on the beach all together for a while." Shinji said with a melancholic tone.
"You're right about that. DEM just had to ruin the licker of peace we managed to get.." I responded with a hint of annoyance. "Because of Westcott's goals and ambitions, Japan is now in danger once more. So is Mio, so are you and so is Shido."
"I have a feeling that things are going to get rough in every sense of the word. It's like.. I can't shake the feeling that something catastrophic will happen during what seems to be pretty much be a full-blown arms race between Ratatoskr and DEM." Shinji mentioned while having a pessimistic expression on this face.
"Everything's gonna be okay in the end. I'm sure of it. It won't be immediate, but I'll try and end this ASAP." I said with a frown on my face.
"That girl and Mio are getting along really well.. I'm surprised you haven't took her on a date yet." Shinji teased.
"Shinji, cut the teasing will you? She ain't into real life men." I jested with a chuckle.
Me and Shinji continued to spend time with each other for a while, just talking about random things and laughing at the silliest of topics. It really felt like a man's talk.
I then went over to Mio and Shido, who were in the ocean as Nia got out to talk to Shinji.
"Hey Shido, you enjoying the ocean?" I asked with a smile on my face.
"Yeah! It's so much fun!" Shido replied enthusiastically.
"I'm glad to hear it little man." I remarked.
"That Nia.. I don't know how you two met, but it's like we've all become close with one another, even when I gave her that Sephirah." Mio mentioned with a gentle smile on her face.
"That's true. She mainly talks to me about her mangas and her profits and other things I normally would class as 'silly.' Personally, I can't help but feel like me and Nia share a lot in common." I replied with a faint smile, my mind drifting back to that event.
"Well, I just hope she remains a friend to us. I think it's because you're around that she's around. If something were to happen to you, I don't know what Nia would be doing but it'd be safe to say that you're holding everything together Scara." Mio said with a smile but maintained a serious tone.
"Mama, is uncle gonna marry that Nia girl?" Shido questioned.
Yep, I feel my cheeks getting hot. Not good.
"N-no young man. Unless things drastically change in the future. Besides, love is still sensitive to me." I replied, my flustered nature fading as I nearer the end of the sentences.
"I think it'd be nice." Mio teased.
"Mio please, you tease me too much." I replied with a chuckle.
Me and Mio continued to joke with each other while playing with Shido during the rest of the time we all were together.
Hint: This section is best read while listening to the "Grief" section of "A Legends Strife" by Heart Plus Up. Read slowly.
That evening, after everyone else went home, I was still on the beach, looking at the sunset. The gentle wind along with the crashing of the waves made for a serene moment for myself.
"When I took in that crystal all those years ago, I felt as if I was beckoning a heavy responsibility. To this day, that idea has never changed as I devote myself to changing the course of history. What happens after I interfere, is up to everyone who is involved and it'll not be my place to influence that. Honestly, I'm just glad I'm able to change people's lives for the better. This, is the calm before the decade long storm to come with Westcott, Ellen, Artemisia and DEM to boot.. The Anti-Spirit Team (AST) will be a secondary enemy, as they are initially allied with DEM. But back to the topic of me being an anomaly to this world, I'll keep doing what I need to set this timeline on the path to the 'platinum ending.' Even if it means I have to sacrifice everything else just to make sure all of these characters get to live better lives. Mio, Shinji, Shido, Nia and everyone else.. they all deserve happy lives without a threat. Like i vowed all those years ago, I will make sure I will give these people the happy ending the people from my world who were a fan of Date A Live series never got to see. It'll be like unlocking that secret route in an otome game. Except... this time, I'm not treating this like an otome game, I ain't a play boy, but, the secret route exists in this story.. and I'm taking it...
To one day get over the hurdle of a shattered heart."
As I finished my monologue, I stood up as I felt the wind pick up, my hair blowing in the wind as I began to walk away from the ocean with my hand on my chest.
It was time to let go of my personal feelings as I've now concluded my 3rd phase of my conquest as a spirit. The chaos, was about to begin on the fourth step of my journey...
A/N: Hello there! I hope you're ready for the next arc! You're a legend for reading this far! It shows you're supportive and I appreciate it! The 1st 10 chapters are done and I will count every 10 chapters as a volume. 2 more favourites and I'll start working on releasing the 2nd volume (Chapters 11-20).
This next arc will be focusing 2 events that happened before the Season 1 events of Date A Live. But there will be one section which is entirely my own idea. Wait and see what it'll be. The 1 clue I'll give, is "Battle Royale."
Scara has now prepared all that he can for DEM's return, and now prepares himself to disrupt Westcott and DEM more.
Next time: "The Clock Ticks." Don't miss this one, for the 2nd volume of chapters shall kick off with the "Prelude Arc!"