After the cupcake feast at an amazing dine-in bakery, Clyde and Alice fell asleep on the living room's couch. A goofy anime played on the TV.
He woke up an hour later, Alice in his arms. She stirred when he sat up. Neko sat next to them, innocent expression on her face. She licked Clyde's cheek.
"Nyan, you had a smudge of leftover cupcake on you."
Alice glared, but let her annoyance out in a breath, seemingly not in the mood to deal with the catgirl. He had two things to do this day: date with Natalia, then that night, hang out with Toru, Seth, and Yusuke. He couldn't wait to see what Seth had planned for them. The blonde man kept a tight lip on the location.
"Let's go talk to Yuki," Clyde said.
"About?" Alice said
"The Abyss to the Blackness, nya," Neko answered.
"Good job with the mopping, you are now promoted from pathetic scrub girl to just scrub girl," Yuki said. "You can have the rest of the day off and I'll cut you a break and give you one hour of TV time today. Now off with you."
Maki nodded, face cheerful. She gave brief greetings as she moved past the others. Of course, the sneaky girl made sure to brush a hand across the young man's arm.
Clyde recalled her terms: working very long and hard days dictated by a demoness, eating lesser quality foods and no sweets, also sitting at the crappy table in another room during eating times. Only allowed to drink water. Tea on very rare occasions. No fancy clothing. Forced to see parents once a month—despite hating them. She already completed that tick, but with the new month coming it, Yuki was probably going to send her through the torture soon. Only an hour or two outside per day, with fifteen minutes of forced exercises. Yuki gave her the most excruciating ones—Maki seemed to be in tears every time. He still remembered some of the vomit. An hour or two of forced college assignments and studying, more scrubbing whether its floors, bathrooms, or toilets. If all cleaning was done, Yuki would create more work or just make her stand in a corner and count off how many victims she atoned for.
The young man held no sympathy. What she did, deserved worse. Even she knew that. Her powers and usefulness saved her. Hell, he had to face the Viper one day. Any advantage helped.
Yuki smiled.
"I've heard a part of the conversation already, so sit down."
She served them fancy nachos with a delicious spicy cheese dip. Clyde knew he'd finish his early, crave more. To spoil the appetite or not, that is the question.
"What do you know about this Abyss thing?" Alice said, eyes sharp, critical.
"I'm getting to that, Lady Alice," Yuki said then promptly sat on Clyde's lap. The half-demoness didn't react. "The Abyss to the Blackness is one of the seven legendary wrongs of this world. There are times when…that thing can slip into our dimension, though I couldn't tell you how off the top of my head. I encountered it only once from afar. It's an unnatural consciousness of taint, filth, dark magic, and raw unfiltered essence. It may be a dark deity, but no one knows for sure. Master Clyde, I cannot allow you to try to fight or agitate this thing. It's too strong."
"Nya, that's not the plan," Neko said, "but its spawning is a small possibility." She told Yuki about the Omen's sphere.
"Abyss worshippers," Yuki said. "That still doesn't mean it's a deity, but the thing is some kind of crazy force that I wish some higher power would deal with already."
"Nyaa, that's why we have Clyde," Neko said. Alice and Yuki were about to spout words of deadly objection but the catgirl forestalled them. "It's simple really. He's the Stone, nya. When he gains the power, he can give it the old knockout punch, explosion."
"Let's say it does spawn," Clyde said. "Do you know if it has a weakness."
"It's taint," Yuki said. "Evil and all that icky stuff. Maybe holy and light could strike some sense into it. If we had some purity wielders still in existence." Yuki sighed then looked at her phone. "I've got some grocery shopping to do. Master Clyde, Lady Alice, you're welcome to join me."
She stood. Clyde wanted to pull her back down, take her right there on the chair.
"I've got a couple of things to do," he said, "but Alice—"
"Sure, I'll go," Alice said. "Chika wants to force me on some health nut diet and I want to be long gone before she gets back."
"Neko?" Clyde said.
"Nya, I'm going to take a catnap," Neko said, soliciting blank stares from everyone.
"How's the guest room doing for you, Neko?" Clyde said.
"UnNYAccessary," she said, "but kind of you. I warp back home, you know. How do you think I change clothes? Well, I do take advantage of those big bathtubs, but that's beside the point."
When Neko walked off, Alice pulled Clyde into a passionate kiss. "You should come with us."
He considered it but knew he couldn't. The young man felt the competition between her and Yuki rise into the air like a deadly smoke cloud.
"Let this be some girl time," Clyde said. "Ruri's pack is leaving today, right? Take her along so she won't feel lonely."
"I don't see why that girl insists on staying here," Yuki said. "She's a princess, with access to a vast of wealth. Why waste any time here?"
"She's Team Stone now," Clyde said. "She asked to join and who am I to refuse that kind of power. Besides, she's—" He bit off his last words. Calling her adorable right in front of Alice would send mixed messages.
Alice shrugged.
"Sure, I guess."
Everyone froze when Harumi emerged from the hall. Dressed in a pink and purple shirt and skirt combo…with fox ears and fox tail revealed.
[Warning: it is highly recommended to add more BP to your house's defenses. Shielding vast power from beings like dragons will require more magic and a higher level.]
[Main barrier level: 6. PP: 25. BP: 25.]
Clyde would deal with that later.
"So cute!" Yuki chanted, rushing over to the blushing pink-haired girl. She fluffed her tail, touched her ears. Then bowed. "You…you're a real kitsune. I knew there was something off about you—a human being so strong without sorcery or that magician stuff, but I wouldn't have guessed this."
Alice pulled Harumi into an embrace.
"I like this side of you, don't hide it."
"You…guys really don't mind?" Harumi said.
Neko peeked around the corner.
"Nya, they're two canines now, scary."
Everyone stared at her blankly. She smiled innocently.
"Let's drag Neko with us—and you're coming, of course, Harumi," Alice said. They walked toward the catgirl.
"Nyyaaa—stay away. I don't wanna! Nyaaan!"
"Let's go pick up Ruri after this," Yuki said.
After forcing Neko to change, the women were off—though Harumi shifted back to her human state first. She also stole a long kiss while the others were teasing the catgirl.
Clyde changed into some date-worthy casual clothes. Natalia waited at his door…in loli form. She giggled and made the shift to his relief. Her original form continued to make his jaw drop, but he would be naïve to believe she wouldn't pop back. In fact, she did the moment they stepped outside.
"Let's go the aquarium first," Natalia said, raising a fist.
"Why are you a kid again?" Clyde said in a deadpan voice.
"Whacky magic, long story—now let's go," she said cheerfully.
This is going to be either embarrassing or ridiculous, there is no in-between with her, Clyde thought.
**
Yusuke and Kitome's house…
Undine paused the game in Yusuke's face—even though they were evenly matched. The reaperess was quite the fast learner and quickly turned into a game freak. He found out that she secretly read all the Loli Saga installments behind his back while he was away. It didn't take her long to get addicted to anime.
"There is a terrible danger rapidly approaching," Undine said. "My arrogance had come for me at last." She shook her head sadly. "I do not want them to burn this place down." She sighed, eyes on the hall outside of Yusuke's door. "I had so much fun living here, felt normal and not untouchable nor worshipped. I came to love both you and your sister, like family. I even gave blessings of protection to your parents. I…planned to reveal myself as your…what you humans call… girlfriend if you allowed it. Maybe after we moved out."
"Undine, what are you talking about?" Yusuke said. "What's going on?"
"To protect this place which I came to love, I must surrender myself," she said then looked at the young man. "One of my enemies have found me and threaten your home. Threaten you. Come, see for yourself. I do not feel a need to hide this."
Yusuke grabbed Undine's arm and pulled her into an embrace. Tears fell from her eyes.
"I'm fucking lost—but you're not going anywhere, do you hear? Don't go," he said.
The reaperess shifted into an intangible state, which allowed her to move through all objects and people untouchable, as a spirit. She walked toward the front doors, ignoring the young man's protests.
His confusion was answered when she opened the door. Three…people or demons dressed in red ancient armor, stood less than a dozen meters from his house. A reddish glow in their palms indicated the gathering of fiery magic.
"What the fuck?" Yusuke said. "Who or what are they? Fuck, let's fight them?"
"You cannot," Undine said. "Even if we beat them, Shaku will send more. A lot more. Or worse, personally visit. Then all the good people of your neighborhood would die. I have…come to love all, appreciate life and no longer wish to see death. Especially those of the innocent. Please do not pull from my honor. This is simply Karma, coming for her dues. I must…protect you."
Undine made a strange gesture at the three…samurai?
"Fuck Karma and this shit—you don't have to do this, Undine," Yusuke said. "We can take them out then go get the drop on this Shaku fuckface."
"No!" Undine said strongly. "He serves he who embodies taint. The Abyss to the Blackness. Why would I want to risk bringing that upon you or these people, Yusuke? You have your entire life ahead. I am simply an intruder. You do not deserve to die because of me."
The three samurais nodded, seeming to accept her surrender.
"It is very surprising to see you simply give in," one of them said, his voice that of a soldier's straight out of the movies. "That boy softened you."
"Let us go," another said. "You offered yourself in order to protect that house. By honor of the surrender pact, you now submit to Lord Shaku's oath. In return, it is not necessary for us to torch or harm any innocents."
"Undine, seriously," Yusuke said after transforming. He took a fighting stance, debating who to kill first.
"A ninja, now that brings back memories," one of them said. "But you are much too young to have the experience I'm looking for. Challenge us when you get some years on your balls, kid."
The red-armored group laughed then vanished with Undine. Yusuke's metallic star plunged into a vehicle on the side of the street. He believed it a miracle that no one was around at the moment to see the event.
Still, he couldn't let this happen! And he would NOT sit back to mope while those…things had their way with Undine. He pulled out his phone to dial for help, but someone swiped it from his grasp.
A fourth red-armored samurai crushed it beneath his boot.
"Now, now, we cannot have that," he said then in a flash, delivered Yusuke a solid fist-smash to his face. The impact sent the ninja flying into a utility pole. "That is your warning, boy. Next time, I won't be so lenient."
Yusuke wheezed through the pain, struggling to stand as the red bastard walked away. This…was worse than he thought. He needed to get to his party as soon as possible.
**
Tall Building in Lot City…
"What the fuck do you mean they failed to assassinate him?" someone snapped. "How hard is it to blow the brains out of an unnecessary nuisance, a kid who couldn't be more than twenty! We don't need people chanting that Team Stone nonsense. Kill him or I swear, I'll gut all of you. And next time, don't tell your dumbass mercenaries to pretend to be robbers. Just shoot—both he and whoever's with him. Taking down the leader will disband the party, do you fucking here me?"
The man waited for a response from the other line. "Now get moving. If they get even more famous, we'll be finished." He paused. "DON'T, BUT OYABUN ME. Hurry the fuck up or I'll fuck you up! And make sure my daughter's ride is on time. You know how Misaka gets. She'll walk. And if you make her walk, I'll make you…" He let his voice trail off, delivering the threat. "Be competent for once." He ended the call. "Incompetent fools. Ask them to do one job correctly and…" he paused, propping his feet on the desk. His secretary glared at him. "Don't start with me today. And tell your sister Hinako to watch over Misaka. My baby girl's delicate."
The secretary sighed.
"She watches too much anime, if you asked me."
"Well I didn't," the Oyabun said. "She's a college brat. At that age, that's all."
After the cupcake feast at an amazing dine-in bakery, Clyde and Alice fell asleep on the living room's couch. A goofy anime played on the TV.
He woke up an hour later, Alice in his arms. She stirred when he sat up. Neko sat next to them, innocent expression on her face. She licked Clyde's cheek.
"Nyan, you had a smudge of leftover cupcake on you."
Alice glared, but let her annoyance out in a breath, seemingly not in the mood to deal with the catgirl. He had two things to do this day: date with Natalia, then that night, hang out with Toru, Seth, and Yusuke. He couldn't wait to see what Seth had planned for them. The blonde man kept a tight lip on the location.
"Let's go talk to Yuki," Clyde said.
"About?" Alice said
"The Abyss to the Blackness, nya," Neko answered.
"Good job with the mopping, you are now promoted from pathetic scrub girl to just scrub girl," Yuki said. "You can have the rest of the day off and I'll cut you a break and give you one hour of TV time today. Now off with you."
Maki nodded, face cheerful. She gave brief greetings as she moved past the others. Of course, the sneaky girl made sure to brush a hand across the young man's arm.
Clyde recalled her terms: working very long and hard days dictated by a demoness, eating lesser quality foods and no sweets, also sitting at the crappy table in another room during eating times. Only allowed to drink water. Tea on very rare occasions. No fancy clothing. Forced to see parents once a month—despite hating them. She already completed that tick, but with the new month coming it, Yuki was probably going to send her through the torture soon. Only an hour or two outside per day, with fifteen minutes of forced exercises. Yuki gave her the most excruciating ones—Maki seemed to be in tears every time. He still remembered some of the vomit. An hour or two of forced college assignments and studying, more scrubbing whether its floors, bathrooms, or toilets. If all cleaning was done, Yuki would create more work or just make her stand in a corner and count off how many victims she atoned for.
The young man held no sympathy. What she did, deserved worse. Even she knew that. Her powers and usefulness saved her. Hell, he had to face the Viper one day. Any advantage helped.
Yuki smiled.
"I've heard a part of the conversation already, so sit down."
She served them fancy nachos with a delicious spicy cheese dip. Clyde knew he'd finish his early, crave more. To spoil the appetite or not, that is the question.
"What do you know about this Abyss thing?" Alice said, eyes sharp, critical.
"I'm getting to that, Lady Alice," Yuki said then promptly sat on Clyde's lap. The half-demoness didn't react. "The Abyss to the Blackness is one of the seven legendary wrongs of this world. There are times when…that thing can slip into our dimension, though I couldn't tell you how off the top of my head. I encountered it only once from afar. It's an unnatural consciousness of taint, filth, dark magic, and raw unfiltered essence. It may be a dark deity, but no one knows for sure. Master Clyde, I cannot allow you to try to fight or agitate this thing. It's too strong."
"Nya, that's not the plan," Neko said, "but its spawning is a small possibility." She told Yuki about the Omen's sphere.
"Abyss worshippers," Yuki said. "That still doesn't mean it's a deity, but the thing is some kind of crazy force that I wish some higher power would deal with already."
"Nyaa, that's why we have Clyde," Neko said. Alice and Yuki were about to spout words of deadly objection but the catgirl forestalled them. "It's simple really. He's the Stone, nya. When he gains the power, he can give it the old knockout punch, explosion."
"Let's say it does spawn," Clyde said. "Do you know if it has a weakness."
"It's taint," Yuki said. "Evil and all that icky stuff. Maybe holy and light could strike some sense into it. If we had some purity wielders still in existence." Yuki sighed then looked at her phone. "I've got some grocery shopping to do. Master Clyde, Lady Alice, you're welcome to join me."
She stood. Clyde wanted to pull her back down, take her right there on the chair.
"I've got a couple of things to do," he said, "but Alice—"
"Sure, I'll go," Alice said. "Chika wants to force me on some health nut diet and I want to be long gone before she gets back."
"Neko?" Clyde said.
"Nya, I'm going to take a catnap," Neko said, soliciting blank stares from everyone.
"How's the guest room doing for you, Neko?" Clyde said.
"UnNYAccessary," she said, "but kind of you. I warp back home, you know. How do you think I change clothes? Well, I do take advantage of those big bathtubs, but that's beside the point."
When Neko walked off, Alice pulled Clyde into a passionate kiss. "You should come with us."
He considered it but knew he couldn't. The young man felt the competition between her and Yuki rise into the air like a deadly smoke cloud.
"Let this be some girl time," Clyde said. "Ruri's pack is leaving today, right? Take her along so she won't feel lonely."
"I don't see why that girl insists on staying here," Yuki said. "She's a princess, with access to a vast of wealth. Why waste any time here?"
"She's Team Stone now," Clyde said. "She asked to join and who am I to refuse that kind of power. Besides, she's—" He bit off his last words. Calling her adorable right in front of Alice would send mixed messages.
Alice shrugged.
"Sure, I guess."
Everyone froze when Harumi emerged from the hall. Dressed in a pink and purple shirt and skirt combo…with fox ears and fox tail revealed.
[Warning: it is highly recommended to add more BP to your house's defenses. Shielding vast power from beings like dragons will require more magic and a higher level.]
[Main barrier level: 6. PP: 25. BP: 25.]
Clyde would deal with that later.
"So cute!" Yuki chanted, rushing over to the blushing pink-haired girl. She fluffed her tail, touched her ears. Then bowed. "You…you're a real kitsune. I knew there was something off about you—a human being so strong without sorcery or that magician stuff, but I wouldn't have guessed this."
Alice pulled Harumi into an embrace.
"I like this side of you, don't hide it."
"You…guys really don't mind?" Harumi said.
Neko peeked around the corner.
"Nya, they're two canines now, scary."
Everyone stared at her blankly. She smiled innocently.
"Let's drag Neko with us—and you're coming, of course, Harumi," Alice said. They walked toward the catgirl.
"Nyyaaa—stay away. I don't wanna! Nyaaan!"
"Let's go pick up Ruri after this," Yuki said.
After forcing Neko to change, the women were off—though Harumi shifted back to her human state first. She also stole a long kiss while the others were teasing the catgirl.
Clyde changed into some date-worthy casual clothes. Natalia waited at his door…in loli form. She giggled and made the shift to his relief. Her original form continued to make his jaw drop, but he would be naïve to believe she wouldn't pop back. In fact, she did the moment they stepped outside.
"Let's go the aquarium first," Natalia said, raising a fist.
"Why are you a kid again?" Clyde said in a deadpan voice.
"Whacky magic, long story—now let's go," she said cheerfully.
This is going to be either embarrassing or ridiculous, there is no in-between with her, Clyde thought.
**
Yusuke and Kitome's house…
Undine paused the game in Yusuke's face—even though they were evenly matched. The reaperess was quite the fast learner and quickly turned into a game freak. He found out that she secretly read all the Loli Saga installments behind his back while he was away. It didn't take her long to get addicted to anime.
"There is a terrible danger rapidly approaching," Undine said. "My arrogance had come for me at last." She shook her head sadly. "I do not want them to burn this place down." She sighed, eyes on the hall outside of Yusuke's door. "I had so much fun living here, felt normal and not untouchable nor worshipped. I came to love both you and your sister, like family. I even gave blessings of protection to your parents. I…planned to reveal myself as your…what you humans call… girlfriend if you allowed it. Maybe after we moved out."
"Undine, what are you talking about?" Yusuke said. "What's going on?"
"To protect this place which I came to love, I must surrender myself," she said then looked at the young man. "One of my enemies have found me and threaten your home. Threaten you. Come, see for yourself. I do not feel a need to hide this."
Yusuke grabbed Undine's arm and pulled her into an embrace. Tears fell from her eyes.
"I'm fucking lost—but you're not going anywhere, do you hear? Don't go," he said.
The reaperess shifted into an intangible state, which allowed her to move through all objects and people untouchable, as a spirit. She walked toward the front doors, ignoring the young man's protests.
His confusion was answered when she opened the door. Three…people or demons dressed in red ancient armor, stood less than a dozen meters from his house. A reddish glow in their palms indicated the gathering of fiery magic.
"What the fuck?" Yusuke said. "Who or what are they? Fuck, let's fight them?"
"You cannot," Undine said. "Even if we beat them, Shaku will send more. A lot more. Or worse, personally visit. Then all the good people of your neighborhood would die. I have…come to love all, appreciate life and no longer wish to see death. Especially those of the innocent. Please do not pull from my honor. This is simply Karma, coming for her dues. I must…protect you."
Undine made a strange gesture at the three…samurai?
"Fuck Karma and this shit—you don't have to do this, Undine," Yusuke said. "We can take them out then go get the drop on this Shaku fuckface."
"No!" Undine said strongly. "He serves he who embodies taint. The Abyss to the Blackness. Why would I want to risk bringing that upon you or these people, Yusuke? You have your entire life ahead. I am simply an intruder. You do not deserve to die because of me."
The three samurais nodded, seeming to accept her surrender.
"It is very surprising to see you simply give in," one of them said, his voice that of a soldier's straight out of the movies. "That boy softened you."
"Let us go," another said. "You offered yourself in order to protect that house. By honor of the surrender pact, you now submit to Lord Shaku's oath. In return, it is not necessary for us to torch or harm any innocents."
"Undine, seriously," Yusuke said after transforming. He took a fighting stance, debating who to kill first.
"A ninja, now that brings back memories," one of them said. "But you are much too young to have the experience I'm looking for. Challenge us when you get some years on your balls, kid."
The red-armored group laughed then vanished with Undine. Yusuke's metallic star plunged into a vehicle on the side of the street. He believed it a miracle that no one was around at the moment to see the event.
Still, he couldn't let this happen! And he would NOT sit back to mope while those…things had their way with Undine. He pulled out his phone to dial for help, but someone swiped it from his grasp.
A fourth red-armored samurai crushed it beneath his boot.
"Now, now, we cannot have that," he said then in a flash, delivered Yusuke a solid fist-smash to his face. The impact sent the ninja flying into a utility pole. "That is your warning, boy. Next time, I won't be so lenient."
Yusuke wheezed through the pain, struggling to stand as the red bastard walked away. This…was worse than he thought. He needed to get to his party as soon as possible.
**
Tall Building in Lot City…
"What the fuck do you mean they failed to assassinate him?" someone snapped. "How hard is it to blow the brains out of an unnecessary nuisance, a kid who couldn't be more than twenty! We don't need people chanting that Team Stone nonsense. Kill him or I swear, I'll gut all of you. And next time, don't tell your dumbass mercenaries to pretend to be robbers. Just shoot—both he and whoever's with him. Taking down the leader will disband the party, do you fucking here me?"
The man waited for a response from the other line. "Now get moving. If they get even more famous, we'll be finished." He paused. "DON'T, BUT OYABUN ME. Hurry the fuck up or I'll fuck you up! And make sure my daughter's ride is on time. You know how Misaka gets. She'll walk. And if you make her walk, I'll make you…" He let his voice trail off, delivering the threat. "Be competent for once." He ended the call. "Incompetent fools. Ask them to do one job correctly and…" he paused, propping his feet on the desk. His secretary glared at him. "Don't start with me today. And tell your sister Hinako to watch over Misaka. My baby girl's delicate."
The secretary sighed.
"She watches too much anime, if you asked me."
"Well I didn't," the Oyabun said. "She's a college brat. At that age, that's all."
