Charles Patricius

[Bloodedge]

Back at the card shop, Kazuhiko had become the observer of a game between Miko and Kei. Reiji had long since returned from the storage room, presumed the others left the shop after some upsetting losses or interactions, and went right back to working the front desk as normal. He was mostly indifferent to the goings-on, and luckily so, as things would soon become rather hectic at the playing table. One loss was all it took for Kei to flip her lid and spew a tirade Kazu wanted to be... literally anywhere else for. It was very strange being the topic of such an extreme conversation. Kei admitted so much, perhaps while not even thinking about the fact that he was sitting right there. He wanted to shrink; this was a day of card games and he was trapped in a soap opera. If nothing else, some things were admitted among the tears ─ things he was better being privy to. The matter of her earlier bawling was cleared up, and so were her strange actions since their arrival at the shop. What was Kazuhiko himself to do though? Well, it seemed best to let their conversation finish. "Yes, Angie. That's also what that looks like," he muttered under his breath.

The matter of Mitsuki receiving another thirty children within her met a fun amount of resistance. She suggested breaking the number apart to add some balance to their lives, and Ajax... almost agreed. "That's a good idea. Thirty now, thirty tomorrow, ninety the next day~" he joked while pulling her aside. Years later, that same group of little girls had become young women. A perfectly normal graduation was apparently grounds for some romantic gazes, to which the very same angry toddler from years before showed dedication to her original framework. "And you could not make something you noticed obvious to everybody else in the building, but here you are, Nini. I guess we should though, huh? But then there won't be time to pick up your graduation present! I guess, since you insist..."

Hiruko had no problem sorting through the information he was given, though he had every problem with the feeling of that massive rush. It took a minute to recover, even though he used that same time to process what was gained. "Shame this old brain isn't the easiest thing to break. As a way of passing along information, I like this. Well... maybe I'll go analog with most people anyway," he said, knowing such a transfer wouldn't happen between another man and himself. If such a thing were necessary, Hiruko would have to hire an intermediary... though that could certainly work in most cases. "Isekai... yeah, that's the one. I guess this would be the reverse of that. A goddess from the magical world pops up in modern day Osaka and brings magic with her. That clears up the questions I had from our meeting either way. But what's the point? You didn't tell me all of this just because I fucked you silly and saw some things a normal person shouldn't see. Even people like me have easy ways to wipe someone's memory of stuff like that. So... what's the secret?" he asked.

[Apollymi]

Kazuhiko was definitely receiving information that he might not have wanted to be present for, but... he still needed it. Miko herself considered such a button pushing spill to be a perfectly normal and necessary part of this situation. She wasn't going to share one of her favorite people in the whole world with someone who would create more misunderstandings and end up wasting even more time than Miko had herself. She'd seen that shy and sly method playout and it wasn't going to fly if she was here. Angelica's words were answered by Kazuhiko and she nodded, "Hm... it looks different from the outside. Though I guess I understand better now..." she commented. This same girl's tears the previous day had been something seemingly foreign. Meanwhile the others at the table, seemed to almost innately stay out of the line of fire. "Wakatta, good job, Kei-hai♫~" Miko mentioned as she reached over to give the girl a comforting pat on the head. Kei looked up tears still in her eyes and saw, understanding confusingly enough. The white haired girl found herself confused by the emotional maturity that seemed to be present in Miko while she continued to have all the necessary ammunition to push her buttons. "Yesli by vy khoteli pomoch', vy mogli by prosto skazat' ob etom." Kei uttered. A different habit surfaced in that moment and it was a language slip which had Miko looking at her chuckling. "Who said I'm helping... I just have to go talk to Reiji-san~" she offered as she finally vacated her spot in Kazuhiko's lap her completely packed Seimei themed bag in hand. "Should we..." Ai started to ask. "Maybe not yet..." Kaguya mentioned wondering if Kei realized that everyone who spoke common could understand her uttered phrases in Russian completely. Just the same, Miko approached the front counter willing to let that conversation stand for a while, "Reiji-san, worked out my total cost by now?" she asked of him seemingly amused.

"Chotto..." Ah, an utterance that had gotten Mitsuki into a lot of trouble over the course of her lifetime, seemed to once again be leading into another long sex-filled night. Ah well, it was always fun in the end. Even their relative shadow who was demoted to baby sitter for a time wasn't even anything she gave real concern to. He'd once claimed he wanted to be her camera man, so he was. Meanwhile, Nino the daughter of the pair second born, was pointing out issues adn being playfully teased by her father in return. The claim that they'd skip out on presents made the girl with ehr short twintails pout. "Eh? I never said that, obviously it's presents first and room after!" she claimed immediately. "You shouldn't tease Ni like that, you know she'll pout all week. Besides they were top performers they deserve presents. Cute girls who do good earn rewards!~" claimed Mitsuki. Much to the happiness of the rest of her children. As they headed off for college and her and Ajax found themselves with an empty nest... well... travel and fun were back on the table. She felt surprisingly spry even as she aged and was always willing to keep ther nights of fun and their days of epic sight-seeing and adventure. "The girl's aren't coming home for spring break... which resort are we going to this time?~" Mitsuki uttered excitely as they planned another vacation for around the time of their anniversary.

Meanwhile, Kama was busy giving information in an unconventional way and finding Hiruko to be quite receptive. It seemed most of his questions would be answered by the idea that there was magic and she was from another world. Though her telling him this information wasn't something that he expected. No, he thought that simply having sex with her was something which shouldn't have prompted the data bomb she dropped. "Sou ka, well... that has several different layers of explanation. And technically you fucking me silly is reason enough... a human wouldn't be capable of that. A human wouldn't be capable of making a pet out of me and a human definitely wouldn't be capable of naming me in a way my soul accepts. You are far too magical for this world, and my own calculations have you taking out yourself and a continent the next time your life cycles, that is every seven years by the way for most sentient creatures. And I can't really allow that for multiple reasons," she said. By this time a young woman with deep blue hair had appeared on this boat and would be casually leaning against the far wall tossing a magical blue die around in her fingers. Nodding along with Kama's explanations. She was dressed rather stylishly in a short blue layered dress, which revealed the skin on her back and most of her legs. She had a white fluffy boa around her exposed shoulders and enchanting green eyes. A small braid was off to one side of her short blue bob which tapered into lighter blue towards the ends. She seemed mildly amused but wasn't interrupting that part of the conversation just yet.

[Bloodedge]

And so, the spat between Kei and Miko came to a somewhat natural end more quickly than Kazu expected. He thought that was for the best; anything more would have left him completely out of the loop. Strange though, was Kei's speech in... Russian? Yes, that sounded like what he knew to be Russian or its equivalent on Alaya. Maybe she had some long-lost habit, or maybe she spawned in that sort of country on Alaya? "Russian?" he questioned aloud as Miko left his lap. Still not one to exacerbate the issue, Kazu looked to Seiichi and nodded. The other lad proceeded to slide in Kei's direction from the same side of their table, offering a handkerchief in silence. "So that's what all of that was for earlier. Gomen. I've seen girls crying a thousand times, probably for three thousand reasons. I always just get confused and run off assuming it's my fault. We're pretty much done here anyway, right?" he asked of the group for confirmation. All the while, Reiji was approached at the counter by Miko and asked about the total cost of her purchase. With one hand adjusting his glasses, he placed the other on his computer mouse. "I have. Since it's such a sizeable purchase being delivered, I took the liberty of opening a tab under your name. You don't have to worry about paying right now. Bulk orders like this one can be dangerous. If anything is damaged on arrival, I'll have to send it back for a replacement. I don't want to charge you for some things that may not be in the first batch you receive," he stated firmly, turning the monitor toward Miko to reveal a number larger than what he spent when first stocking the shop.

Nino was, in her own way, the most unique of the quintuplets. Ajax didn't have to wonder which one of the children got his attitude when she opened her mouth. All that snark further manifested as indignance that demanded presents, but still ordered her parents to get a room. He wasn't to tease that one so thoroughly, according to Mitsuki. Cute girls who did good things deserved rewards? "Isn't that my line? Oh well. Everyone gets to pick a car today~" he said, ending that with a sneaky, cheeky wink in Mitsuki's direction. He wasn't letting that earned rewards comment slip by, and would surely address it when the girls weren't in earshot. Later still, with college-age offspring keeping away for break, there was another vacation in the couple's immediate future. Mitsuki wondered what resort they were going to. They'd been together for twenty years; this trip was one he'd been waiting for. "We're going to one of the leisure palaces... in the Xion system, on a planet called Midnight. No air, diamond glaciers and mountains, diamond falls in place of weather conditions, an X-tonic star that should instantly vaporize any carbon, hydrogen, silicate, gas... all known forms of life, basically. Come on, Luna ─ it's finally time for you to see the stars~" he offered with one hand held out.

Hiruko's life was finally taking a turn outside of expectancies. His was one that came with a thousand twists and turns, but never would he have expected one of the magical variety until this past few days. Well, now he had reason to believe that itching sensation on his tattoo wasn't just psychosomatic. He and Makima had some things to discuss later. For now, he was hearing the tale of his own capacity beyond human expectation... and the bitter fate that awaited his current path due to his constitution. "Lay it on a little thicker, why don't you? I guess that explains the questions you asked in the car. So, what's the deal then?" he asked only as a segue into his next line of thought. The pause, however, was for more than a single reason. "Is this where you say I have to move to another world, or blow up the one I'm living in? Or is the next intruder here for me this time?" With that, Hiruko's eyes shifted about until they landed on a blue-haired absolute bombshell looking ever so casual. "Gotta say though, I never thought the Ghost of Christmas Present would look like the high-roller of every man's wet dreams."

[Apollymi]

Shirogane Kei was an interesting person. Her unique looks were indeed the byproduct of a bit of crossbreeding between people of different nationalities. What was more surprising was the fact that Kazuhiko seemed capable of picking up on that. "Yeah, my mom was Russian... I speak both it and Japanese fluently," she said as she accepted a handkerchief from Seiichi, "Arigatou..." she murmured as she wiped her tears. 'Ahh, if he understands Russian, I'm not going to be able to do that when I'm freaking out...' she thought quickly. Meanwhile, Kaguya chuckled. "We all basically spoke elementary Russian after dealing with you for a while anyway♥~" that utterance had Kei's pale face turning red. She'd definitely need to think of a different strategy. As for his other question, it'd be Ai who had something to say. "Yeah, Mi-tan is going to settle up then we can all head out... I'm sure there are a few more meetings to get through today~" she mused with a lightly knowing smirk. Everyone else was already beginning to pack up, with bags and items stored away and newly constructed decks put away in deck boxes and all seemed well. In the meantime, Miko was speaking with Reiji about her purchases. Apparently, he'd be opening up a tab in her name and she'd be able to pick up the ordered things when they came in and be charged for them once they'd safely arrived. The figure he produced had her looking at the paper for a moment or two. "It's really nice of you to do it that way. I assume it will be fine, also I thought this would be more than this... I definitely ordered a lot..." she said softly. She pulled out of her things, a black credit card with her own name on it, which she'd been burning up most of the day. "At least charge me for all the things I'm walking out of here with today, Reiji-san♪~" she mused happily.

Meanwhile, a different time saw girls graduating and heading off to college. Each apparently earning a car for their hard work. Even while the one called Nino seemed indignantly upset, she was pleased. Her parents were happy together which was more than most could say... and though she didn't like them making googly eyes at each other all the time, she could at least appreciate. "Eto... I might have borrowed it. Cute girls can borrow any phrases they like~" she claimed nonchalantly. But of course, Mitsuki didn't miss the flirt involved nor would she do anything but fall straight into it every time. "Hmphf!" she turned her nose up but that small up turn of her lips would remain. Soon enough, Mitsuki would be finding out that their next trip was one that wasn't even on the planet. They'd been together so long, she was well past questioning anything magical or scientific. She'd learned of a place with a magical name and a crazy landscape which contained imminent destruction. "That place sounds really cool! I can't wait to see it... though I want to question people for building on a place that sounds so dangerous. I figure it's the diamonds that lured the people in, it has to look crazy!~" she nodded while speaking about it. Diamonds were all the rage, but it still seemed ridiculous for humans to decide something so destructive was worth a resort. Still, it wouldn't stop her from enjoying her vacation. "Let's go!~" she chimed happily. Surely over the next few decades lots of these kinds of trips would be on the itinerary.

Meanwhile, Sakura was busy providing explanations. A mind quick enough to follow along was indeed hard to come by, and she quite enjoyed Hiruko for being so very good for gathering information. Sakura had picked up quite a few colloquialisms between her time spent with these modern individuals. She didn't really get why this would need to be thicker in this case though. "I'm just being truthful from an objective stand point. And yes, I asked those questions to get a handle on the situation. Magically you seem to reject Karma but it isn't a conscious effort of yours. And Karma says that if good things happen bad things should too. So the longer you go without karma reaching you, the bigger the radius on your negative karma... that's the easiest explanation I can give," she said carefully. "As for you leaving, I would say you should at least go to the other world to fix your constitution. It would be reasonable for you to continue, but my understanding of humans says you may not enjoy it completely... the answers seem to be a mixed right now," she expressed her understanding but there was a new appearance. She turned her head slightly taking in a new visage. Unlike Ajax previously she could now understand this person and the difference between her life and those of humans but it was still a bit shrouded. "Sou ka, you're his partner..." she mentioned of that blue haired young woman. "Clever clever♥ Though I don't think I've ever seen you so young~" the blue haired woman mentioned. As she looked towards Hiruko, "Oh? I am just here to clarify a few points and wait for my partner, I have it on good authority he should be back here soon~" she said while standing up a bit straighter. "And I am definitely the high-roller of a lot of dreams not just the men but especially yours♥~" she flirted shamelessly. "Also I am more like Santa than the Ghost of Christmas Past, I have presents♥~" she claimed with a cheeky smirk.

[Bloodedge]

Some interesting news reached Kazuhiko's ear. Shirogane Kei's unique visage stemmed from her apparent Russian heritage on her mother's side. He gained a deeper understanding of her visual appeal from that knowledge, though the speech was still a little out of the blue. On the other hand, it sounded nice and made an interesting contrast to her normal tone. "Sou ka. It sounds cute," he commented without any additional thought. When Ai spoke, she confirmed the group's overall readiness to depart momentarily. That came with a minor spoiler he didn't think too much about. "Why don't we splinter off then? We could uh..." Kazu thought to offer a trip with Kei separate from the others, but realization struck him all too soon. Any options he had for that suggestion were very limited for one simple reason. "Uh... actually, I don't have much money. I can come up with something though!" he vowed. Meanwhile, Reiji was sighing over the demands of Miko. It was fine that she wanted to be charged for her current purchase, but the tab had already been established. Still, he knew better than to drop down the rabbit hole of politeness in this case. He turned the monitor toward himself again, took that credit card, and began crunching numbers again. "That's an even taller order, you know? It'll be difficult enough remembering everything you got today."

And so began the first planetary trip of many for Ajax and Mitsuki. A deadly planet of diamonds, the 'mirrorverse' as some knew it, a colony of asteroids orbiting a living dwarf star ─ such things were only part of the list for their travels across the next few decades. Even at their golden anniversary, Ajax hadn't aged a single day since their first meeting. He still entered their shared bedroom with all the energy necessary to fold Mitsuki backwards nonstop for a fortnight, but lo... the time to slow things down had already come. He'd been able to extend Mitsuki's vitality and youth, but even he could not extend this variant's life in a timeline he confirmed to be crumbling several decades before. This was never meant to be permanent, but it was always easy to get lost in the moment. An immortal twenty-something saw decades as most would see weekends, but... what of a seventy year-old Mitsuki with only a small buffer by comparison?

The constitution of Hiruko was linked to karma: an apparently real phenomenon. He'd always been an exceptionally lucky individual even as one who believed in manifesting his own luck, but... he couldn't say the now white-haired Sakura was just making things up. "Corrective measures," he asserted after her explanation. It made perfect sense. If he rejected karma that was meant to be a mandatory experience, it was only right that there be some backlash after sufficient buildup. As for the fix, she suggested that he make at least a temporary trip to the other world. How bothersome, yet... exciting? Hiruko would have wondered what the alternatives for, but the other woman on the boat had everyone's attention before he spoke again. Much like before, this one had knowledge of them despite being an unknown herself. Hiruko couldn't call himself a fan of being the ignorant one in random meetings like this; he normally had either the intel or the means of acquiring it through a few exchanges. To Hiruko, this woman was a point of interest and possibly importance ─ at least in one alleged direction. "Especially mine huh? I was thinking I'm overdue for a long nap," he mused while looking the woman up and down. "Alright non-ghost lady, what sort of presents are we talking? If you're here to clarify something, I just learned a really fun way to do it. Not sure if you've heard of it before~" he flirted, fully certain this woman knew about the way Sakura exchanged information, but joking about nonetheless.

[Apollymi]

The air was mostly cleared between Kei and Kazuhiko now, and with that it seemed like the lad was keen to offer her a bit more comfort for her troubles. He claimed the Russian she spoke sounded cute and she blushed furiously and buried her face in that handkerchief for a while longer. "You didn't have to say..." she uttered quickly. Still the little happy movement of her legs below the table proved she was quite pleased nonetheless. It would seem that there was a potential splintering to happen here and with that the idea that they could go off and do something together. This was a great idea, Kei could effectively communicate if it was just the two of them... she hoped. "I don't really care what we do too much. I'm fine with a budget conscious outing after watching Mi-sen splurge more than my family's yearly budget... outside of bills," she muttered which made Miko chuckle. She knew she was spending outrageously but her life on this planet had been far too frugal for how bad it'd been within Alaya, she was going to spend happily. "Nakanoshima Festival is on... you only have to buy stuff you want to eat and you can see plenty of sights," Miko mentioned to help out. It was the bigger version of the student run festival she'd run into, that she'd caught a glimpse of and heard about while out with Marisbury and Hiruko. Cheap, effective and full of cheap and tasty food would make it something Kei would enjoy and would help Kazuhiko keep his wallet semi-full and his hopes for a date relatively high. She had both of their backs, regardless of the fact that she'd been antagonizing Kei all day. "And here I was trying to prod Ai for extra information~" Kaguya mused. Immediately after, Reiji was speaking of not knowing what things were there... "If you have a list up, I know exactly what we have on us," she mentioned willing to spill a whole list to him including the 20 some odd boxes of cards, the 15 different sets of deck boxes, sleeves, playmats and bags. As well as a few starter decks, and the plushy she'd given to Anya.

Meanwhile, as her life progressed, Mitsuki saw the stars. So many festivals, so many planets so many fond memories. All the while, she seemed to feel the weight of time catching up to her. Each and every year that passed felt like agony to her, but she'd done all the greatest things life could have asked of her. She'd taken the pictures, enjoyed all the things. Given birth to five beautiful girls and seen them grow all the way up. She'd spent the entirety of her life in the care of a man who adored her and she felt appreciated and cared for every single day of their life together. "You know every time I see you I want to go again. I really can't help it~" she claimd happily. "But having made all the memories I have, I want to go out with one last big bang... I don't know if I have another one of these in me after today... but I want just one more~" she claimed while extending her arms to him. She held in her hands a little camera wanting to snap one last selfie with the man who'd changed her life forever.

At the same time, Sakura was given Hiruko's understanding of the situation at hand. A grin came to her face and that blue haired stranger also grinned eerily pleased. "Yes, exactly that. You are refreshingly easy to explain things to," Kama mentioned seemingly pleased. "Always love the sexy brains. I do too♥~" that woman said content to only interject when she needed to. Meanwhile, the flirting behind his calculating mind were obvious to that blue haired woman, so familiar she was with his mannerisms. "Don't tempt me, you aren't even awake yet, Awanari♥~" this young woman said, as if there was a real threat behind the idea of putting this man to sleep. "The best kind of presents, the kind that both give information and feel great♥~" she expressed with a cheeky wink. As for his statement about clarification, she looked at him her lips up turning slowly. "Also I know that way, but a kiss could get you lost so early in your journey, might not be worth the risk. Losses and gains have to be balanced after all~" she said though that didn't stop her from pushing off the wall and in the next second being right beside the man leaned over the back of the couch. "Kissing me could be dangerous for you... it might be a bit too early. Your senses might not be awake enough for me to be something you can process..." she claimed rolling that dice in her hands as if she was bored enough to just let the dice decide. "How about a bet... roll between one and six, if it rolls three or higher, I'll have an early sample. Call it exactly I'll give you a real one~" she said.

[Bloodedge]

Kazu didn't have to say, but he did. He never had to say, but he always would. Kei's reaction seemed positive beneath her choice of words, so he was glad he did and would do it again. He proposed they run off by themselves with a budget approach, not wanting to waste all of the money he had before gaining the ability to earn more. It seemed Kei was fine with the idea, even preferring it after bearing witness to Miko's splurging of the day. "Honestly? Same. Even though I get it now, it's terrifying to watch. We'll still do something awesome. Promise," he stated. Right on cue thanks to her superhuman hearing, Miko offered a suggestion of an active festival. Kazu leaned back in his chair until its front legs rose from the floor, thinking over the idea. "I like festivals. Interested in that?" he asked of Kei. All the while, Reiji was beckoning Miko toward his side of the counter. "I'll leave it in your more capable hands then. Just please avoid doing something silly like paying for the other items as well. The anxiety would kill me," he pleaded.

As Ajax entered the bedroom and turned to close the door, he heard Mitsuki speak. He paused upon hearing her words, not yet turning away from the shutting door. Was it that time already? She was talking about going out with a bang, and he was silently holding the doorknob. No matter the adjustments made, mortal life was never long enough. Fifty years they spent together. Fifty years, so long yet so short, so meaningful yet so miniscule. "Don't talk like that. We just met," he said softly, hesitating further before turning to see that readied camera and open arms. Ajax didn't know how to feel about this moment. In the grand scheme of things, this entire lifetime was but a stepping stone to enable and enhance the endless cycle of another variant. On the other hand, it was still a life he lived and became invested in. All things had to end... but they really didn't. What could he do? Steel himself for the sake of the main timeline. "One big bang huh? Do you really want to go until there's nothing left of you? What's it been, fifty years now? That's so little time. But... that's how things go," he complained. Even so, Ajax took the necessary steps to place him within those outstretched arms, letting his own wrap around Mitsuki's torso as their lips drew closer. What should have been a peck was drawn out for several seconds before Ajax pulled away even a little. "Hold those memories, Luna. You're the boss again today. What can I do for you?"

Back on the boat, Hiruko received the praise of two gorgeous women for the quality of his brain. What made it so interesting to hear such things was the way his brain was normally viewed. "Funnily enough, I'm usually hearing the exact opposite. Only once per person," he commented. This blue-clad newcomer was just the right side of flirtatious as well, rousing him easily with the addition of a name he'd never heard. More importantly, the words she chose left him a most interesting opening. "Am I not awake? If that's the case, this dream should be a lot wetter than it is ─ shouldn't it, Nuren?" he asked with unbridled confidence. Whatever presents this woman had, he wanted. It became very easy to understand Sakura's earlier words about being lost in the moment. In fact, the mysterious woman began speaking in a way that appealed to him on the highest level. Something as simple as a kiss carried a big risk, apparently. She talked of balancing risk and reward, but... surely she knew. She spoke in a lot of 'maybes' about his ability to handle, and offered a bet. Bets and maybes were his forte, and this woman surely knew Hiruko answered one with the other. "You know me better than that, don't you? Up the ante," he said while reaching into his jacket for another die. "Two dice. You roll a seven, the line isn't drawn at a kiss. Anything else, your call," Hiruko offered.

[Apollymi]

Kazuhiko and Kei were organizing a date of sorts for just the two of them. Oddly enough both seemed to agree that after watching someone else blow such a ridiculous amount of money neither was too content to spend away everything themselves. "Hai, definitely winning that bet about the secret job though. Regardless, we can do something normal..." she stated which only made the other girls chuckle as they knew the truth in a manner of speaking. It was rather interesting however, when Miko offered up the idea of a festival, as far as Kei was concerned that was an optimal way for both of them to have a good time, see new things and she could taste all the great local cuisine. "I like festivals!" she uttered quickly., maybe seeming a bit more eager than normal, if only to cover the sound of her stomach grumbling. "I mean, yeah... sounds like a good idea to me," she quickly covered for herself. Angelica for her part in this could only take notes as she learned how she looked from an outside perspective, at least as far as her personality was concerned. Meanwhile, Miko was being invited behind the counter once more and having the list of items purchased today left in her own hands. She supposed she'd proven earlier her ability to shop under more extenuating circumstances... "You don't have to worry about that part Reiji-san. I think I can come to a split on my tab we can both enjoy~" she claimed. All the while she was quickly scanning through the item list and highlighting the items she and her friends had in their current possession. Beyond this point she had something more to say. 'If I don't pay it all, I definitely have an excuse to come back here. Also having ordered a whole bunch of stuff I have to wait for I can get his number♪~' she thought while humming happily to herself. Once she had the split made she looked up at Reiji from in front of the computer. "That's everything I should pay for now, what do you think?" she asked of him, making sure that fairness could be negotiated so both could leave today's purchases with positive feelings about it. Non on the list was anything ordered that had shipping time associated with it, causing a bill split that would leave the girl paying for approximately 55 percent of her original order.

Meanwhile in an alternate reality some 50 years had been shared between Mitsuki and Ajax. Even though Mitsuki was seemingly so tired she did agree with Ajax, "It really does feel like it was only yesterday I was answering a hotel door for a hot sweaty guy, who just wanted to borrow a shower~" she said. That one day changed her life completely. She'd seen every marvel this world had to offer and many across space as well. She'd raised children, traveled, and spent a more time having sex than she originally thought possible. "Yeah, I like the suddenness of it. Just like that first time..." there was so much nostalgia in her now. Her body was mostly fine but her mind felt the lag. Her memories were so clear but they also felt like they were just throbbing away pulsing in and out, just like her heartbeat, which slowed so drastically unless she was in the middle of something with Ajax. With that camera in her hands she had them smile. "Say cheese~" she said chuckling happily. That bright eyed girl she used to be wasn't quite the same anymore but that was fine, she wanted to take a picture of that last memory with her own hands. The peck that followed lasted several seconds and once again she was leading the day. She placed that camera aside and allowed both her arms to wrap around him. "Don't worry, I'll hang on to these memories forever, I can feel them you know... every time I feel that pulse. So... for this tone, nice and slow all the way in, leave me with a belly full of milk so I can sleep, okay Daddy♥~ I'm feeling nostalgic~" she claimed and oh what a night this would be, she wished, it could last forever.

At the same time, in the main timeline, Hiruko was receiving compliments the likes of which he'd not received before. The blue haired woman and Sakura shared a certain enjoyment of his easy to fill brain. "I am not at all surprised by that~" the blue haired woman said as if it answered all necessary questions and all instances of people not appreciating Hiruko's massive... brain. Moving on, Hiruko questioned his wakefulness speaking of how a dream should have been wetter. He even addressed this woman by a name she was quite familiar with, how interesting that he'd come up with it again so quickly. "Cheeky cheeky~ I didn't expect you to pull a name like that from the depths. Careful, if you sink that deep the pressure will pop all those bubbles♥~" that blue haired woman who was apparently keen to answer to Nuren mentioned. "Oh? Interesting, even the misunderstanding can be a flirt..." Kama mentioned finding it interesting that it'd been rolled with so easily. "I thought that reference to wakefulness was about the mind, body and soul..." she murmured about the situation. "It was. Most of you start waking up around now, so it's always interesting to see you, so early. But those who are still sleeping reach so far. Souls are too powerful to be ignored... Been dealing with that all day~" claimed the blue haired woman. Speaking of a soul too hard to ignore Hiruko was always on that list, so easy to flirt with, so easy to move with, so very smooth like that first sip of champagne, with just enough bubbles to keep it exciting. Even now, she made an offer and he upped the ante, did she know he'd do that? Yes, but he simply always acted as such... "This is exactly what I was talking about, but I like those odds... you're on, Good Luck♥! Awanari♥~" she claimed. She'd pick up those dice and roll them in her hands. Now was a time of testing, how strong were his abilities? How much magic did he currently possess? Not quite enough to resist the oppressive darkness but just enough to swing the tides. She rolled those two dice and had on her own, a two, but his... was a five. "Sou sou..." in the next moment she was leaning over his face, her breasts resting against his head. Only to shift and slide directly into his open lap, her hand slipping up around his head those gentle fingers tracing his scalp leaving that cool sensation like a gentle mist. Only for her to rise a bit more in his lap, straddling him, her head over his as she prepared a plunge for him... "Keep breathing now, okay?~" she said as her lips gently brushed his and the weight of her soul, the pure pressure of the depths of a darkness that the ocean tried to mimic would begin to weigh down on him as she swirling her tongue in his mouth, tasting a surprisingly strong flavor of champagne though it was quite tainted with Sakura herself.

[Bloodedge]

As it seemed, Kazuhiko would be attending a festival with Kei once the group left this card shop. He didn't waste any further time after her agreement, even if her rumbling stomach was probably obvious to people in the building next door. "Awesome!" he said, both hands landing atop the table as he rose. "Stop for a bite first?" he asked, fully prepared to make way immediately. All the while, Reiji was watching Miko make easy work of her selections without much worry, trusting that she wouldn't actually take any unnecessary things out of the tab. Once she was done, he looked over the selections and numbers just briefly. "That all seems fine. Here." With that, Reiji produced the necessary machine to process Miko's card, having to run such transactions in a separate calculation later. "I suppose I should also welcome you to an exclusive club of members making outlandish purchases in a single sitting. Sadly it would now be a group of one."

What felt like only yesterday even to Mitsuki, was so very true for Ajax. Given the length of his life thus far, this fifty-year relationship was hardly a pit stop. That did nothing to detract from its greater meaning, though. He'd have to move on from this timeline and eventually, perhaps even twice, meet a version of Mitsuki who'd never met him before. Such moments made long bouts of time seem almost wasteful. It was always like this. Still, he'd greet that camera with the same old smile, and meet Mitsuki's lips with the same energy he had on their wedding night. Memories were fleeting with mortals, but she claimed these would be held forever. So pitiful was the human mind... He'd have to trust in her soul. A bellyful of 'milk' for a good night's sleep was the evening's request. Sure... he could do that... but not as Ajax, the one she first knew by the moniker 'Daddy'. "Gomen... I can't do that. This is the end of the line, right? I can't answer your nostalgia; I have to answer as myself." As he spoke, the visage of Ajax dissipated. Orange hair became a long, black braid extending from a messy top. Eyes that once held the sea took on a deep crimson hue, and his skin became paler. Gone was the one called Ajax in a matter of moments, only for the new visage to lift Mitsuki by the waist. "But don't hate me for it. Just call me my name for this last night." The seconds would pass, and he'd lead the woman toward their bed to place her down and take his spot atop her. So easily did they fit together after all these years, the only thing he had left to do after that movement was enter her properly. And yet... he hesitated.

That was the only moment of hesitation occurring, though. Hiruko did not, and would not hesitate when dealing with a point of interest like what was before him. A gamble that risked life, wellbeing, or even fate itself? Any odds that weren't zero sounded perfect to him in that case! Apparently, his ante-up was along the lines of what this woman meant the first time. Her words, however, weren't so clear ─ but he was a similar sort of open-ended in such moments. "Difference is, it's my way. I know my odds, I know the payout. All or nothing♥~" he said as she took that second die and rolled the pair. Seven was the winning number, and the dice rolled a two... and a five. All the while, Hiruko was watching the roll with nothing short of confidence. His luck was his own to make, and his own to enforce. Such was always the belief of Daikichi Hiruko, and here it was paying off again. He didn't even have to wait for a payout this time. That woman he called Nuren had her breasts on his head just briefly enough to catch interest as she slid around and into his bare lap. She gave a warning to breathe, but he had no time for even a cheeky rebuttal. Lips brushed against lips, and Hiruko... was silenced by the immediate sensation of drowning. Even though their lips barely touched, his mouth was fully agape ─ as were his eyes. He didn't think this woman was unbearably tight. He didn't think she had incomprehensible wetness. He didn't believe she'd struck him with some divine Kegel that could never be compared to anything. No, he didn't think anything. All he could compare that initial plunge to was being perfectly fine in a normal, flirty conversation... and then suddenly teleporting to the depths of a trench at the ocean floor. He couldn't speak or breathe, lest he be internally flooded to bursting in an instant. Ah, but that was the point of her warning, wasn't it? After several seconds of pause, there was a sharp inhale from Hiruko that just barely managed to save his consciousness. "Gah! Haah!" It seemed words weren't yet on the list of possibilities. . .

[Apollymi]

Kazuhiko seemed to be very excited to be going on his date with Kei, much to Kei's own surprise. They weren't planning anything particularly spectacular and most weren't so interested in going to festivals. Still such a thing was rather infectious and would have her incidentally admitting something else if one had the knowledge of her as a person. "Iia, festivals are full of cheap food options. I want to know what the locals are having!~" she expressed as her stomach quieted. "She's a foodie, you're better off getting her a bunch of stuff on sticks so she can walk around and eat♥~" Kaguya encouraged just as she would have if any of them had been on their way out. Beyond that point Miko had accurately divided up her tab in a way that both she and Reiji could be happy. She swiped her card through the produced machine and grinned as she was greeted with the idea of being a member of an exclusive club. "Oh? I love being a part of clubs~ Does membership come with special privileges? Since I'm the only one in it, I really think it should~" Miko said in a teasing manner. "Hm, at the very least you need my phone number right, and I need yours so you can call or text when the rest comes in?~" she said. Her statement innocent but her face held a certain quiet deviance just bubbling below the surface, phone in hand ready to exchange numbers.

At the same time, Mitsuki was holding tight to all those memories. So much time was spent with Ajax she'd shared her adult life with him and it'd been the best time of her life. She never regretted a single day and she wouldn't begin doing so now. He couldn't answer her nostalgia he claimed. No... he had to answer himself this time. What an interesting turn of events was happening here on what Mitsuki was sure would be her last night. Ajax transformed turning into a dark haired young man with long black hair right before her eyes. "Ehehe~" she giggled finding his statement a little funny after all this time. This face she looked at, was one she came to know on their 20th anniversary on a new planet under the light of a star that could torch anything known as life. "You never ask me for anything, so if you want to take something for yourself... I could never actually say no to you..." she said softly. As he held her by the waist they moved in such a way as to leave him atop her, ready to enter but holding back. Ah, he wanted a little more didn't he, she placed her hand on the side of his face still seeming so pleased to have him. Keeping a man like this for so long had definitely been one of her greatest achievements, "Come on now, what happened to rewarding cute girls, Ashborn?" she uttered his name and it always felt so very heavy, even in moments where it felt so right. Her body wanted to join his and her soul wanted to placate before this shell she inhabited gave up on her.

Meanwhile the first plunge was taken and Nuren watched as this man seemed to fall to her antics. They'd flirted together so well, and both could be considered masters of their craft in their own right, still the difference in magical existence was quite obvious within just this moment. Even as she occupied his uncovered lap she had no problem pressing down on him with the weight of her soul and watching him struggle to remember even basic bodily function. Incomprehensible words escaped him, as he took that first breath after merely meeting lips and tongues with a woman who's true self was something without limits. Right just now, she pulled back looking at the disheveled face of a man and finding it, good. "Ara, that's it, just breathe, Awanari. You have to learn to breathe or you'll pass out before the rest even gets started properly~" she said in a voice most teasing. "Tell me, are there still bubbles beneath the surface or did they all pop?~" she wondered quizzically. That had which had been around the back of his head trailed around gently tracing his neck, brushing against that tattoo and even coming to stop in that opening over his chest.

[Bloodedge]

Kazuhiko could be considered a casual enjoyer of festivals at best, but one thing he always remained... was a lover of adventure. His excitement didn't come from the idea of seeing a festival, but instead from having a new experience shared with a new person. Kei would join the ranks of those who understood that side of him soon enough. In the meantime, there was a warning provided by Kaguya about the white-haired girl's eating habits. He didn't mind that either. "Well one big part of enjoying an adventure is stopping to try the local specialties! We could have a whole food tour for all I care. Whatever it's gonna be, let's go!" he said. Kazuhiko was the sort whose excitement only grew by the moment when a new adventure was right around the corner. He'd already scooped up his cards, and already had a hand stretching across the table toward Kei. Reiji spent that same time finishing Miko's purchase and... seemingly being propositioned in some way. His little joke turned into a question about special privileges ─ something that preceded the mention of a contact exchange he'd been thinking about earlier. Reiji sighed and produced his smartphone. "I can't say I've thought of any special privileges to go along with a membership I just made up. As the founding member, wouldn't that be your prerogative?" he asked while holding his phone next to Miko's, enabling an exchange of information.

True enough, the one called Ajax did not ask things of Mitsuki during this life. Of course he refrained, knowing this fleeting existence would come to an end in only a blink from his own perspective. In this case however, he needed to meet Mitsuki as himself for things to truly play out well in the aftermath. "You always could. You're the boss, remember? This life is for you," he said with certainty and full commitment. Once he and Mitsuki were in position, even as he hesitated to begin their final night together, Mitsuki spoke a name that echoed throughout the cosmos. What happened to rewarding cute girls? She asked. "Heh. Nothing happened. It's been fifty years, you know? Maybe these bones of mine are finally lagging behind a little~" he joked, even though his face showed nothing resembling a joking mood. No, the banter was just a distraction from deeper thoughts. Regardless, he had a duty to perform one last time in this reality. Ever so slowly did he inch forward, crawling into Mitsuki's core with a firmness that never waned and a magical density that only deepened by the moment. This body of Mitsuki's should never have been capable of laying with him, but he reduced himself as always. Tonight, however... he'd be lifting the curtain millimeter by millimeter, sad though it made him to do so.

Hiruko may have bitten off a little more than he could chew. After finally catching his breath, an effort that felt like it took eons, Nuren offered more words of encouragement... or perhaps warning. Only then did he realize the true depth of his actions. All that feeling he had, and there was virtually nothing to show for it. He'd been tricked by expectation into believing she'd mounted him, but it was only the kiss. Hiruko's eyes traveled downward to see that their bodies were not yet joined... but how? "Haah! What's that? Playing with a loaded hand?" he asked, the rise and fall of his chest only increasing over the following moments. With the question about bubbles popping on the proverbial table, Hiruko actually had to think for a moment. "I'm not going to win a gamble just to chicken out when it's time to cash in the chips. Even if the bubbles all popped, I'd say just shake it up ─ some new ones will form. All in!" he announced resolutely.

[Apollymi]

Kazuhiko lived for excitement and adventures, even simple things like visiting a festival could be viewed with a special lens so long as the person he was going with was new to the experience. "Kaya-sen, hold back a little..." Kei said as she put away her cards and packed everything away into her own bag. "I did, you have no idea what I would have said if we weren't in public~" Kaguya mentioned. The rest of the group was all packed up as well and Chika was holding on to Anya who was holding on to her plushie. The blush on Kei's face wouldn't be going anywhere, but something about a food tour was definitely entertaining. Small bag on her back with all her things in it and that hand outstretched to her would be taken with haste. "Food Tour! Let's go!~" she said willing herself to take off. "Itterasshai♫~" Miko chimed for her friends, and such a chorus was echoed from others as well. With that pair apparently heading off Miko's cheeky conversation continued. An exchange of information took place and Miko would send hers as well, with this done, and the conversation about her privileges as a big spender ongoing she couldn't help but giggle. "Sure, I can decide... I'm sure of the kinds of things I want~" she claimed with a knowing smile. "But I am not always that pushy, I could just check-in, with a message, if you like I could add you to an exclusive mailing list... make sure it's beneficial to both of us♪~" she mentioned lightly.

While a new adventure began and a card shop was slowly but surely being vacated, in an alternate universe a long goodbye was being undertaken. So light and full of banter this life had been. Mitsuki had been the mistress of her own fate, and for many long nights had given random and plentiful instructions to Ajax. "I could have done a lot of things... but took some great advice one day, from someone who told me to do what felt right to me... so I've just been doing that~" she chided playfully. All his words always played in her mind. "There is at least one bone of yours that isn't lagging at all~" Mitsuki said with that pouty kind of snark. Ah, but she could see it. She'd known him too long and even with his place in her life as her virtual savior even she knew when he was deflecting. Maybe goodbyes were difficult. She could understand, just being with him had kept her going for so long... and now as he began his forward push she felt it, even at greater intensity than she'd felt it the very first time. "Waited forever to show me something like this, huh?~" she mentioned while noting that she was falling apart with every push forward. Ah, every breath was becoming more difficult to make an her own body's pulses were drawing him in even though she could feel him weighing down on her. She'd never felt that before, she always knew this man was too good for her, this was simply the proof. The more it built up, she was sure her heart beat was slowing even as her body reached the fever pitch. It was sad that she only had this one left in her, she wanted so much more... but still, she was happy she got to have this much.

At the same time, Hiruko was learning a difference between himself and this strange woman, and it was very similar to the understanding Sakura had gained about Ajax. The warnings given were given with intention, there was nothing to stop an existence like hers from crushing him into dust, and she had to be careful not to do that thing... specifically because of the timing of this situation. "My hand is loaded. This is a high-roller table you have to decide if you have enough to bet with♥~" she commented almost teasingly. Still his next decision was one which brought pause to the young woman who was being called Nuren. "Sou ka, I didn't expect to see that likeness today... meeting with the young is always so interesting♥~" she commented about something which wouldn't be obvious to anyone but Kama at some point in the near future. "Still, I'm a sucker for earnest, reckless behavior. But the backup plan is yours to figure out... I won't lower myself to help you keep your head above water. Sink or swim, Awanari♥~" Nuren said as she reached below herself. A hand on his cock she properly aligned herself to mount him this time and this time, the sweet darkness and deep pressure would be enveloping his cock instead. That sensation of drowning, of finding oneself at the depths of the ocean and in the darkness where no light could reach... this was where he would find himself. All the while, Kama watched finding this kind of flirting to be a different sort from the type she observed in her parents. And finding it interesting to see from this outside perspective what it was like for a male to be crushed under something bigger than himself.

[Bloodedge]

And so, an awkward moment was saved with a runaway of a different sort. Once Kei shared excitement over the food tour and took his hand, Kazu was on the move. As quickly as his hand was grabbed, he darted away, even pulling Kei over the table to do so. "See you guys back home!" he announced on the way out. After running through the door and receiving a complimentary glare from Soma outside, he finally slowed down and turned toward Kei while walking. "So we've got some hours before curfew. Wanna grab something we can take on the bus?" he asked. Meanwhile, Reiji was falling into precisely the trap he envisioned earlier as confirmed by Miko already having an idea for the 'privileges' she wanted. Moreover, she talked about adding him to an... exclusive mailing list? Maybe recent experiences were poisoning his mind and he was returning to the deviant thoughts of adolescent years. Yes, he had to at least entertain that as a possibility. Either way, what if he was right? It wouldn't change anything that already happened. "I would caution myself to ask what you mean by that exactly, but... fine. I'm not that old. Do your worst," he challenged.

Over fifty years later, Mitsuki was referencing advice given to her by Ajax during their initial meeting. She never looked away; she never turned back on that mentality. No, she looked forward while dragging their entire past along with her in the form of memory. Going forward now, the old woman with a still youthful visage had a bit of jest about his 'bone' not lagging. "It never will. I've got to keep something worth giving you~" he joked right along. They were finally joining again with that, for the last time in this life and universe. It had been so long since he reached the percentage he was now climbing to, even Mitsuki noted the fact that he'd been holding out for their entire lives thus far. Well, he didn't have much choice. "Out with a big bang, right? I came here to give you a great life. I still don't want it to end, even now," he said solemnly. Regardless, they would begin their final round with slow thrusts into the depths of Mitsuki's core, an equally slow climb in magical weight taking place as the strokes continued. He could have granted her immortality. It would have been both easy and effective to do so, but... no ─ he had to let this flame fizzle out at the end of its wick.

Hiruko figured he was at the high-roller table in a manner of speaking, but even he didn't anticipate the sort of minimum wager this woman was demanding. He'd have to get more chips, it seemed. "Low chips, foreign economy, big spenders' table..." he muttered through heaved breaths. Hiruko was already being put through the proverbial wringer before penetration began, even to the point of assuming it happened before it did. He did indeed have to come up with a backup plan whenever penetration began in earnest. Considering the kiss itself, that was going to be dangerous... and oh so exciting. Nuren steadied his cock and lowered herself, and just like that... he was rushing through that ocean floor trench once again. Functions were quickly escaping him. Well, this wouldn't be his first escape room, though it would join the rare few of pleasurable torture in his life. Sink or swim? That was the question and the decision. Hiruko appeared almost lost, but his body was not inactive. To some extent, he'd be going along with Nuren's rise and fall, as if letting the current dictate his movements. Sometimes one had to submit for survival; Hiruko knew that better than most. Even under the pressure of the ocean floor, he had to take action from time to time. When would that come? He schemed actively against the idea of Nuren ascending, planning to take that as an opportunity to thrust. Doing so would have him peeking into her womb, but symbolically it would be as one swimming deeper into the trenches by force, all in search of an air pocket. Sure his body was unlikely to survive the pressure, but... whose victory would it really be in the end?

[Apollymi]

Kei had reached across the table on instinct seeing Kazuhiko's offered hand. She was swiftly pulled along with him, a little noise escaping her lips as they flew out. "Wheee!~" she chimed. "Ja..." she managed quickly to the group at large. Outside she noted Soma, the son of Kaguya seemingly glaring and couldn't quite figure out what that was about, but as they took off she didn't really think it mattered much. "Hm, that'd be fine with me. I still want to save room though... what about Butaman. It should be pretty easy to find and the mix of flavors shouldn't be too harsh so we can still have other things without it clashing too much," she offered easily. There was also the fact that as a street food it was exceedingly cheap and the buns made them easy to carry. Suddenly being alone with this lad was way more effective for having his focus but that meant she also had to keep the conversation up on her own. There wasn't anyone else to bounce off of, in such a situation. At the same time, Miko and Reiji were coming to a general agreement. He would be added to an exclusive mailing list, though he'd end up challenging Miko in the process. She grinned up at him as she tucked her phone away. "Hai hai, I absolutely will, since you're giving me permission~" Miko said. Permission for Miko was a dangerous thing. Allowing her freedom was tantamount to asking for the safety to be removed from her activities. Oh well, he'd be fine, she wouldn't harm him or anything like that. With all of that taken care of, Miko slipped back around the counter. "Thanks for everything today, Reiji-san!~" she chirped knowing full well that what she'd gotten from this man went far outside of the norm but still thought he deserved thanks for both the time and energy spent on things. In the meantime they would be gathering up the rest and able to head out.

That alternate universe was experiencing something of a more permanent end. As Ashborn and Mitsuki would be meeting in body and soul for the final time, she'd joked and bantered and both seemed to be quite pleased with what was going on. Ashborn's joke even made her giggle just a bit as she appreciated his ability to not take himself too seriously. She called it one of his more charming points, "You've always had something worth giving me... don't sell yourself short. Someone also told me that quite a few times~" she claimed. Not a single moment in their time together was something she could forget. She was serious about that part of their conversation. There was a sense of finality to this moment as it built up, and even Mitsuki could feel it. She wanted to go out with a bang, and Ashorn had wanted to give her a great life, and wasn't ready to see it end. He was solemn that wouldn't do, "You did give me a great life! The greatest ever, from my perspective..." she offfered as happily as she'd offered everything else to this man in life. And here and now, she'd offer him one more thing... "Arigatou, Ashborn..." she wrapped her arms around him, and placed her lips against his. She felt it, the climax of her lifetime, both physically and spiritually. She could feel herself heating up even as her heart beat slowed. "Ja ne~" she said her goodbyes as she always would as if she had every intention of seeing him again, even if she knew it wouldn't happen. Her core tightened and her body tensed as she inhaled at the peak of her own pleasure... the very last of such a feeling she'd have.

Mitsuki wasn't the only one understanding her situation. In this case, Hiruko was coming to understand the table at which he sat... and how he ended up there even after being warned. "That's right~ It's good you understand it completely in your own terms. Being able to reframe the world in a way you understand it best is how you can most easily shift the currency exchange in your own favor~" Nuren mentioned as if the teasing elder sister. The truth of the matter was, if Hiruko already had a way of thinking about things, he could easily begin the process of using his actual magic in the way he wished. Kama as an outside observer realized the lesson in this sexual activity and was stunned by the usage. "Hm, this is an interesting way to give a lesson. I suppose in this way it isn't just for Hirrun either..." Kama quietly understood the situation she was witnessing and would be taking from it. Upon sinking down on his cock in truth, Nuren found herself watching from her perch as Hiruko swam through her depths. ever so often, he nudged her womb, not content to let her determine the full scope of this ride. He really was quick to catch on.... "Ara? That might not be a respite..." she mentioned as she rose and fell with the pressure of her depths. She knew that if he crossed into her womb fully he might find himself in a vacuum of pressure and heat like plugging a geyser. Still, such a feeling was always a good one for Nuren, she'd not be holding back on her own pleasure to spare him the weight of her soul.

[Bloodedge]

"Butaman? Like nikuman?" Kazuhiko questioned, having a bit of a dialect issue transitioning so far west. He didn't particularly care what Kei wanted to eat. They'd agreed to a food tour, so a food tour they would have! "Whatever you want is fine with me. I've spent a lot of time on the road; can't be picky about what ends up on your plate. I almost ate an ugly fish with legs before my wedding," he said, laughing. At the same time, Reiji could not laugh. How could he be expected to, when there was an ominous shadow settling over him? Miko's acceptance of a challenge gave him a deeper sense of foreboding than anything else before. Even so, he was actually surprised she didn't call his bluff immediately. Did that make things better... or more dangerous? "... Hai. I'll definitely be in touch when that shipment comes in," he said with a bow. When the group gathered to leave, he bowed yet again. "Arigatou gozaimashita! Mata okoshi kudasaimase!" the owner exclaimed. Every single one of them was more than welcome to return ─ encouraged, even. Well... one wasn't. Soma still stood outside when the group exited, leaning against that newly-acquired van of his and beckoning Konomi toward himself.

Yet another message the one called Ajax gave Mitsuki that first day was used against him as Ashborn. This time, he laughed. "Never will," he said. On the positive side, Mitsuki gave confirmation of the quality life she had in his company. That was the overarching goal. Words of thanks and a kiss were shared. Ashborn thought to sink into that moment and keep at their round, but lo... it seemed Mitsuki wouldn't make it past her initial orgasm. When their lips parted, she gave her farewell. Ashborn laughed shakily then. "Don't say that yet. We're just..." There was pause and realization. Mitsuki's body no longer sustained life, no longer sustained her expanded soul. He thought they had more time than that. A full night of bliss was within expectation, yet there was nothing more in that body. Tension beget the final relaxation of a mortal husk, and Ashborn... pulled away slowly. All the while, his senses were open to something else ─ something bigger than this world. Sadness became a hidden fury. "Oyasumi, Luna," he said first. With his rise came the appearance of an unperceivable figure. Ashborn knew what that entity was. The end of this universe was encroaching, and had been for decades. "Did you start eating faster because you saw me back then? That was a dumb move. She should have easily had another fifty years in her. Then what? In comes the fat fuck of time to end it all early. Did you think I wasn't going to notice?" he asked of the mysterious figure who seemed to move toward Shota, inhabiting the old man's body. "This life ended long ago. You've kept this one from Finality. I sent a message through that girl."

Ashborn sighed. Such an annoyance this entity was. After a moment of thought, his sighing evolved into manic laughter. "You ate a quarter of the universe just to get here faster, all to get at me for going against your principle?" he asked, though there was no answer. "Nothing? Figures. You know what's funny about that?" he asked. "Funny? Your emotional state should be one of sadness. There is always sadness at the end," the entity in Shota's body replied. "Yes. Always. Everything ends... and it's always sad. But everything begins again, too... and that's always happy. That's the part you don't get. That's the part HooH doesn't get. That's the part none of you idiots ever get! So I'll tell you!" Ashborn turned at last to face an apparently disgusting being, his robes restoring around him and a power flowing outward to combat the universal collapse occurring in the distance. "Sad, then happy. Happy, then eventually sad again. You know what's always between that? A comedy. Everything's just fucking hilarious between," he preached. "And what is so funny?" asked the other. Ashborn laughed more, making a grand show of spreading his arms wide in a gesture toward the open cosmos. "You ate a quarter of the universe! The funny thing is... just look. Look what you needed to mimic a fraction of our power!" Those words seemed confusing to the one who spoke of Finality. "Our?" he asked. In the following moments, he'd have his answer... as the shadow beneath Ashborn began to grow, expanding toward Mitsuki primarily as Ashborn's eyes glowed more brightly than a flickering star. "Arise."

Hiruko did always have a way of shifting perspectives to something relatable. He took those words to heart, but there was still a matter of his own being thought through. He felt as if the currents were taking him mercilessly toward his untimely demise, and it took all he had to avoid crashing into jagged rocks within the trench. Oh well. Hiruko would have to leave the fate of his body to chance and continue fighting. Nuren warned that entering her womb may not be respite, but Hiruko knew it was sometimes worth it to take the biggest risk of all in the heat of a moment. Those conscious thrusts of his earned him a bit of momentum... and eventually, he'd use it to move the rest of him. "Hah. I wasn't done yet," he managed, panting. "Low chips, foreign economy, big spenders' table..." With that clause picked up again, Hiruko flung himself forward with every intention of taking Nuren with him. His aim would be to pin her to the table in the same motion that he took that fateful thrust into her depths, right into the burning geyser with sweet, numbing adrenaline helping his cause against the destruction of his own self. Through all the pain, Hiruko seemed... strangely happy. "All or nothing! If all I see is red, I'll still put it all on green!"