Day 5: Simping over the MC is NOT okay!

"You know, I have a very bad feeling about today," Edhas said as Ryan crawled out of bed. "You better prepare yourself, kid."

'I'm eighteen years of age, thank you very much,' Ryan said. 'I'll prepare myself, though. I'll trust that you can handle it if things go too south, though.'

"Who the hell do you think I am?" Edhas said, his ego showing once again.

'You're two mechs too early to say shit like that,' Ryan deadpanned. Thankfully, the phone rang before Edhas had the opportunity to blow an airhorn in his head.

"KIKKERIKIII~!!!" Kiara exclaimed. "Today's a very important day!"

"What's up?" Ryan asked groggily, thankful that Edhas didn't pull anything while Ryan was talking to his boss. After all, an angry phoenix was a dangerous phoenix.

"I invited the chairman of the RSFC!" Kiara chirped.

"You WHAT?!" Ryan shouted.

"You said you wanted to check it out," Kiara said innocently.

"Does she even know I'm there?!" Ryan asked.

"Of course! She always did!" Kiara said. "Apparently someone she knows has some business here and wanted to come. She doesn't know you work here, though."

"Whatever," Ryan sighed. "What do you want me to do?"

"Keep your chastity."

"Keep my what?"

"I know what I said."

"Actually, I'm not a-," Edhas started.

'Yeah, like I'll ever believe that.'

-

Aloe was doing the same as she always did, eating a bento box and watching the events of the real world through the screen of a TV. "Hey Storm!" She called out, summoning the man. The man appeared behind her without a sound or a flash of light. His hair had grown out into a ponytail which was rested over his right shoulder and he had his mask off, revealing sharp, grey eyes and a deep scowl. "Am I able to go to the real world for today?"

Storm looked at her, his expression unchanging. A couple seconds of silence passed before Storm opened his mouth. "The void permits it," he said. "You shall depart soon."

Aloe turned, smiling at the man. "Thank you, Storm."

-

"I love it when Tenchou is all foreboding and stuff," Ryan grumbled as he walked into the restaurant.

"Good morning, Ryan!" Kiara chirped. "You're just in time!"

"Just in time for what?" Ryan asked.

"Ryan!" A familiar voice was heard as he felt a force tackle his back.

"Gah!" Ryan shouted in shock as he stumbled forward. "Sabrina?! I thought you were going to college!"

"Well, I won't need to anymore!" Sabrina chirped. "Brianna and I got normal, high paying jobs!"

"Really?!" Ryan turned around and returned Sabrina's hug. "Congratulations!"

"Actually, someone also decided to come with me today!" Sabrina smiled. "I hope you're excited to meet my co-worker!"

"It would be my honor," Ryan said. Unfortunately, he failed to notice the devilish smirk Kiara was making, as he was focused on Sabrina, who was tapping away on her phone. Suddenly, a puff of pink smoke and a small girl appeared. The girl had small, white horns and a tail. She had pink hair with purple streaks and magenta eyes.

"Hello! My name is-," she stopped when she saw Ryan. Instantly, her eyes started to sparkle, and her tail shot up until it was completely straight. "OH MY GOD ARE YOU THE RYAN SHADE?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"

"Ah, you know me?" Ryan asked, rubbing the back of his head, his face flushing slightly in embarrassment. "I'm flattered."

"Of course I know you! You're famous!" The girl squealed. "And the way you swing your swords! It's so manly!"

'You know, manly is the last thing I would use to describe me,' Ryan thought internally, causing Edhas to chuckle.

"Agreed," Edhas said.

'That doesn't mean you can agree,' Ryan said.

"So, are you the leader of the RSFC I've heard of?" Ryan turned to the girl.

"No, I would never!" The girl held her hands up, shaking her head. "Godson-kaichou is!"

"I told you to just call me Sabrina," Sabrina sighed.

"How can I, after all you've done for me!" The girl insisted, pouting.

"Is that the job you're talking about?" Ryan asked.

"We just need your approval for the merch," Sabrina said.

"Whatever, I want some of the money though," Ryan said.

"Not a problem," Sabrina said. "Now, are you going to take our orders or not?"

"Wait," the girl stopped her pouting and swooning to stare at Ryan. "You work here?"

"Always have," Ryan said as the girl put a silver bell on her choker. "I actually didn't know I was famous until yesterday."

"Really?! I thought you were some sort of millionaire or something!" The girl gasped. "Why are you working in a dump like this?!"

"Kid, defuse the situation now," Edhas said. He didn't need to tell Ryan twice. He could feel the murderous intent from Kiara, even with his lack of experience in the magical world.

"Uh, you haven't told me your name yet," Ryan said nervously.

"Oh! My name is Ironmouse! It's nice to meet you!" The girl said.

"It's nice to meet you, Ironmouse-san," Ryan smiled kindly and offered his hand. Even if she was a bit… unhinged, that was no reason for Ryan to not be polite.

"It's an honor to meet you too!" Ironmouse squealed, shaking his hand vigorously before looking at her hand in awe. "I'm never washing my hands again."

"Uh, I'm not sure if that's a good idea," Ryan said.

"Mousey, you still need to explain to the manager why you're here," Sabrina said.

"Oh! Of course!" Ironmouse said. "We were looking for four girls by the name of Polka, Nene, Lamy, and Botan. Would you happen to know where they are?"

"I don't know their exact location," Ryan rubbed his chin. "Why do you need them?"

"We're looking for one of my friends, Mano Aloe," Ironmouse explained. "I thought she died three years ago, but after… reviewing some of the clips of the war, I saw her face more than once. I'm looking for them so I can get some answers."

"Ah, well there's no need for that," Ryan said. "I already know where she is. Please, take a seat."

"Really?! I thought I couldn't love you more!" Ironmouse exclaimed as she dashed over to a seat, Sabrina calmly following her.

"Uh, I'm not sure that's healthy," Ryan said as he walked behind the counter.

"Do you have any pink starbursts?" Ironmouse asked.

"Actually, we do," Kiara said. "You should talk to them, Ryan. I got this."

"Alright, Tenchou," Ryan said as he turned to the two girls as Kiara walked over to the back. "So, what do you want to know?"

"Is she alive? If so, where is she? If not, how was she in the clips?" Ironmouse asked in rapid succession, looking at him with expectant eyes. Ryan sighed as he thought about the answers.

'How do I explain this?' He asked his Edhas. 'You know more about this than I do, right?'

Fortunately, he didn't have to resort to whatever his other half replied with when the doors busted open. "Allow me to answer that," Ryan looked up to see Aloe walk in the store.

"Nice to see you again, Mano-san," Ryan smiled at the succubus. "I can't believe Storm let you out of that place. Last time I checked he was quite the asshole."

"ALOE!" Ironmouse instantly turned around and dashed, tackling the succubus into a hug. "I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD! I COULDN'T EVEN FIND YOU IN THE UNDERWHE- UNDERWORLD!"

"It's nice to see you again, you Mad Loli," Aloe returned the pint-sized demon's hug, a small smile on her face. "As for the dead part, that's a bit complicated. Let's take a seat, okay?"

As they sat down, Aloe looked at Ryan. "I see you've been handling Edhas well."

"We've learned to tolerate each other," Ryan said begrudgingly. Though they still bickered, at least Edhas stopped his incessant swearing. "Well, at least I think we are."

"Damn straight," Edhas sighed. "Not that I like it."

"So where have you been all this time?" Ironmouse turned to her friend.

"Well, I'm kind of in a state of near-death permanently," Aloe explained. "As my soul was about to be taken to the afterlife, I was extracted and placed into the void. Apparently, I had a role in whatever the void willed. It's not like I have a choice but to follow. How's Froot doing?"

"Froot's doing alright!" Ironmouse chirped. "She would have loved to see you, though."

"I'm not sure when I'll be allowed to come to the living world again, but when I do, I'll be sure to send you a sign," Aloe smiled.

"I still can't get over the fact that the Ryan Shade is here!" Ironmouse swooned. "You know, I think I love you so much that you have to die."

"Uh oh," Ryan and Edhas said at the same time. Without thinking, Ryan instantly relinquished control as Ironmouse went to grab the bell on her choker.

As Ironmouse pulled the bell off, Edhas transported them to an empty void. Without the bell, Ironmouse's magic energy skyrocketed. She charged a pink laser in her hand, causing Edhas to jump out. Ironmouse shot the laser as Edhas summoned his two swords preparing to block the giant attack.

"The void should only be used for important fights and not petty crushes," a man appeared in between the two, holding out his hand. As the laser touched his hand, it started to vanish until all of it was gone.

"Thanks for the save, Storm," Edhas smirked at the man, who just turned and glared at him, his mask now on.

"You shouldn't be here right now," Storm said. "You two should go back."

"I was planning on doing tha-," Edhas was cut off when Storm snapped his fingers, warping the two away.

Edhas relinquished control as he appeared back in the KFP. He looked around, but Ironmouse was nowhere to be seen. Kiara walked back into the room and sighed, holding a bowl of pink starburst.

"It took me a long time to pick out all the pink ones," Kiara said, looking dejected.

"I'll take them," Ryan raised his hand. Kiara gasped happily, giving Ryan the starburst.

"Where did Mousey go?" Sabrina asked.

"Storm sent her off somewhere else," Ryan answered, popping a piece of candy in his mouth. Sabrina sighed.

"I should have expected that," she said. "Anyways, now that she's gone, I'll take my leave."

"Sure, but don't be a stranger, okay?" Ryan said. "Also, don't forget to send me a cut of the merch."

"Will do," Sabrina said with a smile as she turned around and walked off. Ryan turned back to Aloe just in time to see her wince as a dark energy started to seep out of her.

"I guess the void wants me to come back," she gave Ryan a small smile before turning to Kiara, handing her four bento boxes, colored gray, light blue, yellow, and orange respectively. "I'll trust you to give them this?"

"Of course," Kiara smiled softly as she took the boxes.

"Until next time," Aloe closed her eyes, the smile never fading as she was reduced to black mist and fading away. Ryan and Kiara looked at each other.

"Hey, they're mine," Ryan brought the bowl closer to him.

-

Omake: Bento Boxes

Shortly after Sabrina left, Nene, Botan, Polka, and Lamy walked into the KFP. "Is there a reason why you called us?" Nene asked. "I have a stream in like ten minutes. I only came because it was urgent."

"I had a date with Ina soon," Polka said.

"You WHAT?!" Nene whirled around to face Polka. "Ina is MY wife! Not yours!"

"Maybe you two can share?" Ryan asked with a shrug. The two turned to him, giving him a blank expression. "Ah, whatever. It's not my relationship."

Ryan grabbed something from under the counter and took out four bento boxes. "Aloe dropped by earlier today. She didn't have much time to stay, so she asked me to give these to you."

"Really?!" The four ran up to the counter and took their respective bento boxes.

"Thank you, Ryan," Lamy smiled before turning to Botan. "You know, since we never decided where to have our date, maybe we should have it here."

"Sounds good," Botan said before looking at Nene and Polka. "Don't you have a tako to meet up with?"

"Oh, right!" Both of them jumped up before sprinting out, arguing over which one of them got to ground pound Ina first.

"When will you get a relationship like that?" Edhas asked.

'With luck, never.'