Chapter 31: The Moon

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After beating several shadows, my frustration finally subsides, as Sakamoto walk meekly behind me.

"Sakamoto"

"Y-yes Sir!"

"Why did you run away?"

"Ah this. I was dumb. I read an old report made by my old man ---"

He starts monologuing about being a baby that was found in the lab, and picked up by the old man, and raised by said oldman, then he rambles on and on about him trying his best only to fall short of the old man's expectation.

"And?"

"I found out I was wrong. I shouldn't have done that. I made him worry huh."

"Of course you did."

"Then what should I do Aniki?"

Now you're calling me aniki?

"Figure it out yourself. You're an adult, start by fixing the mess you made."

"Figures, it's not easy you know."

Ah the IDGAF type.

"Either you do that or you'll be in the hospital asking them to 'fix' you."

"Y-Yes Aniki!"

After walking towards where I first spawn in, the 'Temple'. We found ourselves surrounded by fog, so without missing a single beat, I picked up Sakamoto like a sack of potato and ran forward. After a few minutes, I can see the 'Temple' again, this time, the night sky is black, with a beautiful full moon.

I simply dropped him down towards the pavement, then make my way towards the main road, while calling Emma.

"Emma speaking, have you found Young Master Sakamoto?"

"Safe and sound. Get me a ride, I'm at the western edge of the town, where an old temple lies."

"I know where that is. And Akira-sama Th---"

"Just hurry up and come here yourself. Sakamoto's dying to meet ---"

Out of Nowhere a hand reaches towards my phone as he just ends the call. Raising my eyebrow at him made him cower and take a few steps back, ah I think someone still needs a lesson.

Romulus, will you feel pain if I was beaten.

[We share senses. So, yes.]

Good.

A round of screams and curses came from an abandoned temple at the edge of town.

--

"Akira-sama, sorry for the delay"

"It's fine, he's laying in the floor, try not to be too rough, he's in a bad shape"

Sakamoto mini POV:

A BAD SHAPE! WHO DO YOU THINK CAUSES THIS YOU DEMON!

{"scary demon! SCARY DEMON!"}

Back to Akira:

"I see you bought 2 cars, The minivan is for me I assume."

"Yes, I heard that you like to break into Junes, don't worry I prepared the key for you."

"That's helpful..."

Emma walks toward the 2 familiar Ashina family member

"Gyubo, Sataka, I don't need to introduce you to each other, but please treat Akira-sama with respect."

"Aye!" "Roger!"

I boarded the minivan, as Sakamoto was carried away in a separate vehicle.

"So the kids are getting high again? Damn you sure are a worry warrant, next time they can do it in the dojo you know, no need to hide in Junes."

"Teenagers these days need to stay 'trendy' you know, that's why old folks like us who are sticking towards our old ways, will never understand, is that right Akira-sama?"

"Hahaha! Yeah."

"Akira-sama do you need a change of clothes? I can't help but notice you have torn clothes, thanks for showing mercy towards Young Master Sakamoto."

"If you had one that'll be great."

I changed my clothes.

"That's one scary looking Irezumi, Akira-sama."

"Can you take a picture of it for me? I want to see the damages, so I can fix it if needed."

"Huh? Well, Ok."

*Click*

Huh my back is now imprinted with a scary looking Irezumi just like what Gyubo said. It's the flaming skeletal demon, with all 6 hands, horned skull, wearing a bloody cape. With muskets, swords and a flaming temple in the background. Cool.

I dialed Uncle Ryo's number on my phone.

"Uncle Ryo"

"Akira, where were you?"

"I was beating some sense into a runaway kid."

"AKIRA! YOU CAN'T BEAT A WOMAN!"

"No, not her, it was Sakamoto Ashina."

"Oh, did you do it thoroughly?"

"Of course, he won't dare cause any more problems. He's on his way towards the hospital"

"You …. Anyway what about the amagi-inn girl?"

"With Yu, where can I send her off to."

"I'll be waiting at home. I'll personally bring her home. Thanks."

"See you soon."

--

We arrived at junes, at the same time, my phone rang.

"Moshi-moshi"

"Can you come and pick us up? And do you have food?"

I exchange glances with Gyubo-san and Sakata-san, they immediately heat up water in a portable water heater, and I can see Gyubo-san taking something out of the trunk, it's instant noodles. Nice, resourceful as always. 5 stars.

And so, again, we entered Junes. But unlike last time, this time other than Chie and Yukiko, everyone else seems like they're able to walk. So, we had Yu and Saki to help Chie and Yukiko back to the minivan. As Yosuke was rejected outright when he tried to help. Before sending them home, we have a light meal of instant noodles, they're great. As expected of veteran chefs.

"So you kids really do like to get high huh? Even running away from home to do it. You're a girl, you need to think about how your parents will react if they knew."

Yeah tell them Gyubo-san!

They just laugh at the investigator team (Yu's party) when they're telling their stories about Chie unlocking her persona which is in a bruce lee getup. And saving the princess (Yukiko). Thinking that it's a hallucination when they're high.

"Come to think of it, there's this one big shadow that gives me the creeps."

"Yeah, That Skeleton looking giant with multiple arms. Even Yukiko's shadow is afraid of it"

Hmmmm dont tell me.

"Yeah and i can see a golden persona user too."

"That person must be strong to fight off a monster like that, maybe we'll meet him in the future."

Don't plan a flag with my name on it Yu bastard. Get it?

Like yesterday, we sent everyone home except for yukiko, where we sent her to our house.

"Uncle/ Ryo"

""Chief""

Gyubo and Sakata-san are in their investigator getup.

"It's fine. And you guys do make a good investigator, tell me if you want to go legal sometimes in the future I can help."

""Thank you.""

"Yukiko Amagi, I'm Ryotaro Dojima, Chief of Inaba Police Department, and is here to take you home."

"Allright."

As they leave with Uncle Ryo's car.

"Thank you for your help Gyubo-san Sakata-san."

"The pleasure is all mine Akira-sama."

---

Everyone disperses, as Yu also excuses himself as he wanted to sleep. And there I was in the living room alone. Having nothing to do I looked at my phone to see an additional 7 missed calls from Daigo-nii, so I called back.

"You finally decided to pick up huh [Demon King]-sama? Busy on your conquest towards the west?"

"You can say that nii-sama. It's not like you to call me so what's wrong?"

"What's wrong? What's with the message this morning? You Bastard! You Trying to make me jealous with a wife and a cute imouto?"

"It's a friendly reminder to find a partner, mom wants to see her grandchildren soon you know?"

"You little piece of URGH."

"HAHAHA! But seriously nii-sama you should find a Girlfriend."

"Alright, alright don't rub salt in my wounds. I'm not like Kiryu alright, seriously he has ladies flocking towards him but he just ushers them away. What gives?"

"Hahaha! He's thinking of a mother for haruka maybe?"

"Speaking of haruka, Kiryu said that he'll be bringing her to tokyo next month, and she misses you. Tch, why don't anyone want to find me?"

"Next month it is then. Anything else Daigo-nii?"

"Well, I'm planning to go to Kansai, specifically to OA HQ to sign and handover some things. So next week, I'll be in Inaba, I need to check if my bro's been up to anything or up in anyone lately."

"Speak for yourself, I'm spoken for."

"Cocky brat."

"Immature irresponsible alcoholic"

"Hey! I'm sober!"

"HAHAHA!"

"HAHAHA! Okay then it seems that you're well and all, I'll tell mom, and see you soon!"

"Yeah see you Daigo-nii."

I closed the call.

--

As I was resting on the sofa, Izanami came down from the second floor, with disappointment in her eyes, just like when a woman caught his man cheating.

{So, Someone's finally home. Why are you in the metaverse}

{Izanami, a non-player is pulled inside.}

{hmmmmm. It is as you said, but the question is still, why? Non-players are pulled in everyday, are you taking me for a foo- }

{I got dragged in too. In the temple.}

{The temple in which we fought?}

{Yes}

{Strange, I could've sworn, I closed it off. And no one had interfered with it.}

{Well apparently someone did.}

{Still you're guilty. Our deal was non interference, so now you'll have to pay the penalty.}

{And what's the penalty?}

{Stay still}

I didn't move, as Izanami just snuggled into my arms, and laid a blanket on top of us.

{This,now goodnight.}

With Izanami's cute face resting on my shoulders, I can't help but chuckle at how cute this goddess is. I kissed her forehead as I also dozed off to sleep.

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