Chapter 10: Rainy Days [2]
[A/N: Tis chap for the week. I did some slight character tweaking on our best girl here and I hope it won't bother some of you. It will only be minor but heads up you know?
Overall, this tweak won't change her character that much. Hope you give some leeway on that my readers]
——
The meeting between the two was short-lived. As much as Rei wanted to prolong it, it seems that everything was an honest coincidence about their meeting.
"The rain has considerably...." Rei tried to say as his voice slowly downed and paused noticing that it wouldn't be that much of a conversation topic.
"...weakened, isn't it?" Kurumi finished his words. "It's time for me to go. It's nice meeting you again, Rei-san"
Kurumi said with a satisfied smile. She had already covered some of her goals by meeting this 'Anomaly of a Spirit' beside her. She would likely say that this Spirit before her was somewhat intriguing.
Kurumi couldn't help but giggle somehow knowing that Rei was slightly dissatisfied with how short their interaction was as it was about to end. Anyways, he didn't show it on his face but Kurumi herself knew it by... intuition.
'For now, I think it would be more preferable and smart if I observe him a little bit more. I have almost all the 'time' around the world after all,' Kurumi laughed silently within her thoughts.
Before she could turn and walk away, Rei quickly spoke up and asked which halted her from making her next move.
"Kurumi-san, if it wouldn't bother you. When could I possibly meet you again?"
Kurumi who heard this slightly widened her eyes for a brief second which was soon followed by a blink as she cocked her head to the side.
"...Ara? Don't you think you're being quite close considering this is just our first meeting?" Kurumi wondered as she put her finger on her lips while soon donning a teasing smile. "Fufu, Rei-san. Don't tell me that this perhaps what you call 'love at first sight?'"
Of course, what she could've said was more likely a joke to tease Rei, however, she does have a point though, isn't it weird to ask a stranger with those words unless there is a hidden meaning upon it or something. Nevertheless, Rei considered that question as a serious one, a question that is needed to be seriously answered.
"Haha, Kurumi-san. Well, you could certainly call it like that," Rei answered straight as he let out a small laugh as he next showed an honest smile.
With his pair of amethyst eyes locking onto her pair of red and gold, he continued. "Because you know what, who couldn't possibly be attracted and entranced—or more or less even fall for a unique and pretty lady like you?"
Sensing genuine praise without any hidden motives whatsoever, Kurumi herself can't help herself but be flustered by his words.
'Oh my, this person... I have already passed the stage where I would've acted like a high school girl when complemented with such flattery like this... however, I could feel nothing but the pure intent within the words from his reply,' Kurumi thought with her face slightly reddened up due to embarrassment.
Embarrassment due to her being flustered just like that easily even though she could would've just normally shrugged it off like usual.
Embarrassment due to her also thinking that he seriously said that seeing and meeting her was just like 'falling in love at first sight'.
'Still... If you only knew how terrible this person who had your 'love at first sight' on, you would probably be disappointed, Rei-san,' Kurumi admonished herself holding a bitter smile scaping through her lips.
On the other hand, if only Rei knew how she thought right now, he possibly wouldn't contain his amusement while letting out a hearty laugh due to her reaction.
Nevertheless, if there was something that he would agree on, it is that everything he said up to now was genuinely pure. With no mixed opinions or anything, it would be correct that he was enthralled by her already even before their first meeting.
'Having Tohka already by my side is something I should be already content before but... I can't help but admire and be enamored with the person called Kurumi Tokisaki—be it her past, present, or future,' Rei thought as he felt something akin to guilt. 'Am I being too greedy for wanting the more...?'
"..."
Kurumi remained silent as she looked at Rei with a difficult expression—however, her face was showing a slight tint of red.
"Hm, your face...? Did you catch a fever perhaps?" Rei asked in concern as he shortened the distance between them making Kurumi even more flustered than she already was.
Their faces were a few centimeters apart. Noticing her reaction, Rei could see that she was embarrassed by the sudden happening of events.
"N-No, maybe it's just your imagination Rei-san. As you can see, I'm completely fine," Kurumi said while taking a step back. Rei took her action as a sign of refusal on advancing any further so he also stepped back giving the two of them a considerable distance between each other.
"Oh, pardon me for my actions on being a little close... this could be considered quite rude especially if we were just strangers just a moment ago after all," Rei said as he scratched his cheek.
"It's alright, Rei-san. Your actions just left me astounded, but I know you meant no harm and I appreciate your concern," Kurumi replied reassuring him.
"I see, then everything is good, I guess?"
"...Yes, it is Rei-san. Ara? I've stayed here long enough already than I should've would," She then paused before taking a glance at Rei, revealing a small smile, she continued. "So about your question Rei-san, our next meeting may happen a bit sooner than you might think and I could arrange it but..."
"But?"
"Don't you think the sky is quite intriguing as of late?" Kurumi pointed up as she showed a smile.
Instead of completely answering his question, she averted the topic. Nevertheless, he didn't mind it too much.
As said, the downpour of the rain had lessened severely as the sky slowly began to clear out. Only for a second, Rei glanced at the sky still seeing the glimpse of the familiar ring formed above it just as Kurumi had pointed, this ring could be also seen by others after all.
The thing would never cease to not bother his mental state. Rei already has the fundamental factors about the ring's occurrence in this world but he still doesn't have a concrete idea about how it formed.
As far as he knew, Lostbelts don't possess these Rings of Light upon the sky which makes this world being a Lostbelt out of the question (obviously). That leaves this to be either a Singularity or a Pseudo-Singularity... or maybe something different altogether.
Canceling out the former since there is a very low chance—or no chance of it happening leaves the pseudo singularities made by the remnants of the Demon Gods that scaped from the Temple of Time. Then, there is this enigmatic possibility that could happen altogether.
Deciding to halt his thoughts, he slightly shook his head. These matters should be dealt with after a more in-depth investigation—probably or most likely, he would have an undeniably high chance to associate himself with Chaldea's Master to deal with this problem.
All of these thoughts were processed in a mere second.
As soon as he turned his gaze back at his side where Kurumi was a second ago. To his surprise and let down, the girl in question was already nowhere to be found.
He didn't even notice it—no, he did notice it just as soon as he turned his head. Rei however didn't expect her to be that fast in moving down to her shadow and disappearing on spot. It only took here a mere second to do that.
Turning his gaze downwards, Rei saw a remnant of a shadow squirming into nothingness as soon as he looked at it, which next disappeared as if it was not there in the first place.
"...To think that she would leave me hanging in the air just like that, how cruel," Rei uttered as he let out an amused laugh.
She had taken her leave without even giving a clear answer except for the fact that they will meet again sooner or later.
'So what is this? A hit-and-run thing coincidence? Did she only show up to check on me and just vanish as soon as she was content over what she'd seen?'
Many thoughts swirled within Rei's mind forgetting the fact that he had stood long enough in the same place for a while already.
Shifting his focus, he moved his gaze beneath from where he was standing. The ground was still wet and abundant with water. There are still raindrops of water falling from the ground albeit scarce from what it was before.
Rei then moved slightly as he observed his reflection in the water. There he was staring back at his amethyst-colored eyes. His long silver hair flowed from his back which was slightly wet and glossy due to some raindrops getting caught up in it.
Probably, he would just brag about his appearance just like what he did since he first landed in this world. 'The aspects and grades of his looks are top class, after all, that was a fact' is what he would've said out loud if it was back then.
'Thinking about it... sometimes I've been way too immature... like a brat....' Rei reflected on his thoughts.
As he reminisced, he couldn't help but cringe at some of his actions back then. Saying some unnecessary things here and there and 'Almost luckily' getting handled by the AST even though his arsenal and
His reflection soon ended however as he felt two familiar people approaching. The two were wearing a raincoat which is a common commodity on rainy days like this.
Though most of their body was covered by the coat, that wouldn't stop Rei from recognizing their voices and the presence that was unique throughout all the people that he encountered.
It was obvious who this pair was. They are none other than the associates from Chaldea, namely Gudako and Mashu. From the looks of it, it seems that they are up to something which Rei had a clue on.
Judging by how their conversation ended in the past two weeks, it seems that they still haven't found a way to go back to Chaldea. And up to now, they are still finding clues.
And so, a second later, the two had neared the distance between him and them to the extent where he could hear them talking.
"It's here Senpai! Eh? H-however, it seems that one had disappeared a few seconds or so when we got here..." Mashu said as she scanned the area, slowly widening his eyes upon landing her gaze upon Rei who was staring blankly at the two of them.
"Is that so? Ha..." Gudako let out a tired sigh. "So another bust huh... Hm? Eh? Rei?"
Staring back at them, Rei waved his hand as he greeted them, "Yo. It's a good day meeting you two here—is what I should've said only but considering your expressions, it seems that there is some sort of problem," Rei continued. "Did something bad happen? You looked like you missed your bus or something important on the way here"
"Oh, Rei, it's also good meeting you here and yep, however, it is not the bus that we missed though. We did 'miss'—or rather, haven't found what we've been searching," Gudako let out a dry laugh. "Say, Rei. Did you see someone else in this area? We're kinda looking for someone you know"
Giving them a surprised expression, Rei thought as he immediately composed himself, 'It is not surprising if they—or Mashu to be exact could detect or feel Spirits'
That explains many things as to why the two of them approached him back then. It wasn't a surprise if it was him that they are looking for—but Kurumi?
Is she the person they had to find? Obviously yes for she was the only person located here with him just a while ago.
"I did, there was such a person just a second ago," Rei replied which earned a hopeful smile from the two. They were certainly expecting an adequate answer, after all, one of their goals could now possibly be within their reach depending on his answer.
Mashu then asked, "Uhm, Rei-senpai, could you possibly tell us where did that person leave to? Possibly, what direction did she or he leave after?"
"Unfortunately, I don't know where she had gone," Rei answered showing a sorry expression.
'Did they have something to do with Kurumi?' Rei pondered while already having an answer to his mind which was a 'yes'.
What he said was the truth though, he didn't know where Kurumi left to. The two gave him a quizzical expression afterward before both heaving a disappointed sigh.
Their chance of getting clues and ways to go back to Chaldea seems to be delayed by almost every opportunity they had to partake! It was infuriating honestly, the time they have stayed here in this world was already ahead of their previous adventures.
And so, despite being the hero—or Master who prevented the extinction of humanity, the one who fought against fate and the Gods, the one who purges Lostbelts one after another, and the one who dealt with servants every other day. Gudako Fujimaru had somewhat 'broke'.
"Ugh, another one huh. My EX-rank luck had ceased working Mashu! How should we go with this!" Gudako whined as she wrapped her arms around Mashu's shoulders.
Gudako can't help but grumble in exasperation as she tried to formulate some ideas which ended up mangling her thoughts resulting in a headache as she tightened her grip around her junior.
"S-Senpai! You should take this matter more seriously!" Mashu retorted, however, it could be more or less said that she was feeling good with the cuddle Gudako was giving her right now.
"Then, Rei-senpai, we'll be moving on I g-guess... Senpai! There are some places you shouldn't touch in public!" Mashu screamed almost forgetting Rei's presence as her face heated up due to Gudako... touching some 'certain' places.
"Eh? Then in private, it's okay?" Gudako asked blankly as she eyed her junior who further blushed in response.
Not saying any more words, Mashu tried to pull the childish acting Gudako along with her as she dragged her away while giving an apologetic bow with an embarrassed expression.
"Nn," Rei nodded. "Hope you find what you're looking for," Said Rei as he shrugged.
Rei waved as he soon started walking away, it was time to get back. Someone is waiting for him back at home after all.
——
Meanwhile, a few minutes before Rei returned, Tohka herself was experiencing a big turmoil in her place.
"Uu..."
There was no one else in the mansion—or maybe it could be also called the Ainsworth residence. Tohka bent down and placed her hands on her knees as she stared at the fridge's contents.
It wouldn't be wrong to say that the contents of the fridge are empty—or almost empty to be exact.
That's because there was a single pudding placed inside.
It wasn't the cheap ones that were sold inside the convenience stores, but high-quality one that was sold in patisseries. Ever since she saw it by chance when she opened the fridge, Tohka's sights had been locked on to it.
Rei had bought several of these to satiate her appetite, and it surely accomplished the job well. However, Kinako pan still ranks first despite its simplicity compared to this expensive pudding.
Nevertheless, delicious foods are something that Tohka didn't miss out on. This pudding ranks third or fourth just behind the Kinako pan and Rei's cooking.
"Can...I eat that..." Tohka muttered in a rather pained tone.
Slowly reaching out to it...she suddenly shook her head forcefully when she was just about to touch the pudding.
"I-I can't...Rei could have been saving this for himself..."
'Besides, I also ate most of them, and not letting Rei eat this kind of delicacy would be..a shame,' Tohka added in her thoughts as she grits her teeth.
It was kind of funny and even outright adorable if someone could hear her thoughts while watching her.
But alas, there wasn't... right?
Moving on, Tohka is by any means aware of her behavior. She wouldn't deny if someone were to call her if she's a glutton since that's a fact. There is this part that she could be also described as crazy in a sense—yes, crazy for Rei that is.
After that, she closed the fridge. However...
"B-but, if it is just the smell..."
Tohka gulped, once again reaching out to the pudding.
But just as she was about to touch it, the thought of Rei's upset expression over not being able to eat the pudding came into her head, and Tohka's body trembled.
That would surely end
"N-no...If this continues...!"
Tohka used her left hand to restrict her right hand that was reaching out for the pudding, she closed the fridge's door and sat down on the chair in the kitchen. Tohka used the plastic rope beside her to tie her body up.
Furthermore, she made sure to stop her drool from coming out via duct tape.
" ...!"
'I-I'll be alright if it's like this...!' Tohka thought seeing how effective (defective?) her plan was.
Several minutes later. Rei who had returned home got a huge fright upon seeing Tohka in that condition, adding the line in his thought which is 'What the hell just took place when I left?!'.
However——after hearing what had happened, Rei couldn't help but smile, praising Tohka as he stroked her head.
This girl is just downright adorable.
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[A/N: A very light-hearted ending in this chap, don't you guys think?
However, I believe some of you might wonder when will 'action' or some major plot points of this arc would occur, I say that it will come soon.
So yeah, just wait for it.
Such major events usually happen right at the beginning of the middle stages of the arc. Right?
Now then, there is someone who commented and just deleted it right after and said 'fck u author for making Tohka a yandere and no harem'. As in what the fck, huh?
I will clarify once more that this is a harem novel k? Also, why are you mad about my development about Tohka? As far as I've read, many readers find this development of hers rather pleasing.
Do some of you have some other thoughts on that? Then comment it down so that I could read your concerns, I could help.
Lastly, if you find some errors, kindly point them out. (I'll never get tired implying this for almost every single chap lol)
With nothing more to say guys, adios~]