Chapter 77: Shopping Showdown (4)

Wait, come again? Life mentally asked Judai. The former stepped foot on the school grounds.

As I said, I've successfully contracted with Mukarramma just now. Judai reported. After a brief pause, he added. Wasn't that the plan? A small hint of confusion betrayed his neutral tone.

The disguised English teacher frowned for a split second before the expression returned to neutral to avoid suspicion from anyone seeing him on his way to class. I mean...Yeah? But I thought you had already done so yesterday. Didn't you follow my advice? The one where when she was about to vanish you would come in and offer to save her life in exchange for a contract? He reminded the darkspawn on the other side of the mental conversation before adding. I even gave you the extra energy for it!

No. I didn't forget your advice. I just figured that, in order to best achieve the plan, she would have to choose to join my side by her own will, as equals. Judai calmly explained himself.

And what would've happened if she refused your offer? Also, what exactly do you mean by equals? Life mentally asked inquisitively. Curious about how his contractually motivated subordinate worded that last part.

Judai mentally sighed. If she refused my offer after laying out everything she would need to know...then there was nothing to be done. I would've just helped her recover. I would have wished her luck as she left and continued looking for someone willing to make a contract. After a brief pause, he continued. As for us being equals...I linked our magical existences to each other thanks to one of the many contract modifications I made to the original one you taught and advised me to use.

Which means...? Life mentally trailed off as he reached the desired floor and made his way to class. He greeted students and fellow teachers without stopping to chat. He could've guessed what Judai meant, but the disguised teacher hoped the darkspawn bugman hadn't been dumb enough to do it.

To summarize, I fabricated a situation where both of us would die if either she or I perished to motivate the creation of an effective partnership. Judai explained matter-of-factly.

Life stopped in his tracks, his going blank for a second before sighing and resuming his path. A suicide pact then, great... The dimensional interloper thought sarcastically. And she accepted it? Just like that? He was growing baffled and concerned about how Mukarramma might just be crazier than Judai, or at least, crazier than he expected.

I'm just as surprised as you. Judai's tone showed no surprise or strong emotions upon mentally relaying those words. I even told her that she had until fully recovering to think about it, so there was no need to rush it...but she still insisted on going through it.

Life stopped walking and pinched the bridge of his nose before sighing. Honestly? I don't know who's more insane. You for coming up with this horrible idea...or her for not only giving it the time of day but also accepting it.

I have a theory for that, but... Judai mentally trailed off.

Life resumed walking. But...? The inter-dimensional agent pushed Judai to go on. Although he doubted Judai truly knew what was going on with Mukarramma, the disguised teacher figured there was no harm in hearing it. At least, that's what he thought.

I feel like it isn't up to me, but Mukarramma herself to reveal it. After a moment, Judai added. Especially since I'm unsure of how accurate it is.

That piqued Life's curiosity who proceeded to chuckle. Wow, Judai, you're really going to leave me like this~? Not even a little tip? He teased.

After a moment of silence, Judai asked. Is that an order?

That paused Life's thought process. He wouldn't deny how tempting ordering Judai to reveal everything about his theory out of annoyance was. But the disguised teacher also wouldn't deny that there was something fun in this little game between them. Even if it would probably come back to haunt him later. Now, now, no need to be so serious...I was messing around. Unless, of course, it is something I need to know. But that isn't the case, right? He asked, a smirk growing on his face when he did.

I can assure you that, if my theory is correct, her reasons won't interfere with any of my goals and most definitely not yours...whatever they are. Judai thought that last part with an inkling of what Life could only guess to be a jab directed at him.

Life chuckled to himself. Y'know...I never figured you for the kind of individual to keep her privacy. I mean, you said it yourself it wouldn't affect your agenda. So y'know, I can't help but find it weird you would go so far as to put your foot down for her.

I genuinely don't know what you want me to say. She and I are partners. Even if our partnership was formed by unconventional means and circumstances to most people, I, admittedly, have yet to figure out how I can make it work with all the problems I had told you during our first training session...it's still a partnership. So I will put my foot down for her sake IF I think or she makes it clear it's something personal that she probably wouldn't want to be known by just anyone. Judai laid out his justification, matter-of-factly as always.

I see...I suppose that is an answer. After a split second, a frown grew on Life's expression. By the way, how much did you relayed to her?

Do not worry, I didn't mention you. I figured you would be upset if I did so without your permission and that the cost wouldn't be completely worth it. Judai explained.

Life was tempted to question Judai about how antagonizing the former would be in any shape or way worth it, but he figured there was something more important to discuss. Hmm...good. But that wasn't what I was referring to. Judai, did you tell her you were planning to die after you were done with Yoshino?

What followed was a stretch of silence that lasted way less than it actually felt to Life as he waited with bated breath for Judai's answer. The only sound Life heard were the steps he was taking to his class.

I figured it would be of no concern to her. Judai finally answered.

You say that, buuuuut didn't you also just tell me that you had linked your life with hers in such a way that if you died, she would too? Life pointed out. Please, enlighten me on how ending your existence while also ending Mukarramma's wouldn't concern the latter.

Simple. When Yoshino perishes, I'll cut off my contract with Mukarramma so when I die, she won't. I will give her most of my dark magic so she won't be starving so soon. The energy I have left used to sustain me long enough to confess to killing Yoshino to Kurai and for her to finish me off. Does this answer satisfy you?

Life frowned visibly this time. Y'know, I thought there wasn't a thing called being too fair...but lo and behold, you've proved me wrong.

...Is that a yes or...? Judai trailed off.

Life rolled his eyes. Barely satisfied. But I suppose that's the best I will get out of you. Is this everything you wanted to report?

When Life got confirmation from Judai that his report was over, the former told them to continue keeping an eye out for anything of note with his insects before closing the mental connection between them. The disguised teacher was now alone with his thoughts.

Life sighed. Although the psychic talk he just had with Judai didn't really tire him out, the bug-boy's revelation that he had ignored his advice frustrated and excited the embodiment of all life slightly. Judai, Judai, Judai...you simply won't fail to somehow both entertain and piss me off. I'll give you that. There are only so many that can accomplish either, let alone both. The teacher in disguise thought to himself with a chuckle. Or at least, not for long.

When Life finished thinking that, his mind wandered to when he woke up and received a surprise call from Science. The man who was one of the brilliant minds he knew looked so agitated during the call that the embodiment of living at first thought he had drank too much coffee again. If only that had been the case,

Conflicted would be an understatement when it came to how Life felt about Yoshino's progress. On one hand, the fake teacher was proud of her for managing to go so far in such a short time. Even with all the ways he made it easier for her (without excepting Life the opportunity to train her), he still expected Yoshino to take a week, maybe two to get where she was now with half a copy made. On the other hand...the dimensional traveler couldn't help but consider that Science might have been right when they ranted over Life giving the over-gloves to a 14-year-old child. Surely it isn't as bad as it looks right? I mean...she only copied half of the ball I gave her and after thousands of tries. Who knows if they can even do something like that again, or at least, without wasting an entire night to accomplish it?

Life nodded to himself as he reached his class and faced the sliding door. Yes. There should be nothing to worry about. Even if Yoshino's progress is...unexpected. It should still be nowhere near enough for her to consider her gloves a viable part of her arsenal, yet. 

After Life took a deep breath, he slid the door open. I might even say that today has the potential to be-

"Hey, wake the fuck up already!" Rea shouted at a barely awake Yoshino. The former was shaking the latter by the shoulders. Life could barely make out Yoshino's face with how fast Rea was shaking her.

"Can you stop doing that already!?" Yvy demanded as she tried to pry Yoshino away from Rea's hands.

"Please let her go. You're going to hurt her if you keep doing this!" Jean said to Rea, trying to stop the situation from escalating. Unfortunately, her voice ended up falling on deaf ears. A few seconds later, Jean was proven correct with the ring of the school bell.

"Good day everyone!" Life declared, soon finding himself with most of the class, barring a few exceptions, turning to face him.

"Ah, shit." Rea cursed under her breath, letting Yoshino go before going straight to her seat without needing a further word. Once Yoshino was let go, she immediately fell face-first into their desk, immediately snapping awake.

"W-wha-, what?" Yoshino mumbled while looking around, drool slowly dripping from her mouth.

I guess...that's to be expected. She DID spent all night trying to make that work. Life thought before noticing from the corner of his eye that Nozomi entering through the other sliding door that led to the back of the class. She was sneaking up to her seat, most likely banking Life was too distracted to notice her. "And good day for you too, Nakagawa-san."

If Life hadn't already grown (mostly) used to how the people from this world sometimes reacted, he would be taken aback by how Nozomi became a stone statue for a split second before reverting back to normal. Now, he was just mildly amused by it. "O-oh, sensei, good day for you too, heh heh!" Nozomi played along as she scratched the back of her head nervously while not so subtly slowly moving to her seat.

At first, Nozomi's quick movements and simplification of art style appearance evoked a comedic feel to Life, to the point he almost dismissed it like the rest. But the more Life gazed at her, something that was possible without attracting unnecessary attention thanks to slowing his perception of time, the more he noticed something slightly off about it, almost as if it was forced.

That made Life frown as he realized it would be the first time seeing something like this. All the previous times Nozomi and everyone else from this world had exaggerated expressions and actions, it was instinctual, quick, not acknowledged by anyone, and completely forgotten the second it was over. But this time, it hadn't been instinctual; if anything, it looked intentional. Wait, is she...

Life's thought process was cut short when Nozomi tripped on one of the chairs on her way to her seat and fell face-first on the floor. As Life watched Nozomi just barely stopping herself from crying before getting up and going straight to her seat, he came to dismiss the conclusion he was about to arrive at. Pfft, nah, maybe Yoshino, but Nozomi? She's probably just tired.

With his worries put to rest and with everyone seated, Life finally turned to face the blackboard so he could start class.