Chapter 182: Eating Mrs. Sakurajima, Sui, and Mabel (Bonus Chapter)

Hearing Rei Ao say he had been busy all night without a break:

Frieren: "That must've been really tough on you."

Rei Ao: "It wasn't so bad. I got plenty out of it this time."

Yukino Yukinoshita: "By 'got plenty,' you mean you scored some sort of… unlimited usage rights from an idiot?"

She seemed quite concerned about that.

Rei Ao: "That's indeed part of it."

Rei Ao: "But don't blame me. Mabel was the one crying that she'd been kicked out of her village, then driven away by you, Yukino, leaving her nowhere else to go, begging me to take her in."

Yukino Yukinoshita: "…"

Seeing this, Yukino felt a pain in her chest.

Her guilt only grew heavier—she believed she was the one who had pushed Mabel into such a desperate situation.

At least, that was her assumption.

In truth, Mabel had simply wanted to loaf around but couldn't handle the shock of going from luxury to poverty.

And because Rei Ao had slain the Fire Dragon, she lost both (her lazy life and her security).

Faced with that sudden reversal, she impulsively agreed to the deal.

But Yukino, mistakenly believing she was the cause of it all, was filled with regret and wanted to make amends.

Yukino Yukinoshita: "I… I can let her keep staying at my apartment."

Mabel: "R-Really?!"

Yukino Yukinoshita: "Sigh… It's not that big a problem. I mean, the room's just sitting empty. You just have to do as I say."

Mabel: "No problem! Sob Yukino, you're the best!"

Yukino smiled.

She thought that by doing this, she had changed Mabel's destiny.

Unfortunately, she was overthinking it—believing she had really accomplished something.

But in the next second, she was pulled back to reality.

Rei Ao: "Touching as your friendship is, I should remind you that the deal can't be undone."

That one remark sent Yukino from elation straight back into despair.

Yukino Yukinoshita: "There's really no way?"

Rei Ao: "Those are the rules of the Trading Group."

Yukino Yukinoshita: "…"

She clenched her fists, feeling helpless once again.

In the end, nothing had really changed.

Mabel: "W-We still have to go through with the deal?"

Rei Ao: "Of course. I recall telling you all long ago that a deal isn't about what you have—it's about what I want."

Saeko Busujima: "Yes, you definitely said that."

Akame: "I think it was right when we first joined the chat group."

Stella: "This chat group is so tyrannical!"

Rei Ao: "It is—after all, it's my chat group."

Mabel: "Ugh, I'm so pitiful!"

Rei Ao: "All right then, Mabel probably still wants to live somewhere familiar. Yukino, Mabel will keep staying with you, and I'll pay you for all her future rent, utilities, and normal expenses. How does that sound?"

Yukino took a deep breath.

Nothing could be undone, so the only option was acceptance.

She couldn't truly fix the situation, but at least she could keep it from getting worse.

Yukino Yukinoshita: "Fine."

Once they reached an agreement:

"Okay, Mabel, let's go find the place where you disappeared."

Rei Ao looked at Yousuke Shibazaki: "As for you, if you want to go back, then come with me."

Yousuke Shibazaki: "Sure."

Faced with a chance to return home, he had no intention of resisting.

"Where I disappeared…" Mabel wiped her tears and headed off toward the spot she remembered.

…

Led by Mabel, the group arrived at the entrance to a cave.

Mabel pointed inside, her finger trembling: "I slept here that night. Then poof, I suddenly appeared in that alley."

Rei Ao: "Something's definitely off in there."

He sensed chaotic spatial energy inside. Entering the cave, he immediately saw a vertical spatial rift within.

Mabel: "What is that thing?"

She blinked her clear, crystalline eyes.

"I'm sure it wasn't here the night I slept inside."

Rei Ao: "A spatial rift."

Although Rei Ao wasn't an expert in spatial powers—he only knew a bit of teleportation—he understood what it meant.

Yousuke Shibazaki (eyes lighting up): "So I can get back through it?"

Rei Ao: "Assuming your world is the same as mine. I can't be certain which world you came from."

Yousuke Shibazaki: "Then let's compare notes."

They exchanged some details about various places. The information lined up.

Though the times didn't match perfectly, it was enough to confirm that Yousuke Shibazaki was indeed from Rei Ao's world.

He laughed and cried at the same time.

"Hahaha! I can finally go home!!!"

His mixed expression—part laughter, part tears—looked almost otherworldly. Even Mrs. Sakurajima edged closer to Rei Ao.

Seeing Yousuke Shibazaki so thrilled, Rei Ao still reminded him:

Rei Ao: "This is probably a one-way portal; once you pass through, you most likely can't come back."

Yousuke Shibazaki: "That's fine. I only want to go home."

With that, he stepped into the spatial rift without hesitation. Ripples shimmered; his figure vanished.

Mabel: "Let's hurry back. I just want to sleep in my own soft bed!"

However, Sui pursed her lips and shook her head:

Sui: "Rei Ao, I can't go with you just yet. There's still something I need to do."

She wasn't sure if she could return once she left, so Rei Ao didn't force the issue.

Rei Ao: "You decide for yourself. If you ever want to see me, just drop by at any time."

Sui: "All right."

Blushing, she fidgeted with her sleeve. "Th-then about our deal…"

Rei Ao (laughing): "Looks like you're eager now. Let's find a spot for a proper encore, and that goes for Mabel and Ai too."

Mrs. Sakurajima turned red. "I'm fine with it."

But Mabel was quite anxious. "Huh? But… but…"

Rei Ao: "No 'buts.' No one said you couldn't collect your payment early. Let's go."

He casually cast a magic formation over the spatial rift to seal it, then led the three of them away.

Sui ended up going twice.

Mrs. Sakurajima went once.

Mabel, who ostensibly had "unlimited" privileges, could only manage three times before she was totally spent.

At that point, Rei Ao had to postpone the rest of his "interest."

After that rather intense interlude, he took Mrs. Sakurajima—who now possessed his blessing—to do a bit of monster-hunting for levels.

…

[Name]: Ai Sakurajima

[Level]: 5

[Abilities]: "Dragon Power," "Lightning Spirit," "Rei Ao's Blessing," "Inherent Device: Lightning Flash"

…

At least this would let Ai get used to combat and have some self-defense.

He also needed to improve Mabel's weak body, since she was destined to be his little "plush toy" companion:

…

[Name]: Mabel

[Level]: 1

[Abilities]: "Dragon Power," "Frost God," "Rei Ao's Blessing," "Inherent Device: Ice Snow Crown"

[Possessions]: "God-Freezing Sword"

…

Even so, after just three rounds, Mabel was so exhausted she couldn't move a finger, and she didn't manage to level up at all. Rei Ao ended up carrying her the entire way.

Rei Ao: "Sui, we're heading back. I sealed the rift with magic so that only we can still pass. We don't need monsters crossing into my world."

Sui: "Okay."

She gave him a tender look. "Once I've taken care of my business, I'll definitely come find you."

Rei Ao kissed her, then, still carrying Mabel, took Mrs. Sakurajima's arm and walked through the rift.

Under his protection, the pair wasn't affected by the spatial distortions at all.

It felt like a brief twist of space, and then the scenery changed.

They found themselves back in the familiar alley at midday—the very place where Mabel had arrived before.

Rei Ao (noticing Yousuke Shibazaki still there): "Why are you still here?"

He looked at Yosuke, who was sitting against the wall. Yosuke raised his head with a sorrowful expression:

Yousuke Shibazaki: "I have no idea where this is."

"…"

Well, he had been gone for years; the city had changed a lot. Rei Ao smirked slightly.

Rei Ao: "All right, wait here for me."

Then he teleported to Mrs. Sakurajima's home.

Rei Ao: "If you have no plans today, get some rest. We really did go overboard."

He spoke softly. Mrs. Sakurajima was a bit worn out, but despite Mabel dozing in his arms, she still gave him a deep kiss.

After a moment, she pulled away, lips glistening, her eyes damp:

Mrs. Sakurajima: "Rei Ao-kun, please don't tell Mai about me, all right?"

She was worried this would impact Rei Ao's relationship with her daughter Mai.

But Rei Ao wasn't one to hide anything—especially since he hoped everyone could enjoy themselves together in the future. He insisted:

Rei Ao: "Like I said, there's no need to worry. Before long, I'll have Mai accepting everything. Trust me."

He had a highly effective approach, after all.

Mrs. Sakurajima: "Rei Ao-kun…"

She was moved. She knew their relationship was mostly physical gratification, and he likely didn't harbor deep love for her. Still, seeing how much he desired her—enough to convince Mai—satisfied her immensely.

Little by little, she'd truly fallen for him.

Mrs. Sakurajima: "I believe you."

~~~

I'm sleepy. Can't schedule the update. Imma sleep first, chapters probably gonna be delayed.

Thank you!

Please Vote!