"Yesterday has passed... Today starts a new day... The Great Shuma shall indulge himself with the world's delectations!"
I have become impulsive! As I was heading out, "Well, wow... The scenery here is red as Mars... Jeez..." I kept on striding...
Swoosh — Yet again, to the place Cambions call home!
'Hoh, these 5 kids sure are enjoying their thing... Might as well play with them...'
"Hey, Kids... want this big brother to play with you?"
With their e'er-so-lovable puppy eyes looking up to the tall I! "Who are you old man?"
"—Mama said not to talk to strangers."
'I'll forgive the both of you for calling me an old man. — For I adore Shotas and Lolis, alike!'
I kneeled down to match their height. "I'm only 21... Call me Big Bro Shuma..."
Loli#1, standing beside Shota#2, spoke adorably... "Big Bro Shuma, What is that weird jelly?"
'Kuh... W-weir—'
"W-weird? She's Rimu..." Taking the endearing-always-praiseworthy Rimu from my head, "Cute, ain't she?" The other kids, collectively: Loli#2, Shota#1 and Shota#3 Excitedly "Woah-ed" and had exalted thus.
Said Shota#1 "Can I play with her!?" Followed, the other children "I want to play, too!" — "Me too!"
'Smile, thy brightest, Shuma. For thou art benevolent. Thee shall please thyself by pleasing thy subjects' off-springs... Mwahaha'
"—Alright, Kids... I'll place Rimu down... Gently, alright? Don't be brash. Else Big Bro will scold you..."
'For real. I'd snap and probably make you cry... Honestly...'
'The kids' playful demeanor, as I sit on plain grass... The breezes' tranquil touch on my skin... UmU... Truly a perfected scene of quietude'
Master Shuma's slice of life persisted. They... Cuddled Rimu, she wobbled. They threw her up and down and many more cute things. Of course, I was on the lookout as I couldn't risk Rimu splattering on the ground. 'A goddess shan't land ungracefully in these blighted lands!'
"Waaahh!!! Waaaahh!!!"
Leaning on my hand, while lying on the Grass, '—Oh, man... I want to try that... I'd be more suitable to doing that than those kids. I can't slip it up and all...'
"Yayyyy!!! Yayyyyy!!!"
Loli#1 approached. "What is it my child?" Curiously she stated adorably! "I am not your child. I am mama's child."
'What a cute girl... — Rimu will forever be Top 1 in the cutest though.'
"So, Little girl? What did you need?"
With an effort worthy of praise, "Here's a flower. I found it there. Thank you for letting us play with Rimu."
'Bold assertion, child. 'twas all according to my will. As I will it, so be it.'
Added, the little girl, with a face, worried, "Will you accept it?"
'I'm not a pedophile to accept your marriage proposal my child. But I, am kind enough to accept your sentiment.'
A poppy, had she given me... Red, and pure. just as how their youthfulness is. I accepted it with love and care, hence smiled gracefully and said "Thank you." replied with arms, close together in her chest, "Mhmm!"
And so, evening came and I had to return to Maia's house. "I'm back." She smiled, and replied "Welcome back, Shuma-san!"
Wobble
"To you too, Rimu-chan! Now, Shuma-chan... Ah... -san"
Covering my mouth as to not let her see my hideous laugh. "Pff... Shuma-chan, is fine, Maia-chan..."
'She's entering deredere mode... Cute'
"Shuma-san! Please don't tease me like that!"
"Ahahahahaha! Sorry, sorry... It's just... It's ridiculous. Ahahahahahaha!"
'Now, I've entered the pouting phase.'
"—How bad, Shuma-san. What a tease..."
Maintaining my upbeat smile, I had imaged 'those conquerable female leads on gal-games... She's like one of them... That's adorable'
"Well, now... I have prepared dinner for the 3 of us... Here."
From the table... I placed, Rimu and sat, 'I'll just go with less carbs, more proteins. So... Eggs, chicken wings and a bit of rice...' Maia intruded, "— Wow, Shuma-san, you know your thing." I tapped the back of my head and with twinkling eyes, "I do lots of exercises and did researches regarding medicine... So..."
'—My muscles, are defined alright, but my brain... Literally the one with the most muscle! For I am... Omniscient!'
Coughing, "Ahem," as to avoid leaking my diabolical thoughts, "Well, Let's just eat..."
I ate the food using my chopsticks while Rimu's share were being ingested inside her visible plump figure... With just her "Wobble" everything on her Plate, instantaneously digested!
'This is the first time I have seen Rimu, actually eat her food! I guess, that's how much she doesn't want to eat her food without you, Shuma-san!' Thus said in delight!
Being the Shuma, I usually am, I feigned ignorance and beamed the usual, unwillingly SEDUCTIVE, fragrant Smile! "I love her, too!"
Hence, we continued with our meal. Exchanging words, she flattered Rimu, — I was wholly happy and thought such 'I commend thou, for comprehending Rimu's worth.' Afterwards, the night bellowed its noiseless cry...
Another day, for the great Shuma! "Time to be temporarily acquainted with the residents!" Henceforth, "Time to extract information!"
As I arrived, the usual Kids, which was named, as previously; Loli#1-2 and Shota#1-3, played happily in the flowery-grassy fields. I approached them and stated. "Kids, play with Rimu for a while..."
'But before that. A seal...'
[Skill Created: Shuma, the Protector, Acquired]
[Activate?]
[Yes No]
'Yes, obviously dummy...'
[Denied...]
'Ah.. I'm sorry.'
[Granted]
'Now I could leave Rimu with ease...'
Subsequently, just a few meters away, was a fence built. From there... — Buildings! Well, more like houses and a few establishments, here and there. It wasn't so wide. yet also not too small!
'Let's see...'
[Precise Perception, Activated]
'Well, it's a fairly wide village... Probably 1/3 the size of Arche... Hmmm... I can't perceive the outside. It seems it's the skill called, [Deflection.] I'll try making my own unique formula for that later. — One that requires no lame-long chants!'
"Whelp time to—"
'Speak of the devil. Someone greeted me'
"If it isn't the famed Shuma-san." A woman, along with a buff guy that I surmised to be his husband. "Shuma, it is, Shuma forever."
"You've been making rounds everywhere!"
Added the husband "So, I heard you defeated that Dullahan?!"
'— Ouch... I forgot to warn Maia...'
"I drove it off but I'm sure it'll return in an estimated time of 4 months..."
The husband replied "That's long enough! Dear, can't we visit them with that much time?" The woman replied excitedly "Yes! Shuma-san. Thank you!" Thus with a hint of conceit "It's all thanks to Bolg-Sensei!"
'Calling him that feels weird as hell! Ahahaha!'
"Ahhh, so you're that first apprentice of his... No wonder..."
Our interpersonal exchange went on. They were a nosy pair But they were friendly at the very least...
They said something about Maia's grandpa. "They were separated due to a dispute and that's how most of us here are as well..."
'Now I figure why she wanted it gone... That Dullahan...'
"—See, that beast can quickly perceive our presences. So we don't go out often, Those who got out, are from a village outside the Devil's Field."
'—Guess I was right... I really should tell Maia this. Not just her. But probably... All of them...'
"Shuma-san... Shuma-san... Shuma-san!"
"— Ah... Sorry, I spaced out..."
"We should be going."
"Y-yeah..."
'This makes me feel bad... After tomorrow. That's gonna be my last day here... I'll tell them then.'
I was feeling despondent... I continued my greetings one by one. As I conversed with them. It was almost all the same. Separated from their loved ones. They were all outgoing... Yet... Pitiable Cambions...
Henceforth, the day was almost over. The children, from which I have left Rimu with, seemed to have been preparing to go home.
[Transport, Activated]
I materialized in front of the young'ins. "It seems that you lot gave Rimu a good time..." I had said so with a smile. And the lil ones simultaneously, "Mhmm!"
"I see, I see..." Patted the shotas and lolis one by one, I declared. "Kids, never become like adults. Even when you grow. maintain your pure souls..."
Thus, I carried Rimu, waved my hands, '— If you kids think like adults... It would result to what transpired to your parents... I'd hate something like that...' As I turned my back, 'To Maia's house, I go!'
It was the usual, meet and greet... We ate... But suddenly... Maia, slapped the table with both hands. As if she wanted something from me. "Shuma-san!" I interrupted, with a warm voice, "Maia... I'll be leaving after tomorrow." With a frowned look, "I see..."
From that point forward... 'Ugh... This is painful... It's so awkward!'
Wobble "Hoh... Sleepy?"
'Good going, Rimu! Now I can escape!'
I expressed my "Thanks for the meal, Maia," and signaled good bye. I said "Well then, tomorrow's gonna be a long day so I'll be taking Rimu and sleep!" Despondently, she replied "... Goodnight"
And so, the inseparable Rimu and I, had sat on our couple-bed. "That was tense... Won't you agree?" With her always-wonderful "Wobble," had she replied...
"Maia looked sad back there. Should I apologize?"
'Maybe, I'll do so... Tomorrow...'
The night passed, morning came... The usual "Knock. Knock." And the usual "Click... Good morning, Maia." With her beaming smile, "Please eat your breakfast!"
'Now this suddenly reminds me of Rein...'
"—Thanks!"
Eating the food, leaving... Arriving, at the Cambion's village once more...
[Ranged Telepathy, Activated]
Announcing to the whole residents in a demeanor, so serious... "To all who's listening. This is Shuma speaking. I have a last word to tell all of you before I depart tomorrow."
'This is gonna be an awkward development but I can't leave these guys hoping for nothing.' As I explained the events that transpired a few weeks ago via thought transference... I could sense woe... Some were doubtful but I proved my validity
[Archangel's Call, Activated]
The souls of the Cambions I absorbed from that pillaged village became perceptible, or rather... Tangible. With the light's soft touch, they recalled their memories with their beloveds. Some stiffened their faces, some cried, some vowed vengeance... It was utter chaos.
"Calm down, everyone" I had instructed but they kept on. A few seconds later, "I'm partially at fault for being late to save them..." And from that point, I had perceived; "That's right... It's his fault..." — The rage of a couple Cambions were redirected at me. I was nay offended, Instead I accepted it as I believed 'This is a scientifically-proven way to ease their pain... It's a naturally-occurring Human reaction...'
As they calmed down, [Transport, Activated] I went back to Maia's house... As she hardly visits the village, I thought 'I should explain this again to Maia... I bet she'll hate me...'
Click. Creaaaak.
"—Ah, good morning, Shuma-san. I wanted to ask you for a favo—"
"Maia, listen closely" Thus, I explained it to her thoroughly. She fell on her knees... In tears... And with my head low. "I'm sorry..." Yet, she kept weeping...
"I'll leave you alone, for now... Sorry... I'll be sleeping..."
I went back to her presumed father's room. Laying down with Rimu on my stomach. 'I feel like crap...' Placing my arm on my eyes, "Mistakes sure can be fatally depressing."
'Recalling that traumatic experience... Make's me wanna cry...' I huddled myself together and cuddled Rimu... "It's okay to let out tears once in a while. Right? Rimu?"
Pathetically, I let up tears. It was the most pathetic, yet most admirable thing I have ever done in my whole entire life... I fell into a trance... Morning came...
Knock. Knock. Click. "Sob. Sob." Creak. "Shuma-san..."
I got up "Uwah, what a mess... You okay Maia?" Approached her, I gave her Rimu. "Here, take her... She's a calming agent..."
"Thank... You..." I gave her a chair, she sat on the bed instead? With that, I had to sit on the chair.
"So. What did you need?"
With a low-toned, sobbing voice, "I want to leave with you!" I was dumbfounded! 'Eh?' But she was persistent! "Please, Shuma-san!" Out of surprise, I stood reflexively on the chair, "Ehhhhh?!"
'Why? Though?'
"Please! I will convince father myself!" Her eyes were that of a pure child... I was somewhat... Convinced but... 'Her pops... He's a real pain... I'd probably get killed by that savage...'
Tapping the back of my head, "Oh man, I'm stumped... What should I do..."
'Taking her along shouldn't pose any problems. — If there's no Mr. Pops...'
"But, Maia-chan... "
'—Ah, she's fidgeting. That suggests shyness...'
In a sweet voice, I uttered. "—Maia..." And her reaction kinda entranced me... 'Hmm. She stopped. What a cute girl — RIMU IS CUTER!'
"Shuma-san? Will you take me?"
'Man, this is tough. No way out of it but this.'
"—Maia, actually... I'm a human."
"But... You're only saying that! I want to go with you!"
'Again, why?! What a difficult girl!'
"But. My adventures are dangerous!"
'Give me some slack! Please!'
"— I don't care about the dangers! I know you will protect me!"
"How impulsive! Ah..." My thoughts slipped out! "Sorry... My mouth slipped."
About to burst to tears, she was scratching her watery eyes.
"Shuma-san. You're mean!" Frustrated, I scratched my head! "Arghhh! I just need to take you with me, right?! No questions asked!?"
'She's finally calming down... Sheesh. Really a difficult girl...'
My fingers rubbing my cheeks, "But I'm sure your dad would kill me." Maia replied energetically! "Let me handle that!"
'Ah, she's regained her drive... How unpredictable!' I was puzzled! It was a first! For Omniscient I, to have been left stumped!
Alas, Maia had forced me to come with her... But she assured me that I'd be safe as I would only be waiting outside... But...
"This is giving me goosebumps. I feel bad about this."
A few minutes later "Well, that was fast..."
To give myself valid assurance, [Precise Perception, Active.] 'Uwah... Bolg-san passed away... The shock must've knocked him out. How scary...'
I tried to ask "Uhm... Maia... About Bolg—"
With eyes, that of a real Devil! "Yes? Anything about him?" Stiffly, I replied "N-no... You're probably gonna miss him... Is all..." — 'What a scary girl!'
With a saddened look on her face, "Yes, I am, gonna miss father." I had surmised 'I can tell that, that expression... Is indeed, genuine'
Therefore, we went outside. Stretching from far across, the Redness of the Devil's Field! 'The time of a new Adventure begins!'
-End of Chapter-