Sitting at the Moridori family's desk, I stared at the learning materials in front of me. My head felt like it was about to go crazy. My eyes were not focused on the textbook, I wasn't even looking at it anymore.
The more I thought about it, the deeper my desires became. What is happening to me?
"Aaaaaaaah!"
I scratched my head furiously.
"What's wrong?" Moridori-san asked me, sounding worried.
"It's nothing. The problem is just a bit difficult," I replied.
"Should I teach you...?" Moridori-san looked into the textbook and then said, "Oh, I don't have enough knowledge to teach you."
She became fidgety and awkward.
"It's okay. I'll cool my head for a bit," I said as I stood up.
"Y-yeah," Moridori-san replied weakly.
Lately, Moridori-san hasn't been feeling well. I was worried about her. Maybe she was having a hard time at work. Hang in there, social worker. I'll cheer up Moridori-san next time.
"Haah..." I breathed out as I felt the cool night breeze on my face.
"I can't believe I'm craving Ayaka this much. I've become someone who wants to add her to my group so badly."
This feeling is almost akin to love, though I've never experienced it before.
If I had to compare it to something, it would be like endlessly pulling the gacha for a super rare character and never getting it. That feeling of frustration is very similar.
The more I am rejected, the stronger my desire becomes. It's a feeling that consumes me.
I want Ayaka to join me so badly, to become a part of me, to complete me.
Sigh I just want her so badly. It's an overwhelming desire.
.
.
.
Ayaka and I were at a popular ramen shop that was like leftover food but also the kind of place that doesn't skimp on the rice. People called it "Saburo Ramen". We were slurping down our bowls of Saburo Ramen.
I put down my chopsticks, having finished my meal, while Ayaka was still battling with her mountain of ramen.
"You know, Ayaka, you're really beautiful," I complimented her.
For starters, beauty and beautiful girl are the keywords. You start by praising the appearance and then move on to complimenting the person's inner qualities.
"And you're also very smart. Is true beauty also found in intelligence? You're so kind to even be friends with a nobody like me. You're lovely and elegant, intelligent, strong, and would make a great wife and mother. God must be a mischievous being for creating the word 'perfect'. I'm sure it will be written in the dictionary that 'perfect' means Ayaka Chiaki."
"Are you making fun of me?" Ayaka asked after finishing a slurp of ramen.
"Huh? Of course not. It's from the bottom of my heart," I replied, lying through my teeth.
"Hmm, okay then," she said, blowing her nose in my direction.
I furrowed my eyebrows. The smell of garlic was intense, almost like rotten stomach acid. But within that smell, there was a sweet aroma... or was it a scent?
What is this? A bolt of lightning struck my brain.
"What do you think?" Ayaka grinned at me, raising the corners of her mouth.
I tried hard to suppress my emotions and responded, "It's a reward, isn't it?"
"Gross," she said in disgust. Ayaka gave me a contemptuous look and bit into a fist-sized piece of oily pork belly, even though she was only 150cm tall and slim.
"Hmm? What's this feeling?"
"I want to hear it again."
"This is a confirmation process."
"Analysis is necessary for proof. We need analytical materials."
This is strictly research.
As a "researcher," I can't just abandon this study.
"Tell me more."
"Creepy."
"Hmm? This feeling. What is it?"
"It's kind of... amazing. This could sell well as ASMR to a specific audience."
"I'm sorry. Can you say it again?"
This is just to confirm.
We still need more evidence to make a judgement.
"Creepy creepy creepy."
Ayaka kept repeating "creepy" while eating her meal.
"Hmm? I'm starting to feel good."
A strange sensation took over my body.
It was very refreshing and almost like my brain was being activated.
It felt like taking cold medicine through my nose.
"I'm sorry. Can you say it again?"
"Die creepy creepy creepy."
A mysterious pleasure rushed through my head and I almost felt like I was awakening.
"Thank you. That's enough."
The grotesque form of "creepy" was on the verge of collapsing.
I had to control Ayaka because I felt an unusual sensation in this corner of the restaurant.
It was dangerous.
Although I heard "die," it was probably just my imagination.
"That's so creepy, Amachi-kun. Even if you make fun of me like that, nothing's going to happen. Are you looking for a fight?"
"I'm not making fun of you. I don't want to fight either. I think of myself as good friends with the elegant and fragrant Ayaka-san."
"Hey, could you do me a favor and breathe on me again? I have something I want to check."
I used to think I was a thigh fetishist, but maybe I'm actually a smell fetishist. And when I'm insulted, a strange sensation runs through my body. It's only for beautiful girls, though. To be honest... I got a little excited.
After muttering "creepy" under my breath, I asked, "By the way, when did we become friends?"
"We weren't even friends?!" It seems like I misunderstood. That happens a lot, where I think someone is my friend when they're not.
"Yeah. She was just someone who sat near me. A lost little lamb who had just transferred in. That's all."
"But didn't Ayaka come near you?"
"Yeah, she did. At first, I thought she was a normal person who stood out a bit. I thought I could hide in the shadow of someone who stands out, but I ended up standing out in a different way. And I don't feel like moving anymore. That spot has become my regular spot."
"Are you kidding me? Hey, I thought we were close friends. Let's hang out together! ♪"
"Let's be friends and have fun together, huh? Is this about another party?"
"Oh, that's right. Join us and become one of us ♪"
"No thanks."
"Why not?"
"Well, because it's just so sad and creepy, you know ♪" Ayaka slurped her garlic-heavy noodles.
"What's with you? Don't mess around. I just want to be wrapped in the plumpness of thighs, and live a graceful life farming on a thigh farm. As they say, "one Fuji, two hawks, three thighs," thighs are considered lucky. I want to sleep soundly sandwiched between thighs and spend my old age surrounded by them. I want to harvest many thighs and find happiness there. I admit that becoming the director of Thigh Park is my dream. People's dreams never end, you know. And when I'm just a little bit insulted, just a little bit, well, it's just a completely healthy thought process with a touch of excitement, and in line with common sense. Um, could you please call me "creepy" one more time? And also, one more time... please blow your breath on me. I need to confirm something. It's also an important matter. It's one of the propositions left by the modern genius scientist, Mocchiri Futomo. Please, I'm begging you. Also, I'm not creepy.Absolutely not. There's no way I'm creepy. I'm a researcher."
Ayaka let out a big sigh and said, "It's still better if you just stay quiet. I'm really a pathetic person. A creepy person. No, that's not it. I'm a garbage person. The boss of garbage people?"
Proof is finished. This is just entertainment. When Ayaka insults me, my heart feels...satisfied.
"I can't stand it anymore. Hey! Don't praise me so much."
"I'm not praising you!"
"Ayaka is great, you know. Somehow, she's my type."
"What are you talking about?"
"But even though you call me creepy, you still talk to me, and we even go eat together."
"Yeah, to get a free meal."
"I'll treat you. Let's become friends and form a party. Show me your true self."
"What are you talking about? I'm a loser."
"Don't be modest."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Ayaka put down her chopsticks and said, "Well then, let's go."
"You really ate all those extra vegetables, garlic, and noodles. Impressive."
"Thank you."
.
.
.
"I'm fine."
As we exchanged such dialogue, I walked together with Ayaka towards the dormitory where she lived.
The surroundings were already dark.
As we entered the school grounds, the number of people gradually decreased.
This is it, I thought.
There was no one around, and if it were on this vast land...
I could resort to drastic measures.
I wanted to secure my comrades as soon as possible.
That's why I...
"The fog is coming."
Fog began to drift around us.
To be precise, it was in an extremely small range between Ayaka and me.
Further diffusion was impossible for me.
To prevent other people from recognizing Ayaka and me, I deployed fog magic.
"...Ayaka."
"What? Creepy amachi-kun."
Ayaka, who was walking ahead, responded as such.
I took out a wooden sword for training from my Arts.
"...Bullet..."
I threw the wooden sword at Ayaka.
"!?"
Ayaka opened her eyes wide and turned around.
The wooden sword was distorted in its kinetic energy and bounced off in the wrong direction.
"What did you do?"
Ayaka had a voice I had never heard before.
She frowned and stared at me.
"My code name is Phantom. People call me †DEATH Angel†."
I floated eight weapons with eight different magics on my back, showing them to her.
I asked her again.
"Will you become my comrade? The Strongest Ice Mage"
Cool.
I gave Ayaka a code name.
The Strongest Ice Mage.
Isn't it cool?
It sounds like a name for a chu-hi drink, but it's not in this world, so it should be fine.
"Are you...by any chance...that person from back then..."
Ayaka started to tremble, her glasses wobbling.
"We are Legends!
We fight against evil in this world.
No one will praise us. It's a tough journey. The reward is a peaceful everyday life.
We can do it.
I want you to fight with me.
Your power is needed. This world needs your help."
I opened my palms and reached out to her.
"Will you save the world with me?"