[World Magisters].
It was the term I created once a [Magister] reaches the level of a "world". Nothing would be hidden to him at that point, save for the things even the world could not understand.
It could be reached once they attain the three 'attributes' that pushed the three most important aspects, body, soul, and mind, into the extreme.
They were omnipresence, omnipotence, and omniscience, respectively.
The first one was the power to 'exist' in all unimaginable ways—ubiquitousness.
The second one was the ability to do 'anything' conceivable. That power was linked into one's soul, which was demonstrated by the developmental path of [Mana Furnace].
The third one pertains to the 'connection' with the world—the Akashic Records.
However, due to my special means, my own power 'strayed' further from these conventional means.
Omniscience was linked to my soul, which was also linked to the holy grail. There's no distinction between the holy grail and myself at that point, resulting in this.
On the other hand, both omniscience and omnipresence were affected by my 'unique' fate as well as the Philosopher's Stone. There is no one within the entire world—be it the past, present, or future—that is able to contain the stone on their 'existence'.
However, my identity is special. The trait I got from the holy grail enabled me to store any such 'miracles' inside me.
"I can't see through you."
Hearing Suimei's words, I merely responded with a smile. His parallel self acted like this before. One could call it my petty way of revenge.
"Ugh, was this your payback?"
"..."
Seeing me smile wordlessly, he sighed helplessly.
"It looks like I am going to take the consequences left by my parallel self."
"It is what it is."
It has been nearly a year and a half since the first calamity. No changes happened within the schedule so far. The twelfth should appear in a few days, while the more troublesome thirteenth will appear in the next five months.
There was only a one-month interval for the final calamity.
Suimei's eyes glowed slightly. It is not visible for most people, but it is for me. I could see that he was utilizing his 'connection' with Akashic Records.
That was the omniscience of [World Magisters]. They are able to connect to a world's [Root] and collect all the knowledge within it.
After their fight with the goddess, Suimei was two-thirds as a [World Magister]. All he lacked was how to embody the extremity of [Body] (presence).
"About that ending…"
"There's no need to worry. You won't think that I will take that lying down, no?"
"Of course not. It's just that…"
Due to his omniscience, Suimei was able to 'peek' at the ending my 'parallel self' had reached. He chose to sacrifice himself instead of gambling on the fact that his loved ones would not be included in the 60% of humanity that will perish.
"Like I've said, don't think much about it. We still have six months." I said to him. "There's also my preparations over these times."
I wasn't idle for the past year and a half. I made many preparations aside from my plan with the stars throughout all existing worlds. I could not be complacent against the calamity that brought my parallel self down.
"Let's not talk about the depressing stuff." I shifted the topic. "How was your relationship with others?"
"Others..? You mean… Oh."
At this moment, Suimei could not hide his embarrassment.
"It's fine. It's just that… you know, sometimes, they get clingy…"
It didn't take long for me to regret asking this question. It turned into Suimei asking me about some romantic things.
One thing that I saw between him and his lovers was that… they are strangely harmonious.
I would expect something more chaotic in a polygamous relationship. I guess all of them are simply that pure when it comes to love.
"You really are the master, huh."
"...I'm not."
"I mean, you know many things about it. Doesn't that make you one?"
"It's not only that. There's also luck involved…"
Just like Suimei, I was lucky enough.
Right now, I am dating four girls at once. Mashiro was bold enough to declare her love, and as such, became an official lover. However, Manaka didn't lose out to her in terms of boldness.
Since I know a certain part of the future, I am aware that this will definitely increase, but as to when…
I have the feeling it will be near.
Beep-!
The earpiece on my right ear rang.
When I answered it, a familiar voice came out.
"Nobu-kun."
"What's the matter, Bocchi-chan?"
"I need some help. I can't tune this guitar properly…"
Ah..?
Bocchi-chan encountered a guitar she couldn't tune properly? This was impossible.
Unless…
I paused for a moment before I understood what was about to happen. I might be… no, I am passive when it comes to waiting for their confessions, but once they truly decide that they want to be with me forever… despite all the things I will go through…
There's no need to sully their conviction.
"Alright. I will be heading over. It won't take much time."
Beep-!
Seeing my call with Hitori, Suimei cast a knowing nod.
"You deal with more things, I see."
"It's just… you know I don't want to force them to make a choice." I replied. "Honestly, I am not fully certain about my countermeasures. I might really die in the truest sense despite everything I have prepared."
I can't imagine the hole I would leave in them.
Thinking about it, I should come to a resolution. I could not simply just wait for their confessions—or be passive when it comes to this.
'How come… I really acted stupidly…'
One year and six months.
It took a long time to come to this resolution.
Since being passive is a bad choice, I shall take the initiative instead.
'This kind of confession spree… I am really a scumbag, aren't I?'
*****
"I've done it…"
After a long dilemma (and struggle versus oneself), Hitori used the 'guitar' card to invite Nobu to her home… again.
It was not the first time he came over. They even had a sleepover when they were children.
"I need to remove them first..!"
Hitori's shoulders jolted as she remembered the pictures plastered all over her 'recording area'. It was her walk-in-closet that was turned into a soundproof room—something most starting musicians do.
Bam-!
Since she was in a rush, the sound of opening her closet became loud.
"What was wrong, nee-chan?"
Hitori's little sister, Futari, opened the door to her room.
"I-it's nothing!"
"Oh, I see."
If she looked back at Futari's expression, Hitori would know that she thought of something.
"Is someone coming over? Was it your friends?"
"Nobu-kun. It's Nobu-kun."
"Eh? Nii-chan?!"
Although Futari was only five years old, she is aware that Hitori had a childhood friend that often visited their home when she was two years old. Then again, she could not remember much since she was still a baby at that time.
Even so, she saw the pictures that they had… at Hitori's closet.
"Are you removing the pictures?"
"A-ah?! I-it's not the pictures!"
"I see, I see."
It was clear that Futari did not believe her.
"Do you want me to help?"
"U-uh…"
Just then, Hitori received a text message.
{I will be there in five minutes.}
"A-ah…"
Looking at the entire closet that was filled to the brim with countless pictures, she felt as if all hope was lost.
Fortunately…
"Don't give up, nee-chan. We can still do it."
…she has an angel by her side.
As they 'cleaned' up the closet, the other Hitori naturally saw everything.
"How am I this… careless?"
The other Hitori was about to scold her, but realized that she was actually no better than Hitori herself.
Refusing to set a double standard, she kept silent and watched the 'show' that was about to come.
Exactly five minutes later, just in time for Hitori and Futari to clean up the entire closet, their doorbell rang.
"Hello, who is it—"
Michiyo, the mother of the two, was the one who greeted the person who rang the doorbell. When she saw the familiar face on the screen, she immediately opened the door.
"It was actually Nobu-kun!"
"Good afternoon, Michiyo-baasan."
After proceeding with the usual greetings, Nobu stated his reason for visiting.
"Hitori called you over? I see, I see."
Just like Suimei, Mcihiyo flashed a knowing nod. Since it was a matter between youngsters, it was best left for the youngsters to deal with, or so she believes.
"Go ahead. I will be preparing your snacks."
"Understood."
When dealing with the parents of his childhood friend, Nobu put on his formal side. It wasn't difficult for him to do the same thing during his stay on other worlds.
Knock.
Knock.
"Nobu-kun?"
Motor's voice came from within the room. When she called him out and opened the door, she met the person she was waiting for.
For a while, the two sat down in silence. Nobody spoke much, which further 'worsened' the awkward atmosphere between them.
"Nobu-kun. H-here it is…"
"Um…"
When Hitori brought out her Gibson, Nobu checked for a while until he realized something.
"Its tuning should be fine."
"A-ah?!"
It was at this moment did she realize her blunder.
"I-it was not this!"
Hitori hurried to her closet-slash-studio and brought out another one of her guitar. Though, she did not expect that Nobu would follow her inside.
"N-nobu-kun…"
Hitori began to lose her composure. She was not good with tension in the first place. Her slightly trembling body was covered by her large pink jacket.
In contrast to her tense look, Nobu acted calmly. He took the guitar from her hand and began tuning it by ear.
It was a talent most musicians would have been envious of. So long you can do this, you have already reached the pinnacle of the music industry.
Unexpectedly, several strings were truly out of tune.
"There's some problems, but it shouldn't have affected it much."
After fixing it, Nobu placed the guitar on the stands. A total of five electric guitars coupled with other accessories were littered around her studio.
"This made me remember of that time… when we met."
"Ah… that."
"There's Ghost of Tsushima, then there's you." He said with a slight laughter. "You came a long way, Bocchi-chan."
"That… It was with the help of others."
"What's wrong with that? Didn't I also help you back then?"
Compared to her past, Hitori could see it as a gap between heaven and earth. She now has friends, plays the guitar in front of a crowd, and started to gain her self-confidence. Although they failed to qualify for the music festival that was about to be held at a large venue several months ago, Hitori could see their improvements.
Her current self was something her past self could only dream about.
"If you play at Tokyo Dome…" Once more, Nobu let out a light laugh. "Remember to give me a shout-out."
"...Nobu-kun."
Hitori saw the current 'vibe'. Even if it was not the most suitable for what she was about to do, her confidence rose. That was enough for her to disregard everything else.
"I like you. Not as a friend, but something further."
The shakiness of her voice could not be hidden. It was to the point she felt she was about to puke. That was the amount of nervousness she was feeling.
"I like you… as my other half. A girlfriend." She said. "E-even if you already h-have others…"
Words could not express the joy the other Hitori was feeling. She was the one who told Hitori about everything in the first place—that Nobu was willing to accept the love of multiple people.
While Hitori felt her nervousness was about to reach its peak, she felt Nobu's hands on her shoulders.
Somehow, that was enough to offset it.
"There's no going back."
"I-I would never."
After a dozen seconds of looking at each other, it was Nobu who took the initiative to seal the deal…
…with a kiss.