Midnight...
Yamai's Apartment...
As Tadano opened his eyes, he took in his surroundings. His arms felt numb, the culprits being two girls tightly clinging to them. Not to mention the smaller figure resting on his chest.
Letting out a sigh of helplessness, he decided to focus on something else.
"Are you guys there?" he asked timidly in his mind.
"A bit sore… but still in one piece," Shinomiya replied in her usual flat tone.
"Same here," Tomoya answered, his voice tired.
"Hehe, I guess we almost kicked the bucket..." Nagisa attempted to joke, though her slow, exhausted tone betrayed her condition.
Tadano sighed in relief. While he wouldn't admit it if asked, he cared deeply for the people in his head. Upon waking after the sudden blackout, realizing he couldn't sense them had caused his heart to tremble violently.
"Hehe… that's very kind of you, Tadano-kun∼," Nagisa said, her tone cheerful.
"Hah… I guess our care for you isn't entirely in vain. By the way, just so you know, I only see you as a friend. Remember that well—I don't want another Sunohara," Tomoya added mockingly.
"Hmph," Shinomiya let out a simple snort in response.
"Wait… what are you talking about?" Tadano asked, confused.
"Hehe… remember, we're in your head. So we know exactly what you were thinking just now," Nagisa teased.
"..." Tadano couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.
"Putting that aside, how do you plan to deal with that curse?" Shinomiya asked.
"Sigh I'm still drawing a blank. But based on what that goddess said, I suppose I need to do something interesting enough for her to give me a way out," Tadano replied, scratching his head in thought.
Hearing Tadano's words, everyone became pensive.
"What about that Soul Fragment you got some time ago?" Nagisa suggested.
"That's right... I remember you obtained something like that. Now that I think about it, why didn't you use it when you got it?" Tomoya asked curiously.
"Sigh There are already too many people here. I'm not sure how good it would be to add even more," Tadano admitted.
"Unfortunately, it's all we've got for now. As for the other gods, they've been relatively calm since our new spectator appeared," Shinomiya added.
"I guess you're right…" Tadano said.
With that, a crystal fragment materialized in Tadano's hand. After staring at it for a moment, he crushed it.
Ding
[You have used The Legacy of a Fallen King (Soul Remnant of Naoe Yamato 1/2)]
[You have obtained the skill [Great Speculator]]
[You have obtained the skill [Sexual Arts]]
[You have obtained the title [The Great Pervert]]
[You have obtained the title [Chosen of Destiny]]
Ding
[The skill [Sexual Arts] has already been acquired and is being forced to evolve…]
Ding
[You have obtained [Sexual Mastery]]
Tadano: "..."
Everyone: "..."
"What kind of skills and titles are these?!" Tadano yelled.
"Didn't you call him the Fallen King? I expected something more… I don't know, normal?" Tadano said, frustrated.
"I think you'll understand if you think about the name of the individual," Shinomiya replied.
At that moment, a fog lifted in Tadano's mind, and he recalled everything about Naoe Yamato, the protagonist of the Majikoi game series.
"...Now that I think about it, the titles and skills… are eerily accurate for someone like that guy..." Tadano said, his tone dejected.
"C-Come on… maybe this is just part of it? Remember, it says 1/2. Maybe the missing piece will grant you better abilities," Nagisa tried to encourage him.
"I think it's fine… isn't that right, Mr. [The Great Pervert]? Pfft, hahaha," Tomoya mocked.
"Tomoya-kun!" Nagisa exclaimed.
Black lines formed on Tadano's face.
Trying to think of something else, he decided to examine the skill descriptions.
...
[Great Speculator]: "Your eyes have a great talent for observing the weaknesses and flaws of others. When used, your eyes can identify your opponents' weak points and openings, doubling or tripling damage. For every minute the target is observed, there is a 0.5% chance to predict their next move."
[Sexual Mastery]: "Intimate encounters with the opposite sex generate 80% more pleasure and dependence. The sensitive points of any member of the opposite sex become visible with a single touch of the hand."
[The Great Pervert]: "The universe itself acknowledges your fervent perversion and honors you with this title. Now go out there and unite with your kind!"
[Chosen of Destiny]: "You have been chosen by the world to be one of its representatives. The decisions you make will gradually influence the reality around you and reality as a whole."
"... This is good, but..."
Tadano was speechless. While some abilities were worthy of the Kingly title bestowed by the system, others were simply embarrassing.
I mean, one skill literally allowed him to mold reality. But…
"Damn you, Yamato… you lecherous man," Tadano muttered quietly.
"..." The rest rolled their eyes at Tadano's grumbles, fully aware that their host had the same lecherous tendencies he complained about.
Still somewhat unsettled but with no better options, Tadano decided to go back to sleep.
…
"Ya..."
"Yama..."
"Yamato..."
"Yamato∼ what are you doing spacing out? Hurry up, or we'll be late..." complained a cute girl with amber eyes and long red hair tied into a ponytail that swayed animatedly.
"Fufu∼ if you're that out of it, then you won't mind if I..." a coquettish voice whispered in his ear before a pair of lips latched onto his earlobe.
Turning around, he saw an enchanting girl with purple eyes and short blue hair looking at him flirtatiously.
"Ah! Yamato! You're doing embarrassing things again, aren't you? I should have expected this from someone like you!" accused a blonde girl with blue eyes, pointing at him with a finger, her pale cheeks tinged with a cute pink blush.
Yamato felt momentarily confused and failed to react.
When he finally composed himself and was about to argue with the blonde, he felt a pair of soft mounds press against his head.
"Hey∼ how's my beloved little brother doing today∼?" said a playful voice behind him.
Turning around, he saw a stunning beauty.
She had beautiful dark brown hair that cascaded down to her waist, striking red eyes, and a monumental bust.
Yamato couldn't help but swallow at the sight of her.
Noticing this, the woman's mischievous smile deepened.
"Oh? What's this? Did you fall for your big sister's charm? Hehe... you know, I don't mind letting you touch a little. Want to?" the woman teased.
"I..." Yamato was tempted.
She grabbed Yamato's hand, guiding it to her cheek with a playful smile.
"Hmmm... okay, that'll be 30,000 yen..." the young woman chirped cheerfully, swiftly and expertly slipping Yamato's wallet out of his pocket and taking the money.
"Hey! Nee-san, not again!" Yamato protested.
"Haha! It's a fair price for touching a great beauty like me... besides, I'm a bit short on cash these days. Don't worry; once the old man gives me my allowance, I'll pay you back!" the girl said before quickly fleeing with the money.
Yamato was left speechless, giving a bitter smile as he watched her retreating figure before continuing on his way.
...
Explosion
The same girl from earlier was now in the middle of a fierce battle against two other women. She looked ecstatic, her sharp gaze and wild grin a testament to her thirst for combat.
Just as she prepared to finish off her opponents with a powerful attack, a flare exploding in the distance made her pause.
Then, a playful and slightly arrogant male voice she knew all too well came through the communicator in her ear.
"Looks like this is my victory, Nee-san∼."
The woman froze, sharpening her vision in the flare's direction.
With her perfect eyesight, she saw that man, now a little battered and with clothes covered in mud and grass, standing firmly at his team's tower with the enemy team's King tied at his feet.
That annoying man looked her way, smiling arrogantly.
She couldn't help but feel stunned by her defeat.
But more than anything, a strange emotion began to well up in her heart.
...
"I love you, Nee-san... No... I love you, Kawakami Momoyo! Please go out with me!" Yamato said to the woman with red eyes and long, dark brown hair.
Momoyo's cheeks flushed at the young man's words.
"God, what am I going to do with you..." the woman said with a sheepish smile.
"Your answer?" the man asked, his eyes fervent and full of desire.
The woman smiled and accepted, wrapping her arms around his neck as they shared a sweet and tender kiss.
"Yamato∼" Momoyo said softly.
...
Blast
"Yamato!" was the last clear thing Yamato heard before a feeling of emptiness consumed him. The blood loss was too great, and his body was starting to fail.
With his last ounce of strength, he managed to give a final smile to the woman he had loved for so long.
In the depths of his heart, he regretted their farewell occurring under such circumstances.
...
Crash
Tadano sat up with a start, his breathing ragged as he clutched his chest, his face pale.
Without realizing it, small streams of tears trailed down his cheeks.
The sudden movement alarmed the girls sleeping beside him, waking them up.
The girls' anxiety only grew upon seeing Tadano's distressed state.
When Tadano finally regained his senses, he took a deep breath, calming the chaotic feelings in his heart.
He reassured the girls, who were on the verge of calling an ambulance and causing a commotion, that it was just a nightmare and he'd talk about it later.
Although still reluctant, the girls accepted his explanation, not wanting to trouble him further, and went to change.
As for Tadano, neither he nor the inhabitants in his head could comprehend what had just happened.
...
Somewhere in Japan...
In an old temple...
At the center of an altar, a slightly hunched figure sat cross-legged.
Her long, dark brown hair spilled across the floor.
She wore an old training uniform, worn and patched in several places, but still meticulously cleaned and cared for.
The moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating the figure, revealing her to be a mature woman of great beauty.
The woman awoke from a deep meditation.
When she opened her eyes, they revealed a pair of dim red hues filled with melancholy.
However, in the next moment...
Her red eyes, dull just a moment ago, regained some of their luster.
Tears flowed freely down her cheeks.
"This presence... so at last... you have returned..." the woman said in a tone both sorrowful and yearning.
Author's Note:
"Well, here's the chapter. Sorry for the delay, guys—I'll try to bring another chapter midweek if I can. By the way, for those wanting a bit more context, the dream is mostly based on the events of Momoyo's route in Majikoi. That said, remember to drink plenty of water, and know that I love you all very much. Sincerely, your favorite depressive author."
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