*Some time later*
I spent the entire afternoon and a good part of the night singing.
The crowd had become enormous…
And it kept growing...
It was 9:20 at night.
If I didn't return soon... that eschatological being would come for me no matter where I escaped.
*Cough* *Cough*
I mean my mother.
My anger and rage had long since disappeared in my songs.
The crowd was still cheering me on even though so much time had passed. Some were sitting wherever they could but still gave me their full attention.
It was kind of funny to see how they followed every movement I made with their gaze.
The effect of my magic chant is as amazing as ever.
As I prepared to disappear I could see a very familiar brown and green duo pass through the crowd and approach me.
I was a little surprised but it didn't matter much, I doubt they would recognize me in this state. That's what I thought until the system beep slapped me in the face with its notification.
*Ding*
"Failed Trick– Identity Uncovered"
"The Individual familiar with you by the name of Onemine Nene has recognized you."
Shit…
I quickly merged with the crowd and ran away.
When I thought I was far enough away I stopped.
Sitting on a nearby bench I caught my breath.
That had been exhausting.
Otori: "Oh you look tired, how about a sweet to regain energy"
That voice!!!
I turned to my right and there it was.
[A wild Otori has appeared.]
She was about to quickly flee again.
Tadano has chosen [Escape]
Otori: "You don't want it?" She said it with a sad tone and dull expression.
Damn, that's not fair! I can't refuse if he does that.
Otori used [Sadness]
It is very effective.
Tadano's [Escape] has failed.
Tadano has been caught.
/////
After receiving the candy from Otori she smiled.
Otori: "You know… you have a very beautiful voice… your songs are also very exciting… they make me feel a BOOM AND a BAAM" she said, making signs with her hands in her usual tone.
Although she spoke in her usual slow and calm tone.
Her "Ahoge" fluttered energetically showing how excited she was…
I decided to modify my voice so that he would not discover my identity,
It's not that I want to hide completely. But it's a little embarrassing if people who know me see me sing... it's an inexplicable feeling.
"*Cough* Coward *Cough*"
…
Tadano: "Thank you… it's a pleasure that you like my songs, I…"
Before I finished my words an agitated voice interrupted us.
Nene: "There you are Kaede… you had me very worried by disappearing as soon as I let go of your hand…"
Otori: "Oh!...I'm sorry Nene...it happens without me realizing it...Oh and look I found the Wandering Musician...by chance" she said while she had a cheerful smile.
Nene caught her breath and said...
Nene: "I didn't know you had these kinds of hobbies."
Tadano: "*Sigh* it seems like you've already figured it out, huh?"
Nene: "Haha it was just a bit of luck… I usually pay a lot of attention to the things I like so I don't forget them easily" she said happily.
Tadano: "…"
Nene: "…"
The next minute the girl had realized what she had just said and she blushed until she looked like a ripe tomato.
Nene: "No… I… I don't… It's not what you think…" Nene said in panic as she moved her hands from side to side.
On Kaede's side she was watching the interaction between Tadano and Nene and started to think.
Otori: "Uhmm… a boy who makes Nene like that…"
the girl continued thinking as the conversation between the duo continued.
Tadano: "Don't worry about that… tell me what you're doing here at this hour."
Nene let out a sigh of relief when she saw that she decided to leave the topic aside.
Nene: "We went with Kaede to do some shopping and prevent her from getting lost as usual, Kaede was stubborn in wanting to buy something strange and after a lot of push and pull we were only now able to get it. While we were walking towards the train station, we bumped into you. Curious truth"
I smiled.
The bond between these 2 friends was as strong as their namesake in the Canon.
Tadano: "Thank you for taking care of Kaede… Nene, I really appreciate it."
Hearing him call her by her name, the girl turned red again.
The girl played with her hair, a little nervous and embarrassed, she told me.
Nene: "I-It's nothing… She is a very dear friend to me. I learned from her that you took care of her that day when she went alone at night. That day I had to take care of my brothers and I couldn't accompany her to the station where one of her maids was waiting. I stupidly trusted that she could get to the station safely on her own. "I really appreciate that," she said putting a serious expression and gratitude in her tone.
She was a good image of an older sister. Too bad it broke the next minute.
Nene: "W-That's why there is something she can do for you." She said with a shy tone and a blushing face.
Damn... She's so cute.
I smiled and told her.
Tadano: "There is actually something you can do for me…" I said in a mysterious tone.
Nene: "Tell me! I will do the best I can!" she said full of conviction.
Tadano: "So… Continue being Kaede's friend and take care of her as you have been doing until now… your attention and care are the best reward for me."
Nene blushed when she heard me and saw my smiling face.
Just as she was going to say something, the voice of a certain turtle-loving friend rang out.
Otori: "Oh!...So you're Tadano-Kun!" Otori said as he slammed his little fist into his palm. In a nice gesture.
Nene: "…"
Tadano: "…"
After a moment of silence we both laughed.
Otori was confused at first but she joined in and laughed too.
We both talked for a while.
I showed them how my appearance changed to which they were surprised and excited.
Making me do it a few more times until they felt satisfied.
It was a pleasant chat with the girl duo. They both promised to keep my secret.
Then they joked about knowing the superstar's secret on everyone's lips.
Tadano: "What do you mean by that?"
Baby: "Oh! You did not know? You are quite a Boom on the internet. Your videos on BiliBili, YouTube exceed billions of views, people on social networks form groups to discuss your identity and your songs. I have even seen several students practicing the dance steps of your song Gokuraku Jodo, I tried to do it a little but I couldn't. "You are a monster for creating such choreography."
Otori: "Hmm… but I can…"
*Shock*
We both looked at Kaede surprised by what she said.
Tadano: "Is that true?"
Otori: "Hum," she nodded cutely and then stood up.
After getting into position she said.
Otori: "Would you help me… with the musical accompaniment… from the guitar solo part please…"
I nodded and took out my guitar and prepared my voice.
Then I saw something completely disconcerting and amazing at the same time.
Otori moved with a dexterity and agility no less than mine when she performed the dance.
If you know that my current statistics are around 9 and when I danced they were at 8.
However, this girl did it so easily.
I have a vague memory that said she was a dancer.
But this is too much.
Despite my previous reluctance I decided to use my Information skill on her.
I had decided not to use this ability with people close to me, mostly out of respect for the privacy of my loved ones. But I see that was a stupid thought on my part.
[Information]
[Name: Otori Kaede
Age: 16
Relationship: Friend
Life: 75/75
Afflictions: None
Affection: 80% – (You are a very special person in her heart)
Statistics:
Strength: 4
Agility: 3
Intelligence: 6
Endurance: 4
Vitality: 3
Charisma: 7
Luck: 5
[Skills]
Dancer – Advanced: When you dance, your body becomes extremely light and flexible giving you tripling your agility stat.
Forgotten of reality: you are a being that your reality does not recognize, consequently you and your lineage cannot be born as a normal, - 1 to the Vitality statistic and - 1 to the Agility statistic, in exchange your lineage has developed a special ability. If no one pays attention to you, you will be completely imperceptible otherwise, moving with great agility and speed to the destination of your preference, the effect will be broken immediately after reaching your destination or drawing the attention of others to you.
Likes: Watching shiny objects, turtles, tea, her parents, Tadano, Nene.
Dislikes: pain, sadness, Yamai, Evil People]
[Name: Onemine Nene
Age: 16
Relationship: Friend
Life: 125/125
Afflictions: None
Affection: 65% – (A growing interest in you, but afraid to delve deeper, for her friend)
Statistics:
Strength: 6
Agility: 4
Intelligence: 5
Resistance: 6
Vitality: 5
Charisma: 5
Luck: 4
[Skills]
Aura of Security: You passively reassure everyone who has met you before.
Cooking – Advanced: Food with unique flavor, Specialty (Onigiri)
Aura of Leadership: A Born Leader, your words are heard by everyone who knows you, the closer a person is to you, the respect and obedience will be even greater.
Ambient Perception: A skill similar but inferior to your [Ambient Reading] skill.
Likes: Her family, her friends, helping those in need, hamburgers, Kaede, Tadano.
Dislikes: Vile people, breaking a promise.]
When I saw the information I was stunned.
I could sense it from his actions but discovering it so clearly was something else.
"Stupid... stop thinking about trivial things and think about what you are going to do, you have 2 beauties who are willing to follow you, what are you going to do? Not to mention that whatever you do you have to protect one of them with your life."
I ignored the voice in my mind and focused on Otori's ability that scared me [Forgotten of reality] damn that is very cruel, not only does she have to carry this ability but also her descendants, that reminds me that her mother seemed to be very similar to her.
It doesn't matter, I will take care of her, no matter her ability, I will protect her from her.
"You know that the most surprising thing here is not the adorable little turtle, but that bunny over there, right?"
It's true.
The amount of skills and stats on Onemine is incredible.
Not to mention that one is a weakened version of my [Reading Environment]
It seems I have a lot to think about.
"Leave that to me, you just enjoy the cute movements of the little turtle over there."
Hearing that I turned my attention to Kaede who was still dancing to the rhythm of my voice.
She was very charming if I do say so myself.
Even Nene was so lost in Kaede's dance just like me.
When she finished, as if a switch was turned off, the girl returned to her usual calm.
Then I ask.
Otori: "Did I do it right?"
Nene and I nodded.
She smiled happily and approached us.
Otori: "Then congratulate me…" she said with a cute expression.
I waved my hand and I was going to give him a Turtle lollipop.
But at that moment a hand of steel caught my hand that was extending the candy to Otori.
Nene: "It's too late to give Kaede candy. If she eats it now she may get a stomachache later, and if you keep giving her sweets you will spoil her," Nene said strictly, showing the majesty of her Big Sister.
Otori became sad as she watched the candy turtle walk away from her.
Then she decided to use her ultimate move.
Otori has used [Begs]
Otori: "Nene-Chan please… it's a candy that Tadano-Kun was going to give me… I promise it will be the last… please… yes?"
Nene tried to resist but the expression was sad Puppy, or was it sad Turtle?
Anyway, Nene couldn't resist Otori's sweetness and ended up giving him the lollipop back.
Otori laughed happily and immediately put it in her mouth while she hummed the melody of my song.
Nene: "*Sigh* What am I going to do with this girl…" Nene said, somewhat exasperated by the behavior of her friend, but happy to see how cheerful she was.
With one of my hands she touched her right shoulder.
Drawing her attention to that place and when she didn't see anything and turned to look at me.
A chocolate lollipop shaped like a white bunny greeted her.
Tadano: "A sweet to ease your worries?" I asked for.
She smiled and took the lollipop before putting it in her mouth.
We were together for a while before we realized the time.
When we realized it, it was already 10:40 pm the last train had long left.
Without any choice, we asked Otori for help, who happily accepted and called Dante to pick her up.
Then Dante picked us up in his car to take us all home. When they left me at mine I turned around to say goodbye to the duo. They cheerfully waved back as the car drove away.
Despite all the bad things, today was a good day.
Or so it was until a Mach 4 ballistic projectile hit me square in the face.
Almost knocking me unconscious instantly.
When I saw who the pitcher was, I turned pale.
My mother with her terrifying red eyes looked at me seriously.
I swallowed.
Tadano: "H-hello mom, how is the most beautiful mother in the m-world" I stammered.
Jeanne: "Do you see the time?"
Tadano: "Yes."
Jeanne: "You know what will happen right?"
Tadano: "Yes."
Jeanne: "Run!"
Upon hearing her words I ran as fast as I could towards my room. But as I was about to enter the door closed in my face and a mocking Hitomi showed herself through the crack in the door.
Hitomi: "Nothing personal, Onii-Chan, it's just business," she said while she drank her favorite smoothie.
Tadano: "You! "You sold me for a damn Shake!"
Hitomi: "Yes and it's delicious."
That night the cries of pain of an unfortunate young man could be heard.
Author's note: "Well here's the chapter, sorry for updating later than usual guys it's a long holiday in my country and my job doesn't care about these and it becomes more problematic on holidays which leaves me less time to write." or publish. But hey, I got some time and here is your chapter. Remember that I love you very much and drink a lot of water. Sincerely, your favorite depressive author.
PS: Long chapter, enjoy it because I think I only opened one the day I published it.
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