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As Akiyama Reika and Takayama Shinzui continued their search through the ethereal expanse of the Periphery of the Lowest Plane of Existence, the air around them seemed to pulse with divine energy, as if the very essence of the gods was playing just out of reach. The Periphery was a strange place, where reality bent and shifted, making it hard to discern what was real and what was merely a figment of the imagination.
Reika's expression shifted suddenly, her lips curling into a knowing smirk. Her silvery-gold eyes twinkled with a mix of amusement and frustration, as though she had just pieced together the punchline to a long-running cosmic joke.
"Hah," Reika said, shaking her head in disbelief. "So that's what's going on. You're a cheeky god, Vivus-sama!"
Shinzui, ever the observer, pretended to be caught off guard. He furrowed his brows, tilting his head in confusion. "Reika-san, what are you talking about?" he asked, maintaining a look of concern. "Why are you smiling? We're in the middle of a critical situation!"
Reika turned to face him, her eyes gleaming with a mix of exasperation and amusement. She crossed her arms and huffed, though her tone betrayed her amusement. "Oh, Shinzui-kun, don't you see? The *Foundational God*, Vivus-sama, he's playing with us! He's been testing our detective skills this whole time!"
Shinzui's golden eyes widened in mock surprise, though inwardly, he knew exactly what was happening. He had sensed Vivus' mischievous plan from the beginning, but he kept up his role. "Testing us? What do you mean? We're supposed to be searching for him!"
Reika laughed lightly, a mix of frustration and admiration in her voice. "Vivus-sama knew what you're capable of, Shinzui-kun. He knew that you possess a power even greater than the Plane of Zero itself. That's why he left me behind and had the other gods and goddesses go along with his little game. They're all in on it—Vivus-sama, Satoshi-sama, Haruto-sama, Kaito-sama, Yoruichi-sama, and Yui-sama. They've been watching us the whole time!"
Shinzui let out a long, dramatic sigh, his expression falling into one of mock sadness. "So, all of this was just for their entertainment?" he asked, his tone full of disappointment, though his mind buzzed with quiet amusement. "All our efforts were for nothing, huh?"
Reika's eyes gleamed as she placed her hands on her hips. "Not for nothing, Shinzui-kun. It's clear that they're impressed—*especially* Vivus-sama. And when the Foundational God is entertained, that's good news for me and the Plane of Zero." She flashed him a mischievous grin. "But don't think they'll get away without a proper scolding from me. I'll make sure they answer for all this trouble!"
Shinzui gave a small smile, inwardly amused by how easily Reika played into the narrative. "Is that so?" he said, feigning tiredness. "Then I guess I'll leave the scolding to you, Reika-san."
Reika chuckled, clearly enjoying herself now that she had figured out the gods' game. "Oh, believe me, they'll hear it from me."
As the two continued walking through the shimmering expanse of the Periphery, their search finally led them to a simple letter left on an ancient pedestal. Reika approached the pedestal with caution, her eyes narrowing suspiciously.
"Shinzui-kun," she said, gesturing to the letter, "this must be from Vivus-sama."
Shinzui, playing his part, nodded in agreement. "Let's see what it says."
Reika picked up the letter, her expression quickly shifting to one of disbelief as she read it aloud.
*"To Akiyama Reika, the Head Goddess of the Plane of Zero,"* the letter began, written in flowing, elegant script. *"We've been keeping an eye on your friend, Takayama Shinzui-kun, and we're quite intrigued by him. So, we've decided to join you both. We'll be attending your school in disguise. Looking forward to seeing you there!"*
Reika's eyes widened as she finished reading the letter, her mouth hanging open in shock. "You've got to be kidding me…" she muttered, utterly dumbfounded.
Shinzui, meanwhile, feigned shock, though inwardly he was amused by the lengths the gods had gone to entertain themselves. He glanced at Reika with wide eyes, his tone full of mock disbelief. "They're coming to school with us? Vivus-sama, the Foundational God, and the Head Gods and Goddesses?"
Reika slowly nodded, still trying to process what she had just read. "I guess… I guess they are," she said, blinking rapidly in disbelief. "They're all coming to our school. I never thought Vivus-sama and the others would do something like this…"
Shinzui rubbed the back of his neck, pretending to be as confused as Reika. "Are all the gods like this, Reika-san?"
Reika sighed, shaking her head with a mix of frustration and amusement. "No, they're not usually like this. But something about you must have piqued their interest, Shinzui-kun. Vivus-sama is rarely this playful, but when he is, it's… intense. It's good news for the Plane of Zero, though. If Vivus-sama is entertained, that means good things are on the horizon."
She paused, then flashed him a teasing grin. "But don't think you're off the hook for our date, Shinzui-kun. I'm still looking forward to that."
Shinzui gave her a weak smile, playing up his weariness. "Yeah… after all this, I could use some rest. I can't believe we went through all of that just because the gods wanted to have some fun."
Reika laughed again, clearly enjoying Shinzui's exaggerated reactions. "Don't worry, Shinzui-kun. Once we get back to the Plane of Zero, I'll give Vivus-sama and the others a good scolding. They'll think twice before putting us through something like this again."
"Yeah," Shinzui said with a smile, "they deserve a good scolding."
After a brief conversation, the two began making their way back to the ancient shrine where their journey had begun. As they stepped through the shimmering barrier that separated the Periphery from the mortal world, Reika's form shifted back to her human appearance. Her divine robes of silver and blue melted away, replaced by her school uniform, and her silvery-blue hair returned to its more subdued, human form.
With the journey over, Reika and Shinzui walked side by side in the quiet of the early morning, the shrine fading into the background as they headed toward the city. The tension from their search had dissipated, leaving behind a comfortable silence between them. They exchanged a few words as they approached their respective homes, and before long, they parted ways for the night.
That evening, Shinzui retreated to his manor, where the weight of the day began to settle. He climbed into bed, his mind buzzing with thoughts of what was to come. **The Foundational God and the Head Gods and Goddesses in disguise at school… this should be interesting.**
He closed his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips as he drifted into a peaceful sleep, already anticipating the chaos that awaited him.
The next morning, the first light of day found Shinzui preparing for school as usual. His movements were calm and deliberate, his mind already racing ahead to the events of the day. He knew what was coming, but he maintained his serene facade, playing his role with the same meticulous care he always did.
After locking the manor behind him, Shinzui made his way to the school, his pace measured and unhurried. As he walked, he caught sight of Reika up ahead, standing with a group of six unfamiliar students. Shinzui's eyes narrowed slightly, though inwardly, he recognized them immediately—these were the gods, disguised in their human forms.
At the center of the group stood Vivus-sama, now appearing as **Shirogane Kazuki**, the casual persona of the Foundational God. His silver hair glimmered in the sunlight, streaked with blue highlights, and his golden eyes, with their silver retinas, gleamed with amusement. Beside him were the Head Gods and Goddesses:
**Satoshi Ginsawa** (銀沢悟史), the God of Concepts, stood tall and regal, his silver eyes with black retinas hinting at his vast intellectual power.
**Haruto Aozora** (青空春人), the God of Metaphysical Substance, wore a soft, contemplative smile, his silvery-blue hair catching the light.
**Kaito Shiranui** (白火海斗), the God of the Physical Plane, had an air of quiet strength about him, his eyes reflecting the balance of the material world.
**Yoruichi Kuroda** (黒田夜一), the God of the Unknowable Plane, was silent and enigmatic, his violet eyes with silver retinas glinting with secrets.
And finally, **Yui Momozono** (桃園結衣), the Goddess of the fictional plane, exuded playful energy, her purple eyes sparklingwith a mischievous glint.
Shinzui approached the group with a practiced expression of confusion, his golden eyes widening slightly as if he had no idea who these people were. He glanced at Reika, hoping for an introduction.
"Reika-san," Shinzui asked, his tone carefully measured, "who are these people?"
Reika turned to him with a bemused smile, clearly enjoying the moment. "Takayama-kun, these are the Foundational God and the Head Gods and Goddesses I told you about," she said, gesturing to the group with a flourish.
Shinzui feigned shock, taking a step back as though the weight of the revelation had hit him all at once. "They're *what*?" he exclaimed, his voice filled with mock disbelief. "You mean to tell me these… students are the gods we've been searching for?"
Reika nodded, clearly amused by his reaction. "Yes! And it seems like they've decided to enroll in our school for a while. Say hi, Shinzui-kun."
Still playing along, Shinzui turned to face the disguised gods, offering them a polite but clearly flustered bow. "It's a pleasure to meet you," he said, his voice carrying just the right amount of awkwardness.
Kazuki (Vivus-sama) grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Likewise, Takayama-kun," he said, his voice light and friendly, but with the unmistakable tone of someone who was enjoying the game far too much. "We've heard quite a bit about you."
Satoshi (Ginsawa-sama) nodded in agreement, a subtle smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "I've been curious about you for some time, Takayama-kun. It's not every day that someone with such potential stirs the interest of the gods."
Shinzui, still acting the part of the surprised student, scratched the back of his head nervously. "I… I don't know what to say. This is all a bit overwhelming."
Reika laughed softly at his performance, clearly enjoying the fact that Shinzui, whom she viewed as the most powerful person she'd ever met, was now being teased by the gods themselves. "Don't worry, Shinzui-kun. I'm sure you'll get used to them in no time. They're a bit much, but they're not as intimidating as they seem."
The group began walking toward the school, with Shinzui now finding himself flanked on all sides by the gods. As they made their way through the bustling morning crowd of students, whispers followed in their wake. The sight of Reika, Shinzui, and six new students walking together as a group—especially a group with such an imposing and otherworldly presence—was enough to turn heads.
"Who are they?" a student whispered to her friend as they passed.
"They look like celebrities or something," another remarked, eyes wide with awe.
Shinzui couldn't help but feel a small pang of genuine embarrassment as the group drew more and more attention. It wasn't often that he felt out of place, but being surrounded by gods disguised as high school students definitely made him feel like the odd one out. Despite knowing the true nature of the situation, he found himself playing into the role of the confused, overwhelmed human boy—partly because it was his duty as an observer, and partly because it was just plain fun.
Once they reached the school, the gods wasted no time in settling into their new roles. Kazuki, who seemed to have taken it upon himself to be the most forward of the group, placed an arm around Shinzui's shoulder as they entered the classroom, causing the students already inside to fall silent in awe.
"Takayama-kun, you'll have to show us around," Kazuki said with a grin, his casual tone at odds with the divine authority Shinzui knew he held. "It's been a while since any of us have had the chance to live like this."
Shinzui glanced over at Reika, who was trying and failing to suppress her laughter. "Of course, Kazuki-san," he replied, keeping up the act. "I'll do my best to help you fit in."
As they settled into the classroom, the teacher entered, her usual brisk manner faltering as she took in the sight of the new students. For a brief moment, her expression flickered with confusion, but she quickly regained her composure.
"Everyone, we have six new transfer students joining us today," the teacher announced, her voice slightly shaky. "Please introduce yourselves."
Kazuki stood first, his charming smile making the room fall silent. "I'm Shirogane Kazuki," he said, his voice smooth and confident. "It's a pleasure to meet you all. I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone."
Next was Satoshi, who bowed gracefully. "I'm Ginsawa Satoshi. I'm interested in philosophy and literature, and I hope we can all have meaningful conversations."
Haruto was next, offering a warm smile. "I'm Aozora Haruto. I love science and learning about the world around us."
Kaito followed, his voice calm and steady. "I'm Shiranui Kaito. I enjoy sports and the outdoors, and I'm excited to be here."
Yoruichi, ever the mysterious one, simply nodded and said, "Kuroda Yoruichi. I'll be in your care."
Finally, Yui introduced herself with a bright, playful smile. "I'm Momozono Yui! I'm super excited to be here, and I hope we can all have fun together!"
The class murmured in awe at the sheer charisma radiating from each of the new students. Even the teacher seemed a little starstruck, though she quickly composed herself and resumed the lesson.
Throughout the day, the gods' presence at the school caused quite a stir. Students who had once focused on their studies now found their attention drawn to the new group, who seemed to carry an air of mystery and importance that no one could quite place. Shinzui, meanwhile, spent most of his time answering a barrage of questions from the gods themselves, who seemed determined to experience every facet of high school life in their human disguises.
"Takayama-kun," Kazuki asked during lunch, his eyes gleaming with mischief, "what exactly do you do for fun around here?"
Shinzui blinked, pretending to be taken aback. "Fun? I guess I just hang out with friends, study, maybe visit the arcade sometimes."
Kazuki's grin widened. "Arcade, you say? That sounds interesting. You'll have to take us there sometime."
Before Shinzui could respond, Yui leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I've always wanted to try human games! Do they have games where you can create things? I love making things!"
Haruto chuckled softly, clearly amused by Yui's enthusiasm. "I'm sure there's something for everyone, Yui-san."
Shinzui rubbed the back of his neck, feeling genuinely exhausted from the constant stream of questions and attention. "I'll see what I can do," he said with a weary smile. **These gods… they're really enjoying themselves.**
Throughout the rest of the day, the gods continued to pepper Shinzui with questions, their curiosity seemingly endless. Whether it was about the intricacies of high school life, the human experience, or something as simple as what it meant to "hang out" with friends, they seemed determined to soak in every detail. Shinzui, for his part, did his best to answer, though he found himself growing increasingly fatigued by the gods' relentless enthusiasm.
By the time the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Shinzui was utterly exhausted—but inwardly amused. The gods had certainly made their presence known, and it was clear that their time at the school was going to be anything but ordinary.
As they made their way out of the building, Kazuki turned to Shinzui with a grin. "Takayama-kun, I hope you're ready for more fun tomorrow. We're just getting started."
Shinzui laughed lightly, shaking his head in mock disbelief. "I don't know if I can keep up with all of you."
Reika, who had been watching the entire day unfold with a mixture of amusement and exasperation, walked over to Shinzui and patted him on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Shinzui-kun. I'll help you keep them in line."
Shinzui smiled at her, grateful for the support. "Thanks, Reika-san. I might need it."
As they all walked together toward the school gates, the gods continued to chatter excitedly among themselves, their human forms blending seamlessly into the background of high school life. But for Shinzui and Reika, there was no denying the truth—the gods were here, and they were far from ordinary.
Shinzui glanced at Reika, her mischievous smile still lingering as they parted ways at the end of the day. "I'll see you tomorrow, Reika-san," he said, his voice filled with a mix of amusement and weariness.
Reika waved cheerfully. "See you tomorrow, Shinzui-kun. And don't forget—we still have a date to plan."
With that, she disappeared into the evening, leaving Shinzui to walk home alone, the weight of the day's events settling over him like a warm, comforting blanket. Though exhausted, he couldn't help but smile as he made his way back to his manor.
As he slipped into bed that night, the events of the day replayed in his mind. The gods, the mischief, the playfulantics of Vivus-sama and the others—it had all been a whirlwind of chaos and laughter. Despite knowing what would happen, Shinzui found himself deeply entertained by the experience. The gods, in their human forms, had brought a sense of unpredictability to the narrative, and for the first time in a while, Shinzui felt something akin to excitement stirring within him.
Lying in the dark, he let out a soft chuckle, thinking about the day ahead. The Foundational God, Vivus-sama—now Shirogane Kazuki—and the Head Gods and Goddesses were sure to continue their antics, and Shinzui couldn't help but wonder what they had in store.
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The next morning came with the same routine as always. The sun's early light seeped through the manor's curtains, bathing the room in a soft glow as Shinzui rose from bed. His steps were slow and deliberate as he went through his morning routine, each action calming and grounding him for the day ahead. He knew that today would bring more surprises, but he remained as calm and composed as ever, ready to play his role.
After locking the heavy wooden door of the manor behind him, Shinzui made his way to school. The morning air was crisp and refreshing, carrying the distant hum of the city as it began to awaken. As always, Shinzui walked at a measured pace, his mind already anticipating the day's events.
Sure enough, as he approached the school, he saw Reika waiting for him near the entrance. But she wasn't alone. Standing with her, in a semi-circle formation, were the six disguised gods and goddesses, all of them radiating an otherworldly presence that was impossible to ignore, despite their human forms.
Kazuki was the first to greet Shinzui, flashing him a wide, mischievous grin. "Good morning, Takayama-kun!" he called, waving enthusiastically. "We've been waiting for you."
Shinzui approached, feigning surprise as he looked at the group. "You've all arrived early today," he commented, his tone carrying a hint of suspicion—though in truth, he wasn't surprised at all.
Reika smiled as she stepped forward to explain. "I thought it would be nice for you to meet everyone properly before class starts. After all, we'll be seeing a lot of each other from now on."
Shinzui nodded, playing his part perfectly. "I suppose that makes sense. But… I'm still trying to wrap my head around all of this," he said, glancing between the gods with a look of mock bewilderment.
Kazuki laughed, clapping Shinzui on the back. "Don't worry, Takayama-kun! You'll get used to us in no time. We're just like any other high school students—well, mostly."
Haruto (Aozora Haruto), the God of Metaphysical Substance, nodded in agreement, his soft smile reassuring. "We're here to observe the world from a different perspective, just like you. It's going to be… enlightening."
Yui (Momozono Yui), ever the energetic one, bounced on her heels, her violet eyes shining with excitement. "I can't wait to see what kinds of experiences we'll have together! This is going to be so much fun!"
Shinzui chuckled softly, though he maintained his outward composure. "I'm sure it will be," he replied, his voice laced with subtle amusement.
The group began walking toward the school building together, drawing even more attention from the other students than they had the day before. It wasn't just their appearance that stood out—there was an unmistakable aura about them, something that made it impossible for anyone to look away.
As they entered the classroom, heads turned and whispers spread through the room. The presence of the gods, even in their human forms, was impossible to ignore. Every student seemed drawn to them, their eyes wide with awe and curiosity. Even the teacher seemed slightly flustered as she entered the room, her gaze lingering on the new students for a moment longer than usual.
Kazuki, ever the charismatic leader, took his seat beside Shinzui, flashing him a knowing grin. "Looks like we're the center of attention again," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the low murmur of the other students.
Shinzui smiled back, though he kept his tone light. "I wonder why that is," he replied, his voice dripping with playful sarcasm.
The day passed much as the previous one had, with the gods continuing to explore their new roles as students and peppering Shinzui with endless questions about human life. It seemed that their curiosity knew no bounds, and every small detail of the world fascinated them. Whether it was the way students interacted with each other, the food served in the cafeteria, or the simple act of writing in notebooks, everything was a source of wonder for the disguised deities.
Yui, in particular, seemed especially enthralled by the mundane aspects of school life. At one point during lunch, she excitedly showed Shinzui her notebook, where she had meticulously written out her thoughts on various human experiences, from the taste of cafeteria food to the feeling of walking down a crowded hallway.
"Takayama-kun, look at this!" Yui exclaimed, her violet eyes sparkling with excitement. "I've been documenting everything we've experienced so far. It's so fascinating how humans go through their day-to-day lives without even realizing how much meaning is packed into the simplest actions."
Shinzui nodded, playing along. "That's an interesting perspective, Yui-san. I'm glad you're finding everything so… insightful."
As the day wore on, Shinzui found himself growing more and more exhausted. The gods' relentless enthusiasm for experiencing human life was both amusing and draining, and by the time the final bell rang, he was more than ready to head home.
"Takayama-kun!" Kazuki called as they all walked out of the school together. "Don't forget—we still have that arcade trip planned. Let's do it tomorrow, okay?"
Shinzui smiled weakly, feeling genuinely tired for the first time in what seemed like forever. "Sure, Kazuki-san. Tomorrow sounds good."
Reika, walking beside him, flashed him a knowing grin. "Don't worry, Shinzui-kun. I'll make sure they don't wear you out too much."
Shinzui chuckled softly. "Thanks, Reika-san. I'll need the help."
As they parted ways at the school gates, Shinzui couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over him. The day had been long and exhausting, but it had also been incredibly entertaining. The gods had certainly made their presence known, and while their antics were draining, there was something undeniably enjoyable about watching them experience the human world with such childlike wonder.
That evening, as Shinzui settled into bed, he reflected on everything that had happened. The gods, the mischief, the playful chaos—it was all part of the grand narrative, a story that was unfolding before his eyes with perfect precision. And while he was merely an observer, he couldn't deny that he was looking forward to seeing what the next day would bring.
With a quiet sigh, Shinzui closed his eyes, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. The narrative was far from over, and there was no telling what surprises awaited him. But for now, he was content to rest, knowing that tomorrow would bring new adventures, new challenges, and—undoubtedly—more mischief from the gods.
And so, as the night deepened and the world outside his manor fell into a peaceful slumber, Shinzui allowed himself to drift off, his mind calm and at ease. The gods had come to the Plane of Zero, and their journey together was just beginning.
Whatever happened next, Shinzui was ready for it.
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