Chapter 7: Sleepover
As the final bell rang at Shirakawa Academy, signaling the end of another school day, the students filed out of their classrooms, chatting excitedly about their plans for the weekend. Among them were Takayama Shinzui, the Avatar of the Creator, and his new group of friends—though these were no ordinary classmates. They were gods and goddesses in disguise, each playing their part in this intricate narrative woven by the Creator.
The group gathered by the shoe lockers, the gods still maintaining their human forms for now. Kazuki , the Foundational God, stood out, his presence almost crackling with an energy that he barely concealed. Next to him was Akiyama Reika, the Goddess of the Fantasy Plane and Plane of Zero, with her ethereal blue-silver hair flowing gracefully as she chatted casually with the others. Haruto Aozora, the God of the Metaphysical Plane, with his silvery-blue hair, exuded a serene wisdom, while Satoshi Ginsawa, the God of the Conceptual Plane, maintained his composed demeanor.
As they all slipped into their shoes, the air seemed to hum with anticipation. Just as everything appeared to be going smoothly, Yoruichi Kuroda broke the silence, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Hey, Takayama, what do you say we all stay at your place tonight?"
Shinzui, ever the perfect observer, knew what was coming but decided to play along. With a look of faux surprise, he asked, "Stay at my place? Are you all sure about that?"
In unison, all the gods and goddesses nodded, their voices overlapping in excitement. Yoruichi grinned and added, "Yes, and don't expect a peaceful sleepover either. We're going to fire questions at you all night, and you'll answer every single one of them slowly, in great detail."
Suppressing his amusement, Shinzui let out a tired sigh, playing the part of a student overwhelmed by relentless curiosity. "No more questions! I barely survived all the ones you threw at me during class. I'm exhausted."
Kazuki smirked, leaning in slightly. "Don't be like that. I'm especially curious about you. Despite my omniscience, I can't seem to read you. It's quite the anomaly, and I intend to figure out why."
Shinzui was laughing internally, delighted by the role kazuki was playing, but outwardly, he wore a tired expression. "I'm not sure you'll find the reason," he replied, the amusement twinkling in his golden eyes.
Kazuki raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued even further. As the group began walking toward Shinzui's manor, their conversation buzzing with excitement and endless questions about the mysterious nature of their human companion, Shinzui allowed himself to savor the intricacy of the narrative unfolding around him.
The walk to the manor was filled with casual chatter, mostly revolving around Shinzui. They were all fascinated by him, though none of them had the faintest idea of his true nature as the Avatar of the Creator. As they approached the grand entrance of the manor, their steps slowed, their gazes fixed on the ancient beauty of the estate.
"Wow..." Reika breathed, her eyes wide with admiration. "This place is incredible! Are you living here all by yourself?"
Shinzui, having prepared a backstory, smiled politely. "Yeah, my parents are abroad, and this manor was part of their inheritance. I've just been taking care of it while they're away."
Haruto Aozora chimed in, his thoughtful gaze sweeping over the impressive architecture. "It must be strange living alone in a place like this. Don't you ever feel uneasy?"
Shinzui chuckled lightly. "Not really. I've got the protection of the elemental gods, after all," he said, keeping up his facade while stifling laughter in his mind at the irony of his statement. He knew the true scope of his power far exceeded anything these gods could imagine.
As they entered the manor, the gods and goddesses marveled at the intricate details of the architecture. The high ceilings, grand chandeliers, and polished marble floors gave the place an air of ancient regality. Yui Momozono, the Goddess of the Fictional Plane, spoke up, her tone filled with curiosity. "I must admit, I find the humans of the Plane of Zero incredibly intriguing. They're so full of contradictions and surprises."
Shinzui nodded in agreement, though his thoughts were more focused on observing how the gods would interact with this world. "Yes, I think so too," he said, allowing his excitement for the narrative's unfolding to bubble beneath the surface.
Once they had all settled into the living room, the gods began to change into their pajamas, each of them appearing surprisingly at ease in the human world. The large bed they would all share had enough space to accommodate them comfortably, though the tension in the air suggested that sleep would not come easily. They all lay down, preparing to bombard Shinzui with questions.
The first to speak was Reika. With a teasing glint in her eyes, she dropped a bombshell. "Takayama-kun, we're going on a date this Sunday."
Shocked gasps echoed around the room as the other gods turned to Reika, clearly taken aback by her bold declaration. Even Satoshi, who was usually so composed, couldn't hide his surprise. "A date? With a human?"
Reika smirked, clearly enjoying the reaction she had stirred. "Why not? I'm interested in learning more about him."
Kazuki leaned forward, studying Shinzui closely. "You know, Takayama-kun... your aura is incredibly intense. It's unlike anything I've seen before, even among gods."
Feigning ignorance, Shinzui raised an eyebrow. "Aura? What exactly is that?"
Kazuki chuckled, sensing an opportunity to teach. "The aura represents the power of existence itself—the energy of the soul, the essence of a being. For gods and goddesses, it's a gift I bestowed upon them, but in your case… I don't recall ever granting you such power. Your aura is something entirely unique."
Shinzui, still playing his role, pretended to be astonished. "Does that mean it's possible for me to become a god?"
The gods exchanged glances, their interest piqued even further. Haruto spoke next. "Are you... interested in becoming one of us?"
Shinzui, wearing an expression of uncertainty, replied, "If you're willing to train me, I'd be honored to learn. But... is that even possible?"
Kazuki grinned, clearly thrilled by the prospect. "Oh, I'll train you personally. We'll begin in a realm beyond this one. It won't be easy, but I'll make sure you have everything you need to succeed."
Shinzui nodded eagerly, though inwardly he was bursting with amusement. "I'm looking forward to it. Please take care of me."
With that, the mood in the room shifted to one of excitement and camaraderie. The gods and goddesses, now more determined than ever, looked at Shinzui with a mix of admiration and curiosity. Little did they know, their efforts to mold him into a god were both unnecessary and futile—Shinzui was already far beyond anything they could comprehend.
As the conversation died down, the group began to drift off to sleep, their curiosity temporarily sated. Shinzui, however, stayed awake, his mind buzzing with thoughts. Once he was sure the others were asleep, he quietly slipped out of bed and made his way to his study. The soft glow of the moon filtered through the large windows as he sat at his desk, reflecting on the events of the day.
He smiled to himself, amused by the intricacies of the narrative the Outer Gods had designed. It was all so beautifully orchestrated, each twist and turn crafted with care. He took out a journal and began to write, documenting the events of the day, his thoughts flowing effortlessly onto the page.
Once he was satisfied, Shinzui closed the journal and placed it back on the desk. He stood, stretching his limbs before making his way back to the bedroom where the gods and goddesses slept soundly. As he lay down beside them, he allowed himself to relax, feeling a deep sense of contentment.
The story was progressing perfectly, and Shinzui couldn't wait to see what the next chapter would bring. He closed his eyes, excitement bubbling just beneath the surface as he drifted into a peaceful slumber, ready to continue playing his role as the ever-observant Avatar of the Creator.