From the shadows of the mortal world... your gaze has awakened something.
Do you dare to keep reading the scriptures of this forbidden novel?
Then listen well, curious soul.
I have opened a digital temple on Ko-fi.
With a simple offering of $1, you will help me summon sacred illustrations:
authentic portraits of the beings that inhabit this story.
But every pact deserves a reward:
The faithful will receive personalized, unique images... and perhaps, a secret reserved only for the chosen ones.
[Make your offering here]
https://ko-fi.com/gremory0zero
-----------
The first-years attended the club presentations. Javier, Makoto, Sekai, and Setsuna sat together in the front row. They watched the presentations with all their classmates. They applauded as another presentation that would soon take its place.
—Which club are you thinking of joining? You said you already had one in mind.
—Yes, but I have to talk to Professor Tenma, since the club has no members, and Javier, please stop using 'san' at the end. It's better to call me without honorifics.
—Seriously, since you didn't tell me anything, I thought it was okay, so… Sekai—.
—... Mm, that's good—.
In a good mood, Sekai, Makoto who remained thoughtful, murmured listening.
—I think I'll join the hologram club, it sounds like fun.
—You, really? Not in the hologram club. No, no.
—What's wrong? Why can't I?—
—The most you'll last is a month, at most. Look how good I am at not saying the first week, hehehe—.
—Sekai you!—.
Not stopping to tease each other about the clubs Makoto was interested in, with their usual playful smile, Javier and Setsuna immediately intervened before they could get into a fight.
—Sekai, don't disturb him and keep your eyes on the podium—.
—Yessss, mom—.
—You too, Makoto, I haven't told you not to fall for his provocations—.
—She starts, you just don't listen to her—.
Setsuna and Javier intervened before Professor Tenma noticed them fighting, tempers dwindled so that the next time one of them would get upset again.
—That concludes the presentation of the Holograms club, a round of applause!—.
Applause!!!!
Now comes the programming club!
First, a silver rolling table appeared, and the programming club members emerged. Two men pushed the table forward, while two girls prepared their presentations on their laptops. A fifth member appeared, holding a microphone, in front of her almost-ready classmates.
—Good morning to all the first years. I don't want to make this too long so as not to bore you. This is Stark Reí, president of the programming club. Enjoy our self-made presentation.
The programming chairwoman, Reí, made a beautiful bow, and all the first-year students applauded. She retreated behind the table with her classmates.
Soon, like the Hologram Club, this one projected a city surrounded by the sea. People lived their lives normally, until one day a meteorite lit up the sky, falling on the horizon. Soon, a giant wave swept away everything in its path, along with the city, dragging most of its inhabitants to the bottom of the sea.
The survivors, with their city destroyed and thousands of families missing, embarked on rebuilding the city.
Months after the tragedy occurred, as the pain and grief of losing so many subsided, an enemy emerged from the ocean. It was a pufferfish, firing its spines indiscriminately, barely winning with the weapons at its disposal.
Soon after, more attacks lived off the ocean just like the pufferfish, the city's inhabitants fought fiercely, until the city was destroyed sinking into the sea, now inhabited by the new species in it.
Suddenly turning off the projector, Reí's presence emerged with a proud smile of what she had achieved.
—Some might say this is something done by an expert, but no, we were students who wanted to expand our knowledge and ambitions. Anyone with the ambition to improve their skills is more than welcome in our programming club. Thank you.
Applause!!!!
—Impressive, but it looks so difficult—.
—True, I don't think anyone without skills can get into that club.
The first time Sekai and Makoto agreed, Setsuna and Javier didn't say anything, they just looked at the podium.
[I already have an idea on how to attract believer to me, hehehe it will get interesting, as I thought, it was not a mistake to be a student again.]
Letting his thoughts wander to his next moves, an unconscious laugh escaped his mouth, attracting Setsuna's gaze.
[The Programming Club? It seems delighted.]
Without even imagining that thoughts influenced the decisions of others, Javier had no idea that the wheels of destiny for many had changed, both before and after his interventions.
[Tokyo Center: 12:59 AM]
Somewhere in Tokyo, Chiyoda Prefecture, a plain woman wearing a simple dress and looking haggard for her age, was staring intently at a job posting.
—This is the fourth time I've stopped to look at her today… I'm tired, but I need to take food to Shio… I wonder if there's still a vacancy for the position.
Taking the pamphlet, the woman walked very slowly, sometimes stumbling, to a nearby public booth.
[Back with Javier]
"Uhm, mayu, mayu, mayu, delicious, you did it, Setsuna."
—My mommy, is it delicious?—.
—Hmm, very tasty, your mom has a good seasoning—.
—Setsuna, why are you feeding him? They look like a lovey-dovey couple. Even I feel embarrassed just looking at them.
Stopping the chopsticks that had an octopus sausage on them, Setsuna looks at Sekai who is beside her and Javier who is in front of her, watching her with eyes shining because of the octopus sausage.
—He doesn't have chopsticks… besides, I promised to give him some of my bento.
—But that doesn't mean you have to hit him in the mouth—.
—Sekai, don't be jealous, look at us, we're a super sweet couple, so don't interfere—.
—No more—.
—Setsuna, don't do that to me, all but that!—.
Without changing her expression, even when Javier looked at her with puppy eyes, she looked at the octopus chorizo, and ate it.
—...—.
—Well done, Setsuna—.
—...No more food—.
—Ugh, ... tomorrow, I'll bring a lot of chorizo octopus and I won't give you any, silly Sekai—.
Unaffected by Javier's childish words, Setsuna continued to eat her bento calmly, while listening to Sekai talk about a bakery stall that was on TV, and Javier eating a pineapple bread.
Churu♪, Churu♪, Paya♪, Paya♪… ! (Ost Rosario + Vampire)♪
—Excuse me, I have to take the call—.
—Javier has a peculiar ringtone, don't you believe it, Setsuna?
—... Glud, hmm, it certainly is. I seem to remember it's from an anime from fifteen years ago, but I can't remember its name.
—Seriously, hmm, I thought you didn't like anime that much.
—Not much, but they've aired some old anime on TV, I guess that's where I heard it.
—Oh, but who will he talk to, the call sounds like good news—.
—It seems so.
------
—Hello, who is it?—.
—Y-yes, I-I'm calling for work... Are you still available?—.
-Of course-.
—W-what a relief, c-can I do the interview?—.
—I can't right now. I'm busy, but I'll be available starting at three. What do you think?
—O-that's perfect, where do I have to go, it only says Azumi prefecture and I live in Tokyo?—.
—Oh, that'll be no problem, I can pick you up this afternoon…—.
—Ha-halo?—.
—Oh, yeah, I was telling you we could meet at Kumiho Station. Do you know him?
—I know him!—.
—Okay, I'll be there around 4:30. You can reach me at this number or you have a way to contact me.
—I'm calling from a phone booth... I'll call him back then.
—Okay, remember to bring a change of clothes, since you'll be on trial for one day, from this afternoon until the same time you take the position.
—...—.
—Hello, are you there, miss?—.
—Hey! Ah! Like that.
—Any problem?—.
—None… I am a single mother and I have a small child… I have no one to take care of her—.
—No problem, you can bring her. There are four of us in the house: two cousins, a family friend, and me. I'm sure she won't feel uncomfortable.
—Y-yes—.
—Well, then I'll wait for your call, miss…—.
—Yuuna Kobe—.
—Miss Kobe-san, I'll be waiting for your call—.
—Yes, thank you very much for the opportunity!—.
Smiling as he imagined he had leaned into the phone booth several times, the bell rang.
—I'll wait for your call—.
—Y-yes—.
Hanging up, he returns to his seat and sees that Sekai was returning to her seat and Katsura was preparing for the next class.
—Will anyone be there?—
-More or less-.
—Hmmm—.
Without further interaction on his part, the physics teacher arrived.
[Somewhere in Tokyo]
[1:40 PM] April 18, 2028
Walking slowly for some time, leaving the center of Chiyoda, Kobe Yuuna muttered lost in her own world.
—A job… finally… I have to get home and get Shio… but if I leave… he won't be able to find me… Who has to find me?—.
Head down, staggering from side to side, not seeming odd about falling, she crossed a dark alley. Already accustomed to crossing it, she left to walk three more blocks, arriving at a somewhat old, two-story rental house, still habitable.
Opening the door to a second-floor apartment, Yuuna sees the shadow leaping towards her, hugging her waist and looking at her with a pure smile that only a child could make.
—Welcome, Mommy!—.
—I'm back, Shio—.
Regaining clarity in her eyes, a motherly smile spread across her lips. Locking the door again, Shio stood to one side, watching her mother sit in the living room, which contained nothing but a table, a small kitchen, and a small but empty bathroom, just as empty as she'd first arrived.
—Mommy, what happened? Shio thought she wouldn't be back until late.
Worried, Shio saw a lost look in Yuuna's eyes and she smiled at her.
—I got fired from my job, hehe, but there's nothing I can do about it, I'm clumsy, but your mom got a new one, so we're going out.
—Going out, really! Cool! Hehehehe. Finally, Shio will be able to find someone who can fix Mommy's jar.
Jumping with joy upon hearing the news Yuuna gave her, Shio didn't notice a pitiful expression on Yuuna's face as she approached her.
—Shio, don't say that in front of anyone again, yeah—.
—Hey, why?—.
—You can't, don't tell anyone, you promise.
-Alright-.
—Good girl, so no one will listen to your nonsense about the silly jar... come, Shio, help me put the clothes in... this backpack—.
Shio was sad to see that his mother didn't believe him. His eyes looked at Yuuna's face as she prepared a change of clothes and he saw a small jar cracking to the point that it wouldn't be strange if a breeze broke it.
[3:00 PM]
Sakaino Institute
—There's no one here, sensei, are you sure it's the astronomy club?—.
—He's been unemployed, so this is his status.
—So this is where you're going to come in, Javier, I didn't know you liked astronomy.
-Something-.
—If you want to join, you already have the form to join the club. Come to the teachers' lounge tomorrow. I'll wait for you.—
With Professor Tenma gone, Sekai and Javier were left alone. Unable to enter the club until they joined, the two walked back down the hallway.
—And you, Sekai, why do you want to join the astronomy club? You don't seem like a girl who looks at constellations or stars.
"You don't look like the guy interested in the stars either. Well, the only reason I want to join is because I'll have the keys to the rooftop all to myself, so I can eat lunch peacefully with Setsuna."
—Shameless—.
-Thank you-.
Teasing each other, they continued talking all the way to the shoe store at the entrance.
You, you, you, you!!
—Message from your girlfriend—.
—Not at all, my little cousin sent me a message that she joined the Mira Aikido club.
Showing her phone to Sekai, Rinka was smiling as she entered the club.
—Heh, you have a little cousin, I didn't know that, you must love her a lot, since she seems to be her parents' first cousin.
—... Yeah, well, we're close, just like you and Setsuna—.
Finishing putting on their shoes, Javier and Sekai walk to the entrance, talking about the three members who make sure the Club runs smoothly.
—Wow, it seems they're already expecting you.
-Who?-.
Fixing his gaze on the entrance of the building, Sayaka was waiting for him, Javier, feeling strange that Sayaka was obediently waiting for him even further inside the building and not at the gate.
—Something happened with the Kendo club, I thought they were already teaching you the basics.
—They'll do it tomorrow, today we just introduced ourselves... and your friend isn't going to introduce us—.
Not missing Sayaka's slightly more polite way of speaking, Sekai stepped forward before Javier introduced her.
—Sekai Saionji, Javier's classmate—.
—Ah, now I remember this morning when I walked into the classroom I saw you—.
—That's right, mmm—.
—Sayaka Okino, Javier's cousin, a pleasure—.
Greeting with a graceful smile in every movement of his, Sekai unable to say anything in the presence of a classy lady on Sayaka's part, Javier touches her shoulder.
—Sekai, see you tomorrow, I have things to attend to at home.—
—Uh, ah, yeah, see you tomorrow, Javier, goodbye, Okino-san—.
—Goodbye too, Saionji-san, let's go, Javier—.
Sayaka exited first behind Javier, Sekai in the middle of the door, a soft slap hit her side.
—Sekai—
—Kyaaa!—.
—... Did something happen?—.
Stepping back at Sekai's cowering scream, the person in charge turned to see it was Setsuna.
—It's you, Setsuna, don't scare me like that—.
—I should say that, did something happen?—.
—Nothing… just that you'll have very tough competition—.
-What are you talking about?-.
—Don't mind me, right? My mom and aunt are waiting for us for dinner.
Talking without touching the subject again, the two cousins headed to the station, without knowing what Sekai was thinking.
[Who are you, Javier?]
Curious, Sekai began to take an interest in Javier, due to his character, family, and the person himself, without realizing it until later.
----------------
Without speaking the entire way, Javier pulls out of the parking lot and looks at Sayaka in the rearview mirror, showing disinterest.
—Can you tell me what happened back there?—.
Knowing that Javier would ask her that, Sayaka crossed her arms under her breasts, highlighting them.
—A formal greeting—.
—That was your formal greeting.
—That's right, just so you know before my father starts using me at that club, I was raised as an upper-class lady and it's normal to return my greeting.
—...—.
—Speak, if you want to tell me something—.
—It's nothing, if that was your greeting with no jealousy, it's fine with me.
With sarcasm in her voice, Sayaka, who heard it, raised her eyebrows and slammed her fist on the back of Javier's seat.
—Don't talk nonsense! I'm jealous of you, ha, dream—.
The conversation stalled, and neither of them spoke until they arrived at Rinka's school thirty minutes later.
—Javier Onii-chan, good afternoon, Sayaka Nee-chan, good afternoon… What's wrong? They argued again.
Watching the atmosphere between the two, Rinka looks intensely at Javier to get him to tell her.
—... We didn't fight, we talked, oh, by the way, they called me this morning for work—.
Changing the subject and Rinka not wanting to butt in, laughed and said.
—Seriously, then we won't have to do housework anymore—.
—That's as far as your imagination of a useless lady goes, my house, my rules, they don't change—.
—Hehehe, just kidding, Javier Onii-chan, you'll never get a girl if you're too serious about that matter.
-Oh really?-.
-Yeah-.
—So, if the lady doesn't come, you'll have to clean her underwear, clothes, sheets, in addition to making the food, of course we'll divide the chores, hehe—.
The two girls were paralyzed by Javier's words, who was smiling so happily, that for Rinka and Sayaka he was a demon.
"—Hehehe, you really know how to joke, Javier Onii-chan—."
—...—.
—...—.
—... S- Someone's hungry—.
Leaving the awkward atmosphere, at Sayaka's suggestion, Javier parks at a fast food store.
—We'll eat here, a barbecue place. Then we'll go meet the job applicant.
—I love you, Javier Onii-chan—.
—How convenient—.
—Hehehe, what are you saying, Javier Onii-chan, but I always show you my love—.
An hour quickly passed and Javier had gotten out of the car, while Rinka and Sayaka waited inside the vehicle.
—Javier Onii-chan, I'm sure you told him this way.
—I told him so—.
—But you probably didn't tell him what you looked like so he could recognize you.
—Oh, well. I'm sure he'll call me, and he has my number.
Leaning against the car, seeing that Yuuna hadn't arrived, Javier, about to use his powers, his cell phone rang.
—Hi, where are you? I don't see you.
—I'm standing in front of the station, next to a black car, now I'm raising my hand, he sees me—.
—Mh... yes, I see that.
Cutting the call, Rinka and Sayaka looked at him.
—He's coming—.
—Javier Onii-chan is not that person coming our way—.
Directing their gaze to where Rinka was saying, Javier and Sayaka saw a young woman in her 30s with a purse in one hand and a little girl of barely six or seven years old in the other.
Blue-black hair that cascaded down to her lower back, with side strands falling below her shoulder and bangs straight below her thin eyebrows, dark sapphire pupils, along with fair skin, a small nose, and natural-colored lips. That was Yuuna Kobe, dressed in a white blouse and pants.
Turning his gaze to the girl. Semi-long hair reaching her shoulders, strands of it falling below her blue-black eyes, blue irises highlighting her reptilian pupils, and her still childlike facial features. That was Shio Kobe, wearing pants and a short-sleeved blouse.
—E-Excuse me, are you the person I spoke to?—
Yuuna said timidly upon seeing Javier, who was younger than she thought. Javier himself, a little surprised by the little girl Yuuna was carrying, who looked everywhere as if everything was new to her, Javier saw something that made him angry.
—It's me, you're Yuuna Kobe—.
—That's right, Mr. Valderrama.
—Sir, sir!!—.
Suddenly interrupting, the girl hugs Javier's leg, looking at him as if she had found a treasure.
—Wait, Shio, it's rude to interrupt conversations more, and it's very bad to hug strangers. I-I'm sorry for my daughter's behavior.
—Don't worry, it's normal at this age. What's your name, little one?—
—Shio Kobe—.
Still looking at him with bright eyes, Shio, Javier gently stroked his slightly messy hair.
—Shio-chan, how old are you?—.
—8 years old—.
—So what do you need me for?—.
—Sir, you can fix Mommy's glass, the older sisters' glasses are slowly being repaired, you know how to do it!—.
—...Of course I know how to do it, but fixing it takes a long time, just like a flower. If you don't take care of it, it will turn ugly and die; come, from now on we will take care of it together.
—You will really help me!—.
Happy, Shio looks at Yuuna who didn't know what to say about her daughter's behavior with a stranger like Javier.
—We've waited too long, Yuuna-san got into the car, have Shio-chan sit between Sasa-chan and Rinka-chan—.
—I'm in your care—.
Unable to comprehend what was happening before her eyes, Yuuna leaned towards Rinka and Sayaka upon seeing Javier enter the car.
—Likewise, I'm in your care—.
—Hmm—.
Being more sociable, Rinka shows her a friendly smile, Sayaka just nodded, while Yuuna let Shio sit between the two.
Shio feeling everything new, looked at Sayaka and Rinka several times before asking Rinka.
—Onee-chan, where are we going?—.
—Let's go home, that place is big and you'll have a lot of fun.
—Seriously, amazing Onee-chan!—.
—So cute, I always wanted a little sister—.
—Don't scare her, Rinka-chan, Yuuna-san fasten your seatbelt—.
—I-I understand—.
—Let's go then—.
—Ooooo!!—.
—o-ooooooo!!—.
Repeating what Rinka did, Shio raised her hand and the car left the parking lot, with Sayaka and Javier laughing at the freshness that Shio brought them, on the other hand, Yuuna was nervous.
{5:55 pm} Outside of Azumi City
(Valderrama Mansion)
Arriving at the mansion, everyone got out. Shio, surprised by the size of the place, begins running around.
—This whole yard is yours!! Incredible, incredible!! Wow, and this house is so big too!
"W-wait Shio, don't run."
Feeling out of place, Yuuma ran to Shio, who was ignoring him at all, not knowing what to do. About to shout, he put his hand on her shoulder.
—Let the children play like children, now let's begin their test, so come with me, besides this place is safe, there's nothing she can damage, unless she falls on her own—.
—I-I understand, with your permission—.
—Relax, I'll explain what he'll do.
Javier entered first, with Yuuna behind him, looking around at the immensity of the mansion.
—I'm going to change and do my homework.
Without saying anything else, Sayaka walks past him up the stairs.
—She's a little reserved, but don't worry.
—Y-yes, and that's what I have to do—.
—Let's go to the kitchen, you'll make dinner tonight—.
-Understood-.
Yuuna, who was following Javier closely through the hallways, passed by the living room and saw Shio and Rinka running outside.
Tin! Tin! Tin!
Passing through the dining room, as the sound of spoons grew louder, Javier stopped at the door and looked at Yami, who stood up quickly, eager for her ice cream.
—We'll talk later and no more chocolate chip ice cream for a month, one more tantrum and I'll increase your punishment!—.
With a commanding voice, Javier continued down the hallway, hearing the sound of a spoon falling to the floor and a louder thud. Yuuna, who was watching everything, saw Yami on his knees before hurrying over and catching up with Javier.
—O-okay...—.
—You don't have to worry, it'll be fine, you know you can't contradict yourself if you want your chocolate chip ice cream back.
—Ha—.