[MC 075 - late October]
A few days have passed since Koji and Maren's second date. Since then, the two have been much closer to each other.
It was also decided among those involved that Treize, though innocent, should be with her sisters at the seaborne facility, to receive the same education and bond with them.
Though knowing they'd see her again, it was hard for them to see her go after spending time together...still, they promised to go visit her when they can.
And since that day, Scarlet frequently visits RF6. Though they are harmless, a certain red knight is losing her patience.
This is a day like any other at RF6...or at least, it was supposed to...
[Riot Force 6 HQ - Koji's Room]
A comfortable silence enveloped the room, sheets covering the bed moved slightly as the person sleeping woke up.
Her eyes opened lazily, revealing her goldish amber-colored pupils.
Getting up, Maren yawned, politely covering her mouth.
She looked around, "This isn't my room..." Then she remembered, "Oh...that's right, Koji-sama let me sleep here last night."
Sleeping together had become a habit, sometimes chatting before falling asleep...and maybe some cuddling, but that's it.
Even if it's just that, Maren is unable to contain her smile.
She feels safe near him, feeling his warmth, hearing his heartbeat, his breathing.
A night away from all that and she'll feel somewhat lonely, even though she shares the room with Yui, which is across the hall.
"Mmm...I'm afraid I've become addicted to this." She blushes.
Looking to her left, that side of the bed was empty, "...Not here?" She blinks.
Maren noticed the alarm clock, "10:27?! I never slept in this late!" She jumped from the bed.
Then, she noticed a folded piece of paper near the alarm clock, "Hm?"
Maren picked it up and opened it, "Sorry, you were sleeping so soundly, that I couldn't bring myself to wake you. -Koji" she read the contents.
"Koji-sama..." She smiled sweetly, even a small note is enough to convey his kindness.
Picking a change of clothes, her precious ribbons and ring, Maren headed to the shower...
(Everyone must be training right now.) She thought as she took a quick shower.
Leaving the shower, Maren dried herself and her tails, then looked at herself in the mirror, inspecting herself.
"They're still the same size...didn't even grow one bit..." She sighed.
Then she looked at the diagonal scar on her chest, "......" She stayed silent, "Everyone says it's ok but...I...I can't let Koji-sama see it...he would..."
"hmm?" Maren looked at her mouth, "It can't be..." getting closer, opened her mouth, inspecting her teeth and was surprised to see that her canines were longer than usual.
"They weren't like this last night..." She closed her eyes to change into human form.
Her body was enveloped in a thin layer of light for a moment, which quickly dispersed into particles.
"!!" Her eyes opened in shock, "I...can't change! Then...but, i-it can't be! It's too early!" She panicked.
----------------------------
[Riot Force 6 HQ - Outside ]
[10:36 MST]
As usual, Koji and Yui joined the Forwards at the Training Grounds.
(Maren sure is late today, didn't even show up for breakfast...is she still sleeping?) He wondered while warming up.
"Oh, it's Sig-nee!" Yui commented.
Koji looked to the same direction as his sister, and saw Signum talking with Nanoha.
They were too far away to be able to hear, but he did pick up some anxiety and concern coming from them.
As Nanoha and Signum finished talking, they nodded and Nanoha stepped forward.
"Okay everyone, attention." Nanoha raised her hand, speaking in her usual demeanor.
"The Forwards will be facing me in some 'light' mock battles."
Koji knew that meaning of 'light'...and it wasn't good.
Nanoha turned to Signum, "Meanwhile, Signum here will be Koji-kun's opponent. Time to show what you've learned~"
"Y-yes..." Koji answered, already aware that this training session will feel a lot longer than normal.
"But before that, Yui-chan, could you come over here?" Nanoha called her.
"Yes~" She smiled and ran up to them.
Once Yui got to them, they started talking, and again, Koji felt the same anxiety and concern, this time coming from his sister.
(...Something happened.) He thought.
The moment the conversation was over, Yui hurried into the building, while Nanoha and Signum headed to the Training Grounds.
As Signum approached him, he asked, "Did something happen?"
Signum stopped and closed her eyes, "It's nothing serious, don't worry about it."
"I see..." He replied.
"By the way...It's been a while since we last sparred. Shall we begin?" Signum spoke, already in a fighting stance and with Laevateinn ready to be drawn.
With Signum as an opponent, Koji knew from previous experience that not focusing on the battle would prove painful.
"Yes!" He tightened the grip on his Air Gladius.
----------------------------
[Riot Force 6 - Member's Quarters - Hallway]
[10:43 MST]
Upon hearing Nanoha's message, Yui hurried to the building.
It was a message from Maren, for unknown reasons she called Nanoha to have Yui meet her, specifically asking them to not let Koji know of it.
No details were given, but according to Nanoha, Maren looked rather flushed and distressed.
Still in training outfit, Yui made her way to the Member's Quarters.
Upon turning a corner, she saw Maren leaning against the wall, near the door to Koji's room.
"Ma-chan?" She approached her.
"Ah, Yui..." Maren turned her head, looking at Yui with a slightly feverish expression.
"You don't look well, did you catch a cold?"
"If only it was that simple of a matter..." Still leaning on the wall, Maren faced Yui, "It's actually something troublesome."
"...Troublesome?" Puzzled, Yui blinked.
----------------------------
[Riot Force 6 HQ - Training Grounds]
[10:46 MST]
"Uwaaaaaa~!" Koji fell from the sky, creating a cloud of dust upon hitting the ground.
Signum slowly landed and looked at a small screen next to her, "Hm, a little over 8 minutes. Your skill has improved since last time."
"Gh..." Koji got up, "Roughly a minute longer than last time, huh....It's not much of an improvement."
"Don't say that, it doesn't change the fact that it is still an improvement. Besides, considering your fighting style, lasting this long is worthy of praise."
Slightly embarrassed, Koji scratched his cheek, "I have some confidence when it comes to speed, but I can't compare to Signum or Fate...and lately, Erio's been getting pretty good too."
(even the temporary explosive boosts I gained from Maren's contract can only be used for a few seconds...) He remembered.
"So you choose to face your opponent head-on?" Signum asks, following his train of thought.
"Well, I do try to throw some tricks in-between, but most of the time it's a clash of strength."
"Not quite a knight's, but also not quite a mage's fighting style...Koji-kun uses both's traits to his advantage." Nanoha comments as she approaches them.
"What can I say...I had good teachers for both styles." Koji looks at them.
The two smile, a hint of pride could be seen in them.
"So, how did it go? It seemed that Koji lasted a bit longer this time." Nanoha asked.
"Indeed he did." Signum gave a simple reply.
"What about the others?" Koji looked towards the area Nanoha was fighting, faint smoke could be seen.
"They did last longer than before...but..."
"You beat them to a pulp?" Signum's 'straight to the point' question.
"P-Pretty much. Ahahaha..." Nanoha hid her embarrassement with a giggle.
(This is why these 'light' mock battles are scary, if Nanoha or Signum heat up, it gets dangerous! They stop holding back!) Koji screamed in his mind.
Shortly after that, Koji, Signum and Nanoha went back to check on the Forwards.
...They were sprawled on the ground.
----------------------------
[Riot Force 6 - Training Grounds]
[12:17 MST]
Training continued as usual, but Koji couldn't help but glance towards the building from time to time.
Something was going on, and he was among the ones that don't know of it.
Right now, everyone was in the middle of cooldown exercises. Signum and Nanoha went ahead to the HQ.
(Again...) He sensed another 'wave'.
There were the occasional 'waves' he picked up from the building.
(The wavelength is very similar to Maren's, but these are...rough.)
To Koji's knowledge, Maren's 'waves' were similar to a calm ocean's, that spread and gently disperse. Sort of reflecting her personality.
These on the other hand were uneasy and of random strength.
Considering the distance between Koji's current position and the building, they were strong emotions to be able to travel that far.
But by the time they reach him, they're muddled and couldn't be identified...or maybe were already like that from the start.
(Conflicting emotions?) He asked himself.
Though it's been a few years since the incident that gave him this ability, there are still some things he is yet understand.
"Koji-san?" Erio called him.
"Eh?" He snapped out of his thoughts.
"You've been looking at the HQ every now and then. Is something wrong?" Subaru asked.
"Ah...well...just wondering what today's lunch is, hahaha..." He tried to hide is concern.
"I think today is pasta...actually, the cafeteria's menu focuses on healthy meals that provide energy, you can easily predict what it'll be." Caro pointed out.
(Ugh, used the wrong topic to distract them.)
"You're acting strange, you know?" Teana brought back the topic.
"Oh, he's just worried about my sister, that's all~" A new voice spoke out of nowhere.
"Uah!!??" Koji and the Forwards jumped.
"Hi~~~" The scarlet haired woman cheerfully waved at them. "And special hi to Erio-kun~~" She smiled at him.
"!!" a chill ran down his back.
Caro quickly put herself between Erio and Scarlet.
"Oh my, a cute obstacle~" Scarlet smirked.
"It's that funny person that's been coming here lately." Subaru pointed out.
"S-Subaru..." Teana sweatdropped, but quickly regained composure. "Anyway, what did you mean by worried?"
"Hmmmm~" Scarlet stared at Koji. "Knowing my sister, she probably didn't tell him, or thought there was no need to tell...at least for now. But she's young, and probably didn't know about this yet."
"What are you talking about?" Worried, Koji asked her.
"There, there." Scarlet waved her hands, "I'll talk, but talking here is kinda boring, and it's almost time for lunch, right? Let's go in."
----------------------------
[Riot Force 6 - Cafeteria]
[12:34 MST]
After Koji and the Forwards changed they met up at the Cafeteria.
He tried to ask Yui about Maren, but all she could say is that she locked herself in his room and part of his belongings where packed in boxes outside the room.
The only ones that knew the details about Maren's condition were Yui and Shamal, and neither would speak. Each for their own reasons.
So, everyone from RF6 that is close to Maren gathered around Scarlet, who was enjoying being the center of attention.
Even though he had a plate full of food in front of him, Koji simply stared at Scarlet.
On the other hand, Scarlet was calmly enjoying her meal.
As for everyone else, they were also eating, but their eyes and ears were on them.
"Well?" Koji asked.
Scarlet took sip of juice and gently wiped her lips, "First...calm down and eat. I understand you're restless, but being impatient won't help you at all."
"I'll...try." His took a deep breath and let it out.
"Good." She smiled, "For starters, don't worry, it's not an illness."
"I see..." He sighed.
"Though, it can be troublesome."
"Troublesome? Is that so, Yui?" He turned to his sister, who should be aware.
"DDDDDD-Don't ask me!!" She panicked, her face red as a tomato.
"Ohohoho~ What a cute reaction." Scarlet chuckled at Yui. "Makes me want to take you home with me."
"Scarlet-san!" Koji glared, as if telling her to not stray from the topic.
"Yes, yes..." She waved her hand. "Calm down, calm down."
Koji spun his fork on the pile of pasta and ate a mouthful.
"Let's start with the basics." She took another sip of juice, "Compared to humans, our kind has greater longevity, but poor reproduction. I guess you can call it nature's way to keeps us in check, haha."
"Eh?" Koji was confused, why was she talking about this?
"But even nature isn't cruel enough to not give us a chance. So, every few decades or so, a time comes when that chance is granted." Scarlet continues.
"Here's the troublesome part, during that time our instincts are stronger. Strong enough to make even the most logical ones struggle to maintain reason."
By this time, almost everyone was aware of what was going on, their faces red or looking the other way.
"After that ends, it takes another few decades to appear again, so after learning the time between them, one can prepare for it...but."
"What?" Koji asked.
"She probably doesn't know this. But there's a way to shorten the time between those events." She smirked, looking at Koji.
"Is that so?" He blinked.
"Ufu~ Yes, if one has a lover, an acknowledged partner, and strong feelings for that person...well, it's only natural."
"Eh? Lover, you mean, me?" Koji pointed at himself.
"Of course. You're the trigger of an event she wasn't expecting. So she had no time to prepare herself against it."
"So...It's my fault." Koji worried.
"You probably did something recently that made her very happy, my guess would be...something during that date the other day?"
He remembered what they did that day...and there was a particular scene among those recent memories.
(When it's over...I'll move that ring to your other hand.) His face reddened upon remembering.
"Bingo~" Scarlet smirked at Koji's expression.
"N-Now what?" He stuttered.
"The easiest and fastest way to solve this is by you taking responsibility...ah, but try not to go as far as having to take responsibility for the consequences~" She giggled.
"SSSSS-Scarlet-nee, don't go saying such things!" Yui panicked.
"What do you mean?" Koji asked.
"................Eh?" Yui and Scarlet looked at him.
"...You're serious?" Scarlet raised an eyebrow. "You don't know what we're talking about?"
"That's why I'm asking..." He frowned.
Everyone who was aware of the conversation sighed, except Scarlet who let out a huge laugh.
"Hahahahah, you...you're too much." She kept laughing. "Honestly, considering the topic, I thought you'd figure it out already. Hahahaha~"
"S-Stop laughing!" Koji pouted.
"Ahhh...really, you're just so perfect for her that I'm relieved...maybe even a little jealous."
"Like I said, what are you talking about?" He frowned again.
"It's best that you get closer, there are some here that are still a bit young to hear about this." She glanced at Erio and Caro.
"O-Okay..." He leaned over.
Scarlet sighs again, grabbing his necktie pulling him closer, then whispers something into his ear.
"!!!" Koji jumps, his face red. "Y-You're kidding right?"
"No. You're the only one who can help her deal with this."
"It's too sudden!" Koji panicked.
"Then do you want her to suffer?" Scarlet's expression changed to a serious one.
"Eh?" He stopped.
"I didn't talk about it, but this 'event' can last up to two weeks, and it gets worse with time. If this isn't dealt with quickly, she'll continue suffering all the time, like a thirst you can't quench no matter how much you drink." She explains.
"That's awful..." Yui comments.
"Knowing her, she's dealt with her previous events on her own, and by her age, she's had around 5 or 6 of them already...but this one is different from the previous." She adds.
"How so?" Koji asked.
"She as a partner now: You. During the previous events she was alone, she had no one in her heart, so the events were about 'wanting a partner', but this time it won't be limited to just that." She continued.
"..."
"She has someone in her heart, a clear objective. This time she'll experience it in a level she's never felt before, strong enough drive her mad."
"M-Mad?! That serious?!"
"Naturally. It'll be a fight of reason against instinct, with instinct growing stronger and stronger...it's not a pretty sight." Scarlet diverted her gaze, her expression showing signs of painful memories being remembered.
"You..." Koji paused.
"Hmm?" Scarlet looked at him.
"You've been through it." He said.
"...Yea, that's why...if possible, I wouldn't want her to experience it...like I did." She forced a smile.
"I see..."
"Koji-kun." Hayate got up from her table and approached them. "As you know, relationships between members are okay, so long as it won't affect the workplace."
"Yes...I'm sorry." He lowered his head.
"I'm not blaming you, no one is...but..." She puts a hand on Koji's shoulder, "Maren is a talented Enforcer and she gets along with everyone...it'll be a bit lonely without her here."
"Eh?" Koji blinked.
"So, try to do something about it before it becomes a problem." Hayate pats his shoulder.
"Oh~~ You even got your commander's permission! Go for it!" Scarlet showed a thumbs up.
"Ehhh?" Koji panicked.
......The rest of the lunch break was spent in awkward silence.
~~~~
[Riot Force 6 - Member's Quarters - Hallway]
[13:08 MST]
Scarlet left right after lunch, saying that her being nearby might make things worse.
Worried, Koji headed to his room, where Maren locked herself.
<Ah, Koji-kun...you can skip today's afternoon training. You have a lot on your mind right now.> Koji remembered Nanoha's words and sighed.
(Looks like I'm so worried that it shows on my face.)
He stared at the door. The muddled waves coming from it proved without a doubt that she was inside.
(She's suffering already...) He bit his lower lip in frustration.
A war was raging inside him: the side of him that wants to be a man and solve it right away.
And the side that takes feelings into account, and therefore shouldn't do anything rash.
He wants to free Maren of her suffering, but he also doesn't want to take advantage and use her current state as an excuse.
('It couldn't be helped.' or 'There was no other way.' aren't things I want to say after such a thing...)
Once it's done, there's no going back...he was afraid...of the 'after'.
He was afraid that by solving this the easy way might damage their relationship.
That by 'I don't want to see her suffer so I'll put an end to it now' is actually him being selfish and giving in to his desires.
All sort of situations where flashing in his mind, and none of them were good.
(What should I do?)
"Koji...sama?" He heard a muffled voice from the other side of the door.
"!" He remained silent.
"Are you there?" She asked.
"......Maren?"
"Ah...thank goodness you are there.....I thought I was imagining things."
"Are you okay? You're not suffering?"
"I'm okay for now. It settled down...Though I don't know for how long it will stay this way."
"I see..."
"....Can we...talk? Through the door."
Her waves were calm. He could sense some peace of mind but also slight anxiety and fear.
"...Mhm" He nodded even though she couldn't see.
He sat down, leaning against the door, apparently Maren did the same.
Close, yet far...Koji once more understood the feeling of wanting to see someone and hold their hand, yet cannot.
...Maren was probably feeling the same.
(What should I talk about....) He wondered.
"........I'm sorry." She spoke.
"Huh?"
"For causing trouble."
"Don't worry about it. It's not your fault."
(Even though it's my fault that you became like that...you blame yourself.)
"Thank you."
"Say...Maren--"
"Don't."
"Huh?"
"If you say those words, I won't be able to hold back."
"......"
"Koji-sama is blaming himself, right? I can tell."
"How?"
"Even through the door...and the barrier I set up this morning, I can smell it...Onee-sama's scent."
"Eh?!" Koji didn't even register the barrier part.
".....Onee-sama came and explained everything, didn't she?"
"Y-Yeah..."
"I see...she predicted I would end up like this."
"...."
"Heh...to be honest, all I can think right now is how to remove that scent off you..."
"M-Maren?"
"Even though in my head I know that she has no intentions of stealing you, I can't help but feel jealous...I'm horrible."
"That's not---"
"This might be the first time I feel this is a curse. A curse that makes us go mad. A curse that makes us think horrible things."
(This is bad, she's losing herself!)
"I'm fighting but these thoughts won't go away!" She struggled, her tone of voice uneasy.
(....Crying. Maren's crying....What am I doing?) He asked himself.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I don't want to think these things, but..."
"It's okay! I understand! I'm also struggling!"
"Eh?"
"I keep thinking about which is the best course of action, but I can't find any good one!"
"Koji-sama...."
"I want to free you right away! But I don't want to hurt you! Honestly, I want to embrace you, but I don't wan't to take advantage of your state!"
"Please don't say such things!!!" She shouted.
Koji flinched, surprised by her shout.
"I...I won't be able to restrain myself."
(Ghh! What am I doing?) He gritted his teeth. (I'm just making things worse!)
Staring at the door, Koji frowned and headbutted the metal door.
"K-Koji-sama?" She asked startled.
(Get a hang of yourself, Minawa Kouji!!) Inside his mind, Koji screams at himself. (Enough thinking! Just act!)
Koji brought up the window for the door's lock and started typing in numbers.
The word DENIED kept popping up, but he kept trying.
"W-What are you doing?!"
"Isn't it obvious? I'm going in!!"
Maren got up and turned to the door, "You musn't! I don't know what I'll do if that happens!"
"Neither do I!!" He continued trying.
(Four digit password...that's a lot of possibilities...)
"......!" Then it hit him.
Koji typed in a certain four numbers, and ACCESS appeared and the door slid open.
And for the first time that day, Koji and Maren's eyes finally met.
Even though there was still a golden transparent barrier between them, they could see each other.
Koji smiled, "You're a mess..."
Her hair was a mess, her eyes were red from crying, all she was wearing was one of his shirts, but she was still beautiful.
"A-Ah...How..." She could hardly speak.
"Hm? The code? I did try a few, but then I remembered a date that you surely hold dear."
The day they formed a contract.
Maren blushed.
"Well...all that's left is this barrier...Let's see." He was about to punch it to test its strength.
Lowering her head, she spoke, "....It's a one way barrier. You can get in, but not out, all one can do is wait for it to expire."
"And when is that?"
"...In two weeks."
Koji sighed, "Honestly..." and stepped in.
"K-Koji-sama?!!"
"Looks like we're stuck here for a while." And grinned carelessly.
The room was dark and messy, the only current source of light was the one from the hallway.
Even so, in that darkness, Maren's eyes shone with a faint golden glow.
"Why?" Tears ran down her eyes.
Koji hugged her, "Ah!" she let out as his arms held her. (...Her body is hot, it's like she has a fever.)
"I can't leave you like this. Alone and scared."
"But..."
"It's okay. I'm here now, it'll work out." He pet her head.
"Really..." Maren wrapped her arms around him. "Koji-sama is always so reckless and positive. It worries me."
"Sorry."
"No, that's just who you are." She nuzzled his neck, "That's why I..."
"H-Hey, Maren?" Koji was surprised by her actions.
"This...it's this scent. I've been yearning for this all morning~" She pressed her body against his.
"Maren, you..." Koji was then reminded of what Maren was going through.
Now inside the barrier, there was no escape. Even being pushed against barrier, it did not bend.
"More..." She said, and began to removing his necktie, then unbutton his suit and shirt underneath.
"H-Hey?!" He let out surprised.
"Koji-sama...*lick*"
"Uwaa!" He felt like electricity had run through him, (M-My neck! SSSS-She's licking my neck!?)
An unexpected attack, but then again, in his arms was a Maren he had never seen before.
(T-This is bad, if she keeps this up, I wont be able to restrain myself...) He thought as he resisted the tickling sensation on his neck.
His eyes wandered around, searching for something, and then saw it was right in front of him...and looking over her shoulder, he saw another option.
"I-If you're going to be that aggressive...then!" Koji opens his mouth and readies his right arm.
In an instant, he grabs one of Maren's tails and nibbles on one of her fox ears.
"Kyan!" She flinches, letting out a yelp.
Seizing the opportunity, Koji lets go of her ear, and proceeds to seal her lips.
Entranced, the couple exchanged heightened feelings through their lips, getting increasingly drunk with each time.
(This is bad...have to stop...but...)
It was becoming hard to let go of her, even if he backed up a little, her lips would chase after his and become locked again.
His body temperature was rising, his mind going numb and his desires were growing stronger.
(T-This is my only chance...) Koji looked at his right hand, that was still holding on to her tail, petting it.
Betting on this last struggle, he tightened his grip on her tail and pulled it.
"Nnn-aaaah!!" She let out in surprise.
With this opening, Koji swept her feet and lift her up, then carried her to the bed.
Koji laid Maren on the bed and pins her down.
"Hah, hah, hah..." He pants looking down on Maren.
But strangely enough, Maren looked back at him with shimmering eyes and a meek and tired expression.
"Huh?" Now that he could see her face, he found it odd for her to be behaving like that.
"--can't believe it." She say in a low voice.
"Hm?" He blinked. "Maren?"
"My tail...I...with my tail...uhhh~" She blushed heavily, tears gathering on her eyes.
"Eh? Did you return to your senses? He asked.
Maren looked at Koji, "K-Koji-sama...." then began to struggle, "P-Please let go of my arms, I, I..."
"W-Woah!?"
"Please let me cover my face! I can't bear the shame of being looked at right now!"
"What's wrong?" He let go of her arms.
"I...I...it was the first time such a thing happened to me. M-My tail..."
"Tail?" He blinked, "Ah, you mean that just now...Hm? don't tell me you c---"
"
PLEASE DON'T SAY IT!!!" She shouted out loud.
"O-owww...." He winced at the sound attack, letting go of her arms to cover his ears.
Embarrassed, Maren covered her face to keep Koji from looking at her face.
"Ah...sorry. It was the only thing that came to mind to stop you." He apologized.
Looking down at her, Koji let out a sigh of relief. "At least you're back to your usual self...Hm?"
He then noticed something...Though the door had closed the moment they moved away from it, there was still the faint light of the room used during the night to avoid bumping into something.
Straddled over Maren, Koji noticed she was wearing only a shirt...and the chest area wasn't properly buttoned.
"Maren...that..." He noticed the slight skin discoloration on her chest, between her modest mounds.
"Eh?" She looked at him, and followed his gaze "....!!" quickly covered herself, "D-Don't look!"
"...Maren, was that..." He paused, Maren remained silent, avoiding his eyes, "...a scar?"
"!!!" She closed her eyes, once more, tears were welling up.
"...Can I?" He asked gently.
She nodded slowly, removing her arms.
"Okay..." With trembling hands, he unfastened a single button of the shirt and slowly opened it, but avoided exposing too much.
Then he saw it...a diagonal scar across her chest. From the looks of it, caused by a claw or something alike. Though it had healed properly, there were no traces of medical treatment aside from first aid.
"This..." He spoke.
"...An old wound." She replied, her face red from embarrassment.
(Old wound...a claw wound) He looked at it, as if analising it.
The conversation from the other day came to mind, about Maren's past...and the beast that is after her.
"...That monster?"
Maren nodded. "It's...disgusting, isn't it?"
"Eh?" Koji looked at her surprised. "Why would I think so?"
She looked back, also surprised, "You...aren't bothered by it?"
"Not at all."
"Really?"
"Really." He nodded. "It must've been hard...Surviving something like that."
Once again, Maren's eyes welled with tears.
"M-Maren?!"
"I-I'm sorry I hid this from you. I thought you would hate me if you saw it." She spoke while wiping her overflowing tears.
Koji smiled and let out a short sigh, "Silly...why would I hate you for this?" He ran a finger around her scar as he talked.
"Ah..." She let out unintentionally.
"Sorry, does it hurt?"
"N-No...it's just..." She blushed, covering her face.
Koji then realized the area he was touching, "Uwa! S-Sorry, I didn't mean it that way!" his face also turning red.
"I...I know." Maren removed her hands from her face.
They looked at eachother. Smiled, and laughed. Before they knew it, all the tension and awkwardness vanished.
"Still okay?" He asked.
She nodded, "I'm myself."
"I see." He closed his eyes for a moment, nodded and got off Maren, lying next to her.
Considering all that just happened, the room was now quiet, the only thing that could be heard were their calm breathing.
"How mysterious..." Maren spoke in a soft tone while looking at Koji, he looked back at her, "I now feel at ease."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. I feel relaxed, like I can fall asleep at any time." Her eyes already beginning to close.
"Then--" Koji pulled Maren closer to him, and embraced her. "Have some sleep. I'll be right here, by your side."
"Yes..." She closed her eyes, and moments later fell asleep.
"Sweet dreams...Maren." He whispered.
~~~~
[The next day...]
"Mmm..." Maren woke up feeling refreshed. Her eyes focus on the figure in front of her: Koji, who was still sleeping.
She smiled, her cheeks turning pink.
Shifting her position to sitting on the bed, she looked around, "What a mess..." Clothes were thrown about the room.
To her side, the alarm clock displayed 09:13, which matched the room's current light setting.
Maren then checked herself, "Body temperature, normal. Fang size, normal...all that's left is--" She closed her eyes.
Like yesterday, her body was enveloped in a thin layer of light...but this time the process continued.
Her long fox ears and tails gradually shrank, until they disappeared, completely changing into human form.
"Phew..." She let out in relief, "...But." looking at Koji who was still sleeping, "To think that this can go away in a day..."
As she commented it, all sorts of embarrassing images from last night flashed in her mind.
(W-We...did...s-such things...) Her face was so red that steam could come out.
No line was crossed, yet the event was supressed over night...and their relationship took another step forward.
(...The best outcome, I guess?) She thought.
And the person that made it come true was right next to her. Maren looked down at him and leaned over.
"Thank you, Koji-sama." softly kissing him on the cheek as he slept.
----------------------------
Koji woke up, and yawned. "Mhm, slept well." he stretched his arms high.
"Ah, Maren!" He remembered and turned to the side, not there, then looked around and noticed the room wasn't messy.
"Hmm?" He tilted his head, connecting the dots. (Room clean > Maren did it > she's back to normal?)
As he went through the those thoughts, the sound of a door opening was heard, followed by footsteps.
"Good morning, Koji-sama." Maren walked out of the bathroom.
He turned towards the voice, "Oh, there you a---" he lost his words upon seeing her.
She was drying her hair with a towel, while wrapped in a another that covered her body from her chest down to her thighs...even so, it was quite a sight for Koji.
"M-Maren..." He blushed at the sight.
"P-Please don't stare so much...it's embarrassing." She shyly looked away, while using the drying towel to cover her neck line.
Koji's heart skipped a beat at her reaction, "S-sorry..." he turned around. (Ghh...a view like that in the morning is dangerous!)
"H-How are you feeling?" He asked.
"I'm back to normal. Looks like it disappeared while we slept." Maren sat down, opening a drawer and taking out her clothes.
"...I see." Koji kept fidgeting as he heard the sound of Maren getting dressed.
He got up from the bed and said "I'll go take a shower!"
Taking a quick shower, Koji cooled his head. As he left the bathroom, he saw Maren doing something near the barrier.
"What are you doing?" He asked as he got dressed.
"I'm lifting the barrier."
"You can do that? Wasn't it supposed to only disappear in two weeks?"
"I set up the barrier with an encrypted passcode included, but that encryption changes every half hour."
"Oh, so you prepared it in case the event ended early, you'd be able to cancel it."
"Yes, and also to prevent me from escaping. While my instincts increase, my ability to do complex calculations are affected, and I become unable to do them fast enough."
"I see..." Koji nods, (So...she becomes an idiot?)
"Koji-sama, are you thinking something rude?" Looking over her shoulder, she frowned.
"N-Not at all, hahaha...." He sweated. (As sharp as usual, Maren-san...)
"It's done." She reports.
With a wave of her hand, the barrier disperses into tiny particles.
"Oh, amazing!"
"Thank you." Maren smiled.
She then inputs the code to open the door and it slides open.
"Hmm?" As they leave the room, Maren notices something.
Koji turns to see what it is, "Eh? Yui?"
Covered in a blanket, she was sleeping by the door of Koji's room.
"She must've stayed up late." Maren comments.
"...I hope she didn't hear anything that happened last night." He said embarrassed.
"T-The barrier filters sound to a certain degree, so she probably didn't hear anything...probably." She blushed.
"That's not very reassuring..."
And so, Maren's "crisis" was solved faster than anyone could expect.
Though they still had to go through the awkwardness of being the center of attention, after explaining that "nothing" happened, it settled down.
In the end, the couple's bond grew stronger...and the final seal on Maren's arm loosened.
----------------------------
[Another world - burning remains of a village]
Having feasted on that tribe's Crest Bearer, a large beast covered in black mist stood in the midst of the massacre, looking at the sky.
"Heh-Heheheh...the fruit...has rippened." It grinned. "Time for a reunion."
2013-05-04, 17:59
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