Chapter 11: Gone but not Forgotten

As the days go by and I learn from my parents, hang out with Mei. Pretty peaceful overall. There was a problem though, Mei was acting pretty weird. She hasn't been to my house for the past 2 weeks, saying that she is occupied for some things in her home.

I've decided to wait it out a bit and let her be, maybe she has some problems at home. She seems to be healthy and there are no signs of abuse and the like, so it must be another matter. She doesn't want me to know anyway, I'll give her some space about that.

During this time I told my parents that martial arts would also help me build discipline and calmness. Will let me exercise too, after a bit of contemplation they ultimately agreed. 2 birds with one stone after all.

I also told them I wouldn't settle for a half-assed school like those Mcdojos, giving black belts to students left and right. Due to my faster learning curve, I also want the school to have multiple disciplines. The more I master, the better I will be in combat after all 1st I would probably learn striking focused MAs. It would be stupid to go grapple huge honkai beasts and herrschers after all. Even basic mobs like those chariot class mobs decimates thick concrete walls like wet tissue paper. 2nd would be weapons, maybe bladed weapons for cutting their silicone based bodies with honkai based weapons. These things don't have internal organs after all, blunt weapons would need inordinate amount of force and will be inefficient for my probable slightly superhuman strength when I would estimate conflict will happen.

Spears for piercing and slight cutting power. Presumably, that would be effective only when I have a high base strength. Although, once I minmax my stats, the extra reach, versatility and options of a spear would be much better for me. Yosh, 1st would be to polish my skills as a striker, I was a pretty normal guy back then. Learning how to use my body as a weapon first and foremost compliments armed combat as well.

I can have pretty surprising attacks too using my inventory. Well, it won't have much use now anyway, besides the currently stored emergency supplies and food inside. I also need to interact with a holographic interface to take out objects, pretty useful still, but it's no cheat that can be utilized heavily in high speed fights. At least I will always be with weapons when I can have some.

After a few weeks of learning martial arts I have received another skill, this time more suited for combat even though it's pretty simple.

Muscle memory lvl 1

- with repetition, the neurons in the muscles makes a shortcut that will let the body do a certain task almost automatically. Without or with minimal conscious commands.

If I can increase the levels of this skill I can reach the point of fighting almost automatically without thinking of anything. At a higher tier of the skill I might even be able to fight unconscious, if my body feels something it will react accordingly. I must increase my senses as well to better compliment this.

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As I stare in to space at class, thinking of combos and stuff. The bell rings, indicating end of classes. I look at Mei and she stares at me for a bit seemingly making a decision. She then stood up and went to me, her expression hardens as she goes near.

"So? Why have you been gloomy these past few weeks? Mind telling me? Don't worry, I won't bite." I joke a bit to lighten the mood.

She stares at the floor a bit, then looks me in the eye and says "Ein, I won't see you anymore."

Ein: "Why?" I frown a bit.

Mei: "My parents have been assigned to Nagazora. I'll probably transfer at the end of the month and I won't be going to school anymore by tomorrow." She informed, with tears building up on her eyes that might fall with just a bit of movement."

"Is that so? Mei, you know that you can still contact me right? Why didn't you tell me earlier so we could hang out more?" I inquired.

Her lips tremble as she tries to find her words, her tears start to fall as her voice cracks "It's because..." she pauses "You're my 1st ever friend. Someone that didn't look at me weird because I was always quiet and reading. I want to hang out with you more, learn more things with you, play more." She says while sobbing.

"Hah, come here." I hugged her "You know Mei, I will always be your friend. We won't be separated forever, I'll try to visit you whenever I can. Besides, Nagazora is just an hour drive from here. Surely I can manage to visit, even just once a month. I promise."

"Really? You promise even if you become stupid?" She asks, starting to calm down.

Ein: "I won't become stupid, but I promise nevertheless."

Mei: "Okay, I promise that I'll study hard too and come to Fire moth. We'll be the best researchers ever! okay?"

Ein: "Yeah, of course! Now why don't you contact your parents and come to my house today. We'll throw you a party!"

Mei: "Un, I'll ask them. Let's make an awesome party okay!?"

"Hahaha, sure thing Mei-chan. I'll call my parents too just give me a minute okay?"

I called mom and dad, explained the situation and they of course said they'll prepare a party.

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We threw a party for Mei, played all kinds of parlor games with the maids, ate a lot of things until she had a food coma. Overall, enjoying things just like a regular kid should. But alas, things will naturally come to an end. As the doorbell rung, meaning her parents are here to pick her up.

Frey: "You'll always be welcome here sweetie, remember that. See you next time, okay?" My mother smiled sweetly at Mei.

Eric: "That's right Mei, thanks as well for being our son's friend."

We ushered Mei to the front door and before she went out, she looked at me and said "Remember our promise Ein. Visit often and study hard too, so we will work at Fire moth!" She exclaimed, showing her enthusiasm.

"Yeah." I smiled "I promise, see you later Mei-chan."

Her parents then thanked us for being her good friend and they promptly left the premises, I waved as she left.

I'm gonna miss that kid, I hope she won't be too lonely.

Frey: "Don't worry honey, she'll be fine. That girl is strong and mature after all."

Eric: "You'll be meeting at Fire moth too, so don't be getting sappy now. Work hard as well, just like her.

Ein: "Umu, she'll be fine, and we'll still see each other again anyway. Mom's right she's mature too."

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Sorry about the people that would've liked Mei to be a love interest. An event that is crucial for further development of the story would be null if Mei is with the mc.

If you think Mei has too much development only to be curbed to the side, I'd just like to say that fleshing out characters is much more meaningful and they won't be basic plot devices that don't contribute to the story until their use.

I'll be ramping up the story, for me the progression is too slow. There are plenty of characters and honkai and developing them would take too long if I progress Ein's age until the actual meat of the story.

Thanks for reading guys! ciao