Chapter 6

Within a sea of stars, two men were sitting facing one another. A wine bottle stood on the glass table between them. One of the men twirled his glass, his piercing eyes watching the luminous liquid.

"You reported the finding of a potential host?" The man with piercing eyes asked.

"Yes, I found a human who has a type 2 resonance with the Dimoen Cube."

"A type 2... That's good. How long do you think it will take for him to adapt and take full control of the cube?"

The man spoke with a carefree arrogance. He swirled the liquid inside his glass and took a sip.

"Regarding this, the human chose not to acquire the cube." The expression of the man with piercing eyes froze.

"Pardon...? Did I hear that right?"

The young man seated parallel from him sat expressionlessly as he confirmed the man's inquiry. The man's face grew incredulous. A moment later, he regained his bearing as he smiled slightly.

"A type 2 actually resisted the allure of an Imbued Relic?..." The man muttered. Intrigued, he asked more about this human.

The questioned the young man's hair floated freely in the space they were in. His serious expression never changing as he answered every question the man asked.

The man laughed as he leisurely reclined on his chair.

"Keke~! That human seems rather boorish. But men like that are usually easier to use."

"Splendid job. Keep an eye on him, potential hosts become addicted after coming in contact with these items."

"I will do as you say."

They conversed for a few minutes before the canvas of stars grew dim, everything fading to black. The young man returned to his spot in the store.

***

It was dark by the time Mikael returned home. The lights were on as he walked in. The sound of running water could be heard coming from the kitchen.

"Son, welcome back."

A young woman who looked no older than 35 years of age greeted Mikael from the kitchen. Mikael was surprised as he greeted her.

"Mom, you're back early. Did you eat?"

"I did, your cousin and I ate already. Here, I cooked you something, you can eat it for lunch tomorrow as well."

She brought a large plate, steam released as she unwrapped. It was grilled chicken with olivier salad. Mikael smiled and expressed his thanks, he went to the table to eat.

His mother watched him as he ate. She asked gently,

"Are you getting along with your cousin? I know this was sprung on you so suddenly, so I understand if you feel resentful." She spoke softly as she watched his expression.

"Mm... Yeah. I was before, but I realized it doesn't matter. I don't really spend much time at home anyways, so it's all good."

"That's good. Stay out of trouble, okay?" She sighed.

Mikael gave a thumbs up before focusing on his meal.

They both remained silent. The sound of cutlery as it hit the plate was soft as Mikael continued to shove food down his throat. His mother watched him as she reclined on the counter, her eyes gentle with motherly affection.

After clearing his plate, Mikael stood up. "I'm going now. It was delicious by the way." Mikael took the plate to the sink and rinsed it before walking upstairs.

"Son, your-." His mother said something from the dining room but her voice was too far for him to hear.

Mikael switched on his phone as he walked to his room. He went in without hesitation.

"AHHH~!!!" A loud scream squealed after he walked in.

Stunned by the scream, he stood petrified. His mind raced as he couldn't understand what was happening, he raised his head and gasped as he looked at the unexpected scene in front of him.

Standing in front of a full body mirror, a youthful girl was loosely wrapped in a wet bath towel. Her curves were covered just barely to hide her most innocent parts. Her body was shaped like an hourglass, her tight assets accentuated by the thin towel. Her smooth moist skin shined under the light. Her damp hair, and steam that evaporated from her body, alongside her blushed face made her seem as gorgeous as the stars of the night sky.

Steam lingered in the room as it escaped from the bedrooms' bathroom. Mikael's face turned a faint shade of red as he looked at her well developed body, slightly hidden from her bath towel.

"Why are you here!?" She screamed furiously.

"...I forgot you were here."

"So you just barge in without warning?!"

"Uh, yeah. I'm... gulp, sorry about that."

"GET OUT!! GET OUT BEFORE I FUCKING KILL YOU!!"

"Ah, y-yeah. Ahem, I'll go now-." Mikael closed the door just as Veronica began throwing things at the door.

Mikael frantically went downstairs. His mother laughed as she saw her blushing son running down.

"I tried to remind you." She grinned and folded her arms.

Mikael smiled wryly, "Mom, I think she's going to report me to the police."

"That's the logical thing to do. I would do the same, no actually, I would do way worse than just scream and call the police." Mikael's mother spoke lightly of the matter.

"Mom, I'm screwed! What should I do?"

She simply shrugged and told him to figure it out on his own.

Mikael sat down and smoothed his hair as he thought frantically.

"...I think. We should, ya' know. It's a safe bet." Mikael stuck out his tongue as he traced a line across his neck with his thumb.

"Hehe. I don't think her parents would allow us to get away with killing their only child."

"You never know. I think we could do it."

Mikael and his mom conversed for a bit before forceful stomps sounded from upstairs. Mikael heard a loud yell from the second floor, calling his name to go up.

Mikael hopelessly laughed and asked, "Mom, I saw a girl naked today. But she's a real... what should I do?"

"Oho, well, do you find her pretty?" She asked.

"Physically yeah, but she's a real bitch. Plus, she's family."

"As long as you don't act upon your sexual urges, it doesn't matter. Also, don't mention this to anyone, especially her father, he's a real daughter-con."

Mikael and his mother wryly smiled as they nodded their heads in a united understanding.

***

Standing in front of her like a convict on trial, he stood awkwardly in front of the dressed Veronica. She sat on the bed as she angrily tapped her foot on the ground, she glared at Mikael. Embarrassed under her glare, he slightly turned his head. He tried looking back at her eyes, but subconsciously looked at her breasts.

'Gulp... I really got to use my laptop after this.'

"The galls of this guy...!" Her voice grew hoarse as she growled.

"Ahah, sorry. It's instinctive."

"Instinctive? Bullshit! You actually dared to barge into my room and look at my bare body with your lowly eyes, yet you don't even seem regretful about it!"

Veronica began to angrily yell at him. Mikael couldn't get a word in as she spoke over him. Her breathing became rough and her throat dry. Her piercing stare sent shivers down his spine, but nonetheless he tried keeping his back straight.

"This is my room, actually." Mikael interjected once Veronica's throat became dry.

"Shut up! You can still joke about this?! I can make you pay hell for this! Do you not know who my mother's husband is?!"

"Yeah, he's my uncle, my dad's best friend. And just call him your step-dad, no reason to make it so complicated."

"You!!" She screamed in frustration. The audacity of this guy!

She huffed as frustration and sadness began to set in. Tears formed in her eyes, her lips began to quiver. She lowered her head, her loose hair covered her face. Small droplets began streaming down her face, falling onto her lap and on the floor. She used her palms to cover expression as she began to sob.

Mikael erased his smile upon seeing her. He twitched and didn't know what he should do. Leaving her could be the correct choice, but as the direct cause of her tears, he couldn't exactly leave. He couldn't, not with his conscience. He spent a few seconds deliberating his course of actions before eventually deciding to sit next to her.

He questionably sat next to her and listened to her sobs in silence.

Once Veronica calmed down a little, Mikael offered her a box of tissues. Veronica glared at him but still took it. Wiping her face, she sniffled as she calmed her breathing.

"Listen. I do feel bad for... looking at you." Mikael felt strange as he spoke, he felt bad and ashamed.

"I regret it, I truly do. So, I'm sorry. Please forgive me."

Mikael concluded his apology with an awkward expression. Veronica scoffed as she heard his nonchalant tone of voice. She retorted,

" 'Sorry' doesn't erase the fact that you've seen me."

Her expression became angry again as she muttered,

"A man has seen me..." She continued to repeat that sentence over and over again. Mikael's face became red as he saw her blank eyes. He really felt like shit.

Her face became sullen once more, appearing as if she were about to burst into tears once more.

"..." Mikael was unable to say anything. He felt ashamed that he made light of her feelings.

"You have to take responsibility for this." She spoke without a hint of warmth.

"I understand. I'll make it up to you."

"...That's good." Veronica felt better upon seeing his abashed face.

But as she was about to talk once more. Mikael said something she never expected any normal person would ever say.

"I guess I'll have to marry you. You know, take charge and be responsible."

"What."

"Hahh... I never thought I'd end up having to marry my own cousin. Step-cousin, but that doesn't make it any less weird."

"What."

"I know. I know. I'm too great of a person to settle for you, but since I did a terrible thing to you. It's only fair that I be punished."

"..." Veronica looked at him, flabbergasted.

"You-. That-. This-. You're fucking horrible! What makes you think we could ever get married!?"

"Oh, relax. It isn't that uncommon. Some rural families in other countries occasionally celebrate marriages between 3rd generational family members. What we're doing is much less since we aren't even blood related."

Once again, Veronica was stunned and appalled at what she just heard.