22 17

"Do you plan to take my hand anytime soon?" Diluc asked the frog girl. She nodded as she accepted his help.

"Thanks. My name is *ribbit*-." The frog girl said.

"Ah, nice to see you Ribbit. I'll see you around." Diluc waved as he walked away.

"Wait, no. My name is Tsuyu! I've been trying to ribbit less but I can't really- *ribbit*- help it." Tsuyu explained. Diluc understood that it was akin to permanent hiccups.

"Hmm. Maybe try ribbiting at the start or end of your sentences. That way you're at least controlling it right?" Diluc suggested. Tsuyu looked at him as if his suggestion wouldn't work in a million years and left Diluc.

Simply shrugging his shoulders, he made his way to his class where Momo and Izuku were waiting for him. Unfortunately, this was math class. Not only did Diluc have to sit through the most boring lesson of his life, listening to algebra. But he also had to deal with the fact that Katsuki is in this class.

There was no end to the glares directed towards Diluc by Katsuki and his posse. Though, Katsuki never exploded and started attacking like he used to. He was an asshole not an idiot.

Regardless, the day went on. Diluc was curious to see if Izuku ever got a friend but the odds weren't in his favor in such a terrible school.

Finally, as Diluc's attention span was at an all-time low, the day ended and he was allowed to escape this hellhole.

Momo happily hugged his arm as they left, Izuku was slightly behind them, fidgeting. Currently, they were heading to Himiko's house. Instead of escorting them, she went ahead. Most likely in order to clean her room or hide corpses.

Anyway, they all arrived to see a very normal looking 2-story house. Nothing differentiated it from the rest of the block. It seemed to blend in perfectly.

Diluc went ahead and knocked on the door. After a second or so, a middle-aged woman opened the door. She seemed as average as the house, her face was that of an average housewife's and she wore a light green apron.

"Ah, you must be Diluc, Momo and Izuku, correct? I'm Himiko's mother. Just call me Izuna." She introduced herself. Everything so far screamed average which made the fact that this is where Himiko lived all the more unsettling. For Izuku at least. Diluc didn't care and Momo was more concerned about Himiko than where she lived.

"I'm sorry that Himiko didn't escort you all here. She was very paranoid about how clean her room is." Izune explained.

"No worries ma'am. Himiko's quite the peculiar girl." Diluc responded. She giggled a small amount and nodded.

"Anyway, I'll show you to her room. I'll bring up cookies soon." She spoke as she let the trio inside.

Izuna led them up the stairs and to a door. On the door was a plate reading, 'Himiko's Room' with red love hearts on either side of the text.

Himiko's mother knocked on the door and waited for her daughter to answer the door. After a couple of seconds, the door opened to reveal a very excited Himiko. She instantly gave Diluc a hug.

"Hey Diluc!" She shouted. Himiko didn't give a glance to the other girl attached to him nor to Izuku who was still nervous to meet Himiko again.

"Hey Himiko. Your personal blood bag has arrived." Diluc joked with a blank tone.

"Hehe. Come in, come in. Thanks mom!" She ushered everyone in.

Inside was a surprisingly normal room. It was completely covered in pink and light blue which was expected from a little girl. The only thing separating a normal girl's room from Himiko's was an almost empty jar of blood on her desk.

Himiko seemed shy showing her room to the trio although she was still smiling brightly.

"Why are you so nervous?" Momo questioned Himiko. She still questioned her intentions.

"I've never had friends over." She replied. Momo flinched slightly at the sad fact but nonetheless kept her guard up.

"Well. What are we doing while we're here?" Diluc asked what she had in store for them.

"Ah, right! Gimme a sec." Himiko turned on the T.V. and a game console. She then handed out some controllers. 1 was pink and was very clearly used with some buttons showing wear while the other 3 were the default black and looked as if they hadn't been used.

Looking closely, Diluc could see 3 empty controller containers in her trash bin in the corner of her room. She then loaded up a game; Castle Crashers.

2 hours passed quickly as they continued playing. Himiko and Momo were the best at the game, hardly taking damage at all. Diluc was average, it had been many years since he picked up a controller after all and Izuku, was poor to say the least. His time was spent watching heroes not playing games so he wasn't well-versed in stuff like this.

Izuna had come in many times to give snacks or ask if anyone needed anything during the gaming session. Thankfully, Himiko wasn't a bitch like many children and didn't get annoyed or yell at her parent because she was 'annoying'.

(A.N. Seriously though, I don't understand those types of people. Does anyone have an idea of how their brain's work?)

Finally, it was time for everyone to leave. Himiko was quite sad that time had passed so fast and it showed on her face.

"Don't worry Himiko. This isn't the last time." Diluc spoke as he pet her on the head. She leaned into it and nodded.

"Uhh." She was about to speak but Diluc interrupted her.

"I'll refill the jar. Make sure to wash it regularly though." He spoke as he summoned a dagger. Himiko's expression lit up.

After refilling her jar of blood, Diluc, Momo and Izuku made their exit. On their way out, Diluc decided to talk to Izuna.

"You two go on ahead. I want to speak to Himiko's mother for a second." Diluc informed Momo and Izuku. Rather than asking why they simply nodded and went ahead.

Himiko was cleaning up everything upstairs so he had enough time to talk to Izuna. He found her in the living room, she was watching a reality show.

"Hello Izuna. May I talk to you for a second?" Diluc asked Izuna. She flinched for a second as she thought he had already left but nodded nonetheless.

Instead of speaking, he simply held her hand and pulled up her sleeve. He found many scars of varying sizes and types. Himiko's mother was shocked that he had exposed her so quickly and hastily pulled her sleeves back to cover up the scars.

"You don't have to worry about that Diluc." She tried to blow off the situation, but Diluc didn't buy it.

"I assume your husband did most of this? Well, some are self-inflicted." He assessed. Izuna's expression went to one of shock and sadness instantly.

"You shouldn't kill yourself; you have a daughter to take care of after all. However, if it becomes too much to handle and you off yourself, I'll take care of Himiko for you." Diluc spoke to Izuna. He didn't want Izuna to die because of the effects it would have on Himiko but yet again, he knew what it was like to want to die. In fact, during his years with Pontiff, he had tried to kill himself in various ways.

However, even if he'd die in the real world. He'd just wake up in Dark Souls again and be completely healed by the time morning came.

Izuna simply nodded. No more words were exchanged and Diluc left her to her own devices.

Diluc got home to find that Yuria and Kath had sat down Momo. They were telling her about the birds and the bees, Momo also asked a question once in a while.

Not wanting to get into that subject matter without being old enough to partake in it, Diluc simply went upstairs to his room and napped.

Yuria alone woke him up.

"Your spouse is ready for you tonight. Once you kill the soul of cinder, you may take the flame for yourself. You will also be able to bring your spouse back to life at that time." She explained.

"Ah, I see. Finally, time, is it? I better take care of the rest of the bosses quickly then." Diluc responded.

"Also, dinner is ready." Yuria spoke. He instantly shot out of bed and floated downstairs. Yuria giggled at his excitement.