Chapter 53: Worth fighting for

Life caught up with me, I've been very busy, and got sick last update was 7 months ago. well i suppose if you're still here i might as well write something. not sure although I'll try for once a week with an extra long chapter now.

----

I woke up in an unfamiliar bed.

Why am I here again? Oh yeah, last night I was with Izanami. but why the hell am i inside a Hospital room now?

"Ugh! my head..."

"Doctor! he's awake"

a sweet voice calls out to the doctor, I tilted my head to the side. and there she is Izanami. wearing a white overcoat that researchers usually use.

"Stay still. you've just woken up."

"How many days have I been here?"

Ugh judging from my body's soreness. I bet it's at least 3 days.

"Days? you're here for a month, give or take."

"Haaaah....!?"

"Yeah, a whole month. Thanks to you being reckless.

You see, you're not supposed to use a persona in the real world, there are laws, and these laws do not like to be tested.

Especially by someone who barely awakens his divinity!"

"Is that so? But I usually make Romulus do a lot here and there, but there haven't been any problems thus far."

"Roma! Glad to see you back in the world of living partners!" great, a wild Romulus appears

"Romulus! What are you doing here? Are you done with your assignment?"

"But you said ---"

"Out! Now!"

"Roma...." and away Romulus goes.

"Anyway where was I? Oh yeah, the difference between [Sazabi] and [Romulus] is :

one think that he is a [Stand] which the world just accepts and moves on, and the other is a persona, guess which one is which."

Huh? so Imperial Privilege can even turn a persona into a stand. that's.... I don't understand anymore. I'm just gonna accept it and move on.

(WN: Imperial Privilege , and it's evolution skills is a skill that if you can by any logic believe that you can do something, then you can do it. ex: I watch a lot of driving movies, and have been driving for 6 years, therefore I can drift. [Romulus - Quirinus] has it's evolution which works on [Authorities] rather than skills. CMIIW)

"Wait, does that mean?"

"Yeah, I saved you by R***ing you."

a smirk can be seen in her elegant face.

"That's the fastest way to transfer mana. Just so you know, don't try to do it if we're far away from each other. I wouldn't be able to show you who's better otherwise."

The smirk then turns into a smug.

Ugh, remembering last night, I mean last month... yeah she was wild, wild is an understatement, she's insatiable. My little pride hurt.

--

"This month, what have I been missing out on?"

"Hmmm... There's a lot that happened, first off ---"

*knock knock*

"--- Hmmm? come in."

"Akira-kun! We're HERE! We heard you're finally awake!"

an energetic chie barges in the room along with all the investigation squad.

"Yeah!"

"It's good that you're awake!"

Yu Said with his usual awkwardness gone. I guess a new day, a new Yu huh?

"Nanako and Haruka are coming as soon as they finish class."

But there's something different about Yu that I couldn't put my finger on.

"You said it senpai! You better treat us Food because you had us all worried."

a certain ex-idol just wants her food huh.

"What kind of logic is that?"

"I'm sure Maou-sama has a lot of money in his pocket. Isn't that right? Ah Izanami-san should also join us!"

said a certain inn owner. clasping her hand. saying it like it was a fact. Hey don't use other people's money as if it's your own.

"I want Sushi."

Said a blonde kid whose eyes were shining as bright as his hair.

"Ah this is Teddy!"

said Saki. I don't have any opinion on Saki, I really don't even remember interacting with her.

(WN: if you forgot the dice gods decided she lives.)

"Teddy?"

I acted my heart out, by tilting my head.

I saw Izanami do the same: A Synchronized head tilt.

"Ah! You remember the giant teddy bear that you beat to death? yeah that's him, well that's his shadow but you understand..."

A flustered Yukiko tried explaining to me as fast as possible, did she bite her tongue? well that's just cute.

"Yeah! But I have to say though, although your Persona is so cool, it does have its drawbacks huh, senpai?"

Kanji said with a concerned tone. Where do they hear that from?

[I told them that.]

a telepathy from Izanami.

"We'll be sure to find your kidnapper though, I can't believe someone as strong as senpai is thrown inside the TV!"

"Huh? Can someone tell me what happend?"

I'm confused, genuinely, completely, positively confused.

"Oh you don't remember huh? must have been a hell of a fight."

Naoto said, not sure if I managed to convince them though.

"Tell me what has happened since I passed out."

"What is the last thing you remember? we'll go from there"

"Well, I remember fighting... something... a man I'm sure ... I summoned [Sazabi] ... and then blank... "

Somebody better give me an oscar for this.

"Ugh, Another dead end huh. Do you remember anything else Senpai?"

"Hmmmm... He's Japanese I'm sure, As tall as Yu, same build too. But I can't make out his face or voice. "

"So we're back to square one huh. all we know is that he's a man with a build like Yu huh..."

"Ah How about his Persona? He must have one if he's doing all this right? is it strong?"

"As strong as [Sazabi] if not more...."

Damnit how sharp are YU!? (WN: Get it? I'll stop now)

"It's a humanoid ----"

"MAOU-SAMA ~ ! HIDEYOSHI IS HERE WITH GIFTS AND GOOD NEWS!"

a wild Hideyoshi appeared and saved my life.

"Ah Hideyoshi, before that, can you find a Sushi restaurant and book it for me."

"Huh? Oh! That's easy!"

Hideyoshi opened Hideyoshi's phone and called a few people.

"And Done! Anyway, am I interrupting something?"

"No, not at all, we're just about to leave."

Yu then took his rowdy bunch and walked out of the room.

"You have interesting friends Maou-sama"

"So do you."

"So, as I was saying, Your Novel was an unprecedented success !"

Hmmmm did I send it to him? Was it even finished? Or did Izanami Send it.

"We're working on an Anime now, and your chatting application has just released last week and is revolutionizing the way we contact each other!"

oh that's expected.

"Do we have a Game studio ready?"

"Game huh? Well I do know some people at S*ny."

"Do you know any Indie game studios by any chance? If so, I would be happy if you could purchase some of them, and make a game for me... "

"A game? hahaha are you planning on taking all of the entertainment industry for ourselves?"

"While you're at it, purchase some more idol agencies and record labels too... "

"I KNEW IT ! MAOU-SAMA ! Are you going to manipulate the media to boost our reputation to the public?"

Well I wouldn't put it that far. I just wanted Haruka to be happy. and I knew in the future she will pursue her dream of becoming an idol. I remember the people who try to stop her just because she had connections to the Yakuza.

I will ensure that dreams come true BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY.

[Control your bloodlust!]

Ah!

"Phew~! you scared me there Maou! For a second I thought my head would roll."

"Anyway I remember I had a contact in a tv station, Sugimura-san. Find him and tell him to cooperate. Uncle Majima can be very persuasive in these situations."

"Oh speaking of Majima-san. He's been touring Japan and I'm not gonna lie, His shows are going a little bit too well. It manage to be the most watched TV show that aired this year"

"How about Uncle Kaz, How's he been doing?"

"He 'officially' retired and is tying up loose ends, I heard that he plans on running an orphanage, I haven't heard where though. But I'm sure that we don't have to worry about him. He's the Dragon of Dojima after all."

"Oh if Uncle Kaz wants to retire then let him. I'm sure that we can do everything ourselves. In our generation I promise you that we shall not walk in the streets as social rejects anymore."

"That's the reason why we follow you, even through these trying times."

"If there's nothing else you want to talk about, I'm going to prepare for my discharge."

"Ah! Be sure to join in tonight's dinner."

Izanami chimed in. Ah now that I think about it I never mention who I am inviting huh.

"You don't need to worry Izanami-sama, the venue is prepared, anyone you especially want to invite?"

"Be sure to invite everyone close to Akira-kun, and be sure to invite a few new faces of our generation and Dojima-san's generation too, so that he doesn't feel left out. and ..."

I just realize I may have a plan for the future but without Izanami's Tactness and Human relation skills, I doubt I'll be where I am today.

".... and send us a pickup, we'll be ready by 6."

"Of course Izanami-sama. then... by your leave."

I nodded my head.

"Waga Maou!"

Hideyoshi saluted me with a hand in the chest and kneeling before leaving.

After he left I finally faced Izanami.

"So.... What did you do?"

"Nothing much it started from..."

It appears that when I 'passed-out', Izanami sent me to the TV world back here in Inaba. and then told Yu that she hadn't see me.

Yu then takes his team plus sakamoto to the TV world to find me and get me back here, shadows are placed here and there matching the aesthetics of an eastern buddhist temple.

"Romulus says that it's fitting."

[Roma!]

Are you a pokemon, a stand or a persona?

"So how's Tokyo and Osaka?"

[Stable for now, the [Hunter of Dreams] are doing their job preventing things, but sadly they do not possess divinity to fight against [it].]

"Ah they're doing great. Tokyo's not my problem but if it falls before Akira-kun's plan is ready, all his preparations are for naught."

Hunter of Dreams? What's that?

"Ah! you must have noticed last time we're in Tokyo and Osaka right?"

Hmmmm... must have been that split second that the sky turns red like the metaverse huh?

"Yes that phenomenon, that usually happens when a group of people have a strong desire for something similar thus bringing it to life... or sort of."

"What do you mean?"

"Did you know about Kuchisake-Onna?"

Oh you mean the ghost with a slit mouth?

"She's not in any mythology but because people believed that she existed, a cognitive version of her can be found roaming around and people with 6th senses can usually see and even get harmed by her."

"So if by that logic, there's a group of people who believe that there's a powerful weapon strong enough to cut the skies, then the sword will just pop out?"

"Yes and no, did you know the legend about king Arthur? Most people believe that the sword in stone is the same as excalibur, hence the sword in stone / caliburn is granted extraordinary power on par with excalibur."

Ah so that where the [Phantom Thieves] get their power in the end huh.

*knock knock*

"Who is it now?"

I'm getting annoyed by all the visits.

"Doctor Takemi here. Is it not a good time?"

"No, It's fine, we just had a lot of visits. He didn't mean to be rude, Doctor."

"..."

Takemi... why is she here?

"I'll be taking a blood sample and your heart rate. Please bear with me for a moment."

---

I was finally able to leave, suddenly I had the urge to smoke. So I reached out to my pocket to find a pack, huh, strange why do I have it on me... , but I didn't mind.

It's quite a confusing day. I was waiting by the lobby, as Izanami says she will 'erase' a few memories of us being here.

"HEY! Akira was it? WHY ARE YOU SMOKING HERE!? "

"Ah sorry, I didn't know you can't smoke here."

I simply extinguish the flames with my hand, and throw the cigarette to the trash.

"That is not the issue young man, listen here!"

after a long conversation with Doctor Takemi about smoking.

"Do you understand?"

"Yes Mam."

"Good, wouldn't want to see you back here, your fiance is really worried about you, if I were you I'd quit smoking and spend all that money on her instead..."

she walks away as abruptly as she came.

"Yo! Aniki Here!"

"It appears that you have recovered Akira-sama, or should I call you Maou-sama?"

There's Sakamoto picking me up. along with Emma and Tsukoyomi.

"Akira is fine, it's glad to see you in good health Emma-san, Tsukoyomi-chan, you too Sakamoto. I hope he hadn't give you a lot of trouble emma-san"

"You flatter him too much. He's like a child with a sledgehammer, trouble follows wherever he goes.."

"Hey! at least I didn't end up in the hospital because of overworking!"

Oh yeah the official reason for me to be sent to hospital is overwork.

"Tch, but seriously Aniki, you can beat a whole legion of people but paperwork almost kills you, i don't know at this moment should I laugh or cry..."

"Oh, You'll feel it one day Sakamoto, one day..."

"Ah Anee-sama!"

It seems like Izanami has finished erasing whatever it is she's erasing.

"Shall we go?"

"Of course Anee-sama"

--

I was sitting in the back of the sedan with Sakamoto, While Emma-san was driving and Izanami was sitting beside her, Tsukoyomi sitting on Izanami's Lap.

If you match Izanami's and Tsukoyomi's Hairstyle, I would believe that Tsukoyomi is just a tiny version of Izanami.

"So, Aniki, I know that Anee-sama said that you're overworked but something must have happened right?"

"Yes, I just ran out of mana."

"During a fight?"

"During a fight."

"Is it that dangerous? I came close but never really emptied my mana. What does it feel like? Is it fatal?"

"very fatal. it's like dreaming of endless darkness."

"Sh*t! That's scary."

"It is..."

"So how's Tokyo?"

Sakamoto's eyes suddenly turn sharp.

"Bad, Aniki. I mean my studies are fine and all, but my cognition is messed up. I tried to enter the TV, but guess what was in it"

"an empty world?"

"Yes and no, you see I can't enter the TV... But suddenly when I was passing by the subway, Tsukoyomi and I were yanked into the other world, but, just the subway. when we get out it returns back to our world. strange right Aniki?"

"Yeah it is so.... Have you told Yu yet?"

"No not yet... the other world of Tokyo is empty, no shadows nor anything, just a plain abandoned subway."

"Does that mean that you can't take the subway?"

"I cannot take the subway, but fortunately, other train station and busses are still available"

"Ah! We've arrived!"

Tsukuyomi Exclaims. It seems that since Inaba is so remote and the restaurant is not on par with 'Maou-Sama'''s standard Hideyoshi books a restaurant in the neighbouring city.

-----

As I entered the restaurant

"WELCOME BACK!"

Everyone shouted at the same time.

"Well it's not a surprise since Akira-san is the one who booked the place but we still wanted to do something!"

chie said energetically standing along with the other member of the investigation team

"*munch munch*That's right! Ah, this is such a delicious sensei!"

A certain teddy bear has been munching non-stop since the beginning, I can see plates piling up.

"HEY! Don't take my plates Teddy! I was saving that! Come here you little"

And there goes Kanji chasing Teddy around. things are going to be awkward real quick if I don't do something.

"Everyone, thank you for being here for me today. And thank you for doing your best. I wouldn't bore you with a long speech but I hope everyone can enjoy the local specialty."

*clap clap clap*

After that short and rather awkward speech everyone finally sat down and ate.

Before sitting with my group Izanami told me to go around and greet everyone. So I did.

I started by greeting Isshin's table, there's uncle Dojima, a few higher ups of TJC and OA's old timers.

"Good to see you back in good health Akira! You need to pay attention to your health too. Youngsters these days"

"Thank you for the reminder Isshin-san, Now I know why people hate paperworks."

"Hahaha! we have a great seedling as the new head huh? Our future will be bright!"

a TJC senior with a grandfatherly vibe

"Not as bright as my bald head after all the paperwork!"

"hahaha!"

"hahaha!"

"Akira, you could delegate the work to others you know? You don't have to do everything yourself"

"I'll keep that in mind father"

Jin Goda also gave me a couple of pointers after that.

"In the future if you need anything you can always rely on your commanders and liutenants, they are our and your future."

I grabbed a nearby glass from a waitress that's passing by.

"For our future!"

"Waga Maou!"

With a clank we toast and drink it all in one gulp before laughing.

---

"Ah Akira-kun, My little brother has become the Maou, won't even give face to his elder brother now huh?"

"Daigo-nii, you're too old to be acting like that you know"

I said stoically to a drunken man with red cheeks, I'm ashamed to call him my elder brother but it is what it is.

"So who are you here with?"

"Oh nobody, I was talking about business with the locals, before Kubo-san and Hideyoshi-san arrived. Now we're talking about sending me as a delegation to other Yakuza clans. Can you believe that? Maou-sama's onii-san is being treated as envoy, can't you send other people as envoys?"

"Sorry nii-san I can't do that, they would say we're not sincere otherwise."

"Tch, even you had abandoned me."

"What do you mean nii-san? This is a great opportunity for you to find a bride!"

".... Mother told you to do this didn't she?"

"I just got out of the hospital foolish brother of mine"

"But I refuse!"

"ara ara! what did you refuse just now Daigo?"

I felt a presence right behind me....

"Ummmm mother, Today you're very beautiful, but didn't you have an important meeting right now?"

"Fufufu with Akira's new Line app, we can have meetings anywhere and anytime. isn't that convenient Daigo?"

"hahahaha .... yes it is Okaa-sama"

"Daigo!"

"Yes?"

"You're not young anymore."

"I know."

"Ara ara, I should be more direct then, I want to be a grandmother and hold my grandkid."

"But Akira has Izanami can't you just ---"

"Ah! Did I hear Daigo say that he doesn't need financial support anymore?"

"...."

"Oh you're even moving out?"

"I'm sorry. I understand mother."

That's the legendary Dogeza.

"Good. I am preparing to be a marriage candidate and we'll be meeting tomorrow. please shave off that disgusting moustache and comb your hair, and what's with the jacket. if only you're half as good as Akira..."

Mom uses shaming in front of friends and family!

A critical hit!

It's super effective!

Daigo Fainted.

"It's nice to see you mother."

"You too Akira, I know you're a big kid now, and a lot of people are depending on you, and you're taking care of them really well.

But who's gonna take care of you when you're sick? only Izanami, hence don't make her worry. understand?"

"Yes mother."

"Good, continue your greetings, you're doing great."

"by your leave."

---

After greeting the rest of the participants I finally arrived in my seat.

"Whoa, Sensei, I didn't know that even a party like this turns out to be a political move."

ah it seems like they're talking about me.

"Yeah, one must be ready to face the responsibility that comes with their power."

"That's so deep Yu. can we not do that now?"

I wholeheartedly agree with chie

"Yeah man, It's not that I don't want to be philosophical and whatnot, but the sushi's too damn good. and it's literally a buffet."

"Tch, this is why you're not well liked by girls Yosuke, you ate like you haven't eaten anything for 3 days in a high end restaurant where you have manners! look at sensei! he's calm, he's even wearing a suit!"

Speaking of the girls, Saki is wearing a yellow dress with her usually curly hair, Yukiko is wearing red with her hair tied up traditionally, and chie wearing green with a matching hairpin.

"Hey! I didn't know we're eating in a high class restaurant! I would've dressed better if that's what you're trying to say Teddy!"

"I feel you senpai, I mean I also went out with this...."

Now that you mention it, Yosuke's wearing a striped t-shirt with jeans while Kanji's wearing his sleeveless shirt.

Yu's wearing a suit looking sharp, while the girls are all wearing dresses.

"Well it's Akira-senpai we're talking about so based on that alone, you already knew it was not going to be a normal sushi shop."

Sharp as always Naoto. Naoto wears a deep blue dress, with earrings. I never thought Naoto would look this good in a dress.

"What are you looking at Akira-senpai?"

"Hmmmm, I never thought you had this kind of figure Naoto, you shouldn't hide it."

I nod my head, before getting smacked by Izanami

"No Horny ~ !"

"Hihihihi! Imagine the Demon King getting beaten by his wife!"

"Ummm I don't find what's funny about Yukiko, I believe that in every world the demon queen is superior to the demon king! it's evident by that chop! It's.... perfect.... Yu, Yu mind me doing that to Yu?"

I sometimes wonder what goes to the mind of these girls, especially Chie.

"Only if you marry me."

"..."x7

"EEEEEEHHHHH?"

Wait, something's wrong!

"Yu did you drink from my glass?"

"Huh? That's your glass? What's in it? It taste good though"

ah no wonder...

"Yu, you had to drink responsibly."

"I know that's why I ask her if she want to marry me, not just her, Marrie, Chie, Rise, and Yukiko too"

[Romulus!]

[Roma!]

with my stand I chopped Yu, He instantly fell, good.

I'm not sure what to feel, all the girls here are conflicted. especially whose name is called out. but that reminds me. Marie huh? I haven't seen her.

"So, who's this Marie?"

"Ah! that blue haired girl!"

Rise said, noticing something. Rise is wearing a white dress, with hair tied in a twintail.

"Hmmm I haven't seen her before..."

"Yeah Yu said she was his friend from Tokyo."

"Ah I see."

"I hope I can meet this Future bride soon. HAHAHAH!"

My laugh is accompanied by the reddening of multiple cheeks.

"Wow! Sensei is one beary brave man. proposing to multiple girls at the same time... can you do that Yosuke?"

"O-O... Ofcourse I can!"

I offer a drink to Yosuke and Kanji

"Drink"

"But I'm underage... hahaha..."

"Drink. or I''ll expose your secret stash magazine below your bed."

"..."

{{This Devil...}}

"Huh? Magazine under the bed? What's so secret you had to keep it there?"

"Oh you're an uncultured teddy. In a few more years I'll tell you..."

"Oh you'll teach me the way of the secret Megazine?"

"Of Course teddy."

*Bonk*

Another bonk came

"You're sleeping alone tonight."

"But ...."

"A L O N E"

"Yes mam."

and so another day passes

---

Author's thoughts:

I took it from somewhere but:

The world right now is very chaotic. I'm sure that you can have a bad day once in a while, if so, remember that there's always the good in the bad and the bad in good. don't let today pass by without doing anything productive.

if you miss someone call them, if you need someone call someone, if you love someone hell tell them you love that person. well maybe the last one is a bad advice but there you go.

thanks for reading though.

stay hydrated, productive and i'll see you next week (I hope)