Cards on the Table

It was scary... and interesting.

I understood that this was a merger of personalities, in which my copy of consciousness fully understood its purpose and future disappearance by merging with me after David's death.

That's why the new personality was not restrained by anything and committed all these brutal murders.

As if in braindance, I could track the environment in real time and in this state I had no limitations of perception.

Before the raid by David's clones, I could clearly hear the conversations of the gang members: promises to treat their best friends, conversations on the phone with parents, relatives and family. They all hoped to survive the next day and earn some money.

Just one unexpected crunch of the neck from the back or a bullet in the head and that's it, nothing else mattered. To be honest, I was afraid to get these memories for now.

[ Body restored ]

[ Do you want to go back? ]

- What? Shouldn't this session be fully completed?

[ It was reported that during the possession host's body will be restored ]

"Well, I guess it's fair…" I looked at the ceiling while David attended classes at Arasaka Tower. "Will I be able to return?"

[ It's possible ]

[ Time will pass quickly in the current session due to indirect participation and access can be set up through sleep or meditation ]

"I see, I'm ready to return." At that moment my consciousness dissolved.

°°°° °°°°

"Oh, my head…" the sensations were similar, as if my consciousness was nailed to the body, like a sledgehammer on rails, and then the ends were soldered.

There's probably nothing strange about it, especially when it comes to eyes that interfere with dimensional matters. But if I can't complain in my own head, then where else?

"I see you're awake." A cold, familiar voice came from the side.

 "Mr. Nanami?" - I turned to him, each time surprised by the design of his glasses. - There are no recording devices here?

- We are in the VVIP area of ​​a private hospital, which you listed in your list of healthcare institutions. - After which his eyes lit up blue. - The presence of wiretaps and cameras is excluded.

- Thank you. - I sighed and buried my head in the pillow. - Apparently, I was in bed for a long time, since they had to transfer me to the hospital. – How long did I sleep?

- 10 days. - He looked at his watch. - All types of examinations and tests were confiscated. Mostly, the problems were with relatives.

In such a world of mysticism and miracles, I had no illusions about the absence of the ugly side of the world. Especially true after the experience of the Cyberpunk world - the brighter the light of the neon signs, the more vile things happen in their shadow.

So, I consider the excessive paranoia from various organizations that can obtain data about my body and subsequently become their target, completely justified.

- Yes, I feel like I'm in for a rough time soon. - I leaned against the bed and sat up. - Thanks for the work you've done. Discharge me, and I'll handle the rest myself.

- Okay, Emiya-kun. And try not to get into situations like that. You're making everyone around you worry.

- Ha-ha-ha, really? Say hello to Haibara-san.

- Get well soon. - He nodded before leaving.

After grabbing a bite to eat at a nearby restaurant, I planned to call Delamain, but before calling, I remembered that I was not in Night City.

In the end, I just ordered a taxi and 40 minutes later I was already home.

The taxi driver was perfect - silent, which earned him a tip. I spent the entire journey rethinking my experience, life and future goals.

I perceived this world as ordinary, with all the scary scenes behind the scenes - kidnapping and human trafficking, conspiracies and institutional negligence, like imprisoning influential people in mental hospitals. Something that is hidden from the eyes of an ordinary person.

Blackmail, threats, loan sharking and drug trafficking are one of the minor spectrum of troubles, and only because the public knows about them.

But after Cyberpunk, I became more serious about the world around me. This is the world of anime, where everything is possible. There is no need to even doubt the existence of various communities that rule the world. Unlike my previous world, in addition to power and money, they have a real strength to back it up.

Magic... I think I need to learn it. And I even have one acquaintance...

Upon returning home, all the residents of my house pounced on me, and then my relatives arrived.

Perhaps this would have been a joyful event if I hadn't had to hold back.

When Lala jumped to hug me, my face was already red, and my nostrils were incredibly itchy, as if I was constantly on the verge of sneezing.

Luckily, my penalty did not affect with Mom and Ruby, otherwise it would have been a disaster.

But after an exciting hug, Lala no longer tried to bother me.

If you think about it, then unlike the original story, where she always stuck to Rito, then with me she always maintained boundaries.

Looking at Mom and Lala, my sixth sense screamed about a secret. Perhaps they were talking. Perhaps even at their first meeting, when I went to sleep.

I wonder if my eyes will allow me to see the past?

But this thought was interrupted by my mother, who began to look at me piercingly, which gave me goosebumps.

- I'm glad you're okay, but do you want to explain who these people were that took you, turning the entire hospital upside down in the process? - She clasped her palms at her sides and continued to look down at me without blinking.

- Oh, I'm also interested! I thought you were taken by financial sharks (loan sharks)! - Ruby immediately joined in during the conversation with Lala.

- If it weren't for Mr. Nanami, who explained everything to us, I'm afraid our mother would have broken more than a dozen eggs. - Aqua helped by telling me how much they know, but he'll won't help me anymore, since he's also interested.

- Okay, I'll tell you. But first... you need to turn off your phones, because this is very important. - I pretended to be serious, putting my hands on the table.

Everyone obediently turned off their phones and soaked in the tension I had created.

"I'm actually... a mage!"

"Hm?" They tilted their heads to the side at the same time, looking at me with a reminiscent gaze.

"Look!" I vanished in a flash of smoke.

"Wow! What a trick!" Ruby slammed her palms on the table and reached forward to find me.

"Where is he? Under the table?" Aqua tried to be realistic, trying to find clues.

"I'm actually behind you." My voice made them jump in place. "These aren't tricks, are they?"

I used the seal-less technique again with my eyes acting as a mediator, which lifted my twins into the air.

– Aaaah! I'm flying! Mom, look at me!

– Hey! Let go, let me go!

Lala and Mom sat on either side, watching me from the side with their mouths open and were surprised.

- How is that?..

- Wow! - Lala, unlike Mom, was radiating only genuine joy and interest.

- In this world, magic is real. - I put them back on the floor. - The same is true about various underground organizations that hunt for new talents and experimental samples. That's why I'm so sensitive about my own medical tests, so that they don't become interested in me.

After talking a little more, everyone accepted my words, then they started asking questions about magic.

- And me! Can I do magic?! Maybe I can become a magical girl or a witch?!

- Calm down, I don't think that's possible. It happened to me when my eyes activated. - I tried to come up with an excuse to make her leave me alone.

- What?! So Mom can do magic too?!

- What are you talking about? - I didn't understand what she meant.

- She has the same stars in her eyes! Does that mean she can do magic too?! Mom, why did you hide that!

- M-me? I can't... I guess... - Mom was confused, uncertainly looking at her fingers and palms.

- Wait a minute... do you see stars in our eyes? – I was suddenly dumbfounded

- Of course. - Ruby said. - Does that mean Aqua and I can't... *sob-sob* it's not fair!

It seems I'm starting to delve deeper into family problems. Maybe they have potential too?