From the shadows of the mortal world... your gaze has awakened something.
Do you dare to keep reading the scriptures of this forbidden novel?
Then listen well, curious soul.
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With a simple offering of $1, you will help me summon sacred illustrations:
authentic portraits of the beings that inhabit this story.
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Sayaka, trying not to be too shy, frowned, keeping her cheeks flushed.
—What are you watching? Say something.
—Well… you took me by surprise, I already knew you were pretty, but look at you now, you look gorgeous, Sayaka—.
—!... th-thank you—.
Blushing to the core at hearing such sincere praise from someone of the opposite sex that wasn't riddled with lust, making her feel more like a sex object than a person.
—By the way, where are the others?—.
—Rinrin-chan is helping Yami Onee-chan put on her makeup, Yuuna accompanied Shio to the bathroom, and Asahi-kun is lighting the firewood.
—Tell him I'll help him right away.
—Javier, how mean, you didn't even help me—.
—They wanted to thank you, because I would have to help you where there is no one to help.
Javier said, turning around and seeing Ryuto as if nothing had happened, Yuuko next to him and Lola behind her.
—We've met before, but let me introduce you to my girlfriend, Asai Yuuko.
—I'm Asai Yuuko, Ryuto's girlfriend, thanks for inviting us—.
—Okino Sayaka, it's a pleasure to have you here. Javier had already told us about his special guest.
—Mmm, ehehe, calling us special guests… Can I call you Yaka-chan?—
—I don't mind if you don't mind me calling you Yuu-chan—.
—Not at all, Ryuto had told me that they were two cousins.
—Rinrin-chan, I mean Rinka is helping… Javier's girlfriend with her makeup, but she should be here soon. How about I show you to your table so we can chat before the food is ready?—
-Clear-.
Both girls chatted pleasantly, and behind them Lola, Javier and Ryuto watched them settle in at the tables she had prepared.
—It seems that both of them will be good friends—.
Ryuto commented.
—As long as they both stay out of each other's business, their friendship will endure.
Ryuto understood what Javier meant, as Sayaka and Yuuko had been given high-class behavior, though one only did it to make the corruption more enjoyable.
—By the way, the girlfriend I mentioned is…—.
-She is-.
-Bastard-.
—What are you complaining about? Your fiancée is beautiful too. You're either going to go or you're going to help me grill.
—I'm your guest, remember?
—Tch—.
—Ahhh, well, I have nothing better to do, they'll be chatting for a while, you have to drink—.
Beneath the open-air polycarbonate roof was a lagoon-style counter with a sink. On the counter were trays filled with meat, sausages, corn, vegetables, a pot full of rice, and the sweets Mizuho Star had brought.
—How's the firewood for the Asahi barbecue going?—
—!. It's on… Yo, Ryuto—.
—Hi Asahi, I see you're driving well.
—Everything was done, I just had to light the wood. Do you want something to drink?—
Taking some bottles of water or soda out of a cooler, Ryuto takes the bottle and looks at Javier, who is holding a tray full of meat: beef, pork, and chicken.
—Asahi, you can go ask what they want to drink, I'm going to be a little busy cooking the meat—.
-Okay-.
—...—.
—Ryuto, we'll talk about whatever you want when we sit down and are calmer, so Yuuko won't have any doubts.
—Okay, I'll take this for Yu—.
—Take whatever you want—.
Javier said without looking away, as he was staring at the meat sizzling in the fire and an appetizing smell beginning to spread.
—Sorry for the delay, how can I help?—.
—Daddy, it smells good, Shio is hungry—.
—Wait a few more minutes, the first batch is about to come out. Yuuna, help me with the dishes.
-Yeah-.
Moving quickly, ribs, chops, pure beef, with accompaniments of salads, potatoes, patacones, different types of sauces, and of course, rice.
After a while, while Yuuna pushed a three-tiered serving cart where she carried everything, Javier took another cart, where he placed two folding ovens with the firewood inside and the trays on top to keep it warm and juicy.
—Until the host arrived—.
—Sorry for the delay… Why aren't you eating?—.
—But what are you talking about? How can we eat without the organizer of this meal being there?
Smiling, Javier sets down the two ovens at either end with trays filled with meat. Kaku, who had been sent back to his seat by Chisato so he wouldn't get upset, looks at the drinks, and not a single one is alcoholic.
"What happened, Mr. Kaku? He's already drunk from the smell of the meat."
—Hmph, sir, sir, just tell me kaku, don't put any honorifics, but that doesn't mean I'll give you my girl—.
—Father, you're starting over again.
—Darling, behave yourself or—.
—¡!, ahahaha… Host waiting to say a few words—.
—Hey me?—.
—Who else but you, Javier?
Hinting that Javier should hurry, since the hunger on Arisa's face was evident from the pleasant aroma.
—Okay, then let's raise a glass.
—Sorry for the delay!... Javier Onii-chan, you were going to start without us—.
—Of course, it's good that they want to get dressed up, but I can't let my guests starve either.
He said, looking at the faces of several people at the table, who blushed because they were so obvious.
-Where…?-.
Hearing the distinctive sound of heels, Javier, who could swear that the sounds had a certain rhythm, stopped asking questions, turned around, and everyone at the table did the same.
-Wow-.
-Beautiful-.
—How pretty—.
—That's Kohai's girlfriend—.
—Hey, he has a girlfriend!—.
—You didn't hear the conversation between Ryuto-kun and the kohai—.
—As always, you have good ears, Mari.
Reacting to Yami's dazzling presence, Javier was also impressed by his wife's natural beauty.
She was 1.80 cm tall, and in heels she reached 1.84 cm. With each step she took, the vibrating sound of her heels against the tile tickled the ears. Her long, wavy hair moved, her reddish lips captivated with a slight smile, and her heterochromatic eyes were enhanced by those long eyelashes.
She wore a calf-length apricot-colored dress, with a slit that revealed her legs as she walked, reaching all the way to her thighs. Tightly cinched in, and climbing the ungraspable cliff, she was sealed by the fabric that crossed one shoulder, revealing only her collarbone, which was like jelly to others.
—...—.
Having no words to express what he felt when he saw her arrive, Javier lowered his glass and walked over to Yami.
—How do I look?—.
—H-beautiful—.
Yami, feeling the feelings that Javier could not express in more words, placed her hands on his broad shoulders, leaned down, and whispered in his ear.
—Thanks, you look good too, my love, but you would have looked better with a tie.
—!... I didn't want to seem too formal.
-Oh really?-.
Nodding, Javier, after the extreme sound that made him feel the breath in his ear, was lost for a moment in the aroma of chocolate that he got from Yami to the point that his palate felt cloying.
—Come, let me introduce you to everyone…—.
-Come on-.
Holding hands, they walked shoulder to shoulder, arriving at the tables where they were so enthralled by the beauty that was Yami that Javier was forgotten.
—Let me introduce you to my girlfriend, Yami Zhoray—.
—Nice to meet you all, I'm Javier's girlfriend. Sorry for the delay, it took me a little while to finish getting ready.
Soft as the lullaby of a lullaby, on the verge of lulling the mind of more than one person, she stood firm, back straight and chin high.
—What a beautiful girlfriend you have, Javier, where did you have her hidden?—.
—Ahahaha, Yami and I have been together since we were babies—.
—Hmm, so you're childhood friends. That means you know each other very well.
—No, Javier and I always tried to give each other space and time. Although it took him a year to get back to what he was used to, I was the one who told him to go back to school when we stayed in Japan.
Yami replied to Oyuki Aoyama, who had momentarily put aside the aroma of the juicy meat on her plate.
—You two have such great chemistry. Most relationships end with each other not giving each other space. I remember that before I met my late wife, I had a girlfriend in high school, but we didn't last even three months, hahaha.
Yasu Fujiwara said with a laugh.
—Because you have to mention that now, silly Yasu—.
—There's no need to hide it either, besides, most of us know each other through our children.
—Yasu-kun is right, Yuki-tan, so don't scold him.
—We've already told you that we don't have that relationship!—
—Yes, yes—.
Oishi Fuyuki, laughing and having fun, answered while the others looked at the couple; they didn't say anything, but that said it all. Yasu, who decided to let the ball pass, knowing no one believed them, drank a glass of cola while waiting for someone to speak.
—How many years have you been together?—.
Chisato asked.
—Two years of relationship… After pestering me with nice words and presents, I said yes.
—!, I heard Yami—.
—Oh, hehehe, you don't have to be embarrassed, Javier-kun, why don't you count a little more?
—Let's leave it for later, otherwise my boyfriend won't be able to enjoy the food.
Everyone laughed at the comment, Yami glanced at Javier who had sat next to her.
—Cough… now that we're all here…—.
Standing up, he looks at everyone and begins to speak.
—I want to welcome you all for gathering tonight and to enjoy this meal I prepared, although the purpose was going to be different from the beginning… Today we gather to celebrate that the effort we put in is not in vain, that even if we don't win a prize, the frontiers of knowledge are not the same today as they will be tomorrow, that there will be someone who recognizes the hard work… Now a few words from the former president of the Programming Club—.
—Huh?!, I have to talk—.
—Come on, Rei-sempai, it's your time to shine.
—What are you talking about, Javier?…—.
"Rei, hurry up, we're all waiting."
—Exactly, Rei-chi, stand up and say something—.
—I-I don't know what to say, so suddenly—.
—Just say whatever comes out.
—...—.
Looking reproachfully at Javier for not having warned her, Rei stood up under the insistent words of Arisa and Mizuho.
—... Javier, I want to thank you for preparing this meal for everyone. To my parents and my friends' parents, thank you for everything, for being there, giving us those words of encouragement when we thought we couldn't go on. T-This small but great achievement is also thanks to you.
Bowing to her parents and the parents of others, Rei held back tears of emotion as she remembered everything she had been through and the emotional support they had provided.
Applause!
—Rei-sempai, it's okay if you cry a little.
Ahahahaha!!
—We're back to the same thing, Javier.
—Ehehehe, don't get mad, smile a little, you'll look prettier that way—.
—How can you say that to another girl in front of your girlfriend?
She said, mumbling as she sat down, unheard over the laughter of the others.
Whew! Whew! Whew!
While everyone was enjoying the juicy meat and talking about their daily lives, Polaris's barking caught everyone's attention and she dragged the Empress along in the puppy's snout.
—What is Polaris doing up here bringing the Empress?—.
Yami said, wiping himself with a napkin and taking Polaris and the Empress in his arms.
—How precious, how many months old are they?—
—A month and a half ago, we found them a few days ago in the park, their owner was going to the vet to give them away, since she couldn't have so many and gladly we were passing by, I heard Polaris barking—.
—Mmm, so you were on a date.
—A date isn't exact, that afternoon we went to Kyoto with Ryuto-kun, because Javier was selling some properties in England that he inherited from his father, and we found out that his family had acquaintances who would offer a good price—.
—Oh, does your family have real estate business?—
Asked Kagome Imagawa, Arisa Imagawa's father.
—Not in the real estate sector, but in the jewelry industry, I don't know if you've heard of the Ronbaid brand.
—Ronbaid, you mean the watch and jewelry brand Rombaid—.
—That one, maybe has one of our watches—.
—No, with the salary I earn, I would never have one of those beauties on my wrist; if I did, I would never take it out of the packaging it came in.
—... 5.9 million yen for a watch!—.
Mizuho was surprised while searching on her cell phone, almost dropping it. Everyone, including the parents, except Shio, who neither knew nor had any interest in anything adult. The same was happening with Javier, who huddled together and kissed the Empress while Yami held Polaris on her lap, eating a piece of liver with green sauce.
—Wait, Miyake-san, you don't study at our school. With your level, you should have been one of those rich kids.—
—I have no interest in going to one, although I would have liked to go to the same school as Yuuko, but the one she attends only accepts girls.
He replied with a lonely smile as he looked at Yuuko, who was wiping her mouth with a napkin in a sophisticated manner.
—It couldn't be any other way, my family's tradition has always been to go to all-girls schools and boys to all-boys schools.
—Uh, so your family is also important?
Asked Rei who was closer to Yuuko, just separating the Lolas.
"For decades my family has been involved in the country's politics, in addition to some business in the pharmaceutical sector—.
—Wow, so you can say you're quite the high-class lady.
Oishi Fuyuki said to see Lola, who remained reserved.
—So the one next to you?—.
—She's my nanny, she's been with me since I can remember, you could say she's like my second mother—.
—I'm happy as long as Yuuko-sama is okay—.
He replied without letting them ask about his atmosphere which changed for a few moments upon hearing Yuuko's thoughts.
The topic stalling, Urara Imagawa noticed Yuuno who had kept out of the matter and had had short moments of conversation with her, since they sat next to each other.
—And Yuuno-san, how old are your children?—.
—My daughter is seven years old and the oldest is 14… Do you also have two children?—.
—Yes, the oldest turns 17 this year, and the youngest turned 12 last month. But don't call me names, it makes me sound old.
—Then, Urara-san—.
—Much better, Yuuno-san, it must be difficult to support two children after what happened with your husband.
-Hey?!-.
Yuuno who didn't know what Urara was talking about when she mentioned that man, Asahi knowing where he was, didn't stand up, but it didn't stop him from showing anger on his face.
—Sorry, Yuuna, I told them about the unfortunate fire and because of that, Asahi and Shio dropped out of school and you ended up working for me.
Javier intervened, explaining a fictitious past in front of everyone. Yuuna nodded like a chicken, and Urara's husband, Kagome Imagawa, asked.
—Will you not admit the children again?—
—!—.
Yuuna panicked at the pressure that reminded her of her father, who was serious about everything and authoritarian in family matters, and Javier intervened once again.
—Yuuna doesn't know much about Azumi City since she's from Tokyo, but I don't know much either since I recently moved to Japan, so I asked Ryuto for help from a good school.
—I haven't forgotten about that. I've found some private primary and secondary schools. I was thinking of telling you about it another time. I have several pamphlets in the car, and you guys will decide.
—Why not a public one?—.
Kagome insisted, frowning, without taking her eyes off Yuuna, who didn't look up and her hands tightly gripped the fabric of the dress, when Shio's small hand touched her and made her lift it up to look at her and see her smile sweetly.
—... A-although I would also prefer a public one because of the expenses, Mr. Javier insisted that they enter a private one for a better education—.
—Are you going to pay for it, why do I call you dad?—.
—Ehehe, not exactly, but it's also a yes. As you can see, the house isn't small. Before hiring Yuuna, I was in charge of all the housework, and I know how difficult it is to manage. In addition to providing food and a bed, the payment is enough for Shio and Asahi to go to a paid school, and I still have enough to put away in a deposit account.
—Yami-san, didn't you help?!—.
Surprised Chizato looked at the three girls: Yami, Rinka and Sayaka.
—I'm not very good at cooking. I wanted to try it once, but Javier banned me, so I helped more with the cleaning.
—I know how to do some basic work, but not everything, so I'll leave it to Javier Onii-chan while I take care of the laundry and trash collection.
—I don't know how to cook either, but I clean, iron clothes, and take out the trash, as we agreed when dividing up the chores.
Standing with her arms crossed, Oyuki congratulated Javier.
—It's not for nothing that you're the man of the house, since you know how to support and carry your family. Unlike some boys your age, who spend their days on their hobbies and don't help at all.
Clearly, it was directed at Kunihiko, and for some reason, Jumpei stiffened, unable to stop himself from drinking the soda in the can.
—Don't be too hard on the boys, Oki, at that age I didn't know how to take care of myself either.
—Ahhh, that's the problem, what will happen when they go to university, they will live alone and will have to support themselves without help from others—.
—Yes, yes, Yuki-san, as a mother, we also understand that concern, but the boys know how to take care of themselves, they won't let themselves die.
—Hmph, you guys are very naive, aren't you, Urara-san—.
—... I have to support Yuki on this. Times change, and so do old habits. It's better for them to know the reality of society now before they're beaten down and unable to react.
Finishing the barbecue without any plates flying through the air, Javier handed out sweets that he had bought with Shio at the candy store the day they left and at the same time handed out the dessert that Chisato had brought, which were cinnamon and walnut muffins.
—Rei-sempai, did you bring the copy of the contract you signed?
—Here I have it. What do you want it for?—
-Curiosity-.
—You shouldn't worry, before signing, carefully review each clause and there's nothing that could harm the children.
Kaku said relaxedly.
—Kunihiko, you have the copy they gave you—.
—It's in the house, I left it on the table so you could see it when you came back.
—You have nothing to worry about, I've already read the contract and there's nothing in it that would harm our children.
—Was it Kagome-san too?—.
—I asked for permission from my job to get to the Stark house as quickly as possible.
Noticing that he was a father who was weak when it came to Arisa, Kagome stuffs herself with a chocolate-covered sweet with peanuts inside.
"If that's the case, I shouldn't worry about anything, if you two checked the contract. Where were you?"
—Mm, I was completely swamped with work, so I couldn't make it in time. I'm a graphic designer, and because a colleague got sick, things got complicated today.
Understanding, Javier said nothing and simply passed the document to Ryuto, who took it and, after a glance, left it on the table.
—You noticed it—.
-Yeah-.
—Any problems with the contract?—
Kaku asked, seeing Ryuto and Javier's serious expressions, and Yuuko took them in her hands as well. She checked them and put them back on the table.
-Interesting-.
—Yes, of course, Yuuko-san.
—You can leave the mystery and tell what you saw—.
Kagome who was infected with worry, Javier answered her with a smile.
—There's nothing to worry about, it just took me by surprise that a corporation like this one with such good benefits would be the envy of anyone.
—You're absolutely right, Javier, especially Article 8, paragraph 9, which states that if the company goes bankrupt or if an accident results in the death or incapacity of the individual, rendering them unable to continue working, not a single cent will be collected.
—It's very well done. You can see that whoever was behind the contract wanted to bring in the harvest that others scorned, saying that they appreciate working for them even after the 10 years he imposed.
—Ten years are too short, Yuuka. These guys are impressive. They're not afraid of losing out, but they do their best to recruit new blood and keep improving. As expected of a man who stands out from his generation to become a successful businessman.
—Do you know this corporation, Akikaze, Ryuto?—.
—No, but you hear a bit of everything when they're in business.
—I have heard from my uncles that the new CEO of the Akikaze Corporation is Haru Kaga's son. Yasuki Kaga, unlike many second-generation rich kids, has his head on straight and will follow in his father's footsteps regarding personnel and human resources, but his ambition is to expand outside of Japan and compete with other world-class brands.
Feeling that they shouldn't interfere when the three were talking, Rei suddenly notices something upon hearing the name Yuuka mentioned.
—Mommy, Yasuki Kaga isn't the same one who came to our house—.
—Now that you mention it, they have the same name.
—Ahaha, it's impossible for a man like him to do your company's HR work, it must be a coincidence.
Sarcastically, I clear up Rei and Chisato's doubts, while Kaku, for his part, tried not to think about them.
"By the way, Kunihiko-sempai."
-Yes tell me-.
—What do you plan to do for the next science and technology open house?—
—I hadn't thought about it, since this one just ended—.
—I thought so, how about improving the Drone—.
-Improve?-.
—Yes, the first thing to do is make the frame of the drone.
—Marco?!, what's a frame for?—
—Why? To improve the drone, this time we mustn't settle for a few minor improvements, but create one from the ground up.
Exuding a kind of fun that made their eyes light up, Rei, Ariasa, Jumpei, Mizuho and Kunihiko were filled with excitement that wouldn't stop until they imagined creating one, each contributing all their ingenuity.
—Hmph, I don't know what you think, but remember you're just the Kohai here—.
—Ehhhh, but yes, Rei-sempai has already resigned as the president of the Programming Club—.
—Ehehe, it seems the kohai doesn't know the programming club tradition that passed down through the previous presidents.
—Do we have traditions?—.
—You know, the programming club was closed when we two arrived at the institute, it only officially opened when Kunihiko, Jumpei and your Mari arrived.
Mizuho nodded at Arisa's whispers, both of them turned their gaze to Rei who had her hands on her waist.
—Seriously, what traditions are you talking about?—.
—Simple, the club president, even if he has resigned from his position, will be the one who has the final say on every important decision, not Kunihiko.
—Uh, ah, mmm that's true, it's part of the club's tradition—.
There was no choice but to lie blatantly in front of everyone. Javier raised his hands with a wry smile as they saw through his lies, ensuring that Rei and Arisa wouldn't be left out of the project.
—It's good that you understand, you can continue.—
"As I was saying, a drone built by others isn't the same as one made by our own hands; I'll be in charge of the circuitry and board creation. Kunihiko, I want you to update your repertoire of skills to strengthen the security system, check the system, and check for possible interference, since we'll be strengthening augmented reality and we don't want any interference."
—It sounds like a challenge for my current skills, but it will be very beneficial to learn.
"We're going to use the apps you made for the drone. The only thing that will happen is that it will run slowly and slow down overall progress. Remember that, in addition to the flight software, there's also the augmented reality interface."
—I'll give it my best—.
—Okay, remember, once you think you've reached your limit, go with your classmates and see how it works. After all, the truth will be known in practice, not theory… Arisa-sempai and Mizuho-sempai, you'll do this together. Let's rule out contact lenses first. It's been proven that few people would like to put anything in their eyes, which leads us to perfecting the lenses.
—How will we do it?—.
—Good question, Mizuho-sempai. Remember the program that was made at the last minute?
—How could we forget it? We were fighting against the clock, the three of us.
Arisa said, turning to Rei and Mizuho.
—It won't be any different, this time the plan is more ambitious, it's to recreate the entire school—.
—Ah!—.
—Noisy Mari, sit down—.
—You didn't hear what Rei-sempai said, what do you mean the whole school? He's crazy.
—Ehehehe, you always have to be free of the screws if you want to get out of the frame—.
—... Come on, explain yourself.
—It's simple, we won't do anything as cumbersome as taking photos or anything like that. The drone's camera will do that; we'll have to ask the school for permission. Jumpei will have work; it'll be just like a 3D scanner.
—I'll have it ready by Tuesday—.
"Come on, one part is already taken care of. The other part is the glasses. Although it was a desperate measure, it can be passed up at the last minute, but now we'll have all the time in the world. The first thing you'll do is increase your knowledge of augmented reality. This will also help you, Mizuho-senpai, and when you're confident, you'll integrate the electrodes with the glasses."
—Ahhh, that sounds cumbersome—.
—We'll have no choice but to untangle it, Mari—.
—Well, I have no choice—.
She said laughing and they both started chatting about how they did it.
—If you're going to say what I think you're going to say, then don't say it.
—And what will it be?
—The only thing missing is the basic programming, which ties everything together, isn't that true?
—Ehehe, then I won't say anything—.
—Hmph, I know the program I made won't meet the needs if this project is completed—.
Rei murmured, placing her elbow on the table and resting her cheek on a smile that devoured knowledge. The folder containing the contract validating her scholarship from the Akikaze Corporation entered her vision.
—... Hey, Javier—.
-Tell me-.
—Don't you want the scholarship?—
Surprised by Rei's question, the boys stopped their animated conversation to look at Javier, who was the only one who hadn't received a scholarship, even though it was the crucial element for competing in the science and technology fair.
—Nah, I'm not interested in going to college right now, I want to enjoy high school.
-It's no use thinking about the future if I'm going to die in a year, for now let's enjoy life-.
Javier thought, while Yami, who heard his words, was annoyed, but she didn't show it, staying silent.
-But…-.
—Rei, it's Javier-kun's decision, you can't force him, besides, he's still starting his first year of high school, he still has a long time that will help him improve—.
-Okay-.