Chapter Text
As we got closer to the Exception, the ground was shaking under our feet. I could hear the roar of the Exception echo around us and the scream of Angel Transients as it forced them back alive. “Ahhhhhh! It hurts… It hurts!”
The Exception indiscriminately revives corpses from among the piles of victims the zombies have slain. But they aren’t any trouble to deal with because of the help of Kengo and Shiro and the Aoyama Guild. After a few more seconds of running, we were finally close enough to see the Exception.
I got ready to fight against the Exception. I felt the usual nervousness, but I was determined to get this over with. I check in with Ryota and it wasn’t looking good. He looked like he was close to collapsing as I looked over at him. “Eek!… So that’s the Exception!”
Though it has the form of a human, it is anything but. Its presence and aura are overwhelming. When a miracle of epic proportions is forced into the size of a human being, this is the result. If people were to witness this, what some might call God, the mere sight would crush them.
In fact, Ryota’s mind seems to have already reached its limit. “Ugh… Uuaagh! I’m scared. I’m terrified, Masato!” Ryota crouches down, unable to move. He is shaking his head as his breathing is out of control.
“No… No! Don’t leave me behind, Masato! I thought I could do it… Until just now, I really thought I could… But I can’t! I’m shaking, and all I want is to throw up! How can you confront something like that? I… I can’t do it!” Ryota is shaking badly as he remains in his crouch position.
“I need your help to get through this. Don’t worry. I’m with you.” I crouch down and grab Ryota's hands in my own. I rest my forehead against his and stay like that until the shaking in his hands stops. The dull look in his eyes brightened up at my words, and he held my hands tight.
“It’s okay. I’m… still scared… but as long as you’re with me, Masato… I can feel everyone with us too… Shiro, Kengo, and even Choji! Everyone from Aoyama who helped us, and Zabaniyya, too! I can’t let their efforts go to waste! Let’s do this, Masato!” Ryota got up from his crouching position and I follow him, still holding his hands.
I squeeze his hands one last time before letting go and turning to face the colossal figure of the Exception. I could hear my heart beating loudly in my ears, but I just ignored it. I summoned my Sword to my hand and get into position before rushing at the Exception with a shout.
A Few Moments Of Intense Fighting…
As the Exception swung down with his spear in Ryota's direction, I quickly got in the way and parried with my Sword. I could feel my Sword vibrate in my hands because of the force of the Exception swing. It took me everything I had not to drop my sword to the ground.
“Masato! Heal the wounded… Ultimate Supper!” Ryota healed my wounds once again, but I could feel myself slowly getting tired from how long this battle seems to go on. Just trying to deflect the Exception’s attacks emits shock waves that continuously chip away at Ryota’s and mine vitality.
Ryota’s Sacred Artifact heals my wounds, but I cannot get any significant blows. Slowly but surely, I could feel my mental capacity wane. I am sure Ryota is noticing this as well as I can feel his concerned gaze on me.
“There’s no end to this! What can I do?! What would the others do in this situation? Fight? No, I’ll just be a nuisance! Then again… they do this kinda thing in manga all the time! At the very least, I can distract it…!” Ryota grabs his Sacred Artifact and takes a step forward. I could see that his knees were shaking and was sweating pretty badly.
“If I can divert the enemy’s attention… Yeah… That’s what I can do right now!” Just as Ryota was going to run forward, I reached out and pulled him back behind me. “Masato? But at this rate…”
“Trust me.” I gave him a tired smile before running forward myself. My body is tired as hell, but I had to keep going! As I rush up to the Exception, I deflect a heavy strike of its sharp spear. The force of the blow slowed down my forward momentum, but I channeled the energy into inertia to continue propelling myself forward. I landed a diagonal slash on the Exception but it was only a shallow cut…
I couldn’t help but take a step back instinctively due to fear. As I did that, the Exception held up the spear, intending to attack as I tried to retreat.
I could hear Ryota call out my name, but it felt like he was far away. My mind and body can’t take any more. All the adrenaline I had before was gone now. Everything goes silent. I can’t hear any sounds, let alone voices.
“Don’t you dare lose to that thing!” But that voice, I can hear it as clear as day. That voice cheering me on. I can’t back down, because Ryota stands there behind me. I keep pressing forward… forward… ever forward!
The spear reaches its mark. It pierces the ground… right where I would have been standing, had I retreated. But my sword… is buried deep within the Exception’s chest. The ground rumbles, and the Exception falls onto its back.
Suddenly, I feel the impact of Ryota flinging himself at me. He embraces me from behind. I forced my body not to collapse on the ground as Ryota held me tightly. “Thank goodness! Thank goodness… Masato! Waaaah! ”
I can feel Ryota’s warmth on my back, along with his drops of tears. I can’t see his face, but I can imagine how terrible he probably looks right now… His swollen eyes, red face, dripping snot between intermittent sobs… For some reason, the thought calms me. Ryota’s reaction reminds me of normal, everyday life.
“There, there. Ryota, you’re such a crybaby.” I turn around in Ryota's embrace and pat his head. I felt tired and was sore everywhere, but I wanted to calm down Ryota, who was sniffling at the moment.
“Oh, shut up! I’m not used to stuff like this…” Ryota get out of my hug as he tries to glare at me. It is not really effective since his face was just a total mess.
“Anyway, we completed our objective. We just have to decide the hierarchy now, right? So, what do we have to do? Since we’ve come this far, I’m willing to do just about anything!” Ryota is looking at me with bright and eager eyes. But I just know how his reaction will be once I tell him what we need to do.
“Gimme a peck!” I tap my lips with my finger as I shoot Ryota a wink. Ryota seems to freeze with a smile on his face as he processes what I just said. “Wait, what?”
“What?! A k-k-k-kiss?! W-We can’t! We’re still too young for that! T-This is not the time to say that, but! I… I wonder if the rumors are true… about how your first time is bittersweet… I’m getting nervous! I’m glad I didn’t eat that curry yet! Huff… Huff… Okay, my breath doesn’t stink! All right! Bring it on! It’s better if we close our eyes for this, right?!” Ryota is all over the place as he gets ready for us to kiss. His reaction is so cute to me.
“So, do we just have to think about who’s the top dog while we kiss? Hmm. I, uh, think I’d prefer to be on the bottom. You can be on top, Masato. After all, you are the Guild Master. It makes sense for the more dependable one to be on top.” I know Ryota isn’t saying anything dirty, but the way he tells me he wants to be the bottom and I am the top is really… Calm down Masato. Focus.
“So… We have to do it while touching this guy, right? H-He’s not going to move again, is he?… Who is this guy, anyway, Masato? His Sacred Artifact kind of seems similar to mine. Maybe they’re related somehow. It looks like he’s gone outta control, just like Zabaniyya did… I wonder what he was like before. I wish we could’ve talked… If he even can. This guy must’ve had a whole life of his own… one that he left behind when he was brought here. I’m sorry for causing you to become an Exception and putting you through this, man… It might not be right for me to say this since I caused the whole thing, but please… Rest In Peace.” Solemnly, Ryota takes the Exception’s hand.
“All right! Let’s do this! Let’s end this and go back to everyone else! Hehe! I’m getting nervous! So… let’s do this, Masato.” Ryota is fidgeting as he goes to close his eyes. I put one of my hands on the Exception and my other hand on Ryota's cheek.
Ryota also puts one hand on the Exception and is holding the edge of my shirt with his other one. I can just feel the nervousness coming off him. “Ahaha…! This is kinda embarrassing! I’ve always thought of kissing as something sacred… It’s something you shouldn't do if you’re not in love… I’ve been thinking of it as something special. Y’know, something I would do someday when I grew up. You and I are still immature… Maybe one day… we’ll do it with people we love… But right now… I think this is something I can do if it’s with you, Masato. Heh!” Ryota gives me a nervous smile before closing his eyes.
When our lips touch. At first, it feels tense… But little by little, our lips soften against each other’s. I could feel my vision blurs… and then the world returns to normal. In that shifting landscape, I hear Ryota speak.
“Do you remember when we first met, Masato? You know, in Shinjuku? You saved me. You fought for me until you got all beaten up. Ever since then, I haven’t been able to get you off my mind. I knew then that you were special. I’m so ordinary! There’s no way I could fit in with you. During the incident with Shiro and with Kengo… I was outta the loop, as always. I thought that one of these days you’d abandon me forever… Just like all my other friends until now. They all found friends closer to their own… level… and eventually started keeping their distance from me. It’s fine. They were bound to be happier that way. But… you’ve always protected me. I was envious of those who could fight alongside you, like Shiro, Kengo, or Moritaka. One day, I hope to stand by your side. I’m probably being full of myself, I know… But I will, one day. Right now, I’m still weak, but someday… I don’t care if everyone else hates me! I want to be with you forever! I want to stay by your side, Masato!” Ryota sounds earnest when he tells me this, and my face can’t help but get warmer.
“Everything’s back to normal!” When my vision returned to normal, I noticed the surrounding area was fixed. The App has been shut down with no issues, and both Aoyama and Shibuya have reverted to the way they were before. I noticed that me and Ryota were at the Aoyama-itchome Station.
“Everything’s… back to the way it was? Yeah, it’s all back! Hooray!” Without giving me a heads up, Ryota jumps on me, overcome with emotion. I stumbled at his sudden weight, but I didn’t collapse on the ground. But I am getting pretty close to that. My body needs to rest….
“Look like you did it. Good work, both of you.” Shiro showed up with Kengo, a gentle smile on his face. Kengo was looking around the fixed area with an impressed look. “So this is what it looks like when things go back to normal. I didn’t catch it when it happened at Ikebukuro.”
“Ryota, you did well for someone who rarely exercises, let alone fights!” Shiro pat Ryota on the back with a big smile on his face. Ryota looked at both Shiro and Kengo with a warm look on their face. “Shiro, Kengo… It’s all because of you guys! Thanks!”
“By the way, where’s Nyarl? And everyone else, too?” Ryota was looking around for everyone else when he noticed we were just surrounded by Shiro and Kengo.
“Nyarlathotep vanished again when nobody was looking.” Shiro didn’t look impressed with that, and Kengo looked annoyed that Nyarlathotep disappeared once again. “I don’t get that guy. He messes stuff up and then just takes off!”
“If you ask me, I think you’re just as bad.” Shiro's eyes looked dead when he told Kengo that, but Kengo just smiled at that, like it was a compliment. “Haha! Stop it, you’re making me blush!”
“That wasn’t a compliment!” Shiro raised his book, like he was going to hit Kengo on the head, but he stopped himself with a sigh. When this was happening, Maria ran up to us with a smile on her face.
“I’m glad you’re safe, Ryota, and Masato. As the acting Guild Master, I give you my thanks. I’m so glad that Aoyama… and Shibuya, too… are back to normal.” Maria bowed her head towards us and I felt a bit embarrassed about that.
“Speaking of which… What happened with the Roppongi Guild invasion? Won’t they just attack again?” I was worried that Maria would have to deal with something else after this whole collision situation.
“No, there’s no need to worry about that. See? The sun is about to set. Guild fights over Portals can only be carried out between the end of school and sundown.” It surprised me when Maria told us that. I didn’t know there was a time limit to when the fighting could happen between Guilds.
“Uh… Then that means they limit guild activities to after school hours?” Ryota also seems to process the fact that they limited the Guild activities to specific times.
“Yes. The App’s functions can be used at any time, but Portal domination can occur only in the evening. You mustn’t forget that your primary job is being a student. After all, you have homework to do, too.” Maria had a smile on her face when she told us this, but now I really don’t have an excuse to skip doing homework… What is worse? Worrying about handling Guild related problems or making sure all of my school assignments are done…
“As a student, that’s great to hear. I’ll be able to concentrate more diligently on my studies.” Shiro looked pleased at this news while Kengo was sulking at this. “Ugh, and here I thought Shiro’d give me the thumbs up to ditch class!”
“Yeah… What am I gonna do about the printouts from history and math?” Ryota also looks disappointed at this. Shiro really is the only one who is the best example of an excellent student.
“Did you say something, Kengo?” Shiro gave a chilling smile to Kengo and the smile on Maria's face looked cold as well as she said Ryota's name.
“Nothin’!!” Both Ryota and Kengo shouted at the same time as they straightened up with stiff expressions.
“Shiro, Kengo, Ryota, Masato… I apologize for dragging you into this rather enormous mess of ours. I also thank you for your help. I will definitely repay the favor in the future.” Maria's expression turned serious as she told us this.
“Don’t worry about it, Maria. We’ve caused you our share of trouble. Well… mainly me!” Ryota was waving his hands in front of him as he told Maria this with a flustered expression.
“It was my pleasure. I look forward to meeting again and I hope we’ll continue to be friends!” I grabbed Maria's soft hands in my own and gave her a big smile. Maria's expression grew surprised for a second before she returned the smile and squeezed my hands back.
“That’s right, Maria. We cooperated with you willingly. I hope that we’ll maintain positive relations from now on, too.” Shiro told Maria this with a nod and a smile on his face.
“Of course. I will gladly do anything I can to help.” Maria gave her usual warm smile back to Shiro, who was still smiling at her. Kengo seemed uncomfortable seeing a smile on Shiro's face. “There’s that smile of Shiro’s again! You can’t trust it!”
“All’s well that ends well, especially when we mutually benefit. If we can nurture a friendship through adversity, all the better!” Arsalan appeared out of nowhere as his loud voice echoed throughout the mostly empty area.
“I see that you have matured, young cubs. You appear to have found your way.” Arsalan put his big hand on my head and messed up my hair. I felt a bit embarrassed about this since his expression was on the serious side and looked down at my feet. “I do what I can…”
“Good, good! Cubs ought to take risks! Stay steady and keep moving forward! Life is much shorter than you think!” Arsalan put his hands on his hips as he let out a cheerful laugh.
“Lord Arsalan, you take too many risks. The Guild Master is always telling you that.” Maria had a pout on her face as she put her hands on her hips. Arsalan just waves her off with another cheerful laugh. “Hahaha! Never mind that! It’s difficult to change the personality you were born with!”
“Non-App users will not even remember this incident. However, we of Aoyama shall carve it into our memories. Because of this incident, we have learned many things. We will have to start from scratch once more, Maria.” Arsalan became serious as he told Maria this and Maria nodded her head in understanding. “Yes, Lord Arsalan. There are many things to be done.”
“We must rebuild everything before the true leader of our guild comes back, after all. Hahaha!” Arsalan had a cheerful smile on his face as he told Maria this. Maria's smile on her face looked deadly as she looked at Arsalan. “Lord Arsalan, you have your work cut out for you as well. You’ll have to put your oil wrestling hobby on hold for now.”
“Hold on! Don’t take that away from me, Maria!” Arsalan actually sulked when Maria told him that, but Maria didn’t change her mind. “Too late! You come back drenched in oil every single time! Who do you think has to clean up after you?!”
“Urgh… Maybe I should get captured again…” Arsalan mumbled as he crossed his arms around his chest. Maria got a frustrated look on her face when she heard him say that. “Oh, Lord Arsalan! Please excuse us. This is so embarrassing.”
“I understand your struggle, Maria. Our Guild Master gets into just as much trouble.” Shiro gave me a tired look, but I was too happy when I heard him call me the Guild Master.
“Guild Master, eh? Just hearing it gives me butterflies!” I couldn’t help but feel mature and full with a lot of responsibility. I wonder if this is how adults feel about adult jobs….
“Speaking of which, I formally joined your guild, right?” Ryota spoke up when Shiro mentioned the guild situation.
“Right. You should be added as a guild member in the App now… Hm?” As Shiro took out his phone and opened the App, he let out a confused noise as he looked at something. Kengo looked over his shoulder to see what was up. “What’s wrong?”
“There’s… a new icon?” When Shiro mentioned that, Ryota and I took out our phones as well to see what was happening with the App. Ryota also let out a surprise noise when he saw what Shiro saw on the App. “Huh? Hey, you’re right. It’s in my App, too.”
Kengo also checked out the App as well and seemed surprised at the new icon that was there. Before I could check out what they were talking about, my phone lit up and Salomon came out of my phone with a wide smile.
“Ta-dah! Your adorable familiar Sal is at your service!” Salmon gave me a wink and a peace sign as he floated in front of me with his usual high energy. I couldn’t help but smile at this and grab him. “Lemme rub your tummy! I missed your fluffy body so much!”
“What? Now? Oh, Master, you’re so spoiled!” Salomon had a shy expression as he told me that and allowed me to rub at his stomach until I felt full of energy once again. “This is the start of my new career as a therapy mascot! Is it working? Am I soothing?”
“Anyway, Master… Congrats! Ta-dah! You now have four whole members! Which means… two new outstanding features have been unlocked! Whoohoo! The brand-spankin’ new function are… My Guild and Guild Rank! My Guild allows you to set up a room for your guild members to gather in. Are you excited? You are, aren’t you?! It’s like a secret hideout! You can be alone with someone you like, or you can throw a party! Design your guild room just the way you want it! Next is the Guild Rank Rewards feature. This is where you receive loot you can use to upgrade your guild! The more members you have in your guild, the better the upgrades… You’ll get points in corresponding amounts, which you can then exchange for items whenever you want! Cute lil’ me will manage it for you! You can swoon all over my adorable lil’ voice! Check it out to get a feel for how it works. I’m sure you’ll love it! Master, this marks the real starting of your guild! I’ll do my best to serve you! That’s all for now! See you back at the guild!” Salomon gave me a wink before he disappeared back into my phone.
“May I ask you something, Masato? Masato…?” Maria was calling me but I was still thinking about what Salomon told me seriously. I could feel Ryota put a hand on my shoulder as he shook me. “You all right, Masato…? You seem outta it again.”
“I’m sorry. This happens from time to time.” Shiro apologized for me and I awkwardly rubbed behind my head as I looked at Maria. I couldn’t really tell them about Salomon without them thinking something was off with my head.
“I would like to ask what the name of your guild is, Masato.” Maria had a curious look on her face as she asked me this. Shiro also got a curious look on his face once he heard Maria ask this. “Oh, of course. We’d better pick a name soon. It’ll be more convenient that way.”
“Yeah, you’re right… What should it be? How do other guilds pick?” I was thinking really hard about what we could name our guild. I was thinking The Guild Of Super Attractive People… But that would be a bit too long for people to say.
“A guild is a gathering place for like-minded folk. How the group gathered is one method of naming a guild. The Ikebukuro’s Berserkers is for those who live to fight. We of the Aoyama Missionaries want to spread the message of love. Summoners… in other words, App users… all believe in different things.” Maria had a gentle look on her face as she told me this, and I was getting a good idea of the name for our Guild.
“How about it? What kind of gathering of Summoners do you want to gather, Masato?” Shiro could see I was thinking really hard about the guild name and when he asked me that question, it seemed like the answer came right to me.
“We’ll welcome everyone! Anyone who wants to join us can!” I couldn’t help but get excited at the thought of this. Meeting different people and having them join the guild. Doesn’t matter where they are from!
“Anyone?” Maria had a surprise look on her face as she mumbled this. Ryota seemed on board with my way of thinking as he nodded his head with a wide smile. “That’s a wide net! Then again… it’s very like you to say that.”
“I think it’s fine. Go big or go home, you know?” Kengo seems also into my idea as well. Shiro seemed to think really hard about what I was saying. I swear I could see the gear moving around in his head. “Then… our guild’s name should be…”
“The Summoners! How’s that?” I was jumping in place with excitement as I looked at everyone else, wanting to hear their thoughts on the guild's name. I was really proud of it.
“The Summoners… It has a fine ring to it.” Shiro seemed to also like the guild name and Kengo didn’t seem to be against it either. “No objections here! Besides, my partner decided on it, so that’s that!”
“I think we should excuse ourselves for today. We’ll see you soon.” Shiro looked at the time on his phone as he told Maria this. Maria gave a nod as she gave us a smile in goodbye. “I shall await your official guild registration, Summoners.”
“See you later, Maria! Give everyone my regards!” Ryota waved goodbye to Maria as he got ready to follow Shiro back to the school. Kengo also waved goodbye to Arsalan with a smirk on his face. “And you, old Arsalan! Let’s duel next time!”
“I’ll accept your challenge any time, young cub! Be sure to keep up your training! Wahaha!” Arsalan saw us off with a smile and his usual loud chuckle.
“We’ll be off now. Thanks again!” I waved goodbye to the both of them as I got ready to head back to the school. Maria saw me off with a gentle look on her face. “You’re welcome! Until we meet again.”
After Masato Group Left…
Maria was looking at the back of Masato, and his group of friends as they left. She still had a smile on her face, but it seemed sad in a way. She stopped looking at them when she felt Arsalan put a hand on her shoulder.
“Maria, do you want to go with them?” Arsalan had a serious expression on his face as he asked Maria this. Maria seemed shocked at this question as the smile on her face went away. “Lord Arsalan, that… is not the case.”
“There are times when you prove what a terrible liar you are. You should go if you want. Don’t you agree, Maria?” Arsalan didn’t seem upset at all that Maria may leave the guild behind. He just had a really understanding look on his face.
“No, that really isn’t it, Lord Arsalan. I love Aoyama. There is no way I will ever leave.” Maria's usual smile appeared on her face as she told Arsalan this.
“Well, I’m sure there will be ample opportunities to meet them again. You may look forward to that. Besides, they’re only a quick train ride away! No need to get all sentimental!” Arsalan went and messed up Maria's hair as his carefree smile appeared back on his face. He went to walk away and give Maria a few minutes to herself before they head back to the Guild.
“Oh, Lord Arsalan. You’re so tactless!” Gabriel appeared next to Arsalan with a pout on her face. Arsalan seemed surprised at her appearance. “Ah, Gabriel. Where have you been? Maria is over there.”
“It’s fine. I want to give her some time to herself right now.” Gabriel was looking at Maria with a smile on her face as she allowed a few minutes to themselves, just to think. Arsalan also looked at Maria with a serious look on his face. “Hm… Is that how it is?”
“I give thanks for our meeting. One day, surely…” A warm breeze caresses Maria’s cheek. For a second, it feels as though someone is patting her head. Maria looks up at the sky, not knowing who it might have been… and prays.