Tokyo hushed down on this particular night, the sound of joyous kids soothes the ears, and lanterns hanging on barks, entertainment stands on both sides to attract customers and the most pleasant sight of the soft fabrics of kimonos on passing families.
"Tenzo." Senju's voice drew him out of his thoughts.
His grey irises landed on her. Senju adhered to the dress code with her own alteration: a pink-petals-themed light blue kimono top, paired with matching baggy blue pants. She neglected to wear an obi; instead, she preferred a silky, baby blue sash to maintain her modesty. Her feet were covered by white fuzzy quarter-length socks and wooden sandals.
Senju hooks her right arm around his left, lightly pressing her chest against his bicep, a smirk gracing her cherry pink lips.
"Tenzo, why don't you introduce me to your friend?" Senju hums with amusement in her tone.
"I wouldn't call us friends..." Hinata sharply responds.
The other cherry blossom-haired girl is wearing an amber orange kimono, no graphics on her traditional gown and a pale orange obi. Just like Senju, she's wearing white socks and wooden sandals giving her three inches of height.
Hinata stood a foot away from them, choral eyes on the affectionate girl and the nervous Tenzo.
"Did you have to pick me up in front of my parents?" Hinata clenches her jaw.
"Where else were you going to wait?"
"You could've waited downstairs!" Hinata snaps at him, "Worst of all, you brought her to meet my family. " Hinata pulls him by the open collar of his kimono.
Tenzo didn't resist her pull, allowing her to express her frustrations.
"In my defence –"
"How could you possibly justify such disrespect?" Hinata interrupted his explanation.
Senju chuckles lightly at the free entertainment as onlookers are equally interested in the drama.
Tenzo Eze, Brahman's second in command and host of the Crybaby System was far from a good man. Wearing a plain black kimono with a navy blue obi and black modern sandals instead of the harsh wooden ones.
"Why aren't you wearing socks?" Hinata scowls.
"I like the breeze on my feet." He answers.
"People are staring, you know?" Senju pinches his bicep.
'Why is she so touchy all of a sudden?' Tenzo muses.
'Host... are you serious right now?' The System deadpanned.
'What do you mean? She's always been tomboy-ish around me, the sudden change in her behaviour is alarming. ' He answers the entity.
'Humans can be quite naive. ' The System sighs, turning off its azure glow to pull him back into his situation.
"Come on, you're going to win a charm ~" Senju tugs him by his arm, leading him to a stand with a ring toss game.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
[System Update]
> Senju vs Scammers.
My host truly surprised me with how he uses his abilities in this world. For instance, his high intelligence was used to angle a ring toss on glass bottles so he could see the look of despair on the vendor when he cleaned out his stock of plushies.
'Humans are petty creatures. '
The love interest known as Senju was supportive of his exploitation of the poor man, no matter how many times he told him to leave or he had had enough prizes, my heartless Host continued to play until the man had no more rewards on display.
The host argued about his right to play as long as he paid the fee of ¥150 per attempt.
'Maybe his cheating is justified?'
The night is still young for them, noticing Hinata's anger from his unruly behaviour at the ring toss game, Host decides to do the most honourable thing a man like him can do. Give away the prizes to children for free.
'Host shows signs of morality?'
'It is truly interesting to see how far humans will go to please one another. '
—–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
"I'm proud of you~" Hinata soothes his back with a smile on her face as Tenzo rubs his temple.
Senju is clutching her plushies, refusing to let go of the 4 stuffed animals in her hold.
"Senju..."
"No, Hinata. " Senju refuses to let go of her gifts from the con man.
"Whatever. " Hinata grumbles.
In her right hand is a hand-sized tiger plushy he won fairly at the game of pop the balloon.
To her surprise and fascination, he effortlessly popped every balloon even the more durable ones with the thin needle the game master instructed he use.
Unlike the previous vendor, this older man was not accepting previous winners to play again.
"You lot hungry?"Tenzo gestures to a food truck by the exit.
"Yes." Senju cheers excitedly, keeping her arm around his own to direct him to the food truck.
"Yeah. " Hinata nods softly, looping her arm around his right, walking in pace with him and the ever energetic Senju.
---
[Food truck]
"Oi! Tenzo. " Manjiro Sano calls out his name.
The blonde Toman leader is jogging over to them wearing a dark green V-neck top with matching green shorts and his black sandals.
Draken was behind him in his usual casual clothing and Emma was next to him in a beautiful pink kimono with a peach coloured obi.
"Hi." Emma waves at them.
Draken nods solemnly to Tenzo.
"Hey, Tenzo. Nice kimono. " Mikey smirks, pulling at Tenzo's kimono sleeves.
"Thanks..." Tenzo dismissed his compliment.
"Oh?" Manjiro sounds out as he notices the two girls beside him.
"Mikey." Senju nods in greeting.
"Hey, Senju." He nods along.
An awkward silence followed the greetings.
"I'm Hinata. " She waves at them.
"Manjiro, but everyone calls me Mikey. "
"My name's Ken." Draken joins in the greetings.
"Emma. " The female Sano moves over to Senju, a soft smile on her face.
"It's been a while, Senju. "
"It's good to see two." Senju swallows a ball of saliva. Her usually fierce hazel eyes avoid lingering on the Sano siblings.
Tenzo couldn't stand the forced awkwardness.
"Let's head to the truck before the line gets longer. " He urges, locking fingers with both girls respectfully, he starts walking over to the food truck selling barbecue.
Senju nods in agreement, wanting to escape the budding conversation.
Hinata bows her head at them," We can talk over food. " She offers.
"Ken, Emma. Let's go chow." Mikey grabs them by their wrists, a childish grin on the young adult's face.
"Slow down, Mikey. " Draken grumbles in annoyance at his superior.
Emma shakes her head at her older brother's antics.
---
"Your food will be ready in 20." The cook mumbles, and the burly Japanese man seems to be in a mood.
"Cool." Tenzo nods, not caring about the man's attitude.
Senju, Hinata and Emma were huddled by a Sakura tree with lanterns in it's stomps keeping the figure of nature preserved and cherished in light.
"Emma, you used to do karate?" Hinata asks with a hint of interest.
"For a little bit... my grandpa owns a dojo and the martial arts stuff isn't really my thing. "
She chuckles softly.
Senju snorts at her excuse, "Maybe you should try Taekwondo. I own a gym just by Shinjuku. " Senju suggest.
"I'll think about it." Emma teases.
"Don't take too long to decide~" Senju smirks.
"How about you, Hina?"
"My dad used to take me to self-defence classes. " Hinata embarrassingly admits, a tint of blush on her cheeks.
"Did you not enjoy going?" Emma tilts her head at her.
"It was fun but I barely used my moves as people already feared me for being the daughter of a police officer. " She bites her inner cheek.
"Is that why Tenzo respects you?" Senju purrs, nudging Hinata's shoulder.
"Pfft–Tenzo? He respects me cause I don't tolerate his nonsense. A delinquent or not, he's still my annoying classmate. " Hinata proclaims proudly.
Senju and Emma giggle at her proclamation.
"I respect it." Emma hums, "I should try that with Ken."
"It won't work." Draken walks over to them, wrapping his arm around the shorter girl.
"You're too soft to test me~"
"That's not true!" Emma snaps with a cute embarrassed blush.
Senju smirks at them, "I like your vibe." She points at Ken.
"Thanks, I like how you keep that egotistical prick in place. " Draken gestures to Tenzo being bombarded by Mikey's rapid questions.
"So you're really from Nigeria? What's it like there?" He looks at Tenzo with childlike intrigue.
"It's hot." Tenzo bluntly says.
"What else?" Mikey is unrelenting.
Ring...ring...
Draken's phone vibrates loudly.
Click
"Hello? Pah-chin, what do you–are you sure he's there?" Draken's calm look shifts to disbelief.
"Just hold on, I'm on my way right now." He ends the call.
"What's wrong?" Emma approaches him, concern growing on her face.
"It's nothing too serious. Keep an eye on Mikey for me, will you?" Ken pats her shoulder and gives a reassuring nod.
Mikey said nothing, showing respect for Ken's decision.
"I'll keep her safe." He told Draken.
—–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
[System Warning]
[ Accompany Draken or stay with dates?]
[Draken/ dates]
———————————————————
The azure screen showed me an odd option to either go with Draken or stay here with Senju and Hinata.
'What happens after I choose?'
'All information will be revealed after the host chooses.' The System vaguely responds
[Draken/ dates]
Not wanting to show favouritism, the system is obligated to assist the host to a certain extent without affecting the world.
'Host, my assistance to you is limited to the rules of the World. Each world has its own laws that I must obey to help you conquer it.'
The System clarifies.
'Is the host ready to make a decision?' The system persists.
'...I choose, Draken ' Tenzo decided.
[Path chosen]
The system suddenly shut down, no AI voice in my ear nor the annoying light behind my eyes.
"Draken."
The taller teen stops in his tracks, turning to face me." Yeah?"
"Let me come with you."
—––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Author's notice:
Pics below.
Any comments so far, anime request after Hell's Paradise arc?