Akio was currently having a meal with his family as usual.
Akio's mother and Anna were the most talkative, with Akio and Rina just silently eating. At this moment, Akio was thinking about his demon slayer training he'll soon be experiencing.
He had decided he'll also take Mitsuri with him, or at the very least tell her about his departure — if for some reason she says no. Akio was aware of the concept of the butterfly affect, so there were no guarantees that she'll want to be a demon slayer in this reality as well.
As Akio was quietly enjoying his meal, his mom gave him a slightly worried look. Normally, she would ask Akio and Rina about how their day went.
But, they would always just give her the same usual response. She wasn't worried about Rina and Anna, she knew they were doing well. However, with Akio, she was worried that he was not enjoying school, or having problems making friends.
She sighed inwardly. She knew how capable Akio was, ever since she had remembered him.
Akio has always been rather unusual — not in a bad way, just that he doesn't act like the usual child his age. His eyes doesn't have the usual curiosity most children have.
Furthermore, his intelligence was somewhat extraordinary. It's as if everything that he is exposed to, he learns instantly. So, she wasn't worried about how his grades are doing.
To her, Akio felt like someone that lacked motivation or interest. So, when she learnt that Akio really liked sports, and found him reading some of Rina's managas, her mind eased a little.
Despite Akio not being related to her biologically, she really considered him one of her own — cherishing him like her two daughters.
She even thought he was growing up too fast! She even remembered one time when she was cooking, she had managed to spot Akio staring at her ass! She could have sworn he even had a slightly smug smile. She was sure of this — as the moment he got busted, he looked away in a somewhat embarrassed manner!
"This boy!" She remembered thinking. Though, she was quite flattered that her beauty was still there! With age, a woman's beauty would inevitably deteriorate. That's simply how life works. So, she was happy that Akio noticed her charms.
She had asked Rina and Akio how their day had went. However, she once again sighed — the same yes or no responses. At the very least, she was grateful that her eldest daughter was so optimistic and talkative.
After thinking a little, she was going to ask if Akio had made any friends, despite already knowing what the response will be.
"Akio, sweety. Did you make any new friends?" She asked dotingly. She was smiling, however, she seemed to already be expecting the same old answer, which made that smile seem somewhat helpless and forced.
Akio broke from his thoughts and gave his mother a glance.
His expression was unchanging, making her heart stir a little, as he gave her a simple nod, and replied, "I did."
"I see..." Akio's mother muttered in a disappointed tone, not fully comprehending what Akio had said.
However, it seems she had manage to notice a slight deviance to his usual responses. "Hmm? Can you repeat that, sweety?" Her eyes slightly lit up.
"I did." Akio replied nonchalantly.
As Akio's words sunk in, Akio's mother felt extremely pleased! So, all of her nagging about how important friends are, finally worked!
"Oh, really? What's his name?" She asked with a happy expression, her eyes shining.
Akio felt like he was digging his own grave! She was definitely going to ask him a lot of questions. But, seeing how happy she was with this information, he just helplessly smiled.
"Her name is Nishimiya Shouko." Akio responded.
With the revelation of Akio's friend being a girl, his mother's eyes seemed to shine even brighter.
"Hoh? A girl?" She didn't think it could get better than Akio making a friend. Now, she had to nag him for all the details — it's a mother's right to know!
Akio coughed. He knew what that look meant. Akio felt as if he was about to face a crisis. He can say that she was just a friend, but he knew his mom would want more information than that. However, he didn't have much information — he barely knew her.
She'll definitely believe he was hiding some information for himself.
Akio looked at his two sister's for help, however, he quickly realised it was hopeless. Rina had a surprised expression, but also gave Akio a grin. She was also curious about the details, and treated this as payback for last time he had annoyed her.
As for Anna, she had a dazed expression for a few seconds, before also looking at Akio curiously.
Akio spent the next hour getting interrogated by his mother. He was essentially explaining the same information over and over, whilst providing all the information he knew about Shouko. He remembered their surprised expressions when he told her she was deaf.
"Who knew my dumbass of a brother has the capacity to make a friend." Rina pondered. Though, it was rather exaggerated — she knew he wasn't an idiot, even begging him to do her homework sometimes.
Anna was silent, whilst his mom was visibly pleased with the information he shared with her. After cleaning up, Akio went to his room, mentally drained.
Akio then decided he was going to be focusing on the demon slayer world, only coming out when necessary. After summoning his panel and selecting the demon slayer world. His consciousness faded and entered his look-alike, older body.
Waking up at the last place Akio had left his body at, Akio stood up. He planned to visit Mitsuri to tell her about his departure and perhaps invite her.
"Hmm. Perhaps a date with Mitsuri." Akio pondered.
Only a few hours had passed in this world when he left, so he was sure his parents in this body were up. After dressing himself, Akio went to greet his parents, and also have some tea with them.
After that, he left and went to visit Mitsuri.
Arriving just outside Mitsuri's home, Akio managed to spot her casually taking in the scenery in her garden. Noticing her vibrant pink hair, and how she was admiring the flowers, she seemed to be more relaxed and happier than ever. Akio couldn't help but curl his lips as he found this scene quite pleasant.
Technically, this will be his first relationship he's had in this life. Furthermore, Mitsuri was going to be his first wife — in both lives.
Akio had never committed to a relationship before. In his past life, Akio could describe his life in three words: Carefree and unrestrained. He was by no means a good person, and he wasn't going to completely change himself for one person either.
He also wouldn't lie to himself, nor to the people he cares about. They'll come to know the true him eventually, and whether they'll accept or leave has nothing to do with him. With Mitsuri, Akio wondered if she'll allow him to have multiple wives. Of course, Akio wouldn't take love as something so trivial.
If he were to marry someone, he should, at the very least, be able to risk his life for them without hesitation — else, that love is completely fake in his opinion.
Perhaps Akio would be happy with just Mitsuri if he had reincarnated here, and didn't get his system — living a quiet and peaceful life. But now... with such a system that let's him travel worlds and also bestow him abilities, Akio's ambitions had been raised to the extreme.
Why stop at conquering one world? Why not strive to place the entire universe within your grasp? Even if Akio died without reaching this crazy goal, at the very least, he'll die without regrets!
As Akio sauntered his way to Mitsuri, she had quickly noticed him. Her eyes immediately lit up as she recognised Akio. Akio's red eyes that normally made people feel uneasy, had given her an undescribable feeling. It was these eyes that didn't judge her, nor did they show disdain for her unusual appearance.
Mitsuri had been slightly hesitant about switching her hair colour to what it was originally — what if Akio didn't like it? What if what he said that day wasn't the truth, and when they met, he would give a look of disgust to her? Thoughts like these flooded her mind.
But now that they finally met, those dark thoughts quickly dispersed, as Akio looked at her the same way he did when they first met.
"Ko– Akio, you're here!" Mitsuri spoke. She remembered that they were now on first name basis, which made her blush slightly.
Akio gave a smile, before responding, "Good morning, Mitsuri. Sorry to disturb you."
"Oh, not at all! I— I'm happy that you're here!" She said, her cheeks becoming slightly red.
Akio chuckled. She was really adorable when flustered.
Hearing Akio's soft laughter, she felt slightly embarrassed. However, it also filled her with a sense of warmth and comfort.
"It's a beautiful morning, isn't it?" Mitsuri remarked, gesturing to the garden around them.
Akio nodded in agreement. "It's very peaceful here."
Akio and Mitsuri spent some time talking with eachother. Mitsuri found that talking to Akio was very easy and captivating. She found that Akio was very knowledgeable — telling her many of his stories that fascinated her.
Her bell-like laughter could be heard in the garden as the two slowly got to know each other better.
After a while, Akio asked, "So, this was what your real appearance looked liked?" Akio spoke, admiring her pink hair.
It was truly surreal. Who'd expect he'd be seeing a character from an anime so close. Yet now, she was as real as his first life.
Mitsuri gave a gentle nod, "What... do you think?" She asked, her voice sounding a little quiet as she felt a little nervous.
"It makes you look even more charming!" Akio responded confidently. "Hiding your true appearance should be a crime, given how beautiful you are."
"Eh!?" Mitsuri couldn't help but feel stunned. She felt her face heating up to a ridiculous temperature. She didn't think Akio would compliment her so boldly. It was as if her heart was doing somersaults within her chest.
Mitsuri wanted to respond, but every time she tried, she found that the words were stuck in her throat. It was only a few seconds after trying to compose herself, that she managed to utter a few words.
"T—Thank you..." She spoke, her eyes drawn to the floor — she couldn't make eye contact with Akio, as she was too embarrassed!
Seeing her reaction, Akio could only sigh. Apart from her parents, she had always been isolated from her peers. Furthermore, due to her strength, no one wanted to be with her.
Akio gently lifted her chin up so their eyes met. Mitsuri was momentarily stunned, however she didn't resist — her heart thumping loudly in her chest.
"I truly meant what I said." Akio softly spoke before continuing, "I think that hiding your true self is simply a waste."
"The world would grieve... if you kept these amazing features of yours hidden." He said softly, as he lightly brushed a stray strand of pink hair behind her ear.
Mitsuri's heart skipped a beat at his touch, feeling a warm tingling sensation spreading around her body.
"You don't have to hide from me, or anyone else. Just be you, because you're perfect just the way you are." Akio spoke, his voice not faltering in the slightest.
Mitsuri's cheeks became flushed — turning into a soft pink at his words. Mitsuri felt a soothing warmth spread through her chest. She looked into his eyes, finding comfort in his ruby depths.
She didn't know what to say, she simply felt as if she was dreaming. If this was truly a dream, she didn't want to wake up. It would be too cruel...
Their eyes locked, and in that instant, it felt as if time stood still.
The world around them faded away, leaving only the two of them to keep eachother company.
Suddenly, after an unknown amount of time, a faint grumble emanated from Mitsuri's midsection, breaking the tranquility of the moment. Mitsuri blushed furiously, slightly cursing at the bad timing. She knew how big of an appetite she had.
Akio gave a light chuckle. He knew that with such a strange constitution that increases her strength tremendously, lots of food is required. It was like the saiyan race who had a massive appetite due to their fast metabolism. Mitsuri's situation was similar — she eats a lot, but she doesn't gain any weight in the slightest.
Seeing how embarrassed she was, Akio suggested, "I'm also feeling quite hungry. How about we go grab something to eat together?" Akio spoke with a smile, offering his hand to her.
Mitsuri's eyes lit up with excitement, and she nodded eagerly. "I would love that, Akio!" she exclaimed, taking his hand without hesitation.