#veldora

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My Name is Tohru Hanajima, I’m 35 and as of two months ago, I’m officially Divorced!

It’s all good though… my now ex husband Yuji is genuinely a good friend of mine..

We were after all practically forced to marry cause his family found out he was gay… unfortunately for their hateful and gross ignorant asses I’m not exactly straight either… So yeah.

All things considered, Yuji and I got along pretty great.. though I wouldn’t say he’s my best friend.. that title already belongs to my ‘brother’

Anyway.. today I was in the city after… well an unexpected medical emergency… A disrespectful courtesy of my Glass Heart (NFBHD) giving me a seizure.. again… causing me to spend a whole God damn Month in recovery…

I was starting to think my Boobs would shrink from all the bland stuff they had me eat….

But.. thankfully after I cleared the last physical check up, my ‘hospital roommate’ helped me nab a quick job working the weekend as a self defense instructor for a local dance studio.. they had some recent trouble with a few stalkers because of a rumor that a popular celebrity was training there.

Just something to do after I was discharged and still in the City…. waiting in the dark for my Doctors confirmation to travel so that I could Finally go home already…

To be perfectly honest…. I’m not a fan of how crowded the City is sometimes… i honestly just want get back home to the Dojo.

I inherited it from my grandfather when he passed away a few years back… he was definitely the only person in my family I actually loved, didn’t hurt that He raised me practically all on his own after my Father died…

When Grandpa passed away…. the Dojo became the only place that still felt like home to me…

And then there’s my Students.. they’re the closest I’ll probably ever get to being a Mother in this life, They’ve all grown so much…

‘I think I’m starting to miss those knuckleheads’

I just hope the Dojo’s still standing when I get back… my ‘family’ have been trying to find a way to take it from me nonstop… At least it’s in good hands with my ex-cousin-in-law, Hairo.

He’s a good kid, in his 20’s and already the official teacher for all the junior groups…. his energy was just a bit much for the adult classes to handle.. he really can be a little too gung-ho sometimes…

Oh what am I thinking? I’m sure everything’s fine!! It’s definitely… perfectly fine… probably.. I hope….

‘I’m sure they would’ve called me by now if something happened..’

Before I could worry for too long, I got a text from my now ex’husband Yuji..

[Hey Tohru, I talked to the Hospital.. they said you’re free to travel by tomorrow, so long as you take your medication and Rest at Home! just… please listen to the Doctor this time? ACTUALLY get some rest?? Maybe relax and hang out with Mr. Mikami before you go?? He asked about you last week ya know, he’s off work today isn’t he??]

I almost shouted when I read his text!!! Finally! I can get back to my students!!

I didn’t hesitate to text back and thank him…

[Yuji, you sweet talking fool, you Rock!! I’ll send you some cakes later okay, tell Chris I said hey!]

He’s right too..

I really should see Sato before I go back home… it… it might be my last chance after all.

I just hope he’s not too mad that I’ve been avoiding his calls…… I really didn’t want him to lecture me on the whole, stress is dangerous for my heart, thing again and have that be our last conversation!!! Agh that’d be the WORST!!

Maybe….. if I just pretend everything’s perfectly normal then he won’t bring it up!!!

… yeah, no way.. that’s just stupid.

Before long, I almost did a double take when I spotted him across the street, right as I was about to call him too!! Perfect timing world!

it’s Satoru Mikami! my best friend since diapers, and all the way to College roommates back in the day.. Well… I say we’re ‘best friends’ and all.

But.. we’ve treated each other like siblings pretty much our whole lives.. even introducing ourselves as siblings since we were in school!

Even Sato’s older brother joined in on that, and despite the two of us not being as close anymore he still call’s me his ‘little sister’ to this day.

It really wasn’t hard at all to spot him, he’s a pretty tall guy.. not to mention he was wearing that Grey scarf I made during our first winter break at College years ago.. I wonder if he’s ever noticed the shiny silver thread I snuck in??

I had to fight back a cackle when Satoru nearly jumped out of his own skin as I yelled from across the street, before running to cross over, and hooked my arm around his..

“Hey Sato!! Long time no see little bro~”

He rolled his eyes, lightly elbowing my side.

“And just how the heck am I the younger one in our relationship? I’m two years older than you damnit!”

He yelped when I pinched his arm.

“Because I’m constantly having to Mother you all the time, that’s why.. or have you forgotten… the chicken soup incident~”

Satoru’s face went pale for a second…

“We were children in middle school!! T-that doesn’t count and you know it!!”

I just snickered as he awkwardly coughed the subject away.. “A-Anyway.. how are things going with Yuji, did everything go as smoothly as you two planned??”

I gave a firm thumbs up while patting his back..

“Yep! Our Divorce is officially final, and he’s all set to move in with Chris, and his cousin was sneaky enough to save his things from being thrown out.. poor Yuji, he’s been stressing over this whole thing for years… I’m relieved he can finally just live his life now..”

Our walk was pleasantly quiet for a bit.. but Satoru clearly had something on his mind.. ‘Damnit… I really hope it’s not about my being in the Hospital again… okay.. just relax.. he doesn’t look mad so that’s probably not it…’

For some reason I decided it was a good idea to ask him what he was thinking about…. 

“… What’s up Sato.. you’re being awfully quiet?”

He chuckled, hugged my shoulders before tugging a piece of my hair to mess with me..

“Oh it’s nothing.. just thinking how you’re pretty crazy is all.. you handled the whole situation while lurking in the shadows three steps ahead..”

He has a point… I mean, to anyone else who knew us, Yuji and I were husband and wife for almost three years.. but it was an arranged marriage by both our families.. meanwhile the two of us secretly made an agreement that we’d support each other and just be platonic roommates.. so I guess our decision to Divorce would be a total shock to anyone on the outside..

“I guess so.. then again how many people do you know who go through a Lavender marriage in this day and age? Yuji was a good guy in a shity lose lose situation, he needed help getting away from his family…. and I guess it gave me an excuse to finally Disown mine..”

Satoru nudged my side, poking me a little to cheer me up..

“Yeah, True that… but still, you also set him up with your own lawyer.. who he’s currently moving in with.. you’re quite the matchmaker aren’t ya.”

I snorted as Sato ruffled my hair a little before I swatted his hand away..

“Oh that was nothing! you should’ve seen the look on my Aunties face! Totally Priceless!!”

I cackled at the memory of how she dramatically fainted after I told my family.. Everyone attended the gathering because Yuji and I had some exiting Big news to tell them.. obviously they assumed it meant we were pregnant… something they’d all been pressuring us about ever since we got married.. Despite ALL of them knowing getting pregnant would literally KILL me because of my Heart condition… just like it did my Mother..

“We’re getting a Divorce, Yuji’s Gay and I’m Pansexual…. Also I’m leaving Grandpa’s Dojo with Hairo in my Will~ Oh.. And everything else is being divided among my Students.. Not a single one of you are getting SHIT from me~”

Most of them were yelling, a few particularly traditional cousins and elders screaming how Shameful we were.. only a few of the younger members of the family gave Yuji and I discreet genuine smiles as we left..

So at least there’s some hope for the future generations of the family to be good people..

But honestly… nothing beat seeing the absolute despair on my Aunties face… That woman’s probably the most hateful and homophobic creature I’ve ever had the displeasure of knowing.. always taking every opportunity she had to shove it in people’s faces how nobody from Her branch of the family got Divorced, or Became Gay.. HAH! well not anymore bitch~

“OW!!”

Satoru just pinched my cheek, pulling me out of lala land.. he had a very agitated expression on his face.. and a stern voice to go with it..

“Tohruuuu… you shouldn’t be putting yourself in unnecessary stressful situations!! I didn’t know you went in person to Tell them!! That was totally irresponsible and incredibly Dangerous!!!”

I rubbed at my sore cheek.. avoiding Satoru’s eyes and walking ahead of him for a few steps..

“Hmp.. I have absolutely no clue what you are talking about my dear brother~ None. At. All..”

He practically stomped after me..

“Oh don’t you give me that crap!! I called Yuji last week.. ya know.. since YOU wouldn’t answer my calls.. He told me you had to go to the hospital for another Seizure after your family were harassing you to change your Will, BUT YOU CUT THEM OFF IN PERSON!?!?!? What if they’d tried something when you were in Their space!?! TOHRU YOU NEED TO BE MORE CAREFUL THAN THAT DAMNIT!!”

I cursed under my breath, trying my best to keep my face unfazed… ‘Damnit Yuji, you traitor!!!’

“I know I know! But they didn’t!! And I only ended up with a small ~teensy tiny little Minor Stroke~ that’s all.. I’m totally fine now! Honest!!” Lies..

That’s a total complete lie… obviously I’m not fine.

The look on Satoru’s face was of complete disbelief and horror… his shoulders slightly shaking, if we were in a Manga he’d probably have a dark aura rising up behind him like smoke before an explosion…

“… A Minor Stroke… a Minor Stroke is STILL A STROKE!! YOU STUBBORN IDIOT!!!”

He pinched his nose groaning in frustration..

“Tohru… I understand you’re only trying to honor your grandfather’s legacy in your own way.. and you genuinely love what you do at the Dojo… but please.. If you’re gonna be THIS reckless… well at least TRY to be more careful from now on…”

I suppose he had a point… but still.. it’s not like I can predict when my condition flares up… and I’m really not liking this ‘overly Serious vibe’ we have going on here..

So… I decided to effectively end the subject with a mild jab at my sweet brother and dear friend.

“I know you worry about me Sato… but I’m alright, Trust me… after all I’ve been living in this malfunctioning meat sack of a body my whole life… if anything, maybe you should worry more about your whole ‘No bitches’ lifestyle..”

He just gave me an ‘Are you kidding me’ look.. clicking his tongue before answering in a bored, and almost monotone tone of voice..

“Should the Divorced Monsterfucker really be talking crap about other people’s love lives??”

I snorted before giving the most convincing ‘innocent pout’ I could muster..

“Says the Girlfriendless Sage with an Elf fetish….”

After a few seconds of mock glaring at each other we both started laughing..

Satoru pulled me into a side hug as we continued walking down the sidewalk… a more relaxed expression on his face this time as we teased each other a little more…

“Yeah well.. it’s all Whatever…. Love you.. Jerk.”

At last… the atmospheres back to normal..

“Yep… Love you too.. Bitch.”

After a minute Satoru sighed as we watched the crowd around us.. “Sure is peaceful…”

Yeah, He’s right… the weathers nice today, and despite the almost claustrophobic crowd passing us by… it really is a peaceful day.. however… I noticed he was glancing more at the couples walking by.. giving me an idea.

“Ya know Sato…. There are a few single women at my dojo, I can think of at least two who definitely qualify as your type… I could set you up on a low stakes double date to get to know them~ just say the word and I’ll give them a call.”

Before he could even respond, the voice of a young man shouted his name…

“Satoru!”

The sudden interruption came as a surprise.. Satoru was being called by a younger guy, and a young woman.. work colleagues maybe..

“Hey there, good to see you!”

Satoru walked up to the young couple, giving a polite wave. “Tamura hey, sorry I’m late.. what was it you need?”

….WELL SHIT… Sato had plans today? Alright.. just act cool, I’ll just say hello and politely walk away.. it’s totally fine, I can always catch up with Satoru tomorrow before I leave…

The young woman smiled introducing herself..

“Hi I’m Miho, pleasure to meet you! I’ve seen you around the office before, but I don’t think we’ve ever been introduced.”

Sato started getting a sly look in his eye.. oooh he’s going to tease this poor girl, isn’t he??

“Ah of course, I’m Saturo Mikami, come to think of it. I’ve actually heard a lot about you.”

The girl looked a little surprised.. “Huh? Wait you have??”

Sato gave a mischievous smile….. I knew it..

“Yeah, I mean there’s plenty of rumors~”

before any more teasing could be done, I walked up next to Sato and lightly popped him upside the head a little.. giving a reassuring smile to her..

“Hi Miho.. I’m Tohru Hanajima, Satoru’s little sister.. and please just ignore him, he was only teasing you sweetie.... he thinks he’s hilarious..”

Satoru rubbed his head giving me a mildly annoyed expression… “Um… Ow..”

The young man also chimed in to reassure his girlfriend and asking Satoru to ease up..

“Yeah man go easy on her.. she’s not used to your jokes yet..”

Satoru smiled at them but I could tell something was going on in his head.. “Sure, sorry..”

The young man smiled as he gestured down the side walk.. “Do you wanna grab some food? We can talk over dinner? You said you like Yakumiku right? Oh! You can come too miss Hanajima, I’m really sorry, I had no idea Satoru’s family was visiting today..”

Oh, they seem like some good kids… but I’m the one who should feel bad though.. after all I had no idea Sato was meeting a friend from his work….

I gave the couple a smile to reassure them they hadn’t interrupted a Family visit..

“Oh It’s alright hun, we actually didn’t have any plans to visit each other.. I just bumped into him earlier… but I’d be happy to go along if you don’t mind me intruding a bit.. and please, you can just call me Tohru, okay..”

It would be nice to have dinner with Satoru, maybe I’ll get to hear some workplace stories he never told me before… yeah.. it is a nice day…..

“AAAAAAAAAHH!”

A scream pierced the air and in a split second the calm but crowded side walk turned into chaos!

A man in a grey hoodie was running straight towards Tamura with a knife in his hands!!

Before I could tackle Tamura and Miho, Satoru jumped in front of me!!! knocking me down on my ass while he pushed them out of the way….

And…. And getting stabbed in the back…

“S-Sato?? No… no no no no no.. NO!! SATORU!!!”

The moment he fell down on the ground.. a-and the blood started gushing out like water from a burst dam… I know…. I know He’s dying…

Sato’s dying… the one person I had left in my life that always felt like family to me.. and he was killed right in front of me…

I couldn’t hear anything…

My… My chest hurts…..

There’s Ringing…. Why do I hear ringing??

Satoru.. he’s saying something… Tamura… h-he’s okay.. Miho… kind girl.. she’s hugging me.. trying to tell me something… I can’t hear it…

Wait….

That bastard… the Grey hoodie… he killed him.. he.. He killed Sato… where is he… where…

“WHERE IS THAT PIECE OF SHIT!!!!!”

Miho jumped back in shock as I stood up and started running down the same way Sato’s killer went… my heart… it.. it’s getting hard to breathe… I don’t care.. I don’t fucking care anymore….

“YOU FUCKING PIECE OF SHIT!! I’M GONNA KILL YOU!! I’M GONNA FUCKING KILL YOU!!!!”

I managed to catch up to the human Shit-stain near the road.. he clearly thinks he got away… and he looks out of breath… good.. he won’t be breathing for long now anyway.. I quickly grabbed him by the hood and yanked back hard!

Throwing him on the ground before grabbing his wrists, stomping on his chest as I snapped and broke his arms, and probably a rib or two under my heal.. he Screamed and kicked his legs trying to get away from me.. “W-WHAT THE FUCK!?! Y-YOU CRAZY BITCH!!! H-HELP!!! HELP!!!”

I slapped him hard to shut him up before lifting my foot off his chest and stomping my foot harshly on his left leg, breaking it.

His pathetic crying and begging really pissed me off… the nerve.. I clenched my fists, nails digging into my skin and making me bleed.. my eyes cold and dark as I glared down at him..

“Y-You… Do you seriously think anyone’s going to HELP YOU!? YOU JUST MURDERED MY BROTHER YOU SICK FUCK!!! YOU FUCKING STABBED HIM!!!!” He looked terrified… desperately looking around to find a way to save himself from me.. but I’m not gonna let him get away.. he deserves to suffer for what he did..

I gave a pained Smile, I could feel tears running down my cheeks as I grabbed him by his hair and lifted him up with one hand… I was staring to feel myself getting dizzy.. getting harder and harder to breathe.. my chest… breathe.. just breathe…..

“You should’ve known… if you’re crazy enough to murder a random man off the street… you really should expect someone else might be Crazy enough to Kill you right back… it’s a shame you were too stupid to think of that sooner.. too bad.”

Before he could say anything I slammed his face against my knee.. breaking his nose as blood splattered and ran down his face.. he screamed and tried to kick me away from him with his one unbroken limb… So I tossed him face first on the sidewalk…. I could hear another crack…

I kick him over to see what it was… Oh.. just a Broken jaw.. he coughed and wheezed as blood oozed out of every cut split and scrape on his skin.. I stepped towards him as he attempted to crawl backwards away from me with one leg..

I never heard the ‘ding’ from the traffic lights… or hear the horn of a bus as traffic started to pick up… I also didn’t realize how close I was to the road, all it would take is one slip.. but the only thing I cared about was making the Bastard that Killed Satoru suffer.

I slowly bent down next to him..

“What’s wrong?? Is death and pain scary when it’s happening to you?? And yet you didn’t hesitate to Murder my brother Satoru… that was his name by the way, Satoru Mikami… he was the last family I had in this world….. Sorry this’s taking so long.. I’m gonna kill you now..”

he cried again, trying to crawl away.. “Y-YOU.. YOU CRAZY BITCH…. YOU’RE A MONSTER!!!!”

Yeah…. I guess I am a Monster.. but I don’t care.. if this pathetic piece of shit is a Human…. I sure as Hell don’t want to be Human anymore…. In this life, or the Next.. Monster suits me just fine..

Request confirmed.. Analyzing catalog of compatible Monster species.. Notice..

error.. insufficient Data..more information is required..

Requesting clarification..

I was about to grab him and break his neck… when he managed to kick me off balance into the street.. the last thing I saw… were the headlights of a white bus.. a loud blaring horn… burning pain like I’d been thrown down a Rocky Mountain that was on fire and all my bones exploded….

Then nothing… just.. nothing…. I can’t feel anything… my eyes won’t open either.. but I can hear something.. a soft buzzing sound… slow beeping… I think… I’m in a hospital?? No.. no thats not it.. i know what hospital equipment sounds like.. am i in an ambulance???

God.. I’m stupid… I’m so fucking stupid!!

I’m dying.. I can tell…. I’m actually dying…

Damnit…

if Grandpa saw this mess, he’d kick my ass.

Oh right.. Grandpa…

I guess I’m about to see him again.

• • •

[Four years ago.. Satoru visited the Dojo..]

It was a few days after my Grandfather passed away… and everything seemed to be going down the shiter… out of everyone.. Only me and those apart of the Dojo and Grandpa’s estate genuinely mourned him.. the rest of the ‘family’ only cared about his will, and the inheritance.. they raged for hours at the Reading of his will.. because he left Everything to me.

His troublesome Granddaughter with the incurable and hereditary Heart condition…

What a silly.. sentimental old fool… why… why Grandpa.. I don’t understand… Why didn’t you tell me you were sick too. I would’ve understood.. if.. if only you just told me… I could’ve been there.. instead you kept it to yourself and died alone.. now.. now I’m alone.. probably forever…..

“Y-You stupid.. Stubborn geezer! Why’d you have to go and leave me like that!”

I didn’t even hear someone walking up behind me when a hand reached out and ruffled my hair.. I almost punched the person in the calf until i heard them..

“Hey, come on now.. don’t be so harsh on the ol’guy Tohru.. after all… he might just come back and haunt you for it.” He really made it… Knowing he actually made it.. meant so much.. I hadn’t seen him in almost a year.

“Sato… Satoru.. he’s gone…. If he did come back to haunt me.. it wouldn’t be so bad.. maybe he could tell those fuckers to leave me alone..”

He glared in disgust over his shoulder.. probably at one of the Vultures.. “I know Sis.. I know..”

He didn’t say much after that.. just quietly sat down next to me, pulling me into his side so I could cry on shoulder while we watched the leaves fall from the old withered tree outside… anything to keep me away from my so called ‘family’ while they wait around like a bunch of vultures, pretending to be kind and comfort me so they can try to convince me to split up Grandpa’s inheritance with them…… Again… they haven’t stopped poking me since Every lawyer they’ve gone to all said the same thing… that Grandpa’s Will is iron clad and unbreakable..

After a while, I finally stopped crying and we just sat and watched as the sun went down…

“Hey Tohru….. if you were ever reincarnated, what would you want to be?? And be honest!”

……… what… where the Hell did that come from all the sudden?? He chuckled a bit when he saw my face.. I was probably giving the ‘WTF not the time bro’ look.. “Oh come on, it’s just something a coworker asked me the other day… you tell me your answer, and I’ll tell you mine..”

I think he’s just trying to distract me.. I guess I’ll humor him.. but… I can’t really think of anything… wait… no.. I know…

“I guess.. if I could choose it.. maybe I’d want to be a Moth.. like a cute fluffy Silk Moth.. live a simple life, I’d be able to fly anywhere I want…. The only thing I’d really have to worry about is a big Sparkling Lamp trap….”

He just chuckled and ruffled my hair..

“…. Hehe.. I guess you were obsessed with Mothra and Moths in general as a kid..”

I swatted his hand and pinched his ear..

“Wha.. says the guy who went bug catching every summer when we were little! Anyway.. I told you my answer, so spill it.. what would You wanna be reincarnated as??”

He laughed again and pinched my cheek as payback… before giving the most serious face..

“A snail of some kind probably.. hermaphrodites are less complicated, and I won’t have to bother with being one gender or another..”

“….. okay….. egg behavior~”

The two of us sat together.. poking and pinching each other’s faces.. laughing at each other..

“Ha! Tohru… I think you’ve been listening to your students slang too much….. and I’m not an Egg!”

I grabbed his nose and easily pulled him into a headlock. “Oh please.. Denial is the #1 sign of being an Egg baby~”

…

We stayed in touch a whole lot better after that day.. we even started sending each other Moth and Snail themed presents every holiday and birthday since then.. it was our own little inside joke, just for the two of us..

Reincarnation huh?

..I hope it’s real… that we’ll be reborn in the same garden.. just a little Moth and Snail.. living a calm peaceful life.

I still want us to be a family.. I want to be his sister in my next life.. if I have one..

Please.. if anyone’s listening… grant me that wish.

I promise.. I’ll do better next time, I’ll be a better sister.. I’ll protect him.. please… I just don’t want it all to end like this…

Request confirmed.. Creating a new body with desired Requirements.. Monster & Moth.. Complete..

Notice..

possession of the unique skill.. Gemini Gate.. Successful.. creating Soul Corridor to.. Otherworlder.. Unique Slime.. Successful

Request for lightning & Electric immunity.. Confirmed.

Damnit!! SHUT UP SIRI!! WTF are you even talking about?? And who the fuck has Siri talking nonsense shit in an Ambulance anyway???

SHIT!!! Oh great Now I can feel something.. my bones!! They feel like boiling Pop-rocks!!

‘M-my kids.. my students.. Hairo, Suki, Shoto, Mai & Mio, Kagome.. I-I… I’m so sorry.. I’m leaving them behind in the worst possible way.. trying to kill a man in a Rage.. some teacher I turned out to be…’

[Three weeks ago... at the Hospital.]

I was still bedridden from my miner stroke, totally bored.. mindlessly working on a cute little dragon chorchet kit that Yuji gave me on his last visit…

I was so zoned in on my little project I almost didn’t notice the nurse timidly walked in…

“E-excuse me.. Miss Hanajima? You.. you have visitors.. um.. should I let them in?”

The poor nurse looked nervous……. Shit… I have a feeling I know who freaked her out… well several who’s….

“Thank you Miss Joy… you can let them in..”

Poor girl hesitated for a second before leaving the room.. coming back a minute later to let in my Visitors… a very rambunctious and chaotic group of a few teens and twenties… my dear students..

A particular unnatural red head frightening the poor nurse with his loud volume and behavior..

“Mama Teach!!! Are you okay!! Those sick bastards didn’t hurt you did they! Cause if they did I swear- ACK!! O-ow… Kagome!!”

“Oh will you shut UP Hairo, Teach had another Heart episode.. those pathetic Leeches didn’t attack or poison her or anything…. But if they had.. I’d kill them myself…”

As expected.. Hairo was the first to rush in.. with an exasperated Kagome hot on his trail to pull or rather punch him back in line… not that it helps as she’s every bit as intense as he is…..

thankfully Suki stepping up to pinch their ears and pull them away from the door prevented them from making an even bigger scene than they already had… finally letting in Shoto and the twins, Mai & Mio.. the tween girls eagerly running in to trap me In a cuddle sandwich.. 

Shoto meanwhile just calmly sat on the small chair next to my hospital bed.. hard to believe he’s sixteen now… but as timid as ever….. even though he’s taller than Hairo, who’s my oldest student at 23.. granted that’s not saying much.. Since Hairo himself is what the kids would call a ‘Short King’..

Suki dragged Hairo & Kagome over by their ears before sitting at the chair on my other side….

It got… painfully quiet… surprisingly.. Shoto was the first to speak up and break the silence..

“Ma…. When were you gonna tell us.. about your will… why… why did you.. leave everything to us?”

Right… I guess I can’t avoid this talk anymore.. the girls looked like they were fighting off tears.. Hairo and Kagome both were looking away.. Suki was the only one who seemed… Calm.. definitely angry for sure.. but it doesn’t surprise me she seems to understand what’s really going on..

I sighed, slowly reaching out for Shoto’s hand..

“I know you weren’t expecting it.. but.. you six are my Kids.. and I know all of you Love the Dojo just as much as I do.. I couldn’t trust it with anyone else.. please understand.”

“NO!! No we don’t understand!! Y-You’re not leaving us! You.. you can’t.. you’ll get better.. like you always do Teach…. Right?”

Poor Mai was crying now.. her sister didn’t say anything but just quietly cried into my shoulder..

“Oh baby.. I.. I’m sorry..”

Shoto let go of my hand so I could hug her close.. I just.. couldn’t think of what to say.. “That’s the thing.. You’re not getting better.. are you ma..”

It was Suki this time.. she was always the unofficial leader of their group.. I’m proud of her.. I’m proud of all of them. gave a bittersweet smile and shook my head..

“No… I’m not.. my heart’s getting worse.. I might have a few months, or a few years.. there’s really nothing I can do.. except… make sure my kids are all set.. it’s not just Gramps’s Dojo….. I actually named all of you the sole inheritors of my estate.”

“YOU WHAAAAAAAT!?!?!?!”

They all looked completely dumbfounded… Kagome especially seemed worried..

“Mom… Teach….. is that… even legal? Won’t those Leaches fight the Will??”

She was right about my relatives.. I gave a more devious smile that made Suki smirk…. Child after my own heart… she knows how petty I can be.

“No.. because I did allow them an inheritance… a modest sum of 15,657.00 Yen total.. which of course they’ll have to pay taxes on, and if they try to fight my will they won’t even get that..”

Hairo outright cackled.. while Shoto just sighed with a faint smile “Damn ma…” it so was strange… I felt like I was already at my deathbed

“I want you kids to know that I love you, alright.. and I’m grateful… because of you troublemakers.. I got to feel like a Mom… and I want you guys to do whatever makes you happy when I’m gone… and take care of each other….. promise me.”

They all gave each other serious looks, before nodding.. and then they all got up to bury me in a dog pile hug.. I couldn’t move at all..

“We promise Mama/Teach/Ma!”

“OH MY GOD, I LOVE YOU BUT GET OFF!! FORGET MY CRACKED TICKER OF A HEART KILLING ME, YOU’LL CRUSH ME!!!” 

They stayed with me way past visiting hours that day.. then they would stop by for the next few days after that.. till they all had to go back home…

. . . . . . . . .

I’ll never see them again…

Hairo will be the new head of the Dojo..

Shoto and Suki would be working towards being the new instructors for the Dojo..

Kagome will be running the old Tea house and hosting ceremonies and events.. Mai and Mio always said they wanted to work together at the Tea house too..

I should’ve tried better… to be better.. a better Teacher…. and a better Mom for my Students..

If I get another chance… I swear.. I Will be better..

But.. I just wish… I could’ve experienced more..

In my next life.. i want to be a ‘Mom’ again.. in any or whatever way I can..

. . . . .

Request confirmed..

Masura Species skill, Silk Weaver.. acquisition successful..

in addition.. Masura Species skill Silk weaver’s sub skill, Clutch weaver.. is Confirmed.. Attention....

The Unique skill, Matriarchs Law.. is Confirmed..

Suddenly I could feel everything buzzing.. but not like before…. It didn’t actually hurt this time…

But… my body felt… strange.. something was very different.. I felt like I was wrapped up in a blanket burrito… but it’s solid?.. feeling suffocating and oddly comforting at the same time….

But.. I don’t understand why I’m so tired all of the sudden… like I can feel myself drifting in and out of sleep over and over..

Did I actually die??

Am I just in a coma? No.. no I don’t think it’s that.. is it Locked in syndrome?? No….. I don’t think it’s that either….. it’s something different..

. . . .

It’s been Days now… I keep falling asleep..

. . . . . . .

Two Weeks have passed…. Will I ever wake up?

. . .

I think… it’s been about a Month now, I could finally move again.. and whatever I’m stuck in is much softer now.. I can feel it stretching away when I try moving my arms.. however… I still don’t understand why my body feels so….. unusual…

I still can’t open my eyes… plus my back feels….. kinda itchy??? Or…. Is it.. twitchy??

Wait.. no.. that’s just sounds ridiculous.. why would my back feel twitchy?

. . . . .

CRAP!!! I fell asleep again and the weird Thing I’m trapped in… it’s hardened again!!!

No no no no NO!!!

I’m sick of this!!!! If I’m In this thing any longer I’m gonna go Crazy!!! I can’t do this anymore!!

Whatever this thing is, I started punching and kicking at it.. it started cracking.. some light was leaking through..

Let me out!! Anyone.. please!!! Let me out… please…

“LET ME OUT OF HERE!!!!!”

One last Punch broke a hole through……. What..

…. What…….. the hell……….. am I in???

I was sitting in a large oval.. the inside had a mother of pearl sheen, with a bit of liquid pooled around my feet that smelled almost like honey.. While the outside surface had a kinda wet stone like shimmering to it… it was a pale cream with blue spots and swirling stripes on it.. it flaked away like thin sheets of slate when I touched it.

It’s an Egg…… this whole time…. I was in an Egg…

For a Month… I was in a giant. fucking. Egg..

Oh shit.. I really did Die… didn’t I.. well damn…

Wait a second.. so I actually got reincarnated?

So… That weird Siri talking nonsense was real?

If I was in an Egg.. does that mean I was reborn in some kind of fantasy world??

My visions a little bit blurry… but it’s gradually clearing up.. it took me a few minutes.. blinking away the strange fogg from my eyes… I looked over my surroundings to try and see if anything was familiar at all..

Nope……. That didn’t help at all..

Apparently I…. Hatched.. In some kind of crater that’s been overgrown with a mossy forest.. a few tiny ponds, a lake.. it’s so empty… the walls of the crater come up so high, all I could see is what looked like a narrow hole at the top..

And none of the foliage is familiar to me at all….

I tried to walk out of…. My egg shell… but I ended up tripping over it instead.. “Ow!!”

I tripped over the shell, then started tumbling downhill till I landed face first in a puddle…

“Ow, Ow owOw…. Who in the hell leaves their egg all alone on top of a fucking hill!!!”

I swear.. if I have any parents in this world I’m gonna have to have a very long talk with them about child safety!

I mean seriously.. This’s so ridiculous!!

I slowly started sitting up and holding my head.. my back feels itchy again.. wait a second…

My.. my hands are on the ground… but…. I’m holding my head?? How can I do both???

Looking down at the water, I was able to see my reflection.. finally seeing what a look like now in my reincarnation.

……. I’M SO CUTE!!!!!!! I look like some kind of fluffy Moth fairy! I even have fluffy Modesty fur, and little fuzzy antennas~

My ears are so long and fuzzy! But holy shit my eyes are huge.. Althooough……

Having four arms is definitely gonna take some getting used to.. well.. at least now I know that reoccurring itchy sensation on my back was from my wings this whole time..

I tried intentionally moving my wings a little… but I think they’re just to.. I dunno.. fresh??

All they did was wiggled a bit… so I guess that means I can’t fly around just yet……. Bummer..

Wait…… if I was reincarnated… then.. what about Satoru!! Is he here too! He…. He has to be..

“SATO!!! SATORU!! Are you here!?!?”

All I heard was my voice echoing around me… I think I’m the only…. Uh.. creature here.

Ugh.. how am I supposed to find him! I don’t really know why but.. I just… have a feeling Satoru is in this world somewhere.. I have to find him… i need to make sure he’s okay.

Because.. If I was reborn here as… some kinda Moth fairy or whatever.. then… maybe that means he was reborn as a Snail or something?? I’m not too sure he’d be all that chill about it..

All the sudden.. my head started tingling.. or.. no.. it’s my antennas, I can actually feel the tips of them buzzing with a strange warmth.. then i saw a stream of light up ahead..

Like a thin, pale glowing thread.. every fiber of my whole tiny body feeling compelled to follow it.. without even trying to fight it.. I got up and started walking, my little feet bouncing slightly with each step… something in my mind told me, wherever this glowing thread is leading me.. it’s not dangerous, and… I know I’ll find my brother Sato at the end of it…

It lead me to a small pond.. I saw the thread disappearing into the water, the reflection of a peculiar mountain looking back at me.. a mountain I couldn’t see from inside my Crater.. something about it felt.. powerful… protected..

But.. Satoru’s in there.. he’s somewhere inside that mountain, I need to go there… without a second to think it over, I jumped into the water.

Oddly enough.. The water didn’t feel wet at all.. like I was falling through a cool cloud while the mountain grew closer below me…… uh oh…

Wait a second.. I… I-I can’t fly yet……….

OH SHIT!! ……I’m gonna die all over again! Damnit… So much for a new chance at life..

Before my feet met the top of the mountain…. A ripple of water appeared below me, swallowing me before I was practically tossed out of a different pond… my body letting out a rubber duck-like squeak when I landed on the grass..

“Owch!.. oh well… at least I’m not dead..”

Sitting up and carefully fixing my ‘modesty fur’ plucking out leaves and loose blades of grass.. looking around I could see that this pond was identical to the one I jumped in at the Crater..

the tall trees were the same as the ones I saw around the Mountain… so….. I guess that means, whatever weird portal that was… it worked?

………… huh… Sweetness….

This forest… it’s beautiful.. I don’t think I’ve ever seen trees this lush before.. and the grass is so soft and colorful.. hell! even the air smells sweet..

“Ugh, snap out of it!! I need to find Sato!”

I tried standing up but I got a sudden shot of stinging pain up my back…. No.. not my back… MY WINGS!?! Oh shit….

I just got those! But I already damaged them!?!? I turned to get a look.. and thankfully they’re not torn or ripped up or anything to drastic, they just look a bit… crimped up..

Oh man, I really need to be more careful with these Wings from now on…. I didn’t realize they would be so….. sensitive and delicate…

I tried to move very carefully… slowly standing up and being cautious as to not move them while I walked around… trying to find a way into the Mountain.. I did find a truly Massive pair of doors… but I couldn’t open them.. they were locked up tight, and I’m pretty sure my tiny body has anywhere near enough strength to force them open…

I guess I’ll just have to find another way in….

“Pardon me, my lady…”

“EEEAAAAAAA!!!!” I wiped around in shock at the sudden voice to see who snuck up on me…. only to basically collapse in pain since I harshly and accidentally slapped my injured wings against the stone doors….

“O-Ow.. fucking sonofanutcracker! That really hurt..”

There was a beautiful woman in white and green robes with long green hair.. she glowed and it looked like magical vines sprouted and flowed around her.. I also noticed another woman..

She looked a little younger, with shorter green hair, she wore similar robes to the long haired woman who knelt down infront of me….

I couldn’t help instinctively curling up, turning my back and Wings away from the pretty strangers… but that just made the pain worse. I actually hissed at them when they moved closer.. “Hisssht.. a-aha… O-Ow..”

“Oh no…. m-my lady, Are your Wings injured?”

She had such a worried gleam in her eyes… and… I didn’t really sense any threat or danger from them.. and the two Women didn’t move closer.. until I finally relaxed… “Yes…. I.. I fell on them a bit earlier.. can you help me? Please….”

The long haired woman smiled and nodded, then she carefully picked me up, basically cradling me in her arms…

Okaaay.. I didn’t realize I was actually That small.. but I got a little nervous when she started moving away from the mountain, I just started panicking, frantically smacking her arm with all four of my tiny fuzzy hands…

“N-NO!! Wait.. please wait.. I need to get inside that Mountain! My brother’s in there!!! I know it!”

Both women froze for a second… giving each other a confused expression.

It was the younger short haired girl who spoke up. “you.. have a brother, my lady?”

I was honestly starting to get a little annoyed… just who are these women anyway.. and what the hell makes them think they even know me!?! Showing up out of nowhere, calling me ‘My lady’ and shit… I let a bit of a glare reach my eyes…

“Yes I do, and he needs me.. please, can you just let me barrow some medicine?? And… maybe you could open up those doors? I promise to repay you someday!”

They just stood there for a minute… before the one holding me gently set me down on a plush seat of grass.. an unreadable expression on her face with a calm smile…

“Of course… as a Dryad and guardian of the forest of Jura.. it would be an honor to heal your precious Wings for you, My Lady..”

Ooooh… so they’re Dryads… damn, Satoru is gonna loose his mind when I tell him I met real Dryads! But seriously… Again with the ‘My Lady’ stuff… just what the hell am I in this fantasy world anyway???

The girls both giggled at the bewildered look on my fuzzy face while they sat next to me…

They gently combed through the furr on my neck and my back at the base of my Wings..

it felt so… soothing.. after that they slowly started rubbing down my Wings with a warm glow on their fingertips, as they carefully straightened the dents and wrinkles, it felt sore.. but it wasn’t as painful as I expected…

I started feeling a little bashful all the sudden.. I mean… I was basically being pampered by these beautiful strangers in a way..

“Thank you…” my voice made my shyness way to obvious…. Luckily neither of them commented on it as they both smiled, while carefully and softly cleaning out a few twigs out of my hair that I missed before.. the older woman with the long hair spoke gently while cleaning off a smudge of mud from my cheek..

“Of course.. however… I must tell you, we won’t be opening the doors to the cave… But.. I can lead you to a Different path inside, if you wish..”

Hearing of a way into the Mountain, my ears immediately, and literally perked up, my antennas wiggling around..

more things about my new body to get used to…

“Yes please! That’ll be just fine, I can find my brother on my own once I’m inside… thank you.”

The younger girl gave me a little bag full of fresh and sweet smelling berries before quietly walking back into the dense forest..

The long haired woman smiled, picking me up again into her arms despite my protests, as she lead me around, then uphill for awhile, till we reached a spot where the side of the Mountain was covered in moss and floral vines…

I was a bit confused, before she walked forward and brushed the vines aside.. revealing a crack just big enough for me to fit through, and I could see a tunnel of some kind on the other side.. awesome sauce!

Secret tunnel here I come~

After thanking the Dryad woman one last time, kissing her cheek before jumping out of her hold and saying goodbye.. I rushed into the tunnel.. being a bit surprised at how I could still see fairly well in the dark…

. . . . .

I walked on forward for hours..

Following the direction my instincts pulled me towards, that.. and the glowing thread leading me to Satoru.. I only stopped to eat a few berries and admire a few sparkling stones on the path… but…. Then something else caught my attention….

There was a crack on the ground ahead of me.. with a colorful sparkling glow shining through… something about it.. mesmerized me..

I truly couldn’t resist getting closer… trying to see what the source of such a beautiful glow was..

That was a big mistake….

Before i knew it.. I stepped over onto the crack and it immediately crumbled out from under me.. I let out a shriek as I fell.. the sudden brightness blinding me for a moment… I vaguely recall seeing a pair of beautiful large glowing Golden Eyes..

Then I hit something that almost felt like a solid gust of wind… or maybe some kind of bubble?..

It knocked me out as my body bounced off and tumbled away.. With yet another series of piercing pain spreading over my Wings.

Oh Great… at this rate I’m gonna be a damned flightless Moth… Just.. Fucking…. Peachy………

. . . . . . . .

When I woke up, I was in a beautiful cavern covered in glowing crystals~ there was even an underground river down here… I heard something moving before a loud deep voice echoed out.. causing me to embarrassingly squeak in surprise.

“I see.. you’re finally awake, little one.. careful.. I believe you got injured when falling down here.”

The more my mind cleared up, the more I could feel how my body was achingly sore and my poor Wings felt like they were on fire…

god it hurts..

“O-Ow… why do I keep falling into places…”

I tried slowly sitting up.. aaaand I’m pretty sure three out of my four arms are bruised up to hell and back…. At least they’re not broken….

I think..

I turned a bit to see who the Deep voice belonged to… only to be met face to face with..

A Dragon… a MASSIVE Dragon with dark blue scales and big Beautiful Golden eyes…

The Dragon was completely surrounded by some kind of glowing magic bubble.. I couldn’t bring myself to say anything… I just kept staring at those Large sparkling Gold eyes as the Dragon watched me in turn…. And strangely..

Despite his massive size… I don’t actually feel intimidated or frightened by him at all really……

……. Wait a second………… Well, fuck… me..

Is this because I was a monsterfucker in my previous life??? Or.. or because I had that huge crush on Godzilla growing up?

Because this big Dragon is just… well they’re just looking pretty Hot to me…. Damn… he’s got abbs.. and Titties…

The Dragon was about to open his mouth again when I rather suddenly and involuntarily let out a very loud.. Chittering.. Purring… Chirp….

DAMNIT!!!! WHY AM I LIKE THIS?!?!?!

Did I seriously… just let out a MATING CALL?!?!

TO A DRAGON!!!

I’m a fucking hatchling!!! What’s wrong with me! I’m pretty sure I was about to start crying before I slapped my cheeks a couple times…

Then started rambling out in a single breath… trying desperately to explain myself and hopefully dig myself out of this embarrassing hole I’m in.

“I’m so sorry I don’t know what came over me! I just got reincarnated!! I don’t know what I am or where I am!!! I’m so sorry!! I was just trying to find my brother and now I’m sure my wings are broken!!! Your eyes are gorgeous!! And my bro’s reincarnated in a weird fantasy world all alone and confused… worst of all, Now I’m gonna spend my whole second life as a dumb flightless Moth Fairy thing!!!”

Sure enough… the Dragons jaw was hanging open.. and his eyes practically about to pop out… once again my body betrayed me as my eyes started watering…. a whimper escaped me while I just slowly plopped down face first…

Wallowing in both my physical pain and the downright unbearable humiliation…. Since I’m unable to remove myself from this situation with all my stupid fucking injuries..

It was a good few AGONIZING minutes before the Dragon spoke up again… the air still awkward..

“I.. *cough* I See, you are an Otherworlder then… reincarnation is truly a Rare occurrence.. many have come here from other worlds by different methods… confusion is… only Natural..”

Thank my fucking lucky stars he didn’t say anything about… well.. The obvious SOUND I made a few moments ago… and was instead kindly reassuring me while I just kept mumbling apologies into the dirt..

WHY THE HELL AM I SO DAMN EMOTIONAL!?! I Know I’m being ridiculous but I just can’t seem to stop myself… I was contemplating on how to drag myself away from here… the Pale Thread still pointing the way to Saturo. Before the Dragon once again spoke to me….

“Now hold on a moment… you mentioned a Brother? A unique Monster like you couldn’t possibly have siblings.. are you speaking of your previous life? ….I am only curious, no one has come to speak to me in centuries you see.”

I slowly sat up, wiping away my remaining tears and trying to steady my breathing…

“O-Oh… yes.. we both died on the same day, I’ve been following this thread of light to find him… that’s why I fell down here… wait a sec.. what do you mean I’m a Unique Monster? How could you even know that??? We’ve never met before…”

I suppose that would explain the confusion from the Dryads earlier, when I mentioned having a brother……. Unique, huh…. Why does that sound kinda…. Familiar??

“possession of the unique skill.. Gemini Gate.. Successful.. creating Soul Corridor to.. Otherworlder.. Unique Slime.. Successful”

NOW I REMEMBER!!!! It was from that Siri!!!

“That’s it!!! Unique!! I remember that strange voice.. it said Otherworlder to! That means Satoru was reincarnated as a Unique Slime!!”

I tried standing up so I could look for the thread and find Satoru… but I only ended up collapsing in pain… again..

I decided to just curl up and lay there… I think… I’m gonna be stuck here for awhile…. The Dragon watched me for a moment before tilting his head..

“Are you…. Alright, little one??”

I just looked up at him and spoke in the weakest monotone voice I could. “No…. I’m dying again..”

That shocked him, visibly making him panic.

“W-WHAAAAT!?!? Surely you MUST be joking!!! You.. you are.. aren’t you…”

I couldn’t help giggling, aww.. he’s so adorable~

“Yeah I’m kidding~ but I am in a lot of pain… is it alright if I stay here with you for awhile?? Please.”

He crossed his arms and dramatically turned his head away.. huffing slightly.

“Well of course you can stay!! As if I, The mighty Storm Dragon Veldora, would allow you to leave in such a poor state!!! I’m not cruel… you will be safe in here….. No other Monsters dare come close to my chamber.”

Oooooh~ Is he a tsundere?? That’s kinda cute..

I smiled, finally relaxing a bit while I started to feel rather sleepy all of the sudden.. Veldora huh… weird.. I really do feel safe around him...

“Thank you, Veldora…” As soon as I said his name I fell asleep…

. . . . . . . .

I think I slept for maybe a day or two before.. waking up….. well.. more like screaming awake..

“SATORU!! NO!!!” I’d jolted up, panting in a cold sweat…. I dreamt of Satoru.. when he was dying in a puddle of his own Blood… I tried standing up.. but my body was still in too much pain, I could probably crawl… but that’s not very helpful if I’m trying to find him down here…..

“Little one… you’re still injured… you must rest if you wish to find your Slime brother..”

I almost forgot I was in here with a Dragon.. oops.

“Veldora…. I’m sorry.. I-I just… I’m worried about him.. I lost him once already… he’s the only family I have…. especially now in this world..”

His voice was so calm.. not as loud and brash as before either…. I wonder… if he lost someone to.

Even his body language seemed almost visibly concerned… or maybe I’m just projecting….

I sighed.. slowly moving my arms around to see how they felt so far… still not great.. but at least they were better than before…. My Wings still felt like they were on fire from the inside..

After a minute Veldora spoke up….

“Perhaps… I could locate him for you.. I can sense every monster here.”

My ears immediately perked up and my antenna stuck straight up at that!

“Are you serious!?!? That’s amazing! Thank you so much Veldora, you’re the Sweetest~”

he almost looked a bit… bashful maybe??

Before immediately puffing his chest in pride while his long tail basically wagged like a pleased puppy… DAMNIT HE’S JUST SO CUTE!!!

“GA AH HAHAHA!! OF COURSE I’M SERIOUS!! As one of only a few True Dragons in this world, something as simple as tracking a Slime is mere child’s play!”

I let out a high pitched chirpy laugh before it was interrupted suddenly by my stomach growling, well that’s… a little embarrassing..

My whole face warmed up, my long ears and antenna both drooping down…

“I-I guess I haven’t eaten in a while…..”

I could swear that I heard Veldora chuckle… I tried looking for the bag of fruits the Dryads gave me…. But… I can’t find it anywhere….

I know I was holding it in the tunnel…. Wait a sec… THE TUNNEL!! it collapsed on me…. So I guess… that means.. the bag is still up there… well shit..

Aww man... T-Those fruits were so delicious..

Looking around.. there’s an underground lake…

So I at least have Water… but.. aside from lots of pretty flowers that reminded me of catalillies… there’s nothing that looks like fruit… well maybe.. the flowers are edible??

Hold on… what does Veldora eat If there’s no food down here?? Anyway.. he looks pretty busy right now… like he’s meditating.. I definitely shouldn’t interrupt him, especially since he’s helping me… But how can I get to the flowers so I can eat when I can’t even move??

Wait.. I’m in a fantasy world, and now I’m a Moth Monster, Sooooo….. maybe I can use magic!

I’ve read plenty of manga and watched lots of anime! I’m sure I can figure it out somehow…

Let’s see… what kind of magic would a Moth even have? I remember telling Satoru I wanted to be a Silk Moth… so maybe something to do with that?

Silk… silk.. maybe I could make a Silk laso, but how would I make silk in the first place? I mean it’s not like I have a thorax? Wait… no I’m thinking of spiders… but I’m a Monster…. So maybe I don’t need one.. let’s see… how would a Moth Monster go about even making Silk with magic..

hmmm…

Silk… Silk.. focus on Silk….. magic threads of silk.

I didn’t know it at the time, but apparently I had a strong Magic aura that gradually grew the more I thought about making silk thread… just like the phantom thread that lead me down here..

My ‘hair’ was growing out from a short fluffy bob to a little Rapunzel swirling up like it was floating under water…

(•Visual representation•)

I felt something happening… so I tried imagining the Threads stretching out, wrapping around the Flowers I saw near the glowing stones by the cave’s wall.. plucking them and pulling them towards me… I replayed the image in my mind a few more times before Veldora broke me out of my concentration..

“AH!! I found him, and there’s no need to worry he is completely sa- ……..Oh ..Wow.”

I opened my eyes to see Veldora staring at me…

I was a bit confused why till I looked up, Only to see my ‘Hair’ long as hell floating above me, and at the end of almost every strand was one of those flowers!!! 

“Huh?!?!? W-Wait.. that actually worked???”

In the next second, all of it literally fell down around me… burying me under the Flowers and my own hair… okay.. I definitely need to practice.

“S-Sorry Veldora… i didn’t mean to make a mess.”

He seemed to just waive it off, though I could tell from his voice he was pretty amused by the whole thing…. I tried to tell just how long my hair got.. but I couldn’t see much of anything with it all over the place, and covered in Flowers..

“Oh, that’s perfectly alright… I don’t mind.”

Damnit…. Why do I keep embarrassing myself in front of him!!! Could this situation get any worse… actually, I better not jinx it….. it might get worse..

I just sorta sat there and started eating a flower that was closest to me…… it’s not bad… I mean it’s not great but still… it’s something…..

I managed to eat about three whole flowers before Veldora cleared his throat… OH RIGHT!! he did say he found Satoru earlier..

“As I was saying, I have located your brother and rather easily I might add!! After all He is the only Slime inside this Cave… he is safe for now.”

Huh… he’s the only one? That’s weird…. I wonder if Slimes are Rare in this world..

wait….. what was that last part….

“What do you mean by.. for now… we both just got reincarnated! I-I can’t lose him again…”

I was immediately ready to try ripping my hair off and run out of there, injuries be damned!!!

“N-NOW HOLD ON!! He is Safe!!! But if you go out there you won’t be!!” I probably looked more than a little crazy….. actively trying to cut my long ass hair with my teeth while I was hissing in pain from moving around so much…

Granted.. the pain did seem to fade away rather quickly for some reason…. I just gave him a blank empty stare.. even the thought that Satoru could be in danger again made me furious……

“Oh?? Then please.. tell me Veldora… give me a good reason why I shouldn’t go to protect him??”

He looked really nervous and visibly panicked…

“T-There are many Monsters between you, in your condition and lack of experience with Skills you’ll just die!”

DAMNIT!!!!!

He’s got a really good point… FUCK!!!

I went from angry to almost depressed within a few seconds.. I guess I’ll just have to wait till I’m healed before I can go find him….

“So… he’s in a safe zone… and I’d have to fight just to get to him, but I’m too weak to even try??”

This sucks!!! I always hated feeling this way… like I’m completely helpless…..

. . . . . . .

In the end, Veldora offered to help me learn about the basics, like Magicules and how to use skills, he even taught me the skill magic sense!

Being able to see the Magicules all around me… it was incredibly beautiful…

I also learned that I have something called a ‘Soul Corridor’ that connects me to Satoru.. and that’s probably why I can see that glowing thread that’s been guiding me towards him, while Veldora can’t see it at all…

Then he told me the flowers that I thought looked like catalillies are actually these incredible magical herbs used to make Healing potions!!

Which does explain why my injuries started healing up faster after I ate so many…..

And…

Veldora told me how he was imprisoned down here too.. he was trapped all alone for centuries because of an ‘accident’…

It kinda sounded to me like he was just a little bit oblivious about the effects of his strength and powers, but that doesn’t makes it right for him to be trapped in isolation for Three Hundred years!! and then left to die alone!!!

Sure he made a mistake… but he’s so adorable…

Honestly… the more time I get to spend with the big goofball that is ‘The mighty Storm Dragon Veldora’ the more I feel reluctant about leaving him behind.. I wish I could help free him….

. . . .

After about three weeks with Veldora…

I started delaying my plans to go… especially since I found out I can use my Soul Corridor to help me track exactly where my little Slimy bro is.. So I won’t worry so much knowing that he’s still in the Safe zone….. but.. If he does go anywhere I’ll know it…

At this point I was completely healed.. But.. I felt like I couldn’t say anything about it… i just didn’t want to leave Veldora alone…. I wonder…

I’ve Never felt like this about anyone before…..

Not even when I was human.. is it possible that in this world Monsters can fall in love so easily??

Okay.. ya know what? fuck it, we’ve got time…

Reincarnation be damned, I am gonna Flirt like hell with this sweet Dragon… I mean.. I am a Monster now! Right? We could probably work out… maybe….

And besides!! It’s not my fault that he’s just so freaking cute~

His deep voice making my gut feel all tingly~

. . . . . . . . .

Eventually, the longer we spent together the more we began talking about our pasts..

Him about his adventures, some of it honestly sounded a little bit like he was showing off… especially when he shared how he used to have sparring matches with a Demon lord who was a Literal Giant!!

Which lead to me sharing about my experiences being raised at my Grandpa Hakuro’s Dojo, and about my own precious students…

I couldn’t stop once I started… telling Veldora about how I met them when they all first joined the Dojo when they were little, the first time I took over teaching them…

And how capable and strong my kids were…

How each of them quickly became my greatest pride and joys…… He grinned widely and chuckled while I just reminisced on those early days…

“Aah.. they sound impressive indeed!”

Hearing his praises of my kids made me so happy.. remembering back to when they’d first won at the annual martial arts tournament…

Even beating my own scores from when I used to compete… well.. at least before I got too sick for the comity to let me enter anymore……

“HA! Oh you bet your cute scaly ass they were impressive! My kids were the toughest and most skilled ones in every single tournament, and.. and they were good kids too…. I… I-I….. D-Damnit..”

I didn’t realize thinking of my kids would make me feel this… lonely.. and before I knew it….

I was crying again….

Veldora knelt his head to bring his face closer… his voice sounded.. a bit softer than usual.

“I see.. you speak of them quite fondly, little one.. I’m sure you were a good mother to them In your previous life.”

I just about choked on my tears when I heard him say that…. It’s probably rude since he was only trying to comfort me…

But I couldn’t help the bitter laugh that made its way past my lips… I tried harshly wiping away my tears with my little fuzzy hands.. not that it even mattered as my tears just wouldn’t stop…

“Oh… I-I was just their Teacher, I…. I wasn’t actually their mother.. having children of my own wasn’t an option for me in that life..”

He didn’t say anything for awhile at first.. just staring at me.. with those huge.. Beautiful golden eyes.. his large scaled body not moving at all.. even his long tail went still.. he stayed quiet till he tilted his head.. a small twitch in his fingers before he crossed his arms… okay.. damn, I really need to stop drooling over him…..

“I’m not sure I understand you, little one.. Surely… you must have had a Mate?? Were they not willing to grant you your wish? It’s quite clear to Me that you wanted offspring…”

Well he’s pretty Blunt.. perhaps a little bit crude.. but at least I can tell he’s just curious, and means no harm.. his large glowing curious eyes fixated on me…… yeeeah… I really am thirsting over a Dragon…

I sighed, slowly getting up and carefully walking closer to the magic bubble he was trapped in.. then plopped down, leaning against it.

All while making sure I was being cautious of my sensitive wings of course… I silently debated for a few minutes, but.. what the hell man… it’s not like I have anyone else to talk to right now.. So really who even cares if I overshare a little bit with a Hot and lonely Dragon???

With that last thought in mind.. I started gently fiddling with a little pebble off the ground.

“Well No, Veldora.. I didn’t really have a ‘Mate’ back then…” I might have just imagined it…

But I could swear his gaze maybe seemed a little bit more… focused on me then before.. he even turned slightly so he could be sitting next to me from his side of the glowing barrier of unlimited imprisonment..

“Hmm… I see..”

I tried ignoring the warm bubbly feeling I had in my stomach while he continued to watch me with his undivided attention… damn this fresh reborn body of mine!!! Making me feel like a schoolgirl talking to her crush!!!!

I started mindlessly playing with random shit next to me on the ground, pulling little blades of grass while rambling.

“Y-Yeah… I mean.. I was married for awhile.. but it was arranged, he and I were only friends, Not lovers.. besides.. that wasn’t exactly the problem anyway.. I wasn’t capable… my.. my heart was very ill.. if I had ever tried to have kids at all It would’ve just killed me.. it’s just the hand I was dealt in that life.. my own Mother had the same illness, she died when I was born too…”

Veldora’s eyes looked huge, his jaw hanging slightly open.. he closed and opened his mouth a few times before coughing awkwardly… like he was clearing his throat.. Welp… I definitely made things weird now……

I’m starting to remember why I never actually had a longterm relationship in my past life……

Fucking hell…

“O-Oh… I.. I didn’t mean to bring up such a painful subject, I do apologize..”

Shit!!! Do something me.. say something… I can’t believe I’m actively ruining my chances here with a Hot and adorable Dragon!!!!

I immediately tried laughing it off….

“It’s okay though! I mean… I guess you’re not totally wrong.. regardless of their ages, I really did love all of them like they were my own kids.. thinking about it now, i just hope they all lived long happy lives… y-ya know?”

I kept awkwardly laughing till we both just…. sat there in silence together.

I’m such an idiot…..

I’M HOPELESS!! HOW DO PEOPLE EVEN FLIRT WITH DRAGONS ANYWAY!?!?!?!?!?

*cue a certain young blonde and a distant Red haired Demon sneezing simultaneously* ???????????????

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Previously… On the day of Rebirth…

Tucked away within the Heavenly realm…

A certain terrarium rests.. unnoticed, forgotten by its keepers, and now cracked on its shelf…

Locked away in a vault filled with many vessels of similar and varying designs.. however……..

This particular ancient bottle now holds inside but only a single broken and shimmering eggshell, swirled and spotted with a unique pale yellow and blue design.

The cracked bottles label read in an elaborate but faded text of old “Titanus Mosura: Imago.”

To be continued……………

Next chapter: In progress..coming soon-ish…

•

@akashigadabi @mira016

Basically Satoru and Tohru’s relationship for their whole lives… affectionately… was the Sam & Dean supernatural dynamic..

•

Poppy’s Notes: Okay… Sooo… I’ve been gone for awhile.. 🥲 I’m really sorry about that, life knda happened and got in the way.. I don’t want to talk about the details, but my Depression decided to come back around and made basically everything else difficult for me… but I am feeling better now.

Anyway….. I’ve been slowly trying to get back to working on my projects.. I hope you guys liked this one so far, I’ll try my best not to take too long with the next chapter.. 😓

Oh.. I hope everyone had a Merry/Happy Christmas/ Happy Hanukkah!.. just in general I wish you all had a Happy Holidays, in whichever way you celebrate it. 

And resemblance it was—though "resemblance" felt like too weak a word for what they witnessed. [M/n] possessed long, pale blue hair that cascaded down his back, falling past his waist in silken waves. Softly cut bangs partially obscured his sky blue-gradient eyes—eyes that held an infinite, dazed quality, as if he existed perpetually between wakefulness and dreams. His slender, androgynous frame moved with minimal effort, each step calculated to expend the least amount of energy necessary.

He wore a high-collared, loosely fitted shirt with long sleeves that hung elegantly from his form, paired with dark pants and boots. Everything about his appearance seemed designed for maximum comfort and minimum fuss.

But it was his face—that ethereal, almost otherworldly face—that bore an uncanny similarity to their beloved master, Rimuru Tempest. The same delicate features, the same androgynous beauty, the same unsettling perfection that made one question whether they were looking at a person or a living work of art.

"It's like looking at an alternate version of Rimuru-sama," Shion murmured, her expression torn between curiosity and concern. "But there's something else... something I can't quite put my finger on."

Shuna nodded slowly. "His aura. Have you noticed? It's almost completely suppressed—subtle to the point of being nearly untraceable. For someone to maintain such control constantly... it speaks of either incredible discipline or..."

"Or incredible power that needs to be hidden," Shion finished, her hand unconsciously moving to rest on the hilt of her sword.

Yet despite this mystery, despite the questions that swirled around him like autumn leaves, [M/n] had proven to be nothing but harmless. In fact, "harmless" might have been the understatement of the century. The young man seemed to embody the very concept of non-intervention, moving through the Federation like a ghost who wanted nothing more than to be left alone.

His personal motto had become something of a legend among those who'd managed to exchange more than three words with him: "If I don't have to do it, I won't. But if I have to do it, I'll make it quick."

It was a philosophy he lived by with almost religious devotion.

The morning sun had barely crested the horizon when Shuna and Shion found themselves standing outside [M/n]'s modest residence, a small cottage situated in one of the quieter districts of Rimuru City. They'd been discussing their observations for weeks now, and curiosity had finally overcome propriety.

"Are you certain this is a good idea?" Shuna asked, her hand hovering over the door. "Rimuru-sama didn't exactly give us permission to—"

"We're not doing anything wrong!" Shion insisted, though her voice carried a hint of uncertainty. "We're just... conducting a harmless comparison. For the safety and security of the Federation, of course."

Shuna raised a delicate eyebrow. "Of course."

Before either could knock, the door opened to reveal [M/n], looking even more disheveled than usual. His pale blue hair was slightly mussed from sleep, and his sky-blue eyes held an expression of profound exhaustion that suggested he'd been rudely awakened from a very pleasant dream.

In his arms, clutched protectively against his chest, was a plushie that made both Kijin women freeze in their tracks.

The plushie was exquisitely crafted, depicting an androgynous figure with long, flowing lavender-blue gradient hair that partially covered its embroidered eyes. Small, golden curved horn-like protrusions extended from the back of its head, curving around to the front in a distinctly draconic fashion. It wore ornate robes of white fabric over a darker underlayer, with deep blue lining and gold accents forming intricate patterns along the edges.

Even in plush form, the figure radiated an aura of majesty and ancient power.

"What?" [M/n]'s voice was flat, emotionless, and still heavy with sleep.

"W-we need you to come with us," Shion stammered, her usual confidence faltering under that blank, infinite stare. "It's... important. Federation business."

[M/n] looked at them for a long moment, his expression never changing. Then, with a sigh that seemed to come from the very depths of his soul, he shuffled forward, making no move to release the plushie from his grasp.

"Fine. But make it quick. I was having a good dream."

And so began the strangest morning the Jura Tempest Federation had witnessed in quite some time.

Rimuru Tempest, Chancellor and founder of the Jura Tempest Federation, looked up from the paperwork scattered across his desk with an expression of profound confusion as his office door burst open.

"Rimuru-sama!" Shuna called out, her usual composure slightly ruffled as she and Shion entered, quite literally dragging a half-asleep [M/n] between them.

"We need to conduct an experiment!" Shion declared with the enthusiasm of someone who'd just discovered the secret to unlimited energy.

Rimuru blinked. Then blinked again. "An... experiment? At seven in the morning? And why does [M/n] look like he's about three seconds away from falling asleep standing up?"

"Because I am," [M/n] murmured, his grip tightening slightly on the mysterious plushie. "And I would very much like to return to bed."

"You can't! Not yet!" Shion insisted, positioning [M/n] directly beside Rimuru's desk. "Rimuru-sama, if you would please stand next to [M/n]?"

"Shion, what is this about?" Rimuru asked, though he was already rising from his chair, curiosity getting the better of him.

"Just... trust us, please."

With a sigh that rivaled [M/n]'s own, Rimuru moved to stand beside the half-asleep young man. The moment they were side by side, Shuna gasped audibly.

"By the spirits..."

Because standing together, the resemblance was nothing short of extraordinary.

They were nearly the same height, both possessing slender, androgynous builds. Both had that distinctive pale blue hair, though [M/n]'s was notably longer, cascading down his back while Rimuru's fell to about shoulder length. Both had those striking blue-gradient eyes, though [M/n]'s held a more distant, dream-like quality compared to Rimuru's sharper, more alert gaze.

It was like looking at two variations of the same base template—one more energetic and engaged with the world, the other perpetually drifting through existence with minimal investment.

By this point, word had spread through the castle like wildfire. One by one, Rimuru's subordinates began filtering into the office, drawn by curiosity and the promise of something unusual.

Benimaru arrived first, his crimson eyes widening slightly at the sight. "Well, that's... unexpected."

"Unexpected? It's uncanny!" Shion exclaimed, walking around the two as if inspecting merchandise. "They could be siblings!"

"Please don't say that," Rimuru muttered, feeling oddly uncomfortable with the comparison.

Ranga materialized from Rimuru's shadow, his massive wolf form shrinking down to something more office-appropriate as he tilted his head. "Master, this one's scent is... strange. Familiar, yet ancient. Like starlight preserved in amber."

"Poetic, Ranga, but not particularly helpful," Rimuru replied, though his interest was clearly piqued.

Hakurou entered with his characteristic calm, his experienced eyes immediately assessing the situation. "Fascinating. The similarities are remarkable, but there are distinct differences in their auras. Rimuru-sama's presence is bold and commanding, while this young one's is..."

"Suppressed," Souei finished, appearing from seemingly nowhere and making half the room jump. "Deliberately and expertly suppressed. I've been observing [M/n] since his arrival, and his energy signature is nearly impossible to track."

[M/n], for his part, seemed supremely unconcerned with being the center of attention. His eyes had half-closed, and he swayed slightly on his feet, the plushie still clutched protectively in his arms.

"Oi, is he falling asleep standing up?" Benimaru asked, alarmed.

"Apparently so," Rimuru said, reaching out to steady [M/n] before he toppled over. "Hey, you okay there?"

"Mmm... fine... just tired..." [M/n] murmured, his form beginning to shimmer slightly.

"Is he... flickering?" Shuna asked, leaning closer.

Indeed, [M/n]'s human form had begun to destabilize, his body taking on a translucent, iridescent quality. Before anyone could react, there was a soft pop of displaced air, and where [M/n] had stood, there was now an iridescent blue slime bouncing on the floor.

The room fell silent.

"Did he just..." Shion began.

"Turn into a slime?" Rimuru finished, his voice climbing an octave. "He's a SLIME?!"

The blue slime—[M/n]—bounced once, twice, then suddenly expanded to nearly twice its size, its gelatinous form opening like a mouth to completely engulf the Veldanava plushie before contracting back to its normal spherical shape.

Storing it for safekeeping, apparently.

"Well," Hakurou said after a long moment. "That explains the resemblance."

Rimuru stared at the slime that was apparently [M/n], his mind racing. "Hold on. Slimes only take human form when they evolve, and the form they take is supposedly random, or based on—"

He cut himself off, his eyes widening with realization.

"Based on what, Rimuru-sama?" Shuna asked.

"Based on... a template," Rimuru whispered. "But that would mean..."

The slime—[M/n]—jiggled slightly, as if confirming something.

Before Rimuru could process this revelation further, another presence made itself known. The temperature in the room seemed to rise slightly as golden energy crackled through the air, and a booming laugh echoed through the office.

"GWAHAHAHA! What's all this commotion? I could feel the concentration of interesting auras from—"

Veldora Tempest, in his human form of blonde hair, golden eyes, and tanned skin, materialized in the corner of the room. His enthusiastic grin froze on his face the moment his gaze landed on the iridescent blue slime sitting peacefully on the floor.

More specifically, on the shape barely visible through the slime's translucent body—the distinctive form of a plushie with lavender-blue hair and golden horns.

"That's..." Veldora's voice had gone quiet, all traces of his usual bombast vanishing. "That plushie... I've only seen one like it before, and it was..."

The True Dragon moved closer, his eyes fixed on the slime with an intensity that made several people in the room unconsciously step back.

"You," Veldora said softly, addressing the slime. "Show me that plushie. Please."

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, slowly, the slime's form rippled, and it expelled the plushie onto the floor in front of Veldora, before quickly absorbing it again—but not before the True Dragon got a clear look at it.

Veldora's hands were shaking.

"That's... that's definitely... but how? Why would you have...?" He looked up at Rimuru, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "Rimuru. This slime... do you know who they are? What they are?"

"I was just starting to figure that out when you arrived," Rimuru admitted. "But Veldora, you recognize that plushie?"

"Recognize it?" Veldora laughed, but it was a hollow sound. "My brother made only one plushie like that. A perfect replica of himself, blessed with his own power to make it indestructible. He gave it to..."

The True Dragon trailed off, his golden eyes widening with realization.

"He gave it to someone he cared for deeply," Veldora finished quietly. "Someone who existed long before the world took its current shape. Someone my brother named personally."

The implications of that statement hit the room like a physical force.

Rimuru's voice was barely a whisper. "Veldanava personally named this slime?"

"If they possess that plushie, then yes," Veldora confirmed. "My brother was many things, but he never gave gifts lightly. Especially not something containing his own essence."

As if responding to the revelation, the blue slime began to shimmer once more, its form expanding and reshaping. Light enveloped the gelatinous body, and within moments, [M/n] had returned to his human form, the plushie once again clutched protectively in his arms.

His sky-blue eyes, still heavy with exhaustion, met Veldora's golden gaze without fear or reverence—only a quiet, ancient recognition.

"Hello, Veldora," [M/n] said, his voice soft and devoid of emotion. "It's been... a very long time."

Within Moments, The office had been cleared of all but the most essential personnel.

Rimuru sat behind his desk, with Veldora standing beside him. [M/n] had been provided a chair—which he'd immediately claimed, curling up in it with his plushie like a cat seeking maximum comfort with minimum effort—and those who remained (Benimaru, Shuna, Shion, Souei, and Hakurou) stood in respectful silence, waiting.

"So," Rimuru began, steepling his fingers. "I think we deserve some explanations. Starting with... well, everything."

[M/n] looked at him with that perpetual expression of calm detachment, his fingers absently stroking the plushie's lavender-blue hair. "What would you like to know?"

"How about we start with your age?" Rimuru suggested. "And your relationship with Veldanava?"

A faint smile—the first genuine expression anyone had seen from [M/n]—ghosted across his lips. "I'm approximately 40,000 years old. Give or take a few centuries. I stopped counting precisely around the 30,000-year mark. As for Veldanava..."

His eyes grew distant, looking at something beyond the walls of the office, beyond the present moment entirely.

"He found me when I was barely conscious—just a small, iridescent slime struggling to survive in a world that was still taking shape. Back then, the concept of 'monsters' as you know them didn't truly exist. There were only primordial forces, raw elements, and the occasional being who'd managed to gain sentience through sheer chance."

[M/n] hugged the plushie closer, his voice never rising above that same quiet, detached tone, though something subtle shifted in his expression—a shadow of something that might have been feeling.

"I don't know why he took interest in me. Maybe I amused him. Maybe he saw potential. Maybe he was simply lonely, being the Creator God with responsibilities too vast for anyone else to comprehend. But he found me, and he... chose to stay."

"He named you," Veldora said quietly. "That's not a small thing. Our brother rarely named anyone personally."

"He did," [M/n] confirmed. "He called me [M/n], and with that name came power, sentience, and... awareness. Awareness of just how vast and complex existence truly was. It was overwhelming."

Rimuru leaned forward, fascinated despite himself. "What was he like? Veldanava, I mean. All the stories paint him as this distant, all-powerful creator, but..."

"He was kind," [M/n] said simply. "Unbelievably kind, considering the power he wielded. He could have been tyrannical, could have ruled with absolute authority, but instead, he chose to observe, to guide gently, to create with love rather than domination."

The slime-turned-humanoid's gaze dropped to the plushie in his arms.

"He used to visit me regularly. We'd talk about his plans for the world, about the systems he was implementing, about the balance between order and chaos. Sometimes we'd just exist together in comfortable silence. He understood that I didn't require constant stimulation or entertainment. That I was content simply... being."

"And the plushie?" Shuna asked gently, her pink eyes soft with compassion.

[M/n]'s grip tightened imperceptibly. "A gift. Given to me roughly 38,000 years ago. He created it himself—a perfect replica of his human form, down to the smallest detail. He blessed it with a fragment of his power, making it indestructible, and told me..."

His voice, which had remained so carefully neutral, wavered almost imperceptibly.

"He told me that as long as I held it, a part of him would always be with me. That even when his duties called him away, even when he couldn't visit, I would never truly be alone."

The room had gone silent, everyone present recognizing that they were witnessing something profoundly personal.

"He based the human form template for evolved slimes on me," [M/n] continued, his tone returning to its usual flatness, though his fingers continued their soothing motion through the plushie's hair. "That's why Rimuru and I share similarities. Every slime that evolves enough to gain a human form will bear some resemblance to the template Veldanava established all those millennia ago."

"That's..." Rimuru shook his head in amazement. "That's incredible. But wait—if you're that old, and that powerful, why are you living such a... low-key existence here?"

For the first time, something that might have been amusement flickered in [M/n]'s eyes.

"Because," he said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, "exerting effort is troublesome. I've lived for 40,000 years. I've seen empires rise and fall, watched continents shift, observed the birth and death of countless beings. I've witnessed wars that reshaped reality and peace that lasted millennia. And through it all, I've learned one fundamental truth."

He paused, his sky-blue eyes meeting Rimuru's directly.

"Most things people consider important... aren't. Most conflicts people wage wars over... don't matter in the grand scheme of existence. Most achievements people kill themselves striving for... are forgotten within a few centuries. So why waste energy on any of it? If I don't have to do it, I won't. But if I have to do it—if something genuinely requires my intervention—I'll make it quick and return to my preferred state of peaceful non-existence as soon as possible."

"That's..." Benimaru struggled for words. "That's incredibly depressing."

"That's realistic," [M/n] corrected without heat. "I'm not saying nothing matters. I'm saying most things don't matter as much as people think they do. The things that truly matter—genuine connections, moments of authentic peace, the feeling of comfort and safety—those are worth preserving. Everything else is just... noise."

Veldora had been quietly observing throughout this exchange, and now he spoke up, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. "You loved my brother."

It wasn't a question.

[M/n] didn't confirm or deny it immediately. He simply sat there, stroking the plushie's hair with mechanical precision, his expression revealing nothing.

"Love is a complicated concept," he finally said. "Especially when one party is a literal god who created the universe, and the other is a slime who exists primarily to avoid exerting effort. But... yes. In whatever capacity I was capable of such an emotion, I... cared for him. Deeply."

"Does that mean..." Shion hesitated, clearly unsure if she should continue.

"It means," [M/n] said quietly, "that when Veldanava died, a part of me died with him. The part that believed effort might be worthwhile. The part that thought perhaps existence could be more than just a series of moments to endure between periods of sleep. He was the one thing—the one being—that made me want to be more than what I am."

His eyes closed, and for just a moment, vulnerability cracked through that carefully maintained mask of apathy.

"I felt it when it happened. The moment his essence dispersed back into the fabric of reality. It was like... like someone had extinguished a star that had been burning at the center of my world for thousands of years. Suddenly, everything was darker. Colder. More pointless than it had ever been before."

"[M/n]..." Rimuru began, but he didn't know what to say.

"It's fine," [M/n] said, his tone returning to that flat, emotionless quality. "It was a long time ago. I've had millennia to process it, to accept it, to move on. Or at least, to become numb to it. Same difference, really."

He opened his eyes again, and they were once more that calm, infinite daze that revealed nothing.

"After he died, I wandered. For thousands of years, I just... drifted. No purpose, no goal, just existing because ceasing to exist seemed like it would require too much effort. I slept for centuries at a time. Occasionally, I'd wake up, observe whatever new development had occurred in the world, determine it wasn't worth my attention, and go back to sleep."

"Then why come here?" Souei asked, his analytical mind seeking to understand. "Why the Jura Tempest Federation specifically?"

[M/n] turned his gaze to Rimuru, and for just a moment, something almost warm flickered in those blue depths.

"Because I sensed another slime who'd evolved. Another being who bore the template Veldanava created based on me. And I was... curious. Curious to see what kind of existence you'd build, Rimuru Tempest. Curious to see if perhaps this world had evolved into something that might have made Veldanava proud."

He looked around the office, at the diverse group of powerful beings who'd all sworn loyalty to a former human-turned-slime.

"And what I found was... interesting. A society built on coexistence rather than domination. A leader who values life and seeks to minimize conflict rather than glorifying it. A place where strength is used to protect rather than oppress. It's... not what I expected. It's better."

"So you decided to stay?" Rimuru asked.

"I decided it was less troublesome than leaving," [M/n] corrected. "And the beds here are comfortable. And no one bothers me unnecessarily. And sometimes, when I look at what you've built, I think... maybe Veldanava would have approved. Maybe he would have smiled at this strange little nation where a slime became a Chancellor and changed the world through kindness rather than conquest."

He hugged the plushie closer, his eyes growing distant once more.

"And sometimes, when I'm half-asleep, holding this plushie... I can almost feel him. Like he's there, stroking my head the way he used to when I'd curl up in his lap after expending too much energy. Like he's whispering that I did well, that I can rest now, that everything's going to be fine."

His voice had grown softer, almost vulnerable.

"It's not real, of course. Just my mind playing tricks on me, creating comfort where there is none. But it's... nice. It makes the act of continuing to exist slightly less pointless. So I stay here, in this comfortable place, with this comfortable life, holding onto this one precious thing that remains from a time when existence felt like it meant something."

The silence that followed was heavy with emotion.

Finally, Veldora spoke, his voice rough with feelings he clearly didn't know how to process.

"My brother was blessed to have known you," the True Dragon said. "And I think... I think he would be glad that you found a place like this. A place where you can rest without fear, where you're accepted without question, where you can just... be."

[M/n] looked at Veldora for a long moment, then gave a small nod—the closest thing to agreement he seemed capable of expressing.

"Perhaps," he said quietly. "Though I suspect he'd also lecture me about my lazy lifestyle and insist I try harder to engage with the world."

A genuine smile crossed Veldora's face. "That does sound like him."

"Which is precisely why I'm glad he's not here to do so," [M/n] replied, though there was the faintest hint of fondness in his tone. "I've perfected the art of minimal effort over 40,000 years. I'm not about to change now."

Despite the heavy emotions of the previous moments, several people in the room found themselves smiling at that.

"Well," Rimuru said, leaning back in his chair, "I think I can safely say this was not how I expected this morning to go. But [M/n], you're welcome to stay here as long as you want. No expectations, no obligations. Just... exist. Sleep. Hold your plushie. Live whatever kind of peaceful, low-effort life you want."

[M/n]'s eyes met his, and for just a moment, something genuinely grateful flickered in those blue depths.

"Thank you," he said simply.

Then he yawned—a jaw-cracking yawn that seemed to come from the very core of his being.

"Now, if we're done with this unexpectedly emotional conversation, I would very much like to return to bed. I was having a good dream before I was dragged here, and I'd like to see if I can get back to it."

"What were you dreaming about?" Shuna asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

[M/n] stood, the plushie still clutched in his arms, and headed for the door. Just before leaving, he paused and looked back, his expression once again that infinite, peaceful daze.

"I was dreaming that Veldanava wasn't dead," he said quietly. "That he'd simply been away on a very long journey, and he'd finally come home. That he was there, real and solid and warm, telling me I'd done well, that he was proud of me, that I could rest now."

His fingers tightened on the plushie.

"It was a good dream," he repeated. "And I'd very much like to return to it, even though I know it's just fantasy. Because sometimes, fantasy is easier to bear than reality."

And with that, he left, his footsteps quiet and measured, conserving energy even in the simple act of walking.

The room remained silent for several moments after his departure.

"Well," Benimaru finally said, "that was..."

"Heartbreaking," Shuna finished softly.

"Enlightening," Souei corrected.

"All of the above," Rimuru said, running a hand through his hair. "Veldora, I have so many questions about your brother, but I think... I think they can wait."

The True Dragon nodded, his golden eyes still fixed on the door through which [M/n] had departed.

"He loved my brother more than he probably even realizes," Veldora said quietly. "And my brother loved him back, in his own way. Veldanava wasn't capable of loving anything halfway—it was all or nothing with him. If he gave that slime a piece of his own essence, if he created an entire template based on [M/n]'s form, if he visited regularly despite his cosmic responsibilities..."

The True Dragon's voice grew thick with emotion.

"Then [M/n] meant more to my brother than almost anything else in creation. And now he's gone, and [M/n] is left with nothing but memories and a plushie and 40,000 years of grief that he's too tired to properly process."

"We should do something," Shion said firmly. "We should help him!"

"We should let him be," Hakurou corrected gently. "That one has survived for 40 millennia by knowing his own limits and respecting them. If he wants help, he'll ask. Until then, the kindest thing we can do is exactly what Rimuru-sama offered—a safe place to exist without demands or expectations."

Rimuru nodded slowly. "Hakurou's right. [M/n] doesn't need us to fix him or save him or force him to engage with life. He just needs... space. Comfort. The freedom to sleep and dream and hold onto his memories without judgment."

He looked around at his subordinates, his expression serious.

"So that's what we'll give him. Spread the word—[M/n] is to be left alone unless he specifically seeks out interaction. No missions, no obligations, no expectations. He's earned his rest a thousand times over."

"Understood, Rimuru-sama," they chorused.

As the meeting dispersed and people began filing out, Veldora lingered, his expression thoughtful.

"Rimuru," he said quietly, "would you mind if I... checked on him occasionally? Not to bother him, just to... I don't know. My brother cared for him deeply, and I feel like I should..."

"Honor that connection?" Rimuru finished. "Of course, Veldora. I think [M/n] might appreciate it, actually. You're a link to Veldanava, after all. Just... be gentle, okay? He's more fragile than he appears."

"Aren't we all," Veldora murmured, and for once, the boisterous True Dragon seemed genuinely contemplative.

Later That night,

[M/n] lay in his bed, the Veldanava plushie held close to his chest. The moonlight filtered through his window, casting silver shadows across the room, and in the quiet darkness, he allowed himself to feel.

He closed his eyes and imagined—as he had countless times over the past several thousand years—that Veldanava was there. That he could feel those warm hands stroking through his hair, that familiar presence wrapping around him like the gentlest embrace.

"You did well," the imagined voice whispered, soft and filled with affection. "You survived, you persisted, you found a place where you can finally rest. I'm proud of you, my dear [M/n]."

"I miss you," [M/n] whispered back to the empty room, to the ghost that existed only in his mind. "Every day, every moment, I miss you. The world is so much colder without you in it."

"I know," the phantom voice replied. "But you're not alone anymore. You've found others—a community, friends, maybe even family if you allow it. Rimuru is good. Kind. He'll take care of you if you let him."

"I'm tired," [M/n] murmured, his grip tightening on the plushie. "So tired of existing without purpose, without meaning, without you."

"Then rest," Veldanava's imagined voice soothed, and [M/n] could almost—almost—feel those gentle fingers running through his hair. "Rest, my precious one. Dream of better times. Dream of when we'll meet again, in whatever form existence takes beyond this one. Dream, and know that somewhere, somehow, I'm still with you."

Tears—the first [M/n] had allowed himself to shed in centuries—slipped silently down his cheeks and disappeared into his pillow.

"I love you," he whispered to the ghost, to the memory, to the indestructible plushie that held a fragment of the Star King's essence. "I will always love you, even if it hurts, even if it's pointless, even if you're gone forever."

And in the darkness of his room, in the safety of his bed, [M/n] allowed himself to believe—just for a moment—that somewhere in the vast tapestry of existence, Veldanava heard him.

That somewhere, the Star King smiled.

And that someday, when [M/n]'s incredibly long life finally reached its end, they would meet again.

But until then, he would do what he did best.

He would rest.

He would dream.

And he would hold onto the one precious thing that remained from a time when existence had felt like it meant something.

Bonus[Extra Drabble]

Morning came far too quickly for [M/n]'s liking.

Sunlight filtered through the nearby window in gentle golden streams, painting patterns across the wooden floor of his modest room. Outside, the soft chirping of birds heralded the new day with their cheerful songs, while the early hustles of street vendors setting up their stalls created a distant symphony of clattering wood and friendly greetings.

The Jura Tempest Federation was waking up, full of life and purpose and forward motion.

And [M/n] lay motionless upon his bed, staring at nothing in particular.

The Veldanava plushie was still clutched against his chest, his arms wrapped around it in a grip that had remained unchanged throughout the night. His pale blue hair spread across the pillow like spilled water, and his sky-blue eyes—those infinite, dazed eyes—gazed unfocused at the ceiling above.

The tear streaks upon his cheeks had long dried since they fell the night before, leaving faint salt trails on his pale skin.

But for some reason, they began to fall again.

Fresh tears welled up in his eyes, spilling over without his permission, tracing new paths down his face. They came silently, without sobs or gasps or any of the dramatic expressions of grief that others might display. Just quiet, persistent tears that fell and fell and fell, no matter how much [M/n] willed them to stop.

Stop, he commanded himself, his internal voice flat and emotionless even as his body betrayed him. This is pointless. Crying changes nothing. He's been gone for thousands of years. You've already processed this. You've already accepted it. Stop.

But the tears didn't stop.

If anything, they fell faster, warm against his cold skin, gathering at his jaw before dripping onto the pillow beneath his head.

[M/n] tried to hold them in—tried to force his body to obey the iron will that had kept him functioning for 40,000 years. He squeezed his eyes shut, clenched his jaw, took slow, measured breaths designed to suppress any emotion that dared to surface.

But it didn't work.

The tears fell anyway, and with them came a question that had haunted him for millennia. A question Veldanava himself had posed, thousands upon thousands of years ago, when [M/n] had been confused about the strange, uncomfortable sensations that arose whenever the Star King left after a visit.

"Do you know what you are, my dear [M/n]?" Veldanava had asked, his lavender-blue hair catching the light of a sunset that had occurred before the current continents had even formed. They'd been sitting together on what would eventually become a mountain range, watching as the world slowly took shape according to the Creator God's design.

"I'm a slime," [M/n] had answered, because it had seemed like the obvious response. "An evolved slime. The first of my kind to achieve sentience and a human form."

Veldanava had smiled—that gentle, knowing smile that suggested he understood something [M/n] had yet to grasp.

"You are that, yes. But you're also something more complicated. Something I didn't entirely intend when I named you, but something that emerged nonetheless."

He'd reached out, his hand warm against [M/n]'s head as he ran his fingers through pale blue hair.

"You have the heart of a human," Veldanava had said softly. "Vast enough to feel the full spectrum of emotions, deep enough to form genuine connections, capable of love and loss and all the beautiful, terrible things that come with truly caring about something beyond yourself."

[M/n] had frowned, not understanding. "But I'm not human. I'm a monster."

"And therein lies the tragedy," Veldanava had replied, his expression turning sad. "Because while you have a human's heart—a human's capacity for feeling—you have a monster's body and a monster's nature. Monsters experience emotions differently than humans. They feel things in the moment, intensely and immediately, but they also process and move on more quickly. Their grief is sharp but short. Their joy is bright but fleeting."

The Star King's hand had moved to cup [M/n]'s cheek, his thumb brushing away a tear that [M/n] hadn't even realized had fallen.

"But you, my precious one, you have a heart that feels like a human while existing in a body that processes like a monster. Your heart is vast enough to feel everything—every loss, every longing, every ache of absence—but it's too slow to catch up with the reality your monster nature tries to impose. You feel things deeply, but you struggle to acknowledge them in the moment. You experience love, but you can't always recognize it until it's already passed."

"I don't understand," [M/n] had whispered, confusion and something that might have been fear coloring his normally flat tone.

"You will," Veldanava had said, and his smile had been heartbreaking in its gentleness. "Someday, perhaps when I'm no longer here to explain it, you'll understand. You'll feel something so profoundly that it breaks through that careful numbness you wrap around yourself. And when it finally catches up to you—when your heart finally processes what it's been feeling all along—it will hurt. It will hurt more than anything you've experienced before."

"Then why give me this heart?" [M/n] had asked, and for once, there had been genuine emotion in his voice—anger, frustration, fear all tangled together. "Why curse me with feelings I can't properly process? Why make me something that exists between two states, fitting perfectly into neither?"

Veldanava had pulled him close, wrapping him in an embrace that had felt like coming home.

"Because," the Star King had whispered, "a heart that can feel so deeply, even if it's slow to recognize its own emotions, is precious beyond measure. It means that when you do finally acknowledge what you're feeling, it's real. Genuine. Uncorrupted by impulse or momentary passion. Your love, when you finally recognize it as love, is eternal. Your grief, when it finally catches up to you, is proof that what you lost mattered."

"That sounds terrible," [M/n] had muttered into Veldanava's chest.

"It is," Veldanava had agreed. "But it's also beautiful. You are beautiful, [M/n]. Every contradictory, confusing part of you."

Now, lying in his bed some 38,000 years after that conversation, [M/n] finally—finally—understood what Veldanava had meant.

Because the tears were still falling.

Because his chest ached with a pain that felt fresh despite occurring millennia ago.

Because his heart was finally, finally catching up to the reality that his mind had accepted thousands of years prior.

Veldanava was gone.

Not temporarily. Not away on some cosmic journey. Not busy with the responsibilities of maintaining creation.

Gone.

Dead. Dispersed. Returned to the fabric of reality from which he'd emerged.

And [M/n] loved him.

Loved him.

Present tense, because apparently his stupid, slow, human-like heart hadn't gotten the memo that you were supposed to use past tense for people who'd been dead for thousands of years.

He loved Veldanava with a depth and intensity that terrified him. Loved him the way continents loved the earth they rested upon—fundamental, unchangeable, eternal. Loved him the way stars loved the void—desperately, completely, with a brightness that would persist long after the star itself had burned out.

And he'd never properly acknowledged it.

Not when Veldanava was alive. Not during those countless visits when the Star King would sit with him, talk with him, hold him. Not when Veldanava would stroke his hair and call him precious and look at him like he was something more valuable than all of creation.

[M/n] had felt it—of course he'd felt it. His vast, human-like heart had been screaming it with every interaction, every touch, every moment of comfortable silence they'd shared.

But his monster nature, his instinct to remain detached and uncommitted, had prevented him from recognizing it for what it was.

Until now.

Until 40,000 years of accumulated grief had finally, finally caught up with his slow-processing heart.

"I love you," [M/n] whispered to the empty room, to the plushie in his arms, to the ghost of a god who would never hear him. "I love you, I love you, I love you."

The words came easier now, tumbling out between silent sobs that shook his frame.

"I loved you then, even though I didn't understand it. I loved you when you named me, when you gave me this form, when you created an entire template based on my appearance because you wanted other slimes to have the chance to be as beautiful as you thought I was."

His grip on the plushie tightened until his knuckles went white.

"I loved you when you visited me, when you held me, when you explained the complexities of existence with a patience that suggested you had infinite time to spend with one confused slime who couldn't properly express his feelings."

The tears were falling faster now, hot and relentless.

"I loved you when you gave me this plushie, when you blessed it with your essence, when you promised that part of you would always be with me even when you had to leave."

A sound escaped his throat—something between a gasp and a sob, foreign and frightening in its rawness.

"And I loved you when you died. When I felt your essence scatter across creation. When the star at the center of my world extinguished and left me in darkness."

"I've loved you every moment since then. Every century of wandering. Every millennium of sleeping to avoid the emptiness. Every time I've woken up and had to remember that you're gone."

"I love you NOW, in the present, in this moment, with a heart that's FINALLY caught up to what it's been feeling for 40,000 years."

The words dissolved into incoherent sounds—quiet, broken noises that [M/n] had never allowed himself to make before. His carefully maintained composure, his practiced apathy, his determination to expend minimal effort on emotions that couldn't change anything—all of it crumbled in the face of grief that had been delayed by tens of thousands of years.

This was what Veldanava had tried to warn him about.

This was the price of having a human heart in a monster's body.

This was what happened when reality finally, brutally, inescapably caught up.

[M/n] curled around the plushie, making himself as small as possible, as if he could somehow fold into the blessed item and disappear into whatever fragment of Veldanava's essence remained within it.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I'm sorry I didn't understand what I was feeling until it was too late. I'm sorry I wasted all that time being confused and detached when I could have been honest."

"I'm sorry I'm only now grieving properly, thousands of years after you died. I'm sorry my heart is so slow. I'm sorry I'm so broken."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

The morning continued around him, indifferent to his breakdown. The sun kept rising. The birds kept singing. The vendors kept setting up their stalls. The Jura Tempest Federation kept living and breathing and moving forward.

And [M/n] lay in his bed, finally—finally—allowing himself to feel the full weight of a loss that had occurred before some of the current civilizations had even begun to form.

His monster nature screamed at him to stop, to compose himself, to return to that comfortable numbness that had allowed him to function for so long.

But his human heart—that vast, slow, impossibly deep human heart—refused to obey.

Because it had finally caught up to reality.

And reality was this: He had loved someone with every fiber of his being. That someone was gone. And no amount of sleeping, or wandering, or pretending not to care could change either of those facts.

The tears continued to fall, soaking into the plushie's lavender-blue hair, creating dark spots on the pristine white fabric of its robes.

And for the first time in 40,000 years, [M/n] allowed himself to truly, completely, devastatingly grieve.

Not with the sharp, immediate pain of a monster's fresh loss.

But with the deep, endless, ocean-like sorrow of a human heart that had finally acknowledged what it had been carrying all along.

"You have the heart of a human," Veldanava's voice echoed in his memory. "Vast enough to feel, but too slow to catch up with reality. And you have the body of a monster—unable to experience love and feel it in the moment, unable to acknowledge it until it's already become a scar."

"When your heart finally catches up," the Star King had whispered all those millennia ago, "it will hurt. But that hurt will prove that what you felt was real. That what you lost mattered. That you are capable of love so profound it transcends time itself."

"And that, my dear [M/n], is the most beautiful curse I could have ever given you."

In his bed, [M/n] finally understood.

And he wept.