In the peaceful silent forest, two young men were walking side by side with a log on each of them almost at a foot distance. Since it was already evening the forest seemed more gloomy and dark than it actually was.
"If it's your, family's traditional technique then why do you want to teach me?" Subaru asked the obvious as however, the breathing technique sounds cool, he couldn't learn it before knowing the reason for this free giveaway.
"I am the last flame breath user from my family and I want someone to carry my will". Rengoku said while looking forward without change in his expression.
" So are you infertile or maybe..." Subaru unconsciously sidetracked his feet some inches.
"Hahaha..you are an amusing guy. Anyway, it's not that. I am physically healthy and I am interested in the opposite sex but even I can leave an offspring, I don't have much time to think about engaging in those activities nor to train someone from the scratch". Subaru raised his brow but before he could have questioned, Kyojuro started speaking again.
"There is a reason I have trained this much until now and I am lacking time. As maybe at the end of this year, I might not be alive anymore". Subaru's steps halted as he felt that this matter was rather serious.
Kyojuro also stopped and with his all-time, casual smile looked toward Subaru.
"I think you already know about my father's death in a dungeon right?" Subaru nodded.
"I was also with him when he died in the dungeon. Although it was 10 years ago, I still remember it clear as day." It was only a tiny bit but remorse was visible on his face.
The normal raging and enthusiastic Kyojuro had a regretful smile on his face which barely anyone have saw until now. Subaru didn't speak and just waited for him to continue.
"I saw him dying painfully in front of my very own eyes while I was hiding like a coward behind covers. My father was my biggest inspiration, the most powerful person I have known. But he was played like a toy before he was mercilessly killed in that manner which I find vulgar even from monsters perspective". Kyojuro clutched the rope on his chest which was tied with the log, as he spoke.
"The same day, when I managed to escape, I decided that one day I will end that creature which took away a precious person from my life". After inhaling loudly Kyojuro went silent for some moments.
" Anyway, I will meet that monster again this year so there is a slim chance that I will survive but I have to try and I think I could do what my father was unable to".
"Wait...how do you know that the same monster will erupt from the dungeon..I mean is there a device or something". Kyojuro shook his head before responding.
" Before escaping from that hell, I took a part of that monster which my father managed to tore it somehow before he was captured". Kyojuro pinched the crook of the chain he was wearing around his neck and showed Subaru.
The locket on the end of the chain has a very tiny glass jar which had a quarter nail-sized, red glass-like thing in it.
Subaru scrunched his brows but didnt find a single mana presence from it.
"This thing indicates the presence of that thing. It glowed once 5 years ago, so I am guessing this pattern will continue and I might find another gate which will lead me to my vengeance."
(A/N: Kyojuro might be a little OOC)
"Wait that means you will fight it but why I mean you can wait for another 5 years and get stronger right?" Subaru asked in confusion.
"I told you already. I will take something which my father would have never taken." After looking directly into Subaru's eyes Kyojuro spoke in his usual tone.
"And that is help".
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Back in the cottage, Subaru met Ririka and the talk went smoothly.
He didn't expect that Ririka would be so easygoing after she learns about Sasha and especially after facing defeat. But to his surprise...
" I will train more to become a woman worthy of you Subaru kun. So wait for me". There wasn't a single waver in her voice which showed that she wasn't forcing herself.
"You already are mine, so you don't have to do anything else you know that right?" Subaru hugged her tightly as he spoke.
"Mm. I know but this is something I have to do so I can face myself ". Ririka snuggled her face in his chest as she spoke in a muffled voice.
The lovely silence between them was more than enough, Ririka could ask for.
Some months ago, she couldn't even have imagined being able to embrace Subaru how much she wanted. So this slow development between them was more than she could ask for.
_________...___________
'Haa...it was better than I imagined. After exiting Ririka's cottage I sighed in relief.
These kinds of matters always push me to the edge. Having multiple women was still something I wasn't used to. But slowly I have started to adapt.
Walking down the path, I searched for mom's mana and soon enough found it some kilometers away.
Tracing the mana, I teleported directly inside her room.
" Ahh!" And I was greeted with a flustered mom who just hopped in the air before falling on the bed.
"Geez baby. You nearly gave me a heart attack". She stood up instantly and hugged me.
" Was I not invited?" I asked in an innocent voice.
"Of course you are. I was about to call you-..ah I don't have my phone". I led both of us toward the enormous bed and sat on its edge. Mom, as always, crossed her legs on my back while clinging to me like a cute bear.
"Are you liking the school?". She asked with a blow on my neck. I think it was kinda seductive.
" Yeah but not as much I thought. I am not learning much as I thought and after calculating with the sacrifice of not venturing into dungeons, this school seems even more, worthless." I said with a sigh.
"So are you planning to drop?" She asked while tilting her head to the side.
I gave a kiss on her soft cheek and after receiving a soft giggle, I responded.
"Yeah. There are some people in this school whom I would like to battle with before I leave."
"And what about your little girlfriend". She didn't even try to hide the dejection while mentioning Ririka.
" I don't know but I think she will stay here most likely. Anyway, what happened after I left yesterday. Although I am happy, I didn't expect you both to become genial this easily. ". I was more than happy with this development between two of my beloved person but still, it was unusual for a mom to accept someone in my life this simply. And I am sure, this goes for Ririka too.
" The first time I felt your mana and saw your potential in magic, I immediately knew that you will become a legend in hunter's history. And with great power comes great women. So I have prepared myself since a long time ago. But still, it hurts when I see you with someone else so, please give your mama some priority too". She said with her big red eyes going a little moist.
I truly love to gaze in them and so I did.
"Don't worry mom. Before my lover, you are my mom and I will always give you my love and attention until death do us part".
(A/N: Daily dose of cringe)
" Should I take it as a proposal". She giggled before she buried her face in my neck.
"Baby~ I don't like how you smell. Please take a bath ". I knew she would have smelt the scent of Ririka.
" Okay wait for me". I picked her up and after placing her on the bed I slipped my way to the bathroom.
Naturally, it was big as my whole cottage with numerous amount of essentials and beauty products.
The water was warm as I require generally, so it didn't take me time to get refreshed.
After wearing a bathing robe, I came out of the bathroom only to get startled.
The view which greeted me just after entering the bedroom was a sight to behold.
"H-how do I look, baby?"
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A/N: Should I skip 🍋🍋?
I want a suggestion. Should I replace Chae Hae In with another member? Recommend if you guys have anyone in mind. But yeah she should be from Solo leveling.
Drop a comment if you are liking the story so far.