Why had everyone chosen today to arrive?
A sigh escaped Caspian's lips as he glanced around the quiet room, everyone's eager stares fixed on him.
He found himself with his back to the wall, sitting on the living room floor beneath the kitchen's peek-through window. To his left sat Fubuki, who had released her grip on his arm once Mosquito Girl's teasing began.
Mosquito Girl clung to his right arm, mirroring Fubuki's earlier grasp. Her soft chest pressed insistently against him in the crowded space. An intimacy that should have unsettled him, yet her bright smile held him captive. That unguarded joy was worth enduring any discomfort.
His eyes jumped from Mosquito Girl to an exuberant Suiko, then to Yuta sitting in the corner, her expression giving nothing away.
Caspian ached to have an intimate chat with all three of them. He wondered if he should ask Mosquito Girl to tell Fubuki whatever magic words she said to Suiko and Yuta. Either way, it would have to wait.
Why is no one talking? Is this how Genos feels when training his willpower?
Straight ahead of him, Boros, Gunner, and Kombu Infinity stood on the balcony. Caspian had doubted they'd fit at first, but to his surprise, they had more than enough space.
Between the two groups, at the center of the living room around the small low table, sat Genos on the right, Sweet Mask on the left, and Blue Fire to Sweet Mask's left.
Sweet Mask's voice pierced the silence. "I will say what I came here to say and depart afterward." He did a visual sweep of everyone in the room, lingering on the trio of non-humans for a split second longer. "You all need to remain quiet and not interrupt me as well."
I'm surprised he didn't ask everyone else to leave. More surprising is him sitting with a group of monsters... Just how vital is this discussion to him?
Satisfaction settled across his features before he continued. "Caspian, instead of a long monologue on all the events that led me to my decision, I will inform you directly.
I wish for you to become the grand symbol of justice that will emblazon the world. A hero who represents a grandiose hope that all can see and hold on to."
Sweet Mask paused, giving an unperturbed Caspian a moment to survey the room.
His scan of the room caught only two standout expressions: Blue Fire's muted surprise and Fubuki's blatant astonishment, lips forming a perfect 'o.'
"Why would I want that responsibility and title? That sounds like a pain."
Sweet Mask's expression did not falter as he said, "You do not seem surprised by my words. As if you already knew this would happen today."
Not true at all.
"Of course my master knew. Even Lady Shibabawa could not hold a candle to his prophetic abilities," Genos commented.
Boros followed up. "I am unsure who this 'Lady Shibabawa' is, but I can attest to that claim. The moment he arrived aboard my spaceship, he effortlessly navigated through its labyrinthian tunnels and arrived in my throne room, where he recounted my entire backstory. He also knew of my fighting style and abilities, even one ability I had never revealed to any living entity."
"S-Spaceship?" Fubuki could not help but say.
Boros grinned. "How else would I have arrived on this planet?"
His words widened the eyes of many present, but he did not provide any further explanation.
I don't know how many more surprises Fubuki can handle today. Is she going to be alright?
Sweet Mask's lips quirked in a subtle smile — as though every one of his suspicions were proven correct.
Mosquito Girl purred. "How perfect my choice was, making you my lifetime ma—"
"Wait."
Yuta cut her off mid-word. Caspian's stomach dropped as he caught the dangerous glint in her eyes.
"You knew?" Her tone sharpened. "The exact time and place of my battle against Overlord Sparrow?"
"No, and n—"
"Is that true?" Suiko asked.
"You were waiting for me today, right? That's how you knew about my sister and I…"
He turned to Fubuki, who had her head down, murmuring to herself.
Caspian's head throbbed, but he took it in stride.
"You all are exaggerating my abilities." He raised his hands, palms facing outward. "Sweet Mask, what are you trying to get at?"
"I am certain that you are the 'Outsider' mentioned in Lady Shibabawa's final prophecy. You are different. You can be the symbol I envision. Consider the idea." He stood. "I have said all I wish to. Next time we speak, it will be in private, just the two of us. Blue Fire, we are leaving." Sweet Mask cast a last look at Caspian before walking out of the apartment.
Blue Fire followed, appearing too rattled to question or voice anything.
"We shall take our leave as well. Do not keep me waiting, Caspian. The urge to handle the business down below here has gotten me excited."
Boros grabbed Gunner and Kombu Infinity and leaped high into the air, disappearing from the balcony. A second later, the apartment began shaking violently as Grizzly Nyah's massive form blurred by, the trio landing on its back before Nyah ran off. In the distance, the sounds of buildings being destroyed reverberated.
"Master, I shall take my leave as well. I am worried that ninja is still creeping around here." Genos mimicked Boros' actions and exited through the balcony.
Caspian hadn't been able to say a word to any of them. That's it!? What was the point of crowding in here then?!
Mosquito Girl, Suiko, and Yuta's all stared at him. Fubuki had vanished into her thoughts, at least until Mosquito Girl's next move.
"I have some 'business down below' that I need you to handle right now." Mosquito Girl swung her leg around and straddled Caspian's lap, grinding over his jumpsuit.
"Shameless!"
Fubuki's shout brought the pair back to reality.
"Our little monster girl here is quite the insatiable one herself…" Suiko said in an amused tone before her words trailed off.
"I agree with Fubuki. And do not think for a second any of us have forgotten how you abused your prophetic abilities."
Caspian sighed. "I owe you all an apology. No excuse justifies what I did, but I'd do it again to protect the women I care about."
"Cut him some slack, Yuta. He has saved us all in one way or another, hasn't he?" Mosquito Girl said.
Yuta rolled her eyes. "Of course you would excuse his actions. You think with your lower half as much as he does."
Caspian's eyes shifted back from Yuta to Suiko, who asked with a frown. "Did you lie about being interested in the 'Void Fist?' Were you just using your uncanny ability to get in my good graces?"
Shaking his head, Caspian lifted Mosquito Girl off of him and rose to his feet. Without a word, he stepped toward the table, lifting it off the ground before turning to face the four women.
Fubuki, Yuta, Mosquito Girl and Suiko pinned him with their stares.
"Suiko, I did not lie about being interested in the 'Void Fist.'" Caspian turned his back to them, facing the open balcony. While restraining himself, he stomped down onto the floor and drove his fist forward, executing a flawless 'Void Shaking Tiger Fist.'
Turning back to face the four, he realized this little display had earned him three confused looks and one he could only describe as dumbfounded coming from Suiko.
Caspian pressed forward. "I won't deny using my knowledge of future events for my benefit."
He swallowed. "This is might be too soon to say. But I acted out of love. A deep love I have for each of you.
These feelings aren't new. They existed long before we met, though not how you're imagining.
One day, I'll explain how I've known you all so long. Until then, I can only ask for your trust."
A bitter laugh escaped him. "Wow, saying it aloud makes me realize how sel—"
Mosquito Girl clapped her hands, cutting him off. "Sheesh. How long were you planning to monologue?" She trotted forward and embraced him, pressing her cheek against his chest. "I, for one, love you deeply. Every fiber of me trusts you. Hearing you've loved me for longer only makes me happier."
Warmth flooded through him, but before he could react, Suiko appeared at his side and pulled him into an embrace.
"I should've said this last time… I love you."
"I love you too," said Caspian as he ran his hand through Suiko's soft, spiky hair.
His gaze shifted to Yuta and Fubuki. Both wore uncertain expressions and remained seated. He couldn't blame them. He'd only just met Fubuki today. That she had endured so much already was more than he deserved. As for Yuta, while she'd accepted their relationship, she clearly needed more time.
Suiko and Mosquito Girl stepped back, their faces radiant and rosy.
A quietude made up of myriad emotions permeated the room, only to be shattered by Fubuki.
"I-I need to go."
Fubuki shot to her feet only to crash backward against the wall, gaze glued to the balcony. "B-Big sis!?"
Caspian gave a wry smile. "Well, shit."