Archive of Our Own ^beta

To Us, in Ten Years

Inspiration from "what I feel" by electrogigi, and "konosuba: back to the past" by . Both amazing stories and such a cool concept, but both sadly dropped/on hiatus. I liked the concept so much I had to use it, but instead of going to the past, they go to the future.

a/n: part 1 is a pretty rough now that I'm reading it back… (And I don't feel like rewriting it) I swear my writing ability improves after it.

Part 1

The stars twinkle above us. The fire crackles softly, casting a small circle of warmth in the cool night. The moon hangs overhead, not bright, but glowing just enough to remind you it's there.

Darkness and Aqua are already asleep nearby, sprawled across the grass a small ways away. I can hear the occasional grunt, snore, or rustle as they shift in discomfort. Still, they trust us enough to keep watch.

The last member of the party sits beside me, staring into the fire. Her face unreadable in the flickering light, soft orange dancing across her features, casting gentle shadows. If I had to guess, I'd call it contemplative. Maybe even… sad.

She breaks the silence.

"Kazuma," she says, still watching the flames. "Have you ever thought about going home?"

I blink. "I couldn't even if I wanted to."

"If you actually joined the faith… what would your parents think?"

I wince. "Hey! I've already made up—"

"You know," she interrupts, "if you weren't around, I probably would've lost my way."

"Huh?"

"You helped me stay connected to Explosion magic." Her voice is quiet. "I was ready to give it up for the party…"

She trails off, but her words linger. Something twists in my chest.

"One day," she says, a faint smile tugging at her lips, "I want to show you a perfect, 200 point explosion. Just once."

Silence returns, save for the occasional crackle of the fire.

"I-I mean, I guess living with you all hasn't been so bad…"

"And hey," she adds quickly, "the reward money's coming soon, right? We'll be okay."

"Right." I nod, a bit too fast.

I feel like I'm trying to convince myself more than her.

"Y-yeah, and there's no guarantee becoming a monk would do me any good anyway…"

Megumin chuckles softly. "Life's been fun for me recently. Having everyone together, stupid arguments, the chaos. Facing danger and somehow making it through as a team."

What's so fun about danger…?

Then, without warning, she places her hand on mine.

I freeze.

Her voice is barely a whisper. "It'd be nice if things could stay like this. For all of us."

My heart skips a beat.

I glance at her. She's gazing at the stars, her expression bittersweet.

Is this…? Is she…? Am I…?

My face flushes. Crap. What do I do? Does she want me to say something? To make a move?

Breathe, Kazuma. Just breathe.

I exhale slowly. Okay. Calm.

"Megumin… maybe I won't join the—"

But as I'm about to turn to look at her, I feel a soft weight press gently against my shoulder.

Looking down I see her leaning against me, fast asleep. A small snore escaping from her open mouth occasionally.

Ugh! This loli…

Seconds pass. My heart is hammering in my chest, this is almost like a few nights ago in the crimson demon village.

I don't move, I can't. How could I? Anything I do will probably lead to me getting yelled at or getting called a lolineet.

I wince.

I should really be treated better in this party. After all I do for them. I think, deadpan.

Right. The situation at hand. I continue looking down at her. Should I do something?

I guess I can't leave her like this…

Gingerly, afraid to wake her up, I move around, placing my hand on her back and lowering her to the ground.

She squirms a bit as I set her down. A bead of sweat drips down my face as I freeze. But thankfully, she doesn't wake. Instead she mumbles something, something that sounds like… my name?

This only makes my heart hammer even louder. I stare at her lips, moving softly for a few moments before growing still.

I only snap out of my trace once I notice the fire growing noticeably dimmer, flames dying down into coals to embers.

I get up to my feet and shuffle over to the small pile of firewood we picked up along the way. As quiet as I can, I place a few pieces near the top of the dying flames. With newfound fuel the fire grows and crackles once more. A soft melody to fall asleep to.

I stare at Megumin once more, it should be fine to sit right next to her right? I mean she was the one that put her hand on top of mine. My mind racing, I just decide to act.

I sit right next to her, looking at the fire. Exhaustion floods my mind, and I release a small yawn.

Crap. I can't fall asleep, I'm supposed to be keeping watch. I'll let everyone down if something jumps at us in the night. But… I guess resting my eyes a little bit can't hurt, I won't fall asleep… and even if I do… I'm sure my enemy detect skill will wake me up in time… yea I should be fine…

I lie down slowly, a few inches away from being shoulder to shoulder with Megumin. She's shifts slightly in her sleep… and her hand finds mine once again. Our pinkies just barely touching.

Strangely, when my mind is clouded with exhaustion, I feel no panic or worry from this. My heart calms, a soft lull of comfort washes over my person. And I blink off to sleep.

Suddenly, my enemy detection blares loud in my head. My eyes snap open and I desperately try to get a grasp of the situation around me. It looks to be about mid morning the sun just barely over the horizon.

I sit up and whip my head around, Megumin is still next to me, sleeping soundly. I look up toward where Darkness and Aqua fell asleep. They're… gone?! I look in the direction to which my skill is alerting me, to my horror I see a small horde of monsters. Much too many to fight on my own. There's only one person in our party capable of taking out that many in one go.

I grab Megumin's staff and our gear, also noticing that the campfire which was crackling with such vigor last night is gone without a trace. Strange… not even any ash is left.

After securing the gear into a sack, I wrap my hands around that very person, hoisting her up and slinging her over onto my back.

"Wh-whuh?! Who is— K-Kazuma? What are you doing?!" She stammers, not sure to be defensive or worried.

I pick up our gear and start sprinting away as I start talking, "There's a huge ass horde of monsters running at us. Please use your explosion spell Megumin!" I reach up to give her the staff, which she takes.

"Hoho?! So you truly desire the greatest power of explosion from the strongest archwiz—"

"Just cast it already! Hurry!"

"Tch… very well…"

"…"

"What are you waiting for?!"

"Kazuma… I can't exactly turn around to cast at them like this…"

I realize she's right, quickly I think of a solution. "Here try this." I grab Megumin's waist awkwardly and swing her around my body 180 so she's now facing the horde. I position my hands under her thighs to support her.

"K-Kazuma this is… uh, very well! I shall now cast Explosion! The gre—"

"Megumin!"

After giving me a dejected glare, she starts chanting. Seconds pass tensely, my legs burn from the strain of sprinting continuously. The monsters slowly approaching closer.

"EXPLOOOOOOOSION!"

A deafening thunderclap erupts behind me, a flash so bright it feels like we're on the inside of the sun. A wave of heat washes over me just after a gust of wind and pressure. The grass is blown back roughly, desperately trying to resist the unstoppable power of the explosion spell.

And, just and quickly as it appeared. The effects of the spell dissipated. I slowly come to a halt, my enemy detection no longer going off inside my head.

Feeling a slight shudder on my front and a satisfied groan, I look down to see the limp form of Megumin in my arms gazing up at me tenderly.

"Well… how was that one, Kazuma?" she asks, eyes still half lidded, hopeful.

I glance back at the carnage. Smoldering dirt. Charred grass. A crater the size of a damn town. The very ground that the explosion was cast over is red and cracking under the sheer force it had to endure.

I pant a little, catching my breath. "Well, I didn't see it… but I felt like the sun was chasing after me. So I'd say 85? But considering you did just save both our lives… that's gotta be a solid 95." Nice explosion.

"Hehe… nice explosion," she murmurs, eyes fluttering closed with a smile.

I sit down, almost collapsing. My legs are still sore from all the running. A moment later, Megumin drops into my lap with a small thump.

"Kazuma… do you think something happened to Aqua and Darkness? You don't think the monsters got them… do you?"

I glance at her. There's a hint of worry in her voice.

"I don't know," I admit, scratching my head. "When I woke up, they were just… gone. No sign of their gear, either."

I think for a moment. "Well I don't see Darkness dropping dead, especially since Aqua is with her. It's most likely they just got separated from us. And they have enough sense to go back to Axel... probably… so we should go back there too."

I stand up letting Megumin drop the couple inches to the floor on her back.

"Kazuma! What was that for? Pick me up already!"

"I'll just give you some mana so you can walk with me," I say, reaching out.

She swats my hand away without hesitation.

"Uh… Megumin? What do you think you're doing?"

"Nope. I'm too tired to walk. You're gonna have to carry me," she says with the tone of someone offended I even offered to help.

"Oh, come on. Here, stop being difficult and just take the mana." I reach again, only to get swatted again.

"Nuh uh. I wanna take a nap on the way back, and you're comfy."

"Y-you…! You just admitted you're using me as a personal moving bed!"

"Pleaseeee, Kazuma!" She flashes me a cutesy face, one I know damn well is fake. I try my best to ignore it, but it's not an easy task.

If I accept her plea after that, then I'll no doubt be called an easy man or something…

My mind flashes back to last night… her hand resting gently over mine in the firelight.

Damn it…!

I sigh, turning around to hide the heat rising to my face. "Fine… get on."

"Yay! Thanks, Kazuma!"

She shifts onto my back, her legs draping into my hands as she wraps her arms loosely around my neck. Then she nuzzles her chin into the crook of my neck, clearly ready to fall asleep again.

Why am I such a good person…?

With a small huff, I stand up and look around, luckily we didn't stray too far from the path we took on our way here.

As I begin walking in the direction of Axel, I get one last word from my backpack before she falls asleep.

"Easyma…"

"Sh-shut up!"

Part 2

Strange… so strange… I recognize these landmarks… but they look different…?

It's been about an hour or two since I started walking, and the path isn't quite how I remember it. The grass is patchier in some spots. A few familiar rocks are collapsed or covered in moss. And there are things here now that definitely weren't yesterday.

If my passenger were awake, I'm sure she'd agree. Unfortunately, she's not, and I'm stuck dealing with all the little annoyances that come with carrying her.

Like the occasional breath from her nostrils tickling the side of my neck. Or worse… the warm, wet sensation forming on my shoulder.

This girl… when we get home, she's scrubbing every single drool stain out of my clothes.

But… since I have to, I guess there are some positives to carrying her.

For one, she probably weighs like 90 pounds, max. With her whole body draped across my back, arms, and shoulders, it's like she's barely even there.

And secondly… there are the somewhat modest mounds pressed up against my back… hehe.

I subtly shift her around a little, just to get a better feel as a prize for my hard work.

Smack!

"Kazuma… stop being perverted…" Megumin mutters groggily, before drifting right back to sleep.

Tch. Can't have anything nice around here.

Now deprived of my one source of entertainment, I sigh, rubbing my head where I got hit and keep trudging along the path.

Eventually, after a while longer of walking, the walls of Axel slowly come in to view. We arrived much faster this way than when we left yesterday. It's amazing how much not having a useless goddess walking with you can speed you up.

As I enter the city gates, I notice things are definitely off…

It's not exactly anything crazy… but there are shops here that weren't here yesterday, some shops that were here, now aren't.

The signs on some buildings look freshly put up or replaced.

The people walking around, they don't look like anyone I know… but they act like they've lived here all their lives.

I gently shake Megumin awake.

"Megumin. Wake up. We're back in Axel."

She stirs, her head lifting slightly to peer around. "Mmm… five more minutes, Kazuma…" she mumbles, nuzzling into my neck again.

But before she can drift off again, someone brushes past me, and I do recognize this one.

Dust.

Except… Dust now has a short, scruffy beard.

We haven't seen him in maybe a week or two, tops. No way he could've grown that much facial hair that fast… right?

He stops briefly and gives us a quick once over.

"Yo, Kazuma. Megumin. You guys mess with one of Wiz's cursed items again or something? You both look younger."

"Huh?" I blink. "What do you mea—"

"Anyway, can't chat! I'm on a quest. Say hi to the little one for me!" He gives a quick wave and jogs off down the street.

"Ehh? Wait! What little one?!" I call after him, but he's already gone.

Megumin lifts her head a bit more. "Little one?" she repeats, rubbing her eyes.

"Maybe he meant Chomusuke?" I suggest. "I think he's seen her once or twice…"

We shrug it off and I continue walking, we get the occasional nod from some people we don't recognize, or the occasional greeting which we awkwardly reply to.

Eventually we zero in on the direction of our mansion. We pass through a market on the way, vendors call out to us, offering fresh bread, skewers of grilled meat, magical trinkets, and fresh produce.

I walk around a bit, looking at some stalls before something, or rather, someone, catches my eye.

There's a girl standing at a vendor's stall, examining some kind of snack. She can't be more than five or six, wearing a little pale yellow skirt and a matching pale green shirt with a white long sleeved undershirt. Straight cut bangs over her forehead with the occasional messy strand here or there, her dark brown twin tails are tied with crimson ruby bands, with straight back hair falling down to shoulder length, and—

Hold on.

I slow to a stop.

"…She kind of looks like you," I murmur to Megumin, narrowing my eyes.

Megumin tilts her head. "Huh?"

Just then, the girl turns around, her eyes sparkling a brilliant emerald green, glowing faintly in the shade.

The second she sees me, her expression lights up.

"Daddy!" she cries out, abandoning the stall and sprinting over.

"Eh? wait, what!?" I freeze, only managing to tense my leg before she crashes into it and wraps her arms around my waist.

"What the hell?!" I exclaim, eyes wide.

Megumin is wastes no time. She pinches both my ears, hard.

"Kazuma…" she growls through gritted teeth. "Why is a little girl calling you daddy?"

"I don't know!" I hiss, trying to back up, though it's hard with a child wrapped around you, and a girl clinging to your back about to strangle you. "I swear I've never seen her before in my life!"

The girl looks up at Megumin next, still beaming.

"Mommy!" she chirps.

Both of us fall completely silent.

"…Mommy?" Megumin repeats, blinking rapidly.

She slowly lets go of my ears.

"Wait. Wait. Hold on a second," I say, staring at the girl as my brain begins to overheat. "What the hell is happening."

The little girl doesn't seem to notice our confusion at all. She's already beaming, more excited than anything to see us.

I look around, expecting dirty glances from people around me. Maybe even an insult or two. But to my surprise, I get anything but that. Some women give the little girl a heartwarming smile before turning around to chat with their friends. Other people just act like this is a completely normal occurrence that happens all the time.

Okay what the hell is going on here.

The strange changes and occurrences are one thing, dust growing a beard? Maybe. But a girl claiming to be me and Megumin's daughter, whilst calling me "daddy" in the middle of the street. And me NOT getting ostracized for it? That's too far. What the hell is happening here.

Megumin slowly slides off my back, nearly tripping when her feet hit the ground. Her face is a bright, beet red, somewhere between embarrassment and completely overheating.

She crouches down a bit, eyes wide. "Uh… what's your name? And why did you just call us mommy and daddy?"

The girl tilts her head, blinking at Megumin like the question didn't even make sense. "Huh? Mommy, it's me, Komequi! And you're Mommy, and that's Daddy." She says it matter of factly, like there could be no other answer.

"…"

"Komequi?" I echo, mouth dry. "That's… that's totally a Crimson Demon name

That sounds like rice eater…

"Kome… qui…" Megumin repeats, softly. "That sounds almost exactly like Komekko…"

Her lips twitch. Her shoulders are trembling. She looks like she's about to pass out.

"She has your eyes, Kazuma…" Megumin murmurs, staring at the girl. "And they… glow. Like mine."

I swallow hard. "Okay, alright, wait. One last test. If she's really mine, I would've definitely taught her some Japanese."

I kneel down. "Er- Komequi? Can you say something in Japanese for me?"

"Sure! Mama no bakuretsu ga daisuki!"

…I blink

She… she really spoke Japanese.

"Kazuma! What did she say?!" Megumin clutches my sleeve, eyes shining with a weird mix of hope, panic, and dread. "I heard explosion! What did she say?!"

"She said… she loves your explosions…" I answer, feeling my voice crack at the end.

For a moment, Megumin doesn't move. Then her whole face somehow turns even more red than before. Her mouth opens like she wants to say something clever or dismissive, but nothing comes out. Just a small, squeaky "…ah."

"Daddy! Uppies!" Komequi says, stretching her arms up toward me.

I glance at Megumin, who is now frozen stiff with her hands hovering awkwardly at her sides like she has no clue what to do with them.

"Uh… w-wait a sec—"

But before I can even respond, Komequi is already climbing up me like a monkey, wrapping her legs around my neck and settling on my shoulders like it's the most natural thing in the world.

I stand there, dumbfounded, as her little hands pat my head and her cheek squishes into my hair.

Megumin's eyes twitch. "You… you look like you've done this before!"

"I HAVEN'T!" I shout, nearly dropping her.

She crosses her arms, cheeks puffed out, her whole body seemingly red now. "Wh-what is this?! I-I never agreed to raise a child with you! Not-not yet! Not like this!"

"Don't yell at me!" I hiss back. "You think I planned this?! One minute I'm hiking back to town, the nex— wait…? Not yet? What do you mean by that?

"Sh-shut up! It was just a slip of the tongue!" Megumin turns her head away, trying to hide her expression.

Komequi tilts her head. "You two are funny. Mommy and Daddy always tease eachother like this."

We both go silent again. Just… stunned.

"Mommy and… Daddy… always…?" Megumin whispers turning back, her gaze distant.

I look over at her, and for just a moment… I catch something I wasn't expecting. A strange look on her face, something I can't read, but it looks almost… happy?

I feel something weird, like a strange tightness in my chest. This is all so… foreign, I don't know what to feel.

We slowly begin walking in the direction of our mansion, Komequi happily bobbing on my shoulders, Megumin silently walking beside me with her arms swaying at her side, still red faced.

Neither of us speaks the entire rest of the trip.

It doesn't take a genius to figure out what's going on here. Strange changes, things that can only happen through the passage of time, dusts beard, …my child.

It looks like me and Megumin somehow traveled to the future. Normally I'd be laughing at how cliche this is, I of course have read many stories with a plot like this. But, when my future child is on my shoulders, tugging on my hair, how could I.

Megumin is apparently actually a genius… so she must've figured it out before me despite being asleep for most of our time here.

It also means there's a future me and Megumin here also… I can only hope I don't have some stupid ass beard or mustache…

We walk up to the mansion, it looks around the same as when I left it last. Only now there's a little house on the side with a… chicken in it?

And an extravagant garden is also surrounding most of the building, almost exploding with life. It looks like Aqua finally did something somewhat useful.

I use my key on the door and to my surprise it unlocks, we enter. Instantly I'm met with a multitude of different sights, pictures hanging on the walls, new functional furniture, tons of things that are just like from back home in Japan, hell there's even an air conditioning unit hanging in the living room.

…looks like my future counterpart has been very busy "inventing" things.

"Whoa…!" Megumin breathes, darting around the room like crazy, her eyes glowing and mouth open in awe.

"Kazuma, are these all…?" she starts, gently running her hand over the refrigerator.

"Yeah," I nod. "They're all things from my homeland."

We wander the house together, occasionally brushing shoulders as we investigate everything, some of the things here are new even to me, I guess I really do invent something, instead of just stealing ideas.

As I pass one of the rooms, something catches my eye through a slightly cracked door.

…Is that a sewing machine?

I slow down instinctively, just enough to peek. Spools of thread line shelves in neat rows, rolls of fabrics and silks are stacked in the corner, deep reds, dark purples, even a few with little explosions patterns on it. A half finished child size cloak lies draped over a mannequin, next to a small desk scattered with pins, needles and other assortments of tools.

Is this… a tailoring room?

I glance at Megumin walking ahead of me and raise an eyebrow. Since when was she the crafty type?

Eventually, we settle onto the couch. Komequi, still perched on my shoulders, slides down and crawls into Megumin's lap, snuggling close with a sleepy smile.

Megumin stiffens at first, her hands hovering awkwardly. But slowly, she brings them down and gently strokes Komequi's hair.

Then a warm, almost… motherly smile sneaks it's way onto her face.

Th-thump.

My heart lurches.

I don't really know why, the reason it happens I'm not sure. But seeing Megumin like this… a side of her I've never seen before. It taps something inside me, It's almost lik—

The doorknob rattles.

I freeze. All thoughts stopping at that moment.

Then the door opens.

Two people step inside.

And it quickly becomes apparent who they are.

Future me and future Megumin.

"We're home!" They call out to no one in particular.

Instantly I notice something very important about them.

YES! I don't have any facial hair!

Other than that though I don't really notice anything too crazy. For me, I look almost exactly the same, he looks to be a bit taller, more muscular but not by much, and wearing a plain green t shirt and black pants. He also just looks… older, more mature…

Megumin however is a little bit different.

Her hair's longer now, flowing just past her chest, still styled in that same messy way, with those two familiar now longer strands framing her face and below. She wears a sleek black and red dress, casual with a hint of elegance, but still unmistakably something she would wear. And speaking of, her chest looks… slightly upgraded. Not that I was staring. Much.

But besides that, everything about her still screams out "cute," her height is basically the same. And she still has that look of cuteness. But there's something… more, now. Like the way she holds herself, the expression on her face. The way she walks, now it has this charm to it, like you can just look at her and sense a hint of maturity along with her beauty.

They both pause, staring at the scene before them, taking a moment to truly process what they're seeing.

"W-WHAT THE HELL?!" My future counterpart exclaims looking at us.

"K-Kazuma it's us… but young?!" A startled future Megumin says.

"Uh… hi? I say with a little wave, tearing my eyes off of the older Megumin with a bit of hesitance. "I think we're you but… from the past…?"

Megumin, still enraptured by the kid in her lap, barely notices the newcomers at first.

When she finally does turn, her eyes widen. She stares a bit too long at the older me… then locks eyes with her older self.

Or rather… she locks eyes on her older self's chest.

She flinches.

Future Megumin opens her mouth to say something, but is interrupted by Megumin's dismayed shout.

"No way!"

Megumin suddenly bolts forward and pounces on her older self with the force of a tiger.

"H-Hey!" Future Megumin stumbles back, caught off guard as her younger self presses both hands directly onto her chest.

I choke on my breath. "M-Megumin?! What are you—?!"

She stares, wide eyed, intensely focused as she gropes her future self. Then her face twists into a look of pure, soul crushing despair.

"…This is it?! This is all I get?! Just one or two sizes?! I'm still basically flat!"

Future Megumin flushes crimson and tries to pry her off. "W-what do you mean, still?! They're a respectable size now!"

"No! No no no! This isn't what I envisioned! I was supposed to become a voluptuous archmage! I was gonna put Yunyun to shame!"

"We never had a chance!" Future Megumin yells, finally shoving her off. "We're genetically doomed, okay?! Just accept it!"

Megumin falls backward onto the carpet, dramatically flopping like a fish. "All those years of hope… shattered in an instant…"

I just stare dumbfounded, future me just watches with a tired, knowing look. Komequi, still nestled on the couch, tilts her head.

"Huh? Two mama's and two papa's?"

The older me walks on over and scoops her off the couch. "That's right honey, if what they say is true then they're me and your mother from before they had you." He touches his forehead to hers with a smile.

Seeing… me, doing that is just so… weird.

He then turns to me, "so… explain. How did you get here, because I certainly don't remember this happening to us."

"Uh… yeah, about that…" I scratch my cheek a bit, suddenly self conscious. "Maybe it's like… an alternate timeline kind of thing?"

I pause for a second considering my words.

"And I don't really know how we got here, one minute we were all camping under the stars, me and Megumin were next to the campfire together, and… and… uhhh…" I glance at Megumin for a second before looking away. "Then we just woke up here, in the future I guess."

He ponders for a moment considering my words.

"You don't even know how it happened?" he mutters, rubbing his temples. "Yeesh, that sucks."

"So," I say, looking between the two of them. "So… all this stuff that's happened here." I look at Komequi for a second, "I'm assuming this means the Demon King's toast. What's up with that?

"Uh, yea, after we beat him, things got quieter. And after Komequi was born, well… adventuring kinda died down."

Huh? We? As in our party? Really?

"Yeah…" Future Megumin chimes in. "We don't see everyone as much as we used to. Life got a bit more… peaceful. But every now and then, we all meet up and go on a few quests just for fun."

"That's… kinda nice I guess," I say, trying not to sound too nostalgic about a future I haven't even lived yet.

"So where'd Darkness and Aqua go if they're not here?" Megumin asks curiously, getting off the carpet and walking back over to the couch, sitting next to me.

"Oh, right!" He exclaims. "Darkness, believe it or not, ended up marrying the first prince of Belzerg, pretty sure his name was… Jatis?"

Megumin's jaw practically hits the floor. "W-what?!"

"Yeah. It was really confusing for us too, her type was always delinquents with no redeeming qualities, so her falling for a prince was… not expected. I guess he's some kind of sadistic bum when out of the public eye or something…"

"Wow…!"

Wouldn't that make Darkness the next queen or something?

"And Aqua?" I ask, bracing myself.

Future me groans and points toward the ceiling. "She… went back to heaven to do her job. But… don't worry, she still drops by once a week."

"Unfortunately," future Megumin mutters with a sigh.

"…I can call her over now, actually," future me says casually. He walks into the kitchen, opens a drawer, and pulls out a small, glowing blue button before walking back.

"So you just press that and she comes here?" I ask, inching closer.

"Yup! …actually this is the first time we're using it. We see her so often that there's never really a need …or want, to call her." He lets out an almost exasperated sigh.

"But, I'm sure she'd be excited to see you two, even if you are technically us."

A pause, "so… here we go…!"

Beep!

Not even ten seconds later, we hear a high pitched cry as Aqua materializes in front of my future self and lunges at him.

"Kazuumaaa! I gave you that button 6 years ago and this is the first time you use it?! Do you not even want to see me anymore!" She says as he desperately tries to push her away.

"Get off me you shitty goddess! We see your bum ass every single week whether we like it or not anyways! Last week you turned up in the middle of the night for a drinking party and then you threw up all over Megumin! Or did you already forget!?"

Future Megumin visibly shivers remembering this particularly harrowing memory.

"EEHHH? Shitty goddess?! Bum!? I can't believe what I'm hearing! After all the effort I put into spending quality time with my friends… I'll have you know, now that I have the entirety of my goddess powers back I can make your balls shrivel up into nothi—"

Thunk!

"OW! M-Megumin what the hell?! What was that for?!"

"Aqua, I can't have you doing that." She says with a condescending expression.

"Y-you don't mean… you really want this shitty NEET to put another baby in y—"

"AHEM!" He quickly interrupts, "Aqua I don't think you've noticed, but we have guests."

"Huh? You do?" She says while whirling around and seeing a red faced Megumin and me.

Aqua now pauses, her face going from angered confusion to just regular confusion.

"Huh?! Why are there younger versions of you two here? Wait—" Her eyes sparkle. "Kazuma is this one of those time travel thingies?!"

"Apparently," Future me says flatly, rubbing his face.

Suddenly, Aqua lunges again, this time at my Megumin.

"Waaaah! Look at you before you got defiled by this dirty NEET! You're so pure and cute!"

"I-I wasn't defiled!" Future Megumin yells, her entire face glowing red.

"A-Aqua sto—" Megumin tries to say, just as red, but gets cut off by Aqua squeezing her cheeks.

"Aqua seriously, that's enough," my future self says in a stern tone.

"Psssh fine…" she says detaching from Megumin.

"But since you called me here, you have to treat me to a meal y'know Kazuma. The time of a goddess like myself is extremely important." She says before plopping onto the couch.

"Uh huh." He says with an exaggerated eye roll. "Lucky for you that I was actually just about to suggest dinner to everyone." He looks around, "so how about it?"

I haven't eaten a thing since the kebab I bought off a vendor an hour or two back. Megumin stole two chunks off meat off it before I could react, so I really didn't get to eat much…

"Sure, we haven't really had anything to eat at all today."

Megumin crosses her arms, cheeks still puffed out from Aqua's assault. "As long as I don't have to sit next to Aqua then yes please."

"Great! Then Megumin would you mind helping me out?" … "er- my Megumin I mean."

I watch them stroll into the kitchen and he takes out a cookbook before walking out of sight. What's weird is that the cookbook looks like it has Japanese lettering on it?

Huh? That looks like it would come from Japan… how'd he get tha—

"Kazuma, Kazuma." Megumin gently tugs at my sleeve,

"Kazuma here."

"Do you think we should try to help them out?"

I glance at her, then over toward the kitchen. Cheerful talking can be heard from inside, along with some sizzling and the smell of frying onions.

"…I guess so?" I say, shrugging. "Probably better than doing nothing."

We walk up to the kitchen doorway, I lean around the corner to peek in.

"Yo, you guys need a hand, or—"

Future me is already turning, waving a wooden spoon at me like it's a sword.

"Nope," he says without hesitation. "You haven't even learned the cooking skill yet, so hell no. And besides, I kind of want it to be a surprise."

Future Megumin gives an approving nod without even looking up from what she's chopping. "He's right. All you've really made till now is cup ramen. With your skills you'd probably cut your hand open."

"Wow, confidence inspiring," I mutter.

…If she knows about that, I guess he told his Megumin everything about him… me…? Us? I don't know…

Actually, she probably knows more about me than I do. Scary.

As we turn to leave, I catch future me trying to look cool by leaning in for a kiss. He connects for a second before he slips on a loose potato peel, knocks over a pan, and gets smacked on the head for his trouble.

"Look what you did trying to show off in front of them!" Future Megumin hisses.

"Psshh… maybe I just wanted to kiss my beautiful wife, and they just happened to be in the room," he mutters, rubbing his head.

Their bickering turns into some sickeningly sweet back and forth about how much they love eachother or something. I choose not to process any of it, instead we just turn around and walk out, acting like we saw, and heard nothing.

Back in the living room, we see Aqua and Komequi sitting together before Aqua wraps her into a tight hug.

"Ahh! Every time I see you, you get cuter and cuter! It makes me wonder how you're that NEET's kid, I guess Megumin put in all the work!"

I huff, ignoring her insulting statement and slump into a chair, grabbing the same fantasy chess set we always play back in our time. Megumin sits across from me, looking slightly annoyed.

"It was kind of rude for them to kick us out of the kitchen like that," she mutters, setting up the pieces.

"Yeah… but they're kinda right I guess.

She rolls her eyes.

We start the game in silence for a bit.

"Crusader to C3," I mutter.

"Arch Wizard to E4."

"Ugh… stop using your wizard like that I can barely do anything." I say, glaring at the board.

"It's your fault, you fell into my trap," she says flatly.

The pieces click across the board as we settle into a rhythm. A few more moves pass.

"…So," I say eventually, "what do you think? About all of this?"

Megumin's hand pauses over an adventurer piece. "It's weird. Seeing them. Seeing… us."

"Yeah…"

She doesn't say anything for a bit, just stares at the board.

"They look happy though," I add. "Weirdly normal. For us, I mean."

Megumin makes a move instead of replying.

"Arch Wizard to H5."

"Again with the wizard," I grumble, rubbing my temples.

She shrugs, smiling a bit now.

"Adventurer to B6" I say, a bit stressed.

Before she can retaliate with her next move, a small figure hops up next to Megumin.

"Are you guys on a date?" Komequi asks innocently.

Megumin chokes and fumbles a piece, moving her wizard to a highly advantageous position. For me!

"No!" she yelps. "N-no, this is a strategic exercise! A war game!"

Komequi giggles, clearly enjoying herself. "You two are funny."

I take advantage of the faulty play to make a strong move, cornering her.

She notices a second too late.

"You—!"

"Check," I say smugly.

She narrows her eyes.

Without warning, she reaches out, yells "Explosion!" and flips the board clean into the air.

Pieces fly everywhere. Komequi bursts into laughter.

"Victory by explosion," Megumin says, dusting off her hands like that was always the plan.

I just sit there, stunned. "That's not a valid move."

She smirks. "It was an Explosion move, the ultimate move that always defeats the opponent!"

"Damn Kazuma you suck." Aqua says from the couch without emotion.

Ugh…

Komequi climbs into Megumin's lap, still giggling.

"You're really going to be my mom, huh?"

Megumin freezes a little. "I- uh, I guess I will."

Komequi turns her glowing green eyes on me. "And you're going to be my dad."

I nod awkwardly. "Apparently."

A beat passes.

"Will you have me again?" she asks, head tilted.

The room gets quiet.

Megumin looks like she's freaking out, and I'm not far off.

"I mean, I… we, uh—" she stammers, her face beet red.

I clear my throat. "That's… that's kind of a big question, don't you think?"

Komequi just smiles, and lays her head on Megumin's shoulder.

Neither of us says anything for a while after that.

Part 3

"Dinner's ready, everyone!" my future self calls out from the kitchen, carrying a tray of golden, crispy korokke into the dining room.

Grateful for the excuse to escape the now tense living room, Megumin and I shoot each other a quick glance and stand up. Komequi hops off her lap to follow, and Aqua, miraculously revived by the smell of food shuffles after us.

"Oohhhh! That smells amazing!" she wails dramatically. "I can already taste it~!"

Future Megumin finishes arranging the last of the plates and wipes her hands on her apron. "Everyone, grab a seat. Eat before it gets cold!"

We take our seats and immediately dig in.

I take a bite of the korokke and am immediately overwhelmed with goodness.

Crispy crust. Fluffy mashed potato. The perfect amount of seasoning, and just enough sauce to bring it all together without drowning the flavor.

…Okay, what the hell. I don't know how to make this. Not even a little. How the hell did I manage to make this in the future?

My eyes flick over to him, grinning like a smug bastard as he cuts a piece up and puts it into his mouth. Of course he's smug. He probably knows this is blowing my mind.

That cookbook I saw earlier flashes through my thoughts. The one written in Japanese he was holding. I figured it was something he'd written himself. Just a bunch of notes or made up recipes.

But this? This tastes like the exact thing from back in Japan. Where did he even learn this recipe?

"Hey future me… where'd you get that cookbook you were holding?"

"Huh- er… you'll see one day... It's not some magic cookbook or anything, it's only this good because we have a maxed out cooking skill." He points his nose upward in pride as he says this.

I guess I'll have to learn it as soon as I get back…

My eyes flick over to Megumin.

Holy shit.

She's absolutely tearing through her plate, cheeks puffed out, eyes sparkling, I've only seen her eat like this when I first met her. There's a little smudge of sauce on the corner of her mouth, and for some reason, that dumb detail makes my heart skip a beat.

…She's really cute when she eats.

Ah- my cheeks grow a tint more red, now suddenly aware that I've been staring a second too long. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch future me watching with a smug little smirk, resting his chin in one hand like he's enjoying the show.

Tch. Mind your own business, jerk.

I quickly look away and shovel another bite into my mouth, chewing more aggressively than necessary.

After a few seconds, I can't help it. I glance again.

She's already looking at me.

Our eyes meet.

Megumin freezes. Then instantly looks away, pretending to focus really hard on cutting another korokke in half like her life depends on it.

I immediately drop my gaze back to my plate… Did… did I really call Megumin cute in my head without realizing…?

…

Agh! I just imagined wiping the sauce off her lip and her getting all flustered! What's wrong with me?

Eventually the clinking of utensils slows as the last korokke bites disappear from the plates. Aqua leans back in her chair, hands on her stomach, stuffed as can be.

"Oooogh… the only thing that can make this better is a cold glass of bubbly~" she groans, licking a smudge of sauce from her thumb.

Komequi, cheeks puffed with her final bite, gives a muffled, "s'good," before swallowing and patting her belly in satisfaction.

Megumin lets out a tiny sigh and sets her chopsticks down neatly, somehow acting like she wasn't eating like some kind of ravenous beast seconds earlier. She looks satisfied. Full. Her eyes drift across the table, and for a second, they land on me again. This time, she doesn't look away immediately.

I quickly break eye contact and shove the last crumb of korokke into my mouth to pretend I didn't notice. I can't even taste it.

Across from me, future me is leaning back with his arms folded behind his head, looking way too pleased with himself.

We sit around with satisfied smiles, letting our filling dinner digest in our stomachs, this lasts a minute or two before future Megumin stands up, "alright, that's enough lazing around. Time to clean up."

Future me grumbles, but follows her lead, grabbing a the plates in front of us one by one. "Yeah, yeah…"

He reaches for Aqua's dish, but she clutches it tightly. "No! There's still sauce on here!"

"You've had enough! At this rate you're going to get fat.," he says, tugging it away.

Aqua mumbles something about how she can't get fat because of her purifying power… but relents her grip on her plate.

They head off toward the kitchen, the clatter of dishes trailing behind them. A moment later, future Megumin returns alone, wiping her hands on a towel.

She gives the rest of us a decisive look.

"Alright, we're having girl time now."

She points, one by one. "Little me, Aqua and Komequi, you're coming with me."

"L-little?! You're barely bigger than me!"

"Sure. Let me just grab a snack."

"Didn't you just eat? Fatty."

Aqua gives me a glare.

Megumin shoots me a quick glance before rising and joining the group.

Komequi grabs both Megumins hands and tugs them along upstairs with Aqua following behind. I hear a door click shut and lock.

…

Suddenly, the house is a lot quieter, all that can be heard is the quiet ticking of a clock across the room.

That silence is interrupted when my counterpart comes back from the kitchen holding a glass containing an amber liquid.

He sits down near me and gives me an appraising look before smiling a bit to himself.

"You know… I don't remember being this obvious," he says, swirling a drink in his hand and glancing sideways at me. "Or maybe I was, and no one said anything."

I blink. "Huh?"

He smirks. "You've been sneaking looks at her all throughout dinner. I don't blame you, but... it's funny. I don't know how you're already like this with her. It's happening way quicker with you than it did with me. Took me a lot longer to realize what you're feeling now... and that's only because she basically forced me to realize it." He gives an almost nostalgic sigh. "It clearly has something to do with all this time travel stuff, and probably Komequi too..."

"W-what the hell are you talking about I'm not fe—" he cuts me off with a waggle of his finger.

"Don't worry, I'm not gonna spell it out for you. You're me, I knew you'd only get defensive and deny it anyway."

He leans back a bit, more serious now.

"But I will give you some advice. Just a few things that you need to hear most right now."

He pauses for a moment, to prepare for what he's going to say, or for dramatic effect I'm not sure.

"First, don't let fear of screwing things up stop you from being honest. I wasted so much time because I thought everything would break if I said or did something wrong. But the truth is, staying silent on the truth can mess things up just as bad."

A second brief pause.

"Second, think about why you feel this way, and when it hits hardest. Once you do, all those doubts and questions you've been turning over will make sense."

He sets down his cup and gives a small puff of air.

"And lastly, she's braver than she looks. Way braver than either of us. So don't be afraid to let her lead sometimes. If she steps toward you… meet her halfway."

He picks up his drink once more, finishes it, then chuckles.

"Or, ignore everything I said and keep stumbling forward like I did. Either way, I think you'll be alright. You've already begun to notice, that's step one."

I go to speak, but am quickly interrupted.

"And one last thing..." He points at my shoulder, smiling. "Learn how to make bleach, you'll be stuck with those drool stains for the rest of your life."

I strain my neck to look over at my shoulder and grimace when I see the very noticeable stain on it.

Mmm… this girl…

Turning back to look at him I'm hit with a peculiar feeling. "Gross... I know you're me and everything, but you subconsciously feel like a parental figure or something."

"Huh? Really...? No way, I'm only 26 dude, back home that's like barely a real adult." He says with a confused look on his face. "And anyway, I am a real parental figure now. I have a kid you know."

"Sure... but I doubt I'd be a good parental figure."

"What?! I just gave you like the best advice you could ever receive in your entire life. And you just say I'm not a good parental figure, the nerve I had back then..."

I consider a rebuttal, but pause, a sly grin making its way onto my face. "Speaking of having a kid... how was it? With uh, Megumin.

"Nope! I'm not gonna give you spoilers." He says it sternly, but a smug grin creeps onto his face seconds later, and then he tells me anyway.

"Hehe, the succubus dreams can't compare." His eyes glaze over as if remembering a distant memory.

"What are you two perverts grinning about?"

Suddenly, a blue haired freeloader walks up with a disgusted look on her face.

"H-huh? Nothing, get lost you shitty drunk."

g"Just imagining Megumin on top of m—"

"Huh?" We eye each other.

"Ew... If anythings changed about you Kazuma, it's that you're somehow more open about your perversion." Aqua spits.

"Pfffff, shut up Aqua, why are you down here anyway? I thought you were upstairs spending time with the girls."

"I was! But then Megumin kicked me out for giving out spoilers! She also said she had to tell little Megumin something important... whatever that means."

Aqua gives a huff and plops right down into one of the chairs.

"Something important, huh…? Well, that reminds me, there's something I've been meaning to show you since the last time you were here, Aqua. C'mon, let's go. You too, other me."

Aqua perks up quickly, springing out of her chair without hesitation. Future Me flashes a grin, already leading the way. I glance at him, raising an eyebrow.

"I wasn't expecting the whole time travel thing," he says as we follow him down the hallway. Then, glancing over his shoulder, he adds, "but since there's another me here, that just makes this even better!"

He stops in front of a familiar looking door.

…Wait. Isn't this just the closet?

"What's in there, a secret stash of alcohol or something?"

He smirks.

"Close, but this is even better," he says, and swings the door open.

Instead of dusty shelves and an old broom, there's a narrow spiral staircase spiraling down into dim light. The air drifting out is a few degrees cooler, and it carries the warm, earthy scent of grain. The walls lining the descent are cut stone, like a castle cellar.

"Whoa… this was a closet…"

He chuckles, "not anymore."

We make our way down, I notice the steps are thick, old style wooden planks, perfectly silent under our footsteps.

When we reach the bottom we've arrived in what can only be described as a castle style cellar. Large oak barrels are racked against one of the walls. Glass fermenters bubble quietly in the corner. Wooden tables hold bags of grains, dried fruits, and all sorts of ingredients I don't know the names of. There's even a large copper cauldron on the opposite wall with some glass pipes positioned above it.

"You like it? I wanted to go for a medieval theme down here, I'm glad I did because the stone walls are great for keeping this place cool and perfectly dry."

"This is so awesome!" We both exclaim.

"Kazuma why didn't you show me this sooner?! This is like the coolest thing ever!"

"Well I wanted the first batch of whiskey to be finished before I really told anyone besides Megumin. As he says this, he picks up three glasses and heads over to one of the barrels, expertly tapping them full one by one and handing one to each of us.

Aqua is practically shaking with excitement.

"I hope it turned out good."

We each take a sip at the same time.

Instantly warmth spreads downwards into my chest, air feels like it's being sucked out through my nose as the back of my throat burns. Its taste is rich and smoky with a hint of vanilla.

"Holy crap that's strong!" I say, the feeling slowly dissipating.

I look over to see Aqua quickly guzzling it down before she accidentally purifies it.

"Aaahhh! Kazuma this is so good! You have to give me more!"

"Sure! You can have as much as you want from now on, just make sure to ask me first."

"Thanks Kazuma!"

He fills her glass again as I'm still nursing mine.

"I've been working on this for a while," future me says, leaning on one of the stone walls. "Since Megumin was pregnant with Komequi, adventuring kinda died down for us, we couldn't really do quests with one of our party members incapable of fighting. So I figured I needed to pick up a new hobby to pass the time. Megumin did the same."

He pats one of the barrels with a warm smile, "it's been a lot of work, but… it's peaceful down here."

We talk for a few minutes more as he shows us his process, from grain, to glass, to barrel. The process is actually really interesting. This is something I think I'm gonna have to try one day…

Eventually we make our way back upstairs, finding both Megumin's already finished with their talk, waiting for us in the dining room. One with a pleased expression on her face, and the other with cheeks dusted pink.

As we enter, we're greeted by future Megumin.

"You're finally back?" She stretches her arms and gives a light yawn. "I just put Komequi to sleep. Took a while, she wanted a story. Were you showing them your secret little cellar Kazuma?"

Future me smiles. "Yeah. The whiskey's finished aging. We gave it a try."

Megumin blinks, then lights up. "It's done already!?" She crosses her arms with an exaggerated pout. "Did you think to bring your darling wife a glass?"

She tilts her head and bats her lashes, slipping into a playfully sugary voice that's clearly a practiced to get him to do whatever she wants. "Surely you didn't forget about me, right honey~?"

We both stiffen immediately, a slight pink creeping into our cheeks as he replies. "U-uh, well, y'know, the, uh… the room's still a little warm from when we were down there, and I need to let it cool off again before opening the barrel again. Temperature control, or… something…"

She stares at him flatly. "That's the excuse you're going with?"

He coughs into his fist, avoiding eye contact. "You can have some tomorrow. I'll even bring it to you myself."

Future Megumin narrows her eyes in mock suspicion… then smiles softly. "I'll hold you to that, Kazuma."

Shit! That almost worked on me too. Why does Megumin have to be so cute…

…crap I did it again!

To try and cover it up I lean in close to my future self's ear. "So I really become a normie in the future, huh."

He smirks and whispers back, "It's worth it. Trust me."

I look up and catch Megumin glaring at me with mild annoyance… she definitely saw my reaction a second ago.

Suddenly, Aqua lets out a loud yawn before covering her mouth.

"Ah- o-oops… I guess that's my cue to head out. Haha? Goodnight, everyone! See you some other time!"

"Bye, Aqua," we all say.

She vanishes with a pop, leaving the room a little quieter.

My future self stretches and yawns. "Yeah, I'm calling it too. It's getting late."

He glances at me and Megumin. "You two can take your usual rooms. We moved into a new one after we got married."

He starts toward the hallway as future Megumin calls after him, "I'll be right there, Kazuma! Just need to get little me some pajamas."

Past Megumin's eye twitches. "Stop calling me little! Just because your breasts are barely bigger doesn't mean you're not flat!"

Future Megumin just smiles. "Aww, look at you getting all mad. I used to be so easy to rile up."

…

I realize that I'm alone with two Megumin's… one I can handle. But two is wayy too much.

"Haha… I'm gonna head off to bed too, goodnight!" I quickly get up and run up the stairs."

"Goodnight, honey~" future Megumin calls after me in a mock seductive tone, before her voice switches to one of mild panic, "H-hey stop it! Stop pulling on them!"

A shiver goes down my spine as I run to my door and slam it closed. Finally free of that suffocating environment.

Oh god… what am I going to do…

Tired from the day, I quickly get into bed and shut my eyes.

Part 4

The house is quiet.

Quiet, but not in a good way. The kind of quiet where even the faint ticking of the hallway clock feels loud. Each drop of water feels like a slap to the face to keep you awake.

It's abnormally hot, I'm sweating under the blankets. My heart beating like mad.

I twist in bed, kicking the blanket off my legs.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I couldn't stop thinking. Every single thought about Megumin.

Future me's voice echoes in my skull repeatedly, without end. "Think about why you feel this way… and when it hits hardest."

What did he even mean by telling me that? Feel this way? There's no way.

I mean… I guess… just today, every single time I felt like I was overheating, it was because of her… right? Even now…

Do…

I swallow. My throat feels extremely dry.

Do I actually love Megumin?

The thought alone makes my pulse jump.

Love. Is that what this is? But what the hell does love even mean? Is it just… attraction? Warm feelings? Comfort? Confusion?

I don't know…

I once again think back to his words, "and when it hits hardest."

I mean, we've been through a lot together. Maybe this is just what happens when you get close to someone, right? I've felt close to Aqua too… probably?, and even Darkness sometimes… right? So why does this feel different?

My thoughts race, I think about her laugh, how it rings out sometimes when I make dumb joke.

Or how she gets flustered when I do something to her that she doesn't expect…

Her stupidly adorable chuuni rants…

Her smile whenever she's happy…

Her pout whenever she's angry….

How her eyes glow a radiant crimson whenever she's excited…

How when I give her a ride from an explosion she nestles into me tight and sometimes says my name while she sleeps…

How whenever I did something stupid, she'd be the first to let me know.

The way her small hands would tug my sleeve…

The way she almost always turns to me first…

It's too much. Every memory of her hits me like a brick. Not like a party member. Not just like a friend. It's more than that.

My chest tightens, every thought making my heart beat faster and faster.

Then… I picture her holding Komequi in her lap, gently stroking her hair with a warm, motherly smile on her face. This time, I imagine her not as my companion meeting her future child… But as my wife holding our daughter.

It's something terrifying… it's something comforting… Is it wrong that I feel some strange sense of longing?

Suddenly, something deep inside me twists like a knife made of warmth.

This isn't just comfort.

It's not lust.

It's just Megumin, and nothing more.

And then, with a strangled whisper and a hand to my face, I mutter the words.

"Ah… I fell in love with a pyromaniac…"

I groan and roll over, pushing my face into the pillow.

But I'm still burning up, so with a heavy sigh I push myself upright. "Water. I need water."

I slide out of bed and walk down the hallway, the cold wooden floor barely helping with the heat rising in my neck and chest.

I take each step down the stairs slowly, not wanting to make any bit of noise.

The kitchen light is off, but faint moonlight is streaming through the window, just enough to guide me.

I turn the corner…

And freeze.

Megumin is standing there.

The girl I just realized I was in love with seconds earlier, in front of the sink.

She's reaching for a glass, but pauses the moment she sees me. Her head turns slowly, her eyes wide, red, and glowing faintly in the dark.

Her hair is even more messy from sleep, a loose strand tucked behind one ear. She's wearing a slightly oversized pajama shirt, clearly borrowed from her future self, and it makes her look even smaller, cuter, somehow unbearably so.

My heart thumps so hard I can feel it in my ears.

"I-I couldn't sleep," she whispers, like the silence would scold her if she spoke louder.

"Me n-neither," I reply, my voice catching slightly.

We both fill our glasses and drink without another word, the tension between us soft, yet heavy. Not awkward, just… something…

As we set our glasses down, we slowly walk back upstairs, I notice her gaze drifting, settling on a certain door at the end of the hall.

Our future selves room.

We stand there for a moment, unmoving. Silent.

Then we look at each other.

The same thought. The same stupid, insane curiosity.

Without a word, I cast lurk on both of us. Our forms dimming, our footsteps vanishing.

She reaches for the knob.

We push the door open slowly, inch by inch, not daring to breathe too loud.

And there they are.

Our future selves.

Sleeping together in the dim glow of moonlight spilling through the curtains.

Future Megumin is curled into future me's chest. His chin resting gently next to her head, lips just brushing her hair. Her arms wrapping around his back, his cradling her like she's the most precious thing in the world.

Their legs are tangled under the blanket, like they refuse to be apart, even in sleep.

Like they're protecting each other from the world.

Now I know what he meant by, "it's worth it, trust me."

We stand there, rooted.

It's impossible to look away.

Is this what we become?

I feel… overwhelmed.

I've never imagined myself looking so unbelievably happy before... even in sleep.

And Megumin, future Megumin… she never looked so safe.

Then I glance sideways.

Megumin stands next to me, motionless.

Her eyes, burning with intensity are wide, locked onto the sight in front of her. Her mouth slightly open. Fingers clenched on the edge of the doorframe. She looks like she's holding her breath.

I don't say anything.

Neither does she.

We just… watch.

Eventually, I reach forward and gently pull the door shut.

We turn and walk back down the hallway.

At our bedroom doors, we stop. She glances at me, her expression unreadable.

"…Goodnight," she whispers.

"Yeah," I say softly. "Goodnight."

She steps into her room.

I step into mine.

As I get back into bed and lay down, I can't help but glance at the empty space beside me. Suddenly, I wish I had a Megumin of my own to cuddle with to sleep.

I guess I'll have to make do with this pillow…

…

"…dy."

"…addy!"

"Daddy…! Wake up…! Hello?"

A small voice pokes at the edge of my consciousness. Someone's calling me? Ugh… too tired…

"Mmmm… little bit longer…"

"Mommy said if I don't wake you up, you'll get in big trouble. So… sorry, Daddy…"

"Whu-wait, hold on-OOF!"

Something small and deceptively heavy crashes onto my stomach, knocking the air out of me. I groan as the bed bounces and the same small presence settles beside me.

"K-Komequi, what the hell was that?!" I wheeze, rubbing my ribs. "You trying to kill me as soon as I wake up?"

She just tilts her head with an innocent grin.

"…But I guess it worked," I mumble, sitting up with a yawn.

She giggles softly, and I catch a better look at her face in the light. Her emerald green eyes shimmering faintly.

"Y'know… your eyes really are just like mine," I murmur, almost without thinking.

She tilts her head even further somehow. "They are?"

"Yeah," I say, staring a little longer than I probably should. "Same color, same shape. Only difference is that yours glow, guess you really are my kid."

Though it's kinda strange how my genes were dominant over the Crimson Demon artificially enhanced ones…

She beams at that. I reach out to pat her head and she leans into it happily.

And somehow, that does something weird to my heart, not like last night for Megumin… just, simple happiness.

I always figured having a kid would be a disaster. But... I guess... now, if I did have one, I wouldn't just want any kid.

I'd want her.

"Hey Komequi, you remember yesterday how you asked us if we'd have you again?"

She nods.

"I… think I'd like that."

Her eyes spark to life, glowing a beautiful, verdant green. "I knew you would," she says, a grin on her face that almost looks… relieved?

That's not really what I was expecting. A happy excited exclaim? Maybe, but not this… calm mature confidence.

Honestly, it throws me off.

This kid… isn't she way smarter than your average six year old? I don't remember being like this at that age.

…Actually, I don't really remember being that age at all.

I sigh, staring at her glowing green eyes and soft smile.

"You're way too cute," I mutter, pulling her into a gentle hug.

She melts into it without hesitation, arms slipping around me in return.

But then…

"Hey daddy?"

"Yes?"

"Why were your arms and legs wrapped around a pillow when I opened your door?"

Crap.

"Uh…"

"Were you imagining that pillow was Mommy?"

What the hell?! How did she guess that so easily?!

Maybe she's way too smart for her own good…

"W-wai—" I sputter, before being interrupted.

"You and mommy aren't even together yet…" She taps her chin thoughtfully.

"But you were holding that pillow imagining it was her. So… do you want to be?"

I stiffen.

"I mean… do you love her?"

My face burns. I look anywhere but her eyes.

Big mistake.

The little genius catches on immediately, her smile grows wider, and her eyes sparkle with triumph.

I swallow hard and force out, "can you not tell anyone… please?"

"Don't worry, daddy… your secret is safe with me!" she says, holding a finger to her lips and grinning.

Then she bounces off the bed and races to the door. Halfway through turning the knob, she calls back over her shoulder, "Lunch should be ready soon, so get up, okay?"

"Alright." I call after her, then wince. Lunch? I was planning to get up early and head straight to Vanir to figure out how to get us back home.

Last night really took a toll on me I guess…

I push myself off the bed, stretching my arms overhead until my shoulders pop. I twist side to side, feeling a satisfying crack along my spine. After slipping into my usual clothes, I step into the hallway.

The door clicks behind me as I head toward the living room. Sunlight filters through the curtained windows, and I can already smell something delicious.

There, future Megumin, and Komequi are clustered by the fireplace, and my counterpart stands by the table, leaning casually against it. My gaze lingers on Megumin just a second longer than it probably should, she's sitting on the arm of the couch, hair tousled but still adorable.

Future me steps forward, grinning. "Yo." He holds out a plate, two perfectly browned grilled cheese sandwiches, steam curling from the middles where they were just cut. "Here, take one and eat it fast. We're going on an explosion walk in a few minutes."

I eye the sandwich hungrily, "explosion walk? But I gotta to go to Vanir's shop to see if he has a clue how we can get back home."

Future Megumin waves a hand dismissively. "Vanir can wait. The shop will still be open when we get back. Trust me, you'll enjoy this." She leans forward and plucks one sandwich off the plate, nibbling it happily.

With no better argument, I snatch the last grilled cheese and stuff half of it into my mouth in one bite. Cheese oozes out onto my lips. I wipe my mouth on my wrist before taking a second bite and finishing the sandwich.

Future me points to the door, "alright everyone! Outside!"

We spill out the front door and the cool air of the afternoon hits my face. Then suddenly we stop as Megumin bends over a bit to talk to Komequi.

"Komequi honey, we should only be 15 or so minutes. So why don't you head to auntie Wiz's shop and wait for us there.

"Okay mommy!"

"Be safe kiddo, don't get into trouble on the way there." Future me ruffles her hair.

After a smile, she happily skips off in the direction of the shop.

Megumin tilts her head. "Huh? She's not coming with us?"

"Er… no, four is the limit for how many Kazuma can take, besides she's seen it a couple times before anyways."

"How many he can take? What do you mean?" Megumin asks questioningly.

I shrug. "I guess we'll find out."

Future Me steps forward, his grin wide. "Hold onto me." He reaches out, and without question, both Megumin's and I wrap our hands around his arms.

He quickly starts muttering an incantation under his breath.

"Teleport!"

Instantly everything blurs. When it's corrected I'm hit by a wave of vertigo, our position massively different from before.

"Ugh…" I clutch my head, rubbing my temples.

I learn the teleport spell in the future?

The dizziness clears and I look around to see where we are.

We stand on a remote mountain range. The wind rustling our cloaks slightly. Megumin glances around, confused. "Why are we here? We could've just walked to Axel's outskirts."

My future self rubs the back of his neck with a sheepish smile. "Uhh… you'll see… haha."

"My litt- uh… I mean my younger self, do you want to go first?"

Megumin's eye narrows slightly. "Hmm… I wanted to cast it at the same time as you. Two explosions at the same time would be amazing!

Future Megumin gives her a soft chuckle and a pat on the back. "Sorry, but casting at the same time probably won't be possible. You have way less range than me, and if I cast at the same place as you, we'd all be blown away. And making my explosion weaker would be an insult! Just go for your own, it'll be easier to appreciate it that way."

Megumin sighs, a little disappointed. But she quickly straightens up, flinging her cloak back with flair, and raising her staff in both hands.

"Hmph! Fine then. In that case… witness the full, undiluted might of my power!"

She strides to the edge of the cliff, the wind picking up slightly, perfectly catching her cloak to enhance the coolness factor. Her crimson eyes blaze with determination.

"I am Megumin! The strongest archwizard of the Crimson Demon clan! The future master of explosion! The one who shall engrave her name into the halls of destruction!"

She spins her staff once, then slams its butt into the ground with a flourish.

She extends her arm. The air crackles with magic, thick and thrumming. Her voice rings across the peaks.

"Explosion!"

A blinding light erupts ahead of us. The detonation roars, shaking the earth beneath our feet. A wave of wind and heat slams into everyone, almost knocking us all down.

The fireball is massive, climbing high into the sky, the surrounding mountain echoing the explosion like a chorus.

And when it finally dies down…

The mountain is gone.

Only a scorched, smoldering crater remains.

Megumin collapses with a dazed sigh and I leap forward to catch her, just barely stopping her from faceplanting into the rocks. Her body is limp but warm, her breathing ragged. "S-So good~"

She gives a little shiver in my arms, and I swear I see her eyelids flutter, soft light glowing faintly beneath them. My heart has a mini explosion of its own…

I gently lower her to the ground, adjusting her cape so she's resting comfortably.

Future me whistles. "Normally, something like that would be a forty out of ten…"

Megumin twitches a bit. "Forty?!"

"…but considering the situation, the raw spirit, the scale of destruction, the speech…" He nods with a grin. "I'd give it a ninety six!"

Megumin exhales slowly, visibly relaxing. "…Oh. That's better."

Then she tilts her head up to look at me. "What about you, Kazuma?"

I give her a small smile and a thumbs up. "I'd say ninety six too. Maybe even a ninety seven."

"Nice Explosion."

Her face lights up, cheeks tinged red, from pride or exhaustion, I can't tell.

"Very good, my past self," she says with a smirk.

Future Megumin steps forward, her eyes glowing bright. "Fufufu… but now it's time for me to take the stage! Watch closely, you two. Allow me to show you the true grandeur of an explosion grandmaster!"

Megumin lights up, clearly excited. "Y-yes!"

"I don't get to use this particular spell often, overuse would destroy the world! It is my masterpiece! My magnum opus! My ultimate explosion!

Strangely, I can't tell if this is just chuuni nonsense or an actual consequence of her "ultimate explosion". After all there's no telling just how much stronger this Megumin is compared to my own.

Future Megumin then raises her staff, starting her chant. It is longer than anything I've ever heard. Elegant, complex, and kind of terrifying.

"K-Kazuma!" Megumin tugs at my sleeve, eyes wide with urgency. "Hurry! Sit me up, I want to see this!"

"W-Where should I—?"

"Anywhere! Just hurry!"

I fumble for a solution and end up pulling her into my lap, propping her up with my arms and taking off her hat so we both a clear view of her future self and the mountains beyond.

"Uh… is this okay?"

But Megumin doesn't even respond, she's too focused on what's in front of her.

As future Megumin chants, I see it. Massive magic circles, some 20 miles away, begin forming in the sky.

Then more. They don't just appear horizontally across the sky, but vertically too. Towering, rotating rings of energy, each seemingly the size Axel. They start spinning, layered atop one another, then begin compressing.

And I mean really compressing.

They pull in tighter and tighter, folding down into a condensed sphere of raw, unstable energy. Space itself around the sphere begins to bend, like reality doesn't know what to do with what it's seeing. The air distorts. Light warps. My instincts scream at me to run.

"You might want to close your eyes for the initial blast," future me says, eerily calm.

Future Megumin lets out a final cry.

"SACRED ART: SUPREME EXPLOOOOOOOSION!"

Quickly, I close my eyelids and a second later it becomes apparent why he warned us.

The world turns white.

I don't even feel it hit, just the sensation of everything being replaced by light. Even through my eyelids it hurts to look at.

When the glow finally fades, I understand what he meant by "you'll see."

Lightning crackles in massive arcs, red, black, and gold, channeling through the air like the world itself is splitting open. The mountains? Gone. Just… gone. Erased from existence. There has to be a hole at least a few miles wide there.

I know there's something stated that matter cannot be created nor destroyed… but I think in the face of this… that stands corrected…

The sky is rent apart. There is a hole in the atmosphere. I can see the stars through it during the day. Like the very laws of the world are ignored and pushed aside.

That's when I notice, space itself around where the explosion happened is still warping… twisting in slow waves, like reality itself is struggling to stabilize.

It takes me at least a minute and a half to process all that I'm seeing before future me quickly yanks out an artifact and slams it to the ground, activating a small glowing barrier that envelops the group just in time. A crushing pressure slams into it not even a second later. Sound vanishes. Outside the bubble, rocks are being shredded apart by invisible force.

I'm sure that if not for that artifact, our eardrums would rupture instantly and we would be simultaneously eviscerated.

Wave after wave of pressure slams into the transparent barrier, each with more and more force. Things that shouldn't be able to fly are flying. Things that shouldn't be able to move are trembling.

This is beyond the realm of simply magic.

This is a force that does not belong on this world, this is destruction that has touched into the domain of the gods.

My entire body shivers, barely able to keep itself from collapsing while witnessing it. Barely able to accept that I've somehow survived this.

All we can do is wait.

All that's left… is to pray the barrier holds.

A minute or two passes before the show of absolute obliteration begins to ease.

Future Megumin turns, looking thoroughly pleased, then immediately slumps, exhausted. Her hat drops and she falls straight into future me's arms, drained of every last drop of magic.

Huh? Wait, how was she able to stand after she casted it, and only fell now?

"So, how was it?" she mumbles, half conscious but proud.

"Wuh-uh-one m-million…" I sputter.

Megumin is frozen, her face pale and mouth wide open. "I-I'll be able to do something like that in only ten years?!"

"Probably less now that you've seen it!" Future Megumin says weakly from future me's arms. "It took me a good bit to figure out how to compress the magic circles…"

I can't even respond.

"Oh, don't worry," she adds, barely keeping her eyes open, "that was just a special grade explosion spell. Not my main one, my main one's way weaker so I don't have to worry about killing everyone."

…

Oh my god. I marry a living planetary threat in the future.

And speaking of said future planetary threat, I look down to see a head of dark brown hair. Why did I decide to put her in my lap…?

Future me crouches down to let his Megumin clamber onto his back as I awkwardly try to pull this one onto mine.

Future Megumin lets out a tired sigh. "Mmm… onward, darling…"

He just smiles, flipping her hat onto her head and adjusting her weight easily.

The moment Megumin wraps her arms around my neck, I feel a strange sensation.

Her entire body pressed against mine, her warmth, the soft weight of her resting on me, the faint rhythm of her breathing near my ear.

Now that there's no distraction of a world ending explosion, my attention is set fully on the girl pushed up on my back.

My heart pounds louder than it should.

I've given her piggyback rides countless times before, but only now I feel all hot and bothered about it?

Curse this wonderful feeling.

"You two ready?" My future self calls.

I grab her legs and stand up. "Yup!"

Future Megumin looks at us with a gaze full of admiration, then in a whisper clearly meant for us to overhear. "Awww, honey look at how cute we were when you were carrying me back then! I'm surprised more people didn't mistake us for a couple!"

He whispers back, "what do you mean? You're just as cute now as you were then. Even more so because now you're mine!"

"Ca-can you two s-shut up and teleport us already!" Megumin sputters.

"Oh my, you could hear us?"

They eye eachother, grinning devilishly.

Red faced, I stride over and grab his arm, he begins chanting.

"Teleport!"

The same feeling from earlier hits again, and when I adjust, I realize we're back on the mansion lawn.

"Alright guys! Let's go see our kid," future me announces.

We start walking toward Wiz's shop, pausing every now and then when me or Megumin spot something interesting.

"Whoa! Chris opened up a cafe?!"

"I know, right? You two won't have to wait too long for it either. After the Demon King was defeated, lots of people started picking up… homier professions. She says it's just as fun as being a thief, somehow. Though she still does some thief… work, from time to time…"

Strangely, nobody really asks why there are two versions of us each walking through town. I guess people just stopped questioning the weird crap that comes from hanging around my party.

"Hm? Kazuma, are you okay? You seem… kinda warm?" Megumin mutters in my ear.

"U-uh… yeah, I'm fine! Just, uh… seeing all this new stuff is exciting, y'know?"

"I know right! And speaking of new stuff, check out Wiz's shop! It's… uh… exactly the same?" Megumin tilts her head.

I'd expect some drastic change with all those inventions future me was supposedly selling. If he was raking in money from Vanir, this place should be loaded. Unless Vanir spent it all on building that stupid dungeon of his.

"Wait, no, look! There's a little stall out front that wasn't there before…"

Future me opens the door and walks inside while we hang back, still checking out the storefront. Then we hear a familiar voice ring out from inside.

"Well, if it isn't the brat and his little wife, who are oh so frustrated they can't do anything together for fear of being overheard by their past selves! Welcome, welcome!"

I hurry in, just as future me starts to answer.

"Well yeah, y'know… it'd be kinda weird if we just—"

"Pah!" Vanir interrupts, already wearing a disappointed scowl. "Thou used to be such a reliable source of dark emotions for moi. But now that thou art rich and married? So dull! So lifeless! But now here is the real deal! A true feast! Brimming with secrets and insecurities!"

He lights up when he sees us, specifically me. Uh oh. I know exactly what he's about to bring up.

"Welcome, moi favorite brat! Who spent last night restless, mind racing with thoughts of a certain Crimson Demon mage!"

My whole face flashes that same crimson. I knew it was coming, but that doesn't make it any easier when your mind gets exposed infront of everyone.

"S-shut it! It wasn't even like that!"

I can feel the smugness radiating from future me and future Megumin out of the corner of my eye. And I'm just glad I can't see the face of girl on my back, if I could, I'd probably die on the spot.

"Mwahaha! Now there's the dark emotions moi has so missed! A true buffet! But… perhaps moi could go for a little snack too?"

His eyes drift toward Megumin over my shoulder, smile growing wider.

"And you, little Crimson Demon, who was imagi—"

"AHHHHH!"

Megumin shrieks and slams her hands over my ears, cutting him off mid sentence.

"Ow! What the hell?!"

Wait… she's trying to stop me from hearing it? That means she was thinking something about me right? Right?!

Only when Vanir stops talking does she let go, red faced and panting.

"Ohohoho! Such bold thoughts from one so small! And those dark emotions were even tastier than the brat's! Moi could dine on you two forever!"

I really want to ask what he was about to say… but I value my life. And more importantly, there's something we came here to do.

"U-uhm, anyways… Vanir, you must know why we're here…"

He gives a sly grin, hands folding behind his back, eyes gleaming with a smug, all knowing look.

"But of course! Moi assumes you're here to pick up the daughter of you four."

"…Seriously?" I deadpan.

Vanir chuckles. "Thou asks such a vague question and acts upset when he is given the most viable answer! How naive! Be specific, brat!"

I pinch the bridge of my nose. "Ugh… fine. Can we go back to our own timeline or not?"

Vanir's mask tilts. "Yes."

Just like that. I exhale in relief.

"Okay, good. That's… a relief. So, are you going to tell us how?"

He pauses, cocking his head. "Hmm? Moi sees no benefit in doing so."

"Eh-wh-what do you mean?!"

"There is nothing in it for moi. Telling you how to return brings no chaos, no suffering, no profit. Where's the incentive?"

I open my mouth, close it, then groan. "Okay… how about I tell your past self something you want him to know?"

He cackles. "Thou already forgets! Moi possesses clairvoyance, yes? Moi foresaw this entire incident ages ago. Moi has known about your little timeline business since before you even killed your first giant toad."

"U-Uh then how about I give your past self something you want him to have?"

That finally makes him stop. Slowly, he smiles.

"Very good. Now that is an acceptable bargain."

From somewhere under the counter, he produces a small ornate box and presents it with a flourish.

"…You had this already prepared?"

"Of course! Just as moi knew this would happen, moi also knew how to get what moi wants! And what's inside this box will push moi's dungeon making dreams forward by leaps and bounds!"

"Uh huh…," I mutter, reaching out to take it.

But instead of grabbing it, it's held out of my reach. "Hmmm? Does thou not wish for moi to tell you how to return before moi hands it over? How simple you are…"

I pause. "Oh. W-well yea. Yea, tell me."

Vanir lets out a low chuckle. "Thou simply needs to sleep under the stars on the same hill thou arrived on to return to thy time. Quite simple, is it not?"

I stare at him. "You're serious? It's that easy?"

"Moi assures you it is just that simple. You will return, guaranteed!" Now he holds the box out properly, and this time I grab it.

Megumin leans over my shoulder, eyes curious. "What's inside?"

I turn the box over in my hands. "Let's see—"

Click.

"It's locked."

Vanir's eyes gleam. "Ah, that box can only be opened by one who is completely honest about their feelings."

I freeze. "H-huh?"

Future me, grinning, grabs the box. "Lemme give it a try."

He tries the lid. Still locked.

Vanir bursts out laughing. "Mwahaha! Moi jests! It's just under lock and key!"

"Seriously?!" I shout, red faced. "What was the point of… ugh!"

Megumin snorts softly behind me.

Before I can protest more, we hear hurried footsteps from the back.

"Daddy! Mommy!"

Komequi bursts in and latches onto my future self's leg, hugging him tight.

Her emerald eyes sparkle as she looks up at the two of them. "I missed you!"

Future me ruffles her hair. "We weren't even gone thirty minutes kiddo."

Future Megumin smiles warmly down at her from his back.

Wiz stumbles in behind, looks, then does a double take. "H-huh?! There's two of each of you?!"

The two in front glance back at us. "Long story," he says. "We'll explain another time."

"Please do," Wiz mutters.

After a bit more conversation, we get pushed toward the door, with Vanir shoving the box the older me set aside into Megumin's hands.

"Ensure that the very first thing thou does upon thine return is deliver that box to moi's past self. Now begone! Moi has more important matters to attend to."

Yea right, more important matters. More like thinking of how to embarrass the older me.

I walk out, following our future selves, with Megumin muttering under her breath that she'd hit Vanir the next chance she got.

The door practically slams behind us with a click.

Part 5

Our future selves head on home with Komequi, planning to start making dinner. While we decide to just start exploring for fun.

"Y'know… now that the shock is gone, that explosion earlier was really beautiful, wasn't it, Kazuma…?" she murmurs dreamily.

I nod. "Yeah… it really was."

"I can't wait to be at that level… I wonder how many times you'll have to carry me for me to get that good…"

She leans in closer. Her lips are right next to my ear when she says, "What do you think… Kazuma~"

Then, fuuuu, she lets out a soft puff of air right into my ear.

"Hyooh!" I nearly stumble, my whole body tensing up. My heart does this little jolt in my chest, and I feel a shiver crawling up my spine. "W-what was that for?!"

"Hmm…? I don't know what you mean, Kazuma," she says, playing dumb. I can hear the smirk in her voice even without seeing her face.

"Say… why is your heart beating so fast?" she adds, laying her cheek against my shoulder.

"I-I don't know what you mean… wait…!" My eyes narrow. "I know what you're doing! Don't just think I'm some easy man who's manipulated to your whim. I'm a person of integrity, y'know!"

"Oh, is that so, Kazuma~? "

Fwuuuu.

Another puff of air. This one at my neck.

"Q-quit it!"

"The future you seemed pretty easily manipulated by the older me last night y'know… and what Vanir said when we entered… restless all night because of me, hm? So, tell me… what exactly were you thinking about, Kazuma?" She pokes my cheek teasingly.

Ugh… my heart. If I don't do something soon, I'll end up as her plaything…

"I-I was just thinking about how c-cute you looked in those oversized pajamas last night…"

"H-huh? W-wh-really?"

She tenses up on my back. This time it's her turn to turn into a flustered mess.

"Gotcha~ so why's your heart beating so fast now Megumin? Huh?"

"S-shut it… you can't just say something like that to a girl if you don't really mean it…" she pouts.

I try to think of a retort but can't.

"You-you didn't really mean that right, Kazuma…?"

"K-kazuma?!"

"…"

"Whoa! That's a really interesting building! That sure wasn't here when we walked this path last!"

"Hey! Answer me!" she demands, thumping her fist against my shoulder. "Don't change the subject! Did you mean it or not?!"

I chuckle nervously. "M-maybe I did, maybe I didn't. You'll never know."

"You!" she huffs, the frustration clear in her tone. "You coward!"

"Don't call me a coward! You're trying to make me answer something you clearly already know the answer to. Take this!"

"Drain touch!"

"GYAAAAHH! Idiotzuma! Trashzuma! H-how could you drain the last of my mana?! I was already running low!"

Megumin's head falls onto my shoulder, completely unable to move due to total mana exhaustion. Unfortunately, no lack of mana will ever keep her mouth from working.

"Grr. Now you take THIS!" She says as she does something crazy.

"Aah! M-Megumin are you seriously licking my neck!? S-stop it!"

"Heh heh heh, du yuu gif uh alrerey?"

"Y-you think s-something like this will make me cave? H-how weak willed do you think I am?!"

That might've sounded cooler if my voice wasn't shaking. My body's already heating up even more, and not from embarrassment alone. Having the girl I'm apparently madly in love with licking my neck is way too much to handle…

"I'm warning you… if you don't stop, I might do something crazy!"

In response, Megumin bites my neck like an actual rabid animal.

"OW! OW OW OW! Quit it! I get it! I'm sorry! I'm sorry for draining your mana, okay?!"

"Gif ih back!" She growls, latched on and ready to draw blood.

Quickly, I pump enough mana so she can move her body again.

After receiving what's hers she detaches her mouth from my neck and gives it a few wipes. "Thanks Kazuma!" She says with a content tone before nestling into my neck again.

Damn… this girl is scary. How my future self has been able to handle her for 10 years I'll never know.

"Hm Kazuma? Your heart seems to be beating pretty rapidly and you seem to be very warm to the touch…?"

"We aren't doing this again!"

We (I) make our way over to Chris's cafe, I noticed it before. But it really looks like a cafe you'd see back on Earth. I mean… floor to ceiling tempered glass windows? Like come on, how the hell would you even get something like that here?

We enter the cafe and a bell at the top of the door rings merrily. The interior looks extremely modern. White tile floor, black and grey accents everywhere, hanging lights. The place is even cold due to an a/c unit hidden somewhere. An array of appliances are behind the counter along with many different colored liquids in bottles, for what I can only assume is coffee and drink making. There's even a small rack in the back filled up with various breads and pastries. Heh, I really modernized this place.

"Welcome!" Chris calls out from the counter. "Ah little Kazuma and Megumin! How are you two doing?"

"L-little? How do you know about us being… y'know…" I say a bit surprised.

"Word travels fast Kazuma!" She gives a wink. "You forget that I'm a thief! I hear many things, especially interesting things like this."

Somehow I'm a little suspicious of this… we were really only out in public today for an hour, and even yesterday people just thought we were our future selves but cursed or something…

My eyes narrow a bit but I don't say anything.

"So what do you two think?" She spreads her arms out to emphasize the entire cafe. "A lot of the ideas for this place were actually suggested by you Kazuma! Actually… basically all of the ideas were suggested by you… but I don't mind, the ideas are so good I can't help but use them!"

"I think it's super cool that you opened up a cafe Chris! It's so nice in here."

"What do you think Megumin?" I nudge her gently.

"…"

"Uh… Megumin?"

Still nothing.

She can't be serious. Did she really fall asleep on the way here? …I can't be that comfortable, can I?

Chris chuckles a bit, "you two are something else, honestly… it's like you were made for eachother."

"Wha- C-Chris y-you can't just say something like that."

Chris wears a knowing smirk, "uh huh… so… what do you want to order? Two coffees?"

"Uh… sure, you should probably make hers a little sweeter though."

"Oho~ so thoughtful?"

"Shut it… I'll have a pastry too."

"Good choice! Go sit yourself down and I'll have it over to you in a jiffy! Also I'll charge the other you when he comes in here next so you don't have to pay."

"Thanks."

I head over to a booth and carefully turn around to lay Megumin down in it.

As I ease her off my back, I catch myself smiling. Her expression is so peaceful… relaxed. The kind of face you only make when you feel safe.

I sit down on the stool across from her.

It only takes a few seconds before she stirs.

"Hnn…? Kazuma… why'd you put me down?"

"Because we're already at the cafe. You missed everything. Seriously, how do you fall asleep that easily?"

She takes a second to rub her eye before responding.

"Pssshh, It was an accident. Clearly, you've never experienced the joy of lying on a warm surface while gently swaying back and forth. It's a feeling second only to a glorious explosion."

She stretches a little and finally looks around.

"Whoa! Chris's cafe is crazy cool!"

Knowing she finds comfort in being on my back, enough to fall asleep without even meaning to, it makes me… oddly happy.

My heartbeat finally slows. I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding.

Chris walks over with a cheerful smile, balancing a tray in one hand. On it are two glass cups filled with coffee, topped generously with whipped cream, and a fat, flaky croissant sitting on a plate.

"Here you go, lovebirds. Enjoy!" she teases happily, setting the drinks in front of us and placing the pastry between the two of us.

"H-hey!" I protest, but she's already turning back toward the counter, waving off our thanks with a smirk.

I glance at the coffee, it actually looks amazing. I take a sip. Exactly like if I'd buy one back in Japan.

"Damn… that's good."

Megumin hums in agreement as she sets down her glass. "Mmm! It's nice and sweet… this is great!"

Then our eyes lock on the pastry.

Without hesitation, she snatches it off the plate before I can even raise a hand and tears off a bite. But as soon as her teeth sink in, her eyes go wide.

"K-Kazuma!" she gasps, "there's chocolate inside this!"

"Seriously?" I lean forward, trying to see inside.

She doesn't answer, and just takes an even bigger bite, chocolate smearing at the corner of her mouth.

"H-hey! Save some for me!"

After some fighting over the croissant I finally get my bite, and it's damn good. We talk for a bit, our coffee slowly draining when the bell rings again and two people walk in.

I glance up and nearly choke.

Dust strolls in with his usual swagger, a cocky grin spread across his face. But what actually makes me double take is the girl clinging to his arm.

"Y-Yunyun…?" I cough.

Sure enough, it's her, though not quite the same shy, socially anxious girl I remember. She's walking with her head up, a light smile on her face as she chats with Dust, who laughs loudly at whatever she just said. Surprisingly besides her confidence boost, she looks identical to the Yunyun we know. I guess growing early didn't help her out that much.

Megumin stops mid sip. "…Am I going insane? Or is Yunyun holding Dust's hand like it's normal?"

They spot us and walk over.

"Oh, hey Kazuma! Megumin!" Yunyun greets, her voice bright, almost casual. "Dust told me about you two getting cursed. But you look so much younger again! Are you two out on a date or something?

"W-wha—" Megumin cuts off as I kick her under table and shoot her a glance that tells her to hold off for a second.

"Y-yeah… a date…" I reply, choosing my next words carefully. "Speaking of… how long have you two been, uh… dating now?"

Dust laughs, puffing his chest out. "It's three years next month. She couldn't resist my devilish charm and eventually gave in!"

It took 6 or so years for that "devilish charm" to take effect though, right? Seems slow.

Megumin stares. "I don't know what's more confusing… you managing to get a girlfriend, or Yunyun acting like… well, not Yunyun."

Yunyun chuckles, this time a little less confident. "Well… people can change, right?"

Megumin gives her a long, suspicious stare. Then turns to me with a look that clearly means "it's time to go."

I give her a look back in agreement.

We both stand, Megumin now recovered from her use of explosion and head toward the door, waving.

"Bye, Yunyun! Bye… Dust…"

As I reach for the handle, Chris calls out from behind the counter.

"Hope you two had fun on your date~ "

We quickly shuffle out without another word.

"Kazuma, l-let's just ignore everything that happened in there…"

"Y-yeah. Good idea."

The sun is slowly nearing the horizon, now evening as we walk home. An orangish hue spread over the world.

Curse Chris for making the walk back to the mansion awkward… but it doesn't last long. As soon as we open the doors and step inside the feeling dissipates.

We step into the dining room, and stop. Our future selves are just finishing setting the table with plates of spaghetti and meatballs.

"Welcome back!" future Megumin says, brushing her hands together. "Did you two have fun?"

Future me shoots her a sly glance, and she returns it just as smugly.

It's pretty convenient that we got home just as dinner finished…

Komequi rushes in, plops into her seat, waiting for her food. "Yay! I'm starving!"

My future self grins, arms crossed. "I may or may not have strongly encouraged Chris to open that cafe. Gave her a few appliance prototypes. Building designs. Stuff to make her work easier."

He looks far too pleased with himself.

"I basically did everything for the place, heh. You could call a genius of sorts."

This guy…

Instead of replying, I just dig into the food infront of me…

And it's great. The meatballs are savory, the sauce just tangy enough, it has a lot of basil in it though… and as we eat, it's quiet, until future Megumin breaks it.

"So," she says, twirling pasta with a fork, "when do you plan on heading back?"

"Tomorrow afternoon most likely," I say.

The table falls quiet.

Yeah… it's not just us. They're probably gonna miss us too. It's been a fun few days.

SLURP.

Komequi thankfully breaks the silence with her eating.

"Daddy, this sghetti is amazing!"

Komequi's eyes sparkle, cheeks full of noodles.

He can't help but grin. "I did my best for you, kiddo."

Then future Megumin nudges her husband. "Honey, didn't you promise you'd let me try some of your new whiskey?"

"O-oh, right!" He jumps up quickly. "Be right back!"

He returns with glasses for everyone and sets them down in front of them, except Megumin… and Komequi of course.

"Hey! Where's mine!?" Megumin protests, jabbing a finger at the empty space in front of her.

My future self looks at her. "Mini Megumin… if I gave you even a shot glass of this you'd get drunk. Your tolerance is basically zero."

"…Mini Megumin…"

"H-hey! I've gotten better with age, right!?"

He turns to the older Megumin, "A little. But you still can't hold it. You guys have like barely any body fat so the alcohol affects you way more than anyone else."

"W-well… a tiny sip can't hurt, right?" Megumin says, eyes going wide and watery.

He crosses his arms, smirking. "Nuh uh. Your charms wont work. I've already got my Megumin. Try asking him." He jerks a thumb at me.

She turns. I sigh, it's not even worth fighting it. "Fine, fine, one sip. But I'm drinking most of it first."

I take a healthy swig, leaving just a bit, and hand it to her.

She snatches it with both hands and downs it immediately.

Then, cough cough.

"G-good stuff," she wheezes, giving a shaky thumbs up.

Everyone sighs this time.

Future Megumin smirks and whispers something into future me's ear. He frowns, grins, then turns with an… exasperated expression? "Alrigrht, fine. One more glass. No idea why you had to whisper."

He returns with a full pour.

She slams it down. And gets drunk.

And then she grabs him by the collar and kisses him right in front of us.

…

Megumin gives a tiny jolt beside me.

The table has a really great grain right here…

Future me sighs, "cmon honey, I told you that second glass was a bad idea."

"It wash'nt," she says back.

He stands. "Alright, Komequi. Time for bed."

"Aww! Can I stay up a little longer? Pleaseeee?"

"You can tomorrow. But not tonight, c'mon I'll tuck you in."

She pouts but obeys. "Okay…"

"Goodnight!" we both say as they walk away.

Just as they vanish around the corner, I swear I hear the word "purification" muttered under someone's breath.

Hm, did I imagine that?

Future me pops his head back in a few minutes later. "We're heading in early. Goodnight you two."

"Goodnight," we both reply again.

The door closes. We're alone.

Megumin stands, rubbing her eyes. "I'm gonna take a bath. You're after me."

"Yeah, yeah."

She leaves, and I'm left in silence. My thoughts swirl.

Today was pretty successful I'd say, from waking up to… Komequi sensing something I barely just admitted to myself. Then the explosion earlier. The older Megumin is terrifying… but beautiful. I can't wait to see my own Megumin get that strong someday.

Then there's finding out how to get home. It being that simple is pretty stupid… the cafe, this dinner…

When I get back I'll definitely have to start making some new things.

A dozen minutes pass before the washroom door opens. She steps out, her pajamas slightly rumpled from the towel draped over her shoulders.

"The bath's ready for you Kazuma. Goodnight."

"Yeah. Goodnight."

…I don't really know why, but I was maybe expecting a bit more…

I head toward the bathroom, into the changing room, and peel off my clothes…

And then I see them.

A small, folded pair of black panties. Her panties. Sitting in the laundry basket.

I freeze.

My nostrils flare slightly, steam practically puffing out.

"M-Megumin's freshly worn underwear…"

Thank you god for this blessed opportunity!

I stare, my imagination running wild… before I snap out of it and pinch myself.

"No. I can't, I shouldn't… It's hers. I can't betray her trust (trust?), even if she has no way of finding out. I love her because of who she is, not because of her… bl-black puh-panties…"

My eyes drift back again.

I'm such a hypocrite aren't I?

But by using what feels like superhuman strength, I tear myself from temptation and step into the bath.

I soak in the bath, letting the warm water wash away the soreness of my muscles. Despite Megumin being light as a feather, carrying around what weight she does have for hours is a bit tiresome…

Afterward, I dry off, cast one last, tortured glance at the black fabric in the basket. And then walk out into the hall, straight to my room. The door closes behind me with a gentle click.

Part 6

As I settle into my bed I try my best to get comfortable, a few minutes pass as I toss and turn, trying to find that perfect spot that'll put me out instantly.

…But, I can't help but feel like something is missing… I glance at the empty space beside me, wishing… dreaming… that she was there.

The room is quiet, except for the faint rustling of leaves outside the slightly cracked window. A soft, silvery light spills in from the moon, washing everything in a gentle glow. Shadows stretch across the wooden floor, unmoving. The faint scent of nighttime clings to the air.

I shift under the blanket, the fabric cool against my skin. My eyes wander to the space beside me again. The sheets there are untouched, cold. Just once, I wish I could look over and see her breathing softly, her hair spilling over the pillow, close enough to reach out and—

Knock knock.

A light tapping breaks the silence.

"H-Hello?" I stutter.

"Kazuma? Uh… it's me. May I come in?"

My heart kicks up, thudding against my ribs as if trying to escape.

"M-Megumin? Y-Yeah, of course!"

The door opens. She steps in slowly, closing it behind her with a gentle click.

"Wh-what's up? Do you need something?"

In the faint moonlight drifting through the window, her ruby eyes glow softly, subtly. She's wearing those same ridiculously adorable pajamas, the ones that somehow make her look even smaller, even more fragile.

A slight blush tinges her cheeks, faint, and barely noticeable, but there. "I… I was wondering if I could sleep here tonight. If that's okay…?"

What? Is this real? Am I dreaming?

"W-wha-y-yeah, of course you can. Are you… are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she says gently, "I just… wanted to be with you tonight."

She walks over to my bedside, lifts the sheet, and slides in beside me. I scoot over a bit to make room.

Oh my god. Megumin is under my covers. It's only been a couple of days since the Crimson Demon village, but everything feels different.

I feel different.

She turns to face me, eyes still glowing faintly in the dark. Our shoulders touch. Just that little bit of contact makes me want to wrap my arms around her and never let go, to tell her everything. How much I love her. How I don't want to go another day without her in my life, not just as my companion, but as the one I treasure more than anyone.

But the words… they stick in my throat.

I'm not some clueless anime protagonist. I've seen the signs, she's dropped more than a few hints. I think she likes me. I think she really does. …I hope…

So why is it so hard to say those three damn words?

We both turn onto our sides, facing each other. Her breath brushes against me, hot against my skin. I pray she can't hear my heart pounding like a war drum.

"Kazuma," she whispers, grinning, "you look so flustered. Are you alright?"

A blush I've been desperately trying to suppress creeps across my face.

"W-well, I mean… I'm a healthy young man, you know? If a… c-cute girl climbs into bed with me asking to sleep together, it'd be weird if I wasn't flustered…"

"Oh? You think I'm cute?" Her grin widens, happy, not teasing. "Why thank you Kazuma."

Oh god. My heart can't take this…

Then, without warning, she wraps her arm around my lower back and pulls herself a little closer. My heart nearly breaks out of my chest.

I look away, trying to recover. "H-hey, if I were any other guy, I'd probably make some kind of move on you and—"

I look back into her eyes, and freeze.

Her eyes are locked on mine. Glowing. Beautiful. Completely unguarded.

So full of trust.

That's when it hits me. What my future self told me yesterday.

"Don't let fear of screwing things up stop you from being honest."

I need to say it, I need to put everything into it, how much I want to be with her, hold her, spend the rest of our lives together. I want what our future selves have, I want her and only her.

Come on, Kazuma. Say it. Be honest. Be brave. Just get it out, come on! Just,

SAY IT!

"I-I love you!"

"I love you."

…

Wait… did she…? Did she say it too?

"Eh?"

"H-huh?"

We both stare at eachother in stunned silence. Confusion, hope and a million other emotions etched onto our faces.

My heart races, not in panic this time, but in joyous triumph. Did we just…?

"K-Kazuma… did you just say you love me?"

"A-and did you just say you love me?"

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

I don't hesitate. I pull her into my arms, holding her tight as if she might disappear if I don't.

I speak up before she can even think about saying a word, …I need to back it up, tell her exactly why I love her, so she knows that my feelings are genuine.

"I-I only realized yesterday night just how much you affected me, I only realized last night that I loved you… I knew that what I was feeling had to be love. Whenever I look at you my heart speeds up, I know it's not anything else, because when I picture spending the rest of my life with you at my side, with me at your side. I get unbearably happy. "

I take a small breath and look at her eyes, they're a bit surprised, but listening intently. I continue.

"There are so many reasons why I fell in love with you, for one, your unwavering dedication to an art that everyone around you calls worthless. An art that you spent your entire life trying to perfect and master, and seeing you still so dedicated to it, even 10 years in the future. That kind of commitment is something I deeply admire. It's… beautiful."

I run my fingers through her cool hair gently, it's still the slightest bit damp from her bath. I steady myself.

"When I first met you, I'll admit I was a little annoyed. I thought you'd just be another useless party member like Aqua, someone who'd only make my life harder. Your chuunibyou rambling drove me a bit crazy. But… as we grew closer, I started to not mind it, I found it a bit cute. Even endearing. I love how fiery and passionate you can be, and how stubborn and headstrong you are too. How you'll fight anyone who wrongs you, and show kindness to those who praise you. All of this is what makes you, you, and I love every bit of it.

"I love your beautiful eyes, how they glow the most gorgeous color whenever you're excited, or angry. How they stare into mine with such intensity I feel like you're looking into my soul. I love them and I wish I could stare into them forever."

Her eyes grow wider, glowing even more brilliantly at the mention of this. I take another breath and hug her a little tighter.

"I love how small you are, how I can just scoop you up into my arms or carry you without a second thought. I know you might be disappointed that you don't grow much in the future. But just know, I'm happy with you exactly as you are. Because you are the person I love, the person with the most beautiful smile, the person who never fails to tease me when the opportunity arises, the person that I want to fight to have a life with. So Megumin, you're the cutest and most amazing person I've ever met, and,

I love you."

By the end it looks like she's trying her best not to cry, she holds it in, just barely. And looks into my eyes.

"…I didn't expect you to say all that… actually, I didn't even expect you to confess at all… I expected you to be more, hesitant. More… Kazuma."

She flashes me a radiant smile, "but I love this version of you too."

We sit in silence for a bit, just enjoying each other's company in this short interlude. Her fingers gently comb through my hair, and I do the same. It's calming, wonderful. I can almost taste what she smells like, something warm and familiar, a bit woody and spicy with a hint of sweetness… cinnamon, that's it.

She looks happy. Peaceful.

Then she breaks the silence.

"Since you confessed your feelings for me, it's only fair that I express mine for you too, right?"

She wears a beautiful smile as she says this, one that makes my chest tighten. I nod, unable to form words.

She takes her hand out from my hair and pulls it down under the blanket, placing it on my chest.

"…After hearing what you said, I can't help but feel like what I had in mind is a little weak in comparison. But no matter. I'll just have to ramp it up a bit at the end."

She lets out a deep breath, shifting slightly so she's fully facing me now. It's like she had been holding that breath since the moment I spoke. Her eyes lock onto mine, steady and sincere.

"Kazuma… I know you know this, but when it comes to unexpected situations, I get a bit flustered, especially when it's something like this."

She pauses. I see the tension in her shoulders. My hand brushes hers beneath the covers, just barely.

"I came here tonight expecting a one sided confession. One where I told you I loved you, and you just sat there overthinking, maybe making excuses or trying to stall. Because you'll admit it too, that's just the kind of person you are."

I let out the faintest laugh through my nose. Yeah… I guess.

"And… I love that part of you."

My heart skips a beat. What…?

"How uncomposed you can get. How you try to put on a tough facade. You cover up who you really are with sarcasm and tricks and insults. But I know you. I know the real you."

My throat tightens. My eyes go a little wider.

"You're someone who would do anything to protect the ones close to you. You've even sacrificed your own life without thinking a couple times. You're incredibly intelligent and painfully self aware, always comparing yourself to others."

She hesitates. Her fingers lightly brush against mine, then curl around them.

"You're shameless in the most ridiculous ways… and I don't hate that. Because thats just you."

"You're not the most good person there is, but you're also not exactly a bad person…. you switch between the two depending on what suits you in the moment. You act self centered, but when someone truly needs you, when they ask something of you, you might groan and grumble… but you always help them anyways."

"You're kind. Truly kind. But you hide behind walls, and I don't even know what you're trying to protect yourself from."

I swallow. A pressure growing behind my eyes.

"These past two days… they changed you. Not in a bad way, but in a way that made me see you even more clearly. I realized that when you confessed to me just now."

She moves a little closer. Her forehead almost touches mine.

"Your words… they were unexpected. They made my heart beat like never before."

"So… Kazuma. I love you."

Her voice cracks slightly, and I can feel her breath against my lips.

"Despite your many flaws. Despite your pervy jokes and your shameless stunts. Despite everything…"

She squeezes my hand.

"I love you."

The room is quiet. The world feels far away.

"Thank you… for being part of my life."

I don't trust myself to speak. My eyes are burning.

I suddenly grab her and roll her on top of me. She gasps, a little startled at first, but quickly relaxes. I pull her in and bury my face into her shoulder, sobbing softly, not from sadness, but from the overwhelming joy that our feelings are mutual. The relief of finally letting it all out, the hope I'd been clinging to finally coming true, and… for the first time in my life, the feeling that someone truly understands me.

Everything I'd kept locked away poured out in the tears that soaked into her shoulder.

She wears a warm, loving smile and gently strokes my hair, soothing me.

"M-Megumin… when I realized I loved you last night, all I wanted was to hold you. It was agony not having you beside me. But now that you're here, now that I'm holding you, I know I was right. This… this is the best thing ever."

She blushes faintly. "W-well, I guess I don't mind being so small if holding me helps you feel better…"

I chuckle a little. "And what you said… it was amazing. Thank you. I didn't know you'd noticed so much about me. I feel kind of bad, honestly. My confession feels a little shallow compared to yours…"

She smirks softly. "Who said my confession was over?"

Suddenly, she shifts, pushing herself up slightly and hovering her face above mine.

"M-Megumin…?"

Her eyes flutter closed as she puckers her lips, leaning in slowly.

But just before our lips can meet, she hesitates, her lips just a hair's breadth away.

For a moment, I almost freeze.

Then, his voice echoes in my mind one last time.

"Don't be afraid to let her lead sometimes. If she steps toward you… meet her halfway."

Thanks, me.

I lift my head gently, closing the distance she couldn't.

Our lips meet.

There's a hint of sweetness to them, maybe from something she ate earlier, or maybe it's just how she tastes. Whatever it is, I love it.

She was right. I've always kept walls around myself, for reasons even I don't fully understand. But right now… I'm tearing every single one of them down.

Screw my pride. Screw the ideals I've clung to all this time. For her, and only for her, I'd throw them all away.

Her eyes widen as we kiss, glowing with that ethereal crimson light… then slowly, they soften, her gaze hazy and rolling up slightly in ecstasy, her whole body melting into the moment.

I wrap my arms around her again and gently pull her down so she doesn't have to hold herself up.

Oh my god… her lips are majestic.

When we finally pull apart, a thin string of saliva connects us, lingering for a second before it breaks.

We stare at eachother, recovering for a moment before I speak.

"…Now I have one more thing I love about you."

"Oh yeah? What's that?" she asks, cheeks still pink.

"Your delicious saliva~"

"G-gross…"

She says it with a groan, but she's still smiling, then she hugs me tightly.

"So… anyway, where'd that kiss come from?"

Her face warms again as she replies, "y'know, yesterday when Aqua got kicked out during girl time?"

I nod.

"Well, after that, I asked my future self what her biggest regret was… and she said it was… your first kiss getting stolen from her."

What?! Future me's first kiss wasn't Megumin? Who the hell was it then?

She keeps going.

"And today, when we went to talk to Vanir… what he was teasing me about was…"

She hesitates. "Ever since I saw our future selves kissing in the kitchen, and the older me talking about it… I've been imagining what it would be like to kiss you myself. I was even… kissing my pillow and pretending it was you! Aahh!"

She buries her face in my chest in total embarrassment.

I grin, my heart swelling. "Th-that's the cutest thing I've ever heard."

She raises her head to look at me, "y-you think so?"

"Of course! Everything about you is cute. But… I have to know, how do I compare to the pillow?"

"Hmmm… I'm not sure. C-can I try again? Just to double check?"

Before she even finishes, I gently lift her from my chest and guide her face toward mine. Our eyes meet for a split second, then I press my lips onto hers again.

The kiss is slow at first, soft. That faint sweetness from before returns, the taste of the person I love… Her lips are warm, tender, slightly trembling. My hand slides up to cup her cheek, and she leans into it without hesitation.

We pull away for a moment, gasping, and before either of us can say anything, we crash back into each other, more desperate this time.

Then I feel it.

A small, tentative poke at my lips. My heart nearly leaps out of my chest. Whu- Is that… her tongue?

She pulls back slightly, eyes burning with intensity, waiting. I nod just a little, giving her silent permission and part my lips.

The next kiss is deeper, even more wonderful.

Her tongue slips inside, hesitant, warm, and I meet it with mine. The sensation is overwhelming. Wet, soft, and electric. Our movements are clumsy, and awkward, but desperate for more. We explore each other's mouths, gently brushing, swirling, occasionally bumping. I feel her abnormally sharp canines with my tongue and almost laugh as she gives me a tiny bite. I press closer, running my hand through her hair as her fingers grip the front of my shirt tightly.

My head spins. This is insane. I'm french kissing Megumin in bed. The girl I love. And she's kissing me like I'm something precious, which… I guess I am hehe.

She lets out a small, breathy moan against my lips and it nearly sends me over the edge.

Finally, gasping for air, we pull apart. She rolls off me to the side, panting. I stay looking up, my chest heaving, heart racing more than when I died to the winter shogun.

"K-Kazuma… that… that was amazing!"

"Yeah… Megumin, how the hell do you taste so good?"

"L-like I'd know…" she mumbles softly.

The silence after that stretches out. Not really awkward, just… resting? Full of everything we just said and did. Of everything that's changed in the last few minutes. A silence full of satisfaction.

Her fingers brush mine under the blanket. For a second I think it's accidental, but then they stay there, hesitant, barely touching. You'd think after just having an intense make out session, holding hands would be common, I guess not though… I turn my hand and gently link my fingers with hers.

She grips my hand happily.

We lie like that for a while. On our backs. Staring at the ceiling. Saying nothing.

I don't really know how long we stayed like this, five minutes? Ten? Fifteen? I'm not sure, but I'm loving every second of it.

Then I hear her sigh, barely audible.

"…Kazuma?"

"Yeah?" I whisper.

"Are you still awake?"

"Obviously."

She's quiet for a moment. Then,

"I can feel your heartbeat."

"…Is that weird?"

"No. It's kind of… nice."

"…"

"…Hey, Kazuma?"

"Mm?"

"Do you think our future selves are still awake?"

"I dunno. Maybe?"

"…Do you think they heard us?"

Silence.

Then—

THUD.

We both jolt.

The noise is followed by a crash and a loud, unmistakable, "ARGHHH!"

I sit up so fast I almost get whiplash. "W-What the hell!? Did he just die?!"

From behind the wall we hear Megumin's voice. "K-Kazuma!? Are you okay?! Oh my god! Kazuma, blood! You're bleeding!"

Megumin's eyes go wide in horror. "W-were they spying on us?!"

"Of course… that's why they 'went to bed' before us…" I mutter.

Future me groans in pain. "I-I'm fine! Don't get Aqua, please!"

"No, you're not fine! There's so much blood! I-I'll press the button! I'll call Aqua!"

"NO! I-I know another way to heal me!"

…

"…Wha-? What can I do?!"

"…A kiss… a kiss would help…"

Megumin and I freeze.

Her grip on my hand tightens like a vice.

"R-really…?" future Megumin asks.

Then the sound of a smooch. Followed by another. And another.

Megumin makes a squeaky sound and pushes me down, burying her entire face into my chest.

I chuckle a bit.

"We're idiots," I murmur.

"No. You're the idiot," she grumbles, muffled by my shirt.

Another loud kiss echoes from the wall. Then a groan. Then… some giggling?

Why is this wall so thin?

"I-I can't," she whispers. "I can't listen to this."

I grin. "I mean… technically, they're us."

She peeks up at me, red faced. "Will I really kiss you that much?"

I consider it. Then smile.

"I hope so."

She squeaks and buries herself deeper into me.

After a few moments, I rest my chin lightly on her head and wrap my arms around her, she too wraps her arms around me. Her body relaxes against mine once again, warm and soft.

We lie there in the dark, pressed up against eachother, enjoying eachothers embrace.

"Goodnight Megumin… I love you."

"I love you too Kazuma, goodnight."

This time, I do have a Megumin to cuddle with to sleep.

Aren't I lucky?

Part 7

The chirping of birds drifts in through the slightly cracked window, soft and melodic. My eyes flutter open, adjusting to the pale morning light spilling into the room. There's a faint stench of humidity drifting in too, but it's not as strong as the faint sweetish cinnamony scent in the air, wonderfully warm and comforting. My shoulder aches a little, and my arms feel full.

I glance down and see a familiar head of silky brown hair resting against me.

Ah… right. Megumin slept in my bed.

A tight lipped smile pulls at my lips. Even in her sleep, she makes me feel happy.

Carefully, I pull her a little closer, just enough to close the minuscule gap between us without waking her, and gently press my nose into her hair.

She smells incredible… I breathe in again, slower this time, chasing that faint, spicy note lingering beneath it all. The tiniest of groans escapes me as my brain is flooded with the dopamine of my now favorite smell…

A few moments pass before the girl in my arms stirs. She shifts slightly, her head rising, then lowering again against my chest. A faint yawn escapes her lips as she rubs at her eyes with the back of one hand. Slowly, her crimson eyes blink open, unfocused for a moment before they lock onto mine.

Then she blushes, just slightly as the realization dawns. Her face nestles back into me with a quiet, shy huff, and she hugs me a little tighter without saying anything.

God, she's cute.

"Good morning, my little crimson beauty," I whisper, grinning into her hair.

She gives a small laugh and pinches my side with two fingers. "Good morning, Kazuma."

We stay like that for a while, in the quiet morning warmth, tangled together. Neither of us says much at first. We're both still caught up in what happened the previous night. The confessions. The feelings laid bare. Her voice, telling me she loved me at the same time. My heart still hasn't calmed down.

After a while, I speak up. "So… are we, like… dating now or something?"

Megumin looks up at me, brows slightly furrowed. "I guess…?"

I chuckle, and lift a hand to gently brush a strand of hair from her cheek. "Well… how about we make it official?"

At that moment, there's nothing I've been more sure about in my entire life than what I'm about to say.

I stare into her glowing eyes, those deep, red stars. "Megumin… will you be my girlfriend?"

She blinks. Then, without hesitation, she smiles, the kind of smile that could set my whole world on fire.

"Yes, I will!"

I wrap my arms around her again, holding her tight. She squeezes back, nice and warm.

But then, after a few seconds, she speaks up.

"Since we're dating now… there need to be a few rules."

Uh oh.

"First…" she starts, "no using steal on other girls unless it's absolutely necessary. I-I don't mind if you use it on me, but… but please ask me first, okay?"

I nod.

"Second… control your perversion toward everyone else… please?" She's staring at my chest now, cheeks bright red. "I-I'll accept it all s-so…"

She trails off into a whisper, clearly flustered by her own words.

"So basically, keep you and only you in my heart? I was planning on doing that anyways. I'd be happy to follow those rul—"

"I'm not done." She cuts me off, eyes full of attempted sternness.

"And lastly, you must accompany me on explosion walks every day no matter what!"

I grin slightly. "Of course, I'd love to. Is that everything?"

She gives a firm nod, her expression deadly serious. Cute.

I smirk. "So… if I ask nicely, I can use steal on you?"

She flinches. "Y-yea I guess s—"

"Steal!"

My hand twitches. Megumin stiffens. We both slowly glance down at my open palm…

Empty.

"Huh?" Is that even possible?

My mind blanks for a second, until an image flashes through my brain. A pair of black panties, casually left behind in the changing room yesterday. My breath catches.

"M-Megumin… a-are you… right now?!"

Her face goes red in an instant. "D-Don't say it!"

"Y-you crawled into the bed of the boy you were going to confess to while commando…!"

"Aah! K-Kazuma you said it! How could you say it?!"

She blushes an even deeper red and averts her gaze, "I-I was just so nervous about all this, I guess I forgot to put them on…"

"Jeez… what are you, some kind of temptress ready for any outcome?"

"W-what?!"

She grabs a pillow and lightly thumps me with it.

"Idiot…"

She shifts as if to get up.

"W-Wait!" I blurt, reaching for her wrist. "It's… not really a problem, right? Can we just cuddle for a few more minutes? Please?"

She pauses, trying to look stern… but her ears turn red as she nods anyway.

"…Just a few."

We slip beneath the blankets again. I hold her close, and she fits against me effortlessly, as if she's always belonged there. Her warmth spreads through me completely, her soft skin is cool and comforting to the touch.

"Ahh… Megumin you're like, way better than any body pillow I could ever hold."

"I better be…"

Then, just as I'm starting to relax, I hear her tiny voice mumble something.

"K-Kazuma…?"

"Yeah?"

"C-Can you tell your… u-um, Kazuma-kun to stop poking me?"

My soul leaves my body. I was so engrossed in holding her that I didn't even notice my lower half rise to attention…

"S-Sorry…"

She lets out a tiny sigh, then nestles her head on my shoulder.

"It's okay… you can't help it right…? I already said I'd accept all of your perversion."

Just as I go to reply, my voice comes loud, and a bit muffled up the stairs and through the door. "Breakfast is almost ready you two!

We both glance at each other, just a little disappointed.

But it's fine. We've got the whole day ahead of us. And besides… while we're here in this future, we don't have to hide anything. Our future selves already know… even if they found out through some questionable means.

It'll be different when we go back though, Darkness and Aqua will probably raise hell if they find out that we're dating… calling me a lolicon and all. But who cares if they find out later? Me and her are happy and that's all that really matters.

I lean in and press a kiss to her forehead. She looks a little surprised, but smiles anyways.

Heh, I really am smooth.

We pull apart and start to get ready. Megumin heads back to her room to grab a pair of underwear and change into her usual outfit. I shrug off my sleepwear and pull on my adventurer gear.

Megumin steps out of her room as I do, and our eyes meet. I hold out my hand and she grabs it, we step down the stairs.

As we descend the stairs and approach the living room, future Megumin's voice rings out, loud, and practically dripping with chuuniness.

"Watch closely, Komequi! This is an essential part of your Crimson Demon heritage! A proper introduction must be equal parts dramatic and cool!"

As we enter the living room door we see the older and… just as beautiful, Megumin dramatically posing on the coffee table, a mug shaking dangerously close to the edge. Her cape somehow billowing despite the complete lack of wind indoors.

Komequi watches her from the couch with sparkling eyes, her arms held under her chin shaking in excitement.

"Yes! I'm watching mommy!"

Future Megumin notices us entering and, without missing a beat, flashes us a small wink. Then, raising three fingers over her eye, she draws in a deep, exaggerated breath.

"My name is Megumin! The greatest archwizard of the Crimson Demon Clan, and the absolute apex of the strongest spell, Explosion!"

She shifts her pose even more dramatically, voice swelling with pride.

"Proud mother of the future prodigy of destruction, Komequi… and wife of the hero, Kazuma Satouoooooh—!"

She suddenly flails, catching the mug just as it's about to tip off the edge.

"Success…! Fufufu, such a task is trivial for one as great as I."

"That was so fricken cool, Mommy!" Komequi squeals, now trying to copy the exact hand motion her mother just did, though she nearly falls off the couch doing it.

"Good catch." Future me's voice calls from the doorway as he enters the room, drying his hands on a towel.

Komequi hops up onto the coffee table, trying to strike her own cool pose. "My name is Komequi! Daughter of the greatest archwizard mommy and the hero daddy! Someday, I'll become the greatest mage who's ever lived, just like my mom!"

"Aaahhh, you're so cute!" Future Megumin instantly grabs her daughter, pulling her into a hug and squishing their cheeks together. "That was great, my little destroyer!"

Megumin shifts a little beside me. When I glance at her, her face is flushed with pride after watching Komequi's introduction.

But there's something else too… just a flicker of emotion in her eyes. A bittersweet look.

I can tell.

She's proud… and maybe a little sad. Because Komequi isn't really our daughter. Not yet, at least.

My future self looks at his daughter with a wide, satisfied grin, before calling out to her. "Why don't you go and eat your breakfast kiddo. I made us some baked frog leg. Just make sure to use the mittens to get your plate out of the oven."

Komequi nods greedily and runs into the kitchen.

Then they both turn to us.

Future Megumin rushes over and wraps us into a warm hug, squeezing tight. "You two were so brave last night," she says, eyes shimmering. "Your confessions were beautiful. I'm so proud of you!"

Future me walks up behind her and places a hand on my shoulder. "You did good."

I glance between them, almost embarrassed. "I still can't believe you guys were eavesdropping on us…"

They both laugh.

"Sorry," future Megumin says with a smirk. "But… how could we miss something like that?"

"Yeah," he adds. "We were rooting for you."

"I guess it doesn't really matter that much… since you are us." I grumble.

Future me sighs, "though it makes me kinda wish we had this whole time travel thing happen to us…" he turns to his wife, "we could've gotten together so much sooner… and easier."

She smiles, "it still worked out in the end though."

Beside me, Megumin tugs at her sleeve a little. She's watching them closely, lips slightly parted.

I think I'm wondering the same thing she is.

"So… how did you two get together anyways…?" She asks.

They both sigh, "it was… really time consuming and tedious. We didn't have our future selves telling us exactly what we needed to hear, or showing us exactly what we needed to see to get us together… I-" he looks at me, "well I guess you can relate too now… you and me, we were always really afraid of commitment, in addition to being super lazy…" he chuckles a bit.

Future Megumin adds, "and we were both constantly sorting through our emotions. It took me telling him I loved him for him to really start thinking about it…"

"Also we got interrupted every single time we had the chance to do something. In addition to my…troublesome personality, regarding the topic. You remember the second night in the Crimson Demon villiage where we slept alone with her for the first time, and then Sylvia interrupted just as it was getting good?"

I nod in recognition.

"Well imagine that, but every single time."

I shudder. That sounds horrible.

"We progressed super slowly, and because of what I said earlier, we had some weird phase where we were more than friends, but less than lovers? I don't know, it was weird. But because of a promise we made for after the demon king was defeated, it all ended up working out and we got together for real. Hehehe…" a grin sneaks onto his face.

"Promise? What about? And why'd you emphasize got together like tha—"

"Aaaalllright, that's probably enough for you two," future Megumin interrupts quickly, putting a hand over her husband's mouth. "You still have to go through most of this yourselves… or probably not because you skipped most of the bad parts... But still, don't let us ruin the experience for you." She says this, but her cheeks are a little pink. Strange.

Before I can press her on it, future me leans in with a smug grin. "Heh, you can chalk all this up to my awesome parental skills, right? You doubted me, but look where it got you, in bed locking lips with Megumin."

My face tinges a bit red, and Megumin's grip tightens slightly, "y-yea I guess you're right"

"Of course! I suppose you could call me the greatest wingman of all time! …Now then, our frog legs should be just about done. Let's dig in before Komequi has to go off to school."

Megumin tilts her head, confused. "Huh? School? But Crimson Demons don't go to the Red Prison until they're 10."

"Ah… well, pretty soon for you guys, Darkness decides to finally be a good noble, and open up a school right here in Axel. Just a place for basic skill learning like math, literature and stuff before Komequi goes to that… other, place."

Megumin adopts a miffed look. "What's wrong with the Red Prison? It's the best school there is."

Future me lets out a sigh. "The school's fine. It's… the Crimson Demons that are the problem…"

Future Megumin raises an eyebrow at him. "Huh? I thought you didn't mind how Crimson Demons acted?"

He rubs the back of his neck, looking away. "Uh… you and Komequi are probably the only ones whose quirks I actually enjoy, the rest are… exhausting.

"Mmm… I-I guess…" it looks like it hurts for her to admit it, but she agrees reluctantly.

"Er- cool… I guess? But why didn't she go yesterday? Or the day before?"

"…today's Monday."

"A-ah."

We walk into the kitchen, instantly greeted by the rich, savory smell of baking toad. Crisped skin glistens under a light brushing of oil and herbs, steam rising gently from the plates as we each pull one from the oven.

My future self sets out lemon slices, and we each squeeze one over our frog meat, along with a pinch of salt. It sizzles faintly from the heat, and the delicious smell of citrus wafts through the air.

We carry our hot plates into the dining room, where Komequi is already happily munching away at the end of the table.

Megumin and I sit down side by side, across from our future selves.

Just as we're about to dig in, I glance up and pause.

"Hey, Megumin, er… the older one," I say, a small grin spread across my face. "You've got a little bit of blood on your upper lip…"

"Huh?!"

Flushing a deep red, she whips her head toward her husband and daughter. "W-why didn't either of you tell me?!"

Future me just shrugs, smiling.

"I thought it looked cute."

Komequi chimes in brightly, "I thought it looked cool!"

"Mmmrrrrgh…! I can't believe you two…" she mutters, furiously wiping at her lip with a napkin. "L-let's just eat already…"

Unable to resist any longer, we dig in.

The skin is perfectly crisp, breaking apart with a satisfying crunch, the meat is tender and juicy beneath it. It's seasoned with… tarragon? Along with some other herbs that all go well together. It tastes almost like baked fish… it's just a little heavier and a bit

more… gamey? I think that's the word…

I really need to learn the cooking skill when I get back.

Eventually, the toad disappears into my stomach and my plate sits empty. I lean back a little, satisfied.

Beside me, Megumin lets out a small, content sigh as she sets down her utensils. She turns to look at me, her crimson eyes calm and warm after a good meal.

I notice a small speck of food remaining on her outer lip.

…

Wait a second… this feels familiar…

Isn't this really similar to the dinner 2 days ago?

It is, isn't it?

Which means… now, it should be fine to turn what I imagined into reality. Heh heh heh.

Action!

"Hey Megumin… you have a little something—" I lean over as I talk, gently wiping the morsel off her lip and putting it into my mouth. "Right here…"

Crispy frog skin. Still loaded with flavor despite the small portion.

Megumin's face reddens and the smallest of smiles tugs at her lips.

"Smooth move, Kazuma…" she mumbles, averting her gaze as her ears glow a deeper crimson.

…

But… but… where's the flustered Megumin I was hoping for?

Is she not the type of girl to get flustered from something like this?

She's gotten worked up from stuff smaller than this before… hasn't she?

I wanted her to be like "waah! I-I could've wiped it myself, idiot…" and then she goes all honey eyes and red faced… I gue—

Knock knock.

Suddenly a soft rapping can be heard from the front door. My future self raises his head from talking to his Megumin and looks at Komequi.

"Alright kiddo, you ready to go?"

Komequi nods happily, jumps up and dashes to the door.

As we get up and follow her I question them, "huh? You have someone pick her up to take her?"

"Ah, well, usually we both take her before heading out on our explosion walk. But since you two are here, he offered to handle it today. Said to think of it as a benefit of our long term business partnership. And, I think he's quite fond of her."

…Business partnership? They really have him picking up and taking her to school?

And sure enough when the door opens, standing there, umbrella in hand and a grin on his face. Is Vanir.

"Oho? Why if it isn't moi's favorite source of entertainment!" He takes a pause to tap the tip of the umbrella against the brick. "Fret not brat, moi shall not embarrass thou on this visit. Moi is impressed with thy act of bravery last night. Didn't think you had the stones for it! Mwahahaha!"

…

This isn't much better than what he normally says… but I guess he's holding back a little…

"Uh… hi Vanir… thanks…?" I glance at the umbrella. "So… what's with that? I figured you'd be more of a cane guy."

He then gives me a look as if I'm retarded.

"Dost thou not feel the stench of humidity in the air? The reek of water yet to fall? One does not need the gift of foresight to predict the weather, young brat."

He lifts the umbrella slightly and continues.

"Moi wouldn't want the daughter of these surprisingly competent parents to get soaked on her way to school while under my protection, hm?"

"Hey… what do you mean by surprisingly competent… explain what you me—" future Megumin starts before being wrapped into a hug by her daughter.

"See you later, mommy!" she chirps, before turning to hug her father. "And you too, daddy!"

Then she turns to us.

"You too, other mommy and daddy!"

This kid is way too precious…!

"See ya, Komequi. We'll still be here when you get back," I say with a wave.

She hops outside, just as Vanir opens the umbrella and the first few drops begin to fall.

They walk off together down the path and we watch until they're out of sight.

Rain really starts to fall now, each drop hitting the ground with a crisp smack. The gentle drizzle from moments ago turns into a steady sheet of rain, soaking the stone path outside and turning the garden soil dark and glossy. Water runs in thin streams along the edges of the street, and the air takes on a cool, even more damp scent.

We quickly close the door before we get wet and head back to the dining room.

"…"

Silence.

What do we even talk about now? Didn't we already cover, like, basically everything?

Megumin breaks the quiet first. "So, uh… where's Chomusuke?"

"She's still around. Though these days she only shows up every now and then."

"Oh… that's good."

"…"

I glance down at my lap and nervously fiddle with the hem of my shirt. God, this is awkward.

Megumin shifts on her seat, twisting a strand of her hair around her finger.

I look down at my lap, this is so awkward.

The rain continues its steady rhythm outside, each drop pattering against the windowpane.

I keep fiddling with my shirt, glancing at Megumin, who's still playing with a loose strand of hair.

This time, future me breaks the silence, "Y'know when Komequi was little…-er, the rain would actually frighten her."

Megumin glances up, letting the strand of hair drop. "Really?"

"Yea… the only way she'd calm down was if we cuddled with her in bed and sung her lullabies until she drifted off. Eventually, she overcame her fear. I was so proud of her the first time she went outside to play in the rain."

He laughs a little at the memory, "of course, I still had to mop up all the muddy footprints after Megumin dragged her straight into the bath."

We grin at the thought of this.

"Can you tell us more? Please?" We both ask eagerly.

He looks at his Megumin, asking for confirmation. "Well… we really shouldn't… but what the hell. It probably won't affect that much."

Future Megumin smiles, shifting in her seat. "Alright, I'll start from the beginning."

"When we found out I was pregnant, of course everyone was excited. …Especially mom, I don't think I've ever seen her more happy in my entire life. Aqua did some type of blessing thing on my belly. And Darkness…" she glances at her husband with a hint of concern in her eyes before turning back, "well she was just being Darkness."

She pauses a moment before continuing.

"With my condition, adventuring was completely off the table. I couldn't use explosion at all, since I needed every bit of mana I had to keep the baby sustained. That part was hard… really hard. But Komequi was so much more important."

Future me takes over.

"So, time passed, and then… Megumin went into labor. Luckily Aqua was with us when she did, Aqua did everything she possibly could to help her. And for that I'm eternally grateful.

Future Megumin breathes out deeply. "It was the most painful experience I've ever been through… but when it was over, and I was holding her. I just was thinking that I'd do it all over again, for her."

She smiles in such a beautiful way, I can't help but look at my Megumin.

"My hand was bruised like crazy from how hard she was squeezing it." My future self chuckles. "Really good thing Aqua was there."

He pauses a moment before continuing. "Komequi was an extremely eager baby. She latched on almost the moment she was born. So tiny, wrapped up in her blanket, blinking up at us with these big green eyes… When I saw that she had my eyes, it made me tear up. I was just… so happy."

The room quiets for a moment as we all picture it.

A newborn Komequi. Her eyes wide. Wrapped in a blanket. So cute…

Megumin move a little beside me, then tilts her head. "So… you said she was nursing right away?"

Future Megumin nods fondly. "Mhm. She was hungry from the moment she was born."

She grins, "though sometimes I swear I was feeding two babies."

"Wait… what do you mean by two babies?"

Future Megumin shifts her head with a little grin. "Well…"

That's when we both glance at him. And he doesn't even try to look innocent.

"Psssshhh… I couldn't help it, when your beautiful wife is feeding your newborn child and there's one left… unoccupied. How am I supposed to resist?"

Megumin's goes scarlet, "y-y-you let him?!"

She giggles a bit, "well, when he was begging to get a taste… how could I say no? Acting all cute just for me… I was happy to let him."

"M-Megumin…! Don't tell them I was begging!" He blurts.

Suddenly deadly serious, I lean forward and fold my fingers infront of me. "so tell me… how was it? How did it taste?"

He does the same, "it was amazing, warm, sweet, and creamy. Imagine melted vanilla ice cream, but better because it's Megumin's. Fufufu…"

I glance sideways at my Megumin. She's already looking away, flustered and stiff.

"D-don't look at me like that." She mumbles.

"H-huh? What do you mean?"

"Like you're actually considering it!"

"I-I'm not! I mean… okay, maybe a little… but how could I not…? it's like every boys dream!"

She turns her head toward me, cheeks puffed and pink. "R-Really…? W-Well… I guess… i-if it was something you really wanted…" Her voice lowers, barely above a whisper. "I… I might consider it…"

Wuh?

She'll consider it? That's like basically a yes isn't it!

Across the table, my future self flashes me a proud thumbs up. Hell yea.

Then he coughs and straightens up.

"Ahem… uh, let's move away from that," he mutters, rubbing the back of his neck. "I gonna make some tea."

Without waiting for a reply he gets up and walks to the kitchen. The sound of trickling water, and a minute or so later, the sound of clinking ceramic can be heard as he comes back to the dining room, a full teapot, and four teacups somehow all fitting in his hands.

"I made chamomile. You guys want some?" He raises the pot a bit, and places the cups infront of us as we nod yes.

As he's pouring the tea into our cups, he starts speaking again.

"Where were we… oh yea, so not long after Komequi was born, Aqua moved back up to heaven to resume her duties. Said she was finally done playing babysitter for mortals… even though what she did for Megumin was probably the first helpful thing she did in over a year… and Darkness already moved out a few months before that."

He chuckles a little under his breath, then scratches his cheek. "And Yuiyui-san… man, I've never seen someone so emotional. She was over here almost every day once she found out Komequi was born. She said holding her granddaughter was the happiest she'd been in her entire life." He pauses for a moment as his eyes soften. "She cried, actually. Just seeing Komequi's tiny hand grab her finger."

Future Megumin smiles faintly beside him, her hand resting lightly around her cup. He continues, quieter now. "Hyozaburo-san was overjoyed, too. Said he'd never been more proud."

A silence settles in, light but warm. The clink of a teacup against the wooden table fills the space before Megumin speaks.

"How's Komekko doing in the future?" she asks, curious.

Future Megumin sighs, "that girl… she's even more gluttonous somehow. I'll never understand how she's as thin as she is, with how much she eats…"

They both chuckle softly before future Megumin's tone shifts slightly, her expression fond.

"But… I'm not going to spoil too much about Komequi's early life. I just can't. You deserve to live those moments yourselves."

"Still… she was always such a tame kid. Incredibly intelligent. It felt like she got stuff faster than any other child. We hardly ever had to discipline her, not really."

A quiet moment follows. The tea is warm in my hands, the scent of chamomile lingering in the air.

I lean back a little.

There's only really one question I want answered left.

"So… how'd I agree to her being given a Crimson Demon name?"

My future self exhales through his nose, "well, we decided that if it was a girl, Megumin would name her, and if it was a boy I'd get to pick." He smiles a bit, "though I'm glad it was a girl, Komequi is the perfect name for her."

"Of course it is," future Megumin adds with a proud grin, she quickly downs the last of her tea. "Actually, now that I think about it, around that time is when I decided to try out sewing."

She glances over at her husband. "What was it? You had a hole in your cloak, and I asked if I could try fixing it?"

"Yup! That was it." Thinks back for a moment. "She did pretty decent, actually."

Future Megumin grins. "Then shortly after that, I decided to try making my own clothes. Thanks to Aqua helping me, I got better and better at it." She smiles a little wider. "That dress you saw me in on your first day here? I made it."

"Really?" Megumin gasps. "It looked so good!"

A mischievous glint appears in future Megumin's eye as she rises from her seat. "Speaking of which… I have an idea."

"Huh?" Megumin shifts a little in her seat.

"You're about the same size I was back then…" She reaches for her hand. "Come on. Let's have a little fun."

"W-wait—!"

Megumin and I lock eyes for one last second before she's whisked down the hallway.

"…"

And then it's quiet.

Now it's just me and me, for the second time this adventure.

I lean back slightly in my chair. The air feels softer now. The chatter is gone, and all that remains is the sound of rain, still rattling against the windows just as hard as when it started.

I'm not sure how long it's been since Komequi left, since we started talking. But the slight soreness in my butt tells me at least half an hour.

I glance at him. It's been around a minute since they left and he's not saying anything, just swirling the last of the tea in his cup. Round and round.

He hasn't looked at me in a while.

I take a sip from my own cup, it's lukewarm now, but still good. I set it down gently on the table.

"…You good?" I ask finally. "You've been kinda quiet."

He looks up, pulled back from whatever thoughts he was lost in.

"…Yeah. Just thinking."

"About?"

He exhales slowly, his hand still wrapped around his cup. "Now that it's just us… I guess I can say this."

He pauses again, then continues, "I don't really know why I'm bringing this up. Maybe I just need to say it out loud." He takes a small breath before continuing. "You know that saying, if you met your past self, would they be proud of who you've become?"

I nod.

"Well… here you are. My past self. Sitting right in front of me." His voice dips slightly. "You've been here for a few days… so, I've been wondering… when you look at me, after everything you've seen, my life, my family. Am I…someone you'd be proud to become?"

The question lingers between us. For a moment, I don't say anything. Not because I don't have an answer, but because I want to get it right. Because… I can tell, this is important.

Then, finally, I speak.

"…I never really thought I'd be the type of person to enjoy, or even want to settle down. Get married. Have a kid."

I glance out the window again. "I don't know… it always felt so mundane. So normal. Like a part of life meant for other people, not me."

I shake my head, letting out a breath.

"But after these past few days… after seeing you, seeing what I become, and her…" My voice trails, just for a second. "It's something I can actually dream of having now."

"The me from a year ago wouldn't have understood. Hell, the me from a week ago probably would've laughed it off. But because of Megumin…" I take a breath. "Because of how I feel about her now… the life you live doesn't seem dull or ordinary. It feels… perfect. Fulfilling."

I lock eyes with him once more.

"So yes. I am proud of you. And yeah… I do hope I become you one day.

He gives me a soft smile, pausing a moment before he speaks. "…Thanks. It… it means a lot. To know what you think of me."

He fidgets with the ring on his finger. Moving it side to side.

So… do I ask something now? Or like how does this go. Do I even have any questi—

"Actually," he interrupts my thoughts. "Can I ask you one more thing?"

"Yea, sure."

He pauses for a moment.

"…How do you feel about… all of this? Not the time travel or the future or any of that weirdness. I mean you. The way things have been moving." His voice softens. "Like where your head's at. Where your heart's at."

A moment passes in silence.

What… does that even mean?

I stare at him confused. "You mean like… the stuff between me and Megumin?

"And the changes in you, but… yea."

I take another moment to think. Peeking out the window yet again, the rain looks like it's a bit more gentle now.

"…mmm, I guess…" I glance down. "It's a lot."

I scratch my cheek. "I mean not even a week ago, I was fumbling for excuses and justifications just to sleep in the same room as her without being called a creep. I was terrified of doing something and screwing things up. And now…"

I trail off, trying to find the words. "Now we're… close. Closer than I thought we'd be. Closer than I've been to anyone in my entire life. I know I meant every single thing I said last night. I meant it with my whole heart."

I look over at him.

"But... It's like… all these feelings I didn't even know I had just slammed into me all at once. And I'm still trying to catch up with them."

A breath leaves me that I didn't realize I was holding.

"But it's not bad. It's just… big. Like I'm staring down this future that I never thought I'd want, but now I do. And I know this future is amazing because I'm here in it right now."

I pause for a moment, "I feel like I'm repeating myself…"

He grins. "You might be a little, but don't worry, it's not bad. And yeah, I figured you'd say something like that. But I also know you don't have any doubt. Because you know it can work. Because of my amazing future."

His expression shows a bit of cockiness before shifting back to a softer smile.

"Not a single time in the near decade I've been married to her have I ever regretted it. Not once since I fully committed to her have my feelings ever wavered. Every single time I wake up, I'm overjoyed it's her I get to see when I open my eyes. …She brings out the best in me. She always has. If that's not a perfect match, then what is?"

An awkward expression makes its way onto my face, "…you're right, I guess I just need time to sort through everything… with her."

"And… thanks yknow, I've never really talked like this with anyone before."

I glance down at the cup in my hands and guzzle the rest down before I start again. "Talking to you… it's different. I guess because we're the same person, it doesn't feel… opressive. I just feel like I can open up without a care."

"Yeah. No need to hide anything from yourself right."

A voice suddenly echoes faintly from down the hall.

"W-Wait! I didn't mean—!"

It cuts off fast, flustered and high pitched. Definitely my Megumin. A second later, the muffled sound of evil laughter can be heard, her older self's probably having way too much fun teasing her.

We both glance toward the hallway.

I grin, the mood lighter. "So, she's really making clothes now?"

"Yep. Most of what we wear these days is all her work."

My grin curls into a smirk. "…Sooo, after six years of tailoring, you had to have asked for something a little… spicy, right?"

"Hell yeah I did! In fact…" He leans back in his chair with a grin. "Just before you guys showed up, she finished a particularly crazy set. And once you two leave…"

He waggles his eyebrows.

"You know what's happening after Komequi goes to bed."

I reach up, and he meets me halfway with a satisfying smack of a high five. "Hell yeah, brother."

I can imagine it now, Megumin in a cute schoolgirl uniform…! Megumin… looks like you're going to need to do some extra credit to make up for these poor grades, hehehe…

Or… or…! A sexy nurse outfit…!

Ahh! Megumin, I've fallen ill! Please take care of me!

I'm practically salivating imagining it…

He glances toward the hallway with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "So… you wanna take a peek at what they're doing?"

I stand up, heart already racing a little. "Great minds think alike."

As we step into the dim hallway, we both use our skills in sync.

"Lurk."

"Vanish."

Huh?

I glance to my right, and he's just… gone?

"What the hell?!" I whisper sharply.

"A-ah—" his voice pops in beside as the skill deactivates. "Oops, I probably shouldn't have shown you that…"

"You got an upgraded lurk skill?!" I hiss. "Use it on me. Now."

With a reluctant sigh, he mutters the skill again, this time including me.

The moment it activates, I feel its effects. My whole body fades, almost like I'm not even there. It's… weirdly disorienting, like I've melted into the background, but in a cooler way. Way better than my old janky version.

"This is insane…" I murmur. "You're telling me how you got this after we're done."

"Yeah, yeah," he says. "Now c'mon, we're almost there."

We move closer. Their voices start to filter through the hallway, clearer with every step.

"I can't believe you're making me wear this… W-What if Kazuma sees?!"

My heart jumps.

Wait… Is it the sexy nurse outfit?!

Yes please!

Then the older Megumin chimes in, cheery with a hint of smugness.

"Oh, don't worry. If he sees you like this… he'll probably only fall harder for you."

I bet I will!

We creep quietly toward the door, barely making a sound. The floorboards groan the tiniest bit under my foot, I freeze, but their voices never pause. Safe…

A few more steps and I'm there.

Thankfully the door is left open just the slightest amount, a tiny sliver of light spills into the hallway from the crack.

If I could see the older me, I'm sure we'd nod to eachother, I slowly lean in, inching close enough to see through the small gap in the door…

Finally, I'm able to see inside the room…

And what I see nearly kills me.

Megumin, my Megumin, is standing infront of a wide full length mirror, slowly spinning in place, awkward and a little stiff, like she doesn't know what to do with her arms. But none of that matters. Because…

She's wearing a wedding dress.

The most beautiful wedding dress I could ever imagine.

A deep crimson red bodice clings to her upper body, laced with delicate black embroidery which spiral and curve like runes along the fabric. The neckline dips just enough to be elegant without being scandalous, while the sheer black lace draping over her shoulders adds a subtle touch of mystery. Tiny pink gemstone accents are scattered across the chest like stardust, glinting in the light around her.

Around her waist, the dress blooms outward into layers of white and black tulle, each one edged with a faint shimmer of red thread. The outermost layer is subtly patterned with decorative magic circles, only visible when the light hits just right.

And her legs… I gulp. Her legs peek out from beneath a slit in the dress that reaches just above the knee on one side. She's wearing lace trimmed stockings and sleek black heels with crimson straps.

And to top it all off is her veil, short and tilted slightly to one side, held in place by a red chrysanthemum hairpiece, with a little black ribbon tied just under it. It sways as she moves.

She turns to admire herself in the mirror again. Then, raising one hand to her eye, she strikes a cool pose.

"My destined lover… the time has come for us to be bound forever!" she mutters dramatically to herself, then spins again, this time doing a surprisingly elegant twirl.

I don't even register that I'm gripping the doorframe with all my strength. My brain has fully frozen.

She faces her future self, a tiny pout on her face, "I know I asked to see it, but I still can't believe you actually put it on me… I-I mean, we only started dating this morning…"

The older Megumin grins, "mmm? But you didnt really resist? Besides… what do you think of the dress?"

"I think it's perfect… it's what I want to wear someday. When… when…"

She blushes hard, her voice trailing off into silence.

I finally remember how to breathe.

My grip loosens on the doorframe, and I take a step back. Then another. My heart's thudding so loud I swear I can hear it echoing in my ears.

From behind me, as I walk down the hall, I catch the soft murmur of her future self.

"…That's exactly how I felt, too."

I don't hear much else, just faint voices. Something about the dress. Then about giving her the design.

And then Megumin, her voice barely carrying through the hall. "R-really? I-I don't even know what to say… thank you…"

I speed walk around the corner back into the dining room, I feel the skill deactivate as I practically run to the window and fling it open.

Panting a little, I breathe in the cool, damp air outside. A few droplets splash onto the ledge, wetting my hands the smallest amount.

I hear my future self come up behind me as his skill deactivates, he has a look of concern on his face. "Are you… alright?"

"Y-yea, yea, I'm all good, it's just really hot in here for some reason…" I reply a bit too fast.

He looks at me doubtfully, but softens. "…I can't really understand how you're feeling right now… it happened so… slowly for us. For you it's just—"

"—so fast" I finish his sentence, "…I mean, we just confessed to eachother last night and not even a day later I see her in a wedding dress? …She's the most beautiful girl I've ever seen." I turn to look into his eyes, "how did we ever deserve someone like her?"

He gives a solemn little chuckle before replying.

"…You don't earn someone like her with luck. You earn her by being there. We supported her dream more than anyone else did. We stayed, even when things were hard, even when she made them harder."

He looks past me out the window, smiling faintly. "She didn't fall for us because we were perfect. She fell because we never gave up on her. Her love wasn't a reward. It was the result of everything we gave her, and everything she saw in us."

He puts his hand on my shoulder.

"That's how we deserved her."

I blink a few times and turn back toward the window, a quiet sigh escaping my lips.

…Have I really become a normie?

With one last breath of the cool outside air, I ease the window shut.

The silence hangs between us for a moment.

"Y-yeah… you're right," I mutter. "L-let's change the subject. If I keep thinking about this, I'll lose my mind."

I take a deep breath, he gives me a nod.

I glance at him. "Alright, …So. That upgraded lurk skill. Where'd you get it from?"

"Ah, well, it's actually pretty simple. You know those sealed ruins in the Crimson Demon village? We were exploring one of them one day and stumbled across a talking skeleton. Pretty cool guy actually. Said he'd teach me the 'best skill ever' in exchange for a girl's panties."

I stare at him flatly. "And the skill that makes you invisible is what he gave you? Sounds more like he was just a pervert."

He laughs. "He definitely was, but Darkness didn't seem to mind much when I stole hers and gave it to him."

"And now that you've used that skill on me…" I pull out my adventurer's card. "It should show up… here! Wh-what the hell!? 25 points?! How can you afford this and all those other skills?"

He scratches his cheek awkwardly, "well… I kinda have… infinite points now…" he mumbles.

"…Excuse me?"

He takes a pause, clearly thinking hard."I guess I should just tell you everything… alright, pay attention, what I'm about to tell you is essential to your future."

He takes a breath, then starts talking, he hesitates here and there, probably sorting through what's worth saying.

He explains how he discovered a crazy ass exploit after he was affected by potion that reset his level to one, but left his skill points untouched. He figured out that with Wiz being a lich, she could give him a status effect to drain his level, basically recreating the potions effect. And by using Vanir's foresight, he could avoid being hit by the instant death status effect. With their help, he was able to farm the same dungeon over and over, gaining nearly limitless skill points.

He says that same dungeon has a ton of the highest grade manatite at the lowest level, and when the time comes to storm the Demon King's castle, I should give all of it to Megumin to destroy the barrier.

I can already picture the joyous look on her face when she realizes just how many times she'll get to use her Explosion. I can't wait.

He mentions a Demon King general, a dark priestess who'll show up in Axel one day. He tells me exactly how to deal with her, like he's thought about it hundreds of times.

…I should probably tell the guild about that when I get back.

Then there's this bit about… if Megumin and I decide to keep our relationship a secret, not to stick to it too hard. That at some point, it's better to just be honest. Especially to Darkness.

I guess Darkness ends up liking me at some point... I feel a bit bad, but I already have Megumin.

Then, after going through all the important stuff I needed to know, he starts drifting into the less urgent, though still useful bits.

He tells me this and that, but eventually, he gets to talking about Megumin, more specifically her weak points. The ones you can only find out from years of careful observation.

All of them, outside… and… inside, too.

I made sure to memorize that part perfectly. I'll have to test its authenticity sometime in the future.

…Now that I'm actually listening to myself… I'm a really dirty thinker, aren't I?

After he's finally done, he takes a short pause. "Hmm…? Yeah, I think that's all the important stuff."

He stretches his arms, then mutters almost wistfully, "…Though it's kind of a shame. That skeleton clearly wanted this skill to be used for peeping on girls while they were bathing… but the only one I'd ever want to peep on would just invite me in anyway…" He sighs. "…nothing that can be done I guess."

"So when I get back, I can finally be the power leveling protagonist I always dreamed of? I can't wait!"

He lets out a groan. "You'll be a little stronger, sure. More useful totally. But the power fantasy kind of ends there."

He slouches back with a sigh. "Even though my party's way stronger than the one you know, when we do actually go on a quest we're somehow also way more dysfunctional. We can't stand anywhere near the enemy unless we want to get evaporated by an explosion… Aqua's even lazier now that she figured out she can just do her job from long range… and Darkness is somehow even more… her."

He lets out a defeated laugh. "And I spend most of my time trying to rein them all in, so I can't really do that much."

I knew it would be something like this… and here I was hoping they'd break out of their cursed habits.

I sigh, "Figures."

I go to take another sip from my cup.

…ah, empty.

I stare at the bottom for a second, then sigh quietly through my nose. Across from me, my future self leans back in his chair, arms folded.

He glances at my cup. "Want something else to drink?"

"Sure."

We both stand and head toward the kitchen.

He walks toward the pantry and starts rummaging. "You can help yourself to anything in the fridge," he calls back. "I'm gonna make a quick snack for everyone, figured you two won't be sticking around for dinner."

"Uh huh. Thanks."

I walk over to the fridge and give it an inspection.

It looks like a carbon copy of the one in our parent's house. Real modern. A little too modern, actually, it almost feels out of place here.

"You've got way too much time on your hands if you managed to build something this complicated on top of all the other stuff lying around."

His voice drifts out from the pantry, casual. "I'm unemployed for life man. Unless being a dad counts as a job… which, I guess it kind of does. Still, I've got so much time that it'd be weird if I didn't build all this stuff. And I'm loaded, so it's not like I need to work."

Lucky bastard…

I open the fridge. A cool gust of air hits me. Hm, weird how I haven't opened it till now.

Inside there's neatly packed leftovers, an untouched cake, fresh produce stacked like it's on display, labeled sauces, is that apple juice? It looks more orderly than I'd imagined, considering who me and Megumin are…

I rummage for a minute but come up empty. Then something in the fridge door catches my attention.

A couple glass bottles containing a pale yellow liquid sits in the lower shelf. A small prod reveals tiny bubbles swirling inside.

No way…

My future self steps out of the pantry, arms full of ingredients. I hold up a bottle. "Dude. You've had soda this whole time?"

"Oh, yeah," he says, clearly just remembering. "Only made it recently. Figuring out how to carbonate it was easy, but flavoring it is super hard, all I can make right now is ginger ale."

"Good enough for me."

I pop off the lid, grab a glass, and pour.

Bubbles fizz to the top, I wait for them to die down before I take a sip.

Ahhh…

A stupid grin spreads across my face. I missed this.

"Good, right? I tried messing with neroid to make it… but it's better this way. He says, turning on the stove. "I'll be done in a couple minutes, just sit tight."

I turn around, glass in hand, and stroll out. On the wall, a picture catches my eye.

Future me, lying on a beach chair with his Megumin stretched out on top of him, smiling and relaxed. Komequi in her lap holding a seashell, wearing floaties way too big for her arms.

All of them in swimsuits. All of them happy.

Cute.

I turn back and keep walking, past the dining room right into the living room.

I flop onto the couch and sigh, taking another sip of my soda then setting it down infront of me. For a moment, I let myself enjoy the simple comfort of this place.

Then I hear footsteps coming from the hallway.

Both Megumins enter the living room, side by side. My Megumin walks a step behind her future self, tugging at the hem of her dress, while future Megumin turns her head to the direction of the kitchen for a moment before looking straight again.

They're wearing matching sundresses, my Megumin in a soft rose pink, her cheeks nearly matching it, while her future self wears a richer burgundy that practically hugs her figure. Both dresses are trimmed with black lace and tied at the waist with delicate ribbons. They still wear their chokers, which somehow match the outfits perfectly. It's simple… but on them, it almost feels unfair how good they look.

Future Megumin leans into her younger self's ear and whispers something I can't quite make out… Megumin blushes a little in response before her future self gives a quick twirl, flashing a dazzling smile at me before she walks in the direction of the kitchen.

What was that about?

As her future self leaves the room, Megumin walks up to me slowly. Her face is still a little pink, and her hands fidget at her sides. She clears her throat softly, stepping closer.

"U-uhm… so… how do I look?"

I pause. Taking her in. The way the ribbon sits just above her hips, how she's trying to hide the small amount of nervousness from showing on her face. My chest tightens a bit.

Is this what boyfriends do? Just… look at their girlfriend like an idiot while she dresses up and makes their heart feel like it's about to explode?

First the wedding dress and now this…?She could probably look good in anything she puts on… probably even a burlap sack. I really am lucky.

"Y-you look gorgeous…"

Her eyes widen for a second, like she wasn't expecting me to say it. Then, a shy, almost bashful smile creeps onto her face as her fingers twitch at her sides.

"You really think s—"

"Wow! Hello, beautiful. Will you marry me?"

My future self's voice exclaims from the kitchen, cutting her off.

Megumin startles slightly, her half formed words swallowed by the moment. She glances toward the sound, cheeks puffed with barely concealed embarrassment.

From the kitchen, future Megumin giggles.

"We're already married dummy…cmere."

Then,

Mwah.

A clear, unmistakable kiss.

Megumin's shoulders stiffen.

Mine too.

Kisses usually aren't that loud, right? Are they doing that on purpose… just so we can hear it?

We both stare toward the kitchen for a long, quiet second. Then, our eyes slowly drift back to each other.

She crosses her arms, cheeks puffed ever so slightly as she mumbles with a little pout, "Hmph… I can do something like that too."

Before I can say anything, she steps close, places her hands on my shoulders, and leans down just enough to kiss me.

Right on the lips.

It's quick, barely more than a brush, but it still catches me off guard. I blink, heat creeping up my neck.

She pulls back, her cheeks the same color as her dress. Eyes flitting around my face.

"S-see? Easy…"

I scratch my cheek, trying to play it cool despite the slight thump in my chest. "…Y-yeah. We're dating now, so something a k-kiss is light work…"

"Th-that's right!" Megumin nods a little too enthusiastically, lead on by my false confidence. "We're practically experts at this whole dating thing already! Even though we've… um, never even been on a date before…"

She trails off for a second…

"Hey Kazuma…?"

"Y-yea?"

"When we get back… let's go on a date. For real."

"Uhm… sure, that sounds nice."

She grins and plops down right next to me.

A date with Megumin… hehe that sounds fun. Walking around town together… maybe buying a few things along the way. Then we'd probably head to the outskirts for an explosion… I'd catch her all smooth like before she hits the ground, then tease her a bit before we snuggle up together on a blanket with a picnic… I'd look all cool feeding her a sandwich… I wonder what type of sandwich she'd like? Maybe I can try to replicate one of those Italian ones I heard about from back on Earth…

Lost in thought, I absentmindedly reach forward to grab my glass of soda, only to grab not just the cup, but also the smaller hand already wrapped around it.

I snap out of my daydream and blink at the sight of my fingers tangled with hers on the glass.

I glance at her. She's looking away, trying her best to look innocent… it doesn't work.

"Uh, hey Megumin? …Mind explaining what your hand is doing on my cup? It almost seems like… you were planning on stealing my drink."

"Pssh… what? No way… I was just inspecting this fizzy looking drink…"

I let out a soft chuckle. "You know if you'd asked for a sip, I wouldn't have said no."

She flashes a grin before looking away and mumbling under her breath, "eheh… I got Kazuma wrapped around my finger."

…She knows I can hear her… right?

I lift my hand away and she snatches up the glass immediately, bringing it to her lips for a greedy gulp.

She's mid sip when something pops into my head, something I've been curious about since last night.

"Hey… when we kiss… what do I taste like?"

Megumin chokes. Ginger ale shoots out her nose, spattering all over the coffee table.

She sets the glass down with a sloppy clunk, coughing and wiping her nose, glaring at me between half laughs and wheezes.

Her eyes glow the slightest amount as she starts. "K-Kazuma…! How could you ask me something like that while I'm drinking?!"

I shrug, trying to suppress my laughter. "W-well, I just wanted to know, yknow?"

"Mmm… this man…" She huffs. "Well, if you must know… I guess…"

She glances at me. "…You just taste like Kazuma."

I stare at her, deadpan, "…uh… huh… real descriptive there…"

A blush appears on her puffed cheeks, a glint of indignation in her eyes, "I can't believe what you're making me say! Jeez, it's hard to describe okay? Just… it tastes like how an explosion feels or something…"

!? The same explosion that makes her shudder in pleasure every time she casts it?

I can't help it, my face goes red hot. "H-hold on, you can't just compare it to your… your favorite thing ever…!"

"W-well what else do you want me to compare it to?! There's no other way for me to describe it!"

Before I can respond, she pounces on me, grabbing my shirt and pushing me back into the couch cushions with a little huff, her eyes flaring with frustration. I feel her knee wedge between my legs as she tries to wrestle me into some humiliating hold, but I catch her wrists, and for a second we just freeze like that, her face close enough that I can see the last stubborn drop of ginger ale on her upper lip.

"…H-hey, you still got some on you…" I murmur.

Before she can react, I lift my head a bit and clean her upper lip with the quick lick.

She goes stiff for a second, then collapses on top of me. A long, defeated sigh spills from her lips, riddled with embarrassment, excitement, and something else I can't quite name.

She taps her forehead against my collarbone a couple times before finally going limp, her fists curled up against my sides.

"…Maybe we're not experts at this whole dating thing after all…" she mumbles.

Part 8

After that, the hours crawl by at a snail's pace… probably even slower.

I mean, there's not really anything we can do, we have to head out soon so we reach the hill by nightfall, and thanks to the rain, going outside before we have to leave doesn't sound appealing in the least.

We clean up the coffee table, eat the snacks my future self made for all of us, and then… that's it. No plans. Just rain tapping the windows and a quiet house that somehow feels too big all of a sudden.

We drift from the living room to the kitchen and back again. We play a couple simple games, cards, and a chess match that Megumin wins, without using explosion this time. Our future selves hang around at first, playing some games with us and telling us a few tame stories. Then they keep slipping away for stretches at a time, doing who knows what. Whenever they come back for short moments they look more cheerful than before and act like nothing strange happened… uh huh.

Every time I glance at the clock, it feels like the hands haven't moved at all. Megumin ends up curled up next to me on the couch, drifting off against my shoulder. I don't even bother making a big deal out of it, mostly because she's extra cute when she sleeps, and it's not like there's anything else to do while we wait anyways.

When you're bored but can't actually fix it, it's the worst torture imaginable. But even that passes eventually.

At some point, just as I feel myself drifting off too, my future self peeks his head through the doorway. He glances at the clock, then at us before speaking.

"Normally we'd head out to pick up Komequi about now, but Vanir's dropping her off here instead. Might be a good time for you two to start getting ready."

"Huh?" I glance at the clock, somehow a few hours did pass… Did I really fall asleep without noticing?

Still half awake, I reach out and give Megumin's cheek a gentle tug.

"Hey. Hey, Megumin, wake up."

She doesn't even open her eyes, just shifts a little, her mouth moving closer to my finger. I see it coming but can't be bothered to pull away.

A dull nip on my finger.

"Ouch."

I let out a sigh, "Oi, Megumin, the older me said Komequi is gonna be back soon, we gotta get up."

She gives my finger another nibble. Ow. Then her eyes crack open halfway. Just as I'm about to pull my finger away, she grabs it and wipes it off on her dress.

"…Hey what's with that?"

Now awake, Megumin shoots me a tiny glare, "I remember what you said last night Kazuma, I wouldn't put it past you to lick your finger clean."

"Tch. …I wasn't gonna…"

My other self leans into the living room again, waving me over. "Hey dude, come here a sec, I wanna give you something."

"Cominggg…" I call out, giving Megumin's cheek one last gentle tug as I stand up.

"Hey… get back here so I can bite you again," she calls after me.

I trail after him down the hallway, rubbing the spot on my finger where Megumin bit me. A little indentation there from her teeth. "So what'd you want to give me?"

He glances back, "just a couple blueprints. Nothing too crazy."

"Oh?" I raise my eyebrows, "that's what you were doing while you were gone? Getting those ready for me? I thought you were sneaking off to go make out with your Megumin…"

He laughs a little, "that's exactly what I was doing."

Figures…

"Buuuut, I was also… doing…"

He pauses before swinging open a door at the end of the hallway which was previously locked.

"This!"

Inside, there's a big table… no, two tables pushed together, completely covered in papers. Some are rolled up, others are stacked neatly, a few spread flat with weights on the corners so they don't curl. All of them covered in messy, detailed scribbles and diagrams.

He steps inside, grabbing a bag off a nearby chair and throwing it to me, which I catch.

"Now… which ones to give you… definitely the fridge… the ac… uhhhh, what else… washing machine…"

"Whu- you have a washing machine!?"

He looks up, "huh? Oh, yea. Anyways… dryer…"

He tosses me each blueprint one by one, barely giving me enough time to stuff them into the bag before the next one's already hitting my chest. He ends handing me eight before he finally pauses.

"Alright, I think that's everyth— ah, wait. Here, take this one too." He slips in another rolled up sheet.

"What's that one for?" I ask, squinting at it.

He gives me a smug grin. "You'll find out when you get back. Hehe."

I give him a flat look, but he just shrugs me off.

"And honestly," he says, stretching his arms over his head, "I don't think I gained any, like… decent character development from designing any of these. Just a lot of hours hunched over a table when I could've been snuggled up next to Megumin and Komequi. So me giving these to you shouldn't really affect your development that much. And you're still gonna actually have to build all this crap, so… have fun with that."

I sling the bag over my shoulder with a sigh, "I guess I will… thanks."

We step out together, pulling the door shut behind us, and head back into the living room. As I walk in, I catch Megumin glancing my way, then she quickly stuffs a stack of papers, just handed to her by her future self, into a small bag she's suddenly holding.

"Hey… what's that?"

She jumps a little, clutching the bag tighter. "It's… nothing important. Just… stuff for later."

I raise an eyebrow, pretending not to know exactly what it is. "Stuff for later, …uh, alright."

…I probably shouldn't tell her I saw her in her wedding dress until after we actually… get married…

"…Well, you two got everything?" my future self calls from behind, his voice casual but heavy in the quiet room.

I glance at Megumin, then back at him. "…yeah, I think so. I got the stuff you gave me," I lift the bag slightly for emphasis, "and… Vanir's box… uh…" I pat around for it then check behind me. "Where did I put that box…"

Megumin shifts, hugging her own bag closer. She looks at her future self and dips her head a bit, her bangs brushing over her eyes. "Thank you… for giving me that sundress," she says. A tiny smile flickers at the corner of her mouth.

Her future self just returns the same small smile. "Of course. I mean it's meant for us anyways right?"

Where the hell is that box?

"Crap…" I mutter, spinning around half bent over. Then I spot the little wooden box wedged under the couch cushion.

Mmm. Probably slipped out when I sat down.

I grab the little wooden box and straighten up, tucking it into my bag. Megumin's fingers twist nervously around her strap. Her eyes flick to the direction of the entrance hall. Behind us, my future self stands silent, arms crossed, foot tapping against the floor.

While waiting, the rain seems to pick up again, relentlessly tapping against the roof, it's almost unnerving…

I force myself not to swallow too hard. …Goodbyes have never been something I was good at… I mean, I never said goodbye before I died the first time… obviously. And when else have I ever had to? When I left for school before I stopped going? That doesn't count… I always knew I'd see my family again.

I'll never see these people again. Future me. Future her. Komequi… At least, I'll never see this version of them again…

As my thoughts begin to drift, a small muffled yell suddenly comes from outside the front door, barely audible over the rain, yet still loud enough to make out the words.

"Bye, uncle Vanir!"

Megumin shifts on the couch beside me at the sound, then she pushes herself up, clutching her bag to her chest nervously. I can see it in her eyes… she doesn't want to do this… but she will. She has to.

The front door slowly creaks open, then clicks shut again. The sound of small shoes being kicked off, a little bag thumping to the floor. Then Komequi's voice calling out excitedly.

"Mommy! Daddy! I'm baack!"

She appears in the doorway, cheeks pink from the walk, a few raindrops clinging to her hair and face. A grin spread across her face as she runs happily toward us

Future Megumin drops to one knee and wraps her up in a hug so tight Komequi's toes lift off the floor. Future me leans forward, brushing a droplet from her cheek.

"Welcome home, kiddo," he says.

"Did you have a good day?" Future Megumin murmurs against her hair.

"Mhm!" Komequi chirps, her head bobbing up and down merrily. But then her eyes drift down… or up, to our bags. My bag full of blueprints, Vanir's wooden box, and other gear. Megumin's bag hugged tight filled with the stuff she packed. Her smile falters for a heartbeat, then vanishes.

She slips free of her mom's arms. She stands there, small and still, staring first at the door, then at Megumin, then at me. A flicker of sadness creeps across her face.

She takes a tiny, quick breath. Then shuffles one tentative step closer, until she's right in front of us. Opens her mouth, closes it, unsure of what to say before she says it…

"…Are you really leaving?"

Her fingers twist at the hem of her dress as she says this, bunching the fabric tight in her fists.

My heart hiccups. I feel Megumin flinch beside me, her hand gently brushes mine…

"Can't you stay just a little longer…?"

Megumin leans into me. I feel her trembling. Her fingers clamp tighter around her bag strap. The rain seems to grow colder on the windows, the sound rattling the inside of our skulls.

…

I let out the breath I've been trying not to hold. Megumin does the same, then kneels, her bag dropping to the floor as she places both of her hands on her future daughter's shoulders. Her thumbs brushing against her skin in smooth circles…

"I'm sorry Komequi… but… we really have to g-go," she says, voice catching on the last word. "It's a long walk back, and have to get to the hill before night…"

Komequi nods slowly, her expression unreadable. It looks like she's holding strong. But also like she's about to cry at any moment. Her arms dangle uselessly at her side, before reaching up and gripping her mothers arms.

Megumin's voice quakes the slightest bit as she continues. "But… you know we're not really gone, right? …We're just… the past versions of your real mommy and daddy. We're the exact same people. They'll always be here for you… always."

Komequi's eyes glisten. She blinks a few times, holding it back.

"I know," she says, her voice shaking slightly. "I just… I wish you could stay a bit longer."

Megumin shifts a little, leaning back just enough to look Komequi straight in the eyes. For a second she just stares, her lip quivering, her hands brushing her future daughter's small shoulders like she's trying to memorize how they feel.

A tiny, sharp breath escapes her. Then the first tear slips free, trailing down her cheek.

She lets out a breath that sounds like a laugh and a sob at the same time… then, she pulls Komequi into her chest, arms wrapping tight around her small frame.

Her voice trembles out a single line.

"I… I can't wait to meet you for the first time again."

For a moment, I just stand there, my brain unsure of what to do, unsure of what I should be doing.

…I guess I should just let my heart guide me.

And it does.

Before I even really know what I'm doing, my knees bend and I'm down there too. My arms slide around both of them, holding them tight.

…

We stay like that for a moment, both of them trembling softly in my arms.

I take a quick peek at our future selves, they're standing side by side, hands clasped tight, just watching, a sad expression on both of their faces... I close my eyes again and lean my forehead into Megumin's hair.

After a moment, we slowly pull apart. Megumin gives Komequi a gentle squeeze, one last touch.

She stands, reaching down to grab her bag. I follow suit, rising beside her.

My future self steps forward and lifts Komequi onto his shoulders. She settles in, her small hands clutching his hair gently as he steadies her.

Megumin moves toward the entrance hall, and I follow right behind her.

She pauses to grab her staff, resting in a short bucket in a corner.

Then, with a deep breath, she opens the door and steps outside.

The rain is still coming down hard, blurring the everything beyond the awning into a cold, shifting haze.

As I step through the door after her, we turn back to look at them, my future self and his Megumin holding each other close, side by side. A red eyed Komequi on his shoulders.

A rush of emotions goes through me. I don't even know what to say, they've done so much for me in such a short time.

They changed my life.

I changed my life.

I guess there's only one thing left I can do.

I turn to look at him, my face pulled tight... "Thank you, for everything you've done for me… for us. I'm gonna miss you."

He gives me a somber grin before speaking.

"Come on, don't get all weepy on me. You'll see me again… just give it ten years, keep moving forward, then check the mirror. I'll be right there."

I quickly give him an awkward hug. Enough to show just how much everything meant to me. …But he knows already, he's me after all.

As we break apart, he gives us a warm smile, the kind that somehow feels both proud and nostalgic.

"Kazuma, Megumin… these past few days have been incredible. Seeing our younger selves again… it's meant more than I can put into words. You two have progressed so much faster than we ever did, more than we could've ever hoped for at your stage. So… let me give you one final bit of advice, both of you…"

He looks between us for a moment before continuing.

"…Take it slow. You don't need to rush everything. Relationships are built up on trust and respect. You two already have a great deal, but just… don't be in a hurry to become us. You have time. When the time comes for your relationship to progress… truly progress… you'll know."

I nod, but the pressure behind my eyes tightens. I blink fast to keep it from showing.

Megumin edges a step closer to me, close enough that our shoulders touch. She slips her hand into mine, her grip is small, but so tight it almost hurts.

Future Megumin meets her eyes and gives her younger self a soft smile. "Take care of him, okay?" she says, teasing but kind. "He's hopeless without you."

Megumin huffs a tiny laugh through her nose, fighting the tremble in her throat.

Komequi lifts her chin from her dad's head, her eyes shimmering but steady. She swallows once, then calls out softly, "Goodbye… mommy. Goodbye… daddy…"

We stand like that for just a moment, looking at Komequi's beautiful glowing green eyes… our eyes.

Looking at the daughter we'll have, at the people we'll become.

Then we say the only thing there's left to say…

"Goodbye."

A look. A nod. And the door closes.

I start to turn away… but pause.

Something's tugging at me. I look back at the closed door.

I can hear muffled voices through the wood…

"Do you think I did alright?" It's his voice, a bit unsure.

"I think you did wonderfully honey. They'll be just fine." Her voice, soft and warm.

A quiet peck. A small pause.

"Now, let's go make some dinner," she adds playfully. …Their voices fade into the home.

I turn around again, a small breath escaping from my chest.

This time, I don't look back.

Part 9

…

As Megumin starts to step forward into the rain, I gently tug her back.

She stops, turning to look at me. Her eyes are still a little puffy from earlier.

"Kazuma?" she murmurs.

"Hey… you okay?" I ask, keeping my voice low so it doesn't drown under the rain hitting the awning.

She lowers her eyes to the damp ground. "Yeah… just a little sad."

I don't say anything at first. I just wrap my arms around her and pull her in.

"K-Kazuma…?"

She stiffens for half a second, then melts into it. Squeezing me with all the force she can muster.

As my ribs resist the urge to shatter, I rest my chin lightly on her head. "I already told you I loved you, right? Comforting you when you're sad is easy compared to that."

I feel her breath catch against my chest, just for a moment before she presses her forehead in tighter, like she never wants to let go. Her fingers bunch up the back of my shirt, gripping tight. She holds on like that for just a few seconds, then gives me one last squeeze before pulling back, just enough to see my face.

"Thank you…" she whispers, voice small but clear.

She rises on her tiptoes and presses a tiny kiss to my cheek. When she pulls back, she lingers close, her nose almost brushing mine.

Then, her lips curl into a small smile. A quiet laugh slips out…

"W-What?" I stutter, feeling my face go a bit warm.

She grins at me, her eyes studying my expression. "Yknow… you've gotten way better at saying the right things at the right time during this trip."

I rub the back of my neck with my free hand. "Well, after everything we've been through… that's only natural, right?"

"Mmm… I suppose…" Her eyes drift back toward the rain, coming down softer than before. The sound of it hitting the awning fills the quiet.

I follow her gaze for a moment. Then, without really thinking about it, I shift my bag on my shoulder, turn around, and crouch down in front of her.

"Cmon. Hop on."

She blinks. "Eh? Kazuma, did this trip also turn you into the chivalrous type or something?"

"S-shut it and just get on already! With that big hat and cape of yours we should both be relatively protected from the rain…"

Come to think of it… is Megumin's wizard hat even waterproof? …I'd imagine so right?

"That's… actually a really good idea!" she says before hopping onto my back.

After nearly falling on my face, my hands find her thighs and hold her steady. Once I'm sure we're good, I stand up.

"Kay, you ready?"

"Hold on a second." She take her hat off and plops it onto my head. Then snuggles into my neck. "Mhm! Now we're ready."

Please be waterproof…!

I gingerly take a step forward into the rain.

…Phew…

Raindrops tap onto the wide brim of her hat, sliding right off instead of soaking us. Megumin's cloak protects our backs from the rain too. Only a few drops get in my front, but otherwise it's way better than walking normally.

Megumin hugs me a little tighter as I take another step, then another, out into the steady downpour. The streets are quieter now, in this weather, hardly anyone is outside. It's just the constant splashes of rain and my footsteps on the wet stone.

We don't talk much after that. She just holds me. I feel the warmth of her breath on my collar, the gentle rise and fall of her chest against my back.

And so I walk.

Out of the mansions front yard… past Wiz's shop… past the guild, muffled music coming from inside… past Chris's cafe… past the walls of Axel…. Trekking that same path I took the last time…

As I walk… I notice, each and every little thing's different… not from two days ago, but from ten years back. That rock wasn't mossy back then. Those trees weren't nearly this tall. Some of them didn't even exist. Even the landmarks… they all feel just a little older, a little more worn.

The rain, which had poured relentlessly for most of the day, finally begins to ease. Steady downpour softens into a gentle trickle… the trickle fades into a light mist.

Above, the afternoon sky turns to evening, light shines through the thinning clouds, streaks of soft gold catching in the damp air.

Yet still, I walk.

I walk until slowly it changes from plains, to wooded areas, then back to plains again. Only a short ways away from that hill.

My shins ache a little bit from walking so far, and it's not like the girl on my back is helping too much.

And speaking of…

Why exactly is the girl on my back nibbling on my neck?

At first, I figured she fell asleep and just sort of… started biting me in her sleep. But it's been going on for the past hour or two…

Is nibbling something she does now?

…I mean, I guess I don't mind too much. The way her teeth gently pinch at my skin… or that occasional flick of her tongue. Honestly, it's not even that bad. It's actually kin—

Wait…

I'm… I'm not… developing an obsession with her mouth, right?

No, no I couldn't be.

I mean, it's not like I've had the chance to be obsessed, right? We've only kissed like what… three times? Only counting ones on the lips…

So, yea, of course I'd notice a few things. Like how her saliva tastes. Strangely sweet, somehow, and—

Ah! Snap out of it Kazuma, you're better than this!

…

Mmm… okay. What else.

I mean, I also noticed how her canines are pretty sharp…

Are mine that sharp?

I gently bite my tongue with my own canines a few times.

Hmm… nope, not even close.

Then… her tongue and lips…

I mean they felt like a tongue and lips. What else can I say? And of course they're amazing because it's her tongue and lips. But I didn't really notice too much about them out of the ordinary… maybe soft? Plump or supp—

…

…Shit!

Right after I said that I don't have an obsession! Curse this stupid overactive imagination…

Okay… think about something else Kazuma.

Think unhappy thoughts.

Think—

"Grrrrrr"

…

…Was that my stomach?

Urrhhhhh… now that I think about it… I haven't eaten anything since future me made that snack for us like 6 hours ago…

I tap the back of my head against Megumin's head a few times.

"Megumin, hey, Megumin. You awake?"

"Huhh?" She stirs, straightening up slightly, her mouth lifting off my neck. "Whusup?"

"I forgot I haven't really eaten anything…" I groan. "think it's too late to turn back and grab something?"

"…Of course it's too late to turn back, Kazuma," she sighs. "We're nearly back at the hill anyway."

Then, a smug little chuckle from behind me.

"Heh. Lucky for you, I planned for something exactly like this to happen."

She shifts around on my back, the movement rocking me slightly, and then I hear a faint… something…? Like a mesh bag being opened. A moment later…

"Say ahhh."

"Huh?"

Before I can question it further, I instinctively open my mouth, and she pushes something in.

I chew.

It's sweet, crunchy, and a little sticky.

"…It's good," I say, pleased.

"Obviously." I hear her pop one into her own mouth. "Mm, I may have snuck into the kitchen while you were off with your future self, and, mmfh, stole a bag of candied nuts from the pantry."

She's talking through her chewing, fully satisfied with herself. I can hear the faint stick of sugar between her words.

I start to grin. "Wow, look at you, thinking ahead like a—"

Another nut gets shoved right into my mouth mid sentence.

"Shhh, just eat."

I chew. A few quiet minutes pass, just the sound of us snacking, my footsteps, and the breeze rustling the tall grass by the path.

Eventually, I swallow and clear my throat.

"…Hey."

"Mm?"

"There's something I've been meaning to ask you…"

She puts another nut into her mouth, chewing it slowly.

"Earlier, When you said you couldn't wait to meet Komequi for the first time again…"

I hesitate.

"…Isn't that like saying you want to… um… bear my child or something…?"

"…"

She goes quiet for a moment, I feel her stiffen on my back slightly.

"I-I guess so…"

Her voice is quiet, but not really shy…

I slow my steps a little.

"You mean it?" I ask, glancing off to the side. "You'd actually want to… someday, I mean."

"Of course," she says without hesitation now. "After seeing what we saw, and doing what we did… why wouldn't I?"

My heart kicks up. "I dunno… I just thought… well… I mean, we're still pretty young, and—"

"I know that," she cuts in lightly. "I'm not saying we have to start tonight Kazuma."

I cough, nearly choking on the nut she just shoved into my mouth. "Y-yea, obviously…"

She giggles into my ear, and I feel her head press gently against the back of mine.

"But someday?" I ask. "You'd want… all that? A kid? A family?"

"Yeah," she says. "With you."

…

I don't respond immediately, the wind lets out a stronger gust than normal, gently pushing me to walk a little bit faster, a little bit closer to that hill…

The sun slowly creeps downwards, a reddish hue already beginning to form on the horizon…

My brain fumbles around a little, thinking, wondering what to say next… until it settles on something.

"…W-well, y'know… we'd have to get married first…"

She doesn't reply.

"…Then we'd, uh… have to… d-do it…"

As I say this, my hands unconsciously slide back on her thighs… maybe a little too far, because when I squeeze, I get a handful of her butt.

Oops…

Pinch.

"Ow! Hey!"

"You groped me," she says simply.

"I didn't exactly mean to! And anyways, I thought you said that you'd accept all my perve—"

"Tsk tsk…" she interrupts me, "silly Kazuma. I said I'd accept all your perverted tendencies, but I never said I wouldn't defend myself from them!"

I grumble under my breath, face burning. I try to keep walking, focusing on the path… not the way her body presses softly against my back.

Then I hear her murmur against my ear, voice low and a bit shy.

"Mmm… Kazuma… I know how badly you want to do… that."

"O-only with you!" I blurt. Only to get a few taps on the back of my head in return.

"S-shush! Stop making me happy and let me finish…"

She hugs me a little tighter, nestling into the crook of my neck.

She lets out a little cough before continuing…

"It's just… not something I want to do on a whim…"

Her fingers gently grip my shirt.

"I want it to be special. For both of us... not just something we do because we're alone… and have a bed…"

"Yeah…" I mumble.

"…Do you remember what our future selves said? How they didn't become proper lovers until after they beat the demon king?"

My heart stops.

"W-w-what do you mean?! Like we're going to do that more than friends but less than lovers thing that they did?"

"N-no!" She stammers "...We're already full on lovers Kazuma…! I'm just saying… we don't go all the way until we beat the demon king."

She pauses for a moment before continuing. "Are… are you alright with that?"

Am I alright with that?

Me? The perpetual virgin? The guy who's waited his whole life just for a chance to lose it? And now that I finally have a girlfriend, she's telling me not yet?

Of course I'm no—

…

Huh…

Wait…

Why did I stop?

I was about to say no, I wanted to say no. But… something held me back

This… isn't the right answer.

Not just for her.

Not even for what she wants to hear.

It's the wrong answer in my heart.

It… it feels like… as long as I'm with her… as long as it's with her…

I feel like I can wait as long as I need to.

Quickly, before any doubt can enter my mind, I speak up.

"Of course I'm alright with that."

She doesn't say anything at first.

But I feel her hug me a little tighter… just for a second.

Then, softly, she almost whispers under her breath…

"…And… well… I suppose we can still do some things… as long as we don't go all the way…"

"Really?!" My heart, out of excitement kicks up a notch.

WHOO HOO!

My hands, on pure instinct alone, give her butt another quick squeeze.

Pinch!

"H-hey! …I'm just appreciating my girlfriend's body!" I squeak.

She giggles softly.

"Let's go on a couple dates first…" she whispers. "…But… I trust you, Kazuma."

Then, right before I can say anything else, she leans forward… and gives the back of my neck a kiss.

As she pulls her lips away from my neck a shudder goes down my spine, my imagination kicking into overdrive…

Fufufu… I know I've been doing a lot of imagining lately… especially today, but when she says something like that how could I not? I can see it now, Aqua and Darkness kicked out of the house. Megumin sneaking into my room in the middle of the night… we'd talk for a bit before starting to get a little handsy.

I'd be all like, "Megumin there's someone I'd like you to meet… say hello to little Kazuma…!" And then she'd say something like "kyaaa! It's so big!" Or would she…? …I don't think Megumin is the type to go kyaaa! …Hmmmm…. she might do it if I asked her to…? Or maybe not… anyways, then I'd slowly kiss her, working my way down from her lips… down her neck as I unbutton her top… down her collarbone, to her moderately sized chest… targeting her pink, suppl—

"Kazuma…" my thoughts are suddenly interrupted. "It's not like I don't enjoy you fantasizing about me… but could you move your hands back up? My legs are getting tired…"

"S-sorry…"

After that, It doesn't take long to reach the hill.

When we finally make it to our destination, I lower myself down, and Megumin hops off my back with a small exhale. I take her hat off my head and set it back where it belongs, right over her messy hair.

I crouch for a moment, brushing my hand across the grass.

Still dry.

Nice. We're far enough from Axel that the rain didn't reach here. Sleeping on damp grass would've been miserable.

I stand and take another look around.

I spot Megumin already pulling at the branches of the same dead tree we cut down the first time we were here. Which, conveniently, is still lying exactly where we left it. Perfect scraps for a campfire.

I head over and help her tug a few pieces free, but some of the thicker ones are too difficult to snap. With a sigh, I pull out chunchunmaru, grip it tight, and start hacking away at the tougher limbs. The wood cracks and splinters with each swing, bark flying as one by one, the branches give way.

Megumin glances over at me but doesn't say anything, just hums a little as she gathers up the smaller sticks and dry twigs.

Once we've got enough, I carry an armful of the thicker branches over to where our campfire was the last time we were here.

I carefully stack my pieces in a criss cross pattern, two on each side, and Megumin tosses her kindling in the middle.

"Tinder."

A small flame sparks to life, flickering beneath the wood until it finally catches. The fire grows quickly, crackling softly as the first few branches start to burn.

We both sit down without a word, shoulders a few inches apart. I lean back on my hands, watching the flames dance around.

"It's crazy how much has changed since the last time we were here…" I say, a satisfied look on my face.

"Yeah…" she starts. "…Remember how I said it would be nice if things would stay how they were back then?"

I glance at her, "yeah? I remember…"

A smile crawls onto her face, her eyes glowing slightly… "I'm glad that it changed how it did… with us."

The fire gives a little pop, some of the smaller bits of kindling falling into the center.

"Me too,"

I pause for a second, staring at the fire before turning my gaze back on her and continuing.

"Hey, Megumin… you love me right?"

"Whu— y-yea, of course I do… what kind of thing are you asking out of the blue…" she stares at her lap, fidgeting the slightest bit.

"H-hey… don't get all embarrassed…! It makes me feel like that too…" I cough, steeling my nerves. "Ahem… um… so, you love me so you'll do anything for me right…?" I trail off, unsure…

"Well… within reason… and I thought we agreed to only do some naughty stuff after we go on a couple dates fir—"

"I wasn't gonna ask you for naughty stuff!" I quickly interrupt her. "…I was thinking… that maybe… possibly…" I shoot a quick glance at my prize… her lap.

"…You might consider… giving me a lap pillow? Pretty please?" I finish. But unsure of what she's going to say next I quickly attempt to justify it.

"Well I mean yknow, after we go back we're probably not going to have many opportunities to do stuff like this because of Aqua and Darkness… so I just figured I'd ask now because like yknow, it's something I've wan—"

Megumin lets out a small giggle, cutting me off.

She lifts her eyes just enough to peek at me, a sly little smile playing at her lips.

"You're such an idiot sometimes, Kazuma…" she says it with a bit of scorn, but there's love dancing in her eyes.

"If you wanted something like a lap pillow, you could just asked me, you don't need to justify it at all. Remember… I'm yours…"

Then, without another word, she shifts slightly, pressing her legs together and patting her thighs twice.

Sweet! Having a girlfriend is the best!

Quickly, I scoot towards her, close my eyes, turn around and lay my head down, straight on her lap.

Ahhhhh~ this is amazing…!

Surprisingly, her thighs are super soft whilst also being somewhat firm. It's like being cradled by two of the best pillows ever…! I always figured that with her being so underdeveloped up top, the rest of her body would be the same. But I guess everything that didn't go to her chest ended up below the waist instead…

I'm glad, hehe.

"Cuz I thought they'd be kinda boney…"

Wait…

Uh oh…

Did… did I say that last part out loud?

The sudden death grip on my hair and scalp tells me that I definitely did.

"B-B-But I can see that I was wrong! Super wrong! Your thighs are anything but boney! Super soft! Very sexy! Ten outta ten!" I flail, trying to appease her, before adding in a meek voice. "…P-Please don't kill me…"

Thankfully her grip relaxes, she brushes some of my hair out of my forehead with a giggle.

"Good save Kazuma."

Before I can do anything else, she starts combing her fingers through my hair… instantly, I relax.

Ahhh~

…What did she say earlier? That she's mine? Huh… yeah she did say that…

I guess… by extension, that means I'm hers right…?

If I'm hers, I wonder if she'll ever ask me for something like a lap pillow some day…

I think… I think I like that.

Me being hers.

I open my eyes a little and peek up. She's just sitting there, staring down at me as she hums a simple little tune… her lips turned up in enjoyment as she combs through my hair…

Her radiant scarlet eyes. Glimmering not only from her lineage, but also from the light of the sun falling past the horizon… catching just right.

Her porcelain skin, no blemishes in sight. Looks, and likely feels soft and smooth to the touch.

The way her hair hangs down the slightest bit… a little messy, but pretty at the same time.

A take a deep breath, closing my eyes once more, enjoying the smells of everything around me, her natural cinnamon like scent… the freshness of the grass, the cleanliness of the air.

I open my eyes again, staring into her own… before I speak in a hushed tone.

"You're so beautiful…"

Her reaction isn't immediate, but it's there… a soft pink finds its way onto her cheeks, a smile too…

Then,

Poke

She taps the tip of my nose with her finger. The smile she was wearing breaking into a grin before she speaks.

"I think you're handsome too, Kazuma."

There's a quiet pause after she says it. The sun's final light disappears behind the horizon, casting everything in a deeper shade of orange… then slowly, blue.

She lowers her hands to my cheeks, gently lifting my head from her lap. The grass brushes the back of my head as she sets me down.

She crawls forward a bit… then carefully rotates, lowering herself onto me.

I blink. "M-Megumin?"

Her arms wrap around me as she nestles in, her body pressing gently against mine.

"H-Hey, wait… what if Aqua or Darkness sees us like this in the morning!?"

She leans up just enough to meet my eyes. "If they catch us… I'll take the blame, okay?"

I stare at her for a second… then let out a quiet sigh.

Right… yea… of course she would.

My hands come to rest gently on her back, and I let myself sink into the feeling of her weight, and her warmth…

"…I know I said this before, but…," I murmur, "we're probably not gonna be able to do stuff like this too much once we're back…"

I close my eyes for a second, then open them again.

"…I'm gonna miss cuddling with you like this."

Without warning, she leans in and gives my neck a small, playful bite.

I flinch. "H-Hey!"

"You don't have to worry about that too much," she says smugly. "I'll find ways to sneak into your room."

She lets out a small yawn, then nestles in even closer, her breath brushing softly against my chest.

I glance up.

The stars are out now. The sky above us a deep shade of blue… the edges of the world quietly fading into night. Everything around us softens, dims. Only the campfire keeps the darkness at bay, its warm glow constant beside us.

Slowly, my mind wanders back to my future self.

He figured it out, he accepted his vulnerabilities, he went through his adventure, he chose a future and stayed with it.

And now… it's my turn.

I look down again.

"Hey, Megu—"

But she's already asleep.

Her body rises and falls gently with each breath, a thin line of drool already sliding from the corner of her mouth onto my shirt.

I let out a tiny laugh through my nose.

"Ah… I'll always be this girl's personal mattress, won't I?"

I turn my gaze back up toward the stars.

As I watch, the fire gives a quiet crackle, a glowing ember drifts upward into the night sky.

It's joined by another.

They float together for a while… before quietly fading out at the same time.

As I close my eyes, a small smile can't help but creep its way onto my face…

Ah… this really is a bittersweet ending, isn't it…?

End-

An- I no joke had to reread most of the light novels again because after I took a week break from writing after finishing my last story I actually forgot everything about Kazuma and Megumin. I felt like I had absolutely no clue how they would act, or react around each other. Honestly I still feel like I have no clue about how they would react. Every single time I wrote a line down I was like drowning in doubt wondering "would they really say something like that though?" It was horrible. But after I finished a scene and I was proud of it, it was actually the best feeling in the world.

I got so distracted while writing this that I actually got distracted by this story. I was writing future parts of this story beforehand just because I wasn't sure about how I wanted a specific scene to play out at the moment. So I start writing in the morning, get sidetracked writing like 8000 words ahead of where I am.

This played out so slow for me, if someone is reading this they might not experience it the way I do, since I know every little detail, and why I included it. So to some it might feel rushed…maybe? But Kazuma and Megumin's relationship status post volume 5 is pretty ambiguous, it's clear that Megumin has feelings for Kazuma, or at least she's sorting through them all. And Kazuma definetly has something there. But has no clue what it is or how to express it? Possibly? My take on it with the time travel stuff is, because of their alone time, Kazuma isn't as distracted, his mind is basically solely on Megumin. It gives him room to actually develop more for her. The hand holding at the start by the campfire being like a kickstart kinda made sense I guess? And when Kazuma gets tangible proof of their relationship through Komequi, it like awakens something in him he can't explain. Actually, I can barely explain it, I'm like a third done with the story right now writing this at 12 in the morning.

I know Megumin surpassing wolbach is a huge huge point for her, especially involving her confessing to Kazuma, it kinda symbolizes her leaving her old self behind. Because wolbach was the source of Megumin's obsession with explosion magic. By defeating wolbach she outgrows the feeling of explosion magic being everything that she is. She doesn't need to prove her worth through the raw destructive power of the spell anymore. Also wolbach is the goddess of sloth, or inaction. Megumin defeating wolbach symbolizes her defeat over hesitance, her victory over what was holding her back from confessing her love to Kazuma.

It's such a major and defining moment for her that I really was not sure at all how to do this story when I was taking that into account. I really didn't want to just throw that away and ignore it. Because that would just be like slapping the character in the face and forcing them to do what I want, when their actual character would do something different.

So what I came up with was by seeing her future self, happier than can be, confident in everything that she does, powerful, and loved by the one she loves. That instead becomes her victory over the hesitation that's clamping down on her heart.

And then there's kazuma confessing first/at the same time, I feel like if kazuma was absolutely forced to accept that what he was feeling for Megumin was love, and he was told by his older self that hesitance, not taking action and being honest is something that does more harm than good. Then he actually would try to take the initiative. Kazuma is a tsun, but when actually punched in the face with proof, he can't ignore it.

That's really it for Kazuma and Megumin like the stuff that's behind the scenes I mean. Aqua is easy enough to write, her character is so obvious it's actually hard to write her wrong lmao (I hope). I also really didn't want to have 6-7 people having a conversation at once, and I honestly hate darknesses personality, so I had to find a way to exclude her lol. Which was pretty easy to do, they grew apart over the years, they're still great friends but now they have different priorities in life. K have eachother and a child, probably a second too eventually or something, Aqua has her job as goddess and darkness is married to the prince (now king? Maybe) and has her royal duties or something like that.

I'm not really sure if doing this story solely from Kazuma's pov was the best idea? (Just finished the story, yes it was) Usually I like to switch it around sometimes to add depth to the character I'm portraying. I'm kinda afraid that Megumin feels somewhat one dimensional in this, or not, I tried my best to give her depth within the constraints of Kazuma's perspective… idk. But I guess with the main series being only in Kazuma's pov, it isn't that crazy.

I'm gonna say the future Kazuma and Megumin are the future versions of the K/M from my first other story. I dropped a hint or two here and there about it but I didn't feel the need to really talk about it, since it's spoilers for past kazuma yk?

I REALLY wanted it to feel like Kazuma and Megumin weren't rushing into a relationship just because they saw their future selves. I wanted to make their relationship feel earned. So I really had to limit what their future selves would do and say around each other or to their past selves. They want them to figure it out for themselves like they did. They don't want to push them together artificially to try and replicate the love that they share together. So I had the absolute limit they talk to their past selves about love or anything was vague advice, at least pre-confession. Not outright just say "you love her, tell her now or you'll regret it." Future Kazuma letting his past self come to terms with what he's feeling and do everything on his own is the most natural way to progress things. The advice's main goal was to kickstart Kazuma's thought process, and let him think about it later so he can avoid those mistakes he made by hesitating or stalling, and grow as a person.

(Inserting this from way later, idk where to put it so I'm gonna put it here. This part might be a tiny bit redundant, but I wanted to express it so I'm gonna put it in anyways.) So the part where Megumin is teasing Kazuma after they go to wiz's shop to see Vanir, it's one of the main things that lead to her deciding to really confess to Kazuma along with what I said above (because I say so) Megumin is smart, she knows there's a good possibility the Kazuma now might want her, she knows about the obvious clue of their future selves already being in love (duh), but what Vanir said really made her wonder. When she teases him, she isn't just doing it for fun, she's doing it so he can admit his desire, she wants a confession, she already knows he was thinking about based on Vanir and how he acted, her teasing is because she wants him to really say it. She wants know to he's serious, serious about wanting her, not for lust, but for love. By him giving her a half truth, and deflecting, she gets half of what she wants, to admit he was thinking about her romantically. He downplays to something safe with the cute pajama part to avoid him straight up saying he was thinking about her in a romantic way. (Also for his snapback) because him admitting the whole truth would be way too much for him right now. He isn't ready in that moment to tell her everything.

(Idk if that makes sense?)

So the whole scene is comedy fluff with heavy implications behind it. The half truth here, makes the full truth later that night all the more satisfying. Contrasts are so cool aren't they?

(Writing this part like 2 weeks later, I should be finishing up day 2 not writing this smh)

Writing character development for a character like Kazuma is annoying. Like in canon Kazuma is someone who's perpetually flustered or embarrassed when it comes to anything truly romantic even if it's not "romantic romantic" like when the thought of megumin is so deeply ingrained in his mind that anything she does makes him flustered (with varying degrees of course). I wanted him to have be like that at first, but eventually the thought of her is slowly replaced by just "happy." Like a "megumin=joy" thought process, instead of "megumin=overthinking abt love." Of course Kazuma still gets flustered easily after this change, but like maybe a little less and feels happy about it a little more? Idk. But Not really sure about the timeframe for that happening imo this all taking place in 3 days feels fast. But I can always fall back on the excuse that their future selves are the catalyst for Kazuma's advanced character progression (which it is), and Kazuma's thought process is the reaction and idk like his relationship with megumin is the product?

Maybe I'm trying too hard to make everything fit perfectly…

Alright so, I'm like 2k words into the 3rd day and I'm already having to reflect on everything I've written because I kinda forgot about the reasons for them having the more than friends but less than lovers thing in canon. Basically it's because Kazuma is lazy and afraid of commitment, and Megumin is still emotionally maturing. In the beginning of this story I think I did a good job basically ignoring all that through the good old influence from the future selves and the situation around them typa thing. But, I guess I'm just further clarifying what I wrote. So basically after they kiss for the first time and Kazuma says like screw his pride and stuff, that's him not only throwing away his pride, but everything that gets in the way of his love for Megumin. His fear of commitment and his laziness are both cast aside in the moment because a major point of this story is them skipping that phase and going straight to lovers. (Also I think i explained the reason for Megumin being more emotionally mature now up above?)

I hope I did alright in the comedy aspect, I'm the slightest bit repulsed by pervy jokes despite the fact I find them super funny and enjoyable at the same time lol. So I tried to create a variety of comedy that isn't just sex jokes or other degen humor. But I'm kinda limited in what I can do because of the whole plot of the story, a lot of the humor in Konosuba is exclamations when reacting to stuff around them or other stupid stuff, but like… there's not really anything to exclaim about that much in here (I focused a lot on emotional development). I didn't really want to accidentally write an emotional regression for Kazuma after he gained so much… so I settled for kinda like teasing humor or the like (idk if that makes sense) Aquas scene near the start is the exception I guess?

…day three is absolutely hell to write. I've spent the last two weeks working on it and im still only on them finishing on their Kazuma to Kazuma talk. When good ideas for the story don't come to me in a vision like for every other part of the story then it's like a really bad experience for me.

I say that but I just noticed that pKazuma could've learned the cooking skill in the future too… I'm too lazy to figure out how to make it work, and because it's such a minor detail, I'll just leave it like that.

Also I literally can't remember if fridges already exist in the Konosuba world or not, I feel like I'm remembering something like that in volume 10? But I cba to go back and check (for that one specific thing), so I'm just gonna assume they don't exist so I don't have to do more work.

And writing FMegumin is really hard to do for some reason, I didnt really want her to talk to the past Kazuma too much. I was afraid of her like overshooting regular Megumin, because Kazuma loves his Megumin and by extension the future version too. So if I had them interact… idk it just felt weird. And when I picture each character in my head I can get a clear vision of what they look like and exactly how they would act and stuff, but I struggle to do that for the older Megumin, maybe I'm just a tad too fixated on the past version in the story that it interferes with my vision of the future one? I'm not sure.

I'd rather be burning in the boiling pits of hell than have to write part 7 over again.

Alright, I just finished writing the story, (I'm lying, I wrote some of this like halfway through part 7 cuz I couldn't focus) and ngl I really wonder how the story would go when they got back after they experienced everything that they did in the future. Now that Kazuma's fears are gone and he's more emotionally mature due to the experience, he'd fully devote himself to Megumin, so there'd be no drama with darkness, and he'd generally be seen as a better person… probably, since most of his perverted tendencies are now hidden from the public/not projected onto anyone other than his girlfriend. (still sounds bad but he's generally a better person now.)

I find all the possible variations that can come from this story super interesting.

Also, when I started writing this I had almost every scene/major event from the start to the ending already planned out in my head. All except for the middle of day 3 (part 7-8(up to them saying goodbye to future selves)), I hope I did somewhat okay with it? I mean I wanted the ending to be like somewhat bittersweet, but hopeful, looking toward the future. And there's really not much I can do in the middle… I can't really have another climax, rising or falling action. Since the climax already passed on through just before it. And the stories about to end anyways. I was super stumped on what to write, going through my story again and just adding small details was all was able to do while trying to think of new stuff. Like I gotta try to keep the story interesting while also preparing the mood to leave, while also having to pass time? Just kill me now.

Just as a reference for how bad part 7 was to write, it took me around half a month to do the twenty thousand words of day 1-2, and all of June JUST for part 7… like it's July 5th rn and I just finished it.

And ngl I spent like a week just thinking about how I should do the goodbye for Komequi, (preemptively) because I wanted to progress the story quickly… but I didn't want it to feel like they were just ditching her. Like how when you go to sit down on a bench and as soon as you sit, the other person that's already there gets up. You're like tf did I do. That but in the context of my scene. Apologies if it felt a bit rushed or shitty at that part, but after stagnating for so long I just wanted them to get tf out of that house so I can end the story.

Also after they step out of the door after the whole Komequi thing (I'm not proud of the part with them walking to the front door) but after they actually exit the mansion, and have the whole goodbye thing and the advice, Iwrote that like in may lol. So… uh I hope it wasn't too obvious that I did that? I tried to correct it as best I could but like I feel like it'll never be "perfect" for how I want it to be.

Actually I'm really proud of the whole goodbye thing. (After they step out of the mansion) I think I did a pretty good job at it. I spent like a month just trying to think on how to do the lead up to it. And now I did it.

But for part 9… I swear I had more ideas for it, like in may when I was planning it out, I thought it was going to be like longer than it actually is… idk it just feels kinda short to me. Like my greatest fear was rushing the ending or making it seem like I was rushing the ending. So I tried to put a lot of focus on the mood so it didn't feel like that… I mean I hope nobody read through part 9 and was like "that's it?" Smh… but I think my greatest fear was repetition. Like just constantly describing or saying the same stuff to make it seem like I'm doing more than I actually am. And that's preventing me from writing more… but like even now. I don't think I could've added more yk? Also I feel like the pacing was weird as hell for part 9? I literally have no clue why but when I read it back I'm like wtf. And idk how to adjust that.

Also for the hill, uh when I watched the anime last, like April. I think I remember the place where they camped being kinda elevated? Idk, I just decided to call it a hill as a place of importance, and i added some stuff like the tree purely for my convenience lol.

But even though after the tiny timeskip I think it's only a couple hundred words, I couldn't bring myself to write it for like a week. I can't remember if I said this already two paragraphs up but I really hope the ending isn't shitty or feels weird or something… sorry if it is.

Some of the explanations in this note might be a little redundant now, because I wrote most of it before I started on day three, and idgaf enough to correct it.

Don't think I've talked about Komequi yet, I have a lot planned for her in the future. I actually was delayed starting part 8 because I accidentally wrote a few thousand words starting the story for her. I want/wanted to make her both distinct and alike her parents, she shares the traits of both Kazuma and Megumin while also adding in her own spark to bridge the very small gap between them. I wanted to write her as extremely intelligent, which is made evident even before she turns 6 months old. Mostly because I find writing intelligent characters more enjoyable and fun to do (she'll still act like a child though), but there's also basis behind it. Both of her parents are smart, and she's half of a race known for all being extremely intelligent. But intelligence doesn't mean she's exactly smart. I plan to have her still do dumb things, (not in a bad way to seem like I'm forcing it, but like a baby way) really fleshing her out is a big priority, since my next fic revolves around her a LOT (as like a baby).

Also idk how fertilization really works, I mean you know what I'm talking about, if they have a kid would it really be Komequi? Like genetically? Because it's all random and stuff. But it's fiction. So I'm just gonna say when they have a kid, their first child will always be Komequi. (Not just in name)

Actually, I feel like I might just make all my stories interconnected in some way. That'd be pretty cool.

I think after I took that week break there wasn't a single day in the past few months that I haven't opened up my notes app to try and work on this story… like every out of every day I was thinking about it at least once.

Also if anyone enjoyed this story, I have vague plans to continue the story of past kazuma with megumin. I enjoy the fact that i can hitch on to how developed kazuma and megumin are in this. And in that story I feel like it would be super cool to show how the main story progresses now that kazuma and megumin are full on lovers. Btw I wouldn't just copy what the original story has and add my own twist to it… but that might be hard to to do because of how the story is structured… idk but it might be cool. Like Kazuma and Megumin doing cool stuff in volume 8 then sneaking off together… hmm. Actually now that I think about it that sounds really fun to write. But… I kinda already have another story started… smh smh. I'm probably gonna do it after I finish my second one. I started it but I have literally no clue where to go from there, or like if I want it to have a fully fleshed out story or just be like a cute slice of life thing? Idk. Planning is hard okay?

Oh also before I forget, idk if anyone else read my first story, but I read it back like today, which is July 31st… Jesus Christ it's almost August…. Anyways, I read my story back and I was like wtf? My writing is dogshit. Because like now I feel like I have a way better understanding of the characters and how to actually write and stuff. Anyone else notice that? I feel like it's super super cool, but also kinda weird because my first story isn't up to what I consider good, yet it's still up there… Idk, I wonder if all writers feel like their writing is trash when they look back on it… I feel that kinda for this story too… (yea just read this all back, my writing is just bad smh)

Al's extra extra before I forget, I accidentally forget to put in the actual way for them to return to their time when the go to see Vanirs lol, so I had to add that like a month after I wrote the scene originally lol. And now that I think about it, the whole box thing is a plothole, cuz the future Vanir wouldn't be affected at all by what's in the box… but Vanir wouldn't do something like that for free… probably… so I'm just gonna say that as long as a version of him has his goals progressed forward. He's happy.

And probably final final thing, adding this on fanfic dot net instead of my notes app this time (finally finished writing! yay!). I noticed that during my proofread of the story, the first day feels kinda... generic? Idk maybe its because of the fact ive read it hundreds of times now (probably) but i think its because one, i wasnt as experienced at writing as I am now, and two, because i didnt put as much thought into it as i did past that point. Becuase, as annoying as it was, it taking so excruciatingly long to write certain parts, its because i wanted to do the best as a possibly could, compared to the "its good in my eyes" from back then yk?

OKAY! Now I think thats everything. Time to publish it. (Everything below this is like... idk, I just wanted to write above it)

Instead of authors note, this should be authors diary lol.

Finally here's a fun fact about the flower on Megumin's veil: the red chrysanthemum, in Japanese culture is apparently a symbol of love and passion. So not only does it fit the theme, the dress and her. But it also symbolizes well with the meaning of it all. Pretty thoughtful on my part id say.

Also here's where I got the design for Komequi from, also future Kazuma and future Megumin too I guess.

( https://www.reddit.com/r/Kazumin/comments/1l0t7ei/music_box_long_hair_megu_version_by_/ )

A comment would be extremely appreciated, especially if it's something about the pacing or how I executed the character development/characters, when I read my story back imo it feels awkward at points for some reason, and idk how I would right that.

So overall pretty fun near three months, would do again! (Soon)

Thanks for reading!

(Final bit, I usually post on Fanfiction.net, and i dont feel like recopying any italics if it didnt work when i pasted it.)