CHANGE -「Last Embryo」

Chapter 6

While we were having fun, I felt the presence of someone I knew well. Scowling my gaze at Shiroyasha.

"Tell me. Because you invited Leticia."

That was my question. Where she responded by shrugging her shoulders as she continued her shift.

"I think it's time for the two of you to have a conversation. It took hundreds of years for them to speak, right?"

"Hmph. Even if you're right about that, you shouldn't meddle in someone's relationship."

The door opened, allowing a beautiful girl with long golden hair and curls at the ends, with red eyes, to enter. Her small childish body was adorned with an elegant black dress with white details, complemented by a ribbon in the form of a huge black bow that stood out in her hair.

"I'd like you to stop wearing the appearance of a ten-year-old girl."

I let out a sigh of resignation.

"I'm surprised you say that, Senji," Shiroyasha commented, "you passed the same way Leticia. You always entered [Buddhism] changing your appearance to that of a child."

"I did it to weaken myself, not because I want to be a boy."

My eyebrows twitch from the conversation I have with Shiroyasha.

The theme that was mentioned by Shiroyasha of [Buddhism], is a state that you get [divinity], but, losing much of your powers.

For a reason, your appearance changes to that of a child.

"…"

Leticia, who had approached the table, said nothing, just looking at the game with her face without emotion.

"How strange. I had thought it would be more... how to put it?... less apathetic."

"I am," was Leticia's reply, and now showing a more expressive face. Smiling tenderly and affectionately, with a twinkle in her eyes as if she had waited for this encounter in the depths of her being. "It's been a while, Senji."

"… You got me. I wouldn't have expected him to show that face to me."

A sudden tingle ran down my spine.

"Haha. As always, you don't feel comfortable receiving that token of love."

"Not that I like it," I reply to Shiroyasha. "It's better that way, that he doesn't receive that affection. After all, I don't deserve it. We have lived for millennia and, in my case, I did it as a villain, killing and destroying. Someone who led a life like that... she doesn't deserve the love or affection of someone as precious as Leticia Draculea, a brilliant and unique jewel that I ended up knowing by chance in life and who, unfortunately, ended up falling in love with the worst person born in Little Garden."

A soft sigh broke the silence.

"You've always been like this, Senji," Leticia's voice, firm but warm, filled the air, "so quick to judge and condemn yourself."

His eyes, filled with that brightness that seemed to capture the stars, watched him with a mixture of sadness and determination.

"But you never asked me what I think," she continued, taking a step toward him. His smile did not disappear, as if he kept an unshakable truth. "It doesn't matter how much you insist that you don't deserve it. Love is not something you can refuse so easily, especially when I already gave it, a long time ago, to someone like you."

A flash of surprise flashed across Senji's face, followed by an expression that was difficult to read. It was as if something inside him was beginning to crack, that armor of guilt and rejection he had built up over centuries.

"Leticia..." she whispered, averting her gaze, as if his eyes were not worthy of resting on her.

She didn't stop, getting a little closer, with light but determined steps. Every word of his seemed to carve a deeper crack in the walls he had erected.

"Do you know what it means to me?" she asked softly, tilting her head slightly to seek his gaze. "May you still be here, even after all. Keep fighting, even when you think you don't deserve anything. For me, that's enough."

Senji clenched his fists, unable to find an immediate response. Leticia's words sank into his mind, echoing something he had buried so long ago: a tiny spark of redemption, of hope.

Finally, he sighed and looked up, meeting Leticia's eyes. In them he saw something that completely disarmed him: the truth of their affection, so pure and resolute, that he could not deny it.

"If so..." He muttered, in a voice that mixed weariness and acceptance, "I can't escape it, can I?"

Leticia's smile widened, radiating a warmth that seemed capable of healing even the deepest wounds.

"No, you cannot," she replied tenderly. "But you don't have to, either."

Senji let out a faint laugh, more of a sigh than a show of humor, as he lowered his head, defeated, but... take it easy.

"Wonderful and incredible," he murmured, looking up at Leticia again. "That's who you are, Leticia Draculea. A jewel that not only shines, but also defies everything I thought I knew."

Leticia watched him in silence, her smile remaining, but with a slight blush tinging her cheeks. It was rare, almost unheard of, to hear Senji praise someone like that.

Before she could answer, Senji straightened up, raising an eyebrow with a slight gesture of defiance that only he could make seem natural.

"But I'm not going to let you outdo me so easily," he said, pointing to the pool table. "I still have a game to finish, and if you're so determined to stay by my side, you better show me if you can be up to me."

Leticia let out a soft laugh at his clumsy but unique way of inviting her to play.

"Are you sure you want to lose to me?" she replied with a hint of mischief in her voice.

At that moment, Shiroyasha, who had remained silent until then, stepped forward, holding the pool stick.

"Oh, what an inconvenience," she said with a mischievous smile, handing the stick to Senji. "It seems that I have something urgent to attend to. You two have fun."

Senji and Leticia exchanged glances, both perfectly aware of Shiroyasha's clear intention.

"What a consideration of yours," Senji commented dryly, turning to the pool table. Then he looked at Leticia, extending the stick with a gesture of invitation. "Well, what do you say?"

Leticia took the stick elegantly, revealing a small smile that reflected her contained joy.

"I say it will be interesting to see if the great [Demon Lord] is as skilled at billiards as he is at his praise."

They both positioned themselves next to the table, while the sound of the balls being placed echoed through the room, marking the beginning of something more than a game: a step towards their reconciliation.

❅──────✧✦✧──────❅•

Japan

"How long will it take, Senji, to return?"

That was Masachika's question.

"He said it would take a while," Julie replied, "since he had a reunion with someone from the past."

"From the past?" Masachika was confused. "How much of the past are we talking about. The only person I remember from my childhood spending with Senji, was, Ai Hoshino."

"I'm surprised too, you know! At what a time, Senji, did you meet someone else besides me!"

A hysterical, Ai Hoshino, was present in the classroom.

"Leaving her aside. You also mentioned new people coming in today."

Masachika and Julie left Ai aside.

"Yes. Kurumi Tokisaki, Sawa Yamauchi, Akame Tokisaki and Kurome Tokisaki. These new people are acquaintances of Senji. But... Akame and Kurome work for the Muramasa Clan. I was surprised to hear that they have a last name."

"Huh? Why wouldn't they have last names?" Masachika was confused.

"It was three years ago when Akame and Kurome were picked up by Senji. That's all I know. As well as that they did not have surnames."

"So... they recently received surnames. Isn't it a bad thing of Senji not to give them one?"

"... Yes... but no one pointed it out to Senji..."

Masachika's eyebrows rose, staring at Julie's impassive face.

"... It's my fault..."

"No, it's not your fault," he replied quickly, firmly. "Senji has a loose screw."

Julie wanted to defend him, but there was no way to deceive herself with that truth.

He sighed, Masachika.

"Well... then, you know how long it may take to come back, Senji?"

Julie shook her head in denial.

"He just said it was an important matter... and nothing else. He did not want to reveal to me the truth of his journey."

"Good, good. We can only hope that he returns. And we are close to Christmas. I wonder what he will do this time."

"Hm..." Julie, bowed her head, "last year we went to Canada. And Senji was serving his sentence in the Juvenile Prison."

"Ah?! What the heck! It's the first time I've heard that!"

"I think apart from going to Canada. They also left... to Greece."

That was the response of Ai, who was silently listening to Masachika and Julie's conversation.

"How do you know that?"

Julie showed an expressive face of surprise.

"I remember saying that I was investigating Senji, right?"

"Impossible... There was no way the trip could be easily filtered through."

Julie was skeptical of Ai's achievement.

"You can say that I have a good information network."

Julie's eyebrows trembled, so she said, Ai.

"She's dangerous... in his own way."

"It seems that someone is good at getting information. If so, why don't you get information about what he's doing right now, Senji."

What he said, Masachika, was a spark that ignited Ai's interior, feeling challenged by what he had heard.

"Good! I'll get information on what you're doing, Senji, in Italy! Muahaha!"

Grabbing her smartphone, she left the classroom, leaving behind a confused group, Masachika and Julie, who were watching her noisy exit.

"It looks like you awakened something dangerous inside her," Julie looked at Masachika.

"Cogh, Cogh. It is ok. At least, she'll be distracted for a while... he does not manage to quickly discover Senji's actions in Italy."

"Don't raise a flag," Julie's soft, gentle voice showed a little fear.

"I'm sorry."

Julie began to get up from her seat. "I will return to my classroom, the start of class is already beginning. And also the arrival of two new students."

"So Class 1-D will receive the new students we talked about."

"Yes, but I have no information about who will arrive. So it will be a discovery. And class 1-C where Senji is, will receive the other two students."

"If so, I can receive information from Ayano about students enrolled in 1-C."

"See you later."

❅──────✧✦✧──────❅•

"This is fun."

Kurumi, with a dazzling and happy face. He was walking down the hallway of the Seiren Private Academy, heading for the classroom that was placed.

Since he had arrived, he walked around the school campus offered by this high school. Getting a little interested.

After a while, she returned to the classroom she was assigned, 1-D. Standing next to her, was Kurome Tokisaki. With a bored face while eating Taiyaki.

"Good, Imouto. I hope this school life is to your liking."

"Sure," was Kurome's reply, and he continued to eat another Taiyaki, Kurumi's words not taking any importance.

"Ara, ara. I have a spoiled Imouto who needs a little punishment."

"I'm happy to receive a school life," Kurome straightened his posture, letting go of what he was eating.

He didn't have a reason as to why he had straightened his body, but, he didn't want to know what kind of punishment he was going to receive from the new person he had to be protecting.

"They can enter."

The Master's voice reached the ears of the two girls waiting on the other side of the door.

Kurumi and Kurome advanced with slow steps reaching the blackboard where they grabbed the white chalk and wrote their names: Kurumi Tokisaki and Kurome Tokisaki.

"Nice to meet you. I hope I won't be a nuisance in the remainder of the first school year. I will be happy to make new friends."

"Likewise," Kurome was drier in his presentation. Letting Kurumi shine by her presence, and the beauty that captivated the students, male and female alike.

"What a beautiful girl."

"Will she have a boyfriend?"

They were some small voices that were heard the most. Kurumi was amused by what they heard about her.

In the classroom, 1-C. The same presentation was repeated.

Akame didn't say much about her. Letting Sawa be the main character in the presentation. Absentmindedly eating a sweet, without receiving a complaint from the Master.

"Good, good. You can take any seat you want. And, they should also know that they can't eat in class."

Akame understood perfectly well that they were referring to her, stopping eating the candy she had brought.

Sawa and Akame took seats from the back rows on the right that were not occupied. Sitting next to each other.

"We started science class."

❅──────✧✦✧──────❅•

Italy

The pool game was with a close score.

"By the way. There's one topic that I find intriguing."

"Hm..." Senji gestured to continue.

"Shiroyasha... He gave me information that you ended up having more daughters. I thought my case was special and unique in having a daughter with you, Senji."

"Oh... So you talk about them. You're right, it was something unique and special if we're talking about hundreds of years ago when we had a daughter... How old is she, Alice?"

"…" Leticia looked blankly at Senji, "436 years old. I had forgotten that you are forgetful over time. Do you remember how old you are exactly?"

"Have..." Senji began to calculate his age. "We are already over 1000 years old... 100 years I did nothing... it was also the birth of Alicia at that time... then 100 years I started with my crazy things and I had fun for a while playing with Shiroyasha, as well as annoying Scathcath and some other characters... when I was already around 1300 years old I was "sealed" for two hundred years... so I'm over 1500 years old... How old are you, Leticia?"

"1544. We are almost the same age."

"Really?" Senji, opened his mouth in surprise. "Hm... I even forgot the day I was born. It may have been on March 15th... August 24th... I don't even remember anymore."

"I think the day of birth is irrelevant for immortals. I don't remember mine anymore either. So I ended up making my birth day January 1st."

Senji nodded. "It's the best decision. Why be fighting for an exact date of birth that you don't even remember anymore."

They chatted quietly while playing at the same time.

"What do you plan to do in this new life, Senji?"

Preparing his turn to strike, Senji quickly thought about his answer.

"Nothing."

The ball entered the hole cleanly.

"If you don't mind my question. I would like to know sincerely from the heart about the lifestyle you had as [Demon Lord]. Leaving aside regrets and everything you have carried inside you. How do you describe the life you had? Funny, mediocre or sinking?"

Senji delved into his memories as he thought of a simple answer. The lifestyle he led may be repulsive to many, but it was a decision he ultimately decided to lead. He didn't care much about the opinions others had of him or claims they had against him, being several important people he had met along the way before becoming a Demon Lord.

"Hm. It was a lot of fun. Removing some traumas I had at the beginning of my journey in Little Garden. As well as losing several friendships when I became a villain. I don't think anyone likes it when one of their friends becomes a criminal."

"It would be rare for them to do so."

It seems that the two of them had the same thought. And the match ended with Leticia's victory.

"I'd like to hear from something," Leticia sensed a trace of seriousness in Senji's voice. Signaling that it will continue. "Is something major going to happen in Little Garden?"

Leticia with her expressionless face, answered with the truth.

"It's been a thousand years now. So the other year, the war for the [Solar Authorities] begins. And various communities, deities, and heroes are preparing to participate... But there are two new rules in this new war."

"It's the first time I've heard that."

"They cannot be killed, and only children under twenty years of age can participate."

Senji raised an eyebrow. "There are ways that deities can lower their ages to easily enter this war."

"Unfortunately, that is going to happen. It is rumored that Odin may be participating in this war, or someone may participate in his name."

"Oh... it would be interesting to fight Odin, but, I have no interest at this time in doing so."

"Won't you participate?"

Senji with a shake of his head, denied his involvement.

"Although it would be fun to fight with deities and heroes. Right now I don't want to be part of that troubled life."

"Well, I understand if you want that."

Leticia left the pool stick in its respective place, she glanced sideways at Senji.

"Are you going to do anything else?"

"I was thinking of traveling to the Vatican. After all, he has a way of traveling to Little Garden."

"Hm. Someone will participate in the name of the [Pope] in the war."

"I think it would be the first time that humans from the outside are going to participate in a major event in Little Garden."

Leticia shrugged. "Times change."

"Do you have more information about the participants?" asked Senji, after hearing Leticia's answers speaking lightly about the war by the solar authorities.

"What I need to know what I have to do."

"Huh? So you're going to participate," Senji pointed out surprised by Leticia's participation.

"Since it is forbidden to kill, this time I will participate. The war of a thousand years ago caused the death of half a million participants. That's why they included this rule."

"It was a massacre that day. But I got the [Leo Solar Authority]. Giving me a huge advantage for the future."

"For the victims it was absolute terror," a small sweat appeared on Leticia's cheeks.

"Leaving that aside. Would you like to go and walk the streets of Italy?"

"Hm... It's okay, I have nothing to do right now."

They left the private room reserved by Shiroyasha.