“And that’s how it became a custom to tell lies and play jokes on the first of April. They call the holiday April Fools’.” “I see...” Hajime and the others were still recuperating after their ordeal in Haltina’s labyrinth. Thanks to the Compass of Eternal Paths’ ability to guide anyone through Haltina’s disorienting fog, Hajime had been able to go on a date in the forest with Yue. As the pair had been exploring, they’d discovered a tree with vivid pink flowers. The flowers had reminded Hajime of the spring cherry blossoms back in Japan, and he’d started telling Yue about all the spring customs that existed on earth. Yue had listened with rapt attention, interested in knowing anything and everything about Hajime’s homeland. “...But for Verbergen, this is the start of the new year.” “Oh yeah, you’re right. Ulfric said something about how this new year was the best in living memory because it was the one where everyone was reunited with their freed friends and family.” In Japan, too, spring marked the start of new beginnings. In that sense, one could consider that Verbergen was currently celebrating the start of April. “Hmm...” Yue put a hand on her chin, striking a pose reminiscent of the thinking emoji. Hajime gave her a quizzical look, but her only reply was a playful smile. After returning from their date, the two split up. Hajime went back to practice transmuting some more, while Yue went to go find Kaori. “Mmm... Oh, there you are.” Yue found Kaori talking to a group of elderly beastmen. She was curing their aches and pains with a combination of healing and restoration magic. Every time she did little charity events like this, the number of people worshiping her grew. Yue grinned wickedly and then worked her facial muscles to transform that wicked grin into a smile of pure joy. By the time she was done, she looked over the moon. In fact, she wouldn’t have looked out of place skipping merrily through a meadow. Making sure to keep her smile perfect, Yue passed in front of Kaori. “Huh? Yue? D-Did something happen? You look way happier than usual.” I’ve got you now, Kaori! Yue purposely took a moment to react, then blushed as if she was embarrassed at being seen so happy. Considering how skilled her acting was, she could probably join a filming company back on earth. Kaori walked over to Yue, a little wary. The old beastmen also gave Yue somewhat suspicious looks. Yue’s normal lack of expression was famous throughout Verbergen. “Mmm? Oh, it’s nothing. Fufufu.” The way Yue phrased it made it clear there was something. Her smile grew wider. I wonder what kind of reaction Kaori will have. I can’t wait to find out! In a way, Yue was more obsessed with Kaori than she was with Hajime. “Oh come on, it’s obvious something’s made you happy! Tell me!” Don’t keep teasing us like this! Kaori’s smile seemed to say. At that moment, Yue was certain. This was the best acting she’d ever pull off in her life. Yue’s motivation and focus rose, and she said, “I’m pregnant!” “......Huh?” Kaori left an even longer pause between her words than Yue usually did. Her smile froze in place and she tilted her head in confusion. “I’m pregnant with Hajime’s baby!” “Oh, I see. You’re pregnant. It all makes sense now.” Kaori nodded up and down like a broken doll. After a few seconds, she finally processed Yue’s words. “Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!?” Her scream resounded throughout all Verbergen. Yue pumped her fist behind her, making sure Kaori couldn’t see her celebrating her victory. She never tired of seeing Kaori’s overblown reactions. “Baby? What’s a baby!? Wait, I know what a baby is! It’s a baby! What should we do, Yue!? Oh, I guess congratulations! Hahahahaha!” Seeing Kaori fall into a panic spurred Yue even further. This was the perfect moment for the final blow. Later, Yue would come to regret not quitting while she was ahead. “Thank you, Kaori. And goodbye.” “Huh?” “Now that I’m pregnant, I can’t allow you near Hajime anymore. He already accepted Shea, so she can stay, but you’ll have to go. Thank you for all your help until now.” “......” “Don’t worry, I’ll become happy enough for the both of us!” “......” “Oh, also, Hajime will come back with your original body later. Isn’t that great, Kaori? You can go back to being you!” Naturally, the implication here was that Kaori could never become Hajime’s lover now. I wonder how she’ll react to that. “CoNgrAtulAtionS YuE. I hOpE YouR bAbY iS HeaLThy. I’lL Do mY bEsT toO.” “...Mmm?” Kaori gave Yue an unbelievably gentle smile and hugged her.
Wait, this isn’t what I was expecting. But before Yue could voice her doubts, Kaori once again said in her robotic voice, “TaRgEt HaJiMe-KuN. ObJeCtiVe, cOmPlEtE tHe MisSioN. KaoRi ShiRasaKi, HeAdiNg OuT.” “Huh? W-Wait, this is just A-April—” Yue tried to explain she was just doing an April Fools’ joke, but Kaori had already dashed off. She ran faster than the wind, intent on completing her objective. A second later, there was a thunderous roar in the distance. It appeared Yue had pushed Kaori a little too far. “Th-This might be a problem.” Stuttering for the first time in what might have been ever, Yue hurried over to where the explosion had happened. Panicked as she was, she didn’t notice the person trailing after her. “This is a huge scoop! My pride as an editor demands I find out more!” Editor Mao followed Yue to Verbergen’s central plaza. “Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahn! Hajime-kun, you idiot! Congratulations!” “What the heck are you on about!? Whoa, stop, that’s dangerous! Quit disintegrating things! Are you trying to kill me!?” Hundreds of Divine Shackles floated around Kaori like the snakes in Medusa’s hair. On top of that, she was swinging wildly with both her greatswords and firing disintegration feathers everywhere. Though she was crying, her dead eyes, merciless attacks, and demonic stand floating behind her told Hajime she’d lost it. She was going berserk. Honestly, I’m the one who wants to cry here! Hajime thought to himself. He still had no idea what was going on. Despite the fact that Kaori was attacking him, she kept congratulating him as well. Though every congratulation was punctuated with a “Just stay right there, Hajime-kun! It’ll all be over soon! Just let me knock you out and it’ll all be over!” “What the hell’s gotten into you!?” However, no matter what Hajime said, Kaori refused to explain. “Please try and understand, Hajime-kun! This is my only hope now!” “Your only hope for what!? You’ve gotta explain or I won’t know what’s going on, Kaori! Wait, did you just use evolution magic too!? You’re moving as well as Noint was when she got serious!” Berserk mode Kaori was moving so fast she left afterimages behind her. It was entirely possible Verbergen would be the site of The Monster of the Abyss vs. God’s Apostle round 2. Naturally, Haltina’s capital was suffering the shockwaves of their battle. Shea, Tio, Kouki’s group, and even Ulfric and the other elders all rushed out to see what the commotion was. “Hey Kaori, what are you doing!?” “Kaori-saaaaaan. I don’t know what you’re fighting about, but you need to calm down!” Shizuku and Shea called out to her. She did appear to have heard them, but her response was a desperate, “I can’t calm down! This is my only hope! Unless I force Hajime-kun’s hand, it’s all over for me! I need to get pregnant, just like Yue did!” “WHAT!?” Everyone, including Hajime, exclaimed in surprise. In fact, Hajime was more surprised than anyone by this bombshell revelation. Just then, Yue burst onto the scene. She’d finally caught up. Hajime turned to her and gave her a questioning look. Sweating profusely, Yue smiled awkwardly back at him. That was all Hajime needed to know what must have happened. Just do something about Kaori! Hajime mouthed silently, and Yue nodded in affirmation. “Extra, extra, read all about it! One of the Chosen, Hajime Nagumo, has become a father! It appears he has gotten Yue pregnant! Does this mean he plans to abandon Kaori-sama!? And how will Kaori-sama’s relationship with him develop from here!?” Mao flew high overhead, dropping freshly printed newspapers left and right. Like any true reporter, she’d gotten her article finished while the news was still fresh. The citizens of Verbergen were in an uproar. Some were even screaming “Nagumo-dono, please bless Kaori-sama with a child too!” Those were likely her most fervent followers. Hajime turned desperately to Yue and pleaded for help. “Hurry up and do something about this!” Yue nodded and responded in turn. “U-Umm, Kaori? I-It’s a misunderstanding. The truth is—” “Huh? The truth is... what? Don’t tell me everything was a lie? That you told such a tasteless joke to me of all people?” Kaori turned toward Yue with a smile as she said that. Surely you wouldn’t say something like that to me despite knowing how I feel. I know we fight a lot, but I know you’re someone I can trust. And someone I can trust would never do that, right? her accusatory glare seemed to say. Sweat was cascading down Yue’s forehead in a waterfall now. She looked around helplessly. “Th-The truth is... Hajime will g-give you a child soon too, Kaori...” Yue passed the buck onto Hajime. Kaori turned back to him, both swords still at the ready. It was obvious she’d really kill him if he was lying. Meanwhile, Shea and the others all yelled at her. “What’s the meaning of this!?” “Yueeeeee, I can’t believe you of all people would betray me like this!” Yue couldn’t bring herself to meet Hajime’s gaze as he snapped at her. Afterward, Hajime was forced to use Overload to restrain Kaori long enough to finally solve the whole misunderstanding. For a few days following the incident, Yue was forced to sit outside Verbergen’s main gate holding up a sign saying “I’m a naughty vampire.” She swore to never pull a prank like that again.
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