The Wandering of an Unstuck Stepbro: Multiverse Travel

Chapter 324: Stuff to do

(Ryoto's pov)

You know what? No day like today, as they say. That's why I decided to visit Zastin today. It's also not so late yet, so I don't want to waste time. I may not remember exactly the way to our office, but there are ways around it. I just need to find a strong signature in the city in the direction where I think our workplace is. Zastin is a Devilukean and is much stronger than an ordinary human and I wouldn't mistake him for Yami either.

As I was about to exit the house, Yoruichi jumped on my head. It seemed that she wanted to tag along.

While going towards the studio, it started jogging my memory a bit, and I started remembering the way more and more, and in no time, I arrived at my destination. I was well aware that Zastin was inside, so I entered without knocking.

Even though Zastin is a... I want to say he is a first-rate warrior, but I feel like he was hit by a train one too many times to have this title. Maybe we can call him a first-rate warrior with a weakness towards trains. His kryptonite, if you will. Hmm... it could work, I suppose.

I nodded my head in agreement with my own idea.

Wait, where was I? Right. Even though Zastin is a first-rate warrior with a weakness to trains, he didn't react to me entering the building. It wasn't because I was hiding my presence or even Zastin's incompetence. I was not releasing a dangerous aura in any form, so Zastin didn't detect me as he was focused on his manuscript.

I coughed into my fist to get his attention, and Zastin quickly spun around in haste. He squinted his eyes to see better since his vision was worsened by the light from the still-opened door to the entrance, but before he even saw who I was, he went down on one knee.

"Forgive me, Your Highness! I wasn't expecting your visit today!"

Joking aside, it didn't exactly feel unnatural since I'm used to my subordinates bowing like that when they report to me, but Zastin wasn't my subordinate just yet, so I closed the door behind me and spoke up.

"What are you doing, Zastin?"

Hearing my voice, the Devilukean was confused, and he raised his head to take a better look at me. Now that there wasn't a light source blinding him, he recognized me.

"Ryoto-dono!? What!? I swear it was-! But that presence-!"

Zastin seemed to confuse me for Gid for some reason. Maybe it's my aura of a leader that I built up during my career as a Captain, or maybe it's my Byakko's side that gives off this vibe of an emperor. After all, white tigers can symbolize royalty as well.

"Never mind that, Zastin. I have some time, and I don't know how busy I'll be in the near future, so we should get some work done."

"Yes!"

Zastin saluted me, habit, I assume, as he would to his superior. I ignored it, and we started working.

---

It was fun coming up with ideas for the story. Of course, first, I needed to refresh my memory of what we had created so far. Then, I gave some ideas using my own creativity and what I remembered of Spider-Man. 

It was productive, but I wanted to leave before the night came, so I said my goodbye to Zastin and left. I could get home fast if I wanted to by using Shunpo, but I decided to take a walk home once again. It wasn't a walk. I was just walking home. There's a big difference, and I don't want the universe crushing on my head because of the semantics.

In the city, I noticed a familiar-looking blonde girl sitting on a bench and reading some magazines. She hadn't noticed me yet, so before I decided to do anything, I held Yoruichi in my hands in front of me.

"So what do you think, Yoruichi? Should I approach her normally, or should I prank her a bit?"

"Meow."

"Wow, you want me to scare her? You really are evil, Yoruichi, and you must be a terrible influence because I'm considering it. You know what, I'm going to poke her, and that's all, but if anything happens, it's on you."@@novelbin@@

Yoruichi gave me the flattest of stares a cat could manage.

"Don't give me that look, young lady. It was your idea in the first place."

This time, Yoruichi didn't even try to argue as she slapped me with her Paw. It didn't hurt, but her audacity was evident.

"Someone doesn't want her fish to be tasty, I see."

This time, my cat gave me a look that said, 'Just try it.'

I put her back on top of my head. Stupid cat being cute even when she tries to be threatening. Also, I think she would get her fish even without me. Maybe she would get the penguins to help her.

But now, because the devil (cat) whispered into my ear, I was forced to do what I was about to do. It certainly wasn't because I liked surprising a professional assassin. I was establishing my dominance and fucking around at the same time.

I got silently closer to Yami and poked her side, which caused her to jump away in alarm and transform her hair into a big fist in an attempt to smash me.

I smiled as I put my index finger up and covered it in haki. The hair-fist-shaped fist crushed into my finger and stopped without pushing it back even a little. Using Haki was probably overkill, but whatever. I couldn't use it for a long time, so every bit of training can help—even if it feels like I'm bullying a child.

"Hey, Yami." I greeted her with a smile, at which she narrowed her eyes.

"Ryoto Yuuki, you've become even more dangerous since I last saw you, strangely so. Every part of my body tells me that you are dangerous."

Despite saying that, Yami didn't make any attempts to escape or even defend.

"Hmm~ then why aren't you trying to avoid me?" I asked curiously.

"Because you are my target, and I will not abandon my mission once I accept it. Also, if the princess of Deviluke is attached to you, then you can't be a bad person, even if you are ecchi. I'll still kill you, though."

Or so she said, but I could read her like a book if I wished to. What she said is partially true, and her feelings tell me that she believes what she is saying, but there are more layers. She isn't afraid of me even though she feels how dangerous I am. I don't know how much she feels, but I'm sure she still downplays my danger level.

"Fair enough. Want a lollipop?"

I offered her a lollipop, which she accepted. Do I need to teach her not to take candy from strangers? Maybe I should. When she took the treat from me, her eyes wandered up to the top of my head. Right, I haven't introduced Yoruichi yet. Once again, I took the black beauty from there, much to her dismay, and brought her in front of Yami.

"Yami, this is Yoruichi, my cat and lucky animal. Yoruichi, this is Yami. She is an assassin who was hired to kill me, and as you have heard, she didn't give up just yet, so protect me when the time's come." 

I'm sure Yoruichi rolled her eyes, but then she tilted her feline head and bopped Yami on the nose.

Cute.

"Do you want to hold her?"

I asked, and since Yoruichi didn't try to escape my grasp, she allowed it.

Yami didn't take her eyes off my cat and carefully brought her arms out to hold her. Having the animal in her arms, she allowed a smile to creep up on her face. It wasn't a big smile, but on her usually expressionless face, it looked big.

We sat together on a bench in silence as we locked our snacks while Yami petted Yoruchi. Yami was a troubled girl, but I hoped that times like these would make her feel better or at least allow her some time of peace.

---

END

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