Looks like what Riko said is real. Based on those words alone, it is clear that her father only punishes her not because of spite but because they think Riko will struggle now that she is alone and she is no longer in their care. They think Riko will not survive out here without their help and will sooner or later come back to them once she realizes that things are not the same without them. It's kind of toxic but I think it's also necessary for them to know that not everyone can be like that. Knowing Riko, and knowing that we are there to support her, I don't think Riko will actually be doing what they think she will do after what they did to her.
Hearing what I needed to hear, I quietly backed away from them and leave them before they can notice my existence.
Before going back home, I decided to go buy some groceries for the mansion. With the addition of Riko, we needed more supplies of food and other daily necessities. Knowing Riko has a big appetite, it would make sense to stock up on more food. Plus, I also wanted to properly celebrate Riko's birthday as well. With her original birthday party ruined, perhaps remaking the party like how we celebrate her birthday in the past years, would cheer her up and also allow her to forget the problem in her family.
I am planning to cook lots of food for the night so I picked up many things for the party tonight plus all the food and other necessities as well stocked up,
While having my grocery run, someone I didn't expect to cross paths with today appeared before me. Of course, we are not acquainted with this current timeline but in the past timeline? Sure enough, I am.
Who are they? It's none other than Kazuki and Akari. One made me miserable and caused me to be injured before returning to the past, while the other is the bait that I didn't know I gladly have bitten before being dragged into a trap carefully made by them.
Kazuki and I have crossed paths in the game multiple times and our interactions really didn't proceed that far for him to think of me as an actual threat and he still didn't know that most of his current misery is being made by me. The only direct confrontation where he knows about me is during the Battle For Blood competition and of course, during the Luminous Continent's expedition where he failed miserably. He is not acquainted with me in real life and I prefer it that way but sooner or later, we will cross paths in the real life as well until then, I would rather prepare more.
I have loved Akari before. Like my real girlfriend. After all, she was my first girlfriend and the only girlfriend that I wished to marry and spend my life with. We clicked immediately and I thought she would be someone who will grow old with me in sickness and in health but I guess she's not.
After knowing the secret in the past timeline, and seeing their current interactions, it is clear that I was just a fool in the past timeline.
Thankfully, I don't know them in this current timeline so it isn't awkward for me at the moment. If I do, it wouldn't be so peaceful like this.
Finishing my groceries, I paid for all of the stuff I bought, put them in my car, and drive off without looking back. It's better that way and thankfully, I managed to hold everything in before I can't take it anymore and perhaps attacked them. They might not have done any crimes in this timeline just yet, but forgiving their other self is not easy. It's better not to interact with them just yet. I don't want to seek trouble at the moment.
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When I returned, everyone has already settled down all of the stuff that Riko carried with her from her old home. Suhei and Akira helped each other out by helping the girls carry the heavy stuff so they finished just in time as well.
"Oh, Manato. You are back. Seeing from the amount of shopping bags you carry, you shop for food and other supplies? But we just restocked a few days ago. We still have plenty of food inside the fridge," Rika was bewildered why I bought more.
"I just had an idea. Since we didn't get to enjoy our stay at Riko's birthday party, why not celebrate it again but this time, with our own twist? Her party was ruined and it's her day so even though the day has passed by since then, perhaps we should have at least a proper celebration for her, plus it's a party to celebrate living with us."
"That's not a bad idea, Master! I didn't even get to eat properly during that party so it would be great to have another one here!" Pixie hovers around me, in agreement with my notion.
"I agree. It is indeed good for us to celebrate. But would Riko be fine with it?" Rika asked.
"Don't worry. It's good. And besides, I am dissatisfied with the food at the party, I want to celebrate my own party where I enjoy myself and enjoy the good food and company of my friends!"
"It's decided then! Tonight, we will have a yakiniku and Barbecue Party!"
And so, the party went on. With everyone enjoying the party, I am enjoying it as well. And even though I didn't bring any alcoholic drinks, the girls got drunk with the atmosphere of everyone partying. I can't believe I would see them get drunk despite not drinking any alcoholic drinks. I guess that was real and I didn't know that could really happen.
That evening, everyone was asleep. As for me, I am not able to go to sleep much. We are on the rooftop of my mansion and the night sky is bright and beautiful, the stars are present as well and the moon is shining brightly in the sky. The peace of mind that I felt, and hanging out with my friends, I am happy that I get to experience it once again. An experience that I keep on yearning for in the past.
It was getting late so I decided to carry them back downstairs. Even Suhei who I thought would remain up is asleep with Pandora. Carrying them while trying to avoid from waking them up is hard but thankfully, I am so skilled with it that before I knew it, they are all in their own respective rooms.
Cleaning up after the party is hard but thankfully, magic has been making things much easier now and due to it, the burden of cleaning up after the party has been lifted a lot.
However, I then realize it. Since magic has been slowly forming in this world, are other worlds colliding with our world now? I have read a few stories that have people practicing mana and gaining magic can create a portal where monsters will slowly tear away the barrier that separates us and them, causing monsters to flood here. I am unsure of that little notion but it's pretty possible. After all, I have even fought and almost defeated one of the monsters that tear through reality and space.
And with the elves slowly pouring in here as well, things started to take a weird turn. The past timeline didn't progress quite well like this in the first place and although there are some bizarre things here and there, there are not that many of them. It made me wonder for a little bit.
Things started to take a weird turn after changing many things that should have happened in the past timeline. So many things that I prepared for many consequences but nothing much happened. Perhaps, these little changes that I did have caused the timeline to get different, and progress at a faster rate, and now things have become quite unpredictable.
I am still not sure whether it is the real deal or it's just my assumption but seeing how many things I have changed, perhaps the single ripple in the water has already made thousands of unseen changes. Even my current existence should be different as well. Perhaps my own existence here shouldn't even occur or happen here.
My head hurts just thinking about it. I welcome all the changes that are happening and perhaps I would face every consequence that will happen to me after changing things. But is it fine? Is it really fine for me to change things? I don't know and I still wonder about it from time to time. But until then, perhaps I should continue living my life to the fullest and enjoy the life I have with my friends and family. Even for a short while, this is the only little wish that I am trying to achieve.
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