Aroha closes her eyes, her eyelashes casting delicate shadows on her cheeks, and keeps twiddling her tongue inside my mouth, unable to hold back her desire. The soft warmth of her lips presses against mine in a lingering, passionate embrace. Suddenly, she pulls back, giving me time to catch my breath. I gasp, my heart racing, then ask, "What are you doing?!"
Her pupils widen, and a mischievous glint dances in her eyes as she responds, "What I've suppressed for two entire months." She leans in for another kiss, her longing palpable, but this time, I close my mouth, my instincts taking over. I am much faster than she'll ever be. Grabbing her by the shoulders, I gently push her off. She pouts, her lips still tingling with desire, and sits on the couch, facing the TV. I ask her, my voice filled with concern, "Is that truly what you want to do?"
She responds while quickly turning her head away, her flowing black hair resting over her shoulders like a silky bundle of pillows, "Do you even get how cool you are?" I never really viewed myself like that. Placing my hand on my chin, I contemplate one final thought, the room around us bathed in the soft, warm glow of the evening sun, casting a gentle amber hue across the walls. When I fight everyone, I'm putting on a show to hide my fear, I wonder how much of that 'show' is 'my true self'. If Aroha really loves me that much to want to do that, I have no reason to deny her.
Quickly grabbing the remote, I switch to YouTube, and the room fills with the sweet, soulful melodies of romantic music, its soft notes dancing in the air like whispered promises. Aroha asks, her voice a gentle, melodious inquiry, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, "What are you doing?" I grab her left hand and place it behind her head, causing her to lay on the opposite end of the couch, her eyes now reflecting a mixture of surprise and desire, her lips parting slightly as she anticipates what's to come, "What I've suppressed for two entire months." Her face turns bright red, and she sticks out her lips, her anticipation and longing palpable in the air, her breathing growing shallower.
I really do have a great girlfriend.
Going in, our lips intertwine once again, not separating for a couple of minutes. The world outside seems to fade away, leaving only the sensation of her soft lips pressed against mine, the rhythmic rise and fall of our chests as we breathe as one, a fact that brings me much joy. Our relationship isn't ending anytime soon.
Sweating, the proof of our love glistening on our skin, we lay there for a moment, basking in the afterglow of our passionate encounter. She gracefully extricated herself from our embrace and made her way towards the kitchen. Each step she took, every sway of her hips, was a testament to the sensuality and intimacy we had just shared. After reaching the kitchen, she carefully wiped her lips, a satisfied smile playing on her face. With a soft, sultry tone, she whispered, "That was good. I'm recharged now."
Seated on the comfortable couch, I eagerly took the remote control and powered up Attack on Titan, just as we had planned. The room was filled with anticipation, the air electric with excitement. In the kitchen, she dedicated herself to the task of preparing a generous bowl of popcorn, its irresistible aroma wafting through the room and intensifying the cinematic experience. Alongside the popcorn, she fetched two glasses of chilled water, a gesture of considerate care that didn't go unnoticed. Gratitude flowed naturally as I told her, "Thanks."
As the epic tale of Attack on Titan began to unfold on the screen, we found ourselves immersed in the fourth season, recently released to much fanfare. She couldn't contain her enthusiasm, and when Eren, the central character, declared war on Marley, her voice rang out with unbridled passion, echoing the same dialogue as before, "Eren, c'mon, do it! Destroy them!"
Watching Eren's relentless pursuit of his people's freedom, I drew parallels between his journey and my own. We both faced monumental, seemingly insurmountable challenges for the greater good, although the scale of my mission encompassed all of humanity, while his was confined to his own race. Deep within my thoughts, I grappled with the question of whether I truly wanted to eliminate the limitations imposed by statistics. I had grown addicted to the power that had liberated me from my predetermined fate. However, a nagging voice of caution urged me to resist the allure of mortal sin. I needed to steel myself and reaffirm my resolve. And so, we continued watching Attack on Titan, captivated by the unfolding drama until the gripping tenth episode drew to a close.
Aroha and I savored the last few morsels of popcorn, indulging in their buttery, crunchy goodness as we discussed the thought-provoking episodes we had just watched. I leaned back on the couch, caught in contemplation, and finally asked, "Dude, is Eren the true hero?" The flickering light from the TV screen danced in our eyes as we pondered this question. Aroha, with a hint of amusement in her voice, responded, "I mean, not to the world, but to us viewers, yes. Marley declared war and left Paradis to be devoured for a hundred years." Her perspective on Eren's role in the story was clear, and it prompted me to counter, "Yeah, but does that mean global genocide is the answer?"
She, in her characteristic manner, shut down that point of view with a well-thought-out response, "The world is using fearmongering to support their war path. They want Paradis' resources, and the cycle of hatred must end, as the Owl said, right?" Her words carried a weight of conviction as she emphasized the importance of breaking this cycle of conflict and misunderstanding. With a nod of agreement, I acknowledged, "Yeah, I guess you're right on that. Well, are you ready to go to bed?" The clock on the wall reminded us of the lateness of the hour.
Aroha nodded in response, and we both rose from the couch. She shut off the lights and locked the doors, ending in heading towards our separate rooms. Just as I was about to close my bedroom door, she surprised me by blowing me a playful kiss. My heart skipped a beat, and she looked undeniably alluring in that moment. Shyness crept in, and I closed the door with a warm, lingering smile. A few moments later, I heard the soft click of her door closing as well. Lying on my bed, the events of the evening and the discussion about the show still fresh in my mind, I gradually began to doze off, my thoughts and emotions blending into the realm of dreams.
In my dream, I found myself slowly awakening to the realization that I was, indeed, inside a dream. The surroundings were an expanse of pure, blinding white. My senses struggled to comprehend the sheer emptiness that enveloped me, a stark contrast to the vivid world I had been in moments before.
Amidst this ethereal void, a solitary chair materialized before me. I felt compelled to take a seat, my curiosity overriding the surreal nature of the situation. As I settled into the chair, a strange and unexpected transformation began to unfold. The once immaculate white atmosphere began to darken, and darkness crept in, engulfing me in an abyss of pitch black.
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A presence, unknown and undoubtedly evil, manifested itself behind me. Reacting instinctively, I jumped while turning and threw a left jab, my only recourse in this mysterious, shifting environment. But to my surprise, the entity effortlessly caught my punch, displaying a strength and agility that defied reality.
The being gradually revealed itself, and it was an astonishingly handsome man with lustrous black hair, reminiscent of the stereotypical anime pretty boys. His appearance was mesmerizing, yet there was an otherworldly quality about him that left me astounded. He spoke with a voice that transcended the boundaries of the human, a tone that confounded my comprehension.
With unyielding will, I twisted my body and aimed a front kick at his face, but it had no effect. Undeterred, the enigmatic figure continued to address me, his words echoing with a cryptic significance, "Oh, so you're Oren, huh?" His name rolled off his tongue, and the familiarity of it in this surreal setting only deepened my confusion.
His revelation sent a shiver of fear coursing through me. He spoke, "I am what humans call; Satan," the confession made me feel overwhelming sense of dread. Desperation overtook me as I struggled to comprehend the gravity of the situation. This couldn't be real, could it? I wrestled with my fear, attempting to resist the unsettling presence that had invaded my dream.
In an instant, the landscape morphed, and I found myself bombarded with a flurry of fast-forwarded memories—scenes of my birth, my abandonment, and the unveiling of my skill, each moment a stark chapter of my life played out before my eyes. The overwhelming rush of recollections inundated my consciousness, sending waves of fear coursing through me. The expression on my face mirrored my inner turmoil. Summoning the courage to confront this enigmatic being, I managed to stammer out, "What do you want?" My words hung in the air, a plea for understanding in the face of the unknown.
With a sudden release, his grip on me vanished, and the being dissolved into the darkness. But his voice persisted, now resembling the distant reverberation of a voice amplified through a massive loudspeaker, echoing through the void. "I gave you that skill, Weakling." the mysterious entity replied. The revelation hung in the air, had he truly done this? A question more important gnawed at me: had it wanted me to suffer, for some reason?
The enigmatic being affirmed my suspicions, responding, "Yes, I did. But now you fight against me. Why? Want me to give you... power, women like Aroha, or money?" Its words dangled temptation before me, offering an array of desires that could lure most people.
With unwavering faith, I clenched my fists and struck out at the illusory landscape, as if attempting to shatter the deception that surrounded me. My response came from the depths of my conviction, "If you were to be given everything on Earth in exchange for your place in Heaven, it would be a bad deal!" The very idea of compromising one's principles for worldly gain went against the core of my beliefs. The entity seemed undeterred, indicating its intent to test my resolve, "It seems I must cause you to suffer to know who you're dealing with."
However, in that moment of uncertainty, another voice, one filled with compassion and a sense of protection, interceded. "No, you will not touch him." A new presence appeared before me, and though I couldn't see his face, I could sense that he embodied a force for good. His attire, reminiscent of Middle Eastern robes, and his skin tone was neither pale nor dark. He conveyed a sense of otherworldly wisdom and power.
Confronted by this new figure, the enigmatic entity reappeared, taking on a more monstrous form with a goat-like head. The being in front of me, veiled in an aura of righteousness, engaged in a fierce battle with this malevolent force. Their movements were so swift and inhuman that it was as if they were teleporting, leaving me in awe of the cosmic clash unfolding before my eyes.
I jolted awake, my body drenched in a cold sweat, my mind still reeling from the vivid, otherworldly experience that had unfolded in my dream. I couldn't help but wonder whether it was a mere product of my overactive imagination or a genuine spiritual vision. The lingering unease left me pondering the boundaries between dreams and reality. Checking the time, I discovered that it was six o'clock, and I had a mere hour before school started. With a sense of urgency, I decided to make the most of this time and head for a refreshing shower. Gathering my toiletries and slipping into my gold and black jacket, I made my way into the bathroom.
As I stood beneath the warm, comforting spray of water, it enveloped me, providing solace after the unsettling dream. The steam began to rise, and the bathroom filled with the soothing sounds of flowing water, creating a momentary sanctuary of tranquility. The door to the bathroom creaked open, and to my surprise, there stood Aroha, her presence unexpected. Startled, I called out, "I'm using it already, don't you hear the water?" She jumped in response, and with a quick retreat, she closed the door. Her voice, apologetic, seeped through the door, "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention." Were you really, Aroha?
I hurriedly finished my shower, dried off, and dressed in a rush. It seemed Aroha had opted for the other shower, and she emerged just as quickly. Grabbing my backpack, I informed Aroha of my immediate departure for school. Her words of goodwill followed, "Have a good day at school, Oren." I acknowledged her blessing with a nod before heading out the door, intent on reaching school by six forty.
As I arrived at the school, I noticed that the gate had yet to be opened, which meant I was exceptionally early that day. The gate usually opens at six forty five. Leaning casually against the school wall, I gazed out, waiting for the gate to unlock and allow entry to the campus.
Moments later, I spotted Megumi approaching, and I greeted him with a friendly wave. He drew nearer, and there was a hint of remorse in his voice as he offered an apology, "Sorry for being cocky on day one, Oren. You didn't take that too seriously, right?" As a gesture of goodwill, he pulled out a cookie and handed it to me. Accepting the cookie, I reassured him, "Nah, not a big deal. But I do want something in return." This piqued his curiosity, and he inquired, "Yeah, what do you want?"
With a sly grin, I presented my proposition, "You're very skilled at capoeira, right? Are you also skilled in any other martial arts?" Megumi's response came promptly, "Yeah, I'm very good at capoeira, and I'm an intermediate in both boxing and taekwondo." My smile widened, realizing that I had stumbled upon an opportunity I couldn't pass up. I asserted, "You're going to teach me those martial arts, and in return, I'll lead our class to victory in the Gifted Tournament." Megumi's face lit up with enthusiasm, and he eagerly agreed, "Yeah, of course! 3-A is going to be the strongest!"
With camaraderie, I wrapped my arm around his shoulder, and together we shared a hearty laugh. To be honest, he was right, he truly is one of the strongest gifted. I blame him for being cocky, but I have been too in the past, even somewhat now. Maybe this school isn't so bad..
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Quest 7: Martial Arts Training
Learn martial arts hard before the Gifted Tournament
begins!
Requirements:
Become experienced in boxing,
taekwondo, and capoeira.
Recommendations:
N/A
Rewards:
3000 points
+10 Strength
+10 Speed
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