Chapter 14: What a Soft Bread

The taste of bread, personally made by Senpai. It reminds me of our first meeting.

It was cold. At that time, I always believe, the world out there was a sad one. You couldn't speak at all without people finding fault, even if you follow orders—people's going to yell at you regardless.

Nevertheless, I harnessed my own strength through a different set of rules. No matter what, if I abide by my principles, I would be whole. I wouldn't be afraid anymore to say my feelings, as long I didn't cross the line.

Senpai, dressed in her usual maid uniform, offered me this same bread—in the present time. Nibbling on the plain loaf, the soft, puffy and sweet sensation amalgamate. Not to mention, it was fresh outta the oven.

The moment I took the gamble, my life went to a momentary hell.

Back when I was a mortal, my meals weren't that bad—just the usual. My mortal life had always been average. No matter how hard I tried, the result was mediocre. I was driven by the fear of failure—if I didn't try enough—I'd lose my place in this world.

One day, my mind just snapped.

I don't want this kind of life.

I had enough of such farce.

I want to experience a lot more, living the kind of life I want.

One day, it all happened. My 'benefactor' came—along with my biggest regret.

All those abusive words still caved a wound in me. Something that wouldn't heal anytime soon.

It was just the beginning.

If I knew this would happen, I should've just stayed as a mortal and try breaking through with my own strength. Even if I wouldn't be a goddess, by this moment, at least my mind wouldn't be broken.

The scenery I want to forget the most. After enduring so much heart-wrenching pain, I was sent to a dark warehouse. Beside me, was a puddle of water. I felt something was alive from it.

When I notice that puddle was a living person, I had to restrain myself, not to scream on top of my lungs. That was my first meeting with Mystia.

After she gained her 'human' form, shortly after being under Reeve--she explained to me--everything she'd been through. Since at that time we're together, she couldn't even speak. A lot of words poured down between us.

She was a really strong girl. I don't want to know what she'd been through—to be able to undergo her trial, where her body was cut into pieces and melted down to blob—she said it was no big deal.

"After all, I have nothing left to lose."

...

"Micchan, please stop eating. You're going to get fat at this rate!"

"Your bread's so nice, Senpai. We're already goddesses though? It's not like the amount of food will get us all chubby."

"Well...that's true. However, didn't you forget one important thing?"

"Uh-huh?"

I made sure to take note of all the things in my System notes. Most I could give is a puzzled look.

"Mistress and Lil' Miss are still up there. I made this for everyone, so stop munching everything! Look, I even sacrificed my own portion, aren't I a kind Senpai? Ufufu."

I was about to retort—but it's just a plain bread—both of them sure prefer something less plain—like Yakisoba bread? Personally, I'm fine with anything edible.

Even if Senpai made garbage, it will be delicious, but if she heard that—I'd be whacked again.

...or worse, she'd turn into a toilet when I want to ogle her.

Senpai puffed her juicy boobs, with both hands crossed below the pair. When she kept nodding her head in a smug expression, her milk jugs made a cutesy boing boing.

My desire to touch flared up—but it's not the right time. That's right, Mirai-chan and Onee-sama came first—for Senpai.

I stopped munching the bread --it became kind of salty.

Nobody told me of those invisible onion cutters!

"Hey, what's wrong? Are you lonely?"

Lounging her boobs against the table, inching closer to me, who sat across, Senpai's intense gaze landed squarely. It made me turn my head to the side, yet this sobbing couldn't seem to stop.

"Sniff...no. I'm used to people treating me like garb--"

There's a loud plak sound on my cheeks, followed by a warm feeling.

"Never say that again. You are precious, for me, for Reeve, even Mirai-chan too—probably."

Probably?

"Is it because my Universe has decent enough energy contribution?"

Even if I might be a piece of garbage, the Universe I built was pretty neat, if I say so myself.

At least, it was about...average? Its amount decent—I suppose?

"If you think your self worth is only that much—why would I offer you bread in the first place? Why did you get to become a goddess, instead of just remaining as a mediocre mortal with no goals or dreams at all?"

Her words made me drop my bread, it landed on the plate; its crumbs scattered on the floor.

"S-senpai?"

She ate up the portion I bit earlier like it's no big deal. Isn't this practically indirect kiss?

She finished her meal properly; downing a glass of water before letting out a satisfied moan.

"Think about all your friends and family down there—they might all be dead by now. You've already lived that long and you're still so cute..."

But I have no friends; my parents disowned me because I failed the test.

"I'm not cute, Senpai. Mirai-chan is the cutest thing and I couldn't hope to compare with her."

I think my current appearance is just decent. When I was a mortal, beauty's the furthest thing I associate with.

"I said many times over, Micchan. Not everything needs to be a competition. Aren't we all unique in our own way? If everyone's trying to achieve the same standard, this Multiverse will be a boring place—and it would hardly even develop!"

"Am I really that unique? Senpai, please tell me."

"Let's see..." what's with that perplexed expression, "You are you, Micchan. Not someone else. Isn't that enough?"

"Eh? That's not fair. Why won't you tell it to me straight?"

"Wouldn't you be fixated with my own standard, if I told you so?"

"Ugh."

"Thankfully you're the one asking me, if it's Mistress, she wouldn't think twice about answering."

Onee-sama?

"Now I'm even more curious."

"Well, it's a part of our nature, I suppose. The part we retain when we become goddesses and became our strength. Due to our differences, you can know yourself better. Though...Mirai-chan probably wouldn't give a fuck how others think of her."

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"Mirai-chan? I don't think she has anything to worry about."

"Let's just assume it so.  An important part of a deity's strength stems from knowing themselves. The difference between us can lead to more self-discoveries—don't you think it's obvious enough why it's better this way?"

"Err...to be honest, no. If we all have our own differences, wouldn't that make it easier to sow discord? Though—it's so strange how peaceful this Multiverse being."

"I won't say there won't be any conflict, but it's also a good way to stimulate our growth. Yet, this camaraderie exists due to a common ground. Regardless of our differences, there's got to be one thing we can agree on."

"Lewd stuff?"

"Bingo, you pervert!"

Ugh...she's practically sending me to heaven when she squished her boobs against my face while patting my head.

Although, I prefer flat chests like Mirai-chan. Ah, I want to hug her so much.

With that in mind, I gently push Senpai over and tried looking as resolute as I could.

"Hey...Senpai, you can't call me that, you're much pervier than me."

"Doesn't make you any less perverted."

I lost.

"Uuu..."

...

A bread. To make it, you prepare a dough and knead it into shape, then bake it.

Done.

I may know a lot of things, but only the simple ones I can understand.

Senpai seems to really appreciate my simplistic thinking.

I realize, one possible reason why she gave bread to me. During our first meeting, with a gaze piercing my very being.

My mortal life, in its truest sense, is the same as a bread.

From my birth to my childhood and teenage years, I was a blank dough. Kneaded into shape by my parents and society. Just so I can be the same bread like everyone else.

Since I failed, they threw me in the trash.

I'm not a bread, I'm a human being. It's what I always want to say.

I'm afraid of saying anything and attracting attention. Since nobody else complains, it's just me who's in the wrong.

I just need to better myself. I need to try harder in life, so I can finally make someone who treated me like trash—finally proud of me. They can actually be proud over a piece of garbage—it's pretty amusing, don't you think?

Sometimes I wonder failure's the result. At that time, I tried my hardest, to prove my own worth.

When I wasn't given more chance--am I too late all along? That the words of my parents and teachers weren't decrees of God?

The time I lost everything and found myself unwanted--why was I chosen? By the similar 'god' entity which proclaiming himself supreme? That his insights are always right and you should abide by his rules, no matter what?

After all, a god can do no wrong. You shouldn't question him; you're just a mortal; you have to abide by his teachings, lest you'd be damned for eternity.

...it was pretty funny.

I had been too blind, taken by his words: 'elevating every chosen towards greatness'.

Everything had its own price. Eventually, he'd want our absolute obedience while secretly abusing us in the dark. Causing both men and women alike to suffer various wounds and especially, humiliating things.

Maybe, because I was so ugly, that fiend didn't even touch me. Mystia was also spared since she's just a blob of slime.

Since I had no one to talk to and we're stuck together, she happens to be the one I conversed the most. Unlike others, she didn't yell back or said to any mean things—more like, she's practically a mute.

She could absorb a lot of stuff as nutrients--it didn't seem to make any difference what she digest. Whenever we were given the portions, I often ask her share and made her ate the unpleasant-looking parts.

Nevertheless, it didn't make a difference since the food was equally terrible.

It's a good thing, this fiend was someone who lived in his own world. Isolating himself against beings superior to him. I learned that from Onee-sama after she hacked this person to millions of pieces while keeping his consciousness intact. It gave me a lasting impression.

He didn't even know, he was inside the old Nirvalen Multiverse all along.

No...it's not Onee-sama, back then.

It was a silver-haired man who looks like her—his aura felt the same. The first and last time I've ever seen him. I fell in love with him for some unknown reason—and Onee-sama happens to possess the same presence. Yet, with time, that love began to wane, especially since my feeling to Onee-sama was so intense.

I don't know why I love her so much—it's something irrational—why must I gloss over it? Not like thinking is my strong point.

I refuse to believe Onee-sama was that man. She was so beautiful and elegant—her feminine charm's genuine.

Due to Mirai-chan, I couldn't hog Onee-sama to myself—but it's fine, it's not like I was ever the closest to her.

Ah, so nice. Wouldn't it be great if I could self-insert as one of them? When I bask in the feelings of their lovemaking; the kind of mutual love which melted my heart.

I really ship those two. Of course, it's best if Senpai actually joined in. Before Mirai was there, both of them used to be my favorite ship.

...

After the 'Liberation—I was re-trained to be an actual goddess, instead of a vessel to further empower the current deity.

Thea-senpai showed me the ropes while Mystia went to Onee-sama—while still being a piece of blob.

It's okay, it's not like I deserve her. Onee-sama already did so many things in my favor. It'd be too selfish of me to ask for more.

When I was lost in thought, upon watching the two left--Senpai pulled us together to a different dimension.

...and she offered me bread.

Now I think about it, she didn't care what such gestures meant to me.

Probably since she thought I looked like trash, due to my bad diet—she felt pity.

When such delicious food entered my mouth and its rich sweetness enveloped my tongue—it's when I truly was filled with gratefulness.

"It's...so tasty."

My voice was so hoarse from shutting down my lips too often.

...and Senpai's food brought me back to light.

That's why, nowadays, whenever I felt sad, it'd be best to just wash it away with delicious food.

It's nice, as a goddess, we wouldn't get fat no matter how much we eat.

Thanks for the meal!