"Huh?" She blurted out in surprise.
"What? It’s been on my mind all day, thought you’d have at least considered the idea."
"Well, yes, I did think about it, but...it’s not possible. The ritual to send Heroes back to their world only works on the Heroes, you see. I don’t know the exact specifics, but based on how Reritea explained it, the ritual analyzes the effect of the original summoning ritual that brings the Heroes here, and then reverses that effect, sending them back to the world they were brought here from. So, it won’t work on anyone from this world," She replied with a shake of her head.
"Mhm, I already figured as much. That said, if you stay in the Pocket Dinsion when the ritual is activated, you should be brought right along with us," I inford her.
Ai already confird as much, that this thod will work.
"W-Wait, I-...hold on...," She stuttered, her eyes wide.
"Uh...you okay, mom?"
"Y-Yeah, I...I just...," She shook her head tearfully, before clearing her throat, "I’d resigned myself to thinking that, once you and your friends leave, it’ll be the last I ever see of you.
So, I was intent on making the most of what ti we have...and now you’re telling it doesn’t have to be that way, that I can co with you? Heh, sorry...my emotions are all over the place right now, it’s hard to gather my thoughts."
"I hope you aren’t going to say that you feel responsible to stay here and oversee Vruxtrus as the Demon Lord. Cuz if that’s the case, I’m more than happy to kill everyone in Lynocyes," I replied with a thumbs up.
"H-Hey, now, no killing innocent people. I can just barely accept you killing bad guys, but please don’t kill unnecessarily," She frowned disapprovingly.
"Yeah, I know, I was mostly kidding," I laughed in response.
"Hm, mostly?"
"Anyway...what do say? Wanna go back to Earth?" I prompted her.
"I-...yeah. I do, I really do. I certainly don’t hate this world, but I do miss modern conveniences, and of course, more than anything, I miss you. Yeah...when you go back, take with you," She smiled warmly.
"Deal."
"Hm...wait, I didn’t just set off one of those death flags, did I?"
"Hey, co on, don’t say stuff like that," I responded nervously.
"Well, we still have so ti, so for now, let’s just enjoy the mont. Oh, are you looking forward to tomorrow? The dino hunt, should be fun."
"Yeah, I still have so doubts over whether it’s the best idea to take them to our world...but fuck it, if there ends up being any consequences, I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it."
"Hm, language."
"Co on, I’m not a kid anymore. As far as my ntal age goes, I’m over thirty at this point," I sighed wistfully.
"Perhaps, but I’m ntally well over a hundred now," She pointed out with a laugh, before adding, "Oh, speaking of, when can I expect so grandkids?"
"Huh? I, uh...haven’t really put any real thought towards that. I an, I am immortal, so there’s really no rush," I replied sheepishly.
"What about getting married?" She asked .
"Aria and I have discussed that, and we’re both open to it, but again, we’re in no rush. Plus, the way I see it, it’s just a formality. We’ve been living together for a while now, after all, so I doubt anything would actually change," I surmised in response.
"Yeah, maybe not. But, from my experience, it feels like a big deal when you go from referring to each other as boyfriend and girlfriend to husband and wife."
Hm...actually, thinking about calling Aria my wife does make feel kinda warm and fuzzy. Yeah, maybe we should discuss the topic again soon.
"Guess I’ll put so thought into it, and get Aria’s thoughts on it too."
"Mhm, it’s important to communicate openly in a relationship. On another note, how do you usually spend your free ti, Kai? Got any hobbies, kiddo?" She asked .
"Yeah, I have a few, none that I’d call particularly productive, though. Let’s see, sleeping in, watching movies, shows and ani, gaming, getting drunk and high, good food-...," I began.
"Huh? Wait...you do drugs?"
"Oh, uh...well, only weed," I admitted sheepishly.
"Hm. Well, I suppose that’s not so bad. Make sure to stay away from the synthetic stuff, cocaine and th and whatnot," She warned .
"Don’t worry, I have no interest in trying those. I’m mostly a stoner, alcohol is more occasional, and I don’t partake in any other narcotics or intoxicants," I assured her.
"Good, see that you don’t. Also, don’t smoke weed or drink alcohol too often."
"Yeah, yeah, I won’t. Though, there’s literally no harm...my regeneration gets rid of all the harmful side effects."
"Oh, right...my regeneration does the sa with alcohol, though I haven’t tried any drugs in this world. It is convenient...but don’t use that as an excuse to over-indulge. Addiction isn’t limited to getting chemically addicted. You can also develop addiction through habit-forming. Even if sothing isn’t addictive, if you make it a part of you routine, you’ll get addicted."
"Mhm, I know, I’ll keep that in mind. By the way, did you try any drugs on Earth?" I inquired curiously.
"Huh? I, uh...well, if I’m being honest, I was a bit of a stoner myself, in my college days. I also tried mushrooms, and LSD a few tis," She admitted sheepishly.
"Heh, that’s kinda hard to imagine."
"Of course it is. Once I beca a parent, I cleaned up my act, I had to set a good example."
"I’d say you succeeded at that. You’re probably the reason I didn’t beco a total shithead after the way my first life ended," I smiled, before stifling a yawn.
"You should go get so rest, kiddo. It’s been a long day, I’m sure you’re worn out. Go on, we can talk more tomorrow," She remarked, patting my head.
"Yeah, okay...I guess I could use a snooze. Aren’t you coming, mom? Only Aria and I can open the Pocket Dinsion, and there’s no way to contact us on the outside while we’re in there," I reminded her.
"Actually, I’d like to speak with Ariella too. You go take it easy and ask her to co out here. She can let in afterwards."
"Huh? Uh, what exactly do you want to talk to her about?"
"Oh, nothing in particular. But she’s effectively my daughter-in-law, so I’d like to get to know her better, that’s all."
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