Chapter 338: The Day After
Hub World, Earth, Japan, Tokyo.
"I'll see you later, Violet." Tatsuo said with a smile while hugging Violet close to his chest.
"It will be a lot sooner than you think, too." Violet said, an equally radiant smile on her face.
The two just stood there in each other's arms for a while. However, they both knew that Violet could not stay there indefinitely. On top of that, Aletia was already making a fuss in the [Chat]. So, she knew she had to leave soon.
*Flash!*
After pecking Tatsuo's lips one more time, Violet eventually stepped away from Tatsuo. Then, in a flash of light, she disappeared from not only his bedroom, but the world as a whole.
For the next few seconds, Tatsuo stared blankly at the spot where Violet had been standing. And while the corners of his lips were twitching happily, he was not as excited as he expected to be after losing his virginity.
"*Sigh* Maybe I'd be more excited if I didn't' have to sit through that super-awkward breakfast." Tatsuo muttered to himself as he walked towards the platform holding his piano.
Sitting down on the piano bench, Tatsuo could not help thinking back to the aforementioned breakfast.
===Flashback===
The tension in the dining room after Tatsuo and Violet stepped in was palpable. Though, Tatsuo would not lie and say he did not find the surprise on Kasumi's, Ayane's, and Tio's faces hilarious. But that was not what made things so bad. Nor was it the knowing smile he and Violet received from Sumire.
*Bang!*
"What in the world is going on, Tatsu-Kun?" Mai asked after slamming the tray of food she was carrying down onto the dining room table. She then pointed at Violet with anger burning in her eyes. "And why is that woman here? More importantly, why is she walking like that?"
The sound that came with Mai's actions was enough to snap the rest of the ladies out of their dazes. Yet, no one was angry like she was. But they did all stare at Tatsuo waiting for a response. Because like Mai, everyone noticed that Violet was not holding Tatsuo's arm just as a sign of affection.
No, Violet was using Tatsuo's arm to steady herself while she walked. Because despite having already broken her hymen during training, her first sexual experience still made walking a bit awkward for her.
"Violet came over last night and spent the night with me." Tatsuo said calmly as he led Violet to one of the open seats at the table. He then pulled out the chair for her as he continued. "She said she wanted to see the new house. So, after she came over last night, I told her I would give her a tour today."
After that explanation, paired with the way violet was walking, no one had any illusions about what Tatsuo and Violet did last night. And once again, Kasumi's, Ayane's, and Tio's expressions were a sight to see.
Hearing Tatsuo's explanation, Mai's anger spiked even higher. Yet, it should be made known that none of that anger was directed at Tatsuo. Rather, every ounce of her anger was directed at Violet.
"You're shameless!" Mai shouted with both anger and jealousy in her tone. "You actually snuck over here to take advantage of Tatsu-Kun."
Violet did not react in any way to Mai's accusations. She already knew about Mai's unreasonable possessiveness when it came to Tatsuo. So, just so long as the brunette kunoichi did not attack her like last time, she would let whatever she had to say slide off like water from a duck's back.
However, there was someone who reacted to Mai's outburst.
*Tap!*
Before Mai could take things too far, Sumire tapped an index finger on the table top, drawing everyone's attention to her.
"That's enough, Mai-Chan." Sumire said calmly, her tone brooking no argument. "Sit down, it's time for breakfast."
"But Sumire-Sama~." Mai tried to protest.
"Sit. Down." Sumire repeated, her tone a bit sharper than before. "You don't intend to make me say it a third time, do you?"
*Gulp!*
Hearing the slight change in Sumire's tone, Mai's complaints died in her throat. She already knew she was being unreasonable, as Tatsuo's friends from the [Chat] were allowed to stop by whenever they wanted, provided that someone was at the house. On top of that, there was no way Violet could have snuck in with Sumire at home.
Meaning, Tatsuo's and Violet's activities last night were approved by Sumire. So, she really had no grounds to scold either Tatsuo or Violet about it. That's not to say that she had any intension of scolding Tatsuo in the first place.
Not long after Sumire spoke, Tatsuo took the seat to Sumire's right, Mai, after gulping audibly, took the seat to Ayane's left, and Tio took the seat to Violet's right. Then, after saying, "Itadakimasu," the group of seven ate breakfast. However, breakfast was quite awkward.
It was obvious that Kasumi, Ayane, and Tio wanted to ask about the details from Violet's late-night visit. Mostly just to make things awkward for Tatsuo. But they did not have to get the details right now. There would be plenty of time in the future to grill him for it.
Sumire's knowing smile was not so bad, either. Tatsuo already knew that as soon as Violet appeared in his bedroom last night, Sumire would have noticed. So, he was expecting her behavior. In fact, he had a sneaking suspicion that she was really only staring at him to check his condition, making sure that there were no issues with his human and dragon integration.
What really made things awkward was Mai. One minute she would be staring at Tatsuo with aggrieved tears in her eyes. Then, she would switch to glaring at Violet murderously in the next. On top of that, she had broken several sets of chopsticks since breakfast started, as well.
But breakfast did eventually end. And when it did, Tatsuo took Violet's hand before [Blinking] away from the dining room table to start the tour of the house, leaving everyone else behind before they could start asking questions now that the meal was over. On top of that, Sumire's giggle he heard just before vanishing from the table made him feel embarrassed inexplicably.
===Flashback End===
"*Sigh* Yeah, that was awkward." Tatsuo muttered to himself as he placed his fingers on the piano keys. "But… At least no one interrupted us while I was giving Violet the tour."
{BGM: "La Campanella" – Rousseau}
As the music began to echo through the room, Tatsuo activated one of the magic circles built into the platform. And as he did, the sound of his piano began to sound throughout the house, drawing the attention of the other five residents.
Meanwhile, Tatsuo closed his eyes as he played. And behind his closed eyelids, the interface for the [Dimensional Chat] appeared, overlayed over the darkness.
{[Dimensional chat]
Alfonzo: T's back
Alfonzo: So, how was last night?
James: Yeah, did you and Violet have fun?
Tatsuo (Admin): This might have been a mistake
Tatsuo (Admin): I just got away from Mom, Mai, and the others
Tatsuo (Admin): And now I have to deal with you two assholes
Alfonzo: Thanks
James: We do what we can
James: So, is Violet still sleep?
James: She hasn't logged in yet
Lici: Don't pay attention to them, Tatsuo
Lici: Anyway, do you have pictures of the new house yet?
Alfonzo: That's rich coming from you, Lici
Alfonzo: Last night, you were talking about how you were gonna get all the juicy details from them
Alfonzo: But now you're telling him not to worry about us?
Lici: What are you talking about, Fonzie?
Lici: I would never do that
Lici: Not to Tatsuo, anyway
Lici: But when Violet gets on, all bets are off
James: Girl talk
James: Yeah, that tracks
Alfonzo: I guess
Tatsuo (Admin): So, where's everyone else?
Tatsuo (Admin): I'm not used to the chat being this empty
James: Hmm… Let me think
Lici: Zelly is training his disciple, Rin
Lici: Momo went out to train
Lici: Akatsuki is doing something with her guild
Lici: Aletia was waiting for Violet to get home
Lici: And Sakura… What did she say she was doing today?
Alfonzo: She said she was going shopping with Medusa
Lici: Ah! That's right
James: Thanks for just stealing my thunder
James: I was gonna say all that, too
Lici: You snooze, you lose
Tatsuo (Admin): Well, I guess I know why Violet hasn't got on yet
Tatsuo (Admin): Aletia and Shea are probably grilling her hard
Alfonzo: No doubt
Alfonzo: So, give us the details
Alfonzo: How was last night
James: Yeah, tell us
James: We won't tell anyone
James: Lici, you should log out so we can have some guy talk
Lici: Nope
Lici: I'm not missing this
Lici: Just think of me as one of the guys for now
Alfonzo: Not in a million years
Alfonzo: That would be really weird
Tatsuo (Admin): So, you're having babies with the guys now, Alfonzo?
James: LMFAO
Alfonzo: Cut that shit out
Alfonzo: Lici, see what you've done
Lici: Huh?
Lici: What did I do?
Lici: 😇
Lici: I'm innocent
Alfonzo: Uh huh
Alfonzo: Anyway, since Lici's not leaving
Alfonzo: When would be a good time to come see the house?
Alfonzo: I did design it, after all
Alfonzo: So, I wanna see the finished product
Lici: Huh? What does me being here have to do with anything
Lici: But I wanna see the house, too
Lici: Fonzie designs the best houses
James: I heard you had a stripper pole in your room
James: Nice touch
James: I should add one to my room, too
James: I bet Rias and Akeno would go crazy with that thing
Tatsuo (Admin): Yeah, I could see Rias doing that
Tatsuo (Admin): She's an exhibitionist, after all
Tatsuo (Admin): But what would Master Scáthach think about that
James: Ugh
James: Never mind
James: She would definitely think I was trying to send her a message
James: Then, she would either beat me up for suggesting it
James: Or she would put on the best damn pole dance I've ever seen
James: Then beat me up after she was done
Alfonzo: Lol
Tatsuo (Admin): Lol
Lici: Hmm… A stripper pole
Lici: I bet the girls would try it
Lici: it would probably turn into a competition over who can do the best pole dance
Lici: Then, that would transfer into who gives the best lap dance
Alfonzo: brb
Alfonzo: I'm gonna add a stripper pole and a stage to my room right now
James: Thirsty much
James: but I approve
Lici: Lol
Lici: It should be fun
Tatsuo (Admin): I wonder if the stripper pole in my room will ever get some use
Tatsuo (Admin): Everyone who's seen it has looked at me funny
Tatsuo (Admin): Except for Mai-Nee
Tatsuo (Admin): She looked kinda eager
James: Of course she did
James: That girl is even thirstier than Alfonzo is right now
Alfonzo: Yeah, she'd do anything to get a taste of that D
Lici: It's kinda weird that she's so obsessed with a guy that's 8 years younger than her, though
Lici: But I agree with Fonzie and James
Tatsuo (Admin): If I wasn't as handsome as I am, she wouldn't be so obsessed
Tatsuo (Admin): That's just how Mai-Nee is
Tatsuo (Admin): I'm not calling her feelings shallow, though
Tatsuo (Admin): It's just the first impression hit her hard
James: That's how she was in Fatal Fury and FOF, too
James: Unreasonably obsessed with Andy Bogard
James: But she did genuinely love him
Alfonzo: I don't' know much about SNK fighting game lore
Alfonzo: So, I'll take your word for it
Lici: Me neither
===Violet has signed in===
===Aletia has signed in===
Lici: Oh, they're here
Lici: Alright, Violet, spill the details
Lici: I wanna know everything, Girl
James: Damn… She wasn't kidding, was she
Alfonzo: Nope
Alfonzo: She was dead ass serious
Violet: Does it have to be now?
Violet: I just finished telling the story
Violet: In excruciating detail
Aletia: Tatsuo
Aletia: I want to visit you
Aletia: And spend the night
Aletia: I'll teach you more than Violet could
Aletia: I'll make sure you get more than seven minutes
Tatsuo (Admin): …
James: Seriously?
James: Only seven minutes
James: Do we need to get you some of those little blue pills, Tatsuo?
Alfonzo: Wow
Alfonzo: Just… wow
Lici: Oh… My…
Violet: Aletia-San!!!!
Violet: Why would you say that here!?
Aletia: ???
Violet: Besides, I told you Tatsuo-Kun was exhausted
Violet: He fell asleep right after e relaxed
Violet: Oh no! What did I just say
Lici: So, he lasted seven minutes on his first time, huh?
Lici: That was twice as long as Fonzie's first time
Alfonzo: Lici!!!
Alfonzo: What are you doing?
James: Man… You two are lightweights
James: I went for like twenty minutes my first time
Tatsuo (Admin): You're a literal creature of sin
Tatsuo (Admin): You don't count
James: I'm only half devil
James: And you're half dragon
James: A creature of lust
James: So, I don't' see your point
Tatsuo (Admin): All day with the shopping demons, remember?
James: Ah!
James: Right
James: Forgot about that
James: Never mind
James: Only Alfonzo is a lightweight
Alfonzo: Fuck you
Alfonzo: I'm a full blooded human
Alfonzo: I'm not like you supernaturals
Lici: Oops
Lici: I think I said something I shouldn't have
Alfonzo: Ya think?}
As his fingers flew across the keys, Tatsuo found himself laughing at the [Chat]. After a morning like the one he had with his family, this kind of silly, non-sensical conversation was exactly what he needed.
Around that time, Tatsuo finished playing "La Campanella." Then, in a better mood, he began playing something more upbeat.
At the same time, Sumire, Mai, Kasumi, Tio, and Ayane, who were listening to the music from various rooms in the house, noticed that Tatsuo's mood had improved since the last time they saw him. And most of them smiled. The only exception being Ayane, who did not smile very often.
"See, Mai-Chan." Sumire said with a gentle, motherly smile. "This is why you shouldn't get so angry. Tatsu-Chan needs those kinds of interactions. They make him happy.,"
Naturally, Mai knew exactly what Sumire was talking about. The [Dimensional Chat] with so many women who drew Tatsuo's attention, the fact that he has a girlfriend… maybe more than one, and said girlfriend coming over last night to claim her Tatsu-Kun's virginity. She knew that all of it was good for Tatsuo, as his emotions became more and more natural ever since the [Dimensional Chat] appeared.
But this was this, and that was that.
"I still don't like her." Mai said stubbornly as she looked away with her arms crossed. "She stole my Tatsu-Kun from e. But I understand. I'll try and behave myself from now on."
Hearing that, Sumire's smile widened.
"Good girl, Mai-Chan." Sumire said happily. "And because you're being so good, I'll talk to Tatsu-Chan about reducing your punishment."
Immediately, Mai's discontented expression melted away, replaced with excitement and anticipation.
"Really?" Mai asked as she tightly grabbed Sumire's hand. "You would really do that for me, Sumire-Sama."
"Of course." Sumire said with a nod. "But you can't do anything like you did to get punished in the first place. You can't try to dictate Tatsu-Chan's life. He needs these experiences to grow as an individual."
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Mai repeated thrice. "I promise. I'll never do it again."
Sumire was not sure how true that was. Even so, she chose to believe Mai this time.
And just like that, the rest of the day passed with Tatsuo chatting in the [Dimensional Chat] while playing the piano for the rest of the house to hear.