What the ass is this?
Zak: The Z World Valentines Special! A chapter named after Masaru's and Izanoku's blossoming romance!
Is it canon?
Zak: Super canon.
When does this happen?
Zak: Somewhere after #40.
Can we just save this for later?
Zak: nO WE NEED A VALENTINES SPECIAL FOR IZANOKU SHE DESERVES IT I STAN MASANOKU
I- Fine fine, you guys have fun. I'll be writing the rest of the chapters then...
Zak: THANKS FOX! YOU DA BEST! Now, everyone, prepare some popcorn, for this is the beautiful tale between two star crossed lovers!
(Opening here)
"So... as punishment for using your feelings to my advantage... you want me to go on a date with you?"
Masaru asked while he was on his hands and knees.
Izanoku stared down at him like a bug, smiling cruelly at the sight of Masaru grovelling.
"Yes. That's correct."
Masaru looked up at her with a grimace, and looked down again.
"Is this negotiable?"
Izanoku tugged him by the ear.
"Ow! What was that for?!"
"This is for trying to negotiate with me when I've already told you what I wanted as compensation."
"Compensation... for what exactly?"
"Breaking my heart."
"I may have "broken" your heart, but did you even have one to begin with?"
"Of course."
"So you really are just a helpless little girl in this whole situation..."
"I am not helpless."
"You definitely are."
Izanoku pulled on his ear again with a firmer grip.
"Yowwww—! Okay, fine, fine, you're not helpless! Let go of my ear, you're twisting it!!"
"Fufu. And here I thought I was the helpless one."
"Okay... So, could you repeat the conditions again? I wasn't paying attention until you said date."
Izanoku drop kicked Masaru's back.
"yOU EVIL BIIIIIIIIIITCH—"
After letting out a flurry of comical abuse, Masaru continued to grovel at the floor while Izanoku stared down at him with the most sadistic smile imaginable.
A shadow of pure cruelty covered her large, crystal purple eyes, and the corners of her ruby lips twisted upwards subtly.
Masaru looked dead with a lack of colour in his face or a sense of life missing from his glazed over eyes.
"I'll repeat the conditions once more. Better listen closely this time."
"Yes."
"Fufu. Now, as to repay the heartache that you've caused me over the past few months, Masaru. I request you meet me at the Tokyo Train Station at 9'o clock sharp with suitable clothes and a bag ready for the long day ahead. Our date will begin there. From there on, we'll travel to various places, sightsee and enjoy ourselves before coming back to your house and sharing a romantic evening together. Understood?"
"I think... I think I've lost the brain cells necessary to understand from when you first attacked me..."
"A wisecrack as always. I expect nothing else from someone like you. Masaru."
"Wow, thanks. Now, can I please get up from this position?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because I'm now going to sit on your back."
"You what-"
Izanoku straddled herself on top of Masaru's arched back.
"Fuuuuuu—"
An estranged sound of discomfort left Masaru's gritted teeth.
"Why... why are you doing this to me..."
Masaru huffed as his unprepared back was supporting all of Izanoku who gazed at Masaru's pained face innocently.
"Because you're now my loving boyfriend."
Izanoku wrapped her arms around Masaru's neck.
"SINCE WHEN?!"
"Since I made you go out on a date with me. Sweetheart."
"I think I'm gonna be sick..."
Izanoku let another flurry of comical abuse on Masaru.
"OWWWWW YOU BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITCH—"
"Have you learnt your lesson yet?"
"Yes, I'm sorry, I'll never steal a Zeroth Dragon from you again or be the reason why a truck rams through your house or say crude comments to you or call you a bitch and I admit full commitment to our relationship and my deep love and affection for you, Iza!"
Masaru blurted nonsense under ten seconds.
"Wait what did I just say..."
Izanoku was taken aback, cheeks blushing rose.
"Wow... r-really?"
"You have serious personality issues..."
Masaru mumbled under his breath, and sighed.
Putting on a poker face, he nodded much to his disscontempt.
"Oh, Masaru..."
"Yes, Iza...?"
Izanoku planted a kiss on Masaru's warm cheek.
"EHHHH?!"
"Fufu. I love you too, Masaru."
Izanoku licked her lips.
"You taste... sweet."
"Oi, oi... you just kissed me..."
"Isn't that normal between lovers?"
"I still don't understand how we're boyfriend and girlfriend... you didn't even confess to me..."
"I did. By asking you out a date. Did you... not realise my feelings...?"
"No, I've realised your feelings long ago. Otherwise we wouldn't even be having this conversation! By the way, you forced me into a date actually."
"The small details don't matter."
"They matter!"
"Anyways."
"Don't brush it aside like that..."
Izanoku got off Masaru's back and sat down beside him.
"Get some sleep, sweetheart. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."
"You're serious about the pet names huh... don't tell me this is gonna become Sweetheart in the FlanXXX or some crap..."
"It'd just mean you're Biran and I'm Two-Zero."
"You actually watched that show?"
"It had the most terrible start imaginable and yet somehow ended the best way possible. Of course I did!"
"Lemme guess... we're going to Akihibara tomorrow..."
"Gasp! How did you know?!"
"You're an otaku, aren't you?"
"Um... maybe..."
"It's okay. I am too. An otaku's dreamland is Akihabara, so it's be natural for us to go there. So, do you play Gacha Games?"
"Of course. And I spent at least 75% of my allowance buying extra rolls and currency."
"I spend all of my allowance on Gacha Games."
"You reckless bastard. Just another reason why I like you."
"I guess we have that in common."
Izanoku and Masaru stood up, laughing together.
"So, Sweetheart."
"Stop messing with me like that..."
"Fufu. Don't worry. I'm just teasing you a little~"
"Then save it for our date, Sweetheart."
"Hmm~ Fufu. Okay then~"
"So... see you tomorrow?"
"I'll see tomorrow, hot stuff."
"You too, otome."
The next day, Izanoku was waiting around the train station entrance wearing a frilly yellow dress and holding a stylish leather bag around her shoulder.
Masaru walked up to her with his usual bomber jacket and jeans, smiling slightly at the sight of Izanoku in something other then Gothic Lolita clothing.
"You got all dressed up today, huh?"
"You have to make a good first impression on first dates."
"I think you just want to make a good first impression because the one you did to me nearly killed me."
"I'm sorry about that..."
"Eh, it's fine. Water under the bridge. Been a couple months since then. I'm just joking around, relax."
"Right..."
"Hey, lets get on a train. We were gonna go to Akihabara."
"Yes, that's right."
Masaru held out his hand.
"Well?"
"My, how romantic..."
Izanoku took his hand and held it softly.
"I mean, it gets busy in the morning. Holding onto you would mean I won't lose you in the crowd of people."
"I've never held hands with anyone before..."
"Seriously?"
"Yes... I never went to a public school until my mom got arrested and we were put into social services. At school I was silent and stayed away from talking to people because... I didn't know how to talk to people. I was stuck in my house all day, with my only company being Callum. My mom didn't care about me, y'know?"
Masaru squeezed Izanoku's soft hands tightly.
"Un. I see."
"What's the matter? Was I being too heavy handed?"
"I feel bad for you, Iza. That's all."
"Don't be... it was better off I didn't make any friends in the short time I was in high school. I didn't need anyone. I was used to being lonely."
"Well, today you get to accompanied by me, so forget about being lonely. We're gonna have fun on our date, okay?"
"I'm already having fun, silly. It's just me and you. No one else. No distractions. I've got you to myself, and as my boyfriend no less. How could a girl not be having fun?"
"Well, there's a lot of girls that probably don't like me. They wouldn't have fun with me."
"Well, I'm not those girls, am I?"
"No. You're Izanoku Shinoa."
"You're missing something."
"Really?"
"You know what it is."
"Oh... You're Izanoku Shinoa. My... girlfriend."
"Wrong."
"Eh...?"
"You're supposed to say "My future bride"."
"Oi, you're jumping the gun there now..."
"Fufu."
The two boarded a train to Akihabara and took some seats.
Izanoku rested her head on Masaru's shoulder while the two held hands for the duration of the journey.
Whizzing down the tracks, the train screeched to a halt at the train station in Akihabara.
"We're here, sleepyhead."
Masaru flicked Izanoku's forehead, causing her to wake up.
"Yay..."
Izanoku yawned and rubbed her eye.
"You drooled on my jacket..."
Masaru looked down at the wet patch on his jacket.
"A-ah! This is embarrassing..."
Izanoku took out a handkerchief and wiped the patch gently.
"I'm so sorry!"
"It's... Fine..."
Masaru laughed nervously watching the flustered Izanoku try and make amends.
The couple deported the train and stepped foot in Izanoku's most anticipated destination: Akihabara.
The densely packed Otaku heaven had J-Pop blaring throughout the bustling streets, most notably Naito's newest single, Yoru no Bara (Rose of the Night).
"Hmm, that singers voice sounds eerily familiar."
Masaru hummed out loud, holding onto Izanoku's child like hand.
"I'm not really into this kind of music..."
"What music do you like then?"
"I don't listen to music. Especially idol music."
"This idol seems to like singing about some grim stuff..."
"I don't think evil blooming inside a jealous man's heart is that grim."
"He murders his lover."
"Like I said, not that grim."
"You have a messed up sense of grim, Iza."
"Fufu. I'd question why an idol is singing about that. Wouldn't it make sense for them to sing about love?"
"Isn't this just a twisted love song?"
"Deconstruction on the love genre... how brilliant."
"Even if the theme is dark, the music is upbeat..."
"The song is catchy too. I've already memorised the chorus."
"I thought it wasn't your type of music."
"Doesn't mean it's not catchy. Petals of evil, thorns of love, lend me strength, I cannot lie about my feelings~ This taboo I am breathing, cut through it with sharp tender buds, darkness of the black rose fill my veins with her love~"
"You're not half terrible at singing."
Izanoku looked embarrassed, and shook her head.
"I can't believe I sang that out loud..."
"Maybe you like idol music more then you thought."
"Anyways, where do you want to go?"
"I don't mind. You choose."
"I want to go to a cosplay shop and try on some items."
"Seriously? You wanna do cosplay?"
"Yes!"
"Well, lets go then."
"Alright!"
Masaru smiled to himself seeing Izanoku's face light up with joy. The two took a turn and entered a cosplay shop, looking at the different outfits made of fine fabric put on display.
Izanoku ran up to a Sailor Sun cosplay, squealing.
"Sailor Sun? You wanna cosplay as her?"
"Of course! I loved watching this show as a kid! In the name of the sun, I will punish you!"
Izanoku ran into a changing room with the outfit in her hands.
"Hmm, I wonder what I'll cosplay as..."
Masaru looked around, and a ninja costume caught his eye.
With a stupid grin, he walked over to it and pulled it off the shelf.
"I guess I'll be cosplaying as Yesruto. I'll scream "battedayo!" while running Yesruto style in the shop... it'll be hilarious!"
"Masaru, what do you think?"
Izanoku came out of the changing room wearing the iconic sailor fuku outfit Sailor Sun was known for.
Striking a brilliant pose and waving her wand, Izanoku pointed at Masaru.
"In the name of the sun, I will punish you!"
"You already did by forcing me out on this date."
"Wow, way to kill the mood."
"It's part of my speciality."
"You didn't answer my question..."
"Oh, I think you look nice in it."
"T-thanks!"
"Let me try mine."
Masaru walked into the changing room adjacent to Izanoku's, and swiftly changed into his Yesruto cosplay.
Stepping out and making an iconic hand-sign, Masaru tried to contain his laughter in being in a bright yellow ninja suit with a wig of spiky orange hair.
"Battedayo!"
Izanoku stared blankly Masaru's joke for a cosplay.
"No good, hm?"
"Fufu..."
Izanoku simply snickered, looking at Masaru.
"Not a serious cosplay, huh."
"I'm not the cosplay type. I'd rather play gacha games."
"Speaking of games, I think there's a shop down the road specialising in game figurines. Wanna check that out next?"
"Sure."
Izanoku and Masaru got out of their cosplay and back into their normal clothes, before leaving the shop and walking a little into a new store.
It was a manga/figurine shop, with a large library of famous and niche series to read, and a plethora of beautifully designed, high quality figurines of waifus and husbandos - including game characters.
Masaru had his sights on the Bikini Mero figurine from Hate: Okay Order.
Izanoku on the other hand was attracted to the manga section, looking through the Shoujo series to find such classics as Meats Basket, Ouran High School Guest Club and Doukyuusei wa Maid-sama!.
Flicking through the books, she picked some up to purchase, before she found a small collection of light novels sitting on a table.
Interested, she picked one up at random, and looked at the front cover, which depicted a red haired warrior walking away from a purple haired girl consumed by the shadows.
It's title was Circumstances.
Suddenly, in Izanoku's head a memory flashed back to her, and she raised a single brow - in a mixture of annoyance and curiosity - at the book.
Opening it, she skim read the first couple pages, letting a harsh sigh release through her flat bridged nose.
"So Zak was comparing this stupid novel to me and him this whole time...? I thought he made it up..."
"What are you reading?"
Masaru peered over her shoulder, causing Izanoku to jitter.
"O-oh! Masaru! Um, it's just some light novel that caught my eye..."
"Let me see."
"Here."
Izanoku passed the book, and Masaru looked at the cover.
"Circumstances by Tashimare Sagu. Art by Z-Domo. Hmm..."
"Hang on... Tashimare Sagu..."
"Ah, I know where he's from. He's a popular light novel writer online. He's known as Sakkimare online. An amateur author that people praised for his dark psychological stories. This is his first published work."
"When was it made?"
Masaru flipped to the back.
"It was released this month."
"Tashimare... Tashimare... Tashimare..."
"What's up?"
"The name sounds familiar... Tashimare... Sagu..."
"...does your brother have an interest in light novels?"
Izanoku nodded.
"...does he like writing?"
Izanoku nodded.
"...does he stay cooped up in his room all day?"
Izanoku nodded.
"...does he surf the net while in his room."
Izanoku nodded.
"...have you ever walked in on him writing a novel?"
Izanoku nodded.
"...has he been away recently?"
Izanoku nodded.
"...and not told you where?"
Izanoku nodded.
"...I think the author is your brother."
"...eh?"
Izanoku stared dumbfounded.
"Tashimare is an anagram for Remashita. Sagu is the non-dakuten form of Zaku, which is his romanised name."
"Hang on, could you pay for these books while I make a quick call outside?"
"Sure. Want to buy the light novel too?"
"Yes. Absolutely. Also, did you find your figurine?"
"Yep. Mero is all mine!"
"Good. I'll be outside."
Izanoku handed him the manga and took out her phone, walking outside with a fuming red face.
Frantically calling her younger brother, she tapped the ground viciously while waiting for a call back.
"Hello there, Zak speaking."
"ZAK YOU PIECE OF SHIT WHEN DID YOU BECOME AN AUTHOR AND WHY WOULD YOU WRITE SOMETHING LIKE THAT WHEN IT'S CLEARLY BASED ON ME AND MASARU, ARE YOU INSANE?!"
"Zak is no longer available to speak. Please try again later."
"Why you... explain yourself!"
"Please leave a message after the beep."
"Zak... don't play games or else I'm cooking tonight..."
"...OKAY, OKAY, FINE, I PUBLISHED A BOOK, PLEASE DON'T COOK!"
"Better! Now, tell me, why did you think it was a good idea?!"
"I'm more surprised you figured out it was me so fast... I was planning to tell you once you got back home, but I guess you beat me to the punch. Anyways, I was just posting my one-shots online per usual and I decided to use the plot I made up that one time we were talking to each other and turn it into a one-shot. After that, I published, it became an overnight hit and I was offered to write a whole series on it for some sweet money. So, I took the offer and became the author known as Tashimare Sagu. Pretty cool, right?"
"Jeez... I don't know whether to congratulate you or punch you in the face."
"Why not both?"
"Good idea."
"Welp, I'm gonna put some protection on my face now. Catch you after your date?"
"Yes. Yes you will."
"Sweet. Have fun sis."
"You too, you piece of garbage."
Izanoku ended the call and Masaru handed her a plastic bag with her books.
"Here."
"Thanks..."
"You look stressed... Let's go grab a drink to cool you off."
"Un, okay."
Masaru and Izanoku wandered to a vending machine, and inserted a couple yen into the machine.
A berry soda and soya milk left the machine. Masaru took the soda while Izanoku took the milk.
The two sat down at a bench and began drinking.
"Ah, cold soya milk is always nice on a hot day like this..."
"I thought you'd also get a soda."
"I don't like things with too much sugar."
"Huh, I didn't take you for the body conscious type either."
"It's not even that... I just think soya milk tastes better too."
"Personal preferences and all that jazz, I get you."
"Though..."
Izanoku looked at his can.
"You want to exchange sips?"
"Uh..."
Masaru was taken back by her straightforwardness.
He handed her the can of soda.
"Go wild?"
"Thanks!"
Izanoku smiled and gave Masaru her can of milk.
The two exchanged sips, and handed the can back to one another.
"Berry soda is pretty awesome as well."
"Soya milk is just weird..."
"Try malt soya milk. It's even better!"
"Malt soya milk...? Anyways, where do you wanna go now?"
"Is there anything else you wanna do in Akihabara?"
"Uh, not that I can think of. Unless you want to check out the card shops here too."
"Nah, I'm not that big of a fan of Vanguard. Plus, my deck is completed."
"We're not gonna visit a card shop and this is a Vanguard fanfiction... how ironic."
"Did you say something?"
"Oh, I said we should head home. It's getting late."
"Aww... but we've only visited Akihabara..."
"Let's visit the other places some other day. How does that sound?"
"Um... sure!"
"Plus, our date isn't over yet."
"Fufu. Of course~"
The two walked back to the station and took the next train back to Tokyo.
Once they arrived back in Tokyo, Izanoku clung to his arm with an exhausted expression as they walked to Masaru's home.
"It's night already..."
"You get tired so easily."
Masaru looked down at Izanoku, snickering.
"I know... but you try walking in heels for the whole day."
"I'll make sure you can relax at my house then. So, what do you want for dinner?"
"Hmm... I was thinking maybe omurice and miso soup...?"
"Back to basics, hm? I like the sound of that dinner."
"Me too. It's been ages since I've eaten omurice."
"Why's that?"
"Budget reasons..."
"You couldn't afford rice, some veggies and eggs?"
Izanoku looked away with a shameful face.
"Well, I suppose you can't if all you used to buy is soup."
"It's... a strange explanation... you see, in the old house, none of us could really cook except Zak. We usually go buy food from takeaways, but since we didn't have much money Callum usually resorted to stealing people's money so we can pay for that kind of stuff... sometimes he straight up stole food for us so we can have something to eat..."
"Personally, I don't think your situation couldn't have been that bad."
"Well... we owned the house so we don't have to pay for things like rent. It's just the other stuff, like electricity and water which took up most of our budget... a-admittedly, sometimes we'd skip eating since we didn't have food, or... bathing, just so we didn't have to pay water bills. Callum and Zak used to insist I should at least bath since I'm a girl, but... I felt guilty, and that'd be valuable money going down the drain. I believed that some cheap spray was better to cover up the smells since it wasted less money."
"..."
Masaru squeezed Izanoku's hand tightly.
"No wonder you decided to move in after they ran that truck through your house."
"Yeah... no way were we gonna be able to pay off the damage done to the place... At least living there, I don't have to worry about that stuff, and we finally get to use things like heating and have proper beds and meals... you couldn't imagine the massive improvement in life we got... I felt..."
Masaru and Izanoku stopped walking abruptly.
Tears ran down Izanoku's frail face.
Masaru looked at her and gently wiped away her overflowing tears.
"Happy?"
Izanoku nodded, continuing to cry.
Masaru wrapped his arms around her, embracing her gently.
"Let it all out."
Sobbing into his jacket, Izanoku held onto him tightly.
After her emotional outburst, Izanoku and Masaru continued to walk back to his house.
"I'm glad your life could get better."
"I think... this has been the best my life has ever been... especially since I get to be with you."
"Iza... why did you fall in love with me? And not someone like Callum, who's obviously more close to you?"
"Well, I thought you were extremely charismatic... there was something about you, apart from your good looks, that drew me in. The short but funny conversations we had during that cardfight in Malaysia stuck with me closely. There was this feeling of butterflies in my stomach when I got the chance to talk to you or meet you again. I really like your personality too, Masaru. In some aspects, it reminds me of my father that I never really got the chance to be with when I was a kid... and all those reasons together, along with the small times I got to be with you, building on top one another... is why I love you. But... I know that you don't really "love" me, do you?"
"Well... I don't know about that."
Masaru scratched his cheek.
"I think... you're one of the most intense girls I've ever met. I like you."
"That's all I needed to hear."
Izanoku smiled, hugging his arm.
The two stopped in front of Masaru's house.
"Welcome to my home."
Masaru said, opening the door to his house.
"This is my first time inside... I'm excited."
"Welcome to my humble abode."
Stepping inside the clean, neat house, Izanoku kicked off her heels and ran around wildly, gasping at being inside Masaru's house.
It was a nice, cosy, large home with various rooms and lots of space.
Izanoku turned on the lights for the living room, and dived into the green couch, sinking into it.
"You're really, really excited..."
Masaru laughed, following her.
Izanoku laid on the couch with a deathly tired expression.
"Guuu..."
"Well, I'll cook dinner now. You sit tight and wait."
"Okay..."
Izanoku groaned and sat up, turning on the TV to watch the news.
Masaru wandered to the kitchen to cook the omurice and prepare the miso soup.
Not before long, Masaru had finished cooking a beautiful plate of omurice and a small bowl of miso soup to go with it.
Izanoku walked to the dinner table, sitting across Masaru and putting her hands together.
"Thanks for the food."
Masaru put his hands together and smirked.
"No problem."
Izanoku began digging into the golden omelette that was encasing the fluffy fried rice and fresh vegetables.
Masaru started off by drinking the salty miso soup and eating the soft tofu inside.
"Wow, this tastes amazing! You're a really good cook, Masaru!"
"Thanks."
The couple enjoyed their meal, talking about the mundane things in life, and the thrilling day in Akihabara they had.
It was a wholesome date. One which Izanoku treasured closely in her heart.
After finishing their food, they left their plates, bowls and utensils sink in a tub of soapy water.
Masaru and Izanoku were now sitting next to one another on the couch, watching some Japanese dramas.
"Hey, Masaru..."
Izanoku snuggled up to him, placing her head on his chest.
Masaru looked down at her.
"Hm?"
"Can we do this again one day...? A date, I mean..."
"Sure. But next time, ask me nicely."
"Fufu. Of course... I only forced you because I wanted this to happen badly."
"Our date today was fun, wasn't it?"
"Yes... super... fun..."
Masaru smiled and gently placed a kiss on her head.
"Sweet dreams, otome."
Izanoku had fallen asleep in Masaru's arms.
(Ending here)
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