SSS: Tomoe 2

SSS: Tomoe 2

…

Commissioned by Blue Flaming Wings

Wordcount: 2500

…

A curse cleansed.

A partner lost.

A new cause to fight for.

Yet, I find myself with far too much free time for a being with a life made anew.

Li Song had looked upon me and decided my worth is best served as a magical means to save the Preservers. A sacred treasure kept safely within Humanity’s Cradle, to live within the home of the Preservers, and to see to their wounds in times of crisis. He had other blades at his disposal, of greater strength and durability, so I felt no desire to join his side in battle.

And, of course, he knew that my true wielder would return one day, as I did.

I accepted his kindness without hesitation. To continue being solely the sword of the woman who saved me, who plucked me forth from a life of death and despair, was a gift that could only be contested by Ai’s return. Not only that, but I was to be useful as a tool for saving others, instead of a weapon for destruction. The notion was pleasing to me, thus I would do my utmost to aid the Preservers.

Yet, I overestimated the need for someone to care for the Preservers.

No.

That is incorrect.

The Preservers practically do not need me, yet I am nice to have as a redundancy, thus I find myself with free time, ample funds, and a culture that I did not understand.

Ai had traveled the Wasteland with gleeful abandon, striking down deviants and fools without remorse, and saving many budding towns. However, she rarely stayed, therefore I had little experience with how humanity lived in the wastes… let alone the lives led by those within the Cradle. 

Their lives were filled with splendor. The basic necessities of living were all provided. One could not grow fat with the food given, merely nutritious and meant to fill, but that alone was a luxury to be envied. Then, of course, even the humblest of abodes were safe, watched over by ever-vigiliant protectors, and the elements were to humanity’s whims inside and outside their apartments.

Work was only necessary if one wanted more than they could have.

Some would call them frivolous and hedonistic.

Yet, the streets were bustling with those who needed to be elsewhere. Children being taken to their schools by their parents, or being aided by their parents through higher education. Those who work in offices to one end or another. Professionals in the sciences and industry were aplenty. Multitudes intermingled with others of their chosen, beloved occupations. They were either eagerly resting or doggedly striding towards another day of work.

It made my payment heavier in my pocket, as all I did was stay on call and nearby the Preservers for healing which they held in reserve, instead of doing anything worthwhile. It also made me recall my current circumstances. I enjoyed meals composed by professional servants, entertainment of the highest class, and the best technologies to enjoy humanity’s network of virtual worlds. 

Thus, I decided that since I was dealt such a grand gift, to sit in the lap of luxury despite doing nothing, I chose to devote the whole of my pay to a gift for Li Song. 

Not only was it the right thing to do, but Ai was no longer around and about to tease me for my affection.

The day was far when I would entertain fantasies, perhaps not until I knew him completely and utterly, but he deserved a gift from myself.

The question was what I would give a man who had everything?

…

I considered asking for advice.

Masamune and Occisor both knew Li Song better than I. Not only were they by his side since the start of his legend, but one was devout and the other a woman who served him, despite being able to twist nearly all to her whims. I had little reason to doubt that their suggestions would allow me to understand them more, as well as provide Li Song with a grand gift, but I decided against that path.

I wished for my gift to him to be from myself.

It was quite the embarrassing notion. Ai would undoubtably laugh at me, once she realized my intentions, thus I was grateful that she was pursuing a life of her own, so that she could better understand herself. It was difficult enough to consider the thought without turning red. Had she been present, I would be stared at by the multitudes as I went completely scarlet at her whims.

I missed her, and wished to see her again, but I was glad that she was not present.

Besides, as I intended, this was to be a venture that I solely undertook.

Ai had no place here, no matter how I would enjoy her company and to see her well, as it was my duty to provide something for someone I admired.

I chose to consult advice upon the local chat channel. 

Of course, I chose to not divulge personal information, following the guidelines provided by the maids, so that I could interact safely with strangers through chat. I did my utmost to not walk as I consulted their advice, finding a nice shady seat to settle upon in a park, as I enjoyed the day in western garments befitting a woman of my youthful looks. I was aware that a few passersby stared at me, clad I was in a long skirt, wicker hat, and green blouse, but I offered them only waves and smiles as I patiently awaited advice.

‘What about suit? I know a gal! Just give me his sizes and I’ll make sure that she sticks to a budget!’

It appealed to me to provide Li Song with a wardrobe which I acquired through connections. I could easily purchase clothes for him from stores, but the thought of acquiring a personal suit for him, through means only I could access, was a pleasant thought indeed. So, though I did not give his name, I provided his sizes.

Then, strangely, they asked me for mine.

When I answered, I found that Ai was not out of the ordinary, but rather the norm!

‘My goodness, how does that work!? Oh, never mind, it must be fantastic!’ 

‘It’s gotten quite hot, quite quickly! Our newbie friend seems to have a stallion of a man!’

‘lol. The word you’re looking for is stud, honey. lol.’

A torrent of garbage all sent straight towards me. I tried to ignore what I could, picking what advice I could from the masses, but I soon had to put my Communicator down and hold onto my face, as I did my best to have my deplorable blush cease.

I’d thought that having Ai not be present would rid me of such embarrassment. Not only that, but was I not supposed to grow stronger against my foes? Where was my resistance against teasing? Had I not been teased enough by Ai to warrant a resistant against such things from others? These were strangers whose names I didn’t know, who weren’t even speaking to me, yet I had to decide whether to hide my scarlet ears from the sight of others, or try and bring my features back to their typical paleness.

This is the worst. The worst! They weren’t even being that unseemly. None of their words extended beyond implication and suggestion, whereas Ai would offer up our bodies for Li Song’s enjoyment with glee and without hesitation!

Without a second thought, I logged off the chat.

I shall never return to that place for advice again.

…

I… I can’t be anywhere or enter anywhere without being asked if I’m searching for a gift for my significant other!

As if the world were setting out to render upon me a day filled with embarrassment, once I went to the shopping center, there was no shortage of others doing their utmost to help me. To be more precise, I mean to say that they were their utmost to help me purchase something for my lover. And, no matter how much I insisted otherwise, even the drones at the registered did not change their statements. 

Did… did I have some sort of wicked curse upon me? 

Was everyone simply capable of discerning my intentions with a glance, then attribute them to romance with Li Song with ease? 

And, why were they continuously attempting to have me buy lingerie!?

“Miss would you like some help purchasing a for your boyfriend? Congratulations, by the way!”

“Oh, you must be quite happy to have such a great significant other? May I interest you in some clothing for yourself, as well?”

“Matching clothes? Oh, no, ma’am. This is for you to dazzle him in turn!”

My face has not ceased being scarlet for over three hours. Everywhere there is only a continuous barrage of friendly attendants, both automated and not, who wish to help me seduce Li Song. 

I was at the edge of my wits.

So, I broke and called my sole confidant in my trying times.

“Oh, that’s strange. That must be quite aggravating.” Li Song replied to my message speedily, despite the fact he was doing his best to save those trapped in an Infinite City. I found myself calming at his understanding. The two of us, having been mutual victims of Ai, could understand one another with ease in regards to my current situation. “Perhaps, you should check your profile? Ai might have altered it.”

Profile?

Altered?

Thus, my questions happily answered.

I disconnected from our communications thereafter, then viewed my profile for the first time after Ai had set it up for my stead.

Trepidation filled me from head to toe.

I was glad I was seated, as hesitated upon pressing the last button to look upon my public persona.

“Going out with my boyfriend tonight! I’ll be out of it until tomorrow nigh <3!”

Hweh.

“Hmmm, what do you all think I should wear? Apron and nothing? Or tower and nothing? He’s had a hard day at work!”

Huh.

“I want to make it harder >:)”

Bweh!?

“Ah, I want to have kids already. I wish he’d settle down already. If he wasn’t so busy, we’d have a family already.”

EEEEEHHHHH!!!

“Oh, how many? Well, as many as I can handle, ladies!”

It was all leeeeeeeeeeeeeewd!

My picture was that of a pair of smiling lips with a finger demanding silence, but there was no silence in the least! I’d accepted the avatar as it was womanly and mysterious, but Ai had not hesitated to make it utterly wanton! I had 10,000 followers! They were communicating with one another in a sub-forum connected to my account! They were wondering where I was, since it was obviously Ai who had been managing my private account and she has stopped, but they seemed rather robust for an untended, online community.

Wait.
Ai…Ai was in there keeping it afloat with rumors in romantic subtext… as well as stating that “I” was momentarily sick and busy… since I was planning to be married before the end of the year!?

I had to act.

I knew that I needed to act.

I’d let this pass for too long, already, thus even at the grave cost it would entail, I needed to attack now.

The battle to reclaim my pride was to be long and arduous. Ai was entrenched and reinforcing the defenses every passing day. Her machinations were unseen for weeks; thus, she had every possible advantage, but she made the mistake of thinking that she will continue to remain unseen for weeks!

The sooner I counterattacked, the sooner I could begin undermining her, and gain my victory—

‘Password is incorrect. You have two more tries remaining.’

Huh. Did… did I mess up on capitalization?

‘Password is incorrect. You have one more try remaining.’

No… she did not… how could she, since I had access to the whole of my account!?

‘Password is incorrect. You are locked out for twenty-four hours, Tomoe-chan!’

The memes… all those computing memes she sent my way. They weren’t just her bizarre taste in humor manifesting. In truth, they were hints at the truth. She’d hijacked my account for the sole purpose of continuously teasing me, while I was none the wiser and had access to everything else, I wished! Those extra hours she spent learning about modern society, for the sake of her feature, was in actuality just ensuring that she could do this to me without my knowledge… and to my utter defeat, as I couldn’t even counterattack!

Even when she’s afar, she’s doing everything in her power to tease me.

It was… it was endearing in her own way, and I certainly appreciated that she was still thinking of me, but I could go without being teased relentlessly while she’s away!

I didn’t hate it.

I truly appreciated that we remained connected, even though we couldn’t interact with one another.

However, no matter how much I appreciated it, I disliked being turned into an utter, blushing mess wherever I went!

GAH!

…

I settled upon a bracelet. Of all the possible gifts I was offered, it was simultaneously simple, elegant, and something which he could wear on his own. However, I would not give it to him upon his return. Perhaps, I would not even give it to him even after Ai returned. Though I wanted to give him a grand gift from the funds he granted me, as I found myself hesitating to enter store after store, I spied a simple, innocuous package beside a stand of simple bracelets.

It was a kit to create simple trinkets, of which pendants for a bracelet could be composed.

I had much time to myself now, no more battles to fight, and few people to look after. In all my years, passed through the ages, I nary had time to myself even after my Ascension. 

Therefore, what better gift could I give than a product of that time?

I shall hone my skills with this kit, a mere beginner’s kit, then advance onward until I create something worthy of all that I’ve been given. For now, I use a simple resin, heated and piped through a pen-like applicator, but I shall endeavor to carefully, slowly learn until I can make a pendant that shall shine well in any light upon Li Song’s wrist. 

As always, I use Ai’s teasing to my own ends. If I were incapable of changing my status to the outside world, if I could not step into a store without being thought of as some wanton woman, then I shall dutifully keep to myself, learn a skill, and enjoy my time indoors. Her tricks shall not reach me, and I shall give my gratitude to Li Song, thus victory shall be mine.

It shall be a long, slow march until I reach that victory, but I will walk steadily onward towards my goal without hesitation. 

There’s no longer anything for me to fear.

As silly as it may sound, I believe that if Li Song could let go of Ai, then he can surely save the world.