AGG: Human Side Stories: Yukari

Yukari 1

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Commissioned by Chaosbrain

Word Count: 1000

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With a single tap of a button, I send the last report, and my day ends. While I now process over a hundred fortunes in a single day, pushing my reserves of magic to their utter limits every day, I cannot help but be happy about my circumstances.

True, I now work for a shadowy conglomerate who have done many heinous things to safeguard the human race, but it was a good trade, as Americans say, in exchange for safety. Whereas I previously enjoyed only anonymity as my shield, I now enjoy a whole base’s worth of protections.

The pay was gracious as well, far more than I probably deserved, and difficult to spend, given how my protections didn’t extend outside the base. Then, of course, there was the suite I was given. Three beds, two baths, a living room, a full entertainment system, and a fully-stocked kitchen!

I could live my whole life here, and given the outside world’s current state, I would love to do so!

Anyway, Yukari, street fortune teller, didn’t know if she’d make rent for her government housing. Now, Yukari, 9-10 a.m. future analyst, enjoys free housing, food, medical, dental, and most importantly protection, along with pay!

Needless to say, everything is looking up for Yukari, hooray!

Everything would be great, if not for the continuous stream of spam from a certain stupid idiot every day!

‘Hey, Yukari, how’s the hair? Still stupid? Glad to hear it! Listen, how about you tell me about this place in the middle of nowhere? How’s its fortune looking?’

That damnable fool of a man.

‘So, how’s it feel to work for the big dogs? You feel good trimming toenails? Well, at least the pay’s nice, right? Say, if you have the time, how about you take a look at this place for me?’

Never paying, always asking for favors, and perpetually inconsiderate.

‘Space is overrated. The view’s shit after the first few days. Really, don’t bother coming up here. It’s nothing special. Hey, what’s the forecast on this completely random, unimportant location? Thanks in advance, you fucking NEET.’

Awfully, completely, and utterly inconsiderate.

‘Last Message Date: 1 Month Ago.’

Day after day, there would a single message. No matter the change in password, address, or even computer, there’d be a new message from that idiot to me. Then, suddenly and without warning, not a single one. He couldn’t be dead, I knew that, since his fortunes were as bleak, and terrible, as always.

It had something to do with the Preservers, that stupid farce of an organization that’s somehow gained global support. We could leave now. Everywhere beyond Earth was safe. The nearest habitable solar system responded to my magic. I’ve told everyone that magic travels with life, and it develops alongside it, so there was no need to fear losing Earth. We can all leave now, after the rest have been gathered, and be safe.

Humanity can leave Heaven, Hell, and Earth behind, and seize all of the universe, while even the Chimera are left only with parallel Earths to go through. The stars are ours, while Angels, Devils, Fallen, Chimera, and other monsters can take Earth. The universe was immense, teeming with galaxies and opportunity that were well within our reach, yet we still bled upon a single chunk of rock, just because it was our home.

Yet, he chooses to fight, because it was our home.

A chime comes from my computer. One reserved for direct messages, and top secret information.

That fool’s preferred avenue of approach, despite all attempts to keep him from doing so.

I did not nearly hit my knee making my way there. No. I took my time going towards the computer. In fact, I didn’t even attend to it right away. I took a few moments for myself. I ate, paced myself, drank a healthy amount of water, and then considered reading the direct message. Only after attending to myself did I deign to consider the message. I am the mistress of my own destiny, the captain of the vessel that is my body, and so I did not hurry in the least to respond.

‘This is a system-wide message to notify all users of this channel of tonight’s update. Remember to leave your computers plugged in this evening. Authorization for this order is encrypted below. Please, verify.’

So, naturally, I wasn’t at all disappointed when it wasn’t his message.

No, not at all.

I--… I was where I wished to be. Here I am, in the safest place in the world, where my morning fortune always reads ‘Great Blessings.’ No harm shall come to me here, and my continued stay ensured my prosperous future. There’s no need for me to leave my room, where I could ask for anything I wanted within reason, and spend money to have the unreasonable delivered. My home was maintained rigorously, my wardrobe seen to, and the world’s entertainment is at my fingertips.

So, of course, I was glad to be finally and conclusively rid of that idiot, all his plans, and the Preservers. In--… in the end, b-because of everything he’s done to m-me, I was glad he no longer bothered me. I have everything I wanted, now. I-I am safe, secure, and s-satisfied.

There was never a need for me outside, anyway.

Even if he could be so shortsighted, he didn’t work alone anymore, so he didn’t need my predictions.

Though he was crass and coarse, someone would pity him e-enough to talk to him, s-so I shouldn’t pity him.

I h-had many friends here in America! In CORE! I talked with Muninn… a-and there were all the Homunculi! The soldiers were all scary, and didn’t speak Japanese, but they were all friendly… when they were around.

When they weren’t out there, fighting against the Chimera, while only the Drones roamed, cleaned, and worked.

I-I liked my current circumstances.

I worked from home, h-had a great s-salary, a-and I was cared for.

That’s right… I wasn’t waiting for anything at all…

Or, anyone.