Invisible Currents

Hiroshi dressed calmly. Alisiya lay there wet, too weak to stand—her face marked by what had just happened.

— (That bastard took my virginity... one day I'll kill him.) — she thought. Alisiya is angry.

Hiroshi smiled, satisfied, and took an unknown object from his pocket, small and wrapped in a magical film. He approached with the calm of someone who had everything planned.

"I'll give you a very good reason why you've been so generous to me," she said, her voice low and sharp.

In a gesture that froze me, he pressed the artifact against her body. Alisiya gasped. Her breathing grew heavy, then returned to a ragged breath, as if one part of her resisted and another gave way. She turned her face to Hiroshi, her eyes blazing with hatred.

— (Damn... why do I feel this urge to be with him again?) — she thought. Alisiya didn't understand anything.

"What did you put in me?" she asked in a low voice.

Hiroshi smiled, with that expression that gave me chills.

"A magic vibrator that Lysandra prepared. Want to know the effect?" he said , already touching her again as he spoke.

— Lysandra ! Fujinomiya ! Come in here! — Before she could react, the door opened. Hiroshi called out loudly.

Lysandra and I arrived quickly, me still dizzy from the spray that had hit me when I rushed forward. I saw Alisiya lying there, exhausted. I was furious.

"What did you do to her, you bastard?!" I yelled.

Hiroshi shrugged calmly.

"Sex. Any problem?" Hiroshi asked ironically.

I lunged to attack him, but before I could, a lilac mist cut through the air: Lysandra had pulled out a bottle and sprayed me. My body went numb, and then the world felt heavy; I fell asleep, my face sinking into the cold earth of the room.

When I woke up, Alisiya was already unconscious. Lysandra was holding the spray bottle nonchalantly.

"Who would have thought... we actually managed to capture her," he said , looking at the witch's motionless body.

— Spray her too. I don't want to take any risks. — Hiroshi ordered .

Lysandra obeyed. The sweet scent of the substance filled the room. Alisiya tried to react, murmuring something unintelligible, but soon passed out.

Hiroshi sighed.

"Let's search the house before we go," said Hiroshi.

We went down to the basement together. The air there was heavy, imbued with ancient magic. On the shelves, something pulsed inside glass vials.

"What are these things...?" he asked . Lysandra , hesitant.

"Parasites. Shouta told me about them when I was imprisoned here. They're used to control human bodies," Hiroshi replied, staring at the vials.

"Don't touch them without the glass. They're unstable," Hiroshi explained .

Lysandra nodded and conjured a protective seal around the vials.

— Understood. I'll reinforce the glass so it doesn't break. — he said . Lysandra .

As she finished the spell, we heard footsteps above.

"They've arrived. Let's go upstairs," said Hiroshi.

When we returned, Aioze and the rest of the group had already gone inside. Sisters Mayumi and Shouta were lying unconscious on the ground.

"They're alive, just sleeping," he said . Shana , examining them.

" Lysandra must have used the sleeping spray," he replied . Aioze .

Then Hymen pointed to the hallway.

— There... it's them! Lysandra and Hiroshi! — he said Hymen .

Yuuki 's gaze was direct, cutting.

"Don't tell me you were thrown back into the basement," he said . Yuuki .

Hiroshi simply smiled.

Alisiya 's room ," Hiroshi said .

We went inside. The shock was immediate.

Alisiya lay naked, fallen on the ground, her body covered in residual magic.

— (No... he wouldn't have the courage...) — I thought, feeling my stomach churn.

Shana stared at Hiroshi with disdain.

"So that's how you extract information, isn't it?" he said. Shana is annoyed.

"It was necessary," he replied coldly.

"I hate you," she said , turning her face away.

Koharu , impassive, crossed her arms.

"That woman was our enemy. Are you feeling sorry for her now? " he asked . Koharu .

Shana spat in Koharu 's face .

— You're trash. — he said Shana .

She stormed out of the room, furious.

Aioze simply sighed.

"Let her cool off. She'll soon understand that we did what needed to be done," he said . Aioze .

His gaze turned to me.

Why did you fall asleep, Fujimoto ?

— Lysandra knocked me out. I thought she was my ally. — I replied , tense.

Lysandra raised her chin, indifferent.

"You were going to attack Hiroshi. I just prevented a problem," he said . Lysandra .

Aioze looked away, tired.

"Understood. Now, everyone listen: I and the commanders will stay behind to interrogate Alisiya . The rest of you must return to base immediately," he ordered . Aioze .

Yuuki took a step forward.

"You're talking because of Shana , aren't you?" he asked . Yuuki .

"I didn't mention any names. Just obey," he replied . Aioze , firm.

Max helped me up, still dazed, and started to leave.

"Protect Himeno at all costs," Yuuki called to him in a whisper.

Max nodded.

We left the house. Shana was sitting by the side of the road, her gaze distant.

"Where are the others?" he asked without emotion.

" Aioze and the commanders stayed behind to interrogate Alisiya ," he replied . Koharu .

Shana frowned, but remained silent.

Minutes later, I fully regained consciousness. Himeno told me what had happened.

"Damn... I can't believe he did it again ."

Hiroshi, feigning normalcy, suggested:

"How about we go for some fruit? That way we can clear our heads," he said . Hiorshi .

— (Fruit? Now?) — I thought , suspiciously.

"It's going to be in trios. No pairs," I declared .

Hiroshi snorted.

"Do whatever you want," Hiroshi said .

Himeno took the small wooden box out of her bag.

"We can do the drawing right here. I brought the tokens with me," he said . Hymen .

She opened the lid and looked at everyone.

"Can I draw my first one?" Himeno asked.

We agree.

Himeno picked up a token and smiled.

"Token number one," Himeno said.

Hiroshi approached.

"My turn," he said , picking up another one.

"Token number two," I said.

Then Max, Shana, and Koharu drew lots as well. In the end, the groups were defined: Shana , Himeno , and I in the first trio; Koharu , Max, and Hiroshi in the second.

"So that's it. We'll take the left trail. You guys stay on the right. We'll meet at the Tamarin Desert ," he said . Shana .

"Agreed," he replied . Koharu .

As we continued on our way, silence reigned over the group.

Himeno broke the mood.

— Fujimoto , Shana ... I don't agree with what Hiroshi did to Alisiya . I only kept quiet because I was afraid of what Aioze and Yuuki might think. — she called out , her voice trembling.

"You don't need to blame yourself. It's clear that it upset you as much as it upset us," he said . Shana , without hesitation.

I agreed.

"Yes. And I'm sure Aioze wouldn't judge you for that," I said.

Hymen 's eyes filled with tears.

She wiped it with the back of her hand and smiled.

"Thank you, really..." Himeno said gratefully .

Shana gave her a light tap on the shoulder.

"Let's go now. We still have a long way to go," I said.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the forest, Hiroshi was walking alongside Koharu and Max.

Max seemed restless, attentive to every movement.

— (I have to protect Koharu ... I don't trust that guy for a second.) — Max thought , keeping his hand on his sword.

Koharu approached, her tone too soft for the moment.

"Max, can you get that plant for me? The one over there, near the rock," he said . Koharu .

"Of course," he replied , distractedly.

As soon as Max bent down, a thin cloud of dust spread out; the plant's thorn had released numbing spores .

" Agh ! My eyes!" Max cried , bringing his hands to his face.

Hiroshi smiled. He touched Max's forehead with his finger and murmured:

— Enslave .

Max fell to his knees, screaming. An incandescent seal formed on his skin and then disappeared.

"Who is your master?" Hiroshi asked .

"You... Mr. Hiroshi," Max replied , his voice faint.

"Good boy," Hiroshi said , pleased.

"Go find some fruit and come back," Hiroshi ordered .

"Yes, master," said Max.

Koharu watched in silence, her gaze cold and calculating.

"Why are you helping me?" Hiroshi asked , curiously.

Koharu smiled slightly.

"Because he threatened me, remember? And besides, he defeated Alisiya . I have no reason to oppose someone so dangerous," he replied . Koharu .

" Hm... and what do you want in return?" he asked suspiciously.

"Only one condition. I want to be the first woman in your harem," she replied .

Hiroshi blinked in surprise, then laughed.

"Is that all? " Hiroshi asked .

That's all. — he replied . Koharu , without looking away.

" Heh ... you're more interesting than I thought," Hiroshi said .

"And who will be next?" she asked .

Hiroshi gazed thoughtfully at the horizon.

"Perhaps Fujinomiya ... or Shana ," Hiroshi replied .

Koharu chuckled softly.

"It still annoys me that you call Fujimoto that," he said . Koharu .

"It's a woman now. She needs a name that fits the occasion," Hiroshi said .

She shrugged, laughing.

— As you wish. — he said. Koharu .

Hiroshi narrowed his eyes.

"Thanks to your idea about Max, I've come up with a plan. Tonight, after dinner, I'm going to put it into action," Hiroshi said .

Koharu nodded silently.

Meanwhile, in the basement of Alisiya 's house , Aioze and the commanders were preparing the interrogation. The sisters Mayumi and Shouta were tied up, still unconscious, while Alisiya slept, bound by rune chains.

"They'll wake up soon," he warned . Lysandra .

Shortly after, Yumi opened her eyes and moved.

"What is this...? Why am I tied up?" Yumi asked.

"Precaution. We know Alisiya placed control seals on you," she replied . Aioze .

The two sisters were in shock. Yumi tried to break free, but without success.

Then a voice echoed through the room.

It's been a while, Mayumi Yumi ... or should I say, Elfsei Mayumi Yumi ? — she said Yuuki , appearing in front of them.

— Yuuki ...? — she murmured. Filna , surprise.

"We don't want to fight. Fujimoto told us who you are," Gerald added .

Upon hearing his name, the sisters exchanged glances.

" Fujimoto ... is he alive?" Filna asked.

"Yes. And it's because of him that we're here," he replied . Aioze .

They explained everything: Alisiya 's capture , the mission, the betrayal, and the plan to defeat her. When they finished, Filna shook her head in disbelief.

"I never thought Alisiya would fall for it so easily..." said Filna .

Yumi laughed bitterly.

"So that idiot Hiroshi was good for something after all," he said . Yumi smiling.

Lysandra crossed her arms.

"More than you can imagine," he said . Lysandra .

Shouta sighed.

I still can't believe he has a real girlfriend.

Suddenly, Alisiya began to move. The chains vibrated.

— Where... am I...? — Alisiya asked.

Aioze approached.

"He finally woke up," he said . Aioze .

She looked around, furious.

"What do you want from me?" he asked . Alisiya .

"First, the seal. Remove the control over the Mayumi ," he ordered . Aioze .

"I've already removed it," she said dismissively.

"How will we know he's not lying?" he asked . Lysandra .

"Check it out," she replied sarcastically.

Lysandra examined her sisters' hands; the seal had disappeared.

Yumi sighed in relief.

"It's completely broken..." said Yumi .

"Now let me go, you bastards!" she shouted . Alisiya .

Aioze grabbed her hair and pulled.

"You think it's over? This is just the beginning of the interrogation," he said . Aioze .

Hours later, it was already night. We had arrived at the ruins of Omeron . We set up camp, had dinner, and began to get organized.

" Hymeno , did you bring the huts?" I asked .

"Yes, two. We can now draw lots to see who sleeps with whom," she replied .

But before we could begin, Hiroshi stood up.

Fujinomiya , come with me. Let 's go to the river in the forest. I'll reverse the spell.

— (Finally, I'll go back to normal...) — I thought, relieved.

Shana stood up.

We'll go together. I don't trust you to go alone with him.

"Neither do I," he added . Hymen .

Koharu crossed her arms.

"Max can go. It's safer," she said . Koharu .

"Yes. If anything happens, I'll help Fujimoto , " he said.

We walked to the river. The moonlight reflected on the water, and the cold air hit my skin. I took off my clothes, breathing deeply.

Hiroshi smiled.

"What a beautiful body you have, Fujinomiya ," said Hiroshi.

"This will be the last time you call me that," I replied , through gritted teeth.

He came closer and... kissed me.

I stood there, motionless, shocked.

"What the hell... is he doing?!"

When I walked away, he just smiled.

"It seems like it was your first kiss," Hiroshi said ironically.

"Shut up!" I yelled.

But before I could react, Max grabbed me by the shoulders.

"What... Max?!" I shouted in surprise.

A gentle fire coursed through my body.

"I used the Fire of Youth on you. Now you can't run away from Master Hiroshi," Max said .

"Master...? You enslaved him..." I whispered, incredulous.

" Lysandra forbade me from enslaving women, not men," Hiroshi said calmly.

My blood ran cold.

"I... I'm going to tell everyone !" I shouted.

"Only if you have the courage. But I doubt it," he replied , moving closer.

The heat from the spell intensified, and my legs trembled.

"Damn... my body is burning."

"How about a challenge? If you behave like a woman for eight days, you'll accept your new name: Fujinomiya . If you resist... I'll reverse the power of the ability," he asked , with that infamous smile.

" ...Right ," I replied , swallowing my pride.

He laughed.

Get dressed. Let's go back before they get suspicious.

We returned to camp. I told them the essentials, that I would have to wait eight days for the spell to be broken.

Shana glared at me angrily.

"That bastard will pay," he said . Shana .

"Eight days go by quickly," Hiroshi replied with a smile.

Himeno crossed his arms.

"Max, I thought you were going to stop him," she said . Hymen .

"I tried ... but I couldn't," he said , looking downcast.

Koharu sighed.

"Let's go to sleep. Tomorrow we'll go back to base and talk to Aioze ," he said . Koharu .

Everyone agreed.

Later, when we were drawing lots to decide who would sleep in my group, I ended up in the same cabin as Koharu and Max. She looked at me, worried.

" Fujimoto ... are you sure you want to continue with this?" he asked . Koharu .

"I have no choice. All I can do is endure it," I replied softly.

She smiled slightly.

"So... if you want, I can help you look more feminine," she said . Koharu .

She smiled awkwardly.

"Maybe," I said.