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Return of the Fallen Volume 5 Chapter 70

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Author: Blue_Rat

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ch70

As the clouds floated on by, Nunully could pick out specific ones and give their official name. She now knew Kazuki actually liked smart girls and so she put her knowledge to good use. Every now and again, Asuna would add on how she thought one cloud looked like a cat or another resembled a bird or something like that.

Kazuki wasn’t as imaginative nor as knowledgeable about the clouds but the three still had a nice slow conversation. In this way, time went by and it was already noon. The three felt their stomachs settle and wanted to stretch their legs and loosen up a bit. The three went for a walk around the mountain until they found themselves in a calm forest.

As they explored, Nunully would point out all the flora and the fauna and give very detailed information.

“Nene, how can you fit all of that in your head?”

Nunully shrugged.

“I don’t know. Sometimes when I read it feels like I’m actually experiencing what I’m reading rather than saying things out loud or in my head. As I read, It’s almost like pictures are moving about in my mind and I guess maybe that helps me recall things. What about you Asuna? I read because I love books and the tales within they hold, what do you like to do?”

Asuna had to think for a while.

“Though I haven’t done it in a really long time, there was a sport I loved to play called volleyball. Ever since I came to this world, there were so many things that took my time and attention. So many things that were life-threatening and demanded all of me, that I haven’t had the time to think about playing it. After my family, friends, and tv, volleyball is what I miss the most.”

Nunully became intrigued at this new game she had never heard of. She grabbed Asuna’s hands in excitement.

“You have to teach me about it. How is this volleyball sport played, what are the rules?”

Asuna didn’t understand why Nunully was so interested but she found it nice to talk with someone about volleyball after such a long time. Asuna grabbed a stick from the ground and began drawing a net, players, and a ball as she explained and went over the rules. The more she talked about it, the more relaxed she seemed to become. Nunully saw Asuna’s simple drawing on the ground and was surprised. Although it was nothing fancy, it was actually well drawn out.

(She can cook, draw and she knows about this volleyball, she’s more than what I thought.)

After Asuna finished explaining, Nunully felt she had a grasp over the game and wanted to try it out. She had never been able to play outside growing up and was always interested in such things. Admiring the illustrated game on the ground, she couldn’t help but wonder out loud.

“So all we really need is a ball and that net thing and then we could play?”

“Yes but I don’t know where we would get such items. Usually, a ball is made from leather, and as for a net, we’d have to get some braided rope or something similar but I don’t know where from.”

This is when Kazuki stepped up.

“Leave that to me.”

Kazuki grabbed at the ground and willed his earth magic. He imitated Sam and created a flexible rope made from the ground. Forming the image in his head, a strong yet pliable net formed in a few seconds. Kazuki looked around and found a nice clearing a few hundred feet away.

“Let’s go over there.”

Leading the way, Kazuki came to a nice wide empty clearing. He then created two skinny poles made from hardened rock and hung his freshly made net. Afterward was the ball. He formed it out of the flexible rope-like material, making a fully formed ball. He tossed the ball to Asuna and she instinctually hit it.

*Pop*

The ball could handle none of Asuna’s force and popped as soon as it came into contact with her palm.

Asuna and Kazuki both apologized to the other at the same time.

“Sorry.”
“Sorry.”

The two exchanged a look before they laughed together.

“I used too much force apparently.”

Kazuki denied that.

“No, I made it too fragile. The next one will be better.”

His first attempt at making a ball out of something that wasn’t leather came out wrong and could take no force whatsoever. His next one, he had to think a little more. The first one was too brittle and exploded so easily but for the next one he couldn’t overcompensate and make it too tough, nor too heavy if Nunully was going to hit it as well.

Kazuki finally came to the conclusion that with his skill, he currently couldn’t make a ball similar enough to a volleyball out of earth magic. So he came up with something different. He ended up pulling a leather chest armor out of his ring and with a nail he carved a certain shape out of it. After that, he punched several tiny holes around it’s edges. He then created a thin, flexible yet strong rope from earth magic, and then he stitched the leather up, weaving the thin rope into the small holes he had just made.

He then made sure it was airtight and sealed it up and like that, it was complete.

Though rough and ugly, it came out not too bad. Kazuki still had to warn Asuna about it just in case.

“Make sure you hold your strength back, I don’t have supplies to make another.”

He then tossed the ball to Asuna and she caught it.

“Hmpf, you don’t have to tell me. I know how to hold back.”

Kazuki thought back to her temper tantrum back up the mountain near the field of flowers. She had wrecked the nearby area, yet she was claiming to know how to hold back. Kazuki felt a hint of worry.

Asuna walked to one side of the net before pointing at the other end and directing Nunully.

“Nene, I’m on this side, and you go to that side and we’ll start off slow just to get your feet wet. How’s that sound.”

Nunully ran excitedly to one side and called out.

“Ok, I’m ready!”

Asuna though didn’t respond. Instead, she stood there with her hands on her hips, the ball tucked under one arm, she stared at Kazuki.

“Um…Asuna why are you staring at me. You can’t be distracted by this handsome face again can you?”

Asuna snorted loudly.

“Hmpf, you wish. Hurry up and get away so we can start.”

“Eh, you don’t want me to play?”

“Of course not. If you play it won’t be fair. You showed off your speed earlier, there’s no way the game would be fair. You mentioned that I’m the one who can’t hold back but isn’t that you who isn’t capable of restraint?”

“Me, I’m the definition of restraint. Your joking.”

Asuna shook her head.

“I saw the way you were going at it this morning with Lamia. You couldn’t hold back if you tried.”

“What, this and that are completely different. Besides, when you think about it, I didn’t even get to finish. If I really couldn’t hold back…”

Kazuki stopped his words mid-sentence as he could tell that he was just sounding like an idiot at this point. Besides, it didn’t really matter if he played or not. Kazuki silently walked off to the side.

Asuna chuckled.

“Hehe, that’s right, be a good little boy and let the grownups play. You just stand over there and be the referee.”

Kazuki shook his head.

(She’s held that ball for not even a minute and she’s already become a different person.)

Asuna turned her attention back to Nunully.

“I’ll serve first, you just do your best to receive it. Ready!”

Nunully gulped hard. Her heart racing in her chest at this new experience.

“Please!”

Asuna gave a nod before she threw the ball high into the air. She had just released it but felt that the weight was nearly perfect in the ball which caused her to grow confident. As the ball came back down toward her, Asuna gave a small jump and while holding her power back greatly, she slapped the ball over the net.

(Shit!)

Asuna cursed in her head. Even though she tried to hold back, she really did end up using too much power and the ball shot forward faster than an arrow. Asuna called out in a panic.

“Nene, don’t try and receive it. Move Away!”

Kazuki watched from the side and shook his head.

(I told her to hold back. I’m surprised the ball didn’t break again.)

Kazuki wondered if he should step in but at the same time, he figured the ball wouldn’t hurt too bad if it hit and so he decided to watch it play out. That might seem cruel but Kazuki could see a fire in Nunully’s eyes. She wasn’t trying to avoid it but actually go for it instead.

The ball came racing toward Nunully and she quickly stepped in and put her hands together as Asuna suggested and received it.

*Pow*

The ball hit her hands and bounced up awkwardly hitting her directly in the face before flying up and into the air.

Asuna felt horrible seeing this and was about to run over and apologize when Nunully took a step back. With a huge grin on her face, Nunully caught up to the ball and slapped it back. Asuna was so stunned by this, that she didn’t even notice that the ball had already landed on her side. It bounced two times and then rolled away. Kazuki couldn’t help but laugh before calling out.

“Point!”

Nunully began to cheer and jump up and down. This was the first time she had ever scored a point in a sport.

“Kazuki did you see me, did you see? Wasn’t I amazing?”

“Definitely but I think you’d better stop focusing on me and pay attention to your opponent.”

“Eh.”

Nunully turned back and Asuna already had the ball in her hand. Before Nunully could say anything, Asuna tossed the ball in the air, completely forgoing the rules, she served it.

Like this, the game was on. Asuna was forced to hold back so she didn’t destroy the ball and so she had to play around a regular person’s level. Because of this, Nunully wasn’t doing too bad. Though, as Asuna got more and more serious, the score became lopsided in Asuna’s favor. Eventually, no more scores were announced because the two got so into the game that they ignored Kazuki’s scorekeeping.

Kazuki wondered if things were going too far but looking at the twos expressions, they were smiling and giggling the whole time. Kazuki didn’t know why but he got enjoyment out of the two enjoying themselves and just sat back and watched.

After nearly an hour, Nunully finally collapsed from exhaustion.

Asuna and Kazuki ran over concerned but Nunully was still smiling.

“Hehehe, I didn’t know…I didn’t know volleyball was so much fun.”

Asuna was exhilarated hearing this.

“Finally there’s someone else in this world that appreciates volleyball the way I do.”

“Asuna, do you want to play some more tomorrow?”

Asuna was dumbstruck and stared at Nunully blankly.

“Of course, of course, yes. A million times yes.”

Nunully wiped the sweat from her brow and tried to stand up but she lost strength in her legs and fell. Asuna stepped forward and caught her.

“Thank you, Asuna.”

Asuna didn’t know what to say and tossed Nunully toward Kazuki who carefully caught her.

“No problem. Since you are exhausted, Kazuki will carry you back, I think it’s time we call this whole date thing for the day.”

Nunully looked a little sad but after sniffing the air, and feeling the sweat on her clothes, she agreed.

“I guess we have to. I can’t stand all of this sticky sweat. Kazuki, shall we?”

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Running back to the house, they were only a few minutes away but the closer they got, the slower their speed became. They purposefully slowed down so they could spend more time together. This wasn’t something they talked about or agreed on beforehand and came about naturally. Soon they slowed to a walk and were only 15 or so minutes away at their current speed. Along the way, Asuna, Nunully, and Kazuki all chatted about how the date went. It was fairly simple but all three really enjoyed it.

Eventually, Nunully became quiet and her breathing softened and relaxed. Kazuki and Asuna discovered she had fallen asleep and became quiet for a while as they walked through the forest. Although they no longer spoke, the silence between the two wasn’t awkward but instead pleasant. They listened to the forest and heard the sounds of nature.

The birds in the sky and trees, singing and chirping, the skittering of small animals, and the soft and gentle breeze rustling the leaves.

“Kazuki…”

“Hmm?”

“I was just curious. What will you do if you get revenge? What will you do if you kill all of your enemies?”

Kazuki thought for a while before he gave up and just answered honestly.

“I’ve never thought about it. I still don’t even see…No, I’m not even sure I can make it. Well, at least that’s what I thought until recently.”

“What do you mean?”

“Up to this point, I’ve been pulling things out of my ass, surviving by the skin of my teeth. I never thought about the future because I really didn’t know if I could even make it this far, let alone destroy my sister, my mother. However, now things are starting to become clearer. I can feel my strength changing every day. Glacious really is sticking to his word and A path is opening up for me. If things really do work out, then afterward, I suppose I’ll be able to do what I’m supposed to.”

“What you’re supposed to do? which is?”

“I guess what everyone is supposed to do. Live my life. Whatever that entails, I’m open to it.”

The three came upon the house and stopped.

“Kazuki…Do you see me, a future down the line?”

Kazuki looked at Asuna and began to think. It was definitely a possibility but he couldn’t just say yes or no. As he was thinking, too much time had passed for Asuna and she thought he was hesitating. She got pissed and just before Kazuki answered, Asuna kicked him in the shin and ran inside the house.

“Jerk!”

Asuna disappeared into the house, leaving a completely confused and stunned Kazuki.

(What the fuck just happened!?)

Kazuki really had no idea. He was thinking about the best way to answer her and then she suddenly kicked him in his leg. It was at this time, that Nunully jumped off of Kazuki’s back and chuckled.

“Hehehe, Kazuki you are incredibly smart but you can’t see why she’s mad. Women don’t like men who hesitate, especially on matters concerning us.”

Nunully then walked up and kissed Kazuki on his cheek before blushing several shades of red.

“Well, I know how you really are so I won’t get mad. Just don’t hesitate, otherwise, Asuna might get tired of you real fast. Though maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad thing. It would mean I get you all to myself, hehe.”

Nunully then turned around and ran inside as well, leaving an even more stunned Kazuki behind. It wasn’t her words that got him, but rather the fact that up until this point, Kazuki had thought she was sleeping the entire time but that wasn’t the case. Nunully was pretending since a while ago but Kazuki had no clue since when. Once more the same thought popped into his head.

(What the fuck just happened!?)

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