The Deity Entertainment Network

Chapter 229 – The Heart, The Mind, The Soul, The True Paladin

Sunday Evening

Lake Kawaguchi, Near Mt. Fuji

"John, this place is beautiful," Yu said, looking off the outlook they were standing on, with the lake below them and Mt. Fuji dominating most of the sky in front of them. The surrounding cherry trees were starting to shed their blossoms, the warm breeze blowing their fluff around them. It was very romantic.

"How did you even know this place existed?" Anan asked. She was confused, as this wasn't somewhere she had shown him the last time they were near her home. This was to the North rather than the West of the mountain where she lived.

"A man has his ways," John replied, wrapping his arms around both of them.

"So what is the big surprise you wanted to tell us?" Rumi asked. She was leaning her back on his chest while enjoying the view below. She twitched her ears a few times, batting his cheeks playfully.

"Maybe the view was the surprise." He said, chuckling slightly, then nibbled one of her ears. He had a surprise, but it wasn't quite time yet.

"Nope. You didn't pull us off patrolling two days in a row just to look at a nice view. You know that it is important that we stay vigilant. So, spill it, why are we out here in the wilderness?" She asked, calling out his baloney.

He chuckled some more. "Patience, darling. It's a marathon, not a sprint." He replied, using her own words against her.

"You're not playing fair. Fine, I'll wait. It's good to slow down a bit." She replied, resting her ears on his shoulders.

He made some small talk while waiting for the moment he was looking for. The sun had already set, and a full moon was rising high into the sky, sitting above the mountain. It wasn't going to get better than this... besides, he had to make sure someone got home safely.

He stepped away from the women, then turned around and went down on one knee, pulling a small jewelry box out of his pocket.

"Rumi, Yu, Anan. Ever since I arrived in this world, I was ready to leave it as soon as I could. However, you three have brought so much joy and excitement into my life that I was willing to stay around." He said, looking up at the three women.

Earlier

"You want me to what? *Ribbit*"

"Help me pick out three engagement rings. I'm looking for a woman's perspective, and you are generally the most mature of the students who come and train here."

"Yeah, but have you seen me? I'm not exactly the most girly girl out there. You should have asked Momo... actually, Ochaco would have been perfect; she has been dreaming about the day some boy proposes to her since we were in middle school."

"That is why you are perfect, Tsui. Yu is kind of a girly girl, but Rumi and Anan? They are about as far from girly girls as you can get."

"Okay. It seems kind of odd, asking a student to help pick out your harem’s rings, but I'm game. Let's go."

"Always a little dig with you, isn't it?"

"Yep. I say it how I see it. I wouldn't be me otherwise. Do I get a ring too? *Ribbit*"

"Hah, no. Why? Were you looking to marry an old guy like me?" 

"Maybe. You can put up with my bullshit. So far, the only other guy who can do that is Midoriya, but Ochaco has him wrapped around her little finger now."

"You're still young, I'm sure you will find someone, someday. Just give it time."

"Sure, sure. Meanwhile, you have me help you get your fingers into three different pots. How romantic."

"We can go find that bar of soap if you would prefer?"

"Ack! No thanks, once was enough. Besides, I got rid of it."

"You think I only have one bar of soap?"

"So... Rings? Let's go look for rings! *Ribbit*"

Present

"Rumi, you bring so much energy and zeal to everything you do that it becomes contagious. You wear your heart on your sleeve and are always straightforward about how you feel. You are my heart and have revitalized my lust for life."

"Yu. We got off to a rocky start, but ever since then, you have shown me how much you are willing to change. You're smart, one of the smartest women I know. You have taught me so much, not just about your family but also about how both the public and hidden sides of this world work. You are my mind and keep me wanting to learn even more."

"Anan. You are like a river, calm and tranquil on the surface, but strong and powerful underneath. You help keep me grounded and remind me that others can be strong without needing to be a warrior. You are my soul and make me want to strive to be a better man."

Earlier

"Hah, A place that would be romantic to propose at? Hah, there are a lot of, hah!, places in Japan, hah!, why do you ask? Wait? Does this mean what I think it does?"

"Take that sword off my neck, and I might tell you."

"Oh! I can't wait! We have so much stuff to discuss! Venue, dresses, decorations!"

"Focus, Hinata. I still need to pop the question first. Besides, you have three brides to contend with if they all say yes."

"I will, but first. Will we need to rush this along to avoid bulging bellies for their wedding pictures?"

"You never give up, do you?"

"Why should I? I'm the Head of House Takeyama. I can do pretty much anything in this country with little effort, and if I put my mind to it, I can do anything."

"You mind putting some of that political influence to dealing with the trial's outcome?"

"Is there a baby in Yu's belly yet?"

"Are you seriously bargaining a child over this?"

"No, but it keeps you on your toes. No matter what the court says, I have ways to have it overturned. It will just take a little time. Have a little patience."

"One could say the same about you having another grandchild."

"Hmph. Fine. As for places you could go, I have a few ideas."

Present

"I have fallen in love with all three of you, and want you at my side for the rest of my life, in this world and any others. So, Rumi, Yu, and Anan, will you marry me?" John said, presenting the women with the three wedding rings Tsui helped him pick out earlier, in the place that Hinata had told him would be beautiful.

"YES!" The three women said in unison, excited by the unexpected proposal.

John knew he was going to ask them soon anyway, but he rushed it as it was getting near the end of the cherry blossom bloom. He loved these trees and knew that if he was going to create a near-perfect memory, he would have to take a leap and do this now.

He slid a ring on each woman's finger, kissing them before moving on to the next. It was a little awkward, but it was cute, and they didn't seem to mind the wait. He then gathered them all in his arms and turned them back towards the mountain. 

Fireworks went off in the sky just then, fitfully at first, then coming at more regular intervals. They were lovely and a wonderful end to this beautiful night.

"Okay, that was perfect, John, but how did you get fireworks to happen right then?" Yu asked, somewhat confused.

"Yeah. And there were no exhaust trails from them leaving the ground." Anan said, adding to their confusion.

"I have my ways." He replied with a smile.

Earlier

"You want me to launch some fireworks? Isn't that a little...much?"

"Probably, but I want tonight to be special, and I thought, 'Who owes me for making my Visa hearing all the more difficult because he was drinking with some Canadian's and kissing a fish?'"

"I swear, I was teleported there against my will. I have no idea how that happened."

"Did this mysterious woman have black hair, a pair of katanas, and wear a black corset and little else?"

"Actually, now that you mention it, yeah, she was."

"Yeah, I think I know the culprit. Just… stay away from her. She isn’t in danger from jumping off a building. I have a feeling she might be even more powerful than you." 

"Wait! Is this the woman who crashed the courtroom after I left?"

"Yeah, and Star and Stripe is on her tail. I suggest you just leave her to it, unless you have a way to nullify teleportation magic."

"Until I met you, I didn't even know magic was a real thing. So, fireworks? Yeah, I can do that for you."

"Thanks, I owe ya."

"Hah, no, you don't owe me anything. You saved my life, remember. I can do this for you... Though if I see someone in trouble…"

"That is fine. I'd rather people be saved than have the fireworks."

Present

"Oh, we should get some pictures to remember this!" Yu said, pulling out her phone.

"No need, it's already covered. Toru? Did you get some good shots?" John asked, looking towards a nearby cherry tree.

"You bet! Thanks for the extra work." The invisible girl said, stepping out from behind the tree with her camera in hand. "If I could get a few more with you showing off your rings, that would be great."

"You really did think of everything, didn't you?" Rumi said, looking up at him with her bright red eyes.

"Of course. It was an important occasion. Now, get a few pictures, and we need to get out of here. We need to get Toru home at a reasonable hour."

"You know, John, I'm capable of getting back on my own. I'm invisible after all."

"Not to infrared you’re not." He said, tapping his eye patch. His drone flew down into the clearing, hovered in front of her for a moment, then he plucked it out of the air and put it away.

"What? You can see me with that?!?!"

"I can just see your outline, not the fine details."    

"Oh, thank god. I was worried for a moment."

"You should be. I can't wait to use this baby on you the next time we do VIP escort training. Consider yourself warned." He said with a devious smile.

It was a good night indeed.

Monday

Courthouse

Judges Chambers

"Thank you for coming, Mr. Wayne."

"No problem, your Grace. It is kind of important that I show up." 

"Quite. Well, after some deliberation, we have decided to allow you to keep your work visa." She said and slid him a stack of papers.

John nodded. "That's great."

"Don't celebrate too soon. There is more. First, you will cease working as a school counsellor immediately. Despite Principal Nezu's assurances, you don't have the qualifications for the job. If and when you gain the prerequisite qualifications, you may resume your position at U.A. or wherever you want to work as a therapist. Any fines that may have been laid because of this lack of qualification have been waived in light of the way you were recruited into the position."

"Well, that isn't ideal, but understandable."

"Second, you will cease working as a solo hero until you have the qualifications to be a pro hero. You have breached your probationary period by dealing with the Hero Killer on your own. That is one strike. Your six-month probation period will be restarted, and if you have another strike, another hearing will take place within the PHSC."

"Does that include me healing people at a hospital?"

"No. Just in crime fighting. That said, you are free to defend yourself and others if there are no other options, though those cases will be handled by the PHSC directly as well."

"Fine. What else?"

"Does there need to be something else? You made a mistake, and it has been corrected. Maybe lay off killing any villains for a while, and you will see less backlash from the PHSC. Now, if there is nothing else, I have to see if my courtroom has been fixed yet."

John just gathered up his paperwork, thanked her, and then left. 

Monday Night

Flowing Mountain Hero Agency

Hot Tub

"What did Nezu have to say?" Rumi asked. They were alone in the tub right now, with Anan out dealing with a fire and Yu working with Mei on one of their projects in the basement. Rumi was lying in her normal spot on his torso, looking up at him with her big red eyes.

"That he doesn't have a full-time teacher position for me, but can offer me part-time work. I accepted it for now, but until I get the full salary of being a pro hero, I'm going to have to watch my spending a bit."

"That should be fine. We do have a fair amount of money coming in, mainly since Yu is now in the top ten."

"Yeah." He replied, thinking of the letter from Kaina and L.O.V.E. he received earlier. They were opening a school/orphanage right here in Jaku and were looking for a principal. It would be something else to consider in the coming weeks. 

He had tried calling his sister to give her an update, but her phone went directly to voicemail. He hoped she was okay and that the dragon lady didn't start actually fighting back.

"Don't worry, things will work out." She said, then looked at him for a moment and snaked her hand down between his legs, stroking Little John to life. "Here, let me take your mind off of it for a bit." 

"I'd love that right now." He said, kissing her. She climbed up on top of him and rode his worries away for a while.

Tuesday Morning

John woke up early, sweating a bit from the press of bodies around him.

Anan had come in late, just as he and Rumi were finishing up in the hot tub, and asked if they wanted to sleep at her place tonight. After collecting Yu, they went up to her apartment, where she had a queen-sized bed. While still small for four people, there was way more room than in Rumi's bed. They fell asleep cuddling, tired from everything that had happened that day.

He looked at each of the sleeping women in turn, kissing them on their foreheads. Rumi woke up when he reached for his sword and leathers beside the bed. She was resting on his chest as she had started to do more often whenever he was lying down.

"You decided something, didn't you?" She said.

"Yeah. I'm going to go for a bit, though you won't notice anything."

"Sounds kind of crazy that time is going to stop for us."

"Yeah, it is. Just next time you see me, I might look a little different. It could be months or years on my side before I return."

"You're not going to forget us, are you?"

He chuckled a little. "No, I could never forget you. I was serious when I said you are my heart, Rumi. You will always have a place at my side."

"Well, get back soon, because I am going to ride you again the moment you get back." She said, shifting a bit and sliding little John inside of her. "Then you can tell us about all your new adventures over a big breakfast."

"Hah. All the more reason for me to get back in a hurry. I love you, Rumi."

"I love you too, John."

"DEN Return!" John said as Rumi started grinding herself on top of him.   

The world shifted, turned black and white, then twisted in on itself before going black.