Rimuru: A Second Chance that Won't Be Wasted

Ogres Part 3: Naming and Consequence

 Waking up the next morning, Shizue Izawa slowly opened her mouth and yawned, while stretching her arms behind her. She looked around her, only to find herself back in her tent, with the blankets in disarray. However, she could tell that prior to her waking up, she had been tightly tucked into bed, and she could only think of one person who would have done all of that to ensure her comfort.

Slightly blushing at the thought, she immediately began to question why she felt this way. Yes, he had saved her, and had also promised to save her students.

"Students whom you no longer have the right to guide or teach." A small yet nagging voice in her head said.

She immediately shook her head, ignoring such thoughts. What mattered was the present, and what she planned to do currently.

Remembering the offer that she had made to Rimuru the previous night, she came to a realization...no...she already knew why she had offered him help, and was simply putting it into words for the first time. She wanted to repay him, and also accompany him.

"If you can't live for yourself, then...can you live for the children? For me?"

She remembered the words Rimuru had spoken, the day he had saved her. Yes, despite her grief and regrets, she would live for others sake. And because others wanted her to live.

But...just what kind of life did she want to live? Yes, a life dedicated to others, but...what exactly would that life entail?

"...if you choose to fuse with Kojin, you could get his powers instead, but that is up to you. If you want to live as a human, that's fine too."

Again, the words Rimuru had spoken had made their way to the forefront of her mind. And they made sense, in a way. He gave her a choice, so what could she do? Couldn't she be more selfish in this life? Did she deserve to be?

She had no answers to the questions that had arisen in her mind. Originally, her answer would have been no, that she did not deserve to be selfish. But after her conversations with Rimuru, she no longer knew.

"I...don't know what life I want to live now. But, I do know that I want to stay by Rimuru-san's side. I also want to help him, and repay him for how he has helped me."

She then thought of the despondent face he had when he thought that nobody was looking, and the face full of anger when he was insulted. All indicating intense grief and sorrow.

"And perhaps...I could try to save him as well...just like how he saved me."

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Rimuru was currently sitting down on his bed in human form, observing the ogres that had arrived in his tent. Above his bed were two curtains made of red fabric, indicating his special status as the chief of the village (and much much more, albeit most of his current companions were unaware of this).

"Have you decided?" Rimuru prompted.

"Yes I have." answered the red-haired ogre. "But first, I would like to apologize for my words last night."

"Don't worry about it. Anger blinds the best of us, and anger controlled actions do not define us." said Rimuru. "As for your answer?"

In response to Rimuru's prompting, the red haired ogre lowered his head, before then kneeling as well. The action was repeated by his companions.

"As a representative of the ogre clan, we accept your offer. As such, we hereby declare our temporary allegiance to majin Rimuru Tempest."

"Majin, huh. It's been a long time since I was only called a majin..."