My Soulmate (Aru Akise X Reader)

Chapter 22: Creating the Game Plan

Yuno killed the Seventh's by herself, creating a fake Yukiteru to do so. Ninth, Nishijima, Yuno, and Yukiteru took care of Eleventh.

All of this happened while Aru... well... babysat for two weeks. And he's still doing that. While he ordered another plastic burger and (Y/n) told him he should order something healthier, the dining room was split in two. Both sides were debating whether or not to kill Eight. Already known to all, Yuno and Ninth were for it, and Nijshijima and Yukiteru were against it. Aru on the other hand... was entirely over ethics and morals.

He sat saying, "Yum. I'll need a soda with this." (Y/n) nodded and put the play cup together, counting the cash she received from her loyal client. Aru was way over this. He felt so bitter and tired, but he can't deny he's relieved.

'I should've taken her out of the country...'

'We weren't nearly far enough to be safe... how did I overlook such a fact that stared at me right in the face!?'

'At least... (Y/n)'s right here...'

Aru stared at the primary schooler with a bittersweet and empty smile as the arguing continued.  

"Yuno, we can kill Deus now, can't we? That means we don't need to kill Eight. Come one Yuno..." Yukiteru pleaded.

"Yuki, we should hold off as long as possible. I want to make absolute sure I won't lose you."

"This isn't right, "Nishijima intercepts, "The Eighth is innocent!"

"Did you even hear her idiots! We're more likely to live if we wait longer. And that means we have to kill Eight!" Ninth roared back, comically shoveling rice in her face at light speed as she did so.

"How much... longer... Yuno?" Aru asks, inspecting the plastic salad in his hands. His voice was practically nonexistent, but his message was clear to everyone present.

"We need to hold out—"

"You gave (Y/n) he strongest diary! How the hell aren't we ready yet!?" Aru shouts back in desperation, using the last of his vocal strength.

Noticing he alarmed (Y/n), he says, "Sorry Yuniku, but can you prepare the whole restaurant to-go?" To of which,
(Y/n) nodded, carefully examining his expression. Somewhere somehow, something was telling her Aru was mad for her. But atlas, no matter how hard she tried to know why, that feeling never answered back.

After some silence, Yuno gives in and says, "Since you're so keen, come up with an attack plan against our god. You can do that, right detective?"

Taken aback, Aru looked at the dinner table with widened eyes. Everyone was expectant of him. Scanning the people in front of him, he noticed Yuno almost looked sympathetic. Aru gulps and says, "Make me a coffee," he turned to Yuniku, "I need to carry out my duties now, so I'll pick up my food later, okay?" Again, (Y/n) can only nod back, unable to decipher what message Aru was really trying to give.

First thing Aru did was send (Y/n) off to bed and asked for everyone's diary. As he absorbed all the information in front of him, he notices the only "followers" (Y/n) had for her diary was him, Yuno, and Yukiteru. 'She still believes in me...' Once he gathered all the data he could from the diaries, including information about Eighth's from Yuno's account, he asked Yuno all about gods and possible weaknesses. As the detective suspected, Deus being at the end of the line made him valuable to physical attacks of high caliber.

In short, Aru's brainchild was to summon Deus and everyone to a meeting about
(Y/n) and him having their diaries revoked late in the game. Nishijima would evacuate and manage areas that get or will be damaged in the fight. On a whim, Aru even deducted that the most valuable area would be the city where Yuno and Yukiteru's old school was. For Yuno's role, she will use her power to overthrow Deus as the god of their world, and give that title to herself. Ninth will... be Ninth... raising havoc on Deus and damaging his outer body. And the most important part... Yukiteru and (Y/n) will try to do their best to stay out of the crossfire. Even though it was messed up of Aru, he's hoping Eighth will chime in and protect (Y/n) because of her current appearance.

The group approved the idea, knowing Aru made everyone stick to their guns. But Aru knew how easily Deus can flip the tables. 'He's a god... of course something unpredicted will happen. The chances of this even working flawlessly is next to zero.' But all Aru can do was plan with Yuno for the night, using her ability to run illusions of scenarios that may very well happen. Tomorrow was their prep day. And tomorrow was already here.

Aru sloppily and slippery trekked the stairs to his room. What made him almost fall backwards down the stairs was (Y/n). She looked only a few years younger than her real age. Their eyes met, and (Y/n) tilted her head.

"Aru-san..? Are you okay?" she asks, putting one of his arms over her frame, helping him to his room.

"Yuniku- you don't need to-" "It's okay. You were up all night, weren't you? You're even calling me by my middle name,"
(Y/n) giggles, sitting him down on his bed.

"(Y/n)... don't get yourself killed. No matter what, stay out of crossfire. Even if you have to sacrifice someone... please..." Aru pleaded, his arms engulfing the last warmth he knew of.

"I know that..." (Y/n) replies, "You need to rest Aru-san. You'll faint before we even start the fight."

He looked down at her concerned face. This was much better than that empty glance and simple nods. "R-right," Aru mutters, tucking himself in. "I mean what I said. Don't forget it," Aru says softly, hoping his message got across to her, despite his recipient not knowing it's purpose.

Aru's soft snores echoed throughout room, and all (Y/n) felt like doing was watch him and think.

'Even if I have to sacrifice others...? I don't think I can do such a thing. But I feel that must... if I want to know what part of me is missing. Or... is this just false hope..?'