“It’s about damn time you moved our paperwork along,” a woman with a haircut that screams she wants to speak to a manager crossed her arms. “Karen, you aren’t helping your case here,” Charlie rolled her eyes. “Are you sure you read my file, right? I should be going to eternal paradise, not punishment,” Karen stomped her foot. “Let’s see,” Charlie flipped through the file again, “You made teenagers who were trying to do their jobs cry on multiple occasions.” “They obviously were not doing their jobs properly,” she crossed her arms. “And that warranted throwing your hot coffee back on a high school student?” Charlie raised her eyebrows, “the girl got second-degree burns.” “That didn’t happen,” Karen shifted uncomfortably. “I don't know. The viral video says otherwise,” Charlie glared at her, “Also, you're digging yourself into a deeper hole trying to lie to someone who is omnipotent and deciding your fate in the afterlife.” Karen went pale. “How about that time you got a teacher a disciplinary note on her file for giving a D on your son’s paper which was almost an entire semester late?” Charlie tilted her head to the side. “She obviously wasn’t doing her job properly if my son’s paper was that late,” Karen flipped her hair. “The teacher sent multiple emails and waited before and after school every day to give him time in school to finish,” Charlie grimaced. “And she still couldn’t get him to do that, which is her job,” Karen insisted. “What about the time you called the police on some kids because they were wearing pajamas and talking at a normal volume in the coffee shop… on a college campus,” Charlie shook her head, “Listen, Karen. This stopped being entertaining two seconds ago. Please get in line with the rest of the people crossing the void to their eternal damnation.” “There must be some mistake! Let me talk to your manager!” Charlie’s eyes flashed black, and her voice added dissonance, “Get— in— line.” Karen scurried off. Charlie sighed and held out her hand, “Uncle Mal?” A dark figure stepped out from the void and passed her a scythe before disappearing into it, causing the tool to glow crimson. Charlie cut a scar into the emptiness of the expanse to a dimension where screams of pain and anguish crashed into the void like a hurricane of velociraptors. “In you, all go,” Charlie barked at them, causing all the souls to jump, “You’ve all had your five minutes to plea your case. Any more lip, and I’ll oversee your eternal torment personally.” “That— won’t be necessary, Lord Reaper,” some demons laughed nervously as they exited the portal to herd the souls into the pit. Her punishments made even their skin crawl. After the last ones went in, she closed the scar as if it were never created. Charlie sighed, “Glad I save the easy part for last. Next!” She started sorting the group destined for the paradise afforded to mortals in the afterlife. It was a different dimension still far off from the realm of the gods. Charlie removed her cloak, put it away, and plopped back to have a seat to type out what she did that day and how that would affect the soul cycle for the current quarter. “It’s still backed up. It’s like Chad loves making me work overtime,” Charlie muttered. “A hothead just like his father. He is only playing at chaos with these little wars,” Mal muttered. “Uncle Mal, are you salty?” Charlie raised an eyebrow. “It’s just annoying. I’m sitting in this void day in and day out, so people don’t die as much and the apocalypse doesn’t come, but my brother and his son still crave war. It’s asinine,” Mal crossed his arms. “I tend to agree, but they do serve their purpose,” Charlie shook her head as another stack magically appeared on her desk. “A little too zealously,” Mal grimaced at the stack of papers, “Again, you are a wealth of patience. I’m going to do shots and take a nap. Thanks for the tequila!” He waved his bottle as he disappeared into the void. Charlie waved back and grimaced at her desk, laying her head down in frustration. — “Man, professor Carlson is a sadist,” Benimaru grimaced at his stack of calculus homework. It was only the first week of school, but it’s like he assigned a semester's worth of work due the following week. Benimaru groaned and laid his head down on the table. Aaron was twirling a pencil in his hand reading a Shakespeare anthology, “You could have taken regular math, you know.” Tetsuya grabbed Aaron’s book, turning it over. He was thinking hard as he stared at it. “Tetsu— you know that’s upside down, right?” Aaron flipped it over for him. “What is the point of reading about this Shakespeare?” Tetsuya was still staring at it. “He’s only one of the greatest playwrights in history!” Benimaru jumped up. Tetsuya tossed the book back at Aaron, remembering he almost ate a guy named Shakespeare once, “He wasn’t that great. Probably was gamey…” “You say the weirdest shit sometimes, man,” Aaron caught the book and continued studying. “Can you not read, Tetsu?” Benimaru was confused as to why he had the book upside down. “Of course, I can!” Tetsuya walked around and picked up Benimaru’s book, then immediately set it down, “That just made my head hurt.” “Tell me about it,” Benimaru groaned, staring at it. “Listen, dude. If you’re bored go watch TV, so we can finish. The more I can concentrate, the faster I can do this, the quicker I can beat your ass in football,” Aaron shrugged. Tetsuya laughed nervously, “About that…” “You broke the remote again, didn’t you?” Aaron grimaced. “The stupid thing didn’t make sense,” Tetsuya crossed his arms. “Try this, Tetsu,” Benimaru dug through his backpack and pulled out a comic book. “Why are this guy’s clothes so tight? He some kind of pervert or something?” Tetsuya examined the cover. Aaron almost fell out of his chair laughing. “No, Tetsu. That’s a super suit. He’s a superhero. It’s tight because it’s more aerodynamic that way,” Benimaru explained. “Bruh,” Aaron composed himself, “that’s pretty rich for someone who has no problem walking around naked.” “No, Aaron. That’s Charlie and Tensei,” Benimaru rolled his eyes, “And Tetsu gets embarrassed. I keep telling you all he’s pretty shy. Like me, but with muscles.” “I’m not shy!” Tetsuya jumped up. “I don’t know, man. It seems like you’ve seen Beni’s sister naked regularly, and yet you still act like your soul is going to leave your body or something,” Aaron put his elbow on the table, invested in the conversation now. “Well, I mean,” Tetsuya stammered, “Anyway, this ‘super hero’ C-Captain V-I-K-EE?” “Captain Vice,” Benimaru nodded. “What does he do?” Tetsuya stared looking for clues. The character just stood on the cover with his hands on his hips. “Beni, don’t answer that. You need to do your calculus homework,” Aaron stopped the two-hour-long analysis of Captain Vice’s ability mixed in with fan theories. Benimaru groaned, “You’re right.” “Just give it a read, buddy. It should be easier because it’s mostly pictures. I’m not particularly into comic books and things like that, but I have to admit that the artist did a great job, not Araki level, but still good.” “What’s an Araki?” Tetsuya asked. “Aaron, Jojo is not a good starter for someone who hasn’t read comics or manga before,” Benimaru reprimanded, “I learned that lesson the hard way with you… But it’s so good! It’s about this rich gentleman guy who—“ “Beni, Calculus,” Aaron redirected. “Right,” Benimaru sighed, “Just give Captain Vice a try, okay, Tetsu?” Tetsuya sighed, taking one last look at the cover before opening the book. The artwork was pretty cool, and the words were easy to understand. If he didn't understand something, he'd ask Aaron, but mostly he sat quietly. A couple of hours later, Tenseiga returned from the grocery store. “I see you boys are still hard at work. Hey, I hope you weren’t distracting them with your nonsense,” Tenseiga yelled at Tetsuya. Tetsuya was staring at the comic. “Hey! I’m talking to you!” Tenseiga tried getting his attention, “Wait— is the idiot sitting still and reading?” “Huh?” Tetsuya looked up, “Oh— hey.” He went back to reading. Tetsuya hadn't gotten very far, but the concept interested him, especially the fight scenes. “Hmm— what are you reading, Tetsu?” Charlie leaned over his shoulder. They all jumped. “P-princess, you startled me,” Tetsuya laughed nervously, then he turned a shade of pink because she was wearing a loose-fitting sweater. It was one of his. “I know! It’s usually a difficult thing to do,” Charlie crawled in his lap to examine what had his attention, “Captain Vice, huh? Not Stan Lee level, but still good.” Tetsuya’s heart was beating so loud he barely managed a nod. Charlie pinched his cheeks before getting up. “So cute! I’ll let you keep reading while the boys do their homework. I just came down for a snack,” Charlie headed towards the snack bar. “Aren’t you joining us for dinner? You’ve been in that room for almost five straight days,” Benimaru exclaimed. “Well, more paperwork hit my desk,” Charlie’s face twitched, “I just have about 30,000 more files to dig through.” “30,000?” Benimaru and Aaron exclaimed at the same time. “Do you want some help?” Benimaru offered. “Absolutely not. No one is to go into that wing, and I refuse to be an excuse for you to evade your calculus homework,” Charlie reprimanded. “Right,” Benimaru slumped back in his chair, “It just seems like a lot of work for one person.” “Hey, don’t worry about me, Beni. I’ve been doing this job practically all my life. This is nothing new,” Charlie ruffled his hair before grabbing her snack. “What exactly do you do?” Benimaru asked. Aaron sat back in his chair, “You never give a straight answer, but whatever it is, you sure make a lot.” “I told you, I'm Human Resources,” Charlie stuck a granola bar in her mouth, grabbing some other snacks. “Right, but for what company?” Benimaru insisted. “That is a secret,” Charlie winked. “You get abused for someone who is simply in human resources,” Aaron noted, remembering all the times she missed gatherings because she had to recover from injuries. “Well, it does get difficult dealing with coworkers, but I manage,” Charlie finished grabbing her snacks, “Anyway, you two worry too much! Just enjoy college and do your best.” She smiled, waving and returning to the left-wing. “She’s gone. You can breathe again, Tetsu,” Aaron looked at him deadpan. “That’s his sweater she was wearing,” Tenseiga rolled his eyes before heading into the kitchen to put groceries away and start dinner. “I thought it was pretty big,” Aaron noted, “I’m not sure who is more adorably embarrassed right now, you or Beni.” “I’m not embarrassed!” Tetsuya jumped up. “Chill, dude. I’m just teasing you. We better get back on task if we want to play ball before dinner,” Aaron suggested. “Right,” Benimaru and Tetsuya got back to work. — Benimaru was still sitting at the dining room table enamored with his phone while waiting for dinner. Tetsuya and Aaron had gone out to play ball. “Your brain is going to explode if you keep working that hard,” Tenseiga took a seat while the food simmered. Benimaru slammed his phone down on the table, turning a shade of red, “Yep! That’s what I was doing! I was working!” Tenseiga chuckled, “You’re a terrible liar, Beni. What were you looking at?” “Nothing! Nothing at all!” “You’re pretty embarrassed for a lot of nothing,” Tenseiga swiped Benimaru’s phone before he could stop him, “Huh, I didn’t know this chapter was out yet.” “You— read it, too?” Benimaru stammered. “I read all kinds of smut. I’m wondering why you, dear Beni, are reading BLs of all things,” Tenseiga smirked. “I— just like them, that’s all,” Benimaru shuffled his feet. “This one, in particular, is extra race-y,” Tenseiga handed the phone back. He didn’t want to spoil the new chapter for himself, “So… you want to talk about it?” “N-nope!” Benimaru shook his head. “I only partially mean the content. I mostly want to unpack why our sweet innocent little Beni is reading something so filthy,” Tenseiga rested his head on his hands as he leaned over on the table. “W-why do we have to unpack it?” Benimaru laughed nervously, “I stumbled onto it by accident.” “I didn’t think someone could be this bad at lying. Did you not just say you like them?” Tenseiga raised his eyebrows. Benimaru looked away, “Well…” Tenseiga got close to meet Benimaru’s eyes, “That is chapter 80, so there’s no way you of all people happen to be reading the latest before having read the rest of it.” “He’s so close,” Benimaru gulped, “Why does it look like he’s going to devour me? Did I accidentally stumble into a manhwa? Is this like some quasi-isekai? I’m pretty sure I didn’t die or accidentally step into an alternate universe.” “Are you going to answer me?” Tenseiga smirked, tilting Benimaru’s chin towards him so he couldn't turn away. “Its like I've come across a second Aaron,” Benimaru thought, “Though why do I feel like I'm about to be a meal?” “W-well, Tensei, the thing is… I… What I mean to say,” Benimaru stuttered. Tenseiga sat back and howled with laughter. “You’re so much like the protagonist from another one I’m reading,” Tenseiga wiped a tear from his eye, “Be careful, Beni. Some sadist brute might spirit you away with how adorably innocent you are.” “I know which one you’re talking about, and I’m not like that guy,” Benimaru stood up and shouted, “Well… mostly.” Tenseiga chuckled, “Ah, Beni. It’s okay to like a little smut, and it’s certainly okay to be the shy bottom character. I actually quite enjoy them.” “I’d rather be the confident one,” Benimaru muttered. “Interesting,” Tenseiga leaned on his hands again, “A power bottom perhaps?” “Why is it that I'm the bottom in both of these scenarios?” Beninaru was indignant. “Oh, Beni,” Tenseiga shook his head, “That aside, tell me more about being the ‘confident one.’” Benimaru shrugged, “There’s not much to tell. We all know I’m plain, effeminate, and I hate being called adorable.” Tenseiga nodded, “Well, I could help with that.” “H-how so?” “I happen to be an expert in such things,” Tenseiga held Benimaru’s hands, “Don’t worry, Beni. You’re in good hands.” “Why do I feel like that’s the problem?” Benimaru thought to himself as he laughed nervously. “What are you up to now you old pervert?” Tetsuya paused as he and Aaron came in from playing ball. “I’m not that old and as of now our dear Beni is my new apprentice,” Tenseiga declared wrapping an arm around Benimaru. “Apprentice in what?” Aaron asked. “The art of confidence and seduction of course,” Tenseiga smirked. Aaron wasn’t sure why this made him angry, but he yanked Benimaru away from Tenseiga. “Beni is fine the way he is,” Aaron said firmly, “he doesn’t need your help.” “Really? So my services are okay for you and not for our dear innocent Benimaru here?” Tenseiga took Benimaru back, “Are you after his innocence for yourself?” “No! That’s not—“ Aaron clenched his fists. “You did kind of sulk around when he hung out with that chick who gave him her number,” Tetsuya contributed eating popcorn. “So you’d rather him stay a naive fawn? You aren’t worried he could stumble into a pack of wolves ready to devour someone so cute and lacking in confidence?” Tenseiga hugged Benimaru from behind. “No, because he has me,” Aaron took Benimaru back wrapping an arm around him from behind. Tetsuya ate his popcorn thinking, “I don't know what's going on here. It's like a weird ass love triangle is developing.” Tenseiga managed to grab Beninaru back. He squeezed Benimaru’s cheeks in one hand lowering his face next to Benimaru’s, “You can't be around all the time, and-- well our fawn isn’t as naive as you would think.” Tenseiga tossed Benimaru’s phone to Aaron. “Wait! Tensei!” Benimaru fumbled to catch it, but Aaron caught it with ease. Aaron silently scrolled through the web comic. “Aaron, I accidentally stumbled on that,” Benimaru was reaching around Aaron to get his phone back. “This is really dirty,” Aaron contemplated it before returning Benimaru’s phone, “Since when are you into this sort of thing?” “Well, some people like to enjoy certain things privately,” Benimaru glared at Tenseiga, who waved and smiled back. “It seems like you have more and more secrets that keep cropping up,” Aaron shook his head, “You’re usually an open book.” Tenseiga pat Benimaru’s head, “Part of the fun of books is rereading them to catch those hidden secrets.” “Okay, but you really don't have to change, Beni,” Aaron pulled him back again, holding his face, “You're fine just the way you are.” “So you're saying it's okay for you to be confident and forward, but not me?” Benimaru looked away. “No! Of course not!” Benimaru shrugged him off and bypassed Tenseiga, “Then I am going to be Tensei’s apprentice.” Benimaru was angry, but he wasn't sure why. He almost got seasick being passed around like that. Meanwhile, Aaron was hurt by the sudden cold shoulder. “Also, Tensei, the two main characters finally fuck after 80 chapters,” Benimaru declared, then decided he needed air. Tenseiga reached after him, misty-eyed, “You wound me, and yet I feel like you passed lesson one.” Tetsuya balled up his bag of popcorn and tossed it behind him, sitting down, “I didn't think he had it in him to be so petty. Maybe he will outshine his master before you even start.” Tenseiga caught the bag before it hit the ground, “You be quiet. Also, the trash can is right there! I can't fathom how someone so good at sports ball can manage to miss the trashcan as much as you do.” Tenseiga threw the popcorn away, then stomped off to finish cooking dinner. Tetsuya shrugged, continuing to read his comic. Aaron was utterly lost in thought. “What’s up with you?” Tetsuya glanced up at Aaron, who was gazing after where Benimaru walked off. “I don't know,” Aaron muttered. “The idiot isn't wrong. You aren't in your small town anymore,” Tetsuya turned the page, “And it seems pretty boy doesn't want to stay in your shadow following behind.” “I never expected him to,” Aaron plopped down, sighing. “Then why so glum?” “I don't know. I just...” Aaron had always been handsy with Benimaru until they got swamped and started spending more time with people in their respective majors. He couldn't fathom why it annoyed the hell out of him that Tenseiga was doing it. “Maybe Tensei is right,” Aaron thought, worried about how Tenseiga looked at Benimaru like prey. He knew Tenseiga wouldn't be inappropriate in that way; at least Aaron knew he wouldn't go so far, “Maybe it's best Benimaru becomes Tenseiga’s apprentice. Whatever the hell that means.”