“WHAT THE!?”

I noticed the clothes were the same exact clothes that I wore when I was transported into the game…

So where did my training garb go...DID IT VANISH!?

Takashi was stunned at my voice and apparently my brother heard me too.

Keiji began to slowly step down from the stairs as he came from the second floor. He wore the same lab coat that he wore when I was about to enter the game world. Keiji yawned as he saw me and for a few moments, he did not notice what was going on…

“Wha...what’s going on…” Keiji sluggishly spoke as he heard me yell in the living room.

He looked at my appearance and had a ‘what? Everything’s normal’ face but then, his eyes began to clear and his mind was finally processing what had happened…

“WHAT!? Aniue! How did you get those clothes!?” Keiji shouted as he finally noticed my clothing. It seems to have taken quite a long time for Keiji to notice the basic outfit that I wore.

Wait...aren’t you the one that developed this technology!...I SHOULD BE ASKING YOU THIS!?

“Keiji...I just logged out...now...you tell me what is going on...I don’t have my training garb anymore and this is how I came out of the pod…”

I stare at Keiji in a reprimanding gaze…

You serious...little brother...this is a huge step...but with this capability...people will abuse it...good thing I was the first tester..

“Okay Keiji, you need to head to the lab and link the protocols and data that was processed during the time that I entered Infinity and the time I logged out...Also, find out where my training garb went...I don’t want to replace it..”

I immediately told Keiji to hurry and analyze the situation that we’re currently in. I still feel weird that my body successfully came but what the hell is with these clothes…

Anyways, I’ll let keiji do what he needs to do...I think I might return to the game world.

I am quite interested in that world. I will be fighting so much, traveling around and even using magic...this is quite fun..

Oh…I should tell Keiji about that NPC god...should I?

Nah, I’ll wait until this so called “Kami-sama” interferes again then I might have Keiji interfere…

Keiji immediately left my house and took his car and drove his way directly to the Tokyo Kurogane HQ, where he would meet his specialists and discuss the data and information that I stumbled upon.

Takashi sat on the couch, patiently waiting for my orders.

I let out a big sigh…

‘I guess I should get this over with...’

“Takashi, I will now set you free. You no longer have any ties with me. You are free to do what you want, Takashi. Go start a family and live in peace. This old dragon won’t be needing your assistance anymore…”

My gaze falls onto Takashi. He’s been with me every since Shishou died. Takashi was my Shadow and he’s protected me from so many people. He’s someone that I cherish but it is time to let the man go free.

While I stare at Takashi, his expression went from to an immediate sad expression. His eyes were a bit droopy and he was frowning at my words.

I slowly tap the shoulders of Takashi and nodded in his freedom…

“You don’t have to work for me anymore...I won’t be returning to that lifestyle anymore…”

My words were like knife wounds to Takashi. I could see his expression worsening but he did not speak. I felt truly responsible for Takashi’s introvert personality because he was training to become my shadow. Shishou turned Takashi into my shadow and now I am basically telling him that he has no purpose…

But all he needs to do is find a new purpose. Protecting me is something I can do on my own. I won’t be returning to that lifestyle of bloodshed…

I sternly look at Takashi and my voice became rustic and more hoarse.

“By the contract of the Kurogane clan, Shinobi Takashi is relieved from duty. You no longer have a master. You are compelled to do whatever you deem is worthy of your actions. Your connection with me is now severed”

Takashi was literally heartbroken. His blank expression could not register the words that came out of my mouth and almost suddenly, he broke down in tears…

…

…

My name is Hiromi Tanaka and I am the loyal servant of Ichiro Nakamura. I’ve been serving master ever since we were teenagers. I’ve always protected the master from the shadows and I’ve always done my job skillfully.

Ever since that misunderstanding with Elder Kurogane, Master Ichiro has always addressed me as Takashi...but I feel it was good enough for me since I was always by Master Ichiro’s side.

I woke up today after immediately sensing Master Ichiro’s arrival within that pod. Keiji-sama already explained to me that Master Ichiro would be entering a new world and had the ability to return back. I was scared that Master Ichiro’s presence disappeared but he successfully returned this morning.

I carefully wait at the door as I sensed Master Ichiro’s approach to the door. As soon as he opens the door, I saw the strange outfit that he wore. It wasn’t the training garb that Master Ichiro entered in and it was so peculiar. Well, maybe Keiji-sama has an answer.

I quickly sat on the couch while Master Ichiro and Keiji-sama continued their talk.

They finished and Keiji-sama immediately ran out of the house and drove away.

I looked at Master Ichiro and his face had multiple expressions but the one that was noticeable was the sad expression that he had on his face when he looked at me. I felt that something bad was going to happen but it shouldn’t be that bad...right…

I was wrong.

The words that I hated, came out of Master Ichiro’s mouth.

He was relieving me from duty...but...Master ichiro...is all I got…

My heart began to ache. It was even worse than the time when Master Ichiro was dating someone. I knew that I had fallen for my master, but I cannot help it...I am a woman and Master Ichiro has taken care of me since long ago…

I felt truly hurt by his words. These strange feelings that I suppressed since long ago...I’ve always liked you Master Ichiro…

I know it is wrong for a servant...your shinobi to display such improper feelings towards their master...but I cannot suppress it anymore…

Since you told me to do whatever I want…

I WILL!

My expression was torn and I immediately surfaced up the courage to speak out loud..

“M-m-master!”

My voice was stuttering and Master Ichiro responded with his voice…

“Yes Takashi? Is there anything you want?”

Master...my name is not Takashi!...

Come on...I can do this...Just say the words….

“M-master! M-my name i-is...Hi-hiromi...Ta-tanaka!”

Yes! I finally said my name! I don’t want Master to abandon me!! I need to say these words!

“Wait what...Hiromi….Tanaka…? Not Takashi?”

I shook my head negatively.

‘My name isn’t Takashi, Master Ichiro!!’

“I-i...Ma-master Ichiro…I-i lo-lov…”

My face was turning red. My heart was beating so much that it felt it would explode. I really don’t want to leave Master Ichiro’s side….He’s always been my inspiration and my hero...Master Ichiro!! Ichiro-sama!!

Suddenly, I passed out….

…

…

I looked at Takashi---err Hiromi Tanaka’s face as soon as she spoke….

‘So...Takashi was actually a female...Wait..so that’s what Keiji meant by “her”!?’

I knew something was fishy...So Takashi was a she…

Hiromi’s words were a bit stuttering as she spoke but then...she passed out.

Before she could land on her face on the floor, I immediately caught her in my arms…

‘What am I going to do this person...she clearly...was about to confess to me...’

I don’t know what I am going to do with her. I am not looking for a relationship right now but considering Takash--I mean Hiromi’s personality...it must’ve taken a great deal of courage to speak like that. I already knew that she was the silent type and she was very shy. I just didn’t know Takashi was a woman….Why did Shishou trick me…for 14 years!! I thought she was a guy!

And….KEIJI KNEW!?

I will have to discipline Keiji for hiding this secret...but..I really am stupid to finally notice that Takashi was a female…

I mean it was pretty noticeable during the times when Takashi---err Hiromi saw my naked body. Good thing it was from behind because she might pass out like she did today.

When she saw me, I noticed her breathing was erratic and her expression was embarrassed. Even though we were in the field...her guard dropped significantly and she immediately ran away for some time.

There were many occasions that could’ve proven that she was a girl and I was clueless…

I can tell that she doesn’t want to separate from me...I’ll let her do what she wants…

If she wants to stay by myself, I really don’t mind...I really wanted her to be free. I personally thought that her servitude towards me was always restricting her…

After Hiromi fell into my embrace, I carefully picked her up into a princess-style carry and swiftly made my way to her room. This was the first time that I would be entering her room so I won’t extend my stay...although I want to see what she has...I don’t want to disrespect her privacy.

I guess I’ll use that…

[Kurogane Technique: Ears of the Bat]

By using my profound hearing senses, I made my way to her bed without even looking inside. My ears could perceive the sound waves that interact with objects which also provides me with another way to see while impaired from my sight.

This was a fairly common ability amongst heavily trained martial artists but none were as advanced as Shishou’s hearing techniques.

I placed her on the bed and quickly made my way out of the room.

When she wakes up, we’ll talk..

I made my way downstairs and grabbed a water bottle to drink. The water exhilarated my entire body in a shock and my senses were finally at their peak…

That pod can really mix my senses...I guess...I should return to the game...AH! I forgot to ask the time ratio between here and in the game...Keiji already left…

I guess I will look it up…

I made my way to my desk and turned on my laptop...

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