Yokai 1/2 ( I'll change that!)

He stared at his hands in a daze as the sudden memories bled into his mind. When he woke up this morning memories from another life being pushed into his mind was the last thing he expected. He still felt like himself but another part of him told him that he was not himself any longer. Or at least he was no longer just himself.

The issue was he did not really feel like the owner of these new memories either. Sure, those memories were larger and longer than his own life but they felt inconsequential in comparison to the sense of self he had developed growing up.

Even if these new memories were bringing up questions that gave a tightness to his chest. He was Reiji Nura when he went to sleep yesterday and despite these sudden memories he was still Reji Nura now.

Honestly, the memories that were shoved into him this morning just did not have the weight to influence who he was despite them being from an older man. They appeared mundane for the most part and he was used to dealing with far more shocking things.

Headless bodies marching to a beat only they could hear. Souls of the long departed partying till the dead of night. A spider the size of a mountain or a woman of such entrancing beauty that men willingly walked to their deaths to get her attention.

Those were just some of the many outlandish things he had seen in his short life. Even if those sights were slipping out of his life slowly.

So maybe that was why his identity prevailed over this other self? Or maybe it was his own Yokai nature that pulled him ahead despite his blood not technically being awakened. He was still the grandson of one of the strongest Yokai in the world despite his Yokai blood laying dormant.

Again he felt a tinge of pain from the memories swirling in his head. Despite it sounding outlandish these new memories told him that he lived in a story all about his brother.

He had always known that Rikuro was special since he had awakened his blood unlike him but he never thought this world revolved around him

Rikuro was the protagonist of an Anime called Nurarihyon No Mago. At least that was what his memoires told him. A story about a quarter demon coming to terms with his Yokai side and leading his friends and ruling the Yokai world.

A story without him. That thought spoke bitterly in his mind. Even in the memories of a foreign world, he was not involved. He was not even a footnote in Rikuro's story, never mentioned and never seen. That painful tinge in his chest felt so much tighter but he got a handle on it.

Despite his own feelings of sorrow at that turn of events he could see how these memories had hints that they were not perfect. The Nura were the leader of the West Yokai while the East Yokai were being led by the nine tailed fox Yasaka. Even in his heyday his Grandfather was never able to totally unite the Yokai as Yasaka had too much power from the leylines and the support of the Shinto Faction.

Since the Nurahiyon manga did not mention Yasaka that meant there were inconsistencies in its relatability. Meaning his lack of existence in it might not be a reflection on his worthless nature in the story. At least he wanted to hope so, the alternative was not something he wanted to see.

The issue with that was that while the Nurahiyon manga did not mention Yasaka, a different Manga did. In High-School DxD Yasaka was the leader of the Yokai Faction and all her settings fit what he knew about her if you ignored his grandfather’s own presence in the Yokai world.

In fact as he thought over the people in his life he got more and more confused as different stories rang in his mind. His meek friend Kenichi was the protagonist of his own story while the popular kid in his class was a side character in another.

Then there was Kaori. He felt another stab of pain in his chest as he thought about her. The girl that he fell in love with as he watched entrapped as she played her Violin with such passion. A girl who seemed to be filled with so much life that she might as well be life itself in his eyes. In his darkest moments just thinking about her plucking her strings on the stage brought a smile to his face.

She would die, never living past her high school days and he felt his world spin at that. He did not see the pain she was going through, just the beauty of her nature. A flickering flame that held him in place like a moth but it was not him who would wind up burning.

He would change that, he would not let that girl fall here, not now. Not when he was aware of that bitter ending. With that thought he let out a bitter laugh and tears gathered in his eyes. That was a promise he was not even sure he could keep despite how much he wanted it.

He was not like his brother, he did not awaken the Yokai Blood inside of him. So the Supernatural world was barred from him for his own safety despite how much he wanted to reach out towards it. He could not even live in the Nura Mansion as the heavy weight of the Yokai fear would deteriorate his body.

His mother was only able to bypass that fact by an artifact his father gifted her but he could not bring himself to take that thing from her. She was his mother and despite them not seeing each other often he was happy she could live safely at the mansion.

The Supernatural world was barred from him and the modern world would not help her.

A flash of bitter pain ran through him as the image of her decaying in a hospital bed in pain flashed in his head. He gritted his teeth and cursed out his own useless nature again. He did not care what it would take, he would stop that future.

Still as firm as his resolve was the memories flashing in his mind spoke a bitter truth that tore him up. He loved that vibrant, lovely girl, but she would never look at him. She loved Kosei and she had loved that boy for ten long years. She was going to drag him out of his despair, and while her own ending was tragic, she faced it with a smile.

Ironically, while she called Kosei Friend A that would be the role he played in this story. A friend that would never catch her eye despite how far he reached his hand out.

He clenched his fists and released them. Taking a deep breath and collecting the bitter swirl in his chest. It did not matter, he may never be able to catch her eye but that won’t stop him from trying. Stopping her bitter ending was something he would do even without her love.

He owed her that at least. Her lively spirit was able to bring him out of his dark thoughts when he felt worthless in comparison to his brother. So he would save her for that alone even if he wanted so much more from her.

Honestly, how could he not feel worthless? His family's legacy was about the Yokai Blood running through his veins and he was not even strong enough to awaken it. His brother was the special one despite him never wanting to lead the Nura family.

The only thing that connected him to the Nura family was this face. He looked over at his bathroom mirror with a frown.

Long black hair pulled into a ponytail, his hair hanging limply unlike his brother’s spikey gravity defying hair. A face that might as well be an exact copy of their father with how it looked and gold eyes the same striking color. Ironically he looked far more like their father than he did their mother. A reverse of Rikudo in all things it seemed.

He traced the contours of his face lost in memory. Drifting back to lazy mornings spent with his father who ruled the Nura group with a calm confidence. Always wanting to be just like him and putting his all into learning about Yokai so he could be the next Clan leader.

This face was all he had left of his father and he hated it. Because all the Nura clan saw when looking at him was his father and they were unsure of how to treat the child who looked so much like their old leader but had no power of his own. Even his own mother would lose herself in his face when they met as rare as it was.

It was just another point in people not seeing him for who he was but that was something he had grown used to. At least his face was handsome, Rikudo in his Yokai form had a striking look as well but in all honesty Reiji looked far more entrancing.

His mother may be a wonderful woman but she had a sort of soft innocent beauty while their father was like the black night, enchanting and captivating. 

Whatever, this face was worthless as it did not solve the problems he was facing. He bit his lip and thought about a drastic option. He could sign himself away to the Devils. While he had no power currently his bloodline was magnificent.

Blood from one of the strongest Yokai in the world and even a healing power dwelled in his veins. If they reincarnated him as a Devil there was a good chance at him awakening at least one of those things.

He never planned on doing something like that as he had his own pride as a Yokai despite not awakening. He was not willing to betray his race for power so he let the desire slumber in his chest. Content to chase after the vibrant girl who enchanted him in the modern world.

Things are different now. Kaori would die and he was not willing to let that come. So selling himself in hopes of saving her was something he was willing to do. Even if she would never appreciate that action for what it was.

He was going to try to find a solution without selling the last of his pride away but if push came to shove he would be willing to abandon that worthless pride if she could live.

He took a deep breath and prepared himself for his school day. Hopefully it won’t come to such drastic actions as he planned on talking to his brother about this first. Despite their relationship being strained from his own bitter feelings he was sure his brother would help him search for a solution. His brother was far kinder than he was after all.

The source of that gap between them was not Rikudo but himself after all. That empathic boy probably had an inkling about why he felt so bitter to him but he was not willing to bring it up. Maybe this act could allow the two brothers to connect after all of these years.

As he finished getting dressed a screen popped up that gave him pause.

[The Emotional Fluctuation System has finished installing.]

He froze at the sudden screen being placed in front of him. He never expected something like this to pop up when he was determined to do something drastic. He did not have a concept of what this thing might be but the memories that bubbled in his mind told him exactly what this thing was used for.

Maybe he did not have to mend bridges with his brother after all.

[Welcome User to the Emotional Fluctuation System, as the newest host to the System you have gained a Newbie bonus.]

[You have gained the Skill Resonate.]

He took in this information and checked what this skill did and paused as he was a little confused.

[Resonate.]

When putting your emotions into something your audience will forcefully feel a resonation with your emotions. The more raw the emotion the more the audience will resonate with it.

[] 

There is no way this meant what he thought it did right? If it did, what use was this!? Where was his all mighty sword or the awakened Yokai Blood!?

(Chapter 2)

Reiji walked down the street in a daze as he marched towards his school. This morning was already shocking enough with the sudden tilt of his world view and the potential death of someone he held dear. Now he was given a System that should have solved all of his worries, but those hopes seemed to fade like a misty dream after he went over his new found skill.

Resonate was powerful in a certain sense as it would forcefully sync his emotions with another no matter the power difference. The issue was there were caveats to the skill that made using it as an attack meaningless. He could only resonate emotions he himself was feeling and that meant trying to push someone into a suicidal depression would require him to feel that way himself. Sure, he had his low points but reaching those depths was never going to be an option.

Beyond that, the effect Resonate was not a total 1 to 1 ratio. His emotions would certainly alter others but it would only draw out emotions that were already slumbering inside of them. Effectively stirring their Empathy to their very limits and connecting a bridge between two hearts.

Again a skill that defies common sense but not something that would change the world let alone save the girl that stirred his heart. That bitter thought pushed himself out of his daze as he finally got over the disappointment.

This Skill may not be everything he wished for but this was just a welcome gift from the System. Surely, there was something in there that would answer all of his troubles and if not he could simply go with the plan he abandoned when he got his System.

Sure, his own bitter feelings would hate relying on his brother to solve his issues but he was willing to do so. Hell, he was willing to effectively sell himself into slavery with the Devils to get what he wanted. Although, his new found knowledge did point out a certain Red-Head who would buy him and not treat him as cattle for the most part.

So perhaps it was not total slavery. Still, he would rather things not come to that as he had pride in his Yokai blood and he was not willing to spit on all the Yokai that died at the hands of the more monstrous Devils.

Koneko was just one example of how far those Devils pushed his race, so becoming a Devil really was the nuke button he did not want to touch.

He arrived at his school with his thoughts calming slightly. He was going to go over the System more thoroughly but he felt a familiar meek tap on his shoulders to draw attention.

He looked over and saw his friend Kenichi. The guy was looking around nervously but was smiling at Reiji in greeting.

“Morning, Reiji-san.” Kenichi greeted him as he always did in the morning despite not wanting to draw attention to himself. Reiji gave him a slow nod in return as was standard in their morning ritual.

Kenichi had kind of wormed himself into Reiji’s life after the thin blooded Yokai stopped him from being bullied by a member of the Karate Club. Reiji might not be an awakened Yokai but a standard human stood little chance at defeating the quarter Yokai even if they spend almost all of their time fighting.

After Reiji stopped that bullying Kenichi approached him in thanks and stuck around with Reiji when he found out that Reiji was pretty mellow despite the intimidating sight he made defending him.

Reiji allowed it as he tended to feel lonely even if he could not really bring himself to bond with the people here. Feeling like he lived in a different world than these regular humans even if he was not that special.

Still, while he effectively hung out with Kenichi he spoke very rarely, never really willing to reach out to the weak boy despite appreciating his company.

Reiji took a look at his friend with a contemplative mood going on with him.

Kenichi looked as he always did. Meek and unwilling to fight for himself, not willing to stand up in the face of the injustice his life was under. But maybe Reiji never really understood the boy before him.

His new memories were telling him that there was a hidden depth to Kenichi. That despite not being willing to fight for himself he would fight tooth and nail for others. This boy was someone willing to stand bruised and bloodied over and over again to save the smile of those he held dear.

It was such a strange notion to get behind after seeing the meek nature of Kenichi but his memoirs were clear. Whatever, the true nature of his friend made very little difference to him. It would not really answer the questions he needed even if Kenichi had potential as a Martial Artist. 

Kenichi took one final look around before he said his goodbye and hurried his way to his class. He always thought Kenichi leaving so quickly was because he was afraid of bullies watching them and catching him when the boy was alone. But maybe his true reason was he did not want to drag Reiji into his mess.

The bullying that happened to Kenichi should have stopped at his interference but the boy did often come to school with bandages on him. He assumed that the boy was clumsy as he never thought the meek boy would hide his suffering from him but maybe there was something else going on there.

Something to look into for later but for now he had class to attend and his teacher can be irritating to deal with if you angered her. So he made his way to his class as well ignoring the stares that were shot his way as he walked.

While he did not think much about his face no one could bring themselves to look away from him even if he was aloof by nature.

He entered his classroom and looked around at the students with a more critical eye. As he made his way to his desk he contemplated them. These people, while utterly mundane had stories of their own that were interesting to look at from an outside perspective.

Hayato the seemingly gentle boy was stringing along Yumiko to use her as a shield against other girls' feelings. He simply thought of her as a friend but was not willing to tell her that and break apart their friendship group. Hayato was in love with Yukino’s sister after all.

Yui had a crush on the seemingly dull boy Hachiman because said boy was hit by a car to save her dog. Hachiman was a misanthrope that did not trust a single person and hated unprovoked kindness. It's ironic, considering the fact he risked his life for a random dog, so his Misanthrope tendencies were not that bad.

The odd dynamic in this classroom was finally clear to him and it was interesting knowing how those stories turn out. Or at least how those stories potentially turn out.

The characters for Oreigu being in his classroom was interesting but there were more mish mashed stories here. For example Megumi Kato who had such a low presence that she was born to be an assassin. He never really paid attention to her as his focus was aimed elsewhere but she really did have a low presence. Even his supernatural senses barely noticed her.

If she trained herself she could really assassinate like a pro. 

Finally, Kyousuke Kouska was in his class so this world was also mixed with Oreimo. Reiji gave the boy an odd look as this was a man who proposed to his own blood related sister even if they both agreed they could not really get married as siblings. The point was that his Sister said yes in the end.

Really such an odd story that had Reiji’s lips twitching.

He only really paid attention to Kaori and the supernatural side of this world before but really humans are so interesting when you get to the root of things.

His musings were stopped as their teacher walked into the classroom with a neutral look on her face. It spoke wonders about the woman that as soon as she entered, the room fell silent. No one wanted to be the one to draw the ire of the teacher who, on more than one occasion hit students who irritated her.

Shizuka Hirutsuka, another interesting woman. That thought seemed to draw her attention to him as she glared at him with confusion as Reiji was usually not a problem child. How could he be, he just went about his life like a calm stream for the most part.

Really, that woman had an almost supernatural radar for when people were thinking about her. Even if those thoughts were positive in nature. She continued to glare at him but he just smiled calmly back at her which caused her to break the deadlock after a moment.

She went back to addressing the rest of the class even if there was a dusting of pink on her cheeks. His face really was lethal.

As class started he finally had time to go over his System. He did not have to pay too much attention to Class for the most part as his future was not in the mundane world even if he tended to get good grades. If only to satisfy his own pride. He usually ignored class for the most part as he learned better by himself even if that drew some irritation from certain teachers.

He looked over his System and went over it thoroughly. There was not really a whole lot to go over here. From what the menu was telling him his System would give him points when he altered the emotions of others through various means. It did not matter what emotion he pushed to them as long as it was different from the one they were experiencing moments ago.

So he could make others love, hate, envy, or desire him without holding back much. He had already drawn some points from people desiring him as he walked to school but it was not a whole lot.

At least it was not a lot when he looked over the shop the System offered him. He could quite literally buy anything from the Lyre of Apollo himself to the Saiyan Bloodline. The issue is that things that were powerful or things he himself desired cost far more points than he could even dream of obtaining judging from his current tally.

At the current rate in a year he would earn a tenth of the points he would need to purchase the ability to use Touki. An absurd amount for something that was ultimately not that impressive.

He felt his heart beat speed up immensely as he caught sight of the price to awaken his Yokai Blood. It was similar in price to Touki. He bit his lip and cursed to himself. He simply did not have time to wait to get this.

Kaori’s life was on a ticking clock and even awakening his Yokai blood would not really save her. Most of the healing options in the store were absurdly expensive for some reason. Even a simple HP potion was half of the price of buying Touki.

On the reverse side of that mundane skills and limits were ridiculously cheap. From mastery of cooking to the creative inspirations of a musical genius. Those skills and abilities were so cheap he could afford some of them just from his journey to school today.

As he read over that he got a better handle on what this System wanted from him. The System was encouraging him to stir people’s hearts in whatever direction he wished and while it offered him everything, it wanted him to go in a certain direction.

He looked over the various skills with a contemplative frown on his face.

He could already see the path he needed to take and while it would be annoying to deal with the temping prizes waiting in the store were well worth the annoyance.

He already stepped onto this road with just his face alone but with the skills being sold by the System he would really stir the hearts in a grand fashion. 

Now that he had a direction to march towards he felt lighter than he felt for a good long while. This System not only offered him the solutions to Kaori’s dwindling life but it also was offering him everything he ever dreamed off.

Finally he could awaken his bloodline and he would no longer be the forgotten ghost of the Nura. Ironically enough by becoming a Slippery Yokai his existence would become more of a dream but it really was everything he ever wanted.

With those thoughts running in his mind he hummed lightly and smiled wistfully in class causing his Tally to build up again as he drew more and more attention unconsciously too lost in his current mood and thoughts.

His dream was within reach after all.

To lead the Nura clan to an era of glory and finally take care of the Yokai underneath his lead. That fantasy stopped as a familiar face wandered into his mind.

The girl who killed his father. For the longest time that hauntingly pale visage filled with a viscous smile haunted his memories. That innocent charming visage melting away to a sinister blood soaked smile.

Now, he knew the truth of what happened that day. Who that girl really was and the tragedy of her life. He felt a sort of melancholic mood for the girl who his Father once loved dearly. She was a puppet on a string that could do nothing but dance to someone else’s tune no matter how much that dance hurt her.

He could no longer blame that pale girl for what happened as that really was not her fault in the end. She was trapped and all alone for centuries and he would save her from the bitter ending waiting for her.

If only because he felt for her and that would be what his Father would have wanted.

It would be difficult to separate the two Yoaki she represented now but with the System behind him there was nothing he could not do!

The rest of the day went by fairly quickly and while he was taking a more active interest in the humans around him he still stood aloof. Leaving home with a plan forming in his mind.

When he went home he went to his room and picked up a Guitar with familiar ease. He purchased this thing after he saw Kaori playing on the stage like a vibrant butterfly. He thought if he could play like her that he might be able to draw her attention but that was never going to happen.

He let out a sigh at that thought and started to tune it while setting up his phone to record. The System clearly wanted him to stir the hearts of the whole world and it was willing to give him all the tools he needed to achieve that feat.

He looked over the Store page and while he had a decent amount of points he could not afford everything that would make this video incredibly impactful.

He looked between Mastery of the Guitar and Singing Mastery for a moment before settling on Singing Mastery. He had a handle on how to handle a Guitar already and singing was something he never touched even if he had a relatively pleasant voice to listen to.

Years of conditioning and memories were thrown at him as his mastery of his voice reached levels he never thought possible previously.

After that he smiled softly, feeling more confident in his plan than previously.

He thought over what he could sing that would really win him this day, jumping from song over and over again before pausing on one that spoke to him even if he did not like the message this sound represented.

He bit his lip for a good long moment but let out a sigh as this really was fitting even if he did not want it to be. This was a song that was not created in this world as the media in this place was far different than the one his memories spoke of since different worlds spanned different directions.

So this song will be considered his own even if that was the farthest thing from the truth. He felt a little sad that the original artist would never have their voice heard but maybe they did not even exist in this place. Even if they did he needed this and while it was sad for them he was willing to do something far worse to get what he wanted.

He took a deep breath and looked at his empty apartment, a bitter reminder of what his current life was like to get him in the mood he needed to be in. He might be heading to a more bright future but for now these bitter memories and feelings had some use to him.

Even if it would be….embarrassing to show this side of himself to the world.

He hit the record function and sat on a chair in front and started playing with his fingers strumming along the guitar.

(Song :Pretender- Official髭男dism)

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYVsOWAdGbk&ab_channel=SunghaJung for the acoustic guitar)

The tune came out more upbeat in nature to how he was actually feeling but this was just the way it was.

“Our Love story, Just as expected. When it starts, it’s a one man show.” He sang out softly almost as if wistfully hoping for something but the wry smile on his face spoke of how unlikely that was.

“Even if I’m always by your side I’m just in the audience.” His voice shifted to a more deeper and melancholic sound even if they did not fit perfectly with this song it fit better with how he felt. Kaori would never love him as he was just Friend A here. He felt like a specter to his own family due to his unawakened blood. These words cut into him but there was a strange sort of relief coming off of him as he spelled them into existence.

He continued singing in the same sort of somber mood that seemed to fill his chest.

“I wish I had a different setting, I wish I had a different relation, A different world line where I could meet you. I wish I was able to show my love in a different personality. With different values but I know it’s pointless.” He sang out with those bitter feelings spilling out of him. Thoughts of never being enough, never being the one people needed, a ghost that quietly died by itself as the world spun on.

“Good bye.” In the original song this was a bit more upbeat a release from unrequited love but he shifted it back to a wistful want. He knows he should let go of his feelings but there was a part of him that still wanted to reach out despite it all.

“I’m not your soulmate. It hurts but I can’t deny it, but it’s still hard to let go.” He sang out with another wry smile dancing on his face just as wistful but again sinking into those bitter feelings.

“So what are you to me? I don’t know the answer, I don’t want to know the answer.” He sang out bitterly, he knew the answer to those questions but he really did not want to know.

Kaori blazing on stage with a smile reserved for someone else rang through his mind and he felt low again.

“I wish I could have this love come true, and tell you I love you without any responsibility. With a pure heart.” He sang out knowing that this love was never meant to be, that was decided ten long years ago. He could not even tell her how he felt because he knew it was doomed to fail but he still yearned to do so.

“But it’s an empty wish” He sang out sadly as it really was. No matter how much he wanted something the game was rigged from the start and she was just another person out of his reach.

“You’re not there, and I cry at the truth. It’s just too painful.” Again he shifted into a somber mood. No longer caring about his own unrequited love. Kaori was going to die and those scenes playing out in his head were already far too painful to even think about.

“Eternity can not make any promises, but you are so beautiful.” He sang out wistfully one last time. He could not offer her the love she needed but he would save that flickering flame.

He finished playing the solo ending the song with a quite wistful smile that had these heavy feelings finally settling. 

This song was everything he felt and while he knew the ending to his pursuit might be doomed he was determined to change that as well. Kaori might love Kosei but he will show Kaori a love she can not deny.

______

I know I wrote another story, the gods shall smite me. The idea just would not leave me alone and I had time so I wrote this out and it kept flowing.

Mellow with slice of life attributes for the lighter side of the plot with DxD and the Yokai world for the battle and driving force of this world. Figured it was interesting if nothing else.

I should not focus much on this….I think.