Paradox Saga: Rising Sun

I Become The Only Male In The House

As we ate our chocolate ice cream, the girls took turns on revealing their real identities.

Saiko, being the eldest, was the first to introduce.

She stood up and bowed. “I am Saiko, 23 years old and from Tokyo. I am Shiro’s former aunt,” she said and bowed again before sitting down.

Nami was the next to introduce. “Hi, I am Axis Yna Amihan, also known as Nami Touya. I am 21 years old and from the Philippines. I acted as Shiro’s older sister.”

Fritz cleared her throat. “My name is Suzanne Frieze, 20 and I come from Greece. I am Shiro’s bestfriend and was hiding myself as a boy to protect him in silence.”

“So, that’s where he, she rather, got her name,” I thought.

Midorima coughed. “Anyways, I am Ava Coleen Abayan, or Yuki Midorima, as what Shiro knows. I was in the class next to Shiro and acted as the hidden surveillance. I am 19 and like Nami, I came from the Philippines.”

Thyme shuffled unsteadily on her seat and took a spoonful of ice cream. “I’m Thyme Smaragdos, 18 years of age and also from Greece. I am also Shiro’s bestfriend in school and guarded him.”

I looked at them as they looked down – trying to avert their gaze from me. I could feel their guilt even if they’re not telling me. They probably thought I was still mad at them. Actually, I was really mad at them. A part of me said I should hate them for hiding their real selves, for concealing the truth about my parents, for almost making me fall to my death a while ago. However, I didn’t have the conscience to hate them. Yes, they kept a lot of things hidden from me but they took care of me. They were the only ones that were there when all didn’t want me. The fact that the girls are the only ones that I have is certainly unavoidable.

I let out a deep breath. “Look, I know you’re a little bit guilty about hiding your real identities, and my identity too, I guess, but…but you were there when no one else cared about me. You kept those secrets to protect me. Besides…” I tried not to blush. “You’re the only ones who notice me.”

They looked back at me – their expressions unsure. They suddenly stood and group-hugged me.

“Hey…hey!” I shouted with difficulty. With five girls crowding you like hungry zombies, it’s really hard to breathe some air in. “I’m forgiving you all, okay! But don’t get abusive!”

Saiko pinched my cheeks. “You really are cute when you’re mad”

My face suddenly felt warm. “S-Stop it…okay?”

“Look, he’s blushing!” Thyme announced.

“I’m n-not, okay! Saiko just pinched my cheeks too hard!” I argued.

All of them giggled. They started teasing me again. It took me a minute of Stop It’s before they went back to their seats and continued eating their ice cream.

“So…” I said to break the silence.

“So what?” Midorima asked.

“So, do I start calling you all by your real names? I mean I can’t call Saiko as Auntie or Nami as Big Sis anymore, right?”

Nami smiled. “Anything’s fine, Shiro. You can call us anything you like.”

“Besides, you really have to remember our names since we’ll be living here from now on,” Fritz continued.

I stared at them. “What? You mean you all were serious back in the conference room?”

“Why would we joke about something like that, Shiro-chan?” Saiko asked innocently. “We were serious about it, of course!”

My entire body shuddered with the idea. If the five girls live in the house, then that means…

“I’m the only male on the house?!” I yelled at the phone.

Minutes after we talked, Saiko’s phone rang. It was Sadao-san calling. Saiko talked to him for a bit before she gave it to me.

Sadao-san chuckled. “Why, Shiro-kun? Is that a problem?”

“A problem? That is one of the worst things that’ll happen to me ever!” I answered him. “Why would you let the five girls and me live in the same roof? I mean, that’s ridiculous!”

“Shiro-kun, don’t be mad about such a little thing,” my godfather said. “That is just to ensure your safety. With the monsters that went rampant in your school yesterday along with your monster-teacher, we now can’t set your security aside, at the school or at your home. If I am not that busy killing some giant monsters, I would’ve been the one to take care of you. Unfortunately, I’m busy clearing some strong Anaphoras. I’ll just call you later, okay?”

“What? But – ”

He already dropped the call. Could things get worst?

The following days were hell. First, I couldn’t even get away from the girls as school was closed. News tells that it was under siege by a terrorist group, though I know it wasn’t the case. A few people also came two days ago saying that the Crimson Fist guild (Sadao-san’s guild) was assigned to reconstruct our house. We left and went to a nearby hotel which was the most annoying part as all six of us were crammed in the same room. For two days, my life was in torture. I can’t read my favorite books as I left it back home. The girls also acted like I wasn’t there – wearing sleeveless shirts and barging inside the room with only their towels on. I tried to request another room but the woman in the counter said the hotel was already full as some people’s houses were destroyed with the Anaphoras’ appearance. A few classmates of mine saw me going inside the hotel room with the five girls and whispered to one another. I hope they won’t spread some rumors with the others or I’ll seriously stop going to school.

The only fun part with me staying in the hotel was, aside from no school, the girls taught me the basics of Anaphora clearing and the Figures’ rankings and classes on the second day of our stay.  

“We Figures have different classes but all of our classes are based on the seven basic classifications,” Saiko said and raised seven fingers. “Those are Tanks, Rangers, Warriors, Mages, Supports, Assassins and Craftsmen.”

“So, how would I know what you’re class is? Is it like in the video games? Tanks have huge hit points, rangers shoot the monster to death, and etcetera?” I asked.

“Actually, it’s a bit like that,” Nami said and sat with us on the bed. “Tanks have huge HP’s and usually lead the party on the monsters’ direction, Rangers are the long-ranged Figures who damage monsters in a variety of ranges, Warriors are those who assist Tanks and have moderate damage and HP’s, Mages are Figures who excel on magical damage and spells, Supports heals, buffs and debuffs the other Figures, Assassins are those who can neutralize monsters one-by-one in a short period of time, and lastly, Craftsmen are Figures that have the ability to craft items that Figures can use,” she summarized.

“So, that’s it?” I asked.

“We also have our Ranks which are F up to S. Rank-F Figures are those who just started to manifest their powers, like you, and as they rank up to Rank-E and so on, their powers also get stronger. Normally, Rank-B and above Figures have their Metaphors already,” Saiko answered.

I was about to ask another question when the doorbell suddenly rang. The girls suddenly summoned their weapons and started advancing on the door, Saiko on the lead. I swallowed hard. I hope this isn’t another enemy.