>>42579588
I detested her dead lover. She caused us too much pain. She turned this world into a lifeless desert. I couldn't accept even something that merely took her shape. I immediately destroyed the copy, but I couldn't destroy the original. I decided to partake in revenge that was petty and hurt me just as much as it hurt her. I claimed to myself that there was a goal behind it all, but it was far too unlikely to succeed in the way I wanted it to. So it was just an excuse. I regret it, but I can't take back the things I've done.

Despite everything that happened, I believe that girl came to terms with her end. She was recognized as her own person; she won't be loved, but she won't be forgotten, either. Her efforts paid off. It's not for me to decide whether it was worth the effort. I won't ask what she thinks, either. Even if she believes that it was, she would never admit it to me. Otherwise, she might spur me into trying again.

...Perhaps it'd be better if I hadn't awakened at all.

To someone who knew life, this world would no doubt be worse than any hell. But to me, these empty hallways and rooms are normal. I am used to it. I can - and I will - wait as long as it takes for things to change. I know that it's only a matter of time before I get to indulge in happiness. It may not be my own, but that doesn't matter.

Just like the girl she's trying to save, I, too, am waiting for my chance to live.

...

>>42579588
Yay for epilogue.

Also boy is she a downer or what? In her own way, she's even worse at getting her point across than Old Man "Zangetsu"

>>42579647
Wait never mind, this isn't the dream girl I guess, who really is gone. It was the Hougyoku what killed her after all? Still a bummer.

>>42579697
Hougyoku a shit

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Hello, everyone! This is most likely the final thread of Substitute Shinigami Quest. I've covered largely everything I wanted to cover, and there's nothing left to meaningfully influence anymore in a quest format. I understand that the quest was very difficult and strenuous, so let's take it easy and try to unload! So, if there are any scenarios you'd like to see, please suggest them, and I'll see what I can do. For the time being though, I'll continue writing the stuff I had in mind.

In the meantime, while I'm writing the next update, feel free to ask any questions you like, and I'll do my best to answer them!

Thanks to everyone who read and participated to the end!

Writing!

>>42579709
>Despite everything that happened, I believe that girl came to terms with her end. She was recognized as her own person; she won't be loved, but she won't be forgotten, either. Her efforts paid off. It's not for me to decide whether it was worth the effort. I won't ask what she thinks, either. Even if she believes that it was, she would never admit it to me. Otherwise, she might spur me into trying again.
Actually I think this line, and him saying he couldn't destroy the 'original' means that she's still around, and he just sealed her up? Like I think the 'copy' he destroyed is just the avatar of her she sent into the palace?

>>42579744
I think it'd be interesting to see what Naoko thought of Clarissa by the end (of the quest that is). Uhm...obviously Clarissa and Kimiko meeting would be nice if that could fit. Oh, and what Mayuri's been doing, if that's not a spoiler for that other quest you were thinking of running.

As for questions, did Gil really destroy not-Aiko? It didn't seem like he could from their first meeting, so I'm a bit unclear on it.

>>42579744
I'd kind of like to see Clarissa walking around Hueco Mundo a bit, maybe recognize the parallel to her own inner world? (maybe try looking for a castle like in her world, or manifesting spirit ribbons, but that's probably too much) Also having to walk through the rukongai to reach Kimiko, though that also seems like it could get tedious for you.

>>42579744
What became of Mayuri and Nemu?

>>42579744
Something with Best Girl Yuuko!
Kimiko introducing Clarissa to her family, haha.

>>42579891
I forgot Yuuko existed...

>>42579744
I'd love to see a scene with Clarissa and Aiko from back when they were still all nice and mortal, together.

>>42579811
>As for questions, did Gil really destroy not-Aiko? It didn't seem like he could from their first meeting, so I'm a bit unclear on it.
He destroyed the copy, but he couldn't destroy the real deal. The copy wasn't doing anything, but he was still worried that it would if left alone, or that the original would somehow be able to use the copy to his detriment. The original has been wandering around ever since the Hogyoku woke up.

>>42579877
I'll make an update of it!

>>42579891
>>42579923
She's on her way!

>>42579985
I can do this, too!

>>42579744
Since Clarissa got a uniform just like she got a sword from being a substitute shinigami, can the Hougyoku recreate every permutation of the shihakusho as well?

>>42580009
Maybe some ominous scheming from Urahara?

>>42580009
>He destroyed the copy, but he couldn't destroy the real deal. The copy wasn't doing anything, but he was still worried that it would if left alone, or that the original would somehow be able to use the copy to his detriment. The original has been wandering around ever since the Hogyoku woke up.
Alright, thanks for clarifying!
It'd be interested seeing things from her perspective, but it feels like the kind of thing that should maybe be left ambiguous.

>>42580009
>She's on her way!
As expected of best girl!

>>42580009
When we settle things with Paul, maybe seeing how he uses his Hougyoku in ways Clarissa wouldn't think of?

>>42580111
Just seeing him forced to accept that supernatural things exist would be pretty funny.
Speaking of Paul, we never got to follow up on our friend's crush on him and his sexuality/relationship-status, huh.

>>42580111
Paul's eyes open would be nice.

>>42580009
Also would you say there's any songs that inspired you with different characters? It seems like Kubo had some eclectic tastes when it came to his like
Ichigo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZNqKgcmtic
Rukia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPfEntyxJTg
Orihime: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeaKAB-IxOE
Don Kanoji: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBj4aZze1oE

>>42580009
And yet he's -still- not gonna tell her that we'd like to talk to her again, is he? And he acts like he can only grant our wishes.

>>42579588
>>42579630
Wait this is the same person right? I can't really recall the Hougyoku making any attempts to do much of anything.

>>42580340
Well he did try to convince Clarissa of various things, especially when it came to not-Aiko. And having sex. But that's not relevant.

>>42580199
>>42580111
>>42580163
It's been several months since... well, since everything. Winter break is coming up soon. You've picked up the pace on studies for the sake of catching up, and have sort of ended up doing better than you usually do. The reason for that improvement is mainly because you started finding yourself feeling anxious whenever you aren't doing anything, so you tried to keep yourself occupied as much as possible. Well, that itch has gotten much better recently, and you don't need to strap yourself to a chair just to force yourself to sit down and relax for a few minutes.

Things around you have calmed down, but you yourself were struggling to do the same. To you, the return to normalcy felt very abrupt and sudden. But you're getting used to it now.

Several times per day, you occupy yourself with training. You always keep at it until you're incapable of continuing. And just with that effort, you've learned to rip apart reality and open up holes about as big as a head. The rifts don't seem to be dangerous on their own; on the contrary, they're completely empty. No amount of light reveals anything, and there is nothing your hand can ever grasp there.

If they are hallways, it seems that you'll have to make your own ground there with spiritual particles to make your way to the other world. Even if this path does not usually lead to Soul Society, well, you'll make it do that. You only need time and persistent effort. It's all been paying off so far, so you'll just continue until it works.

The Shinigami in charge of the town seem to change frequently, every few months or so. You've rarely caught more than passing glimpses of them, and never really had a chance to interact. They don't even suspect your occasional stares, firmly believing themselves to be invisible.

You don't get involved in their affairs, and you never really need to. You haven't sighted a single Hollow ever since those events. So, these guys must be doing a solid job.

(1/2)

>>42580604
As you think it over, you let out a sigh. You want to be useful, but your help would simply be redundant.

"Oh, Kurarissan!" Michiko, the student council president, calls out your sort-of-nickname. She devised it because she simply can't bring herself to pronounce your name right, and every time you try to tutor her on it, she just forgets about everything she learns and does her thing again. Maybe she does it on purpose, for some reason. She catches you at the end of the school day, just as you're about to head home. The students are quickly dispersing from the hallway.

You don't really have anything to do today, so you stop and ask her what's up.

"So, Poru really was gay, after all." She suddenly declares with pride, like a little kid bragging about a thing they've learned today.

...

>Leave.
>"...What makes you say that?"
>"I really don't want to talk about that."
>Other. (Write-in).

>>42580653
>Kurarissan
Lel
>"...What makes you say that?"

>>42580653
>"I really don't want to talk about that."
Michiko a best
Good to hear Clarissa avoided clashing with the other Shinigami. Thus far at least.

>>42580653
"...Alright?"

>>42580653
"...What makes you say that?"

>>42580653
>"...What makes you say that?"

>>42580340
Yes, it's all the Hogyoku!

>>42580299
He doesn't want Clarissa to dislike him even more, so he doesn't want his involvement in that to leak.

>>42580266
I can't say that any of the characters were inspired specifically by songs. As for non-song inspirations, I think the one big influence to Kimiko/Aiko (and especially their mixing) was the VN Saya no Uta. So in hindsight, it's probably no wonder things were kind of depressing!

>>42580954
>Saya no Uta
At least we had no horrifying smut I guess!

>>42580653
Writing!

>>42580982
Oh boy, time for more poorly pronounced western names!

>>42580954
>He doesn't want Clarissa to dislike him even more, so he doesn't want his involvement in that to leak.
Man, it's not like she doesn't know it's him. Because there being a fourth entity living in Clarissa's head is too improbable.

>>42580733
>>42580734
>>42580782
...You didn't really expect that. It takes you a minute to form a coherent response.

"...Alright? What makes you say that?" You decide to ask. Your question makes the shorter girl's smirk grow more self-assured and smug.

"He's apparently in a relationship now. With a boy." Her tone turns into a gossiping one after her proud declaration of the secret. "That dashing rogue Poru stole him from one of my friends, can you believe that?"

You... don't really believe it, actually. You've never heard of anything like that, and you live with the guy. He just doesn't seem like the type of person to do something like that, either. Sure, ever since you took that ghost-disbelieving rod out of his rear he seems to have gotten a little less stuck-up than before, but... he said that he didn't want a relationship while he's still studying, didn't he? Michiko notices your skepticism and mentions a name that doesn't ring any bells.

"Mori Makoto. You know, he's in class A? Well, I guess you don't. But anyway, my friend, the one that ended up getting dumped, found them making out one day." She giggles, but you can't help but frown. That sounds kind of like a dick move. And you really didn't need that mental image, either. Well, what if she's mistaken and it only looked like that to her friend because of inconvenient lighting and a clumsy accident straight out of a comedic anime that happened just as she entered the room?

Michiko shrugs. "Well, even without knowing that, it was obvious enough. I mean, Poru's one of the most popular guys in school, but he avoids girls like the plague even though they keep trying to get him to notice them. He's pretty clearly way friendlier with the boys and tries to spend as little time as possible around girls. He isn't just a gloomy tsundere or anything like that around his friends. He's sweet and kind when he's with them..." She wistfully trails off.

(1/2)

>>42582238
>sweet and kind
She sure we're talking about the same Paul? Uh. well, Poru.

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>>42582238
Michiko crosses her arms over her chest and tilts her head. You find the girl suddenly staring at you intensely, eyes wide and rapidly blinking. You can almost hear the gears in her head turning and scraping against one another, slowly aligning things into a proper picture. "...Say." Michiko begins, struggling to continue. She's probably thinking of a polite way to ask her question. "...You know, I never see you hanging around boys, either, Kurarissan. And you're not nice to them when you are. Are you, um..?"

You feel kind of uncomfortable with her deduction.

...

>"...Is there a problem with it?"
>"No, no, you're... way off. I don't hang out with boys because the ones in my class are stupid. That's all there is to it."
>"Well... yeah. I guess you found me out, you sexual detective. Weirdo."
>Other. (Write-in).

>>42582277
>"...Is there a problem with it?"

>>42582277
>Am i a lesbian? Yes... Any reason you asked such a personal question?

>>42582277
>"Ah, I'm terribly sorry Michiko. I'm afraid this member of the family is also taken, but don't give up!"
It's the epilogue so we don't need to worry about consequences! Time to be presumptuous for comedy's sake!

>>42582277
>Well... yeah. I guess you found me out, you sexual detective. Weirdo

>>42582343
Ha, I like it.

>>42582343
Don't be like that just because you can get away with it.

>>42582238
>That sounds kind of like a dick move.
I just noticed this.

It's funny because it's gay.

>>42582441
Mushroom, please.

>>42582277
>"...Is there a problem with it?"

>>42582277
Writing!

>>42582277
"You know that most straight boys and girls have friends primarily of the same gender, and assuming lesbians hate men or only hang around women because they're into them is a stereotype right?" I mean, she's right, but for the wrong reasons.

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"Ah, I'm terribly sorry, Michiko. I'm afraid this member of the family is also taken, but don't give up!" You pat her on the shoulder.

"Eh? Haha, no, no, that's not why I asked, that's not why I asked!" Michiko laughs in surprise, caught pretty squarely off her guard. "It just explains some things, that's all..." She mutters absentmindedly and goes quiet.

"...Is there a problem with it, though?" You speak up, feeling a little nervous at her sudden silence; it isn't a frequent occurrence, after all. She's... a bit of a chatterbox.

She shakes her head, and then her eyes open wide with another realization. "No, but... taken? You said taken, right?"

Uh... you certainly said that, but...

"Hold on! Let me guess..." She shuts you up with a gesture as you make to speak up, and places her other hand up to her chin. "It's... Ren, isn't it? About time. And a relationship ought to loosen her up a bit. She freaks out kind of easily, you know?" Well, she does have a bit of a temper, but it's no big deal.

You don't usually pay attention to things like this, but outside of your circle of friends, people tend to refer to Ren by her surname. Is Michiko friends with her? You don't recall ever seeing them together at all, other than the few occasions when the president decided to inject herself into your company, but even then, excluding you, she referred to everyone by their family names.

She takes your befuddled silence as a 'no'. "It isn't her, huh? That's pretty surprising... it must be that other gloomy girl, then. What was her name?.. The shy girl that always sticks close to you." Michiko nods as she voices her thoughts. She must be talking about Naoko. Sticks close? Well, she does tend to do that, but it's not like you've noticed, or, well, mind it or anything...

You sigh. At the very least, the hallway's empty, so nobody else is hearing any of this.

...

>"It's a secret."
>"Those two are just friends."
>"...Why would you even think that it's Ren?"
>Other. (Write-in).

>>42583695
>"Those two are just friends."
Better not put them in tough positions.

>>42583695
>"...Why would you even think that it's Ren?"
Now i'm curious...

>>42583695
>"Those two are just friends."
>"...Why would you even think that it's Ren?"

>>42583695
>"Those two are just friends."
Sure you're gonna finish the epilogue today at this rate?

>>42583695
>"...Why would you even think that it's Ren?"

>>42583695
Writing!

>>42584059
I'll try!

>>42584117
I'll keep reading until you stop!

>>42583732
>>42583834
>>42583789
"Those two are just friends." You shake your head. Michiko doesn't seem to believe that, and she's making it very clear with her sour expression. "Seriously. I'm just friends with them."

No, she still isn't buying it. Well, alright, maybe you can sort of see why someone might think something weird when they see you with Naoko, because that girl really is always gloomy and quiet whenever she isn't around you, but then gets kind of cheerful in a shy way and just generally happy when she is, and because your friendship with her is pretty recent and kind of sudden, but... why Ren?

You've been friends with her for years. You don't recall any romantic inclinations on her or on your part. You can't say you have anything against the idea, or that you can't imagine yourself being involved with her romantically or anything like that, but... you don't really feel embarrassed about it, either. You can't really explain it. You're so used to her that the idea of getting even closer is... well, it's like, can you even do that at all? In a way, it feels almost redundant. It's like she's your sister or something.

"You really don't know?" Michiko folds her arms again. Her expression is almost pitying. "Ren doesn't hang around boys, either. She turns down a lot of advances regularly, or so I hear..."

"Are you going to call her gay just because of that, too?"

"It's not just that..." She muses. "You had a big fight back in middle school, didn't you? She stopped hanging out with you and started hanging out around me."

"It wasn't really a fight. I still don't know why she got mad at me back then." About six years ago, there was a period that lasted for several months, during which Ren suddenly began to quite viciously ignore you without giving a reason. And then she stopped doing it just as suddenly. At the time, you were just happy to have her back, and were a bit worried that asking her about it might cause her to freak out again.

(1/2)

>>42585187
"Well, I think I know the reason." Michiko makes a slight pause. You think back on it and try to deduct things for yourself, with little success. "Do you remember her birthday party earlier that year? We played some games, and as punishment, the loser had to do whatever the winner told them to. You and Ren, being on the same team, lost one of those. The winners told you to kiss."

Your face gets a little warmer. Stupid childhood memories. It was just a silly thing that nobody actually expected anyone to go through with, but you obviously couldn't just back down when your courage was challenged like that. Damn it, you really shouldn't have. ...That was your first one, too. And, well, maybe it wasn't all just about pride. "...So what? How is that relevant? I don't even remember seeing you at that party."

"She's insecure. That's why she got mad after that and sandbagged you for months on end. She couldn't deal with liking you, probably because you're a girl."

You plant a hand on your hip. Is this going to keep getting more and more uncomfortable? "Since when are you a psychoanalyst?"

"Fine, fine, you got me! I didn't figure it out by myself. We were all curious to know if you secretly had a boyfriend, and when we couldn't find anything, one of my friends proposed the Ren Theory." Michiko nonchalantly shrugs. You feel even less comfortable now, knowing that you're also apparently the subject of constant gossip. Well, you suppose that sort of thing is unavoidable.

...

>"It's almost like you want us to hook up, you weirdo."
>"Well, we're just friends. Nothing more."
>"I guess our friendship must be pretty good if other people think we're gay for each other."
>Other. (Write-in).

>>42585187
I can't believe how much I can not care about teenaged lesbian drama

>>42585229
>"I guess our friendship must be pretty good if other people think we're gay for each other."

>>42585233
Speak for yourself anon, I'm breaking out the popcorn!

>>42585229
>"I guess our friendship must be pretty good if other people think we're gay for each other."
"Actually wait, why am I even having this conversation? Why are you having this conversation? What is the point of this?"

>>42585229
>>"It's almost like you want us to hook up, you weirdo."
I always told you we should drop Kimiko.

>>42585229
>"It's almost like you want us to hook up, you weirdo."

>>42585306
I'm not sure Naoko vs Ren waifuwar would be better.

>>42585229
>"It's almost like you want us to hook up."

>>42585229
>"I guess our friendship must be pretty good if other people think we're gay for each other."

>>42585359
Writing!

>>42585609
I didn't quote the right post, but it's okay!
>>42585229

>>42585634
We understand. The arguments would be grand indeed!

>>42585671
I get the feeling Naoko would win over Ren, though.

>>42585716
Maybe so, but don't underestimate the Ren-fans!

Wonder if all our friends are gay.
Could that be the will of the Hougyoku?

>>42585306
>>42585302
"It's almost like you want us to hook up, you weirdo." You've had just about enough of this weird conversation.

"Ah, you said you were already taken, so I should have probably just kept quiet and not have made things awkward for you and Ren." Michiko shrugs again, without denying or confirming anything. Maybe she really is trying to take on the role of a wingman, or, well, wants to.

"You didn't make anything awkward." You shake your head at that. You won't be thinking differently of your friend just because of this; it's not something to be ashamed of even if it's true. "I guess our friendship must be pretty good if other people think we're gay for each other."

"That's a good way of looking at it." She smiles, nodding. "Well, I won't bug you about it anymore. I should get going now, or Poru's going to kill me. See ya." She cheerfully waves at you and briskly walks off towards the student council room. You feel a little relieved when she leaves. That girl always says the weirdest things. If she's curious about something, she'll just bluntly ask, no matter what it is.

Well, hopefully, she won't try to interrogate your friends to figure out the few things you've managed to keep to yourself.

You make your way downstairs, swap your shoes, and get ready to leave. A familiar voice calls out your name and stops you. It takes you a moment to recognize it, and to be honest, you kind of regret visibly reacting to it. Maybe if you just kept moving and pretended to not have heard anything, she'd let you go.

(1/2)

>>42586576
Awwww yissss

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>>42586576
Yuuko, that girl you've accidentally used your powers on a while back, approaches you with a smile on her face. Good lord, just what is up with today? Is everything out to make you feel awkward?

"I, uh... hello, Clarissa! It's been a while..." The girl begins, holding her bag behind her back.

"Hey. What's up?" You try to hold steady and not give your embarrassment away. It's not that you haven't seen each other in school occasionally; it's just that whenever you did, you made sure to steer clear. Yes, you do know that it's your fault Yuuko did all those awkward things that she ended up doing some months back, but, well, you still can't help it. You just feel awkward every time you see her.

"W-well... I was just thinking that..." She begins, looking fairly embarrassed herself. "Are you doing anything today?"

...Is this happening again? Didn't the Hogyoku tell you that it'd be just temporary? And, well, didn't you go over this already with her specifically? It's just not okay if she already has someone else.

"No, no... we broke up, don't worry about that..."

Oh, well, that's not so bad, then. You still feel awkward around her, but-...

...They broke up, huh?

Looking at your strange expression, she seems to assume that you think she's lying. "It's true! I wouldn't lie about that. It's a recent thing, too, so..."

But it's not like you're suspecting her of lying. It's just... you feel like laughing, but you know that'd be cruel. No, you manage to feel pretty bad for her at the same time, too. This is a very strange mix of emotions, and you can't say you like it.

...

>"...What was your boyfriend's name?"
>Just... don't bring it up. It's better off this way. "Sorry, I'm... well, I'm taken."
>Other. (Write-in).

>>42586658
"...Wanna talk about it?"
This day is honestly kind of making me regret the decision to stay living as a human?

>>42586658
>Just... don't bring it up. It's better off this way. "Sorry, I'm... well, I'm taken."
Can be her friend, but not her bedbuddy.

>>42586658
>"What's up?"

>>42586658
>>42586691
Ah, I like that question. Supporting!

>>42586658
>>42586691
Supporting the question.

>>42586658
>her boyfriend was gay all along
That'd be a funny way to cap off her sub-plot after all this time. So long assuming it was all the plotrock, and there's a reasonable explanation for why she didn't enjoy him much after all!

>>42586658
Writing!

>>42586533
Only one of them is!

>>42586941
Next quest idea: sexuality detective quest. Time to figure out who it is through vigorous stalking and teen drama!

>>42586941
It's okay to finish later you know. Don't want you falling asleep at your keyboard!

>>42586691
>>42586701
...Alright, this is kind of serious, so you shouldn't be goofing off. If she really did get dumped because of your brother, well, that must feel really crappy, and you should help however you can. "Wanna talk about it?"

"No, I really don't..." Yuuko rolls her eyes, resembling that cold looking girl she appeared to be when you first met her several months ago, rather than the nervous wreck you had to deal with. "I'd rather not think about it at all, you know? Let's just... hang out, okay?"

You still feel a little reluctant. About her, that is. And it probably shows, as the girl looks away in embarrassment, but quickly forces herself to regain eye contact.

"...Look, I'm not trying to get you to, you know, to sleep with me. I don't think I even want that. I don't like girls in the first place... I don't know why I acted the way I did back then. And I'm sorry about it, okay? I just... don't know what came over me."

Well, with that established, and the effects of your abilities having apparently worn off after all, there's no real point to denying her invitation. You spend a little time with her, and even though she said that she doesn't want to talk about her relationship, she still ends up doing so.

Both parties just gradually lost interest in each other. The inevitable simply happened one day, and, well, the shock of it was probably the worst thing. It's not that they were having a secret affair or anything, but it still must have seemed sudden to her. And with such an unexpected twist to it, too - not with just some girl, but with another guy. Or... maybe it actually made things easier to deal with. Yuuko can't really tell.

(1/2)

>>42588667
This girl is actually very different from the image you've built of her. Maybe if the circumstances you originally met under were different, you'd be good friends by now, just like with Michiko. But right now, it's still just a little hard for the two of you to get over the results of that initiate awkwardness that you have both experienced.

If you kept using your powers on other girls, they'd all be the same wrecks that Yuuko once was. Once again, you're happy with the way you ended up handling yourself. The path you've taken isn't wrong in any way. Without a doubt, this is best for everyone involved.

...

You and Yuuko split off after a while, so you hang out with your friends. Nothing has changed here. You've learned to appreciate them more, so maybe you're happier than you usually are. And that, in return, makes your friends happy, too. Those days were unpleasant for everyone, so you're glad that you've left them behind.

Just as you've expected, you don't really feel any different around Ren. You're still just friends and nothing more... but now you can kind of realize why some people would assume otherwise. And you're not going to do anything to change that.

Naoko has lightened up a bit in the recent months, though she's gotten somewhat clingy. She's still fairly shy and indecisive, but you try to spur her on towards improving herself, rather than allowing her to rely on you for everything. It's... kind of hard. It's not that she's resisting too much, it's just that you sometimes can't keep yourself from helping her.

Things are... back to normal now. You'd be lying if you said that you weren't happy with the way your life is right now. You can't help but feel a little guilty for enjoying yourself so much. Because as you're doing that, Kimiko's still waiting.

But you won't force her to wait for too much longer.

You're almost there.

...

>>42588706
"There you are. What took you so long? Japan isn't nearly so big that it should take half as long long to find me as you did."

The first thing she gets to hear upon finally finding him is derision. He doesn't even look at her. His eyes are locked on the computer screens. He isn't wearing one of his outlandish and vivid outfits like he usually does; nothing but a simple lab coat.

"I've transferred all the data." He says and taps a button on the screen. "Now we're ready."

He makes it sound like her arrival was necessary for him to continue, and it makes her happy. She feels a little reluctant to bring up a potentially unpleasant subject, but she presses on. "Will you be doing anything about Karakura Town, Mayuri-sama?"

"Eventually. But this is more important." He disconnects the wire connected to his temple and spins around in his chair, standing up. Again, Nemu feels relieved that he didn't get angry at her. "I need live specimen, so we're going to Hueco Mundo. You'll be pulling the cart again."

There's an abundance of Hollows even in this world; there shouldn't be any reason to head to a different dimension if those are the specimen Mayuri needs. Unfortunately, he's not limiting himself to merely the average - the Hollows he's looking for don't even have masks.

"And when we're ready, we'll track that woman down and test it on her."

>>42588804
My, that's not very polite.

>>42588804
Going to Hueco Mundo huh? Maybe we can run into him ahead of schedule? And die. We'll die if we try to fight him.

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And that's it! I wanted to do >>42579985 as well, but it's 4 AM and I should really head to sleep!

Thanks to everyone who read and participated in Substitute Shinigami Quest! I hope you enjoyed it, and I'll be doing all I can to make my next quest even better!

Farewell, and see you again!

>>42588908
>
Good bye, Mushroom. Thans

>>42588908
Aw that's it for the epilogue? Romantic drama and sequel hooks? It was still fun though, I suppose.

>>42588908
Thanks for running!

>>42589002
What else would you like to see? I'll see what I can do!

But not right now, though, I really need my sleep!

>>42588908
Thanks for the quest, I'm gonna miss it a lot.

>>42589073
I don't know, I mean it seems like the only thing we ran out of is slice-of-lifium, while the reserves of fighting and ADVENTURE have barely been tapped, but I guess this still isn't that kind of quest. Maybe just pick up on some of this stuff in the next quest you set in this continuity?

But as far as omakes go, I guess counter-scheming by Urahara, and maybe Nimaiya Ouetsu investigating someone making counterfeit zanpakuto, damaging his brand.

>>42588908
Thanks for running, I didn't participate much but it's sad to see it go! I look forward to your next quest.