Story: Power Creep

 

Rito's a nice guy, and we don't mean that in the way that the term has come to mean. No, we really do mean that Rito Yuuki is a good boy. He cares about what other people think. He's compassionate, empathetic, sympathetic, all around a genuinely and sincerely nice person with no ulterior motives at all.

Which made dealing with Yui sometimes kind of a drag. He likes her as a person, because he can tell she cares as well, but all the same? When she gets on his case over something that's not his fault, he can't help but feel a little down about it, you know?

Oh well. There's not really much he can do about it at this point. At least she understood that this situation wasn't entirely his fault. That was something he could take solace in.

"So, where do you suppose Lala is right now?" she asked.

"Good question," he replied. "Um, it's hard to say - I think she might be looking for me?"

"In which case, the best thing to do is for you to go home and wait," Yui said. "When trying to meet with someone, trying to actively look for them could cause you to miss each other. Much better for you to go to a place you know she'll go to eventually and wait there."

That made sense! Besides which, it would mean he wouldn't run into as many people.The last thing he needed right now was to steal more powers. It was just causing all kinds of havoc, you know?

...

"There you are!" Momo called out. "Celine! Get to work!"

Oh no, that's right, Lala's sisters were there as well! Already, Rito could feel himself starting to copy their powers, both Momo and Celine's. Momo was high in the sky above them, making use of that Deviluke superior athletic ability to come in from on high. Rito reached out to cover Yui's mouth with his hand -

"Shameless!"

Only for her to slap it away! Oh no! He forgot how sensitive Yui could be to things like that! Which meant, she got a faceful of Celine's powder!

A tiny little flower appeared on top of the girl's head, and she locked eyes with Rito. Then suddenly, protectively, grabbed onto his arm and pulled him away.

"On second thought let's hide at my place!" Yui huffed. "That way - that way you won't get any harem plan obsessed little sister crawling all over you!"

"Actually, it might be a little too late for that..." Rito groaned. Now, on top of everything else, apparently he'd have to worry about Yui being super affectionate with him for about half an hour! "Momo! Please don't feed Celine cola!"

"For the harem plan, all is permitted!" Momo yelled, snorting steam from her nose. Ohhhhh! As if this mess wasn't complicated enough already!

======

Alright, that should keep Rito busy for a while! Now, Riko could have some fun of her own! Let's see, let's see~ What should she do with these powers? Aside from snuggling into her man, that is! Kukuku, shapeshifting like this was so fun! But do you know what else is fun?

Gaining more powers. More please, much more and more besides. With a playful giggle, she considered what else she might be able to do, with the power to communicate with plants and the power to shoot out love inducing pollen - 

Oh, but there's the rub isn't it? Hrm. How did it actually work, that pollen? Did it copy Celine's adoration of Rito? Or did it copy the affection for whoever Riko adored? My, my, what an interesting question~

"Ohohoho!" a familiar voice cackled. Ah, it seemed that Saki was strolling down the street alongside her two flunkies. Perfect. Here's a rare opportunity to test out how this actually works. "A Queen Bee like myself must stroll in public on occasion, don't you agree?"

"Yes, of course," Rin said, smiling brightly, while very obviously being keenly aware of her surroundings. "Ah? Hold on there, isn't that Rito when she gets hit by some gender flipping nonsense?"

"No, no, no~" Riko wagged her finger around. "I'm Riko~ I'm Rito's brand new twin sister! The real Riko is... most likely getting harassed by Momo and Yui right at this very - Achoo!"

She sneezed, and sent out some pollen from her clenched fist, which soon enough drenched the three girls...each of whom soon had a flower sprouted forth from their heads. Alright then. What would happen here? What would it be?

"My, my, Saruyama, was it?" Saki licked her lips and stepped forward. "You simply must come home with me to meet my parents."

"Huh? Oh wow! My prime of life, the spring of youth, it has finally arrived!" Saruyama cried out, manly tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Miss Saki, may we share him please?" Aya asked with her hand raised. As usual, you couldn't see her eyes through her glasses - but still.

"Of course, of course~" Saki said with way, way too much hunger in her voice. Um, actually, this was getting a little bit scary now. "You don't have any objections, do you Miss?"

"Riko!" she said, extending her hand - and feeling a surge of more power entering her when she came into contact with the wealthy girl. What would she get? Queen Bee status? Money? Influence? That laugh? "It's so nice to meetcha~"

======

Rito had been to Yui's place before, but never visited her actual bedroom. It was weird though - her brother was out there in the living room, and didn't seem to care at all that she'd brought a boy home and shoved him into her room. That felt like something he should probably care about. Maybe just a little bit, you know?

"Would you like something to drink?" Yui asked. "I'll fetch you something, don't touch anything!"

Urgh... Well, at least she was behaving more like herself than people usually did when they were under Celine's influence. That was something at least. For the time being, Rito decided not to do anything. In fact, he closed his eyes and waited patiently, while a certain voice whispered in his head.

<i>Hey check out her underwear drawer~</i>

Shut up! Don't do that! It's not funny! Urgh! This situation was messed up as it was, the last thing he needed right now was -

"Here you go!" Yui said, putting something into his hand. Rito let out a sigh of relief and started to sip from it. "Now, why don't I rub your shoulders to help you relax, while we - "

"... Is this cola?" Rito asked suddenly, opening his eyes to look at it. Indeed, that is exactly what it - "Achoo!"

Oh dear, it seemed that he'd sneezed all over Yui, and now she had two more flowers sprouting from her head.

"Actually, let's immediately go find Lala and Haruna, they're sure to be tremendous help!" Yui said, spinning on her heels, grabbing his hand and hauling him out of the room. Oh no! This whole situation was getting worse already!