"Oh…you think there's nothing I can do, huh? I don't need your permission to enter your dreams, Mizuki. If you don't comply, I will enter your dreams every night as soon as you fall asleep. Then, I will conjure replicates of myself, and we will line dance naked on this stage while you're forced to watch until you wake up. I'll keep doing this, never giving you any rest, until you break and tell me what I want to know." (Dio)
What in the actual hell is the matter with this psycho!? He just said that with a straight face! Psychological torture, seriously?
I might have miscalculated here. I could always call his bluff and wait it out until he gets bored, but I don't want to engage in mental warfare with someone as clearly unhinged and depraved as Dio.
I'll have to try negotiating something bearable. I really hate him for making me do this. I make a show of sighing deeply like I'm dealing with a child throwing a tantrum, pretending to be unbothered.
"I mean, you're welcome to try it, but it will probably take a while to break me. Think of all the better ways you could have spent that time. Can you really hold out that long? Plus, who knows if I'll be that interesting of a protagonist anymore after developing PTSD." (Mizuki)
Dio seems to be considering my words carefully. It doesn't seem like he's giving up, just re-strategizing. I better capitalize and give him an out before he recovers.
"However, as a show of my…gratitude…I'll make you a deal. I'll meet with you once every month and catch you up, and you can ask whatever questions you want. In exchange, you must answer a single question of mine in return every time, and you are not allowed to enter my dreams otherwise. If you break our deal, I'll commence with looking for a way to shut out your dream interference permanently, either by magic, a contract, pleading to Azazel, or something else. So, do we have a deal?" (Mizuki)
I nearly choke on the word 'gratitude', but I power through. Dio is obviously conflicted, and his eyes are darting back and forth rapidly as he tries to think of a countermeasure. However, he eventually hangs his head and lets out a whining sound. Then, he looks back up me with a pouting face.
"Fine, I accept. You're mean, Mizuki, you should really be nicer to your benefactors, you know." (Dio)
You, a benefactor!? That's ridiculous. Also, calling me mean is rich coming from the guy who threatened to torture me.
"Great, then I'll catch you up quickly." (Mizuki)
I proceed to tell Dio about all the events that happened after he lost his peeping privileges today. I conveniently leave out my personal time with Nina after the meeting with the elves, and just say that I updated Nina briefly by thought communication, then I read some and went to bed early. He listens intently, then nods with satisfaction after I'm done.
"I see, I see. So, what are you going to say if the elves ask for your help as well?" (Dio)
"I doubt that will happen – I've hidden my strength from them. Also, the elves hate humans, right? Even if they wanted me to, I couldn't help out in their country." (Mizuki)
"Oh…I wouldn't be so sure about that. Best to give it some thought, just in case." (Dio)
Dio gives me a knowing smirk, then he looks like something just occurred to him.
"Well, I guess time's up. What a pity. See you in a month, Mizuki. Try and do something interesting for me! Later!" (Dio)
Before I have a chance to speak, the auditorium fades from my vision in a white light, and I am enveloped in darkness and become conscious of a pressure on my chest. After a moment, I realize that the darkness is from me having my eyes closed – I'm back in bed at the inn.
Stirring from my sleep state, I open my eyes. I can see that it's still dark outside, but the faintest light suggests that sunrise is not too far off. I move my attention to the pressure on my chest, and I see Nina soundly asleep. She rolled over in the night, and her body is partially sprawled over me.
I sigh internally. Is this what she calls keeping her hands to herself? I go to wake her with my free hand, but I see her face peacefully resting on my chest and hesitate.
She's pretty cute like this, and I also can't forget that I owe her for putting a stop to Dio's peeping. I drop my hand with a smile – I'll let her rest some more and call us even. She doesn't ever have to know.
When Nina eventually wakes up and sees how she's on top of me, she looks up at me like she wants to take advantage of it, but then she sighs and gets off me. She respected my wishes…I appreciate that.
I quickly get out of bed and ready my gear. Nina, already dressed magically, stands off to the side observing me. She gives me a warm smile, and I return it.
[Alright, Nina, I can take you back whenever you're ready. Clear on the plan?] (Mizuki)
She nods patiently, then walks over and jumps on my back.
[Ready! Let's do this, roomie!] (Nina)
I cut her a glare over my shoulder at the implication, but she pretends to not notice. Ah, you want to play it like that, huh? I let out a slightly sadistic smile.
I teleport us back to her lake clearing in the forest without warning…but make sure we're 20 meters in the air. We begin falling and she lets out a startled cry.
"Mizuuuukiiiiii!" (Nina)