"Aaaahhh!" (C)

  "I thought you got used to it?" (I)

  "Then maybe don't abduct me out of nowhere from my room!" (C)

  "I asked!" (I)

  "Maybe a bit more next time than a 'would you be okay with visiting me', before your tentacles pull me through a rift between dimensions into a dark, borderless room. Are you still aware of what might make people freak out? That's one of them." (C)

  In hindsight, I'll admit that it leaves a lot of room for interpretation.

  So maybe this accord isn't all that restrictive.

  Still, I'm getting really depressed again thinking about this.

  "Damn, you're looking so sullen. Did something happen?" (C)

  What didn't?

  "Sigh. I, I got beaten up." (I)

  Good that she didn't drink anything, or she'd spit it out now.

  "B-beaten up!? You!?! Why didn't I feel the universe tremor at the supposed impact?" (C)

  In hindsight, it was a good thing that the fight happened in my dream.

  Yet now I fear that was all part of the plan.

  "You know, it's a bit of a complicated story." (I)

  "Well, you got me here, into this void space, to talk, if I'm not wrong." (C)

  Yeah, I guess you got me there.

  So I reveal to her everything that just happened.

  How I pulled every card I got.

  Crossed lines I didn't want to, fought harder than ever before.

  And how it just amounted to nothing.

  "You know, I'm pretty disappointed I didn't get to watch that." (C)

  "Is this really all you gathered from this story?" (I)

  "No, sorry. I got that with the contract. It surely sucks. I can't even imagine how much, considering we're talking about some form of eternity here. Yet after having heard all this, I don't think they truly meant to harm you. I mean, they kinda could, and you could be far worse off now." (C)

  Seriously?!

  "Are you saying I got off lightly?! You said it, I've got an electrical shackle for all of eternity!" (I)

  "Well, yeah? It sure sounds like a bummer, but maybe you shouldn't look at it from an eternal viewpoint and rather at the present. You didn't plan on doing any of the stuff that's forbidden, right? And on the bright side, this super powerful being basically said it's fine to have you around. That's a confirmed legal status you can push if anyone ever makes you trouble again. Maybe they could even help you out to prevent another Switchy situation. You're basically now a galactic citizen and can call upon the police force if you need them. I'm not saying it's all great, but you aren't destitute either." (C)

  Goddamnit, why does she have to make so much sense!

  I wanted to rage!

  "Since when are you so aloof?! No, I mean, like, you are talking like a lawyer here." (I)

  "Uh, sorry. I guess that was one of those fits. Truth be told, I feel kinda angry for you, but something in my mind tells me to think calmly about it. Does that make sense?" (C)

  "That makes terrifyingly much sense, given your undetermined soul status." (I)

  "Urgh, don't remind me about that one." (C)

  "Speaking of which, how are you?" (I)

  "Oh, I thought we'd be talking about you. Well, fine, I guess. The thing is, this whole soul stuff is so unreal that it doesn't quite hit home yet. Which I believe is a good thing. We are talking here about my soul, you know? Like, it doesn't change. I simply don't feel like I'm becoming someone else, because I guess I don't. Rather, I feel like I won't lose sight of the things I like, what I feel, and believe. The things that determine who I am. I still like cheesecake ice cream best, am not feeling some deep hatred for some ancient evil. Maybe I'm growing a bit more confident, but I'm not sure if that's bad." (C)

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  "Oh, believe me. That's terrible. For the world that is." (I)

  "Hey! Pffft!" (C)

  It's pretty dark humor, but I guess it's a good thing if we can laugh it off.

  I guess I should just do that.

  That's probably the healthiest way I can cope with everything.

  Not just swallowing everything, but truly denying it from getting to me.

  "Hey, is that a smile?! That was one, right?" (C)

  Pfft, that Chiaki can, even in a void pocket dimension without anything else, by her sheer presence, cheer me up.

  Hm, but maybe she is right.

  "Hah!" (I)

  "Yes?" (C)

  I just got a stray thought.

  Maybe I should share it.

  "So, do you really think I could just call one of those agents if I'm in trouble? And they'd help me?" (I)

  "Huh, you'd seriously consider it?" (C)

  "Well, actually, at least the one who bothered me beyond any measure was, in total, okay, I guess? She reminded me a lot of you." (I)

  "Ehm, I'm not sure if this is meant as a compliment." (C)

  "Don't know either." (I)

  "Maybe there's a ritual? Something called them onto you, right? So there must be a way to gain their attention." (C)

  A ritual?

  I don't know any ritual.

  "I don't think it's that easy. I mean, it's not like I can just call Aio's name and she's here." (I)

  "Though, that's basically how it works." (Aio)

  "Whaaahhhh!" (I)

  "A bit exaggerated a reaction, don't you think?" (Aio)

  Says the weird cosmic lady, who just intruded into my intentionally cut-off pocket dimension!

  "Ehm, is that her?" (C)

  Well...

  "Good day, my dear. I'm Io or Aio, while in the presence of Iori, you know, names, right?" (Aio)

  "Well, I think that makes sense." (C)

  Does it really?!

  "Oh, you get me! Well, as I said, I'm Aio, goddess of the beginning, of souls, balance, water, and whatsoever. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. Although I basically know everyone, everywhere, all the time." (Aio)

  "Oh, cool!" (C)

  "Be that as it may. What are you doing here?" (I)

  "Well, you called my name, I came to say hello. Usually, you'd have to speak it into some accumulation of water, but I still had some lingering attention on you. Wholly unintentional, I promise, it's just hard to stop. My name's basically a trigger if it's like this." (Aio)

  Right, mark my words.

  But wait!

  She's the goddess of souls.

  Souls!

  "Ahem, if you're already here..." (I)

  "Yes, I know. Your friend got resurfacing soul memories. Nothing too severe, but with quite the distinctive effect." (Aio)

  "So, uh..." (I)

  "I won't tamper with her soul. I could, probably as one of the only ones who'd actually achieve what they're aiming for without getting off track, but the point is that she is as she is, and that shouldn't be manipulated. Ever." (Aio)

  I half expected that.

  They probably put down the rules for souls.

  "What I could do would be mitigating the effect. Strengthen the mental barrier a bit, so it wouldn't happen quite as quickly." (Aio)

  For real!?

  She'd do this?

  "Ahem! This is about me, right? I'm not quite sure if I'm fine with being the one talked over here. Especially not if it's about my soul." (C)

  "I'm sorry. Certainly not without consent. Free will is important, after all." (Aio)

  "So you could just stop this?" (C)

  "Not stop, mitigate. Let you retain more thoughts appropriate for someone your age and have you enjoy your youth, before your 'ancient' self eventually resurfaces somewhere in your thirties." (Aio)

  That this is even possible.

  But, I shouldn't even be surprised about what is possible to her.

  In total, it sounds absolutely ideal.

  Now just Chiaki would have to be convin-

  "Alrighty, do it!" (C)

  ...Did anyone else expect a negative answer here?

  "Okayie!" (Aio)

  "Tocksplsh"

  "Ugh, did you have to snap my forehead?" (C)

  "No, but it's more telling this way." (Aio)

  "Well, cool?" (C)

  "Yep, it's done." (Aio)

  "For a moment, I thought you'd decline." (I)

  "Why would I? She obviously knows her stuff. And I doubt she'd offer anything harmful. Not her style." (C)"

  "You really get me!" (Aio)

  Guess she has a point.

  "Well, thank you, I guess." (I)

  It seems like it's going to get hard to hold on to that grudge if she keeps on helping me.

  "Oh, by the way, would you be interested in a job? The benefits are becoming my daughter and a form of eternal life that won't make you all depressed. I'm always looking for young talents." (Aio)

  Ehm, what is she up with Chiaki there?

  "Uh, don't think so. Would like to keep going to school with Iori, for now." (C)

  "Sure, whatever you want. But I'd like to add-" (Aio)

  Suddenly, a portal opens right behind her, and hands grab her by the shoulders.

  "Oh no, you don't! One lets the eyes wander away from you for one second, and you get right at it again! You're coming with me now, you failure of a goddess!" (Nimue)

  "Whoops! I think I tripped something. I guess that means goodbye! Just saying, the offer isn't time-restricted. You can even sign on your deathbed. Or afterwards. Here's my card. And you know, just shout my name inside some mass of water!" (Aio)

  I fear she's genuine on this.

  Making Chiaki a cosmic agent.

  Is that a thing?

  Oh damn, that is wrong on so many levels.

  Thus, she gets dragged through the sphere of water and is gone.

  All that remains is a weirdly wet card on the ground in front of Chiaki.

  "Ehm, did that really just happen?" (C)

  "You're still asking that?" (I)

  "Good point. But I thought it would take till after graduation before I get my first job offers. Not to speak of this kind of bigshots." (C)

  I really feel like I should talk her out of this.

  "I have to tell you, none of the water angels seemed particularly happy with their arrangement." (I)

  At least Veo was openly complaining, and this Nimue wasn't all that happy either.

  "I suppose. Well, I have a lifetime to figure it out, don't I? You're going to keep me able to actually make that call, right?" (C)

  "Sure." (I)

  Yet to her, that rather sounds like a real deal health and life insurance.

  Not like I'd accept her death in any possible conception.

  "Anyway, I guess that was something. You think I could go back home and start processing this? I promise, I won't just make this call." (C)

  And I believe her on this.

  As crazy and energetic as Chiaki can be, she's neither a liar nor someone who just does something truly significant out of a whim.

  Sure, she often appears to act quite recklessly, but she isn't totally thoughtless.

  After this, we part ways.

  I set Chiaki back home and then return to my room.

  Where I promptly find an ominous letter on my bed.

  And yes, I mean ominous, as it literally emits a black aura.

  "Dear me from the past,

  I'm sorry I didn't warn you about Ai- Io (not this time).

  I figured mentioning her in advance wouldn't quite help you. She can be a bit intense, after all. But don't you worry, she's going to keep her bargain, and the rules are actually quite open and bendable.

  Sincerely,

  your outer goddess from the future,

  Iori."

  I could've seriously done without this.

  Thank you!