[ The next day - May 8th, 2027, Everyone was heading to the Flatland Goblin Territory - ]

Kainan:
"Everyone! This way, hurry! The Flatland Goblin Territory await us!"

Kirito:
"Hey! Don't go too far ahead, it's dangerous!"

Deku:
"Can't you just stay put without running out randomly?! He should follow Sarai's example."

Sarai:
"Mm-hm!"

Bercouli:
"I've done some mad things in my time, but... never thought I'd hike around HERE."

Fanatio:
"Indeed. I never imagined I'd be dragged about by some Darkium merchant..."

Dorothy:
"I'm so sorry! I'm so, so sorry about sir Kainan!"

Deusolbert:
"Nay, 'tis to harm. To travel and hunt is far better than merely idling in the city."

Eldrie:
"Even so! What does he think the Integrity Knoghts are?!"

Deku:
"Why you sound so angry of a sudden?!"

Sarai:
"Mister Knight... please don't be mad at Dorothy... Don't get angry..."

Eldrie:
"Y-You misunderstand, girl. I am hardly angry at Dorothy."

Kirito:
"Eldrie, try and lay off on Sarai and Dorothy, okay?"

Eldrie:
"I am "laying" on no one! The problem here is that overactive merchant!"

Dorothy:
"I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry about Sarai and I!"

Deku:
"Why are you apologizing?! You and Sarai didn't do anything wrong. Relax."

Eldrie:
"I agree with Deku - You apologize too much for a knight. Stop it.

Dorothy:
"I'm s...sor..."
HAND PATTED ON SHOULDER!
"Huh?" Dorothy sees Deku's hand on her shoulder armor

Deku:
"Dorothy, right? We know that you're taking responsibility for Sarai and Kainan, but don't apologize too much, okay? It's like a habit of you being a goodie too-shoes."

Dorothy:

"Oh! Um... o-okay."

Deku:
("I TRULY don't blame her for acting like this. I was like that when Akira and Soma was goofing off together and tried to do things that would get the three of us in trouble...")

"So, just don't get too worked up about Kainan and Sarai, well, I don't blame you but just relax."

Alice:
"It isn't your fault, Dorothy. Kainan just clearly sees us knights as... hired labor."

Deku:
*Sarcastic*
"Wow. As hired labor huh? Interesting." He looked at Kainan.

("I bet there's a monster here somewhere that about to pop out anytime... best to be prepared.") He secretly grabs his Dragon Blade

Kainan:
"Ahh. I'll be able to stock so much... and with zero labor costs! This is wonderful!"

Gash the Mad Reaper:
JUMPED - ROARS!!

Deku:
("Yep! CALLED it!")

Kainan:
"Laaa, la, la, LAAAAAAAAAH!" Kainan felled back to the ground.

Dorothy:
"Sir Kainan!"

Kirito:
"I TOLD him!"

Bercouli:
"...You know, rescuing him is, in the strictest sense, optional.

Deku:
(🤷🏾‍♂️)
"Yeah... I know that I just met him yesterday... and he's a good man and all... but I agree with Bercouli on this one."

Kirito:
"I know what you mean, but he's still important to the mission! Come on!"

Deku:
"Oh boy - Earth Dragon! Dark Swamp-!"
THUD! GROUND SHAKING - FORMING SWAMP! SPLASHED!!!

MONSTER ROARED!!!
"Alright! Go!!"
.
.
.
.
.

[ With Deku using the Dragon Blade's Earth Element to trap the "Gash the Mad Reaper," they used the opportunity to attack the Reaper and managed to keep Kainan safe from getting killed... then now... ]

Kainan:
"Goodness, thank you, everyone! Surely those beasts would have devoured me!"

Deku:
(😑)
("Yeah no duh! Listen to people who know how to fight and can protect people! Even adults can be a pain in the neck sometimes...")

Kainan:
"Kirito!" Kainan sprinted off to Kirito, and embraced him tightly. "Never let me go again! Hold me tight and..."

Kirito:
"Agh, stop STRANGLING me! What's with you acting weak, you could choke a bear!"

Deku:
("Glad he's not strangling me... I don't think I can break that right grip with my right arm alone...")

Bercouli:
"I get it now. He's the kind of idiot you can't bring yourself to hate."

Sarai:
"Kainan's nice. He gives me snacks sometimes. ...I wish I had some snacks now. I'm hungry." Deku and Bercouli have their attention to Sarai

Bercouli:
~"Is that right-? Huh?"
Deku:
"You're hungry-? Huh?"

"Oh! It's fine Bercouli. I'll give her some food."

Bercouli:
"No, it's fine. I'll give her something.."

Sarai:
"Yay! Um, I like sweet things!"

Dorothy:
"SARAI! You're speaking to Sir Bercouli, you mustn't..."

Deku:
(😶)
"Dorothy - Calm down. She just wants something to eat."

Bercouli:
"Yeah, that's right. Don't worry, I'll buy something local. You'll know it's safe that way.

Dorothy:
"No, that isn't what I meant..."

Deku:
"Well, you did say that you like sweets - How about this?"

(🙂)
"I somehow got a reward for helping someone out with a few things - a little bag full of chocolate treats filled with delicious Strawberry filling. You can have it, sweetie."

Sarai:
*Gasp*

"Wow! They look so yummy! Thank you so much, Mister Deku!" Sarai's eyes were sparkling with happiness, as Deku handed her the chocolates sweets.

Deku:
*Chuckles*
"You're more than welcome, Sarai. I hope you enjoy it." He pats Sarai's head. Then the others were happy to see Deku being so polite and nice to Sarai

Sarai:
"Sarai will indeed!"

Alice:
"Now then, hopefully we can get moving again. Our destination is close.

[ Then 20 minutes later... ]

Dorothy:
"..." Dorothy was looking at Deku.

("...I... never thought of Deku being a good person. He really is nice and kind to Sarai. Sarai is starting to like Deku more. I believe I can trust Deku with the others. ...I somehow curious about him... I don't know if I want to ask him how he lived his life... even though Kirito already explained his situation before...")

Deku:
"..." Deku looks at Sarai, as she's enjoying the chocolate sweets.

("Sarai's really enjoying the sweets. Hehe. It tastes really good, I do love Chocolate... but with the Strawberry filling was SURPRISINGLY good. I hope it can hold her up for a bit.") As Deku was thinking about Sarai being happy, Alice approached him.

Alice:
"Hey Deku."

Deku:
"?" Deku looks at Alice.

[ Flashback ]

Alice:
*Crying*
"Deku...!"

[ End of Flashback ]

Deku:
(😳)
"...Alice!" Deku suddenly had a flashback of seeing Alice shedding tears. "U-Um. What's up." Deku was suddenly nervous, Alice noticed it.

Alice:
"What's wrong? You're okay?"

Deku:
(😕/😔)
("I stayed getting haunted by seeing them crying! I might as well just accept seeing the girls crying faces for the rest of my life...")

(😟...😶)
"Y-Yeah. I was surprised that you approached me out to nowhere, that's all. But you need something?"

Alice:
"No. Just want to talk to you, if you don't mind."

Deku:
"Oh. Well, what you want to talk about."

Alice:
"Well, what you did for Sarai, that was really thoughtful of you."

Deku:
"Ah, yeah. It was nothing. Kids always come first anyway. I know she's not my responsibility but still. I want to make sure that she's good and safe... and Kainan too, of course."

Alice:
"I'm glad that you still have a good heart, Deku." Alice smiles at him. "And... you know... to tell you the truth - I really missed you when you were gone." Deku was surprised to hear that she missed him.

Deku:

"You... still care about me?! Even after all I done to you... I literally said cruel things to you - I made you shed tears because I went to the dark route. How can you still care for me after everything that happened?!"

Alice:
"Well. You're right about that one. Despite all of the things that have happened in the past... I was hurt by your words and everything that you inflicted on me. But, you explained everything yesterday about how you got through to yourself, forgiving yourself. And how you want to atone for your mistakes in the past, so you decide to help us in this war. So, I already know that you're still the same Deku that I know and love, even though you haven't go completely evil while taking the evil path."

Deku:
"..."

[ Flashback ]
Alice:
("Deku. I know you don't really mean it. We're all here for you - We all decided to help you out when you need it the most! We all care about you - I care about you with all my heart because I love you, Deku!")

[ End of Flashback ]

Alice:
"So, therefore, I already forgive you when you revealed your face to us yesterday and when you told us how you defeated the pontifex. You don't have to apologize about the things you've done."

Deku:
"...But... I actually wanted to apologize but I wanted to make it up to you and everyone! It definitely doesn't feel right! Is there anything that I can do, please?"

Alice:
"...Well, to be honest, I really don't know anything in mind. So, don't worry about it." She said as Deku thought about something.

Deku:
"Well.. what's your birthday? I really never thought about asking you for your birthday." Alice was surprised to hear that about her birthday.

Alice:
"My day of birth? It's the 9th of April."

Deku:
(😟/😔)
"Oh man! It's already May! I'm so sorry, Alice!"

Alice:
"Hehe... it's ok. Don't worry about it. Maybe next time... if we can make it through this war that is."

Deku:
"Are you sure?"

Alice:
"Positive. With you being here with us for the war is already enough for me. I promise." Alice embraces him with her left arm.

Deku:
*A bit of blushing*
"O-Okay." Deku looks down.

(😔)
("I can't believe I never thought of asking Alice's birthday... I REALLY wish I could've asked her that sooner. I hope I can find anything to give her as a birthday present... even though I'm like... a month late anyway.)"
.
.
.
(😯/😨 - 😱)
("Wait a minute-?! YUUKI!!! I don't even know Yuuki's birthday!!! Oh damn! I'm a terrible person! Since Yuuki knows my birthday because of what happened to Akira and the others at that time! I'm DEFINITELY asking for her birthday today! I hope I'm not too late... and I need to know about our child's birthday too! I don't want to be a bad person and a father!!!")

[ Then at the Flatland Goblin Territory - Rotting Baopah Forest! ]

Kainan:
"Behold, everyone, the Flatland Goblin Territory, which had the trad - ahem! With the slime mold forest in this area, you'll notice a thick miasma. While it can be certainly be hard to live in, it also excels as a defensive barrier."

Kirito:
"A natural fortification, huh?"

Kainan:
"Absolutely. The goblins, incidentally, base themselves near the tower."

Kirito:
"Is that the tower you mean? That's way bigger than the volcano one."

Kainan:
"Perhaps, but it too emits bizarre noises, so few approach it carelessly."

Kirito:
"Guess that's shared between the two towers."

Kainan:
"Now, to the Flatland Goblin's base. They should have many trade goods. Hmhm!"

Kirito:
"Ah for... He totally forgot that we're here to see the place."

[ Then as they made it to the Flatland Goblin's Front Line... Kirito's finish with Kainan's shopping... then he saw someone - ]

Kirito:
"Hm?" He spotted Deku. "Deku? What's he doing here?" Then Kirito approached him. "Heyyy, Deku."

Deku:
"Huh-?! Kirito." Then he started to walk away.

Kirito:
"Huh-?! Hey wait!" Kirito somehow managed to catch up with his friend. "Hey! Stop!" Kirito stopped Deku's tracks.

Deku:
*Sighed*
"..."

Kirito:
"Okay. What was that about? I can't talk to you anymore?!"

Deku:
"What's up, Edge Lord?"

Kirito:
(😶 - 🤨)
"Wha - "Edge Lord"?! Where did that come from of a sudden?!"

Deku:
"Don't even worry about it. Anyway, what?"

Kirito:
"I just want to talk you, I haven't got the chance to talk with you since yesterday."

Deku:
(😐)
"..." Deku stared at Kirito deadpanning. "So?"

Kirito:
"Well, I want to see how things are going with you... since you're back to help us out with the war."

Deku:
"Good. Can't complain anyway. Still alive and kicking. That's all. Trying to do something good for a change." Deku avoid eye contact with Kirito.

Kirito:
"That's good to hear. I'm REALLY glad to have you back here with us. We could really use some help, just to be on the safe side."

Deku:
"Uh-huh."

Kirito:
"So, you don't mind telling me how you survived the Axiom Church, I really wanted to know. If you don't mind."

Deku:
"...I actually do mind. I don't feel like explaining it again." Deku walks away again.

Kirito:
"What - Aw come on!" Kirito caught up with Deku again and walks with him. "I'm really curious about what happened to you, why can't you at least tell me how you defeated the pontifex? And how'd you get the "Dragon Blade"? And how'd you know about the war coming?"

Deku:
"..."

Kirito:
"Come on man! Please!"

Deku:
*Sigh*
"...Since from the beginning... it started with Black escorted me to the 100th floor of the Axiom Church." Kirito was now happy that Deku explained his story. "Well... let's say that things happened WAY too fast..."

Kirito:
"What you mean by that?"

Deku:
"Look, I'll tell you but... promise me - on your own LIFE! That you NEVER tell this to anyone else! Got it? Not to Asuna, not to Lisbeth, not to Sinon, Leafa, Silica, Eugeo, Klein - NOBODY! Understand?!"

Kirito:
"Y-Yeah. I promise."

Deku:
"Ok. It started from Quinella... she was waiting for me to wake up. Then... it started from Quinella... getting so lustful with me..."

Kirito:
(😲)
"Ohhhh!"

Deku:
"Yeah... I never really WANTED to do it... but that's the only way for me to get things going. So... she begins stripping... and seductively pinned herself on me... and she used my Curse Mark to overpower me and forced me to give in the pleasure and to submit to her... so we basically spent a whole night together in one room with no interruption."

Kirito:
"Oh man..."

Deku:
(😠)
"Yep. That's the one night that I TRULY hate the most! The pleasure was BEYOND overwhelming to me. I was basically forced to... um - dominate her... and other sexual stuff."

Kirito:
"I get it... sorry man."

Deku:
"Yeah... but look - I'm only telling YOU this because I know you well enough that you won't tell a single soul about this part of the story, ok."

Kirito:
"I got you. Not telling a single soul about the "sexual" part to anyone."

Deku:
"Okay... now moving on..."
.
.
.
.
.
[ As Deku explains how he able to grow more stronger, obtain his own "Black Dragon's Blade," and also have a ceasefire with Deku Black and they both was able to take down Chudelkin and the Sword Golem - But Deku alone took down Quinella - At the cost of losing his left arm. And explained things about Gabriel/Subtilizer and Vassago/PoH plans. Then once Kirito about to say something - They both saw Bercouli and Dorothy - ]

Kirito:
"Hey, look." Deku look at Kirito's direction.

Deku:
"Hm? What they're up to?"

[ Kirito and Deku both hid their presence so they won't get caught by them. Then they both were listening to their conversations... Kirito thinks they're planning on fighting. He plans on stopping them but it turns out that they weren't going to fight after all. Then after few minutes past... both of them went separate ways... ]

Kirito:
"I don't think we wasn't supposed to hear that conversation." As Kirito said to Deku, Bercouli approach them.

Bercouli:
"Kirito. Deku."

Kirito:
"YIPE! Oh, uh, Bercouli! I - Ah, we were just passing... by?"

Deku:
(😒)
*Shaking his head*
("Dumbass idiot...")

Bercouli:
"Heard what we were talking about, huh? If you two want to spread it around, go ahead."

Deku:
"I don't like to spill the tea out like that. Plus, it sounds INCREDIBLY personal."

Kirito:
"No, I couldn't."

("Besides, we only heard half of it...")

Bercouli:
"Heh. The irony. The girl who's our messenger of peace... Is the daughter of a Dark Knight I personally killed."

Deku:
"!!!"

Kirito:
"Wha..."

Bercouli:
"And she confronts me, and she... wants to know about her mother's last moments. It would have been a lot easier if she just drew steel, right then and there." Then Bercouli walks away

Deku:
("Just like when Black killed my family... I drew my blade but I wasn't even coming close enough to defeat him on my own back then. Dorothy could've done the same... getting revenge for her mother's death. But... she wanted peace. I could say that we're the same... but different. As I want revenge... but she wants peace.")

*Low-level tone of voice*
"Dorothy has every right to drew her scythe... but I guess that she's strong and mature enough to just... let it go... unlike me who couldn't let it go and just accept the fact that my family is gone for good. She's so much better than I was 6 months ago..." Then Kirito was looking at him

Kirito:
"You say something, Deku?"

Deku:
"Nothing. Anyway... I'll just go back. I'll talk to you later, okay."

Kirito:
"For real?"

Deku:
(🤦🏾‍♂️ - 😒)
*Sarcastic*
"No, the feelings is NOT mutual, idiot."

Kirito:
"Wait what?! I'm confused."

Deku:
"..."
WALKS AWAY.

Kirito:
"Ah - Come on! Are you going to talk to me later or not?! Deku!!!"
.
.
.
.
.
.
[ Then as Kirito was trying to help Dorothy with her situation... surprisingly he was able to help her out. Hours later... everyone was planning on heading inside to the Inn... ]

Kainan:
"Alright everyone. I've rented an Inn for us to recover from all the hard work. You all may do anything as you please! There's a sauna, a hot springs for Men, Women or even Both. And there's everything. Enjoy with your hearts desires!"

Everyone:
"Thank you so very much, Kainan." Everyone thanked Kainan

Lisbeth:
"I can finally enjoy a nice hot soak in the hot springs!"

Sinon:
"Me too! I can't wait to get in now! I feel so dirty without hygiene."

Girls:
"Yes. We all agree. Let's go right now!" All girls entered the Inn... even the boys as well... then Deku was the only one left who didn't enter in.

Deku:
"..." He was thinking about something. "I... think it'll be best to sleep outside. I've got more use to sleeping outdoors anyway." As Deku decides to stay outside the Inn, Yuuki and Aiko spots him

Yuuki:
"Heyyy! Deku~Kun!" The twins approached him. "What you doing out here? Come inside with us."

Deku:
"I don't wanna. I got more use to being outside more often."

Aiko:
"This Inn has everything we need to relax and enjoy the rest of the night here."

Deku:
"I know. I heard him." Yuuki decided to drag him inside.
GRABBED!

Yuuki:
"C'mon! You're going inside the Inn with the rest of us! We're not letting anyone staying outside!" Yuuki grabbed his right arm

Aiko:
"She has a point, Deku~San. We all really need this together." And Aiko gently push him from his back

Deku:
(😨/😔)
"Oh boy... this is the one fight that I can't win..."

[ Then, as everyone else has rented out a room; # 1 - Kirito and Eugeo. #2 - Bercouli and Fanatio. #3 - Alice, Sinon and Leafa. #4 - Asuna, Lisbeth and Silica. #5 - Dorothy and Sarai. #6 - Klein. #7 - Agil. #8 - Aiko, Yuuki and Deku. And the rest... then after they decide who gets to be roommates with, they all decide to hit the hot springs... half of them already hit the hot springs... then a few more joined... then the only ones left are Yuuki and Deku."

Yuuki:
"Hey Deku~Kun, you ready?"

Deku:
*Nervous*
"Uh... yeah but... I-I don't know about getting into the hots springs with them... I rather just go for a hot bath alone."

Yuuki:
"Aw come on, it's really enjoyable to enjoy things with your friends than enjoying things alone you know."

Deku:
"True... but still." Then Yuuki thought of something.

Yuuki:
*Lightbulb*
(😏)
("Ohhh man! I just thought of a naughty idea...!")

"Well, okay then. I guess I'll just let you do your own thing then. I'll hop in the hot springs with the other girls then. See ya then." Yuuki left as Deku was the only one getting ready.

Deku:
"(I remember that one time... my family and I went in to the hot springs a few times... and I had a great time together with them. Maybe... I should join them...")

- With Yuuki -

(🥴)

"Oh man! So glad that I'm the last one here... kinda embarrassing to change in front of the others..." Yuuki blushes.

"Now, I just got to wait until the right time for my next move."

[ Then as Deku was at the hot springs section... ]

Deku:
"Hm? Men? Or Both?" Deku can hear Kirito and the other men's voices. Then hear the women's voices in the women section. And don't hear anything in the "Both" section.

*Sigh*
"Well... I'll just used a Black Dragon's "Shadow" Clone for Kirito and the others, while I'll go the Both Section." He used the "Black Dragon's" Power to create a "Shadow" Clone and he decided to head to the "Both Gender" section to enjoy the hot springs by himself.

???:
(😏)
"Hehehe. I knew you would go there."

[ Then as Deku went inside the "Both Genders" section. He takes a peep and sees no one else in the hot springs... ]

Deku:
*Sigh relief*
"Thank goodness. It's been a long while... time for me to sink in." Then Deku slowly dive in bath.

(😮 - 😌)
"Wow! Damn, this is REALLY good! Hell yeah! That's what I'm talking about!" Deku sink in even more, as the water reaches his collar bone.

"I'm a big idiot for not knowing this bath would help me to relax!"

[ Then as the door silently and slowly opened up to the point Deku doesn't hear it... the mysterious person sneaked in... and wait for the right moment to join Deku... and then... ]

Deku:
*Sigh*
("This feels so nice... It's actually making me want to sing... meh, why not.")

*Breath in, and out*

*Singing*
~"I am a freedom fighter, the name that history wrote."
~"And even through disaster, eye of the tiger for hope."
~"I'm trying to find my way back, there's no day-off for heroes."
~"And even when I'm tired, go is the only word I know."

~"And the night is takin' over, and the moonlight gets exposure."
~"And the players have been chosen, and it seems like fate has spoken."
~"When it seems your faith has broken, by the second, losin' focus."
~"Ain't no way to get-off, get-off, get-off, get-off unless you move forward."

~"I bet they wonder how I go on, go on - I bet they wonder how I go on, go on."

~"I'll simply say "It's on again, It's on again," whoa-oh."

~"The world don't stop, it's on again, it's on again, whoa-oh"

~"I am a lonely hero, trying to fight my battles."
~"Life likes to blow the cold wind, sometimes it freezes my shadow."
~"In the midst of all this darkness, I sacrifice my ego."
~"There ain't no room for selfish, we do it for the people."

~"And the night is takin' over, and the moonlight gets exposure."
~"And the players have been chosen, and it seems like fate has spoken."
~"When it seems your faith has broken, by the second, losin' focus."
~"Ain't no way to get-off, get-off, get-off, get-off unless you move forward."

~"I bet they wonder how I go on, go on - I bet they wonder how I go on, go on."

~"I'll simply say "It's on again, It's on again," whoa-oh."

~"The world don't stop, it's on again, it's on again, whoa-oh"

~"Say the work don't stop, cause they don't stop and everybody here tryna get on top."
~"Everybody from the burbs down to the block gotta hold on tight and don't let go, let go."
~"Huh, so you think you hot, gotta grind hard, give it all you got."
~"You can have, or you can have not you see that a lot in the ghetto, ghetto."

~"How I go on, go on I bet they wonder how I go on, go on."
~"I'll simply say "It's on again, it's on again," whoa-oh."
~"The world don't stop, it's on again, it's on again, whoa-oh."

[ As Deku sings to himself as he enjoys the hot spring... he finally finishes his singing... then as he now notices that he doesn't hear anyone's voices anymore...]

Deku:
"Huh-?! How come I don't hear anyone's voices?!" Then someone approached behind him

???:
"Wow. I never thought of you singing like that. I'm so glad that I took this opportunity to witness your voice so well in singing mode."

Deku:
"..." Deku slowly turned his head to his right, and look up at the person.

Yuuki:

"Hehe! Surprise!

Deku:
(😨/😳)
"...Oh good-god..."

Yuuki:
*Laughing*
"Hahaha! Man, you're so funny, Deku~Kun!"

Deku:
(😰)
"I should've known that you would do something like this...-"
DROWNING IN EMBARRASSMENT!

Yuuki:
"Wah-! Deku~Kun!" Yuuki quickly and carefully hopped in the hot springs and prevented Deku to drown in the bath. "Yeah - Hahaha! I'm sorry! I couldn't help myself for doing this!""

Deku:
"Uh-huh..." Deku couldn't stop smiling from embarrassment

Yuuki:
(😊/😘)
"Awww! You're so cute when you're all shy and embarrassed!" Yuuki lean in close to Deku.

Deku:
"Jesus Christ - Spare me..." Then Yuuki laughs some more.

- To be continued -