Songs in the Void: A Multiversal Score

Hub World, Earth, Japan, Tokyo. 

The day after Sumire explained her origins, she called Tatsuo's middle school to request a week off for him, claiming that he would have to be away for some career related business. And since it was known by the principal of the school and a few of the more well-off teachers that Sumire was the CEO of a record company and that Tatsuo was exceptionally skilled as a pianist, they gave permission for Tatsuo to take leave. In fact, they even promised to not hassle Sumire whenever Tatsuo needed leave in the future. 

However, Tatsuo would be required to keep his grades over a certain standard to keep this privilege. Otherwise, they would have to cancel this agreement. 

Luckily, thanks to the education Tatsuo received while in DOATEC's custody, he would have no problem keeping up with the course work from middle school. In fact, he would not even have an issue keeping up with the courses in high school that would start in about four months, or so. So, he was quite happy with the arrangement. 

'Good.' Tatsuo thought to himself after reading the text his mother sent him about her discussion with the school. 'Now, any time I need to go to another world when time isn't stopped, it won't be a problem. I can even take the day after a [Mission] off, too.' 

Deciding to share the good news, Tatsuo accessed the [Dimensional Chat] while pretending to listen to his Japanese History teacher. 

{[Dimensional Chat] 

James: Oh, I forgot to tell you guys 

Alfonzo: What's up?'

Lici: Did you get one of your girls pregnant? 

Lici: Congratulations 

Sumire: Is that really it? 

Sumire: Congratulations, James-Kun 

Akatsuki: And just how old are you 

Akatsuki: Such a pervert 

Akatsuki: Whenever we meet in person, please stay away from me 

James: No, that's not it 

James: I'm a half-devil 

James: And devils have extremely low birth rates 

James: Anyway, I had something else to say

James: Don't use any of your techniques or skills in front of Tatsuo when we're fighting the wyverns 

Akatsuki: You didn't deny being a pervert 

Tatsuo (Admin): Oh, the Personal Ninja finally changed her name to her real name 

Akatsuki: No, this isn't my real name 

Akatsuki: It's the name of my character in the MMO I'm playing 

Lici: Really? 

Lici: I thought it was cute, though 

Lici: Akatsuki means daybreak, right? 

Akatsuki: That's right 

Tatsuo (Admin): Whynot use your real name like everyone else? 

Akatsuki: Who in their right mind uses their real name in chatrooms online? 

Tatsuo (Admin): You know this isn't a regular online chat room, right? 

Akatsuki: It's still a chat room, though 

Akatsuki: Maybe I'll tell you my real name when we meet in person 

Lici: That will be tomorrow, right? 

Lici: We're all going to Sumire's world 

Sumire: That's right 

Sumire: Then, we'll leave for Antelope Canyon the next day 

Tatsuo (Admin): Good 

Akatsuki: No, I've decided not to go with you all tomorrow 

Tatsuo (Admin): With a day, I should have enough time to set up identities for all of you 

Akatsuki: I'm just a normal girl 

Akatsuki: Besides the new expansion launches tomorrow at midnight} 

After seeing the name Akatsuki that changed from Personal Ninja, Tatsuo was certain he knew who she was. And when he heard that the expansion would be launching soon, he did not try to convince her to come along to Sumire's world. 

'Her story is going to start soon.' Tatsuo thought to himself while watching everyone else try to get Akatsuki to come with them tomorrow.

Everyone except Alfonzo, that is. And that led Tatsuo to think that Alfonzo also knew Akatsuki's story. 

'Then again, it might be because he's busy and not reading the chat.' Tatsuo thought to himself while continuing to read. 

However, the very next message put an end to that thought. 

{[Dimensional Chat] 

Alfonzo: Leave her alone, guys 

Alfonzo: Everyone has their own interests 

Alfonzo: Besides, like she said, she's not like the rest of us 

Alfonzo: We'll just have to wait until there's a mission 

Alfonzo: Anyway, why did you say not to use our techniques in front of Tatsuo, James 

Lici: Fine~~~~~ 

Sumire: I suppose Alfonzo is right 

Aletia: ... 

Akatsuki: Thank you, Alfonzo 

James: I guess 

James: Oh, that's right 

James: Don't use any skills in front of Tatsuo unless you want them to be stolen 

James: He even used my bloodline ability, Senbonzakura 

Lici: Huh? 

Lici: Seriously? 

Lici: Does he have a Sharingan, or something? 

James: No, it's even more BS 

James: He got The End after his mission in Sumire's world 

Alfonzo: That's fucking bullshit 

Alfonzo: It's the one from Medaka Box, right? 

Tatsuo (Admin): Yeah 

Alfonzo: Damn 

Lici: Unfair 

Sumire: It's not that bad, is it? 

Lici: No 

Lici: I'm just jealous 

Alfonzo: Me, too 

Alfonzo: But I'll let you see all of my techniques, Tatsuo 

Alfonzo: With someone that versatile, missions will be a lot easier 

Lici: Me, too 

Lici: I'll teach you everything I know 

James: You guys are no fun 

James: We were supposed to give him a hard time first 

James: Then, we were supposed to teach him everything once he couldn't stand it anymore 

Sumire: James-Kun, that's terrible 

James: Seriously, stop it with the honorifics 

James: Please 

Akatsuki: what's wrong, James-San? 

Akatsuki: Can't handle it? 

James: Oh, for Satan's sake 

James: Please stop 

Lici: Are you praying to yourself again, James-Tan 

James: Seriously, Lici, don't do that 

James: You're not even Japanese 

Tatsuo (Admin): Lol 

Alfonzo: Lol 

Lici: Oh, you don't like James-Tan? 

Lici: How bout Jay-Kun? 

James: No, only Sera can call me that} 

*Ding! Dong! Dong! Ding!* 

'Oh, class is over.' Tatsuo thought to himself. 'Ah! Crap, I forogt to tell them about the good news. Oh well, I'll tell them later.'

The sound of the bell that signified the end of the Japanese History class made Tatsuo look away from the chat. He then stretched his arms over his head. When he did, he noticed Yakumo looking back at him. 

"What's up, Yakumo-Chan?" Tatsuo asked as he lowered his arms. 

"You answered a text during class." Yakumo said in her usual tranquil tone. "Is everything okay?" 

"Yeah, everything is fine." James replied. "It was my mom. She said she would be taking me out of school for a while starting tomorrow." 

Yakumo's eyes widened slightly when she heard that. 

"I told her that I wanted to try recording an album." Tatsuo continued. "So, she decided to take me to her company for me to get used to the recording process. I won't be actually recording until spring break, though." 

"I see." Yakumo said with a nod. "How long will you be out?" 

"About a week." Tatsuo replied. "Shouldn't be longer than that." 

"OH, okay." Yakumo replied. "Well, I wish you good luck." 

"Thanks." Tatsuo replied with a nod. 

Yakumo then turned around to get her books and notebooks ready for the next class. However, many thoughts were running through her head after hearing Tatsuo's wish to record music. She then made a decision about her future and made a plan to visit a book store after school today. 

The rest of the day went without a hitch. However, before Tatsuo could leave, he was called to the teacher's office over the PA system. 

Once he arrived at the teacher's office, Tatsuo was handed a packet of information letting him know what all his assignments would be and the information that his classes would cover while he was gone. Also, he was told that he would be expected to hand in all the assignments the day he came back. 

After that, Tatsuo was free to leave. And that was exactly what he did, as he headed home right afterwards. 

"If I were a normal student, I would be pissed to get all this work." Tatsuo said to himself in an annoyed tone. "Luckily, this won't take me more than an hour to do. I don't even need to read the text books for most of this crap." 

"Tatsu-Chan, are you home?" Sumire asked from the living room. 

"Yeah, I'm home." Tatsuo replied. 

"Good, can you come in here for a minute." Sumire asked 

"Sure." Tatsuo replied, turning away from the hallway leading to his bedroom. 

A moment later, Tatsuo walked into the living room and found his mother sitting on the couch with Mai and Tio staring at the screen of her smartphone. On top of that, he could hear his own singing voice accompanied with the sound of a piano coming from the smartphone's speakers. 

"Hey, Mom, Mai-Nee, Tio." Tatsuo said as he entered the room. "What's up?" 

"Come here! Come here!" Sumire said energetically without looking up from her phone. "We're trying to decide which songs should be on your album. But there are just so many. It's really hard to decide." 

"I like the one you sang for Myu back in my world." Tio said. "I think you should add that one." 

Immediately, Mai's head snapped up from Sumire's phone. When it did, she was staring at Tatsuo with unshed tears in her eyes. 

"*Sigh* Can you let me explain before you start your usual schtick, Mai-Nee?" Tatsuo asked in an exasperated toen. 

In response, Mai nodded her head. Though, she made sure to reserve the right to start crying and asking about their promise, she had not come up with new material yet, if she did not like his explanation. 

Even more tired, Tatsuo explained that he sang the song, "A Whole New World" to a little girl he saved from slavers before they set off on the journey to return her to where she belonged. 

Mai's expression changed immediately while Sumire also raised her head from the phone screen. Sumire then leapt off the couch and threw her arms and legs around Tatsuo's neck and torso. Then, she started raining kisses all over Tatsuo's face. 

"Tatsu-Chan, I'm so proud of you!" Sumire shouted excitedly between kisses. 

"But didn't I tell you about this the other night?" Tatsuo asked while trying, and failing, to dodge Sumire's kisses. "You didn't react this strongly back then." 

"You didn't tell me about singing to a little girl to make her more comfortable after going through such a traumatic event, though." Sumire countered. "You only told me about rescuing a little merfolk girl." 

"Well, I guess I didn't think it was all that important." Tatsuo said while raising his right hand to scratch the back of his head. "I mean, singing and playing the piano isn't a big deal to me anymore." 

*Thud!* 

At that moment, Mai latched onto Tatsuo from behind. 

"Sumire-Sama is right!" Mai squealed. "That was so sweet. Ooh! Tatsu-Kun is gonna be a great Daddy when he grows up. I can't wait to see you with our children" 

With Sumire and Mai sandwiching him between them, Tatsuo gave up on freeing himself. All he could do was stand there helplessly until his mother and her assistant decided they'd had enough. Meanwhile, Tio watched the three with a gentle smile on her face. 

Unfortunately for Tatsuo, Sumire and Mai's doting lasted quite a while. So long, in fact that Kasumi came home from school. When she did, she was drawn to the living room by the squealing. So, she got to see Tatsuo standing near the couch helplessly, as well. 

After that, Sumire and Mai excitedly told the story of Tatsuo singing to Myu when Kasumi asked why they were so excited. Then, she also looked at Tatsuo with an appreciative gaze. Luckily, she did not pounce on him and hug him tightly for nearly half an hour, too. Otherwise, Tatsuo was not sure he would have been able to handle it. 

"Oh, I almost forgot." Sumire said after sitting down again. "We'll be converting a corner of the training area into a recording studio for you. So, you won't have to leave the house when you want to record." 

"I guess I should learn how to edit and arrange then, huh?" Tatsuo said. 

"Actually, I plan to learn how to do that when we get back." Tio said while raising a hand in the air. 

Hearing that, Tatsuo widened his eyes in surprise. 

Tatsuo's surprise was not because he thought Tio to be incapable of helping him in that way. Rather, it was because he thought she would take more time to adapt to this world. And he thought that her time would be better spent doing that rather than learning about editing and arranging music. 

"I think I'd rather have you act as his manager, Tio-Chan." Sumire said. 

"I can be his manager!" Mai said really wanting that job for herself. 

"Then, who would be my assistant, Mai-Chan?" Sumire asked. 

"Tio can do it." Mai replied instantly. 

"No, I don't want to get used to a new assistant." Sumire said while shaking her head. "Tio-Chan will be Tatsu-Chan's manager. End of discussion." 

Mai pouted intensely at Sumire's decision. However, she did not argue. She did, however, make her discontent as visible as possible while continuing to pout and crossing her arms under her impressive bosom. And when she saw Tatsuo's eyes drawn to her assets when they were pushed up and squeezed together by her arms, she smiled internally while continuing to pout at Sumire. 

The quintet chatted for a little bit longer. Then, Tatsuo and Kasumi returned to their rooms to change into their training cloths. After they were both dressed for training, they all went down to the training floor and did their training for the night. 

On a side note, Tio would be training with the group for the foreseeable future. 

After training, everyone went back upstairs to shower. After that, Tatsuo and Tio started packing for their trip to Suire's world. Meanwhile, Sumire, Tatsuo's mother, Mai, and Kasumi went into the kitchen to prepare a feast to send them off. 

By the time Tatsuo and Tio were finished packing, and putting their luggage in Tatsuo's [Inventory], Sumire, Mai, and Kasumi were done preparing dinner. So, everyone sat down together to eat. 

Once dinner was finished, since Tatsuo would be gone for a week, Mai insisted that the weekly sleepover be held today. So, the five, after changing into their pajamas, gathered in Tatsuo's bedroom. Then, they listened to Tatsuo playing the piano for a while before they all climbed into bed together. 

'I'm gonna need a bigger bed.' Tatsuo thought to himself while he lay between Sumire and Mai. 'I mean, it was fine when there were only four of us. But with the addition of Tio, it's a little cramped in here. I'll talk to Mom about it before we leave tomorrow.' 

With that, Tatsuo closed his eyes while waiting for sleep to claim him. 

The next morning, like he always did when Sumire and Mai sleep in his room, Tatsuo woke up to two pairs of eyes staring at him. However, this time, there was a third pair of eyes watching him, as well. 

"Why can't you three be like Kasumi-Neesan?" Tatsuo asked while shifting his gaze between Sumire, Mai, and Tio. "I mean, this is kinda creepy." 

"But Tatsu-Chan is so cute when he's sleeping." Sumire said in a doting tone. 

Mai and Tio nodded emphatically, completely in agreement with Sumire's words. 

"*sigh* Why do I even bother?" Tatsuo asked while shaking his head as he propped himself up. Then, once he was sitting up, Tatsuo turned to his mother and continued. "By the way, Mom, I think I'm gonna need a bigger bed if we're gonna do this every week. I mean, the bed is kinda crowded like this." 

"Oh! I know how to fix that.! Mai said excitedly. 

When Tatsuo turned to Mai after hearing what she said, he was just in time to get hug-tackled. When he finally realized what happened, Mai was lying on top of him and smiling at herself proudly. 

"There, problem solved." Mai said while nodding at her good idea. "I'll just sleep here from now on." 

"No. you. Won't." Sumire said in a serious tone. 

*Bang!* 

As soon as Sumire's words ended, she grabbed Mai by the scruff of her neck before throwing her off of Tatsuo and onto the floor, causing her to land on her butt. 

"Ow~~~!" Mai groaned while rubbing her butt. "Sumire-Sama, that hurt~~~." 

Ignoring Mai, Sumire turned back to Tatsuo. 

"Okay, I'll get breakfast started." Sumire said. "Tatsu-Chan, Tio-Chan, you two get ready. You can leave after you're finished with breakfast, okay?" 

"Alright." Tatsuo replied with a shrug before climbing out of the bed and heading to his bathroom. 

"Yes, Lady Sumire." Tio said politely with a bow of her head before getting up, as well. 

After that, everyone left Tatsuo's bedroom, Mai still pouting as she did so. A little while after that, they all ate breakfast together before returning to Tatsuo's room. 

"Alright, we'll be leaving now." Tatsuo said while standing next to Tio. 

"Okay, be careful, Sweetie." Sumire said. 

"Come back soon, Tatsu-Kun." Mai said with tears streaming down her cheeks. 

"See you when you get home." Kasumi said with a little wave. 

Nodding in reply, Tatsuo opened his [System]. Then, he navigated to the [Shop] tab. After that, he searched for the [Dimensional Travel Tickets]. When he found them, he looked at their descriptions. 

{[Dimensional Travel Ticket] 

-Allows a member of the [Dimensional Chat] to travel between worlds they have visited in the past. 

Cost: 100 Coins per day} 

{[Dimensional Travel Ticket – Guest] 

-Allows an individual designated by a member of the [Dimensional Chat] to travel to any world the member of the [Dimensional Chat has access to with their permission. 

Cost: 200 Coins per day} 

After finding what he was looking for, Tatsuo spent the 2,100 Coins necessary to buy the two tickets. Then, he nodded at Sumire, Mai, and Kasumi one last time before activating the two [Dimensional Travel Tickets]. 

{You are using a [Dimensional Travel Ticket] and a [Dimensional Chat Ticket – Guest] simultaneously. Would you like to link the travel destinations? 

[Yes]/[No]} 

Naturally, Tatsuo chose [yes]. Then, he received another message window. 

{Please choose a destination. 

-Infinite Competitive Dungeon Society 

-High School DxD: Scatter Cherry blossoms 

-Fairy Tail: Metal and Threads 

-Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest 

-Log Horizon} 

Scanning the list to make sure he did not miss anything, Tatsuo chose the ICDS Universe. Then, he received yet another message window. 

{You will be transported to the side of a member of the [Dimensional Chat], please choose the member whom you would like to travel to. 

-Minami Violet Sumire 

-Aletia Galdea Vesperitio Avatari} 

'Well, since they both know we're coming, it shouldn't matter who I pick.' Tatsuo muttered as he selected Aletia without thinking. 

A moment later, Tatsuo and Tio were engulfed in a bright light. Then, they vanished from Tatsuo's bedroom, leaving Sumire, Mai, and Kasumi behind. 

"*Sniff* He's gone." Mai said in a distraught tone. 

"He'll be back." Sumire said, not sounding as if she were bothered by Tatsuo's disappearance. "Now, let's get going. We've got some renovations to make before Tatsu-Chan gets back." 

And with that, Sumire dragged Mai along to start building the recording studio and buy a new bed for Tatsuo. Meanwhile, Kasumi headed to school like any other day. Though, the trip was a little lonely without Tatsuo walking part of the way with her.