Reborn as an Evolving Space Monster: Harem Of Otherworldly Beauties

"Cracks everywhere, all over the surface…" Cero whispered, gazing into the distance. "It's just like you said."

"You remember that, huh?" Liz smiled, letting the back of her head rest against his chest. "I remember getting a bit political that time too, sorry…"

"I like politics."

"Me when I lie."

"..."

The two had walked through the desolate and cracked desert quite a bit before finally finding a tree under which to sit. With a picnic blanket below them, Cero was seated with his back against the tree, and Liz was seated with her back against Cero. His hand stroked the blanket for a moment, and his eyes went towards the picnic basket that Liz had brought with her, filled with fruit and snacks.

"Cute."

"I know, right?" She chuckled. "Men are the ones who usually do this, but I'm making an exception."

"We're making a lot of exceptions, aren't we?"

"We sure are." Liz nodded with a smile.

"When I asked about Wor, this is all you told me about it."

"It's my favorite part." She nodded. "There's a military base not far from here, so this place is not to be touched."

"Yeah, well… You made it seem like all of Wor was like this."

"Like all of Wor was a gigantic desert?"

"Yeah, kind of."

"Haha, sorry about that. Guess I had forgotten about all the buildings, streets, and… Well, all of it."

Cero raised his gaze momentarily. The tree offered no real shade. It was dying, or dead. The branches were thin, weak, and cracked. It had no leaves, and probably hadn't had any for a very long time. The scorching sun was relentlessly sending its rays down and through the tree's branches. The cities of Wor were perpetually cooled down, which allowed most to forget how hot their Planet really was. Now in one of the few areas untouched by civilization, there was no hiding from the heat or sun. Thanks to Heat Resistance, this wasn't too bothersome to Cero. He could only imagine how hot Liz must feel. She pressed herself against him further, and he wrapped his arms around her. Chuckling, he understood that his body must feel pretty cool to her.

"Didn't bring anything to block out the sun. Hope you don't mind…" Liz muttered, pressing her lips together.

"Not a problem." Cero answered before raising a hand.

Seconds later,

"Wow… Nice."

"Right?" Cero chuckled, actually quite proud of himself.

Using Spiderweb Production and other Skills, a sunshade sail was crafted, stretching between the branches, filling the gaps, and shielding them from the sun.

Liz let her head fall slightly to the side and stared at Cero. The hand resting on her waist didn't leave her indifferent. Additionally, she could feel the heat starting to get to her. Despite wearing a light sundress, she could see drops of sweat beginning to form on her toned arms. Liz only ever broke a sweat in two situations. When training, or when… Having fun with Cero. Feeling self-conscious about the sweat forming, she laid a hand on his cheek. He kissed her before she could, and the two got even sweatier from there.

***

"This was… It was…" Liz could barely get the words out, her throat and mouth drier than ever.

As if going at it with Cero wasn't demanding enough, doing so in the middle of a desert was just insane.

They lay naked on the picnic blanket, staring at the grayish sunshade sail previously made by Cero. It had been woven quickly but beautifully, mostly because of the Skills that made the spiderwebs softer, thicker, and lushier. The shade was nice and comforting. Additionally, from time to time, when the rays hit the webs at just the right angle, the light passing through the webs would diverge and disperse into a soft rainbow glow, casting patterns of color over their skin and the blanket below.

"It was great, huh?" Cero smiled, depositing a kiss on her shoulder.

Staring at the webs and at the spectacle of colors, Liz didn't answer. She pressed her lips together and stared. She stared… And her eyes started to water.

"You're always so extra." She chuckled, rubbing her eyes as if some dust had gotten into them.

"Extra is good." Cero whispered, laying a hand on her wrist.

He slowly pulled her hand away.

"Liz-"

"No, no." She interrupted, shaking her head. "It's our last day together before you leave Wor, and I'm not about to start crying. We're not even spending the night together, so no. Let's just… Alright?"

Cero only looked away a couple of seconds later.

"Alright."

"You have a meeting with the Prime Minister later, right?"

"Yeah, I guess he wants to tell me about the Jin thing personally."

"And about the Banquet, I assume." Liz nodded, wiping her last tear away. "I have a helicopter on standby. If you want to go somewhere and have fun."

"No." Cero answered, holding her and pulling her closer until her cheek rested on his chest. "Right here is fine."

Hours passed, and the time at which Cero and the Prime Minister agreed to meet approached.

Liz did her best not to get too emotional about it, but it was tough. Still, they were still going to see each other at the Banquet.

"You really don't have to worry about me."

"I can't help but worry!"

"Why? I'm a really careful person."

"Sure, you are! Going out of your way to fight Giganto Zillas and I don't know what else!"

"This is different. Plus, it's different now as well."

"How so? You loved danger, and you still love it now!"

"Sure, but… I don't love it as much."

"As much as before?"

"As much as I love you." Cero answered, stroking her cheek. "Before, it's almost like… I was living in a vacuum, you know? Now, there are people I want to come back to. So, of course, I'll be careful. Some dangers are worth it, and some aren't. The bar has been raised a lot now."

"Yeah? You have higher standards now?" Liz chuckled as she wiped a tear.

"Yes, I do." Cero chuckled as well. "A lot of dangers are now not worth it, since I have so much to come back to."

"Well, alright… I'm happy to hear it… Still, be careful…"

"I know. We're still seeing each other tomorrow, remember?"

"Yeah, but it won't be the same. Plus, if I'm going to cry, it's better to do it now! Farewells should be… Nice and clean, you know? Beautiful and all."

"Liz, I'm going away for less than a month. What do you mean Farewells?"

"Still!! We haven't been apart for more than a few hours since we've met! For the last seven, eight months, we've seen each other every day! One month apart is… Huge!"

"Yeah," He nodded. "I know."

Which only made Lith's lack of reaction to his leaving more strange. Now wasn't the time to talk about that, though. He was with Liz, and the day was about him and Liz.

"Try not to fall in love with someone from Jin."

"Huh? Where's that coming from?"

"You know where it's coming from! You'll be gone for a month, and that's the time we need to deal with our stuff. After that, we're free to go wherever we want."

"And?"

"And… It's already…"

"Already…?" Cero acted like he had no idea what she was talking about.

"Me, you, Lith, Raya, Rea-"

"Okay, fine, fine."

"Promise?"

"You want me to promise?"

"Promise not to bring anyone from Jin!"

"So it's not about someone in general, it's the people from Jin you don't want!"

"I didn't say that!"

"You said exactly that!"

"Okay, fine! Yes, I don't want them, and I don't like them! Their government wanted to basically enslave us!"

"Well, yeah… But I wouldn't be bringing the government…"

"So?"

"So… I'm sure there are people from Jin who are nice and totally against what their government wanted to-"

"Yes, I'm sure there are! And I don't care!"

"Oh, shit. That's gotta be racist."

"Shit is right! I'm racist, sue me!"

"Damn, Liz." Cero muttered as she started laughing out loud.

"No one from Jin!" She said, pointing at him. "Promise?"

"No one from Jin." Cero repeated with a nod.

Sure, it might be a bit racist. But hey, she wasn't crying anymore.

"Promise!"

"Fine, I promise. If someone from there approaches me, I will spit on them."

"Don't do that! What the hell? Don't do that! They're prudish as hell! I'm sure that for some of them, getting spit on would arouse them to no end!"

"So? Doesn't mean I'm bringing anyone."

"Oh… OH! Yes! That's perfect! Spit on their women, fuck them and never see them again, impregnate them and-"

Cero felt the need to place a hand over Liz's mouth to-

"Don't censor me! I have rights! Freedom of speech, and all that! It's what we fought for and-"

Cero did end up promising not to bring anyone from Jin.

Of course, having plenty of fun there wasn't out of the question.