Time, Anime, and Hungry Powers

Strolling down the lively streets, my mind took a detour into the realm of memories—the memories of a time when anime held me in its captivating embrace. Before I got reincarnated. Those late-night binge sessions, watching stories unfold in vibrant worlds, had now taken an unexpectedly surreal twist.

My mind skipped to "Date A Live," a show I had watched with fascination. Kurumi Tokisaki—a character whose powers transcended time itself. As absurd as it sounded then, it felt almost fitting now. Here I was, a protagonist in my own tale, wielding Kurumi's time-twisting abilities.

Controlling time—sounds like the dream of every procrastinator, right? Rewinding, fast-forwarding, pausing life's chaotic reel—oh, the possibilities! But wait, there's a catch. Every rewind, every time-play, chips away at my own time. It's like cosmic debt, where I borrow from my own life to tinker with the universe's watch.

In "Date A Live," Kurumi had a trick—a bizarre one, really. She could eat others to steal their time. Yes, you heard that right. Devour a person, snag their precious moments, and extend your own clock. Now, that's some peculiar snack time. My lips curled into an amused smile. In a world where quirks and superpowers were the norm, why not consider unconventional menu options?

But let's be real—I'm no villain on a munching spree. Well, not yet anyway. My journey isn't about biting into innocent bystanders. It's about mastering Kurumi's unique gift and delving into a world that once danced only on screens. The hunger for understanding and control—no cannibalism involved, probably—is what propels me forward.

So, with a thought-provoking anime soundtrack playing in the back of my mind, I stride on. Time manipulation, quirks, and a dash of anime surrealism—it's all part of this enigmatic universe I've found myself in.

The city's rhythm hummed around me as I strolled down the busy streets. The encounter with the slime villain was still fresh in my mind, a reminder of the diverse challenges this world presented. But as if by cosmic design, a new test of my abilities was about to emerge—the kind that Kurumi herself might relish.

Ahead, two figures approached, their intentions veiled behind smirks and swagger. Hooligans, it seemed, brimming with the misplaced confidence of those who thrived on chaos. The universe had a peculiar way of putting me in the path of such characters.

The hooligans stopped in-front of me, blocking my path. I glanced at them, offering a soft, almost apologetic smile. "Can I help you with something?"

"Help us? Oh, you'll be helping us in no time," one of them sneered.

I sighed internally, almost finding their predictability amusing. Walking away from the main street, I gestured towards an unassuming alleyway, my expression a mix of mock reluctance and mild intrigue. "Ara ara, looks like there is a perfect spot here."

The hooligans smiled, as they thought it wasnt going to be this easy. As we stepped into the shadows, the space seemed to transform—an arena of destiny, a battleground of wills. In that confined expanse, my power whispered promises of control, of manipulation. And for the first time, I delved into an aspect of Kurumi's abilities I had yet to explore.

"Ara ara," I murmured, letting the words play in the air like a subtle melody. I knew what I had to do—summoning clones, shadows that mirrored my intent. It was a power born of Kurumi's essence, a manifestation of her presence in this world.

The hooligans glanced around, their bravado waning as their surroundings seemed to shift and warp. I closed my eyes for a moment, focusing my will, and when I opened them, the shadows responded, forming phantasmal duplicates of myself.

"Ara, ara. Looks like our main body has summoned us."

"Why may you have called us?"

My clones appeared from the shadow, all asking me what they should do. "Time to play," I whispered to my clones, and with a single command, I unleashed them upon the hooligans.

The scene that unfolded was almost surreal, a symphony of chaos and desperation. My clones moved with the elegance of predators, each strike calculated and swift. With their muskets, they shot both of the hooligans' legs, leaving blood everywhere. Laughter of my clones filled the air with the screams of the hooligans. The hooligans fought back, but it was clear they were outmatched.

"Who... who the hell are you?!" one of them gasped between labored breaths.

My lips curled into a chilling smile. "Consider me a shadow of your impending demise."

As the skirmish reached its crescendo, my clones subdued the hooligans, leaving them incapacitated and bewildered. I glanced at my handiwork, a mix of satisfaction and detachment lingering in my gaze. This power—the ability to control, to manipulate—felt like an extension of Kurumi's very being.

I opened my mouth and said, "My clones, please consume these humans and give me more time"

"Ara, as you wish."

My clones started consuming the hooligans, a scene that I wouldn't have like to seen.

With a final look at the subdued hooligans, I turned away, leaving the alleyway behind. The city's rhythm embraced me once more, the echoes of my actions resonating within its heartbeat. I said 'I' wouldn't consume anyone's time. I didn't mention anything about my clones doing it. With a smile on my face, I walked through the streets, as I felt the hooligans' time flow into my body.