Paradise of Infinity

Chapter 295: The Five Sins

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***

Kyouko glances at herself in a mirror, reluctant to display herself in such an outfit. Halloween isn't something she celebrated for years, and even if the children in her school looked adorable in their costumes, it did not mean she shared sentiments about wearing an outfit. But her very polite tenant invited her to his party. She can already hear music seeping through the thin walls.

Squirming slightly, Kyouko hugs her body, 'Isn't it a little too much?' She wonders as she appraises her form in the mirror. It took her hours to get ready. Not because the outfit was hard to wear, but it was hard to adjust after wearing it. So her dilemma was whether she should waste all that effort by avoiding the party or climbing the flight of stairs and meeting with Nik and his family.

Family and close friends, he said.

'As if I'm a close friend,' Kyouko scoffs. 'We only greet every morning, sometimes share dinner, and—' she stops, realizing, 'I'm kind of his friend.'—probably because of their shared love for Mitsuko's cooking and Kaya's cake.

She blushes as she recalls running into Yuuko at Hori's store. It doesn't help that Ty Liu(4) and Lum(5) work for Hori, helping choose Kyouko's outfit.

'It would be rude to avoid the party after the two sisters saw me.' Kyouko sighs, brushing her pink bangs behind her ear as she appraises her form again, heaving deeply to recollect herself. 'Now that I think about it, my outfit shouldn't rouse all that attention. Mitsuko and her family will be present, right?'

---

Megumi's lips open with surprise. She didn't think much when she heard Nik invited her mother to a Halloween party, extending the invitation to her, too. She could understand Nik's reason. He expects to leave on 11 November, so he wants to have as much fun as he can. And Halloween is new for him. Aside from that, it is not unheard of to celebrate a nearing festival to extend the celebration for recent achievements—like childbirth, purchase of property, employment—as rare as it might be.

Nik has a lot of things going on for him, and he intends to combine the celebration of it all at once. After all, how can a man engage with women multiple times but not celebrate even once? Not that Megumi is aware of all the reasons, but she gets it. With things getting a little frosty with Manabu and her deepening friendship with the Ty Sisters, Megumi intends to hang out and learn more about other women that the Ty Sisters speak highly of WHEN they stop tooting their horns.

"Mom, are you ready?" Megumi voices out. They closed their store early to get ready for the event and let their host—Nik—leave on time to prepare things. She glances in the mirror with a proud expression. Unwilling to waste money on any 'exposing' outfit, Megumi had the bright idea to wear her Kendo Uniform consisting of a white gi and black hakama. She smirks while combing her hair, not minding her unruly bangs for once.

'No way I'm getting into another accident with such covering garments!' she nods to herself. The number of times Nik accidentally saw her panties got ridiculous! She even fell into his arms a few times during their commute to their school! Red glazes her cheeks at the recollection of such memories before she eventually recalls Kurumi's derisive comments, making Megumi scoff under her breath.

"J-Just a minute," she hears Yuuko's voice while stepping out of her room. Her mother's room is on the opposite side as Megumi knocks on her door, "I'm going downstairs."

"Wait," Yuuko calls out. "I need a hand."

Megumi shrugs as she twists the door knob. "I'm coming in."

As Megumi enters, the mother-daughter duo look at each other, gasping simultaneously, "You're wearing THAT?!"

---

"Wow!" Genta gasps as he nears Kyouko's Apartment with Kaya. A tanned overcoat covers Kaya's body with a black bunny-ears headband on her head as she hugs her cousin's arm, admiring the decoration around the apartment complex. "Now you agree it's a good use of your break, right?" Kaya grins toothily, letting her gaze follow the colored papers folded into a great number of things! From the spooky green lanterns decorating the entrance to some goblinoid creatures peeking from the flower vases, a running dragon tied to the roof, a skeletal snake hanging from the ceiling, paper mice on the stairs, and a lot more!

Genta instinctively retrieves his smartphone to capture images, similar to other passersby.

"But won't it be weird?" Genta mutters. "And I didn't need to go all the way to your house to pick you up, right?"

"Hmph," Kaya snorts. "Why won't a lady need a gentleman's escort when she's wearing something scandalous under her coat? Men get frisky during Halloween, and I'd like my powerful cousin to protect me."

"Why wear a bunny costume?" Genta thins his lips, looking down on his outfit—a police uniform. As Kaya says, he's on a break.

"Why not?" Kaya blinks before smiling. "And it won't be weird. Nik always asks about you. He has a great deal of respect for you. You're the one who helped him land a job and a place to stay when he had nothing." She pokes his chest. "And you might learn a few tricks from him on how to get a girl. You want to get married, right?"

"Is Nik married?" Genta scoffs. "Whatever, an hour won't hurt, right?"

"That's the spirit!" Kaya giggles, tugging Genta. "Nik says the party's divided into different events. Five apartments, five different themes."

"It's Halloween. What other themes can there be?" Genta sighs. They step into the property when Kyouko's door swings open, and both the Asagi cousin's lips gape in shock.

---

Nik stares in the mirror and sniffs proudly. Who knew slightly edgier cosplay could look so great? Faux armor plates are slapped on the black-grey bodysuit in different areas, with a red bat-like shape painted on the center of his pecs extending to slightly form-fitting trousers and a brown jacket above the suit. He looks at the red helmet on the desk before shaking his head. "I'm not wearing that," he mumbles. The helmet feels stuffy, making him wonder how the 'original' wearer of this outfit equipped the helmet.

The girls are getting ready in different apartments after decorating the rooms. The sound of Ty Sisters playing their harp and flute informed Nik that some were already ready for the night, waiting for their guests. The knock on his door makes Nik walk out of the living cum bedroom and open the door for—

"You guys made it!" He grins broadly at the Amano Mother-Daughter Duo, noting the stifling awkwardness between the duo.

"H-hello," Yuuko squeezes a smile as Nik gestures to them to enter his dim apartment illuminated by ghastly orange and pink lanterns. "You made the whole thing look very spooky." Yuuko praises after entering, almost jumping when Nik closes the door behind them. "It's all Ty Lao's(3) handiwork."

"I still cannot differentiate between them," Megumi mutters as Nik shrugs. "Don't worry. They're happy as long as one person can tell them apart. So?" He glances at Yuuko curiously, eyeing her brown overcoat. "That's your outfit? Looks nice."

Yuuko rolls her eyes and glances at Megumi, who averts her gaze.

"I'm wearing it underneath," Yuuko mutters as Nik blinks before glancing at Megumi, "And what's your outfit called?"

"It's my Kendo uniform," she recollects her smile, grinning. "I'm the Nationals Champion!"

"Great," Nik smiles. "You should meet Suki tonight. She's in a different apartment, but she will love your enthusiasm. Maybe you can even persuade her to become your sparring partner. You have your smartphone, right?"

Megumi nods in anticipation before questioning, "What are you dressed as?"

"Oh, some guy named Red Hood."

"You don't know who he is?" Megumi curiously continues as he shakes his head. "Hori chose this for me, saying something about my unlawful streak. I invited her, too. She's enjoying it, well, let's start with introducing the party, right? Before that, do you want me to help take it off?" He offers Yuuko, who touches her short coffee-brown bangs, nodding slightly.

"Please."

Nik smiles, walking behind Yuuko, "I hope you don't mind the darkness. Tell me to switch on the lights if it's a bother."

"No, it's perfect like this," Yuuko mutters. Megumi averts her gaze again as Nik helps Yuuko out of her coat. Unlike the duo, he has no issue with the darkness due to his heightened senses, including vision.

So, Nik's eyes briefly widen when he sees the white-black frilled dress around Yuuko's voluptuous body. The frilled white headband makes sense now when one looks at her puffy black shoulders, exposed back laced with white threads tying her black corset, the frilled white neck showing a generous swathe of her skin and ample valley from his point of view, and a short frilled skirt extending to black heeled booties and white, ribboned thigh highs.

'A slutty maid,' Nik stares in amazement, recalling Liu(4) and Lum's(5) mischievous gazes when they talked about helping Yuuko pick an outfit.

'God bless their hearts,' Nik slightly gulps as he feels Megumi staring in his direction.

"I knew it was embarrassing!" Yuuko snaps, hugging her arms slightly as two firm hands squeeze her almost exposed shoulders. A jolt of tingle rushes down her spine when she feels the distant but heavy breath on her slender neck.

"It's not embarrassing," Nik searches for the correct words before damning it all to hell. "I'm going to have a few words with Liu and Lum to get a similar outfit for Lee and myself."

Yuuko gasps, turning her head to look up at his grinning face.

"We can't have our employer showing us up, can we?" He places her coat on the hanger, glancing at Megumi. "You should learn from Yuuko, Megumi. You can always become a Nationals Champion, but you only get one night to dress like a maid."

"Oh, please!" Megumi snorts, rolling her eyes. She shudders at the thought of freak accidents she can get into with that outfit. She might as well come naked at that point!

"Right," Nik smirks. "Let me start introducing you to the elements of the party. As you can notice, my room is empty but not bereft of decorations. I will be your humble guide for the night, and you're free to find me at any point of the night for any concerns you might have. You might call this apartment a gathering point of sorts. But—"

Nik picks a board from the shelves near the door. It's a rectangular piece of palm-sized cardboard with the word 'Occupied' written alongside a spooky drawing of bats and pumpkins.

"—If you see this marker on the doorknob, it's advised to keep away from the apartment."

"Why?" Megumi inquires, but Yuuko seems to get the implied meaning of his words with the way she blushes in response.

"Well—"

Yuuko interjects before Nik has a chance to reply.

"Nik must have his reasons, right?" She coughs, glancing at Nik. "So? Where should we go from here?"

He opens the door for them, smiling, "Follow me."

Nik's apartment is right above Kyouko's. The other two apartments belong to Michi and Poppy. The lower two apartments belong to Kya and Ursa.

The word 'Sloth' tags Michi's apartment. Unlike Nik's flat, It's decorated with adequate origami and illuminated with enough light. The sound of music originates from her room as Nik explains how this is the resting spot for those too tired from other activities. The Ty Sisters' performance is also a sight for the sore eyes as the sisters wear beautiful white angel outfits with small white wings clipped on their backs and their wavy brown hair straightened to wear as is. Two of the Ty Sisters quirkily grin while dancing slowly, winking in Yuuko's direction as Megumi glares at them, not needing another hint to realize those two are the misfits named Liu and Lum!

Michi and Mai greet the guests with the mother dressed in a slightly skimpier maroon cat outfit, sporting an inviting smile. While Mai, looking as sour as the day she was born, invites the guest with a bland look, her gaze resting on Yuuko a lot more than necessary. Michi took it upon herself to prepare a lot of Fire Nation treats using Ash Bananas and the Jennamite from the Earth Kingdom fashioned in sculpted candies!

The word 'Pride' tags Poppy's apartment, and inviting them in is a Poppy dressed in a lavish Victorian outfit with a wide neck and pressed-up, almost otherworldly bosom thanks to a corset underneath. The mother introduces the guests to the challenges, which, when won, will allow the competitors to pride themselves in their skills.

Megumi and Yuuko watch June valiantly guarding the Drinking and the Arm-Wrestling contest by matching Souko's shots and putting Sokka down with ease! She grins at Nik, waving him over with a provocative smirk as he rolls his eyes, showing her the finger. He defeated her thrice already, but the woman liked coming back for more. As Sokka grumbles, Zuko pats the Chieftain's shoulder before taking a seat against June to have his pride shattered.

"Nik," Souko pouts, almost too drunk by now. "Doesn't this woman have a limit?"

"Why don't you help her find out?" Nik shrugs with a cheeky smile as Megumi and Yuuko gawks at the office worker wearing an office skirt-suit!

"Nik!" Yuuko snaps with a blush. "She isn't wearing a thing?!"

"She isn't?" Nik blinks. "She looks well-dressed as an overworked employee."

The mother-daughter duo feels speechless at his shamelessness!

Poppy's den is scantily illuminated and saturated with alcohol. Her regal outfit means little when one looks at Toph giggling creepily and inviting Rena and Yue for a dice game—a simple dice game on an earthen footing. What could go wrong, right? It doesn't help Toph has a board set near her 'stall.'

Losing to call the correct dice once means taking off one garment, twice means two garments, and so on. The instructions are written in both languages for all parties to understand. There are also numbers imprinted on the earthen board so all contestants can point at their desired number before Toph reveals the dice under the earthen bowls. There are also gifts in this game.

"A hug, a kiss, a strip tease— Nik!" Megumi cries sharply with red cheeks, glaring, "What's that?"

"Rewards," Nik innocently replies. "My girls love a good strip tease, but it takes effort and the right mood. So, I decided to make myself the prize."

"And what if we win?" Sokka snorts, attracting their attention by speaking this world's language. It's broken, but Sokka gets his point across.

"Hey," Nik shrugs. "You want a guy to strip for you, then more power to you. I'll ask Rena to join me on it. Oh," Nik points at the dark-haired, dusk-skinned woman next to Yue, introducing her to Megumi and Yuuko. "That's Rena. She is Sokka's Fiancee. Basically, anyone with a choker is someone's fiancee."

Sokka thins his lips, his gaze landing on the frilled black and white choker around Yuuko's neck, just like Megumi.

Yuuko registers Nik's words before narrowing her eyes pointedly. "Next apartment, please!"

"Sure," Nik chortles, waving at the three-piece-clad Sokka. "I'll stop by for drinks if girls give me some time."

"I hope Katara paralyzes you," Sokka smiles back 'kindly.'

Kya's apartment is next to the stairs, flanking Ursa's flat with Kyouko's residence. The word 'Wrath' graces her door as the trio already hears a few shouts and the sound of an argument.

"Ah, welcome," Kya smiles breezily through the noise, dressed in an elaborate blue kimono with a yellow belt around her torso. Yuuko's expression stiffens further.

Is she the only one who chose a 'Slutty' dress? She has to ask the question since even Mitsuko dressed more appropriately for the occasion!

The mother of three sports a dancer's feathered outfit seen in a foreigner's carnival with a healthy show of her slender midriff and a frilled tutu skirt. Aside from the multi-colored crop top, the costume looks pretty standard, which isn't the same as Yuuko's outfit, purposely showing her back, neck, collarbone, and a generous portion of her thighs.

As for what's going on inside?

"It's my turn!—" Kurumi shuts up as Azula glances down at the twin-tailed girl in a black leotard, a devil's tail extending from the costume itself, and two small devil horns on her head. She glances at the newcomers before frowning, "Nik! Tell her! It's my turn!"

"Azula, it's her turn." Nik deadpans without knowing a thing.

"Kiss my ass," Azula smirks, and Nik nods, translating with a hearty grin. "Kurumi, Azula is inviting you to kiss her ass."

Katara rolls her eyes while Sayoko breaks into giggles, attracting everyone's attention.

'Wow,' Yuuko and Megumi gasp internally. Like Michi and Mai, Sayoko wears a slightly furry cosplay sporting canine-like purple furry ears on top of her head and a purple-furred swimsuit connected with a crisscrossed purple lining. The woman is in a bikini, her arms and legs equipped with long furry gloves and thigh-highs ending with faux claws.

"There's Suki," Nik whispers to Megumi, snapping her out of her daze while pointing at the samurai-esque woman wearing only the plate armor and no robes underneath. Megumi glances at Sayoko once more.

"What are they fighting over?" Yuuko inquires while glancing at the glaring Kurumi and Azula. Jin sits beside them, calmly holding a remote controller in her hands.

"Jin wanted to play video games. That's become her hobby of sorts," Nik works his jaw, slightly regretting ever purchasing that unholy unit. "And as you would have it, someone always fights over another controller. I don't think it's the right decision to set the console, but Kurumi did it without telling us. So, 'Wrath' over losing a video game it is."

He waves at the group before leading the duo to Ursa's residence, tagged with 'Gluttony.'

There aren't any spooky decorations inside, and the entire place is well-lit, with a lavish spread of food and snacks not present in the other rooms.

Inside Ursa's place, they meet Kaya, Genta, and Kyouko.

"You made it~!" Kaya greets Yuuko with a knowing glance while dressed in a standard bunny outfit while Kyouko's expression sports relief.

She isn't the only one.

Dressed in a tight white buttoned top, a nurse's cap, and a skirt so short she might not as well be wearing one, Kyouko pointedly decided to cause all the unrest for the men. She flinches again under Nik's impressed stare. But her gaze lands on Yuuko, and both women share a look of sympathy.

"Help yourself," Nik smiles and nods at Ursa. Hori pays little attention to them after the appraising glance sent in Yuuko's direction, stuffing her mouth like a cultured beast.

"Wait," Genta points out. "You introduced us all to Sloth, Pride, Wrath, and Gluttony. What about the remaining three sins? That's the 'theme,' right? The Seven Sins."

Nik nods, readily taking to the concepts of sins. "Well, there are five themes. I could only house five sins in five different residences." He strokes his chin.

"What's the fifth one?" Kyouko grumbles, entertaining Nik. She still cannot believe she stupidly decided to heed Hori's words and adorn a slutty nurse's costume!

Nik glances at Ursa, who rolls her eyes with a fond smirk.

"Well, the fifth 'theme' is Lust. But you'll have to make an effort to find it," Nik smiles as he turns around, "Please, enjoy yourself. And look for me at your convenience unless my door is 'marked.'"

Genta blinks as Kaya clears her throat, patting Genta on his shoulder. "I'm going to meet with Mitsuko and the rest. You'll be fine, right?"

The man shrugs. "I will. I'm going to the Pride apartment later to see if that woman is cheating in arm wrestling. Nobody that drunk should be that good in arm wrestling!"

"Great!" Kaya chimes, leaving under the stares of many.

"Officer Asagi, hello," Yuuko smiles at Genta, who nods in return. "Good Evening, Ms. Amano. Ah! I don't think I've introduced myself to your daughter yet. I'm Asagi Genta, the officer who overlooked Nik's case."

"Good Evening, Asagi-san," Megumi nodded quickly before glancing at her mother. "Mom, I'm going to meet Suki—"

"After you eat something!" Yuuko scoffs, helping Ursa prepare the plates smoothly alongside Kyouko. The latter two keep glancing at each other with a mixture of embarrassment and camaraderie.

Just a couple of 'sluts' they are.

***

Alternate Title: Hori, Liu, and Lum Coming To a Clutch With Their Dressing Sense!; Megumi: I'm Going To Be Nationals Champion! *Her Mother*: Master, Would You Like Me or My Daugther; Genta, The Gentleman; Kaya's 'Escort'; Nik Does Owe Genta A Lot!; Nik's First Party; Toph is THAT Creepy Uncle!; June: Look, Nik! With One Hand, I'll Empty Our Drinking Reserves, And With Another, I'll Shatter The Prince's Honor!; When Mitsuko Wears Better; Sayoko Sporting The Mashu Bikini Kit; Red Hood: Traumatized and 'Reviving.' *Nik*: He's Just Like Me FR!; The Five Sins And Five Apartments; Listen Now, Nik's The Prize; Toph About To Loot Others Naked!; The Blind Bandit Bares Her Claws!; Sokka Asking The Sus Questions; Nik: We Have Otherworldly Sweets, Drinks, Food, and Cock; Where's The Hidden Sin of Lust?; Kyouko As a Slutty Nurse Is Fatal To Patients!

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