At the Kuhouin residence.
"Um… am I really allowed to stay here?"
njou Hare was a bit uneasy. It was mainly because Arisa's ho was far too grand, and she wasn't used to such luxury.
After Rei Ao transferred everyone here, he then left with Futaba and Rio.
"Since this is what our Master wants, you can do as you please," Arisa said.
She didn't show any dislike toward njou Hare. She clearly rembered how njou Hare had risked being infected to administer first aid to her and plead on her behalf.
"A‐all right, then…" njou Hare agreed to stay. She couldn't figure out why Rei Ao was taking such care of her, given that—unlike Inori and Arisa—she wasn't 'his.' But deep down, a small voice told her that if she left, she would regret it.
Arisa gave a serene smile.
"Then let's get along."
…And silently she thought, 'We'll wait here together for the Master's next favor.'
Back at the school's science lab.
Rei Ao returned, carrying an exhausted Rio in his arms. The lab was still as empty as ever.
Rei Ao asked, "Rio, need to take you ho?"
"… …"
Rio just quietly hugged his waist, speaking in a low voice, "I feel a bit scrambled. Could…could I just let you hold like this?"
She had only crossed to the other world once, seen so much, and gone through all kinds of experiences in that bizarre atmosphere. In particular, she'd truly given her first ti to Rei Ao there—together with her 'other' self. Under those circumstances, she no longer wanted to avoid him like before, though she still needed so peace to process this new relationship.
"Sure," Rei Ao agreed, letting her rest quietly on his shoulder. anwhile, he opened the chat group, searching for Inori's world subgroup.
Rei Ao: "@Inori, you don't have to go back to the Funeral Parlor anymore. Gai was only using you all along."
Inori: "Mm."
Inori, who had found a new purpose, was obeying diligently.
Ouma Mana: "Funeral Parlor… that na sounds familiar."
Rei Ao: "Yeah, a boy you once saved—he seems to have a crush on you, and planned to use Inori to revive you, then 'free' you."
Ouma Mana: "Oh, that guy."
Mana recalled. But…he liked her?
Ouma Mana: "No way I'd ever like him!"
For whatever reason, she made that point very clear.
Rei Ao: "So who do you like, then?"
Ouma Mana: "Obviously you, my Adam. Once I regain control over Inori's body, you'll belong to alone."
Rei Ao: "Ah, good luck with that."
Regarding her unhealthy possessiveness, Rei Ao could only think it was pure daydreaming. He belonged to all the two‐dinsional beauties—how could he belong to just one person? Even if he wanted to agree, his "excalibur" certainly wouldn't.
njou Hare: "Um…what is the Funeral Parlor?"
Kuhouin Arisa: "I've heard about them; apparently they're an underground revolutionary group opposing GHQ."
Inori: "Rei Ao‐kun, didn't Gai…or rather, 'Fūneral Parlor's' leader… have the goal of fighting GHQ and starting a revolution?"
Rei Ao: "Opposing GHQ is just his smokescreen. From the beginning, his real target has always been Mana."
Inori: "..."
Inori: "Tsugumi and Ayase… they've been deceived…"
She trusted Rei Ao's words completely, not even thinking to doubt him. Upon hearing this, her first reaction was to feel sorry for Tsugumi and Ayase.
Rei Ao: "Those two, huh? If you think they're pitiful, Inori, maybe you can try passing along so truths to them."
Arisa: "Those two? Does Master have his eye on these won, wanting Inori to recruit them the sa way he recruited Hare?"
njou Hare: "E‐eh? M‐?!"
Rei Ao: "Exactly. Those two sisters are decent in both looks and ability."
Inori: "All right, I'll contact them."
"Mgh…" njou Hare's cheeks reddened. Arisa glanced at her, smiling subtly:
"Hate, see? Master's taken an interest in you—that's why he's caring for you like this.
We're lucky he picked us; Master's power surpasses anything in the world."
"… …"
njou Hare didn't know how to respond. She wasn't too concerned about "power." Compared to that, it was Rei Ao's direct hint of interest that scrambled her thoughts and made her heart race.
…
anwhile, in Ouma Shu's room:
Click!
The crystal figure clenched its teeth, ripping open a seal.
"!!!"
A pair of crimson eyes erged from the crystal, exuding a chilling indifference no human should have.
…
Late afternoon, after classes.
At the Service Club.
"Huh? Did you say you want to go after Rei Ao?!"
Because Yui had said there'd be an event at the Service Club, Miura Yumiko ca along. Hearing what the younger student, Isshiki Iroha, had to say, she let out a shout of alarm. She was already showing signs of hostility: a junior she'd never heard of had her sights set on Rei Ao, and even wanted the Service Club to help with the pursuit. Helping soone chase her own boyfriend? That was purely laughable.
"I absolutely oppose it!"
Yumiko slamd the table and stood up. The idea was too absurd. Aside from her best friend Yui, any other person could forget it.
"Eh?"
Iroha looked questioningly at Yukinoshita Yukino, whose face was frosty.
"Yukinoshita-senpai, that senpai is also part of your Service Club, right? Didn't you already accept my request? So…what's going on now?"
"… …"
Yukino was exasperated. She had wanted to let Iroha see reality quickly so she'd give up. But then Yui brought Yumiko along, complicating things even more. One thing was certain: she had to fulfill the request she had agreed to.
Pressing her fingers against her temples, she said, "I'm the one who accepted the commission, so I'll handle it alone. It has nothing to do with Yui or Miura."
Hearing that, Yumiko was instantly displeased. How could it have "nothing to do with her" when the one being chased was her boyfriend?
She was just about to speak when Yui suddenly chid in, "Count in, too! I was there at the ti!"
"Huh?"
That act of volunteering startled Yukino and puzzled Yumiko.
"Yui, what are you saying?!"
After all, Rei Ao was Yui's partner too. Yumiko had no idea what she was thinking.
"Heh heh."
Yui let out a silly laugh. "I don't really mind, plus it sounds fun!"
She hadn't thought it through too deeply. They were all the sa in the end. She was already happy Rei Ao liked her. One more wasn't too many, one less wouldn't be too few. Being able to do sothing together with her friends was innately appealing to her.
~~~
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