"Mother, thank you."
Yukino felt relieved to hear her mother promise not to force Haruno into an arranged marriage.
anwhile, Mrs. Yukinoshita wanted to say that Yukino should also be thanking her own boyfriend—a boyfriend who'd threatened her with X-ray vision and could read her thoughts.
And perhaps she should even thank herself, too. By taking such a remarkable man as her boyfriend, maybe the Yukinoshita family would benefit.
"If there's nothing else, then let's head back," Rei Ao suggested.
"Wait," Yukino cut in. "I'd like to stay here…"
Given everything that had happened at the house, Yukino wanted to remain overnight.
Mrs. Yukinoshita spoke up at the sa ti:
"It's already quite late. If you don't mind, Rei Ao-kun, you're welco to stay here for the night as well."
Her main concern was the possibility of more demons showing up. Having Rei Ao remain would ease her nerves.
"Sure," Rei Ao said. He wasn't in any rush to get ho.
…
Later, Mrs. Yukinoshita led Rei Ao to the guest room.
"Rei Ao-kun, how's this?"
"Wow, your guest room looks fancier than most people's master bedrooms. This'll do fine."
"That's good. We've prepared freshly laundered clothes for you over here."
A small smile curved her lips.
"Thanks."
Noticing she hadn't left, Rei Ao asked:
"Aren't you going to rest, Madam?"
"…"
She hesitated, then said,
"About that secret of mine… you won't reveal it, will you?"
"Heh."
Rei Ao grinned. So that's what was making her uncomfortable.
"I've already told you—once I promise sothing, I see it through. Unless you yourself tell others, no one will learn about your…secret."
There was no way she would bring it up on her own. With that, Mrs. Yukinoshita let out the breath she'd been holding.
"If that's the case, then that's all I need to hear. Get so rest, Rei Ao-kun."
She turned away. Rei Ao watched her graceful figure swaying down the corridor, a faint smile touching his lips.
"Yukino, your mother sure seems lonely."
…
"Wow, so it was all real after all…"
Back in her own world, Erica realized a full day had passed since she'd gone to Haruhi Sei's world.
That alone confird she had truly crossed between worlds. A turbulent range of emotions surged through her. Once she cald down, she resolved to keep it a secret.
She had several reasons. Firstly, even if she told her family or people at the Bronze-Black Cross, trying to explain it without ntioning the chat group would be next to impossible—and they might not even believe her.
Secondly, there was no need to tell anyone else. No one else could follow her to another world, anyway.
The chat group was her own secret. Finally, Rei Ao and his trades… She considered them to be her trump card. After all, if he could defeat Godslayers and rogue deities, how powerful must he be?
"If I could have him protect the Bronze-Black Cross or my family…"
Erica's eyes flickered with ambition. She started making quiet plans. But she might've chosen the wrong target, for Rei Ao wouldn't be so easily swayed by anyone's sches.
Elsewhere, Fubuki had also returned to her original world.
She still felt dazed, rembering the rush of that brief mont of overwhelming power. She murmured under her breath:
"Oh, how I wish I could keep that strength forever…"
Alas, the price for such strength was more than she could pay so casually. Selling her body in return? She couldn't do that.
"Sigh…"
Letting out a deep sigh, she returned to the Blizzard Group headquarters. The second she stepped in, she realized sothing was off: all her subordinates were staring at her in either shock or joy.
"What's with those looks?"
"Boss, you're finally back!!!"
The Blizzard Group let out a collective cheer.
"…"
Fubuki was taken aback at how they all clung to each other in celebration, while she stood there with a dark cloud overhead.
"What happened? Soone explain."
One subordinate stepped forward and recounted everything that had transpired during her absence.
Turns out that during the day she'd spent in another world, the Blizzard Group believed she'd gone missing. They searched desperately for her—and in the process, they happened to cross paths with her sister, Tatsumaki.
Upon hearing that Fubuki had vanished, Tatsumaki flew into a rage, nearly tearing the city apart with her psychic powers in the search.
Being S-Class Rank 2, Tatsumaki was basically unstoppable. Unable to find her sister, she openly declared that if Fubuki wasn't located within three days, the entire city would "pay the price." Everyone was in a panic.
"…"
Fubuki listened in silence. A swirl of mixed emotions raged inside her. She never imagined her sister would do so much for her. She had always felt envy and jealousy toward Tatsumaki, but hearing this made her feel guilty.
"So…should we tell her you're back?" the underling asked carefully, swallowing nervously.
"Yeah, I suppose so."
Fubuki dismissed them with a wave. After a mont's hesitation, she dialed the number she hadn't used in a long while—Tatsumaki's.
"Hello?! Fubuki, is that you?!"
The call was answered almost instantly, revealing how frantic Tatsumaki had been. Warmth flooded Fubuki's heart.
"Yes, it's , Sister. I wasn't missing—I just went sowhere, but I'm back now."
"…"
Silence followed for a few seconds. Then Tatsumaki's voice cut in again:
"Hmph! A weakling like you shouldn't go wandering off on your own. Just stay put so you don't cause trouble! Whatever, at least you're not dead. I'm busy—can't waste ti on you."
"Seriously, you have no idea how hard it is for …"
She scolded her a bit more before abruptly hanging up.
"Grrr!!!"
Fubuki accidentally crushed her phone in anger. She'd felt guilty a mont ago, but just a few sentences from Tatsumaki slapped her with all the usual labels she loathed.
Weak, powerless, holding everyone back…
Fury flared inside. Any lingering guilt had disappeared.
"Just you wait! I'm going to surpass you!"
Right then, the hurtful words from her sister had only kindled her desire to grow stronger. She almost wanted to contact Rei Ao straight away and complete a trade to gain power—and then challenge Tatsumaki in a showdown.
Still, she managed to keep herself in check… for now.
~~~
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