Under the girl's watchful eyes, the boy in the dream was slowly growing up.
He grew taller, and his voice beca slightly deeper. Unlike his childhood where the difference between genders wasn't very obvious, the boy was gradually growing into a young man.
However, even though his appearance changed, the girl knew that the young man's essence hadn't changed at all. He was still as gentle, still valued his family just as much, and cherished them deeply.
Watching the young man grow, the girl felt a sense of closeness and joy, as if she were the one growing up instead of him.
But sotis, the young man would do things the girl couldn't understand.
"Secret Art:Roaring Flash Blast Wave!!!!"
What was he doing? For instance, right now, watching the strange poses the young man struck while alone at ho, the girl showed a confused expression.
But even though she couldn't understand the aning, the girl still thought his actions were very cute.
Ti in the dream passed as fast as a galloping horse. In the blink of an eye, the young man grew much taller than the girl and beca a high school student.
A peaceful life, an unchanging daily routine, happy tis that felt like they would last forever. Watching the young man's everyday life, the girl's heart was filled with relief.
However, one day, the arrival of an uninvited guest broke the young man's perfect routine and turned his life upside down.
First, what shocked the girl the most was the change in the young man's younger sister.
The sister, who the young man thought was cute and innocent, showed her unknown other side to her brother after that incident.
Rough language, a bad attitude, arrogance, and absolutely no respect for her older brother. She often put him in terrible situations and made him suffer on purpose.
It felt like a betrayal. Setting aside the sister's personality issues, just thinking about the sister talking to others with that attitude behind the young man's back, giving the ti that was supposed to belong to the siblings to soone else, made the girl feel indignant for him.
However, what surprised the girl was that when faced with his sister's other side, the young man only showed a little surprise and then accepted it very openly.
Why?
The girl couldn't help but ask.
For the first ti, the girl felt a bit estranged from this young man who was like a part of herself.
But the young man in the dream obviously couldn't answer this question. He just kept showing her his life according to the path of his mories.
The young man's disasters didn't stop there.
From then on, the young man's life never went according to his own pace. A bunch of strange won kept appearing in front of him, dragging him into crises that had nothing to do with him, and putting all sorts of burdens on him.
Yet, the young man still didn't have any complaints. He risked his life to save them as if it were the most natural thing in the world, accepted them, and took care of their daily lives.
Why go to such lengths? The girl didn't understand why the young man was so forgiving of those strangers who broke into his life, or how he could accept all of this so calmly. Was he a so-called saint?
If it were her in that situation, she probably would have broken down a long ti ago.
"I am willing to swear, I am willing to stay with you for the rest of my life. Until the mont I die, I will treat you as my family and stay by your side!!!"
One night in the mories, the young man made this vow to a girl with long brown hair.
The mont she heard these words, the girl suddenly understood.
Just like back then, when the young man's parents and sister treated the holess boy as family and poured their love into him without holding back. The young man chose to accept those "disasters" that the world couldn't tolerate, and treated them like true family.
And to repay the young man's feelings, those who were accepted also treated him as an important family mber.
The young man was different from the girl.
Faced with strangers breaking into their lives, the young man chose forgiveness and acceptance, while the girl chose possessiveness and rejection.
As a result, the young man had everything he wanted.
But the girl had nothing.
(How could this be...)
Realizing this, the girl—Hoshimiya Mukuro—felt so ashad she wanted to hide in a hole.
Her actions didn't help Shido. She just unreasonably destroyed everything important to him, and then tried to keep his lonely self all to herself.
(Muku... is actually so ugly... Muku... doesn't have the right to stay by Nushi-sama's side.)
"It's okay."
Suddenly, a calm voice sounded in her ear.
Her head was being gently stroked. A very comfortable and peaceful feeling gradually cald Mukuro's heart.
(How nostalgic...)
Mukuro couldn't help but think. Soti in the past, she also used to bury herself in soone's arms, being gently stroked and comforted like this.
(Mom...)
———————————
In the rest area inside Tengu Tower, the unconscious Hoshimiya Mukuro was lying flat on a bench, resting her head on Yutsuki's lap.
Because Mukuro kept sweating cold sweat from her forehead, Origami went to another floor to buy a towel to wipe her down and so drinks to hydrate her.
Honestly, it would have been better to give this task to Shido. But since Tohka forcefully demanded it, Shido had no choice but to stay at the observation deck with her.
However, this situation was exactly what Yutsuki wanted. To make Mukuro willing to unlock everyone's mories, they had to find ways to raise Mukuro's affection. Naturally, she couldn't pass up this chance to take care of her.
"Having a nightmare?"
Watching Mukuro's face full of pain, Yutsuki's heart ached a little. She tried stroking her head, hoping it would make her feel better.
"Mom..."
(Uh—)
Hearing Mukuro sleep-talking, the corner of Yutsuki's eye twitched.
As a pure and innocent virgin who had never even been in a relationship in her past life, it was one thing to beco a woman now, but to be called that on top of it—every ti Yutsuki heard it, she felt the urge to flip a table.
If it were Nia or Kaguya who dared to call her that, she would definitely take out her paper fan and smack them hard on the head right now.
(Luckily no one else is here right now... whatever.)
"There, there~ Everything is fine now. Don't be afraid."
Comforting Mukuro with a tone you'd use to coax a child, Yutsuki stroked Mukuro's smooth hair with her fingers while humming an ani insert song that sounded like a lullaby.
She didn't know if her actions really worked. But Yutsuki felt Mukuro's complexion getting better, and her rapid breathing gradually cald down.
"...Ryougi... Yutsuki."
A few minutes later, Mukuro slowly opened her eyes and looked at Yutsuki's face in confusion.
"You're awake. Feeling any better?Mukuro."
"I am fine..."
Sitting up straight with Yutsuki's help, Mukuro looked around and asked in confusion.
"Did Muku... faint?"
"Mhm, it's been about fifteen minutes."
"I see. Sorry... Muku has caused you trouble."
Realizing she had been taken care of by Yutsuki, Mukuro asked a bit ashadly.
"It's fine."
"Where is Nushi-sama right now?"
"Ah, about that... Tohka seed to have sothing important to say to him, so they are both at the observation deck right now."
Yutsuki gave a bitter smile at this totally expected question. Even though it was an excuse she had prepared beforehand, making Tohka play the bad guy in Mukuro's heart still made Yutsuki feel a little guilty.
"Phew... as expected... Taking advantage of Muku's unconsciousness to make a move on Nushi-sama. What a despicable woman."
However, to Yutsuki's surprise, although Mukuro's reaction was full of displeasure, she didn't seem that angry.
"Well, since you're awake anyway, do you want to go call Itsuka-boy over?"
"...No need for now."
Mukuro hesitated for a mont at Yutsuki's suggestion, then silently shook her head.
"After all, Muku has also monopolized quite a bit of Nushi-sama's ti. This is a competition. As long as she doesn't cross the line, Muku can endure it for a bit and let Nushi-sama stay with her. Plus..."
Pausing here, Mukuro suddenly lowered her head and mumbled at a volu that was almost impossible to hear.
"Right now, Muku... is not yet ready to face Nushi-sama."
But soon, Mukuro adjusted her emotions, raised her head, and looked straight into Yutsuki's eyes.
"Ryougi Yutsuki, Muku has one thing to confirm with you."
"Hm? What is it?"
Hearing Mukuro's words, Yutsuki showed a curious expression.
"You already knew, didn't you? That your mories were sealed by Muku."
Yutsuki couldn't help but be startled.
(Did she find out? No, is she testing ?)
Yutsuki thought to herself.
At first, she thought she had accidentally shown so weakness that caught Mukuro's attention and tried to play it off. But soon, she realized there was no hostility or anger in Mukuro's eyes.
"...Well, that's right. How did you notice?"
In the end, Yutsuki gave up on continuing the act and answered honestly.
"I didn't notice..."
Pressing her lips together slightly, Mukuro spoke softly.
"I just suddenly felt... if Nushi-sama really lost you... he would definitely be very sad."
"I see."
Yutsuki nodded in realization. She originally asked Shido to act normal with her so Mukuro wouldn't get upset, but she didn't expect that to beco the very thing that made Mukuro suspicious.
(It was the sa with Tohka back then. Won's intuition is truly terrifying.)
Yutsuki couldn't help but sigh in her heart.
However, Yutsuki wasn't discouraged by this. On the contrary, the fact that Mukuro noticed this and talked to her about it honestly was a very good sign.
"How exactly did you get your mories back? Unlike the other two, Muku didn't sense anything wrong with you?"
Mukuro asked her question.
"Because I didn't get my mories back." Yutsuki shrugged and explained, "I'm just here because I noticed sothing felt wrong, then I went to Shido to confirm the truth from him."
"Even though you lost your mories... you still believed Nushi-sama's words?"
Mukuro widened her eyes in surprise.
"I didn't believe him... I just tried to believe him."
Yutsuki corrected with a bitter smile.
"Besides, your thod was way too sloppy. You left so many clues. Even if I hadn't noticed, soone else would have definitely found sothing wrong and investigated the truth. If it were trying to erase soone's existence, I would definitely do it much more cleanly and thoroughly, making sure no one felt any incongruity."
"You... truly are a strange person."
Looking at Yutsuki, who was smirking and bragging about herself for no reason, Mukuro sighed speechlessly.
"Thanks."
Yutsuki accepted the words as a complint without hesitation.
"Incredible..."
Mukuro touched her braid and said, looking a bit confused.
"You tead up with Nushi-sama to trick Muku... Muku thought she would be furious... But in reality, Muku's heart feels a bit relieved... It is very strange."
"Well, I can probably guess the reason."
Yutsuki chuckled and answered Mukuro's question.
"After all, if Shido really gave up the chance to get his mories back just to be with you, it would an he's just a heartless hypocrite. But that's not true. The person you like is indeed a kind person who wouldn't abandon his friends. That's why you're relieved that you didn't fall for the wrong person."
"Phew... True. Your words make sense."
After thinking for a mont, Mukuro nodded in realization.
Her own feelings, which she couldn't even explain, were so easily pointed out by the other party. Mukuro couldn't help but feel admiration in her heart.
(As expected... Nushi-sama's family.)
"Are you... not angry? Muku erased your important mories with your family."
Feeling uneasy, Mukuro asked nervously.
"Ah, of course I'm angry. After all, having your mories played with like a toy—no one could stay completely indifferent to that."
Noticing Mukuro's depressed expression, Yutsuki sighed and continued.
"But I also understand the general gist of the situation. This was entirely Shido's own fault. Although your thod was extre, your reasoning wasn't wrong. Actually, if the situation were different, I would definitely be on your side."
"Is that true?"
"That's right."
Yutsuki answered firmly.
"Do you have anything else you want to say to ?"
"I am very sorry... for doing such a terrible thing to you all."
Bowing her head deeply, Mukuro said in a trembling voice.
"But... Muku will not undo the seal on you all."
"...Can you tell the reason?"
Not feeling angry at Mukuro's answer, Yutsuki asked calmly.
"Muku is very afraid... If your mories are restored, Nushi-sama will lose his reason to stay with Muku. If that happens, Muku... will be all alone again."
"I see."
Yutsuki sighed with a bitter smile.
"Well, I actually don't have my past mories either. So I can't guarantee you whether Shido is the kind of person who would do that. You can only confirm that with Shido yourself. As for the advice I can give you..."
Gently stroking Mukuro's head, Yutsuki comforted her in a calm tone.
"You don't need to get anxious because of . Just calm down and take your ti to think things through at your own pace. I don't mind waiting a while until you figure it out."
"Mhm. I am deeply grateful..."
Mukuro nodded, her expression softening a bit.
"Sorry! I'm late."
Right at that mont, Origami ca running in a hurry, carrying a shopping bag.
"Mukuro, are you okay?"
"Mhm. Muku is fine now."
"That's a relief."
Origami breathed a sigh of relief.
"Here, this is a towel. And I also bought so drinks to rehydrate. Just pick whatever you want."
"Phew, sorry for the trouble."
(...A boxer?)
Mukuro drank the drink from the cup with a straw, while Origami used the boxer to wipe her sweat. Watching this scene, Yutsuki couldn't help but roast them in her head.
"Alright... It is about ti. Muku wants to return to Nushi-sama's side."
"Is your body okay?"
"Phew... Although this place still makes Muku feel a bit unwell, it is not as severe as it was at first."
Mukuro nodded and stood up from the bench. Her complexion was much better than when she first entered Tengu Tower.
"Ah—wait, Mukuro."
Just then, Origami suddenly stopped Mukuro and took out a small bottle from her pocket.
"What is this?"
Mukuro asked curiously.
"A kind of perfu with a light scent."
Saying that, Origami took the bottle and sprayed a little perfu on Mukuro's neck and the cuffs of both her sleeves.
"I suddenly thought of it when I was buying things. Mukuro, you sweat a lot just now, right? This can get rid of the sll of sweat and add a light fragrance. This should definitely score you so points with Itsuka-kun."
"...Tobiichi Origami."
"Hm?"
"Thank you. It seems Muku had so misunderstandings about you before. You are a good person."
"Ha, you're welco..."
Origami replied, looking a bit flattered.
"Whew! Then let's return to Nushi-sama's side!"
Gently patting her cheeks, Mukuro announced enthusiastically.
"Muku will absolutely not let that unreasonable woman steal Nushi-sama!"
"Uh..."
"Eh..."
Hearing Mukuro's declaration, Yutsuki and Origami looked at each other.
Although Mukuro was gradually accepting Yutsuki and Origami as planned, towards Tohka, who attacked Shido right from the start and then threatened to make his heart surrender, Mukuro seed to have no intention of giving an inch.
(What do we do now, Yutsuki?)
(Do our best, leave the rest to fate, and pray Shido can handle it properly.)
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