"Utaha, you're far more beautiful than the moonlight."
"Mmph!"
Despite being entirely exposed to the night air, she didn't feel cold at all, thanks to the warmth he provided. But Rei Ao's intense gaze filled her with embarrassment. On instinct, she wanted to cover upbut her hands changed course in mid-air, grabbing at the only thing left on him: his swim trunks.
Summoning her courage, she blurted:
"Th-this isn't fair. You have to match me!"
She wanted some control, after all.
"Heh."
"Utaha, there's no turning back now."
He placed a large palm on her head.
"!!!"
At Gabriel's House
"Gab, don't stay up too late. We have a test tomorrow."
Raphiel reminded Gabriel, who was hunched over her computer game.
"Yeah, I know,"
Gabriel replied without taking her eyes off the screen.
""
Raphiel sighed inwardly. Gabriel, once an industrious, kindhearted angel, had become a model "net-addicted girl." Who knew whether she'd really registered Raphiel's warning? With no other choice, Raphiel just shut the door and left.
""
A moment later, Gabriel furtively glanced at the door, then quietly removed her headphones. She tiptoed over, pressing an ear against it, and, hearing no movement outside, snuck back to her bed. Raphiel had gone back to her own roomperfect.
But why was Gabriel acting so secretive, ditching her favorite game? Because she'd picked up a new bad habit. Closing her eyes as if recalling something, Gabriel's cheeks heated up. She began fidgeting beneath the covers.
"Rei Ao"
She whispered his name, face beet red, eyes brimming with a strange mix of satisfaction and restless frustration.
"What's happening to me?!"
Gabriel, the little angel, felt thoroughly confused. She had no idea why her head was constantly filled with thoughts of Rei Ao, or when this habit had even started. But every time she finished doing it, she slept so soundly.
Outside the door, Raphiel stifled a gasp with her hand.
"So that's what Gab-chan's been up to"
~~~
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Chapter 586: I want Rei Ao to Flirt with me!
Early the next morning.
Inside the small seaside cabin, Rei Ao opened his eyes and found himself gazing into a pair of clear, languid eyes. A smile curved his lips.
"Morning, Utaha."
"!!!"
A flicker of nervousness and shyness flashed through Utaha's eyes.
"Ugh, g-good morningRei Ao."
"Why so shy? We're closer than any two people could be now."
He wrapped an arm around her, gently pulling her into his embrace.
"Are you still hurting?"
"Aa little, but it's fine."
Utaha's face went hot. For a moment last night, she'd honestly thought she might die. But now, recalling it, she felt an odd urge to go through it again. She was starting to understand exactly what Sonoko (Machida Sonoko) had meant by addictive.
"Glad to hear it."
Rei Ao had no intention of making her endure any more soreness right now. He simply inhaled the scent of her silky hair, savoring the quiet moment.
"Any plans for today? Would you rather play around some more, or head home?"
"Let's go back tomorrow, okay?"
Utaha snuggled against him, looking comfortable and lazy.
"My new book's releasing soon. I need to be presentI can't leave everything to Sonoko."
"So we can still spend today hanging out, huh."
Rei Ao's eyes gleamed mischievously, and he leaned in close to her ear. Just the warm breath on her earlobe made Utaha shudder.
"Utaha, didn't you bring something in your suitcase that you never used?"
"Huh?"
She blinked in confusion at first.
"This."
Rei Ao handed her a handful of black straps and scraps of cloth. Utaha's confusion morphed into shock.
"H-how did you know?"
She had brought a "knockout swimsuit," but never ended up needing it. Judging by last night's somewhat forceful activities, it seemed he was already quite taken with her bodyno special costume required. But now, here he was, showing it to her.
"You packed it, so why not let me see you wear it?"
""
Utaha's gaze turned pensive.
"You want to look at it, or use it?"
"Why not both?" Rei Ao teased. "Come onI'll help you put it on."
"You're such auughyou know what, fine."
Though she protested verbally, Utaha stood up, letting him do as he pleased.
The Next Day Fudkawa Publishing
When Utaha arrived, Machida Sonoko personally called her into the office.
"Utaha, you didn't really have to come, you know."
"I couldn't leave everything to you, Sonoko. Is there anything you need me to do?"
Utaha gave a mild smile.
""
Sonoko studied her carefully, noting something curious.
"Your skin looks more radiant, and you've got a certainmature glow about you."
She narrowed her sharp eyes and said,
"Utaha, did you, uh, lose your 'innocence'?"
Utaha's face burned.
"Sonoko, pleasedon't say weird stuff out loud!"
Thankfully, it was just the two of them in the room, or she would've died of embarrassment.
"!!!"
Seeing Utaha's reaction, Sonoko's eyes gleamed.
"So it's true! Was it Rei Ao?!"
"C'mon, who else would it be?"
Utaha threw her a glare. She'd received something like a "mark of acceptance" from Rei Ao:
[Name]: Kasumigaoka Utaha
[Level]: 1
[Abilities]: "Dragon Power,", "Dragon Language Magic", "Rei Ao's Blessing", "Inherent Device: Word-Spirit Tome"
"Hehe."
Sonoko, seeing Utaha's pout and puffed cheeks, grew more intrigued. She pulled Utaha over to the sofa and urged her to sit.
"Utaha, tell me how it felt. Did it feel like all your stress was melting away?"
""
Utaha opened her mouth, unsure how to respond. Why is this the first question she's asking?
"Um"
She settled on a shy nod.
"Haha~"
Sonoko smirked, her lips curling.
"Utaha, I've got a bold idea."
She leaned in, whispering a few words in Utaha's ear. Utaha's expression immediately changed, eyes wide with shock.
"You and me?"
"Why not?" Sonoko hooked her arm through Utaha's. "We're similar in so many ways. People might even mistake us for sisters. Don't you think Rei Ao would be really into that sort of scenario?"
""
Utaha just stared in bewilderment. What kind of things is Sonoko's mind stuffed with?! The idea was definitely intense for her. Yet part of her felt oddly tempted. Sonoko saw that tiny bit of hesitation and grinned. She proceeded with her "ultimate persuasion."
I guess this sister act is happening, Sonoko thought gleefully.
In the Chat Group
Rei Ao: "@Yatogami Tohka, @Ai Hayasakaboth safely back in your own worlds, right?"
Mikoto Misaka: "??? Didn't you all go home a while ago? Kind of late to ask, isn't it?"
Rei Ao: "Hmph, as the chat group's admin, can't I show a little concern for my members?"
Mikoto Misaka: "Sure you can"
Yatogami Tohka: "I've returned to the Neighboring Dimension. My body still can't move."
Rei Ao: "Do you know when you'll be transported back to the real world?"
Yatogami Tohka: "Not really."
Rei Ao: "Alright. If you do end up in the real world and worry about Spacequakes, just let me know."
Yatogami Tohka: "Okay. Thank you, Rei Ao."
Frieren: "Wait, wait, is Rei Ao hitting on her?"
Yatogami Tohka: "Hitting on? What do you mean?"
Fubuki: "Basically he's flirting, trying to gain your affectionmake you like him."
Rei Ao: "Am I really that obvious?"
Mikoto Misaka: "Ehhh, not obvious? You're a total wolf in heat."
Yatogami Tohka: "Oh, I see."
Yatogami Tohka: "I've decidedI want Rei Ao to flirt with me."
Miko Yotsuya: "Eh?"
Mikoto Misaka: "Huh?!"
~~~
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Chapter 587: Pure Girl, and Ai Hayasaka's 'Confession'
Yatogami Tohka: "What's wrong?"
Tohka didn't really understand why everyone was reacting so strongly to what she said.
Hiiragi Shinoa: "Generally speaking, a girl asking a guy to flirt with her is eithererr bold or downright wild."
Sui: "That'suh"
Kasuga Hijiri: "I don't think so. I've interacted with Tohka, and she doesn't come off that way at all."
Rei Ao: "She really isn't that type of person."
Rei Ao: "@Yatogami Tohka, what do you think 'flirting' means?"
Yatogami Tohka: "Isn't it just the act of making someone like you? I think Rei Ao is a good person, so I like him. Did I say something wrong?"
Akame: "No, you didn't. We just misunderstood."
Megumi Kato: "I guess Tohka's just verypure?"
Frieren: "Right, I recall Rei Ao said Tohka's world has these special 'Spirits' and a 'Neighboring Dimension.' Tohka probably hasn't had much human contact or exposure to such knowledge."
Izawa Shizuka: "She's so innocent. I'm kind of jealous."
Frieren: "Ah, youth really is wonderful."
Miko Yotsuya: "Why is everyone suddenly sounding nostalgic?"
Saeko Busujima: "It's nothing. Let's just say Tohka's little misunderstanding is cleared up."
Ai Hayasaka: ""
Ai Hayasaka: "Hey, @Rei Ao, I have something I'd like to ask you."
Hiiragi Shinoa: "Hmm? A confession, maybe?"
Erica: "But she's only met the King once, hasn't she?"
Yomogawa Ayame: "Meeting him once and finding everything about Rei Ao irresistible is perfectly normal, isn't it?"
Erica: "You know, you have a point."
Realizing she herself had done the same, Erica couldn't argue.
Mikoto Misaka: "Hehehe, why assume it's a confession? Let's hear her out first."
Rei Ao: "Go ahead, I'm listening."
Ai Hayasaka: "It's like thisabout how I got back here, but someone found out. What am I supposed to do? Could you explain it to me, Rei Ao?"
Sakurajima Mai: "Someone found out about your return?"
Bibi Dong: "Why were you so careless?"
Ai Hayasaka: "I'm very sorry. She's the young lady I serve. I never expected her to be waiting in my room."
Saeko Busujima: "Sounds like an unavoidable accident."
Rei Ao's eyes flickered. He already knew about Ai's identity.
Rei Ao: "You're talking about Shinomiya Kaguya, right?"
Ai Hayasaka: "Rei Ao, you knew?"
Rei Ao: "Mm, it's not difficult to figure out. I'm sorry you ended up exposed like that."
Ai Hayasaka: ""
Her heart sank. As expected, I should never have let that happen.
Ai Hayasaka: "Am Igoing to be punished for my mistake?"
Rei Ao: "Yes. Want to know what it is?"
Ai Hayasaka: "Yes"
Rei Ao: "Basically, we'd erase your very existence from the worldbody, soul, even your name and every memory of you. That would be the punishment for being discovered."
Ai Hayasaka: ""
She clutched her sheets, turning pale at the severity of it. She had never expected such a penalty for appearing under mysterious circumstances.
Rei Ao: "If I said 'just kidding,' would you be relieved?"
"???"
Everyone realized the situation might have reversed.
Ai Hayasaka: "Iwouldn't be."
After a brief hesitation, that was her answersurprising everyone.
Miko Yotsuya: "Uh, I have a questionour chat group has a punishment like that?"
Akame: "I've never seen such a thing. No idea."
Frieren: "So it probably doesn't exist?"
Yatogami Tohka: "Then why'd Rei Ao say that?"
Mikoto Misaka: "Because he's a twisted joker who likes messing with people! That's so mean!"
Yatogami Tohka: "Oh."
Rei Ao: "Hahaha, indeed. Just a prank."
Shiba Miyuki: "But Ai Hayasaka's reply is rather concerning, isn't it?"
Bibi Dong: "She wantsto die?"
Aihara Enju: "Why would she want that? Everything's fine, isn't it?"
Ai Hayasaka: "It'd be a kind ofrelease."
Her expression was full of sorrow. Her very presence would bring a bad end to Lady Kaguya, who cared about her deeply In turn, Ai was tormented by guilt.
Sakurajima Mai: "Rei Ao, so that's?"
Rei Ao: "Simply put, the young lady she serves is from a powerful conglomerate family. Her older brother is competing with her for control of the family business. She's an obstacle, so Ai Hayasaka was assigned by that brother to spy on herdespite also being her friend. That's why Ai feels guilty and wants to be free of it all."
Rei Ao: "Not sure if I missed anything. Feel free to add if you want."
Ai Hayasaka: "???"
Her mouth fell open. He'd described it succinctly but accurately.
Ai Hayasaka: "How do you know all this?"
She realized that with Rei Ao's abilities, it might not be hard for him to find out, after all.
Ai Hayasaka: "Sorry. I asked too many questions."
Hiiragi Shinoa: "Wow, that's quite a complicated situation. But family feuds among nobles are always nasty."
She could relate.
Miko Yotsuya: "Ugh, hearing all that, I pictured myself as Ai, and my friend as that lady. I'd feel awful too, like I was betraying a friend. That's definitely guilt-inducing."
Fubuki: "You're kind, Miko. Not everyone is that nice. Some betray their friends on purpose and don't lose any sleep over it."
She'd seen too much ugliness in life.
Izawa Shizuka: "Still, wanting to die over it is too pessimistic. Ai Hayasaka, have you considered just telling her the truth?"
Ai Hayasaka: ""
Ai Hayasaka: "I can't"
Her entire family was under the Shinomiya household. She had no power at all.
~~~
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Chapter 588: Finally Kaguya Shinomiya is in the Group! (Bonus Chapter)
Rei Ao: "Alright, enough talking about personal secrets. Let's switch gears to the real issue."
He knew Ai Hayasaka would figure things out on her ownor maybe one day, she'd ask someone for help, perhaps even him.
Rei Ao: "So, what did you tell Shinomiya Kaguya?"
Ai Hayasaka: "I just said I'd been involved in some supernatural event related to you."
Ai Hayasaka: "I suspect Lady Kaguya might come find you tomorrow to ask about it."
Ai Hayasaka: "Sorry if that causes you trouble."
Rei Ao: "That's it?"
Frieren: "So basically, you didn't spill anything important. Rei Ao doesn't have to worry about exposing his powers."
Mikoto Misaka: "Yeah, I was worried you might've revealed the chat group."
Hiiragi Shinoa: "She can't. Anyone outside the group is completely barred from hearing details."
Erica: "Then there's no issue."
Rei Ao: "Alright, Ai Hayasaka, don't overthink. I'll handle things if she does show up tomorrow."
