One dad, three momsstill way too weird to process.
Outside Kobayashi's apartment, the awkward energy still lingered in the air.
Anya clung tightly to Yor's hand.
She kept glancing back every few steps, pink hair glowing in the golden light.
She waved enthusiastically toward Shin, who was still standing in the doorway.
Her big green eyes were full of emotion.
"Shin! Kanna! See you tomorrow! Anya's gonna miss you!"
Kanna stood beside Michiru. Her face was unreadable, but she waved just as hard.
"See you tomorrow, Anya."
Her little ahoge bobbed gently in the breeze.
Shin, still clinging to Rei Ao's arm, half leaning against him, raised her free hand and waved as well.
Her silver hair shimmered under the setting sun.
Michiru grabbed Kanna's hand tight and practically dragged her away.
Her head was down, her pace franticlike she was being chased by something.
Unfortunately, what was chasing her wasn't a monster.
It was shame.
~~~
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Chapter 858: Marry Rei Ao? Head Explode!
As Michiru walked past Rei Ao, she instinctively picked up the pace.
She was terrified he might call out to her and see just how mortified she was.
After all, Kanna had spent the entire day going on and on about how Rei Ao should be her dadwhich, by implication, meant Michiru's husband.
Absolutely humiliating.
Her eyes darted around awkwardly as she threw out a rushed, half-garbled line:
"Uhwe're heading off now, Rei Aokun! Kanna, say bye to Daugh! I mean, to Rei Ao-nii!"
That last word nearly got stuck in her throat. And the moment it left her lips, she yanked Kanna along and bolted like her shoes were on fire, her ears practically glowing red.
Yor wasn't in much better shape.
She walked briskly, holding Anya's hand, posture straight and graceful as evermuscle memory from years of trainingbut her steps were stiff and just a bit too fast.
The sunset lit up the delicate angles of her face, and that faint blush still hadn't faded.
She stared dead ahead, pretending Rei Ao and Kobayashi didn't even exist. But as they walked past him, the tension in her shoulders and the quickened rhythm of her heartbeat were undeniable.
Anya, of course, could hear her mother's chaotic internal chanting loud and clear: "Stay calm stay calm stay calm"
Yeah, no calm there.
At least Michiru and Kobayashi were close with Rei Ao. Yor had only met him a couple of times. That unfamiliarity, paired with the situation, just amplified how awkward everything felt.
Once they were far enough away, Yor finally muttered through clenched teeth, barely audible, "Anya, pick up the pace. We've got a train to catch."
"Ohright, I got it," Anya replied.
Rei Ao watched the two flustered "mom-and-daughter" pairs speed-walk out of sight like they were escaping a crime scene.
"Phew."
Kobayashi let out a long, tired sigh.
It felt like she was releasing an entire day's worth of awkward tension and pure exhaustion all in one breath.
She leaned back against the cold apartment wall, completely wiped out.
Today was more draining than pulling three all-nighters fixing a bug that refused to die.
She swore, next time all three kids wanted to hang out, she was noping out of there. If three adults could barely keep up, how bad would it be if she were on her own?
"Ugh finally survived"
She muttered to herself and rubbed her temples, exhausted.
"It's the weekend. Why does it feel like I just went through a spiritual cleansing or a boss raid from hell?"
Honestly, this was ten times more soul-crushing than the day she found out Tohru was a dragon. Or that Kanna was a dragon. Or that Shin was literally a holy sword.
Kids were weapons of mass destruction.
Especially these threeeach overpowered in their own right, and when they teamed up? Absolute chaos.
"Pfft"
A low chuckle sounded from beside her.
Kobayashi froze.
Right. She'd forgotten the biggest boss hadn't left yet.
Stiff as a board, she turned and looked at Rei Ao.
The golden hour sun hit his profile just right, outlining that annoyingly flawless jawline. His deep, black eyes were clearly amused, watching her like he had all the time in the world.
The smirk tugging at the corner of his lips made it obvioushe was enjoying this.
"What?" he asked, voice smooth, a little lazy, and definitely teasing.
"Taking care of kids tough, huh?"
Could he sound any smugger?
Kobayashi rolled her eyes hard. "Tough? Try exhausting."
"Especially when one of them is a Holy Sword who doesn't play by any rules."
She almost added "literal demon" but stopped herself just in time.
"Hmph!"
Still latched onto Rei Ao's arm, Shin puffed her cheeks in protest. Her silver hair flared slightly with her irritation as she crossed her arms, staring up at Kobayashi with righteous defiance.
"Then just marry Rei Ao Papa! Let him take care of me! Problem solvedyou won't be tired anymore!"
Her voice rang out loud and clear, filled with stubborn confidence.
Shin's logic was absurdly simple: If the current guardian was too weak, get a stronger one. If Kobayashi needed help, who better than Rei AoPapa?
Two problems, one perfect solution.
And hey, if Rei Ao also married Michiru and Yor, wouldn't that make her, Kanna, and Anya official sisters?
"Pfftcough cough!"
Kobayashi choked on her own spit.
She shot upright like a startled cat, her face flushing scarlet in seconds.
She pointed at Shin, her finger trembling. "Y-Youwhat kind of nonsense are you spouting?! Marry?! What evenwhat are you talking about?!"
The blush that had just started to fade came rushing back with a vengeance. She could feel her whole face burn.
In a panic, she turned to Rei Ao.
Her expression twisted into a painful half-smile, trying to salvage what was left of her dignity. "R-Rei Aokun! Please don't take that seriously! Kids say the wildest things, totally random, totally just a joke! Nothing serious at all!"
Right now, all Kobayashi wanted was for the ground to open up and swallow her whole.
Why had she opened the door this morning?
Why did she let Shin answer it?
Why was this her life?
But Rei Ao's reaction completely threw her off.
He glanced down at the fuming Shin, a tiny smile flickering in his eyes, then looked back up at Kobayashiwhose flustered, desperate-to-clarify stare was screaming please pretend this never happened.
That teasing smile on his lips deepened.
"Heh."
He spoke softly, tone calm and steady.
But the words that followed hit like a sledgehammer.
"I mean I don't think Shin's idea is that bad."
"Huh?"
The sunset stretched his shadow out long behind himand cast Kobayashi's frozen, slack-jawed expression into clear view.
The breeze blew through. A few leaves danced through the air.
Kobayashi stood there, utterly shattered.
"???"
Rei Ao casually ruffled Shin's head, looking very entertained. "If you really think looking after her is too much, I can take over. I actually like kids."
Shin's eyes lit up. "Yes! Do it! Kobayashi, just marry Rei Ao Papa already!"
Kobayashi stared blankly, mouth opening and closing before she managed to croak out:
"You I She"
Chapter 859: Back to Home and embracing the Nodoka
The little drama at Kobayashi's house had wrapped up.
Rei Ao got home.
The door slid open with a whisper.
Warm lighting and the faint sound of chatter drifted out, creating a cozy little barrier between the peaceful interior and the noise of the outside world.
The living room was soaked in a lazy, intimate vibe.
Mai Sakurajima was curled up in the corner of the big couch, a new script spread across her lap. The soft yellow reading lamp lit up her delicate profile perfectly.
Sora was lying on her stomach across the floor, fiddling with her phone while humming some old-school tune.
Iliasthe silver-haired girl who looked like a porcelain dollwas sipping red tea with elegant little sips.
Futaba was sitting cross-legged on the carpet, surrounded by thick textbooks and pages filled with messy equations. Her gaze behind her glasses was razor sharp. She might not be Rio anymore, but that research-loving instinct hadn't gone anywhere.
And Tohru? She was humming completely off-key while using her super flexible dragon tail to swing a vacuum around the room like a cleaning machine. Her tail swept up mini-whirlwinds as she worked with inhuman efficiency.
The second Rei Ao stepped in, everyone noticed.
"You're back," Mai looked up from her script with a soft, easy smile.
"Master!" Sora practically launched her phone across the room.
Compared to her precious Master, the phone didn't even matter.
Ilias calmly set down her teacup and nodded.
Futaba glanced up from her formulas just for a second.
Tohru let out a joyful cheer, flicked her tail, and gently landed the vacuum cleaner.
Then she shot across the room like a cannonball, her golden eyes glowing with pure happiness.
"Rei Ao-sama! Welcome back!"
Her voice was so full of energy it practically echoed.
Rei Ao caught the flying dragon girl with practiced ease.
He ruffled her soft golden hair while his gaze gently swept across the others.
"I'm home."
His eyes made a round of the room
Until they landed on a figure near the big window, clearly a little out of place.
Nodoka Toyohama was standing awkwardly by the edge of the room, hands fidgeting with the edge of her shirt, head lowered slightly.
She looked like a nervous animal that had stumbled into a warm, cozy nest but wasn't sure if it belonged.
She seemed like she wanted to step forward, but hesitation kept her rooted.
Her eyes wandered. A faint blush had crept up her cheeks.
Compared to the other girlswho had all spent more time with Rei Ao and built deeper connectionsNodoka was the newest addition. Their relationship was still fresh.
A knowing smile flashed in Rei Ao's eyes.
He let go of Tohru and walked over to her.
"Nodoka?"
His voice was low and calm, with a strange sort of warmth that instantly softened the air.
"Huh?" she looked up, startled.
The second she locked eyes with his gentle smile, she tensed up like a scared bunny. Her face went bright red.
"Ah R-Rei Ao-kun welcome home"
Before she could even finish, Rei Ao casually reached out and took her cool wrist in his hand.
The way he did itfirm but gentleleft no room to pull away, and yet it wasn't forceful.
She felt warmth spread from where he touched her, like something steady was guiding her closer.
Then the world spun.
Next thing she knew, she was sitting right on his lap, securely wrapped in his arms.
"Ah!"
She gasped, stiffening completely.
Her face burned so hot she wanted to bury herself in his chest and disappear.
She could feel the others' eyes on her from the couch.
They weren't judgingjust smiling, teasing evenbut it still made her squirm.
Tohru tilted her head curiously. Mai's look said, "Yup, saw this coming," with a bit of amused affection.
Ilias kept sipping her tea like nothing happened, though a glint of mischief sparkled in her red eyes.
Futaba adjusted her glasses again, the light catching the lenses, hiding her expressionbut the corner of her mouth looked like it was fighting a smile.
None of them interrupted. They were giving the two some space. Quietly encouraging Nodoka to ease into the group.
"You're officially with me now, so why so tense?" Rei Ao said, his breath brushing her earwarm and playful.
His arm wrapped naturally around her waist, hand resting against her side through the thin fabric.
"I I"
Nodoka's brain short-circuited.
Yeah, they were together. That much was true.
But it had barely been any time!
And the only really intimate moment they'd shared was that one wild night she still couldn't think about without turning beet red.
There was no way she could be as chill and confident as Mai and the others.
Her face was so hot, it felt like it could cook an egg.
"Relax," Rei Ao whispered, almost like casting a spell.
He gently tilted her chin up so she had to meet his gaze.
His deep eyes held nothing but affectionand a mischievous little spark.
!!!
As his face drew closer, her heart pounded like crazy. She forgot how to breathe.
Mai noticed and sighed quietly, folding up her script and heading to the kitchen with a wry little grin.
"Tohru, didn't we still have stuff to prep for dinner?"
"Ah! Right!" Tohru smacked her forehead. "Almost forgot! Rei Ao-sama, I'll go start cooking!"
And off she flew in a blur.
Ilias stood gracefully. "Sora, come help me check the alchemy table."
"Huh?"
Sora had been just about to ask for a kiss, but got whisked away by Ilias before she could protest.
Futaba quietly packed up her notes and books and moved to her usual workbench.
In a flash, the living room was emptyjust the two of them now.
Nodoka's heart raced even more.
Everyone leaving like that made her feel even more flustered, but she understoodthis was their way of being kind. Giving her and Rei Ao space to settle in as a couple.
Rei Ao still had her chin tilted up as he leaned in and kissed her.
It started soft, gentle, like he was testing the waters and trying to reassure her.
Wrapped in his warmth, the tension in her body slowly began to melt, like snow under the sun.
But of course, Rei Ao being Rei Ao, his hands didn't exactly stay well-behaved.
~~~
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Chapter 860: Nodoka's Thoughts on becoming a Star...
Time seemed to lose all meaning in their closeness.
Nodoka Toyohama lay completely limp in Rei Ao's arms, like all the strength had drained from her body.
"Haa"
Her breathing was fast and shallow.
Her eyes were hazy and unfocused, like someone who'd just fallen from a terrifying height.
Rei Ao held her tightly, his strong arms the only thing keeping her upright.
He looked down at herher face still flushed, lips slightly parted, looking soft and breathtaking.
Her eyes, which usually held a trace of stubbornness and unease, were now misty with emotion, unfocused and strangely alluring.
He raised his right hand.
Under the light, his fingertips glistened.
Nodoka's gaze followed his movement.
And the second she realized what was on his fingerswhat it meantthe blood rushed back to her face with full force. Her cheeks turned so red it was like they might burst.
