"Mom, I've finished tidying up!"
Eriri ran out excitedly, ready to report that she had prepared the guest room.
However, what she saw was her mother, Sayuri, walking out of the main bedroom wearing a fresh dress.
"Huh?"
Eriri was momentarily puzzled by her mother's change of clothes, but soon her attention was drawn to something more shocking—her mother's previously injured foot.
"Mom… your ankle…"
Sayuri's swollen and red ankle was now perfectly normal, the swelling completely gone.
"It's healed," Eriri muttered, realizing Rei Ao's massage must have been effective.
"Uh…"
Sayuri hesitated, her breath catching as she scrambled to explain. Her fingers nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and she avoided eye contact with a flushed face.
Forcing a smile, she replied lightly, "Yes, that's right! My ankle is all better now, thanks to Rei Ao-kun's… massage."
As she mentioned the massage, Sayuri's cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red. She quickly tried to change the subject, afraid Eriri might press her further and discover something amiss.
"Since my foot is fine now, I'll go ahead and prepare that big dinner!"
With that, Sayuri hurriedly made her way to the kitchen. When she glanced back and met Rei Ao's faintly amused gaze, her neck and ears turned scarlet.
The massage had indeed been astonishingly effective—not only had the swelling disappeared, but there was no lingering pain.
However…
Sayuri couldn't shake the memory of how intense the sensation had been. It wasn't just a massage; it had been an experience that left her embarrassed and flustered.
Once in the kitchen, she found herself overcome with shame, as if ants were crawling over her skin.
Meanwhile, Rei Ao watched her retreat into the kitchen before turning to Eriri, who had walked over cautiously.
"Rei Ao-kun, did you use some kind of special ability?" she asked in a small voice.
Rei Ao nodded. "I did."
He didn't elaborate, understanding that Sayuri would prefer to keep the details private.
"Thank you so much!"
Eriri beamed at him, her expression filled with joy.
Then, an awkward silence settled over the room.
Eriri seemed hesitant, wanting to say something but unable to muster the courage. Every so often, she would sneak glances at Rei Ao's face, only to lower her head quickly.
Her fidgety behavior didn't escape Rei Ao's notice.
Catching her gaze as she stole another look, he turned to her with a warm smile.
"Eriri, you've been glancing at me and hesitating for a while now. Is there something you want to say?"
"Ah!"
Eriri jumped in surprise, her face flushing bright red as if she had been caught red-handed.
Her small frame shrank in embarrassment, and she stammered for a few seconds before finally managing to speak.
"Rei Ao-kun… I've been meaning to ask you something for a while now…"
"What is it?"
Eriri took a deep breath, gathering her courage. "Do you… dislike otakus?"
Her question was filled with anxiety, and her heart pounded as she awaited his answer.
Rei Ao didn't seem surprised by the question, but his response left her puzzled.
"I both dislike and don't dislike them."
"Huh?"
Rei Ao shrugged. "I don't dislike normal otakus. But those who are die-hard, obsessive types—what you'd call 'hardcore otakus'—I don't particularly like."
He paused briefly before adding, "The best example would be someone like Tomoya Aki, one of the so-called 'Ten Weirdos' at school."
Eriri nodded, beginning to understand.
"If someone enjoys being an otaku as a personal hobby without bothering others, I have no problem with that. Mutual respect is the foundation of any interaction, whether someone is an otaku or not."
"Oh, I get it now."
With a clear example, Eriri relaxed, a sense of relief washing over her.
'Thank goodness I'm not a hardcore otaku.'
She hesitated for a moment before shyly asking another question. "Then… what do you think about doujinshi and doujin artists?"
Rei Ao's expression turned serious, causing Eriri to tense up.
She thought he was about to criticize them harshly, calling them vulgar or inappropriate.
But then, Rei Ao gave her a thumbs-up and declared confidently:
"They're the unsung heroes, the teachers of the masses!"
Eriri froze for a moment before bursting into laughter.
"Pfft, haha! What's with that answer?"
The tension in the air dissipated instantly.
"You're more easygoing than I thought, Rei Ao-kun. I was worried you'd be strict and uptight."
Rei Ao shrugged. "I'm pretty easygoing. The only thing about me that's hard to change is my appreciation for beauty."
Eriri tilted her head, a playful glint in her eyes. "But why don't I feel like you're interested in me at all?"
Rei Ao smirked, meeting her gaze. "Don't misunderstand. I think you're very cute, Eriri. You're as fresh as an apple. But even a wolf has to take its time when approaching a maiden."
"W-what?"
Eriri's face turned crimson again. She quickly looked away, flustered.
"A maiden? Me? You're exaggerating…"
Lost in her embarrassment, she completely overlooked the part where Rei Ao admitted to being a "wolf."
Eriri's mind was filled with Rei Ao's praise, leaving her feeling lightheaded and elated.
But after a quick cough, she straightened her expression and returned to the topic at hand.
"Rei Ao-kun, actually… I'm a doujinshi artist."
She stared directly into his eyes, trying to read his reaction and see if he truly didn't mind her profession.
Rei Ao, however, remained calm and composed.
"Oh, I figured."
Eriri froze in shock.
"Figured?"
He already knew?
Rei Ao explained, "I've known about your identity for a while."
"What?!"
Eriri stood there, dumbfounded.
She had agonized over whether or not to reveal this secret for so long. To find out that Rei Ao already knew and didn't care made her feel utterly foolish for all her internal struggles.
She puffed her cheeks in frustration and muttered, "That's so unfair. You know everything about me, but I know so little about you."
Rei Ao chuckled. "Are you saying you want to get to know me better?"
"Yes! But…" Eriri hesitated. "What if you're not as good as I imagine? Even so, I still want to know."
Her determination was clear.
Rei Ao's smile widened. "Alright. If you're sure, I'll satisfy your curiosity."
[Ding! You have chosen Eriri as a target and granted her a sub chat group.]
Eriri suddenly froze as the notification sounded in her mind.
Meanwhile, the new name in the world group chat didn't go unnoticed.
In the World Group Chat
Utaha Kasumigaoka: "Did anyone notice a new name added? It seems… oddly familiar."
Lying on her bed, wearing sleepwear, Utaha lazily scrolled through the chat. The storm outside made her already bored mood even worse.
Her eyes landed on the name.
"Eriri?"
The first thought that came to her mind was the doujinshi artist Eriri Spencer Sawamura.
"Wait a second. Didn't Rei Ao mention he's staying at her house tonight?"
Miura Yumiko: "I knew it! This was bound to happen."
Sonoko Machida: "As expected of Rei Ao-kun."
Mai Sakurajima: "…"
Back at Eriri's house, she was utterly dumbfounded.
Turning to Rei Ao, her expression was filled with disbelief, as if asking, "Is this real?"
Rei Ao patted her shoulder with a smile. "Stay calm. It's all real."
He glanced toward the kitchen. "By the way, your mom is looking this way. Act natural."
Eriri's body stiffened like a statue.
But no matter how much she tried, her mind couldn't calm down.
"A chat group… Is this even possible?"
She quickly fell into silence, focused on processing this surreal development.
Rei Ao let her be, giving her space to explore the chat group on her own.
…
Elsewhere: The Night Raid Base
A tense atmosphere filled the meeting room as members of Night Raid gathered.
Najenda, holding a letter, looked visibly distressed.
"Boss, what now?"
One of the members couldn't help but ask.
Najenda took a deep breath before announcing grimly: "The Revolutionary Army is launching its final assault."
"What?! What should we do?"
Mine was stunned, caught off guard by the sudden decision.
Kurome tugged on Akame's hand.
"Sister, please don't participate in this battle."
Her tone wasn't one of conflict over allegiances but rather concern.
"The Empire is too dangerous. You'll die."
Ever since being saved by Rei Ao, Kurome had started living for herself again, no longer shackled by the Empire's brainwashing.
Akame, however, remained resolute.
"But we have to overthrow the Empire."
Her determination was unshaken. She wanted to change the Empire from the bottom of her heart.
Kurome fell silent for a moment before taking her sister's hand firmly.
"Then I'll go with you, no matter what."
"Kurome…"
Elsewhere in the room, Sheele frowned.
"Do we really have to ally with the foreign tribes?"
Her question deepened the somber atmosphere.
Najenda, too, looked conflicted.
At one time, she had sympathized with the plight of the foreign tribes. But after a few words from Rei Ao, she had come to realize that the conflict between the Empire and these tribes was more akin to a racial war—one not easily resolved.
"So, I want to hear your thoughts," Najenda finally said, scanning the room.
"Let's vote. Raise your hand if you support allying with the Revolutionary Army and the tribes to attack the Empire."
The room fell silent.
After a pause, Lubbock slowly raised his hand.
"Our goal is to overthrow the Empire. We need their strength to do that, don't we?"
Bulat, however, shook his head in opposition.
"The tribes are dangerous. They're not just hostile to the Empire but also cruel to innocent citizens."
Sheele added, "It's true. Their methods could lead to disaster. Aligning with them might be inviting a wolf into the fold."
Leone nodded. "I agree. It's too risky."
As the room leaned toward opposition, Najenda sighed heavily, realizing just how precarious their situation had become.
~~~
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