Behind him, Tatsuki heard hurried footsteps followed by the heavy slam of a door.
It was clear that Yukino had grabbed her towel and dashed back to her room.
With nothing else to do, Tatsuki sat on the couch, waiting. His mind couldn't help but linger on the earlier… tantalizing scene.
Unconsciously, he began comparing Yukino to Exusiai. Both were slender, fair, soft, and smooth.
However, Yukino was noticeably less… endowed than Exusiai.
What surprised him the most was that both of them were natural!
After years of gentlemanly observation, Tatsuki was confident in his assessment. Those were untouched, authentic forms—free of any artificial grooming.
"Could it be that all girls in the two-dimensional world are like this?"
He couldn't help but wonder. It was a question that might only be answered after studying a few more samples.
After a while, Yukino's room door opened.
She stepped out, now dressed in casual clothes. Her blush hadn't faded and deepened even further when her gaze met Tatsuki's.
Despite her visible embarrassment, her actions were calm and composed.
She poured a cup of tea for Tatsuki and one for herself, then walked over to the couch. Since there was only one couch, she had no choice but to sit beside him.
As she sat, she instinctively adjusted her posture, subtly shielding her body with her arm before continuing as if nothing had happened.
"Thank you for helping me again… What was that wraith?"
Tatsuki was surprised.
He had fully expected Yukino to demand that he forget what had just happened, but she didn't mention it at all. Instead, she asked about the wraith.
Not that he minded—he was perfectly happy to avoid that topic as well.
Taking a sip of tea, which tasted surprisingly good, he patiently explained.
"It's a type of creature formed from lingering resentment or obsessions after death."
"Normally, they're invisible. Only those with spiritual vision can see them."
Tatsuki gestured toward Yukino as he spoke.
"And you, it seems, have awakened spiritual vision now, likely as part of your ability's development."
"These wraiths tend to ask others whether they can see them. If someone answers that they can, the wraith attacks. It's probably a rule governing their behavior."
He continued, "Of course, beyond ordinary wraiths, there are some that can disguise themselves as humans—like the girl you encountered that day."
Spreading his hands, Tatsuki added, "Which is why I say, sometimes ignorance is bliss."
"Then, are these wraiths everywhere?"
Recalling the wraith in the bathroom and its repeated questioning, Yukino instinctively felt that not responding and pretending not to see it had been the right move.
It was this reaction that saved her.
Of course, if she had instinctively used her ability, she could have destroyed it as well. But having just gained her powers, Yukino hadn't yet thought to use them in that moment.
"Exactly. I've killed thousands of these wraiths, but they're endless. New ones regenerate periodically."
Despite this grim reality, Tatsuki offered some reassurance.
"Still, there's no need to worry too much. At least for now, you shouldn't have any trouble handling ordinary wraiths."
"Mm."
Yukino nodded.
After hesitating for a few seconds, she mustered the courage to meet Tatsuki's gaze directly. Her tone was earnest and sincere.
"Thank you for telling me so much and for helping me so much."
"Mm-hmm, I'll accept your thanks."
Tatsuki wasn't one to feign modesty. Did he help her with no ulterior motive?
Absolutely not. He had already admitted to himself that her body was a temptation he couldn't ignore.
"And about the apocalypse and these anomalies—I won't tell anyone. I'll face all of this alongside you!"
"…"
Hearing her words, Tatsuki was taken aback. For a moment, it almost sounded like a confession.
But to him, it was something deeper—a pledge that, since learning about the apocalypse, had been rare in his otherwise tense and hectic days.
Apart from that girl named Haru, this was the first time Tatsuki had ever heard such a solemn promise.
For a moment, his usually lazy and indifferent gaze deepened.
"If that's the case, you'd better be ready to face death with me."
Three Twelve-Star Apocalypses.
In March 7's world, even with a Star God present, it was only an Eight-Star Apocalypse.
What could a Twelve-Star Apocalypse possibly mean?
Even Tatsuki couldn't fully comprehend it.
He didn't know if this world could still be saved.
He was just a small, insignificant figure struggling against the unknown.
Yukino, however, didn't flinch. Her gaze grew more resolute.
"From the moment you helped me, from the moment I learned the truth, I was prepared."
"You've saved me far too many times. Without you, I'd likely already be dead. The least I can do is face the apocalypse alongside you. It's nothing compared to what you've done for me."
There were things she couldn't bring herself to say.
As Tatsuki's classmate, Yukino had always seen him as an exceptional yet apathetic person.
He seemed indifferent to everything, excelling in academics and sports simply because he could, not because he was chasing anything.
But the events of recent days had changed her perspective.
Learning the truth of the apocalypse made her start to notice the real Tatsuki.
He wasn't someone naturally indifferent or carefree.
Instead, he was carrying an immense burden, moving forward with heavy steps.
His nonchalant attitude was simply a way to forget his troubles, even if only temporarily.
For the first time, she sensed the loneliness buried deep within him.
At that moment, she resolved to stand by his side.
To journey with him.
At the very least, as a companion on the road to the apocalypse.