Upon reaching Ana's abode, Zumi was immediately captivated by the enigmatic aura that surrounded it. The realization of Ana's wealth struck him, but the slow creaking of the gates and the pathway lined with blooming cherry blossom trees took his breath away.
Stepping out of the car, Zumi was instantly enveloped by the estate's magnificence. The towering wooden structure of the house, a symbol of timeless elegance, seemed to whisper tales of the past. The scent of the cherry blossoms, the sound of the gates creaking in a slow, rhythmic cadence, and the cool breeze on his skin filled the air, contrasting beautifully with the estate's grandeur. It was a moment that etched itself into his memory, a sight that would forever captivate him.
Guided by Ana, Zumi wandered through the meticulously landscaped gardens. The shimmering koi ponds, the gentle fragrance of cherry blossoms, and the warm sunlight filtering through the trees created an atmosphere of serenity. It was a world where luxury and tranquility danced in perfect harmony, enveloping Zumi in a profound sense of peace that seemed to seep into his very being.
Leaving the gardens behind, Zumi stepped into the home, where he was greeted by a grand foyer adorned with silk screens, each depicting a serene nature scene. The tatami mats beneath his feet felt like a gentle caress, inviting him further into the home. The sliding shoji doors offered tantalizing glimpses of the lush greenery outside, adding to the estate's allure.
As they ventured deeper into the home, Zumi was struck by the sheer opulence surrounding him. Each room was a testament to grandeur, blending traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern comforts. The sight of a private onsen, a room filled with hot spring water for bathing in one corner, and a tea room in another, a serene space for enjoying tea ceremonies, left Zumi in awe.
Finally, they arrived at the heart of the home—a meditation garden bathed in dappled sunlight. Zumi's breath caught as he took in the serene beauty of the space, feeling a sense of peace wash over him. After exploring the house, Zumi was ready to rest, so Ana showed him to his bedroom and said with a hint of flirtation, "My bedroom is at the end of the hall." Zumi's cheeks flushed, his heart racing, as he realized Ana's playful intentions. "Oh, okay," he managed to say, feeling a sudden warmth, and quickly entered his room.
Zumi sat on the bed, his mind filled with the events of the past few days. It had only been three days, but he had just helped a Yakuza family end a war. As he reflected, Zumi remembered that he had always desired to run his own organization that would make a difference. He wondered if he could still pursue that goal. The idea of creating a Yakuza family that was kind to others but ruthless toward those who did evil and harmed his family took hold in his mind. With newfound determination, he decided to call the family Kogane Taka, meaning Golden Eagle. Zumi decided to check out his Soul Space, as he could finally enter it. However, just as he was about to do so, there was a soft knock at his door. He gave permission to enter, and Cathy walked in, closed the door behind her, and stood before Zumi. She bowed respectfully to him and asked if she could speak to him. Zumi gestured for her to sit beside him, patting the bed on his left. Cathy blushed slightly but sat beside him as he indicated.
Cathy wore a black crop top with the initials "VLE" and matching black athletic leggings with a white stripe. Zumi was mesmerized by her beauty as she sat next to him, and the sweet scent of her lavender perfume filled the air. At that moment, he wanted her! Cathy spoke softly but audibly, "Ummmm... it's only been three days since we met. You've treated me with such kindness, love, and respect, even though you know nothing about me. So before you get too close to me and I become too attached to you, I wanted to tell you about myself, and you can decide if you wish to continue being close to me." Cathy sat beside Zumi, her eyes distant as she recounted her harrowing past. Zumi listened attentively as she shared the tale of her life. She told Zumi that she was not from New York but a refugee from Poland. Her parents had fled the country with her when she was young. She couldn't remember much from that time, only that her family had become caught up in a Yakuza war and were kidnapped. The Dojima Family had saved her life, but at a cost—her parents were killed.
From that day on, Cathy harbored a deep hatred toward others and vowed never to trust anyone again. She became an assassin for a lower-ranking member of the Dojima Family, honing her skills and earning the nickname "Vicious Lethal Executioner" for her deadly kicks. She had taken the lives of over 80,000 people since she was just six years old, feeling like a monster unworthy of love.
But then, Ana came into her life and changed everything. Ana gave her hope and showed her that the world still had goodness. Despite her past, Ana saw the pain and vulnerability in Cathy and offered her a chance at redemption and love.
As Cathy shared her story with Zumi, tears welled up in her eyes. She had carried the weight of her past for so long, but maybe there was a glimmer of hope for her yet.
After listening to Cathy's heart-wrenching tale, Zumi's eyes glistened with empathy and compassion. Just as Cathy was on the verge of asking, "Will you still accept me?" Zumi gently lifted her from his side, placed her on his lap, and enveloped her in a warm embrace. With unwavering love in his voice, he spoke, "I don't care about your past, Cathy. I love you for who you are and who you will become. I accept every part of you, even the broken pieces of your heart. Nothing will ever change that."
As Zumi locked eyes with Cathy, she was overcome with a whirlwind of emotions. His words resonated deep within her soul, fulfilling a longing she had carried for so long. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she hugged Zumi tightly, releasing years of pain and hurt in that moment of vulnerability and acceptance.
Amid her tears, a chime resonated in Zumi's mind, signaling that the system quest from Cathy had been completed. By fully accepting Cathy and embracing her past and present with unconditional love, he had helped heal her wounded heart. He was one step closer to unlocking Cathy as a system character, fulfilling her hidden desire to be loved deeply and unconditionally.
The system spoke in Zumi's mind: Request Value plus 4. Current Progress 13. Host can use 10 Values to make any Request from the System. In that tender embrace, amidst tears and shared vulnerability, a new chapter began for Cathy and Zumi, bound by a love that transcended past traumas and embraced a future of healing and hope. After Cathy had finished crying, Zumi asked her to cook for everyone that night and offered to give her one final lesson. He challenged her to prepare a meal for the group all by herself, and Cathy agreed with a smile.
Zumi then asked the system for permission to use 10 request values to gain the ability to change into any outfit he had seen before or could imagine. The system confirmed that it would consume 10 request values, and Zumi agreed without hesitation. After a brief moment, the system granted Zumi a new ability called "Garment Shifter." This power allows Zumi to focus his mind on a specific garment, transforming his current clothing into a new item, whether it be a suit of armor or a flowing gown. Zumi was amazed by this and decided to try it.
As Zumi concentrated on the outfit design, a vivid image formed in his mind. The colors seemed to dance before his eyes, shifting and blending seamlessly. He could almost feel the fabric against his skin as his clothes transformed. It was as if his attire were alive, morphing like a sleek amphibian into a high-tech jacket adorned with glowing blue and green lights. Multiple straps and buckles added a futuristic edge, while a black shirt peeked out from underneath. Paired with black tech cargo pants and vibrant green Jordans, the ensemble was a bold statement of style and innovation.
Before Zumi went out, he decided to quickly visit his Soul Space. He thought of entering it, and a red and green gate portal opened up before him, shaped like a rectangular door. Zumi walked through it and emerged inside his Soul Space, where a sight to behold awaited him. It had grown larger since he last saw it. The Soul Space now resembled an enchanting area that exuded tranquility and beauty.
As Zumi entered the space, he was greeted by a breathtaking view of vast grasslands stretching out before him, with a majestic mansion standing proudly in the distance. The mansion was adorned with classical architectural details such as spires and large windows, surrounded by a meticulously maintained garden.
The atmosphere in the Soul Space was serene and peaceful, with soft sunlight filtering through the trees and casting a gentle glow over the surroundings. The setting felt like a harmonious blend of fantasy and reality, creating a sense of wonder and awe.
By the entrance to the mansion stood a young man, slender yet muscular, dressed in a light green butler jacket. His presence added to the air of elegance and sophistication, as if he were patiently waiting for his master to return home.
Zumi approached the grand mansion and was greeted by the butler at the door, who addressed him as "Master." Zumi returned the greeting and stepped into the opulent interior. After a brief exploration, he exited the same way he came in, realizing that the mansion had a system that returned him to his original entry point. He made a mental note to be cautious about where he entered in the future.
Heading to the kitchen, Zumi met Cathy and apologized for keeping her waiting. She assured him it was no trouble and complimented his attire, calling him elegant and handsome. Zumi blushed and returned the compliment, causing Cathy's face to turn red. Zumi initiated his teaching skills to ease the tension and spent 20 minutes imparting his cooking knowledge to Cathy. With his teaching abilities, she quickly absorbed the information. When he felt she was ready, Zumi encouraged her to prepare a dish for everyone that evening, expressing confidence in her abilities. Cathy blushed with gratitude and eagerly accepted the challenge, appreciative of Zumi's support.
As Zumi left for the kitchen to let Cathy cook, he felt a wave of strange spiritual energy and heard the sound of a cat meowing, which vanished as soon as it happened. That was weird, Zumi thought. Just then, the system chimed: Ping! Warning! A high-level legendary spiritual being is in the area. Be on alert! Zumi was surprised to hear this but continued looking for Ana and Gia while keeping his senses on alert.
He found them in a large garden at the back, planting some vegetables. Zumi was impressed to see such an extensive garden and thought he could grow some vegetables in his Soul Space. Ana and Gia saw him and both yelled for him. They hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. Surprised, he thought they were so comfortable being intimate with him. The system chimed as if hearing his thoughts, stating that all system characters' intimacy towards him always made them extra intimate, and they would sometimes try to make excuses to be intimate with him.
Furthermore, when they were around each other, their intimacy towards him would double, and if the host accepted it, they would be willing to be intimate simultaneously. All system connection characters also got along with each other. Hearing this, Zumi was a bit taken aback but happy. He asked the girls if they needed help with the gardening, expressing his interest. Zumi spent the next eight hours helping Gia and Ana plant various vegetables in the garden, such as carrots, cabbages, radishes, and many more. Zumi's attention was on Ana and Gia when suddenly they all heard a soft but firm voice: "Master's dinner is ready. You have been called to the banquet hall." This shocked Zumi a bit; he had not sensed her presence and had been alert the whole time.
He turned to look at who was speaking; it was another gorgeous woman. The woman had a serene expression, her eyes a striking shade of bright blue that seemed to pierce through him. Her dark hair cascaded down her shoulders in sleek waves, framing her delicate features. Her skin was smooth and fair, giving her an ethereal and elegant appearance. She wore a white button-up blouse that fit her figure perfectly, exuding sophistication and refinement. Over the blouse, she wore a fitted black vest that added a touch of modernity to her outfit. The vest looked tailored to accentuate her slender frame, hinting at a sense of power and authority.
Her posture was upright and confident, exuding a sense of strength and poise. "Thank you, Kasumi," Ana spoke, dismissing her.
"Who was that?" Zumi asked.
"She is one of the maids who works for us," Ana replied.
"She's strong," Zumi noted.
Ana proudly explained, "All our workers are ex-fighters, martial artists, soldiers, and Marines. They must be strong enough to protect the house when we are away. Kasumi used to be a professional martial artist, but her agent got into some shady dealings. My dad got her out of it, and now she works for us."
Zumi was impressed. As he began to create his own organization, he wanted the most potent fighters by his side. He knew one thing for sure: that woman was strong! He had not sensed her presence once, but she had some ability to mask her aura. Still, with Zumi's strong, legendary energy, he felt a strange and fierce pressure emanating from her. Zumi knew he wanted her as a member of his organization. No, he had to have her, but he would think about that later.
Ana and Gia emerged from the verdant embrace of the garden, their hands freshly cleansed as they made their way to the opulent dining hall. Stepping inside, they were met with grandeur that took their breath away—an expansive hall dominated by a colossal table, easily accommodating a gathering of twenty. At the head of the table sat Nishiki Dojima, a figure of authority and power, with Ana, his daughter, positioned to his right. Cathy sat directly before Ana, while Gia nestled beside her and Jasmine settled by Ana's side. Zumi took his place next to Gia, completing the intricate arrangement.
Cathy's creation was the first dish that graced the table, a labor of love and dedication. With a blush tinting her cheeks, she humbly shared, "Zumi has imparted his culinary wisdom upon me, and tonight, I present my first creation without his assistance. Please indulge and offer your thoughts." The room fell into hushed anticipation as each guest savored the dish, the silence broken only by the harmonious symphony of contented sighs and murmurs of delight that echoed through the hall.
Dressed by Cathy's culinary prowess, Nishiki commended her with genuine admiration, "You have truly outdone yourself, Cathy. If circumstances were different, I would appoint you as our personal chef without hesitation." In unison, Ana, Jasmine, and Gia expressed their agreement, and their plates were replenished in seconds, unable to resist the allure of the delectable meal.
As Zumi praised Cathy's achievement, acknowledging her mastery of the culinary arts, a radiant smile graced her face, illuminating the room with her joy. At that moment, the system chimed and announced Cathy's ascension to a system character, her once vibrant locks now cloaked in a mesmerizing shade of ash white. With this transformation, she pledged her unwavering loyalty to Zumi. This change did not go unnoticed by the assembled guests, each accepting this shift gracefully, except for Jasmine, who remained cautiously observant of Zumi.
The night unfolded in a tapestry of culinary delights and heartfelt conversations, laughter weaving through the air as the hours slipped away unnoticed, the clock striking past midnight. Nishiki bid everyone goodnight, save for Zumi, and requested a private audience. Sensing the moment's gravity, Zumi discreetly instructed Gia to conceal herself within his shadow, ensuring her presence remained undetected.
Alone in the secluded confines of an office space, Nishiki and Zumi engaged in a profound dialogue, the outcome of which held the potential to shape the destiny of the illustrious Dojima Family.