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Back from his trip.
As usual, Rosen glanced at the clock.
The date showed it was only two in the afternoon, the day after he'd left.
Even though he'd spent more than a day in the Delicious in Dungeon world, thanks to the difference in time flow, less than a single day had passed here.
By now, he'd pretty much figured out how the two worlds synced.
Most likely, no matter how long he stayed on the other side, some force made sure that no more than twenty-four hours would ever pass in his original world.
That was a comforting thought—it meant the chat group members could tackle missions without worrying too much.
Of course, Rosen had no idea that even less than twenty-four hours of leeway was still enough to catch Tornado's eye.
He collapsed onto the couch, checked his phone, and found a message.
[Mai Sakurajima: "I'm planning to go on a short trip with my mom. I'll be back in about three or four days."]
At the end, she'd even added a sticker of folded hands in apology.
[Shepherd: "Go ahead. Spend some good time with your family."]
Not long after he sent the reply, his phone buzzed with a call from Mai.
"Sorry, it was kind of a sudden decision to go traveling…"
"There's no need to apologize for being with your family. Just let me know next time if something comes up."
Hearing his voice, Mai felt her heart waver.
When Rosen had first proposed their contract, the price was absolute obedience—she'd assumed it meant she would end up nothing more than a caged songbird at his side. But he hadn't restricted her movements at all. On the contrary, he'd even helped repair the rift between her and her mother.
The only thing she'd ever guessed right about him was his desire for her body.
But even that—she'd been willing.
"When I get back, I'll make it up to you," Mai said after a pause.
"Oh? And how exactly are you planning to do that?" His tone carried a teasing edge.
Even through the phone, Rosen could imagine her face burning red.
"When I get back… I'll wear that outfit you like. And after that… you can do whatever you want."
Before he could answer, she hung up in a rush.
Even several minutes later, Mai's cheeks were still hot.
"…That was Mr. Rosen, wasn't it?" her mother asked, watching her carefully.
"Mm. Since we'll be gone from Tokyo for a few days, I needed to let him know. He already agreed."
Her mother's lips curved into a gentle smile.
"Mai, you're really lucky to have met him. Lord Rosen is a good man—and a natural leader. You must hold on tight. Don't let a man like that slip away."
"Mom…"
"Hehe. If I were a few years younger, I might have wanted to date him myself."
"Uh… well, if you'd met him back then, he probably would've helped solve your problems too."
"That wouldn't do at all. If that had happened, then you wouldn't exist, would you?" Her mother chuckled softly.
Mai stared at her, heart aching a little. She knew exactly how much her mother had suffered—pregnant with her and weighed down by "Adolescence Syndrome."
If she could, Mai wanted her mom to find someone she could lean on.
And the first person who came to mind was Rosen.
But… he was already hers. And this was her mom.
What was she supposed to do with that thought?
Meanwhile, on Rosen's side—
After hanging up, still smiling at how adorable his little follower was, his phone rang again. This time, it was Hana Yurikawa.
The moment he answered, her energetic voice burst through the receiver.
"God-sama! Do you have time today? I came with Miko to hang out with you!"
Since it was the weekend, Hana and Miko Yotsuya had gone out shopping together like always. But with Rosen in their lives, they'd decided they'd rather visit their "God" instead.
Of course, Rosen had no reason to refuse his followers.
"Hehe! I knew you'd say yes! So please, God-sama, open the door right now. You might just get a surprise!" Hana's voice was bubbling with excitement.
But when Rosen checked the front-door camera, the entrance was empty.
No surprise. No Hana. No Miko.
Then it hit him.
"…You're not standing at my old place, trying to surprise me, are you?"
"As expected of God! You guessed it exactly!"
"…"
Rosen went quiet.
Right. He'd never actually told them he'd moved.
Which meant the two girls were probably standing in front of his old house—an empty, abandoned place.
Technically, they should've been able to sense his aura, but since he'd lived there for more than ten years, it wasn't surprising if they got it wrong.
With a sigh, Rosen used God's Step to instantly appear before his two would-be pranksters.
"Eh? God, why are you outside?" Hana gasped when she saw him.
"I moved. I should've told you yesterday, but some things came up."
Thinking back—spending the night with Mai, then facing her mother the next morning, then heading off to Marcille's side to resurrect Falin—it wasn't surprising the whole moving detail had completely slipped his mind.
"What?! God moved?!" Hana's curiosity spiked instantly.
"Come on, show me your new place!"
With a small shake of his head, Rosen once again used God's Step and took the two girls with him.
The moment they appeared in the living room, both Hana and Miko froze, wide-eyed.
The soaring ceilings, the massive crystal chandelier, and the sprawling living space felt less like a house and more like a grand ballroom.
Through the tall windows stretched a lush garden with sculptures and fountains, like something out of a dream.
And not far off—an open-air swimming pool, its water glittering crystal clear, practically begging someone to jump in.
"It's huge! It's amazing!" Hana finally shouted after several seconds, sounding like a little kid in a candy store.
"..."
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