Natsuki still looked unconvinced, so Shuo decided to make his point—dramatically.
"Believe me now, Natsuki-chan?" he teased.
Before she could react, Shuo vanished and reappeared behind her, arms slipping around her waist. He leaned in, his breath warm against her ear.
Natsuki jolted, every muscle tensing. She hadn't sensed him move at all.
If he'd been an enemy, she'd be dead.
When did Shuo get this strong?
She glared and wriggled free, cheeks flushed with embarrassment and annoyance.
"Seriously, Natsuki-chan, you're just too cute," Shuo said, grinning like a fox.
She shot him a death glare, refusing to dignify that with a response. Instead, she snapped, "Stop calling me '-chan.' And what's with your power? Explain."
Shuo only smiled, mysterious as ever. "That's a secret. Unless you want to be my wife, Natsuki-chan!"
"Keep dreaming," she huffed, arms crossed.
"Suit yourself. But with strength like this, you can leave Nagisa's safety to me."
Natsuki exhaled, some of her tension finally ebbing away.
"Heh, Natsuki-chan's such a tsundere, right, Nagisa?" Shuo teased.
Nagisa blinked, caught in the crossfire. "Uh—Natsuki-sensei is just… a little stubborn, that's all!"
Natsuki's glare sharpened, and Nagisa quickly ducked behind Shuo, sticking out her tongue and giggling nervously.
"What about her?" Natsuki asked, nodding at Yukina.
Shuo waved it off. "Leave it to me."
Before Yukina could protest, Shuo scooped her up—gently, but firmly.
Yukina stiffened, panic flickering in her eyes. "W-what are you doing? I'm an Attack Mage from the Lion King Organization—you'd better not try anything!"
She wriggled free, drawing Sekkarou and holding it between them, face tense and defensive.
Shuo stared at her, incredulous. "Are you serious? After what you just saw, you think that little toothpick can hurt me?"
"I'm not an idiot!" Yukina protested, pouting.
Shuo just shrugged, amused. "Even if I stood here and let you poke me all day, it wouldn't scratch me. Here—let me show you what a real weapon looks like."
He drew the Sword of Promised Victory—Excalibur—letting the golden blade catch the moonlight.
"Pay attention. This is what a real Sacred Gear is. This is power!"
With a flourish, Shuo swung Excalibur skyward.
"EX—calibur!!"
A torrent of golden light erupted, splitting the night and painting the heavens in daylight. The whole of Itogami Island was bathed in radiance; people all across the city stopped in their tracks, gaping at the blazing column of light.
Panic rippled through every faction. Agents scrambled, alarms blared, and the world's balance trembled.
Natsuki, Yukina, and Nagisa stared, dumbfounded.
"What… what kind of weapon is that?" Yukina managed, voice barely above a whisper.
Shuo smirked, twirling the blade. "Never seen anything like it, huh? This isn't some human-made toy—this is the Starforged Holy Sword, created by the planet itself. People's faith made manifest, crystallized in the planet's core. The ultimate Sacred Gear—the 'Strongest Fantasy.'"
The girls' jaws dropped.
A weapon made by the planet? Their entire worldview shattered on the spot.
Shuo sheathed Excalibur and grinned. "So, Yukina—how does your Sekkarou compare? Little underwhelming, isn't it?"
Yukina's lips twitched. She looked at her own spear, then at Shuo's sword, then back again. There was no contest. She couldn't even muster a retort.
Shuo clapped his hands, turning to the girls. "Alright. Nagisa, you're moving in with me tomorrow. Yukina, you too."
"Wait—what?!" Yukina squeaked, eyes wide.
Nagisa blushed crimson. "Shuo, isn't this a bit sudden? I—I'm not ready! And I have to take care of my brother!"
Shuo waved off her protest, launching into a dramatic retelling of how Kojou had ditched Nagisa for his new girlfriend, adding plenty of embellishment.
As the story went on, Nagisa's expression darkened, her canines peeking out in frustration.
"That idiot Kojou! Just wait 'til I get home—I'll show him! Trying to pawn me off like this, I—!"
Shuo chuckled to himself. Sorry, Kojou—if you want alone time with your girlfriend, I'll just take Nagisa off your hands. No need to thank me.
Meanwhile…
"Achoo!"
Kojou rubbed his nose, puzzled. "Weird. Am I catching a cold?"
Back in the present, Shuo turned to Yukina, voice honey-sweet. "You want to keep an eye on Nagisa, right? Living together makes it easier for everyone."
He reached out, ruffling her hair.
Yukina froze, then swatted his hand away, face blazing red. Nagisa watched, jealousy flickering in her eyes.
"Hey! Shuo, that's not fair—I want head pats too!"
Shuo laughed and obliged, giving Nagisa a gentle pat.
From a distance, Natsuki watched the whole scene unfold, her voice dripping with disdain.
"Ugh. Scumbag. Stop tricking innocent girls, would you?"
Shuo just grinned, shooting her a wink. "What's wrong, Natsuki-chan? Jealous? Want a head pat too?"
She looked at him like he was a cockroach. "Don't even try. And call me 'sensei,' got it?"
Shuo ignored her warning, turning back to Yukina for her answer. Even if she said no, he'd just abduct her anyway—no one escaped him.
After a moment's hesitation, Yukina nodded, cheeks still burning. "Fine. I'll move in, for Nagisa's sake."
Shuo beamed, gathering both girls close. Time to go home.
But as he glanced at Natsuki, a mischievous idea sparked.
In a flash, he was in front of her—before she could react, he leaned in and kissed her, deep and lingering.
Before Natsuki could explode, Shuo whisked Nagisa and Yukina away in a blur of teleportation, calling over his shoulder:
"Natsuki-chan, I really do like you! Consider this my seal! See you!"
Natsuki stood frozen, face pitch black with rage.
"That little brat… just wait until tomorrow!!"
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