"So, what do you think? If you help me run this world and shape it into what you want it to be… that's a pretty good offer, right?"
"Uh…"
They were all stunned. Let them manage the world? That sounded way too casual.
"Are you sure you're not just messing with us?"
Yukimi Shigure asked suspiciously.
"Believe it or not, that's up to you."
With that, Rei Ao stopped talking and buried himself back into Krul, who was still capturing his attention. He felt no need to give them any guarantees; from his perspective, they already believed him anyway. And sure enough, people soon started making their decisions.
"Master, I will swear loyalty to you,"
announced the very first, Sayuri Hanayori.
After a moment of surprise, the others—each with mixed feelings—followed suit.
All except Aoi Sangu.
"I only pledge loyalty to the Hiiragi family,"
she declared, just as "faithful" as ever.
"The Hiiragi family?"
Rei Ao lifted his head, amused. "All the more reason for you to follow me."
"Why?"
Aoi asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Because Shinoa will be taking over the Hiiragi family."
"She…?"
Aoi paused for a second, then understood Rei Ao's point: Shinoa was a Hiiragi. If someone as powerful as Rei Ao had her back, Shinoa would undoubtedly take control of the family. At that point, Shinoa would be its head and de facto representative. Since Shinoa belonged to Rei Ao, it stood to reason that anyone loyal to the family should also be loyal to him.
"…"
Having made sense of it all, Aoi stared at Rei Ao for a long while. Finally, her lips parted, and she spoke softly:
"Master."
Rei Ao grinned.
"Come here."
Seeing how her living room had turned into pure chaos, Shinoa Hiiragi felt her eyelids twitch. Meanwhile, her sister—after having a taste of Rei Ao—had developed a keen urge to "study" him, gazing at him with shining eyes.
"Shinoa, what do you think Rei Ao-kun thinks of your big sister?"
Mahiru suddenly asked a question that left Shinoa emotionally exhausted.
Shinoa rolled her eyes.
"Sis, is there nothing else you want to say to me after coming back to life? You really just went for my boyfriend, huh?"
"Aww~"
Mahiru smiled, reaching out to pinch her younger sister's cheeks.
"What do you want to hear, my sweet little sister?"
Shinoa's gaze turned icy.
"For example… maybe who killed you, Sis."
"Oh? You want revenge for me?"
Mahiru asked casually.
"Yes."
Shinoa was serious. She'd already decided she would avenge her sister once she learned that Mahiru had been killed by a Progenitor vampire.
Clang!
Shinoa summoned Shikama Dōji, its blade glinting menacingly.
"…"
Seeing Shikama Dōji, Mahiru's eyes narrowed. She recognized the weapon she'd given Shinoa before she died. Gently tracing it with a finger, she asked:
"Shinoa, did something happen to your Demon Army gear? It feels different."
"No,"
Shinoa shook her head. "There's no demon inside anymore—it's just a powerful weapon."
"That demon was the First Progenitor, but Rei Ao-kun wiped it out."
"Oh?"
A flicker of surprise passed through Mahiru's eyes.
"So that's how it is."
She'd known about the First Progenitor sleeping in that weapon, but never expected Shinoa's man to be the one to take it down. A smile flitted across her lips.
"Seems you've got yourself a husband to envy, Shinoa~"
"Sis!"
Shinoa glared at her, red-faced. "Stop changing the subject!"
"Alright, alright~ The truth is, yes, my death was connected to that First Progenitor… and also the Second Progenitor, Rig Stafford."
"Him?"
Finally, Shinoa got the answer she was looking for, though she was surprised to hear a connection to Shikama Dōji. The First Progenitor was already dead, so that saved her some trouble. But there was still one left.
"The Second Progenitor, got it,"
she muttered darkly, immediately flagging him as her next kill.
"Aww, my sweet Shinoa really loves her big sister, huh? So cute~ Lemme give you a hug."
Mahiru giggled and pulled Shinoa into a tight embrace, affectionately patting her head.
"Sis!"
Shinoa tried to push her away, extremely aware that she was still covered in Rei Ao's…residue. But then Mahiru said something that froze her blood solid:
"Shinoa, since you care so much about your sister, can't you introduce me to Rei Ao-kun too~?"
"!!!"
Oh no. Her boyfriend was in her sister's sights!
…
The Next Morning
Rei Ao stretched lazily and opened the curtains. The sunlight spilled behind him, illuminating the results of his "conquests." Then he opened the chat group:
[Ding! A trade has begun!]
[Trade Target: Mitsuba Sangu]
[Trade Content: A place for humanity in the new world.]
[Trade Condition]: "Unlimited use of her body"
[Trade Target: Rika Inoue]
[Trade Content: A place for humanity in the new world.]
[Trade Condition]: "Unlimited use of her body"
Seeing these notifications, he couldn't help but grin. Initially, those two were adamant they wouldn't trade. But after witnessing Jujo Mito and the others join one after another, things got crazier and crazier—and once Rei Ao conquered each participant, he deliberately made sure to show the most "thrilling" parts to the holdouts.
Eventually, they caved and went for the trade.
Right now, they were both passed out from exhaustion.
Then—
Two soft, snow-white arms slipped over his shoulders from behind, followed by a supple, graceful body pressing against his back. A fragrant breeze tickled his senses, and strands of purple hair brushed his cheek.
"You're not gonna rest?"
Rei Ao glanced sideways. Leaning on his shoulder was Mahiru Hiiragi's beautiful face.
"Why, Rei Ao-kun, are you worried about me? That's funny, considering how rough you were earlier—didn't spare even a drop of sympathy."
"You blaming me?"
He shot back. "You suddenly dragged Shinoa over and asked if you could 'study' my… uh, seed. That's pretty bold of you."
Sighing in exasperation, he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her around in front of him.
"You're insanely curious, aren't you?"
Sure enough, everyone else was whining about how strong Rei Ao was, but Mahiru just volunteered herself. People looked at her like she was a complete weirdo, but Rei Ao had gone along with it. Of course, Mahiru ended up giving even more of herself than expected.
"What a shame. I didn't actually figure anything out through my 'research,' but I did start to enjoy our little exchanges~"
Mahiru murmured, running her hand across his broad chest.
"Oh? You enjoy it?"
A playful smile flitted across Rei Ao's lips as he lifted her chin.
"Then you can stay with Shinoa and be best sisters for life."
[Ding! You have selected Mahiru Hiiragi to join the Sub Group Chat!]
~~~
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