"W-What!?"
Kurumi's lips parted slightly as she stared dumbfounded at Nagami, eyes full of disbelief.
She swore—she only asked the question because she wanted to see what kind of embarrassed expression Nagami would show in such a situation.
The keyword being maybe.
She had already lowered her expectations as much as possible regarding Nagami's so-called sense of shame.
But what she got in return was far beyond her imagination.
Did this person really have no shame at all?
"Didn't hear me clearly? I'll repeat it: having both bodies together feels much better."
Not even the slightest trace of embarrassment appeared on his handsome face.
"What's wrong? Do you want to experience it yourself?"
Wait, wait, wait!
He had just been thinking about finding a way to teach this spirt a lesson—and now the opportunity had presented itself on its own!
"No, I've decided! Since you brought up this question, Kurumi-san, that must mean you're actually very interested in one of humanity's ultimate mysteries, right~?"
"After all, just hearing me explain it won't really let you feel the answer."
Like a diligent teacher devoted to helping his students understand the hardest problems, Nagami's lips curved into a springlike smile.
"But don't worry. With my current ability, I can completely synchronize your five senses with mine!"
His tone grew heavier, his smile even brighter—so bright it was starting to look terrifying.
"And in real-time too. Tonight, I'll let you experience it firsthand!"
Abilities that connected senses weren't rare, and in theory, they weren't complicated.
After analyzing countless magic systems from Shiraori's world with his Alpha Stigma Eyes, Nagami could even create one himself.
But why bother? The Herrscher of Sentience's authority could easily achieve the same effect—and far more smoothly than magic ever could.
The difference was like comparing a bootleg DVD to full 4K Blu-ray.
The only problem was… using Herrscher powers for this purpose might actually make the Imaginary Tree cry.
If he really dug into this direction, it wouldn't take long before Nagami could research all kinds of little abilities—to spice up married life.
The devilish whisper echoed in Kurumi's ears.
Her pale, beautiful face went through a roller coaster of emotions—stunned, blank, shocked before finally settling on sheer terror.
"Please don't do this, Nagami-sama, I was wrong!"
The fact that Nagami already wasn't acting like a human was shocking enough.
But now he wanted to drag her down with him?!
Sure, biologically speaking, Kurumi couldn't technically be considered human anymore.
But in spirit, Miss Kurumi firmly believed she was absolutely, without question, still human.
The danger was… her humanity might not survive past tonight!
If she had known how low Nagami's bottom line was, she would never have teased him in the first place! Never again!
"Hehe~"
Still smiling brightly, Nagami stood up and ruffled Kurumi's hair.
"Kurumi, if apologizing was enough, then what use would the police be?"
'Then let me go turn myself in right now! The police are way cuter than this devil!'
Kurumi grumbled internally, on the verge of tears. The worst part was… she could already tell Nagami was serious!
Her human life… might really be coming to an end!
"Sorry, but your beloved husband is nothing more than an incorrigible devil."
With a gentle smile, Nagami waved and walked away.
'Mind reading?!'
Kurumi's head shot up, her face stiff as she watched his retreating figure.
Her eyes squeezed shut, heart sinking with despair.
Why did he have to have such a barbaric ability too?!
She was doomed!
———————————————————————
"—So, Bronya, you have a very cute little sister, and because you're worried about her, you don't know how to face Nagami, is that right?"
Alexandra said with her soft and warm voice, while holding Bronya's hand with a gentle smile.
"She's not just very cute. Seele is the most adorable girl in the world."
Bronya's tone was as calm as ever, but the unwavering certainty in her words was crystal clear.
It was something she and Nagami had agreed on not long after they first met, and it was why their bond as comrades had strengthened so quickly.
Her initial suspicion toward Nagami had melted away like snow under sunlight.
After all, they were both devoted "Seele-only fans"!
Nagami hadn't lied—though in addition to Seele, he also happened to be a "fan" of Kiana, Mei, Bronya herself, and… well, the list went on.
"I see…"
Alexandra nodded slightly, her expression thoughtful.
From Bronya's words and her demeanor, Alexandra could clearly imagine just how important this "Seele" was to her daughter.
"Bronya, you've really grown up."
Her face carried both regret and relief.
To travel decades into the future only to realize she hadn't been there to raise her own child—what mother wouldn't feel regret?
But at least Nagami had given her the chance to see her daughter's growth.
Otherwise, dying shortly after childbirth would have been a truly miserable fate.
"Mother?"
Bronya tilted her head, confused, her curled hair swinging like a pendulum with the motion.
Alexandra crossed her arms, lifting a slender finger as she smiled. "Bronya, as I said, you've already grown up."
"If you can't choose between the two no matter what… then maybe you should change your perspective. Adults don't only answer multiple-choice questions~."
The gentle mother-daughter time had passed, and Alexandra's true personality began to shine through.
In this way, it seemed Bronya had indeed inherited something from her—like that fondness for baby strollers.
To her, as Bronya's mother, nothing mattered as long as her daughter was happy.
"Mother, you mean…"
For a brief moment, the ideal image of a mother Bronya had just begun to form cracked slightly. But oddly enough, it also made her feel closer to her.
"No matter what happens, I'll always be by your side. But this is your life, Bronya. How you live it—that's a choice only you can make."
She chuckled softly, ruffling Bronya's hair in a tender, motherly gesture that made Bronya's eyes instinctively narrow in comfort.
"Bronya understands."
The corners of her lips lifted slightly as she nodded, then tugged on Alexandra's hand and led her toward the Hyperion's lounge.
...
"Sigh, this battleship is so boring. Not a single entertainment program anywhere."
Little Herrscher of Sentience wandered aimlessly down the corridor, not sure what to do with herself.
Then, not far ahead, a familiar and dearly missed figure appeared.
Her once bored expression instantly lit up with pure joy.
"Dad!"
Like a tiger pouncing down a mountain, she launched herself straight at Nagami.
Her forehead smacked into the flat panel on his chest with a thud, and then—without the slightest sense of restraint—her tiny arms clamped tightly around his neck.
"Cough, cough—stop, stop! You're choking me!"
Struggling free from her crushing hug, Nagami rubbed his throat, already regretting something.
"Why are you all alone? Where's Fu Hua?"
"Don't bring her up! That old fossil is such a dummy—still trying to lecture me in front of the great me!"
Pouting, Little Herrscher puffed her cheeks at him, then rolled her eyes dramatically.
She was Fu Hua too, wasn't she? She was also the Master of Cheng Lixue!
And yet, Old Timer had completely trampled on her dignity. How was that fair?
"Well, older people do tend to be a little rigid. Just cut her some slack, okay?"
In a normal family, one parent had to play the strict role while the other played the kind one.
Since Fu Hua had already taken on the role of disciplinarian, Nagami naturally chose to be the gentle parent.
Besides, Little Herrscher had way more natural affection for him than for Fu Hua.
That was thanks to a little "bonus content" added into the mix when the Honkai virus gave birth to the Herrscher of Sentience.
"Come on—Dad will take you to play some games!"
The Kianas and Cecilia were off enjoying parent-child activities.
Bronya and Alexandra too.
Seeing all that, Nagami suddenly felt like maybe it was time for this "discount dad" to pull his weight as well.
"R-really!? Yay!"
Her face beamed as she jumped in delight, tugging eagerly at Nagami's arm.
Nagami had no actual parenting experience, but hey—he'd at least seen plenty of it.
Movie's great dad moments, and all that…
He'd watched it more than a few times.