Yukino sat silently on the bathroom floor.
Her expression was blank, dazed.
The noise outside had grown louder, almost exaggerated.
Ever since they lost control for the first time...
They simply couldn't stop.
Nanashi had already forgotten about Yukino.
Halfway through the day, he had carried the two girls back to the room.
Aside from "communication," he took the opportunity to enhance their physical abilities using raw energy.
This served two purposes: to improve their combat effectiveness in all areas, and to prepare their bodies to better adapt to Haki and the Six Styles.
Afterward, he made arrangements for the others as well.
He gave each person two senzu beans—though he himself didn't need them.
With raw energy at his disposal, far superior to Senzu Beans, they held no value for him personally.
That night, due to Cocolia's arrival…
Leone suggested a welcome party.
Seeing that everyone was interested, Nanashi didn't object.
He happily agreed.
Nezuko and Eriri were both exhausted, but Nanashi used his raw energy to restore them—otherwise, they wouldn't have made it through the evening.
It was a lively night.
Everyone gathered at Nanashi's house.
Some brought food, others helped prepare it.
A large table was set.
People sat closely together, giving off the warmth of a New Year's family reunion.
There was the tsundere and energetic Mine, the carefree Leone, and the always-hungry Akame and Kurome.
Their presence brought laughter and joy to the table.
Tamayo, Kie, Sayuri, and Kanae chatted like old friends—giggling, occasionally blushing, fully immersed in the moment.
Even Yukino, who at first seemed detached, slowly blended in. A soft smile crept onto her face.
For Cocolia, this was a completely new experience.
Such warmth... such enthusiasm.
It would take time to fully adjust.
Between the drinks and the laughter, Nanashi took the opportunity to make up for a regret from earlier in the day—especially with Kie.
Even though the two sat far apart across the table, Kie's cheeks remained noticeably flushed.
Now and then, a quiet, restrained sound escaped her lips.
Others noticed and glanced curiously in her direction.
Most assumed she had simply drunk too much.
Under the table, someone's smooth legs brushed against Nanashi.
Everyone wore light pajamas, so it was hard to tell who it was.
Nanashi, slightly tipsy, didn't care to investigate.
Sure, he could drink endlessly without getting drunk, thanks to his power—but what was the fun in that?
A light buzz was just right.
He reached under the table and began gently caressing the leg that had touched him.
"Yukino, why is your face so red?" Eriri asked, puzzled by her friend's expression.
"I-I think I'm a little drunk," Yukino stammered.
"Huh?"
Eriri tilted her head.
"But didn't we all just drink juice?"
Could it be… Yukino had a body so delicate that even just a smell of alcohol could get her tipsy?
Midway through the evening, something… interesting happened.
Nanashi suddenly noticed another foot on his "gun".
He looked up at Kie in surprise.
Kie, blushing, shyly pointed toward Tamayo.
Tamayo shifted her position slightly beside them.
"Hiss…"
That feeling—there was no mistaking it. It was definitely Tamayo.
But judging by her calm expression, Nanashi had to admit—it was a rather creative way to play.
And it definitely excites him.
The welcome dinner continued until around 8 p.m.
"These guys… they're completely wasted," Najenda sighed.
She tried to carry Leone, Mine, and Chelsea home with the help of Akame, Kurome, and Sheele.
But Leone and Chelsea resisted for some unknown reason.
In the end, only Mine was taken home.
Nanashi carried the two resisting girls to an empty room and laid them down to rest.
Kie and Tamayo were clearly just tipsy—but their bodies had turned limp.
The ever-oblivious Nezuko helped them back home.
Yukino, Kanae, and Sayuri remained to clean up.
After tidying the dishes and furniture, Yukino hurriedly said her goodbyes, her face still red.
Sayuri and Eriri also left after giving Nanashi a goodnight kiss.
For the first time in a while, they would sleep in their own beds.
Kanae stayed behind and played with Nanashi on the sofa for a while.
Soon after, Cocolia returned—fresh from a shower, now dressed in a set of light, modern short-sleeved pajamas.
Seeing her, Kanae headed off to bathe.
Cocolia sat beside Nanashi.
He poured her a cup of tea and asked, "How do you feel about this place?"
Cocolia's face softened.
"It's nothing like Belobog. This place… it's full of life. Peace. It's warm. And they… they're so welcoming."
Her eyes wandered into the distance, as though reliving the past—a time when the future held only despair.
Smack!
Nanashi gently patted her leg.
"You're here now. No need to dwell on what's behind. Didn't Serval already talk to you about that?"
"Serval…"
[Note: The blue eyed one. She's her best friend.]
Yes… They had forgiven her—a sinner.
"I understand," she whispered.
Cocolia tried to relax, to push the past out of her mind.
But her hand, cold and trembling, betrayed her unease.
It seemed she still couldn't let go.
Although she held the title of Supreme Guardian, Cocolia had never once had time for emotional matters.
That made this moment feel... strange.
Nanashi realized it too—this was probably inappropriate.
He was just about to withdraw his hand—
when a slender hand stopped him.
Cocolia's soft lips moved slightly. "Would you… hate a sinner?"
"No matter what mistakes you made in Jarilo-VI," Nanashi said firmly, "in this new world, you are mine—not a sinner."
His words were decisive, commanding. Undeniably dominant.
Cocolia blinked, stunned for a beat.
Then, a radiant smile bloomed on her face.
"Thank you… my master. I'm willing to give you everything."
She took his hand and slowly guided it upward.
Her body leaned into his, taking the initiative.
Nanashi understood her intent immediately.
And he responded in kind.
The conversation on the sofa melted into something more intimate—overflowing with emotion and heat.
Nanashi gently scooped Cocolia into his arms and carried her back to the bedroom.
Time passed slowly...
—
After a long bath, Kanae dried herself off and returned quietly to the bedroom.
—
In the guest room next door, two wide pairs of eyes stared at each other in the dark.
Leone and Chelsea were pressed together against the wall.
"They… they're incredible…" Chelsea whispered under her breath.
"It's Nanashi who's the incredible one," Leone muttered, lips curling into a smirk.
Truth was—they weren't drunk at all. Just a little tipsy.
Their earlier antics? Purely an act.
As they listened to the sounds coming from the next room...
Both reached downward—at the same time.
They met each other's eyes again, cheeks flushing.
There was a glimmer of resolve in their gaze.
Without a word, the two figures slipped into Nanashi's bedroom.
Midnight.
Yukino stirred awake and quietly made her way to the bathroom.
As she passed the guest room, she noticed Cocolia's door wide open.
No one was inside.
She didn't need to ask where she went—or what she was doing.
The imagined scene played vividly in her mind.
She glanced down at her nightgown, her expression stiff.
"…What's wrong with me…"
Her body seemed to react on its own.
Gritting her teeth, she returned to her room, locked the door...
Crawled into bed—and reached out with a trembling hand.
"Mmm!"
Morning.
Nanashi sat up, looking around at the chaos of the room.
He didn't know whether to laugh or sigh.
It had started with two.
Then three.
Then five.
"...This is getting ridiculous."
"Hm…"
Cocolia stirred beside him, her eyes half-lidded with drowsy warmth.
Nanashi leaned down and kissed her lips gently, brushing her cheek.
"Get some more rest. You've done well."
"…Mm."
Cocolia slowly closed her eyes again.
Even though it was her first time experiencing something like this, she felt no panic.
Only peace.
Only a sense of belonging.
After walking a lonely road for so long—always burdened by guilt and a bleak future—she had finally found someone she could lean on.
Someone she could trust.
And now… she didn't want to let go.
Cocolia drifted back into sleep.
Nanashi got up and headed to the bathroom for a shower.
"Splash—"
To his surprise, Leone followed him in—completely naked.
"Let's go another round," she grinned.
But this time… she had transformed.
Her toned body now sported lion ears, wild golden eyes, and powerful claws.
She had activated her Teigu—transforming into the Lion King.
The change drastically boosted her strength and recovery rate.
No wonder she dared to challenge him again.
Nanashi smirked. "Then let's continue."
Was he afraid?
Not in the slightest.
His body had only recently been enhanced by raw energy—he hadn't even gotten serious yet.
In the end, Leone was utterly defeated.
Even with the power of her Imperial Arm, she couldn't best Nanashi in his enhanced state.
He hadn't even relied on regeneration or recovery.
Just sheer strength.
Four down—without breaking a sweat.
Being unbeatable… was a little lonely.
Sunday. Daytime.
Cocolia returned to her room.
Leone and Chelsea followed suit, pretending to be groggy.
Kanae remained asleep.
Nanashi didn't stay home that day.
Instead, he went to Kie's place—where he spent a wild day with Kie and Tamayo.
Monday.
Nanashi walked into school alongside Yukino and Eriri.
Their appearance together sparked waves of gossip and stares.
Inside the Paranormal Research Club room…
Only Nanashi, Yukino, and Miko were present.
The only reason Miko ever showed up was her fear of evil spirits.
Being near Nanashi made her feel safe.
She had dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep, and was now dozing at her desk.
But her expression was tranquil.
As though she could finally rest—because here, she felt completely protected.
"..."
Nanashi glanced at the sleeping Miko then stared at Yukino's face for a long moment.
Yukino took a quiet sip of tea, set her cup down, and asked in her usual calm, icy tone,
"…What are you looking at?"
"I don't know, it's just…" Nanashi leaned forward slightly, studying her expression. "You seem more… mature today."
Yukino's heart skipped a beat.
Afraid he might notice something, she lifted a hand and casually tucked her hair behind her ear, feigning indifference.
"I've never been childish," she said coldly.
"Hmm… maybe I was imagining things," Nanashi replied, withdrawing his gaze.
He didn't press further.
Yukino quietly exhaled, her tension melting just a little.
If he ever found out what she'd done last night—
what she couldn't control herself from doing—
She would die of shame.
She swore she'd jump off a building!
She would jump!
Whenever Nanashi had spare time, he focused on studying his abilities.
One of the most striking changes: his eyes.
His irises, once a cool gold, now shimmered with ice-blue brilliance. A mesmerizing glow filled both eyes, and at their center, a vibrant, rainbow-hued ring pulsed like a halo.
These were Mystic Eyes of Death Perception—
a legendary power from the Type-Moon world, seen only in Tsukihime and Kara no Kyoukai.
Two people were known to possess this ability:
Ryougi Shiki and Tohno Shiki.
Their eyes allowed them to see death itself.
Crack-like lines appeared across everything they looked at—lines that represented the concept of death.
If you traced a blade along those lines, even the most indestructible object would be irreparably destroyed.
Tohno Shiki could even see death points—tiny, glowing marks that, if pierced, would bring instant, total annihilation.
Though similar in function, their abilities had limits.
Only Mystic Eyes connected to the Root—the origin of all things in the Type-Moon universe—could unleash true, unrestricted death.
The Root was the alpha and omega.
It recorded both the beginning and the inevitable end of everything.
Even the human soul was born from it.
Thus, all humans in the Type-Moon world are inherently tied to the Root.
And because the Root records every ending—
those who connect to it can perceive the death of all things.
But the connection is normally sealed.
Only those who have died—and come back—gain the ability to see death.
Both Ryougi and Tohno experienced this.
And so they awakened the ability to recognize, perceive, and even force the end of things.
These were the original Mystic Eyes of Death Perception.
But Nanashi's eyes… were something beyond that.
Not tied to Type-Moon's Root, but to something even more profound.
In those shimmering, ambiguous pupils—was the source of all worlds.
His Death Eyes connected not just to one universe's root, but to the origin of all existence!
Now, as he opened those eyes and scanned the room...
He could see it.
Lines. Twisting. Distorted. Crude.
As if a child had scribbled all over reality with a black crayon.
The once-clean and tidy room was now full of death-lines.
The walls.
The floor.
Even the ceiling.
Everything was split and fractured by death's signature.
It was as though the world itself had been crudely assembled—ready to fall apart at any moment.
Even when he turned to look at Yukino...
Death lines ran across her delicate frame.
He understood then—if he severed even a single thread, she would wither and die.
The beautiful flower that stood tall would collapse, permanently.
But he saw more.
Floating in the air—dozens of other lines.
They symbolized air, elements, laws, gravity—
even the planet itself.
All of them... were killable.