Within a pure, unblemished white space.
A silver-haired girl with a warm smile flipped through a black book in her hands, occasionally making impressed comments.
After viewing the explicit illustrations featuring Luo Shu as the male lead and numerous female leads, Nia Honjo wiped the drool from her mouth and chuckled:
"As expected, even without becoming a Familia, as long as I have Luo Shu's permission, Raziel can still borrow the Authority boost from the Hidden Management Zone."
"This way, as long as my Spiritual Power allows, almost no secrets below Angel Rank can block my investigations."
The moment these words fell, Nia suddenly sensed something unusual.
She looked up at the sky, obscured by white, mist-like clouds, and faintly saw ten stars arranged in a cross, flickering with unstable light.
Upon sensing the fluctuations, Nia Honjo didn't seem surprised at all, even appearing somewhat sentimental:
"Ah~ these vibrations... Is my poor mother attempting to break free again?"
"Though I sympathise with your plight, I'm afraid the current era still doesn't permit your descent to the mortal realm..."
As she spoke these words, the upward-gazing Nia suddenly felt something amiss. Among the ten celestial bodies, the crown-symbolising star at the very top seemed excessively radiant.
"Has something occurred?"
Puzzled, Nia summoned Raziel and consulted its pages, then exclaimed in surprise:
"What's this?"
"Luo Shu has recruited a potential Spirit candidate before their awakening?"
"And after joining the Familia, the Divine Pantheon's awakening benefit is manifesting the most suitable power for them..."
"Doesn't that mean the power of the First Sephirah, originally remaining within Mother, is being stripped away?"
In an instant, comprehending the situation, Nia looked up at the flickering ten stars and instinctively crossed herself:
"My apologies, Mother. I misunderstood you. It seems you weren't struggling to emerge, but rather being struggled against!"
"Though come to think of it, since resistance is futile anyway, perhaps you should just lie back and enjoy it~"
With these words, Nia mischievously stuck out her tongue.
Above, the stars seemed to flicker even more intensely, as if reflecting some entity's profound displeasure.
...
Some time later.
Origami Tobiichi awoke with a start.
As her eyes fluttered open to the blue-checkered ceiling above, a male voice immediately sounded:
"Ah, you're awake!"
Hearing this, Origami blinked in confusion, turned her head towards Luo Shu sitting bedside while carving an apple, and after a moment's silence, asked:
"I fainted just now?"
"Indeed, you did. For about an hour or so."
Luo Shu shaped the apple pieces into rabbit form, placed them in a porcelain bowl, took some toothpicks from a nearby jar to spear the apple rabbits, then turned to Origami:
"Rest assured, the Familia initiation went smoothly. The issue lies with your unique constitution."
"Try recalling carefully - you should have gained access to that power called an Angel by now, correct?"
Origami's unfocused eyes remained still for several seconds before she nodded:
"Not quite yet. My body seems to still be adapting to the Spirit's power. Full manifestation might take another day or two."
Turning to Luo Shu, she inquired:
"Is this power the reason you chose me?"
"Precisely." Luo Shu nodded, then smiled slightly: "Disappointed?"
"Discovering your parents' saviour is actually a schemer after your power - must leave a bitter taste, no?"
"No..." Origami turned her head, her expressionless gaze regarding Luo Shu: "I'm pleased."
"Because this power entered my body after our contract was signed. Therefore, it's effectively a gift from you, isn't it?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu paused momentarily before smiling: "Oops, almost forgot. You're different from Kurumi and Mukuro."
"They gained their Spirit powers first, then signed contracts with me. But you signed the contract first, then received your powers."
"Now that I think about it, this power truly manifested in you because of me."
Luo Shu popped a piece of apple into his mouth and mumbled:
"Ah, when you put it that way, it seems I'm getting the short end of the stick!"
Between helping rescue her parents and granting Spirit powers through the bestowal after signing the contract, when you really calculated it, Luo Shu was essentially investing in Origami Tobiichi's development.
This realisation suddenly made Luo Shu feel that unless Origami worked for him for life, he'd be at a loss.
Just then, Origami Tobiichi propped herself up on the hospital bed, leaning against the headboard as she asked Luo Shu:
"Would you like to collect some interest in advance then?"
"Interest?" Luo Shu gave Origami a puzzled look. "What interest?"
"Come closer." Origami's lips curled slightly as she beckoned.
Curious, Luo Shu stood and approached.
"Closer." Origami beckoned again.
Seeing this, Luo Shu simply leaned against the bed, standing right beside Origami as he asked:
"...So what exactly are you trying to..."
His words trailed off as he watched Origami's awkward fumbling with the zipper, suddenly realising this 'interest' might be rather... substantial.
...
Knock knock!
A rapping sound came from the hospital room door.
A blonde nurse with wavy hair, dressed in nursing scrubs and pushing a cart of medical equipment, entered the room and announced:
"Ms Origami, please prepare yourself. We'll be conducting a routine check-up shortly."
As she finished speaking, the nurse glanced at Origami Tobiichi, who was leaning against the headboard with flushed cheeks, seemingly swallowing something as her throat moved slightly. The nurse asked curiously:
"Did you just eat something?"
"No, nothing at all," Origami replied calmly. "By the way, could you ask the doctor if I'll be allowed to move around freely later? I'd like to visit my family in another ward."
The nurse seemed familiar with Origami's situation – after all, SDS members with two vegetative parents were exceptionally rare.
"I understand. I'll consult the doctor for you. Based on previous examinations, brief movement should be permissible."
While speaking, the nurse noticed Origami's gaze drifting elsewhere and turned her head curiously: "Is there something behind me?"
Origami remained silent for several seconds before responding: "...No, nothing at all. Please proceed with the examination."
"OK," the nurse nodded, pushing the equipment cart towards Origami.
Meanwhile, outside in the corridor.
Leaning against the wall, Luo Shu exhaled in relief while patting his flushed cheeks in frustration:
"...Even knowing Lacus is waiting for me, I still couldn't resist playing around..."
That said... Origami had been remarkably proactive...
"I'm probably beyond redemption."
Shaking his head, Luo Shu sent a message to Lacus, glanced once more at Origami's ward, then turned and walked in the opposite direction.