"Nino, seeing how you've grown up, mama is very happy!"
Hearing that gentle voice, Nino froze.
After a long time, she remembered her mother who had left them long ago.
That voice… so familiar, as if…
"Ma… mama…"
Her body went rigid, Nino's voice trembled; how much she wanted to turn around and see her mother who had long abandoned the Five Sisters, to see that blurry face from her memories once more.
But at this moment, Nino was rational; standing on the edge between life and death, Nino's mind was exceptionally clear.
She knew that the one standing behind her might not be her mother who had already died of illness, but merely an illusion created by the monster in front of her, including that gentle voice calling her.
Nino remembered very clearly that in the story Rokushi told, this monster called "Shirai" had the ability to create illusions, manipulate perception, and use human desires to lure them into turning around.
And the woman who now stood behind Nino, continuously speaking to her, was the biological mother of the Five Sisters — Nakano Reina!
"Nino, haven't you been arguing with Miku lately?"
"Nino is the older sister, so when you grow up, don't get angry with Miku anymore."
"Oh, and Ichika? When she was little, Ichika often said she wanted to become a big star, is she still striving for her dream now?"
Listening to her mother's everyday words from behind, Nino's eyes gradually filled with tears, the hazy mist swirling in her eyes, eventually turning into tears that overflowed and ran down her cheeks.
Nino had wanted many times to turn her head, to face Nakano Reina and throw herself into her arms, to tell her mother all her longing and the injustices she had carried for the past ten years, but looking at Shirai not far ahead, Nino's rationality always restrained her impulse.
But how long could that rationality last? Nino was not sure; the voice calling her from behind had a strange magic, merely listening to it made Nino feel her longing magnify countless times.
Nakano Reina's calls continued, each word of advice entering Nino's ears — it was her mother's tone, which Nino had not heard for a very long time.
"Yotsuba and Itsuki too, Nino is the older sister, you must take good care of them."
"And Yu, even though he is only your adopted brother, you sisters will surely treat Yu as a real brother, right? Yu is at the age where he should be looking for a girlfriend, isn't he?"
No matter what Nakano Reina said behind her, Nino's gaze remained firmly fixed on Shirai.
Yes, Nino truly missed her mother terribly, very, very much! And Nino also knew that if she missed this opportunity, she might never again have the chance to see Nakano Reina.
But so what?
She had a family, sisters, friends, and more importantly, people who were waiting for her to return home!
She absolutely must not stay here, Yu was still waiting for her to come home!
Thinking this, Nino first wiped the tears from one eye, ensuring she could clearly see Shirai.
The cold wind hit her face, and her already tear-filled eyes stung slightly at that moment.
Nino barely resisted the urge to blink, but she raised her hand to keep her eyes open.
In fact, Nino herself didn't know how she had endured until now; normally so fragile, yet now, facing this monster, her heart was still afraid, but not as intensely as before.
Ignoring the voice of Nakano Reina in her ears, Nino gradually calmed down.
"Sigh… Nino, mama knows, mama irresponsibly left you, the Five Sisters… mama knows Nino resents mama, mama… now I will go."
Nakano Reina's quiet, hollow words came from behind Nino, causing Nino's heart, which had just calmed, to suddenly tighten.
How could she resent her mother?! Even though she was still a child then, she wasn't completely unaware; her mother had died from suffering due to illness!
Driven by lingering regret, Nino slightly turned her gaze, wanting to at least steal a glance at Nakano Reina, even if it was only her back, or just the edge of her clothing!
"Slap!"
Suddenly, a bluish, wrinkled, mummified hand landed on Nino's shoulder.
Nino's body trembled for a moment, either from fear or icy cold.
Only then did Nino realize that she… had turned her gaze! Even if just for a moment, the cursed female apparition in front of her had already disappeared!
Looking at the eerie hand on her shoulder, Nino's heart sank; how could she have been so careless?!
It's almost over! Now… I'm afraid I won't be able to return home, I won't be able to see Yu.
The cursed female apparition paid no mind to Nino's thoughts, slowly leaning forward, her twisted, ghastly face stretching into a smile, as if enjoying Nino's desperate appearance.
Knowing her fate clearly, Nino closed her eyes.
She had given up hope of surviving, but… she still hadn't fed Yu the dessert…
Just as Nino was like a lamb awaiting slaughter, suddenly in the dark night the sound of clashing swords echoed, and then golden light poured out before Nino, like a great sun about to pierce the darkness.
"Zuuum!!!"
With the sound of the sword came a voice that brought Nino an immeasurable sense of calm:
"I was wondering why you hadn't returned home so late, Nino, it seems you got entangled with this thing."
Hearing that voice, Nino sharply lifted her head and saw the young man before her, surrounded by golden runes, holding a golden long sword and walking toward her.
The young man wore a white shirt and black shorts, of slender build.
His face was white like jade, and although his features were distinct, he gave off a gentle impression; at first glance, he seemed an extremely pleasant young man.
At this moment, there was a smile on his face, but his purple-jade eyes shone with a cold gleam; although usually a gentle youth, now he radiated dread.
The Sacred Sword Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi in his hand shone brightly, and wherever its light passed, the fog dispersed!
The person who had arrived was none other than the young man Nino had just spoken to on the phone, the adopted son of the Nakano family — Nakano Yu!
Seeing Nino look at him with a shocked and confused expression, Nakano Yu smiled and shook his head.
He had just taken a break during a mission and did not expect to encounter his other sister; it was a true coincidence, but it didn't matter, he had never intended to hide anyway.
After transmigrating, Nakano Yu had revealed everything to the Five Sisters, but they had not believed him, and Nakano Yu could do nothing about it.
"Yu! You… how is this possible…"
Seeing Nakano Yu holding the Sacred Sword and shining with golden light like a god, Nino was astonished.
"I told you I have supernatural powers, Nino, come here, don't turn around."
Nakano Yu shrugged, then gestured for Nino to come.
Seeing that, Nino hesitated; that disgusting cursed female apparition was still behind her! If she approached, wouldn't she endanger Nakano Yu?
That worried hesitation lasted only a second, but it quickly turned into trust toward Nakano Yu.
Taking a deep breath, Nino stepped toward Nakano Yu.
The distance between them wasn't far, and after two steps, Nino had already reached Nakano Yu.
Nakano Yu extended his hand, pulled Nino, and shielded her in front of himself.
After ensuring that Nino was safe, Nakano Yu then looked at "Shirai," his eyes full of mockery.
He had not expected such a monster to target someone close to him, and… a curse? Had someone deliberately directed it toward Nino?