Asuka sat quietly in her room, her thoughts spiraling into unease. Her chest felt heavy, her mind restless as the same question repeated itself over and over.
How could I save Shinichiro so easily? she whispered, her voice fragile, almost lost in the silence of her room.
She pressed her forehead against the cool glass of the window and saw Shinichiro walking by. Her lips curved into the faintest smile, but doubt still lingered in her heart.
Maybe it doesn't matter whether it was easy or difficult. I saved him… and that alone will change everything, she told herself, clenching her fists in quiet determination.
That night, sleep refused to come easily. When exhaustion finally overtook her, she didn't know what time it was. The steady hum of insects slowly faded into the gentle chorus of morning birds.
"Unlike any other day, the aroma of the food filled her senses, and today there was nothing. Their was no sound of her oka-san knife cutting the vegetables, no flipping of papers of her Oto-san and no calling for her and keisuke to wake up."
Asuka stirred, her body heavy as stone. Her throat burned with dryness, as though she hadn't tasted water for weeks. She blinked, her vision blurring and clearing, until—
In an instant, everything went black.
The ceiling, the bed, even her own body vanished. She couldn't move, couldn't even twitch a finger. Panic clawed at her chest.
What's happening to me…?
"Good morning, experiment no. 56," came a voice — smooth, gentle, yet cutting straight through her like ice.
Her heart sank. That voice. That arrogance.
It was him. The so-called God.
"What's this? No response?" he teased, his tone dripping with ego. "I thought I'd pay you a little visit. I know you're surprised at how smoothly everything went… almost too smoothly."
Before Her jammed body could struggle more , he appeared before her, his smirk curling like a blade across his face.
Her gaze sharpened, burning with frustration.
"Now, now… don't glare at me like that," he said, feigning innocence. "After all, I saved you that night. The boy would've been consumed by that curse from the time traveler if I hadn't stepped in." His grin widened, pride radiating off him like poison.
She wanted to scream, to demand answers, but invisible chains bound her body.
"I hope you haven't forgotten our little deal," he whispered, tilting his head. "Because I see how attached you're becoming. Careful… you might be feeling something more for someone."
Her chest tightened. Her blood ran cold.
She struggled, forcing her body to move, her lips to part. Nothing. Not even her eyes obeyed her will.
He chuckled darkly. "Do you not understand? Without my permission, you can't even blink here. And yet, you keep trying… pitiful, but amusing."
Her desperation burned into anger.
"You know," he leaned closer, his grin venomous, "there's an easier way. Become mine. My slave for the rest of your life."
Her stomach churned. Rage erupted. With every ounce of strength, she forced her mouth to move.
"N–Never…" she rasped, her lips trembling and in a second the muscle near her lios started to tear and the blood started trickling from the corners it was the painest thing she could imagine.
The flow of blood the pain and the motionless body horrified her.
Then came the scream — raw, torn from her throat.
She jolted awake in her room, drenched in sweat. Her shaking hands rushed to her face, her mouth, her arms. No blood. No chains. Just trembling skin.
Her reflection in the mirror stared back pale and hollow-eyed, like she had seen a ghost.
Footsteps thundered towards her door.
"Asuka!" Keisuke, Oka-san, and Oto-san burst in, faces tight with fear.
"Asuka, are you okay?" her mother rushed to her side, her hands trembling as they checked her forehead.
She sat frozen, silent, her breaths ragged. The family exchanged worried glances.
"Say something!" Keisuke pleaded, panic in his voice.
After long minutes, she finally nodded and slipped away into the bathroom. Cold water hit her skin, trying to wash away the nightmare's grip.
Meanwhile, in the lands of the gods…
The willow branches hang like curtains of emerald silk, veiling the divine presence from mortal eyes. Shafts of sunlight pierce through the canopy, not as ordinary light, but as flowing rivers of radiance the god's aura spilling into the world. The water reflects this brilliance, shimmering like liquid crystal, so still it seems to hold secrets older than time.
Tiny birds and insects dance in the glow, as if they are attendants in a silent ceremony, honoring their king. The air is hushed, thick with reverence, and every ripple upon the pond feels like a whispered hymn.
Here sits the god beautiful beyond comprehension, his form woven from light itself. His presence bends the world around him into serenity. In this place, mortals would fall to their knees not from fear, but from awe, unable to bear the weight of such beauty.
Lord Shinrao sat gazing at the sky, expression unreadable. His assistant's hands moved carefully through his long hair, weaving strands with quiet precision.
"What you did to her was not justified, my lord," the assistant murmured softly, though her hands never faltered.
Shinrao tilted his head, his voice calm, detached. "Did I… overdo it?" For a heartbeat, his gaze held weight. Then a smirk tugged at his lips, mocking his own seriousness.
"She's foolish. Trying to defy me in my own domain? Moving when she was not allowed… only an idiot would attempt that."
The assistant said nothing, only cast a glance at him from the corner of her eye.
"I admire strength," Shinrao continued, stood up with an elegance too sharp to be human. "But when someone stretches beyond their limits… it disgusts me."
His steps echoed as he left, his assistant trailing silently behind.
Back at the Baji household…
When Asuka finally stepped out of the bathroom, her hair damp, her eyes still clouded, her family exhaled in relief.
"Asuka, are you sure you're alright?" her father asked, already pouring her a glass of water.
"I… just had a nightmare," she said hoarsely, forcing steadiness into her voice. "That's all."
She drank greedily, the cool water soothing her raw throat like medicine after endless thirst.
"If you want, you can rest at home today," Oka-san suggested gently, concern etched in her tone.
But Asuka shook her head firmly. "No. I'll go. It's fine."
She left to prepare for school, hiding the fear trembling beneath her skin.
Keisuke walked her all the way, his eyes never leaving her, silently vowing to protect her even if he didn't know what demons haunted her heart.