Seitenshi: "Is it done?"
Seitenshi: "Aha! It really changed!"
Akane Nishino: "It did! Looking at it now, it seems much clearer!"
Raiden Ei: "Indeed."
Yuki: "Alright, no issues now."
After settling the chat group's name issue, the conversation continued.
Yuki thought of Marika from the Lands Between. She had pretended to accept the invitation from the Greater Will's agents and was now likely back. He wanted to check on her progress.
Yuki: "Marika, how are things on your end?"
Marika: "All is well, Mr. Yuki. I am back in the Lands Between, currently staying at Stormveil Castle, the fortress of the Storm Lord, once a loyal follower of the Ancient Dragons."
Marika: "However, I haven't received any further instructions from the Two Fingers, so I must hold my position for now."
Marika: "Also, the Greater Will and the others promised to provide assistance, but so far, there's no sign of it."
Marika: "As for the other agents, I have my Black Knife Assassins investigating them now."
Marika explained everything truthfully, holding nothing back.
Yuki then extended his consciousness beyond the Date A Live world, enveloping the entire multiverse. In less than a second, he located the world of the Lands Between. His gaze fell upon Stormveil Castle, specifically a room in an inn within the city.
Inside that room, a woman with radiant golden hair lay on a bed draped with layers of sheer white gauze. Her face was exquisitely enchanting, her figure curvaceous and alluring, with fair skin rivaling pearls and snow. A pair of long, shapely legs rested upon the bed, their delicate skin exposed to the air, tempting anyone to touch them.
The woman wore a simple black silk dress that hugged her perfect form, its semi-transparent curves enough to make one's mouth go dry. Without a doubt, this woman alone in the room was Marika from the chat group.
Activating his omniscience, Yuki was instantly flooded with infinite information. He simply selected what interested him.
He learned that Marika's current situation was exactly as she described. She was indeed at Stormveil Castle, awaiting further orders. Simultaneously, she was contemplating her hidden moves, her own plans and countermeasures.
As for the "assistance" the Greater Will promised, Yuki knew without thinking it would be Maliketh, the Black Blade, who in the original story posed as Marika's half-brother. Marika's rise above other agents, especially defeating her greatest rival, the Gloam-Eyed Queen, owed much to Maliketh's aid. Later, he was entrusted with the dangerous Rune of Death, a power capable of slaying gods—both as a reward and as a means to monitor Marika.
He was both a servant assigned to the Empyrean by the Two Fingers and a watcher, ensuring she followed the gods' will and did not betray them. Marika was well aware of this. Therefore, she couldn't rely solely on help from the Greater Will's side; she needed her own plans.
Currently, Marika's greatest reliance was her Black Knife Assassins. But she knew they couldn't handle everything. She sought a new breakthrough, a true opportunity to break free from the Greater Will and take revenge.
Yuki: "In that case, be careful. If you encounter any trouble, ask the group for help."
Marika: "Yes, I understand, Mr. Yuki."
Seeing Yuki's message, a slight smile curved Marika's lips. Earlier, when Yuki saved the multiverse, sitting upon that throne surrounded by divine light—that uniquely handsome figure—even Marika couldn't help but be captivated. Even now, his image lingered, leaving an indelible shadow in her heart. Recalling him, she felt emotions welling up, almost bursting forth.
'Could it be... I've fallen for Yuki?' Marika couldn't help but ask herself.
Of course, the answer to such a question was something only she herself could know.
Unknowingly, Yuki spent the class time chatting in the group, and soon it was evening, time to leave school.
Marin Kitagawa seized her chance. She had packed up early, just before class ended. The moment the bell rang, she was already at Yuki's desk.
"Yuki-kun, let's walk home together! We're going the same way, right?"
Marin's face was lit up with a brilliant smile, making it impossible to find a reason to refuse. Her speed left the other students stunned. The girls all looked at her with envy.
"Alright," Yuki nodded, gathered his things, and left the classroom with both Origami and Marin.
In another corner of the classroom, a blonde-haired girl, Eri, bit her finger, her face a mix of annoyance and anxiety.
Darn it! Beaten to it again!
Eri felt utterly frustrated. Was it just because her seat was a bit farther away? How could she miss her chance in less than a minute?
The blonde girl felt both dejected and resentful.
Meanwhile, Yuki was walking down the corridor with the two girls.
"Marin, before we leave school, I need to stop by the junior high section to pick up my little sister. Is that okay with you?"
Remembering he had to get Kotori, Yuki asked Marin.
"That's right, we need to pick someone up. If you're in a hurry, Kitagawa-san, my suggestion is that you head home alone first," Origami stated impassively from the side. Though phrased as a helpful reminder, it sounded more like an attempt to discourage her.
However, Marin shook her head, unfazed.
"It's no problem, I'm not in a hurry at all! I'd love to meet Yuki-kun's little sister too!"
Marin wore a beaming smile, showing no sign of minding. But internally, she was panicking.
'Gulp! I'm going to meet Yuki-kun's little sister? Isn't this like meeting the family? Wait, no... more like meeting the future sister-in-law! Is my hair okay? I hope I don't make a bad impression!'
Seeing Marin had no objections, Yuki led her to the junior high section.
Arriving at Kotori's classroom, Yuki spotted her immediately—red hair, white-and-black ribbons tied on her head, sitting at her desk looking sullen.
"Kotori!"
Yuki walked in and called out to her.
Hearing his voice, Kotori instantly perked up.
"Onii-chan!"
She sprang up from her seat, her sullen expression transforming into one of pure joy. But then, remembering something, she quickly suppressed her smile and put on a stern face again.
"Hmph!"
After snorting, she sat back down.
Seeing this, Yuki couldn't help but wear a wry smile.
Looks like not coming home last night made this little one a bit upset...