"Wait, you seriously know our kids?"
Mina's tsundere act cracked faster than an egg hitting concrete.
Her tough-girl pose melted into pure parental concern as she stepped closer to Nero.
"Tell me that idiot Haru isn't causing you trouble! I swear if he's been lazy with his magic training, I'll ground him until he's thirty!"
"Ara ara~ Please tell me Yui-chan has been eating properly."
Haori's motherly energy went into overdrive, her eyes sparkling with that distinctly maternal worry that could guilt-trip someone from three miles away.
"That child always forgets to take care of herself when she's focused on helping others."
"BY THE POWER OF PARENTAL LOVE, I DEMAND TO KNOW ABOUT MY PRECIOUS KAITO!"
Yuki struck a dramatic pose that would make a sentai hero jealous, rainbow sparkles literally dancing around her like she was auditioning for a magical girl transformation sequence.
"Has he been training his body to become the strongest warrior of justice?!"
"Based on statistical analysis of your expressions, I calculate a 97.3% probability that our offspring are alive and in good health."
Juno adjusted his invisible glasses with the confidence of someone who'd just solved world hunger using math.
"However, I require additional data points to confirm their optimal development trajectory."
"Okay, okay, calm down."
Nero held up his hands like he was trying to tame four overly excited anime characters.
Which, honestly, wasn't that far from the truth.
These "parents" clearly knew nothing about restraints.
"Your kids are fine… Well, more than fine, actually. They're badass monster fighters now."
"REALLY?! The power of friendship and determination has made them strong?!"
Yuki's eyes exploded with stars as she clasped her hands together.
The woman was practically vibrating with excitement, looking ready to break into a musical number about the bonds of youth.
"Tch! Of course that brat got stronger. He better have, or I'd kick his ass myself."
Mina crossed her arms and turned her head, but the proud smile on her face was impossible to hide.
"N-Not that I'm impressed or anything."
"Ara ara~ Our little ones have grown up so fast."
Haori's voice took on that impossibly gentle tone that made everyone want to confess their deepest secrets and ask for cookies.
"I hope they've been making friends and staying safe."
"Fascinating. Combat experience typically accelerates skill development by 340% compared to theoretical training."
Juno nodded sagely, like he was discussing a particularly interesting research paper.
"This suggests optimal character growth parameters within standard adventure narrative structures."
"Yeah, they're doing great. Kaito's like a walking tank, Haru can fry monsters with lightning, and Yui keeps everyone patched up and fighting."
Nero couldn't help but smile thinking about the trio who have grown exceptionally fast this past month.
"They've got each other's backs, and they're tough as nails now."
But as he was talking, he noticed all four parents had started staring past him with expressions that looked like they'd just witnessed the second coming of Christ.
And knowing that look, his head ached a bit…
'Don't tell me…'
But just to be sure, Nero still asked.
"... What are you guys all looking at?"
"Lord Nero, I believe they are observing me."
Aurelia stepped up beside him, her silver wings catching the weird LED sunlight in a way that made her look like she'd stepped out of a Renaissance painting.
Her golden eyes regarded the parents with that same stoic expression she gave everyone.
Like they were mildly interesting but ultimately harmless.
"Holy shit, she really is an angel."
Mina's tough-girl act completely evaporated as she stared at Aurelia with the wide-eyed wonder of a kid seeing fireworks for the first time.
"I mean... not that I care or anything."
"BY THE SACRED LIGHT OF HEAVEN! A REAL DIVINE BEING HAS GRACED US WITH HER PRESENCE!"
Yuki dropped to her knees and struck a worshipping pose, hands clasped in front of her chest.
Tears of joy were literally streaming down her face like she was having a religious experience.
"This is the most magical moment of my entire life!"
"Ara ara~ What beautiful wings you have, dear."
Haori approached with that gentle motherly smile, her eyes soft with genuine admiration.
"You must be very special to have such lovely feathers."
"According to my calculations, the probability of encountering a genuine celestial entity is approximately 0.000001%."
Juno was frantically scribbling notes in a notebook that had appeared from nowhere.
"This data point will revolutionize my understanding of post-apocalyptic reality parameters."
"..."
Aurelia just stood there looking mildly confused by all the attention.
Her head tilted slightly, like a curious cat trying to figure out why humans were acting weird.
"I am... pleased to meet you."
"OH MY GOD, SHE SPOKE! THE ANGEL SPOKE TO US!"
Yuki's excitement levels reached critical mass as she started spinning in circles.
"This is better than every magical girl anime combined!"
"Can... Can I touch your wings?"
Mina's question came out in a tiny voice that was the complete opposite of her usual tough attitude.
Her cheeks were red with embarrassment, but her eyes were shining with pure fanboy... er, fangirl curiosity.
"I won't hurt them or anything."
"... You may."
Aurelia spread one wing slightly, allowing easier access.
*WHOOSH!*
The sound of four grown adults rushing forward at once was like a stampede of overly excited otakus at a convention.
"So soft!"
Mina was practically purring as she gently stroked the feathers.
Her tsundere mask had completely disappeared, replaced by the wonder of someone touching something from their wildest dreams.
"They're like silk mixed with starlight!"
"Ara ara~ Such pristine condition."
Haori was examining the wing structure with the careful attention of someone who appreciated fine craftsmanship.
"You must take very good care of them, dear."
"THE DIVINE RADIANCE! I CAN FEEL THE POWER OF LOVE AND JUSTICE FLOWING THROUGH THESE SACRED FEATHERS!"
Yuki had both hands pressed against the wing, tears still streaming down her face.
She looked like she was having some sort of spiritual awakening.
"Remarkable. The structural integrity suggests a perfect balance of flexibility and durability."
Juno was studying the wing like it was the most fascinating scientific specimen he'd ever encountered.
"The aerodynamic properties alone would revolutionize modern aircraft design."
Meanwhile, Nero stood there watching four grown adults basically worship his angel waifu.
Part of him wanted to join in because, honestly, Aurelia's wings were pretty fucking amazing.
But the other part of him was trying to maintain some dignity in front of the woman he'd been slowly falling for over the past month.
'Stay cool, Nero. Don't let them see how much you want to touch those wings too.'
He cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Uh, maybe we should give her some space?"
"But they're so beautiful!"
Mina whined, sounding more like a kid being told to stop playing with their favorite toy.
"Just five more minutes?"
"I'm conducting important scientific observations!"
Juno protested while taking detailed measurements with a ruler that had also appeared from nowhere.
"These findings could change everything!"
"THE POWER OF DIVINE BEAUTY COMPELS ME!"
Yuki was now hugging the wing like it was a body pillow.
"I never want to let go!"
"Ara ara~ Such enthusiasm."
Haori chuckled while gently petting the feathers.
"But perhaps we should be more respectful to our divine guest."
"..."
Aurelia looked at Nero with an expression that clearly said 'are all humans this strange?'
Her golden eyes held just a hint of confusion, like she was trying to process why these people were so fascinated by what she considered basic anatomy.
"Lord Nero, is this normal behavior for humans?"
"No, just them."
Bro immediately ditched the parents who were too hardcore of an otaku… He's definitely not like that, you know?
No, seriously, please believe him.
"... Understood."
Aurelia nodded with the same stoic face… But Nero was pretty sure that her perspective of humans just dropped despite what he said.
"Interesting. I shall make note of human curiosity regarding celestial appendages."
Juno nodded with a 1000 IQ look.
"Please don't write a research paper about this."
Nero almost begged… Well, not that he can't understand what the man was saying though.
He himself, if given the time, would like to thoroughly inspect and "research" his angel wifey… though their relationship is not on that level yet.
'Someday, soon…'
Nero is determined to make it happen.
"... Ahem!"
A loud, deliberate cough cut through the wing-worship session like a knife through butter.
"Sorry to interrupt your... atmosphere."
Jin stepped forward, her expression somewhere between amused and exasperated.
Sarah stood beside her, trying not to laugh at the scene of four grown adults molesting an angel's wings.
"But I have questions to ask."
The wing-touching session came to an abrupt halt as everyone turned to look at Jin.
Her tone carried that unmistakable seriousness that said playtime was officially over.
"About the anomaly, the plant creature, and what the hell we're supposed to do about it."
Nero nodded, grateful for the interruption.
His and the other noble otakus' dignity might survive this encounter after all.
"Right. Let's get down to business."
***
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