Nanashi wasn't someone who lusted after the physical.
More than flesh, he cherished the pleasure of genuine, heart-to-heart connection. A true fusion of mind and spirit.
He gently set Alina down.
With a tap on her shoulder, a golden light shimmered—and a soft green dress materialized, cloaking her.
The gentle, grassy hue was a cruel blow to the dazed Tallulah.
"Alina, it's been a while since you saw Tallulah. You two should catch up," Nanashi said with a faint smile.
"Thank you, Master," Alina replied, her cheeks flushed.
She understood the unspoken meaning behind his words.
Tallulah needed guidance—comfort.
Nanashi stepped away, leaving the Chaos Realm behind.
Some things had to be resolved between them alone. And nothing would change Tallulah faster than someone she loved opening their heart.
He trusted Alina.
He believed she could lift Tallulah out of the pit of guilt.
And perhaps... change her mind.
Maybe even erase the idea of Lily altogether.
Later, Nanashi made his way to the student council.
Kaguya delivered the news.
The building Nanashi had requested was found—suitable, with room for ten to twenty households.
They planned to inspect it over the weekend.
After school.
Back at home, the usual routine resumed: playing with cats.
Three cats now lived in the house—Neko, Haru, and Nekoshita.
Yukino perched in Nanashi's lap, while Haru and Neko curled up beside her.
On one side, the embrace of the man she loved.
On the other, her favorite cats.
As Nanashi's girlfriend—and a world-class cat lover—Yukino was perfectly content.
Kanae and the others had long grown used to the sight.
Everyone was busy with their own tasks. No one disturbed their peace.
Only Eriri sprawled across the sofa, sketchbook in hand. Every now and then, she'd sneak a playful kick at Nanashi with her smooth little foot.
"Nanashi, I'm selling my work tomorrow. You're coming with me, right?" Eriri asked, tone laced with mischief.
Tomorrow was Saturday.
If he postponed the house viewing to Sunday, he could make it.
But selling doujinshi books…?
Nanashi glanced up at Sayuri, who was massaging his shoulders.
"Aren't you going with her?" he asked.
Sayuri smiled softly. "Of course. But just the two of us might not be enough."
Eriri pouted. "My dad always used to come with me…"
Realizing what she said, she froze—then quickly covered her mouth and glanced nervously at Sayuri.
Sayuri didn't flinch. She leaned forward and planted a kiss on Nanashi's lips, her heart fully devoted to him.
It was like she was speaking directly to Eriri:
What do you mean by 'dad'? Isn't your father right here?
"…"
Yukino looked away, flustered.
Why must you kiss… on my shoulder?
Sayuri beamed. "Then this time, let mom and daddy go with you."
"Your Daddy's got plenty of time," Nanashi added with a warm smile.
"Ha!!!"
Eriri exploded in outrage and activated her signature Hot Wheels tantrum mode.
The outburst startled Neko and Haru, sending fur puffing in every direction.
Nanashi remained unfazed. He hugged Yukino tighter, rested his chin against her freshly bathed shoulder, and breathed in her soft scent.
His lips grazed the nape of her neck—eliciting a delicate shiver from Yukino, her cheeks flushed red.
Teasing her like this never got old.
Just as he contemplated getting a bit bolder—
Ding.
A message popped up on his phone.
With so few contacts, every message was worth reading.
It's from Haruno.
"Amin, I'm free this weekend. Want to go out together?"
Nanashi:"Date?"
Haruno:"Of course. I'm looking forward to it."
Nanashi:"Sure, but I might need to check out a house first."
Haruno:"Oh? finally moving?"
Nanashi:"Yeah. We're out of space."
Haruno:"Tsk tsk. New girlfriend again?"
Nanashi:"Not a girlfriend… more like a subordinate."
Haruno:"Got it. Haven't captured them yet, huh?"
Nanashi:"…"
He smacked his lips in disbelief. Haruno had seen right through him.
Haruno:"Hehe. If you're moving, then I'm moving too. I want to live in the same room as Yukino."
Nanashi:"Not up to me. Ask Yukino."
Haruno:"Aw, and I was going to help you fulfill your sister's bowl(*a threesome with two sisters) wish. Guess there's no chance now."
Nanashi:"Alright! I'll do it! You'll live with Yukino!"
Haruno:"Tsk. Be gentle with her when you're having sex. But if you catch any moments with her rolling her eyes, snap a pic for me."
Nanashi:"…"
Haruno… are you the devil?
And then… he felt the burning stare.
Nanashi slowly turned his head.
Yep. Yukino saw it.
Yukino lifted her head, her voice cold and heavy with gloom.
"Are you really going to do what my sister said?"
Nanashi shook his head without hesitation.
"Of course not. I love Yukino too much—how could I bear to see my adorable Yukino rolling her eyes?"
"!!!"
Yukino flushed, glaring at him.
"Don't say that—and don't make me roll my eyes!"
"Zipped!"
Nanashi immediately mimed pulling a zipper across his lips in exaggerated silence.
Only then did Yukino relax.
She had been tense.
Truly scared.
That day, she had personally witnessed Eriri rolling her eyes and sticking out her tongue in sheer embarrassment.
If she imagined herself in Eriri's place, Yukino felt like she would rather disappear than endure the shame.
The worst part?
That photo had to be sent to her sister.
Just thinking about it made her heart stop.
But… regarding the photo...
Yukino gently cupped Nanashi's face, her expression shy yet serious.
"Then… you can send me a photo of my sister instead."
"Ah?"
Nanashi was stunned.
Yukino? His sweet, kind Yukino?
Haruno! You corrupted your pure-hearted little sister!
But then—an idea sparked in Nanashi's mind.
He leaned close, lightly nibbling Yukino's ear.
"Photos aren't safe, you know. I can transmit what I see… directly into your brain."
"!!!"
Yukino froze.
This… why did that sound so weird?
Seeing the flicker of hesitation in her eyes, Nanashi's gaze lit up.
There was hope!
And so, he launched into a full-on persuasive campaign—soft words, teasing smiles, and just the right amount of pressure.
From hesitant to flustered, from flustered to dazed, and finally…
Yukino nodded, cheeks burning red.
From the side, Eriri and the others watched the whole thing unfold, shaking their heads in silent awe.
"Yukino's been completely tricked," they thought.
Later that night…
"Kanae, you've gotten even better at this," Nanashi murmured, lying on the bed and watching Kanae's continuous up and down movement atop him.
Two cats slept nearby, undisturbed—even a thunderstorm wouldn't have woken them.
"…"
Kanae, of course, couldn't respond. But Nanashi praised her anyway, just for the mood.
His attention was quickly drawn to something else: the chat group.
Not for any particular message—just the arrival of new members.
[Ding! The Water God has joined the chat group!]
[Ding! Tingyun has joined the chat group!]
—The World of Teyvat—
"Ugh… so boring. Isn't there anything more interesting to do?"
A girl in a flowing blue dress twirled a strand of hair around her finger, visibly restless.
This was the continent of Teyvat—specifically, the Fontaine Court of Inquisition.
Also known as the Opéra Epicle, the grand opera house served as the pinnacle of Fontaine's judiciary system.
Seated in her exclusive chair above the cardinal judges, she looked down upon the empty courtroom.
Her name was Furina.
Also known as the Water God of Fontaine.
Also known as its brightest Star.
To outsiders, the title "brightest star" might seem absurd for a deity. But if you ever witnessed her theatrical trials at the opera house, it would all make sense.
She always appeared—on time, dazzling, unpredictable.
Laughing, berating, sometimes hysterical.
Her performance often outshined the trial itself.
People didn't come just to witness justice—they came for the show, for her.
In that way, Furina was far more captivating than the coldly impartial Neuvillette.
Reverence didn't always have to be silent admiration from afar.
Fontaine's citizens didn't just respect Furina.
They liked her.
She wasn't perfect. Maybe not even strong.
But when she was on stage, she was the most reliable person in the room.
She never let them down.
In Fontaine's literary circles, there was even a poetic comparison:
Furina is the eternal memory of youth, never fading.
Who wouldn't want to stay young forever?
Now, here she was, alone in the courtroom.
The trial was over.
The excitement gone.
She yawned slightly.
Even a Water God could get bored.
To others, Water God might sound like a grand and enviable title.
But to her… it often felt more like a burden.
Her fingers brushed over the ornate armrest of her seat, eyes glazed with thought.
How long have I been here?
Hundreds of years, maybe.
She was the Goddess of Water. That role wasn't optional.
In the vast, empty opera house, no one could see the expression on her face.
The cheerful, confident, flamboyant Furina was gone.
What remained was a lonely figure—elegant, yes, but tired.
She only allowed herself to look this way when alone.
Because Furina, the Water Goddess, was not allowed to appear anything less than perfect in front of others.
"What's this…?"
Suddenly—
Furina's lonely expression vanished.
She sat upright, eyes sharp and focused on the strange screen in front of her.
"Doomsday… chat group?"
Something unfamiliar had just appeared before her eyes.
Something she had never seen before.
Something that might—just might—break the monotony of her eternity.
On the Starship
Tingyun, a graceful fox-woman clad in elegant attire, stood quietly on the deck, gazing into the vast sea of stars.
The starship she was aboard was flanked by several others—merchant vessels belonging to the Whistling Flames Chamber of Commerce.
As the official ferryman of the Xianzhou Luofu(*or Celestial Vessel Floating Expanse is basically a gigantic space city-ship), a celestial vessel known as the Immortal Ship, Tingyun had long traveled alongside merchant caravans, journeying from planet to planet to forge alliances and expand trade routes.
Now, she was finally returning to the Floating Expanse Immortal Ship with the delegation.
Though her gaze remained fixed on the sea of stars, her fox-like eyes narrowed thoughtfully. She opened her folding fan with a graceful snap, lightly waving it toward the sky.
"Oh? It seems I've discovered something rather extraordinary."