What kind of perfect figure is this?
What kind of dazzling appearance is this?
What kind of admirable existence is this?
Natsumi, because her initial appearance when she first manifested in the real world was not accepted by others, used her Angel, Haniel, to transform herself into her ideal form.
Interacting with people using this new appearance, over time, a belief gradually formed that this was her original form.
Losing confidence in her true form, even starting to feel others' praise was unreasonable sarcasm, easily misunderstanding compliments, Natsumi began exhibiting a series of extreme, obsessive behaviors.
Now, with Ryuya's appearance, Natsumi was astonished to find that this man before her was the most perfect existence in her heart.
"So perfect, so dazzling."
The radiance of the True Sun God, the brilliance of the Earth King, and the familiarity brought by the Kabbalah Tree of Life… every aspect made her heart flutter.
Looking at Ryuya, Natsumi discovered for the first time that there could be such a beautiful person in the world.
Eagerly desiring to possess Ryuya, Natsumi, with a greedy heart, voiced her wish.
'I want to possess you.'
"Don't joke around, you crazy woman!"
Seeing Natsumi get so close to Ryuya without permission, Ellen immediately swung a blade materialized by her Realizer.
With a sharp, flashing strike, Natsumi took two steps back, slightly increasing the distance between them, "This level of combat power... you're not ordinary, are you?"
Her impression of forces like AST was that they were merely slightly troublesome.
Believing Haniel's power allowed her to toy with them easily, Natsumi narrowed her eyes slightly and directed a dangerous smile towards Ellen.
"Enough talk. Anyone who covets Sensei is guilty."
Normally, Ellen and Karen, as top-tier fighters, possessed their own pride and preferred one-on-one combat.
But when it came to matters involving Ryuya, they both erupted with resolute will, simultaneously equipping their Realizers. Their combined power was not something Natsumi could resist.
They were, after all, among the world's strongest Wizards. As a duo, in terms of pure individual combat power, aside from Ryuya and Mio, probably no other Spirit could match them.
"Wait, Ellen, Karen."
Looking strangely at Natsumi, in Ryuya's eyes, the Natsumi before him had two forms.
The first was this current mature, charming, tsundere older sister.
The second was...
"Natsumi, aren't you... tired?"
He could clearly see the young Natsumi, wearing an ill-fitting witch's outfit, a large hat hiding all her beautiful hair.
Judging by appearance alone, Natsumi's true form seemed to be only around ten years old.
Her childish form was even younger than Kotori's. Ryuya signaled for Ellen and the others to calm down, and he would handle it.
"Tired? What kind of look is that?"
Noticing Ryuya's perspective was different, his gaze wasn't directed at her mature self but seemed to be looking at her true form, Natsumi grew tense.
"My look is obvious. I can see your true form."
Never one to beat around the bush, as a King, Ryuya was perhaps least skilled at being indirect.
Although he could guess that directly stating he could see through Natsumi's true form would destabilize her emotions, he said it anyway.
"You can see me... That's impossible. No one can see through Haniel's disguise. No one can..."
Halfway through her sentence, Natsumi grew increasingly flustered. But she noticed Ryuya's expression remained firm, and even as her spiritual power ran wild, the man before her stayed calm.
Clearly, he truly could see through it.
"Alright... maybe you really can see me."
Intimidated by Ryuya's persistent demeanor, Natsumi asked, "Aren't you going to despise me like this?"
"Despise you? Are you joking?"
Indicating that the young, cute Natsumi had her own charm, Ryuya naturally denied this.
"You're lying to me! You're lying, aren't you?!"
Hearing Ryuya actually praise her, Natsumi's emotions became unstable. Believing such a perfect person was mocking her, Natsumi angrily unleashed her power.
However...
Ryuya didn't speak. He just continued looking at Natsumi, then absorbed the raging spiritual power from her to prevent the risk of a Spacequake.
"Impossible! You can't possibly think I'm charming. My own appearance... I know it myself."
Taking a deep breath, looking at Ryuya, Natsumi consistently refused to believe she was a charming woman.
"Kyouno Natsumi, external appearance can attract initial favor, but what truly makes someone beloved, I believe, is the inner soul."
"If you don't believe me, how about a wager?"
"A wager?"
Looking at Ryuya, Natsumi was somewhat angry, "What kind of wager?"
"Let's wager on appearances."
Pointing to Ellen, Karen, and Westcott behind him, Ryuya stated frankly, "As you see, these three are very important to me."
"And not just here. In Tengu City, Japan, there are others most important to me. Their feelings and mine are the same… I firmly believe my friends don't judge people by their looks."
"Since you believe appearance is so important, let's have a contest."
"Your Angel, Haniel, can change others' appearances, achieving 100% mimicry."
"Go ahead and transform. You can take the form of any of my friends. The number of chances you get equals their total number. In other words, you have as many chances as there are people."
"I will seal all my perceptions and rely on my understanding of them to discern the differences between you and the real ones. If I correctly identify every single one, then I win."
Hearing Ryuya's words, Natsumi shook her head, "I can change my appearance, but I don't know their inner memories. Your method is meaningless."
"Then what do you want to do?"
Noticing Natsumi seemed to have an idea, Ryuya asked.
"I want to become you, then interact with the people most important to you."
Taking a deep breath, Natsumi's competitive nature absolutely would not allow anyone to defy her will.
Believing humans prioritize appearance, she continued, "As you said, I will use your appearance to interact with those people. If they cannot tell the difference between me and you, then I win."
"If they can distinguish the difference between me and you, then you win."
"The number of times is as you said… you must be correct for every single person, otherwise it counts as your loss."
"Moreover, to avoid... accidents, you must tell me everything about you and them. So, dare you accept?"
Looking down on Ryuya from a superior position, Natsumi believed this was a nearly certain losing bet that Ryuya would never accept.
"Hmm... Telling you everything is impossible. Some things are exclusive little secrets between me and them. But I can establish a spiritual link with you. If there's anything you don't know, I'll tell you immediately."
After thinking for a moment, Ryuya proposed an answer that surprised Natsumi.
That was... he agreed!