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When Senjougahara saw Takumi's reply, she gave a teasing smile.
[Keeping a lover in a golden house? Looks like I'm the mistress you're hiding, Pervert-kun.]
[Just answer—do you want to or not?]
[Of course I do~ After all, you're my perverted master, aren't you?]
As she sent that last note to Takumi, she added silently in her heart: "Besides… you're all I have left."
After burying her parents, there was nothing tying her to this world anymore. The only reason she hadn't fallen apart—or taken her own life—was because of him. He was her pillar. Her master. As long as he didn't abandon her, she would never let go.
Takumi could almost feel that heavy emotion behind her calm eyes. Words weren't enough to comfort her; only actions could. He wanted her to understand—he would stay by her side.
The following classes went surprisingly smoothly. Even better, the progress of his [World-Crossing Gate] had skyrocketed.
By lunchtime, it had surpassed its supposed limit.
[World-Crossing Gate: 101%]
"Huh?" Takumi frowned as a surge of information flowed into his mind.
Because his fortune had increased, the evolution of the Interdimensional Realm had triggered changes within the Gate itself. In short, he could now use accumulated fortune progress to upgrade his ability tiers.
"To upgrade a white tag to green, I need 10% fortune. Green to blue needs 100%. Blue to purple needs 3000%. And gold… uh, let's just say too many zeros to bother reading."
He sighed, giving up halfway through the numbers. His growth rate had been fast—by normal standards. But compared to the fortune requirements for those upgrades, it still felt painfully slow.
"Since people's attention generates fortune… I guess I'll have to write another couple of light novels." He muttered to himself, brainstorming ways to earn more fortune.
As he stood and headed toward the cafeteria, intending to think while eating, a familiar figure appeared beside him—Yuki Nonaka.
"Takumi-kun~ I have something important to tell you… just the two of us." She said it without even glancing at Mio Naruse, who looked visibly displeased.
Takumi noticed Mio's expression, but didn't refuse Yuki's invitation. Mio puffed up her cheeks but didn't explode like before.
By now, she had realized that Takumi had come from the Hero Village. Which meant—Yuki Nonaka probably had too. If that was true, then her sudden appearance might have a hidden purpose.
Takumi and Yuki went to a quiet corner of the cafeteria. After ordering, they sat down—though it was a four-person table, Yuki naturally sat right next to him. Even then, she seemed dissatisfied and slid her chair closer until they were pressed together.
"What I'm about to say shouldn't be heard by anyone else… so we need to be close." She explained softly, wrapping her arm around his.
Her full chest pressed tightly against him; that soft warmth and sweet scent nearly made his heart stop.
This is bad… really bad. He remembered how small and frail Yuki had been as a child—He never imagined she'd grow up into something this curvy and irresistible.
"Yuki, you're sitting too close. People are staring." He could feel the eyes of dozens of jealous girls on him.
But Yuki ignored them completely, her flushed face lifting as she whispered, "Takumi-kun, do you dislike me?"
"Eh… of course not."
"Then if I'm hugging you now, why would you say something like that?"
"…" Watching her flawless logic loop, Takumi decided to change the subject fast.
"You've changed a lot, Yuki." He met her gaze; her sapphire eyes reflected calm maturity. She was breathtaking—so much that her voluptuous figure hardly matched her age.
"Maybe it's just my hairstyle," she said, brushing her silver-blue hair aside.
That was only part of it. The real change was deeper. She had been a quiet but emotional girl; now she seemed emotionless—her face serene, her eyes distant.
"Takumi-kun has changed too," she said softly.
"Oh? How so?"
"If this were before, when I hugged you, you would've hugged me back… probably groped me and kissed me too."
"Pfft—! Cough, cough!!" He nearly choked on his drink. Why bring that up now!?
Seeing his flustered reaction, Yuki smiled playfully.
"Anyway," Takumi steadied himself, "let's get to the point, Yuki. Is your target me—or Mio?"
Her smile faded; her face turned blank and cold again. In a quiet, almost fragile voice, she whispered, "Takumi-kun… please stop having anything to do with her."
"So you're the one the village sent to watch her?"
"Yes. She's an A-level surveillance target. And since you're with her… that makes you one too."
Yuki's golden eyes locked on him, full of suppressed emotion.
Mio Naruse's presence had already drawn the attention of demons from the Underworld—so of course, the Hero Village was keeping an eye on her.
And Takumi, who had slain a special-grade Cursed Spirit known as the Cult Leader, was now considered a potential threat. His power was too strong, his allegiance too unclear.
Once deemed a mere D-rank "free-watch" subject, he was now upgraded to A+ threat level. If the village ever decided he endangered humanity, they would not hesitate to eliminate him.
That was what terrified Yuki the most. She didn't want the boy she loved—the one from her childhood—to ever become her enemy.
Her pale hand rested on his, and she raised her beautiful face, staring into his eyes.
"Give her up, Takumi-kun. Mio will only bring you harm. She's already been marked by a Demon Lord faction—you'll be dragged down with her."
At another table not far away, Mio bit her lip as she listened in secret. I'm a burden… I'm his curse… Those words crushed her heart. She couldn't deny them.
"Enough, Yuki!" Takumi's tone hardened. "Mio, like you, is someone I love. I won't abandon her! She's not a curse or a burden—you can't say that about her!"
He took a deep breath. "Maybe I was too harsh… but I hope you understand."
"I understand…" Yuki murmured softly, wrapping her arms around him. "Takumi-kun, you're always like this."
She held him tightly for a long moment before standing up and leaving quietly.
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