Moonlight filtered through the newly installed smart dimming glass, casting soft patches of light across the master bedroom's floor. Gaio leaned against the headboard, his fingers idly tapping the bedframe.
As per their agreement, tonight was supposed to be Kitagawa Marin's turn to stay in the master bedroom. But the girl had mysteriously shoved him into the room with a sly wink, saying, "Wait for a surprise!" before darting off to her cosplay studio next door.
The smart clock on the wall read 11:47 PM. Gaio was just considering whether to go drag her back when the sliding door let out a soft click.
The traditional Japanese door's sliding sound was nearly silenced by the new noise-canceling system, but Gaio's sharp senses caught it.
A hand in a pure white lace glove peeked through the door, followed by a frilly skirt hem.
When Kaguya stepped fully into view, Gaio's tapping fingers froze mid-air.
The Shinomiya heiress looked nothing like her usual elegant self.
She wore a modified maid outfit so short it barely covered the tops of her thighs, the black satin skirt paired with a white apron tied into an exaggerated bow at the back.
The absolute territory between her thigh-high stockings and the skirt's hem shimmered like pearls in the moonlight. A lace headband sat crookedly on her head, clearly forced on by Marin.
"Marin said… you'd like this," Kaguya's voice was softer than a mosquito's hum. She clutched the skirt's hem, her swan-like neck flushed scarlet, even her delicate collarbone tinged pink.
The ever-composed heiress was trembling slightly—not from fear, but from a bold, all-in kind of embarrassment.
Gaio suddenly recalled the barbecue earlier that day when Marin had whispered something to Kaguya. Thinking back, this "surprise" had probably been in the works under the "first wife's" expert guidance since then.
"I do like it," Gaio said with a smile, reaching out. His fingertips brushed her gloved hand, and she flinched as if shocked.
Kaguya was pulled into the room, the door clicking shut and locking automatically. In the moonlight, her lace glove slipped silently to the floor.
---
The Next Morning
Gaio shuffled into the dining room in a tank top and shorts, looking like an old man back from a morning jog.
In the open kitchen, Rin Tohsaka, apron tied on, was frying stuffed pancakes, the pan sizzling.
"Morning," Gaio said, leaning close to the stove. "Up so early?"
Rin didn't look back, her spatula scraping the pan with a vengeance.
Gaio stepped back, leaving only the sound of sizzling oil in the kitchen.
Rin muttered under her breath, "…Someone kept saying they wanted a Toudai-style breakfast."
Gaio caught her grumbling, a smile tugging at his lips. Without a word, he stepped beside her to help.
He chopped green onions and cracked eggs with practiced ease, their movements syncing perfectly. Soon, the kitchen was filled with savory aromas.
Breakfast was ready, and the girls started trickling in.
Marin entered the dining room, her golden hair a messy halo, her oversized T-shirt swaying. Behind her trailed a sleepy-eyed Sakura.
Artoria, in bear-themed pajamas, followed her nose to the table, sniffing the air.
Yukino, already dressed neatly, quietly pulled out a chair and sat.
"Morning~" Marin yawned, but her eyes lit up when she saw Gaio. She threw her arms open, launching herself at him. "Hug! Kiss!"
Gaio caught her, pecking her puckered lips lightly.
Marin instantly perked up, bouncing back to her seat. Her gaze flicked to an empty chair, a sly grin spreading across her face.
"Eat up," Gaio said, ruffling her hair and pouring milk for everyone.
The table soon filled with the clatter of dishes.
Artoria demolished her food at an alarming rate. Rin, frowning, served her a third bowl of porridge. Sakura quietly reminded the Saber to slow down.
Yukino sipped her milk gracefully, her eyes occasionally darting toward the master bedroom.
Gaio ladled out a bowl of porridge and arranged some side dishes on a tray. He left the lively dining room, hearing Marin's stifled giggles behind him as he walked down the hall.
The master bedroom door was slightly ajar. Gaio nudged it open with his shoulder and saw Kaguya at the vanity, brushing her hair. Her fingers trembled noticeably at the sound.
In the morning light, her ear tips were faintly pink.
Kaguya turned slowly, her hair catching the light.
Despite their two prior intimate moments, she was still painfully shy.
"M-Morning…" Her voice was barely audible.
Gaio set the tray on the nightstand, smiling as he looked her over. "Why not sleep in? You must be exhausted from last night."
Kaguya's ears turned bright red, memories of the night flashing through her mind.
She shook her head quickly. "N-No… I'm fine. It's the first breakfast in the new house. I can't miss it."
"Alright," Gaio chuckled, turning toward the door.
Kaguya followed with small steps, her legs still a bit unsteady.
In the dining room, Marin was slathering jam on bread. She lit up when she saw Kaguya.
"Kaguya-chan~" she teased, her grin mischievous. "That maid outfit was perfect on you!"
Kaguya nearly tripped, but Gaio steadied her with a quick hand on her waist.
Artoria looked up from her pile of fried eggs, yolk on her lips. "Did Lady Kaguya not rest well last night?"
"Eat your food," Rin said, smacking a pancake onto Artoria's plate.
Yukino silently slid a glass of milk toward Kaguya, who took it with a grateful nod.
Marin cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention.
She straightened up, trying to look serious. "Alright, everyone! Let's speed it up!"
She glanced at Kaguya and Yukino. "We've got school." Then at Rin and Sakura. "Rin-chan and Sakura-chan's schools are far, too, and until their transfers are sorted, they've gotta leave early."
Kaguya dabbed her mouth elegantly with a napkin and nodded. "No need to worry, Marin. I arranged for Ai to send a car yesterday. It's likely waiting outside now."
"Awesome!" Marin clapped, beaming. "Eat fast, everyone!"
Gaio watched Marin try to channel "head wife" vibes, chuckling softly—she had zero authority, more like a feisty kitten.
Marin shot him a pouty glare, wrinkling her nose. "What's so funny? You hurry up, too!"
She pointed at his porridge bowl.
Gaio shook his head, smiling, and picked up his phone from the table.
The screen lit up, a new message pinned at the top of the notifications, from none other than "Satoru Gojo":
[Nero~kun, if you're free today, mind swinging by Jujutsu High? Got a favor to ask, pretty please~ ˶ᵒ ᵕ ˂˶]
Marin leaned over, catching a glimpse, and her brow furrowed instantly.
Her unease was simple.
Gaio had told her before that Gojo and his students were the ones who dealt with "monster" incidents.
After just having a big dinner at their new estate yesterday, getting a cutesy text like this first thing in the morning set off her instincts—trouble was brewing.
Gaio ruffled her messy blonde hair. "Don't overthink it. Maybe he just wants to talk about the garden construction next door."
Marin nodded reluctantly, but worry lingered in her eyes.
The others at the table noticed the exchange, their gazes flicking between the two.
"Eat up and get to school or work," Gaio said, tapping the table. "I've got stuff to handle today, so I won't tag along."
The girls nodded, speeding through their meal. Breakfast wrapped up in a slightly rushed, odd atmosphere.
Outside, a sleek Shinomiya family car waited in the morning light.
Gaio saw the girls to the car. Marin turned back before getting in, her voice firm. "Be careful, okay?"
"Got it," Gaio said, waving with a smile.
The car doors closed, and the vehicle glided away. Gaio turned to Artoria, still in her bear pajamas but now with a battle-ready expression. "Stay home, or come with me?"
Artoria straightened, her eyes sharp. "Wherever my Master goes, my sword follows. I shall accompany you!"
"Alright." Gaio nodded, his right hand casually grabbing at the air beside him. The Zanpakuto materialized, its blade shimmering with faint blue light.
With a light swing, the blade sliced a clean cross in the air.
Swish—!
The air tore like a curtain, forming a pitch-black portal edged with flickering blue lightning.
Artoria stepped through without hesitation. Gaio followed, his figure vanishing into the rippling space.
---
Jujutsu High.
The principal's office smelled of tonkotsu ramen. Gojo and Yuji were slurping noodles, Megumi leaned against the wall with his eyes closed, feigning sleep, and Nobara idly flicked scattered nails on the table, bored.
Rip—!
A piercing sound cut through as the air was torn open! A black portal, edged with blue lightning, exploded into existence in the center of the room!
"Pfft—cough! Cough, cough, cough!" Yuji choked on his noodles, a few strands comically dangling from his nose.
He pounded his chest, coughing wildly.
Megumi's eyelids twitched, glancing at the portal before resuming his nap-like pose.
"Ah!" Nobara leapt up, her eyes blazing with excitement, knocking the nails off the table with a clatter. She stared into the dark portal.
Two figures stepped out, one after the other.
Artoria landed first, now clad in a blue dress and silver armor, her emerald eyes sharp as if returning from a battlefield, scanning everyone in the room.
Gaio followed, the Zanpakuto in his hand dissolving into a streak of blue light.
He surveyed the chaotic scene—Yuji's red-faced coughing, the spilled noodles, the scattered nails, and Gojo with cheeks puffed from ramen.
"Yo, Nero-kun! You're quick!" Gojo set down his chopsticks, waving enthusiastically. "Had breakfast? Want some ramen to warm you up? Yuji's treat!"
Yuji, finally recovering, gaped, pointing at his noodle-covered nose. "Huh? I'm paying?!"
"Yuji, go grab some more ramen from the cafeteria," Gojo ordered, ignoring the boy's distress.
Yuji let out a wail but trudged off obediently.
Gaio ignored Gojo's antics, settling onto the couch across from him and crossing his legs. "What's up?" he asked bluntly.
Artoria stood behind him, arms crossed, her posture regal, though her gaze lingered briefly on the steaming ramen bowls, her throat subtly moving.
Gojo's playful grin faded, though his lips still curved slightly. His eyes turned serious.
"Nero-kun," he leaned forward, fingers interlaced on his knees, "you know the forces running this world aren't just cursed energy, right?"
His gaze flicked meaningfully to Artoria, the knight in blue and silver behind Gaio, the implication clear.
Gaio frowned slightly. "Get to the point."
Gojo nodded, holding up a finger. "Recently, Jujutsu High got an invitation. One from… a force outside this island."
He paused, watching Gaio's reaction. "Nero, ever heard of the Hero Association?"