Saeko Busujima:"Ahem… perhaps I can explain what a vector is."
Saeko Busujima:"Simply put, a vector is a quantity that has both magnitude and direction."
Saeko Busujima:"As for vector manipulation—"
She stopped mid-sentence, realizing her speculation was probably going too far.
Kisaragi Akira:"You guessed correctly. Vector manipulation means freely controlling the direction of vectors, and through that, controlling the forces themselves."
Kisaragi Akira:"However, the range of vectors this ability can affect is far broader in a physical sense."
Kisaragi Akira:"Besides common physical vectors like momentum and electromagnetic force, it also includes directional phenomena such as light rays, radiation, infrasound, and even oxygen flow."
Unknown:"All of these fall within the scope of vector manipulation."
Frankly speaking, this was nonsense physics—something far beyond ordinary scientific definitions.
March 7th:"Whoa… my head hurts. I recognize every word you're saying, but when you put them together, I don't understand a thing."
Aqua:"This goddess doesn't need to understand! Divine power is more than enough!"
Exusiai:"Ohhh, I get it now. That's incredible. It feels way stronger than Originium Arts."
Saeko Busujima:"Being able to manipulate vectors at will… that's truly terrifying."
Kisaragi Akira:"Haha. Even the strongest abilities still need to be upgraded."
Kisaragi Akira:"I won't say more. I'm in a good mood today—so I'll send a red envelope."
[Unknown has sent a Doomsday Points Red Envelope!][Exusiai has claimed it!][March 7th has claimed it!][Aqua has claimed it!][Saeko Busujima has claimed it!]
March 7th:"Wow! I got 100 points! I'm the luckiest one! Thanks, boss—love you!"
Exusiai:"Got 80 points. Thanks, boss!"
Aqua:"Why am I always the lowest again? Only 50 points?! Has this goddess's luck abandoned her?!"
Saeko Busujima:"70 points. Thank you, Akira-kun."
It didn't matter.
Three hundred points was insignificant compared to what could be gained from the roulette.
More importantly, he had successfully tested all the new group functions.
It was worth it.
"Akira… can you hear me?"
A clear but anxious voice reached him.
When Akira's awareness returned to reality, all he saw was darkness.
He instinctively reached out.
"Ah!"
A startled cry rang out.
"…."
Akira froze.
He had clearly touched somewhere he shouldn't have.
He withdrew his hand immediately and coughed twice in embarrassment.
"Ahem… um, what's wrong?"
"…."
After a brief silence, the other voice trembled slightly in the darkness.
"The zombies outside the window are making strange noises… so I turned off the lights."
Akira nodded, finally understanding.
Now that he had confirmed Yukino's position, he stopped reaching around blindly.
He lifted part of the blanket and carefully opened the window.
Instantly, chaotic sounds flooded in.
"Roaaar!""Grrraaah!""Hiss—roar!"
Countless zombies howled and roared wildly, as if injected with adrenaline.
Akira quietly closed the window and pulled the blanket back over himself.
"I think the zombies become more active at night," he said calmly."Try not to turn on the lights. We don't want to attract them. I'd like to get some proper sleep."
"…Okay."
Yukino replied softly.
Silence settled between them.
Whether the awkwardness would fade or linger remained unclear.
After a while—
"Um… I think I'll try to sleep now."
"Alright."
Hearing Yukino shift on her bed, Akira lay back down.
They slept on opposite beds in the same room.
In the darkness, Yukino gently pressed down the hem of her skirt with her small hand.
Her lips tightened.
It still felt warm there.
This was also the first time she had ever slept in the same room as a boy.
Nervousness, embarrassment, and restlessness made it hard for her to relax.
Akira, however, had been busy all day.
Exhaustion quickly overtook him, and his breathing soon became steady.
Hearing that he had already fallen asleep, Yukino finally tried to calm herself.
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
...
Rustle.
A faint sound stirred her awake.
Yukino opened her eyes.
Akira had already gotten up.
He was stretching, his upper body bare.
As she sat up, a slight noise escaped her.
Hearing it, Akira wiped the sweat from his body and turned around.
"Did I wake you?"
"No… I just woke up too."
He sat down across from her, wiping sweat with what looked like a clean towel.
Yukino's gaze unconsciously drifted over his smooth skin, well-defined muscles, and healthy, handsome face.
She couldn't look away.
At that moment, she finally understood why some girls liked men who were both fit and good-looking.
"…Huh?"
Unaware of her gaze, Akira tilted his head.
Yukino quickly looked away and awkwardly changed the subject.
"So… what are your plans for today?"
"I'll clear out more zombies," he replied. "But I'm more worried about you."
Feeling his concern, warmth spread through Yukino's chest.
"Thank you… for always helping me," she said sincerely."I only survived because of you. Please don't let me become a burden. I'd even be willing to die to repay you."