Since summoning Kitagawa Marin into this world, my body felt unbearably heavy.
Mana exhaustion.
A familiar yet unpleasant sensation—like my soul itself was gasping for air.
I checked my reserves.
20,000 mana remaining.
…Yeah. No more reckless summoning for now.
If I push myself more... I will end up dead state like the last time.
At this rate, I'd need at least three to four days before I could even think about pulling another summon across this world.
So for tonight, rest was the only option.
We prepared to sleep.
Ginko was supposed to come to my bed—as usual.
But before she could even reach me—
"Ginko-shamaa~!"
Marin suddenly grabbed her hand and, with terrifying enthusiasm, dragged her toward her own room.
"W–Wait—Marin!?"
Ginko turned back toward me.
Her eyes met mine.
Help me.
That single look said everything.
I raised my thumb.
👍
Then whisper her a good luck.
Her steps froze.
Slowly—painfully slowly—her expression drained of emotion.
Cold. Blank.
Like someone who had just been betrayed by the one person she trusted the most.
Her gaze pierced straight through me.
You will regret this.
…Terrifying.
I immediately turned my head away.
I saw nothing.
I knew nothing.
I was innocent.
That's right... I will just forget and rest for now, then face the consequences later.
Not until....
"fufu~ you need to take care of me, Ren~san"
A develish whisper in my ear shudder my whole body and now right in front of me is a succubus name kurumi.
Welp... Looks like rest will come later.
Inside Sora Ginko's Room
"Now! Ginko-shamaa—try this!!!"
Marin held up a frilly, impossibly cute dress, her eyes sparkling with pure excitement.
Ginko stared at it.
Her soul left her body.
"…Ugh. I knew it," she muttered. "That bad feeling earlier… it was right."
"Ehh?" Marin tilted her head. "Do you hate me now, Ginko-shama…?"
Her expression instantly shifted.
Big, watery eyes.
Quivering lips.
An abandoned puppy.
Critical damage.
"Ah—! No! That's not it!" Ginko panicked. "I don't hate you! I really don't!"
Marin leaned closer.
"…Really?"
"…Ugh—fine! I'll do it! I'll wear it! Are you happy now!?"
The moment those words left her mouth—
"Yayyyy!!"
Marin jumped and wrapped her arms tightly around Ginko.
Ginko stiffened.
"…This is my punishment, isn't it?" she whispered.
Despite her youthful appearance—no older than fourteen—Sora Ginko was one of the seniors of the Empty World. Time did not touch its inhabitants.
Marin, on the other hand, had arrived almost a thousand years later.
Yet now—
They laughed together.
Changed outfits.
Teased each other.
Took turns judging ridiculous poses.
A full-on cosplay show and fashion show unfolded behind closed doors.
If Ren had seen this…
He would have leapt into the room, dived straight into the bed, and permanently burned his eyes from witnessing the holy sight of Cosplaying Ginko.
Unfortunately for him—
He was currently occupied elsewhere.
Taming and fighting a certain dangerous yandere beast name Kurumi. No one no if our hero Ren name can do but... He said he will do his best to defeat the beast.
Meanwhile
The two beautiful girls who trying different cosplay and fashion show for hours.
Eventually, exhaustion caught up to them.
The room grew quiet.
Both girls lay on the bed, side by side.
Marin instinctively wrapped her arms around Ginko, hugging her like a treasured pillow.
Ginko didn't fight back since she was so exhausted of what they did earlier.
"…Ah," Marin whispered softly. "So this is what the real world feels like."
Her voice trembled— not from sadness, but something warmer. She feels like she was finally freed from empty cage.
She finally feel more...
Alive.
"I'm really glad I was summoned here with you, Ginko-sama. Ever since coming here… I've felt so many emotions."
Joy.
Embarrassment.
Excitement.
Nervousness.
Things she had forgotten how to feel.
Ginko turned her head slightly.
A faint smile appeared on her usually cold face. She can't help but sympathize with her sister. Since, like her sister Marin, she finally feel more alive and that feeling continue to grow more as she learn more about this world and about how her love towards Ren grow more.
She remembered—
The first time she met Marin in the Empty World.
That place had everything.
Created by their older sister, it lacked nothing.
And yet…
It was hollow.
Like celebrating a birthday meant to be joyful—
inviting family and friends—
only to realize no one came.
Or worse—
They came, but it still didn't feel like your day.
That was the Empty World.
Emotions existed, but they were shallow.
Temporary.
No matter what they did, loneliness always returned.
That was why it was called Empty.
Even favorite foods lost their taste.
Movies felt dull halfway through.
Happiness slipped away like sand through fingers.
So they trained.
Endlessly.
Brutally.
If their bodies were exhausted, at least their hearts wouldn't notice the emptiness.
When Ginko first saw Marin's eyes—
Lifeless. Hollow.
She understood immediately.
Because she had once looked the same.
So she stayed.
Talked to her.
Walked beside her.
Shared silence with her.
Until one day—
Those empty eyes gained light.
Marin was still empty.
But no longer alone.
That was how their bond began.
"Ah—by the way!" Marin suddenly spoke. "You and Ren… are you lovers now?"
Ginko froze.
"…Mm."
She nodded.
Shyly.
"EH!? YABBAAA!! FOR REAL!?"
"W–Why are you surprised!? You saw it through the crystal big sister made!" Ginko snapped.
"Well yeah, but it mostly just shows kissing and then cuts off!" Marin laughed. "The rest is just your monster fights, your meals, and boring conversations!"
Ginko's face turned crimson.
"I also saw when you ignored her… a-and when you kissed her… a-and when you held hands—ahhh! Ginko-shamaa is so lewd!"
"STOP THAT!" Ginko cried. "It's embarrassing! It's late—go to sleep!"
"Hehehe… Ginko-sama is really kawaii," Marin whispered.
She hugged her tighter.
"Good night, Ginko-sama."
Ginko closed her eyes.
Her smile was small—but real.
"…Good night, Marin."
That night—
There was no emptiness.
No loneliness.
Only warmth.
Only connection.
Only genuine smiles.