A ripple of golden light blinked in the living room—
And Zumi materialized.
The moment he appeared, every girl in the mansion perked up—some from the couch, some from the kitchen, some from the floor where they'd been stretching or chatting. Even Aurora lifted her head from her curled-up nap spot, tail twitching.
Bia was the first to rush him, practically tackling him with a hug.
"You're back!" she chirped, clinging to him like a koala.
Hina, Gia, Serafina, Jasmine, Sakura, Ana, Kathy, Leafa—all turned to him in anticipation.
Gia stepped forward, eyes bright.
"How did the meeting go?"
Zumi brushed a hand through his hair, unfazed by the whirlwind of affection around him.
"It was a success."
The whole room relaxed at once.
Serafina leaned back on the couch. Hina let out a small relieved sigh. Ana grinned. Even Leafa's green eyes sparkled softly.
Zumi continued:
"Victor Dragna accepted the alliance. He's strong, but he's rational—and he knows I didn't need to prove anything. He just needs… one final push to reach complete loyalty."
Every girl nodded like this made perfect sense.
Jasmine folded her arms. "Of course he does."
Kathy shrugged. "He's a mafia patriarch. They're stubborn until the very end."
Aurora raised her hand. "What's a patriarch?"
Hina patted her head. "A very confused old man in charge."
Zumi chuckled.
"But the important part," he continued, "is that Catherine… is officially one of us. Completely, wholeheartedly. She belongs to me now."
The reaction was instant.
Every single girl in the room—
ALL OF THEM
—rolled their eyes, smiled, shrugged, or nodded like it was the most predictable thing in the universe.
Bia snorted. "Obviously."
Serafina crossed her arms smugly. "Please. The moment she felt your aura, she never stood a chance."
Gia nodded. "Honestly? I'm surprised it took her this long."
Ana laughed under her breath. "Strong woman meets stronger man. Fate sealed."
Jasmine raised a brow. "Did anyone doubt this outcome?"
Even Leafa—still adjusting to her new form—giggled.
"She felt like a wild vine finally finding the tree it wanted to climb."
Zumi blinked. "…What?"
"Nature metaphor," she said with a cute shrug.
Meanwhile, miles away… In the deep shadows of the Dragna mansion—
Victor Dragna sat alone in his chamber, Catherine's words replaying in his mind:
"Father… I've given my heart to him."
For the first time in decades…
He didn't know what to say.
He poured himself a drink. Didn't touch it. Stared into the glass like it held answers.
And then—
A quiet acceptance washed over him.
If Catherine— his fiercest creation, his strongest warrior, his beloved daughter—
gave her heart willingly…
Then Zumi Kogane was truly a man worthy of respect.
While the girls chattered around him—
A silent, holographic notification appeared only to Zumi:
📡 PRIVATE CHANNEL — CELESTIA 🔍 Loyalty Update: Victor Dragna
8/10 → 9/10
Reason: Catherine informed him she has surrendered her heart to you. Her decision holds great weight to him.
Final Requirement for Loyalty Lock: ✔️ Demonstrate absolute protection or support at a pivotal moment. Once fulfilled → 10/10 | Loyalty Locked.
Zumi smirked.
A slow, knowing, dangerous smirk.
The girls instantly noticed.
Serafina narrowed her eyes. "What was that look?"
Bia tugged on his sleeve. "Zumi~ What did Celestia tell you?"
Gia stepped closer. "Something important?"
Zumi looked around the room—
Every woman watching him. Every heartbeat waiting.
He spoke calmly:
"Victor's loyalty increased to nine."
The room fell silent.
Then—
Jasmine whistled low. "Already?"
Hina nodded. "Catherine must have talked to him."
Zumi continued:
"He knows she gave me her heart. That alone pushed him forward. All that's left is one pivotal moment—one chance to show him I'll protect her no matter what."
Serafina smirked. "Well… it won't take long. Trouble follows kings."
Bia hugged him tighter. "And you are our king."
Leafa curled into his side, vine tattoos glowing faintly.
"You grow your forest," she whispered. "And we will grow with you."
The room warmed with soft laughter, affection, and the unspoken unity that only Zumi could forge.
The room was still buzzing with excitement when Zumi added:
"And there's one more thing."
Every girl leaned in.
Zumi crossed his arms casually.
"Antonio—the Dragna family's butler… his loyalty is now locked at 100%."
The reaction was immediate.
Gia froze—
eyes wide,
breath catching,
jaw dropping.
Then she slapped a hand to her forehead.
"That's HUGE."
Everyone looked at her.
Gia stepped forward, rubbing her temples in disbelief.
"Do you all understand what that means? Antonio isn't just a butler. He's one of the most dangerous men in the entire underworld. He's the kind of man mafia elders sent when they needed someone erased—someone even THEY couldn't kill."
Jasmine raised a brow.
"Wait—THAT guy?"
Gia nodded hard.
"He's not to be messed with. No emotions. No fear. No hesitation. Just pure execution.
But Catherine…"
She exhaled softly, almost laughing at the absurdity.
"…Catherine was his weakness all along. He saw her as a daughter. That makes everything make sense now."
Hina folded her arms. "So when Zumi promised to protect her—"
"He broke Antonio's final wall," Gia finished.
Serafina smirked. "And now he's ours."
Kasumi let out a low whistle.
"That's terrifying and useful."
Aurora wagged her tail. "Yay team!"
Leafa blinked, confused. "Who?"
Ana patted her shoulder. "A very scary man who would now die for Zumi."
Leafa nodded as if that clarified everything.
Zumi lifted a hand, and the chatter stilled.
"At 9 PM," he said calmly, "I'll go pick up Catherine and bring her here to meet all of you."
Every girl reacted with the same energy:
A mix of excitement.
Curiosity.
Smug certainty that Catherine would fit right in.
Bia grinned. "Our new sister."
Gia clasped her hands behind her back, excited.
"I can't wait to see her aura up close."
Hina smiled gently.
"She's strong. I can tell."
Serafina tilted her head, a slow grin spreading.
"I want to see what kind of darkness she carries."
Kasumi raised an eyebrow.
"Do you think she'll be shy?"
Jasmine snorted.
"She's a Dragna. She'll pretend she isn't."
His eyes Lowered.
A faint golden ripple moved across his irises.
He reached out with his mind—not just to one person, but to three simultaneously.
Reina.
Carmella.
Bethany.
A soft mental whisper touched all three:
"Come to the mansion at 8:30 PM.
I want you all here to meet Catherine."
Three replies echoed in his mind at the same time:
Reina — "Understood. I'll be there."
Carmella — "Of course, my love."
Bethany — "Eeee! I'm excited~!"
The link faded.
Zumi looked up.
"Reina and the vampire ladies will be arriving at 8:30."
The mansion lit up with energy.
Bia squealed.
Leafa clapped her hands.
Aurora spun around on the couch.
Kathy grinned.
Kasumi adjusted her maid outfit with purpose.
Hina brushed her snowy hair back proudly.
Jasmine straightened her hoodie.
Gia touched her shadow earrings reflexively.
Serafina smirked like a predator meeting another predator.
Ana cracked her knuckles.
"This is gonna be fun."
Every single woman in the mansion looked ready.
Ready to welcome Catherine.
Ready to expand the Kogane family.
Ready to see what kind of woman had surrendered to Zumi.
At 8:30 PM, the mansion lights glowed warm and golden as the hour approached.
A sleek black mafia SUV rolled up the driveway — polished, tinted windows, the unmistakable signature of Sebastian Gale's driving.
Reina stepped out, tall and stoic, her coat flowing behind her like a blade through the night. Sebastian gave a nod, then pulled away, heading back toward the hotel. A rush of wind cut across the yard. In a pair of crimson blurs, Carmella and Bethany materialized at the mansion gates — having sprinted across the city with their vampiric speed. They were there just seconds after Reina stepped inside. All three women entered together.
Everyone turned as the trio walked into the living room. Kasumi, Kathy, Hina, Ana, Jasmine, Gia, Leafa, and Aurora all brightened.
But before anyone could speak— Gia's Phone Rings
She checked the caller ID— "HYATT CENTRIC — FRONT DESK
Gia answered.
"Hello?"
A pause… then her eyes widened.
When she hung up, she turned to everyone with excitement she could barely contain.
"Bia… Carmella… Serafina—your applications as teachers were approved!"
The room erupted.
Bia: "GYM TEACHER BIA IS OFFICIALLY IN THE BUILDING!! LET'S GOOOO!"
Serafina smirked proudly. "Literature class will never be the same. Mortals should prepare."
Carmella smiled warmly. "History… I will teach it properly. They're lucky."
Gia continued:
"And because you're faculty… you don't have to take the high school entrance exam."
"WHAT??" Half the room said it at once.
Hina hugged Gia. Ana spun in a tiny circle. Jasmine actually cracked a smile. Bethany practically squealed.
Gia nervously added: "I thought you'd all want to know right away."
Zumi reached out, ruffled her hair gently.
"Good job, Gia."
Gia froze.
Her entire face went red.
Her knees almost buckled as she leaned forward into his hand.
"Z-Zumi… don't do that when I'm not ready…"
Everyone laughed softly.
Zumi closed his eyes.
"Celestia — connect me to Catherine only."
A line formed instantly.
Catherine was in her room, tying the straps on her boots when she heard his voice inside her mind.
She froze.
"…Zumi? Is that—?!"
"Telepathy," he answered calmly. "I can talk to you wherever you are."
Her heart pounded.
"That is… so damn cool," she whispered.
Then, softer:
"Zumi… I love you."
His reply was warm, steady, certain:
"I know. And I'll be there at 9 PM. Stand in front of your mansion. I'll come pick you up."
A tiny breathy laugh slipped from her.
"Okay… I'll be waiting."
The link faded.
Catherine touched her chest, cheeks warm, aura fluttering like a heartbeat she'd never felt before.
Zumi reopened his eyes.
In the backyard:
Gia plunged into the shadows again with Serafina correcting her posture. Ana was sparring with Hina, learning sharp, clean martial arts movements. Aurora napped on the couch, tail twitching in her sleep. Kathy was coordinating with Kaito on security rotations. Kasumi stirred a pot in the kitchen with expert precision, the smell drifting into the hall. Leafa watched birds in the trees outside, smiling softly. Jasmine leaned against a wall, arms crossed, observing with rare peace.
Carmella, Bethany, and Reina mingled with everyone — laughing, teasing, chatting, sharing stories.
The atmosphere felt like a rising storm of power and unity.
The clock chimed 9:00 PM.
DING.
Everyone paused.
Zumi stood in the center of the living room.
His aura steadied—calm, dominant, absolute.
"Time."
He raised his hand.
The dimensional ring glowed.
FWOOOSH—
A ripple of gold and black expanded outward, swallowing him whole.
In an instant—
Zumi vanished into thin air.
Off to retrieve Catherine Dragna.
Night had fully settled over the Dragna estate — moonlight glinting off black marble, shadows shifting like silent guardians. The courtyard was empty and still…
…until the air warped.
A soft ripple shimmered across the ground—
FWMP.
Zumi materialized mid-step, walking forward as though he had simply exited a doorway of pure reality itself.
No spellburst. No dramatic flare. Just effortless presence.
Catherine was waiting out front with Antonio standing protectively beside her… And the moment she saw Zumi appear out of thin air—
Her breath caught.
Her crimson eyes widened.
Then—
"Z—Zumi! You just—just walked out of nowhere!!"
She sprinted toward him, shock turning into amazement and excitement. She stopped right in front of him, staring up at him like he was the coolest person she had ever seen in her entire life.
He smirked softly.
"Dimensional ring. Lets me bypass space whenever I want."
Catherine's face lit up like a teenager discovering her crush was secretly a superhero.
My man is so damn cool…! The thought practically screamed inside her head.
Her heart fluttered. Her aura shivered in delight. Antonio… actually chuckled.
The vampire-like, razor-sharp butler stood a few paces behind her, watching the scene with unexpected warmth.
It had been years since he'd seen Catherine smile like this.
And now? This man — this force of nature in human form — had brought life back into her eyes.
He bowed respectfully.
Up on the balcony, Victor Dragna leaned against the railing.
He said nothing.
But his expression — usually cold, severe, hardened — softened the instant he saw Catherine leaning close to Zumi, glowing with something she hadn't shown in ages:
Happiness.
He murmured under his breath:
"…Good. She deserves this."
Antonio stepped forward, hand over his chest.
"Zumi Kogane… seeing my lady like this… If you will have me, I wish to serve you."
Catherine's eyes widened in surprise, but Zumi raised a calm hand.
"You will. One day." His voice was steady, absolute.
Antonio slowly lifted his head.
Zumi continued:
"But not yet. Stay here with Victor. As my name spreads, other families will grow desperate. Some will strike at your house. Your place is here — to protect Catherine's home until the time is right."
Antonio felt the weight of those words. Zumi wasn't dismissing him — he was planning for the future.
Zumi then took out his phone, handed a card with his number.
"If things turn bad, text me immediately."
Antonio bowed deeply — the deepest he had ever bowed to anyone.
"Understood, my lord."
Catherine's chest swelled with pride.
He's already thinking of my family's future… He really is… something else.
Antonio stepped back into the mansion, giving them space.
Catherine looked up at Zumi, eyes shimmering.
"You… really thought ahead. You're protecting them… protecting me."
Zumi slid an arm around her waist, pulling her gently but firmly against him.
"Of course. You're mine now."
Her heart exploded in her chest.
She nodded quickly, breath shaking.
"…I'm ready."
He touched the dimensional ring.
Golden light wrapped around them—
FWOOOOOM—
And in a blink—
They vanished.
Appearing instantly—
in the Kogane mansion living room.