Golden light faded—
And when Catherine opened her eyes…
She wasn't in the Dragna mansion anymore.
She was standing in the Kogane living room — a warm, vibrant space filled with voices, laughter, and the unmistakable presence of power. The entire Kogane family was gathered:
Bia, Serafina, Hina, Gia, Jasmine, Kasumi, Ana, Kathy, Aurora, Reina, Carmella, Bethany…
All eyes turned toward Catherine.
And the room went silent.
Not out of fear.
Out of awe.
Catherine stood tall, shoulders broad, tank top hugging her powerful frame. Her tattoos — black, winding, intricate patterns — wrapped around her arms, neck, and chest in mesmerizing designs. Her crimson eyes glowed softly. Her aura was fierce, confident, predatory…
And then—
"…Hi."
Her voice came out soft. Like really soft.
Almost gentle.
The contrast was so drastic that every girl in the room blinked at the same time.
Jasmine leaned forward.
"…Wait. Why is her voice adorable??"
Aurora's tail wagged. "She looks so scary but sounds so CUTE!"
Kasumi clasped her hands. "She's so COOL—her build is insane!"
Ana whispered to Gia: "She could snap my spine… but with affection."
Gia nodded slowly. "Ten out of ten. I approve."
Bia was the first to step forward, smiling like she found a new toy she immediately loved.
"You're Catherine Dragna? You're PERFECT. Look at those tattoos!"
Catherine's cheeks turned pink.
"T-Thank you…"
Serafina circled her once, studying her like an art piece.
"Mmm… beautiful build, powerful aura… Zumi certainly has good taste."
Hina approached next, bright smile gentle.
"You're very pretty, Catherine."
Catherine practically melted.
"…thank you…"
She wasn't used to soft kindness. Not from women. Not from anyone.
Kathy tapped her shoulder.
"Your arms are insane. Do you lift cars for fun?"
Catherine actually laughed softly — a tiny, breathy sound.
"No… just training."
Bethany zipped behind her and grabbed her bicep.
"HER MUSCLES ARE REAL!!"
Catherine yelped— "W-Wait—!"
The vampires giggled.
Carmella tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Oh sweetheart… you're absolutely gorgeous."
Reina nodded in approval. "Strong. Beautiful. And loyal to Zumi. You fit here perfectly."
Catherine looked around…
At all the women looking at her with warmth. With affection. With acceptance.
Her entire life had been shadows, pressure, expectations. Never softness. Never safe spaces.
Yet here — surrounded by Zumi's women — she felt something she hadn't felt since she was a child:
Belonging.
Her voice trembled slightly.
"You all… really accept me this easily…?"
Gia stepped beside Zumi, smiling.
"When Zumi chooses someone… we love them automatically. Because if he sees value in you—so do we."
Bia threw her arm around Catherine's shoulder (or tried — Catherine was slightly taller).
"You're family now. And we already love you."
Catherine's eyes widened. She swallowed hard.
"…Thank you."
Her voice cracked — just barely — but every girl heard it.
And every girl smiled.
Zumi gently guided Catherine toward the couch.
She sat beside him— No, right beside him. Close enough that their shoulders pressed together.
The girls noticed.
Every single one.
Bia smirked immediately.
"Ohhhh she's already glued to him."
Catherine's ears burned red, but she refused to move.
Serafina crossed her legs, tapping her chin. "Not even five minutes in, and she's claimed her spot."
Reina chuckled softly. "She fits right in."
Catherine stiffened slightly, unsure how to respond. She had never been teased lovingly before… only mocked or feared.
Gia leaned forward, eyes sparkling.
"So, Catherine… want to explain how fast you fell for him?"
Catherine's eyes widened.
"I—I didn't— I mean— it wasn't that fast!"
Kasumi tilted her head innocently. "You surrendered your heart in what? A day?"
Ana grinned mischievously. "Is that a Dragna family record?"
Bethany chimed in, poking her cheek. "I mean, I get it. Zumi is irresistible."
Catherine groaned softly and buried her face in her hands.
Zumi chuckled beside her.
He placed a warm hand on her back— And Catherine froze. Then melted. Like the tough warrior she was… instantly reduced to a flustered mess.
"I didn't fall fast…" she mumbled through her fingers. "I just… realized quickly."
"Uh-huh," Jasmine teased. "Sure."
Kathy elbowed Aurora. "She's cute."
Aurora wagged her tail. "So cute!"
Zumi rested his hand on Catherine's thigh— A simple gesture. Protective. Possessive. Reassuring.
Her crimson eyes softened instantly.
He spoke:
"This is Catherine Dragna. Daughter of Victor Dragna. Heir to the Umbra Court. And now…"
He glanced at her, voice lowering.
"…one of us."
The girls' expressions shifted from playful to warm — deeply warm.
Bia placed a hand over her heart.
"Welcome to the family."
Serafina bowed her head respectfully. "A warrior worthy of standing at his side."
Hina smiled brightly. "We're happy you're here."
Carmella and Bethany both leaned in gracefully.
"You are safe with us," Carmella said softly.
"You are loved with us," Bethany added.
Catherine blinked… Her throat tightened. The Dragna heiress, feared by half the underground world…
Was speechless.
Zumi squeezed her thigh gently.
Catherine looked at him with a look no one had ever seen her give anyone — Soft. Warm. Completely surrendered.
"I'm… honored," she finally whispered.
Bia clapped her hands loudly.
"Okay but seriously— Catherine, be honest."
Catherine stiffened again. "…What?"
Gia grinned.
"What exactly did Zumi do to make you fall that fast?"
The entire room leaned forward.
Zumi raised an eyebrow.
Catherine turned crimson.
"I—I don't know! It's just— his aura, his strength, his voice, the way he looks at me— UGH!"
Aurora giggled. "She's flustered. It's adorable!"
Catherine covered her face again, mumbling:
"Why are you all like this…?"
Serafina smirked.
"Because we've all been where you are."
Zumi wrapped an arm around Catherine's waist— And she instantly relaxed into him with a sigh she didn't mean to let out.
The girls swooned.
"Oh she's GONE." "Finished." "She melted faster than ice in hell."
Catherine groaned louder.
But she didn't move away.
Not even a little.
With Catherine seated beside him, still flushing from all the teasing, Zumi gently squeezed her thigh to get her attention. She looked at him, eyes softening immediately.
He spoke calmly, yet with warmth that filled the entire room:
"I brought everyone together tonight… because Catherine is now part of this family. And I want all of you to spend time with her, learn who she is, and let her learn who we are."
The girls all smiled—genuine, warm, welcoming.
Serafina nodded. "A sister added to the circle."
Bia beamed. "We already love her."
Gia leaned forward eagerly. "And she needs to know exactly who Zumi is now that she's with us."
Catherine blinked at that.
"…Exactly who he is?" she repeated, confused.
What followed was hours of the girls filling her in:
how Zumi is the reincarnation of Sun Wukong, The Monkey King how he fought gods in his past life how he has divine abilities returning to him piece by piece how he tamed goddesses, defeated labyrinths, awakened vampire royalty how he commands aura and presence beyond anything mortals could comprehend
Catherine listened—
And her face… shifted.
At first:
Curiosity.
Then:
Surprise.
Then:
Shock.
Then…
A slow, dawning realization.
Her breath hitched. She gripped her own knees. Her eyes trembled with emotion she didn't bother hiding.
"…He's… that strong…?"
Serafina smirked proudly. "Stronger."
Carmella added softly, "Much stronger."
Bethany giggled. "Your dad was smart to submit quickly."
Catherine's jaw tensed— then relaxed.
She suddenly understood completely.
"My father…" she whispered. "He felt your strength. That's why he surrendered so fast."
Zumi gave the faintest nod. "A man like Victor knows when he's facing a being he can't defeat."
Catherine's fist tightened.
"…And I thought I had sensed everything about you that day." She shook her head, laughing breathlessly. "But even then, I underestimated you."
Her eyes softened—deep, reverent, vulnerable.
"No wonder my father didn't fight you."
The room fell quiet.
Catherine inhaled shakily and looked at all of them.
"…Since we're sharing… I should tell you about me."
She wasn't used to opening up. But she tried—for them, and for Zumi.
"I know my father loves me. I do. But… to stand where he stands, to be the heir to the Umbra Court… I had to train. Ruthlessly. Since I was a child."
Her fingers traced the tattoos across her arms, remembering every scar beneath them.
"He made a contract with the Spirit of Strength on my behalf when I was young. That's why I'm as powerful as I am. These muscles… this body… all shaped for survival."
Zumi listened, eyes softening.
Catherine swallowed hard.
"And I learned a bit of shadow manipulation from him. Only surface-level, nothing like full mastery. But enough to fight, enough to kill."
The girls listened without judgment—only empathy.
Then her voice cracked—just slightly:
"…Most men were terrified of me."
She looked away, ashamed.
"The one guy who wasn't… the one I thought I loved… I hid my strength from him."
Her shoulders slumped.
"When he found out how strong I actually was… he called me a freak. Said women weren't supposed to be stronger than men. Said I wasn't… feminine."
The word hurt her to say.
"I've spent years feeling like my strength made me unlovable."
Her eyes flickered to Zumi instinctively— gentle, wanting, yearning.
"And then you walked into that room, and I realized… you weren't scared of me."
Zumi squeezed her hand.
"I never will be."
Her voice trembled.
"That's when everything cracked open inside me."
"Catherine," he asked softly. "Your strength… your shadows… I always wondered something."
She blinked. "What?"
Zumi turned to Serafina.
"For a long time… I've wanted to know where mortal superpowers come from. Why some humans have them. How this whole ranking system works."
Serafina nodded and answered, her tone professor-like:
"There are only two ways mortals can gain abilities:
1. Contracting with Spirits
A mortal merges with a spirit—fire, water, strength, speed, shadow, anything. The spirit becomes part of them permanently. This bond can be passed down generations."
She gestured to Catherine.
"Her super strength is inherited from the Spirit of Strength her father contracted on her behalf."
Catherine nodded. "It's part of my bloodline now."
2. Receiving Blessings from Gods
"If a mortal worships a god enough," Serafina continued, "That god may choose to give them a small portion of their divinity."
She tilted her head.
"But this method is rarer. And far more dangerous."
Zumi absorbed it all.
"So abilities aren't random." He looked at Catherine. "They're earned… or inherited."
She nodded slowly.
"Yes. And mine… shaped my whole life."
Her voice softened to a whisper.
"I always believed my strength would push everyone away."
Her eyes lifted to Zumi— full of quiet awe.
"But you… You didn't flinch. You didn't fear me. You didn't shrink away."
She exhaled shakily.
"For the first time in my life… my strength feels like something beautiful. Because you accept it."
The girls melted.
Aurora squealed, tail wagging. "CUTE!"
Bia wiped an imaginary tear. "Another one hopelessly in love."
Gia grinned. "She fits so perfectly it's scary."
Catherine blushed hard— but she didn't deny it.
She leaned into Zumi's shoulder, finally letting herself relax completely.
For the first time in her life…
She felt seen. Loved. Wanted. And safe.
Catherine was still leaning into Zumi, absorbing everything the girls had told her, when Serafina exchanged a look with Bia, Hina, and Leafa.
It was time.
Serafina's voice lowered—not ominous, but reverent.
"Catherine… there is something else you should know. Something about us."
Catherine straightened, surprised by the sudden seriousness.
Zumi placed a calming hand on her thigh. "Listen carefully. This matters."
Serafina stepped forward, shadows folding behind her like wings.
"My true identity," she said softly, "is Serafina, Goddess of Darkness."
Dark mist curled around her fingertips, swirling like living night.
Catherine's eyes widened. "A… goddess…"
Serafina nodded.
"And everything I am—my divinity, my domain, my eternity—is Zumi's. I offered it freely."
A faint blush touched her cheeks, unbelievably rare for her.
Before Catherine could react, a warm, powerful aura burst beside her.
Bia raised her hand, flexing slightly.
"I represent force, strength, momentum—the raw physical power that moves the universe."
A shockwave of glowing energy radiated from her palm, gentle but undeniable.
"That's why I'm so physically strong. Why my devotion changes my form. I am the Goddess of Strength… And like Serafina…" She leaned into Zumi with a smug smile, "My everything belongs to him."
Leafa stepped forward, barefoot on the living room floor.
Vines curled lightly around her legs, forming and retracting—alive, responsive.
"I am the reborn Goddess of Nature, the mother of forests, rivers, and life."
Her aura smelled of rain, soil, and blooming flowers.
She smiled softly at Zumi. "My heart resides in his soul space. My body moves because of him."
Hina bowed politely.
"I was mortal… until Serafina gave me divine authority."
Her body shifted—hair turning black-red flame, eyes glowing—then reverted back, controlled and graceful.
"I am the Lesser Goddess of Shadow Flame, under Serafina. And I follow Zumi as my chosen king."
Catherine froze.
Mouth slightly open.
Breath caught in her throat.
Her heartbeat thundered as her eyes moved from one goddess to the next, then finally—slowly—to Zumi.
"You…" Her voice broke. "Y–you're surrounded by goddesses…"
Zumi didn't even try to hide it.
He simply nodded once.
Calm. Certain. Powerful.
Catherine swallowed hard.
"And they… all gave themselves… to you?"
Bia grinned. "Of course we did."
Serafina smirked. "Who else could handle us?"
Leafa giggled. "He is the only one worthy."
Hina bowed her head. "My king."
Serafina stepped forward, placing a hand over her heart.
"Because I have surrendered myself to him… Because my divinity belongs to him…"
Her voice carried the weight of cosmic truth:
"Zumi now holds dominion over darkness."
Then she gestured to Bia.
"And through Bia—he holds dominion over force and strength."
Leafa stepped closer.
"And through me—he holds sway over the natural world."
Hina added gently:
"And I, who descend from Serafina's power, bind him also to the Shadow Flame."
The girls all turned to Zumi with reverence.
Catherine stared, trembling.
"He… he has the domains of all of you…?"
Serafina nodded slowly.
"Because goddesses give their power only to those worthy of carrying entire worlds."
Bia leaned into him, playful yet reverent.
"In the old ages, gods would kill for the kind of backing Zumi has."
Leafa touched his cheek tenderly.
"He is not just strong… He is a divine center now."
Catherine felt her knees weaken.
Her heart melted and ignited all at once.
"…My man… is a god among gods…"
Zumi simply placed a hand on her thigh again.
"Not a god. Not yet. But I will become one."
Catherine shivered at the conviction in his tone— at the certainty— at the power she felt in every word.
And for the first time in her life…
Catherine Dragna felt not just in love— but honored to belong to a man so mighty.