The room had just settled after Celestia's cryptic prophecy… Kasumi still kneeling close, Bia and Serafina wrapped around him, the others lounging in soft cuddles and stolen touches.
Zumi exhaled softly — and something inside him shifted.
His aura loosened.
His heart opened.
And before he even realized he was speaking, the words slipped out of him like pure instinct — gentle, warm, honest:
"I love you all so much…"
The sentence was quiet.
But the aura wasn't.
His divine intent surged outward — not violently, not dominantly, but with overwhelming warmth. A radiant wave of affection swept through the entire room, engulfing every girl present.
It wasn't lust. It wasn't dominance. It wasn't pressure.
It was love — pure, unfiltered, unrestrained.
The girls felt EVERYTHING he felt for them. His appreciation. His pride. His protectiveness. His tenderness. His devotion. His desire to see each of them happy and safe and fulfilled.
It struck them like a tidal wave.
Bia
Her whole body trembled once, then she melted against him with a soft gasp.
"Z-Zumi…" Her voice cracked. She buried her face in his chest, clinging to him as if she'd fall apart without him.
Serafina
Her eyes widened — then half-lidded with bliss.
Darkness shimmered behind her like velvet wings.
"You shouldn't say things like that so casually…" she whispered, voice dripping with emotion. "It makes me fall for you even more."
Kasumi
She pressed a hand to her lips, tears forming instantly.
She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his leg, holding him tightly.
"I feel it… I feel everything… thank you…"
Leafa
She exhaled like she was floating.
Her whole body curled gently on his lap, bathing in the warmth.
"So warm… so real… so him…"
Hina
Her cheeks flushed red.
She covered her face with both hands.
"I–I can't handle this…"
But she never moved an inch away from him.
Carmella & Bethany
Their eyes softened, their hearts pounding.
Carmella whispered, "He really does love all of us…"
Bethany nodded, wiping a tear.
"It wasn't words… it was the truth…"
Jasmine
Even her stoic exterior shattered.
Her breathing hitched.
She bowed her head deeply in gratitude.
"To feel loved like this… it is a blessing, my lord…"
Every girl looked at him as if he were their sun, their center, their heartbeat.
Not because he commanded it. Not because he asked for it.
Because he let them feel exactly how much he cared.
Their bodies relaxed, hearts pounding in perfect unison, every one of them overwhelmed.
Bia whispered into his chest, broken and blissful:
"Please… don't ever stop loving us like that…"
Serafina kissed his jaw.
Kasumi rested her head on his knee with a trembling smile.
Leafa curled into his lap.
Hina hugged his arm.
Carmella held his leg gently.
Jasmine stood behind him, stroking his hair with devotion.
The atmosphere became warm, glowing, intimate—
A soft universe of love, made entirely of Zumi's aura.
His eyes widened a little.
He hadn't meant to unleash his aura like that.
But seeing them all so moved… so melted… so emotionally open…
He smiled softly and lifted his hand, gently stroking Serafina's cheek, then Bia's hair, then Kasumi's head.
"My aura reacted on its own," he said softly. "But every word was the truth."
A chorus of soft breaths, whispers, and quiet happiness filled the room.
They knew.
They believed.
They felt it.
And they would remember that moment for the rest of their immortal lives.
Because for the first time—
They didn't just hear that Zumi loved them. They felt it. Completely.
The door swung open gently.
Gia stepped in first, Rachel right behind her, expecting a normal evening—
But the moment they crossed the threshold—
WHUMP.
A wave of divine warmth slammed into them.
Not heavy like battle aura. Not malicious like killing intent.
But love —pure, overwhelming, all-encompassing love— radiating from Zumi's heart like a sun in full bloom.
Gia
She staggered.
Her knees buckled instantly, eyes widening, breath catching in her throat.
"Oh— Z–Zumi…"
She grabbed the edge of a table just to stay standing.
Her body trembled as that love washed through her like a tidal wave.
It was so deep, so real, so complete that it made her heart flutter violently.
Tears pricked her eyes.
She whispered, voice cracking:
"I–I can feel it… I've never… felt your love this strong before…"
Rachel
Her reaction was even more dramatic.
Her eyes snapped wide open— her breath completely stolen— and every muscle in her body went slack for a moment.
Her mind flooded with Zumi's affection for not just the goddesses, but for all his women— and that included her now.
Her chest tightened sharply.
Her military conditioning almost failed as she whispered—
"What… what is this…? This feeling… this warmth… this—"
Her voice broke.
Her legs nearly gave out entirely.
She had faced death. She had stared down bullets. She had endured torture and silence and heartbreak.
But she had never— not once in her entire life— felt someone else's love hit her like a divine force.
The pressure wasn't violent, but it was powerful enough to rattle her very soul.
She clutched her chest.
"He… he loves all of you… this much…?"
Her breath hitched again.
"And some of that… is for me…?"
For Rachel, who had never known unconditional affection— who had been treated as a tool, a soldier, a weapon—
This feeling was almost too much.
She lowered to one knee, steadying herself against the wall, eyes shaking.
Her thoughts flooded:
These women… They surrendered to him willingly. Joyfully. Completely. And I… I can feel exactly why.
She glanced up—
And then she saw it.
The wives were wrapped around Zumi like he was their anchor, their warmth, their god.
Bia had her head pressed into his chest, trembling in bliss.
Serafina curled against his side, shadows melting into calm softness.
Kasumi hugged his leg like it was precious to her.
Leafa nestled into his lap, a serene smile on her face.
Hina hugged his arm, face red and heart pounding.
Carmella and Bethany leaned near him, hands resting softly against him, basking in the warmth.
Even Jasmine, stoic and reserved, stroked his hair with rare tenderness.
Every woman in the room was physically touching him.
Not out of duty. Not out of obsession.
But pure, heartfelt adoration.
Their auras glowed with love. Their expressions softened with devotion. Their bodies leaned toward him naturally— as if he were gravity itself.
To Rachel, it looked as if:
He was the sun… and they were the planets drawn to his light.
She swallowed hard.
These weren't weak women. They weren't brainwashed. They weren't subservient.
They were goddesses. Warriors. Killers. Queens.
And they willingly, eagerly, joyfully circled around Zumi like he was the center of their universe.
Rachel whispered, overwhelmed:
"So… this is what it means… to love him…"
Zumi finally noticed Gia and Rachel at the door.
He smiled warmly— a simple smile— but with his aura still active, that one smile nearly knocked both women over again.
"Gia, Rachel… welcome home."
Gia's heart fluttered so hard she covered her mouth, tears slipping out.
Rachel froze, feeling her soul crack open in the most gentle way.
Home.
He said home.
And for the first time in her life…
Rachel felt like she finally had one.
As Rachel stood trembling in the doorway, struggling to breathe under the overwhelming warmth of Zumi's love—
A soft chime rang inside Zumi's mind.
A chime he knew well.
A system chime.
Then…
Celestia's voice descended gently like stardust:
"Zumi… Rachel's heart has surrendered."
"Her intimacy level has reached 10 out of 10."
"Her loyalty is absolute."
"She has become a System Character."
A soft glow pulsed faintly around Rachel's chest— subtle, divine, unnoticed by her, but unmistakable to Zumi's divine senses.
Celestia whispered again, almost smiling:
"Her heart… she has given it entirely to you."
Zumi exhaled slowly.
Of course. He felt it too.
The devotion. The reverence. The love she didn't even realize she was capable of feeling.
Rachel's trembling reaction made perfect sense.
Zumi rose from the couch, the goddesses parting to give him room.
His aura dimmed to something gentle and welcoming, the kind of warmth a person feels when stepping into sunlight after a cold, lonely winter.
He approached Rachel slowly.
She was still kneeling — one hand on the floor, the other pressed to her chest, overwhelmed by emotion.
Her voice shook when she looked up at him.
"W–what… what is happening to me…?"
Zumi placed a hand gently on her head.
And that alone almost made her faint.
"Rachel," he said softly, "stand."
She obeyed instantly, breath shallow, eyes trembling.
"You don't need to kneel."
For a moment, she bit her lip, struggling to compose herself.
But then—
She stepped forward.
She placed her right hand across her heart.
And in front of every goddess-woman who loved Zumi, she spoke:
"I, Rachel… offer everything I am to you, Zumi."
Her voice was low, but clear.
"I offer my loyalty… my strength… my devotion… my life."
Her eyes glistened.
"For years, I followed commanders who cared nothing for me. I served men who only desired obedience. But you…"
She swallowed hard.
"You saw me. You respected me. You allowed me to stand beside Gia instead of beneath her."
A breath.
"And for the first time since I can remember… I felt something. Warmth. Purpose. Belonging."
Rachel lowered her head deeply—not in submission, but in sincerity.
"I pledge myself to you, Zumi Kogane. In body, spirit, and loyalty. I am yours."
Silence hung in the room for several seconds.
Then—
Bia grinned wide, wiping a tear from her eye. "Well damn… she's one of us now."
Serafina stepped forward first, placing a hand on Rachel's shoulder. Her voice was soft but powerful.
"Welcome, Rachel. Don't worry. The first time he hits your heart with that aura… we all crumbled too."
She smirked playfully.
Leafa wrapped her arms around Rachel gently from behind. Her nature aura soothed her like a warm breeze.
"You'll fit right in. Your spirit is strong… and full of potential."
Hina, shy but honest, smiled softly. "We're happy to have you."
Carmella stepped up next, kissing Rachel's cheek lightly. "In this family, love is shared. And you're loved too."
Bethany nodded in agreement, her voice gentle. "You're safe with us."
Jasmine, the most composed, placed a respectful hand on Rachel's arm. "Your loyalty is beautiful. Welcome to the family."
And then—
Kasumi approached, bowing her head politely.
"You have the heart of a warrior. I respect you deeply."
Finally—
Bia, Serafina, Leafa, Kasumi, Carmella, Bethany, Hina, and Jasmine all stepped aside…
And created space beside Zumi.
An open invitation.
"Come here, Rachel."
Zumi extended a hand.
"Join us."
Rachel gasped softly.
Her heart throbbed. Her breath hitched. Her defenses fell completely apart.
She stepped toward him—
And the goddesses gently pulled her in, guiding her to Zumi's side.
Bia hugged her from one side. Leafa held her hand. Serafina rested her head against hers. Kasumi embraced her waist.
Zumi wrapped an arm around her shoulders—
And Rachel melted.
Her voice broke softly:
"…I'm home."
Zumi smiled.
"Yes," he said quietly, "you are."
Zumi eased his aura back down to human-level, letting the overwhelming divine warmth recede so the girls could breathe normally again.
But even masked, the echo of what they felt still pulsed through their hearts.
A lingering warmth. A glow of belonging. An emotional gravity pulling them all toward him.
Rachel, now nestled between Serafina and Leafa, was still flushed pink. Every time Zumi looked at her, she felt the ghost of that divine love pulse again, and her stomach twisted with warmth.
The couch became a tangle of arms, legs, and soft bodies:
Bia hugging Zumi's left arm possessively. Serafina tucked close to his right side. Kasumi leaning against his shoulder. Leafa draped over his knee. Carmella curled against his thigh. Hina, Bethany, and Jasmine forming a ring of quiet affection around him. And Rachel… gently supported by everyone, tucked close as if she had always belonged.
Laughter, whispers, warmth… For the first time, Rachel felt something she had never had:
Family.
They took turns speaking to Rachel:
Bia
"For a human, you handled his aura better than most gods I've crushed. Respect."
Serafina
"You have discipline. Shadow thrives in discipline. I like you already."
Leafa
"You smell like order and calm. Nature likes you."
Carmella
"Your posture is perfect, Rachel. Very elegant. Very… obedient." (Rachel blushed hard.)
Bethany
"Your loyalty is beautiful. I'm glad you're here."
Hina
"If you ever want shadow training… I can teach you. I think you'd be good at it."
Kasumi
"With your skill, you'd make a terrifying combat maid. If you want lessons… I'll train you."
Rachel nearly melted. She had been feared, used, obeyed— but never welcomed like this.
Never cherished.
Zumi finally spoke, voice low and steady.
"Rachel."
She straightened instantly.
"Yes, Zumi?"
He placed a gentle hand on her thigh—not intimate, but grounding, acknowledging her presence.
"You're officially part of this family now. And you'll serve beside Gia, not beneath her."
Rachel's eyes widened, breath catching.
"You will be the Vice Hawk—Gia's second in command."
Gia smiled warmly and squeezed Rachel's hand.
Zumi continued:
"You'll handle logistics, personnel coordination, security flow, transportation schedules, and represent Gia when she's not present."
He paused.
"And most importantly—you help protect this household. This family."
Rachel swallowed hard, heart pounding.
"I… I won't fail you."
"You won't," Zumi said simply. "Because I trust you."
Those words hit her harder than any battlefield injury she had ever taken.
Zumi leaned back, pulling Bia and Serafina closer with each arm.
"Tomorrow morning," he said, "you and Gia will handle your first mission."
Rachel's posture sharpened.
"Name it."
Zumi smirked.
"Buy a normal car for the teachers."
Everyone blinked.
Carmella looked up. "A normal car…?"
Zumi nodded.
"Yeah. No Lamborghinis, no Bugattis. Something standard. Something human. A Honda, Toyota, Nissan… even a Mercedes if you want to look respectable."
Bia snorted.
"We're goddesses. And you want us pulling up in a Honda?"
Zumi laughed softly.
"You're teachers now. You need to look normal."
Serafina rolled her eyes but smiled. "Fine. But I get to pick the color."
Leafa giggled softly. "I'll help! I know all the quiet eco-friendly ones."
Rachel nodded once.
"So the mission is: acquire a suitable vehicle for Serafina, Bia, and Carmella to arrive at school as instructors."
"Exactly."
Gia added:
"And we'll have to register it, insure it, and make sure it's in your names."
Carmella raised a hand like a student.
"Can it be black?"
"Yes," Zumi and Rachel said at the same time.
They exchanged a glance— Rachel blushed. Gia smirked knowingly.
The conversation shifted back to soft warmth, joking, cuddling, gentle talking.
Rachel found herself laughing. Actually laughing.
Zumi leaned back, closing his eyes for a moment as all the women leaned into him.
He murmured:
"This… is nice."
And they all agreed. Softly. Warmly. Deep in their hearts.
Rachel looked around…
At the goddesses. The warriors. The vampires. The maid. The strong, loyal women who adored this man.
And for the first time in her life—
She felt wanted.
She felt safe.
She felt home.