"What's wrong, Saeko-senpai?"
Yuki noticed the change in her expression. Normally cool and poised, Saeko's gaze had softened, like something within her had quietly stirred.
"Nothing… I just feel like you've been too kind to me, Yuki-kun. I don't even know how I'm supposed to repay you."
Her voice was gentle, tinged with vulnerability. Slowly, she stepped toward him, inch by inch closing the space between them. As she moved, she casually reached for the livestream feed and shut it off without a word—cutting off the group chat in mid-conversation.
The screen went black.
Now it was just the two of them. Under the fading light of the sun, they stood within breath's reach of each other—no more than five centimeters apart.
The silence between them pulsed.
Saeko reached out tentatively, her fingertips brushing Yuki's chest, then trailing slowly up to his cheek. Her touch was feather-light, almost reverent. She wasn't being bold—this was a quiet test, a probe to see if she was welcome in his space. Her violet eyes flickered, watching every twitch in his face.
Yuki gently caught her hand.
"What are you talking about, Senpai?" he said softly, his voice warm but calm. "Aren't we friends?"
He smiled, and his thumb lightly brushed over the back of her hand. Despite her years of wielding blades, her skin was so soft—velvety smooth and tender, untouched by the roughness one might expect of a swordswoman.
"Besides," he added, "didn't you already thank me with those points?"
Saeko shook her head slowly.
"That's not enough," she whispered. "Compared to what you've done for me, Yuki-kun, it's not even close."
She leaned forward, resting gently against his chest. His arms didn't pull away. He didn't flinch. That subtle reassurance made her heart race.
"Hey… can I tell you a story?"
He nodded.
She then quietly shared the same story she once told Takashi Komuro—a story about the dark cravings that had always lived within her. The bloodlust. The thrill she felt when killing. The part of her that frightened even herself.
"…So even if I'm broken like this…"
She looked up, searching his eyes with quiet desperation.
"Would you still accept me?"
Her voice trembled slightly as she asked. It wasn't just a question—it was a plea. For understanding. For connection.
Yuki took a breath. Then another. His gaze didn't waver.
"Of course."
"I don't think you're broken at all."
"In fact… I think this side of you is beautiful."
He reached up, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"You're like a rose blooming in the middle of a battlefield."
At that, Saeko could no longer hold back. She leaned in and pressed her lips to his.
The kiss started soft—tentative, testing, unsure. But as he returned it, her control cracked.
Her hands rose to cup his face. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. Their lips moved in rhythm—deep, warm, consuming.
The kiss didn't last a few seconds.
It lasted nearly ten minutes.
By the time they finally broke apart, Saeko's entire face was flushed a brilliant red. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, heart hammering as she leaned in and whispered into his ear:
"…I just… got wet."
Yuki blinked. His gaze instinctively dropped downward.
Then he cleared his throat and looked away with a small, awkward cough.
"Ahem… We should probably head back."
"If we stay out too long, the others might worry."
"I'll… stay over tonight."
Saeko's cheeks burned brighter, but her eyes sparkled as she nodded, barely able to hide her smile.
Wrapped in Yuki's arms again, they returned to the villa, soaring silently through the dimming sky.
The moment they touched down, Saeko scurried inside, barely sparing a glance at Rei or the others as she bolted toward the bathroom.
"Huh? That's weird…" Rei tilted her head. "What's with Saeko-senpai?"
Meanwhile, the ever-oblivious Shizuka wandered over, blinking slowly at Yuki's slightly damp shirt.
"Hmm? Yuki-kun, did you go swimming or something?"
Saya and the others also noticed the strange dark patches on his clothes. None of them commented, but the question lingered in their glances.
Yuki casually rubbed the back of his neck and laughed it off.
"Got splashed by a fire hydrant."
But inwardly, he thought,Women really are made of water…
With a simple thought, the moisture on his clothes vanished, dried instantly by his system. Then he sat down on the couch, perfectly composed, as if nothing had happened.
Opening his system panel, he checked the intimacy points.
5,612.
Not bad at all. The corner of his lips lifted slightly.
He was already wondering just how many points tonight would bring.
Then he opened the group chat.
The moment he did, it was chaos.
Everyone was spamming mentions at him and Saeko.
Artemis: "Why'd you shut off the stream?! What were you two doing?!"
Seitenshi: "Saeko! Yuki-kun! You better say something!!"
Huaizhu: "@NearlyOmnipotent @SwordDemon"
Raiden Ei: "I'm not trying to gossip, but… @NearlyOmnipotent @SwordDemon"
Yuki: "Relax. The stream just cut out by accident. And anyway, the mission was over—pretty normal to end a broadcast, right?"
Seitenshi: "Nope. Something's fishy!"
Huaizhu: "Definitely!"
Artemis: "Even the way you address her changed!"
Raiden Ei: "Mhm. Very suspicious. (Squinting eyes)"
Yuki groaned inwardly.Are all these girls detectives or something?
Just as he was about to type, Saeko joined the chat.
Saeko: "I was just expressing my gratitude to Yuki-kun and having a private conversation. Nothing for others to see, so I turned off the stream. (Smiles)"
Seitenshi: "Aha!! Suspicious!!"
Huaizhu: "Exactly! You've known us for longer, Saeko! Why hide it from us?! (Frowning emoji)"
Seitenshi: "So what happened? Spill it!"
Artemis: "Waaaah!! My Yuki-kun!!! (Sobbing!)"
Raiden Ei: "Agreed. I want details. Now. (Impatient emoji)"
Saeko: "Just… what a woman should do. (Smiles)"
The chat exploded.
That single line hit like a nuclear bomb. Women from different worlds felt a chill ripple through them.
Inazuma, Narukami Island —
Inside the Yae Publishing House, Raiden Ei turned to Yae Miko.
"Miko, if you had to seduce a man… what are your odds of success?"
"…Huh?"
Miko blinked, staring blankly for a few seconds before slowly turning toward Ei like she'd just heard the most absurd thing in the world.
Back in the villa, Yuki sighed heavily.
He facepalmed.
We didn't even do anything… yet.
But with how Saeko worded it, how could he possibly explain himself without making it worse?
He stayed silent.
Later that evening…
Dinner was peaceful. Saeko's cooking, as always, was exceptional. Everyone was full and content.
Soon after, Saya and the others fell asleep one by one, drained from the day.
Shizuka, predictably, got tipsy after only two beers. Saeko had to carry her to bed.
Once Shizuka was tucked in, Saeko returned, her voice soft:
"Yuki-kun, wait in the next room. I'll… shower first."
He nodded, knowing what that meant.
This was a big night—for her, and maybe for them both.
Some time later, the door creaked open.
Saeko stepped in, her hair still damp, steam rising faintly from her skin. She wore nothing but a loosely tied bathrobe—the thin fabric barely clinging to her curves.
Her skin glowed, dewy and warm. Her cheeks were flushed with a soft, nervous blush. Her eyes shimmered, full of anticipation, vulnerability, and quiet affection.
She walked slowly toward him, every movement intentional but unforced.
"No regrets?"
Her voice was quiet.
Yuki looked at her, really looked.
Saeko's beauty had always been fierce and elegant—like a blade unsheathed. But tonight, she was something else.
Gentle. Open. Devoted.
He gave her a slow nod.
She smiled.
"I'll be in your care from now on."
That was all it took.
And under the dim, golden light of the room, the once reserved Saeko showed him exactly what it meant to give herself completely.