"DXD: Multiverse Journey"Chapter 244: The Mysterious Girl—Mayuri
It hadn't been long since the last school trip, but Tengu City's schools were already at it again, coming together for a massive school festival. The air was still thick with leftover excitement when Miku invited Shuo to an exclusive pool party—no expense spared, the whole place reserved just for them.
By the water's edge, two pairs of jewel-bright eyes watched Tohka and Yoshino as they shrieked and raced down the water slide, their laughter echoing across the pool.
"Tohka and Yoshino are such kids—completely obsessed with that slide," Kaguya sighed, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
Yuzuru, ever the straight man, glanced over, face unreadable. "Observation: Kaguya's face is radiating envy."
"Wha—who's envious? Don't make things up!"
Kaguya's smile froze. Color rushed to her cheeks as she clenched her fists, glaring at Yuzuru in mortified outrage.
But then Kaguya's eyes narrowed in confusion. "Wait, why are you still wearing a T-shirt, Yuzuru?"
"Foolish question. According to Master Origami, a swimsuit only counts as a swimsuit when seen through a wet T-shirt."
As she spoke, Yuzuru hooked a finger under her clinging shirt, the fabric sheer and translucent, her every move radiating understated allure.
"…I need to get myself a T-shirt."
Kaguya grumbled, already regretting her oversight. She hopped out of the pool, determination written all over her face.
On a shaded lounge nearby, Shuo and Miku sat facing each other, quietly watching the chaos unfold in the pool.
"Looks like our superstar really went all out this time—renting the whole place?" Shuo teased, a grin playing at his lips.
Miku pouted, lips pursed in mock annoyance. "Darling, you're just here to make fun of me, aren't you? Honestly, I've been so busy lately—I needed a break. This was the perfect excuse to invite you."
Shuo chuckled, about to offer a gentle retort, when Tohka's voice cut through the air.
"Hey, Shuo! Aren't you coming in? The water's perfect!"
"You all go ahead. I'm good right here," Shuo replied, waving her off.
Tohka looked a little disappointed, but didn't push. Yoshinon, ever the troublemaker, piped up from Yoshino's hand:
"Then let's see if Kotori's up for it! Don't tell me Commander Kotori can't swim! Gahaha!"
"Yoshinon, you little—! Didn't you see me swimming at the beach?"
Kotori slammed her hands down on the table, cheeks burning as she glared at the grinning puppet.
Without missing a beat, she peeled off her shirt and tossed it straight at Shuo's face, then dove into the pool, splashing into the fray.
Shuo and Miku couldn't help but laugh, warmth softening their features as they watched the girls play.
"Seeing everyone so happy together… it's bliss, isn't it?" Miku murmured, her smile gentle. Then, without warning, she stood up and turned her back to Shuo, slipping off her cover-up.
For a split second, time seemed to slow. Miku's figure—curves wrapped in a yellow two-piece—caught the light, her skin glowing against the blue of the pool.
She could feel Shuo's gaze burning into her back. A shy, knowing smile crept across her lips. She glanced over her shoulder, cheeks tinged pink.
"Darling, I can see the 'H' in your eyes. Ehehe~"
With a playful wink, she sprinted forward and leapt into the pool.
SPLASH!
—
As dusk fell, Shuo and the others finally said their goodbyes to Miku and headed home. Their little group drew stares everywhere they went—eleven beautiful girls, each with her own style, all laughing and chatting as if they'd known each other forever.
Male passersby looked on with undisguised envy. If this wasn't the definition of "winning at life," what was?
Shuo barely noticed. As long as nobody bothered him, he was content.
Suddenly, he slowed, a strange prickle running down his spine.
"Hm?"
Kurumi noticed his hesitation. "What's up, Shuo?"
"Nothing. Just… felt like someone was watching us. Probably my imagination." He shrugged, scanning the street. Nothing out of the ordinary.
He shook it off and kept walking, the girls falling in around him.
Unbeknownst to them, far above on the rooftop of an empty building, a lone figure stood in the fading light. She watched Shuo's retreating form in silence.
"…Shuo… Nangong…"
Only once his silhouette vanished did she speak, her voice a melody on the wind—too soft for anyone to hear.
"I wonder… Are you worthy?"
As if in answer, the air around her shimmered, distorting for a heartbeat. Then she dissolved into motes of light, vanishing without a trace.
—
The next morning dawned bright and ordinary. Shuo joined Tohka and the others for a stroll downtown, but something was off—he couldn't stop staring at the sky.
It wasn't an eclipse, or anything strange to the naked eye. The street bustled as usual; he was the only one looking up.
Tohka, Kurumi, and the others soon noticed, exchanging puzzled glances. They followed his gaze, but saw nothing out of the ordinary—just the blazing sun.
Shuo's vision showed nothing different, either. But inside, something felt wrong—a discordant note, a sense of déjà vu.
"What is this…? This feeling… It's exactly the same as last night."
He muttered the words under his breath, more to himself than anyone else.
Then—light flared in his eyes. Suddenly, he could see it:
High above Tengu City, a massive sphere of spiritual energy hovered, pulsing with power.
"This… this is—"
Memories crashed through his mind—fragmented images of that sphere, and of a girl whose sorrow was written in every gesture.
Last night's gaze… it really was her. Mayuri.
She wasn't human, not really—just a system, a vessel formed from the combined spiritual power of countless Spirits. Her purpose: to judge whether such a gathering of power was dangerous.
But she was only ever a collection of power, destined to vanish. That was why people said, "The world owes you a date."
"Dummy. I was born from everyone's spiritual power—how could I ever hate you?"
"From the moment I existed, I loved you…"
Those words echoed in Shuo's heart, bittersweet and heavy.
But this time, things would be different. He had the power to change her fate.
A single date would never be enough.
All right, Mayuri. Let's begin our story.
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