Chapter 351: The Frantic True Ancestor
Time passed swiftly.
The death of Toyama Miwa did not bring much change to Yotsuba Mahiro's life. His days were peaceful and comfortable, and even the Lion King Organization hadn't come to cause trouble.
Despite having killed a member of the Lion King Organization, there were no retaliatory actions, which left Yotsuba Mahiro quite puzzled.
Nevertheless, life went on. Since they hadn't come looking for him, he had no intention of provoking them either.
Occasionally, he would show up at school, coincidentally run into Aiba Asagi and Little Yuuma in the middle school division, and sometimes head to the orphanage in the evenings to cook dinner for Little Kanon and the other orphans.
This was practically his daily routine.
Apart from that, the place he visited most often was Mimori Akatsuki's residence at MAR, where he observed the changes in Nagisa Akatsuki.
After a week of careful care, Nagisa Akatsuki had already regained consciousness.
The girl was as lively and adorable as ever. Apart from a somewhat sickly pale complexion and a slightly thinner frame, there was no sign of any illness at all.
Every time Mahiro visited, she would enthusiastically pull him along, chattering excitedly as she shared all sorts of amusing stories.
Even the messy house became clean and tidy again thanks to Nagisa Akatsuki's recovery.
Compared to Mimori Akatsuki, who couldn't even take care of herself, Nagisa Akatsuki seemed more like the elder of the household.
As for Akatsuki Kojou?
This guy was like a silent gourd. Whenever he saw Yotsuba Mahiro, he would only nod, and the most he ever said was "hello" and "goodbye," just like a store greeter.
But today, Mimori Akatsuki suddenly sought him out, grabbed his wrist, and led him to an empty room.
Before closing the door, she peeked out into the hallway to make sure no one was there, then shut it firmly.
Mahiro sat on the bed, casually sizing up the young woman before him—a woman with a face that could almost rival K's, a youthful appearance, and an impressive bust. He deliberately put on a nervous expression.
"Director Mimori Akatsuki, what are you doing? Pulling me into an empty room so late at night... Could it be that because you divorced Mr. Akatsuki Kojou, you...
No, this isn't right. We're not suitable."
Hearing this, Mimori Akatsuki was momentarily stunned, then a blush spread across her face as she replied somewhat awkwardly:
"...Mr. Mahiro, isn't this inappropriate? Nagisa would get angry."
In an instant, Mahiro's gaze toward the woman shifted slightly.
Wait, what did he just hear?
There was a lot to unpack in that statement; he needed a moment to process it.
But just then, Mimori Akatsuki leaned in closer. Whether intentionally or not, she placed her hands on either side of the bed, bringing her body extremely close—especially her unparalleled bust, which pressed firmly against him.
Even through her knitwear, he could feel the warmth radiating from her, accompanied by a faint scent of perfume that enveloped him.
Was this woman trying to seduce him?
In reality, he was overthinking it.
Although Mimori Akatsuki was exceptionally intelligent—rumor had it that forty percent of the patents held by MAR's Shinto branch were the results of her research alone—she was remarkably clumsy in all other aspects. Whether it came to social interactions or physical activities, she was utterly inept.
Just like now, even though she herself had created an extremely intimate and ambiguous atmosphere, she still maintained a serious and earnest expression as she said:
"Mr. Mahiro, last night, the 'Root' came to find me."
"Huh?"
For a moment, Mahiro's brain couldn't process it.
It wasn't until Mimori Akatsuki explained in detail what had happened the previous night that he understood.
The 'Root' attached to Nagisa Akatsuki had awakened.
Just last night, the 'Root' used Nagisa Akatsuki's body to move around, found Mimori Akatsuki, and proposed a deal to her—
"You're saying the 'Root' wants to borrow Nagisa Akatsuki's body to stay by my side?"
"Yes, that's exactly it... Mr. Mahiro, I know the conditions are excessive, and Nagisa and I have already troubled you so much, but please agree to this one more time, okay? This time, no matter what you ask me to do, I'll do it..."
"Whatever I ask you to do?"
"Yes." Mimori Akatsuki nodded with particular seriousness.
Originally intending to agree, but hearing the woman say this, Mahiro's lips curled into a playful smile.
"Ms. Mimori Akatsuki, expressing gratitude usually requires stripping naked and performing a dogeza, don't you know such common sense?"
Hearing this, the eyes behind the glasses widened instantly, and Mimori Akatsuki's face immediately turned pale as she stammered:
"R-really?"
"Of course it's fake, what are you thinking?" Mahiro shrugged casually.
Then, with a teasing tone, he added with a laugh, "But if you want to express your gratitude that way, I have no objections."
"I-I understand."
He had just been habitually making a flirtatious remark, joking around, but he never expected this woman to actually take it seriously!
He saw Mimori Akatsuki suddenly stand up, first taking off her white lab coat, then trembling as she unzipped the short skirt at her waist, followed by the white knit sweater she was wearing.
In just a few seconds, all that remained in sight were the sheer black stockings and the purple lace two-piece set.
Just as Mimori Akatsuki was about to kneel down, Mahiro quickly stepped forward and pulled her up, saying helplessly:
"Hey, sis, I was just casually joking, how could you take it seriously?"
He picked up the white lab coat scattered on the floor and draped it over the woman.
"So you agree?"
Mimori Akatsuki, letting him drape the clothes over her, looked up at him with pitiful eyes, like an abandoned puppy.
"Alright, I have no problem agreeing, but we still have to ask Nagisa Akatsuki for her own opinion."
Seeing him agree, Mimori Akatsuki was overjoyed. She immediately picked up the clothes from the floor and hastily put them on, then dragged him to find Nagisa Akatsuki, who was about to rest.
Surprisingly, Nagisa Akatsuki agreed very straightforwardly, without the slightest hesitation.
According to her words—
"How could I possibly refuse the chance to have the handsome Mahiro-oniichan treat me?"
This time, even Akatsuki Kojou voiced his agreement.
Because during this period, Akatsuki Kojou had also noticed that with Yotsuba Mahiro by her side, Nagisa Akatsuki hadn't shown the slightest sign of fainting, as if she had returned to a normal state.
And so, the next day after school, Nagisa Akatsuki was taken by him back to Natsuki Minamiya's apartment.
As the head of the household, Natsuki-chan didn't say much. She was aware of Nagisa Akatsuki's physical condition and merely gave him a slight glare.
It was as if she were saying, "You've brought back another little girl."
To this, Mahiro could only shrug helplessly.
It wasn't his fault, was it? There was nothing he could do about it.
Unexpectedly, however, Nagisa Akatsuki not only knew Yuuma but was also acquainted with Avrora.
But upon second thought, it wasn't all that surprising.
Nagisa Akatsuki had once communicated with Avrora in dreams as a spirit medium, and at a critical moment, Avrora had even sought help from Yotsuba Mahiro, hoping he could save Akatsuki Kojou and Nagisa Akatsuki.
Of course, Avrora no longer remembered this.
Moreover, perhaps because she had separated from the "Root," Nagisa Akatsuki said Avrora had changed, no longer carrying that overly mature demeanor she once had.
Now, Avrora was purely a young girl.
The children chatted happily together, chirping away as if they had endless topics to discuss. Even Est, the usually quiet sword spirit, was pulled along by Nagisa Akatsuki, who asked her all sorts of questions.
Nagisa Akatsuki's presence acted like glue, bringing the girls closer and strengthening their bonds.
But when night fell, Nagisa Akatsuki took on another face.
Midnight.
Dark waves surged, relentlessly crashing against the breakwaters surrounding Itogami Island.
At this moment, Itogami Island was enveloped in silence. Even Yotsuba Mahiro was already in bed, lost in slumber.
It was at this time that faint sounds came from outside Mahiro's bedroom door.
Light footsteps.
Then, the door was carefully pushed open just a crack, and a petite, slender figure quietly slipped into the room, making her way to the bedside.
Her long, dark hair, shimmering with a faint silver moonlight, cascaded loosely over her shoulders. The moonlight filtered through her thin nightgown, outlining the curves of her figure.
Against the backlight, only her crimson-glowing eyes were clearly visible.
After staring at Mahiro's sleeping face for a moment, the girl gently removed her slippers. Her smooth, delicate feet slowly stepped onto one side of the bed as she gradually climbed onto it, straddling him.
Just as she settled into place, a voice whispered softly by her ear.
"You are the 'Root'?"
The voice wasn't loud, but it still made the girl freeze for a moment. Nevertheless, her small bottom landed firmly on Mahiro's thighs.
"Did Mr. Mahiro guess I would come?"
The "Root," occupying Nagisa Akatsuki's body, gradually curled her lips into a bewitching, alluring smile that didn't match the age of this vessel.
A seductive blush spread across her fair, delicate face, and she wore an expression of enjoyment.
"Of course I guessed. I could tell when you asked Mimori Akatsuki to let Nagisa Akatsuki stay by my side.
Moreover, I'm certain that staying by my side isn't just about obtaining Avrora—it's about the Flame Light Banquet, isn't it?"
To be precise, it was about using the Flame Light Banquet to obtain all the Beast Vassals and resurrect herself.
The Root, her scheme exposed, showed no sign of anger. Instead, she laughed lightly and freely.
"Mr. Mahiro is indeed clever. But how can you be sure I'm not here for you? After all, your existence is quite enticing as well."
As she spoke, the Root had already leaned down, her petite and delicate body pressing against his, gently nuzzling like a kitten.
Her slender, fair arms wrapped tightly around his neck, her flushed face buried deep into the crook of his neck as she inhaled his unique scent.
"No wonder the Twelfth Progenitor is so obsessed with you. You truly are enticing. Even I find it hard to restrain myself…"
As she spoke, she slowly parted her cherry lips, revealing sharp fangs that lightly grazed his neck, her enticing pink tongue licking over his artery.
Her crimson pupils were filled with desire and madness!
Just as she couldn't resist sinking her sharp teeth in to taste him, Mahiro's indifferent voice rang out once more.
"I wouldn't advise doing that. You'll die."
His tone was calm and certain, as if stating a fact.
Hearing this, the Root couldn't help but laugh.
"Hehe, you're right. In my current state, if I drank your blood, I would surely die."
Whether it was due to the immense magical power or Yotsuba Mahiro taking action himself, she would die.
This frail body simply couldn't withstand it.
Thus, the Root suppressed her inner desire and slowly sat up.
Her delicate fingertips slowly traced across his chest.
"I know you're very interested in this child, aren't you?
So promise me this: take me to the Flame Light Banquet, help me obtain the First to Twelfth Vessels, and I'll spare this child. How does that sound?"
"Are you threatening me?"
Mahiro locked eyes with the Root, a smile flickering in his pupils, though it didn't reach the depths of his eyes, carrying a chilling coldness.
The Root smiled gracefully:
"It's not a threat. This is a transaction. If you help me revive, not only will I spare this child, but when I establish the Fourth Primogenitor's Empire, you can become my king, standing by my side. I will grant you the Blood of Eternal Life, and together we shall rule for eternity. How does that sound?"
"Eternal life… a very tempting proposal."
"Then, do you agree?"
"Who could refuse the temptation of eternal life?"
Having received the answer she wanted, their smiles deepened.
However, the Root completely failed to notice the flicker of coldness in Mahiro's eyes.
What he hated most in this life was threats. If it weren't for the fact that this creature's soul was entangled with Nagisa Akatsuki's, making it impossible to forcibly separate them, he would have already sent this bastard to Cocytus with a single strike.
"Then, to celebrate our cooperation, this is the interest I offer you."
With those words, the Root leaned down once more.
This time, she directly kissed him.
The girl's kiss was deep, filled with greed and madness.
Yet, moments later, the kiss suddenly turned clumsy and stiff, trembling slightly.
"M-M-M-Mahiro, you…"
At some point, the Root had retreated, replaced by Nagisa Akatsuki. Her face flushed with embarrassment and panic as she looked down at Yotsuba Mahiro beneath her.
What had she just done?
Why was she on Mahiro's bed?!
And how could she have done something so shameless?!
Was she sleepwalking?!
Panic, fear, shame—a whirlwind of emotions surged within her. Just as Nagisa Akatsuki opened her mouth to let out a scream, Mahiro suddenly pulled her close and covered her mouth with his hand.
She stared at the older boy in front of her with wide, terrified eyes, making muffled sounds.
"Shh, I know what you want to say, but don't scream. It's not your fault you ended up in my room for some reason. If you shout now, we'll both be in big trouble. Never mind what might happen to Nagisa Akatsuki, but my reputation as a lolicon would be set in stone."
Hearing his words, Nagisa Akatsuki, whose mouth was still covered, gradually calmed down.
"Calm now?"
Nagisa nodded.
"Then I'll let go. Don't scream."
Nagisa nodded again.
"Good."
Mahiro released her, and the girl indeed didn't scream or show any signs of her earlier panic. Instead, with a flushed face, she asked, "Mahiro-nii, when I was sleepwalking... besides what just happened, I didn't do anything else, right?"
"Don't worry, you didn't," Mahiro reassured her. "And it's not sleepwalking—your body is just having some issues. It'll get better after a while."
This time, Nagisa didn't reply. She simply lowered her head and gave a slight nod.
How could she not be aware of the problems with her own body?
Though her mother kept telling her it was nothing, that she just needed to rest well to recover, seeing her mother's increasingly haggard appearance and her brother Akatsuki Kojou's gloomy, sorrowful expression every day, how could she not understand?
The reason she readily agreed to her mother's request to come to this apartment wasn't just because she genuinely liked this handsome older brother who had saved her life.
More than that, she didn't want her mother and brother to worry!
A silent stillness gradually spread between the two of them.
"I'll take you back."
Nagisa nodded without refusing.
The next moment, Mahiro activated spatial teleportation and sent Nagisa back to her room.
After that, Mahiro lay back, resting his head on his arms, and sighed as he stared at the ceiling.
"What a hassle..."
The night passed without further incident.
The next morning, the breakfast table was unusually quiet.
Nagisa Akatsuki, who was usually responsible for livening up the atmosphere with her chattering like a sparrow, was now quietly sipping plain porridge with her head lowered.
Yuuma even expressed special concern about Nagisa's condition.
But Nagisa, blushing, softly insisted she was fine and continued drinking her porridge in silence.
Meanwhile, Mahiro acted as if nothing had happened, glancing around at the girls at the table before finally settling his gaze on Yuuma.
It was as if the events of the previous night had never occurred.
"F-Father, what is it?"
Being stared at so directly by Mahiro, Yuuma felt a bit shy, her face instantly turning red.
"Nothing, it's just that you've changed quite a bit, Yuuma. Your hair has grown longer, and your demeanor has changed too. You're starting to resemble Aya more and more."
Yuuma's face flushed even brighter as she said coyly, "Really? Yuuma will keep working hard."
As she spoke, she cautiously glanced at Aya, looking like a puppy hoping for encouragement.
Unfortunately, Aya didn't even spare her a glance.
Yuuma lowered her head, somewhat dejected.
She was still wearing the Saikai Academy uniform today—
A white and blue sailor top, paired with a light blue sailor skirt that ended just above the thighs.
Her chest, which had been flat and immature a year ago, had now developed noticeably.
Especially her legs, which appeared long and fair.
Her black hair was no longer a short bob but had grown long, reaching below her armpits, almost resembling a smaller version of Aya.
Not just her, even Aiba Asagi, who was in the same grade as Yuuma, had changed significantly. Her orange hair was tied back into a ponytail, and she no longer wore the plain, outdated black glasses.
Confident and radiant.
Her delicate face paired with lively, bright eyes made her stand out gracefully.
She was completely different from the plain, crying girl in the hospital corridor back then.
Asagi and Yuuma were like two golden flowers of the second year, receiving countless love letters, yet they never responded to any confessions from their classmates.
Not to mention Kanon Kanase from the first year, whose angelic aura attracted countless admirers, and it was said that a fan club had even been formed for her.
And then there was Nagisa Akatsuki, whose lively personality and sweet, adorable appearance made her incredibly popular.
When Est, Avrora, Nagisa Akatsuki, and Kanon Kanase walked together, they looked like four little princesses.
For this reason, Est had even stayed behind with Avrora to repeat a year in the first grade.
So clumsy yet so endearing.