When the System's fear-filled warning faded from the depths of Cloud's mind, Infinite Manor returned to its usual tranquility.
The half of the sky that had been erased by the Negative-Entropy force was forcibly "painted" back by Cloud using his Dimensional Sovereign authority.
Though he could feel that this newly drawn sky was like cheap wallpaper pasted over a hole in the wall—it could peel away again at any moment.
The conference naturally couldn't continue.
Under Cloud's suddenly "intimidating" aura, even the bold Mai and Diana had quieted down and shut their mouths.
An epic "Harem Hearing" that could have determined household hierarchy for the next century ended anticlimactically.
Cloud said nothing. He didn't tell anyone the truth about the "fish pond" or the "Angler."
He simply put his usual lazy, carefree smile back on his face and announced in an unprecedentedly gentle tone:
"Alright, alright, meeting adjourned."
"To celebrate our 'big family' being complete for the first time, I've decided..."
"...three-day holiday!"
"During these three days, no council meetings, no missions, no training. I will grant each of you one wish."
Hearing this benefit, all the women cheered.
They hadn't noticed the mountain-heavy resolve hidden beneath Cloud's relaxed tone. They were simply excited by this unexpected vacation.
And so, Infinite Manor welcomed its most peaceful, most heartwarming seventy-two hours since its founding.
...
The first day belonged to "foodies" and "children."
That day, Cloud accompanied only two people: Kula and Harley.
He took Kula to every planet across the three universes famous for its desserts.
In Asgard's golden palace, they sampled Rainbow Honey Candy made from World Tree dew and sunlight.
While eating, Kula gave her serious assessment: "Hmm... the sweetness is right, but the texture is a bit too 'hard.' Not as smooth as my ice cream."
They then went to DC's Central City and found that shop where even the Flash allegedly couldn't stop raving about their super-high-speed molecular ice cream.
Cloud grandly reserved the entire establishment, then watched as Kula, like a little hamster, blurred through sampling every single flavor in the shop at speeds invisible to the naked eye.
When she finished, she let out an adorable, chilly burp and leaned contentedly against Cloud's shoulder with her summary: "Strawberry is still the best."
Meanwhile, as they were sampling delicacies, Harley Quinn was like an energetic Husky released from its cage for the first time, conducting "destructive testing" to her heart's content.
She had a "friendly sparring match" with Thor about "whose hammer is better at generating electricity," nearly punching a hole through Asgard's Rainbow Bridge.
She also challenged the Flash, Barry Allen, to a race to see who could create "graffiti art" fastest across Central City. The next day, Central City's residents were shocked to discover every building covered in crooked little clown faces.
By day's end, Kula was thoroughly satisfied with her eating, and Harley was thoroughly satisfied with her playing.
That night, back at the manor, Kula curled up in Cloud's arms like a kitten and drifted into deep sleep.
In her dreams, a sweet smile still hung at the corners of her mouth as she murmured, "Ice cream... strawberry..."
Cloud gazed at her innocent, sleeping face, his eyes filled with unprecedented tenderness.
He reached out, condensing a point of golden Sovereign source power at his fingertip—more brilliant than any star—and gently touched it to Kula's forehead.
That golden light instantly sank into her body, becoming an indestructible eternal guardian seal.
This seal would have no effect under normal circumstances. But should any entity ever attempt to erase Kula from "existence" itself, it would instantly activate, using Cloud's source power to construct an absolutely unshakable "existence coordinate" for her.
He wanted to ensure that no matter how terrifying the coming storm, this innocence he treasured would continue to "exist" forever.
After finishing, he looked at the other side of the room where Harley, completely exhausted from playing, was sprawled out clutching her "Devotion Hammer," drool pooling on the floor. He smiled helplessly and left her a guardian seal as well—one filled with chaos and vitality.
"Sleep well, my crazy darling," he whispered softly.
...
The second day belonged to warriors and mature beauties.
That day, Cloud accompanied Mai Shiranui and Diana.
He didn't take them to fight. Instead, they went to see the most magnificent moon in the KOF world—at the peak of the deep mountains where Chin Gentsai lived in seclusion. The three sat on the ground together. No wine—just fragrant tea personally brewed by Chizuru Kagura.
Mai had, for once, shed her bombshell kunoichi outfit in favor of an elegant purple kimono.
She leaned quietly against Cloud's shoulder, gazing at that moon hanging in the sky like a disc of pure jade. Gone were her usual playfulness and flirtation—only a tranquility and tenderness like still water.
Diana too had removed her divine battle armor, wearing a pure white ancient Greek gown. She looked like the moon goddess Artemis herself descended to earth.
She said nothing, simply watching the moon in silence, perhaps thinking of her far-away homeland.
"Cloud," Mai suddenly spoke softly, "do you like the moon?"
"Sure." Cloud smiled. "The moon's great. Quiet, beautiful, and you don't even need to buy tickets."
"Then I'll watch the moon with you every night from now on, okay?" Mai's voice was soft as a dream.
"Okay."
"It's a promise."
On the other side, Diana suddenly spoke as well: "In my homeland, legend says the moon is the avatar of the goddess of the hunt. She is lonely and proud, yet silently protects everything in the night. Cloud, do you think you're like the moon?"
"Me?" Cloud thought for a moment and shook his head. "I'm nothing like it. It's too cold. I'm much more... passionate."
As he spoke, he extended the arm Mai wasn't using as a pillow and naturally pulled the Amazon princess beside him into his embrace as well.