BlazBlue:Bloodedge Experience Part 1 Chapter 3

Illustrations

Prologue:Rebirth

Chapter 1: Contact

Chapter 2: Immortal

Chapter 3: Mitsurugi

Chapter 4: Secret

Chapter 5: Encounter

Chapter 6: Interlude

Epilogue

Afterword

BBBE Chapter 3: Mitsurugi

Part 1

"Is this really my home?" Naoto couldn't help but wonder, feeling a cold sweat break out on his forehead. The familiar layout, the walls, the floor, the ceiling—everything was just as he'd left it that morning. Yet, this place now felt completely different, dominated by the presence of an uninvited guest. The once warm and cozy atmosphere had turned cold and tense. At the center of it all, sitting on the sofa, was the hauntingly beautiful black-haired man, Clavis Alucard, who was sipping from a teacup.

"I'm enjoying this. It's quite a good tea leaf," he remarked. The delicate clinking of the cup against its saucer made Naoto gasp. It was a teacup, not a mug—one of the special ones they used for guests. Someone had taken it from the cupboard and made Clavis a cup of tea. The only person who would do that was Haruka. But Haruka was nowhere to be seen.

Clavis seemed to sense Naoto's anxiety and turned his gaze towards the back of the room. "Don't worry. I haven't harmed Haruka. She's just asleep in the other room." He was probably referring to the Japanese-style room connected to the living room. Naoto wanted to turn around and check if Haruka was really there and if she was safe. But he couldn't move. Clavis's eyes were on him, watching his every move. As long as their eyes met, Naoto felt paralyzed. It was as if if he looked away for even a moment, his head would roll off his shoulders.

(Damn it…)

What kind of monster was this man? Without even touching him, Clavis had managed to instill a deep-seated fear in Naoto. It wasn't the fear of being hurt; it was a fear of the unknown, of the inexplicable.

Clavis was clearly not normal. He was something else entirely. Naoto could see it in the numbers above Clavis's head. They were a jumble of symbols, meaningless to Naoto. It was a clear indication that Clavis was a being beyond his comprehension. It was then that Naoto felt something soft touch his trembling hand. Regaining his composure, he glanced sideways. Raquel's hand was gently wrapped around his fist.

"It's okay. Haruka is fine," she whispered quickly, her voice tense but reassuring. If Raquel said so, then it must be true. The cold of her hand against his helped to calm his nerves. Naoto exhaled and turned his gaze back to Clavis.

"Don't be so tense. I'm not going to eat you. I'm just here to talk," Clavis said, his voice oddly menacing despite his claim of harmlessness. He gestured with the hand that was resting on his knee. "Sit down. Or would you prefer I stand?"

Startled by the sudden, almost playful tone in Clavis's voice, Naoto blurted out, "N-no..." His voice trembled, and he felt a pang of self-derision. How pathetic he sounded. Before Naoto could move, Raquel acted. She sat down on the floor opposite the sofa, across the coffee table. It wasn't the most comfortable position, but given the circumstances, she didn't seem to mind.

Naoto followed her and sat down beside her. As he faced Clavis directly, he felt a wave of oppressive dread wash over him. Even without doing anything, Clavis seemed to exude an aura of cold, detached menace. It was as if he was holding a blade to Naoto's throat, not with a physical weapon, but with his gaze.

"Now then..." Clavis began, his voice smooth and measured. Raquel flinched. Naoto noticed and felt a pang of protectiveness. Even though she had faced off against the 'Immortal Breaker' Relius with such confidence, she seemed intimidated by Clavis.

As if sensing Naoto's concern, Raquel spoke up. "What do you want, Father?" she asked, her chin tilted slightly. Her voice trembled just a little.

Clavis exhaled slowly. "What do I want…? That's quite a question for a daughter to ask her father who has come to take her home." His youthful appearance made the word 'father' seem out of place, and he said it with a detached coldness that made it even more unsettling. He glanced around the room. "... And I never thought you'd return here."

It was as if he'd muttered to himself, but Naoto heard it clearly. What did that mean? Naoto wanted to ask for an explanation for why Raquel had left home and what Clavis meant by "here." But before he could speak, Clavis's gaze returned.

"I see my daughter has been well cared for. Thank you for that... and my apologies for any inconvenience I may have caused."

"No, it wasn't an inconvenience at all," Naoto replied, though it wasn't entirely true. He'd felt more helped than anything. Besides, he hesitated to say anything negative about Raquel to this man.

Clavis let out a soft breath and smiled. "You're a kind young man. Very human," he said, but the words sounded condescending to Naoto. Clavis elegantly steepled his fingers. "As for Raquel, I would like to take her back if you don't mind. What do you think?"

"What? I... I don't know..." Naoto hesitated. He couldn't understand why Clavis was asking him. It was as if he needed Naoto's permission to take Raquel back.

Raquel seemed to have the same thought. She clasped her hands together and leaned forward slightly. "Father, I have no intention of returning," she said firmly.

But her words seemed to extinguish the soft smile on Clavis's face. His red eyes narrowed as he looked at her. The atmosphere grew tense. "Raquel," he said calmly, "I'm speaking to Naoto now." It wasn't a shout, nor was it a threat. It was simply a statement. Yet, it was enough to silence Raquel. She shrank back, looking like a scolded child.

"I'm sorry, Father," she said. Even Naoto was surprised by Raquel's reaction. And when Clavis turned his gaze back to Naoto, Naoto found himself speechless. The quiet intensity in Clavis's eyes was overwhelming.

(Damn, this guy is scary.)

"Naoto," Clavis said.

"Y-yes!" Naoto jumped, forcing himself to speak calmly.

"I understand the situation. I know you must be worried about Raquel coming back with me, but don't worry. I'll take responsibility for your life."

"Wait, what do you mean by that?" Naoto's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he leaned forward slightly. Clavis's statement, delivered so casually, was completely out of the ordinary. Clavis's pale hand, perfect in its beauty, moved towards his chest.

"From now on, use my life. Even if you die hundreds of times, I will restore you immediately. I will also handle the changes brought on by vampirism."

"Handle? What do you mean by that...?"

"Raquel said she would too, right? I'll get the Azure as well. Is there a problem with that?"

"Wait!" Raquel's voice cut through the air, interrupting Clavis's seemingly gentle but forceful words. It was a strong, assertive voice. Naoto turned to look at her in surprise. Clavis followed suit with a minimal movement. Raquel was leaning forward on the coffee table. "Father, I..."

"You will return home and behave yourself. I can't afford to lose you."

"No! We'll find the Azure ourselves. I won't obey you..." Before Raquel could finish her sentence, the atmosphere changed. It happened in an instant.

"Be careful what you say," Clavis warned, his voice sweet yet sharp. Raquel was speechless. As she opened her mouth to protest, Clavis's cold fingers reached for her neck. He had stood up and leaned forward, his hand extended as if to grasp her throat. But…

"I’m surprised... a good reaction." Clavis said, a smile spreading across his face. It was not the elegant, cold smile he usually wore, but a seductive and almost cruel smile that hinted at something inhuman. Clavis's hand stopped just short of reaching Raquel. Naoto's hand had grabbed it. It was an entirely unconscious act, but it wasn't without intention. Clavis's movement, though seemingly slight, had felt incredibly violent and arrogant. And in that moment, Naoto had acted instinctively. With a strong grip, Naoto held Clavis's wrist and glared into his crimson eyes, suppressing the tremor in his body.

"Wait... I'm sorry. As much as I appreciate it, I don't want you to take Raquel back, and I don't plan on relying on you. And can you please stop barging in and doing whatever you want?" Naoto had to muster all his courage to say those words. He felt like his heart was about to burst as he met Clavis's menacing crimson gaze. Clavis shook his head slightly.

"Is that so? So I'm being presumptuous... I suppose you're right," Clavis said slowly. Naoto thought he was going to die. This was clearly a bad situation. But instead of trying to shake off Naoto's grip, Clavis looked apologetic. "I apologize for my forwardness. I meant to offer a proper introduction. And another thing... I got carried away."

"What?" Before Naoto could ask what he meant, Raquel gasped. Naoto was speechless as well. His right arm, which had been holding onto Clavis, had suddenly fallen to his lap. As easily as pulling a doll's arm out of its socket, Clavis detached Naoto's arm without any resistance. Before it hit the floor, Clavis caught it with the hand that had been held captive. It was definitely Naoto's arm. But it hung limply, and it didn't look human. In fact, it didn't look like any living creature. The arm was severed at the middle of the upper arm and had a smooth, dark red cut. There was no flesh, bone, or nerves visible, just a perfectly smooth, red surface.

"Wh-what is that...?" Naoto managed to stammer. He felt no pain where his arm had been, and there was no blood.

Raquel explained, "I made it with my blood. It was necessary to regenerate your arm."

"So, that's a blood clot?"

"Yes. I think it should function as a normal arm, though," Raquel said, looking a little embarrassed as she glanced at the stump of Naoto's arm. Naoto turned his gaze back to Clavis.

Clavis sat back on the sofa, examining the blood-made arm. "It's not bad, but it's not perfect," he said. Naoto didn't understand how he had reached that conclusion, but Raquel seemed to. She sat down beside Naoto, imitating Clavis. Raquel stepped forward. Clavis, his face turned towards his arm, glanced at her without saying a word.

"Raquel, why did you choose 'him'?"

(Choose?) Naoto was the only one who seemed puzzled. Raquel, who seemed to understand what Clavis was implying, said nothing and simply glared at her father. Realizing that his daughter wasn't going to answer, Clavis gave a small, whispered laugh and gestured for Naoto to come closer.

"Come here. Extend your arm."

"...Yes." How could he refuse a man like that? Although he felt a sense of unease at this soft pressure, Naoto did as he was told and went to Clavis, offering his right arm—or rather, the shoulder where his right arm had been. Clavis took the stump of Naoto's arm, which was slightly protruding from the sleeve of Naoto's T-shirt, and perfectly aligned it with the severed end of the arm. Then he muttered some strange words. Instantly, the two ends fused together seamlessly, forming a complete arm.

"Wow... that's amazing."

“How does it feel?” Surprised by the unexpected phenomenon, Naoto followed Clavis's instructions and bent and straightened his elbow. He made a fist and opened his hand. It moved smoothly. Although he hadn't felt any particular problems the last time, he realized that the arm felt somewhat heavier and stiffer after Clavis had reattached it. Now, it moved even more naturally than his original arm.

"Don't meddle in this," Raquel said, her voice filled with resentment. Her blood-red eyes turned a pale, cold color.

“Don’t deceive me. And this is not for you; it’s a token of apology and gratitude to him.”

"Naoto is my servant. Don't touch him without my permission."

"And what are you to me?" Scoffing, Clavis stood up from the sofa. Remembering how Clavis had reached out to Raquel earlier, Naoto instinctively tensed. But with a look that seemed to dismiss such childish bravado, Clavis walked past Naoto towards the living room entrance.

"If you wish, you can keep Raquel for a while. You can do whatever you want with the Azure as well. I won't interfere. She's a spoiled girl, but please take care of her."

"R-really?" Just a moment ago, Clavis had said he was taking her back. Now, he was just as easily giving her up. It was puzzling. His attitude towards his daughter Raquel and his attitude towards Naoto, who could be considered his subordinate in vampire terms, didn't seem appropriate. Normally, Raquel should be treated with more respect.

"And shouldn't I be treated even more harshly?" Ignoring Naoto's question, Clavis turned his head towards the entrance, as if he had heard a sound.

"I must apologize for one more thing. It's going to be a bit noisy." As if timing it perfectly—and it was indeed Clavis who timed it perfectly—a loud, almost explosive sound echoed from the entrance.

Part 2

It became clear that the sound was the front door being smashed in when Clavis, standing at the entrance, effortlessly caught the door as it flew towards him, smashing into the hallway wall.

With the casual ease with which one would catch a thrown ball, Clavis grabbed the heavily damaged door. Immediately, something else jumped towards him. It was a man. Leaping over the hallway wall, he let out a roar as he swung his leg in a powerful kick. He aimed for Clavis's torso. The kick was delivered with incredible speed and force. Clavis blocked the kick with the door he was holding.

There was a loud crash, and the shockwave sent the ceiling light in the living room crashing down. The teacup that Clavis had been drinking from earlier was thrown off the table and shattered. The front door, which had been used as a shield, shattered like thin paper and scattered across the living room floor.

"You..." Naoto shouted, recognizing the intruder. It was the same man he had met just an hour or so ago. With his hair tousled and wild, his eyes as sharp as a beast's, his body muscular, and his legs capable of shattering concrete walls, it was Valkenhayn Helsing, one of the 'Immortal Breakers'.

"I found you, Clavis Alucard!" Valkenhayn roared, shaking the room. After landing, he swung his log-like arm from the opposite side. The force of the blow was palpable, causing the air to vibrate. It was a force beyond human capabilities. Yet, Clavis dodged it effortlessly, as if it were nothing, and then grabbed Valkenhayn by the scruff of his neck.

"I must thank you for the tea. Damaging her sanctuary, the kitchen, is unforgivable." Even in this situation, he spoke calmly. Then, with a casual gesture, he lifted Valkenhayn, who was probably taller than him, as if he were a small animal. Then he threw him away as if he were nothing.

With a swift motion, Clavis kicked the airborne Valkenhayn. The force, which seemed impossible from such a simple movement, sent Valkenhayn flying out of the entrance and into the hallway. Unable to resist or defend himself, Valkenhayn was thrown straight out and crashed into the hallway wall, breaking through it and falling to the other side. A thin cloud of dust rose.

Naoto watched in stunned silence. For him, Valkenhayn had been a threat– a monster with an abnormal life force, a dangerous person who tried to kill him without hesitation. Naoto remembered the intense killing intent he had felt when Valkenhayn had almost stomped on his head. But now, that same threat was being casually dealt with. Suddenly, a sound like gears turning swirled at Klavis's feet.

Countless hands rose from the floor, surrounding the stationary vampire, blocking his view of the crimson eyes as they fell downward. The arms were white, supple, and unusually long. Naoto recognized them. At the same time, he realized who was controlling the arms. It was Relius.

The countless hands grabbed Clavis's legs, arms, shoulders, torso, and neck, trying to pull him down. Clavis's posture was slightly disturbed by the immense force pulling him down, and a huge, furry wolf emerged from the rising dust, charging straight at him.

It was a large wolf with thick brown fur, bigger than both Naoto and Clavis. With its white, bared fangs, it jumped powerfully, aiming for Clavis's throat. Without hesitation, Clavis offered his arm to the beast. There was the sound of flesh tearing and bones breaking. The wolf's jaws could easily tear through a thin human arm in one bite... or so it should have.

The beast let out a low growl. Its fangs were deeply embedded in Clavis's arm, but it couldn't pull it out. The beast’s low growl echoed ominously through the room. Holding the wolf, which was still biting his arm, Clavis raised his arm. He held the enormous beast in the air and looked into its fierce eyes, smiling.

"Well, well. It's been a long time since I've seen you in person. It's a pleasure." To Clavis, even the ancient race with both human and wolf forms wasn't particularly special. With a deep frown on its furry brow, the wolf—Valkenhayn in his transformed state—glared at Clavis. Still holding the wolf, Clavis looked down at the countless hands that were surrounding and restraining him.

"And then... the puppeteer. An interesting combination," he said. And then, holding out his hand, the countless hands attached to him were severed one by one, falling to the floor. The beautifully mirror-like severed edges rolled away, gradually merging into the floor as they disappeared.

Next, Clavis turned to face the window. As he did, he swung his arm wide, still holding the wolf aloft. The arm, torn by the massive fang, was severed at the elbow. Scattering blood droplets, Valkenhayn was thrown back with tremendous force. He smashed through the window, shattered the balcony wall that acted as a fence, and continued his trajectory, crashing into the opposite apartment building across the street. A deafening roar echoed through the area, like an explosion, and a violent wind whipped through Naoto's home, knocking over everything in its path.

Naoto crossed his arms in front of his face to protect himself and Raquel. As the wind and dust began to settle, he quickly looked up. Clavis was stepping over the broken glass shards, ignoring the remaining glass in the window frame as he moved towards the balcony. Following Clavis's gaze, which seemed to be filled with a troubled smile as he looked outside, Naoto also looked out.

There was a crater-like hole in the wall of the opposite apartment building, and two figures stood beside it. One was Valkenhayn, who had just been thrown. He had returned to his human form and was supporting himself by driving his strong arm into the apartment building's outer wall like a stake. A little below him, standing calmly on a large, hand-shaped puppet protruding from the wall, was Relius, clad in a purple cloak.

Although Naoto couldn't see their expressions clearly, they were both staring intently at him. As he watched, Clavis lightly shook his wrist and clenched his hand as if to check it. That hand was the one that Valkenhayn had torn off just a moment ago. But there was no trace of injury, and even the torn clothes had been perfectly repaired.

"I apologize for the sudden disturbance, but I must take my leave," Clavis said, as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world. He turned his shoulder and looked at his daughter, who was standing a step behind Naoto with deep, unreadable eyes. "That's a nice outfit. It suits you well."

"Haruka picked it out for me," Raquel replied proudly, lightly grasping the collar of her blouse.

Clavis gazed at her steadily. "Then take good care of it," he said, his eyes narrowed. Then, he lightly stepped over the balcony railing and jumped high into the air.

"Wait!" Naoto instinctively grabbed onto the railing. But his worry was unfounded. Clavis easily jumped across the road to the rooftop of the opposite apartment building and turned around as he saw his pursuers climbing up. From there on, it was like watching a movie. Clavis jumped to the roof of the next building with ease, and Valkenhayn and Relius followed, as if they were running on an ordinary road. It didn't take long to lose sight of the three unusual figures. Naoto couldn't tell who had gone in which direction or where they were now. All Naoto could understand was that, for now, a tremendous situation had been contained. When had the world become such a parade of incomprehensible events that defied his common sense? Staggering slightly, he turned to look back at the scene visible from the balcony, left speechless in shock.

Stumbling backward, Naoto stared at the scene inside the room from the balcony, speechless.

In a word, it was a disaster. The window glass was shattered into pieces, scattered across the balcony and windowsill. Everything in the living room was overturned. The floorboards were gouged, the walls were dented, and there were several holes in the ceiling.

Considering that two extraordinary monsters—or three, if you counted Relius—had rampaged through here for a short period of time, it was almost a miracle that the damage was confined to Naoto's room and its surroundings.

Strangely, amidst the room that had been so mercilessly and indiscriminately damaged, the spot where Naoto and Raquel had been standing, the kitchen, and the teacup on the table were completely unharmed, as if nothing had happened.

"So... what do we do now?" Naoto slumped his shoulders and sighed deeply. It was as if a gas explosion had occurred. However, considering that the kitchen, the most likely source of gas, was undamaged, that explanation didn't hold water. He had no idea how he was going to explain this situation to Haruka and Yuki, the homeowners.

“Wait, Haruka!” Naoto looked up, startled, and jumped over the glass shards back into the room. He pushed open the sliding door next to the living room and looked inside. There, Haruka, covered in a blanket, was hugging a cushion and fast asleep.

"Mmm... fufu, squishy..." It was unclear whether she was talking or mumbling in her sleep, but she kept snuggling into the cushion. Her sleeping face was so peaceful that it was almost surreal. However, outside the range of Haruka's peaceful sleep, the aftermath of the battle left clear scars.

(So... he was protecting us. Me, Raquel, and Haruka. And probably the kitchen too.)

The realization hit him, and Naoto was stunned again. It was impossible for only certain areas to be completely unharmed amidst such widespread damage. And not just one place, but clearly multiple specific locations had been left untouched. Clavis had intercepted Valkenhayn, dealt with Relius, and managed to protect the bare minimum.

"I guess I should be grateful. But more than that, it's just unbelievable." Slumping to the floor, Naoto let out a wry smile. Raquel, who had been peering into the Japanese-style room from the side, let out a small sigh of relief.

"It's no surprise she hasn’t woken up. She’s probably under that man's magic. Until the effect wears off, she won't wake up no matter what disasters occur."

"Hey, is that really okay?"

"As long as she's asleep under the spell, there's no problem. ...Because he's that kind of man," Raquel murmured, adding the last part softly. Naoto scratched his head, feeling a bit uneasy about Raquel's words.

“…You’re saying ‘that man,’ but he’s your father, right?” Both Raquel’s demeanor towards Clavis and Clavis’s attitude towards her felt somehow discordant. When he looked closely, Raquel wore a pained expression, shutting her mouth and turning her face away, as if to warning not to touch on the topic. It was obvious that there was something going on. Naoto felt awkward and couldn't continue the conversation. For now, he thought he should at least try to clean up the room before Haruka woke up. Just as he was about to stand up, he heard a strange, overly sweet female voice from the living room entrance.

"Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, what should we do about this?"

Naoto quickly looked up and turned around. There stood a woman he’d never seen before. She was tall, with honey-brown hair tied up high. Dressed in a white jacket suit, her fitted skirt had a deep slit, showcasing her long, toned legs. With slender glasses perched on her nose and high-heeled shoes on her feet, she exuded an air of a capable woman. However, the voluptuous body line and particularly ample bosom hinted at more sexual allure than intellectual appeal.

Naoto didn’t recognize her.

When her unusual purple eyes found Naoto, she blushed excitedly and smiled broadly.

Part 3

The room was a mess. Except for a few specific places and items, everything else was in ruins, hardly suitable for anyone to live in. Yet here she was, entering without any preamble, completely unfazed by the chaos.

How many uninvited guests have barged in today? For a moment, Naoto wondered if this wasn’t his home at all, but someone else’s.

"Naoto Kurogane-kun... right?" Standing at the entrance to the living room, the woman in the red suit cupped her blushing cheeks with her hands, looking very pleased to meet him. Raquel, standing nearby, tensed up so much that Naoto thought he might hear a creak.

(Is her social anxiety acting up again...?)

He recalled that Raquel had said she struggled with other women. Glancing sideways, he confirmed her pale face. If that’s the case, this guest must be particularly difficult for her. There was an undeniable "feminine aura" about the woman, both in a good and bad way.

“Yes, that’s right, but you…?”

"Ah~, I knew it! I just knew it the moment I saw you." Before Naoto could finish asking who she was, the woman interrupted him, cutting off the end of his sentence and, with it, grabbed his hand. She excitedly closed the distance between them, pressing in. Naoto was startled by her sudden proximity and recoiled. But he was unable to pull away. The woman had tightly grasped his hand and pulled it towards her chest.

"Hey, wait..." His hand sank into the softness of her ample bosom, the unfamiliar warmth enveloping him. A heat of confusion spread across his neck. He instinctively tried to pull his hand back, but she held on tightly, gazing up at him with a flirtatious look. Her pouting, pink lips, enhanced by lipstick, spoke in a voice that was sweetly teasing.

“I’m really sorry! That surprised you, didn’t it? But you see, I’m in a bit of a bind… those people just don’t know how to hold back. I keep telling them not to cause trouble for others.”

'Those people?' Naoto realized she was probably referring to Valkenhayn and Relius. It was possible Clavis was included, but that seemed unlikely.

“Hmm, but I didn’t expect to meet you so soon. I’m so happy…” She whispered dreamily, rubbing her cheek against Naoto’s hand as if he were something cherished. It made Naoto instinctively pull back. In doing so, his fingers brushed against the rim of her glasses.

"So... who the hell are you!" Naoto glared at the woman in the suit, asking in a harsh tone. It wasn’t that he was disinterested in her body; however, even if she were stunningly beautiful, he didn’t appreciate being forced into such an intimate encounter with a stranger. Honestly, it felt unsettling.

The woman’s lips curved into an alluring smile. She struck a pose that accentuated her curves, her voice softening as she replied, “You’ll find out soon enough, don’t worry…” Naoto felt her hand reaching toward his head, as if to pat him. “Aw, you’re so cute when you’re shy.”

"Don't touch me," Naoto said, forcefully swatting away her outstretched hand.

"Ouch," she replied, but she didn't seem intimidated. In fact, she seemed to enjoy being swatted away, giggling softly.

“Well... ‘Nice to meet you.’ I’m Kiiro from the Mitsurugi Agency. Nice to meet you, Naoto-kun!” Kiiro took a step closer to Naoto and playfully poked his chest with her index finger. Then, suddenly, she turned to Raquel. “So this is Raquel Alucard, huh?” Suddenly called out by her name, Raquel's expression tightened once more. The tone of her voice sent chills down Naoto's spine. It was a cold, indifferent voice, as if she were looking at an inanimate object. As she called out to Raquel, Kiiro twisted her body and stood directly in front of her.

"Hmm... I see..." Kiiro appraised Raquel with a scrutinizing gaze. Raquel said nothing in response to the audacious stare, remaining as still as a delicate doll. She appeared outwardly calm, but Naoto could somehow feel that she was like a frog being hypnotized by a snake.

Tucking a strand of her long hair behind her ear, Kiiro leaned in close to Raquel. Raquel blinked. Ignoring the slight change in her expression, Kiiro whispered in Raquel's ear. "...It's troublesome having someone like you wandering around. I'd like to capture and dismantle you right away, but since Naoto-kun is here, I'll let you off this time."

It was unclear whether she meant for Naoto to hear her, but her voice was just loud enough for him to catch. With a cold tone, she looked up and turned a seductive, coquettish smile toward Naoto. "Naoto-kun, you're really troublesome too. Look at what a mess they've made of your room."

“Uh…” Naoto managed to squeeze out that much, furrowing his brow. He could think of many reasons why he disliked this woman, but beyond that, he had an instinctive aversion to her. There was something very unpleasant about her.

(It’s you who’s being a nuisance... just leave already.)

He wanted to tell her to get out, but there was something he wanted to ask her first. She seemed to know something about the situation. Forcing himself to calm down, Naoto opened his mouth.

“So, what do you want, Kiiro-san from the Mitsurugi Agency? You barged in here, so you must have a reason."

"Don't look at me like that, it makes me shiver."

“Hey!”

"The reason I'm here is to clean up the mess those people made... and to greet you... That's why," she replied, a mischievous smile playing on her lips as she ran her perfectly manicured fingers along her mouth.

"A greeting? Why?" Naoto demanded, his voice rising in anger.

"Of course, to deepen our relationship," she replied, her voice dripping with innuendo.

"So... what the hell..." Naoto ran his hands through his hair, ruffling it roughly. Kiiro watched him with a kind of dreamy satisfaction, her tongue darting across her painted lips. “I’m serious. Naoto-kun and... that Raquel Alucard over there are very important for the Mitsurugi Agency’s objectives.” Her words, implying that she wanted him to ask for more information, irritated Naoto. He rubbed his temples.

“What exactly is that objective? Stop beating around the bush.” Even as he asked, he had an inkling of what Kiiro referred to as the ‘Mitsurugi Agency’s objective.’ Kiiro blinked her large, reddish-purple eyes, which sparkled ominously.

“The annihilation of the immortal monster, Clavis Alucard. That is the Mitsurugi Agency’s tragic goal.” Raquel reacted slightly at the mention of her father’s name. Kiiro crossed her arms over her ample chest and adjusted her slim glasses with her fingertips.

"You saw it for yourself just now, didn't you? The mere fact that such a monstrous creature exists is more than enough of a threat to the world." Naoto had no objections to the fact that Clavis was a monster. However, he was deeply dissatisfied with Kiiro’s dismissive tone. With a look of both dissatisfaction and resentment, Naoto glared at Kiiro.

“So, the Mitsurugi Agency is a monster-hunting group?”

“Hmm, something like that... Our job is to capture and dissect creatures like that one and create specimens.” Kiiro chuckled mischievously. It was an unsettling feeling. This time, Naoto openly glared at her. “Just kidding. Hehe, you look scary.”

With a voice as soothing as a cat’s purr, Kiiro laughed and leaned closer to Naoto, wrapping her arm around his neck and gently stroking his cheek with her palm. Feeling her warmth, devoid of any hesitation or embarrassment, only deepened Naoto’s frown. But Kiiro gazed at him intensely, as if finding his troubled expression endearing, while still drawing nearer.

“Our purpose is to uphold and manage the order of the human world. ‘The eternal peace of the world.’ That is the ideal that the Mitsurugi Agency advocates.” In a near-embrace, Naoto felt the plush softness of Kiiro pressing against his chest. Naoto tried to pull away, but Kiiro's arm, wrapped around his neck, refused to let him go.

“Sounds suspicious.” Both Kiiro's words and her presence gave him no desire to engage. Grabbing Kiiro's arm, he forcibly pulled it away. Even so, she remained close, placing the hand he had just pulled away on her ample chest as if to display it.

"My role is to eliminate the 'threats' that endanger that. And right now, at the top of that list is Clavis Alucard." That, of course, referred to the eternal peace of the world. Naoto's expression darkened as he turned his face toward the shattered window.

"What about Valkenhayn and Relius? I think they're pretty big threats too, don't you?" Compared to Clavis, they might be lesser threats, but they were far beyond what ordinary humans could handle. There was an insurmountable gap between them. But Kiiro shrugged and snorted, seemingly dismissive.

"Anything that can be controlled by humans isn't a threat. After all... we can kill them if we want to." The casual way she said it sent a shiver down Naoto's spine. That was it. This was the part of her that made Naoto uneasy—her sudden, casually violent remarks.

"So you're saying that anything that's beyond human control should be killed?"

"If it's for the sake of world order, then yes," she replied with a beautiful, almost innocent smile. Then, her voice softened.

"Hey, Naoto, do you know how many people disappeared during the 'mass disappearance' incidents?" Her smile remained, but her voice was ominous. Naoto spoke cautiously, as if he were being told a ghost story.

"Mass disappearances... you mean the abandoned apartment complex?"

"That place is one example, but it's not the only one. That apartment complex is just the tip of the iceberg. In total, '128,932 people' have disappeared in incidents around the world." Naoto was startled. He didn't know that so many disappearances had occurred in so many places, or that so many people had vanished. Naoto didn't clearly remember the events from that time, but if that were the case, it should have become a much bigger incident, making headlines worldwide. He had no recollection of it being covered in such a significant way.

Kiiro looked at Naoto with an unsettling gaze, her lips curled into a smile, as if testing him.

"What if I told you that Clavis Alucard was responsible for all of those disappearances? What would you think?"

"What...?"

"If it's just about making that many people disappear at once, human-made weapons can do it too. But weapons don't have will. Without a person to manage and use them, no matter how powerful, they won't be activated. They can even be dismantled. But Clavis Alucard is different." Kiiro continued, emphasizing her point. "He acts freely, without being managed by anyone, using his power as he wishes. He can wipe out a large number of people simply because he wants to. What else would you call that but a threat?"

"...Isn't that a bit too convenient? Just because weapons lack will doesn't mean the people using and managing them don't have their own intentions. Isn't that the same 'threat' you talk about?"

"That can't be helped. After all, this world exists for humans."

"For humans, huh..." Naoto still felt uneasy and bit his lip in frustration. Kiiro tilted her head in a coy manner, her hands clasped in front of her chest.

Kiiro clasped her hands in front of her chest and tilted her head coquettishly. "So, until we can eliminate Clavis Alucard, I'm afraid I'll have to keep an eye on you and your friends. It would be easier to just confine that little girl, but it's unlikely that Clavis would come to her rescue, and he might just abandon her and disappear."

For Kiiro and the agency, Raquel's appearance in Shinkawahama likely presented an unprecedented opportunity to see Clavis. They couldn’t let this chance slip by.

"But don’t worry. Monitoring just means watching for any contact from Clavis Alucard, so you can go about your usual life as you please. The agency won’t interfere with your day-to-day activities, and we won’t let that happen. If anything happens, we’ll back you up."

At those words, Naoto had a realization. It had been nagging at him all along. "I see, so it was you who cleaned up the blood and bodies in the abandoned complex and fixed the roads." It wasn’t the magical powers Raquel used that had cleared away the traces of last night's supernatural events; it was clearly the work of human hands. Such repairs and cover-ups had been accomplished overnight. Though the name and existence of the agency were not publicly known, it was evident they operated on a considerable scale.

Kiiro leaned in closer, whispering softly as she spoke. A faint, pleasant scent of perfume wafted from her. "That’s nothing. I’ll have this room fixed up in no time. Until then, I’ll prepare a hotel room for you to stay in."

"... I don't suppose you'll be staying at that hotel too, will you?"

"That's a secret," she replied with a knowing wink, her finger pressed to her lips.

"I'll pass. I don't need it." Naoto involuntarily took a half-step back. It might be overthinking, but he couldn't shake the feeling that there was a moral danger in Kiiro's heated gaze. While his carefree friend Shinnosuke might have jumped at the chance, even though he found Kiiro's seductive gestures alluring, he couldn't bring himself to touch her. Closing his eyes and giving in might be the easy way out, but he absolutely didn't want that.

"Hey, Naoto-kun. Forget about that little castle and come with me... I'll make you very happy. And besides..." Ignoring Naoto's open invitation, Kiiro's hand crept up his chest, tracing his skin and feeling his warmth. She leaned closer, her eyes filled with desire, as she stroked his chest. "I'll protect you," she said earnestly.

Naoto frowned, confused. He was perplexed not only by Kiiro's overly intimate behavior but also by the undercurrents in her words.

"... I'll pass on that." Grabbing the hand that was trying to crawl up his back, Naoto pushed Kiiro away. Kiiro didn’t resist much as she stepped back, but her expression remained provocatively playful.

“Too bad. But... I’m sure you’ll change your mind eventually.” She gave him a theatrical wink, her gaze intense and possessive. Then, as she turned to leave the living room, she paused.

"Hey... what kind of 'Drive' do you have, Naoto-kun?" Her smile was sharp and calculating. Naoto didn't understand her question or the meaning behind her expression.

"Huh? 'Drive'? What are you talking about?" Kiiro smiled deeper and shook her head slightly. Her hair cast a shadow across her face.

"It's nothing. Well, bye. See you later, Naoto-kun." The rhythmic sound of high heels walking outside the entrance gradually faded away. Finally, silence returned to Naoto's room. And then... Raquel collapsed behind Naoto.

"Whoa, what the hell!?"

“I can’t take it anymore... it’s impossible... the worst type...” Her voice trembled, tight with fear. Raquel’s eyes were completely vacant. Naoto had almost forgotten about her after she had been silent for so long, but it seemed that the double whammy of his father and Kiiro had dealt a significant blow. Her limp fingers sprawled on the floor as if they were about to convey some tragic dying message.

“What the heck is going on!? What happened!? What was all that noise!? Is Raquel okay!?” The sudden voice belonged to Haruka, who had woken up at the perfect moment. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she was looking around in confusion, her tousled hair framing her face. Next to her was Raquel, who had collapsed from stress. The room was a scene of panic with Haruka's disheveled state. Naoto placed a hand on his forehead, feeling the weight of the situation. This was just the beginning of a difficult time.

He tried to calm Haruka down, moving Raquel to the futon where Haruka had been sleeping. Naoto then attempted to explain the situation in the midst of the chaos of the half-destroyed room. However, there was no way he could tell her the full truth. As a result, he ended up giving a very fragmented explanation, and though Haruka listened, she wore a perplexed expression the entire time.

Just then, a man in a black suit, identifying himself as a member of the "Mikazuki Agency," arrived with a lawyer and began to explain everything unilaterally. He stated that the entire incident was due to the agency's mismanagement and that they would take full responsibility for the damages. There was no need to worry about the repairs for both the room and the shared areas of the building; everything would be restored as quickly as possible.

However, the complicated terminology and unfamiliar legal terms made the explanation difficult to grasp. Haruka repeatedly asked for simpler explanations, but the lawyer and the agents kept reiterating that they would restore everything and had to follow the set procedures. They managed to create an uncomfortable situation that hinted at "complex circumstances" without going into detail.

About an hour after their visit, when Haruka was thoroughly exhausted, the Mikazuki Agency finished their "explanation" and added, "Now we will explain the situation to the owner as well," before leaving Naoto's room.

Nothing had been dramatically resolved. Still, in terms of preventing Haruka from thinking too deeply about the matter, the Mikazuki Agency had achieved more than enough.

"…I wonder if my mom will hear the same story…" Naoto thought repeatedly, feeling guilty as he watched Haruka, who sighed heavily after sipping the special tea he had made for her.

Part 4

The round wall clock's hands were nearing eleven o'clock at night. The living room, furnished in light brown, was quiet and filled with a familiar atmosphere. Naoto poured himself a cup of Earl Grey milk tea from a borrowed mug and sat down on the white sofa in front of the large TV. He stared blankly at the blank LCD screen.

This wasn't Naoto's home. It was Haruka's.

Originally, he was supposed to stay at home, semi-camping in his relatively undamaged bedroom, while Raquel stayed with Haruka. But Haruka had strongly insisted that he couldn't allow that, and so he had ended up staying at her place.

The Haruka family occupied the entire top floor of the apartment building, so there was more space and more rooms than Haruka and her mother, Yuki, needed. Naoto was allowed to use one of the spare rooms.

Currently, Haruka was in the bath with Raquel. Well, Haruka thought they were enjoying themselves together, but Raquel had protested that she felt uncomfortable with her pale, tense face. However, Haruka had insisted that she endure it as part of her lodging fee.

Left alone in the living room, Naoto was leisurely enjoying his before-bed tea. The tea in the cup was still warm, and as he sipped it, the soft scent of milk and the bergamot of the Earl Grey filled his nose. The tea leaves were a bit old, but the aroma was still strong. It must have been well-preserved. But Naoto's mood was anything but calm. When given such a quiet night, he couldn't help but think about everything that had happened.

(Thinking back, I only met Raquel yesterday...) He sighed deeply, leaning back against the sofa and gazing up at the ceiling. It was hard to believe, but he had met Raquel, seemingly died and come back to life, seen magic in the abandoned apartment complex, been nearly killed by Valkenhayn in the city, found Clavis waiting for him at home, and then his house had been half-destroyed by Clavis, Valkenhayn, and Relius. On top of that, that strange woman, Kiiro, had broken into his house. All of this had happened yesterday and today.

"Ah... My head is about to explode," he muttered. Naoto put his cup down on the table and lay down on the sofa. There was too much going on, and he couldn't sort it all out. The events were swirling around in his head, but that was all. The only thing he could understand was that he had been caught up in something completely insane. Sighing again, Naoto lifted his right arm and looked at it. He rolled up the sleeve of his T-shirt.

(I think... it was cut around here.)

He could roughly pinpoint the location, but when he looked at it, he couldn't tell where his own arm ended and the artificial one began. There was no strange feeling when he touched it. It was an arm made from Raquel's blood, modified in some way by Clavis.

"A vampire... an immortal... a threat," he murmured. He let his guard down, speaking out because Haruka wasn’t there. Even now, when he looked in the mirror, he could clearly see the number "0" above his head. It was a sign that he had changed. But he didn’t feel that he was “not a normal human.” Perhaps it was because of his peculiar eyes; he had never thought of himself as “normal” to begin with. Now, he simply had the added trait of regenerative abilities. He felt that he, Naoto Kurogane, hadn't changed that much.

But that was only for a year.

In a year, Naoto would change. He would become something other than human. Something other than Naoto Kurogane. He had no idea what form he would take or what kind of monster he would become.

“Azure…” He lowered his raised arm limply and covered his eyes, unconsciously speaking the name. If he had the Azure, he could return to being a normal human. He could live beside Haruka as he always had. He could remain unchanged. But if he really had the Azure, would that solve everything? After all…

(Does the Azure even really exist…?)

He had no idea where it was or what it looked like. There was almost no information available. Raquel had said the same. What also troubled him was that woman from the Mitsurugi Agency, Kiiro Hikagami.

“Hikagami… there’s no way she’s just a coincidence.”

Everything felt so confusing. He was exhausted. He was even tired of thinking… Naoto felt the weight of his arm as he sank deeper into slumber, gradually slipping into sleep.

...He could hear singing.

While still half-conscious, lost in the drowsiness that was melting his senses, Naoto muttered to himself.

(Ah, I… must have been asleep.)

As he wandered the boundary between dream and reality, he understood. The sound he heard was a lullaby. It wasn’t really a lullaby, just a simple children’s song, but Naoto knew someone who always thought of it as a lullaby.

It was Haruka.

Originally, it seemed her mother, Yuki, had sung it to her as a lullaby. That’s why Haruka always sang it when lullabies were mentioned. The gentle melody invited sleep, a sweet song. Drawn by that voice, Naoto suppressed his desire to sleep fully and slowly opened his eyes.

“...Whoa. You surprised me,” he exclaimed without thinking. The first thing that caught Naoto's eye when he opened his eyes was Haruka's pink pajamas. The thin fabric softly bulged outward, her breasts partially blocking his view of her face. Because of that, he couldn’t immediately see her expression.

The distance to the curves was surprisingly close, and if Haruka bent down even a little, they seemed like they would fall right onto Naoto’s face. More than that…

(I never really noticed before, but... she has surprisingly large breasts.)

The silhouette visible through the pink fabric looked different from when it was supported by a bra. She probably wasn't wearing one. Thinking that, Naoto couldn’t help but be distracted by the mounds so close to his face.

"Oh, sorry. Did I wake you up?" Noticing him, Haruka stopped singing and looked down at him from between her two generous breasts. Naoto jumped slightly. ...They swayed.

"No. You should wake me up. I haven't taken a bath yet," he said casually, avoiding her gaze.

It was then that he realized his situation. He must have fallen asleep on the sofa and Haruka, having just come out of the bath, had found him and used her knee as a pillow. No wonder his head felt warm. The scent of soap and shampoo made his fingertips tingle slightly.

Haruka had her hair down. It had been a long time since he had seen her like that. Come to think of it, it had been quite a while since he had spent the night in this house.

"I thought you looked tired. Oh, but I was going to wake you up at twelve."

“R-really?” Naoto replied casually, but he was unsure of what to do. Should he wake up or just stay like this? It felt awkward to force himself awake and push Haruka away, but remaining in this position was also uncomfortable.

As if gently calming Naoto's thoughts, Haruka's hand brushed through his hair. She sank her fingers into his locks like she was soothing a child, stroking his hair slowly. Without thinking, Naoto let out a deep breath. Haruka's touch felt strangely comforting. Pushing aside feelings of shyness or embarrassment, he found himself at ease with the soft sensation of her hand.

Listening to the gentle sound of her fingers running through his hair, Naoto looked up at Haruka with a furtive glance. Once the explanation from the Mitsurugi Agency was over, it was determined that the chaos in Naoto's room was caused by an accident involving a drone. He thought it was a ridiculous and far-fetched story, but Haruka accepted it. Or rather, it might be more accurate to say she had no choice but to accept it. It was just as impossible to affirm it as it was to deny it. That was the logic they had presented.

Haruka didn’t remember anything about Clavis. According to Raquel, that was part of the magic. So far, there were no signs of any abnormalities in Haruka. Given what Clavis had done, it seemed unlikely that there would be any negative effects in the future. At least, that’s how Naoto felt.

“It feels nostalgic having you stay over at our place, Nao-kun.” With a soft smile, Haruka murmured as she continued to stroke his hair.

"..... It's been about three years, hasn't it?" Naoto replied, nodding.

Haruka nodded vigorously. It wasn't the last time he had stayed over. Until three years ago, Naoto had lived in this house. But he had asked to move to a different room.

"Why don't you just live with me again? There's a spare room," Haruka said, her tone tinged with a hint of sincerity. Naoto furrowed his brow.

"Hey, that's not a good idea."

"Why not?"

"Why not... well, we're both adults now. It would be... complicated."

"It wouldn't be," Haruka replied, her answer unexpectedly quick and straightforward.

"Huh...?" Was it his imagination? Haruka's voice seemed unusually serious, and Naoto replied in a dumbfounded tone. Looking up at Haruka, he saw that she was staring at him intently. Her large, dark eyes seemed slightly moist, perhaps due to the warmth of her body after her bath.

The gentle hand that had been stroking Naoto's head in a steady rhythm suddenly stopped, as if holding its breath.

“I’m not troubled at all. What about you, Naoko-kun... are you troubled?”

"Haruka..." Naoto tried to speak, but the words got stuck in his throat. Above Haruka's upturned face, the number was rising. It was 20. Haruka's hand, which had been in his hair, slowly, hesitantly, and timidly touched Naoto's cheek. Her fingertips were warm.

“Naoko-kun, I…” She probably hadn’t intended to finish that sentence. Or perhaps her emotions had overwhelmed her. She slowly closed her eyelids. Her long eyelashes lifted at the tips, and her eyes seemed to be drawn to Naoto, as if she were trying to embrace something very important.

The scent of soap made him dizzy. The soft chest touching his cheek conveyed the steady beat of the heart hidden within it. The pounding heartbeat was a sign of tension. Was this heartbeat Haruka’s or his?

(Oh no, this is bad)

He couldn't resist the current that seemed to be pulling him down. He couldn't even think about whether he should resist it. Just as he breathed in…

"What are you two doing?" A voice, so innocent and casual, interrupted them, and Naoto's heart, which felt like it was about to burst from the tension, actually felt like it had burst.

“Wha—!?” Naoto hurriedly twisted his body and slipped off the sofa—or rather, fell off from his back. He hit the floor harder than he expected and writhed in pain. Meanwhile, Haruka looked around nervously, her face flushed bright red, and hurriedly got up.

"R-r-r-Raquel!" Her tongue got tangled, and she tilted her head in confusion. Raquel looked at the flustered Haruka curiously and tilted her head in the opposite direction. Sliding down the floor, Naoto moved a couple more steps away from the sofa and pressed his hand against his chest, trying to calm his pounding heart.

(That was a shock... That was a shock, and it was dangerous too...)

Just a few seconds ago, right there, on the sofa where he had sat countless times with Haruka watching TV, what was about to happen? Naoto's brain was sending out danger signals, telling him not to think about it. But he couldn't help it.

Just now, he and Haruka had…

“By the way, Haruka, Naoto, there’s something I want to ask you,” Raquel said, clearly noticing something was off with both Haruka and Naoto, her curiosity piqued.

"She probably just sees me as a plaything. Oh well," Raquel said indifferently, losing interest and turning her attention to her own business. She tossed her still slightly damp blonde hair over her shoulder like a veil, letting it shimmer in the living room light. Then, she turned and pointed.

“Who is that woman?”

"Huh?" Naoto and Haruka both looked in the direction Raquel was pointing, toward the living room entrance. There, hidden in the shadow of the door between the hallway and the living room, was a woman. She had short, bright brown hair that almost looked orange, and she was wearing a pantsuit. Her eyes were narrowed as she watched them with a curious gaze.

Naoto was speechless and nearly fainted at the sight of her, while Haruka blushed even redder and cried out, "M-Mom!"

The woman there was Haruka's mother, Yuki Hayami.

Part 5

Yuki Hayami was a bold and generous woman who had raised Haruka single-handedly and even taken care of Naoto. Naoto didn't know her exact age, but she still maintained a youthful beauty that didn't seem possible for someone with a high school-aged daughter. Although she was busy with work and rarely home, she always showed an abundance of love for both Haruka and Naoto. That's why Naoto thought of her more like a real mother than anything else, and he couldn't look up to her enough for all she had done for him.

And so…

“Wow! What is this? It’s incredible, so silky! Oh, what beautiful golden hair! You look just like a doll! So cute! So lovely!” There was no way Naoto could stop Yuki from sitting down at the dining table, pulling Raquel onto her lap, stroking her hair, nuzzling her cheek, and examining her face, enjoying her soft touch.

"N-Naoto... please..." Raquel looked at Naoto with dull, cloudy eyes and pleaded for help in a barely audible voice. Considering Kiiro, Haruka in the bath, and now Yuki assaulting Raquel with affection, Naoto couldn't help but feel a little sorry for her. But he sat in the chair opposite Yuki, as he usually did, and slowly turned his gaze away from Raquel as if to escape.

(I’m sorry, Raquel... There’s nothing I can do for you.)

There was no way anyone could stop Yuki from getting so excited.

Even now, Haruka was explaining everything to Yuki: who Raquel was, why she was there, and what had happened today. But Yuki seemed completely absorbed in Raquel's appearance rather than her daughter's story.

"And so, we're letting her stay over... Mom, are you listening?" Haruka finally put her hands on her hips in exasperation, and Yuki looked up, still stroking Raquel's head.

"Yes, yes, I'm listening. And you said something about someone from Mitsurugi coming and saying something like that. What was it, a drone? Something about compensation and confidentiality... I don't remember very well, but it was so noisy. They talked for so long." Yuki waved her hand dismissively and made an exaggeratedly bored face. Naoto couldn't help but laugh at her childish gesture and expression.

"Ah... so you heard about that too." Haruka said, offering a sympathetic smile. She was reminded of the overwhelming fatigue that came after the lengthy explanation. However, Yuki seemed completely unfazed and carefree.

"Well, you two... no, I guess it's three of you now. I'm glad you're all safe. We can fix the house, but we can't replace you guys." She smiled, showing her white, even teeth. In Yuki’s case, there was no need for Raquel’s "Slave Red" to forcefully explain the situation. Yuki must know more about Naoto's family relations than Haruka does, and she was capable of calmly judging whether a cousin like Raquel could even exist. As an adult, she could probably imagine the level of commotion such an incident involving unmanned aircraft would cause.

And yet, Yuki didn't show any doubt or ask any questions. She accepted Haruka and Naoto's story as fact and welcomed the golden-haired visitor without hesitation. If you asked her why, she would undoubtedly answer that there was no reason to doubt them if Haruka and Naoto said it was true.

"And, Mom, about Raquel, can she stay over?" Haruka, who had already decided to let Raquel stay without her mother's permission, asked Yuki apologetically. Yuki hugged Raquel tightly once before nodding, as if she were happy to have another member of the family.

"Of course. I'd welcome her with open arms. In fact, why don't you just move in?"

"N-no... that's impossible..." Raquel's body stiffened at the proximity of Yuki's face, which was peering in from behind. She looked like a startled kitten, bristling at an unexpected situation. Seeing Raquel like that, Yuki couldn't hold back and hugged her tightly again.

"Even your confused face is cute!" Outside Yuki’s line of sight, Raquel’s neck drooped backward in resignation. Thinking that she might finally run out of breath, Naoto got up to separate them, but before he could, Haruka gently freed Raquel from her mother's grasp.

"Thank you, Mom. Well, we're going to bed now," Naoto said. Looking at the clock, he realized that the hour and minute hands had long passed the top. It would soon be one o'clock.

"Naoto, you should go to bed early too. You have school tomorrow," Haruka said.

"Yeah," he replied lightly, watching Haruka leave the living room. Prompted by Haruka, Raquel glanced at Naoto with a troubled expression but followed after Haruka, albeit hesitantly. Her long, unkempt golden hair swayed gently against the back of the orange pajamas she borrowed from Haruka. Perhaps because she was petite, she looked like a timid little animal, and Naoto couldn’t help but smile secretly.

(She's actually pretty cute when she looks so normal)

The pajamas made Raquel appear younger than during the day, and it was hard to believe she was the same person who had tried to take off her underwear in public. If she could get used to wearing clothes like this, it would ease his mind.

"Well, I'll... " Naoto got up from his chair, ready to go to bed. But Yuki stopped him.

“Hey Naoto. Could you make me some tea?”

“Tea? That’s rare for you, Yuki-san.” Usually, she always went for coffee.

“Just this once. Your tea is delicious.” He couldn't say no to that. Muttering something about how he couldn't help it, Naoto took out the teapot and boiled some water in the electric kettle. Unlike Naoto, Haruka and Yuki didn't keep various types of tea. They only had ordinary Darjeeling tea bags, the Earl Grey that Naoto had just made, and a peach tea that Haruka had received from a friend. Since she had asked him, he chose Earl Grey and poured the fragrant tea into Yuki's favorite mug, placing it in front of her.

"Here you go. Would you like some milk?"

"No, this is fine." As she reached for the cup, Yuki looked at Naoto. Her gaze urged him on. “Well, sit down then.”

"......What is it?" He had no reason to refuse. Naoto pulled out the chair opposite Yuki and sat down. As soon as he sat down, Yuki grinned mischievously.

“Sorry about earlier. I should have come back a little later.”

"W-what...?"

If he had made a cup of tea for himself along with Yuki's and had taken a sip now, he would have definitely sprayed hot tea all over his face. Or rather, why would she say that so suddenly? He had been bracing himself for a serious conversation, but her unexpected and lewd smile made Naoto lose his composure, causing him to rock back in his chair.

Holding up her cup, Yuki held up her thumb and index finger a few centimeters apart. Holding the cup at eye level, she said, "You were so close. What a shame... If only you were just a little bit..."

"Hey, cut it out," Naoto interrupted. The scene from earlier flashed through his mind. The scent of soap tickling his nose and Haruka's breathless gasp that he couldn't stop. As Naoto tried to look away, Yuki followed his gaze and continued her attack with a bright, cheerful voice, as if she had come up with a great idea.

“Oh, how about sneaking into Haruka’s room later? Just take what you want!”

“Are you serious?! Is that really something a mother should say!?”

"Haha. You have to experience a lot of things while you're young," Yuki laughed merrily, raising her mug. She took a deep breath and looked at the dark surface of the tea with kind eyes. "...Seriously though, Haruka doesn't have a father. I really want her to find a normal husband and build a normal family."

That was Yuki's true feeling, something she always carried in her heart. Naoto knew very well how warmly Yuki looked at Haruka. So, when he heard her affectionate words, dropped casually in between her teasing remarks, Naoto breathed a sigh of relief.

"......Yeah, I think so too." Naoto felt the same way. He wanted Haruka to be happy. Always and forever.

"So, what do you think?" Leaning forward on the dining table, Yuki rested her soft, ample chest on her arm and poked her face at Naoto. Her curious gaze pierced him, waiting for his reaction. Naoto made a wry face at her obvious intentions. Just when things were getting serious, she had to turn it into this.

"What do you mean, what do I think?"

"My Haruka is a good girl, you know? She's the cutest in the world," Yuki said with a cheerful smile. Naoto sighed. He already knew that Yuki thought Haruka was the cutest in the world.

"Then don't sell her short like that..."

"I'm just being realistic," she replied casually. Naoto couldn't come up with a quick reply. Yuki looked at Naoto with narrowed eyes, seeming pleased. She took a sip of her tea.

"I think you could make Haruka happy for the rest of your life," she said. "I wouldn't entrust Haruka to anyone else." Naoto could only look at Yuki with a complicated expression as she spoke softly, as if she were taking a deep breath.

(You're overestimating me, Yuki...) He murmured to himself. He did want Haruka to be happy. He wanted her to be even happier than she was now, and to be at peace.

"Yeah, and if there's anything I can do for that, I won't hold back." But that didn't come from a feeling that he could make Haruka happy. Rather, it was because he didn't have that confidence that he cared about her happiness. He didn't have the power to make Haruka happy in a peaceful light. He thought so firmly. And right now, that wasn't the point. More than wondering who Haruka's happiness would be with and how, Naoto needed the Azure right now.

If he couldn't find what he needed to find and get it, he would become a source of unhappiness for Haruka in a year. He realized again that he had to find it no matter what.

"......If that's all you have to say, I'm going to bed now," he said, making sure his tone wasn't too abrupt. In truth, he was tired—physically, but even more so mentally.

"Okay, okay, good night," Yuki said lightly, without trying to stop him. She raised her teacup as if to say, "Cheers." Even in this casual moment, she seemed to care for Naoto in her own way. He offered a wry smile in response to her innocent affection, which was almost like that of a real mother, and began to leave the living room. Then, from behind him, he heard, "Naoto." Her tone was slightly different this time—more insistent. Naoto turned to look over his shoulder. Yuki didn’t turn to face him, still gazing into her cup as she spoke. “Be careful of the Mitsurugi Agency.”

Those words came from someone who knew. Even if she didn’t specify what he should be cautious about, it was clear she had some inkling of the situation.

Unable to brush it off or joke about it, and certainly unable to ask her what she knew, Naoto turned his back to Yuki. He couldn’t carelessly involve her; if he did, it would draw her into this mess. Regardless of her knowledge, if she wasn’t directly involved, she was an outsider. Just as he felt strongly about not troubling Haruka, he felt the same about Yuki.

"Good night," he said and closed the living room door behind him.

It was a quiet night. And it was a very good night. The moon was obscured by thin, dark clouds, and the city was wet from the sudden shower that had started after dusk. Everything was damp. Thanks to that, the streetlights were bright, and the darkness was deep. Once you stepped into the thick shadows, the night would instantly swallow you up and hide you.

It was already past midnight. The humid air from the unexpected rain and the lingering cool temperature made the Shinkawahama Station area uncomfortably tepid. Perhaps thanks to this, there were fewer people than usual, and no one would notice if you were in the back of an old game center on a back street off the main road. Therefore, no one would notice or care if a man crossed in front of the concrete wall in the damp dead of night. From shadow to shadow, from depth to depth. With gliding steps, the man entered the small park next to the parking lot.

He was an eerie man. Dressed in a black stand-collar shirt, his body was thin and lanky, and his limbs were also long and thin. His neatly combed gray hair made him look like a gentleman who would fit right into high society, but the black tattoo that covered most of his faceless jaw indicated that he was not a person from the bright world. His eyes were narrow and sharp, and they lacked any human warmth. If anything, they conveyed coldness and cruelty. But now, his eyes held a smoldering passion as he stopped in front of the unmarked gray concrete wall.

There was nothing there. Not even a single graffiti tag drawn by a mischievous child. But as if there was something there, he stared intently and slowly raised his long arm to touch the cold wall with his wide hand. Slowly, he traced the wall with his palm. Then, as if blood were seeping from the wall, red letters appeared. Leaning in close, he ran his eyes over the newly appeared letters. He read each one carefully, as if verifying them, and memorized them.

"......Well, well, this is an interesting invitation," he said, raising his thin eyebrows and a sharp smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. Leaning in even closer, he brought his nose close to the red letters and sniffed. He sniffed at it, as if to make sure of its existence, and then stuck out his tongue without hesitation. His unusually long tongue was tattooed black, just like his face. He licked the wall with it.

"Ah..."

Was it satisfaction or admiration? He let out a deep breath and stood up, stroking the wall. At his feet, something quickly crawled out from the depths of the shadows.

“Ki-chi-chi.”

It was a strange insect about the size of a human head, making a sound like the clattering of armor. He couldn't see it clearly in the night, but the man knew it was a dull blue color and had red, bulging eyeballs. Its flat body, with many joints, was injured and its movements were slow and awkward.

Looking down at the deformed creature that had come crawling towards him, seeking its master, the man spoke to it in a very expressive voice.

"Thank you for guiding me this far. I only expected to get a whiff, but thanks to you, I've even managed to savor her flavor. I'm grateful," he said, a smile playing on his lips. He lifted his leg and brought it down with all his might onto the insect's back.

The sound of something hard and thin breaking and soft flesh bursting echoed through the late-night park. The green body fluid that had been abundantly stored inside the creature splattered everywhere and quickly evaporated in the open air, leaving only a charred mark behind.

The man turned back to the wall. The wall where the red letters had appeared. It seemed to have served its purpose. The letters were fading and disappeared before his eyes as he watched. Still, as if admiring the fact that they had been there, the man ran his hand along the wall. And he let out a trembling sigh.

"Wonderful..." His voice, hoarse, spoke with rapture. He furrowed his brow, looking at the now blank wall. He folded his long fingers and clenched them as if to confirm the sensation he had just felt. His breath was filled with admiration and ecstasy.

"That transparent voice I heard the other day... and the wonderful smell and taste to match it… Oh, I can't wait to touch you with these hands. I long to taste you directly with this tongue. If I could see your noble form, my body would surely tremble with excitement!" With heartfelt passion and desire for the person who wasn't there, he trembled with uncontrollable anticipation. The long-awaited moment was not far off. It was very close. What he sought was right beside him, breathing, bleeding, and living its life. How joyful it was.

He spread his arms wide and looked up at the sky. He looked up at the moon, whose silhouette was faintly visible behind the dark, hazy clouds. Through the moon, he spoke to the beloved soul.

"For you, I, Spinner Superior, will prepare the finest insect… Raquel-Alucard!"

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