Compared to Emerada's take, Suzuno Kamazuki was more down-to-earth. She straightened her back, still every inch a warrior.

"The power systems in our two worlds aren't the same, and neither are the rules," she said. "But survival is the same at its core. I need to learn how this world works and find a new role—a new way to live."

She glanced at Emilia nestled in Rei Ao's arms, her expression complicated, before it faded into a barely audible sigh. "Blending in… is the best option. Maybe I should find a job where I can put my skills to use?"

Rei Ao listened without much surprise. He lifted his hand casually, and a string of silver keys slipped from between his fingers, clinking lightly as he tossed them to Emerada with perfect aim.

She caught them on reflex. The chill of the metal made her pause.

"There's an empty unit on the second floor of this building," Rei Ao said in a voice as even as if he were commenting on the weather. "Stay there for now. Think of it as a foothold."

Emerada and Suzuno both froze. They looked from the brand-new keys to Rei Ao—then, inevitably, to Emilia, who was pressed close to him, cheeks still pink.

Gratitude surged up at once. They knew perfectly well this sudden kindness and protection weren't because of their own worth or strength. It was entirely for Emilia's sake—the "fallen" hero who was willing to give up everything for Rei Ao, and who had just won them their first stepping stone in this unfamiliar world.

Emerada tightened her grip on the keys. "Thank you… Rei Ao-sama." She bowed slightly, sincere and formal. She would remember this favor.

Suzuno bowed as well. "We're very grateful. We'll get settled quickly and won't be a bother."

Rei Ao waved it off, indicating there was no need for formality.

The two women gave Emilia—who seemed practically attached to Rei Ao—one last look, then turned to leave and sort out their new place. They needed a little space to process all the new possibilities ahead.

But just as they were about to step out of the living room—

"Rei Ao…"

Emilia's voice carried a hint of urgency and syrupy sweetness. She tipped her chin up, violet eyes shimmering so much they looked like they might spill over.

"Can we… go back to the room?"

Her slender fingers bunched in the front of his shirt, tugging gently, equal parts playful and yearning. What they'd just shared was only an appetizer—nowhere near enough to quench the longing that had been building in her heart.

Rei Ao looked down at the unabashed invitation in her eyes and the heat that was almost blazing there. His brow ticked up and he let out a low, ambiguous chuckle.

"Man, my love life really never takes a day off…"

Joke or not, his arm tightened around Emilia's waist, and he let the impatient girl half-push, half-pull him toward the master bedroom.

In the living room, only Tohru and Nodoka Toyohama remained. Tohru chomped happily on a slice of toast slathered with peanut butter as she watched Emilia tug Rei Ao through the bedroom door. The dragon girl's golden, slit pupils gleamed with pure curiosity and wonder.

"Wow, Emilia-chan is getting bolder and bolder!"

There wasn't a shred of disdain in her tone—just a neat little observation about the way Emilia and her master interacted.

Across from her, Nodoka had her head ducked so low it was about to disappear into her barely touched bowl of cereal. Her ears were as red as boiled shrimp, her small shoulders trembling. Emilia's daring invitation—and Rei Ao's quip about his nonstop love life—had each word tapping at her tender heart like a tiny hammer, sending her mind spiraling back to a blush-inducing romantic moment of her own.

…

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, in a quiet residential neighborhood, Nodoka Toyohama's mother paced the living room, agitated. Worry and anger clouded her well-kept features. She flicked her phone screen on and off again and again, rows of unanswered calls to Nodoka glaring back at her.

"That brat! Where on earth did she go?!"

Mrs. Toyohama hissed through her teeth, manicured nails digging into the phone case. Ever since that day with Nodoka, her daughter had vanished—no answers to calls, no replies to texts. The school said she'd taken extended leave. It was outright rebellion.

She'd poured so much effort into grooming her daughter, her ticket into high society—how could she lose control now?

Call the police. She had to call the police. Make them drag that disobedient girl back home.

Her hand shook as she reached for the landline and started to punch in the number when—

"Ding-dong."

The doorbell cut her off. Mrs. Toyohama scowled. Who could it be at a time like this?

She set the phone down with an irritated clack, shuffled to the door in her slippers, and yanked it open.

The woman on the threshold stunned her into silence.

Mai Sakurajima's mother—Ai Sakurajima.

She wore a cream-white suit, perfectly tailored and luxuriously textured, tracing elegant, mature lines. Her sleek dark-brown hair was coiled into a neat bun, showing a smooth brow and a face that was younger, more beautiful, and far more commanding than Mrs. Toyohama remembered. Her gaze was calm and keen, carrying the quiet scrutiny of someone long accustomed to authority. Just standing there, she radiated pressure.

Jealousy—and a prickle of hostility—rose in Mrs. Toyohama. The quintessential "somebody else's perfect mom," standing at her door. Why was she here?

"What are you doing here?" she said, cold and wary. "Is there something you want?"

Ai Sakurajima gave a poised, professional smile—neither warm nor distant. Her eyes flicked past Mrs. Toyohama, taking in the slightly messy state of the room, then returned to her face.

"Mrs. Toyohama, sorry for dropping by unannounced," she said bluntly. "I'm here about Nodoka."

"Nodoka?!"

Mrs. Toyohama's pupils pinched tight. Her voice jumped a register, tense and just a hair flustered. "You know where she is? Did you and Mai hide her?!" She automatically shifted the blame onto Mai Sakurajima.

~~~

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