"Sister Haruno, have you tried the VR game helmet yet?"

"Not yet," she replied, tilting her head with curiosity, her eyes gleaming like a cat sensing something intriguing.

"Perfect," Nozomi smirked with a mysterious glint in his eye. "If you're thinking of playing it, I suggest waiting until the public beta kicks off."

"Why's that?"

Yukinoshita Haruno leaned closer like a fox ready to pounce, eager to unearth the secrets he was hinting at. Her gaze sparkled with amusement and interest.

Nozomi gave her a sly grin, his palm playfully resting against her soft stomach, enjoying the warmth of her presence. "Because once the public beta begins... all the research, all the breakthroughs—it'll belong to us."

"Ours?" Her eyes lit up, suspiciously playful. "Just what scheme are you plotting, Nozomi-kun?"

His fingers lazily traced a circle against her silk pajamas as he chuckled. "I told you when I transferred you the shares, right? I'm the one who provided the core technology behind the game. Without that, SAO wouldn't have developed its world so fast."

"The 'elf core,' you said?"

"Exactly. It's more than just a data processor—it can link to the human brain, directly interfacing with consciousness. In other words, it connects with the soul."

Haruno blinked, processing what he just said. "Wait, you're saying... the researchers are messing around with souls?"

Nozomi's voice lowered, becoming serious. "They're not just developers. They're representatives of various powerful interests—government-backed labs, underground tech syndicates, even rogue think tanks. To them, this game is the perfect cover."

"Their goal isn't fun—it's control."

He adjusted their position, letting her settle more comfortably in his arms, warmth from her back pressing against his chest. His tone turned sharp, like a sword being drawn. "Think about it, Sister Haruno. The biggest hurdle in true virtual reality is recreating sensation—taste, smell, pain, pleasure. For that, you don't just simulate it. You send the soul itself in."

Her body tensed. "But... if the soul leaves the body—"

"Exactly," he nodded. "And once it's inside... there's nothing stopping them from manipulating it."

"Changing memories... rewriting personalities... making puppets. If they kidnap a head of state and swap their consciousness with a fake, they could control entire governments."

Haruno's face went pale, goosebumps racing down her arms.

"And you knew all this? From the beginning?"

"Of course," Nozomi replied, his voice calm and composed, like the protagonist of some dark psychological anime who'd already seen ten moves ahead. "That's why I used the elf core. Once the game goes live and enough users are connected, it will hatch."

"Hatch?"

"Yeah. It's not just a program—it's an AI lifeform, a digital elf, bonded to me alone. Once she awakens, she'll have dominion over the entire network. Every line of code, every transmission—under her control."

"So even if those 'scientists' try to weaponize the game or brainwash the masses, all I have to do is snap my fingers. And it's game over for them."

Haruno stared at him for a long moment. Then, with a half-laugh, half-sigh, she collapsed against his chest.

"You're insane. Absolutely insane. But... this world needs someone like you."

He brushed a strand of her hair aside and kissed her forehead. "I'm just your fiancé, remember? A simple high schooler from Sakurasou, trying to find a place to nap."

"Hah! There's nothing simple about you, Nozomi." Haruno pouted with a teasing smirk. "But you're stuck with me now, so be ready to handle a Yukinoshita woman."

"Yes, yes," Nozomi said, laughing lightly. "I'll be ready to face my lovely wife, Sister Haruno. Just wait, I'll take you home myself."

Haruno leaned forward with a mischievous smirk, eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Well then, let's see how well you perform. Maybe I'll consider being obedient."

Nozomi chuckled knowingly.

And then, without any hesitation, he leaned in.

Her soft, pink lips were right there.

He kissed her.

A gentle, confident kiss, filled with unspoken promises.

Haruno's eyes widened at first but then slowly fluttered shut, her cheeks turning crimson as she melted into the moment.

Look at that—he was already showing her what he meant.

As they parted, Haruno looked at him with a mix of helplessness and affection, her gaze warm, her heart oddly reassured.

Originally, she had been concerned—very concerned—that investing in a VR game company might spell trouble for the Yukinoshita family.

But now?

Nozomi had accounted for everything.

With him at the helm, those shady researchers would never get out of line.

Instead, the Yukinoshita name might rise even higher.

With virtual reality technology in hand, her father's current title as a mere councilor might soon be irrelevant.

…

After a tender moment spent with Haruno, Nozomi accompanied her to enjoy a series of amusement park attractions. They played, laughed, and even took a handful of intimate pictures—Haruno insisted.

At last, satisfied and clearly in high spirits, Haruno arranged for a private car to return Nozomi to Sakurasou, while she herself headed to her little sister Yukino's apartment.

After all, Yukino was her beloved little sister.

And Haruno had some scheming to do—testing how her dear Yukino felt about Nozomi now.

...

Back in Sakurasou, Nozomi had just returned to his room.

He was about to hit the shower, mind drifting between exhaustion and satisfaction—when a melodic voice called out from the doorway.

"Mr. Nozomi, you're finally back?"

He turned—and immediately felt the heat rush to his face.

"I-I say, Miss Rita, what's with the get-up?!"

Standing at his door, wrapped in nothing but a fluffy white towel, was Rita.

Her bare feet pressed against the wooden floor, her damp golden hair clinging slightly to her face and shoulders. She was like a character straight out of a rom-com anime—glamorous and dangerous.

Her soft, alluring smile only deepened Nozomi's flustered reaction.

That smooth, fair skin—the kind unique to foreign girls—practically glowed against the dim light.

She stepped into the room with a teasing air, not even bothering to close the door behind her. Then, without a care, she plopped herself onto Nozomi's bed and started toweling her hair.

"Come help me dry it," she said, voice sultry. "It's really uncomfortable when it's all wet like this."

Nozomi blinked.

This... This was weird.

Rita had always been a bit cold toward him, especially back when Mashiro was around. Yet now she was cozying up to him like they were best friends?

Something was off.

Still, a favor was a favor, and he wasn't exactly losing anything.

Nozomi shrugged and fetched the hair dryer from the drawer.

Plugging it in, he sat behind her, gently blowing her golden hair with practiced ease.

Rita leaned back slightly, closing her eyes in comfort.

"Mmm~ Mr. Nozomi, you're surprisingly good at this."

"Well, I've had practice," he replied with a chuckle. "Mahiru, Sayu, Mashiro... I've blown all their hair more times than I can count. I guess I just developed a knack for it."

The soft hum of the dryer filled the room as Nozomi worked, but his eyes couldn't help but drift.

Wrapped in just a towel, Rita's figure was impossible to ignore. Her delicate collarbone, the subtle curves beneath the cloth, the gentle flush on her freshly bathed skin—it was a scene worthy of a late-night anime episode.

Nozomi quickly shook the thoughts from his head, scolding himself internally.

But even so, that pink-tinted glow on her skin...

It was just so tempting.

***********