"!!!"
Nanashi suddenly appeared in the clubroom.
Yukino, who had been waiting anxiously, nearly jumped in shock.
But the moment she realized it was Nanashi, her tense shoulders relaxed.
"Is everything settled?" she asked.
"Yeah, it's done."
Yukino hesitated, her lips slightly parted as if she wanted to say something.
Nanashi noticed and smiled.
"What is it? Just ask."
Pursing her rosy lips, Yukino's expression turned sincere.
"Is there anything I can do for you?"
There was genuine emotion behind her words—she truly wanted to help.
Nanashi paused for a moment, looking thoughtful.
With Yukino's current strength, there really wasn't much she could do to assist him.
So, as a joke, he casually said,
"Well, why don't you just become my maid?"
But to his surprise—
Despite the faint red tint on her ears, Yukino seriously considered it.
After a long pause, she responded—
"Alright."
"???"
Nanashi stared at her, stunned.
Her glistening blue eyes held no trace of hesitation.
She was completely serious.
Feeling his gaze on her, Yukino quickly looked away, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear in a feigned attempt at nonchalance.
Then, in a soft, almost shy voice, she asked,
"Would you like me to move in with you? It wouldn't be convenient to go back and forth to school."
Nanashi blinked.
Yukino is surprisingly thoughtful.
And… she really meant it.
Of course, Nanashi wasn't the type to refuse when something good fell into his lap.
"No problem. I have plenty of room in my house."
"Mm."
Yukino responded in a low voice, falling silent.
She suddenly felt… different.
Something about her had changed.
This wasn't like her.
She had made such a big decision—moving in with Nanashi—without even consulting her mother or sister.
In the past, she had feared them—felt intimidated by their presence.
But now…
That fear was gone.
Everything she had experienced recently had changed her world.
And while that change was a little scary—
She also looked forward to it.
This all began the moment she tried to stop Nanashi's 'Scumbag' behavior.
There was no going back now.
While Yukino was lost in thought, Nanashi turned his attention to the chat group, where a new request had caught his eye.
Esdeath: "@Nanashi, come to my world. I want to test your strength!"
Lemuel: "Esdeath really is a battle maniac."
Nami: "It's written all over her. Too obvious."
Shinobu: "@Nanashi, @TushanHonghong, how are things on your end?"
Tushan Honghong: "Sister Shinobu, Brother Nanashi saved my sister and me, sent us back to Tushan, and then returned."
Shinobu: "That's great news."
Suzuki: "Now that the boss is free again, will he accept Esdeath's challenge?"
Aqua: "Ohhh! Fight! Fight!"
March 7th: "Wait… isn't this a bad idea? We're all in the same group."
Nanashi smirked.
"@Aqua, don't stir up trouble, or I'll have to use my admin privileges."
Aqua: "Admin privileges? What could possibly control this goddess?"
Nanashi chuckled.
"Haha."
A second later—
[Ding! Aqua has been muted for 10 minutes!]
Nanashi: "Still want to keep talking? Go ahead, I'll be watching."
March 7th: "Aqua got banned! Is this the power of an admin?! So scary!"
Shinobu: "Is it really that bad? It's just a 10-minute mute."
March 7th: "You don't understand. Aqua has too much free time. If she can't talk, she'll be bored to death."
Shinobu: "Uh… I see…"
Nanashi turned his attention back to Esdeath.
"@Esdeath, I'll fight you if you either come to my world or pay me 1,000 points. I don't do free work."
Esdeath fell silent for a moment.
Then, she responded.
"…How do I earn points quickly?"
Nanashi explained,
"Unlike Shinobu and Saeko's worlds, yours doesn't have zombies or demons. Dangerous species aren't enough to trigger a doomsday scenario. Your only option is to find the Abnormal Doomsday event."
"Tsk."
Esdeath clicked her tongue, clearly displeased.
For now, she had no choice but to back down.
Seeing that Esdeath had quieted down, Tushan Honghong finally dared to speak up.
Tushan Honghong: "@Nanashi, Brother Nanashi, thank you for saving Rongrong and me and bringing us back to Tushan. I promise I'll repay you once I have enough points!"
Nanashi's response was casual but firm.
"I don't need those 1,000 points. Just focus on getting stronger so you don't get captured again."
Tushan Honghong: "Yes! I'll do my best!"
Esdeath sat silently, staring at the chat log.
Her icy blue eyes gleamed with undisguised interest.
"You have 1,000 points but refuse to come to me? Interesting man."
She licked the corner of her lips, excitement bubbling beneath the surface.
Then, standing up from her chair, she stepped out of the barracks—
Her long, slender legs cutting through the icy winds of the North.
Her commanding voice rang out across the field.
"Everyone! Prepare to return to the Imperial Capital!"