Hozuki Nozomi stared at the system notification, a puzzled expression crossing his features. "Power of Affinity?"
Curiosity piqued, he immediately accessed the skill description.
[Power of Affinity: The core power inherited from Miyamizu Shrine. Affinity is a subtle, indescribable connection between souls.]
[After forming an affinity, you obtain Kamimusubi—a bond of fate. With Kamimusubi, no matter how far apart the player and the affinity target may be, they will inevitably meet again.]
Below the description, a list unfolded:
[Current Affinity Targets: Yukino Yukinoshita, Shiina Mashiro, Shiina Mahiru, Ogiwara Sayu, Kamigusa Misaki, Frieren, Fern, Sanshokuin Sumireko, Ayano Kimishima, Nichiji Sumire, Eriri Spencer Sawamura, Yuki Suo, Kusami Runa, Sakurahara Momo, Miura Yumiko, Kawasaki Saki, Kosaka Kirino, Aragaki Ayase, Asada Shino, Miyamizu Mitsuha, Miyamizu Yotsuha...]
The list continued, encompassing every girl he'd formed a close relationship with. Heroines he'd met, bonds he'd forged—all present.
His eyebrow rose at two particular entries near the bottom.
[Eris (Goddess of Water)?]
[Aqua (Goddess of Wisdom)?]
"Wait." Hozuki Nozomi blinked. "Goddesses? Can I form affinities with actual goddesses?"
After a moment of processing, he shrugged and accepted it. His life had long since departed from normalcy. Why stop now?
Beyond the reunion guarantee, the Power of Affinity also allowed him to sense when his bonded targets were in danger. Even separation between worlds wouldn't prevent their eventual meeting.
But what truly caught his attention was the note about Miyamizu Mitsuha. She likely no longer remembered him—the gods' power had faded, taking those memories with it. But the affinity remained. They would meet again.
And Yotsuha was on the list too. That mischievous little loli who'd swapped the kuchikamizake and landed him in her body. Apparently, even that accidental connection had formed a bond.
...
Curious about the aftermath, Hozuki Nozomi opened his computer and searched for Itomori Town.
The news articles told the story:
[Tiamat Comet Strikes Itomori Town: Miraculously, Zero Casualties]
[Mayor Miyamizu Toshiki's Preemptive Evacuation Order Saves Hundreds]
["I Don't Know Why I Ordered It," Says Mayor—But Residents Call Him Hero]
Hozuki Nozomi smiled, relief washing through him. The town was saved. The people lived. That was what mattered.
Mitsuha would be in Tokyo now, probably attending university. Three years had passed in her timeline. She'd grown, matured, become a proper young lady.
Yotsuha would be in middle school—around Kirino's age.
They didn't remember him. But the affinity remained. They would meet again.
...
"There's more?"
Another notification pulsed in his interface. He opened it.
[Ding! Congratulations to the player for completing the inheritance of Miyamizu Shrine. You have obtained: Shrine Installation Rights.]
[The player may now select a location to establish the Miyamizu Shrine. Partners who have formed deep Kamimusubi connections may be converted into Shrine Maidens, granting them residency qualifications within the shrine.]
[Current Kamimusubi holders: (extended list)...]
[Kamimusubi Points Tracking System Activated.]
[Through interaction with shrine maidens—particularly intimate interaction—Kamimusubi points accumulate. Upon reaching 100 points, the shrine maiden awakens, gaining unique powers and an extended lifespan.]
Hozuki Nozomi stared at the screen, then at the list of names—far longer than he'd realized.
"Unconsciously... there are this many?"
He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling vaguely like a scoundrel. The system had basically turned his love life into a nurturing game. Collect heroines, raise affinity points, unlock powers.
Several names already showed significant progress:
[Shiina Mahiru: 32 points]
[Ogiwara Sayu: 31 points]
[Shiina Mashiro: 30 points]
[Kamigusa Misaki: 30 points]
[Yukino Yukinoshita: 24 points]
The pattern was obvious. Those he'd been most intimate with had accumulated points fastest.
When they reached 100, they'd awaken—gain protection, power, extended lifespans. They'd transcend ordinary humanity.
Hozuki Nozomi thought of Frieren, of the ancient elf's loneliness. She'd lived for centuries, watching mortal companions age and die while she remained. That was why she'd kept people at a distance.
But now...
Now he could share that burden. His bonded could become like her—long-lived, powerful, eternal.
The path ahead was clear. And frankly, he didn't mind the "nurturing" aspect at all.
...
Thinking of Frieren made him restless. He was still in Itomori Town's inner shrine, standing before the underground sanctuary. The place felt empty now—the god's power had transferred to him. This location had served its purpose.
Time to go home.
He closed his eyes, sensing his affinity list. Dozens of glowing threads extended from his consciousness, each connected to a bonded soul. He chose one and activated the connection.
SHWIP.
The world dissolved and reformed.
He stood in Frieren's room at Sakura Dormitory.
The elf lay on her bed, absorbed in a magic book. She wore only a thin camisole, her fair legs stretched out casually, small feet pointed toward where he'd suddenly materialized.
Frieren looked up, startled. "Nozomi? Is this... teleportation?"
Hozuki Nozomi smiled and crossed to her in two steps. He scooped her up—she offered no resistance—and settled onto the bed with her in his lap.
"Something like that. But it's a more advanced power." He wrapped his arms around her slender waist. "Frieren, I need to tell you something."
"Mmm-hmm..."
Her eyes widened slightly, a hint of helplessness crossing her features. Her pale cheeks flushed pink.
Just say what you need to say, her expression seemed to plead. Why are you kissing me?
But she didn't pull away. Didn't complain.
This guy really was something. So forward, so confident, so utterly shameless.
Yet Frieren found she didn't dislike it at all.