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The next morning.
Shuya slammed the alarm clock silent and sat up in bed.
He glanced over at the still-sleeping Shizuka. Her skin glowed with a soft, flushed afterglow, the sheets barely covering her.
He gently tugged the blanket up to hide the view.
Even in her dreams the ditzy blonde looked worried, mumbling, "No more… I really can't eat another bite…"
Hearing that sleepy protest, Shuya couldn't resist giving her plump, blanket-covered ass a light smack.
"You're seriously impossible."
Shizuka grumbled something incoherent, rolled over, and flopped face-down on the mattress like a starfish.
Shuya didn't know whether to laugh or sigh. He fixed her messy sleeping position, then got up, changed, washed up, and headed out to make breakfast for everyone.
The second he stepped into the living room, he froze.
Saeko was already in the kitchen, moving around like it was the most normal thing in the world.
"Morning, Shuya-kun," she said cheerfully, glancing up with a calm smile before going right back to cooking.
"G-Good morning…" Shuya managed.
"Oh, right," Saeko added casually. "Is miso soup and grilled salmon okay with rice for breakfast?"
"Perfect," he answered.
Honestly, as long as it wasn't spoiled, he wasn't picky. Food was either good or just okay.
But…
Watching Saeko act like nothing had happened last night, Shuya swallowed hard. "Saeko-senpai… you doing alright?"
After everything that went down, if it had been him eavesdropping outside the door, he'd be dying of embarrassment this morning. How the hell was she up making breakfast like it was Tuesday?
For a split second he actually wondered if she'd poisoned the food.
Then he immediately shut that thought down. Saeko was a hidden battle junkie, sure—but she wasn't a yandere.
Saeko's hands paused for a moment. She looked over at him. "Shuya-kun."
Here it comes, he thought.
But what she said next completely blindsided him.
"Do you think Marikawa-sensei will accept me?" she asked, dead serious.
"EH?!"
Shuya's eyes nearly popped out of his skull.
Saeko kept going, calm as ever. "I told you yesterday—I don't care how many girls are around you. As long as I'm one of them, I'm happy. I'm not here to break anything up. I'm here to join."
Shuya felt a pang of guilt. He stepped forward and pulled her into his arms. "Don't worry. Shizuka-nee really likes you."
He'd always planned on building a harem, but hearing her say it so humbly still hit him right in the chest.
Still… harem rules were non-negotiable. He'd just have to make it up to her in every other way.
"Is Marikawa-sensei still sleeping?" Saeko asked, stepping back after enjoying the hug for a second.
"Uh…" Shuya scratched his nose, a little awkward. "Don't worry about her. She loves sleeping in. She won't be up until lunch."
Total lie.
Truth was, he'd worn Shizuka out so thoroughly last night that she'd probably need another sick day.
Saeko had heard every second of it through the door, of course, but she just smiled and played along. "Got it. Then we don't need to make a portion for her."
"Breakfast is almost ready. Go sit down and wait, Shuya-kun."
"I'm looking forward to your cooking, Saeko-senpai." He grinned, took a seat at the table, and quietly watched her work.
After more than a year in this world, he'd cooked a ton of meals—but this was the first time he'd ever sat and waited for someone else to serve him.
Shizuka was not only lazy and ditzy—she was a walking kitchen disaster. After her first attempt almost burned the house down, he'd banned her from the stove forever.
"Try it and tell me what you think?"
Saeko set the finished breakfast in front of him, eyes sparkling with hope.
Shuya inhaled the aroma. Just from the smell, it was already a win. Even if the taste wasn't perfect, it definitely wouldn't be bad.
He took a sip of the miso soup and gave the highest possible rating.
"Five ants!"
A little exaggerated, sure—but it really was delicious. And Japanese people loved throwing out over-the-top compliments anyway.
"As long as you like it," Saeko said, a tiny flash of joy crossing her face. Then she added, "Shuya-kun, there's something I need to tell you. Remember the Four Major Principles of Nen you taught me yesterday? Especially Hatsu?"
"You're already trying to develop your own ability?" Shuya shook his head. "It's way too early. Keep training Ten, Zetsu, and Ren until you've mastered them first. Then I'll teach you the six Nen types and you can start working on something that fits you."
"But…"
Saeko gave him a strange little smile. "I already did it."
She held out her hand.
A long blade materialized—almost identical to her usual white oak practice sword.
Almost.
Except this one was forged from some mysterious black metal, covered in glowing purple runes. A faint violet aura swirled around the edge like it was slicing the air itself.
"You what?!"
Shuya nearly spat out his miso soup.
He stared at her in total disbelief.
Wait—what do you mean you already succeeded?
And what the hell is that ridiculously cool sword?!
She'd only touched Nen yesterday and she'd already awakened her own Hatsu?
Was this the gap between geniuses and normal people?
Give her a little more time and she'd be punching Netero and kicking Meruem's ass!
I'm so jealous of your talent!
…Wait, you're saying I get to sync it too?
Never mind. We're good.
Shuya looked at Saeko, eyes blazing with pure excitement.
This right here was a future-proof, ultra-rare, limited-edition SSR wife.