The girls were still buzzing with excitement over Kasumi's future when Zumi suddenly spoke again—calmly, but with the unmistakable authority that made every goddess, vampire, and warrior in the room straighten subconsciously.
"There's one more thing."
They looked at him.
Zumi leaned back on the couch, arms resting along the top cushions, and sighed softly.
"When we go back to school tomorrow, it seems Emily thinks that Gia and I are… together."
Gia immediately blushed, hiding her face in Zumi's shoulder.
Serafina smirked.
Bia grinned like she was watching a drama.
Rachel tilted her head in curiosity.
Catherine raised a brow, already sensing where this was going.
Zumi continued:
"Which is true."
His eyes softened as he looked at Gia.
"I love you very much."
Gia melted instantly, cheeks glowing.
But then he looked around at all of them.
"…but I'm not just with Gia. I'm with all of you."
Every girl's expression softened—warmth, devotion, pride.
Zumi gestured openly with his hands.
"This is something Emily will find out eventually. Especially because Kathy and her are becoming real friends."
Kathy nodded, thinking of Emily's sweet personality.
"And soon enough," Zumi continued, "it's going to be revealed that Catherine is also with me."
Catherine blushed, rubbing her arm but smiling shyly.
Bia elbowed her playfully.
Serafina just smirked.
Zumi's tone turned serious—gentle, but firm.
"I don't want Emily to ever feel tricked. I don't want her hurt. I don't want her thinking we hid this from her on purpose."
The room quieted completely.
Even Hina, sitting in the corner fussing with her shadow flames, paused.
Zumi folded his hands.
"Honesty is important. Especially with someone whose aura… is awakening."
The goddesses exchanged knowing looks.
Zumi continued:
"Tomorrow, after second period, I have a free period."
He pointed around the room.
"All of you who are attending the school—find excuses, rearrange your time, fake stomach aches, whatever."
Serafina: "I'll redirect my class to independent reading."
Carmella: "History students can do a written assignment."
Bia: "I'll make them run laps. They won't even notice I'm gone."
Zumi nodded approvingly.
"Good."
Then he looked directly at Kathy.
"Kathy… you will bring Emily."
Kathy smiled softly.
"Of course. She already trusts me."
Zumi nodded.
"We will all go to the rooftop. Every single one of us who is part of the school."
Gia
Jasmine
Hina
Sakura
Ana
Reina
Bethany
Kathy
Catherine
Serafina
Carmella
Bia
—and Zumi himself.
"We'll gather benches and tables up there. And we'll talk."
The girls all nodded.
No hesitation.
No fear.
Zumi continued:
"We won't tell her everything. Not the divine parts. Not the systems. Not the Mafia. Not yet."
Serafina: "But she will understand who we are to you."
Catherine nodded.
Reina too.
Zumi:
"Exactly. She needs to understand that:
• Gia and I are together
• Catherine and I are together
• Many of you are with me
• And that every woman standing there with her…
…will protect her."
His voice dropped an octave—deep, warm, reassuring.
"I want her to feel safe. To know she has people looking out for her. A family waiting for her whenever she needs one."
The girls all softened at this—completely melted by the sincerity in his words.
Bia hugged his arm.
Leafa smiled gently.
Serafina looked away, pretending not to be touched, but her tail shadows betrayed her.
Kasumi wiped her eyes again, emotional for the twentieth time that night.
Gia sighed dreamily.
Kathy whispered:
"She's going to love you, you know."
Zumi simply smiled.
"We'll let her decide what she wants. But first… she deserves honesty."
The girls agreed.
Tomorrow would be a pivotal day.
A day Emily Hart would unknowingly step into the orbit of the Kogane Empire for the first time.
A day that could change her entire destiny.
Emily woke up before her alarm.
Not because she planned to.
But because her heart was already awake.
Somewhere between dreaming about soft lights, warm smiles, and golden eyes… and actually opening her eyes, something inside her felt lighter than usual.
She stretched, yawning quietly in her small bedroom, sunlight spilling through the curtains. Noah was still asleep across the hall. She made breakfast, packed his lunch, packed her own, braided her hair loosely, and put on her favorite soft pink hoodie.
She didn't know why she picked that one.
But she wanted to feel… nice.
Just in case.
While walking Noah to school, she kept replaying last night's conversation with Zumi.
His kindness.
His gentleness.
The way he spoke to Noah like he mattered.
Her chest fluttered again.
"Stop," she whispered to herself.
"You're being ridiculous."
But it didn't stop.
Not even a little.
Emily walked into Serafina's literature class early again—like always. Safe. Quiet. Calm.
She was flipping through her notes when—
Zumi walked in.
Her heart literally stopped for half a second.
Black slacks.
Black vest.
Black button-up.
Semi-formal.
Effortless.
Ridiculously elegant.
Gia followed at his side, equally polished, equally stunning, equally calm.
Emily blinked too hard, pretending she wasn't staring.
"Good morning, Emily."
She jumped—quietly—but managed a small smile.
"H–Hi. Good morning, Zumi."
A few boys in the room froze like they'd been hit by a divine thunderbolt.
Did she just… greet him?
Did he greet her back??
The jealousy was so thick Emily could feel it from across the room.
Zumi?
Didn't notice.
Didn't care.
He simply walked toward the back row with that relaxed, unbothered, king-like presence of his.
Gia smiled warmly at Emily.
"Morning, Emily. How are you today?"
Emily bit her lip, flustered but happy someone asked.
"I'm… good. Thank you."
That was all it took.
Every guy in the classroom silently screamed.
More students trickled in.
Serafina stood at the front, doing everything in her power to keep her composure.
Unlike yesterday, she wasn't glancing at Zumi every ten seconds.
But her shadows flickered at the edges—barely noticeable.
Even in her elegant black teacher's outfit, she was fighting a losing battle against how handsome he looked today.
Gia, Zumi, and Emily fell into a small, soft conversation before class started.
It was nothing big:
Emily: "Did you sleep well?"
Zumi: "Better than usual."
Gia: "We had a long night but a productive one."
Emily (nodding shyly): "Ah… that's good."
But the classroom boys?
They were dying.
Absolutely dying.
One guy whispered harshly:
"Why is she talking to him again?"
"Bro, he's ignoring everyone but those two…"
"What does she have that we don't—?"
Zumi did notice that part.
He didn't turn.
He didn't glare.
He simply let a tiny ripple of aura leak out.
Just a fraction.
Just enough pressure to make every whispering boy shut up instantly, their throats tightening with invisible fear.
Emily was oblivious.
Gia smirked.
Serafina's shadow curled in approval.
Zumi leaned back casually, as if nothing had happened.
Serafina cleared her throat.
Her voice was smooth, controlled, and unshaken today.
"Good morning, everyone. Please take your seats. Today we will begin with a discussion on mythological archetypes—"
Her eyes briefly—just briefly—flicked toward Zumi.
But unlike yesterday…
She handled it perfectly.
Emily noticed something though.
Whenever Serafina looked at Zumi:
Her shadows softened.
Her posture relaxed.
Her aura glowed faintly.
It was subtle… but impossible to miss now that Emily had seen it yesterday.
They knew each other.
Very well.
Emily didn't know what that meant.
But something warm twisted in her stomach anyway.
Not jealousy.
Just… confusion.
Who was Zumi, really?
But for now… Emily just tries to survive
She forced her eyes onto her notebook.
Again.
Again.
And again.
But somehow, every time she breathed, her heartbeat synced itself to the memory of golden eyes meeting hers the night before.
She didn't know she was walking toward a rooftop revelation later.
She didn't know her life was about to shift underneath her feet.
All she knew, thought and felt was this:
Talking to Zumi didn't feel like talking to a boy.
It felt like talking to someone… important.
Someone she could trust.
Someone she shouldn't trust…
…but wanted to.
And the school day had only just begun.
Zumi stood at the center of the school rooftop, hands tucked in his pockets, the wind brushing lightly against his black semi-formal outfit. Behind him, the early sun cast long shadows of the benches he and Jonathan had arranged earlier using the ring.
The girls were already gathering around him.
Gia.
Kathy.
Jasmine.
Hina.
Sakura.
Ana.
Reina.
Bethany.
Kathy.
Catherine.
And three faculty "teachers" who definitely weren't normal teachers:
Bia — Gym teacher
Serafina — Literature teacher
Carmella — History teacher
All disguised gods and immortals… preparing to sit down with an 18-year-old human girl who didn't know her world was about to change forever.
Bia leaned against a railing, arms folded, pretending she wasn't nervous.
Serafina looked elegant and calm, but the shadows at her feet betrayed her anticipation.
Carmella crossed her legs, cool and regal, pretending none of this mattered — but her eyes softened each time she thought of Emily.
Kasumi stood beside Zumi, fidgeting with the hem of her skirt.
Gia approached Zumi quietly.
"You're sure about this?" she asked softly.
Zumi nodded.
"She deserves honesty. If Emily is who I think she is… hiding it will hurt her."
Gia smiled gently.
"I'll do the talking first."
Zumi placed a hand over hers briefly.
"Thank you."
Kathy checked her phone.
Zumi: Bring Emily. Now.
She exhaled slowly, nerves fluttering in her stomach.
This was it.
She found Emily in the hallway between classes, neatly stacking her books in her arms.
"Hey—Emily!" Kathy jogged up, smiling bright and friendly.
Emily returned the smile timidly. "Hi! What's up?"
Kathy slowed down, pretending to be casual even though her heart was thumping.
"Um… the girls and I are heading to the rooftop this period. We wanted to hang out. And… Zumi will be there too."
Emily froze just slightly.
"…Zumi?"
"Yeah," Kathy laughed. "Come with me? You'll like everyone. They want to meet you."
Emily hesitated. Her aura flickered with anxiety, curiosity… and something deeper.
"O-Okay. Sure."
Kathy exhaled with relief.
Good… one step closer.
The stairwell was quiet.
Too quiet.
Emily could hear her own breathing bouncing softly against the concrete walls. Her palms felt warm. Her chest felt tight with a nervousness she couldn't explain.
Why does it feel like something big is about to happen?
Kathy walked just ahead of her, humming lightly, but even she seemed unusually composed.
Floor 4…
Floor 5…
By the time they reached the metal door to the roof, Emily's fingers trembled around her books.
Kathy placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"You're okay," she whispered. "Really."
Emily swallowed.
And nodded.
The moment the rooftop door opened, Emily froze completely.
The sun washed across the space like a spotlight.
Zumi stood at the center — tall, calm, impossibly poised — with the wind brushing gently against his black vest.
Surrounding him in a loose semicircle were all the girls Emily had seen in passing… plus—
Her teachers.
Serafina.
Bia.
Carmella.
Not sitting apart.
Not acting like staff.
But standing near Zumi…
as if they belonged beside him.
As if they were equal to him.
As if they were with him.
Emily's heart rattled wildly.
Kathy guided her gently toward the group.
A bench had been placed for her in the center.
Emily sat slowly, hugging her books to her chest.
Zumi's gaze was gentle.
Softened for her.
"Thank you for coming, Emily."
"I… o-of course."
Her voice cracked.
Gia walked to the front, her heels soft against the rooftop floor. Her black hair swayed with the breeze as she stopped just a few feet from Emily, her expression calm and comforting.
"Emily," Gia said warmly. "We invited you here because… we want you to understand something important."
Emily blinked nervously.
"This isn't about school. Or drama. Or rumors. This is about honesty."
All the girls nodded.
Gia continued:
"You saw me close to Zumi. You assumed… we were together."
Emily stiffened, embarrassed.
"I—I'm sorry. I didn't mean to assume—"
Gia smiled gently.
"You weren't wrong."
Emily's breath caught.
"And not just me."
Slowly, Gia gestured around her.
One by one, the girls stepped closer.
Catherine.
Kathy.
Jasmine.
Ana.
Sakura.
Hina.
Reina.
Bethany.
They all stood proudly. Confidently.
Then the teachers approached next.
Serafina.
Carmella.
Bia.
Emily's eyes widened in disbelief.
"T-They… you… all of you…?" she whispered.
Gia nodded.
"Every woman standing here is in a relationship with Zumi."
Silence.
Emily felt her heartbeat slam against her ribs.
Her hands shook.
Serafina stepped forward, her dark hair catching the sun.
"It may look strange," she said quietly. "But every one of us chose this. Happily."
Carmella added softly, "We are devoted to him."
Bia shrugged with a proud grin. "And I don't share easily. But for him? I don't mind."
Emily's mouth parted in shock.
This wasn't a joke.
This wasn't a prank.
This was real.
A group of beautiful, powerful, confident women — including her teachers — all stood proudly as Zumi's partners.
Zumi walked forward until he stood directly before Emily.
He knelt slightly — lowering himself to her eye level — his golden gaze warm, steady, impossibly kind.
"Emily," he said softly, "I didn't want you to feel confused or betrayed later. You deserve honesty from me… from all of us."
Emily's breath trembled.
"I didn't want to let you think Gia and I were exclusive," he continued. "Or let you feel led on. I respect you too much for that."
Her cheeks flushed.
Her heart ached in a way she didn't understand.
Zumi looked at her with a gentleness she had never seen directed at her before.
"I care about these women. Every one of them. They are my family."
He paused.
"But that doesn't mean there isn't room for more… room for people who enter my life with a pure heart."
Emily's breath caught sharply.
Her eyes glistened.
Kathy placed a hand on her shoulder, whispering:
"You're safe with us. With him. You won't be judged."
Emily's throat tightened.
Tears pricked the corner of her eyes.
Not sadness.
Not fear.
But something overwhelming and warm:
Acceptance.
Safety.
Belonging.
And… something terrifyingly close to affection.
She looked from Zumi…
to Gia…
to Serafina…
to Bia…
to Carmella…
to the circle of girls smiling gently at her.
Every single one of them radiated warmth, confidence, and calm.
And not one of them looked jealous.
Not one judged her.
Not one glared at her.
They welcomed her.
Openly.
Freely.
Emily pressed a hand over her mouth as a tear slid down her cheek.
"I… I don't understand," she whispered, voice trembling. "Why are you all being so kind to me?"
Bia grinned. "Because you're adorable."
Serafina chuckled softly. "Because Zumi sees something special in you."
Carmella added quietly, "And so do we."
Zumi held her gaze.
"Emily… you are not alone," he said gently. "Not anymore."
Emily broke.
Not in pain.
Not in fear.
But in relief.
For the first time in years—
She didn't feel invisible.
She didn't feel judged.
She didn't feel like people only saw her beauty.
She felt… seen.
Truly seen.