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From the blazing noon sun to its slow descent into crimson twilight, the apartment finally fell quiet.
Hours of battle had dragged them from the kitchen to the living room sofa, and then finally into the bedroom.
The place wasn't large—it was a single-occupant arc-shaped unit, like every other in the building. But after an afternoon of constant "fighting," the whole apartment was steeped in the heavy scent of smoke and aftermath.
It was like someone had cracked eggs into disinfectant and smeared it across the entire floor.
Inside the bedroom, Bokue Keikain lay with Nagisa cradled tight in his arms. The True Ancestor girl clung to his neck in return, holding him as though she'd never let go.
Off to the side, Yukina sat with her back to the headboard, her face still flushed. She stole glances now and then, too embarrassed to look directly, yet too restless not to.
She knew very well what Nagisa and Bokue were doing. She'd felt it herself before—the heat, the overwhelming joy.
"Nguh..."
A soft, breathy sound escaped Nagisa, like the hiss of air from deep in her chest. Her arms loosened as her strength finally gave way.
"Ha... hahahaha..." Her lips curved into a tired but blissful smile. "As expected... Nagisa still loves big brother most~"
Her eyes were red, as if she'd just been crying. Her voice trembled. But the satisfaction in her smile was undeniable.
Still, she wasn't oblivious. Her gaze flicked toward the window, to the reddening sky.
"...But it looks like it's getting late. Big brother, don't you have to go pick up Asagi-senpai from work?"
"Yeah. It's already four. I've got an hour. No rush."
Even as he spoke, Bokue pushed open the "palace gates" once more, sending the last of today's newborns across the threshold.
"I'll take you to wash up before I head out."
"Fine—then please wash Yukina-chan first."
Nagisa's suggestion came unexpectedly.
"...Wash Yukina first? What about you?" Bokue blinked.
Normally, Nagisa always insisted on joining in for baths, using the excuse that three was more "fun." In truth, she just wanted to squeeze out every extra second of intimacy.
But today she stepped back, volunteering Yukina ahead of her.
"I'll... go later. It's fine." She turned in his arms and planted a quick kiss on his lips, giggling softly.
"I just don't have the strength right now—I can barely stand. And Yukina-chan started earlier but hasn't gone again since. Big brother's about to leave soon, right? Shouldn't you 'take care' of her properly before you go?"
"Eh? I don't need—"
Caught off guard, Yukina's face went crimson. She waved her hands quickly in denial.
Yes, she had started earlier, but that didn't mean she hadn't been filled. Her total intake hadn't been less than Nagisa's. Sure, her body had recovered some strength after resting, but that didn't mean she could just dive right back in!
Like cardio—sweat comes with exertion, and when you sweat, you drink water. But that doesn't mean you can keep running forever just by drinking endlessly. That way lies collapse.
But before she could finish protesting, Nagisa's teasing voice cut in again:
"If big brother actually believes that, then he's an idiot. Our Yukina-chan is the queen of tsunderes. You think she'll ever admit out loud, 'I want more'? Not in a million years."
"..."
Bokue fell silent.
...She wasn't wrong.
After a brief pause, he scooped the flustered Yukina straight into his arms, ignoring her sputtering denials, and stood.
"Then I'll take Yukina to wash first. I'll be back for you after."
"Mm~ no problem. I can wait."
Nagisa waved cheerfully, watching them leave the bedroom. Only when they were gone did she finally exhale, collapsing back onto the bed. Her whole body was heavy, her limbs jelly, her mind hazy.
"Mm... that should count as payback for teasing Yukina-chan at lunch." She yawned softly, mumbling to herself. "God... dozens of times back-to-back all afternoon. Now that big brother's not here, I'm actually... kinda sleepy... But he'll come wake me later anyway..."
Sleep crept over her swiftly. Her breathing evened, eyes closing peacefully.
And then—
The closet door, which had been shut tight all afternoon, creaked softly.
Without a sound, it swung open from within, right beside the bed.
A girl slipped out silently, cheeks flushed scarlet. Yuuma Tokoyogi.
She tiptoed carefully across the floor, her pant legs stained dark in places.
"...Seriously. How can they even keep going like this? Look at the state of things."
Her whisper carried a faint bite, though her expression betrayed something else—half exasperation, half envy.
She'd spent the entire afternoon hidden in that closet, listening helplessly as the "battle" raged from kitchen to living room to bedroom.
Thank goodness she'd been clever enough to sit down in there early on. If she'd tried standing through all of that, her legs would've given out long ago.
Not that they weren't wobbly already.
But that was another matter.
With a sharp breath, Yuuma shook her head and summoned her Stand.
"Le Blue."
The towering azure knight emerged silently at her back.
❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁
Twenty minutes later, steam drifted out of the bathroom as Bokue carried Yukina back into the apartment, her face crimson, her body limp in his arms. Another "daily summary," complete.
But when he stepped back into the bedroom, he stopped.
Nagisa was already sitting up on the bed, wrapped snugly in a towel.
"Huh?" Bokue blinked.
Nagisa usually kept the towels folded neatly away in the closet. Why was she wearing one before she'd even bathed?
"Aha... I got a little cold waiting, since I sweated so much earlier. I just grabbed one to wrap up for now," she said sheepishly, smiling awkwardly.
"Got it."
Bokue nodded, not pressing the point. He set Yukina gently down on the bed, then stood again.
And that was when "Nagisa's" eyes widened. For the first time, she saw him fully, unobstructed—saw the massive "bus" that had been ferrying passengers all afternoon.
Her breath caught.
That size... that can't be real...
"Alright. Next up is you, Nagisa."
Before "she" could react, Bokue scooped her up, towel and all, and cradled her firmly against his chest.
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