Paimon was floating mid-air like a beached fish, surrounded by empty snack bags, wooden skewers, and half-eaten plates on a low table.
She gave her slightly round belly a light pat, half-squinting in lazy satisfaction.
"Uuugh, I can't eat anymore… really can't…"
Her cute little face looked content for a second—then instantly turned pitiful again, those starry eyes gazing longingly at the leftover snacks.
Hic. "But… I still wanna keep eating."
At this point, "Emergency Food" didn't even need extra seasoning.
With how much she'd eaten, she probably had enough flavoring inside her to open a restaurant.
Her tiny hand trembled as she reached for a spicy stick—but before she could touch it, her vision spun violently, as if she'd been tossed into a washing machine.
"Waaah!!"
When the dizziness faded and she opened her eyes again, an upside-down, beautiful girl's face filled her view.
Same place as before—the ring's inner space—but the gentle sunlight was gone.
A blood-red sun hung low on the horizon, painting the world in shades of crimson.
A few kids in the distance stared wide-eyed at the figure who had appeared out of thin air, rubbing their eyes as if to make sure she wasn't a hallucination.
"Paimon, don't tell me you've been eating this whole time?"
Lumine grabbed Paimon by one leg, lifting her up.
Her gaze lingered on Paimon's puffed belly, and the corner of her mouth twitched involuntarily.
Hic! "Lumine! Nagami! Where did you guys go?"
Paimon flailed like a fish on a chopping board before slipping out of Lumine's grip, floating shakily back into the air.
"Uh…"
"You know, since you had all that good food, of course I saved some for Lumine too! This is a super rare delicacy—only for Lumine!"
As Lumine fumbled for excuses, Nagami casually tugged at Paimon's soft cheeks with a mischievous grin.
Ahem, don't get the wrong idea.
Nagami did cook with his own hands. Really.
Good thing his old otaku-era cooking skills hadn't gone rusty.
Come to think of it, he hadn't cooked since Mei arrived—must've been ages since he touched a frying pan.
"Eh?! So unfair! I want to try some next time too!"
If Nagami's everyday food was already that good, then the "special meal" he secretly made for Lumine must've been god-tier! Paimon could hardly imagine it.
"Okay, okay! I'll cook something good for you next time too!"
Doing a mid-air backflip, Paimon floated behind Nagami, flashing her sweetest smile.
She wiggled her tiny fingers and placed them on his shoulders, pretending to give him a massage.
Except her strength was so small, Nagami couldn't even feel it.
"You'll have to ask Lumine," Nagami said lazily, spreading his hands. "If she agrees, I'll make it for you."
As he spoke, he looked at the golden-haired girl holding his hand.
Her slender neck, delicate shoulder blades, and smooth, porcelain-like skin—it was the kind of sight you never got tired of.
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[Alright, alright, you can look all you want~]
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A teasing voice echoed in his mind. Nagami instantly pouted, a little disappointed.
He used to love that flustered look Lumine had when she got embarrassed—the kind of genuine, unguarded reaction that hit harder than any "intimate" moment could.
But lately, she'd adapted too quickly. Now she was the one teasing him!
At this point, these two had basically reached a new level of mutual trolling.
"Hmph! Lumine would never say no to her best partner!"
Hands on her hips, Paimon puffed up proudly.
She and Lumine had that kind of bond, after all.
"Right, Lumine?"
Tilting her head curiously, Paimon looked up at Lumine, who had lowered her gaze slightly. Golden bangs hid her shifting amber eyes.
"Lumine?"
Paimon scratched her head, utterly confused.
"Next time, for sure. Promise."
Tilting her head, Paimon blinked as Lumine suddenly changed direction, still holding Nagami's hand. Something about her tone felt… evasive.
But whatever! Next time, she'd make sure to catch Nagami before mealtime. Then there'd be no escaping her taste test!
"Ah! It's Seele!"
Paimon shot forward with delight, waving excitedly at the group of three in the distance.
For some reason—maybe personality, maybe size—she got along really well with Seele. After all, cute things attract cute things, and Seele had always adored Paimon's doll-like charm.
Plus, Seele was the only one in Lumine's new friend group who didn't bully her.
"Good evening, Paimon~"
Seele greeted her with a gentle smile and soft voice, waving her pale hand. But when her gaze landed on Nagami and Lumine's intertwined fingers, her expression faltered—first awkward, then… weirdly conflicted.
Wait a minute—if she remembered right, Nagami had once told her back in the Quantum Sea that he was, well… kind of her brother-in-law.
Which meant Nagami was Bronya's special someone, right?
So why was he holding Lumine's hand like that?
Was… Nagami lying to her?
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[You just realized that now, Seele?! You really don't get what's going on, do you?! Nagami—he…]
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Veliona's voice echoed in her mind, exasperated like a scolding mom.
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[Other me, what about Nagami? Did something happen to him?!]
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Seele's mental voice was full of worry—she sounded genuinely scared something might've happened.
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[You… you silly girl. Nagami's fine. You're the one with the problem!]
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Veliona's tone softened unconsciously. This idiot really was too cute for her own good.
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[Huh? M-me? What's wrong with me?!]
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Feeling Lumine's gaze shift toward her, Seele timidly looked up—but the instant their eyes met, she flinched like a startled bunny, turning away in panic.
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[Ugh, fine, I'll handle this myself.]
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After all, it was thanks to Nagami that she even had the chance to act.
Veliona Armor—Activate!
In an instant, Seele's ocean-blue eyes turned a brilliant, ruby red.
Veliona smirked, keeping Seele's gentle posture as she walked toward Nagami.
Her crimson eyes locked onto Lumine, who smiled innocently but radiated a quiet intensity that made Veliona frown.
Her instincts screamed: this girl's dangerous.
But when Lumine's gaze shifted to her, she simply smiled—soft, almost kind—and even nodded politely.
Then she released Nagami's hand and stepped back, as if giving them space.
Veliona blinked in utter confusion.
"…What the heck is going on here?"
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