"DXD: Multiverse Journey"Chapter 217: Two Flame Spirits—Mana's Stubborn Pride
Kurumi's yandere smile was in full bloom as she continued to verbally torment her old friend, Sawa. Watching this, Shuo could only sigh inwardly.
Had Kurumi awakened some new, twisted personality trait or something?
After a quick detour to the supermarket for more groceries, the three made their way home.
—
On the walk back, Kurumi and Sawa bickered nonstop, their voices echoing down the street. By the time they reached the house, both looked a little winded but secretly delighted.
"We're home!"
Shuo pushed open the front door, leading the girls into the living room. Inside, the rest of the household was scattered around—some glued to their phones, others snacking away.
Except for Niya, who lay sprawled across the sofa, face frozen in a mask of existential despair. With her spirit power sealed and her phone confiscated, she looked like she'd lost the will to live.
The moment she heard Shuo's voice, Niya's head snapped up, eyes sparkling with hope.
"You must be Kurumi! You're here to save me, right? You have no idea what this guy's done to me—he—"
Shuo cut her off, flashing a wicked grin.
"Niya, I'd think very carefully before you open your mouth. Or else… heh heh heh."
Niya's bravado collapsed on the spot.
"Uh… please ignore me, ladies. Carry on. Pretend I'm not here."
Sure enough, faced with Shuo's dangerous smile, Niya folded instantly, her dignity vanishing without a trace.
"Hello, Tokisaki-san."
Shiori, perched on the sofa, and Tohka, half-buried in snacks, both greeted Kurumi with friendly waves.
"Hello, Yatogami-san. Shiori-san."
Kurumi replied with a polite nod to each.
"Um, hi, Tokisaki-san. I'm… Yoshino."
The shy blue-haired girl offered a timid greeting, her eyes darting away.
Her rabbit puppet, Yoshinon, piped up in a brash voice:
"Yo! I'm Yoshinon, Yoshino's brave protector. Pretty cute, right?"
"Mmm… Yoshinon…"
Yoshino blushed furiously, trying to muffle the puppet with her hands.
Kurumi, instantly grasping the dynamic between them, smiled warmly.
"Hello, Yoshino and Yoshinon. You're both absolutely adorable."
"T-thank you…"
Yoshino's cheeks turned even redder, her gaze dropping to the floor.
A sharp "Tch" cut through the room.
Kurumi glanced over to see Mana Takamiya, dressed for summer, glaring daggers at her.
Kurumi's lips curled up, her tone light but laced with mischief.
"Ara, isn't this Mana-chan? Looks like we'll be roommates from now on. Please take care of me."
Mana just scowled, lips pressed tight, refusing to answer.
Even after hearing Shuo's explanation about Nightmare's past—and knowing most of Kurumi's victims were scum—the history between them ran deep. Old grudges didn't fade so easily.
Kurumi didn't seem bothered by Mana's cold shoulder. If anything, her smile grew even brighter.
Across the room, Kotori Itsuka shot Shuo a venomous glare, then muttered under her breath:
"Total perv… Getting all chummy with Nightmare. Not afraid of being devoured, huh?"
Reine, sitting beside her with her usual sly smile, didn't hesitate to call her out.
"Kotori, you're jealous."
"Wha—?! I am not! Don't talk nonsense!"
Kotori's face erupted in crimson as she hastily shoved a lollipop into Reine's mouth, desperate to shut her up.
Admit to being jealous of Kurumi? Not in this lifetime.
No one seemed to notice the flicker of guilt in Reine's eyes as she glanced at Sawa.
Shuo clapped his hands for attention.
"Everyone, let me introduce Sawa Yamauchi—Kurumi's friend from long ago. She passed away, but I brought her back. Please make her feel at home."
He paused, then shot Kotori a meaningful look.
"And actually, Kotori, you and Sawa have more in common than you think."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Kotori blinked, glancing between Shuo and Sawa in confusion. She was pretty sure she'd never met this girl before.
Shuo leaned back, voice casual.
"Sawa was the previous Fifth Spirit—the Flame Spirit. You're her successor, Kotori. That makes you two… well, kind of connected."
"Oh! I get it now!"
The realization dawned on everyone at once. Kotori and Sawa exchanged glances, a strange sense of kinship settling between them.
Sawa offered a gentle smile as she introduced herself.
"Nice to meet you all. I'm Sawa Yamauchi."
The girls welcomed her warmly, curiosity and excitement buzzing in the air.
—
That evening, Shuo carried the groceries into the kitchen. Kurumi trailed after him, rolling up her sleeves.
"Need a hand?"
"Sure, I won't say no to help."
It turned out Kurumi's upbringing as an ojou-sama hadn't dulled her skills in the kitchen. With her help, dinner came together in record time.
"Kurumi-chan, you really are the perfect lady. You can cook, clean—there's nothing you can't do."
Kurumi giggled, eyes shining.
"Thank you for the compliment, Shuo-chan."
Before long, the table was piled high: golden tempura shrimp, spicy mapo tofu, grilled meats, miso soup, and more—an absolute feast, with steaming rice at the center.
The moment dinner hit the table, Tohka and Niya dove in like starving wolves.
Even Mana, who not half an hour ago had sworn, "Nightmare, you just wait! I, Mana Takamiya, would rather starve than eat anything you cook—"
—was now chewing tempura with a blissful, glazed look.
"How… How can this be? The crispy golden crust, the cool tang of the sauce—just looking at it makes me feel refreshed…"
"And this tofu—so fragrant, so spicy…"
"This is… this is a masterpiece!"
As expected.
No one could escape the law of "it smells too good to resist."
Shuo just smiled to himself, choosing not to tease his tsundere sister-in-law.
Kurumi, meanwhile, savored every bite, her expression one of quiet happiness. It had been so long since she'd enjoyed such a warm, peaceful meal.
(PS: The previous five chapters were misnumbered, but fixing it means wrangling the editors. Please bear with it—doesn't affect the story!)
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