Morning arrived quietly.
The sun rose slowly over the horizon, its gentle rays pushing away the last traces of night.
Inside Rika's small house, Renji stirred awake.
He stretched his arms and stepped outside.
The moment he entered the garden, a soft breeze brushed against his face.
"…Wow."
Flowers bloomed everywhere.
They filled every corner of the garden.
Some looked familiar—similar to flowers from his old world.
But others were completely different.
Strange petals shimmered faintly in the sunlight.
Some glowed softly.
Others released delicate fragrances that drifted through the air like invisible ribbons.
Renji walked slowly along the stone path.
"Some of these look normal…"
He knelt near a flowerbed.
"…but some of them definitely don't."
One flower in particular caught his attention.
It resembled a rose.
But its petals weren't red.
They shifted between colors—blue, purple, silver—like a tiny galaxy captured inside a flower.
Renji reached out.
"Don't touch that."
Mizuki's voice echoed inside his mind.
He paused.
"…You scared me."
"It is rare," she continued calmly.
"Very rare."
Renji groaned.
"Can you stop talking from inside my head?"
"No."
"Come out already."
A faint shimmer appeared beside him.
Moments later, Mizuki materialized.
Her spirit form glowed gently in the morning light.
"As you wish," she said softly.
At that exact moment—
The house door creaked open.
"Looks like you're already awake."
Rika stepped outside, stretching slightly.
The sunlight caught strands of her hair, giving them a warm glow.
Renji rolled his shoulders.
"I think I should start training soon."
"Training already?" she asked.
"Yes."
Rika smiled faintly.
"First things first."
She turned toward the kitchen.
"Let me prepare breakfast."
Renji hesitated.
"…Okay."
"If you want."
Inside the house, Renji sat in the living room.
Sunlight streamed through the windows, forming golden stripes across the wooden floor.
From the kitchen came the soft sound of cooking.
Metal utensils clinking.
Bread warming.
Herbs sizzling lightly in a pan.
The entire house slowly filled with a pleasant aroma.
Mizuki chuckled softly.
Renji glanced upward.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"…You're definitely laughing at me."
"Perhaps."
He sighed.
"Mizuki."
"Yes?"
"Important question."
"I am listening."
"…Where's the toilet?"
Mizuki tilted her head.
"You should ask Rika."
"Of course."
"Why would you know where the bathroom is?"
She smiled faintly.
"Exactly."
Renji groaned.
"This is embarrassing."
A few minutes later he stood up and walked toward the kitchen.
Rika was standing near the stove.
The sunlight pouring through the window made the kitchen look warm and cozy.
"Ahm… Rika?"
She jumped.
"Hey!"
She spun around.
"Renji! Don't sneak up on people like that!"
Her face turned bright red.
"You almost gave me a heart attack!"
"Sorry."
He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Quick question."
"Yes?"
"…Where's the toilet?"
Rika blinked.
Then sighed.
"It's on the opposite side of the garden."
"Oh."
"Thanks."
He quickly left the kitchen.
Behind him, the scent of breakfast followed through the hallway.
Outside, the garden looked peaceful.
Almost magical.
Flowers swayed gently in the breeze.
Insects hummed softly among the petals.
Renji paused near the edge of the garden.
For a moment he simply stood there.
Breathing.
Thinking.
After everything that had happened during the last three days…
This calm felt almost unreal.
Too peaceful.
Too quiet.
Because somewhere out there…
The Demon Lord was waiting.
And whether Renji liked it or not—
The future of this world had already begun to move around him.
But for now…
He allowed himself a small moment of peace.
Moments like this…
were rare.