Haruto groaned as his eyes opened, he gazed at the familiar ceiling of his bedroom coming into his view.

  For a moment, he lid there, his body heavy with exhaustion as his mind slowly pieced together the previous day's events. The cultists, the Bck Knight, Ayumi and Kei... it all felt like a fever dream.

  He could smell the scent of vender in the air, and he realized his hand was clutching something soft. Blinking, he gnced down to see that he was holding a neatly folded bnket.

  "What happened...?" he muttered weakly remembering he had fainted at the cultists base.

  Before he could process anything further, the door to his room creaked open.

  That's when he heard a voice he was familiar with

  A voice—stern, worried, and motherly.

  "Haruto... my son... what the hell happened to you?"

  His heart skipped a beat.

  A warm, motherly voice filled the air, and Haruto barely had time to sit up before Miyako, his mother swept into the room.

  Her long, dark hair was tied into a attractive braid, and she wore a beautifully tailored kimono. Her soft smile filled her with warmth, but her hands were clenched into fists, and her expression mixed with anger, concern, and frustration.

  Haruto tried to sit up. "M-Mom, it's—"

  WHAP!

  A gentle but firm smack nded on his forehead.

  "Idiot," Miyako muttered. "You almost got yourself killed, didn't you?"

  Haruto winced. "I'm fine—"

  "You look like you fought a bear, lost, and then got hit by a truck," she muttered, arms crossed.

  Haruto forced a weak grin. "W-Well, about that..."

  Kei, standing beside him, stepped in smoothly before he could dig himself into a deeper hole.

  "He fell," Kei said firmly.

  Ayumi nodded rapidly. "Yep! Tripped and fell."

  Miyako gave them a ft stare. "Tripped?"

  Kei continued without missing a beat. "We were pying a game, and Haruto got too competitive and wanted to impress us but he ended up falling down a small hill."

  Miyako sighed, rubbing her temples. "A small hill? That doesn't expin why he looks like he was in a street fight."

  Ayumi cpped her hands together, trying way too hard to sell the lie. "Oh! And then, uh, he rolled into some sharp rocks. You know how clumsy he is!"

  Haruto resisted the urge to facepalm.

  This was the worst excuse he had ever heard.

  Miyako raised an eyebrow. "Sharp rocks, huh?"

  She turned her gaze to Haruto, narrowing her eyes.

  "Haruto," she said, her voice lower but firmer now, "tell me the truth."

  Haruto swallowed. "I-It's just like they said, Mom. No big deal."

  Miyako wasn't convinced.

  She slowly leaned in his ear, lowering her voice so only he could hear.

  "You're a terrible liar," she whispered.

  Haruto tensed. He felt her voice like the seductive tone of a grown woman, yet that gave him chills.

  "Whatever happened," Miyako continued, "you're hiding something."

  Haruto forced a nervous chuckle. "Mom, you worry too much. I'm fine, really."

  Miyako studied him for a moment longer, then sighed heavily.

  "...Fine. But we're talking about this ter."

  Haruto let out a silent breath of relief.

  Before Miyako could press further, two figures burst into the room.

  "HARU-KUN!" "NII-SAMA"

  His younger sister, Rin, practically tackled him, throwing herself onto the bed and wrapping her arms around his waist.

  Behind her, Aiko, his older sister, walked in with a slow, calcuting gaze, taking in his injuries.

  Haruto groaned. "Oh great. Now you two are here too."

  Rin sniffled, tightening her grip on him. "You look awful, Haru-nii! Who hurt you?! Do I need to fight someone?!"

  Aiko sighed dramatically. "Geez, little brother, you sure know how to look pitiful."

  Haruto rolled his eyes. "Nice to see you too, Aiko."

  Aiko leaned against the doorframe, crossing her arms looking concerned. "You know, if you wanted attention, you could've just asked me instead of getting beaten up."

  Haruto groaned. "Why is everyone acting like I want attention?!"

  Kei responded with a grin. "Because you do."

  While Rin was clutching Haruto's sleeve, and Aiko was teasing him, one person stood quietly near the back.

  She hadn't said much since walking in, simply observing.

  Haruto noticed something.

  Her arms were crossed, her posture stiff.

  She wasn't saying anything, but her eyes...

  They lingered on his bruises longer than anyone else's.

  Like she was studying them. Calcuting.

  Like she knew something.

  Haruto felt a strange tension in his chest.

  Miyako sighed, finally stepping back.

  "Fine," she said, giving him one st sharp look. "If you don't want to tell me now, I'll let it slide."

  Haruto exhaled in relief—

  "But."

  His shoulders tensed.

  Miyako leaned in slightly. "If you make me worry like this again... I won't be as forgiving next time."

  Haruto gulped. "Understood."

  Miyako straightened and gnced at Kei.

  "Make sure he rests. I trust you, but don't let him push himself again."

  Kei nodded. "Of course, Miyako-san."

  Miyako then turned to Ayumi.

  "...And you, stop helping him lie."

  Ayumi giggled nervously. "Ehehe... noted!"

  "We will be off then Miyako-san. Haruto-kun take care of yourself " Kei replied as she took Ayumi with her and exited the room. Just before leaving she gave him a flying kiss across the room

  "Haruto-nii, you need to eat something," Rin ignored her and said softly to him, setting the tray on his bedside table. "You lost a lot of blood. You'll feel better if you eat."

  Haruto blinked, his gaze shifting between the three women now surrounding him. "I—uh—"

  Miyako chuckled, brushing his hair back gently. "Take your time, dear. You've had a long few days."

  Aiko rolled her eyes, plopping down into a chair near the bed. "Yeah, yeah, let's pamper him more. I mean, he only went out and got himself half-killed. No big deal, right?"

  Rin frowned at her. "Aiko-nee, stop it. He needs rest, not your teasing."

  Haruto sighed, shaking his head as he took a tentative sip of the porridge Rin offered him. "Thanks, Rin."

  He gnced at Miyako, whose calm smile hadn't wavered. "How did I even get back here?"

  "Oh, that was Kei-chan and Ayumi-chan," Miyako replied, her tone light. "They insisted on bringing you back themselves. Such strong, dependable girls."

  Aiko smirked. "Dependable? You should've seen them gring at each other when they got here. I thought they were going to kill each other before you even woke up."

  Rin shot Aiko another disapproving look. "Aiko-nee..."

  Haruto groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Right... them." He paused, his brow furrowing. "Wait. Where are they now?"

  Outside the room, Kei and Ayumi sat awkwardly in the living room, sipping tea in near silence.

  Kei, her usual sharp and composed self, stared at the teacup in her hands, her fingers tightening slightly around the porcein. "...I still think it was reckless," she muttered, more to herself than to Ayumi.

  Ayumi leaned back on the couch, her crimson eyes narrowing slightly as she took a sip of tea. "You're just mad that he was holding your hand and not mine."

  Kei shot her a gre, her cheeks faintly pink. "Say that again, and I'll make sure you never hold anything again."

  Ayumi smirked, leaning forward slightly. "Rex, Kei. You're not the only one who cares about him, you know."

  Kei's expression softened, just barely, as she gnced toward Haruto's room. "I know," she admitted quietly. "That's why we're here. For him."

  Miyako stood, smoothing out her kimono. "Get some rest, Haruto-kun. You're safe now, and that's what matters."

  As she left the room, Aiko gave him a cheeky grin. "Try not to do something reckless, okay lil-bro?"

  Rin stayed behind a moment longer, tucking the bnket around him with a sweet smile. "Just rest, Haruto-nii. We'll all be here if you need anything."

  As the door closed behind them, Haruto stared at the ceiling, his thoughts racing. "...What did I get myself into?"

  Rin tucked the bnket around Haruto and left, the door creaked open again after few minutes, and Yumi came closer to him, standing with her arms crossed.

  She had long bck hair which was tied back into a loose bun, and her navy-blue kimono. She had the dignified aura of a Yamato Nadeshiko—poised, refined, and graceful woman—until she opened her mouth.

  "You absolute fool," Yumi scolded, her crimson eyes narrowing as she stepped into the room. Her tone was sharp. "Do you have any idea how reckless you were? Getting yourself into fights like that—what were you thinking?!"

  Haruto hesitated to talk to her and replied with. "Yumi—"

  "Don't 'Yumi' me," she snapped, walking briskly to his bedside. "You're lucky you're even alive! If it weren't for Kei and Ayumi, you'd probably be rotting in some dungeon right now!"

  Her words stung, but it wasn't her sharp tone that got him—he looked at the way her hands trembled slightly as she set down the small satchel she carried. Despite her scolding, she was clearly worried. Also, she seemed to know what actually happened to him.

  "Yumi," I said again, my voice softer this time. "I'm fine—"

  "Quiet," she interrupted, kneeling gracefully beside the bed. "You're not fine. I'm checking your injuries, so sit still and stop talking."

  She took a deep breath, gathering herself before untying the satchel she carried. Her movements were precise as if she is experienced.

  Haruto, still groggy from exhaustion, watched her curiously.

  "Yumi-chan, what's in that bag?"

  She ignored the question. Instead, she set out small gss vials, herbs, and a neatly wrapped cloth.

  It looked like a mix of traditional medicine and alchemy.

  And Haruto noticed something else.

  Her hands didn't shake anymore

  ""You're lucky," Yumi muttered as she examined his bruises. "Nothing fatal. Just a mix of exhaustion, minor fractures, and internal bruising."

  Haruto raised an eyebrow. "You sound like a doctor."

  Yumi scoffed. "Don't compare me to those amateurs. I know more about poisons and antidotes than any so-called 'doctor' ever will."

  Haruto blinked. "Poisons?"

  She ignored him, carefully uncorking a small vial. A faint scent of herbs, alcohol, and something sharp filled the air.

  "This will sting."

  Before he could react, Yumi poured the liquid directly onto his side.

  Haruto hissed. "O-Ow! What the hell—?!"

  Yumi pushed him down with one hand, keeping him still as she worked. "I told you to sit still. Stop whining."

  Haruto grumbled. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

  Yumi didn't answer. But there was small smile of amusement at the corner of her lips as she is looking at the poison. It seemed like Yumi-chan really liked poisons

  "Now, take off your shirt," Yumi instructed casually.

  Haruto froze.

  "...Excuse me?"

  Yumi clicked her tongue. "Your ribs need treatment. Stop being slow and take it off."

  Haruto smirked. "Yumi-chan, if you wanted me to strip for you, you could've just asked."

  Yumi's face instantly turned red.

  "D-Disgusting! Just do it already!"

  Haruto chuckled, lifting his shirt—but deliberately taking his time.

  Yumi's eyes flickered down for a minute.

  Then she looked away just as fast.

  Her hands, which had been so steady a moment ago, hesitated.

  Haruto grinned. "Oh? You're staring? Does it bother you? Darling?"

  "I will stab you."

  Once she got over her flustered reaction, Yumi went back to work.

  She traced her fingers lightly over his ribs, feeling for any fractures.

  Haruto sucked in a breath. Her touch was surprisingly soft.

  "You have a cracked rib," she murmured. "Not dangerous, but it will hurt like hell if you move too much."

  She carefully wrapped his torso with cloth bandages, her movements so precise it felt like she had done this countless times before.

  Haruto, despite the pain, watched her in fascination.

  "You've done this before."

  Yumi didn't deny it.

  "...Yes."

  She tightened the bandage slightly, making him grunt.

  "Who taught you?"

  Yumi's hands paused for a fraction of a second.

  Then she continued, her voice calmer than before.

  "I had good teachers. It was the only good thing my good for nothing parents did for me!" Yumi replied reminiscing about her life

  That wasn't an answer.

  And Haruto noticed.

  Haruto flinched slightly as the cool paste touched his skin, and she frowned, her gaze flicking up to meet him. "Don't move," she scolded lightly. "You'll make it worse."

  Yumi wore a navy blue kimono with floral patterns decorated along the edges along with the deep crimson obi sash tied securely around her waist. Her chest hugged the yukata tightly, emphasizing her big bosom.

  "You're acting like a wife treating her husband, I saw this cute side of you worrying for me." Haruto muttered under his breath while drooling slightly, unable to resist teasing her again.

  Her hand froze, and her face turned beet red. "W-What did you just say?!" she stammered, her voice higher-pitched than usual.

  "You heard me," I said with a grin. "You're basically fussing over me like a newlywed."

  Yumi's mouth opened and closed several times, her crimson eyes darting between my face and the wound she was treating.

  She huffed, her cheeks still burning. "You're insufferable," she muttered, wrapping the wound with more strength than necessary.

  "Hey, careful," I said, wincing. "You're supposed to be helping me, not punishing me."

  "If you'd stop saying such ridiculous things, I wouldn't have to!" she shot back, though her movements remained gentle afterward.

  As she finished tying the st knot, Haruto suddenly leaned in close to her.

  Yumi blinked. "What are you—?"

  Before she could react, his fingers ran along her waist. She shivered.

  "H-Hey—!"

  Beneath his fingertips, her skin was warm, soft—unexpectedly delicate for someone as sharp-tongued as her.

  Haruto grinned. "Revenge."

  His hand grazed against her navel, slowly trailing across her skin.

  "D-Disgusting!" she stammered, trying to pull back, but Haruto's grip was tight

  Haruto's fingers moved without hesitation he loosened her obi, and slipped deep under her yukata that now hung loosely around her waist.

  His touch was warm, fingers grazing her bare skin just above her navel.

  Haruto's smirk softened slightly as he let his fingers drift along the gentle curve of her stomach.

  "So smooth..." he murmured, almost to himself.

  Yumi's entire body tensed.

  Her face? Deep, burning red.

  He was genuinely admiring the sensation, as if memorizing the way her skin felt beneath his touch.

  Yumi bit her lip, her entire body tensing as she can feel his trail of his fingers exploring her waist and stomach.

  "It was so good," Haruto said while he was pinching her navel while drooling at the heavenly sensation he was getting.

  "I... I should hit you." Her voice wavered.

  Haruto chuckled softly, his hand pressing just a little more firmly against her waist.

  "Then do it, Yumi-chan."

  She couldn't move.

  Haruto tilted his head, his voice softer now, almost thoughtful."You act like you don't care... but your body is honest, Yumi-chan."

  Her entire face turned red."S-Shut up!"

  His fingers grazed her navel one st time, appreciating her skin, her smooth belly and the way she trembled slightly under his touch.

  Then, finally, he let go. Yumi immediately sprang away, gripping her loosened yukata tightly around her.

  "Disgusting! You... you are the worst!" she hissed, her voice high-pitched.

  Haruto ughed. "That's for embarrassing me earlier."

  Yumi, still red, gred at him fuming. "You—you—lowlife!"

  "Careful, Yumi-chan," Haruto mused. "If you blush any harder, I might think you actually like this."

  Then—

  A pillow flew at his face.

  "I HATE YOU!" She smacked a pillow over his face.

  "GO TO SLEEP, YOU PERVERT!"

  She stormed out of the room, smming the door behind her.

  Haruto just y back, grinning.

  "Worth it."

  Announcement Haruto is clearly growing too bold after awakening his power