Two minutes elapsed before relative order was restored.
Inside Nagisa's apartment, the living room presented a tableau of awkward aftermath. Bokue occupied the sofa—chest bloodstains wiped clean, clothing restored to proper configuration. Beside him sat Mimori Akatsuki, sporting a cartoonishly enormous bump on her forehead that practically released steam into the surrounding atmosphere.
Before them stood Nagisa, small fists clenched at her sides, expression radiating righteous indignation.
"Uuu~ Our Nagisa-chan has learned violence..."
"That's entirely Mom's fault!"
Witnessing her mother's audacity to play the victim card, Nagisa's anger intensified exponentially.
"You latched onto Onii-sama the instant you arrived and refused to release him! What exactly were you thinking??"
A brief embrace would have been tolerable, perhaps. But continuing to nuzzle against his chest while actively bleeding from your nose?
You're over thirty years old. Could you demonstrate even minimal self-restraint? What possessed you to act so completely unhinged??
Your daughter was standing right there! Even Yukina-chan from next door witnessed everything! The humiliation was absolutely catastrophic!
"I apologize..."
Mimori's head drooped while she mumbled muffled apologies.
The muffled quality stemmed not from reluctance or illness, but rather from the two rolled tissue-paper plugs currently occupying both nostrils—emergency measures attempting to stem the seemingly inexhaustible nasal hemorrhaging.
"Nagisa-san, um... about this..."
Himehagi Yukina—who'd been pulled inside and remained standing awkwardly nearby—attempted tentative mediation.
Nagisa's hand cut through the air, preemptively terminating that conversational trajectory.
"Yukina-chan, don't try defending her. Mom requires proper reflection time!"
"...Understood."
The sword-maiden sealed her mouth obediently.
Honestly, both Bokue and Yukina were witnessing unprecedented territory. This marked their first exposure to genuinely angry Nagisa—a stark contrast to her usual sunny disposition that radiated cheerful energy toward everyone indiscriminately. The revelation that she possessed genuine fury capacity proved somewhat shocking.
"..."
"..."
The living room's oppressive silence persisted for approximately two seconds.
Mimori—head bowed in theatrical penitence on the sofa—tilted slightly sideways. One eye cracked open, cautiously observing Yukina standing nearby.
"Hey~ Speaking of which, who's this adorable girl? My memory suggests different neighbors originally occupied the adjacent unit?"
"Eh?"
Yukina hadn't anticipated this recently-scolded woman possessing sufficient courage to initiate conversation. Momentary surprise froze her before polite instincts triggered a respectful bow.
"Forgive me—the sudden chaos prevented proper introductions earlier. I'm Himehagi Yukina, a sword-maiden serving the Lion King Organization. I relocated here two months ago during summer vacation. Currently, Nagisa and I are classmates. This marks our first meeting, ma'am."
"Mmm, I see..."
Mimori nodded thoughtfully before redirecting attention toward Bokue on her opposite side.
"And this young gentleman? I've certainly never encountered him before. Could he be our Nagisa-chan's upperclassman? Someone with discerning taste who immediately recognized our daughter's exceptional qualities among the entire female student population?"
"That's... technically accurate, I suppose."
Bokue considered briefly before nodding confirmation.
Following Kuoh Academy's merger with Saikai Academy, his student registration had indeed transferred to Saikai's administrative framework. Technically speaking, he qualified as Nagisa's upperclassman.
"I'm Bokue Keikain. Previously, I served as acting head for Kyoto's Keikain household. Currently... I suppose you could say I'm Itogami Island's proprietor."
"Ohhh~"
Mimori's acknowledgment elongated meaningfully.
My daughter's boyfriend is the local territorial lord?
Such circumstances resembled outdated Mary Sue novel tropes—the kind of claim ninety-five percent of people would dismiss as delusional fantasy if spoken aloud in reality.
Yet Mimori listened with absolute seriousness while the young man explained, then her eyes sparkled brilliantly as enthusiastic applause erupted.
"How impressive! The Keikain family—Mom has heard of them! The famous Kyoto onmyouji lineage, correct? And achieving territorial ownership at such young age! Truly, 'heroes emerge young since ancient times.' Both our Nagisa-chan and Bokue-kun demonstrate exceptional judgment!"
"Wait..."
Yukina's bewilderment intensified during this exchange.
Why does Nagisa-san's mother seem to accept such extraordinary claims so readily?
"Ma'am, you possess... absolutely zero skepticism?"
"Skepticism? Why would I doubt him?"
Mimori's confidence escalated dramatically. Her head lifted, hands planted on hips, chest thrust forward with radiant pride illuminating her features.
"While Mom spent these past two months immersed in laboratory work, I haven't become completely disconnected from current events! Information regarding Itogami Island's ownership transfer and geographical repositioning has reached even my ears."
"Then, Mom, when exactly did you acquire this knowledge?"
The Primogenitor girl's voice descended from her forward position—tone flat, clinical.
Mimori maintained proud posturing. "Truth be told, I discovered everything last night! After completing work and deciding to visit home today, I showered, went to bed, and spent time catching up on an entire month's accumulated news reports."
"..."
"..."
Huh? Why has everyone gone silent?
The abrupt conversational void triggered alarm bells. Mimori cautiously opened her eyes.
Her daughter remained positioned before her—expression broadcasting unmistakable displeasure, eyes narrowed while gazing downward with judgment incarnate.
Translation: Mom, are you actually reflecting on your behavior??
This situation had deteriorated awkwardly.
"Ahem!"
Mimori cleared her throat strategically.
"Well then! Mom primarily returned to check on Nagisa's wellbeing. Since you're clearly managing independently quite successfully, my concerns are alleviated. Time constraints require my laboratory return—significant work awaits. You all should maintain harmonious household dynamics. I purchased prepared food dishes on my return journey—they're on the dining table now. Remember to share them during lunch. If nothing requires additional attention, I'll depart immediately..."
Her rapid-fire monologue concluded. Like a whirlwind, she swept toward the entrance. The door opened, closed—she'd vanished beyond the threshold.
One second passed...
Two seconds passed...
CREAK—
Hinges rotated. The door reopened. Mimori's head poked through the gap.
"Oh, right! Because Mom lost track of time during extended laboratory immersion, Nagisa-chan has missed two months of medical examinations. Bokue-kun, when scheduling permits, please accompany Nagisa to Mom's laboratory for comprehensive checkups. If you're uncertain about the location, Nagisa can provide directions. That's everything!"
SLAM!
The door shut decisively.
This time, her departure appeared genuine.
❁❁❁❁
Simultaneously, outside the apartment—within the deserted hallway corridor.
Mimori stood motionless, eyes closed, back pressed against the wall's cool surface. Her breathing came deep and measured.
Illumination from overhead fixtures painted lingering flush across her cheeks—coloration that transcended simple embarrassment.
"Mm..."
She bit her lower lip gently. Her medical perception abilities provided crystalline clarity regarding the sensations still reverberating through her nervous system—feedback residue from that brief contact with Bokue's physical form.
She hadn't fabricated her credentials. Her position as MAR Medical Department researcher was legitimate. Her tactile perception abilities genuinely enabled comprehensive physiological analysis through simple skin contact.
Essentially equivalent to traditional pulse diagnosis in Eastern medicine.
Except today, something had malfunctioned catastrophically.
Her ability had activated autonomously upon first encountering Bokue—or perhaps "gone berserk" described the phenomenon more accurately. An overwhelming compulsion had seized control, demanding deeper contact, more extensive examination.
The drive originated from pure instinct.
During that momentary contact, Mimori had experienced a "pleasure" sensation utterly unprecedented in her entire existence.
That feeling... had been extraordinary.
Whoooosh—
A cross-breeze suddenly swept through the corridor—drafts flowing between opposing windows. Mimori reflexively inhaled sharply through clenched teeth.
When her eyes gradually reopened, the wine-red irises—normally clear and brilliant as premium vintages—now carried a thin mist of condensation.
"Ridiculous. Over thirty years old, yet completely undone by some young man's presence. First time experiencing anything remotely comparable... Thank goodness I drove here. I'll clean up superficially once I reach the car, then shower properly and change underwear after arriving at the research facility..."
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