In the Kambe family living room, the atmosphere once again felt warm and full of tranquility. The golden-hued dim lights reflected gently off the cream-colored walls and neatly arranged bookshelves. On the coffee table, two cups of hot chocolate released a sweet aroma that filled the room.
On the same soft gray sofa as before, Yukito and Mahiru sat side by side. Mahiru rested her head on Yukito's shoulder, her blonde hair flowing like silk, covering part of his arm.
A light blanket with a spring flower pattern covered their legs, warding off the cool night air. On the TV screen, the classic cartoon Beauty and the Beast was playing.
The current scene showed Belle and the Beast dancing in a grand ballroom illuminated by glittering candlelight, while the song Tale as Old as Time played gently.
Mahiru closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying the melody and the warmth from Yukito beside her. "I've always loved this part…" she murmured softly.
Yukito glanced at her and gave a small smile. "You must like Belle, huh?"
Mahiru opened her eyes slightly and smiled warmly. "Yeah… She's smart, independent, but also gentle. And she saw the good inside the Beast—something no one else ever did."
Yukito looked at the screen for a moment, then turned back to Mahiru. "If I were the Beast… would you still stay by my side?"
Mahiru smiled sweetly, shifted closer, and looked at Yukito tenderly. "Of course. Even if the whole world called you a monster, I'd still hold you like this."
Her words warmed Yukito's chest. He looked at Mahiru for a few seconds, as if trying to imprint that expression into his memory. Then, without a word, he kissed her temple gently.
Mahiru slowly fell silent, her breathing becoming steady and calm. Her eyelids fully closed, and her body leaned further toward Yukito, as if seeking one last comfort before completely falling asleep.
Yukito lowered his gaze, watching Mahiru's peaceful sleeping face. There was serenity in her expression, as if all the worries and anxieties that once clouded her heart had faded away. A soft, loving smile appeared on Yukito's lips.
Gently, he adjusted his arm to ensure Mahiru's head rested comfortably on his shoulder. Then, carefully, he picked up the remote and turned off the TV.
Slowly, Yukito slipped one arm under Mahiru's knees, the other supporting her back. He lifted her gently, as if cradling something fragile and precious. Mahiru murmured softly in her sleep but remained nestled in Yukito's arms.
Yukito's steps echoed quietly down the hallway of the Kambe house. Small ceiling lights provided just enough glow to guide him toward their bedroom.
Once there, Yukito nudged the door open with his foot, careful not to make a sound. He laid Mahiru on the left side of the bed and pulled the blanket up to cover her petite frame.
Yukito sat on the bed for a moment, watching Mahiru's peaceful slumber. After confirming she was sound asleep, he stood quietly and walked to the small desk in the corner.
He sat down, leaned back, and took a deep breath before activating the multiverse chat system.
[Kambe Yukito]:
"Sorry everyone for coming online just now"
[Rimuru Tempest]:
"Where have you been, Yukito? You disappeared like someone swallowed by the earth!"
[Kambe Yukito]:
"I was just… spending time with my fiancée"
[Rimuru Tempest]:
"Whaaat… so the reason you were offline was just that? Seriously, Yukito?"
[Kambe Yukito]:
"Eh? Why do you sound mad, Rimuru?"
[Rimuru Tempest]:
"Of course I'm mad! I mean… not just mad, I'm jealous! Seriously, Yukito! In my previous life, I never even dated, and now I reincarnated as a SLIME! A SLIME, you hear?!"
[Kambe Yukito]:
"Haha… relax, Rimuru. Don't be too down. Believe me, your soulmate is out there somewhere. Maybe even in the world you're in now—you just haven't met them yet."
[Rimuru Tempest]:
"Hmm… you might be right. The world is vast, and the multiverse even more so. Maybe I just need to be patient…"
[Kambe Yukito]:
"By the way, what were you all talking about while I was gone?"
[Rimuru Tempest]:
"We shared stories about our respective worlds. For example, Gojo told us about his world filled with curses and battles between magicians and cursed spirits. He himself is a special class magician, considered the strongest in the world."
[Rimuru Tempest]:
"Then Levi talked about his world filled with the threat of Titans—giant creatures that devour humans. He's the captain of the Special Operations Squad in the Survey Corps."
[Rimuru Tempest]:
"Finally, Chisato shared her life as a Lycoris agent—a secret organization protecting Japan from terrorists. Though she's the most skilled agent, Chisato chooses not to kill and uses rubber bullets in her missions. She also works at the LycoReco café with her partner"
[Kambe Yukito]:
"Thanks, Rimuru"
[Rimuru Tempest]:
"No problem, Yukito"
[Gojo Satoru is now online]
[Nishikigi Chisato is now online]
[Levi Ackerman is now online]
[Nishikigi Chisato]:
"Finally, Yukito's back~! Where have you been all this time?"
[Rimuru Tempest]:
"He's busy with his girlfriend, Chisato"
[Nishikigi Chisato]:
"Eh? Girlfriend?! Yukito, you have a girlfriend?!"
[Kambe Yukito]:
"Yeah, Chisato and we're actually engaged now"
[Nishikigi Chisato]:
"EHHH?! FOR REAL?! Yukito, you've already gone that far?! Wow~ congrats! What's her name? Is she pretty? Cute? Sweet?"
[Kambe Yukito]:
"Her name is Mahiru. And yes… she's beautiful, gentle, caring, but also strong in her own way. I'm lucky to be with her"
[Rimuru Tempest]:
"Wow, so it's not just dating—you're engaged already? Geez… I'm getting even more jealous…"
[Levi Ackerman]:
"Hmph, relationships are a hassle. But if she makes you this strong, maybe it's worth it"
[Nishikigi Chisato]:
"Yukito-kun! Are you really getting married? When? Where? Invite me, okay?! I'll bring a special gift~!"
[Kambe Yukito]:
"Haha, of course you're all invited. We're planning it after Mahiru graduates. I want to wait until she's truly ready… and can choose her own path without pressure"
[Rimuru Tempest]:
"That's so sweet… You really are the ideal future husband, Yukito"
[Gojo Satoru]:
"Come on, Rimuru, let's start a multiverse singles club!"
[Levi Ackerman]:
"I will not join that club"
[Rimuru Tempest]:
"No, thank you"
[Nishikigi Chisato]:
"Ugh… now I'm really curious about Mahiru. What's she like in person?"
[Kambe Yukito]:
"If you met her, I'm sure you'd instantly like her, Chisato. She has an aura that calms everyone around her. But don't be fooled—behind her gentleness, she's also firm"
[Nishikigi Chisato]:
"Uwahhh~ I can't wait! When can I meet Mahiru? I want to chat with her! But… our worlds are different, right?"
[Kambe Yukito]:
"That's right, Chisato. Our worlds are different, and the Multiverse Chat Group system still has its limitations. There's an invite feature between worlds, but it's still locked by the system"
[Nishikigi Chisato]:
"An invite feature? You mean we could visit each other's worlds?"
[Kambe Yukito]:
"Yes, that's the idea. But the feature hasn't been activated yet. Maybe because the system is still in development or there are certain requirements we haven't met"
[Rimuru Tempest]:
"Interesting… Maybe we need to complete missions or reach a certain level to unlock it"
[Gojo Satoru]:
"Agreed! A multiverse meetup would be legendary"
[Levi Ackerman]:
"As long as it doesn't interfere with my mission, I don't mind"
[Nishikigi Chisato]:
"Yay! I'll prepare a special gift for Mahiru! Until that day comes, I'll wait patiently"
Yukito smiled warmly at the holographic screen before him. The soft blue light from the interface reflected on his face. But that smile slowly faded, replaced with a slightly serious expression. He remembered something—an important topic he had meant to bring up.
[Kambe Yukito]:
"…Oh right, there's something I wanted to talk about"
[Rimuru Tempest]:
"Hm? What is it, Yukito?"
[Gojo Satoru]:
"You sound serious. What's going on?"
[Levi Ackerman]:
"Just say it"
[Nishikigi Chisato]:
"Yukito? What is it?"
[Kambe Yukito]:
"I wasn't sure if I should tell you this… but I think you all have the right to know. The truth is… your worlds are fictional in my original world"