The appearance of Naruse Maria immediately gave Naruse Mio a sense of relief.
"Maria!"
"Mio-sama."
The two called out to each other and quickly reunited.
As they got close, Naruse Mio immediately whispered with a hint of reproach, "Maria, why were you gone so long? I was worried sick!"
A trace of helplessness and melancholy flashed through Maria's eyes as she replied with a teasing tone.
"Mio-sama, you've inherited the Devil bloodline of the Gremory clan. Low-grade Cursed Spirits like that couldn't possibly hurt you.
I really did have something urgent just now. The situation's even more serious than expected—we need to find a temporary base and lay low for a few days."
As she said this, Naruse Maria looked toward Hayashi in front of her.
A flicker of guilt crossed her face as she raised her pale hand.
"We're very grateful for your help… but Mio-sama's whereabouts must not be exposed!"
In the next second, her palm began to radiate a strange glow, an invisible wave sweeping outward.
Seeing this, Naruse Mio instinctively reached out to grab her, hurriedly trying to stop her.
"What are you doing, Maria?! He just helped me—"
Before she could finish, Maria cut her off.
"Mio-sama, he's clearly an exorcist. His identity is far too sensitive.
But I don't intend to hurt him. I'm just going to use my ability to alter his memory.
That way, we can borrow his identity to mask ours and temporarily stay at his house to recover.
Compared to those scummy liars, this is just a harmless little deception."
Maria's explanation left Naruse Mio speechless.
Back when her Devil bloodline awakened, her adoptive parents were killed, leaving behind a sizable inheritance.
The lawyer entrusted with the will had tried to trick her out of it.
And on her way to Kuoh Town, she had encountered several men with bad intentions.
No matter how unwilling she was emotionally, from a practical standpoint, Maria's approach really was the safest.
As soon as Mio gave silent consent, Maria accelerated her memory-manipulation magic.
"From now on, we're your distant cousins who've come seeking shelter and need a place to stay."
This was a dream magic unique to their Succubus bloodline—a spell that implanted settings into a target's dream, from which their mind would subconsciously generate the rest.
Confident in her power, Naruse Maria promptly withdrew her hand.
With a sweet smile, she cheerfully called out to Hayashi: "Good evening~ Onii-chan. Please take care of us from now on~"
She nudged the dazed Naruse Mio beside her.
Coming back to her senses, Naruse Mio looked at Hayashi in front of her.
Just moments ago, they had been strangers.
Now, he was suddenly her "older brother."
A strange sense of embarrassment bubbled up inside Naruse Mio.
A blush crept across her lovely face as she lowered her head and softly mumbled, "B-Big Bro… hello."
Seeing Mio and Maria bow so politely to him, Hayashi's eyes flickered, and he stood in place for a few seconds.
Needless to say, Naruse Maria's so-called dream magic had absolutely no effect on him.
But was this turn of events good or bad for him?
Two pretty "cousins" suddenly moving in with him—however he looked at it, it sounded like a good thing.
And they both carried rich fate energy. As he got closer to them, the [Crossing Gate] progress bar began to climb faster.
"Huh?"
Seeing that Hayashi still hadn't reacted, Maria looked a bit confused.
Realizing that this situation brought him nothing but benefit, Hayashi finally spoke.
"Two cousins, huh? Pleased to meet you."
He stepped forward and gently rubbed Maria's head, giving her a meaningful look.
Believing her magic had succeeded, Maria immediately flashed a sweet, satisfied smile.
"Hayashi-nii~~ I'm Naruse Maria, okay? Don't forget my name~"
Maria acted coy with practiced ease, enthusiastically playing the part.
As she spoke, she even stepped up to help Hayashi carry some of his shopping bags.
Seeing this, Naruse Mio also stepped forward and quietly said, "Um… Big Bro… let me help too."
Looking at these two thoughtful "little sisters," Hayashi was nearly moved to tears.
Helpful, proactive, and just the right kind of "capable" little sisters—why hadn't he run into them earlier?!
If this had happened a few years ago, he might already be holding two kids by now.
Emotionally touched, Hayashi handed over all the bags he was carrying.
"These are some groceries and seasonings. The house I bought already has bedding. All we're missing are toiletries."
"Hayashi-nii, I'm actually a pretty good cook. I'll make you something later to try."
Maria was extremely obedient and offered to prepare dinner without being asked.
That moved Hayashi even more. You're even tossing in a live-in chef?!
He'd just plundered the [Protagonist Halo (Green)] Trait and already his luck was turning around.
The past ten-plus years really did feel like a waste in comparison.
With emotion stirring in his heart, Hayashi brought the two girls back to the commercial street and finished buying all the toiletries they needed.
The detached villa he had purchased was still a distance away.
The three of them walked side by side along the street.
To Hayashi's left, Naruse Mio wore a happy smile.
After fleeing and living in constant fear for so long, today was the first time she'd been able to truly relax.
She couldn't help turning to look at Hayashi beside her.
He was nothing like the people in her past who had tried to deceive or harm her.
Ever since her adoptive parents' deaths, this was the first time she felt she might've met someone she could actually trust.
And with that trust came a deep sense of guilt—because this time, she was the one lying.
"Ugh… how should I make it up to him? I'll have to ask Maria later."
Naruse Mio lightly touched her rosy lips, sinking into contemplation.
But before she could decide, Hayashi suddenly stopped walking.
His sharp senses had picked up on something—
The surroundings had suddenly gone deathly quiet.
So quiet it was unnatural—eerie enough to make one's skin crawl.
"Another repelling barrier."
Hayashi muttered, raising his head toward the sky.
Naruse Maria also noticed the shift and quickly grabbed Naruse Mio's hand.
Her expression turned serious, and she spoke with rare sternness: "Mio-sama, be careful. We have an enemy!"
Black feathers rained down from above as a pair of dark wings spread in midair, blocking the pale moonlight.
Her figure was tall and her features were stunning.
Long, silky black hair flowed down to her waist. Her aura was icy and regal.
A tight black bodysuit clung to her curvaceous form, perfectly outlining her voluptuous silhouette.
As her violet eyes swept over them, both Naruse Mio and Maria froze with fear.
"A Fallen Angel!"
Maria gasped, her expression extremely grim.
Fallen Angels, who wielded holy light, had a natural advantage against Devils.
Even if the two sides were equal in strength, a Fallen Angel could usually suppress a Devil.
And this Fallen Angel before them—her unrestrained aura made it clear.
She was undoubtedly approaching the level of a High-Rank Fallen Angel!