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Chapter 354: Chapter 350 ~ Surrounded From All Sides

Yuuji glanced to the side and caught sight of Akeno speaking with her father. The tension around her shoulders seemed lighter than before, her posture more open. A small, hopeful smile formed on Yuuji's lips as he watched from afar.

He hoped she could finally find some peace regarding her father.

"Hey, hey, Yuuji nyaa."

"Hm?"

Yuuji turned back, only to find Kuroka clinging to his left arm, her tail swaying lazily behind her. On his right, Koneko held onto his other arm with quiet determination, while Ophis wrapped her small arms around his waist, resting against him as if it were the most natural place in the world.

Kuroka tilted her head up at him, her expression uncharacteristically hesitant.

"Do you have… a spare home near yours? If possible… I'd like to live close to Shirone."

"Nee-chan…"

Koneko blinked in surprise, then looked up at her sister. Kuroka met her gaze and smiled softly, warm, gentle, and sincere.

"I can't abandon my friends completely," Kuroka continued. 

"You know how hopeless they are without me, nyaa. But when I'm free… I want to stay near you as much as I can. So, having a place nearby would make me really happy."

Koneko hesitated for only a moment before nodding. She then looked up at Yuuji, her golden eyes quietly pleading. She didn't say anything, but she didn't need to.

Yuuji chuckled softly, fully understanding both sisters' feelings.

"I could buy you a place in Kuoh if you want," he said.

"But honestly, my house already has plenty of empty rooms. Rias and Akeno each have their own rooms there since they stay over often. So if you'd like, Kuroka, Koneko—you can both have rooms at my place."

"Really?!"

Both sisters' eyes lit up instantly, their expressions shining with excitement and joy.

Yuuji nodded.

"There is a protective barrier around my home, though. Vali and the others won't be able to enter without my or my companions' express permission."

"That's totally fine!" Kuroka beamed. 

"Thank you, Yuuji nyaa!"

She suddenly leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing close in sheer happiness. Yuuji laughed in surprise and steadied her instinctively.

That was when Koneko froze.

Her eyes widened as she noticed Kuroka leaning in and brushing a kiss against Yuuji's neck—a clear, unmistakable gesture of affection and claim.

Her sister… marked him first?!

A surge of flustered jealousy rushed through her.

Without another thought, Koneko moved as well, hugging Yuuji tightly and pressing her face against his neck in her own quiet, earnest way.

"Nya—Shirone?!" Kuroka exclaimed. 

"What are you doing?!"

"That's my question, nyaa!" Koneko shot back, cheeks faintly flushed. 

"What did you do just now?!"

"I was just doing what felt right, nya!"

"M-Me too! I just did what I wanted to do, nya!"

Kuroka paused, then let out a small laugh. Truthfully, if Shirone was going to choose someone… she couldn't think of anyone better than Yuuji.

She smiled, conceding gracefully.

"Fine, then. As your onee-chan, I'll allow it. After all—I'm still first! Fufu~"

"…The order doesn't matter, nya," Koneko replied stubbornly. 

"I've been with Yuuji-san longer."

"Fufu~ You know that doesn't matter, Shirone nyaa~"

"Nyaa!!!"

"Fufufu~"

Before Yuuji could react, he found himself caught between two bickering cat girls, their overlapping nya nya echoing endlessly around him.

All the while, Ophis remained silent, her arms still wrapped around his waist. She buried her face against him, unfazed by the noise. Surrounded by voices and laughter, she felt more at peace than she ever had in the absolute silence of the Dimensional Gap.

Aika laughed openly at the scene, clearly entertained. Erika let out a helpless sigh, her lips curled into a soft smile, while Albedo watched the two sisters quietly.

Then, she gave a subtle nod.

They were not yet strong. They did not yet have the capability to be of aid to her beloved. But strength and capability could be cultivated.

What mattered was their sincerity and devotion to him. And she could see it, the brilliant shine of their threads of fate, their bright future. 

They were worthy of his affection, and they will be capable of standing by his side in the future.

"Yuu-kun~!"

"Yuuji-sama~!"

Two familiar voices called out almost simultaneously.

Yuuji barely had time to react before Serafall Leviathan and Gabriel approached him side by side, both wearing bright, eager expressions. Though traces of the recent battle still lingered—torn hems, dirt, and faint scorch marks on their clothing—not a single wound remained on their bodies, all having been healed by Yuuji moments earlier.

"Serafall. Gabriel."

Yuuji turned to face them, acknowledging both with a small nod.

By now, Kuroka and Koneko had released his arms and moved off to the side, quietly talking among themselves. Ophis, however, remained firmly attached to his waist, her presence calm and unmoving.

Serafall and Gabriel both noticed the Dragon of Infinity clinging to him. A brief flicker of nervousness crossed their expressions, but it quickly faded. With Yuuji there, and Ophis clearly uninterested in them, there was nothing to fear.

Serafall clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Yuu-kun~! I've already finished writing the script for our new movie~!" she announced proudly. 

"I'll be the super cute Magical Girl of Light, Levia-tan! And you'll be my rival—the Phantom Thief of Hearts, Mordred! I'll send you the script soon, so when can we start filming together?!"

Before Yuuji could even begin processing that—

Gabriel stepped forward, smiling warmly.

"Yuuji-sama~ Thank you so very much for helping us today," she said, her voice gentle yet sincere. 

"If possible, I would love to invite you to Heaven… my home and thank you properly. I've practiced making tea and sweets… And I'd like you to taste them. When would you be able to come…?"

"…Eh?"

Yuuji froze.

Before him stood a Demon King and a Seraph—both beautiful beyond words, and both earnestly expressing their wishes toward him without hesitation.

Serafall's request wasn't entirely unexpected—he had agreed to it, mostly because Aika and the others would undoubtedly enjoy seeing the finished product. Still, filming a movie would consume a significant amount of time.

As for Gabriel… he did plan on returning to Heaven. There was still much to work on alongside Michael regarding Heaven's systems. Perhaps he could spare some time for her—but that wasn't something he could promise so lightly.

And just as he was about to respond—

Another voice joined in.

"Yuuji-kun~"

He turned to see Reni approaching him with a light, cheerful step.

She was dressed in a simple white one-piece dress, complemented by a matching white witch's hat. Her long golden hair flowed behind her, and her presence was—as always—impossible to ignore. A faint blush colored her cheeks as her lips curved into a playful smile.

"Ah, Lavinia-san."

"Fufu~ Just call me Reni-nee-chan, okay~" she replied smoothly. 

"Anyway, I'll be staying in Kuoh for the foreseeable future since Azazel-sama will be there on business. Tobio will also be visiting his aunt. So, if possible…" 

She leaned in slightly, the deep valley of her chest presented before him for his enjoyment. 

"…would you give us a tour? I'd love to sightsee Kuoh—with you."

Yuuji blinked.

Once. Twice.

He stared at the three of them in silence—three women who could easily be called world-defying beauties even by supernatural standards—all looking at him with expectation.

From the corner of his vision, he noticed Aika covering her mouth as she giggled unabashedly, clearly enjoying the situation she had orchestrated.

Beside her, Erika let out a long, weary sigh, rubbing her temple.

Yuuji finally understood.

So this was Aika's doing.

His eye twitched ever so slightly.

'Aika…I'm absolutely not letting you have a peaceful night's sleep after this.'

--------------------------------X--------------------------------

Baraqiel stood before Akeno, his broad shoulders tense, his hands clenched tightly at his sides.

"…I am sorry." 

Through clenched teeth, Baraqiel uttered those heavy words that had been trapped in his chest for decades.

"For abandoning you. For leaving Shuri alone. For not being there when you needed me the most." 

His voice wavered, lightning crackling faintly around his wings before he forcibly suppressed it. 

"If you will allow it… I swear upon my life that I will protect you from now on. I will cherish you. Love you—twice as much. Enough for both myself… and Shuri."

Akeno listened quietly.

If she were to say that she no longer felt any anger, bitterness, or distrust towards her father… she would be lying to herself.

A wound so deep, although healed, would still leave a scar, no matter how little. 

She knew this scar would stay with her for the rest of her life, and she had determined herself to keep on living and find her own happiness, while still bearing this scar that had shaped her into who she was now. 

So now, although she still felt such emotions towards her own father… she had healed enough to find the heart to forgive him.

"…You don't have to go that far, Father," she said softly.

Baraqiel stiffened.

"…What?"

"I'm already being loved," Akeno continued. "By Mother."

His heart clenched painfully.

So that was it.

Of course Shuri still loved her—even in death. She had always been kind, gentle, endlessly loving. And Akeno, ever compassionate, didn't want his love to replace what he had failed to give before.

Baraqiel lowered his gaze, sorrow twisting his chest.

"I see… I understand. You don't need my love. Shuri's feelings are enough for you… But still. For what it's worth… I'm sor-"

"…No." Akeno interrupted.

He looked up in surprise.

"I meant literally."

"…Literally?" Baraqiel echoed, confusion creasing his brow.

Akeno took a small breath.

"Mother is alive."

Time stopped. Baraqiel's eyes widened as he looked at his daughter in shock. 

"…What?"

"Yuuji revived her." 

Akeno said calmly, as if she weren't shattering the foundations of reality. 

"She's alive, healthy, and living safely… in my home. In our home."

The world went silent.

Baraqiel's wings froze mid-motion. The lightning that had always surrounded him flickered and vanished completely. His eyes widened, pupils shrinking as his mind failed to process her words.

"…Revived?" he whispered hoarsely. 

"Alive…?"

Akeno nodded.

"She cooks. She laughs. She worries too much." Akeno said with a faint smile. 

"She had begun to scold me again too, sometimes. She told me to quickly get married right after I graduate since she wants to hold her grandchildren already."

His knees nearly gave out.

A man who had faced gods and fallen angels alike without fear now stood utterly shaken.

"…Shuri… is alive…" he murmured.

Tears welled in his eyes before he could stop them.

For the first time in centuries, the Lightning of God broke down—his shoulders trembling, his breath uneven, his pride utterly forgotten.

Akeno watched him quietly.

Tears flowed down her cheeks as she watched her father on the ground. Her memories of him, standing so proudly, like a strong massive birch tree that weathered all storms and wind to protect her and her mother, now trembling, fragile. 

And in her heart, a new hope arose. A hope that, this time… he could take care of her mother and live happily together, just as she would with Yuuji. 

And perhaps… Perhaps, they could become a true family once again. 

Taking a deep breath… Akeno kneeled down and placed a hand on her father's hand. 

"Father…. Would you like to meet her again?"

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AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please comment your thoughts~! I would love to hear what you think about it~!!!! 

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