Chapter 296: Kurumi Tokisaki's Change
"Of course, there's the most important point…"
As she spoke, Kurumi glanced at the Yamai sisters in the distance.
With a casual wave of her hand, the endless domain of fire and the towering column of seawater instantly vanished into nothing.
"Mr. Franklin's domain ability has already reached an unsolvable level. You wouldn't even dare act recklessly against the origin spirit.
Even if I went back, it seems I wouldn't make any difference. It's better to assist you more.
In the future, not only could I see Sanda again, but I might also witness you facing the origin spirit directly, or perhaps look forward to you going back in time and truly changing everything that happened.
I just wonder whether Mr. Franklin would be willing to give up all these girls you have now."
Feeling the scrutinizing gaze in Kurumi's eyes, Franklin avoided meeting them. He still didn't know exactly what had happened in the past.
From what Takamiya Mio had said, he was 100% the same kind of being as Kyubey.
"…Change everything that happened?
Once I remember it all, barring any surprises, I will do it. As for giving up these girls now—that's naturally impossible."
Kurumi stared at Franklin curiously, her eyes full of doubt.
"If Mr. Franklin truly plans to go back and change everything, then these girls now wouldn't become spirits.
In that case, everything you're doing right now would no longer hold."
Franklin shook his head lightly. "My abilities are rather special. All the issues you mentioned—I can avoid them. Remember the summoning ability I told you about?
The girls I summon can never truly leave me again. The same principle applies to them.
From what I know, many girls who became spirits were in despair or on the verge of death.
Since their fates are already set, binding their destinies to mine before I change the past isn't a bad choice.
As for the reason you became a spirit, Kurumi-chan… it seems a little different from the others…"
After hearing Franklin's explanation, Kurumi's eyes widened slightly. It took a long moment before she let out a soft breath and her face regained its relaxed smile.
"Those things are all in the past. Obsessing over them has no meaning.
Now that I know your true thoughts, Mr. Franklin, I feel relieved.
Since you've already planned everything out, please don't mind my earlier doubts—I was just a little impatient.
By the way, Mr. Franklin… I actually haven't applied sunscreen yet. Could you help me?"
Seeing Kurumi recover so quickly and now wearing a slightly teasing expression, Franklin smiled and shook his head.
"A Kurumi-chan who changes her view of me because of a few words isn't the Kurumi-chan I know."
Kurumi smiled, lightly placing her hands behind her back. The softness in front became even more pronounced.
She leaned forward, standing right in front of Franklin, smiling as she looked at him.
"Has Mr. Franklin forgotten the exact terms of our deal?
It was that I would pursue you and try to fall for you.
All this time, I haven't been properly fulfilling that deal. Isn't it okay to make up for it now?"
Hearing her words, Franklin finally remembered the agreement with Kurumi before his tribulation.
He let out a soft breath and nodded seriously.
"If that's the case, then yes—we should honor the terms, or it would violate the deal."
"You're absolutely right, Mr. Franklin. So… shall we?"
Seeing Kurumi with seductive eyes and a fully teasing expression, Franklin nodded earnestly.
"No fool passes up a free advantage… so of course. This is one of the rare chances to close the distance with Kurumi-chan.
Only by building it up day after day like this do I believe that in a year, Kurumi-chan will feel something different toward me."
Kurumi didn't refute his words. She only gave a mysterious smile.
"Perhaps. For now… I'll trouble you, Mr. Franklin…"
As she spoke, Kurumi lay face-down on the yoga mat. Her alluring curves made Franklin's blood race.
The thin black straps of her swimsuit were tied into a perfect butterfly knot at her back.
With a gentle tug, the swimsuit came loose. Soft, perfectly shaped flesh pressed outward on both sides, constantly drawing Franklin's gaze.
He squeezed sunscreen onto her lower back. The milky-white lotion against her skin sparked all sorts of thoughts.
His palms lightly touched her—smooth, soft sensation shooting straight to his brain.
As he gently rubbed, Kurumi let out a soft moan.
"Mr. Franklin, please go slower… I'm very sensitive."
Seeing Kurumi's faintly flushed cheeks combined with everything he was doing, Franklin instantly felt his blood boil.
Kurumi, now holding considerable domain authority, immediately sensed his reaction. Her own cheeks grew even redder.
As Franklin applied sunscreen to her back, he soon noticed her change—her back muscles tensing, her whole body stiffening.
Just as he was about to say something, he realized the reason. The awkward atmosphere made even Franklin's face heat up.
He quickly finished her back and let out a breath, suppressing the strange sensations throughout his body.
"Back is done. The rest… you can handle yourself, right, Kurumi-chan?"
Kurumi's cheeks were crimson, but at his words she decisively shook her head.
"Not yet. It feels like my whole body is sealed. I need your help with everything—just like you did for Yoshinon and Yoshino."
"…You've been here the whole time, just hiding in the shadows watching?"
At Franklin's question, Kurumi glanced at him curiously.
"You didn't know? Your domain has been covering a hundred-kilometer radius this entire time."
Franklin shook his head firmly.
"I still respect privacy. Ever since you mentioned it, I've been subconsciously blocking your figures from my perception.
I only noticed you when you tapped my shoulder."
Hearing that, Kurumi first looked incredulous, but then she let out a soft breath. A sly glint flashed in her eyes as she lightly raised one flawless, pale arm.
"Well, it doesn't matter. The rest is yours too, Mr. Franklin.
Consider it compensation for not fulfilling our deal these past few days. You wouldn't say no, would you?"
Seeing Kurumi now actively offering benefits, Franklin felt like he was dreaming. He carefully studied the Kurumi in front of him.
After confirming it was indeed her true self, he found it even more unbelievable.
"Just because of a few words, Kurumi-chan's affection for me shot up?"
Kurumi smiled faintly and shook her head lightly.
"You're wrong, Mr. Franklin. My affection for you has never been low—from the initial desire for your time, to our deal later, to coming over for meals afterward.
It's always been considerable. But I've been tricked before, so I'm cautious.
In the future, please don't do anything that would hurt me."