"By then… I might even be able to recreate Shendu's former glory."
The thought brought a faint smile to Hayashi's handsome face. Excitement stirred in his chest — even though he still lacked seven talismans, something in his gut told him the full set wasn't that far away.
Maybe, in the near future, he could finally complete that goal.
"It's time to head back."
Murmuring softly, Hayashi took one last look at the breathtaking view beneath him. A second later, he vanished, leaving behind only a streak of white afterimage.
Meanwhile, back at home…
"This feeling… it's simply wonderful~"
Bathed in moonlight on the balcony, Rize wore a look of serene pleasure on her refined, enchanting face. Her favorite pastime was enjoying the moonlight — the quiet, the stillness. But whenever she did, her body always grew inexplicably warm, restless… wanting something.
Unfortunately, Hayashi was never home during these late hours. So, like tonight, she was forced to endure it alone.
"I wonder when he'll come back… it's really frustrating."
Rize took a graceful sip of red wine, a trace of quiet longing in her eyes.
No, she couldn't keep waiting like this forever. Tonight, when he came home, they needed to discuss setting some ground rules — at the very least:
He had to come home earlier at night, leave later in the morning, and eat more foods that replenished blood and stamina.
With those thoughts drifting in her mind, her eyes slowly narrowed with growing drowsiness.
"Feeling sleepy?"
A soft, lazy voice sounded right beside her ear.
"Eh?"
Recognizing the voice, Rize immediately turned around. Seeing the white-haired boy, his gentle face glowing in the moonlight, her eyes widened in surprise.
"What's wrong? Didn't expect me?"
Her rare expression amused Hayashi more than he expected.
"A little."
But only for a moment — Rize quickly returned to normal. She was used to this by now… or perhaps numb.
To her, Hayashi was basically Doraemon — a walking bag of strange, impossible powers. Not only could he regenerate, he could heal others. And considering he could now fly, it wasn't as shocking as it should've been.
"Still enjoying your moonbath?"
Hayashi stepped over the railing, standing on the balcony with one hand casually balanced.
"That's right. Otherwise it's boring. There's nothing else to do."
Rize glanced him up and down. "Did you need something?"
The look in her eyes made Hayashi feel instinctively uneasy.
"Nothing. Just… don't you think the moon looks especially beautiful tonight?"
Rize shook her head lightly, then lifted her gaze toward the sky.
"The moon?"
Hayashi followed her gaze.Tonight's moon truly was bright, full, and unusually clear.
"With moonlight this lovely, it'd be a shame to waste the night without doing something~"
As he admired the view, he suddenly felt soft, delicate arms wrap around his waist. A smooth, warm sensation pressed against his back.
"So—"
Hayashi turned around, about to speak, when she interrupted him.
"Tonight's scene makes me want to recite a poem~"
Her pale fingers pressed gently against his lips, her violet eyes half-lidded with amusement.
"Lonely night, empty room…Who keeps their heart hidden in the gloom?"
He blinked. A poem? He repeated the lines in his mind — and then realized what she meant.
Wait— was that even appropriate?
But before he could say anything, something even softer covered his mouth.
Her lips.
A dizzying rush followed as his body lifted and fell onto the bed—
The next morning, after a heavy night of rainfall, droplets still clung to the leaves outside. The ground was completely soaked, and the crisp morning air smelled clean and fresh.
Hayashi sat up, washed, and prepared breakfast.
As he ate, he looked at the violet-haired beauty sleeping peacefully beside him. The usually elegant, lazy Rize looked surprisingly innocent when asleep — an expression she never showed awake.A sign that she had dropped all defenses.
The sight amused him.
Thanks to the Dog and Horse Talismans, Hayashi no longer feared these nightly "battles". Most nights now ended only because Rize ran out of stamina first.
Recalling last night, and then looking at her adorable sleeping face, Hayashi brushed a hand against her smooth cheek, smiling softly.
After breakfast, he dressed and left the apartment.
But instead of going straight to work, he made a detour — to meet Nutcracker at their designated location.
When he arrived, he immediately spotted a tall, slender figure.Even though she was wrapped tightly from head to toe, her striking presence still drew countless eyes.Her beauty couldn't be hidden no matter how she dressed.
Hayashi couldn't help but sigh internally. Good-looking people really were unfairly noticeable.
"Have you been waiting long?"
He approached with a greeting.
"Not really. I just got here."
Nutcracker's eyes brightened slightly when she saw him.
"Come on. Let's talk somewhere else."
Hayashi pointed ahead and smiled.
"Okay."
She nodded, oddly obedient.
"Anything happen before I arrived?"
Hayashi asked casually as they walked.
"A few strangers tried to hit on me earlier."
Nutcracker said it like she was recalling something trivial.
"And what did you say?" Hayashi asked, amused.
"I told them if they didn't leave, I'd crush their balls."
Her tone was calm. Natural.As if she were discussing dinner plans.
Hayashi's eyebrow twitched.
"Well… that must've been annoying."
Nutcracker's peculiar "habit" was… strong, to say the least.
"But anyway," she turned to him, curious, "why did you call me here today?"
"After yesterday's battle, I reported to Headquarters that you died. The identity 'Nutcracker' is officially dead."
"That means you can't return to your old job or show up in those places again."
Hayashi paused, looking at her.
"So I came up with a way for you to keep living normally."
"Oh? And what way is that?"
A spark of interest lit her eyes.
"That is… to get a different job."
Hayashi stopped walking and looked up at the café sign in front of them — Anteiku.
"Since things are already like this… I might as well start by going to work."