For a lifelong otaku like Izumi, the allure of a 2D wife was simply too strong.If he let his imagination run wild, who knew where his mind might end up?
And considering a real nun had just moved into his house today…If something did happen, it would be troublesome on far too many levels.
He shook his head quickly, forcing all strange thoughts away.
With his abilities sorted out, Izumi climbed into bed and drifted instantly into sleep.
On the other hand…
Asia suffered.
She couldn't sleep at all.
Too many things had happened today.Everything was new, confusing, overwhelming.And now she was in an unfamiliar house, in a room that smelled of laundry and sunlight—she couldn't relax.
She wanted to go to Izumi's room.She really did.
But she held herself back.
She absolutely must not disturb him at this hour.That was the one thing she was sure of.
As her emotions twisted and tangled, minutes became hours.Three in the morning arrived.Only when sheer exhaustion took over did she finally close her eyes.
Asia was having a terrible night.
And even in her dreams, she wasn't free.
Fallen angels appeared again.And once again Izumi rushed in, saving her like some storybook hero—and after that, things happened…Things she would never have dared imagine in reality.
When morning finally came, she woke up feeling like her entire body was on fire.
Her face burned at the memory of that dream.It lingered in her mind no matter how she tried to push it away.
So naturally, she ended up staying in bed, rolling around in embarrassment, unwilling to get up.
Meanwhile, Izumi woke up early.
He gathered Asia's cleaned-up nun outfit, folded it neatly, and placed it by her door.Then he went downstairs to make breakfast.
When he finished cooking and realized Asia still hadn't come down, he found it strange.
He was about to head upstairs to call her—
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rang.
Izumi clicked his tongue and abandoned the idea of waking Asia.He ran over and opened the door.
And froze.
"…Megumi? Why are you here so early?"
Megumi Kato stared at him, deadpan.
"Early? It's already nine."
Then she narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"You didn't… do anything to Asia, right?"
Before he could even respond, she muttered a polite "Excuse me" and walked right inside, clearly intending to inspect the house like she was searching for evidence of a crime.
Izumi watched her, speechless.
What's with this 'caught red-handed' energy!?Do you see yourself as the legal wife or something!?
—Wait.Why did he even think that!?
He shook that nonsense out of his head and followed her.
Megumi stepped inside, scanned the living room, and frowned when she didn't see Asia anywhere.
She turned back with a sharp look.
"Where is she?"
Izumi pointed upstairs.
"Still asleep. I was literally about to call her."
Megumi's suspicious expression only deepened.
Did that mean her bad feeling was correct?Had she misjudged him all this time?
Izumi's eyebrow twitched.
"Stop imagining weird things.""I didn't do anything to her. And can you stop looking at me like I'm some kind of hentai!?""She probably just couldn't sleep after everything that happened yesterday. You don't have to assume everything is my fault!"
He felt genuinely offended.
What in the world was he in Megumi's eyes?Some roaming beast she had to leash!?
Megumi sighed lightly.
"Izumi-kun does have a bit of a track record, you know."
"…What track record?"
"Sometimes at school you tease Koneko-chan for no reason."
"That's called saying hello!"
"Sure. But who knows? Asia-chan is kind, timid, and fragile like a little lamb. A typical teenage boy might try something, you know?"
"So I'm merely being cautious."
Finished speaking, Megumi walked up the stairs.
She genuinely couldn't leave the tiny nun alone.
Even yesterday, with just a short time together, Megumi had already learned that Asia was gentle and easily swayed.Someone like her could be tricked in an instant.And Izumi hadn't even known her for a full day before bringing her home.
Of course Megumi couldn't trust him completely.
Izumi watched her go, utterly helpless.
But he gave up thinking too hard about it.He had a full schedule today anyway.
Megumi reached Asia's room.
There, by the door, she saw the freshly dried nun outfit.
She paused, then picked it up.
The fabric was still slightly warm.
Thinking back to the dirt-stained, battered state Asia had been in yesterday, Megumi understood.
Izumi probably hadn't done anything strange.This outfit had obviously been cleaned with care.
Her feelings grew complicated, but she knocked.
The moment Asia heard the knock, she shot upright and scrambled out of bed.
She opened the door and brightened instantly.
"Megumi! You came!"
Megumi, however, stared at Asia's current clothing and went silent.
That guy definitely got an eyeful.
Her expression turned strangely sour.
She didn't comment, though.Instead, she handed the nun outfit over.
"Get changed, Asia.""After that, I'm taking you out to buy what you need."
Asia's belongings had been blown up by Izumi yesterday, after all.That was why Megumi had come so early.
Also, to make sure Izumi hadn't done anything questionable.
Judging by the clothes, he hadn't.But he had definitely taken some advantage, knowingly or not.
Asia took the clothing—and her face turned bright red.
Megumi sighed internally.
Little nun… not so pure after all, huh.
She really wanted to say it.
By the time Asia was dressed and the two of them came downstairs, Izumi had already set the table.
He greeted them cheerfully:
"Megumi, Asia—breakfast is ready.""After we eat, we'll head out and deal with Asia's situation."
Megumi shook her head.
"You two go ahead. I've already eaten."
She gave him an exasperated look.
It was almost lunchtime.How was he only starting breakfast now?
Seeing she wasn't joining them, Izumi didn't insist.
He called Asia over, and the two of them slowly began eating the very late breakfast.
A little awkward.A little domestic.But strangely peaceful.