~ Aika learns survival earns respect… and enemies
Aika woke up warm.
Too warm.
Like wrapped-in-a-luxury-heater warm.
She blinked blearily and realized two things at once:
1. She was in Kazuki's den.
2. She was very much not on the ground.
She was in his bed.
Correction—
She was in his nest.
Fur. Soft hides. The faint crackle of residual Shiranui heat. And—
She froze.
An arm.
A very large, very solid arm draped over her waist.
Aika did what any reasonable person would do.
She screamed internally and stayed completely still.
Okay. Okay. Don't panic. Maybe he just… stacked you here like luggage again.
She slowly tilted her head.
Kazuki lay beside her, eyes closed, silver hair loose, sharp features relaxed in a way she had never seen before. Without the constant tension, without the murderous aura—
He was devastatingly handsome.
Like, illegal in several worlds handsome.
Her brain helpfully supplied: This is how people die.
Mochi was curled up on Kazuki's chest, tiny flames puffing rhythmically with each breath.
Aika whispered, "Traitor."
Mochi flicked an ear and snuggled closer to Kazuki.
Rude.
She tried to inch away.
The arm tightened instantly.
Kazuki's eyes opened.
Bright. Aware. Dangerously calm.
"…You are awake," he said.
She squeaked. "I CAN EXPLAIN."
"You were injured."
"That was emotional damage."
"You collapsed."
"I'm dramatic."
He stared at her.
"…You screamed in your sleep."
Her mouth snapped shut.
"…I did?"
"Yes."
Oh no.
"You kept shouting about exploding appliances."
"…That tracks."
Kazuki loosened his grip but didn't fully let go.
"You are safe," he said quietly.
The words settled over her like a spell.
Aika swallowed.
"…Thank you."
He inclined his head slightly, then shifted away, sitting up with regal ease like he hadn't just caused her soul to exit her body.
She sat up too, clutching the blanket around herself.
"So," she said carefully. "Did I… pass the 'not dying' exam?"
"Yes."
"Barely?"
"…Impressively."
She brightened. "Ooo. New adjective unlocked."
Before he could respond, the den entrance rustled.
Three beastmen entered—wolf-like, heavily armored, eyes sharp.
They stopped dead when they saw her.
And then—
They bowed.
Deeply.
Aika panicked. "OH GOD WHAT DID I DO NOW."
Kazuki rose, stepping in front of her instinctively.
"She is under my protection," he said.
One of the wolves—older, scarred—lifted his head.
"We know."
Aika blinked. "…You do?"
"You survived an Emberfang trial," another said. "Unassisted."
"Unhinged," Aika corrected weakly.
The scarred wolf studied her with new eyes.
"You are no longer prey."
The system chimed cheerfully.
[STATUS UPDATE:] [WORLD PERCEPTION SHIFT: HUMAN → ANOMALY]
Aika groaned. "That sounds worse."
"It is," Kazuki agreed.
The wolf continued, "Other clans will test you."
Aika looked between them. "Test me how."
"…Creatively."
Kazuki's aura darkened. "They will not touch her."
"They will try," the wolf said. "Because she matters now."
Aika's heart thudded.
"Matter how?"
All eyes turned to her.
"You stabilize an S-rank alpha," the wolf said slowly. "You influence a Shiranui heir." "And you survived a trial meant to break warriors."
Kazuki glanced back at her.
"…You are a variable," he said.
Aika lifted a finger. "In my defense, I did not ask for this."
"No," the scarred wolf agreed. "Which is why it's dangerous."
The wolves departed, leaving the den heavy with silence.
Aika sat back down slowly.
"…Kazuki?"
"Yes."
"Am I… safe?"
He considered her carefully.
"Here," he said. "Yes."
"And outside?"
"…You will be watched."
Her stomach twisted.
"…Because of you?"
"No," he said immediately.
Then, after a beat—
"Because of what you are becoming."
The system pulsed ominously.
[MAIN QUEST PROGRESSION:] [REPOPULATION MISSION — LOCKED] [CONDITION: EMOTIONAL BOND STABILITY REQUIRED.]
Aika slapped her interface.
"NO. ABSOLUTELY NOT. TOO EARLY."
Kazuki frowned. "What is it now?"
She looked up at him, half-panicked, half-exhausted.
"Apparently," she said weakly, "I'm becoming plot-relevant."
He stared.
Then, unexpectedly—
A corner of his mouth lifted.
Just barely.
"…Rest," he said. "Tomorrow, I teach you how to not die again."
Aika collapsed backward into the nest.
"…I hate this world."
Kazuki turned away so she wouldn't see the quiet curve of his smile.
"You will survive it," he said.
Outside the den, Beastworld shifted its weight.
The human had stopped being an accident.
She was a threat.
And that realization spread fast.