Ryuji looked a little awkward, seeing both women looking at him with sharp res across the dining table. Ci sat beside him with a faint smile on her lips while she seemed more confident than in the past, her hands ced together as she watched Yumiko and Erika''s faces.


    "Ryuji, this is the ''Alicia'' we knew right? Ahem... I mean Ci as she wishes to be known now?"


    He couldn''t help but notice Yumiko''s two tails pping the ground in annoyance, her beautiful blue eyes watching him with a dull light inside them. "Yes, because I evolved it seems that when I kissed her--"


    "Kissed her? When did you and her develop a rtionship when you kissed so easily?" Erika''s soft voice interrupted Ryuji while her eyes darted between the two.


    ''I never thought that even Erika would be as jealous as Yumiko...''


    Ryuji was about to answer when he felt Ci''s palm grasp his thigh and squeeze him tight. He looked at her and noticed that she shook her head. "Erika, although I didn''t express my love for him openly, I have felt attracted to My Husband since the moment I saw him. It was only because of my position that I never pursued him."


    "—So why pursue him now?!" Yumiko blurted out, her fangs on disy as she snarled. Although Ryuji knew Yumiko would ept her normally, it seemed the sudden change in bnce and seeing the crest on Ci''s stomach made her feel ufortable.


    "Because I no longer wish to see him suffer, to bleed and struggle for us. I have fallen for him and will not lose this chance." Ci whispered as her eyes stared into Yumiko''s, showing no loss of power. "Yumiko, although I know it might seem unfair, I do not n to leave him for you and Erika. I have seen you both together, and I understand how he loves you both.


    I do not want him to feel pain, to worry about hurting someone, nor do I want to cause pain to either of you. I only ask if you allow me to join you both in loving him."


    The words of Ci made Yumiko and Erika gasp, her honesty and gentle personality still shining through her new body. "Ryuji, is this true?" Erika asked him quietly.


    He nodded and looked at the two women. "I love all of you. Although I wasn''t sure if I could handle so many women, I would have felt worse leaving one of you and the only reason I didn''t pursue Ci was because of stupid thoughts before I evolved. There is no reason I should only choose one or two of you. I am not human, nor is this my old world!"


    "If you truly love us, then I suppose I have no objections... but don''t expect me to be the best of friends with her immediately. It''s not that I hate her, but I just need time to build a new friendship with her. Ryuji, though I have a great idea of how we can do thatter tonight, fufu." Yumiko murmured.


    "That''s fine, Yumiko. I just wanted to say that I''ll do everything I can not to make any of you upset and to show how I love you all, no matter what."


    "Understood, Ryuji I ept Ci as our sister. Although it might take time, I won''t reject her."


    "Ryu... if you ask with such words, how can I say no?" Erika looked away with her cheeks bright red while the mood lightened.


    Ci sighed, letting her hand leave Ryuji''s thigh, and she stood up, looking down at Ryuji. "Now then, I am sorry, but I would like to speak with these two in private for a moment."


    "No problem, I''ll go and see n. He is probably bored anyway."


    In reality, Ryuji heard he went on a third date with Akari, and he wanted to hear the gossip, wondering if his friend made any progress.


    "Thank you, Ryuji. If you don''t mind, I would also like to speak with you in private as well after dinner." Ci''s smile was bright, and she spoke with an excited expression.


    "Sure, no problem."


    Ryuji waved to them as he left the room and walked down the hallway, his eyes scanning the decorations on the walls. His steps echoed throughout the halls as he walked towards the back garden and noticed n standing at the door, looking outside.


    ***


    Meanwhile, inside the dining room, the three women looked at each other. A thick, icy tension seemed to grow, with powerful light shining in each of the women''s eyes.


    "You both must have some questions." Ci smiled, looking at the two with a calm gaze.


    "Y-yeah... I''m not sure where to start," Yumiko muttered.


    "I am sorry, but at first I did n to keep my feelings quiet... Then he suddenly came to my home, and kissed me. The moment I began to feel that sensation again I realised how stupid I was being holding back."


    "No, I understand. I also was the same." Erika sighed.


    "But I am happy he decided to not give up on me, although I know this won''t be easy to ept for either of you."


    "—Don''t worry, I expected it, but the fact you are now so strong made me jealous. Ci, you changed not just for yourself right? It was for him and your feelings?" Yumiko''s eyes looked at her, and her ears twitched.


    "Yes, I wish to stand by his side and protect him from damage and pain. I know you both have powerful feelings, and I''m happy to share this with you two."


    "I-I see... then I have noints." Erika nodded while sipping on her warm tea.


    "I think I can trust you, however you must pass our initiation test first, haha." Yumikoughed.


    "I would have been worried if you didn''t have a test or some kind of issue." Ci smiled.


    "What did you tell him, by the way? You said you had a private meeting with him after dinner, right? What is that all about?"


    "Ah... forgive me, I was just saying that because I wanted him to look at me..."


    ''Why is Ci so much cuter now...'' Erika thought to herself and turned to Yumiko, who seemed to have simr feelings as she smirked back at Erika.


    The three women then began to gossip, the icy atmosphere quickly calming down and bing quitefortable. They shared stories about Ryuji and their love, all while eating a delicious meal prepared by Ryo, the chef and Erika, who helped in the kitchen.


    "n, how was the date!"


    "Huh? Ryuji...?" n''s face looked bright red for a moment as he suddenly hid a smallced handkerchief in his pocket.


    Ryuji''s lips curled into a smile as he stepped closer. The reaction of n instantly changed in that moment as his body vanished; like a gust of wind, he approached Ryuji.


    "Wait, what is this?!" He gasped.


    Ryuji stepped back, his right fist reacting by shooting out in a right hook, which brushed past the cheek of n, causing him to lose his footing and stumble backwards, each step cracking the beautiful wooden flooring.


    "Oi Ryuji, when did you be so much stronger?! You broke through my divine shield with a punch!" n gasped, his eyes wide with shock. His expression showed he was baffled.


    "I guess I did evolve and got a little faster. Also, I noticed your face and the handkerchief, what happened? Did you make some progress with Akari? How did the date go?"


    "Akari is... She is so cute! I am so happy. No...no Ryuji! This isn''t about me and my love life. You...


    Did you take the next step, what caused you to break that barrier?!"


    "I learned some things and realised that I couldn''t keep carrying the past on my shoulder forever."


    n''s face looked strange, his emotions switching from joy, worry, and eptance then a solemn look, his eyes narrowed and lips pressed together.


    "n, I can tell something is up."


    "I-I see...well you are right. It is not the ce to say though... Can you give me time? I just feel shocked about your change, seriously... you always make me feel so strange."


    "You are not going to fall for me right, stick with Akari..." Ryujiughed as n blushed and he turned around.


    "Shut it! Just shut it. I''m going to make us some drinks, you want one?"


    "Yeah, sure."


    "Alright, just wait a moment."


    "—Hey n..."


    "Hmm?"


    "I won''t let you suffer, nor will I let Grigor fall because of me." The determination and sound of Ryuji''s voice made n''s hand tremble in the ss''s reflection cab.


    "I know you won''t... but remember, I also am your friend and I will try to help you. So don''t forget that and keep relying on me. I might not be much, but I''ll try to help you in every way I can."


    "Not much, you''re a damn hero... Don''t sell yourself short, but I became the Apostle of Serena, by the way; you don''t mind, right?"


    "Seriously? Wow...you never miss a chance, do you... No, I don''t mind. I''ve never believed in her, but I don''t have negative thoughts towards her either. Also, I don''t me you for not believing in the Goddess of Light. I don''t think anyone would if they saw how the other Goddesses act.


    They are a bit..."


    "I get it, it''s fine...I''m just d you are ok with it."


    The two men sat beside each other while drinking from the pale sses together, a thick apple brandy flowing through their lips.


    "This is nice."


    "Mhmm." Ryuji nodded and looked outside the window.


    "I''ve done so many things wrong, but I will try to fix the mistakes of the past... Ryuji, are you willing to help me?"


    "Fool, if I didn''t help you. Then who would I help?"


    "That''s good, but remember, I also have your back, and if there is anything you ever need, please ask. You know that I have always been here for you."


    "Thanks, n... I mean it." Ryuji whispered, and the two men became silent, drinking together as if they could understand and rte to each other while watching the sun lowering.