Kurumi really was a lightweight. Souta confirmed that during the indescribable process.
Simply put, she was far too shy and sensitive.
With words, she struck heavy blows, but when it came to practice, she shrank back timidly.
On the surface she looked so mature, her remarks and gestures always teasing, making one's heart itch.
But once her clothes were peeled away, she turned into a soft girl.
Not only was her body soft, even her personality softened.
One round of simple attacks, without even bringing out the main weapon, and she was already defeated.
She was truly a novice.
Her clones were the same, not a single one could fight.
Regretted it bitterly.
Why had he acted so cocky in front of Kurumi?
She had once held up a finger, showing him the number "1," saying that was how many clones she had created, and asked him to guess what unit followed that "1."
He had cautiously asked if it meant "a thousand," and she had laughed.
Why hadn't he pressed her harder back then?
Never in his wildest thoughts did Souta imagine Kurumi would be this insane.
Her sweet, soft clones, because there were too many of them, were no longer a benefit, but a punishment.
A punishment that drained him until he could no longer walk.
Though Kurumi was weak, the sheer number of clones completely made up for the difference.
Souta ended up stuck at home with her for more than a month.
Kurumi could sleep, but he was denied even a wink.
The clones wouldn't allow it.
At every moment, they found new ways, including but not limited to outfits, locations, scripts, voices, positions… endlessly stimulating him, making him complete every kind of indescribable act.
If it could be unlocked, it had been unlocked.
Kurumi had run out of ideas.
Only when Souta felt himself nearing trauma did she finally let him go.
That was only to keep him from developing resistance.
Kurumi intended to savor him slowly over time.
Shamefully, Souta admitted defeat.
He took back what he said before about her being a lightweight.
And while the two of them were lost in madness, Mio received the cruelest treatment.
Every time she woke, she got chopped with a hand strike.
Every strike sent her back into unconsciousness.
She had been left slumped on the sofa for over a month, completely unaware of what the two had been doing right beside her.
Though she was a spirit and her reiryoku sustained her, keeping her alive even without food or drink, she still looked like she had withered away.
Her face had grown terribly haggard.
And Souta too looked withered.
At this point, he couldn't even tell which Kurumi was the original and which was a clone.
Gentle sunlight streamed through the uncovered window.
Why hadn't the curtains been drawn? Of course, for reasons indescribable.
Souta felt the warm light brush his face, stirring him awake from slumber.
For some reason, his body felt weighed down.
The blanket over him was puffed up high.
A marvelous sensation spread through him… a warmth different from that of the sun, but just as real and direct.
That warmth wrapped around him, making him want to let out a sigh.
It felt so good, as though all the pressure on his body was being released right there.
His morning fire had been soothed in the most perfect way.
"Is this the real one… or a clone?"
Souta murmured softly.
He lay still, waiting patiently for the pressure to be fully relieved, for the release to come.
Just then, his system phone buzzed.
Souta reached under the blanket, as expected fishing it out.
It wasn't a message, but a voice call from Miku.
The system now had voice chat, along with video.
He could call guild members with it, though he rarely did.
Souta pressed accept.
"Miku? So early… what's the matter?"
As soon as her name was spoken, the warmth around him paused, then spread even wider.
"Darling, my concert's tonight, you have to come. Don't you dare forget, or I'll be so hurt."
"Relax. A week ago… you already… reminded me. I didn't… forget."
"Hehe, I knew you were the best to me, Darling. But hey, your voice sounds broken… and shaky?"
"It's fine, it's fine. Just now… Kurumi's cat… nipped me."
"What a naughty pussy. Darling, I'm really good at training pets. Want me to help you discipline it?"
"Tss—! Teeth… no, Miku, just stop talking for now."
"I just woke up, my temper's bad… Anyway, I'll be at your concert. Hanging up now, bye."
On the other end, Miku put down her system phone, her face full of doubt.
"Darling… is he sick? His voice was all hoarse…"
Worry filled her eyes.
"Can a god even catch a cold? How could Miss Kurumi not be taking care of him?"
Tengu City, Itsuka household.
It was the weekend, no school. As usual, Kotori went to wake her lazy sister up.
Compared to her sister's sleep, of course her breakfast was more important.
Shiori had no choice but to get up, wash, and make breakfast.
Half an hour later, Kotori patted her full stomach in satisfaction.
She had a black ribbon tied on her head.
"By the way, Shiori," Kotori suddenly said, "Ratatoskr tracked down Tokisaki Kurumi. She's in a luxury condo here in the city. That Souta you mentioned is living with her. Looks like their relationship is more than ordinary."
"You won't have a chance with the time spirit anymore. Feeling regretful? Such a beauty, snatched away by someone else?"
"…You sure are lively in the morning." Shiori sighed faintly.
With the black ribbon on, her little sister was in commander mode tough, a bit cruel, teasing her had become routine.
She was used to it, too lazy to fight back.
Kotori handed her a phone.
"Here's Tokisaki's number. You call. Reine should be with them."
"Why don't you call yourself?" Shiori frowned, reluctantly taking it.
"Because you know Souta. If you're the one asking, they'll return Reine more easily."
Kotori encouraged her.
"Alright, leave it to you. Do your best, dear sister."
"Now you remember I'm the older sister… This side of you is really not cute at all!"
Grumbling, Shiori dialed the number.
Before long, someone picked up.
"This voice… Kurumi-san?"
"I… is there something you need?"
Hearing Kurumi's voice, Shiori felt a faint doubt.
Why did she sound… a little breathless?
She suppressed her curiosity, getting straight to the point.
"I wanted to ask, Murasame Reine… I mean Takamiya Mio, is she with you?"
"Yes… she is. Do you want… want to take her… back?"
Shiori hesitated, nervous.
"Would that… be alright?"
"Ye… yes. Come this afternoon. Just… just in time, Souta can help… help fix your body—ah! Not… not there, stop…!"
"Uh, what's wrong? Miss Kurumi?" Shiori asked nervously.
Why had she suddenly let out a cry like that?
Did she fall while running?
"I'm… I'm fine. Don't… don't forget what I said."
"Alright, I'll come this afternoon," Shiori said politely. "Sorry to bother you. Goodbye."
"Mhm, see… tsst… ahh… too deep… ahh!"
Hearing the disconnected tone, Itsuka Shiori stared at the phone, bewildered.
What on earth… was Tokisaki Kurumi doing?
"How'd it go, Shiori?"
Kotori's voice brought her back.
"Uh… I think it worked. It's just…"
Shiori scratched her cheek, her tone uncertain.
"Kurumi-san… she might have a cold?"
Sorry if there's no smut. I don't think people will like it anyways