A pleasant interlude later, Frieren lay breathless in Hozuki Nozomi's arms, her pristine white camisole discarded somewhere on the floor. Her cheeks were flushed a delicate pink, and a fine sheen of fragrant sweat clung to her fair skin. The usually adorable, lazy elf now looked thoroughly ravished—and undeniably alluring.
Hozuki Nozomi played idly with her silver twin-tails, twirling the soft strands around his fingers as he considered a practical matter. "Hey, Frieren. Where do you think I should install the shrine?"
Frieren rolled her eyes at this incorrigible man. Even now, he wanted to discuss business? She thought for a moment, then answered in her characteristic lazy drawl.
"From what you've described, that shrine has enormous internal space, doesn't it? All your shrine maidens could live there with room to spare." She shifted slightly in his arms. "Why not try installing it in Sakura Dormitory? The shrine you obtained seems like a type of divine artifact—it should be able to merge with the existing building."
Hozuki Nozomi's eyes lit up. "That's brilliant!"
He mentally addressed the system. "System, can I install the shrine in Sakura Dormitory?"
[Ding! Do you wish to merge Sakura Dormitory with the Miyamizu Shrine?]
"Yes, merge!"
[Ding! Shrine installation complete. Sakura Dormitory has been merged with Miyamizu Shrine.]
Light flashed—brief, subtle, barely noticeable from outside. But inside, the dormitory had transformed. The space seemed to breathe, to expand. Corridors stretched. New doors materialized where none had existed before.
Just as Frieren had predicted, the shrine was a special divine artifact. It appeared to have a fixed number of rooms, but in reality, each new shrine maiden who moved in would cause an additional room to manifest.
"Frieren, it actually worked!" Hozuki Nozomi's excitement overflowed, and he captured her lips in another enthusiastic kiss.
Frieren glared at him, pushing his wandering hands away and reclaiming her twin-tails. "Go find Fern. Honestly, I still need to research magic."
"What magic research?" He dismissed her protests with a wave. "I'm happy today. Fern should join us!"
Before she could object, he called for Fern.
What followed was a joyful session of magic replenishment.
.....
Outside in the hallway, Yusa Emi happened to be passing by. She heard the sounds emanating from Frieren's room and immediately shivered, quickening her pace.
She understood now—the "magic replenishment" method that Frieren and Fern practiced. It was definitely not for her!
Not that she wasn't grateful. Hozuki Nozomi had saved her, and she was the type to repay kindness. But repaying with her body? Absolutely not. She was a hero destined to defeat Demon Lord Satan someday. Her journey couldn't end here in a Tokyo dormitory.
Speaking of which, she really needed to focus on her part-time job situation.
Without academic credentials and only minimal identification, Yusa Emi's employment options were limited. Simple jobs. Cashier work. Aoyama Nanami had helped her get a position at a convenience store, but the pay was abysmal.
Hozuki Nozomi had offered to let her stay indefinitely without paying rent, but she couldn't accept charity forever. She had to earn her own way.
Recently, she'd found work as a telephone operator—customer service, essentially. The job itself was simple enough. The challenge was maintaining a gentle, pleasant voice while dealing with endless complaints and inquiries. It put considerable strain on a girl whose natural demeanor was more... heroic.
She left the dormitory, passing Aoyama Nanami on the way. They exchanged friendly greetings before going their separate ways.
....
Aoyama Nanami hesitated outside the building, then cautiously made her way upstairs. As she passed a certain room, she heard... sounds. Her face flushed crimson, and she practically sprinted past, not stopping until she reached Kamiigusa Misaki's door.
She knocked frantically.
"Yo, Nanami-chan! Come in, come in!" Kamiigusa Misaki's cheerful voice welcomed her.
Nanami entered to find Misaki surrounded by animation materials—storyboards, character designs, voice acting scripts. As the exclusive voice actress for their Magical Girl anime project, Nanami spent many hours here, honing her craft. Hozuki Nozomi and Kamiigusa Misaki had created this opportunity for the club members, and Nanami cherished it.
But today, she couldn't concentrate.
Kamiigusa Misaki studied her junior's troubled expression with knowing eyes. She took Nanami's small hand in hers.
"Nanami-chan, this won't do. Something's bothering you, isn't it? Tell Misaki-senpai—I'll help you figure it out!"
Nanami quickly waved her hands. "I'm so sorry, Misaki-senpai! I'm not in a good state today. As for worries... there's nothing like that."
"Nothing?" Misaki's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Your face says otherwise. Let me guess... it's about Nozomi, isn't it?"
Nanami's secret exposed, she trembled and fell silent. Her cheeks burned.
"Um... I do care a little, Misaki-senpai." She bit her lip. "Don't you mind? That pervert... he's in Miss Frieren's room right now."
Kamiigusa Misaki smiled gently, shaking her head. "To say I don't mind would be a lie. But Nozomi hasn't neglected me either. And honestly? For a woman like Miss Frieren, what man wouldn't be tempted?"
She knew her own appeal—cute face, good figure—but compared to ethereal beauties like Frieren or Yukino Yukinoshita, she was ordinary. Accepting that was part of her peace.
Nanami pouted. "But he's so unfaithful! Don't any of you try to rein him in? If he gets worse, what will you all do?"
Kamiigusa Misaki laughed softly at the younger girl's earnest concern. "Then why don't you rein him in for us, Nanami-chan? Misaki-senpai certainly can't control him. Every time I try, he defeats me completely. Misaki-senpai is powerless!"
"Misaki-senpai!" Nanami's face went nuclear. "What strange things are you saying?!"
"Pfft, embarrassed already? Nanami-chan is too cute! No wonder Nozomi appreciates you so much."
"He doesn't appreciate me at all!"
"Do you believe that yourself?" Misaki's tone turned gently teasing. "You've already moved in. Do you really think you can run away now? Don't let Nozomi's gentle exterior fool you—he's actually quite domineering when he wants something."
Nanami trembled slightly. "If I wanted to leave, could he really force me to stay?"
She sounded unconvinced, but even as she spoke, guilt crept in. He'd been so kind to her. Saved her. Given her opportunities. The thought of leaving felt like betrayal.
Kamiigusa Misaki shook her head. "He wouldn't force you. But would you really want to leave? Here, you have the perfect environment to develop your voice acting skills. Opportunities to grow, maybe even become famous. Are you sure you want to give all that up?"
"Misaki-senpai! You've already fallen into his trap—are you trying to drag me down with you?"
"Hehe, what can I say? Nanami-chan is so cute and diligent. I really like you too."
"Misaki-senpai, you're being improper!"
...
After a while longer of lighthearted teasing, Aoyama Nanami excused herself. Her mind was too scattered to work properly.
She walked down the hallway, lost in thought, and missed a step on the stairs.
"Ah!"
She tumbled forward, weightlessness seizing her. She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for impact—
A strong arm wrapped around her waist from behind, pulling her back to safety.
"Nanami! Are you alright?"
She opened her eyes.
Hozuki Nozomi stood there, shirtless, looking at her with genuine concern.
Nanami's heart stuttered.
He'd saved her again.
"I... I'm fine!" Her voice came out breathless for reasons unrelated to the near-fall. "Thank you, Nozomi. Your hand..."
"Good to hear." He held her a moment longer, ensuring she was steady, then released her. "Be careful on the stairs, okay?"
Then he turned and walked back into Frieren's room, as if he'd only emerged because he sensed her danger.
Aoyama Nanami stared after him, a strange ache in her chest. Her lips unconsciously formed a pout.
What the heck.
He actually went back to do bad things to Miss Frieren again.