The sunlight remained as gentle as ever. A breeze carrying a faint floral fragrance drifted through the windows of the Captain-Commander's Office, scattering crushed birdsong and languid drowsiness across Nel's slightly flushed cheeks.
Nel sat in a chair in the Captain-Commander's Office, while Asano Kiyoshi had thrown himself onto the sofa, his entire body sunk into it. Even so, no one said anything about Kiyoshi's rude behavior, because just moments ago, he and Nel had practically passed through the Gate of the Underworld and returned...
Watching the kind old man currently brewing tea for herself and Kiyoshi, Nel felt somewhat dazed. Was this gentle elder truly the godlike figure from before...?
Old Man Yama finished brewing the tea and handed them each a cup, smiling as he said,
"Have some tea. What happened just now was a test for the two of you. Congratulations—you have both earned my approval."
Upon hearing Old Man Yama's words, Asano Kiyoshi, who had nearly been swallowed by the sofa, immediately sat upright. Unable to hide the excitement on his face, he said to Old Man Yama,
"Really, Old Man Yama? You really approve of Nel and me?"
A smile appeared on Old Man Yama's face as he replied to Kiyoshi,
"Yes. Since you have a partner willing to give her life for you, naturally I have no reason to object. Of course, that is from my personal standpoint. Do you understand what I mean by that?"
While listening to the first half, Asano Kiyoshi had still worn an irrepressible smile. But the instant the Captain-Commander spoke the latter half, his smile vanished.
Although Nel still could not fully understand their conversation, Kiyoshi's expression told her enough. She spoke earnestly to the Captain-Commander,
"Um, Old Man Yama! Did Nel do something wrong?! If I did,