This Damned Goddess of Destiny!

Something unexpected, yet within reason.

The so-called [Blood Manipulation (5%)] was indeed Kujo Ryuko's [Blood Manipulation].

Although... it was a bit weak.

Giving it her all, she could probably only conjure a short dagger.

It was likely only at Level 4 or Level 5 in strength.

But it might be enough in a pinch.

[Blood Manipulation (5%)] should be, just as the name suggests, the ability of Kujo Ryuko herself at five percent of its strength.

However, what Su Youzi was most concerned about was the method by which she obtained [Blood Manipulation]--

Raising Kujo Ryuko's affection points to "Dependence."

This point was something Su Youzi pondered deeply.

If she continued to increase Kujo Ryuko's affection points, would [Blood Manipulation (5%)] become [Blood Manipulation (10%)]?

If she were to "nurture" Kujo Ryuko herself.

Would her own [Blood Manipulation (5%)] also strengthen along with it?

And then there were Saotome Yukina, Teacher Unohana Chiyo... and Sakai Miho.

If she raised their affection points to "Dependence" as well.

Would she be able to obtain the ability of hydrotherapy, the ability of metal manipulation, the ability of physical restoration?

One could never have too many abilities.

The girl's slightly misty, rosy eyes suddenly brightened.

Kujo Ryuko would be Su Youzi's best 'guinea pig.'

Across from Su Youzi's dorm room, Kujo Ryuko, sitting on her bed hugging her knees and pondering why she had acted so strangely today... suddenly shivered.

She felt a prickling sensation on her back.

As if someone had set their sights on her.

Lying on the bed, hugging a soft pillow, she turned on the pinkish-blue jellyfish night light by her bed.

The girl's dorm room lights went out.

Curled up in bed, Su Youzi gazed out at the dark window.

Pondering one last question.

If... Kujo Ryuko, whose affection points were merely at "Dependence," could grant her five percent of the strength of [Blood Manipulation].

Then--

What about Soga Toyura, whose affection points were at a high 99 points of "Doting"?

What ability did she grant her?

Why hadn't she seen it.

Clutching the pillow in her arms tightly, Su Youzi closed her eyes.

In the darkness, the girl stood at the edge of a skyscraper's rooftop, her black trench coat fluttering in the night wind.

The girl's right hand rested on her chest, gently stroking the silver pendant tied around her neck.

A similarly black, high-necked sweater accentuated the girl's slender and tall figure.

Yet... the delicate curves that a close-fitting sweater would typically highlight were completely concealed.

She looked down at the city descending into the night.

Her rosy and resplendent eyes were devoid of emotion.

The woman's form was reflected in the girl's beautiful eyes.

"Rat--"

[This station reports...]

[Early this morning, a young female corpse was recovered from the harbor.]

[Strong Anomaly reactions were detected on the body of the young woman.]

[Citizens are advised to avoid going out at night recently.]

Su Youzi turned off the jellyfish night light by her bed.

She slowly got up, pulling up the delicate strap that had slid down to her elbow.

This was the good thing about Shiritsu Megumi Garden Academy, a prestigious private school; everything from daily life to academic direction was meticulously catered for.

It was like this little night light.

For a girl like Su Youzi, who was a little afraid of the dark, it was incredibly thoughtful.

Listening to the morning news broadcast, Su Youzi went through her morning routine.

It seemed like a lot had been happening in Guangzheng District lately.

But... it didn't concern her for now.

Today, she had plans with Little Rabbit. First, they'd go to the school's supply department to get the shower gel she'd exploded last night.

Then, after visiting Sakai Miho, they'd head to the training hall to teach girls Mixed Martial Arts.

If all went as planned, she should see Teacher Unohana Chiyo at the training hall in the morning. Plus, Kujo Ryuko, who lived directly across from her because of the "Eye of Insight" sect.

Without needing to expend too much effort, Su Youzi should be able to collect today's "Combat Record."

Perhaps it was because she'd impulsively experimented with Kujo Ryuko's "Blood Manipulation" yesterday, but Su Youzi had woken up a bit late today.

Fortunately... all her classes were in the afternoon.

By the time the girl pushed open her door, even Kujo Ryuko's "nurture" cooldown had finished.

Directly across from Su Youzi's dorm.

Kujo Ryuko stood behind her door.

She had been standing there stiffly for over an hour.

After a night of cooling down.

Kujo Ryuko's little head had gradually calmed down.

She was beginning to find yesterday's embarrassing behavior unbelievable, even... incomprehensible.

The main reason for her incomprehension was focused on... why she felt pleasure and... excitement from that shame and humiliation.

Why did she feel pleasure?

Kujo Ryuko didn't understand.

Moreover... Kujo Ryuko hadn't even realized it herself.

In the past, if someone had made her this embarrassed, even if she hadn't torn them to shreds with her Blood Saw, she would have at least ripped off an arm.

But... when she thought of Su Youzi.

Kujo Ryuko's first thought now was... was her outfit impolite.

She liked the feeling of being tightly bound by nylon silk fabric all over her body.

That's why Kujo Ryuko had chosen to replace the long jacket and pants of her combat uniform with a full-body black silk outfit.

But... Kujo Ryuko also understood.

Her attire was, to some extent, impolite in the eyes of traditional women.

Click--

She heard the soft sound of the opposite dorm door opening.

Shaking her head vigorously, Kujo Ryuko erased all the messy thoughts from her mind.

She opened her door.

Looking at Su Youzi, who had changed into a sailor-style school uniform.

Deep down... Kujo Ryuko secretly resolved.

Today, no matter what, she absolutely would not embarrass herself in front of Su Youzi.

"Good morning~ Senior Kujo." Su Youzi greeted Kujo Ryuko with a smile.

Since she couldn't kick this yandere out anyway.

She might as well be direct and treat her as her "Combat Record" extraction device.

"Good morning." Kujo Ryuko maintained the cold demeanor she had when they first met.

No matter how soft and gentle her voice was, it sounded like a cat purring contentedly on a lap, eyes narrowed, belly exposed.

But... as long as one saw those scarlet eyes.

The air seemed to turn bone-chillingly cold.

"Very good--"

"That's right."

Kujo Ryuko looked at Su Youzi, trying hard to hide the... shame that was gradually spreading within her when facing a girl, stemming from yesterday's incident.

And... the inexplicable pleasure that was slowly permeating because of that shame.

Oh no... this is bad.

Her consciousness seemed to be heading toward strangeness again.

Taking a deep breath, Kujo Ryuko tried to maintain her 'fierce' image.

At the same time, Su Youzi looked at the "Nurture" button next to Kujo Ryuko's Chibi Figure in "Operator Cultivation," which had lit up again.

The girl skillfully selected that combat record.

Confirm.

Thump--

Kujo Ryuko leaned against the wall.

"Damn Goddess of Destiny!!!" Shame filled her scarlet eyes.

"Huh?"

"Senior Kujo!?"

"Are you okay?"

"Are you feeling unwell?" Seeing Kujo Ryuko's embarrassed state due to the so-called "Gift," Su Youzi could barely hide her malicious grin.

At this moment, Kujo Ryuko was extremely ashamed, felt pleasure from her shame, and became even more ashamed of her pleasure, spiraling into a vicious cycle... leaving her no time to notice.

Otherwise, the girl would have likely brandished her Blood Saw in a fit of rage and embarrassment long ago.

"No..."

"I'm fine..."

Her unfocused scarlet eyes slowly regained their focus.

"Wait for me."

"I'm going to change my clothes."