Analysis

Before exploring the Divine Domain, he informed his subordinates in the Spirit Realm that there were no plans for the day and they could rest. He told them not to worry about them waiting foolishly.

The Heavenly God also notified the lower Divine Domain to host them.

This banquet was more formal, with all the gods and their retinues from the Heavenly God present.

Their etiquette stands in stark contrast to that of the Monster.

Shuya didn't bother with it anymore; that's just how Monster are, after all.

During the banquet, the Heavenly God did not discuss the war with Shuya, but only said after the banquet that he would send some gods to help tomorrow.

After Shuya thanked Him, they all went their separate ways.

He told the Monster to go about their own business as long as they didn't make too much noise, and then went back to their own dwellings.

He lived in a secluded, quiet Japanese-style courtyard. The Heavenly God had originally arranged for him to go to a large, luxurious palace, but he wasn't used to it, so he changed places.

The courtyard is actually quite large, and even has a garden and an open-air hot spring.

Shuya went to the hot spring for a while to relax and relieve the fatigue of the day.

After soaking in the hot spring, he changed into a yukata, tied up his long hair, and walked out of the courtyard with his hair hanging down in a ponytail.

"Did you need something?"

Shuya looked down at Yukino, who was about to knock on the door.

"There's something I need."

Yukino was also wearing a yukata, and her long black hair was slightly damp, indicating that she had just taken a bath as well.

Shuya left the hot spring after sensing her lingering at the door; otherwise, he would have liked to soak a little longer.

He hadn't expected Yukino to sneak over so late at night.

"Please come in."

Shuya let her in.

Yukino followed him inside, Shuya had her sit under the eaves overlooking the garden.

He poured her a cup of tea, then took one for himself and sat down.

"So, what do you want from me?"

Shuya hadn't spent much time alone with Yukino in a long time.

But he has a lot of experience with girls and is very skilled at it, so he doesn't feel embarrassed.

Yukino, her feet dangling in the air, took a sip of tea and looked up at the sky above the Divine Domain. "There are some things I've wanted to ask you for a long time, and now that we're almost at the end, it's time to ask you."

Her cool voice rang out softly, "If... even with the power of the gods, we still can't save Miss Rena, what would you do?"

"..."

In the silence, Shuya slowly withdrew his smile.

Section 297, page 281: Analysis

If even a combination of Monster and a god can't save Rena, what Shuya do?

He had also thought about Yukino's problem.

Shuya replied, "If that's the case, we might need to consolidate more forces. Should we discuss it with the other supernatural organizations in the other districts?"

"Negotiation? I don't think it will go smoothly."

Yukino said.

We should at least give it a try.

Shuya's smile returned.

Yukino remained silent for a while, then quietly drank her tea.

"... Phew, whatever."

She suddenly sighed, "I won't test you, I'll just say it directly, you're actually quite satisfied with the current situation, aren't you?"

"What does 'Yukino- chan' mean? I don't understand."

Shuya asked, puzzled.

... I just don't know if he was truly confused.

Yukino put down her teacup and said calmly, "You don't understand your own feelings, you're afraid to face Rena- san, and you've always been confused. But now, being in opposition to the gods is a good opportunity for you to temporarily escape those confusing thoughts."

She analyzed Shuya's psychology. "Your current efforts make you feel like you're doing things properly, allowing you to detach yourself from the spiral of thought and escape without guilt. So, on one hand, you're anxious, but on the other hand, you're actually happy with your current situation."

"Ultimately, you're still running away. Rena's condition is critical, but it's still under your control. Don't you feel a little... secretly pleased about her situation?"

"But, Inoue -Inoue kun."

Yukino looked at the silent Shuya, "You should know in your heart that this escapism is nearing its end, and it's almost time to make a choice."

"Is this all you came here to say?"

Shuya interrupted her.

"Yes."

Yukino nodded.

Shuya frowned. "Don't you think you're being ridiculous? Why are you suddenly coming over to lecture me?"

Are you angry?

Yukino tossed her hair. "I'm sorry, I just... felt I couldn't watch you run away anymore. If I've upset you, I apologize."

He wasn't angry; he was just annoyed because what was said about him had hit the nail on the head.

Behind Shuya, a figure walked out of the darkness.

After Haruno came out, she smiled and said, "Yukino- chan, really, why didn't you include me when you were whispering to each other?"

"... I just wanted to talk to him alone."

Yukino paused for a moment before speaking.

Haruno knelt down behind Shuya, reached out and hugged him from behind, saying, "I understand what Yukino- chan is saying, but... what's wrong with running away?"

"Writhing in pain, struggling, and striving desperately—don't you find that charming, Yukino- chan?"

"I'm sorry, I don't think so. I don't want to comment on my sister's perverse tastes. But the problem Inoue- kun is facing now is that there shouldn't be any ambiguity."

Yukino looked at Shuya: "This isn't just your problem anymore. Your current position carries significant responsibilities; you need to be more aware of them."

Haruno hugged Shuya and laughed, "Isn't it better to be a little selfish? Why are you so considerate of strangers? If they don't want to be done to, they can just resist."

"Sister, you make it sound so easy... You've always been like this."

Yukino glared at Haruno.

Haruno rested her chin on Shuya's shoulder, smiling at her younger sister, "I really hate kids who give up without even trying, you know that best, Yukino- chan."

"You hate kids who don't try? Even if they do try, won't you still criticize them harshly? In the end, you're just chasing after what interests you. That's true for me, and it's true for Hayama- kun..."

"Huh? Yukino- chan, what are you talking about?"

Haruno revealed a sly smile, lost in the growing anger on Yukino's face.

Shuya reached out and pinched Haruno's cheek, saying helplessly, "I was wondering why you sneaked up here... Can you go back and argue with your sisters?"

Upon hearing this, Haruno excitedly hugged Shuya:

"Huh! Shu-chan's angry? Are you going to punish me? Or... punish me and Yukino- chan together? Ah---! Shu-chan is such a greedy child! But I don't hate it!"

Haruno drew circles on Shuya's chest with her fingers.

"Sister, can you be serious for once?"

Shuya could even speak, Yukino couldn't take it anymore.

Shuya glanced at her, and she immediately gripped her collar warily. "Please calm down, Mr. Lolicon."

Shuya: "???"

"You've misunderstood. I can fly by myself; I don't need an airplane."

Shuya replied politely.

"..."

Yukino was taken aback at first, but when she saw Haruno grinning at her chest, she realized that Shuya talking about something.

Her face flushed red, not from embarrassment, but clearly from anger.

"You... Humph!"

She left in anger.

Shuya and Haruno watched her leave.

At that moment, another figure emerged from the shadows.

Tsuruko laughed, "You're so young."

"Good evening."

Haruno greeted her.

"Good night."

After replying, Tsuruko sat down next to Shuya.

Shuya sighed helplessly, "What, you want to say something too? By the way, did you guys arrange to have a get-together here?"

Tsuruko smiled. "Inoue- kun should know what I'm trying to say, right?"

Shuya broke free from Haruno and stepped off the stone slab. He took a few steps forward, his back to the two of them, and asked, "By the way, were my emotions that obvious?"

Haruno, resting her chin on her hand in the corridor, said, "Shu-chan's emotions aren't very obvious, but you don't necessarily have to look at someone's facial expressions to know what they're thinking."

Tsuruko nodded. "That's right. Just by observing Inoue -kun's attitude towards Rena and the Quintuplets, it's enough to see what you're thinking."

Shuya gave a wry smile.

Haruno launched a barrage of attacks. "You've been in a cold war with the Quintuplets for so long without making up, and you've been visiting Rena as infrequently as possible. It's obvious you're just running away~"

Tsuruko said, "Hehe, you can't tell. I guess it's just Motoko."

Haruno smiled at her and said, "Isn't being innocent a little cute? My sister's clever, awkward, and overly stubborn personality is a real disadvantage."

"But I'd rather she be like that than follow your example."

Shuya complained.

"Hoohoo."

Haruno let out a strange laugh.

Tsuruko laughed too.

Haruno said, "Actually, we've all thought about what Yukino- chan said, but in the end, she was the one who couldn't hold back first."

"Hmm? Even the Gorilla noticed?"

Shuya a little puzzled.

"She's very sensitive."

Haruno's evaluation of Shizuka Hiratsuka was quite good.

Tsuruko added, "It's just that she trusts Inoue- kun a lot and believes you can handle it, so she's not worried about you."

Shuya heard this and said, "She's just lazy, isn't she?"

After he finished speaking, he silently looked up at the moon.

The moon in the Spirit Realm is just as beautiful.

He fell into a long silence.

Haruno nor Tsuruko spoke. Tsuruko picked up the tea that Shuya and started drinking it, Haruno, without any hesitation, picked up Yukino's cup and drank from it.