Kurumi Is Not Allowed

Shiori was terrified at first.

Just now, while dodging the [Seraph of Thousand Blades] amidst dense vegetation, she had also noticed the Phantom Beast.

Then, the shadow beneath her feet suddenly sprouted pale arms. Like something out of a horror movie, they clamped tightly around her ankles, raising a fine layer of goosebumps across her skin.

Kurumi would not go as easy on her as Huanyue had. Whenever Shiori was about to fail to dodge, the flying swords of the [Seraph of Thousand Blades] abruptly stopped just before striking a vital point, nearly turning into the absurd spectacle of Shiori fighting herself.

The arms were not nearly so gentle. When one pair of hands was not enough, another pair joined in, wrapping Shiori up from every direction and dragging her away in a disheveled struggle.

"Ahhh—!"

Tears gathering at the corners of her eyes, Shiori was overwhelmed and swiftly dragged into the dark crimson shadows.

When she opened her eyes again, she found herself staring blankly at countless Kurumis.

Even the tiny tears spilling from the corners of her eyes froze in place.

"K-Kurumi?" Shiori twitched her lips with difficulty and spoke in confusion.

However, the group of Kurumis before her seemed to ignore Shiori, simply talking among themselves.

"My, my, in some ways, I from five years ago was truly upright and kind—actually thinking so much for Shiori's sake."

"Indeed. One really must marvel at that. Well, this will do."

"So this is how it turned out, then~"

"That's right~ Hehe~"

Hearing the Kurumis' words,

Shiori Itsuka instantly understood. Kurumi had pulled her into the shadows, and from their conversation, she could tell that she had been moved somewhere safe.

"Thank you?" Shiori clearly expressed her gratitude.

Then, as though one stone had stirred a thousand waves, bustling laughter