On the third day after returning from Aerospace City, Lin Shuo's left arm was still wrapped in bandages.
The wound was shallow, but the ether residue on the Ethereal's claws had slowed its healing.
The medical spray could only ease the pain, not eliminate the corruption.
He sat on a small stool behind the ramen stall, counting the morning's takings with one hand.
His movements were slower than usual, but still precise.
Lin You crouched beside him, her Two-Tomoe Sharingan fixed on his arm, worry written all over her little face.
"Dad, do you really not need to go to the hospital?"
"No."
"But-"
"It's just a minor injury."
Lin Shuo cut her off and put the Denny into the cashbox. "I've had worse back when I was in the military."
That was the truth.
But Lin You still pouted. "That was then! Now that I'm here, I can't let you get hurt again!"
Lin Shuo glanced at her, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "...All right."
"You're just humoring me." Lin You huffed and got up to wash the cleaning cloth.
The afternoon sunshine was lovely, and foot traffic on Lumina Square's main street was neither heavy nor light.
Lin Shuo was about to simmer the afternoon broth when wind chimes suddenly rang-not the ramen stall's, but Kaidan House's next door.
But the person who came out wasn't a customer.
It was Yuzuha.
Today, she wore a pale yellow dress, its knee-length hem revealing her slender calves-a... tanuki lay on her shoulder, or rather, he should be called Akame.
He had always been Kaidan House's "mascot"-though this mascot often helped his owner play tricks on customers, such as secretly moving gray porcelain ornaments or pretending to be an ordinary plush toy before suddenly moving to scare someone.
"Lin Shuo!"
Yuzuha jogged over, urgency in her green eyes. "Little You told me you got hurt. Is it serious?"
Lin Shuo glanced at Lin You, who had followed behind her-the girl stuck out her tongue and ducked behind the stall.
"...It's not serious."
"Let me see."
Yuzuha had already reached him and naturally crouched down, staring at his bandaged arm. "When did it happen? Has the wound been treated? Have you had a fever?"
The questions came like machine-gun fire.
For a moment, Lin Shuo didn't know which to answer first.
Akame "meowed" on her shoulder-it was actually a tanuki's cry, but sounded like a cat-and jumped down to Lin Shuo's feet, sniffing at the bandages.
Then he raised his head, looked at Yuzuha with his black eyes, and gave a short "gurr."
Yuzuha's expression changed. "Akame says there's residual ether corruption in the wound... Lin Shuo, did you run into an Ethereal?"
Lin Shuo fell silent for two seconds, then nodded. "Yes."
"Where? When? Why didn't you tell me-"
"Yuzuha," Lin Shuo interrupted. "I'm fine."
"How could you possibly be fine!"
Yuzuha's voice rose a little, but she immediately realized she was getting too worked up and lowered it again. "Ether corruption spreads if you don't treat it promptly... Dad had a friend whose wound looked small, but later his entire arm..."
She didn't finish, but her eyes were a little red.
Lin Shuo looked at her, suddenly unsure what to say.
He was used to treating his wounds alone, used to never telling anyone about the danger he was in, used to... not relying on anyone.
But the look in Yuzuha's eyes loosened something hard inside him.
"I really am fine," he repeated, his voice gentler than usual. "Lao Mo gave me some special medicine. It's already healing."
"Lao Mo?" Yuzuha blinked. "The guy who sells fish?"
"Yes."
Yuzuha stared at him for a few seconds, then sighed.
"You're always like this, Lin Shuo."
She stood up and took a small porcelain bottle from her bag. "This is a neutralizing agent I used back when... I was at the laboratory. It works on ether corruption. I don't know whether it'll help with residue at this level, but trying is better than doing nothing."
She pressed the bottle into Lin Shuo's hand. "Apply it every morning and evening, then wrap it in clean gauze."
Lin Shuo looked at the smooth gray porcelain bottle in his hand.
It still held the warmth of Yuzuha's palm.
"...Thank you."
"No need to thank me." Yuzuha turned her face away, the tips of her ears slightly red. "I just... don't want to see you hurt."
A subtle silence settled between them for a few seconds.
Akame jumped back onto Yuzuha's shoulder and patted her cheek with a paw, as though reminding her of something.
Yuzuha came back to herself. "Oh, right! Lin Shuo, the reason I didn't go to school today is..."
She paused, seeming to weigh her words. "People from the Order have been active near our school lately. The principal said classes would be suspended for three days, until the Defense Force finishes investigating."
Lin Shuo frowned. "The Order went after a school?"
"Yes." Yuzuha nodded, her expression serious. "Their targets are... students with ether aptitude. Two classmates have already disappeared. The Defense Force only got involved after their parents reported it."
She clenched her fists. "Those scum... they won't even spare children."
Lin Shuo remembered the miners strapped to experimental tables in Aerospace City's mine tunnels.
The Order's methods really were becoming increasingly unscrupulous.
"So be careful lately." Yuzuha looked at him. "Especially when you close up at night-how about... I come keep you company when you close from now on?"
"No need."
"But-"
"You're a girl. It's even more dangerous for you at night."
Lin Shuo stood and began tidying the counter. "I'll be careful."
Yuzuha opened her mouth, wanting to say more, but ultimately said nothing.
Akame suddenly jumped off her shoulder, bounded over to Lin You, and rubbed his head against the little girl's leg.
Lin You had been secretly watching their interaction and jumped at Akame's nudge.
"Ah! Hi, Akame~"
"Gurr." Akame circled her once, then looked up at Yuzuha and over at Lin Shuo.
That look... how to put it? It was as though he was hinting at something.
Yuzuha's face grew even redder.
"A-Akame! Come back!"
But Akame stayed put. Instead, he jumped onto Lin Shuo's counter and pawed at a small seasoning jar.
The jar toppled, spilling pepper.
"Achoo-!"
Lin Shuo and Yuzuha sneezed at the same time.
Akame seized the chance to jump between them and nudge Yuzuha's leg with his body.
Yuzuha stumbled and pitched forward-
Lin Shuo instinctively reached out to steady her.
And so, Yuzuha fell into his arms.
Time seemed to stand still for three seconds.
Lin Shuo could smell the citrus scent of Yuzuha's hair, feel her body's warmth, and hear her heartbeat quickening from the fright.
Yuzuha's forehead rested against his collarbone, her entire face buried against his chest.
The fabric of her dress was thin, and he could feel her body heat.
And... she was trembling slightly.
Not from fear.
But... nerves.
"S-sorry!" Yuzuha hurriedly tried to step back.
But Lin Shuo's hand was still at her waist-he had naturally slipped his arm around her to keep her from falling.
Now, their position had become very intimate.
Behind the stall, Lin You covered her mouth and giggled, her Two-Tomoe Sharingan shining brightly.
Akame crouched on the counter, watching them with his head tilted, his black eyes full of "all according to plan" smugness.
Lin Shuo took a deep breath.
He lowered his head and looked at Yuzuha in his arms, red all the way to her ears.
Then he did something even he hadn't expected-
He tightened his arm, holding Yuzuha a little closer.
"Yuzuha."
"Y-yes?"
Lin Shuo's voice was soft but clear. "Thank you for worrying about me. Thank you for giving me medicine. Thank you for... always being by my side."
Yuzuha froze.
She lifted her head and looked at Lin Shuo, her green eyes wide.
Sunlight filtered through gaps in the stall's canopy, scattering flecks of gold in her eyes.
"...Lin Shuo?"
"I might have been... a little dense before," Lin Shuo continued, his ears beginning to redden too. "I didn't notice your feelings, and I didn't respond properly."
He paused, as though gathering his words. "But I want you to know-you're very important to me. Not just as a friend, but... something more important."
Yuzuha's lips trembled slightly.
Tears welled up without warning.
Not from sadness, but... happiness.
The kind of happiness that made her unable to stop herself from crying.
"Idiot..." She buried her face in Lin Shuo's chest again, her voice muffled. "Only telling me now... I've been waiting so long..."
Lin Shuo smiled.
Only faintly, but he really did smile.
He raised a hand and gently ruffled Yuzuha's hair. "Yes, I'm an idiot."
"And a blockhead!"
"Yes, a blockhead."
"And... mm..."
Yuzuha never finished, because Lin Shuo lowered his head and lightly kissed her forehead.
It was light and quick, like a dragonfly skimming the water.
But Yuzuha went completely stiff.
Then she abruptly pushed Lin Shuo away, her face red enough to bleed.
"L-Lin Shuo, you... you..."
"You didn't like it?" Lin Shuo raised an eyebrow.
"N-no! It's just... so sudden..." Yuzuha stammered, covering her face with both hands. "And Little You is watching... Akame's here too..."
Lin You immediately turned to face the wall. "I didn't see anything! Carry on!"
Akame tactfully jumped off the counter too, running behind the stall to face the wall with Lin You.
Seeing Yuzuha so shy touched a soft spot in Lin Shuo's heart.
He reached out again, this time taking Yuzuha's hand.
"Yuzuha."
"Mm..."
"Once my injury heals, let's... go on a proper date."
Yuzuha lifted her head, her green eyes still brimming with tears, but sparkling.
"...Okay."
She nodded vigorously, her smile so radiant it put the sunshine to shame.
That afternoon, customers at the ramen stall noticed that the owner was in a particularly good mood.
Though his face remained mostly expressionless, his movements were much lighter, and he even occasionally hummed a few off-key notes.
Yuzuha stayed at the stall to help-though she spent most of her time chatting with Lin You or playing with Akame.
But every so often, she would sneak a glance at Lin Shuo, then blush, then smile foolishly.
Lin You saw it all and was delighted.
"Hehe, Dad finally got a clue~"
"Pukki!" Little Shukaku poked his head out of the backpack in agreement.
After they closed up that evening, Yuzuha said she would go home to cook, but Lin Shuo stopped her.
"I'll cook today," he said. "You and Lin You go sit and wait."
"Huh? But Lin Shuo, your arm-"
"I can cook with one hand."
And Lin Shuo did.
Simple egg fried rice with ham and peas, along with a pot of miso soup.
The three of them-or five, counting Akame and Little Shukaku-sat around the small table behind the ramen stall to eat.
The atmosphere was as warm as a family's.
"Oh, Yuzuha," Lin You asked, biting her spoon. "Why did you name the tanuki 'Akame'?"
"That?" Yuzuha smiled and stroked Akame's head. "Because he jumped out of an old pot-when I first saw him, he was hiding in a discarded gray ceramic pot in Kaidan House's backyard. I thought, 'kama' means pot, so I called him Akame~"
Akame let out a rumble and nuzzled Yuzuha's palm.
Watching them, Lin Shuo suddenly remembered Lin You emerging from the noodle pot.
...Could pots be some special medium for traveling between worlds?
After dinner, Yuzuha was heading back.
Lin Shuo walked her to Kaidan House's door.
"Lin Shuo." Yuzuha turned at the door, her expression unusually serious. "About The Order... if you need help, you have to tell me. Spook Shack might not be as official as the Defense Force, but we have our own intelligence network."
"...Yeah."
"And..." Yuzuha lowered her head, scuffing her toe against the ground. "About our date... I'll wait for you."
With that, she dashed inside the shop and shut the door.
But through the gap in the door, he could still see her covering her face.
Lin Shuo stood there, looking at the light coming on upstairs at Kaidan House.
After a long while, he said softly:
"Yuzuha, you've been a huge help."
Not just today.
All this time.
When he got home, Lin You had already washed up and was waiting for him in bed, holding Little Shukaku.
"Dad!" Her eyes shone. "Today was suuuper awesome! You finally made your move!"
Lin Shuo said, "...Stop picking up weird expressions."
"But you did!" Lin You bounced off the bed and ran up to him. "When you and Mom hugged, my heart nearly stopped! It was so romantic!"
"...Go to sleep."
"Okay, okay~" Lin You climbed into bed, but she wasn't finished. "Dad, do you think you can get married once Mom graduates?"
Lin Shuo paused.
He looked at Lin You. The little girl was watching him expectantly.
"...Maybe."
"Then... will I get to attend your wedding?" Lin You's voice suddenly grew quiet. "Though I know I might not be able to stay that long..."
Lin Shuo walked over to the bed and sat down.
"Lin You."
"Yeah?"
"You'll go back," Lin Shuo said. "Once we find a way, you'll be able to return to your timeline."
"...Yeah."
"But until then..." Lin Shuo ruffled her hair. "You're my daughter, and this is your home."
Lin You's eyes reddened.
She threw herself into Lin Shuo's arms and hugged him tightly.
"You're the best, Dad..."
Little Shukaku came over too, nuzzling them both with his head.
The room was quiet.
After a while, Lin You looked up. "Dad, things are moving so fast between you and Mom now. Maybe in a few more months, I'll find a way back."
Lin Shuo looked at her. "Do you want to go back?"
Lin You hesitated, nodded, then shook her head.
"I do, because my future Mom and Dad are there," she said softly. "But I also don't, because the Mom and Dad here need me too... and I want to see you get married."
Lin Shuo was silent for a few seconds.
"Then keep watching until you go back."
"Yeah!"
After settling Lin You to sleep, Lin Shuo returned to his own room.
Instead of going straight to sleep, he opened the system interface.
[Main quest "Romance Ukinami Yuzuha" current progress: 52.1%.]
It was already over halfway.
Looking at the progress bar, Lin Shuo suddenly felt... perhaps it really wouldn't take too long.
Then he brought up another interface.
[Currently held: Ōtsutsuki Fragment (partial) ×3] [Note: Collect five fragments to synthesize a complete basic Ōtsutsuki physique enhancement. Collect ten fragments to unlock advanced options.]
Lin Shuo thought for a moment, then said silently:
System, do Ōtsutsuki Fragments have any other uses? Like... helping me awaken the Rinnegan?
The interface flickered.
[Analyzing...] [Conclusion: Awakening the Rinnegan requires specific conditions (fusion of Indra's Chakra and Asura Chakra / becoming a Ten-Tails Jinchuriki / Ōtsutsuki bloodline + a near-death experience, etc.). The current world has no Chakra system, making these conditions impossible to meet. Ōtsutsuki Fragments can only enhance the host's existing physique or be exchanged for specific ocular techniques, Taijutsu, Kekkei Mōra, and Shinjutsu (requires ten fragments).]
"Like what?"
[Searching... Available exchange options: Yomotsu Hirasaka (spatial teleportation), Amenosubaruhoshinomikoto (Urashiki's exclusive technique), Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack + Byakugan (Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's Taijutsu), Daikokuten + Sukunahikona + Black Eye (Isshiki's Shinjutsu) Exchange requires ten fragments + a corresponding cost (eyesight / life force).]
Lin Shuo frowned.
The cost was still eyesight or life force.
"What if I keep my Sharingan and only use the fragments to enhance my physique?"
[Viable. Each fragment can improve basic physical functions (strength, speed, stamina, recovery) by 5%. The three fragments currently held can provide a 15% improvement. Use them?]
Lin Shuo considered it for a moment.
"Keep them for now."
[Understood-fragments have been placed in storage.]
Closing the system interface, Lin Shuo lay in bed and stared at the ceiling.
Although a 15% improvement to his physique was tempting, he wanted to save the fragments and see whether he could collect ten to exchange for Shinjutsu.
After all, the threat posed by The Order was growing.
Yuzuha said today that they even had people near her school...
Lin Shuo closed his eyes.
Yuzuha's smile surfaced in his mind.
And the way she had blushed as she said, "I'll wait for you."
"...I have to get stronger."
He murmured to himself.
To protect the people who mattered.
To walk with her into a more distant future.
Outside the window, New Eridu's night was still ablaze with lights.
And a certain man's resolve shone brighter than those lights.
[System notification: Host's feelings confirmed. Relationship with Ukinami Yuzuha has advanced to "not quite lovers." Ōtsutsuki Fragment uses unlocked. Please keep up your efforts.]
The progress bar flickered quietly in the night.
Like a heart that had finally opened.