The afternoon sunlight in Lumina Square was warm and soft, spreading over the streets like a layer of gold dust.
Holding Lin Yue's hand, Lin Shuo walked along the familiar stone-paved road.
When they were fifty meters from Kaidan House, Lin Yue suddenly slowed down.
"Dad..."
She spoke softly, her Three-Tomoe Sharingan already activating on their own. "Up ahead... there's a very strong Ether reaction-not the kind from a Hollow. It's... a living thing?"
Lin Shuo looked up.
A small red figure was crouching outside Kaidan House, playing with a round, plump tanuki.
It was Lin You.
She wore a pale pink dress today, and her red twin tails looked like two dancing flames in the sunlight.
Crouching at her feet was Yuzuha's pet, Akame.
At that moment, Akame was sniffing the jerky in Lin You's hand, black eyes full of anticipation.
"Little You."
Lin Shuo called out to her.
Lin You looked up.
Her Two-Tomoe Sharingan, exactly like Lin Shuo's, lit up the instant she saw him.
"Dad! You're back-"
Her voice cut off abruptly.
Her gaze landed on Lin Yue beside Lin Shuo.
Silence hung in the air for three seconds.
Lin You blinked, then blinked again.
Then her Two-Tomoe Sharingan began spinning rapidly, almost fast enough to throw off sparks.
"...Dad?"
Lin You's voice was quiet, but it carried a tremor of disbelief.
"Who... is this little girl with orange hair and green eyes... holding your hand?"
Every word seemed to squeeze out through her teeth.
Akame seemed to sense something wrong with the atmosphere and ducked behind Lin You with a gurgle, leaving only a pair of wary black eyes showing.
Lin Shuo sighed inwardly.
What had to come would come.
"Little You, this is Lin Yue."
He tried to keep his introduction calm. "She's from another spacetime-just like you."
Lin You's pupils contracted.
"Another spacetime?"
She stood up and walked over to Lin Yue, examining her carefully with her Two-Tomoe Sharingan.
Lin Yue also looked up, her Three-Tomoe Sharingan active as well, and quietly met her gaze.
Two little girls, one pair of Two-Tomoe eyes and one pair of Three-Tomoe eyes.
Red hair and orange hair, green eyes meeting green eyes.
There was something indescribably strange about the scene.
"...You have the Sharingan too."
Lin You spoke first, a complicated emotion in her voice.
"Mm." Lin Yue nodded.
"Dad taught me."
"Dad..." Lin You repeated the word, the corner of her mouth twitching. "You call him Dad too?"
"He's my dad."
Lin Yue said it naturally. "Though Dad in this spacetime looks a little younger..."
"Wait, wait, wait!"
Lin You raised a hand in a stopping gesture, then turned toward Lin Shuo, her Two-Tomoe Sharingan practically saying, "I need an explanation."
"Dad, you'd better give me a reasonable explanation-what's this about a 'daughter from another spacetime'?"
Lin Shuo rubbed his brow.
"It's a long story."
"Then make it short!"
"...She's the daughter of Orphie and the me from another spacetime."
Lin You's expression froze.
For a full five seconds, she stood there like a stone statue, only her Two-Tomoe Sharingan still spinning mechanically.
Then-
Lin You's voice rose an octave, nearly piercing the quiet afternoon in Lumina Square.
"Dad, you-the you from another spacetime-and that big sister with the tail-had a kid?!!"
She clutched her head, looking as though her worldview had collapsed.
"Then what about Mom?! What about Mom in that spacetime?! Dad, don't tell me you-"
"Yuzuha wasn't in that spacetime," Lin Shuo interrupted her wild speculation.
"The me in that spacetime never retired and kept serving in Obsidian Camp. That's how he developed feelings for Orphie, who was on his team."
Lin You froze for a moment, then let out a long, "Ohhh-"
"So... it's the parallel-world theory?"
"You can think of it that way."
Lin You folded her arms and tilted her head, sizing Lin Yue up again.
This time, there was less hostility in her eyes and more curiosity.
"So... you're my younger half sister?" she asked.
Lin Yue thought for a moment, then nodded. "In theory... yes."
"Then how old are you?"
"Seven."
"I'm eight! That makes me the big sister!"
Lin You's eyes lit up as she suddenly found her place.
Lin Yue blinked. "But... in my spacetime, I should be an only child..."
"Not anymore!"
Lin You naturally took Lin Yue's hand, her earlier hostility vanishing without a trace. "Since we're both Dad's daughters, you're my little sister! Call me big sister!"
Lin Yue: "..."
She looked up at Lin Shuo, her eyes asking for help.
Lin Shuo turned his face away. "...Up to you two."
"Dad, you're just brushing us off!"
Lin You pouted, but soon smiled again.
"But that's okay-little sister Xiao Yue, welcome to the family!"
She took Lin Yue by the hand and spun her around, her skirt blooming like a flower.
"I'll take you to meet Mom! She's helping in the shop today-oh, right, what should you call her? Auntie Yuzuha? Or..."
Lin Yue hesitated. "Dad said... to call her Auntie Yuzuha."
"Mm-hmm, that works. Otherwise, Mom would get embarrassed~"
As she spoke, Lin You pulled Lin Yue toward Kaidan House.
After two steps, she suddenly looked back and made a face at Lin Shuo.
"Dad, I'll settle things with you later-you actually have another daughter out there! Mom's definitely going to get jealous again when she finds out!"
Lin Shuo: "..."
He suddenly felt that bringing Lin Yue to meet Lin You might have been a mistake.
Inside Kaidan House, Yuzuha was behind the counter, arranging newly arrived gray ceramic handicrafts.
Hearing the wind chimes, she looked up. "Welcome-oh, Lin Shuo, Little You, you're ba-"
Her voice caught in her throat.
Her gaze fell on the little orange-haired girl whose hand Lin You was holding.
Green eyes met green eyes.
Yuzuha's expression froze for an instant.
Then she took a deep breath and forced a smile.
"...This must be Lin Yue?"
Her voice was calm, but Lin Shuo caught the faint tremor in it.
Lin Yue nodded, her Three-Tomoe Sharingan already deactivated, returning to ordinary green eyes.
She looked at Yuzuha with curiosity in her eyes, along with a trace of... caution.
"Hello, Auntie Yuzuha."
She spoke softly.
Yuzuha's fingers clenched beneath the counter.
But her smile remained unchanged.
"Hello, Xiao Yue."
She came out from behind the counter and crouched down to meet Lin Yue's eyes.
"Lin Shuo told me about you... you've had a long journey."
Lin Yue shook her head. "It wasn't hard... Auntie Yuzuha, you're even prettier than I imagined."
Yuzuha paused, then blushed slightly.
"...Thank you."
She stood and looked at Lin Shuo, her gaze complicated.
"So... this is the double daily life you have to face?"
Lin Shuo nodded. "Yes."
Yuzuha fell silent for a few seconds, then sighed.
"Well... she's already here."
She turned toward Lin Yue, her smile growing a little gentler.
"Are you hungry, Xiao Yue? I made cookies-though they might be a little sweet..."
"I want some!" Lin You raised her hand.
"I wasn't asking you!" Yuzuha shot her a glare, but her eyes held a smile.
Lin Yue looked at Lin You, then at Yuzuha, before nodding gently. "Mm... thank you, Auntie Yuzuha."
"Good girl."
Yuzuha turned to get the cookies, her back looking a little stiff.
Lin You leaned close to Lin Shuo's ear and whispered, "Dad, Mom's putting on a brave face."
"...I know."
"But if she's willing to bring out cookies for her, that means she's already halfway to accepting her!" Lin You blinked.
"Leave the rest to me!"
She pulled Lin Yue over to sit at the little table in the seating area.
Yuzuha brought over cookies and juice.
The cookies really were... a little sweet.
Lin Yue took a small bite, her eyes widening slightly.
"So sweet..."
"Right? Right?!"
Lin You spoke as she ate in big bites.
"Mom's cookies are always this sweet! Dad says, 'Too sweet,' every time, but he always finishes them!"
Yuzuha blushed. "Little You! Don't talk nonsense!"
"I'm not! I saw it all!"
Watching the two bicker, Lin Yue's lips curved up without her realizing it.
"Auntie Yuzuha and Dad... you two are really close."
Yuzuha's movements paused.
She looked at Lin Yue, her gaze softening a little.
"...Yes. He's clueless, but he treats me very well."
Lin Yue nodded and took another small bite of her cookie.
Sunlight streamed through the shop window, casting dappled light and shadows across the table.
The three girls-Yuzuha, Lin You, and Lin Yue-sat around the little table, eating cookies and drinking juice.
The scene was unexpectedly harmonious.
Standing beside the counter and watching them, Lin Shuo felt something tense inside him ease slightly.
Maybe... it really could work.
Maybe this complicated situation really could find a balance.
"Oh, right, Xiao Yue!"
Lin You suddenly remembered something, her eyes sparkling.
"You're from the future too, so do you know what happens in the future? Like... when do Dad and Mom get married? When am I born?"
Lin Yue tilted her head. "In my timeline... there's no Aunt Yuzuha, and no you."
"Huh-"
Lin You looked disappointed, but soon perked up again.
"Then what's your timeline like? How did Dad and... Aunt Orphie get together?"
The question silenced the air for a moment.
Yuzuha tightened her grip on her cup.
Lin Yue looked at Yuzuha, then at Lin Shuo, and said quietly, "Dad said... I can't reveal too much about the future. It'll interfere with the timeline..."
"That's right," Lin Shuo interjected in time.
"Lin You, don't ask too many questions."
"Okay..." Lin You pouted.
"Then at least tell me what kind of person Aunt Orphie is. Is she like Aunt Tail?"
Lin Yue thought for a moment. "Mom... is very gentle, but she's strong too. She always takes care of me and Dad, even though she's always getting hurt herself..."
She paused, then added, "Dad said Mom is his most important comrade-in-arms, and the person he loves most."
Yuzuha set her cup on the table with a clatter.
Her face went a little pale, but soon returned to normal.
"...I see."
Her voice was very soft.
Sensing something wrong with the atmosphere, Lin You quickly changed the subject. "Then... Xiao Yue, you have a Three-Tomoe Sharingan? That's amazing! I only have two tomoe!"
"Dad said you have to go through a lot of pain to awaken three tomoe," Lin Yue said quietly. "I didn't want it... but Dad said it's the power to protect the people who matter."
Lin You fell silent.
She remembered the day she awakened her two tomoe-it had been to protect Yuzuha.
She understood that desperate desire to grow stronger.
"...You're right," she said softly. "The Sharingan exists to protect the people who matter."
The two little girls looked at each other, something resonating in their eyes.
Watching them, Yuzuha suddenly smiled.
"You two... really are pretty alike."
"Of course! We're both Dad's daughters!" Lin You wrapped her arms around Lin Yue's shoulders.
"Even if we're from different timelines, you're still my little sister!"
Lin Yue was a little embarrassed by the hug, but didn't pull away.
At some point, Akame had slipped over and jumped onto the table, rubbing against Lin Yue's hand with a purr.
"He likes you!" Lin You said in surprise.
"Akame's usually so aloof!"
Lin Yue carefully stroked Akame's head.
The tanuki narrowed his eyes in contentment.
The atmosphere finally relaxed completely.
At three in the afternoon, it was time to prepare the ramen stall for business.
"Lin Shuo, are you opening the stall today?" Yuzuha asked.
"Yeah." Lin Shuo nodded.
"I haven't opened for days. The regulars must be getting unhappy."
"Then... what about Xiao Yue?"
"I'll take her to the stall."
Yuzuha hesitated, then said, "I'll come help too. Kaidan House isn't busy today. Dad can manage on his own."
Lin Shuo looked at her. "Are you sure?"
"I'm sure." Yuzuha nodded firmly. "I'll... have to get used to it sooner or later anyway."
She looked at Lin Yue with a gentle smile. "Would you like to help too, Xiao Yue? Though you might only be washing vegetables and things..."
Lin Yue's eyes lit up. "Can I?"
"Of course!"
And so, half an hour later, a peculiar sight appeared at the Ichiraku Ramen stall on Lumina Square's main street-
The owner, Lin Shuo, cooked noodles behind the counter, his movements as practiced as ever.
Yuzuha, the red-haired girl, helped greet customers and serve noodles, her smile radiant.
And on the little stools behind the stall sat two little girls-
The red-haired Lin You was teaching the orange-haired Lin Yue how to peel garlic.
"Like this. Start peeling from the root. It's faster!"
"Okay..."
"That's it, that's it! You're so smart, Xiao Yue!"
A little embarrassed by the praise, Lin Yue unconsciously activated her Three-Tomoe Sharingan for a moment, and her garlic-peeling speed immediately tripled.
"Wow! You can use the Sharingan like that too!"
Lin You marveled.
"Dad said to make full use of the Sharingan."
Lin Yue said quietly, "Not just in battle."
"That makes sense! Then I'll use my Sharingan to wash vegetables from now on!"
"Little You, no slacking off," Lin Shuo said without turning around.
"Okaaay~"
As the sun set, more and more customers came to the ramen stall.
Seeing Lin Shuo back, the regulars greeted him warmly.
"Boss Lin! Where have you been these past few days? We thought you'd quit!"
"Something came up." Lin Shuo brushed it off.
"Huh? These two kids are..."
"My nieces." Lin Shuo's expression didn't change. "Relatives' children. They're staying for a few days."
"Both of them? They do look pretty alike-the red-haired one looks like Yuzuha, and the orange-haired one... looks like you, boss!"
Lin Shuo: "..."
Yuzuha snickered beside him.
Lin You declared loudly, "You've got a good eye, mister! We're both nieces!"
The customer roared with laughter. "You're a lucky man, Boss Lin! Having such adorable nieces!"
The atmosphere was lively and warm.
Lin Yue was a little reserved at first, but watching Lin You chat so easily with the customers, she slowly relaxed too.
One customer teased her. "Little girl, what's your name?"
"...Lin Yue."
"Lin Yue, huh? What a lovely name! Want some candy?"
The customer offered her a piece of candy.
Lin Yue glanced at Lin Shuo.
Lin Shuo nodded. "Say thank you."
"Thank you, mister."
"What a good girl!"
Night fell, and the ramen stall's lights cast a warm glow over the street.
Lin Shuo was cooking the last bowl of noodles-a special tonkotsu ramen for Yuzuha, with double chashu.
Yuzuha sat at the little table, resting her chin in her hand as she watched him.
Lin You and Lin Yue played cat's cradle nearby-Lin You teaching, Lin Yue learning.
"Loop it around here... that's right!"
"It's so hard..."
"You'll get it with practice! I was like that when I first learned too!"
Akame lay at their feet, his tail swaying lazily.
Everything was so peaceful, so ordinary.
Just like an ordinary family on an ordinary evening.
"Lin Shuo."
Yuzuha suddenly spoke softly.
"Hm?"
"If only... days like this could last forever."
Lin Shuo's hands paused.
He looked at Yuzuha-beneath the light, the contours of her profile were soft, and a warm yellow glow reflected in her green eyes.
"...Yeah," he answered quietly.
The noodles were ready.
Lin Shuo brought them over and set them in front of Yuzuha.
"Eat up."
Yuzuha picked up her chopsticks, lifted some noodles, blew on them, and put them in her mouth.
Then she smiled.
"This flavor is still... the best."
Lin Shuo sat down across from her and watched her eat.
Lin You and Lin Yue were still playing cat's cradle, murmuring something to each other.
Akame yawned.
Faint laughter and conversation drifted from the distant street.
The night in New Eridu was peaceful and beautiful.
[System notification: Dual daily event "Sisters' first meeting" completed] [Lin You's acceptance of Lin Yue: 92%] [Yuzuha's acceptance of Lin Yue: 71% (continuing to rise)] [Lin Yue's emotional stability: 84% (safe threshold reached)] [Orphie's affection: 73% (+2%)] [Host's inner acceptance: 81% (+3%)] [Time remaining: 52 hours, 18 minutes] [Note: Key bonds have been initially established. Please maintain the current state until the mission is complete.]
Lin Shuo closed the interface, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.
The tea had gone cold, but warmth filled his heart.
Maybe it really could work.
Maybe this complicated, chaotic, headache-inducing situation really could find a balance.
For Yuzuha, for Lin You, for Lin Yue, and for... Orphie too.
He would find a way.
Definitely.
"Dad!"
Lin You suddenly ran over and tugged at his sleeve.
"Xiao Yue said she wants to learn to cook ramen! Can you teach her?"
Lin Shuo looked at Lin Yue.
The little girl stood a short distance away, watching him expectantly with her green eyes.
"...We'll start tomorrow," he said.
"I'll teach you how to make the broth first."
Lin Yue's eyes lit up. "Okay!"
Yuzuha smiled beside them. "What about me? I want to learn too!"
"You?" Lin Shuo raised an eyebrow. "Learn to make your cookies less sweet first."
"Lin Shuo!"
"Hahaha!"
Laughter echoed through the night.
The ramen stall's lights were as warm as home.
Meanwhile, in the dormitory at Scott Outpost.
Orphie lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
Willowisp's tail rested beside her pillow, the indicator light on the muzzle glowing softly.
"Still thinking about that kid?" Willowisp asked.
"...Yeah."
Orphie rolled over and buried her face in her pillow.
"Captain... am I weird?"
"Weird how?"
"I knew perfectly well that he was with Miss Yuzuha... I knew perfectly well that Lin Yue was only my daughter in another timeline... but I just..."
She couldn't go on.
Willowisp was silent for a few seconds.
"Feelings never did listen to reason," she said at last.
"But Orphie, you need to think it through-what is it you want?"
Orphie raised her head, her green eyes full of confusion.
"I... don't know."
"Then take your time figuring it out."
Willowisp's tone was unusually gentle. "That boy isn't going anywhere anytime soon, anyway. Besides... that child, Lin Yue, really does need you."
Orphie remembered how Lin Yue looked when she called her "Mom."
She remembered how Lin Yue leaned against her when she was tired from training.
She remembered Lin Yue's smile when she said, "Mom smells sweet."
Her heart softened.
"...Mm."
She closed her eyes.
In her dream, she saw Lin Shuo, Yuzuha, Lin You, Lin Yue, and herself.
The five of them sat together, eating ramen.
The sunshine was lovely.
Everyone was smiling.
It was a... wonderful dream.
And at the end of the dream, she heard Lin Shuo say:
"Thank you."
Thank you for your gentleness.
Thank you for your strength.
Thank you... for becoming Lin Yue's mom.
Even if it was only in another timeline.
Even if it was only... temporary.
Still, it was enough.
Beneath New Eridu's starry sky, everyone was searching for their place.
And until they found it, at least they had one another.
That was enough.
[Current progress: daily-life storyline stable, relationship storylines intertwining. Next stage: the Obol Squad officially gets involved, and the Order's new plot comes to light.]