Evening.
The ramen stall's lights cast a warm glow onto the street as Lin Shuo cleared away the bowls and chopsticks left by the last table of customers.
Lin You and Lin Yue sat on small stools behind the stall-Lin You was teaching Lin Yue to play cat's cradle, their little hands weaving nimbly between the strings.
"Loop it around here like this... That's right!"
"Mm..."
Yuzuha stood beside the counter, helping wipe down the tables, her red hair gleaming softly in the light.
From time to time, she glanced up at Lin Shuo, something she wanted to say but held back hidden in her green eyes.
Anko's warning that afternoon still lingered in both their minds.
"Lin Shuo."
Yuzuha finally spoke, her voice very low. "About what Anko said... what are you planning to do?"
Lin Shuo put the bowls in the sink and turned on the tap.
"Observe for now."
He said.
"Until we have solid evidence, we shouldn't alert them."
"But-" Yuzuha bit her lip.
"If the Order really is making moves in Lumina Square, then..."
Her gaze fell on Lin You and Lin Yue.
The two little girls were absorbed in their game of cat's cradle, Lin You's laughter as clear as wind chimes.
Lin Shuo understood what she meant.
The children were here.
"I'll keep them safe."
He dried his hands and looked at Yuzuha. "And you, too."
Yuzuha's face flushed slightly.
"Wh-who needs you to protect me... I can fight, too."
"I know."
The corners of Lin Shuo's mouth lifted slightly. "But having one more person protecting you isn't a bad thing."
Yuzuha turned her face away, the tips of her ears reddening.
Just then, Lin You suddenly looked up. "Dad! Xiao Yue said she wants to learn to cook ramen! Can you teach her now?"
Lin Shuo checked the time-eight thirty in the evening.
"It's too late today."
He said, "I'll teach her tomorrow."
"Aww-but-"
"No buts."
Lin You pouted, but didn't insist.
Lin Yue tugged at her sleeve and said quietly, "Tomorrow is fine, too..."
"Fine, fine."
Lin You sighed. "Then Dad, you have to teach her tomorrow!"
"Mm."
After cleaning up the stall, the four of them headed home together.
Yuzuha walked ahead, holding Lin You's and Lin Yue's hands, while Lin Shuo followed behind, pushing the cart.
The streetlights stretched their shadows long.
There were hardly any people left on the street. Only Yum Cha Sin's sign still shone in the distance-Anko seemed to be preparing to close and stood in the doorway, saying something to the robot Little Tiger.
When she saw Lin Shuo and the others, she waved her Gunbai.
Lin Shuo nodded in response.
Back at the rented apartment, Lin You and Lin Yue washed up and went to bed.
Yuzuha stayed in the living room, seemingly with something else to say.
"Lin Shuo."
She sat on the sofa, her hands resting on her knees.
"Tomorrow... I need to go to school."
Lin Shuo sat down across from her. "Something to take care of?"
"Mm." Yuzuha nodded.
"There are... some things I need to deal with at school... I might not be back until the afternoon."
She paused, then added, "So, the ramen stall..."
"I can manage on my own."
Lin Shuo said, "Lin You and Lin Yue can help, too."
"But-"
"Yuzuha." Lin Shuo interrupted her.
"Go do what you need to do."
Yuzuha looked at him for a long while before nodding gently.
"...Mm."
She stood up and walked to the door.
"I'll head back, then."
"I'll walk you home."
"No need. It's right next door-and I'm not a little kid anymore."
Despite saying that, Yuzuha stayed where she was.
Lin Shuo stood up, too.
They looked at each other in the doorway for a few seconds.
Then Yuzuha rose onto her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek.
"Good night."
With that, she turned and ran, her red hair flashing past in the darkness.
Lin Shuo stood in the doorway, watching the light come on on Kaidan House's second floor.
After a long while, he closed the door.
Back in the bedroom, Lin You and Lin Yue were already asleep.
Lin You hugged a pillow, a smile still on her lips, seemingly having a pleasant dream.
Lin Yue slept neatly, her hands outside the covers, her orange hair spread over the pillow.
Two daughters, two little faces both similar and different.
Lin Shuo gently closed the door and returned to his own room.
He sat on the edge of the bed and closed his eyes.
The system interface appeared in the darkness.
[Main quest "Romance Ukinami Yuzuha" current progress: 86.7%] [Side quest "Take Care of Lin Yue" time remaining: 48 hours, 12 minutes] [Orphie Magnusson's affection: 75%] [Host's inner acceptance: 84%]
Just a little more.
But time was passing, too.
Lin Shuo opened the quest details and checked the rewards section.
[Quest completion reward: Shadow Clone Technique (B-rank ninjutsu, can create up to three solid clones simultaneously)] [Note: Clones can act independently and share the original's memories and knowledge, but cannot use Kekkei Genkai (Sharingan) or special abilities (such as Amaterasu and Susanoo). Clones will disappear after sustaining a certain amount of damage.]
The Shadow Clone Technique.
This ability... had come at just the right time.
Lin Shuo opened his eyes and looked at his hands.
What he lacked most now was time-he had to care for two children, run the ramen stall, protect Yuzuha, investigate the Order, and deal with his emotional ties with Orphie and Lin Yue.
The Clone Technique could solve at least some of those problems.
[System notification: Claim the reward now?]
Lin Shuo answered silently, Yes.
The next second, warmth surged from his chest through his entire body.
An unfamiliar body of knowledge suddenly appeared in his mind-about fine chakra control, about creating and maintaining clones, about...
He opened his eyes and formed hand seals in front of his chest.
Ram-Snake-Tiger.
"Shadow Clone Technique."
A soft pop sounded.
There was another person in the room.
No, another Lin Shuo.
The same short black hair, the same deep eyes, the same expression-or rather, lack of expression.
The two Lin Shuos stood facing each other, as though looking into a mirror.
"This feels... strange," the original said.
"It does." The clone nodded.
"We share senses and thoughts, but can act independently."
He flexed his fingers. "My strength is about thirty percent of the original's. My chakra is limited, but enough for ordinary work."
Lin Shuo tested it-the clone's sights, sounds, and sensations could indeed be shared in real time.
It was like having another pair of eyes and another pair of hands.
"Go try it," Lin Shuo said.
"Understood."
The clone turned and silently left the room.
Lin Shuo sat on the edge of the bed and closed his eyes.
He could "see" the clone leave the rented apartment and walk into the night.
He could "feel" the cool night breeze and hear the hum of the distant Hollow containment wall.
The sensation was remarkable-like being in two places at once, with two perspectives.
The clone arrived at the ramen stall.
He opened the door and began preparing tomorrow's ingredients-simmering broth, kneading dough, and preparing toppings.
His movements were just as practiced as the original's.
Meanwhile, Lin Shuo remained in his room and began thinking about his next arrangements.
With the Clone Technique, he could-
"Dad?"
The bedroom door was gently pushed open.
Lin You stood in the doorway, rubbing her eyes, her Two-Tomoe Sharingan glowing faintly in the darkness.
"I sensed... two dads?"
Lin Shuo was startled.
Was the Sharingan's perception that sharp?
"You sensed it?" he asked.
"Mm..." Lin You walked into the room, climbed onto the bed, and sat beside him. "A really strange chakra fluctuation... came from your room, and then... split into two?"
She tilted her head. "Dad, are you doing some kind of experiment?"
Lin Shuo looked into her curious eyes and hesitated.
"...You could say that."
"What kind of experiment?"
"A kind of... cloning ability."
Lin Shuo explained simply, "It lets me do two things at once."
Lin You's eyes instantly lit up.
"Clones?!"
"...More or less."
"That's amazing!" Lin You grabbed his sleeve excitedly. "Teach me, Dad! I want to learn the Clone Technique, too!"
"You're still little."
"I'm not little! I'm already eight!"
"No."
Lin Shuo's tone left no room for argument. "This technique requires very precise chakra control. You can't learn it yet."
Lin You pouted, but didn't insist.
Instead, she asked, "Then what are you going to use the clone for, Dad?"
"To help," Lin Shuo said.
"For example... one of me can work at the ramen stall while the other does something else."
"Like... going to spend time with Auntie Orphie?" Lin You blinked.
Lin Shuo: "..."
This child was far too perceptive.
"Xiao Yue needs to form an emotional bond with Orphie."
Lin You continued, "But Dad has to keep Mom company, look after us, and run the ramen stall... you just can't keep up."
She paused, giving him a sly smile. "So the Clone Technique came at just the right time, right?"
"...Right."
Lin You nodded in satisfaction. "Then make good use of it, Dad! But-"
She held up an index finger. "You absolutely cannot send a clone to keep Mom company! Mom will get angry!"
Lin Shuo said helplessly, "I know."
"And!" Lin You thought for a moment. "The clone can't do anything weird! Like-"
"Lin You," Lin Shuo interrupted her.
"Go to bed."
"I know, I know~"
Lin You hopped off the bed, walked to the door, then looked back. "See you tomorrow, Dad~"
"See you tomorrow."
The door closed.
Lin Shuo lay in bed and closed his eyes.
He could "see" two perspectives at once-
One was the bedroom ceiling.
The other was the simmering stockpot at the ramen stall.
The clone was carefully controlling the heat, every movement meticulous.
This feeling... really was convenient.
But it was also exhausting.
The clone's chakra was steadily being consumed. Though it wasn't fast, it was definitely being consumed.
At the current rate, one clone could probably last four to five hours.
That was enough.
With that thought, Lin Shuo gradually drifted off to sleep.
Meanwhile, the clone was still working at the ramen stall.
Early the next morning, Lin Shuo was woken by Lin You.
"Dad! Get up! The sun's shining on your butt!"
Lin Shuo opened his eyes. Sunlight was already spilling into the room.
He sat up, and the first thing he did was check on the clone-the clone had already finished all the preparations at the ramen stall.
The broth was ready, the dough was kneaded, and the toppings were chopped.
It had even... made some extra side dishes.
"You're so hardworking today, Dad!"
Standing beside the bed, Lin You studied him curiously with her Two-Tomoe Sharingan. "It feels like... your chakra fluctuations are very stable. Did last night's experiment work?"
"...Yes."
Lin Shuo got up to wash.
Lin Yue was awake too and was tidying the bedding.
"Good morning, Dad," she said quietly.
"Morning."
At breakfast, Lin Shuo ate with his two daughters.
Over at the ramen stall, the clone had already opened for business-although it was still early, regulars had already arrived.
"You're looking well today, Boss Lin!"
"Mm."
"Huh? You seem faster than usual?"
"Practice makes perfect."
The clone responded calmly, its hands never stopping.
As Lin Shuo ate breakfast, he shared the clone's senses.
It was a strange feeling-like watching a movie from a first-person perspective, while still being able to control his own body.
"Dad," Lin You suddenly said.
"Are you going to the outpost today?"
Lin Shuo nodded. "Yes. This afternoon."
"Then... what about Xiao Yue and me?"
"You two can help at the ramen stall."
"Okay~"
Lin You's eyes darted about. "What about Mom? Didn't she say she was going to school today?"
"She'll be back this afternoon."
"Oh..."
Lin You asked no more questions, but Lin Shuo knew what she was thinking.
She was wondering whether Yuzuha would discover the clone.
That was what worried Lin Shuo too.
Although Yuzuha didn't have the Sharingan like Lin You, she was very perceptive.
Especially when it came to him.
After the meal, Lin Shuo brought Lin You and Lin Yue to the ramen stall.
The clone was cooking noodles. Seeing them arrive, it merely nodded.
Lin You stared at the clone for three seconds, then whispered to Lin Shuo, "Dad, this clone... is so realistic."
"Mm."
"Even its chakra fluctuations are really similar... but if I sense it carefully, I can still feel a difference."
"What difference?"
"The original's feel 'heavier,' and the clone's feel 'thinner.'"
Lin You analyzed it seriously. "Like... the difference between an original and a copy?"
A very accurate description.
Lin Yue also looked at the clone, her Three-Tomoe Sharingan unconsciously activating for an instant.
"...There are two Dads," she said softly.
"It's a clone," Lin Shuo explained.
"It's here to help."
Lin Yue nodded without asking any further questions.
Business went smoothly that morning.
The clone cooked the noodles, Lin Shuo greeted customers and collected payments, and Lin You and Lin Yue helped serve noodles and clear the tables.
They worked seamlessly together, twice as efficiently as usual.
The regulars were all surprised.
"You're so fast today, Boss Lin!"
"Did you find some helpers? These two little girls are really capable!"
Lin Shuo merely nodded, offering no further explanation.
At noon, Yuzuha returned.
She was wearing her corporate school uniform today, her red twin ponytails swaying with her steps.
She froze for a moment at the busy scene inside the ramen stall.
"Lin Shuo... you're so fast today?"
She walked up to the counter, her green eyes carefully studying the Lin Shuo cooking noodles.
The clone looked up at her and nodded. "Mm."
Yuzuha frowned.
She stared at the clone for a few seconds, then went around behind the stall.
Lin Shuo was resting on a small stool. Seeing Yuzuha approach, he stood up.
"You're back?"
"Mm..." Yuzuha looked at him, then at the clone behind the counter, her expression growing increasingly puzzled.
"Lin Shuo, you..."
She walked up to Lin Shuo and reached out to poke his cheek.
"What's wrong?" Lin Shuo asked.
"I just feel like... something's strange about you today."
Yuzuha tilted her head. "You seem... more tired than usual?"
Lin Shuo was inwardly startled.
Yuzuha's intuition was frighteningly accurate.
"A little."
He admitted it.
"I didn't sleep well last night."
"Really..." Yuzuha still felt something was off, but she didn't press him.
She turned to help greet the customers.
Lin Shuo breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed that although Yuzuha found it strange, she hadn't discovered the secret of the clone yet.
After the lunchtime rush, Lin Shuo prepared to leave for Scott Outpost.
"I'm going out this afternoon," he told Yuzuha.
"To the outpost?"
"Yes."
Yuzuha nodded. "Be careful on the way."
She glanced at the clone behind the counter again. "Then... what about the ramen stall?"
"He's here," Lin Shuo said.
"...Oh."
Yuzuha's expression was still a little odd, but she said nothing more.
Lin Shuo left the ramen stall and headed toward the station.
Along the way, he continued watching the stall through the clone's eyes.
Yuzuha was talking to the clone.
"Lin Shuo, isn't it time to add ingredients to the broth?"
"Mm."
"Is today's chashu sliced thinner than usual?"
"It's hot out. Thinner slices are easier to eat."
"That's true..."
The conversation was perfectly ordinary.
But Lin Shuo could sense that Yuzuha was still probing.
She kept feeling that something was off about today's "Lin Shuo," but she couldn't put it into words.
Lin Shuo sighed inwardly.
It seemed he would have to be more careful when using a clone to interact with Yuzuha in the future.
Scott Outpost, training grounds.
Lin Yue was practicing throwing.
With her Three-Tomoe Sharingan fully activated, every throwing knife hit the bull's-eye precisely.
Orphie stood beside her, offering guidance, her green eyes full of admiration.
"Relax your wrist a little more... yes, just like that."
Lin Yue nodded and threw another knife.
Clang!
Right in the bull's-eye.
"Very good!"
Orphie clapped her hands.
"You're improving so quickly, Xiao Yue."
Lin Yue turned and gave her a faint smile.
"It's because Mom teaches me well."
Orphie blushed. "I-I told you not to call me Mom..."
"But-"
"Just call me Big Sister Orphie."
"...All right, Big Sister Orphie."
Lin Yue obediently corrected herself, but her eyes still held attachment.
Just then, the training ground's door opened.
Lin Shuo walked in.
Orphie stiffened at the sight of him, and her ears began to redden again.
"L-Lin Shuo... you're here."
"Mm." Lin Shuo nodded and looked at Lin Yue. "How's practice going?"
"Very well," Orphie answered before she could. "Xiao Yue is very talented. She learns quickly."
Lin Shuo walked over to the target and pulled out a throwing knife.
With a light flick of his wrist, the knife spun through the air.
Clang!
It struck the end of the throwing knife Lin Yue had just landed, knocking it out of the bull's-eye.
The new knife lodged firmly in the very same spot.
Lin Yue's eyes widened. "Amazing..."
"You still need to adjust how you put force into your wrist."
Lin Shuo said, "Your movements are too stiff."
He walked behind Lin Yue and took her small hand.
"Like this-"
His fingers gently adjusted her posture.
Orphie watched from beside them, her face growing redder and redder.
She could smell the faint scent on Lin Shuo-not perfume, but a clean scent of some sort.
Mixed with a hint of ramen broth.
"D-do you understand?" she asked softly.
Lin Yue nodded. "Mm... Daddy's hand is so warm."
Lin Shuo let go and stepped back.
"Try again."
Lin Yue took a deep breath and threw the knife.
This time, her movement was much smoother.
The knife traced an elegant arc through the air and struck the bull's-eye precisely.
"...I did it!"
Lin Yue's eyes lit up.
"Mm." Lin Shuo nodded.
"Remember that feeling."
He turned to Orphie. "Thanks for all your hard work these past few days."
"I-it's nothing..." Orphie lowered her head.
"Xiao Yue is very well-behaved. Teaching her isn't any trouble..."
She paused, her voice growing even quieter. "Um... Lin Shuo, have you... been doing all right lately?"
Lin Shuo looked at her. "Why do you ask?"
"Because..." Orphie twisted her fingers together.
"I just feel like you're very tired... even though you look the same as usual..."
Her intuition was just as accurate as Yuzuha's.
Lin Shuo fell silent for a few seconds.
"...I've been a little busy."
"Is it... because you have to look after Xiao Yue, and Miss Yuzuha, and the ramen stall?"
"Mm."
Orphie raised her head, a trace of sympathy flashing in her green eyes.
"Then... would you like me to help? I might not be able to do much, but at least... I could look after Xiao Yue more and make things a little easier for you."
Her expression was earnest as she spoke.
Lin Shuo looked at her for a long time, then nodded.
"...Thank you."
Orphie's face reddened again.
"N-no need to thank me..."
Training continued.
Lin Shuo guided Lin Yue, while Orphie helped beside them.
The atmosphere was unexpectedly harmonious.
Meanwhile, at the ramen stall, the clone was dealing with Yuzuha's "interrogation."
"Lin Shuo, did you have lunch?"
"Yes."
"What did you eat?"
"...Ramen."
"Did you make it yourself?"
"Yes."
"How many slices of chashu did you add?"
"...Two."
"Liar." Yuzuha narrowed her eyes.
"You usually add three."
The clone said, "..."
Over at the outpost, Lin Shuo heard this conversation through their shared senses.
He sighed inwardly.
Yuzuha really was suspicious.
"Yuzuha," the clone said.
"What's gotten into you today?"
"Nothing~" Yuzuha smiled sweetly.
"I just think you look especially handsome today~"
"...Stop messing around."
"I'm not messing around~"
Yuzuha leaned closer, her green eyes fixed on the clone's.
"Lin Shuo, look into my eyes."
The clone's heart tightened.
But he did as she asked.
Their eyes met.
Yuzuha stared at him for a full ten seconds.
Then she suddenly smiled.
"All right~ I'll stop teasing you~"
She turned to clear the tables, humming a tuneless song.
But Lin Shuo could sense it-her doubts hadn't disappeared.
Yuzuha was very clever.
She might already have noticed something; she just wasn't certain yet.
It seemed he would have to be more careful when using the Clone Technique.
At four in the afternoon, Lin Shuo prepared to leave the outpost.
"I'll leave Xiao Yue in your care."
He said this to Orphie.
"Mm." Orphie nodded.
"Take care on your way back."
Lin Yue ran over and took Lin Shuo's hand.
"Daddy... will you come again tomorrow?"
"Yes." Lin Shuo ruffled her hair. "Be good and listen to Big Sister Orphie."
"Okay!"
Lin Yue nodded vigorously.
Lin Shuo left the outpost and boarded the skyrail train back.
He closed his eyes, taking stock of what he had gained that day.
The Clone Technique was indeed useful-it let him handle several things at once.
But the risks weren't small, either.
Yuzuha had already grown suspicious, though she hadn't discovered the truth yet.
As for Orphie, her affection was steadily rising-it was now at 76%.
Lin Yue's emotional stability had reached 87%, approaching the safety threshold.
Everything was developing in a positive direction.
But Anko's warning still lingered in his mind.
The Order's activities...
Lin Shuo opened his eyes and looked at the streets flashing past outside the window.
The sky over New Eridu still looked peaceful.
But beneath that calm, undercurrents surged.
He needed more information.
He needed to know exactly what The Order was doing in Lumina Square.
He needed to know... just what Anko knew.
The train arrived at the station.
Lin Shuo walked out of the station, the setting sun stretching his shadow long.
The lights at the ramen stall were already on.
The clone was still working, Yuzuha was helping, and Lin You and Lin Yue were playing.
Everything looked so ordinary, so peaceful.
But Lin Shuo knew this peace might not last much longer.
He took a deep breath and walked toward that warm glow.
Whatever lay ahead, he would protect all of this.
He would protect this... hard-won home.
[System notification: Shadow Clone Technique proficiency has increased to Lv.2. Duration extended to 6 hours. Current number of clones that can exist simultaneously: 2] [Orphie Magnusson's affection: 76% (+1%)] [Host's inner acceptance: 85% (+1%)] [Time remaining: 42 hours, 05 minutes] [Note: Emotional bond establishment is progressing well. Host, please complete the final confirmation within the remaining time.]
The progress bar advanced steadily amid the calm.
And new challenges were quietly brewing in the shadows.