Holding Futayo's blue hair ornament in one hand, Kurumi smiled in satisfaction as she looked at her. Futayo's face was already small and delicate, but with her long, straight blue hair flowing freely, she looked even softer and more fragile.
It was strange—how such a petite, delicate frame could conceal the mightiest power. Futayo was truly the perfect blend of beauty and strength.
"Mmm! Before we buy the house, I'll just keep this for now," Kurumi said cheerfully, tucking the ornament away. Then, humming lightly, she skipped out of the room. Futayo, now with her soft blue hair cascading down her back, immediately stood and hurried after her.
"Kimi-nee! Thank goodness you're safe!" Diavel exclaimed, opening his door with a weary face. The near-death of Kimi-nee yesterday had left him shaken. Even now, he still couldn't calm down—half-afraid that her survival had been nothing but an illusion.
"La la la~" Kurumi hummed a little tune as she hopped past Diavel.
Thud, thud, thud... Diavel suddenly slammed his head against the wall, crying out in anguish. "Why did I worry so much?! And she's just bouncing around like nothing happened!"
"Wait, who's that woman behind Kimi-nee? She looks really familiar..." Diavel froze mid-sentence.
"Kimi-nee, you scared me to death yesterday!" Kirito came out of his room, face pale from lingering fear. Despite her overbearing nature, the sister who had forcibly claimed him as her little brother meant a lot to him.
"La la la~" Kurumi bounced past him with a bright smile that nearly blinded his eyes.
Thud, thud, thud... Kirito dropped to his knees, pounding the ground with both fists. "Is there a dog around?! Please, come eat all my worry! How could someone like Kimi-nee ever need my concern?!"
"Wait... who's that girl behind Kimi-nee? She looks really familiar too!" Kirito froze. He didn't recall ever seeing her before.
Inside the Crystal Guild's main hall, everyone had gathered for their usual post-boss reflection meeting. It was a long-standing guild tradition. However, unlike their normally lively discussions, today's atmosphere was heavy and suffocating. Even with dozens present, no one spoke a word.
"La la la~" Kurumi bounced cheerfully into the hall, her radiant smile lighting up the room. "My foolish little brothers and sisters, this time your wise sister won't be attending the review meeting. You can handle it yourselves!"
"La la la~" With that, she gave a playful shrug and skipped right out of the hall.
"..."
"..."
Thud, thud, thud... The members of the Crystal Guild immediately collapsed in disarray.
"Uuuu... I want to die. I really want to die! I feel so embarrassed I could explode! Kimi-nee, you absolute menace!" someone groaned, covering their face and rolling on the floor. All their heartfelt worry from before now felt completely wasted.
"Please, just stop calling her 'nee' already! I can't believe I've been calling such a tiny, cute girl 'big sister' for months. I want to die too!" another cried, clutching his head in despair. The guild's fragile hearts had once again been thoroughly crushed by Kurumi.
"Wait a second! Who was that beautiful woman behind Kimi-nee?" a puzzled voice finally asked. The room went silent. Now that they thought about it, there really wasn't anyone like that in the guild.
"I think... it was Futayo-nee," Asuna said uncertainly.
"Impossible! There's no way that ditzy airhead Futayo-nee could look that beautiful!" someone retorted immediately. Asuna thought about it again—and realized they were probably right.
Kurumi chose to build her new house on the 33rd floor region—because, well, she was Kurumi-chan. Naturally, she had a special fondness for the number three.
"Kimi, tell me what you want. Set the parameters however you like!" On a vast stretch of grassy land, Kurumi stood with her hands on her hips, the very image of a boastful landlady, practically declaring, Your big sister's loaded—don't hold back!
In the game, a house wasn't just a building—it was an entire area. Players could freely create the surrounding environment, which was, in fact, the most important part of it.
"Hmm~ I've always wanted to have the most beautiful garden. Looks like my dream will finally come true," Kimi said. As her dainty fingers moved, brilliant flowers began to bloom around her, spreading outward in waves of color. Surrounded by the dazzling blossoms, Kimi's expression softened with pure bliss—more beautiful than any flower herself.
"Kimi, you're far too adorable," Kurumi said, suddenly leaping forward and tackling her playfully.
"Oh my~ Divine One, please don't start acting spoiled now. I still need to finish designing the garden. Every flower must be properly categorized," Kimi replied gently, stroking Kurumi's black hair with a graceful smile full of soft warmth.
"Mm-hmm!" Kurumi quickly sat back up. Strangely, even though she had a strong sense of possessiveness toward beautiful things, she didn't like keeping them too close. Instead, she preferred to admire them from afar.
"Futayo! What do you think about our home?" Kurumi asked the now loose-haired Futayo. Surely she would want something like a training ground, right?
"This one has no opinion," Futayo replied formally.
"Come on, say something! Any request will do. Wouldn't it be nice to have a bit of your own joy at home?" Kurumi smiled brightly, her enthusiasm for designing their house practically overflowing.
"As a warrior, even if I sleep beneath the open sky, it makes no difference to me," Futayo answered with a serious tone.
"..."
Kurumi's radiant smile froze, her beautiful face shifting into one of quiet grievance.
"Futayo, you deserve to stay single forever," Kurumi muttered, pouting as she turned away.
"Forget it. I'll just design my own house." Humming lightly, she skipped away from Kimi's flower-filled domain.
"Futayo, the Divine One choosing you as her guardian knight... truly troublesome," Kimi said softly, walking forward with a faint smile. Kurumi thought Futayo was simply dense, but Kimi knew better—Futayo was overthinking everything.
"My lady, I find your lack of reverence toward the Divine One quite troubling," Futayo replied firmly, locking eyes with Kimi. Now that Kurumi was gone, there was a noticeable chill between the two.
"Futayo, the Divine One doesn't want you to treat her with excessive reverence. You should allow yourself to be closer to her," Kimi said, her voice weary but earnest.
"Such thoughts are blasphemous," Futayo said sharply, glaring at her.
Kimi sighed, twirling a lock of her flaxen hair around her finger. "Futayo, what kind of person do you think our Divine One truly is?"
Futayo didn't answer. Her gaze hardened instead, silently accusing Kimi—how dare a subordinate speak so lightly of their god!
"My, my, you're so stubborn," Kimi said helplessly, then continued, "Our Divine One may be willful and domineering, but she's also lively and kind. Her views on love are... eccentric, but she loves humanity more deeply than anyone else. To me, she's like an immature little sister."
"Unforgivable!" Futayo gripped Tonbokiri tightly. Though her face remained calm, her will burned fierce and bright.
"Unforgivable? For calling her my little sister?" Kimi asked with a faintly teasing smile.
"There's that... but more than that, I cannot forgive myself for failing to protect the Divine One," Futayo said, turning sharply toward the exit, her voice firm. "The Divine One is the hope of this entire world. Nothing must happen to her. Kimi, though our relationship is strained, in my absence, please watch over her."
"What are you planning to do? Didn't the Divine One order you to stay by her side at all times?" Kimi asked, watching her back.
Futayo paused, lowering her head. "Even if it means disobeying the Divine One, there is something I must do."
Her silhouette disappeared among the flowers. Kimi sighed softly. "So you intend to conquer the labyrinth alone, to prevent the Divine One from being harmed... How stubborn. Perhaps that's exactly why she chose you as her knight."
At the edge of her newly claimed land, Kurumi had designed a sandy beach. Around it, she began constructing all kinds of buildings—tables and pavilions by the seaside, like a vacation resort. She planned to turn her home into a grand retreat where her guildmates could come and relax.
"Kimi, look! These wooden villas built over the sea—it's like a miniature Venice!" Kurumi said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Watching her so full of joy, Kimi said quietly, "Futayo Honda has left. She went alone to challenge the labyrinth."
Kurumi's body froze. For a long moment, she said nothing.
"Will you go after her?" Kimi asked softly.
Kurumi shook her head slightly. "No need. If Futayo wants to clear the labyrinth on her own... then I'll just wait and see."
The sea breeze lifted her crimson ribbons, fluttering in the wind. Kimi reached up to hold down her flowing hair, her expression complicated. "My Divine One may be gentle... but she can also be cruel. Futayo, this time... she's truly angry."