In Eu's eyes, Raize had no true sense of belonging either.
Only becoming stronger gave him fulfillment and security—exactly as he had told her so frankly.
And it wasn't just Raize who felt fear.
Eu loved staying in this home. Beings that could give her such warmth and safety were far too rare, and that made her anxious about loss as well.
She even feared that one day, upon opening her eyes, she might cause Raize's death because of herself—leaving her to wander alone again, hunted and alone.
'…I'm just a bad girl who brings calamity… I'm just… using your power to rid myself of my burdens.'
She still didn't dare to face it. Didn't dare to accept it. She blamed everything on herself.
Just like how Raize once didn't dare step into Mashiro's world, didn't dare let himself get too close.
Now Eu felt the same way he once had—still denying herself.
'Even though I don't want to hurt you, I'm terribly… attached to the ease I feel by your side, and to the power that eases my pain. I don't want to hurt you, yet I keep bringing you trouble… I'm awful.'
Such thoughts alone could shake her—but that shaking expanded uncontrollably as Raize poured out his heart.
I accept you and all of you. If your power runs wild, I'll help you. If bad people harass you, I'll beat them up. If you're hungry, I'll cook. If you're sick, I'll care for you…
Every promise was something Raize could fulfill—and exactly what Eu longed for.
When her power ran out of control and gave her splitting headaches, she could turn to Raize for relief—just as, when he first gained Reject Phenomena, his first thought had been of Eu.
"Eu, does your head still hurt? It doesn't? Hehe… maybe my ability exists just to help you."
That casual remark, after a day of power transfer, had been etched deeply into her heart.
'Don't say any more…..'
When bad people appeared, Raize would protect her with everything he had—even knowing the enemy was strong.
The last time, when someone from another world attacked, Raize flew into a rage for her sake and charged into battle without hesitation.
"May I ask, the necromancer you mentioned is…?"
"Hehe, just someone whose strength doesn't match their position. As for Hellscythe—"
BANG—!
Killing intent erupted as Raize launched a ruthless attack, entering a battle where the odds were stacked against him—yet he emerged victorious thanks to his unique nature.
'Please… don't get hurt for me again…'
When hungry, Raize would smile as he served her delicious food, filling her small, empty stomach.
"Eu, what other pudding flavors do you want? I'll make them for you."
Wearing an apron, experimenting with new dishes and desserts, Raize smiled as Eu tasted them with sparkling eyes.
"Huh? Hungry again this late? Your appetite rivals mine. But your digestion really is better than mine. If I didn't know you don't gain weight, I wouldn't make this much."
Late at night, with a knock at his door, Raize scratched his head and looked helplessly yet indulgently at Eu holding up her little notebook.
After a day of relaxed outings and good food, Raize glanced at the silver-haired girl beside him.
"What do you want to try next time, Eu?"
(Whole Imperial Feast ~o(*￣▽￣*)o)
Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she raised the notebook high.
"Can you even finish that!?"
Raize complained, face darkened.
'It's already enough…'
Even now, when she was sick, he cared for her meticulously.
"…Eu? You're awake. How are you feeling? Still uncomfortable? You must be hungry. I'll make dinner."
When she woke, she saw him maintaining his ability at her side, worrying over her. Her body felt warm—and so did her heart.
"Let's eat first. I made some soup. It's an unfinished dish to me, though. I hope you don't mind."
How could she possibly mind?
Who had ever cared for her like this before—preparing warm soup just for her when she was sick?
Drinking the Century Soup, warmth and emotion filled her heart. She wanted to tell Raize—but couldn't, out of shyness.
And precisely because of that—
"I, who can do all of this, will accept all of you!"
Raize declared firmly.
'Please… don't shake my heart anymore!!!'
A certain line of defense inside her finally collapsed. Her emotions could no longer be restrained. She could no longer suppress her heart.
Vibration—!
A surge of magic reminiscent of the birth of the universe brewed within Eu's small body. Dense streams of magic flowed across her surface.
Zap—
The overly concentrated magic caused the surrounding air to discharge violently. Arcs of magical lightning burst forth, reducing her pajamas to ash.
Raize, holding her at point-blank range, was the first to be affected. His body was jolted backward, his god-forged physique torn open by the arcs.
A deep gash appeared on his face—healing in the next instant.
Seeing her like this, panic filled Raize's eyes—not for himself, but for Eu, who was clearly in agony.
"Aize…"
She lifted her head slightly, staring straight into his eyes as if trying to engrave him permanently into her sight.
Her face bore an expression that was half-smile, half-cry, filled with pain. Her eyes, once devoid of emotion, now overflowed with countless feelings.
Her mind was in complete chaos.
Ever since she donned the armor that suppressed her magic and sealed her emotions, the last time she had experienced such uncontrollable emotional upheaval was when the King of the Night had provoked her.
Back then, he had deliberately stirred her kindness into sorrow and rage.
But now… her emotions were even more complex.
Joy, dependence, guilt, sadness, excitement, loneliness, pain—too many, far too many.
What Raize had drawn out from the depths of her heart was far more terrifying than that previous, one-sided provocation.
The magic within her—whose defects Raize had painstakingly removed—was now awakening, fueled by her emotions.
Magic suppressed for countless years, along with emotions belonging to a normal person, surged awake.
Blocked for too long, they demanded release.
Magic wanted to vent—wildly, recklessly.
Eu desperately wanted to pour out even more of her feelings to Raize, to respond to the boy before her.
Unable to suppress it. Unable to restrain it.
She had already… completely lost control.