“Now say, Maa. Why is it wrong? How is it wrong? Say!”

“Mhm…” Miko folded her arms, tilting her head in thought. “First tell me, did he answer those people correctly before?”

“Aunty, you don’t need to think that much.” Sakura rolled her eyes, her tone flat. “Because he lied. How can a fortune-teller describe a camel in detail if not even a camel has come, right, Yuki?”

“Wait-wait—” Yuki spun toward her, eyes wide. “Is this also in that book?”

“Yeah.” Sakura nodded smugly. “Small stories.”

“Hmph!” Yuki crossed her arms, her cheeks puffing with anger. “All you know!” She spun toward Miko. “At least say you don't know, right, Maa?

“Idiot!” Airi snapped, pointing a chip at her. “If aunty has read it, she knows! Or if you give her time to think, she’ll figure it out easily!”

“Well then…” Yuki flipped her hair dramatically. “I’ll tell you a story from an epic, this one is real. The other two are said to be real, but this is different. You don’t have to answer. Just listen.”

“Yuki. Don’t take their words… I’m here for you. Say any story, even if I read that, I’ll still listen to you.”

Yuki looked at her with tears at the edge… but quickly wiped. “Okay… I’ll say. It’s a story called Mahabharatham.”

“Okay, so basically there are two sides - Pandavas and Kauravas. Pandavas are on the dharma side, that means like the right side and Kauravas are kinda... uhh, adharma side. Bad ones.”

She scratched her cheek, thinking hard.

“They’re all relatives, just cousins. The war started because Duryodhana, the head of Kauravas, King of Hastinapur - didn’t keep his promise to give the kingdom. So it became a massive fight for the throne!”

She held up ten fingers, then shook them for emphasis, “And that war lasted for 18 days. Can you imagine?!”

“The first ten days, Pandavas weren’t even close to winning, because of one man called Bhishma, he’s on Kaurava side. He was... like super powerful. Like invincible.”

“Then from day 10 to 15, Drona became the main commander.” She jabbed her finger down like naming someone. “He was actually a teacher for both sides!”

“Then day sixteen and seventeen, it was Karnaaa!” She threw her arms wide, almost bouncing. “The great archer! He’s like… Arjuna’s rival. And Arjuna is one of the Pandavas, btw.”

“Oops, I forgot to mention,” she said quickly, “Pandavas are five brothers. Kauravas are... hundred! Hm… 101 if you count the daughter too.” Her voice softened. “I didn’t say that before na? Sorry.”

“There were lakhs and lakhs of soldiers on both sides too.” She sweeps her hand across the air like armies marching.

“But once Karna died, no one had any motivation left on Kauravas’ side. Everyone just… gave up.”

“And before the war began, both sides got a chance to ask Krishna for help.” Yuki’s finger lifted like a warning. “He’s literally God. But there was one condition - one side could have him, the other side his army.”

“Kauravas picked the army. Pandavas got Krishna!” She circled her finger dramatically in the air. “But the rule was: he must not fight in the war.”

She leaned closer and whispered, “But of course he helped. Indirectly. All the brains and plans by… Krishna only.”

“At the end, his brother Balarama questioned him, but Krishna managed.”

She pressed her hands to her chest. “I don’t know others’ view, but I think, without Krishna, the Pandavas wouldn’t have won. He already knew who would die, who would survive, who would lose - all before the war even started.”

“He even knew he’d face punishment for being involved like that.” Yuki’s voice quieted, her pause heavy. “Gandhari, mother of the Kauravas, cursed him after the war.”

“She said his own kingdom would be destroyed.” Her voice dropped lower, hands twisting together. “And that’s what happened after many years - internal fights in his clan.”

“His clan was destroyed, and the kingdom drowned in the sea. And he… he was killed by a hunter’s arrow.”

“It’s a huge story, maa.” Yuki sniffed softly, then smiled. “I said like… not even 0.1%!”

“Hmm.” Miko simply smiled after listening to Yuki’s story.

“Hehe.” Airi and Sakura exchanged a soft smile too.

“Hey… wait.” Yuki blinked rapidly. “Don’t tell me… this is also already written?”

“Hey! You took my book, right?” Airi leaned forward sharply. “You didn’t check? It’s the same story, but small parts!” She swiveled to Sakura. “Hey! Did he write this story too?”

“Ha.” Sakura chuckled. “He does almost nothing at home.”

“What?!” Airi’s eyes flew wide, voice pitching up. “Then why didn’t he write his name?! I’ve been waiting for his stories, you know!”

“Hmph!” Yuki snapped, arms folding tight across her chest. “He copied all the stories from my world!”

“Hey, hey, relax, Yuki.” Miko laid her hand gently on her shoulder. “I also read that... but you said not even 0.1%, right? Then I didn’t read it all.”

“From my understanding maybe he didn’t write all of them.” She paused and let out a sigh. “He just wrote small stories, little books.”

“I had no idea.” Her eyes flicked toward Sakura, surprise softening her tone. “He wrote that story?!”

A quiet thought passed in her mind, ‘Well… maybe he actually went to her world. He has the dimension portal ability afterall…’

“Anyway.” Miko pulled back a soft smile. “Relax. Okay, he copied, but this is a different world, right? Those stories didn’t exist here. Maybe… that’s why he doesn’t want to write his name.”

Yuki puffed a tiny “hmph” and climbed into Miko’s bed again. “Well then, I'll sleep now.”

She lay beside her, clinging like a baby, soft arms circling Miko’s waist.

“Okay, you also sleep, Airi, Sakura.” Miko stroked Yui’s hair gently, her voice drifting like a lullaby. “Yui… if you feel like that, don’t hide. Even at this age, I don’t mind, okay?”

****

A sudden knock echoed in one of the rooms in Diya’s house, stirring Sakuragi from sleep.

She opened the door, half-asleep and there stood Yuna, her eyes lowered.

“W-what, Yuna? Is there any problem?”

“Maa said… go to your room.” Yuna muttered it while staring sideways at the wall, refusing to meet her eyes.

“If you feel uncomfortable, tell me.” Sakuragi placed a hand on Yuna's shoulder. “I’ll talk to her.”

“You don’t know about Maa,” Yuna mumbled. “I’ll just… sleep beside you.”

“Then… okay, come,” Sakuragi said softly.

They lay down, but Yuna turned her back. Sakuragi stayed still, her eyes open, quietly watching the shape of her daughter’s back.

Suddenly Yuna turned around to face her.

Sakuragi startled, and quickly looked away.

“…Mom?”

“What?” Sakuragi turned to her daughter, eyes softening. “Do you want anything?”

“You don’t have to worry about my eye, it’s not a problem. Really sorry for telling you to go back.” Yuna’s voice dipped low. “But that guy… your brother, right? He somehow knows about it.”

“I’m not worrying.” Sakuragi shook her head quietly. “Rina-san said all is fine. I don’t know how he knows… but listen, if he’s ever near and you need anything, ask him. He’ll do it.”

“Can’t you ask him? He’s your brother, right? …Mom?”

“T-That’s, a-ah…” Sakuragi’s words got tangled. “If he doesn’t want to say, I don’t want to pressure him…”

“Well… it’s okay then.” Yuna’s tone softened.

Sakuragi kept staring, unblinking and unmoving, her eyes fixed as though her daughter might vanish

“What, Mom?” Yuna asked, a little frown forming. “Is something wrong?”

“No,” Sakuragi whispered. “I was just thinking… how I even lived these sixteen years without you. Even recently, I thought maybe I’d never find you again.” Silent tears traced her cheeks as her words trembled. “But… he found you.”

"Mom, I told him," Yuna gave a playful huff. “If I hadn’t, do you think he’d even know? I said it because I… felt something in him. That’s why I asked you to ask him.”

She continued, “I trust him too. If not, why would I say anything at all? But he tested me, na? He wanted to hear it from my mouth… that eye power.”

Sakuragi chuckled softly while wiping away a tear.

“Don’t laugh!” Yuna pouted, cheeks puffing. “Everyone keeps thinking I’m a kid, I’m just younger, that’s all. And—” her pout cracked into a smile, “he showed me his vast space storage. So much food, you know?”

“I’ll try asking him how he found it, don’t worry. But I can’t promise he’ll answer, okay? And thank you. If you hadn’t told him… maybe he wouldn’t have even known you were my daughter.”

She wrapped her arms around Yuna gently.

Yuna didn’t return the hug, but she didn’t pull away either.

“Sorry,” Sakuragi murmured, still holding her. “I couldn’t help it.”

“It’s okay.” Yuna looked down, her voice steady. “Maa already told me. I know I act like this. But I follow Maa’s and Aunty’s words. And… that’s just how I am.”

****

“Yenge, you already knew about the next round, right?” Diya tilted her head with a slight pout. “You even told Yuna too, then why didn’t you tell me?”

“Hey, I know it’s not about combat, not about using anything.” Rina flicked her wrist dismissively. “I just said it because she can play without the mask. That’s all.”

“Still, don’t you want to tell me something? At least say… can I have a chance to play with them?

“Please, yenge?” Her words tumbled out, lips pressing in a pout. “You all played today, but I didn’t. And tomorrow, you won’t even be there… so I’ll play, tell me, okay?”

“Ahh, stop.” Rina sighed, brushing her hair back lazily. “Well, you can.”

“Really?” Diya’s eyes lit up, lips curling mischievously. “Then can I tease them? Or maybe even defeat them?”

“You want them to lose?”

“If it’s me playing, then yeah.” Diya shrugged with a playful smirk tugging her lips. “But if it’s with others, I want them to win.”

“You’re psycho,” Rina muttered under her breath, though a smile slipped out. “Um… there’s one thing though. Technically you can… but with your knowledge? You won’t handle Kazuma. Ren? Maybe.”

“Ren-nii?” Diya squinted slightly in thought. “He was poor at this, right? But we don’t know… maybe he changed, right?”

“Who knows.” Rina turned to leave, her voice casual. “Well… go to sleep.”

****

Morning. Golden, warm rays swept across the land, casting a gentle glow as the day began.

“Hey! You two don’t plan on waking up?” Daikin stood at the door, half-annoyed and half-amused.

Hina was still clinging to Kaizen’s waist. He didn’t move either.

“Tch. For you, only Esha is correct, huh?” Daikin muttered as he nudged Kaizen’s leg with his foot. “Wake up, you punk. You slept yesterday too. How much longer do you plan to keep sleeping?”

Kaizen’s eyes blinked slowly, still blurry with sleep. Hina shifted slightly in his arms, letting out a soft hum. “Mmp…”

Holding her carefully, Kaizen adjusted without disturbing her.

“Daikin-san… she’s still sleeping,” he whispered. “Let her rest. The round’s after ten anyway… I’m already awake because of you.”

“Esha said to wake up and keep breakfast.” Daikin grumbled, tugging the blanket higher over his shoulder. “You’re saying not to wake her, huh?”

“Um… no worries, right?” Kaizen yawned, scratching his head lazily. “She’s not here now, so… who tells her?” His gaze narrowed toward Daikin.

“Eh! No! Don’t see me like that,” Daikin waved his hands fast, almost panicked, “I won’t tell, okay?”

Kaizen stood up and carefully tucked the blanket over her again, his eyes softening at her peaceful sleep.

****

In quarters…

– Master, are you listening? Hisagi tilted his head, eyes wide and innocent like a puppy waiting for a treat.

“Idiot.” Ren’s glare sharpened as he flicked a finger at Hisagi’s forehead. “I’m listening, don’t use it randomly. Just talk when it’s needed.”

“Master.” Hisagi leaned forward. “Say how to use the energy in arts, you only told the basics!”

“I said what you need.” Ren rolled his eyes while adjusting his wrist. “First increase your energy. If you’re that curious, then imagine and do whatever you want.”

“But master.” Hisagi blinked fast, fingers twitching like he was ready to write notes mid-air, “How? Say anything!”

“Uff.” Ren sighed, rubbing his temple. “Use ankle nodes for speed, palm nodes for punching or blasting and you’ve already used your brain node to talk to me through mind voice, na?”

“That’s it?” Hisagi frowned, his gaze flicking to his own hand like he expected sparks. “Okay… limb nodes I use for combat. Remaining… why do we use the throat node?”

“To change the voice.” Ren stretched his back and cracked his knuckles. “It’s difficult, even then, you can’t change it fully, only slightly.”

Hisagi asked, deepening his tone slightly like a child doing mimicry, “But see now. I’m saying without using it, na? So what is the use of that?”

Ren smacked the back of Hisagi’s head without mercy.

“That everyone can do! Can you talk like that again whenever you want? No, right?” He stared hard, voice rising. “It’s difficult to talk continuously like that. Not easy.”

“Take Reha’s voice, I mean Yuna. She changed it slightly, but her real voice is totally different. I think you heard the changed voice when you saw me in the 2nd round, right?”

“Yeah… it changed.” Hisagi stared, something clicking in his mind. “So you mean… she knows that?”

“Ha.” Ren huffed, flicking invisible dust from his shoulder. “And you don’t need to. Actually, the main other use is… sonic waves.”

“Huh?” Hisagi tilted his head.

“Well, just don’t focus on upper nodes.” Ren’s voice stayed low and lazy, like the blankets still clung to him. “Don’t worry too much. If Inori hadn’t said that yesterday, I might’ve trained you differently, but now, it’s not needed.”

Hisagi scratched the back of his head. “Where did Master go?”

“He went to get information.” Ren stretched slightly, rolling his shoulders. “Inori will give it before the next round.”

“You rested well, right, master?” Hisagi squinted. “You didn’t even wake up early.”

KNOCK KNOCK.

A sharp knock rattled the door.

Hisagi turned quickly and jogged over, hand already on the latch.

Diya stood right in front of him.

Ren glanced, startled. ‘Why did she come here?’

“Where’s that idiot?” Diya asked, her arms crossed.

“Who…?” Hisagi blinked in confusion, tilting his head.

“That Azuma guy,” she said casually, then turned and winked at Ren like it was some secret mission.

“Diya-san… why did you come?” Ren asked, voice soft.

“Your sister asked me to give breakfast,” she replied simply, lifting a small covered carriage. “So, that’s why.”

At that exact moment, Kazuma appeared in the room. His eyes fell on her. “Huh?!”

Diya spun to face him, her back now to Hisagi. Her eyes lit up instantly.

“Oh~” she sang, waving at him with a cheeky smile.

“You’re Diya-san, right?” Kazuma asked, slightly unsure.

“Huh? You forgot already?” she pouted, puffing her cheeks a bit.

“Why did you come here, Diya-san?” Kazuma frowned slightly, his tone sharpening.

Diya walked over to the bed, placed the carriage down sharply. “Well, I’m going.”

She turned to leave.

Kazuma followed her into the corridor, his eyes scanning the contestants walking past, chatting, stretching. He stepped beside her and lowered his voice to talk.

His eyes narrowed.

“What? Go and eat.” Diya shot a look right back, not flinching. “Why didn’t you come yesterday with him, idiot?”

“What are you talking about, Diya-san?” Kazuma’s jaw tightened as he spoke. “And why are you calling me like that?”