"So this is what Yukino saw before."
Haruno held her weapon as she stared at the grotesque cursed spirit before her.
After her night with Lynn, Haruno had been eager to test her own abilities.
And…
She glanced at Lynn beside her, the corners of her lips curling into a smug smile.
As expected.
After getting into bed with Lynn, their relationship had improved significantly.
This really was the fastest way to build intimacy!
She knew that not many Peerage members had been personally guided by Master Lynn during their first time.
Even Yukino hadn't received that treatment.
Hmph…
Haruno felt quite proud.
As she neared the cursed spirit, a strange voice suddenly echoed in her ear.
"Can you see me? Can you see me?"
"Huh…"
Haruno exhaled, trying to calm the tension in her chest.
Seeing this, Lynn reassured her, "Don't worry, this type of cursed spirit is very weak."
"Okay!"
Haruno nodded and, without hesitation, unleashed her magic at the cursed spirit.
Swish.
The cursed spirit let out a sharp cry before disappearing in an instant.
Haruno blinked in disbelief. "Did I really just do that?"
"Without a doubt," Lynn affirmed.
Haruno smiled brightly, like a child who had just been praised.
After taking down a few more cursed spirits in succession, Lynn said, "Try using your [Disguise Devil] ability."
"Huh?"
Haruno paused for a moment and said hesitantly, "But [Disguise Devil] doesn't have much combat capability."
"Not necessarily…"
After their close interaction the night before, Lynn suspected there was more to [Disguise Devil] than what appeared on the surface.
"I understand!"
Haruno nodded and took a deep breath.
"Disguise Devil!"
Buzz.
Her pupils began to shimmer, and a series of human silhouettes flashed across her vision.
As long as she had some knowledge about someone, she could disguise herself as them.
The deeper the understanding, the more perfect the disguise.
The next moment.
A particular figure in her vision stood still.
Haruno was caught off guard by what she saw.
It was…
Lynn!
Her heart stirred slightly.
She and Lynn were already quite close, right?
Then let's try taking on Lynn's appearance.
Haruno focused her thoughts, and her body began to shimmer.
But—
"There's no change?"
Haruno was confused.
Could it be that she didn't understand Lynn well enough?
No!
She had to deepen their connection again tonight!
Since she couldn't transform into Lynn, Haruno shifted her target naturally.
"Alright! Let's try Yukino!"
Buzz—
Haruno's body once again shimmered and distorted.
And then.
Yukino made a stunning appearance!
Haruno leaned forward and gasped. "That looks so real!"
Lynn's mouth twitched slightly, nearly laughing aloud.
Is that how you confirm if it's realistic?
Haruno's transformation became more refined, even her temperament perfectly mimicking Yukino's.
Suddenly, Haruno had a mischievous idea.
"Master Lynn, would you like me to stay in this form tonight?"
"You really know how to mess with people…"
Haruno grinned playfully as she calmed herself and carefully focused on the state of her disguise.
"Wait!"
Her expression shifted.
She could feel a hidden force within her body.
She raised her hand and focused her will.
Fwoosh.
The next second, snowflakes began forming in her palm.
Haruno was stunned.
"Isn't this... Yukino's power?"
Lynn was a bit surprised as well.
So this was...
Was this the true nature of [Disguise Devil]?
He thought for a moment and said, "Try using it."
Following Lynn's instruction, Haruno nodded and waved her hand forward.
Fwoosh.
A gust of frost surged forward!
But…
"So weak…"
Haruno frowned at the snow that barely reached a meter ahead.
"Hm…"
Lynn touched his chin and analyzed, "Maybe your overall strength is still too low, or your understanding of the target isn't deep enough."
"Or…"
"[Disguise Devil] might only replicate a portion of the original ability."
Hearing Lynn's analysis, Haruno nodded quickly.
She was confident in business matters, but Lynn was undoubtedly the expert when it came to power and abilities.
It all sounded very plausible.
Still—
"Even if it's not at the original level, I'm already very satisfied!"
Haruno released her [Disguise Devil] form, a bright smile on her face.
She had initially thought it was just a simple disguise ability.
She never expected it could also mimic abilities.
This was already far beyond her expectations!
"Good potential," Lynn praised.
Perhaps once Haruno's level increased, the disguises she created would be even more powerful?
A special devil, anything was possible!
After grinding some more cursed spirits for experience, Lynn brought Haruno to the Zombie World and the Black Bullet World to show her the current situations in detail.
That night, they naturally stayed in the other world.
Haruno even planned to use [Disguise Devil] to give Lynn a "variety of experiences."
Unfortunately, [Disguise Devil] couldn't handle such intense impact…
So it ended midway.
But this only fueled Haruno's desire to grow stronger.
[Disguise Devil] was such a useful skill, it had to be upgraded!
Lynn must have multiple experiences through her alone!
Back in the main world.
Seeing that her sister and Lynn hadn't returned, Yukino let out a breath of relief, though her feelings were mixed.
Tonight, she could finally return to her own bedroom.
But…
Inside her room, Yukino sniffed the air with a conflicted look and stared at her bed.
"…Can I even use this bed anymore?"
She looked troubled.
In the end, blushing, Yukinoshita Yukino still laid down on it.
"There's no spare bedsheet… there's nothing I can do…"
She muttered softly, unsure who she was trying to explain herself to.
Her sister… and Lynn's scent lingered...
...
A few days later.
After understanding the situation of the Peerage and drafting several business plans, Haruno finally returned to the Yukinoshita household.
"How was it?"
Fumino asked, her tone impatient.
"It was amazing!"
Haruno's cheeks flushed as she hugged herself, eyes dazed. "Master Lynn's arms were so strong. When he lifted my legs—"
"Stop!"
Fumino immediately interrupted, her expression dark. "I didn't ask to hear those details!"
"Huh?"
Haruno blinked, puzzled. "Then what do you want to hear?"
"Abilities! The Peerage's situation!"
Haruno smiled slyly and then activated her ability.
Her form shimmered.
And someone identical to Fumino appeared before her.
"?"
Fumino froze.
"What is this?"
"Disguise Devil. My ability."
Fumino clicked her tongue. "It's not just the appearance—the voice and aura are identical…"
Haruno smiled. "Pretty good, right?"
Fumino nodded. "It suits you very well."
"I think so too. And…"
Haruno suddenly turned shy. "Master Lynn likes it, too…"
"That night, I even used this appearance…"
The teacup in Fumino's hand shook violently.
"What the hell did you do?!"
"Pfft—Haha!"
Haruno laughed and released the disguise.
"Relax, relax, I was just joking…"
Hearing that, Fumino let out a long sigh, still in shock, her heart pounding.
"Of course…"
Haruno suddenly smiled and said, "If Master Lynn really liked it…"
"I wouldn't say no."
Fumino froze.
Haruno leaned closer and whispered, "I hope you can understand me, mother…"
Fumino's brow furrowed as she gripped her teacup tightly.
But eventually…
She let out a long sigh and awkwardly changed the subject. "Let's talk about the Peerage's situation…"
Haruno's eyes glinted with mischief. She felt a bit of revenge satisfaction.
Well, it couldn't be helped.
Her mother had been too controlling.
As for the Peerage's situation.
Haruno grinned and said, "Sorry, mother. I can't tell you anything about the Peerage~"
Fumino's eyes widened in surprise.
Haruno spoke calmly. "After all, you're an outsider to the Peerage…"
"You…"
Fumino opened her mouth, wanting to say something.
She had brought up the idea of Haruno joining the Peerage, yet she was considered an outsider.
You've completely turned your back on me?
Fumino fell silent.
Haruno didn't push any further. She still respected her mother.
"Don't worry, mother. Even though I can't tell you everything…"
Haruno stood up. "I will carry the Yukinoshita name to heights you couldn't even imagine!"
With that, she left Chiba Prefecture.
After she departed, Fumino remained seated, head lowered in silence.
Finally, she let out a long breath and muttered, "Let them do whatever they want…"
But—
The Peerage…
Fumino's eyes flickered.
She recalled what Haruno had said before.
Using her image…
"How could that unfilial daughter say something like that…"
Her cheeks flushed, and she spat softly.
But still.
Would Lynn really like someone as old and faded as her…?
At the same time.
Miko, Yukino, and Yui, who were training as usual, suddenly ran into something unexpected.
Higurashi Shrine, halfway up the mountain.
"Help!!"
(To be continued.)
***
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