"To save her, he must descend into the sacred ocean of seduction, secrets, and sorrow."
---
– Morning After the Awakening
Rain still whispered against the windows. Inside Hikami's small apartment, the air was thick with tension… and a suspicious amount of humidity.
Gojo lay sprawled on the futon, shirtless, bandaged and half-conscious, his breathing shallow. A faint crimson glow pulsed beneath his skin — residual spirit heat from his inner battle with Remis, the Scarlet Flame Goddess.
His hair clung to his forehead. Beads of sweat dripped down his temples and onto his exposed collarbone.
"He's still burning up…" Hikami muttered, kneeling beside him in a tank top far too small for the moment.
Suma knelt on the other side, glasses fogging, lips trembling. "W-we need to cool him down. W-with our bodies— I mean water! Cold water!!"
Hiyori, wearing nothing but an oversized hoodie and black thigh-highs, leaned over and whispered sultrily, "He might need mouth-to-mouth. Or maybe some soul-to-soul CPR…"
Gojo suddenly sat up, groaning. "Gods above… is this hell… or heaven?"
"Neither," Hikami snapped, pushing him back down, her hand pressed firmly on his chest — and staying there a little too long. "It's your apartment, and you almost went full spirit-deity berserk last night."
He winced, clutching his forehead. Memories of the sealed woman, the chains, the burning eyes—it all came flooding back.
"Remis… she unlocked something. Something dangerous."
"No kidding," Suma whispered, blushing as she peeked at his abs. "Your spirit pressure is still… throbbing."
Gojo turned serious. "While I was unconscious… I saw her. Mizuki. She was crying."
All three girls stopped.
"Gojo…" Hikami whispered. "What did you see?"
He sat up, eyes blazing faintly gold. "She's been taken. By her brother—Minaga Hanegawa. He's dragging her into the Water Spirit Realm – 水の霊界 (Mizu no Reikai) to complete a ritual. If he succeeds, he'll awaken the Leviathan Pact – 龍の誓い (Ryuu no Chikai)."
Hiyori frowned. "Wait, Mizuki's own brother is doing this?"
"Minaga was always obsessed with water gods," Gojo said grimly. "He believes Mizuki is the final vessel for Kaioh – 海王, the Ocean Sovereign. He'll offer her body to awaken it."
Suma covered her mouth. "That's… that's horrible…"
Gojo's fists clenched. "I have to save her. No matter what it takes."
---
That Night – Gateway to the Spirit Realm
Thunder cracked overhead as Hikami traced spirit runes onto a glowing red torii gate behind the shrine.
"The gate to Mizu no Reikai only opens during Kansui no Yoru – The Night of Full Flow," she explained. "Once we enter… the ocean spirits will try to seduce, drown, or absorb you."
Gojo nodded. "I've fought gods. I think I can handle a few naughty water nymphs."
Hiyori grinned. "Let's hope they're naughty."
Suma was already nervously tightening the string of her yukata. "I-I read the Water Spirit Realm messes with your desires. Like illusions and… fantasies…"
Hikami rolled her eyes. "Keep your panties tight and your minds tighter."
They stepped through.
---
Mizu no Reikai – 淡夢の海 (Sea of Pale Dreams)
The world changed.
They entered a dreamlike world where glowing koi swam through air, floating islands of coral glimmered like gemstones, and the ground itself pulsed with warm, wet spirit energy.
Every surface dripped. Every breath tasted like honeyed salt. Their clothes stuck to their bodies from the humid energy.
"Oh no," Suma whimpered, her silk already see-through. "Th-this realm is perverted!"
Gojo held his sword out, eyes narrowing. "The realm's alive… it's watching us."
From a nearby lotus pond, three water maidens rose, curvaceous and nude, their skin shimmering with mist.
"Kase Gojo," they cooed in unison. "Will you abandon fire… and drown in pleasure?"
"Don't look, you damn harem protagonist!!" Hikami screamed, throwing a fire charm in Gojo's face.
He coughed. "I-I wasn't!! I mean I was— but not like that!"
They ran, the world shifting around them like a dream.
---
Deeper into the Realm
They reached a spiraling waterfall shrine carved into pearl-like rock. In its center stood Minaga Hanegawa — shirtless, his muscular body covered in black sea runes. In his arms, unconscious and glowing faintly blue — Mizuki.
Her lips moved softly in sleep. Her body floated, her clothes melting into divine silk, skin radiant.
"I won't let you do this!!" Gojo roared.
Minaga turned. "You wouldn't understand, Gojo. My sister is the chosen vessel. Through her, the Sea King awakens. The world will return to tide and silence."
Hikami's flames surged around them. "Touch her again, and I'll boil you alive, bastard."
But Minaga laughed. "You want her? Then claim her from the sea."
The ground cracked—revealing a spiraling abyss of water.
Gojo clenched his sword. "Then I'll dive into your damn abyss."
He leapt.
Hikami, Suma, and Hiyori followed—
Their clothes soaked. Their hearts pounding.
The deeper they went, the hotter it became.
---
To be continued