Fujino Asagami didn't doubt Eriri's words. All she wanted now was to go back a few days to when her father was still alive—to question him, to demand why he had treated her the way he did.
Of course, that was just a passing thought. Not only was it impossible for her to go back in time, but even if she relied on someone like Eriri to do so, she doubted she would be able to say a single word when faced with her father.
"What should I do..." she murmured quietly, still nestled in Eriri's embrace—half to herself, half as a plea for guidance.
"Come to think of it, I haven't told you my name yet," Eriri said, as if she hadn't heard Fujino's whisper at all. "Fujino-chan, my name is Eriri. Eriri Spencer Sawamura. You can call me Eriri-nee—or just 'Onee-chan' if you'd like~"
Fujino looked up at her, her gaze still somewhat hollow and now tinged with confusion.
After a few seconds of silence, she finally asked again, "Eriri-nee, what should I do?"
"Let's take care of your body first," Eriri said.
She placed her palm gently on Fujino's head and released a trace of cosmic energy into her body.
Under Eriri's control, the energy traveled softly through Fujino's body, curing her untreated neuromyelitis optica, and eliminating all the damage done by years of strong painkillers.
As a bonus, her physical condition was greatly enhanced—appendicitis, a condition she would have developed in the future, was now an impossibility.
Then Eriri guided all of the remaining energy into Fujino's eyes, optimizing her Mystic Eyes of Distortion.
The enhancement lasted several minutes, during which Eriri steadily increased the energy flow. When the process was complete, Fujino's Mystic Eyes had reached an entirely new dimension of power.
Where before she might have twisted a city if her ability were fully unleashed, now she could distort entire galactic clusters—perhaps even the universe itself.
Eriri ruffled her hair and smiled. "All done. Your 'analgesia' is gone now, Fujino-chan~"
"Really?" Fujino asked uncertainly, a flicker of hope lighting up in her eyes.
"Of course. Try it yourself."
Without hesitation, Fujino pinched her own cheek.
"Ouch!!"
Having never learned to modulate her strength, she had pinched herself far too hard. A burning pain shot through her cheek and up into her brain, making her instantly let go.
"It hurts—it really hurts! Eriri-nee, I can feel pain again!"
She ignored the sting and sat up straight in Eriri's arms, her face lit with joy.
Tears spilled down her cheeks.
Eriri didn't speak. She simply smiled and watched her.
Several minutes passed before Fujino's emotions finally calmed.
"Okay, your body is fixed. Now it's time to decide something else—something very important for your future."
She wrapped both arms around Fujino, who was now squirming to get free from embarrassment—but Eriri showed no intention of letting go.
Hearing Eriri's words, Fujino stopped her faint, symbolic struggle and showed a confused expression.
"Didn't you ask me earlier what you should do?"
"Mm..." Fujino nodded.
Perhaps the question had reminded her of everything her father had done, because her expression quickly darkened.
"Fujino-chan, I'm giving you two choices. The first is to follow your mother and join the Asagami family as planned. The second is to become part of my family starting today and live with me from now on."
Fujino fell into silence, unable to make a decision.
Although the issue of her 'analgesia' had made her feel a deep sense of disappointment toward her mother, she still loved her.
But she also held a great deal of affection for Eriri.
On top of that, she had no favorable impression of the Asagami family. If it weren't for her mother, she wouldn't hesitate at all and would have already chosen Eriri's side.
Eriri didn't pressure her, simply waiting quietly for her decision.
Of course, even if Fujino did choose to follow her original path and become Asagami Fujino, that wouldn't mean Eriri would abandon her.
From the moment she optimized Fujino's body and Mystic Eyes with cosmic energy, their bond had become something Eriri wouldn't easily sever.
Only those Eriri considered family received that level of attention.
After a long and careful deliberation, Fujino finally made her decision.
"Eriri-nee, we've only known each other for less than an hour, but somehow it feels like you're my real sister.
"I remember reading a line in a picture book once—it said fledgling birds must eventually leave the nest and take flight. I can't stay by my mother's side forever. And more than that, my existence might affect her future happiness..."
She paused here, and the newly regained clarity in her eyes suddenly grew firm with resolve.
"So, Eriri-nee, from today onward, please take care of me."
Though Fujino hadn't stated it explicitly, her choice was clear.
"Fujino-chan, I'm really happy you made that choice~" Eriri smiled and hugged her tighter.
Eriri was somewhat surprised by the decision.
Though she was fully confident in her own charm, she hadn't tried to use it to sway Fujino.
Which meant this decision came entirely from Fujino's heart—genuine and sincere.
"Eriri-nee, I'm really happy to become your family too."
"Then from today on, you're no longer Asagami—you're a Sawamura, just like me~"
"Mm!" Fujino nodded with determination.
No—she was now Fujino Sawamura.
The two of them didn't leave the park right away. Instead, they spent more time chatting happily.
Fujino shared many details about her past life. Although the memories weren't happy ones, with Eriri by her side, she could recall them without fear or sorrow.
Eriri also shared her own story—including the existence of other worlds, and the large family that awaited them.
Learning that her future home would be in another world shocked Fujino—but it also filled her with eager anticipation.
When she heard that she'd soon meet dozens of new family members, she worried whether she would get along with them.
But Eriri reassured her, describing people like Arifureta and the others—and Fujino's worries gradually eased.
The two of them stayed in the park for about an hour before finally getting up to leave.
After removing the ward that kept others away from the park, Eriri took Fujino's small hand and began walking in a certain direction.
Their destination was none other than the now-bankrupt Asagami household.
...
The Asagami estate was located not far from the park on Mount Fuji Street. It only took them about half an hour to reach it on foot.
But for Fujino, a sixth-grade elementary school student, it wasn't a short distance. Before the bankruptcy, she was always chauffeured to and from school—even if her father disliked her, she was still the Asagami family's daughter and had always been afforded proper treatment.
After the bankruptcy, however, everything of value—save for the ancestral house—had been sold off to cover debts. There was no longer anyone to escort her.
That was one of the reasons she'd been alone in the park.
The Asagami residence was as large as the Tohsaka estate or the former Matou residence, but now the luxurious home stood silent and empty.
Eriri and Fujino pushed open the front gate and walked in. Even after reaching the central building, they encountered no one.
This didn't surprise Eriri. The ruined Asagami family couldn't afford to keep servants anymore.
Inside the main hall, a large mortuary tablet stood at the back against the wall. Just a few meters in front of it sat a man and a woman facing each other.
They had just finished discussing something, judging by the man's delighted expression. Though the woman's face was unreadable, her shifting eyes revealed inner turmoil.
At that moment, Eriri and Fujino entered.
Due to Eriri's overwhelming presence, the two immediately focused all attention on her, initially failing to notice Fujino at her side.
Fortunately, Eriri hadn't released her charm aura. Once they recovered from the daze, they noticed the small girl holding Eriri's hand.
Upon seeing Fujino, the man's eyes briefly flashed with disdain.
He clearly knew about Fujino's condition and, like her father, detested her power.
The woman, in contrast, lit up with a joyful smile.
"Fujino, school's been out for a while now. Why are you just getting home? Come greet your Uncle Kanzou."
The woman was Fujino's mother, Miyuki Asagami. The man, in his early thirties, was her soon-to-be husband: Asagami Kanzou, the current head of the Asagami family's branch line.
"Mom..."
Fujino didn't respond to her mother's instruction.
After Eriri had restored her body and optimized her Mystic Eyes, her sensory perception had sharpened significantly. Though Kanzou had kept his disdain subtle, Fujino noticed it clearly.
Only now did she realize that this man, who had once seemed kind, truly loathed her. Her already low opinion of the Asagami branch family dropped even further. Still, she sensed that Kanzou genuinely cared for her mother, so she said nothing.
But just because Fujino didn't care didn't mean Eriri would overlook it.
Kanzou hadn't ogled her, but the look he'd given Fujino was enough.
Without a word, Eriri raised her right hand, index finger extended. With a casual flick, an invisible force wrapped around Kanzou, lifting him into the air.
He let out a cry of pain as the unseen energy compressed his body.
Twisting in midair, he struggled in vain.
Unaware of why this was happening, Kanzou panicked and began to beg for mercy.
"Please... Please let me go..."
"If your eyes are defective, I don't mind removing them," Eriri said coldly, stepping forward.
Though she hadn't released even a trace of her true presence, her noble and commanding aura alone was enough to leave both Kanzou and Miyuki frozen with fear.
Miyuki finally recovered and quickly bowed her head.
"Please, my lady, let's talk calmly. I don't know how Kanzou has offended you, but this must be a misunderstanding!"
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