The battlefield was silent—smoke rising, bodies still.
Rei stood there, breathing heavily, hands bloodstained—both from enemies and his own guilt.
From behind him, footsteps.
He turned slowly.
Misaki ran toward him—tears streaming down her face.
She didn't care about the fight, the war, or the blood.
She threw her arms around Rei.
"You're back… You're really back…" her voice cracked.
Rei's eyes widened. For a moment, the god inside him vanished. The pain, the rage—it all disappeared in her warmth.
"Misaki…" he whispered, trembling.
She held him tighter.
"Don't go again. Please… stay."
He hesitated.
Then, slowly, he wrapped his arms around her too.
"I'm sorry…" he whispered. "I'm home."
Ash, standing nearby, lowered his sword and smiled faintly.
Naoto and Tenma watched in silence.
For the first time in a long time—
Rei was just… human again.
Rei's voice was low, almost a whisper against the silence that followed their embrace.
Misaki slowly pulled back, her hands still resting on his shoulders.
Tears lingered in her eyes, but she met his gaze directly.
"I tried to kill you…" Rei said, his voice trembling.
"Back there… I… I wasn't myself. But part of me wanted to. I was lost. Consumed."
Misaki didn't flinch.
She looked at him—not as the vessel of a god, not as a member of Hero Hunters, not as someone dangerous—but as Rei.
The Rei she remembered.
She raised her hand slowly and touched his cheek.
"Then why didn't you?"
Rei clenched his fists.
"Because even when I was drowning in power, in darkness… you were the only light I saw. The only thing that stopped me."
She smiled, tearfully.
"That's why I never gave up on you."
Rei dropped to his knees.
"I don't deserve forgiveness."
Misaki knelt too and wrapped her arms around him again.
"Then let me carry the part of your pain you can't. You're here now. That's what matters."
Ash, standing in the shadows, quietly turned away—his eyes full of something between relief and sorrow.
A new chapter for Rei was beginning. But the war wasn't over.
The soft glow of the moon filtered through the curtains as the quiet hum of night filled the room.
Rei and Misaki sat together on the sofa, their shoulders almost touching, silence heavy with unspoken words.
"Promise me you won't go again," Misaki whispered, her eyes fixed ahead but her voice trembling.
Rei looked at her, then down at his hands. After a pause, he nodded.
"I promise."
Misaki, tired from everything—the mission, the emotions, the weight of seeing Rei return—slowly leaned to the side and drifted off to sleep on the sofa.
Rei gently turned toward her. He reached over and lifted her in his arms.
Carefully, he carried her to the bed.
He placed her down with care, pulling the blanket over her. Then, silently, Rei lay beside her—facing her, watching her breathe peacefully.
A flicker of emotion crossed his eyes as he leaned forward slowly, his lips inches from hers.
Just then, Misaki stirred—and turned in her sleep, her back facing him.
Rei froze.
He blinked, then looked away, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.
"What am I doing…?" he muttered.
But then—Misaki, still half-asleep, reached back and gently held Rei's hand.
His eyes widened.
She didn't let go.
He turned to look at her face, now calm and resting.
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Good night, Misaki," he whispered softly, their hands still entwined.
The forest was silent, wrapped in moonlight and mist.
Leaves rustled gently in the night breeze, and the distant sound of an owl echoed softly.
But deeper within—where no human dared walk—a faint, glowing light shimmered between the trees.
There, Tenma stood alone in the darkness.
His black coat swayed in the wind. His eyes were fixed on the clearing ahead, where the earth had split and runes glowed with an eerie light.
A circular gate—ancient, forgotten, and forbidden—stood half-formed, its edge trembling with unstable energy.
"It's almost ready..." Tenma murmured, his voice low.
The ground vibrated as mana surged through the air, drawing in light and heat.
"After all this time... the gate is finally responding."
Sparks of blue lightning danced across the forest floor. Animals fled. The wind howled unnaturally.
Tenma narrowed his eyes.
"Once it opens completely... this world will change."
He didn't smile. He didn't blink.
He simply watched.
Waited.
Because what was coming through the gate… was not human.
The sun beamed softly through the window curtains. Morning warmth filled the quiet room.
Rei stepped out, freshly showered, drying his hair with a towel. Misaki sat by the table, sipping tea, her gaze quietly following him.
Rei walked over and sat on the sofa, stealing a glance at her.
There was a pause… then softly—
"I want..." Rei began, voice uncertain.
"What do you want?" Misaki asked, tilting her head.
Rei swallowed.
"...I want a… k-kiss."
Misaki blinked. "Ahhh!" Her cheeks flushed instantly. "You—Mr. Face-is-red!"
Rei turned away. "Y-You're red too..."
Misaki stood up shyly, heart racing, and began walking slowly toward him, steps light, emotions fluttering.
Just as their eyes met—
Knock knock!
"Heeey, Rei! Open up!" Ash's voice came from behind the door.
Rei groaned, forehead dropping into his hand.
"...Wrong timing."
Misaki giggled softly behind her hand.
Ash's voice rang through the door again.
"Come with me, now!"
Before Rei could say anything, the door burst open—Ash stepped in, eyes filled with urgency. He grabbed Rei's hand.
"Ash?! What—" Rei started.
"No time. Just come!.
Rei stood under the tree where Ash had dragged him, brushing his hand through his hair with a sigh.
"You really know how to ruin a moment," Rei muttered.
Ash blinked. "Huh?"
Rei turned around without another word and walked back inside.
Back in the room…
Misaki sat on the sofa, hugging a pillow. Her cheeks were still flushed, and her eyes darted to the door every few seconds.
The door creaked open.
"I'm back," Rei said, stepping in casually.
Misaki stood up, trying to act indifferent. "T-Took you long enough."
Rei scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Ash dragged me for no reason. Just wanted to say some weird stuff..."
Misaki stared at him. "So… where were we?"
Rei smirked. "I think I was about to ask for a kiss."
"Rei!!" Misaki threw the pillow at him, laughing.
He caught it with ease and grinned. "Don't worry. Next time, I won't let anything interrupt."
The lights in the cozy room sparkled gently, laughter and soft music filling the air. Plates of snacks and drinks were scattered across the table, and a warm, cheerful atmosphere lingered.
Ash stood on the couch, arms raised.
"Alright, everyone! Tonight, we welcome back our mysterious and painfully quiet comrade—Rei!"
The small group clapped, some teasing, others genuinely smiling.
Rei stood near the corner, clearly awkward. "This is unnecessary..."
"Shut up and enjoy it for once," Kaien said, nudging him with a smirk.
Then the door creaked open again.
Misaki stepped in, holding a wrapped box in her hands. She looked around and then smiled—eyes landing on Rei.
She walked forward slowly.
"I brought cake," she said.
"You came," Rei replied, his tone softening.
She handed him the box. "Of course. You came back... That means something."
Rei stared at her for a second too long before Ash clapped loudly again.
"Alright, cake time! Everyone grab a slice before Drax eats it all!"
Laughter broke out again.
Misaki sat beside Rei as the others partied.
"I'm glad you're home," she said quietly.
Rei glanced at her, then looked away. "...Me too."
The room buzzed with laughter and warmth. Plates clinked, drinks spilled slightly, and someone—probably Kai—was already challenging Drax to an eating contest.
Ash grinned, tossing popcorn at Kaien.
"Hey, Kaien! Bet you can't finish that drink in one go!"
Kaien raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Watch me."
One gulp. The room cheered.
Misaki leaned against the wall, holding a cup of juice. Her eyes kept drifting to Rei, who sat on the couch, half-lost in the noise, his gaze unfocused—but soft.
She made her way toward him, her fingers tightening around the cup.
"You okay?" she asked, taking a seat beside him.
Rei blinked once, then nodded.
"Yeah... Just not used to this. The noise. The peace."
Misaki smiled gently. "Then get used to it. Because you're not leaving again."
He glanced sideways, almost shy.
"Yeah. I'll try."
Suddenly, the music changed to something slow and peaceful. Couples and friends began dancing or swaying along.
Ash yelled from the side, clearly half-drunk,
"Hey Rei! Dance with Misaki! Don't be a coward!"
Rei's eyes widened slightly. Misaki blushed, but then stood and held out her hand, teasingly.
"Well? Mr. Hero Hunter?"
He hesitated—but then took her hand.
The two moved awkwardly at first, but soon found a gentle rhythm. No words. Just quiet steps and shared silence.
From the side, Koharu whispered to Luna,
"They're kind of cute like this."
Luna smiled, resting her chin on her palm.
"They always were."
As the night rolled on, the celebration grew softer. Laughter turned to quiet conversations, and the stars outside blinked above a world where, for now, there was peace.
The music had quieted down, and everyone had gathered around the lounge table. Naoto Yatsuki leaned back on the couch with a cocky grin, twirling a silver coin between his fingers.
"Hey Kaien," he said casually, "Where's my payment? I believe I was promised my standard fee."
Kaien raised an eyebrow. "And how much is that again?"
Before Kaien could finish his sentence, Ash—half-laughing—cut in.
"How much did you scam this time, Naoto?"
Naoto leaned forward and smirked. "Just 100 million yen."
The room went silent.
Luna nearly dropped her drink. "ONE HUNDRED million? Are you robbing a bank or saving a country?"
Koharu blinked. "That's more than the guild's entire monthly budget!"
Naoto stretched his arms behind his head.
"Relax. That's just my lowest fee. You should see what I charge for international jobs."
Drax whispered to Kai,
"I think he's serious."
Kaien rubbed his temples. "You're lucky we didn't let Takuma shoot you."
Naoto shrugged, eyes glinting. "You want results or not?"
Ash smirked. "If I knew being this expensive was allowed, I'd be rich by now."
"You? You'd charge a soda and a burger," Naoto teased.
Everyone laughed, even Rei cracked a faint smile.
Kaien sighed. "Fine. I'll consider paying. After I recover from the heart attack you just gave me."
Naoto stood, hands in pockets, walking toward the door.
"Just don't be late. I charge interest."