The girls felt a sense of relief after hearing Ryuji's reassurahey were well aware of how strong Nanako and Mimiko had bee, so having them around for support eased their s.

  "We'll also work hard to bee stronger!" one of them decred with determination.

  Even though their current strength was still g, they were all motivated to grow and improve.

  "That's right! We'll keep training," another added.

  "Someday, we'll be strong enough to help you, Ryuji," Miko said with quiet fidence.

  The idea of being able to protect Ryuji, instead of always relying on him for prote, was a dream they all shared, even if it felt a little far-fetched.

  Ryuji smiled warmly at their optimism, nodding in encement. "Alright," he said simply, aowledging their resolve.

  The atmosphere around Ryuji and the girls was filled with lighthearted ughter and a sense of camaraderie.

  ---

  Meanwhile, back at Arisu's home.

  Masumi had just returned from school to find the house eerily quiet.

  "Still sleeping?" she muttered, gng around and notig that Arisu wasn't ao be seen.

  For a moment, Masumi debated whether she should head upstairs to che her, but before she could make a decision, the sound of a door creaking open caught her attention.

  Arisu stepped out of her room, her movements casual as if nothing had happened. She didn't seem tired or sluggish at all. Instead, she walked straight to the kit, her demeanor posed and unbothered.

  "You're back," Arisu said calmly, retrieving a bottle of water from the fridge and taking a long sip.

  "Uh…" Masumi blinked, momentarily unsure of how to respond.

  "Are you okay?" she asked tentatively, watg as Arisu leaned against the ter, looking perfectly fine.

  "Me? Of course, I'm fine," Arisu replied nontly, shrugging as if the question were unnecessary. "Why wouldn't I be?"

  Masumi's eyes narrowed in suspi. "But…"

  She trailed off, recalling how frail Arisu used to be. With her genital heart dition, even walking too much or drinking cold water would have been a problem for her. Yet here she was, casually sipping ice water like it was nothing.

  A realization dawned on Masumi, and her eyes widened slightly. "Your heart dition… has it been cured?"

  Arisu's lips curled into a small smile, and she nodded without hesitation.

  "That's right," she admitted. There was no point in hiding it.

  She took another sip of water, then added with a faint sigh, "I always knew sorcerers had incredible powers, but experieng it firsthand is something else entirely."

  She paused for a moment, her expression thoughtful.

  "A dition that had tless doctors at a loss… and Ryuji fixed it with a simple touch. If someone had told me that a year ago, I wouldn't have believed it."

  Masumi's gaze softened slightly. Though she didn't show it often, she genuinely cared about Arisu, and knowing her friend was finally free of her illness was a relief.

  But then Arisu's tone shifted, her voice tinged with a mix of amusement and nostalgia.

  "Not only that… I experienced something st night that I've never felt before," Arisu said, her expression turning faintly wistful as she reminisced.

  Her words, bined with the glint in her eye, immediately caused Masumi's face to stiffen.

  "…" Masumi stared at her, speechless.

  Was this really the same sharp, calg Arisu she'd always known? Because the way she was ag now…

  "You've gotten so lewd," Masumi muttered under her breath, uo hide her disbelief.

  Arisu g her, her calm posure intact. "You don't uand," she said simply, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

  Masumi bristled at her tone, crossing her arms defensively. "What don't I uand?" she shot back.

  "Sure, I haven't experie myself, but I've been online before. I know what it's like. It's just… a few minutes, right?" Masumi's voice carried a mix of skepticism and defiance.

  Arisu raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile pying on her lips. "A few minutes?" she repeated, her tone dripping with amusement.

  "What's that supposed to mean?" Masumi asked, frowning slightly.

  Arisu chuckled softly, leaning forward slightly as if to emphasize her point. "Let me expin something to you," she begaone light but firm.

  "Last night… I didn't sleep at all."

  "…"

  For a moment, Masumi was pletely stunned. Her eyes widened as she stared at Arisu, her mind rag to process what she'd just heard.

  "That's impossible!" she finally blurted out, her voice tinged with both disbelief and shock. "No one go all night! He's… he's not human!"

  Arisu shrugged casually, clearly enjoying Masumi's rea. "You'll uand when it's your turn," she said, her toeasing.

  Masumi's face turned bright red. "What kind of obse nonsense are you spouting?" she snapped, gring at Arisu.

  Arisu simply shrugged again, pletely unfazed. "What I say? I couldn't ha by myself."

  Masumi's breath hitched, her face growing even redder as she realized the full implications of what Arisu was saying.

  Her heart skipped a beat as her imagination started to run wild, and she quickly shook her head, trying to push the thoughts away.

  "Stop fantasizing," Arisu said suddenly, her voice cutting through Masumi's spiraling thoughts. "ime, I'll call you to join us."

  Masumi froze, her mind going bnk for a moment.

  "W-What are you even saying?!" she sputtered, her voice rising in both embarrassment and anger.

  Arisu smirked, clearly enjoying herself. "I'm being siderate," she said simply, her tone as calm as ever.

  "I don't need your so-called sideration!" Masumi shot back, her voice sharp. She spun on her heel and stomped back toward her room, smming the door shut behind her.

  The loud bang echoed through the house, a clear sign of her frustration.

  Arisu, however, simply smiled to herself, her expression rexed and unbothered.

  "Ha," she chuckled softly, shaking her head in amusement.