Chapter 155: A Morning Fortune in Beauty

"H-Have... have children?" Esdeath's voice was trembling slightly. "What kind of joke is that? Get out, right now, immediately."

"Your reaction is much stronger than I expected. Well, well, no need to be shy. This is something that requires both parties' consent. Since you disagree, let's leave it for another time. Tonight, just let me hold you properly as we sleep."

Esdeath pacified the slightly agitated Kei, hugging him tightly from behind and refusing to let go no matter what.

"Can't you... can't you be a little more reserved? People usually like girls who are gentle and soft." Kei gave up struggling; if he resisted any further, they would end up in a real fight.

"I am Esdeath, not one of those frail women. If I want something, I take it; the weak are forever the prey of the strong. Besides, even if I were gentle, you still wouldn't come any closer to me. It's better for me to take the initiative and leave you nowhere to hide," Esdeath murmured softly right beside Kei's ear.

"...Just go to sleep." Kei was left speechless. If Esdeath truly acted gentle and frail, the outcome would be similar to Mine or Sheele, and he would keep as far away from her as possible. Esdeath saw this very clearly, which was why she always took the initiative.

"I want to ask you a question," Esdeath said softly.

Kei sighed, his gaze passing through the skylight to gaze at the infinite universe and the brilliant starlight. "Ask, and then we sleep."

"If... before you ever met those girls in your heart, you had met me first... would you have fallen in love with me?" Esdeath's voice was very calm, as if she wasn't anticipating Kei's answer all that much, or perhaps his response wouldn't affect her either way because... she was Esdeath.

Silence.

Neither of them spoke again. Kei looked as though he had fallen asleep, his breathing steady. Esdeath also closed her eyes, a smile on her face.

How much time passed, no one knew. The stars were still shining brightly, but the moon had climbed directly overhead.

"I would."

The voice was very faint. In the quiet of the night, even someone standing inside the small cabin might not have heard it. Only right beside the bed could the words be faintly caught.

"No matter what kind of man I encounter in the future, you are the only lover of Esdeath. I will make you fall in love with me." The answer she had waited an unknown length of time for did not disappoint her; she was very happy.

Dawn broke.

Kei opened his eyes. The very first thing he saw was Esdeath's exquisite, fair face. Asleep, she seemed devoid of the confident, formidable, queen-like aura she possessed while awake; instead, she unexpectedly gave off the sweet vibe of a princess.

Her azure eyelashes and heroic brows made him feel an urge to touch them. And her lips, which usually held a confident or cruel smile, were now shining with an alluring, ruddy luster.

Kei swallowed subconsciously, suppressing the ripples in his heart, and averted his gaze.

*Tap.* A soft, damp sensation came from his right cheek. The familiar yet strange feeling left Kei somewhat dazed. "Good morning, Kaite. Shall we continue our battle today?"

Having regained his wits, Kei began repeating mentally: *Sorry, Black Cat, I'm sorry, Black Cat...*

"Let's eat breakfast first, play for a bit, and then go have a look at the ocean."

"The ocean? That sounds like it could be quite interesting."

...

Night Raid Hideout

After feeding Hong Meiling and Esdeath and letting them go out for some fresh air and activity, Kei transferred his consciousness back.

"..."

What is wrong with this world? Where did that gloomy atmosphere—the one where people could die at any second—go?

If he wasn't mistaken, this should be his room, and his bed. In his memories, he had been lying right here before transferring his consciousness. His memory couldn't be wrong, which meant reality had made a mistake.

"In other words, after I transferred my consciousness, six young maidens invaded this place and spent the night here. I see."

Kei wore a blank expression. Directly above him, Kurome was sleeping peacefully and soundly. This was the most secure and comfortable sleep she had had since parting ways with her sister.

At the left side of the headboard, Chelsey—having taken off her headphones and without a lollipop in her mouth—was sleeping with a smile playing at the corners of her lips, occasionally letting out chuckles like someone whose prank had successfully succeeded.

On the right, Leone had her arms and legs sprawled wide open, a little bit of drool leaking from the corner of her mouth, maintaining her usual bold and carefree appearance.

As for beside the bed, there were three beautiful girls slumped over the bedside asleep: Sheele, Akame, and Mine.

He had no idea what had happened last night, but he knew one thing for certain: under the present circumstances, he absolutely must not let anyone know he had woken up, or else it would spell absolute disaster.

He prepared to transfer his consciousness away; that way, he could avoid this awkward situation entirely. However, the protagonist's halo was currently shining brightly upon him.

"Mr. Kei, it's time to get up. Breakfast is al—ready... Excuse me." Susanoo locked eyes with Kei, instantly reading the message in the other's eyes, and silently closed the door.

However, Susanoo's door-opening sound and voice startled all six maidens awake. As assassins, this level of alertness was the absolute bare minimum.

None of that was what Kei was focusing on right now; he discovered that... he could no longer transfer his consciousness, his body couldn't move, and his eyes were wide open and wouldn't close. This familiar feeling of bondage made Kei grind his teeth, veins bulging as he roared inwardly:

*What the hell is wrong with this mental patient?!*

He had no idea when the culprit had returned; everyday, his appeals had received zero response.

Kei decided to settle the score with the madman later. Right now, dealing with the stares of six young girls was the most urgent matter at hand.

"Last night, what on earth were all of you doing in my room? Why are you all sleeping here this morning?" Kei decided to strike first; after all, he was in the right.

"Ah, little Kei is finally awake! Let's go eat breakfast." Leone puffed out her cheeks, holding back laughter as she bolted out of the room.

"Ahahaha, I'm going back to my own room to wash up and put on some makeup, I'll be right down for breakfast." Chelsey similarly turned tail and ran.

"Sheele, let's go, breakfast is more important. Hahaha." Halfway out, Mine also failed to contain her laughter and burst out laughing.

"Food, food, let's eat with big sis." Kurome grabbed Akame and left with glowing eyes.

Leaving only a bewildered Kei standing there in a daze. Once all the beauties had cleared out, he regained control of his body. Knowing the eccentric temperament of that madman, he refrained from cursing or shouting this time.

Silently walking out of his room, the utterly baffled Kei made his way to the dining room. Although he had already eaten on the other side, this physical body had not yet partaken.

"Lubbock, your gaze is terrifying! I don't recall offending you, do I?" Kei sat down in his assigned seat. Everyone else had already arrived.

"Heh, going on a beach vacation with two great beauties, and sharing a single room with six stunning maidens! I am not jealous at all, really. ...When are we going outside to spar?"

Lubbock kept his head down, hiding the tears of envy, jealousy, and hatred, his voice sounding completely broken.

Kei ignored him. "I can't believe Kurome integrated into Night Raid so quickly. Didn't she and Chelsey clash?"