-2183- The one Rozen feared most

---Two months

Not particularly long, but certainly not short either. 

For those who cared deeply about Rozen, however, this period felt unbearably long, each day dragging on like an eternity. 

During these two months, Rozen's sudden disappearance had driven some to desperation, others to anxiety, and many to deep worry. 

Himeragi Yukina was one such person. 

As a monitor dispatched by the Lion King Agency, Yukina had been consumed by guilt, endlessly blaming herself for looking away from Rozen even for a moment two months ago. 

"If only I had stayed by Senpai's side at all times, maybe he wouldn't have vanished." 

She tormented herself with these thoughts. 

Given Rozen's unique status—especially the fact that something extraordinary was sealed within him—his disappearance immediately sparked ominous speculations. 

Some believed he had been abducted by malicious forces. 

Others feared his power had run out of control, leading to his demise. 

There were those who suspected he had been secretly sealed away. 

And some even whispered that he might have been silently assassinated, vanishing without a trace. 

Yukina spared no effort in searching for him. She petitioned the Lion King Agency for a large-scale investigation, interrogated countless individuals, and chased every possible lead—all in vain. 

Others were no different. Those with resources exhausted every means to find him, while those without connections begged for information. Yet, no concrete clues surfaced. 

Had this gone on any longer, despair might have truly set in. 

Fortunately, two months was still within the realm of tolerance. 

And today, Rozen's sudden return didn't just startle Natsuki—it also reached Yukina, who lived in the apartment directly below his for surveillance purposes. 

Using shikigami to monitor Rozen's room, Yukina immediately sensed his return. She snapped out of her meditative state, eyes flying open as she sprang to her feet. 

"Senpai is back?" 

Shock and relief flooded her—only to be quickly replaced by anger. 

"Idiot Senpai! Where have you been all this time...!?" 

When anxiety and fear finally give way to relief, the first reaction is often rage. 

It was an outpouring of all the pent-up worry, a way to vent. 

Yukina grabbed her guitar case, dashed to the elevator, and stormed into Rozen's penthouse. 

But the sight that greeted her instantly doused her fury. 

Because... 

"Ow ow ow! Natsuki-nee! Go easy on me!" 

Rozen was howling in pain. 

In the living room, Natsuki had him by the ear, yanking him down to her eye level as he flailed helplessly. 

Yet, Natsuki showed no mercy. Her delicate face was twisted in rare fury—an expression few had ever seen. 

Normally, she was either ice-cold or imperiously domineering, like a queen looking down on the world. Strong emotions were seldom visible on her face, save for displeasure or irritation. 

But now, her anger was unmistakable—proof of just how worried she had been. 

"I... uh..." 

Rozen winced, stammering without managing a single excuse. 

It was startling to see the usually sharp-witted Rozen so flustered. 

Of course, Yukina understood why. 

He likely couldn't explain what had happened—but refusing to lie to Natsuki left him tongue-tied. 

Unfortunately, Natsuki wasn't the forgiving type. 

This time, she was truly furious. 

"So you won't talk, huh? Still keeping secrets from me? Just because you defeated the Third Primogenitor, you think you don't need to fear your big sister anymore?" 

Her grip on his ear tightened, twisting mercilessly as Rozen yelped. 

"I—I'm not hiding anything! I just don't think you'd believe me!" 

Rozen's voice was uncharacteristically whiny. 

No—it had been so long since he'd been this pathetic. 

After maturing emotionally, Rozen had long outgrown his reckless, troublemaking days. He had become far more composed and level-headed in both actions and demeanor. Seeing him reduced to this state left his Servants utterly dumbfounded. 

But there was no helping it. 

Rozen feared nothing in this world—except Natsuki. 

Among all the family he had encountered across countless worlds, Natsuki was the one who cared for him the most, doted on him the hardest, and sacrificed the most for him. 

He hadn't forgotten how she had shielded him from countless threats, how tirelessly she had worked to raise him, how she had dedicated herself to molding him into who he was today—even becoming the warden of the Prison Barrier largely for his sake. 

So when facing Natsuki, Rozen had no ground to stand on. 

And now, the depth of her anger only mirrored the depth of her concern. 

Rozen, sharp as he was, couldn't possibly deflect it. 

As for Yukina? She had seen it firsthand. 

After Rozen vanished, Natsuki had turned Itogami Island upside down. She had stormed into the Management Cooperative's higher-ups, caused an uproar across the three great Primogenitor factions, and even forced one of the Primogenitors themselves to step in and persuade her to return to the island. 

Knowing this, Yukina's own anger faded. 

(Though she, too, had gone to great lengths searching for Rozen.) 

Natsuki continued her ruthless scolding while Rozen endured it without resistance, the two siblings bickering loudly in the living room. 

Seeing that neither had noticed her arrival, Yukina sighed and pulled out her phone. 

"First, I should let everyone know Senpai is back." 

She began sending messages, informing the others of Rozen's return. 

Before long, the others who had once lived here began gathering one after another—filling the penthouse with life and noise once more.