Chapter 183: Sumika Fujimiya

"Ding-dong!"

The doorbell rang at Yukinoshita Yukino's apartment.

After dropping off Sakurajima Ai's mother at home, Rei Ao had teleported here next.

When the door opened, Yukino was momentarily stunned to see Mabel cradled in Rei Ao's arms.

Rei Ao spoke casually, "Hey, remember what we talked about? I brought Mabel back."

"..."

Of course, she remembered.

It had only been half a day since their conversation.

She had agreed to continue sheltering Mabel.

"From now on, just tell me the rent, utilities, and any other expenses each month. I'll cover everything."

As per their deal, Rei Ao was officially "keeping" Mabel.

Yukino gave him a long, meaningful look.

"Alright."

She nodded.

"She's asleep right now. Should I carry her inside, or do you want to?"

Rei Ao asked, waiting for her cue.

Yukino stepped aside and gestured, "Just put her on the sofa."

"OK."

Entering the apartment, Rei Ao gently laid Mabel down on the sofa.

Without saying much else, he turned and left.

Now, only Yukino and Mabel remained in the room.

Yukino stood there, staring at Mabel, feeling a strange mix of emotions.

Her damp, slightly clumped hair suggested she had exerted quite a bit of energy before arriving.

As for what kind of exertion… Yukino refused to think about it.

Then, something caught her attention.

Mabel's mouth was slightly open, and a thin trail of drool lingered at the corner of her lips.

Sighing, Yukino grabbed a tissue and reached over to wipe it away.

However, just as the tissue touched Mabel's skin, she furrowed her brows and murmured in her sleep:

"Haa… no more… I can't eat anymore… please let me go…"

"..."

Yukino's hand froze mid-air.

A not-so-innocent image immediately formed in her mind.

Her gaze drifted back to Mabel's lips and the very obvious stain of drool…

She couldn't unsee it.

Her face visibly flushed red.

That wasn't just a random drool stain.

She knew exactly what it meant.

Despite her embarrassment, Yukino steeled herself and quickly wiped it away, muttering internally about Rei Ao's shamelessness.

After finishing, she immediately rushed to the bathroom to wash her hands.

...

Meanwhile…

Rei Ao had actually done a good deed for once.

He had helped a certain half-orc hero find his family.

With the information he remembered, it wasn't difficult to locate the right place.

"Takafumi Takaoka, this should be the apartment where your nephew lives."

Rei Ao pointed to the apartment building and turned to Yousuke Shibazaki.

"Go talk to your nephew yourself. I can't help you with the rest."

"Thanks."

Yousuke Shibazaki gave him a sincere nod of gratitude before entering the building.

Rei Ao hadn't bothered explaining much about Yousuke's ability to use magic.

He simply advised him to be careful not to use it recklessly in this world.

One confirmed discovery from his trip to Sui's world was that her world—Granbahamal—was indeed beginning to connect with this one.

However, it wasn't as deeply linked as the Dragon Realm.

Right now, only a single, one-way spatial rift had been found.

Since it wasn't a major issue yet, Rei Ao decided not to mention it to Raphiel and the others—no need to create unnecessary worries.

Just as he was about to leave, something in his peripheral vision caught his attention.

At the far corner of the street, a speeding car was approaching.

Not far ahead, a black-haired girl with glasses was walking directly into its path.

She hadn't noticed the vehicle behind her at all.

It was only when bystanders began screaming in panic that she turned around.

And by then, the car was already too close.

Boom!!!

The car smashed into a fire hydrant, finally coming to a stop.

"Did I… just get hit by a car? Am I flying?"

The girl's feet had left the ground as she was sent airborne.

But when she looked up, instead of seeing the afterlife…

Her gaze met a pair of deep, sapphire-blue eyes.

"An angel…?"

She murmured dazedly.

"Sorry, but angels in this world don't look like me."

Rei Ao responded flatly.

Splash!!!

The damaged fire hydrant erupted, sending a stream of water into the air.

Rei Ao, standing closest while holding the girl, got completely drenched—along with her.

The sudden chill of the water shocked her fully awake.

She gasped, eyes wide.

"I… I'm not dead?!"

Rei Ao carried her a few steps away from the flooding area and gently placed her down.

"As you can see, you're still very much alive."

Then, without hesitation, he removed his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

The reason?

She was wearing a white blouse.

And thanks to the water, it had turned completely transparent, making it impossible to ignore the very prominent figure beneath.

"!!!"

Realizing this, the girl's face flushed bright red.

She quickly pulled the jacket tightly around herself before bowing deeply.

"Thank you so much for saving me!"

She had no idea how or when Rei Ao had appeared, but she was certain he had just saved her life.

Rei Ao merely nodded.

But his gaze lingered on her face.

Being stared at by her handsome savior, the girl felt even more embarrassed.

She hesitated before asking nervously:

"U-Um… is there something on my face?"

"No. You're just really beautiful… you remind me of someone I know."

"Eh?!"

Her face turned even redder.

Still, she composed herself and replied,

"I'm sorry, but I don't think we've met before."

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she introduced herself:

"Oh! My name is Sumika Fujimiya. Can I ask for your name… and your contact information?"

Hearing this, Rei Ao raised an eyebrow slightly.

Before he could say anything, Sumika quickly explained:

"I just want to borrow your jacket for now. I'll return it properly later! And I also need to thank you formally!"

She was still completely soaked and couldn't walk home like this.

The jacket was necessary.

"Rei Ao. Let's exchange contacts."

Unlike the classic "helping but not leaving a name" hero trope, Rei Ao had no issue giving his name.

After all, the moment he heard her name, he immediately confirmed his suspicion.

Sumika Fujimiya.

The heroine of Isekai Hero—the perfect example of a "girl who becomes stunning at 18."

Now that he saw her up close…

Her exquisite features, her perfectly shaped figure, and those absolutely outstanding proportions…

Rei Ao couldn't help but wonder:

How in the hell did she used to look like… that?

If he remembered correctly, her younger self was nearly identical to Yousuke Shibazaki.

That is, awkward, ugly, and unpolished.

A complete mystery of evolution.

Her younger brother was just as bizarre.

He was adorable as a child but grew up horribly—turning into someone just as goofy-looking as Yousuke.

After exchanging contact information, Rei Ao casually offered,

"You don't seem to be in a condition to walk home like this. I'll call a cab and drop you off."

"Eh?! T-That's too much trouble for you!"

"It's fine. I have free time today."

And so, without further discussion, Rei Ao hailed a taxi.

They both got into the back seat, and he personally escorted her home.

At this moment, Rei Ao had only one thought in mind.

She may have looked like a disaster before…

But now that she's a fully grown beauty, there's absolutely no reason to hold back.

~~~

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