Chapter 42: How to Achieve Happiness

"The mission was a success. Aya is on her way with that thing," Tsugumi said, grimacing. She wasn't entirely pleased with it.

"What about the other key?" Gai ignored Tsugumi's displeasure, chin in hand, gazing at the chaos on the screen.

"They didn't go so well. The Antibodies have it well protected, and the result is negative."

"I understand." Nodding, Gai wasn't surprised by this outcome. Stealing the first key had required incredible effort, so it was evident the Antibodies would defend the second one fiercely. Nevertheless, Gai attempted it.

Amidst the chaos caused by "that," he thought a new infiltration might not be a bad idea, but it seemed he was wrong.

"Where's Inori?" Gai looked around, not spotting Inori, causing him doubts.

"Inoreen? She's waiting for that thing." Tsugumi sighed with fatigue, having been through a lot tonight – stealing the first key and saving "that thing." She held her head, feeling an incoming headache.

"I see." Nodding again, Gai felt a headache. He wanted to know where Inori had found such a monster.

(Just ask her) Given Inori's obedience, Gai thought it wouldn't be too difficult to extract information.

How wrong he was. Inori had been changing slowly, thanks to the chatroom. She chatted every day with the members of that group, especially Yuno. Sending a few messages, she discovered they had similar tastes over time.

Something that would cause a headache for Yuki in the future.

---

(Inori)

Looking at a familiar figure, Yuki's eyes lit up. However, he also saw several people in the building, many of them aiming weapons at him.

Yuki didn't have the Byakugan; otherwise, he could have seen the faces of those terrorists. Each had an expression of fear.

Seeing the monster capable of massacring the Antibodies, their bodies couldn't help but tremble.

Except for one terrorist, Argos – his eyes sparkled at the sight of the monster.

"I'm back... Inori."

With a bitter smile, Yuki faced Inori, who remained expressionless.

"That was too much, Yuki."

Looking at Inori, Yuki couldn't help but sigh, but it was true that he had gone a bit overboard. However, he needed to confirm several things. First, how his body reacted to the changes in this world. Second, being bait for supernatural beings in this world; yet, none attacked him. Third, checking if the Antibodies had experience dealing with supernatural beings – in a world where a virus and technology were advanced, Yuki knew there must be supernatural beings. However, it seemed he was wrong, but he remained vigilant.

Fourth, seeing if Inori's group was reliable. He wanted to know Inori's importance in this terrorist group and if they would help him navigate this chaos. Of course, he could leave at any time.

Finally, he wanted to know Inori's feelings. He wanted to understand what Inori thought of him, killing people from her world.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have killed those soldiers."

Removing his mask, Yuki apologized. It seemed that Inori did care that he killed people from her world.

"No..."

Approaching, Inori touched Yuki's arm, now covered in crystals.

"I don't mind... Just don't strain yourself."

Gently touching his arm, Inori felt pain. She had misunderstood; she knew Yuki was doing this to help her.

(I'm sorry) stroking Yuki's arm, Inori thought Yuki had forced himself, even though she knew he was powerful. She looked at him like an idiot who was doing all this just for a stranger she had met recently, putting his safety and life at risk.

Inori's cheeks warmed at this revelation. Now she understood why his Karma points were so high – a person who prioritized others' happiness and safety above their own.

(Yuki... You're a hero.)

Murmuring internally, Inori closed her eyes and thought about Yuno's messages.

---

"Yuno Gasai: Why am I happy?"

"Inori Yuzuhira: Yes... I want to know what happiness is."

Yuno was a bit confused by this. She looked at the chat screen, somewhat pleased with this woman named Inori. Yuno thought this woman was just an empty shell searching for her purpose.

She thought for a moment and couldn't help but feel they were somewhat similar to the past Yuno – beings without purpose and love. However, unlike Inori, Yuno now had a purpose: to have a happy family with her beloved Yuki.

"Yuno Gasai: Love... Only by having love will you achieve happiness. Fall in love, build a family with a man."

"Inori Yuzuhira: Love? Family? I don't understand... Yuno, do you have someone you love?"

"Yuno Gasai: Of course! It's my beloved Yuki! He's my hero! I'm so happy; I can't wait to meet him for the first time! Just thinking about it makes my heart race! I LOVE HIM! I LOVE HIM! I LOVE HIM SO MUCH! ... But I warn you not to have any strange ideas about him. Even if it's you, I won't hesitate to kill you."

Despite Yuno's warning, Inori didn't take it seriously. She wanted to know what that feeling was.

---

Now she knew why Yuno said Yuki was a hero.

Someone whose purpose is to help others.

How wrong Inori was.

Yuki was a bit surprised by Inori's response.

He thought she was angry about the people he killed, but it seemed she was only concerned about his health.

"Don't worry... I won't die. I'm a champion, after all."

Putting a hand on Inori's head, Yuki smiled. Inori opened her eyes, lifting her head; she looked at the smile on Yuki's face; he was radiant.

Yuki's aura was activated; it was the love the world had for the champion. However, Inori knew nothing about it.

Her chest tightened a bit at seeing his smile. Although it hurt, at the same time, she liked it a lot.

It was a very confusing feeling that Inori was experiencing for the first time.

Sometimes falling in love only requires a word, a look, an action, or simply a smile. It's different for everyone, but everyone eventually reaches the end.

Yuki knew this; that's why he always smiled. He knew that a man's best weapon is his smile in the art of seducing women.

How to make a woman fall in love?

It's different for everyone but also quite common.

Money? No, Yuki met women who were willing to have him as their sugar daddy.

Attention and care? No, Yuki met women who were in love with husbands who abused them physically and mentally.

Affection and love? No, Yuki met women who were in love with people who hated them.

So what was it?

The answer is nothing. A woman falls in love when a man seizes the opportunity – an opportunity that may or may not present itself several times. That's why there are rich women in love with a poor devil or beautiful women in love with an idiot.

Yuki knew that his opportunity had come. He made sure to make it happen, so in love, anything goes, right? Even taking advantage of the world's love to make women fall for him.

---

Argos didn't know what to say when he saw those two. Despite having orders to shoot if anything suspicious happened, now that they saw him, it was just a lovey-dovey couple.

(Boyfriend... Is he Inori's boyfriend?)

Although he didn't want to believe it, it was more likely. After all, Inori was worried about him.

(But where did they meet?)

Scratching his head, Argos decided not to think too much about it. He would just make sure to congratulate the couple.

(At least someone is happy... That's all that matters.)

Nodding, Argos thought he should get to know that mysterious masked guy. However, seeing the couple, he couldn't help but feel a bit jealous.

---

Author's Note: Where are those hearts wounded by so much NTR?

Purify yourselves!

---!