Once a mobster, now Masachika Kuze

As they entered the Furude Shrine, Ryan took a good look around. At the center of the hall, an imposing statue stood out, surrounded by ancient weapons that had clearly been used for torture. The atmosphere exuded a dark and heavy aura.

Yuno and Arona were already there, seated at an old wooden table, likely cleared to make room for them.

Ryan, with his typical smug grin, glanced at Rika while keeping one hand in his pocket.

"Mini Miku, do you folks in Hinamizawa have some weird sexual fetish or something? Because, wow, what a welcoming vibe this shed gives off!"

Rika, holding Ryan's hand, chuckled softly, her characteristic good humor intact.

"I admit, the Furude Shrine does have a macabre air. These things were used many years ago..."

Ryan raised an eyebrow as he stared at the weapons on display.

"The folks in your village definitely aren't the most trustworthy, huh?"

He then turned to Yuno, who, with her arms crossed, let out a light sigh of irritation before speaking in her slow, drawn-out tone.

"Can we just get this over with already?"

Ryan shot her an ironic glance, adopting the same drawn-out tone but with a teasing smoothness.

"You know, Yuno... There's one little thing I wanted to ask you first."

Yuno frowned, already impatient.

"What now, Ryan?"

Without preamble, he replied with a disarming calmness:

"Adopt Rika for me?"

The ensuing silence was so intense it felt like time itself had stopped. Everyone present was left speechless, including Rika herself, who tilted her head in surprise.

"What are you even talking about, Ryan?"

Ryan flicked Rika's forehead lightly, eliciting her classic and adorable "Mii~" as she covered the spot with a pout. With a grin that hinted at a brilliant plan, he began to explain:

"Look, you live in that little house that looks more like an abandoned shed, with no adult supervision. That's no life for a girl like you."

Rika narrowed her eyes, her expression a mix of humor and provocation.

"It's strange for you to call me a child, knowing my true age..."

Ryan shrugged, flashing a sarcastic smile.

"Yeah, try explaining that to the rest of the world, Mini Miku."

Sighing, he resumed his tone of a grand strategist.

"Yuno's family is super welcoming. I'm sure they could—"

Yuno cut him off sharply, as if he had said the most absurd thing in the world.

"Who said my parents would want to adopt Rika, you idiot?"

Ryan arched an eyebrow, responding with exaggerated weariness.

"You're a natural killjoy, you know that, Pinkie?"

Yuno closed her eyes for a moment, clearly trying to maintain her patience.

"Okay, my parents are well-off, but do you realize how absurd your request is? I already have a sister, and how am I supposed to explain to my mom that she needs to adopt another child?"

Rika touched her finger to her cheek, her voice light and thoughtful.

"Yuno's right, Ryan."

Ryan slumped his shoulders, his frustration evident as he huffed.

"You guys are impossible. I could adopt Mini Miku myself, but I've already asked too much of my grandfather. If I add anything else to the list, he'll demand my ass as payment."

Yuno rolled her eyes, crossing her arms as she glared at him.

"And why are you so obsessed with adopting Rika, huh? You creep."

Ryan tilted his head, gesturing with his hands for emphasis.

"I already told you! She lives alone in this backwater, and besides, I promised to take her to Tokyo."

Rika clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling with an angelic glow as she stepped closer. Her voice was sweet and full of gratitude.

"I'm so happy you want to do this for me, Ryan... But I'm already very grateful for everything you've done. Just being able to visit the city makes me happy. What you all did for me..." She lowered her head for a moment before looking up with a radiant smile. "Was the best thing in the world! Nipaaaa~! >⩊< ♡"

The sheer explosion of cuteness was so overwhelming that the shrine's dark atmosphere seemed to dissipate.

Ryan felt his heart melt at the scene, but before he could respond, Yuno turned away, her cheeks slightly flushed. Her voice, still slow and deliberate, sounded hesitant.

"I... might be able to try..."

Ryan froze for a moment, blinking repeatedly before finally asking, surprised:

"What made you change your mind, huh?"

Yuno huffed, crossing her arms again.

"Say anything stupid, and I'll drop the idea immediately."

Ryan smiled as he turned to Rika.

"See, Mini Miku? Your cuteness is your greatest weapon!"

Rika replied with a mischievous grin, striking a cat-like pose with her hands and letting out another sweet "Miii~!"

The moment was interrupted by Arona's calm voice. Standing beside Yuno, she finally spoke up.

"Well then... When are we going to start what we came here for?"

Ryan raised his eyebrows, feigning surprise.

"Right! I almost forgot you were here, Arona-chan! You're also one of the cutest beings in the universe!" He finished with a smile and an exaggerated wink.

Arona blushed, covering her face with her hands as she let out a nervous giggle.

"Sensei, stop that hihi~! I need to focus to help you with the Fortunio assimilation!"

Yuno stood up, walking over to Ryan and Rika as she spoke firmly:

"Alright. So, how do we begin, Arona?"

Arona raised a finger, smiling confidently.

"Alright! Everyone, hold hands and focus!"

The three joined hands, closing their eyes in unison. The air carried a symbolic weight, as if their entire journey had led to this moment. The small village of Hinamizawa, so secluded and full of secrets, was about to witness something monumental. A sense of fulfillment already began to bloom in each of their hearts.

"Now, let's start the energy transfer!" Arona announced with her usual enthusiasm.

But Rika opened her eyes, a visible concern on her face.

"Arona... what about Hanyuu? What will happen to her?"

Arona offered a reassuring smile, tilting her head slightly.

"Don't worry, Rika. Hanyuu will still exist. What we're doing is simply changing the point her energy is connected to, understand?"

Rika blinked a few times, still confused, but the sincerity in Arona's eyes calmed her.

"I don't really get it... but if you say it's fine, that's good enough for me." She replied with a gentle smile.

Arona raised her arm as if about to start a grand spectacle.

"Alright then! Let's begin... NOW!"

Her voice was abruptly cut off. The energy around them seemed to vibrate for a moment, and the world changed in the blink of an eye.

Ryan and Yuno opened their eyes simultaneously, alert. The environment around them was no longer the same. Instead of the somber shrine, they were now in a vast, almost infinite space enveloped by an ethereal aura.

A translucent, solid floor stretched beneath their feet, as if they were floating in the cosmos. The sky around them wrapped them in a deep purple mantle, dotted with floating crystals that pulsed softly with radiant colors.

The group remained silent, stunned by the grandeur and beauty of the scene. It felt as if they had stepped into a dream—until the silence was broken by a voice laced with elegant sarcasm, cutting through the air like a sharp blade.

"Well, this is interesting... Hosting other gods here is indeed a rare event." The voice was clear and filled with a playful malice.

"You could have told me beforehand. I might have prepared some candy's for the occasion..."

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The next chapter is the last one of this arc—time to return to little sis! 😊

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