Starting With The Sefirah Castle In The Anime World

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[I really didn't expect this.]

[Sanzenin and Saginomiya, both from Hakuo Academy, transferred at the same time.]

[By the way, Sanzenin Nagi must have really made up her mind. Her shut-in tendencies are pretty extreme.]

[And Saginomiya Isumi…]

[Her abilities are undeniable, but her weaknesses are just as obvious.]

[She's far too soft when it comes to Sanzenin Nagi. That girl is her biggest weakness.]

[Also… she has no sense of direction.]

[And I don't mean the "losing your way in a mall" kind. I mean "accidentally wandering into another country" levels of lost.]

[One is the wealthiest representative of Hakuo, and the other is the most mysterious figure in the academy, aside from Athena Tennousu.]

[And yet, they both abandoned Hakuo and transferred to Teitan High.]

While Ren had speculated that Nagi might come eventually, he hadn't expected her to make the decision so quickly, within just a week.

To be honest, this meant she was serious.

Nagi's life had been relatively carefree, so why would she suddenly step into something so troublesome?

Was it for the same reason as Sonoko?

Hard to say.

But one thing was certain, she was putting her hopes on the diary.

Otherwise, there was no way this hardcore shut-in would willingly leave her comfort zone.

Ren still remembered that in the original story, the only thing that pushed her toward independence was Maria leaving.

Now, she had taken that step on her own.

That alone was enough proof.

Her reason had to be something as important as Maria's departure.

With that thought, Ren continued writing.

[If I remember correctly, in the original story, Maria's departure was the catalyst for Nagi's independence.]

[She willingly gave up her inheritance rights to the Sanzenin family.]

[Oh, and there was another key figure involved.]

[The other protagonist of that story, Sanzenin Nagi's butler and Athena Tennousu's "promised one."]

[Ayasaki Hayate.]

[Once the misunderstandings between them were cleared, Nagi willingly let go of everything—her wealth, her status—and chose to stand on her own.]

[That was the conclusion of her story.]

[It's hard to imagine that in just three years, a rich girl who lacked any skills beyond intelligence had transformed into a fully independent person.]

[If that's the case, then her reason for leaving home and coming to the school she hates most must be just as significant.]

[At least, it has to be something as big as Maria resigning.]

[And the only thing that makes sense is…]

[Sanzenin Yukariko.]

That had to be it.

Ren had no idea whether the diary had the power to bring back the dead.

But that wouldn't stop Nagi from trying.

If she had taken such a drastic step, then this was likely her motivation.

All that was left was to wait.

Wait for the diary to stir emotions in its readers.

And sure enough, he didn't have to wait long.

---

At noon, Nagi walked over to Ren's desk, her head lowered, emotions tightly restrained.

"Come outside. We need to talk."

With that, she turned and left the classroom.

Ren nodded slightly.

That reaction confirmed his guess.

He quietly followed her out, maintaining some distance as they walked to the infirmary.

It was a good choice.

A quiet place—ideal for a private conversation.

But when they stepped inside, Ren saw someone unexpected.

Maria.

The maid who had raised Nagi.

However, she wasn't in her usual maid uniform.

Instead, she was wearing a white coat, looking more like a doctor in cosplay.

"Hello, Mr. Amamiya."

"Hello, Ms. Maria."

Maria observed the boy before her.

His hair was slightly different from the photos she had seen, trimmed a bit, though still messy.

The thick glasses on his face hid much of his expression, making it difficult to read him.

His demeanor was quiet, almost somber, clearly not someone who enjoyed talking much.

"Mr. Amamiya, I'll be counting on you to look after Nagi."

"You don't need to thank me."

Ren's voice was calm.

"Nagi made her own choice."

"Whatever she gains, it's her own fate."

"But let me remind you—"

"Every so-called 'gift' from fate comes with a price."

"When you accept something, you have to remember… the cost will come due eventually."

The world wasn't kind.

Every benefit came with an invisible hook.

By the time people realized it, they were already too deep to escape.

Ren turned his gaze to Nagi.

"You want to use the diary's power to bring your mother back."

"But the price… might be that your fate will be tied to mine."

"It might sound grand, but under the diary's rules, that's exactly what it means."

"And that's not a small price to pay."

"…"

Nagi bit her lip.

Of course, she knew nothing in this world came for free.

Growing up in a wealthy family, she understood the concept of equivalent exchange better than most.

The diary had laid out its rules very clearly.

If you want something, stay close to Amamiya Ren.

It was practically an open contract.

And if she agreed to those terms, then this was the cost.

Once a connection was made—

Once their fates intertwined—

There was no going back.

The diary was like a fishing line, throwing out bait after bait, luring in those who couldn't resist the temptation.

Nagi clenched her fists.

"Are you so sure about all this?"

"I'm not sure at all."

Ren wasn't gloating.

If anything, he looked weary.

"When your wish is granted, the diary won't stop there."

"It will only magnify your desires."

"When your mother returns, can you accept that she will still eventually pass away?"

"Can you accept that after bringing her back, you will have to lose her again?"

"When you can't choose, you have no choice but to endure it."

"But when you do have a choice?"

"…"

Nagi had no words.