Starting With The Sefirah Castle In The Anime World

(4/5)

Today, the Amamiya household was unusually lively.

Since the diary holders had never formally gathered before, a proper meeting was arranged after school.

Naturally, the Amamiya residence was chosen as the venue.

As the diary's owner, it made sense for Ren's home to serve as the central meeting point.

This time, the group naturally split into three smaller factions based on familiarity:

The first group consisted of Ran and Sonoko.

The second included Kaguya and Hayasaka.

The third was composed of Nagi, Isumi, and Maria.

Each faction sat in separate sections of the room, and the atmosphere was somewhat tense and quiet.

---

Breaking the silence, Sonoko was the first to speak.

"I was wondering why you, of all people, would go to an amusement park for no reason."

Her gaze landed on Kaguya.

"Whether it was you or that tsundere brat, you totally got caught that day."

"My dad even picked up on some clues."

Both Kaguya and Nagi reacted with surprise.

"That frozen RV wasn't a big enough hint?"

Kaguya hesitated for a moment, then shook her head slightly.

"That was my mistake."

"The power I obtained that day caused a far greater reaction than I expected during my initial test."

"I had Hayasaka clean up the situation afterward."

"I didn't think it would still attract attention."

Sonoko rolled her eyes.

"The amusement park's internal data was erased, but my dad started investigating from the outside."

"I thought nothing would come of it."

"But a low-resolution photo actually got captured."

That was an oversight.

Kaguya understood immediately, it was her fault.

She had instinctively used her newly acquired power without considering the consequences.

"I take responsibility."

"I had just obtained that ability, and my curiosity got the better of me. I didn't anticipate it would be that overwhelming."

"No kidding."

Hayasaka took the opportunity to complain.

"The ice from Kaguya-sama's ability didn't just freeze the RV, it gave me frostbite inside the vehicle."

At that moment, Ren studied Kaguya with his spiritual vision.

His eyes locked onto something within her, her spiritual body had an unusual presence.

Something was attached to her.

A parasitic entity.

Sensing danger, the presence immediately went still.

Ren quickly deduced what kind of power Kaguya had acquired.

---

"A Devil Fruit."

"And a powerful one at that—the Ice-Ice Fruit."

Ren met Kaguya's gaze.

"A Logia-class ability like this contains terrifying power. It can freeze anything in an instant even the ocean."

"If used correctly, it can permanently alter an island's climate and terrain."

"!?"

Kaguya's eyes widened slightly.

She had never imagined that the inedible fruit she consumed would grant her such an extraordinary ability.

"Of course," Ren continued, "with great power comes great risks."

"This is something you need to be aware of."

Kaguya's expression turned serious.

"I understand."

"There's no such thing as power without consequences."

She paused for a moment before rising from her seat.

"Speaking of which, I haven't properly thanked you yet, Amamiya."

"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have gained this ability."

Ren shook his head slightly.

"This is a power you obtained yourself."

"No."

Kaguya's voice was firm.

"This power came from the diary."

"If not for you, I would never have had this opportunity."

She understood that perfectly.

No, to be precise, she had understood it from the start.

Growing up in the Shinomiya family, she was well aware of how opportunities were gained.

---

"In addition," she continued, "I also owe you an apology for testing you last time."

"Testing me?"

Ren glanced at her thoughtfully before realization dawned.

"…I see."

"You wanted to see if I could use the diary to manipulate you, if I had the power to force you to submit."

Kaguya nodded slightly.

That had been another test she had carried out in secret.

"As rude as it was, I needed to know."

Ren understood.

A diary that could grant such powerful rewards was naturally something that invited suspicion.

And if the owner of such a diary harbored ulterior motives, the risks to its holders would be immeasurable.

It was an answer that needed to be verified.

Had he been in her position, he would have done the same thing.

"Don't worry about it."

"If I were you, I'd probably reach the same conclusion."

"If the diary's influence was in the hands of someone dangerous, then the so-called gift wouldn't be worth having."

"Thank you for understanding."

Kaguya gave a small bow of appreciation.

"Since we're on this topic," Ren said, "I'll repeat what I told Sanzenin."

He proceeded to explain what he had discussed with Nagi.

Everyone present grasped the implications.

They also understood the price attached to the diary.

Sonoko, however, had her own take on it.

"It's not just about the diary's rewards."

She tapped her chin in thought.

"There's also the future knowledge that Amamiya has brought to us."

"Maybe there's a gap between the diary's story and our actual future, but the information is still valuable."

"We know the future, and we also know that it can change."

"I'd say that's part of the cost too."

She glanced at Ren.

"The diary forces us to stay connected to you."

"In other words, our futures are bound to you in some unusual way."

"Maybe we'll become lovers, maybe we'll just be friends, or maybe we'll end up as partners."

"But if it ever reaches that point, then it wouldn't be a cost at all."

"Wouldn't it just be something both sides willingly accept?"

---

"That's true."

Kaguya nodded slightly.

"The initial connection may not have been our choice."

"But the decision to maintain this connection is ours to make."

"If things develop further in the future, it wouldn't be a price to pay."

"It would simply be the natural course of events."

Perhaps, at the beginning, it had felt like fate was being forced upon them.

But once that forced connection turned voluntary…

Then, from that moment on, it was no longer a burden—but a choice.