Yukino accepted new things slowly, but also quickly.
Overall, she was the most skeptical of what was happening at first, but once presented with facts, she accepted them readily.
Holding the C-rank Physique Attribute Card, Yukino examined it curiously, turning it over.
'The material felt a bit like a bank card?'
'But the texture felt somewhat like it was made from a gem.'
After a moment's hesitation, seeing her mother use her card, she used hers as well.
Soon, like Haruno, she felt her physique strengthen. The first thing she noticed was her increased strength.
Then came speed; she felt she could run very, very fast.
She didn't test it, but she had that feeling.
World record sprints?
Those would be a piece of cake.
She could even run at full speed for a marathon.
Perhaps the increased physical attributes also boosted her confidence.
Now, Yukino felt quite strong.
'No wonder Nee-san acts so recklessly...'
Yukino silently watched Haruno nursing her sore fist and couldn't help but take a deep breath.
At the same time, Hirano felt the same, but the boost was greater for her. Combined with the Snow-Snow Fruit's abilities, she could immediately develop other capabilities.
She could create a blizzard.
Or, with some effort and focus, cover a target with snow, causing it to freeze.
She could even turn into flurries and fly into the sky?
"How do you two feel? Any discomfort?"
Hirano asked her daughters with concern.
"Ugh... I now deeply realize how wrong my previous actions were."
Haruno stuck out her tongue, looking embarrassed.
"Mom, how much did these cost you? Even if borrowed, the point value must be high, right?"
"Ah, that..."
Yukino asked calmly, which made Hirano embarrassed as well.
They were borrowed, but more accurately, Kaito had just given them to her. She tried to refuse, but it was useless.
How many points were they worth? How would she repay them? She didn't know. She'd have to figure out a rough estimate from the chat group's gacha interface later.
"I'm not entirely sure. I'll just give back something good when I draw it later."
"I see. Who lent them to you, Mom?"
"Kaito-san."
"It's him..."
Kaito-san.
The only male in her mother's chat group. Even she could tell that all the ladies in the group had a favorable impression of Kaito, even developing feelings for him.
Perhaps...
They were already together.
Even though Kaito had a wife and daughter, who could restrain him?
Especially since Kaito was now the Universe Overlord...
The rebellion suppression had shaken her deeply for a long, long time!
Someone like him could be called a god!
No, even gods were beneath Kaito!
Because those gods were merely myths created by humans; their greatest power was akin to God's, and that was their limit.
But what about Kaito?
Even if he couldn't create gods or command the world to have light, purely in terms of combat power, those so-called gods were nothing but ants!
Thinking about it now, those gods were better off called high-level mages.
"Mom, what do you think about Kaito... nii-san?"
"Kaito-san is a very nice person."
"Only that?"
"Well... he's very handsome and charismatic, I suppose. Honestly, I've never seen such a perfect man."
Hirano sighed.
She thought, if she were a dozen years younger, she might become a lovesick fan of Kaito, secretly crushing on him.
As for pursuing him?
Their positions were far too different!
But...
If the opportunity arose, she might give it a try!
"Is that so? Mom is right. He is a very perfect man. All flaws are negligible in the face of such perfection."
Yukino recalled Kaito's face and his every action, and couldn't help but say so.
"Oh~ Kaito-nii is really strong! I wish I could become his wife too!"
Haruno joined the topic, her cheeks slightly flushed, her eyes full of admiration.
Hirano and Yukino both looked at her, their expressions somewhat strange. It made Haruno feel a bit uneasy.
"What? Is it weird that I like him?"
"It's not weird... it's just..."
Hirano sighed helplessly. Yukino remained silent, her eyes flickering before she turned and left the room.
She and her sister had come to get their mother to go out. Everyone was preparing to visit the underwater volcano.
They would be going on a submarine sightseeing trip to see what this enormous underwater volcano looked like.
Probably just a place spewing black smoke, right?
…
"This must be it."
Kaito checked the time and got up to buy some gifts from a street shop. He asked for the address and found the Yuki residence.
Seeing a house identical to the one in the anime, with the nameplate reading "Yuki", he confirmed it was the place.
He could have located it with his senses, anyway.
But now, Kaito was acting like an ordinary person, visiting as an ordinary guest.
"Coming!"
"Kaito, you're finally here~ Come in, come in!"
Ringo came out to open the door, still wearing her apron. Her eyes lit up when she saw Kaito.
She guided Kaito into the living room. Mikan, ever so mature for her age, brought out pre-prepared tea and poured a cup for Kaito.
"Kaito, please wait a moment. Let Mikan keep you company, okay? I'll have the food ready soon!"
"Don't worry, go ahead."
Kaito didn't know if Ringo could cook. Her appearances were brief and hasty.
His impression was that only Mikan could cook.
'By the way, where was the protagonist, Yuuki Rito??'