( ﾟーﾟ)
In the Monitoring Room
Nemu, Terumi, and Nemuri finally relaxed when they saw that Maki was safe from the fall.
Nemu didn't know what had just happened or why she had acted so strangely, but she sat back in her chair and regained her composure. She placed her fingers back on the keyboard, and while watching Maki closely, she typed at an unbelievable speed.
Nemuri and Terumi looked at each other. They pulled chairs over and placed them beside Nemu, then continued to closely watch Maki's every movent—especially Nemuri, who had grown up watching over him.
She knew sothing had been different from the very first ti she t him. He had always acted more mature, but she never lingered on the thought. In a world like this, different powers could affect people in countless ways—sotis even harming the user or those around them.
So she assud it was a side effect of Maki's power.
That was why Nemuri treated him like an adult rather than a child. And because of that, Maki had naturally taken on the role of the man of the house.
Still, Nemuri was bewildered.
For all the years they had been together, she had never seen Maki leave the condominium building. Not once had she seen him go out and explore. She had asked him many tis and tried to co up with countless excuses just to drag him outside with her, but he always replied with the sa line:
"I'd rather wait for fish inside than look for another spot to fish."
Nemuri never really understood what he ant.
So she said nothing.
And every weekend, they stayed inside the condo together.
But this ti was different.
It was a promise he had made back then—one Nemuri had given him with a condition he couldn't refuse.
This was the first ti Nemuri had ever seen Maki like this.
To others, it looked like excitent—like freedom.
But Nemuri knew what he was truly feeling.
The won watched as Maki stood up and clasped his hands together. He closed his eyes. Minutes passed.
Then they heard it.
It was low—but all of them heard him clearly.
( ＾ω＾)
[Mokuton: Shù wū]
Roots suddenly burst from the ground where Maki was standing. They multiplied rapidly, spreading outward and downward. The roots sprouted like branches, coiling together and molding into a massive tree trunk.
But it didn't stop there.
The trunk continued to grow, branches extending outward, fresh green leaves blooming instantly. Slowly, a single-level house made entirely of wood began forming in the very middle of the tree.
When it was finished, a massive tree—around fifty feet tall—stood before them. Nestled in the center of its branches was a wide, flat treehouse.
It was a display of pure artistic skill and showmanship.
( ＾ω＾)
"A treehouse ," i whispered.
Then she added, "It's beautiful. Is that our future house?"
Chop.
( ｡ﾟДﾟ｡)
"Quit your imagination," Nemuri said flatly from beside her.
Unlike the other two, Nemu remained silent, watching the display of wood creation without a word.
Her right hand moved. She placed it on the mouse beside the keyboard and clicked open a file.
Maki's information appeared on the screen.
Nemu read it—and raised an eyebrow.
Almost everything was blank.
(￣ー￣)
Na: Maki
Age: —
Address: —
Birthday: —
Birthplace: —
Number: —
Parents/Guardian: Nemuri Kayama
And so on.
Nemu turned to the woman on her right.
"Midnight-sensei… who is he?"
( ￣ー￣)
Nemuri heard her na and looked at Nemu as she asked about Maki. That was when she noticed it again.
Nemu's eyes were shining—with curiosity and interest.
And naturally, a woman's intuition was never wrong.
Nemuri t Nemu's gaze. They stared at each other for a mont before Nemuri smirked.
"Why, Nemu?" she said teasingly. "Don't tell you too."
Of course, Nemu didn't understand what Nemuri ant. She simply tilted her head and turned back to the monitor.
Onscreen, the man clasped his hands again and whispered softly:
( ＾▽＾)
[Mokuton: Mù zhù]
♤ (mù): Wood
(zhù / zhùzi): Pillar, column, or post ♤
A wooden pillar erupted from the ground beneath him, shooting upward toward the tree he had created—connecting directly to the treehouse above.
i watched Nemu's strange behavior with a knowing smile.
"Ohhh," she said. "Looks like soone's infatuated."
Nemuri turned to i.
"No," she corrected calmly. "It's more like smitten."
i raised an eyebrow.
"Aren't you jealous? Normally you would be. What's wrong this ti?" she teased.
Nemuri glanced at Nemu, who was completely unaware of their conversation.
"Well," Nemuri said softly, "I always knew this would happen soday…"
She didn't finish the sentence.
Instead, she smiled and turned her attention back to the monitor—where Maki was opening the door to the treehouse.
"We talked about it," she whispered.
"…Well, actually, it was talking and explaining things to him."
(*￣∇￣)ノ
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