After that chaotic run-in with Sylvia, one of the Devil King’s generals, it was a miracle that everyone made it back in one piece. The road home was calm for once — no explosions, no screaming, no Aqua tripping over herself. Just the soft rustle of the wind against the trees and the faint hum of evening insects.

Of course, Kazuma being Kazuma, had decided to lie about his identity… again. He claimed it was just in case a bounty had been placed on his head — though, judging by the smug grin on his face, it was probably just another excuse to sound mysterious.

By the time you reached Megumin’s home, the sky had deepened into a velvet dusk. The familiar laughter of Komekko echoed from near the stables, pure and carefree. Somehow, that little sound made all the exhaustion of the day feel worth it.

Aqua let out a long, dramatic sigh and stretched her arms high above her head. “Finally! Somewhere safe!” she groaned, her voice echoing faintly in the quiet air.

Kazuma smirked. “Keep your mouth open like that and a fly’s bound to land in it.”

The only response he got was Megumin’s fist slamming into his arm. Hard. “Ow—! Hey, I was just kidding!”

You, Darkness, and Megumin’s parents — Hyoizaburo and Yuiyui — quickly stepped in before things escalated further. But as always, Yuiyui wasted no time stirring up even more chaos.

“Well, well,” she said with a mischievous grin. “How about my dear Megumin and young Kazuma share a futon tonight? You two did save each other’s lives, didn’t you?”

“M-Mom!” Megumin’s face went crimson in an instant. “Stop saying weird things!”

Kazuma, of course, perked up immediately. “You know, I wouldn’t mind—”

“Over my dead body!” Megumin snapped.

After a storm of bickering and protests, Megumin finally managed to convince her mother to drop it — mostly by reminding everyone of Kazuma’s less-than-noble behavior the previous night. Unfortunately, that small victory came at your expense.

“Well then,” Yuiyui declared cheerfully, “why don’t you sleep with her instead? You seem like a responsible one.”

You blinked. “Wait, what?”

Megumin’s blush deepened, but she didn’t argue. “It’s fine. I trust them more than him,” she muttered, shooting Kazuma a glare sharp enough to kill.

Kazuma groaned dramatically. “Oh, come on, Megumin! Let me sleep with you! I promise I won’t be a perv this time!”

Darkness crossed her arms, smiling faintly. “Kazuma, perhaps you should let her rest. Not everyone shares your… enthusiasm.”

Aqua muttered, “Perv,” under her breath, rolling her eyes as she headed for her room.

“Just go already!” Megumin shouted, pointing toward the hallway. “Mom and Dad said no!”

And with that, the debate was over.

Moments later, you and Megumin were ushered into her small bedroom. A single futon rested neatly on the wooden floor, bathed in the soft glow of a lantern. The faint scent of herbs and magic powder lingered in the air — distinctly Megumin.

Outside, the world had gone still. Aqua, Darkness, and Kazuma had already fallen asleep in their own guest rooms, leaving just the two of you in the gentle quiet of the night.

Megumin sat down first, pulling her cloak tighter around her shoulders. “…I suppose this is fine,” she murmured, avoiding your gaze. “Just… don’t try anything weird, alright?”