Sister Donburi
"So... another one joined us."
"Yeah... somehow it turned out that way."
"...Hah."
Rijette, her mind blank, slapped a hand to her forehead. Why did it keep growing? Three new ones just yesterday, and now four today. Would it be five tomorrow? Six the day after? In a year, this place would be crawling with like three hundred of them?
Silvia's long-lost little sister, Lucia. For some reason, she'd been revived in much the same way as Idaine. Just as Idaine had become subordinate to the [Dark Lord], gaining temporary godhood for six hours through summoning ability, Lucia had been reborn as a being bound to Silvia.
Though if one wanted to nitpick, Silvia had died first, so calling her "lost" might not be entirely accurate.
"Sis... I have no idea what's going on right now..."
"It's okay. Everything's okay now. It's all worked out perfectly..."
"Mmph...! S-Sis, your b-boobs...! I can't breathe!"
Min-su watched the sisters' emotional reunion with a warm gaze. Even if Silvia hadn't truly vanished, seeing her story left a lingering unease. Because of her death, Silvia had missed Lucia's achievements, and their musical journey had ended on an awkward note.
But now Lucia was alive too. A perfect happy ending.
...Of course, that meant one more mouth to feed.
That's just a matter of making more money.
He wasn't sure if it was right to think that way about the sisters who'd finally gotten their happy ending, but with their unparalleled musical talent, they could easily cover food costs as artists. And this golden divinity...
Min-su felt Silvia's divinity swirling within him. Though they'd rushed out of the Tower because of Lucia, he'd clearly sensed it when Silvia reclaimed her power as the [Golden Melody Performer]. He could wield it freely—not just as a sword for battle, but to empower the darkness knights as well.
Today's Tower climb had been postponed because of Lucia, but starting tomorrow, he'd go all out. With this power...
He could picture himself climbing the Tower on his own strength, becoming an S-rank player. Whether using a god's power truly counted as "his own" was another matter entirely.
But why do I feel like I'm forgetting something?
Everything seemed settled, yet a nagging sense of oversight lingered.
Probably nothing important.
If Lucia hadn't revived—if Silvia's mind had been clear—Min-su might have recalled it. But in this chaos, it slipped his mind.
Vrooom!
A luxury sedan sped through the streets. It passed through the grand gates of a massive mansion and climbed the imposing driveway.
Click. A man in a black suit, waiting at the entrance, opened the door with a bow. A girl stepped out, headset draped around her neck.
She scanned her surroundings with sharp eyes.
...To think I'd return here on my own two feet.
Yu-bin entered the mansion, her face expressionless. A opulent home adorned with flashy decorations. Not a single corner appealed to her.
"The Chairman is waiting."
Following the butler's lead, she headed to the drawing room.
"Chairman, may I enter?"
Beyond the bowing butler stood the man. A middle-aged figure lighting a cigar with a flame flickering from his fingertip.
"Fuu... It's been a while."
Savoring the taste, he exhaled smoke and fixed his gaze on Yu-bin.
"It's been a while... Father."
"Your manners haven't changed. ...Haven't changed at all."
The man casually flipped over a photo frame on the table beside him, hiding it from view.
"So. What wind blew you back here?"
He crossed his legs.
"You think I'll just accept you after you rejected me and ran off like that?"
"..."
Yu-bin's hands and feet trembled faintly. She closed her eyes briefly.
A melody echoed in her mind. From a constellation now gone, unseen... yet eternally alive in this tune. With this, I can do anything.
Opening her eyes with renewed resolve, Yu-bin spoke.
"I've changed my mind."
"...Shameless."
The man clicked his tongue in disbelief.
"But rejecting me once means the price will be even steeper."
"I don't care."
I'm not that scared little girl who couldn't do anything anymore.
The next morning, Min-su woke alone in his quiet room. As usual, early dawn.
"...Feels kinda empty."
Maybe because yesterday's morning was so shocking. He scratched his head idly.
Well, it had been ages since the sisters saw each other—they were probably happier together. Of course, Min-su had no way of knowing this would be his last morning waking up alone.
He washed up simply and prepared breakfast. A bachelor's special: soy sauce egg rice.
"Uuu... Min-su... my apostle..."
Surprisingly, the first to stir was Rijette.
"Oh, you're up?"
Rubbing her eyes, she spotted him and toddled over, burying her face in his chest.
"Recharging with my small, cute apostle's scent..."
"I'm not small, you know."
Idaine followed. Eyes hollow—probably gamed all night—she'd apparently stripped for bed and thrown on clothes haphazardly, one shoulder bare.
"..."
She stared at Min-su and the clinging Rijette, then sidled up silently and nestled her head beside Rijette's.
...What is it with these girls?
"Food's getting cold. Eat up."
"Yeeeah..."
Seating the half-asleep goddesses, Min-su headed to Silvia's room.
Knock knock.
"Silvia?"
Knock knock.
"Silvia."
No answer. Maybe they stayed up late catching up. He grasped the knob and turned it slowly.
...Huh.
Didn't something like this happen yesterday?
The door swung open. Beyond it, Min-su beheld two nude goddesses sprawled on the bed.
The sight was utterly devastating.
Stirring at his presence, Silvia opened her eyes slightly, a sultry smile on her lips.
"Why not join us? It's sister donburi."
"Wh—where did you even learn that term?!"
He nearly stumbled. The scene was more than enough to cloud his judgment.
Brushing off the minor mishap, Min-su and the four women finally gathered in the dining room for breakfast.
Why are these goddesses so allergic to clothes?
One strips for gaming. The sisters sleep naked together. Good thing I'm a gentleman—what if it were another guy?
He worried needlessly.
"So, what do you think, Min-su? Group name: Sister Donburi?"
"...Absolutely not."
Silvia and Lucia had decided to pursue music together. While researching Earth's music culture all night, they'd learned group names mattered... and "sister donburi" popped up in their search for sister-related terms.
Out of all the words, why that one...?
It was so Silvia-like, yet he desperately wanted to veto it. Especially as her number-one fan on Earth.
"I thought it was a great name... but if you say no, oh well."
Silvia pouted.
"Whoa... I've never seen Sis act this way around a guy. She doesn't even treat me like that."
Lucia eyed Min-su up and down.
"Why are you staring?"
"He's decent-looking, sure... but is he really?"
Sis had shot down way hotter guys who hit on her. Why this one? Lucia tilted her head.
Rijette jumped in.
"My apostle! Hands off!"
Silvia spoke up.
"Apostle, huh... I heard he was an honorary apostle."
"...Eek!"
"I granted him my divinity. Doesn't that make him my apostle too?"
"...Grrr!"
"H-Hey, constellations! I don't have many dishes! Don't break them!"
Unfortunately, the two goddesses weren't listening.
"This is your fault, junior. You brought this many women home—time to face the karma."
"That's not why I brought them here."
"Looks like you're in for a rough ride."
Idaine giggled. Not just summoning constellations, but making two fall for him and claiming their power. Where would this guy's limits be? As a mere S-rank apostle, she couldn't even judge.