Journey to Godhood Begins in Frieren

"Holy—"

Even Shichen was stunned by what he was seeing… though his eyes were practically shining.

"Ha—so do we still need to compare now?"

Natsumi—now in a fully grown, glamorous adult form—smiled sweetly, her tone deliberately teasing.

"Thou art cheating!" Mukuro snapped back in a much smaller, higher voice.

One looked like a perfectly ripe, dazzling "winner," while the other looked like a smaller, less imposing version by comparison—there was no contest at a glance.

"How is it cheating? It's literally my power. This is the situation right now. I'm simply what you're jealous of—while you've got nothing," Natsumi said, smiling as if she'd already won.

With her body changed, even Natsumi's whole vibe shifted—normally timid, she was suddenly confident and bold, radiating a different kind of presence.

Haniel's ability really was broken. This wasn't an illusion—it was a real, physical transformation. Everyone else had changed too.

"A mere transformation. I can undo it at any time."

Mukuro's aura spiked. She calmly reached into empty space and pulled out a key-tipped staff.

Her Angel—Michael.

With Michael, yes, she absolutely could counter Haniel's effects.

"…Crap." Natsumi's expression stiffened. She knew exactly how bad that was.

"Hold it."

Before Mukuro could do anything, Shichen lifted her by the waist like she weighed nothing.

"Husband?" Mukuro looked at him, confused.

Being held like that—so small, calling him "Husband" in that young-sounding voice—was honestly dangerous for Shichen's self-control.

"Don't rush to undo Natsumi's spell," Shichen said with a grin.

"Why? This smaller body is inconvenient, and my thoughts feel… fuzzy."

Even though their memories remained, the changes clearly affected their bodies and energy levels—everyone was getting drowsier and more sluggish, like they'd been scaled down into "chibi" versions while still being themselves.

"Shichen—hug me!" a much smaller Origami said, tugging at his pant leg and pouting.

"Shichen, I want kinako pan!" Tohka wasn't about to lose, yanking on the other side of his pants.

"Darling—darling—!"

"Shichen, what is going on?!"

"And if we're like this… can we still sleep together?!"

"This is kind of funny… do I get a break from being overworked?"

"Was Kurumi this cute as a kid?"

"Wait, there's no way Nia looked like that as a kid…"

"Why am I the one who got bigger?!"

"Honestly… grown-up Yoshino is kind of mesmerizing."

"Yoshinon—!" (Yoshino turned bright red at her puppet's commentary.)

"Everyone relax," Shichen said, putting Mukuro down. "It's easy to reverse, but I need to check what Haniel actually did. I can't fix what I don't understand."

"Shichen, how are you going to 'check'?" Tohka asked, instantly cooperative.

"Simple. I'm going to pick you up and get a feel for how your body and aura are reacting."

He said it with such righteous seriousness that it almost sounded scientific.

Then he scooped up tiny Tohka like she was a plush toy.

"So big now, Shichen," Tohka mumbled, hugging him back.

"That's because you got smaller," he said, patting her gently, then setting her down.

"Shichen, my turn," Origami insisted.

"Sure." Shichen didn't refuse.

One by one, he picked them up—Tohka, Origami, Kotori, Kurumi, Miku, Nia, even little Mukuro—everyone was doll-sized and delicate, and Shichen looked way too pleased about it.

No one noticed his real ulterior motive.

By the time he set down tiny Kotori, he turned toward Yoshino—who was now in an adult form.

"Shichen…" Yoshino lowered her head, her face burning red.

Her outfit clearly hadn't resized as cleanly as the others', and the whole look made her painfully self-conscious.

"Oh my—looks like Shichen's totally mesmerized," Yoshinon teased.

"It's not that," Shichen said quickly, then softened. "You just look… different. New. And still you."

"Shichen… do you like how I look right now?" Yoshino asked quietly, eyes shimmering.

"I like you either way," Shichen answered immediately. "This is just… surprising."

"…Do you feel… tempted?" Yoshino's voice went small, but her gaze was oddly steady.

"I do," Shichen admitted honestly, leaning close enough that she shivered. Then he stopped himself and only gave her a gentle hug. "Just a hug, okay?"

Yoshino nodded, and he held her—careful, warm, reassuring—then let go before the moment tipped too far.

"…So… any discoveries?" Yoshino asked, trying to change the subject.

Shichen cleared his throat. "Uh… yes. You really did 'grow up.'"

Yoshinon immediately translated with ruthless accuracy: "He means your figure developed."

Yoshino turned beet red and ducked her head so hard she nearly hid her whole face.

Shichen sighed at Yoshinon. "Could you not say it that plainly?"

"Hmph. You meant it."

Shichen shook his head, then walked over to Natsumi last.

"Shichen—want to hold me too?" Natsumi asked with a bright, dangerous smile.

"Of course. I'm not playing favorites."

Natsumi stepped in and hugged him first—hard.

Shichen's willpower took a hit. He very nearly carried her straight to his room, but forced himself to set her down.

"So?" Natsumi purred. "How's it feel?"

"Honestly?" Shichen said flatly. "Not as good as the real you."

Natsumi's smile widened like she'd gotten exactly what she wanted, and she leaned in again anyway.

"Enough," Shichen said, flicking her forehead lightly. "Everyone's here. Behave."

"Shichen, how's your 'inspection'?" Tohka ran back over, already yawning. "Can Mukuro just turn us back? I'm sleepy."

"Sleepy?" Shichen blinked.

"Yeah… I don't know why, but I'm suddenly exhausted."

Shichen glanced over—Kotori was already curled up on the couch asleep, and Miku looked like she was about to nod off too.

Looks like the transformation didn't just resize them—it made them way easier to tire out.

"If you're sleepy, go nap," Shichen said. "We can deal with fixing it later."

Tohka thought for half a second. "Makes sense. I'm going to bed!"

One by one, the others started yawning and drifting off too.

"Then I shall retire as well, Husband," Mukuro said primly.

"Yuzuru, let's sleep."

"Agreed."

Soon the living room was quiet—just Shichen, the two who'd become adults, and two tiny ones dozing on the couch.

Shichen carried Kotori and Miku back to their rooms first. When he returned, Natsumi and Yoshino were still there, neither moving.

Shichen looked at them. "So… what do you two want to do?"

Natsumi exchanged a look with Yoshino, then smiled like a cat that found an unlocked door.

"Don't you think…" Natsumi said softly, "…this is the perfect timing?"

"The perfect timing?" Shichen raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah," Natsumi continued, voice honey-sweet. "Be honest—looking at us like this… you don't have any thoughts?"