The air in Rimuru's kitchen was thick with a dangerous combination of simmering purple stew and Shion's simmering rage. Her words, revealing the duel she'd fought and won for his affection, hung between them. Rin knew he was on thin ice.
As expected, he turned to his system. It was his ultimate trump card, the perfect tool for social de-escalation. He focused on Shion's turbulent status.
Anger: 85/100 -> 10/100.
Jealousy: 90/100 -> 20/100.
Open-mindedness: 30/100 -> 80/100.
Her fierce expression immediately softened, the cold fury in her eyes replaced by a familiar, confused warmth. The overwhelming love she felt for him, no longer choked by anger, rushed back to the forefront.
"Shion-san," Rin said, his voice calm and gentle, "I promise I already ate. I would never reject a gift from you otherwise." He took a step closer. "But I'm more concerned about you and Shuna. You two are like sisters. It hurts me to see you fighting."
Shion, now much more receptive, looked down, a hint of shame on her face. "We… had a disagreement." She didn't mention the duel, but Rin didn't need her to.
"Whatever it was, it can be fixed," Rin insisted. "The sooner you talk, the better. Please, for my sake, go and talk to her now."
His earnest plea was all the convincing she needed. She nodded, her resolve firming. "You are right, Rin-dono. I will go speak with her."
She turned to leave, but then paused at the doorway. In a move that completely surprised Rin, she spun back around, closed the distance between them in two quick strides, and pressed her lips firmly against his. It was a kiss full of pent-up emotion—passion, apology, and a clear statement of her claim. Just as quickly, she pulled away, her face flushed, and hurried out the door before he could react.
Rin let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. That was a close call. Now, for phase two. He slipped out and followed them from a safe distance, his Mind Reader active.
He found them meeting in a clearing just outside of town. The atmosphere was tense.
"Shuna…" Shion began, her voice filled with a hesitation that was rare for her. "I am sorry. About our fight. My actions were… impulsive."
Shuna looked surprised, then her own expression softened. "I am sorry as well, Shion. I… I don't know what came over me when I kissed him. I shouldn't have done that."
After a moment of silence, they had forgiven each other. "Shion," Shuna asked, her brow furrowed in thought, "when did you first realize you had feelings for Rin-dono?"
"That's... something I wanted to talk about too," Shion admitted. "It felt so… sudden. One moment he was just a human Lord Rimuru was protecting, and the next… my heart belonged to him."
"Me too!" Shuna exclaimed. "There were no signs, no gradual build-up. It was just… there. Instantly."
Rin, listening from the trees, felt a prickle of alarm. They were getting too close to the truth. He quickly accessed their statuses again.
Shion & Shuna: Trust (in Rin Takakura) -> 100/100. Open-mindedness (Shuna) -> 100/100.
Their thoughts immediately shifted course.
Shuna: How could we doubt our feelings? Rin-dono is simply an exceptional man. A love like this, so powerful and immediate, can only be felt for someone truly special.
Shion: Of course. He is the man of our lives. Besides Lord Rimuru, whom we serve with our loyalty, Rin-dono is the one we would give our lives for.
A new line of thought then began to play out in their minds, one Rin listened to with great interest. They were both still virgins, but they felt, with absolute certainty, that giving their bodies to Rin was not just a desire, but the right thing to do.
"Sister," Shuna began, her tone now conspiratorial rather than confrontational, "if we both love him… what should we do?"
"He can't choose just one of us," Shion stated, nodding. "It wouldn't be fair."
"Then we must be with him together," Shuna concluded, her eyes sparkling.
Their conversation shifted into a calm, logical planning session, like two sisters discussing a TV show. They spoke earnestly and seriously about how they could best "offer" themselves to Rin, a cooperative effort to win his heart and body.
Rin had heard enough. He had set the stage; now he just had to wait for the actors to begin the play. He slipped away and returned to his riverside house. His day returned to its peaceful routine: fishing, cooking, eating, and napping.
As night fell, casting a deep, quiet dark over the forest, a soft knock came at his door.
Rin's heart gave an excited leap. He opened the door to find Shion standing there, looking nervous and beautiful under the moonlight.
"Rin-dono," she began, her eyes cast downwards. "May I… come in?"
"Of course," he said, stepping aside.
She entered, a slight hesitation in her step. But Rin could hear her thoughts perfectly clear. Okay, remember Shuna's advice. Don't be too aggressive. Men enjoy the thrill of the conquest a little. Act shy, then let him take the lead. This has to be perfect… for all three of us.
Rin had to suppress a grin. This was going to be a very, very interesting night.