"Stay."
Pyro didn't hesitate. Like Gambit and the others, he had no one left back home.
In his world, the Fantastic Four were long dead.
He was the last.
Then?
TVA pruned him.
"Alright, I'll send Booze-Wolf back first."
Azuma Shoyo said, turning to open a dimensional portal with the ring.
"Go—that's your old world."
He nodded at Wolverine.
"Not in a rush, really," Wolverine said, but stepped forward anyway.
At the portal's edge, he paused.
He looked back at the group.
"See ya!"
"Next time, drinks on me!"
"Go be a good guy!"
"Don't miss me—I won't miss you."
They waved, bidding farewell.
Wolverine locked eyes with them, as if etching them into memory.
Then he turned, striding firmly through the portal.
Whoosh!
It closed.
Azuma Shoyo faced the rest. "Since you're not leaving yet, I'm off. Dinner sometime."
With that, he shot up—bang!—breaking the sound barrier, a dazzling sonic boom cloud trailing as he vanished into the horizon.
"Shit! He's so cool!"
Pyro gushed, envious.
"So… he left us this mess and bailed?"
Elektra stared at the wreckage.
Everyone, "…"
"How about… we split?"
Gambit whispered.
No objections.
Before anyone showed up, they bolted.
Soon after, TVA agents arrived.
"Oh my God! Monster attack?"
Seeing the chaos, they slapped their foreheads—cleanup was gonna suck.
Kosai Island, Suzuki Villa.
Second floor, one room.
Azuma Shoyo opened his eyes, a flicker of disorientation fading as he realized he was back.
One second—
Basking in space's sun.
Next—
On a bed in the anime world.
Beside him, Shizuka Marukawa slept soundly, clinging like an octopus, treating him like a sleep aid plushie.
He glanced at her, then floated up, gently turning her over—hovering weirdly midair.
A finger flick, and his clothes flew on, dressing him neatly.
Feet touched down lightly. He eyed Shizuka on the bed.
"Eh, illusion'll do."
He thought.
He'd considered moving her back to her room.
But why bother? An illusion fixed it.
6 AM.
Everyone else still snoozed.
Only Azuma Shoyo and the villa's staff were up.
He stepped out, heading downstairs.
Ordered a coffee from a maid, then hit the back garden, facing the morning sun with a novel.
Love Metronome, by Kasumiko.
Sold 500,000 copies—pretty solid.
He'd grabbed it from the villa's shelf.
Truth be told—
He wasn't into this genre.
If it weren't Kasumiko's, he wouldn't bother.
After a bit, the maid brought coffee.
"Set it there."
He had her place it aside, flipping through the book.
It was good.
Just not his type.
A short read, then he set it down, sipping the steaming coffee.
"Damn, that's smooth!"
He stretched, savoring it.
Past 9 AM—
Last night's late sleepers trickled up.
Shizuka emerged from his room?
No one batted an eye—like it was her spot.
That's his illusion at work—a psychic mirage.
Same diff, different name.
"Shoyo, when'd you wake up?"
Sonoko yawned, bounding to the garden, hugging his neck from behind and sneaking a cheek kiss.
"Early. Sleep well?"
He smiled at her.
"Nope—nightmare."
She frowned. "Horror theme parks are a no-go—nightmares galore."
"Still going today?"
He grinned.
"Duh! We're here—gotta get our money's worth!"
She pumped a fist, then clung to him, cooing, "Plus, you're here! You'll protect me, right? I dreamed of you last night."
"Oh? What about?"
He asked, curious.
Sonoko blushed, mind drifting.
"Not telling!"
She bolted off.
Azuma Shoyo watched her scamper, chuckling.
This girl—hardly a chaebol heiress vibe.
--- Translator Note ---
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