NOVEL NEXT Chapter 13: Warm hugs!
((Hey, everyone! 🥺 Unfortunately, some people reported our beautiful cover, even though it's official art from volume 4 of the Light Novel. I've already contacted support to try to resolve this, since there's nothing wrong with it—just a charming little tummy. ❤️
Until then, I'll have to wait until the 16th to upload a new cover. I know fanfics without covers tend to get less attention, which might hurt our reach. So, I'm kindly asking for your support on the 16th, when the power stones reset, to help us stay strong in the monthly rankings. 💪✨
As a thank-you, I'll do my best to upload 2 chapters a day until then. Thank you so much for your support as always! 🥰🙏))
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Yuno narrowed her eyes, seriousness etched into her expression as she stared at Arona:
"So you're suggesting that Ryan and I will need to hand out hugs all over the village? Really?"
Arona turned toward her, maintaining a gentle smile that seemed to shine even brighter under the soft light of her halo, almost angelic.
"Well, Yuno-sensei, technically it would be more efficient if only Ryan did it. The Fortune is more directly linked to the powers within him."
Ryan sighed, shoving his hands into his pockets with a tired look, but didn't miss the chance to provoke:
"You know, Yuno-chan, I don't mind giving out a few warm hugs. It's good for the heart."
Yuno turned to him with a cold expression and eyes that could pierce steel. Her voice, low and laden with threat, was practically a death sentence:
"Do that again, and I'll rip your guts out with my own hands."
Ryan raised an eyebrow, clearly relishing the moment to provoke further.
"Alright, alright, Pinky-sensei. I'll keep my guts in place... for now."
Arona simply watched the scene, chuckling softly as she adjusted her halo, seemingly oblivious to the growing tension.
Arona straightened her posture, wagging her index finger as if addressing stubborn students. Her voice took on a teacher-like tone:
"Ryan will be able to sense the Divine Fortune more clearly, but he won't be able to absorb it alone. And that's where you come in, Yuno-sensei."
Yuno, with a serious face and narrowed eyes, responded with her usual harshness:
"How?"
Her voice was so cold and dry it seemed to cut through the air.
Arona stepped back slightly but maintained an awkward smile, though her hands betrayed a slight tremor.
"Well... maybe it's better to just explain all at once."
Ryan watched everything in silence, slightly tilting his head. The calculated and cautious tone from Arona only confirmed his suspicion.
"Knew there was something weird about this," he thought, as a mischievous smile threatened to break out.
Yuno held her tense posture, her eyes glowing with growing impatience.
"Spit it out."
Arona took a deep breath, forcing an exaggerated smile as she explained:
"You'll need to... let's say, 'transfer' the Fortune between you... directly! That's right, directly!"
Yuno stepped forward, her eyes now glowing with a menacing pink hue. Her presence seemed bigger, more intimidating.
"Directly?" she repeated, the word heavy with disbelief and threat.
Ryan, never missing an opportunity to mock, echoed with sarcasm:
"Directly? This is getting interesting."
Arona, sensing the tension, tried to explain quickly, raising her hands defensively.
"You'll need to touch each other until you absorb the Fortune together! There's no other way, Yuno-sensei. It's that or goodbye, Yuuki!"
She finished with a nervous smile and stuck out her tongue, trying to lighten the mood.
Yuno froze for a few seconds, her mind clearly processing the absurd idea. Then, without warning, she spun around and delivered a brutal punch to the nearest wall. The force was so great that a long, deep crack formed, echoing through the room.
Ryan whistled softly, casually leaning against the opposite wall.
"Looks like someone didn't like the idea of physical contact. Who would've guessed?"
He grinned, his expression a mix of amusement and provocation, while Yuno glared at him with a look that promised consequences.
Ryan was fighting back a laugh, watching Yuno seethe with rage after hearing Arona's instructions. He even thought about making a joke, but Yuno's eyes, burning with deadly intensity, made him reconsider.
"Keep your mouth shut..." she growled, her voice rough and laden with threat.
Not wasting any more time, Yuno adjusted her coat and returned to her stance. Her cold, practical tone cut through the silence:
"Arona, how can I use this image to teleport to the city?"
Arona took a deep breath before responding, with the professorial tone she seemed to enjoy.
"Yuno-sensei, your powers are more versatile than you think. This image can serve as a base for constructing the mental visualization needed for teleportation."
Yuno frowned in concentration, pulling an old flip phone from her pocket. Without ceremony, she pointed the device at the glowing glass and took a photo.
Ryan couldn't hold back the comment.
"Jesus, you still use one of those relics?"
His tone was filled with disbelief and mockery.
Yuno shot him a sideways glance that could freeze lava, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she refocused on the projected image.
"Is this really the most efficient image?" Yuno asked, her gaze fixed on Arona.
Arona smiled gently, exuding confidence.
"Yes, Yuno-sensei. This is the closest city to the village. It's about an hour away by bike."
Yuno remained silent, studying the photo carefully, but Ryan, unable to resist, broke her concentration.
"Okay, but how the hell am I supposed to teleport with you?" He tilted his head, curiosity evident, but still carrying a hint of provocation.
Without taking her eyes off the phone, Yuno replied with sharp disdain:
"Crawling."
Ryan grinned sarcastically, stroking his chin as if deeply reflecting.
"Good to know. I'll start practicing right away."
The corner of Yuno's mouth twitched for a moment, but she held firm, determined to ignore him.
Arona quickly intervened, her voice almost hurried as she tried to alleviate the tension:
"Yuno-sensei can teleport Ryan-sensei, as long as she's touching him." Her smile seemed hastily plastered on, trying to avoid an imminent explosion.
Ryan, as always, seized the opportunity to mock:
"Relax, Arona-chan. In about three years, crawling, I'll make it to that city."
He didn't even get the chance to enjoy his own joke before he felt a heavy hand land on his shoulder. Turning around, he was face-to-face with Yuno's eyes, now glowing with a threatening, almost supernatural fury.
"Oh no... here it comes."
She tightened her grip on his shoulder with enough force to make him furrow his brows. Ryan kept his composure, but didn't miss the chance to retaliate:
"Calm down, pinky. I still need my shoulder in case you really want my help." He spoke sarcastically, maintaining eye contact with her, but his expression completely changed when he noticed the scene around him.
Ryan blinked, confused, as his eyes took in the landscape that wasn't there just a second ago. He slowly looked around, trying to process the sudden change.
"...Holy shit..." he muttered, genuinely surprised.
Yuno had already teleported. They were now on a quiet street, the sounds of the big city fading away, replaced by a colder, more tranquil atmosphere.
Ryan whistled low, as if impressed, then flashed a smug grin at Yuno:
"This is what I call express travel, Pinky!"
Yuno rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.
"Don't get used to it."
The landscape around them was almost dreamlike in its serenity. Unlike the busy streets of Tokyo, this small town seemed suspended in time, with quiet streets and not a car in sight at that hour.
"Great, we're here..." Ryan muttered, his eyes scanning the peaceful town. "Now... Arona said it's about an hour to the village... by bike."
He turned to Yuno, who was staring at him with her typical cold, serious expression. Undeterred, he tilted his head, a provocative smile appearing.
"Tell me, Yuno. Did you bring a bike in coat of yours? Or is it just for show?"
Yuno sighed, turning her face away with an air of disdain.
"Don't waste my patience, Ryan. We'll rent a bike."
Ryan let out a light laugh, then, to dramatize the moment, threw a punch in the air with exaggerated enthusiasm.
"GENIUS! Why didn't I think of that? Let's look for bikes at..." He paused dramatically, checking the time on his phone. "Four seventeen AM. In a tiny little town. Nothing could go wrong!"
Yuno's jaw tightened slightly as she clenched her fists. Although she hadn't hit him, it was clear that the thought crossed her mind. She turned her back sharply, her boots echoing on the silent asphalt.
"Stop tempting your luck and start walking, idiot."
Ryan just smiled, following her.
"Okay, okay, I'm walking. But, uh... which way to the village again?" He asked, clearly just to annoy her.
Yuno shot him a sharp look over her shoulder before pointing to an old, dusty sign.
"Hinamizawa."
He shrugged, the mocking grin still on his face.
"Wow, you found it! Well, looks like we've got a long walk ahead of us. Ready to burn some calories?"
Without dignifying him with a response, Yuno started walking, each step laden with irritation.
"Alright, walking is the new trend," Ryan casually commented, staying a few steps behind her. "But I still think you could have pulled a bike out of that coat. It would have been way more impressive."
Yuno quickened her pace, clearly resisting the urge to crush his patience—and maybe something else—on that empty road.
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