Anime Multiverse: Building a Pantheon from Scratch

"Do you prefer coffee or black tea, Luo Shu-kun?"

Dressed in a casual home outfit, Mira Tsubakihara stood in front of the tea cabinet, busily preparing drinks. Her long, glossy hair was tied back into a simple ponytail with a black satin ribbon, swaying gently behind her—an eye-catching sight.

However, Luo Shu was in no mood to admire her elegance. Instead, he glanced nervously toward Room 301 next door, then at the balcony. His brows slowly furrowed in unease.

"Is something wrong?" Mira turned around when she didn't hear a reply, looking at him curiously. When she saw where his gaze was aimed—toward the wall—her expression shifted in sudden realization.

"Ah, I'm so sorry!" She pressed her palms together in apology, sticking out her tongue in embarrassment. "Because of what happened today, my grandfather got worried and arranged for some people to temporarily stay in the room next door. You must've noticed them, right?"

"Some people?" Luo Shu raised an eyebrow and cautiously asked, "And what kind of people are they exactly?"

"They're security personnel from the American-based Raijin Security Group. I heard they're part of a specialized unit trained to deal with, uh, unusual individuals."

Mira sighed helplessly as she spoke, clearly exasperated. "My grandfather's always been uneasy about me living alone. He says we sold too many guns and now he's worried someone might target me. After today's incident, he got even more nervous."

While she returned to grab some teacups, she muttered in complaint, "Seriously, I told him Japan is a gun-free country and crime rates are low. He doesn't need to be as paranoid as he was back in the States, but he never listens."

Hearing that, Luo Shu thought about what Mika had told him about the thriving weapons trade in Japan by foreign troops and nodded solemnly. "No, I think your grandfather's concerns are perfectly reasonable."

Miss Mira… did you already forget that I was the one holding a gun and killing people earlier?

Also, do you not know what it means to live next to "The Grim Reaper's playground"? You walk a few blocks past Ikebukuro and you hit Beika Town—the actual crime capital of Tokyo…

Luo Shu couldn't help but mentally rant.

"Huh?" Mira blinked, clearly not expecting Luo Shu to agree with her grandfather. Then she giggled. "You sound just like him—wary like a cat."

Luo Shu thought for a moment and replied, "It's probably a professional hazard."

Considering what she had said, Mira's grandfather was likely a high-profile arms dealer. Such a man probably knew more about the actual number of illegal firearms in Japan than Luo Shu himself. Heck, it was entirely possible that the SIG P226 in his holster had been manufactured and sold by Mira's family.

As they chatted, Mira opened a canister from the cabinet, donned a pair of disposable gloves, and carefully scooped some tea leaves into the teapot. She glanced over at Luo Shu and said with slight annoyance, "Since you didn't answer for so long, I chose black tea for you. Hope that's alright?"

"No complaints. Thank you," Luo Shu replied as he took a seat on the white fabric sofa and looked around the living room.

The décor was minimalistic and neat. A wall-mounted projection screen, the white sofa, a projector setup behind it, a compact dining area with matching furniture—everything was coordinated and simple. The only unique piece was an oil painting by the sofa… a portrait of Mira Tsubakihara herself.

Aside from that painting, the rest of the setup looked oddly familiar. Then it hit him—the layout of her place was almost identical to his apartment, just even more minimalist.

It doesn't feel like someone actually lives here…

As he mulled that over, Mira walked over carrying a cup of black tea. Before setting it down, she smiled and said, "I added a bit of brandy. Hope that's alright?"

"…You mean sugar, right?" Luo Shu raised an eyebrow and gave her a knowing wink. Drinking at his age was illegal in Japan, so naturally, a little euphemism was in order. Ginger ale… sugar… something plausible.

Mira blinked in surprise, then giggled as she set down the cup and covered her mouth. "Yes, yes, I meant sugar. I hope it's not too sweet."

"Well then, please enjoy this cup of black tea with sugar."

Luo Shu calmly lifted the cup, blew on it, and took a careful sip.

The flavor was rich, with a subtle sweetness that lingered on the tongue. He couldn't pinpoint the exact type of tea leaves but having grown up in a region famous for tea, Luo Shu could tell—it was incredibly high-end.

After a few sips, he looked up at Mira, who was quietly smiling at him while holding her own cup, and asked, "Aren't you going to ask me anything?"

"No, before that, I owe you an apology." Mira gave a gentle, apologetic smile and cradled her cup. "Because of what happened earlier, my family did a bit of digging into your background, Luo Shu-kun."

"So, I know you only just joined the SDS division under Chief Tachibana today… I know it's a bit unethical, but I've already seen your internal file from the Metropolitan Police."

Of course, the main reason she had done so was to confirm his identity and gauge how dangerous his situation with the police might be. Without that freshly approved file, the American military garrison would've probably rushed in to "rescue" him with full diplomatic immunity.

You managed to find out that much in just one hour? What's next, my underwear color?

Luo Shu seriously began to question whether second-generation elites like Mira had already surpassed normal human capability in this era. No—scratch that, she had cash powers! That explained everything.

Seeing how candid and open she was, Luo Shu chuckled and asked, "And what did you think after reading my file?"

"Eh? My impression?" Mira looked surprised for a moment, not expecting the question. But then, noticing the playful look on Luo Shu's face, she realized he was joking.

With a light laugh, she said, "If I had to put it into words, it was something like, 'Guess I'll be seeing you again soon.' Oh—and a small sense of relief. Pretty ordinary thoughts, I think?"

Luo Shu, who had been rather composed until now, suddenly lost his cool a little.

Oh no… this one's dangerous… definitely not type to handle casually…

He took a deep breath, trying to compose himself, then deliberately shifted to business.

"Miss Tsubakihara, do you know why the 'Hounds' were tailing you?"

"You mean this?" Mira reached into her pocket and pulled out a small jewellery box. Opening it revealed a ring inlaid with a blood-red ruby.

As the lid opened, Luo Shu found himself staring into a vertical, unblinking pupil embedded within the gemstone.

It was the 'eye'— the Heart of the Demon.

The moment that sinister gaze locked onto him, Luo Shu's expression turned stone cold.