Souta wasn't really concerned about Altair's offer of repaynt.
He truly viewed this as an investnt opportunity—if this mission succeeded, the points he earned would far outweigh what he spent.
He was providing the World Travel Card, and when the mission rewards were divided, he'd likely receive the largest share.
Tokisaki Kurumi: "..."
Kurumi sent a single ellipsis in the chat.
This made Souta feel a little... puzzled.
Souta: "What's wrong, Kurumi?"
Tokisaki Kurumi: "Sotis, I really like your personality, Souta. But other tis, I find it... extrely frustrating."
Souta: "???"
Souta: "Did I make you mad, Kurumi?"
Shinobu Oshino: "Souta, now would be a good ti to shut up."
Souta: "Huh?"
Shinobu Oshino: "You're so dense. Not everyone is like —
I don't mind your obliviousness, but others might."
Souta scratched his head.
Sothing about this conversation felt off...
It had a weird... sour tone to it.
Almost like...
Jealousy?
Souta sighed and put down his phone.
He turned to look at Shinobu, who was sitting beside him.
Souta: "Hey, if you had sothing to say, couldn't you just tell directly? Why are you texting when we're literally sitting together?"
Shinobu frowned.
That was... a good question.
Why was she still using the phone to chat... when she could just speak to him in person?
"I... must have been influenced by you."
Shinobu sighed as she placed down her cup of tea.
"You've all been creating this kind of atmosphere in the group. I didn't want to be left out, so I got assimilated."
She waved a hand dismissively.
"But let's not dwell on this topic."
She looked at Souta with curiosity.
"Have you figured out how to complete the mission yet? I'm quite interested—how exactly do you plan on reviving soone who's been dead for three months?"
Souta shook his head.
"No clue."
Shinobu: "..."
"But," he continued confidently, "I do know that sowhere in the vast world of ani, manga, and light novels, there must be a way to solve this problem. I'll just have to do so research online."
Just as he finished speaking, his phone vibrated.
Altair: "@Souta. Souta, your generosity... truly leaves at a loss for words."
Altair: "Is there anything you want? Just na it. As I said before—if I have it, I will give it to you."
Souta chuckled.
Souta: "No need to be so formal, Altair. This is a mutually beneficial deal. Besides, I'm helping because I want to earn points—you don't have to feel indebted to ."
Altair: "A debt must be repaid. I can't just let you help for nothing."
Souta: "Alright, if you insist... but I can't think of anything I need right now."
He pondered for a mont.
Was there anything he was lacking?
Well, money, for one. He still didn't own a house or a car.
But then again, with material creation, he could technically... forge so cash—cough.
Aside from that, he was actually doing pretty well.
Altair: "In that case, consider this a favor I owe you. I will never forget this debt. And in the future, should you need anything, I will do everything in my power to help you!"
Tokisaki Kurumi: "..."
Tokisaki Kurumi: "I knew this would happen."
Souta: "Huh? What do you an, Kurumi?"
Tokisaki Kurumi: "Never mind. This is just... another one of your qualities, I suppose."
Tokisaki Kurumi: "Anyway, since we're all taking part in the mission, how about we et up first? Let's set the eting point in the real world. What do you think?"
Shinobu Oshino: "No problem. I'm already in the real world."
Altair: "The real world? How do I get there?"
Souta: "@Altair. You just need to invite to your world first. I'll co pick you up."
Altair: "An invitation? Understood. But, Souta, wouldn't it be the sa if you invited instead?"
Souta: "Nope, not the sa. When group mbers travel to the real world, they need to have physical contact with first. It's a system rule."
Altair: "Physical contact? In what way?"
Souta: "Ahem... Just a hug will do. That's the system's rule, Altair—don't take it out on ."
Altair: "A hug? That's not a problem. Such trivial things do not concern ."
Tokisaki Kurumi: "..."
Tokisaki Kurumi: "@Souta. Souta, co pick up first. I'm free right now."
Souta: "Alright. Give a mont—I'll clean up my place real quick, then head over."
With the etup plan finalized, Souta put his phone down.
Deep inside, he felt a little excited.
This would be the first-ever in-person eting of mbers from the Friend Group.
After living alone for so long, Souta found himself genuinely looking forward to this gathering.
As soon as he set his phone aside, he grabbed a broom and started cleaning.
He even mopped the floor twice, determined to create a welcoming environnt for his guests.
Shinobu Oshino: "You... really are like a child in so ways."
She observed him with an amused expression.
Souta: "Mind your own business."
He shot her a glance before casually saying,
"If you've got nothing to do, you could help clea— huh!?"
His eyes widened in shock.
Because Shinobu's appearance had changed.
Just a few minutes ago, she had been a petite eight-year-old girl, lounging on the couch with a laptop, binge-watching ani—completely lacking the dignity of a so-called King of Monsters(Apparition).
But now...
She had transford back into her 27-year-old self.
Her voluptuous figure, her elegant curves, her angelic face...
With just one cold glance, she could make n freeze in their tracks.
Souta: "W-Wait... why did you change back all of a sudden?"
Shinobu Oshino: "Why does it surprise you? This is my original form—returning to it should not be shocking."
She spoke indifferently while sipping on a cup of tea.
Her movents were impeccably graceful.
The tea set she was using... looked incredibly luxurious.
The intricate patterns on the cup suggested centuries of history.
And the tea itself carried an exquisite fragrance that filled the air.
Souta narrowed his eyes.
His apartnt definitely didn't have anything this fancy.
Which ant...
She created all of this using her material creation ability?
Just for aesthetic purposes?
And she even changed back into her mature form just to match the mood?
Souta: "...Was that really necessary?"
He couldn't help but feel speechless.
Why go through so much trouble?
Couldn't she just be herself instead of putting on a show?
Wasn't that exhausting?
Shinobu seed to notice his expression.
She calmly explained,
Shinobu Oshino: "Souta, I admire your honesty and your ability to be true to yourself. Being around soone like you is... refreshing."
Her golden eyes carried an icy yet noble light.
Her posture was dignified—like that of a queen.
Shinobu Oshino: "However, I am not like you."
"The others will be arriving soon. And I... am a vampire who has lived for over 500 years."
"A little dignity is required."
Souta: "..."
At that mont, he realized...
This woman was truly different from the others.
Does this an she sees as one of her own?
Alright...
Since you put it that way, I won't tease you anymore.
Once Souta finished cleaning the apartnt, he turned to Kiss-Shot and said:
"I'm heading out to pick them up. Stay ho and don't wander around."
Kiss-Shot waved a hand dismissively.
"I'm not a child!"
"Just go already."
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