Ultimately, Umi's somewhat cute reply sparked quite a discussion.
Just a few hours later, a screenshot of Fate/stay night's staff list in the game's credits triggered another round of heated debates!
[Comment 1: I knew it! I had a feeling it was them!]
[Comment 2: Looks like they're trying out new stuff, huh? Can't believe Muse is jumping into voice acting.]
[Comment 3: Oh, by the way, isn't Love Live's manga on its fifth chapter now? Nico's been cracking me up for a while.]
[Comment 4: Damn! Now that you mention it, you're right! So many surprises today! But with Muse doing the voice-over for Fate, Love Live's manga isn't just some small fry anymore.]
Listening to Elf's retelling of the people's comments online, Homura clicked to confirm, and soon, the member profiles on Another Dimension's website were updated.
Besides adding two new members, Muse's responsibilities now included voice acting.
Homura still had no intention of making it public, knowing it would be discovered soon enough.
As time passed—
[Netizen A: Hey guys... Can I ask, how'd y'all die?]
[Netizen B: Bruh, what? I didn't die! Just finished Saber's route in one go, EZ!]
[Netizen C: LMAO! I got turned into a toy by Illya, but no complaints, she's cute af!]
[Netizen B: Bro, are you a lolicon or what? Anyway, Saber slashed me real good.]
[Netizen D: Yo, heads up! Some new members just popped up on Another Dimension's site!]
It was like a celebration, with traffic skyrocketing on major forums, and comments that wouldn't stop pouring in.
However, this had little to do with Homura.
At this moment, he was busy answering a call from Kirino.
"Minamiya-senpai, isn't Illya a yandere? Yandere isn't bad, but I guess a tsundere little sister is better... Wait, the energetic and lively ones are nice too! Oh, but a kuudere have their own charm as well!"
Homura hadn't even spoken yet, but Kirino was already rambling on the other end!
It seemed like she hadn't checked the character profiles on the website. If she had, she would have known Illyasviel was actually the protagonist's big sister.
"Do you really want me to spoil it for you?" Homura chuckled.
"...Forget it. It's more fun to find out myself." Kirino refused after being hesitant for a moment. "I never expected Minamiya-senpai to get my cousin and the others to voice the characters... I must say, it surprised me, y'know."
"Well, I've had this idea for a while, and since I finally had the chance, I just made it happen."
"By the way, Yukiho is... pretty impressive too..." Kirino added.
'Huh? Was that envy or what?' Homura raised an eyebrow, then spoke in a teasing tone. "How about joining in next time? I can prepare a bunch of little sister roles for you."
He had to admit that Kirino's voice was quite suited for a little sister.
"I like little sisters, but I don't want to become one." Kirino replied with an emotionless voice.
"But aren't you a little sister already?"
"..."
Kirino stayed silent.
"I'm surprised! I never thought you would have a day when you couldn't come up with a retort!"
Homura suddenly heard Kuroneko's mockery.
"Tch... if there's nothing to retort, then there's nothing to retort! Still, Kuroneko, I bet you can't come up with something I can't retort!" Kirino shot back, provoking her.
"You're a little sister! Retort that!" Kuroneko replied through gritted teeth.
'Kuroneko, you're really something!' Homura chuckled.
"Tch, Minamiya-senpai, let's chat again next time. Goodbye." Kirino said with an annoyed tone.
"Sure, goodbye."
After hanging up the phone, Homura sighed.
'Another big quarrel, huh... Well, it's become their daily routine.'
He smiled faintly, no longer dwelling on Kirino and Kuroneko's matter.
Today, all of his chores were already completed, even a large pot of tea eggs was simmering on low heat.
"Only Kaguya's problem remains, huh..." Homura muttered with a frown.
"Homura-kun... Isn't it too complicated?" Utaha chimed in with a frown. "You know, the more complicated it is, the harder it is to implement, right? How about something simpler?"
"It's a bit too presumptuous, isn't it?" Eriri shook her head. "What's simple? Just persuade him? Kaguya's father is not someone easily persuaded."
Needless to say, this wasn't a business negotiation where 'you persuade me, and I persuade you.'
Making that old stubborn man give up his rules? Or telling him to be kinder to Kaguya and show more concern?
If that was possible, why would Homura wait until now?
"How about something even simpler?" Megumi suggested.
"Even simpler?" Izumi looked puzzled. "Is there something simpler than persuasion?"
Mashiro thought for a moment, then raised her hand.
"Just steal her away."
"Bruh!"
Once again, Mashiro's unexpected words left Homura dumbfounded.
'Steal her away? What does that even mean?! You mean I have to become a kidnapper?!'
Homura sighed tiredly.
"You mean kidnap her? Well, it's kinda similar to the last time, but at that time, Kaguya's maid also helped by disguising herself as Kaguya to avoid being caught. However, pulling this stunt over and over will eventually get exposed."
After saying this, Homura lost himself in thought for a while before nodding.
"Well... I'll contact Kaguya just in case."
In the end, he could only check if there was any useful information available.
As the call connected, Homura immediately asked.
"Kaguya, are you at home?"
"Minamiya-kun? Mhm, I'm at home. What's up?"
"Can you go out tomorrow?"
"..."
As Kaguya remained silent, Homura understood it was not possible.
In fact, Kaguya knew that tomorrow Homura and the others would gather together again, yet she could only stay home alone.
"Kaguya, listen, I need all sorts of information from your place now so I can find a chance to get you out." Homura said calmly.
Kaguya was taken aback.
"You know that's... impossible, right?"
"Don't say it's impossible without trying."
"I'm not sure, but... Hayasaka, you explain."
Kaguya immediately handed her phone to Ai, who was standing by her side.
"Minamiya-sama, what can I do for you?" Ai asked calmly.
"You called me with 'sama' again... well, whatever. Ai, can you get information on the situation at the Shinomiya residence for tomorrow?"
"Is Minamiya-sama planning an invasion?" Ai asked, her voice remained serene.
If it had not been Homura who said such a thing to her, she would have discreetly alerted the family's security personnel long ago.
"Yeah, if invading helps Kaguya live a more normal life, who gives a damn?" Homura replied calmly, surprisingly not denying it.
"...I understand." Ai closed her eyes briefly before opening them again. "Please wait, Minamiya-sama. I'll gather the information for tomorrow."
"Umu, you're amazing as always, Ai." Homura praised with a happy tone. "Thank you for always being with Kaguya."
"Minamiya-sama, you flatter me. Well then, I'll be back shortly."
With that, the phone returned to Kaguya's hands.