For the first time, Utaha showed signs of impatience.
"Tomoya Aki, I admit it was my mistake to have any expectations of you."
"To be blunt, this isn't a plan at all. It's just an essay about your ideal, heart-throbbing girl."
Mentioning this, she suddenly recalled what had happened that morning and chuckled.
"So the girl you were pestering from Class 3 this morning is the 'heroine' of your so-called plan?"
She laughed in disbelief.
"Basically, you want all of us to help you create your fantasy world. If you like her, just confess. What's with all this drama?"
"Oh, and by the way, that girl openly rejected your offer to be your heroine."
"I..."
Tomoya's face flushed with embarrassment, alternating between shades of red and white.
He hadn't expected Utaha to have witnessed the incident that morning.
Feeling bored, Utaha headed for the classroom door, leaving him with a final comment:
"Sorry, I'm not interested in your adolescent fantasy, and I don't want to be your worker."
"Please don't bother me again."
"Wait!"
Tomoya tried to call after her, but Utaha didn't even look back as she left.
Eriri had a conflicted expression on her face.
"Sorry... I can't help you make a game when there isn't even a proper plan."
She put down the folder and, feeling disappointed, walked towards the door. As she reached the exit, she paused for a moment, biting her lip.
"I told you I didn't want anyone to know I'm 'Eri Kashiwagi.'"
"And you... you just revealed it in front of others..."
Eriri felt deeply hurt. She wasn't upset about the fact that Tomoya's plan was centered around his crush on another girl. What upset her was that Tomoya still hadn't changed, not even a little.
It had been her mistake to introduce him to the otaku world when they were kids, but that didn't mean she wanted to be a public otaku. The term "otaku" now had a negative connotation, and revealing that she was one would likely lead to bullying at school. Even more, she was a 'doujin' (fan-made content) artist, drawing explicit content.
Eriri couldn't imagine what would happen if her identity as a 'doujinshi' artist was exposed. She would probably have to transfer schools.
She really wanted to ask why Tomoya trusted Utaha to keep the secret. Why did he have to say it out loud?
Disappointed, Eriri left, leaving Tomoya standing alone in the classroom.
"How could this happen?"
This wasn't how the story was supposed to go!
I'm a loyal fan of Kasumi-sensei. Why wouldn't she help me? And Eriri? She's my childhood friend, isn't she supposed to feel guilty for betraying me?
Why did Eriri betray me again?
Tomoya clenched his fists tightly, thinking back.
If I had been more discreet... If 'Megumi Kato' had agreed to my invitation... Utaha wouldn't have seen me, and she and Eriri would've joined my team. So...
"This is all his fault!"
Tomoya's hatred and resentment towards Rei Ao built up. He blamed everything on him.
...
Fate is funny that way.
That afternoon, still seething with resentment towards Rei Ao, Tomoya left school on his bike.
And there he was—Rei Ao—walking alongside 'Megumi Kato'.
They were chatting amicably.
"..."
Tomoya gritted his teeth. The beret that had fallen that day should've been caught by him. If Rei Ao hadn't interfered, it would've been him walking and talking with her now.
Frustrated by his series of misfortunes, Tomoya made a reckless decision.
He sped up on his bike, aiming to crash between them and make Rei Ao look foolish.
But...
Walking ahead, Rei Ao noticed the movement behind him and smirked.
"It's so obvious, do you really think I wouldn't notice?"
"If you're looking for trouble, don't blame me."
With a thought, Rei Ao created a patch of ice on the road ahead of Tomoya's bike.
Predictably, the bike skidded as soon as it hit the ice.
"Wait!!!"
Losing control, Tomoya's eyes widened in panic. He couldn't stop the bike!
Rei Ao, meanwhile, calmly grabbed Megumi Kato's hand and pulled her aside.
The two of them watched as Tomoya's bike wobbled and slid right onto the road.
As fate would have it, a car was speeding toward him.
Screech!!!
The sound of the car's tires screeched against the road, but it was too late.
"No!!!"
Tomoya screamed in terror, trying to jump off the bike, but it was too late.
The car's tires ran over his lower body.
"AAAAAHHH!!!"
Tomoya's eyes bulged as he screamed, writhing on the ground, clutching his injured crotch.
"Help! Someone help me!!!"
People nearby panicked, pulling out their phones to call for an ambulance.
Rei Ao shielded Megumi Kato from the scene, blocking her view to spare her from the unpleasant sight.
"Are you okay?"
Megumi Kato, still a bit dazed, shook her head. "I'm fine."
"That guy...?"
She recognized his face from earlier that morning.
Rei Ao shrugged. "It's the guy who was bothering you this morning."
"Anyway, it's not our problem. There's nothing we can do here. Let's go."
Ignoring Tomoya's wails, Rei Ao took Megumi Kato's hand and led her away.
As for Tomoya, Rei Ao could only think, 'Too bad he didn't die outright.'
...
After that incident, Rei Ao walked Megumi Kato all the way to her house.
"This is my stop," Megumi Kato said when they arrived.
Rei Ao let go of her hand, which he didn't realize had been interlocked with his the entire time.
He smiled. "Alright, go on inside. Don't think too much about what happened."
"Mm." Megumi Kato nodded.
Though she appeared calm, her flushed ears hinted at her inner turmoil.
Suddenly, she stepped forward.
"Thank you for helping me this morning and for protecting me just now."
"And so..."
Pausing for a moment, she quickly leaned up on her toes and gave Rei Ao a quick peck on the lips.
But as soon as their lips touched, she pulled away, running to her door.
Turning back, she tilted her head playfully. "It's just a thank you, Ao-kun. Don't overthink it."
With that, she waved and disappeared into her house.
"A thank you, huh?"
Rei Ao shook his head with a smile. It seemed Megumi Kato had her own way of thinking. She wasn't the kind of girl you could easily win over.
But that was fine.
That kiss was just the beginning.
With one last glance at her door, Rei Ao turned and headed for home.
Inside, leaning against the door, Megumi Kato's face was bright red.
Her older sister, Hiromi Kato, who had similar but more mature features, looked at her curiously.
"Megumi-chan, your face is so red. Are you feeling sick?"
Hiromi was aware of her little sister's near-invisible presence and her poker face, so she didn't immediately think it was from embarrassment.
"It's nothing, sis. I'm just a little hot."
Megumi Kato replied calmly.
"Well, the weather is pretty warm today. Why don't you take a bath?"
"Mm."
...
When Rei Ao arrived home, the chat group sent a new notification.
[Ding! Shizue Izawa has joined the chat group!]
[Ding! Suzairugirāzegaruneru-
-buzegirureaguranzeruga Eruga has joined the chat group!]
New members had joined the chat group, but that name...
Mai Sakurajima walked out of the room with a perplexed expression. "Ao-kun, this new member's name... it's so long."
It really was long. Even the other members of the chat group started commenting on the name.
Stella: "Hey! What kind of ridiculous name is that? It's way too long!"
Stella: "I've met a lot of royalty and nobility, but I've never seen a name this long."
Frieren: "It's my first time seeing something like this too. Is it a fake name?"
Elf: "Please call me Elf."
Frieren: "? Are you an elf?"
Elf: "Yes, I am."
Shizue Izawa: "Elf... I have a Fire Spirit inside my body too."
Rei Ao: "Let's just call you Sui. Frieren is also an elf."
Rei Ao used his authority to change her nickname. He already knew who these new members were.
[Name]: Sui
[Level]: 25
[Abilities]: 'Elf Bloodline,' 'Elf Magic'
This was Sui from 'Uncle from Another World.'
[Name]: Shizue Izawa
[Level]: 22
[Abilities]: 'Elemental Magic,' 'Elf Magic,' 'Fire Spirit,' 'Demon Lord's Blessing,' 'Summon Magic: Flame Lord'
And this was Shizue Izawa from 'That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.'
Two people from different fantasy worlds—what a coincidence.
Sui: "..."
The orange-haired elf girl sat by a campfire, staring at the chat group in a daze.
"Sui..." It was the first time anyone had called her that. Was it too familiar?
This chat group was amazing, with people from different worlds!
Saeko Busujima: "Do all the new members have elf traits?"
Frieren: "If you don't mind, could you send a picture? I'd like to see what elves from other worlds look like."
Sui: "A picture?"
Shizue Izawa: "A picture..."
Shizue sat up in her tent, removing her mask to reveal her beautiful face. She found the chat group to be quite peculiar.
"A picture?"
She quickly learned how to use the chat group, opened the camera feature, and sent a selfie.
Shizue Izawa: "[Picture]"
Shizue Izawa: "Sorry for the misunderstanding earlier. I am not an elf, but a Flame Lord, possessed by a fire spirit."
Sui: "Oh! I figured it out!"
Sui: "[Picture]"
Sui also sent a selfie, illuminated by the firelight.
Ayame Yomogawa: "So pretty."
Mai Sakurajima: "Indeed, very beautiful."
Shizue Izawa: "Thank you for the compliment."
Sui: "Please don't comment on my appearance. It makes me shy."
Frieren: "Sui does look quite similar to the elves in my world."
Frieren: "However, the Fire Spirit Shizue mentioned doesn't seem to be the same as the spirits I know."
Frieren: "If you don't mind, could you tell me more about the spirits and the demons from your world?"
Shizue Izawa: "..."
Rei Ao: "You don't have to answer if it brings up painful memories."
Rei Ao was familiar with Shizue's tragic past. She was a poor girl with a sad history.
"My past?"
Shizue's expression became distant.
Shizue Izawa: "Actually, I'm not originally from this world..."
She had been summoned to another world by the Demon Lord Leon Cromwell and given the name "Shizue." In order to survive, she had been possessed by the Fire Spirit Ifrit, transforming her from a human into a Flame Demon. After being rescued by the hero Chloe, she stayed in a town, helping people as an adventurer and teacher. However, due to losing control of Ifrit, she distanced herself from humans, seeking out Demon Lord Leon. This was her story.
Frieren: "I see."
Frieren: "Summoned to another world by a Demon Lord, with a Fire Spirit as a powerful entity."
Frieren: "Wait, Demon Lords? Does your world have demon races too?"
Rei Ao: "Alright, that's enough."
Rei Ao: "Her world is different from yours, with different concepts of demons and Demon Lords."
Frieren: "I just wanted to learn more..."
Rei Ao: "You'll have time to discuss this later. For now, as the group leader, I'd like to welcome you both to the chat group."
Rei Ao: "You're also free to make requests for help with anything you need through the group."
Sui: "A trade… Hmm, I don't really need anything right now."
Stella: "@Shizue Izawa, didn't you mention you were having trouble controlling the fire spirit?"
Shizue Izawa: "Yes, but... wouldn't that trouble Rei Ao?"
Stella: "He's probably hoping someone would trade with him!"
Shizue Izawa: "..."
Shizue Izawa: "No, it's fine. The Fire Spirit Ifrit is too dangerous."
Mai couldn't help but comment.
"It's clear that Shizue-san is a kind person."
Rather than burden others, she chose to bear the risk of the fire spirit's power alone. Even in difficult circumstances, she didn't want to inconvenience strangers.
Mai looked at Rei Ao. "Shouldn't you help her?"
Rei Ao shrugged. "You saw it yourself. If she doesn't want to trade, there's nothing I can do."
"Besides, are you really so eager to offer up your boyfriend to someone else?"
He teasingly ran his hand along Mai's waist, making her giggle.
"Stop~"
"There's more to trading than just the body."
Seeing Rei Ao about to act mischievously again, Mai quickly pulled away from his hand.
"I'm going to make dinner!"
Rei Ao didn't stop her. He didn't actually plan to get too handsy in the doorway—at least not against her wishes.
But as he watched Mai busily moving around, he stroked his chin and casually remarked, "Mai, maybe you should try cooking in nothing but an apron someday?"
"Wham!"
Mai's hand holding the knife froze. She turned slowly, her eyes scanning Rei Ao's lower half with a dangerous glint. "Don't distract me while I'm making dinner."
Rei Ao raised his hands in surrender, but there was a playful smile on his face. After all, Mai hadn't outright rejected the idea—there was hope!
...
Next door to Rei Ao's house, Gabriel was having a troubled day.
After returning home, she immediately turned on her computer and opened her game, eager to continue saving the suffering game world. Yesterday, after spending money to buy a powerful staff, she had successfully healed and saved many lives. The gratitude she received made her feel fulfilled.
But now, she had encountered a problem. Her staff's power wasn't enough to save someone.
"Angel... your staff can't heal me... I... I'm going to die..."
An elderly NPC spoke these words, gravely wounded.
Gabriel urgently tried using her staff's healing power again and again, but the green light flickered, and finally, a message popped up on her screen:
[Mars is under a high-level demon's curse. Only the highest-level healing magic can save him!]
"!!!"
Gabriel immediately understood the problem. She checked her equipment, seeing that her current staff only had "Basic Healing Magic."
"How can I get the highest-level healing magic?"
Frustrated, Gabriel clicked around until she found the solution.
"Found it!"
She spotted a magnificent staff in the shop, even more extravagant than her current one, with the ability to cast the highest-level healing spell.
Its name? The Staff of God.
~~~
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