Takumi sighed internally. Fine, say whatever you like.
"Not that kind of person" yeah, right.
But he didn't dwell on it.
"Who's this?"
Griseo's gaze shifted to Gabriel.
It was her first time meeting her. Takumi had brought her over, but who was she?
"This is Gabriel. An angel."
Takumi introduced her. Gabriel also gave a polite self-introduction.
"I'm Gabriel. Pleased to meet you, Miss Griseo."
Griseo blinked.
"An angel? That's amazing! Can I use you as a model sometime? I've heard there are angels in Takumi's world, but I haven't really met one before."
She rarely went out. Though she had heard of angels, she had never seen one. Now that she had, she wanted to make the most of the opportunity.
"Sure! That's no problem. Let's exchange contact info."
Gabriel was happy to agree. She found Griseo very likableso pure and innocent.
Griseo nodded, and the two began chatting.
Takumi and Gabriel stayed for a while but eventually left since Griseo started ushering them out.
She was in the middle of painting and didn't have time to keep chatting.
So Takumi didn't insist. After a short visit, they left.
For lunch, Takumi and Gabriel went to Master Qianjie's place.
When Qianjie saw Takumi, he looked annoyed, as if thinking Takumi had come to laugh at him.
But Takumi didn't mock him.
After finishing their meal, Takumi and Gabriel continued strolling around.
They visited others toolike Apollonia's orphanage and the local school.
Everyone seemed to be doing well in Takumi's world.
After making a full round, Takumi returned home.
Once back, he messaged Elysia:
"It's almost New Year's. Aren't you gathering the Thirteen Flame-Chasers to celebrate together?"
Upon reading the message, Elysia's eyes lit up.
"Of course! That sounds amazing!"
Eden, who was nearby, looked confused.
"What's up?"
Elysia grinned and explained,
"Takumi suggested I gather the Thirteen Flame-Chasers for New Year's. I think it's a great idea. Everyone's busy with their own stuff, but spending New Year's together shouldn't be a problem. Only... I don't know if Kosma will come back."
As she said this, she began messaging Kosma.
Kosma was still in space, exploring planets.
If he wanted to come back, Takumi would probably have to help.
But it wasn't a big deal. Elysia would leave that to Takumi.
She happily began organizing the reunion.
New Year's wouldn't be the same without the Thirteen Flame-Chasers.
Kosma received the message and paused.
Looking out at the vastness of space, he pondered:
"New Year's, huh? Sounds good."
He replied to Elysia and then returned to his current mission.
He was loving thisfighting aliens was just too fun.
...
Takumi's world was bustling with New Year's preparations.
Other connected worlds knew about it too, so many people rushed in to earn money, bringing all kinds of goods to Takumi's world.
Chefs from everywhere also arrived for the Gourmet Festival.
Making money wasn't shameful.
Thanks to that, the Food City was getting livelier by the day.
Booths and decorations were set up, ready for the big event.
Even foodies from other worlds started arriving early.
Various races could be seen wandering around.
Though the festival hadn't officially started, many restaurants had already opened their tables.
It was a great business opportunity.
Plus, school was on holiday, so many students were free to join in.
As time passed, the Gourmet Festival finally began.
At that moment, Food City was packed with people.
Countless visitors came to indulge in delicacies.
For food lovers, this place was heaven.
Youmu Konpaku was overjoyedso much delicious food!
Many group chat members came too.
Saten Ruiko and others returned, even bringing Mikoto Misaka.
The only one who didn't come was Miko, since she didn't have enough points.
Everyone else used other means to travel, so Miko stayed behind to help send others.
They planned to buy food and send it to her later.
Takumi also personally picked up Bronya and others.
Zhongli arrived as well, bringing several other gods with him.
Basically, everyone who could come, came.
Takumi's house was packed.
Rias and her group were thrilled to return to Takumi's world.
It was livelier than ever.
Many characters from Honkai: Star Rail also came.
Besides March 7, Guinaifen and Qingque also arrived.
Qingque cried out when she saw Takumi.
She still remembered how he won money from her last time.
Seeing all these guests arriving one by one, Takumi began hosting them with full enthusiasm.
There were so many that his house couldn't hold them all.
He simply opened a spatial portal and transported them to Food City.
He would expand his house later.
Group chat members and their friends had all come.
It was a massive crowd.
Chapter 367: Just One Glance and Youre Contaminated
When Takumi finished arranging for everyone's arrival, Nyaruko began frantically calling for him in the group chat.
Nyaruko: [Hey hey hey!!] [@Takumi, don't forget about me!!] [Lend me 500 points!!] [I want to come too!!]
Nyaruko shouted in the group chat. Everyone else had already departed, but it seemed Takumi had forgotten about her? That was unacceptable! She shouted in a panic.
How could he forget her pick-up?
Takumi: [Are you coming alone?] [How about bringing your friend?] [Like that Kuko girl!]
Glancing at the messages, Takumi casually dropped a reminder.
Coming all by herself? Might as well bring someone else along. Kuko might even get along well with Kuroko.
Nyaruko: [????] [Why would I bring her?!] [No way!!] [Not happening!]
Bring Kuko? That'd ruin all the fun!
Just dealing with her was already exhausting. No matter who asked, Nyaruko was dead set against bringing that girl.
Takumi: [Alright then!] [I'll lend you 500 points.] [But if you don't repay it soon, I'll send you to a world with no internet and no games.]
With that warning, Takumi transferred 500 points to Nyaruko.
He didn't forget to threaten her a little too. For a shut-in like her, a world without the internet or games was the ultimate punishment.
Seeing Takumi's message, Nyaruko freaked out.
What a cruel man!
But she wasn't someone who skipped out on debts. She still had her pride!
So she said nothing more. After accepting the points, she immediately bought a travel talisman and opened a portal to Takumi's world.
The next moment, she appeared right in front of him.
"I'm here!!"
Nyaruko happily greeted Takumi the moment she saw him.
Takumi glanced at her and sensed her aura for a second before quickly looking away.
Mental contamination, mental contamination!
Yup, this one had issues.
Just a brief sense of her presence was enough to make his mind feel tainted.
"Hey!"
"What are you doing!!"
"Did you just scan me head to toe?!"
Nyaruko, of course, noticed Takumi's probing and blushed.
Seriously, what was that about!
Takumi stared at her. Her ahoge (hair antenna) twitched.
Wasn't that ahoge actually her true form?
The thought made Takumi sigh internally.
"Never mind!"
"Just an instinctive reaction."
"Since you're here, let's go."
"Everyone else has already arrived."
Saying that, Takumi opened a spatial gate and walked through.
Nyaruko, overjoyed, followed him immediately.
"Your world is amazing."
"This is so awesome."
"I'm not going back anymore."
"I'm staying here for a while."
"I already quit my job back home."
"Not going back anytime soon."
Walking beside Takumi, Nyaruko chirped away about how she was staying for good.
She wasn't planning on returning anytime soon.
Hearing that, Takumi shrugged.
"Fine by me."
"No problem if you want to stay."
"But your world's okay with that?"
"I thought you had a job to do?"
Takumi looked at her, puzzled.
She had a job, right? Was it really okay to just abandon it?
"Of course it's fine!"
"I already quit!!"
She said it like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Nyaruko had quit her job!
With all the fun waiting for her here, why go back to work?
She glanced around as they walked.
They had reached the food street.
Crowds bustled everywhere, and the aroma of delicious food filled the air.
Nyaruko began to drool just from the smell.
Seeing her expression, Takumi simply handed her a terminal device.
"Here, it's loaded with money."
"Once you run out, earn more yourself."
Nyaruko snapped out of her trance and stared at the device Takumi handed over.
Her eyes lit up.
"Thank you!!"
"With this, I can have fun all over the place!"
As for earning money?
She already had a plan.
In Takumi's world, making money was easy.
She'd become a gourmet hunter.
For her, it was no problem!
Grabbing the terminal, Nyaruko dashed off, not planning to stick around Takumi.
Takumi didn't mind.
He went off to find Bronya and the others.
As for Nyaruko, he didn't worry.
She could do whatever she wanted.
While Takumi was looking for the others, more members from the group were arriving one after another.
Everyone made a beeline for the gourmet city.
After all, today's main event was happening there.
While wandering through the crowd, Takumi spotted Izayoi.
Seeing him, Takumi paused before approaching.
"Where are the others?"
Standing beside Izayoi, Takumi asked.
Izayoi handed him a small snack he had just bought.
"They all went off to explore."
"Gotta admit, the food here is amazing."
"Almost want to steal a few chefs."
He said this while stuffing food into his mouth.
He'd already fallen in love with Takumi's world's cuisine.
This time, he had brought his whole community.
Those little ones must be running around somewhere by now.
Not that he was babysitting anyone.
They had all spent their points to teleport here.
Since everyone wanted to come, individual transport wasn't an option.
So they had to use points.
"If you find someone willing to go back with you, feel free."
"There's even a world specifically themed around gourmet food."
Takumi didn't mind.
Chefs?
He had more than enough.
If Izayoi wanted some, he could take themso long as he didn't kidnap anyone.
"Okay!"
"I'll send Black Rabbit to lure them!"
Izayoi gave a thumbs-up, quite satisfied with the arrangement.
Takumi chatted with Izayoi for a bit longer before heading off to find Bronya.
As for Izayoi, he could entertain himself.
When Takumi found Bronya, she was already with Seele and the Honkai Star Rail version of Seele.
Seeing the three Seele variants together, a smile tugged at Takumi's lips.
What a delightful sight.
Too bad Silver Wolf didn't come along.
Chapter 368: Just As Expected
Takumi's world wasn't just hosting a gourmet competitionit was also celebrating the New Year. Because of that, the place remained lively for quite a long time.
Members from the group chat had all flocked to Takumi's side to enjoy their holiday break. Practically everyone who could come had shown up, and everyone had a great time. This New Year was a smooth and joyous one.
Once everyone had their fill of fun, they eventually returned home. Everyone, that is, except for Nyaruko, who decided to stay behind.
After the festivities, Takumi decided to accompany Shiroyasha to Little Garden. However, Takumi didn't sneak inhe chose to spend points to cross over officially.
Though it was possible to slip in illegally, Takumi opted to pay the cost. This decision came after talking with Shiroyasha. Spending points to cross worlds meant you weren't considered a "black household"a stowaway.
That distinction mattered. In ordinary worlds, sneaking in wasn't a big deal. But Little Garden was different. According to Shiroyasha, entering illegally could mean being rejected by the realm itself.
Takumi wanted a Divine Classification, so it was best not to sneak in. If he did, there was even a chance of being blacklisted.
To be safe, Takumi figured it was better to just spend 1,000 points. It wasn't like he was short on them anyway.
After carefully considering it, Takumi agreed. It was best to play it safe.
And so, once Shiroyasha and the others returned, Takumi set out on his own.
He didn't need to arrange anything back in his worldeverything would run just fine even in his absence. So, he made his move.
...
Takumi arrived in Little Garden via the group chat system.
The moment he set foot in Little Garden, he sensed a powerful force latch onto him, scanning him thoroughly.
Feeling the probing energy, Takumi raised an eyebrow. This must be the core system of Little Garden.
With that thought, he relaxed and allowed his own energy to be fully observed. Then he casually found a spot to sit.
He was in a forest, probably somewhere in the Outer Gate.
Takumi opened the group chat and messaged Shiroyasha:
Takumi: [I'm in Little Garden!] [@Shiroyasha @Black Rabbit @Izayoi @Asuka @Y] [Picture][Picture][Picture]
He sent out several photos of his current location.
Shiroyasha: [Where are you exactly?] [Come to the Thousand Eyes base.]
Izayoi: [Is this the forest we first landed in?]
Even though Takumi sent images, no one could really pinpoint his location. Little Garden was massive, and no one knew where he actually was.
Takumi: [No idea!] [The core is still scanning me.] [Let's wait.]
He didn't know either, so he figured he'd just wait until the scan was complete.
Shiroyasha: [It won't take long.] [I'm curious to see what Divine Classification you get.]
She was genuinely excited.
Black Rabbit: [(*.Д)o] [I have a feeling Takumi is going to get something insane!]
Black Rabbit was trembling with nervous anticipation.
Takumi actually made it to Little Garden. Given the essence of his power, it was bound to be terrifying.
Shiroyasha: [Don't worry. Takumi is a good guy!]
Chika Fujiwara: [No worries. Takumi is just a support-type!]
Bronya: [Don't panic. Takumi's a good guy!]
Everyone had a laugh at Black Rabbit's nervous message.
They'd all known Takumi long enough. Even if he received an overwhelmingly powerful Divine Classification, it wouldn't be a problem.
After all, it's not like he planned to stay in Little Garden permanently.
Reading the messages, Takumi twitched his mouth.
