Leaving that near-"threat," she retreated into the depths of consciousness once again.
Inori had witnessed it all, understanding her body's situation, wearing a worried expression.
"Rei Ao-kun, could she end up hurting you?"
"Heh."
Rei Ao smiled.
"Don't overthink it; she can't hurt me. She was just acting up just now. The two of you try to get along."
Within Inori's consciousness, Mana blushed, clenching her fists.
"Acting up? This damn Adam!"
"Oh, right."
Rei Ao remembered another person.
"Menjou Harewant to come along too?"
"Eh?"
~~~
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
Currently You can Read 170+ Chapters Ahead of Others!
Chapter 377: What's Happening to Shu? Don't care...
At the Kuhouin residence.
"Um am I really allowed to stay here?"
Menjou Hare was a bit uneasy. It was mainly because Arisa's home was far too grand, and she wasn't used to such luxury.
After Rei Ao transferred everyone here, he then left with Futaba and Rio.
"Since this is what our Master wants, you can do as you please," Arisa said.
She didn't show any dislike toward Menjou Hare. She clearly remembered how Menjou Hare had risked being infected to administer first aid to her and plead on her behalf.
"Aall right, then" Menjou Hare agreed to stay. She couldn't figure out why Rei Ao was taking such care of her, given thatunlike Inori and Arisashe wasn't 'his.' But deep down, a small voice told her that if she left, she would regret it.
Arisa gave a serene smile.
"Then let's get along."
And silently she thought, 'We'll wait here together for the Master's next favor.'
Back at the school's science lab.
Rei Ao returned, carrying an exhausted Rio in his arms. The lab was still as empty as ever.
Rei Ao asked, "Rio, need me to take you home?"
" "
Rio just quietly hugged his waist, speaking in a low voice, "I feel a bit scrambled. Couldcould I just let you hold me like this?"
She had only crossed to the other world once, seen so much, and gone through all kinds of experiences in that bizarre atmosphere. In particular, she'd truly given her first time to Rei Ao theretogether with her 'other' self. Under those circumstances, she no longer wanted to avoid him like before, though she still needed some peace to process this new relationship.
"Sure," Rei Ao agreed, letting her rest quietly on his shoulder. Meanwhile, he opened the chat group, searching for Inori's world subgroup.
Rei Ao: "@Inori, you don't have to go back to the Funeral Parlor anymore. Gai was only using you all along."
Inori: "Mm."
Inori, who had found a new purpose, was obeying diligently.
Ouma Mana: "Funeral Parlor that name sounds familiar."
Rei Ao: "Yeah, a boy you once savedhe seems to have a crush on you, and planned to use Inori to revive you, then 'free' you."
Ouma Mana: "Oh, that guy."
Mana recalled. Buthe liked her?
Ouma Mana: "No way I'd ever like him!"
For whatever reason, she made that point very clear.
Rei Ao: "So who do you like, then?"
Ouma Mana: "Obviously you, my Adam. Once I regain control over Inori's body, you'll belong to me alone."
Rei Ao: "Ah, good luck with that."
Regarding her unhealthy possessiveness, Rei Ao could only think it was pure daydreaming. He belonged to all the twodimensional beautieshow could he belong to just one person? Even if he wanted to agree, his "excalibur" certainly wouldn't.
Menjou Hare: "Umwhat is the Funeral Parlor?"
Kuhouin Arisa: "I've heard about them; apparently they're an underground revolutionary group opposing GHQ."
Inori: "Rei Aokun, didn't Gaior rather, 'Fneral Parlor's' leader have the goal of fighting GHQ and starting a revolution?"
Rei Ao: "Opposing GHQ is just his smokescreen. From the beginning, his real target has always been Mana."
Inori: "..."
Inori: "Tsugumi and Ayase they've been deceived"
She trusted Rei Ao's words completely, not even thinking to doubt him. Upon hearing this, her first reaction was to feel sorry for Tsugumi and Ayase.
Rei Ao: "Those two, huh? If you think they're pitiful, Inori, maybe you can try passing along some truths to them."
Arisa: "Those two? Does Master have his eye on these women, wanting Inori to recruit them the same way he recruited Hare?"
Menjou Hare: "Eeh? Mme?!"
Rei Ao: "Exactly. Those two sisters are decent in both looks and ability."
Inori: "All right, I'll contact them."
"Mgh" Menjou Hare's cheeks reddened. Arisa glanced at her, smiling subtly:
"Hate, see? Master's taken an interest in youthat's why he's caring for you like this.
We're lucky he picked us; Master's power surpasses anything in the world."
" "
Menjou Hare didn't know how to respond. She wasn't too concerned about "power." Compared to that, it was Rei Ao's direct hint of interest that scrambled her thoughts and made her heart race.
Meanwhile, in Ouma Shu's room:
Click!
The crystal figure clenched its teeth, ripping open a seal.
"!!!"
A pair of crimson eyes emerged from the crystal, exuding a chilling indifference no human should have.
Late afternoon, after classes.
At the Service Club.
"Huh? Did you say you want to go after Rei Ao?!"
Because Yui had said there'd be an event at the Service Club, Miura Yumiko came along. Hearing what the younger student, Isshiki Iroha, had to say, she let out a shout of alarm. She was already showing signs of hostility: a junior she'd never heard of had her sights set on Rei Ao, and even wanted the Service Club to help with the pursuit. Helping someone chase her own boyfriend? That was purely laughable.
"I absolutely oppose it!"
Yumiko slammed the table and stood up. The idea was too absurd. Aside from her best friend Yui, any other person could forget it.
"Eh?"
Iroha looked questioningly at Yukinoshita Yukino, whose face was frosty.
"Yukinoshita-senpai, that senpai is also part of your Service Club, right? Didn't you already accept my request? Sowhat's going on now?"
" "
Yukino was exasperated. She had wanted to let Iroha see reality quickly so she'd give up. But then Yui brought Yumiko along, complicating things even more. One thing was certain: she had to fulfill the request she had agreed to.
Pressing her fingers against her temples, she said, "I'm the one who accepted the commission, so I'll handle it alone. It has nothing to do with Yui or Miura."
Hearing that, Yumiko was instantly displeased. How could it have "nothing to do with her" when the one being chased was her boyfriend?
She was just about to speak when Yui suddenly chimed in, "Count me in, too! I was there at the time!"
"Huh?"
That act of volunteering startled Yukino and puzzled Yumiko.
"Yui, what are you saying?!"
After all, Rei Ao was Yui's partner too. Yumiko had no idea what she was thinking.
"Heh heh."
Yui let out a silly laugh. "I don't really mind, plus it sounds fun!"
She hadn't thought it through too deeply. They were all the same in the end. She was already happy Rei Ao liked her. One more wasn't too many, one less wouldn't be too few. Being able to do something together with her friends was innately appealing to her.
~~~
For Every 100 Powerstone = 1 Bonus Chapter! Please Vote for more chapters!
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
Currently You can Read 170+ Chapters Ahead of Others!
Chapter 378: Step One! Planning to have Kanna Attend School! (Bonus Chapter)
"Since Yukinoshitasenpai and Yuigahamasenpai both agree, let's discuss how we'll proceed."
Paying no mind to Yumiko's strange expression after hearing Yui's words, Iroha Isshiki clapped her hands together and swiftly decided, "Then we'll start tomorrow with Step One."
"Step One?"
"That's rightan 'accidental encounter'!"
Iroha raised the corners of her mouth.
"All beautiful romances begin with a memorable chance meeting. Everyone, please help me plan a romantic encounter to start me getting to know Rei Aosenpai!"
"Fine"
Keeping her face cold, Yukino said, "Tell us your own ideas."
"Heh heh, I was thinking"
Iroha began vividly describing the romantic scene she had in mind for their 'chance meeting.'
""
Watching the three gradually get into the spirit, Yumiko found the situation eerie.
Miura Yumiko: "Hey, Yui, what are you doing?"
Blinking innocently, Yui responded.
Yuigahama Yui: "Nothing at all."
Yumiko fumed inside.
"That's 'nothing'? Really?"
Miura Yumiko: "You tell me, how could you not feel guilty about helping someone else chase after Rei Ao?"
Yuigahama Yui: "Ahem, II just think Rei Aokun probably wouldn't be mad. After all, this Isshiki underclassman is really cute, right?"
Miura Yumiko: "??? "
Yuigahama Yui: "That's all there is to it."
""
Yumiko's eyelids twitched. She was almost convinced Yui had been brainwashed by Rei Ao.
Should she leave or not?
Grinding her teeth, Miura Yumiko finally decided to stay and see exactly what sort of plan they intended to concoct.
Unaware that someone had set their sights on him, Rei Ao parted ways with Rio after their intimate moment, then headed home. As soon as he walked into the house
"Rei Ao!!!"
Hearing the commotion, Emilia came straight for him.
"Oh? Missing me so much you ran over to greet me at the door?"
Seeing her hurried appearance, Rei Ao teased her.
"Sshut up!!!"
Blushing, Emilia denied it, "I just have something very important to discuss with you!"
"If it's only to talk, can I come in first? We can't just stand here talking in the foyer, right?"
"Uh oh"
Realizing she'd overlooked that, Emilia awkwardly stepped aside to let him in.
After a moment, still remembering her manners somewhat, Emilia brought him some tea. Rei Ao sipped it, remarking, "So it's just plain water, huh? I recall we had some iced tea in the house."
"Ahem, I'm not very good at making tea," Emilia coughed lightly, then switched the topic to the main point.
"Anyway, that's not important. Let's talk about the main thing."
"What's so important? I'm all ears."
Rei Ao set down his cup, ready to listen.
"Rei Ao, you're really strong, right?"
"You're asking something obvious."
"No, what I'm really asking is: You can travel between worlds, right? I heard it from Tohru."
Emilia's eyes turned serious. As soon as she brought this up, Rei Ao could guess what she was going to say. He simply nodded:
"That's right. I'm able to go to other worlds."
"That's great!!!"
Emilia's eyes lit up in excitement. She was already picturing her homecoming scene in her mind. Rei Ao eyed her askance.
"I suppose you think I can send you back to the Holy Cross Continent, right?"
"Yes, yes, that's exactly it!"
Emilia nodded repeatedly. Unfortunately, Rei Ao threw cold water on her hopes.
"You're getting ahead of yourself."
"Huh?"
Emilia was stunned. "What do you mean? You can't do it?"
"If your world had a node connecting it to this one, I could just go there directly. But there's nothingso I can't go to your world."
When he'd found the Demon King, Emilia, and the others, he carefully checked around them for any spatial anomalies. He found no special space ripples, no nodes, not even dimensional rifts.
"How can that be"
Hearing this, Emilia's excitement died abruptly.
"And besides, the way I cross between worlds isn't how you might imagine," he continued.
"Meaning what?"
"It's a bit abstract to explain, so just look for yourself."
[Ding! You have chosen to add Emilia to the subgroup!]
"???"
Emilia's face changed in an instant, her posture taut as if ready to draw her sword. Rei Ao quickly soothed her:
"Calm down. It's something I'm giving you to see. No danger."
"Take your time and absorb that knowledge, and you'll understand what I'm talking about."
" "
His reassurance worked. Emilia let her guard down, beginning to comprehend the information that suddenly poured into her head.
At that moment, Tohru came over, sniffing Rei Ao.
"So many scents, tsk, you've been out catting around."
"Heh, no need to say that. I love all of you equally."
Rei Ao stroked her tail, and Tohru immediately caved in happily.
"All right, all right~"
After a little affection, Tohru said, "Rei Ao, tonight do you plan to drop by Kanna's place?"
"Did something happen with Kanna?"
Tohru shook her head.
"No, it's just I'm not entirely comfortable with her living in the human world, especially since she's only looked after by a human."
Because of the vast difference between humans and dragons, even a little dragon could effortlessly crush an ordinary adult. Though that "Michiru" was Rei Ao's friend, Tohru was worried Kanna might accidentally hurt her severely.
"So I was planning to go teach Kanna how to live in the human world so she doesn't cause any trouble."
"Looks like you really care about Kanna," Rei Ao remarked.
"Yes, because in the dragon realm, Kanna is one of my few good friends, and I am one of her few as well," Tohru sighed. "Kanna is actually quite lonely. She has no peers her age whatsoever."
It was also why she often played pranks, trying to draw attention.
"Lonely, huh?" Rei Ao mused, then suggested, "Tohru, maybe ask if Kanna wants to go to school?"
"School?" Tohru's eyes shone.
"Yep, this world has elementary schools!"
Though Kanna was a dragon over ten thousand years old, her mental state was more or less at a gradeschooler's level. If she entered elementary school and made friends of a similar mindset, that would be ideal.
Rei Ao added, "If she does want to attend, I'll arrange it."
"Rei Ao, thank you. Mua!"
Thrilled, Tohru gave Rei Ao a hard kiss on the lips.
"I'll head out right now!"
She spread her wings and flew off the balcony.
~~~
200 Powerstone Bonus Chapter!
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
Currently You can Read 170+ Chapters Ahead of Others!
Chapter 379: Edelweiss
"Rei Ao Your identity is that special?"
Having digested the knowledge about the chat group, Emilia was very much in shock.
A group master who can carry out trades and interactions across so many different worlds via some mysterious "chat group."
"This is just too unbelievable."
"It's nothing worth being that surprised about. Before you came here, you probably never even imagined that other worlds existed, right?"
There is always a higher mountain, always someone stronger. Even Rei Ao keeps himself prepared for the unknown.
"You have a point."
Having experienced it personally, Emilia had to agree. She raised her brows.
