After returning to his world, Souta didn't linger—he immediately sent Athena off to the Demon Slayer world.
Since Nezuko had already sent him an invitation, the channel between Demon Slayer and the his world was now connected, making back-and-forth travel easy.
But as Souta returned to his world once more, a question crossed his mind:
Could he send invitations to group members, letting them travel to his world on their own?
That way, he wouldn't have to personally "carry" everyone all the time. Honestly, it was getting annoying.
If he wasn't available, any group "offline meetups" would be impossible.
Otherwise, the only option was to use a Travel Card.
And hardly anyone in the group had enough points to buy those.
Souta: "System, can I send group members an invitation to enter my world on their own?"
[System]: Certain members may receive invitations.
Souta: "Certain? Which ones?"
[System]: To prevent members from harming your world, only those with sufficient friendship points can receive your invitation. Currently eligible members: Tokisaki Kurumi, Kiss-shot, Rin Tohsaka, Illya.
So he couldn't shake the role of interdimensional delivery guy just yet.
Souta: "If I invite Kurumi, and she travels to my world, can another member—say, Chelsea—invite her from there to another world?"
[System]: Yes. However, group members cannot bring others through worlds, and all world travel must pass through your world as a hub.
Souta now fully understood how group member travel worked.
He opened private chats and gave those four members a heads-up—then sent them invitations.
Replies came quickly:
Kurumi: "Oh my~ Does that mean I can pop in on you whenever I like now?"
Kiss-shot: "Oh? Quite convenient. Now I won't need you to fetch me—I'll just come straight over."
Illya: "Hehe~ So I can sneak into Big Brother's room at night now? I'm looking forward to it~"
Rin: "I'll head over myself in a bit, then."
Since it was all in private messages, Souta had to reply one by one.
When he got to Illya, he made sure to emphasize one thing:
Souta: "Illya, I'm not home often. If you plan to come over, let me know in advance so I can tell you if I'm around."
Because... well, while the idea of a surprise Illya night-visit was very tempting—if she weren't the only surprise visitor that night, things could get awkward.
He imagined the chaos:
Illya dives into bed and hugs... a half-asleep Kurumi instead of him. Would those two start fighting?
Or maybe she accidentally snuggles up to a worn-out Rin. Given their dynamic, they'd probably start wrestling on the bed instantly.
So, yeah. Scheduling would be essential.
Souta: "Wait, why am I thinking this far ahead?"
When did I get this dirty-minded?
It was starting to feel like he was assigning sleeping appointments!
???: "How far ahead are you thinking?"
A familiar voice sounded beside him.
Souta turned and saw Rin Tohsaka materializing in the living room, wrapped in a soft white light.
Souta: "You came already? Told your family?"
Rin: "Of course. It's been two hours over there."
Rin smiled when she saw him—especially when she caught him sneaking a few glances at her legs.
Rin: "Oh my~ Souta, your eyes seem rather disobedient."
She stepped closer, her mischievous side showing. Then she boldly propped one leg on the coffee table.
She was still in her school uniform, with a skirt so short it couldn't even cover her over-the-knee socks. Her long, slender legs were completely exposed, the creamy skin of her inner thighs catching the light.
Perfect legs. The kind that stirred forbidden desires.
In that moment, Souta felt a kindred connection with all lewd-minded men in history.
Souta: "Rin... maybe act a little more ladylike?"
Rin: "Your eyes are the unladylike ones."
She didn't move her leg.
In fact, she seemed to enjoy his restrained glances—it gave her a strange sense of satisfaction. After all, she'd been losing ground to Illya lately.
Souta: "You keep this up, and I'll have to do something."
He raised his hand, pretending to reach for her leg.
Rin flinched instinctively, but quickly steadied herself—forcing down her nervousness.
When Souta's hand brushed her calf, she trembled slightly.
Her voice trembled too—but she tried to keep her cool.
Rin: "Hmph. You perv. Getting off on someone's legs..."
She turned her head away, cheeks flushed.
Souta found her reaction cute and funny.
Souta: "Still acting tough, huh?"
His hand slid upward—from her calf, over her dainty knee, and onto the soft, springy surface of her thigh.
The smooth fabric of her stockings made it all the more... enticing.
Surprised she hadn't pushed him away, he looked at her face.
Rin (flustered): "Wh-What?"
She avoided his gaze, speaking awkwardly.
Souta: "That pose must be tiring. Sit down already."
He patted the spot beside him.
Rin hesitated. She'd only meant to tease him a little—but now the mood had shifted, becoming weirdly charged.
She wasn't sure she could handle sitting next to him now.
Before she could react, Souta flicked his fingers—using divine power to nudge her onto the couch.
Rin (startled): "What are you doing!?"
Souta caught her mid-fall, holding her in his arms.
Souta: "Relax. We've got a mission to do."
He gently stroked her hair.
Souta: "Even if I did want to do something to you... now wouldn't be the time."
Rin: "You do have thoughts like that!? You perv!"
Too embarrassed to look him in the eye, she buried her face in his lap.
Souta: "Calling me a perv is harsh..."
He played with her twin-tails.
Souta: "Don't tell me you've forgotten what you said at your door last time? I took that as a confession."
Rin's hidden face turned crimson.
Souta (softly): "Rin... I shouldn't keep you in suspense. I'll give you an answer."
After a short silence, Souta said:
Souta: "I may not be able to give you the kind of happiness a normal girl dreams of."
Rin: "What do you mean?"
She tilted her head, peeking at him.
Souta: "Normal girls get married, have kids, build families... grow old with someone they love. I... might not be able to give you that."
Souta: "You can still walk away now, if you want."
But she couldn't let go. Not now.
In the future, they'd all likely become immortal anyway—long-lived beings far beyond ordinary humans.
Maybe it was worth giving up some "normal" things to gain something deeper.
Rin: "I knew you weren't gonna make it easy, you jerk..."
She buried her face again, muttering as she pinched his thigh in frustration.
After a long moment, she said:
Rin: "Don't forget to visit me in Fuyuki, okay? Or I'll make you regret it."
Souta: "Yeah, yeah. Got it."
Rin: "Ugh! You got off easy, Souta. So unfair! I've been ripped off!"
She flopped her head around, messing up her own hair in frustration.
Souta just silently fixed her hair for her.
Eventually, the twin-tailed girl sat up with a clearer head.
Rin: "Alright, go pick up Altair already. Her friendship score isn't high enough—she can't get your invitation like I can."
Souta thought he heard a hint of smugness in her voice.
Souta: "Got it. Wait here."
He closed his eyes, and a white light whisked him away to Altair's world.
Rin exhaled softly, now alone in the living room.
She looked down at the spot Souta had touched—her thigh. The stockings were a bit wrinkled.
Rin (muttering with a faint smile): "Total perv."
About ten minutes later, Souta returned—with Altair in tow.
White light flashed, and the two appeared in the apartment.
Altair: "This place... it's been a while."
She looked around the familiar scene with a touch of nostalgia.
It reminded her of the time she traveled worlds with Kiss-shot and Kurumi.
Altair (noticing someone): "You are... Rin Tohsaka?"
Souta stepped in, saying: "Let's save intros for later. We're heading to Nezuko's world. Athena's already there, and if we wait too long... she might cause trouble."
Altair: "Alright. Mission first."
Souta turned to the twin-tailed girl on the couch and waved with a smile.
Souta: "Come on, Rin. Let's go."