(TL Note: Since everyone disapproved with the recent Esdeath fiasco, let's call it non-canon
Updated Tags: No penetration, S&M.)
[Friend Invitation #11 has been sent]
[Friend Invitation #12 has been sent]
[Group capacity expanded. System has enabled video and voice chat features.]
Souta glanced at his phone and was mildly surprised by the system notification.
He had expected someone to message him, he didn't expect the system to be inviting new members instead.
"Video and voice chat features, huh? Figures... this system still has a lot of untapped functions."
The new feature being unlocked right after new members were invited sent his thoughts spiraling.
Video wasn't a big deal but voice chat? Not particularly useful.
Most of the people in the friend group were from Japan. Japanese girls didn't really do voice messages, and they weren't the type to ask, "You there?" before speaking.
They usually just got straight to the point in text.
"Wait... among the proper modern Japanese girls, only Kurumi fits that description. The rest probably wouldn't use that feature anyway. I wonder when the system will support stickers..."
Souta couldn't help getting a little excited.
He had a huge collection of anime reaction stickers. If he could upload them into the system, their chats would be way more fun.
Across from him, Esdeath glanced curiously at the device in his hand.
"That's... the system you talked about?"
"Yup, it's what got me into another world," Souta replied, waving his phone.
Given the kinds of "games" they'd been playing lately, he didn't mind revealing his secret to Esdeath.
They hadn't even slept together, technically but this thing they had going on? It felt way more serious than that.
"So that's what brought you here..." Esdeath's interest was piqued.
"A system that produces someone as strong as you... must come from a fascinating place."
"You'll be disappointed," Souta said, shaking his head. "My world is just an ordinary one, peaceful, with no real battles to enjoy."
Esdeath looked a bit let down.
Souta patted her head with a smile. "Don't worry. My world might not have any, but there are other worlds I can take you to. We'll explore them together."
"You better not go back on your word, Souta."
The look in her eyes turned hopeful, her tone openly desirous.
She was always this direct about what she wanted.
That honesty? Admirable.
Watching them interact, Chelsea couldn't even focus on checking who the new group members were. Her expression turned one of shock.
"Wait a minute! You two... what exactly is going on between you two?"
She looked at Souta, suspicious.
"Why does Esdeath know about the system?"
She had never worried about exposing the system phone before. After all, unless she wanted them to see it, others couldn't perceive it. To outsiders, she'd just look like she was poking the air like a lunatic.
But from the looks of it... Esdeath already knew.
Had all her careful concealment been for nothing?
She felt like an idiot.
"I told her," Souta said plainly. "She's one of us now. You can be more open around her, Chelsea. No need to hide anything."
"What do you mean 'one of us'? There was no need to expose the system like that!" Chelsea protested.
"It's fine," Souta shrugged. "The Empire will need Esdeath to suppress the rebels and foreign tribes. It's better to be honest than secretive."
If she believed that line, she'd chop her own head off.
Sure, it would grow back but still. That was her way of saying, not buying a word of it.
There was definitely something going on here.
Chelsea's instincts screamed at her. As a woman, she could feel it in her bones, something wasn't right.
Souta and Esdeath's relationship was not simple.
Thinking back to the times she'd heard noises coming from the palace, was that really the sound of fighting?
Esdeath's voice didn't sound like she was yelling during a fight... it sounded more like moaning?
Wait... were they doing that in the palace?
Chelsea subtly studied Esdeath.
A regal face of devastating beauty, slightly flushed cheeks, eyes that held a glint of allure, soft lips, and a figure that had only grown more womanly... She seemed more radiant, more sensual, and she no longer glared at Souta with sharpness, there was a softness to her gaze.
"Souta, you..." Chelsea looked at him, shocked. "You didn't...?"
Souta calmly took a bite of toast. "What are you trying to say?"
"You two... You two are shameless!" Chelsea shot him a look of disdain. "On the throne, in the palace... disgusting!"
Souta stared at her wordlessly, drawing a finger across his neck.
Chelsea glared back, unafraid, though her heart was racing.
Still, knowing Souta's personality, he was probably just messing with her. She composed herself quickly.
For some reason though... she felt a flicker of regret.
Someone had beaten her to it, doing that kind of thing on the throne.
She had always assumed Souta made her the Empress because he had those kinds of intentions. She'd mentally prepared herself for it.
Weird... Souta doesn't strike me as the type to make moves . How did he end up with Esdeath?
Could it be... Esdeath made the first move? That woman has this side to her too? Incredible...
Chelsea hesitated. Should she message Kurumi privately and let her know? Just to spite that threatening spirit a little?
But then she remembered, Kurumi wasn't the only one interested in Souta.
This guy was clearly headed for a full-blown harem.
Would this even rattle Kurumi?
They might have already... done it.
If she was just stirring the pot for no reason, Kurumi might laugh at her for being petty.
After all, harems were pretty normal in her world. It wouldn't be all that shocking.
Just as Chelsea was wrestling with whether or not to DM Kurumi, her system phone buzzed again.
She looked down and blinked in surprise.
[Tokisaki Kurumi has initiated a group video chat. Tap to join.]
"Huh? Video chat?" Chelsea frowned. "What's this?"
"You didn't read the system message?" Souta said. "It just unlocked video and voice features. Kurumi's probably testing it. Let's check it out."
"Video, huh..." Chelsea looked at Souta and smirked mischievously.
"Souta, do you dare to click it? If it's a video chat, Kurumi will see your side too, won't she?" Her smile was sly, her eyes glinting with meaning.
"You really dare click?"
"..." Souta's finger froze above the screen.
Chelsea had a point, and it made him suddenly realize the situation's awkwardness.
If Kurumi saw what was going on around him—saw Esdeath—would she come charging in?
After all, Kurumi could now travel between realities at will.
If Chelsea sent her an invite, she could instantly pop into the Akame world.
Should I still click...?
Souta patted his own cheeks.
Why did he feel like a thief caught red-handed?
But after a moment's thought, he decided to face it head-on.
He was already planning to build a harem, this kind of situation was inevitable. Sneaking around would only make him look weak.
Besides, he hadn't even done that. They'd just played some S&M games. That should... be fine, right?
With that, Souta tapped on the video.