Tokisaki Kurumi: "@Souta. I'm almost there."
Upon receiving Kurumi's message, Souta paused his divine miracles development.
He felt a bit sentimental... Kurumi's sephira crystal evolution was finally nearing completion.
Though not much time had passed on Kurumi's end, it had been nearly half a year from his perspective.
Souta: "Almost there? That's a pretty vague way to put it."
Tokisaki Kurumi: "It's an instinctual feeling. Anyway, I won't be falling unconscious again. You'll be seeing me soon."
Altair: "At long last, the day has come!"
Souta: "Altair, why are you getting so hyped?"
Altair: "Because I want to see Kurumi fight Mio Takamiya! You've all said how strong she is. I'm excited to witness a true clash of titans."
White Night Demon (Shiroyasha): "Same here. It's been a while since I've seen a proper fight. Two four-digit powerhouses clashing? That's something worth watching!"
Shinobu: "I'm a little interested too. Let me know when it starts, alright?"
Shinobu: "@Souta. You notify me. Don't forget."
Tohsaka Rin: "Mind if I watch too?"
Tokisaki Kurumi: "Of course!"
Tokisaki Kurumi: "Since so many people are interested, I'll host a video call. That way, no one has to make a special trip."
Fallen Angel Black Cat of Chiba (Kuroneko Aka, Ruri Gokou): "Oh? Time Spirit, you're going to livestream your fight?"
Tokisaki Kurumi: "Mm. Want to join, Miss Black Cat? I'm curious about what kind of form a fallen angel takes."
Souta: "Kurumi, it's rare to see you take interest in fallen angels. Is this because all the Four Heavenly Kings think they're cool?"
Tokisaki Kurumi: "..."
Fallen Angel Black Cat of Chiba: "Four Heavenly Kings? That's a name you don't hear every day. Does the Time Emperor have subordinates with that title?"
Tokisaki Kurumi: "No! Souta's just spouting nonsense again! I'll deal with him later!"
Tokisaki Kurumi: "Anyway, Miss Black Cat... are you joining?"
Fallen Angel Black Cat of Chiba: "A video chat, huh? Well, I suppose we're acquainted. I'll join."
Souta: "Oh? Even the Mighty Demon King of the Fallen is showing up?"
Fallen Angel Black Cat of Chiba: "Why? The god plans to attend too?"
Souta: "Of course! Altair and White Night Demon both claim you're stronger than me. I'm not convinced. I'll use these divine eyes to judge your power myself to see if you truly deserve to be ranked above me."
Fallen Angel Black Cat of Chiba: "Ho? That's quite the blatant provocation."
Fallen Angel Black Cat of Chiba: "But I like it. I accept. When the time comes, this God King will feel the might of a Demon King!"
Souta: "I look forward to it. God versus Demon King, let's see whose presence dominates."
Tokisaki Kurumi: "Why does Souta feel extra weird today?"
Altair: "I feel the same."
Chelsea: "There's a definite sarcastic edge there."
White Night Demon: "Probably lost his mind."
Souta: "Hey! White Night Demon, personal attacks like that are uncalled for!"
Souta: "By the way, did Miku visit you? I remember you two planned to meet."
Tokisaki Kurumi: "Wait, Miku?"
Tokisaki Kurumi: "Izayoi Miku?"
He slowly picked up his system phone and smacked it hard against his own hand.
"That's for being reckless... and that's for being reckless again…"
After the self-discipline session, he DM'd Kurumi to explain how, in order to replenish divine power and cultivate his divine office, he'd invited Miku to the group.
Once he sent it, he sighed again.
Building a harem sure wasn't easy.
Thankfully, Kurumi didn't make a big deal out of it.
She probably anticipated it, given she knew about Miku from him already.
White Night Demon: "Miku? She already left."
White Night Demon: "It was my first time seeing a body nicer than Black Rabbit's. In terms of... ball handling? I'd crown Izayoi Miku the undisputed champion!"
Tokisaki Kurumi: "Yeah, even bigger than my head."
Tokisaki Kurumi: "@Souta. Bet you're real happy scoring that kind of jackpot, huh?"
At a moment , anything he said would only make things worse.
Better to play ostrich and stay quiet.
White Night Demon: "@Izayoi Miku. Come visit again sometime! I've got loads of cute outfits just for you!"
Izayoi Miku: "Um, I'm really busy lately. Maybe another time."
Tohsaka Rin: "@Izayoi Miku. When are we meeting like we planned? Can I come over now?"
Izayoi Miku: "There were... some unexpected developments. I can't meet anyone right now. Sorry, Rin-san. I'll make it up to you next time."
Tohsaka Rin: "Alright then, next time."
Izayoi Miku: "Yes, definitely next time."
Izayoi Miku: "Oh, and Miss Rin... just to check, do you have time-stopping powers?"
Tohsaka Rin: "No. Why ask?"
Izayoi Miku: "Good. That's good."
Izayoi Miku: "@Souta. Almost forgot to tell you. That 'mosaic' you warned me about, she came after me again."
Souta: "Hm? Takamiya Mio came after you?"
Izayoi Miku: "Yeah. She seemed determined to catch me. I warped to your world to avoid her. Haven't returned to the City yet, so I'm still hiding here."
Tokisaki Kurumi: "@Izayoi Miku. Don't go back yet. Mio's behavior has diverged from the plot. It's too risky right now."
Souta: "Miku, did anything strange happen before she targeted you? Mio wouldn't come after you for no reason."
Izayoi Miku: "Not really. I've just been dodging this girl named Itsuka Shiori. She kept asking me out, but I wasn't in the mood to see any girls lately, so I turned her down."
Tokisaki Kurumi: "Well, I think we found the cause."
Souta: "@Izayoi Miku. I'm coming to you. Let's go check your world, I'm worried Mio is up to something."
Izayoi Miku: "Darling, hurry. I'll be waiting."
Tokisaki Kurumi: "Souta, don't fight Mio until I get back to the present."
Souta: "Don't worry. I won't."
He put away the system phone, brows furrowed slightly.
Something was definitely wrong in the Date A Live world.
Otherwise, Mio wouldn't be targeting Miku just because Shiori got turned down.
"Could it be… Mio's losing patience? Is it the butterfly effect from my actions?"
Whatever the cause, he had to go check.
With that in mind, Souta teleported back to the cult's base and summoned Inori, Tsugumi, and Gai before him.
"I have to leave, something urgent's come up."
Gai blinked, then nodded.
"I understand. I'll take care of things here."
"Wait... you're leaving?" Tsugumi asked nervously. "To another world?"
"Will you come back?"
"Aww, you're gonna miss me that much?"
Souta ruffled her hair with a smile.
"Don't worry, I'll come back to see you."
"Who said I'd miss you! I don't need you to come back!"
Tsugumi turned her head away, flustered, unable to meet his eyes.
Seeing the once-proud girl morb'd into a classic tsundere, Souta smiled warmly, like he'd gained a little sister.
His hand itched again, looking at the top of her head.
"Inori, I'm going. If anything comes up, just call."
He turned to Inori, whose expression clearly revealed her reluctance.
Her emotional range had grown richer.
Wonder when she'd be ready to make an ahegao face?
"When... will you be back?"
Just like Tsugumi, Inori asked with a hint of tension.
"No idea. But if you want to see me, just call."
He lifted his system phone.
"It's got video chat. Super convenient."
"So don't look so gloomy.
Keep singing, and make that album. I'm waiting for you to become a world-class diva."
"Mm..." Inori nodded softly.
Souta waved and activated the return spell.
But just as the portal opened, the system chimed in his mind:
[Inori's Affection has reached the required value. You will now randomly acquire one of her abilities.]
[Random ability selection in progress…]