Souta had spent a month and a half in the Date A Live world.
It was probably the most exhausting month and a half since he was born.
But somehow, he survived Kurumi's punishment.
He made the effort to show each and every one of Kurumi's clones the same affection and care.
As for Mio, who had been getting knocked out by karate chops to the neck for an entire month, she was finally freed from that hell when Shiori and Kotori came to take her back.
When handing her over, Souta added a mechanism to Shiori's soul that would perfectly isolate the two personalities from fusing together.
Takamiya Shinji's persona had always been asleep within her body, and sooner or later, it would awaken.
To avoid the two personalities clashing and severely interfering with one another, such a mechanism was absolutely necessary.
Even Origami, who was already in a state of separation, was given an extra safeguard by him.
"By the way, Kurumi, you and Miku and Origami, you three have been going out together a lot lately. When did you all become so close?"
After Mio was taken away, Souta sat in her old spot, reading a book as he casually asked Kurumi, who was making tea.
Kurumi hummed a little tune while brewing the tea, occasionally swaying her hips from side to side as though she were dancing. The sight was irresistibly cute.
Her face still had a faint flush, the lingering effect of their "morning exercise."
The real Kurumi had grown increasingly bold, something Souta knew all too well.
Just like earlier that morning, when she, this very Kurumi in front of him, had sneaked into his bed, slipped under the blanket, and… bow… chicka … wow wow.
All his senses had left him with was warmth, wetness, and tingling numbness.
Right now, her smooth skin carried a soft blush, making her look even more radiant, more alluring.
Souta couldn't help but feel she had grown even more beautiful.
In the past, she had been playing at maturity, but at her core, she was still just a girl.
Now, though, purity and ripened allure had blended into one, giving her a charm that invited one into sweet corruption.
Kurumi elegantly placed the red tea in front of Souta.
He set his book down, picked up the tea, and took a sip. The taste wasn't as pure as before.
"Is it weaker than usual?" Kurumi gave him a teasing glance.
"This is a little gift in return. After all, what you gave me this morning was pretty weak, too."
"What do you expect? After being wrung dry by you—no, by all of you... for so many days, you think it'd still be strong?"
Souta retorted without a shred of shame.
Ever since they had completely let loose, even their daily conversations were full of innuendo.
"Don't you have divine power? You can just restore yourself."
"…Kurumi, divine power isn't meant for that sort of thing. Anyway, you still haven't answered my question."
"How did you end up getting so close with Miku and Origami?"
"We're on the same front now. We're from the same world, after all. We have to stick together." Kurumi explained casually.
"My, Souta, do you really not understand?"
Kurumi crossed her arms, looking down at him on the sofa. Her lowered lashes and sharp gaze carried overwhelming pressure.
"Shall I explain in detail the purpose of this front, its goals, and… what we plan to do?"
"…Cough, on second thought, I'd rather not."
Souta sensibly dodged the topic, which felt a little too dangerous for him.
Just then, the system phone in his pocket buzzed.
Altair: "@Souta. Souta, Meteora's 'Birdcage' is nearly finished. You can come over now."
Tokisaki Kurumi: "@Souta. Didn't you already gain 'Divinity'? You don't need faith that badly anymore, do you? Do you still have to take part in the 'Birdcage' plan?"
Souta: "Kurumi, I'm literally sitting right in front of you. Can't you just say it to my face?"
Tokisaki Kurumi: "Ah, but look at how you sound right now. You've no right to blame me. Besides, talking in the group lets everyone else see too."
Souta: "Fine. You were asleep last time, so you didn't see the question I raised in the group."
Souta: "The quality of faith that humans from different worlds can provide varies. For example, in Inori's world, where people infected with the Apocalypse Virus have their minds enhanced, one person's faith is worth dozens from Chelsea's world."
Tokisaki Kurumi: "People in Chelsea's world are that weak?"
Souta: "By my estimate, in Altair's world, the quality of human faith might even surpass Inori's. After all, it's a world where emotions can give birth to a 2.5D existence."
Souta: "If I gather faith there, my divine power accumulation will skyrocket. Just relying on Divinity to passively absorb Source Energy may be infinite, but it's far too slow."
Right now, he needed massive amounts of divine power, not only to water his new Divinity but also to ascend his Godhood.
Even two whole months in the Guilty Crown world had only pushed his Godhood up by a single level.
Getting stronger was no easy task…
He had to seize every chance to gather divine power.
Kiss-Shot: "Finally going to play the big boss, are you? I rather look forward to seeing that side of you."
Kiss-Shot: "Don't worry, I'll be there too. I'll give you some special training and pass on my experience so you can act the part convincingly."
Tokisaki Kurumi: "As for playing the villain, I've got a little experience myself. Let me come along too."
Souta: "It'd be good if you all came. I've already got a plan in mind that needs your participation. As for what kind of villain I'll play, I've already decided."
Rin Tohsaka: "Like Gilgamesh?"
Souta: "Gil's too chuunibyou. I'm thinking more along the lines of Galactus."
Souta: "Rin, hurry up and finish the Second Magic. I might need your help when the time comes."
Rin Tohsaka: "Alright, I'll finish it in the next few days."
Great God Shiroyasha: "What a pity. I'd love to come, but I'm buried in official duties."
Altair: "I see you online chatting all the time though. Are you really that busy, Shiroyasha?"
Great God Shiroyasha: "Of course. I just steal little breaks to talk with you all."
Great God Shiroyasha: "A shame though, kid. I've been the Demon King for years. If I were there to teach you personally, I'd guarantee you'd be the most charming villain ever."
Souta: "More like the sleaziest villain."
Great God Shiroyasha: "?"
Chiba's Fallen Saint KuroNeko: "Kukuku… playing the big boss, are we? Such a thrilling endeavor. Why not seek the wisdom of me, the Demon Lord of Fallen Heaven?"
Seeing KuroNeko's message, a slow question mark rose in Souta's mind.
Was it that he couldn't lift his blade anymore? Or had KuroNeko gotten cocky again?
After the fright she got last time, she still dared to pop up and act all chuunibyou?
Maybe… she realized smashing her phone didn't work, quitting the group was impossible, and just decided to give up completely.
Should the translator add smut scenes? Sometimes, it's canon, or the translator wanted to do a fanfic of a fanfic with a side of smut.