(TL Notes: Let me know if the Emojis are cringe.)
Souta's trump card was, of course, the Friend Invitation.
He needed to invite someone who could help him prevent the Eurasian Sky Disaster while also tricking Date A Live's history into staying consistent.
Moreover, this person had to be:
✔ Kind enough to help.
✔ Strong, but not too strong—not on the level of the Mercury King, who could shatter a world just by stepping into it.
After all, they were trying to save people, not destroy the world.
Thinking about the Friend Invitation, Souta suddenly remembered the two new group members.
Kurumi had tagged them earlier, but neither had responded.
"Could it be... another trust issue?"
Souta muttered to himself.
But honestly, he wasn't annoyed at all.
After all, he himself had once mistaken Kurumi for a tea seller(scammer)—
He had no right to judge others for being skeptical!
However, he did feel a bit disappointed...
"Why are neither of them big shots?"
If one of them had been a powerhouse, he could've saved an invitation!
(What? How do I know they aren't?)
(Easy. Just look at their usernames.)
Head of the Tohsaka Family.
Their names alone told him they weren't top-tier powerhouses.
Souta: "@Head of the Tohsaka Family. @Illyasviel. Welcome to the Multiversal Friend System group chat. Everyone here comes from different worlds. You can check the group announcements for more details."
After sending the message, Souta put down his phone and ignored it.
He had more important things to focus on—this mission was his top priority.
His motivation was sky-high:
✔ First, because Kurumi was special to him—almost like a lover. He wanted to help her.
That god-tier divinity core was way too tempting.
"I'm not after Kurumi's body... I'm after that god core!"
Across the table, Shinobu set down her tea cup, then looked up at Souta.
"Have you figured out how to complete the mission?"
Souta replied honestly.
"More or less. I'm planning to use the invitation from my newbie gift pack to find someone who can help. I just haven't decided who yet. I need to do some research first."
Kurumi, visibly surprised, suddenly cut in.
"An invitation...? That's way too valuable! You're really using it just for my wish?"
"Why are you acting so distant? No matter how valuable the invitation is, it's not as valuable as you."
Kurumi's eyes widened slightly.
A slight blush crept up her face, as if she were a little embarrassed.
"Souta... You don't usually say things this directly... Are you really willing to use it just for me?"
"I already said—don't act like we're strangers."
Souta sighed, shaking his head.
"This invitation was a freebie from my newbie pack. It's not some limited-edition item—I can just buy more with points later. Using it to help you is fine."
Kurumi blinked a few times.
Then, suddenly, she smiled sweetly.
"Is that so~? Souta, this is already beyond just helping a friend, you know."
Souta cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Yeah, I won't deny it. If you were just a regular friend, I wouldn't be using an invitation for you."
Kurumi stared at him for a moment—then her smile widened even further.
She looked completely satisfied and stopped teasing him.
"Of course," Souta continued, "I also have my own motives for this mission."
"I want that god core."
"That god core..." Kurumi tilted her head.
"The name sounds weird. Something about a 'Final Revised Modded Version or something'... Are you sure it's safe?"
Souta's eyes lit up with anticipation.
"Even if the name sounds weird, it's definitely good stuff!"
Becoming a god... that was way too enticing to pass up.
"By the way, Shinobu," Souta suddenly turned toward her, "are you joining this mission?"
Shinobu shook her head.
"No. Have you not noticed the participant limit for this mission?"
She picked up her phone, opened the Mission Details, and showed Souta.
At the bottom of the screen, it read:
📝 [This mission is limited to three participants. The host may select the team members.]
Shinobu spoke calmly.
"This mission allows only three participants. With you and her, that's two spots filled. The last person must be someone who can actually contribute—that's not me."
"Also?" Souta blinked. "What else?"
"I've received a solo mission. So I'll be returning to my own world for a while."
"...You got a solo mission!?"
Souta's shock was written all over his face.
So the system had finally started issuing solo missions to Friend Group members?
"Yes," Shinobu nodded. "I need to return to my world and assist Hitagi Senjougahara."
"...What's wrong? Did I say something weird?"
Seeing Souta suddenly fall silent, Shinobu raised an eyebrow.
"Shinobu, you've only seen Kizumonogatari, right? You haven't watched the rest of Monogatari Series yet?"
"Correct. I haven't had time."
Souta grabbed his laptop and charger, placing them in front of Shinobu.
"I still have all the Monogatari episodes saved. Watch them. It'll help with your mission."
He wasn't worried about handing her his laptop.
After all, he had already deleted all the questionable content—including certain... "doujins" featuring both Kurumi and Shinobu(Loli).
"Understood. I appreciate it."
Shinobu nodded, then, after a brief goodbye, returned to her world.
Since traveling between worlds was as easy as a single teleport, Souta didn't bother trying to stop her.
Suddenly, Souta's system phone vibrated.
Oddly enough, Kurumi's phone didn't.
That meant... this message was for him alone.
Souta frowned slightly, then picked up his phone and checked.
📩 [Shinobu has transferred 500 points to you.]
Souta's expression went blank.
"Classic Shinobu... she didn't even say anything, just silently repaid me."
"Wait—so points can be transferred?!"
Another new feature discovered!
Should I start charging new members interest?
Maybe open a high-interest loan business?
...Of course, he was just joking.
First, because he wasn't that kind of person.
Second, because—let's be real—borrowers were always kings.
The lender? Always ended up as the beggar.
"I'm heading back too."
At that moment, Kurumi stood up, cleaning up Shinobu's tea cup as she spoke.
"So soon?" Souta raised an eyebrow.
Why was everyone leaving at the same time?
"I need to return to my world first."
"I'll use Twelve Bullets to send myself 30 years into the past. Once you find our third team member, just teleport directly to me."
That was a clever use of the system's teleportation function.
Even if Kurumi went back in time, the system would still place Souta next to her when he arrived.
"Got it." Souta nodded.
"I'll find our member as soon as possible."