Anime Group Chat in a Doomsday World!

To his surprise, Marin's natural hair color was indeed a light blonde, just as it appeared.

In some ways, it reminded him of Mitsuri.

Now, they were all dressed in so-called combat uniforms, each holding a matching blue firearm.

These weapons had been tested and were capable of firing laser rounds—far more powerful than conventional firearms. Definitely high-tech.

Most likely, these were the novice weapons provided in this game.

As for the combat suits…

While designed for mobility, they restricted their movements in unexpected ways, making the wearers feel both self-conscious and embarrassed.

The suits had an automatic shrink-to-fit function, hugging the body tightly.

Despite the snug fit, they remained breathable and flexible.

Nanashi had no idea what kind of advanced material they were made of, but—

It felt good for him.

But not so much for the girls.

The suits outlined their figures perfectly. Every curve and contour was on full display.

Although they tried to cover themselves, their eyes kept darting toward Nanashi, stealing glances when they thought he wasn't looking.

Nanashi, on the other hand, remained unfazed and unapologetic.

Think whatever you want—I'm not the one at a disadvantage here.

Still…

So… so big… There's no way in fit… right?!

That was the same thought running through all four of the girls' minds.

"Don't get distracted," Nanashi said, his tone serious. "The most important thing is understanding the Doomsday Game and clearing it."

He looked solemn, as if he truly grasped the gravity of the situation.

"You should all know where we are by now, right?"

As they finished putting on their gear, Nanashi explained the basics of the Doomsday Game.

He also revealed that he and Yukino were currently among the select few with supernatural abilities.

At first, the others were stunned—not just by the game itself but also by the fact that the two of them had been hiding such identities all along.

It suddenly made sense why two of the most well-known figures from their respective schools had established a Paranormal Research Club.

Because they weren't ordinary.

A brief silence settled between them.

The three girls exchanged glances.

Megumi pursed her lips, lowering one arm while standing as naturally as possible—though a faint trace of nervousness betrayed her composed demeanor.

Then, in a calm voice, she spoke:

"I understand. Please guide me. My name is Megumi Kato…"

"!!!"

The others' eyes widened.

When did she get there?!

Despite their shock, Megumi remained outwardly unbothered.

Still, in that fleeting moment, the slightest flicker of emotion crossed her gaze.

It was enough to turn her ears and neck a deep shade of crimson.

Nanashi, however, met her eyes naturally, his expression unreadable.

The barely perceptible tremble in her stance betrayed her inner turmoil.

"U-Um… I'm Chika Fujiwara," Chika muttered, lowering her head, her hands nervously clenched in front of her.

"My name is Marin Kitagawa," Marin added quickly. "I think you still remember me, right?"

Nanashi nodded. "Of course. You even invited me to that comic convention on Saturday. Why are you suddenly acting shy now?"

"Hahaha…"

Marin let out an awkward laugh, instinctively trying to shield herself.

She had always been carefree—at least, when it came to cosplay.

But standing almost bare in front of a boy? That was a different story entirely.

"Nanashi, everyone here should know me already," Yukino finally spoke, regaining her composure. "This is my second time entering the Doomsday Game with him."

The mention of her name seemed to help her push past her embarrassment.

Like Nanashi and Megumi, she worked to relax her body.

She focused on steadying her emotions.

But she knew the truth—people died in the Doomsday Game.

Shame was a luxury she couldn't afford.

Any hesitation or distraction could be fatal.

She had to be mentally prepared.

Still, when Nanashi's gaze briefly swept over her…

She wanted nothing more than to crawl into a hole.

That useless fat—it had no meaning at all!

She forced herself to resist the urge to cover her face.

Her voice wavered slightly as she spoke:

"The Doomsday Game is extremely dangerous. In the last one, Nanashi and I were trapped in a zombie-infested school."

"Zombies?"

Marin's shyness evaporated instantly.

She needed to confirm she hadn't misheard.

Yukino nodded. "You heard right. Tens of thousands of zombies."

Megumi frowned.

"Tens of thousands? Then… how did you survive?"

"Thanks to Nanashi," Yukino replied without hesitation. "I wouldn't be here if it weren't for him."

Her gratitude was clear in her gaze.

The others, however, barely acknowledged her words.

Instead, they all turned toward Nanashi.

If it was him… then it made sense.

At this moment, lying next to Nanashi was a monstrous creature known as an Alien—one he had complete control over.

After making his statement, Yukino walked forward naturally, beginning to explore the surroundings.

Megumi took a brave step forward.

Meanwhile, Chika remained crouched on the ground, while Marin instinctively covered her vital areas.

The two exchanged glances.

An awkward smile.

They had no choice but to stand up.

However, their upper bodies were… rather prominent.

Both of them instinctively shielded themselves as they moved.

Especially Chika—she shrank back, avoiding any approach toward Nanashi.

Nanashi's voice was calm as he murmured, "Kanae."

Now, he could activate his Shikai without even drawing his Zanpakutō—and he could summon Kanae directly.

In an instant, Kanae appeared.

Through their linked consciousness, she grasped the situation immediately.

Her gaze flickered downward for a moment, and inwardly, she clicked her tongue.

After all, her perception was synchronized with Nanashi's.

His… thoughts had caused a reaction in her as well.

"Huh? Who are you?"

Marin and Megumi pointed at Kanae, eyes wide with surprise.

The sudden appearance of a stranger put everyone on edge.

They immediately shifted into a defensive stance.

Nanashi glanced at them and raised a reassuring hand.

"Relax. This is Kanae—one of us. She's the spirit of my sword, the soul within my blade."

"A ghost in your sword?" Marin quickly simplified it in her own terms.

"…"

Well…

That explanation wasn't exactly wrong.

Easy to understand, at least.

Yukino hesitated before asking, "And your eyes…?"

"It's just another one of my abilities."

Without elaborating further, Nanashi changed the subject.

"I've already searched this room—there's nothing useful here," he stated. "However, I did manage to extract some information from this Alien."

After relaying the intel, Yukino and the others shared what they had learned as well.

Their Doomsday Stores all offered the same items.

Known purchasable items:

Basic Supplies:

Food – 1 Survival PointWater – 1 Survival Point

Weapons:

Beam Saber – 25 Survival PointsLight Wave Grenade – 30 Survival PointsLaser Gun – 50 Survival PointsEnergy Shield – 100 Survival Points

Equipment:

Primary Anti-Corrosion Suit – 100 Survival PointsIntermediate Anti-Corrosion Suit – 500 Survival PointsAdvanced Anti-Corrosion Suit – ??? Survival Points

Supplies:

Energy Battery – 10 Survival PointsHemostatic Medicine – 1 Survival Point

The energy batteries were used to power beam sabers, laser guns, and energy shields.

Overall, it was a grind-based survival system—kill Aliens, earn points, buy better gear, and survive.

Everything seemed straightforward.

Except for the Anti-Corrosion Suit—its purpose was still unclear.

Nanashi, however, had a feeling it would be extremely important.

Then, with a swift motion, a gust of air sliced through the Alien's neck.

[Alien defeated. +10 Doomsday Points.]

The sensation was familiar—just like killing zombies.

Except…

One Alien was worth 10 points!

This grind is going to be worth it.

As the Alien's severed head hit the ground, green corrosive blood oozed out, sizzling as it burned through the floor.

Nanashi turned to Yukino.

"Do you understand now why I stopped your attack earlier?"

Yukino's eyes widened.

The Alien had been dangerously close to Chika.

If she had impaled it with her ice spear, the blood would have splattered all over Chika…

She didn't even want to imagine what would have happened.

Chika trembled, realizing just how close she had been to death.

And it was Nanashi who had saved her.

She quickly bowed, her voice filled with gratitude.

"Thank you for saving me!"

Good girl. Now shake it all up.

"Ugh! D-Don't look at me!"

Realizing her posture, Chika immediately covered herself again.

But it was too late.

Nanashi had already accepted her sincerity.

"Thanks for the treat."

The same words as before made Chika's face turn scarlet, steam practically rising from her head.

Chika Fujiwara—normally seen as an absolute menace by Kaguya Shinomiya—had lost all her usual playful charm in this situation.

"Ahem… Nanashi-kun, what's our next move?"

Megumi tactfully changed the subject, breaking the awkward tension.

Even under Nanashi's direct gaze, she remained calm.

Of course, by now, Nanashi had calmed down as well.

Standing around like this wasn't an option—it was inconvenient for movement.

Time to act.

"We'll head out and assess the situation," Nanashi declared.

With Kanae by his side, he took the lead, stepping out of the room.

The four girls immediately followed.

The corridor outside was made of the same metallic structure.

It was spacious—wide enough for all five of them to walk side by side.

At a glance, the only source of illumination was the overhead lights.

The group moved forward.

Both sides of the corridor were lined with doors of varying sizes.

Each door seemed to require some kind of recognition system to open.

Nanashi activated Observation Haki.

Immediately, his senses extended, revealing a labyrinth of interconnected corridors—above, below, left, and right.

They walked for a long time.

The only encounters were scattered individual Aliens—easily sliced apart by Nanashi's wind blades.

Nothing special.

At this rate…

Nanashi turned, glancing at the girls.

…They were slowing him down.

Women would only hinder his monster-killing speed.

So, without hesitation, he made a decisive choice.

"I'm going to hunt monsters alone."

"Eh!"

"No way!"

Chika and Marin looked horrified.

If Nanashi left, how would they defend themselves against the Aliens?

Could they even defeat one if they encountered it?

The answer was unclear.

The only experience they had with weapons was the few test shots they fired when they first picked them up. Mastering them was still far beyond their abilities.

Yukino and Megumi, however, remained calm.

They were well aware that they were burdens in this situation.

So, they wouldn't ask for anything selfish.

Megumi was the first to speak up.

"Nanashi-kun, go ahead. I'll do my best to survive."

Yukino nodded, following Megumi's lead.

"Yes, this is something we need to handle ourselves."

Their words, filled with self-awareness and determination, made Chika and Marin lower their heads in shame.

They knew.

Nanashi had no obligation to protect them.

"S-Sorry!"

"I'm so sorry! We shouldn't have expected you to take care of us without your permission!"

Realizing how thoughtless they had been, both of them bowed deeply, their voices filled with sincere remorse.

Nanashi chuckled.

Their movements made certain things bounce up and down—something that didn't go unnoticed.

Unable to help himself, he laughed lightly.

"I've already taken plenty of interest as compensation. Besides, Megumi is still a member of my club, and Yukino—" He smirked. "—is my maid. So, of course, I won't abandon you."

"M-Maid?" Megumi tilted her head in confusion.

"…"

Yukino twitched at the corner of her mouth.

Don't say such embarrassing things!

"Ah! B-Benefits! I…" Marin's eyes sparkled as an idea struck her. "If I survive, I'll do lots of cosplay for Nanashi!"

Cosplay should count as a benefit, right?

She could dress up as different characters, put on various outfits…

"Not bad. I like it."

Nanashi stroked his chin, his mood noticeably improving.

Another one willingly offering benefits? Love it.

Subconsciously, he turned his gaze to Chika.

"!!!"

Her body tensed.

Even though she was wearing a combat uniform, she felt as if Nanashi's eyes were seeing through it again.

Once you experience that kind of thing…

You never forget the feeling.

Her head practically shrank into her own soft, snow-white body.

A whisper, barely audible, slipped from her lips.

"C-Can… can… blessings… blessings…"

"Oh?"

Nanashi's lips curled into a devilish smirk.

"I never forced you."

"Hmm…" Chika lowered her head, her face burning red.

Just then, Megumi suddenly stepped forward.

"Nanashi-kun."

Nanashi raised an eyebrow.

"What is it?"

He doubted she was here to stop his mischief.

Then—

She stood on tiptoe, her soft lips pressing against his.

"!!!"

Kanae's hand flew to her lips in disbelief.

The others froze in absolute shock.

Nanashi himself was stunned.

Why did Megumi… kiss me?

As everyone watched in bewilderment, Megumi slowly pulled away.

Before Nanashi could even react—

For the first time, a genuine, sweet smile appeared on Megumi's usually expressionless face.

"I don't know if I'll survive this game to the end," she said softly.

"So, there are things in my heart I want to say. Things I want you to know before I die."

She took a breath.

"Nanashi-kun… I like you."

Her voice was steady, but her heart pounded.

"Since I was born, my presence has always been faint."

"Even my parents sometimes forgot I was there. I thought I'd spend my whole life as a transparent person."

"I used to envy the heroines in TV dramas—the ones who were always noticed, always cherished."

"But then… I met you. And my thoughts changed."

She reached for Nanashi's right hand, guiding it to her chest.

Her crystal-clear eyes shimmered with pure, unshaken emotion.

"Nanashi-kun, you were the first person who noticed me at first sight."

"The first person who always sees me—no matter what."

She took a deep breath.

"I finally understood my own heart."

"I don't want to be just anyone's heroine."

"I only want to be your heroine."

"Even if… you're the only one who ever sees me."