Chat Group : Another Fate From Honkai

"By the way, are you home alone? Where did everyone else go?"

Dealing with Takamiya Mio wasn't just about helping Kotori—it was also a key step in conquering… cough, inviting Tokisaki Kurumi to join the team.

Well, that wasn't the only reason.

Spirit Crystals had considerable research value.

Nagami wanted to test whether he could analyze them and integrate their unique properties into the Principle of Void.

The compatibility and versatility of Honkai energy were just too strong.

If any system deserved to be the main foundation, it was this one.

Given time, it might truly become omnipotent.

"We're talking about a date! Shido is currently training with the help of the Ratatoskr members—learning how to handle dating scenarios."

Remembering that ridiculous set of options from earlier, Itsuka Kotori's voice involuntarily dropped in tone.

"What? You want to go see Shido?"

"Not really. I'm not that interested in him. But if it were Itsuka Shiori, now that would be fun. Don't you think?"

Her eyes half-lidded, Nagami looked at the Flame Spirit—whose morals had clearly dropped quite a bit compared to the original story—with a smirk tugging at his lips.

"I think… that sounds fantastic!"

Just the memory of Shido cross-dressing to win over Miku Izayoi in the anime made Kotori's crimson eyes glint with mischief.

Yuzuriha Inori blinked her big eyes at the two mischievous faces beside her, then simply stuck out her tiny pink tongue and continued licking her lollipop.

"Any info on Tokisaki Kurumi?"

Sharing a silent nod with Kotori to confirm their future plan to torment Shido, Nagami reached under her skirt and casually pulled out a lollipop.

"…I'll admit, these things actually taste pretty good!"

Watching how naturally he moved, Kotori's mouth twitched.

"Seriously, you… don't you know how to show some restraint? You don't just reach under a girl's skirt like that!"

"No intel! And no more lollipops either!"

Snatching the last lollipop from her own skirt and popping it into her mouth, Kotori grabbed Inori by the hand and walked out.

"Tch."

Nagami had different ways of interacting with different people.

The reason he acted so casually around Kotori was because, in his mind, she was already a full-fledged his best friend.

With his personality, there were few members in the chat group he couldn't get along with.

Aside from Kal'tsit, who kept a bit of distance due to her own nature, Nagami was on good terms with everyone else—even with that white haired tsundere pervert from another world, he could call him a friend.

After all, they were both fellow… uh, cool people.

Yeah, let's go with that.

Don't forget—when Nagami first joined the group, he shared all future story intel for free.

If he'd been even a bit more cunning, he could've used that knowledge to earn countless benefits.

At the very least, trading intel for points would've been easy.

But he didn't do that.

The chat group, to him, was meant for making friends.

And in the long run, having a group of reliable friends you can cause chaos with across multiple worlds?

Way more valuable than a few short-term gains.

That's called playing the long game.

"Hey, by the way, how are you planning to handle my identity here?"

"Let's just say… you're my distant cousin. That works, right? Gives you a little benefit too!"

Kotori's tone sounded a little sulky as she helped Inori tidy up the room.

She'd wanted to call him her younger cousin, but Nagami clearly looked older than her no matter how you spun it.

"A distant cousin? You seriously think Shido's dumb enough to buy that?"

"So what if he doesn't?"

Yep—definitely treating him like a real older brother if she can say things like that with a straight face.

"What about Ratatoskr? How are you planning to explain that? I'm not going to hide my power, just so you know."

Walking out onto the spacious balcony, Nagami admired the luxurious apartment—custom-built for Spirits using embezzled funds, courtesy of Kotori.

With a surge of spiritual power, he activated a detection skill, scanning across Tenguu City from east to west.

Yoshino had already shown up a while ago.

That meant Kurumi should be appearing soon—any day now, she could show up somewhere in the city.

"If it really comes to it… we'll just say you're a Spirit."

Kotori fell silent for a long moment, clearly troubled by how to deal with Nagami's identity.

After all, she was Ratatoskr's commander.

"Are you kidding me? A guy like me, and you're going to say I'm a Spirit? No one in their right mind would believe that!"

Spirit power wasn't actually an issue.

The current Principle of Void could replicate spiritual energy just fine.

"Well… maybe you're a mutated Spirit? Some kind of unique development? A special case~"

"You really are a sly little fox, you know that?"

Nagami could hear the jab wrapped in her sarcasm.

He couldn't help but sigh a little.

He still remembered how Kotori used to try acting dignified and commanding when she first joined the chat group.

But after hanging around with this crowd, she'd clearly been corrupted beyond repair.

Who the heck ruined this pure-hearted girl?

…Oh right, it was me.

Never mind then.

Tenguu City wasn't exactly small, and the scan skill he was using was extremely detailed—more so than a certain spider-girl's entire world-spanning "System."

Now that he'd lost that big magical boost from the Kumo Desu world, the skill had become less intelligent and dumped a ton of raw data straight into his brain.

Even for Nagami, it was too much to handle for long.

After scanning about a third of the city, he shut it off and rubbed his aching temples before heading back to the living room.

"Just pick any room you like."

Having just finished tidying up Inori's room, Itsuka Kotori casually pointed to the remaining bedrooms.

"I'll stay in the room next to Inori-chan."

"By the way… should we go on a date too?"

"…Huh?"

Kotori stared blankly at Nagami, utterly dumbfounded. "Did your brain finally snap for good?"

"Who said I was talking to you?" Nagami shot her a look of utter disdain, waving a hand in front of his face like he was swatting a fly. "I'm talking to Inori-chan."

"That's even worse!"

Kotori, of course, knew Inori's situation.

When she first joined the chat group, she didn't even understand basic common sense.

And now Nagami was making a move on her!?

"Mhm."

Inori nodded softly, her ethereal voice carrying a hint of joy.

Ever since the resurgence of Mana Ouma's influence, Inori's emotional spectrum had been rapidly expanding.

"Wait—what…?" Kotori's brain froze watching Inori agree without hesitation.

After a long pause, she let out a heavy sigh.

"…Fine. I'll tag along too. I am your host, after all. Let me show you what makes this world special!"

Guests from afar deserved proper hospitality—even if that guest was Nagami.

But since Inori was with him, Kotori didn't mind playing the guide.

"You know, you really don't need to be the third wheel," Nagami quipped. "We can appreciate your world just fine on our own."

"Shut it. Let's go!"

When traveling in a new world, where's the first stop?

'Food!'

Even though Nagami had technically arrived to resolve the Spirit issue, his goal wasn't to help Ratatoskr.

Still, the outcome was the same, so Kotori didn't hesitate to break out the Ratatoskr funds.

'Expenses? Reimbursable!'

Naturally, dating beautiful girls isn't just about food.

The pursuit of beauty was ingrained into their DNA.

Inori's appearance was simply too flawless—her porcelain skin looked even more delicate than that of the Spirits.

Kotori pulled her in and out of countless fashion boutiques, treating her like a living mannequin.

Normally, this kind of shopping spree would be a nightmare for any guy… but if you flip your perspective a little—say, imagine you're picking outfits for C.C.…

'Then you too are a beautiful, elegant maiden!'

And hey—if someone else is footing the bill, who wouldn't go all in on free stuff?

Before long, evening had arrived.

The sky was dyed in fiery reds, clouds glowing with the fading heat of the sun.

The city skyline was bathed in a rich orange hue, as if set ablaze.

The three of them strolled side by side beneath the sunset, casually chatting as they carried armfuls of shopping bags on their way back to the Itsuka residence.

Suddenly, Nagami narrowed his eyes, sensing something unusual.

He abruptly turned his head in a specific direction.

"Nagami? What's wrong?" Inori's small hand gripped his tighter, concern flashing in her eyes as she and Kotori both looked his way.

"…Found her."

Kotori casually brushed her crimson hair aside, lifting a delicate hand as a flicker of surprise passed through her eyes—followed by realization.

"Tokisaki Kurumi?"

"Yeah."

"Well, talk about lucky timing. And she's not far, either." A subtle smirk curved her lips.

But before she could say more, Nagami tossed all his shopping bags into her arms.

"You two go on ahead. I'll handle this myself."

"Hey! Wait a minute—uh…"

Before Kotori could finish her sentence, Nagami's figure had already vanished from sight.