"Rika Minami!!!"
No sooner had Rei Ao transferred her to the villa than Shizuka Marikawa rushed forward, grabbing hold of her. Her face was flushed with anger as she demanded, "Who were you calling a 'cow'?!"
"Shizuka? Why are you here?"
Rika stared at her in confusion.
"What do you mean, 'why am I here?' This is our home, you ought to ask yourself how you got here!"
Shizuka retorted, hands clasping Rika's face as she surveyed their surroundings.
A strange room.
Strangers all around.
"Huh?"
Who am I? Where am I?
Rika's head spun with questions.
"Though it's quite moving to see old friends reunite," Rei Ao said, crossing his arms, "I still have to remind you about the matter of our trade."
"Oh, Rei Ao-kun, I haven't forgotten. Please give me a bit of time."
Shizuka grabbed Rika by the hand, leading her toward the bathroom.
"I'll tell you what happened while we take a bath. That way we can save some time to, uh, do more."
Though it was embarrassing to say, Shizuka certainly craved the experience, which explained her eagerness.
"Oh, and Alice, you come along as well."
"U-um…"
Alice, her cheeks reddening, trailed after them.
Saya Takagi pursed her lips.
"Rei Ao, is it really okay for Alice to… do that?"
She was still worried.
"What's there to worry about?" Rei Ao asked with a smile.
Flustered by his not-exactly-innocent grin, she mumbled, "B-because you're just so… over the top, and is Alice really up to it?"
"Heh, there's nothing she can't manage. I'll take good care of her."
He was experienced enough not to act recklessly. He'd simply scale things back some, no problem.
"But something like this can't happen without all of you. Head to the bedroom and wait for me."
"Hmph, pervert!"
Saya gave a snort, but her body obediently carried her to the bedroom.
"Rei Ao-kun, please don't mind her," said Yuriko gently, revealing Saya's tsundere side. "She's all talk—she truly missed you."
Rei Ao slipped an arm around Yuriko's waist as she passed, lightly kissing her lips, then curved his mouth into a grin and asked, "And did you miss me?"
"Mhm…"
Yuriko didn't shy away, nodding. Moving close to his ear, she used a sultry tone and said, "Not only did I miss you—I also want…"
"Then wait and see."
Saeko and Rei needed no words at all. The way their flushed, captivating gazes clung to him said everything. They followed Yuriko into the bedroom. Even though Yuriko's mature charm stirred him slightly, Rei Ao wasn't rushing into anything.
Instead, he went and sat beside Fumino Furuhashi.
Since the chat group wasn't closed, some of them noticed this scene.
"Fumino?!"
Rizu Ogata rubbed her eyes to be sure she wasn't seeing things.
Rei Ao had gone off to another world for the trade—so why was Fumino there?
All at once, her heart filled with mixed emotions, a vaguely uncomfortable feeling, like something that had belonged to her alone was being taken away. Without realizing it, she clenched her fists, staring fixedly at the stream, trying to see exactly what they would do or say.
In truth, they weren't about to do anything.
"Fumino, are you able to remain calm right now?"
Rei Ao spoke to check on her.
"… …"
"Rei Ao-kun, do you think I should be calm at a time like this?"
Fumino forced a bitter smile.
Calm? How could she be calm? She'd just realized this was truly a real world. Remembering the disaster-movie scenes she'd seen in the live feed, her heart was gripped by dread. Those zombie-like creatures truly existed in this world…
"With me here, at least you don't have to be scared."
As reassurance, it didn't sound that comforting, but after she'd witnessed his formidable power, those words carried weight. Just now, to her, he was like a blazing flame by her side, radiating security. Gradually, her fear receded, replaced by curiosity and wariness toward Rei Ao.
"Rei Ao-kun, have you always been doing things like saving people? It's almost like a gift from the gods…"
Many of the survivors at the military base, overwhelmed with emotion, believed an unknown god had saved them—granting them a miracle. Fumino pictured herself as one of those people facing utter despair. She'd probably feel the same way, for she couldn't think of any explanation more convincing than a miracle.
"That's mistaken."
Rei Ao waggled his index finger, dismissing that praise.
"Eh? It is? But…"
Fumino didn't see how her logic was wrong.
"You only see appearances. I'm neither a hero nor some kind of deity."
He raised two fingers calmly.
"There are two reasons."
"One: I don't need other people's reverence. It's worthless to me, and it can be cheap."
"Two: Everything I do is tied directly to benefit."
"Benefit?"
Fumino seemed to catch on to something.
Seeing her expression change, Rei Ao gave a sly smile.
"Seems you've realized it."
"Yes—it's a trade."
No matter how his feelings toward some in the chat group changed, the trade rules never did.
"… …"
Fumino sorted out her thoughts.
So that's why it was called a Trade Chat Group, and why Rei Ao had come due to a trade.
"But… what's the content of the trade?"
That was her final question. If she had time, she could probably scroll through chat logs and figure it out. But right now, she was just full of questions. She couldn't fathom what a normal person could possibly offer so that someone with near-divine power would cross worlds and fulfill a request. Her worst guess was paying with one's soul or life, gleaned from tales of grim reapers or monsters.
"Hmm…"
Drawing out the sound meaningfully, Rei Ao smiled.
"I suspect you'd rather not know what it is—but you'll have the chance to hear it for yourself."
"Heard…?
Fumino's face registered confusion.
Just then—
Click!
The bathroom door opened. Shizuka Marikawa, wrapped in a bath towel, timidly said, "Rei Ao-kun, I… I'm ready now…"
~~~
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