Chapter 161. I Fight Sukuna—Seriously?
After staying at the orphanage for nearly half a month, the well-rested group led by Xander Masato boarded the ferry back to St. Freya Academy.
"Husband, welcome home~"
Kaguya was the first to return.
To her, that so-called former home was merely a place she once lived.
Aside from a few individuals, she felt no affection for it at all.
She stayed two days in her old room at the clan's ancestral residence.
Seeing how the people who once treated her like a tool now bowed and scraped before her, she found she wasn't as happy as she'd imagined.
It didn't even compare to a single word of praise from her husband.
She grew bored in less than two days and left that place with Reisen.
As for Reisen, Kaguya had already transferred her to work at Gensokyo Company.
No boss would dislike an employee who is diligent, dependable, and quite capable.
As for Eirin, Kaguya could only say she was already considering transferring her assets.
She had discussed this with her husband earlier.
Once Eirin came over, with her many years of honed management ability, Mei should finally be able to relax.
"Mm. We're home."
Taking the suitcase from Xander's hand, Kaguya had already placed three pairs of slippers at the entryway.
From morning on, she had been looking forward to the moment her husband arrived home.
"Kaguya-sis, here's a present~"
Seele popped out from behind Xander, smiling as she handed over a small gift box.
"What's this?"
"Hehe.
The kids were really sad when they learned their Kaguya-sis wasn't coming back.
They made these cookies together and asked Seele to bring them back for Kaguya-sis to try."
Hearing that, Kaguya carefully accepted the small gift box from Seele with both hands, a gentle smile lifting the corners of her lips.
"Thank those children for me.
Next time, I'll go back with you."
Lightly rubbing the smooth surface of the box with a fingertip, Kaguya spoke as if sighing.
"I didn't expect those children to still remember me."
That feeling warmed her heart all at once.
"How could they forget?
Kaguya-sis, you're so beautiful and so elegant.
Lots of kids see you as their idol!"
"I can confirm this is true!"
While tidying up, Xander raised his hand and said with a grin.
"I can confirm it too." Bronya raised her hand as well.
"I never said I didn't believe it."
Casting an amused glance at her family, Kaguya carefully put the gift box away.
"I saw the messages before—Griseo is almost here, right?
Xander, don't forget to pick her up."
Seeing Kaguya head upstairs, Bronya casually made small talk.
"No need.
Elysia's flight is close to Griseo's.
She told me she'll bring Griseo back with her."
"That works too."
"Sirin and the others should also be back these days.
Too bad Eden has to start getting busy with concert prep—we probably won't see her for a while."
"She's a very busy person.
No way she has time to stay with us every day."
"True."
After finishing up and going upstairs, the living room soon returned to quiet.
A few days later, the girls living here came back one after another.
The house, which had felt a bit empty, soon returned to the lively bustle from before the New Year.
"By the way, how are preparations for the Schicksal Game Expo going?"
After a day's work, Xander asked Mei, who had come back with them.
Stretching her increasingly mature body out on the sofa, Mei lazily replied, "We've got it mostly done.
Miss Yagokoro is amazing—her handling is not only orderly but highly efficient.
I feel there's a lot I need to learn from her."
Most importantly, she could finally work normal hours again.
Tears of joy.
Back then, tricked by Xander and Bronya's sweet talk into joining Gensokyo Company, she nearly worked herself like a draft animal.
Just thinking about it filled her heart with righteous resentment.
"Eirin really is amazing."
Hearing Mei praise Eirin, Kaguya couldn't help but smile.
A few days ago, Eirin Yagokoro officially left the Tsukudo Group and joined Gensokyo.
After witnessing her capabilities, Mei voluntarily stepped back and let the worthy take the lead, serving as deputy to assist Eirin's work.
"That's good.
But we just got back and, in a month, we have to head out again—and even fly."
At that, Xander couldn't help a headache.
"Then just stay up late the night before and sleep the whole day on the flight, no?"
Leaning against Xander on the sofa, Bronya replied while her eyes stayed glued to the tablet, fingers scrolling nonstop.
"If it comes to that, that's probably the only way…
Bronya, what are you looking at?"
Noticing Bronya's serious expression, Xander curiously craned his head over.
"I'm looking at our opponents at the Schicksal Game Expo.
There are two other FPS blockbusters sharing the stage with us, so I plan to study them."
"Someone actually has the steel nerves to go head-to-head with us?
Who are they?"
Kiana squeezed in on Bronya's other side, asking in puzzlement.
"Two long-established game companies under Schicksal and Shencheng.
They probably think they can still put up a fight and want to test themselves against us."
"Those two, huh.
No wonder.
What genres are their games?
They can't both be battle royales like Xander's, right?"
"How could they."
Giving Kiana a helpless look, Bronya continued, "The 'battle royale' concept has only been around for a little over half a month.
No studio could replicate a battle royale that fast."
"Oh… that makes sense."
Kiana looked suddenly enlightened.
"I just checked.
Compared with current market offerings, both titles are actually pretty good.
There are notable innovations in character abilities and firearms.
It's a bit of a pity~"
Sighing, Bronya slowly shook her head.
"Pity what?"
Silently giving Kiana an internal thumbs-up for the perfect setup, Bronya let a small feral grin curl her lips.
"Pity they ran into us.
Let's just say—not one of them can throw a proper punch!"
…
In an office at Schicksal Group, the same executive who had previously convened the gaming higher-ups sat waiting.
Before long, a well-mannered, somewhat reserved man in his thirties or forties knocked and walked in.
"General Manager, you called for me?"
"Jon, no rush.
Have a seat first."
He smiled very gently and even stood up, letting the flustered Jon sit in the chair opposite the desk.
After a few lines of small talk, the executive suddenly shifted tone and said in a grave voice, "Jon, you're aware of what happened with the AR glasses last time, right?"
Jon quickly nodded.
Though he was in charge of PC game development, he certainly knew about the company's AR-glasses fiasco.
The general manager nodded as well and went on, "Gensokyo's new game is also entering the Schicksal Game Expo."
"Mm, I know that too.
It's the senior's War Mission facing them head-on, right?
As expected of our senior—so impressive!"
Hearing this, the general manager waved his hand with a warm smile.
"Our company also has high hopes for War Mission, hoping it can help us wash away our shame.
But…"
Here, his voice suddenly grew tinged with sorrow.
"In pursuit of perfection, your esteemed senior has been working day and night without rest.
Two days ago he finally collapsed at his workstation…"
"Eh?!!"
Jon's face showed stark shock.
"As a result, War Mission likely cannot reach the expected level of completion before the expo begins.
The doctor has already prohibited the senior from returning to desk work."
"Th-then what do we do…" Jon asked, worried.
At that, the executive felt the situation was firmly in hand.
He paused, then spoke solemnly, "Jon, as I recall, the FPS you've been in charge of is also nearly complete, correct?"
"Mm, that's right."
Nodding, Jon suddenly sensed something amiss.
The general manager's face blossomed into a bright smile.
He patted Jon's shoulder and quickly said, "After deliberation by leadership, the important task of representing us at the Schicksal Game Expo falls to you, Jon.
Don't let us down."
Jon froze.
Staring blankly at the general manager's chrysanthemum-bloom smile, he stiffly raised a finger at himself.
"Eh?
I'm up against Gensokyo—for real?"
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