Chapter 8: Sister, I Don't Mind Being Together
"What's the matter? An old flame coming to your door? You're so nervous?"
Seeing Satoru actually flustered for once, Nia was momentarily stunned before breaking into a teasing smile.
Normally, Satoru maintained an exceptionally calm demeanor with minimal facial expressions—she'd never seen him this shocked before.
It seemed this woman was quite important to him.
Since she was a transfer student, that meant she came from another school, but Nia didn't recognize the name either.
Though she could use her abilities to check, she was in public right now, and frankly, she couldn't be bothered.
After all, women frequently appeared around Satoru—new ones popped up all the time. Investigating every single one would be exhausting.
...If she checked now, she'd probably be stunned again, because she likely wouldn't find anything anyway.
"This must be it~ Satoru has so many girlfriends after all. By the way, Ayano-chan, what does she look like? Is she pretty?"
"Yes, extremely beautiful, with an outstanding aura and a perfect figure. It seems someone's reach keeps getting longer."
Meanwhile, Mei and Ayano joined in, playfully teasing and mocking him in tandem.
They quickly concluded that he was two-timing, with a lover even transferring schools just to find him.
Admittedly, this conclusion was rather hasty—completely unsubstantiated, and the person in question hadn't even spoken yet.
But to the three of them, it somehow made perfect sense, to the point they were already convinced.
"...It's not what you're thinking. I've never met her before—I've just... heard of her."
Of course, Satoru quickly denied it.
Though given his hesitant tone and carefully chosen words, his denial wasn't the least bit convincing.
But he genuinely didn't know how to explain it.
How could he say that while he'd never met her, he was very familiar with her from anime in his past life?
Still, the situation was frustrating.
Kurumi had been one of his favorite characters—her bewitching voice and appearance, her morally ambiguous stance, and her tragic backstory left a deep impression.
But the problem was, if they actually met face-to-face, it'd be way too dangerous!
Who knew what she was here for? She specifically asked for the Service Club—either she was looking for him or for Nia...
Neither outcome was good!
He shouldn't have any Reiryoku himself, but with the system's existence, who knew if Kurumi sensed something and came because of that?
And if she was after Nia, that was just as bad.
Honestly, he suspected Nia had already become a Spirit long ago.
That would explain why she carried herself like an adult, calling herself "big sis" or even "auntie," and knew so many inexplicable things. She probably came to school on a whim, stumbled upon the unexpectedly interesting "2D characters," and decided to stay?
That was his guess, at least.
After all, Mei and Ayano were genuine 2D characters—it made sense she'd like them.
But the issue was, Nia didn't know about Kurumi, meaning Kurumi was already a fully realized Spirit!
If they confronted each other directly, wouldn't Nia just get killed outright?
Nia's own combat ability was almost negligible. Compared to Kurumi, she probably couldn't even escape if she tried.
"Who'd believe you, kid? Don't be shy—no need to be embarrassed. Big sis isn't that petty. As long as our personalities click, I wouldn't mind playing around together~"
"..." x3
However, Nia herself seemed completely unaware of the danger, still teasing him with a mischievous grin.
Moreover, her bold remarks left the two girls beside them somewhat speechless, their faces slightly flushed.
Nia always spoke with such audacity, casually dropping suggestive yet easily understood innuendos that somehow felt oddly unsettling.
But if things really could be like that… then maybe they too could…
Ahem—what they meant was, getting along with everyone as "good friends"!
"Ah, if only it could really be that simple."
Satoru let out a heavy sigh before slumping weakly onto the table, leaving the three of them puzzled once again.
He wasn't usually like this—was that woman really such a handful?
Well, they'd probably find out tomorrow.