Is This Chat Group Even Legit?
Author: Yilao Yizhi
Updated: 2026-04-07 21:00:03
Word Count: 11,158
As the last rays of the setting sun vanished and the boisterous dinner party dispersed, the members of the chat group paired off and headed to their assigned accommodations in the Star Ring Building.
Shinobu Kocho had become temporary roommates with Kafka. She followed the taller woman, trying to familiarize herself with this bizarre, modern environment that felt like a fever dream.
The room's style was sleek yet comfortable. Kafka led the way with a natural grace, beginning to explain the modern appliances that seemed like alien technology to Shinobu.
"This is a faucet."
With a light flick of Kafka's pale fingers, clear water immediately began to flow from the silver metal spout.
"Rotate left for cold, right for hot. Like this."
She demonstrated, the water transitioning from icy to lukewarm to steaming with just a tiny twist of her fingertips.
Shinobu's purple eyes shimmered with intense focus. As a leading figure in research and medicine within the world of Demon Slayer, she was no stranger to precision instruments. However, the sheer convenience and intuitiveness of this device left her internally marveling.
She reached out, cautiously testing the faucet, adjusting the temperature. She mastered it quickly, her movements shifting from hesitant to fluid.
"I see. A truly ingenious device," she praised softly, a hint of a researcher's joy flickering on her face. Much of her earlier stiffness began to melt away.
Kafka watched with a faint, inscrutable smile as Shinobu quickly grasped the mechanics of the showerhead and the intelligent toilet. They moved through the room as Kafka introduced other amenities: the air conditioning panel, the smart lighting switches, and the instant hot water dispenser.
Shinobu took mental notes, nodding to indicate her understanding. Her high learning capacity made the orientation exceptionally efficient.
Once the tour was complete, Kafka walked elegantly toward the bed by the window and sat down, her legs crossed. The soft mattress dipped slightly under her weight.
Then, the unique purple outfit Kafka wore—a high-fashion blend of elements from Zenless Zone Zero and Honkai: Star Rail—began to flow, fade, and transform as if it were a living thing.
The fabric acted like molten purple mercury, sliding down her graceful curves, contracting and finally solidifying around her legs. It morphed into a pair of fine-textured, matte deep-purple pantyhose, snugly wrapping her legs all the way to her waist.
The entire process was silent, yet it packed a surreal visual punch.
"?!"
Shinobu's eyes widened into perfect circles. She instinctively leaned back, her face a mask of pure bewilderment. Her lips parted, her mind momentarily blank.
She couldn't comprehend a transformation that defied physical common sense, and more importantly, she never expected this mysterious, composed companion to strip down without a word!
Even if the clothes had technically turned into stockings rather than leaving her naked, it was a shock. Shinobu reflexively held her breath, her pale cheeks flushing a faint red from the surprise.
However, in the next second, her professional instincts as the master of the Butterfly Mansion and an experienced doctor overrode her shock. Her analytical gaze involuntarily focused on Kafka.
Without the outer layers, Kafka wore only those strange purple stockings, leaving her figure fully revealed.
Shinobu's gaze instinctively landed on Kafka's chest. The full curves created a staggering visual contrast with her slender waist.
"Slender branches bearing heavy fruit." The metaphor fit Kafka perfectly. Given her overall frame, her size was indeed massive. Yet, strangely, this mass didn't feel bloated or unbalanced; instead, it possessed a sculpted perfection.
A bit more would be cumbersome; a bit less would lack fullness. It was as if the Creator had used the most precise calipers to define a point of peak aesthetic impact. This perfect harmony forced Shinobu, even from a purely physiological standpoint, to feel a sense of... artistic awe.
Kafka seemed entirely unbothered by Shinobu's stunned stare or internal turmoil. She rose composedly, hooked her fingers into the waistband of the purple stockings, and gently slid them down.
The silky material glided over her skin without a hint of friction. When the stockings were completely removed, the skin exposed to the air was as smooth as jade, devoid of any sweat or pressure marks—looking as fresh as if she had just stepped out of a bath.
Kafka casually tossed the stockings onto the bed, pulled a soft white bathrobe from a hanger, and tied the belt loosely. She finally turned to Shinobu, who had finally remembered how to breathe, and offered a ghost of a smile.
"During dinner, we talked a lot about how the chat group works. But there is one very important matter Eisen asked me to tell you in private."
Kafka's voice retained its usual laziness, but a layer of seriousness had crept in.
At the mention of "important matter," Shinobu immediately snapped out of her daze. The bewilderment in her eyes vanished, replaced by the sharp, stern focus of a Hashira.
She gathered her composure and sat upright, her purple eyes locking onto Kafka. "Please, go ahead, Miss Kafka."
She sensed this likely involved the hidden rules behind this miraculous chat group.
Kafka sat back on the edge of the bed, the lapel of her robe slightly open to reveal her collarbones. She looked at Shinobu and spoke slowly:
"Every group item, when used, comes with a corresponding price."
Shinobu's heart sank slightly, though she wasn't surprised. Power always comes with a price. This was a truth etched into her marrow as a member of the Demon Slayer Corps. She waited in silence for Kafka to continue.
"You already know," Kafka said smoothly, "that every item is manifested by the chat group after extracting the 'core trait' or 'concept' from a specific member."
Shinobu nodded. "Yes, I understand."
"The problem is," Kafka continued with a playful lilt, "the extracted concept isn't just a pure positive effect. It inevitably carries the strong personal imprint of the original owner. This imprint usually manifests as a... well, a rather 'tangible' side effect."
Kafka chose a representative example:
"Take Tsunade's Ominous Premonition. It allows you to keenly sense approaching danger. Very practical. But the side effect is..."
Kafka's gaze drifted pointedly toward her own upper body under the robe.
"...it makes your chest grow larger."
The air seemed to freeze.
Shinobu's expression locked. Those purple eyes, usually filled with a gentle, masked smile, were now filled with an incredulous void. She tilted her head slightly, as if she had misheard or her brain had lagged while processing the data.
"Chest... grow larger?" she murmured, her voice laced with the absurdity of it all.
This was lightyears away from the "price" she had imagined—which involved mental strain, physical exhaustion, or combat restrictions.
Kafka, seeing the rare look of stupidity on Shinobu's face, nodded with a deepening smile.
"Yes. Every time you use Ominous Premonition, your chest grows a bit. But don't worry, it won't expand indefinitely. It stops once it reaches the 'optimal size' for the user's current build—the most harmonious and perfect proportions for your body."
She added, watching Shinobu's pensive look: "If you continue to use it after that, the 'change' is stored. The user can then freely increase or decrease the size above that optimal value. But you can never go smaller than that 'perfect' baseline."
Shinobu's mind instantly flashed to Tsunade's world-defying curves, then to the perfect proportions Kafka had just displayed.
The mystery was solved.
So that was it!
The side effect... while sounding ridiculous, actually felt weirdly "logical" when paired with someone like Tsunade. Shinobu couldn't help but nod slightly, a look of realization dawning on her.
Kafka let out a soft laugh, clearly satisfied with the reaction. She then proceeded to briefly explain the side effects of other members' items. Shinobu listened calmly; they were all within acceptable limits, some even sounding quite amusing.
"As for the item created from your concept—Singularity of Thought."
Kafka's tone shifted, her eyes landing on Shinobu with an indiscernible playfulness. "Its side effect is..."
Shinobu's heart skipped a beat. An ill omen rose within her.
"...it makes your butt grow larger," Kafka announced.
"The mechanism is the same as Tsunade's. It stops at the optimal size for your frame, after which the changes are stored for manual control, but it can never be smaller than that optimal baseline."
Kafka spoke as if she were discussing the weather. This was something Eisen had learned from the Group Assistant after dinner and asked her to relay.
In that instant, all of Shinobu's calm, all her logic, and all the composure of the Insect Hashira were blown to smithereens.
"My... my butt... grows larger?!"
She nearly shrieked. Her pale cheeks flushed a violent red, a heat that spread rapidly to her ears and down her slender neck. The detachment she felt while hearing about others' side effects vanished, replaced by a tidal wave of sheer embarrassment.
She felt a ringing in her ears as blood rushed to her head. She stood there, her lips trembling, unable to utter a single word.
Her mind was a chaotic mess: What kind of side effect is this?!
How was she supposed to face the other members? Especially when she imagined the "knowing" looks they might give her...
She wanted to find a hole and crawl into it. Her toes curled inside her slippers, as if trying to dig through the floor of the expensive apartment.
"Pfft..."
Kafka finally couldn't hold it in and laughed. It was a teasing sound, but not malicious.
"Don't be so tense, Miss Shinobu. Personally, I think your side effect might actually be quite... popular."
She winked. "At least it's not harmful, right? And the change is... well, noticeable. With Tsunade as a precedent, everyone will figure out the pattern soon. You just need to tell them the side effect isn't serious."
Seeing Shinobu still unable to lift her head in shame, Kafka's voice softened.
"Of course, if you find it too difficult to say, I can inform the others for you in private. Having to announce this yourself... I imagine it would be awkward. It might be better coming from me."
"Please! Miss Kafka!"
Shinobu answered instantly, her voice trembling with a hint of a plea. Her head dropped even lower. At this moment, any offer that spared her from a "public execution" was a life-raft.
The thought of personally telling everyone that her item made her backside grow? She'd rather take a Nichirin sword to the gut.
Kafka watched the usually self-possessed Hashira acting like a flustered fifteen-year-old girl. Her smile widened.
"No problem."
She then pivoted the conversation to ease Shinobu's distress. "Actually, I think there's a specific group item that would suit you perfectly."
Shinobu lifted her still-flushed face, trying to focus. "What is it?"
"The Kotodama Pantyhose."
Kafka pointed to the stockings she had just taken off. "Like the ones I was wearing. As a Demon Slayer, you spend your time traveling and fighting. The physical exertion is immense. Standard clothing—especially the kimonos of your era—must be quite inconvenient in terms of cleanliness and comfort, right?"
Shinobu nodded, feeling the truth of those words. Being covered in dust, sweat, and even blood was the norm. Maintaining cleanliness was a luxury.
"These stockings have been upgraded by the Group Leader. Their functions are very practical."
"They keep the wearer's body in a state of absolute cleanliness. No matter how intense the exercise or how much filth you encounter, there will be no sweat or odor. More importantly, they can change shape based on your will, becoming any style of clothing you need. For someone constantly on the move, it's incredibly convenient."
Kafka's voice carried a hint of temptation. "Think about it. After a grueling battle, you can instantly feel refreshed and clean, and change into proper attire at any moment."
The Crystal Wardrobe Eisen made in the Star Rail universe was tied to the Path system. Once outside that universe, those clothes lost their transformative and time-locking effects. But these stockings were different—transformed and blessed by the Chat Group, they worked in any world.
Shinobu was genuinely swayed. Kafka's description hit her right where she needed it.
Staying clean and fresh anywhere? Moving freely without worrying about complex layers of clothing? This was a massive draw for any woman, let alone a warrior who dealt with the gore of demons daily.
Her eyes lit up with longing as she looked at the purple stockings on the bed.
However, the excitement lasted only a second before the embarrassment returned. She remembered Kafka's "transformation"—the stockings became the clothes.
Doesn't that mean... wearing them is essentially just wearing one long pair of stockings?
Shinobu was traditional and conservative at her core. Even in the Corps, her attire followed the norms of the Taisho era. To appear before others wearing what was effectively just hosiery?
The thought made her feel exposed, far more uncomfortable than the "butt" side effect. She instinctively pressed her legs together.
Kafka caught the conflict in her eyes. "You don't have to decide now. You can try them first."
She pointed to the item. "Experience the convenience. If you truly can't accept it, then don't wear them. The choice to use group items is always yours."
This gave Shinobu a graceful exit. She exhaled, suppressing her heart's flutter. "I... I will consider it. Thank you, Miss Kafka."
"Then," Kafka said, shifting into a more comfortable position, "how many points do you have? You should have finished your daily check-in, right?"
Shinobu blinked, remembering the feature mentioned earlier. She summoned the translucent interface.
[Check-in complete. Points earned: 3,000.]
"3,000 points," Shinobu reported truthfully.
"3,000..." Kafka repeated, drawing out the sound. A flash of understanding crossed her purple eyes.
According to Eisen's theory that "check-in points represent the release of suppressed energy," Miss Shinobu was currently very suppressed.
Not sexual suppression, but the weight of intense emotions—the grief of losing her sister, the hatred for demons, the pressure of her rank—all buried deep beneath that mask of a gentle smile.
Kafka didn't point it out. She stood and walked to the corner to summon the Crystal Wardrobe. She pulled out a brand-new pair of deep-purple stockings, identical to the ones before.
"I'm restocking the shop," Kafka explained as she pulled the new pair on. The silky fabric glided up her long legs, settling perfectly around her waist and hips.
"Items like my stockings or Mash's Glasses of Will come directly from us. If I'm not wearing a pair, the shop shows 'out of stock.'"
She pointed to her legs. "It's in stock now. You can buy the pair I'm wearing directly."
Shinobu checked the shop. Indeed, the status had changed to [Available].
She looked at the miraculous fabric on Kafka, thought of the cleanliness, then the shame, then the utility... Finally, the researcher's curiosity and the warrior's need for efficiency won.
She purchased them for 10 points.
A flash of light occurred. The stockings on Kafka's legs disappeared, and a pair perfectly fitted for Shinobu appeared in her hands.
Shinobu looked at the item in her hands—a miracle of science and a source of deep shame—with a complicated expression. She took a deep breath.
"Then, Miss Kafka, I will go wash up first."
"Please, go ahead."
Shinobu practically fled into the spacious, bright bathroom.
Shinobu stripped quickly, keeping her old uniform and the new stockings separate. She turned on the shower. Warm water washed away the dust of travel and the lingering embarrassment.
Water droplets slid down her purple hair and over her shoulders. She closed her eyes, letting the steam isolate her from the world.
Kafka heard the sound of the shower and smirked. She sat on the bed and pulled out a smartphone—a piece of tech from Belle's world.
She tapped the screen. A group chat titled [Shinobu-chan Rescue Squad (Top Secret)] lit up.
The Chat Group itself didn't allow for sub-groups excluding specific members, and cross-world permissions were limited. But the girls had bypassed this using Belle's technology.
Kafka typed: "I think I've figured it out."
The chat exploded instantly.
Belle (Admin): "Tell us! Kafka-sis, how is she? Is she... really as bad as we feared?"
Tsunade: "Yeah, what did you observe? Her reaction to the possibility of resurrection was too flat. It's unnerving."
Kafka: "First, she hasn't lost her basic emotions. Her reaction to seeing Belle's world during the stream and her shock upon arriving here were very real."
Kafka recalled Shinobu's red ears and the way she basically ran into the bathroom.
Kafka: "Oh, by the way, her side effect for 'Singularity of Thought' is confirmed: it makes the butt grow. Same rules as Tsunade's chest."
The chat went silent for a second. Then...
Belle: "Whoa!"
March 7th: "Wait, is that even a side effect? That's a buff!"
To them, it seemed like a total win. Tsunade, however, just scoffed. She already felt her own proportions were at the limit of "perfection" in her world; she didn't care much for more.
Belle: "Ahem! We're getting off track! Focus!"
The girls snapped back to reality. Shinobu's mental state was the real issue.
Belle: "So, the core question: Why is she so cold about the chance to bring her sister back? It's not normal."
Kafka's expression turned solemn in the glow of the screen.
Kafka: "I believe she only allows herself to feel real emotions for things that are right in front of her—things she can touch."
She chose her words carefully. "Her past was too tragic. It forced her into a survival strategy: focus only on the 'now.' Hope is a burden she can't afford. It would shake the foundation of her resolve."
The girls felt a pang in their hearts. They all knew the broad strokes of Shinobu's life: her sister Kanae killed by Upper Moon Two, Douma; the endless deaths of her comrades; her own physical limitations as a slayer.
She stayed upright only by pinning her eyes on revenge and duty. Her numbness was a biological defense mechanism.
Tsunade (Professional mode): "Kafka's analysis is spot on. It reminds me of a psychological condition I read about in Yukiko's world—'Hope Phobia.' It's an extreme variant of learned helplessness."
Tsunade: "She's afraid to hope. In her life, every spark of hope led to deeper despair. To protect herself, her subconscious has built a wall. Unless Kanae is literally standing in front of her, her brain classifies 'resurrection' as a fantasy and triggers 'emotional isolation.' She cuts the cord so she doesn't get hurt again when the dream ends."
Tsunade paused. "I have to say, the Singularity of Thought is impressive. I only skimmed these psych books once, but using the item to think about Shinobu made the logic paths crystal clear."
Tsunade: "Bottom line: We MUST intervene. If this emotional isolation hardens, she will lose the ability to feel anything. Even if a miracle happens and Kanae returns, Shinobu's heart might be too numb to feel the joy. She'll have the physical reaction—crying—but she'll be empty inside. That would be the real tragedy."
Belle: "We can't let that happen! @Eisen, Group Leader! We need to get her out of her world for a while. Send her to any other world. Time will pause in hers anyway, so she won't miss anything!"
In Belle's eyes, even the abstract chaos of the Star Rail world was better for Shinobu than a world of endless slaughter.
Eisen: "Understood. Leave it to me."
The "Rescue Squad" relaxed slightly at the Group Leader's promise.
Shinobu finished drying herself. She stood before the mirror, staring at the purple stockings.
In her world, nylon didn't exist. The best "socks" were crude knitted wool held up by garters. This thin, transparent, incredibly elastic material was like sorcery.
It's too thin... too tight... too bold!
But her rational mind argued: If I wear this, I will always be clean. I can change into any outfit instantly for camouflage or combat. I will be faster. More efficient.
Her obsession with killing demons finally crushed her maidenly shame.
She sat on the edge of the tub and slid them on. They felt like a second skin—cool and smooth.
She stood up. The purple hosiery highlighted curves that felt... different. Her face burned. Following Kafka's instructions, she closed her eyes and envisioned her standard uniform.
Whoosh.
The fabric rippled. The purple shifted to black and white. The butterfly-patterned haori fell over her shoulders. The black uniform appeared.
She opened her eyes. In the mirror stood the Insect Hashira, perfectly dressed.
She touched the fabric. It felt real. Thick. Durable.
Then, she tried a modern, "futuristic" outfit from Belle's world. The uniform shifted into sleek black boots, form-fitting tactical gear, and a short, purple-trimmed cape. It was cool, practical, and incredibly light.
Too light.
When she focused, the weight of the clothes vanished. It felt as if she were wearing nothing but air. This heightened the sense of "exposure" tenfold.
"To kill more demons," she whispered to her reflection, a declaration of "corruption"—a surrender to utility over modesty.
She shifted the clothes back into the basic purple stockings, then threw the thick bathrobe over them to hide everything.
Shinobu stepped out, smelling of soap and steam. Kafka looked up with a teasing grin.
"How was it? If it's too much, I can call a maid to wash and dry your old uniform. It'll be ready by morning."
Shinobu paused, feeling the silk against her legs under the robe.
"No need, Miss Kafka," she said, her voice slightly strained. "I find the... transformation... very convenient."
Kafka's smile deepened. "Good. But I should warn you: these stockings have a minor side effect. They make people want to call you 'Mama.'"
Kafka shrugged. "It's a trait extracted from me. I hope it's not too bothersome."
"Mama?" Shinobu blinked, then gave a weary, soft smile. "It's fine. I have several 'Tsuguko' who are like daughters to me. If it makes Kanao call me mother... that is perfectly acceptable."
Kafka's smile faded into a look of quiet sadness.
"You're fifteen... and you're already worried about dying and leaving heirs?"
The weight of the statement hung in the air. Kafka softened her voice.
"Get some rest, Shinobu. Tomorrow... you might be in for a shock. Sleep well."
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 155)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 )
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter200)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter110)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter230)
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Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 77
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 200
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 180
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass Volume2/5
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 230
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65
Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 220
Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 154
I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player Volume4/30
The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 120
Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 67
Uma Musume: From Beginner 135
Becoming a Horse Girl, I Will 85
Uma Musume: I Want All 110
I Can Copy Unique Skills 100
Summoning an Evil God, but the 70
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My Harem Is Indescribable 90
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"I'm just a Valkyrie passing through." 68
Uma Musume: Today Is Another Romantic Battlefield 105
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The Most Filial Son Under Heav 80
What Should I Do After Switchi - Volume2/3
Reincarnated as a Demon, Skill 70
Hell-Difficulty Dungeon? 55
Transmigrated as Sukuna 75
Checking In in Demon Slayer 80
The Reincarnating Trainer of Tracen Academy 85
I Refuse to Become a Heroic 70
My Best Friend Into a Slime? 65
A Saiyan Stands Above Marvel 70
What Do You Mean by Using a Lab Mod to Be the Hero? 70
Tanya Starts from Re:Zero 65
Why did they assign me to Uma 65
MYGO Beauties 65
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The Gacha Merchant Who Started 65
Honkai's Otherworld? Wait—Who Are You People?! 45
Emiya Shirou, Determined to Slay Every Curse and Evil Spirit 45
The Uma Musume Who Became 40
I'm Definitely Not the King of 45
After Maxing Out Every Class 45
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