Just like when they came, Eriri and the Sawamura couple returned home on a regular commercial flight.
After more than seven hours of flying, the plane finally landed at Osaka Itami International Airport. By then, it was only a little after 5 a.m.
The three of them didn't return to Tokyo, but instead planned to head directly to the Sawamura family's main estate in Kyoto.
Although Kyoto's economy lagged significantly behind Tokyo's and couldn't even compare to neighboring Osaka Prefecture, it still held great historical significance as the ancient capital known as "Heian-kyo." Many prominent families originated from Kyoto, and the Sawamura family was one of them.
Though the Sawamura Group now primarily developed in Tokyo, their ancestral home remained in Kyoto.
Unlike the Spencer family, which they only visited a few times a year, Eriri returned to the main house quite frequently.
So this time, her visit to the main estate was more of a formality; she didn't plan to stay long and would likely return to Tokyo that same evening.
As a famous ancient city, Kyoto had preserved many historical landmarks, and was dotted with numerous shrines and old temples.
The most well-known among them were Fushimi Inari Taisha and the iconic Kinkaku-ji that every tourist in Kyoto had to visit.
Perhaps due to the rising prominence of superpowers, shrines, which were already quite popular, had become even more sought-after. Many previously noncommittal believers began sincerely placing their faith in the deities enshrined there, convinced of their actual existence.
The Sawamura family estate was located not far from Fushimi Inari Shrine. While not as expansive as the Spencer estate, its grounds were still quite impressive, encompassing an entire mountain.
By the time Eriri met her grandparents, it was already 7 a.m.
Even though she had returned just last month, her grandparents were no less enthusiastic about seeing her again.
Many of the extended family members who had already returned home for the New Year, as well as the maids working at the estate, were stirred into a frenzy by Eriri's arrival.
In contrast, Sayuri and William Spencer were slightly overlooked.
Thus, amid joyful laughter and chatter, time quickly passed. By evening, Eriri used teleportation to return to Tokyo, reuniting with Arifureta and the others she hadn't seen in four days.
In past years, Eriri would have typically stayed at the main house for New Year's. But with Arifureta and the others now in her life, she resolutely chose to spend the holiday with them instead.
However, Sayuri and William remained at the main estate as usual.
Around 9 p.m., Eriri and Arifureta were soaking in the bath, enjoying the relaxing warmth.
In her mature form, Arifureta sat on Eriri's lap, leaning her body against Eriri's chest while Eriri's arms wrapped tightly around her.
Her right hand rested on the rising mound of Arifureta's chest, while her left hand lay on her inner thigh.
"Yue-chan, tomorrow is New Year's. Don't you think we should plan some kind of New Year activity?"
Eriri rested her chin on Arifureta's fair and tender shoulder. As she spoke, her warm breath gently brushed Arifureta's cheek, causing the girl—who had just shared a moment of passion with Eriri—to feel her heart stir once again.
Taking a soft breath, Arifureta forcibly suppressed the rising urges in her heart.
"You're right, we really should plan something. Otherwise, it won't feel like New Year's at all."
"Then what kind of activities do you think we should do?"
"Hmm… From what I know, in Japan, people usually go to shrines or temples during New Year to pray for peace and good fortune in the coming year."
"Although that doesn't really mean anything to us, joining the festivities could still be fun. What do you think?"
After thinking for a few seconds, Eriri ended up rejecting Arifureta's suggestion.
"Mmm… that idea's a bit too unoriginal. Plus, there'll definitely be tons of people there. It won't be fun at all."
Hearing that, Arifureta nodded without hesitation. "Yeah, you're right. Let's skip the shrine visit."
Just then, a bright idea seemed to strike her, and her eyes lit up.
"Ah! We could hold a New Year's party! Just like how there's a Spring Festival Gala for Chinese New Year, we could have our own New Year event!"
"And it doesn't need to be a direct copy of the gala programs. We can make a special version just for us!"
"Mhm, I was thinking the exact same thing. Looks like we're totally in sync~"
Eriri giggled and rubbed her cheek against Arifureta's.
Hearing Eriri say that, Arifureta beamed and puffed out her chest.
"Of course we are~"
Seeing Arifureta acting all proud, Eriri smirked and mischievously moved her hands around—fondling her chest.
Caught off guard by the sudden attack, Arifureta twisted her body in Eriri's embrace and laughed sweetly.
However, Eriri didn't keep it up for long. Less than a minute later, she stopped, knowing they still had planning to do.
Once the teasing ended, Arifureta also stopped giggling and leaned gently back against Eriri, breathing softly.
"I already have the first part of the party planned: a song and dance performance."
"A performance? Like our previous concert, where we go on stage and perform ourselves?" Arifureta asked curiously.
"Nope, this time is different. The performers will be other people. We'll be the audience for once!"
"I see. But where are we going to find these performers? Don't tell me we're bringing in celebrities from this world?"
"Of course not. That'd be too boring. I already have a plan for who will perform, and trust me—you'll be amazed."
"Really? Then I'll be looking forward to it~" Arifureta said with a cheerful grin.
"Oh, right, Eriri. Why don't we talk about it in the group chat? Everyone's probably going to show up for the party anyway~"
"Good idea. Let's head into the chat group~"
After saying that, Eriri and Arifureta both turned their attention to the chat group.
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Hey girls, you there? I want to talk something over.]
[Arifureta (Level 7, Stage 2 / Group Leader): @everyone]
[Arifureta (Level 7, Stage 2 / Group Leader): Everyone, come on out~]
[Chika Fujiwara (Level 7, Stage 2): I'm here~]
[Elaina (Level 7, Stage 2): Me too~]
[Kyoko (Level 3, Stage 1): The adorable Miss Kyoko is always here~]
[Yoshino Himekawa (Level 2, Stage 6): Eriri-nee, I'm here.]
[Luo Cuilian (Level 7, Stage 2): Dear sister, what is it you want to discuss?]
[Fujwara Chika (Level 7, Stage 2): Eriri, do you have something you want to discuss with me? Trust me, I'll definitely give you the best idea~]
[Ruri Gokou (Level 7, Stage 2): As if you'd come up with anything good. Chika, you'd be lucky not to make things worse. smirk.jpg]
[Fujwara Chika (Level 7, Stage 2): What are you saying, Ruri-chan?! I'd never mess things up! rage.jpg]
[Ruri Gokou (Level 7, Stage 2): Heh, do you even believe that yourself?]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Since New Year's is tomorrow here, I was thinking of organizing some activities.]
[Fumino Furuhashi (Level 7, Stage 2): Don't people usually go to shrines for New Year's prayers?]
[Kaede Honjou (Level 7, Stage 2): Yeah, last year Risa-chan and I visited a nearby shrine together. It was really lively.]
[Risa Shiramine (Level 7, Stage 1): Mm, that's right.]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Shrine visits are too boring.]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): My plan is to hold a New Year's party, so I wanted to brainstorm some ideas for programs.]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Right now, a song and dance performance is already confirmed.]
[Milim (Level 7, Stage 2): A New Year's party? That sounds super fun! I wanna come play!]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): You can come by first thing tomorrow morning~]
[Milim (Level 7, Stage 2): Nooo, I wanna come now!]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Alright then, come over.]
After sending that message in the group chat, Eriri stood up from the tub while holding Arifureta in her arms.
"Yue-chan, we've soaked enough. And with Milim's speed, she'll probably show up any moment now. Let's get out first."
"Mhm, you're right," Arifureta nodded obediently.
The two of them walked out of the bathroom together, still stark naked, and entered the dressing room.
Arifureta took a towel from the nearby shelf and began gently drying Eriri's body as if handling her most cherished treasure.
Meanwhile, the discussion in the group chat about the New Year's party continued without pause.
[Fujwara Chika (Level 7, Stage 2): Eriri, how about we all play a massive Game of Life at the party?!]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Rejected.]
[Fujwara Chika (Level 7, Stage 2): Ehh?! No way~ That game is really fun when everyone plays together!]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Ahem Next suggestion~]
[Erina Nakiri (Level 7, Stage 1): Eriri, I have a great idea!]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Oh? Let's hear it.]
[Erina Nakiri (Level 7, Stage 1): How about adding a cooking competition to the party? It might be off-theme, but it's got great entertainment value~]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): ...A cooking contest, huh? Not bad. We'll keep it on standby and decide later whether to go with it.]
[Fujwara Chika (Level 7, Stage 2): Why does the cooking competition get to stay, but not my Game of Life? And it's not like we have that many good cooks here, it probably won't even work!]
[Erina Nakiri (Level 7, Stage 1): We might not have many good cooks here, but our world has plenty. Chika-chan, you dummy~]
[Fujwara Chika (Level 7, Stage 2): ...]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Oh, I forgot to mention—the performers in this party will all be outsiders. We're the audience!]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Of course, if anyone really wants to perform, I won't stop you~]
[Erina Nakiri (Level 7, Stage 1): Oh my, looks like neither I nor Erina will get to show up, huh? I was hoping to take this chance to beat her~]
[Erina Nakiri (Level 7, Stage 2): Erina, didn't you read Eriri's message? Performing isn't forbidden. Let's make our duel the grand finale of the cooking competition. I hope you'll still be talking big by then!]
[Erina Nakiri (Level 7, Stage 1): Uwaa~ So scary, so scary~ But I'm not backing down!]
[Yuuki Asuna (Level 7, Stage 2): Looks like things are getting more and more interesting~]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): In that case, let's make the cooking competition official.]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Anyone else got new ideas?]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Oh right, since we have a cooking contest, how about a mahjong tournament too? Nodoka, what do you think?]
[Nodoka Haramura (Level 7, Stage 2): I don't mind, but I'm not sure we can invite other schools to participate.]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): No worries, I'll take care of that!]
[Miko Yotsuya (Level 7, Stage 1): Wait, Eriri, doesn't a mahjong tournament take a long time? Might be tough to fit it into the party.]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): It's fine! Who says parties have to be at night? Ours starts tomorrow at noon.]
[Miko Yotsuya (Level 7, Stage 1): Ooh~]
[Luo Cuilian (Level 7, Stage 2): Dear sister, since we have a cooking and mahjong competition, how about a martial arts tournament too?]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Uh... Cuilian, let's save the martial arts tourney for the next official Martial Arts Tournament. Doesn't quite fit the New Year's vibe.]
[Luo Cuilian (Level 7, Stage 2): Alright, since you say so, I'll go along with it.]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Any other suggestions, girls?]
[Elaina (Level 7, Stage 2): I don't really have any other ideas. These three events already sound like a lot.]
[Adele (Level 7, Stage 1): Agreed. We only have one day, after all.]
[Fujwara Chika (Level 7, Stage 2): My Game of Life...]
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