Through her brief interaction with Eriri and conversations with other members in the chat group, Kaori Miyazono also discovered Eriri's sexual orientation.
Knowing that Eriri seemed to have a certain aversion toward men, Kaori naturally avoided doing anything that might make Eriri uncomfortable. Therefore, she had no intention of meeting or getting close to any boys.
...
After leaving the villa, Eriri and Kaori didn't continue shopping outside but returned directly to Kaori's home.
At this time, the Miyazono family's cake shop had already closed since all the cakes were sold out.
Normally, Kaori's parents would have continued baking to restock and keep the shop running. However, to ensure that Eriri wouldn't be disturbed by anything upon returning to their home, the Miyazono couple temporarily closed the shop after selling out the last batch of cakes.
"Dad, Mom, we're back~"
As Kaori pushed open the shop door, she cheerfully called out.
Hearing her daughter's voice, Kaori's parents—who were tidying up the shelves—immediately turned toward the entrance.
"Welcome home."
Setting aside their cleaning tools, the couple excitedly walked toward Kaori and Eriri.
Earlier, when Eriri and Kaori had come down from upstairs, Kaori's father had still been busy in the kitchen and hadn't seen Eriri in person.
Though his wife had described Eriri as an extraordinarily beautiful young lady, now that he saw her with his own eyes, he was still left speechless by her stunning appearance.
Yet, being an honest and upright man, Kaori's father didn't dare harbor any improper thoughts toward Eriri—especially since she was his beloved daughter's lifesaver.
When they reached Eriri, both Kaori's parents bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle as if rehearsed in advance.
Eriri didn't avoid it. She simply stood still and gracefully accepted their formal bow.
As for Kaori, she quickly stepped aside, leaving Eriri's side.
"Miss Eriri, thank you so much for saving Kaori's life!"
Both Ryoko and her husband spoke in unison, their tone filled with deep respect.
The Miyazono family ran a French cake shop named Mafille—a French word meaning "my daughter." The name alone showed how dearly Kaori's parents loved her.
For them, even a ninety-degree bow was nothing compared to what they were willing to do for their child's savior. Even kneeling wouldn't make them hesitate.
"Mm, I've received your thanks."
Eriri nodded and took two steps forward, gently helping Ryoko stand up.
Then she smiled softly and said, "But there's no need to be so formal from now on. After all, you're Kaori's parents, which makes you my elders. You can just call me Eriri."
"Alright," Ryoko replied with a slightly nervous nod.
Seeing Ryoko being helped up, Kaori's father also straightened up quietly, leaving the lead of the conversation to his wife.
Eriri and Ryoko didn't talk for long since they didn't share many topics of conversation.
Soon after, under Kaori's guidance, Eriri returned to her room.
By around four in the afternoon, Eriri declined the couple's invitation to stay for dinner and returned directly to the Saekano world.
...
Time flew by, and soon it was early November.
Half a month had passed, and by now, Kaori Miyazono, Aoyama Nanami, Keika Kiyotaki, and Elf Sister had fully integrated into the chat group.
Even Aoyama Nanami, who used to be rather quiet, had started speaking in the group more frequently than she ever did back in the Multiverse Chat Group—even though she was still a hardworking part-timer.
Back when Kaguya Shinomiya had first offered financial help to Aoyama, she never received a reply. Since then, no one in the group had brought up the topic again.
Perhaps it wasn't intentional—maybe they had simply forgotten.
After all, Aoyama had never mentioned her part-time job in the group. And since she occasionally chatted and shared her thoughts just like everyone else, most members subconsciously assumed she had already escaped her financial struggles.
[Keika Kiyotaki (Level 3, Stage 6): There are so many benefits after my power improved. My Go skills compared to half a month ago are like from two completely different dimensions.]
[Arifureta (Level 7, Stage 4 / Group Leader): Of course. This isn't just a simple power increase—your very life essence has evolved. Your brain has been enhanced far beyond that of any ordinary human.]
[Arifureta (Level 7, Stage 4 / Group Leader): At this rate, it won't be long before your Go ability surpasses that of all professional players.]
[Keika Kiyotaki (Level 3, Stage 6): Hehe, if that really happens, it'd be wonderful.]
[Keika Kiyotaki (Level 3, Stage 6): Before, my dream was to become a women's professional player, but now my dream is to become the strongest Go player in the world!]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Very good, that's the spirit!]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Oh, right, Keika—how's little Gin-chan doing now?]
[Keika Kiyotaki (Level 3, Stage 6): She's still challenging my dad every day. As expected of the future "Snow White of Naniwa," her perseverance is really something most people couldn't manage.]
A few days after Keika joined the chat group, the four-year-old Sora Ginko managed to find Kousuke Kiyotak—the one who had defeated her in a previous training match—through the internet. From then on, she began challenging him to daily rematch sessions.
This story was something Keika herself had mentioned in the group.
However, for members who had seen Keika's memory projection, the plot was quite familiar, so it became a fun topic to chat about.
Sometimes, when Ginko challenged Kousuke Kiyotak, Keika would even live-stream it, which made the group members grow quite fond of the little girl.
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Not bad, not bad. Looks like it won't be long before she becomes your disciple~]
[Keika Kiyotaki (Level 3, Stage 6): Most likely, yes. I'll be sure to train her properly~]
[Chika Fujiwara (Level 7, Stage 2): Haha, little Gin-chan looks so cute when she's playing!]
[Kaori Miyazono (Level 3, Stage 5): She really is adorable. I'd love to pat her head.]
For Kaori Miyazono, who loved children, Ginko's charm was irresistible.
If Eriri had already established a World Gate connecting to The Ryuo's Work is Never Done! world, Kaori would've found the time to visit and meet the adorable little girl herself.
As for using points to buy a Cross-Realm Teleportation Talisman to go there, she didn't think it was necessary—it was only a matter of time anyway.
Indeed, Eriri had plans to establish World Gates soon in the worlds of Keika, Aoyama Nanami, and Elf Sister.
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): In that case, when Gin-chan officially becomes your apprentice, I'll visit your world. I'll meet her then and handle the World Gate setup too.]
[Keika Kiyotaki (Level 3, Stage 6): That'd be wonderful~ I'll be waiting for you!]
[Aoyama Nanami (Level 3, Stage 5): Eriri, when will you build a World Gate in our world too?]
Although most of Aoyama's free time was spent working part-time, she still devoted several hours each day after work to training her abilities so as not to fall behind.
Fortunately, as her power grew stronger, a lack of sleep no longer affected her body.
In half a month, her strength had already reached a level comparable to both Kaori Miyazono and Keika . That was one of the reasons the group subconsciously assumed she was no longer working so hard at her job.
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Hmm, I'll come to your world first before visiting Keika's. Let's set it for tomorrow.]
[Aoyama Nanami (Level 3, Stage 5): Perfect! Tomorrow's the weekend, so I'll take a day off from my part-time job just to spend time with you.]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): No problem.]
[Chika Fujiwara (Level 7, Stage 2): Eh? Nanami-chan is still working part-time?]
[Aoyama Nanami (Level 3, Stage 5): Of course! I've been working all along.]
[Kaguya Shinomiya (Level 7, Stage 2): To think you'd waste your precious time on a part-time job... I really can't understand you.]
[Aoyama Nanami (Level 3, Stage 5): I have to pay for high school tuition, living expenses, and voice acting school fees! Where else would I get the money if I didn't work?]
[Ruri Gokou (Level 7, Stage 2): When you put it that way, I guess it makes sense.]
[Kaguya Shinomiya (Level 7, Stage 2): Sense? It's a huge problem! If you're short on money, you could've told us in the group. I can send you some gold!]
[Aoyama Nanami (Level 3, Stage 5): That's not necessary. I can't possibly accept your money.]
[Arifureta (Level 7, Stage 4 / Group Leader): What's wrong with that? Ever since you joined the group, you've been one of us. We're family now. Would you really refuse a gift from your family?]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Arifureta's right. It's just a bit of gold—it's not like it's something important. You should just accept everyone's goodwill.]
[Aoyama Nanami (Level 3, Stage 5): …]
Reading the messages from Eriri, Kaguya, and the others, Aoyama Nanami felt deeply moved. The feeling of being treated sincerely like family warmed her heart.
For a moment, she was even tempted by Kaguya's offer. But after careful thought, she still decided to refuse their help.
[Aoyama Nanami (Level 3, Stage 5): I'll pass. I can handle my finances on my own.]
[Kaguya Shinomiya (Level 7, Stage 2): Hmph, what a stubborn girl.]
[Aoyama Nanami (Level 3, Stage 5): Sorry.]
[Ai Hayasaka (Level 7, Stage 1): If you don't want to accept free help, how about exchanging your points for gold instead?]
[Kaguya Shinomiya (Level 7, Stage 2): Ai, what nonsense are you talking about? It's just a bit of gold! Why would I need her to use points? You're making me look stingy!]
[Ai Hayasaka (Level 7, Stage 1): But that's the only way Miss Nanami would feel comfortable, right?]
[Asuna Yuuki (Level 7, Stage 2): I agree with Ai's suggestion. And if you want to exchange, you can come to me too.]
[Kaguya Shinomiya (Level 7, Stage 2): Fine then—1 point for 100 grams of gold. Nanami, what do you think?]
[Aoyama Nanami (Level 3, Stage 5): No way!]
Seeing Aoyama's sudden response, the other group members were momentarily stunned. None of them expected her to reject such a perfect win-win offer.
But when her next message came through, they realized they'd misunderstood.
[Aoyama Nanami (Level 3, Stage 5): 100 grams of gold is too much. How about 1 point for 1 gram instead?]
[Ai Hayasaka (Level 7, Stage 1): Miss Nanami, you're mistaken. You're underestimating the value of points.]
[Ai Hayasaka (Level 7, Stage 1): Exchanging 100 grams of gold for 1 point would actually be a bargain for Kaguya.]
[Chika Fujiwara (Level 7, Stage 2): Eh? Really? I thought Kaguya-chan was just saying that to save Nanami-chan's pride!]
[Ai Hayasaka (Level 7, Stage 1): Of course not. It's just that everyone here has so many points, you've all forgotten how valuable 1 point really is.]
[Ai Hayasaka (Level 7, Stage 1): If Lady Eriri hadn't granted everyone their current points, would you still think 1 point was insignificant?]
As Ai Hayasaka's message appeared, everyone fell silent—especially the earliest members who had joined the group.
Just as Ai said, ever since Eriri joined the chat, no one had ever been short on points.
That abundance had made them dismiss small amounts entirely. Anything less than ten thousand points wasn't even worth their attention. In fact, some—like Ruri Gokou—had spent hundreds of millions of points just on gacha pulls.
Others had similarly wasted large amounts on the Lottery System.
Now that they thought about it, points weren't cheap at all.
Recalling how things had been before Eriri joined the chat group, if someone had offered them 1 point in exchange for 100 grams of gold, they would've agreed without hesitation.
Of course, that only applied to members like Chika Fujiwara and Asuna Yuuki, who came from wealthy backgrounds.
After all, raising an ordinary person to the peak of Level 1, Stage 9—the limit of human strength—only required 4,400 points.
According to Kaguya's exchange rate, obtaining 4,400 points would only cost 0.44 tons of gold.
While 0.44 tons of gold was indeed valuable—worth tens of billions of yen—it was still insignificant compared to the power of Level 1, Stage 9.
After all, for an ordinary human, Level 1, Stage 9 already meant becoming a true superhuman.
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