Chapter 492: The Other Side of the Spatial Passage! A Peculiar Villa!
Under Erina's precise questioning, all details were confirmed. She took full responsibility, and considering manpower, Alice and Ikumi Mito were also invited.
The current Erina had completely transformed. Perhaps because her perspective had undergone a fundamental change, the unpleasantness between her and Alice now seemed insignificant. She knew their culinary skills were needed. Ikumi agreed without a second thought. Alice also accepted; she found it interesting and wanted to see if there was any strange relationship between Ren and Erina.
As for Tadokoro Megumi and the other two, Erina wasn't familiar with them, but seeing that Megumi knew Ren, she invited them as well. Thus, under her leadership, everyone actively prepared.
The next morning, a group gathered at Erina's home, carrying many bags.
Alice glared at her. "Where is the banquet being held? Don't tell me it's at your house!" The kitchen was not suitable for over a dozen of them to share.
Erina merely glanced at her calmly. "No need to rush. Ren-kun will arrange everything."
"So mysterious," Alice pouted. She was already annoyed that Erina had suddenly become the First Seat, and now she was doing something so incomprehensible. Yesterday's big event had the entire academy in an uproar.
Alice had inquired with her grandfather, Senzaemon, and was shocked by the news she received: Ren was one of the future controllers of the Shinomiya Zaibatsu. This was unexpected. However, she also dispelled some suspicions, like whether Erina liked him. He's the future husband of Kaguya Shinomiya; how could such a thing happen?
Just as she was about to ask, a circular, transparent, gel-like ripple appeared in the space in front of them. "What is this?" Ryoko, who was very close, curiously reached out and poked it.
With a whoosh, her entire body was sucked in.
"???" This scene left the others stunned.
"Ryoko!" Yuki Yoshino shrieked. A living person had just vanished.
"Don't get excited. Come in." Ren's figure appeared from within the passage, holding the startled Ryoko. "Follow me and see for yourselves."
He led them, with all their belongings, into the spatial passage. Erina and the others, accustomed to such sights, walked in. Alice and Ikumi exchanged glances, shocked. Floating luggage, distorted air, vanishing people.
Ikumi even pinched her arm. "Hiss!" It wasn't a dream.
Alice pondered Erina's composure. She already knew all this… Her curiosity was piqued. Magic? Superpowers? After a simple assessment, she followed without hesitation. Ikumi also gritted her teeth and followed. If Erina-sama went, what did she have to fear?
The moment everyone entered, the passage vanished.
"Wow!!!" On the other side, Megumi and Yuki were captivated, their eyes widening. Even Ryoko was still full of wonder.
They were inside a simple villa with transparent walls. The interior was clean and tidy, with exquisite furniture. But what captivated them was the view outside. The entire villa was surrounded by a vast, shimmering ocean, under an azure sky with flying seagulls and drifting clouds.
What was astonishing was that this villa was not on an island, nor on land, nor on a boat. It was simply standing steadily on the vast sea.
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