Arrivals on All Sides

As Megumi Kato slowly opened her eyes, she could feel the newfound strength within her, a power that was exponentially stronger than what she had possessed just ten minutes ago. However, with the surge of energy came a loss of control. Without the protective barrier, she might have crushed the bathtub beneath her feet.

"Eriri…" she called out helplessly, realizing that she couldn't yet control the sheer force her body now held.

"Not bad—you're at Level 3, Stage 9 now," Eriri said, nodding approvingly. "But now it's all about learning to manage that power."

As she had done with Megumi's first power boost, Eriri planned to help her master her abilities through combat training. This time, however, they didn't need to seek out a remote island.

After creating clothing for both of them, Eriri opened a small dimensional space and took Megumi inside.

Thus began a lengthy training session where Megumi's cosmic energy was repeatedly depleted, replenished only through "magic-replenishing" kisses from Eriri. Finally, after an hour of non-stop sparring, Megumi was able to control her strength without unintentionally damaging her surroundings.

Once they returned to the bathroom, Eriri casually collapsed the pocket dimension without leaving a trace. After such an intense workout, both were drenched in sweat, so they took another shower before stepping out, clean and completely unclothed.

They walked barefoot across the soft carpet in Eriri's room, Megumi taking in the cascade of Eriri's golden hair, which fell to her heels, stopping just inches from the ground like a shimmering veil.

"Eriri, your hair is so beautiful." Sitting down on Eriri's spacious white princess bed, Megumi picked up a lock of her hair, watching as it slipped through her fingers like strands of golden silk, glowing faintly under the light.

"Yours is beautiful too," Eriri replied, smiling as she looked at Megumi's long, glossy black hair.

Due to her enhanced physique, Megumi's hair had grown much faster than usual. Since Eriri loved long hair, Megumi had decided to let hers grow out. Her once short bob had already grown down to her shoulders and would likely reach her waist soon enough.

"Enough about my hair," Eriri said, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Let's play a more exciting game."

She pounced on Megumi, and after a bout of entangled warmth, the two drifted off together under the cozy covers.

…

"Miss, breakfast is ready. Please come down," came Aoi's voice from outside the bedroom early the next morning. Since Megumi was staying over, she hadn't entered to wake Eriri in her usual fashion.

By then, Eriri was already awake, her hands mischievously roving over Megumi's body. At the sound of Aoi's voice, she stopped, while Megumi lay there, breathless and flushed.

"Megumi, time to get up," Eriri said softly.

"Y-Yes… could you… move your hand first?" Megumi murmured, her voice breathless, her cheeks tinged with an alluring pink.

With a chuckle, Eriri gave a gentle squeeze before finally pulling her hands away. She stood up, her golden hair following her like a waterfall, shimmering as it cascaded from the bed to the floor.

After ten minutes or so, both women finished washing up and left the room, finding Aoi waiting patiently outside.

"Good morning, Aoi," Eriri greeted her cheerfully.

"Good morning, Miss, Miss Kato."

Aoi's gaze lingered on Eriri's white dress and the fragrance that followed her, a hint of regret flickering in her eyes.

When they entered the dining room, five people were already seated, chatting together. The two black-haired girls, young but brimming with energy, waved at them cheerfully.

"Good morning, Eriri-nee, Megumi-nee, Aoi-nee!"

"Good morning, Eriri-nee."

"Sakura, Rin, you two are up early!" Eriri greeted.

Besides Sakura and her sister, Rin, Aoi and Eriri joined Arifureta, Reina, and Akino Yukinoshita.

"Mhm! We just got here a little while ago," Sakura responded energetically.

Today was Sakura's birthday, and the entire chat group was planning to gather to celebrate. Eriri had enabled the World Gate feature to let everyone travel without needing to purchase an Cross-Boundary Talisman.

"Good morning, sister." Reina approached with a wide grin and her nine fluffy tails swaying, then leapt into Eriri's arms, wrapping herself around her with a playful purr. Reina had been increasingly affectionate lately, clinging to Eriri whenever she could.

Eriri hugged Reina tightly, planting a kiss on her cheek before making her way to her seat beside Arifureta. Reina took the chair on Eriri's other side, with Megumi settling next to her.

Aoi soon brought out their breakfast, and one by one, Momo, Lala, and the others made their way to the dining room.

As they were finishing breakfast, Mrs. Sayuri, brimming with energy, swept into the house.

"Eriri darling, Mommy's here!" She rushed over and embraced Eriri from behind, nuzzling her face affectionately against Eriri's cheek. "I've missed you so much!"

"We just saw each other two days ago," Eriri muttered, rolling her eyes. Still, she didn't resist her mother's embrace.

"Do you know how tough it was for me to go two whole days without seeing my little girl?" Mrs. Sayuri sighed dramatically as if she had been away for years instead of days.

Ordinarily, Mrs. Sayuri would visit every day—except when Eriri was in another world. But with Sword Art Online launching soon, she had been busy with preparations and unable to stop by.

"All right, all right. Have you eaten yet?" Eriri asked.

"Not a bite! I came straight here without even a moment for breakfast," she replied, feigning sorrow. With her youthful looks, she could easily have passed for a fresh high school graduate.

"Oh really? I think you just slept in today! If you'd been here a few minutes earlier, you could have joined us," Eriri teased, glancing over at Aoi. "Aoi, could you prepare an extra breakfast?"

"Of course, Miss." Aoi nodded without the slightest hint of complaint.

"Thank you, Aoi," Mrs. Sayuri added.

"No trouble at all. It's my pleasure," Aoi replied with a respectful bow before returning to the kitchen.

Mrs. Sayuri released Eriri and turned her attention to the others, noticing two unfamiliar faces: Akino and Rin.

"Are these two here for Sakura's birthday celebration?"

Having already met Sakura, she was aware of the birthday plans, which was one reason she had come over so early.

"Aunt Sawamura, this is my sister, Rin Tohsaka," Sakura introduced Rin.

Before Sakura could introduce Akino, however, Akino took the initiative to introduce herself.

"Good morning, Aunt Sawamura. My name is Akino Yukinoshita, but please just call me Akino."

Akino's deference was akin to a daughter-in-law greeting her future mother-in-law, her heart racing as she considered this first impression. To her, Mrs. Sayuri was indeed her future mother-in-law.

"Akino Yukinoshita… what a lovely name." Mrs. Sayuri seemed to catch on to Akino's feelings and smiled warmly, her first impression of Akino highly favorable.

"Akino, make sure to get along well with Eriri, all right?"

"Of course!" Akino's eyes shone with excitement, Mrs. Sayuri's words filling her with confidence.

After that, Mrs. Sayuri returned her gaze to Rin. She instantly felt a fondness for the adorable girl with twin tails, not only for her sweet expression but also for the twin-tail style—one she particularly favored herself.

After a short while, Aoi returned with a simple breakfast for Mrs. Sayuri. By the time she finished eating, it was already half-past eight.

Soon, the members of the chat group began to arrive in the Saekano world.

Since Eriri had allowed them to bring family or trusted friends, the house became quite lively.

Kanae, who had planned to move in permanently, arrived with her younger sisters, Kanao and Kanao's sister Shinobu.

Like Kanae, Arche also brought her two younger sisters, Ureirika and Kuuderika, who had already heard about the chat group from Arche.

Arche herself, now at Level 4, Stage 2, had become utterly invincible within the Overlord world; not even Nazarick's full might could match her.

As fate would have it, Kanae and Arche weren't the only ones with younger siblings. Ruri Gokou, who had two younger sisters, Hinata and Tamaki, also arrived with them in tow. Her youngest sister, Tamaki, was as innocent as one would expect of a child her age, unlike Reina, or even Sakura and Rin.

Due to gender restrictions, Rias brought only two of her female servants, Akeno Himejima and Koneko Toujou.

For Rias, her servants were family, and she had shared information about the chat group with them. The points Rias had accumulated recently had come from exchanging weapons and items that her servants gathered.

Chika Fujiwara and Kaguya Shinomiya arrived separately, though they shared the same world, each opening their World Gate from home.

Luo Cuilian and Erica were also present, though Erica brought Liliana along.

Asuna, Elaina, and Haramura Nodoka arrived solo, each without particularly close companions. Elaina was a lone traveler by nature, and Haramura had refrained from disclosing the chat group's existence to any friends.

However, she had recently managed to recruit Saki Miyanaga to join the Mahjong Club early. With the national tournament still some time away, they had plenty of time to train.

One other goal lingered for her—to reach Extraordinary status before the tournament started.

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