Chapter 14: New Member! Kato Megumi and Ayame Yomogawa

Heaven.

"Phew, thankfully, Rei Ao's request to retain his memories was approved."

Gabriel sighed in relief.

"After all, Mr. Rei Ao is the first Awakened One in this world. Naturally, he's receiving special attention."

Beside her, Raphiel smiled with the graceful expression of an angel.

Gabriel nodded. "It's truly amazing that an Awakened One can emerge in the human world at this time."

The odds were astronomical. Even calling it one in a million wouldn't do it justice.

There shouldn't have been any Awakened Ones born at this time.

Raphiel had a theory.

"Maybe it's because of the connection with that other world."

"Didn't your sister go to that world for negotiations? Have you heard anything?"

Gabriel shook her head.

"Not much news."

"I've only heard that there are a lot of dragons in that world."

"Dragons, huh… those are certainly interesting creatures."

"Hm? You think they're interesting?"

"Haha, Gabriel-chan, you must have misheard. I meant *dangerous* creatures~"

---

The next morning.

Rei Ao got up and walked out of the bedroom.

He was about to wash up and handle some morning business when he saw Sakurajima Mai emerging from the bathroom.

Her face turned red.

She was wearing her school uniform, now dry after being cleaned, though slightly wrinkled.

Clearing her throat, she pointed toward the living room. "I noticed you had some ingredients in the fridge, so I made breakfast."

"No wonder I smelled something delicious when I woke up. Thanks."

After thanking her, he slipped past and went into the bathroom.

As the door closed and the sound of running water filled the air, Sakurajima Mai's face grew even redder. She hurriedly distanced herself from the area.

After breakfast, Rei Ao called his teacher, Hiratsuka Shizuka, to ask for the day off.

Just as they were about to head out together, a notification popped up in the chat group at the most inconvenient moment.

[Ding! Kato Megumi has joined the chat group!]

[Ding! Ayame Yomogawa has joined the chat group!]

"..."

Rei Ao paused for a moment upon seeing those two names.

But what caught his attention even more was a unique notification for him.

[Ding! As the group owner, you have unlocked a new feature: "Sub-group"!]

"Sub-group?"

*Sub-group*: As the group owner, you can grant a sub-group to others.

*Note*: Sub-group members can see information and participate in trades, but they cannot send messages.

"Huh, this feature is interesting."

Rei Ao was surprised.

"Is this meant to expand the 'user base'?"

His first thought went to people like Miyamoto Rei and Takagi Saya, those around Saeko.

They were all potential trading partners, after all.

Even if the best they could offer was body usage rights.

But he liked that idea.

He was just a simple guy, enjoying a bit of physical pleasure.

After all, what's the point of getting stronger if not for things like this?

---

Meanwhile, in the chat group:

Kato Megumi: "Hmm... I think I just saw Rei Ao-kun's name."

Kato Megumi, who had been preparing to go to school, suddenly found herself in the chat group.

As she began to grasp its existence, she was shocked.

She never expected to encounter something like this.

And…

Not only did she see that the group owner was Rei Ao, but as she scrolled through the chat logs, she came across some strange discussions.

A girl had stayed at Rei Ao's house, and there was talk of a body usage trade?

"Is this really Rei Ao-kun?"

Kato Megumi murmured to herself at the door.

Her suspicion was quickly confirmed.

Rei Ao: "Megumi, it's me."

Rei Ao was just as surprised to see Kato Megumi join the chat group.

Kato Megumi: "..."

Realizing the group owner was indeed Rei Ao, Kato Megumi didn't know whether to be happy or confused.

That trade about body usage was still fresh in her mind.

And then, she saw confirmation from Saeko Busujima in the chat logs.

Rei Ao had really done it with her.

"..."

Kato Megumi clenched her fists instinctively.

But she didn't show any of this in the chat group.

Kato Megumi: "Rei Ao-kun, are you going to school?"

Rei Ao: "I took the day off. I'm going to xx mall with Sakurajima Mai, who's staying at my place, to buy her some clothes."

Kato Megumi: "Oh, Sakurajima Mai."

After sending that message, Kato Megumi pulled out her phone.

Just as Sakurajima Mai was about to ask about Rei Ao's conversation with Kato Megumi, someone in the chat group spoke up first.

Stella: "Someone else joined the chat group!"

She had originally thought only the five of them were special, but now it seemed that wasn't the case.

Stella: "@Rei Ao, you seem quite familiar with that new person named Kato Megumi."

Akame: "It seems like you're talking to a companion."

Saeko Busujima: "It might be more appropriate to call her a friend."

Rei Ao: "Megumi is indeed my classmate and friend."

Sakurajima Mai: "I see."

She glanced at Rei Ao, realizing the two must be very close.

The fact that Kato Megumi didn't question anything after seeing his name suggested their relationship wasn't ordinary.

Frieren: "Why hasn't the other new member said anything?"

The other new member—Ayame Yomogawa.

Rei Ao could only think of the person from *Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress.*

Rei Ao: "If she's not speaking, she's probably busy. Anyway, I'm off for now."

~~~

I fuck it up when I uploaded this Fanfic early. So expect unstable updates. I'm just gonna take this slow.