Just as planned, the next morning, Eriri brought Shouko and Yuzuru to the Saekano world.
To help them adapt to traveling between worlds in the future, Eriri specifically let them experience how to use the World Gate to cross realms.
Their mother, Yaeko Nishimiya, also accompanied them to the Saekano world—after all, it was where her daughters would attend school in the future, so it was necessary for her to understand the environment.
However, what she witnessed next completely overturned her perception of reality.
Whether it was the extravagantly luxurious villa or the casually displayed supernatural abilities, it all made her realize that she truly was in another world now.
Shouko and Yuzuru's arrival was warmly welcomed by everyone in the villa. Enju Aihara and the others were especially delighted to have new friends joining their school group.
Feeling the friendliness from Enju and the others, the previously nervous Shouko and Yuzuru both relaxed and began to feel genuinely happy.
The enrollment of Shouko and Yuzuru went very smoothly, without a single hitch.
Once everything was arranged, a relieved Yaeko Nishimiya returned to the A Silent Voice world, still shaken by what she had seen.
Since Eriri had promised Yoshino a few days ago that she would visit her and her mother, the day after settling Shouko and Yuzuru's transfer, she headed to the Date A Live world.
...
As soon as she stepped out of the world portal, Eriri saw the eagerly awaiting Yoshino, accompanied by a young woman with a single ponytail.
This beautiful blue-haired woman who bore a strong resemblance to Yoshino was her mother, Nagisa Himekawa.
Since Eriri had already discussed her arrival time with Yoshino in the group chat, Nagisa had specially taken a day off work to host her.
Like Shouko, Yoshino also came from a single-parent household.
But unlike Shouko's father, who abandoned his family, Yoshino's father had passed away in an accident when she was very young.
Nagisa Himekawa, just like Yaeko Nishimiya, raised her daughter alone and showered her with deep love. However, the way they expressed that love was vastly different.
Nagisa was a gentle mother. Though her job prevented her from being with Yoshino at all times, she devoted every spare moment to her daughter.
In the original story, when Yoshino was thirteen, Nagisa died in an accident.
But now that Yoshino had joined the chat group, that tragic future would certainly be averted.
"Eriri-nee!"
Upon seeing Eriri appear before her, Yoshino's face lit up with a joyful smile.
But due to her shyness, she didn't immediately run over. Instead, she timidly hid behind her mother, peeking out with just her head and part of her body showing.
Over the past few days, Yoshino had already watched all the memory footage in the group, and had seen Eriri in many of them. That was why she immediately recognized her.
"What are you being shy for, Yoshino-chan? Haven't we already gotten close in the group chat? Come here, let onee-chan give you a hug."
With a smile, Eriri walked up to Nagisa Himekawa, and before the stunned woman could react, she reached out and gently pulled the hiding Yoshino into a big hug.
After being picked up like a child by Eriri, Yoshino didn't struggle. She simply buried her blushing face into Eriri's neck out of shyness.
"Eriri-nee..."
"Mmm, Yoshino-chan is just too cute."
Hearing Yoshino's soft and shy whisper, Eriri couldn't help but giggle and leaned down to plant a kiss on her cheek.
Watching this heartwarming scene, Nagisa Himekawa was left completely dumbfounded.
At first, she had felt a little nervous about meeting Eriri. After all, standing before her wasn't just anyone, but a powerful transcendent and the benefactor who had saved her daughter—and on top of that, Eriri was incredibly beautiful.
But now, all of that nervousness had disappeared, replaced entirely by astonishment.
"Hey hey hey, this isn't fair! I'm standing right here, you know. Doesn't anyone plan to acknowledge my presence?" Nagisa pouted in mock annoyance.
"Ah? There's someone else here too?"
Eriri feigned surprise and looked up at Nagisa, putting on an exaggerated expression of regret.
"Oh dear, oh dear, it's all Yoshino-chan's fault for being so adorable. She completely stole my attention."
Seeing the deliberately exaggerated look on Eriri's face, Nagisa immediately rolled her eyes.
"Sure, my daughter is super cute, but I'm not too bad either, okay? I'm still a beauty who can make a million boys fall for me!" she huffed, crossing her arms.
"And could you at least act more seriously while performing? That was just disrespectful to me as the audience!"
"Haha, my bad, my bad. I'll do better next time!"
With a grin, Eriri extended her right hand toward Nagisa.
"Nice to meet you, Aunt Nagisa. I'm Eriri."
"Ah..."
Caught off guard by Eriri's sudden change in demeanor, Nagisa froze for a moment. But she quickly recovered and reached out to shake Eriri's hand.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Nagisa Himekawa, Yoshino's mother."
...
Thanks to Eriri's opening act, she quickly established a friendly rapport with Nagisa, making the rest of their conversation relaxed and cheerful.
Although Nagisa also expressed her gratitude to Eriri, the atmosphere wasn't nearly as heavy or serious as it had been with Yaeko Nishimiya in the A Silent Voice world.
All in all, Eriri's dynamic with Nagisa resembled her interactions with Chisa Izumi.
While chatting with Nagisa, Eriri kept holding Yoshino in her arms, which helped Yoshino feel more comfortable around her.
Though still nestled in Eriri's embrace, Yoshino was no longer hiding her face in her neck. Instead, she confidently raised her head to watch Eriri and Nagisa converse, occasionally chiming in herself.
After their conversation, Eriri didn't immediately begin preparing to build the World Gate house. Instead, she went out shopping with Nagisa and Yoshino.
In the current timeline of the Date A Live world, it was the year 1987. The economy wasn't as developed as that of the Saekano or A Silent Voice worlds.
Cell phones were still in their primitive, bulky form and extremely expensive—not something average people could afford. Communication was mostly done through letters.
Still, shopping during such a period was a unique and worthwhile experience.
After a day of exploring, Eriri, Yoshino, and Nagisa returned to the Himekawa household.
Upon learning that Eriri planned to purchase a nearby home to set up the World Gate, Nagisa immediately suggested that she build it right at their place instead.
According to Nagisa's idea, once the World Gate was established, it would be nice to have more guests around, making their home livelier.
She had already learned from Eriri how the World Gate worked and knew that only girls could pass through it into this world, so she didn't have to worry about being disturbed by men.
Although the Himekawa home wasn't very large, it was still a standalone house, unlike the Nishimiya family's apartment, and only Yoshino and Nagisa lived there.
To Eriri, building the World Gate at the Himekawa home fully met the conditions. As for the issue of where group members would stay, that could be easily resolved by remodeling the house.
This would also improve Yoshino and Nagisa's living conditions.
Thinking this through, Eriri agreed to Nagisa's proposal.
Then, under the stunned gazes of Yoshino and Nagisa, Eriri gave the Himekawa home a complete, hundred-percent renovation.
In less than ten seconds, a brand-new luxury villa covering over 500 square meters appeared before their eyes.
This was even with Eriri deliberately slowing down the creation process so they could see it happen—otherwise, she could've done it with a single thought.
"Th-this is unbelievable..."
Staring at the futuristic villa, Nagisa was dumbfounded, her eyes full of astonishment.
"Aunt Nagisa, do you like it? If not, we can remodel it again," Eriri said with a smile.
"Like it? Of course I do! Even a royal palace wouldn't be this grand!" Nagisa exclaimed in awe.
But the next moment, she realized this might not have been the best time to say that.
"Wait, no! Eriri, I only said you could build the World Gate here. How did it suddenly turn into such a huge mansion..." Nagisa said in a flustered tone.
"Eh? Didn't I tell you? The place housing the World Gate also doubles as lodging for group members when they visit this world."
"You totally didn't say that!" Nagisa shouted, clearly exasperated.
Then she paused, gazing at the villa with a hesitant look.
"And even without the renovation, our home could still accommodate a few more people... right?"
Seeing the look of hesitation in Nagisa's eyes, Eriri immediately understood.
She clearly loved the villa but was too embarrassed to accept it outright.
Her mixed signals made Eriri burst into laughter.
Sensing Eriri's teasing gaze, Nagisa gave an awkward cough and quickly averted her eyes.
"Ahem, what are you laughing at, Eriri!"
"Nothing," Eriri chuckled, shaking her head. Then she spoke directly, "So are you taking it or not? If not, I can restore your house to its original state and build an identical villa next door instead."
Hearing this, the previously embarrassed Nagisa immediately made her decision.
"Take it! Who said I wouldn't? From now on, this villa is our new home!"
...
After resolving the World Gate matter, Eriri didn't return to the Saekano world.
Besides fulfilling her promise to Yoshino, she had another purpose for coming to the Date A Live world—to collect the newly born Spirit of Origin.
However, she didn't rush off to find the spirit. She planned to do that the next day. Tonight, she was going to sleep snugly with her adorable Yoshino.
And just like that, the night passed quickly.
When Eriri awoke, she found Yoshino still nestled obediently in her arms. She lowered her head and gave the girl's smooth, flawless cheek a kiss.
Eriri's movement stirred Yoshino from her slumber.
Yoshino nuzzled her head against Eriri's chest before slowly opening her sleepy eyes.
Seeing Eriri, her face lit up with a joyful smile, and she reached out to hug her tightly, as if wanting to snuggle even closer.
"Good morning, Eriri-nee!"
"Good morning, sleepyhead!"
Eriri gently pinched Yoshino's soft cheek, her face full of warmth.
"Alright, it's getting late. Let's get up before Aunt Nagisa comes to wake us!"
"But I don't want to get up... Being in Eriri-nee's arms is so warm and comfy. You smell nice and feel soft..."
As she spoke, Yoshino nuzzled into Eriri's embrace again, clearly unwilling to leave.
Eriri blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected the shy and timid Yoshino to make such a bold statement.
If it were Yoshinon saying this, it wouldn't be surprising at all. But Yoshino hadn't manifested a second personality yet.
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