After chatting idly with the group members for a while, Eriri withdrew her attention from the chat group.
By then, it was already past ten in the evening.
During the two hours she had spent talking with the group, she had also maintained the posture of hugging Shiraori from behind.
Of course, besides chatting, Eriri would occasionally engage in small conversations with Shiraori.
Perhaps because it was Eriri, Shiraori didn't display the same level of social anxiety she usually had around others, where she could hardly speak.
At this moment, Shiraori was resting peacefully in Eriri's arms while watching anime on the television. She was thoroughly enjoying such a warm and gentle moment.
"Shiro, it's getting late. Time to go to bed now."
Eriri squeezed the hand she had placed over Shiraori's chest and nuzzled her cheek against Shiraori's flawless white face.
Such intimate actions had happened often during these past two hours, sometimes even more daring ones, so Shiraori had already grown used to it.
Of course, this didn't stop her from going crazy in her heart over Eriri.
Externally, however, Shiraori remained quiet and reserved.
"Mm… Master, can I sleep with you tonight?"
Turning her head slightly, Shiraori met Eriri's eyes at close range. Her gaze was filled with anticipation and a faint plea.
"Of course~"
Eriri didn't reject her little pet's request. With eyes like that, if she refused, Shiraori would surely be disappointed for a long time.
Receiving Eriri's approval, Shiraori instantly became excited.
"Thank you, Master, you're the best~"
"Alright then, let's head back to the room. Tonight, I'll leave the task of bathing me to you."
"Yay!"
...
The night quickly passed. After bathing together and sleeping in each other's arms, Shiraori's dependence on Eriri had reached its peak.
As for Aoi Kujou, who had been displaced from her spot as Eriri's bed companion, she didn't feel unhappy. Being able to monopolize Eriri for over two months had already left her satisfied.
By the time they had lunch the next day, Mirei Shinohara—who had reconciled with her parents and explained her situation—had also returned.
But when she found out Shiraori had slept with Eriri the previous night, even the most delicious lunch suddenly seemed tasteless to her.
Soon after, she threw herself into Eriri's arms, acting spoiled and insisting on sleeping with her too.
It had to be said—when a white-haired loli acted cute and spoiled, the effect was devastating. And Eriri couldn't resist it at all.
So naturally, the outcome was obvious: that night, Mirei Shinohara replaced Shiraori and slept by Eriri's side.
The next morning, Eriri led everyone in her household back to the Saekano world.
At the same time, she established a World Gate between the two worlds.
...
"We're back."
Crossing the World Gate, Eriri looked at the plaza filled with rows of gates leading to other worlds and couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
Aside from Aoi Kujou, everyone else looked around curiously, even D and Meido.
Gazing at the exquisitely constructed World Gates all around them, curiosity filled their eyes.
"So these connect to other universes?"
They already knew the function of the gates, and that each one led to a different universe. Naturally, they felt the urge to explore.
Eriri smiled and nodded. "That's right. If you want to explore, you can go anytime. I've already granted you access to the gates."
Hearing this, D said nothing, only giving a quiet nod.
Meido, however, showed a smile full of anticipation. "Thank you, my lady. I'll definitely go take a look when I get the chance."
Just then, one of the World Gates not far from them suddenly stirred.
A short-haired beauty in a white sundress stepped out from the gate.
When she saw Eriri and the others nearby, her delicate face instantly lit up with joy.
"Eriri-chan, you're back!"
As she spoke, the short-haired beauty in white sandals quickly walked toward Eriri.
Hearing the familiar voice from her right, Eriri immediately turned her gaze and showed a bright smile.
"Haruno-nee, long time no see."
That's right—the short-haired beauty who had just stepped out from the World Gate leading to the Oregairu world was none other than Haruno Yukinoshita.
Without saying a word, Haruno wrapped Eriri in her arms the moment she reached her.
Because Haruno was dressed rather lightly, Eriri could clearly feel the soft, voluptuous chest pressing against her.
"Yes, it's been two or three months, hasn't it? I've missed you to death."
"Alright, alright, I'm back now, aren't I~" Eriri patted Haruno's back gently.
Haruno didn't reply, only savoring the warmth of Eriri's body in silence.
After more than ten seconds, she reluctantly let go.
Then she turned to greet Aoi Kujou, who was standing behind Eriri.
"Long time no see, Aoi-san."
"Long time no see, Miss Haruno." Aoi politely nodded in return.
After greeting Aoi, Haruno finally shifted her gaze to Shiraori and the others nearby.
"Eriri-chan, are these more of your new family members? Aren't you going to introduce me?"
Hearing this, Eriri didn't refuse and proceeded to introduce Shiraori and the others one by one.
As Eriri gave her introductions, each of them responded differently.
The socially anxious Shiraori and the aloof D only gave Haruno a silent nod. Meido, on the other hand, confidently introduced herself as Eriri's personal maid.
As for the usually cheerful Mirei Shinohara, she appeared a little nervous as she greeted Haruno—after all, this was the first person related to Eriri that she had met since coming to the Saekano world.
Moreover, from the scene she had just witnessed between Haruno and Eriri, she thought they must share a very close relationship.
So she worried about leaving a bad impression on Haruno.
But Haruno herself didn't think much about it. After Eriri finished, she also introduced herself openly.
"Hello everyone, my name is Haruno Yukinoshita. You can call me Haruno-nee~"
Since Shiraori, D, and Meido all looked about sixteen or seventeen years old, and Mirei Shinohara looked even younger, Haruno assumed she was older than them, so she naturally told them to call her oneechan.
Mirei reacted quickly and obediently called her Haruno-nee, while the other three didn't respond at all—clearly not taking her words seriously.
But Haruno didn't mind. It was just a habitual tease for her, and she didn't actually care about how others addressed her.
As for Eriri, she didn't reveal D and Meido's true ages or strength either. She planned to introduce them to everyone later anyway—perhaps then she could enjoy Haruno's surprised expression.
...
Eriri and the others didn't stay long at the World Gate plaza. After Haruno and Shiraori's group had met, she led everyone to the dining hall of the villa.
Since it was still relatively early, the elementary and middle/high school girls who had to attend school were still at home eating breakfast.
So, when Eriri and the others appeared, all the girls and lolis in the dining hall instantly stirred.
"Eriri, you're back!"
Arifureta was the first to notice. With a flash, she rushed to Eriri, and the two of them, as if in perfect sync, spread their arms and hugged each other tightly.
Because Eriri hadn't announced the exact time of her return in the chat group, Arifureta was overjoyed to see her.
"Mm, I'm back."
Eriri affectionately rubbed her cheek against Arifureta's face, then planted a natural kiss on her lips.
At that moment, Illya, Enju Aihara, and more than ten other lolis abandoned their unfinished breakfast and rushed to surround Eriri and Arifureta.
"Eriri-nee, you're back!"
"Eriri-nee, I missed you so much!"
"Eriri-nee…"
One after another, voices filled with surprise and joy echoed throughout the dining hall.
Looking at the rows of adorable faces, each glowing with bright smiles, Eriri couldn't help but show a radiant, heartfelt smile herself.
She then began patting heads one after another, giving kisses here and hugs there, quickly soothing the lolis who had surrounded her.
Outside the circle, Utaha Kasumigaoka and the others simply smiled as they watched Eriri interact with the lolis.
Although they missed her as well, they weren't about to compete with the children for the first chance to hold Eriri.
As for Arifureta, being the first to spot her was her own skill, after all.
Once the lolis had been comforted, they didn't continue clinging to Eriri and Arifureta. They knew the other older sisters also missed Eriri, so they didn't hog her completely.
When space opened up around Eriri, Utaha and the others who had been waiting on the outside finally came forward.
"Eriri, you finally decided to come back."
Utaha cast her a playful glance, but then, unable to hold back her longing any longer, she spread her arms and pulled Eriri tightly into her embrace.
"Welcome back!"
She whispered softly in Eriri's ear before pressing a gentle kiss to her lips.
Caught off guard by the sudden kiss, Eriri didn't hold back. Instead, she turned the tables and pressed her tongue into Utaha's mouth, kissing her deeply in return.
"Mm, Utaha-senpai, I'm back."
After finishing with Utaha, Eriri turned to Megumi Kato.
Even before the New Year, Megumi had already explained everything to her parents. Afterward, she moved into the villa to live with everyone.
But during Eriri's absence of over two months, she had temporarily returned to her parents' home.
Yesterday, upon hearing from Arifureta that Eriri would be coming back in the next few days, she returned to the villa early.
If she had come back even a day later, she would have missed the chance to be among the first to see Eriri.
"Megu-chan, I'm back."
Eriri spread her arms, hugging Megumi face-to-face. Their foreheads and noses touched affectionately, and they could clearly feel each other's breaths.
"Mm, welcome back."
Megumi hugged Eriri tightly in return, her delicate face blooming with a happy smile.
Like that, the two of them remained cheek-to-cheek for over ten seconds.
When they finally separated, Yuzuru Hanyu could no longer hold herself back.
"My turn, my turn!"
She squeezed her soft body into Eriri's embrace, then eagerly cupped Eriri's cheeks and planted several kisses on her left and right cheeks—and even her lips.
Then she buried her head in Eriri's chest for more than ten seconds.
"Alright, I'm satisfied. Next!"
After finishing, she obediently stepped aside.
Watching Yuzuru's smooth and bold actions, even Eriri was momentarily stunned.
"When did you get so daring?"
Eriri pressed down on Yuzuru's head, then lifted her chin with her fingers.
Immediately, a flushed face, as red as a boiled shrimp, appeared before her.
Seeing this, Eriri instantly knew Yuzuru was all bark and no bite.
"So you're not that brave after all—you still know how to be embarrassed."
With a teasing smile, Eriri used her free hand to pinch Yuzuru's cheeks.
Hearing Eriri's words, Yuzuru shut her eyes tightly like someone accepting their fate. Her cheeks only grew redder.
"Alright, I won't tease you anymore. You did very well just now. You deserve praise~"
Instead of continuing to play with her, Eriri gently kissed Yuzuru on the lips before letting her go.
Once freed, Yuzuru immediately fled back to the table, burying her burning face into her arms, too embarrassed to meet anyone's gaze.
At the same time, in her mind, the voice of the so-called "Strongest Plagiarist," a veteran yuri-obsessed system, rang out in festive excitement like it was celebrating New Year's.
"Ooooh! Host, well done! You did it perfectly!!!"
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