Shichen didn't answer Himeragi Yukina's question; she would find out that evening anyway.
After that, he started setting up rooms for them and buying furniture. They didn't need daily necessities—they'd packed those and stowed them in his Treasury.
He was used to this by now; settling everyone in was easy.
Since they had arrived in the afternoon, Kanna and the others got home from school first.
The moment they saw more than a dozen new people at home, the little ones were excited and a bit helpless: more people was fun, but all these newcomers were close to Shichen. Only Kanna was oblivious; Yoshino and Sakura didn't mind such things either. Hoshino Ai just shot him a teasing look.
Illya, though, was a little jealous.
"Daddy, why did you bring so many people back this time?"
"Daddy?" Hearing what Illya called Shichen, Yukina and the others froze.
"Sensei, you have a daughter?!"
"You—!"
"Hang on, don't panic. Let me explain."
After he briefly explained Illya and Irisviel's situation, everyone calmed down. And since Illya wasn't actually his biological daughter—and was this cute—their maternal instincts kicked in; each of them took an interest in her.
Illya wasn't the wildly jealous type; seeing everyone liked her, she led them off to play video games. She was completely lost in them—back at Einzbern's, she hadn't been allowed to play anything, only build snowmen. Dull and boring. Nothing like now: school was a bit of a pain, but life was colorful, and she had girlfriends to play with.
After Kanna's group, Tohru and the others returned.
The moment she came back, Tohru scented Shichen. She put down the groceries and went to find him.
"Shichen-dono!"
"Tohru, I'm back."
Tohru made enough fuss that when Yukina and the others came to check, the first thing they saw was her thick green tail.
"Is that… cosplay?"
"It moves so realistically… don't tell me…"
"Looks like it's real."
"That's right—Tohru is a dragon. Over fifty thousand years old," Shichen added.
"What?!"
"You're the ones Shichen-dono brought back? Nice to meet you. I'm Shichen-dono's exclusive dragon maid, Tohru."
"Dragon maid…"
"Sensei's tastes really are varied."
"Hey, I can hear you, you know." Shichen glared, deadpan. They really had no restraint.
"What's all the commotion?" Irisviel came upstairs then, with Aqua, Megumin, and a few others—Frieren and Yami were there as well.
Yami being with them surprised Shichen; even when he came home, he didn't always see her. She'd been buried in this world's books, learning knowledge and history—reading every day. Surely she hadn't finished everything?
"Yami, how are you out with Iri's group?"
"I've finished the books of this world. I was bored, so Iri dragged me along," Yami replied softly.
Figures, Shichen thought, shaking his head.
"You've brought back so many girls…" Yunyun murmured.
"And one little loli…" Megumin emphasized.
"So even our lolis aren't enough anymore?" Aqua shook her head.
"Then I'm worthless," Darkness said, despairing.
They were whispering as they looked at Natsuki.
"Hey! I can hear you. Natsuki is not a loli—she's in her twenties, older than you lot!" Shichen snapped.
"What? In her twenties already? But she's so small…"
"That fits his interests even better."
Shichen: "…"
"Sensei, this many girls—don't tell me they're all your—"
"You're overthinking it," Frieren said mildly.
"Oh, so not…"
"No, plenty more haven't returned yet."
"…"
Actually there weren't that many left—Utaha and the others, mostly.
Shichen saw Artoria come back with Yatogami Tohka and the rest, all in the same school uniform—that's how he learned she'd started school with them. Tohru had probably handled the enrollment—though Iris could've done it too. Artoria was, after all, from ancient times; modern school interested her, and her apparent age fit. It would've been a shame not to send her.
He had only one worry—would she get enough to eat at noon?
"Is… is something wrong, Shichen?" Artoria asked, nervous, as he stared.
"No, nothing's wrong—just that you're cute."
"…," Artoria blushed.
That night everyone gathered in the kitchen, glancing at each other in silence. The kitchen had been expanded again; otherwise with Natsuki's group added, it wouldn't have been enough.
Shichen had finished all the introductions—Tohru's side and Yukina's side. Everyone knew who everyone else was now. Tohru's group took it in stride, used to it. Yukina's group was a little shell-shocked: gods, dragons, spirits, the King of Knights, artificial life… it all sounded like sci-fi. But they knew Shichen wouldn't lie to them.
This place was a collection of unique girls, each adorable—and every one of them was someone he'd "collected." But showing up here, they'd steeled themselves.
"Alright—since we've all met, let's eat. You'll have plenty of time to get to know each other."
Indeed, plenty of time—going forward, they would have long lives. Which meant certain worldly scruples no longer mattered. They'd already set those aside by coming.
With Yukina's group added, the start of dinner was a bit quiet. As time passed, Tohru's group drew them into topic after topic, and they warmed up quickly. Girls make friends easily; with common interests, a few words and you've got a bond. Soon the chatter flowed.
Shichen didn't join in; he just watched, smiling, as the table split into small clusters. With so many people you could only talk to those nearby—but seats would shift, and everyone would build ties. He didn't even need to say it; Tohru's group would make sure of it.
Tohru, for one, was happy Shichen had brought Tritos's group—now the kitchen would never be overwhelmed again. She could be free. She figured Shichen would send Aurora's group to school here, but they'd still be home after classes and on weekends; she could rest. So much time to bask in the sky with Shichen-dono.
Shichen did plan to enroll Aurora's group here—and even Megumin's—though they weren't thrilled. Not everyone forgot how painful studying is. Megumin's group had already done their time. Convincing people to go back to school was hard.
After dinner, Yukina's group took turns bathing. Shichen played games in the game room with Hoshino Ai's group and caught up on everyone. Not much had changed—except that Ai's idol journey had begun. She had a full team; idol activities were officially underway; and, unsurprisingly, the group was called B-Komachi.
Shichen, reluctantly playing the plagiarist, handed them the song "IDOL" (coded as "B") ahead of time. They were family—no need to waste money commissioning songs—and he wanted to try on a composer's title for later.
Thinking about Ai becoming an idol reminded him of something—two of her fans still needed his help. But not yet—their relationships hadn't deepened enough. If he stepped in now, they might not end up together. He wanted to play matchmaker properly.
He slept alone that night—Tohru's group didn't fight him for once, which surprised him. Only at midnight did he realize he'd been optimistic—everyone piled into his room. Helpless, he expanded the bed and let them all squeeze in. He could only enjoy a little hand-holding; with that many people, nothing more was possible.
The next day he didn't make plans for Yukina's group—he let them decide. New world; nothing familiar; whether they explored or made friends, there was time.
Originally he planned to spend more time with them, but after just a month—just as everyone was settling into the world and daily life—She spoke up:
[Time to head out. We're going to a new world.]
[A new world?] Shichen asked, puzzled.
[Someone's waiting for you there. Bring Est this time, too.]
[Someone waiting… who?]
[You'll see when you get there.]
[…At least tell me what world it is?] Shichen asked, exasperated.
[You'll know in a moment.]
[…]