A crossover anime/manga story, set in everyday Tokyo, but within a loop of a game.

Kotoko Iwanaga and Asuna Yuuki both raised their opinion of Megumi Kato as a player after hearing that she had given up searching for the specially hinted equipment and chose to play it safe and clear the game.

A very correct choice.

After clearing the beginner's dungeon, Kato Megumi received no rewards other than the talent that reduced her own presence. Moreover, she wasn't like Asagiri, who had excellent physical abilities to begin with.

She's just an ordinary high school girl, and in the dungeon, she not only has to deal with the evil spirits in the old house, but also avoid conflicts with other players.

However, knowing that there is a piece of equipment in the basement of the old house, being able to restrain oneself and make the wisest choice is something not every player can do.

This at least proves that Kato Megumi is not the kind of person who, like the man in the suit and the woman in heavy makeup, is arrogant and complacent, thinking that she has cleared the newbie level and achieved a high rating, so she lets her guard down and loses her caution.

"Um, there's something I'm curious about, may I ask you?"

"what is the problem?"

Kato Megumi looked at Asagiri, who was standing there, and asked curiously.

"When I'm in the dungeon, as long as I stay still, even that lurking, terrifying evil spirit can't detect me. Why were you able to notice me just now?"

Asagiri said in a serious tone, "Because as a beautiful girl as cute as you, I, as the goddess of the harem, absolutely cannot ignore you!"

Upon hearing this, Asuna Yuuki couldn't help but raise her hand and gently punch Asagiri's shoulder, her voice filled with dissatisfaction and a hint of jealousy.

"You've only just met this girl, and you're already starting this relationship?"

"that..."

Kato Megumi didn't show any shyness or anything like that. She simply raised her hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and spoke in an unusually calm tone.

"While I'm happy that you called me cute, do you really think that you've unlocked my special talent just because of that?"

"Actually, it's not a big deal."

Asagiri smiled and explained casually.

"I am immune to all mental influences. Your talent for reducing your own presence should also be considered a kind of mental aura. Therefore, your talent cannot have any effect on me."

"I see."

Kato Megumi nodded as if she understood, then asked softly.

"So...did I pass the interview?"

"Well, I guess it's approved."

Asagiri smiled and replied, "We will contact you when it's time to register for the next instance, which is in five days."

"Huh? Five days?"

Kato Megumi asked in a puzzled tone, pursing her lips.

"The dungeon cooldown is seven days, right? I just cleared the dungeon once, and I can only sign up for the next one after seven days. You guys cleared the dungeon two days ago... So it's not right to make you wait two more days because of me... Why don't you just sign up for the dungeon then? I'll hold off on participating for now and not sign up myself. I'll coordinate with your cooldown time and then join you guys?"

Asagiri waved her hand dismissively.

"Oh, I misspoke. It's okay. Let's all go into the dungeon together. We'll be going now."

Kato Megumi nodded obediently: "Okay, see you in a week then."

..............

After leaving the alley and confirming that no one was following them, Asagiri, Yuuki Asuna, and Iwanaga Kotoko all removed their disguises.

"When you said five days later, it wasn't a slip of the tongue, but rather you were testing Kato Megumi, right?"

Upon hearing Kotoko Iwanaga's question, Asagiri replied calmly.

"Well, although Kato Megumi claimed that she had just returned to the real world after clearing the dungeon, which is why she met us at the private Toyonosaki Academy on Sunday, we cannot rule out the possibility that she was lying. She subconsciously contradicted my statement about five days later, which, while not conclusive evidence, does increase the credibility of the claim."

"She...shouldn't have a reason to lie, right?"

Asuna Yuuki wasn't speaking up for Megumi Kato; rather, she was giving what she considered a reasonable judgment after careful consideration. After all, Asagiri had previously told her not to always agree with others, but to have the ability to think independently.

After saying that, Asuna Yuuki continued.

"The player information displayed in the mobile app cannot be faked. She only has one talent that reduces her presence. Apart from this talent, she has no items, equipment, skills, or anything else. She's like a blank slate, which is indeed a bit suspicious. However, it could also be a coincidence. I can't think of any motive for her to deliberately approach us in this way. After all, those who know we are players are already dead."

Kotoko Iwanaga pouted, "Look at the words you used, it makes us sound like jinxes?"

After saying that, Kotoko Iwanaga seemed to be deep in thought.

"However, I agree with Yuuki's opinion. From our brief interaction, Kato Megumi's mental fortitude, calm thinking ability, and caution are all excellent. Although her second dungeon clear rating was very low, she is indeed a player with great potential and possesses such a powerful exclusive talent. If she can become a teammate, she will definitely help us clear dungeons in the future."

"But seven days later..."

Asuna Yuuki frowned and murmured.

"Seven days from now is still Sunday. If I register on that day, I can enter the dungeon on Wednesday, which is during school hours... But if I enter on Saturday like last time, the dungeon cooldown won't be over by the following Wednesday, and I'll have to wait until the Wednesday after next to register again. That would create a long gap, which is such a waste in the early stages of the game. How about..."

Asuna Yuuki looked at Asagiri and tentatively asked.

Should we take the day off next Wednesday?

Asagiri thought for a moment, then replied with a smile.

"Taking a leave of absence is fine, but you have to make sure your homeroom teacher doesn't call your parents to confirm. After all, the teachers at the private Shuchiin Academy are very responsible."

Upon hearing this, Kotoko Iwanaga couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Is it only Yuuki-kun we need to worry about? What about you, Asagiri?"

Asagiri waved her hand and replied.

“I’m fine. My homeroom teacher and I have already reached an agreement. Besides, if you want to contact my parents, it’s not a phone call, it’s a psychic session.”

"Spiritual communication..."

Kotoko Iwanaga muttered the word, then suddenly realized what it meant.

"So you are..."

Asagiri interrupted and stopped them directly.

"Don't say it, when someone else says it, I feel like I've been attacked."

057 Transfer student Kotoko Iwanaga

The following Monday morning at 8:30, in the classroom of Class B at the private Shuchiin Academy.

"Asuna~ Long time no see~"

Hearing that adorable, energetic voice so early in the morning, Asuna Yuuki looked up and saw Chika Fujiwara skipping over to her with a sweet smile. She couldn't help but smile and reply.

"It's just a two-day weekend, it's hardly like we've been apart for a long time."

As the saying goes, "A day apart feels like three autumns," which represents how much I miss you.

Fujiwara Chika sat down in her seat, first hanging her handbag on the hook next to the table, then turning her head, resting her chin on her hands, staring at Yuuki Asuna with a gossipy look, and smiling with interest.

"Did you make any progress with Utsunomiya-kun over the weekend?"

"progress?"

Upon hearing Fujiwara Chika's question, Yuuki Asuna was initially startled, but then realized that the question likely referred to gossip about her love life, so she chuckled and shook her head.

"There has been no progress whatsoever."

"Really? My love detective radar has already detected a lie~"

Faced with questions from Fujiwara Chika, who had somehow reappeared wearing that detective hat, smoking a pipe-shaped candy, and transformed into a love detective, Yuuki Asuna blushed slightly and changed the subject.

"Nothing really happened... Wait, you're always gossiping about me here, why don't you talk about yourself?"

"I?"

Fujiwara Chika tilted her head and revealed a simple and sweet smile.

"But I don't have a boy I like."

"What about before?"

"This has never happened before."

Yuuki Asuna was both amused and exasperated by this, thinking to herself, "You've never even had romantic feelings for anyone, yet you call yourself a love detective? That's just too absurd!"

Then, she looked at Fujiwara Chika with curiosity.

Do you have a type you like?

"My type... um..."

Fujiwara Chika rested her chin on her hand, thought seriously for a while, and then raised her hand, held up her fair index finger, and smiled sweetly.

"Yes, I do like tall guys. I don't have any particular requirements for looks, though handsome would be better, but most importantly, he can't be the weak and frail type. He has to be the kind with a very strong personality and style, the kind who will take the initiative to attack me. If I can be forcefully taken down, that's not a bad thing~"

Yuuki Asuna looked slightly surprised upon hearing this and murmured.

"Your standards are really peculiar... Are there any people like that in our school...?"

Yuuki Asuna froze halfway through her sentence.

A tall, handsome guy with a very strong personality and assertive style who will take the initiative to attack...

Isn't Asagiri (Asagiri) this type?

So, the rival in love was actually at Honnoji Temple?

...............

Later that evening, in the classroom of Class 1A.

"Ahem, before we officially begin class, there's something I need to announce."

Wearing a fitted suit and gold-rimmed glasses, Ashikaga Miwa scanned the students in the classroom and slowly began to speak.

"Starting today, a transfer student will be joining our class."

"A transfer student? At this time?"

Upon hearing Ashikaga Miwa's words, most of the students in Class A exchanged bewildered glances, appearing somewhat surprised.

In principle, private Shuchiin Academy usually doesn't have many transfer students, especially for the high school section, where places are reserved before the start of the school year.

And... if you transfer schools, do you go straight to Class A?

Who is this person with connections?

Ashikaga Miwa ignored the students' questions, simply turned to look at the front door of the classroom, and said calmly.

"come in."

"Ok."

Accompanied by the sound of a hard object gently tapping the ground, a petite girl with delicate and lovely features, leaning on a cane, slowly entered the classroom of Class A, walked to Ashikaga Miwa's side, and said with a smile.

"Hello everyone, my name is Kotoko Iwanaga. Starting today, I will be a student in Class A. Please take good care of me."

Upon seeing Kotoko Iwanaga's appearance, the students below the stage couldn't help but whisper among themselves.

"What a pretty girl... but... is she really a high school student?"

"This person looks...completely like a middle school student..."

"What do you know? This is called a loli, a loli, understand?"

"Kotoko Iwanaga...that name sounds familiar...have I heard it somewhere before...?"

While the students were whispering among themselves, Kotoko Iwanaga walked down from behind the podium and went straight to Kaguya Shinomiya. Although she wasn't wearing a beret, she still took off her hat and nodded slightly, greeting her with perfect courtesy.

"Shinomiya-kun, it's been a long time."

"It really was you..."

Kaguya Shinomiya's expression was completely calm, showing no sign of emotional fluctuation; she simply spoke in a flat tone.

"I never expected you to come to Shuchiin Academy to study."

Kotoko Iwanaga's next words left all the students present in disbelief.

"Actually, I don't really like Shuchiin. It's boring, decadent, and very old-fashioned. It's a place with no fun at all. Originally, I didn't plan to study here."

The students in Class A were completely bewildered.

No... transfer student, are you that amazing?

Despite her petite stature and sweet, lovely face, how could she utter such aggressive remarks with such a small and delicate body and such a sweet and lovely face?