Kato Megumi's voice was still very familiar to Shichen.
At first, when it was that emotionless, almost mechanical tone, it was hard to tell. But as Shichen kept collecting Divine Fragments and she gradually gained a "soul," emotions, and color in her voice, he recognized her immediately.
Come to think of it, this world already had Kasumigaoka Utaha and Eriri—so Megumi being here was perfectly reasonable.
Shichen just never would've guessed that she would become his "system."
From the very beginning, she'd been with him.
There was no way he could've known at first. There were no clues—how could he possibly realize his "experience" wasn't the first run?
"Megumi… I've been looking forward to this too." Shichen hugged her tight, his heart surging.
It made sense to him that Megumi could become his "system," stay by his side, and guide him.
But before he came to this world—before he'd reunited with everyone—only he knew how much he liked Kato Megumi.
"Is that so?" Megumi smiled softly.
"Yeah. You should know that, right?" Shichen let go and met her eyes, staring into the familiar face.
"But somehow… it feels unfair." Megumi puffed out her cheeks, like she was unhappy.
"Unfair?" Shichen looked at her, confused.
"I want to see you because of the time we shared—because I'm familiar with you. But you want to see me just because you recognize me. That's not fair at all." Megumi explained.
Shichen understood what she meant. He had no memories; she did. Their anticipation wasn't the same.
"Yeah… that really is unfair. So what should I do?" Shichen asked.
"It's simple. Take me out for a walk. Spend some real time with me." Megumi smiled.
"A walk… that's it?"
"That's it."
"Got it."
Shichen took Megumi's hand and pulled her along—out the door, down the stairs.
"Shichen-nii, why are you down here—huh? Who's that?" Chisato Nishikigi started to ask, then noticed Megumi.
For some reason, the moment she looked at Megumi, a strange feeling rose in her chest—warm and gentle, mixed with respect.
She stared at Megumi in confusion.
"Chisato, long time no see." Megumi nodded to her.
"Eh? You know me? Did Shichen-nii tell you?"
"No. I've been watching you the whole time."
"The whole time?"
Chisato thought of Jeanne—she'd also acted like she'd known her from the start.
And not just Jeanne—Est and Beatrice too.
So Megumi was another "special" one?
"Chisato, her name is Kato Megumi. You can call her—"
"Megumi-oneechan." Before Shichen could finish, Chisato said it herself.
"Mm." Megumi's smile brightened.
"Are you going out with Shichen-nii, Megumi-oneechan?"
"Yeah. He's taking me around to get used to this place. We'll be back later."
"Okay! Have fun. I'll tell everyone."
"Thanks." Megumi took Shichen by the arm and led him out.
Chisato kept watching until they disappeared.
"Chisato, what are you slacking off for?" Takina Inoue walked over.
"Takina, did you see Megumi-oneechan just now?"
"I did… It felt weird." Takina thought for a moment.
"Yeah. Like she's… an older sister." Chisato said instinctively.
"Right. I felt that too."
"Could it be… Megumi-oneechan is our big sister?" Chisato blurted out.
Jeanne had shown up and immediately declared herself the "second sister." Everyone had accepted it almost without thinking—because of her presence, and because she seemed to know everyone so well.
But if there was a second sister, then naturally there had to be a first.
The moment Chisato saw Kato Megumi, she was sure: this was their "big sister."
She felt genuine respect—despite meeting her for the first time.
Like it was something she was born with.
…
"Where are we going?" Shichen asked once they were outside the café.
Megumi was already hugging his arm—smooth, practiced, completely natural.
"Anywhere. Let's treat it like a date. Eat some food, watch a movie, shop for clothes."
"Oh?"
"You take the lead. I'm sure you know the date routine really well." Megumi's look carried a loaded meaning.
"What do you mean I know it well? Don't tell me you're jealous?" Shichen raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, I'm jealous." Megumi admitted calmly. "I've been watching you be sweet with other girls—clinging, flirting… I could only watch. Isn't it normal to be jealous?"
"But you can't blame me. Half of that was you pushing me to do it." Shichen shot back.
And it was true—getting closer to everyone was the condition for earning Divine Fragments.
"I pushed you, so what? That means I'm not allowed to be jealous?" Megumi went full stubborn.
"…Fine. Of course you can."
"Hmph. You're obviously happy, and you still won't admit it. Can you have a little backbone?"
"You're really not pulling punches, huh?" Shichen sighed.
Megumi always gave off that calm, easygoing vibe—quiet, gentle, like someone you could push around.
And she was that kind of girl.
But right now, she felt unexpectedly strong. Even Shichen was having a hard time dealing with her.
Mostly because he felt guilty—he knew she'd been watching everything he'd done.
And she had every right to talk to him like this.
Forget being his "system"—she'd been thinking about him, guiding him, always.
People don't quietly devote themselves to someone for no reason. If they do, it's love.
"Was I wrong?" Megumi asked.
"No. You're right. Everything you said is right. It's all on me."
"Good. So how are you going to make it up to me?"
"Let me think… How about I make you happy today?"
"Not enough." Megumi smiled sweetly.
"Not enough? Then… from now on, I'll do anything you ask."
"Still not enough."
"Still?" Shichen's voice softened. "Then… how about this: from now on, I'll stay with you. Always."
"That…" Megumi's smile widened. "I'll accept that… for now."
"Only 'for now'?"
"Of course." Megumi's smile faded and her expression turned serious. "If you're going to stay with me, you can't make me worry. No secrets. No going off alone to do dangerous things."
Shichen felt like she was hinting at something.
"I understand. I promise." He nodded, serious.
"You'd better keep it." Megumi warned him. "I'm pretty amazing, you know. Everything you can do now—I gave you those abilities."
"So… does that mean I can live off you?"
"Hmph. Who lives off someone like you? Appetite that big—eating that much." Megumi pouted.
"…Unavoidable force majeure?"
"Whatever. I'm used to it." Megumi waved it off. "Forget them. Hurry up and take me on a date. I want good food. I want a movie. I want you with me."
"Alright. Today, I'm all yours."
"Mhm."
"By the way… Jeanne didn't come see you first? She should've known you're back." Shichen said.
"She wouldn't dare rush to see me."
"What do you mean?"
"Tonight you'll find out."
"…?"
Shichen held back his curiosity and spent the whole day with Megumi.
It really was a date—desserts, snacks, a movie, shopping, even claw machines.
The only difference from a normal couple was that they put up a concealment barrier so strangers wouldn't bother them.
Megumi set it up herself.
She didn't want anyone ruining her first date after coming back.
Shichen found it all strangely natural with her—no awkwardness at all. Like they'd been doing this forever.
Was it because he recognized her and she remembered him… or because of some leftover feeling from a previous loop?
It didn't matter.
He liked her. She liked him. That was enough.
They came home in good spirits. Shichen was about to properly introduce Megumi to everyone—
…and then Jeanne completely blindsided him.
"Megumi—I'm sorry!"
The café was already closed; no customers, only their people.
And Jeanne—right in front of everyone—dropped to her knees and bowed in apology to Megumi.
Megumi just smiled gently, like she'd expected it.
Shichen remembered what Megumi had said earlier—that Jeanne wouldn't rush to see her.
So this was what she meant.
"Jeanne… what are you doing?" Shichen's mouth twitched. He asked helplessly.
He truly couldn't get used to Jeanne anymore. From the moment she showed up, the "holy maiden" had basically turned into a comedian.
Was that even allowed?
…Though, honestly, it was kind of entertaining.