When Shichen and Kato Megumi returned, it was already noon.
It was still Saturday, so everyone was home.
"Shichen-dono, Onee-sama—where did you two go all morning?" Tohru couldn't help asking the moment they walked in.
Today was her day off. She'd wanted to spend time with Shichen and deepen their bond, but after breakfast he'd vanished.
And even though it was clearly Megumi who had taken him away, Tohru felt—unexpectedly—not the slightest bit of dissatisfaction.
They'd only just met, yet in her heart she already wanted to respect Megumi like a real older sister.
She also knew about Shichen's situation, and about Megumi's and the others' situation. She didn't know the details, but she didn't care—she had no memories anyway.
All she knew was that she wouldn't mind anything Megumi did, so she would simply follow her heart.
This "Onee-sama"—she accepted her.
"We went to save the world," Shichen replied with a grin, reaching out to ruffle Tohru's hair as she came up to him.
"Save the world?" Tohru tilted her head, not understanding.
"Don't worry about it. It's not a big deal," Shichen said, not intending to explain.
There was no need to tell everyone. Whatever had happened before, things had restarted now.
Other than him, Megumi, and Jeanne, it was enough that only they knew.
The crisis had been dealt with; from here on, they could just live together properly.
Travel the world, enjoy life, dream about the future.
Just thinking about it felt blissful.
"Oh." Tohru didn't press for more. If Shichen didn't want to say, then it wasn't something she needed to be involved in.
She took both of them by the arms and led them toward the dining area. "Perfect timing—you're back for lunch."
"Alright," Shichen agreed.
When Shichen and Megumi reached the dining area, everyone was already there.
"Where'd you run off to so early? Don't tell me you went on a secret date," Jeanne asked bluntly.
If anyone could ask that so directly, it was her.
"Kettle calling the pot black, you little thief-cat," Megumi shot her a flat look.
"Didn't you forgive me already? Why are you still bringing that up?" Jeanne grumbled.
"So what? Just because I forgave you means I'm not allowed to mention it?"
"But—"
"Alright, quit being a clown. You already know what we went to do," Megumi cut in.
"Fine." Jeanne shrugged.
She did know they'd gone to handle something serious—she'd been worried all morning, honestly. Seeing them return safe and sound finally let her relax.
It was obvious: it was settled.
"Eat," Shichen said to everyone. "After lunch, I want to hear what you all want to do."
"What we want to do?"
"Yeah. We've got a long time ahead of us. I want to know what you're hoping for. We can take it slow and make sure everyone gets what they want." Shichen nodded with a smile.
"Really?"
"Have I ever lied to you?"
"Then can we have kids too?"
Whoosh.
With that one question from Chisato, every head snapped toward Shichen, eyes locked on him.
"..." Shichen sighed and shot her a helpless glare before answering, "Sure. In the future. Let's call it… luck."
"Then I want to take a turn in your bed tonight!" Jeanne immediately raised her hand.
"No, me first," Tohru argued.
"Me too!"
"Can a goddess even have children?"
"I think it's still too early for me…"
"H-having kids…!"
Shichen hadn't expected everyone to be so interested.
He couldn't really relate—not because he disliked kids, but because once you had children, you had responsibilities. You couldn't be carefree anymore.
One or two was fine, but with this many people in the house… if everyone had children, he couldn't even imagine how chaotic it would get.
Maybe he should quietly… do something behind the scenes.
After all, there really wasn't any pressing danger now. He could freely explore other worlds, gather the remaining god-fragment pieces, and meet more people he knew.
One child, for now, was enough.
After lunch, no one left. Only after Tohru finished eating did Shichen finally say, "From here on, I don't have anything urgent. If any of you want to do something, I'll go with you."
"Really?"
"Really. So speak up."
"Shichen-dono, me first—you promised you'd help me get revenge," Tohru raised her hand immediately.
Back then Shichen had said that once he had enough power, he'd help Tohru get revenge and teach the gods who bullied her a lesson.
He remembered.
"No problem. This afternoon we'll go get your revenge." Shichen nodded.
"Really?!" Tohru's face lit up.
"You doubt me?"
"Of course I believe you! This is the best!"
"That's more like it. And we'll drop by and see your father too."
"Huh?"
"Relax. It won't turn into a fight—and even if it did, your dad couldn't beat me."
"…That's good." Tohru finally exhaled.
Shichen couldn't help chuckling. Somehow Tohru was less worried about her father than she was about him.
What a good dragon maid.
Maybe he'd reward her a little on the way. If they left a bit later, it wasn't a big deal.
"What about everyone else?" Shichen looked around.
People exchanged glances, but for a moment no one knew what to say.
Life here was pretty relaxed.
And their own worlds didn't need worrying—when they returned, only about a month would have passed.
"Shichen," Megumin raised her hand then, eyes bright.
"What do you want to do?"
"We should go back to our world and defeat the Demon King." Megumin looked eager.
"Defeat the Demon King…" Shichen thought for a moment, then nodded. "Actually, I was planning to take everyone to your world too."
"Huh? Why?"
"Because your world makes learning skills and magic ridiculously easy. Everyone can experience it like a game."
"Our world isn't a game world!" Megumin protested.
"Sure, sure—whatever you say." Shichen indulged her with a fond smile.
"Hmph."
"Anyone who doesn't want to go?" Shichen asked the group.
"Dad, what about school here? Do we need to take leave?" Illya asked.
"Small problem—winter break is coming soon. We've got time."
"Ehh—" Illya looked disappointed.
"Trying to skip class? Not happening." Shichen grinned smugly.
"Dad, that's so mean…"
"You can stay here and spend winter break if you want."
"No! I'm going with you!"
"Then don't complain."
"Ehh—Dad suddenly got so bossy."
"Less talk."
Shichen shot her a look, then turned to Emilia. "Emilia—anything you want to say? You looked like you had something on your mind."
"Shichen… I want to go back too. I want to resolve the royal selection." Emilia pressed her lips together and finally said it.
"No problem." Shichen smiled.
"Really?"
"Of course. But you'll need to raise your strength first. The royal selection isn't simple."
"So we're going to Megumin's world first?"
"Yeah. Learn what you can there, then I'll go back with you."
"Okay." Emilia nodded with a bright smile.
"Anyone else?"
"Sensei—will you come back with us later?" Yukina asked.
"I will. I still haven't built my empire."
"Umm… with your power, wouldn't that be easy?"
"It would. But talk is cheap—I'll prove it. I'll start by using the First Progenitor and the others as my stepping stones." Shichen said casually.
"Sensei, that's just bullying…"
"I'm doing it for you."
"Meaning?"
"If I build an empire, you'll be queens. Then no one will dare touch you." Shichen explained with a grin.
"Q-queens?!" Yukina flushed bright red.
"Queens… nice." Aurora looked satisfied.
"You're not planning to expose my relationship with you too, are you?" Natsuki Minamiya narrowed her eyes at him.
"Can't I?" Shichen shot back.
"…Not ideal." Natsuki looked conflicted.
"Nope. If I don't make it public, I'll feel miserable. I'm going to make everyone on Itogami Island know you're my woman." Shichen said domineeringly.
"…Fine. Do whatever." Natsuki turned her head away, embarrassed.
"We all have status, right?" La Folia asked, holding Kanon.
"Obviously."
"And me?" Sayaka asked, not daring to look at Yukina.
"What do you think?" Shichen replied.
"…Mm."
"Are we going back too?" Tohka cut in.
"No need. Just stay by my side." Shichen said.
"Ooh~ Darling~"
"Shichen is so charming!"
"Yay!"
"Brother-in-law, we want to go back too," Momo said softly.
"Sure. We'll rotate." Shichen nodded, glancing at "Yami." She had someone familiar over there too, after all.
The room opened up fast—more and more wishes came out, one after another.
Shichen agreed to everything. There was plenty of time.
Once it was all sorted out, he had everyone start preparing. When winter break arrived, he would take them—
All of them—
To the Konosuba world.