Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Black. I think that kind of skirt looks best in black."
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Purple seems lovely as well."
Book Artist: "Oh, I'll buy one of each then!"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Humph! I think 'colorless' is far more tasteful. Colorless!"
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "?"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "What is 'colorless'?"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Wearing nothing, of course! That's colorless! Gin-san always believes that the most original state is the most perfect."
Shark Face: "I have learned a valuable lesson today."
Book Artist: "Go to hell, pervert! @Curly-Haired Boy"
Aizen glanced at the group chat and noted how remarkably talkative they were. From debating Uchiha Madara to the color of miniskirts—how did they even connect those topics?
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Speaking of which, we've been chatting here for nearly two hours. Time certainly flies."
Book Artist: "True. I just realized Konan-neesan has been chatting with us this whole time. Aren't you afraid Aizen will catch you?"
Konan looked up slightly, casting a quick glance at Aizen. She calmly sent a message: He's focused on monitoring Sarutobi Hiruzen and Uchiha Shisui. He likely hasn't noticed me. Besides, I've roughly figured out how to coexist with him without drawing attention.
Book Artist: "Wow, as expected of Konan-neesan!"
Shark Face: "Well, that really is impressive."
Kisame wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead, his mouth twitching. This girl clearly doesn't know, but while you were typing that, you were already under Lord Aizen's direct observation!
Curly-Haired Boy: "What's the secret? Are you using your 'pale beauty' to distract him? I didn't expect you to go that far, Konan! Is this the price of adulthood?"
Book Artist: "Shut up! Actually, don't just shut up—someone sew his mouth shut!"
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "I knew nothing good would ever come out of Gintoki's mouth."
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Gintoki, Aizen is still just a child. How could you harbor such dangerous thoughts? It seems you haven't been properly educated."
Book Artist: "Yes, Aizen is still just a child... Wait, Konan-neesan, something is wrong with your logic! Even if he weren't a child, he shouldn't have those thoughts!"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Don't worry, I was only joking. I won't let it ruin the plan."
Book Artist: "Konan-neesan, you've been getting more mischievous lately. Even Ruiko-chan isn't as naughty as you!"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Oh, right! Ruiko-chan! We've been chatting so long I almost forgot about her. Is it because she's usually so insignificant?"
Book Artist: "Indeed. When it comes to presence, no one can compete with a loud pervert like you."
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "I wonder how the situation is over there."
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "What happened to Ruiko-chan?"
This is an Actor: "It's nothing. We simply instigated a fight between her and Misaka Mikoto. You can see the specifics in the memory fragments she uploaded."
Curly-Haired Boy: "Hahahaha! It's hilarious just talking about it! That silly girl didn't even have time to process the situation before she logged off to find Misaka Mikoto. She's still too green."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Yes. I was indeed too green."
Book Artist: "?"
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "?"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Ruiko?! Ruiko-chan?!"
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "I was so young and naive that I actually believed your nonsense!"
Saten Ruiko's hair and clothes were a disaster. Her face was smudged with gray dust, and she looked utterly disheveled. Her large, watery eyes were brimming with grievance and resentment.
This is an Actor: "You noticed? What a keen intuition."
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Impressive indeed, Ruiko!"
Book Artist: "No, we clearly exposed ourselves."
Curly-Haired Boy: "So, who won?"
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Ha. Hahaha. I was asking for help on how to avoid Misaka-san's challenge, and you guys tricked me into fighting her. Now you want to let it go that easily? I, Saten Ruiko, will never tolerate this!"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Ahem! We did it for your own good, Ruiko-chan! How can you see a beautiful rainbow without experiencing the storm? A life without battle is incomplete!"
Book Artist: "Exactly. Think of it as a test."
This is an Actor: "That is technically true, though everyone's primary motivation was to watch a show."
Shark Face: "Group Leader, you've spoken the truth again."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "I don't believe a word of it! I don't trust any of you anymore! You've caused massive trauma to my young, tender soul!"
Book Artist: "How about... I treat you to a cupcake once the travel function is enabled?"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Huh? How could Ruiko-chan be bribed by one measly little cake? Eriri-chan, you're dreaming. A single cake cannot mend a broken heart. She needs at least two! And I want one too!"
Book Artist: "You really should have sewn your mouth shut, Gin! You're just being greedy; why are you putting yourself on the victim's side?"
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "And chocolate milk!"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "?"
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "I need chocolate milk too! Only cake and chocolate milk can heal my inner wounds!"
Book Artist: "I... I understand."
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Does that kind of food actually have healing properties similar to medicinal herbs?"
Li Mochou frowned, wondering if she should try some herself one day.
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "It seems Ruiko-chan has calmed down."
This is an Actor: "Calm? Don't underestimate Ruiko. She might not have caught on at first, but she definitely realized our intentions eventually. This girl wasn't actually angry."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Hehe! I got my cupcakes and chocolate milk!"
Curly-Haired Boy: "A counter-scam? Humph. Luckily, Gin-san saw through it from the start."
Book Artist: "Stop pretending! You didn't see through anything! Seriously, I'm the only one losing out here! What a rip-off!"
Though her message read like a complaint, Eriri was smiling. She was in a good mood; she had arranged to meet a friend, and the skirt she'd bought today was finally going to be useful.
However, as she turned her head toward the entrance of the alley not far away, her smile vanished instantly.