Crossover PS 184 (Patreon)

In the buffet restaurant of the Infinity Castle, the lively atmosphere finally began to cool down slowly.

The girls put down their chopsticks in twos and threes.

Itsuki had eight plates piled up in front of her. She was currently leaning against the back of her chair, her face a complex mix of happiness and guilt.

"Itsuki, you ate eight plates." Yotsuba counted.

"That was to help everyone test the flavors."

Itsuki said again with a serious face.

"But you finished every plate yourself."

Itsuki fell silent for two seconds, then turned her head away. "I don't want to discuss this issue."

...

Honoka was already being supported by Umi, so sleepy she couldn't open her eyes, still mumbling, "Another plate of BBQ..."

Kotori smiled, helping her wipe the grease from the corner of her lips.

Maki and Nico surprisingly weren't bickering. The two sat quietly, their faces flushed with satisfaction.

Nozomi sipped her tea slowly, while Eli checked the time and stood up.

"Shibata-san, thank you so much for tonight. It's getting late, we should head back."

As soon as Eli spoke, the others realized that this dreamlike night had to come to an end.

"Eh! So soon?" Honoka's sleepiness was instantly washed away by reluctance.

"Honoka, we have rehearsal tomorrow." Umi reminded her helplessly.

"Fine." Honoka nodded reluctantly.

Minoru stood up, his gaze sweeping over the members of Muse present. "I'll send you back."

Minoru raised his hand, and a soft light began to condense at his fingertips.

Honoka ran over, looking up at him. "Shibata-san, thank you so much for today. The late-night snack was super delicious. Can we come again in the future?"

Minoru nodded. "You're welcome anytime."

Umi walked over and bowed slightly. "Thank you very much for tonight's hospitality."

Kotori smiled. "We'll work hard next time too, please continue to support us, Shibata-san."

Maki turned her face away and whispered, "Thanks."

Rin and Hanayo bowed together. "Thank you for the treat, Shibata-san."

Nico put her hands on her hips, trying to put on her idol persona. "The Great Nico-sama is very satisfied tonight. You must prepare such a feast next time too."

Nozomi waved with a smile. "The Tarot cards say we'll meet again soon."

Eli stood at the back, looking at Minoru seriously. "Shibata-san, your strength, your intentions—we've felt them all. Muse won't let you down."

Minoru nodded. "I know."

Light flared up, enveloping the members of Muse. This also included Ai and Miyako.

Just as they were about to disappear—

"Minoru!"

Ai's voice sounded. "Next time, you must come see our official performance!"

Minoru smiled. "I will."

The light dissipated, and the members of Muse vanished.

...

The Nakano Quintuplets were also preparing to leave.

Yotsuba pulled on Minoru's sleeve reluctantly. "Shibata-sensei, if there's another buffet like this next time, you must call us."

"Yotsuba, don't be so impolite." Itsuki pulled her hand back, then looked at Minoru, trying her best to maintain her composure as the 'head of the family'.

"Um... thank you very much for tonight's hospitality."

"If there's another opportunity like this... it's not like we couldn't come."

Nino rolled her eyes. "Itsuki, if you want to come, just say so. No need to be so indirect."

Itsuki's face turned red, and before she could retort, Ichika had already smilingly taken over.

"Shibata-sensei, see you next time. We'll study hard, and of course, besides studying, eating something good is also necessary."

Miku nodded, her gaze lingering on Minoru for a second.

Five beams of light lit up and the sisters disappeared from the Infinity Castle.

...

Shoko walked up to Minoru, holding her sketchbook. She held up the book, which had a drawing of tonight's lively scene, as well as Minoru's figure standing under the moonlight.

Written next to it: [I had a great time tonight. Thank you, Minoru-kun.]

Minoru smiled slightly. "Me too. Go back and get some good rest."

Shoko nodded vigorously and was then enveloped by light.

Kitagawa Marin walked over. "Shibata-kun, today was super fun. You have to call me next time too. I can help everyone make all kinds of beautiful clothes."

Minoru nodded with a smile. "Alright, I'll definitely call you next time. But regarding making clothes, you still need to work hard."

"Yay! It's a promise then!"

Marin waved cheerfully and disappeared into the light.

Now, only Minoru, Mahiru, Erii, Kiss-Shot, Mai standing in the corner and Psykos, sitting at the dining table with a fork in hand, looking dazed, remained.

Minoru looked at Mai. "Should I send you back?"

Mai stood in place, her gaze meeting his. "I want to stay a little longer. I have something I want to say to you."

Mahiru glanced at Mai, then back at Minoru. "Then you two chat, I'll take Erii to rest first."

Mahiru took Erii's hand and walked toward the rooms deep in the courtyard.

Erii looked back at Minoru, wrote something in her notebook, and then held it up.

[Goodnight, Minoru.]

Minoru waved at her.

Erii smiled and followed Mahiru, disappearing at the end of the corridor.

Kiss-shot leaned against a pillar. "Hmph. Tonight's performance wasn't half bad."

Minoru raised an eyebrow. "Is that a compliment?"

"What else?" Kiss-shot turned her head away. "There aren't many people in this world who can make me say those words."

She then turned and walked toward her room. After a few steps, she stopped.

Kiss-Shot glanced at Psykos in the corner. "Right, the one with the glasses... There's an odd feeling about her, deal with it as you see fit."

With that, she walked back into her room.

Minoru walked up to Mai. "What did you want to say?"

Mai looked up at him. "I'm very glad I met you that day. I know you have Shiina. I also know there are many people around you. But..."

Mai took a deep breath and continued, "I just want you to know. With you here, I feel very much at ease."

Minoru smiled. "Thank you."

"That's it?" Mai raised an eyebrow.

"That's it." Minoru nodded. "But if anything happens in the future, you can find me anytime."

Mai looked at Minoru for a few seconds, the corners of her lips curling up slightly. "That's more like it."

"Next time... if it's just you alone, you can also call me over for a late-night snack."

Minoru was stunned for a moment, then smiled. "Uh... okay."

The light flared up and Mai disappeared from the Infinity Castle.

Minoru walked toward the dining table. Psykos was still sitting there, fork in hand, a half-eaten piece of cake in front of her. Seeing Minoru walk over, her body subconsciously stiffened.

Minoru sat down opposite her, picked up a new piece of cake and put it on his plate.

"Is it good?"

Psykos was stunned for a moment and said, "It's okay."

Minoru nodded, eating the cake unhurriedly.

Psykos looked at him, then at the cake in front of her.

"You... are just letting me stay here?"

Minoru looked up. "Otherwise? Lock you up? And then ruthlessly interrogate you in various ways?"

Speaking of which, Uraume, who had been imprisoned in the Infinity Castle before, had already been released by Minoru. To be precise, Uraume's vessel was released.

Minoru severed the connection between Uraume and their vessel.

As for Uraume, after being removed from the vessel, their power began to dissipate, which was absorbed by Minoru.

"I..."

Psykos opened her mouth, not knowing how to respond.

For some reason, scenes of 'various interrogations' automatically surfaced in her mind. Then, her face suddenly turned red, all the way to her ears.

"Wh-what nonsense are you talking about!"

Minoru asked, "By the way, that Third Eye of yours—what kind of apocalypse did it see?"

Psykos looked at Minoru, complex emotions flashing in her eyes. "How do you know about the Third Eye?"

Minoru chewed his cake unhurriedly. "I know more things than you can imagine."

Psykos set down her fork and leaned back against the chair. "Do you want to know?"

Minoru didn't answer, just quietly watching her.