Apocalypse Chat Group: Conquering the Heroines

The following days passed peacefully.

Tatsuki occasionally chatted in the group or caught up on Saeko's progress.

According to her, they had established a secure base around a villa with Rika's help.

With Rika's arrival, their access to weapons and overall capabilities had increased significantly, making their personal safe zone even more fortified.

As for the other three group members, each continued with their respective activities:

March 7 remained aboard the Astral Express, which was still docked at the Herta Space Station.

Aqua had started earning a decent amount of money and was already indulging in a life of leisure.

Exusiai had undergone significant changes, shocking Texas and the others with her newfound powers.

Meanwhile, Tatsuki, equipped with Vector Manipulation, moved quickly and efficiently.

He spent his days systematically clearing wraiths across the city. Within a few days, the city was nearly free of wraiths, earning him 70,000 Apocalypse Points.

At school, there wasn't much activity in the club. Few people came by with requests, and Tatsuki decided to recruit two new members since the club still had open spots.

Tatsuki and Yukino spent time together in the clubroom. During lulls, he helped Yukino practice and test her abilities. Thanks to this, Yukino had become proficient in using her powers.

It was worth noting that their relationship hadn't become awkward after the earlier incident.

In fact, they had grown closer, interacting with a newfound ease and even a hint of intimacy.

Tatsuki would occasionally say something funny, and he even managed to make Yukino laugh at times. Her smiles seemed to have increased, though she probably hadn't noticed it herself.

…

During one such break, Yukino had just finished practicing her powers.

Knock, knock!

The clubroom door was rapped on.

Clatter!

The door swung open, and a pink-haired ball of energy burst in.

Yui Yuigahama, brimming with enthusiasm, "Yahallo, Tatsuki!"

"Yahallo, Yui." Tatsuki greeted her with a smile and a wave.

"Hehe."

Yui grinned as she bounced into the room.

Yukino, on the other hand, wore a peculiar expression.

Almost everyone in the class had noticed by now: every morning when these two first saw each other, they greeted each other in that strange way.

Their relationship seemed unusually close, sparking various rumors about them.

Yukino herself was curious. For someone as extraordinary as Tatsuki, what had Yui done to earn such a close relationship with him?

"Megumi, you're here too."

Tatsuki suddenly greeted someone behind Yui.

"Mm, it's because you invited me, Tatsuki-kun."

A soft, calm voice answered from behind Yui.

"Ah!"

Yui yelped and jumped behind Tatsuki, her entire body trembling. She peeked nervously at the door, pointing a trembling finger at Megumi Kato.

"W-when did you get behind me? Are you a ghost?!"

Yukino frowned slightly as she studied Megumi.

If it weren't for Tatsuki speaking with her, Yukino realized she might not have noticed Megumi at all.

However, Yukino quickly regained her composure and asked Tatsuki, "Are these the two new club members you mentioned inviting?"

"Exactly," Tatsuki replied, introducing the two.

"This is Yui Yuigahama from our class, and over there is Megumi Kato. And no, she's not a ghost."

"Not a ghost, thank goodness!"

Yui patted her chest in relief, causing two dumplings to bounce visibly.

"Yahallo!"

Now reassured, Yui greeted Megumi enthusiastically.

"Yahallo," Megumi replied, but her tone was far too flat, lacking any of Yui's energy.

Yukino chose not to adopt their peculiar greeting style and simply said, "Hello."

Tatsuki's gaze shifted to Megumi with a gentle smile.

"Megumi, didn't you ask me why I invited you to join the Paranormal Research Club?"

"Yes," Megumi nodded slightly.

"Just now, you saw how they behaved, right? Your low presence is a clear example of something paranormal. Joining us is the perfect fit."

"But… why is it that you always seem to notice me, Tatsuki-kun?"

Her tone carried a subtle hint of something—perhaps a mix of emotion or frustration—that deviated from her usual calm demeanor.

Tatsuki had been the first to notice her.

On the very first day of their first year of high school, Megumi, who felt invisible to everyone, had been seen by him.

From that day forward, Megumi's invisibility didn't work on Tatsuki.

Faced with her question, Tatsuki rubbed his chin thoughtfully for a rare moment.

After a long pause, he raised his head and answered with utmost seriousness:

"Because you're an incredibly cute and beautiful girl. If I hadn't noticed you, I'd regret it for the rest of my life."

"…"

The room fell silent as all three girls stared at Tatsuki.

"Beautiful girl… I feel like I'm just plain," Megumi said softly, lowering her head so no one could see her cheeks.

"Plain?"

Tatsuki clicked his tongue and shook his head.

"Megumi, you really don't understand your own charm. You're absolutely stunning. I'd bet even Jesus would agree!"

"…"

The silence grew heavier.

Out of sight, Megumi's earlobes flushed a faint shade of red.

"Haha, does that mean Tatsuki likes girls like Megumi?"

For some inexplicable reason, Yui felt a pang of jealousy in her chest as she blurted out the question.

Realizing the awkwardness of her words, Yui immediately smacked her forehead. "Sorry! That was a dumb thing to say."

Tatsuki's eyes swept over Yui from head to toe.

"Eek! Tatsuki, don't look at me like that!"

Under his direct gaze, Yui hugged her chest and turned slightly, embarrassed.

"Yui, you're wrong. I like beautiful girls. You and Yukino are both beautiful girls and are definitely within my hunting range."

"Eh?"

Yui's eyes widened in surprise. While part of her internally criticized Tatsuki for being too much of a flirt, another part of her felt a faint, inexplicable joy bubbling up.

...

200 power stones = 1 extra chapter

300 power stones = 2 extra chapter