Journey to Godhood Begins in Frieren

"Something? What do you mean, 'something'?"

Utaha Kasumigaoka raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. She crossed her right leg over her left, and for a second, her towel slipped open.

From Eriri's angle, she almost saw something she definitely shouldn't have.

"C-Can you not act a little more like a lady?" Eriri stammered, blushing hard.

"Lady? Just answer the question."

"Why are you asking so many questions? There's something, alright? If you don't believe me, ask Prince Onii-chan."

"Still calling him that? Aren't you embarrassed—wait, what's this?" Utaha's eyes landed on two paintings Shichen had left nearby.

She picked one up and instantly recognized what was on it.

"Isn't this you and Tohru? Why'd you draw the two of you? It's actually really good."

"Hold on, what did you just say?" Eriri froze and shot a quick glance over.

"I said it's really well done."

"No, not that! Did you say... Tohru? You mean the one cosplaying the dragon maid?"

"Yeah, that's her. What about it?"

"What does my painting have to do with her?"

"Isn't this dragon clearly Tohru?" Utaha replied, tilting her head.

"Huh?" Eriri blinked blankly at her.

"Heh~ You seriously didn't know?" Utaha smirked.

"S-She's a dragon?" Eriri stuttered.

"What else would she be?"

"Prince Onii-chan… is she telling the truth?"

"Of course she is," Shichen replied, setting the hair dryer down and brushing through Utaha's sleek black hair.

"Okay, your hair's dry."

"I'll just sit a bit longer," Utaha said, still relaxed.

"Nope, your turn's over, Utaha. Mine now!"

Right on cue, Tohka Yatogami walked into the room, and Shichen's eyes lit up when he saw her outfit.

Tohka wasn't in a towel but was wearing something really breezy—a loose white tank top that showed a bit of cleavage and a Y-strap underneath, plus sporty shorts that barely covered a third of her thighs. Her legs looked long and toned. Her skin was smooth and pale, and her damp violet hair flowed down her back, giving her this elegant, high-class vibe.

"Shichen~ I'm done with my bath too!" she said with a bright, innocent smile.

"That took you a while, huh?" Shichen gave Utaha a light pat on the butt to get her up.

Utaha didn't argue. She stood up smoothly, uncrossing her legs.

"Hehe~ I grabbed some snacks from Tohru downstairs," Tohka said and plopped herself onto Shichen's lap.

"Oh? And where'd those clothes come from?" he asked while brushing through her hair and catching the scent of her shampoo.

"Last time we went shopping, Tohru told me to buy them. She said you'd love it."

"Hanging out, huh? That sounds nice." Shichen smiled.

"Mmhmm! Shichen, blow-dry my hair!"

"Sure," he said, voice full of affection.

"So sweet…" Eriri watched, feeling a little jealous.

"How's Tohka doing in your class?" Utaha asked.

"She's super popular. The girls in class bring her snacks all the time—they love feeding her."

"So she's the class pet now?"

"Well, she really is lovable." Eriri smiled genuinely.

"True." Utaha nodded in agreement.

Tohka had this magical kind of charm. You didn't need to know her well—one look at that sunny smile and you were already smitten. Normally, pretty girls are kind of competitive with each other, but even Utaha couldn't feel any tension toward her. If anything, she liked her a lot.

"Oh right—why is Tohru a dragon again?"

"Because she is a dragon," Utaha said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Wait... her tail's real too?"

"Of course it is."

"Heh, there's a lot you still don't know," Utaha laughed, gave Eriri a pat on the shoulder, and walked out to get changed.

Eriri stayed behind, watching Shichen blow-dry Tohka's hair like it was the most natural thing ever. The whole scene was weirdly wholesome.

Also… kinda envy-inducing.

Shichen finished quickly. "Alright, all dry. Go work on your homework. Yoshino and Kanna are upstairs."

"Ehhh? It's still early!"

"The earlier you finish, the sooner you're free." He poked her nose, grinning.

"But I don't feel like it~" Tohka snuggled into his chest, whining.

"You really… Eriri, how are her grades?"

"Huh? Uh… they're okay…" Eriri blinked, clearly lying.

"'Okay' usually means bad."

"Shichen! How can you say that!" Tohka pouted, genuinely hurt.

"Then are they good?"

"Uhh…" Tohka fell silent.

"Go do your homework." Shichen scooped her up and gave her a playful swat on the butt.

Tohka squirmed a little. "Eriri's watching…"

"Huh!? I didn't see anything!" Eriri quickly turned around, covering her eyes, her face bright red.

Though weirdly, as she turned away, she felt a strange tickle on her own backside and instinctively tensed up.

"She's not looking anymore," Shichen said, giving Tohka's other side a pat.

Nice bounce.

"Ugh… Shichen, why do you like doing that?"

"It's just habit."

"Don't change the subject. Go do your homework."

"Wait~ Can I see my sister first?" Tohka's cheeks were flushed.

"Tenka? You wanna see her?"

"Yeah, kinda miss her."

"Sure, but homework after—or no dinner."

"Eh?! You're so mean!"

"You wouldn't understand the joy of not having homework."

"Rude!"

"Alright, go chat with her for a bit. I know she misses you."

"I do not!" came Tenka's voice from inside.

Shichen ignored her, kissed Tohka lightly on the lips, and absorbed her into his body.

"Tenka! Long time no—wait, who's that?"

Tohka entered and found someone else there.

"Hi, I'm Eve," Yami said softly.

"Eve? Cute name! I'm Yatogami Tohka—Shichen gave me my name. Isn't it nice?"

"It's lovely."

"Hehe~ Tenka, what are you doing?"

"Sleeping."

"Don't be so cold~"

"You're annoying."

"No I'm not."

Yami: …It's getting a little loud in here.

Back outside, Eriri peeked over again—only to realize Tohka had vanished.

"Huh? Where'd Tohka go?"

"Relax. She's inside me."

"Inside... you?" Eriri blinked, confused.

"Oh, right—I forgot to tell you. Tohka's a spirit."

"S-Spirit?" Eriri still looked lost.

"It's a long story. I'll explain at dinner. I'll introduce a couple more people too. Want to stay and eat with us?"

"Absolutely!" Eriri agreed right away.

"Heh, great."

"Oh yeah, did Tohka just mention she had a sister?" Eriri asked.

"She does."

"Is she super cool and kinda icy?"

"You've met her?"

"So that was Tohka's sister…" Eriri let out a breath. "Yeah, I've seen her."

"With me?"

"Yep."

"Ah, that explains why you and Tohka are so close."

"Hehe~ I thought I was imagining it for a sec."

"Wanna meet her again sometime?"

"No thanks, we're not that close."

"You'll get there eventually."

"Huh?"

"Don't worry about it… It's okay if you go home late, right?"

"Yeah, no problem."

"Cool, I'll walk you back later."

"Wait—what?!"

…

Dinner Time

By dinner, everyone was gathered in the kitchen. The number of people had grown, but thanks to expansion magic, the space never felt cramped.

Tenka didn't want to come out, so Shichen summoned Yami instead.

"This is Eve—you can call her Yami. She's part of the family now."

"Hi, I'm Eve," she said a little shyly.

"Hi Yami!" Tohka greeted first.

"Welcome! You're family now," Tohru said with a smile.

"Welcome~" Chisato waved cheerfully.

"Hi," Takina nodded politely.

"She's super cute… and way more developed than Eriri," Utaha smirked.

"You—!"

"H‑Hi…"

"Heya~"

Yoshino and Kanna greeted her with sweet voices too.

Everyone welcomed Yami warmly, and she quickly started to feel at ease.

"Next up…"

Shichen lifted his hand. A glowing symbol on the back lit up and released a wave of holy light that formed into Est.

She landed gracefully, opened her eyes, and gave everyone a rare, gentle smile.

"Hey everyone. Long time no see."

~~~

For Every 100 Powerstone = 1 Bonus Chapter! Please Vote for more Chapters!

Patreon(.)com/Bleam

— Currently You can Read 180+ Chapters Ahead of Others!