Chapter 153: Sakura’s Progress
Although Chika Fujiwara had told her about the chat group before she joined, Kaguya Shinomiya was still a bit unclear about its specific functions.
After spending some time, Kaguya Shinomiya thoroughly familiarized herself with the chat group and finally realized how powerful it was.
She then browsed through most of the memory videos in the chat group, especially those related to herself, though these didn't have much impact on her.
To her, these memory videos were like TV dramas. As a proud person, she would never fall in love with the protagonist of a TV drama just because of the plot.
Looking at the lottery system in the functions list, Kaguya Shinomiya was a little tempted. She wondered whether the items drawn from the lottery system could be used on others.
If possible, she wanted her maid and friend, Ai Hayasaka, to gain extraordinary abilities.
[Kaguya Shinomiya (Level 1, Stage 2): I've finished going through everything. The chat group is really amazing, and all the seniors are incredible.]
[Kaguya Shinomiya (Level 1, Stage 2): Chika, I didn't realize how expensive the invitation letter was. But for now, I need points to improve my strength. Later, I'll repay you for the points.]
Although she and Chika Fujiwara were now very close, Kaguya Shinomiya had no intention of taking advantage of her for free.
Previously, Chika had mentioned that there might be an opportunity to bring her into the chat group, but she hadn't specified any cost. So, Kaguya had already decided that she would compensate her once she fully understood the situation.
When she was exploring the chat group's functions earlier, she naturally saw the 'Designated Invitation Letter' listed in the marketplace.
The marked price of one million points left Kaguya Shinomiya slightly stunned. She hadn't expected Chika to be so willing to pay such a high price to bring her into the group.
If she hadn't yet understood the specific value of one million points, after seeing the clear explanation of 'Points Required to Enhance Group Members' Strength,' she now had a good grasp.
By using up the one million points in her account, she could easily become a Continental-level powerhouse capable of splitting mountains and seas.
[Chika Fujiwara (Level 3, Stage 5): No need! I've got plenty of points, and a million points is nothing. Points Balance.jpg]
[Kaguya Shinomiya (Level 1, Stage 2): …Shocked.jpg]
[Kaguya Shinomiya (Level 1, Stage 2): Are points that easy to earn?]
Kaguya was once again taken aback by Chika's message. Whether it was Eriri casually sending her a million points as a welcoming gift or Chika's indifference towards one million points, it was completely different from what Kaguya had expected.
By looking at Chika's rank suffix, Kaguya could tell that Chika was now a National-level powerhouse. However, the value of the one million points she was dismissing far exceeded her current strength, which seemed utterly unreasonable.
For someone born into the Shinomiya family like Kaguya, everything required a price to be obtained, though the price didn't always equate to the value of the thing itself.
Just like earlier, after she called Eriri 'Nee-san,' she was rewarded with one million points. The price she paid was agreeing to address the younger Eriri as 'Nee-san' from now on, even if she thought of it that way herself.
She knew that one 'Nee-san' in exchange for one million points was nothing, but it was still a kind of 'cost.'
In short, Kaguya believed that earning points had to be quite difficult.
There was no such thing as getting something for nothing. Honestly, Chika's rapid rise in strength already amazed her.
As for Eriri, who was a Universe-level powerhouse, Kaguya had been surprised but could understand why she would generously give away a million points. But what about Chika?
[Chika Fujiwara (Level 3, Stage 5): Of course!]
[Arifureta (Level 4, Stage 2/Group Leader): Chika-chan, you're getting cocky. Have you forgotten how we used to survive on points from the daily check-in?]
[Yuuki Asuna (Level 3, Stage 3): Yeah, it was rough in the beginning. It took days just to level up a single stage.]
[Arche (Level 3, Stage 7): Agreed. Leveling up was tough at first. If it weren't for Eriri, we wouldn't be where we are today.]
[Elaina (Level 3, Stage 7): Well, Chika's not wrong. It's easy for us to get points now. Just snatch a few red envelopes and we're good.]
[Chika Fujiwara (Level 3, Stage 5): I know! But it's because we have Eriri that things are so easy now, hehe.]
[Kaguya Shinomiya (Level 1, Stage 2): Ah, I see…]
Kaguya finally understood the situation. Based on what everyone was saying, Chika's large number of points was all thanks to Eriri, and the other group members likely had just as many points as she did.
She couldn't help but feel envious. In a group where the average person had hundred millions of points, she was at the very bottom!
At the same time, her admiration for Eriri grew even stronger. Leading everyone to wealth and strength single-handedly demonstrated how capable Eriri was.
Suddenly, Kaguya realized there was no issue with calling Eriri 'Nee-san.' As for who was older, what did that even matter? Could it be eaten?
[Kaguya Shinomiya (Level 1, Stage 2): No wonder you're called 'Nee-san.' You're amazing! Worship emoji]
[Chika Fujiwara (Level 3, Stage 5): Eh? nee-san?]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 5): Oh? Kaguya-chan, are you calling me?]
[Kaguya Shinomiya (Level 1, Stage 2): That's right, Eriri-nee-san!]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 5): Oh my, looks like I've gained another little fan! No surprise there—my charm is just that irresistible!]
Chika Fujiwara was genuinely shocked by Kaguya's actions. Previously, she could understand Kaguya addressing Eriri as 'Nee-san' out of respect, as she didn't know Eriri's age.
But now that Kaguya knew Eriri was younger than her, she still kept calling her 'Nee-san.'
Is this really the same cold and aloof Kaguya-sama? Isn't her personality a bit off?
[Chika Fujiwara (Level 3, Stage 5): Kaguya-chan, if you're being held hostage, just give me a sign!]
[Kaguya Shinomiya (Level 1, Stage 2): Chika, stop joking.]
[Chika Fujiwara (Level 3, Stage 5): …]
[Chika Fujiwara (Level 3, Stage 5): Kaguya-chan… so this is the real you…]
[Kiss-Shot (Level 4, Stage 4): @Kaguya Shinomiya (Level 1, Stage 2) Heh, are you here to compete with me for Eriri's affection? Arms-crossed, looking down emoji]
[Kiss-Shot (Level 4, Stage 4): Give up. Eriri loves me the most! Photo.jpg Photo.jpg Photo.jpg Photo.jpg Photo.jpg]
[Kiss-Shot (Level 4, Stage 4): See these? This is the gap between you and me!]
The photos Shinobu sent were all from times when Eriri had taken her out for walks or to play, and in each one, Eriri was holding Shinobu in a very affectionate pose.
Eriri's beauty needed no further explanation, and as a little girl, Shinobu was so excessively cute that the other group members didn't know whether to be envious of her or Eriri.
Even though the chat group no longer had memory videos related to Saekano, that didn't stop Kaguya from seeing Eriri's mesmerizing appearance in one of the other memory videos.
[Kaguya Shinomiya (Level 1, Stage 2): …]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 5): You two shouldn't fight over me!]
[Kaguya Shinomiya (Level 1, Stage 2): Hehe, you're both so cute.]
[Kiss-Shot (Level 4, Stage 4): Hmm, no question about it.]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 5): …]
[Kanae Kocho (Level 3, Stage 9): I didn't realize Shinobu and Eriri had become so close…]
[Arifureta (Level 4, Stage 2/Group Leader): You're only realizing that now?]
[Chika Fujiwara (Level 3, Stage 5): Ah, does Shinobu live her life as a little girl now?]
[Arifureta (Level 4, Stage 2/Group Leader): Pretty much. Shinobu uses her petite form to jump into Eriri's arms at every opportunity…]
[Kiss-Shot (Level 4, Stage 4): Haha, Arifureta, you're the same. You turn into a little girl now and then to cling to Eriri.]
[Elaina (Level 3, Stage 7): I want to see Arifureta's child form!]
[Kanae Kocho (Level 3, Stage 9): Me too!]
[Arifureta (Level 4, Stage 2/Group Leader): That's not necessary…]
[Chika Fujiwara (Level 3, Stage 5): What's the harm? Come on, show us!]
[Kiss-Shot (Level 4, Stage 4): I'll show you. Photo.jpg Photo.jpg Photo.jpg]
[Kaguya Shinomiya (Level 1, Stage 2): So cute!!!]
[Arifureta (Level 4, Stage 2/Group Leader): …]
[Sakura Tohsaka (Level 3, Stage 6): Yue-nee-chan is so cute!]
[Sakura Tohsaka (Level 3, Stage 6): Oh, I forgot to mention, Eriri-nee-chan, my father talked to me five days ago.]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 5): Oh? Is the show about to start?]
[Sakura Tohsaka (Level 3, Stage 6): Mm-hmm. The day after tomorrow, I'll be going to the Matou family. My sister doesn't know about it yet, but won't she expose your plan when she finds out tomorrow?]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 5): There's a chance she might. Why don't you give Rin a heads-up later, ask her not to interfere, and then I'll come over the day after to watch the fun!]
[Arifureta (Level 4, Stage 2/Group Leader): Oh, so it's starting already? I thought we had at least another year or so.]
[Elaina (Level 3, Stage 7): I can't miss this show!]
[Chika Fujiwara (Level 3, Stage 7): I want to see how that old worm dies.]
[Kaguya Shinomiya (Level 1, Stage 2): Huh? Chika, are you not going to school?]
[Chika Fujiwara (Level 3, Stage 7): Uh… right.]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 5): No problem. Just have Sakura stream it for us.]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 5): By the way, Sakura, when did you turn five?]
[Arifureta (Level 4, Stage 2/Group Leader): Eh? Is Sakura already five years old?]
Sakura Tohsaka had been adopted into the Matou family and implanted with Crest Worms when she was five. Eriri had just checked Sakura's profile and saw that her age was now listed as five.
[Sakura Tohsaka (Level 3, Stage 6): Two days ago. I originally wanted to invite you all to celebrate with me, but the chat group was closed at the time.]
[Arifureta (Level 4, Stage 2/Group Leader): The group's update really had bad timing…]
[Yuuki Asuna (Level 3, Stage 3): Seriously.]
[Sakura Tohsaka (Level 3, Stage 6): It's okay. My family threw me a nice birthday party.]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 5): That's all well and good, but as our little sister, there's no way we're missing your birthday. How about this? After the incident is over, come over to my world, and I'll throw you a proper birthday party.]
Eriri planned to invite Sakura and her sister Rin to the Saekano world after the event, hold a birthday party for her, and invite all the group members.
The big mansion Mrs. Sayuri had prepared would finally come in handy.
As for the Holy Grail War, that would be a matter for a year later.
[Sakura Tohsaka (Level 3, Stage 6): Mm, I'll follow your lead, Eriri-nee-chan.]
[Kanae Kocho (Level 3, Stage 9): That sounds great! It's been a week since I last saw Eriri.]
[Arche (Level 3, Stage 7): Can I bring my sister too?]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 5): Of course!]
[Arche (Level 3, Stage 7): Can people outside the group use the Cross-Boundary Talisman?]
[Kanae Kocho (Level 3, Stage 9): Yeah, I'm curious too.]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 5): No need to worry. I'm sure Little Skirt will handle it.]
[Ding! During chat group gatherings, the Cross-Boundary Talisman can extend the travel time, allowing group members to bring female family members to other worlds.]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 5): See? Problem solved. Easy.]
[Kaguya Shinomiya (Level 1, Stage 2): !!!]
[Arche (Level 3, Stage 7): No issues, then.]
…
From the time the chat group reopened until now, not even half an hour had passed, and the teacher on the podium was still diligently explaining the lesson.
However, Eriri and Arifureta's attention was far from the classroom.
In the eyes of their classmates, though, Eriri appeared to be paying close attention to the lecture. To avoid leaving a bad impression on her, the class's discipline in Class 1-E was unexpectedly good, with almost no one slacking off during the lesson.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone