The new member, Shoubu, said she wanted some cosmetics.

She’d probably been too shy to ask me directly, but since the other girls seemed interested too, I decided to use this as an opportunity to look for raw materials.

We already had the basic supplies from our previous lifestyle, so all that was left was finding ingredients that could add color.

The search for pigments was going smoothly until, unexpectedly, we spotted a cat during our exploration.

Roa, dressed in her maid outfit, was holding a cute little cat in her arms.

“...Where did you come from?”

I should have been wary, but it was so adorable that I couldn't bear to make her just dump it on the ground.

"Cute! Wait? Why is it here?"

Shoubu’s reaction was straightforwardly innocent.

“...It wasn’t placed here as a source of 'meat,' right?”

Yume-gai asked with a complicated look on her face.

But she seemed to like cats too, shifting and fidgeting nervously.

"It has such beautiful fur, so it’s possible Shouko secretly had it 'cuddle' us to make us follow along..."

"Doesn't that sound exactly like something Shouko would do?"

"I think so too."

There’s an explanation for why this white cat is here, but its behavior is certainly out of character for Shouko.

Since even close associates like Soube are saying so, aside from me, I think we can safely dismiss the theory about Shouko’s abilities.

“Isn’t there a possibility that it’s just a living thing unrelated to the two-choice scenario in the white space?”

“It’s not exactly zero chance, but I’ve never seen a single one of those creatures until today. Rare spawns are a staple element in games, sure, but...”

Even as we talked like that, there was no sign of the cat attacking.

The cat wriggled out from under Roa’s arm and leaped over to me.

I caught it instinctively, and without hesitation, it pressed its cheek against mine.

It was so fluffy.

“...We should keep it.”

“Nah, Kuno. You’re being swayed way too quickly.”

“Hah. I-I apologize. I succumbed to the cat’s magic power.”

Unclear whether it understood our words or not, the cat tilted its head with a “meow...?” dealing me another massive blow of damage.

“Can’t we just take it home?”

Soube wiggled his hands excitedly as he slowly approached the cat.

The cat’s attitude became blatantly indifferent, but it didn’t resist Soube’s petting.

"…Kind of feel like it's not me?"

"Master is well liked by both Mashiro and Mikuron, so perhaps he simply has a natural knack for being beloved by living things."

Roan said, his voice tinged with pride.

"Ahh... yeah, there are people like that.

The type where kids and animals just naturally obey them without question," Yumekai remarked, sounding convinced.

"Tamano, isn't that a bit unfair? Being liked not only by beautiful girls but also by animals?"

"Even if you say it's unfair..."

I gave a wry smile, but I knew it was about time to decide what to do with this kid.

"Why don't we just do this for now? Have her get into something as a cover, and move her back to right outside the barrier. Then, once everyone returns, let her inside. Even if this child turns out to be a threat to us transferors, we can handle it if the whole party is together."

"I'm with you!"

"Your ability to maintain vigilance while keeping a compassionate heart is truly admirable."

"...Well, even if we let her go now, she might just follow us of her own will. Tamano's plan seems like the best option after all."

If this had been a monster that attacked humans, I would have been able to steel my heart and defeat it, no matter how cute its appearance might have been.

But right now, this cat hadn't done anything at all. There was no way I could bring myself to attack.

Since I couldn't just leave her behind either, I decided to put her in a small cage and bring her back with us.

I imagined a pet carrier and recreated it using wood.

"Here, can you stay in here for a bit?"

The cat, as if understanding the words, obediently entered.

"You're so good... But I feel like we've met before, don't you?"

"...I hate agreeing with you, but I agree."

"Oh? You and Yorina are connecting on a spiritual level?"

"Stop being annoying."

"I have so many tsundere girls around. Iku... be gentle."

Shoei wrapped her arm around the arm opposite to the one holding the pet carrier.

At that moment, the scent of her, fresh from the bath she had just taken, drifted over, and further, the sensation of her bountiful chest enveloped my arm.

"Doesn't Yuukai's lack of reserve only mean she trusts Shoei?"

Still not used to physical contact with a girl, my heart pounding, I said, "Is that so?

Maybe it is?"

"It's definitely not."

"Well then, Yorina, do you hate me?"

Shoei asked Yuukai, her eyes glistening.

“……I’m not going to say anything beyond that.”

“Ahah, you’re getting sweet on me.”

“Ick.”

“It’s back to square one!”

Shobe laughed a dry, rattling laugh.

She too seemed to be enjoying the delicate balance of distance she maintained with Yumekai.

「For now, let's head back to base」

If they weren't creatures placed by the mysterious blackboard—then they had to be someone's ability.

Were they using a summoning ability like Shōko's for reconnaissance, or perhaps...?

Anyway, they should be able to handle it once the entire party is together.

Even if their base location was exposed, only authorized individuals could enter the barrier.

They returned to the grassland and waited for a while for the members of the other team.

「Huh?

Hey over there!

I'm home~」 Shōko's voice rang out across the grassland. 「Oh, you're back」

While waiting, he had been using his 'Craft' ability to generate prototype cosmetics and letting the cat outside to play, so he hadn't grown bored.

On Mashiro's back were Shōko, Fukumitsu, and Shion.

On Mikuron's back were Sengyū and Professor Luminous.

They frowned, puzzled by the fact that we were standing outside the barrier, yet still approached us.

"Everyone, what are you all doing out here? ...Wait, is that a cat!?"

"...Sōkun. You can see a kitten? Are we having hallucinations?"

"I don't think it's a hallucination, Chiyu-san."

"It is a cat... very cute, but..."

"Excuse me, sir; it must be something unknown to the teacher. Are cats actually native to this desert island?"

Timing it just as my companions finished descending from the phantom beasts, I explained the situation.

"No, no, I definitely didn't summon anyone."

Shouko shook her head.

"I know. Which means it's some kind of hidden character feature, or if not that—then someone's ability."

Tension rippled through the members of the other team.

"Are you guys okay?"

Shōko looked worried.

"Looks like there's no hostility, and since everyone's gathered, we can handle whatever happens. So, how was it on your end?"

"Well, about that. The teacher's side also has a report to make."

"What happened?"

"Only two female students were found. Those two agreed to join Ms. Sumihou willingly, but..."

True to her form.

But there were three unidentified girls in total.

In other words, one of them is missing.

"Can't even you track it with your nose?"

"Mm. There's no scent of human girls left anymore. Doesn't that seem strange to you?"

"N-no way... a monster..."

The teacher trembled.

As of yesterday's vote, the 21 votes constituted a majority, so up until this morning, there had been no deaths.

But that didn't mean it was impossible for someone to have died today.

"Or perhaps this kitty is the last one."

Like a detective pointing out the culprit, Chi'ru pointed decisively at the cat.

The cat flinched and leaped up, climbing onto my body.

I lifted the cat and cradled it in my arms.

The cat meowed softly, seeking affection.

"…Wait. Sōsuke-kun, that kitty is lying."

"—Shion, no way…"

Shion’s ability was the power to detect lies.

Even in a cat's meow, she could sense if there was deceit within it. "Yeah. I'm sure of it." "Huh?

Huh?

What do you mean?"

Shōbu looked on in complete bewilderment.

"…Sensei, probably no one has died. The reason Shirou’s nose couldn't catch the 'scent of a human girl' was—I think it's because they were transformed into a non-human creature."

"B-But how—Ah. Could it be a 'Transformation Ability'!?"

That's right. It had been listed among the example abilities displayed on the mysterious blackboard before Sensei teleported away.

Specifically, 'Charisma' and 'Transformation Ability.'

"…Hey. Who was the one who couldn't be found?"

Yume-kai looked at Shōko and asked.

"It's, Myaa but…"

Myaa, as called by Shōko and Shōbu, should have been a tall girl on the volleyball team.

"…I see. Now I know why Taniko got attached to you."

At Yume-kai's statement, the cat frantically shook her body.

"No way… You mean that cat is Myaa?"

Meiko’s face registered pure disbelief.

Of course she didn’t buy it when told the cat right in front of her was a friend.

I gently set the cat on the ground and asked, "If that’s true, please change back into your original form."

The cat slumped in apparent resignation—and for a split second, flashed with light.

When the light faded, standing there was a red-haired girl from the volleyball club, her face bright red as she bowed her head.

Day 9 on the desert island will be a bit longer,

while trying to ensure the existing heroines don't get overshadowed,

I also hope to depict their interactions with the new heroines.

A note to the readers:

Even if this work stirs up just a tiny bit within you,

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Please, please!!!

The new member, Suou, said she wanted cosmetics.

She was too polite to say it to me, but the other girls seemed interested too, so I decided to look for materials.

I already had the basics from my previous life, so all I needed to do was find materials to make colors.

The search for pigments was going smoothly, but then I found a cat.

Loa, in her maid outfit, was holding a cute cat in her arms.

"...Whose is this?"

I might have to be careful, but it's so adorable I can't just leave it.

"Cute! Wait, why are you here?" Suou's reaction was straightforward.

"...You weren't put here as a source of 'meat,' right?" Mue made a complicated face.

But she seemed to like cats too, as she fidgeted a bit.

"It's got such beautiful fur, so it's possible that Shouko secretly made it follow us as a 'pet'..."

"That doesn't sound like Shouko." "I agree."

There's a reason for this white cat being here, but it's not really like Shouko to act this way.

Since even close friends of Shouko say so, we can dismiss the theory that it's Shouko's ability.

"Is it possible that this is a living creature unrelated to the choice in the white space?"

"There's a possibility, but I've never seen such a creature before. Rare creatures that don't appear often are a common element in games..."

Even as we talk like this, the cat doesn't seem to be planning to attack us.

After the cat slips out of Roa's arm, it jumps toward me.

I catch it immediately, and it snuggles up to my cheek. It's fluffy. "......Let's keep it."

"No, Kouno. You're getting swayed too easily."

"Ha. S-sorry. I was bewitched by the cat's magic."

Whether she understands what we're saying or not, the cat tilts its head and says, "Meow...?" and deals another devastating blow. "Can't we take it home?"

Shouko also starts to move her hands eagerly and slowly approaches the cat.

The cat's attitude becomes clearly indifferent, but it doesn't resist Shouko's petting.

「...Isn't that kind of stuck up?」

「Master is well-liked by Mashiro-sama and Mikuron-sama as well, so perhaps you have a natural talent for being beloved by living creatures, Roa boasts proudly.」

「Ah... There are people like that. Kids and animals, they just naturally listen to certain types of people.」 Yumika says, seeming to have come to a conclusion.

「Kouno, that's unfair. Not only are you liked by beautiful girls, but animals like you too.」

「Even if you say that...」

I can only chuckle, but I need to decide what to do with this girl soon.

「For now, how about this? Have her enter something for a while and then return right outside the barrier. Once everyone else returns, she can enter the barrier. If this kid turns out to be a problem for the transferers, we can deal with her when the party is assembled.」
「Agreed!」

「I think your attitude of being cautious yet compassionate is wonderful.」

「...Well, she might just follow us anyway, so maybe Kino's idea is the best.」

If this were a monster attacking humans, even if it looked cute, I would have to steel myself and defeat it.

But as it stands, this cat isn't doing anything. I can't attack her.

Still, I can't just leave her, so I decided to put her in a small cage and take her back with me.

I imagined a pet carrier, and recreated it out of wood.

"Hey, can you stay in here for a little while?"

The cat obediently got inside as if it understood what I was saying.

"You're such a good kitty. ...But, this one doesn't feel like I'm meeting her for the first time."

"...I hate agreeing with you, but I feel the same way."

"Hey, did Seirina and Yuu connect?" "Annoying."

"There are so many of you who act aloof with me~. Kouno~ be kind to me~."

Shoubu entwined herself around the arm opposite the one holding the pet carrier.

In the process, the scent of her, who had just gotten out of the bath, wafted over, and her ample chest brushed against my arm.

"...Isn't it because you let your guard down around Shoubu that Yuuga speaks so bluntly?"

Still jittery from the contact with a girl, I said, "Is that so? Maybe?" "Absolutely not."

"So Seirina, do you hate me?" Shoubu looked at Yuuga with moist eyes.

「…………I won't go that far.」 「Ah, you're blushing.」 「Annoying.」 「We're back to square one!」 Ryūbu is laughing heartily.

She seems to be enjoying the distance she has from the dream world.

「Let's head to the base camp for now.」

If the mysterious blackboard didn't place the creatures, then it must be someone's ability.

Perhaps she's using a summoning ability like Shokushi to scout, or...

Anyway, once the party is complete, we can deal with it.

Even if the location of the base camp is revealed, only those with permission can enter the barrier.

After returning to the grassland and waiting for the other team's members for a while.

「Hey? Hey, I'm back~」 Shokushi's voice echoes across the grassland. 「Oh, you're back.」

During the wait, I used my crafting ability to generate cosmetic samples and let the cat out to play, so I wasn't bored.

On Mashiro's back are Shokushi, Shinpo, and Shi-on.

On Mikuron's back are Senyuu and Lumina-sensei.

She approaches us with a puzzled look on her face, wondering why we're outside the barrier.

"Hey, what are you guys doing over there? --Wait, a cat!?"

"...Sookun. I see a cat. Is it a hallucination?"

"I-I don't think it's a hallucination, Senyuu-san."

"It's a cat... It's really cute, though."

"I'm sorry, but is it possible that there are cats living on this desert island, even though you don't know about them, sir?"

I wait for my teammates to dismount from the Illusion Beast before explaining the situation.

"No, no, of course I didn't summon it." The summoner shakes her head.

"I understand. That means it's a hidden character, or if not, it must be someone's ability."

Tension runs through the other team's members. "Are you okay?" The summoner looks worried.

"There doesn't seem to be any hostility, and we're all here, so we can handle anything that happens. And how about you?"

"Well, there's something I need to report." "What is it?"

「Only two female students were found. They were welcomed kindly by Seiou, but...」 As expected of Seiou. But there were three girls whose affiliation was unknown.

That means one of them is missing.

「Can't even find her with your nose, Mashiro?」

「Yeah. There's no trace of a human girl's scent anymore. Isn't that weird?」

「D-don't tell me it's a monster...!」 The teacher is trembling.

Yesterday, the vote stood at twenty-one, which was over half, so there shouldn't have been any deaths until this morning.

But that doesn't mean it's impossible for someone to have died today.

「Or maybe this kitty is the last one.」

Like a detective pointing at the culprit, Senyuu points at the cat.

The cat jumps, and climbs up my body.

I lift the cat and hold it in my arms.

The cat lets out a weak, pitiful meow, as if it's asking for comfort.

「...Wait, Kousuke, that cat is lying to you.” “――Shion, no way.”

Shion’s ability is to tell when someone is lying.

Even if it’s a cat’s meow, she can tell if there’s a lie in it. “Yeah, I’m sure.” “Huh? Huh? What’s going on?” Aozumi’s eyes are wide with confusion.

“...Teacher, I don’t think anyone died. Mashiro’s nose couldn’t pick up the scent of a human girl because―I think she was transformed into a non-human creature.”

“W-What do you mean―oh. You mean a transformation ability!?”

That’s right. The Teacher had listed examples of abilities from the mysterious blackboard before the transfer.

Like ‘Charisma’ and ‘Transformation Ability’.

“...Hey, who didn’t you find?” Mugen asks as she looks at Shokushi. “Um, meow...”

Aozumi and Shokushi call the cat ‘meow’, but it should be a tall girl who’s part of the volleyball team.

“...I see. Now I understand why she’s attached to Kino.”

The cat shakes its body in a flustered manner at Mugen’s words.

“Could it be...that cat is ‘meow’?”

Shouzi looks like she can't believe it.

It's only natural that she wouldn't believe that the cat in front of her is her friend.

I gently put the cat down on the ground and ask, "If that's the case, could you change back to your original form?"

The cat then hangs its head as if it's given up, and then--it glows for a moment.

When the light fades, there stands a red-haired volleyball girl with her face flushed and looking down.

The ninth day on the desert island is a bit longer than usual, but

I'll try to make sure that the existing heroines don't lose their presence,

while also depicting interactions with the new heroines.

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