In Chapter 142, Chiyu is present despite being supposed to be staying behind.

It wasn't that she teleported; it was a mistake on my part.

However, since Chiyu was involved in the developments that followed,

I revised Chapter 141 so that she was part of the exploration team.

Thank you for pointing it out.

There were three boys causing trouble near the Seihou Party.

Through Chiyu's new magic and Professor Luminus's persuasion, they agreed to a transaction.

And so, they apologized to Seihou and received their forgiveness.

That was all well and good, but when Seihou noticed I was accompanying them, she mentioned the matter of giving the boys a hut.

If that's the case, I couldn't just ignore the fifteen women living in the cave.

So, for those who wanted private rooms, I generated small huts, and for those who found sleeping alone on a desert island too harsh, I made slightly larger ones, placing them accordingly.

Witnessing my [Craft] ability firsthand, Seihou's eyes lit up, and she openly tried to recruit me.

Her wavy, golden long hair shone like real gold, and her large breasts bounced with a soft plonk.

If this were fiction, she would have been the aristocratic noblewoman archetype found in every school setting; she radiated both nobility and beauty.

"I won't hand So-ku over."

Chiyu latched onto my right arm.

And with unmistakable intent, she squeezed my arm deep between her breasts.

"It's a transaction, so we're giving items to Ryoka-chan and the others anyway, so it should be fine!"

Shuko clung to my left arm, protesting.

"Ara, Wan Ka Shuko. I find it strange—shouldn't the one making the decision be Takano-san?"

"Sōsuke-kun is staying with us of his own free will."

Shion chimed in, her tone slightly irritated.

"That may be true. However, people have the right to seek a better life. You've already experienced living together; it should be our turn now, so we can choose the path that brings Takano-san greater happiness, don't you think?"

"You excluded all males thoroughly, yet Sōsuke-san is the exception, isn't he?"

Shinpō pointed out.

"I simply eliminated males who harbored wicked thoughts in order to protect women's bodies and minds. And Takano? Aside from his inherent nature, his abilities grant him a great deal of mental fortitude. As you can see by how well along he is, he breaks his heart for his comrades to generate many things. He also possesses the drive to step forward first during events. Welcoming him does not contradict my policy. I thought someone as perceptive as Yotsubo Shinpō would understand something so simple?"

Faced with Zouhō's unclouded retort, Shinpō was left momentarily at a loss for words.

"Well, well, Sei Hou-san, please try to stay calm."

"Master Luminae, don't you think that's the fairer approach? I believe we should have a chance as well."

"U-Well, it's just that..."

Teacher Luminae, who had tried to mediate, found herself at a loss for words when confronted with the notion of fairness.

"Of course, it is up to Arano Sousuke to decide in the end. But are you sure? If I were you, I would want him to make the choice he believes is best. Even if that means choosing not to be by my side. After all, if one truly cares for someone, surely they would prioritize that person's happiness above all else."

Being so passionately recruited was, honestly, quite flattering... but...

I had no intention of leaving Chiyu and the others to go somewhere else—

"Such provocation... I dare you to take me up on it."

"Eh, Chiyu?"

"I think Ryouka-chan is charming, but on top of that, Sousuke will choose us!"

"Mm-hmm. We believe in Sousuke-kun."

"Teacher Sousuke is bound to feel that our days together are the best option."

Even Shoushi, Shiin, and Fumihou were saying it...

"It's just... up to Arano-kun, I suppose."

Teacher Luminae glanced over at me.

"I'm sorry for interrupting the excitement, but I have no intention of leaving my current party right now."

"Oh, you're saying strange things. Would anyone prepare a resolve to 'leave their home behind' when going to play at a friend's house? It's exactly the same here. You'll just spend a little time at a friend's base."

Jōhō was a skilled talker.

It felt less like she was saying what she wanted to say and more like she was saying whatever was necessary in that moment to push her own claim through.

"But, ya know..."

"Why not spend a day at our base first? I'll answer all your questions, including the members' abilities. Also, I think it would be easier to recover the materials around this area if you stored them using your ability. It goes without saying, but we won't let you lose anything."

Certainly, considering we might cross paths again in future events, having that information would be a plus.

That alone would justify staying for a day.

"Hmm..."

"I see. Then I will allow Yomikai Shion to accompany you. Now we can verify the truth as well, right?"

"...! U-Uh-huh. That sounds good, Sōsuke-kun."

Shion had become positive about it.

She seemed charmed by the fact that she alone could keep up with me.

Seeing Shouko puff out her cheeks, Jōhō chuckled, Fu-fu-n.

Even though I thought she was a good kid and an amazing one, apparently her competitive streak toward Shouko was still burning...

Should I take this on?

If I refused under these conditions, it would be a very strong rejection.

It wasn't just Seihou's pride; her companions, listening in on the conversation, might feel a sense of rejection as well.

I want things to go smoothly moving forward, and it's not exactly something I'm unwilling to yield.

However...

"I can't give you an answer right here. I need to consult with my other companions who are waiting back at base."

Seihou let out a light laugh. It was a smile that held a certain joy.

"Of course. Even as the leader, she decides her actions after consulting with her team. That's commendable."

"That said, I'll do my best to give you a positive answer."

"Indeed. I look forward to hearing that good news. We're in the middle of searching for males, so we've been talking too long, haven't we?"

Seihou saw us off with a smile.

We agreed to deliver the response during our next transaction.

Boarding Mashiro again, we resumed our search for males.

"But what is Seihou thinking? ...No, I understand that having someone with a 'Craft Ability' in her team would be convenient in various ways. Is it still driven by her rivalry with Shoushi?"

However, while she may not be as cutthroat as in the Dream Realm, Seihou seems to possess a clear sense of cost-benefit analysis.

In other words, I believe she neither would nor could simply use me up for her convenience.

If you ask me for something, you’d better be prepared to pay the price.

In that case, our current arrangement as trading partners is sufficient enough.

Seems like there’s no need to consider poaching him after all……

“So, Sou-kuu, you’re being too sweet.”

“Sou-kuu doesn’t realize how charming he is, does he?”

“Sou-kuu-kun, a dependable boy like you is incredibly rare on this island. If anyone has earned the trust to live together with nine girls, it’s only you.”

“Even if I were Seihou, I’d try my best to poach Sou-kuu-san.”

I see. It seems there’s more to him than just his abilities; he’s highly regarded in other ways too.

We weren’t close friends, so she probably doesn’t know much about my inner thoughts.

……No, that goes for me too.

That must be why she suggested spending the day together, an opportunity for us to get to know each other better.

“I don’t plan on switching to their party, but getting to know Seihou and the others might not be a bad thing.”

“Mm. I believe you. Worst case scenario, my harem just gets bigger.”

The members exchanged awkward smiles at Senju's words.

Only the sensei looked troubled.

It probably wasn't an issue for tomorrow or the day after, but it seemed I was going to be staying overnight at the base where all the remaining girls lived.

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Chapter 142 has Chiyo, who was supposed to be babysitting, here.

It's not that she teleported; it's just an author's mistake.

But she did get involved in the events that followed.

I revised chapter 141 to make Senyuu part of the exploration group.

Thank you to everyone who pointed that out.

Three male students who had been causing trouble near the Sumihoshi party.

Thanks to the new healing magic and Professor Lumina's persuasion, they agreed to the deal.

They apologized to Seiho and received her forgiveness.

That was good, but when Seiho noticed me, she mentioned the huts she had given to the boys.

Therefore, I couldn't ignore the fifteen girls living in the cave.

So, for those who wanted their own room, I created small huts, and for those who found sleeping alone on the island too difficult, I generated slightly larger huts and placed them accordingly.

Having witnessed my "Crafting Ability," Seiho's eyes shone, and she openly tried to recruit me.

Her long golden hair, wavy and shining like gold, swayed as her large breasts bounced.

She was the type of character who would be in a school story if this were fiction, possessing both nobility and beauty. "I won't give So-kun to you." Chiyu wrapped herself around my right arm.

And she was definitely doing it on purpose, pinning my arm between her breasts.

"Hey, I'm giving the items to Ryouka and the others as part of the deal, so it's fine!"

Shouko clung to my left arm and protested.

"Oh, Shouko. Isn't that strange? Shouldn't it be Kono who decides?"

"Sou-kun is here with us of his own free will."

Shion also entered the conversation, somewhat disgruntled.

"Perhaps. But people have the right to seek a better life. You've already experienced life with you two. Don't you think it's better to let us experience this and choose the path that's more beneficial for Kono?"

"Is Sou-kun the only exception to your complete exclusion of men?" Shinpo pointed out.

"I only excluded men with impure thoughts to protect the girls' bodies and minds. As for Kono, he has a very open mind, both because of his nature and his abilities. He's also willing to do a lot for his friends and takes the lead in events. Welcoming him doesn't contradict my policy. I thought that someone like you, Shinpo, would understand this?"

Shinpo was left speechless by Shoukou's unhesitant response.

「Calm down, Seiou.」

「Don’t you think it’s fairer to let them have a chance, too? I think they deserve a chance to show what they can do.」 「Eh, um...」

Trying to mediate, Lumina-sensei was at a loss for words when she was confronted with the word "fair."

「Of course, it’s up to Kouya Soju to decide. But is that really okay? If I were you, I’d want him to make the best choice for himself. Even if it’s not with me. Because if you care about someone, you should want what’s best for them.」

It was flattering to be so passionately recruited, but...

I had no intention of leaving Chiyu and the others behind to go somewhere else. 「I accept your challenge.」 「Eh, Chiyu?」

「I think Ryouka is attractive, but Soju chose us!」

「Yeah. We trust Soju-kun.」

「Soju-san will think that our days together are the best.」 Even Shouki, Shion, and Shinpo...

「Well, it’s up to Kouya-kun.」

Lumina-sensei glanced at me.

「I’m sorry for interrupting, but I have no intention of leaving this party.」

「Oh, you're saying something strange. When you go to a friend's house to play, would you really prepare to leave your home? It's the same here. I'm just asking you to stay at a friend's base for a while.」 Chouka's persuasive skills are impressive.

It doesn't seem like she's talking about what she wants to say, but rather saying whatever is necessary at the moment to get her point across. 「But you know...」

「How about you spend one day here at our base? I'll answer all your questions, including about our members' abilities, and I think it would be easier for you to collect the materials in this area if you use your ability to store them. Of course, you won't lose out.」

Indeed, considering that we might run into each other again at future events, the information would be invaluable.

That alone would be worth staying for a day. 「Hmm...」

「Alright then. I'll allow Shion to come along too. That way, you'll be able to tell the truth from the lies, won't you?」

「...! Y-Yeah, that's great, Souju-kun.」

Shion had become positive.

She seemed to find it appealing that she could come along with me.

Seeing Shouko pout, Chouka chuckled.

She thought Shouko was a good and amazing girl, but her competitive spirit against Shouko still burned. ...Should I accept this?

If I refused under these conditions, it would be a rather strong rejection.

Not only would it hurt Shouka's pride, but her companions listening to the conversation might feel like they were being rejected as well.

I want to continue working well with them in the future, and it's not something I'm unwilling to compromise on. Still.

"I can't answer right now. I need to talk to the ones who are staying behind too."

Shouka lets out a little laugh. It seems like she's happy about something.

"Of course. Even as the leader, I make decisions after consulting with my comrades. That's admirable."

"However, I'll try my best to give you a good answer."

"Yes. I'm looking forward to a good answer. We've been talking for a while now, even though we're supposed to be searching for boys." Shouka smiles and sees us off.

We agreed to give an answer during the next transaction.

We get back on the Mashiro and resume our search for boys.

"But what is Shouka thinking? ...I understand that it would be convenient to have a 'Craft Ability' user as a comrade, but is it because of her competitive spirit against Komachi?"

However, even if it's not as much as in the Dream World, it seems like Shouka does have some sense of self-interest.

In other words, I don't think she would use me to her advantage or be able to.

If you want something from me, I'll definitely prepare the price.

In that case, the current relationship as trading partners is enough.

I guess there's no need to consider poaching him… "Sou-kun, you're too sweet."

"Sou-kun, you don't understand your own charm."

"Sou-kun, on this island, reliable boys are truly very precious. If there are already nine girls who trust you enough to live with you, then there's no one else but you."

"I'd try to poach Sou-kun even if I were Seiou."

Indeed, there are aspects to be valued beyond ability.

Since we weren't close friends, she probably doesn't know my inner self very well.

…No, that's the same for me too.

That's why she proposed spending a day together to get to know each other.

"I don't plan to join their party, but getting to know Seiou and the others isn't a bad thing."

"Mm. I believe in you. At worst, my harem just gets bigger."

The members chuckled at the thousand words of advice.

But the teacher looked troubled.

Though it wasn't for tomorrow or the day after, it seemed that I was going to stay at the base where all the remaining girls lived.

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