Since I’d been showing Shoubu around the bath area, I ended up taking a while to return.

Under the suspicious stares wondering whether something had happened between us, I explained myself in an attempt to clear up the misunderstanding.

...Well, in reality, I had ended up seeing her naked, but there hadn’t been any of the contact everyone seemed to be suspecting.

Even if it would eventually come out through the girls’ information-sharing network, it wasn’t exactly something I should reveal myself.

Once I somehow managed to get everyone to accept that, I sat down again.

“S-so, with that out of the way, team division. There are nine people in our party, but since we can only make a team with five, five of us will participate.”

“Mm. I’ll participate. Healing and strengthening are especially useful in consecutive matches.”

“Yeah. There might be breaks between matches, but if it’s a round-robin tournament, stamina is going to matter.”

“In games and stuff, doesn’t that kind of thing reset every time the match changes?”

Shouko said.

“It does sometimes. But if so, that removes one of our advantages. Even then, Chiyu’s ability is excellent with Strength Up alone, and being able to heal injuries and fatigue during matches would be a big help too.”

“Oh, yeah, that’s true.”

Shouko seemed convinced.

“I probably shouldn’t participate this time, right? Of course, I’ll do my best if I can be useful.”

During the last event, when we hadn’t known what the other classmates were doing, Shion’s ability had been incredibly helpful.

By accurately seeing through the lies of classmates who claimed they wanted to join us, we avoided being misled.

“Shion’s ability is wonderful, but since this event clearly includes a battle element between transfer participants, it may be better to fill the team with abilities suited for fighting.”

Minori said it gently.

“If the rules explanation tonight makes it sound like a psychological battle, then I’ll be relying on you, Shion. Is that okay?”

“Yeah...!”

Maybe knowing there was still a chance for her to be useful made Shion smile.

“It pains me to say this, but I doubt I can be of much use either.”

Roa said sadly.

“Your ability will shine in future trades together with Shion’s, so don’t worry about it.”

The power to know what someone wanted would be unmatched when negotiating trades.

“Thank you for your consideration. I will devote myself to what I can do.”

Everyone in our party understood what they were suited for and what they weren’t, yet still stayed positive about helping the group. I was grateful for that.

“By the way, I intend to participate too. Since the other side will also be a five-person team, we win if we neutralize five people. Now that it’s simpler than last time, I can reduce enemy strength just by dropping stone cages on them.”

It was a method I had used during the previous event too.

A cage enclosed on five sides with stone, with only air holes opened in it. I could place it directly over a transfer participant and trap them inside.

Most people could be neutralized that way.

“I’m participating too! I mean, with Mashiro and Micron, there’s no way we won’t be a huge help!”

Shouko cheerfully declared her participation.

“Yeah. I’m counting on you.”

“You got it!”

Two more, then.

Of course, the optimal lineup would change depending on the rules, so we needed to assume possible substitutions while making it.

Like I had just said, if it turned into a psychological battle, Shion would be included, which meant figuring out who she would replace.

“I’ll participate too. I can handle both attack and defense with magic, so I think I’ll be useful.”

Minori raised her hand.

“Yeah. I’m counting on you, Minori.”

“Of course. Leave it to me.”

Minori could also make ranged attacks. That was a clear strength.

Of course, she couldn’t exactly attack classmates from a distance, so it would probably be used more for intimidation.

“Um... I’m sorry. After you’ve accepted me as a companion, I feel terrible saying this, but I can’t fight the other students.”

Ms. Luminous hunched in on herself apologetically as she spoke.

“That’s completely fine.”

I didn’t want to force her, and even if I did, she wouldn’t be able to perform properly.

“...Is it really?”

Maybe she hadn’t expected me to allow it so easily, because she sounded surprised.

“To begin with, you’re our trade mediator, aren’t you? You’re a member of our party, but you also need to win the trust of the other students. If you attack or interfere with other students during the event, you won’t be able to build that trust.”

“That is true, but...”

“So I was already planning to have you stay behind this time.”

“Y-yes. Thank you...”

Besides, thanks to Ms. Luminous, our lighting problems seemed likely to be solved.

She would contribute outside of the event, and that was plenty.

“...Then that means I’m participating?”

The last one remaining was Yumekai.

“Yeah. Your barrier ability can show its strength in battle too, and it would be a big help to have you with us.”

“Fine. I’ll participate. It’s a chance to start paying back what I owe Kuno.”

“And if we go undefeated, you’ll get a Right to Return this time.”

“I know. But I did join Kuno’s party, «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» at least formally. I’ll follow the rules.”

“Mm-hmm! We’ll all go home together, Serina!”

Shouko hugged Yumekai.

“Annoying. What...?”

“Because you just got all sweet, Serina.”

“Huh? What were you looking at to get that idea?”

“The part where you said you’d stay behind for us?”

“Could you not rewrite my lines without permission?”

“But it means the same thing, right?”

“~~~~. Just let go.”

Yumekai pressed Shouko’s cheek away with her hand.

“Ah, now you’re back to prickly.”

“I was never sweet in the first place.”

As always, those two got along well.

“That said, I have one concern. If the five people we just chose leave, the remaining four may have to spend a while at the base without the barrier, right?”

Everyone made an “oh” face.

With a large group, we also needed to consider the companions we were leaving behind.

“...True. Depending on where I’m sent for the event, my barrier might be undone.”

“That’s why I want to ask the mystery blackboard about it. Depending on the answer, I may want you to stay behind, Yumekai.”

“Fine. That still counts as contributing to the party.”

Staying behind would mean losing her chance to obtain a Right to Return, but Yumekai readily agreed.

“Oh, then in that case, I’ll participate.”

Shion said.

“Good. Then let’s go with that as our basic plan.”

Just as we finished settling the discussion, Shoubu returned.

“I’m out of the bath! This house is the best!”

Shoubu entered the living room wearing her now-clean uniform instead of the change of clothes I had prepared.

For the record, she was carrying the change of clothes in her arms.

“I’m glad you like it, but I’m actually thinking of building a new house now.”

At long last, it was time for another new home.