When Asuna saw the crystalline seed resting in Aiba Asagi's palm, her eyes widened in amazement.
"So… this is what Izumi-san needed…?"
Before she could examine it further, Izumi had already taken it into his hand.
He closed his eyes briefly, sensing its structure.
A faint smile appeared.
"Just as I thought…"
This wasn't merely a piece of code or a tool.
It already contained a complete framework—rules resembling those of a real world.
And more importantly…
Some of those rules were exactly what he needed.
"Alright," Izumi said lightly, opening his eyes. "Everything's taken care of."
He turned around casually.
"We should get going."
Then his gaze shifted back to Yuuki Asuna.
"Asuna, come visit our world sometime."
"Your points may be low right now, but you can earn more."
He smirked slightly.
"Next time you enter, I'll let you retain your in-game stats."
"You'll be able to level up by hunting monsters in my world."
"Think of it as your reward."
He waved his hand.
"See you."
And just like that—
Izumi and Aiba Asagi vanished.
Right before leaving completely, Izumi paused.
Then—
His lips curled upward.
Several invitation cards scattered silently across the sky of Asuna's world, flying toward distant places.
They descended…
…and landed in the hands of several girls.
Watching this, Asagi immediately narrowed her eyes.
"…Casting a wide net, are we?"
She folded her arms.
"Looks like one Asuna isn't enough for you."
"There are quite a few you want from this world, huh?"
Her fingers moved sharply—
pinching his side.
Izumi slapped her hand away without hesitation.
"Cut it out."
Then he glanced at her sideways.
"Getting jealous now? Don't you think that's a bit late?"
A pause.
"You've lost count already, haven't you?"
Muttering under his breath, he pulled her along—
—and returned to his own world.
...
Back in Izumi's World
The moment they reappeared—
Asagi pounced.
She pinned Izumi down instantly, eyes gleaming with dangerous intent.
"Hmph!"
"Today, we're finishing you off together!"
She tapped her device—
sending a message.
Within moments…
Others began arriving.
One after another.
And soon—
Izumi was surrounded.
"…Wait."
Too late.
...
Meanwhile — Across the Expanding World
Invitation cards continued to fall across countless worlds.
Ancient ones.
Modern ones.
Ordinary, peaceful worlds.
For now, only those closest to Izumi's realm were affected.
The stronger worlds… had yet to respond.
But Izumi could already sense them.
Coordinates.
Connections.
A vast network forming.
...
Meanwhile, in the Dimensional City—
Nakiri Erina's restaurant had finally opened.
After days of research, experimentation, and adaptation—
She and her team had mastered the use of ingredients from this world.
Their cooking skills had advanced dramatically.
And with that confidence—
They opened for business.
The response?
Overwhelming.
Customers flooded in.
Among them—
Yakumo Yukari and Saigyouji Yuyuko, along with others from Gensokyo.
Rumor had it—
If you shared a meal here with someone special…
something interesting might happen.
Whatever that meant—
It was enough to draw attention.
...
Even Izumi showed up.
After several… intense days, he needed "nutritional recovery."
But when he entered—
He froze.
The entire 100-square-meter restaurant…
was completely full.
Not a single seat available.
Erina noticed him immediately and sighed.
"There's no space."
"Do you want to wait?"
"…Or share a table?"
Nearby, Yukari and Yuyuko waved at him cheerfully.
Izumi glanced around.
Then—
Snap.
With a single flick of his fingers—
The restaurant doubled in size.
Space expanded.
Tables and chairs appeared instantly.
Silence fell.
Everyone stared.
"…What?"
For many, this was their first time witnessing such power.
Expanding space… with a snap?
Izumi nodded in satisfaction.
Then smiled at Erina.
"See? Problem solved."
"You should focus on your customers."
His tone turned teasing.
"You still owe me quite a lot."
"This expansion's free."
"But next time? Pay up."
He casually found a seat and sat down.
...
At that moment—
The door opened again.
Three small figures walked in.
Among them—
Aihara Enju and Fuse Midori.
And…
someone unexpected.
Flandre Scarlet.
Izumi blinked.
"…Enju, how did you end up with Flandre?"
Enju grinned brightly.
"Flandre was looking for Avrora Florestina, but she wasn't around."
"So we brought her along!"
"We're friends now!"
Her eyes sparkled.
"And she's super amazing at games!"
Izumi raised a brow slightly.
Meanwhile, Flandre tilted her head curiously.
Her crimson eyes studied him.
"…You're Izumi?"
She stepped forward—
and gave a surprisingly elegant bow.
"Thank you."
"If it weren't for you…"
"I wouldn't be able to walk freely like this."
Her voice was soft.
Genuine.
Because without Izumi—
Without this world's stabilizing rules—
Her overwhelming, dangerous power would have kept her confined forever.
Now—
She could laugh.
Play.
Live freely.
And for that—
She was truly grateful.