Saigyouji Yuyuko had a lot—a lot—of questions for Izumi.
So much so that she chattered endlessly beside him, her voice light and cheerful, giving off the impression that the two of them were far closer than they actually were.
Meanwhile, sitting just across from them, Yukari Yakumo watched the scene unfold.
And she was not pleased.
A faint, inexplicable irritation bubbled up inside her chest.
For some reason… it almost felt like there was something green hovering over her head.
…No, that's ridiculous.
Right?
...
Izumi, of course, noticed her gaze immediately.
The corner of his lips curled upward.
Then, as if deliberately fanning the flames, he turned to Yuyuko and spoke casually:
"Hey, if you ever feel like visiting other worlds, come find me."
"I can take you there."
"And the food in other worlds? Trust me—it's worth it."
He paused, then added with a grin:
"There's even a world where everything is made of ingredients. Literally. Anything you see—you can eat it."
"You'd probably love a place like that."
Yuyuko's eyes instantly lit up.
"Really?! A world like that actually exists?"
"That sounds amazing!"
Her excitement was genuine—almost childlike.
For someone like her, a paradise of endless edible scenery was nothing short of heaven.
Yukari's expression darkened further.
She cleared her throat sharply.
"Ahem."
"Yuyuko… your food is here."
That finally snapped Yuyuko out of her conversation.
"Oh! Food!"
Just like that, her attention shifted completely.
At the same time, the group of little girls nearby had been watching everything unfold.
They weren't fools.
It was painfully obvious what was going on.
Especially to Enju Aihara, who shot a dissatisfied look at Yuyuko.
Another strong rival…
But Yuyuko?
She didn't care in the slightest.
Right now, her entire world revolved around the dishes being placed in front of her.
...
Izumi, on the other hand, had long grown used to Enju's reactions.
As long as someone female got close to him, this was inevitable.
He simply ignored it.
The group continued chatting as they ate.
Izumi casually scanned the restaurant.
The business here was thriving.
And honestly—it made sense.
Anyone who could open a shop in this world had something special.
Not to mention, after tasting the dishes himself, Izumi had to admit—
Nakiri Erina and her team had mastered these exotic ingredients perfectly.
The flavors were exceptional.
At one point, he even spotted Senzaemon Nakiri rushing in with another batch of Tōtsuki students to help.
Izumi blinked.
"…This is getting ridiculous."
It was like an infinite nesting doll of chefs.
Erina brought ten people.
Now the old man brought ten more.
At this rate, they'd flood the entire city with cooks.
But Izumi didn't mind.
Instead, he smiled.
After glancing at the prices and the customer flow, a certain idea formed in his mind.
They're going to need stamina…
And maybe some 'special' abilities to keep up.
His grin widened slightly.
"Looks like they're going to be working for me for a long time."
Even if he didn't suggest it, Erina would eventually figure it out herself.
After finishing his meal, Izumi stood up.
"Well then, I'll get going."
"Take your time."
He glanced at Yuyuko and added:
"Don't forget—come find me when you're free."
Yuyuko, stuffing her face with food, nodded enthusiastically.
"Mm! I will!"
"Bye, Izumi~!"
She waved happily.
Izumi left the restaurant.
Immediately, Enju and the others scrambled after him.
"Wait for me!"
"Me too!"
"Matte, Izumi-sama!"
After escorting the girls back to their residence, Izumi headed off alone.
There was someone he wanted to meet.
He soon found him.
Sitting atop a massive branch of the World Tree, quietly observing the scenery—
Akihiko Kayaba.
The man had been here for several days now.
Every day, after eating, he would come here and simply… watch.
And admire.
Izumi hadn't disturbed him.
Until now.
"So," Izumi said, appearing beside him.
"What do you think of my world?"
Kayaba turned his head.
His expression was filled with pure satisfaction.
"This…"
"…This is everything I ever dreamed of."
"No—more than that."
He exhaled softly.
"A world greater than imagination itself."
Then, without hesitation, he continued:
"Izumi-sama… what do you need from me?"
"If there's anything I can do, please—just say the word."
He understood perfectly.
He had value.
That's why he had been invited here.
That's why he had been given resources.
Izumi smiled.
"There is something."
"I want you to help me reshape this world."
He paused briefly before continuing:
"I want its rules to become like your game."
Kayaba's pupils contracted slightly.
"I'll integrate the World Seed into this world."
"And you—along with Aiba Asagi and the others—will refine and perfect the system."
Izumi's gaze sharpened.
"Can you do it?"
There was no hesitation.
Only burning passion.
"I will give it everything I have!"
"To be part of something like this…"
"…I couldn't ask for anything more."
A world where reality becomes a system.
Where people grow stronger like players.
Where everything is quantifiable.
Izumi nodded in satisfaction.
"Good."
He brought Kayaba to the central research facility.
Inside—
Top scientists from multiple worlds gathered.
From Academy City.
From Honkai.
From the Nasuverse.
And more.
At the center of it all—
The Moon Spirit Crystal supercomputers hummed quietly.
Standard equipment.
Easily created by Izumi.
He handed Kayaba over to Tesla and provided him with a crystal unit.
Then, without another word—
Izumi left.
Because from here on—
The world itself…
Was about to evolve.