No matter how depressed she felt, Rika had no choice but to continue what she had started.
After all, if she backed out now, the reputation she had built as the mysterious Founder of Magicians would be ruined.
That was absolutely unacceptable.
As one of the world's hidden masterminds, she had to keep up appearances.
Thus, Rika patiently answered question after question about magic from the visitors who came seeking her guidance.
Even Rita Rossweisse, who occasionally appeared beside her, failed to notice anything strange.
Instead, Rita admired her even more.
After all, Rika had helped countless people.
Though, admittedly, her consultation fees were outrageously expensive.
...
Meanwhile, after waiting for some time, it was finally Eirin Yagokoro's turn.
A flash of light enveloped her, and she was teleported into the room.
The moment she laid eyes on Rika, Eirin frowned slightly.
Something felt strange.
The girl sitting before her gave off an oddly familiar aura.
It was almost as if...
She were standing before Princess Kaguya Houraisan herself.
The thought startled Eirin.
Then another bizarre realization surfaced.
Wait...
Could this girl also be a shut-in?
Eirin inhaled sharply.
She felt as though she had stumbled upon a shocking secret.
Calming herself, she carefully observed Rika for a few moments before beginning her consultation.
At the same time, she raised many questions that had accumulated over years of magical research.
As one of Gensokyo's greatest scholars, Eirin naturally possessed countless doubts regarding her own magical theories.
Now that she had the opportunity to seek guidance from a true expert, she intended to make full use of it.
Although Rika found the mature woman before her somewhat suspicious, she still answered every question without hesitation.
No matter what Eirin asked, Rika responded effortlessly.
Her answers were precise, concise, and immediately illuminated many mysteries that had troubled Eirin for years.
Before she realized it, Eirin had become completely absorbed in the discussion.
The strange feeling she had experienced earlier was forgotten.
All she cared about now was identifying the flaws in her magic.
Only after she had asked everything she wanted did she suddenly discover that she had already been teleported out.
"...Eh?"
Blinking in surprise, Eirin shook her head.
Then she immediately rushed back to Eientei.
She could hardly wait to begin her next round of research.
...
Watching Eirin disappear, Rika finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"So annoying..."
Curling up in her chair, she muttered helplessly.
"She almost figured it out."
Now she was genuinely beginning to regret her actions.
If she had known things would turn out like this, she never would have put on such an exaggerated act.
Why had she insisted on acting like some unfathomable supreme expert?
Now she had to constantly worry about someone seeing through her.
Rika felt utterly exhausted.
After shaking her head, she forced herself to stop thinking about it.
Next time, I'll find an excuse to retire from the role.
Keeping up this act is way too tiring.
I don't want to pretend anymore...
...
Naturally, Izumi had no idea what Rika was thinking.
If he did, he would definitely have plenty to say about it.
At the moment, however, he was far too busy dealing with Kaguya.
After quite a bit of chaos, the princess had finally calmed down.
The moment she did, Izumi immediately began complaining.
"You totally panicked."
"That's why I couldn't even continue my stream."
"I never expected you to be that kind of person."
"Should I start calling you the Juice Princess now?"
Kaguya's face instantly reddened.
"You're so noisy!"
"You already got what you wanted, didn't you?"
"Hmph!"
After saying that, she slapped a stack of money onto the table and hurried toward the computer.
Izumi stared blankly.
"..."
There was definitely something wrong with this woman.
Who paid money after taking advantage of someone?
Looking at the old-fashioned paper currency Kaguya had left behind, Izumi didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Rolling his eyes, he decided not to argue further.
There was no point reasoning with a hopelessly troublesome princess.
For now, he simply wanted to hide somewhere quiet and avoid being discovered by certain people.
...
Unfortunately for him, those very people had already gathered at his residence.
The living room was packed with girls.
Looking at the lively crowd, Rias Gremory and Sona Sitri couldn't help sighing.
Without anyone noticing, Izumi's circle had already grown this large.
"Where did that idiot run off to?"
Eriri Spencer Sawamura crossed her arms and complained.
"Has nobody found him yet?"
"We were supposed to go on a date today!"
"We agreed to spend the day together!"
"But the main person disappeared!"
"What's the point of a date if he's not even here?!"
Hearing her complaints, everyone exchanged awkward glances.
They genuinely had no answer.
After all, Izumi had already escaped.
There wasn't much they could do about it.
Still, gatherings like this were rare.
Since everyone was already here, they naturally began chatting.
The conversation gradually shifted toward everyday life.
After all, opportunities like this didn't happen often.
Usually, everyone was busy with their own responsibilities or hobbies.
Having so many people together in one place felt surprisingly special.
Yet that only made them more dissatisfied with Izumi.
The guy rarely took the initiative to contact them.
Sometimes he would disappear for days at a time without warning.
So when they heard there was a chance to spend time with him, how could they not be excited?
Many of them had rushed over immediately after receiving the news.
Who could have predicted that Izumi would simply run away?
It was enough to make anyone furious.
...
Of course, there were a few people who were quite pleased with the situation.
For example, Megumi Katou, Asuna Yuuki, and several others.
They had already enjoyed plenty of time with Izumi.
Watching the frustrated expressions on everyone else's faces was strangely satisfying.
The latecomers, however, felt completely different.
When Rias, Sona, and the others arrived, Izumi had already vanished.
As a result, they had missed their opportunity entirely.
The girls continued chatting for a while.
Before long, they reached a unanimous conclusion.
Rias narrowed her eyes.
"No."
"We have to find him."
Her crimson gaze swept across the room.
"Think carefully."
"Is there anyone who hasn't shown up today?"
"Someone who might know where that guy is hiding?"
The moment those words left her mouth, everyone fell into thought.
A dangerous glint gradually appeared in several pairs of eyes.
Somewhere far away, the unsuspecting Izumi suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
A very bad feeling was beginning to emerge...