Chapter 1013: Jealousy, admiration, and getting ignored

Giant Beast Forest, forward operating base...

The girls were seated together once more. More accurately speaking, Hinagiku, Mikoto, Kotori, and Shokuhou Misaki led the talks while Kurumi relaxed by the side. She is sipping tea like a noble lady with no intention of taking part in the talks.

Astrea and Tohka are competing against each other for the title of the true bottomless king. Flan is cheering for Astrea while Yoshino cheered for Tohka. They had fun while minding their voices. They didn't want to disrupt the ongoing talk between Hinagiku & co.

Astrea, Tohka, Flan, and Yoshino knows better than to make trouble for the adults when they are talking business. They wanted to help but they couldn't contribute to the talk. The only way they can help is to stay shushed when the adults are talking. Granted, they are more than willing to pitch in if someone gives them a direction to go to.

Hinagiku & co also told them to just be themselves when nothing's happening.

Kinuhata Saiai, Frenda, and Takitsubou Rikou are also on standby. The three were once covert operatives so they should be able to contribute in the ongoing conversation between Hinagiku and the others. However, the trio is more suited to the operation side of things.

Unless something special happens, they usually stayed clear of the talks. When the girls are ready to delegate, the ITEM trio will take over.

When it comes to strategy and the next action plan: Hinagiku, Mikoto, Shokuhou Misaki, Kotori, and sometimes, Kurumi are your go-to ladies.

Hinagiku & co are currently discussing the base that is being built in the Giant Beast Forest.

With Wu Yan's help, they already have all the materials needed for the base. The sisters started working on the logistics and construction of the base. The girls are acting as supervisors who troubleshoot any trouble that pops up.

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The girls are discussing the timeline of this project. They also suggested improvements to the base or solutions to menial issues.

The System had fantastic items. What would have taken humans a year and a half of hard labor can be done in a drastically shorter timeframe. Building a base that can house a population of 30,000 is quite a task after all.

With the perfect teamwork of the Sisters and the fantastic items they bought from the system, the base's construction is already close to 20% completed.

It would have taken them no more than a single day to build a base if security wasn't a consideration. Wu Yan had to install various barriers and counter-attack arrays.

"In other words..."

Kotori tapped the blueprint on the table.

"It's going to take us 1 month to finish this operation?"

"With the Sisters' efficiency and quick turnaround time, we should be able to finish sooner..."

Shokuhou Misaki flailed her golden locks, this nonchalant move only increased her charm.

"I guess it's safer to err on the longer timeframe..."

Hinagiku seemed to have her doubts.

"10,000 sisters on the job, huh? Why don't we get the other half involved? Maybe we can get the base done in half the time?"

"No."

Mikoto rejected Hinagiku's proposal.

"If all the sisters are gone it's going to arouse suspicion. I don't want people finding out about the base we are building in the Forest."

"True."

Shokuhou Misaki concurred.

"Discretion is the better part of valor. We are already worried about a monster outbreak near that place. We don't need humans snooping around, sinister jerks are more dangerous than demonic beasts."

"Demonic beasts usually attack rashly while humans can strike when you least expect it..."

The ITEM trio also nodded. They did a lot of wetwork back when they were in ITEM. They can say from experience this is true, even Takitsubou Rikou pulled off sneak attacks before despite her meek look.

"Okay, one more month it is. We will leave this base in one month's time."

Hinagiku tapped the table. She crossed her arms thereafter.

"I don't like staying in the territory of another faction, even I feel bad for overstaying our welcome..."

Mikoto bitterly laughed. Shokuhou Misaki, Kotori, and Kurumi were indifferent.

Staying in their own base beats staying in this base.

She roamed her gaze over Shokuhou Misaki, Kotori, Kurumi, and Hinagiku. Mikoto hesitated and she asked in a tiny voice.

"Hey, Kotori, what are the girls staying inside Yan's body like?"

Shokuhou Misaki giggled, she covered her mouth but her shoulders continued jolting in glee.

"Ara, Misaka-san, do you want to know that badly?"

"S-says who?!"

Mikoto jumped up from her chair. She yelled with a red face.

"Why do I care who he sees in the other world?!"

"Misaka-san, you're not being honest with yourself..."

Shokuhou Misaki said with a grin.

"Are you saying you're not jealous the three girls get to stay together with Yan-kun as his familiars?"

"Of course, not!"

Mikoto denied but her eyes sold her out. The other girls were also slightly jealous when they heard Shokuhou Misaki.

"Uuu..."

Flan's shoulder sagged and she continued with a dejected tone.

"Flan also wants to become Onii-chan's familiar, we can always be together like that..."

Yoshino is also tempted. Her face's flushed but she said nothing. The other girls had different looks but they shared similar thoughts.

Wu Yan entered the tent at just the right time.

"Oh? Everyone's here?"

Wu Yan didn't notice the weird light in their eyes. Instead, he stepped aside to introduce someone.

"Hey, guess who's this?"

The girls turned their gazes towards the tent's entrance. A purplish figure there shocked them into silence.

Time stopped...

Amused by their stunned looks, Yukari giggled warmly.

They are all genuinely surprised by her return.

Yukari tilted her head with a beautiful smile.

"Ara, what's the matter? Don't recognize me?"

Her playful voice entered their ears and they all loosened up a little. Then, excitement grabbed them.

"Yukari-nee!"

Astrea and Flan who struck it off with Yukari rushed up to her. One of them glomped her arm while the other cannonballed into her chest. They were red with elation.

"Yukari!"

Hinagiku and Mikoto said her name out loud. They were just as glad as the other girls to see Yukari.

"You're back?!"

Yukari nodded.

"Yes, someone summoned me again..."

"You're not going to disappear all of a sudden, right? Flan doesn't want to see Yukari-nee go poof..."

Flan said with a hopeful look. Her cute look got Yukari rubbing her head.

"It's not going to happen this time, relax..."

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"That's great!"

Astrea and Flan cheered out loud at the same time. Hinagiku, Mikoto, and the others also sighed in relief. They pulled Yukari over to the big table.

The tent was filled with cheerful giggles after a heartfelt reunion.

Wu Yan bitterly laughed when Yukari got surrounded by the girls.

"Yeah, that's right, just ignore me..."