After lunch, with Ruri and Noel still maintaining their polite distance, I retreated to my private sanctuary. The completion of the traditional clothing project had been a success for the group, but the emotional void left by the Velunari women's sudden formality weighed heavily on me. Their absence, not physical, but emotional, left a hollow feeling in my chest that even Miyako's reassurances couldn't completely fill.

I needed to do something. Anything. Sitting around moping wasn't going to fix this situation, and if there's one thing I've learned in this world, it's that magical crafting projects can solve a surprising number of problems.

My fingers traced the smooth metal of the engagement ring in my pocket, Miyako's matching pair to the one now adorning her finger. The other rings I'd crafted sat in their hidden compartment, each waiting for a purpose I wasn't sure would ever come to pass.

In the solitude of my workshop, an idea began to form. If Ruri and Noel wouldn't give me the chance to speak with them directly, perhaps I could create something that spoke for me, something that bridged our worlds just as our relationship had once done.

I pulled out my divine smartphone and opened the Bazaar of Wonders app. Seven's new abilities, Transmute and Transfusion, hummed with potential at the edges of my consciousness. The silks I'd browsed days ago suddenly took on new significance. What if I combined them? Created something unprecedented?

My fingers danced across the screen as I placed an order for twelve of the rarest magical silks in Voluptaria:

[Order Placed: 12 Rare Magical Silks] [Divine Credits: -0.012] [Delivery: Immediate]

A soft chime rang through my workshop as a shimmering portal opened above my workbench. Twelve perfectly folded squares of fabric, each roughly a metre square, floated down in a neat stack. As the portal closed, I approached the pile with an almost reverent curiosity.

I reached for the topmost fabric, a radiant golden cloth that seemed to emit its own warm light. The moment my fingers touched it, warmth spread through my hand and up my arm.

[Analysing: Solspun Silk] [Source: Astra Solar Subplane] [Properties: Purification Aura, Light Manipulation, Vitality Enhancement] [Rarity: Exceptional] [Notes: Harvested only during peak solar flares when the veil between planes thins]

The fabric shimmered between amber and fiery orange, the threads moving slightly as if alive with solar energy. I ran my fingers across its surface, marvelling at how it maintained a perfect warmth regardless of the ambient temperature. The fabric felt both substantial and impossibly light, as if woven from captured sunbeams.

Setting it aside, I reached for the next, a silvery-blue iridescent fabric that seemed to shift and flow even when perfectly still.

[Analysing: Lunespun Silk] [Source: Astra Lunar Subplane] [Properties: Emotional Resonance, Illusion Affinity, Dream Navigation] [Rarity: Exceptional] [Notes: Created only during triple moon convergences]

This silk felt cool to the touch, with subtle electrical charges that tickled my fingers. It moved with fluid grace, reminding me of moonlight on water. As I examined it, I felt a strange calm wash over me, my anxieties about Ruri and Noel temporarily receding as the fabric's emotional resonance took effect.

The third fabric was a deep midnight-blue, adorned with tiny twinkling lights that formed and reformed into various constellations as I watched.

[Analysing: Stellaspun Silk] [Source: Astra Starlight Subplane] [Properties: Cosmic Navigation, Fate Glimpses, Spatial Awareness] [Rarity: Exceptional] [Notes: Woven from the essence of dying stars]

This fabric maintained perfect temperature equilibrium, neither warm nor cool, and seemed to contain infinite depth. The tiny lights shifted in patterns that almost made sense, as if trying to tell me something about future paths.

The fourth fabric was impossibly dark, seeming to absorb the light around it. The edges blurred and shifted as if partially intangible.

[Analysing: Tenebrisspun Silk] [Source: Umbra Shadow Subplane] [Properties: Light Absorption, Shadow Stepping, Visual Obscurement] [Rarity: Exceptional] [Notes: Collected from the deepest shadow pools of the Tenebris Void]

When I picked it up, the workshop lights dimmed noticeably. Objects behind the fabric became difficult to perceive clearly, as if seen through layers of smoke. It felt substantial yet ephemeral, like trying to hold a solidified shadow.

The fifth fabric made me instinctively recoil. Unsettling crimson-black with patterns that seemed to change when I wasn't looking directly at it.

[Analysing: Incubospun Silk] [Source: Umbra Nightmare Subplane] [Properties: Fear Projection, Intimidation Aura, Nightmare Harvesting] [Rarity: Exceptional] [Notes: Requires specialised handling due to psychological effects]

The fabric produced an immediate sense of unease. Swirling motifs suggested faces or figures at the corner of my vision, and I could swear I heard faint whispers emanating from its folds. Despite its disturbing nature, the craftsmanship was undeniable, this was terror woven into physical form. Definitely not something I'd want to make pajamas from.

The sixth fabric shimmered with an otherworldly quality, appearing partially transparent yet undeniably solid.

[Analysing: Limenspun Silk] [Source: Umbra Liminality Subplane] [Properties: Boundary Crossing, State Flux, Liminal Sight] [Rarity: Exceptional] [Notes: Exists partially between states of being]

Its colours shifted between visible spectrum and impossible hues that had no name. As I held it, I felt as if I were standing on a threshold between worlds, not quite in one place or another. The sensation was disorienting but strangely compelling.

The seventh fabric was stark white with an unusual absence of texture or reflection.

[Analysing: Nihilspun Silk] [Source: Arcana Null Subplane] [Properties: Spell Negation, Magic Dampening, Arcane Invisibility] [Rarity: Exceptional] [Notes: Naturally resists enchantment and modification]

It appeared almost as a void in the shape of cloth, and as I touched it, I felt my magical senses momentarily dull. The fabric seemed to resist any attempt to manipulate it, as if it existed to deny change rather than embrace it.

The eighth fabric featured complex geometric patterns that reorganised themselves before my eyes.

[Analysing: Metaspun Silk] [Source: Arcana Metamagic Subplane] [Properties: Spell Enhancement, Magical Adaptation, Pattern Recognition] [Rarity: Exceptional] [Notes: Responds to magical energies by reorganising its structure]

The patterns glowed with subtle arcane sigils, responding to the ambient magic in my sanctuary. The fabric felt intelligent somehow, as if analysing and adapting to my touch in real time.

The ninth fabric appeared partially unravelled at all times, with threads that phased in and out of existence.

[Analysing: Dissolutiospun Silk] [Source: Arcana Disintegration Subplane] [Properties: Matter Erosion, Bond Severing, Arcane Unraveling] [Rarity: Exceptional] [Notes: Handle with extreme care; can degrade containment materials]

When I looked at my own reflection in its surface, I appeared to be breaking apart into component pieces. The fabric seemed to challenge the very idea of permanence, threatening to unravel anything it touched for too long. Not exactly something you'd want for everyday wear.

The tenth fabric was opalescent with patterns that changed as I observed them.

[Analysing: Augurispun Silk] [Source: Fatum Divination Subplane] [Properties: Future Glimpsing, Truth Sensing, Path Revealing] [Rarity: Exceptional] [Notes: Shows different patterns to different observers]

The patterns displayed symbols and scenes that seemed oddly relevant to my current situation. I briefly glimpsed what looked like Ruri and Noel wearing beautiful garments, their expressions warm rather than distant. The vision faded as quickly as it appeared, leaving me wondering if it was prophecy or merely my own wishful thinking.

The eleventh fabric featured pastel hues with patterns that seemed drawn from dreams.

[Analysing: Somnispun Silk] [Source: Fatum Dream Subplane] [Properties: Dream Manifestation, Sleep Induction, Memory Surfacing] [Rarity: Exceptional] [Notes: Carries scent signature unique to each observer]

The patterns shifted subtly when I wasn't looking directly at them. A faint scent emanated from the fabric, something that reminded me of my grandparents' home in Singapore, a memory I hadn't revisited in years. The fabric felt comforting, like an old friend.

The final fabric was crystal-clear, taking on colours that seemed to match my own thoughts.

[Analysing: Mentespun Silk] [Source: Fatum Mind Subplane] [Properties: Thought Projection, Mental Shielding, Focus Enhancement] [Rarity: Exceptional] [Notes: Responds to mental state of nearby sentient beings]

Swirling patterns mirrored my cognitive processes, occasionally displaying fragments of my thoughts as visual patterns, my concern for Ruri and Noel, my love for Miyako, my determination to heal the rift that had formed. The fabric felt invasive yet comforting, as if it understood me better than I understood myself.

I arranged all twelve fabrics in a circle on my workbench, grouping them by their subplane sources, Astra, Umbra, Arcana, and Fatum. Each group of three fabrics seemed to resonate with its companions, subtle energies flowing between them even at rest.

"Now for the real test," I murmured, flexing my fingers as I prepared to use my new Transfusion ability for the first time. "Let's see if I can create magical lingerie powerful enough to fix my relationship problems." I paused, considering what I'd just said. "That's definitely a sentence I never expected to say."

I placed my hands on the three Astra silks, Solspun, Lunespun, and Stellaspun, and focused my will. The Transfusion ability activated, a gentle golden light emanating from my palms and spreading to encompass the three fabrics.

[Transfusion Activated] [Target Materials: Solspun Silk, Lunespun Silk, Stellaspun Silk] [Compatibility: Excellent (100% Subplane Alignment)] [Process: Fusing Elemental Properties While Preserving Magical Integrity]

The three fabrics began to merge, their distinct appearances blending into something new. Golden sunlight, silver moonbeams, and midnight stars swirled together in a dance of celestial energies. The process felt natural, as if these materials had always been meant to be combined.

When the light faded, a single fabric remained, larger than any of the originals and pulsing with harmonised energy.

[Transfusion Complete] [Result: Astraspun Silk (Ultra-Rare)] [Properties: Celestial Harmony, Time Attunement, Magical Amplification, Environmental Adaptation] [Quality: Perfect]

The new fabric cycled through solar gold, lunar silver, and stellar midnight, adapting to each while maintaining elements of all three. It emanated a subtle glow that shifted with the passing seconds, and when I touched it, I felt a perfect balance of warmth, coolness, and neutral energy.

Encouraged by my success, I repeated the process with the three Umbra silks, Tenebrisspun, Incubospun, and Limenspun. The Transfusion produced a fabric of unfathomable darkness that seemed to contain infinite depth.

[Transfusion Complete] [Result: Umbraspun Silk (Ultra-Rare)] [Properties: Reality Distortion, Veil Crossing, Fear Manipulation, Threshold Mastery] [Quality: Perfect]

The Umbraspun Silk's edges blurred reality itself, and patterns within induced both fear and fascination. Looking into its folds for too long created the sensation of standing at the precipice of existence, and I had to force myself to look away.

Next came the three Arcana silks, Nihilspun, Metaspun, and Dissolutiospun. Their fusion was more challenging, as each fabric seemed to resist the others in fundamental ways.

[Transfusion Activated] [Target Materials: Nihilspun Silk, Metaspun Silk, Dissolutiospun Silk] [Compatibility: Challenging (85% Subplane Alignment)] [Warning: Opposing Magical Properties Detected] [Process: Harmonising Contradictory Elements]

I poured more focus into the Transfusion, willing the contradictory elements to find harmony. After several tense moments, the fabrics reluctantly merged.

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[Transfusion Complete] [Result: Arcanaspun Silk (Ultra-Rare)] [Properties: Spell Mastery, Energy Conversion, Arcane Nullification, Magical Deconstruction] [Quality: Perfect]

The resulting fabric seemed to both exist and not exist simultaneously, with a structure that defied analysis. Magical energies near it visibly bent and restructured themselves, and the fabric appeared differently each time I blinked.

Finally, I combined the three Fatum silks, Augurispun, Somnispun, and Mentespun. These merged more readily than the Arcana silks but with a disorienting swirl of temporal energies.

[Transfusion Complete] [Result: Fatispun Silk (Ultra-Rare)] [Properties: Fate Weaving, Mind-Dream Bridging, Comprehensive Insight, Thought Manifestation] [Quality: Perfect]

The Fatispun Silk displayed past, present, and future simultaneously in overlapping layers, with colours that conveyed meaning beyond the visual spectrum. Patterns within seemed to respond to questions I hadn't even voiced aloud.

Now came the true test. I arranged a portion of the Astraspun, Umbraspun, and Fatispun silks in a triangle on my workbench, making sure to set aside some of each for later use. These were already ultra-rare materials, and combining them would create something truly extraordinary.

[Transfusion Activated] [Target Materials: Astraspun Silk, Umbraspun Silk, Fatispun Silk] [Compatibility: Rare Harmonic Convergence (95% Subplane Alignment)] [Process: Integrating Major Magical Domains]

The energies flowing through these fabrics were far more potent than before. I had to concentrate fully to keep the Transfusion stable as celestial light, abyssal shadow, and temporal flux merged into a single cohesive whole.

[Transfusion Complete] [Result: Cosmospun Silk (Legendary)] [Properties: Reality Anchoring, Cosmic Perception, Destiny Manipulation, Reality Mastery] [Quality: Perfect] [Warning: Handle with extreme care; material can temporarily alter local laws of physics]

The Cosmospun Silk was a reality-bending fabric that contained the essence of cosmos, fate, and void in perfect balance. It displayed impossible colours and patterns that my eyes struggled to comprehend, seeming to exist partially beyond conventional space-time.

I allowed myself a moment to appreciate what I'd created, several metres of legendary Cosmospun Silk that could serve as the basis for items of extraordinary power. But a nagging thought persisted: what if I could go further?

Some of the ultra-rare fabric remained unused, the Arcanaspun Silk and portions of the other fused materials. If I combined the Arcanaspun with some of the Cosmospun...

"That would be either brilliant or catastrophic," I muttered to myself. "So naturally, I'm going to try it because that's just how I roll in this world."

I hesitated, weighing the risks. The resulting material would contain elements of all twelve fundamental magical subplanes, a convergence rarely if ever attempted. But if it worked...

Decision made, I placed the Arcanaspun Silk alongside a portion of the Cosmospun and began the final Transfusion.

[Transfusion Activated] [Target Materials: Cosmospun Silk, Arcanaspun Silk] [Compatibility: Unprecedented (Caution Advised)] [Warning: Potential Dimensional Instability] [Process: Complete Magical Spectrum Integration]

The energies involved were so intense that the air in my workshop began to shimmer and distort. Reality itself seemed to bend around the materials as they fused. My hands trembled with the effort of containing and directing such power, sweat beading on my forehead as I maintained focus.

For a heart-stopping moment, I feared I'd made a terrible mistake as the fabrics pulsed with energy that threatened to spiral out of control. But then the chaos settled into a new, higher order of organisation.

[Transfusion Complete] [Result: Dodecaessentia Silk (Mythic)] [Properties: Universal Adaptation, Essence Manipulation, Reality Reconstruction, Divine Resonance] [Quality: Perfect] [Achievement Unlocked: Master Weaver of Realities]

The Dodecaessentia Silk was unlike anything I'd ever seen, the ultimate magical textile, containing the essence of twelve fundamental magical subplanes in perfect harmony. It shifted between states of matter, energy, and concept, appearing simultaneously as cloth, light, shadow, and pure magical potential.

"Well, well, well. Someone's been busy."

I spun around to find Seven leaning against the wall of my workshop, a familiar mischievous smile on her face. The divine aspect looked exactly as she had during our last meeting, casual, youthful, with an aura of immense power barely contained in her human-like form.

"Seven," I acknowledged, quickly recovering from my surprise. "I was just testing out the abilities you gave me."

She pushed away from the wall and approached my workbench, her eyes widening with genuine appreciation as she examined the Dodecaessentia Silk.

"Testing, he says," she chuckled. "Most mortals would be content to transfuse two basic elements and call it a day. You jumped straight to creating one of the rarest substances in the multiverse."

"Is that bad?" I asked cautiously.

"Bad? No. Ambitious? Definitely." She ran her fingers over the fabric, which seemed to respond to her touch like a living thing. "The others are going to love this. Mind if I..." She made a duplicating gesture with her hands.

"Sure," I said, though I wasn't entirely sure what I was agreeing to.

Seven snapped her fingers, and an exact duplicate of the Dodecaessentia Silk appeared in her hands. "Thanks! The divine staff room could use some new curtains. These will make Six absolutely green with envy."

I couldn't help but smile at the image of cosmic deities squabbling over interior decoration. "Seven, can I ask you something?"

"You just did, but I'll allow another question," she replied with a wink.

"When you gave me the Concordium alloy, you said it was enough for exactly fifty-one rings. Why fifty-one? Am I supposed to have fifty people in my... collection?" The word 'harem' felt too embarrassing to say out loud to a deity.

Seven's smile turned mysterious. "Typical human from Earth," she said, shaking her head. "Giving you enough for fifty-one doesn't mean you need to use it all."

She tapped my forehead lightly. "Think." Then she touched my chest over my heart. "Feel." Finally, she tapped my head again. "Then think some more."

"That's not really an answer," I protested.

"Isn't it, though?" She backed away, already beginning to fade from view. "Sometimes the question itself contains the answer. And sometimes the limit isn't about the material at all."

Before I could ask anything else, she vanished completely, leaving behind only a faint scent of ozone and starlight.

"Cryptic as always," I muttered, turning back to my workbench. "Would it kill these divine beings to give a straight answer just once?"

The Dodecaessentia Silk gleamed in the workshop light, somehow both drawing and repelling the eye simultaneously. I had to squint slightly to look at it directly, as if my brain wasn't quite equipped to process what I was seeing.

I examined the amount carefully, suddenly noticing something peculiar. The Transfusion had somehow increased the total volume of material. What had started as one-metre squares of fabric had expanded during the process. I now had enough Dodecaessentia Silk to make approximately fifty complete sets of lingerie.

"That's... convenient," I said suspiciously, wondering if Seven had influenced the outcome. The number seemed too perfect to be coincidental.

Still, I wasn't about to question my good fortune. I had set out to create something special for Ruri, Noel, and Miyako, something that might help bridge the gap that had formed between us. Now I had the material to do so.

I set to work with the first piece, deciding to focus on lingerie sets. Using my Transform ability, I carefully shaped the Dodecaessentia Silk into three distinct sets. For the first set, I created a black quarter-cup bra with pink and red flower accents, a sheer lace string panty, matching garter belt, and thigh-high stockings, designed with Ruri in mind, bold and alluring like her personality. I added small red bow accents to the straps, a detail I knew she would appreciate.

The second set followed the same colour scheme but with a slightly different pattern, the flowers were more delicately arranged, and the cut was more refined to complement Noel's elegant style.

For Miyako's set, I incorporated elements from both designs, creating something that represented the bridge she had formed between Earth and Voluptarian customs.

Each set was exquisite, the material's inherent magic making them shimmer slightly in the workshop light. But I wanted to enhance them further. As I contemplated what enchantments to add, my mind drifted to Ruri lying unconscious for four days after the shadow meteor incident. The image of her pale face as shadow corruption spread through her magical aura still haunted me.

"Never again," I whispered, determination hardening within me.

I laid my hands on the completed lingerie sets and began to enchant them, layering protective and enhancing spells into the very fibre of the material.

[Enchantment: Energy Absorption] [Effect: Enables wearer to absorb offensive spells targeting them or nearby area effects] [Binding: Permanent]

If Ruri had been wearing something with this enchantment, perhaps she could have absorbed those shadow magic missiles instead of being pierced by them.

[Enchantment: Energy Shield] [Effect: Enables wearer to cast protective shields against offensive magic] [Binding: Permanent]

With this, she might have been able to reinforce her lunar shield against the shadow meteor without draining her own reserves so dangerously.

[Enchantment: Spell Acquisition] [Effect: Enables wearer to learn one unknown spell cast within line of sight, usable once every 12 hours] [Binding: Permanent]

And this would have allowed her to potentially learn and counter the shadow animation spell that had corrupted the deceased students' bodies.

These enchantments, combined with the material's natural protections against all spells and negative effects, would make the lingerie not just beautiful but extraordinarily functional. The wearers would gain significant magical advantages while looking stunning, and most importantly, they would be protected in ways that might have spared Ruri her suffering.

With the lingerie sets complete, I turned my attention to the remaining Cosmospun Silk I'd set aside earlier. There was enough for fifty-one sets of kimonos, kamishimo, and yukata.

"Another suspicious coincidence," I muttered, increasingly certain that Seven had manipulated the quantities. "The divine beings in this world are about as subtle as a brick through a window."

I began with three sets of women's kimono and yukata from the Cosmospun Silk. Each kimono featured a gradient background from pink at the top to red at the bottom, with delicate Sakura patterns as accents. The edges were trimmed with gold, and the obi was intricately designed from the same silk with complementary patterns. The yukata followed the same gradient design but included both Sakura and orchid accents, with a simpler ruby red obi.

For myself, I crafted one set of kamishimo and yukata in the traditional style, using colours that would complement the women's attire.

As with the lingerie, I wanted the enchantments to be meaningful and practical. The upcoming Takejin diplomatic mission weighed on my mind. From what I'd learned about their culture through Miyako and from the historical parallels to Japan's Tokugawa period, their political landscape was fraught with danger, assassinations, poisonings, and intrigue were common tactics. I needed to protect my companions from these threats.

I laid my hands on the garments and began the enchantment process:

[Enchantment: Charismatic Offensive] [Effect: Grants enhanced charisma for negotiations and favourable perception regardless of observer bias] [Binding: Permanent]

This would help us navigate the complex social hierarchies and potential prejudices of the Takejin court, making even the most xenophobic officials see us in a more favourable light.

[Enchantment: Charismatic Deflection] [Effect: Redirects assassination attempts to the plot's originator] [Binding: Permanent]

A bitter but necessary protection, anyone who ordered our deaths would face their own assassin's blade instead. The symmetry seemed like poetic justice.

[Enchantment: Aggressive Negotiation] [Effect: Shields from manipulation and grants immunity to poisons] [Binding: Permanent]

Poison was the weapon of choice in many courts, both in Earth's history and apparently in Voluptaria as well. This would ensure we could dine without fear and speak without being magically coerced.

By the time I finished the final enchantment, dusk was approaching. The full day's work had resulted in three exquisite lingerie sets, three women's kimono sets with matching yukata, and one man's kamishimo with matching yukata, all crafted from materials of legendary rarity and enhanced with powerful protective enchantments.

I carefully arranged the completed items on my workbench, admiring their beauty and magical resonance. The question now was how to present them. Miyako would understand the gesture, but Ruri and Noel...

With a burst of inspiration, I decided to start with Miyako. Using our ring-bond, I reached out telepathically.

Miyako? Can you come to my sanctuary? I have something to show you.

Her response was immediate and warm. On my way.

A moment later, there was a soft pop of displaced air as Miyako appeared in my workshop, using the teleportation ability granted by her ring. She looked slightly disoriented for a second before her eyes focused on me.

"That's still a little weird," she said with a smile. "Useful, but weird." Her smile faded slightly as she noticed my serious expression. "What's wrong? Did something happen with Ruri and Noel?"

I shook my head and took her hands, leading her to the workbench where the completed items were displayed. Her eyes widened as she took in the shimmering fabrics and intricate designs.

"Andie, these are..." she breathed, reaching out to touch the kimono but stopping just short, as if afraid it might vanish. "What are they made of? I've never seen anything like this."

"It's called Cosmospun Silk for the kimono, and Dodecaessentia Silk for the lingerie," I explained. "I created them today using the Transfusion ability Seven gave me. They're... well, they're rare. Really rare."

"I can tell," she said, finally allowing her fingers to brush the kimono's sleeve. "It feels alive somehow."

My hand closed around hers, feeling the warmth of her skin against the magical fabric. "I'd like you to wear this tonight during the BBQ, but not right away," I said softly. "Maybe you could have Airi and Haruka help you change into it after we've been celebrating for a while? When the moon is higher in the sky."

Miyako's eyes met mine, a question in them that she didn't voice. Instead, she nodded. "Of course. Everyone will be in casual clothes for the BBQ anyway, don't want to get sauce on something this beautiful." Her fingers lingered on the fabric. "I'll change when the time feels right."

She picked up the lingerie set designed for her, examining it with appreciation. "And this? Should I wear this under the kimono?"

My face felt warm suddenly. "If, if you want to. It's not just for show. There are protective enchantments woven into all of them. After what happened to Ruri with the shadow meteor... I never want to see anyone I care about that vulnerable again."

She smiled softly, noticing both my blush and the concern in my voice. "Always thinking of the practical applications, aren't you?" Her expression grew more serious as she glanced at the other sets. "And these are for...?"

"Ruri and Noel," I admitted. "I thought... I thought perhaps you could present them during the celebration? They might be more receptive if it comes from you."

Something flickered in Miyako's eyes, understanding, perhaps, or realisation. "You're planning something for tonight, aren't you?"

I looked away, unable to meet her gaze directly. "I just want to make things right."

She set down the lingerie and cupped my face in her hands, turning me to look at her. "Then we'll make things right. Together." She kissed me gently, then picked up her kimono and yukata set. "I'll wear something casual to start, then have Airi and Haruka help me change when the time is right. And I'll handle the gifts for Ruri and Noel."

"Thank you," I said, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders.

After she left, I spent some time organising my workshop and gathering my thoughts. As the day turned to dusk, I changed into comfortable clothes suitable for a BBQ, but kept my new kamishimo ready for later in the evening.

With a deep breath, I stepped out of my sanctuary and made my way to the cave entrance. The first stars were appearing in the darkening sky, and the eastern horizon glowed with the promise of the rising full moon.

Behind me, I could hear the sounds of preparation, laughter, conversation, the clatter of plates and glasses as our celebration was being set up. But for this moment, I stood alone at the threshold, the weight of the two remaining rings in my pocket a constant reminder of what might be. The night air carried a hint of woodsmoke and cooking food, along with the sweet scent of flowers someone had gathered for the celebration.

I watched the stars emerge one by one, each a bright pinpoint against the deepening blue. My heart beat a steady rhythm in my chest, not panicked, but not entirely calm either. Tonight felt significant, as if balanced on the edge of something momentous.

Whatever happened, I would face it with courage and hope. After all, I'd crafted mythic-tier magical lingerie for this very purpose, and if that doesn't solve relationship problems in an isekai world, I don't know what will.

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