<Nocturnal Harmonia>

[Bloodedge]

While the Players were en route to the forest that would ideally become their base of operations, both were sending texts to some Bondmates and discussing the oddities of Miyuki's route. Yugi had little to say about that, but he thought it was easy enough to figure out regardless. "Wannabe do-gooder, trying not to get too invested in degen behavior. It's too late to hold back when you get something tangible," he said briefly before sending out his own text to Ai. While he was awaiting response, Miko was getting another. Tomorrow? Where? What nasty shit?

In the meantime, Yugi was entering the System Shop. Ai responded to his message soon enough, prompting Yugi to check her Inventory again. Once he confirmed she had an available space to drop something, he sent the next message. It read: But you still did it. Here. And with that, he deposited a large sack of gold into each of her available pockets. Another message would follow, containing a link to the System Shop and a quick note as the forest came into view for the Players. Can't send you bigger stuff like this. Enjoy.

[Apollymi]

The Players moved towards the forest while having text conversations and a casual discussion. They looked like any other pair moving around, just a tiny girl and a guy walking side by side. Granted, walking might have been a bit of a loose term as they seemed to be moving pretty fast. They spoke about the oddities and Miko agreed, "You definitely can't hold back in the thick of it. Still, he takes the bait so... I'll be pushing that button. It's probably a bad end♪~" Miko decided. Her path in otome games was usually as the heroine, but some heroines had a few villainess tendencies. Speaking of those, an actual text came up this one from Ren questioning her activities which made her chuckle. Or maybe super late, it mostly depends on when house hunting is finished and if you're still up (˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧ Might be able to use your room in our place if we get it. If not we're at onsen and I should have some time for you (๑>ᴗ<๑) I've found some awesome stuff! Like real furries and monster dicks big enough to almost break my neck✪ω✪

While they approached the forest, it would seem that there was quite a bit. Ai would be receiving a text which made her look around her room. Freaky~ At the same time, she soon found her pockets had become quite heavy. Well, that was odd, when she reached in she found bags of gold coins and then a return message about sending her things. She wasn't dumb, she figured this was secret currency. She had enough time alone with the phone to look for a way to spend the funds. Upon finding the shop, she'd buy herself something small initially, just a Boba Tea which would appear in her hand. Wow, you guys are getting to have way too much fun. Still, thanks~ And sometime before she kept looking around but she'd send him a cheeky picture of herself, with that tea. She was sitting around in her underwear letting him see her in her comfort enjoying what he'd given her. Such a thing would also come with a seven percent intimacy increase.

[Bloodedge]

In the interim between messages, Yugi found himself staring down signs urging passersby to consider their families, seek help and so-on. "Seek help, huh? That's a good idea," he said with a bit of morbid cheekiness, casually stepping deeper into the forest. There was a plan for this excursion, and he'd put it into effect after passing a few... hanging bodies. "How about some help guys?" he asked sarcastically to bring forth Igris and the Infantry. "Grunts, spread out and triangulate. We need the deepest part of the forest with the least chance of discovery," he ordered. "Igris, you're with us because reasons."

As the Shadows spread, one more message came Miko's way. I'm usually awake. Text anyway. I can't miss that story! Ren sent that message without so much as a second thought. It seemed Yugi was also witnessing something that happened without any additional thought ─ namely an image of Ai with bubble tea she definitely didn't get from onsen. Thousands of gold and options... and you get boba? Based. Just don't waste all the gold. Make a shopping list. As he sent that, he noticed a decent little climb in Intimacy for Ai. Now at 35%, she was no longer the lowest of his group. Interestingly enough though, they had the least contact and even number of words shared thus far.