Celes's blue eyes widened as she quickly looked between Zenki and me.

  And to be honest, I was just as confused as she was. Like, what the heck? I mean, Help-chan warned me, but... what the heck?

  After a few moments, Celes cautiously stepped in front of me and said, "Not to be rude... but who are you?" Her voice was guarded, but it was clear that she also didn't know what to think.

  I mean, that was fair though. If a doppelganger of the person you loved popped up out of the blue, it would definitely be confusing. Even more if said doppelganger was supposed to be the unique form of a special ability that loved person had.

  Zenki held up his hands, gncing at Celes and then at me and the other girls. Then he let out a wry smile and said, "I'm a friend." He met my gaze for a bit and looked at Celes. "I'm not the person you think I am, but I'm very simir."

  ...I felt a headache coming on. Help-chan, you'd better help walk me through this, because I am like three steps away from my mind breaking...

  Cici's voice echoed in my head. 'Oh my god, mindbreak! That's like my favorite tag!'

  [Help: Bad Senpai! Shoo!]

  The sound of a broom sweeping echoed in my head. And then another message popped up.

  [Help: Don't worry, Mister Sen! It will all make sense soon!]

  ...I hope so. Hah...

  Celes frowned and held my hand, as if making sure I was real.

  I smiled at her and squeezed her hand.

  Celes smiled back, the tension and confusion lifting a bit.

  After that, I looked at Zenki and said, "So... you're a real person, right? We aren't just like... hallucinating or anything?"

  Zenki snorted. "Rude. I'll have you know I'm just as real as Cici is."

  ...Considering who she is, is that saying much?!

  Cici giggled.

  I groaned.

  At that time, Hanako tilted her head. Her straight bck bangs swayed a bit, revealing her crimson eyes, and she said, "Um... What are we doing...?"

  Yui, standing beside her, gnced at Zenki, a puzzled look on her face. "You look kind of familiar, Mister..."

  Zenki ughed at their reactions and said, "That's because I look like Sen's father." He looked over at me, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "We're reted... distantly."

  I think it's not that distant... But anyway. I sighed and said, "I guess we should talk about the business, right, Zenki?"

  Yui blinked. "Business?"

  I waved my free hand and walked forward, leading Celes with my other one. "Yeah, Zenki here is a... business partner?" I gnced at him.

  Zenki nodded.

  "...Yeah, something like that of mine and my family. Let's head in and chat."

  Yui looked hesitant, instinctively grabbing my other hand. "This... is safe, right?"

  I blinked, confused. Then I realized that the other night most definitely would leave a trauma response in a girl...

  Cici giggled and said, "If Sen is okay with it, won't it be safe? I mean, look at him. He's a walking honeypot for creeps, so he'll sus them out right away!"

  "...I hate how you're right, Cici. But yes." I looked at Yui and said, "It'll be fine. I really do know Zenki here. I just..." I give him a bnk look. "Wasn't expecting to meet him here. Or today at all. Aren't you supposed to be 'overseas?'"

  Zenki smiled back and said, "Well, I made a quick 'business trip' to come back since you're setting things up properly. Sena too."

  I freeze. "What?"

  Zenki led the way and said, "Here, just follow me for now. We can talk inside." After that, he walked over to the front door of a three story building and swiped a card at the keypad, unlocking it. He held it open and said, "After you, dies... and guy who looks like-"

  "Finish that sentence and I WILL kick your @." I grumbled and walked inside with Celes.

  Zenki chuckled.

  Dastard. He's acting too much like Dad...

  [Help: Well, Mister Zenki is kind of like an alternate future version of you, so that makes sense!]

  How does that make- No, never mind. Crazy things have been happening since I started this life, so let's just roll with it.

  [Help: That's the spirit, Mister Sen!]

  I let out an internal sigh.

  Yui walked in behind us and looked around with wide eyes. "This pce must be expensive... Having a three story office building in Shibuya..." She looked at Zenki and said, "Just what kind of business do you do, Mister Zenki...?"

  ...Yui. Didn't you live in a penthouse suite...? Why are you impressed by- No, never mind...

  Hanako looked around as well, holding her hands to her chest. "I've never seen such a fancy pce..." Her crimson eyes looked at the posh leather sofa in the entrance hall and the fancy modern art dispys. "Is this real?"

  Zenki nodded. "Very much real." He gnced at Yui. "As for price... well, it's a business expense, so it's fine."

  Hey! You know danged well that you can't just write this off as a business expense and make it seem like it's natural, dude!

  [Help: Oh! Mister Zenki can't hear your thoughts, Mister Sen.]

  !#@# Say that sooner, Help-chan!

  [Help: S-Sorry...]

  Hah... No, I'm sorry. Just... what even is my life these days...?

  Cici gnced at the side and then pointed at a room filled with game consoles and arcade machines. "Ooh!" She grabbed Yui and Hanako, then said, "Let's go py!"

  Yui stumbled. "W-Wait! But-"

  Hanako stumbled too and said, "M-Miss Cici, we should-"

  "No excuses!" Cici practically dragged the other girls to the room and then shut the door behind them.

  ...

  [Help: Hah... Senpai...]

  I decided to ignore the crazy happening over there and looked at Zenki. "Well. This simplifies things a bit... I guess."

  Zenki sighed too. But then he nodded and said, "I guess it does. Come on." He walked over to an elevator and said, "We can talk in my office."

  I followed after him, walking with Celes beside me.

  The entire time, Celes kept staring at Zenki, as if she was trying to look into his soul.

  Didn't bme her. Since she'd seen me turn into Zenki and Sena, it probably was super confusing right now. Heck, my brain was still a bit overwhelmed at figuring out who the heck Zenki was...

  [Help: Oh! Let's see... according to this manual, he's an NPC we gave to help you with your Life Quest, Mister Sen!]

  NPC? Life Quest?

  [Help: Well, your Life Quest is the point of this system, which is to make a successful VTuber idol group, and an NPC is a 'Network Person Creation' that's generated by the system and integrated into the world system to- Ow! Why did you bonk me, Admin-chan...? T_T]

  ...I had. SO many questions. But... alright. Don't want Help-chan to get bonked for being helpful...

  The elevator chimed and the doors opened. After that, Zenki led us to an office. It wasn't very fancy, just a pin tall window, desk, some bookshelves, and chairs.

  Zenki sat down in the chair behind the desk and motioned for us to take the seats across from him.

  I sat down first, and then Celes sat down next to me, still eyeing Zenki with confusion.

  Zenki nodded and said, "Well. We should get this sorted since the main story arc is going to start..."

  I blinked. "Main story arc? What the heck are you-"

  At that time, the door opened and someone walked in.

  I gnced over and froze when I saw who it was.

  An ideal beauty. One with a lithe body, emerald eyes, and curly brown hair that looked freshly styled. Although a little different, there was no mistaking who she was...

  "SENA?!"

  Sena giggled, wrapping her arms under her chest to highlight her assets. She winked and blew a kiss. "Like what you see, Sen?" She paused and then looked at Celes, giggling. "What about you, Celes~?"

  ...WHAT THE @!#@! !@ #!@#!% %@#%@#!??????