Approximately thirty minutes later, the living room of the Minamiya residence had filled with all of Rozen's familiar acquaintances.
"You bastard, you finally decided to show up."
Kojou let out a relieved sigh as he spoke these words. He stood accompanied by Asagi and Motoki - his three closest classmates from Saikai Academy who had rushed over together.
Yukina was flanked by Kanon and Astarte.
"It's wonderful that Senpai has returned safely," Kanon said with her characteristic angelic gentleness, her expression radiating relief.
"Target individual's return confirmed," Astarte stated in her usual monotone.
Asagi and Motoki proved more difficult to handle.
"What kind of game were you playing? How could you just vanish like that? I nearly thought someone had dumped your body in the ocean!" Asagi glared daggers at Rozen, clearly indicating the computer genius had employed every illegal means at her disposal to track him down.
"You really scared us this time, Nichiyo." Motoki rubbed his head with a helpless expression.
"Nagisa and Avrora were so worried they became physically ill. If my home hadn't been repaired recently, and if my father hadn't returned to take Nagisa to visit our grandmother - bringing Avrora along for a change of scenery - they probably would've been hospitalized from refusing to eat." Even Kojou couldn't help complaining.
"Where exactly have you been all this time, Senpai?" Yukina demanded with stern severity.
Rozen found himself surrounded by his friends while being forced into formal seiza position by Natsuki's punishment, the Witch of the Void herself seated imperiously on the sofa before him, watching coldly. The picture of abject misery.
Yet Rozen fully acknowledged this was his own fault.
"My mistake. I shouldn't have disappeared without explanation..." Rozen offered a weak apology, his ears still red from earlier abuse.
"Hmph!"
Natsuki showed no sympathy, snapping her lace fan shut with a contemptuous snort.
"Because of your inexplicable disappearance, I had to falsify your school attendance records, suppress inquiries from both the Management Cooperative and Lion King Agency, and needlessly antagonize numerous Demon factions. How exactly should I settle this account with you?"
Her displeased tone left Rozen with nothing but a bitter smile.
The group continued taking turns berating him, their collective frustration clearly born from two months of genuine concern. Rozen accepted all criticism without protest, adopting the model attitude of complete contrition.
"My mistake. I shouldn't have disappeared without explanation..."
He could only repeat variations of this apology to demonstrate sincerity.
Gradually, their anger began to subside, with some even speaking in his defense.
"Senpai didn't disappear intentionally. Everyone should forgive him," the angelic Kanon interceded.
"Target has admitted fault. Leniency is recommended," Astarte added in her mechanical tone.
"At least he's back safely. I'm sure Nagisa and Avrora will be relieved," Kojou sighed, joining the protective chorus.
This finally allowed Yukina and Asagi to relent somewhat, giving Rozen room to breathe.
Only Natsuki remained, her piercing gaze making Rozen's heartbeat accelerate until she finally spoke with icy finality:
"If there's a next time, don't imagine you'll get off this lightly."
"Understood, Natsuki-nee," Rozen hastily nodded.
Thus concluded the communal Rozen condemnation assembly.
However, matters weren't fully settled.
"Now explain yourself," Natsuki commanded from her superior position. "Where exactly have you been all this time?"
The others echoed the demand.
"The Management Cooperative's immigration records show no trace of you. I combed through every surveillance camera feed and could only confirm your movements around the Harurouin Festival. Did you literally vanish into thin air?" Asagi folded her arms skeptically.
"I mobilized all my family connections but found zero leads. You didn't use Space Manipulation Magic to flee the island, did you?" Motoki suggested mischievously.
This seemed the only plausible explanation for such a thorough disappearance.
Yet when pressed for answers...
"Even if I told you, I'm not sure you'd believe me." Rozen avoided directly explaining his whereabouts, his helpless tone suggesting genuine difficulty.
The truth simply couldn't be shared openly - not with Kojou, Asagi and Motoki present, along with Kanon and Astarte. The full explanation would strain credibility.
"If I said I traveled to another world, would you believe me?"
This was the most honest answer he could provide.
"Another world?"
The group exchanged puzzled glances.
"Another world?"
Both Natsuki and Yukina frowned, their expressions openly skeptical.
The concept of parallel worlds wasn't entirely foreign in their reality. Beast Vassals originated from another dimension, angels inhabited different phases and planes of existence, while spirits and demons occupied realms beyond their own.
However, the "other world" Rozen referenced differed fundamentally from their understanding - not merely an alternate phase or dimension, but an entirely separate conceptual reality. This distinction made proper explanation particularly challenging.
Seeing no alternative, Rozen opted for simplicity.
"Regardless, I journeyed to another world and accomplished certain things there. I never intended to leave without warning - circumstances forced my hand. Please trust me on this."
His vague but earnest explanation, while unsatisfactory, was ultimately accepted.
"This time only," Natsuki declared with commanding finality, her unusually serious expression carrying more weight than any threat. "Next time you anticipate such circumstances, you will inform me immediately. Understood?"
Rather than feeling intimidated, Rozen found himself strangely warmed by her concern.
"I told you - no more unexplained departures. Have some faith in me, Natsuki-nee."
His equally sincere response finally softened Natsuki's expression.
"Mm."
With this quiet acknowledgment, the matter was officially laid to rest.