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### š *Tensura: Multiversal Shenanigans*
**Arc 3 ā Komi Can't Communicate**
**Chapter 23: Komi Makes a Friendā¦ Somehow**
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**\[Scene: After School ā Itan High School Courtyard]**
The bell rang, echoing across the halls as students filed out in chatting clusters. Rimuru's group waited by the school gate, with Milim dragging her feet dramatically.
**Milim:** "Ughhh, school is hard! Why does friendship require so much cardio!?"
**Ramiris (hovering with a juice box):** "I nearly got trampled during lunch. How do these people MOVE so fast for food!?"
**Veldora (holding a manga he borrowed):** "They don't value sacred traditions like line-waiting. Truly savage."
**Rimuru (watching Komi and Tadano approach):** "At least we're still in one piece. Let's focusātoday's mission is Operation: Help Komi Get a Friend."
**Ciel:**
> "Request acknowledged. Deploying "Social Subtlety Protocol"ā¦ Error. No such protocol exists for this group."
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**\[Scene shift: A quiet corner behind the school library]**
Komi sat under the cherry tree with Tadano. Milim bounded in with the energy of a small supernova.
**Milim:** "Yoohoo\~! It's Komi! I brought snacks!"
She threw down a colorful blanket, set out a small mountain of sweets, and motioned for Komi to join.
Komi hesitated. She turned to Tadano. He gave her a reassuring nod.
Slowly, Komi sat. Rimuru arrived next, casually flopping onto the grass.
**Rimuru:** "Nothing like sweets and awkward silences to build friendships, huh?"
Komi gave a small nod, her eyes flicking between the treats and Milim's literal sparkling aura.
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**\[Ramiris appeared suddenly from above, dropping a juice box into Komi's lap.]**
**Ramiris (grinning):** "It's mango-flavored spirit nectar! Probably safe for mortals!"
**Komi (blinking):** "ā¦?"
She timidly took a sip. Her eyes widened. It was delicious.
**Milim (leaning close):** "She likes it! Mission success!"
Komi scribbled something and showed her notebook:
> "Thank you. This isā¦ nice."
**Milim (clutching her chest):** "GAHHH she's so CUTE when she writes!!"
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**\[Tadano tried to keep the chaos balanced.]**
**Tadano:** "Soā¦ Komi's goal is to make 100 friends, and you guys are definitelyā¦ outside the usual friend template."
**Veldora (stroking chin):** "An admirable quest! A classic side-quest with emotional progression. I approve."
**Rimuru:** "Guess that makes us Friend #...?"
**Komi (writing quickly):**
> "You are allā¦ 5 through 8. I think."
**Milim (wiping a tear):** "I'm not number one but I'll take it!"
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**\[Just then, Najimi popped out of nowhere with a dramatic flourish.]**
**Najimi:** "Whaaat's this? Komi-san's got a new crew? Did you summon these weirdos from another dimension or something?"
**Rimuru (sweating):** "ā¦Please don't ask how close you are."
**Najimi (elbowing Rimuru):** "Don't worry, I can smell chaos. You guys REEK of it."
**Ramiris:** "That's probably Veldora's cologne."
**Veldora:** "It's called *Dragon's Breath ā Bold Banana Blend.*"
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**\[Cut to: Everyone gathered under the cherry tree, now in full picnic mode.]**
Ramiris performed a little floating dance. Milim had gotten Komi to try cotton candy for the first time. Rimuru was engaged in a fierce pocky duel with Najimi. Tadano watched it all in disbelief.
Thenā
**Komi giggled.**
Just a little. Barely audible. But everyone froze.
**Rimuru (wide-eyed):** "Didā¦ did she justā"
**Milim (tearing up):** "She laughed!! Komi laughed!! VICTORY!!"
**Ciel:**
> "Unbelievable. Emotional progress has been achieved via snacks and nonsense."
**Komi (blushing furiously, writing fast):**
> "You're all strange. But I like it."
**Milim (dramatically clutching her):** "STRANGE FRIENDS FOREVER!!"
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**\[Scene ends with everyone under the tree as the sun begins to set.]**
**Rimuru (inner monologue):**
> "I think we actually helped her today. Just by being our ridiculous selves. Who knew friendship could start with a sugar overdose?"
**Ciel:**
> "Universal law #7: Chaos attracts company."
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**To Be Continuedā¦**