Curly-Haired Boy: "A red... red envelope? There's actually a function like that in the group? I've never heard of it!"
Book Artist: "I haven't heard of it either."
This is an Actor: "It appears to be a hidden function, likely only triggered once certain criteria are met. This group is proving to be more interesting than I initially thought."
Curly-Haired Boy: "What can I get from a red envelope? Can it make Gin-san rich overnight?"
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "I do not know. I cannot find any explanation in the interface."
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Let's discuss the red envelope later. Shouldn't we welcome the newcomer first?"
Compared to the mystery of the red envelope, the "elder sister" of the group, Konan, was more concerned with the new arrival—even if the newcomer's nickname was a bit... unconventional.
Book Artist: "'Skirt-Lifting Maniac'? Judging by the name alone, we've definitely got a pervert on our hands. Seriously, the 'Creepy Uncle' faction of this group is expanding fast."
Curly-Haired Boy: "Where? Is there a faction like that in here? Since when?!"
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Gintoki, are you really asking that when you already know the answer?"
Book Artist: "There is a limit to playing dumb."
Curly-Haired Boy: "What do you mean? Wait—you've already labeled Gin-san as a member of the Creepy Old Man club, haven't you? This is slander! Absolute slander!"
Book Artist: "Don't worry. You aren't just a member; you're the president! Even if you are currently the only one in the club."
Curly-Haired Boy: "??? Who would want to be the president of such a crappy organization, you bastard! I am a handsome male protagonist! Why am I being treated like a creepy old man? Are you all blind?! Hey!"
Book Artist: "New guy, come out and introduce yourself. Don't be shy. Even if you are a creepy old man, you've found your people here. You can even report to your boss early."
Curly-Haired Boy: "Are you seriously ignoring the handsome and charming Gin-san?"
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "I seem to be having hallucinations. Did someone say 'handsome and charming'?"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Sigh. Gintoki, even if you want to exaggerate, you still have to abide by the basic laws of reality."
Curly-Haired Boy: "???"
Book Artist: "Hahahaha!"
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Hello, everyone."
Book Artist: "Hey, there they are! The new person has appeared!"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Welcome to our big family."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Thank you, thank you. Please, everyone, take good care of me... Also, I have to ask: is this the latest technology from Academy City?"
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "?"
Book Artist: "What is Academy City?"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "I don't understand at all."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Eh? It isn't?"
This is an Actor: "The newcomer should read the group introduction first to better understand our situation."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Okay, okay!"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Hey, hey, what's with that tone? You're clearly a sleazy old man trying to sound like a schoolgirl? Gin-san used that tactic fifty years ago!"
Book Artist: "Fifty years ago, you weren't even born yet."
This is an Actor: "Do not jump to conclusions. It is entirely possible she really is a beautiful girl."
Curly-Haired Boy: "Pah! Would a beautiful girl be given a nickname like that by the system? If this 'Skirt-Lifting Maniac' is actually a girl, Gin-san will eat feces live on camera today!"
Sakata Gintoki had this confidence because he knew very well that group nicknames were tied to one's occupation, personality, or past deeds. They weren't random. Since the nickname was "Skirt-Lifting Maniac," the person must have done something perverted. What kind of girl goes around lifting people's skirts? That was classic sleazy old man behavior!
This is an Actor: "I see. In that case, please introduce yourself, Ms. Ruiko."
Book Artist: "Miss Ruiko?"
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Is this someone An Ran-san knows?"
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Um... how do you know my name?"
In a dessert shop in District 7, Saten Ruiko stared at the screen in front of her, her face filled with disbelief. She had just finished the group introduction, and her head was still spinning.
She had initially assumed this was some high-end Academy City project because of the sci-fi aesthetic, but she now understood that this group transcended technology. The ability to cross world barriers and connect dimensions was nothing short of a miracle.
And yet, despite being from another world, this Group Leader knew her name. Could he be a god?
This is an Actor: "I do. Please, go ahead with your introduction."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Right! I understand! My name is Saten Ruiko, I'm thirteen years old. I'm a student at Sakugawa Junior High in Academy City... Is this okay?"
This is an Actor: "Thank you for your cooperation, Saten-san."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "No, it's fine."
Saten Ruiko felt a strange pressure, as if she were speaking to a deity.
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Thirteen years old?"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "It seems we have a younger sister."
Book Artist: "She's so young! Even younger than me! That would be her first year of junior high, right?"
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Ah, yes."
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Are you nervous, Ruiko-chan? Don't worry, there are no bad people here. If you want to know more about us, you can check the Memory List."
Book Artist: "Oh, right! I should remind you: the top section of the Memory List has basic info on our worlds, while the bottom section has supplementary info on us as individuals—like what we've done in our worlds and how much of our 'plot' has unfolded."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "I understand!"
Seeing how friendly everyone was, Saten Ruiko gradually relaxed and began browsing the Memory List to catch up.
Book Artist: "Now that the welcome is over, it's time for the next step."
Curly-Haired Boy: "Right, right! The red envelopes! I'm really looking forward to this! Ahahaha!"
Book Artist: "Don't try to change the subject, Gintoki. Come on, start the livestream! Let everyone see you swallow that 'meal,' @Curly-Haired Boy!"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Sorry, the subscriber you have dialed is currently unavailable. Please recite a resurrection spell after the tone."
[System Notification: The Red Envelope Event will begin in 10 seconds.]