With those, he quickly crafted a shield.
Raising the shield just in time, he survived the Creeper explosion with only a sliver of health left.
He let out a sigh of relief.
Then, without hesitation, he picked up the still-burning furnace and carried it with him.
His mining expedition was over.
Watching Yukima Azuma's character sprint back towards the surface,
Kasumigaoka Utaha raised an eyebrow and asked:
"Done already?"
Normally, based on Yukima Azuma's personality...
He wouldn't leave the mine until he had at least half a stack of diamonds.
"Umu, got something to do."
Yukima Azuma nodded, stuffing all the resources in his inventory into the chest.
Then he glanced around, evaluating the matchbox-like house Kasumigaoka Utaha had just built.
Though it lacked decoration, it still felt quite cozy.
He put down the controller once more.
Yukima Azuma picked up his phone to check.
It better be something important.
Otherwise, nearly getting blown up by a Creeper just nowhe would definitely settle this debt with whoever had just sent the friend request.
After accepting the request, the other party immediately sent a message.
[Today is my birthday. Can you buy me a birthday cake?]
Seeing this vague message, Yukima Azuma tilted his head in confusion.
( -)?
Could it be a scammer?
Like: I'm a high school girl, transfer 500,000 yen to me!
Clicking on the avatar of the sender, Yukima Azuma felt the urge to delete the contact immediately.
But in the end, he didn't.
Instead, he replied:
[Why should I buy a cake just because it's your birthday? Do we even know each other?]
The message was quickly marked as "read."
Then, the "typing" status kept appearing and disappearing.
They were probably typing and deleting over and over again.
A long while later, a response finally arrived.
[My dad said that if I had a wish, I could ask you for help.]
Seeing this message, Yukima Azuma quickly ran through the list of people he knew.
Whose kid would take their parent's goodwill and use it to ask him for a birthday cake?
The number of people Yukima Azuma was acquainted with wasn't small.
Rather, it was extremely large...
After all, Laplace Corporation's philosophy was: "Make as many friends as possible, and as few enemies as necessary."
But still a favor in the business world couldn't possibly be exchanged for a birthday cake, could it?
Thinking it over, Yukima Azuma decided to ask directly.
[What's your dad's name?]
[Izumi Kotetsu.]
Seeing that name, Yukima Azuma's fingers froze.
So, it was Izumi-san's child.
Which meant it had to be Sagiri.
"What's going on?"
( )
Noticing Yukima Azuma's odd reaction, Kasumigaoka Utaha put down her own controller and turned to ask.
Being questioned, Yukima Azuma responded:
"Utaha-senpai, do you remember the bookstore where we met?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha looked slightly puzzled, not sure why Yukima Azuma was bringing this up.
But she still nodded.
"I think it was Izumi Bookstore. The owner's surname was Izumi, a middle-aged manpretty nice."
For Kasumigaoka Utahaa person known for her sharp tongueto call someone "pretty nice," that person must have been quite remarkable.
Yukima Azuma also nodded.
"That's right, Izumi-san. His child just sent me a friend request on Line."
"Said they wanted a birthday cake."
Hearing this, Kasumigaoka Utaha opened her mouth, about to make a sarcastic remark.
But very quickly, she furrowed her brows and fell silent.
Back then, the two of them frequently visited Izumi Bookstore.
Their relationship with the owner was very good.
But why would his child suddenly add their father's friend on Line?
Unless Izumi-san had
(note: ( ))
When they first met, the middle-aged man behind the cashier was only in his early thirties.
It had only been three or four years since then
Kasumigaoka Utaha stiffened slightly.
After a moment of silence, she looked at Yukima Azuma and asked:
"What do you plan to do?"
Yukima Azuma shook his head.
"What else can I do? There are still ingredients in the fridge, so I'll just make a cake."
Kasumigaoka Utaha nodded and stood up.
"I'll help too."
...
The two of them stepped into the kitchen, taking ingredients out of the fridge.
In Yukima's house, the kitchen was fully stocked with every possible cooking utensil.
There was even a specialized oven just for baking cakes.
Since Yukima Azuma occasionally made cakes for the girls in the house, he was highly skilled at it.
This time, he baked two cake bases at once.
One was beautifully covered in cream.
Then, Yukima Azuma poured jam into a piping bag and handed it to Kasumigaoka Utaha.
She carefully wrote "Happy Birthday" on the cake's surface.
()
The second cake, Yukima Azuma kept simpler.
He added some seasonal fruits, drizzled it with freshly made jam, and cut it into several pieces.
"Eriri, want some cake?"
Yukima Azuma called out from the kitchen.
Eriri, who had been waiting for a while, immediately rushed over at the scent.
( )*
He cut a slice for her and then pointed to the rest.
"Later, bring a portion to Kirisu-sensei. The rest, save for Megumi and Yukino when they come over."
Eriri nodded seriously, though in reality, her mind was already completely occupied by the cake.
After that, Yukima Azuma took out a large gift box and placed the birthday cake inside.
"Utaha-senpai, do you want to come along?"
He asked while holding the cake box.
Kasumigaoka Utaha thought for a moment, then shook her head.
"Nah, if I go I wouldn't even know what to say."
Seeing her decline, Yukima Azuma didn't say anything more.
"I'm heading out."
"Umu take care on the way."
After Yukima Azuma left, Eriri, still munching on her cake, curiously approached.
"Who's that cake for?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha glanced at her.
"A child of an old acquaintance. Back then, Lonely-kun and I were helped by them."
Eriri blinked a few times.
She hadn't expected something like that.
Seeing how much Eriri was enjoying the cake, Kasumigaoka Utaha also went into the kitchen and took a piece for herself.
She scooped up a spoonful and put it in her mouth.
The sweetness was just right, the texture soft and smooth.
That gentle, comforting taste unique to sweets spread across her tongue.
Kasumigaoka Utaha instantly felt her mood improve.
"If only I could live as carefree as Sawamura-san, how nice would that be?"
"( — — )
The long-haired girl sighed sincerely.
Hearing that, Eriri initially smirked smugly, but then she sensed something was off.
( ®® ) ?
It felt like Kasumigaoka was subtly calling her an idiot.
"Nani!? You wanna fight, you fat hag!!"
( Д )*
...
Meanwhile, on the other side.
While carrying the cake, Yukima Azuma casually sent a message asking for Izumi Sagiri's address.
Even though he already knew where the Izumi family lived,
At this moment, it would be strange if he did know.
The response came quickly with the exact address.
No hesitation, no deception.
Yukima Azuma blinked.
Was Sagiri just too trusting, or did she genuinely have that much faith in her father's old friend?
Either way he would go there first.
Yukima Azuma hadn't expected that his story with Sagiri would continue in this way
— — — — — — — — — — —
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Chapter 227: The Past of Izumi Sagiri
Chapter 227: The Past of Izumi Sagiri
Izumi Household.
December 10thtoday is Izumi Sagiri's birthday.
"Sagiri, what do you want to eat today? Mom will cook for you~"
The first-generation "Eromanga-sensei," the grown-up version of SagiriMrs. Izumi, stood in front of her daughter's room and asked.
It was her birthday today.
She should celebrate it, even if just a little.
A moment later, the door creaked open, and Izumi Sagiri peeked out, looking at her mother.
"I don't have anything special I want to eat."
Hearing that, Mrs. Izumi helplessly rubbed her forehead.
"I see... Then how about I make you a birthday cake?"
Izumi Sagiri immediately shook her head.
"No... no need. There's really nothing worth celebrating. Just keep it normal."
After saying that, she withdrew back into her room and shut the door.
Mrs. Izumi let out a resigned sigh.
It felt like her adorable daughter was entering a rebellious phase.
When she was younger, Sagiri used to cling to her all the time.
Always wanting to jump into her arms, watching intently as she drew.
Maybe it was a generational gap?
Even though her own hobbies were quite youthful, she wasn't a young girl anymore.
Mrs. Izumi sighed to herself for a while before heading downstairs, preparing to go out and buy groceries.
Even if Sagiri said to keep things normal...
It was still her birthday. How could she not prepare a nice meal?
...
Inside the room.
Sagiri buried her face in her blanket.
Although she seemed to be in a rebellious phase, Izumi Sagiri didn't actually want to distance herself from her mother.
She simply felt that her existence had become a burden on mother.
For so many years, her mother had to carry the weight of raising her.
Her life always had to be planned around her daughter.
As Sagiri grew older, she gradually realized this.
Moreover, there was something else.
A lingering regret in her heart.
It was about her mother and Izumi-san's honeymoon trip.
Her mother had finally found someone to remarry.
She should have had a happy time with that person.
Yet, because of young Sagiri, the trip was ruined.
Because of her, they had to rush back home and missed their flight for the honeymoon.
At the time, both of them said it was fine.
That they could make up for the honeymoon later.
But more than a year later, Izumi Kotetsu had an accident and passed away.
The trip they promised to take later became an unfulfilled regret.
Because of this, Izumi Sagiri always felt deeply guilty.
Now, she only hoped her mother wouldn't worry about her anymore.
That she would go find her own happiness.
Buried in her blanket, Sagiri's thoughts drifted back to her childhood days.
It was the first year her mother had married into the Izumi family.
The two had temporarily left home as planned to go on their honeymoon.
Izumi Sagiri was entrusted to Izumi Kotetsu's younger sister.
Her aunt, Izumi Kyouka.
That day, just like today, light snow began to fall.
Back then, young Sagiri had no fear of going outside. On the contrary, she was full of energy.
As soon as she saw the snow falling outside the window, she couldn't hold back any longer.
She rushed outside to play in the courtyard of the Izumi household.
As she was playing
Izumi Sagiri suddenly noticed something in the snow.
Beneath the pure white layer of snow, something was emitting a brilliant golden light.
Intrigued, Sagiri immediately ran over.
She brushed away the thin layer of snow.
Underneath was a strange, glowing sphere, radiating golden light, with a pair of wings.
It looked just like a spirit from legends.
Naturally, young Sagiri was completely mesmerized by the dazzling golden glow.
Just as she was about to pick it up
The small sphere suddenly flapped its wings and soared into the air.
It transformed into a streak of light and shot out of the courtyard.
At that moment, Izumi Sagiri didn't think much.
Mesmerized, she instinctively chased after it without hesitation.
She quickly left the Izumi household.
She kept running, runninguntil she had unknowingly left even the familiar street behind.
By the time Izumi Kyouka realized it
Izumi Sagiri's figure had completely disappeared.
The aunt, who had been entrusted with watching over her, panicked immediately.
She was so frightened that she nearly burst into tears.
Meanwhile, Izumi Sagiri was still entranced by the golden sphere.
She would run, then stop.
Each time Sagiri stopped, the golden sphere would also stop.
As if it was deliberately waiting for her.
Finally, on an unfamiliar street
Izumi Sagiri managed to catch the golden sphere.
She was overjoyed for a moment.
But then, when she looked around
She realized she was in a completely unfamiliar place.
She had no idea how to get home.
Stunned for a moment
Izumi Sagiri suddenly felt afraid.
She crouched in the corner of the street, sobbing.
Fortunately, there was a police station nearby.
A patrolling officer quickly noticed the lost little girl.
The officer brought her to the station.
Since Sagiri didn't remember her parents' phone numbers
The police had no choice but to send someone to search the area.
Eventually, they found Izumi Kyouka, who was frantically looking for her niece.
Everything was finally resolved.
The moment she realized Sagiri was missing
Izumi Kyouka had immediately called her brother and sister-in-law.
Izumi Kotetsu and his wife hurried back.
By the time they arrived
Kyouka had just finished getting a stern lecture from the police and was leading Sagiri out of the station.
Even though the situation had been resolved
Because they rushed back, they had missed their flight.
Moreover, it was peak travel season at the time.
Getting a new flight was nearly impossible.
So, the two of them had to give up their honeymoon trip.
The whole family returned home together.
Recalling that childhood memory
Izumi Sagiri crawled out from under her blanket.
She walked to her desk and pulled open the bottom drawer.
Inside, a golden sphere lay quietly.
No longer emitting a mesmerizing glow.
No longer possessing its magical wings.
It was just an ordinary golden sphere.
Back then, Sagiri had told Izumi Kyouka, Izumi Kotetsu, and her mother about it.
After seeing the tiny, lifeless metallic sphere
All three of them simply thought it was Sagiri's childish imagination.
