Her hand had moved as if guided by divine intervention.
Even without fully forming the ideas in her mind, her body instinctively drew ahead of her thoughts. The result? Beyond satisfying.
"This is the fastest I've ever completed a project," she admitted with a mix of pride and disbelief.
Since debuting under the name Kashiwagi Eri, the deadlines had always loomed like grim reapers.
But this time, finishing 20 pages a whole month early? Is unprecedented.
However...
"Uh-oh I got so absorbed in drawing that I forgot about his birthday!" Eriri's smile faltered. Her hand, poised to knock on the door, froze.
"He's probably still mad, right?"
She sighed, switching perspectives.
"If he forgot my birthday? Absolutely unforgivable!" Eriri thought grimly.
"At least three days of the silent treatment! No a week! Actually, nothree days. That's fair."
But guilt gnawed at her. Would her limited-edition Kakarot figurine be enough as a peace offering?
"He liked it last year, but that was last year," she muttered nervously.
Pushing aside her doubts, she squared her shoulders. "Whatever! Worst case, I'll cooperate with him a bit if he acts clingy."
A vivid blush crept across her cheeks as she recalled that incident in his roomhow unexpectedly bold he had been.
The memory was so intoxicating that it often became her guilty bedtime indulgence.
"No! Stop!" She shook her head fiercely. "It's broad daylight, Eriri! Focus!"
Steeling herself, she reached for the door.
Before she could knock
"Click."
The door opened from the inside.
Eriri blinked, momentarily stunned.
The person standing there made her pause.
She wasn't used to being impressed by other girls' looksafter all, she was a certified beauty.
But this girl? She was on Eriri's level.
Long, silky flaxen blond hair cascaded down her back, and her fair, flawless skin gleamed under the light.
Her delicate features were framed by long lashes, and her full, glossy lips hinted at a sweetness Eriri couldn't ignore.
Her presence radiated a calming elegance, reminiscent of a traditional Yamato Nadeshiko.
But what was she doing here?
Eriri's gaze darted to the nameplate on the door. Nope, she hadn't gotten the wrong place.
"What's going on?" Eriri's brain short-circuited.
The girl holding a garbage bag blinked in surprise too but quickly composed herself.
"Hello, are you here to see Akifumi-kun?" she asked politely, setting the trash bag aside.
Eriri's scattered thoughts reassembled. "Uh, a-and you are?"
"I'm Shiina Mahiru, Akifumi-kun's neighbor," she introduced herself with a polite smile.
Shiina Mahiru that name rang a bell, but Eriri couldn't quite place it.
'Wait, even if you're his neighbor, why were you inside his house?!' A wave of irritation surged through Eriri.
Mahiru seemed to sense her confusion.
"Why don't you come inside first? It's hot out here."
Inside, Akifumi sat casually on the couch, flipping through channels on the TV.
Eriri, seated nearby, was too agitated to relax.
Meanwhile, Mahiru returned to the kitchen.
"So care to explain what's going on?" Eriri demanded, unable to suppress her rising frustration.
Akifumi, clearly expecting this confrontation, smiled wearily. 'I knew this was coming' He opened the fridge and handed her a cold soda. "Want one? It's hot outside."
Eriri accepted but didn't drink it, her glare never wavering.
Akifumi sighed. "Long story."
"Then make it short!" she huffed.
"Shiina lives downstairs. She noticed I was living off takeout and offered to handle my meals."
Eriri blinked. "That's it?"
"That's it," he confirmed, shrugging. "You told me to keep it short, right?"
"Not that short!" she fumed. "Do you think I'm an idiot?! What kind of classmate does that?!"
Akifumi shrugged innocently. "Maybe Shiina has ulterior motives 'cause I'm too handsome?"
A soft voice chimed in behind him, "Akifumi-kun, spreading baseless rumors is rude~."
Akifumi nearly jumped. "Wha? When did you get behind me?!"
Mahiru smiled serenely. "I just have good timing."
Turning to Eriri, Mahiru's expression softened.
"Please don't misunderstand. I moved here recently, and Akifumi-kun helped me when I got caught in the rain."
"I just wanted to repay his kindness by cooking for him. That's all."
Eriri's suspicion didn't completely fade. But Mahiru added with a knowing smile:
"And no, nothing inappropriate has ever happened between us!"
"Wait, what situation are you imagining!?"
Eriri's face turned slightly red.
Not that I'd been thinking about that sort of thing anyway though maybe just a little...
But seriouslywhen a juicy opportunity lands right in front of a big bad wolf like him, and he doesn't take it?
That's so not like him!
Feeling Eriri's incredulous gaze, Akifumi Mugiho scoffed. "Do you think Shiina is like you?"
Wait, hold up! What does that even mean? What does me thinking Shiina's like me even imply?!
It's not like we have some super special relationship or anything! We're just regular childhood friends, okay?
Though Eriri kept telling herself that, her body betrayed her. Her flushed cheeks clearly spoke of something entirely different.
[062] Childhood Friend [40 PS]
Meanwhile, Shiina Mahiru paid no attention to their banter.
Her calm voice carried a hint of sadness she couldn't hide.
"To be honest, I didn't realize Akifumi-kun and Sawamura-san were that close. Thinking back, maybe I was too impulsive."
"I should really apologize for causing trouble for both of you."
Shiina took a deep breath. "Starting from today"
"W-Wait!" Eriri cut her off, flustered.
"What do you mean by that kind of relationship?!"
Shiina blinked, confused. "Aren't you two dating?"
D-D-Dating!?
Boom!
Heat surged across Eriri's face, practically steaming from her head. She wobbled like a crab fresh out of a pot, barely able to keep her balance.
"Pfft ahahaha." Akifumi couldn't hold back his laughter.
"N-nope, we're not."
"We're just childhood friends. Not like what Shiina-san imagining."
"Ehh?" Shiina's eyes widened.
So... they're not a couple?!
Ahhhhhhhh! What kind of nonsense did I just blurt out!?
Recalling her words, Shiina's embarrassment hit her like a tidal wave.
Her toes curled awkwardly in her slippers as she stammered, "I-I'm really sorry, Sawamura-san. I jumped to conclusions."
Despite the apology, a flicker of relief bloomed in her chest.
'So that means I can still stay close to Akifumi-kun, right?'
Immediately, guilt crept in.
'Ugh, what a horrible person I am!'
Eriri, now thoroughly overheated, remained frozen in place, her brain clearly fried.
Akifumi sniffed the air and frowned.
"Hey, Shiina, do you smell something burning?"
"Huh?" Shiina froze. Her face turned pale.
Without her usual grace, she bolted toward the kitchen.
Flipping the hamburger patty in the pan, her worst fears were confirmedit was completely burnt.
"Ughhh," she whimpered, devastated.
At the dining table, Shiina sat slumped, disheartened. Eriri, still red-faced, seemed lost in thought.
Akifumi sat between them, amused by their expressions.
A few minutes passed before Shiina broke the silence. "I'm really sorry."
"I was planning to serve hamburg steak, but I messed it up and had to throw together some leftovers from the fridge."
Eriri glanced at the table in front of them: fried meatballs, cola chicken wings, mapo tofu, stir-fried vegetables, and a seaweed egg soup.
Wait FIVE dishes for three people?! And if not for the burger mishap, there would've been six?!
That's leftovers?!
Where did this out-of-touch noble lady come from?!
Even I, the daughter of a diplomat, think this is extravagant!
"I think it's amazing," Eriri admitted.
"Yeah," Akifumi agreed.
"Besides, if we're being honest, part of this is on us, right, Eriri?"
"Hmph." She pouted but nodded reluctantly.
"Alright, dig in. The food's getting cold," Akifumi urged, picking up his chopsticks.
"Thank you for the meal!" The three of them said.
Eriri followed, grabbing a meatball.
"Wait... what was I even worried about just now?"
Shiina may be pretty, but I'm no pushover!
Her gaze drifted downward to Shiina's ahem.
S-Seriously?!
How is she so well-developed for our age!?
Biting down on her chopsticks, Eriri refused to give in.
'No worries. Mugiho and I are childhood friends. Childhood friends are unbeatable!'
'There's no way some newcomer can justwait, newcomer!?'
A metaphorical lightning bolt struck Eriri.
Her face turned completely ashen.
'N-No big deal. Just because she's new doesn't mean she wins! I, Eriri, fear nothing!'
'Besides, we have common interests. Just being good at cooking doesn't mean'
Her thoughts were cut off as she took a bite of the meatball.
Her eyes lost all focus.
'S-So good how can something made from such simple ingredients taste this incredible?!'
'I lost. I completely lost!'
'T-This is unfair,' she whimpered through tears.
Shiina blinked in shock.
"Eh Sawamura-san? Is something wrong?"
Akifumi chuckled. "She's just moved to tears by your amazing cooking."
"My cooking is that good?" Shiina mumbled to herself.
"Be confident and drop the question mark!" Akifumi grinned.
After dinner, Eriri collapsed on the sofa, patting her now-rounded belly with a satisfied sigh.
"Am I in heaven? That was amazing!"
Akifumi flopped down beside her with a grumble. "How did you manage to eat so much? I barely got enough!"
Ignoring him, Eriri pouted. "Such a shame about the burgers."
"Those were supposed to be the star, and they went out in such a tragic way!"
Akifumi nodded solemnly.
For once, their opinions aligned perfectly.
Shiina, clearing the table, chuckled. "You two are too dramatic."
Still, seeing them enjoy her cooking filled her with joy.
"If you really want, I can make hamburg steak tomorrow night."
Eriri's eyes lit up, "Please let me come over for dinner again!"
Akifumi shot her a look but said nothing.
It wasn't like she'd listen if he said no.
Once they had recovered from their food comas, Akifumi asked, "By the way, it's been a while. What brings you here today?"
"Heh, guess what?"
"Finished your manuscript?"
"Tch."
So predictableno satisfaction at all.
But Eriri nodded proudly. "That's right, all done!"
"Not bad. Let me see it."
[063] Eriri: My Idol Was Right Beside Me!? [50 PS]
Akifumi accepted the manuscript from Eriri and skimmed through it, his expression quickly turning serious and evaluative.
A few minutes later, as he lay sprawled on the couch, Akifumi noticed his little brother acting unusually tense.
He immediately adjusted his posture, subtly turning his back to Eriri.
"What are you doing?" Eriri asked, puzzled.
"Too full. Can't sit like that, or I'll gain weight."
"And you think that position will stop it?"
"Absolutely!" Akifumi declared with a straight face, spouting nonsense.
Eriri hesitated but ended up mimicking his position.
Akifumi quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Whispering under his breath, he muttered to himself, "You just can't make things easy for me, can you? Always thinking about dirty thoughts just by reading manga! Sure, her art style's sexy, and the plot's solid this time, but this is definitely the wrong moment!"
Of course, there was no response.
A few more minutes passed.
Akifumi finally finished reading the entire manga and set it down.
Instead of speaking immediately, he waited until his thoughts settled.
Only then did he turn back around.
Hearing the shift in movement, Eriri nervously asked, "So? How was it?"
"It's really good!"
After a brief pause, he added, "Honestly, it surpasses all your previous works. If it weren't for the fact that your art style stayed the same, people might question whether it was even done by Kashiwagi Eri or not."
Eriri's smug expression froze instantly at those last four words.
"Idiot! Shiina-san is here! Don't go shouting that name out loud!!" she snapped, panicking.
Had she gotten so used to Shiina being around that she'd completely forgotten to be careful?
"Sorry."
Akifumi apologized earnestly.
"But she's in the kitchenshe probably didn't hear that, right?"
He then whispered, "By the way, with Shiina-san here, I can't help much, can I?"
"I didn't know she'd be here either!" Eriri sighed.
"So, what now?"
"Sigh... Whatever. There's still plenty of time. After finals, I'll just finish it up on my own."
'Yes! No more extra work!'
Akifumi tried his best not to grin.
"By the way," Eriri suddenly said, "now that I'm done, isn't it time for you to fulfill your promise?"
Waithis promise? Akifumi's stomach churned.
Was this day already here?
He felt an ominous pang in his gut.
"What wrong?," Eriri declared boldly.
'It's not like I'm doing anything scandalous. Even if my identity gets revealed, there's nothing to be embarrassed about!'
Somewhere, someonewho did draw scandalous stuffsuddenly felt attacked.
"Why do I get the feeling someone's badmouthing me?"
Eriri shot Akifumi a suspicious glare.
"You're not thinking bad things about me, are you?"
Akifumi blinked innocently.
"What bad things?"
Eriri scrutinized him for a moment before sighing and dropping the issue.
"Never mind. Just fulfill your promise! Introduce me to the Warrior of Love and Hope-sensei!!"
Facing her excited, expectant gaze, Akifumi hesitated.
He sighed deeply.
"Just... don't be disappointed, okay?"
Eriri was baffled.
"Huh? Why would I be disappointed?! Meeting my idol would be the best thing ever!"
Without explaining further, Akifumi gestured.
"Follow me."
Eriri obediently trailed after him.
Just as they were leaving, Shiina Mahiru emerged from the kitchen, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.
Akifumi paused and considered for a moment.
"Want to come too, Shiina-san?"
"Come too? Where are we going?" she asked cheerfully.
Eriri perked up.
"Are you a fan of the Warrior of Love and Hope-sensei too?!"
The joy of discovering a fellow fan lit up her face.
Given her masked persona at school, Eriri rarely found anyone with similar interests.
But with Akifumi's home being outside school grounds, she'd stopped hiding her geeky passions.
Naturally, discovering a potential fellow fan made her excited.
