According to her mother's judgment, Yamada Elf was someone they could recruit. At Summer Comiket, Sawamura Sayuri hadn't detected any romantic feelings toward Hiratsuka Ryosuke in Yamada Elf's words or actions. Because of this, she lowered her guard during their collaboration and found her time with the Fairy very easy and pleasant. They felt a deep connection, a sense of having met a kindred spirit too late.
Eri fully trusted her mother's judgment because she couldn't discern any information herself. Besides, her mother would never steer her wrong. So, she decided to follow the strategy her mother had outlined: recruit everyone near Ryosuke who could be recruited. She was already using the lure of illustrations to bring the Fairy over to their side.
What about Hiratsuka Shizuka? When she thought of that brave and beautiful older sister, Eri figured that would be too difficult.
Then, when she saw Kato Megumi today, she had a flash of inspiration. Wasn't Kato Megumi the perfect person to recruit? She was a friend of Ryosuke's who had no romantic feelings for him. She looked completely ordinary and harmless. Compared to the other girls she'd met in Fukuoka, this Kato Megumi's combat power looked very weak. Even if she did have feelings for Ryosuke, she was no match for Eri. Wasn't this the perfect teammate heaven had bestowed upon her?
"Eri, long time no see." Kato Megumi had no idea what was going through Eri's mind and simply responded politely with a poker face.
"When did you two get so close?" Hiratsuka Ryosuke frowned, feeling a little confused.
It was within his expectations that Yamada Elf and Eri would get along. Their homes were in the same neighborhood, they lived close by, and they had plenty of shared interests. Plus, since they were both fundamentally kind, it was normal for them to be friends. But in Ryosuke's memory, Kato Megumi and Eri were completely different types of people. They hadn't seemed to interact much before.
Kasumi Utako's heart jumped. When did this bob-haired girl appear on the platform? She had been loitering on the platform for a while and hadn't noticed Kato Megumi's presence at all.
Is that book... Kasumi Utako's eyes narrowed. She noticed that Kato Megumi was holding the regular edition of Sword Art Online Volume 2. Kasumi Utako's lips curled slightly into a small smile. She felt a sense of camaraderie with any fan of Teacher Ryou, as long as they weren't a troll. She glanced down at her own signed copy, feeling secretly smug. My fan purity is higher. I stood in line all night to buy this signed edition.
"Eh? Megumi-chan. Is that Sword Art Online Volume 2? Did you wait in line to buy it today? You could have just asked Ryosuke to give it to you!" Eri said with a chuckle, noticing the book in Kato Megumi's hand.
Kato Megumi shook her head, stating flatly, "I didn't wait in line. There was plenty of stock today. It was much easier to buy than the first volume."
Kasumi Utako, who had been secretly peeking at the three of them, heard Kato Megumi's comment and her approval of the bob-haired girl grew. Kato Megumi, is it? I, Kasumi Utako, acknowledge you as an old fan of Teacher Ryou. After all, even Utako herself had only started following the author after Your Lie in April was released.
"Megumi, lend me your book." Eri saw that Kato Megumi still had a regular edition and decided to give her a little bonus, treating it as an incentive for recruiting her.
Kato Megumi handed the novel to Eri, blinking her placid eyes in confusion. Eri signed her name on the flyleaf and handed the book to Ryosuke. Hiratsuka Ryosuke understood what Eri meant and reluctantly took the book, signing the name Ryou. He then remembered that Kato was a real-life acquaintance, so he opened the cover and wrote his message on the blank flyleaf.
"To my friend, Kato Megumi, wishing you good health and happiness every day—Hiratsuka Ryosuke."
After signing, he handed the book and the pen to Eri. Eri's eyes curved, revealing her clean, white canines. So Ryosuke understands after all! This was a special edition signed by both the author and the original artist—the most unique copy of Sword Art Online Volume 2 in the world. Finally, she handed the book back to Kato Megumi. "Here you go, Megumi-chan."
Kato Megumi took the book, and the first thing she saw were the signatures of Kashiwagi Eri and Ryou on the cover. She then opened the cover and saw the author's message from Ryosuke. No, perhaps it was a friend's message, since the name on the flyleaf wasn't the author's pen name, Ryou, but the boy's real name. Kato Megumi gently traced the inscription with her soft, white fingertip. A faint smile appeared on her otherwise placid face.
Eri was still immersed in the joy of gaining a new teammate. Ryosuke, however, was startled by Kato Megumi's smile. Wow, Kato looks so cute when she smiles.Wait, Kato is a normal girl. It's rude of me to think she wouldn't smile.
Wooooo~ The distant train horn blared, and the train slowly pulled into the station. Eri lightly kicked Ryosuke's heel with her toe. She then smiled and waved at Kato Megumi. "Megumi-chan, let's go~"
Kato Megumi shook her head. Her train was going in the opposite direction. She replied calmly, "I'm taking a different train, Eri. Goodbye, and goodbye, Hiratsuka-kun."
After saying goodbye to Kato Megumi, Ryosuke and Eri boarded the newly arrived train.
Kasumi Utako, who had been observing from the side for a long time, finally couldn't help but walk up to Kato Megumi. What were those two people drawing and writing on Teacher Ryou's book? Even I wouldn't dare to write on it.I have to take a picture of this outrage.
"Hello, my name is Kasumi Utako. Could I possibly borrow your book for a moment?" Kasumi Utako asked politely, her tone friendly.
Kato Megumi was slightly curious. Why did so many people keep asking to borrow an ordinary novel from her? Didn't this girl have the exact same book in her hand?She's a strange one. Kindhearted Kato Megumi nodded and handed over her book. "Yes, you can."
Kasumi Utako took the book and was immediately captivated by the new handwriting on the cover. She blinked blankly, at first thinking it must be fake. Then, with a trembling hand, she pulled out her own book and compared the signatures. Her pupils contracted, and her expression froze. With a shaky hand, she opened Kato Megumi's cover and saw the inscription left by Ryosuke.
Being smart, she instantly figured out the identities of the two people who had just left. So, that handsome young man was Teacher Ryou? His real name is Hiratsuka Ryosuke? He's so young, about the same age as me? A whirlwind of thoughts spun in her mind.
Utako stood on the platform, gazing at the vanished train, speechless for a long time. The breeze lifted her long hair, revealing her perfect, delicate profile. A few rays of sunshine broke through the clouds and fell upon Kasumi Utako. She finally returned the book to Kato Megumi, looked at the distant sky, and smiled faintly.
It seems that sometimes even a cloudy day isn't so bad.