The so-called after-effect is essentially when, after reading a large amount in a short period, one still feels a lingering sense of unfulfillment, immersed in the previous reading experience, and temporarily uninterested in other things that evoke similar emotions.
The reading over the past few days had a significant impact on Yamada Elf, causing various emotional fluctuations, which led to this situation.
"If I'm not in the mood to play games, then I'll try doing something else."
She pondered for a moment.
Yamada Elf hadn't forgotten that there was a usable piano in the piano room, and perhaps playing it could help release her turbulent emotions.
But before entering the room, she needed to prepare by taking off her Lolita attire, allowing her sacred body to bathe in the air.
Her preference for nudity was not only reflected in her novels but also in reality.
Meanwhile, in the neighboring house, upon hearing the sudden sound of music, the three residents reacted differently.
"Ni-… Ni-san! A ghost… piano!"
Sagiri stammered, trembling.
The ghost legend from the house next door had started years ago, leaving a deep impression on Sagiri when she was still an elementary school student.
"Sagiri, are you trying to say a ghost is playing the piano? How could that be?"
Izumi Chihiro shook his head, just about to explain, when Mashiro suddenly stood up, interrupting his thoughts.
"There is always only one truth!"
The golden-haired girl seemed to get excited, standing up, her flawless white finger pointing in that direction, her orange-red pupils showing a hint of curiosity, like a kitten wanting to uncover a secret.
"Chihiro, let us advance towards the truth!"
Mashiro waved again, seizing the initiative.
Seeing the girl's rather enthusiastic demeanor, Izumi Chihiro's mind quickly turned, suppressing the facts he knew, and played along with her, saying, "Alright, Detective!"
"Detective?"
Mashiro was quite pleased with this title, which reminded her of a light novel with detective content she had read.
"Alright, Assistant."
She accepted it with a poker face and a clear conscience.
If they hadn't been without disguises, their act would have almost seemed real.
"What's going on? Are they acting out a detective drama?"
Sagiri found that she couldn't quite keep up with their thought processes.
The two walked out the door and arrived at the small garden of the villa next door.
"The piano music is coming from inside, so the ghost is inside."
Mashiro made her judgment.
"So?"
he asked.
"Plan A, open the door with a key."
Mashiro held up one finger.
"We don't have a key."
Izumi Chihiro pouted.
"Then use Plan B, have a professional destroy the lock."
Mashiro looked quite serious.
"Sorry, that's a crime."
He shook his head.
"There's also the ultimate measure, Plan C, destroy the stronghold with explosives and eliminate the ghost."
Mashiro bent down, forming a 'C' with her arms, then made a throat-slitting gesture.
He learned that trick from who knows where.
"First of all, whether bombs can deal with ghosts or not, where would we even get bombs? And this is also a crime! You'd be better off hoping I just blast the ghost away with two shots from my 'Exorcism Holy Flame'."
Izumi Chihiro's mouth twitched.
There were just too many things to complain about!
Mashiro fell back into contemplation, considering ways to solve the problem.
"Alright, the detective game can end now. Sagiri is still waiting for the results in the living room."
Izumi Chihiro chose to let Mashiro have her fun playing detective, but he couldn't let it go on endlessly, so he broke the silence and rang the doorbell.
After ringing the doorbell, the room connected directly to the entrance, so a familiar voice quickly came through the intercom.
"Who is it?"
"Izumi Chihiro... Miss Yamada, you're playing the piano, right? Isn't it a bit disruptive?"
"Huh? Are you looking for trouble? It's not late at night, and my piano playing isn't that loud! Wait, I'll come out and discuss this with you right now!"
Not long after, the door opened, and Yamada Elf, dressed in a Lolita outfit, appeared before them.
"Elf, the ghost is Elf?"
Mashiro was stunned.
"What do you mean, ghost? I'm a living person!"
"Elf isn't an elf?"
???
Yamada Elf looked utterly confused by this conversation.
Do I have to prove that I am me?
"Mashiro probably mistook you, Yamada, for a 'Elf' from a novel, not directly calling you by your name."
Izumi Chihiro tried to explain.
"Oh, so that's what it was... I'll take it as a compliment then!"
Yamada Elf's joy was impossible to hide.
"But Izumi, I cannot forgive you!"
She then turned her head and said, "How dare you say I'm being disruptive!"
"Because there were rumors of a haunting here before, and your piano playing at night scared my sister."
He immediately pulled out Sagiri, his trump card.
"Ah, oh... Did it affect Eromanga-sensei? I was too careless, I'm sorry, let me apologize to her in person!"
Yamada Elf immediately changed her attitude, even trying to use the opportunity to contact Sagiri.
"There's no need for that, it's almost bedtime... I'll explain it to Sagiri."
Izumi Chihiro naturally saw through her intentions and refused on the spot.
"Since the truth has been obtained, it's time to return, Assistant."
Mashiro tilted her head to look at him.
'Do I have to keep up the act?'
Izumi Chihiro thought to himself.
"Yes."
In front of outsiders, Izumi Chihiro couldn't bring himself to say the title 'Detective-sama', because it was simply too embarrassing.
"Wait, Izumi-sensei."
Yamada Elf suddenly called out to him.
"Yamada-sensei, is there anything else?"
Izumi Chihiro temporarily slowed his steps.
"Um... these past few days, I took some time to read your novel, and I found it quite surprising."
Yamada Elf continued.
"Oh?"
He raised an eyebrow.
"You write very well, better than me. I have to admit, you are stronger now!"
She mumbled.
'Even if you don't admit it, it's a fact everyone knows, right?'
Seeing her sincere expression, Izumi Chihiro chose not to utter that hurtful remark.
"So?"
Izumi Chihiro asked curiously.
"What I want to tell you is, your novel is indeed quite good, I reluctantly approve... But even so, I will absolutely not give up on Eromanga-sensei."
Yamada Elf made a strange transition.
If Izumi Chihiro hadn't had extensive experience dealing with tsunderes, he probably would have found it difficult to understand what the girl wanted to express.
"I see, Miss Yamada, I'm honored that you like it, but I still stand by what I said: if you can do it, I won't stop you."
Izumi Chihiro smiled mysteriously, treating her as one of his little fans, his tone gentle.
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💯 PS = 2 bonus chapter