"Aki?"
Sagiri scrutinized Shino Aki, and that feeling in her heart grew deeper.
"Hello, Miss Shino, I am Izumi Masamune. My real name is Izumi Chihiro."
Izumi Chihiro stood up and introduced himself.
'I finally heard Izumi-sensei's real name.'
Shino Aki felt the importance in his words, and her heart couldn't help but feel more connected.
Shino Aki took a seat opposite him.
"Sagiri, you're even cuter than I imagined."
She greeted Sagiri again.
After all, an idol was important, but a friend couldn't be overlooked either.
"Aki is the one who's cute, and the attribute of a childlike face with large breasts is very rare!"
Sagiri's gaze fell on her prominent chest.
Although Shino Aki was only two years older than her, the size of her chest was quite different, much larger than Eriri-neechan's!
It made her want to weigh it with her hands.
How did it grow like this?
Shino Aki said somewhat shyly, "It's alright, I didn't want it to grow this big either, it just happened unknowingly."
"Tsk tsk…"
Sagiri felt her hands moving, the symptoms of Eromanga-sensei were about to flare up.
Previously, she only relied on Miss Sonoko as a base to draw various large-breasted characters, but it was always somewhat insufficient. If she could personally experience and collect more breast shapes, she would surely be able to draw big sisters with more charm.
The two chatted in front of him for a while. Izumi Chihiro showed no impatience, but quietly drank his beverage, watching this harmonious scene.
Until Shino Aki's gaze returned to him.
"I'm sorry, Izumi-sensei…"
"There's nothing to apologize for. As her brother, I'm overjoyed that Sagiri has a friend she can talk to."
Izumi Chihiro promptly cut off her words and relieved her of her worries.
"Well then, Miss Shino, if there's anything you want to say, just say it directly."
"Hmm…"
Shino Aki's voice grew a little louder.
Although Usami Suzune had requested this meeting, Aki herself had very high expectations for it; her identity as a fan was undeniably real.
Initially, chatting with Senju Muramasa, who had just debuted, didn't evoke much emotion, but at this moment, she felt a sense of nervousness.
"Izumi-sensei, I've previously read your "Demon Slayer" and "puella magi madoka magica", both of which left a deep impression on me. So, I'd like to ask a few questions. Could you please help me answer them, Sensei?"
She paused before speaking again.
"That's just a small matter."
Izumi Chihiro replied.
When fans meet authors, the focus is naturally on the novels they've read, so in several such meetings, everyone's choices were quite similar.
After all, he attracted fans with his talent, not his looks.
The two chatted for a long time, and Sagiri listened for a long time, occasionally interjecting to share her understanding of the plot and her feelings while drawing.
The three of them were in perfect harmony.
However, such time was too fleeting, passing by before they knew it.
Just as they were about to part, Shino Aki made a small request.
"Take a photo? Yes, that's fine, as long as it's not directly posted online and spread for everyone to know."
Izumi Chihiro readily agreed, setting his conditions.
Of course, even if it were posted, it's not certain anyone would believe it.
"It should be okay to show it to friends, right?"
Shino Aki looked at him with eyes as clear and limpid as a spring, exuding the charm of a modest, girl-next-door.
"Of course, it's fine."
He replied.
Then they took three photos: two were Shino Aki with each of them separately, and one was of all three together.
This gathering could be considered a perfect conclusion.
Returning home that night, Shino Aki shared the good news with Usami Suzune and sent her the group photo of the three of them.
"Hehehe, after waiting so long, I've finally reaped the rewards!"
Usami Suzune made a drooling expression, carefully examining the picture.
"Hmm, so this is Izumi Old Thief? Not much older than me, and quite handsome…"
The picture was important, but what she wanted to know more was something else.
Shino Aki: Although I haven't known him long, I can feel that Izumi-sensei's personality is almost identical to what Muramasa-sensei described. He's a wonderful person. The only difference is probably that seeing Izumi-sensei in person makes him feel more real.
"Hana's insight is truly sharp; she can clearly analyze someone just by reading their novels and chatting."
Usami Suzune first praised her childhood friend, then continued, "If that's really the case, then there's no need to worry about any unfortunate consequences from flower interacting with Old Thief."
When she saw Izumi Old Thief's cold-faced, beast-hearted way of delivering emotional blows, she was very worried that Old Thief might be an even more ruthless person. The reason she confirmed this was out of concern that flower might get hurt.
"Well then, there's one more very important thing…"
Usami Suzune glanced at the group photo of the three, and the curve of her lips unconsciously lifted a few points.
…
After school on Monday.
"Hana, I have something good here."
Usami Suzune's tone was enticing.
"Something good?"
Senju Muramasa was a little curious.
"A photo of Izumi-sensei."
Usami Suzune whispered in her ear.
Senju Muramasa first froze, as if experiencing a pupil earthquake, then belatedly said, "Why do you have… this?!"
Her voice was a little shaky, due to the girl's nervousness.
It could be said that anything related to 'Izumi Masamune' would make her quite concerned.
"Hana, let's talk inside…"
Because it involved secrets, Usami Suzune pulled her into a small room.
"Did Aki get to know Izumi-sensei through Eromanga-sensei, with whom she's acquainted?"
Senju Muramasa ignored the process and details; her attention was now entirely focused on the 'photo.'
Although it wasn't a direct meeting, it still made her unable to suppress her curiosity.
Izumi-sensei's appearance could be considered one of the top ten unsolved mysteries in the industry!
Of course, the appearances of Senju Muramasa and Kani Nayuta were also constantly being watched, but no one had revealed any useful information.
"So,Hana, do you want it?"
Usami Suzune had a playful smile, like a rakshasa luring souls in hell.
Senju Muramasa remained silent, but her right hand unconsciously reached for her phone.
Once she had it, she saw the picture of the three of them.
The first person she saw was, of course, the one she cared about most, and then the other two.
Soon, Senju Muramasa returned the phone, her gaze calm, as if the fervent person just now hadn't been herself.
Because she had already completely memorized the photo.
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💯 PS = 2 bonus chapter