In the living room, Izumi Chihiro, bored, went online to see if there were any interesting videos to pass the time.
Suddenly, he remembered something and searched for it.
Soon, he found a video titled "Kore Kara no Someday" that had been posted a week ago.
...
If we gather our wishes, perhaps they can come true.
Even with only a small strength, we still want to nurture our dreams.
Although we know nothing of the path ahead, and our pockets hold no map,
Just take it one step at a time.
Puff out your chest and stride forward; if you fall, everyone will help you up.
Don't forget to smile.
It's okay, no need for embellishment, just use your honest voice.
One, two, three, four, everyone come along!
...
The video featured seven vibrant young girls, singing and dancing, showcasing the beauty of youth.
Izumi Chihiro silently watched the video, then smiled.
It seems Maki's progress has been smooth, and μ's (Muse) should have been formed...
"To follow such idol activities, indeed, a otaku is a otaku, even an Old Thief like you is no exception, hmm? Is this the group you like?"
He tilted his head; Miss Elf was standing behind him with an arrogant expression.
"Aren't you going to help them promote it? With Izumi Masamune's fame, the ranking would easily go up, wouldn't it! Then you could make this... and that kind of request to them, you know."
Yamada Elf's tone was playful.
Izumi Masamune certainly had many otaku fans, and their willingness to participate in such activities was quite strong. Once promoted, it would naturally yield results easily.
"Miss Elf, calm down. I don't have the dark thoughts you're talking about. Besides, I follow μ's (Muse) only because a friend happens to be in it."
Izumi Chihiro replied with a dismissive look.
"Making up friends? Do you think I'd believe your clumsy lie? Someone clumsily recorded my sacred naked body!"
Yamada Elf looked unconvinced.
"It doesn't matter if you believe it or not; I don't need to prove that to Miss Elf."
He shrugged.
"Tch, boring."
Yamada Elf grumbled and sat down beside him.
"You came downstairs, why aren't you going back?"
Izumi Chihiro urged.
"What does it matter? I'm just playing at your house. Aren't we friends and neighbors?"
Yamada Elf casually opened her phone, lying on the other end of the sofa with her legs draped over the armrest, playing a game while her white-stockinged feet swayed slightly in the air.
Relaxed and at ease, she completely treated this place as her own home!
"Now you emphasize the friendship."
Izumi Chihiro glanced at her, then looked away.
After spending some time together, he found that while Miss Elf had a tsundere temper, the difference between her and a childhood friend was quite significant.
"You're doing great, Maki! I saw your performance with your friends online, it was fantastic. Maki looks happier than before, and I hope you μ's (Muse) can achieve your dreams soon."
He composed a message and sent it.
In the activity room, a girl was struggling with her studies.
"Do I have to keep doing this every day, meow~?"
Hoshizora Rin looked dejected.
"Of course."
Nishikino Maki's tone was serious.
Suddenly, her phone rang.
"Hm? This is..."
Nishikino Maki's expression shifted.
"I'm going out for a bit, you two continue studying."
With that, Nishikino Maki walked out the door.
"She's deliberately avoiding replying to our messages, that makes me curious, meow."
Hoshizora Rin's expression immediately turned suspicious.
"Rin, are you trying to say...?"
Koizumi Hanayo whispered.
"Maybe it's a boyfriend, isn't Hanayo curious too, meow?"
Hoshizora Rin said with a grin.
"Maki's boyfriend, I can't imagine..."
Koizumi Hanayo looked shocked.
"Then let's try it, meow~"
Hoshizora Rin rubbed her hands, her eyes full of anticipation like a kitten.
'Eh eh, does Chihiro know about this!?'
'My singing and dancing were seen.'
'This is a bit embarrassing...'
After Nishikino Maki saw the message, her cheeks immediately felt hot.
Being discovered doing something like this by an acquaintance felt completely different.
"How should I reply?"
She felt a little nervous, even though it was just replying to a message.
"Hmm, just normal, a little normal would be good."
Nishikino Maki pondered for a while before replying.
"Thank you for your blessings, Chihiro. Although practicing dancing and singing is much more tiring than before, it's really fun with friends... Oh, how's your high school life, Chihiro?"
"It's not much different from before. Besides going to school every day, it's writing, reading, and so on..."
Time flew by, and half an hour passed.
"Is it real or fake? She hasn't come back after such a long time, meow... Chatting for so long, it must be a boyfriend."
Hoshizora Rin couldn't sit still anymore.
"Could she really be chatting with a boyfriend!"
Koizumi Hanayo couldn't help but believe Rin's earlier judgment.
"What are you two chatting about? Don't forget, Hanayo, you're here to supervise Rin's studying."
Just then, Nishikino Maki pushed the door open and came in, her gaze heavy.
"Um, actually..."
Koizumi Hanayo said weakly.
"After such a long time, was Maki just chatting with her boyfriend?"
Hoshizora Rin went straight to the point.
"Nani... Nani sore, imi wakannai."
Nishikino Maki's catchphrase slipped out, her tone a few degrees more anxious than usual.
"Her expression changed, I was right after all, meow~"
Hoshizora Rin looked at her flushed cheeks and immediately stood up triumphantly.
"I told you, no!"
Nishikino Maki denied through gritted teeth.
But judging from their expressions, suspicion had definitely arisen.
"It was a message from my middle school friend. He said he saw 'Kore kara no Someday'. We didn't have much to talk about after high school, so we chatted a bit longer today. Don't misunderstand!"
Nishikino Maki had no choice but to explain further, otherwise, if she left it alone, everyone would believe this false assumption that she had a boyfriend.
"It's a boy, right, meow~"
Hoshizora Rin showed a foxy smile.
"Yes."
Nishikino Maki's expression was helpless, and she nodded gently.
"How surprising, Maki actually has a boy as a friend..."
Koizumi Hanayo whispered.
"Then, Maki, can you tell us how you two became friends?"
"Don't push your luck!"
"Bang!"
"Meow~"
In her embarrassment and anger, Nishikino Maki delivered a chop to Hoshizora Rin's forehead, making her yelp "meow."
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💯 PS = 2 bonus chapter