"I knew it!"
A small, disappointed expression appeared on the Silver-haired Girl's pretty face.
"Because next Thursday is the start of summer vacation, and my work here is already finished, so everyone will have free time. That's why I'm preparing a big meal to reward everyone, after all, you and Elf have put in a lot for Sagiri during this time."
Izumi Chihiro continued to explain.
"Alright, that works too. Being able to taste Senior's cooking, Nayuta is satisfied."
Kani Nayuta quickly accepted reality, clapped her small hands, and a smile spread across her fair, smooth face.
On the last day of school, the atmosphere was noticeably stirring, with people whispering and discussing their plans for the upcoming summer vacation.
"Where will Sawamura Student go during summer vacation? Will she travel abroad or go to a hot spring or something?"
"No, she'll probably stay at home to refine her studies."
Eriri was also responding to everyone's curiosity with that friendly expression.
But in reality, her inner thought was... Of course, it's to continue drawing manga at home, suffering!
"Speaking of which, besides at school, it's been a long time since I've seen Eriri, and I haven't even talked to her much."
Izumi Chihiro rested his chin on one hand, bored, looking at that dazzling, art-piece golden hair, a thought suddenly coming to mind.
So, after a certain class, he called Eriri out.
"What do you want from me?"
Eriri said as soon as she opened her mouth.
"Nothing much, I just thought it's been a long time since I've talked to Eriri."
Izumi Chihiro thought for a moment and said.
Eriri's lips twitched almost imperceptibly, then she scoffed: "Isn't that obvious? After all, romancing those women is more important."
"The way you say that, it sounds a little like jealousy."
Izumi Chihiro smiled.
"Je...jealousy, what silly things are you saying! Why would I be jealous for you, how inexplicable."
Her earlobes turned red, and her twin tails seemed to flutter, Eriri lifted her head, looking tsundere.
"Also, I wanted to ask, how is the manga progressing lately?"
He shook his head with a smile, then inquired about other matters.
"Why don't you just buy the manga magazine and read it yourself? Why do you have to ask me… But it's going okay, it's just that the updates are a bit strained."
Twisting a bit, Eriri still confided.
"Just drawing isn't hard, but thinking of the plot while drawing is a bit troublesome."
The girl's gaze flickered, as if hinting at something.
"At times like these, you should write an outline first, clarify the general framework, and then fill in the details. Also, if you feel too tired, you can find an assistant. It can save a lot of effort."
Izumi Chihiro, understanding her perfectly, offered her advice.
"An assistant? No need, I'm enough on my own."
Eriri said proudly, crossing her arms over her chest.
If that person can draw by herself, then I can do it too!
Just then, the class bell rang.
"Alright, time to go back."
Eriri looked up, turned around, and went downstairs.
"Eriri, don't push yourself too hard."
Watching his childhood friend's retreating back, Izumi Chihiro sighed helplessly.
However, if she were so easily swayed by others, she wouldn't be the childhood friend he knew.
…
After picking up Mashiro, Izumi Chihiro returned home. As soon as he closed the door, a cute face appeared before him.
"Senpai~ Welcome back!"
Kani Nayuta clasped her hands together and then bowed her head.
"This is my house, isn't it?"
He couldn't help but retort.
Mashiro tilted her head, glanced at them, and then walked into her room.
"Is Miss Elf with Sagiri?"
Izumi Chihiro asked again.
"Of course she is."
Kani Nayuta's small expression showed a hint of disdain.
No matter what, anyone also trying to win his sister's affection was an obstacle to her!
"I see."
Izumi Chihiro nodded, then went upstairs to pull Miss Elf down.
"Miss Elf, I need your help picking out ingredients for dinner tonight, and also to share the cost."
"Hmph, you need my help for something like this too? Who do you think this lady is…?"
"Miss Elf, don't you want to eat dinner with Sagiri anymore?"
"Well… I'll reluctantly agree then, let Ero-manga Sensei try my excellent cooking again!"
A few simple words convinced Yamada Elf to help.
They arrived at a large supermarket.
The group walked through the produce section, Yamada Elf looking around with some surprise.
"Miss Elf, why do I feel like you're finding this very novel?"
He asked.
"Hmm… I used to buy ingredients online. This is my first time buying them at a supermarket like this."
Yamada Elf said, her face flushing.
This was more novel than she had imagined, which was why she had acted as if she had never seen the world before.
"Hurry up and choose!"
Kani Nayuta urged.
"Okay, let me see…"
Izumi Chihiro's attention was focused on selecting ingredients.
Yamada Elf also offered guidance from the side, mainly choosing ingredients for tonight's dinner.
Not long after, the three returned to Izumi with their bags, big and small.
"Nayuta, can you cook?"
In the kitchen, Izumi Chihiro, who was tying his apron, turned and asked.
"Sorry, Senpai, I've always ordered takeout, and instant noodles…"
Kani Nayuta looked embarrassed.
"Unrelated people, don't cause trouble here!"
Yamada Elf made a dismissive gesture.
"You…!"
Kani Nayuta took a deep breath, enduring it.
'Don't cause trouble for Senpai.'
She always remembered that.
So she took a few steps back, observing from a distance.
Yamada Elf pouted and said nothing more.
After the two of them worked together, an exquisite dinner appeared before everyone. Besides traditional dishes, there were also various specialty dishes from both East and West, their aromas filling the air.
Everyone took their seats at the table.
"The food tonight is so plentiful!"
Sagiri praised.
Mashiro immediately picked up her chopsticks, clearly having her appetite whetted.
"With a chef like me, Eromanga-sensei, I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"
Yamada Elf immediately boasted.
"Yamada's cooking is indeed amazing, her feminine charm is very high."
Izumi Chihiro agreed.
Yamada Elf's smile grew even wider.
Kani Nayuta, however, pouted.
Upon hearing this compliment, Sagiri's expression became odd.
"Enough talk, everyone's hungry, let's eat!"
Izumi Chihiro continued.
Under the charm of the delicious food, the atmosphere became harmonious again.
Midway through the meal,
Kani Nayuta looked at her senior Sagiri to her left, and suddenly smiled brightly, saying, "Senior, look, we're just like a family of three."
With both having silver hair, one tall and one small, such a perception was not surprising.
"Not at all!"
Sagiri was the first to say coldly.
"Uh."
Kani Nayuta instantly froze.
Why did senior's younger sister object first? Was there a problem with my strategy before?
This left her completely puzzled.
Izumi Chihiro secretly shook his head.
Nayuta, it seems you've misunderstood something!
---
💯 PS = 2 bonus chapter