The temperature gradually climbed to an unbearable degree.
It was again the hottest period of the year.
During the summer vacation, the μ's (Muse) group was unwilling to give up their practice time, but after reaching the rooftop used for practice, they were immediately forced into the shade by the scorching sun.
If they continued strenuous exercise on such a day, it would be very easy to get heatstroke.
Having no choice, everyone sought a solution. It was then that Honoka thought of a good idea: a beach training camp!
"There's no other way…"
Seeing the expectant gazes from her team members, Nishikino Maki really couldn't refuse. So, she asked her family and arranged for everyone to stay at a beachfront villa.
But before leaving, she hadn't forgotten one thing: there were no bookstores around the beach villa, and today just happened to be the release date for a new volume of that work.
"There's still some time before we meet up; I need to hurry."
Early in the morning, Nishikino Maki glanced at the clock, then dragged her packed suitcase out of the house.
Following a familiar path, she arrived in front of a bookstore, where quite a few people were already waiting, eagerly anticipating the release of the seventh volume of "Re:zero - Starting Life In Another World" today.
"What should I do? If this continues, I won't make it in time…"
Estimating the potential waiting time, Nishikino Maki's gaze darkened.
"There's nothing for it. I'll just have to read it after the training camp."
She sighed.
"Oh, it really is Nishikino-senpai! I didn't expect to see Senpai here. Are you perhaps here to buy a book?"
Just then, a girl approached her, her eyes sparkling.
Nishikino Maki was momentarily stunned.
She quickly remembered who this girl was: a junior high school girl who had once waited by the school gate to take photos with her, aspiring to enter Otonokizaka Academy.
"That… yes, I am."
Nishikino Maki's gaze inadvertently fell on the light novel in the other girl's hand.
"Huh? Is Nishikino-senpai planning to buy this light novel?"
The junior's eyes widened in surprise, then she said delightedly, "Senpai seems to be in a hurry… If Senpai wants it, then I'll give it to you!"
The girl noticed the suitcase by her hand and immediately understood something.
"This…"
Nishikino Maki looked hesitant.
"It's okay, Senpai. My brother is a staff member here, so I can get it right away. If I want it, I can always get another one later."
The junior handed it over.
"I… I understand."
With things said to this extent, Nishikino Maki had no choice but to accept the other party's kindness.
Because if she missed it, she would have to wait until after the training camp to read it, and that would be too long.
"Goodbye, Senpai."
The junior waved her hand.
Nishikino Maki lightly nodded her forehead in response.
Ten minutes later.
"Maki, you're the last one to arrive!"
"I thought Maki had stood us up…"
"It seems it was just a false alarm, meow~"
Several members of the same grade spoke first.
"Just a small matter happened."
Nishikino Maki explained casually.
The others didn't probe further; after all, it was only a small delay.
Subsequently, the group made a pact to no longer call each other 'Senpai,' boarded a plane, and swiftly headed to one of the Nishikino family's beachfront villas. The spacious house made everyone feel very satisfied.
After putting away their respective luggage, the μ's (Muse) members, feeling that their daily training had been too strenuous, decided to slack off for a while, playing on the beach and even starting a watermelon smashing game.
However, one girl seemed out of place. While the others played together, she didn't participate. That was Nishikino Maki.
Although she had become friends with everyone and could even call them by name, it was still a bit difficult for her to fully integrate. Even if she wanted to get along well with everyone, she always found it hard to do so.
"Never mind."
Nishikino Maki pursed her lips, then sat on a beach chair under a sun umbrella and took out the much-anticipated work that her junior had given her.
Only reading could make her feel a little better.
Not long after, Yazawa Nico felt tired and emerged from the sea, coming to sit under the sun umbrella.
The first thing she saw was Nishikino Maki's good figure on the beach chair. Compared to her own stubby legs that couldn't even reach the bottom of the beach chair, the other's long, slender legs were clearly more graceful.
'Damn it!'
Yazawa Nico muttered in her heart.
"Hmm, Maki is reading a light novel?"
Suddenly, her gaze sharpened. She lowered the sunglasses on her face, allowing her bright eyes to confirm more clearly.
"Eh, 'Re:zero - Starting Life In Another World'? Isn't this that Izumi Old Thief's work! And it's the latest, seventh volume?"
Yazawa Nico looked surprised.
"Hm?"
Nishikino Maki snapped out of her reading, turned her head, and said in surprise, "Nico seems to know a lot about light novels? You even know… Izumi-sensei's work."
"Light novels? Of course Nico is…"
Just as Yazawa Nico was about to boast, thumping her chest, she suddenly remembered the reason for her involvement, and her voice trailed off.
"Thump."
Yazawa Nico's head received a sudden impact.
It turned out she had been hit by a ball thrown by the other μ's (Muse) members.
"Sorry, Nico…"
An apologetic voice came from not far away.
"Go fight somewhere further away!"
Yazawa Nico shouted.
"Nico, do you want to join us?"
Honoka took the opportunity to invite her.
"I'm discussing something very important with Maki! I don't have time to play childish games with you all!"
Yazawa Nico's tone was arrogant.
"Something very important?"
The other members of μ's (Muse) immediately turned their gaze towards her.
"Nico, why are you so loud?!"
Nishikino Maki couldn't help but feel embarrassed, thinking to herself.
"Oh, this is…"
Kotori Minami was the first to notice the light novel in Maki's hand, her eyes shining brightly, and she immediately moved closer.
"This is Izumi-sensei's "Re:zero", and it's the newly released seventh volume? I haven't even had time to buy it… Maki must have gone to buy it first thing in the morning. Does Maki really like Izumi-sensei's works?"
"Kotori, you…"
Nishikino Maki hesitated, everything was already clear without words. From her eyes, one could see that look that only fans have when discussing a work.
Having confirmed the look, she had met the right person.
She never expected that among μ's (Muse), there would be someone else who was a fan of Izumi Masamune like her.
If she had realized it earlier, perhaps their relationship could have progressed further by now!
The others also jogged over, looking at the two who had suddenly connected, momentarily puzzled.
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💯 PS = 2 bonus chapter