"What's happening, what's happening? Something interesting seems to be going on, meow~"
Hoshizora Rin showed an amused smile.
"This is a light novel."
Ayase Eli looked at the book, frowning slightly.
The others had varied expressions, but their reactions weren't overly dramatic.
After all, it was just a reading hobby, and they could accept it, just a little curious.
"What is a light novel?"
"Hmm, it's probably a literary work similar to a story collection, all sorts of them."
"I see, I see."
Of course, some people weren't quite clear and pulled others to ask.
"I didn't expect Maki to like light novels, and Kotori has the same hobby. This could be considered a kind of fate, couldn't it?"
Tojo Nozomi smiled mysteriously.
She had a premonition that this might become the catalyst for Maki to fully integrate into the team.
It all started with Kotori.
When there are shared hobbies, especially a hobby like reading that can be shared, the harmony of the relationship will greatly improve.
After their surprise, the other members of μ's (Muse) went back to continue their game.
Kotori Minami stayed behind to accompany them.
"Kotori, why did you come to like Izumi-sensei's works?"
This time, unlike before, it was Nishikino Maki who first asked the question.
"Well, didn't I become a maid before? So I came into contact with many customers of that type. They talked about manga and light novels, and a few customers recommended Izumi-sensei's 'puella magi madoka magica' to me. Although some parts were very sad, I still fell in love with Izumi-sensei's works."
Kotori Minami slowly explained.
Since then, she couldn't stop, and began to find the joy of a new world in light novels.
'No wonder Kotori occasionally has a tendency to go dark. Is it because of Madoka's influence?'
Nishikino Maki thought to herself.
Chihiro, you are a great sinner!
"Akihabara is indeed a place where it's easy to encounter such corrupting things…"
Yazawa Nico snorted from the side.
"By the way, how did Nico know about it? You haven't answered me yet."
Nishikino Maki immediately turned her head and asked.
"Ah, this…"
Yazawa Nico's expression faltered, then she suddenly had an idea, saying, "Well, that's because as an idol, I often pay attention to my fans, and I accidentally discovered that a large number of people have such hobbies."
In fact, she learned about it while working as a maid. Later, when she secretly joined a fan-oriented otaku girl group, she found that everyone loved the work Madoka. To be able to talk to everyone, she had no choice but to read it carefully.
"Never mind, it's not important."
Nishikino Maki saw through her guilt, but now she wanted to have a good chat with the genuine kindred spirit in front of her.
For this, her face even showed a rare smile that was seldom seen on weekdays.
When Kotori Minami saw this sunny smile, she was also stunned, and then also smiled.
She was also very happy to be able to talk to Maki about this rare hobby of hers.
Engrossed in their conversation, the two completely forgot about Yazawa Nico.
Yazawa Nico went from being hesitant to speak to looking completely exasperated, appearing as if she wanted to join in but was still wavering.
Some of the topics genuinely interested her, but if she joined, wouldn't she be breaking her 'persona'?
Although, this was just the persona she believed she had.
"Nico, if you want to join, then join. Otherwise, you'll only be making yourself uncomfortable, you know."
Suddenly, a pair of hands gripped her shoulders, and that elegant voice, as if holding all wisdom, sounded next to her ear.
This was the temptation from that devil, Tojo Nozomi!
Yazawa Nico was momentarily swayed, but quickly shook her head, clearing her mind.
"What are you talking about? I don't understand at all."
Yazawa Nico gritted her teeth.
"It seems it's necessary to teach an insincere bad child a lesson!"
Saying that, Tojo Nozomi's expression changed, and her hands formed claws, attacking a certain spot.
...
Nishikino Maki and Kotori Minami chatted for a long while before remembering the main point of today: the latest volume of Izumi sensei's work.
Nishikino Maki hadn't read it for long either, so she chose to start from the beginning, and the two read together.
The story began with the re-activation of Return by Death.
Natsuki Subaru reopened his eyes, greeted by the playful nips of the beast-eared girl.
The save point had been updated!
At this point, the novel's perspective appropriately shifted, revealing Emilia, who had previously been in a mysterious state, allowing readers to view the story from another angle.
This also meant that this segment of the plot had indeed reached its final critical moment.
This time, the events unfolding before Emilia were also completely different from before.
Facing the people who came to discuss, to avoid casualties from a direct conflict with the Witch Cult, Emilia agreed to the suggestion of sending some people to the royal capital and some to the Sanctuary.
This time, Natsuki Subaru, acting secretly, handled things with greater composure.
After a brilliant struggle, he successfully killed the Sloth Archbishop and was not possessed.
After a fierce battle, he finally woke up on Emilia's lap.
Under the warm sunlight, the young man's heart was content.
The two confessed their feelings to each other; their words now were finally not as difficult to understand as before.
"Thank you for helping me, Subaru."
The silver-haired half-elf thanked him with a crying smile.
This volume had a perfect ending, if the story only went this far...
But unfortunately, that was not the case.
In the carriage, Natsuki Subaru remembered his promise to Rem and wanted to explain this to Emilia.
After all, they were in another world now, so wouldn't it be possible to enjoy the blessings of having multiple partners?
"Wait, Subaru, calm down. I don't quite understand what you're saying anymore..."
These were Emilia's words. Natsuki Subaru didn't notice anything amiss at first, but the readers, who were currently reading, immediately had a bad premonition.
"Could it be?"
"No way?"
Nishikino Maki and Kotori Minami exchanged glances and turned the page.
Their premonition came true!
"Just as I said I wanted to help Emilia-tan, Rem also said she wanted to help me..."
"Subaru, Rem... who is that?"
Emilia asked with a puzzled expression.
"Huh?"
Natsuki Subaru was incredulous.
Something unexpected had happened.
It turned out that Rem and her companions had been attacked by the Sloth and Gluttony Archbishops, and just like last time when her existence was devoured by the White Whale, she had vanished from everyone's memories.
Even more despairing was that the Return by Death's save point was no longer sufficient for him to return and save her.
"I will definitely save you, absolutely... Your hero will come for you. Wait for me, Rem!"
From then on, Natsuki Subaru made an oath.
...
After finishing the ending, the two girls exchanged glances, both with bitter expressions.
"Izumi sensei is like this."
---
💯 PS = 2 bonus chapter