After hearing the greeting from Mr. Hachiman that nearly stopped her heart, Sawamura Eriri went completely berserk. She didn't know about any connection between Editor Machida and Mr. Hachiman, so her suspicion fell squarely on Kasumigaoka Utaha—the very same suspect who had solemnly promised to keep her secret just minutes earlier.
"Sawamura-kun, calm down, please calm down!" Utaha pleaded, dodging Eriri's pursuit while frantically trying to explain. "I think there must be a misunderstanding. I swear, I haven't communicated with Mr. Hachiman for almost two weeks, which is longer than it has been since I discovered your true identity." She suspected it was probably Editor Machida who had accidentally let the information slip, but she had also previously vouched for the editor's discretion, which only made Eriri more certain Utaha was the one lying.
"Fat woman, you're still making excuses!" Eriri shrieked, refusing to give in. "If I believe you again, I might as well just give up on life!"
"Alas," Utaha sighed, finally stopping her retreat. "It seems there's no other way but to quiet you down by force, Sawamura-san."
She took the opportunity when Eriri rushed towards her and captured her directly.
"What are you doing, fat woman! Let go of me!"
Although both Kasumigaoka Utaha and Eriri were the type of homebodies who lacked exercise, Utaha's advantage in height and size was more than enough to pin Eriri down and render her completely immobile.
"I won't let you go until you calm down, Sawamura-san."
Utaha pressed Eriri down on her back across a table, holding her hands tightly and clamping Eriri's flailing feet between her thighs.
"Hmph, if a posture like this appeared in one of your doujins—your self-published adult comics—something indecent would probably happen next," Utaha sneered. She suddenly found that she enjoyed the feeling of controlling the other person so completely.
"You actually have such perverted thoughts! Do you think I won't call for help?" Eriri was completely helpless, her freedom totally restricted.
"It's the weekend. No one will come even if you shout at the top of your lungs," Utaha said calmly. "I'll ask you again, Sawamura-san. Are you willing to calm down for a moment and listen to my explanation? Believe me, I'm just as confused about this situation as you are."
"Fine, okay," Eriri relented, breathing heavily with a faint blush on her cheeks from the struggle. "Let me hear your excuses. Now let go."
Just as the two separated, they heard a familiar voice from the corridor outside, calling out to Eriri.
"Sawamura-san—are you in there?"
"Writer Hachiman?!" Utaha was certain she knew that voice and started for the door, only to feel a weight slam into her back as an angry voice shrieked.
"Writer Hachiman... he was calling for me!"
"The art room... should be here, right?"
Hikigaya Hachiman and Machida Sonoko found the classroom. The door was unlocked. When Hachiman opened it, he was greeted by the sight of two familiar girls, tangled in a chaotic heap on the floor.
"Editor Machida... do you think this is my fault?" Hikigaya Hachiman asked awkwardly, though his eyes never left the scene in the room.
"Writer Hachiman," Machida said gravely, "I believe I contributed significantly to this."
"So, that's the situation. Do you two understand now?"
After Kasumigaoka and Sawamura finally calmed down, the four of them sat together while Hikigaya Hachiman explained the whole story. The misunderstanding was at last resolved.
"I'm very sorry, Sawamura-san," Machida said. "I failed to keep your secret, but I swear, I will never tell anyone else about this except Mr. Hachiman!" (This was, of course, a lie. Naho Imamura had been present at the time, but she had no idea what Machida was talking about.)
"Thank goodness you only told Mr. Hachiman, Editor Machida," Eriri pleaded, clasping her hands together. "Please don't tell anyone else."
"I do believe," Kasumigaoka Utaha said in a frosty tone, the redness on her face still not having faded, "that someone also owes me an apology."
"...I'm so sorry, Kasumigaoka-senpai. I was wrong this time," Eriri said unexpectedly. The usually arrogant and dishonest girl admitted her mistake with a sincere bow.
"Well, considering your sincere attitude, I forgive you." Utaha shrugged. I was hoping she'd stay stubborn, she thought, a little disappointed. It would have been fun to humiliate her a bit more. How boring.
"Let's get down to business," Hikigaya Hachiman said, handing Eriri a sheet of paper covered in text. "Sawamura-san, I came here today mainly for you."
"I would like to ask you to help me draw the building depicted on this piece of paper, as well as its interior decorations, okay? This will be used as an illustration in my new work this year."
"This is very detailed... I think I already have a rough outline in my mind." Eriri instantly switched to work mode as she read. Her talented painter's mind immediately began to construct the building described in the text.
"So, are you willing to do the illustrations for my novel, Sawamura-san? Don't worry about the payment."
"Are you kidding? Of course I agree, Mr. Hachiman! It's an honor! I don't even need any reward," Eriri said excitedly.
"No, no, you still have to be paid, Sawamura-kun. I can't have you working for nothing." Hachiman smiled. Since the publishing house was footing the bill, there was no need for him to save the capitalists any money.
"I'll start working on it as soon as I get home today! I'm confident I'll be able to send the first version to you very soon, Mr. Hachiman!" Eriri was buzzing with motivation, having completely forgotten the shame of her secret identity being discovered by her idol.
"I look forward to your work, Sawamura-san," Hachiman said as he stood up to say his goodbyes. "In any case, you and writer Kasumi Shiko probably still have things to discuss, so I won't disturb you any longer. Kasumigaoka-senpai, I'll be taking my leave today."
Just before he walked out the door, he turned back and gave Eriri a thumbs-up.
"By the way, painter Kashiwagi, your skills are truly excellent."
Eriri's vision went black, and she collapsed unconscious into Kasumigaoka Utaha's arms.
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