Chapter 27: The Jade Maiden of Shimamura Middle School
Unconsciously, deep autumn had passed, and winter had arrived, with temperatures becoming increasingly cold.
"Achoo~"
Walking on the road, Eriri sneezed.
"Eriri, are you catching a cold?"
Izumi Chihiro turned his head and asked.
"I'm fine."
Eriri replied indifferently.
"Really? You know your own physical condition, don't you?"
Izumi Chihiro frowned, expressing his doubt.
Because she was his childhood friend, he knew very well how many times Eriri had taken sick leave since childhood.
She had a naturally weak constitution; she would get sick and be bedridden with even a slight chill, and even tried to avoid physical education classes as much as possible.
"Of course I know! But I've taken so many sick leaves this year, if this continues, those people will laugh at me."
Eriri said, biting her silver teeth.
"Oh, so that's what you're worried about."
He looked indifferent.
"What do you mean, this is very important, don't you understand, you idiot?"
Eriri glared at him.
"Of course I know Eriri cares a lot about her reputation."
Izumi Chihiro chuckled softly.
"This isn't about caring about reputation, is it? I just don't want to be mocked."
Eriri clenched her fists and denied it.
"Yes, yes, yes, but what I want to tell you is… you don't have to worry about that anymore."
He continued.
"Why?"
Eriri's eyebrows furrowed, as if she realized something.
"Because I happened to pass by a few days ago, and when I overheard others chatting, I found out they had already given her a nickname."
His tone became strange.
"R-really? What nickname?"
Eriri's voice trembled, and her face looked off.
Had her worst fear come true?
"It seems to be something like… Shimamura Middle School's Jade Maiden. It sounds quite nice."
"Nice, my foot!"
Eriri's face instantly twisted into a grimace.
"Doesn't that mean I'm as fragile as jade?! Damn it, if I find out who started this, I'll make them pay!"
She was furious.
However, as much as she hated being given such a nickname, it was indeed an accurate description.
The very next day, this was proven.
The delicate, frail, blonde tsundere girl did not appear on campus.
"Izumi-dono, you and Sawamura Student are childhood friends, correct? You should also know very well where her home is, so I'll trouble you to bring today's handouts to her."
Before school ended, the teacher handed him something resembling notes.
"I understand."
He nodded in agreement.
When he arrived at Detective Slope, he first went home to put down his satchel.
As he was leaving, he happened to run into Sagiri, who was returning home.
She was carrying a pink schoolbag, wearing a hooded sweatshirt with a cat printed on it, exuding an aura of purity… probably.
"Sagiri, how was school today?"
Chihiro asked.
He knew that although Sagiri acted very familiar in front of him, it was because they were family, and this was also after a period of adjustment.
But in front of other unfamiliar people, her personality was very introverted; usually, her voice was as soft as a mosquito's, making communication difficult.
"Nothing special."
Sagiri gently shook her head.
Today had been just like her expression—nothing interesting had happened.
"Sagiri, why don't you try making some friends?"
Chihiro suggested.
He hoped Sagiri could be a little more outgoing.
"No interest."
Sagiri turned her head away.
"By the way, Ni-san, are you going out?"
She asked again.
"Yes, Eriri is sick, so the teacher asked me to bring her today's handouts."
He showed her the items in his hand.
"Oh."
Sagiri looked indifferent and walked inside.
Climbing up Detective Slope, he reached the highest point, where a large villa with a small garden was located—that was Sawamura.
Given his relationship with Sawamura, he could directly bypass the security gate without worrying about being stopped by the guard.
He rang the doorbell, and after the villa's front door opened, a 'girl' appeared, looking exactly like Eriri.
With purple twin-tails and a red and white striped kimono as her distinguishing features, she looked just like Eriri's older sister.
"Aunt Sayuri."
Chihiro greeted her politely, showing the respect due to an elder.
For the person before him was Eriri's mother, Sawamura Sayuri, an elusive woman, also a fujoshi, and a once-famous doujin artist.
Eriri's path was deeply influenced by her mother.
"Aunt… that's making me sound too old, isn't it? Chihiro, you should call me Sister Sayuri!"
Sawamura Sayuri playfully tapped his shoulder with her folding fan, her tone a mix of reproach and complaint.
"Aunt Sayuri, no jokes. I'm here to visit Eriri and bring her today's handouts."
Chihiro said, unmoved.
"Hmph! Little fellow, you're getting less and less cute as you grow up. I remember you used to affectionately call me 'Sister-sama'!"
With the folding fan lightly touching her lips, Sawamura Sayuri said playfully.
"…"
Chihiro remained expressionless and calm.
It was true that such a thing had happened.
However, this was because the other party had used a condition as temptation: as long as he called her 'Sister-sama,' he could buy a pile of light novels and manga he liked to read at the time.
Facing the rich lady's request…
He compromised himself.
At that time, from his appearance, he was still a child, so doing such a thing was fine, but now he was an independent and self-reliant man, so naturally, he wouldn't sell his dignity.
"Alright, you can go up…"
Sawamura Sayuri saw that he wasn't going to fall for it, so she waved her hand, dispirited, and let him in.