Chapter 43: Upgrade
After the discussion, he chose to answer using a more official and formal statement.
"Yes, I am indeed a junior high school student, currently facing the promotion to second year. This is not false advertising or anything, because there is absolutely no need for it, and there are people who debuted at an even younger age than me, so this is not something to be surprised about."
"How should I describe my relationship with Kashiwagi Eri-sensei? I guess we've been childhood friends, playing together since we were little. We have a very good relationship, so we're not relatives, I suppose we're friends."
"Why did I write such a work? Because I just happened to think of this story, so I wrote it. There wasn't any deep thought involved. After I started, I found that it was quite easy to write, and the progress was very gratifying."
After the interviewer left.
"Speaking of which, the initial difficult period was made much easier thanks to Kashiwagi Eri-sensei's help, wasn't it? It's really enviable to have such a good brotherhood."
Machida Sonoko rested her chin on one hand, her expression envious.
"What are you talking about, Machida Editor? Kashiwagi Eri and I are childhood friends."
He said with a strange expression.
"Eh?"
Machida Sonoko's mouth was slightly agape, and she froze in place.
Kashiwagi Eri-sensei is... a girl?
But isn't she a doujin artist?
And since she's Izumi-sensei's childhood friend, her age should be similar...
A loli beautiful girl doujin artist? Is there such a thing?
She thought such a plot only appeared in novels and anime!
"Oh, I accidentally let it slip... Machida Editor, please don't spread it."
Izumi Chihiro reacted and made a shushing gesture.
"I understand, Izumi-sensei."
Machida Sonoko's expression softened slightly, and she nodded.
Afterward, a group of fans, after reading the interview, immediately left comments under Kashiwagi Eri's Twitter account.
After Eriri saw it, she also checked the official website, scrutinizing every word, and finally came knocking on his door one day during spring break.
"Chihiro, you're in trouble!"
Eriri sat on the sofa, legs crossed, arms folded across her chest, her gaze lifted.
"What did I do?"
Izumi Chihiro asked, puzzled.
"Did you forget? When you were interviewed before, do you remember what you said?"
Eriri narrowed her eyes.
"Huh, Eriri, has your nearsightedness gotten worse? It seems you'll need to wear glasses from now on."
He carefully observed the blonde girl, then suddenly said.
"Yes, Kasan has scolded me about this many times... No, don't change the subject!"
Eriri answered seriously for a moment, then quickly realized the problem and changed her wording.
"I didn't say much, did I? Hmm? I suppose I revealed my age? It shouldn't be a big problem."
Izumi Chihiro recalled his very concise answer.
"Heh."
Eriri suddenly let out a cold laugh.
"What do you mean by 'a friend'? Couldn't you have just said we are childhood friends!"
"Ah, so that's what you're concerned about, Eriri. Wasn't I considering your gender as a privacy issue? So I was vague with my words, you can't blame me for that, can you?"
Izumi Chihiro chuckled.
"This..."
Eriri fell silent.
I guess you have a point!
Her gaze shifted, landing on a spot beneath the television.
"Hmm, Eriri, do you have time today?" He understood.
Izumi Chihiro understood.
"You want to play a game? Then I'll reluctantly play with you."
Eriri said proudly.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
The smile on his face grew more pronounced.
So this was Eriri's true purpose!
The little personality of a childhood friend, it really is... Oh, kawaii koto.
Spring break was only two short weeks, so it ended soon.
April fourteenth, the first day of second year began.
Putting on his new uniform, he arrived at school.
The second-year students looked at the newly enrolled first-year students, feeling a sense of maturity.
"Ni-san, this is far enough."
Sagiri waved, said goodbye to him, and entered elementary school.
"Sagiri is in sixth grade now."
Izumi Chihiro sighed, then turned and headed to Shimamura Middle School, which wasn't far.
Walking up the sloping path, a faint, fragrant scent filled the air, like the breath of youth.
He looked up and saw countless cherry blossoms falling from the cherry trees above, scattering to the ground after dancing in the air, a rare and beautiful sight.
In about a week, this rare scenery would disappear.
Unfortunately, the students walking by had no mind to stop and admire the cherry blossoms, but instead entered the campus with excited or irritated feelings.
On the wall by the entrance was a large blackboard, on which the class assignments for the second year were written in scattered chalk.
Finally, Izumi Chihiro saw his name in Class C of the second year.
"No Eriri, it seems we're separated..."
He immediately scanned the other names, noticed this, and inwardly sighed, 'What a pity.'
However, this wasn't a very important matter, because if they wanted to talk, they didn't necessarily have to be in the same class.
"Tch."
Among the crowd, he seemed to hear a familiar cold snort, and when he turned, he only saw a retreating back.
After Izumi Chihiro retracted his gaze, he followed the stairs to find the second-year classroom.
"Izumi-dono, it seems we're quite fated! To be assigned to the same class, but where is Sawamura Student? How pitiful..."
Takasago Tomoe approached.
A gloating smile seemed to appear at the corner of her mouth.
"Takasago-douchi, it seems we'll be classmates for another year..."
Izumi Chihiro chatted with her casually for a few moments.