Scold as I might, I still have to read it.
Although, like many readers, she was very dissatisfied with Izumi Saikou, the work itself still held a strong attraction for her.
Besides meruru, this was definitely Kousaka Kirino 's favorite work. Even if she disliked the 'dark, deep, and cruel' feeling, she still found herself captivated.
Having been there before, Kousaka Kirino was very familiar with the bookstore and managed her time well, interrupting her shopping fifteen minutes before the store closed.
"The new volume of puella magi madoka magica is mine!"
Kousaka Kirino immediately spotted the work she had been thinking about recently in a prominent position. She pounced on it, held it in her hands, and was ecstatic.
"Huh, Kirino, why are you here?"
Just as she was about to go to the cashier, a sudden, unexpected voice from behind made the girl feel as if she had fallen into an ice cellar.
Oh no! I've been discovered!
Someone I know found out about me reading novels!
This thought was the first to appear in Kousaka Kirino 's mind.
Someone who knows me and is in this place—besides a classmate, there shouldn't be any other possibility, right?
"Why aren't you speaking? It's Kirino, right? I'm Kanako."
Kurusu Kanako emphasized her name.
Eh, wait a minute…
She turned around.
It's Kanako?
If it's a friend, perhaps I can discuss it with her. As long as Ayase doesn't find out about this, there's no problem!
Kousaka Kirino 's mind was racing, and she quickly decided on a remedial plan. Just as she was about to speak…
Kurusu Kanako took two steps forward, looked down at the light novel in her hands, and said with surprise, "I didn't expect Kirino to be reading this light novel too!"
"Too?"
Kousaka Kirino said with a look of surprise, "Could Kanako's purpose for coming here be…"
"Yes, I was just about to buy this book. My older sister recently fell in love with a book after a friend recommended it, so she asked me to buy it for her when I had time."
Kurusu Kanako explained.
"I see."
Kousaka Kirino understood.
Is she buying it for her sister?
She had thought…
However, looking at Kanako's nonchalant expression, could it be that she's already accustomed to ACG culture?
In that case, communication between them would be much simpler.
"Please, Kanako, don't tell Ayase about this!"
He clasped his hands together.
"So that's what you were nervous about."
Kurusu Kanako, seeing that she hadn't spoken for a while, had thought she was contemplating something incredibly important. After hearing her, she couldn't help but laugh.
"Don't worry, I won't tell Ayase. It's clearly impossible to discuss this kind of topic with her."
"You noticed?"
"Isn't it obvious? Her prejudiced gaze."
"Never mind, let's not talk about that."
Kousaka Kirino changed the subject.
After each purchasing a new volume of puella magi madoka magica, they walked out of the bookstore.
"Kanako is buying it for her sister, but have you read puella magi madoka magica yourself?"
Kousaka Kirino probed.
"!! I…! This person!"
After a few seconds of silence, Kurusu Kanako erupted like a volcano, her mouth spewing words that needed to be censored.
"…"
Kousaka Kirino showed an awkward smile.
So this was Kanako's true, most authentic side!
"Anyway, that person really annoys me! All he writes are depressing plots!"
Kurusu Kanako said, huffing.
"Even though there are a lot of sad parts, Izumi-sensei really writes very well."
Faced with an even more extreme expression than her own, Kousaka Kirino became a bit more 'objective'.
"Yeah, that's why the more I read, the angrier I get! Otherwise, I wouldn't have read it at all. It's also my sister's fault for making me try to read it..."
Kurusu Kanako complained endlessly.
"Your sister likes it a lot too?"
Kousaka Kirino 's tone lightened considerably.
"Yeah, she even said she wanted to use it for reference, and that maybe the style of her next work would change... Hmph!"
Kurusu Kanako scoffed.
"Reference? What does your sister do?"
Kousaka Kirino was startled.
"Oh, she's a manga artist, but it's nothing special. She also likes to change her pen names; only 'Tsukimiri Enbu' has a bit of fame."
Although Kurusu Kanako showed disdain for her sister's profession, her tone subtly conveyed pride.
"Tsukimiri Enbu? I think I've heard that name. She's already a professional manga artist, right? That's pretty impressive!"
Kousaka Kirino praised her.
For a moment, she forgot where she had heard of this manga artist, but if she had left an impression, she must be a 'sensei' who had made a name for herself.
"She's alright."
Kurusu Kanako's expression was tsundere.
After this unexpected encounter, Kousaka Kirino successfully turned the crisis into an opportunity.
Not only did she not have to worry about her secret being exposed, but she also gained a real-life otaku friend with whom she could talk. Although in subsequent conversations she found that Kanako's '2D' concentration wasn't very high, she just didn't resist these cultures much due to her sister's influence.
But even so, it was enough to make her very grateful for fate's arrangement.
From now on, besides the otaku girl group she joined where she could express her feelings, she could also share her emotions with this fellow enthusiast.
Aragaki Ayase, on the other hand, was the first among the three to be 'isolated'.
"It's a pity. If only Ayase could chat with us like this, it would be great."
Stopping in front of the train station, Kousaka Kirino sighed, saying with great regret.
"Is that so? You still have such unrealistic ideas. I'm telling you, that's simply impossible. Based on my understanding of her, she clearly has a strong prejudice against these cultures, probably due to family experiences or something, and it's not easy to change... especially with her personality."
Kurusu Kanako shook her head.
"Yeah, Ayase is actually a very stubborn person..."
It was precisely because she recognized this that Kousaka Kirino dared not come clean with Aragaki Ayase.
"If you really want to try, it's not impossible. I actually have a good idea..."
Kurusu Kanako's eyes darted around.
"What idea?"
Kousaka Kirino 's eyes lit up as she asked.
"It's like this..."
Kurusu Kanako whispered in her ear.
"It's certainly feasible, but the risk is very high..."
Kousaka Kirino hesitated.
"I don't care either way."
Kurusu Kanako shrugged.
...
"Forget it, this matter needs to be considered in the long run..."
Returning home with such a heavy heart, Kousaka Kirino still couldn't make a decision after much thought, and then her gaze fell on the light novel placed next to her pillow.
"Old Thief, bring it on! I will not be afraid!"
Sometimes, it really is...
The more it hurts, the more you enjoy it.