"Are you complimenting me, or are you mocking me?! Idiot!"
When Eriri heard this, she turned around, her gaze unfriendly.
In terms of fame, there was no doubt that Izumi Masamune's name was more well-known than Kashiwagi Eri's name.
Combining the two, the probability of mentioning Izumi Masamune's name was obviously higher!
"And in terms of sales, there's no way these galgame games can sell millions of copies, right? In terms of fame, it seems I'll never catch up to you…"
Eriri clenched her fists, saying with great reluctance.
"But gal games are expensive."
Izumi Chihiro changed the subject.
"I don't care about money!"
"It's better than having no money, right?"
"That… seems to be true."
"Alright, the review is over, you're useless now, go back."
Clapping her hands, Eriri pointed towards the door.
Although Izumi Chihiro had offered false comfort just now, it didn't have any substantial effect on the girl's sorrowful mood. Her eyes were like a deep spring, constantly spewing out resentment.
Watching that not-so-reliable childhood friend surpass her step by step, even if they weren't on the same track, was a painful blow to her self-esteem.
Izumi Chihiro probably had an estimate of Eriri's complex feelings right now.
But he didn't plan to do much.
It wasn't like it was back then; she should mature now.
This was also good for Eriri.
The girl had been too comfortable for too long, and her passion for drawing had gradually faded. If his sudden rise could make the girl feel a little pressure, that would also be a good thing.
Perhaps, this could allow the girl's skill and spirit to improve further!
…
One day, he received a message from Kani Nayuta.
Nayuta: Senior, Saturday is my birthday! Hint.jpg
Izumi Masamune: Tell me, what gift do you want? Do you want me to send you a birthday cake?
Nayuta: Senior, you should know that Nayuta doesn't want that kind of thing! I haven't seen Senior in so long~ It's really too boring! I miss Senior!
Izumi Masamune: This…
Nayuta: Senior, you don't want Nayuta to spend her birthday alone, do you? Pity.jpg
Izumi Masamune: Alright.
…
Izumi Chihiro slowly exhaled.
He had indeed been too distant with her.
Because he still couldn't figure out his feelings towards her, he subconsciously avoided contact.
But sure enough, he wasn't a heartless person, especially after knowing Nayuta's current lonely situation, he couldn't help but worry.
Although Nayuta didn't have to worry about food or drink with his help, what about her mental state?
Living alone for a long time, without anyone to talk to, she must be very lonely, right?
Whether it was a senior-junior relationship or a friendship, for both emotional and rational reasons, he couldn't refuse this request and decided to let Nayuta have a birthday that wasn't so lonely.
The two agreed on a meeting place.
When he arrived, he already saw the Silver-haired Girl waiting there. Her brown sweater jacket paired with jeans showed off her curvy figure, and her youthful face with a prominent bust was also very eye-catching.
She was youthful and beautiful.
Compared to a few months ago, the girl seemed to have grown a bit more.
"Ah, Senior, long time no see~!"
Breathing out warm air, before he could even walk over, Kani Nayuta came to meet him first, waving and speaking, her joy evident.
"Yes, long time no see, Nayuta."
Izumi Chihiro's expression immediately brightened with a smile.
"Oh! Senior seems to have grown a lot taller again! But he's still as handsome as ever!"
Kani Nayuta stood on her tiptoes, stretched out her hand, compared their heights, and then began to praise him.
"Nayuta is still as cute as ever."
Izumi Chihiro gave an equal response.
"Hehehe, I just love it when Senior humors me like this~"
She giggled foolishly.
"I'm not humoring you, Nayuta really is very cute."
Izumi Chihiro clarified.
"Then, Nayuta is even happier!"
Kani Nayuta's lips curved into a smile, and her movements became a little unnatural.
"Since today is Nayuta's birthday, I'll give Nayuta a birthday gift, but I don't know what Nayuta likes?"
The two walked along the street, and Izumi Chihiro asked.
"Whatever you want, Senior," Kani Nayuta said, her eyes narrowing with a smile.
Because I'll like anything Senior gives me!
"It's precisely when you say that that I get troubled," Izumi Chihiro said, scratching the back of his head.
Many times, 'whatever' is the most troublesome choice, because the person considering it can't take it so lightly.
But since Nayuta said so, he would just have to make the decision himself.
The essence of a gift isn't its monetary value but the thought behind it, especially since the girl's current income was far from ordinary and didn't need to be demonstrated in this way.
So...
As they passed a storefront, Izumi Chihiro stopped and looked at the hair accessories on the shelf.
"Nayuta, how about I get you a hair tie?" he asked.
"A hair tie?" Kani Nayuta was startled, then her gaze shifted, noticing the long bangs tied back with a hair tie in front.
It was an old one from several years ago, quite worn out, and she was only still using it out of habit.
But now, it was time for an upgrade.
"Mm...!" she said, her expression joyful.
The fact that Senior noticed this small detail already touched her.
Kani Nayuta easily pulled down the hair tie, and the unbound strands of hair then covered half of her face.
"Senior, can you tie it for me? I can't see!" she said, her tone a little playful.
"Seeing as it's your birthday today..." Izumi Chihiro hesitated for a moment, then used the hair tie in his hand to help the girl secure her hair into its original style.
Her vision became clear again, and Kani Nayuta smiled broadly, saying, "Now it's good! I can see the world again, and I can clearly see Senior."
Every gesture, every smile was so captivating, enough to make one dizzy.
Even Izumi Chihiro was a little worried that spending too much time with Nayuta would make his Dao Heart unstable.
Even though his childhood friend's appearance was also very cute, she couldn't give him a similar feeling.
Perhaps, he had reached the so-called 'fatigue period'?
"Eh, Izumi... are you on a date with someone?" Suddenly, an unexpected voice sounded in his ear.
Turning around, Izumi Chihiro saw none other than his deskmate.
It seemed she had just happened to pass by?
Yes, it was truly just a coincidence.
"No, this isn't a date; I just want to give a friend a birthday present..." He was about to explain when he heard Nishikino Maki continue.
"Don't worry, I'm not a busybody. Rest assured, I won't tell Sawamura."
Having said that, she held her small bag and prepared to leave.
"Stop right there!" Izumi Chihiro, of course, wouldn't let her leave, to avoid any inexplicable misunderstandings.
It was always better to explain such things directly at the time.
"Uh." Nishikino Maki clutched her handbag tightly and instinctively stopped, because she felt an unprecedented aura from him.
She had originally planned to quickly get out of this whirlpool, but it seemed she shouldn't have greeted him; she should have just left as if nothing happened!
"Sawamura?" Kani Nayuta, standing still, looked thoughtful.