Kiririn Rino: You stinky cat, although Madoka's anime is currently popular, you haven't forgotten about the upcoming release of re:zero Volume 5, have you?
Black Cat: Of course I remember something like that. Why are you asking? What are you trying to scheme?
Kiririn Rino: Scheme? How absurd!
Black Cat: I can guess without you telling me…
"Is my intention that obvious?"
Kousaka Kirino 's mouth twitched.
Her fingers paused for a moment, then she continued typing.
Kiririn Rino: Oh right, there's a question I'm quite curious about. How did you meet Teacher Izumi?
Black Cat: It's not really a secret, so I'll graciously tell you… I actually bumped into him by chance at a comic convention and eventually got to know him through gaming.
Kiririn Rino: Hmph, so you just got lucky!
"I thought you were a hidden character too!"
Kousaka Kirino snorted.
Black Cat: I'm sorry for not being capable, but someone like you isn't qualified to criticize others, are you?
Kiririn Rino: If you want to argue, go ahead! I'm ready anytime.
Black Cat: Boring. I'm busy with my manuscript and don't have time to waste with you. Sayonara.
Kiririn Rino: Wait, what's this about a manuscript submission?
Kiririn Rino: Hey, hey!
… …
Kousaka Kirino sent several more messages, but found that the other party hadn't replied, nor did it show a 'read' notification. She realized that the other party had temporarily blocked her messages.
"This guy is deliberately trying to annoy me, isn't he!?"
Kousaka Kirino gnashed her teeth in frustration.
Only telling half the story, especially at a suspenseful moment, is the most agonizing.
"No, I must get an answer!"
She couldn't stand it anymore.
Suddenly, an idea popped into her head.
"That's right, I can ask Teacher Izumi! I can also use this as an excuse to talk to Teacher Izumi. I'm such a genius~"
Kousaka Kirino 's heart stirred, and she asked Izumi Chihiro.
From Izumi Chihiro, she learned of Gokou Ruri's other identity: Izumi Masamune's disciple, Gokou Rori.
"Huh? That stinky cat's luck is really too good! She actually became Teacher Izumi's disciple and successfully debuted?"
Kousaka Kirino was first shocked, then grumbled.
"Hmph! That guy must have debuted with the help of Teacher Izumi! Her own skill must be terrible!"
As one of her major rivals, she felt it was necessary to personally read Black Cat's debut work.
"Hmph, just as I thought!"
After finishing her reading, Kousaka Kirino felt even more certain and sent another message.
Kiririn Rino: Heh, I didn't expect you could also debut as a light novelist, but you completely relied on Teacher Izumi's help to debut, didn't you? I can see a lot of Teacher Izumi's shadow in your work. You're completely useless on your own, aren't you!
Gokou Ruri had just finished her work for the day. She glanced back at the message that came in, and instead of getting angry, she smiled slightly.
Gokou Ruri: That's right, I was just lucky to get Izumi's help. So what?
Kirino: You...!
"Why is this happening? Where did her pride go!"
Kousaka Kirino hadn't expected the other party to admit it so readily, and her original intention to tease and mock her was shattered.
In the end, she could only manage one sentence.
Kirino: You really have a thick skin.
Gokou Ruri: The feeling is mutual.
The two then stopped chatting.
However, their entanglement didn't end there; on the day Re:zero - Starting Life In Another World was released, the two met again.
"Why are you here!"
Kousaka Kirino pointed at another girl dressed in a cosplay outfit and said.
"Wasn't this the real purpose of you chatting with me before?"
Gokou Ruri's gaze lifted slightly.
"You're talking nonsense! I, I never said that, and the chat logs can prove it."
Kousaka Kirino denied it vehemently.
"..."
Gokou Ruri rolled her eyes, already speechless.
"You two really have a good relationship."
Makishima Saori clapped her hands, then pushed up her glasses with a finger, a smile on her face.
"Which eye did you see that with?"
"Your eyes must be 1000 degrees nearsighted."
Kousaka Kirino and Gokou Ruri simultaneously turned their attacks.
"Hmph, my glasses are just for decoration. I'm not nearsighted at all; in fact, my vision is exceptionally good, so I can see everything clearly with both my eyes!"
Makishima Saori said, completely unaffected.
"Indeed, you're the biggest weirdo in the group."
Gokou Ruri sighed.
Kousaka Kirino said nothing, tacitly agreeing.
"We've been here for a long time. Shouldn't we get going?"
Makishima Saori's expression remained unchanged.
Facing this situation, the two didn't feel comfortable arguing anymore and followed her footsteps to the bookstore.
To get the new volume's content as soon as possible but avoid the crowds, the three had set their meeting time after nine o'clock, and there was no queue in front of the bookstore.
"If we had come early in the morning, just waiting in line would have taken a long time."
Makishima Saori said.
"To see it earlier, their fanaticism even surpasses ours."
Gokou Ruri nodded.
Kousaka Kirino pouted.
She had once come too early and found too many people waiting in line, which wasted a lot of her time.
"Boss, three copies of the latest volume of Re:zero - Starting Life In Another World."
Makishima Saori walked through the door, immediately noticing several large stacks of light novels prominently displayed.
Clearly, the shop owner wasn't worried about whether the books would sell out.
The three each took their copy. After tearing off the book band that read 'The latest masterpiece by Izumi Masamune, who has healed countless hearts!', the complete cover of the fifth volume appeared before their eyes—two giant ferocious beasts and Subaru, shattered by ice.
"I really want to read it!"
Kousaka Kirino felt an urgent desire.
"It seems the battle is far from over."
Gokou Ruri thought.
Makishima Saori also cast a lingering glance.
Although all three wanted to go home and read the contents of the fifth volume immediately, it was a rare outing, so they had to suppress their surging emotions and place the light novels in their pockets.
The three wandered for a full two hours. Gokou Ruri and Kousaka Kirino argued for various reasons more than five times, but in the end, they still embarked on the journey back together.
"That Gokou Ruri is really annoying! Always contradicting me! Next time we meet, I'll show her!"
Kousaka Kirino muttered to herself as she returned home.
The next moment, after taking out the fifth volume of Re:zero - Starting Life In Another World, her anger vanished instantly, and she joyfully opened the first page.
---
💯 PS = 2 bonus chapter