April 11th, another brand new day.
This day held different meanings for the Izumi siblings; one shed the embarrassing title of 'elementary schooler,' while the other entered a new phase of life.
Izumi Chihiro had a premonition that the upcoming high school period would be the moment his accumulated efforts would fully explode, and if he had further opportunities, ascending to the throne of 'Light Novel Master' might not be impossible.
"Sagiri can manage on her own, right?"
"It's fine, Ni-san, I'm not a child anymore, I can go to and from school by myself, and the school isn't far from our house."
Standing at the door, Sagiri was the first to bid him farewell.
Behind him, footsteps approached.
"Chihiro."
Wearing a school uniform, the girl, whose demeanor was completely unchanged, sat on the floor, fumbled with her shoes, and after finding it futile, looked up and spoke.
"Mashiro, you're really worse than a child. You can't even do such a small thing. Sagiri was going to elementary school by herself years ago."
Izumi Chihiro squatted down, putting on her round-toed uniform shoes while speaking in an exasperated tone.
"Sagiri isn't a child, she's an adult."
Mashiro replied.
"That's what she thinks."
Izumi Chihiro pursed his lips.
Sometimes, he really couldn't tell if this girl was feigning ignorance or doing it on purpose.
'The beauty of moe, it really is a beauty that comes from distance!'
He sighed in his heart once more.
After getting ready, the two set off together.
But in reality, their destinations were not the same high school. Mashiro was going to an art-focused girls' high school next to Toyogasaki Academy, so after arriving at the nearby train station, he had to drop Mashiro off first.
Mashiro's specific arrangements were handled by Shiina and given to Aunt Sayuri. He made a slight inference and easily understood Aunt Sayuri's intentions.
As the saying goes, 'kings do not meet kings.' Considering past experiences, Aunt Sayuri would not arrange for the two of them to be in the same high school, because Mashiro's artist halo would completely overshadow Eriri's artist halo, and perhaps her daughter would be affected by public pressure.
Sawamura Sayuri certainly knew her daughter's personality very well.
But she also couldn't arrange for them to be too far apart, because there was also the consideration of having him pick Mashiro up to go home.
"Please, Teacher, Mashiro rarely interacts with people and usually just draws, so she might be a bit strange. Please take good care of her."
Arriving at the entrance of the girls' high school, Izumi Chihiro was entrusting Mashiro to the vibrant Female Teacher in front of him.
"Leave it all to me! We would never let a genius like Shiina suffer any grievances."
The Female Teacher patted her chest, guaranteeing with an excited expression.
For a genius like Shiina Mashiro to come and study in her class, it was truly an honor!
"Oh, and I'll be coming to pick Mashiro up after school in the afternoon, so could you please tell the school's gatekeeper for me..."
Izumi Chihiro suddenly remembered this matter.
"You can rest assured about that too, we've already made arrangements."
Saying that, the Female Teacher pulled out a pass and handed it to him.
"Aunt Sayuri really is thorough in her considerations."
Izumi Chihiro took the pass, a sudden realization dawning on him.
"Well then, Mashiro, study hard at school, and I'll come pick you up in the afternoon to go home. Don't run off, okay?"
Izumi Chihiro turned his head and spoke in a tone used to soothe a child.
He was already starting to take on the role of a dad.
"I'm not a child."
Mashiro's tone was slightly 'forceful.'
Izumi Chihiro just smiled, said nothing more, and turned to leave.
Only after his back disappeared at the intersection did Mashiro follow the smiling Female Teacher into the campus.
Today, the entire girls' high school would be thrown into an earthquake by the arrival of this young girl!
...
After saying goodbye to Mashiro, Izumi Chihiro walked for less than five minutes before he could already see the outline of Toyogasaki Academy.
Cherry blossoms danced, the beauty of April fading.
Boys and girls, with a mix of apprehension and anticipation for their future high school life, entered the campus.
The first step was to confirm their class assignments, then find their classroom, and finally, after attending the entrance ceremony, their high school life would truly begin.
On a wall not far from the school gate, many students were looking for their names.
Izumi Chihiro also came to the bottom of the wall, his gaze scanning the surface, finally locking onto his own name.
Thankfully, he didn't encounter a namesake, otherwise, he would have had to go to the office for the troublesome task of reconfirming.
At the same time, he also saw another name, and a curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.
After finding the classroom, Izumi Chihiro was the first to grab the 'protagonist's seat,' which was easier for slacking off.
Over the next ten minutes, the empty classroom gradually filled up. Outgoing people automatically started chatting with those around them, making the classroom a bit noisy.
Just then, someone suddenly stepped in, and the surrounding air instantly fell silent.
Brilliant, dazzling blonde hair, beneath which was the absolute territory formed by black over-the-knee socks and a school uniform skirt, delicate features and fair skin—various attributes combined, making her a captivating heroine from every angle, who entered their sight.
Her aura, clearly from a prestigious family, yet she displayed an elegant smile, further enhancing her appeal.
"Yada zai~"
Eriri's first appearance achieved a stunning result, and she was very satisfied in her heart.
As long as she maintained this appearance, she could steadily stand at the pinnacle of the popular crowd, and her improved physique wouldn't attract criticism like before!
Now, she was flawless!
Then, the girl's gaze lingered for a while on a certain spot at the back of the classroom, a hint of joy subtly appearing, before she nonchalantly found a suitable seat and sat down.
"What a cute girl!"
"Such a unique aura, she feels like a young lady from a prestigious family."
"I wish I could be friends with her."
"She looks very elegant, I should be able to talk to her, right?"
The boys and girls stirred.
After hearing the faint discussions around him, Izumi Chihiro almost 'pfft'ed out a laugh.
It's likely that in Eriri's heart, all of you are just popularity points, you know.
Elegant young lady? Dream on! It's good enough if she doesn't despise you!
Young people are just easily deceived.
"However, Eriri's acting has indeed risen several levels compared to usual. It seems that 'face' is truly a matter of life and death for her."
Izumi Chihiro glanced sideways.
Although he wasn't particularly interested in it, this was something Eriri cared about very much, so he didn't plan to expose her later either.
Even as childhood friends and frenemies, one must maintain a certain boundary to avoid hurting others.
Persecuting Otaku Eriri also has its limits!
"Ah, I really am so kind," he muttered to himself playfully.
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💯 PS = 2 bonus chapter