"No, I just write casually online; there's quite a big difference between that and a professional novelist who has officially debuted."
Shiina Mafuyu paused, then reacted.
'But, that person named Chihiro is also a light novelist, hmm... a depraved relationship between a light novelist and a famous painter? If that got out, it would definitely be big news.'
After mulling it over, she realized she had inadvertently uncovered a big secret.
Wait, something's not right!
Mashiro's Shiina family is a famous scholarly family. To be able to keep Mashiro as a pet, that Chihiro must not be an ordinary person, perhaps even the son of some chaebol. If he found out she knew the secret, would he...
"You know too much."
One night, a man in black suddenly appeared and pulled the trigger on her.
Isn't there such a plot in games?
For a moment, Shiina Mafuyu suppressed the urge to continue asking questions.
During the break.
The homeroom teacher suddenly called her out.
"Mafuyu, right? I'd like to ask you to look after Mashiro. Since you're desk mates, you seem to get along well."
The Female Teacher said with a smile.
"Why?"
Shiina Mafuyu looked puzzled.
"I think you've probably noticed, Mashiro's common sense is very poor, almost non-existent, and her behavior is strange."
The Female Teacher continued.
"Speaking of which, it does seem to be the case.
Shiina Mafuyu frowned.
"Then, please... After school, someone will pick Mashiro up, and you won't have to worry after that."
The Female Teacher clapped her hands, tilted her head, and said gently.
Afternoon.
Mashiro took out her bento box, which naturally contained the meal Izumi Chihiro had prepared for the three of them.
Shiina Mafuyu also took out the bento her sister made, eating it while deep in thought.
'It seems Mashiro's thought process is different from others; what she says might not be understood the same way by others?'
The now calm girl gradually clarified this point.
"Um, why does Mashiro call Chihiro her 'feeder'?"
She probed.
"Because Chihiro feeds me."
Mashiro replied.
"Specifically, in what way?"
Shiina Mafuyu's eyebrows furrowed.
"Chihiro cooks for me."
Mashiro's answer was normal this time.
"I see."
Shiina Mafuyu finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Through her years of patience and experience from collecting all gal game endings, she finally found the correct answer—Mashiro's thought process was unusual!
Was this why she was asked to look after her?
Gradually, the day passed.
"The extent of lacking common sense, I've never seen anything like it before, Mashiro is a first."
Shiina Mafuyu watched Mashiro, who was drawing something in the next seat, and secretly let out a sigh of relief.
After spending the day with Mashiro, her own common sense was almost warped.
Fortunately, it was almost over.
However, although it was tough, she experienced a kind of joy, like conquering a gal game character, and her mood became uplifted again.
Perhaps, the two of them could become good friends?
"Tick-tock, tick-tock..."
In the blink of an eye, ten minutes passed.
Outside the empty classroom, where only the two of them remained, footsteps suddenly sounded.
"It seems to be here."
Accompanied by a voice, a handsome young man walked in.
"A boy...!"
Shiina Mafuyu was instantly startled.
For a girl with androphobia, this was quite a terrifying thing.
"Mashiro, I'm here."
After entering, Izumi Chihiro first noticed Mashiro in her seat, and then the other girl.
'Is it really such a coincidence?'
A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
Having memories from a past life, and occasionally interacting with her, he recognized who this girl was.
"Chihiro."
Mashiro turned to look, then stopped her actions and silently put her things away.
"Don't come closer! If you touch me, Mafuyu will melt!"
Shiina Mafuyu leaned back, her hands in a defensive posture, exclaiming in alarm.
"What kind of twisted logic is that?"
Izumi Chihiro chuckled, but stopped in his tracks, letting Mashiro pack her things.
"You... are that Chihiro Mashiro mentioned?"
Shiina Mafuyu tried hard to maintain her composure.
"That's me. Are you Mashiro's new friend?"
He nodded.
"Mm."
Shiina Mafuyu's voice trembled.
"In that case, I'll ask you to take good care of Mashiro while she's at school."
Izumi Chihiro maintained a friendly smile.
"Melt? Why? Chihiro isn't the sun, he won't burn others."
Mashiro, having packed her things, stood up like a curious baby, then poked his cheek with her finger, "See?"
Izumi Chihiro's mouth twitched involuntarily.
She had remembered what he said.
"Is that so?"
Shiina Mafuyu was deep in self-doubt.
Could it be that everything her sister said was false?
"Mashiro and I are about to head back... Before that, I don't think I've introduced myself yet. My name is Izumi Chihiro, and what's your name?"
Izumi Chihiro spoke.
"I'm... Shiina Mafuyu."
Shiina Mafuyu replied softly.
"Hmm, a good name, very similar to Mashiro. It seems it's fate that you two could meet."
Izumi Chihiro nodded slightly, in strong agreement.
"Well then, we'll be going now."
He turned and left with Mashiro.
On the spot, Shiina Mafuyu's eyes suddenly showed a hint of confusion.
"Strange, I always feel like he gives me a very familiar feeling. Have we met before? Or is it..."
Just now, she felt that she didn't have the imagined sense of repulsion towards that boy.
Even though she knew it was just something her sister made up, the psychological symptom of fearing men, which lingered in her heart, shouldn't be something that could be eliminated so quickly.
"Wait, that person's name was Izumi... right? And he's a light novelist? Isn't this a coincidence? According to the age everyone knows, Izumi-sensei should also be exactly high school age..."
Shiina Mafuyu's pupils contracted.
One element might be a coincidence, but if all elements are connected, then there is only one truth!
Izumi Chihiro = Izumi Masamune.
Although this was an incredibly unbelievable encounter, it was also so logical.
To confirm, she just needed to chat with Izumi-sensei when he was free tonight and ask.
"If it's true, then it's probably 'the most wonderful thing in life is to meet', right?"
Shiina Mafuyu used a line from a game she had just played yesterday to describe today's encounter, and then recalling the plot after the line, her fair face couldn't help but blush.
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💯 PS = 2 bonus chapter