"Eriri, you wouldn't be…?"
Izumi Chihiro shot her a strange look.
"I wasn't imagining anything like that…!"
Eriri reacted.
After saying that, she immediately covered her mouth, looking even more embarrassed.
She had practically confessed without being asked.
"Hmm… it's an occupational hazard, everyone will understand you."
Izumi Chihiro mused, explaining on her behalf.
"You don't need to explain, you Baka!"
It was better when he didn't say anything; with his words, Eriri's fair cheeks flushed crimson.
"Actually, for a maid cosplay, if Senior likes it, Nayuta can serve Senior wholeheartedly. It seems the previous Christmas outfit didn't quite hit Senior's soft spot."
Kani Nayuta suddenly spoke in a seductive tone.
Her interjection at this moment was, of course, due to jealousy over their flirtatious behavior.
Incidentally, it was also for another idea.
"Lewd and shameless…!"
Eriri gritted her teeth.
Why could the other party say such shameless things?
Oh, it seemed she could too, but only when being sarcastic to others.
"And Christmas outfits? Are you playing that wild, Izumi-sensei…?"
Kousaka Kirino and Makishima Saori listened, somewhat dumbfounded. For girls who had not yet experienced such things, this kind of suggestive play was a bit too much.
"It seems there's been a misunderstanding?"
Izumi Chihiro noticed the others' expressions and felt quite wronged.
…
After a full day, they had explored the entire anime convention. If it weren't to satisfy Sagiri and Mashiro's curiosity, they would have long since run into the arcade to play games.
However, because of this, Mashiro and Sagiri gained more experience, and if they encountered an opportunity to apply it later, they could use this experience.
Day two of the anime convention.
Umaru Doma, who had taken leave on the first day due to an errand, also arrived.
After most of the convention activities were over, Sagiri and Mashiro's initial excitement wore off, so after completing their tasks, they spent their time in the arcade playing games together.
For this kind of team-building activity, games were better at enlivening the atmosphere.
If it was just walking around the convention, the time for mutual interaction was still too short.
Just like that, three days passed.
This group activity was nearing its end, and everyone was about to return to their normal routines, preparing to arrange the remaining short time of their winter break.
Therefore, as they played games and chatted, the topic of their conversation also changed.
"The puella magi madoka magica movie is about to be released, right? Why isn't Chihiro, as the author, showing any reaction?"
Kousaka Kirino was the first to open the topic.
"That's right, when I came over today, there were advertisements for the Madoka movie at the central building. It looks like the promotional efforts are quite strong."
Makishima Saori chimed in.
The few of them stopped what they were doing and looked at him, who was resting and drinking milk tea.
"I just don't think there's any need to show off," Izumi Chihiro replied.
"That's true, surely no one doesn't know, right? Even anime-only viewers, after watching the TV series, would definitely be curious about the movie."
Kani Nayuta said matter-of-factly.
"But, Senior, have you seen the original film yet? How's the quality?"
She was curious.
"I haven't, but they've given their assurance. From an investment perspective, there shouldn't be any problems either."
He said cautiously.
After all, he was only the 'original author,' and he didn't have much power in the production of the anime film; he could only leave it to fate.
But for a work that clearly looked like it would make money, the production company wasn't foolish; they would certainly put their heart and soul into making it well, perhaps even more concerned than he was.
Just like the hugely popular Demon Slayer in his previous life, after the TV series became a hit, the effort put into the movie production was naturally beyond words.
"There's no need to care about such things. Someone just lies back and reaps the rewards; others will work hard."
Eriri said with a sour tone.
She also wished that one day, her manga could become as popular as puella magi madoka magica, but it seemed like the difficulty was a bit too high.
If it was just the popularity generated by the novel version, perhaps she would have a chance to catch up once her manga was animated in the future.
However, driven by the anime, puella magi madoka magica had already become a symbol of this era, naturally boosting the fame of those involved, especially Izumi Masamune, the original author.
"It's just that you're not working hard enough, Eriri. If you have the ability, come and surpass me."
Izumi Chihiro joked.
"Hmph!"
Listening to his teasing, Eriri puffed out her cheeks like a little squirrel and turned her head away.
'I'm not going to compare myself to a monster like you!'
Her heart had completely surrendered, though she still wouldn't admit it out loud.
Compared to the outcome with her childhood friend, her current concern was the confrontation with Mashiro, as a fellow manga artist, it would be the most direct comparison.
She had lost miserably back then, and now she only wanted to use this opportunity to win it back!
Looking at the bewildered girl beside her, her competitive spirit was incredibly strong at this moment.
"?"
Mashiro noticed someone's gaze and turned her head.
"Sawamura?"
"Nothing."
Eriri pouted.
The comic convention ended, and everyone said their goodbyes one by one.
This time, Kani Nayuta followed them all the way back to Izumi.
Something out of the ordinary must be afoot!
"Senpai, bye-bye...!"
However, to his surprise, Nayuta did not stay; after saying goodbye, she pursued Eriri up Detective Slope.
It turned out that today, Eriri was Nayuta's target.
"Eriri."
Kani Nayuta saw her back.
"Nayuta? Why aren't you being all lovey-dovey with Chihiro? What are you doing looking for me?"
Eriri heard the greeting from behind, turned around, and said with a calm expression.
"I also want to be lovey-dovey with senpai, but it's not the right time yet, because there's something more important to do before that."
Kani Nayuta completely ignored her sharp tone, a sunny smile on her face.
For some reason, Eriri felt inexplicably annoyed.
"What could be more important than being with the senpai you like?"
She suppressed her angry voice.
"I know, liking someone is a very selfish thing, just like how I've always liked senpai, wishing there were no impurities other than him, but gradually I understood..."
Kani Nayuta suddenly became outspoken.
"Understood what?"
Eriri looked bewildered.
"Love needs to be reciprocated. Unrequited feelings have no meaning, but what if it goes a step further? If liking turns into love, the love in one's heart becomes tolerant; it can embrace more..."
Kani Nayuta said slowly.
"I don't understand."
Eriri shook her head.
"I'm just fulfilling a promise. If you can't understand..."
Kani Nayuta turned and walked away, her voice fading into the distance.
"That's great then."
...
Watching her retreating figure, Eriri frowned.
What on earth was she trying to say?
---
💯 PS = 2 bonus chapter