"What do I do now?"
Mio examined Eriri's artwork while simultaneously thinking about how to complete this task without being branded a perverted creep.
Honestly, the task wasn't that hard. She could just pretend to trip when she stood up later and "accidentally" give Eriri an eyeful. As long as it didn't look staged, mission accomplished. The tricky part was making it look natural—which meant she'd have to actually fall.
Pre-transmigration Mio would've been fine—she was thick-skinned and tough. But current Mio had delicate, tender skin. One real fall and she'd probably cry from the pain.
Eriri, completely oblivious to Mio's internal crisis, asked excitedly, "Mio, I revised it based on your suggestions. What do you think?"
Mio nodded gently. "It's already really good. The pacing flows smoothly and the panel layouts are excellent. As expected of the great Eri Kashiwagi-sensei~"
Getting praised like that, Eriri's face lit up with a smug smile.
"By the way, how's that doujinshi of yours coming along? Are you planning to exhibit it at a convention?"
"Haven't finished it yet, but I want to try exhibiting at Comiket or something similar. I don't really know much about selling at artist booths, so I might need your help when the time comes." Mio looked a bit embarrassed.
Ever since completing that earlier task, she hadn't touched the doujinshi again. Every time she tried to work on it, her mind would start wandering to inappropriate places, and she'd end up needing a cold shower afterward. Sometimes she even had to... take care of things herself.
Still, Mio planned to finish it eventually. It was her hard work, after all. Abandoning it would feel like a waste.
"No problem, leave it to me." Eriri patted her chest confidently.
Obviously her petite figure couldn't produce the heroic clang clang sound effect, but that didn't stop Mio from imagining it.
Feeling Mio's peculiar gaze, Eriri frowned. Her instincts were telling her that Mio was thinking something extremely rude.
Before Eriri could say anything, though, Mio successfully changed the subject: "You brought a bento today, Sawamura-san?"
"Yeah, my mom made it. Want to try some?" Eriri picked up a piece of teriyaki chicken with her chopsticks and held it up to Mio's mouth.
Of course Mio wasn't going to be polite. She ate it in one bite. It really was pretty good.
After swallowing, Mio smiled mischievously. "Sawamura-san, doesn't that count as an indirect kiss?"
Eriri, who had just popped a piece of chicken into her own mouth, froze with her chopsticks still between her lips. She stared at Mio stiffly. She hadn't been thinking about any of that! Most normal people wouldn't jump to "indirect kiss" in this situation, right?!
What the hell went on inside this white-haired beauty's brain?
Always saying things that could so easily be misunderstood.
After finishing lunch, Mio cleaned up her bento box and then walked over to the window. She bent over, leaning against the windowsill, pretending to look at the scenery.
Soon enough, time stopped. The system's voice rang in her ears: "As expected, a task of this difficulty can't stop you~ Congratulations on completing the task. The host's conquest rating with Eriri has increased by 2 points."
"Sigh..." Even though she'd finished the task, Mio wasn't happy at all. She felt like she'd lost something very important in the process.
Her dignity, for instance.
What was lost couldn't be recovered. Might as well see what new stuff she got.
Mio's gaze shifted to the three cards floating before her eyes.
[Eriri's Drawing Skills] Improves your drawing ability. Part of the Eriri series.
[Chuunibyou Language Master] Allows you to fully understand chuunibyou speech patterns.
[Ice Queen] Increases your cold resistance. Effect stacks with multiple selections.
Since Mio hated the cold, she chose Ice Queen without hesitation.
As she made her selection, time resumed. Eriri's voice rang out: "Mio, your panties are showing."
"Ah!" Hearing Eriri's warning, Mio instinctively covered her skirt, her face displaying perfectly calibrated embarrassment and shyness. Mio was getting scarily good at playing the cute girl role lately.
"You're a popular character right now—people are watching you everywhere you go. At least pay attention to your image."
"I'm usually really careful! Maybe I just let my guard down because I'm with you, Sawamura-san." Mio stuck her tongue out cutely.
Eriri felt like if she were a guy, she'd already be head over heels for Mio. Even as a girl, she couldn't help feeling her heart flutter a little.
"By the way, aren't you going to take a little nap? You can borrow my shoulder for free, you know."
"Nah, I haven't been pulling all-nighters lately, so I'm not that sleepy."
"That's great! I've been staying up every night working on my doujin, though. Since you're not sleeping, lend me your shoulder."
As Eriri finished speaking, she yawned. The dark circles under her eyes made it obvious she really hadn't been getting much rest.
"Let me lend you my lap instead."
As Mio spoke, she arranged several chairs in a row, sat at one end, and patted her pale thighs invitingly.
She'd just gotten a message from Miura. If Eriri leaned on her shoulder, Mio wouldn't be able to use her phone comfortably. So she generously offered her lap instead.
Eriri hesitated briefly before lying down with her head on Mio's thighs. She'd never imagined she'd one day be lying on a beautiful girl's lap like this.
If someone walked in and saw this scene right now, it'd be way too easy to misunderstand.
But the art club was basically empty at this time of day, and she had the key anyway. Should be fine.
With that reassurance, Eriri, resting on Mio's lap, closed her eyes peacefully.
Time passed. Eventually, still half-asleep, Eriri heard some faint sounds. As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw the art club president pushing the door open and walking in.
The president clearly hadn't expected anyone to be in the activity room. When she saw Mio and Eriri lying in Mio's lap, she blinked, then said quietly, "Uh... looks like I came at a bad time. You two continue."
"Wait—wait! President, let me explain!"