"Ahahaha. Compared to that, I'm more interested in Kashiwagi Eri's work." Saori picked up a doujinshi from the stall and began to read it.
And then…
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
Her cheeks turned crimson like a fiery cloud, and her entire body became like a steaming machine.
"Th-this…"
"I still prefer pure love stories."
Kashiwagi Eri was a doujinshi artist primarily focused on themes of humiliation, and the plot was too stimulating for the average person to handle.
"Why don't you try my work?"
Sayuri herself was also an artist, but she drew themes for fujoshi.
"Tenya, you're really something. How long has it been, and you've already hooked up with several junior high school girls!"
Eriri bared her little fangs, glaring fiercely at Tenya.
"What kind of talk is that? I'm the one being hooked up with, okay?" Tenya shrugged helplessly.
"Uh…"
Ruri and Kirino exchanged glances, then guiltily turned their heads away. To be fair, they had been the ones actively inviting Tenya these past few days. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they were the ones who actively hooked up with him.
"Eriri, what should we do? Your combat power is too weak, you can't compete with other women." Sayuri looked worried.
"Who said I was going to compete?" Eriri denied it, ever the tsundere.
"No. I actually think the Sawamura family's combat power is quite strong." Tenya looked at Sayuri with a meaningful gaze.
"Hmm?!" Sayuri's eyes narrowed.
As expected of a married woman, she instantly understood Tenya's hidden meaning.
This child… he's not merely brave. He even dares to set his sights on her?
Sayuri was surprised to find that she felt little repulsion, and even a hint of excitement. Since her husband passed away many years ago, she had lived alone for years.
Due to her substantial family wealth and her well-maintained appearance, her looks and figure remained in their prime, and she was not lacking in male admirers. However, she didn't fancy any of them.
Tenya, both in appearance and demeanor, perfectly matched her personal aesthetic. This made Sayuri's heart, sealed for many years, become lively again after a long time.
"Since Tenya-kun is Eriri's good friend, you should visit our home more often." Sayuri said with a smile.
"Mom…"
A hint of pleasant surprise flashed in Eriri 's eyes.
She thought, 'As expected of my mom, was she helping me out?'
"I will definitely pay a visit another day." Tenya returned an obscure, ambiguous look to Sayuri.
Dealing with mature women is just so much easier. No winding paths or riddle-like teasing. If there's mutual attraction, just make a direct invitation.
"Then, it's a deal, we've agreed."
Eriri, focused on the opportunity to spend time alone with Tenya, was instantly filled with anticipation.
"Hehe." Tenya smiled without speaking.
"Oh my."
'Sorry, Eriri. This man is too deep for you to handle, so let mom take over.'
Facing the secret understanding between Tenya and Sayuri, the three junior high school girls present were completely unaware. As they would blush and tremble just by looking at a doujinshi, they naturally couldn't comprehend Tenya's high-level maneuvers.
...
After touring the anime convention, Tenya and his group left early.
"Yay! Today was amazing. Not only did I get a doujinshi personally signed by Kashiwagi Eri, but I also won a limited edition disc of Imouto Taisen." Kirino jumped and danced in place excitedly.
"Like a monkey…" Ruri grumbled, but she was also quite happy in her heart.
"Happy times are always short, it's time to leave again." Saori expressed her reluctance to part.
"Huh? Kirino, that looks like someone you know over there."
Tenya's peripheral vision caught sight of a clear-faced, long black-haired girl near the station, who was none other than Ayase, whom he had met a few days prior.
"Ayase, no…?!?"
Kirino's face changed, and she was about to hide. But she was discovered by the latter, who sensed her presence.
"Kirino?"
"What a coincidence, why are you here?"
Ayase jogged over and then noticed Tenya nearby. "Tenya is here too?"
"Yo. This outfit today suits you very well, Ayase." Tenya scrutinized her from head to toe.
A beige long dress paired with a blue jacket, simple yet elegant.
"Thank you for the compliment. Um, those two over there, do you know them?" Ayase turned her head, her gaze falling on Ruri and Saori.
"Th-this..."
Kirino's face stiffened, stammering, unsure how to answer. She didn't want to expose her hidden otaku identity.
"Let's go. If we don't hurry home, we'll miss the 5 o'clock anime."
Ruri understood her predicament and decided to pretend not to know her and leave.
"Who are they? Their clothes look so strange." Ayase frowned.
She had an inherent prejudice against female otakus.
"Uh..."
Kirino hesitated, wanting to speak but lacking the courage to tell her best friend the truth, so she looked to Tenya for help.
Just as Ruri and Saori walked past them, Tenya suddenly grabbed each of them by one hand and pulled them forcefully into his embrace.
"Get acquainted, these are my girlfriends." Tenya explained earnestly.
"..."
Ruri was silent.
"Uh. I don't recall such a thing." Saori scratched her head but didn't struggle free.
"Girlfriends... plural?!" Ayase was instantly stunned.
"Huh?" Kirino was dumbfounded.
"Tenya, what do you mean by this? Aren't you dating Kirino?" Ayase's eyes widened, her pupils subtly showing signs of darkening.
"Dating, no. Though I do like Kirino quite a bit. But that doesn't stop me from liking other girls, does it?" Tenya spoke with righteous indignation.
"Scumbag! Kirino, stay away from him." Ayase was full of indignation, grabbing Kirino and pulling her to her side.
"This..."
Kirino looked helpless, only able to give Tenya an apologetic look.
"It's fine. This is the real me, there's nothing to hide." Tenya's expression remained normal.
The real me...
Nothing to hide...
Upon hearing this, Kirino's heart trembled.
"Kirino, let's go quickly. Stay away from this scumbag."
Ayase looked at Tenya with disdain, but Kirino unexpectedly pulled her hand away.
"Kirino... huh?!"
"Sorry, Ayase. I have something to tell you."
Kirino took a deep breath, mustering her courage and raising the shopping bag in her hand.
"I want to show you the real me."
"The real... Kirino?!"
Ayase's eyes paused, her gaze falling on the shopping bag in Kirino's hand, and her eyes suddenly sharpened. Through the translucent shopping bag, she could vaguely see some strange pictures inside. Her intuition told her that this was probably not something clean.
"Have you made up your mind?"
Ruri's eyes slightly sharpened, she had done something similar once upon a time. Revealing her hobbies to friends, which resulted in having no friends.
"This is a risky move, Kirino-san." Saori looked nervous.
It is well known that public opinion is not friendly towards otaku culture, basically placing it at the bottom of the contempt chain.
"Gulp."
Ayase gulped, taking a deep breath, as if she had prepared herself mentally. However, when she turned to the first page of the manga, she was still hit with an unprecedented shock, her cheeks instantly flushing crimson.
"Pervert!"
"Lewd!"
"Spiritual pollutant!"
As if accidentally touching harmful waste, Ayase hurriedly threw the book away.
"This is Kashiwagi Eri's new work, don't waste it." Tenya reached out and caught the falling book.
"Impossible!"
"This is absolutely impossible!"
"Kirino... how could she like such shameless things?!" Ayase shook her head frantically, expressing disbelief.
"Is it you? Give me back the original Kirino!!" Ayase pointed the finger at Tenya.
"The original Kirino? Beautiful appearance, excellent figure and taste. Good at all sports, excellent grades. Has many friends, a popular idol in class. Teachers also like her, and she shines in club activities. Also works part-time as a model outside school. A lovely beautiful girl that everyone likes."
"Is this the real Kirino?"
Tenya listed all of Kirino's advantages in one breath, which instead made the latter blush and feel embarrassed.
"Yes! That's Kirino!" Ayase nodded vigorously, her expression full of approval.
***
40 Advanced Chapters on
patreon.com/alex_1000