With Kasumigaoka Utaha in tow, Hayashi Maki let go of her hand and unlocked the door to his place.
Utaha slipped off her shoes and put on the guest slippers he'd set out. "Then, pardon the intrusion."
With a polite line, the young woman stepped in with her usual graceful pace.
Like Eriri before her, Utaha was surprised by how neat and tidy Hayashi Maki's room was, which nudged her impression of him even higher.
Whether it's a boy or a girl, someone who keeps a clean room is hard to dislike. On the other hand, if a room is a mess, piled with trash and smelling foul—no matter how good-looking the owner is—the impression will be awful.
So Hayashi Maki really did owe angel Mahiru for being so diligent about keeping the place in order.
When Hayashi Maki and Utaha came in, Eriri had already sketched several character sheets. Right now, though, she was raking her hair in frustration and slapping her pen on the desk.
"It's no good—I can't draw this at all!"
Utaha drifted over, picked up two sheets from the floor, and her expression turned odd.
"Are these… not even human? More like dairy cattle. If you hand this in to Kouhai-kun, he'll get chewed out."
"Eeeek!" Startled by the sudden voice behind her, Eriri let out a cute yelp. She shot to her feet and glared at Utaha, a tiny tiger tooth peeking out at the corner of her mouth.
"Kasumigaoka Utaha, why sneak up on me like that? You scared me!"
Utaha shrugged calmly. "I did announce myself—and you heard the door. If you were spooked, it's because you were too absorbed. But really, these are strange. This isn't your level."
At that, Eriri's shoulders slumped; even her golden twin tails seemed to droop with her mood.
Seeing the two clearly had things to discuss, Hayashi Maki spoke up. "I'll get you drinks and snacks. You two talk first."
Once he headed to the kitchen, Utaha folded her arms and arched a brow at Eriri. The motion only emphasized her fullness, making Eriri's eyes burn a little.
"Alright, Kouhai-kun's out. Time to tell me what's actually wrong. You were my illustrator once—no need to be so distant."
Eriri let out a long sigh.
"As you can see, lately I can only draw those weird, doujin-style 'cow girl' bodies. I used to manage flat-chested characters, but even that didn't work just now. The moment I start, that warped image pops into my head and I end up drawing it without thinking."
Utaha's mouth fell open.
"That happens? How long has this been going on?"
"About a week." Eriri lowered her head, hands trembling.
"It's over. At this rate my manga career is finished. I finally had a chance to 'go legit,' but if I can only draw one exaggerated type, the market will toss me aside soon. Worse, I won't improve at all."
Watching Eriri so dejected, Utaha sighed as well. She understood the feeling—the pain of spinning your wheels and being unable to create was exactly what she'd felt while struggling with volume two of Love Metronome. Thanks to Hayashi Maki's pointers and a spark of inspiration, she'd gotten back on track. Poor Eriri—Kashiwagi Eri—was stuck.
Steadying herself, Utaha asked seriously, "So, Sawamura—how do you want me to help?"
Warmed by the question, Eriri glanced up, embarrassed, and made a mortifying little gesture.
"Um… if you could… you know… let me see, um, everything…"
"I'm leaving." Utaha turned on her heel.
"Aaah—don't go! You said you'd help—help me all the way, Kasumigaoka!"
A vein popped on Utaha's forehead.
"You want help and you don't even call me Senpai—and who asks that as their first request?"
"S-sorry, Kasumigaoka… Senpai. Please. I'm out of options. When I start drawing, my mind goes blank except for that warped image. I hate to admit it, but your figure and looks are the most beautiful I've seen. I think it would make a strong enough impression to break me out of this. Please—help me."
For the sake of her dream, Eriri threw her pride aside and begged. It didn't fit her usual tsundere persona, but in this timeline she and Utaha had worked together; without Tomoya Aki in the picture, they were on good terms.
Utaha looked down at her junior clinging to her thigh and couldn't help a look of distaste—though being acknowledged for her looks and figure did feel nice. It also meant that flat-chested tsundere had conceded. But…
"Can't you pick another method? I can't just strip for you. Isn't that… weird?"
Eriri, at the end of her rope, blurted, "What's weird about it? It's just reference. I'm a girl too—worst case, I can strip as well, okay?"
Utaha gave her a look that said she didn't know where to begin, while Eriri stared back pitifully. It was obvious she was desperate. Hayashi Maki needed the art turned in, and she hadn't made any progress. She couldn't bear to let this chance slip away.
When Utaha didn't answer, Eriri bit her lip—and started moving. She tossed her cap aside, hooked her fingers under her skirt, and slid it down.
In moments, a pale, slender figure stood before Utaha.
"Like this, okay? We're both girls. Please help me, Kasumigaoka-senpai."
Utaha rubbed the bridge of her nose, taking in the shy girl covering her chest. This one… was actually pretty cute. Small up top, yes, but her fair skin and slim lines were flawless.
"…Fine. If my junior has that much resolve, then I'll grant your request. But you'd better thank me properly afterward."
With that, Utaha began removing layers as well.
How to put it… this felt so strange. Coming to Kouhai-kun's place only to "bare all" with another beautiful junior—who would've thought?