Under his comfort, Sagiri's mood gradually returned to normal.
After all, being petite and not useful was not her fault.
This was a non-combat crime.
"Ni-san, when will I grow up? Or will I never grow up… just like Eriri-nee-san."
His sister looked up, her eyes a little worried.
"Uh, that kind of thing depends on fate, Sagiri. You don't need to worry, and Sagiri looks cuter this way."
Bringing up old topics, Izumi Chihiro had to change his wording.
"Does Ni-san prefer petite girls?"
Sagiri's eyes lit up, as if she had been encouraged.
Growth was unlikely, but it was easy to stay slim.
"Hmph hmph hmph, Chihiro, so you're a lolicon!"
Yamada Elf had approached without him noticing, her gaze as if she was looking at a heinous villain.
"What, Senpai is a lolicon?!"
Kani Nayuta, who was arguing with Kasumigaoka Utaha, immediately reacted and ran over in great disappointment, saying, "Is it true, Senpai?!"
"A lolicon?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha's eyebrows furrowed.
Senju Muramasa subconsciously glanced at her figure, a frown on her face.
It seemed a bit too big!
"I never said anything like that."
Izumi Chihiro gritted his teeth, "Elf, don't talk nonsense!"
"Then what kind of girl does Senpai like?"
Kani Nayuta's eyes sparkled, brimming with anticipation.
Everyone else also awaited his answer.
"What I like is..."
Izumi Chihiro drew out his words, "...cute girls."
"Senpai!"
Kani Nayuta pouted.
Disappointment and displeasure appeared on the faces of the others.
This time, he had won a round.
He rested for a while, easing his mood.
After sunbathing on a beach chair for a bit, his sister was the first to approach him.
"Um, Ni-san, I want to learn to swim, Ni-san... can you help me?"
With her fingertips touching, Sagiri's fidgeting manner was adorably shy.
"This, couldn't someone else help you?"
Izumi Chihiro hesitated.
"No, I'm with them... if Ni-san doesn't want to, then forget it."
A clear expression of disappointment appeared on Sagiri's face.
His pitiful sister made it impossible to refuse her request.
"Alright."
He could only agree.
"Thank you, Ni-san."
His sister's smile brightened.
Near the beach, he chose a spot with suitable water depth for his sister to practice swimming.
Although he had no experience teaching others to swim, he still remembered his father teaching him in the swimming pool.
"Sagiri, first use a paddling motion to feel the buoyancy of the water, then learn to breathe and hold your breath..."
Izumi Chihiro held his sister's delicate waist with both hands, providing support while giving instructions.
Although Sagiri was a little shy about being maneuvered like a toy by her brother, she still listened carefully to his arrangements, gradually becoming more proficient, her hands moving back and forth, coordinating with her legs, becoming more flexible.
After some time, Sagiri was successfully able to swim in the sea without relying on anyone.
"I did it, Ni-san!"
Sagiri joyfully hugged him.
As their bodies touched, the unusual sensation, different from their usual interactions, made her realize they were only wearing swimsuits, so she quickly let go, her earlobes turning red as she turned her head away.
She felt her heart pounding, the sound seemingly right in her ears.
In the silence.
Izumi Chihiro felt gazes from the shore.
"I'm jealous!"
The slightly older Silver-haired Girl pouted and said to him, "Senpai, I want to learn to swim too."
"Uh."
His expression at that moment was indescribable.
"Hehehe, teaching someone to swim, light novels often have such plots, why don't you, Chihiro, practice with me too? Let's just consider it research!"
Yamada Elf emerged from the sea, her wet golden hair looking completely different from her usual demeanor, her fair skin even more alluring under the sunlight.
"This..."
"If you don't mind, I'd also like to experience the fun of 'research'."
Kasumigaoka Utaha smiled charmingly, appearing out of nowhere beside him.
She loved to cause trouble at times like this.
"Chihiro..."
Senju Muramasa also came to the water's edge, looking eager to try.
"You guys, please spare me."
Izumi Chihiro sighed deeply.
In the end, under everyone's enthusiastic insistence, he couldn't avoid it.
However, as it was already late, the promise would only be fulfilled after today.
Now, he still had to deal with dinner.
"Your cooking isn't very good, why don't I, this young lady, help you out?"
Yamada Elf's tone was like a handout, but it was a kind offer to help and share his burden.
Izumi Chihiro didn't mind such words, as he had heard them too many times from his childhood friend.
At times like this, understanding the other person's true intentions was enough.
"Miss Elf, please."
"Leave it to me!"
Yamada Elf patted her chest, then glanced down and suddenly realized that her wet swimsuit looked too alluring. So, she turned and ran off, "Wait for me to change clothes!"
With the two of them busy, a sumptuous dinner was completed and received high praise from everyone.
"Yamada-sensei's cooking is amazing."
"Is this a display of feminine charm?"
"It's somewhat inconsistent with her appearance."
Miss Elf's feminine charm was highly praised.
'To capture a man, you must first capture his stomach… Yamada-sensei, you are so cunning!'
Kani Nayuta felt anxious, already considering delving into cooking in the future, then took another large bite of food.
After dinner, the highly anticipated main event was next.
This exchange conference was the core of this beach trip; they couldn't neglect one for the other.
Mashiro returned to her room immediately, busy with her dreams.
"Ni-san, should I excuse myself?"
Sagiri tugged at his sleeve and asked softly.
Since everyone present was a light novel author, and the discussions would be professional, she felt it might be inappropriate.
"Eromanga-sensei is a very important part of Izumi Masamune, there's nothing inappropriate… Besides, it's just an exchange, no need to be so formal."
Izumi Chihiro said with a smile.
"Oh, I see."
Sagiri stayed by his side, feeling at ease.
In the living room.
"Alright, the world's strongest light novel exchange conference officially begins! Everyone, are you excited?!"
Yamada Elf raised her small hands high, her tone arrogant.
Starting with "world's strongest" was a bold statement, very much in line with her style, but this time it was quite reasonable, as the top three in the current industry were all present.
This time, it wasn't an exaggeration.
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💯 PS = 2 bonus chapter