"Oh? That's really quite impressive."
Nanaya nodded, acknowledging Ani Tomoya's efforts.
"Mhm! Our club is gradually growing stronger!"
"I haven't joined your club yet, so let's talk again when you've actually found someone who can write copy."
Nanaya shot him a sidelong glance.
"No problem! I already have a clear target for our final member, and I should be able to successfully invite them soon!"
This was Aki Tomoya's confident declaration.
He had everything prepared - he just needed to wait for Kido Shishi-sensei's autograph session to discover which student at their school was the famous light novel author.
"But tell me, how skilled is this Eriri you know?"
"My standards are extremely strict. And remember - we're using my girlfriend's likeness. If the artwork isn't perfect, prepare to be sued."
Nanaya's expression darkened slightly.
Ironically, this severe attitude made Aki Tomoya feel more reassured.
"Trust me, it'll be perfect!" Tomoya thumped his chest confidently. "I'll talk to her and arrange for you two to meet!"
After having been physically assaulted by female classmates twice during conversations with Nanaya, Tomoya was finally starting to realize that until he officially recruited Nanaya into the club, he should minimize their public interactions.
In just these few moments of conversation, he'd already noticed numerous girls glaring daggers in his direction.
"Let's exchange contact info. I'll send you Eriri's details and you two can set up a meeting."
"Fine, that works."
Seeing Nanaya accept his suggestion, Aki Tomoya couldn't help but feel elated, already fantasizing about their club's bright future.
——————————
"Hello, I'm Nanaya. To protect my girlfriend's portrait rights, let's meet in person."
Eriri stared at the message on her phone, momentarily speechless.
Nanaya - she knew him. That boy who'd openly shown affection with his girlfriend at school. Also recently famous as both the "most handsome transfer student" and "most handsome boy" in school.
Nanaya's message reminded Eriri of Aki Tomoya's recent attempt to recruit her.
...
"Eriri, listen! I've already invited Nanaya and Kato Megumi to join my club!"
"Oh? And?"
Eriri deliberately ignored Tomoya, wanting nothing to do with this conversation.
After concluding that Tomoya had undergone some radical changes in his romantic preferences over the years, Eriri had become increasingly reluctant to interact with him. Every stroke of her brush now unconsciously cast Tomoya as the cuckolded protagonist in her artwork.
When Tomoya had bombarded her with dozens of messages to meet up, she'd assumed he'd finally abandoned his unrealistic game development club dreams.
Yet his first words upon meeting were about that very topic!
This only deepened Eriri's irritation.
Still, Tomoya's words brought to mind the recently famous Nanaya - undoubtedly the most handsome boy Eriri had ever seen.
But why would someone like that agree to Tomoya's invitation? Was he just playing along to mock Tomoya?
After all, someone like Nanaya seemed completely incompatible with Tomoya's... preferences. If anything, he fit the "other man" archetype far better!
"Eriri, will you join my club and help me?"
Eriri had been lost in thought, unconsciously casting Nanaya as the seducer in her imagined scenario - where she and childhood friend Tomoya were about to confess their feelings, only for Tomoya's weakness to lead to her falling into Nanaya's arms, being subjected to all manner of positions until finally showing a flushed face while cradling a pregnant belly, declaring "I love Master Nanaya most" to the devastated Tomoya.
Tomoya's sudden question snapped her back to reality, the sheer embarrassment causing her to blush furiously as she shrieked at him.
"Y-you... what are you saying?!"
In her current state, Tomoya's invitation sounded exactly like the cuckolded protagonist in her fantasy begging, "Please help me - just spend one night with him."
"Huh?"
Tomoya, completely bewildered by Eriri's outburst, nevertheless repeated his request.
"Eriri, I truly want to create a groundbreaking game. The preparations have already begun."
"Nanaya kindly reminded me about all the necessary roles for a game development club. So I'm asking you to be our illustrator."
"Please, Eriri! This is my lifelong request!"
Tomoya placed both hands on the table and bowed deeply.
...
Recalling that scene, Eriri still didn't understand why she'd agreed in the end.
But being someone who took promises seriously, she resolved to put real effort into Tomoya's unrealistic dream.
With a sigh, Eriri typed her reply: "Fine. You set the time."
Ultimately, Nanaya scheduled the meeting for after school. After considerately confirming when Eriri's club activities ended, he chose a newly opened dessert cafe near campus.
"Eriri-san, are you leaving for the day?"
"Yes."
"See you tomorrow, Eriri-san!"
"See you tomorrow."
At school, Eriri was the picture of an elegant, mixed-race beauty with perfect manners.
No one knew this same girl went home to draw R-18 doujinshi while wearing thick black-rimmed glasses.
As Eriri headed to meet Nanaya, the nervousness of her first "date" with a boy other than Tomoya made her arrive embarrassingly early. Sitting alone in the reserved room, her thoughts began to spiral.
Was this betraying Tomoya? Meeting Nanaya like this?
No no no! She and Tomoya weren't even together!
Besides, Tomoya knew about and arranged this meeting himself.
So did this mean... she'd unknowingly fulfilled Tomoya's fetish?!
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