Once her mind wandered into yellow territory, Eriri found herself racing down that path with no return.
By the time Nanaya finished seeing Kato Megumi off and returned to the private room, he found Eriri with flushed cheeks, golden hair slightly drooping, wearing an expression mixing shyness, excitement, resistance, and yet some secret enjoyment.
If Nanaya had to describe it, she looked like she was indulging in "girl-eating" fantasies.
[Eriri]
[Gender: Female]
[Age: 17]
[Measurements: 79.9/56/86cm]
[Affection Level: 10-60]
[Impression: Handsome, Blonde]
[Conquest Difficulty: D-B]
[Weakness: Certain stimulating scenarios]
[First Kiss Reward: Mastery of Painting Techniques]
[First Blood Reward: Reality-Blurring Skill]
...
When Eriri finally snapped out of her fantasy, she noticed Nanaya had already seated himself across from her, having even ordered a Castella cake and premium black tea for her.
"S-sorry, I didn't notice you arrive."
"No need to apologize. I'm the one who kept you waiting."
Eriri never acted tsundere around strangers - she maintained proper manners befitting an ojou-sama.
And Nanaya naturally didn't adopt the forceful attitude he used with the Kato sisters, instead displaying perfect courtesy.
A handsome boy with impeccable manners always made a strong first impression.
As for where he learned such etiquette? That would be another senpai's first kiss reward.
To Eriri, Nanaya seemed like a prince - elegant and noble, showing none of the boldness from when he'd been passionately kissing his girlfriend at school.
Yet precisely because he was such a prince, if he were to become the "blonde villain," Aki Tomoya would be doomed as the cuckold!!
Noticing Eriri inexplicably blushing and spacing out again while stirring her tea, Nanaya didn't mind.
He understood her personality well, even if this was their first real meeting.
Leaving a good impression was enough - with their current unfamiliarity, making Eriri feel slightly guilty or indebted would ensure future interactions where she'd behave more obediently rather than overly tsundere.
Tsunderes in 2D? Good!
Tsunderes in 3D? No good!
While Eriri was distracted, Nanaya unabashedly studied her figure again - flat-chested, dressed in refined high-class fashion, with beautiful, moving features.
Yet none of this could conceal the dirty thoughts swirling in her mind. Especially not with those listed weaknesses involving ["stimulating scenarios"].
Though Nanaya suspected her preferences were completely different from outright forced scenarios.
After mentally outlining a new doujinshi framework and key plot points, Eriri finally resurfaced from her creative process.
Realizing what happened, she lowered her head and awkwardly kept stirring her tea.
Had she looked up then, she would have seen the wolfish hunger in Nanaya's eyes - the look of someone wanting to devour her whole!
"Eriri-san, you don't mind me calling you that, right?"
"Ah, n-no, I don't mind..."
Feeling somewhat guilty and not particularly bothered by first-name basis, Eriri acquiesced.
"Then let's discuss the portrait rights for my girlfriend."
Of course, this was just Nanaya's pretext.
Since the game would never actually be developed, the portrait rights were meaningless.
He just needed excuses to interact with Eriri more.
"So I'd like to appreciate your artwork and observe your drawing process. Would that be alright?"
"Ah, of course! It's natural you'd want that."
Nanaya's courtesy and considerate words surpassed any boy Eriri had met before - an earth-and-sky difference.
Yes, she was mentally comparing him to Aki Tomoya, who remained half-buried in mud without realizing it!
Not that Nanaya planned to keep playing Mr. Nice Guy forever, but while using Kato Megumi as his shield, he needed to maintain some restraint.
Once they grew closer, he could take more liberties.
"So Eriri, when are you free? There's a newly opened art gallery - might I invite you to visit it together?"
Nanaya directly asked Eriri out - the best way to handle tsunderes was straight shots.
"Ah... this Saturday maybe?"
Initially, arranging another meeting right after their first encounter felt strange to Eriri.
But if Nanaya was this eager to assess her skills for his girlfriend's sake, it made sense.
What a devoted boyfriend, she thought.
Unconsciously, Eriri imagined herself in Kato Megumi's place - how happy she'd be treated with such consideration!
"Then it's settled. Where should I pick you up Saturday morning?"
"Eh? You have a car?" Eriri sounded surprised.
"Disappointed? My ride is a newly bought motorcycle. Not old enough to drive cars yet!"
"A motorcycle is already impressive enough!"
Studying Nanaya, Eriri wondered if he shared her latent thrill-seeking tendencies.
"Nanaya-san..."
"Just Nanaya is fine. No need for formalities between us."
"
Alright, Nanaya. Where's this art gallery located?"
"Northeast corner of Sakura Front Street. It used to be a proper gallery until funding issues forced them to monetize differently."
"That's actually not far from my place. If you don't mind... could you pick me up at my home on Saturday?"
Inviting someone to your home after first meeting was highly improper.
But Eriri's lingering guilt, their impending club membership, and the good impression Nanaya made all combined to prompt this suggestion.
Club members knowing each other's addresses wasn't strange, after all.
"Sure thing. We'll confirm details Friday."
"Okay~"
With business concluded, Nanaya kept Eriri company through cake and tea, sprinkling jokes to ease their unfamiliarity.
All in all, Eriri found this afternoon tea exceptionally pleasant - an experience utterly unlike any outing with Aki Tomoya.
After parting ways and politely declining Nanaya's offer to escort her home, Eriri returned to her residence.
Following their meeting, the blonde antagonist character in her new doujinshi had grown more vivid in her mind.
Inspired, she kicked off her loafers, slipped into fuzzy slippers, and rushed to her room to pour this creative surge onto paper.
---
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