Ito was chatting with Izumi Masamune downstairs, and occasionally, the faint sounds of girls' exclamations, laughter, and playful shouts could be heard from upstairs.
Listening to these sounds, Izumi Masamune was very satisfied. His sister, who was originally reclusive in reality, had also started communicating with people. As for what they communicated about, he didn't know.
Ito subtly observed Izumi Masamune. Although Ito didn't remember the details, he vaguely remembered that Sagiri was the illustrator for his novel, but he didn't seem to know that yet, only that Sagiri liked to draw.
After chatting for a while, Izumi Masamune took a key from his pocket and handed it to Ito.
"This is...?"
"This is my house key. Although it's a bit presumptuous, Sagiri doesn't have many friends. If Mr. Ito has time, please come and spend more time with Sagiri, draw with her or something... I beg you."
If it were an ordinary male netizen, Izumi Masamune would certainly not go to such lengths, and would even be very wary of whether he intended to harm Sagiri.
But Ito was different. Handing the key to Ito, Izumi Masamune had no worries. Besides the fact that there was nothing valuable in the house, it was also because the last time Ito came, he brought his girlfriend. If he had any ulterior motives, why would he bring his girlfriend? And besides his girlfriend, he also brought other girls who also liked to draw.
And this time, he heard that his friend had moved next door, so he brought her to meet Sagiri... If he had ulterior motives, he would definitely come alone, how could he bring his girlfriend? Moreover, both times he didn't come alone.
These few points alone were enough for him to trust Ito.
To be fair, Ito had no ulterior motives the first time he came, but he certainly did now.
Although he felt a bit embarrassed, Ito didn't feign modesty and readily accepted the key.
It's like a father giving his 1-year-old child a computer graphics card and a game console for their birthday... You can't let your child suffer.
Well, Ito admitted, he was just greedy.
After chatting with Izumi Masamune for a while longer, Ito glanced at the time, bid farewell to Izumi Masamune, then walked up the stairs and knocked on Sagiri's door.
"It's me, I'm packing up my computer and getting ready to go home."
"No!! Don't open the door!!!"
Maki's terrified shout came from behind the door, followed by Megumi's joyful laughter.
"What's the big deal? Maki is so cute, what's wrong with letting him see her?" With that, Megumi opened the door a crack, "Big brother, come in quickly."
As soon as Ito entered the room, Maki caught his eye.
Her long, flowing hair, adorned with cat ear hair clips, was tied into a ponytail. Under the girls' urging, Maki's uniform had been changed into a catgirl outfit, revealing large expanses of her tender, fair skin to Ito.
"Don't... don't look!!!"
Blushing, Maki pushed hard on Ito's chest with her hands, which were covered by cat paw gloves.
"Alright, alright, I'm going, I'm going, okay?" Seeing Maki's adorably embarrassed and annoyed expression, Ito smiled and didn't force himself to stay. Instead, he retreated a few steps out of the room, and then the door was heavily shut.
"I'll come pick up the computer another time."
After saying a word at the door, Ito went down the stairs, passed through the entrance, and left Sagiri's house. He hadn't gone far when his phone rang. Ami and Megumi had both sent him a short video clip.
In the video, Maki, dressed in a catgirl outfit, twisted left and right in front of a full-length mirror, occasionally curling her hands like a cat and meowing... It seemed Maki quite liked it.
The only pity was the lack of a tail; it would be perfect if she wore a tail too.
After saving the videos sent by the two to his phone, Ito sent a message to Aoi.
Ito: [I'm going home now. Is there anything you want me to bring?]
Soon, Aoi replied to Ito's message.
Aoi: [We're still at school. Mashiro also went to the Art Club to find Eriri today.]
Ito: [Perfect, I'll pick you up from school. Let's eat out tonight. If you get out early, wait for me at the milk tea shop.]
They were at the same school as Izumi Masamune, and they should have been back by now since he had been delayed for so long. Ito thought he would be able to eat when he got back, but he didn't expect them to still be at school.
It was getting late, and Izumi Masamune's house wasn't far from the school. It would be fine to pick them up after school and have a simple meal at a nearby family restaurant.
Not long after, Ito arrived at a milk tea shop near the school gate. Ito used to come here for milk tea occasionally when he was still in school.
Ito waited at the milk tea shop for a while before he saw Aoi, Rin, Mashiro, and Nanami walk out of the school gate with some classmates. After a brief farewell to their classmates, they walked towards the milk tea shop.
Seeing Ito from a distance, Aoi waved to him.
After handing them the purchased milk tea, Ito asked with a smile.
"Did you go to the Art Club again today? How was it? Did you decide to join?"
Mashiro carefully took a sip of the milk tea, which she had never drunk before, then looked at Ito.
"Not joining." Mashiro paused, "Club activities are not like in manga."
"Of course they're not the same." Ito casually patted Mashiro's head. Before, she had only discussed doujinshi with Eriri, but today she participated in club activities. "Manga is about extracting interesting things from reality... How can so many things happen in reality? But you also need enough life experience to draw better manga."
After speaking, Ito noticed Aoi's slightly jealous gaze, so he also rubbed Aoi's head.
After thinking for a moment, Ito also rubbed Rin's head. As for Nanami... she shook her head repeatedly, indicating she didn't need it, after her gaze met Ito's.
Aoi was very satisfied with Ito's actions, so she began to tell Ito what happened in the Art Club today.
"Yesterday, we were models for the Art Club, right? It was too late that day, so they didn't finish drawing, and they went again today... Mashiro also participated in the activity with them."
"Did you make any other friends besides Eriri?" To be honest, Ito was a bit worried if Mashiro couldn't make friends, but he was equally worried if she did, after all, it was the underworld, and Ito had some concerns.
Seeing Ito's slightly worried expression, Aoi immediately knew what he was thinking.
Hmph... a man's possessiveness.
Aoi playfully patted Ito's shoulder and teased, "Don't worry, the Art Club is mostly girls, they won't abduct little Mashiro. Mashiro even made plans with Eriri to come over and play this weekend."
"Hmm, I made plans with her," Mashiro said, chewing on the brown sugar pearls in her milk tea.
"That fast?" Ito raised an eyebrow. Even doujinshi enthusiasts couldn't progress this quickly, could they?
Ito had a bad feeling... Could Eriri be coming for him?