Eriri, who had reconciled with Murakami Yuu in a certain sense and was in good spirits, had been feeling somewhat busy lately.
Academic studies as a student's duty was one thing, and club activities for game production was another. These past few days, she had also taken on a private illustration set commission.
The commissioner's only requirement was to highlight the "corruption" theme, with no limits on subject matter or deadline, and payment of 400,000 yen.
This price wasn't much for Eriri—in fact, given her renowned status within the circle, this price was somewhat low.
But since the commissioner gave very loose conditions with ample time, and she herself had good interest in this theme, she ultimately accepted it.
...
Time came to Sunday.
Eriri let out a long breath, took off her glasses, and lay down on her bed. Her tense nerves and tired body completely relaxed at this moment, and the comfort made her unconsciously hum softly.
After getting up around nine on Saturday morning, except for eating and bathroom breaks, she had maintained her position sitting at her desk.
First, she completed the basic homework assigned by teachers, then worked on some game background original artwork needed for the club, and finally drew some simple sketches close to the commission content.
These weren't finished products, but rather Eriri's habit when expanding her ideas. After all, the corruption theme was her first time dealing with it, so she needed to carefully think about how to emphasize the key aspects.
—Completing two days' worth of tasks in one day, today was really hard work for myself.
Eriri curled up on her bed, her hand gently touching her knee where Murakami Yuu had personally applied a waterproof bandage.
Honestly, the scrape wasn't too serious to begin with, and by today there was no pain at all, but she still felt somewhat reluctant to tear it off.
Just like an idiot.
Eriri thought this about herself while hugging her pillow and rolling around on the bed.
As a reward for working so hard today, I'll sleep in tomorrow to restore my energy, then go see Yuu in the afternoon. Although there's nothing particular to do, just going over to chat would be fine.
Oh right, Yuu also agreed to be my model last time. I'll bring my sketch pencils tomorrow too and show Yuu my excellent drawing skills to surprise him!
He should think I'm amazing, right? Maybe he'll even praise me... I'm looking forward to it. Happy.
Eriri hugged her pillow while lying on her stomach, her mouth curved high from her internal fantasies, her pale little feet alternately swinging in the air.
After that, due to her joyful mood, Eriri finally fell asleep around four in the morning, only to be woken up by continuous doorbell sounds after sleeping for just five hours.
The visitors were Aki Tomoya with Kato Megumi beside him.
Annoying.
This was Eriri's first thought.
"What!"
Being forcibly pulled back to reality from dreamland felt quite unpleasant, so after leading them to sit on the living room sofa, Eriri's attitude seemed somewhat hostile, with a feeling like she might bite someone.
Of course, she controlled this negative emotion and directed it all toward Aki Tomoya, not affecting Kato Megumi beside him.
"Eh? Um, Eriri, you didn't just wake up, did you?"
Aki Tomoya guessed, looking at Eriri's faint dark circles and messy hair.
"So what if I did! Can't I sleep in a bit on Sunday?"
Eriri snapped back with an unfriendly expression.
Normally when there was nothing going on, being woken up would be woken up—she wouldn't have such a bad temper.
But the problem was today—she had originally planned to sleep until she naturally woke up in the morning, then go see Murakami Yuu in full spirits in the afternoon.
This wonderful plan was completely ruined by Aki Tomoya. Even if she sent him away now and went back to sleep, it wouldn't help.
Sleeping through a full night and being woken up mid-sleep then trying to sleep again were completely different experiences—those who've experienced it understand.
Irritated, very irritated!
Seeming to realize he had come at the wrong time, but thinking of today's purpose, Aki Tomoya still endured Eriri's unfriendly gaze and honestly revealed his intentions:
"Anyway, don't be angry first. I came today to invite Eriri out."
"Invite me out for what?"
"You see, lately we've almost only been meeting at the school club, so I thought maybe we could go out together on Sunday for a meal and relaxation or something."
"Relaxation..."
Eriri nodded expressionlessly to show she understood, then quickly asked:
"How's the progress on your part, Tomoya—the plot design for the game ending?"
"Ah! Ah... it's going relatively smoothly... I have some ideas. I was just thinking of discussing this with Kasumigaoka-senpai during our meal later."
Aki Tomoya seemed somewhat flustered, adjusting his glasses frame, his eyes underneath unnaturally looking aside.
So he hasn't seriously designed it yet...
Seeing his reaction, Eriri understood and felt somewhat dissatisfied, but didn't plan to say anything.
Aki Tomoya had always been like this since childhood—having full enthusiasm and drive for things he anticipated. This surface display could naturally move people around him, coloring them with his own hues.
But at the same time, this seemingly positive attitude was easily interrupted by other things, such as manga, light novels, or bishoujo games that were very attractive to him.
"I understand. Are we leaving now?"
"We agreed to meet Kasumigaoka-senpai at eleven. If possible, it would be best to hurry."
"Got it."
Eriri got up and went to the bathroom. Looking at her somewhat haggard face from lack of sleep, she sighed helplessly.
...
"Speaking of which, did you go to Kato-san first, Tomoya?"
Eriri remembered that this morning it was the two of them together who knocked on her door.
"No."
Walking on the road, facing Eriri's question, it was the low-presence Kato Megumi who answered:
"Yesterday afternoon I went to Tomoya-kun's house. I originally planned to have him teach me to write some simple computer programs so I could help with game production instead of just watching everyone work so hard while being powerless."
She looked puzzledly at Aki Tomoya beside her, who was pretending to whistle, then continued on her own:
"But I don't know from when, Aki-kun started pulling me along to recommend light novels and manga he thought were great. In the end, I didn't even go home and spent all night playing bishoujo games under his supervision."
"Oh, is that so..."
Eriri glanced at Aki Tomoya.
"That's about it. Tomorrow I also have to hand in an essay about my thoughts after completing the game."
"Ignore him, he's having another episode."
Eriri said irritably, crossing her arms and addressing Aki Tomoya:
"I hope you can put half your energy into what you should be doing."
Aki Tomoya was speechless and didn't know how to refute. Fortunately, they had reached the agreed meeting point and could see Kasumigaoka Utaha sitting on a bench around the plaza in the distance.
"Let's hurry, don't keep Kasumigaoka-senpai waiting."
After saying this, he took the lead and walked quickly forward, rapidly creating distance.
Eriri stared at the back of the figure escaping from the topic with scrutinizing eyes.
Kato Megumi beside her remained motionless, her gaze moving back and forth between the two, still maintaining her usual expressionless demeanor.
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