"I… lost."
Umaru Doma's gaze still held a hint of surprise.
From childhood, although she had experienced setbacks, such a 'painful' defeat was the first in her life.
After a long while, she finally composed herself. As she shook hands with her opponent, she made a vow: "I will remember this defeat, and next time, I will definitely surpass you!"
"I await you anytime."
Gokou Ruri elegantly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, responding coolly.
After the match.
Gokou Ruri got what she wanted, her heart filled with joy.
Because she wasn't old enough, she couldn't officially work and didn't have enough time, so she could only secretly do some odd jobs. Therefore, she had to use her money carefully each time.
Once she saved enough money, she could buy some light novels she liked.
"There's still time. Now…"
Gokou Ruri glanced at the arcade machines.
Gaming was also her hobby. Ever since she came to participate in the tournament, relying on the game tokens provided as prizes, she no longer had to spend money to enjoy gaming.
"Miss Black Cat, we meet again! Your moves just now were so cool!"
Unexpectedly, before she had walked a few steps, the familiar trio jumped out in front of her, causing her smile to fade again.
"So, you all are here too."
Gokou Ruri slowly moved her gaze, assessing everyone.
"We just arrived."
Izumi Chihiro replied.
"Just looking around."
Eriri's gaze was dismissive.
"Miss Black Cat, are you going to play games? Why don't you join us? It's more fun with more people, right?"
Kani Nayuta stepped forward and said.
This rare re-encounter indicated their destiny, and that small wish in her heart had a chance of coming true, so she was very proactive.
"This…"
Gokou Ruri felt a bit embarrassed.
Because of her personal style, people she met in the past were usually reluctant to approach her.
So, it was Gokou Ruri's first time encountering such a persistent person.
She couldn't refuse and agreed.
Anyway, she wouldn't lose anything, and with more people, she could finally try some multiplayer games she had never played before.
And so, under Kani Nayuta's mediation, they formed a four-person gaming team.
"Speaking of which, I've introduced myself, but I don't know your names yet."
Gokou Ruri suddenly remembered this during the game.
"Hmm... nowadays, most people call me Kani Nayuta, so Miss Black Cat can just call me Nayuta."
Kani Nayuta thought for a moment and then said.
"You can just call me Izumi."
He said in a generous tone.
"Sawamura."
Eriri was even more aloof, only saying two words.
"Nayuta, huh... Wait, Kani Nayuta?"
Gokou Ruri murmured, then suddenly sensed something was off. Her expression changed, filled with surprise.
Even the character she was controlling stopped moving.
"Miss Black Cat, why aren't you moving? You're losing health!"
Kani Nayuta reminded her.
"It's nothing, I'm just a little surprised, Nayuta, your name is exactly the same as a light novel author's name."
Gokou Ruri slowly calmed down.
"Is there a possibility that they are actually the same person?"
Izumi Chihiro said out of the blue.
"The same person?"
Gokou Ruri's expression was indescribable.
"Nayuta is Nayuta, and this name was given to me by my senior ~"
Kani Nayuta laughed, looking unconcerned.
'Is it real or fake? Did I just meet the real person?'
Gokou Ruri couldn't sit still anymore.
Because of puella magi madoka magica, she knew of Izumi Masamune, and because of silver season, she knew of Kani Nayuta's existence.
These two authors, they were like hidden characters in a game, very mysterious!
She had no concrete proof, but she didn't think the other person was lying to her, unless this acting was so realistic that she had hypnotized herself.
Although she hadn't watched that live broadcast, she knew about the estimated age of Izumi Masamune, and that matched up!
"You're Nayuta! Then he's the Old Thief...!?!"
So, she was stunned.
"Look at your expression, it's like you've never seen the world. What's there to be surprised about? Could it possibly be fake?"
Eriri scoffed.
"And who are you?"
Gokou Ruri suppressed her excitement and turned to ask her.
The two had been at odds from the beginning, which led to such a scene.
"I, I am..."
Eriri was about to say her 'great name' when she suddenly realized something.
If she said the name Kashiwagi Eri, she clearly wouldn't receive praise; instead, she would be heavily despised!
Being a doujinshi artist was still hard to admit.
Gokou Ruri ignored her and looked at Nayuta, her gaze completely different from before.
"N-Nayuta-sensei..."
She stammered as soon as she spoke.
It was because she was too nervous.
Nayuta, who wrote silver season, could be said to be her idol.
Due to the prosperity of the industry, she had an idea more than half a year ago: to earn enough money by writing light novels.
But ideals are rich, and reality is stark.
She submitted her work several times, but it was always like a stone sinking into the sea, with no one responding.
Perhaps, with her level, if she were to sell it at a comic convention, she probably wouldn't even sell ten copies.
Her dream was shattered.
However, that didn't mean she couldn't dream again.
Her skill was too poor; perhaps it was because she hadn't met a famous teacher?
If she found a good teacher, would she be able to make her official debut?
For example, Nayuta-sensei in front of her, as the creator of silver season, set a sales record almost on par with Senju Muramasa. If such a person was willing to guide her, wouldn't debuting be easy?
Because of this utilitarian thought, her attitude became much more reserved.
"Didn't we agree? You can just call me Nayuta... Miss Black Cat, why the sudden change in address?"
Kani Nayuta looked puzzled.
Gokou Ruri seemed hesitant again.
It was only their second meeting; wouldn't making such a request be too sudden?
She was afraid of being flatly rejected, afraid that the spark of hope that had just ignited would be extinguished.
"Say what you want to say, don't hold it in! It's annoying!"
It was Miss Sawamura who broke the deadlock.
"..."
decided to speak.
Opportunity knocks but once.
This was her chance, she absolutely couldn't lose this possibility!
"So it was for something like this..."
Kani Nayuta said, suddenly enlightened.
"If I can help Miss Kuro Neko, of course I'd be willing... but I've never had any teaching experience."
She hesitated a little.
"That's great!"
Gokou Ruri was already ecstatic inside.