Chapter 65: Eriri, Not Even a Rookie
Perhaps in a year or two, she wouldn't be so excited when her novel was released, but this was her first time. Even a mentally strong girl like Utaha would still feel nervous and uneasy.
Going to see it in person really seemed like a good idea.
"That sounds good. I really want to know the initial sales and reactions. Asakura-kun, let's go together the day after tomorrow?"
"Of course, but we need to invite Eriri too, since she's the illustrator for your novel."
"Eh~~ Isn't it just the two of us?"
"...Senpai, stop teasing me, okay?"
Kaede realized that someone with Utaha's sharp eye definitely noticed his affection for Eriri. However, if she didn't explicitly say anything, Kaede wouldn't either.
"Fine, fine, I won't mention it." Utaha smiled happily, "So, have you talked to Eriri about it?"
"Not yet. She seems busy and didn't answer my call."
*That girl is probably still feeling shy and overwhelmed right now. Seeing your call come in, it's even less likely she'd answer.*
"I see. Then I'll call her later. After all, it's my novel, so it's better if I invite her myself."
"Then I'll leave it to you, Senpai."
After hanging up the phone, Kaede stretched. The exercise during the sports festival today was moderate, and he wasn't too tired, so he turned on his computer and connected his tablet.
Then, he took a book down from the shelf and opened it.
*Night Parade of One Hundred Demons*
...While Kaede was busy with things no one knew about, Utaha called Eriri after eating some snacks.
Compared to Kaede's call, Eriri finally answered this time after seeing it was Utaha calling.
"Hello? What is it?"
Hearing Eriri's voice, Utaha laughed and said, "You didn't dare answer Asakura-kun's call just now, but you dare answer mine?"
"H-how did you know?"
"Because Asakura-kun called me. After you rejected him, he was feeling upset and sought comfort from me, his Senpai."
"Go tell that to the ghosts! Don't think I'll believe you!"
"Oh dear, I couldn't fool you. How boring." Utaha pouted and said, "My novel is being released the day after tomorrow. Why don't we go to the bookstore together then to see how things are? Asakura-kun will also be coming along."
"He... he's going too?"
"Of course. He was the one who suggested it." Crossing her legs, Utaha smiled, her calves encased in translucent black gently swaying. "But you know, Eriri, it doesn't matter if you don't come. Asakura-kun and I can go check it out together. Besides, I don't have experience dating boys, so it would be a great opportunity to borrow Asakura-kun for practice."
Eriri shouted without thinking: "No way!!!"
That shout startled Sawamura Sayuri, who was outside the door carrying a plate of cut fruit and preparing to enter. She immediately opened the door a crack and started eavesdropping.
"Oh my, why not? You weren't coming anyway, right?"
"Who said I wasn't coming?"
Eriri stood up and said huffily: "Time and place!"
Eriri regretted being so timid, which allowed Utaha constant opportunities to provoke her.
Eriri really couldn't be sure whether Utaha would make a move on Kaede. Furthermore, even from a girl's perspective, Utaha was excellent in every way: she was much taller than Eriri, had a better figure, and only Eriri's own looks and beautiful blonde hair gave her some confidence.
Although she didn't know much about male psychology, Eriri was certain of one thing: boys were lustful, and few boys wouldn't want to take a second look at a girl with a good figure, unless he preferred men.
Even though she currently considered Utaha a friend, Eriri felt she still needed to be cautious.
So she said: "Don't think having big breasts makes you superior. I won't let you succeed. I will be there on time the day after tomorrow. Don't forget to tell me the time and place!"
She then hung up the phone, preparing to call Kaede.
Seeing Eriri finish her call, Sawamura Sayuri appropriately pushed the door open and walked in.
"Mom?!"
Sawamura Sayuri's sudden entry startled Eriri.
"Eriri, who were you talking to just now?"
"That Utaha called, inviting me to check out her novel's release status on Sunday."
Sawamura Sayuri nodded. So that was it. However, the tone of Eriri's voice during the call seemed to suggest something else was going on.
But besides that, Sawamura Sayuri had a more important question for her daughter.
Placing the fruit down, she asked, "Eriri, did something happen that made you leave suddenly this afternoon?"
Sawamura Sayuri's sudden question caught Eriri off guard. The next second, her face turned bright red, and she turned away, unable to look at her mother.
"N-nothing happened."
"Really?"
Moving closer to her daughter again, she looked at her searchingly and said, "Eriri, when are you going to change this personality of yours? Your mom doesn't just tease you; if you have problems, I can also give you advice!"
"Ugh..."
Eriri glanced at her mother, lowered her head, fidgeted for a moment, and then whispered, "Well... if I tell you, you can't tell Dad. Only the two of us can know."
"Alright, no problem."
Then, Eriri began recounting what she had seen that afternoon after being dragged along by Utaha.
When she heard that Kaede hadn't denied liking Eriri, Sawamura Sayuri couldn't help but smile as she watched Eriri's eyes squint into a happy grin.
However, after listening to the whole story.
"Slap!"
Hitting her daughter lightly on the head, Sawamura Sayuri said speechlessly, "So, you just ran away like that, you girl?"
Seriously, did this girl play all those galgames for nothing over the past few years? Did she watch all those manga and anime for nothing?
"W-what else was I supposed to do? I hadn't even figured out how to face him. What if he found out?"
Covering her head, Eriri looked at her mother and pouted.
"Found out what? Found out that you like him?"
"Ugh..."
"Hmph, hmph. Are you feeling threatened now?" Seeing her daughter like this, Sawamura Sayuri said, "It's true, that Utaha is very pretty and has such a good figure. No boy wouldn't be attracted to her, so it's normal for you to feel a sense of crisis. But precisely at times like this, you must not be shy. You need to be brave and make a move, understand?"
Sawamura Sayuri felt it was time to pass on some of her own past dating experience to her daughter.