---
"It's okay. It's kind of cute when Mr. Kashiwagi talks like that," Izumi Yu smiled indifferently.
"Huh?! What are you two talking about?" After hearing the conversation between Izumi Yu and Sayuri, Eriri felt her cheeks burning. She protested with shame, feeling like they were treating her like some kind of toy.
However, even though she was annoyed, being praised by Izumi Yu still filled her heart with an undeniable sense of joy.
"I'm glad you don't mind, Yu-kun," Sayuri said, patting her chest in relief when she noticed Izumi Yu wasn't putting on an act.
Izumi Yu looked at Sayuri for a moment, as if searching for something. Realizing he wasn't seeing what he wanted to see, he gave up with a smile and said, "Of course I don't mind. The more I communicate with Mr. Kashiwagi, the more I realize that Mr. Kashiwagi is unfathomable and has unlimited potential hidden within."
Feeling Izumi Yu's gaze, Sayuri vaguely felt a sense of offense rising within her, almost enough to make her want to hit him.
But when she saw his clear, honest eyes, she couldn't figure out why she was upset. The irritation faded.
"I have to agree," Sayuri said with a nod, regaining her usual composure. "Eriri has tremendous potential. My husband and I have always had high hopes for her. With your help, Yu-kun, I'm confident we can unlock all of it!"
"As long as Ms. Kashiwagi is willing to cooperate, I'd be happy to help her develop her talent to the fullest. It's an honor for me to learn more from her in the process," Izumi Yu said, his smile soft and genuine.
"Huh?! I'm a talented, beautiful girl painter! Even without anyone's help, I could easily become one of the top artists!" Eriri exclaimed with great confidence, puffing up her chest. "But since Mr. Izumi wants to work with me so badly..." She hesitated for a moment, then added reluctantly, "...I suppose I can give him the chance."
Eriri's confidence didn't waver for a second, but her feelings were written all over her face.
"Then I'll leave her in your capable hands, Yu-kun," Sayuri said helplessly, seeing through Eriri's act. "Thank you for helping her."
Ding-a-ling...
Suddenly, the doorbell rang, cutting through the light atmosphere between the three of them.
"That's strange... who could it be?" Sayuri frowned in confusion as she stood up. "I'll go check."
Sayuri quickly walked to the entrance. When she opened the door, her surprised voice echoed back into the room.
"Tomoya-kun?! What are you doing here?!"
Standing in front of the door was Tomoya Aki, who looked a little uneasy. His expression was filled with hesitation, and his gaze darted nervously toward the interior of the house.
Sayuri's face was puzzled as she looked at him. "Tomoya-kun? Why are you here?"
In her memory, Tomoya hadn't had any meaningful interactions with Eriri for a long time. The last time he had come to visit was years ago.
However, Sayuri did recall Eriri mentioning recently that the two of them had reconciled and were now working together in the academy's club.
But even so, it was unlikely Eriri would have invited Tomoya over today.
"Er... Mrs. Sawamura, I came to visit Eriri. She seemed... off after meeting someone named Mr. Izumi yesterday, and I got a bit worried," Tomoya said awkwardly. His tone was filled with unease.
Sayuri tilted her head slightly, still puzzled. Tomoya's visits were so rare that his sudden appearance caught her completely off guard.
"I thought... since I had nothing to do today, I'd come by and check on her. Maybe talk about the club's activities, too," Tomoya added, scratching the back of his head nervously.
The boy, who was usually bright and cheerful, now carried a hint of awkwardness in his voice. After all, it had been seven long years since he and Eriri had properly spoken to one another.
During that time, Tomoya's contact with the Sawamura family had grown increasingly sparse. He only occasionally joined them during holidays or festivals.
Even though Sayuri and her husband had always cared about the relationship between Tomoya and Eriri, there was little they could do about it.
But now, after so many years, Tomoya had shown up out of the blue, looking both nervous and uneasy.
"Huh?! Are you talking about Yu-kun?" Sayuri suddenly realized something, her lips curling into a small smile. "Please, come in, Tomoya-kun. It's quite lively here today!"
"Yu-kun?! Is there someone else here?" Tomoya asked as he stepped inside, his eyes falling to the unfamiliar pair of men's shoes at the entrance.
A bad feeling began to creep up his spine.
Izumi-sensei. Yu-kun.
The combination of these names reminded him of someone he absolutely couldn't stand.
But wasn't this Izumi someone Eriri mentioned just yesterday? She had said he was a light novel writer who penned bold and provocative stories featuring heroines, princesses, saints, and knights.
Someone like that should have been a greasy middle-aged man.
"Wait..." Tomoya muttered under his breath, his eyelids twitching involuntarily. "It can't be..
---
"Yes~! It just so happens that Yu-kun was invited by Eriri today~! You're all young people and from the same academy, so I'm sure you have plenty of common topics!" Sayuri nodded with a cheerful smile. "It's such a joy to be surrounded by so many young people who share a love for the two-dimensional world~! It makes me feel younger! Tomoya-kun, please put on your slippers and come in!"
After saying that, Sayuri turned and walked back into the house, leaving Aki Tomoya standing at the door with a complicated and conflicted expression.
After hesitating for a moment, Tomoya clenched his teeth, took off his shoes, and slipped into the provided slippers. He stepped inside, his resolve firm.
No matter what, I have to see for myself if he's really that guy!
It could all just be a coincidence. Two people with the same name—it's not impossible!
With that thought, Tomoya followed Sayuri into the living room.
However, the moment he laid eyes on the person sitting on the sofa, Tomoya's already tense expression turned grim and ugly.
Any hope he had clung to was shattered in an instant, replaced by resentment and anger.
Tomoya's frustration deepened. Why was someone like Izumi Yu here, and why did he seem so popular?!
"Tomoya?! What are you doing here?" Eriri exclaimed in surprise, her tone tinged with dissatisfaction as she noticed him.
She hadn't expected to see him at all, but the sight of Tomoya brought back a flood of annoyance.
After all, this was the same guy who claimed to care about her, yet spent his time with someone else instead.
He had gone to Rokutenma Mall with Kato Megumi, under the pretense of gathering materials for the club. But Eriri knew it was just an excuse to enjoy a pseudo-date with Megumi.
He said he was worried about her meeting a stranger, yet he'd rather let his childhood friend take that risk while continuing his plans with Megumi.
The thought made Eriri feel bitter disappointment.
Even for the sake of their childhood friendship, Tomoya should have canceled his outing with Kato Megumi and accompanied her to the café.
Even though she hadn't believed there was any real danger, he was the one who had claimed to be worried about it.
Saying you're concerned but doing nothing to back it up was the most frustrating kind of behavior!
Thinking about all of this, Eriri's previously good mood instantly plummeted.
"I was worried about you, so I came to check on you," Tomoya said, forcing a smile. He tried to maintain an enthusiastic and caring tone as he looked at her.
"Huh? Didn't I already tell you last night that I'm fine? As you can see, I'm doing perfectly well. You don't need to worry about me," Eriri replied impatiently, momentarily stunned by his words.
Belated concern felt meaningless now.
Tomoya's sudden show of care made Eriri laugh bitterly. She couldn't even bring herself to get angry.
"I'm relieved to see you're okay," Tomoya said, though his expression faltered when he realized Eriri was trying to subtly drive him away.
"If there's nothing else, Tomoya, you should leave. I'm in the middle of discussing work with Mr. Izumi," Eriri said bluntly, her voice tinged with growing irritation.
She fully expected Tomoya to take the hint and leave.
To her surprise, he remained rooted to the spot, clearly unwilling to back down.
"But… our club activities are important too!" Tomoya retorted, his face darkening further as he raised his voice. "I came here to discuss some club matters with you, Eriri!"
"We'll talk about club activities during the club meeting. Right now, this is my personal time!" Eriri snapped, her eyes flashing with disappointment and indifference.
She suppressed her rising anger, mainly because Izumi Yu was present.
If it weren't for him, she would've already lost her temper at Tomoya.
"Then… I'll wait until you're free to talk about it," Tomoya muttered reluctantly, gritting his teeth in frustration.
Seeing Eriri's cold, firm attitude, Tomoya's resentment grew.
Clearly, her change in behavior was because of Izumi Yu!
That thought only made him loathe the other boy even more.
"It's a rare occasion for Tomoya-kun to come by. Why are you treating him like this, Eriri?" Sayuri interjected, trying to ease the tense atmosphere between them.
Sayuri had thought that Eriri and Tomoya had reconciled, but now it seemed their relationship had only worsened.
Before, they simply avoided each other. Now, there was outright conflict!
"Hmph! He's the one disturbing my weekend!" Eriri huffed, glaring at Tomoya. Then, as if dismissing him entirely, she turned her attention back to Izumi Yu.
She discreetly studied his expression, wondering how he felt about the unfolding drama.
--
Eriri couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment when she noticed that Izumi Yu's expression remained calm and unaffected by Aki Tomoya's arrival.
Wouldn't it be great if Izumi Yu were jealous of Tomoya?
The thought startled her, and she quickly realized how absurd it was. Her face flushed a seductive shade of pink, betraying her embarrassment at the unexpected desire.
Meanwhile, Izumi Yu, seated gracefully on the sofa, looked slightly surprised at the sight of Aki Tomoya. The corners of his mouth curved into a faint, knowing smile.
Leaning back elegantly, Izumi Yu met Aki's angry gaze with a composed and polite demeanor. "Aki-san? It seems fate really has a way of bringing us together again," he remarked gently.
"Huh?! Do Yuu-kun and Tomoya know each other? That's wonderful!" Sayuri exclaimed, her eyes lighting up at the unexpected connection. "You two should talk more! Yuu-kun is an exceptional person, and he's also an otaku. Tomoya-kun, you can learn a lot from him!"
"Huh?!" Tomoya's face, already dark with irritation, twisted further at Sayuri's words. His gaze darted back to Izumi Yu, now seated comfortably on the sofa, and his frustration spilled over.
"Mrs. Sawamura, you don't understand! This guy is not a good person!" Tomoya blurted out, his voice rising in intensity. "He's incredibly manipulative with girls! Ever since one of my club members met him, she's been completely out of sorts. She's distracted and worried all the time, and her condition has worsened significantly! And now, look at Eriri! She's been completely taken in by him after just one day of knowing him! He even managed to get into your house so easily. A person like him will only bring misfortune to Eriri!"
"Huh?! What are you talking about, Tomoya-kun?!" Sayuri looked at him in disbelief, the warm smile on her face fading into an expression of confusion. She glanced at Izumi Yu, whose calm demeanor stood in stark contrast to Tomoya's agitation.
"Yuu-kun is nothing like what you're describing! He's a very kind, interesting, and capable young man," Sayuri countered, her tone firm as she defended him. "I've never heard him say anything insincere to flatter others, and I can see his genuine character. How could someone like him be a scumbag? He's here because Eriri needed help with her work. I think it's good for her to have friends like him, to expand her horizons and learn more."
"No… that's not it!" Tomoya protested, his voice faltering as he saw Sayuri siding with Izumi Yu. His expression grew darker, his frustration now tinged with desperation.
"This guy definitely has ulterior motives for getting close to Eriri!" Tomoya insisted, his voice rising again. "Why else would everyone around me suddenly have some sort of connection with him? It's too much of a coincidence! He's a master manipulator, hiding his true intentions under a polished facade!"
Izumi Yu remained silent, observing Tomoya's outburst with a calm and enigmatic smile. His composed demeanor only seemed to irritate Tomoya further, heightening the tension in the room.
Eriri, meanwhile, clenched her fists, anger simmering beneath her cool exterior as she watched the scene unfold.
.....
The tension in the Sawamura household rose steadily, the previously warm atmosphere now chilled by Aki Tomoya's frantic accusations.
"Huh?! What nonsense are you talking about, Tomoya-kun?!" Sayuri sighed, her usually gentle expression tinged with bewilderment. "The reason Eriri and Yuu-kun are interacting is entirely work-related! Neither of them could have foreseen this collaboration—it just happened. And as I've said before, Yuu-kun is a very sincere and respectable person. Surely, Tomoya-kun, this is all a misunderstanding, right?"
Sayuri's patient tone only seemed to deepen Tomoya's agitation. His expression twisted, veins faintly bulging as he raised his voice. "No! Why doesn't anyone believe me?! This guy must have ulterior motives!" His frantic words tumbled out, his eyes fixed on Izumi Yuu, brimming with anger and suspicion.
To Tomoya, Izumi Yuu's presence was more than a coincidence; it was an intrusion. How could this man so effortlessly integrate himself into the lives of those Tomoya cared about—Eriri, Kato Megumi, and now even Sayuri? It felt orchestrated, and yet no one seemed to see it but him.
Meanwhile, Izumi Yuu's serene demeanor remained unwavering. If anything, Tomoya's increasing desperation only seemed to amuse him.
[Looking at the scum writhing in front of you, a trace of delight blooms in your heart. How could this immature fool stand against you, a thousand-year-old fox? His downfall is inevitable. Out of kindness, you decide to show him mercy—but only after demonstrating how to properly utilize Eriri.]
Izumi Yuu froze momentarily, his lips twitching as the inner monologue echoed in his mind. "Properly utilize Eriri"? Really? This inner voice is getting out of hand…
Suppressing a chuckle, Izumi Yuu shifted his focus back to the escalating scene.
Tomoya stood there, fists clenched, glaring daggers at him. His disheveled and furious state was almost pitiful. Izumi slowly rose from the sofa, his calm gaze locking onto Tomoya's frenzied eyes.
"I'm sorry, Aki-san," Izumi began, his voice as smooth as ever, "it seems there's a misunderstanding here. As Mrs. Sayuri mentioned, my presence here is purely due to a professional invitation from Ms. Kashiwagi. I assure you, there's no ulterior motive. As for what you said about Kato-san…" Izumi paused, his lips curling into a faint smile. "I don't quite understand. If she's troubled, it likely stems from club matters. In fact, Kato-san often shares her frustrations about the club's struggles with me."
He sat back down leisurely, his demeanor oozing composed confidence as he studied Tomoya.
"That's right!" Eriri chimed in, crossing her arms as she cast a withering glance at Tomoya. "I invited Izumi-sensei here for work! It's ridiculous to assume anything else! If anyone's being inappropriate, it's you, barging into my house uninvited and throwing accusations at my guest!"
Eriri's sharp tone cut through the room like a knife. She shot Tomoya a look of pure exasperation, her blue eyes shimmering with dissatisfaction.
"Yesterday, you couldn't even keep your promises, and now you show up here, acting like this?!" Eriri huffed. "If your actions scare away Izumi-sensei and make him refuse to work with me in the future…" Her voice faltered, her frustration morphing into something more vulnerable. "If that happens, I'll be devastated."
The realization hit her like a ton of bricks, and her cheeks turned scarlet. Why do I care so much about Izumi Yuu?
She shook her head quickly, trying to find a rational explanation. It's because his advice is invaluable for my art! Yes, that's it! It's strictly professional.
"No! That's not true!" Tomoya roared, snapping her out of her thoughts. His voice was hoarse with desperation, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Eriri, you're being deceived by him! He's manipulating you, and you don't even see it!"
But Eriri's glare silenced him. The contempt in her gaze was sharper than any words.
Tomoya's shoulders slumped, his mind a whirlwind of resentment and helplessness. He felt like a drowning man, unable to grasp anything solid. As everyone in the room rallied against him, Tomoya realized how truly isolated he was.
Izumi Yuu watched the scene unfold, the faint smile on his lips never wavering. To him, this was just another page in the story—a page where he held the upper hand.