"Let me go!"
"Of course, of course."
Once inside the private room, there was no need to worry about loud noises waking any sleeping souls.
Eriri shook their clasped hands once but failed to free herself.
How awkward.
It was Nanaya who finally released Eriri's hand, raising both palms in an innocent gesture.
"I just didn't want you walking too fast and getting lost."
What an excuse!!
Eriri glared at Nanaya. "Hurry up and look! I'm very confident in my drawing skills!!"
"Alright, I'm looking forward to it."
Nanaya smiled and sat down beside Eriri.
"Y-you don't need to stare at me like that!"
"But I want to observe Eriri's drawing techniques. Consider it me learning through legitimate observation."
"...Whatever!"
Eriri began sketching, completely focused.
Yet no matter how absorbed she became, she couldn't ignore Nanaya's unwavEriring gaze fixed on her face.
That intense stare made Eriri's heart flutter with embarrassment.
After half a day together, Eriri had realized Nanaya wasn't as "holy" as she'd thought—she'd discovered Nanaya's mischievous side.
Like tentative probes that retreated immediately, Eriri didn't dislike it. Instead, she found herself anticipating Nanaya's next move.
"H-how did you meet Kato Megumi?"
Eriri tried to change the subject but immediately regretted it.
Why did I bring this up?!
The atmosphere had been so perfect just now...
"We just met. Actually, I approached her first."
"Eh?"
Hearing this for the first time, Eriri couldn't help exclaiming in surprise.
Then, her gossipy side emerged. "And then?"
Seeing Eriri lean in curiously, Nanaya didn't answer but instead asked, "Eriri, do you have a boyfriend?"
"W-what? I don't need anything like that right now!"
The first person who came to Eriri's mind was her childhood friend, Aki Tomoya, followed by his... particular tastes.
If... if she really got together with Tomoya, would she have to indulge his preferences?!
"Then... doesn't Eriri wonder what love feels like at all?"
Nanaya began leading her step by step.
After days of chatting, Nanaya had confirmed Eriri secretly yearned for sweet romance.
Raised by a fujoshi mother and trained as a tsundere-style doujin artist, Eriri both longed for love and felt insecure about it.
Even if Eriri hadn't mentioned Megumi, Nanaya would have found a way to steer the conversation there.
"I don't care about that..."
Eriri responded with her usual tsundere answer.
"I heard from Aki-kun that he wants to make a game about sweet romance."
"And that I'm playing the male lead."
That's—! A lie!!
Eriri felt blood rush to her head. She couldn't believe Tomoya would deceive Nanaya like this just to satisfy his own fantasies!
"So, I kept it from Megumi and came to see your drawing skills, hoping to understand that sweet romantic feeling."
Nanaya pretended to completely believe Tomoya's words, making Eriri both angry and amused.
Who would've thought someone as sharp as Nanaya could be fooled?
Maybe love makes people blind.
As someone who knew the truth, Eriri felt a pang of guilt toward Nanaya.
"I-I can capture the feeling of romance..."
Eriri's voice wavered, her eyes darting around.
"I heard talented artists draw better after expEririencing things themselves. Does that mean Eriri's already had sweet romance?"
"O-of course!!"
In true tsundere fashion, Eriri refused to admit her complete lack of romantic expEririence.
"But I don't see it in your drawings."
Nanaya glanced at Eriri's latest work—a girl with no expression, no anticipation of love, no smile.
"T-that's because—"
"Could it be Eriri's never been in love?"
"W-who said that? Nonsense!"
"Then how was your relationship?"
Nanaya's question left Eriri flustered.
Her drawings were always straightforward, with barely any plot.
After all, who reads doujins for the story?
Read during post-nut clarity?
Who does that?!
"W-well, you could tell me about your relationship, and I could draw based on your description!"
Eriri circled the conversation back.
"Oh? You really want to hear about Megumi and me?"
Nanaya's smile turned slightly dangerous.
"Yes!"
Missing Nanaya's expression, whether out of guilt or curiosity, Eriri wanted to know more.
"Fine, I'll tell you what Megumi and I did when we first met."
"Mm-hmm!"
As Nanaya's voice softened, Eriri leaned in closer, clearly invested in the love story.
"Our first meeting... we did this."
Nanaya's whisper reached Eriri's ear as a single finger appeared before her eyes.
Slowly... slowly...
It touched Eriri's chin.
With slight pressure, Eriri's face tilted upward.
Her sapphire eyes reflected Nanaya's face.
Neither spoke.
The silence amplified their senses.
Eriri clearly understood what Nanaya intended to do—there was no attempt to hide it.
Every movement happened gradually.
Right before Eriri's eyes.
Stopping Nanaya would have been easy.
A step back. A single word.
But Eriri neither moved nor spoke.
She simply watched as Nanaya's face drew closer.
And closer.
The cool tip of her nose sensed Nanaya's warmth.
Eriri's lips trembled uncontrollably.
Was it fear of the unknown? Or anticipation?
Should we... really do this?
Eriri didn't know.
But in this moment, she found she didn't want to refuse!
Perhaps it was the atmosphere.
Eriri could only watch as Nanaya filled her vision.
Then—
Warm lips pressed against hers.
"Mmph!!"
---
READ 30 CHAPTERS AHEAD OF EVERYONE FOR ONLY $7!
LINK: patr/eon.com/SenatusPopulus