Eriri felt she was being somewhat improper. This feeling stemmed from the thoughts that arose after receiving payment for a commission.
With 400,000 yen coming in, it was understandable to have the desire to spend, but the problem was that the impulse to consume wasn't for herself, and the recipient of the purchase wasn't her parents, but another person she cared about greatly.
Last night she even dreamed of drawing figure sketches of his body. He was half-reclining in a pose similar to Rose and Jack's classic position, completely unclothed except for a towel covering the crucial area. Just as she indignantly demanded he remove the towel and he was actually preparing to do so, she woke up.
When alone, Eriri was quite honest with herself, so the first thing she did upon waking was let out an ambiguous low groan, accompanied by rolling around on the bed, finally ending with angrily punching her pillow a few times, her feelings of disappointment and irritation overflowing.
Unhappy, so frustrating...
Make no mistake, the Eriri who appeared glamorous at school was privately just this kind of person - both fervent and obsessive. Her usual outward demeanor was merely a necessary mask to maintain normal social interactions.
She must be sick, afflicted with a brand new disease called "Murakami Disease."
Eriri thought this with a red face as she browsed men's watches on her computer while wearing glasses.
The general symptoms of this illness included: "More than half of her waking hours, her brain uncontrollably thinking about that guy."
"Always fantasizing about various scenarios with him, like shopping together, arm in arm, being congratulated at a wedding ceremony, and unspeakable embarrassing things."
"When drawing that 'Corruption' commission set earlier, she directly inserted him and herself into it, and after finishing, she still wanted to continue drawing a second part..."
Aaaaahhh!!!
The first thing she thought of after receiving payment wasn't buying the figurines and games she'd always wanted, but immediately thinking of that guy!
Considering gift styles for him, while unconsciously starting to guess his reaction upon receiving it, and after imagining his dissatisfied expression, feeling anxious and disappointed for quite a while!
Eriri felt she was beyond saving, completely beyond saving. Her "Murakami Disease" must be terminal. She should probably give up treatment and just lie flat, because her current state, explained through her thought process when drawing doujinshi, was being completely shaped into someone's form - that feeling of being unable to go back.
But why did this explanation that should express sadness and frustration somehow make her feel a bit expectant? And why did this process feel so familiar...
Eriri didn't continue thinking deeper. She no longer wanted to consider the real reason she'd become like this. She'd already accepted it, so it didn't matter anymore.
So now she was working hard to help herself think about another problem.
In what way could she give the gift that would seem natural on her part while not making herself feel embarrassed?
After staring at the computer screen for a while longer, Eriri thought of a solution.
Previously, she'd caught a fever from the rain and was well cared for by Murakami Yuu for a night. That was owing him a favor, and now it seemed like the perfect opportunity.
Using repayment for that incident as a reason, this time she could attack without reservation, and he didn't seem to have any good reason to refuse either.
Under this excuse, her sudden gesture wouldn't seem so proactive - it was justified, a perfect excuse.
Eriri was very satisfied with her flash of inspiration. She quickly selected a men's watch, a youth style priced at over 600,000 yen, ordering it now for delivery Sunday morning.
Not caring about the price at all, she added some of her usual savings, briefly inquired about after-sales service, then noted to make the packaging look nice, and placed the order without hesitation.
That guy Yuu should be very happy, right? After all, this is the first time I've put so much thought into giving someone a gift. Not only is it full of sincerity, but I also put in part of my savings...
Thinking about his overjoyed expression when receiving the gift, Eriri swayed her head side to side, showing her small fangs in a happy smile.
Yuu, just wait obediently to be conquered by me.
...
Sunday morning around 10 o'clock, Eriri rubbed her eyes and groggily opened the door, signing for a package.
The moment she opened the package, her consciousness cleared up a bit.
The men's watch she'd bought had arrived. According to her request, it was packaged very beautifully and came with a nice gift bag.
Come to think of it, she was planning to go to Yuu's house today anyway, so she could take it along then.
Making these plans in her mind, Eriri went to the bathroom to wash up, then solved both breakfast and lunch problems at once. After preparing her words a bit in her room, she dialed Murakami Yuu's number.
The last experience of showing up unannounced and being left outside had taught Eriri the importance of calling ahead to confirm he was home.
"Eriri, good afternoon."
The call connected. Murakami Yuu's voice sounded like he was outside, as she could vaguely hear other mixed voices.
"Yuu, good afternoon... um, are you out?"
"Mm, I'm at the supermarket right now."
"I see..."
Eriri breathed a sigh of relief. She'd thought he'd gone out for something, but if it was just supermarket shopping, that was fine. He should go home right after finishing.
"Is something the matter?"
"Ah... there is something small. You see, last time didn't you agree to be my figure model? I was wondering if you'd have time today. If so, this afternoon I was wondering if I could come to your place, and then..."
Eriri got halfway through but her meaning was already quite clear.
"Today?"
"Yes, is today inconvenient for some reason?"
"Not exactly..."
In Eriri's ears, Murakami Yuu's tone seemed somewhat odd, with an indescribable nuance.
"If Eriri doesn't mind having another person present, I can do it."
"Another person?"
"That is, Kiso Yukina."
"Kiso Yukina!?"
Eriri's voice rose, questioning in a startled and uncertain tone while nervously clutching the clothes at her chest. She remembered the scene she'd witnessed that day of the two of them side by side.
"Mm, Kiso Yukina. She's with me at the supermarket right now. We're going to buy some ingredients to go back and teach her how to cook. If Eriri doesn't mind, I can be your model after the cooking is done."
Murakami Yuu told her honestly.
Holding her phone, Eriri hadn't anticipated this development and was momentarily speechless.
But after much deliberation, she took a deep breath and gave an affirmative answer.
Hanging up the phone, Eriri jogged to her closet and began agonizing over what to wear.
No way - there was already that precedent last time. How could she let you be alone in a room with Yuu!
Eriri made certain decisions.
...