Taking a sip of his drink, Hayashi Maki glanced at the three girls.
"You know, I still find it unbelievable."
"All three of my online guildmates turning out to be real-life beauties—it's like something straight out of a light novel."
Kyoh Goshoin twirled a lock of her purple hair and smiled.
"I told you I was a JK in real life. Besides Ako, the one who really surprised me was Schwi-chan. She always uses ore-sama, plays a male character in-game—who knew she'd be a girl in real life?"
"Hey, President, you have room to talk? Don't you usually use a masculine first person too? I thought you were some hot-blooded old dude," Akane Segawa shot back, pouting—though a bit embarrassed.
"So why do you and Segawa-san both play male characters? Any special reason?" Hayashi Maki asked, hand raised curiously.
As for Ako—she was still glued to his arm and showed no sign of letting go. And someone who uses her real name in-game didn't need questioning.
Akane's cheeks warmed and she turned away.
"Not really… I just think male characters look cooler."
Hayashi Maki arched a brow and teased, "Sure it's not because Schwein is secretly a boy inside? I mean, you did say you're not interested in dating guys."
"I am not! Say that again and I'll kill you!"
Blushing, Akane glared. She felt insulted.
"I really don't want to date because I want to game, okay? It's not a problem with my orientation—don't put words in my mouth!"
"Sorry, sorry—just a joke. What about you, President? Why a male avatar?"
Kyoh didn't mind sharing.
"Simple: a male guildmaster has more presence. Games are mostly played by boys, right?"
"If I made a guild as a girl, most boys would dismiss me as bad at games and wouldn't join. So I use a male avatar."
"And speaking of games, gacha items are the best—pay-to-win solves everything!"
Akane stared in exasperation.
"Shut it, you whale! The fun is building and strengthening yourself! Buying power is basically cheating—where's the gameplay in that?!"
"Ehh, but it feels great," Kyoh mused, still thinking about whaling.
Akane could only seethe. She wanted to whale too—but couldn't.
"Hmph. In games, firepower matters most! That's why I chose swordsman—overrun everything with raw ATK!"
Her character "Schwein" was a front-line damage dealer.
Hayashi Maki had a different view.
"I think shield tanks are the most in-demand—along with support priests. I've played swordsman myself, and for days no one wanted to team; soloing gets you killed."
"Shield tanks are different—fewer people play them, but they can hit and take hits, and everyone wants them in party."
"Before I joined Alley Cats, Ako and I practically steamrolled dungeons. Well—except when Ako's 'pro plays' healed enemies and we wiped. Otherwise, we cleared most things."
Ako's face went red; she ducked her head.
"Sorry, I'm really bad… but I've been practicing hard! Next time I'll coordinate better!"
Hayashi Maki ruffled her hair, amused by the way her ahoge bobbed.
"I'll be looking forward to it."
"Mhm! Innocent Hubby, just you wait for Ako's performance!"
…
After a while sharing in-game stories, the four felt closer. The initial stiffness faded into an easy flow— helped along by Hayashi Maki and An, both natural mood-makers.
Ako clung to Hayashi Maki but was gentle and easy to get along with. Akane, though tsundere, loosened up and occasionally said things that made everyone smile—and she was genuinely funny, impossible to dislike.
The "Schwein means pig" gag alone could fuel a year's teasing. Her red-faced meltdowns were downright cute. Hayashi Maki loved sparring with her—mutual roasting and bickering.
Kyoh, for her part, was wonderfully chatty; talking to her felt like a spring breeze. No wonder she was student council president.
All in all, the offline meetup left Hayashi Maki very satisfied. Meeting three more adorable girls— for a hedonistic demon like him—was cause for joy.
Time slipped by; Hayashi Maki was getting hungry. Kyoh called a server over and generously treated the guild to lunch. Akane originally wanted to split the bill, but seeing the president insist, she let it go. Ako said she'd do whatever Hayashi Maki decided.
After lunch, Hayashi Maki pulled out his laptop and let the girls play for a bit—more chatting and laughter. Eventually, it was time to part.
He stowed the laptop, then—reaching behind him—produced three signed copies of his novel and handed them over.
"Here, Segawa—my promised autograph. And one for Ako and the President as well."
"Thanks—I'll treasure it!"
Akane was thrilled.
"Then I won't be shy. I'll treasure mine too, Innocent-kun," Kyoh said, smiling as she accepted hers.
"Ako too! Uuu, amazing—it's a book written by Innocent Hubby. I'll read it very carefully!"
And maybe discover hubby's kinks from the text, she thought, so I can adjust accordingly and make him love me more.
Watching cheerful Ako, Hayashi Maki couldn't help patting her head. Then he smiled at the group.
"By the way, more than 'Innocent'—I'd prefer you call me by my real name, Hayashi Maki."
Akane hugged her book and replied forthrightly, "Then I'll call you Hayashi Maki! Great Author, please take care of me from now on!"
"Likewise—please take care of me, Akane."
"Uu…" The intimacy of hearing him say her given name made her whole body jolt; her cheeks turned scarlet.
Flustered, she snapped her head away.
"Gross—don't call me that intimately! Call me Segawa!"
As for "Schwein"—she wanted to forget that name entirely. It means 'pig'—why does this happen to me?
"Alright, Segawa-san. Though I still kinda prefer 'Schwein,'" Hayashi Maki said, unfazed by her "gross."
Akane didn't get angry—just shot him a mortified glare. So the "Schwein" joke was never going away, huh? She regretted everything.
Why did I ever pick that name?!