"Why am I going to Akihabara with you this late at night?"
"Doesn't this seem obviously strange?"
At 6 PM on the streets of Akihabara, a golden-haired girl with a single ponytail, wearing black-framed glasses and a white face mask, muttered quietly.
The target of her complaints, Utaha Kasumigaoka, responded expressionlessly:
"With all due respect, the strange one should be Sawamura-kun."
Utaha Kasumigaoka still couldn't understand what was going through this little blonde's mind.
"Going home after art club activities to change into plain clothes, putting on glasses you normally don't wear, even changing your hairstyle... Are you aiming for showbiz, Sawamura-kun?"
"Hah? What do you mean by 'normally don't wear'? I just don't wear them at school!"
Eriri stomped her foot in frustration:
"And what's this about showbiz? Do you think I can't tell you're mocking me?"
"We're meeting in Akihabara! At least try to understand the situation!"
"Not understand the situation?"
Utaha blinked, then turned to observe the diverse crowd with their eccentric styles.
Akihabara's streets were filled with groups of people in bizarre costumes, strolling casually as if it were Halloween.
Yet this was just an ordinary day in Akihabara - the world's cosplay mecca.
Compared to these people, Utaha, in her Toyogasaki High uniform with only thigh-high black stockings as an addition, looked out of place.
"I think I'm starting to get your point."
Utaha finally grasped Eriri's reasoning.
"Took you long enough." Eriri crossed her arms smugly.
'Wait, what exactly did she think she understand?'
As Eriri grew confused, Utaha remarked flatly:
"So Sawamura-kun frequents Akihabara often."
"Eep!"
Eriri's smugness vanished instantly, replaced by cold sweat at having her secret exposed.
"Though Akihabara is some distance from Toyogasaki, both are in Chiyoda Ward. You disguise yourself to avoid being recognised by schoolmates?"
Utaha glanced meaningfully at Eriri as she spoke:
"I see. So that's why your ability is transformation."
Utaha recalled Luo Shu mentioning that Familia's abilities manifest in two ways:
One reflects one's desires.
The other reflects one's talents.
Eriri, who frequently disguised herself while being overly conscious of others' gazes, clearly embodied both.
"That's irrelevant!" Eriri quickly tried changing the subject.
She couldn't possibly admit her current appearance was already transformed.
Or that she'd modelled her current leg shape after Utaha's?
That was absolutely unspeakable.
"Where's Luo Shu's base? Didn't he invite us here?"
"Invited?" Utaha seemed surprised. "Ah, yes, that phrasing."
"Though that explanation only came after I inquired about his recent activities. Not that Sawamura-kun would understand the implications."
Eriri frowned at Utaha's words, baring her teeth:
"Are you implying something? Calling me stupid?"
"No, I'm stating it outright."
Utaha crossed her arms and sighed dramatically:
"After all, if we don't appear occasionally, readers might forget about us, Sawamura-kun."
"Hah?" Eriri stared blankly before groaning: "What kind of forgotten light novel heroine nonsense is this?"
"Don't tell me I have to say 'it's my turn now'?"
Yet in response to Eriri's retort, Utaha Kasumigaoka replied flatly,
"Please don't steal my lines, thank you."
Utaha couldn't very well say that because Luo Shu's recent movements were unclear, she suspected a vixen had appeared by his side, which was why she deliberately asked about his recent activities.
She and Eriri Sawamura weren't close enough to share such intimate thoughts.
"What's with you, always saying things I don't understand..." Eriri muttered before adding,
"But speaking of which, Luo Shu didn't attend class today, did he? Is it because the demons haven't been dealt with yet?"
Hearing this, Utaha feigned surprise,
"I never thought Sawamura-kun, who's so absorbed in her art world, would remember Luo Shu's absence today."
"Alright, I know what you're getting at. It's because the Art Club dragged on until 5:30, right? Even if I wanted to quit, it would take some time..."
As Eriri grumbled, Utaha remained silent, only sighing before warning,
"If you don't adjust your mindset soon, you'll be in serious trouble, Sawamura-kun."
"What?" Eriri blinked, puzzled as she stared at Utaha.
Seeing her reaction, Utaha frowned and reiterated,
"Please keep my words in mind."
"I don't want to end up dragging Luo Shu into cleaning up your mess."
"Don't just label people as troublemakers so casually."
Eriri stomped her foot and muttered,
"Honestly, just a gloomy girl acting all high and mighty."
After grumbling, she glanced at her phone, checking the location Luo Shu had sent earlier, and compared it.
"Huh? The destination should be just ahead, take a left."
"I know."
Utaha, who had already memorised the map, adjusted her shoulder bag and said,
"Let's hurry. Luo Shu mentioned he wanted to introduce some people to us."
Seeing Utaha quicken her pace, Eriri hurried after her, following her around the corner.
"Yeah, yeah, I know it's my fault for delaying the meeting..."
But just then—thud—Eriri's left arm lightly bumped into Utaha, who had abruptly stopped.
"Ow! Why'd you stop all of a sudden?"
Eriri blinked, looking up at Utaha's stunned expression before following her gaze.
In that instant.
What greeted her was the sight of a pink-haired, adorable girl kissing a handsome young man.
Witnessing this scene, Eriri froze.
'What the...'