The discussion with Anon was inconclusive. Chihaya Kaiser was still thinking about talking to her about the band while he showered.
But when he got out of the bathroom, she had already gone back to her room to sleep, and he didn't want to disturb her.
Chihaya Kaiser had no choice but to go back to his room and sleep.
The next day, Friday.
Before the alarm went off, he felt a heavy weight on his body, as if from sleep paralysis. But the weight didn't feel quite right; it was more like a person pressing down on his waist.
He could smell a pleasant scent, like Anon's—very familiar, very comforting.
He didn't hear the alarm. Was it not time yet?
He forced his eyes open with all his might. The first thing that came into view was Anon's wide grin, revealing two small fangs.
She had crawled out from under the covers, her bangs messy, not even reaching her forehead yet.
"Hehe, hey brother, how does it feel? This is the right way to wake someone up, isn't it?"
"Get off, you're heavy."
"You don't like it?" Anon straddled his waist, leaning down. She was wearing loose pajamas, revealing a glimpse of her fair skin.
She lowered her head to meet his gaze, pressing her hands on his chest. "I saw them do this in anime."
"And you know it's just anime." He didn't expect Anon to lie down on top of him, wrapping her arms around his neck and not letting go.
"I got up early just to wake you up. Shouldn't you be thanking me, Kai?"
Her tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction. Her voice was quiet, but since they were embracing, their mouths and ears were less than ten centimeters apart. Her breath tickled his ear when she spoke.
Through their pajamas, he could feel her body heat. Their cheeks were pressed together, yet they felt a little cool.
Chihaya Kaiser held her and, with a swift motion, rolled over, reversing their positions. He pinned Anon beneath him, propping himself up on his arms.
"I'm going for a run."
"Aww—"
"Don't eat breakfast without me. Wait for me." He got out of bed and jogged off.
Anyone would have a physiological reaction.
He ran a long loop and took a cold shower when he got back to completely wash away the heat from his body.
Breakfast was fried eggs, bacon, and sliced bread. He placed the bread on a plate, put the crispy-edged eggs and bacon on top, and covered it with another slice.
Chihaya Kaiser held it with both hands, took a huge bite, chewed a few times, and swallowed.
"Hah... Anon."
"What is it?"
"I want to talk to you about the band." He always made sure to swallow his food before speaking.
"What now?" She pouted.
"Those three are your bandmates, right? I still stand by what I said. You should stay away from that kind of clique to avoid getting hurt."
He finished the sandwich in a few bites, then started making another one, ready to do it all over again.
"But I've already joined." Anon used her chopsticks to bring a piece of toast to her mouth and took a bite, which barely seemed to scratch the surface.
"It wouldn't be right to quit now, would it?"
"..."
At this point, there was no use in trying to persuade her anymore. If he kept interfering, he'd really become the perverted sis-con Kurisu Makise talked about.
Once Anon faced a small setback, she would most likely come running back to him for comfort.
Chihaya Kaiser finished two sandwiches and chugged down a glass of milk.
"I'm off to school."
"Okay~"
Her sickly sweet, cutesy voice was a bit too much sugar for the morning.
.
.
Tsuwabuki High School, 7:30 AM.
On the way, Chihaya Kaiser ran into a strange girl. Both of them were being followed by a large group of cats when they met on the street.
"Hm? Interesting." The white-haired girl licked her lips like a real cat and headed straight for him.
She looked at the boy. "You..."
"Um..."
Before Chihaya Kaiser could ask anything, she left with her cats, just like any other stray.
He was left standing alone on the road.
He snapped out of it, smiled, and continued toward school. He opened his phone and saw a message from Marin Kitagawa reminding him not to forget the comic convention tomorrow. He replied that he wouldn't.
He checked his quest progress on the fly. The number of followers was increasing too slowly; it hadn't even reached four hundred yet.
He wondered if he could complete the quest at the comic con this time.
The boy walked through the school grounds with his camera bag, passing by a courtyard, when he caught a glimpse of a figure in his peripheral vision.
The morning light was perfect. Shikiya Yumeko was dressed in her usual gyaru style, slumped in a corner of the courtyard.
She tried to reach out her hand. "..."
"No way, why are you like this in the morning?" Chihaya Kaiser quickly approached her. "Senpai, what's wrong?"
"I'm fine..." She held out her hand. "Help me up. I can't get up."
Her voice was so weak, it sounded like she could faint at any moment.
Chihaya Kaiser took her hand, leaned back half a step, and used his weight to pull her up.
"Thanks..."
With that, she walked toward the corridor Chihaya Kaiser had come from, brushing past him.
There was nothing much to say about classes during the day. Chihaya Kaiser was practically invisible in his class; no one paid him any attention.
After school, he immediately rushed to the café where he worked part-time, following the address Mayuri Shiina had given him.
It was a maid café.
Not only the other staff, but Mayuri had also changed into a maid outfit. The girl in charge was called Faris NyanNyan.
Getting a job through an acquaintance was great.
No communication barriers, it was easy and fun, and the pay was substantial—ten thousand yen.
When the job was over, the maid café poured him a glass of juice. Getting a free drink was nice.
A message popped up on his phone. It was from Nijika.
"Kai, have you thought about it?"
He stared at the text, his finger hovering over the screen for several dozen seconds. Before he could reply, another message came through.
"Want to come to the store?"
"Big Sis said she doesn't miss you at all."
His fingers tapped a few spots on the screen, then he hit send.
"Got it. I'll head over later."
He wasn't going straight there because he had promised Kurisu Makise he'd meet her today.
A man has to keep his promises.
Two other people were going to the lab with him. Mayuri Shiina, of course, and the maid called Faris NyanNyan was also going back with them.
They even had a car to take them, and it looked expensive.
Rich people are so generous.
Chihaya Kaiser looked at the ten thousand yen in his wallet, made up his mind, and said to Mayuri Shiina,
"You guys go on up. I'll be there in a bit."
"Okay~" Mayuri Shiina and Faris NyanNyan entered the lab.
He went to buy ice cream and canned oden, put them in a bag, and brought them to the lab to share with everyone.
He started with the person on the sofa. He handed a portion to Tutturu~ and listened to her murmur like an old woman.
"Mayushii is so happy right now. The lab has gotten so lively."
"Then you should enjoy it."
Chihaya Kaiser turned his gaze toward the three people arguing inside: Daru, Kurisu Makise, and Rintaro Okabe.
"Kurisu, I've got ice cream."
"Eh?!"
In an instant, everyone present turned their attention to Chihaya Kaiser in unison.
Mayuri Shiina said, "Oh my, since when did Chihaya-san and Miss Makise start calling each other by their first names? Mayushii hasn't even done that yet."
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