"Rebellious story, huh."
In the Literary Club, after learning about this from her childhood friend, Senju Muramasa's expression did not change at all.
"Kohana, has Izumi-sensei already told you?"
Usami Suzune couldn't help but guess.
"No, I haven't chatted with Izumi-sensei for a while recently."
Senju Muramasa shook her head.
After all, they were people connected by the pen; they had never met, and their topics of conversation were always the same few. Also, due to their respective work, the frequency of their chats had become longer and longer.
Moreover, she would never directly ask about such topics.
"Then how did Kohana figure it out? Could it be that you've reached the point of predicting the future?!"
Usami Suzune said incredulously.
"I don't know Izumi-sensei's plans. I just know that the story of puella magi madoka magica is actually incomplete, and the ending actually contains clues that reveal Izumi-sensei's thoughts, but I didn't expect him to make a decision so quickly."
Senju Muramasa replied.
"I see, as expected of Kohana, you can see things that ordinary people like us can't!"
Usami Suzune finally understood.
"I just paid close attention, that's all."
She said with a calm expression.
The girl rolled her eyes.
But we can't see it even if we try!
"Rebellious... Is Homura Akemi the protagonist of the sequel? Based on the descriptions in the story, she's probably the only one who fits."
Sitting to the side, Senju Muramasa muttered softly.
But what kind of actions would she take to be considered 'rebellious'?
This speculation would be her greatest curiosity about this story.
Perhaps, it would be an even more stunning story than the main series?
A curve appeared at the corner of her lips.
...
The day she had been anticipating was about to arrive.
"I'm going to the restroom."
Aragaki Ayase bid the two farewell.
Kousaka Kirino , who had just been laughing cheerfully, immediately changed her expression.
"Kanako, tomorrow is the release of A rebellious story. Do you want to come with me?"
She extended an invitation.
"Hmm, I don't know. I'm not as enthusiastic as you, but if my sister asks me to help, I'll probably go, right?"
Kurusu Kanako tapped her chin with her finger.
"So you don't have anything to do then?"
"Indeed, I don't have anything to do. I don't have a part-time job like you guys."
"In that case, it's settled then! Tomorrow at this time in the afternoon—"
"It's settled already? I haven't even agreed!"
Kurusu Kanako slapped the table, her expression a grimace.
"When did your relationship become so good? You're not hiding anything from me, are you?"
Just then, Aragaki Ayase walked in from outside, looking at the two chatting animatedly, and said jokingly.
"Uh..."
Kousaka Kirino 's expression was slightly awkward.
Hmm?
Aragaki Ayase's eyes flickered slightly.
They're not really hiding something from me, are they?
"Do you really want to know? It's nothing, really. Isn't your birthday coming up? So Kirino was discussing with me what gift to get you."
Kurusu Kanako crossed her arms, her expression calm.
"Is that so?"
Aragaki Ayase was very touched.
"Ah, originally... I wanted to give Ayase a surprise."
Kousaka Kirino could only go along with it.
"Oh, no matter what Kirino gives me, I'll be very happy. This thoughtfulness is enough."
Aragaki Ayase said cheerfully.
By the way, isn't her birthday still more than two months away? Is it necessary to think about it so early?
Perhaps, it's because Kirino cares about her too much!
She thought so.
...
On the day of the release, due to an unexpected incident, her work arrangements were canceled, so Kousaka Kirino made two phone calls early in the morning.
"Sorry, Ayase, I have a bit of a cold today. Let's go out together tomorrow..."
She found an excuse to decline Aragaki Ayase's invitation, and then invited her other good friend out.
"Ah... Ah, you really know how to make trouble for people! It's a rare holiday, can't you let me sleep a little longer?"
As soon as they met, Kurusu Kanako began to complain.
"Sorry, Kanako. In that case, I'll treat you to a big meal tonight, okay?"
Kousaka Kirino put her hands together.
"A big meal?"
Kurusu Kanako's eyes lit up, then she asked suspiciously, "But why not treat me at noon?"
"Because I have to finish reading the novel first!"
Kousaka Kirino replied as a matter of course.
"You really love it, just like my sister... I really don't understand people like you."
Kurusu Kanako shook her head to herself.
Although she understood ACG culture, she couldn't reach their level.
...
To get her hands on the newly released book as soon as possible, Kousaka Kirino naturally chose a bookstore under Fujikawa Bunko this time, because some bookstores might be slower to stock new releases, which would waste her time.
"There are so many people? That Izumi Masamune is really popular. Maybe he's even more amazing than my sister!"
Looking at the queue of people in front, Kurusu Kanako couldn't help but exclaim.
"That's not surprising, is it? After all, the Old Thief's two current works combined probably have total sales exceeding two million, right? In the industry, he's definitely a well-known figure!"
Although Kousaka Kirino didn't constantly monitor sales, she had a vague impression from chatting with members of her group chat.
"That's truly impressive."
Kurusu Kanako greatly admired someone with such capability.
During their conversation, the two of them got in line.
Although they were two girls, their presence in the queue wasn't particularly unusual, as there were other girls besides them.
Due to its subject matter, puella magi madoka magica had a significant number of female readers, so this scene was not surprising.
However, despite being girls, otaku girls with such cute appearances still attracted the attention of boys.
"What are you looking at? Go read your novels!"
Kousaka Kirino immediately snapped at them.
Her temper was just that fiery!
This also scared away other female readers who had originally intended to strike up a conversation!
"I got it."
The self-absorbed Kousaka Kirino wasn't interested in anything else; her only goal was the copy of rebellious story in her hand.
"Alright, I've been with you for so long, I should head back."
Kurusu Kanako, sucking on her lollipop, turned to leave and reminded her, "Don't forget the big dinner tonight!"
"I know!"
Kousaka Kirino merely waved her hand, giving a perfunctory response, and then walked off into the distance.
"How heartless! You got what you wanted and then forgot about me! Is it really just a light novel? Does it matter that much?"
Kurusu Kanako bit through her lollipop, her expression displeased.