Bonus Chapter
---
"For the figure, I want Homura Akemi, the custom-made kind. The price shouldn't be a problem for Kashiwagi Eri, right?"
Gokou Ruri changed the subject.
"No."
Eriri replied stiffly.
"Remember to engrave the words. After all, this is a trophy worth collecting."
Gokou Ruri also reminded her.
"I know, I know! I won't go back on my word, just stop bothering me!"
Eriri yelled.
"This was a complete defeat, wasn't it?"
Kani Nayuta showed an unsurprised expression.
"She's just reaping what she sowed."
Izumi Chihiro whispered.
This was the consequence of constantly being malicious towards others.
"Chihiro, what are you talking about!"
Eriri's ears twitched, and she glared sideways.
Just then.
"I finally found you, Black Cat!"
Someone walked over from the side. Beneath the partially covered eye patch, a pair of eyes full of fighting spirit belonged to Umaru Doma, who had been defeated by Gokou Ruri half a year ago.
"Umaru?"
Gokou Ruri's attention shifted.
Everyone else did the same.
"What do you want with me?"
"I haven't seen you in a long time! You haven't participated in any of the competitions held, have you?"
Umaru Doma was a little indignant.
Wasn't this completely denying her a chance to clear her name!
She had played games since she was a child and had basically never lost to anyone, especially in games. Although the game she played was an old one and she wasn't particularly good at it, a loss was a loss, and there was no arguing it. She could only wash it away with a victory.
"Sorry, I have my own things to do. If I don't have free time in the future, I probably won't come to the arcade anymore."
Gokou Ruri replied.
"How could this be..."
Umaru Doma had a hard time accepting it.
...
"Isn't this the typical rival character setting in games?"
"But this plot spans a bit too long, going straight to the end, with one party preparing to retire to the mountains."
"So, next, shouldn't there be a big battle, a final showdown, and then reconciliation after both sides are injured?"
"Nayuta has indeed seen many such stories when she was catching up on her secondary dimension elements."
"What kind of shonen manga is this! What era's plot is this!"
"Am I not just going along with what you said, Eriri? Or does Eriri like an ending where everyone perishes?"
"Everyone perishes? That's your twisted taste, Chihiro! Old Thief, are you having an episode again?"
The other three also showed some amusement, but as they spoke, they started arguing again.
On the other side, Umaru Doma and Gokou Ruri's storyline did not proceed in the direction they had arranged. Compared to the rival setting, Umaru Doma preferred the 'friends who can compete' setting.
If the meaning of competition was lost, then they could just become friends.
"I see, that's a shame. Black Cat, if you became a professional gamer, you would definitely have great potential, but I respect your decision."
Umaru Doma sighed.
She had thought that Gokou Ruri was so serious about playing games because she was aiming for a professional career, but the result was very different from what she imagined.
"I participated in the competition before because there were cash prizes and free game coins. I'm not interested in the path of a professional gamer. Now I have my own goal, which is to become a light novelist."
Although Gokou Ruri had only met Umaru Doma once, she left a deep impression, and she understood the feelings Umaru Doma had for her, so she didn't shy away from talking about things related to herself.
"Really!?"
Umaru Doma was quite shocked by this news.
"How much longer are you two going to chat? If you keep talking, the arcade will close."
Eriri abruptly interrupted their conversation.
"How about this, we can chat while playing games, it won't delay anything."
Izumi Chihiro suggested.
The others all nodded in agreement.
"Oh, by the way, I haven't asked for your names yet...?"
After getting into the game, Umaru Doma belatedly asked.
"Izumi Chihiro."
"Kani Nayuta."
"Sawamura."
"Okay, I got it."
Umaru Doma nodded, then a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes, "Kani Nayuta? Isn't that the author of 'Silver Season'? Did Kani take this name because she likes this author?"
It was hard for her not to connect the two directly.
As soon as she said this, the expressions of the others changed slightly.
"That's Nayuta's fame!"
Izumi Chihiro said.
"Could it be...?"
Umaru Doma noticed this.
"Yes, I am that Nayuta."
Hearing her senior's praise, Kani Nayuta responded shyly.
"By the way, I am Izumi Masamune."
Izumi Chihiro continued.
Since Nayuta had already been exposed, his connection would also be easily exposed, so he stated it directly.
"You are Izumi Old Thief...! 'puella magi madoka magica' made me... depressed... to death."
Umaru Doma couldn't help but express her most genuine feelings, and after realizing her blunder, her voice instantly became faint, even covering her mouth.
She forgot, this was in person, not online!
"I'm sorry, Teacher Izumi... I didn't mean it! Please forgive me!"
Umaru Doma put her hands together, looking playful and cute, not at all like her serious and earnest demeanor from before.
"It's alright, Teacher Izumi doesn't mind."
Gokou Ruri smiled, watching this familiar scene.
She had also been incredibly shocked back then!
Now she finally knew how cute she looked back then.
"By the way, it's too awkward to keep calling me 'Teacher' in real life. Just call me by my last name."
Izumi Chihiro finally managed to say this.
Using his first name wasn't quite suitable, but using his last name was acceptable to both parties.
After confirming their relationship, Umaru Doma then realized something terrifying.
"Izumi Masamune, Kani Nayuta... then what about you, Gokou Ruri?"
Umaru Doma twiddled her fingers, then looked at the other person.
"I'm not that amazing, just a newcomer who's just about to debut."
Gokou Ruri gently shook her head.
"That's good enough! Debuting isn't an easy thing! And when your work is published, Gokou Ruri, remember to tell me!"
Umaru Doma said, finding an excuse to exchange contact information and become friends with the others as well.
"Teacher Izumi, and Teacher Kani... I actually know them!"
The game ended, and Umaru Doma looked at the new friends on her phone, overflowing with joy.
Wait, did she overlook something?
She looked at the last twin-tailed beautiful girl, who seemed to be showing an unhappy expression, apparently because she had been ignored?
"Sawamura can also be considered a teacher. Her name is Kashiwagi Eri..."
Gokou Ruri said from the side.
"Kashiwagi Eri? It seems... I haven't heard of her."
Umaru Doma frowned.
"Pfft...!"
---
💯 PS = 2 bonus chapter