Rin Ito was chatting with Masamune Izumi downstairs. Occasionally, they could faintly hear the girls' surprised gasps, playful laughter, and shouts from upstairs. Masamune Izumi was very satisfied hearing these sounds. His little sister, who was previously withdrawn from the real world, had begun interacting with people again. As for the content of their interaction, he had no idea.
Rin Ito subtly observed Masamune Izumi. Although Rin Ito didn't remember the details, he vaguely recalled that Sagiri was the illustrator for Masamune's light novels. However, Masamune seemed unaware of this fact, only knowing that Sagiri liked to draw.
After chatting for a while, Masamune Izumi took a key out of his pocket and handed it to Rin Ito.
"This is...?"
"This is the key to my house. It's a bit presumptuous, but Sagiri doesn't have many friends. If Ito-san is free, please take the time to visit Sagiri more often, draw with her, or something... I beg you."
If Rin Ito were just a regular male online friend, Masamune Izumi would never have gone to this extent. He would have been extremely wary of whether Rin Ito was trying to take advantage of Sagiri. But Rin Ito was different. Masamune Izumi had no reservations about handing the key to Rin Ito. Aside from the fact that there was nothing valuable in the house, it was because Rin Ito had brought his girlfriend the first time he visited. If he had ulterior motives, why would he bring his girlfriend? Furthermore, besides his girlfriend, he also brought other girls who enjoyed drawing. And this time, upon hearing his friend moved in next door, he brought her over to meet Sagiri... If he had ulterior motives, he would definitely come alone. Why would he bring his girlfriend? And he hadn't come alone on either occasion. These few points were enough for him to trust Rin Ito.
To be fair, Rin Ito genuinely had no ulterior motives the first time he came, but he certainly did now. Although a little embarrassed, Rin Ito didn't pretend to refuse and readily accepted the key. It's like a father giving his 1-year-old a graphics card and a game console as a birthday present... We can't let the child suffer, can we? Okay, Rin Ito admitted it: he was horny.
After chatting with Masamune Izumi for a bit longer, Rin Ito checked the time, said goodbye to Masamune, and walked up the stairs to knock on Sagiri's door.
"It's me. I'm going to pack up my computer and head home."
"No!! Don't open the door!!" Maki's terrified shout came from inside, followed by Megumi Jinno's delighted laughter.
"What's the harm~ Maki is so cute; what's wrong with letting him see?" With that, Megumi Jinno opened the door a crack. "Big Brother, come in quickly."
The moment Rin Ito stepped into the room, Maki caught his attention. Maki, with her shoulder-length hair tied into a ponytail and wearing cat ear hair clips, had swapped her uniform for the catgirl outfit at the girls' urging, displaying large expanses of her youthful, pale skin to Rin Ito.
"D-don't look!!" The blushing Maki pushed hard on Rin Ito's chest with the hands covered by cat paw gloves.
"Alright, alright, I'm going, I'm going, okay?" Looking at Maki's charming, furious look, Rin Ito smiled and didn't force himself to stay. He retreated a few steps out of the room, and the door was heavily shut.
"I'll come back for the computer another time."
After saying that at the door, Rin Ito walked downstairs, passed through the entrance hall, and left Sagiri's house. He hadn't gotten far when his phone chimed. Both Ami and Megumi Jinno had sent him a short video clip. In the video, Maki, dressed in the catgirl outfit, twisted and turned in front of a full-length mirror, occasionally curling her hands like a cat and meowing... It seems Maki quite liked it. The only regret was the lack of a tail; it would have been perfect with a tail.
After saving the videos they sent to his phone, Rin Ito sent a message to Kaede.
Rin Ito: [I'm heading home now. Anything you want me to pick up?]
Kaede quickly replied to Rin Ito's message.
Kaede: [We're still at school. Mashiro went to the Art Club to see Eri today too.]
Rin Ito: [Perfect. I'll pick you up from school. Let's eat out tonight. If you get out early, wait for me at the bubble tea shop.]
They went to the same school as Masamune Izumi. He had been delayed for so long that they should have been back already. Rin Ito thought he'd be able to eat when he got home, but they were still at school. It wasn't too late. Fortunately, Masamune Izumi's house wasn't far from the school. Picking them up after school and having a simple meal at a nearby family restaurant would be fine.
Soon after, Rin Ito arrived at a bubble tea shop near the school gate. He used to visit there often for bubble tea when he was still in school. After waiting for a while at the bubble tea shop, Rin Ito saw Kaede, Suzu, Mashiro, and Nanami walking out of the school gate with some classmates. They said brief goodbyes to their classmates and walked towards the bubble tea shop. Kaede waved at Rin Ito as soon as she saw him from a distance.
Handing them the bubble tea he had bought, Rin Ito asked with a smile. "You went to the Art Club again today? How was it? Did you decide to join?"
Mashiro carefully took a sip of the bubble tea she'd never had before, then looked at Rin Ito. "I won't join," Mashiro paused. "Club activities are different from manga."
"Of course, they're different," Rin Ito casually patted Mashiro's head. She had only discussed doujinshi with Eri before, but today she participated in the club activities. "Manga is about distilling the interesting parts of reality... how could so many things happen in reality? But you also need enough life experience to draw better manga."
After saying that, Rin Ito noticed Kaede's slightly jealous look, so he also gently ruffled Kaede's hair. After thinking for a moment, Rin Ito also ruffled Suzu's hair. As for Nanami... she shook her head repeatedly, indicating no need, after making eye contact with Rin Ito.
Kaede was satisfied with Rin Ito's behavior, so she started talking about what happened at the Art Club today. "We modeled for the Art Club yesterday, right? It was too late that day, so they hadn't finished drawing. We went again today... and Mashiro participated in the activities with them."
"Did you make any friends besides Eri?" To be honest, Rin Ito was a little worried if Mashiro didn't make friends, but he was also a little worried if she did. Since this was the Underworld (Ura Sekai), Rin Ito had some concerns.
Seeing Rin Ito's slightly worried expression, Kaede immediately knew what he was thinking. Heh... a man's possessiveness. Kaede patted Rin Ito's shoulder with a wicked smile, teasing him. "Don't worry. The Art Club is mostly girls; they won't kidnap little Mashiro. Mashiro also arranged to come over and play with Eri this weekend."
"Yes, I made plans with her," Mashiro said while chewing on the brown sugar tapioca pearls in her bubble tea.
"Progressing that fast?" Rin Ito raised an eyebrow. Even as fellow doujinshi enthusiasts, that's incredibly fast, isn't it? Rin Ito had a slight premonition... Could Eri be targeting him?