Chapter 109: Heartbeat
For Aki Tomoya, this game club meeting was very frustrating.
It was frustrating on many levels.
His scenario writer was staring blankly at a painting, the artist was completely ignoring him, and most importantly, the heroine of his bishoujo game was chatting with another boy!
These various behaviors had left Aki Tomoya feeling exhausted.
Clearly, everything was progressing step-by-step at the beginning, but at some point, everything changed... "Um, let's end today's game meeting here. Everyone can head back..."
Having finally endured until five o'clock, Aki Tomoya forced a smile and gave the order to leave, but no one in the Living Room paid him any attention.
Kasumigaoka Utaha had snapped out of her earlier trance; she was now rapidly recording something in the red notebook she carried with her. Her surrounding aura was terrifyingly strong, making Aki Tomoya have no desire to approach her at all.
On the other side, Eriri was drawing something, but Aki Tomoya had no intention of speaking to her either.
Perhaps it was the lingering effects of the previous Hashima Izumi incident, or maybe the childhood grudge had yet to be resolved; regardless, he proactively gave up on the idea of calling out to her.
On the other side... Aki Tomoya turned his gaze toward Kato Megumi, who was sitting on the sofa. He had originally placed all his hopes on the girl before him. That encounter on the slope that day was something he would never forget. Unfortunately... Aki Tomoya looked at the youth beside her; unfortunately, it was he who had caught that white beret.
By the time Aki Tomoya snapped back to his senses, the girl on the sofa still hadn't looked at him. At this, Aki Tomoya lost the courage to invite her, so he simply called out to the people in the Bedroom and left.
Not a single person paid him any mind... Half an hour later... "Phew..."
Having finished her creation, Kasumigaoka Utaha let out a long sigh of relief. She had written all her fantasies and yearnings into this notebook, including her thoughts while having that dream. In short, she shouldn't forget her again now.
"Ah~ Is it almost six o'clock already?"
The girl, coming back to her senses, stretched her body and blinked her beautiful red eyes. Only after noticing the time on her phone did she realize how quickly time had passed.
"Hmm? Where's Rinri-kun? Has he already left?"
Noticing that the glasses-wearing otaku was no longer in the Living Room, the black-haired girl asked curiously.
"Hmph! Who knows."
The Blonde Girl nearby snorted indignantly. After making such a big fuss a while ago, he hadn't given any explanation in the end. She was now completely disappointed in Aki Tomoya. If she had wanted to maintain this friendship when she first joined the club, she now only wanted to end it quickly.
Once the drafts are finished, I won't owe him anything.
This was the truest thought deep within Eriri's heart.
"Aki-san left half an hour ago~"
Kato Megumi, sitting on the sofa, reminded them.
"Is that so? Well, it doesn't matter."
Hearing Kato Megumi's explanation, Kasumigaoka Utaha shrugged indifferently. Her heart was now entirely focused on her dream, and since all the necessary manuscripts were written, where Aki Tomoya went wasn't very important to her.
"But it's getting late, I should head back too. Please excuse me, everyone..."
Kasumigaoka Utaha said, picking up the packaged drawing by Eriri that she had brought with her.
"Hey, wait, Kasumigaoka..."
The Blonde Girl called out to her.
"Hmm? What is it, Sawamura-san?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha turned back and looked at the Blonde Girl behind her with curiosity.
"Tha-that... let's go together."
The Blonde Girl, suddenly realizing what she was doing, spoke stutteringly.
"Ah? I see, no problem~"
Looking at the stuttering Eriri, a hint of mischief flashed in Kasumigaoka Utaha's eyes, but in the end, she gave up the idea and chose to wait for Eriri properly.
"Eh???"
Eriri, who had misspoken in her haste, had originally prepared herself to be teased by Kasumigaoka Utaha, but she didn't expect the other party to agree so easily.
"Take care on the way..."
At the entrance of the Aragaki Residence, Aragaki Takiya and Kato Megumi, who had been in the Living Room, were now standing at the door. After all, Aki Tomoya couldn't compare to them; both Eriri and Kasumigaoka Utaha were now considered friends to Aragaki Takiya, and seeing friends off was the most basic of etiquette.
Before long, Eriri and Kasumigaoka Utaha had left the Apartment together, leaving only Kato Megumi and Aragaki Takiya in the Living Room.
Compared to the two girls who had left, the Short-haired Girl staying in the Living Room showed no intention of leaving, and Aragaki Takiya was more than happy about this.
She didn't plan to leave, and he certainly didn't want her to leave either.
Feelings need to accumulate and require long-term companionship. Compared to those 'fated encounter' types of romance, Aragaki Takiya believed more in long-term presence.
Although he hadn't known Kato Megumi for long, through their daily interactions at school and chats during club meetings, she had already planted deep seeds in his heart.
If it weren't for the existence of Aragaki Moeha and the others, he would probably pursue Kato Megumi with everything he had.
This was the truest thought in Aragaki Takiya's heart.
"Um, it's getting late, Aragaki. I'll be heading back now."
While Aragaki Takiya was still dazing, the Short-haired Girl beside him suddenly spoke.
"Eh? Kato, are you heading back?"
"Yes, it's getting late. My mom will worry if I'm late."
Kato Megumi said, tucking her short hair behind her ear.
"I see. Then let me walk you out."
After hearing what Kato Megumi said, Aragaki Takiya thought for a moment and spoke.
"Okay~"
A smile appeared on the girl's lips, and she didn't refuse.
Before long, the two of them reached the bottom of the building, but Aragaki Takiya didn't stop. Instead, he followed his feelings and continued walking with her.
Just like that, they reached a crossroad.
As the red light turned on, the two of them stopped.
"Um, this far is enough."
Kato Megumi looked at the youth beside her and said softly.
"Okay."
She received a soft response from Aragaki Takiya.
Soon, the green light turned on. Kato Megumi started walking and quickly reached the other side of the road.
However, when she turned back, the youth who had been with her was still standing there.
Noticing her gaze, the youth across the road waved his hand... "Phew~ I'm home..."
Ten minutes later, Aragaki Takiya had returned to his home, but now he was the only one left in the Living Room.
"It used to be like this all the time, but now it feels a bit unfamiliar..."
Looking at the empty Living Room, Aragaki Takiya stretched his neck, but then he quickly returned to his usual state.
"I almost forgot there are still two Little ones in the Bedroom."
Thinking this, Aragaki Takiya quietly opened the Bedroom door. What first met his eyes was the glowing computer screen.
Well, a horror movie was currently playing on it.
And Aragaki Moeha and Yukinoshita Ayane were watching it intently.
"Um..."
"Waaah!"
!!!
As soon as Aragaki Takiya's voice fell, it was followed by the startled cries of the two Little ones.
Evidently, they were frightened by Aragaki Takiya's sudden action.
"Uh, I just wanted to remind you that they've left, so you can come out now."
Aragaki Takiya reminded them softly.
In the Living Room, Aragaki Takiya was currently soothing the two Little ones' emotions.
Well, not just Aragaki Moeha, but even Yukinoshita Ayane, who had inherited the calm personality of the Yukinoshita Family, was quite badly frightened.
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