—What do you want to talk about?
Natsukawa Kanade placed the phone on a stand and leaned back in the bathtub, arms resting on the edge.
It was the most comfortable position in the world.
If not for the risk of dehydration, he could stay like that forever.
—Yes, yes, it's just…
Eriri's voice on the other end was weak and hesitant.
Kanade wondered when she had become so shy.
It was just a voice chat, and she sounded embarrassed.
Don't tell me…
—Let me guess: the deadline's approaching, but you still haven't finished the draft?
—Eh, hey, hey? How did Zou know?
Eriri jumped.
She hadn't said a word, yet Kanade had guessed it like he was reading her mind.
Without realizing it, he had used her old name.
—You've made it pretty obvious. Hesitating, not saying it directly… must be something hard to ask.
He'd seen her like this before.
Back then, Eriri had asked for help finishing the draft before the deadline.
He didn't help with drawing—he lacked that skill—but he did color the finished sketches.
The problem wasn't technical, but emotional.
Eriri was a terrible comic artist, and she loved drawing humiliation stories.
Her taste was… questionable.
Even though her identity as an illustrator had already been revealed, she still kept it hidden.
Until one day, unexpectedly, she came to him.
Of course, Kanade agreed.
The division of labor worked.
Eriri drew, he colored.
They submitted the draft an hour before the deadline.
It was a happy experience, because back then he was chasing her.
But also torture, because he was a high school boy and couldn't suppress his impulses.
He nearly did something that would've hurt Eriri.
Thinking about it now, he was glad he hadn't lost control.
—I'm sorry, Eriri. It's not that I don't want to help, but you know what happened last time.
His tone grew warmer.
They were reminiscing together.
—Why don't we ask Kato? She's very meticulous. I think she'd be more suitable than me.
And besides, they're all girls.
There'd be nothing to worry about.
—Absolutely not!
Eriri stood her ground.
How could she ask Hui for help?
She'd already finished the manuscript!
She couldn't let Hui see that content!
And most importantly: if Kanade didn't come, all her plans would fall apart.
—Why? I really think she's more suitable…
—Because… because… That's it!
If Hui comes, she'll find out I'm a mangaka. That's not okay!
—Kato doesn't know your identity?
Kanade was surprised.
—Should she… should she?
Eriri was unsure.
Hui's observational skills were amazing.
Even though they'd tried to hide it, she might already know.
It was all that fat Kasumigaoka's fault.
She kept mentioning "Kashiwagi Eri" in the club, not bothering to hide anything.
They couldn't let Hui find out.
She'd finally found a girl to talk about the 2D world with, and she couldn't ruin it.
—Please help me. I… I trust you.
You… you won't do that kind of thing…
Though he couldn't see her face, Kanade felt something stir in his chest.
Eriri's tone was clearly flirtatious.
Why is she so cute today?
She no longer sounded like a clumsy tsundere.
She was a budding girl, sweet and vulnerable.
If she knew how to flirt, she'd be even more adorable.
And if she combined that with her tsundere side… she'd be perfect.
—Alright, since you trust me so much…
Kanade nodded.
It was just coloring.
Nothing to fear.
He, Natsukawa Kanade, would never do anything dishonorable!
He swore it on his integrity!
—Great! Ahem… Well, I'll leave it to you then.
—No problem.
Kanade stood up.
He'd soaked long enough.
Blub-blub!
A strange sound came from the phone.
He bent down and picked it up.
—Did she hang up?
The screen said "Call disconnected."
Wasn't that Eriri?
Where did that voice come from?
It didn't matter.
Kanade decided to leave it at that.
On the other end, Eriri, dressed in a beautiful gown, was covering her face with both hands.
Her face was red, burning, and she kept making "woohoo" sounds.
—Big, big python!!!
Just now, Kanade had stood up.
His whole body was visible.
Eriri looked down… and saw something strange.
Though she drew humiliation stories, she had never seen a boy's body in real life.
Only sculpted models.
But that… that size was wrong!
It'll break! It'll break!
Kanade, completely unaware of Eriri's emotional fantasy, remained relaxed.
He dried off, put on fresh underwear, drank warm milk.
As a sleepyhead, he didn't need anything else.
—Good night. Tonight, it's me.