"Why are you here?"
Yamada Elf was greatly surprised, her body recoiling slightly as if startled.
Because a person she had not expected suddenly appeared before her.
"Have we met?"
A hint of confusion appeared in Mashiro's eyes.
"Not exactly met, I did go to your art exhibition, but we didn't get to talk."
Yamada Elf quickly regained her composure.
She wasn't interested in oil paintings, but she had accompanied her mother once, and that's when she learned that such a painting prodigy existed in the world.
But why would such an extraordinary person appear in such an ordinary place? Shouldn't she be in England? When did she come to Tokyo?
While she was full of questions, Mashiro was about to close the door.
"Eh? Wait! Aren't we still talking?"
Yamada Elf quickly stepped forward to stop her.
"Because Chihiro said not to open the door to strangers."
Mashiro said expressionlessly.
"Chihiro?"
Hearing the name, Yamada Elf's expression became a little off.
She hadn't forgotten that the surname on the nameplate was 'Izumi', and these four characters together, wasn't that that person's name!
Her premonition seemed to have come true.
"Hmm? Mashiro, do we have a visitor?"
Suddenly, footsteps came from behind.
"Huh, why does that back look familiar?"
Izumi Chihiro, carrying plastic bags in both hands, looked at the back of the person in the Lolita dress and let out a soft exclamation.
"I didn't expect such a coincidence in the world. Izumi, you live in a place like this."
Yamada Elf slowly turned around.
"Oh? Yamada-sensei, this should be our second meeting, right? May I ask why you are suddenly visiting?"
He narrowed his eyes.
"It's just because I just moved, so I wanted to visit my neighbors. Who knew you lived here? If I had known, I wouldn't have come."
Yamada Elf pouted.
"Moving?"
Izumi Chihiro glanced at the villa next door, then turned back and said, "I see, Yamada-sensei is the new neighbor."
"Well, I'll leave these things here. I'm going back now."
Yamada Elf put down her things, seemingly walking with the wind, tousling her golden curly hair, and with her swan-like neck held high, she walked past him proudly.
The two continued to chat where they stood.
"Chihiro, who is this person?"
"Yamada Elf, a light novelist like me, and her sales are quite good."
"I don't think I've seen her work."
"It's best not to."
"Why?"
"Because of the style. It's not quite compatible with Mashiro."
He had been gentle enough, but the person who heard these words didn't think so.
"Damn you, Izumi Old Thief! Your condescension, I will step on it sooner or later!"
By the entrance, Yamada Elf, who had been eavesdropping against the wall, clenched her fists as she listened to their conversation.
"Take the fruit on the ground inside. Don't waste her kindness. Don't refuse what's free."
Izumi Chihiro glanced at the discarded fruit on the ground and said.
"Mm."
Mashiro nodded and carried the fruit inside.
...
Back in her bedroom, Yamada Elf played games on her handheld console for a while longer.
"No, I can't keep being so decadent! I need to prepare a new book! To suppress Izumi Masamune!"
Recalling the previous 'disdainful' words, the despondent girl was filled with motivation again.
However, to do a good job, one must first sharpen their tools. She felt that for her achievements to improve significantly, in addition to writing, an illustrator was also an indispensable component.
Although Elmi was great, after reading Izumi Masamune's light novels, she realized that Eromanga-sensei was actually the one who truly moved her.
She and Eromanga-sensei were the best partners!
Before, she was still worried about how to find Eromanga-sensei, but now didn't this opportunity arise?
"Izumi Old Thief must know Eromanga-sensei's true identity, so I can start with him! Also, the fact that Shiina Mashiro is here makes me a bit curious."
Yamada Elf was deep in thought.
Although the other party was an existence that brought her much humiliation, for the sake of saving the industry, what harm was there in enduring hardship for a while?
Having made up her mind, Yamada Elf waited at the Izumi's door on the afternoon of the next day, right after school.
However, she didn't run into Izumi Masamune, but instead bumped into a silver-haired loli first.
"Who are you? Why are you blocking my house door?"
Sagiri asked, her gaze wary.
"Your house? Isn't this the Izumi's? Could it be… Izumi has a younger sister? But somehow, it doesn't quite feel like it."
Yamada Elf looked even more surprised.
"You… know Ni-san?"
Sagiri realized something.
"If your brother is that Izumi Chihiro guy, then I guess you could say I know him."
Yamada Elf said coquettishly, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Hmm?"
Hearing this, Sagiri scrutinized the other person. The wariness in her eyes did not decrease; instead, it showed signs of increasing.
"What I said is true… Never mind, there's no need to explain so much to you. I'm here to find Izumi, not his younger sister."
Yamada Elf ignored her.
After Sagiri opened the door and went home, she didn't immediately dive into her drawing practice. Instead, she secretly observed from the second-floor window.
She wanted to know what the other party's purpose was!
However, before Izumi Masamune arrived, something else unexpected happened.
...
"You, aren't you that Yamada Elf? Why are you at Chihiro's house door?!"
Eriri, who was heading up Detective Slope to go home and draw manga, suddenly caught sight of someone waiting in the yard and stopped.
"You seem to be… that Kashiwagi Eri?"
Yamada Elf quickly remembered.
"You still haven't answered my question!"
Eriri pressed.
"Because we're neighbors now, is there a problem with me coming to visit? By the way, why are you here?!"
Yamada Elf retorted, her tone not weak.
"What?!"
Eriri felt dizzy.
"Because my house is on Detective Slope. Chihiro and I are childhood friends."
She recovered and explained, seemingly wanting to remind her of something.
"I see, just childhood friends, huh? I thought you were Izumi's girlfriend, being so anxious."
Yamada Elf scoffed.
Girlfriend?
The girl's earlobes flushed, but she quickly suppressed this strange feeling.
"Are you implying I'm meddling?"
Eriri continued, her gaze unfriendly.
The principle of like repelling like was once again proven at this moment.
After only a brief standoff, both of them simultaneously retracted their gazes.
---
💯 PS = 2 bonus chapter