Seeing her like that, Imaizumi Keita explained patiently, "It's like when an author is locked in a small dark room and isn't let out until they've written a manuscript they're satisfied with."
"Oh..."
Shikiya Yumeko nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.
Then, her dull eyes blinked as she seriously pointed out the flaw.
"But... Classmate Imaizumi... you're not locked up right now."
This deadpan, airheaded question made the smile on Imaizumi Keita's face deepen.
Shikiya-senpai was a bit too cute.
It made it impossible to even want to tease her...
He spread his hands, his tone carrying a hint of natural boasting.
"That's because I've already finished writing."
Hearing this, Shikiya Yumeko nodded quietly again, seemingly processing the information.
After a few seconds, she raised her head again. In those eyes that usually looked somewhat hollow, a trace of sincere admiration now flowed.
"...Then, Classmate Imaizumi... is kind of amazing."
This compliment, delivered with her unique rhythm, made Imaizumi Keita's mood inexplicably better.
Looking at Shikiya's expressionless face, an idea suddenly occurred to him.
"By the way," Imaizumi Keita took the initiative to request, "Not many people have read the light novel manuscript I finished. If you're interested, Senior, could you give me some suggestions?"
"Eh?"
Shikiya Yumeko froze for a moment, seemingly not expecting him to make such a request at all.
"...I... don't know much about... light novels." Her voice sounded a bit troubled. "But... I can... help."
She paused and looked at him with those white eyes in confusion.
"But... how... should I help?"
"It's simple." Imaizumi Keita smiled and took his phone out of his pocket. "I wrote it as a digital manuscript, so I can send it directly to your phone. After you finish reading, just give me some random thoughts."
"...Mm."
Shikiya Yumeko nodded and followed suit, pulling her phone out of her pocket.
Imaizumi Keita caught a glimpse of it without being obvious.
It was the latest smartphone model with a glittery bright pink case, covered in various gal-style stickers with rhinestones and bows.
It was... unexpectedly full of gal vibes.
Imaizumi Keita made a silent comment to himself, then opened his friend QR code.
Shikiya Yumeko also skillfully opened the scan function and aimed the camera at his screen.
"Done."
Imaizumi Keita changed her nickname to "Shikiya-senpai" and prepared to follow up with the next invitation.
He was just about to ask, "Are you free later, Senior? Do you want to go for a stroll together?" when a somewhat reckless voice drifted over from the nearby accommodation area, interrupting him right on cue.
"Shikiya-senpai—! So you were here!"
A girl wearing a different school uniform, looking like a Student Council staff member, was running toward them with a face full of anxiety.
"Hurry over and help! Those kids from the junior high division made a total mess of the activity equipment, and we're completely shorthanded over here!"
Hearing this, Shikiya Yumeko slowly turned her head and responded in that direction.
"...Understood."
She stuffed her phone back into her pocket and turned back with a slightly apologetic look on her face.
"...Sorry, Classmate Imaizumi." She gave him a slight nod. "I... have to go now."
"Sure, go ahead and take care of your business, Senior."
Imaizumi Keita still had a polite smile on his face, showing no signs of emotional fluctuation.
Shikiya Yumeko said nothing more, only gave him a light wave before turning and slowly walking toward the accommodation area.
Imaizumi Keita stood there, watching her back disappear around the corner of the building, a sense of regret slowly surfacing in his heart.
Really, the timing was just too unfortunate.
He looked at the profile picture of the new friend he had just added on his phone; it was a selfie showing only half of her face and her right-hand nail art.
Shikiya-senpai...
Imaizumi Keita thought to himself silently.
She was very beautiful, had an interesting personality, and was a rare gal-type beauty.
Sigh... she really was too cute.
If he hadn't been involved with Yanami, he might have taken the initiative to pursue her...
As for now, he'd better wait and see...
He was almost losing track of what he was really thinking...
In this part, Imaizumi's personality does indeed show flaws, but it's not like he isn't aware of them.
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