Since Utaha wasn't around, Eriri pulled over Utaha's computer chair and moved it next to Ichin.
"What's going on? It sounds really interesting!"
"What could possibly be interesting about it?"
Ichin didn't quite understand Eriri's excitent and explained plainly, "I'm not going back ho for the sumr because of the studio's developnt project. So, without telling , my mom just showed up here. Last night, our families had dinner together. Earlier, I introduced my mom to everyone at the studio, and then Utaha and her mom took her out for so fun. anwhile, I stayed here to work. That's all there is to it—nothing particularly special."
"How is that not special?!"
Eriri's eyes widened as she eagerly asked, "Tell , how did Utaha react when she t your mom? She must have been super nervous, right?"
Hearing Eriri's question, the others nearby also turned their attention to Ichin, curious.
Thinking back, Ichin replied thoughtfully, "Hmm, she was a little nervous, I guess. But only for a mont. After talking with my mom for a bit, she wasn't nervous anymore. They actually got along really well."
"Ugh, boring!"
Eriri pouted, clearly disappointed. She had been hoping for so embarrassing story about Utaha ssing up. Giving up on prying further, she went back to Utaha's desk, booted up the computer, and connected her tablet.
"Rin, is there any unfinished work? Assign sothing to do."
After finishing her doujinshi project for the upcoming fan convention, Eriri had co to Ichin's studio for a part-ti job as a temporary art assistant.
Although she kept her identity as Eri Kashiwagi under wraps, her impressive drawing skills had everyone, especially Yagami Kou, pestering Ichin to let her join the team. Thus, she began working as a sumr hire.
Eriri's main occupation as a doujinshi artist wasn't known to anyone there, but it didn't affect her work. Plus, Hollow Knight was a 2D side-scroller, so it wasn't particularly challenging for her. She adapted to the tasks quickly.
Since no one was cooking lunch that day, Ichin ordered takeout for the team. He chose a great bento delivery service, and everyone enjoyed their al before getting back to work in the afternoon.
Around 4 p.m., Utaha and the two moms returned.
Utaha's mom went ho to prepare dinner for her family, while Ichin's mom accompanied Utaha to the studio.
As soon as Utaha opened the door to the studio, she called out, "Ichin, co help us!"
Ichin, who wasn't wearing headphones at the ti, imdiately got up and went over. He saw both his mom and Utaha each holding two large bags.
"What did you buy? That's a lot of stuff."
"Groceries!"
His mom stepped inside, changing into slippers as she smiled and handed him the bags. "Put these in the kitchen. I'll rest for a bit and then start cooking. Let's all have dinner together tonight!"
Opening one of the bags, Ichin saw a whole chicken, a pile of chicken wings, beef, pork belly, a variety of seafood, and plenty of vegetables—everything imaginable.
"You bought this much?"
Ichin glanced at the work area, scanning the studio mbers. On second thought, maybe it wasn't that much after all.
After putting away the groceries, Ichin returned to the workspace, where his mom imdiately noticed Eriri sitting at Utaha's desk.
It was impossible to miss—her bright golden twin tails stood out too much.
Utaha had been quite loud when she returned, so even with headphones on, Eriri had heard her. Finishing the last stroke on her current work, she set down her stylus and turned, locking eyes with Ichin's mom.
Although Eriri was a hardcore otaku who spent her days drawing doujinshi, watching ani, and gaming, she was, on the surface, still a polite, well-mannered young lady from an affluent family. Standing up imdiately, she greeted warmly, "Hello, Auntie! I'm Eriri Spencer Sawamura, a junior to both Ichin and Utaha."
"Spencer Sawamura? Are you half-Japanese?"
Eriri nodded with a smile and explained, "Yes, my mom is Japanese, and my dad is British. They t during their university days!"
Ichin chid in to add, "Eriri's mom runs a successful business, and her dad's a diplomat. She's the real deal when it cos to being a proper young lady."
Eriri frowned, clearly displeased. "Stop emphasizing the 'young lady' thing! Compared to Yukino, I'm way more down-to-earth and approachable!"
"Yukino?"
Ichin's mom caught the unfamiliar na, another girl's na. She couldn't help but wonder why her son seed to be surrounded entirely by girls. Ever since she'd arrived yesterday, she hadn't seen a single male friend his age—not even one he hung out with.
Her son's luck with won was starting to seem almost excessive.
Oblivious to Ichin's mom's thoughts, Eriri continued, "Yukino's in the sa grade as . We're in the sa club. Compared to , she's the quintessential young lady—her family's a renowned household in Chiba, her dad's a politician, and not only is she beautiful, but she's also the top student in our grade. On top of that, she's skilled at housework, cooking, Aikido, and even horseback riding. She's the perfect black-haired beauty. Except for her cold personality, she's practically the ultimate heroine."
"The more you talk about her, the more curious I get."
Ichin's mom turned to her son. "Do you have any pictures of her, Ichin?"
"Of course not," Ichin replied, baffled by the question. He pointed at Eriri. "She probably has so."
"Yup, I do!"
Eriri took out her phone and found a photo she'd taken with Yukino during club activities. She handed it to Ichin's mom.
Ichin, having never seen a photo of Yukino with Eriri, leaned in out of curiosity. The others quickly gathered around too.
In the photo, Eriri was clinging to Yukino's arm, their faces close together. Eriri was smiling brightly, while Yukino, looking away from the cara, had an unnatural blush on her face, clearly uncomfortable with being photographed like that.
Looking at the picture, Ichin's mom smiled. "She really is a beautiful girl. Has she been here before?"
"She has! I brought Yukino over once, but her family's busy these days, so she went back to Chiba. She did promise to visit the day after tomorrow, though. I even invited her to my house. Her family is strict, but if it's my invitation, they don't usually object. Otherwise, she'd probably spend the whole sumr cooped up at ho. Ichin, I'm bringing Yukino over next ti, okay?"
"Sure, anyti is fine."
If it had been soone loud and overly dramatic, Ichin might have been hesitant. But Yukino, aside from her cold deanor, was polite and well-mannered.
Plus, her club room was right next to his at school, so there was no reason to refuse.
...
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