Kaede was feeling quite confident.
After all, her opponent was a senior from the company in the real world.
The moment she tried something strange, she would immediately experience the iron hammer of the law.
Above all, Kaede was firmly convinced that she was undoubtedly a resident of the 2D world.
Even when she casually met Suzuha, the shortest member of Star’s Flow, it went over without any issues, and she had always thought that children in reality had annoyingly troublesome personalities.
Based on her beliefs and experiences, Kaede concluded that she would head to Izumi’s house, the promised place for their collaboration.
And when she rang the doorbell, ding-dong echoed through.
A moment later, a voice came from across the way.
[Yes. This is Kayanoh.]
Hearing the familiar voice she recognized from broadcasts, Kaede took a deep breath and opened her mouth.
“I’m Shiina. I promised to come today.”
[Ah, yes…! Understood….]
After that response, clunk, the door opened to reveal a small girl.
She was taller than Suzuha, but considering the average height for women, she was definitely short.
If seen without any info, one would easily believe she had just entered middle school.
However, the body line revealed by her clothing indicated that she was not simply a child.
Her light brown hair, flowing down to her waist, was glossy, and her skin could easily be recognized as soft and elastic just by looking.
Lastly, her cold blue eyes stood in stark contrast to her gentle demeanor.
Kaede nearly gasped, her breath momentarily caught, but remembered what her peers and seniors had told her about Izumi’s personality, calming her heart.
Then she said, “Ah, hello. Hehe….”
To the awkward greeting from Izumi, she responded with, “… Want to be secret friends with my older sister?”
In just one second, Kaede was utterly defeated.
That’s right.
Kaede had initially misjudged this situation.
She had a twisted preference for small and cute girls—often referred to as “lolicon” in society.
But what Kaede liked wasn’t just the appearance; the personality was also a crucial factor.
It was only when the small and cute looks combined with a pure and fresh personality that her walls would be stimulated.
Thus, Kaede didn’t react to Suzuha, who, while kind, had a bit of a tough personality.
… No, even if Suzuha’s personality resembled Izumi’s, Kaede probably wouldn’t have reacted at all.
She had always claimed to be a resident of the 2D world.
But occasionally, even in reality, one might encounter someone who possessed an appearance straight out of a manga.
And standing right before Kaede was Izumi.
Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, she had the looks and personality that targeted Kaede’s preferences perfectly.
★
“… Do you want to be secret friends with my older sister?”
Upon hearing that from Hatakawa, I reached a conclusion immediately.
Yep. It’s definitely true that the third-year students are all strange people.
What a relief.
I had worried last time during the collaboration with Mizuki that maybe I was the one with strange biases… but it turned out to be real, not a bias.
So, is the hope of the third years Suzumichi…?
Suzumichi must have it tough, too.
“Uh?! What am I saying…. It’s my first time meeting you! I’m Shiina Momiji! I’ll be working as Hatakawa Kaede from the third-year Atlas. Nice to meet you.”
Fortunately, it seemed Hatakawa realized her mistake and immediately bowed, apologizing to me.
“It’s nice to meet you…. I’m Kayanoh Mina. I’m working as Kainoh Izumi.”
But looking at this, it doesn’t seem like she’s outright a bizarre person….
“Hah, hah, hah, whoa….”
No, that last statement is canceled.
This person is just plain weird.
As soon as the collaboration news spread, Kaguya and Tsurusaki, and even Mizuki, had warned me through DMs to be careful, and now I think I understand why.
…Is it okay to say let’s cancel today’s collaboration?
But given that I suggested the collaboration, that wouldn’t feel right….
“Senior Izumi. We were going to read Maikaron today, right?”
“Ah, yes…. For now, since we don’t have much overlap, I thought it’d be best to start from there….”
“Uh, okay…. I understand….”
For sure, there’s something in Hatakawa’s atmosphere or voice that resembles Aki.
Calm demeanor, and a voice on the quieter side….
But somehow, I didn’t feel the same comfortable vibe as with Aki.
She doesn’t seem like a bad person, though….
[Kaguya Aoba: The off-collab location must, MUST be at your house, senior! Got it?]
Suddenly, I remembered the DM from Kaguya yesterday. Why is that?
Pushing those feelings of unease aside, our collaboration began.
★
[【Off Collab】Chatting with a first-time junior! We’ll be reading Maikaron, so please take care! #KainohIzumi #HatakawaKaede #Star’sFlow]
“KonZumi…. The mood-maker, Kainoh Izumi!”
-Hiizumi!
-Today, we’re finally collaborating with the last member of Atlas!
“And today’s guest, as previously announced, is Hatakawa!”
“Okayede (おかえで)…. This is Hatakawa Kaede, functioning as a guide for Atlas. Please take care of me today….”
-Okayede~
-I look forward to the first collaboration of Izukae!
Hatakawa’s voice as she introduced herself was quiet and composed.
Completely different from the earlier moment when she said something strange and was breathing heavily.
This must surely be how she usually is.
What happened a moment ago must’ve been some problem I was unaware of.
Yep. That must be it.
“So, since this is our first collaboration, don’t you have anything to ask me, junior Hatakawa?”
“Umm….”
-Not a weather conversation?!
-I thought we were definitely going to talk about the weather…
“W-Why would I have to talk about the weather…! I’m a senior who can be relied on by my juniors! So, it wouldn’t be like I’d just talk about the weather because I have no subjects to discuss….”
-Doesn’t that sound a bit embarrassing if you say it that way?
-This is all Mei’s fault.
“Shut up!”
There’s a saying that in the end, what matters is how it concludes.
In other words, this means it doesn’t matter how badly you mess up the beginning as long as you finish well, right?
So while I hadn’t really shown my senior side in collaborations so far, I figured that if I could leave a good final impression, I could carve out an image of being a cool senior… as Akabane said.
“Okay! Junior Hatakawa, you can ask me anything, really…! You can rely on me as your senpai.”
As I confidently straightened up to say this, Hatakawa scratched her cheek shyly and opened her mouth.
“… Can I call you Izuming? I want to be friends with you, senpai….”
“Eh?!”
I, from the start, being called by a nickname…?
In that moment, I was so surprised that I nearly held my breath.
And Izuming. That’s a nickname I never even imagined.
It feels like a name that would belong to someone who would love explosive magic from an old cartoon.
-Junior, that’s quite a tough proposition.
-She definitely seems to be trembling.
“Ah, no?! Yes, you can call me that. I’m y-your senpai, you know.”
-That nickname doesn’t really seem to relate to being a senior at all.
-That’s not a senior-worthy nickname at all.
-Does this girl perhaps look down on me?
“Izuming…. Hehe…. So, nice to meet you.”
“Ah, yes. Nice to meet you, Hatakawa.”
As I allowed her to call me by the nickname, Hatakawa looked at me while covering her mouth with her hand.
She must have been really moved by my impressive senior presence.
Let’s show a lot of this kind of side during today’s collaboration.
That way, for some unknown reason, I can fend off those malicious forces that treat me the same way as Kurokami senpai.
Of course, Kurokami senpai is indeed a “Ponkotsu”, but I’m not at all!
“Okay, then shall we move on to Maikaron?”
I suggested that to Hatakawa.
Although it’d be fine to continue chatting normally, I could miss the timing and not get to read Maikaron if I did.
It’s not that I’m running away, feeling burdened by free talk.
I still have way too much to talk about, like the weather and such… or Weather Story… and so much more.
[KonZumi! Okayede!]
[What were your first impressions of each other, and what led to today’s collaboration?]
“First impression? Should I go first, Izuming…?”
I nodded in reply, and Hatakawa, scratching her cheek for a moment, smiled slightly and answered.
“You were super cute? Yup, heh heh….”
“Ugh…?”
In that instant, my intuition kicked in.
I could end up being devoured here.
-You want to take me home that much?!
“If possible, I really want to take you home… heh. Is that okay, Izuming?”
“No, there’s no way that’s okay!!”
“Ah, I’ve been rejected…. Well, what can I do….”
Hatakawa sighed, looking genuinely disappointed.
“The reason I proposed this collaboration was that Izuming suggested it….”
-Didn’t you just say that you’re a senpai they can rely on?
-The merciless rejection from a senior to a junior…
-This is Yeo-sang, indeed.
-Sorry, but please stick to RP.
No! Of course, you might not know, but didn’t I feel that I was in real danger just now…?
If we went to the police or a court, I would undoubtedly win!
But there wasn’t a single chat in support of my grievance, only opinions on what Hatakawa’s first impression of me was.
“Uuuuu…. My first impression is… um… a strange person….”
“Eh?”
-Finally, that again, haha.
-So it’s confirmed that Atlas is ultimately a gathering of strange folks?
“Yeah…. This organization of Atlas, you know? I absolutely don’t think it’s normal….”
“Well, honestly, I’ll acknowledge it as a guide…. They’re all strange people starting from the boss.”
“I-I’m including you among those strange people, Hatakawa?!”
“I’m the only one who’s still somewhat normal among all here….”
“Absolutely not.”
-So firm about it, haha.
-What on earth could have happened to make Mai-chan’s Atlas like this?
“And the reason for suggesting this collaboration is mostly because Star Festival is coming soon. I thought it’d be easier if we got to know each other beforehand….”
-Are you regretting it?
“… A little bit.”
“Eh~. That’s harsh, Izuming.”
“Ugh?! Don’t come near me! Don’t come near me! Please don’t come near me?!”
-Izukae Teete.
You guys, this isn’t the Teete I’m talking about!!!
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