In this crossover anime, I've been bound to two systems.

"Haruhi! That's all in the past, and besides, I don't care at all."

"No, I have to say, please let me continue. Many things you only realize their importance to you when you lose them. I don't consider myself a weak person, but during the days I didn't contact you, I was afraid and anxious every single day."

Suzumiya Chisato's tone was indifferent, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

"However, I'm not afraid that our relationship will continue like this, but I'm afraid... if it really continues like this, I'll gradually become able to accept Sawamura Eriri and the fact that she will no longer be around... If I really become so indifferent, I'm afraid of becoming that kind of person."

"..."

"I don't want to forget the feelings I had for Eriri."

"!"

Eriri Sawamura felt something gently knead a very soft spot in her heart.

…………

Chapter Thirty-Two: She No Longer Resisted

"What I'm about to say, Eriri, is just a complaint or a grumble. Don't think about what it means or how to answer it. It's just me talking to myself on a whim."

"kindness……"

"So far, I can say that my life has been happy. I don't have many complaints about any aspect of life. But after I met you, I realized that my life could be even happier. Whether it's painting, studying, or anything else, as long as I think of you, any thing that is difficult to persevere in will immediately gain motivation."

However, just like a child seeing a toy they like, they certainly don't just want to look at it through a shop window, but want to buy it and actually own it.

I had that thought and did that at that time. I knew it wasn't the right thing to do, but I did it anyway. I wanted to get Eriri's attention and wasn't content with just being friends anymore.

Thankfully, you weren't angry with me for it, but looking back now, I guess I was so sure you wouldn't really blame me that I did something so audacious. In some ways, I might have been an utterly despicable scumbag..."

"That's not how it works!"

Hearing Suzumiya Senri's soft laughter, Eriri Sawamura could no longer remain silent and interrupted.

She felt a heaviness in her heart. She couldn't quite put her finger on what it was, but without a doubt, she didn't like it, nor did she like Suzumiya Chisato using such a derogatory term to describe her.

"Suzumiya, you're not such a despicable person. You've always been very serious and hardworking in helping your friends. When Tomoya had a sudden whim, you spent a lot of time and energy helping him fulfill his dream. You even privately asked your mother to make sure Tomoya didn't work so hard at the ranch and repeatedly begged her to give Tomoya more pay. I heard everything you and your mother whispered in the kitchen that day."

Suzumiya Chisato simply smiled gently, her expression unchanged despite Sawamura Eriri's words.

He is denying it.

"That doesn't prove anything; perhaps it's just a small pang of conscience on my part?"

"That's not it..."

"Don't cry now, if you don't have any tissues, you'll have to borrow my shirt to wipe your nose."

“Who would cry?”

"I just heard someone blowing their nose."

"It's just that a bug flew into my nostril."

"Hiss, for a moment I'm actually a little envious of that bug, what should I do?"

"Pfft... Don't tell such disgusting jokes!"

The atmosphere eased slightly, and Eriri Sawamura lay down again.

The two lay side by side once again, gazing up at the starry sky.

After a while, Suzumiya Chisato spoke again, her voice slow and deliberate.

"Eri Sawamura, I'm about to do something I've been holding back for a long time: I want to hold your hand."

"!"

"Because I've been holding on for so long, this time I might hold your hand for a little longer. By the way, my palms might be a little sweaty because I'm nervous. So this time, it's okay if you don't want to. I'm going to slowly extend my left hand that's in front of my chest. If you don't want to, just move away."

"..."

The left hand leaves the chest and slowly moves to the side.

When she touched that small hand, she didn't choose to avoid it. Instead, the moment their hands touched, she took the initiative to hook her little finger with his.

Suzumiya Senri silently curled the corners of his mouth, then filled the gaps between the other's fingers with his own, and the two held hands tightly.

"And... I don't have sweaty hands, you liar, you weren't nervous at all."

To ease her shyness, Eriri Sawamura took the initiative to speak.

"I was very nervous, but I didn't show it too obviously. My heart was beating very fast. You can hear it if you don't believe me."

"I want to move……"

"Oh."

"...It's time to go back to your room and sleep now, isn't it?"

"When we go back, we'll go back through the side entrance of the hotel; no teacher will see us."

Eriri Sawamura didn't resist your outstretched hand; in fact, to your surprise, she made a slight, proactive move, which delighted you.

[On her way down the mountain, a strange sound and rustling suddenly came from the dense foliage beside the road. Eriri Sawamura was so startled that she lost her footing and tripped, twisting her ankle.]

You feel a little annoyed. The Dark Wings went a bit too far and didn't achieve the scenario you envisioned, where Sawamura Eriri would be frightened and rush into your arms.

[But it's okay. You carried Eriri Sawamura on your back the whole way down the mountain. She clung to your shoulders, and you held her little bottom, lifting her up every now and then. Although Eriri was a little shy during the process, your relationship definitely deepened after that night.]

On the seventh day of the training camp, Eriri Sawamura was unable to participate in group activities due to a sprained ankle and was resting in her hotel room. You took sick leave midway through the camp, bought some liniment from outside, and came to her room. You asked her to take off her shoes and socks, and knelt down to apply the ointment to her. While doing so, you touched all the skin around her calf and ankle. You could clearly feel that Eriri Sawamura's resistance to you was not as strong as before.

On the ninth night of the training camp, Eriri Sawamura's ankle had recovered. You asked her to go shopping together. Without you even having to say anything, your hands naturally intertwined. She seemed perfectly comfortable with this level of physical contact, as long as no other classmates saw. You had a great time at the night market, and on the way back, you took photos together at local attractions, your intimate poses resembling those of a couple deeply in love.

After the training camp ended, you returned to normal school life, and everything went back to normal. Aki Tomoya, who had finished working at the ranch, had lost weight but had earned a lot of money. He happily wanted to treat you to a meal to thank you, but you politely declined with a smile.

[Days passed by, and summer vacation was fast approaching. Your current relationship with Eriri Sawamura is such that whenever you're alone together, you can hold her hand very naturally, and she doesn't resist at all. Sometimes, when she's in a good mood, she'll even playfully scratch your palm with her little hand.]

You feel it's time to take the most important step in the development process. You have several plans in mind, but you're still hesitating about which one to implement...

【1. Eriri, let's go to the aquarium during summer vacation.】

【2. Eriri, come visit my ranch during summer vacation!】

【3. Eriri, teach me how to draw manga during summer vacation.】

…………

Chapter Thirty-Three: Matters Related to the Comic

"..."

Regardless of the three options given, what Suzumiya Chisato is more concerned about is what exactly "the most important step in development" means.

Is this a sign that they're no longer satisfied with just holding hands and want to do something more exciting, going straight to the stomach?

It feels like it's all happening too fast. The fox's tail is being revealed so quickly. Won't it scare Sawamura Eriri away?

After all, judging from the text descriptions in The Sims, she still seems to have a vague affection for Aki Tomoya, the guy she grew up with.

However, there's no use thinking about it now. All he can do is choose the most suitable and safest option to prevent the situation from ending in tragedy.

The fact that Kasumigaoka Utaha, that awkward woman, ran away with her daughter after many years of marriage, left him feeling uneasy about this simulated ending.

This time, a similar ending must not be repeated.

A happy ending is desired, not a bad ending!

Choose three.

[This matter is of great importance, and instead of rushing to a conclusion, you spent the entire night thinking about it.]

If you want to take your relationship with Eriri Sawamura to the next level, the aquarium is not the best choice, because you won't have much time together there. You'll go in the morning and come back the same evening.

Furthermore, the aquarium is a public place. Based on Eriri Sawamura's personality, she would at most hold your hand as usual in a public place, and it's unlikely that she would develop a closer relationship with you. The location is not suitable.

In conclusion, you've crossed out the idea of ​​going to the aquarium.

[Think again about whether there's anything wrong with suggesting that you invite Eriri Sawamura to your family's rural ranch after summer vacation.]

At the ranch, you can take Eriri Sawamura to see all the cute animals. You can use teaching her to ride a horse as an excuse to have her sit in front of you, and you can naturally put your arm around her waist. The two of you can be very intimate. You can also take her to the stream in the back mountain to catch fish and shrimp. You might even be able to let her wear a swimsuit and give you a good look.

However, there are a few issues. If you only invite Eriri Sawamura, will it seem like you have ulterior motives, making her wary? If you don't want her to think that way, it's simple: just invite Tomo Aki as well. But then, with someone in the way, the private time you're hoping for will be gone.

You should put this plan on hold for now and consider the last option.

The last option is slightly different. You don't plan to invite Eriri Sawamura to go anywhere, but instead want to ask her for advice on manga composition and conception techniques.

Of course, this isn't genuine; it's just a way to strengthen your connection. It allows you to legitimately go to Eriri Sawamura's room during summer vacation, or have her come to your room. The advantage of this plan is that it's both lasting and private.

When you're being taught how to draw manga, as the student, you completely control the learning progress. As long as you still have doubts and haven't mastered the skills, you can continue to use this method to get along with Eriri Sawamura.

What's even more wonderful is that when you're teaching painting techniques, you and Eriri Sawamura will definitely be in a room together. This environment is relatively private, and Eriri doesn't have to care about other people's opinions. As long as things aren't too outrageous, she'll probably accept them all with a touch of shyness.

This is also a good thing for you. Because you want to get closer to her, you have more room to maneuver in an environment she is familiar with.

Of course, the most important point is that the manga you asked about isn't the kind of all-ages manga that can be published openly in Weekly Shonen Jump, but rather the kind that's a bit risqué and mischievous, not so serious.

In such a learning environment, it's hard to imagine that nothing will spark between the two of you.

After weighing the options, you ultimately chose the third option.

That was really premeditated...

If I had put that same effort into my studies, I would probably be number one in my grade by now, and getting into Tokyo University after graduation wouldn't be a problem at all.

A few days before summer vacation, you and Eriri Sawamura had lunch on the rooftop. You asked her about her summer plans, and she said her parents were going on vacation abroad, and she was considering whether to go with them.

After hearing this, you laughed and said, "Don't you think it's strange that you'd go on your parents' trip?" Eriri Sawamura puffed out her cheeks and said, "Yeah, it seems so..." She gave up on her plan to go on vacation with them.

You removed the rice grain from the corner of her mouth and then mentioned your desire to learn manga. Eriri Sawamura became interested and volunteered to teach you, and the matter was settled smoothly.

This semester is over, and summer vacation has officially begun.

[Aki Tomoya is still the same as always; he's either working or on his way to work. You've repeatedly advised him to take care of his health, but he just gives perfunctory replies and doesn't seem to care.]

You started going to Eriri Sawamura's house regularly every day. In the morning, she would teach you manga drawing techniques; at noon, you would cook lunch for her, whose cooking skills were practically nonexistent; and in the afternoon, when you were tired and sleepy, you would simply lie down on her bed and sleep. After waking up, you would watch movies or anime together. Eriri Sawamura became increasingly accustomed to your presence around her.

Feeling the time was right, you went to Eriri Sawamura's room today and asked her about adult-themed doujinshi.

Eriri Sawamura didn't expect you to bring this up suddenly, but she still forced herself to answer your question, despite feeling embarrassed.

First-person perspective.