Hearing this, Eriri raised her eyebrows in slight confusion.

"Eh... I remember that Kasumigaoka Utaha is the type who'll fight if given the chance, right?"

It was the same in the past. As long as Eriri was careless, Kasumigaoka would sneak in and steal the house.

This time, her body has shrunk for such a long time. Logically speaking, Shiyu should not miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attack Aki Tomoya.

"But from the tone of her voice... I feel like she's become quite distant from Lun."

"Don't look at me like that, Sawamura-kun."

Perhaps noticing the subtle change in Eriri's expression, Shiyu smiled bitterly and shook her head.

"Am I, in your eyes, that pathetic woman who is completely focused on men and has no sense of self or ambition?"

"You can't blame me for this. It's because you usually give people this impression..."

"If we have to talk about impressions, I think we're on the same page. Sawamura-kun, don't you also give the impression of being a proud young lady who only cares about Renji-kun and doesn't care about anything else?"

"I—that was in the past!"

Eriri's face flushed and she retorted in a hoarse voice, but this time she did not deny Shiyu's words angrily.

Because what she said was actually right.

"Now, thanks to someone's reminder, I, I... feel like there are more important things to do."

The blonde girl lowered her head slightly, glanced at the black-haired boy beside her at an imperceptible speed, and then pretended to be calm and looked away.

"After all, I've been feeling down because of what happened in the past. I've been constantly thinking about how to make amends to someone who won't forgive me. I feel like it's just a waste of time... Let's put these annoying things aside for now. I want to do something more meaningful that can truly make me happy."

After she mumbled these words, the black-haired boy who was sitting next to her and putting away the small notebook let out a long sigh, smiled slightly, and put his hand on the blonde girl's head.

"Senior, as you can see—my Eriri has really grown up."

His action of rubbing his head like an old father caused Miss Eriri to protest strongly.

"Qing, get down here and get your hands off me! You're going to mess up my hair, you bastard!"

Hmm, Eriri has gradually stopped refuting the father-daughter theory now. (laughs)

Kasumigaoka Utaha quietly looked at the two guys in front of her who had completely opposite personalities and would cause trouble as soon as they met, and raised her eyebrows with a helpless pout.

“…I’m really enviable.”

After a while, her soft sigh made the two people who had started playing and joking again slowly stop what they were doing.

"...What's so enviable?"

Ying Lili pouted in confusion and met Shi Yu's eyes which were filled with a hint of smile.

"You."

The latter also gave a very clear conclusion.

"Huh? What's so special about me that could make Teacher Kasumi Shiko envious?"

Eriri said something in a sarcastic tone that sounded rather deceptive, but Shiyu's eyes remained calm and clear.

"all."

"...?"

What’s going on with this woman—did she not take her medicine today?

"Even though your body shrank, Sawamura-kun, you eventually returned to normal with the help of others, and even gained a good friendship. Ultimately, the syndrome was probably just a false alarm for you, and you were able to return to the talented and popular Kashiwagi Eri."

Shiyu paused, and then her tone became slightly self-deprecating.

"I'm in the same situation as you. I'm facing a difficult situation where my talent isn't recognized and I'm powerless to change the situation."

She glanced at Xingjian, who had been watching her silently, without any tentative look in her eyes.

"As much as I hate to admit it, I really envy you. Whenever Sawamura-kun falls, there's always someone to help him up. Although I've always disliked your naivety and childishness... isn't this also proof that you're well protected by those around you? And I... can only rely on my own efforts to protect myself."

What she just said should be what she really thought.

"You know, not only have my submissions been rejected, but even my posts on social media have been getting very few replies these days—the symbol of Kasumi Shiko may soon completely disappear from everyone's sight."

——The seriousness of the matter seemed to be really beyond imagination. Even Eriri frowned slightly after hearing this.

"With this, I guess I'll have to say goodbye to the days and nights of churning out manuscripts, as well as all the glory and achievements that the name Xia Shizi has brought me."

"...Giving up so easily like that is totally uncharacteristic of you. Where is that powerful and arrogant Kasumigaoka Utaha?"

Eriri made no effort to conceal the uneasiness and irritation that appeared on her face. She slammed the table and quietly leaned forward, looking at Kasumigaoka with burning eyes.

"How about changing the publishing house and editorial department? People can always come up with solutions. If you really can't find one, I can ask my parents to contact you—"

"it's useless."

Before Shiyu could deny it, Xingjian beside her shook her head lightly.

"If this is an effect of puberty syndrome, then it can't be solved with normal methods."

He raised his head and glanced at Shiyu, who nodded slightly at him - probably agreeing with his opinion.

"...I understand the general situation now, and I can make some assumptions at this point."

Hoshimi, who had been listening carefully to what Kasumigaoka Utaha said until now, rubbed his forehead and met Kasumigaoka's gaze with a serious and solemn look.

"The specific manifestation of the puberty syndrome that has occurred in you, Senior, is probably the denial of the recognition that Kasumi Shiko once received from others."

"………negative?"

Eriri, who was almost crying because of Shiyu's self-destructive look, calmed down and wiped her eyes while casting a curious look at Hoshimi.

"Well, considering the various abnormal conditions currently present, that should be the case."

----

----

I wish everyone a happy Chinese Valentine's Day~

It seems like there is nothing much I can give you. I can only wish that after the maintenance of Zhouyou, everyone can get ten consecutive shipments in one shot and get a three-wheeled vehicle in one shot (a blessing from an African captain who spent four 648 kryptonites). Every time the rescue dolls of Girls' Frontline are new<(?д?) Whether you have a partner or not, be happy today!

Kasumigaoka Utaha is unlikely to be out of ideas: Chapter 3 Kasumigaoka Utaha's Dilemma (Part 6)

The returned manuscripts, the comments that "writing like this will not arouse readers' interest in reading", and the reader activity on Kasumi Shiko's social media that gradually decreased over time.

"It's definitely unrealistic to use conventional thinking patterns to combat paranormal phenomena, so there's no need for you to be too depressed. The illusion created by the syndrome doesn't necessarily mean it's real—you're not without talent."

Xingjian stood up from his seat, stretched lazily, and then looked down at his watch with sleepy eyes.

It was already past ten, nearly eleven—time for bed.

"But Eriri was right just now. There is always a way, and anyone can come up with it."

He smiled with relief under the gaze of the two girls, and his childish face, which was naturally well-suited to expressing a healing smile, was filled with only a reassuring emotion.

"So, you can't let yourself collapse before a solution is found. My suggestion is that you put aside these trivial matters tonight and get some rest to regroup. And of course, it would be even better if you can clean up your own house tomorrow morning."

"Eh? Haruna, you..."

Eriri seemed to have sensed something, and gave the boy a confused look that asked, "Where are you going?"

The latter just blinked without changing his expression.

"It's already this late, so of course I have to go back to my own house to sleep. You can't possibly let me stay overnight at the home of a senior of the opposite sex, right?"

"Eh? Eh?"

Eriri looked at Hoshimi who had a natural expression on her face, and then looked at Shiyu who was touched by what Hoshimi had just said. Her little face was full of confusion and uneasiness as if to say, "What about me? What about me?"

"Now that you've recovered, you can't possibly come back to live with me... Besides, it probably takes an hour to get there by car."

Feeling tired, the Hoshimi boy yawned lazily and then met Eriri's gaze.

"Why don't you just live with your senior and have a good time communicating with each other? I always feel like you two have a lot to say to each other."

"--Clam?"

"Well, it's not impossible for Sawamura-kun to stay at my house."

Upon hearing this, Shiyu naturally took over the conversation, narrowed her eyes slightly, and gave a meaningful smile to Eriri whose expression changed.

"But I haven't cleaned the guest room yet, so you might have to sleep in the same bed with me."

"So-so-so-so is going to sleep in the same bed with you! Don't be so self-willed, both of you!"

"Hmm, so you haven't denied wanting to stay at my house, Sawamura-kun?"

"Woo- I didn't!"

"It just so happens that I have a copy of the family photo we took last time. How about [Mom] take you through it again?"

"??? You haven't thrown it away yet?? Are you a devil??"

As expected of a novelist, Kasumigaoka Utaha is always able to find clues of loopholes in other people's speeches and use them to fight back.

"It seems that only by placing Eriri with Senpai can she regain some of her usual spirit."

Xingjian looked at the two people flirting as usual (?), and breathed a sigh of relief.

Eriri didn't continue to refute, probably because she was willing to stay here overnight.

In fact, it is just right. If Eriri can accompany Kasumigaoka Utaha and stop complaining about herself, it would be nice to let Eriri keep her company.

"Well, that's all for today. I'll be heading back first. If I come up with anything later, I'll contact you as soon as I can."

Hoshimi nodded slightly to Kasumigaoka Utaha, then slowly walked towards the entrance under Eriri's angry gaze.

"...Thank you, Hoshimi-kun."

As he lowered his head to change his shoes with his back to the two of them, he heard Kasumigaoka Utaha's sincere thanks from behind him.

"Anyway... no matter what the reason, thank you for being willing to lend me a hand."

"...The fact that Kasumi Shiko can continue writing novels is the greatest reward for me."

The young man, with his back to the two of them, tiptoed lightly on his sneaker-clad feet and expressed his thoughts in a relaxed and natural tone.

"Rather than this, I still hope that you can adjust your condition and face the syndrome in the best condition possible."

He turned around and looked at Shiyu with a pure smile without any impurities, whose expression still showed a hint of apology.

"It's okay. You're not trying to figure this out alone. Eriri and I are here—everything will be fine."

After saying this, he politely said "good night" to the two girls, then walked out of the door of the Kasumigaoka family slowly but steadily, and closed it behind him.

"...Humph, he's just a guy who talks to himself... Although he can be quite reliable sometimes."

After seeing the door closed by Hoshimi, Eriri looked away while muttering, and then retreated to the other end of the sofa with a hostile look on her face - probably wanting to stay away from Kasumigaoka Utaha.

In response to this, Ms. Kasumigaoka Utaha was not at all moved, and even had a slight smile on her face.

"Ah, indeed. I hadn't noticed before, but Hoshimi-kun is actually a very safe underclassman. In that respect, he's quite similar to Kato-san."

"Hmm... Yeah, yeah, I thought so too."

Eriri, who was originally a little wary of Shiyu, nodded quickly in agreement when she heard this.

"But I'm not sure about Kato-kun... When I actually get to know him, Haru is quite different from how he usually appears."

Ying Lili curled her lips in thought.

"Well, a guy with this kind of personality shouldn't be just a nobody, right?"

"Then something unnatural must have happened."

Shiyu keenly noticed the concern in Eriri's words and tried to test them in a non-aggressive tone.

"Well, that's absolutely true... That guy also had a syndrome that has caused him to be marginalized until now... Wait, were you trying to get something out of me, woman?"

"Ah, don't say such harsh words, Sawamura-kun. Please don't distort my normal concern for my junior."

And it seems a little too late for you to realize it now. (Laughs)

"Normal level? Come on! You must be thinking about when to get Qing to your side - he's on my side. When my body shrank, he was always by my side taking care of me!"

Miss Eriri seemed to have said something that was enough to make people proud, and she puffed out her budding chest, while Shiyu beside her couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Pfft...do you mean taking care of you like a new dad?"

"Ah, yes~ It's the newbie—wait, why is the topic surrounding this guy and me always about father and daughter?!!!"

The bickering between Kasumigaoka Utaha and Sawamura Eriri is as deadlocked as ever, but it also has a reassuring sense of being like an everyday occurrence.

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