Chapter 97: "An Uncomfortable Glance and Future Plans"

**Tadano's POV**

Right now, I'm deeply regretting having rejected Yamai.

Shinomiya: "You should have waited..."

Tadano: "I was prepared for some drama, but this is too much..." I murmured to myself as I tried to move.

However, a mother and daughter pair were preventing me from doing so, clinging to me as if their lives depended on it.

Tadano: "Come on, it wasn't that long..." I said in a helpless voice.

Hitomi: "I knew it! Onii-chan would become rebellious sooner or later at this rate... Look, mom! Now Onii-chan leaves the house whenever he wants!" the girl exclaimed in an accusatory tone.

Jeanne: "Uwaaaaah... Hito-chan, don't abandon mama..." she said in a plaintive tone.

I rolled my eyes at their melodrama.

Tadano: "Yes, yes... now let go quickly, or I won't be able to make dinner," I said as I tried to move.

Upon hearing that it was about food, their grips loosened, and they both looked at me with stars in their eyes.

Jeanne: "Mama wants fried tofu!"

Hitomi: "I want sushi!"

They both said in a spoiled tone.

Tadano: "..."

Shinomiya: "Good luck..."

Nagisa: "You can do it, Tadano-san..."

Tomoya: "Good luck... hahaha."

...

*One week later*

**Tadano's POV**

I was having lunch with our usual group when an incident occurred.

Tadano: "... Hahaha, yes, and then Ai..."

Strange Girl: "Gah! What is this... the dormant power within me is reacting..." said a strange girl with an eye patch.

This caught everyone's attention.

Seeing her well and knowing who she was, I paled.

Before I could react, she continued.

Striking a dramatic pose and looking fervently, the girl directed her attention to Shouko.

Strange Girl: "Could it be... The Princess Komilia!?" she said in the most exaggerated tone she could muster.

Hearing her words felt like a dagger piercing my chest.

Damn, was my former self really like this?

God, this is truly embarrassing.

On the other hand, Ai and Kaede seemed amused by the situation.

Although Najimi was very extroverted, this took her by surprise, and even she felt a bit uncomfortable.

As for Shouko, she was so shocked that she couldn't even take out her notebook to communicate.

Najimi: "Ehm... Etto... Shouko-chan, do you know Nakanaka-san?" she asked awkwardly.

Hearing Najimi's words, Nakanaka-san replied energetically.

Nakanaka: "Princess Komilia! Could it be you've forgotten? I am..." she said energetically, placing a hand on her chest, ready for a grand introduction.

Unable to bear the embarrassment any longer, I interrupted this girl.

Tadano: "Let's keep this short... Shouko, it seems Nakanaka-san wants to get your attention. She probably wants to be your friend. Isn't that right?" I said calmly, looking at Nakanaka.

She was a bit stunned by the interruption, and after understanding my words, her face turned red with embarrassment.

However, trying to maintain her character, she continued.

Nakanaka: "O-Of course! The princess Komilia and I are destined to..." she said haughtily.

Tadano: "Do you want to be her friend or not? Tell me clearly," I said, interrupting her.

I had nothing against this girl; in fact, I was really interested in her tech skills and video games. But I couldn't stand her Chuunibyou side; it brought back bad memories of the former Tadano.

Nakanaka: "Eh? Oh! Y-Yes... Please..." she said timidly.

Shouko looked at Nakanaka and then at me, seeking my opinion.

I nodded.

Seeing my nod, she got excited and took Nakanaka's hands.

In a calm voice, she said,

Shouko: "In that case, Nakanaka-san, I'll be in your care from now on. My name is Komi Shouko. I hope we get along well," she said with a kind smile.

Nakanaka: "Ehm... I... Ahm... I-I also hope to get along w-well with you, Komi-san... m-my name is Nakanaka Omoharu..." she said shyly.

I smiled at the pair of girls.

Tadano: "Well, in that case, why don't you join us in the lab after P.E.?"

Nakanaka: "Eh?"

Hearing the word "lab," Shouko's eyes sparkled.

She has taken a great interest in the Fate story. So she follows me to the lab whenever she can.

Even though I've finished most of the programming part, I still need to touch up the art.

I decided to put more effort into making them look more like their counterparts in the Heaven's Feel movie.

This took longer but caught the attention of Shouko and Ai, who snuck into the lab to watch me work.

Shouko: "Yes! Nakanaka-san, why don't you join us? You might like it," she said excitedly.

Nakanaka: "O-Okay..." she responded.

...

Time passes.

During P.E. class, I could see how the group of girls supported each other.

My surprise was that not only did Shouko hang out with Nakanaka, but Yamai also joined them.

But instead of fighting as in the original story, she decided to support her in a role more akin to what Nene would do, and this time Yamai took on the role of an older sister to Nakanaka.

Tadano: "I have a feeling that maybe I broke Yamai too much."

Shinomiya: "Well, at least she's not chasing people with a big knife in the name of love. Isn't that better?"

Tadano: "I suppose you're right."

With Shouko's kind attitude and Yamai's gentle guidance, Nakanaka was able to relax her Chuunibyou attitude a bit.

The rest of the class passed in a pleasant atmosphere.

...

**Afternoon**

**Computer Lab**

Nakanaka: "Uwoooooooohhh! All this is amazing! So detailed and such a rich story!" said the Chuunibyou while taking the sketches and reading the notes on them.

Shouko nodded energetically, and Ai, on the side, jumped excitedly while showing another sketch to Nakanaka.

Ai: "Look... look! This is my favorite! He's a handsome guy, and according to the notes, he's very strong!" she said with bright eyes while showing off her favorite character.

On the sheet Ai was holding, you could see a man with slicked-back hair, a pair of piercing eyes, and an arrogant expression on his handsome face, his body covered in detailed armor.

Ai: "His name is Gilgamesh, and Tadano-nii said his armor is golden, just like his hair... isn't that cool!" said little Ai while jumping with excitement.

Shouko, next to her, showed off the sketch of Saber and also bragged about it.

Nakanaka nodded in understanding but showed another sketch.

It was none other than Archer.

This led to a showdown among the three about who was the coolest.

I saw Yamai from the corner of my eye hiding the sketch of Berserker.

In the lab, it was just these four.

The rest had important things to take care of and couldn't attend.

...

After school, I walked Yamai and Ai back home.

Ai could now walk calmly without fear of anything.

The issue of her identity was resolved with the help of Kaguya, and with Yamai by her side, she didn't need to worry about the lack of money.

Little by little, this little star has gained more confidence lately.

Her skills as an idol have also grown.

She had already mastered the song I gave her when we started her training.

Still, I kept instructing her to stay in shape.

With the help of Ichigo and Miyako, we managed to arrange a performance at Miyako's father's club.

That would be where she made her debut.

Also, with my help and Yamai's, we would promote her through social media, leveraging the great popularity of the Wandering Musician.

At the same time, we would make the name of our company public with Ai as our star.

And in time, we could launch the Hololive Initiative.

Agari, Yamai, and Ichigo had found some of the necessary girls.

So Ai's performance was very important, and everything had to be handled carefully.

That's why...

Tadano: "And that's how you should act..." I said as I deactivated my camouflage ability.

The little star's eyes sparkled.

Ai: "Again! Ai wants to see it again!" she said, jumping with excitement.

I rolled my eyes at her reaction.

Behind Ai, Yamai, who was leaning against the wall watching everything, smiled with amusement.

Tadano: "Little devil, you're quick to learn and still want me to do it again?" I said in an annoyed voice.

Ai: "You can't blame me... Ai is very surprised to see how Tadano-nii becomes Tadano-nee... Pfft... Hahaha!" she said, unable to contain her laughter at the end.

That's right, I was giving Ai a practical example while taking on a form similar to what Ai had in the original plot.

Which fascinated Ai and also amused her to see me change from a man to a woman with my ability.

Tadano: "No... that's all for today. Now get up, it's time to do your homework,"

 I said while taking a notebook out of my bag.

Ai: "Eh!? Why? Studying is boring!" she said reluctantly.

Tadano: "Hey! Even though you're a little genius for entertainment, you need to polish that talent. Studying can speed up your thought process and give you the basic rationality to act at the right moments," I said while tapping her head with the book.

Ai: "Ouch! That hurt! Yamai-nee! Tadano-nii is bullying me! You have to defend me!" she said in a lamentable voice while running to hide behind Yamai.

Yamai smiled at seeing her spoiled act and rubbed her head.

Yamai: "Come on, little one. Be obedient, and big sister will buy you the Bubble Tea you like so much~" she said in a kind tone.

Little Ai's eyes sparkled.

Ai: "Really?" she asked for confirmation.

Yamai: "Yes," she said while rubbing the starlet's silky hair.

Ai: "Yay! Big sister Yamai is the best! Ai will work hard on her homework!" she said while snatching the notebook from me and sitting down to do her homework.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at this.

Tadano: "You're spoiling her..." I said bitterly.

Yamai: "Hehe, what's wrong with that? She's doing her homework, isn't she? Besides, Ai is a good girl; she just needs the right incentive," she said gently.

Tadano: "Good girl? This brat is getting more rebellious by the day. I fear she'll be as unruly as my little sister. Ahh~ where did that adorable little girl I met at the train station go?" I said nostalgically.

Ai: "Hey! Ai is still adorable! Ai is the most beautiful, adorable, and talented girl of all!" she growled, annoyed.

Tadano: "Yes, yes... now continue with your homework, and if I see more than five mistakes, there won't be any karaage in tomorrow's bento."

Ai: "You monster! You wouldn't dare!" she said with a melodramatic expression.

It seems the lessons with Nagisa have worked wonders for her.

Tadano: "Mwahahaha! Try me, little one, let's see how you suffer," I said in a typical Disney villain tone.

We both shared a look and then laughed.

Yamai couldn't help but laugh as well.

...

After putting Ai to bed and about to leave, Yamai took my hand.

When I turned my head to see her, she just gave me a shy look briefly before turning her head and pulling me towards the bathroom.

In a timid tone, she said,

Yamai: "You've sweated a lot while training Ai, why don't you take a bath before you leave..." she said with cheeks as red as a tomato.

I smiled mischievously, knowing what she wanted, but I didn't refuse. It wouldn't hurt to get home a little later today.

Not long after, the singing of fairies and the warmth of youth filled the bathroom.

Unknown to the couple having fun in the bath, a little mischievous star was listening to everything from outside, with a complex yet curious expression.

**Author's Note:**

Hello everyone,

Here's the promised chapter. I was going to post one yesterday, but I only had the energy to write 300 words, and that wasn't enough for a chapter. So I added them to what I wrote today. I hope you like it.

Remember to drink plenty of water and know that I love you all.

Sincerely,

Your favorite depressed author.

----------------------------------------- nwnr