Someone's Scream?

The fans of Another Dimension, especially the manga readers of Homura's works, can't believe it - the heavy news just keeps coming one after another!

Just the other day, Another Dimension announced the release of a visual novel game called 'Your Name.', and today, just as they were still digesting that news, there was another piece of news about the signing event for 'Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun' and the tankobon release!

"Wow! Another one?! These past few days have been completely dominated by news from Another Dimension and Minamiya-sensei!"

"Ahahaha~ That's right! I feel sorry for those who were planning to make it onto the hot search list these past few days but ended up with nothing!"

"Yeah, for real. Everything that's not related to Another Dimension is getting pushed out of the top ten."

"But because of that, it's hard to imagine just how many people will show up on the day of the signing event."

"I bet there will be tens of thousands of people."

"Well... I feel sorry for Minamiya-sensei then, but no matter how sorry I feel, I won't miss the event. Sorry, Minamiya-sensei!"

"You're shameless, dude!"

===

As the discussion gradually became more heated, Homura began to sweat.

"...What the heck! How many people will be attending? If it weren't for my strong body and stamina, I'd be dead tired."

The group of girls also looked on speechlessly, completely unaware that their added fuel would cause such a stir!

However, this situation was understandable. In the past, even if they all shared a post simultaneously, they couldn't reach this level, but now is the time when their popularity is at its peak!

*King called me to patrol the mountain~*

Homura answered the phone, "Ayano? What's up?"

Ayano hesitated for a moment, then said, "...What do you mean by what's up? Obviously, it's about the signing event! This is too intense!"

Homura helplessly replied, "What can I do? Who knew these people would be so crazy..."

"So Homura, what are you going to do?"

"What else can I do? Just keep going all afternoon! We'll finish until there's no one left!" Homura had just considered this question, but he couldn't restrict people from entering, could he?

So there's nothing he can do... This is the love of people for Otaku Culture! He just had to go all out!

"I'm just worried that your small body won't be able to handle it! From afternoon until evening, you've probably already signed thousands of books! Judging by this level of enthusiasm... it might not be over until the second half of the night!"

His face darkened. What do you mean by 'your small body can't handle it'? Does she want him to prove how tough his body is?

Homura snorted, "Don't worry! I'm very strong!"

"Oh? Then I really want to see how strong you are?" Ayano teased.

"Enough already!" Eriri was going crazy with his ambiguous talk on the phone.

"Hmm? Homura, did you put me on speakerphone?" Ayano asked.

"No, I didn't."

"Ohh~ I see~"

He felt that Ayano's voice was full of teasing. And by the way, did Eriri misunderstand something?

"Hmph!" Eriri's face turned slightly red.

Utaha suddenly had an idea in her mind, 'Should we add Ayano-san to the list of competitors as well? Hmm... let's put that on hold!'

"Okay, I won't bother you anymore!" Ayano said seriously. "So, on the day of the signing event, there are no restrictions aside from maintaining order, right?"

"Yes, if we impose any special restrictions, it wouldn't be fair to the fans."

"Understood. I will report it tomorrow."

Homura thought for a moment and suddenly remembered something. "Ayano, are we still going to Otonokizaka High tomorrow?"

"Hmm?" Ayano asked in confusion. "What's wrong?"

"Isn't their first performance the day after tomorrow? How about we go on the day of the performance instead?"

"Now is their most crucial moment, right?" Homura continued, organizing his thoughts. "So their focus is all on this performance. If we go tomorrow, it may disturb their practice."

Ayano thought for a moment and agreed, "Alright, I'll let them know. Homura, do you have anything else?"

"Does a new manga count?"

Ayano: "..."

"Isn't that the most important thing?!" Ayano screamed at him.

"Haha~ don't worry, we'll talk about it when we meet." Homura just laughed it off.

"You are really... hahh, alright, bye!"

"Okay! Bye!"

===

In Honoka's house.

Honoka, Kotori, and Umi were all here at the moment.

"I see... alright, I got it, Ayano-san. We'll do our best for our first performance! Mhm, goodbye~!" Kotori hung up her phone.

Honoka eagerly asked, "What happened? What did Ayano-san say?"

Kotori looked at her two friends and said, "Ayano-san said that she and Homura-kun won't be coming over tomorrow."

"Huh? Why not?" Honoka exclaimed in surprise.

"Yeah... why?" Umi asked, "Is there something going on with Homura-kun tomorrow?"

"No, Ayano-san said that tomorrow is the most important day before the performance, and Homura-kun doesn't want to disturb us during our practice, so they'll come to the venue on the day of the performance."

"I see..." Umi nodded and then her expression changed, "But now that you mention it, I'm starting to feel a bit nervous!"

"Anyway!" Honoka slammed the table, "We must work even harder! Because the day after tomorrow will decide our Muse destiny!"

Kotori also agreed, "Yeah~ all we can do now is practice even harder!"

Watching the two of them pumped up, Umi slapped her cheeks, "Yosh! Since we're going to work even harder... I'll train you guys hard tomorrow!"

"Huh? Umi-chan! Are you a devil?!" Honoka turned pale, it would be too scary to be trained by her so harshly!

Umi immediately sneered, "What? Weren't you the one who dragged me into becoming a school idol?"

Honoka twirled her finger, hesitating, "But, training..."

"Forget it! Don't even think about slacking off!"

"Umi-chan is truly a devil~!!!" This was Honoka's scream of despair...

===

"Huh?" Homura frowned. "Is it just my imagination?"

"What's wrong?" Megumi asked, looking at his expression.

"I feel like... I just heard someone scream," Homura said uncertainly.

"Scream? I didn't hear anything," Eriri spat out sarcastically. "Are you going to pick up an injured little animal later and discover the existence of another world with its help, and become a magical girl fighting against the forces of darkness?"

Everyone: "..."

"What the hell, a magical girl?!" Homura almost choked himself! Why are the thought processes of these girls becoming more and more bizarre?!

"By the way, isn't that supposed to be Utaha-senpai's habit?" Homura couldn't help but comment about Eriri's bizarre imagination and speculation.

"Me? If it were me..." Utaha pondered, "Homura-kun would have sensed something amiss upon hearing the scream and rushed out of the door in worry. He would have stumbled upon a scene where a group of delinquents were harassing a beautiful girl. Without hesitation, he would have swiftly intervened and defeated them with just a few powerful blows!"

"The beautiful girl would have been overwhelmed with gratitude, ready to offer herself as a token of thanks... but, in an unexpected turn of events, Homura-kun would have soon realized that the 'girl' was actually a pretty boy?!"

"Hahaha!" Everyone burst out laughing.