Banquet

"I became a model for Mashiro and Sagiri..."

Utaha: "..."

"Why did you suddenly become a model?"

Homura glanced at Mashiro, who was busy with her drawing.

"Obviously it's all because Mashiro is drawing a manga."

On the other end of the phone, Utaha frowned.

"A manga? The one you mentioned before, based on real-life events or something?"

"Yeah, that one."

"But does that require you to become a model? I don't recall you taking your clothes off in front of everyone before."

"Mashiro reversed our roles in the manga... what's more, she came up with a pretty good reason too. She said she didn't want to portray a story too close to reality..."

Utaha fell silent for a moment, but it made sense! Mashiro indeed had a point.

"I see... So, Elf intentionally didn't make it clear to see how we would react? She must be having fun with this right now..."

"...Elf was talking to Eriri, but her expression did seem quite cheerful."

Utaha raised an eyebrow. "Sawamura-san? Did Elf only send the message to the two of us?"

"I guess she must have sent it to Megumi too, but maybe she just didn't care and didn't call back."

Utaha paused for a moment, then smiled.

"Well then, I'll hang up now, Homura-kun. See you the day after tomorrow."

"Okay, bye, Utaha-senpai."

After ending the call, Utaha opened the photo Elf had sent her. Although Homura occupied most of the photo, there was a large pile of sketches on the coffee table in the corner, and a hand was visible that she could identify as Mashiro's.

However, most people would overlook this detail; after all, it was just a minor aspect.

'Perhaps it was because Megumi noticed this detail, that's why she didn't make the call?"

Utaha muttered to herself.

"Then again... maybe Megumi saw through Elf's nature and knew she was just playing around, so she didn't pay any attention to this photo at all... Megumi is truly amazing. She's always ignored by people, but once she shows something, it can be quite terrifying."

Though this was just Utaha's thoughts, who could say for sure that her speculation was wrong?

===

Putting down his phone, Homura looked at Sagiri and Mashiro, who had started drawing. He then put on his clothes.

"How? Are you satisfied?" Homura set aside his phone before walking up to Elf and playfully asked while pinching her cheeks.

"Sawtiesfaied..." Elf mumbled unclearly as her cheeks were now slightly deformed from the pinching. "Why hasn't Mehguemi cawled thow?"

Homura paused for a moment before continuing to tease. "Why would Megumi call back?"

"Thish ish a shexy phowto of you. Doeshn't she wan' to ashk anytwhing?" Elf raised her eyebrows and wondered.

'The hell with a sexy photo!' Homura released her cheeks and replied unenthusiastically. "She probably sees through all your tricks, so there's nothing worth asking?"

Finally escaping from Homura's 'claws', Elf rubbed her reddened cheeks and agreed. "That's quite possible, but Megumi is really amazing; she seems to see through any little trick."

'Well, she's the Saint Megumi after all. It's only natural for her to see through some little tricks.' Homura exclaimed inwardly.

"Alright, let's not talk about that." Homura changed the topic. "So, what are you guys planning for dinner tonight?"

Homura was asking about dinner, as he had to attend Eriri's banquet and couldn't have dinner at home.

"It's fine, it's fine. You go about your business. Elf-sama is here after all!" Elf waved her hand and patted her own chest to reassure Homura.

"Okay, then I leave it to you. I'll continue signing; fortunately, there aren't many left, so I'll be done soon. Megumin, feel free to come and play here often."

He didn't forget about Jinno Megumi, but having delayed things, he wondered if she had other matters to attend to.

"Sure, Onii-san... Ah! I almost forgot about the plan with my friends! I might be late! Goodbye, Sagiri-chan!"

As she spoke, Megumin disappeared like the wind, and Homura returned to his own room as soon as possible.

Watching Homura's back, Elf shook her head.

"His signing event is much more exhausting than other people. Fortunately, I didn't plan to hold such a signing event; I only sign occasionally."

"Signing event..." Muramasa pondered. "Is it necessary to organize such a thing?"

"It depends..." Elf contemplated for a moment before replying, "It varies from person to person and their objectives. So, whether it's necessary or not differs for each individual."

"I don't quite understand." Muramasa shook her head.

"For some people, holding a signing event is just to stimulate fans' spending. As for Homura, maybe he just wants to hear his fans' feelings and opinions on his work face-to-face. For him, discussing his work with different people is an interesting thing."

Elf explained while looking at Muramasa's face.

"After all, there are very few people like you who write novels purely for self-entertainment."

Looking at Muramasa's silent behavior, Elf wondered.

'When will Muramasa make a change? Homura, do you have the ability to change her?'

===

In the afternoon, Homura dressed in formal attire and prepared everything before setting off alone.

Sagiri was also invited to the event, but the shy little girl absolutely refused to go.

The venue for the banquet was in the courtyard of the Sawamura Residence. Once Homura entered, he saw the whole courtyard beautifully decorated.

After greeting some friends and acquaintances from the Minamiya family, Homura heard a familiar voice.

"Homura-niisan! We're here!"

Following the voice, Homura recognized several young ladies he knew standing there.

Homura felt a bit puzzled. He looked around but didn't see some young masters from other families. Why did only these young ladies come?

It was rather strange. As far as Homura knew, Japan had many famous big families, such as the Makishima family, the Kotobuki family, and the Shinomiya family. However, there were relatively fewer young masters and more young ladies. But upon careful consideration, that was not a big deal; after all, there was no throne to inherit, so why be obsessed with having sons?

{T/N: After giving it a lot of thought, from hereon, I've decided to change the name of Penglai to Japan. It always feels weird when that name gets mixed into a Japanese setting. Hopefully, it won't mess up and affect the story.}

Thinking about all sorts of irrelevant things in his mind, Homura chuckled and walked towards the ladies.

"Mugi, you guys arrived quite early. I thought I was early enough." Homura said, shifting his gaze. "I didn't expect for you to come too, Saori."

"I wasn't planning to come, but when I heard it was the Sawamura family's banquet from my father, I decided to tag along." Saori replied with a smile.

At this moment, Saori looked gorgeous, completely casting away the shadow of Saori Bajeena, leaving Homura momentarily entranced.

Turning his gaze back, he greeted the other two.

"Kaguya, Chika, it's been a while..."