You Two Dating?

As the two of them looked shocked, Homura chuckled and asked, "Is there a problem?"

The high school student Kosaka Kirino was speechless at his words.

She looked at the tall figure of Makishima Saori, her rustic attire, and the round glasses, and then at Homura, wondering what he was going to say next.

"You seem to have a misunderstanding!" Homura said directly, "Saori deliberately dressed up like this! She is brilliant and gorgeous, most otaku girls wouldn't come close to her when they see the 'real' her, so as the moderator of this "Otaku Girls Unite!", she dressed like this on purpose."

Kirino fell silent. She was the perfect example herself and couldn't help but take a closer look at Saori.

"Well, well! Homura-shi, don't say that. I can also be shy you know," Saori said with a smile, but there was no trace of shyness in her voice.

Homura also realized it when he heard this.

Makishima Saori does get shy, but not when she's acting as the otaku Saori Bajeena. Then, looking at her, he said, "You know, everything else is fine, but your round glasses are just too much! They almost cover half of your face!"

"Ehehehe! You know, I have to dress like this, or I won't be able to talk like this," Saori explained with a smile.

Homura nodded and said, "Yes, I understand. After you dress like this, it's like you've switched personalities."

"But I still want to say that these two girls are probably special to you. So, it's better for them to know you a little better," Homura suggested.

Saori reluctantly said, "I wanted to take it slow, but I didn't expect you to expose it so quickly."

"Well, it's just that I'm not used to seeing you like this," Homura said apologetically.

"Are you guys also close in private?" Kuroneko suddenly interjected.

Saori responded, "Oh! You're right, Kuroneko-shi. Homura-shi and I are indeed very close. Our relationship as otaku friends has made us even closer!"

Kirino looked at her suspiciously and suddenly asked, "Are you two... dating?"

Saori suddenly fell silent, twisting her body coyly as Homura gave her a look of exasperation.

"Kosaka Kirino-san, didn't you forget that this girl thought that I was Ayano's boyfriend just a moment ago?" Homura explained helplessly.

Kirino answered while pouting, "Fine!"

"Tch~" Saori replied, uninterested. It was finally getting a little bit fun, and yet Homura explained it away so quickly. It would've been nice if he played along for a bit.

Homura's veins bulged on his forehead, "You're addicted to acting, aren't you?!"

"Mwahahaha~!" Saori laughed heartily, hiding behind Kotori.

It's funny how she gets so playful when she's not acting like a princess...

Homura sighed and shook his head, checking the time. He felt that his two companions at home would soon wake up, so he said goodbye.

"Well, Homura-shi, let's see each other next time!" Saori, along with Kirino and Kuroneko, left the cafe.

Before leaving, Homura gave a wink to Ayano as she nodded, signaling that she won't forget about the school idol affair.

"Umm, can I have that drawing of me?" Kotori hesitated before asking, looking expectantly at Homura and Ayano.

Ayano smiled and said, "I have no problem with it! But you should ask Homura."

"OK! Take it, or should I draw another one for you?" Homura offered.

Kotori quickly shook her head and said, "No, I just want that one!"

Ayano reluctantly handed the drawing to Kotori, and Homura chuckled, waving goodbye before leaving the cafe after paying.

===

On his way home, Homura bought a book about massage to learn and improve his skills. He also took a look at his System.

[Character Name]: Minamiya Homura

[Level]: 7 (40/700)

[Skill Points]: 8

[Pet Name]: Haru

[Level]: 15 → 16

===

Homura: "..."

Level 7 already? How many people saw me practicing Tai Chi this morning?

Haru leveling up wasn't surprising, but he didn't expect to level up himself.

But it's great that he leveled up. Even if he learns massage and gets it to Level 6, he'll still have two points left. Should he add some points to his Cooking Skills? After all, he's already mastered cooking, so adding more points should make his cooking even better, right?

To satisfy his craving for delicious food, Homura decided to add some points to cooking!

The manga has already been signed, so he'll soon be getting a lot of experience points, and this little bit won't make a difference.

Afterward, Homura bought a bunch of vegetables and was ready to test out his Level 6 Cooking Skills. As for the reason... let's just say it's to celebrate the manga signing!"

===

"I'm back!"

*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!*

A black shadow flashed, and the little one had already jumped into Homura's arms.

"Haha, thank you little one, for always coming to greet me. It's really nice to have you around!" Homura rubbed the little one's face happily, then put her on his shoulder.

"It smells really good! It must be something special to eat!" Haru said to Homura.

"Oh? I just bought your favorite, I didn't expect you to find out so quickly!" Homura didn't expect the sealed packaging to be found by Haru so easily. Was it because of her level upgrade?

"Welcome back, Homura-kun." Megumi welcomed him and took the things from his hand naturally, like a newlywed wife.

Homura was also taken aback. They usually came back together, but he didn't expect it to be like this now.

"...Oh! I'm back, Megumi."

Megumi held the heavy shopping bag and asked in confusion, "Homura-kun, why did you buy so much?"

Homura smiled and replied, "I just signed the contract! Let's celebrate tonight, and we'll just make something simple for lunch. The feast will be in the evening."

"By the way, have Utaha-senpai and Eriri awake yet?"

"They've already awake, they're both in the activity room." Megumi's voice came from the kitchen.

Homura sighed, "I really invited the right members. They're so dedicated that I feel bad for slacking off!"

After stretching his body a bit, Homura put Haru on the sofa and went to the kitchen, saying, "Megumi, let's prepare lunch first! I've already eaten, so we'll just prepare your portions!"

"Don't you want to eat something more?" Megumi asked him, tilting her head.

Homura shook his head and laughed, "I'll just leave my stomach empty so I can eat more at dinner!"

After showing the manga manuscript to Ayano today, Homura and Megumi got busy.

Homura occasionally gave her some tips on cooking, and she learned very quickly... but she was a little puzzled as to why Homura seemed to be even better than before?

Did something happen?

But she didn't ask, not sure if she should wait for Homura to tell her, or wait for someone else to ask.

After preparing lunch for everyone, Homura went upstairs and after Sagiri opened the door, he suggested, "Sagiri, because Nii-san's manga has been signed, we're having a feast tonight to celebrate. Do you want to come down?"

Sagiri was shocked, "Wha- Wha- What?! Nii-san is drawing manga? And already signed? Why didn't I know about this?!"

Homura: "..."

'Didn't tell you?'