บท 166: Their Past with Homura

"But..." Umi looked doubtful, "Does Honoka really have her own belief? She always acts on impulse, right?"

Honoka: "..."

"Umi-chan, that's so mean! How can you say that!" Honoka pouted, looking upset.

"It's because you always act before thinking! Suddenly you have an idea, and then you just go and do it!" Umi said, annoyed. She had always been the 'victim' of Honoka's various actions since they were young. However, all her words were just nonsense and purely for teasing Honoka. Even if Honoka dragged her into doing things she didn't like, she never regretted it.

"But thanks to you, I and Kotori have also seen many sceneries we had never seen before," exhaled Umi with relief. "So, it's really great that we can become best friends, isn't it? Honoka."

"Umi-chan..." Honoka touched Umi's hand, deeply moved.

The atmosphere suddenly became heartwarming. Tsumugi also watched the scene with a fascinated smile and a flushed face.

Homura: "..."

What on earth caused Tsumugi to act like that?!

But it seemed like she simply admired the pure emotions between girls and nothing more, right?

"Speaking of Honoka's shining points, there are quite a few, you know!" Homura suddenly blurted out, interrupting the heartwarming atmosphere. This caused a pout to form on Tsumugi's face.

"For example?" asked Nozomi with curiosity.

Didn't she already know herself? Was she interested in his opinion?

"She's full of energy and vitality, with an infectious smile that makes others unconsciously follow along. And she has that persistent nature of 'if you don't agree, I'll pester you until you do!', something like that." Homura's last words made the girls bewildered. Was that a compliment?!

However, Maki, who had been constantly pestered by Honoka, instinctively nodded.

"Just kidding! Haha..." Homura laughed. "But her persistence... After being a school idol for so long, even in the face of the most difficult training, although she always complains, let me ask you... has she ever given up?"

Finally, Homura asked the members of Muse.

"Similarly, all nine of you have persisted, which serves as your collective shining point. The journey towards Muse miracles and your unwavering determination are inseparable. Always remember this!"

The group from Light Music Club felt embarrassed... Persistence, huh? It seems like only drinking tea is something they can persist with?

But honestly, the girls of Light Music Club were another miracle themselves. Despite hardly practicing together, they were unbelievably in sync when it came to crucial moments. Although they each secretly practiced on their own, it had to be said that the chemistry between them was really good.

"Oh, right!" Honoka called out and looked at Eriri. "Can we continue the topic from earlier? I'm really curious about how everyone from Another Dimension got to know Homura-kun!"

"Eh? Were you discussing that topic before we arrived?" Ritsu also joined in. "We want to hear it too, right? Mio?"

Mio hesitated for a moment, but her curiosity got the better of her, and she nodded!

After that, everyone who was curious about Homura and Another Dimension gathered around. Rin, Hanayo, Nico, and the girls from Light Music Club formed a circle around the members of Another Dimension, while the others stood in an outer circle, all looking quite interested. Even Kuroneko, who temporarily felt out of place, just stood to the side, ready to listen.

Under the gaze of so many eyes, Sagiri felt the most uncomfortable. Unable to bear it, she took out her mask and put it on, then squeezed closer to Homura's side.

The little loli Tamaki's eyes brightened. She crawled onto the sofa and sat directly in Homura's lap!

Kuroneko: "!!!"

Sagiri: "?!!!"

Kirino stared at him with envy, tears almost welling up in her eyes!

Homura laughed and couldn't help but ruffle Tamaki''s head.

After Sagiri, it was Izumi's turn. The young girl felt a bit nervous with someone keeping an eye on her. However, when she thought about attending Comiket in the future, she realized that there would probably be even more people watching her. After this realization, she actually felt less nervous.

Muramasa also felt somewhat awkward. She glanced around, feeling a bit out of place. However, since everyone seemed well-intentioned, she reluctantly moved closer to Elf's side.

Elf smiled seeing Muramasa's movement and her smile seemed to carry some deeper meaning.

Eriri sighed helplessly, recalling the events of the past few days. She slowly said, "I was probably the first person Homura invited. It was about a month ago, in an art supplies store..."

===

In the beginning, it was Eriri, followed by Megumi, then Utaha. All the girls listened with great interest.

"Ah, I see! So everyone invited by Homura-niisan is from the same school as him! And Eriri was invited first just because she knew Homura-niisan since childhood, right?" Tsumugi suddenly realized.

Eriri: "..."

Although what she said was true, why did it sound a bit unpleasant?

"Um... did you also know Homura-niisan since childhood?" Yui asked suddenly.

"Um, yeah. It was at a banquet, right, Eriri?" Tsumugi said, looking at Eriri.

"Yeah, that's right. Originally, I didn't want to attend any banquet that day, but unexpectedly, I met this guy." Eriri pouted, but she had a smile on her face.

"I did too!" Saori defiantly spoke up. "I also met Homura-shi by accident at a banquet!"

She continued, "Ahh, it's such a coincidence. Who would have thought that after that, we became good friends."

Homura shook his head. "Come to think of it, we only met because of our parents, right? We were just kids back then, and being taken to a banquet was actually a normal and frequent thing."

"Is it always banquets and more banquets, nyaa?" Rin squinted her eyes. "Is this what life in high society is like?"

""That sounds so nice..."" Instantly, Hanayo and Nico felt a sense of longing.

Homura glanced at Eriri, Tsumugi, and Saori, wearing a wry smile on his face. "Actually, you guys are imagining things too beautifully."

"Why?" Yui, with her innocent expression, asked. "Aren't there lots of delicious cakes and tea at the banquet? Oh? Now that I think about it... banquets are really great!"

Homura: "..."

"Cakes and tea... well, they're there, but the purpose of the banquet is not just about eating, you know?" Homura asked. "Mugi, Saori, do you really think the banquet is as wonderful as Yui says?"

Tsumugi and Saori, who weren't very familiar with each other, exchanged glances and shook their heads.

"Most of the time, my father is discussing business. The banquet itself isn't that important; it's just the way people are invited." Tsumugi answered.

"Me too." Saori also answered.

"What about you, Eriri?" Homura turned to Eriri and asked.

"It's all about connection..." Eriri answered without hesitation. "Building relationships with various important people. That's what most banquets are about."

"And so, this is the banquet you all long for..." Homura shattered their beautiful fantasies along with the three girls' statements...