บท 138: Concluded

Since it started like this, there was no choice but to continue!

Because Kotori, Umi, Hanayo, and Rin were all filled with anticipation, it wouldn't be fair to favor one over the others, right?

So, each of them received a personalized signature with their chibi version, including the trio supporters. He also signed for Nico's. He asked the girls to pass it along, or else, if she realized she didn't have it, she would definitely feel left out.

"What about me?" Ayano said displeased.

Homura: "..."

'Alright! Luckily, I brought a few more!' Homura handed a chibi version of Ayano to her.

Ayano accepted it with a satisfied expression.

"Well then, let's leave it at that for today! Everything has been successfully concluded!" Homura said to the Muse girls. "The next time I come, all nine of you must be present! Otherwise, don't bother inviting me."

"Ehh~?!"

"What's with the 'Ehh~'!" Homura narrowed his eyes. "It's such a simple thing! What's there to be surprised about? Remember, if the nine of you aren't all together, don't look for me."

"Okay! Don't worry, Homura-kun! You've already helped us so much. If we can't even fulfill this basic task, we won't have the face to ask for your help again!" Honoka said with determination.

"Oh?" Homura smirked. "It may be easy for others, but Ayase-senpai isn't that simple, you know?"

Eli: "..."

'Me again?! Why isn't it over yet?!' Eli said frustratedly in her mind.

Honoka slapped her chest. "No problem! If it doesn't work, I'll stalk her! If she doesn't join, I'll move in with her!"

Everyone broke into a cold sweat. Such persistence... Honoka was truly something!

"That's right! Persist until she surrenders!" Homura raised his thumb.

"That's enough!" Eli suddenly shouted. "I'll join right now!"

He raised an eyebrow, what an unexpected gain!

"Now that Eli-chi has joined, it's only natural that I'm there too!" of course, it was Nozomi who said this.

"Only one person left... Looks like the miraculous nine will gather sooner than expected," Homura murmured quietly to himself, then waved to the girls. "Well, I'm leaving now! See you next time!"

"..."

"Although his voice was soft, everyone should have heard it, right?" Nozomi suddenly asked.

"The miraculous nine..." Eli seemed somewhat contemplative.

"It's like he has already determined the nine of us, and... it wouldn't work with anyone else," Maki was puzzled. Why was that?

"It doesn't matter!" Honoka said, "No matter how you look at it, Homura-kun really trusts us, right? We have no other choice but to go ahead and do it, right?"

They all fell silent for a moment, then slowly smiled... At this moment, Honoka was indeed the one who could lead Muse forward!

Yes! We can only go ahead and do it! There's no need to overthink!

""Yeah!""

===

"Ahh~! This trip was worth it. I feel quite satisfied!" Homura emerged from the auditorium and stretched his body.

"I actually think all of this development is quite reasonable. The only thing that surprised me was that you added an extra scene." Ayano raised an eyebrow.

"Well, there was no other way. It only made sense if I drew it that way, right?"

"That's why I find you terrifying! You saw through all those little sheep, didn't you?" She suddenly wore a fearful expression. "You couldn't have seen through me too, could you?!"

Homura made a dismissive gesture with a blank expression. "Impossible! I can't turn you into a manga character."

"What?!" Ayano protested. "Why can't I be turned into a manga character?"

"Because there's no interesting storyline! Unless I draw a fictional manga using your identity, it's just not possible!"

Ayano's voice lowered. "Though that is true, hearing you say that still hurts a bit..."

"But..." Ayano changed the subject. "If I can't, what about you?"

"Me?" Homura casually replied. "Should I draw myself? There's nothing interesting to draw..."

"For example, a mangaka and an assistant?" Ayano suddenly said.

"Pfft, Haha!" Homura burst out laughing!

What did he hear? Mangaka and Assistant? That absurd and funny manga?!

Ayano looked bewildered. "Why are you reacting so strongly? Is there something strange about it?"

'Because, my dear, I simply can't do it! Whenever I hear the words 'Mangaka and Assistant', all I can think of is that eccentric and boundlessly energetic mangaka, Yuuki!' {TN: From a manga called: The Comic Artist and His Assistants / Mangaka-san to Assistant-san.}

Homura wiped his mouth and said in a strange tone, "Let's not dwell on that material... Besides, I don't even have an assistant, right?"

"Then you can draw your daily life! Every time I see your group, it's so interesting, and I'm sure there's plenty of comedy material. Plus, you can include Haru-chan!" Ayano seemed to become more eloquent as she spoke.

Once again, he felt that when it came to manga, her sense was always so keen!

As they walked and talked, he started pondering with his hand on his chin. It didn't seem like a bad idea, after all.

He contemplated the feasibility of her proposal, but it seemed like there was a lack of material, and even if he were to draw it, he couldn't depict it realistically. It would require many modifications.

Now may not be the best time, but it should be possible in the future. When he spreads the otaku culture and introduces many classic and masterpiece works from his past life, it would be a great moment to create such a work.

"Let's discuss it again! There's no rush for this lighthearted daily-life manga!"

"Alright then..." Ayano shook her head helplessly.

The two of them returned to her car. As soon as they sat down, he handed the manuscript of 'The Teasing Master Takagi-san' over to her.

"What's this?" Ayano took it, puzzled, and glanced at it. "Is this the new manga you were talking about? Let me have a look!"

Since they weren't in a hurry to go back, he might as well let her read it first.

He paid close attention to her expressions. Through subtle changes, he could still discern her general thoughts.

"Hmm... It looks good!" Ayano nodded and continued, "It's entertaining but unexpectedly heartwarming!"

"Yeah! As expected, your stories are always exciting! It never disappoints." She kept the copy safely, knowing that he would definitely keep the original manuscript for his own collection.

"'Love Live!' is about to be published soon, which means, I will serialize three manga together. I've really been working hard huh? Hopefully, other mangaka won't come after me, hehe..." Homura said, amused by his own words.

"Only three? Is that a lot for you?" Ayano pouted. "I know your speed! You could serialize ten series at once and it still wouldn't be too much for you!"

"If that is the case, when would I have time to manage my circle?" Homura replied irritably. "...Utaha-senpai even suggested creating a special magazine issue just for me at Manke Weekly. I don't know what she's thinking..."

"It's natural for capable people to take on more work. What else could she be thinking?" Ayano said. "But creating a special issue for you alone isn't a good idea. If you release all of your masterpieces together in a single magazine issue, they won't be considered masterpieces anymore. There needs to be some comparison, after all."

Homura quickly interjected, "Please don't make others resent me! Your statement is practically saying I'm using others' manga as stepping stones!"

"Fufu! Don't worry!"

Ayano laughed and started the car, officially beginning their journey back.

===

Support and check advanced chapters at:

pat*reon.com/VALRRR