บท 271: Shizuka's Visit

"So..." Elf raised an eyebrow. "You mean you can't use those top voice actors you've booked?"

Homura shook his head.

"It just so happens that Eriri announced the game's completion time as three weeks from now, so there's still some time... But if I don't personally teach them, then it's all over."

His words reminded the girls of his exceptional voice-acting skills.

"Homura-kun knows so many things that we often overlook his other skills." Utaha remarked, a bit exasperated.

"Homura, I know your skills are unquestionable, but can they really learn in such a short time?" Eriri asked with a skeptical tone.

"We won't know until we try." Homura chuckled. "If it doesn't work out, we'll just have to hold another audition for voice actors."

He quickly took out his phone and posted an announcement of Another Dimension's website on his blog.

...

[Minamiya: Hey, everyone! The website for Another Dimension is officially online! If you're interested, please check it out! (Attached URL)]

...

Soon, Homura's blog came to life with activity, but he paid it no mind and continued the previous conversation.

"But I think their chances of passing are quite high. Idols, even if they're just school idols, have a significant advantage in this field. Some skills are easier for them to master than for ordinary people."

Hearing his reasoning, the girls pondered for a moment. Regarding Muse, they thought those girls would be a perfect fit for voice acting roles.

"By the way, you haven't told them about this, have you?" Eriri asked.

"How could I have told them? I only asked if they were available, and they immediately mentioned the school open day. They've been working so hard for the school; I can't distract them with other things, right?"

"Well, Homura-kun, you did the right thing." Megumi nodded. "With Honoka's personality, if she knew, she would definitely agree."

"Yeah, if that happened, they'll have to juggle both tasks and focus on their school activities as well." Nanami added.

Homura chuckled, knowing that everyone understood Honoka's personality. He also remained silent because he knew her so well, but he didn't expect that she also knew a lot about him. Nonetheless, he decided not to inquire further on this matter; in this regard, they seemed to have an unexpected understanding.

One didn't ask what the other didn't say.

Hence, the group moved on from this topic and continued with their respective activities.

===

The next day was the weekend.

As per their usual routine, Homura and the girls would have gone to the Manke Bunko Store. However, this week, with no new releases in sight, Homura consulted with the girls and decided they would stay home today to focus on their work.

Besides, Shizuka was supposed to come over on the weekend. If they were all out, she would have arrived to find an empty house, which seemed a bit pitiful.

"Killing my past self huh..." Utaha muttered, stroking her chin. "It feels strange; it's my first time encountering this kind of scenario."

"It might seem weird at first glance, but if you think about it, it's pretty cool, isn't it? It gives us a lot of inspiration." Elf chimed in.

"Homura, how about this Archer?" Eriri approached.

"Make his skin a bit darker." Homura answered. "After becoming a partner of justice, he's been constantly on the move, so that's why he got tanned..."

"Okay!" Eriri nodded as she walked back to her work desk and started making adjustments.

"Guess who I am~"

Suddenly, Homura's eyes were covered.

"Shizuka, I can't see." Homura calmly spoke up.

"Why?!" Shizuka looked surprised. "I didn't make any sound earlier. How did you guess it was me?"

"Hmm? Shizuka—I mean, Shizuka-nee, you're back!" Eriri, upon hearing Shizuka's voice, quickly turned to greet her.

"Hey, everyone! I just got back, but I didn't expect I couldn't fool Homura-chan." Shizuka said, a bit disappointed.

"Shizuka-nee... you can't fool him. His ears are super sharp. He can tell as soon as you make a sound." Eriri sighed.

"Ehh? Homura-chan has that kind of ability?" Shizuka looked amazed.

'What does she mean by 'that kind of ability'?' Homura's mouth twitched.

"Mom..." Sagiri spoke with a deadpan expression. When would her own mother stop being so eccentric?

"Ehh?! Sagiri's here too?!" Shizuka looked surprised.

Honestly, everyone else was more shocked than Shizuka. How could she have been here all this time without even realizing her own daughter was around? Was this on purpose?

"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean it that way! I thought Sagiri was still in her room!" Shizuka tried to explain after seeing everyone's expression, realizing her choice of words was inappropriate.

However, she carefully looked around at everyone in the room.

"There are quite a few more people here compared to last time..." Shizuka mumbled before making a happy expression. "But I know them all!"

Homura, who had just stood up, silently sat back down. It seemed like there was no need for him to introduce everyone.

===

After Shizuka and the four girls she hadn't met before introduced themselves, she once again joined Homura.

"Homura-chan, is this your new work?" Shizuka looked around, finding it quite intriguing. Even though she didn't fully grasp some of the plot, it didn't dampen her enthusiasm.

"Yup. How is it? Do you like it?"

"It's quite interesting..." Shizuka pondered. "But for now, I can only see a small part. It should be even more exciting once it's finished!"

"Have you seen Sagiri's character design?" Homura asked, his interest piqued.

"Yes! It's a cute loli!" Shizuka nodded. "It really captures Sagiri's art style!"

"Mom, come over here!" Sagiri waved at Shizuka.

"Hmm?"

Shizuka approached Sagiri's desk with a confused expression, and upon arriving, Sagiri quickly leaned in close to her ear.

With Homura's keen hearing, he caught Sagiri's words.

"Um... Mom, can you teach me that secret move?"

His mouth couldn't help but twitch, pretending not to have heard.

===

After lunch.

"Oh, I love this cozy feeling of having Haru-chan with me!"

A satisfied Shizuka, having eaten her fill, sat on the couch, cradling Haru.

"How long will you stay this time?" Homura asked.

"I'm heading back tomorrow..."

"Then take these two days to rest and spend time with Sagiri." Homura nodded and glanced at the time. "I should get going."

"Um? Homura-chan, where are you going?"

Homura thought for a moment, a bit uncertain.

"I have a teacher home visit?"

"A home visit? Homura-chan, you're a teacher now?" Shizuka was speechless. What had happened in the past couple of weeks?

"Yeah, a home visit with another teacher..." Homura said as he picked up his already packed bag and waved to everyone. "Let Sagiri explain the details to you. Haru, we're leaving!"

Hearing Homura's call, Haru leaped out of Shizuka's arms, leaving her feeling empty-handed.

"???" Shizuka tilted her head in confusion before looking at her daughter with a pitiful expression. "Sagiri-chan..."

Sagiri furrowed her brow, organized her thoughts, and began slowly recounting the events of the past few weeks, with Eriri occasionally chiming in.

Shizuka's eyes began to sparkle as she listened.

'You've had quite an exciting time during this time huh... No wonder... Sagiri seems so much more cheerful now...' Shizuka thought with amazement.