Tokyo: Oreimo

She simply wanted to establish a way to contact him to ensure that the other party wouldn't have any wrong ideas about Ling Nai.

But after she said those words, her action of grabbing Ryosuke's clothes became somewhat ambiguous.

Ryosuke Takagi was taken aback by her sudden request, but he didn't say much. He took the phone from Ruri Aragaki, entered his newly registered phone number, and handed it back.

"Please take care of me in the future. If you need anything, please feel free to contact me."

He glanced at Takashiro Ryouno, then looked away and back at the girl in front of him.

"Thank you, elder brother."

Ruri Aragaki shoved her phone into her pocket, a blush creeping onto her face. Her shy demeanor was captivating to any man.

But Ryosuke is able to.

It's a pity, if only it weren't for a lesbian.

He didn't deny that the girl in front of him was to his liking, but orientation was the fundamental issue; the other person liked girls.

Ryosuke Takagi moved away, and before leaving, he said goodbye to Ryosuke Takagi.

"Don't stay out too late, go home early."

"I want you to take care of it!"

Takashiro Ryou snorted and turned the back of her head to him.

......

After saying goodbye to the two beautiful young women, Ryosuke Takashiro walked out of the mall. A cold wind blew in, making him shiver.

"Let's make a call first, I remember the number is..."

He took out his phone and dialed the number he had just received yesterday.

A beeping sound came through my ear, and soon, with a click, the call connected.

"Hello, who is this?"

On the other end of the phone, a rather strange voice came through, somewhat like a synthesized electronic voice.

"Phoenix Academy? I am Shi Yuze."

Ryosuke spoke into the phone his online name, which was the same as the author of "Kino's Journey," and he frequented the internet.

This was his only means of accessing large amounts of information, relying on the PC his father had recently acquired for official business, which was equipped with the Windows 95 operating system.

This netizen's full online name is Phoenix Inu Ichiro, and he frequents various emerging forums, especially those related to anime and games.

"Huh? You actually called? Are you in Tokyo?"

"Yeah, that's why I called you, wondering if we should meet up in person."

"Unfortunately, I'm currently preparing my entry for the Comic Market, so I might be free in about a month."

Ryosuke tilted his head.

"CM?"

The Comic Market, or CM for short, that the other party mentioned is the world's largest doujinshi (fan-made comics) market and a mecca for otaku worldwide.

Ryosuke Takagi had naturally heard of such a massive event, but he had never been to one because he hated queuing.

Based on the past years' popularity, the waiting time is at least two hours.

"What? Interested? How about we meet at the exhibition? We can use the exhibitor lane, and you can help me sell some of my merchandise while you're at it, okay?"

An invitation came from the other end of the phone. Ryosuke Takagi thought for two seconds and decided to accept. After all, if there was no queue, it wouldn't be a bad idea to go and have some fun.

"See you at CM then. This is my phone number. I'll contact you again later."

"Got it. By the way, you've finished tracking your sister? That's really weird. You're not interested in her, are you?"

The other person's tone was teasing, and Ryosuke couldn't help but roll his eyes.

"I guess it's finished? You're such a gossip."

"If it's a visual novel, this is a crucial flag. You should seize the opportunity; it might improve your relationship and eventually lead to a happy ending."

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Ryosuke Takagi couldn't help but laugh and scold. This guy was used to joking around online, but I didn't expect him to be able to easily use some spicy words on the phone.

"This was just a friendly reminder. If you don't appreciate it, that's fine. Let's leave it at that and talk again when we meet in a while."

Some off-screen voices came through the phone, and Phoenix Courtyard hurriedly hung up.

Ryosuke didn't think anything of it and put his phone in his pocket.

He'd known Phoenix Inu for three years, having met him online. During the time he was tormented by his memories, chatting with this guy always allowed him to briefly forget his pain.

Over time, they naturally became very good friends.

In this relationship, the other person always played the role of listener. Ryosuke knew very little about him, only that he was a programmer who loved anime and manga.

It's a pity we couldn't meet this time, but the winter break is still long, so there will always be another chance.

"Let's find a place to stay first."

......

Tokyo hotels are indeed expensive; one night's accommodation cost him 1 yen.

But this is an unavoidable expense.

The following day, after signing the contract at the Kadokawa Building, Ryosuke exchanged contact information with Rumi Hayakawa and then took the train home.

By the time he got back to his doorstep, it was already four o'clock in the afternoon.

"I am back."

He pushed open the door and entered, changing his shoes in the entryway, and the sound of footsteps could be heard inside.

"Ryosuke's back?"

Mieko peeked out from the living room, a smile on her face.

"Yes, I stayed for a day and met up with some friends."

Ryosuke casually replied that he had informed his parents before leaving that he would be staying out overnight, so as not to worry Mieko.

"That, about Ling Nai..."

Ryosuke walked towards the living room, just about to tell Mieko about his mission.

The next second, he saw the blonde beauty on the living room sofa. She was wearing an oversized hooded sweatshirt that reached up to her thighs.

He lay sprawled on the sofa, completely unguarded, without a trace of seriousness.

Their eyes met.

"You bastard!" Takashiro Ryouno interrupted him as if she wanted to speak first.

"He told me to go home early, but he spent the night outside!"

Mieko was also standing nearby, covering her mouth and chuckling softly, her gaze shifting back and forth between the siblings.

Surprisingly, Ayano, who always ignored Ryosuke, took the initiative to greet him, although her tone was somewhat unfriendly.

"I want you to manage."

Ryosuke grinned and returned the words verbatim.

"you!"

Takashiro Ryouno jumped up from the sofa and strode over to Ryosuke, looking him straight in the eye.

His eyes were as sharp as a tiger cub's.

She grabbed Ryosuke's wrist immediately.

"doing what?"

"Come to my room, I have something to tell you!"

hiss!

Ryosuke Takagi tried to break free, but found that Ryouno's hand was like an iron clamp, holding him tightly and dragging him upstairs.

What kind of incredible strength is this? Is it inherited from his burly father?

Overwhelmed by the force, Ryosuke Takagi simply gave up resisting, gave his mother a reassuring look, and was dragged away.

"What? Do you know I guarded the door last night and didn't sleep a wink?"

"He actually spent the night out without saying a word! I'm so angry!"

Takashiro Ryouno muttered to herself as she pressed Ryosuke down onto the tatami mat, then sat down opposite him.

The girl sat on the floor with the door tightly shut, her two white legs crossed, her arms wrapped around her chest, staring at him with a hostile expression.

"So, what's up?"

Ryosuke looked around the girl's room, which was filled with pink decorations.

Besides the wardrobe and bed, the only other thing in the room was a desk with an old-fashioned computer on it, which was turned on.

"You're asking me what I need?"

"Are you planning to tell them about what happened to me in the comic book editorial department?"

"Do you mean seeing you being bullied and crying like a child?"

"!"

When the embarrassing incident was brought up, Takashiro Ryouno's face turned bright red, and she almost jumped up to cover the other person's mouth.

"Shut up!"

"Don't mention that again. Forget about it!"

Ling Nai spoke in a rather threatening tone.

"Also, you're not allowed to mention to them that I'm drawing comics."

"Heh." Ryosuke shrugged. "Shouldn't you act like you're asking someone for a favor?"

Ryosuke Takagi didn't actually intend to tell his parents about his discovery, but Ayano's reaction was so interesting that he couldn't help but have the idea to play around with it.

"What? Do you want me to kowtow to you?"