Tokyo: Oreimo

As if stressed, Takashiro Ryouno instantly reverted to her tiger-like form, baring her teeth at Ryosuke.

"puff."

Ryosuke laughed out loud.

This is right, this is the Takashiro Ryouno he knows.

"Don't worry, after all, you helped me promote the game, so in return, I'll take care of this."

"Huh?"

Takashiro Ryouno's expression became quite interesting. She seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, feeling somewhat fortunate, but she still couldn't help but show a shocked expression on her face.

"Are you trying to recommend visual novels to your sister's friends?"

"There's nothing we can do about it, isn't there?"

"....abnormal."

Takashiro Ryouno muttered something.

Ryosuke didn't pay any attention to the girl's words.

He wondered if he should ask Phoenix Institute to burn a clean copy to test the waters first.

After saying goodbye to Ryosuke Takagi, Ryosuke prepared to leave her room.

"Hey."

"Is there anything else?"

Ryosuke stopped in his tracks.

Ryosuke Takagi was still sitting on the tatami mat, her head turned away, the ends of her hair covering her profile, making it difficult for Ryosuke to see her expression.

"I'm entrusting the matter of Liuli to you."

"I understand. I'll express my gratitude later."

"I'll prepare a gift for you..."

Ling Nai's voice was so faint that Ryosuke couldn't hear it at all.

"Ok?"

"Hey, if you can help me get away with this, I'll give you a gift!"

Chapter 77's main focus is on grabbing attention!

August 12th, Jin Yao Day.

It was still summer vacation, and Takashiro Ryouno got up very early today. The sun had just risen and the clock hands pointed to six o'clock when she went out.

Today is the first day of Comic Market, and as one of the exhibitors, she has to get to Tokyo Big Sight as soon as possible.

I had promised Ryosuke that I would at least help Phoenix Institute set up their booth before I went to the exhibition myself.

If it weren't for the fact that there were no trams running any earlier, she would have even planned to leave two hours earlier.

"With that guy covering for us, Father shouldn't say anything, right?"

This was the first time she had gone out so early. She changed into her disguise, put on sunglasses and a mask, and quietly avoided her father's sight, which gave her a rather thrilling feeling.

"It's such an important day, and that guy is still sleeping in. But I'll forgive him since he helped me."

Speaking of which, if it weren't for Ryosuke, she probably would have missed the first day of the performance.

"I wonder what he's going to do with Liuli today. Could it be that he really has feelings for Liuli?"

On the train, Takashiro Ryouno was still a bit groggy from waking up early, and her mind kept wandering in that direction.

"She even said she'd help me recommend visual novels to her... If that succeeds, wouldn't that prove that Ruri is closer to him? It's something I can't even do."

The girl suddenly felt some discomfort in her chest.

My brother, whom I don't know when, has become so close to my friend that they can meet up alone.

"I always felt that guy was unusually popular with women, which was really annoying."

Takashiro Ryouno pouted and complained.

.....

When the train arrived at the station, a large number of people poured out of the train. She quickened her pace and followed the gradually gathering crowd, soon arriving at Tokyo Big Sight.

I took out my phone to check the time.

It was just past 7 a.m., and there was already a long queue at the entrance of the exhibition hall. You could not see the end of the line at all.

Takashiro Ryo was used to it; it was something he had known for a long time, the kind of influence that comes with the largest doujinshi convention in Japan.

These three days are the only two holy wars that otaku across the country participate in throughout the year.

If you don't line up early, the high-quality pieces will sell out very quickly.

Normally, she would probably appear in that winding queue two hours later, but this time, she has special privileges!

"Hey, you black cat, come over here!"

At the agreed location, she saw a familiar figure and waved to him.

A girl dressed in what looked like elementary school student clothing was attracted by the sound and walked towards her.

"Giving someone a nickname without permission is extremely rude and childish."

Gokou Mao fiddled with the long hair behind her ear and retorted with a smirk.

"You bastard, you were the one who gave me the nickname first, like 'blonde brat' or something."

"By the way, this outfit suits you very well. I must say, you really do have the figure of an elementary school student."

Takashiro Ryouno was initially somewhat dissatisfied, but after carefully examining the other party, her eyes lit up.

Upon closer inspection, isn't this Sakura's school uniform from Cardcaptor Sakura?

It's quite a wonderful feeling to have the comic book costumes I designed myself come to life.

"You've stepped on my taboo again. Oh well, I'll just take it as a compliment."

Mao Gokou wasn't angry at what the other person said. Since their previous offline meeting, the two had become acquainted through mutual misunderstanding.

In the online chat room, they found they had similar interests, and she gradually learned that the girl named Takashiro Ryouno was not saying such things out of malice.

It's simply that they can't express themselves frankly.

"Where did you buy this? Are cosplay costumes already being sold in the market?"

Takashiro Ryou suddenly had the urge to try it on.

"Oh, if you beg me, I can make one for you. My mother is a worker in a textile company, and I asked her to make it."

"Humph."

Takashiro Ryouno pursed her lips, telling her that bowing down to this black cat was absolutely impossible.

"Hmph, I won't beg you. This kind of clothing is nothing special."

"Really? Then stop making that 'I can't have you' look on your face, you're practically drooling."

Gokou Mao mercilessly exposed Ling Nai's forced composure. Since the other party's words were barbed, she didn't mind retaliating.

"What the hell? You're so annoying."

"Be with each other."

"As an employee of an exhibitor, I should at least express my gratitude for getting you in early, right?"

"Haven't I already paid the price of voluntary labor?"

Because Ryosuke was worried that Hououin Saori alone wouldn't be able to handle the first day, he specially invited Gokou Mao to help.

With Takashiro Ryōno joining in, the two of them taking turns helping should reduce a significant portion of the pressure.

The website administrator readily agreed, as it would save on ticket and queuing expenses.

"By the way, Ryosuke didn't come today?"

"If there are other matters to attend to, it will be near the end of the event."

"Really? That's a bit of a shame."

"Itsuki Masao said calmly."

Takashiro Ryouno answered casually because she was looking for a stall, but she quickly realized what she meant.

"Wait, what did you just call that guy?"

"Ryosuke, I think I'm not mistaken."

"Of course I know that! The problem is, how could you call him by his first name? That's really weird."

Takashiro Ryouna frowned, a feeling of unease welling up inside her.

What? We've only met once.

Calling someone by their first name is something only close friends do, especially when a girl addresses a boy.

"Because calling me 'Takashiro-sensei' or 'Takashiro-kun' sounds too formal. If you really want to know another reason..."

Gokou Mao raised an eyebrow and gave a slightly enigmatic smile. "Because I want to."

What kind of reason is that?

Takashiro Ryou glared at her fiercely, tossed her hair, and strode away.

"Hmph! Shameless bastard!"

Gokou Mao looked at her back with some surprise.

She seems angry.

"It seems I haven't realized how possessive I am, but that's fine too."

The petite girl muttered something to herself and followed him with light steps.

......