[TSSIM] Chapter 447: Consequence

In the end, Nozomi answered the phone for Kotori.

"Ayano-san, it's switched to me now."

While talking to Ayano, Nozomi glanced at Homura and felt he must have calculated something.

"Is this Nozomi? What just happened with Kotori?" Ayano asked with a confused tone.

Why did Kotori scream the moment she started talking?

"Well, it was Homura-kun's fault." Nozomi explained briefly. "He said something terrifying like, in the next couple of days, either Honoka-chan or Kotori-chan would definitely get a phone call, and right after he said that, you called Kotori-chan."

After hearing this, Ayano noticed a problem.

"Wait, if what you're saying is true, shouldn't Kotori have screamed when the phone rang?" Ayano asked confusedly. "But she only screamed after answering it?"

As Nozomi looked at the smirk on Homura's face, she made an expression that said 'I knew it'.

"It's because Homura-kun said the caller would ask them 'why'." Nozomi replied, then put the call on speaker.

'Huh? What's going on?'

Ayano was confused for a moment before realizing something.

'Could it be... Homura is pranking them?'

She sighed regretfully before muttering to herself.

"Why... Why didn't he talk to me first before pulling this prank so I could join in?"

Kotori: "…"

Honoka: "…"

"Mou—!"

"Ahh! You dummy!"

Honoka and Kotori quickly threw little punches at Homura's chest.

"What happened?" Ayano was confused again as she heard the girls' voices.

"It's nothing." Homura felt the little punches like a massage and forcefully changed the subject. "By the way, you don't need to worry too much about that alternative story. Besides, it might not even turn out badly."

"I knew you'd say that..." Ayano sighed again. "Otherwise, you wouldn't have posted that statement."

"What are you guys talking about? I don't get it…" Honoka, slightly out of breath from punching, asked curiously.

"It's about how our actions in releasing that story could impact the actual manga…" Eli explained. "I just thought of this too."

"Are we talking about sales?" Umi asked.

"Well, not really..."

Ayano replied, explaining the situation of the Love Live! manga.

"Since the manga is serialized in a magazine, it doesn't really affect the magazine's sales. However, the upcoming manga book version... could definitely be impacted..."

She pointed out the most likely consequence.

"Logically, the story you publicly shared fits more with what fans like. After all, in the manga, aside from the initial struggles, you've been doing great and it's been smooth sailing."

"So... that kind of plot is more popular?" Kotori murmured, feeling too lazy to punch anymore.

In truth, she didn't want to punch harder, but if she held back, it would feel like she was flirting with Homura in front of so many people, which was a bit embarrassing.

"It's not that…"

Homura glanced at Kotori and Honoka, shaking his head.

"It depends on the ending. If the ending is good, then the journey itself, whether it's packed with drama and struggles or just smooth sailing, will be even more appreciated."

"We didn't think that far ahead…" Umi muttered, her voice carrying a hint of guilt.

"I told you it's fine. It's already a done deal that the serialized manga will depict some of your real-life experiences, so I can't just make up something."

Homura smiled gently and reassured Muse.

"That's why, after you uploaded that story and announced it to the public, I immediately made a post and called it an alternative story. So, no matter which version people prefer, it's still my manga with you nine as the main characters."

"Moreover, if the sales of the manga book are really affected, then simply release the alternative version."

Girls: "…"

Ayano: "…"

"...Homura, did you plan all of this out already?!"

Ayano's surprised voice came through the phone.

"Plan? Nah, I just went with the flow." Homura replied casually.

"Went with the flow, my ass. Given what you said, you must've put in some serious effort…" Ayano scoffed. "I was going to give Muse a piece of my mind, but I think I'll skip it now."

"Do what you want. It just depends on whether you feel like lecturing them." Homura said casually. "By the way, Ayano, are you still too busy to have a trip with us this time?"

"Trip?" Ayano began to ponder. "Well, I could manage a day or two… but I think that won't be enough for you guys, right?"

"A day or two? Does that include the weekend?"

"Nope." Ayano denied. "If you include that, it's basically the same as being too busy, right?"

"So, you could take about three or four days off if we include the weekend, right?" Homura continued. "Well, that means you can join us then."

"Yeah, as long as there's no sudden signing event or anything like that, a few days out is totally fine!" Ayano sounded a bit more cheerful.

"Great." Homura smiled. "We're planning to leave at the end of the month, but I'll need a bit more time to nail down the exact date."

"Got it! I'll do my best to clear that time!" Ayano replied enthusiastically. "Oh! By the way, Homura, when is the signing event for Love Live?"

As soon as the topic came up, everyone became interested, especially Honoka and the others, who perked up.

"Love Live's signing event, huh…" Homura rubbed his chin, thinking for a moment. "How about we wait until after the Love Live tournament ends?"

"Hmm, that timing… is it for the hype?" Ayano guessed.

"Honestly, it's hard to say who's hyping who…" Homura smiled wryly. "Right now, the tournament is counting on me since they wouldn't gather much of an audience without my influence. So, picking that time is simply a double win."

While his words had a bit of a boastful vibe, they had to admit he had a point.

"Alright, let's set it around that time." Ayano agreed. "Once the signing event is done, we can head out."

'Speaking of which, after the signing event of Monthly Girls, we also had a trip afterward, right?' Homura thought to himself and chuckled. 'It seems like my vacations and signing events have a funny way of connecting, huh?'

After reconfirming the time, Ayano chatted briefly with Muse before hanging up.

At this moment, Haru finally finished her food and strolled toward the coffee table before jumping onto it. She glanced at the silent group, tilting her head in thought before jumping onto Homura's lap.

With a relaxed smile, Homura started to pet Haru's little head.

"Could someone grab my drawing tools?" Homura asked the silent girls.

Upon hearing this, Honoka's eyes lit up, and she quickly raised her hand.

"I'll do it!"

"Alright, Honoka, they're on my desk."

Honoka eagerly ran over to Homura's room.

After a brief wait, Honoka returned, but she didn't just bring back the drawing tools.

Seeing what Honoka brought, Homura's mouth twitched, but before he could ask, she spoke first.

"Homura-kun! Homura-kun! What's this?"

Homura: "…"