[TSSIM] Chapter 408: Eriri's Sadness

Kaguya's explanation confirmed the girls' suspicions completely.

"I always thought Chika-chan said that on purpose..." Nozomi remarked with a knowing look.

Meanwhile, the other girls looked around and saw that Chika had already disappeared from the camera, but a strand of her hair revealed she was still listening from the side.

"Afterwards, I also thought something was off, so I had Hayasaka tell me about how Homura-kun and Chika came in and said that Chika immediately distanced herself from them as soon as she entered." Kaguya continued her explanation.

"So, whether Homura-kun whispered or not didn't matter since it was entirely up to Chika, huh..." Utaha chuckled.

"I didn't lie..." Chika muttered quietly.

"But this isn't the main point, the main point is just that one sentence." Kaguya said with a pout. "Besides, I thought about it just now. You always visit me alone, but why did you suddenly call Homura-kun to join you?"

At this point, Eriri was truly dumbfounded.

Was this really the same innocent Chika she remembered?

A moment later, Chika peeked her head halfway into the camera with a blush.

"Isn't it because Megumi-chan told me that Homura-kun's are too strong... I was a bit scared without Kaguya-chan, so..."

Everyone: "..."

Utaha and Nozomi gave Megumi a meaningful glance.

They now understood why Homura suddenly went to hug Megumi earlier.

Who wouldn't be touched by someone willing to go to such lengths for them?

In their eyes, Megumi now had the aura of a queen, a terrifying woman indeed.

"Hiks... Hiks..."

'Huh?' Everyone raised their eyebrows upon hearing a weird sound.

"Hiks... Hiks..."

Everyone turned their heads to see Eriri with tears streaming down her face.

"..."

Homura, feeling a bit distressed, pulled Eriri into his embrace.

"What's up with her?" Chika poked her head out, looking puzzled.

"Eriri has tried to ambush Homura-kun three times now, but she's failed every single time... And Chika... you succeeded on your first try..."

Even Utaha felt a bit sorry for her rival and patted Eriri's head as she explained to Chika and Kaguya.

Chika: "..."

Kaguya: "..."

Ai: "..."

"Hiks... It's all because of... ugh... you, woman... hiks... Otherwise, I would've... succeeded... ugh... on the first try... hiks—WAAAAAAHHH—!"

As Eriri spoke, she became more and more upset until finally, like a bursting dam, she burst into tears, throwing herself into Homura's arms.

Utaha wanted to retort confidently, but seeing Eriri in this state, she just couldn't bring herself to do it.

Homura wanted to carry Eriri back to his room, but if he did, she would definitely struggle and scream something like, "Let go of me! I don't want your pity!".

In other words, he couldn't move.

He could only kiss her gently on the cheek and hold her silently to alleviate her sadness.

At the same time, Utaha continued to give Eriri a gentle headpat, while Megumi walked up behind Eriri and hugged her softly. Even Haru jumped over from Homura's other side, pressing her body against Eriri's stomach.

Seeing this, everyone else stayed quiet, thinking this was for the best.

Only Chika was really uncomfortable, feeling like Eriri's current state was her fault.

After thinking for a long time, Chika blushed and finally spoke up.

"Eriri! How about you join us?! Three people! Although... maybe even then we won't be Homura-kun's match..."

Her voice grew quieter and quieter.

On the other hand, everyone was stunned upon hearing Chika's bold suggestion.

What did she mean by that?

"But three people are stronger than two!" Chika continued.

At this point, even Eriri stopped crying, looking at Chika with red eyes.

After being silent for a while, Eriri wiped her tears forcefully and huffed.

"Hmph~ Three people? We've got way more than that here!"

Chika: "..."

"Isn't it just Megumi-chan who did it..." Chika mumbled, feeling a bit wronged.

"..." Eriri fell silent for a while before blurting out. "Screw it! No more ambush! Tonight, I'm going all out!"

Her words were like a thunderclap, shocking everyone.

Utaha twitched her mouth and withdrew her hand that patted Eriri's head. Megumi also silently let go of Eriri, thinking it was good that she had regained her spirit.

Homura's expression was a mix of bewilderment, surprise, and shock, making him look quite amusing.

Everyone sighed, feeling that Eriri had really been pushed to the edge this time.

Naturally, they all had a part in it.

Utaha was the main culprit, followed by Megumi who succeeded first, and the others had their share too.

Chika was just the final straw.

"Okay..." Chika nodded and then smiled encouragingly at Eriri. "Go! Go! You can do it!"

Seeing Chika like this, even Eriri couldn't stay mad at her.

"I'm done..." Eriri said briefly and immediately buried her head back into Homura's chest.

"I still want to chat... Eriri-chan, can I use your laptop?" Nozomi's eyes sparkled as she turned and asked Eriri.

"Um..." Eriri's voice came out gloomily.

"Fufu..." Nozomi immediately grabbed the laptop.

Eli: "..."

She felt that Nozomi always seemed to be up to something more than just ordinary topics.

"Come over~ What are you waiting for?" Nozomi called out.

"Me?" Eli raised an eyebrow.

"Everyone come over!"

"Even us?" Elf pointed to herself, then to Muramasa and Sagiri, implying whether others besides Muse could come too.

"Everyone is welcome~" Nozomi said with a smile as she walked to another room.

After a while, Homura could hear Nozomi's voice again with his sensitive hearing.

"Of course, we need to understand Homura-kun's 'prowess' in detail~ Just using Megumi-chan as a reference isn't enough..."

'What in the world...' Homura was speechless for a moment, then shrugged. 'Well, first you have to get two shy girls to speak up... Not everyone can be as straightforward as Megumi.'

In the end, those who didn't come over to Nozomi's side were Utaha, Megumi, and Eriri. Others either went there on their own or were dragged over.

"Aren't you coming, Shi-chan?" Megumi asked softly.

Utaha glanced at Megumi, then at Eriri, shaking her head.

"Forget it. It's probably only that topic anyway, right? Megumi, you've already said something similar."

'Utaha really understands Nozomi. Most people can probably guess what Nozomi wants to ask, right?' Homura thought to himself while gently stroking Eriri's hair.

After a while, Eriri silently released one hand that was hugging Homura and petted Haru lying on her stomach.

Haru lifted her head, not seeing Eriri's expression, but she felt that this girl's heart was no longer as restless as it was just now. Realizing this, she licked her paw, then changed to a more comfortable position, and continued to lie down.