[TSSIM] Chapter 399: Exclusive Ringtone

"Hey, do any of you want to improve your cooking skills?"

Homura, busy preparing lunch, couldn't help but ask as he glanced at the girls helping him.

"...No matter how we improve, we can't outdo Homura-kun anyway." Honoka waved her hand dismissively.

Meanwhile, Yukiho was at her wit's end upon hearing her elder sister's answer. She would have felt somewhat embarrassed in her sister's position, but her sister didn't even bat an eye as she responded like that.

"Don't you girls ever cook something yourselves? Even a little improvement counts." Homura asked again.

"Um... let's just skip it for today..." Honoka chuckled awkwardly. "Exercising alone is already exhausting..."

"Heh... Honoka-chan, I wonder who just said 'My body feels so relaxed like I never exercise'?" Nozomi asked with a smile.

"Ehh? Probably... Nozomi-chan?"

"Oh?" Nozomi's smile widened. "Was it me?"

"Ahaha, maybe I misremembered? Was it Nico-chan, then?"

Upon hearing that, veins popped on Nico's forehead.

"It was you! You gonna blame me for your own slip-up?!"

In the next moment, Honoka just flopped onto the couch.

"Cooking is out of the question... maybe I can manage some rice cakes..."

Everyone: "..."

"Alright, you owe us your homemade rice cakes. That's what you said yourself." Homura quickly chimed in.

"..." Honoka was speechless for a moment before responding. "Fair enough."

If she didn't agree now, she would be facing everyone's wrath.

Ding-a-ling-ding! Yo-yo~!

Suddenly, Homura's phone chimed with a catchy tone.

Everyone: "..."

"Hey, Elf, could you help me out for a bit?" Homura asked Elf to fill in for him.

"Chika, spill it. What do you need me for?"

As soon as he answered the call, Homura asked directly.

"Huh? How did you know what I wanted you for, Homura-kun?" Chika asked, a bit surprised.

"Well, you hardly ever call me."

"That's because you always seem so busy! I feel like calling would just bother you..."

"You're seriously worrying too much! Can a phone call really take up a whole day? If not, then what's the bother?" Homura chuckled.

"Heehee... You're right. Even if we chat for ages on the phone, it can't take up a whole day, right?" Chika agreed.

"So, what's up? Something happens? Or do you need something done?" Homura asked again.

"Not really, I'm just going to see Kaguya-san later, so I wanted to ask if Homura-kun wants to come along?"

"You're going to see Kaguya?" Homura paused for a second before continuing. "You mean, like, a formal visit to her place?"

"Of course, it's gonna be a proper visit!"

After saying that, Chika paused for a moment, then realized what Homura meant.

"No, I mean, are you asking me to go with you for a formal visit?" Homura clarified.

"Should be fine if you come with, right?" Chika asked with a somewhat hesitant tone.

Homura pondered for a moment.

"Yeah, I guess it's fine. I'm not bringing anyone along, and it's just a visit anyway. Plus, since you're a regular there, it should be alright."

"Great! And back to the original question, Homura-kun, are you coming?"

"Rare for you to invite me out." Homura smiled. "I'll go, and I'll also bring some snacks."

"Yay! Getting to eat something made by Homura-kun again!"

"Alright, then we'll meet up beforehand. I'll send you the location, and we'll head to the Shinomiya residence together."

"Sounds good... Okay, got it!" Chika agreed to his request. "If I get there first, I'll send you the location too."

"OK! See you later."

As soon as Homura hung up, Eriri asked.

"Heading out?"

"Yeah..." Homura nodded, retaking the cooking task from Elf. "Chika is going to Kaguya's place, and she called to invite me along."

Upon hearing that, Eriri nodded, not pressing further.

After all, they were all friends with Kaguya, and even if Kaguya couldn't freely go out, they would often drop by her place, especially Chika.

"So, I'll head out after dinner, but I'll be back before dinner's over." Homura said it loud enough for everyone to hear.

The girls nodded in understanding.

"Hahh... gotta get through a few hours without Homura-kun..." Nozomi, for some reason, started putting on a melodramatic act.

As Homura didn't say a word, it was Eli who spoke up, looking exasperated.

"Nozomi... can you tone down your teasing?"

"Ara~ got caught~?" Nozomi grinned mischievously.

"By the way, what's up with your ringtone, Homura?" Elf finally asked. "Wasn't it supposed to be 'King called me to patrol the mountain' or something?"

Instead of a direct answer, Homura shot a question.

"Why don't you try calling yourself?"

Elf raised an eyebrow and immediately took out her phone, calling his number.

King called me to patrol the mountain~

"Huh? Did you set that as Chika's exclusive ringtone?" Eriri asked.

"Yeah, since she sang it herself." Homura nodded, still busy with whatever he was doing.

Umi thought for a moment and took out her own phone.

And so, we meet by chance...

Homura's phone suddenly played Umi's solo.

"Oh? Looks like Umi figured it out!" Homura chuckled.

Umi smiled subtly, and the rest of Muse's members felt they should do the same.

Utaha had the same idea, but soon, her eyebrows began twitching.

"Homura-kun, that's kinda unfair, you know..."

"Well, when I made the changes the night before yesterday, I was thinking when you guys would notice. Didn't expect it would take two days for someone to call." Homura explained. "So, how about it? Wanna sing a song? Even a cover? That's how I can make an exclusive ringtone for you."

Eriri and Elf exchanged a glance, both a bit speechless at his sudden suggestion.

In the end, the girls decided they might as well sing; they couldn't let others be the only special ones!

After discussing with Utaha and Megumi, they all agreed to this approach.

In Homura's hands, the vegetables, pot, and spatula moved rhythmically, displaying a certain aesthetic charm.

"By the way..." Homura grinned as the final dish was served. "Taking an afternoon off and chilling in the yard, soaking in some sun or whatever, wouldn't be too bad. No need to stress too much, y'know."

"Doesn't that mean we've only lazed around all day?" Umi couldn't help but ask.

"Hey, not at all! We had a proper exercise this morning! Why would you say we've been lazing around all day?" Nico looked displeased.

"..." Umi fell silent for a moment before speaking up. "...It's just because the exercise time was too short, so I forgot it."

Seeing this, Homura's lips twitched before he joked.

"Employees like Umi are every boss's favorite..."

"Oh? Does that mean you like Umi?" Elf teased.

"You're saying that as if Umi is my employee..." Homura scratched his head. "I don't think our circle operates with that kind of boss-employee dynamic, does it?"

'That's not what we want to hear!' All the girls mentally screamed simultaneously, their faces expressionless.

"But I do like her though... Like her a lot."

As the girls became disappointed by his answer, Homura suddenly added, his lips curled into a smile.