chapter 251: Taking the Blame Is Impossible
(T/N: hello?, is there still a readers of this book?, If there is please raise your hands
I just want to know if continuing releasing chapters still worth it)
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Just as Eriri was about to speak, intending to correct Shinomiya Kaguya's misconception, she saw a strange look suddenly appear in Fujiwara Chika's eyes across the table.
That look... Eriri realized she had seen it before; it was exactly the same as the look Kaede used to have when he wanted to stir up trouble!
Sure enough, after exchanging an excited glance with Eriri, Fujiwara Chika grabbed Shinomiya Kaguya's arm and said, "I can't believe even Kaguya-san knows about this! Boys usually keep quiet about this because it hurts so much every time it happens, and they have to go to the hospital for surgery! And they can't tell anyone, they can't look like they're scared!"
Hearing Fujiwara Chika say this, Usami, who had also been about to speak, was dumbfounded. Her mouth moved, but she couldn't utter a single word.
At this moment, Eriri quietly pulled her sleeve and gave her a subtle shake of the head.
Seeing Eriri's expression, Usami instantly understood, and then looked pitifully at Shinomiya Kaguya across the table.
Shinomiya-senpai must be very tired having a friend like this... Because Shinomiya Kaguya had already asked Ishigami Yuu about it, and in her mind, Ishigami Yuu would never dare to lie to her, this matter was basically confirmed. Therefore, she didn't overthink Fujiwara Chika's words right now, nodding and saying, "Yes, boys are sometimes prone to showing off, but it's understandable, after all, it's private."
Actually, Shinomiya Kaguya had been quite suspicious at first, but then she thought, don't girls also have their monthly thing?
Thinking this way, she felt balanced and stopped investigating further.
All in all, the lunch ended under circumstances that were somewhat strange but quickly returned to a cheerful atmosphere.
In the afternoon, after the four of them visited a few more shops together, Shinomiya Kaguya and Fujiwara Chika finally excused themselves. Shinomiya Kaguya had matters to deal with back home and couldn't stay out for too long.
After seeing the two Seniors off, Usami sighed in relief and said to Eriri, "This half-day really surprised me."
"Mhm, it was quite unexpected."
Nodding, Eriri finally couldn't help but laugh.
"Hahahaha, I can't handle it, I just remembered what happened during lunch! The... the testicle replacement... pfft!!!"
Seeing Eriri's unrestrained laughter, Usami said helplessly, "Eriri, is it really okay if we don't correct her? Will Shinomiya-senpai blame us later?"
After she finished laughing, Eriri waved her hand and said, "It's fine, it's fine. If the Senior really calls later, I'll just say Chika-senpai signaled me not to say anything. Anyway, that's actually what happened."
Passing the blame to Fujiwara Chika was something Eriri had decided long ago. After all, Shinomiya Kaguya and Fujiwara Chika had known each other for a long time and were the closest of friends. Shinomiya Kaguya had been pranked by Fujiwara Chika more than once, so this incident was minor in comparison.
Furthermore, besides Fujiwara Chika, Ishigami Yuu also played a part in this, so no matter what, the blame wouldn't fall entirely on the two of them.
A certain young man, who was currently concentrating on playing games at home, involuntarily shivered.
Around four in the afternoon, Eriri, who had stopped to buy groceries, returned home.
As soon as she opened the door, she saw that Kaede was already back and was watching TV on the living room sofa.
"Ah, Kaede-kun, you're back?"
Waving at Eriri, Kaede smiled and said, "I got back after three. I was wondering when you would arrive home."
"Hehe, didn't I tell you around four? I said I'd be back after buying the ingredients for dinner."
After putting away the groceries and shopping bags, Eriri came and sat down on the sofa. Looking at the pastry box placed on the coffee table, she happily said, "You bought snacks! I'm a little hungry!"
Eriri picked up a piece and put it in her mouth, happily narrowing her eyes.
"Delicious!!!"
"Just eat a little; we still have dinner later,' Kaede said, stroking Eriri's head, and asked, 'Did you have fun today?'"
"I'm so happy!"
Eriri nodded repeatedly and leaned on Kaede's shoulder, saying, "Kaede-kun, guess what? When Usami and I were shopping this morning, we ran into Kaguya-senpai and Chika-senpai!"
"Oh? You ran into the two seniors?"
"Yes, yes! And lots of funny things happened too!"
Eriri then told Kaede about running into Shinomiya Kaguya and Fujiwara Chika, including Iino Miko joining the Student Council, and how, during lunch, Shinomiya Kaguya mistakenly believed that boys undergo a "testicle replacement period."
"...Wait, a testicle replacement period?!"
Seeing the smile on Eriri's face, Kaede knew the girl wasn't lying; this had actually happened.
Taking a sharp intake of breath, Kaede rubbed the back of his head and said in shock, "Wow, I never thought Shinomiya-senpai had such a naive side! She actually believed it!"
"Hehehe, when the rest of us heard it, we were stunned. Kaguya-senpai didn't doubt something that practically no one would believe if you said it. Wait, it's not that she didn't doubt it; when she first learned about it, she asked Ishigami, and Ishigami said it was true."
"...Ishigami certainly has guts."
That's Ishigami for you, even willing to trick his own senior.
Shaking his head, Kaede said with a wry smile, "Oh well, it happened. Shinomiya-senpai won't keep bringing it up, and she'll find out the truth sooner or later, so let's just leave it alone."
As for that Ishigami kid... this isn't the first or second time he's courted disaster. We should just get used to it.
After resting with Eriri for a while, the two of them started preparing dinner.
Eriri was washing the rice while Kaede chopped vegetables, talking about his visit to the Bunko earlier that day.
"It's mostly confirmed. The hosts for the two shows I'm appearing on—the online live broadcast—are Takahashi Rie and Kayano Ai, and the hosts for the radio program are Fukushima Jun and Amamiya Sora. Both shows will be recorded at the end of October, one on a Friday and one on a Sunday. Eriri, do you want to come with me then?"
"I want to go! Of course I want to go!"
Eriri said excitedly, "I've never been to a live radio program recording before. I went to a TV station once, but that was ages ago, and I was just tagging along with Mom and Dad for fun. I bet it's different now. Kaede-kun, have you gotten the script yet?"
"I got it, but right now it's just a simple initial draft of the flow. The director's team is still adjusting some of the detailed content, and they'll send it to me next week."
Although they are live broadcasts, these shows, like variety programs, have scripts. The only difference is the degree of flexibility in managing the details; most of the time, they can chat casually. However, for the show to run smoothly, he still needs to review the flow before starting, so Kaede will have to arrive early to familiarize himself with it.
As for the mask he'll wear during the recording... that has naturally already been prepared.