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[TSSIM] Chapter 357: Captivated
🕑 Added 2024-03-12 20:55:38 +0000 UTCIn the end, when Homura returned home, Megumi, Eriri, and Utaha ended up following along.
Originally, Megumi didn't plan on joining, but since the other two were so interested, she couldn't be the only one left out.
Not long after Homura and the others arrived home, the nine members of Muse showed up as well.
Apparently, Honoka and the others were determined to get the wedding dress done as soon as possible, so they didn't even have time to practice today.
It couldn't be helped.
To them, this bond was far more important than any practice, after all.
"Is this the unfinished dress?" Eriri stared at the result of yesterday's work from Honoka and the others. "Most of it's already done and all that's left are some small decorations, huh..."
"Yeah, but these small decorations actually take the most time." Kotori nodded.
"Yosh! Let's get started! I can't wait to see Rin-chan wearing it!" Honoka urged with a big smile.
"All set." Mashiro sat to the side with her drawing tools.
"Sorry... I couldn't stop Mashiro..." Nanami said helplessly.
"I'm ready too!" Homura sat on the other side with his camera.
"...I couldn't stop my brother either." Sagiri's small face showed the same helplessness.
Seeing all this, Rin couldn't help but try to hide behind Hanayo again, feeling like she had been more embarrassed in the past few days than in her entire life!
Just then, a little creature jumped onto Nozomi's lap, watching the lively crowd.
"Oh, looks like Haru's ready too!" Homura laughed.
Hearing this, the girls were speechless.
Nozomi smiled, hugged Haru, and then spoke up.
"I'm glad you're so close to me, Haru-chan, but I've got work to do now... Homura-kun, could you let her know for me?"
She asked for Homura's help since she couldn't bear to move Haru herself.
It couldn't be helped.
Haru was, after all, everyone's favorite little mascot.
At Nozomi's request, Homura nodded and passed the message to Haru.
"Meow~ (Yeah, I got it)."
Haru nodded to Homura before going into Nanami's arms.
"Even though I'm used to it, it's still kinda unbelievable to see how Haru-chan completely understands what Homura says..." Nozomi sighed helplessly. "Alright, let's get started, everyone!"
Hearing this, Homura couldn't help but think to himself that Haru chose Nozomi first probably because her chest was so comfortable, just like how Haru loved curling up in Rizu's arms.
However, there was no need to tell Nozomi about this, right?
===
An hour and a half later.
"..."
"...It's done... Finally... It's done!" Honoka jumped up high, looking happier than anyone else. "Rin-chan! Hurry up and take it off!"
Upon hearing this, everyone, especially Rin, was completely stunned.
"Honoka-chan..." Kotori seemed a bit embarrassed.
"Ahh!"
Honoka realized something was wrong with what she said, so she quickly grabbed the dress, then pulled Rin along, dashing to the second floor.
"EHHH—?!!!" Rin's shocked scream echoed.
"W-Wait for me!" Hanayo chased after them.
"Well, that's so like Honoka..." Homura sighed.
"Yeah..." Umi nodded in agreement. "Honoka keeps growing, but her personality will never change."
Hearing this, Homura couldn't even imagine Honoka with a different personality and thought that she was better this way.
Homura stood up, fiddling with his camera for a bit, getting ready to snap a photo when Rin came down.
"Everyone, keep your eyes wide open!" Honoka's voice echoed.
Homura didn't literally widen his eyes, but they definitely widened.
He was all set, ready to capture the moment Rin appeared in the frame, but the instant she showed up, she completely captivated him, making him forget all about taking the photo.
Rin walked down the stairs step by step, and only when he felt someone poke him from behind did he snap out of it.
Instinctively, he found the perfect angle and clicked the shutter button.
Click!
"Looks like we really made the right call this time. We gave Rin such an amazing entrance." Nozomi said with a smile.
"Yeah, I gotta admit, Rin's absolutely adorable right now." Maki nodded in satisfaction. "No one's gonna say she doesn't suit dresses or lacks femininity now."
"It's just like Homura's drawing..." Nanami muttered with envy.
"It really is..." Eli couldn't help but be amazed. "Even though we all know Homura's skills, seeing Rin looking exactly like his drawing is still surprising."
"Rin!" Homura called out with a big smile on his face. "Do you know how you look right now?"
"No... there's no mirror... so I can't see myself..." Rin shyly shook her head.
"Here, take a look." Homura walked over and handed Rin his camera, still keeping his big smile.
Rin took the camera, and as soon as she saw her photo in it, her eyes started to well up, but she quickly sniffed twice, forcing the tears back.
As she kept looking, she couldn't help but show a warm, heartfelt smile.
"Ahh, Rin-chan, how can you be so cute?"
Hanayo, who was beside Rin, suddenly pounced on her, making Rin's smile get squished and deformed due to Hanayo's enthusiasm.
"Hey! Hanayo-chan, that's unfair! I want in too!" Honoka shouted before jumping in as well.
"Eh, that looks like fun! Count me in!" Nozomi laughed and ran over.
"Nozomi!" Eli reached out but eventually pulled her hand back, deciding not to stop Nozomi.
As Eli hesitated, Nozomi halted and turned around.
"C'mon, everyone!"
"Yosh! We're coming!" Nico responded, rushing to join the group hug.
"Umi-chan, Maki-chan! Let's join!"
Kotori grabbed Umi's and Maki's hands, and they followed Kotori with smiles on their faces, joining the group hug.
"Seriously... these girls..." Eli shook her head in exasperation. "Mou! You're unfair! I'm going too!"
Homura's mouth twitched a little, partly because of Rin, who was squashed in the middle, and partly because of Eli, who'd suddenly dropped her usual cool demeanor.
Seeing Mashiro still drawing, Homura thought for a moment and then pulled out his own drawing tools.
Honestly, he would rather capture this scene by drawing it than by taking a photo.
"Ahh! Rin can't breathe, nyaa~!"
With Rin's loud complaint, Honoka and the others finally stopped hugging each other.
"Umu, Rin-chan looks just like a bride right now." Honoka nodded thoughtfully. "So... where's the groom?"
Girls: "..."
"Unfortunately, the groom's busy drawing." Utaha responded while rolling her eyes.
Hearing this, everyone immediately gathered behind Homura and Mashiro, curious to see what they were drawing.
Mashiro was sketching Rin's shy expression when she walked down the stairs, but Homura?
"Is this supposed to be a bride with a whole group of bridesmaids?!"
Elf couldn't help but comment in surprise.
