RedX43
patreon
[Game] Chapter 159: Eriri's Secret Exposed
🕑 Added 2025-03-07 03:49:42 +0000 UTCFive minutes later, everyone—except for the two still busy in the kitchen—was sitting around Eriri, staring at her in utter shock.
"Wait… Kashiwagi Eri is Eriri?!"
Kō Yagami muttered to herself before suddenly realizing something.
"I knew it! I knew something felt familiar when I first saw Eriri's artwork. I kept thinking I'd seen that art style before… Turns out it's exactly the same as Kashiwagi Eri's!"
Back when Eriri had joined as a part-time artist, Ichin had asked her to prove her skills by drawing something on the spot. Her artwork had convinced everyone, and she smoothly became part of the art team.
However, she had put away that drawing immediately after finishing it, and no one examined it too closely.
That was why, until now, nobody had realized her true identity.
"Well… whatever. If they know, they know."
Eriri sighed, accepting her fate.
"At least it’s only people here in the studio. That shouldn’t be a problem."
Then she turned to Ichin and asked, "So? How did you figure it out, Ichin-kun?"
Ichin smiled and glanced at Utaha, who had been watching the chaos unfold from the sidelines.
"I found out because of Utaha. I just happened to see her looking at some stuff you sent her—that’s how I knew."
"???"
Eriri frowned, trying to remember.
After a few seconds, her eyes widened.
"Ah! Right! I did send Utaha a few of my doujin books…"
Then, she snapped her head toward Utaha.
"Kasumigaoka Utaha! I told you to be careful with those! And don’t you understand the concept of ‘read and destroy’?!"
"Don’t just use random phrases you picked up somewhere," Utaha replied calmly, looking at Eriri with her usual composed expression.
"You have to understand—I lack knowledge in this particular field, so naturally, I wanted to learn more.
Besides, I didn’t expect Ichin to see it by chance. Relax, the ones you sent me were all pure romance stories, so there’s no real issue even if someone saw them."
"...So that means you have ones that aren’t?"
Shinoda Hajime’s face flushed red, her eyes widening as she turned toward Eriri.
"I’ve read a few doujinshi before, but only the pure romance kind. I’ve heard of Kashiwagi Eri-sensei before, but I don’t actually know much about her works.
Eriri, could you let me take a look at your masterpieces?"
"M-M-Masterpieces?!"
Eriri was completely embarrassed, flailing her hands in panic.
"Can you guys act normal for a second?! Who the hell just openly discusses doujinshi like this?!"
"We can’t help it!"
Hazuki—who was still clinging onto Eriri—nuzzled against her head, grinning mischievously.
"Your Kashiwagi Eri identity is just too shocking!
It’s been ages since I last read a doujinshi… Eriri-chan, can I come over to your house for a visit?"
Eriri immediately pushed herself free, puffing up her cheeks in frustration.
"NO WAY! Of all people, you're the last person I’d let into my house! I have a feeling my purity would be in danger!"
"Oh my, how suspicious of you~"
"No, it’s not a misunderstanding."
Everyone couldn't help but think of that voice at the same time.
In any case, Eriri's identity as Kashiwagi Eri had now been completely exposed in the studio.
Having her secret revealed, Eriri lost all motivation to work and simply slumped over her desk. Even when Ichin offered to let her take the day off, she barely reacted, her mood still pretty low.
Kō Yagami glanced at Eriri before leaning toward Ichin, curious.
"What's up with her? It's just her identity as a doujinshi artist getting exposed, isn't it?"
Ichin shrugged before explaining,
"Eriri's identity as a doujin artist was basically a complete secret. As far as I know, the only people who knew were her parents and Utaha. No matter how much people searched, they could never find out Kashiwagi Eri’s real identity.
Because of that, Eriri has always kept her two identities completely separate. At school, she’s Eriri Spencer Sawamura, the refined young lady of the Sawamura family.
But at home, she becomes Kashiwagi Eri, the doujinshi artist.
She’s always been super embarrassed about being an otaku and has worked hard to keep her classmates from finding out—let alone her identity as Kashiwagi Eri. So right now, she's just struggling to adjust to the situation and how to interact with everyone."
"Is that really something to worry about?"
Kō Yagami still didn't get it.
"Or maybe I’ve been out of school too long, and things have changed?"
Thankfully, by the time dinner was ready, Eriri had managed to recover from her mood.
After finishing their delicious meal, everyone sat back, sipping tea and relaxing.
At that moment, under everyone's expectant gazes, Ichin got up and headed into the kitchen. He opened the fridge and pulled out a large, pre-chilled watermelon that had already been cut in half.
"Ichin-kun, let me help."
Rin Toyama walked into the kitchen as well.
"There are two watermelons, right? If we work together, it'll be faster."
"Sure, thanks, Rin."
Ichin washed a fruit knife before slicing one of the halves in half again.
"I'll cut the fruit into bite-sized pieces so that everyone gets their own plate. It’ll definitely be enough.
Originally, I wanted to buy smaller watermelons, so we could each have half a watermelon and eat with a spoon—that’s how I always used to do it back in China. It’s the best way to enjoy summer."
"...Eating it with a spoon?"
Rin Toyama imagined the scene and let out a wry smile.
"Yeah… that wouldn't work here. Fruits are way too expensive. Even though we earn decent salaries, we wouldn’t splurge like that."
Someone buying four large watermelons at once, like Ichin just did, was practically unheard of.
Once they had finished cutting the watermelon, they carried out the plates and placed a serving in front of each person, complete with toothpicks for easy eating.
"OH!!! Dessert!"
Sakura Nene let out a cheerful squeal as she picked up a piece with a toothpick and popped it into her mouth.
"Mmm!! So cold and so sweet!"
Aoba, sitting nearby, also smiled as she enjoyed her slice.
"It really is sweet… but it's so expensive."
Ichin placed Utaha’s portion down and looked at everyone.
"We don’t have time this year, but next summer, I’ll take you all to China. You can eat all the watermelon you want—until you can’t eat anymore!"
"Watermelon! Yes! I wanna go!"
"I also want to see pandas!"
(T/N: I want to see pandas too ;))
Shinoda Hajime’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
"I know Tokyo’s zoo has rented some, but I want to see them in China!"
Ichin gave her a thumbs-up and promised,
"Sure! We’ll start with a trip to Shanghai, then head over to Sichuan and Chongqing. There’s so much amazing food and fun places to visit—we could easily stay for two weeks!"
Ichin had already made up his mind—he planned to arrange two studio trips every year: one in summer and one in winter.
By the time Hollow Knight was released at the end of the year, the studio’s budget would be more than secure, so traveling wouldn’t be a problem at all.
...
