Game Developer in the World of Anime

Although Ichin didn't get a definite answer, he figured he wasn't too far off in his guess.

Taking a look at the empty classroom that Yukinoshita Yukino had obtained, Ichin spoke up, "Yukinoshita, right? This empty classroom hasn't been used in a long time, so there's a lot of dust. Let's help you clean it up. Since Hiratsuka-sensei asked us to assist you, it shouldn't just be empty words."

However, Yukino, with her strong-willed nature, immediately replied, "It's fine. I can clean it up myself."

Seeing Yukino's stubbornness and her slender arms, Utaha laughed and said, "Don't be so tough. I've heard that there's a very talented girl among the first-year students, with excellent grades but surprisingly low physical strength. That must be you, Yukinoshita. With all these desks and chairs scattered around, there's no way you can manage this alone. Ichin-kun, the heavy lifting is all yours!"

After saying that, she took Yukino by the arm and led her towards the restroom to get cleaning supplies like rags and mops.

Just as Utaha said, Yukino was indeed a physical novice. Even though she could have forcefully pulled away from Utaha's grip, it wasn't necessary and would have only wasted her energy, so she let herself be dragged along.

Ichin, on the other hand, shrugged and began moving all the desks and chairs towards the podium area.

Before long, the two girls returned with someone else in tow—Eriri.

Eriri held a water basin with a few rags floating inside and wore a disgruntled expression. "How did I end up like this? I just wanted to find a place to rest, and now I've been roped into this!"

Seeing Eriri walk in, Ichin set down the desk he was holding and gave her a bright smile. "Well, it looks like your luck isn't too bad today."

Putting her mop aside, Utaha walked over, picked up a rag, wrung it out, and looked at Eriri. "Stop complaining. Since you're here, get to work and wipe the dust off those desks."

"Got it, got it!" Eriri rolled her eyes at Utaha and begrudgingly got to work, muttering under her breath, "If I had known, I wouldn't have come."

Ichin approached Utaha and chuckled. "You really did drag someone into this, huh?"

"I didn't mean to," Utaha responded, stifling a laugh. "But she just happened to stumble right into it."

Meanwhile, Yukino didn't say much and silently started wiping the windows.

As it turned out, it was a good thing they had three extra pairs of hands. If Yukino had been left to clean the entire classroom alone, it would have taken her forever to finish.

When everything was finally tidied up, Utaha wiped the sweat off her forehead and said, "Well, there's still some time left to rest."

Noticing the sweat on Ichin's face, Utaha casually took out her handkerchief and began wiping it for him. "You should dry off your sweat."

This unexpected gesture made Eriri shudder, and she couldn't help but rub her arms, feeling goosebumps rising.

Yukino, on the other hand, looked at the two with a curious expression, intrigued by their relationship.

Feeling a bit uncomfortable with Utaha's close gesture, Ichin quickly took the handkerchief from her. "I can handle it myself."

"Suit yourself," Utaha replied with a nod. She then turned to the two first-year students and said, "We still have some time. How about coming next door for some tea? I have black tea and cups there."

Yukino instinctively wanted to decline, but Utaha saw through her hesitation and added, "This is an invitation from your senior. Don't refuse."

"…"

After a few seconds of silence, Yukino finally spoke, "I appreciate it, and I'll join you."

Back in the Next Room

Upon returning to the activity room next door, Eriri slumped into a chair as soon as she arrived.

"I'm exhausted, so exhausted!" she complained.

Although Yukino was also tired, her posture was as impeccable as ever, something Eriri couldn't quite match.

Watching Utaha making tea, Ichin curiously asked, "When did you prepare all this?"

"Yesterday!" Utaha replied with a smile, turning her head slightly. "Since you didn't come yesterday, Ichin-kun, I didn't bring it out. But I never expected that today, just as I started using it, we'd already have guests."

Hearing this, Eriri immediately slapped the table and exclaimed, "Why didn't you use it yesterday? Wasn't I a guest?"

"You?" Utaha glanced at Eriri and casually remarked, "Hmm… Barely counts, I suppose."

"What do you mean 'barely counts'!? You're so infuriating!"

"Eriri-san, remember to address me as your senior!" Utaha teased.

"Ugh!" Eriri pouted, puffing out her cheeks in frustration while glaring at Utaha, but couldn't find a comeback.

Observing Eriri's reaction, Yukino remained silent for a few seconds before finally speaking, "Sawamura-san, is this your true self?"

"Huh?" Eriri glanced at Yukino and slowly slumped over the table, muttering, "Doesn't matter… You're next door anyway. You'd find out sooner or later, and it's too exhausting to keep hiding it."

"Hiding?" Yukino furrowed her brows. "Why do you feel the need to hide? Pretending to be someone completely different from who you are—is that really the right thing to do?"

"Uh…"

Seeing Yukino's clear, penetrating gaze that seemed to look right into her soul, Eriri turned her head away uneasily and mumbled, "What else can I do?"

"You just want to save face, don't you?" Utaha approached with a teacup in hand, bluntly exposing Eriri's thoughts. "You're afraid that if people find out the truth behind your refined lady persona—that deep down you're an otaku—it'll be a social death for you. After all, your father is a diplomat, and your mother comes from a prominent family. If word got out that the refined young lady of a distinguished family is actually an otaku, it would cause quite a stir."

"An otaku?" Yukino shot Eriri a surprised look. "I don't know why Sawamura-san is an otaku, but it's just a personal hobby. As long as it doesn't harm others, it shouldn't be a reason for people to dislike you."

Eriri immediately sat up straight and looked at Yukino. "Really? Even now that you know the real me, you still won't dislike me?"

"Why would I dislike you?" Yukino frowned. "Have you done something to offend me or said something to make me angry? I wouldn't dislike someone over something so trivial."

Eriri looked at Yukino, her eyes glowing with gratitude, and then made up her mind.

"Yukinoshita, your club doesn't have any members yet, right? I want to join!"

…