So many geniuses in anime! What's wrong with me joining?

"And you were so... incredibly careful when you wiped the food residue from the corner of her mouth."

"Your gaze was so gentle, too."

"You even gave her instructions with such patience; we've never seen you act like that before."

"Though, I can understand it. That child is truly Cute, I even felt like patting her head myself."

"..."

The two of them listed his "crimes" one by one, as if they were determined to nail him to the pillar of shame today. Sakurakoji Talent hurriedly interrupted.

"Stop, stop, stop, stop! I was just getting a meal for a customer that she had left here for safekeeping earlier. How did I suddenly become the target of a crusade?"

"Don't you think this is going too far?"

"I declare, there is absolutely no special relationship between me and that child from just now!"

"Really?" Ichiji Nijika's eyes were still filled with suspicion.

"Are you sure this isn't just a stubborn attempt to avoid a fine?" Yamada Ryo questioned his motives with a skeptical look.

"Only you would think that... I swear, it is absolutely not like that!"

"Tsk, what a shame." Yamada Ryo clicked her tongue, letting out a murmur of disappointment.

Ichiji Nijika felt a strange sense of relief in her heart, and immediately apologized for her rash behavior.

"Is that so? I thought... Guomai Nasai!"

"That's true, though. That child, she looks a bit too young and Cute, doesn't she? I feel like she hasn't even started middle school yet?"

"No, she is, for the time being, a second-year middle school student." Sakurakoji Talent Wave Hand, offering a correction.

However, he could understand their confusion. Although she wasn't much shorter than Ichiji Nijika, her docile, cat-like temperament easily evoked a sense of affection in others, leading people to misjudge her age.

"Is that so? Well, that's not too bad then."

"No, no, that still seems a bit problematic, doesn't it? I feel like it's still a bit too early."

Yamada Ryo frowned, then suddenly remembered something: "But how did you know she was a middle school student? Did she say so just now?"

"..."

"As I thought..."

"I already told you it's not like that!"

At night, Sakurakoji Talent walked with a heavy, weary gait as he left STARRY.

To prove his innocence, he had put in a great deal of effort to explain himself, feeling even more exhausted than he did at work.

Especially after seeing them arguing incessantly, Ichiji Hoshika and PA, who had rushed over thinking they were fighting, joined in the interrogation once they learned what had happened.

Perhaps it was because he usually appeared too perfect; now that a flaw had finally appeared, they couldn't resist teasing him.

Fortunately, after a night of arguing his case, he finally convinced them that there was nothing going on.

"I'm almost tempted to Take Leave tomorrow." Looking up at the clear night sky, Sakurakoji Talent sighed powerlessly.

Of course, that was just a thought. If he really did Take Leave tomorrow, there was no telling what kind of baseless speculations they might come up with.

Following the path he knew by heart, he headed toward the train station.

The next morning, After waking up, Sakurakoji Talent received a text message that surprised him slightly. The sender was Hoshino Ai.

"Sakurakoji-san, we have an outdoor location shoot this afternoon. Would you be interested in coming by to watch?"

He thought for a brief two seconds, and after confirming he had no other plans for the day, he provided his answer.

"Sure. Please let me know the location and time, and I will be there on time."

"Of course, I'll bring some refreshments too."

Ten minutes later, he received a reply. It seemed her work had reached a stopping point.

"That's not what I meant! I just wanted you to come to the set and see our actual work."

"So, you don't need the refreshments?"

"Mmm... Sakurakoji-san, you can be really mean sometimes!"

Sakurakoji Talent looked at the screen and smiled knowingly, his nimble fingers continuing to tap on the screen.

"Don't worry, I'm just kidding."

"I'll leave the specific itinerary to you."

Hoshino Ai replied with a "Received" sticker featuring a pink-themed character, then sent the specific time and location information.

Seeing that no new messages popped up on the screen for a long time, Sakurakoji Talent put his phone into his pocket with a relaxed expression.

It seemed she was also afraid he might say something else difficult to answer, so she had proactively ended the conversation.

He walked out of his room, descended the spiral staircase to the first-floor foyer, and made his way to the mansion's kitchen.

He didn't want to trouble Yashiro Ichiyo this time, so he planned to do it himself.

Fortunately, the kitchen of the Sakurakoji Family was always stocked with a wide variety of ingredients, so he didn't need to go out and buy anything extra.

Checking the time, he began his performance.

Around ten o'clock in the morning, Sakurakoji Talent carried the same gift bag as last time and walked out of the mansion amidst the farewells of the maids.

He opened his map, searched for the specific address sent by Hoshino Ai, and mapped out a rough route in his mind. After connecting it with another location, he set off with a clear goal, picking up his pace slightly.

It wasn't too late to head straight to Hoshino Ai's location at this hour, but if he wanted to take a slight detour, he would have to be quick.

After a few turns, he arrived at that convenience store, familiar with the path.

He walked into the store to the sound of the Girl's crisp voice.

"Ah, it's Sakurakoji-san! Welcome. You're a bit early today. Are you just stopping by to buy something on your way somewhere?"

"Good morning, Aoyama-san."

The store clerk, Aoyama Nanami, greeted him enthusiastically upon seeing who it was, and Sakurakoji Talent nodded in response.

![Image: "Part-time Warrior", Position: "Images/1753971685-100446961-113665310.jpg"]

During this period, he had often stopped by to "drop in" and buy a few things before heading to work at Starry, and the two had gradually become familiar with each other.

Aoyama Nanami usually came to work after school in the afternoon, so she wouldn't normally be here at this time, but today was the weekend.

As a Part-time Warrior, she naturally didn't have the luxury of spending her time idly. With the boss's permission, she had increased her shifts on the weekends—all of which Sakurakoji Talent had inquired about beforehand.

So, even though his schedule was a bit tight, after rehearsing it in his mind and deciding it should be fine, he chose to come here and farm some favorability before heading over to Hoshino Ai.

Volume 1: The Daily Life of Attracting Bees and Butterflies : Chapter 18 Time Management is a Technical Skill

"I'm not here to shop today. I just happened to be passing by and wanted to bring you something."

"Eh? For me?"

Aoyama Nanami was clearly surprised, looking at him with a slightly stunned expression.

Sakurakoji Talent took a few small boxes out of his gift bag and placed them on the counter, pushing them forward with his fair hand.

The black, slightly translucent boxes looked high-end and surely expensive. Inside were items even whiter than his hands, catching Aoyama Nanami's eye; she guessed they must be something like cream.

"A friend invited me over today, so I prepared some gifts."

"Since I was passing by, I thought I'd bring some for Aoyama-san."

"Please, accept them if you don't mind."

After setting the items down, Sakurakoji Talent withdrew his hand naturally.

"Eh! I can't! How could I!"

"I cannot accept a reward without merit; please take them back!"

Aoyama Nanami immediately began to Wave Hand, looking flustered and somewhat panicked. She didn't have the nerve to calmly accept something that looked so expensive.

"It's fine. I prepared too much anyway; the other party probably can't eat all of this."

"If you could, please accept them. Otherwise, they might go bad later."

Sakurakoji Talent had anticipated her reaction and smiled as he delivered the lines he had prepared.

Sure enough, Aoyama Nanami wasn't as resistant to this reasoning. Hearing that they might spoil, her expression turned hesitant, and after a moment of wavering, she accepted his kindness.

Wasting food was a bad thing.

"Then I will accept them without further modesty. Thank you very much!"

Aoyama Nanami performed a standard ninety-degree bow, her voice earnest and sincere.

"It's nothing, it's nothing. I told you it was extra, don't be so serious."

"Though, that is one of Aoyama-san's virtues."

With a light chuckle, Sakurakoji Talent didn't linger and prepared to Take My Leave.

"I'll be heading off now, or that friend of mine might start nagging me."

"Ah, okay! Goodbye, Sakurakoji-san."

Hearing Sakurakoji Talent praise her, Aoyama Nanami couldn't help but blush. Being complimented by someone who was superior to her in every way actually made her feel a bit shy. But hearing that he was about to leave, she quickly responded.

"Also, thank you very much for today!"

Sakurakoji Talent, who had already turned around, gave a Wave Hand and passed through the automatic glass door, returning once again to the bustling street.

"Need to hurry."

He glanced at the time again, his brow furrowing slightly. Time management was a technical skill, and he wasn't quite proficient at it yet; he might end up being late.

"Too slow!"

When Sakurakoji Talent arrived at the set, he was greeted by a robust complaint.

The person who voiced the complaint was none other than Hoshino Ai. At this moment, she furrowed her beautiful moth-like brows, her expression serious, her Hands crossed over her chest as she stared at Sakurakoji Talent, seemingly waiting for his explanation.

"Sorry, sorry, I suddenly remembered some other things on the way and got delayed for a bit!"

"Could it be that you've already finished filming?"

Sakurakoji Talent was a bit puzzled. He shouldn't have been late by that much; could it be that the other party had started early and already wrapped up?

Seeing his slightly panicked appearance, the exquisite face Hoshino Ai was holding in a mask of anger could no longer hold its composure, and she burst into laughter.

"Haha! Not at all, I just wanted to say that line for a long time! Sorry, sorry!"

"You lied to me?"

"Hmph, that's your punishment for being late."

Sakurakoji Talent was somewhat stunned; he had actually been tricked, and by Hoshino Ai of all people.

However, it was indeed his fault to begin with, or perhaps it was the fault of his time management skills not being mature enough, so he could only offer a helpless, bitter smile and hand over the bag in his Hands.

"Here, this is a consolation gift for you."

Damn it, this experience will definitely be put to good use next time! You just wait!

"Oh! 3Q!"

Hoshino Ai took it carefully with a look of delight. Looking at the same box as last time inside the bag, her eyes, which were always twinkling with stars, seemed to shine even brighter. It was clear that she was truly looking forward to this.

Sakurakoji Talent couldn't help but admire Hoshino Ai's lively and spirited nature.

It had to be said that among everyone he had met so far, Hoshino Ai was the most unique.

If nothing else, just look at those eyes. Up until now, what color hadn't he seen? But this was the first time he had ever seen someone who could maintain star-shaped eyes as a default state!