Are We Married!? / Grabbed in One Hand, Refined in an Instant.

"I know, I know, don't be in such a hurry, the real show hasn't even started yet."

Hasegawa-kun chuckled and calmly followed.

The stage for the performance was located on one side, and the audience seats on the other side were arranged in a fan shape. The three of them arrived relatively early and chose a good spot, in the middle of the third row.

Before long, the seats were mostly filled, and most of them were parent-child pairs.

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Chapter 114 Are we husband and wife!?

"Thank you everyone for coming to visit!"

On stage, the female host, microphone in hand, came up to liven up the atmosphere.

"Today, for everyone's sake, a wonderful friend has come! Yes, it's Krunika-chan from [Iron Necromancer]."

"Oh~!"

This character is quite popular in the animation, immediately eliciting cheers from children.

"Come on, everyone, let's all call out for Krunika-chan!"

After warming up the atmosphere, the female host said, "One, two... wait, what?"

Just then, a character wearing a horse-head mask and two henchmen appeared on stage.

"Hahahaha! I am Ashteroth! Krunica has fallen into my trap and will be here later! I'll take you all hostage now..."

As he spoke, Ashteroth went up and grabbed the female host's arm.

"How childish."

Seeing this, Eriri's expression turned somewhat bored.

If she hadn't been with Kōko, she definitely wouldn't have watched it.

"Oh, help me! Is there any other child willing to be a hostage with me? The child who becomes a hostage will receive a great prize!"

The female host continued, her acting convincingly convincing.

"Kōko, do you want to go up and play for a bit?"

Hasegawa Izumi looked down.

The Little Sister hesitated for a moment, because of her personality, but when she thought about the prize she would receive, she resolutely stood up.

"Oh, would you like to join us, little one? Come on over!"

The female host immediately noticed the figure standing upright in front of her and beckoned to the man and woman sitting next to her.

"Hey you two over there, can I borrow your precious daughter for a moment?"

"What is she saying?! Daughter? Could she be mistaking us for... for..."

Eriri's face instantly turned bright red, and she frantically waved her arms and legs, her voice growing softer and softer as she spoke, turning her cheek to the side and uttering the words "husband and wife."

Although she is the experienced and seasoned 'Kashiwagi Eri', at this moment she is still as innocent as a blank sheet of paper.

This is what they call "gap moe" (a cute, unexpected charm)!

Hasegawa Izumi sighed inwardly, then coughed twice and said, "Today, most of the people here are parent-child pairs. Eriri, you and Kōko have the same hair color, and you're taller and shorter, so the female host subconsciously mistook you... However, to make such a judgment based on appearance, this host is truly amazing... You're the size of an elementary school student, and she's the size of a middle school student; it's more reasonable to say you're sisters."

"Middle school student physique... you must be referring to me, right?"

"I'm so sorry about your poor development!"

"So, guys are really superficial, they just like big ones..."

The shy blonde twin-tailed Young Lady glanced down at her flat chest, her expression gradually turning blank as she coldly glared at her Childhood Friend.

"I was just stating a fact; size doesn't really matter, right? Alright, the performance is about to begin, I want to see Kōko's performance..."

He interrupted.

'It doesn't matter? That sounds like a consolation prize! Do you think I don't know what books are bestsellers?'

Eriri pouted, feeling both annoyed and accepting of the explanation.

On stage, Krunika-chan finally appeared, and after a fierce battle, she bravely and fearlessly defeated Ashteroth.

Just then, an accident occurred.

"Kukuku, Ashteroth, you did your best..."

Kōko had become increasingly less timid, suddenly took over the role, transforming from a small hostage into the 'True Ancestor Vampire'. Fortunately, everyone was a veteran actor and was able to keep up with the performance, immediately changing the final enemy to 'Resis·Vi·Felicity·Kou' according to the anime's script.

"So that's how it is. You were the mastermind behind this whole thing, Resis·Vi·Felicity·Kou!"

"My strongest enemy!"

Krunika-chan, looking embarrassed, stood with a serious expression, holding her Magic wand and pointing ahead.

"***..."

"It's the True Ancestor!"

"It's the real deal!"

For a moment, the children in the audience were still in a daze, and they only realized what was happening when the adults applauded enthusiastically.

Such a performance might seem childish to children, but it's just right for adults.

"There's actually this kind of plot development?"

Eriri was quite surprised and gradually became engrossed in watching.

After the performance, Kōko received a round of cheers and her most desired prize—a signed drawing by the animation director.

After leaving the amusement park, the three found a spot by the roadside to sit and rest.

Kōko looked at the signed painting in her hand, feeling very happy.

"The drawing is just so-so. If I had drawn it, it would have looked much better..."

Eriri, sitting next to her, glanced at it twice and clicked her tongue.

It's not arrogance.

With her current skill level, she is truly outstanding.

"No the same!"

Unexpectedly, Kōko reacted strongly by shouting.

"It has a different meaning, Eriri."

Hasegawa Izumi added from the side.

'The original work is amazing!'

Eriri's lips twitched, a sour feeling creeping over her thoughts.

"Kōko, although it's not the original work, Eriri's drawings are amazing right now, like they've stepped out of another world. I think you'll like them."

He smiled again, then ruffled his Little Sister's blonde hair.

My brother's guidance is different.

"Really?"

The Kōko's ears twitched slightly, and it tilted its head back, clearly showing interest.

"Of course, Kōko, I'm about to embark on my journey into the world of Path of Painting!"

Eriri's expression changed instantly, and she said with no small amount of pride.

"Um... Eriri, could you give me a few paintings?"

Kōko pursed her lips and looked at her intently.

Kawaii!

At this moment, seeing Kōko's adorable appearance, Eriri's heart melted.

"No problem! Leave it to me. I'll paint as many pictures as you like, as long as Kōko likes them!"

She patted her chest, displaying a generosity beyond her usual magnanimity.

"Thank you, Eriri ~!"

"Eh."

Just as the girl was basking in the sweet address of "older sister".

Roadside alleyway entrance.

A Fox shadow suddenly darted out.

Its fur is snow-white, and it moves swiftly through the crowd, as if it were invisible, so that no one can detect it.

Seemingly having discovered something, it burrowed into the nearby green belt, its claws parting the haystacks, and poked its head out, its amber eyes fixed on a certain spot.

It was a handsome young man sitting by the roadside.

[Found it!]

Seemingly sensing that its gaze had lingered for too long, the boy, who had been chatting and laughing with someone, suddenly turned his head, his gaze cold and stern.

A sense of dread arose spontaneously.

It was startled, immediately turned around and fled, leaping out of the green belt.

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Chapter 115 Grabbed it in one go, and refined it in an instant.

"What's wrong, bro?"

Kōko looked at him as he suddenly stood up, and couldn't help but feel puzzled.

Are you leaving?

Eriri also stood up and straightened her clothes.

"No, there was a Yokai staring at me the whole time, and it seemed to be doing me a disservice. I think I should chase after it and see what's going on."

Hasegawa Izumi explained.

"Is there Yokai?"

"It's not planning to eat us, is it?!"

The two girls, who had never seen it before, were both startled, worried, and curious.

"Who knows... I'll go check it out and be right back."

He uttered a single sentence, took a step, and disappeared into the crowd in the blink of an eye.

"Etc!"

"Brother!"

Their voices were a beat slow.

"..."

Eriri and Kōko exchanged a glance, looking at the bustling street. Suddenly, they felt uneasy, hugged themselves tightly, and felt a chill creeping over them.

Could this be a diversionary tactic?

Are they actually their real target?

That's how it usually goes in stories.

"Call..."

A cold wind swept across their face, and the agile white fox quickened its pace, passing between the human's legs, turning corners, and quickly traversing several streets until it turned into a narrow alley that seemed like a dead end.

'Hurry up!'

'Hurry back to your master!'