It Was Simply Too Beautiful! Talking to Herself!

Around seven o'clock.

Home.

After saying goodbye to Konoe Hitomi, Natsume Chikage finally returned.

"I'm home."

Natsume Ruri and Kaga Resaki, who had been reading novels, immediately looked up at him and broke into happy smiles.

"Welcome back, Brother/Chikage."

Fujiwara Aoi and Saionji Nanase, on the other hand, seemed somewhat shy.

"Welcome back, Natsume-kun—"

Tsukishima Rin was the most enthusiastic of them all. She set down the novel in her hands, rose to her feet, and said, "Chikage, welcome back."

As for Yukimura Suzune, she was still utterly immersed in the world of Snow Country, reading with complete seriousness.

She had not noticed Natsume Chikage's arrival at all.

Natsume Chikage asked in surprise, "Tsukishima-senpai? You came?"

Tsukishima Rin smiled. "Yes."

"I told you yesterday that I'd come by."

"And I'm also a fan of Yukimura-senpai. When I learned her new book was being released today, and that she'd even be coming here, there was even less reason for me not to come."

Fujiwara Aoi muttered to herself.

She did not know whether Tsukishima-senpai had come for Yukimura Suzune.

But one thing was certain: she had most likely come for Natsume-kun!

Wait.

Had Tsukishima-senpai just called Natsume-kun by his given name?

What exactly was their relationship now?

Fujiwara Aoi was not the only one who noticed.

Saionji Nanase, Natsume Ruri, and Kaga Resaki noticed as well.

Waves stirred in all three girls' hearts, and each wore a different expression.

Clearly, they all cared greatly about this.

Natsume Chikage asked in surprise, "Wait, you're all still here this late? Does that mean you've been reading since this morning?"

Saionji Nanase looked at Natsume Chikage, her gaze involuntarily falling upon his lips as she recalled what had happened then.

But she felt that she should ease the tension between them, so she nodded