As Saori, Kuroneko, and Kirino sneaked into the signing event venue, taking everyone by surprise, Elf just happened to run into them.
Homura, of course, had no idea they would be here.
He was preparing to start the event, with the requested promotional sign already placed on his table.
And so, everything was ready.
"Homura, shall we begin? It's already half past nine." Ayano asked.
Homura took a breath and then nodded.
"Yeah, let's get started."
===
"Nee, what's that commotion over there?" Kirino asked, puzzled by the noise coming from the front of the line.
Elf glanced over.
"It's probably starting, I guess..."
"Perfect timing, it seems the signing event has begun, de gozaru." Saori checked the time and nodded.
"In that case, I should be on my way too." Elf shrugged.
"Are you not staying with us?" Kuroneko asked.
Elf shook her head.
"Being with you all feels like cutting in line, so it's better to separate... Besides, I still want to keep exploring."
"Okay then." Kuroneko nodded in understanding.
She knew Elf was the type to enjoy adventures, and for Elf, having no fun was almost like a life-threatening condition.
After Elf left, Kirino looked at Kuroneko with surprise.
"Come to think of it, Kuroneko, are you deliberately toning down your chuunibyou behavior in front of Minamiya-senpai and his friends?"
Upon hearing that, Kuroneko's temples throbbed.
"Huh? W-Who's a chuunibyou?! Aren't you siscon yourself?! Explain it to me!"
"You're the one who needs to explain! How can being a siscon be the same thing as a chuunibyou? I mean, with all your fallen angels and night queen nonsense, those are some serious delusions, aren't they? But when you're hanging out with Minamiya-senpai and his friends, you conveniently ditch all that?"
"I'm just changing the way I interact! You siscon are doing the same, right? What right do you have to criticize me?" Kuroneko retorted.
Saori: "..."
Not only was Saori speechless, but the people around them were also completely bewildered.
Were these two about to start a full-blown brawl?
Naturally, a full-blown brawl was an overestimation since these two were, in truth, just teasing each other, much like Utaha and Eriri, as well as Elf and Muramasa.
If Homura were here, he would probably just watch with a smile since he was used to it.
===
"Minamiya-sensei, it's nice to see you again!"
Greeting like that, the girl in front of Homura was a familiar figure.
She was the one who had been the first to approach him at the previous signing event, the one with the round glasses who had seemed a bit nervous.
"Oh? You're the first this time too?" Homura said in surprise. "You weren't camping outside, were you?"
""Hahaha!""
Upon hearing his words, the girl and the crowd burst into laughter, leaving him bewildered.
"No, I actually came later, but everyone remembered me, so they let me go first to see Minamiya-sensei's reaction..." The girl replied with a smile.
"Just to see my reaction, huh? You guys really know how to have fun." Homura said speechlessly.
"Of course!"
Another voice from behind the girl chimed in.
"We recorded the moment you were all bewildered! It's epic, so worth it!"
"Alright then, as long as you're happy." Homura rolled his eyes, then turned to the girl again. "This time you seem less nervous than last time though."
"Well... it's because Minamiya-sensei gives off a very approachable vibe..." The girl said with a soft voice.
"Being the first to come to me two times in a row... How about an extra reward?" Homura said while chuckling.
With that, he began signing the girl's manga book, taking a moment to carefully sketch a chibi version of her.
"Since I don't have anything special for the reward, take this."
As the girl eagerly took her manga book, she gazed at her own drawing in chibi style with sparkling eyes. After taking a deep breath, she turned to Homura and bowed her head.
"Thank you very much, Minamiya-sensei!"
"Don't mention it." Homura smiled.
Meanwhile, the crowd behind the girl was all amazed.
"Oy, isn't this special treatment only for the people from Another Dimension?"
"What on earth is special treatment only for the people from Another Dimension? Not everyone I've drawn in a chibi style is Another Dimension's people." Homura couldn't help but joke.
"But online, we've seen everyone from Another Dimension have their chibi drawing."
"Nope, not everyone. My editor, for example." Homura gestured toward Ayano.
"..."
"By the way, Minamiya-sensei, what's this promotional sign for?"
Someone in the crowd smoothly changed the topic.
"Oh, this? I thought no one would ask." Homura picked up the promotional sign and waved it around. "This is the debut work of our talented member, Kani Nayuta-sensei. I recommend everyone to give it a try."
Upon hearing that, the crowd looked at each other with surprised gazes.
"Kani Nayuta? Isn't that the new and unknown writer who joined Another Dimension recently?"
"Dude, you're saying it wrong. Minamiya-sensei said this is Kani-sensei's debut work. Of course, she's unknown. How could she have been famous before this?"
Homura paid no attention to their argument and continued.
"I genuinely believe that this work is something you won't regret reading. So, anyone interested, please give it a try."
"Silver Scenery..."
Someone mumbled to themselves.
"Hmm, if Minamiya-sensei recommends it, it must be good."
"I'll give it a try! Since it's Minamiya-sensei's suggestion, I'm curious!"
"Alright, everyone, do you want to keep chatting and make the people behind you impatient?" Homura reminded with a chuckle.
With that, the crowd finally settled down, and the book signing continued.
===
"Homura-shi!"
Hearing someone calling him, Homura quickly looked up, surprised to see Saori in front of him.
"You didn't notify me you were coming?"
"If I notified you, it wouldn't be a surprise, right?" Saori grinned mischievously and wiggled a finger in the air. "Okay, enough chatting. It's not the time."
"Yeah, you're right. It's not the right time. We'll talk later."
Homura quickly suppressed his desire to continue the conversation since the signing event was the top priority right now. Moreover, there would be plenty of opportunities to chat later.
"Minamiya-senpai!"
After Saori walked away, Homura spotted Kirino and Kuroneko.
"Oh, Kirino, Kuroneko, you two are here too. I figured you two would be here when I saw Saori, but her tall body just blocked you girls."
Kirino: "..."
"Pfff!" Kuroneko couldn't hold back her laughter.
Was that a sarcastic joke? After all, Saori's body was indeed tall.
After receiving her signed manga book, Kirino raised the corner of her mouth into a smirk.
"Minamiya-senpai, I'll pass on your message to Saori. Goodbye~!"
Homura: "..."
"Senpai, do you think Saori will get mad if she hears what you said?" Kuroneko said with a sly smile.
"Probably not, but there might be a small complaint, maybe?" Homura, signing her manga book, couldn't help but say in exasperation.
"In that case, please do your best, Senpai."
After saying that, Kuroneko blinked her eyes as if remembering something.
"Oh, and... I'm really looking forward to Another Dimension's new work. Goodbye."
Waving her hand, Kuroneko left.
"I actually anticipate it even more than anyone else..."
Watching her retreating figure, Homura muttered to himself.