Chapter 12: The Hopeless Loser
"After being treated like this, aren't you going to comfort my wounded heart?" Kunimi pretended to look hurt. "If this keeps up, you might lose someone as valuable as me."
Sakuta chimed in, egging him on, "Let's strike it rich and redistribute the wealth!"
"Get lost! I don't have money, just one life to give."
"Damn it! You're filthy rich, yet so stingy."
"Hah, call me 'Dad' and I'll treat you."
"Eh, you scoundrel!"
"Get outta here!"
Despite their teasing banter, when they passed by the convenience store, Shunsuke still honestly paid for three drinks.
His own was a cola, Sakuta got a takoyaki-flavored soda, and Kunimi received what was supposedly a healthy tomato juice.
"Why'd you buy me something this weird?" Sakuta complained, staring at the odd drink in his hand.
"Kunimi is nursing his wounded heart, so I'll let that slide. But you, the winner, expect me to treat you too? Where's your shame?"
"Still, couldn't you have gotten something like curry soda or wasabi soda? This takoyaki soda... just hearing the name makes me worry."
"Relax. People who've tried it say it tastes just like America's top-ranked sacred water, Gold Mineral Water. Would I steer you wrong?" Shunsuke said with a dead-serious expression.
"Gold Mineral Water?"
Sakuta tilted his head, confused. He didn't really understand, but since it was called "sacred water" and ranked number one, it probably wouldn't taste bad... right?
Even though every cell in his body screamed at him to run, the thought of wasting it nagged at him. So, in the end, Sakuta slowly twisted off the cap, took a deep breath to brace himself, and gulped down a mouthful...
"Ugh!"
...
That break was spent with the three of them mopping the floor.
...
That day, Shunsuke almost lost a friend forever.
...
It was now lunchtime.
Shunsuke, as usual, headed to the cafeteria for his meal.
Even after all these years, he still couldn't get used to the Japan custom of eating cold food for lunch.
No matter how luxurious or carefully prepared a bento might be, once it cooled down, the taste would take a nosedive. That's why, even when he had the time, Shunsuke rarely made a bento to bring to school.
Thankfully, Sobu High was one of the top four national high schools, and the cafeteria food was guaranteed to taste good.
It also offered a wide variety of dishes at affordable prices, which had significantly reduced the demand for yakisoba bread from the school's snack shop.
Even so, there were still many people who preferred eating bread for lunch, something Shunsuke could never quite understand.
Just as he was about to order a plate of Okonomiyaki, a message popped up on his LINE app.
Opening it, he saw a request for him to order a curry rice.
The message came from someone saved in his contacts as "Golden-Haired Loser."
This was a nickname he'd given them back when they were kids.
Shunsuke had known this "loser" since childhood.
Japan was small, and its Eromanga industry was even smaller. It wasn't surprising that Izumi-sensei and Sayuri, the mother of Eriri, knew each other and were on good terms, as both were prominent figures in the industry.
Thanks to Izumi-sensei's superb artistic skills, Eriri had even become her disciple, and was set on inheriting the title of "Eromanga-sensei" one day.
Unlike the others—Izumi Sagiri and Amelia Armelia—who had moved on to drawing light novel illustrations and manga, Eriri had stayed true to her roots, dedicating herself wholeheartedly to the Eromanga industry.
As a professional, Izumi-sensei far surpassed Sayuri, who was only a hobbyist. She had recognized Eriri's potential early on, and in this world, Eriri Spencer Sawamura was even stronger than her original counterpart!
At least, that's how Shunsuke saw it.
In the world of Saekano, there was no one who could rival her.
To find a worthy competitor, he'd have to look to top artists from other worlds.
With the grumbling of the people behind him, Shunsuke ordered an additional curry rice, then carried both dishes to a secluded corner of the cafeteria.
There was a large pillar there that blocked most people's view. Whenever he ate lunch with Eriri, she would always choose this spot.
A loser is a loser—always finding new ways to torment herself, running backward from the finish line.
Shunsuke placed the curry rice in front of her and teased, "You really know how to boss people around, don't you?"
"Shut up," Eriri muttered.
"I wasn't here yesterday, but you're still in the international art class, right?"
Shunsuke didn't mind; he had plenty of patience when it came to Eriri.
Sobu High's international class was like an elite program, split into art, literature, and other specialized departments.
To get in, you needed either top grades, family connections, or exceptional talent—most people relied on their family background.
Eriri not only had an excellent family background but was also the best artist in the entire school, the ace of the art club, so it was no surprise she got in.
Shunsuke could have joined too, but he declined. He didn't like that atmosphere.
Besides, if he really wanted, he could've gotten into a much more prestigious school, Shuchin Academy. He had turned down Shuchin twice, so there was no way he'd be impressed by Sobu High's international class.
As for Eriri, with her family, she could've entered Shuchin from kindergarten and smoothly become part of its "pure" lineage. But instead, she had "unexpectedly" ended up as Shunsuke's classmate.
Shunsuke knew exactly why, but the golden-haired loser stubbornly refused to admit it.
Every time the topic came up, she'd make a big fuss, insisting she only stayed at Sobu High because it was closer to home. It left him speechless.
Dog, I'm giving you a chance, but you're not taking it!
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Eriri asked, a little guilty under Shunsuke's gaze, before yelling at him defensively.
"No reason. Want to try some of my Okonomiyaki?" Shunsuke scooped up a spoonful and offered it to her.
"I-I just want a taste, don't get the wrong idea!" Eriri's face turned as red as a monkey's behind, but she stubbornly maintained her tough front.
"Sure, sure. Open wide."
Shunsuke brought the spoon to her mouth.
"Ah... Wait, no!"
Eriri nervously closed her eyes and slowly parted her soft lips.
But just as the spoon was about to touch her mouth, she suddenly jerked back, glaring at Shunsuke. "Wait a minute, you already took a bite with this spoon, didn't you?!"
Shunsuke stared back at her, confused.
"That would be an indirect kiss! Don't you boys care about that? Pay attention, you pervert!"
Watching the golden-haired loser throw a fit, Shunsuke was completely exasperated.
What kind of useless teammate is this? There's no saving her.
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•Eriri Spencer Sawamura [Saekano]
•Amelia Armeria [Eromanga-sensei]
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