Seeing several more new members suddenly added to the group, Karane Inda's expression gradually shifted from emotionally shattered to enlightened acceptance.
"But why are both of the new girls petite little girls? Onii-chan, your tastes couldn't have changed, could they?!"
Yuki Suou looked at Takumi in great excitement, and her words instantly drew the attention of Hakari Hanazono and the other well-endowed girls.
"No way!? Takumi-kun, do you like that kind of girl? No, I'll get rid of these burdens!"
Hakari resolutely wrapped her arms around herself, looking ready to sacrifice everything for love.
"Exactly, exactly~~" ×2
Karane and Eriri nodded in unison.
Hakari, who would show off the pressure of her "G" in front of them from time to time, could be called the most hateful enemy.
When it came to the larger strategic direction, the two of them were united.
Seeing them start making a fuss, Takumi irritably flicked Hakari and Yuki on the forehead.
"What are you two thinking? There are reasons why I met Shizuka and Kotoko."
Takumi then roughly explained how he had met Shizuka Yoshimoto and Kotoko Iwanaga.
Shizuka immediately tapped the screen of her phone.
"I'm sorry. I hope I won't disturb you."
Hearing the voice coming from the phone, Karane and Hakari, who had been the most emotional earlier, immediately showed apologetic expressions.
Hakari revealed a maternal smile and welcomed her warmly. "Of course not. Nothing like that at all. Please take care of us from now on, Yoshimoto-san."
Beside her, Karane squirmed a little before speaking as well. "Ngh… Please take care of me too."
Although her voice sounded somewhat dry, one could tell she meant well.
Looking at the two of them, Shizuka also smiled.
"I should be the one asking you all to take care of me."
"Unexpectedly profound!"
Hearing the clear, sweet, and calm voice coming from Shizuka's phone, Karane could not help making a comment.
Takumi also explained, "These are lines from books Shizuka likes reading."
"Oh, right. The AI I compiled into the app will automatically learn and evolve."
"There are some everyday phrases that aren't in the books, so you can directly provide them."
With Takumi operating alongside her, name after name appeared on the phone.
"Takumi-kun~"
"Ms. Hanazono, Ms. Inda, Ms. Suou…"
She tapped through them one by one, familiarizing herself with everyone's names.
Listening to the repeated "Ms.," Karane felt like she was about to be brainwashed.
"Why are you always using 'Ms.'? Just use -san!"
"Shizuka is the library assistant. She really likes reading, so the way she addresses people is a little different."
Takumi explained for her, and Kotoko Iwanaga also stepped forward.
"As for me, I'm currently the yokai's 'Goddess of Wisdom,' though my job is closer to that of a detective."
"If you encounter anything strange, you can come find me."
After a simple self-introduction, Kotoko also joined the group.
This was her first time interacting with so many girls.
"Speaking of which, Takumi, what does this club do? Does it have any specific purpose?"
"…"
When Kotoko asked curiously, Takumi immediately fell silent.
His club was purely a gathering place for his girlfriends. What else was there to do?
But it wasn't as if it had no other use at all.
"On the surface, this is the Exorcism Research Club, but in reality, there isn't that much we need to do.
"As for right now… Eriri, I have some work for us to do together!"
"Huh? Me?"
Eriri, who was eating her bento, had not expected this to involve her at all.
She blinked, her expression quite bewildered.
Seeing Takumi step forward enthusiastically and place both hands on her shoulders as he spoke, Eriri's cheeks instantly flushed bright red.
"Eh!!!
"If you're going to talk, then talk! Don't get so close!"
Extremely embarrassed, she turned her head away in classic tsundere fashion, then asked in a small voice, "Wh-What is it?"
"I'm planning to write a new romance light novel, and then I'm going to make a related gal game."
Takumi's proposal instantly caused everyone present to short-circuit.
What a bizarre turn. It didn't sound like something an Exorcism Research Club should be doing at all!
"Who starts off with such a grand vision right away? Do you have an actual proposal?"
"It's all in my head."
"So basically, you don't have one at all!!"
Looking at Takumi's completely confident expression, Eriri had no idea where his confidence was coming from.
But she had already gotten on this pirate ship, and her first kiss had been stolen by this jerk too.
After thinking it over, Eriri said softly with a tsundere look on her face, "Hmph~ For old times' sake, I'll agree. Tell me about the proposal…"
"Mm. My current outline is…"
Takumi sat directly on the floor and explained his current plan.
Since he needed to heavily modify part of it, it would probably take three or four days to finish writing the light novel section.
As for the game's code, Takumi could handle that easily.
The problem was the game's character art. Takumi planned to ask Eriri for help with that.
"This is the heroine. Her name is Megumi Kato, and she's also the person this club will be helping this time."
Like a camera, Takumi drew Megumi's portrait on a sheet of A4 paper in just a few seconds.
Her refined face and pretty figure were displayed before everyone exactly as they were.
Seeing this, Eriri immediately said, "That doesn't feel like something you made up. You're definitely trying to seduce another girl!"
Standing in front of everyone while still being ignored, Megumi blushed faintly when she heard that, her expression turning a little shy.
Takumi had no intention of hiding it either and roughly explained the situation.
After that, he also mentioned Utaha Kasumigaoka and his plan to have her participate in this game project too.
"The game's outline definitely can't just follow the original light novel I write."
"If I interfere too much, I feel like I won't be able to write the pure love flavor. I'll only end up writing a party."
"We'll still need Utaha to take action. She's an author with quite a bit of potential."
Hearing Takumi's orderly arrangements, Eriri only felt her mind buzzing.
What did he mean by "Megumi really exists"? And this project was supposed to make it so she could be observed?
And what about this Utaha Kasumigaoka? How had Takumi already decided he needed that specific person?
Although Eriri did not know Utaha, the moment she heard that name, she felt a chill run through her.
It was as if the other girl was her mortal enemy.
Considering these were all just her own imagination, Eriri did not say anything.
Instead, she twisted shyly and said in a small voice, "Drawing these pictures won't be hard… but I'll need you to provide some character designs."
"And also, regarding my drawing skills… If I want to take them further, Takumi, could you… come over on Saturday and Sunday?"
"Don't overthink it. I'm talking about serious business!"
After saying that, Eriri emphasized it again.
Looking at the tsundere Eriri, Karane had the distinct feeling she was looking at herself.
So this was what she looked like in other people's eyes.
How embarrassing!!!
...
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