"Speaking of which, Class Rep, why didn't you go to that all-girls high school? And Shiori and Moe too… I feel like you guys would be more suited for an all-girls school."
As they approached the Literature Club activity room, Kuroha Akira asked the Class Rep this question.
Mainly because the Class Rep regarded Shirai Shiori and Aizono Moe as lifelong friends worth keeping, so she always thought of them. And Kuroha Akira still remembered that when the Class Rep first chose him to be a Literature Club member, she'd said she didn't want any pervy male high school students approaching her cute club members…
So, if Aizono Moe couldn't handle boys, Shirai Shiori rejected those vulgar boys, and Asato Hitomi was wary of other boys—then wouldn't it have been better to just go to an all-girls school from the start? If they wanted to continue their friendship trio, they could do that at an all-girls school too, right? Were they afraid their friendship would turn into a yuri route?
"We actually did think about going to Shirayuri Academy together at first."
"Oh? But?"
"But… the principal of Shirayuri Academy is Saionji Makoto's mother, and also a friend of my mother. If I went to that school, I definitely wouldn't have a very comfortable time."
"I see…"
Saionji Makoto's mother was the principal of Shirayuri Academy. With that connection, the Asato family might even be major shareholders of that all-girls school. Is this the upper crust? The exchange of interests is really something.
"So actually, because of me, the three of us didn't choose Shirayuri Academy. Moe-chan and Shiori-chan also followed me and got into Hibiya High School. I'm truly grateful to them…"
Going to the same high school as your friends—applying to the same school together—was indeed a touching display of friendship.
"No wonder you three are so close."
"Yes… But now, Akira-kun, you've joined us too."
"Well… I'll do my best."
That said, I probably won't get as close as you guys—to the point of sharing pants…
This wasn't an exaggeration. In fact, after pulling open the Literature Club activity room door, Kuroha Akira saw Aizono Moe in the middle of taking off her pants.
Aizono Moe had always worn long skirts before, but today she was rarely in a short skirt. The reason, of course, was that her long skirt was in the wash. Under the short skirt, she wasn't wearing tights—just a pair of long sweatpants directly over her legs. Actually, lots of students at this high school dressed like that. Usually, it was the cheerful, athletic girls who did, since it made running around easier.
But why was she taking off her pants in the Literature Club activity room…
Kuroha Akira was about to apologize and close the door, but Aizono Moe spoke first.
"Ah, Kuroha-kun, it's fine—you don't have to leave… and Hitomi-chan too."
Kuroha Akira had thought that after yesterday's incident, when he saw Aizono Moe today, she'd probably blush and lower her head like a mimosa plant. But after seeing Kuroha Akira, she instead showed a particularly friendly smile, appearing even more cheerful than before.
It seemed Aizono Moe's psychological resilience was quite strong.
That was good. This matter was now in the past. It would never be mentioned again, so neither of them would feel awkward.
"Sorry, next time I'll remember to knock."
"You don't need to apologize, Kuroha-kun. It's my fault for using the clubroom as a changing room… Actually, I just wanted to take off the wrong sweatpants and return them to Hitomi-chan."
"Wrong sweatpants?"
"Yeah. Originally, I wanted to wear my own sweatpants to school today, but in the morning I accidentally put on Hitomi-chan's sweatpants, and then I left my own sweatpants at home…"
As expected of the clumsy girl—her carelessness was still in full swing.
"After I got to school, I realized I'd put on the wrong ones. I wanted to take them off quickly and return them to Hitomi-chan, but I'm not used to wearing just a short skirt… After I told Hitomi-chan, she said there was no rush to return them, so I figured I'd take them off and give them back after school."
"I see."
"And actually, it's fine to take them off—no need to worry about exposure, because when I wear short skirts, I always wear safety shorts underneath. Don't believe me, Kuroha-kun? Look?"
To prove that she indeed wore safety shorts, Aizono Moe actively lifted her skirt, revealing her plump thighs and…
Safety shorts? There weren't any? All I see are cute little bear panties…
Seeing her good friend acting foolish again, Shirai Shiori quickly leaned over and pressed down her hand, blushing on her behalf.
"Idiot…! Moe-chan, did you forget that you didn't wear safety shorts today? This morning, you yourself said that if you were wearing sweatpants, you wouldn't need safety shorts… Did you forget already?!"
"Ah…!"
Aizono Moe then remembered that in the morning, she'd taken off her safety shorts because she felt uncomfortable wearing them under long pants. And today, of all days, she was wearing the little bear underwear that even she was starting to find childish… How embarrassing!
Why did she always show her most embarrassing side in front of him… Sob…
"Aaaah…!"
Ah… the speed of that blush. Now that's more like it.
Aizono Moe, the steam princess. So cute.
After the small interlude, it was time to continue the second coloring that had been left unfinished yesterday due to the incident.
After completely resolving her emotional knot—or rather, after Aizono Moe became willing to obey Kuroha Akira—this time she followed his instructions exactly, coloring the illustrations according to the colors she saw. She even performed at 120% of her ability.
"How is it, Kuroha-kun?"
"Hmm… Not bad, but I feel like you can be a bit bolder."
Kuroha Akira's evaluation was slightly conservative, but in reality, he was already overjoyed.
This coloring was not bad at all! On the contrary—it was very unique!
Mainly because Aizono Moe didn't distinguish some colors very well. What seemed like small differences to her were actually large differences in hue. And that produced an unexpected effect.
The female character's hair gained an extra layer that looked like natural highlights.
It was like the female protagonist's sister in Eromanga Sensei. According to the novel's description, her hair color should be silver-white, but in the anime, it came across closer to gray, and in the colored illustrations, she had this indescribable gradient hair color—overall blue-gray, but the tips had a hint of light pink.
So what? That image was already deeply ingrained in people's minds, wasn't it? This unique hair color instead brought a strong visual impression to the character.
Sure, seeing gradient hair in real life would feel very gaudy… but this was 2D illustration!
The more unique a 2D character's hairstyle and hair color, the more vivid the impression it leaves on the audience! For example, some hairstyles look like they're good at playing cards. Some hair colors look like they're destined to lose. And having no hair makes one look strong!
However, beyond that, Kuroha Akira wanted another layer of even more vibrant effect—similar to the coloring style of NO GAME NO LIFE. More gorgeous, fuller, more unique. That would further highlight this special coloring style.
"Moe-chan, can you increase the saturation a bit? I mean, make the colors purer, more intense…"
"Kuroha-kun, I know what saturation means… Okay, I understand. I'll revise it right now!"
Aizono Moe immediately understood Kuroha Akira's meaning. She quickly applied another thick layer of color on top of the original coloring…
Staining it with the color he desired.
And this was the finishing touch.
Looking at the completed colored illustration, Kuroha Akira shouted "It's done!" in his heart.
This light novel will surely become a new milestone in the history of light novels in this world!