"...I'm going to the restroom!"
Before the words had even faded, Anna had already bolted out of the classroom like a wisp of smoke.
Of course, going to the restroom was a lie; searching for Sora was the truth.
"When Sora left the classroom, he was empty-handed and didn't take his bento. And it's lunch break right now, which means it's highly likely he's eating with that thieving cat..."
Anna racked her brains and thought seriously.
"That thieving cat was also empty-handed, so they're very likely at the cafeteria... Let's go check there first!"
Acting as soon as she decided.
Anna was fully motivated, sprinting all the way to the cafeteria.
"Phew... found them."
Anna widened her eyes, her gaze acting like a scanning radar, quickly spotting the two people sitting in a corner.
"I must observe secretly, I can't let Sora spot me..."
Anna crouched low and hid behind an empty dining table, secretly peeking out.
"Sora-kun, here's your pork cutlet and cola." Ruri pushed the tray over, asking with concern, "How is your head? Are you feeling unwell anywhere today?"
Sora took a sip of cola. "Aside from a faint pain, everything else is normal."
"That's good." Ruri softly breathed a sigh of relief, warning him worriedly, "If you feel uncomfortable, don't force yourself. Tell me immediately."
Sora nodded. "Rest assured, I still want to live a healthy life until I'm a hundred."
"Living to a hundred is too exhausting," Ruri muttered in complaint. "The maximum retirement age has already reached 75. It's terrifying just thinking about it, and they'll definitely delay it further in the future. Being a corporate slave for your entire life is simply too scary... I really want to reincarnate in another world!"
"Another world might be very dangerous."
"The strong never fear a challenge."
"..."
Sora and Kuroneko chatted casually while eating, which only caused suffering for Anna, who was observing from the shadows.
"Ahhh, the pork cutlet is golden brown, it looks super delicious..."
Anna wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth, her pretty face full of longing.
"I really want a bite. It definitely makes a super crunchy crunch crunch sound, right?"
What?
You're asking about the bento I just ate?
Girls are like cows, they all have four stomachs. This is common knowledge, alright!
So eating another serving of pork cutlet is absolutely no problem!
Time quietly slipped by, minute by minute, second by second.
Sora suddenly caught a glimpse of a blue ahoge in the corner. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly. After waiting for Kuroneko to finish her lunch, he said:
"Ruri-san, you go ahead. I still have some things to do."
"Okay." Ruri blinked and quickly agreed. "Then I'll head back first."
Watching Kuroneko leave, Sora got up and bought a piece of pork cutlet. Returning to his seat, he took out his phone and sent a message to Anna:
"Stop hiding, come on out."
"..."
The message was sent, but marked as read without a reply.
Sora deployed his ultimate weapon: "Come out and eat pork cutlet."
A few seconds later, a gluttonous sea otter swiftly appeared beside Sora, her pretty face full of anticipation:
"Pork cutlet, here I come!"
Looking at Anna, whose eyes were sparkling brightly and who was practically drooling, Sora pointed to the seat across from him:
"Sit down and eat. Before stalking someone, at least eat lunch first. We have PE class this afternoon."
"Um..."
Anna instinctively covered her stomach.
I'm sorry.
I actually already ate my bento before coming out.
"Thank you, Sora."
Anna decided to hide her secret and plopped down across from Sora.
"How did Sora know I was in the cafeteria? I clearly hid very well."
Sora was expressionless. "I heard the sound of someone drooling."
"Impossible!" Anna hurriedly wiped the corners of her mouth. "Beautiful girls don't drool!"
Crunch~
Taking a gentle bite of the pork cutlet, a super happy expression instantly blossomed on Anna's pretty face. Just looking at it evoked an appetite.
"The cafeteria's pork cutlet doesn't just look good, it tastes super amazing too."
Sora sipped his cola. "So, why was Anna stalking me?"
"I-I wasn't stalking..." Anna immediately started coughing, hurriedly raising a hand to wipe crumbs from her mouth, her gaze wandering. "Passing by, I was just passing by."
Naturally, Sora wouldn't believe Anna's guilty excuse. "That girl from earlier is Gokou-san from the class next door. The injury on my forehead involves her, which is why she treated me to lunch."
Anna looked up, quickly swallowed the pork cutlet in her mouth, and lowered her voice.
"Is she the Witch who can communicate with cats?"
"That's right." Sora nodded. "That's her."
While they were eating earlier, Sora had asked Kuroneko if her identity needed to be kept secret. After getting permission, he revealed her identity.
"I want the ability to communicate and converse with cats too." Anna's tone was envious. "It sounds so cool."
The Losing Heroine Diary is completely useless. Every day's content is just me becoming a losing heroine in various poses. I clearly hold the childhood friend trump card, how can I lose every time!
"It's not as fun as you imagine." Sora shook his head. "Every time you use magic power, there are side effects. It's actually not a good thing."
Anna took a crunchy bite of the pork cutlet. "That makes sense, but I'm still very envious."
"Let's talk business." Sora took another sip of cola. "Regarding you wanting to be a beautiful girl author, I already have some ideas."
"Eh, so soon?" Anna's eyes lit up, looking over expectantly. "Sora-sensei, hurry up and teach me."
Sora interlaced his fingers and rested his chin on his hands, striking a commander's pose.
"First is choosing a genre that aligns with the current meta. Going against the current is very exhausting. Right now, 'toilet paper' isekai light novels are extremely prevalent. Every website has tons of isekai works. Even though everyone complains about them being 'toilet paper', they are undeniably very popular... So I suggest Anna start with an isekai light novel."
"Mhm, mhm." Anna's eyes sparkled brightly, nodding repeatedly. "And then? And then?"
"Furthermore, the most important thing about writing is interest. Anna can combine the isekai genre with your own hobbies and write about things you're interested in." Sora offered his suggestion. "If you force yourself to follow a trend and imitate others, but write about things you don't like, it'll be like a timid person forcing themselves to watch a horror movie. You'll be on pins and needles, feeling uncomfortable all over."
"That makes sense, but..." Anna's voice was muffled. "I don't seem to have any hobbies."
"No, you do." Sora's tone was deep.
"Eh, what is my hobby?"
"Eating, drinking, playing, and having fun."
Anna: "..."
Looking down on people! What kind of beautiful girl would consider 'eating, drinking, playing, and having fun' as a hobby!
Sora continued:
"Pure gourmet food isn't attractive enough. You can blend in the currently popular labyrinth elements."
"Mmm, I have an idea..." Anna's eyes brightened. She quickly raised her right hand, her voice crisp. "How about 'Today's Dungeon Meal is Also Very Delicious'?"
Sora nodded slightly. "The name isn't bad, but it could be a bit longer."
"Eh?"
"Nowadays, isekai light novel titles are getting longer and longer." Sora complained. "So, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em."
"Understood." Anna raised her hand in a salute.
"The target content has been decided. Next is to start writing." Sora assigned the task. "Anna, start writing tonight when you get home."
"Ehhhh, isn't that too fast?" Anna jumped in shock. "Sora-sensei, please guide me a bit more."
"I've already finished guiding you." Sora shook his head. "There are no shortcuts to becoming an author. The only way is to write more. Just like driving a car—no matter how many postures you learn or videos you watch, nothing is as useful as experiencing it yourself."
Anna tilted her head, looking over, suddenly raising a hand to cover her mouth. "I suspect Sora is driving a car, but I have no evidence."
"If you have no evidence, don't say it out loud." Sora, expressionless, stood up. "Hurry up and finish eating, then we'll head back to the classroom."
"Wait for me, wait for me~" Anna finished the pork cutlet in two bites, quickly got up, and followed Sora. With her hands behind her back and a brisk step, she said, "Then I'll start writing tonight when I get home. I'll show it to Sora after I finish. You're not allowed to laugh at me."
"Don't worry, I've received professional training. I'll try my best to hold it in."
"What's that supposed to mean? Sora is so mean."
"..."
The two afternoon classes passed in a flash.
In the blink of an eye, it was time for school to end.
As a member of the Go-Home Club, Sora didn't need to participate in club activities. After packing his schoolbag, he prepared to head straight home.
"Sora~"
The gluttonous girl, holding her schoolbag with both hands, approached Sora with brisk steps. The smile on her face was as bright as the blue sky.
"Let's walk home together today?"
Sora looked at Anna. "Today is Monday. Aren't you going to karaoke with your friends?"
"Karaoke requires money." Anna bent over, leaning in close and lowering her voice. "It's the end of the month, and my pocket money is completely gone. So I'm not going singing."
Even couples in Japan split the bill when they go on dates, and the same goes for regular friends hanging out.
"Do you want me to lend you some?" Sora pulled out his wallet.
"Mmm..." A hint of temptation flashed in Anna's eyes, but she quickly turned her pretty face away. "No! Sora, hurry up and put away that filthy thing that tempts people into depravity! Don't tempt me!"
It's just a wallet, don't say things that would cause misunderstandings!
"If I borrow money, I'll definitely have to pay it back." Anna put her hands behind her back, her blue hair gently bouncing in the air. "Getting my pocket money at the beginning of every month is the happiest time, but the thought of having to give it back to Sora as soon as I get it would halve that happiness. That's why I don't want to borrow money."
Although Anna was a gluttonous girl, she was surprisingly persistent in certain aspects.
"Of course..." Anna's gaze shifted, and she suddenly looked over expectantly. "If Sora agrees to let me pay off the debt with goods, that would be the best."
Sora looked at her. "What goods do you want to use to pay off the debt?"
"Mmm..." Anna placed a slender, jade-like finger on her lips. "The manga books I've read?"
"Those are the manga books you borrowed from me." Sora couldn't help but complain. "You borrowed them two months ago and still haven't returned them."
"Ehehe, I forgot." Anna stuck out her delicate pink tongue. "I can also make bento for Sora, and then we can eat it together at noon."
"No need." Sora shook his head. "When I prepare food for Sagiri in the morning, I make my own bento."
Anna extended a finger and quietly poked Sora's arm.
"Sora didn't prepare a bento today."
"Today was an exception."
"Hmph~"
Anna gave a light snort, her eyes suddenly brightening.
"I remember now! I heard from a friend that pantyhose worn by girls is very valuable. A pair of pantyhose can sell for tens of thousands of yen... Should I use pantyhose to pay off the debt?"
"I'm sorry, I refuse. I'm completely uninterested." Sora delivered a decisive triple refusal.
Trying to use pantyhose to pay off a debt?
That kind of thing would be completely useless to take home!
The two chatted as they left the school and headed to the train station.
The train swayed gently. This time, there were no sudden braking accidents, and it stopped smoothly at the station.
Sora stepped off the train but didn't head home. Instead, he prepared to head to the shopping mall. "My old computer isn't cutting it anymore; it's always lagging. I'm going to buy a new one."
"I'll go with you, Sora." Needless to say, Anna naturally followed along.
The two entered the shopping mall, and a special structure in the first-floor lobby quickly caught Anna's attention.
"Sora, what is that?" Anna's face was full of curiosity.
"I don't know." Sora looked over. "The mall must be hosting an event."
"Mmm, I can see it clearly now. The name seems to be Mirror Maze..." Anna stood on her tiptoes to get a better look, suddenly widening her eyes. "Eh, there are snack rewards for participants?!"
Without further ado, Anna hugged Sora's arm. "Sora, let's go take a look!"
Seeing Anna reacting to free snacks, even two oxen couldn't pull her back. Sora had no choice but to follow.
"There are special cards hidden inside the mirror maze. Find a card and make it out within the time limit, and you can get a reward..." Anna widened her eyes, the ahoge on top of her head swaying gently. "Get out within ten minutes, and you get the first prize. Twenty minutes, the second prize. And if it's under thirty minutes, you can get the third prize."
The first prize was a free ticket for a 'two days, one night' stay at a hot spring inn. The second prize was a handheld game console. And the third prize was a large snack gift bag.
"Sora..."
Anna turned her head. Clasping her hands in front of her chest, her azure eyes were practically glowing, looking like a believer begging a deity for a blessing:
"I want to play!"
"Please!"
"If we don't take these free snacks, it will definitely become a lifelong regret, won't it?"
There are three whole tiers of rewards, and your goal is only the snack gift bag! As expected, your head is filled with nothing but food, right!
"Challenging the mirror maze requires a shopping receipt..." Sora sighed helplessly. "Let's go buy things first, then we'll come back and play."
"Ehehe~" Anna cheered happily. "Snack gift bag, here we come!"