Good to have you back Kloud Paradizo, 2 bonus chapters for you making it a total of 6 extra chapters this coming week.

**

Before he realized it, night had fallen again over Tokyo.

After a hot shower, Nozomi stepped out of the bathroom, his hair still damp, casually toweling it dry. He had been planning a stealthy sneak attack on Shiina Mahiru—just a little harmless mischief to test his luck.

But right then, his phone buzzed.

He raised a brow. "Kasumigaoka Utaha... Senpai?"

Curious, he answered, "Utaha-senpai? It's already this late—did something happen?"

A soft chuckle drifted from the other end of the line. It was teasing and charming, as expected of her.

"Ara, are you saying you don't like getting a late-night call from a beautiful senpai?"

"N-no! I mean, it's always an honor to hear from you!" Nozomi stammered a little, caught off guard by her flirtatious tone.

"Good. Then I'll cut to the chase. Kouhai-kun, are you planning to turn your Magical Girl Misaki story into a light novel?"

Nozomi's eyes gleamed. "You mean... you want to introduce me to an editor? Because yes, I've been considering publishing it."

"I figured. Magical Girl Misaki is already shaping up well as a game, and if the momentum continues, it's bound to get an anime adaptation. A novel version would build hype. Plus," she said smoothly, "didn't you always say you wanted to be a proper creator like me? To be called 'sensei'?"

He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I did say that. Being called 'Nozomi-sensei' sounds kinda cool."

Kasumigaoka Utaha laughed again, the sound velvety through the receiver. "Then have you picked a pen name yet?"

"Not yet. Do you have one in mind for me, senpai?"

"Let me think..." she hummed. "How about... Healing Dawn?"

"Healing Dawn? Huh... that actually sounds kind of poetic. But are you sure it won't make readers laugh at me?"

"Well, considering your script made even me tear up, it fits. Didn't you say the pain and heartbreak in the story were meant to help people treasure the light in their lives? Healing Dawn suits you perfectly."

Nozomi smiled. Her praise meant a lot, even when wrapped in teasing.

"Alright then. I'll go by Healing Dawn. Please take care of me, Kasumi Shiko-sensei."

There was a light splash from her end of the call.

"By the way, senpai, was that... water? Wait, don't tell me..."

"Mm-hmm. I'm in the bath right now."

Nozomi nearly dropped his phone.

"S-senpai!"

She laughed again, clearly enjoying his flustered reaction. "What's wrong? Are you imagining what I look like right now?"

"I-I'm not! I swear! Don't tease me like that!"

"Hmm? But if you say you are, I might just send you a photo~"

"Fine, I admit it!" he confessed without hesitation.

Seconds later, his phone pinged.

A photo from Kasumigaoka Utaha.

He opened it—

Just a side profile, her wet hair clinging to her neck, the steam of the bath softening the edges of the image. It was just suggestive enough to make his heart pound.

"Senpai... this is dangerous."

"Hehe~ What? You were expecting a full-on gravure shot? No chance! But, if it's just the sound of water, I'll let you enjoy that."

Nozomi laughed helplessly. "Even just listening, I feel all hot and bothered."

"Ara, ara~ I wonder if that appetite applies to me too?" Shiyu replied in a teasing whisper, clearly enjoying the late-night back-and-forth. "You're sure you're not secretly interested in your charming, older senpai?"

"That's..." Nozomi hesitated, clearing his throat. "Unfortunately, I already have a girlfriend, and she's just as gorgeous as you!"

Utaha giggled again, her tone playfully sultry. "What if I said I was interested, hmm?"

Nozomi gulped. "Senpai, please... don't tempt me. I'm a man of many weaknesses. If you say something like that, I might take it seriously!"

She chuckled, the sound of rippling water subtly returning as she swirled her fingers in the tub. "Then I'll leave you with some homework, Mr. Greedy. Let's meet on Sunday. I'll be introducing you to my editor. Since you want to become a proper light novel author, it's time to take that step."

"I'm honored, Kasumi Utako-Sensei," Nozomi said with mock seriousness.

Before she hung up, Utaha sent him a file—her latest manuscript draft.

As the call ended and the screen dimmed, Nozomi's thoughts shifted. Becoming a light novel author was a dream he had long chased, and now, with his connection to Senpai and a foot in the door thanks to Magical Girl Misaki, things were starting to take shape.

Not to mention... there were others.

Eriri Spencer Sawamura. Eromanga-sensei. So many talented creators surrounded him.

Just the thought of Eriri—his sharp-tongued, twin-tailed childhood friend—brought a smirk to his face.

With nothing better to do, he picked up his phone and typed a message.

"Oi, Eromanga-Sensei, still awake?"

A reply came instantly, sharp as a dagger.

"Don't call me that name, you pervert!!"

"Huh? How am I a pervert now?" Nozomi texted back, feigning innocence.

"Don't play dumb! You know what you did last time!!" Eriri shot back, her digital fury practically melting the screen.

"You threw yourself on me. I merely accepted my fate like a true protagonist," Nozomi joked.

"Accepted my—?! You're not even human!"

"Well, if I'm not human, what am I? A monster? Demon lord?"

"Stop your nonsense! Why did you message me this late anyway?"

"No reason. Just curious if you've been working on anything new lately. I'm looking forward to your next masterpiece, Miss Kashiwagi."

Eriri lay in bed, her face reddening as she furiously typed.

"I'm not drawing anymore! People keep saying my work's 'on the right track'—whatever that means! Ugh!"

"That's a shame. How will you buy all those limited-edition manga and light novels in the future?"

She froze.

A terrifying realization dawned.

She did have a nasty collecting habit… Not to mention, even Yukinoshita Yukino kept a stash of those weird raccoon plushies. How could she keep up her lifestyle?

"Fine. Then what do you suggest, genius?"

"How about a yuri doujin based on Magical Girl Misaki?" Nozomi proposed. "I'll give you full rights. You can go wild with it."

"Y-Yuri?! What kind of tastes do you have, you degenerate?!"

"It's not like that! I just appreciate the friendship between girls!"

"Sure, sure~ Whatever helps you sleep at night," Eriri muttered, rolling her eyes. "But fine. I, the great Kashiwagi Eri, will draw it for you!"

Nozomi raised an eyebrow. She really agreed?

He had just been fishing for an excuse to talk to her… but had he just awakened something dangerous?

Their chat ended, leaving him amused and slightly worried.

Shaking his head, he walked quietly toward another room.

Shiina Mahiru's room.

"Eh?! W-What are you doing—?!" she exclaimed as Nozomi casually climbed into her bed, a cheeky grin on his face.

The night was still young.

And Nozomi? He was just getting started.