The Door of My Bathroom Leads to the Comic World!

Miku hesitated at the entrance for a while before finally gathering the courage to walk in and sit down in an empty seat.

"Well, you can go now. You can start whenever you have the time," Sui said to the dispirited Emi.

"Got it," she replied weakly, her head hanging low.

The strand of hair on top of her head drooped, reflecting her sense of defeat, as though she had just betrayed the entire world. But in truth, she simply longed for pork floss bread, grilled meat, ramen, and tuna sushi...

It wasn't entirely her fault, though. The world was simply too cruel. Even the most steadfast hero would abandon their dignity in the face of eel rice, fried chicken, and donburi.

That's what she told herself to feel better.

Sui glanced at her, speechless. He was helping her out, but it felt as if he was coercing her into a choice she didn't want to make.

'She's just going to be a waitress in my restaurant, not sell her body,' he thought, shaking his head. Then turn his attention to the girl who invited him.

Today, Miku wore a simple blue top and green skirt. Her slender legs were wrapped in black stockings, and her long brown hair cascaded down, covering part of her face. Like her sisters, she had big, water-blue eyes, delicate features, and a beautiful appearance. However, unlike the flashy Nino or Itsuki, Miku had a reserved demeanor, rarely spoke, and often seemed lost in her own world.

As Sui sat down across from her, he noticed the intensity of her gaze. She was staring at him fiercely, creating a sense of tension.

Before he could say anything, she spoke up first.

"Are you a pimp?" she asked in an innocent tone. "I saw you forcing that girl to do something she clearly didn't want to. She looked really pitiful."

Sui: "..."

"No, I just invited her to work as a waitress at my restaurant," he explained, exasperated.

"Oh, that kind of 'waitress,'" Miku nodded as if she fully understood.

"...No, it's just a regular restaurant job," Sui clarified, lines of frustration appearing on his forehead.

"Is it one of those bunny-girl restaurants?" she asked seriously. "Or maybe a swimsuit-themed one?"

"…No." 

Sui felt a headache coming on, so he decided to change the subject. "Anyway, why did you ask me out today?"

At that question, Miku's expression turned sharp, and her gaze became even more intense. "Did you see my phone screen?"

"Uh, yeah. The military commander-themed wallpaper was pretty unique," Sui admitted hesitantly.

Suddenly, Miku covered her face with her hands, her voice turning shy. "Please don't tell anyone that I like Warring States generals!"

Even through her fingers, her face was visibly red with embarrassment.

Sui was caught off guard by her sudden bashfulness, feeling as though the contrast in her behavior had stunned him into silence.

"It all started when Yotsuba lent me the game," Miku continued, her voice softening. "I got hooked on the ambitious generals in it, and I ended up reading a lot of books. But while the other girls in my class were into handsome idols, I was obsessed with bearded warlords... I felt out of place."

Miku lowered her head, gently touching her cheek.

Sui was speechless. He had thought something serious was going on, but it turned out to be a trivial matter. She really was an odd girl—but also quite adorable.

"It feels good to finally say it out loud," Miku muttered, clenching her little fists, her tone slightly silly.

"Do your sisters know?" Sui asked, amused by the situation.

"Because they're my sisters, I can't tell them," Miku replied, her voice tinged with melancholy. "Out of the five of us, I feel like I'm the furthest behind."

Sui understood. Miku was clearly introverted and sensitive, easily affected by even the smallest differences.

Although she came off as a bit quirky, she certainly wasn't the most foolish among the five sisters. 

Well, maybe all five of them were a little foolish in their own ways.

"There's nothing wrong with liking military commanders," Sui said reassuringly. "It's a completely normal hobby."

Miku blinked, staring at him blankly as her face turned a deeper shade of red.

"And for the record, I like military commanders too," Sui added.

"Really?" Miku's tone was still flat, but her tightly clenched fists betrayed her excitement.

At that moment, Sui had the odd sense that the girl before him was glowing with happiness.

"Yeah, like Zilong, Hou Yi, and others from 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms'," Sui said, recalling his admiration for the legendary heroes he had grown up hearing about.

"The Three Kingdoms period? You mean from 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms'?" Miku asked, her fists still clenched.

'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' was immensely popular in Japan, sometimes even more so than their own Warring States period.

"Yeah, that's right," Sui nodded, glancing at her. Since Miku liked Warring States generals, she might also enjoy the stories of the Three Kingdoms.

"Can you tell me more about it?" she asked, her face puffed up in anticipation, looking both eager and cute.

Once again, Sui felt overwhelmed by her adorableness, but he managed to keep his composure and began recounting stories from the Three Kingdoms.

"Wow! I've never heard of these generals before. Can you tell me more next time?" Miku asked eagerly, her eyes filled with curiosity.

"Of course," Sui agreed with a nod. "But only if you promise to listen to your tutor, Utaha."

"I knew it! You're still trying to make me study," Miku pouted, puffing out her cheeks. After a moment's hesitation, she nodded. "I'll think about it."

She stood up, preparing to leave.

"I should head back now. Let's talk again later," she said before exiting the restaurant.

As Sui watched her leave, he reflected on the afternoon. He had been asked out by a girl, only to spend the entire time talking about history.

It had been a rather surreal experience.