The Stand User Of The Daily World

Chapter 125: Childhood Sweetheart from the Heavens

Eriri kept staring at Marin's lower body, which made Shunsuke a bit uneasy. To change the topic, he quickly said, "Eriri, didn't you say you needed to use the bathroom? Don't hold it in, just go already."

"I'm not going! And don't say something so blunt to a girl, idiot!"

As expected, Eriri fell for it again and started baring her little tiger teeth.

"Wait, so you did it on purpose earlier? I mean, come on, who doesn't notice someone in the bathroom? What are you, the protagonist of a manga?"

"I'd never do something like that!"

Eriri furiously whipped her twin tails around, smacking Shunsuke in the face.

Seeing this scene after meeting Takanashi Rikka earlier, Shunsuke couldn't help but think of another chuunibyou girl. If she didn't tie something heavy at the ends of her hair, hitting people with it wouldn't hurt at all.

"Eriri, where did you learn this move from? Dekomori Sanae?"

Eriri suddenly froze mid-action. "Shunsuke, how do you know the Dekomori family's kid?"

"…Wait, you actually know her?"

Shunsuke had just mentioned it offhandedly, but to his surprise, Eriri really did know Dekomori Sanae. Was this the legendary "the world is a small place"?

"Of course I know her! My mom works with their family. Every year at the banquets, the Dekomori adults attend, and Sanae, being their sole heir, always comes along too… Ah! Could it be that you met her at one of those banquets? Just like you met me?!"

As Eriri continued, her tone grew increasingly suspicious. After all, she herself had been "kidnapped" by this boy at a boring banquet.

"Banquets, huh… Thinking back to those days as a kid is so embarrassing."

Shunsuke vaguely recalled his bold antics as a child. Back then, in the rigidly hierarchical society of Japan, he was determined to rise to the top.

Starting from a young age, he put in relentless effort, hoping to achieve something akin to the "childhood marriage" trope from manga, ensuring he'd have a head start in life. His "pond" was brimming with loli candidates, and his rigorous time management left him utterly exhausted.

Unfortunately, as of now, only Eriri—whose family had a longstanding relationship with his own—remained in the picture.

The other girls, who once declared they'd marry him, had scattered like stars across the sky, their faces now blurred in his memory.

Of course, part of the reason for this shift was that as Shunsuke grew older, he abandoned such opportunistic ambitions.

The carefree days of childhood had washed away much of the calculative nature he once had as a "social climber." At the very least, he no longer entertained thoughts of rising through the ranks via such schemes.

Besides, he was older now, and using the excuse of "childish naivety" to roam freely at banquets was no longer an option. Damn it, my JS (juvenile schemes)!

"Stop trying to change the subject!"

Eriri's twin tails flailed about furiously again, her loser-dog radar going off at entirely unnecessary moments.

"Alright, alright, I only heard about her from a friend. I don't actually know… wait, huh? Huh?!"

Shunsuke froze.

He suddenly realized… he might actually know Dekomori Sanae?

Thanks to his vastly improved memory, Shunsuke dredged up forgotten fragments of his past. So, if Takanashi Rikka really did summon her Thunder Hammer companion, did that mean the "childhood sweetheart descending from the heavens" trope was about to play out right in his face?

Of course, he was just kidding. More likely than not, she probably wouldn't remember him either. But that didn't stop Shunsuke from using it to mess with Eriri.

With that thought, he clapped his hands together, feigning a look of sudden realization and amusement. "Oh, so that's how it is! I was wondering why little Sanae was so enthusiastic when we first met—it turns out I'd completely forgotten her. Eriri, is this what they call the 'childhood sweetheart descending from the heavens' in the stories you like to read?"

"Wu-wa-wahh!" Eriri flailed even harder in response.

Eriri was now unable to produce coherent human speech. A childhood sweetheart from the heavens? This was a childhood sweetheart from the heavens! Why on earth had she set herself up with such a formidable rival?

The childhood friend archetype already had it bad enough—constantly outshone and utterly crushed by heavenly heroines like Mashiro. Why did she have to deal with another heavenly rival in the form of a childhood sweetheart?

As her thoughts spiraled, she suddenly heard the sound of the balcony door sliding open.

"The wielder of the Thunder Hammer is the first servant of my Wicked Eye of Truth and the destined companion of the Stellar Hunter since the ancient times. After crossing endless battlefields, have we finally reunited once again?"

"???"

Eriri's neck stiffened as she slowly turned her head, staring blankly at Takanashi Rikka stepping into the room from the balcony. Her voice trembled with disbelief. "A-a-another heavenly descent...? Shunsuke, who is she? Why is there such a cute girl hiding on the balcony of your bedroom? Is she another heavenly sweetheart?!"

From a normal person's perspective, it probably looked like Takanashi Rikka had been hiding on the balcony ever since Eriri's sudden outburst earlier.

Combined with Shunsuke's strange behavior, KMarin's oddly uncharacteristic actions, and the overly mature "next-level" aura emanating from the other presence on the sofa… Eriri quickly jumped to a very "adult" conclusion.

You threw a private party and didn't invite me?!

As a renowned doujinshi artist, Eriri's real-life experience may have been zero, but her theoretical knowledge was practically godlike. In an instant, she'd conjured up thousands of words worth of fictional scenarios, crafting an elaborate, salacious plot in her mind. Before she knew it, she'd emo'd herself into tears.

"Shunsuke, you idiot!"

Clutching her face, tears streaming down her cheeks, Eriri wailed and bolted out the door.

—???

—What just happened? Why is Eriri crying?

—Did I make her cry? Was it me? Did my joke go too far?

Shunsuke was completely dumbfounded. He absolutely couldn't handle girls crying, so after a moment of shock, he hurriedly chased after Eriri.

—Wait… huh… what's going on? My crisis is resolved?

Standing off to the side like a bystander, Marin was equally clueless. Who is this ridiculously cute girl? When did she even get here? Could she have been here the whole time… even when senpai was taking my measurements? What's her relationship with him?

Is she cosplaying too? Did senpai help her with her outfit? It's so pretty—she looks just like Shizuku! Hmm, her chest isn't quite there yet, but who cares as long as she's cute. Can I hug her? I really want to hug her and maybe… lick her?

Can I lick her? Is that okay? If licking isn't allowed, then hugging is fine, right? Just holding her tightly and snuggling should be okay!

In the blink of an eye, Marin had completely forgotten about both Shunsuke and Eriri. She wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth, giggling mischievously, and slowly began approaching Takanashi Rikka. Her movements were careful, almost predatory, like a hunter trying not to spook its prey.

Takanashi Rikka trembled in fear. With a loud "bang," she opened the small umbrella strapped to her leg and held it out in front of her. "The Shield of Darkness!"

Marin's excitement only grew. This is what a true cosplayer looks like! So professional!

Meanwhile, in her own room, Mashiro quietly worked on her manga, completely oblivious to the chaos unfolding elsewhere.

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