Chapter 12: Invitation
As Homura described it, a moving and inspiring work was presented before them.
Every word spoken by Homura stirred their imagination, imagining the thrilling scenes of body-swapping, the breathtaking sight of a comet passing by, and the love and longing that crossed three years of time and space.
They were immersed in it and unable to extricate themselves, with each person's heart surging.
Finally, Homura stopped and finished his preparations before looking at the expressions of the group. He knew it was a done deal. These few people couldn't possibly run away!
For a long time, they were speechless. Finally, Tomoya was the first to react.
"Oh my god! What is this?!" Tomoya was incoherent, unable to contain his excitement. "Just from your brief description, I can tell it has tremendous potential! It's an absolute masterpiece!"
"You have to make it a reality! Complete it! Bring it to the world!" Tomoya continued, "I implore you, Homura, please make it happen! I'll even bet my name on it, and I'll do everything in my power to promote this work, to spread the word, to get more people to know about it!"
Watching Tomoya's passionate appearance, Homura smiled with satisfaction and told him, "Don't worry, Tomoya, making this a reality is also my greatest wish."
Then, Homura looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha, the beautiful Senpai, whose face was also unsettled...
"I really didn't expect Kohai-kun to have this kind of ability!" Utaha exclaimed. "It can be seen that this is truly a masterpiece."
"And I can see that you've planned everything out thoroughly," Utaha said with some doubt.
"But I feel like you're aiming for something more like an anime movie, right? If that's the case, why not give it to the Minamiya Family to do?"
Homura was somewhat surprised by Utaha's perceptiveness and replied with a smile, "Why should I give it to the Minamiya Family? Yes, they can do it, and they will do their best."
"But this is something I want to do myself! It's not just a whim or anything else, but simply because I want to realize it with my own hands, find like-minded partners, and together, step by step, bring people the best emotions!"
"At first, we may not reach our goal of making an anime movie, but we can start by making a game, a visual novel game, and then drawing the manga!" Homura shared his goals.
"When our initial work gains popularity, we will have the capital to complete the later works!"
"Why give something we can do ourselves to the Minamiya Family!"
Homura became somewhat excited and blurted out his greatest wish as an otaku.
As fellow otaku, the others understood why he felt this way.
After all, most otakus didn't just want to enjoy the works they love, they also hope to share them with others and make more people like them. That's why there was the behavior of buying three copies of a work for personal use, collectibles, and lending to friends.
At this moment, Eriri also spoke up, "I said yesterday that as long as your plan can impress me, I'll join!"
Eriri had already calmed down, stood up, and spoke seriously, hugging her arms.
"I'll admit it! This plan has deeply attracted me! Next..."
"Please guide me, Minamiya," Eriri made up her mind and said out loud while extending her hand.
Homura came to her and extended his hand, "Welcome! I won't let you down! Please guide me too in the future!"
Their hands were held together for a long time...
Utaha couldn't help but interject, "Ahem! Are you planning on holding hands forever?"
"Cough!"
"Um!"
They instinctively let go of each other's hands.
Homura shifted the topic.
"Speaking of which, how is it Senpai? will you consider joining my team?"
Utaha cast a white eye at him.
Homura felt a bit shocked and suddenly felt a pain in his foot...
Looking at Eriri, she was trying hard to look out the window, as if something was attracting her.
Homura: '...'
What's going on?
Homura was puzzled.
Looking at Homura's puzzled face, Eriri couldn't help but think to herself.
'Baka Minamiya! Even though you just invited and focused on me, you were instantly snatched away by that sly woman so easily! Hmph!"
Even though they always quarrel when they're together, these two beauties from Toyogasaki High School are really enemies! Or rival?
Although Eriri has never won an argument...
"Ahem!"
With a cough, Utaha brought Homura's attention back and said, "By the way, do you really need me to join, Kohai-kun? Can't you do it yourself?"
"Senpai, are you overestimating me? After all, one person's 'energy' is limited!" Speaking with a hidden meaning behind it; that only he knew, Homura invited her again, "What do you think, Senpai? I think you're really irreplaceable...just like Eriri!"
Feeling astonishing pressure and danger behind his head, Homura quickly rescued himself by moving away and fortunately succeeded!
Eriri put down her raised foot...
"Oh? Is that so? Like someone else!" Utaha pretended not to notice Eriri's small movements and deliberately said, "Since Kohai-kun has 'repeatedly invited', I'll join!"
Indeed, this Black-bellied-senpai was so talented in scheming.
Eriri was so angry that she gnashed her teeth.
"What repeatedly invited!...what a jerk! Baka!"
'I wonder who she's talking about...' Homura extended his hand again and said, "Welcome! Please guide me more in the future, Senpai!"
"Kohai-kun, rest assured, I will 'guide you' a lot in the future..." Utaha also extended her hand, implying something.
After shaking hands, Homura scratched his head.
'Is it just my imagination, or does that sentence sound a bit...weird?'
Finally, Homura turned to Megumi, who was sitting quietly on the side, and also invited her, saying, "How about you join us, Kato? What do you think?"
Utaha: "..."
Eriri: "..."
"!!!"
"Is there another person here?! When did you come in?" Eriri exclaimed in surprise.
"Oi! You came in with her together!" Homura instinctively retorted.
"I didn't notice at all. Is she a ninja?" Utaha also asked.
"She's a normal person! A normal student at our school!" Homura, playing the role of the sarcastic commentator, landed a double hit.
"Ah, although I knew it would be like this, I'm still quite shocked..." Megumi spoke with a pleasant voice that didn't reveal much emotion.
"I can't hear any shock in your voice at all! Kato-san!" Triple hit!
Homura didn't want to continue the sarcasm, so he grabbed Megumi's shoulders and said seriously, "Kato, I remember you! Look, I haven't forgotten about you at all!"
"...Yes, Minamiya-kun is really an amazing person..." Perhaps feeling something, Megumi's words already contained some emotion.
"Cough cough cough~!" A cough came from behind, causing Homura to reflexively let go of Megumi.
"So, how about it? Join us!" Finally getting back to the topic.
Megumi tilted her head and asked in confusion, "I don't understand, Minamiya-kun. Why do you want me to join? Although I can tell that the work you want to create will definitely be good, I don't understand... I've never had any experience with drawing, writing, or even games. So why... invite me?"