“Oh!? Really, really? Hehe, I bet Rina-chan and Etsuyuki-chan will be here any second—then I’ll tell them and have them…”

“Excuse us!”

With a bang, the door to the Light Novel Club swung open as Etsuyuki stepped inside.

“…go recruit her—oh, Etsuyuki-chan.”

Motoko, who had been leaning close to Kotoka while whispering, straightened up. “Ah, and Rina-chan too—hmm?!”

Her voice abruptly froze. Her eyes widened.

Kotoka, noticing Motoko’s reaction, leaned over curiously—then she froze as well.

“Ta-da! A new member—Anya Harts!”

Etsuyuki beamed, stepping aside and presenting Anya with both hands toward the stunned pair.

“W-Whoa…” Motoko’s hands trembled as she pushed her glasses up. “…W-Where… where even is this place?”

“Motoko-senpai… this is the Light Novel Club room.”

Rina watched their reactions and couldn’t help holding back a laugh.

This really takes me back…

When I was dragged here by Etsuyuki, everyone reacted exactly like this. I was so embarrassed I almost ran away…

But Anya…

“Oh—so this isn’t a dream…” Motoko slapped her own cheek lightly. “Uh—h-hello! Um… A-Angela… Katasu—no, wait—sorry!”

“Pfft… hahaha—!”

Anya suddenly burst into laughter.

“I was wondering what kind of people you’d be… turns out you’re this funny? Hahaha…”

“Eh? Eh—eh!?”

Motoko froze mid-gesture, hands still awkwardly raised, looking utterly ridiculous.

Kotoka stood up, walked over, and gently pushed Motoko aside by the face.

“…Hello, Anya Harts. Welcome to the Light Novel Club. I’m the club president, Suzushiro Kotoka. And that idiot is our vice president, Ishigaki Motoko.”

She paused briefly, still unable to completely hide her surprise.

“…You’re the transfer student everyone’s been talking about today, right?”

“Mm. Yes, President Suzushiro.”

Anya stopped laughing and straightened her expression, observing Kotoka carefully.

Calm under pressure… keeps composure even when surprised…

Yeah. She fits a leadership role.

“So… about what Etsuyuki said—does that mean you’ve decided to join the Light Novel Club?”

“Yes. Because Rina is here.”

“…Oh!” Kotoka blinked, then tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Now that you mention it—you look familiar. You’re that girl from the other day, right?”

She widened her eyes slightly.

“So you and Rina-chan are close friends?”

“Mm. We’ve known each other for a long time.”

Anya nodded.

“I came to Japan recently because of family circumstances—staying with an uncle who’s here for business.”

“I see, I see. Come sit, everyone.”

Kotoka gestured them over, smiling.

“Rina-chan really is amazing—being this cute and having such a cute friend too… hehehe.”

…She’s not as serious as she looks, Anya thought, glancing at Kotoka as she chatted with Rina.

But she’s interesting. Definitely interesting.

This is getting fun.

“Ah, Anya—what country are you from?” Kotoka asked.

“I’m of Italian-German descent.”

Anya replied, then added casually:

“Oh, President Suzushiro—just call me Anya. That’s what my friends usually call me. I’m more used to it.”

“Eh?” Kotoka blinked. “But we just met—are you sure you don’t mind?”

“I don’t mind. It makes things feel more relaxed.”

She smiled faintly.

Being called by my surname… reminds me of them.

Once or twice is fine… but constantly? No thanks.

“I see… then you don’t have to be so formal with me either. Just call me ‘President’ or ‘Kotoka-senpai.’”

Kotoka rubbed her nose slightly, clearly still trying to steady herself.

White hair with a faint golden sheen…

Those striking blue-and-gold eyes…

A beauty both elegant and sharp.

I thought Rina-chan was already rare…

But there’s someone who can stand beside her…

“M-Me! Me too!”

Motoko suddenly rushed forward, grabbing the table for support.

“Eh—haha… sure.”

Anya laughed again.

This one’s hilarious…

“Ah—Anya! You can call me Motoko-senpai!”

Motoko clutched her chest dramatically.

“…Senpai?”

Anya tilted her head.

“Can’t I just call you Motoko?”

“YES!!”

Motoko snapped to attention.

“Even if it’s improper—I approve!”

“…Hahaha. You really are interesting, Motoko.”

At that moment, the clubroom door opened again.

Tamako, Saya, and Kotonoha returned from their cleaning duties—

…and naturally froze on the spot.

What followed was a round of introductions…

and then complete chaos.

The entire club session was forgotten, as everyone crowded around Anya and Rina, asking questions nonstop.

~~~~~~~~

Demon Realm — Succubus Territory

“Ka—sa! Ka—sa! Ka—sa!!!”

Naliena slammed the desk while staring at her computer screen.

Within two seconds, the door burst open.

“Lady Naliena! W-What happened!?”

Kasa rushed in, alarmed.

“Come look at this!!!”

She pointed at the screen.

“…Oh.”

Kasa relaxed slightly.

Ah. So it’s just the usual—missing her daughter again.

On the screen was an anime—two adorable characters who looked like a mother and daughter.

“Look.”

Naliena leaned back in her chair, pouting.

“I… see it. A-And…?”

Kasa turned to her—and froze.

Her cheeks were puffed, expression sulky.

If anyone else saw this, the dignified image of the Succubus Queen would shatter instantly.

…But it’s kind of cute, Kasa thought, heart skipping a beat.

“You don’t get it?” Naliena frowned.

“I haven’t seen my precious Rina for over a month! Over a month!”

“Ah… well, the young princess is training in the human world…”

Kasa scratched her head.

“Please bear with it—”

“I’ve borne it long enough!”

Naliena shot upright again.

“I don’t care—I want to see my daughter!”

“…Lady Naliena, children need to grow through experience. In the bird demon clan, we even kick them out when they’re old enough—”

“I don’t care, I don’t care, I don’t care!”

She slammed the desk again.

“That’s your bird clan! Kasa!”

She pointed dramatically.

“I order you—ah, what day is it in the human world… Thursday?”

She nodded decisively.

“Tomorrow, after Rina finishes school, bring her back here for two days.”

“…Eh? Uh… ugh…”

Kasa hesitated—then straightened.

“…Understood.”

Well… fair enough.

If this goes on, she’ll just take it out on me anyway…

I’d better tell Rina tonight.