[Afternoon]

In the end, Rimu slept soundly until the last period in the infirmary. She woke up freshly and checked the time. There are still 5 minutes left before school ends. Today was not the day for Karate Club to gather so she could immediately go back home.

She returned to her classroom to grab her school backpack only to be greeted by her classmates. By the time she arrives, the class already over and the teacher had gone back to the faculty room.

Boy D: "Yo, sleeping princess! Welcome back."

Girl C: "Nekomiya-san, your body is alright?"

With a smile, Rimu replied to them. She walked toward her seat and passes through her classmates who still packing their stuff.

"Un, I'm back. I already rested enough. So I'm ok." Rimu replied.

"I already explained it with Sakamura-sensei, she understands your health problem so everything is fine." Kouta said.

"Un, thanks... Kouta. I'll apologize to her later personally." Rimu nodded.

Rimu took her school backpack and prepared to go home. But suddenly, she sensed a peculiar gaze from her behind. When Rimu turned her head, her eyes met with Nia who have a complex expression in her face.

JIIIII~

It seems Nia had something to say to Rimu, but for some reason, she holding back and keep silent. She stares at Rimu with unspeakable pressure in her eyes, as if she wanted to pounce at Rimu.

"Wh... What is it? Nia?" Rimu fidgeted.

"...No, it's nothing." Nia shrugged off.

Being stared so intently by Nia making her very nervous. Rimu didn't understand why Nia glared at her with that kind of eyes. Her mind instantly spun around, trying to search the possible explanation behind Nia's gaze.

Just a few hours ago Nia went all cuddly with her. But, now suddenly it feels like she had greatly wronged, as if Rimu had killed one of her family and stolen their heirloom.

'W...What? Why? Did I do something to upset her?'

Unfortunately, no matter how much Rimu thinks, no plausible answer could be determined. And since the person herself refuse to speak of it, there was no way to know what is in Nia's mind.

'As I expected, I don't understand what Nia is thinking. Suddenly changing attitude... Ha!'

Suddenly Rimu had an epiphany.

'Maybe she has menopause?'

If Nia knows what in Rimu's mind, she would surely shout with all of her strength, "Who is having menopause, you say? You're the menopause! Your entire family is menopause!"

Without any lead why Nia's behavior turned salty, Rimu could only do one thing.

"Well then, see you tomorrow, Nia."

Rimu hastily wears her backpack and immediately left the class.

Strategic retreat!

Hopefully, everything will turn to normal and Nia recovers from her menopause(?) by tomorrow.

"Ah... I missed my chance to ask..." Nia muttered to herself.

"But this is fine, I'll just have to confirm it by myself! Wait for me, Rimu-chan, I won't let you fall to the dark side!"

Unfortunately, Rimu had already long gone and couldn't hear what Nia murmured. Clenched her fist, Nia decided to stalk follow Rimu secretly.

♠♠♠

Returning from her school, Rimu took off her shoes and went straight to her room, only to be stopped by her mother.

"Welcome home. You forgot your greetings, Rimu." Mikoto says.

"Uh... um! I'm home, Mom." Rimu answered.

"Good! Don't forgot your greeting next time." Mikoto nods satisfiedly.

She take off her apron and put the spatula in her hand to the dishwasher before continued. "There is a package addressed to your name, I put it in your bed."

Hearing her mother's words, Rimu's eyes brightens. She immediately go upstairs straight to her bed, where a package with her name as recipient is. She unpack the package and retrieved few items.

3D Printer Kits.¹Bought online in Chapter 30 if you forgot.

Rimu let out a grin, she couldn't help but licked her lips.

"Kukukuku... Perfect! Now I can assemble a 3D printer. Then, without further ado, let's start!"

With a click, Rimu accessed youtube with her smartphone. She searched with a keyword "DIY 3D Printer" and loaded the DIY video about making a 3D Printer²https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5X6Gp-XMEs.

Rimu watched the video three times to familiarize herself with each of the step.

"Surprisingly, it's that simple. There are lots of material in the warehouse that can be used."

And so, Rimu gathered the tools and the materials needed. She faithfully following the video step by step, patiently and full of caution. Especially when drilling the Styrofoam with cordless portable drill.

A few minutes later, the DIY 3D Printer is completed.

"Success! Now, the last step."

Rimu turned on her PC and downloaded Octoprint³https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/octoprint/ and installed it to her PC. She downloaded free sample 3D models from the internet and load it to the software. Lastly, she connected her 3D Printer to her PC and did a test run.

The 3D Printer started to move and shaping the filament into the shape of 3D model that Rimu decides. Slowly but surely.

Rimu watched the entire process with curious eyes.

It took about 5-10 minutes to complete the shape. The result was not 100% perfect, because the printer cannot give accurate precision like standard 3D printer, but it's not bad precision either. There is no problem for Rimu to use it to build non-complex shape.

Rimu grinned.

"With this, I can cut down my expenditure by 70%!"

Pencil case? Sure, there is a lot of 3d models of it in the downloadable free sample. All she had to do is just print and she could have lots of it with different shapes.

Clothes? Perhaps printing clothes with 3D printer still not affordable yet, but at least she didn't have to buy expensive clothes anymore. Just grab a plain one and print her desired design on it at home⁴ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUW8G4vXZfg.

Shoes? Hehehe... She could just make one⁵ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hre3UdoxbE0.

Not only that, she also can create more interesting things. Figurines, exoskeleton⁶ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7T-S3UFR-0, or even making a drone⁷ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpKcrYcMFKM with it.

Prospect is limitless!

♠♠♠

 

At the same time in a different place.

"Good job, everyone. Practice is over, dismiss!"

"Thank you very much." x12

Done packing his stuff, Riku says goodbye to his clubmates and return to the Nekomiya residence.

Since that incident yesterday, Mimasaka Mamoru didn't come to school. Perhaps he also won't come tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day, indefinitely.

Riku sighed, he didn't even get the chance to correct the misunderstanding at all. Akina also surprisingly uncooperative, even after he explained the reason behind the misunderstanding. She just say, "I see..." and do nothing to mend their relationship.

'Akina, aren't you too cold to your childhood friend?'

Maybe their relationship is not that good in the first place.

In that case, perhaps leave it alone would be the best option.

As his mind thinking about that, Riku notices Nia suspiciously spying in front of his house.

Riku: "..."

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Riku seriously contemplating... What should he do in this kind of situation?