115. The Entire Team’s First Meeting Full of Mistakes (Though One Person Was Actually Missing)

Facing numerous doubtful and surprised glances, Utaha Kasumigaoka remained composed, smiling gently at Umaru Doma as she quietly awaited her response.

If asked why Utaha Kasumigaoka acted this way, she might not have a concrete answer herself. Perhaps it was simply human nature—like when you meet someone you have feelings for and instinctively try to be kinder to their family.

(Oh… did I just reveal something?)

Umaru Doma hadn’t expected her usual polite greetings—though she did genuinely want to get along better with her brother’s friend—to result in such an unexpectedly deep outcome.

Momentarily stunned, Umaru soon recovered and gave Utaha Kasumigaoka a slightly apologetic smile, nodding as she said, “...Then I shall graciously accept, Senior Utaha. By the way, how should I address this lady here?”

She then shifted her gaze to the golden-haired girl beside Utaha, who was staring at Utaha Kasumigaoka in surprise.

The blonde girl, Spencer Eriri Sawamura, silently repeated “away game” to herself a few times before adopting impeccable etiquette and offering a perfectly measured smile. “My name is Spencer Eriri Sawamura.”

A perfectly measured smile meant striking just the right balance—not coldly distant, but not overly familiar either.

Ryuuta Aki also witnessed this exchange, wearing a rather complicated expression, as if wanting to say something but biting his lip and struggling before ultimately remaining silent.

Watching this girl who always seemed to maintain a certain distance from those around her, Umaru thought to herself, “This is how a normal person would respond when meeting someone for the first time.” So she returned the smile, neither too close nor too distant. “Well then, nice to meet you, Senior Sawamura~”

Heh heh~ When it comes to etiquette, Umaru is confident that the upbringing she received has given her at least a bit of insight~

Eriri nodded and said nothing more.

Noticing the sudden awkwardness in the atmosphere, Kyou gently exhaled and spoke up, “Eriri, you don’t have to be so formal, you know? After all, Umaru is part of the club…”

At his words, everyone present except Kyou and Ryuuta Aki was momentarily taken aback, even Umaru looked at Kyou bewildered, clearly confused.

Have you already forgotten that you wanted to join the club?! You were just caught up in the moment back then, weren’t you, little sis!

Kyou pouted and said wearily, “It’s our gaming club… By the way, Umaru, have you already forgotten what you said?”

Umaru slapped her forehead and looked enlightened. “Oh, that… Well, it’s not my fault~ That was ages ago… Besides, I haven’t heard about any club activities since then, so it’s only natural that I forgot!”

True to her character, she ended with a self-righteous tone.

“It’s only been a week though… Well, whatever. It’s almost noon. Does anyone want something to eat? I’ll cook.”

Not knowing what else to say, Kyou shook his head, glanced at the time, and turned to the others to change the subject.

Unfortunately, someone didn’t seem eager to let the topic drop.

Utaha Kasumigaoka chuckled softly, “So Umaru is part of the club too? Then I suppose I should introduce myself properly—I’m the club’s scriptwriter.”

Ryuuta Aki blinked and unconsciously agreed, “The producer…”

Though Eriri was unsure why it had suddenly turned into an introduction session again, she nonetheless joined in, “The illustrator.”

“Hey hey—what are you all staring at me for? …Alright, alright, I’m the planner and scriptwriter…” Kyou, seeing all eyes suddenly on him, gave a somewhat helpless, half-laughing concession.

I was literally just about to end this topic earlier!

Umaru looked around in surprise, never expecting that her brother’s casual club would have such clear roles. But… what exactly was her role?

She cast a pleading glance at Kyou and timidly asked, “Brother… then what am I supposed to do?”

Kyou rubbed his forehead and, after a moment’s thought, said, “...Let’s just say you’re the tester.”

“What do you mean by ‘let’s just say’~” Umaru scrunched her nose, a bit dissatisfied. Then she suddenly remembered something and asked, “By the way, brother, what about Megumi? She’s in the club too, right?”

Since when did you two get so close?!

Kyou barely suppressed the urge to complain and just as he was about to answer, he froze. His mind raced, and a bead of cold sweat slid down his forehead.

Kato… what exactly is her role in this club?

Looking up, Kyou fixed his questioning gaze on Ryuuta Aki, only to find him equally puzzled. Clearly, neither had any clue about Megumi Kato’s position in the club.

Eriri looked surprised, as if suddenly recalling the inconspicuous girl she had temporarily forgotten.

Utaha Kasumigaoka wore a strange expression and muttered, “Tsk… She beat me to it again?”

After thinking for a long while, meeting his sister’s confused eyes, Kyou rubbed the bridge of his nose and uncertainly said, “She’s probably… the heroine?”

“???” Umaru’s face was full of question marks. She simply couldn’t understand.

“Oh, just think of her as the kouhai’s favorite. In other words, she’s like the club’s leading lady; or the rising star they’re trying to promote; or basically the untouchable mistress, radiating an aura that forbids anyone else from getting close. So the rest of us production staff don’t have the right to interfere.”

Utaha Kasumigaoka winked at Kyou and answered Umaru’s question with a tone that was half teasing, half serious (really?).

“That’s not true at all, right? And I’m part of the production staff too, aren’t I? Also, the director isn’t really a leader, is he? And there are plenty of things you all actually do get involved in, aren’t there?”

After a brief daze, Kyou quickly refuted, though the many “but’s” in his sentence made one question his logic and credibility.

This was evident from Utaha’s clearly skeptical expression, Ryuuta Aki’s teasing look, and Eriri’s mixture of realization, surprise, and embarrassment.

By the way, why are you suddenly enlightened?!

Umaru looked at Kyou, her eyes shifting as she bit her lip, wanting to say something but seemingly choked by some invisible barrier. In the end, she forced a somewhat strained smile and calmly said, “...Brother, so Megumi is your girlfriend? You should’ve said so earlier…”