Ueh? Uh oh. I thought I was alone.

That's not at all how novels work! You can't just pass by someone reading and understand what's going on! They don't have hooks and refrains and all that! You're so one-track minded...

What do you think.

An overactive imagination that borders on delusion, mostly.

...And it's not like novels get rooms of people dancing and cheering or crying at the same time. Not as often, anyway. People don't stop in the middle of the street to listen to someone reading a novel.

[ Toko averted her gaze the moment Ibuki swung around. ]

S-So you're not even doing something original, and still struggling. M-Musicians have it so hard.

[ She was fighting and failing to not smirk and slightly blush. ]

Aren't you just the center of the universe.

[ She set down the book she was reading, still regretting having engaged, still unable to stop herself. ]

As long as you keep imagining instead of actually pressing the pen to the page, I agree.

Tch, yeah. That's totally how writing works.

[ Toko was sitting at a different desk, but was silently (til now) judging and lowkey malding at Ibuki's struggle. That comment made her interject through gritted teeth, a little unintentionally. ]

I-I didn't fall for anything! It was just way slipperier than you let on, jerk!!

I can *clearly* see that it's still wet there --

*DONK*

Ffuck!!

"Nhh... Talk to me about phrases when you're done picking your drills off the floor..."

"Hheheh, n-not so elegant anymore. Ow..."

I'm sorry, Chi. I should've been more careful trying to help.

NOOOO

WE'RE GOING TO THE MCDONALD'S PLAYPLACE!!?