Aftermath (Saekano: How To Raise A Boring Girlfriend)

Episode 5

"Find ecstasy in life ; the mere sense of living is joy enough." - Emily Dickinson

Eriri is in her room, lying on the bed.

"What a great morning!" She told herself, "I don't need to go to work!" She got up and poured cereal in a bowl before pouring milk.

After that, she went to take a shower and came out in a causal green t-shirt and short pants. She was about to go out and take a walk in the park when her phone rang. It is George.

"Hello, doctor." She answered the call joyfully.

"You sounded so happy today. Anyway, can I meet you? Like now?"

"Now? Why?"

"I just want to talk to you about something."

"Can you come over to my house instead?" Eriri asked, "I'm lazy to move. Besides, I want to enjoy my freedom."

"Alright." George sighed before ending the call. A few minutes, someone knocked on her room's door.

"Come in." She said. George entered the room and walked to her.

"Eriri, this is serious." George turned her to his direction and held her shoulders, "Your friendship's on the line."

Eriri gave George a surprised look.

Aftermath

Episode 5

After making tea for George, Eriri sat down on her bed, George sitting beside her.

"So you knew about it already?" She asked.

"Megumi told Masaru, and he told me." George said, "Look, I know you want to insult Masaru because he did a lot of wrong things. But think of Utaha-senpai. She still loves Masaru. Besides, you and her are best of friends. Surely you girls don't even talk to each other because of that?"

"She started it first." Eriri complained, "She couldn't take the insults about that stupid jerk! I don't understand why she still loves that son of a bitch! He hurt Utaha, yet she's so forgiving. I don't even care what reason he has, but he can't just kidnap his girlfriend like that!"

"That was some time ago already, Eriri." George said, "Masaru had already apologized for his mistake. Let bygones be bygones."

"I just can't! He kidnapping one of my best friends just like that isn't something that I could easily forget."

"Eriri, listen to me." George held her shoulders, "If you treat Utaha-senpai as one of your best friends, then apologize to her. I'm sure she'll apologize to you as well for all the insults you girls hurled at each other. Stop insulting him too. He isn't worth for you to keep insulting. Let the past be gone. Get on with the present."

"What about Utaha? Is she going to apologize to me?"

"I'm sure she will. Someone else will convince her to do so. Probably Tomoya Aki."

In Utaha Kasumigaoka's house, she was preparing to go for work. She slipped her legs into her heels and adjusted her pantyhose before walking out.

As she stepped out, she saw Masaru leaning against the wall beside her door. She looked at him and he looked at her awkwardly.

"You know, we're not going to stare at each other here. I'm here for a reason." Masaru said.

They went back into her house. He sat down on the sofa as Utaha poured him a cup of water and then sat beside him.

"So, m...may I know why you came here, Masaru-san?" Utaha asked, looking at him with confusion.

"I'm not here to savage our relationship." Masaru said, "I had to get that off my chest lest you get the wrong idea of why I'm here."