By Wednesday, Kasumigaoka Utaha finally got the release date for her novel.
It was set for Friday—indeed a great day: students would begin their weekend, and those who liked reading novels were likely to pick sothing up for their days off. The fact that Machida Sonoko secured that date showed just how confident she was in Utaha's work.
But, in all fairness, Utaha's writing was genuinely impressive: outstanding prose and a gripping storyline—enough to captivate readers. Her strong writing style alone could convert casual readers into die-hard fans.
During the promotional planning, there was an unexpected twist with the marketing angle. Machida Sonoko suggested highlighting the fact that Utaha was a beautiful high-school girl—a "genius teenage author" gimmick—to entice buyers. It would surely have boosted sales, but Utaha refused.
She wanted people to like her novel for its content, not because she was a "cute girl in high school." These days, many readers see that sort of tagline and automatically buy out of curiosity or indulgence, barely caring about the quality of the writing. It wasn't an acting gig, so the author's looks shouldn't matter. That was Utaha's reasoning.
In the end, Machida Sonoko respected her wishes and didn't use the "genius beauty author" tactic.
…
"Chen…"
Hanging up the phone with Machida, Utaha couldn't help but ask Shichen for reassurance.
"What's right or wrong?" Shichen asked casually as he munched on cookies and sipped juice.
"What do you think I'm talking about?" she retorted, shooting him a glare.
He just chuckled. "I say do whatever feels right for you. Go with your heart, and I'll always have your back."
"Really? Maybe I'm being too stubborn. I know success in publishing ans actually selling books. If nobody buys them, there's no point. I ca to terms with that already…"
"Believe in yourself. Your novel is incredible—your prose is better than most famous authors, so it'll definitely sell."
"You're not just flattering ?"
"I swear!" Shichen held up four fingers in a mock oath.
"You're sure this won't be a mistake?"
"Personally, I see no problem with it."
"'Personally?'"
"Well, to be honest, I don't want a bunch of other readers finding out you're a beautiful high-school girl. It's enough that I—your first fan—know about it."
"…What's that supposed to an?" Utaha asked nervously.
"Isn't it obvious? I don't want to share my special 'first reader' privileges with the entire world."
"…" She'd known he would deflect like this.
"Anyway, trust your instincts. Your novel is fantastic, so it's not going to fail. Everyone who reads it will love it."
"All right."
Though still a bit uneasy, Utaha found herself reassured by Shichen's words for now.
"That's more like it. Even if it doesn't sell as well as you hope, I'll help promote it."
"Why do you always have to jinx it?" she grumbled with an eye-roll.
"Haha, fine. Let's wish your novel sells like hotcakes. I'll buy a copy, too—and maybe you can sign it for ?"
"Hmph~ depends on my mood."
…
Soon, Friday arrived.
The past two days had been uneventful. Shichen had used that ti to commission a custom uniform for Nishikigi Chisato. After all, it wasn't great for her to keep wearing that red-and-gray outfit every day—people might assu he was employing an actual high-school student, which was risky if so "concerned citizen" decided to file a report. Especially since Chisato didn't even have official papers in this world.
Shichen's new design suited her well: a bright red and dark blue kimono, plus a white apron and wooden clogs—she looked like a regal female warrior. Interestingly, it was the sa attire she would've worn at a certain café in her original storyline.
He arranged for it alone, paying extra so the shop would finish it in just one day, when they normally needed several. Money worked wonders, apparently—his good looks did nothing to help, evidently.
When he presented the outfit to Chisato, she naturally asked how he'd known her asurents. After all, they'd only slept in the sa bed for a few nights—no way he could gauge her exact proportions just by hugging. Shichen answered that he had extraordinary eyesight, enhanced senses. She didn't believe him—the fit was too perfect. But she wasn't upset, just amused. She teased that if he had wanted to know, she'd have told him directly. Shichen, however, had no interest in asking; what piqued him more was the idea of "asuring" in person, but that'd have to wait until they were closer.
Tohru, naturally, beca jealous. She wanted Shichen to commission sothing for her, too. Her own maid outfit was just sothing conjured by magic. Shichen promptly ordered her a custom maid dress, this ti without rushing. She didn't really need clothes imdiately.
…
On Friday afternoon—before 4 PM, actually—Utaha arrived at the café slightly out of breath.
The Toyogasaki Private School dismissed at 3:30, so it was clear she must have co straight here the mont classes ended.
"So anxious, huh?" Shichen handed her a glass of water.
She gulped it down, exhaled, then spoke, "Of course I'm anxious. Hurry up—co with to check on things."
"Aren't you going ho to change first? What if soone from your school sees us and misconstrues sothing? You're pretty famous there, right?"
"How do you know that?" she demanded.
"Please, I was in school once, too. A pretty girl always has a reputation."
"Tch~" A faint smile tugged at Utaha's lips. That was basically a complint.
"No need to change. Why would I care? Unless you mind?"
"I don't mind either. Off we go, then."
"You're just wearing that?" She eyed his casual clothes up and down.
"Problem? Handso guys look good in anything."
"…Let's just go." Utaha sighed, stepping out of the café.
Shichen briefly updated Chisato on the situation, then followed Utaha. Neither Chisato nor Tohru tagged along. They had to keep the shop open, and frankly, neither was into books enough to join them for an after-school novel release hype—especially not without Shichen alone.
Catching up to Utaha, Shichen fell into step beside her.
"Why're you still lugging your schoolbag?"
"No writing for today," she replied.
"You're really excited? Guess you're skipping dinner with us, too?"
She shoved the bag into his arms. "Then you carry it!"
"Wow, it's so light," he mused, hefting it.
"Don't assu it ans my grades suck. I'm top of the class."
"I never said otherwise." He laughed.
"Hmph~ you'd better not."
"Oh yeah—aren't you worried people at your school will find out you're writing or reading light novels? Otaku culture isn't exactly widely applauded, is it?"
"I'm not close to anyone at school."
"Not a single friend?"
"…No."
"Heh~" Shichen let out a soft laugh.
"What's so funny?" Utaha asked, annoyed and blushing.
"I think it's fine."
"You…you jerk…" She landed a playful punch on him. It was light, so he didn't mind.
"How is having zero friends 'fine,' in your eyes?"
"Then why are you friendless yourself?" Shichen teased.
"I never said there was anything wrong with it," she muttered, cheeks flushing.
"See?"
"You're so annoying!" she sputtered, punching him again.
Amused, they continued chatting until they reached the nearest bookstore. Outside, a poster promoting Utaha's novel was displayed.
But there was no crowd at the entrance.
Utaha's pace slowed dramatically; Shichen felt her wrist go cold. She was obviously tense. He held her hand more firmly, leading her inside.
As quiet inside as it was outside, there were no custors at all. At the new-release section near the door, Utaha's novel was stacked in a huge pile—completely untouched, by the looks of it.
Her hands turned ice-cold in his grip.
Sensing her anxiety, Shichen reassured her softly, "It's barely past school letting out. People probably haven't made it here yet."
"Yeah… maybe…" she murmured.
~~~
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