I headed to my residence after leaving Jūni Kan’s place.
Today I had a meeting with light novel author Ruisato Matadai.
I suggested we meet at a cafe nearby, but Ruisa insisted on my home.
Apparently, she was planning to hang out with Akari and the others afterward, so I gave my consent. “So, how is it?”
Sitting before me was a petite beauty who resembled a Japanese doll.
Her snow-white hair and red eyes brought a rabbit to mind.
She is Matadai Ruisa, one of the authors I handle.
How is it? It likely referred to the manuscript.
However, in the past, when asked “how,” she had actually been asking about my clothing.
“Well, your outfit suits you well today.” “R-R-really?!”
Today’s attire consisted of a mini-skirt one-piece dress and a thin blue cardigan.
The bare legs extending from the skirt were pale and alluring.
“Fufu, I see… You worked hard with Saburo to coordinate the whole thing. It wasn’t just…”
Lushia blushed bright red and shouted.
“I’m talking about the manuscript! Who asked for your opinion on the clothes!”
“Oh, I see. My mistake.”
“N-no… you don’t need to apologize. I was actually… happy… yeah… really, really… hehe ♡” She blushed and fidgeted awkwardly.
I had thought she was angry, but apparently she was quite pleased.
The heart of a teenage girl is truly incomprehensible.
“The manuscript is perfect. This is final proof. Thank you for your hard work.”
“Ah, Okaya, thanks for checking it over so many times.”
“No, I’m the one who was sorry to make you correct it as much as I did.” “That’s not true!”
Lushia shook her head vigorously back and forth.
“Weren’t Okaya’s pointers corrections to create a better manuscript? Thanks to you, my new work turned out to be the best I’ve ever done. You truly are formidable, Okaya.”
“Thanks. But this turned out well because you pushed so hard, Rushia. I just assisted with the rest. You’re the one who did something amazing.”
“If you’ll consider it a masterpiece created by us two, then…” Rushia nodded with a look of satisfaction.
Her new work, published under our imprint (SR Bunko), is truly the best possible outcome, no joke.
I believe this is a title we can seriously consider for an anime adaptation.
Up until recently, I’d said that an anime was out of reach for a company of our size, but now we have ample funding.
I need to use this money to ensure that Rushia’s new work reaches as many people as possible…
“Ah, right. Rushia, I have two things to tell you. One is about the illustrations.”
In light novels, illustrations are a crucial factor in sales performance.
“Sorry about that, but it looks like the character designs will take a bit longer to come through.”
“I see. I believe the artist was Misayama Kou?”
“Yes. A god-tier illustrator who handled the second work of Kamimatsu-sensei. Apparently, they’ve been running a bit under the weather lately.”
The illustrations hadn’t come in on schedule the other day, so I had already emailed Mr./Ms. Misayama about it.
And then a reply came back: 【Sorry, I’ve caught summer flu. I’ll be late. It’s definitely not C27.】
“Ah… so it’s the summer flu. Please convey to Professor Misayama that she should take care of herself.”
“Understood. I’ll email Professor Misayama and tell her that.”
Well, the illustration upload is running a bit late, but he’s usually quick with his pen when things go smoothly, so I figure he’ll be fine. “What was the other contact about?” “It’s the title for the current work.” “Hmm… the title.”
Tsukishiro winced, looking troubled.
“We still have some leeway, but I’d like you to decide on a title soon. It affects our promotional schedule.”
“Uuuh… Okaya. To be honest… I’m having a really hard time deciding on a title for the new work.”
Rushia had written Senomoshi as her debut first work, and this was her second.
And still, she couldn’t settle on a title for that second book.
“I just can’t think of any title that feels right…”
In the world, novelists generally fall into two types.
There are those who conceive the title first, and those who add it afterwards.
“What did you do when it was [Senmori]?”
“I just had the idea pop into my head in the middle of writing. But this time, even after finishing the draft, I can’t think of anything.” “I see…”
We all scratched our heads in confusion.
“Okay, do you have any good title ideas?”
“Hmm… Well, since I’m not a [writer], I think Rushia should decide for herself. The author should be the one to give their work its title.” “Uuuuuh… Ummm…”
Just as Rushia was groaning in frustration.
“Hey guys, how about we take a little break?” “Akari.”
Akari, the blonde JK (high school girl) sister, placed glasses of barley tea in front of us.
She was wearing a tube top and hot pants today—a very skin-revealing outfit.
“Just groaning like that won’t make a good idea come to you. Take a breather.”
“You’re right, Akari. Let’s rest a bit, Rushia.” “Mm-hmm… Fair enough.”
Me, Rushia, Akari, and Nana were gathered around the living room table. For snacks, we had sweet potato yōkan (candy) and barley tea.
“Mmmmmm~~~~~~~♡”
Rushia pressed her hand against her cheek and let out a cheer.
With her eyes closed, she writhed in pleasure, “Mm~♡”.
“What’s up with this sweet potato kyojakonj? It’s way too good! I’ve never tasted anything this delicious before!”
“I’m glad you liked it. It was worth the effort, wasn’t it?”
“Aki spoke cheerfully, a mischievous grin on her face.”
I took a bite of the sweet potato kyojakonj Aki had made.
The smooth texture of the sweet potato spread across my mouth. Washing it down with barley tea was just perfect for this. “Well? Karin?” “Ah, delicious as always.”
“Nihi~♡ Yay!! Karin praised me! I’m soooo happy!”
Raising her hand in triumph, Aki shouted, “Woo-hoo!”
Her large breasts jiggled with a squish.
“Guh…! You’re a cheat, Aki! Is this how you plan to ensnare me in your traps? Nako, don’t you think that’s cheating?”
“Fu-ee? Moga moga… Fa-ni?”
Nanako was munching on her yōkan with single-minded focus.
Apparently, she hadn’t heard her friends’ conversation at all.
“You should have a bit more of a crisis sense! Your sister’s really getting the upper hand over you!” “Crisis? Huh?” ”…Forget it.”
Toru sighed deeply in exasperation.
I voiced the concern that had been on my mind since earlier to Akari. “Akari.” “Yeah yeah♡” “That outfit of yours…”
“Oh, you noticed? Today I’m going for a tube top plus belly-baring style to give Karin a run for her money~♡”
“You’ll catch cold; put on a cardigan or something.”
Even though it was indoors, the air conditioning was running.
If she kept wearing such thin clothes, she’d definitely catch a cold.
“Mmm, Karin is so nice to me~… But like, I was hoping you’d be a little more flustered, y’know…”
“You’re working hard at it too, Akari.”
Rushia casts a sympathetic gaze at the high school younger sister.
On the other hand, Akari replies with a wry smile.
“Thanks. Rushia, you’re suffering too, aren’t you? There’s absolutely no pinkish atmosphere during work.”
“That’s right!! Despite trying so hard, they just won’t look back at us…”
Meanwhile, Nanako is stuffing herself with kumquat preserves, munching away munched-munched. “Nanako. You’ve got some on your face.”
I wipe the sweet potato preserve smeared around Nanako’s mouth with a handkerchief.
”…Ehehe♡ Thank you, teacher~”
“With this move, Karin is still only seeing us as children… The greatest enemy is that woman from college…”
“Ah… she’s formidable. And beautiful. A tough opponent.”
The two of them are getting all worked up over some incomprehensible topic.
“By the way, you two, I started my summer vacation today.” “Summer vacation? You have that?” “Yeah. It’s for ten days starting today.” “Ten daaays!?”
I could somewhat understand why the high school sisters were surprised, but why was Rushia shocked too?
Ah, are you worried whether it’s okay for the editor to take a break before proofreading?
As far as that goes, I’ve adjusted the scheduling, so everything is fine.
“Yay! Being able to spend ten whole days with Okarin is amazing~!”
”…I’m happy too♥ Happy Samadees~♥”
When Akari and Nana stand up, they sit on either side of me and hug me tight.
So, she was still in that phase where she wanted to cling to her parents, huh.
“I’m sorry I can’t take you anywhere despite it being summer break. So, for these ten days, I’ve been thinking we should go somewhere.” ”…Where?” “How about a trip?” """"A triiip!?!""""
So, why is Roshia surprised?
…Hm? Isn’t there one more of us now?
“I can’t let you do a trip like that~! If you’re going, you gotta take me too!” Roshia shouts, her face turning red.
“It’s a private trip just for Okarin and the girls, so I kinda wish you’d hold back a bit, don’t you think? Right, Neesan?”
”…Y-yes, that’s right, Lu-chan. Read the room.” And just then. “No way, Oka-kun!”
Bam. Someone tapped on the window glass. “Wait, is that Inagawa?”
Outside the window stood Inagawa Ichika, my college friend. “Oh no…”
Inagawa’s face flushed red as she panicked and stammered.
I flung the balcony door wide open. “What are you doing down there?” “Uh… w-well, it’s just that…”
Lucia came over to my side.
“Isn’t arriving to pick up Ichika a bit too early?”
Doubt was clearly visible in Lucia’s eyes.
Meanwhile, Ichika was completely cowed.
“T-the young lady is… uh, worried, I’m sure…”
“Really? What exactly are you so worried about regarding me?” Inagawa stammered and stumbled.
On the other hand, Lucia radiated a freezing aura from behind while interrogating him.
“I, I mean… h-have three high school girls in a boy’s room is… what if things got misunderstood?!”
“What’s a mistake, I wonder? Tell me, Ichika?”
Ic— no, wait. Ichika turned beet red and poked her fingers together in front of her face as she stammered, “S-so… I’m only… four.”
“Pervert police! We’re here!” “Pe-peep!”
Akari and Nana barged in on the scene.
“You guys are… Mr. Okaya’s…” “We are his wife.”
“That’s not right. These are just the children I’m protecting.”
Come to think of it, I hadn’t explained who these kids were to Yohiragawa yet.
I’ll have to give him a proper explanation later.
“Did Akari-chan figure it out? This person is… someone from Karin’s past, isn’t she?”
Akari fixed Yohiragawa with a piercing stare.
“I-it’s not like that… I’m just a friend of Mr. Okaya and…”
Stared down by a high schooler, he completely cowered.
Akari is the scariest person in the world when she’s angry.
“Define ‘friends.’ Like, are you saying… friends with benefits?”
“F-friends…! Oka-san-kun, high school girls today are such shameless creatures!”
“It’s not a scandal. It’s just normal life, okay? Tell me something, Akarin.”
…This is getting complicated.
“Everyone calm down for a moment. Learn a thing or two from Rushia.”
Rushia nodded gravely and spoke up.
“In that case, let us do this. We shall all depart together to the villa in Karuizawa.”
It seemed she hadn’t been calming down; rather, she had been deep in thought.
“A… villa? Lushia-san, you have a vacation home?”
“Indeed I do. Oka-san, this summer I am free of obligation. If it pleases you, would you not accompany me on a journey?”
“A journey… Wait, why do I just now feel like I don’t want to go?”
“Does it make sense to ask a reason for going out with friends?”
I see… so, Lushia is inviting the twins to come play. “I wanna gooo!” ”…Me too!” Lushia looked at Nishikawa. “You’re coming too, Ichika.”
“Master… are you sure about this?”
“Yes. What I desire is a fair fight.” “Master…”
If the two of them want to go out and play with their friends, then let them go. “Well then, have fun!” “<<<<Wait up!>>>>” They all said it in unison, looking at me.
“Huh? Okayrin, why are you talking like it’s not about you?”
“Well, aren’t Lushia’s friends you guys? I figured that maybe a vacation with just the kids wouldn’t work out, but if adult Nishikawa is accompanying them, then I’m probably unnecessary, right?”
“<<<<That defeats the purpose!>>>>”
In the end, since they said a chaperone was necessary for the trip, I ended up going along too.