A summer afternoon during the vacation break. At a café in front of the station, light novel author Rusiato Aida is having a meeting with me.

Rusi-sensei and I are seated by the window.

She is distinctive for her white hair and red eyes, dressed in a red kimono.

"Shall we get down to business? Your new release for the SR Bunko... the manuscript was completed, right?"

Usually, when commissioning original work, one first discusses the content and has the author provide a plot outline.

After reviewing the content, the author is then expected to work on the draft.

But that's just one example; each person handles their drafts differently.

In Rusi-sensei's case, it’s better to have her write the draft first and then make revisions, as she produces superior results that way.

"Ahh, I was particularly confident about this one I wrote."

Rusi nods contentedly. Phew.

She looks like a child who desperately wants praise for a drawing she made, which is endearing to see.

But what follows now is business. The other party is an author, meaning a business partner.

Checking on the quality of that work... It's business. I need to take this seriously.

"I'll take a look now. Please submit your manuscript," he said, just as it happened. "Okaaariin!" ...With a bad feeling rising in my gut, I turned around.

There was Akari, the blonde gyaru and the younger twin sister of the JK girl.

Akari smiled and waved at me as she approached.

Without asking permission, she sat right next to me. "You're taking your time~♡ Did you wait long?"

"...Teacher, I need to step away for a moment. Excuse me." "Ah, yes... sure..."

Ignoring the confused Teacher Rushia, I pulled Akari by the arm and led her away from the table. We made our way near the toilets. "Are you working your shift?" "I'm already off today."

"Then go straight home." "I can't do that, nya." I poked Akari in the forehead.

"Listen, Akari. I'm working right now. Don't get in my way." Akari is perceptive.

Even without me saying it, she surely knows I was busy.

"Muu... Of course I know that. But, ...but! It's just worrying me!" I see...

So she's worried about my job, meaning my work as an editor?

「It is indeed something you don't see usually, so I get why you're curious」

「Umm? Oh, sorry, Akarin. You're probably misunderstanding something」

「But this is a serious place for discussion. It's not a game」

「I know that! Even I... it's not a game. It's serious」 Just then. 「Teacher Ooka」

Turning around, I saw Teacher Lusia coming over to where we were.

「Sorry, I was intending to return right away」

「Teacher Ooka. Could that girl also join us?」「Eh, is it okay?」

To Akarin who looked confused, Teacher Lusia nodded with a serious face.

「I am very interested in her over there too. I have been wanting to talk about it」

「Hoo... I see. So that's how it is, 【as expected】」

Lusia looked up, glaring at Akarin.

Akarin retracted her usual smile and glared back at the teacher in kind.

Akari is…… well, if she has an interest in the editing industry, then it makes sense she’d be interested in light novel authors, too. I can understand that.

Lushia is…… probably regarding interviews or research. High school girls, huh?

"If you're fine with it, Professor Lushia, I won't say a word." "Alright!"

"But Akari, this only lasts while I'm checking Professor Lushia's manuscript. After that, we move to business. When that time comes, you need to leave. Got it?"

"Mm. Okay. I'll handle things in the meantime."

"Hmm…… quite the courage. For a little girl. Bring it on."

The two of them stared each other down as they took their seats. Akari sat next to me, though...

"Wait. I sit next to you, Okaya."

"Weren't you sitting directly across from us just a moment ago?"

"You must have misjudged it. I was always meant to be by your side, right? Move."

"I— I can't do that~. I'm already sitting down here." "W-what the hell! Get out of there!"

I sighed, stood up, and took the seat directly in front of Akari.

"Don't start a fight in public, you two."
"I-I'm sorry..."

"Professor Rushia, please sit next to Akari."
"A-Ah... yes..."

The two of them ended up sitting directly in front of me.
"Then, may I see the manuscript?"
"Please go ahead."

Nodding in agreement, Professor Rushia placed the shopping bag from her feet onto her lap.

What she pulled out was... a bundle of legal pad sheets.
"G-Geez, actual paper?! "

Akari blinked, staring at them.

"What century are you even living in? You're supposed to write it on Word and email it, right?"

"W-Word... e-email...?"

Seeing Rushia's bewilderment, Akari looked equally confused.
Ah, right. It was her first time.

"Professor Rushia is terrible with electronics. She can't use a computer or a smartphone. So she writes her manuscripts on 400-character legal pad sheets using a fountain pen."

"A-Are you really from the modern era?" "U-Ugh, shut up!"

Rushia frowned grumpily, her face scrunched in displeasure.

It was unusual for the always-composed Professor Rushia to be so emotional today.

Personally, I think this reaction is more age-appropriate. She’s usually too mature for her own good.

“But Akarin, when making it into a book, don't you have to convert it into data?”

“Oh. That’s no problem. I input it all myself.” “Y-you’re that nice?” “No, I usually wouldn’t.”

But adapting to the author's style is also part of my job.

“Exactly. Akarin types it up specially for me. I’m getting special treatment!”

Rushia placed her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest with a satisfied grin.

Akari, feigning disinterest while fiddling with her hair, said:

“Hmm... but isn't that making extra work for Akarin?”

"Gh...! T-that's..."

"It's fine. That's my job."

“Akarin! ...Hmph!”

With a look that practically screamed ta-da..., Rushia put on her most smug expression.

Grrr... Akari seethed, showing her teeth in frustration. They sure were getting along well, those two.

"Well then, I shall begin my review now. Akari, please be the teacher's conversation partner during this time."

"Mm-hmm~ You don't have to go out of your way to ask nicely, y'know~♪ Just order me to do it like you【always】 do, that's fine~"

"A-always... you say...!?" I began skimming through the manuscript.

The word count for a single light novel is roughly 100,000 characters.

Professor Rushia had brought with her the manuscript paper containing the story for one book's worth.

"Teacher, this is a copy, right?"

"Hmm. Of course it is. I naturally brought copies so that Ogaya could check them properly."

I took a red pen out of my bag and began marking up the manuscript as I read through it.

"Then... first, let us introduce ourselves. I am Hirata Rushia. It's a pen name. My age is 18."

"Mm. Okay-ish. Rushia-ne. I am 【Ina Akari】. 17 years old."

"What? You're younger than me? I thought you were around college age based on your... development. Damn, I'm a little jealous."

"Wait, you're eighteen? I thought you looked like the daughter of an old-money family. You're so... small and cute, it's unfair!"

"What the— are you a telepath?!" "Huh? What was that for?" The two exchange casual banter.

"U-um, what exactly is your relationship with Akari like?"

"We've known each other for ten years. It's hard to put into words, but we made a promise about our future, sort of?"

"What!? That can't be... wait, didn't Akari have a different marriage partner until recently?" "..." "Ha. So it was all lies."

"B-but knowing each other for ten years is true, oke! Does Lucia know what Akarin used to be like? Hm?"

"Grrr! That's something to envy...! B-buth we've been comrades in arms for three years, fighting side by side on the battlefield of the publishing industry. We share a solid bond!"

"Ugh... that's something to envy too...! W-well, we have this—" Come to think of it... about time. "I'm done reading."

"What!? T-that's not possible! Only ten minutes have passed?!" Akari shouts with her eyes wide open.

On the table sat a stack of manuscript papers.

"You read that entire thick draft... in just ten minutes?!"

“Hmm, no, that’s not right, Akari. After reading every single word, I’ve listed out all the typos, omissions, comments on the content, and any contradictions. How is it? Isn’t [Watashi]’s okaya amazing?”

“That’s... too amazing... Are editors all really this incredible?”

“Hm? ...I don't know either. Okaya is my first man, after all...”

“Stop saying it like that! It’s seriously annoying!” I sighed and said, “Akari.”

“Got it. I’ll move to a seat further away so I don’t get in the way.” “No, just go home.” “No way~”

...Well, if they aren't getting in the way of my work, it's fine.

Akari stood up from their seat, and the two of us were left alone.

“So, um, what did you think? Was the okaya good?”

“Yeah, it was a fantastic manuscript full of passion.”

“R-Really! I’m glad you liked it.”

Rushia shifted awkwardly, glancing around to the side with a shy expression.

“I worked hard for okaya above all else—more than for any fan.” I am also one of the fans.

In other words, she reportedly went all out to make her fans happy.

That determination could be felt right from the manuscript itself.

"However, in its current state, it's not fit for publication. There were quite a few typos, missing characters, and contradictions."

"Wheee, do I have to fix all of this? Doesn't my head hurt just looking at it?"

As Akari spoke, Rushia shook her head with a smile.

"Nothing of the sort! Every one of these red-marked corrections is actually a passionate, heartfelt message from Okaya, who wanted to make my manuscript even better..."

Snap! Sensei Rushia snapped back into reality. Meanwhile, Akari ground her teeth.

"What is that? A love letter?"

"L-L-Love letter?! N-no way! I-it's not, n-not like that at all..."

"But you're only sending such emotionally charged writing to someone you deeply care about, right? What's the difference between that and a love letter?"

"Ugh... y-you shouldn't say things like that." Sensei Rushia looked on the verge of tears. "Akari, please ease up."

"Chewy... but, I did notice something," Akari raised her hand.

"This Roshia-sensei is a major rival in our love life!"

"A, a rival... n-no, wait! What the hell are we to each other!" This is my chance. "You two, calm down."

I tap Akari and Roshia on the forehead with my finger.

"We're inside the store. Keep it down. It's a nuisance." "... I'm sorry..." They both bowed their heads in unison.

"Let's wrap this up. Roshia-sensei, please revise the manuscript."

"Understood. I will correct the pointed-out sections and have Niwagawa fax it over."

Roshia retrieved the manuscript and gave a polite bow.

"Thank you for reading the manuscript properly this time as well, Okaya, and making so many corrections. As expected, I'm useless without you."

"That's no problem at all. Feel free to reach out if there's anything you don't understand."

"Ah, don't be so polite. We are, um, p-partners, after all!"

Roshia-sensei smiled like a flower blooming. It seems this will also be a good book.

On the other hand, Akari looked a bit dissatisfied.

"It feels like we were just paraded out for a display of PDA... damn it... Oh, wait!"

Akari's face twisted into a mischievous grin, her eyes sparkling with the realization of a devious idea.

"Work done? Well then, Karin-chan, how about we go home together?"

Upon hearing this, Ms. Lussia's mouth fell open in stunned silence. After a moment...

"You... you're going home together?"

Shit. I couldn't tell him that I was living with two high school girls who weren't even family—that would cause a massive scandal.

I had no choice but to fudge the truth. I'd say they were relatives' kids.

"Ms. Lussia, actually, she's..."

But before I could finish, Akari threw herself into my arms and planted a kiss right on my cheek.

"What—?! Ah, Akari! Y-y-you... you insolent girl, kissing him like that!"

"It's totally fine~ I mean, she's my girlfriend, and we live together~"

Ms. Lussia's eyes bulged so wide from shock that they looked like they might pop right out of her head...

“Yes!!!! Living together?!?!”