I arranged to meet Rushia outside.

The location specified was a high-end hotel in Tokyo.

In the room on the top floor, Rushia was waiting for me.

"Okaa-san. I apologize for bringing you all this way."

"No... it's fine. Besides that... you're dressed like that..." Rushia usually wore kimono.

But today, she was wearing a dress with a mature feel to it.

"I had a brief party, so this is how I am right now. I just left in a hurry."

"Ah, so a party. That explains the dress."

Even though she was usually traditional and Japanese in style, in a dress, she truly looked like a princess from some country.

The white dress, her snow-white skin, and her hair.

There was even a sense of divinity radiating from her right now.

"Well then, let's get straight to our meeting..."

Lucia let out a light cough.

"Lady," she said with an air of feigned seriousness. "Before we begin our discussion... is there something you'd like to say?"

But her eyes flickered back and forth toward me, carrying an expectant glint.

"Ah... yeah. It suits you, that dress."

"Oh! R-really? Heh... ♡ Thank you, Master♡ Having you say that makes me so happy!"

Lucia stood up and gave a quick twirl on the spot.

The hem of her fluffy dress flared out, revealing her pale, lustrous thighs in a strikingly alluring display. "Shall we get to business?" "Yes, please."

We were sitting in the living area of one of the hotel rooms.

This high-end room had a luxurious sofa set, too.

Lucia sat right next to me, pressing herself snugly against my side.

She looked up at me with a smile and nuzzled her cheek against my shoulder.

"You're being pretty clingy today."

"Mm... it's been a party since this morning, so I'm quite worn out." "I see. It must be hard for you, miss."

As her hand brushed against his smooth hair, Lusia narrowed her eyes in delight.

"So then... these are the character roughs."

I pulled the color-printed character roughs for Kimidari out of the case.

"Whoa! Amazing... it matches my image perfectly..."

Lusia looked at the rough she'd been given, her red eyes sparkling brightly.

Flapping her legs rapidly, she opened her mouth wide like a child.

"You're amazing, Okaya! Thank you!"

"No, the one to thank is Misayama-sensei, who drew the illustrations."

"That goes without saying, but it was you, Okaya, who attached such an incredible artist to me, wasn't it? Thank you!"

Lusia threw her arms around my arm with a kyu sound, wearing a pure, innocent smile like a child's. "I'm so glad you liked them."

Seeing this girl smile more often than before made me think... more... I wanted to make her smile even more...

I remember the first time I met her; she was wearing a face full of sadness.

She had been sobbing, tears streaming down in messy streaks, after having her manuscript—her entire world—rejected...

Now, seeing her smile like this brings me such joy.

"Is this rough sketch good enough? Let me know if anything contradicts the settings so I can fix it."

"No problems. Both the [Boy] and the [Princess] are exactly as I imagined."

Kimitabi is a work that falls into what’s generally known as the "world-destroying" genre.

The heroine is a girl, the [Princess], born with god-like powers.

The setting is that whatever she wishes for becomes reality.

The heroines wish was to [take sorrow away from the world].

In that instant, the memories of every person on Earth were erased.

The logic behind it was that without memory, conflict would cease, and consequently, so would sorrow.

However, each time the Princess uses her power, she loses something precious to herself as the price.

The princess erased her memories of sorrow, and in doing so, she lost her name.

On the other hand, the protagonist has no memories at all, so he doesn't know his own name.

Therefore, there is no name for the respective characters: the protagonist is simply 【The Boy】, and the heroine is simply 【The Princess】.

...Miyasama-sensei drew art that perfectly matched this kind of world view.

"This person is incredibly skilled. I believe they are also the one who illustrated Kamimatsu-sensei's work, whom I hold in such high regard?"

"That's right. Same artist, yet the style is completely different, isn't it?"

Kamimatsu-sensei's second novel, 【Offer Me Your Heart】. Commonly abbreviated as 【Boku-shin】 (My-Heart).

For Boku-shin, Miyasama-sensei drew a cover that looks exactly like a typical light novel.

On the other hand, for Kimi-tabi (Your Journey), they use pale colors and line work that match the world view.

"Oh! Amazing... Just as expected from Miyasama-sensei! I would even want to meet them in person to give my thanks."

"I've been thinking of inviting them if I get a chance, but they're apparently popular and incredibly busy."

I've invited them to have a meal together several times via email, but I've been rejected every single time.

Supposedly, it's because "affairs are a no-go." He probably has a boyfriend.

"I wonder what the cover will look like...~ I can't wait!"

"It's already been ordered, so sit tight."

How covers are made varies from editor to editor.

Some toss the whole job to the illustrator, but I give my side specific instructions.

We share our works with each other for consultation, and ultimately, I present the final proposal.

Getting too specific can kill their imagination, so I keep it strictly for reference. But I don't slack off.

"If you're around, Okaya, I feel safe focusing on the writing. I really do thank you for everything, Okaya."

Lushia closed her eyes and rested her head on my shoulder.

Akari is the type to launch herself at me aggressively, whereas Lushia comes across as someone quietly seeking closeness.

"It's strange. Just having you nearby gives me such peace of mind."
"I feel the same way."

Her glossy hair was like the downy fur on a kitten—soft and pleasant to the touch.

"Oh, right. I brought the manuscript for the author's proofreading." "I... understood."

The words written by a novelist are never released to the public exactly as they were first penned.

First, the manuscript is handed over to a professional who checks text—called a proofreader—to review it.

They point out typos, missing characters, and misused words with a high degree of scrutiny.

However, there are also cases where the author intentionally uses expressions that appear to be misuse or typos.

The author themselves must determine whether such instances were done deliberately or occurred by accident. This process is known as the "author's proofreading."

"I'm not good at this task called 'author's proofreading.'"

I placed the manuscript I had taken out of my bag in front of Rushian.

It was densely covered in red ink, filled with pointed-out issues.

"It feels uncomfortable to alter a document once it has been written..."

"Don't you often make all sorts of changes to the stories you've written?"

"You're fine because you are special. But... I don't want anyone else touching what you and I have created, our treasure..."

Lushia fidgeted, her face flushing red as she blinked.

She was so endearing that I couldn't help but reach out and stroke her head.

"Proofreading your own work is a crucial part of being a writer. If you're a pro, you understand that, right?" "...Obviously."

She looked up and nodded firmly.

"If we're getting paid, we have to take responsibility until the very end. This one is our precious child, me and Okaya's..."

Lushia cradled the author's proof against her chest carefully, patting it gently like a baby. "Child... huh. Fair enough." "No way!"

Bam! Lushia's face turned beet red as she shook her head frantically.

"I-It was a metaphor! A figure of speech, that's all!"

"? Ah, I know it was. No need to worry."

"...Mph. Okaya, you're cheap."

Lushia pursed her lips and let out a heavy sigh.

"It's always me getting my heart pounding or feeling chest tightness. How unfair. It's not fair at all!" "Well... I hear you..."

I am seeking solace in Lucia.

The kind of partner who would walk beside me and stand by my side... that is what I seek in her.

“S-So... okay. O-Ockay... n-na. Could you un-fasten the hooks on the dress, p-please?” “What’s this all of a sudden?”

“This... dress. It’s getting a little tight and uncomfortable... please.”

With a swish, Lucia turns her back to me.

The area behind her ears and the nape of her neck were stained crimson red. “I see. Then...” I place my hand on Lucia’s back. “...Mmm♡”

Zzzzip... I pull the zipper down a little.

Her pristine white back and slightly sweaty skin are revealed before me.

A sweet scent wafts gently into my nostrils. “Ockay... is this alright?”

Lucia directs her glistening red eyes at me.

“...That’s why I booked a room at the hotel. Technically, the lounge would have been fine too.” “I see...”

What a lovable maiden she is.

I reach out to touch her, only to hesitate.

She is so frail, carrying a fragility that makes me afraid she might shatter if I touch her.

...Yet at the same time, I am overcome by an impulse to forcibly claim this small, delicate being as my own.

The two feelings clash within me, and I... pull her into a bear hug from behind. "...Ahh♡" "Just endure it like this." "...Mm♡"

Rushia's warmth and the feeling of her fitting perfectly into my arms were incredibly soothing.

She lets go of all tension in her body, leaning her back against me to trust me with her weight.

We haven't kissed, or gone further than this, but still... I feel deeply connected to her.

"...Ookaya, being hugged tightly like this is my favorite thing in the world."

Turning to face me, Rushia offers a faint smile.

Her cherry-blossom-pink cheeks and dewy lips make my heart skip a beat just looking at them.

Holding her slender... soft body like this, enveloped in her sweet scent, makes me realize she is a woman after all. Not a child, but a woman.

"...Hey, Ookaya. We have to go back to the venue in another... ten minutes." "I see..."

"Ten more minutes... just stay like this." "Understood."

Neither Rusia nor I did anything else. We simply stayed close together.

That alone brought an immense sense of well-being.

If she were to say she was emitting negative ions, it wouldn't be an exaggeration. "Mm, I feel full of energy."

Rusia stood up and nodded firmly.

I fastened the zipper on her back for her. "Do your best, Rusia." "Yeah, you do too, Okaya."

We each returned to our respective workplaces.

I went to the editing department; she headed toward the socializing area.