webnovelvip Chapter 28 Novel Release
Chapter 28 Novel Release
By Wednesday, news finally broke regarding the release date of Kasumigaoka Utaha's novel.
It was scheduled for Friday.
Friday is indeed a good day. Students get a weekend off, and those who like reading novels will definitely buy one or two to spend the weekend.
The fact that Machida Sonoko managed to secure such a good opportunity shows how highly she regards Kasumigaoka Utaha's novel.
However, Kasumigaoka Utaha's writing is indeed excellent; the writing style is good, and the plot is good, which is enough for a novel.
Her writing style alone is enough to turn book lovers into die-hard fans.
The novel immediately entered the promotional phase, with announcements posted on the official website of Shinazugawa Bunko and posters displayed in Shinazugawa Bunko bookstores.
The illustrations are surprisingly good too.
However, Kasumigaoka Utaha rejected Machida Sonoko's suggestion regarding promotional material.
Machida Sonoko wanted to attract readers by using the gimmick of Kasumigaoka Utaha being a genius novelist who is a beautiful high school girl.
This gimmick would certainly be easy to attract readers to buy, but she was unwilling.
She hopes that readers will enjoy her novels because they like them, rather than because she is a pretty girl reading them.
That's how readers are these days; they're incredibly forgiving of a novel simply because the author is a pretty girl or a student.
Why bother looking at the author if you don't care about the plot and writing style when reading a novel?
She's not an actor.
This is also why Kasumigaoka Utaha was unwilling to use this gimmick.
Machida Sonoko ultimately respected her decision and didn't use it.
"Tatsumi, did I do the right thing?" After hanging up the phone with Machida Sonoko, Kasumigaoka Utaha couldn't help but ask Tokimi.
"What's right or wrong?" Shi Chen asked nonchalantly as he ate cookies and drank juice.
"What do you think?" Kasumigaoka Utaha glared at him, annoyed.
"Hehe~" Shi Chen laughed: "Whatever you think, just do what you feel is fine, I will always support you."
"Really? But isn't that a bit too reckless? I know that the novel's main goal is to sell well; if it doesn't sell, it's meaningless. I've been aware of that for a long time."
"Believe in yourself. Your novel is very good, and your writing style is better than most famous novelists. It will definitely be a bestseller."
"You're not lying to me?"
"I swear!" Shi Chen held up four fingers.
"Am I really sure it's okay for me to do this?"
Personally, I think it's fine.
"personal?"
"Of course I don't want other readers to know that you're a beautiful high school girl. It's enough that I, your first fan, know."
"What...what do you mean?" Kasumigaoka Utaha became nervous.
"Of course, I don't want anyone else to compete with me for this exclusive privilege for book lovers."
"..." Kasumigaoka Utaha knew he would try to fool her.
"In short, just believe in yourself. Your novel is very well written, so don't worry about it not selling. People who read your novel will definitely love it."
"All right."
Although still a little uneasy, Kasumigaoka Utaha was temporarily relieved after being comforted by Toki.
"That's more like it. Even if it doesn't get much attention, I'll still help you."
"Can't you expect something better?" Kasumigaoka Utaha rolled her eyes at him.
"Haha, okay, then I wish your novel great success! I'll buy it too, and how about you sign it for me while you're at it?"
"Hmph~ It depends on my mood."
Friday arrived quickly.
Nothing much happened these past two days, but Shichen did manage to have a custom-made work uniform made for Nishiki Chizuki.
Wearing that red and gray uniform all the time isn't good; it could easily lead people to mistakenly think he's employing students.
Chizuka Nishiki is clearly a cute high school girl, and she's been working at his shop all day, which is a serious violation of the part-time work hours for high school students. It wouldn't be good if she got reported by a "well-meaning person".
After all, Chizuka Nishiki was an unregistered resident.
The work uniform that Shichen made for her was a kimono, bright red with a dark blue collar, and a white apron around her lower body. She also wore wooden clogs, giving her the appearance of a female general.
This outfit is what she was supposed to wear when she worked in a certain store.
He secretly ordered this by himself, even paying extra to go to the market, and it was finished the next day. The shopkeeper had originally said it would take several days.
Money really can make the devil turn the millstone; his good looks clearly didn't help.
However, after giving it to Nishiki Chizuka, the girl naturally asked him why he knew her measurements.
How can you possibly know someone's chest size just by sleeping together for two days? It's just about cuddling; at most, you can find out their bust size.
Shi Chen honestly replied that his visual estimation ability was very strong, and his five senses were enhanced, but she didn't believe him, after all, it was too accurate, and the clothes fit him so well.
She didn't believe him, and Shi Chen couldn't explain it clearly either, but fortunately she didn't care, she just teased him on purpose.
After all, if Shichen wanted to know, she would definitely tell the truth.
Unfortunately, Shichen wasn't interested in asking about the girl's figure; he was more interested in measuring her himself.
However, this will have to wait until there is a foundation of affection.
Because Tohru envied the work clothes that were custom-made for Nishiki Chizuka, she also wanted one for Shichen.
She created her own maid outfit using magic.
For this small matter, I went to order another maid outfit that same evening, this time without rushing it.
Thor doesn't need any clothes for the time being.
On Friday afternoon, before four o'clock, Kasumigaoka Utaha arrived, panting heavily.
Private Toyonosaki School ends at 3:30 PM, which means that Kasumigaoka Utaha ran over immediately after school.
"So urgent?" Shi Chen handed her a glass of purified water.
Kasumigaoka Utaha finished her drink in one gulp, took a long breath to calm herself, and then said, "Of course I'm anxious, come with me to see what's going on."
"Aren't you going back to change your clothes? What if people from your school see you and we misunderstand? You must be quite famous at school, right?"
"How did you know?" Kasumigaoka Utaha asked in return.
"Nonsense, I've been there. How could a pretty girl not be famous in school?"
"Tch~" Kasumigaoka Utaha couldn't help but smile.
Isn't Shi Chen praising her?
"No need to change it, I don't care, but do you?"
"I don't mind, let's go then."
"Is this all you're wearing?" Kasumigaoka Utaha looked him up and down.
"Is there a problem? Handsome people look good in anything."
"...Let's go." Kasumigaoka Utaha turned and left the store without saying a word.
Shichen reported to Jinmu Qianshu before catching up with her.
Chizuka Nishiki and Tohru didn't go; not only did they have to mind the shop, but they also weren't interested in the novel.
I can watch, but I can't respond to the atmosphere, even if we're together at the same time.
After all, it wasn't like I was going alone with him.
When Shichen left the shop, he caught up with Kasumigaoka Utaha and walked alongside her.
"Why didn't you put your backpack in?"
"I'm not writing a novel today," Kasumigaoka Utaha shook her head.
"So excited? Then we won't be having dinner together tonight?"
"Then you take it!" Kasumigaoka Utaha shoved the backpack into his arms.
"So light?" Shi Chen weighed it in his hand and felt that it was nothing.
"Don't misunderstand, I have excellent grades, I'm first in my grade."
"I didn't misunderstand either," Shi Chen said with a smile and a shake of his head.
"Hmph~ That would be best."
"By the way, aren't you afraid the school will find out you're writing or reading novels? Otaku aren't exactly popular, are they?"
"I'm not familiar with anyone at school."
"Don't you have a single friend?"
"..."
"Hehe~" Shi Chen couldn't help but laugh.
"What's so funny?" Kasumigaoka Utaha glared at him, embarrassed and annoyed.
"fine."
"You..."
"I'm telling the truth!" Shi Chen cried out, accusing himself of being wronged.
"Who would think it's good to have no friends?"
"Then why don't you have any friends?"
"I'm just... good at not having friends." Kasumigaoka Utaha's cheeks were flushed.
"See?"
"You're so annoying!" Kasumigaoka Utaha couldn't help but punch him.
The pressure was light, almost imperceptible, and the timing seemed insignificant: "Are there any eccentric individuals in your school?"
"Unconventional?" Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at him, puzzled.
"It's about... not caring about other people's opinions, freely showing off your interests, and openly revealing your love for anime and manga."
"There are people like that?" Kasumigaoka Utaha was surprised.
"Doesn't your school have that?"
"Never even heard of it."
"Yeah?"
The two walked and talked, and soon arrived at the nearest bookstore, where a promotional poster for Kasumigaoka Utaha's novel was hanging at the entrance.
There is no one at the store entrance right now.
Kasumigaoka Utaha tensed up and slowed her pace considerably. Tokishi, amused, grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the bookstore.
The store was as quiet as it was outside, with not a single customer. However, in the new book section not far from the entrance, there was a very conspicuous pile of novels, stacked high.
It's like hardly anyone has ever bought it.
Kasumigaoka Utaha's hands and feet instantly turned ice cold.
Shi Chen felt a chill on her wrist as he held it, and he quickly comforted her, "Don't worry, it's probably because school just ended and everyone hasn't arrived yet."
"Too......"