Next Target, 400PS!
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"So, you want me to help drive some traffic to her book, right?"
Since Sonoko Machida was bringing it up now, there really couldn't be any other reason.
"Yes. Honestly, your current fame and influence online are already on par with—if not greater than—many veteran light novelists."
In fact, it was significantly higher.
This was something even Sonoko hadn't anticipated. While she had initially recognized the exceptional quality of Kai's book and knew its sales would be strong... the sheer popularity of a debut volume was staggering.
"However, if you feel it's too much of a hassle, you don't have to do it. I can try reaching out to other authors!"
Having worked as an editor for so long, Sonoko had at least passing acquaintances with several established authors, even if they weren't particularly close. Asking them for a small favor or a shoutout wouldn't be impossible.
While she desperately wanted to help Utaha Kasumigaoka, she didn't want to cause any trouble or annoyance for Kai over it.
"Why are you acting so formal with me?"
Pulling his thoughts back to the present, Kai looked at her and chuckled.
"Don't worry about it. It's just a matter of saying a few words online. Consider it done."
"Mhm!" Even though it wasn't a monumental favor, seeing Kai agree so readily made Sonoko nod happily.
"Hey!"
Watching the two of them chat so casually, Shizuka Hiratsuka, situated on his other side, couldn't take it anymore.
"Are you two out of your minds? Why are you talking about serious business now? Couldn't you wait to discuss this later?"
Bringing up normal and professional topics at a time like this... it just felt so wrong.
"Oh! It seems Shizuka has recovered her energy!" Sonoko turned her head, her eyes brimming with mischievous teasing as she looked at Shizuka. Then, she wiggled her eyebrows at Kai. "Look, Shizuka really has the strength to talk again. She must be fully recovered. So, how about...?"
Sonoko didn't finish the sentence, but her wide, suggestive grin made her intentions crystal clear.
"YOU GUYS... DON'T PUSH IT!"
"W-WAIT! STOP!"
Shizuka tried to protest, but it was already too late. And besides, deep down, she didn't really want to stop them anyway.
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Later that night.
Kai still left the villa. After all, he had promised Sakiko Togawa he would come home.
Seeing Shizuka sprawled out, drained of every last ounce of strength, Sonoko suddenly laughed out loud.
"See? I told you! You couldn't handle him all by yourself! Let's see if you dare try to exclude me next time. Look how much fun we had together!"
She honestly couldn't understand why Shizuka had thought she could take on Kai solo. It was a complete overestimation of her own abilities.
"And whose fault do you think that is??"
Shizuka didn't want to move a single muscle, but she still managed to shoot Sonoko a weak glare. Truthfully, the reason she was so exhausted was largely due to Sonoko's creative contributions.
She had never realized it before, but Sonoko Machida was very freaky when she wanted to be!
"Didn't you think it was fun?"
Sonoko didn't feel an ounce of guilt. In fact, she asked the question with matter-of-fact confidence. After all, she genuinely found it exhilarating.
"You're insane!"
"Well, I've figured it out. For 'leftover' women our age, getting married is going to be difficult. And even if we do find someone, they'll either be after our money or something else just as shallow."
Because she navigated the corporate world every day, Sonoko understood better than anyone just how unforgiving Japanese society was toward women.
She had been working at Fujikawa Fantastic Bunko ever since she graduated from university. Normally, just based on seniority, anyone else would have been promoted by now. But for her? She had to produce undeniable, outstanding results to even be considered.
Combine that with the deeply ingrained chauvinism in the culture... a woman who wasn't married by thirty basically had zero chance of finding a decent partner.
"Your light novels can help me secure my promotion. And as for your stamina... well, I am exceedingly satisfied with that as well. So, this is how it's going to be. I'm fine with spending the rest of my life like this. Or do you have a different perspective, Shizuka?"
"..."
Faced with Sonoko's piercing gaze, Shizuka ultimately said nothing, uncomfortably averting her eyes.
Clearly, Shizuka understood this reality just as well. It was undoubtedly one of the reasons she had allowed herself to get swept up in this in the first place.
"Relax, Shizuka! You just overthink things too much. Look at me, I'm perfectly happy! But don't worry, once you get used to this arrangement a few more times, you'll definitely understand."
"You still want there to be a 'next time'??"
Good grief. It was already absurdly intense this time—wouldn't it be even more out of control next time??
"Worst case scenario, I'll let you take the lead next time!"
"..."
'I see. So THAT was your true goal all along! I really made a mistake befriending you!'
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The next day.
Kai walked to school with Sakiko Togawa, just like usual. However, since she had moved to the new house, they no longer had to wake up at the crack of dawn to catch the crowded subway.
Since they attended different schools, they eventually had to part ways.
Although Sakiko had been reinstated into the Togawa family—meaning the family could easily transfer her to Sobu High with a snap of their fingers—she hadn't done so.
She wanted to give Kai enough personal space. While she knew about his other activities, and was perfectly fine with it as long as he came home to her every night, actually watching him interact with other girls at school was still a bit too much for her to handle right now. She needed more time to mentally adjust before taking that step.
Kai didn't force the issue. Maintaining their current routine was perfectly fine with him.
"Hmm?"
Before he could even step through the school gates, a slender figure suddenly blocked his path.
Under Kai's surprised gaze, Soyo Nagasaki smiled at him with practiced, elegant grace.
"Good morning. You must be Kai-kun, correct?"
"Hello."
Seeing her gentle, perfectly crafted smile, Kai instantly recognized her. It was Soyo Nagasaki. As a heroine famous for generating numerous iconic, dramatic scenes, how could he not recognize her?
Sure enough, the moment she appeared, several system quests popped up. Skimming through them, he even noticed one that tasked him with perfectly recreating one of her iconic meltdown scenes right in front of her.
'As expected of one of the heroines.'
"You probably don't know me yet. My name is Soyo Nagasaki. I am Sakiko's friend. You can just call me Soyo!"
Without telepathy, Soyo had no way of knowing what he was thinking. She kept her friendly, warm smile perfectly in place. Anyone seeing her would truly think she was a very kind and gentle girl.
But in reality, Soyo was overwhelmingly lonely. She had made Sakiko her emotional crutch and treated their band as her one true family. That was why her current mental state was starting to twist and warp.
"Nagasaki? So, are you here looking for Sakiko?"
Tilting his head, Kai studied the girl in front of him with a curious gaze. She was still wearing the Tsukinomori Girls' Academy uniform, and her refined, elegant aura made her stand out sharply from the other students milling about.
"..."
His probing gaze made Soyo subconsciously furrow her brow.
'As expected, he's just a filthy playboy. He has zero resistance when he sees a pretty girl.'
How could her Sakiko love someone like this? It was certain that this despicable guy had used some repulsive method to control her.
'Just you wait! Once I make you infatuated with my charm, it will be the perfect moment to save Sakiko. Wait for me, Sakiko. I'm coming to save you right now!'
After silently reaffirming her vow, Soyo quickly adjusted her emotions and looked back at Kai, her smile returning in full force.
"Not at all. Actually, I came here specifically to find you, Kai-kun!"
"..."
Although Soyo thought she had masked her disgust perfectly, as a Jujutsu Sorcerer, Kai's five senses and observational skills far surpassed those of normal humans. He caught the fleeting flicker of her true emotions effortlessly.
He wasn't angry. On the contrary, he found it amusing. She clearly despised him, yet she was actively throwing herself at him. What exactly was she plotting?
He didn't rush to expose her. Instead, he played along, feigning ignorance and looking at her with wide-eyed curiosity.
"Looking for me? May I ask what you need from me, Nagasaki-san?"
"It's like this: are you free this weekend, Kai-kun? I was hoping to ask you out on a date."
"No, I can't."
"Then we can go to... Ara?"
She had been just about to suggest a location. But as his words registered, Soyo stared at him in bewilderment. For a moment, she seriously doubted her own ears.
"Y-You won't go?"
Why? She had never, not even in her wildest dreams, considered that he might reject her. After all, when a beautiful girl like her asked him out, a playboy like him had no reason to say no!
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