Imaizumi Keita had always been clear about one thing: when things were developing in his favor, it was best not to dig deeper.
Asking "why" was a very foolish act.
It not only exposed one's insecurity but could also cause someone who had just made a decision in the heat of the moment to calm down under your questioning and then retract that favorable decision.
So, when Shioyaki Lemon nodded and said "Okay."
The correct approach was definitely not to ask, "Why did you agree?"
Instead, it was to seize this hard-won momentum and walk straight up to her and hug her.
That's exactly what Imaizumi Keita did.
He took two steps forward, and under Shioyaki Lemon's slightly widened eyes, he extended his arms and pulled her into his embrace.
Shioyaki Lemon froze in Imaizumi Keita's arms.
She had not expected Imaizumi Keita to hug her so decisively, without the slightest hesitation.
His chest pressed against hers, carrying another person's heartbeat, which clearly reached her senses.
A mixture of sweat and Imaizumi Keita's clean scent enveloped her instantly.
"W-wait! Imai-chan!"
She instinctively tried to struggle, her hands pressing against his chest, her face filled with panic.
"I-I'm all sweaty! So sticky and..."
Her words were left unfinished.
Because Imaizumi Keita hugged her very tightly, yet it didn't feel offensive.
Perhaps Shioyaki Lemon just didn't find it offensive for a moment...
His arms powerfully wrapped around her waist, holding her steadily in his embrace, conveying a reassuring warmth that she couldn't resist.
That urge to break free silently dissipated in that moment of hesitation.
Shioyaki Lemon stopped struggling, and her hands, which had been pushing against him, gradually relaxed, finally resting gently on his chest.
She could feel the firm outline of his muscles beneath her palms, and the steady, powerful heartbeat emanating from his chest.
Thump, thump, thump.
Somehow, her own heart, which had been pounding wildly from nervousness, slowly calmed down.
This sense of security made her unconsciously lean her slightly warm head against him.
So... this is Imai-chan's embrace...
Just as she imagined, firm and warm.
Seeing Yakishio finally settle down in his arms, Imaizumi Keita also leaned his head slightly towards Shioyaki Lemon's.
The mingled scent of shampoo and sweat from the girl's hair wasn't unpleasant; instead, it carried a vibrant aroma.
A slightly sweet and sour emotional energy slowly flowed from Yakishio into Imaizumi Keita's body, bringing him a rather pleasant sense of comfort.
The hug lasted for less than thirty seconds.
Just as Shioyaki Lemon gradually got used to the warmth of the embrace and even began to feel a hint of reluctance to let go, Imaizumi Keita slightly loosened his arms around her and leaned down to her ear.
Then, before Shioyaki Lemon could react to what he was about to do, a warm, soft touch gently landed on her earlobe.
Like a faint electric current instantly shooting through her entire body.
Shioyaki Lemon's eyes widened slightly.
Her ear...
He...
Before she could fully process what had happened, Imaizumi Keita had already released his arms and created distance between them.
The reassuring warmth of the embrace suddenly vanished.
An indescribable feeling of emptiness filled her heart.
Shioyaki Lemon subconsciously looked up at the culprit.
Imaizumi Keita's face still held that calm, nonchalant expression.
As if that hug and that gentle kiss were just her illusions.
Seeing him like this, the emptiness and guilt in Shioyaki Lemon's heart intensified, making her completely unsure how to face him.
She opened her mouth, but in the end, could only pretend that nothing had happened and broke the silence.
"Then... um... are we still, still running?"
"No," Imaizumi Keita shook his head, his tone as calm as ever. "That's enough for today, the amount of exercise is about right."
"...Oh, okay." Shioyaki Lemon nodded, as if she had finally let out a sigh of relief.
The two walked side by side towards the school exit, without a word.
It wasn't until he had seen Shioyaki Lemon to the station that Imaizumi Keita bid her farewell.
"I'm going back."
"Mm... Imai-chan, goodbye."
"Goodbye."
After watching Imaizumi Keita disappear, Shioyaki Lemon raised her hand and, with some hesitation, gently touched her still slightly warm earlobe.
...
The next day, the day after the date.
When Imaizumi Keita was woken by his phone ringing, the sky outside the window was already bright.
He frowned irritably, fumbled for his phone under the pillow, and without looking at the caller ID, pressed the answer button.
"Hello."
"Good morning, Teacher Izumi! I'm very sorry to disturb your rest so early!"
A slightly familiar male voice came from the other end of the line.
Teacher Izumi?
It took Keita Imaizumi's brain two seconds to register the source of the address; his pen name was 'Izumi'.
He pulled the phone away from his ear and glanced at the caller ID; sure enough, it was the website editor he had been in contact with before.
"...Good morning," Keita Imaizumi cleared his throat, trying to make his voice sound more awake. "Is something the matter?"
"Yes! Of course! And it's fantastic news!"
The editor on the other end of the line was clearly in a state of extreme excitement, his voice an octave higher than usual.
"Teacher Izumi! Your work! 'my youth romantic comedy is wrong, as i expected'! The data on the website has exploded!!"
"Hmm."
Keita Imaizumi sat up and leaned against the headboard.
He naturally knew that his light novel's data was good. After all, he had invested a lot of energy into this book, intending to use it to earn his first pot of gold.
So, since its release, he had been following the steadily rising data and had certain expectations in mind.
But he hadn't expected the editor to be so excited as to use the term "exploded," and the editor seemed a bit too thrilled.
"Teacher Izumi, your new book currently has almost entirely positive reviews, and the discussion atmosphere among readers is great!"
The editor's tone was full of wonder. "It's now firmly holding the first place in our website's Light Novel Grand Prize!"
Listening to the editor's report, Keita Imaizumi only gave a faint "mm" and didn't show much surprise.
"So..." The editor on the other end paused, seemingly wanting his next words to carry more weight.
"After an emergency meeting and unanimous decision by our editorial department! Your work will skip the subsequent selection process of the Light Novel Grand Prize. We are preparing to arrange the printing and publication of the first volume for you immediately!"
"Oh?"
This news finally piqued Keita Imaizumi's interest.
Skipping the selection and going straight to publication.
Wouldn't that mean he could get the royalties for the light novel publication right away?
He had thought he would have to wait until after the Grand Prize ended to start receiving the prize money and the related publication contract...
"What about the terms?" Keita Imaizumi asked calmly, not letting the grand promises go to his head. "Is it a standard newcomer contract?"
Keita Imaizumi was a little concerned, even though it was being published directly by skipping the Grand Prize stage.
The reason he participated in the Grand Prize was that the first-place winner could sign a publication contract as a 'Light Novel Rising Star,' which meant a larger share of the money.
If he simply wanted to get the money faster and gave up a better contract, it would be like buying the case and returning the pearl.
"No, it's a Rising Star Contract. Because you stood out with such outstanding data, to reduce the pressure on other contestants, we will grant an additional Light Novel Rising Star contract."
The editor seemed to have considered Keita Imaizumi's concerns and added, "Over the years, there have been exceptionally outstanding works that skipped the Grand Prize competition and directly obtained our signing."
"So next, we will proceed with Rising Star debut treatment! Royalties, initial print run, and subsequent promotional resources—we'll provide them all! We are very optimistic about the potential of this work!"
"That works." Keita Imaizumi nodded.
"As for the specific contract details, I'll have the legal department draft a new electronic contract and send it to your email shortly. Once you've confirmed it's correct, you can sign it directly online!"
"No problem."
"Also, Teacher Izumi," the editor added, "regarding the tips and other income from your work on the website so far, the finance department has finished the settlement. The first payment should be deposited into the bank account you linked when signing today. Please be sure to check!"
"Got it."
After briefly communicating some details about the cover artist and publication timeline with the editor, Keita Imaizumi finally hung up the phone.
He casually tossed the phone aside, stretched, and then got out of bed to walk into the bathroom.
By the time he finished washing up and returned to the bedside to pick up his phone, two new messages had appeared on the screen.
One was a notification from the website's official email, with an electronic contract titled 'Publication Authorization Agreement' attached.
The other was a text notification from the bank regarding a deposit.
Looking at the figure of over two hundred thousand displayed in the text message, a satisfied smile finally appeared on Keita Imaizumi's face.
Finally, money he earned himself!
At last... he was a bit more economically independent.
This amount wasn't huge, but it was enough to make his current life much more comfortable.
He sat at his computer desk, making preliminary plans for this "first pot of gold" in his mind.
Part of it would be used to improve his life—get a better mattress and buy a few well-fitting clothes.
As for the rest...
A few figures involuntarily surfaced in Keita Imaizumi's mind.
Perhaps... he could buy some small gifts for the girls he liked?
Oh, almost forgot...
He had said before that he would buy Yanami Anna a new swimsuit and then have her wear it for him to see...
Nine chapters left, I'm crying.
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