Chapter 314: It's Hard
While keeping an eye on the soup, Eriri listened to Kaede finish talking about work.
"Oh~~~ You still have to deal with the new volume's release? And do signed copies again?"
"Yes, just a few as gifts." Kaede shrugged and said, "Anyway, I won't be stuck in the Bunko signing all day like last time; that would really kill me. I've already agreed with Editor Nakajima, a maximum of 200 copies."
"Mhm, too many isn't good. 200 copies is enough."
Eriri nodded repeatedly, also not wanting Kaede to be too tired with these things.
After calculating the time, Eriri said, "Kaede-kun, if you're tired, go take a bath first. We can eat as soon as you're done!"
"Okay, I'll go wash up now."
Gently pinching Eriri's cheek, Kaede prepared to take a bath... For the next two weeks, Kaede indeed became busy as he had told Eriri. He would occasionally skip club activities, going directly to the Bunko after classes.
In the Art Club, Utaha also came today, bringing some hot drinks as gifts (comfort items).
Drinking her beverage, she looked at Eriri and said, "Asakura-kun has been very busy these days, which is a bit surprising. I remember he was supposed to go to the animation production side today?"
"That's right!"
Eriri nodded, her gaze fixed on her computer screen, her hands never stopping: "Mainly, with the new year, people always need some drive, right? I'm pretty much the same; I discussed it with my editor these past few days, and since the plot has reached a crucial point, I've arranged for two weeks of double updates, so I also need to work extra hard. My previous backlog, due to laziness during Christmas and New Year, only has a few chapters left."
"You still have a backlog? Other manga artists would probably curse out loud if they heard that; they don't have your efficiency."
Looking at Eriri's high drawing efficiency, Utaha was also a little envious. As a light novel author, she also wished she had such a talent for quickly writing, but unfortunately, she didn't.
In response, Eriri proudly shook her head: "Hmph hmph, this is a talent I awakened from countless times of missing deadlines and pulling all-nighters to rush manuscripts! Ordinary people can't learn it!"
"..."
Everyone who heard Eriri say this looked at her speechlessly.
Is that something to be proud of?
Utaha also put a hand to her forehead and said, "Honestly, if Asakura-kun hadn't taken care of you, even if you debuted as a manga artist, you'd most likely miss deadlines again and again. No, it's not 'most likely,' it's 100% you'd miss deadlines."
"Uh... it wouldn't be that bad, would it?"
Eriri glanced at Utaha, then at the others in the Art Club, and saw that everyone was nodding in agreement. Even the President (club president), who was lying on his side, squinted his eyes and gave a thumbs-up.
Taking a deep breath, Eriri rubbed her face, looking somewhat resigned, and said, "Ah ah ah ah, anyway, that's just your hypothetical, an alternate timeline that doesn't exist! Anyway, I will absolutely never miss a deadline again, nope, absolutely!"
I think you're just confident because Kaede has your back.
"Forget it, you're just someone to be envied; I won't complain anymore."
Shaking her head, Utaha continued to work on the outline for her new book. She still had many problems to deal with in that area; if she didn't sort them out, she wouldn't be able to smoothly start writing the first volume of the light novel.
Eriri, meanwhile, stuck out her tongue at Utaha, then tugged on Usami's sleeve and waved at her.
After Usami came over, Eriri opened the notepad on her phone and typed: [Mizuki, any progress with Uchimaki?]
Usami's cheeks flushed slightly. She took Eriri's phone and continued to write below: [We've arranged to go out together this weekend, but we haven't decided where yet. I plan to call him tonight to discuss it.]
Eriri immediately sat up straight, her eyes wide as she looked at Usami, her gaze filled with excitement.
Usami was a little scared by her reaction and continued to write on the phone: [It's not that fast! It's just a very normal outing!]
[How can it be normal, Mizuki!]
Eriri took the phone and wrote: [You're already calling him at night to discuss going out; doesn't that indicate significant progress? Come on, try to win him over quickly!]
"..."
Usami stopped talking, turned away with a red face, and continued to work on her oil painting. However, Eriri could tell from her extremely slow movements that the girl was very shy and nervous, clearly not having figured out how to win over Uchimaki Subaru.
Peeking past Usami, Eriri secretly glanced at Uchimaki Subaru's side, realizing that he hadn't noticed their interaction at all and was still busy drawing his 2d waifu.
Yes, today it was a sailor-suited Cat-eared girl, still full of moe points.
Striking a pose very similar to Kaede's, Eriri propped her chin with one hand and began to ponder.
"Why is it that even though Mizuki has made her move, Uchimaki is still so immersed in drawing his 2d waifu?"
This was completely different from what Eriri had imagined. She had thought that Usami and Uchimaki Subaru had gone out together, and Usami had even tried many cosplays, which Eriri had seen photos of and found very cute. Could Uchimaki Subaru really have no reaction at all?
That shouldn't be... Shaking her head, Eriri decided that she would talk to Kaede about this when she got home today.
In the evening, when she got home, Kaede had actually returned earlier than her and was already preparing dinner.
"Kaede-kun!"
Putting down her school bag, Eriri jogged to the kitchen, tugging at the hem of Kaede's clothes, and said, "I have something to ask you!"
"Hm?"
Kaede was blanching pork belly at the moment and was startled by Eriri's action. He quickly scooped out the blanched pork belly, wiped his hands, and said, "What's wrong? Did you encounter a problem?"
"There's a problem I can't figure out!"
Eriri held up a finger, her expression serious.
The dish he was making wasn't urgent for a few minutes, so Kaede decided to chat with Eriri first: "Can't figure it out? Tell me? But I can't guarantee I can answer you."
"It's about Mizuki and Uchimaki!"
Eriri directly stated her confusion: "Look, Uchimaki has gone out with Mizuki, and he must have noticed Mizuki's feelings. But why is he still immersed in drawing his 2d waifu?"
"Uh..."
This question truly stumped Kaede.