By Wednesday, news about Utaha Kasumigaoka's novel release date finally arrived.
It was set for Friday.
Friday was indeed a good day; students would be on weekend break, and those who liked reading novels would definitely buy one or two to spend their weekend.
The fact that Sonoko Machida managed to secure such a good time showed how highly she regarded Utaha Kasumigaoka's novel.
However, what Utaha Kasumigaoka wrote was indeed excellent; her writing style and plot were both good, which was enough for a novel.
Just her writing style alone could turn readers into loyal fans.
The novel immediately entered the promotional stage; a notice was posted on the Fantasia Bunko official website, and posters were hung in Fantasia Bunko bookstores.
The illustrations were also unexpectedly good.
However, regarding the promotional blurb, Utaha Kasumigaoka rejected Sonoko Machida's suggestion.
Sonoko Machida wanted to use the gimmick of Utaha Kasumigaoka being a genius novelist who was also a beautiful high school girl to attract readers.
This gimmick would indeed easily attract readers to buy, but she was unwilling.
She hoped readers would like her novel for its own sake, not because she was a beautiful girl.
Readers nowadays were like that; simply because the author of a novel was a beautiful girl or a student, they would be infinitely tolerant of the novel.
If they didn't read novels for the plot and writing, why read the author?
She wasn't an actor.
This was also the reason why Utaha Kasumigaoka was unwilling to use this gimmick.
Sonoko Machida ultimately respected her decision and didn't use it.
"Shin, did I do the right thing?" After hanging up with Sonoko Machida, Utaha Kasumigaoka couldn't help but ask Shichen.
"What's right or wrong?" Shichen asked casually, eating a biscuit and drinking juice.
"What do you think?" Utaha Kasumigaoka glared at him, annoyed.
"Hehe~" Shichen laughed, "Do whatever you feel is right. Just follow your heart. I'll always support you."
"Really? But won't it be too willful? I know that a novel must prioritize selling well; if it doesn't sell, it has no meaning. I've already come to terms with that."
"Believe in yourself. Your novel is very good, and your writing style is better than most famous novelists. It will definitely sell well."
"You're not lying to me?"
"I swear!" Shichen held up four fingers.
"Is it really okay for me to do this?"
"Personally, I think it's fine."
"Personally?"
"Of course, I also don't want other readers to know you're a beautiful high school girl. It's enough that I, your first fan, know."
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"You... what do you mean?" Utaha Kasumigaoka became nervous.
"Of course, I don't want anyone else to snatch away my exclusive privilege as your fan."
"..." Utaha Kasumigaoka knew he would just mess with her.
"Anyway, just believe in yourself. Your novel is written very well, so don't worry about it not selling. People who read your novel will definitely love it."
"Alright."
Although still a little uneasy, after being comforted by Shichen, Utaha Kasumigaoka was temporarily relieved.
"That's more like it. Even if the popularity isn't high, I'll help you."
"Can't you hope for something good?" Utaha Kasumigaoka rolled her eyes at him.
"Haha, okay, then I wish your novel great sales. I'll buy it too, and how about you sign it for me?"
"Hmph~ Depends on my mood."
Friday arrived quickly.
Nothing much happened these two days, but Shichen did customize a special work uniform for Chisato Nishikigi.
Constantly wearing that red and gray uniform wasn't good; it was easy to be mistaken for employing a student.
Chisato Nishikigi was clearly a cute high school girl, and working in his shop all day seriously violated the part-time hours for high school students. It would be bad if she was reported by a "kind person."
After all, Chisato Nishikigi was still an unregistered resident.
The work uniform Shichen customized for her was a kimono, with a vibrant red body and deep blue lapels, and a white apron around her lower body, wearing geta. She looked quite like a female general.
This outfit was what she should have been wearing when working in a certain shop originally.
He secretly went to customize this alone, even paying extra for rush delivery, and it was ready the next day. The proprietress had originally said it would take several days.
Indeed, money makes the world go round; his good looks clearly didn't work.
However, after giving it to Chisato Nishikigi, the girl naturally asked him how he knew her body measurements.
How could he possibly know her measurements just from sleeping together for two days? He only hugged her, at most knowing her bust size.
Shichen honestly replied that his visual estimation ability was very strong, as his five senses had been enhanced, but she didn't believe him, as it was too accurate, and the clothes fit so perfectly.
She didn't believe him, and Shichen had no way to explain it clearly, but fortunately, she didn't care, only teasing him specifically.
After all, if Shichen wanted to know, she would definitely tell the truth.
It was just a pity that Shichen wasn't interested in asking a girl's measurements; he was more interested in measuring them himself.
But that would have to wait until there was an emotional foundation.
Because of the work uniform customized for Chisato Nishikigi, Tohru became envious and also asked Shichen for one.
Her own maid outfit was conjured by her magic.
This small matter, Shichen went and customized another maid outfit that evening, this time without rush delivery.
Tohru wasn't short on clothes for now.
On Friday afternoon, before four o'clock, Utaha Kasumigaoka arrived, panting.
Hozuki Academy's dismissal time was 3:30 PM, which meant Utaha Kasumigaoka ran straight over after school.
"So eager?" Shichen handed her a glass of pure water.
Utaha Kasumigaoka drank it all in one gulp, let out a long sigh, calmed her breathing, and then spoke, "Of course I'm eager! Come with me quickly to check the situation."
"Aren't you going back to change? What if someone from your school sees us and misunderstands? You must be quite famous at school, right?"
"How do you know?" Utaha Kasumigaoka retorted.
"Nonsense, I've been there. How could a beautiful female classmate not be famous at school?"
"Tch~" Utaha Kasumigaoka couldn't help but curve her lips upward.
Wasn't Shichen praising her?
"No need to change. I don't care. Do you care?"
"I don't care either, so let's go."
"You're just wearing that?" Utaha Kasumigaoka eyed him up and down.
"Is there a problem? A handsome person looks good in anything."
"...Let's go." Utaha Kasumigaoka turned around speechlessly and walked out of the shop.
Shichen reported to Chisato Nishikigi briefly before following her.
Chisato Nishikigi and Tohru didn't go; they not only had to watch the shop, but they also weren't interested in novels.
They would read, but they wouldn't deliberately immerse themselves in the atmosphere, even if Shichen was with them.
After all, it wasn't just them and him alone.
Shichen left the shop, caught up with Utaha Kasumigaoka, and walked alongside her.
"Why didn't you put down your schoolbag?"
"I'm not writing a novel today." Utaha Kasumigaoka shook her head.
"So eager? Then we're not eating together tonight either?"
"Then you carry it for me!" Utaha Kasumigaoka shoved her schoolbag onto him.
"So light?" Shichen weighed it, feeling like there was nothing much inside.
"Don't misunderstand, my grades are very good, top of the class."
"I didn't misunderstand." Shichen smiled and shook his head.
"Hmph~ Better be."
"By the way, aren't you afraid of people from your school finding out you write novels or like reading them? Otaku aren't very popular, are they?"
"I'm not close with anyone at school."
"You don't have a single friend?"
"..."
"Hehe~" Shichen couldn't help but laugh.
"What's so funny?" Utaha Kasumigaoka glared at him, embarrassed and annoyed.
"It's quite good."
"You..."
"I'm telling the truth!" Shichen cried out, wronged.
"Who thinks not having friends is quite good?"
"Then why don't you have friends?"
"I just... not having friends is quite good." Utaha Kasumigaoka's cheeks flushed.
"See?"
"You're so annoying!" Utaha Kasumigaoka couldn't help but hit him.
The force wasn't heavy, it was light, and Shichen didn't care: "Then are there any unconventional people at your school?"
"Unconventional?" Utaha Kasumigaoka looked at him inexplicably.
"Like... not caring about others' opinions, freely showing their interests, openly revealing their love for the two-dimensional world."
"There are people like that?" Utaha Kasumigaoka was very surprised.
"Aren't there any at your school?"
"Never heard of it."
"Is that so?"
The two walked and chatted, and soon arrived at the nearest bookstore, and at the entrance of the bookstore, there was a promotional poster for Utaha Kasumigaoka's novel.
There was no one at the shop entrance right now.
Utaha Kasumigaoka became nervous, her steps slowed considerably, and Shichen, amused, grabbed her wrist, pulling her into the bookstore.
Inside the store, it was as quiet as outside, with no customers. In the new book release section not far from the entrance, there was a very conspicuous pile of novels, stacked high.
It was as if no one had bought any.
Utaha Kasumigaoka's hands and feet instantly turned cold.
The coldness spread from her wrist to Shichen's hand, and he quickly comforted her, "Don't worry yet, it might just be after school, and everyone hasn't arrived yet."
"That's true..."