At the dining table.
They prepared simple food, such as onigiri.
After taking a few bites, Eriri immediately asked, "So, what's the deal with that girl?"
"Which one? Can you be more specific? I already replied to you, asking you to clarify, right?" Homura rolled his eyes in exasperation.
Although she was probably referring to Nayuta, bringing up this 'inappropriate' topic during the meal...
"I mean the one who 'vomited' on you? Haven't you seen the comments online?"
Just as expected, she brought it up!
Homura was speechless, "I do want to see, but I don't have time, so how could I know... But that girl, I must say, left a deep impression on me."
"She 'vomited' all over you, of course, it left an impression," Elf commented sarcastically.
"You guys are really something!" Utaha's temples throbbed. "Is it really appropriate to discuss this kind of topic during a meal?!"
Eriri: "..."
Elf: "..."
"Fool..." Mashiro whispered softly.
Homura glanced at Mashiro, bewildered.
"That girl was probably just overly nervous, it wasn't a big deal," Megumi said, pausing after eating a little; she wiped her mouth and her expression changed slightly. "Regarding Homura-kun's first book signing event, I never expected for it to be filled with so many controversies like this."
"Yeah, throughout the event, it remained a hot topic online, and there was even an unexpected incident, although it was quickly resolved." agreed Nanami.
"Oh, right!" Homura suddenly wore a strange smile and looked at Utaha. "Utaha-senpai, guess who that girl is?"
"Guess? Me?" Utaha pointed to herself in surprise and then pondered thoughtfully. "If you want me to guess, it's possible that I could figure it out, right?"
He smiled but didn't say a word.
"So, I have some connection with that girl?" Utaha continued to contemplate. "Friends? No... I don't know her, so I can only guess from other factors?"
Closing her eyes and pondering for a moment, she suddenly said, "Could she also be a writer? A novelist?"
As she finished speaking, even she herself felt that it was unbelievable! That girl, who seemed about the same age as Sagiri and no bigger than Elf, was also a novelist?
"Ayano told me that the woman with glasses beside the girl is an editor under Machida Sonoko," Homura didn't directly answer, but since it had been mentioned, the guess was already clear!
"Machida Sonoko is Utaha-senpai's editor, right? No wonder Homura-kun asked that question. The world is really small..." Nanami sighed.
"It's not exactly small, right? It wasn't a coincidence since there must be many people like us in the industry attending today," Eriri said. "So, it's normal for Homura to encounter some novelist. There must be many other novelists and mangaka besides her who went unnoticed."
"What? Really? That's not just a coincidence?" Nanami asked back.
Elf confirmed. "This guy is a celebrity in the industry now. It's only natural that every move he makes attracts a lot of attention."
"I'll ask Machida-san when I have the chance! Find out what kind of person that girl is," Utaha made a decision.
'If it wasn't midnight, you'd probably call her right now, wouldn't you?' Homura secretly thought, then said, "I've actually guessed some things already."
Utaha suddenly stared at him. 'Is it one of his strange abilities to learn about people's information after only a brief contact?'
"I feel like you're thinking something impolite," Homura suspiciously looked at her.
"It's your imagination!" Utaha withdrew her gaze. "So, let's hear your thoughts, Homura-kun."
Homura: "..."
Changing the topic huh? Well, whatever. It's not unusual for her to have some bizarre thoughts, right?
"Since she is an editor under Machida-san, she should be responsible for authors of the same genre, right?" Homura said calmly.
Utaha raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying... romance novels?"
"Probably!" Homura shrugged. "But it's hard to say which specific genre. And it's probably a similar situation as Elf who always misses deadlines. After all, that editor has been following her around."
Elf: "..."
"Why do you have to attack me personally?! It's not like I could help it when I used to miss deadlines! I need time to find motivation and inspiration to write, okay?! How can a novel lacking those be interesting!" Elf said frantically.
Then she had a proud expression on her face. "But I don't miss deadlines anymore, you all haven't seen my editor yet, right? Isn't that proof enough?"
Come to think of it... since getting to know her, he hadn't seen her editor even once... her brother, Yamada Chris. What's going on?
"Why? Elf is known for being a notorious procrastinator. Why wouldn't her editor come to urge her for the manuscript?" Homura muttered to himself but got heard by everyone.
"Who's a notorious procrastinator?!"
"Whatever, I won't argue with you!" Elf huffed, then continued, "Since I've been interacting with you guys, my life has been full of excitement. Motivation and inspiration keep flowing endlessly. There's no need to miss deadlines anymore."
"Huh?" Homura chuckled. "Hehh~ so we deserve credit for that? The publisher you belong to should send us a congratulatory banner then!"
Elf ignored him. This guy could be so caring at times, yet infuriating at other times!
"Pfttt..." Eriri watched their interaction and couldn't help but laugh, but she suddenly remembered something and said solemnly, "Ohh, by the way, Homura, Hashima Izumi will probably come tomorrow."
Hashima Izumi will come tomorrow? Why?
"Huh? I have no idea! How did you know?"
"Because Izumi-chan already came today," Megumi calmly replied on Eriri's behalf.
Eriri suddenly stood up. "Megumi! Why are you stealing my lines? I was the one who said it first!"
"Alright~ Alright~ Eriri, you can continue..." Megumi said nonchalantly.
"It's already past midnight now..." Mashiro suddenly interjected.
Megumi paused for a moment and realized the mistake she and Eriri had made. "Yes, it's already past midnight, which means dawn is approaching and she should come soon."
Eriri quickly interjected, "Hashima Izumi just returned today, and she didn't know you were not home. That's why she will come to visit again officially tomorrow."
So that's how it is.
Homura nodded inwardly. It was really a few days later, as Kosaka Akane had said before, but he didn't expect it to be today. But the timing is quite convenient. We're planning to go out on a travel, and she's coming at the right time.
Homura looked at them and asked, "Well, why don't we take her with us? After all, we'll be working together often in the future."
Utaha and Eriri exchanged glances and simultaneously said, "I have no objections."
Since the two people who usually always have objections don't mind, there's no need to hear from the rest.
"Alright, now that everyone is on board, let's rest! Although my dad arranged a car to pick us up in the afternoon, since we have things to do in the morning, we must sleep early. Also, whoever has Hashima Izumi's contact information, please inform her."
After a quick tidy-up, everyone returned to their rooms with hopeful hearts.
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