At eight o'clock in the evening, Hachiman emailed the completed and revised third volume to both Machida Sonoko and the illustrator.
"Got it. Thanks!" Sonoko Machida's quick reply indicated that she was once again putting in extra hours.
The illustrator, in contrast to the busy Sonoko, responded a bit later, "I've received the files. I'll start working on a few initial drafts in the upcoming days."
Reading the responses from the two, Hachiman also let out a sigh of relief.
The ordeal of finalizing the third volume was now behind him, and all that remained was to wait until Saturday to confer with the illustrator about merging the volume illustrations.
After a good stretch, Hachiman opted to treat himself to a relaxing bath.
He made his way to the living room, exchanged greetings with Komachi, who was engrossed in watching anime on the sofa, and then proceeded into the bathroom.
Starting with a thorough shower, Hachiman settled into the bathtub, letting the warm water soothe his body.
"Ah~~!"
He let out a contented sigh as he settled into the bathtub's comfortable water, submerging his entire body.
The Japanese had an interesting bathing tradition. They preferred to cleanse themselves under the shower first and then indulge in a leisurely soak in the bathtub, savoring the sensation of bathing.
Before his transmigration, he had come across a news article about a Japanese idol selling his own bathwater, fetching a surprisingly high price. Little did he anticipate that someone would actually buy it.
Is this what they mean by loving someone unconditionally? Even their bathwater isn't off-limits!
Japan is also known for its peculiar merchandise, like perfumes that replicate the scent of a young woman's stockings or pillows that mimic the feel of a girl's knee. These eccentric items were definitely not something he would ever consider buying.
With the money they cost, wouldn't it be more satisfying to enjoy a hearty meaty meal?
Following his refreshing bath, Hachiman reentered the room, feeling rejuvenated. It was just nine o'clock, too early to sleep, so he retrieved his phone and began playing games to pass the time.
....
Within the dimly lit room, the sound of keystrokes reverberated.
Utaha's gaze remained fixed on the screen, her expression displaying clear dissatisfaction. A subtle click of her tongue escaped her lips as her shapely legs, clad in alluring black silk, danced restlessly beneath the table.
Amid the whirlwind of thoughts racing through her mind, a sense of helplessness took over. The ability to string together even a single sentence now eluded her.
Resorting to her phone, she located a particular number. After a brief hesitation, she decided to initiate contact by sending a text message first.
"Are you there? Hikigaya-kun, I'm Kasumigaoka Utaha."
Inside Hachiman's room at his house:
Hachiman, who was engrossed in conversation with Yui, was suddenly interrupted by a text message from Utaha on his mobile phone.
"Kasumigaoka-senpai?"
Surprised by the message's content, Hachiman wasn't expecting his proud senpai to actually message to him.
While he did indeed harbor desires for his senpai's body, he wasn't a protagonist like Aki with any sort of main character halo bonuses, even though he had a protagonist halo. He couldn't be certain whether the proud Utaha would actually seek him out, despite what Sonoko had suggested.
The fact that she had actually taken the initiative to contact him caught him off guard.
However, since she had initiated contact, Hachiman wasn't about to let this golden opportunity slip away. "Well, uhm..., Kasumigaoka-senpai, why did you contact me?"
"Although it's a bit embarrassing, I have some questions about my light novel that I'd like to ask you. I hope it's not an inconvenience," came Utaha's prompt reply.
"Of course, no problem at all. I'd be more than happy to help," Hachiman assured. Naturally, he wasn't about to turn down a chance to gain favor.
Upon reading the message's contents, Utaha let out a relieved sigh.
It was her first time seeking help, and reaching out to a junior in a lower grade who had previously assisted in promoting her light novel on his blog was making her feel both embarrassed and apprehensive.
If she were to be rejected, the mere thought of it made her feel ashamed.
Swiftly, she sent the time and location.
"Then, I'll appreciate your help, Hikigaya-kun. Let's meet on the rooftop during lunch break tomorrow!"
"Of course, no trouble at all. I'll be there on time tomorrow."
"Thank you very much, Hikigaya-kun. See you tomorrow!"
"See you tomorrow, Kasumigaoka-senpai."
After setting the phone aside, Utaha reclined on the bed. A pair of elegantly curved black silk-clad legs were slightly bent, tracing an enticing outline, while her ten toes curled like cardamom pods.
"I hope this 'Wakamono-sensei' can assist me," Utaha pondered in silence.
"Sword Art Online" had garnered remarkable sales figures, and the person she was reaching out to possessed undeniable writing talent. However, the thematic differences between their novels were stark. While he could be hailed as a genius in the realm of intense battles, his prowess in portraying youthful romance remained a question.
Lost in these thoughts, the girl gradually drifted into slumber.
On the other hand, after bidding farewell to Utaha, Hachiman felt intrigued by the fact that his proud senpai would actually ask for help. He thought about how he might be the one to take the initiative to bring them closer by offering assistance.
Now that he had the chance to get closer to his senpai, the outcome depended on whether he could seize the opportunity.
He had already read his senpai's light novel.
There was no doubt about the writing style, and the characterizations were quite refined—indeed, these were the novel's indelible strengths.
However, the shortcomings were also evident. The plot felt overly linear, lacking the ebbs and flows that engage readers. If it remained a mere sweet romance novel, there was a risk of readers growing weary of it.
With some effort invested in enhancing the plot, this novel undoubtedly had the potential to gain popularity.
At the thought of this, a smile graced Hachiman's lips. He had already brainstormed ways to elevate it. The subsequent step was to meet his senpai during the lunch break tomorrow.
Having quelled the excitement within him, Hachiman eventually drifted into sleep.
During the lunch break on the following day:
"Hachiman, care to grab lunch together?" Zaimokuza approached Hachiman the moment the lesson materials were ready.
Initially, Zaimokuza would have eaten alone, but now that he had a friend like Hachiman to share meals with, Zaimokuza wasn't about to pass up the opportunity.
"Having lunch together sounds great, but I'm afraid it won't work out today. I have something to take care of," Hachiman replied, feeling a touch of guilt as he looked at Zaimokuza's eager expression.
However, when thoughts of his senpai's lovely black legs crossed his mind, any trace of guilt quickly dissipated.
"What's the matter? Do you need my help?" Zaimokuza inquired, still valuing his hard-won friendship with Hachiman.
"No, no, it's just a personal matter. I can handle it on my own."
Just a jest, as if he would resort to a gang's tactics for something like picking up girls.
"Alright then, let's plan for a meal together next time," Zaimokuza responded, a hint of disappointment visible on his face.
"Absolutely, next time for sure. Well, I'll head out now."
With a wave to Zaimokuza, Hachiman exited the classroom.