After answering the phone, Hikigaya was no longer sleepy. He returned to the classroom with a radiant face and full of energy. Although it was not reflected in his expression, it was easy to catch his high spirits , which was completely different from his usual state.
In Japan , middle schools have very short afternoon classes because they have to leave enough time for club activities. Hikigaya Hachiman from the Ten Thousand Years Homecoming Club left school before 3 o'clock.
" Hey, Chika, did you feel that Hikigaya-san was very excited today? "
Kaori Orimoto asked her good friend Nakamachi for her opinion, which brought up a topic.
" Really ? I don't pay much attention to him. "
Nakamachi, who was packing her bag to attend club activities, replied with a lack of interest.
Seeing that his friend had no interest in this matter, Orimoto shrugged. Did not continue the topic.
" You just went out to make a phone call, and you're a completely different person after you came back, Hikigaya-san? "
Nakamachi thought silently that ever since Orimoto told her that Hikigaya used Dazai Osamu's famous words to express his love, she had developed an interest in Hikigaya Hachiman, who usually seemed to be aloof. She was also one of the girls who smiled at Hikigaya that day. But this interest must not be shown to Orimoto, otherwise this carefree friend would spread the news to who knows where.
... ...
In the evening, Hikigaya told his family about his award and that the magazine editors would come to Chiba to meet him on Saturday. He received a warm hug from his parents and Komachi. Komachi's hug lasted especially long because Hachiman was reluctant to let go.
After the excitement , Mr. Hikigaya still raised a very realistic question, that is, even if the couple accompanied hikigaya to meet the editor, they were completely clueless about the many legal details related to the contract. They couldn't find a lawyer to accompany them.
" It doesn't have to be a lawyer . "
Mrs. Hikigaya suddenly spoke up.
" If you are also working in the publishing industry, it should be OK, as long as you have a good understanding of the contracts in this industry. "
" Mom, do you know any editors from other publishing houses or magazines? "
Hikigaya Hachiman asked in surprise.
" Yes , mom is amazing. She is a customer of our beauty salon. She is not very old but you can tell she works late at night. She also said she envied my skin. I talked to her about skin care and we are still in touch. She told me a while ago that she got promoted and is now an editor, but I don't know where she works. Her name is Machida Sonoko. "
Mrs. Hikigaya recalled .
" It would be great if we could find an editor. "
Mr. Hikigaya also agreed.
" Dad , you don't have to go on Saturday. The three of us, Yuanzi, Hachiman and I, are enough. You just stay home and prepare dinner. "
" So, Miss Machida is still a beauty? "
Hikigaya guessed that the background sound was the wailing of his father.
... ...
October in Chiba is the season of cool and refreshing autumn weather.
Naho Imamura got off the train at Higashi-Chiba Station. She breathed a sigh of relief when she learned that Mr. Hachiman lived in Chiba. Chiba City is not far from the Bungeishunju headquarters in Chiyoda District. She might have to visit Mr. Hachiman frequently in the future, so it would be better if they were closer.
Imura looked at the time and it was already half past ten. She hailed a taxi without thinking twice. After all, her business trip expenses were reimbursed, so there was no need to save.
At about ten-fifty, Imamura arrived at the door of " Suzuchi " , arriving ten minutes ahead of the agreed time, neither too early nor too late, which was very in line with etiquette.
" Excuse me, is this Editor Imamura? "
Just as Naho Imamura was about to step into the store, she heard the same voice as Mr. Hachiman's that she had heard on the phone before.
Imamura realized something and immediately turned around and saw three people : the one walking in front was a graceful young man wearing a pair of plain glasses and had a decent smile on his face.
This is Hikigaya in full working order. He wears glasses to eliminate his dead fish eyes and fully display his looks. Mrs. Hikigaya firmly believes that her son is very good-looking, but the dead fish eyes detract from his looks. This is indeed the case. The 28-year-old unmarried Naho Imamura even had a moment of infatuation with him.
As for the two women behind Mr. Hachiman , the older one is probably his mother, and the other one ...
" Machida-scholar?! "
" Imamura-senpai?! "
They both shouted at the same time .
... .....
Inside the cafe ,
" It's really a coincidence , Mother. " Hachiman sighed while talking to his mother.
The group went to a private room inside the restaurant and sat down.
" Please forgive my impoliteness just now, Mr. Hachiman. Let me introduce myself again. I am Naho Imamura, the editor of the " all reading" magazine under Bungeishunju Publishing House. "
" Mr. Hachiman ? You 're addressing him in such a friendly way, senpai? "
Machida Sonoko narrowed her eyes and looked at her senior.
" It's not what you think , Editor Machida. Hachiman is the pen name I use. "
Hikigaya Hachiman realized that although the two people in front of him knew each other, their relationship might not be that good, so he hurriedly explained.
" Hmph, Hikigaya-kun, you must be careful with this older unmarried girl. She can easily lose control of herself with a cute boy like you. "
Machida Sonoko put her arm around Hikigaya Hachiman's shoulders and whispered in a voice just loud enough for Imamura Naho to hear.
In fact, Machida Yuanzi had just met Hikigaya Hachiman for a few days. After hearing Mrs. Hikigaya's request, She immediately agreed to help and asked to meet with him . Although she was a light novel editor, she was very attracted to the young genius writer.
" Mr. Hachiman , time is running out. I think we should start discussing some things about the Rookie Award. Can some irrelevant people from the third-rate light novel library be quiet for a while? You are disturbing the conversation between me and Mr. Hachiman. "
Although she was very annoyed with the noisy schoolgirl, Naho Imamura was currently working and she couldn't argue with Machida like she did before.
"I 'm not an irrelevant , Senior Sister. I was entrusted by Mr. Hachiman's family to prevent you unscrupulous editors from using contracts to deceive young Mr. Hachiman. So, I will always be by your side today and listen to everything you say. "
Naho Imamura felt like slapping her head in annoyance.