My anime/manga fandom can't be that lazy.

Looking at Yamada Elf's expression, Dongfang Bai realized it didn't seem like a casual joke. He had lived here for so long without encountering any supernatural events.

"Hmm... When I was opening the door with my key just now, I felt like something was watching me. I got goosebumps all over. I don't know if it was just my imagination."

Now that she was next to Dongfang Bai, Yamada Elf felt a little safer. She wondered if that last bit of feeling was just a girl's intuition...

With a puzzled look in his mind, Dongfang Bai walked to the entrance hall and opened his front door. The sunlight was abundant; even if there really were ghosts, they couldn't possibly be out in broad daylight...

"How...how is it?"

The fairy clung to him in fear, gripping his clothes tightly, looking just like a cute, frightened little rabbit, which amused Dongfang Bai.

"Hey? You lived in that so-called 'cursed house' next door and nothing happened to you, so why are you scared now?"

"Stop...stop nagging! Even if there are ghosts in my house, they would definitely be scared away by my domineering presence."

"So you're all domineering? Are you also a user of the Gum-Gum Fruit?"

"Well, that's all there is to it, there's nothing wrong with it."

Dongfang Bai circled around a few more times but still didn't find anything. Although he had suspected that his cheap father might have sent someone to watch him secretly, he thought it shouldn't be that easy to find out.

"So... then it must be my imagination."

The fairy shrank her neck, not even wearing indoor shoes, and ran around in her own house wearing only her white over-the-knee stockings.

"By the way, Fairy, I'm going to school soon. What are you planning to do in the meantime?"

"I guess he'll just stay at your house for a while."

Dongfang Bai took a bite of the fried egg made by the fairy, and his eyes lit up slightly. It was smooth and tender, and the cooking time was just right. Even he himself could not make it so well...

"good to eat……"

Unable to contain herself, she blurted it out, causing Yamada Elf beside her to curl the corners of her mouth, revealing a strange expression of great pleasure that she was trying hard to suppress.

"Hey~ thank me~ I even prepared lunch for you this afternoon."

Yamada Elf bounced around and brought out a bento box wrapped in a delicate red and white cloth from the kitchen. It seemed to have been prepared on purpose and looked quite nice.

"Oh~ if she's a fairy, she'll definitely be a virtuous wife and loving mother in the future!"

"What...what nonsense are you talking about!"

The fairy's face turned as red as a boiling kettle, with white steam rising from her head. Her cheeks flushed red all the way down to her neck, whether from embarrassment or anger, it was hard to tell.

Chapter Sixty-Six: Kashiwagi Eri [Requesting Flowers and Reviews]

"Yo-ho! How is Yakumo-sensei?"

The lively voice of Kagurazaka Ayame coming through the phone—she's almost 30 and still unmarried, yet she still acts like a child.

"I always feel like you're thinking something very rude."

Kagurazaka Ayame sounded a little annoyed on the other end of the phone, which startled Dongfang Bai. Could she possibly read his mind over the phone?

"Sister Changpu, just say it, what's wrong? I'm taking my lunch break right now."

Dongfang Bai stood in the stairwell between the stairs. It was a rather deserted place, and hardly anyone ever passed by, especially during lunch break.

"Well, I just wanted to ask how your manuscript is going? Is it finished yet?"

"Ah, well, it's basically finished."

Although Dongfang Bai felt a little guilty, his expression and tone remained calm and unchanged.

"That's good. By the way, I was planning to give you a surprise. You should know what a very important thing is needed for light novels besides the manuscript, right?"

"Oh?"

Surprise? That's interesting. But when it comes to light novels, the first thing that comes to mind, besides being light and enjoyable, is the exquisite and beautiful illustrations. In a sense, these can significantly boost sales.

If your light novel has a good illustrator, even if your writing is terrible, people will still choose to buy it.

This is what the industry often refers to as "buying toilet paper and getting illustrations for free." However, if your light novel is also of high quality, pairing it with exquisite illustrations and famous illustrators can produce unexpected results.

The synergy between a renowned author and a renowned illustrator is not simply a matter of 1 plus 1 equals 2; it's an exponential increase.

"So, you've already assigned an illustrator to me?"

"clever!"

Although he couldn't see Kagurazaka Ayame's face on the other side, Dongfang Bai could definitely imagine the smug expression on her face.

"And not only that, the illustrations were completed ahead of schedule, and the creator is none other than the famous 'Eri Kashiwagi'! Aren't you happy!?"

Kashiwagi Eri? Dongfang Bai frowned. The moment he heard the name, he remembered that it was Sawamura Eriri's pen name in the ACG world, and a very famous one at that.

Why is it the "underworld"? Because Eri Kashiwagi is known to almost everyone in the underworld, because her doujinshi are so famous, and they're not just ordinary doujinshi.

It's still the kind of NTR-themed RBQ 18R doujinshi. Although the art style is quite exquisite, it's almost unbearable to look at. In fact, it's absolutely impossible for anyone to imagine that it was drawn by a sixteen or seventeen-year-old blonde beauty.

"Oh? Doesn't Yakumo-sensei know about 'Kashiwagi Eri'-sensei? I didn't realize you were so naive..."

Hearing that Dongfang Bai hadn't replied for a long time, Kagurazaka Ayame on the other side was a little confused, and even automatically imagined that Dongfang Bai looked blank. Could it be that he didn't know who Kashiwagi Eri was?

"...I do know that; her art style is indeed very good."

"Right? I'll send you the illustration first so you can take a look. If you're satisfied, you can confirm the use of it directly."

As he spoke, Kagurazaka Ayame's file was sent to Dongfang Bai's phone. He casually opened the file, and the moment he saw it, he felt Kashiwagi Eri's charm.

Indeed, the art style is quite exquisite, and the coloring also suits my aesthetic taste. While it's certainly very satisfying, well...

On one hand, he had already informed Sagiri in advance when he wrote Fate, since he knew her identity as "Eromanga Sensei" and that although she wouldn't admit it, she was actually secretly drawing illustrations.

So, in terms of order, Sagiri definitely drew the illustrations first. Besides, although Eri Kashiwagi's art style is really good, there's something very strange about it...

It's not a drawing error, but simply that it doesn't fit the character in my 'Fate' book.

The document features an exquisite illustration of the majestic King Saber battling the rival Berserker. Saber is wounded, and her armor appears somewhat tattered.

Although it was tattered and worn, it better expressed Saber's heroic spirit and the feeling of a knight who was not inferior to men. However, Eri Kashiwagi's painting was very strange.

Everything else was perfect, but she felt like she had developed a professional habit, or maybe it was from drawing too many doujinshi. She somehow managed to make the heroic Saber look like a beautiful girl being defeated in battle, with a kind of erotic feel...

"Really..."

Dongfang Bai couldn't help but twitch his lips when he saw this. Kashiwagi Eri's art style emphasized female beauty too much, making it somewhat erotic, which was completely unsuitable for his 'Fate', which was mainly about fighting.

Chapter Sixty-Seven: I Already Have Someone in Mind [Seeking Flowers and Reviews]

"I regret to decline."

Dongfang Bai rejected Kagurazaka Ayame without hesitation. After all, the art style of the light novel was definitely not suitable for him, and he didn't want to leave a bad impression on 'Fate' because of this.

"Why...!? Logically speaking, there's absolutely no problem with the quality of the artwork...!"

Kagurazaka Ayame on the other side seemed somewhat incredulous. She hadn't expected Dongfang Bai to refuse. Many light novel authors wanted to collaborate with Kashiwagi Eri, but none could achieve it.

This time, it was Kashiwagi Eri who took the initiative to collaborate with Dongfang Bai on the creation of 'Fate', but he refused without any politeness. Who knows if that girl will be so angry that she will cry.

"It's possible..."

Dongfang Bai could already picture Sawamura Eriri's uncomfortable expression and vacant eyes. After all, she was a very well-known illustrator, yet she was rejected after offering to collaborate...

If this news gets out, what a huge reaction it will cause! Who knows, some weird rumors might even appear, like 'the untold story of Yakumo-sensei and Kashiwagi-sensei'.

"The quality of the artwork does perfectly match my aesthetic standards, but I still can't accept it."

"Why? Can you explain your reasoning?"

"Sister Ayame, don't you think this art style is not suitable for Fate? And to me, it looks like the art style of some 18+ works."

Dongfang Bai made a comment, and Kagurazaka Ayame herself also watched it carefully. Whether it was the majestic 'Saber' or the cute little yandere 'Illya' who appeared later, she felt that they were all a little bit erotic...

"This……"

Indeed, after a close look, even Kagurazaka Ayame could see that this doesn't quite fit the character design of 'Fate', but currently, the best artist that Dengeki Bunko can contact is Kashiwagi Eri.

"How about I ask Ms. Kashiwagi Eri to revise it?"

"No... because I really can't stand those expressions of someone who's clearly injured but acts like they're about to fly. I'm afraid I'll tear up my own manuscript."

"Ahem, watch your words."

Dongfang Bai covered his head. He already had a choice in mind. The most suitable artist for his 'Fate' was 'Eromanga', and if it were Sagiri, she would be able to do it.

Her illustrations and erotic art are easily distinguishable, since she doesn't draw doujinshi like Eriri does year-round, and certain art styles have become a habit...

"But... if Ms. Kashiwagi Eri isn't fit, who should we get as the illustrator? There are only a few days left until printing!"

“I was prepared for this a long time ago.”

Dongfang Bai answered quickly, seemingly afraid that Kagurazaka Ayame would persuade him to cooperate with Kashiwagi Eri again.

Although Kagurazaka Ayame really wanted Hikaru Hikaru and Eriri to collaborate, their fame had already been established, and basic sales could be guaranteed.

Although Dongfang Bai's pen name 'Yakumo Shiro' is not as well-known as Kashiwagi Eri's, her overwhelming first place in the Newcomer Awards still made many people look forward to it.

"Someone already has someone in mind? Did Mr. Yakumo contact some other illustrator?"

Kagurazaka Ayame was a little puzzled. She hadn't expected that Dongfang Bai would know a famous illustrator. However, she was still a little worried. She was afraid that Dongfang Bai might refuse Kashiwagi Eri's choice of another illustrator because of personal feelings.

"Yes, it's 'Eromanga' teacher. I'm quite familiar with the teacher."

"Eh, Romanga-sensei!?"

Kagurazaka Ayame had certainly heard of this name. 'Eromanga' was a well-known illustrator who had been active in the ACG world for several years. The exquisiteness and quality of her illustrations were definitely no less than those of Kashiwagi Eri.

However, he is quite mysterious. He always wears a strange mask and voice changer during his live streams to prevent people from seeing his true face. Moreover, his name is quite old, as he has been active for several years.

Because of the high quality of his artwork, many well-known light novel authors want him to help them with illustrations, but let alone collaborate, no one even has his contact information, since he has never been in contact with any publishing house.

"You actually know that 'Eromanga' teacher? Then I'm relieved..."

Kagurazaka Ayame breathed a slight sigh of relief. At least she could be sure that the quality of the artwork was guaranteed. Although she felt a little sorry for Kashiwagi Eri-sensei, she could only apologize.

"That's it. Please tell Ms. Kashiwagi Eri that I apologize and will ask to collaborate with her again if there is a suitable new project in the future."

Dongfang Bai silently apologized to Eriri, speaking very tactfully, though he didn't know if she would be angry...