A newbie's anime life diary

Kato Megumi looked at Yukiteru with a rare expression of shame.

"Um, Hiratsuka-kun, I'm sorry."

"What did you do? Why are you apologizing to me?" Yuki was somewhat confused by the girl's sudden words.

Kato Megumi then offered her explanation: "Well, I think I also played a part in it. I noticed that Aki-kun's game progress was very slow, and as one of the characters, or rather, as the female protagonist who didn't have much presence, I had to help encourage him. So I suggested that he find more helpers. Later, Aki-kun did indeed find Hashima-senpai and even went to the computer club to ask for a lot of advice. I just didn't expect so many things to happen later, and I'm really sorry."

Emmm~ So that's how it is?

Looking at Kato Megumi's expression, Yukiteru tried to figure out if she was hiding something, but he couldn't discern any other emotions in her eyes as she met his gaze.

After thinking about the girl's usual behavior, Xuehui found it hard to associate her with that kind of scheming personality.

Zhuge Hui? Perhaps she was somewhat clever, but not to that extent.

"Well, I know what you're thinking, and there's no need to apologize. Some things will happen even if you don't do them, it's just a matter of time. There's already a rift between these two, and then there's Aki Tomoya's head, how should I put it, he's too much of a shut-in. Sigh, never mind."

Xuehui waved his hand, not wanting to say anything more. He had no intention of acting as a psychological counselor to help them all the time. If it weren't for Aki Tomoya constantly promoting his novel online and helping him a lot, he would have kicked him out when he stormed into the Service Club.

After saying goodbye to Kato Megumi, he didn't care whether she went to see Aki Tomoya or not, and went straight upstairs.

When he arrived at the entrance of the Service Department, he was surprised to see Hikigaya standing by the window outside. He went to his side, but before he could speak, he heard soft sobs.

"Okay, I know what happened."

With a sigh, Xuehui leaned against the window. It was girls' time inside, so it was best not to go in.

He had initially thought Eriri had become much stronger, but now he realized that wasn't the case at all.

The two stood outside, exchanging a few words here and there. Hikigaya didn't ask Yukiteru and Aki Tomoya what they were saying; they just waited quietly.

------------

Three days have passed since what happened in the Service Department on Monday; it's now Thursday.

Since leaving school on Monday, Eriri suddenly took two days of sick leave. Yukiteru, who knew the news, even made a special call to the Sawamura family. Sawamura Sayuri replied that Eriri was not sick, she just simply didn't want to go to school.

Having no other choice, she noticed her daughter was feeling down and had to ask for leave for her.

After learning that Eriri wasn't actually sick, Yukiteru felt a little relieved. As for emotional issues, with Sayuri Sawamura around, there shouldn't be any problems.

Today marked the start of the first speech for the student council president election, which resulted in missing a class this afternoon. One has to admire the importance that Zongwu High School attaches to this matter.

Yukino's performance was also remarkable; just by standing there, her presence overshadowed the other candidates.

Although he didn't smile as usual, he still attracted everyone's attention and received a lot of applause after the speech.

After the event, everyone returned to the Service Department and relaxed once again.

"Meow haha, I think Yukino is definitely going to be the student council president. Just from her performance in that match, she's already surpassed those other people by a lot!" As soon as she sat down, Yui Yuigahama grabbed Yukino's arm and said with a big smile.

Aside from Yukino herself looking helpless, no one else objected to her statement.

After exchanging a glance with Yukino, Yukiteru stood up and started making tea, saying, "Well, I think so too, but let's just follow the procedure."

Then, the clubroom fell silent again.

Those who need to do their homework should do their homework, and those who need to write novels should write novels.

until...

"Oh!"

"We're doomed!!!"

Just like the one on Monday, but this time it was Eriri who appeared and started wailing as soon as she appeared.

Upon hearing this, Shiyu, who was typing on the keyboard, immediately straightened her face: "Sawamura-kun, please stop barking everywhere, okay? You should have some ladylike manners!"

"If being reserved were useful, would I still be like this?! I'm doomed!" Eriri, dressed in casual clothes, ran in, rubbing her head in anguish.

Yukiteru was puzzled by the girl's appearance: "Eri, shouldn't you be at home? Why are you here?"

"Huh? You don't know? I thought you would react the same way I did!"

"The same reaction?"

Hearing Eriri say that, Yukiteru sensed something was wrong.

Sure enough, his phone rang the next second.

"..." Looking at the caller ID, Xuehui answered the phone and said before the other end could speak, "Did you trick me out of something?"

"Huh? Haha, how could that be! As a qualified editor, how could I do such a thing? I'm only focused on maximizing the author's interests!" Machida Sonoko immediately laughed it off, knowing that Yukiteru wouldn't believe her.

Seeing that Yukiteru didn't speak, Machida Sonoko could only say with a grin, "Well, I have two good news to tell you."

"Good news? Tell me about it." Frowning in confusion, Yukiteru glanced at the miserable Eriri and waited for her to continue.

"Firstly, your novel is going to be released overseas, with China as the target market. We've already found a partner!"

"Isn't this something we've talked about before? It's nothing new. What's the second thing?"

"Hehehe, the second thing is something that's just around the corner." Machida Sonoko paused for a moment before continuing, "The anime version has already been scheduled for January next year. The light novel publisher and A-1 have already started promoting it, so they want you and Kashiwagi Eri-sensei to attend the live broadcast event on Nico Nico this weekend to promote it."

Okay, Xuehui finally understood. First, he told him that he would soon be able to make a lot of money again, and then added, "Young man, show your face!"

"Is there no room for maneuver? We agreed not to do this kind of thing."

"Oh dear, it's all settled. The trailers have already been released. I've spoken with Xiaojing, and her guardian has given her consent!"

"..."

Damn it, I'm an idiot. I have absolutely no say in anything anymore.

Chapter 219 I'm desperate too.

After the call ended, Xuehui put down his phone and glanced at Eriri in front of him.

What are your thoughts?

"Can we cancel?" Eriri asked, her whole body seemingly still trembling.

Tsk tsk, Kashiwagi Eri, the famous doujinshi artist, has taken her career a step further after transitioning to manga artistry, and her identity as a beautiful young woman has been revealed...

Just watch, the otaku are about to go completely crazy.

It's predicted that Eriri will gain a huge number of fans.

Shaking his head, Xuehui picked up Shiyu's laptop from the side, opened the browser under her puzzled expression, and logged into the Nico Nico Douga homepage and the Nico Nico Douga ebook homepage.

Sure enough, the promotional ads for the Sword Art Online Nico Nico Live event have been released, and a special section has even been opened on Nico Nico's website, with a large number of people leaving comments, all speculating about the true identities of Yukiteru and Eriri.

However, most of these speculations are about Eriri, since the outside world has never known Eriri's true identity. Some say she is male, some say she is female, and Yukiteru has at least shown his face and held a signing event.

At this point, everyone who had gathered around understood why Eriri had looked the way she had before. It turned out she was going to show her face on a live stream. Indeed, this was quite difficult for Eriri.

Looking at the promotional materials on the webpage, Yukino frowned and said, "Is this really okay? We didn't discuss this with you guys, did we?"

"I went directly to Sister Jing. There's no other way; guardians have a say, especially in business matters like this. When we signed the agreement, Sister Jing signed an additional agreement so I wouldn't get scammed, but now she's the one who's scamming me." Xuehui shrugged. There was nothing he could do. Strictly speaking, it wasn't exactly a scam, but Sister Jing and Machida Sonoko had indeed colluded.

Eriri nodded and said, "Me too. Editor Reina went directly to my mom. I've already told her I don't like revealing my identity, but she still agreed. Yukiteru-kun, what should we do?"

"What else could I do? I was desperate too, so I had no choice but to agree. Try to think positively, it was bound to happen sooner or later, wasn't it?"

Just then, Xuehui's phone rang again. He picked it up and saw that it was a message from Machida Sonoko.

After reading it, Xuehui had a look of sudden realization on his face.

"Oh, I see. So it's not just the novels, but also the anime and comics, which will be released overseas? Especially the anime, which will be released simultaneously? No wonder they're using this method to generate buzz."

At this point, he looked up at Eriri, who was already somewhat stunned: "You're very lucky, Eriri. Although your identity will be exposed, your manga will be sold overseas, starting with China."

"Huh? Hu ...

Eriri bristled again upon hearing this, but this time she was happy: "Really? Wow! It's the overseas version! Hmph, in that case, I'll reluctantly attend!"

Hmm, she's really easy to please.

However, her joy quickly turned to arrogance. She looked at Utaha and said smugly, "Hmph, Utaha Kasumigaoka, see? My manga is about to be sold overseas. I'm about to surpass you!"

Eriri is really smug now. She can't help it; in the past, she'd always lived in the other's shadow. She wasn't as good as her in terms of figure, and academically too—this half-Japanese, half-British girl couldn't even match her English; she was a complete English dunce. Not to mention their careers. While she was still pulling all-nighters to finish her manuscripts, the other had already debuted with a light novel. Perhaps she wasn't as famous as Eriri at the time, but she was definitely a huge step ahead.

And today, at this very moment, Eriri has finally surpassed her opponent. How could she not be happy and excited?

However, Utaha did not show any anger in the face of Eriri's taunts. Instead, she looked at her with a pitiful expression. Not only Utaha, but Yukiteru also had the same expression.

"Um... what's wrong with you guys? It's just a little bit of smugness, is that not allowed?"

"No, no, no, you really should be happy, Eriri-kun." Shiyu smiled, crossed her arms, straightened her back, and looked at the other person. "But now it seems that I should be happy too, because my novel also has this arrangement. Hehe~ Sorry, you can only be happy for a little while."

The next second, Eriri's expression froze, and she seemed to teleport between Yukiteru and Utaha, leaning her whole body against Yukiteru and staring intently at the content on her phone screen.

'Mmm, it smells delicious.'

The girl exuded a faint fragrance, a blend of shampoo, shower gel, and a strange, inexplicable scent, which made Xuehui's heart flutter uncontrollably.

However, he immediately felt gazes coming from his left and right.

...Fortunately, his expression didn't change, otherwise it wouldn't just be a matter of his gaze.

Let's pull Eriri away first.

Thinking this, Xuehui deliberately coughed, finally making Eriri realize what she had just done. Her face turned red and she jumped back instantly.

"...You really know how to take advantage, Eriri-kun. You took advantage of Yukiteru-kun and now you're taking advantage of me, huh? How about I pamper you a little, senpai?"

Eriri jumped and landed directly on Shiho's lap. The two beautiful girls sat together as if embracing, creating a rather pleasant sight, although Shiho's expression was quite unpleasant. Eriri was genuinely startled by this, but thankfully, the other girl wasn't heavy, and it was quite comfortable sitting on her, which prevented Shiho from immediately throwing Eriri away.

"Huh? Uh... Hehehe..." After a moment of surprise, Eriri realized that she was now hiding on a pair of rather bouncy thighs. Turning her head, she saw Shiho's strange smile, and then a pair of hands began to move around on her waist in a lewd manner.

"...Ahhhhhhh!!!! Help me!!!!"

A few minutes later, Eriri, looking utterly dejected, slumped onto the table, staring blankly out the window, clearly having lost something very important.

"Tell me, when did you develop this strange hobby?" Xuehui was looking at Shiyu with a strange expression, feeling that he was at risk of being cuckolded by his own harem.

Shi Yu blushed deeply and immediately explained, "I was just teaching some reckless guy a lesson. I don't have any strange hobbies!"

Moreover, compared to a girl's body, Yukihiro's is better...

Of course, Shiyu couldn't bring herself to say those words.

Yuki ultimately chose to believe Shiyu's explanation. Although Shiyu often said strange things, she wouldn't lie about serious matters.

Now, Xuehui is thinking about how to properly teach the young lady who sold him a lesson that night.