A newbie's anime life diary

“Gentlemen, what would you like to order... Yuihama? And Hiratsuka, Yukinoshita from Group J? What brings you back here? And this... who are you?” Kawasaki Saki looked at the group in surprise.

"Hey, we've been classmates for a year, so why do you remember Hiratsuka, who's only been here for a month, but not me?" Mr. Hikigaya felt very unbalanced, extremely unbalanced.

"Does that even need to be said? We're not close, but at least he's handsome." Kawasaki Saki said this with such an air of certainty that it almost made Hachiman vomit blood. "So, you're in the same class too? You do look a little familiar. Oh well, whatever. Are you guys here on a date? Or a group date?"

Here we should mention the seating arrangement: from left to right, Yukiteru, Yukinoshita, Yuihama, and Hikigaya. To outsiders, it really does look like two couples on a date.

“Even if it were a date, I wouldn’t choose this kind of format.” Yukiteru smiled and looked at Kawasaki Saki, saying, “Working is fine with me, but your younger brother is very worried about you.”

"Taishi? Honestly, he only does things that don't matter." Kawasaki Saki glanced at Yukiteru, put down her glass, and said, "Go back and tell Taishi that he doesn't need to worry about my affairs."

"Is it because of university tuition fees?" Yui asked.

“You guessed pretty accurately.” Kawasaki Saki raised her eyes and said, “So what if I guessed? I want to go to university, but my parents can’t afford it. I don’t want to be a burden on them. Isn’t it better to earn it with my own hands?”

"But you've put the cart before the horse by working part-time, and your school attendance has dropped. Do you really think you have a chance to get into your ideal university?" Yukinoshita frowned as she looked at Kawasaki Saki. In her opinion, Kawasaki's behavior was completely incomprehensible.

"What do you know? I need money, do you think you can give it to me? You probably don't understand, but I'm not like you, Yukino. You're a rich heiress, your father is a prefectural councilor, and your family owns a large company. I can only get what I want by myself. You have no right to tell me what to do!"

With a "smack," Kawasaki Saki slammed the cleaned cup down and glared at Yukinoshita.

I'm so addicted to Azur Lane that I'm completely done with it. I've even gotten three gold-tier San Diegos in a row, and I'm not even interested in getting any more.

PS: The expulsion is so damn cute.

End of Chapter 52

“You bastard…” Kawasaki Saki’s words directly touched on the thing Yukinoshita least wanted to face, and she suddenly stood up, wanting to refute Kawasaki Saki.

"Wait a moment."

At this moment, Xuehui grabbed her arm, signaling her not to act impulsively, and pulled her back to her seat. Taking a deep breath, Xuehui suppressed her resentment and remained silent.

After calming Yuki down, Yuki turned to Kawasaki Saki: "Indeed, Kawasaki, as the eldest daughter in the family, it's admirable that you're sharing your parents' burdens. May I ask which school you'd like to apply to?"

She frowned, though she didn't want to speak, but as a bartender, she couldn't ignore the customer in front of her: "University of Tokyo, Medical School."

Hearing Kawasaki's answer, the others couldn't help but look at her with higher regard. Yuki nodded: "It's really good, and the University of Tokyo's medical school is indeed one of the best programs. Doctors have a very high social status in Japan. Correspondingly, the tuition is not low either. The University of Tokyo's tuition is about 60 yen a year, and it will cost at least 250 million yen for four years, not to mention medical programs. Master's and doctoral studies are also quite expensive. Kawasaki, your family's economic level is only considered average, and you have younger siblings to take care of, so it's understandable that you have these worries."

"Since you know so much, then don't try to stop me anymore." Kawasaki Saki glanced at Yukiteru. Having her thoughts exposed so openly was definitely not a pleasant thing.

"But you're already causing trouble for your younger siblings. Is it really okay? If you consider yourself an older sister, then don't let your younger siblings worry. They're just as important to you, aren't they?"

Kawasaki Saki paused in her movements, her face clearly showing some hesitation.

Following Yukiteru's words, Hachiman also said, "I understand your desire not to burden others, but your younger siblings also don't want to burden you because of these things. Being too self-centered and thinking you have no problems can easily hurt those who care about you, and I know this all too well."

The two people's words clearly made Kawasaki Saki realize that she had done something wrong.

"But what can I do? I've always wanted to have this dream, but I didn't realize how difficult it was until I got to high school. I haven't even managed to save up a third of the tuition for the first few years. What am I supposed to do?!"

Kawasaki Saki said, clearly somewhat resigned to her fate.

“There are actually quite a few ways to get your tuition back, but I don’t think it’s wise for you to hide your age and work here.” After thinking for a moment, Xuehui said, “As a high school student, working within the rules and not worrying your younger siblings is what your brother asked of you. I can lend you the tuition.”

"Huh?" The group was clearly surprised by Xuehui's response.

"Don't joke around, this isn't a large sum of money." Kawasaki Saki looked at Yukiteru with disbelief.

"What's the point of lying to you? Weren't you just asking us if we could give you money?" She took out her phone, showed Kawasaki Saki the transfer notification, and after letting her see the long string of zeros, said, "I'm a light novel author, and this is my first royalty payment. I can still earn quite a bit more money. Of course, I'm only lending you this money because you care so much about your younger siblings. If you can't change your current situation, I'll take back my promise."

"You're just lending me such a large sum of money like this?" Kawasaki Saki looked at Yukiteru, somewhat puzzled as to what the other party was after.

"I have a feeling you're thinking something bad." Xuehui's eyes twitched. "I admit you are good-looking, but I wouldn't use such methods. I'm not the kind of person who spends money recklessly. For me, having more money is just a way to ensure my livelihood. Lending it to you is not unreasonable, but of course, I would still need an IOU or something."

“Besides, there are scholarships available now, and you can work part-time, so you don’t need to borrow the full amount,” Hachiman added from the side. To be honest, he was really shocked when he first heard Kawasaki Saki’s choice of major. Medical studies are notoriously time-consuming, just like law. Time and education are directly proportional to future career prospects. If it weren’t for Yukiteru, this rich guy, he really wouldn’t know how to solve Kawasaki Saki’s problem.

"You guys are really strange people, doing these things for strangers for no reason." Kawasaki Saki shook her head, looking at Yukiteru and the others with a wry smile.

"So what's your answer?" Xuehui smiled at the other person, already knowing their answer.

"If you're willing to lend it, of course we need to discuss the interest rate."

"I don't need that interest. Consider it building a good relationship with a future doctor," Xuehui said nonchalantly, finally bringing a relaxed smile to Kawasaki Saki's face.

Just when Kawasaki thought everything was over, Yukiteru made a mouth gesture at Hachiman, and then Hachiman took out his phone.

The call is currently in progress.

"Um... Taishi..." Kawasaki Saki looked embarrassed as she looked at the name displayed on the screen. She picked up the phone and said, "You heard everything?"

. . . .

A few minutes later, Kawasaki Saki hung up the phone and looked at Yukiteru, saying, "This is the first time my brother has ever spoken so harshly to me. Honestly, I've grown up without even realizing it. I'm such a bad older sister. I'll quit my job here after this shift, and then I'll start working hard for university."

"In that case, that's perfect. It's getting late, we should be leaving." Xuehui and the others exchanged glances, paid the bill, and stood up to leave.

Looking at the group of people in front of her, Kawasaki Saki pursed her lips and said, "Um, thank you. And Yukinoshita, I'm sorry for what I said earlier."

Yukinoshita was clearly surprised by Kawasaki Saki's conversation, but she knew that the two had different positions and it was understandable that she didn't understand the other person's point of view, so she didn't care and shook her head and said, "It's okay, I don't care."

After saying goodbye to Saki Kawasaki, the group left the hotel and got into the car that was already waiting outside.

"Let me take you back first. It's already 10 o'clock, and you have class tomorrow." Sitting in the car, Yuki looked at Yuihama and Hikigaya.

"I'm staying at Yuki's place tonight! All my things are at Yuki's house, and I've already talked to my mom on the phone, so I'm not going back today!" Yui Hama said, linking arms with Yukinoshita, looking very happy that she had resolved the request.

Looking at Yukinoshita, Yukiteru wondered if the two girls would sleep in the same bed tonight. He guessed Yukinoshita would find it very uncomfortable.

Looking at Hachiman, Yukiteru paused and said, "And you?"

"I'll just take my things and go back myself," Hachiman replied.

"Fine, just stay at my place tonight, stop being so dramatic."

"There's no such thing as being pretentious!" Hachiman retorted before saying, "Then I'll bother you."

Hachiman was very grateful to Yukiteru and Komachi for what they had done these past two days, though he didn't say it. Although Yukiteru could be annoying at times, Hachiman had to admit that he was indeed a friend.

But Komachi would absolutely not give it to him!

This is Mr. Hikigaya's bottom line.

Thank you to [Color-Changing Bow] and [Yaozi] for the razor blades!

P.S.: I got Queen Elizabeth, so I assembled a Royal team. It's not bad, except the front line isn't the best. I guess my luck has run out...

Chapter 53 Getting Ganked While Out and About

The next day, the four of them went to school together. Yuihama seemed to be in a very good mood today, perhaps because she had spent the night at Yukinoshita's house.

If Xuehui hadn't known that the two girls were straight, he would have almost thought they had done something like that that night.

After arriving at school and parting ways with Yukinoshita, the three headed to the classroom. Just before entering, Yuihama lagged behind and whispered in Yukiteru's ear:

"Xuehui-kun, Xuehui smelled really nice when she slept last night, hehe."

Staring blankly at Yuihama as she walked past him, Yukiteru was unsure why Yuihama had said all this to him.

Does she think she likes Yukinoshita?

After thinking about it, it didn't seem wrong. He did have a good impression of Yukinoshita, but for now it was just a good impression. Whether it would go further, and how Yukinoshita would treat him, were things for the future.

But those two really did sleep in the same bed last night, which is quite a challenge for Yukinoshita.

Sitting in my seat, I thought about how Yuihama always clung to Yukinoshita; I guessed she hadn't had a good night either.

'Does she smell nice? I smelled it at the basketball court last time too.'

Recalling the moment I hugged Yukinoshita on the court last time, I did smell a faint, elegant fragrance, but I hadn't noticed it before.

It probably only dissipates after the body temperature rises.

Xuehui didn't understand these things very well, but he knew that thinking about a girl's scent behind her back was definitely not a good thing, so he shook his head and shook off those thoughts.

It's Friday! Tomorrow is the day of the novel's release and signing event. It's truly a rare sight in the light novel world for a newcomer to hold a signing event right away.

However, Xuehui's novel has a bold setting and concise and refreshing writing style. The content released in the first few chapters has already firmly captured a group of fans. This ability made the editors of other paperback publishers secretly sigh at Kadokawa's good luck.

In the class, the matter concerning Hayama and Kawasaki from a couple of days ago has come to an end, and the results have been announced.

Hayama directly paired up Tobe Sho and the other two as a team during the workplace internship. Although this resolved some disputes and improved the relationship between the three, it also brought him countless invitations. It had its advantages and disadvantages.

As for Kawasaki Saki, she finally arrived at class on time today, and it seems she's going to focus on her studies. I talked to her at noon, and it seems she'll still be doing her part-time job, but it definitely won't affect her studies or her younger siblings like it does now, which is great news.

After school, Xuehui sat in the Service Club for a while, and left early after realizing that there were no requests for the day.

All three knew that Xuehui had a book signing tomorrow, so they didn't stop him. After offering their congratulations, they let him leave early. Little did he know that the three members of the Service Club had already planned to surprise him at the book signing tomorrow.

Taking the train, carrying a backpack and a tote bag containing the clothes he would wear to the book signing the next day, Yukiteru arrived in Tokyo.

It was already evening when they got off the train. Xuehui didn't dawdle and hailed a taxi to the hotel he had arranged to meet at the library.

To be honest, Kadokawa treats authors with the ability to hold book signings quite well, booking a four-star hotel that is only a 10-minute walk from the signing location.

Upon arriving at the hotel lobby, Machida Sonoko, who had been waiting there, saw Yukiteru and quickly came to greet him.

"Sister Yuanzi, it's been a long time."

"You know it's been a long time, sora-sensei. You haven't even contacted your editor." Machida Sonoko looked at Yukiteru with a smile, without any hint of dissatisfaction in her words. Yukiteru, a capable author who never misses a deadline and can handle both the novel and illustrations on his own, is the dream of every editor.

So what if we don't contact each other often? Machida Sonoko said it was no problem at all.

"Come on, I'll take you to your room first. Judging from your expression, you seem to have prepared your clothes for tomorrow. Did Xiaojing prepare them for you?"

Leading Yukiteru into the elevator, Machida Sonoko looked at the bag in Yukiteru's hand and asked, "What's wrong?" Seeing Yukiteru nod, she felt relieved. She had originally thought of having the paper house prepare it, but she trusted Hiratsuka Shizuka's taste. After all, she came from a prominent family and her taste wouldn't be too bad.

On the 12th floor, led by Machida Sonoko, Yukiteru arrived at a luxury suite, which would be his place to rest for the night.

"How is it? Is the place alright?" Machida Sonoko asked Yukiteru. To win over such a young and promising talent, the library had put in a lot of effort to show him their sincerity, and the result was gratifying. Yukiteru was quite satisfied with the room.

"I'm very satisfied, thank you, Sister Yuanzi." Xuehui was indeed very satisfied with the benefits provided by the library, and didn't have any further demands on him.

It seems we need to be more serious about this book signing event, otherwise it wouldn't be fair to Sister Yuanzi for all her hard work.

Xuehui is a person who knows how to repay kindness. Since the other party thinks so highly of him, he will reciprocate.

"Now that we've seen the rooms, let's take you to see the venue and familiarize you with tomorrow's schedule, okay? Then we'll go eat; there's a high-end barbecue restaurant right here."

Yukiteru had no objection to Machida Sonoko's suggestion, and he did indeed want to go and see the venue himself.

"Are we going over alone, Sister Yuanzi?"