My dear wife, I still love you more.

"Tired? It's nothing, just a routine inspection, there's not much else to do. Overall, it's quite easy."

Just as Hasegawa and Saeko Busujima finished speaking and were about to leave, a head poked its way in from outside—it was Yui Yuigahama.

"Hasegawa, are you done yet?"

"It's over. Busujima-senpai, I have to go now. Goodbye." Hasegawa smiled and said goodbye to Busujima Saeko, then turned to leave.

"Is that Hasegawa's girlfriend at the door? I'll go say hello too." Saeko Busujima narrowed her eyes slightly, looking at Yui Yuigahama with a flickering gaze.

"No, we just go the same way, so we usually walk together to and from school. We're not boyfriend and girlfriend," Hasegawa corrected, to avoid any misunderstandings and potential damage to Yui Yuigahama's reputation.

"Is it on the way?" Saeko Busujima nodded, seemingly in realization.

As they spoke, Hasegawa and Saeko Busujima arrived at the entrance of the kendo club, right in front of Yui Yuigahama.

"Yuhihama, let me introduce you. This is our Kendo Club president, Saeko Busujima. Saeko's Kendo skills are extremely high; she's a true Kendo genius," Hasegawa said with a smile.

"Hello, Busujima-senpai, I'm Yui Yuigahama. Actually, I've known about Busujima-senpai for a long time. You know, Busujima-senpai is the idol of a large number of girls in our school." Yui Yuigahama looked at Saeko Busujima with admiration.

"An idol?" Hasegawa was taken aback.

"That's right! Busujima-senpai is beautiful, has a great figure, and is academically excellent. She's usually very gentle, and her kendo skills are incredibly high. She became a key member of the kendo club right after entering high school, and she even won the championship in the Tamakyuu Flag competition. She's so cool! Many of us girls idolize Busujima-senpai. In fact, if she weren't a girl, many girls would definitely confess their feelings to her!" Yui Yuigahama looked at Saeko Busujima with adoration, then rattled off a whole bunch of things without even pausing for breath, just like a fervent fan.

"She's really amazing, Saeko Busujima." Hasegawa was a little surprised, but thinking about it, although he usually met Saeko Busujima in the kendo club, apart from when they were fighting, Saeko Busujima's image really seemed to be just like what Yui Yuigahama had described.

"Well, it's just that some people are exaggerating." Saeko Busujima shook her head with a gentle smile.

"It's not an exaggeration at all. In fact, quite a few girls have given love letters to Busujima-senpai," Yui Yuigahama couldn't help but defend herself.

"A girl handed a love letter to Busujima-senpai?" Hasegawa looked at Saeko Busujima in surprise.

"They're just some girls who got carried away on a whim," Saeko Busujima said with a smile, waving her hand.

“That’s not true at all. I’ve heard that some senior high school girls have been pursuing Busujima-senpai for a very long time.” Yui Yuigahama chimed in from the side.

This left Saeko Busujima somewhat speechless, both amused and exasperated.

However, in just a few simple words, the awkwardness between Yui Yuigahama and Saeko Busujima seemed to vanish instantly, and the two became friends in a flash.

Seeing this, Hasegawa couldn't help but sigh that Yui Yuigahama's social skills had probably been upgraded to the maximum level.

Having decided to integrate into the team, it wasn't long before she was already calling each other by name affectionately with Yumiko Miura and the others. Although Hasegawa thought Yui Yuigahama seemed to be pandering to others, this ability was absolutely formidable.

And then there's his current relationship with Saeko Busujima.

Hasegawa even thought that Yui Yuigahama might be better suited to be a diplomat, so as not to waste her talent.

Chapter Fifty-Nine: The New King

"Goodbye, Poison Island Senior."

"Goodbye, Yuihama-senpai."

Hasegawa watched as Yui Yuigahama and Saeko Busujima quickly became close, even seemingly exchanging farewells as if they were very familiar with each other. He couldn't help but marvel at Yui Yuigahama's social skills. Such talent was simply impossible for most people.

Hasegawa also waved goodbye to Saeko Busujima.

Saeko Busujima watched Hasegawa and Yui Yuigahama leave, her eyes narrowing slightly. Her narrowed eyes were rather long and narrow as she stared at Yui Yuigahama's retreating figure: "She really is a very capable young girl."

On the other side, Hasegawa and Yui Yuigahama also left the school. After leaving the school, Yui Yuigahama walked beside Hasegawa, her fingers twitching as if she wanted to lift them, but then she put them down again. She wanted to try to link arms with Hasegawa like couples, but she was also a little shy.

After all, she and Hasegawa hadn't been completely honest about their relationship. What if she did this and Hasegawa rejected her? Would their hard-won relationship be pushed apart again because of this?

Just thinking about that beautiful and handsome Saeko Busujima, who is famous not only among boys but also among girls, makes me think she is a very threatening girl.

Yui Yuigahama, with her womanly intuition, felt that Saeko Busujima definitely had some special feelings for Hasegawa. Moreover, Saeko Busujima was so skilled, and Hasegawa would go to the kendo club every day after school, supposedly to practice kendo, but could this have anything to do with his senior, Saeko Busujima?

Yui Yuigahama was uncertain about all of these things, but it was precisely this uncertainty that put her under immense pressure.

Yui Yuigahama hesitated, wondering whether she should take Hasegawa's arm.

Hasegawa had no idea about Yui Yuigahama's inner turmoil; he didn't even know what she was thinking.

"Yuhihama".

"Huh? What?" Yui Yuigahama's courage, which she had just mustered, vanished instantly at Hasegawa's shout.

"Yuigahama, I think you have a real talent for socializing. Have you ever thought about changing your hobby or career? I think if you pursued this, you might even become the Minister of Foreign Affairs," Hasegawa said to Yuigahama Yui with a smile.

The reason I'm saying all this is partly because I'm bored, and partly because I want to help Yui Yuigahama become more confident.

After all, if a person knows they have a talent in a certain area, even if they don't work in that field, they will have more confidence and pride in themselves. This is very helpful for a person's self-confidence.

Even though Yui Yuigahama is much better now than before, Hasegawa wouldn't mind at all if it could make her more confident.

"Huh? Hasegawa, you're exaggerating. Social talent, foreign minister and all that, that's too much." Yuigahama Yui smiled broadly, feeling genuinely proud to be praised by Hasegawa.

"Although it might be a bit of an exaggeration, Yuihama, your talent in this area is truly amazing. I certainly can't do that at all."

"Huh? So, does that mean I'm better than Hasegawa in this area?"

"Of course, she's much better than me," Hasegawa said with a smile. But his tone of voice unconsciously had a quality that made it sound like he was coaxing a child.

"Hehehe." Yui Yuigahama chuckled foolishly.

Seeing Yui Yuigahama like this, Hasegawa felt quite happy.

……

"Mr. Hasegawa, 30,000 copies, the third printing of 30,000 copies, have already sold out. It's really, really amazing. It's only been half a month, only half a month. Although I had made such a prediction before, I didn't actually have much confidence at the time. But I didn't expect it to sell out so quickly. It's simply amazing."

Machida Sonoko's voice was filled with excitement.

It's been almost half a month since the last autograph session, and the sales of "Tokyo Ghoul" have been steadily increasing, and it seems to be selling better and better, becoming more and more popular.

Therefore, Machida Sonoko would contact Hasegawa by phone or online almost every few days, and would frequently report her progress to him.

"Editor Machida, you're getting a little too excited. Considering the previous daily sales figures, selling 30,000 copies in half a month is quite normal," Hasegawa said with a smile.

"That's true, but I can't help but feel excited, especially with the sales of your Tokyo Ghoul, Mr. Hasegawa. I think you are a worthy contender for this year's Rookie of the Year."

"Rookie of the Year?" Hasegawa was a little surprised.

“That’s right, it’s the Rookie of the Year award. In the light novel industry, every year the best-selling and most highly rated light novel is selected, and its author is awarded the title of Rookie of the Year. Hasegawa-sensei’s Tokyo Ghoul is selling better and better, and with the spread of its reputation, the sales of Tokyo Ghoul will probably be even higher. At that time, it’s really possible that she can win the title of Rookie of the Year.” Machida Sonoko’s voice sounded even more excited.

"Rookie of the Year, huh? It sounds impressive, but is it really possible?"

"Of course it's possible. Hasegawa-sensei, how about we hold a few more autograph sessions? Holding more autograph sessions will be more beneficial to the sales of 'Tokyo Ghoul.' That way, Hasegawa-sensei's chances of becoming the Rookie of the Year will be even greater," Machida Sonoko tempted.

"A book signing? Forget it." Hasegawa couldn't help but smile wryly. The last book signing had left him with a psychological trauma.

"Ugh?"

"It seems like you, Machida, care a lot about this, even more than I, the author, do," Hasegawa couldn't help but ask curiously.

"That's normal. In fact, if you can win the title of Rookie of the Year, then as your editor, I might be able to be promoted directly to deputy editor-in-chief."

"Oh, it's a promotion. No wonder you're so interested, Editor Machida."

"That's right, it's about promotion. You have no idea how much of a disadvantage women face in the workplace. I've been an editor for several years now, and I've produced quite a few good and high-quality works, but even so, I still haven't been promoted to deputy editor-in-chief. Meanwhile, that guy Kobayashi, who joined the company around the same time as me and has fewer authors, was recently promoted to deputy editor-in-chief. I'm incredibly resentful."

Chapter Sixty: The First Level Five Skill

Listening to Machida Sonoko's complaints, Hasegawa didn't know what to say. In fact, that's really how it is in the Japanese workplace. Japan is a strange country. Even now, women's status is generally low, although in some aspects Japanese women are better off than women in other countries. But in most cases, the status of Japanese women is truly quite low.

Just like Mrs. Yuigahama, who previously thought that Yui Yuigahama would become a housewife immediately after graduating from high school. In fact, this kind of thinking is actually the mainstream view among Japanese women.

The number of women who actually enter the workforce is not that many.

This is why, in Japan, it's generally the man who earns the money to support the family, bearing the entire burden of household expenses. This is also why, when a man loses his job, the whole family collapses.

"So, Mr. Hasegawa, you absolutely have to win the Rookie of the Year award this year!" Machida Sonoko shouted loudly to Hasegawa.

"Okay, I'll try my best."

"It's not just about trying, it's about being absolutely determined to become the Rookie of the Year!"

"Okay, okay, I'll definitely become the Rookie of the Year, is that alright?" Hasegawa shook his head with a smile.

In reality, Hasegawa didn't really think becoming the Rookie of the Year was anything too unattainable. After all, Hasegawa had the system.

Given his current writing speed and continuous improvement in writing level, when he first reached level 3, his work "Tokyo Ghoul" was already very popular. He simply didn't believe that once his writing skills improved and the quality of his work increased, it wouldn't be even more popular.

"Yes, I believe that if it's Hasegawa-sensei, he can definitely do it. By the way, Hasegawa-sensei, how much of Tokyo Ghoul have you written for volume three? You know, volume two is scheduled for publication next week. We have to submit manuscripts every month after that, so don't tell me it's not finished yet."

"Don't worry about that. Actually, the content of Volume 3 is already finished, and I'm currently working on the outline for Volume 4," Hasegawa said with a smile.

"Yes! I knew it, Hasegawa-sensei, you could do it. Not having to rush me to finish the manuscript is such a blessing."

"Hehe, I'll send you the contents of Volume 3 now. I also ask you, Editor Machida, to read it carefully. If there are any parts that you find unpleasant or inappropriate, please let me know."

"Don't worry, Hasegawa-sensei, this is my job. But Hasegawa-sensei's writing skills are getting better and better, I'm not sure if I can spot the bad parts."

"So I'll have to trouble Editor Machida to put in a lot of effort."

"It wasn't too much trouble. Oh, right, I almost forgot. It's about the fourth publication of the first volume of Tokyo Ghoul. Honestly, the publisher is being way too cautious, going through four publications in one month."

"Fourth publication? I see. The process is the same as before, right?"

"Yes, the same as before, but this time the publisher has decided to publish another 20,000 copies."

"Twenty thousand copies, I understand."

"The money will then be deposited into your bank account. Remember to pay attention."

"I will."

……

The situation with "Tokyo Ghoul" is getting better and better. Just as Machida Sonoko said, Hasegawa might be able to become the Rookie King directly with this book.

Besides his work on the novel, Hasegawa's kendo skills are also constantly improving, progressing every day. Hasegawa believes he can definitely reach level 5 this year, and perhaps even faster. After all, he promised Saeko Busujima that he would participate in the Tamagayuki tournament.

Although the swordsmanship of the Jade Dragon Banner has various rules, as long as you fight, the speed at which your proficiency increases will be faster. Hasegawa estimates that one Jade Dragon Banner will bring him a huge amount of proficiency.

Of course, that's not the most important thing. The most important thing is that Hasegawa's first skill to reach level 5 is about to appear.

Because I use Japanese in my daily speech and even writing, my Japanese proficiency is improving incredibly fast. Right now, I'm just a little bit away from reaching level five in terms of fluency.

Looking at his attribute panel, Hasegawa felt an unprecedented sense of anticipation.

I'm really looking forward to it, wondering what changes the level 5 skill will bring me.

As his proficiency increased and he got closer to level five, Hasegawa became increasingly nervous, even feeling his heart beating faster.