My dear wife, I still love you more.

Hiratsuka Shizuka blinked, then scratched her head, reached into her pocket, took out a cigarette, and put it in her mouth before putting it down again.

"Sigh!!!" All the emotions finally turned into this sigh.

After rejecting Hiratsuka Shizuka, Hasegawa completely put the matter out of his mind. He felt that since Hiratsuka Shizuka's parents already knew what had happened, what happened to Hiratsuka Shizuka afterward had nothing to do with him.

And so his relationship with Hiratsuka Shizuka was probably reduced to that of teacher and student, well, maybe with another element: friends. But that's where it ends.

As for what Hiratsuka Shizuka will experience after he rejects her, she might be lectured by her parents, but it doesn't really matter.

……

"Hasegawa, I heard that the second volume of your Tokyo Ghoul is going to be published? Is that true?" Yui Yuigahama asked expectantly.

"Yes, it's true." Hasegawa nodded with a smile. He had already agreed with the publisher to publish one volume per month. The first volume had performed quite well, and the manuscript for the second volume had already been submitted. Therefore, the publisher only needed to go through the formalities and quickly finalized the publication plan for the second volume of "Tokyo Ghoul".

"Wow, that's amazing! It's going to be published again so soon. My mom and I didn't know before, but this time, as soon as the second volume is published, I will definitely buy the second volume of Tokyo Ghoul as soon as possible," Yui Yuigahama said happily.

"No need, no need," Hasegawa quickly waved his hand.

Yui Yuigahama doesn't have any particular fondness for light novels or anime; in fact, she's never bought any light novels or manga magazines before. She doesn't have any interest in anime or manga. So, her decision to buy *Tokyo Ghoul* was solely because it was written by Hasegawa. Hasegawa, not wanting Yui Yuigahama to do such a thing, quickly refused.

“How can we not use it? This is a novel written by Hasegawa, and as friends, we must support it.” Yui Yuigahama said earnestly.

"No, really not. A novel isn't that expensive, but it's not that cheap either. Besides, you don't even like this kind of thing. If you don't like it, then don't waste your money buying it. If you really want to read it, you can get it directly from me. The publisher gave me quite a few, all free."

Upon hearing Hasegawa's words, Yui Yuigahama couldn't help but scratch her head: "Actually, I've read it too. Tokyo Ghoul is indeed very well written."

Yui Yuigahama has indeed read novels written by Hasegawa, but that's only because the novels were written by Hasegawa. She doesn't really have much feeling about things like anime and manga.

"Really? If you like it, I have the manuscript here. You can read it here. As for buying the book, forget it." Hasegawa shook his head again.

After all, Yui's family wasn't well-off. He didn't want Yui to spend the money, even though it wasn't much, Hasegawa still felt it wasn't necessary.

Seeing that Hasegawa seemed very determined, Yui Yuigahama didn't say anything more.

"Alright, let's proceed with today's check-up. Sing a song, and I'll see where your weaknesses are most obvious, so I can provide targeted tutoring."

"kindness."

Hasegawa listened to Yui Yuigahama's singing. A hint of admiration flashed in his eyes. Although it hadn't been very long, Yui Yuigahama's progress was truly remarkable. Before, she was only at a karaoke level, but now, she was almost at a professional level.

On one hand, Yui Yuigahama's musical talent is indeed remarkable. On the other hand, she herself is extremely diligent during practice and never slacks off. Of course, and most importantly, there's Hasegawa's skill as a teacher.

Hasegawa's mentor skill has been upgraded to level 3. While it may not be exceptionally high, its effects are still quite powerful. With this skill's enhancement, Yuigahama Yui absorbs what Hasegawa teaches her very quickly, which is why she has made such significant progress.

"Very good, Yuihama. You've made great progress lately. Keep up the good work, and you might reach a professional level in no time," Hasegawa praised without reservation.

"Huh? Really?" Yui Yuigahama's eyes widened, her face filled with surprise and disbelief. Yui Yuigahama still lacked confidence in herself. From childhood to adulthood, she seemed to have never truly succeeded at anything. Now, with her rapid progress, she found it hard to believe.

"It's true, you have an exceptionally high talent for music. If you keep working hard like this, perhaps by summer vacation your singing skills will reach a professional level." Hasegawa encouraged Yui Yuigahama with a smile.

Although Yui Yuigahama has some musical talent, it's far from being a genius. However, with Hasegawa's teaching skills and her own hard work, she's not far behind a true genius.

Chapter 83 First Printing

"Mr. Hasegawa, the release date for Volume 2 has been confirmed, and because Volume 1 of Tokyo Ghoul was such a success, the first print run for Volume 2 has been set at 50,000 copies." Machida Sonoko's voice was filled with excitement.

"Fifty thousand copies? That many?" Hasegawa seemed quite surprised. After all, the first print run of the first volume was only ten thousand copies. Although it was later reprinted due to its outstanding achievement, it eventually reached fifty thousand copies.

"After all, the first volume of Tokyo Ghoul sold 50,000 copies in just one month. With the popularity of the first volume, the sales of the second volume will probably be even higher. That's why the publisher decided to print 50,000 copies in the first print run. Congratulations, Mr. Hasegawa! A print run of 50,000 copies is a privilege usually reserved for exceptionally popular books. No, Tokyo Ghoul is already considered a bestselling light novel." Machida Sonoko's voice was filled with joy.

"A bestselling light novel? I see. Thank you, Machida editor. You must have put a lot of effort into this."

"Well, while I did manage to secure a lot of resources, it's also because of your excellent writing skills, Mr. Hasegawa. The content you wrote was superb; otherwise, no matter how hard I tried, I wouldn't have achieved such good results," Machida Sonoko said with a grin.

After ending the call with Machida Sonoko, Hasegawa had a faint smile on his face. The higher the sales of his light novels, the higher the royalties he would receive.

Although there's nothing urgent to spend money on right now, Mrs. Yuihama's experience made Hasegawa realize that the more money the better. He doesn't think he'll have any particular expenses, but it's always good to be prepared.

Furthermore, Yui Yuigahama wants to enter the Japanese entertainment industry and become a singer.

Even in Japan, the entertainment industry is the same; it's a stage full of unspoken rules. While money can't break all the existing unspoken rules, it can at least break some of them.

Unlike Yui Yuigahama, Hasegawa didn't have to succumb to unspoken rules after entering the entertainment industry due to some unpleasant experiences.

After all, the Japanese entertainment industry... well, let's just say it's complicated. Hasegawa had done some research on it occasionally, since Yui Yuigahama was going to be a part of it in the future, even though Hasegawa didn't have any particular feelings for Yui. But after all, she was Mrs. Yuigahama's daughter.

The Japanese entertainment industry, with its actors and singers, is quite different from the entertainment industry in China, where Hasegawa lived in his previous life.

Because of the advanced internet in China, there are many channels, various programs, and platforms. If it doesn't work here, you might be able to get in from another place.

It's like what Hasegawa once heard about a girl who graduated from a music academy and wanted to participate in a music competition, since it was a platform that could help her enter the entertainment industry. Unfortunately, advancing in the competition required paying 800,000 yen. She didn't have the money. So she didn't even pass the audition and was eliminated.

Later, this girl became a live streamer, and with the help of the Douyin platform, she accumulated a huge amount of popularity and fans. She successfully entered the entertainment industry through this platform and even participated in many variety shows.

Although there are still differences between her and a normal celebrity, she has already taken one step into that category.

There are many other examples of this kind, occurring through various channels or platforms.

Even if someone wants to block information about another person, they can always find other ways to get to the top.

However, this method doesn't work in Japan. This is because in Japan, almost all entertainers are affiliated with a particular entertainment agency or television station.

Establishing your own studio like in China? Absolutely impossible. Because it's not allowed.

Furthermore, the salaries or film fees of Japanese celebrities are almost ten times, or even dozens of times, lower than those of actors in China.

Even a star of Yui Aragaki's caliber is considered top-tier among women. However, her salary is approximately 100 million yen per episode of a TV drama, which is about 6 yuan. In China, even third- or fourth-tier actors would likely earn more than that.

Therefore, being an actor in Japan is not a very prestigious or lucrative profession, and consequently, their social status is not particularly high.

In Japan, if actors misbehave, it's incredibly easy for their companies or agencies to blacklist them. It couldn't be easier.

Therefore, when Hasegawa watches some Japanese variety shows, whether it's the hosts, idol groups, or TV and movie stars, as long as they participate, they are often put in a very awkward, no, not awkward, but rather very miserable situation.

Hasegawa believes that Japanese celebrities are probably the worst off in this regard, at least on the surface.

Because, apart from Japan, variety shows in other countries rarely go this far.

……

Hasegawa was unwilling to accept that after Yui Hima entered the entertainment industry, she would have to accept things she didn't want to accept due to certain reasons or rules.

Therefore, Hasegawa felt that he needed to be rich, and then powerful, in order to protect Yui Yuigahama.

Money aside. As for influence, the only thing Hasegawa can think of for now is the identity of an author. In Japan, an author is far more prestigious than an actor.

Hasegawa felt he could first make money with light novels, and then, after improving his writing skills, try writing some traditional literary novels. After that, he could use that as a stepping stone to write television scripts and become a screenwriter.

Even screenwriters in Japan generally hold a higher status than actors.

"Hasegawa, who was that on the phone just now?" Yui Yuigahama asked, noticing Hasegawa's smile after hanging up the phone, followed by a thoughtful expression as if he were pondering something. She couldn't help but feel curious.

"The phone call just now was from editor Machida. She told me that the number of volumes for the second volume of Tokyo Ghoul has been finalized."

"Really? There must be a lot, after all, Hasegawa seems very happy."

"Yes, that's quite a lot, a full fifty thousand copies." Hasegawa smiled and stretched out his right hand with his five fingers spread.

"Wow, so many? Hasegawa, you're really amazing."

Chapter 84 Yukinoshita Hirano's Worries

"Hasegawa, it really was you!"

"Huh? Yukinoshita-san? Excuse me, are you talking to me?"

Hasegawa looked at Yukino Yukinoshita, who had appeared before him once again, and asked without changing his expression.

"Hasegawa, you were the one who went to my aunt's house before, weren't you?" Yukino Yukinoshita looked at Hasegawa with a cold expression, getting straight to the point without saying anything else.

"Well, okay, Yukinoshita-san, yes, it's me." Hasegawa nodded, not denying it. After all, in Hasegawa's view, the matter was over, and Yukinoshita Yukino had already guessed most of it, so there was nothing else to hide. After all, if he denied it, Yukinoshita Yukino would try to prove something, which might make things even more troublesome.

"It really is you. Between you and Hiratsuka-sensei—I hope you can consider transferring schools. I originally thought you would handle this matter properly, but so much time has passed, and neither you nor Hiratsuka-sensei have come up with any solutions." Yukino Yukinoshita looked at Hasegawa seriously.

"Transfer schools? You seem to have misunderstood. There is no relationship between me and Mr. Hiratsuka."

“Others may not know. But I saw you and Hiratsuka-sensei go to my aunt’s house together, and you two have even confirmed your relationship. If you don’t want to affect Hiratsuka-sensei’s future, I hope you can transfer schools. This will be better for both you and Hiratsuka-sensei.”

Scratching his head, Hasegawa looked at the serious-looking Yukino Yukinoshita and couldn't help but laugh: "Yukinoshita-san, thank you for your concern, but actually, the relationship between me and Hiratsuka-sensei is not what you think at all. The reason I went to Hiratsuka-sensei's house before was entirely because Hiratsuka-sensei wanted to find a scapegoat, so she asked me to pretend to be her boyfriend."

"A fake boyfriend?" Yukino Yukinoshita frowned.

“That’s right. In fact, my identity has already been seen through, and Hiratsuka-sensei’s parents already know the truth. So, that fake relationship between me and Hiratsuka-sensei has been severed. Now, my relationship with Hiratsuka-sensei is really just a simple teacher-student relationship.” Hasegawa said.

Yukino Yukinoshita was a little surprised; she seemed not to have expected things to turn out this way.

Actually, Yukino Yukinoshita was still a little hesitant when she came to see Hasegawa this time.

After hearing the rumors that Hasegawa and Hiratsuka Shizuka had spread, Yukino Yukinoshita immediately confirmed Hasegawa's identity. However, she felt that either Hiratsuka Shizuka or Hasegawa would handle the matter properly.

The safest approach would naturally be to have Hasegawa and Hiratsuka break up completely, thus eliminating any potential problems.

However, considering that it's not easy for Hiratsuka Shizuka to find a boyfriend, Yukino Yukinoshita can only rule that out as well.

Then came the transfers, either to Hasegawa or Hiratsuka, one of them leaving.

Later, it seems there was another explanation, that the matter between Hasegawa and Hiratsuka Shizuka was just a rumor and people shouldn't believe it, and things gradually calmed down.

However, Yukino Yukinoshita still felt that this approach was not appropriate. After all, the two of them were still in the same school, and rumors were bound to spread. Rumors might be false once, or twice, but if they were false three times, no one would believe them anymore.

At that time, neither Hiratsuka Shizuka nor Hasegawa would have a good ending.

Yukino Yukinoshita might not have cared about other teachers, but Hiratsuka Shizuka was her cousin. Although Yukino Yukinoshita was usually aloof, she knew in her heart that Hiratsuka Shizuka was very good to her. Naturally, she didn't want Hiratsuka Shizuka to be ruined.

So, Yukino Yukinoshita's purpose in visiting Hasegawa was actually to persuade him to transfer schools. As for the relationship between Hasegawa and Shizuka Hiratsuka, she wouldn't interfere. Although she felt the age gap between Hasegawa and Hiratsuka was a bit too large, and Hiratsuka seemed like an older woman dating a younger man, she was fine as long as Hiratsuka wasn't too young.

She never expected that when she came to Hasegawa, she would receive this kind of news.

Yukino Yukinoshita left, feeling rather embarrassed.

Hasegawa didn't care much about Yukino Yukinoshita coming to find him. When he returned to the classroom, the students all looked at him with strange eyes.

Clearly, they were very curious about why Yukino Yukinoshita would come to see Hasegawa.

Well, there are only a handful of girls in the entire school who are truly famous.

Yukino Yukinoshita is one of them, known as the "high-mountain flower" of Soubu High School. Then there's Eriri Sawamura, a first-year art student with twin tails. Next is Utaha Kasumigaoka, a second-year beauty with long, straight black hair who, despite sleeping all day, still manages to rank first in her grade. Finally, there's Saeko Busujima, the third-year kendo captain, known as the "modern Yamato Nadeshiko."

As for the other girls, although there are quite a few pretty ones, there are almost none who can compare to them. It's only now that Yuigahama Yui, who has gradually started to dress herself up, is about on par with them.

This time, Yukino Yukinoshita, such a high-and-mighty flower, actually took the initiative to seek out Hasegawa. It would be strange if they weren't curious.

Moreover, Hasegawa seems to have a very good relationship with Yui Yuigahama, since they live together. Although Hasegawa is just renting a room in Yui Yuigahama's house, it has already made countless people extremely envious.