My dear wife, I still love you more.

"The outline is complete, so I must finish writing this book this summer," Hasegawa said earnestly to himself.

Besides this traditional novel, Hasegawa also needed to write the fifth volume of Tokyo Ghoul during the summer vacation. Of course, the most important thing was to cultivate his relationship with Mrs. Yuigahama.

Chapter 8 The Difference Between 2D and 3D

"Kobayashi, you're here too."

"Of course I'll come! I'm a huge fan of Tokyo Ghoul. Volume 3 goes on sale today, how could I not come?"

A pair of men, who looked to be around twenty years old and whose clothes and demeanor exuded a sense of slacking off, met outside the bookstore and began to greet each other.

"Kobayashi, I heard that in addition to Volume 3, the revised editions of Volumes 1 and 2, which Hasegawa-sensei mentioned before, are also going on sale today. Will you buy them?"

"I already said I'm a die-hard fan, of course I'll buy it. What about you, Converse? Would you buy it?"

"Me? Forget about it. I always feel that revised editions are a bit unreliable. I've already bought the first and second volumes. Can this revised edition completely overturn the previous story? The first and second volumes have already been sold, and now there's a revised edition. It just feels like they're trying to scam me." Nobita shook his head.

"Yasuo, you're saying that? Hasegawa-sensei would never lie. There must have been a problem with the previous plot, or some kind of bug, which is why Hasegawa-sensei wanted to release a revised version. This version has some additions that weren't in the previous version," Kobayashi said with absolute certainty.

"Kobayashi, it's people like you who are the easiest to fool. That's why these people release revised versions and then rake in a fortune," Yasuo said with a sneer.

"Yasuo, what are you saying? How dare you frame Hasegawa-sensei?"

"Don't talk nonsense. I'm not framing anyone. The revised volumes one and two have already been published, haven't they? It's obvious, it's simply a fact."

"Damn it, you haven't even read the revised version, how can you say this is a scam?"

"Hmph, because it's really obvious. Especially since the revised edition came out so quickly. For other novels, the revised edition would take at least ten or eight years to appear, but the revised edition came out only two or three months after the first two volumes were published. Isn't this just ripping people off?"

"You bastard, you're not allowed to frame Hasegawa-sensei."

“I’m not framing anyone; I’m stating the facts.”

"Facts my ass, you didn't even read it."

"Even if I hadn't watched it, I would have known it was a scam."

"You're accusing someone of scamming you without even looking at it? Isn't that slander?"

Kobayashi and Nobita, those two lazy bums, started yelling loudly, creating a tense atmosphere as if they might start fighting at any moment.

People coming in and out of the bookstore avoided the two men, some even showing disdain.

Kobayashi and Yasuo noticed their surroundings, snorted, and turned to walk towards the bookstore. The two, who had originally had a fairly good relationship, were now almost enemies due to their differing opinions.

In fact, Kobayashi and Yasuo's opinions represent the views of most people. Many believe that Hasegawa might just be trying to make money by writing this revised edition. Another group consists of die-hard fans who believe that Hasegawa's decision to release a revised edition means there must be new arrangements or settings in the first two volumes, potentially making the story even more exciting.

Hasegawa was aware of this at first, since many people were discussing it online. However, Hasegawa himself didn't take it to heart. In addition, he didn't like using Twitter and focused more on writing traditional novels, so he didn't pay attention to such news.

Now that the revised editions of Volumes 1 and 2 are on sale, these two views are becoming increasingly sharp, even somewhat extreme.

Although Kobayashi and Yasuo didn't actually fight, quite a few people argued because of this. Even some friends who were originally on good terms had their relationships strained, and some even became enemies.

After Kobayashi entered the bookstore, he saw Yasuo also enter the bookstore, snorted coldly, and directly took the third volume of "Tokyo Ghoul" and the first two volumes of the revised edition in his hands. Then he went to the salesperson to pay and bought all three books.

Yasuo pursed his lips and only took the third volume. However, there was still a hint of curiosity in his eyes. What exactly was the content of the revised first and second volumes? Were there any new settings?

At this moment, Nobita even had the urge to buy the revised volumes one and two as well. However, having just considered this point, he felt that buying them now would be a bit of a slap in the face. So, Nobita suppressed his curiosity and only bought volume three.

"Wow, that's amazing! Hasegawa-sensei is so wonderful."

"If it weren't for the fact that Hasegawa-sensei's style is still present between the lines, I would have thought that the author was a completely different person."

"You really do look a lot better now."

"That's amazing! I'm really curious how Hasegawa-sensei did it."

Just as Nobita was about to leave, he suddenly overheard some people talking. Glancing over out of the corner of his eye, he saw that they were watching a revised version of Tokyo Ghoul. Listening to their comments, Nobita felt even more annoyed. What was the revised version like? Was it really that good? Was it really not a lie? Had they introduced some new plot or characters?

Then look at my old friend Kobayashi, who has already opened the revised edition of the first volume and is reading it with great interest, as if he has seen something particularly exciting.

Nobuo looked down at the third volume in his hand, a sense of irrepressible curiosity rising within him: "What exactly is the revised edition like?"

Watching one person after another directly pay for the revised editions of volumes one and two, Nobita's curiosity grew even stronger.

"No, absolutely not! It's definitely a scam. I already bought volumes one and two, and even if the content is modified, it won't be changed much, so it won't affect my reading later on. I can just start reading volume three now," Nobita told himself. Then he tore open the packaging of volume three and began reading.

"Ugh?"

After just one glance, Nobuo couldn't help but exclaim, "What, what's going on? Although, although the plot connects to the second volume, the reading experience feels completely, completely different. What's going on?"

"It seems... it seems the text has become more powerful. Reading it actually... it has a very obvious three-dimensional feel, like... like watching anime or a movie? What... what's going on?"

"Could it be that the revised volumes one and two changed this thing? Even though I'm reading a light novel, it feels like I'm reading a physical novel. Wow, that's amazing."

"Should I buy the revised editions of volumes one and two? But, but I already bought them before, so buying the revised editions would be a waste. Most importantly, I don't have much money left, and if I spend it, my living expenses will be very tight for the next period of time. Damn it, should I go to work? But, I really want to read the contents of volumes one and two, the revised volumes one and two."

Nobita's expression shifted, and finally, he gritted his teeth and picked up the revised volumes one and two. Just as he turned around, he saw Kobayashi smiling at him.

"Um, I, I was just, I was just a little curious." Nobita blushed a little, feeling that he had contradicted himself, especially since Kobayashi had seen it.

“I understand. After all, if people read Volume 3, most of them will be tempted to read the revised volumes 1 and 2.” Kobayashi smiled smugly.

"It's really hard to resist. It feels completely different. Even though it's able to continue the story into the second volume, the reading experience is completely different. It's like a regular 2D movie suddenly turning into a 3D movie, making you want to watch the 3D version of what came before," Nobita finally said.

"I knew it. Hasegawa-sensei's actions were definitely not a scam."

"No, I still think Hasegawa-sensei is just ripping people off. It's like taking a movie that's already been released, in 2D, converting it to 3D, and then re-releasing it. It's infuriating! I don't even have enough allowance, but I still can't resist buying it."

……

There are many similar examples to Nobita, especially among otaku who like anime and manga. They can't help but spend a lot of money to buy things they like, such as exorbitantly priced figurines or props. They will even save up money by living frugally to buy them.

The revised version of Tokyo Ghoul is now so irresistible that some people can't help but buy it.

Moreover, it's just two books, and the price isn't actually that expensive; you can probably afford them if you grit your teeth a little.

In a corner of the bookstore, a girl with long, straight black hair watched the scene with great interest through her wine-red eyes. Gently turning the pages of her book, Kasumigaoka Utaha couldn't help but marvel at Hasegawa's remarkable improvement in writing. Previously, his writing had only been passable, focusing more on originality. But now, Kasumigaoka Utaha had to admit that Hasegawa's writing had become exceptionally good, even surpassing her own.

"No wonder you suddenly started writing traditional novels; this writing style makes sense. But why has your writing improved so much? What's the reason behind this? Hasegawa-kun, you really are shrouded in mystery, completely unfathomable," Kasumigaoka Utaha murmured to herself, her wine-red eyes filled with curiosity.

"Hasegawa-kun, I will definitely find out all the secrets you have," Kasumigaoka Utaha said firmly.

Just then, Kasumigaoka Utaha was suddenly bumped.

Chapter 9 Eriri: Kasumigaoka, you're my best friend now.

A green hat suddenly fell down in front of Kasumigaoka Utaha. Kasumigaoka Utaha frowned slightly, then saw the person who had bumped into her.

A girl wearing a slightly oversized green tracksuit, with blonde hair tied in pigtails, looked startled when her hat was suddenly knocked off.

"Sawamura Spencer Eriri?" Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at the girl with slight surprise, especially at Eriri's attire and the book she was holding.

"Huh? You, you, you are Kasumigaoka Utaha?" Eriri was equally surprised.

Whether it's Kasumigaoka Utaha or Eriri, although one is a light novel author and the other a doujinshi illustrator, neither of them revealed their secret at school. Both are relatively well-known girls at school, so although they haven't interacted much, they are actually aware of each other's secrets.

In their own minds, they were both popular and pretty girls. Now, they'd bumped into each other in a bookstore, both holding light novels. At this point, they pretty much knew what kind of people the other was.

"Tsk tsk tsk, I didn't expect that Sawamura-san, who is very popular at school, would like light novels, and with this kind of outfit. You, you wouldn't happen to be an otaku, would you?" Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at Eriri with a smile, and finally focused her gaze on the three books Eriri was holding in her arms, the first three volumes of the Tokyo Ghoul revised edition.

"I, I'm not! I just, I just, I just came to buy study materials." Eriri subconsciously hid the books on her person. Eriri was also afraid of breaking the impression she had left at school, afraid of people knowing that she was a doujinshi artist, so she even acted as if she was averse to anime and manga at school.

"Study materials? I don't recall any study materials called Tokyo Ghoul." Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at Eriri and suddenly found her quite interesting and amusing. Moreover, and most importantly, Eriri seemed to have some special relationship with Hasegawa. After all, back in Fukuoka, Eriri and her mother had both been seen entering and leaving Hasegawa's room.

"You, you, aren't you reading Tokyo Ghoul too?" Eriri shouted, pointing at the novel in Kasumigaoka Utaha's hand.

“That’s right, I am watching Tokyo Ghoul. But I didn’t hide or cover it up at all,” Kasumigaoka Utaha said with a smile.

"You, you're a homebody."

"A homebody? Well, if that's what you think, that's fine too. Anyway, I don't care at all what other people think of me," Kasumigaoka Utaha said with a smile.

"You—" Eriri suddenly didn't know what to say. She was trying to find something on Kasumigaoka Utaha, but who knew that the other party didn't care at all and just admitted it directly.

Looking at the two of them, Eriri was completely disguised from head to toe—green tracksuit, green sneakers, green hat—trying her best to cover herself up completely to avoid being recognized. Kasumigaoka Utaha, on the other hand, was still dressed the same as before, looking as beautiful and captivating as ever, brazenly flipping through Tokyo Ghoul. Indeed, compared to Eriri's attempts to conceal her identity, Kasumigaoka Utaha truly didn't care at all.

"Sawamura-kun, you're too nervous. It's just reading some light novels, it's not a big deal. Why are you hiding like this?" Kasumigaoka Utaha said softly to Eriri.

"Um, well, I, I just, I just—"

"Are you just worried about being ostracized if others find out you like reading light novels? There's absolutely no need to worry about that. Like me, I don't hide it at all. Besides, Tokyo Ghoul is an incredibly well-written novel, both in terms of writing style and plot development. The character development is especially amazing..." Kasumigaoka Utaha spoke like a devoted fan of the book, praising its excellence with every word.

"You think so too? I think so too! And you're amazing. There are so many things that I only understood after having the headmaster—or other people—analyze them for me. I never expected you to understand Shimokagaoka so thoroughly." Eriri looked delighted, as if she had found a like-minded person with similar interests.

"It's because I love this book so much. I've read Tokyo Ghoul more than once, and it's no exaggeration to say that I know the plot inside and out, especially this revised edition, which is really wonderful."

“Yes, yes, I think so too.” Eriri nodded happily.

"Well, since we share a common interest, how about you call me by my name, and I'll call you Eriri?" Kasumigaoka Utaha said to Eriri with a smile.

"Okay, okay, then I'll call you Shiyu." Eriri warmly changed her form of address.

"Eri, I'll tell you a secret. Actually, I'm a light novel author." Kasumigaoka Utaha whispered this secret to Eriri.

"Huh? Utaha, you're a light novel author?" Eriri looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha with surprise and even admiration.

"Shh, keep your voice down. Not many people know this secret, so you have to keep it a secret for me." Kasumigaoka Utaha put her index finger to her lips.

"Mmm, don't worry, Shiyu, I will absolutely keep it a secret for you," Eriri said loyally.

"As expected, I knew it. Eriri, you're amazing!" Kasumigaoka Utaha praised Eriri. But a strange glint flashed in her eyes, a look of smug satisfaction.

"Hey, Utaha, since you've told me your secret, then I'll tell you mine in exchange." Eriri hesitated for a moment, feeling that Utaha Kasumigaoka had been so sincere to her, even telling her about her identity as a light novel author, so she felt she shouldn't keep Utaha Kasumigaoka's secret from her either.

"Your secret?"

"Yes, but you absolutely mustn't tell anyone," Eriri said, glancing cautiously left and right.

"Don't worry, I'll definitely keep it a secret. I'm the kind of person who keeps their mouth shut very tightly." Kasumigaoka Utaha nodded emphatically. Actually, she wasn't particularly curious about Eriri's secret, but since Eriri was willing to tell her, she naturally had to cooperate, otherwise, they might not be able to remain friends.

"Actually, I am a cartoonist."

"Huh?" Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at Eriri in surprise.

"And, and, before, I... I was a doujinshi artist." Eriri said, her face turning red, looking very embarrassed. She regretted saying it as soon as she said it; she shouldn't have revealed it so openly. It would have been enough to just say she was a manga artist.

"A doujinshi artist?" Kasumigaoka Utaha was genuinely surprised this time, staring at Eriri in shock. Such a cute girl, actually a doujinshi artist? This was simply too astonishing.

"You can't tell anyone else, okay?" Eriri looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha with a bit of guilt. She was worried that Kasumigaoka Utaha might think she was no good because of this and refuse to be friends with her.

"Don't worry, I'll definitely keep it a secret. I just didn't expect that you, Eriri, are a doujinshi artist. You're such a cute girl. By the way, what's your pen name?" Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at Eriri curiously. She even thought that perhaps the reason Eriri was able to become friends with someone like Hasegawa, who had a somewhat strange personality, was because Eriri was a doujinshi artist. She even thought that perhaps Eriri would become a manga artist for Tokyo Ghoul.

"I... I'm Kashiwagi Eri. Please don't tell anyone else, okay?" Eriri's face turned bright red.