Tokyo: Oreimo

This number was already saved in the phone book, and only one person knew Ling Nai's mobile number.

"Was that the editor calling?" Ruri Aragaki peeked out and glanced at the message on Ryouna's phone.

"Probably, no one else knows my number."

Should I answer it?

Takashiro Ryou hesitated for a moment. Recalling her previous experience in the editorial department, her anger, which had not yet subsided, surged up again, and she really didn't want to press the answer button.

At that moment, a slender finger reached out from the side and gently pressed the green answer button.

"Hey, Liuli, what are you doing?"

Ling Nai didn't have time to stop it; a voice came from the other end of the phone, belonging to Iori Setsuna.

"Hello, is this Professor Takashiro?"

Ruri Aragaki winked at Ling Nai and gave her a encouraging gesture, signaling her to reply quickly.

"Yes, is there something you need, Editor Iori? If it's about urging me to finish the manuscript, I'll hang up now."

Takashiro Ryouno's attitude was somewhat impatient, which was reflected in her very unfriendly tone, and she placed her finger on the hang-up button.

She vowed that if the other party dared to say anything unpleasant or threatening on the phone, she would hang up immediately.

How annoying! You clearly said you'd give me time to think it over, so why are you calling now?

Do I really have to force myself to give in and bow down to her right now?

hateful!

"No, no, Professor Takashiro."

Iori's voice came from the other end of the phone, sounding extremely gentle, a stark contrast to her previous attitude in the conference room.

"I wanted to discuss the issue of compensation with you. In any case, please don't suspend publication!"

"Huh?"

A look of confusion appeared on Takashiro Ryouno's face.

When did she ever say she was going to take a break from publishing?

"Moon Witch Transformation" is her masterpiece, and it cannot be allowed to end badly. This is an explanation that she must give to herself and her fans.

This conversation left her momentarily at a loss for how to respond.

"Hey, Professor Takashiro, are you still there?"

Ruri Aragaki, who was standing next to her, looked at the bewildered Ling Nai, took the phone from her hand, and pressed the speakerphone button.

"Hello, Editor Iori, I am a friend of Ling Nai. My name is Aragaki Ruri. Please tell me what compensation terms you can offer."

"I didn't think things through before, and it caused losses for Professor Gao Cheng. I will apply to the editorial department for compensation of three times the original price per page of the manuscript. This is the maximum compromise I can make, please understand..."

On the other end of the phone, Iori Setsuna's almost incessant chatter came through. Aragaki Ruri looked at Takagi Ryouno with slight surprise and found that the other's face was full of disbelief.

Even though the editor's apology was given over the phone, Ruri Aragaki could tell that it wasn't a genuine remorse.

Instead, it sounded like a plea for mercy after someone had hit a nerve.

Taking a hiatus is indeed the only way Ling Nai, as a comic artist, can threaten the editor after signing the commission contract.

But it's also a move that injures the enemy eight hundred while damaging oneself a thousand.

Based on her understanding of Ling Nai, she knew that the other party would never threaten someone with taking a hiatus from publication.

Even if she did bring it up, if it were face-to-face, an adult editor would probably be able to tell at a glance that she had no intention of taking a break from publication.

She knew very well how innocent her precious friend was, and how easily she wore her heart on her sleeve.

I can't keep anything I care about to myself.

"Did that brother make it?"

Ruri Aragaki thought to herself.

During the phone call, Editor Iori's speech was somewhat incoherent, as if she had reached a dead end and was clinging to this last straw.

"It seems this is the maximum compensation we can offer; there's no need to continue pressuring us."

Ruri Aragaki responded on behalf of Ryouno.

"The compensation must be settled before the next manuscript submission. If this can be done, Ling Nai will not suspend publication."

Thank you so much!

Ruri Aragaki didn't continue listening to the call; instead, she chose to hang up.

Takashiro Ryouno hadn't yet recovered from her confusion; it had only been two hours since she left the editorial department.

The other party took the initiative to admit their mistake first, which was completely different from the call she had expected.

"Are you satisfied with the compensation offered by this editor?"

"It's alright, I'm not petty if she's willing to apologize."

Takashiro Ryouno put her hands on her hips and pouted slightly.

It seems she's calmed down now.

"But it's strange, why did she suddenly change her attitude?"

"Perhaps she had a change of heart, or maybe she was criticized by her superiors because of it, since she did something wrong, right?"

Ruri Aragaki smiled like an angel and put her phone back into Ayano's bag.

"That's right! Lucky☆! It's true that being with Ruri has improved my luck."

Takashiro Ryouko laughed without a care in the world, even becoming enthusiastic about shopping.

Ruri Aragaki watched as Ayano Takashiro lingered at various counters in the mall. Although she had a smile on her face, she seemed to have something on her mind.

"Perhaps I need to find some time to meet with that older brother and confirm whether he poses any threat..."

"They stole my chance to stand up for Ling Nai, and they even learned a secret that belonged only to her and me..."

"This man...is dangerous!"

Fortunately, Takashiro Ryouno didn't seem to realize who had stood up for her.

"Liuli, what are you daydreaming about? Come here!"

Takagi Ryouno had already walked some distance when she saw that Aragaki Ruri was still standing in the same spot and hadn't followed, so she quickly waved.

"Coming right now!"

......

Ryosuke Takashiro was lingering in front of the department store counter.

Shinjuku truly lives up to its reputation as one of the heart of Tokyo; the shopping malls in the area are decorated with extreme luxury, rivaling the style I remember from thirty years ago.

Electronic products are still considered luxury items in this era.

Dressed in a school uniform, he stood out in the crowd.

Without their parents around, most people would believe that a teenager could never have such purchasing power.

So even though he looked at it for a while, no salesperson came up to chat with him.

"Um... I'd like to see this phone, could you help me get it out?"

Ryosuke could only wave to the staff at the counter and point to a flip phone priced at 180,000 yen in the glass case.

Chapter 9: The Enemy Has Appeared!

"Ok, no problem."

The counter staff demonstrated excellent professionalism, smiling and nodding as they took out the Sony phone and handed it to Ryosuke.

This surprised him quite a bit.

"Thank you."

Ryosuke Takagi took the phone and began to try operating it with some slight awkwardness.

In his memory, mobile phones had basically evolved to the touchscreen stage, so the one in his hand felt unfamiliar to him.

After trying it out for a while, he confirmed that the phone had the functions he needed, and then handed it back untouched.

"Please get me one, cash only."

"Huh?"

The staff were stunned for a moment, and some didn't react immediately.

What did you say?

"I said I want to buy one, please give me a brand new one, and also please help me get a phone card."

Ryosuke took out cash from his bag and placed it on the counter.

"Okay! No problem! Please wait a moment!"

The staff member looked pleasantly surprised and hurriedly packed up the display case and ran to the backstage area.

Ryosuke wore an expression that suggested he was used to it.

Being so young does present some challenges; perhaps it's time to get a more mature-looking outfit?

This can avoid many situations where people misunderstand you.

His clothes when he goes out are mostly bought by his mother, Mieko, so they are mostly unfashionable clothes with a youthful feel.

"I'd better not. If I bring home big bags of stuff, my mother will probably question me."

After thinking it over, Ryosuke gave up on the plan. He had not yet explained his thoughts about the future to his family.

Knowing his mother as he did, he knew that once she found out about his income, she might confiscate his property and use it to save it up, only to return it to him after he graduated from high school.

The limitations of the times: parents always want to reduce risks for their children, but little do they know that they are also limiting opportunities.

Before long, the staff returned with an unopened new phone and paper documents for processing the phone card.

In the 90s, mobile phone sales were much more closely integrated with the telecommunications industry than they will be in the future, and most sales were bundled together.