Tokyo: Oreimo

"So, if you like someone, should you take the initiative?"

She then asked the question that concerned her most.

"Then it's up to the person involved to decide."

Ryosuke's throat was a little itchy. The conversation between him and Ruri Aragaki was longer than that of the previous dozen or so readers combined, which made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

But he still managed to keep talking.

"There's never a standard answer when it comes to matters of the heart. The fact that you're hesitant and thinking about this means you're not ready yet."

If I remember correctly, I had a conversation with the girl in front of me once before, in a coffee shop.

He had suggested that Ruri Aragaki take the initiative, but she had reservations and had not yet done so.

It seems that this concern is causing her considerable distress, otherwise she wouldn't have come to the book signing to ask her favorite author such a question.

In that case, we might be able to take this opportunity to test her attitude towards Ling Nai.

Ryosuke picked up a pen, wrote some words in the booklet, and handed it to Ruri Aragaki.

"I've written down a question for you. If you can answer it, you might want to try taking the initiative."

Ruri Aragaki took the book; besides her signature, there was a sentence written on the title page.

Do you really know the other person well enough?

Do I understand? I would say I do, after all, we've been classmates for many years, and I can detect even the slightest signs of Ling Nai's joys and sorrows.

But whether it's enough is another matter.

Ruri Aragaki could sense that her close friend had been hiding a lot from her lately.

"Thank you for coming to the book signing, and thank you for your love of Kino."

Ryosuke's voice came from behind, and Aragaki Ruri noticed that he had reached out his hand to her.

Her gaze unconsciously fell on it, she shook hands politely, and then Ryosuke quickly let go of her hand.

The sense of familiarity has become even stronger.

I seem to have seen similar slender, long fingers before.

She glanced at the phone on the table; it was a Sony flip phone.

If I remember correctly, it's the same basic model as the limited edition that Ling Nai gave herself.

It seems my older brother also uses this color.

"Next one, please."

Hayakawa Rumi spoke up at just the right moment, interrupting Aragaki Ruri's thoughts.

She could only bow slightly in thanks and turn to leave the autograph table. After taking a few steps, she couldn't help but look back one last time.

'Shigaze Keiichi' has already started signing autographs for the next fan, his focused profile completely covered by a mask.

"Teacher Shi Yuze feels quite familiar to me..."

Ruri Aragaki, clutching the illustrated book, walked out of the bookstore, lost in thought.

......

Inside the bookstore, the book signing event was finally coming to an end.

After the last fan left, the bookstore doors closed.

Ryosuke let out a long sigh of relief, leaned back in his chair, took off his sunglasses, and rubbed his temples.

"Thank you for your hard work, Teacher Shi Yuze."

Rumi Hayakawa handed her a bottle of water, saying, "Today's autograph session was a great success, and the response was very positive."

"Thank you." Ryosuke took the water, tilted his head back and drank a few mouthfuls. "It's finally over."

"Should we go straight back? Or stay in the shop a little longer?"

"Let's go back." Ryosuke stretched his stiff wrists.

"By the way, Mr. Shi Yuze, your award-winning work will probably be published in the next issue of the monthly magazine..."

Before leaving, Hayakawa Rumi probably confirmed some promotional matters regarding "Fate/Zero" with him.

"It's expected to be published as early as mid-to-late September. Will it be like 'Kino' this time, with the company providing the illustrations?"

"No need. As for illustrations, there are more suitable illustrators. I can handle it myself."

After all, it's a derivative novel based on the original work, so even if illustrations are to be drawn, Ling Nai should be the one to do them.

"Let's call it a day then."

"Thank you all for your hard work!"

Ryosuke stood up, greeted the staff present, and left through the back door of the bookstore.

......

At the CM exhibition, most visitors had already left.

Some of the participating organizations have already packed up their booths and are leaving the venue in an orderly manner.

During the afternoon session, since the games were sold out, Takashiro Ryōno and Gokou Mao went their separate ways to explore the exhibition and left first after it ended.

When Ryosuke arrived, only Hououin Saori was still waiting for her inside.

"You've had a hard day, and I'm sorry to have troubled you."

Ryosuke said apologetically.

"What are you talking about? I'm one of the producers too, aren't I?"

At this moment, Phoenix Inu Saori took off her glasses and wiped them with a handkerchief, looking somewhat tired.

How did the book signing go?

"Well, I'd say it was a success."

He didn't hide this from Phoenix Institute. After all, as the main person in charge of the game project, he should let his partners know the reason for not attending the first day of CM Expo.

Moreover, the existence of the online name "Shigaze Keiichi" couldn't be kept secret from the other party.

"What a kind brother! He left me alone at the CM exhibition just to make his sister happy. Will he continue to be this biased after marriage?"

Phoenix Inu Saori feigned a wronged expression, her eyes seeming to hold turbulent waves, making Ryosuke's heart race.

After marriage...

"...How about I treat you to some barbecue?"

Ryosuke asked tentatively.

Phoenix Inu Saori raised the corners of her mouth, stood up, and slung her bag over her shoulder.

Chapter 83 A Moment of Heartbeat

The rising charcoal fire heats the grill pan, on which fresh beef is placed, frying until it drips with oil.

Just like before, the two went to the barbecue restaurant where they had eaten together half a year ago.

Phoenix Inu Saori put on an apron and intermittently turned the slices of meat.

"Speaking of which, time really flies. It's been half a year since I last came here."

She had a faint smile on her face.

“When we last talked, you didn’t even have the money to hire me to do programming, yet you were saying things like you were confident in your work.”

"Yes, in that situation, I really couldn't come up with the money."

Looking back now, Ryosuke realizes that the past six months have not been easy. He managed to create Fate/stay night in a very short time.

They used almost every means at their disposal, betting all their accumulated wealth on the venture.

Fortunately, I had help. If I hadn't brought Phoenix Saori into the group, I might not have been able to go online within the expected timeframe.

Do you regret it now?

Phoenix Inu Saori suddenly asked a question that seemed to have no context.

"regret?"

Ryosuke looked at him with a puzzled expression. His friend's eyes were covered by thick glasses. He was resting his chin on his hand and tilting his head to look at him.

"If everything goes smoothly, by the end of the CM exhibition, your work will have a net profit of nearly 50 million yen, right? After deducting taxes, I will take 30% of it."

"Don't you feel bad? This is no small amount. Last year, the club I joined only gave me tens of thousands of yen in profit sharing, and people still held a grudge against me."

So that's what they were talking about.

According to his understanding, after the two met, the other party seemed to have never mentioned the producer of the work "Hot-Blooded Youth/Intense Fighting" again.

So the falling out was because of money?

It's understandable to have such concerns, since the cooperation between the two has always been based on words rather than on paper.

"This is only natural, and I have absolutely no regrets. You don't think of me as someone who lacks a sense of contract, do you?"

Ryosuke quickly waved his hand.

This was something that had been discussed long ago, and in terms of the effort put in, the other party was no less dedicated than I was.

"puff."

Phoenix Inu Saori couldn't help but burst out laughing, clutching her stomach as if she couldn't breathe.

"As expected of the man I've chosen, I like you to the point where I can't get enough of you~?"

"..."

"Don't make jokes like that."

Ryosuke gradually became less sensitive to Phoenix Inu Saori's overt flirting and got straight to the point.

"If we sell everything this time, have you calculated how much we'll actually get after deducting taxes?"

Japan's consumption tax and personal income tax are quite high. Even though the net profit after deducting costs is as high as 50 million yen, it's still impressive.