My Cartoonist Girlfriend

After hanging up the phone, Eriri stood up from the bed and turned around in front of the dressing mirror. Unlike her usual dresses, Eriri chose to try jeans today.

"Humph, even though I'm a little shorter than Kasumigaoka Utaha, my legs are thinner than hers. That guy definitely wouldn't dare to wear this."

With a smug smile, Eriri put on her coat, picked up her small bag and walked out of the room.

"Mom, I'm done changing my clothes, hurry up!"

"I'm coming!"

Eriri was rushing out, while Asakura Kaede had already met up with Kasumigaoka Utaha.

"Good morning, senior."

"Good morning, Asakura-kun."

As always, Kasumigaoka Utaha, wearing a black silk dress, attracts attention wherever she goes. After taking off her sunglasses, she smiled and said, "Didn't you come with Eriri?"

Shrugging, Asakura Feng said, "I just called her. I'm on my way out now and will be here soon. And since this place is the closest to Eriri's house, there's no need for us to come together."

"That's right." Kasumigaoka Utaha smiled and looked at the bookstore in the distance where some people were already buying books. She said, "Do you think those people who came to buy books so early are here to buy my books?"

Asakura Feng thought for a moment and said, "The only new volume of the novel released today is your Love Metronome, senior. I think a large number of people came to buy your book. But as for the details, we'll know when we go over and take a look, right?"

Although Asakura said so, Kasumigaoka Utaha still looked towards the bookstore nervously. Asakura also expressed her understanding of this. After all, when the first volume of Soharu was released, she felt similarly. She was confident in her novel, but also worried that readers would not buy it.

At 8:58, a red BMW stopped in front of the two people, the passenger door opened, and Eriri got out of the car. Sayuri Sawamura did not get out, but greeted the two people through the car window, and then drove away directly.

After checking her watch, Eriri looked at Asakura Kaede proudly and said, "I told you, I won't be late!"

"Okay, you're not late."

"What? I wasn't late!"

After standing on tiptoe and glaring at Asakura Kaede, Eriri suppressed her joy of seeing Asakura Kaede after two days and looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha: "Let's go, let's go and take a look. I'll also buy a copy of your novel and contribute to the sales."

Asakura Feng followed suit and said, "I will buy two copies, too. My mom said she wants to read them, too."

"Thank you so much."

Although Kasumigaoka Utaha has a rather sharp tongue, she is not the kind of person who is rude and ungrateful. One of these two people is her co-artist and the other is the author of Tongbunko, so it is natural that they will have a good relationship.

But after expressing her gratitude, she also looked at Eriri with a smile.

Ying Lili also said without hesitation: "Don't look at me like that, my mother is a rotten girl, she never reads this type of novel, don't even think about it."

"I didn't expect Aunt Sayuri to have such a hobby." Kasumigaoka Utaha was surprised and said unexpectedly, "When I saw her yesterday, I was wondering what kind of parent would be willing for her daughter to be a fan artist. It turns out that she is also an insider."

"Yes."

Eriri spread her hands and said, "Not only my mom, my dad is also a stay-at-home, but in the past two years, he has been busy with work and hasn't been able to go to comic conventions in person."

No, no, no, if a diplomat goes to a comic convention like this, that would easily lead to problems, right?

The chat ended here, and the three of them went to the bookstore in front together.

After entering the bookstore, Eriri saw the love metronome placed in the most conspicuous position and complained quietly: "This card is a bit big."

Asakura Kaede, who was standing next to her, explained, "This bookstore has a partnership with the Fuzugawa Library. As long as they are sure that the work is good, they will recommend it when it is released."

"Were you like that then?"

Asakura Feng nodded: "But I didn't come to see it myself at that time. It was Editor Nakajima who told me and showed me the photos."

As he spoke, he also picked up the first volume of the two Love Metronomes on the bookshelf, and at the same time observed the customers in the bookstore.

"A large proportion of them are female readers. It seems that the series of publicity that the library did before was effective."

Eriri also said: "That's right. After all, it's the gold medal of the Rookie Award. There will definitely be people paying attention to it. But the subsequent momentum may not be as great as other types."

After getting the novel, the two of them prepared to stroll around the bookstore again, but Kasumigaoka Utaha chose to continue observing the customers who came to buy books.

Chapter 68: Situations in Various Places (Please Collect!!!)

After walking around the bookstore for half an hour and paying for the books they had, the three of them left the bookstore.

On the way to the next bookstore, Asakura Feng asked, "Senior, did you get any results from your observation just now?"

Nodding, Kasumigaoka Utaha said, "In half an hour, 32 out of 21 customers bought my book, and 21 of them were women. Overall, it was about what I expected. Before I left, I saw many people who didn't know my novels stop in front of the bookshelf and wanted to buy them after the clerk introduced them to me."

"Half an hour is not bad, after all, it's a new author and a new book."

As Ying Lili spoke, she also smiled: "Actually, if you want to increase sales, there are other ways."

"Stop talking, I know what you are planning."

Kasumigaoka Utaha immediately raised her hand to stop him, saying, "I don't want to be called a beautiful girl writer. I have a solid foundation in writing, so there's no need for me to go this route."

"Tsk, you're really shameless to say you're a beautiful girl."

"Alala, isn't this the truth?" Kasumigaoka Utaha folded her arms and looked at Asakura Kaede beside her, "Asakura-kun, please judge for yourself. Do you think I am a beautiful girl?"

After taking a look at the sweetly smiling Kasumigaoka Utaha, Asakura Kaede discovered that Eriri was also looking at him with a puffy face.

You can say whatever you want, but why do you have to involve me?

Sighing, Asakura Feng could only say: "You are all beautiful girls, all of you."

Although they are only sixteen or seventeen years old, whether it is Kasumigaoka Utaha or Eriri, as long as they stand out, their looks will definitely not be worse than those so-called idols.

Thinking of this, Asakura Feng couldn't help but ask, "By the way, Eriri and senior, have you ever been invited by a scout when you were walking on the street before?"

"Scout?"

Ying Lili was stunned for a moment, then shook her head and said, "No, and I'm not interested in the entertainment industry, and my family won't let me go."

Kasumigaoka Utaha also said: "I have met them twice, but I rejected them both times. The entertainment industry is not a good place. I can obviously rely on my talent, not my looks."

Although this statement is a bit narcissistic, both Asakura Kaede and Eriri know that Kasumigaoka Utaha is right. Even if she does not choose to be a light novel writer now, with her learning ability, she will basically be able to make a name for herself no matter which company she goes to after graduating from university.

As for Eriri, there is no need to mention it. Her family is already well-off, so she doesn't have to worry about the future.

"But, it has really happened before."

As Eriri spoke, she looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha's figure and couldn't help but exclaimed, "How did you grow up like this?"

"Why, are you jealous? It's probably because of the genetic differences between individuals."

Kasumigaoka Utaha smiled and even straightened her chest again.

"Tsk, there's nothing to be proud of. Won't it still sag when you get older?"

Although it was just a low whisper, the street was not very noisy at the moment, so Kasumigaoka Utaha naturally heard it.

Although she is still a young girl, after hearing what Eriri said, Kasumigaoka Utaha couldn't help but imagine that scene and felt a little chilly.

"I'll accept it if that's the case, but it's better than you not even having the qualifications to droop."

"Woo!!!"

Eriri looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha angrily, but couldn't refute.

So angry!!!

Asakura Kaede was looking straight ahead at this moment, and he was afraid that he would not be able to hold back and his eyes would be drawn to it. Although it was fine to appreciate it normally, but Eriri was there too, and it would be bad if she noticed it.

Oh...what a trouble.

After taking the bus for two stops, the three finally arrived at another bookstore.

The situation here is similar to the previous store we visited. There are still many customers coming to buy love metronomes, and compared to the previous store, there seem to be more female customers here.

After visiting the store, Asakura Kaede said, "I've visited two stores now, and there are countless bookstores like this in Tokyo alone. Even if we take an average, the sales of Love Metronome today are still very good. Of course, it should also be related to the fact that no other new books were released today."

As if she heard what Asakura Kaede said, Kasumigaoka Utaha's cell phone rang at the right time.

Picking it up and taking a look, she said, "It was edited by Machida."

After answering the call and pressing the hands-free button, Machida Yuanzi's voice came out: "Xiao Shiyu, where are you now?"

"Outside, with Asakura-kun and Eriri, checking out what's going on at the bookstore today."

"Huh? Are you guys outside too?" Machida Yuanzi said in surprise, "I'm outside too. I've been checking out several bookstores since this morning, and the response has been very good! I'm in Bunkyo Ward now. Where are you?"

After Kasumigaoka Utaha reported the location, Machida Yuanzi immediately said, "Don't leave yet, I'll be there in fifteen minutes!"

After hanging up the phone, Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at the two of them and said, "So, what should we do now?"

Asakura Feng pointed to the convenience store across the street and said, "Buy some drinks and sit over there for a while. The sun is getting quite strong now."

So the three of them went to a convenience store, bought some drinks, and sat inside to rest, waiting for Machida Sonoko to arrive.

In less than fifteen minutes, a red car stopped on the street outside the convenience store. The three people saw it and walked out.

"Xiao Shiyu~~~"

As soon as she saw Kasumigaoka Utaha, Machida Sonoko hugged her and said happily, "It's a good start today. Some people who bought the book have posted pictures online. There should be a lot of discussions about your novel from this afternoon to evening. The first step has been successful!"

Even Machida Sonoko said so, so Kasumigaoka Utaha finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After releasing her little author, Machida Sonoko thanked Asakura Kaede and Eriri for their help, and then said, "Today is a good day. Although it's still early, let's find a restaurant to sit down for a while, and then have a big meal at noon. It's my treat!"

Kasumigaoka Utaha is the author that Machida Sonoko admires the most and has the best performance among the authors under her since she came to the Fuzugawa Bunko. Naturally, she is extremely happy at this moment.

Since someone was treating them to a meal, Asakura Kaede and Eriri naturally had no objection. They agreed and got into Machida Sonoko's car.

Kasumigaoka Utaha sat in the passenger seat, while Asakura Kaede and Eriri naturally sat together in the back seat.

Chapter 69: The Senior Sister Who Assisted (Please Collect!!!)

The location for lunch was directly booked by Machida Sonoko at Xuxuen, which fulfilled Eriri's wish that she was unable to attend a previous dinner party.

Kasumigaoka Utaha was also very surprised. After sitting down in the store, she asked, "Why are you so generous today?"

"You can't say that, Xiao Shiyu. When have I ever been stingy?"

Machida Yuanzi, holding the menu in her hand, looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha with dissatisfaction, and said to the waiter beside her: "Beef tongue, this Wagyu, and this, this..."

They ordered a lot of dishes at once, and many of them were expensive meats. It was obvious that Machida Sonoko really wanted to celebrate properly.

I originally wanted to order some wine, but among the four people present, only Machida Sonoko could drink, and she had to drive in the afternoon, so I had to give up.

Drinking the juice that was served, Machida Yuanzi said regretfully: "Oh, it would be better if it was at night, I would drink it right away."

After taking a big sip, Machida Sonoko, the oldest of the four, took charge of the barbecue.

Shi Yu glanced at her and said with emotion: "I finally know why you are still single. Do you drink a lot during social gatherings?"

The action of grilling meat suddenly stopped, and Machida Yuanzi's expression became a little troubled. "It's not my fault. Adults go to socialize, so how can they not drink? And didn't I drink a little too much? But I won't get drunk. Many people are worse at drinking than me. I am one of the best!"

Emmm~~~She said those words herself. The three of them had never been to the scene, so naturally, whatever Machida Sonoko said was the truth.

However, as to how many details she didn't tell us, no one knows.

But none of that matters. According to the current situation, Machida Sonoko will probably remain single for a few more years. Asakura Kaede and the other three still kept their eyes on the barbecue on the grill.

Even Eriri from a wealthy family would drool over Wagyu beef, especially since the quality of the meat is so good.

Although the barbecue meal caused some serious damage to Machida Sonoko's wallet, considering that the sales of Kasumigaoka Utaha's Love Metronome would be good in the future and her bonus would not be small, Machida Sonoko did not think too much about it and ate to her heart's content.

After finishing their meal to their satisfaction, the four of them left the restaurant.

Looking at the three people, Machida Yuanzi asked, "I'm going back to the library. They should have received the sales information from this morning."

Naturally, Kasumigaoka Utaha wanted to go and take a look, as she had nothing to do in the afternoon.

After looking at Asakura Kaede and Eriri, he said without waiting for them to speak: "I'll go with you. Asakura-kun and Eriri don't need to follow us. They have already been very busy today."

Asakura Feng looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha in surprise. He didn't expect that this senior would actually give an assist. Asakura Feng originally wanted to not go to the library. He was thinking about finding a place with Eriri to relax and play for a while. Now is the perfect time.

Eriri was stunned for a moment, thinking that she hadn't said anything yet. Just as she was about to speak, Asakura Feng also spoke up, "Yes, I'm still on vacation. If I go to the library, I'll be pestered by Editor Nakajima again. I'd better not go."

She looked blankly at Kasumigaoka Utaha, and then at Asakura Kaede. No matter how naive Eriri was, after experiencing what happened on the school anniversary day and the many experiences her mother had instilled in her, Eriri understood. Her little face flushed a little, but she also looked forward to it.

"Emm~~~Okay, then it's just the two of us."

Machida Sonoko, who noticed some clues, was a little gossipy, but Kasumigaoka Utaha did not give her this opportunity. She could only get in the car, say goodbye to the two people who were left behind, and drive away.

"There are only two of us left."

Asakura Kaede looked at Eriri and asked with a smile, "Do you have any ideas? We still have a lot of time in the afternoon."

Eriri didn't know what was going on, but the word "couple hotel" suddenly popped up in her mind. She quickly shook her head to get rid of those bad thoughts and said, "Well... there doesn't seem to be anything fun around here. It's boring to always go to family restaurants or cafes, and I didn't bring my game console today."