If I don't capture the girl, I will die

"Eat well, and don't follow others and try to lose weight. Your figure is already good enough." Seeing that there were still two-thirds of food left, Ji Qi frowned, and his tone was a little blaming. He obviously thought Shi Yu was doing it on purpose.

Glancing at him, Kasumigaoka Utaha's eyes revealed a hint of charming charm, "...I am really full, the rest is up to you, the protagonist."

Ji Qi muttered something, feeling that this scene was familiar. In the mind of not wasting food, he finished the rest of the pizza in no time, not at all disgusted that it was the girl's leftovers.

Ah... I remember the same thing happened when they first submitted their work to Kadokawa.

This time it was Kasumigaoka Utaha who stared at Ji Qi with a smile on her face.

But he was shameless and didn't care about this gaze.

Putting a piece of fruit in his mouth, Ji Qi casually found a topic: "Speaking of which, I heard that you caused trouble for Editor Machida again?"

He and Kasumigaoka Utaha were writing books in the same company, and the two of them and their editors all knew each other and had a good relationship with each other, so if there was any problem on either side they could easily get the news.

Shiyu's expression became much colder: "No."

"How should I put it? I think your talent in writing is indeed overflowing to the point where I can't help but protect you, but do you really think that you can just stay under the protection of Editor Machida and throw any troubles to her while you just write novels?"

Ji Qi shook his head. He had witnessed Shiyu's growth throughout her life.

The personality she showed in writing is just like her own. She is free-spirited and aloof. Apart from her editor, she basically has no contact with anyone. And this editor, the only person she has contact with, is also her own way. It is better to say that Kasumigaoka Utaha is even more unyielding in writing than in life.

Hence the contradiction.

Ji Qi knew that the editor-in-chief of Kadokawa wanted to meet with Kasumigaoka Utaha to discuss the future of the work, but Machida Wanzi took the initiative to take it. It seems that she also knew that if Kasumigaoka Utaha met with those people who only saw profit and how much value they could squeeze out of you, the two sides would definitely part ways unhappily and end up with a grudge.

Shiyu is still too young after all.

No matter how mature she looks, she is only 16 or 17 years old this year. Although she has had some initial contact with society, she has too little experience. In this world line, Shiyu has experienced rejections, but has never been cut short. Because of Ji Qi's help, she has been smooth sailing since her debut, and with a good editor who is willing to protect her, it can be said that she has never experienced any setbacks.

Although Shiyu has not been smoothed out by society, she still has willfulness and pride in her nature.

However, once she lost the protection of the two, the library's top management could easily teach her what compromise meant. If they wanted, they could always put her and her novel on ice. Light novel writers cannot solve all problems just by writing well. Even the pillars of the library have to know how to compromise, not to mention a new writer like Shiyu who can only be considered a potential writer.

Thinking of this, Ji Qi couldn't help feeling a little worried.

Chapter 361 I will support you!

"Isn't it a writer's job to write good novels? What does anything else have to do with me?" Although I understood what Ji Qi meant, there are some things that you won't understand unless you experience them. At least Kasumigaoka Utaha is still being stubborn.

Of course, she was actually very grateful to her editor, Machida Wanko, in her heart.

Ji Qi sighed, "Generally speaking, that's true, but you'll definitely suffer with your personality, and I can't take care of you all the time. Didn't you say you plan to treat novels as a job in the future? Then please pay more attention to your only survival skill."

Thinking carefully about Kasumigaoka Utaha's personality, he found that there were not many jobs suitable for her other than writing novels.

After traveling through time for so long, Ji Qi has more or less understood the characteristics of Japan. He knows that in the Japanese workplace, people have to leave early and come back late, and most of them are based on seniority and respect for the young. When facing seniors, you have to bow and bend to greet them. In addition, the serious and high-pressure working environment, I think Shiyu really can't cope with it.

"Don't make it sound like you're my mother... What would you do if I lost my only survival skill?"

Being treated like a child, Kasumigaoka Utaha muttered a little dissatisfiedly, and then as she spoke, her heart moved and she couldn't help but say this sentence.

She wanted to see Ji Qi's reaction.

"I'll support you. At worst, I can leave Kadokawa with you, and we can set up our own publishing house. I'll be your editor and president, and we can just play around with each other. Let me think, how about calling it Kaiyingshe?"

Hearing the question, Ji Qi said without hesitation that this was his true thought. Just thinking of Shiyu being hidden by the company and being alone and unable to write his favorite novel, he felt heartbroken. If that day really came, he was sure that he would take on the responsibility of taking care of Shiyu without any hesitation.

Kasumigaoka Utaha tilted her head, her big, bright black eyes revealing touching emotions. She stared at Ji Qi, who was smiling but seemed extremely serious.

At this moment, even if Ji Qi was lying to her, she felt that all her efforts were worth it.

Shi Yu was so moved that she could no longer suppress her emotions. She leaned forward a little, took Ji Qi's hand, and said emotionally:

"Do you know that this will only make me more dependent on you and unable to leave you?"

There was an overly warm light flashing in those eyes.

There was no doubt in her mouth that she was expressing her feelings.

The feelings hidden under that cold appearance are so hot.

"Then don't leave. As long as you don't leave me, I won't let go. This is the only thing I can guarantee."

Taking a deep breath, Ji Qi did not evade or perfunctorily answer this time. Instead, he smiled and made a promise. He gently held the girl's hand, hoping that this would give her some warmth.

Thus, the ambiguous love between the two, which was known to each other but tacitly understood, was exposed by him, breaking the last layer of window paper.

Ah… although it can’t be said to be completely explicit, it’s almost there.

He knew very early on that he would never be able to let go.

Even if I have to use the most despicable means, I still want them to stay by my side.

As for the consequences...

"I'm sorry, hero, you've been entangled by a stubborn and evil woman."

Kasumigaoka Utaha deliberately spoke in a vicious tone.

The corners of her mouth slightly raised, revealing a heart-beating and suffocating smile, and the cold temperament that made people stay away from her completely turned into gentleness.

"Shouldn't I be the one saying this?" Ji Qi shrugged and said easily.

"Yes, you are a jerk."

Kasumigaoka Utaha said quietly that love is incredible, and the combination of love and first love has a kind of fascinating magic.

"Watch a movie?"

Feeling the strange gazes from the people around him, Ji Qi let go of the girl's hand, looked at the time, and said.

The 13:50 displayed on the phone screen is very eye-catching.

Because this reminded him that he would start running the map in two hours.

Although he has not yet confirmed the relationship with Shiyu, it is no different to some extent. In fact, it is better to say that it has always been this pattern, but this time he did not get away with it.

Ah... besides Shiwa, there are also Mashiro, Sagiri, Yukinoshita, and Megumi.

Ji Qi, who was being hugged by his arms, felt his stomach twitching slightly.

This shouldn't be an illusion.

The future is so dark.

Seeing Shiyu's attitude more intimate than usual, Ji Qi sighed deeply. If the girl knew about his current complicated relationship, whether he would still say what he said just now instead of slamming the table and walking away, it's hard to say...

forget about it.

Ji Qi shook his head, thinking that he couldn't escape the label of scumbag anyway and he was too lazy to do so. Now that he had decided to face it bravely, what he needed to do was to take responsibility and grab that glimmer of hope.

When they arrived at the cinema, one of them went to get the tickets while the other went to buy drinks, popcorn and other snacks. The division of labor was clear.

By the time I finished all this, the movie had already started.

The ticket Ji Qi bought was in the middle, with a wide view, but it was not very convenient if he wanted to do something sneaky.

Although he was with a beautiful girl, he was pressed for time and had no time for romantic thoughts, so he naturally would not buy anything in some dark corners.

While scene after scene was playing on the movie screen, Ji Qi, who was not paying attention to the movie, was playing with his mobile phone casually.

"Don't you like watching movies?" In the darkness, Kasumigaoka Utaha blinked her bright eyes and nudged him with her elbow.

Her feelings have been conveyed and she is in a good mood now.

Even Shiyu was secretly thinking about whether she should take advantage of today to take down Ji Qi.

Now is the right time, right place, and right people! If we miss this opportunity, even God will not tolerate it!

Putting a piece of popcorn in his mouth, Ji Qi casually replied: "I think it's okay."

"Then please cooperate a little, the protagonist. The hero and heroine held hands and spent this warm time intimately. Then when the movie was over, the hero was called away by Sayuka, leaving Shinichi alone in the cinema -"

Kasumigaoka Utaha was talking to herself as if she was reciting some lines. Taking advantage of the darkness in the cinema, she took the initiative to boldly place her warm hand on someone on her right.

For some reason, Ji Qi's body shook and the popcorn in his hand fell to the ground.

Is Shiyu hinting at something? Isn't this too coincidental?

Feeling extremely guilty, Ji Qi casually shifted his gaze to the other person's face and found that there was nothing unusual about her, as if she was simply talking about the plot of a novel.

Chapter 362 Dream Beginning

"What's wrong? Your palms are sweaty?"

With their palms intertwined, Kasumigaoka Shiyu, who was maintaining an ambiguous yet elegant manner, asked in surprise and concern. Although Ji Qi's large hands were sweating a lot for no reason, Shiyu did not dislike it like other girls, but tightened her grip even more.

"It's okay, I just think Naoto is a scumbag!" Ji Qi curled the corners of his mouth. Although he was panicked for a while, he still looked very calm on the surface.

Shiyu, who had her eyes fixed on the screen seriously but was constantly making small moves behind the scenes, rarely said something good for the male protagonist: "He's not a scumbag, at most he's a little indecisive, otherwise those girls wouldn't like him."

I don't know if Ji Qi has something to hide, but he always feels that Kasumigaoka Utaha is hinting at something...

"So, the hero-kun is going to do the same thing later?"

Shi Yu stared straight at Ji Qi and said casually. She crossed one leg and unconsciously placed the other on the floor, making an imperceptible sound.

"Are you deliberately making fun of me? Didn't we agree before that I had something else to do and couldn't accompany you until the evening?" Ji Qi said helplessly. He felt that Shi Yu was just finding ways to mock him.

"...I was just joking. You are such a stingy man. Actually, I know you are usually very busy. I am very happy that you can take the time to accompany me now."

Shiyu changed the subject and her tone became serious and gentle.

Ji Qi was speechless for a moment.

He was a little uncomfortable inside because of the harsh words Shiyu said to him earlier, even though he knew he was wrong. Now, seeing the easily satisfied Shiyu, his little emotion instantly turned into guilt.

Simply put, he is a person who responds to soft words but not hard ones.

"Your novel is going to be adapted into an animation soon, right?" Seeing that Ji Qi didn't say anything, Kasumigaoka Utaha held his hand tightly, smiled, and took the initiative to start a conversation between them.

Apart from love, the only thing that really connects two people is novels. Oh, and now games count as half of it.

How to say it, although it is not as good as Mashiro's wholehearted love and dedication, writing novels is also Shiyu's pursuit and dream in a sense. Now, there is no possibility of any collision between her love and dreams. Even dreams can be connected with love, which makes her feel happier about this relationship.

By the way, when Shiyu learned that Ji Qi had drawn a comic and it was successfully published in Jump, she felt very complicated. On the one hand, she was afraid that his comic would become a big hit and he would suddenly give up the novel and lose the bond between them. On the other hand, she also blamed herself for her dark thoughts.

"Ah, that's about right. Several animation companies have contacted the editor, and we're currently trying to choose which one is the most suitable."

Ji Qi nodded. Compared with the seasonal updates of most light novel writers, he updated monthly. The current progress was three volumes, and the number of words in the first few volumes of Sword Art Online was also very large, so it was natural that there were enough words for animation.

"Tsk, that's great." With Kasumigaoka Shiyu's excellence, she couldn't help but say something sourly. Losing to Ji Qi in the novel was what she was most unwilling to accept. Of course, Shiyu was very confident about the quality of her novels. But whether they admit it or not, writers use sales as their fighting power. A small gap can be covered up by the subject matter, but the difference between her and Ji Qi is several times can't be explained.

If you think about it carefully, her self-righteous advantages are nothing in front of Ji Qi.

If you learn from her, you will find that the other person is no worse than her, in terms of personality and appearance, not to mention his career.

Ji Qi smiled and said noncommittally: "The animation may fail. Shiyu, you have to be more careful then."

"It's you who's going to be animated now, so why don't you pay more attention to yourself?" Seeing that Ji Qi always wanted to care about her more than herself, Kasumigaoka Utaha's eyes were moist and her tone was hesitant.

"Ah... because I'm strong, the company will not let go of me as a cash cow, so even for their own sake they will carefully help me choose the most suitable animation company."

Ji Qi, who had no idea what the girl was thinking, smiled and said that light novel writers usually have a strict rule to submit outlines. He has submitted nearly ten volumes of outlines in a row. With the current popularity of Sword Art Online, I believe that as long as the company is not stupid, they will definitely not miss the important opportunity of animating it to push the novel to a higher level.

If Shiyu is just a new writer with a limited potential, then Ji Qi is a popular writer who will definitely become a mainstay if he doesn't commit suicide.

Hearing a reason that was completely different from what she had imagined, Kasumigaoka Utaha gritted her teeth and her expression quickly turned cold.

She subconsciously tried to get rid of Ji Qi's hand, but she only moved slightly. She was reluctant to let go, so she stopped her actions.

Sighing, Shiyu said speechlessly: "To describe yourself as someone else's cash cow, you really are..."

"That's the truth. It's just that everyone gets what they need." Ji Qi shrugged and said realistically. He had known this set of rules for a long time and didn't feel disgusted. After a pause, he smiled and added, "Do you think I'm full of the smell of money?"

"I don't hate that about you."

Kasumigaoka Utaha shook her head. She understood all these principles, but it was difficult for her to express them as calmly and naturally as Ji Qi.

"I don't hate him myself." Ji Qi said with a smile, looking like he deserved a beating. After his teasing, the atmosphere that had just become a little dull disappeared immediately.

"By the way, when exactly will your animation be adapted? You should be very busy by then, right?" Shiyu's expression was gentle, and she rarely showed any sarcasm, and continued the topic that had just been interrupted.

Ji Qi answered truthfully: "It's only been a month or two. I think it's okay. The script and everything are in my head."

"What an enviable guy." Kasumigaoka Utaha, who was unaware of the inside story, muttered.