What a twist! The loser heroine!

Because they were worried that it wouldn't be safe for Xiao Ju to be alone, the literary club decided last night to spend some time here.

Xiao Ju placed the shopping bag full of books at her feet. The cashier, who was very attentive, immediately brought over the menu. But before she could even speak, Wen Shui said to the cashier, "One latte and one strawberry pudding, please."

After saying that, Wen Shui realized that she had just ordered food for Xiao Ju without permission.

"Ah, sorry..." Wen Shui said awkwardly, "Senior Yue Zhimu told me before that you don't usually like to drink coffee, but you eat pudding more often, so..."

Looking at the warm water across the table, a warm feeling flowed through her heart. She lowered her head and whispered, "It's...it's okay...actually, café au lait is fine too."

“Okay, I understand,” Wen Shui replied immediately.

Kazuhiko remembers my preferences very well...

A slight blush rose to Xiao Ju's face. She pursed her lips and asked, "Um—that novel we talked about before, 'Even If You're in a Dark Corner, You Still Have to Fall in Love,' do you have any highlights to recommend?"

Wen Shui glanced at Xiao Ju with some surprise: "Huh? Is Xiao Ju very interested in this book?"

"Hmm, I'd like to hear your thoughts on... no, I mean, Wen Shui's reading notes."

Wen Shui immediately sat up straight. Having been immersed in the world of anime and manga for so many years, how could he not know that now was the perfect time to promote something? He had to cherish this opportunity to recommend what he loved to others!

He quickly and seriously organized his thoughts, then said, "If I had to pinpoint the highlights of this recommendation, it would definitely be the writing style and the sense of identification with the audience."

“【Writing techniques】?” Xiao Ju murmured to herself.

"That's right, Kuon-to-sensei's detailed portrayal of the cunning female protagonist Sayaka's psychology, and the various growth arcs built upon the conflicts of events..."

And so, Wen Shui launched into a long list of writing techniques and methods that other experts had summarized in the analysis posts.

But what struck him as odd was that as he lavishly praised the work "The Love in the Dark," Xiao Ju's smile seemed to grow wider and wider, until it became somewhat nauseating.

He took a sip of the coffee that had just been served, but was forced to stop explaining because he burned his tongue.

Xiao Ju, meanwhile, chuckled foolishly and muttered to herself, "Hehehe, after all, these are three special techniques that only appeared two and a half years later. I just combined them together..."

"Huh? What are you saying, Xiao Ju?"

"Ah, no, it's nothing." Komari Chika calmed down: "Then, what is [a sense of belonging]?"

Wen Shui pointed directly at herself: "You see, even someone like me, who is considered to have a dark side, sometimes wants to have a relationship."

To promote her favorite work, Wen Shui was willing to go to any lengths to save face.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ju turned her face away.

"Me too..."

"Xiao Ju, I'd like to ask you to turn your voice up so that others can hear you clearly next time you speak?"

"I'm...I'm sorry..." Xiao Ju said with a silly smile, "After all, being praised by a reader to my face...is...it's the first time..."

"Oh, I see." Wen Shui took a sip of coffee with a calm expression.

After a long while, Wen Shui's eyes suddenly widened to an enormous size.

"What???!!!"

-

"Xiao Ju is [Kuonto] teacher?!?!" X2

The two company presidents, who returned a while later after purchasing materials, also had their eyes wide open.

"Keep your voice down!" Wen Shui quickly reassured the incredibly shocked President Tamaki sitting next to her: "I don't want to be lectured by the manager a second time."

"But... that novel, 'Love in the Shadows,' has only been serialized online up to its second volume, and it's already been picked up by a publisher. Now it's a strong contender for the Dengeki Silver Award?!" The president exclaimed in surprise, "I didn't expect Komari to be so amazing..."

A little embarrassed by President Tamaki's praise, Komari lowered her head slightly and said, "No, it's nothing. The editor said it will take another half month to get the silver award results."

Senior Moonwood excitedly patted Komari's hair: "That's still more than ten... no, a hundred levels stronger than us guys!"

"Senior, don't belittle yourself like that!" Xiao Ju raised her voice: "I... I've always thought your BL novels are really good, it's just... I don't really like your choices of who's the seme and who's the uke..."

"Komari~~~" Upon hearing Komari's words, Tsukinoki was immediately moved and hugged the little one: "I'm so glad you said that! But, the issue of who's the seme and who's the uke involves principles, and I can't change it!"

【What are these two talking about...】Wen Shui sat across from her, speechless.

"Xiao Ju, are you writing the third volume now? What's the plot like?!"

President Tamaki suddenly asked excitedly, "Sayaka's inner thoughts at the end of the second volume kept me writhing in bed for ages! I've been eagerly anticipating the development of her relationship with Kazuto in the next volume, you know? And the addition of the second-year students makes the plot even more intriguing!"

Wen Shui said with a bitter expression, "President, I'm a reader too. How can you ask for spoilers like this..."

Upon hearing this, President Tamaki became embarrassed: "Ah, sorry, I got too excited for a moment."

Xiao Ju shook her head: "I just finished outlining the book recently because the editor told me to prepare for the book signing event, which will start in about half a month."

"It's materialized so quickly!" Senior Moonwood exclaimed in surprise. "But Komari, you're a minor, is that really okay?"

"No, no problem, I... I had my mom come with me to sign the contract." Xiao Ju took a bite of her strawberry pudding, her eyes seemingly welling up with tears. She smiled and said, "Finally, I can help my family..."

"That's great……"

The girl curled up in her seat, sobbing uncontrollably. Senior Yuezhi gently put her arm around her and whispered comforting words in Komari's ear.

President Tamaki wiped his eyes and sighed, "Seeing this scene makes me want to write something too..."

"Huh? Senior, you also write things?" Wen Shui asked in surprise.

"I started serializing it online about three years ago, but it hasn't achieved much success." President Tamaki took out his phone, showed it to Onami after a few taps.

"Although I always felt a little nervous about showing my screen name to others, well... look."

Wen Shui glanced at the screen.

"Wow, 'The Slave Girl I Picked Up is an S-Class Adventurer, So I Decided to Be Her Gigolo'..." Wen Shui exclaimed in surprise, "I'm watching this one right now."

"Really? This is the first time I've ever met a reader in real life."

"I never expected the president to be Taro-suke, the author whose work has over 20,000 points. With such a high number of points, are you going to publish a book in the future?"

"This is nothing compared to what I've seen. There are so many people far more talented than me," exclaimed Tamaki, the president of the publishing company, whose works have already exceeded one million words.

So Wen Shui could only say, "The industry is really cruel..."

"Who can argue with that?" President Tamaki looked at Komari across the table, her eyes filled with expectation, and said softly, "But that child has already reached the pinnacle of the industry for her family. What right do I have not to strive for it?"

【yes……】

Wen Shui looked at Xiao Ju and took a sip of her slightly bitter coffee.

I think... I also want to write something.

"Look, the idea for the creation has come to me!" President Tamaki said with a smile as he turned his head.

"Huh? I just blurted out what was on my mind?!"

"It's nothing to be ashamed of." The president patted Wen Shui on the shoulder: "Whenever you want to write something, remember to send me a copy, and I can act as an editor to help you proofread the manuscript."

“Me too,” Xiao Ju suddenly said.

"Xiao Ju, there's no need for that. Don't you still have your own works to write?" Wen Shui quickly said.

"No, don't worry," she said with a smile, wiping away her tears.

"After all, we are friends."

Wen Shui paused for two seconds, then nodded gently.

"Then I'll leave it to you, [Kuonto] teacher."

"You...you should still call me Xiao Ju..."

~Twelfth Defeat~ My brother's fashion sense is extraordinary.

Fifteen-year-old Kazuhiko Nukumizu is now facing a major life decision.

He stood in front of the wardrobe, holding his two favorite pieces of clothing. One was a black skull T-shirt that he had gotten his father to buy for his birthday, despite his sister Yoshiki's objections. The spiked skulls covered the entire T-shirt, and the intricate and beautiful pattern deeply attracted Wen Shui's gaze.

The other was a low-key green shirt printed with dragons, the feeling of colorful fantasy creatures coiling around her body was irresistible to Wen Shui.

"So, which one should I wear tomorrow...?"

Wen Shui frowned seriously. The most formal clothes should be reserved for the most important gatherings, and Wen Shui naturally knew the importance of this.

Although he had never experienced a weekend where he was invited out by a friend.

The reason why he took it so seriously can be gleaned from the still-on phone screen on the bed.

The basic Line chat interface, devoid of any decorations, displays only two short read messages.

Yana-Chan: "Thank you so much for helping out this afternoon. I promised to treat you to dinner."

Yana-Chan: "Are you free tomorrow? Want to go get some dessert?"

[I never expected that my classmate, Hanami, would actually treat me to dinner.]

Wait a minute, going out with a girl on the weekend... isn't that...?

[Don't get the wrong idea! Kazuhiko Nukumizu! She has a boyfriend! Do you want to get beaten up by Hakamada? But that guy said they're not a couple...]

Calm down! No matter what, Hanami wouldn't like someone like you who has absolutely no social skills!

The two short sentences made the teenage boy restless and lost in thought, so before he could reply, he started picking out clothes on his own.

"Should we keep it normal... or make it more formal..."

Just as the boy was feeling troubled, there was a sound outside the room. Someone quickly changed their shoes in the entryway and then rushed to the door of the warm water room.

With a loud bang, the door was pushed open.

"Brother!" Yoshiki, who pushed open the door, was still wearing the apron she had worn for shopping. She seemed to be in such a hurry that she hadn't even had time to change her clothes.

Yoshiki Nukumi took out his phone and showed his older brother the LINE message bar that he had shared with Nukumi. The message displayed on it was from Hachimi.

"Brother, you've made a new friend and are going out to play tomorrow without telling Yoshiki! That's too much!" Yoshiki stared intently into Onami's eyes and then said, "Brother, is this Yana-Chan a girl?"

"Yes, she's definitely a girl... By the way, Yoshiki, why do you have my Line information shared with you..."

Yoshiki's eyes sharpened!

"How long have we known each other, elder brother?!"

"Well, I helped her out today, and I don't know why she's asking me to dinner this weekend," Wen Shui replied. "So, Jia Shu, why do you have me in your life...?"

"You went on a date after knowing each other for only one day?!" Yoshiki's voice suddenly rose in pitch.

"It wasn't a date! It was just... well, just a few words." Wen Shui patted Yoshiki's head, trying to calm her slightly over-excited sister: "Besides, Banami-kun also has someone she likes, so this isn't a date at all."

Yoshiki remained silent, which was unusual for him; he simply stared even wider at his eyes, which had lost their luster.

After a long pause, she finally spoke, "Brother, it's best not to do things like taking a liking to a married woman and using sex to ruin other people's relationships."

"Yoshiki, did you just say something dangerous?"

"My classmate told me about it, things like dormitory ○, ○○○, and ○○."

[The number of prohibited words has suddenly increased!]

With a heavy heart, Wen Shui patted Jia Shu on the shoulder: "Jia Shu, you should be more careful about choosing your friends in the future, okay?"

After that, it took Yoshiki quite a while to understand that this outing was just an ordinary gathering. Warm Water picked up her phone and sent a message to Hachimi.

Warm Water: "I'm free tomorrow. May I ask the time and place?" (Unread)

Seeing that Banami did not reply immediately, Wenshui put her phone aside, only to find her younger sister deep in thought, staring at the wardrobe.

"Yoshiki? What are you doing?"

"Yoshiki is picking out clothes for his older brother to wear tomorrow. Since it's the first time his older brother is meeting with friends over the weekend, he has to be careful."

"Huh? No need for all that trouble," Wen Shui pointed to the skull T-shirt that Jia Shu had thrown to the corner on the ground: "I'll just wear this one, okay?"

"Brother, this kind of clothing might be mistaken for that of a biker gang member, and you might get arrested by the police."

"Huh? Toyohashi has these kinds of biker gangs?" Wen Shui nodded: "Then wear that shirt with the dragon on it..."

"Brother, green shirts might attract mosquitoes during the day. For your health, it's better not to wear them." Yoshiki tossed the dragon-patterned shirt into the corner of the skull T-shirt.

"So mosquitoes are attracted to green; life is truly amazing."

After selecting for a while, Yoshiki threw all the clothes that Wenshui had chosen aside, and then piled a light blue cardigan hooded sweater, a pure white T-shirt, and black trousers on the back of the chair.

“Brother, it’s best not to be too flashy when you’re having your first gathering with friends,” Yoshiki said with a smile. “Otherwise, you’ll be in trouble if people misunderstand you as frivolous.”

"I see, there's such a rule for the first gathering." Wen Shui nodded. "Looks like it would be better to wear this outfit on Sunday as well."