Tokyo Psychic

I remember that the physical copy of the first volume of "No Game No Life" officially went on sale today. I hope it sells well...

The pale golden sunlight gently spread across every inch of Akihabara's roads, scorching the uneven concrete into patterns that resembled carvings.

While contemplating life, Akira Kurusu, in this overly relaxed atmosphere, didn't notice that he bumped into An and Subaru, who had suddenly stopped in front of him.

An and Subaru turned around, letting out a soft "Ah!" in surprise, and then struggled to support Akira.

The "traitorous ninja" headband slipped down, obscuring the girl's face and reflecting a dazzling halo in the sunlight.

Akira Kurusu, having regained her footing, helped her steady her headband. The beautiful smile that appeared behind the headband immediately caught Akira Kurusu's eye, branding her heart like a hot iron, leaving an indelible mark.

"Ren!" An and Subaru happily hugged Akira's neck, burying their faces affectionately in his chest. "We're here!"

"You seemed to say... you had a gift for me? Right here?"

"right."

An and Subaru looked up, their clear eyes reflecting the boy's face against the backdrop of blue sky and white clouds.

“From now on, I should call you ‘Teacher Raiki Akira’,” Anwa Subaru said proudly, standing on tiptoe and gently kissing the corner of his mouth.

It was only a morning and noon, but she had gradually gotten used to expressing her affections so openly. Although she always felt shy, as long as she mustered up a little courage, the happiness and satisfaction that followed her shyness was like strong liquor, making her infatuated and intoxicated.

"How did you know the name 'Kurasu Akira'?" The phantom thief suddenly realized that An and Subaru seemed to know some information beyond his comprehension.

An and Subaru blinked. "I've restarted the timeline a hundred or so times, and I've heard you mention this 'name' a few times without even realizing it. I even searched for it online last night... I didn't expect you to be a light novel author."

Akira's lips twitched a few times, feeling somewhat relieved, but also a strange sense of embarrassment welled up within her. "You wouldn't have already...?"

“Yes, I’ve already read the entire first volume of No Game No Life online!” An and Subaru said with a mischievous smile. “I never expected that someone as serious as Ren could write such interesting texts.”

Oh no, we're doomed.

Akira looked away, a feeling of shame spreading through her heart.

“I really like that book!” An and Subaru quickly went around to meet Akira’s gaze. “I found many parts of the book interesting.”

She reached out and tugged at Qi Xiao's sleeve, leading him toward the bookstore ahead. "For example, how about Bai sits on Kong's lap and plays games? Or maybe play strip poker..."

"Stop talking..." Lai Xixiao's tone sounded particularly pale and weak.

This is practically an execution.

He thought to himself, having all the otaku elements of light novels exposed in front of his girlfriend... no, if the "girlfriend" in this situation is An and Subaru, it seems like he wouldn't care about making her feel embarrassed...

Looking at the genuine admiration and surprise on Anwa Subaru's face, as well as the pride and excitement that was almost like "a gloomy otaku suddenly discovering that his academic genius deskmate is actually a light novel master," Akira Kurusu realized once again how extraordinary this girl was.

Anwa Subaru was very perceptive to the change in Akira Kurusu's emotions, but she clearly misunderstood what Akira Kurusu was thinking. She nervously looked around for a while, then tiptoed and whispered in his ear, "When we have the chance in the future... I can actually give it a try."

"Give it a try?" Akira Kurusu noticed her ears turn red and realized that she wanted to imitate the scenes described in "No Game No Life".

Anhe Mao was also startled by her own boldness. Her face turned red as she turned around, refusing to look at her boyfriend behind her. "Anyway, you should think about it yourself!"

Then she led Akira Lai into the bookstore.

"Wow, so many people." As soon as An and Subaru opened the door, they were immediately shocked by the lively scene inside.

The once spacious store was almost packed with customers, and the counter was filled with customers venting their frustrations and even arguing because they couldn't find the books they wanted.

As for the customers who bought the book, they waved their brand-new copies of "No Game No Life" as if they had found a treasure and fled the bookstore from the two of them.

An and Subaru seemed to have forgotten their earlier shyness. They turned and rushed into Akira's arms, stomping their feet excitedly, their round-toed leather shoes making a clattering sound on the ground. "Ren! Your book is a hit!"

Akira Kurusu hugged An and Subaru tightly, feeling the joy and pride overflowing from the girl's heart. He looked at the empty bookshelves on the right side of the bookstore, where the promotional poster for "No Game No Life" was posted, and at the bustling crowd inside the store. He felt a little surreal and dazed. "Are we going to make a fortune?"

The book is selling so well, why didn't the editor, Woyan, notify me?

He glanced at the cash register, which was piled high with complaints and accusations, and already guessed the answer.

The paperback publisher was probably too busy with work to even find time to contact the author.

*

indeed so.

At this point, DB Library was extremely busy.

Everyone anticipated that the appearance of "No Game No Life" would inject a strong boost into the light novel market dominated by isekai (another world) toilet paper, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that it would open up a new track.

However, they underestimated the impact of this trendy "game-driven" isekai (otherworld) theme on contemporary readers.

None of the previous trial reading activities I've conducted have generated such an exaggerated response. What exactly happened?

As Izuko watched her several phones light up one after another, the call requests from various printing plants almost drowned out her at her workstation.

......

Akira Kurusu looked at An and Subaru's faces, which were flushed from lack of oxygen due to their intense emotions, and couldn't help but reach out and touch them; they were very hot.

So I couldn't help but tease her, "If you keep going like this, your head will be burned out sooner or later."

An and Subaru looked into his eyes, embarrassed and annoyed. "It's all your fault... I can't even think straight now!"

Akira carried An and Subaru out of the bookstore. Breathing in the fresh air, An and Subaru finally felt better.

He put his arm around the girl's slender waist, leaned against the wall, and held her in his arms, avoiding the surging crowd.

"Can't think things through? Does that mean you'll do whatever I say?"

An and Subaru changed their angle and rested their heads on Akira Kurusu's chest. Even though their breathing became easier, their cheeks became even redder. They clenched their small hands into fists and then relaxed them, gazing at Akira's profile with shy and happy eyes full of trust.

"It's completely burned now, and I'm incapable of thinking about anything."

As Lai Xixiao felt the girl in his arms gradually warming up, he could clearly hear her heart pounding like a drumbeat, and his own heartbeat seemed to quicken as well. "What do I say and you do it?"

The girl's eyes were lowered, filled with a misty haze.

After a while, she let out a murmur that was almost a sigh.

"...Whatever you say goes."

She felt her knees go weak, and she collapsed into Akira's arms as if she were melting. She brought her mouth close to his ear and whispered, "After all, we still have a whole afternoon and evening left for our date."

Akira Kurusu understood An and Subaru's unspoken message and suddenly felt a heavy sense of responsibility.

"Don't regret it," he replied, as if speaking to himself.

An and Subaru grabbed his right hand, which was wrapped around them, and said, "The plans have changed—it's your turn to buy me a gift."

Lai Xixiao stroked her burning face, feeling the heat of fire on her fingertips. "Then you'll have to stay with me until after dinner."

Anhe Subaru stomped on his foot in embarrassment and annoyance. She was not a pampered young lady like Toyokawa Shoko, who grew up surrounded by flattery. The girl, influenced by ACGN culture, had courage and knowledge far beyond her peers, and even rebellious thoughts.

"I'll stay with you until tomorrow morning!" She almost lost her temper as she refuted Lai Xixiao's doubts, feeling as if her heart was about to jump out of her chest.

“Exam week is over, so you can be more assertive,” Akira Kurusu said, looking at Anwa Subaru who seemed about to explode with shyness. She couldn't bear to tease her any longer and simply stared intently into her eyes. “You should know, Toyokawa-san actually…”

"Hmph," Anwa Subaru was somewhat sobered up by the surname "Toyokawa" and let out a disgruntled snort.

“I’m not old enough to get married yet,” Akira Kurishi reminded her.

Unexpectedly, An and Subaru proudly raised their faces, then hugged his neck and bit his lips lightly.

She smiled, as proudly as a Pokémon Trainer who had just gambled on a Shiny Charmander.

"I will win in the end."

*

*

*

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(I've gone to look at some materials for the Mother Hen Card. Faced with the overly delicious Wakaba Mutsumi, I have no choice but to start re-analyzing the direction of the subsequent plot... That's all for today's update.)

(Based on currently available information: Wakaba Mutsumi will join the Phantom Thieves.)

113. Toyokawa Shoko, your man has been stolen! (5-in-1) (hentai)

【Wakaba Mutsumi: I'm sorry.】

Shoko Toyokawa, who had just returned the tableware, stepped out of the cafeteria and received a Line message from her childhood friend whom she had known since kindergarten.

Her expression immediately turned confused.

[May will be a time to work hard and earn money (Toyokawa Shoko): Sooner or later, Suze and the others will find out that I transferred to Haneoka... There's no need to apologize for it.]

【Wakaba Mutsumi: I'm sorry.】

Toyokawa Shoko's heart tightened. It wasn't because of that? Had she done something to betray me?

[May is the month to work hard and make money: What happened?]

[Wakaba Mutsumi: Yesterday afternoon, members of the Toyokawa family came to visit.]

[Wakaba Mutsumi: They specifically asked me about Amamiya-kun...]

[You need to work hard to make money in May: But you don't know him.]

[Wakaba Mutsumi: We'll meet tomorrow.]

[I need to work hard to make money in May: ?]

[Wakaba Mutsumi: Takafumi and Minami said they'd take me to their agency tomorrow to make friends with them.]

[Is the reason I need to work hard to make money in May because of those nosy guys?]

A chilling silence immediately followed on the other side of the screen.

Toyokawa Shoko waited anxiously at the entrance of the cafeteria. The afternoon sun beat down on her, making her clothes and hair feel scorching hot.

After a while, the "typing" message appeared under Ruoye Mu's account avatar, which had been lit up all along.

Perhaps it was because she didn't have to face other people's expressions and colors, or perhaps it was because her communication was limited to her most trusted childhood friend... When typing, Ruoye Mutsu was more talkative than usual.

[Wakaba Mutsumi: I don't want to go.]

[Wakaba Mutsumi: I told Minami that Shoko would be unhappy.]

[Wakaba Mutsumi: But, Minami has already asked the school for leave...]

【Wakaba Mutsumi: I'm sorry.】

(“Wakaba Mutsumi” is offline.)

Toyokawa Shoko's breathing became rapid. She stared intently at Wakaba Mutsu's message on the screen, her eyes flashing with shock and confusion.

She couldn't understand why the Toyokawa family would suddenly bother Wakaba Mutsuki.

I also can't understand why that couple, who are always so kind to me, would make such an absurd decision.

This is absolutely terrible...

Shoko Toyokawa bit her lip, then switched pages and opened Akira Kurusu's chat window.

[May is a month to work hard and earn money: Lian, can I come to the office to see you tomorrow?]

The message was sent, and unsurprisingly, it remained unread.

What exactly is he busy with?

Toyokawa Shoko gripped her phone tightly until the ringing of the bell signaling the end of lunch break pierced through the concrete and glass of the teaching building, abruptly interrupting her thoughts.

The boy on the other end of the phone still hadn't read her message.

Toyokawa Shoko looked towards the location of the teaching building, her legs feeling as heavy as lead, making it impossible for her to take a step. She just stood there, blindly refreshing her Line message list, praying in her heart to the god named "Felemon" for a satisfactory answer.

A girl who has just turned 16 has to taste the bitterness of gaining and losing love before she even has a chance to learn how to place it in her heart.

Perhaps Ferremont truly heard her wish, and her prayers worked—

The message that Toyokawa Shoko just sent has been marked as "read".

[The Attic Thinker: The band resumes practice tomorrow. After practice, I'll take you to the agency.]

[I need to work hard to make money in May: Great!!]

......

at the same time.

The deepest room on the second floor of the Sakura house.