Akihabara streets.
A dark blue Lexus came to a slow stop before a pedestrian crossing, waiting for people to pass.
In the passenger seat, Utaha couldn't help asking:
"Is it really all right to leave that child at the hospital like this?"
Luo Shu chuckled at the question:
"What reason could we use to take Konno away? Her god or her fellow Familia big sister?"
"Neither reason would be accepted by society."
"Moreover, Konno's sister happens to be receiving treatment at Kamijo Hospital too. Keeping them together is better than illegally taking Konno away."
Utaha sighed at this. She wasn't unaware of these points, but felt it was too stifling for the newly recovered girl to remain hospitalised.
Hospitals might appear completely normal, but staying in one inevitably brought an indescribable sense of oppression.
As the traffic light turned green and Luo Shu stepped on the accelerator, he asked curiously:
"By the way, before we left, Konno added you on LINE?"
"We did. She said there were many things she wanted to ask her senior."
Here, Utaha added with slight sarcasm:
"Should I congratulate Mr Luo? Another young girl successfully deceived."
Luo Shu looked exasperated: "How did we get to this topic?"
Utaha jiggled her leg, smiling playfully:
"Extending a helping hand when a maiden is in despair gives massive bonus points in romance tactics. Even pledging herself to you wouldn't be impossible."
"Besides, little Konno was looking at you very strangely earlier - especially when looking at me with that inexplicable sense of defeat. Even without Mind Reading, her expressions made her thoughts perfectly clear."
"By the time little Konno turns eighteen, she probably wouldn't mind living in your rented apartment, would she?"
Luo Shu couldn't help retorting: "But I can sleep in your rented apartment tonight, right?"
Utaha immediately fell silent, turning to press her flushed cheeks against the window.
"Tch, I'll let you off this time."
She couldn't handle this move, truly couldn't, so retreat was the only option.
"Since Konno added you on LINE, chat with her when you have time to check her mental state. Kids who just gained abilities are prone to mistakes, especially..."
"Especially during their chuunibyou phase, right?" Utaha completed the sentence with a smile.
Luo Shu couldn't help chuckling: "It seems Utako Kasumi-sensei has a deep understanding of chuunibyou."
Hearing this, Utaha shot Luo Shu an annoyed look, as if reproaching him for touching a sore spot.
But admittedly, Luo Shu had hit the mark. Utaha's desire to write novels did indeed originate from her chuunibyou days, with the result being the currently published "The Metronome in Love".
At this thought, Utaha suddenly realised something important.
How long had it been since she last wrote?
The manuscript deadline... wasn't it approaching?
In an instant, Utaha's expression turned extraordinarily complicated.
Just then, a beeping sound rang out.
Luo Shu glanced at Utaha's pocket before remarking:
"What's up?"
'Could it be Enoko's manuscript reminder...'
Utaha felt a sudden pang of panic, her movements slowing noticeably as she fished out her phone.
But in the end, she still took out her phone and glanced at the email notification.
Noticing something was off, Luo Shu couldn't help but slow down the car and asked curiously, "What's wrong? What message did you receive?"
"An interesting text that turns a struggling author still worrying about deadlines into a boss planning how to deal with her editor."
"Here."
When Luo Shu saw it, his expression immediately turned peculiar.
The content stated that a holding company of Never Dying River Library had transferred 67.2% of its shares to Utaha Kasumigaoka.
This message left even Luo Shu stunned.
Before they could recover, Luo Shu's phone rang.
"Is Utaha with you?"
"Then I suppose the gift has been received?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu paused and asked suspiciously, "The arrangement you mentioned earlier from the Commercial Department?"
Upon hearing this, Utaha, in the passenger seat, also remembered.
Back at the hospital, Kirika Tachibana had indeed mentioned placing her in the Commercial Department to stir up trouble there.
But this efficient? And shares in Never Dying River Library?
She hadn't even been exploited much by the publisher before becoming its owner?
At this thought, Utaha felt both amused and exasperated. She had assumed 'intervention' meant financial institutions or something—what was this publisher business?
"Yes, congratulations for guessing correctly."
On the other end, Kirika Tachibana held the phone between her shoulder and ear while driving:
"It took some time, but using special talent recruitment as leverage, I acquired shares in several publishers and TV stations."
"Don't you have a few girls there who are interested in this field? Let them try taking over gradually. Of course, Rank cultivation mustn't be neglected—though sleeping four hours daily should be basic professionalism, no?"
'What profession considers four hours of sleep basic? Aren't you afraid of sudden death?' Luo Shu inwardly complained before saying aloud:
"Your efficiency is truly impressive!"
"We're short on funds, so no choice. Oh, how's the recruitment of that girl Konno Yuuki going? If successful, she can handle the virtual reality technology testing."
"Freshly transformed Familia members—Verde has been craving this data for ages."
Luo Shu sighed at this: "If the child refuses, I won't force her."
Though he said this, Luo Shu had a feeling Konno Yuuki wouldn't decline.
After all, this was getting paid to play games, and virtual reality games at that. If it were Luo Shu, he would probably play until he was physically drained in VR.
What can you do? Every guy's first use of VR—those who know, know—no need to elaborate.
"As long as you agree. Anyway, let your little sweetheart try managing a publisher. If she succeeds, I'll pile on more responsibilities."
With that, Kirika Tachibana hung up, leaving Luo Shu and Utaha exchanging glances in the car.
After a while, Luo Shu couldn't help but ask:
"I still have some time this afternoon. Where do you plan to go?"
Originally intending to go home to meet her deadline, Utaha thought for a moment before tentatively suggesting:
"How about... we visit the publisher together?"
"Alright."