Chapter 57: Become a Light Novel Author
"This should be the place, right?"
Izumi Chihiro looked down at the address written on the paper, then his gaze fell on the nameplate next to it, confirming it.
He had asked the grade head for the address.
His relationship with Eriri was not a secret, and they had all understood the cause of that incident afterward. So, out of respect for Sawamura, they gave him the address.
Perhaps it was because the other party might be the 'Kani Nayuta' from his memory, or perhaps it was because the interaction that day made him feel pity for the girl.
After careful consideration, he was still worried and decided to visit.
The reason didn't really matter; what mattered was that he was already there.
He rang the doorbell, and a sharp-featured woman in her thirties appeared before him.
"Who are you?"
Her questioning tone gave him a very bad first impression.
"I am Honda-kohai's friend. I'm here to see Honda-kohai today. Would you mind letting me see her?"
Even so, Izumi Chihiro spoke with a polite attitude.
"Whatever you want. I have to go to work. Also… remember to close the door when you leave, so no thieves get in."
The woman's tone was very cold. Then she picked up her briefcase and left.
"Hmm…"
Izumi Chihiro looked back, his eyes narrowed, then he withdrew his gaze.
Never mind, the kohai's situation is more important.
Thinking this, he walked into the living room.
"Is this the room?"
Izumi Chihiro stopped in front of a closed door and tentatively knocked.
In the pitch-black room, the window was covered by curtains, allowing only a faint sliver of light. The Silver-haired Girl, dressed in pajamas, sat blankly in the corner with her arms wrapped around her knees. She looked up at that sliver of sunlight, her heart feeling empty, unsure of what to do.
Hearing the knock, she was a bit surprised.
Because that person at home would never knock as a reminder.
"What is it?"
She said, her voice hoarse.
"Kohai-senpai?"
Izumi Chihiro's voice came through.
"It's… Senpai?"
A glimmer of light appeared in the Silver-haired Girl's lifeless eyes.
"Senpai, why did you come…?"
She quickly got up to open the door.
"Because I heard you haven't been to school for a week, so I was a bit worried. Are you…?"
Izumi Chihiro said, trailing off.
"It's okay, Senpai, I won't do anything foolish."
The Silver-haired Girl forced a smile.
"But as for school, I really don't have the energy for it now. I'm planning to drop out…"
She continued.
Her previous experiences, the change of her parents' divorce, and their long-term indifference towards her had all dealt her a heavy blow.
Izumi Chihiro was silent for a moment.
"I respect your decision."
Given her current situation, he did not offer any unnecessary advice.
"But what will you do after this?"
This was what he was concerned about.
"I don't know… I don't have much of a concept right now. I also don't know what I can do in the future. Without a diploma, there seem to be very few jobs available, right? Probably just working as a salesclerk or cashier or something like that."
The Silver-haired Girl tried to speak in a lighter tone, "I've already agreed with that person that it's enough for her to raise me until I'm old enough to work officially. I won't be too much of a burden to her, and I'll pay her back later, which will be considered as repaying her for all these years of upbringing…"
Such a cold family had completely disappointed her.
Since they regarded her as a burden, then this was the only way to separate.
"I see."
Izumi Chihiro sighed again.
Regarding what happened to the girl, he couldn't say encouraging words like 'blood is thicker than water.' He could only help her from his own perspective.
The Silver-haired Girl was currently in her most confused period, with an uncertain future. Based on the memories in his mind, he felt that being here at this moment, it was necessary for him to guide her, to make that 'Kani Nayuta' appear in this world.
If his intervention led her down another bleak path, it would make him uneasy.
"If that's the case, have you considered becoming a light novel author?"
Thinking of this, a gentle smile appeared on Izumi Chihiro's face.
"A light novel author?"
The Silver-haired Girl looked up, her gaze subtly changing.
For the girl, this was still a very unfamiliar term.
"Yes, becoming a light novel author has no barrier to entry, no educational requirements. As long as you can write interesting stories, that's all that matters. And the hours are very flexible, you don't have to go anywhere, you can just work from home. The potential income is also much higher than those part-time jobs…"
He slowly explained.
"Is there really such a good job? Senpai, you're not trying to trick me, are you?"
The Silver-haired Girl asked, her big, adorable eyes wide.
"Of course not. It still depends on individual skill. If you can't debut, then it's as if you have nothing. That's why I am currently a light novel author, and I know the pros and cons, so I want you to give it a try."
Izumi Chihiro quickly denied it.
"Then I'll give it a try."
The Silver-haired Girl smiled, feeling much more invigorated inside.
She had nothing left to lose now.
Moreover, even if she was tricked, she would be willing!
"Then, let's go out for a bit. I'll first take you to understand light novels…"
Izumi Chihiro acted on his thought, planning to take her to a store to buy some light novels so that she could gain an understanding of the light novel genre.
"Oh… wait, Senpai."
The Silver-haired Girl followed him out but suddenly stopped, as she noticed her current messy appearance, wearing pajamas and with disheveled hair.
Going out like this would really be a loss of image.
She herself didn't care, but if it affected Senpai's perception, that wouldn't be right.
"Senpai, wait for me for half an hour. I want to tidy myself up first!"
She said, entering the bathroom with the clothes she was going to change into.
Izumi Chihiro wasn't surprised. As humans, people generally care about their appearance, especially in front of others.
For example, Eriri, his childhood friend, didn't care when she was alone with him and often wore that green tracksuit.
But if she went out, she would definitely make herself look bright and beautiful.
It took the Silver-haired Girl about half an hour to tidy up her appearance and blow-dry her long hair.
Soon, she recovered her peak beauty, appearing before Izumi Chihiro in a blue and white checkered long dress.
Her unique silver hair was truly charming.
"Senior, let's go!"
With her hands clasped behind her back, one foot delicately touching the ground, and a smiling, squinted expression, she perfectly embodied the delicate beauty of a young girl.