I'll work hard too.
After an unknown amount of time, Yanami put down her phone, plugged in the charging cable, and set it as close to her pillow as possible.
She faced her phone.
This way, they could just barely hear each other's breathing.
It was as if they were face to face.
The blue-haired girl gently closed her eyes. Clear moonlight from outside the window washed over her face. Her lips curved into a smile, and she whispered, almost imperceptibly, "Sweet dreams."
---
Kiyono was a hit.
The light novel published under the pen name Fuyutsuki surpassed four hundred thousand copies in its first week—nearly hitting the all-time ceiling for light novels—and that was after selling out and requiring two rush reprints; otherwise, the number would have been even higher.
For this monstrous newcomer with blockbuster potential, the publishing company decisively ramped up promotion, directly setting off a huge trend across major forums.
At this rate—Best Newcomer, Hall of Fame, anime adaptation—these were all natural progressions. His editor was overwhelmed every day, experiencing both pain and joy.
Even Yanami would occasionally hear the club president and Big Sister discussing the novel in the Literature Club, which only made her more impressed.
And the mysterious author who had sparked a wave of industry discussion was currently…
Kiyono stood at the prep counter, busily handling tasks, his ears slightly red from the heat—royalties wouldn't arrive until next month, so he still needed to bide his time!
Moreover, the store's business was booming, and this was when he was needed most, so he had to contribute.
Komari was washing dishes two meters away at the sink. She glanced at the sweating Kiyono, quietly shifted her feet, and tilted up the air conditioner's louver a bit, letting a cool breeze, tinged with the scent of frying oil, just barely brush his forehead.
Feeling a sudden draft, Kiyono seemed to realize something and turned his head, but the girl was just diligently scrubbing dishes and chopsticks with her head down.
Only after Kiyono looked away did Komari steal a glance at the boy, the scene from that day resurfacing in her mind.
She'd been carried away by emotion at the time and hadn't thought much of it, but the more she considered it later, the more something felt off.
Could it be…
Kiyono…
He…
He gave her the limited-edition light novel he had painstakingly queued for!?
Komari's guess was well-founded.
First, Kiyono's excuse that day was too clumsy; for a boy his age, getting in touch with an editor from a publishing company would be very difficult.
Second, the novel Kiyono gave her was personally signed by Teacher Fuyutsuki. At that hour, Teacher Fuyutsuki would either be resting or already gone—how could he sign specifically for an ordinary person?
So Kiyono had given her his own novel, specifically for her!
Really, really—was this guy an idiot? Since Kiyono showed up at the bookstore, it meant he was also a fan of Teacher Fuyutsuki, perhaps looking forward to the release just like she was, but because of her, he had to reluctantly…
The girl pressed her lips together.
—As for the possibility that Kiyono and Teacher Fuyutsuki were the same person, she had considered it, but after her thoughts wandered a bit, she instinctively denied it.
In her imagination, Teacher Fuyutsuki was almost perfect: a bit older, with clear, gentle eyes; a hero one would instinctively want to follow—mature, upright, passionate, and strong…
And Kiyono, besides being a bit mature, a bit upright, a bit passionate… Hm? Eh—eh—eh—eh!?
Komari slowly turned her head to look at Kiyono, frame by frame, as if she had discovered something incredible.
---
"Komari-chan, could I trouble you to run to the convenience store and buy a few things for us?"
After the morning's work, the Big Sisters in the store all huddled in the break room, enjoying the cool air. Because the weather was too hot, most people were too lazy to go out for food, so they decided to rely on convenience-store meals.
So the question was—who would run the errand?
In a flash, the eyes of the "dirty adults" met, and in silence they went through a chain of mutual suspicion. Finally, they unanimously fixed their gaze on the gloomy girl tucked into the gap between cabinets.
Of course, choosing Komari had its reasons. She had two hours of paid leave at noon today, had done almost no work, and her stamina was well preserved. It wasn't malicious bullying.
Th-This… this is the legendary workplace bullying, isn't it?!
Komari trembled, as if she'd just been extorted by hoodlums.
"Here, this is the shopping list and the money. As a thank-you for your hard work, each of us pitched in two hundred yen. Komari-chan can choose whatever she wants to eat," Senior Ono said gently.
"I-I'm going right now!" Komari saluted loyally.
But… it seemed they had overlooked Kiyono? Shouldn't everyone be included in this kind of group shopping? Was he being ostracized?
She subtly scanned the break room, then walked out with a puzzled expression.
"W-What should I buy…?"
At the convenience store, after carefully picking up everything on the list, Komari stopped in front of the third shelf. Through the clear glass, she saw the summer dessert she'd wanted but hadn't dared to buy: "Limited Mango Mousse."
"S-So expensive… it's actually five hundred yen."
She murmured softly. Although the Big Sisters had indeed given her a thousand yen as an errand fee—rightfully hers—she still felt embarrassed to spend so much. People from poorer backgrounds tend to care about such things, not daring to take advantage, fearing being looked down upon, cautiously guarding their thin self-esteem.
"I-I'll just buy a popsicle…"
She cast it a reluctant glance, then looked away and opened the refrigerated case. In truth, her part-time salary could cover such a dessert, so it wasn't exactly a luxury, but she still couldn't bring herself to buy it. The leftover money would be better spent on more food for her younger siblings.
Popsicles are better! They're cheap, they cool you down, and they satisfy the craving for sugar…
She opened the case and contentedly took out a strawberry-flavored popsicle.
But just as she was about to pay, she noticed a certain package on the shelf next to it—she vaguely remembered Kiyono saying yesterday that he really liked pairing these chocolate cookies with milk.
"I-I'll buy him a bag."
The gloomy girl rose on tiptoe and took two bags of cookies, placing them in her basket.
Consider it a return gift for the light novel.
Besides, everyone else had a bunch of items. If Kiyono had nothing, it would be awkward.
She set the basket on the checkout counter.
"I-I'm sorry, please ring these up separately…" she said in a faint voice, pointing to the two bags of cookies.
Better to pay for those with her own money.
---
"I got one too?"
When Kiyono received the cookies from Komari, he couldn't help widening his eyes in surprise.
He looked down at the brand name on the package, then up at the girl—she had already retreated into the gap!
"Komari-chan, how did you know this brand?"
After a long silence, a faint voice drifted out from the cabinet's crevice:
"B-Because it was in the most prominent spot on the promotional shelf, s-so I just…"
"I see."
Kiyono showed a summer-bright smile.
---
Summer felt like the longest season.
Catching rhinoceros beetles, swimming in the pool, aimlessly cycling along the beach at night, falling asleep to the seemingly endless chirping of cicadas;
Every day brimmed with enthusiasm, as if there were endless plans to complete.
Summer also felt like the shortest season.
So short it ended in the blink of an eye. When he opened his eyes again, all that lay before him was unfinished summer homework and the painful, hazy all-nighters.
For Kiyono, this summer was a season of progress.
He simply focused on the goal before him: take a step, move forward—move forward.
So focused that he didn't notice the passing of the season, only realizing at the very end that he hadn't done a single "summer thing."
But he had gained something equally precious.
It was dusk.
The sun was setting earlier and earlier. Kiyono rode his beloved bicycle to the top of a quiet slope. It was a track-like turning point; at the highest spot, dilapidated fences and barbed wire surrounded him. The lingering light of the setting sun poured down, lighting the top of the slope like a magnificent apocalyptic twilight.
He stopped his bicycle, let the last evening breeze of summer blow past, and gazed at the distant city.
Tokyo, bathed in the evening glow, was incredibly splendid.
There, traffic flowed; perfect high school girls, sexy young married women, and office workers in crisp suits moved along. People and seasons alike were moving forward.
Kiyono calmly watched, then sat down and set his phone beside him.
Gradually, his expression changed—solemn and profound, brows furrowed—as if he were a president worried about the city's future, radiating an unusually serious aura.
From time to time, he picked up his phone to glance at it.
Ding-a-ling.
A new text message arrived.
Kiyono snatched up his phone with lightning speed, only to set it down again in disappointment after seeing a note from his editor.
Glance, then glance again.
Finally, the text that symbolized humanity's future arrived.
[Your bank card has received ¥18,850,000.]
Kiyono let out a breath.
He had imagined this moment many times. Most of the images were pure joy and excitement—wanting nothing more than to turn into a shopping maniac and buy, buy, buy. But at this moment, his first thought was to take out his phone and compose a message.
He sent a text to Yanami.
[Pure Love Warrior: Let's hang out on our day off, hmph hmph. I'll treat you to the best yakiniku.]
He had no relatives; the closest person he could think of was her.
Before, he'd been strapped for cash. When he went out to eat with Yanami, they always split the bill, and the girl even used coupons. Now, he absolutely had to reclaim his cool masculinity!
[Girl Who Doesn't Like Eating: !]
[Girl Who Doesn't Like Eating: What's with the sudden change? Did you win the lottery?]
[Pure Love Warrior: It's nothing, nothing—just received a little bit of royalties. Salary.jpg]
Though his words were humble, the corners of his mouth wouldn't stop curling into a beautiful arc.
Several minutes later, her reply arrived.
[Girl Who Doesn't Like Eating: Wait, wait a minute! How… how many zeros is this? Am I seeing things, or did you photoshop it!? That's almost enough to buy a house!]
The words house prices were like a basin of ice water dousing his burning heart, instantly calming him down.
It was ingrained in his DNA, so to speak.
[Girl Who Doesn't Like Eating: Coach, I want to write light novels too!]
[Pure Love War God: My disciple, can you keep up with your master's training?]
[Girl Who Doesn't Like Eating: I'm already looking for restaurants online. Girl thumbs up.jpg]
[Pure Love War God: Go ahead and wish upon the Holy Grail.]
He didn't mind revealing all his secrets to the girl. If Yanami really needed it, giving her all his money wouldn't be a problem.
---
The first thing after getting the money was to rent a place.
After all, he had some standing now; what kind of impression would it make to keep living in internet cafés and hotels? A high-rise duplex, ocean view, river view—those would all have to be arranged… well, not yet. For now, just finding a regular apartment to live in would do.