Chapter 30: Negotiation
A Maid Cafe.
Looking at the phone page Kaede showed her, Eriri knew that this shop was indeed new and very popular, and the maid waitresses inside were all very professional.
Eriri was very interested in Maid Cafes, but she wasn't completely distracted by this.
Looking at Kaede, Eriri said tsundere-like, "Do you think I'll forgive you like that? Just a mere Maid Cafe."
Unfortunately, Kaede knew Eriri's personality very well. He looked into her eyes and said with a smile, "Then, let's say the Maid Cafe is something I'm interested in going to myself, and I want to invite you along, how about it? Besides, what happened today, even if I hadn't come, would have been exposed eventually, wouldn't it? It's just a matter of time."
Eriri also understood this. After all, both of them were hiding their secrets, so they were in similar situations.
After thinking for a moment, Eriri raised a finger and said, "It just so happens I haven't been to Akihabara in a while. Besides the Maid Cafe, let's also browse around Akihabara."
"No problem, I'll cover all expenses."
"That won't be necessary, I'm not that short on money."
Eriri refused Kaede's offer to cover all expenses and glared at him, saying, "Because of your appearance, I almost forgot about today's main business. When we go back and talk to that woman, Utaha, you have to help me raise the price. I'm going to take a pound of flesh from her!"
Kaede smiled and nodded, then asked, "Oh right, I haven't asked you yet. How did you end up clashing with Senior Kasumigaoka? Did something happen at school?"
"We ran into each other by chance during break time." Recalling how she met Utaha, Eriri pouted and said, "I feel like we are natural enemies; our personalities just don't match."
No, perhaps the natural hostility was due to the huge difference in their figures?
Noticing Kaede's gaze, Eriri's face flushed red, and she kicked him. "What kind of rude look is that? Stop staring!"
"Was I looking at anything?" Kaede had already decided to act, so naturally, his attitude was different than before. "Sawamura, you are so cute; you should be used to being stared at by now, shouldn't you?"
Being suddenly called cute, especially by Kaede, caught Eriri completely off guard.
Just as she was about to speak, Kaede didn't give her the chance and immediately said, "Alright, we've been lingering here for quite a while. Let's hurry back to the reception room."
"Oh... Oh!"
Following behind Kaede and looking at his back, Eriri's little mind started pondering, and then she blushed slightly.
"Suddenly saying I'm cute... does this guy mean...? No, he never said anything like that before. He must have just been saying it casually."
Eriri was very aware of that famous saying about the three great delusions of life. Although she was confident in her appearance, she was still a genuine adolescent girl who had never dated and certainly couldn't figure out a boy's thoughts.
Soon, the two returned to the reception room. Editor Nakajima looked at Eriri, whose mood had recovered, and silently gave Kaede a thumbs-up in his heart.
"Well then, Kashiwagi Eri-sensei, let's officially start discussing the collaboration."
After sitting down, Eriri looked at the two editors and Utaha opposite her, nodding, "It's fine. Setting aside my personal relationship with this senior, I really like the light novel."
Machida Sonoko felt relieved, thankful that Eriri liked the light novel, which meant there was still room for negotiation.
However, seeing Kaede, who hadn't sat on their side but instead sat next to Eriri, Machida Sonoko asked, puzzled, "Kaede-kun, why are you sitting across from us?"
Kaede smiled and said casually, "I originally thought Eriri's family would accompany her, but she came alone. So, I figured, as a clubmate, I should help advise her. We can't let her get taken advantage of."
Machida Sonoko said, looking speechless, "But you are an author for the Bunko! You shouldn't be siding with the outsiders! Besides, we wouldn't try to trick Kashiwagi Eri-sensei."
"You can't say that, Editor Machida."
Shaking his finger, Kaede smiled and said, "First, Senior Kasumigaoka herself said that the price is not an issue. Of course, Eriri is not the type to demand an exorbitant amount, so you can relax about that. As long as it's reasonable and fitting for her status as Kashiwagi Eri, it's fine."
Eriri hadn't expected Kaede to start negotiating on her behalf so directly, and she quickly added, "Exactly, exactly. The price is easy to discuss. We mainly need to talk about other terms in the agreement. After all, I am still a student, so we need to discuss the delivery deadline carefully."
"Ah, so that's it. That's fine."
Machida Sonoko smiled and said, "Regarding the delivery deadline, Utaha-chan's light novel is tentatively scheduled for release in mid-May, meaning there is still nearly a month. Is that enough time for you, Kashiwagi Eri-sensei, just for the character designs and illustrations for the first volume?"
Eriri was still extremely unaccustomed to having her pen name called out so directly.
"A month... should be enough time, but it depends on whether she can give me detailed character settings."
Meeting Eriri's gaze, Utaha confidently said, "Don't worry. I will organize everything as soon as I get back tonight. I will give you the detailed materials for the necessary character settings and a few illustrations from the light novel tomorrow. I just hope Kashiwagi Eri-sensei won't miss the deadline."
"Hmph, who do you think I am? This little bit of work is easy for me! You should worry about whether your light novel sales will flop. The readership for this kind of pure romance light novel isn't great, you know."
"You don't need to worry about that. I have a plan."
Utaha smiled and looked at Kaede beside Eriri. "Asakura-kun, could I ask you a favor?"
Combining that with the previous conversation, Kaede keenly discerned Utaha's intention. "You want me to help promote your book, right?"
"That's right."
Utaha didn't deny it. She said, "I know this request is a bit much. After all, Kurenai Momiji-sensei has never recommended another peer's light novel on his Twitter. I can also offer payment for the promotion."
"There's no need for payment." Kaede smiled and shook his head. "It's just promoting a book. I will help promote your book on Twitter before the release, Senior. Your book is genuinely well-written, so it's not like I'd be lying."
"I am truly grateful for that. I will treat you to a meal after the light novel is released." Utaha smiled charmingly, and then she noticed that while the two of them were talking, Eriri, who was next to Kaede, looked subtly displeased.
Utaha felt that she had stumbled upon something very interesting.
It seemed she needed to appropriately mend her relationship with this junior. She was a valuable target for source material.