Currently, Ryunosuke still didn't know about the new transfer students.
He was in the library, accompanying Hiyori while she read books. More precisely, watching her read a new novel he himself had written.
Hiyori was very satisfied with Ryunosuke's novel Kimi no Suizou wo Tabetai (I Want to Eat Your Pancreas). She didn't understand how the man before her could write novels that were all so good and truly touched her heart.
Besides coming to accompany Hiyori, Ryunosuke had other business, namely regarding the publication status of his first novel.
Hiyori closed her book and answered according to the facts.
"The first novel written by Akasaka-kun, Byousoku 5 Centimeter (5 Centimeters per Second), has already successfully been contracted. The first print run is about 120,000 copies. Depending on market conditions, the print quantity will be gradually increased."
Hiyori seemed to remember something and immediately asked.
"Akasaka-kun, the money from your novel's first royalty wave will be sent soon. Please give me your bank account number and personal ID card, I'll have someone transfer it."
However, Ryunosuke scratched his head with a somewhat hesitant expression.
"Sorry, Shiina, I have a debt outside and my bank account has been frozen. If the money is transferred there, the bank will automatically seize it immediately..."
This confused Hiyori a bit. She touched her index finger to her lips, pretending to think.
At that moment Ryunosuke thought of a ridiculous idea. He said enthusiastically.
"How about... my royalties are transferred to your account instead? Can you help me keep them?"
Facing his pleading gaze, Hiyori used a book to cover her lips that could barely hold back laughter, then said cheerfully:
"This sounds like a husband handing over his salary to his wife, doesn't it, Akasaka-kun?~"
After being reminded by Hiyori, Ryunosuke just realized that his meaning could indeed lead there. He immediately felt awkward.
"Shiina, you know yourself, that's not what I meant."
"Haaah..."
Hiyori sighed lamenting this insensitive "block of wood." She had already given such clear signals, was this man really clueless or just pretending to be stupid?
She also didn't really understand whether there was a place for her in this man's heart or not. However, she wanted to try once more; she didn't want to keep staying still waiting for fate.
After yesterday's ship exam, she was well aware that the number of her rivals was starting to increase... If she didn't bet on pursuing him now, she was afraid Ryunosuke would be snatched by another woman.
Hiyori chose to launch a "straight ball" (to-the-point) attack, but unfortunately the man before her was as flat and hard as wood...
She felt helpless. Should she say it directly? But that was too embarrassing. She couldn't say it...
Hiyori lowered her head dejectedly. Her thoughts were tangled like a messy ball of yarn; very complicated and suffocating.
Ryunosuke who sat in front of her actually understood Hiyori's feelings. However, because he already had a girlfriend, while on the other hand he didn't want to cut ties with Hiyori, he chose to pretend not to know to maintain this complicated relationship.
After all... he didn't want to lose either side. Before he found the right solution, for now let it stay like this.
Finally it was agreed that Hiyori would receive royalties on Ryunosuke's behalf, and the money would be kept in her account. This way, Hiyori truly became the "treasurer" managing Ryunosuke's money.
After chatting for a while, they continued reading books.
Actually Ryunosuke was just accompanying Hiyori to read; he himself didn't really like reading books because if too long his head could get dizzy... But for the sake of accompanying Hiyori, he was forced to endure.
At that moment Ryunosuke realized that the book Hiyori was reading looked familiar.
Koisuru Metronome?
Wasn't this a book written by "Old Fat Kasumi" (Kasumigaoka Utaha)?
Seeing him staring at her book, Hiyori thought Ryunosuke was interested and handed it over.
"Want to read?"
"This is a work from a newcomer at our company. The quality is quite guaranteed, currently we've already received the draft for volume two."
Ryunosuke accepted it, "Then I'll borrow it."
He then began reading.
◆━⊰✿✧✿⊱━◆
After almost half an hour passed, Ryunosuke finished reading volume one. Enthusiastically, Hiyori handed him volume two. It was clearly visible that she was very happy.
Indeed true, sharing a good book with fellow book lovers was a joyful thing.
Ryunosuke accepted volume two resignedly. Seeing Hiyori's joy, he could only indulge her and pretend to be interested while reading.
It didn't take long, he finished reading volume two and let out a long breath.
Hiyori asked enthusiastically about the contents.
"How was it, Akasaka-kun? What's your opinion?"
Ryunosuke sighed and answered honestly.
"Not bad. Volume one can be considered high-quality goods, but the contents of volume two are somewhat less satisfying."
Hiyori's expression showed her guess was correct.
"So Akasaka-kun also thinks so? I also felt the contents of volume two were far worse compared to the first, but I didn't know where the problem was."
Ryunosuke propped his cheek with one hand and smiled.
"Let me explain your doubts."
He took volume one and explained the difference to Hiyori.
"This novel Koisuru Metronome clearly has a romance theme."
"The contents of volume one depicting the innocence of the male and female main characters, that was written extraordinarily well."
"But starting from volume two, after the main characters formalized their relationship, the writing instead became bland. Clearly, the writer of this novel has a great longing for love, but unfortunately, they have no experience."
"As a novelist, content not based on experience won't be able to be written well. This novel will probably fail in the market, right?" Ryunosuke asked Hiyori.
At this time, Hiyori was still slightly daydreaming. Her mind was filled with Ryunosuke's sentence: "A novelist who has no experience won't be able to write content like that..."
She raised her beautiful eyes and asked reflexively.
"Akasaka-kun... do you have a lot of experience in love?"
Instantly the atmosphere became silent. Even the sound of a feather falling to the floor might be heard clearly.
Facing Hiyori's question, Ryunosuke was stunned.
(What does she mean? I, although I already have a girlfriend, but I also don't have experience... What does Hiyori mean asking that?)
Seeing his reaction, Hiyori puffed her cute cheeks and muttered with slight annoyance.
"Wasn't it Akasaka-kun himself who said it? Without love experience, you won't be able to write love feelings."
"The three books written by Akasaka-san are all related to love, you know~"
"Could it be you've dated more than once?"
Hiyori's tone of voice sounded somewhat jealous. Clearly she felt envious. She even changed her address from the familiar "kun" to the more formal "san" (schoolmate/classmate).
It could be imagined, when Hiyori was sulking, she still did it very politely.
However, Ryunosuke didn't notice that difference in address at all. He was currently busy thinking of a reason to answer...