[22] Another Visit to Kadokawa
However, Hachiman had no idea that not long after he posted the signing event information, his blog exploded with excitement.
After some time had passed, his blog's number of followers had nearly reached ten thousand. These followers weren't just empty accounts; they were genuine readers who had purchased his novels and appreciated his writing.
@1:"Oh, oh, is Wakamono-sensei reporting the signing event? I wonder what Wakamono-sensei looks like. It would be nice if she were a beauty."
@2:"You are overthinking it. Just think about the complicated relationship between Wakamono-sensei and Utako Kasumi. It must be a guy."
@3:"Why can't a woman have a complicated relationship? Chill out. When will women ever be able to stand up?"
@4:"Who cares whether it's a guy or a girl? As long as the light novels they write are good."
@5"Yeah, even though there's only one volume right now. I wonder when the second volume will come out. Speed up the release!"
@6:"Speed up +1."
@7:"Speed up +1. By the way, Asuna is my wife."
@8:"You're talking nonsense. Asuna is already in my bed!"
@9:"Fuck you!"
Before long, numerous comments began to stack up under the post.
However, for Hachiman, who rarely paid much attention to blogs, this was completely unknown.
"Oh? The author of 'Sword Art Online' that I read is actually having a book signing this weekend?"
In a lavishly decorated apartment, a woman wrapped in a towel was playing with her phone. She mumbled to herself upon seeing the message on the blog.
Her waist-length hair was still slightly damp from a recent shower, and her towel-clad figure had alluring curves. With her hands wrapped around her shoulders, a deep cleavage formed on her chest. Her fair and slender legs were crossed, creating the image of an exceptionally attractive woman with a remarkably high rate of turning heads. So why was she still single?
That's right, the beauty in question is none other than Shizuka Hiratsuka.
"Since I have nothing to do tomorrow, I might as well check out whether this Wakamono-sensei is handsome or not."
"If this person is handsome and also have a good personality, he could be a good candidate for matchmaking!"
The mature, single female teacher began to search for a new round of potential partners.
On Hachiman's side, he wasn't idle either. Now that he had a million yen, he decided to invest a bit in stocks. However, he wasn't very knowledgeable about Japanese stocks, so he ended up buying shares in a few well-known companies from his previous life, like Apple, Airbnb, and Whatsapp. After all, as long as he bought them, their value would likely keep increasing.
"While one million may not seem like a substantial amount, it's certainly better than having nothing. Once his second draft fee arrives, he can use it to continue investing. Even a small sum has the potential to grow over time!"
During the following days, not much occurred. Hachiman spent his time writing daily, watching anime with Komachi, and playfully flirting with Yui.
Indeed, he was flirting with Yui. Following the incident of touching her face, their dynamic had shifted to something more nuanced. They frequently exchanged messages and chatted on LINE.
This was in part due to Hachiman's relatively appealing appearance.
After over a month of consistent exercise, he not only noticed changes in his body but also managed to break the habit of slightly arching his back. Incorporating these third-level modules also brought about a boost in his overall demeanor. Despite his unchanging dead fish eyes, Hachiman's entire persona underwent a significant transformation.
His appealing demeanor, paired with his inherent good looks, held a certain allure for girls like Yui.
Having a good appearance can be advantageous, but if you don't, it's important to respect personal boundaries and not touch other girls' faces without permission to avoid being slapped.
Saturday arrived swiftly.
"Komachi, I'll be heading to Tokyo first. Keep an eye on the house for these two days."
After lunch, Hachiman prepared to depart for Tokyo. He had informed Komachi beforehand about his visit to Kadokawa today and left ample money for her meals.
"Don't worry, Onii-chan. Komachi will look after the house." Komachi assured, patting her somewhat flat chest.
"Alright then, I'll head off."
"Onii-chan, stay safe on your journey!"
Hachiman nodded, grabbed two sets of spare clothes, and set off for Tokyo.
Two hours later, he reached Tokyo.
After disembarking from the train, he messaged Sonoko Machida in advance, then hopped on a bus bound for Kadokawa Bunko.
Upon arriving at the publishing house, Hachiman immediately spotted his elegant editor, Sonoko Machida, waiting for him by the entrance.
"Wakamono-sensei, thank you for coming all the way here." The moment she spotted Hachiman approaching, Machida Sonoko rushed to greet him.
"No problem, I'm troubling Editor Machida to come and pick me up." When carried by everyone, Hachiman naturally wouldn't let himself lose face.
"Hehe, you have to remember that you're a newcomer writer supported by our publishing house. Such a minor matter is nothing to worry about." Machida Sonoko smiled.
"Let's go, the hotel has already been arranged for you."
As she said that, she ushered Hachiman into her car.
After a short while, the two arrived at a chain hotel that appeared quite good.
"How about it, pretty nice, right?"
Opening the hotel door, Sonoko Machida smiled at Hachiman.
Taking in the layout of the hotel room, Hachiman nodded in satisfaction.
"If you need anything else, just let me know. I'll take care of everything for you in these last two days," Machida Sonoko added.
"How about you stay with me tonight, Editor Machida?" Hachiman flashed a smile he considered dashing.
"Huh? Oh, come on, you cheeky brat. You're about ten years too early if you think I'd accompany you." Surprisingly, he caught her off guard with his playful suggestion. Machida Sonoko hesitated for a moment, then waved her hand dismissively.
"Editor Machida, are you sure you don't want to reconsider?"
"I'll go, I still have a lot of work to handle back at the publishing house. I won't be keeping you company for now. If you need anything, just give me a call." With that, Sonoko Machida exited the room.
Hachiman was unfazed by the situation; it had begun as a joke, and he hadn't truly anticipated the other person would stay for real.
After setting down his belongings and messaging Komachi to let her know he was safe, Hachiman realized he had nothing much to do. With no computer in the room for him to code on, he opted to just lie down on the bed and rest.
However, what Hachiman didn't anticipate was the sudden blush that crept onto Machida Sonoko's typically composed face after she left the room.
"Really, that kid and his nonsense." Machida Sonoko muttered shyly as she touched her slightly warm cheeks.
That smile Hachiman had flashed had caught her off guard. She felt a mix of embarrassment and affection. After all, there was a considerable age gap between them.
It's a fact that good looks work their charm across all ages. Handsome individuals don't just attract young girls like Yui; they also have a strong effect on single, older women.