For most people, holidays are like the tissue in a public restroom—they run out much faster than one can consciously realize.
“So, is this considered a punishment?”
During the afternoon nap time, leaning against the railing in the corridor, Kiriyama Kazuma looked at the girls exercising not far away, a hint of emotion on his face.
“What do you mean?”
Watanabe Yu asked with some confusion.
“Just what I said, literally.”
Kiriyama Kazuma withdrew his gaze from that direction.
To be fair, the girl in the next class has truly awesome physical attributes; you can tell she’ll never let her future children go hungry.
“Today is Monday, do you even know what Monday means?”
Kiriyama Kazuma exclaimed.
The more everyone loves the weekend, the more they hate Monday.
“The start of the week?”
Watanabe Yu picked up the topic.
“Wrong, it’s the start of a week of suffering.”
Kiriyama Kazuma sighed, looking as if he had swallowed bitter wine that hurt his heart.
If he could, he truly wished every day was Saturday so he could comfortably sleep in.
“Really suffering?”
Watanabe Yu thought, *we’re just getting started; this is the most carefree time.*
As time goes on, starting from university, one will begin to feel that hidden pressure to survive, and only after completely leaving the ivory tower of school and stepping into society will one realize with a start that everything has just begun.
“Really suffering!”
Kiriyama Kazuma nodded without hesitation.
The only things he could think of that were more agonizing than Monday were probably the exams this Thursday and Friday.
“What about your romance that ended without a trace?”
Watanabe Yu flashed a mischievous smile.
“……You certainly know how to compare things.” Kiriyama Kazuma was silent for a moment, then shifted the topic with a look of helplessness. He truly couldn't connect with this study fanatic. “By the way, I felt like you and Miss Hayakawa got a little closer today?
“Did something happen that cannot be told to outsiders?”
He was quite interested in the progress between Watanabe Yu and Hayakawa Yuki.
Although the latter two were still just friends for now, didn't most romances start by developing from friendship?
Naturally falling into place.
“Over the weekend, Hayakawa Yuki’s Mother treated me to a meal.”
Watanabe Yu ignored the latter half of Kiriyama Kazuma’s statement.
Having spent so much time with this guy, he was used to it.
“Oh!” Hearing this, Kiriyama Kazuma nodded, understanding implicitly. He reined in his wandering thoughts and changed the topic. “Speaking of which, did you feel anything different this morning when you entered the classroom?”
“What’s different?”
Watanabe Yu blinked for a second, not grasping what Kiriyama Kazuma meant.
“No, Buddy, you…” Kiriyama Kazuma rolled his eyes, then sighed, turning around and leaning his hands on the railing, pointedly reminding Watanabe Yu, “Wasn’t everyone’s line of sight very focused?”
“Are you trying to say everyone was looking at your new hairstyle?”
When he entered the classroom this morning, he was still yawning and didn't have the energy to notice trivial things.
“I wish that were the case.” Kiriyama Kazuma turned to look at Watanabe Yu, a hint of grievance in his eyes. “But everyone was looking at you, the Okinawa handsome guy!
“Do I have to spell it out for you to be satisfied!”
If he could go back to that day, he definitely wouldn't have dragged Watanabe Yu into getting a haircut.
He would have gotten his haircut alone!
“……Uh, that’s not what I meant.”
Watanabe Yu shifted his line of sight and explained.
“Do you know what I heard the most by my ear today?”
Kiriyama Kazuma shifted his gaze toward the classroom.
“What was it?”
Watanabe Yu picked up the topic.
“Several guys I’m pretty friendly with asked me where I got my short hair cut; they want to get that hairstyle too.” Kiriyama Kazuma paused, raising an eyebrow, gesturing for Watanabe Yu to look inside the classroom. “See…”
From his perspective, he could see several girls sneaking glances at Watanabe Yu, quickly pulling their line of sight away after one or two looks, and then whispering amongst themselves.
“See what, see what.”
Watanabe Yu ignored him, raising his eyebrows to look at the sky not far away.
The city sky, clear after the rain, was clearer than usual; the sky was high and the clouds distant, the azure expanse seemingly endless.
Due to planning, the skyscrapers in view were not dense, lacking the suffocating feeling of living in a bustling Steel Forest like in Minato, Tokyo.
A slight breeze blew past.
Watanabe Yu straightened his body, closed his eyes, and enjoyed the caress of the breeze.
Every time this happened, he felt like he had temporarily cast aside all worries and embraced the life he envisioned as his Ideal.
“Yeah.”
Seeing this, Kiriyama Kazuma chuckled, turned around, leaned against the railing, and closed his eyes in imitation.
Buzz, buzz.
Suddenly, Watanabe Yu’s mobile phone vibrated.
He opened his eyes and pulled out his mobile phone from his pocket.
It was a friend request message; the note filled in by the applicant was 【Akiba Publishing House Editor Kuriyama Akie】.
So fast?
He inwardly marveled at Akiba Publishing House’s efficiency, clicked accept, and then entered the Chat Interface with the other party.
Just as he was pondering how to start the conversation, the other party sent a message first.
【Teacher Watanabe Yu?】
Seeing the word ‘Teacher’ on the mobile phone screen, Watanabe Yu frowned, then typed a reply.
【Yes, can you just call me Watanabe?】
The message instantly showed as read, and soon, Kuriyama Akie’s reply arrived as expected.
【Teacher Watanabe, here is my proof of employment, and your Submission, Photo.jpg】
【As for the suffix ‘Teacher,’ I believe it is necessary, at least online】
It seemed this account was a shared account for the Publishing House.
Watanabe Yu glanced at the latter part of the message and immediately understood.
As for the photo and work ID, he checked them both and confirmed that the person was indeed Kuriyama Akie, the Editor from Akiba Publishing House.
【OK】
He sent his reply.
【Let me be direct, Teacher Watanabe, your Work 《Norwegian Wood》 has passed review. When are you free next so we can meet and discuss in detail?】
On the other end of the network, Kuriyama Akie clicked send after confirming multiple times that her line of text was correct.
The message showed as read, and Watanabe Yu’s reply came.
【Wednesday, 5 PM to 7 PM】
【No problem. Is it convenient for me to come to you, or will you come here?】
【I’ll come over】
【Let’s meet at this Coffee Shop; it’s right next to our Publishing House. （Map Link）】
【Okay】
Seeing the word ‘Okay,’ Kuriyama Akie let out a long Sigh, putting away her mobile phone as if holding a fragile treasure.
Last night, her expectation level for 《Norwegian Wood》 hadn't been set very high; she only thought the book should meet the standard of a professional Author.
But when she actually started reading, she realized she was completely wrong.
The description in the first paragraph had already firmly captured her line of sight.
She was thus immersed in the story.
When she snapped back to reality, it was already nine in the morning.
Having stayed up all night, she rushed to the Publishing House and continued reading the book at her desk.
It was only half an hour ago that she finished reading the last word of the book with Disillusionment.
To prevent her emotions from affecting the subsequent discussion, she even specifically set aside twenty minutes to adjust her state of mind. Only after she was truly composed did she add Watanabe Yu as a friend using the contact method from the email.
As a professional Editor, she was absolutely certain that this Work would be a hit!
It seemed half the battle was already won.
Her Performance for this month, no, her Performance for the entire coming year, was already waving at her.
The rest was figuring out how to secure Watanabe Yu.
“I need to go see the President now.”
Kuriyama Akie picked up her USB Drive, stood up from her desk, and walked into the President's Office with a determined look.
She was going to secure a generous offer for the President.
A generous offer that other publishing houses couldn't match—an offer Watanabe Yu couldn't refuse!
2/2
Thank you to Super Electromagnetic Fireworks K-On!, Shiyunhai, She Wei Suo Ai Zhi Ren Qing Jin Yi Sheng Wen Rou, and Coffee and Pine Resin for your Monthly Tickets. Your support is my motivation for writing.
Everyone, please don't just stockpile chapters; I’m begging you all, *bang bang bang*, otz.
Recommendations during the New Book period rely entirely on Read Tracking. Please remember to flip to the back after reading the latest chapter—that interface showing the Read Tracking Ranking. I’m begging you.