Hikigaya felt that this year's summer vacation was no different from last year's. He spent most of his time at home alone, writing, and occasionally went out to play with his sister, Komachi. The only notable difference was that he now had an extra 150 million yen in his bank account.
As mentioned before, after entering high school, Hikigaya had decided to buy a house near the school to significantly reduce his commuting time. When he shared this decision with his parents, they immediately agreed to help him look for houses.
Despite earning the money himself, Hikigaya still needed his parents to accompany him in the buying process. "Please let me become an adult soon... This is too troublesome," he thought, feeling frustrated by the restrictions he faced due to his young age.
The Hikigaya family arrived at a high-end apartment in Mihama District that Hachiman had previously shown interest in. A house tour guide led them to the eleventh floor. The middle of the building was open, allowing for relatively high walls in the corridors. Each floor featured two apartments with doors facing each other.
"There are only two apartments left on the eleventh floor," the guide explained. "One is a new, fully furnished apartment, so you would only need to buy furniture. The other is a second-hand apartment that can be rented or bought, allowing for immediate occupancy."
The guide noted that both apartments had the same internal structure, each measuring 90 square meters, which was ample space for one person and also suitable for hosting friends. Understanding that the family came to view the houses for Hikigaya's use during school, he provided some additional details.
"Renting isn't necessary. Three years is quite a long time, and it would be troublesome to change in the middle of the term," Hikigaya remarked, discussing the options with his family. Since he intended to spend a significant amount of money, renting was not an option for him.
"It's entirely up to you, son. This is your money, and you can spend it however you wish. Just remember to make a few keys for us," Hikigaya's mother said with a smile.
"Brother, can I come here to play often in the future?" Komachi asked excitedly.
"Of course, you can come and play as much as you want. I'll set aside a bedroom for you," Hikigaya replied, embracing his role as an attentive older brother.
With the family having no objections, and since 32 million yen was not a substantial amount for Hikigaya at that moment, he informed the guide that they were ready to sign the contract for the full amount.
The guide was taken aback by how quickly the deal was progressing. He momentarily forgot to bow and led the family directly to the office to prepare for signing the contract.
"This is truly a high-end residence. The monthly payments are quite high," Mr. Hikigaya noted while reading the contract, expressing his concerns. After Hikigaya bought the apartment, he would need to pay 150,000 yen each month in various fees, totaling 1.8 million yen a year. It would take 18 years of payments just to match the price of the house.
This realization explained why many initially believed housing prices in Japan weren't that expensive until they actually entered the buying process.
With 32 million yen officially delivered and the contract signed, the apartment on the eleventh floor became Hikigaya Hachiman's property. The house came with a parking space and a small storage unit, both of which also required a high monthly rent. Though he wasn't sure when he might need these extras, he accepted them as part of the deal.
After receiving the key, Hikigaya stood in the empty, fully decorated house, suddenly feeling a profound sense of accomplishment. Owning a house is one of the significant milestones in a person's life, and this was Hikigaya's first house—but it certainly wouldn't be his last.
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A few days ago, while talking to Machida on the phone, Kasumigaoka formally expressed her apologies and mentioned that she would write a second volume that would satisfy the publisher no matter what.
Machida was surprised by the change in Kasumigaoka's attitude, but she remembered the most important point. She recounted what Teacher Hachiman had told her, particularly about the love story that had already been outlined.
"Machida, if you have such an idea, why didn't you tell me earlier?" Kasumigaoka asked, astonished by the ideas presented by Machida. As a dedicated author, she immediately felt that this love story had great potential. She disliked old-fashioned and dramatic plots, such as those involving obstructive parents or third-party interference, but she struggled to find a better way to expand the story.
"I came up with it myself. Do you believe me?" Machida replied, lacking confidence and unsure how to explain the sudden inspiration that came to her despite her earlier anxiety.
"Which expert gave you this advice?" Kasumigaoka teased, leaning forward and playfully resting her arms on the desk.
"Okay, you guessed right. But I can't reveal who it is just yet. Time is running out. Your task is to write the second volume as soon as possible, and I also need you to outline the last three volumes. I want to submit them all together," she added.
"Alright, Editor Machida, since you've provided me with good material, I'll do my best. I'll hang up now," Kasumigaoka said.
Kasumigaoka then buried her face in her hands, humming in comfort.
"It's not about 'doing your best.' You must work hard for my future, Xiao Shiyu!" Machida insisted.
Feeling that Kasumigaoka was still a bit careless, Machida couldn't help but feel anxious, but the only sound in the receiver was a beep.
"This kid is really out of touch sometimes," Machida said helplessly. After all, the other party's main job was being a high school student. Even if the novel was cut short, it would only be a minor setback and wouldn't significantly affect her life.
However, for Machida as an editor, this situation had substantial implications. Kasumigaoka was an author recognized by the library, and Machida was tasked with helping her reach a higher level. Yet, after more than half a year of being in charge, she couldn't explain to anyone why they were facing difficulties.
Meanwhile, Kasumigaoka Utaha did not start writing immediately. Instead, she picked up a book titled *Malice*, which she had bought a few days earlier but hadn't had the mood to read.
Once you have set a goal, even taking a break can turn into a joy.
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