(A Big thanks to TheAlize for being a Quill Club patron.)
Although the encounter was somewhat awkward, the four of them still enjoyed a pleasant meal after the introductions. Naturally, their discussion focused primarily on Hikigaya. It could be said that the reason these people were gathered was precisely due to Hachiman's presence; he was like a bond that connected them.
After the meal, Kasumigaoka and Hikigaya exchanged emails and phone numbers. Out of courtesy, Kasumigaoka also exchanged contact information with Yukinoshita Haruno, who appeared very pleased. The four of them said goodbye at the restaurant door and went on their separate ways.
As they walked back, Haruno suddenly snapped at Hachiman, saying, "Junior, I didn't expect you to be such a vulgar person."
Hikigaya was confused, but instead of rushing to refute her, he chose to listen to what Haruno would say next.
"Huh? What's wrong, junior? Don't you know what I'm talking about? Or are you pretending to be confused? Whether it was when we were queuing or during the meal, you kept glancing at Teacher Kasumi Shiko."
Haruno had never felt the low-level emotion of jealousy before, but she was slightly irritated that a girl two years younger than her had surpassed her in physical development. Wait, why did this emotion feel even more trivial?
"Uh... Senior, I thought you were going to say something substantial. Let me clarify: I did glance at her, but I didn't have any inappropriate thoughts. It was simply because, well, it was too noticeable, and I couldn't help but look."
Hikigaya said this with sincerity, but all he received in return was a sharp look from Haruno.
"Forget it. If I blame you for something like this, it would make me look a bit insecure."
Haruno thought about her beloved sister, Yukino. At sixteen, Yukino had already passed her period of rapid physical development, yet her figure remained flat and unchanging.
"Senior, we have a long way to go back. Would you like me to share a new story from 'The Causes of Disintegration'?" Hikigaya attempted to divert the conversation.
"No! You should send it to me via email later. I'm afraid that after listening to you, my hand might unconsciously chop you, junior," Haruno said with a smile, displaying her delicate palm. Hikigaya chose to remain silent, knowing that someone like Haruno, who came from a traditional family, likely learned martial arts from a young age, making any kind of strike quite unpleasant.
Throughout the rest of the journey, Hachiman and Haruno engaged in casual conversation until they parted ways at the door of Yukinoshita's house. Sometimes, good friendships are like this: you don't always have endless topics to discuss, and aimless chatting is also an essential part of getting along with one another.
Hikigaya's observation of the first book signing event ended successfully in this moment. When he returned home, he flopped onto the sofa in the living room, looking very tired. At that moment, Komachi walked out of her room and, upon seeing her brother, the "great writer," sprawled out on the sofa, asked, "What's wrong, brother? You've been out on a date all day, and you're this tired?"
Komachi poked Hikigaya's signature ahoge playfully.
"What do you mean by 'date'? Don't believe everything you hear, Komachi," he grumbled, his face buried in the sofa cushions.
"Now that I think about it, brother, would you like Komachi to help relieve your fatigue?"
At her words, Hikigaya perked up.
"Okay, okay, Komachi, how can you help me with that? If you don't have any ideas, I have a good method, but no one can assist me with it."
"What is the solution? Brother, please tell me! Komachi will do her best!" she replied eagerly.
About half an hour later, Hikigaya's parents returned home and found Hachiman lying on the living room floor, humming contentedly. Their daughter Komachi was playfully stepping on Hachiman's back with her bare feet.
Hikigaya's father returned to their room, holding his backside, and, not daring to sit down, lay on his bed. Just then, Naho Imamura called.
"Hachiman! I have two pieces of news: one is good, and the other is great. Which would you like to hear first?"
Imamura's voice was full of energy, as if she were ten years younger.
"Is there any bad news? Too much good news would feel unreal to me," Hikigaya said gloomily, although the hot and painful feeling in his butt was a constant reminder of reality.
"Then I'll get straight to the point. First, the good news: Mr. Hachiman, the paperback sales of your novel, *Confessions*, officially exceeded 1.2 million copies today! You've set the fastest paperback sales record in Japanese history. Including single volumes, *Confessions* has sold nearly 1.4 million copies so far, and it's a foregone conclusion that it will surpass 1.5 million this year," Naho Imamura said excitedly. This was something Hikigaya had not expected; it looked like *Confessions* would break the paperback sales record for Japanese novels next year.
"This is indeed good news. This means the film and television adaptation rights for *Confessions* will be more valuable," Hikigaya replied. He felt that the better *Confessions* sold, the more confident he would be in negotiations.
"That's right, Mr. Hachiman. I think so too. In addition, the second piece of good news is that, according to reliable information, your novel *Malice* will be announced as a candidate for the next Naoki Prize this December!"
This news truly caught Hikigaya off guard. As a writer who had debuted just a little over a year ago and was only sixteen years old, it seemed unbelievable that his work could already be nominated for Japan's highest literary award.
"Editor Imamura, this really did surprise me," he admitted.
"I'm surprised too, Mr. Hachiman. But as you know, it's very difficult to win this award for mystery novels, so just being a candidate is already quite impressive."
"You can be happy, but don't get your hopes too high," was the intended message from Editor Imamura.
"Well, I understand, Editor Imamura. If I want to win the Naoki Prize, I'll probably have to write for at least another twenty years," Hikigaya said self-deprecatingly.
"Twenty years is too much of an exaggeration. The youngest winner of the Naoki Prize was only twenty-two years old. I believe you, Mr. Hachiman, will win the prize even earlier than that," she encouraged.
"Thank you for your kind words. If I do win the prize, I will definitely thank you at the award ceremony, Editor Imamura."
"Just because of what you said, I will continue to work hard, Mr. Hachiman." Naho Imamura's motivation to work overtime was renewed once again.
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