Lin Yu could only offer a helpless shrug.
Even if he wanted to lend Nanako his coat to shield her from the wind, the fact that he'd been wearing it for two days straight made him hesitate. Honestly, he was too embarrassed.
Thankfully, once they entered the mall, most of the cold was shut out.
Nanako guided him through various stores. Compared to him, she clearly knew her way around a shopping center.
She was thoughtful and considerate, leading Lin Yu through several shops—not high-end boutiques or flashy name brands, but affordable ones with good value. With his current savings, he could actually afford these without worry.
Nanako had clearly thought through the situation. Her consideration helped avoid any awkwardness, and Lin Yu genuinely appreciated it.
He wasn't the type to be picky about clothes, anyway. As long as it was warm and fit reasonably well, that was enough. Someone else was braving the cold just to help him shop—it'd be rude to make her wait around too long.
About half an hour later, he was done shopping.
"Thanks a lot today, Nanako," Lin Yu said sincerely as they stepped out of the mall.
Had he come alone, he'd probably have wandered around aimlessly for hours without finding anything that suited him.
"No need to thank me," Nanako replied with a soft smile. "It was really nothing."
Her voice was gentle, and though her tone was calm, her face was a little pale from the lingering chill in the air—giving her an unexpectedly delicate, almost fragile look.
Seeing that, Lin Yu felt a twinge of guilt. Earlier he couldn't help, but now that he had a new coat, there was no reason to hold back.
He pulled out the freshly purchased jacket and handed it to her with a slightly apologetic smile.
"You looked cold earlier. If you don't mind, wear this on your way home. Don't catch a cold—your health is more important."
He wasn't one for grand gestures, but he knew how to express his appreciation in the right way.
Nanako looked at the coat, then up at Lin Yu's warm expression. After a moment's hesitation, she accepted it.
"Thanks. I'll make sure to wash it and bring it back to you."
"No need for that. Just bring it when it's convenient," Lin Yu said, waving it off. "Want me to walk you home?"
"It's okay. I just live across the street. You should head back too—you've still got work later, don't you?"
After seeing her off, Lin Yu headed back with his new clothes in hand, feeling much lighter. Another thing crossed off the to-do list.
"Might as well grab a thicker blanket on the way home. Then I can finally sleep well at night..."
This kind of slow but steady improvement in life brought a quiet sense of accomplishment. It felt good.
Meanwhile, Nanako walked home with Lin Yu's coat wrapped around her. The warmth quickly returned to her body and even colored her cheeks. A soft smile lifted the corners of her lips.
What she didn't notice, though, was the figure watching her from the second-floor study window of her home.
Ōhara Shijūrō stared at the unfamiliar coat draped over his daughter's shoulders, and his voice echoed through the room—
"Who the hell is that brat?!"
With the biggest hurdles of food, shelter, and clothing solved, Lin Yu's life finally settled into a steady rhythm.
Morning runs with Nanako. Work and sketching during the day. Burning the midnight oil at night.
After spending time together daily, their relationship had naturally grown closer.
Everything pointed to one thing—his new life after transmigration was finally on track.
The only thing that disappointed him a bit was his system's stat panel. Despite the regular exercise, the number representing his physical fitness hadn't budged. Still stuck at 7.
Apparently, this wasn't something that could change overnight.
Half a month passed.
One afternoon, Lin Yu was seated in the sushi shop, sketching diligently. Nanako sat beside him, watching attentively.
By now, she'd settled comfortably into her unofficial role: pass him water, and carefully collect his discarded sketches.
From the very first draft to now, Nanako had never let a single "trash" sketch go to waste—gathering every one and storing them with meticulous care.
Lin Yu had tried to tell her those were useless scraps, but Nanako insisted. Eventually, he gave up and let her be.
Ding-ling-ling...
A crisp ringtone cut through the quiet. Nanako gave an apologetic smile, picked up her phone, and hurried toward the kitchen.
But she was back just a moment later, eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Lin-kun, I've got good news!"
"Good news? Is it about Inuyasha?" Lin Yu asked, heart skipping.
Things like scheduling a publication spot took time—especially at a publishing giant like Yūei-sha.
Though he was hopeful, he had remained calm on the surface, focusing on his art daily.
But now, with Nanako practically glowing, it could only mean one thing.
"Yes!" she nodded, her smile radiant. "The editorial department tried to reach you, but couldn't, so they asked me to pass on the message—Inuyasha has been scheduled! It's officially going to run in Weekly Shōnen Jump next week!"
Lin Yu was stunned—and thrilled.
Yūei-sha published more than just Shōnen Jump, but there was no question—Jump was their flagship. The biggest name. The one with the most readers.
Back when they signed the contract, the editor had been clear: Inuyasha was an excellent work, but as a new artist, getting it into Jump would be incredibly difficult. It would depend on timing, space, and internal decisions.
And yet—it happened.
As a complete newbie, his debut work was going to be published in Weekly Shōnen Jump.
Nanako's eyes turned into cheerful crescents as she pulled up the message on her pink phone.
"Look, this is what they sent me."
"Dear Lin Yu-sensei,
Regarding your work Inuyasha, following internal discussions and confirmation from the editor-in-chief, your series has officially been added to the serialization schedule."