"Winter-sensei, you worked hard!"
"…"
There wasn't much that required long simmering today, so in just about an hour, Kasumigaoka Touji had wrapped up the seafood feast and ended the live broadcast, even though the fans in the chat were reluctant to part ways. The comments had been rolling like waves, full of hungry voices and playful emojis.
As soon as he took off his headset and mask, Kani Nayuta skipped over with a handkerchief in hand. Her bright eyes lingered on his face, clearly eager to wipe his sweat. But when she realized there wasn't a single drop, her little lips pouted as she regretfully tucked the handkerchief away. Seriously! Why isn't it summer already? If it were, Touji would surely be sweating, and she'd have an excuse to pamper him.
"Thank you, Nayuta. Are you hungry?" Touji unfastened the megaphone from his waist and asked with a gentle smile. Then he turned his gaze to Izumi Masamune, who was standing nearby with a strange look in his eyes.
"Izumi, you should take your younger sister's portion first."
"Got it," Masamune replied simply. As he passed them, though, he shot a subtle but meaningful look toward Touji and Nayuta before picking up the dinner plate and heading out.
Nayuta naturally noticed Masamune's glance, and for a brief moment, her cheeks warmed with embarrassment. But the instant he left, that awkwardness faded like mist.
Patting her flat stomach with a pale hand, she playfully stuck out her small pink tongue. "I'm a little hungry… mainly because Winter-sensei's cooking is way too fragrant. It's torture, you know! Slurp~ (ˉ﹃ˉ*)"
She even mimed a drooling face, earning a chuckle from Touji, before tilting her head toward the entrance with curiosity. "Why not let Izumi-senpai's younger sister join us? Is it inconvenient or something?"
"Hmm… well, his younger sister is actually a severe shut-in." Touji watched the stunned silver-haired girl in front of him, then explained further. "Masamune himself has only seen him once. They're from a blended family, you see."
He sighed softly and added, "Usually, Masamune just leaves the plate outside his door. The younger sister only opens it once Masamune walks away."
"…That autistic?" Nayuta blinked in disbelief. Compared to that, her own shut-in days seemed almost mild. At least she used to see her family's faces occasionally, even stepping outside once in a while.
But she didn't pry further. As someone who had once lived in that darkness, she knew too well—many shut themselves away only after enduring real misfortune. Sometimes the world outside felt unbearable, and the only refuge was one's room.
"Cough, cough…"
Kasumigaoka Utaha, seated gracefully on a solid wood bar stool, finally made her dissatisfaction known with a delicate cough. Her amethyst eyes narrowed as though saying, Don't forget I'm still here.
Touji and Nayuta quickly turned their attention to her.
"Shiyu, did anyone reach out today about collaborations?" Touji asked brightly, walking over with an almost too-cheerful tone. Since Utaha hadn't left her seat at the computer, he guessed there must've been some messages.
"…The new generation really does surpass the old, huh? Getting cozy with a new girl and already forgetting your poor senpai?" Utaha crossed her legs elegantly, the pale skin of her thighs catching the light as she teasingly jabbed her finger into Touji's waist.
"Ouch, no way! I was just explaining to her about Izumi's younger sister," Touji protested, catching her hand with a pleading smile before glancing at the YouTube backend she had open.
Only two pinned chats stood out this time, both about product promotions. One offered instant noodles with a 13% sales commission, and the other ice cream at 15%. (Apparently, the earlier figures had been wrong, but now corrected.)
Touji clicked his tongue. "What a stingy noodle company… 13%? That's an insult to a top-tier influencer like me." Too lazy to negotiate, he simply rejected the offer and unpinned the chat. The ice cream one, however, looked promising—he typed back, asking for samples to taste-test before committing. As usual, the mailing address he provided was the nearby convenience store.
"By the way," Utaha's voice softened slightly, though her tone still carried a teasing edge, "there was also a hot spring inn in Ibaraki Prefecture that invited you. It's deep in the mountains, and they wanted the promo done before the 25th to ride the Golden Week rush."
"But I remember you already promised the dessert shop not to take any other promo visits for a month. So, I turned them down."
"Yes, I did say that." Touji blinked in mild surprise before nodding with a hint of regret. "A shame though… a hot spring inn sounded really nice. Free baths and everything. Guess that's gone."
...
Meanwhile, Kani Nayuta sat at the side, her silver hair gently swaying as she leaned forward with bright curiosity. This kind of casual, almost business-like conversation about promotions and events was still fresh and fascinating to her. She listened intently, eyes sparkling, until her attention was suddenly caught by one particular phrase.
Golden Week.
Her ears twitched slightly, and she tilted her head with a soft smile. "Touji-sensei… how are you planning to spend Golden Week?" Her voice carried both innocence and a hidden hope.
Counting the days, it was close—just over a week away, starting from the Thursday after next. Kani Nayuta's gaze lingered on Kasumigaoka Touji, filled with anticipation. Deep inside, she wished they could spend it together. Maybe traveling somewhere far away, perhaps even staying overnight… if possible, she longed for their relationship to take another step forward.
Touji rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then answered with a casual shrug. "Hmm… I haven't really thought about it yet. As for Utaha, her signing event is already scheduled on May 5th, so that part's decided." He recalled what Machida Sonoko had told him earlier in the day and gently patted Utaha's shoulder with a knowing smile.
"Eh? Signing event? Utaha-nee is having one too?" Izumi Masamune, who had just returned with an empty plate, blinked in surprise. He hurried back to the living room and leaned closer. "I'm having one as well, but mine's on May 2nd."
Utaha raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Oh? Where's yours being held?"
"At Kadokawa Shoten Headquarters, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo," Izumi replied honestly. "What about you, Utaha-nee?"
"Fujikawa Shoten Headquarters," Utaha answered calmly, brushing a lock of her dark hair behind her ear.
"So you're both having them…" Kani Nayuta muttered softly, blinking her wide eyes. As the only other published light novel author present, her expression twisted into something complicated—half awe, half uncertainty.
Kasumigaoka Touji noticed her look and gave her an encouraging smile. "With your sales, Nayuta-san, you could definitely hold one too. Easily."
After all, her debut series "Landscape" had exploded in popularity. In just half a month, the first volume had already sold more than fifty thousand copies, and bookstores constantly ran out of stock. It was without doubt April's most sensational new release. The publisher behind her must be overjoyed, practically waiting for her to suggest a signing event. If she asked, they'd probably approve immediately, both hands and feet raised in agreement.
But Nayuta only shook her head lightly, lowering her eyes. "Hmm… maybe. But I'll pass. Signing events, showing my face… I'd rather not." Her tone carried a faint shadow of her past—unpleasant experiences that made her shy away from the spotlight.
Touji didn't press further. Instead, he clapped his hands, brightening the atmosphere. "Alright, alright, let's put business aside. If we don't eat soon, the food will get cold!"
He gestured toward the dining table with a grin. Everyone moved to take their seats. This time, Touji and Izumi Masamune sat together on one side, while Utaha and Nayuta sat together opposite them—a perfectly balanced arrangement that even Touji couldn't help but call a very proper seating order.
"Then… itadakimasu!" the group chimed in unison, hands together before picking up their chopsticks.
The rich aroma of the seafood feast filled the room as laughter and light chatter accompanied the clinking of dishes. Golden Week, signing events, and unspoken wishes lingered in the air, but for now, they simply enjoyed a warm meal together…