When I woke up the next day, I felt awful. I was tired and just wanted to stay in bed. Even so, I forced myself up and washed my face to start the day.
I picked up my phone and saw it was already noon.
I really didn't go to school.
I sighed and stretched, then sat down in front of my computer and opened my email to check for new messages. Three new emails had arrived—two important ones and one that wasn't important at all.
The unimportant one was from my Shonen Jump editor, Kenji.
Once again, he sent a reminder that the serialization would begin next month and that I needed to be prepared. I replied saying I was already ready and thanked him for reaching out.
The important emails were from Kuroda and the girl named Asuna.
Kuroda's email was about Oregairu—sales had increased even more. He was very surprised that I had sent him volume two. Lastly, he asked about the new fantasy work I'm writing.
He also showed concern, saying I shouldn't work on so many things at once, as it could "overheat" me and lead to burnout or writer's block.
Writer's block probably won't be an issue, but burnout could affect me if I'm not careful.
I thanked him for his concern and then wrote a thousand-word summary of Tensura's premise for him. It was fairly detailed, but I didn't spoil the ending.
I wanted to surprise him too. His reactions are fun.
After replying to him, it was time to check Asuna's email.
She hadn't contacted me for a few days.
"Oh?" A smile appeared on my face instinctively as I read it. They had secured investors for Koe no Katachi and decided to move forward with the project. "They want to meet me to discuss it."
I'll take my father with me.
The email included the location and time.
"Today at 6 PM? That's an unusual time. And it's pretty last-minute."
Well, I have the whole day free. The only things I'll do today are draw some Dragon Ball chapters and continue writing Tensura. That's all I ever do in my free time.
"I can go there after visiting the dealership." I received a message from the salesperson today saying the car was ready for pickup.
I'll talk to my father.
I replied to the email saying I'd be there at the scheduled time, then left my room.
My father was at work, and my mother was working in her room.
My mother had left food for me, so I heated it up. After eating while watching something on Netflix, I went back to my room to work.
But before starting, I sent a message to my father:
[We can pick up the car at 4 PM. After that, at 6 PM, we have a meeting with a studio. It's an important meeting.]
My father told me to use a more professional tone when it comes to work, so I did.
A few minutes later, he replied:
[Alright. I'll be home at 4 PM.]
####
As it got close to the time to go to the dealership, I had finished my third consecutive Dragon Ball chapter, but I hadn't written anything for Tensura. So I went to the bathroom and took a shower while waiting for my father.
I'm going to end up making things harder for him. I need to stop making him leave work early. I'll be more careful about that from now on.
Actually, I wanted him to quit his job and stay by my side to handle things related to my life as an author—something like a manager. But when I suggested that… he refused immediately.
My mother also said she wouldn't stop working now because she didn't want to feel "useless."
I even told her to manage my acting career (even though Rina is already my manager), but she didn't want to.
Why don't my parents want to work with me? They really don't like the idea.
Would they feel bad about it?
I don't understand.
Before my father arrived, I opened my email again and saw a reply from Asuna. She said she and her superior would be waiting for me at the restaurant at 6 PM, just as planned.
I replied with a simple "Ok."
Then my father arrived home.
He didn't even come inside—he called me as soon as he got to the front door.
As soon as I sat in the passenger seat, my father said, "You shouldn't have done this."
"Don't start it, Dad."
"But I feel guilty receiving something so expensive from my own son. I should be the one giving you gifts, not the other way around."
"You know very well that I make a lot of money every month. I'm your son, so you should accept anything that comes from me. I want to support you and Mom for giving me life. You've always been kind and supported me in everything I've done. I need to do this for you."
My father was speechless. I looked at him, and tears appeared in the corners of his eyes.
Suddenly—
Bam!
My father hit his head against the steering wheel, setting off the horn.
"Alright," he said, then looked at me. "I'll accept this gift."
"I'm glad to hear that. I'd be really annoyed if you didn't." I laughed.
Just imagine what will happen when I buy them a new house.
After a few minutes, we arrived at the dealership. My father gripped the steering wheel and looked at the store. He could see several luxury cars inside and said, "Is this really okay?"
'Come on, don't say something stupid. The salesman is waiting.' I opened the car door and got out.
My father followed shortly after, and we went inside.
The salesman who had looked at me with disdain before was now smiling at me like I was the love of his life.
I spoke with him and explained that the man with me was my father. When he heard that, his eyes lit up. He didn't seem to believe the money was mine.
My father started to feel pressured, but he went along with it.
Then we were taken straight to a garage next to the store. The car was there, waiting for us.
As soon as my father saw it, he said, "This isn't right."
####
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Next Chapters: Chapter 68 - Meeting. / Chapter 69 - Stupid proposal. / Chapter 70 - Leave her alone. / Chapter 71 - I'm going to turn your lives into a living hell. / Chapter 72 - Film and Anime. / Chapter 73 - 20 volumes / Chapter 74 - The True Identity of "Aoi Haruki" / Chapter 75 - Don't criticize my parents.