As time passed, the aroma in the room became even more enticing.
Just as Tanaka Masao was about to reach his limit, Yukinoshita Haruno's voice, like a celestial melody, finally rang out.
"The porridge is here."
She emerged from the kitchen, a large pot of porridge in her hands and a smile on her face.
"Everyone, come and eat."
Dinner was simple: a pot of porridge and a side of pickled mustard greens.
Tanaka Masao sat at the table, looking at the generous serving in his bowl, and couldn't help but think:
"This is somewhat similar to the saying, 'No need for many words, it's all in the wine.'
'No need for many dishes, it's all in the porridge.'"
Tanaka Masao had barely taken two bites when Yukinoshita Haruno, sitting opposite him, asked with some anticipation:
"Tanaka, how is it? Is it delicious?"
Tanaka Masao nodded.
"Fresh and savory, it melts in your mouth."
"Really? That's good if you like it. If you like it, eat more."
Yukinoshita Haruno's expression was all smiles, and as Tanaka Masao was happily eating, she said:
"Then, Tanaka, would you like to be able to eat such delicious porridge for the rest of your life?"
Tanaka Masao, who was eating porridge, almost choked.
What kind of confession was that?
However, when he looked up and saw Yukinoshita Haruno's smiling expression, he knew she was teasing him, and if he took it seriously, he'd be in trouble.
"Hmph, truly a bad woman, teasing this pure-hearted big boy."
To receive without giving back is impolite.
To only enter and not leave is not proper etiquette.
To come and go, to enter and exit, that is polite behavior.
"Then, can I take it to go if I can't finish it?"
Yukinoshita Haruno and Yukinoshita Yukino were both stunned for a moment, not quite understanding.
"What does Tanaka (Tanaka-kin) mean by this? Does he want to be severely punished?"
Evidently, both of them suffered from a lack of cultural understanding.
Seeing their somewhat bewildered expressions, Tanaka Masao felt like laughing inside.
"Hehe, that look of being completely clueless and dumbfounded is truly too amusing.
Let the omnipotent Tanaka enlighten you."
"There's still so much, I should be able to pack it up and take it home, right?"
Upon hearing this, the Yukinoshita sisters finally understood what Tanaka Masao's earlier remark meant.
After realizing, they both felt as if they had been tricked by a fool.
It was quite infuriating.
Yukinoshita Haruno, with a forced smile, refilled Tanaka Masao's bowl with porridge.
"Hehe, Tanaka, you are truly humorous. Come, come, eat your fill first before taking it to go."
Normally, she was the one teasing others, never like this, being made fun of.
As for Yukinoshita Yukino, she appeared much calmer. While delicately eating from her bowl, she thought:
"For some reason, seeing Sister Haruno get outsmarted by Tanaka-kin makes me so happy.
Sister Haruno can't even handle a mere Tanaka-kin, how ineffective."
As for the fact that she herself had also been teased by Tanaka Masao, it didn't matter; she would find an opportunity to get her revenge.
While eating, Yukinoshita Haruno chatted with Tanaka Masao.
"Tanaka, what is the name of that novel you wrote?"
"i want to eat your pancreas."
"From the title, is it a horror novel?"
"No, it's a romance novel."
"A romance novel? That's somewhat unexpected, but I'm suddenly interested.
Has it been published?"
"Yes, it's expected to be published this Saturday."
Only two days after Tanaka Masao submitted his manuscript, Dengeki Bunko replied to him.
They stated that Tanaka Masao's work was excellent and that their publishing house would make this novel their main push for next month.
And the first of June, next month, happened to be this Saturday.
Although the timing was a bit rushed, without any warm-up, Dengeki Bunko's large scale meant this was not a problem for them at all.
Under their promotion, the entire light novel community could quickly learn about this book, which would not affect sales at all.
In fact, novels that are published soon after promotion might even have better sales.
Unlike those that start promoting one or two months, or even one or two years, before release.
People's anticipation is high, but after such a long time, many might forget about it or even lose interest.
As for signing the contract, his editor contacted him yesterday.
There were two ways to sign: online or in person.
The editor suggested in-person, so they could communicate well. The editor's exact words were:
"Teacher Xu, I'm your fan. Let's meet in person and discuss the contents of the book. I especially love the ending part where Yamauchi Sakura is killed on the street."
Every text message the other party sent was filled with respect and affection. Tanaka Masao couldn't sleep, he looked closely for a long time, and only from between the lines did he discern that all messages contained two words:
"Stab people."
So Tanaka Masao decisively chose to sign online, mainly because his home was a bit far, and traveling back and forth would be troublesome.
To get the novel published quickly, an online signing was better.
"This Saturday? That's so fast! Then I must buy a copy to read. Oh, by the way, Tanaka, which publisher did you submit to?"
"Dengeki Bunko."
"Eh, that amazing!"
Yukinoshita Haruno was a bit surprised. She had originally thought Tanaka Masao had only submitted to a small local publisher in Chiba, thinking she might be able to help him then.
She didn't expect his novel could actually be published by Dengeki Bunko.
Although she didn't know much about light novels, due to family reasons, she was aware of the top forces in various industries.
"It seems the novel Tanaka wrote is very impressive.
Although I want to read what you wrote right now, to maintain the anticipation, I'll wait until it's officially released to buy a copy."
"Then, thank you, Sister Haruno, for supporting my novel."
Yukinoshita Yukino, beside them, also silently noted down the novel's title, planning to buy a copy when it was released.
At the same time, she had many doubts in her mind.
"Tanaka-kin's literary skills don't seem very good, do they? Can he really write a novel that Dengeki Bunko would be willing to publish?
And it's a romance novel.
If I remember correctly, Tanaka-kin said he was also ostracized before and didn't have any friends.
Writing a novel also needs a basis. A romance novel, could it be…
Tanaka-kin is writing the story between him and me?"
Once this thought appeared in Yukinoshita Yukino's mind, it became uncontrollable.
Although Tanaka Masao also knew several other beautiful girls, in Yukinoshita Yukino's impression,
it seemed she was the first to know him, spent the longest time with him, and had the closest relationship.
Eriri: "But I was the first one here."
"And in terms of intimacy, I've already drawn doujinshi with him. Isn't that intimate enough?"
Yukinoshita Yukino: "Who is Eriri? Sorry, I don't know her. Is she some random background character?"
Once she imagined herself as the heroine of the novel Tanaka Masao wrote, Yukinoshita Yukino couldn't help but be curious.
"But my interactions with Tanaka-kin only involved dieting, tutoring, going to the Zoo, and eating meals.
As for visiting him today, that's after his novel was written, so this novel definitely has nothing to do with illness.
The pancreas affects one's digestion, so is it related to dieting?
If it's related to dieting, wouldn't 'I Want to Eat Your Fat' or 'I Want to Eat Your Glycogen' be better?
Is it related to gourmet food? But is the pancreas delicious?
Steamed or pan-fried? Who would cook such a thing?"
The more Yukinoshita Yukino thought, the more confused she became. Finally, she blamed it all on Tanaka Masao.
"It's all Tanaka-kun's fault for choosing such a difficult name. Wouldn't another name be better?
Like 'My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As I Expected,' or something."