After dinner, I said goodbye to Machida Sonoko, and then I went back with Kasumigaoka Utaha and Nishiki Chizuka.
There were two people when they came, but there were three when they left.
The two stood on either side of him as the time passed, with Nishiki Chizuki smiling and holding his arm.
She was too proactive and unexpected, and Shichen had no way to stop her. It was definitely not because he was lusting after her soft embrace.
Kasumigaoka Utaha naturally didn't hug him, and was a little distracted.
Her novel, "Love Metronome," is basically confirmed for release, but the timing still needs to be planned.
Machida Sonoko will make plans in the next few days.
Kasumigaoka Utaha just needs to wait these next few days; of course, she also needs to prepare the content for Volume Two.
If it sells well and we're lucky, we can capitalize on the hype and release a second volume.
Looking forward to a bright future for her novel, Kasumigaoka Utaha's mind was filled with thoughts about the plot of the second volume.
In fact, she did make some progress, thanks to the appearance of Nishiki Chizuka.
"careful."
Suddenly, Shi Chen grabbed her wrist and pulled her to his side.
Kasumigaoka Utaha snapped out of her daze in an instant, glancing at the spot where she had just been standing. A person walked by, and she realized that she had almost bumped into a passerby.
"Thanks..."
"What are you thinking about? You seem so distracted," Shi Chen asked, amused.
"About Volume Two."
"So...you have an idea now?"
"There is a little bit…" Kasumigaoka Utaha glanced at Nishiki Chizuka: "Thanks to someone."
"Huh? Why are you looking at me?" Nishiki Chizuki was very sensitive to gazes and turned her head to ask her.
"She's thanking you," Shi Chen said, trying to smooth things over.
"Thank me? I doubt it?"
"Really, you know she's writing a novel, it seems like you've inspired her..."
In the end, the colleagues from Shichen frowned, sensing that something was amiss.
Did Chizuku Nishiki inspire Utaha Kasumigaoka?
How do I get inspiration?
Considering what happened today, could it be that a new female lead is going to be added to the storyline involving factional strife and power struggles?
Isn't this just following the plot he already knows?
However, it was he who caused it.
Shichen didn't know whether to be happy or not.
"Because I found inspiration? What kind of novel do you write? Can I take a look?" Chizuka Nishiki asked curiously.
"It's about youthful romance," Kasumigaoka Utaha replied calmly.
"Youthful romance? I'm very interested!" Nishiki Chizuki's eyes lit up.
Chizuka Nishiki's sudden enthusiasm made Kasumigaoka Utaha a little uncomfortable, but since the other party wanted to read her novel, she was still willing to extend goodwill.
"Not for now, we have to wait for the release... I can send you a copy when it's available."
"Really? Thank you!"
"Um..."
The two seemed to have gotten along a little better, which made Shi Chen happy, but he remained outwardly calm.
The three of them arrived at the station quickly, and Shichin forgot to let go of Kasumigaoka Utaha's wrist the whole way.
Her wrists were slender, but her skin was delicate and smooth, which he loved to touch.
However, while waiting for the train, Kasumigaoka Utaha realized that Tokiomi was still holding her wrist. She turned her head to look at him and saw that he was looking straight ahead, as if he knew nothing.
It's obvious they're just putting on an act.
Kasumigaoka Utaha smiled gently. Considering that he had just helped her out, she decided to let him hold her hand for the time being.
Well, it's just the wrist, not holding hands, so there's no problem.
Moreover, he was my first fan, so it's only right to give him some special privileges.
The tram slowly pulled into the station. After the three of them boarded, they couldn't find any empty seats, so they had to stand. Fortunately, the tram was relatively spacious.
However, because they were standing there, the three of them were quite conspicuous and were stared at the whole way. Even people with good manners couldn't help but look at them, even if they weren't paying attention.
Shi Chen could sense the envy, jealousy, and even inferiority complex in Shi Chen's gaze.
Sigh, there's really no need for that. Why compare yourself to him?
There aren't many people as handsome as him, so there's no need for him to make things difficult for himself.
Shi Chen only sighed inwardly, not showing it on his face, because he didn't want the tram to have an accident.
Jealousy can be quite dangerous; it can easily escalate into a fit of rage.
After arriving safely at the station, Shi Chen led the two off the stage and headed towards the coffee shop.
Of course, Kasumigaoka Utaha's wrist could no longer be held.
On the way, Shichen told Jinmu Qianshu about his current situation, including opening a shop and having someone else.
When Thor is mentioned, Shichen gets a headache.
Bringing Chizuka Nishiki home, it's obvious that Tohru will be jealous, and might even become insecure, suspecting that he's fickle.
How could someone as greedy as him possibly be fickle? He must like them all.
However, he wasn't without options; the dragon maid was usually easy to coax, but this time he simply couldn't fool her.
"Brother Chen, doesn't Kasumigaoka live with you guys?" After listening to Shichen's story, Nishiki Chizuka asked curiously.
Not yet.
"What do you mean by 'temporary'?" Kasumigaoka Utaha glanced at him.
"Cough cough."
"What? You want me to live with you?"
"No, I just said it offhand," Shi Chen quickly denied.
We really can't let Kasumigaoka Utaha live with them, otherwise life will be unsettled.
"You really don't want to?" Kasumigaoka Utaha asked in return.
"Uh...you really plan to move in?"
"It's not that it's impossible. I live alone now, and it's rented, so moving isn't a big deal. Plus, I won't have to worry about food anymore, and I can come to the shop anytime to calm down and write my novel," Kasumigaoka Utaha replied nonchalantly, arms crossed.
"Hmm... If you want, I'm fine with it. There are plenty of rooms." Shi Chen reluctantly agreed.
Thinking about it, it's a good thing. If Kasumigaoka Utaha moves in, he won't have to worry about sleeping with Tohru every day. Someone will stop him then.
But what if Kasumigaoka Utaha gets obsessed with writing novels?
Chizuka Nishiki would stop it too, wouldn't she?
"Haha~ Just kidding, I don't have any plans to move anytime soon." Kasumigaoka Utaha laughed happily.
"..." Shi Chen rolled her eyes at her, annoyed.
"It's just as good that we're not moving here," said Chizuka Nishiki, expressing her delight.
"Heh~ Don't be too happy yet." Kasumigaoka Utaha sneered: "You'll have a good deal with that dragon maid."
"Yeah?"
They quickly returned to the coffee shop. Shichen entered the shop first and saw Thor playing on his phone at the cashier.
"Lord Chen, you're back... Who is she?" Before Thor could even smile, he saw Kasumigaoka Utaha and Nishiki Chizuka following closely behind him.
Kasumigaoka Utaha was an old acquaintance, but Nishiki Chizuka immediately put her on guard.
"Oh, let me introduce you." Shi Chen forced a smile and introduced, "Her name is Jinmu Qian Shu. She will be living with us from now on and will help you at the shop."
"Huh?" Thor was stunned.
"Thor?"
"Lord Chen..." Thor burst into tears instantly, asking in a sobbing voice, "Are you going to abandon me?"
Shi Chen slapped his head in exasperation: "How could this be!"
"Then why did you find someone else to replace me?"
"It's not about replacing you, it's about sharing the workload with you," Shi Chen explained patiently.
"But I don't need to. I can handle it all by myself," Thor pouted, looking pitiful.
Shi Chen shook his head and chuckled: "Really? You don't want to sit with me and chat or something?"
"Huh? This..." Thor had never thought of this situation before, but at this moment he was very excited.
"...think."
"Wouldn't that solve the problem?"
"But..."
"You must be Tohru?" Nishiki Chizuka walked up to her, grabbed her hand, and smiled broadly.
"What are you doing?" Thor's expression changed, and he looked at her warily.
Don't you think we should get along very well?
I don't think so...
"Really? You like Brother Chen, right?"
"Brother Chen?" Thor frowned.
"Don't worry about that. You like Brother Chen, and I like Brother Chen too. What does that mean? It means we have similar interests! We have the same aesthetic taste! Isn't that something to be happy about?" Jinmu Qianshu said earnestly.
"What you said... seems to make some sense?" Thor blinked, his mind a little slow to process what he was saying.
"Right? Since we're both good friends who like Brother Chen, why can't we get along well?"
"Let's get along amicably... Won't you try to steal Lord Chen from me?"
"Of course not! Let's take care of Brother Chen together!"
"Okay... then." Thor agreed, somewhat bewildered.
This situation has completely confused Shichen. Is Nishiki Chizuka really that friendly?
"Hehe~" Nishiki Chizuka proudly made a peace sign at Toki.
"Tsk~" Kasumigaoka Utaha walked unhappily to her designated spot.
"Kasumigaoka, what are you doing?" Toki asked.
Kasumigaoka Utaha did not reply to him.
"Xia Shizi?"
"Shiyu?"
"Shiyu?"
"Write a novel!"
Kasumigaoka Utaha then turned around and glared at him.