— — — — — —
After hanging up, Oikawa Toru paused for a moment, then opened LINE and started going back and forth with Ayame Kagurazaka.
"How about just 100 copies? That's already a lot!"
"Oiiii, my dear editor, don't pretend you didn't see my message!"
"..."
"Dammit! If you don't reply, I'm tagging the other editors in the main group chat!!!"
At that moment, Oikawa finally understood why Shizuka Hiratsuka had been so furious when he ignored her calls.
Sure enough—
The moment he sent that, Kagurazaka popped up instantly.
"What's wrong, Oikawa-kun? I just saw your messages."
"Didn't you already agree to 200 copies? How come you're backing out so soon? A guy should stand by his word, you know."
"I was just praising you to the editorial team, saying you didn't even blink when you heard you'd be signing 200 copies of Your Lie in April. Even the chief editor knows now—he said he'll personally prepare tea for you when you come in."
"If only every author were like you, Oikawa-kun!"
This woman…
Just a few lines, and she'd completely shut him down.
"150 copies."
After he typed that, Kagurazaka hesitated for a moment before replying, "Can't you push yourself just a little more, Oikawa-kun? Imagine the look on readers' faces when they get a signed copy of Your Lie in April… wouldn't that make you happy from the bottom of your heart?"
"Everyone's been supporting you all this time. Even my cousin in middle school begs me every day to get her a signed copy from you."
"Please, Oikawa-kun!"
Oikawa wavered a little… but also felt like he was being emotionally manipulated.
"Think about it—somewhere out there is a reader who dreams of playing the piano, but had to give it up for whatever reason. When they see your signed copy, imagine how moved they'll be!!!"
"And what about another fan who tried everything but couldn't get your autograph—then one day she hears there's a signed edition, and by pure luck she actually manages to buy one. Wouldn't that bring tears to your eyes?"
"And then there's—"
She just kept going.
Honestly, she should be the one writing novels. Being an editor was a waste of talent.
"Alright, alright! 200 copies it is!"
"Great! So when are you coming over?"
"When I feel like it."
"And when will that be?"
"When I feel like it."
Oikawa turned off his phone and tossed it aside.
He'd deal with the signing some other day.
Sleepiness was hitting hard. Right now, all he wanted was a good nap.
...
..
In a room covered wall to wall with Sailor Moon posters—
Yui Yuigahama curled up into a ball in the corner of her bed, looking troubled.
She'd been like this ever since she got home.
Then—
The sound of the door opening reached her ears.
A gentle, elegant woman walked in. Her figure was even more… generous than Yui's, and she came over to sit beside her.
"Yui, what's wrong? Did something happen at the camping trip?" She asked softly.
Yui shook her head like a startled deer, but her eyes avoided her mother's.
"Then… did you do something bad to someone?"
Yui froze for a second, then buried her entire face into the bed.
"Do you want to tell Mom about it?"
Mrs. Yuigahama lay down behind her and wrapped her arms around her daughter.
"Mom…"
"I… I think I did something bad."
The moment she spoke, tears spilled from her eyes and slid down her cheeks.
"There, there. Don't cry. Tell me—what did you do?"
Her mother pulled her gently into her chest, patting her back and soothing her in a soft voice.
"Mom…"
"At the campsite… I saw a classmate who looked like she was about to confess to a boy, and I… I interrupted them."
Her mother's hand paused in midair.
But only for a brief moment.
Then she smiled and began stroking Yui's hair.
"So Yui has a boy she likes now. You're growing up."
"No, no!"
Yui quickly broke free from her embrace, shaking her head frantically. "I don't like Oikawa-kun! I really don't!"
"Oh? So his name is Oikawa?"
Her mother's eyes curved into a smile as she noticed the redness creeping up Yui's ears.
"Mom, I really don't like him!"
"I… I don't even know why I said anything back then. I just… didn't want things to change between us."
Yui didn't think she liked him.
She just… just didn't want their relationships to change. She just wanted everyone to keep having fun together like before.
"That's okay. Maybe that girl wasn't even planning to confess in the first place."
"Just like you don't like Oikawa-kun, right?"
"If I misunderstood you, then maybe you misunderstood your classmate too."
Yui fell into thought.
Seeing that, her mother's lips curled into a faint smile.
Her daughter was still just as easy to read as ever.
Still… she was getting a little curious about this Oikawa-kun.
What kind of boy was he, anyway?
.
.
.