070. Kirino Makes a Decision at Dawn

Moreover, based on the peculiar perspectives in this light novel, Ruri Gokou deduced that the author must be someone with rich life experience and an unconventional way of thinking, likely between the ages of twenty and thirty—a senior to her in some respects. Coupled with the abundance of elements unique to Chiba, Ruri believed that the author was either a native of Chiba or had lived there for a considerable time, which meant she shared yet another connection with them.

Summing it all up, the image in Ruri Gokou’s mind of the author of "My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, As I Expected" was that of someone in their twenties or thirties who was deeply familiar with Chiba. And so, a sense of affinity spontaneously welled up within her.

With this thought, Ruri Gokou hurriedly logged onto the Undying River Library’s website, used her editor credentials to access the backend, and entered the submission number to check the author’s information. As an aside, for ease of management, each entry for this year’s Undying River Newcomer Award had been assigned its own number in chronological order.

"Huh? Right in Chiyoda?" Ruri Gokou couldn’t help but voice her surprise as she read the address the author had left. In her imagination, the author was most likely a resident of Chiba. To her astonishment, however, the author lived in Tokyo—indeed, in the very same ward as herself.

The initial surprise quickly gave way to excitement. This only strengthened Ruri Gokou’s conviction: the author of this light novel must be someone originally from Chiba Prefecture. Born in Chiba herself, now drifting through life in Tokyo, Ruri Gokou felt an even deeper sense of kinship with this stranger she had never met.

Using the LINE ID provided in the author’s information, Ruri first sent a friend request, then prepared to send an official email from Undying River’s address, notifying the author that their light novel had passed the selection and requesting prompt contact with their assigned editor.

Well... messages of this kind always followed a set template. But suddenly recalling that such matters should first be approved by the chief editor, Ruri hastily halted her actions and instead started a conversation with her LINE contact labeled "Sonoko Machida."

"Chief Editor Machida! I’ve found a work that’s ready for publication! It has the makings of a masterpiece! Here’s the manuscript."

She attached the file for "My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, As I Expected."

The reply came quickly.

"Is that so? If even little Ruri is this excited about it, then I absolutely must take a good look! (smiley face)"

After about fifteen minutes, another message arrived.

"It’s stunning. Full marks for character development and originality; the writing and plot are also top-notch. Well done, Ruri—this is the breath of fresh air so many have been waiting for! It’s a surefire contender for the grand prize! (serious fist pump)"

That enthusiastic? Although Ruri Gokou had been confident in the quality of the work, she never expected it to be regarded by Sonoko Machida as a prime candidate for the grand prize.

Question: What happens when a work in the Newcomer Award catches the chief editor’s eye?
Answer: At minimum, it gets a solid recommendation; at maximum, it takes the grand prize.

Amid her amazement, Ruri Gokou genuinely felt happy for the author. In her heart, this author was someone just like her—born in Chiba. Perhaps, too, there was a trace of envy—something Ruri herself hadn’t acknowledged or had chosen to ignore. After all, her earliest dream had also been to become a published author.

On Ruri Gokou’s phone, the LINE chat window continued to flash:

"Ruri, contact this... uh... Teacher Bai Li Tusu right away? Once the contract is signed, we can let him take part in the Newcomer Award selection."

"Oh, and from now on, you’re in charge of all further communication with this author! In other words, you’re now their assigned editor, so you’d better take your responsibilities seriously!"

With a cheerful "No problem!" Ruri ended their conversation.

Next, using the official Undying River Library email, she sent the carefully drafted message to the address the author had provided.

Having accomplished all this, Ruri Gokou, brimming with excitement, threw herself on her bed and rolled back and forth, unable to contain her elation.

After she calmed down, she immersed herself in the manuscript of "My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, As I Expected," glancing at the LINE status from time to time.

...

Now, let us turn the clock back a little and return to our protagonist.

After hurriedly boarding the train with Runya Aki and Umaru Doma, Jiang Yu anxiously kept an eye on the time, worried about being late for his part-time job.

Fortunately, the train was much faster than Jiang Yu had anticipated, and the café where he worked wasn’t far from the station. However, there was definitely no time to go home and change clothes.

Once off the train, Jiang Yu asked Runya Aki to take Umaru Doma home. Without waiting for a reply, he dashed off toward the café where he worked.

Left behind were Runya Aki, who seemed about to say something, and Umaru Doma, who pouted and stamped her foot in annoyance.

With a helpless smile, Runya Aki turned to the spot where Umaru Doma had been standing and said, "Well then, just as your brother asked, I’ll take you... home...?"

The spot where she had been standing...

Runya Aki glanced in the direction Jiang Yu had disappeared, but his small figure had already vanished into the crowd.

Shrugging at the bags slung over his shoulders, Runya Aki sent Jiang Yu an explanatory message on LINE, then hefted the two large shopping bags and the bulging backpack, and headed for his own home.

Panting, Jiang Yu arrived at the café and entered Kyoko Kato’s office under the curious gazes of his coworkers.

"Um... cough, cough... Sorry, I was in such a rush that I didn’t bring my work uniform today," Jiang Yu said, trying to steady his breath, though it seemed rather pointless.

Kyoko Kato looked Jiang Yu up and down, then said sternly, "Jiang, private matters are private, work is work. You understand that, don’t you? What you did today is putting your personal affairs above your job."

"...Yes! I’m very sorry!" Jiang Yu bowed his head and apologized sincerely.

"I’ll let it go this time. We have a spare set here—go change into it," Kyoko Kato said, producing a uniform from beneath the desk and handing it to Jiang Yu.

He hurried forward to take the clothes, and heard her laugh, "Alright, that’s business settled. Now, let’s talk about something more personal. So, did you enjoy your date with your girlfriend today?"

"...I keep telling you, she’s just a friend—and a guy! Besides, who goes on a date and brings their little sister along?" Jiang Yu protested helplessly.

Kyoko Kato burst out laughing. "Alright, alright, I won’t tease you anymore. Go on—get to work!"

Jiang Yu nodded, bowed slightly, and left the office for the changing room, preparing for his shift that evening.