074. Signing the Contract

In Umaru Doma’s eyes, the girl’s features could be described as ordinarily cute, nothing particularly out of the ordinary. But why hadn’t she noticed earlier that there was someone else outside the door? Umaru was privately puzzled.

Meanwhile, having received Aki Tomoya’s affirmative response, Megumi Kato stepped forward, looked at the absentminded Umaru standing at the entrance, and said, “From what I’ve heard… hmm, you must be Jiang Yu’s little sister, right? Aren’t you going to invite us in?”

Umaru snapped out of her daze at those words and quickly apologized, “Sorry, senior Aki, and this is… senior Kato? Please come in. You can just use the guest slippers by the entrance.”

As she spoke, Umaru stepped aside, retreating a few steps to give Aki Tomoya and Megumi Kato space to enter.

After waiting for them to change their shoes, Umaru led them into the living room. Telling them to make themselves comfortable, she then turned to prepare tea.

Once seated, both guests curiously surveyed their surroundings. Although it wasn’t Aki Tomoya’s first time here, he’d never actually been inside before, so this could be considered his first visit to Jiang Yu’s home.

Megumi Kato, though similarly curious, maintained her usual calm demeanor. She took in the tidy room, the PS4 in the center with its indicator light still blinking, and the pile of snacks beside it, feeling a bit perplexed.

...

On the train, Jiang Yu gripped a handrail with one hand while playing with his phone in the other, scrolling through the latest headlines.

Stories like, “Renowned game developer Kazuki Fujisawa announced as a judge for ‘Let’s Make a Game’,” or “Jianghai Software announces VR technology has matured and is collaborating on virtual reality research,” filled his feed.

Suddenly, a LINE notification popped up—a message from Umaru Doma. Jiang Yu frowned, unable to imagine what this little girl, currently obsessed with games, wanted from him.

He tapped the message open and instantly his eyes widened in disbelief as he muttered under his breath, “Na ni?”

“Brother, where did you go? Your friends are at our house~ Senior Aki and a pretty girl.”

That’s what was written.

Patting his forehead, Jiang Yu finally recalled that he had indeed promised Aki Tomoya something along the lines of, “If you’re worried, just come over to my place this weekend…”

But who was the pretty girl? Someone Tomoya knew well enough to bring to his house… It had to be a member of that not-yet-established club, didn’t it?

Figuring he’d find out soon enough, Jiang Yu didn’t bother speculating further and began replying to Umaru.

“Got it, I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Edited, sent, done.

Just then, the train arrived at his stop. Wanting to make up for lost time, Jiang Yu followed the flow of passengers out of the station.

Arriving at the base of the Immortal River Publishing building, Jiang Yu dialed the number the “Black Cat” editor had given him the night before.

After a moment, the call connected.

“Moshi moshi? This is Ruri Gokou speaking. May I ask who’s calling?”

“Ah, sorry, I made an appointment with an editor whose LINE nickname is ‘Black Cat’ for this time slot yesterday. She told me to call this number when I arrived. Is she there?”

“Ah—! Are you Mr. Tusu? I’ll come down to greet you right away!”

“Wait, that’s not necessary. Just tell me which floor—you don’t need to come down.”

“Ah~ sorry to trouble you, but I’m swamped with all sorts of things right now. Please take the elevator to the seventh floor.”

“Understood. I’ll head up right away. Hanging up now.”

“Alright, thank you so much—” On the other end, Ruri Gokou was about to finish her sentence when the busy tone sounded in her ear. She chuckled and shook her head, inwardly remarking on Mr. Tusu’s impatience, while also feeling a hint of doubt.

Mr. Tusu’s voice sounded rather young—was it just a naturally boyish tone?

Quickly setting aside her current work and taking out the prepared documents, Ruri Gokou began readying herself for her long-awaited meeting with Mr. Tusu.

After Jiang Yu came upstairs, he followed the signs and soon located the Immortal River Bookstore office. Approaching, he saw a girl with long black hair, petite and cute despite her work uniform, standing by the doorway and glancing around.

Is this the Black Cat editor?

Is this Mr. Tusu?

Simultaneously, Ruri Gokou at the door spotted Jiang Yu coming straight toward her, and she too felt a sense of incredulity.

At the entrance, Jiang Yu even stepped back to double-check—it was indeed the Immortal River Bookstore. Looking at the equally astonished girl in front of him, he hesitated and asked, “Um… are you… Editor Black Cat?”

Ruri Gokou gave a strange smile and replied in disbelief, “Are you… Mr. Tusu?”

Well, in her surprise, even her formal “you” had slipped into a more casual “you.”

Strangely enough, Jiang Yu actually found this more comfortable—if only she would drop the “Mr.” altogether.

Touching the bridge of his nose, Jiang Yu coughed a few times and said, “No need for the ‘Mr.’… My name is Jiang Yu, pen name ‘Baili Tusu,’ author of ‘My Teen Romantic Comedy.’ Pleased to meet you.” As he spoke, Jiang Yu extended his right hand, smiling at the petite, flat-chested girl in front of him.

Come to think of it, wasn’t that thought just now a little rude?

Ah… my apologies, my apologies.

Ruri Gokou gave a soft sigh, feeling as if her idol had just come crashing down. Looking at Jiang Yu’s outstretched hand, she reached out her own, a smile appearing on her face as she said, “Hello, I’m the editor Black Cat. My real name is Ruri Gokou, and I’ll be the editor in charge of your works from now on.”

Give me back the Mr. Tusu I’d imagined!

Well, some things just aren’t possible, are they?

After their introductions, Jiang Yu followed Ruri Gokou into the meeting room, attracting plenty of curious stares from people passing by. Apparently, it was rare to see someone who looked so much like a high schooler coming here.

So, age really is a hurdle… Sometimes he nearly forgot he was still a high school student himself.

Jiang Yu sighed inwardly, though his expression betrayed nothing, as he kept pace with Ruri Gokou.

After they were seated in the lounge, Ruri Gokou asked, “Would you like something to drink? Tea or coffee?”

“Hmm… tea, thank you.” Jiang Yu much preferred tea to coffee.

Soon enough, Jiang Yu sat holding a hot cup of tea in a paper cup, blowing gently on it. Ruri Gokou, seated opposite him, began, “Now, let’s discuss the contract, Mr. Tusu…”

Well, it was obvious she was a little awkward about it… It seemed calling someone five or six years her junior “Mr.” was a bit much for Black Cat.

“…No need for formalities, just call me by my name. Please, go ahead.” Jiang Yu, sensitive to the awkward note in Ruri Gokou’s voice, said this out of consideration for her.