The appointed time was three in the afternoon.
Actually, when Haruno Tetsu walked into the restaurant, the cheap digital watch on his wrist displayed 2:58.
But because it was a cheap digital watch, Haruno Tetsu always doubted its reliability. Seeing the strange atmosphere in the restaurant, he subconsciously thought he was late.
"Teacher Haruno, don't worry, it's only 2:58 now, you're not late." The black-haired girl sitting opposite Machida Sonoko said in a cold voice.
She deliberately emphasized the time 2:58.
Pretending not to understand, Haruno Tetsu happily sat down next to Machida Sonoko.
A 2,000 yen watch is no different from those worth 20 million yen.
"Senpai, good afternoon." After sitting down leisurely, he greeted her politely.
He was surprised when he first saw Kasumigaoka Shi羽. He didn't expect to meet both of Toyonozaki's school beauties within a single day. If other students in the school knew about this kind of fate, they would be envious to tears.
"You know me?" Kasumigaoka Shi羽 put away her crossed legs. It's one thing to reveal her true self in front of someone who doesn't know her, but if the other person knows her and spreads the word around the school, even if she doesn't care, it would still be too much trouble.
Actually, when she first arrived, she was quite unhappy.
Because describing "Love Beat" as turbulent recently is an understatement. An incompetent leader plus a bunch of useless teammates, what could be more depressing than this?
Thinking about the previous illustrator, she felt a pang of heartache.
She was so angry.
The heroine of the first volume of "Love Beat," the girl named Sayuka, was created based on her. But that idiot who doesn't know anything, actually wanted to put Sayuka in such revealing clothes, showing off her charms?
What a joke. Even though she, Kasumigaoka Shi羽, might seem more sexy than others, more mature, and have a bigger bust, she has never done anything indecent.
Her first love, first kiss, first... are all still hers!
Just thinking about Sayuka, based on herself, wearing those clothes that don't cover her breasts or butt, being licked by countless otaku, made her want to vomit.
It just so happened that it was her period those two days. The girl, furious, directly cursed the guy out, ending the meeting in an unpleasant way.
Actually, when she first heard Machida Sonoko talk about finding a new illustrator, she was quite happy. No one wished more than her for "Love Beat" to be written smoothly.
But when she got to the restaurant and saw Machida Sonoko's pitiful expression, the unpleasant experience from that day once again surfaced in her mind.
For the sake of heaven, Machida Sonoko felt wronged simply because she was physically outmatched, okay...?
She doesn't know how Kasumigaoka Shi羽 made this unfounded assumption.
But since the other party knows her, and seeing that she's a high school student around the same age, her identity can be basically confirmed.
If it's a classmate, regardless of how angry she is, she shouldn't lash out at the other party.
After all, it wasn't this boy who provoked her, and they might even need to work together in the long run.
If he's not like that previous idiot.
"Senpai Kasumigaoka, I'm Haruno Tetsu from Toyonozaki Private Academy, I'm about to be a second-year high school student, please take care of me." Haruno Tetsu said, taking out his student ID card from Toyonozaki Private Academy from his pocket.
Japan is a country without ID cards. Adults generally use driver's licenses instead of ID cards, but as a minor, Haruno Tetsu doesn't have that.
But since they're students, they have a better way to prove their identity, which is the student ID card.
This is also why in various anime, manga, and doujinshi, the e-fallen heroines are often photographed with their student IDs.
Actually, he had prepared his student ID card before leaving home today. If he could successfully become an illustrator, there would definitely be relevant contracts and stuff, and the other party would definitely confirm his identity.
Since he turned 16, he doesn't have a guardian, so he can only prove himself.
As for Machida Sonoko's identity, he had already been to the headquarters of Fushikawa Bookstore to verify her identity.
I have to say, Machida Sonoko in the photo is still a bit worse than in real life.
At least in the photo, she looks a bit flat-chested.
I don't know where they found that photographer. It would be better to let me do a portrait directly.
"So it's Haruno-kun, I apologize for my rudeness earlier." Kasumigaoka Shi羽 not only put away her crossed legs, but also her slightly arrogant attitude.
Haruno Tetsu didn't mind. At least in his opinion, Kasumigaoka Shi羽 has the right to be arrogant.
Toyonozaki's top student for two consecutive years, her record will probably continue to be broken after she goes to the third year. Now she's also discovered to be a light novel writer. Combining with what Haruno Tetsu knew about the sales of the first volume of "Love Beat," and the bonus from the Fushikawa Bookstore Newcomer Award, while most of his peers are still relying on their parents, the girl opposite him has already achieved financial independence.
She has even achieved financial freedom to some extent.
Compared to Haruno Tetsu who was struggling to earn a living for himself and his sister, it's a world of difference.
After some small talk, they ordered some food under Machida Sonoko's generous promise, and finally got down to business.
"Teacher Haruno, have you read "Love Beat" that I mentioned earlier?"
"Of course, after talking with Editor Machida, I bought the first volume of "Love Beat"." Haruno Tetsu struggled to pull out the deformed novel from his backpack, which had been squeezed, and looked awkwardly at the two girls.
He carried too much today, plus he had to help Kato Megumi earlier, causing his backpack to be squeezed, so it's understandable that it's like this now.
At least in his opinion...
When he bought this novel, it cost him 700 yen. Although it's not expensive compared to other light novels, it still made him heartbroken for a long time.
He was conflicted for two whole days before using the excuse of it being a work investment to convince himself.
There's no way, he didn't want to face the boss's murderous gaze while mooching in the bookstore. If he could mooch in the bookstore to finish this novel, he wouldn't buy it.
"It's good that you've read it. Can Mr. Haruno show us what kind of person Sayuka is in your mind?"
Haruno Tetsu's expression turned serious.
He knew this was the test before getting the job.