Chapter 9: The Progress of Bending Time and Space is Especially Fast

The morning of June 1- a couple of days after Ayu and Hikari went fishing.

“It’s June today.”

Ayu brought that up during breakfast.

“What are you talking about, Ayu-chan? It’s May 32 today.”

Hikari said that with a completely serious face.

“Eh, …sensei?”

“It’s May 32 today.”

Hikari repeated that calmly despite Ayu’s confusion.

Ayu suddenly realized something just as she was about to say, “What are you talking about?”

“…Are you dragging your drafts again?”

“I’m not. It’s still May right now.”

Hikari’s tone is gentle yet contains a sense of unrefutable determination. Ayu could only follow up with a bitter smile.

“Alright, alright, it’s May 32 today.”

“Glad you can understand me, Ayu-chan.”

…For Ayu, she can easily shrug it off with a bitter smile. However, obviously, as her editor, Miyako won’t tolerate Hikari’s BS.

“Don’t you even think about taking a step out of your house before finishing your draft!”

Miyako Shirakawa dashed into the house at 10 AM.

Miyako’s pressure made Hikari feel that her collarbones would really break if she rebelled. Therefore, she chose to sit in the studio obediently.

“…Miya-chan, is sensei’s draft needed that badly?”

“Yes.”

Miyako answered with a stern face.

Miyako said the draft Hikari is dragging is releasing in June- this month. It’s the latest volume of <I Reincarnated into Handsome OP Protagonist Who Smurfs>. The illustrations are already finished, and it’s already available for pre-order in bookstores.

If she’s dragging the draft for <Everyone is Different. I Love Everyone>’s web novel, the worst scenario is a short hiatus. However, the loss is immeasurable for a draft that’s about to be released in a physical copy.

Sensei, you still went fishing in such a horrible situation…?

Even though Ayu didn’t know the deadline, she thought she must be an accomplice since they went fishing together.

Ayu’s expression turned stiff. Miyako called her in confusion. “A-chan?”

“I-It’s nothing.”

Miyako squinted her eyes and stared at Ayu, who kept averting her eyes.

“I bet she went out to play when the deadline is burning her butt, right…?”

Ayu asked Miyako tremblingly.

“Miya-chan, …won’t sensei lose her job if she keeps slacking off?”

Although she’s not familiar with how society works, people who keep skipping work to play will be fired normally, right?

Miyako showed a slightly annoyed expression.

“Sigh, authors aren’t part of the publishing house, so they won’t be fired. However, authors with bad records or had caused serious problems will be blacklisted sometimes.”

“T-Then, will sensei…!”

Ayu was very terrified. Miyako bitterly smiled.

“Relax, right now. It’s next to impossible.”

“Eh? Why?”

“Hikari Kairou is a popular author. She still brought us a lot of revenue despite the troubles she caused for the company. However, aside from that, the most important reason is that I love her.”

“Eh-“

Ayu turned speechless. Miyako continued.

“…I love her novels. So, I’ll apologize for any troubles Hikari caused for other people. As long as she wants to continue being a novelist, I’ll try my best to protect her position. …Actually, I’m trying my best to suppress the urge to break her collarbones and hang her naked body upside down above the publishing house’s roof.”

Miyako’s tone was very calm, but her eyes were series. Ayu looked at her dazedly.

Miyako noticed Ayu’s look and smiled embarrassedly, “Don’t tell that to Hikari.”

“Well, but I bet that idiot noticed how I feel like right now. She just likes to do whatever she wants sometimes and see where the line of other people are.”

…Even though Miyako realized that already, she still swore to protect Hikari. Ayu genuinely feels that Miyako is amazing.

While Miyako’s feeling toward Hikari isn’t love, you can still feel that their relationship is very special.

Ayu is weirdly envious of this.