Chapter 119: Please Leave the Man-tan Society

Satake Maki stood at the entrance of Akiwara Yuto’s home and pressed the doorbell; soon, a "ding-a-ling" sound rang out.

In her right hand, she was holding a light green handbag, inside of which was the bento she had made today.

After the bell rang, she lowered her hand and waited quietly for Akiwara Yuto to open the door. At this moment, a question suddenly occurred to her.

How should she give this bento to Teacher Akiwara in a moment?

She would just say it was an arrangement by President Anjiu; after all, President Anjiu had indeed told her to take good care of Teacher Akiwara.

After deciding on her excuse, she said "sorry" to Anjiu Jin Gangyi in her heart—after all, she felt a bit embarrassed using him as an excuse every time...

Just as she was lost in thought, the door opened. She was about to smile and say "Teacher Akiwara," when she suddenly saw Akiwara Yuto and Asano Aiko behind the door.

The two were wearing coats, looking like they were about to go out.

Seeing this scene, the words Satake Maki wanted to say got stuck in her throat, and she only managed to let out a "Good evening."

On the other side, seeing that it was Satake Maki who had come, Akiwara Yuto smiled and greeted her, then introduced the two to each other.

"Ms. Asano, this is Satake Maki from Anjiu Bookstore, currently serving as the editor in charge of my new book. Editor Satake, this is Asano Aiko from the Man-tan Society, my partner during my serialization in *New Novel*."

Hearing the other's identity, Satake Maki immediately understood who she was and bowed to greet her, and Asano Aiko immediately returned the bow politely.

While bowing, Satake Maki couldn't help but let her mind wander.

If the other party is a partner, then she must have been Teacher Akiwara’s previous editor.

But why would she come to Teacher Akiwara’s house so late? Do the two have some other relationship?

When she raised her head, Satake Maki couldn't help but size up this Ms. Asano.

The other party was about 24 or 25 years old, 1.6 meters tall, with a pretty face, shoulder-length short hair, and was wearing a black professional cardigan; the whole person had an intellectual charm.

Compared to her, her own looks and temperament could only be considered ordinary.

For a moment, her mood was a bit complicated.

Seeing that Satake Maki didn't speak, Akiwara Yuto asked, "Editor Satake, is there something you need coming by so late?"

Satake Maki had just wanted to say she was here to deliver dinner, but she subconsciously hesitated and even told a lie.

"President Anjiu instructed me to come; he wanted to ask if Teacher Akiwara is already aware of the situation for the autograph session the day after tomorrow."

"An autograph session? There’s nothing to prepare for, right?" Akiwara Yuto touched his head, a bit puzzled. "Wouldn't it have been fine to just make a phone call?"

Satake Maki "smiled" and said, "You're right, haha, President Anjiu is too careless."

Then, she asked in a casual tone, "Teacher Akiwara, have you eaten dinner? It wouldn't be cup noodles again, would it?"

If Akiwara Yuto hadn't eaten, she planned to hand the bento in her bag to him, and then find an excuse to push the blame onto Anjiu Jin Gangyi later.

Akiwara Yuto didn't know her intentions and just said, "I was just about to go to a nearby family restaurant with Ms. Asano. Editor Satake, have you eaten? Would you like to join us?"

Satake Maki’s hand, which was ready to grab the bento, froze. She thought for a moment, then "smiled" and waved her hand.

"No need, Teacher Akiwara, you two go ahead."

After saying this, she bowed and said, "I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave."

Without waiting for Akiwara Yuto to reply, she turned around and walked toward where her motorcycle was parked at the courtyard gate.

As she left, her right hand gripped the bag containing the bento tightly.

For some reason, she felt a deep ache in her heart.

After Satake Maki left on her motorcycle, Akiwara Yuto and Asano Aiko also walked out the door. The two walked one after the other for more than 20 minutes until they arrived at the "Garden" restaurant near their homes.

After entering the shop, the two were led by a waitress to the non-smoking area, where they each ordered a pork cutlet rice and a pasta.

Akiwara Yuto handed the menu to the waitress and then said to Asano Aiko, who was sitting opposite him, "Asano, it’s been quite a while since we last ate together, hasn't it?"

Asano Aiko hesitated for a moment, then replied, "It's been about two months."

"How is Lady Asano’s health?" Akiwara Yuto asked casually, as she had always been very kind to him when he was a guest at the Asano home.

Asano Aiko smiled and replied, "Mother’s health is always good. Thank you for your concern."

"That’s good. Please give my regards to your mother."

Asano Aiko nodded, "Thank you, I will tell her."

After saying this, the two fell into silence, and the atmosphere became a bit awkward for a moment.

Akiwara Yuto picked up the water glass in front of him, took a sip, and then made a suggestion: "Asano, actually, I want to ask you a question. Have you ever considered leaving the Man-tan Society?"

"Leave?" Asano Aiko was a bit puzzled.

Akiwara Yuto nodded and then said earnestly, "Yes, I hope you can serve as my assistant and help me handle some work."

"Are you joking?" Asano Aiko was a bit confused.

As far as she knew, writers rarely had assistants; usually, only manga artists did.

Akiwara Yuto shook his head, "No, I don't mean it as a joke."

In the process of working with Anjiu Bookstore, he had discovered many problems.

For example, Anjiu Bookstore’s proofreading ability was limited; often they could only spot typos, and their exploration of grammar was not very detailed.

While this didn't affect the reading experience for ordinary readers, in the eyes of professionals, it would undoubtedly be seen as a lack of rigor in his writing.

Besides that, Akiwara Yuto also wanted to find someone to be responsible for managing online promotion. After all, although there weren't many users on the internet now, according to his memories from his past life, in a few more years, Japan would further increase its internet infrastructure.

By that stage, the role of the internet might be no less than that of newspapers today.

As for other aspects, such as film and television adaptation rights, dealing with publishers, and so on, all required someone who understood the industry to take over.

If he were to put his own energy into those things, it would undoubtedly be counterproductive.

Looking at it this way, Asano Aiko, who understood proofreading and had experience working at a large publishing house, was absolutely the best candidate.

Moreover, no matter what, Akiwara Yuto had not forgotten her kindness in recognizing his talent, and he could just happen to repay it through profit sharing.

At this time, the waitress walked over and served the two dishes they had just ordered, but Akiwara Yuto and Asano Aiko, sitting face to face, had no intention of picking up their chopsticks.

Akiwara Yuto thought for a moment and informed her of all the work he would arrange for her to do later.

After listening, Asano Aiko didn't speak immediately but fell into thought.

Before this, the reason she hadn't seen Akiwara Yuto, besides feeling that the Man-tan Society had let him down, was also because of what Takei Kohei had said.

After all, what could she really help Akiwara Yuto with?

But looking at it now, she might really be able to help with some things; perhaps she couldn't do the best job, but she wasn't completely useless.

And she would give it her all!

Having figured this out, she found that her mind suddenly relaxed, and she even felt that she had been so silly before.

Akiwara Yuto waited a long time without getting a reply, so he asked with concern, "Asano, can you give me your answer?"

Asano Aiko smiled, and her bright, smiling face even made Akiwara Yuto lose his focus for a moment. Soon, he heard an answer.

"Sorry, Akiwara, I refuse to leave for now."