Chapter 26: Chapter 26: A Pretty Girlfriend?

Seeing that Akiwara Yuto made no move, Asano Aiko assumed he was worried about not hosting her well, so she smiled and said, "Akiwara, you go open the door first; I'll read this magazine for a while."

After saying this, she took a magazine out of her handbag.

Akiwara Yuto nodded. He stood up, went downstairs to open the door, and discovered that the person who had arrived was indeed Ikawa Akemi.

She had changed her outfit today, wearing a white lace-trimmed dress and a sun hat, revealing her long, slender neck. Her skin was extremely fair, so translucent that one could even see the veins. She was smiling at this moment, and her eyes looked particularly beautiful when she smiled, bright like crescent moons.

Upon seeing Akiwara Yuto, she smiled, then gave a polite bow and said in a crisp voice, "Good morning, Akiwara-san."

Akiwara Yuto nodded in acknowledgement, took the gift she had brought, welcomed her upstairs, and led her to... opposite Asano Aiko...

Asano Aiko was momentarily stunned when she saw the pretty girl Akiwara Yuto had brought in. After seeing her, Ikawa Akemi also gave her a surprised look.

Both of them couldn't help but have the same thought pop into their minds: so Akiwara (Teacher Akiwara) already had such a beautiful girlfriend.

Akiwara was completely unaware of their misunderstanding. He stepped forward and took the initiative to introduce them to each other: "Asano, this is Miss Ikawa Akemi, a junior at Tokyo Women's University; Miss Ikawa, this is my editor-in-charge, Miss Asano Aiko."

After hearing the introduction, Ikawa Akemi realized she had thought wrong. Her face turned red, and she hurriedly stepped forward to bow: "Miss Asano, I am Ikawa Akemi from the Tokyo Women's Drama Club. It's a pleasure to meet you, please take care of me."

Asano Aiko immediately returned the bow and said with a gentle attitude, "Please take care of me as well."

She had originally guessed that the other party was Akiwara Yuto's girlfriend, but since Akiwara Yuto hadn't indicated as much, perhaps they were just friends? Or maybe more than friends but not yet lovers? Regardless of their relationship, it was never wrong to get on good terms with her.

Holding this thought, she took the initiative to chat with Miss Ikawa, talking about everything from the latest popular jewelry to celebrity gossip, even sprinkling in compliments like "It suits Miss Ikawa very well" and "No one is as cute as you," which made the latter beam with joy and feel delighted inside.

Seeing that they were discussing women's topics and that he couldn't get a word in, Akiwara Yuto went to pour a cup of tea.

After chatting for a while, Asano Aiko felt they were sufficiently acquainted and that her purpose had been largely achieved. Feeling that staying any longer might make her a third wheel, she stood up, bowed to the two of them, and said goodbye: "I have things to attend to today, so I shall take my leave."

Ikawa Akemi felt a bit regretful; she hadn't expected that just as she was having a pleasant conversation with this senior, the other party would have to leave due to business.

Akiwara Yuto assumed Asano Aiko really had business to attend to, so he stood up to see her off—although they were quite familiar with each other, seeing a guest out was still basic etiquette.

The two went down the stairs and walked to the Xuanguan. Akiwara Yuto stopped there and asked Asano Aiko, who was changing her shoes, a question that had been puzzling him: "Asano, if my work is to be licensed for others to use, will there be any copyright disputes?"

Asano Aiko hadn't expected to be asked such a question. She pondered for a moment and asked in return, "What is it being used for?"

"At this year's school festival at Tokyo Women's University, Ikawa Akemi's club is performing a stage play, and I plan to adapt one of my novels into the script for this play."

Asano Aiko was a bit surprised. She hadn't expected this answer and gave Akiwara a strange look. She suspected that Akiwara's purpose in acting as a screenwriter was to pursue Ikawa Akemi; after all, this kind of thing was thankless work, and she couldn't think of any other reason.

But since they were only editor and writer, she didn't want to interfere too much in Akiwara Yuto's private life, so she didn't press the matter, only saying: "If it's not for commercial use, generally speaking, there shouldn't be any problems."

However, worried that Akiwara Yuto might get distracted by such things and fail to finish his manuscript, she added: "Akiwara, don't let your regular work slide. Write more manuscripts while you have inspiration."

Akiwara Yuto got the answer he wanted, nodded, and promised he would deliver his manuscripts on time.

After Asano Aiko left, he returned to the living room.

As soon as he returned, he was taken aback.

The entire half-box of rice cakes that had been left over was actually eaten clean, and the culprit was still blinking her eyes, putting on an innocent look.

Akiwara Yuto was a bit speechless, but he didn't say anything. After all, she was a guest, and hosting her properly was the right thing to do.

He subconsciously glanced at her stomach and found it was still flat. He wondered where she had put it all; could there be a bottomless pit inside?

Ikawa Akemi felt a bit embarrassed and took the initiative to suggest: "Teacher Akiwara... um... I brought a gift, it's wagashi from Mikazukido. If you don't mind, we can open it now..."

Akiwara Yuto rolled his eyes at her, suspecting that she was the one who wanted to eat it. He couldn't quite figure it out; she looked like a young lady from a wealthy family, yet she was not only a bit silly but also a glutton.

He wasn't interested in eating and decided to get straight to the point, asking politely: "Miss Ikawa, I presume you have already confirmed my articles, so what do you think of my previous proposal?"

He intended to lay his cards on the table. As a published author, not writing his manuscripts properly and instead participating in a university club's stage play could certainly be called neglecting his proper work, but conversely, he didn't think he would be refused.

Seeing Akiwara Yuto's serious expression, Ikawa Akemi also became earnest.

After confirming that Akiwara Yuto indeed had articles being serialized, she immediately informed her advisor and other seniors. Although they were half-doubting, they still entrusted her with the task of obtaining a script written by this "Teacher Akiwara."

In short, she had come today with the expectations of the entire club, and she absolutely could not mess this up.

I must do my best!

Thinking of this, she stood up, bowed deeply, and said with a sincere attitude: "Teacher Akiwara, although I don't know why you agreed to my request to join the stage play creation, if you are serious, we will certainly not let your work down."

Seeing the other party's actions, Akiwara Yuto was a bit surprised, but he soon nodded with satisfaction and said with a smile: "No problem, I will definitely write a work that we are all satisfied with."

Seeing Ikawa Akemi's smiling face, Akiwara Yuto began to think to himself.

The plan is going smoothly; next is to see which story to adapt!