Chapter 884

"E-Editor-in-chief Kitahara! You were looking for me? Do you have any instructions?"

Sosuke Kitahara didn't say much, took out a folded memo paper from his suit's inner pocket, and handed it over with a slightly thin but steady hand.

His voice was not high, but it was exceptionally clear in the slightly noisy background, carrying the majesty unique to an editor-in-chief.

"Regarding the Literature Department of the headquarters, Shin-Ei Sha, I have already made brief contact through internal channels."

"So I need you to personally contact Natsume-kun today, remind him, and let him pick a time to go to the headquarters as soon as possible so that the editors there can finalize the contract with him."

He paused, and his cane tapped the ground lightly again, emphasizing:

"You and I both know the value of 'Snow Country.' We must ensure it remains firmly within 'our' system. We must never let Natsume-sensei turn to other publishers because of poor communication! Do you understand?!"

Atsushi Takahashi certainly understood the seriousness of the matter.

If "Snow Country" were lost from his hands to another publisher, it would be a major dereliction of duty that could not be undone.

He straightened his waist and responded firmly and decisively with an unprecedented tone:

"Yes! Editor-in-chief Kitahara, please rest assured!"

"I will definitely, definitely handle this matter personally and ensure that Natsume-sensei connects smoothly with the headquarters editors!"

"There will never be any possibility of this work being lost to another house!"

At night.

The streets of Shibuya were soaked by continuous rain.

The pattering raindrops tapped on various umbrella surfaces, converging into a hazy and continuous white noise.

On the street, most pedestrians were shrinking their necks, holding umbrellas of various colors, walking hurriedly on the slippery and reflective road surface.

The evening breeze, carrying moist water vapor and the city's atmosphere, blew slightly, bringing the coolness unique to early summer nights that seeped into clothes.

Chikage Natsume and Aoi Fujiwara were walking back to the apartment under umbrellas.

The rain threads crossed into silver lines in the halo of the streetlights.

Aoi Fujiwara was not affected by the weather at all; instead, she took a deep breath of the air with the fresh scent of rain, turned her wheat-colored face toward Chikage Natsume, and revealed a vibrant smile:

"On rainy days, the air becomes so clean and cool!"

"Yeah, it's really comfortable." Chikage Natsume nodded in agreement; he also quite liked the cool evening breeze after the rain during the change of seasons.

Not hot, not cold, just the right freshness to wash away the fatigue of the day.

Aoi Fujiwara's gaze fell on the slightly full supermarket shopping bag he was carrying in his other hand, and she blinked curiously:

"Natsume-kun, when did you buy these things?"

"The bag looks bulging, what's inside?"

Chikage Natsume heard this, lifted the shopping bag to indicate, and explained with a smile:

"Actually, I stopped by a nearby supermarket on the way back from work to replenish some things needed at home."

"Mainly a newly bought iron, catnip prepared for Shiro, and some daily necessities that Ruri asked me to bring."

"Iron? Catnip?" Aoi Fujiwara was suddenly enlightened, then opened her eyes wide in surprise, "Catnip! Did you buy it specifically for Shiro to 'enjoy'?"

Chikage Natsume raised the corners of his mouth slightly and nodded:

"Yeah. Shiro is considered a regular guest in our house now, so we have to prepare something novel for it to taste."

Aoi Fujiwara imagined the silly appearance Shiro might have after sniffing catnip, couldn't help but laugh out loud, her eyes curving into crescent moons:

"Heehee! I imagine Shiro will be so happy that it will roll around!"

"But Natsume-kun, you are really good to Shiro."

She said, a hint of imperceptible blush suddenly appearing on her face, as if thinking of something, her voice softened a little, carrying a bit of probing and expectation:

"Speaking of which... Natsume-kun, you've moved into your new home for several days, and I haven't had a chance to see it yet..."

"For a moment, I'm really a bit curious about what the new home looks like..."

She paused, found an excuse that sounded very reasonable, but the excitement in her tone could not be hidden:

"Ahem... and, I also want to stop by to see how Ruri-chan and Reisa-chan's manga progress is going!"

"Look, I also helped provide a lot of suggestions for the shoujo manga they are drawing! Haha..."

Chikage Natsume readily agreed:

"Of course you can come, or rather, you are very welcome."

"After moving here, Ruri has been nagging, asking when Fujiwara-sister and Nanase-sister can come to play again."

Once Aoi Fujiwara heard this, the excitement in her heart almost overflowed, and a brilliant smile bloomed on her face:

"Mm-hmm! That's great!"

The entrance door of the ten-ping room was turned by a key, making a slight "click" sound, and then slowly pushed inward.

"I'm home." Chikage Natsume stepped into the entryway and said habitually toward the room.

Warm and bright lights flowed out from the living room, accompanied by rustling movements.

Soon, two small heads curiously poked out from behind the living room, their gazes passing through the short corridor and landing at the door.

When they saw clearly that it was Chikage Natsume, the faces of Ruri Natsume and Reisa Kaga instantly bloomed with surprised smiles at the same time.

"Welcome back, brother!"

Ruri Natsume was like a happy little bird, running through the entryway in a few small steps, hugging Chikage Natsume's waist, and burying her face in him to rub.

Chikage Natsume was still carrying things in one hand, so he could only rub his younger sister's soft hair with the other hand, his eyes gentle.

Reisa Kaga also stood up shyly as usual, walked over slowly, stood in a slightly closer place, and said softly:

"Welcome back... Natsume-brother."

"Things... I, I'll help you carry them."

Chikage Natsume handed the supermarket shopping bag in his hand to her and smiled softly:

"Mm, sorry to trouble you, Kaga-san."

At this time, Aoi Fujiwara also took off her shoes, stepped on the same white socks as Ruri Natsume, and poked her body in shyly but with full expectation, waving her hand:

"Good evening! I'm here to disturb you again!"

The moment Ruri Natsume saw Aoi Fujiwara, she was slightly stunned at first, her big eyes narrowed imperceptibly, and a light similar to "vigilance" flashed by.

But that expression changed so fast it was like an illusion; the next second, she changed into a sweeter and more brilliant smile than before, let go of her brother, and took the initiative to step forward and hold Aoi Fujiwara's hand.

"Fujiwara-sister! It's really great that you're here!"

"Come in, come in! The manga draft that Reisa-chan and I are drawing just reached a key part, and we really need you to help us take a look!"

"We can't make up our minds about some storyboards and dialogue!"

Aoi Fujiwara was enthusiastically pulled by Ruri Natsume, the little shyness in her heart was immediately washed away, and she also happily held her hand back:

"Mm-hmm! Leave it to sister! Let me see how far you've drawn!"

The two girls chattered and ran into the living room on their socks.

And at this time, Chikage Natsume also walked into the slightly spacious living room.

The little white cat that was originally curled up on the blanket, squinting its eyes for a nap, moved its ears slightly with extreme sensitivity.

Shiro immediately opened those agile cat eyes, swept away the laziness, meowed, and stood up nimbly.

It held its fluffy tail high like holding a small flag, walked with elegant and light cat steps, and trotted to Chikage Natsume's feet.

Then, it began to rub against his trouser legs affectionately and continuously with its head and one side of its body, making a coquettish "purr-purr" sound, looking up at him, as if saying: "You're back! Where is my tribute?"

And just at the moment Shiro rubbed against him.

At the edge of Chikage Natsume's vision, that line of familiar, semi-transparent prompt text that only he could see appeared quietly again:

【You have not yet obtained the recognition of this special equipment and cannot register it.】

Chikage Natsume looked down at the cat master at his feet who was "justifiably" demanding benefits but wouldn't even let him register the "equipment," and he was almost amused to anger.

"You guy... eating and drinking for free every day, sleeping more soundly than anyone else, but you don't treat yourself as an outsider at all."

He "complained" in a low voice, but there was no real annoyance in his eyes, only helplessness and a hint of doting.

Thinking this, Chikage Natsume turned his gaze to Reisa Kaga who was putting the shopping bag on the small table.

"Kaga-san, please help me take out the catnip in the bag."

His tone was calm, but the corners of his mouth hooked into a slight, imperceptible arc like watching a show, intending to see if he could conquer this Shiro.