Chapter 288

After a series of changes in expression, Hiratsuka Shizuka clenched her fists, making a cracking sound.

"..."

"So? Why did Yukino Shita call you over?"

They used the key to open the classroom door of the Service Club, and the two walked into the empty classroom. Hiratsuka Shizuka asked.

"I don't know, but there's something I might need your help with."

"Hmm~ It's strange that Yukino Shita can actually borrow other people's power. That child is getting cuter too."

"It could just be a coincidence that it matches your major. By the way, Teacher Shizuka, do you know what day it is today?"

"Check your phone yourself... What happened on the 24th?"

"Nothing, I just thought of something."

Sakurakoji Talent quickly recalled what was going on; it was almost the end of the month, so he roughly knew what it was about.

Her memory is truly amazing; I only mentioned it briefly, and she actually remembered it?

"Then you can stay here until school is over. I still have students' homework to grade, so I'll head back now."

Hiratsuka Shizuka Hands put her hands in the pockets of her white coat and walked out of the classroom.

"Don't forget to treat me to dinner tonight, you've postponed it several times already."

"I see."

"Ah, it'd better not be Ramen!"

"Hehe."

"..."

Sakurakoji Talent is silent, what does "hehe" mean?

Never mind, there's still some time before school ends, and just waiting is boring, so I might as well...

Ding dong ding dong~ Dong dong dong dong~

Whoosh--

The sliding door to the classroom opened, Yukino Shita Yukino the first to enter the clubroom.

"..."

Gazing at the white-haired figure lying on the table, peacefully enjoying the spring slumber, she blinked hesitantly.

After all, I was the one who called him here; it wouldn't be appropriate to wake him up directly, would it?

After thinking for a few seconds, she gently closed the classroom door, walked to her assigned seat, took out a stack of white bound pages from her bag, and began to read them.

Whether it was due to the interference of the sleep field of the person next to her, or because she had stayed up late the night before, as she watched, she also nodded off and gradually drifted off to sleep...

Until the arrival of the second member.

Whoosh--

"..."

Looking at the two stunningly beautiful girls (ages) sleeping in different positions in the classroom, Hikigaya Hachiman was completely dumbfounded.

What is this? The Elf's afternoon nap kingdom?

He muttered to himself, "Has this club finally turned into a decadent department like the nap club?"

"By the way—why is this big shot here today? I haven't heard of him."

He gazed at Sakurakoji Talent's breathtakingly handsome profile, gradually becoming mesmerized. He seemed even more divine and beautiful than when he was awake... Was this truly the appearance a boy should have?

Damn it! That's so unfair!

If there really are gods in this world, he would definitely go up and kick them a few times!

Sakurakoji Talent frowned in his sleep. The warm spring air suddenly turned chilly, startling him awake. He slowly opened his eyes.

Hikigaya Hachiman quickly looked away, frantically opening his schoolbag and rummaging through his things, turning his head to pretend to whistle.

"Oh, it's Hikitani classmate. Good afternoon. Sorry to bother you today."

"Ah, ah! It's okay! You can stay as long as you want!"

He instinctively returned a forced smile.

Damn it, I actually subconsciously fawned over him with a smile like a lapdog. Wasn't that tantamount to admitting that he was superior to me in the natural world? -- Although that was indeed true.

"And Yukino Shita- san? When did she arrive?"

Sakurakoji Talent then noticed Yukino Shita Yukino, who was sitting and dozing next to him.

Yukino Shita Yukino slowly opened her eyes, awakened by the noise, and turned to look at Akame, who was looking at her from the side.

"..."

After a few seconds of eye contact, she looked away, coughed lightly, and said casually, "Since you're here, take a look at this."

She took another white A4 document out of her bag. Unlike the one on her lap, this one had no Sticky Note on it.

"What is this?"

After receiving the document, he guessed the answer but asked a question he already knew the answer to.

"Yesterday we received a request from someone who seems to want to become Light Novel author and hopes we can give him some advice. This is his original manuscript."

Yukino Shita Yukino explains:

"I remember on our first trip to the Starry, you mentioned that you were writing Light Novel, right? I think you should be able to offer some suitable suggestions."

"How come you even remember that?"

"Because I have a very good memory."

"I noticed... so is there any benefit to it?"

"You're really quite calculating, just like your appearance—after this is done, I'll cover for you once, how about it?"

"You've already had Nijika cover for you today, and you're saying it's only once? Plus, I came all the way from Tokyo, so it must have been at least three times, right?"

"Twice."

"Make a deal."

After exchanging a few words, Sakurakoji Talent's fair and delicate eyebrows twitched slightly, and her fingers stiffly began to peruse the original manuscript, which looked like a torturous task.

"Ah, I think that's right. So, you invited Sakurakoji- san?"

Hikigaya Hachiman, who was listening in, also understood what had happened.

"... That really startled me. Oh, you were here, Hikitani classmate."

Yukino Shita Yukino looked at him in shock.

"I've always been here!"

Hikigaya Hachiman's lips curled into a slight sneer as he suppressed the surge of adrenaline within him and the urge to beat the woman up.

Before they could exchange more than a few words, they were drawn to the sound of pages turning beside them.

Following the sound, I saw Sakurakoji Talent, whose eyes darted left and right, reading ten lines at a glance, turning the page of the manuscript every ten seconds.

"..."

Is he really watching this seriously? There are so many obscure and difficult-to-understand chuunibyou (delusional) settings in it, how can he possibly understand it? Hikigaya Hachiman is skeptical.

Yukino Shita Yukino frowned. "Sakurakoji- san, I asked you to come and help, not to do something half-heartedly."

"Even though it's trash, it's still the result of the other party's hard work. I think showing politeness and respect is the most basic form of reverence."

"If we don't do it this way, we won't be able to finish reading it before the reflection meeting starts later, right?"

Sakurakoji Talent kept his eyes glued to the paper, his hands moving non-stop.

"Besides, you don't need to be so meticulous when looking at trash. Just a quick glance is enough for me to tell how many common beginner mistakes he's made."

"The basic content is secondary. If these aren't changed, it won't even qualify as a basic work. Don't worry, I'm not just giving you a perfunctory answer; I'll give you honest suggestions later."

"Maki you won't say things like that in front of the Zaimokuza, please."

Hikigaya Hachiman was completely helpless against these two sharp-tongued individuals.

"Is that so? I don't know much about this industry, but since you put it that way, I'll look forward to it a little."

Yukino Shita Yukino placed her index finger on her chin, slightly surprised.

The subtext is also, "I'll be watching you; don't think you can get away with this."

Sakurakoji Talent nodded, unconcerned, and continued to focus intently on the thick manuscript.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, everyone!"

A few minutes after Yuihama Yui came in and greeted him, a deliberately bold voice rang out from the doorway.

Then, a burly, round-faced, gray-haired boy with glasses, wearing fingerless gloves and a brown trench coat, strode in from outside.

"I am the great swordsman general! Zaimokuza Yoshiteru arrived! Waa..."

After glancing at him casually, Sakurakoji Talent refocused his attention on the "manuscript".

Well, a few months ago, he probably would have found it quite novel, but now he's completely used to it...

Just moments ago, Zaimokuza was all high and mighty, but now, with cold sweat beading on his forehead, he pulled Hikigaya aside and whispered, "Hachiman, what brings another stranger here today?"

"And she's an extraordinary beauty! Could she be a celestial maiden descended from heaven to assist in suppressing rebellion?!"

"If that's the case, then you should be the target of our attack, Zaimokuza."

Hikigaya Hachiman patted him on the shoulder with empathy, expressing his sympathy for what was to come.

What crime did he commit that warrants a joint trial by a lion and Overlord?

"Anyway, good luck to you. Besides, that's not a beauty, it's a handsome guy."

Hikigaya corrected.

"What did you say, huh, huh...?"

The echo reverberated in the small space between the two people.

Zaimokuza Yoshiteru knelt down, his eyes behind his glasses looking back in shock at the "woman" sitting in the seat, dressed in a high-quality coat, with her eyes lowered and an extraordinary air about her.

"The root of it all is fraud..."

"Completely agree."

Hikigaya Hachiman looked up, staring at the ceiling with a desolate tone.

"Speaking of Hachiman, I don't know if my glasses prescription has gone up again, but I think I saw that stunningly beautiful woman looking at something that looks like my manuscript?"

"Be confident, this is your original manuscript."

"What?!"

Zaimokuza Yoshiteru shouted, Yukino Shita Yukino, who was in the room.

"Quiet!"

"Yes..."

He instantly deflated like a mouse being targeted by a cat.

Chapter 326 Because I'm a professional.

"Why... why is this happening?"

"Is it hard to understand? It's exactly what you're thinking."

You mean...?

"That's right. Apparently, the other party also does this kind of part-time work, and our all-powerful young lady, the Club President, specially invited them from Tokyo to help you. They even paid a huge price for it, so you should feel honored!"

"Brought in from Tokyo? That's impressive! Have I unknowingly become a celebrity? But... what a huge price to pay, Masaka?!"