The person before them was Iida Ayano, a friend Rita had known for some time and Mashiro Shiina's original editor...
Like Seele, Iida Ayano had short hair that fell just to her shoulders, but her bangs had basically been cut away... It looked strange... and not very good.
"Rita, Mashiro, you're finally here... Come in and sit!" Seeing Rita and Mashiro Shiina, Iida Ayano hurriedly invited them inside.
"Long time no see!"
"Ayano!"
Rita smiled at her and walked straight in. The reception room was not very large... Its style was similar to the rest of the place, though some manuscript pages lay on the table—the Hell Girl manuscript Rita had sent over earlier.
"Rita, Mashiro, what would you like to drink?"
"..."
"A cup of plain water will do, thank you!"
Rita answered politely, while Mashiro Shiina... merely raised the drink in her hand.
After Iida Ayano placed two disposable paper cups on the table, she sat directly across from them, looking very casual... with none of the formality of official business.
"Rita, Mashiro, did you bring the later manuscript pages? Hurry and let me see them!"
As soon as she sat down, Iida Ayano could not resist asking Rita. There had been no need to bring later manuscript pages for the contract signing, but Iida Ayano had been desperate to see what came next... Since they were friends to begin with, and Rita would inevitably need to trouble Iida Ayano in the future, Rita had asked Mashiro Shiina to bring some along.
"We brought them. Mashiro."
Rita turned to Mashiro Shiina.
Mashiro Shiina nodded faintly, then handed the manuscripts she was holding directly to Mashiro Shiina. After receiving the new original pages Mashiro Shiina handed over, Iida Ayano could not help flipping through them. However, she did not