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4.19% Life As Hikigaya Hachiman / Chapter 23: [23] The Green-Haired Young Woman

章 23: [23] The Green-Haired Young Woman

The following morning, Hachiman rose early, freshened up, tidied his hair, and awaited Machida Sonoko's arrival.

Shortly before eight o'clock, a knock echoed at his door.

"Wakamono-sensei, are you awake? The signing is just an hour away," came Machida Sonoko's voice from the other side.

Opening the door, Hachiman was greeted by a carefully dressed Machida Sonoko, her delicate light makeup enhancing her already attractive face.

"Good morning, Wakamono-sensei," Sonoko Machida greeted as he emerged.

"Good morning, Editor Machida. You look exceptionally beautiful today!" Hachiman couldn't help but compliment her delicate appearance.

"Smooth talker, huh? Well, it's time for us to prepare and head to the bookstore." Machida Sonoko maintained her composure, but the faint lift at the corners of her mouth betrayed her current mood.

She couldn't quite figure out why she was feeling this way. She was fully aware that Hachiman had just teased her yesterday, yet today, almost unconsciously, she had dressed up and even applied light makeup.

Could it be that I actually have a thing for younger guys?

It appears that she's been single for quite a while, and someone like Hachiman, who's much younger, might be making her feel good.

After a quick breakfast, the two of them headed to the Kadokawa-owned bookstore.

Located on the second floor of Ginza in Tokyo, the Kadokawa Bookstore was their destination.

Guided by Machida Sonoko, Hachiman entered the bookstore.

As the signing event hadn't commenced, the area was devoid of attendees, with only a few staff members bustling around, busy with preparations.

Upon reaching the book signing area, Hachiman's gaze fell upon stacks of the initial volumes of "Sword Art Online," with a rough estimate tallying up to several thousand copies.

"I'm unsure how many people will turn up today. If I can't manage to sell them all, I'll be quite embarrassed," Hachiman confessed, his eyes resting on the heaps of books, a tinge of worry crossing his expression.

"Don't worry, Wakamono-sensei," Machida Sonoko reassured, offering a smile as she gave his shoulder a comforting pat. "You're well aware that our library has vigorously promoted this signing, and you need to have confidence in your own abilities."

"With the popularity of your blog, we're concerned we might not have enough books," she added.

"I hope you're right!" Hachiman responded, feeling a sense of anticipation.

The time was 8:50, just ten minutes before the autograph session was scheduled to begin.

"Wakamono-sensei, the signing will be starting soon. Please take your seat," Machida Sonoko, the event organizer, informed Hachiman.

Absorbed in his mobile phone, Hachiman looked up and observed the scene outside the bookstore. A quick assessment revealed a considerable queue already formed. Dozens, if not hundreds, of people were patiently waiting, indicating a promising level of popularity.

"It's time," he said, pocketing his phone and producing a pair of flat glasses he had prepared beforehand. Placing them on his face, he adjusted them.

"Wakamono-sensei, what's with the glasses?" Machida Sonoko appeared puzzled by this sudden addition. As far as she remembered, Hachiman didn't have any issues with his vision.

"It's just a little precaution," Hachiman explained with a smile. "I'm still a student, and it might be awkward if I run into some classmates. So, I'm just playing it safe."

"Ahh, I see," Machida Sonoko nodded in understanding, overlooking the fact that he was a student.

The current Hachiman sported a more mature hairstyle and wore glasses. Unless one knew him well, it would be difficult to recognize him.

Yet, thanks to the glasses, Hachiman's trademark "dead fish eyes" were now hidden. With his natural good looks and pleasant demeanor, Machida Sonoko found herself blushing slightly.

"Why does this kid suddenly seem more handsome?" Sonoko Machida wondered.

"What's wrong, Editor Machida? Are you feeling alright?" Hachiman asked, feigning concern, well aware that his new appearance had an effect.

"No... it's nothing. Just go to your seat and do well. The signing will start soon!" Machida Sonoko urged in a fluster.

"I understand." Hachiman nodded, a playful grin on his face as he headed to his pre-arranged seat and took his place.

At the stroke of nine o'clock, the bookstore's doors swung open, and the queue of people waiting outside began to stream in.

Hachiman settled into his seat behind the table, positioned beside Machida Sonoko. Flanking them on either side were the staff members responsible for maintaining order.

"Alright, the book signing is about to commence. Everyone, please ensure order!" Machida Sonoko instructed, observing the influx of the crowd into the bookstore.

"Got it!" The staff responded in unison.

"Wakamono-sensei, your work 'Sword Art Online' is truly incredible!"

In no time, the first person approached Hachiman, clutching the freshly purchased first volume and extending it with both hands.

"Wakamono-sensei, could you please sign this for me?"

"Absolutely, no problem!" Hachiman accepted the offered volume and added his pseudonym, "Wakamono," with his signature.

"Thank you for your support, and I hope you'll continue to support me in the future!" Hachiman expressed his gratitude as he handed back the signed book.

Despite his desire to engage in conversations with readers, the current circumstances didn't permit it. With a continuous stream of people waiting in line, one after another approached Hachiman. He diligently kept signing and offering his thanks.

Raising his head to observe the long queue ahead, Hachiman realized that he had been signing for a while, yet the line showed no signs of diminishing; in fact, it seemed to be growing.

"I wonder how many signatures I'll need to do today. I just hope my hand holds up," Hachiman mused, a touch of unease creeping in as he surveyed the seemingly endless line.

In the midst of this moment, a young woman with a tall, athletic build entered the scene. Her striking appearance included her hazel eyes that held a certain intensity, and her long dark green hair was typically tied up in a short ponytail. Fringes of hair adorned her forehead, with smaller strands framing her cheeks. She donned a pair of glasses that complemented her black blazer and skirt ensemble, showcasing her smooth and beautiful thighs.

With a calm and composed voice, the young woman expressed, "I'm quite fond of your light novel, Wakamono-sensei, especially the fact that the main character is a swordsman."

Hachiman responded with genuine happiness, "Thank you for liking my light novel. I sincerely hope you'll continue supporting me."

Deep down, however, Hachiman was feeling the pressure, beads of sweat forming on his brow. The young woman he encountered was none other than Maki Zenin from "Jujutsu Kaisen."

Internally, his anxiety mounted. The presence of Maki Zenin hinted at the existence of curse spirits in this world, plunging him into a supernatural reality he hadn't bargained for. While meeting characters like Utaha and the Yukihira family might have been tolerable, their anime worlds remained devoid of the supernatural. The realization of Maki's presence, however, altered his perspective.

Hachiman thought to himself, hoping that such elements wouldn't exist in his current reality, and took a moment to calm his racing thoughts.

Maki replied simply to Hachiman, "Yeah."

As she left Hachiman, Maki thought he looked younger than she initially thought, especially due to his youthful voice. She had visited Hachiman out of curiosity since her friends had suggested the Sword Art Online light novel.

She held the belief that he might possess more in-depth knowledge about swordsmanship—a topic she held a keen interest in.

Maki had a strong preference for light novels where the protagonist was a swordsman, and her enthusiasm had been notably different when reading "Sword Art Online" compared to other more mundane light novels. In fact, if it weren't for the protagonist being a swordsman, she might not have even bothered to read it.

As Maki walked away, a subtle intuition tugged at her, whispering that their paths would inevitably intersect once more.


クリエイターの想い
Leonzky Leonzky

I will upload the second chapter this time since I'll be going out with my parents later, and there's a chance I might forget to upload it.

章 24: [24] Sonoko and Shizuka

A red Aston Martin glided to a stop in front of Tokyo's Ginza district, and a woman with long hair and sunglasses stepped out of the car.

"So many people... Is this book really that popular?"

Observing the extensive queue outside the entrance of the Kadokawa Bookstore, the long-haired woman couldn't help but express her mild frustration.

"Huh? Wait, is that... Sonoko?" The realization struck her, a hint of surprise crossing her features as she spotted Machida Sonoko inside, organizing the crowd.

A suspicion formed in her mind, and she decided to verify it by making a call.

"Hello, Sonoko."

"Huh? Shizuka, what do you want?" Machida Sonoko's voice sounded surprised through the phone.

Indeed, the woman in question was none other than our beloved teacher, Shizuka Hiratsuka.

Shizuka and Machida Sonoko had been classmates during their college years, nurturing a strong bond that endured to this day. They often shared drinks and outings together.

Upon closer reflection, it became clear that both were formidable individuals. Despite being single women in their thirties, they embraced their independence with grace.

Given their shared attributes, it made perfect sense for these two strong women to become best friends.

"Shizuka, what prompted you to call me? Do you want to go out for a drink again?" Machida Sonoko's voice held a hint of confusion as she received an unexpected call from Shizuka.

"Not this time. I actually have something to discuss with you," Shizuka replied.

"Huh? Not for drinks? Shizuka,do you have any business with me?" Machida Sonoko's tone conveyed her surprise. It was quite out of character for her usually carefree best friend to have something serious on her agenda.

"Am I only good for drinks in your eyes? Do you really see me that way? Remember, I'm a teacher too, you know!" Shizuka retorted, a note of exasperation in her voice as she responded to her friend's teasing.

"Haha, who told Shizuka that every time you call me, it's to go out for drinks. It's hard to believe you've got something serious going on for a change. Alright, what's up?" Machida Sonoko dismissed Shizuka's complaints with a chuckle.

"Sonoko, do you know an author named Wakamono?" Shizuka inquired, her tone reflecting a sense of relief.

"Yeah, how did you find out?" Machida Sonoko responded with a touch of curiosity.

"I've read his novel too. He mentioned on his blog that there's a book signing event today, so I decided to check it out. And guess who I stumbled upon? You!" Shizuka explained, her voice filled with surprise.

"Huh? Shizuka, you're here too? Where are you?" Machida Sonoko's voice held a hint of surprise as she looked around.

"Sonoko, over here!" Shizuka waved her hand enthusiastically and called out from the direction of the signing table.

Following Shizuka's gesture, Machida Sonoko spotted her friend and quickly made her way over.

"Shizuka, it's been a while!" Upon reaching Shizuka's side, Machida Sonoko enveloped her in a warm hug.

Their chests brushed together lightly.

"Yeah, Sonoko, it's been a while!" Shizuka chimed in with an adorable smile after their tight embrace.

"Is that Wakamono-sensei?"

Observing the figure seated behind the signing table, Shizuka's curiosity got the better of her.

"Indeed, that's him. Wakamono-sensei is currently the most promising up-and-coming writer in our publishing house." With a sense of pride, Machida Sonoko gestured towards the bustling signing area, pleased that such a prominent writer was under her guidance.

"Interesting," Shizuka remarked, studying Hachiman as he sat in front of the eager crowd, signing copies. She observed from a distance, taking in his appearance.

"He looks quite youthful and rather handsome, with a certain air of refinement," she noted aloud, unaware that the person she was observing was actually Hachiman.

Due to his glasses, Shizuka hadn't recognized him.

"Hey, Sonoko, I must say, I find Wakamono-sensei quite handsome. Is there any secret crush going on there?"

"Huh? What? Shizuka, that's absurd! What are you even talking about?" Machida Sonoko was caught off guard by her friend's unexpected remark.

"Well, I'm just saying. He's an attractive and popular new writer. Isn't it possible you're charmed?" Shizuka's mischievous smile hinted at a playful teasing.

"And Sonoko, let's be honest, you put in quite an effort with your appearance today. Don't try to deny it."

Caught in Shizuka's observation, Machida Sonoko responded with a slightly guilty tone, "Come on, he's just a young author. There's no reason for me to be drawn to him."

"Wait, young author? What do you mean?" Shizuka's interest was piqued by this revelation.

"Yeah, you won't believe it, but Wakamono-sensei is only 16 years old and still a high school student," Machida Sonoko stated, relieved that she successfully shifted Shizuka's focus.

"Wait, a student?" Shizuka's eyebrows shot up in surprise. She had just glanced at him and he certainly didn't strike her as a high school student.

"That's right. What's even more interesting is that he's a student at Sobu High School. You might even know him," Machida Sonoko added, recalling that Shizuka also taught at Sobu High School.

"Wait, he's a Sobu High School student?" Shizuka's astonishment deepened. She hadn't anticipated that the author she was discussing would turn out to be one of the students in there school.

"Sonoko, what's Wakamono-sensei's real name?"

"Hikigaya Hachiman."

"Who are you referring to?"

"Hikigaya Hachiman. What's going on with you, Shizuka?"

Seeing her best friend's bewildered expression, Machida Sonoko was left utterly perplexed.

"Hikigaya Hachiman? Are you talking about that guy with dead fish eye?" Shizuka's reaction took a sharp turn as if she had a personal grudge against him.

"Oh, so it's really him!"

"Shizuka, did something happen between you and Hachiman?" Machida Sonoko could tell that there was some history between the two, prompting her to delve further into the matter.

"That infuriating, conceited brat had the audacity to claim I won't be able to marry by the time I'm thirty!" Shizuka seethed with anger as she recalled the incident.

The recent string of disastrous blind dates only seemed to fuel her fury, making her suspect that this misfortune was somehow orchestrated by that brat.

"What? Hahaha, he actually said you won't get married by the time you're thirty?" Hearing the explanation, Machida Sonoko burst into laughter.

"Why are you laughing? You're almost thirty yourself, hovering on the edge of becoming an 'older single dog,'" Shizuka retorted, playfully teasing Sonoko with a smirk.

Machida Sonoko, who had been laughing moments ago, suddenly found herself silenced.

"I'm in a different boat from you. Work keeps me swamped, and I hardly have time. Unlike you, who's been through a series of unsuccessful blind dates!"

"The reasons don't matter. The end result is that you're, like me, still unmarried."

"Shizuka, is there even room for improvement for people like us?"

"It's your own fault for laughing at me in the first place."

After their playful banter, Shizuka eventually took her leave. Now that she knew the author was Hachiman, asking for an autograph was out of the question. She mentally noted to address the matter with that kid when the opportunity presented itself.

Noon struck, signaling an intermission. After hours of signing, many of the attendees decided to take a break, dispersing to have lunch individually. The signing event was set to resume at 1:30 in the afternoon.

Finally getting a moment to rest, Hachiman could feel the relief. With his resilient physique, his hands were only slightly sore despite the continuous signing throughout the morning. As he stood up, stretching his stiffened muscles, someone handed him a refreshing drink.

"For lunch, let's make do with this for now. I'll treat you to a hearty meal after the afternoon signing session!"

Receiving the lunch box and juice, Hachiman beamed with pride. "Okay,I didn't anticipate such a turnout today!"

"Absolutely, as the hottest newcomer writer in our publishing house, you'll be delighted to know that you've already sold nearly 1,000 copies this morning. If this momentum continues, reaching 2,000 copies sold today is entirely achievable." Machida Sonoko conveyed the positive news to Hachiman, her smile bright.

"Well, it seems the light novel I wrote is not bad."

"By the way, Wakamono-sensei, I had no idea you knew Shizuka!" Machida Sonoko shared her amusement, recalling what Shizuka had mentioned.

"Ha!" Hachiman's startled reaction was undeniable as that somewhat familiar name reached his ears. With the memory of the encounter with Maki still vivid, the mention of Shizuka's name caught him off guard, leading him to unintentionally expel a mouthful of juice in surprise.


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