Two years ago, after meeting Kasumigaoka Utaha at a book signing, Aki Tomoya built a fan website for her work 'love metronome' and was active on it, pointing out many foreshadowing elements she had planted that most readers hadn't noticed.
The fan website helped a lot. Thinking about it now, Aki Tomoya felt that Fujikawa Bookstore's publicity department really deserved to eat dirt.
It was only when Machida Sonoko brought it up after a year that Aki Tomoya remembered this fan website he had forgotten.
"Machida Vice Editor, now is not the time to talk about work. Today is New Year's Day. Being so serious about work will make men worry."
Aki Tomoya said in a teasing manner, but his expression was very serious.
Even at this moment, she was still thinking about the author's matters. How much did she care about work?
A woman who sees work as everything will make men hesitate.
"It's just that this opportunity presented itself. Strike while the iron is hot, isn't it?"
Machida Sonoko's expression was a bit awkward, but she still insisted on showing the proper demeanor in front of Aki Tomoya.
Bringing up the ownership of the fan website at this time was indeed a bit inappropriate, but Machida Sonoko didn't know if she would have another chance to interact with Aki Tomoya in the future.
Taking advantage of Kasumi Shiko and Kashiwagi Eri's momentum now to manage it well and maximize the gains.
"Then I'm afraid not. You shouldn't ask me about this. Now I'm just listed as Taki as the administrator. The website was transferred to someone else a long time ago."
The only things on that fan website that could prove Aki Tomoya's existence were his past posts and his name saved by the administrator.
As for the operation and maintenance of the website, everything had nothing to do with Aki Tomoya.
Upon hearing this, Machida Sonoko asked in a shocked voice, "You sold it to someone else?"
At the same time, everyone else also looked over curiously because of Machida Sonoko's excited reaction.
Hashima Iori watched all of this silently, with no sign of intervening.
"Transferred. Does Machida Vice Editor not understand?"
Aki Tomoya looked at Machida Sonoko helplessly.
"That website is just a fan website. Although I registered it, it takes so much effort to maintain and operate it, and there's also the cost of renting a server. You officials didn't subsidize me, did you?"
When he was working part-time before, a lot of money was spent on that website. After preparing for University, Aki Tomoya didn't have that energy anymore, let alone continuing to pay the server rental fees.
"...That was indeed our oversight, but I think it can still be remedied now."
"If you want to think that way, that's fine. The person who took over is just willing to continue operating and maintaining it out of love for the work itself."
That was so long ago that Aki Tomoya had already forgotten the specific details.
He even forgot why he suddenly transferred it after finding a fan willing to take it over and deciding on a price.
He only knew now that the website had little to do with him anymore. The maintenance, operation, and server rental fees were all on someone else.
"In short, please find the person who is currently operating the website about this matter. Of course, Machida Vice Editor can rest assured that the website is still being operated well."
Aki Tomoya believed that this news would surely reassure the other party.
It would be a bad thing for them if that website, which had gathered a large number of fans, disappeared.
In a sense, that website no longer belonged to Aki Tomoya, but to the majority of people.
"Aki-kun, I didn't mean any harm."
Machida Sonoko frowned. Although the other party's tone was calm, it sounded exceptionally harsh in her ears.
This made her have to explain that she was just thinking about the author.
Aki Tomoya noticed the change in Machida Sonoko's eyes and sighed at this moment, "Machida Vice Editor is definitely a good editor."
After he finished speaking, he glanced at Hashima Iori, signaling to him.
If he didn't stop it now, if it escalated into an argument later, it would be difficult to resolve.
"Machida-san, let's not talk about work today. It's a New Year's Day gathering, let's all relax a bit."
Hashima Iori also understood that he had to step in at this moment. Otherwise, if a good New Year's Day gathering was filled with tension, it wouldn't be what he wanted.
Furthermore, what surprised him was that the one who couldn't remain calm was actually Machida Sonoko.
This also made him more curious about the conflict between these two, but he also started to regret bringing them together here.
Machida Sonoko also knew the occasion was wrong. Even if there was an argument, it shouldn't be here. At the same time, she was a bit troubled, not understanding why she was so agitated today.
Whether she was overthinking it or if the other party really had a hidden meaning in his words, she would put this matter aside for now and not consider it. A New Year's Day gathering couldn't be ruined by such things.
Perhaps unable to vent her frustration, Machida Sonoko later poured glass after glass of shochu into her mouth, completely unable to stop.
In a gathering of mostly minors, Machida Sonoko was not only concerned about the conflict with Aki Tomoya but also her age.
In such a setting, her age really shouldn't be too conspicuous.
"What's wrong with this old lady?"
Hyodo Michiru leaned in and whispered to Aki Tomoya.
Their conversation earlier had scared her a bit. Although things had calmed down for now, Machida Sonoko's face, flushed red from the shochu, was worrying.
"Am I very old?!"
Machida Sonoko looked over, her sharp gaze scaring Hyodo Michiru into falling backward onto the tatami mat.
Her ears were suddenly so sharp. Did shochu really enhance them?
Aki Tomoya thought to himself, then casually replied, "Waseda University graduate, Vice Editor of Fujikawa Bookstore, early thirties, a perfect age, right?"
"Is that the truth?"
"It's a fact."
"So, Aki-kun looks down on people like me in his heart, huh?"
"Machida-san's impression of me is really unusually bad, haha."
At this moment, Aki Tomoya couldn't help but laugh.
From the moment she came in until now, Aki Tomoya had no ill intentions, even when she wanted the fan website he had initially built, he felt she was being reasonable.
But precisely because everything he said was the truth, it probably reminded her of the unpleasantness from last time.
"That's too hurtful, Aki-kun, you were too hurtful last time. Until just now, you kept calling me Vice Editor, Vice Editor. What's going on with you and Xia Shizi Teacher? Should I be blamed?"
Machida Sonoko smelled of alcohol, and at this moment, emboldened by the drink, she also spoke her mind.
In front of a student like this, she felt ashamed.
Chapter 118: Life is Full of Constraints (Progress 3)
The room, which should have been lively, was unusually quiet at this moment.
The others looked at Aki Tomoya and Machida Sonoko facing each other; even the delicious food on the table could no longer attract them.
"They all seem like strangers now. Are young people today this amazing?"
Machida Sonoko uttered a rather mature sentence.
She always felt that after that night, many things had changed.
Especially Kasumigaoka Utaha, whom she had always been in charge of, every time she faced her after that, she felt as if she had done something wrong.
"Over thirty, Vice Editor, graduated from Waseda University? I've forgotten if I actually graduated properly from there."
Machida Sonoko filled a glass of shochu, looking at the liquor swaying unevenly, her eyes half-drunk, half-sober.
Waseda University, she had indeed studied hard back then and was admitted to the Faculty of Literature there, becoming an elite in the eyes of others, but now she felt unusually tired during this New Year's Day.
"Is there a difference between dropping out of the Waseda University Faculty of Literature and graduating from the Waseda University Faculty of Literature? Machida-san, are you perhaps one of those female writers who found their goal along the way, as is conventionally said?"
Aki Tomoya asked with interest.
Dropping out of a Faculty of Literature, especially one like Waseda University or Keio, is not an uncommon thing.
It's just that most people only remember the famous writers and treat it as a beautiful story.
"If it's the former, then I've definitely failed; I'm quite far from Akane."
Whether she properly graduated from Waseda University now seems to be a mystery surrounding Machida Sonoko; her ambiguous statement makes it unclear what the answer is.
And the name she mentioned was quite intriguing.
"An elite from a prestigious University, Aki-kun, do you want to join that rank?"
Machida Sonoko asked mockingly.
"Someone like me, who hasn't been in love, can't find a man after thirty, and can only immerse herself in work."
"Then Machida-san has provided me with a good warning."
"You really show no mercy when you speak. If I'm not careful, I'll really become the failure you mentioned."
Machida Sonoko was undoubtedly a success. She only needed to solidify her position, and the position of Editor-in-Chief was practically guaranteed.
Can it be said that climbing to this position was only due to luck?
"But then again, when she suddenly said she was discarding the new work she had prepared and turning to create another one, it was truly frightening. An author who keeps talking to herself like this is really a headache. She even dared to cancel scheduled promotions. Looking at it this way, I, as the Vice Editor, really have no dignity left."
In an instant, the New Year's party turned into Machida Sonoko's complaint session.
The grievances accumulated in her heart could finally no longer be held back and were spewed out at this moment.
"That person told me to handle it properly, pushing the responsibility by saying, 'Haven't I been in charge all this time?' In the end, I lost face in front of the Editor-in-Chief and had to humble myself in front of the author. So, what's a Vice Editor? In reality, if there's credit, half is taken away, and if there's no credit, it's fine as long as I don't take the blame. Or rather, I'm just a pawn that the chief can discard at any time."
Such a pyramid is built upon a publishing house like Fujikawa Bookstore.
"Therefore, Machida-san, your judgment is still commendable."
Aki Tomoya praised her generously at this moment.
"Have you seen it? Xia Shizi Teacher's new work?"
"No, I've only heard about it."
"Hehehe, I did gamble correctly, but it feels like half my life has been sucked out. The editors below, one by one, are staring like hyenas at the half-dead body in the office next to the chief's."
Machida Sonoko smiled, a victorious smile on her face.
She didn't understand why she was showing off in front of a student.
It might really be because she was too tired.
"It's good to be capable, to have such confidence. She's clearly an author whose first book became a hit, and whether she's a one-hit wonder is even questionable, but I have to compromise. I also have to worry when others are troubled by romance, and I even accidentally got caught in the middle. It's too tiring."
To be honest, encountering such an author is a headache.
Moreover, it often reminds Machida Sonoko of her friends from University.
"Isn't the reason you can't find a man simple and clear? When Machida-san can finally relax a bit, or when your passion for work diminishes slightly, many men will probably be breaking down your door."
"I'll take your good wishes. Want a drink?"
Machida Sonoko said, raising the shochu bottle, wanting to shout "Long live understanding!" at that moment.
But the next second, she was met with looks of amusement and exasperation, including from Aki Tomoya.
"You're committing a crime, Machida-san!"
Aki Tomoya reminded her loudly.
Inciting a student under twenty years old to drink alcohol, be careful of the PTA causing trouble for Fujikawa Bookstore!
The fact that Machida Sonoko could say such a thing now made one suspect she was completely drunk.
Machida Sonoko was stunned for a moment, then looked at Aki Tomoya with a surprised gaze and said, "You're suddenly so easy to talk to, I almost forgot you were a student. Being with you now is much more relaxing than being with a capable author."
"You actually have a lot of resentment towards Xia Shizi Teacher too. It's truly unexpected that you're such a good editor."
Aki Tomoya remarked, but thinking about it carefully, if it were him, it probably wouldn't be much better.
But if he were a bit more ruthless, it's possible he might squeeze every last bit of Kasumi Shiko's value.
Therefore, it's undeniable that Machida Sonoko is a good editor.
"After all, I'm still human. If she's always so willful, I'll also be unhappy."
Machida Sonoko said without hesitation.
"That felt good!"
After complaining about everything she wanted to, Machida Sonoko finally felt completely relieved.
Whether she graduated from the Waseda University Faculty of Literature or not, the Vice Editor of Fujikawa Bookstore, the troublesome author, the disgusting pyramid scheme, may they all just die!
One glass of shochu is enough for now.
How great it would be if everything could be washed clean by this.
"How does that saying go, Aki-kun?"
"...In life, there are always things beyond one's control?"
"You really do understand, Aki-kun. It turns out you're not that annoying!"
Such undeserved praise made Aki Tomoya shake his head. He just said it casually; who knew it would hit the bullseye.
And Machida Sonoko now looked at Aki Tomoya and no longer felt as troubled as before. Despite the unpleasantness from last time, after a really good chat, it would truly be a shame not to have a drink now.
"What a shame, Aki Tomoya is underage!"
"Then let's substitute tea for alcohol."
"Good idea. Aki-kun, have you decided on your University preference?"
"Yes, it's a shame, I have no intention of going to Waseda University."
The two clinked their cups, and Machida Sonoko drank a glass, feeling incredibly refreshed.
At this moment, the room finally had the atmosphere of a New Year's Day party, and Hashima Iori also secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Why?"
Machida Sonoko didn't know Aki Tomoya's academic ability now, but she could sense his aversion to Waseda University from his tone.
"If I became Machida-san's junior, I wouldn't be able to hold my head up in front of you in the future."