Elf Yamada was taken aback by the rejection. "How can this be? Didn't you hear what I said?"
"I'm a superstar author! Number one on the sales charts!"
"With a writer like me anchoring your imprint, you'd make a fortune. I get it—you're just playing hard to get so you can control me, right?"
"In that case, I don't even need a fee—just lend me Eri Kashiwagi to collaborate on my next book!"
She rattled on, then looked smug.
Machida Sonoko had no interest in humoring her.
"I still refuse. I already said there'd be breach penalties. And haven't you been working with Eromanga-sensei? Starting something and dumping it midway isn't right."
With that, Machida smiled and walked toward Hayashi Maki.
"Kurosora Twilight-sensei, perfect timing. Thanks for your hard work—are all the signed copies done?"
"Of course—handled," Hayashi Maki nodded calmly.
"As expected of the tentacle monster—impressive!" Machida teased with a grin. Hayashi Maki's writing speed left all other authors in the dust; editors adored fast and high-quality writers.
Seeing Machida ignore her, Elf Yamada huffed over to block her path.
"Hold it—it was my turn. I'm not finished! Editor Machida, hand over Eri Kashiwagi to me!"
"If I can work with both Eri Kashiwagi and Eromanga-sensei at the same time, combined with my writing, we'll create the ultimate light novel and conquer the world!"
She puffed herself up and shot Hayashi Maki a glare, staking her claim.
Machida rolled her eyes—then her gaze flicked, a plan forming. Smiling, she turned to Hayashi Maki.
"Kurosora Twilight-sensei, this is Elf Yamada-sensei. She's trying to poach your collaborator, Eri Kashiwagi. I'm busy and don't have time to entertain her—why don't you two sort it out?"
With that, Machida walked off.
Elf Yamada fixed her stare on Hayashi Maki.
"So you're Kurosora Twilight-sensei—the author working with Eri Kashiwagi?"
"That's me—no fakes here. Elf Yamada-sensei, what can I do for you?" Hayashi Maki looked her over with interest, amused. She was striking—golden wavy hair, skin fair as snow; petite and cute in a red-and-white dress, bows at her chest, waist, and head setting off her youthful charm.
"Hmph!" she snorted. "You know full well what I want—you heard it. Hand over Eri Kashiwagi."
Hayashi Maki shrugged helplessly.
"Sorry, Yamada-san—that's not my call. For starters, Kashiwagi-sensei is already tied up illustrating my books and doing manga—no time to add yours. And secondly, don't you already have Eromanga-sensei?"
"Why go far for water when you've got a well at hand? Eromanga-sensei's art is fantastic—beautiful and spicy—and brings out your characters' charm perfectly."
Hearing him praise her work, Yamada's cheeks pinked, though she quickly put on a tsundere front and raised her voice:
"Of course I know Eromanga-sensei is amazing—sexy and gorgeous—but she only draws lolis. That makes the character style a bit one-note! Eri Kashiwagi is different—she's evolved from 'dairy cow' aesthetics to a versatile illustrator. Her growth is obvious to everyone!"
"If Eromanga-sensei and Kashiwagi-sensei worked together—and we add my writing—together we'll craft the world's ultimate light novel!"
Confident, she waited. Hayashi Maki nodded blandly, said "oh," and turned to walk away.
Yamada, arms crossed, had been waiting for his answer. Seeing him leave, she was nonplussed—then darted ahead to block him, arms spread.
"Where do you think you're going? You haven't agreed to hand over Eri Kashiwagi yet!"
Hayashi Maki glanced at her and replied evenly,
"I'm going home. No time to babysit. If you really want to talk, contact her yourself."
He didn't actually mind if Eriri worked with Yamada; Eriri's dream was to be a famous illustrator—even a mangaka.
"If I could reach her, would I be stopping you? Kashiwagi-sensei's official account hasn't replied!"
"No reply means no. Why not just give up?" Hayashi Maki said with a sunny smile.
"No! If I give up that easily, how will I make the ultimate light novel? I know you can reach her, so if you don't want me hounding you, hand over Kashiwagi-sensei's private contact!"
The girl was relentless, clearly convinced he was her key. Hayashi Maki only shrugged and headed for the door.
"Suit yourself."
Watching him truly ignore her, Yamada felt a stab of grievance. Was this guy even a man? Was she… not cute enough? So ungentlemanly—so cold to her. It made sense that Machida would ignore her—same-gender friction and all—but this Kurosora Twilight-sensei was a bit much.
Grumbling inwardly, she refused to give up and trotted after him—white-thigh-high legs flashing—becoming his little tail. Hayashi Maki found it amusing and purposely kept ignoring her, wandering the streets. Passing an alley, he suddenly picked up the pace and dashed off.
"Don't think you can shake me!"
She sprinted after him—and finally caught up, panting. Hayashi Maki handed her a bottle of water.
"Here—wet your throat."
"Thanks! But I won't give up on Eri Kashiwagi because of this—don't even think of escaping!"
Hayashi Maki shook his head with a smile and sat on the bench at the bus stop.
"Yamada-san is nothing if not persistent. You win. Fine—I'll give you her contact. Talk to her yourself."
"Yes, please!" Yamada's eyes lit up; she nodded hard.
Hayashi Maki pulled out his phone, watched her expectant face—then put it away again.
"On second thought, forget it. Why should I do something that doesn't benefit me?"
"You—how can you be like this? Breaking your word! Shameless!"
She fumed.
"You agreed and now you're backing out—you're messing with me, aren't you?!"