Chapter 122: End of Term
Uchimaki Subaru was also very surprised that he had won the gold prize. After staring blankly for three seconds, he showed a shy smile: "This, my luck seems pretty good?"
"This is beyond 'pretty good,' isn't it?"
Usami-san excitedly said to Uchimaki Subaru, "Uchimaki-san, a gold prize, a gold prize! This is a gold prize!"
"I know it's a gold prize, Usami-san, you're too surprised, aren't you?"
Uchimaki Subaru scratched his head and said with a smile, "Ah, I don't even know what to say, but I'm really happy."
Kaede stroked his chin and said, "Uchimaki, are you sure there are no relatives of yours among the competition judges?"
"Of course not!"
The president also immediately followed up, "Hmm, I think that's possible, but it's more likely that Uchimaki's painting just happened to appeal to the tastes of some judges. I have to say, it was a lucky hit."
Indeed, that must be the reason.
But no matter what, Uchimaki Subaru won the gold prize this time, and Usami-san also won the bronze prize. It was a double celebration, and they definitely had to celebrate properly.
"Then, for lunch, let's go out for some yakiniku to celebrate!"
Kaede's suggestion received unanimous approval from everyone.
After viewing all the exhibited works at the art museum, everyone went to enjoy a lively yakiniku meal, and then they all went home.
As for Kaede, he naturally took Eriri back to his own house, where they spent a pleasant afternoon playing games and watching anime in his room... Fast forward directly to the final exams.
Mainly, it was only half a month, and because Kaede had exams, he directly limited Eriri's manga drawing time, focusing on exam review.
And today, the exams were finally over.
"Ugh... I've been studying for so long, there shouldn't be any problems this time."
After the exam, once the results came out tomorrow, they could officially go on vacation. Eriri let out a heavy sigh, feeling incredibly exhausted.
It would have been fine in the past, but now, with Kaede constantly watching her during revision, completely disregarding the fact that she was his girlfriend, he was extremely strict.
Although she knew Kaede was doing all this for her own good, and he even diligently prepared predictions for the exam questions, some of which turned out to be correct, making Eriri's results more stable this time, possibly even better than her midterm ranking.
But the unhappiness in her heart remained, an unavoidable fact.
After school, when Kaede arrived at the classroom, Eriri walked over with a puffed-up face.
Seeing Eriri like this, Kaede understood what was going on. He smiled and took her hand, and despite Eriri's displeased expression, he kissed her in front of everyone, which made Eriri break down.
(T/N: Kyaaaaaa<3)
"Ugh... this is at school!"
"I can't help it, who knew Eriri looked so cute even when she's angry? I just couldn't resist."
Ignoring the exclamations from the girls in the classroom, Kaede pulled Eriri towards the stairs. There were no club activities today, so Kaede could make other plans.
Looking at Kaede beside her, Eriri said with a red face, "Kaede-kun, you're being unfair!"
"Am I? I'm just using the most effective method!" Holding Eriri's hand tightly, Kaede smiled, "But it is my responsibility to make Eriri so unhappy. Tell me, Eriri, how do you want me to compensate you? Anything is fine!"
"Hmm... no, that's okay. The grades were already agreed upon, and Mama also talked to you about this."
Eriri thought about it, but in the end, she didn't make any demands. If she did, people would surely think she was being unreasonable.
She wasn't a child anymore. Mama had also told her not to only think of herself, but to also consider Kaede-kun.
"Kaede-kun is already tired from helping me review. Ultimately, it's my own fault for not studying well. How about it, isn't Eriri-sama very generous?"
Looking at Eriri, Kaede was surprised that Eriri really chose not to make any demands.
"Well, in that case, once the results come out, let's go have a big meal and also celebrate the arrival of summer vacation, how about it?"
"Hehe, that works too. My grades will definitely be better this time."
"You don't even look at who helped you review and predict the questions."
"But I also put in my own effort!"
"Yes, yes, you're right~~"
"I always feel like Kaede-kun is humoring me again..."
But never mind, the exams are over now, being happy is the most important thing.
Chatting and laughing, they even bought two milk teas halfway, and the two of them, after a long time, arrived at Fushikawa Light Novel Imprint.
Glancing at the front desk, which surprisingly had fewer people on a weekday, with only one employee, Kaede said as he walked in, "It's been quite a few days since I last came. After I started dating Eriri, I've only been here once. I hope Editor Nakajima isn't angry."
"Hehe, probably not. Didn't you say it was your vacation anyway? It's fine if you don't come, and if you do, you might even get some more strange tasks."
"That's true."
Saying that, the two also walked into the editorial department.
All the editors in the editorial department were there today, and there were also several other authors under different editors.
From Machida Sonoko, the editors had also learned that Kaede and Eriri had started dating. Seeing the two of them walk in hand-in-hand today, the single editors were all hit hard.
Each of them had been toiling in society for many years, yet they still weren't as quick as a high school student. The two of them were already holding hands, while they were still just sitting miserably in the office.
Machida Sonoko also saw Kaede after a long time. After giving them a disdainful look, she simply left, carrying a stack of materials.
After sitting down, Kaede asked with a strange expression, "Emm~~~ What's wrong with Editor Machida?"
"Hahaha, what else could it be?"
Editor Nakajima, drinking tea, laughed happily: "The matchmaking event two days ago failed again, and then today he saw you two young people and got triggered. It's fine, he'll recover after a while. It's not the first or second time."
Editor Nakajima's words were truly hurtful. Only he, as a senior, dared to say such a thing. If any other editor in the editorial department had said it, they would definitely have been beaten by Machida Sonoko.
After sitting down, Kaede didn't say much and directly took out a USB drive from his bag and handed it over: "Here, the timing should be about right. I finished my exams today, so I brought the manuscript. The full text of volume seven, take a look."
Eriri was also startled by Kaede's actions and asked in surprise, "Kaede-kun, when did you write this?"
"The outline was sorted out a long time ago, but it was just a matter of spending an hour or two every night. Little by little, it added up."
"Huh! I didn't even know!"
Editor Nakajima took the USB drive, plugged it into the computer, and said with a smile, "Kaede-kun's speed has always been fast, and the quality is guaranteed. Haha, some new books from other publishing houses just came out these past two months, and they're just waiting for Kaede-kun's book to make them realize their place. By the way, Kaede-kun, did you just come to submit the manuscript today?"
"No, there is one more thing I wanted to ask Editor Nakajima."