[Ryuya, I met the heroine today.]
[Huh? Heroine? What heroine?]
[The one from that project… the one you mentioned.]
On the third floor, Room 2 of Aoyama Apartments, Sato sat at his desk, fingers clattering across the keyboard.
[Didn't you already scrap that project?]
[I'm talking about the heroine!]
[Oh, that one… don't even get me started.]
[Why, what happened?]
Sato raised a brow. Something about Ryuya's messages felt gloomy and defeated.
[How do I put this…]
[Ever since that day, I've been trying to remember and remember, but no matter what, I just can't recall what she looked like!]
[Wait! Since you saw her today, do you remember what she looked like?]
[Of course. She was definitely cute, but her emotions were really hard to read. Her face always looked blank.]
[Cute?! Curses!]
[You even said she's cute, so why can't I remember her face?!]
Thinking back, Sato realized the girl did have a strange quality about her, a very faint presence.
He trusted his instincts, but he'd still ended up walking right into her.
And then there was that line she muttered before leaving, something about being forgotten again. Maybe even her friends often overlooked her…
Hmm?
Suddenly, Sato's eyes lit up, and he began typing rapidly.
[By the way, remember that urban legend at our private school, the ghost girl? Do you think she might be from our school?]
[Huh?]
[Could be. I'll ask around when I get the chance.]
[Also, here's this month's recommended newcomer. Take a look. If you think it's promising, reach out to the publishing editor.]
With that, Ryuya sent over a document.
[Let's talk later. Bye.]
[Later.]
After closing the chat, Sato stretched by the window, gazing out at the scattered city lights.
May was drawing near, and the weather was growing warmer. The restless season was slowly awakening.
After a moment of relaxation, he sat back down and opened the document.
The screen's glow lit his face as he stared seriously at the name on the file:
[Chiba's Fallen Angel: Kuroneko]
So it's her.
Sato blinked in surprise, then smiled faintly.
It wasn't his first time seeing this name. Back when his first novel was released, this person had become one of his most loyal fans. She even published her own work the moment his site transitioned into an ACGN platform.
But "Chiba's Fallen Angel: Kuroneko" wasn't someone who truly understood light novels.
She took her writing very seriously like painstakingly detailed settings, perfectly constructed without any gaps.
But when it came to writing, her actual execution was way too exaggerated. It often contradicted her meticulously crafted world-building, leading to logical conflicts.
It was like she just let loose and wrote whatever felt good. While it may have been fun for her, it completely alienated readers. Most people were left thinking, What was it about again?
After all, light novels weren't traditional literature. They were commercial stories that were meant to sell, to entertain, to hook readers.
Sato checked the time, then used the site's backend info to send a friend request to "Chiba's Fallen Angel: Kuroneko."
It wasn't long before the request was accepted.
[Who are you?]
Just two words, wary and curt.
Japan's Ore Ore scammers and fake officials were masters of the phone-call con. Their tokushu sagi or special fraud tactics were famous, but they mostly stuck to old-school tricks. When it came to the actual internet, they were still playing catch-up.
[Hello, I'm Miyabi S.]
[Any proof?]
Still suspicious. Sato sighed. This was getting a bit excessive.
He logged into the site, took a screenshot of her backend data, and sent it over.
…
Meanwhile, on the other side of the city.
Gokou Ruri was sitting on her bed, mending clothes for her little sister. When she saw the backend data pop up on her phone screen, she froze.
No way…
Her eyes widened slightly. Then she tossed the sewing aside, grabbed her phone, took a deep breath, and typed quickly:
[Are you really Miyabi-sensei?]
["Sensei" is a bit much, but yes, I'm Miyabi.]
It's real?!
Still not entirely convinced, Ruri typed again:
[What does Miyabi-sensei want with me?]
[According to the site editor's evaluation, you're ready to debut as a writer. You're in Chiba, right? If you have time, would you be willing to meet in person to discuss the details?]
This… is real?!
For a moment, Ruri sat in stunned silence, then her face lit up like never before. Her whole body buzzed with energy.
If this were a scam, why go through all that effort?
But just to be sure…
[Where would the meeting take place?]
Still cautious, huh?
Sato paused. He really only knew one spot that might work. Based on the name "Chiba's Fallen Angel: Kuroneko," she probably wouldn't mind.
[If it's convenient, how about the "Meru" Maid Café in Hanamachi?]
Hanamachi? Maid café?
Reading those words, Ruri finally relaxed.
Hanamachi was always packed with people. No criminal would ever choose to meet in such a public place.
Her heart soared. So it really is Miyabi-sensei?!
[I'm free anytime this weekend, just let me know when!]
Seeing the sudden shift in tone, Sato's expression turned a little strange.
He replied:
"I'll message you with a time by Wednesday."