But honestly, "President Shirogane's family lives next door" wasn't that shocking.
Besides, Miyahito wasn't a Shuchiin Academy student, didn't currently need any favors, and had zero utilitarian desire to butter them up.
"Well, the Shirogane family seems nice. It wouldn't be bad to be friends."
He already knew the President's sister anyway, and having a friendly neighbor was a nice bonus for his solo living life.
With this "go with the flow" attitude in mind, he thought about his dad driving his sister over tomorrow.
"Since Dad's coming, Mom will probably tag along too."
"Maybe I should set up an outdoor lunch tomorrow?" Turning his head, his gaze passed through the living room's floor-to-ceiling glass doors and landed on the courtyard. He mentally planned.
In that case, I should assemble the patio umbrella later.
Folding tables and chairs should be enough for the family... heck, there'd even be three or four chairs left over.
"Bought them hoping I could invite classmates over someday."
Pushing open the storage room door and looking at the folding furniture, Miyahito chuckled.
"Didn't expect to use them so soon. Houses with yards really are the best."
Just then.
Ding-dong...
"Aragaki-san! You have a delivery."
"Coming, just a sec."
A short while later, after seeing off the courier, Miyahito stared puzzledly at the large box in his arms, muttering to himself.
"Did I order something? Wait, didn't I already receive everything I bought?"
Carrying the box to the living room, Miyahito turned to the TV cabinet, grabbed a box cutter, and prepared to open it.
Suddenly, his phone on the coffee table rang.
Without looking, he picked it up, answered, and wedged it between his shoulder and ear while extending the blade to cut the tape.
"Hello, this is Aragaki Miyahito."
"Good afternoon, Miyani-sensei."
"Ah, Maki-nee. What's up?"
Recognizing his manager's voice, Miyahito smiled and paused his cutting.
"Oh, I wanted to ask if you received the album demo copies?"
"Demo copies?"
Thinking for a moment, his gaze naturally fell on the box in front of him. It clicked.
"Ah, I just signed for a delivery, haven't opened it yet." He sliced the tape open. "Yeah, I got them."
He pulled out a beautifully packaged CD case. The cover featured a smiling girl, half her face playfully hidden among dreamy cherry blossoms.
Admiring the aesthetic and fantasy-inspired 2D artwork, Miyahito praised,
"Great album. Thanks for all the effort."
"No, no, it's our job." After a brief polite exchange, Maki's tone turned slightly wistful.
"It's a shame you wouldn't let us put your photo on it."
"Hah, why would you put my photo on it?" Miyahito laughed, slightly speechless. "What's so good to look at about me?"
"The girl on the cover is so cute."
"But she's drawn by an artist. She can't possibly look as good as you in real life, sensei."
"You're exaggerating."
Shaking his head, Miyahito plopped down on the carpet. Staring at the anime-style girl on the cover, growing increasingly fond of the art style, he asked,
"By the way, Maki-nee, which artist drew the album cover?"
"Oh, the artist... uh..."
For some reason, Miyahito felt like Maki was hesitating, almost reluctant to give the name.
Finding it weird, he wondered internally:
What's the big deal? Don't tell me it's Eriri.
A memory surfaced: a family party hosted by the British Ambassador when he was young, brought there by his politician father. That was when he first met a certain twin-tail ojou-sama.
Miyahito chuckled inwardly:
Looking at the art style, it doesn't really match her work. Besides, can a mere R-18 doujin artist really draw something this pure and wholesome?
Was this underestimating pure romance? Or implying R-18 doujin artists are omnipotent?
While he was internally roasting, his manager's answer came through.
"It's Kashiwagi Eri-sensei."
Tch. It really is that brat.
But despite the annoyance, Miyahito had to admit:
Even though Spencer Eriri Sawamura had once flamed him online, her drawing skills were undeniably top-tier.
Come to think of it, she was just a terrible gamer, but when he called her out on it, she started a flame war.
Did she really think he wouldn't recognize the gamer ID "Ariel"? That tsundere, stubborn tone gave her away instantly.
After a few more casual remarks, Miyahito was about to hang up.
Then, Maki suddenly said:
"Miyani-sensei, do you have time to stop by the agency the day after tomorrow?"
"Day after tomorrow? Yeah, I can make it."
After a moment's thought, he replied.
"But isn't that the album release day?"
"Mhm, it is."
Maki's tone turned hesitant.
"Well, you see, since this is your first physical album, our President wanted to organize a fan event."
Hearing this, Miyahito's immediate reaction was a dismissive "Eh," followed by:
"Didn't we already agree? I'm not doing public events until I get into college."
"That's right."
Having worked with him for years, Maki knew exactly what this meant. The President's idea of a live signing event was dead.
Fortunately, her boss wasn't pushy and proposed a compromise.
"The President just wants to get a few autographed copies from you to include as random bonus inserts."
"No wonder." Seeing through the balding President's "sinister" plot, Miyahito looked at the oddly large stack of demo copies with disdain. "I was wondering why you suddenly sent me this huge box of samples without warning."
"So that was the plan all along."
"Ahahaha, well... it's just like that." Caught, Maki laughed awkwardly and asked cautiously.
"So, Miyani-sensei, are you..."
"Fine, I agree."
Internally grumbling about Sakuragawa Agency exploiting child labor, Miyahito replied aloud.
"Fifty copies. I'll sign them and bring them to the agency the day after tomorrow."
"Fifty copies? Ahem, thank you, Miyani-sensei." Expecting maybe just a handful, Maki nearly burst out laughing at "fifty."
Suppressing the urge to cackle, she kept a straight face.
"We'll make it a fantastic event! Please rest assured, sensei."
"Just don't screw it up."
Hearing his manager's strained voice, a sense of impending doom washed over him, and he sighed inwardly.
After a few more words, they hung up.
Putting down her phone at her desk, Maki let out a huge sigh of relief. Just as she was about to stand up and report the good news to the President...
She remembered Miyahito's earlier request. After careful consideration:
Miyani-sensei's sister... better not hand her over to anyone else.
I've got some free time anyway.
....
That same night.
A certain shut-in girl, currently agonizing over her novel, happened to glance at a notification popping up on her phone.
Frowning slightly, an expression of mild annoyance crossed her face as she picked it up.
The next second.
"Eh! Miyani-sensei's first album is officially releasing this Sunday?!"
"And there's a random signed edition release?!?"
"Why Sunday of all days! It completely clashes with my event!"
30 Power Stone = Bonus Chapter
1 Review = Bonus Chapter