Trial Lover 26 (Patreon)

Main Story 25 - Aokawa Koori

RAW

After 11am.

After the 60 minutes of usage time is over, Hiori and I leave Hagikubo Nyafe. It's been more than an hour since we arrived at the shop, so the sunlight is stronger compared to that time.

“I interacted a lot with the cat-chans, so it was very relaxing. I'm satisfied.”

“I’m very satisfied, too. I never thought I'd end up wearing a cat ear headband, but that too, was fun.”

“I’m glad you think so.”

Perhaps because of her interaction with the cats, Hiori has a gentle smile on her face even after leaving the shop.

This is the first time in my life that I have interacted with so many cats. Also, I got to see Hiori's gentle smile and her wearing cat ears, I was so happy that the 60 minutes went by so quickly. I'm truly satisfied.

“Whether it's here or another shop, let's go to a cat cafe together again.”

“Yes. The cat cafe I went to with Saaya-san also had a nice atmosphere, so I'd like to go there with Akito-san as well.”

“I'm getting curious about that cat cafe now that I've experienced Hagikubo Nyafe. Next time we go to one, let’s go there.”

“Yes.”

Hiori nods to me. Hiori's smile has changed to one that looks like she is having fun.

“Now then, where should we go next?”

“We went to the cat cafe at my request. So, should we go to a place that Akito-san wants to go to, or a place you would like to recommend to me?”

“I got it. Then... how about Animake?”

“Animake, is it? I did want to go there. I only went there once a few years ago after all.”

“That's good. I remember you said you went there only once. Animake has a wide range of products such as manga, light novels, and anime. I thought Hiori would enjoy it as well.”

“I see. Then, shall we go to Animake?”

“Yeah. Animake is in Romine. Let's go.”

“Yes.”

Holding hands with Hiori, we start walking toward Animake in Romine.

Romine is a commercial facility directly connected to Hagikubo Station. Therefore, we can enter Romine even from the south exit. We enter Romine from the entrance near the south exit of the station.

“It's been a while since I’ve been in Romine. How nostalgic.”

Hiori looking around as she says that is cute.

I ask Hiori for more details, and it seems that when she was in middle school, she went to eat at a traditional Japanese restaurant near Romine with her family. They went to Romine on their way home, and also stopped by Animake.

Animake is on the 4th floor. We take the escalator near the entrance, and go to the 4th floor.

“The 4th floor has specialty stores of various genres, right?” (Hiori)

“In addition to Animake, there are specialty stores for things like stationery and miscellaneous goods. There's also a game corner. That's why a lot of people come to this floor.”

“I see. So this is where Akito-san comes a lot...”

Hiori's eyes are shining as she looks over the 4th floor. I wonder if she's interested.

We pass by the game corner and arrive at the Animake Hagikubo branch.

“This is Animake.”

When I say that, Hiori stares intently at the shop and then smiles.

“How nostalgic. The atmosphere was like this when I came here before.”

“I see.”

“Now, let’s go in.”

With Hiori pulling me by the hand, we enter Animake. Since today is a holiday, there are quite a few customers in the shop.

Near the entrance is a corner for the newly published shounen manga, shoujo manga, and seinen manga. Near that are products related to the TV anime series that started airing this spring. There is a monitor showing the first episode of the anime. It is not that big, but it also has sound.

“Because there's anime playing, the atmosphere is lively, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. The atmosphere is the complete opposite of the Yotsuba bookstore that Hiori took me to.”

“Yotsuba Bookstore is really quiet after all. I like quiet shops like that, but lively shops like this one are nice too.”

“That’s good to hear.”

I look at the newly published manga section with Hiori. I haven't been to this shop since last Friday, but... there are already quite a number of new ones here.

“As expected of a specialty shop. They have a good selection.”

“Yeah. That's why I usually buy the manga and light novels I want here.”

“It makes sense since this is your local area. ...Ara, is the bonus for this manga a mini clear file? That manga over there has a specially made replacement cover. The variety of bonuses they have is wider than Yotsuba Bookstore’s. Over there, they have more message cards, paper, and specially made bookmarks.”

“I guess it’s because this is an anime specialty shop that operates nationwide.”

“I see. ...Ah, this girls love manga... A new issue has been released. And the bonus is a 4-page leaflet?”

After saying that in a more lively voice than usual, Hiori picks up the girls love manga. When I look at the title... wasn’t this one on the bookshelf in Hiori's room? Perhaps because it’s a new issue of the manga she has been following, and because it comes with a bonus, Hiori's eyes are sparkling.

“I'm buying this manga. I'll read it right away when I get home.”

“I see. I'm glad you got the manga you wanted. I know that manga by its title, but I haven't read it yet.”

“If you're interested, shall I lend you the first volume next time?”

“Is that okay? Then, please.”

“Yes. I'm almost finished reading the light novel I borrowed the other day, so would it be okay if I give it to you when I return it? I think it'll be after the consecutive holidays.”

“Yeah, that's fine. Thank you.”

Tomorrow I have plans with Hiori, and the day after tomorrow we will all go to the amusement park. So at school after the holidays will be a good time.

After finishing looking at the new manga section, we check out the newly published light novel and novel sections. For the light novels, there are several works that have been released since my last visit.

“Oh, this work looks interesting.”

The title looks familiar and the black-haired heroine on the cover is cute, so I pick it up. When I look at its wrapper... I see that this work has been ranked number one on the submission site. That's why the title seems familiar. All right, let's buy it.

“...Now that I think about it, Hiori publishes your work on the submission site under the pen name [Aokawa Koori], right?”

“Yes.”

“Is Hiori aiming to publish your work as a book? This book I decided to buy is a book version of a work from the submission site. That book there was the one that won the grand prize in a public competition for online novels. Among the books I've read so far, there are many that were originally published on the submission site, you see.”

“I also read many works that were first published on the internet. There are many authors who make their debut in the submission site. There are even some who become popular authors.”

“Yeah, there are.”

Novels that were published on the submission site were turned into books and became big hits, and live-action and anime movies based on them also became big hits. There are some authors who have continued to produce hit titles after those.

“Many of the works posted under the name Aokawa Koori are interesting, and the Arisugawa series is quite popular. And in the afterword of some works in the submission site, it says that [I have been approached by]. But do you have any experience with that?”

“I've never been approached to publish my book.”

“I see. ...Somehow, I’m sorry.”

Perhaps I may have asked something that hurt Hiori’s feelings.

Hiori is... she doesn’t show any particularly unpleasant emotions on her face. She looks at me and slowly shakes her head.

“No, please don't worry about it. Besides, I'm not thinking about publishing it as a book or winning an award at the moment. Writing stories is fun, isn't it? I post them and have a lot of people read them, and receive their feedback. Although there are some criticisms and negative comments among them. In real life too, I get feedback from Akito-san, Saaya-san, Nanami, Kyoko-san, and everyone in the literature club. Also, I also receive enough advertising revenue to enjoy my hobbies and holidays like today. At the moment, I'm satisfied with my creative work.”

Hiori says while showing a calm smile. Looking at such Hiori, it seems like her words just now about being satisfied with her creative work are true.

But, to think that Hiori hasn’t been approached about turning the Arisugawa series into a book. Even though it’s interesting and popular. It’s not like it has any particularly extreme content or expressions. That's surprising.

“I see. As long as you're satisfied with it, that's fine, I guess. No matter what your stance is, I will support Hiori's creative activities.”

“Thank you very much. In the future, I may ask you to read my work before I publish it and provide me with your impression, just like when you came to my house the other day. Receiving feedback and opinions from other people is a good stimulus. It can also lead to ideas for new stories and works.”

“I see. If you’re okay with me, I'll always cooperate. It might end up with just me having fun like last time though.”

“That in itself makes me happy. Thank you very much, Akito-san.”

Hiori says her thanks and bows slightly towards me. It would be the best if I can cooperate with Hiori's creative activities, no matter what form it takes.

After that, we look around the CDs and goods section. Hiori is excited. Because apparently, there are no shops in Kasagaya that carry a wide selection of anime CDs and goods.

In the goods section, we find a clear file with a cat-shaped character called Nyantarou-sensei from [Akime Chijincho]. At that moment, Hiori excitedly picks it up and firmly says, “I'll buy it.”

After we finish looking around the shop, we head to the cash register.

────

(T/N: クリアファイル - plastic sleeve (documents); sheet protector; clear file.)

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