r18novel Chapter 19 Xia Shizi
Chapter 19 Xia Shizi
A new week has begun, but Kasumigaoka Utaha did not come on Monday afternoon.
Shi Chen read her novel twice that day, and now he can talk freely with Kasumigaoka Utaha.
However, he still didn't see her on Tuesday afternoon.
How could they endure it so much?
He wasn't in a rush, though he figured Kasumigaoka Utaha was definitely much more anxious than him.
As the author, how could she not want to know his impressions and evaluations as soon as possible? She might be too nervous to say it now, but she'll eventually find out.
Indeed, this is true; Kasumigaoka Utaha hasn't slept well these past two days.
After handing the novel, along with her notebook, to Shichen on Saturday, she returned home and became nervous, staying up late into the night.
She clearly didn't consider herself a person who was easily nervous. After all, whether it was giving a speech at the beginning of the semester or giving a speech on stage, she was always calm and composed, without any particular feeling.
If you're not intimidated by so many people, how could you possibly get this nervous just because a fan is reading your novel?
But she couldn't find any other reason.
Perhaps this is what it feels like to do it for the first time.
No matter what it's like to be a first time, it's always nerve-wracking and exciting, especially when it's writing a novel, which is a way of expressing your fantasies and thoughts.
It felt a bit like a public execution.
Kasumigaoka Utaha could only find excuses for herself in this way.
It's normal. She's just a young high school girl, inexperienced in the ways of the world, so it's not surprising that she's nervous.
Despite thinking this way, she still went to bed a little late on Sunday night and even had dreams.
It wasn't some strange dream, but rather a dream where I met Shichen and he criticized the novel relentlessly, deeming it utterly worthless.
So much so that when she woke up, she didn't really want to go to school.
In other words, she is mentally strong.
But because of this, she didn't look for the auspicious time during the two days of school until Wednesday, when she finally couldn't resist anymore.
What is there to be afraid of when it's a work you've poured your heart and soul into, a work that's a burst of your own inspiration, and a work that you're quite confident in?
At worst, I'll just stop writing novels.
With this determination in mind, Kasumigaoka Utaha went to the coffee shop after school.
Standing in front of the door, Kasumigaoka Utaha couldn't help but hesitate again, but she took a deep breath and opened the door.
"Welcome, Hikari... Kasumigaoka-san, you've finally arrived." Tokimatsu teased Kasumigaoka Utaha with a smile as soon as he saw her.
Kasumigaoka Utaha rolled her eyes at him, but her nervousness inexplicably lessened considerably.
"I thought you wouldn't be here for a few more days," Shi Chen continued to mock her.
"Why should I wait a few days to come?" Kasumigaoka Utaha asked calmly.
"What do you think?" Shi Chen blinked.
"Hmph~ You don't think I came here because I'm scared, do you?" Kasumigaoka Utaha asked disdainfully, arms crossed.
"Isn't that right?"
"Of course not, why should I be afraid? What's there to be afraid of? I just happen to have something to do these few days."
"I see. So you're not coming because you're worried I won't like your novel?"
"Of course not, I have a lot of confidence in my novels."
"Alright." Shi Chen shook his head and chuckled.
"What's so funny?" Kasumigaoka Utaha frowned and glared at him fiercely.
"No, I was just wondering what you've been up to lately, Kasumigaoka. You only came today. I've been waiting for you for days." Toki's tone was a little strange at the end.
"..." Kasumigaoka Utaha finally couldn't hold back, blushing and glaring at him with embarrassment and anger.
"Haha~ I won't tease you anymore. Go sit in your reserved spot first. I'll prepare some drinks and cookies for you."
"That novel..."
"Don't worry, I finished watching it a long time ago, and I've watched it three times already. Wait for me."
"Watched it three times?" Kasumigaoka Utaha's expression froze.
"Are you scared?"
"What's there to be afraid of!"
Kasumigaoka Utaha turned and walked towards her designated spot.
After preparing the juice and cookies, I sat down opposite her.
He pushed the juice towards Kasumigaoka Utaha, smiling as he asked, "Would you like a sip of juice to calm your nerves?"
"You're so annoying!"
Kasumigaoka Utaha rolled her eyes at him, but still picked up her juice and took a sip.
"Alright, you can speak freely now. Be decisive and tell me everything about my novel, good or bad."
Kasumigaoka Utaha stared intently at the time with a serious expression, her breathing becoming weak.
"Okay, then I'll get straight to the point, your novel..."
He paused slightly halfway through explaining the time, and seeing that Kasumigaoka Utaha was holding her breath, he continued, "It's incredibly beautiful!"
"Really? So this is your first time writing a novel... Eh? What did you say?" Kasumigaoka Utaha said to herself, but halfway through, she realized that she seemed to have misheard.
Shi Chen couldn't help but laugh and said again, "I'm telling you, your novel is very good. Based on my many years of experience reading novels, I'm sure everyone will enjoy it."
"R-Really?" Kasumigaoka Utaha asked, stunned.
Why would I lie to you? To make you happy? Didn't you say you were very confident in your novel?
"But...but this is my first time writing a novel."
"So what if it's your first time writing a novel? So many people who write a novel for the first time are very talented. Why can't you think you're amazing?"
"Am I... am I really that good?" Kasumigaoka Utaha stared intently at Toki.
Shi Chen smiled slightly: "I promise."
"I see..." Kasumigaoka Utaha seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, then couldn't help but laugh, her smile radiant and content.
"Hehe~ What was wrong with you just now? Why did you think your writing was bad from the very beginning?" Shi Chen teased.
"It's all because of you!" Kasumigaoka Utaha rolled her eyes at him reproachfully.
"Why is it my fault?"
"You deliberately kept me in suspense halfway through your sentence, making me anxious and on edge. How could you be so mean?"
"I just saw you were too nervous, so I wanted to help you calm down. That's my good intention." Shi Chen spread his hands, showing his kindness.
"There's no need for that." Kasumigaoka Utaha pouted.
"Okay, I won't do it again next time."
"There will be a next time?"
"Hmm? You're not planning to write anymore?"
"I've only conceived the content for one volume..." Kasumigaoka Utaha said a little embarrassedly.
Shi Chen raised an eyebrow: "So, you have no intention of submitting your work for publication?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha asked in surprise, "...Can I submit this novel for publication?"
"Of course! This novel is so good, the writing is so good, and the emotions are so delicate. It's even better than those best-selling novels. It will definitely be a big hit." Shi Chen said truthfully.
"Really? You're not kidding me, are you?"
"Believe me, I want to see more of your story. Don't you want more people to read your novel?"
"More people..." Kasumigaoka Utaha blinked, suddenly feeling a sense of longing.
"How so? Do you want to submit your work? Become a novelist? Or a shoujo novelist?"
"Novelist... But it's not like I don't understand this area."
"It's okay, I'll help you. I'm a professional reader, and I know a lot about what's going on inside," Shi Chen assured him, patting his chest.
Kasumigaoka Utaha clenched her fist: "Then... I'll leave it to you."
"Okay, sure." Shi Chen nodded.
"Is my novel really okay?" Kasumigaoka Utaha worried again.
"Believe in yourself, I, your first fan, will always support you."
"Toki-kun..." Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at Toki's earnest eyes, slowly mustered her courage, and nodded seriously: "I understand."
"That's more like it..." Shichen smiled with satisfaction. At this time, Kasumigaoka Utaha was indeed much more naive and innocent. It seemed that he needed to nurture her properly.
"Then it's time to consider something important."
"Important thing?" Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"A pen name, of course. As a novelist, you definitely need to have a pen name."
"A pen name... I haven't thought about it."
"Then think of one now, just think of one you like."
"Should I think of one myself?" Kasumigaoka Utaha frowned and pondered.
Shichen wasn't in a hurry to rush her. He waited patiently, watching her ponder with a smile, and even picked up a cookie to eat.
After a while, Kasumigaoka Utaha sighed, looked at him, and said helplessly, "I don't think I can think of anything for the time being."
"Really? Don't rush, take your time to think it over in the next couple of days."
"Um..." Kasumigaoka Utaha pursed her lips, then suddenly asked, "How about you help me come up with a pen name?"
"Shall I help you?"
Shi Chen blinked rapidly, a strange flutter in her heart: "Is everything alright?"
"You...you're my first fan, what's wrong with helping me come up with a pen name?" Kasumigaoka Utaha asked shyly.
"Really? Then how about... Kasumi Shiko?"