Dinner with an Angel

"This is so embarrassing. What should I give you in return?" Nagi sighed, a somewhat puzzled expression on his face.

Mahiru shook her head, "It's fine like this. I enjoy our relationship."

"What if I treat you to dinner? I know a newly opened restaurant, Anda their wagyu is delicious." Nagi suggested, anticipation in his eyes.

"Wagyu? That sounds delicious. But it's too expensive. Come to my house for dinner." Mahiru thought for a moment and replied, with a hint of hesitation on her face.

"Go to your house for dinner? Why?"

"It's fine. The last meal Nanaba-kun made was delicious. I also want you to taste my cooking."

"Don't I have lunch at your place every day?"

"At least the bento is cold."

"Then let me help you."

After Nagi received her approval, Mahiru clenched her fists and said, "Okay, sorry to bother you!"

＊＊＊

Mahiru returned home and placed the tiger doll in the display cabinet. Next to it were many collectibles. Without exception, they were all given to her by others, the most striking being the tiger doll.

After going to the bathroom to check if there was anything wrong with her expression, Mahiru exited her house and took the elevator down.

Nagi knocked on the door. Mahiru quickly opened the door and welcomed him into the house.

Mahiru's house was very clean and tidy, full of warmth. Of course, the type of house was the same as Nagi's, but the layout was in stark contrast to Nagi's cold style.

"Welcome to my house, Nanaba-kun." Mahiru said enthusiastically.

Currently, Mahiru was wearing a cat apron, and her long hair was neatly tied into a bun, revealing the back of her white neck.

"Shiina, you look cute."

Mahiru looked at the apron she was wearing, smiled, and said, "Thank you for your praise, Nanaba-kun. But you're also very cute."

Nagi was slightly surprised to hear this, then pointed to himself, "Am I cute? That word doesn't fit me."

Mahiru shook her head, "No, Nanaba-kun is really cute. Don't you think the tiger doll looks very similar to you?"

Come to think of it, this tiger is really cute. However, Nagi would never admit that he's cute!

"I'm not that foolish." After washing his hands, he walked into the kitchen and asked, "Shiina, what can I help with?"

Mahiru pointed to the vegetables on the cutting board. "You can chop these vegetables for me."

Nagi nodded and began to chop the vegetables seriously.

"Nanaba-kun, what's the reason for you living outside?"

"It's actually very simple." Nagi stopped what he was doing and looked at her, saying, "I have a very annoying little sister."

Mahiru was slightly surprised to hear this, "Are you the very annoying little sister?"

Nagi sighed, "Yes, she always causes trouble with unreasonable things and gives me headaches."

Mahiru understood a little after hearing this.

"I'll introduce you to her if I get the chance. You probably can't handle her."

"Eh... Really?"

They both were busy in the kitchen, and laughter could be heard from time to time.

Mahiru's dishes were prepared gradually, and their aroma filled the air. Nagi helped set the tableware, and they both brought the food to the dining room.

"This chicken curry could be a main dish at a Michelin-starred restaurant." Nagi said, pointing to one of the dishes.

The combination of golden chicken and thick curry sauce was a beautiful sight.

Mahiru was very happy to hear this, "Nanaba-kun, are you flattering me?"

"I sincerely praise you."

"I don't believe it. I find that Nanaba-kun likes to deceive others."

"Really? Why didn't I know?"

They began to enjoy the food. Mahiru's cooking skills were indeed excellent, and her dishes were delicious, and Nagi was full of praise.

"I'm used to Shiina's bento. I really can't eat ready-made food."

Mahiru was very happy to hear this, "Really? I'm glad I can fix your bad habit."

"So, I should have dinner outside."

"Why is that..." Mahiru was slightly surprised and disappointed. She wanted Nagi to have dinner at her place.

"Isn't it expensive?"

"It's okay. My little treasury can cover Disneyland for a few weeks."

"Nanaba-kun is joking again." Mahiru said with a smile. After a moment of thought, she said, "If not, I'll cook for you."

Seeing Nagi's surprise, she added, "Of course, the meal cost will be split, what do you think?"

"I don't know how to thank you, Angel!"

Mahiru felt a little embarrassed after hearing this, "I told you! Don't call me that..."

A blush immediately appeared on her cheeks.

Seeing Mahiru's embarrassed and annoyed expression, Nagi couldn't help but laugh, "Sorry, sorry, I'll remember."

Mahiru seemed not to want to hear that nickname again. She coughed lightly and tried to calm her emotions. Although there was still a slight blush on her face, it wasn't as clear as before.

"Anyway, it's settled, you can't refuse." She said firmly.

"It's better to say that I'm very happy." Nagi said with a smile, then took a piece of food and tasted it carefully.

＊＊＊

Two weeks later, Nagi entered Takasago Bookstore again, and his heartbeat gradually accelerated as time passed.

Today is the publication day after the results of the Dengeki Bunko Grand Prize were announced.

After several rounds of fierce competition, [Plastic Memory] finally won the gold medal, which undoubtedly was high recognition of his "creation."

After signing the contract, Dengeki Bunko took swift action, and the publisher followed suit, smoothly starting the printing process. Fifty thousand copies of [Plastic Memory] were printed in a short time.

The style of [Plastic Memory] didn't entirely match Dengeki Bunko's existing routes. When the chief editor saw the winning work of the Grand Prize [Fantasy Devil Sword Legend], although Kagurazaka argued with him, Nagi's novel took second place.

Nagi felt uncertain at the moment.

Today, the first thing was to see what readers said about his work, and the other was to see what was great about [Fantasy Devil Sword Legend].

In Japan, the royalty rate for light novels generally ranges from 6-10%, depending on various factors such as the publisher, the fame of the work, and the fame of the author. The royalty for [Plastic Memory] was finally agreed at 8%. For newcomers like Nagi, the ratio was also very high.

The price of [Plastic Memory] was finally set at 700 yen per volume, which wasn't too expensive for readers.

What was surprising was that the choice of illustrator was less satisfying.

Famous illustrators in this industry are basically busy with hot works at the same period, so he didn't have many options.

In the end, Kagurazaka helped him find an illustrator: Kashiwagi Eri.