Chapter 8 Hikigaya's new image

After answering the phone, Hikigaya felt a surge of energy and was no longer sleepy. He returned to the classroom with a radiant smile, full of enthusiasm. Although his expression didn't reveal it, his high spirits were evident, marking a stark contrast to his usual demeanor.

In Japan, middle schools have short afternoon sessions to allow time for club activities. Hikigaya Hachiman, a member of the Ten Thousand Years Homecoming Club, left school before 3 o'clock.

"Hey, Chika, did you notice that Hikigaya-san seemed really excited today?" Kaori Orimoto asked her good friend Nakamachi, sparking a discussion.

"Really? I don't pay much attention to him," Nakamachi replied disinterestedly while packing her bag for club activities. 

Seeing her friend's lack of interest, Orimoto shrugged and decided not to pursue the topic any further. 

"You went out to make a phone call, and now you're a completely different person, Hikigaya-san?" Nakamachi thought silently. Ever since Orimoto mentioned that Hikigaya had expressed his feelings using a famous quote from Dazai Osamu, Nakamachi had developed an interest in Hikigaya, who usually seemed aloof. She had even smiled at him that day. However, she was careful not to show this interest to Orimoto, knowing her carefree friend would likely spread the news far and wide.

Later that evening, Hikigaya shared the news of his award with his family, explaining that magazine editors would come to Chiba to meet him on Saturday. His parents and sister, Komachi, warmly hugged him, with Komachi's embrace lingering a bit longer, as Hachiman was reluctant to let go.

After the excitement settled, Mr. Hikigaya raised a practical concern: even if they accompanied Hikigaya to meet the editor, they were unfamiliar with the legal details of the contract and didn't know where to find a lawyer.

"It doesn't necessarily have to be a lawyer," Mrs. Hikigaya interjected. "If someone is working in the publishing industry, they should be able to help, as long as they have a good understanding of the contracts in this field."

"Mom, do you know any editors from other publishing houses or magazines?" Hikigaya Hachiman asked in surprise.

"Yes, Mom is amazing. She is a customer at our beauty salon. She's not very old, but you can tell she works late at night. She also mentioned that she envied my skin. I talked to her about skincare, and we are still in touch. A while ago, she told me that she got promoted and is now an editor, but I don't know where she works. Her name is Machida Sonoko," Mrs. Hikigaya recalled.

"It would be great if we could find an editor," Mr. Hikigaya agreed.

"Dad, you don't have to go on Saturday. The three of us—Machida, Hachiman, and I—are enough. You can just stay home and prepare dinner."

"So, Miss Machida is still a beauty?" Hikigaya guessed, noting the background sound that resembled his father's wailing.

…

October in Chiba brings cool and refreshing autumn weather. Naho Imamura got off the train at Higashi-Chiba Station and breathed a sigh of relief upon discovering that Mr. Hachiman lived in Chiba. Chiba City isn't far from the Sakuraba headquarters in the Chiyoda District. She might have to visit Mr. Hachiman frequently in the future, so being closer would be beneficial.

Imamura checked the time—it was already half past ten. Without hesitation, she hailed a taxi. After all, her business trip expenses were reimbursed, so there was no need to be frugal.

At about ten-fifty, Imamura arrived at the door of "Katsura," ten minutes ahead of the agreed time—neither too early nor too late, which was very much in line with proper etiquette.

"Excuse me, is this Editor Imamura?" Just as Naho Imamura was about to step into the café, she heard a voice similar to Mr. Hachiman's that she'd heard over the phone.

Realizing something, Imamura turned around and saw three people. Walking in front was a graceful young man wearing plain glasses who had a friendly smile on his face. This was Hikigaya in full working order. He wore glasses to improve the appearance of his "dead fish eyes" and enhance his looks. Mrs. Hikigaya firmly believed her son was attractive, but the dead fish eyes detracted from that appeal. Even the 28-year-old unmarried Naho Imamura felt a momentary infatuation with him.

As for the two women behind Mr. Hachiman, the older one was probably his mother, and the other one…

"Machida-sensei?!" 

"Imamura-senpai?!" 

They both exclaimed simultaneously. 

…

Inside the café, Hachiman sighed while talking to his mother. "It's really a coincidence, Mother."

The group moved to a private room in the restaurant and sat down.

"Please forgive my impoliteness just now, Mr. Hachiman. Let me introduce myself again. I am Naho Imamura, the editor of the 'All Reading' magazine under Sakuraba Publishing House."

"Mr. Hachiman? You're addressing him in such a friendly way, Senpai?" Machida Sonoko squinted at her senior.

"It's not what you think, Editor Machida. Hachiman is my pen name," Hikigaya Hachiman explained, realizing that although the two women knew each other, their relationship might not be very amicable.

"Hmph, Hikigaya-kun, you must be careful with this older unmarried woman. She can easily lose control around a cute boy like you," Machida Sonoko said, playfully putting her arm around Hikigaya Hachiman's shoulders, whispering just loud enough for Imamura to hear.

In truth, Machida had only met Hikigaya Hachiman a few days prior. Upon hearing Mrs. Hikigaya's request, she had readily agreed to help and wanted to meet him. Although she worked as a light novel editor, she found the young genius writer very appealing.

"Mr. Hachiman, time is running out. I think we should start discussing some details about the Rookie Award. Can some irrelevant people from the third-rate light novel library be quiet for a while? You are disturbing the conversation between me and Mr. Hachiman."

Despite her annoyance with the lively schoolgirl, Naho Imamura was currently working and couldn't confront Machida like before.

"I'm not irrelevant, Senpai. I was entrusted by Mr. Hachiman's family to ensure that you unscrupulous editors don't deceive young Mr. Hachiman with contracts. So, I will remain by his side today and listen to everything you say."

Naho Imamura felt the urge to slap her forehead in exasperation.

----