A new week began, but Shiha Kasumigaoka still didn't come on Monday afternoon.
Shichen read her novel twice that day; he could now talk freely with Shiha Kasumigaoka.
However, on Tuesday afternoon, he still didn't see her.
She was surprisingly patient.
Shichen wasn't in a hurry; he felt that Shiha Kasumigaoka must be much more anxious than him.
As an author, how could she not want to know his impressions and evaluations as soon as possible? Perhaps she was too nervous to ask, but she would eventually give in.
Indeed, Shiha Kasumigaoka hadn't slept well these past two days.
After handing the novel and her notebook to Shichen on Saturday, she returned home and started to feel nervous, so much so that she couldn't sleep until late at night.
She considered herself someone who didn't get nervous easily; after all, whether it was giving an opening speech or a presentation at school, she was always as calm as water, feeling nothing.
She didn't flinch when facing so many people, so how could she be so nervous just because a bookworm was reading her novel?
But she couldn't find any other reason.
Perhaps, this was the feeling of a first time.
No matter what it was, a first time would always bring nervousness and excitement, let alone writing a novel, which involved expressing one's fantasies and thoughts.
It felt a bit like a public execution.
Shiha Kasumigaoka could only find such an excuse for herself.
It was very normal; she was still a young high school girl, inexperienced, so it wasn't strange to be nervous.
Although she thought that way, she also went to bed a bit late on Sunday night and even had a dream.
It wasn't a strange dream, but one where she met Shichen, and he criticized her novel in various ways, tearing it apart as worthless.
So much so that when she woke up, she almost didn't want to go to school.
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It was just that she had a strong psyche.
But because of this, she still didn't go to see Shichen for the two days of school, until Wednesday, when she finally couldn't hold back anymore.
Her painstaking work, her inspired creation, and her confident writing style—what was there to be afraid of?
At worst, she just wouldn't write novels anymore.
With this determination, Shiha Kasumigaoka came to the coffee shop after school.
Standing at the entrance, Shiha Kasumigaoka couldn't help but hesitate again, but she took a deep breath and pulled open the door.
"Welcome... Kasumigaoka, you're finally here." Shichen smiled and teased her as soon as he saw her.
Shiha Kasumigaoka rolled her eyes at him, her nervousness inexplicably decreasing significantly.
"I thought you wouldn't come for a few more days," Shichen continued to taunt her.
"Why would I come in a few more days?" Shiha Kasumigaoka retorted with a calm expression.
"What do you think?" Shichen blinked.
"Hmph~ You don't think I was afraid to come, do you?" Shiha Kasumigaoka asked disdainfully, crossing her arms.
"Isn't that so?"
"Of course not, why would I be afraid? Afraid of what? It's just that I've been busy these past few days."
"Is that so? So you didn't not come because you were nervous that I might not like your novel?"
"Of course not, I'm quite confident in my novel."
"Alright," Shichen shook his head and chuckled.
"What's so funny?" Shiha Kasumigaoka frowned, glaring at him fiercely.
"Nothing, I was just wondering what you've been busy with lately, that you only came today. I've been waiting for you for several days," Shichen said, his tone a bit strange at the end.
"..." Shiha Kasumigaoka finally couldn't control herself, her face red with embarrassment and anger as she glared at him.
"Haha~ I won't tease you anymore. Go sit at your usual spot first. I'll get you a drink and some cookies."
"And the novel..."
"Don't worry, I've already finished it, and I've read it three times. Wait for me."
"Read it three times?" Shiha Kasumigaoka's expression stiffened.
"Are you scared?"
"What's there to be scared of!"
Shiha Kasumigaoka turned and walked to her usual spot.
After preparing the juice and cookies, Shichen sat down opposite her.
He pushed the juice in front of Shiha Kasumigaoka and asked with a smile, "Want some juice to calm your nerves first?"
"You're so annoying!"
Shiha Kasumigaoka gave him an annoyed look, but still picked up the juice and took a sip.
"Alright, you can just tell me directly about my novel... whether it's good or bad, just say it decisively."
Shiha Kasumigaoka's expression was serious, her eyes fixed on Shichen, her breathing even weakening.
"Okay, I'll be direct. Your novel..."
Shichen paused slightly mid-sentence, and seeing Shiha Kasumigaoka holding her breath, he continued, "...is incredibly good!"
"Is that so? As expected, for a first novel... Huh? What did you say?" Shiha Kasumigaoka was talking to herself, but halfway through, she realized she might have misheard.
Shichen couldn't help but laugh and said again, "I said, the novel you wrote is very good. With my many years of novel-reading experience, it will definitely be loved by people."
"R-really?" Shiha Kasumigaoka asked, stunned.
"Why would I lie to you? To make you happy? Didn't you say you were confident in your novel?"
"B-but it's my first time writing a novel."
"What's wrong with writing a novel for the first time? Many first-time novelists are very impressive. Why can't you think you're impressive?"
"A-am I really impressive?" Shiha Kasumigaoka stared at Shichen with shining eyes.
Shichen smiled slightly: "I guarantee it."
"Is that so..." Shiha Kasumigaoka seemed to let out a sigh of relief, then couldn't help but smile, her smile radiant and content.
"Hehe~ By the way, what was going on with you just now? Why did you think your writing wasn't good at first?" Shichen teased.
"It's all because of you!" Shiha Kasumigaoka playfully rolled her eyes at him.
"How is it my fault?"
"You spoke halfway, deliberately keeping me in suspense, making me anxious. How can you be so mean?"
"I just saw you were too nervous, so I helped you relieve some tension. It was my good intentions," Shichen said, spreading his hands to show his good intentions.
"No need," Shiha Kasumigaoka pouted.
"Okay, it won't happen next time."
"There's a next time?"
"Hmm? Aren't you going to write anymore?"
"I only planned out enough content for one volume..." Shiha Kasumigaoka was a bit embarrassed.
Shichen raised an eyebrow: "So, you don't plan to submit it for publication?"
Shiha Kasumigaoka asked in surprise, "C-can my novel be submitted?"
"Of course it can. Such a good novel, with such excellent writing and delicate emotions, it's even better than those bestsellers and will definitely sell well," Shichen said truthfully.
"Really? You're not lying to me, are you?"
"Trust me, I still want to see the subsequent content. Don't you want more people to read the novel you wrote?"
"More people..." Shiha Kasumigaoka blinked, suddenly a little engrossed.
"What do you say? Do you want to submit it? Become a novelist? Or a beautiful girl novelist?"
"A novelist... But, I don't know anything about that."
"It's okay, I'll help you. I'm a professional reader, and I know a lot about the inside scoop," Shichen promised, patting his chest.
Shiha Kasumigaoka clenched her fist: "Then... I'll leave it to you."
"Mm, okay," Shichen nodded.
"C-can my novel really make it?" Shiha Kasumigaoka started to worry again.
"Believe in yourself. I, your first fan, will always support you."
"Shichen-kun..." Shiha Kasumigaoka looked at Shichen's serious gaze, slowly gathered her courage, and nodded seriously: "I understand."
"That's more like it..." Shichen smiled with satisfaction. At this moment, Shiha Kasumigaoka was indeed much more naive and pure. It seemed he needed to cultivate her well.
"So, next, we need to consider an important matter."
"An important matter?" Shiha Kasumigaoka looked at him in confusion.
"A pen name. As a novelist, you definitely need a pen name."
"A pen name... I haven't thought about it."
"Then think of one now. Just pick one you like."
"Think of one myself?" Shiha Kasumigaoka frowned in thought.
Shichen wasn't in a hurry to urge her, waiting patiently, happily watching her ponder, and even picked up a cookie to eat.
After a while, Shiha Kasumigaoka sighed, looked at him, and said helplessly, "I don't think I can come up with one right now."
"Is that so? Don't rush, take your time to think about it these next two days."
"Um..." Shiha Kasumigaoka pursed her lips, then suddenly asked, "How about you help me choose a pen name?"
"Me help you?"
Shichen blinked rapidly, inexplicably tempted: "Is that okay?"
"You... you're my first fan. What's wrong with helping me choose a pen name?" Shiha Kasumigaoka retorted shyly.
"Is that so? Then how about... Kasumiko?"