Chapter 43: Discovery at the Fast Food Restaurant
On Sunday, he had planned to relax leisurely at home, or perhaps invite Eriri to play some games and build up some affection. But then a phone call came in, and he had no choice but to go out again.
"Ah, it's only April, why is the sun so strong..."
With this complaint, Kaede entered the fast food restaurant.
As soon as he entered, he saw Takasu Ryuji and Kitamura Yusaku sitting in a corner booth, waving at him.
After he arrived, Kitamura Yusaku smiled and said, "Good afternoon, Asakura. I've already ordered for you!"
Sitting opposite the two, Kaede picked up his cola, took a sip, and asked, "It's a rare Sunday, can't you two be a bit more peaceful? What's the matter, anyway?"
"Didn't you see, Asakura?"
Kitamura Yusaku chuckled, pointing towards the fast food restaurant's ordering counter, and whispered, "Over there, over there!"
With a puzzled look, Kaede turned his head and saw Kushieda Minori at the ordering counter, wearing a staff uniform and greeting customers with a full smile.
"Kushieda Minori? Is she working here?"
Kaede suddenly understood. So that's why the two of them were here.
Wait, did Kitamura already know about Takasu's intentions?
However, he then heard Kitamura say, "Hehe, actually, this was just a coincidence. Takasu and I had planned to go to the library to study this afternoon. We came here for lunch and unexpectedly saw Minori working. After discussing it for a bit, since the three of us are such good friends, we couldn't leave you out, so we just called you, Asakura. Midterm Exams are coming up soon, let's study together!"
"..."
Kaede silently ate his fries, looked at the two in front of him, and said, "I mean, it's just Midterm Exams, is it really that big a deal?"
Takasu Ryuji immediately nodded: "Of course it's a big deal. My grades are only average, and the academic pressure at Toyosaki is not small, so I have to spend more time."
And Kitamura Yusaku also said, "Me too. Grades are very important to me because I plan to join the Student Council, and the Toyosaki Student Council also has requirements for its members' grades."
"Hmm... Student Council, huh? Then you really need to be serious, Kitamura."
After entering high school, Kaede had learned some information about the school. The Toyosaki Student Council was indeed quite strict in its recruitment. For grades, one would have to be in the top 30 of the grade, at least.
Kitamura chuckled, "Hehe, grades generally aren't a problem, but I still need to work hard and have more assurance. I don't want any sudden accidents. Otherwise, when applying for the Student Council, this most important advantage would be gone. Oh, by the way, Asakura, your grades are also good, why don't you join the Student Council too? The Art Club shouldn't be too busy, right?"
Kaede didn't expect the other party to invite him to join, and immediately shook his head, "The Student Council can wait. I'm quite comfortable in the Art Club, and I don't want to run between two places; that would be too busy."
Although the Student Council would be a great addition to a student's resume, Kaede also had his light novel work to do and didn't want to spend more of his free time on the Student Council.
And now, with Eriri's presence, Kaede was even less willing to waste time.
As for whether Eriri would join the Student Council... there was no need to even think about it; it was impossible.
Regarding Kaede's answer, Kitamura Yusaku, though it was expected, still couldn't help but ask, "Asakura, I've always wanted to ask, are you really that busy normally?"
"Emmm~~~"
Kaede thought for a moment and finally revealed that he was a light novel author.
The two opposite him were stunned. Takasu Ryuji asked somewhat disbelievingly, "You said you're a light novel author, and one who's already published?"
Kitamura Yusaku quickly pulled out his phone and searched, immediately finding news about the release of konosuba Volume 5.
"It's already the fifth volume? And it's so popular?"
Takasu Ryuji leaned over to look, his eyes wide, and said to Kaede, "You, you've been hiding this so well?"
"After all, I don't like holding autograph sessions. I just want to quietly write novels and earn some money. If I reveal my true identity too early, how am I supposed to live a normal life?"
Kitamura Yusaku nodded in agreement, "Indeed. If you were already a university student, it might be fine, but you debuted as a light novel author when you were still a middle school student. If that really got out, while it would certainly generate a lot of buzz for the Bunko, for you personally, especially if you don't want to be disturbed, it really wouldn't be a good thing. But now it seems, the Bunko and your editor are really good to you, agreeing to let a best-selling author like you not hold autograph sessions."
"The Bunko has indeed been very accommodating to me, of course, this is also on the premise that I've generated a lot of revenue for them." Waving his hand, Kaede said, "I won't talk about my own matters. Anyway, you just need to know that I don't have that much time to spend on the Student Council. You go for it, strive to join the Student Council, that way Takasu and I will have a backer."
Takasu Ryuji also nodded in agreement, stroking his chin and saying, "Oh right, if Kitamura joins the Student Council, wouldn't we have connections? And who knows, we might even get advance notice of some school events or arrangements."
"You two... can you not think so far ahead? The Student Council hasn't even started recruiting yet! And it's just the Student Council!"
"But isn't it a sure thing? What do you think, Takasu?"
"I think it's fine too."
"..."
Kitamura Yusaku fell silent, and finally could only sigh and say with a smile, "Since you both put it that way, then I really have to work hard!"
Chatting and finishing lunch, the three of them were now off to the library.
Before leaving, Kitamura went to the restroom. Kaede took the opportunity to look at Takasu Ryuji and said, "Takasu, you really didn't know beforehand and drag Kitamura here?"
"Of course not!"
Takasu Ryuji immediately shook his head and whispered, "If I really knew, how would I dare to call Kitamura to come along? If I were to find someone, I'd definitely find you to help me figure something out! Today was pure luck. Kitamura suggested we just grab some burgers and cola, and that's how we ended up here."
"Hmm... I see."
Kaede understood, smiled, and patted Takasu Ryuji's shoulder, saying, "Well, given today's situation, you can come here more often on weekends if you have time. You can use this opportunity to at least build some kind of relationship with Kushieda Minori, understand?"
Takasu Ryuji's usually fierce expression now inevitably showed a hint of shyness.