Chapter 10: First Meeting... Is it okay if I call you Ran?
"Thank you for your support, you've worked hard."
A very gentle and clear voice.
Even with her eyes closed, she could tell it was a handsome man!
Holding the newly bought books, and seeing the queue in front getting shorter and shorter, Suzuki Sonoko's heart was pounding.
It would be her turn soon!
Suzuki Sonoko was excited.
Finally, after the person in front got an autograph and left, Suzuki Sonoko stood in front of the signing table.
"Hello."
Hayashi Yoshiki smiled.
So handsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Suzuki Sonoko screamed wildly in her heart.
She had never even seen a boy like this—
Unusually exquisite.
His black hair had a warm luster, he wore a gentle and sweet smile, and his face was astonishingly beautiful!
It wasn't that his face looked feminine, but purely that it made people feel beautiful, just like how people can't help but blurt out adjectives like "beautiful" when they see a wonderful scenery.
Is he a fairy?
Is he an elf!
If he weren't wearing a shirt and suit, Suzuki Sonoko would have already projected the novel characters she usually read onto him.
"Please, please sign for me!"
"Okay, but you bought so many books?"
"Yes, I am a loyal fan of Teacher Hayashi Yoshiki!"
"Thank you."
Hayashi Yoshiki took the books from Suzuki Sonoko's hand.
There were six in total.
Before signing, he said with a smile:
"Sorry... my right hand is really a bit tired from writing, is it okay if I sign with my left hand? Of course, the handwriting should still be quite standard."
Because he had considered situations where he might have to write on the death note with his left hand, Hayashi Yoshiki had practiced writing with his left hand for a certain period of time.
When his words fell into Suzuki Sonoko's ears, she only felt that he was too dedicated, and quickly said: "Okay, please do so!"
"Okay."
Hayashi Yoshiki quickly signed his name on them.
[Writer: Specialization Experience +3]
[Writer: Experience +3]
[Writer: Experience +3]
His Specialization was also gaining Experience, it was just a little shy for leveling up.
It was all thanks to the all of female fans.
And It is worth mentioning that, because of the death note, Hayashi Yoshiki was always very cautious when signing his own name, and would deliberately make two strokes incorrect.
Fans would only take this as part of his personality.
"Here, it's signed."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, thank you for your support... It must have been tiring to queue, these are candies I usually like to eat, please take some and try them."
Mm-hmm!
Spoken to so gently, Suzuki Sonoko felt a floating, almost drunken illusion, but she wasn't really that exaggerated, and quickly took some candies and stepped back.
Behind her was her best friend Ran Mouri—she originally wasn't interested in this, just simply accompanying Sonoko in line.
"Hello..."
She somewhat shyly placed the book on the table.
"Hmm, nice to meet you... Is it okay if I call you Ran?"
"Eh?"
Ran Mouri was startled.
Suzuki Sonoko, waiting nearby, widened her eyes, and Shinichi Kudo, behind Ran Mouri, immediately became wary.
Fortunately, Hayashi Yoshiki quickly smiled again and said:
"Were you surprised? Actually, Eri-san and I are relatives, so I know you."
"Mom's..."
"Eh, I guess I'm your cousin."
"Really?!"
Even more obvious than Ran Mouri's reaction was Suzuki Sonoko next to her, who visibly became excited, already wondering if she might have a chance with her best friend's connection?
Ran Mouri was simply curious.
However, since there were many people queuing behind, she didn't want to delay too much time, and quickly got her autograph and moved aside.
Next, Shinichi Kudo came up with a sour face.
"Your books are not bad, but there are some parts in "The Murder Case in the House of the Stranger" that I can't quite understand. Wakaba in the book wants to elope with Ryuichi, who is impersonating Odagiri, on her wedding night. They don't need to kill anyone to elope, do they? On the contrary, if there's a murder case, it would only create more obstacles for their elopement plan."
"Shinichi..."
Ran Mouri next to him was a little embarrassed by his "fault-finding" behavior and couldn't help but tug at his sleeve.
Looking at this, he must be jealous.
Hayashi Yoshiki understood the overflowing jealousy around Shinichi Kudo, but he didn't mind, just smiled and said:
"You're right, Kudo-kun, but what if you think this way: 'Because Ryuichi's revenge list includes his own biological father, Wakaba might have pleaded with Ryuichi to spare her father. As long as he spared her father, she would do anything for him, and Ryuichi, to trick Wakaba into helping him, pretended to agree'... Wouldn't that make sense?"
"I see."
Shinichi Kudo said nothing more, took the signed book, and left.
Although Ran Mouri was a little curious and thought it might be better to say goodbye before leaving, the assistant was already guiding them out, so she just waved gently to Hayashi Yoshiki.
Hayashi Yoshiki also waved back.
Because there were still many people queuing, he quickly turned his attention back to the signing.
A three-hour signing event was indeed quite tiring.
Midway, Asamiya Nanae was worried it would be too much for Hayashi Yoshiki and made him rest several times... By the time the signing event finally drew to a close, it was already almost 7 PM.
Finally, only a dozen or so fans remained in line.
"You've worked hard, Hayashi-sensei, please help me sign."
"Okay, thank you for your support."
As he took the book, Hayashi Yoshiki noticed that the fan in front of him was a bit special.
She wore sunglasses and a mask, and her voice was somewhat familiar... Just as Hayashi Yoshiki was a little puzzled, the bookstore assistant next to him suddenly speculated with some uncertainty: "Yoko Okino-san?"
"What? Yoko Okino?"
"Isn't that the popular idol!"
There was a small commotion in the bookstore.
As the most popular idol currently, Yoko Okino is extremely well-known, and she has a large number of both male and female fans.
Being recognized, Yoko Okino generously took off her sunglasses and mask, revealing her beautiful face.
She kindly gestured for those around her to keep their voices down, saying she would sign autographs for everyone later, then turned with a cheerful smile, waiting for Hayashi Yoshiki's autograph like any other fan.
"It's my honor."
Hayashi Yoshiki said, and quickly wrote his name on the flyleaf of the book.
[Writer: Experience +3]
At the same time, he noticed someone taking photos in the bookstore.
Judging by their posture and angle, they seemed to have been preparing there since early on.
Hayashi Yoshiki merely noted it discreetly, and after completing all the autographs, editor Asamiya Nanae immediately brought him a bottle of water.
"You've worked hard, Hayashi-sensei."
"Hmm, thankfully it ended successfully."
"The popular idol is actually a fan of your books, Hayashi-sensei, what are your thoughts on this?"
Asamiya Nanae asked with a smile.
Hayashi Yoshiki looked at Yoko Okino, who was now surrounded by fans and kindly signing autographs for everyone, and also noticed the man beside her who was carefully guiding the fans, then turned to Asamiya Nanae and smiled:
"I'm a bit embarrassed, I didn't expect the publishing house to invite Yoko Okino-san."
"How did Hayashi-sensei find out?"
"It's too strange for an idol to travel privately with her manager. And wasn't someone taking photos over there just now? The manager clearly stood by and didn't stop them at all."
"I see, you noticed those things."
Asamiya Nanae was a little amazed.
After Yoko Okino's side quieted down, her manager was the one who came over first and handed him a business card.
"Hello, I'm Yamagishi Sakae, Yoko's manager."
...
To be continued ...