Chapter 10
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Why Are You Asking That?
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"Why are you asking that?"
"Mail's here, Aren!"
"Thanks."
Today, as usual, I was sprawled out at home.
Ranyori came barging through the door like it was the most natural thing in the world.
The only difference from usual was that she'd picked up the mail on her way in.
Hmm... Is there anyone who would send me a letter?
Someone who'd send me a personal letter...
"Is this maybe something you wrote?"
"?"
"Never mind."
"Has it been long since you got up?"
"Nah, not that."
"What... Then why ask something like that...?"
"I've got my reasons."
"Hmm...!"
If it wasn't Ranyori who wrote it, then there's really no one else.
What could it be? A summons from the state or something?
"Ugh..."
I shook off the creepy thought and opened the letter.
Ah, it was from the publishing house.
The contents... let's see...
They say demand is higher than expected, so they need to print more?
"Huh."
What is this. Unexpected.
We had agreed to a small initial print run, sure.
Even with my unique material and it being my first time writing, I figured it'd sell out eventually if we just had time.
But I didn't expect them to say they needed more prints already.
...No harm in it, I guess.
This isn't my area to meddle in anyway.
The publishing house will handle it. This is probably just a courtesy check.
I pulled out some letter paper and started writing a reply.
I rambled on at length, but it all summed up to a single 'Yes.'
"What's the letter about?"
"My parents say they're done feeding a freeloader and want me out."
"Gasp...! Then give it to me!"
"? Give what."
"Tell them if I can have your room when you go!"
"It was obviously a lie. Give you what."
"Still ask! Just give it!"
"So you're finally showing your true colors."
"Huh. Ranyori's never hidden hers."
"Fair point."
She does go on like this whenever we're alone...
But she gets all tense around my parents...
"So, will you ask?"
"What, kick me out so you can claim this place?"
"Aw~ That was a joke. Ranyori wouldn't stoop that low."
"You've got a conscience after all."
"Ranyori made a huge sacrifice. I'll settle for sharing your room."
"Spoke too soon."
"No! Ranyori will be super well-behaved! Just for sleeping!"
"Where."
"The bed, duh! Ranyori hates the floor."
"My bed?"
"Yup!"
"Then where do I sleep."
"With Aren!"
"Rejected."
"Tch..."
As if.
I have no idea why she's pouting like that.
...Anyway, I brushed it off.
It's not some big secret that needs hiding, but no need to spell it out either.
Water under the bridge now—no point dredging it up.
Time to tune it all out. Empty my head and relax.
Lately, I've completely shut out any news about the novel.
Why? I know myself too well.
I know if I start paying attention even once, it'll be a disaster.
I'd end up glued to the screen all day checking reviews. Stress city.
So I blocked the bulletin board for now and steered clear of bookstores entirely.
Just one more week—no novel thoughts at all. Full rest mode.
Then dive straight into volume 2. Perfect plan.
"Then at least gift Ranyori a pillow or blanket...!"
"Why."
"To use it myself, obviously!"
"Buy one if you don't have it. I'll buy if you're broke."
"Not new! I want Aren's as a gift!"
"Seriously, why."
"Want me to spill...? Huh? If you beg...!"
"Nah, lost interest."
For now, time to fend off Ranyori.
[Author-nim, Warrenberg Publishing House here. Demand's still high, so we're printing a bit more. Okay?]
[Yep. All good. Thrilled so many are reading my novel. Thanks.]
[Author-nim, Warrenberg Publishing House. Gotta print more.]
[Yep. Thanks. I'll keep at it.]
[Publishing house here. We'll do it.]
[Thanks.]
...
...
...
[That thing.]
[Thanks.]
"What the hell?"
Isn't the demand too good?
Why's it selling this well?
Okay, fine. Maybe I have some hidden talent for writing I didn't know about.
Or maybe it's blowing up purely on the fresh material. Yeah.
...Even accounting for that, this is getting ridiculous.
Warrenberg kept sending me letters, but at some point, both the frequency and length started shrinking.
He's not even pretending to ask permission anymore.
Feels like he's just updating me: 'Your novel's selling like hotcakes.'
I've already finished my week-long break and picked up the pen for volume 2.
So why are these still coming?
"Ranyori's here!"
"Come on i... Hm?"
"Mail for you, Aren!"
"Thanks. But what's with that getup?"
Today—no, predictably—Ranyori showed up with... a lot.
She was draped in some huge, cloak-like garment that billowed as she moved, hood pulled low over her head.
One hand held my letter, but the other was loaded with food.
"Got all this!"
"From who?"
"Dunno! Just some folks I kinda hit it off with!"
"...Hearing that just makes my head spin more."
"Right?! So I'm walking to Aren's place like always, yeah?"
"Yeah."
"But people kept staring at Ranyori all curious-like!"
"Why?"
What... because she's a Beastkin?
That could be risky.
"Dunno!"
"Gotcha."
No clue, then nothing to do about it...
"At first I was scared and kept running! What if they pull a club from their pocket and knock Ranyori out for a kidnapping?!"
"How's a club fit in a pocket."
"Anyway!"
"I'll just listen."
"Then they started talking to me, and we chatted? Seemed like decent people! Maybe fascinated 'cause Ranyori's a cat Beastkin?"
"Hm."
"And lately, the way people look at Ranyori is weird!"
"Why?"
"They like me more now. Less hate."
"Oh, that's great."
"So we kept hanging out and... they just handed me all this."
"Just like that?"
"Yeah. They wanted something small, though..."
"Hey, if they wanted something, it wasn't 'just' given."
"Really nothing big. Just wiggle my ears and tail a bit."
"That's it...?"
"They asked for some tumbling too."
"Circus act?"
"Maybe? They clapped and gave me this!"
"Sometimes I just don't get how the world works."
"Me neither."
Why... why did any of that happen.
Why did people take a shine to Ranyori and shower her with stuff just for twitching her ears and tail.
And what's with the hood now? Bet she got that too. But why that of all things?
It's oversized for her, hood and all—perfect for hiding your face, not casual wear.
...One thought popping into my head.
I've seen this somewhere before.
Isn't this Senyora? Hooded cat Beastkin fits perfectly.
Probably overthinking it... but kinda eerie.
Just coincidence? Some recent good news about Beastkin, I guess.
Improved her image. Good thing.
"Anyway! Let's eat this together!"
"You hauled in quite a haul..."
"Bread first! Kinda stale, but seems tasty!"
"Sounds good."
"Here goes...!"
Ranyori tried to tear the bread in half with her strength.
"Won't... break..."
Looks like a baguette or something.
"Later in the kitchen, we'll warm it up and slice with a knife."
"Couldn't Aren just rip it?!"
"Nah. Bread crumbs everywhere."
"Hng..."
"Anything else?"
"...Fruit!"
"Nice."
These are small—no need to cut. Perfect one-bite size.
They looked like cherries with a bluish tint. A bunch of them.
"Already washed, so eat up!"
"Gimme one."
"Sure!"
Popped one in my mouth.
Tiny seeds—no need to spit. Just chew and swallow.
The taste... surprisingly nutty, like nuts, totally unlike the look. Wild.
"Nyahak...!"
"...?"
"S-sour...!"
"Eat an unripe one?"
"No! They all looked ripe!"
"Then what."
"Hng... What is this taste?"
"Nutty."
"Huh... That can't be...?"
"That's just how it tastes."
Ranyori grabbed another, stared at it solemnly, then popped it in.
"...Astringent!"
"Sour earlier."
"Uuu..."
I took another bite while I was at it.
"Oh, sweet this time."
"Gacha fruit, huh...?"
"This is weird."
"Why only me...!"
"Tough luck."
"No wonder the guy giving it smirked..."
I popped a candy from the glass jar in the corner of my desk into the sulking Ranyori's mouth.
Pricey fruit candy. I eat them when my brain stalls out mid-writing.
"Uuum..."
"Tasty?"
"Yeah!"
"Anything else?"
"Got more!"
"What?"
"Raw fish!"
"...You got that as a gift too?"
"Yup! This one's fresh! Big and looks delicious!"
"Where. Not here—no fishy smell."
"Stashed it in the fridge before coming! Dinner later!"
"Sure."
Now, time to read my letter.
W Warrenberg, as expected.
What's it say?
[Warrenberg here. Let's meet. ASAP.]
Why this again...
Here we are. Warrenberg Publishing House.
The morning after reading the letter. He said ASAP.
Stepped inside. First thing I saw was Chabi shelving books.
Our eyes met. Chabi beamed and greeted me.
"Hello!"
"Hello."
"When's the next volume out?"
"Pardon?"
"It late?"
"Probably?"
"Hmm hmm hmm!"
What? We just said hi. That the vibe for this?
"Got it. Boss is waiting inside—head on in."
"...Okay."
What a weird exchange.
Felt a bit like she was nudging me to serialize faster... but maybe she just can't wait for the next one?
Contract wasn't ironclad, and Chabi doesn't seem deep in the publishing side.
Probably just curious. Thinking that lightened my mood.
Headed inside. Warrenberg was pacing around.
"Hello."
"When's the next volume, roughly?"
"..."
Fuck, even the boss is worse than the staff.