Chapter 7
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Published
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“Ung? Where are you going, Aren?”
Today, Ranyori—who had come over to play and was rolling around on the sofa—asked that.
“I have to step out for a bit.”
“I wanna go too!”
“W-well, it's not like I'm going out to play or anything... I have something I need to do...”
“So I can't come?”
“Probably not.”
“What?! I shouldn't have come, Ranyori!”
“? You were just playing by yourself fine a second ago, what's that about?”
She was stuck to the sofa like her body was melting in the sunlight, dragging her feet.
“Just take a nap or something. The timing's perfect.”
“That's a good idea and all... but still! I'm sulking!”
“Hm. Not sure why you'd be sulking. I don't get it.”
“Anyway, it's your fault, Aren! Apologize with stuff!”
Ranyori threw a tantrum!
She does this sometimes when she's bored. And I know exactly how to handle it.
First: Apologize casually.
Of course, she's not serious about it either.
She'd probably just huff and puff if I said “sorry,” then wave me off with a “have fun.”
And second: Just push back hard.
This one's way more fun, so that's what I go with.
“...Should I not go then?”
“Oh!”
“I even made plans with someone else... what now...”
“Ehh... I see...”
“Ha... We even set a time... If I can't make it today, it'll be a real problem...”
“Ranyori was just messing around! You know that, right...?”
“I didn't realize it'd make you this upset.”
“I don't even know! Ranyori isn't that upset!”
“Still, no helping it. If that's what you want, I'll blow it off.”
“Go! Just go! Run!”
Phew, I win.
“I was just gonna grab your pant leg! Don't go pulling your pants down outta nowhere!”
“Hey? Even your metaphors are weird.”
“Aren's taking his pants off and going wild!”
“You brat.”
I should've lost this one.
Truly not easy. There was a brief commotion.
“You can go, no problem... but is it okay if I stay here?”
“Huh? Why wouldn't it be?”
“Aren's not home, but his friend Ranyori is in Aren’s house... This feels kinda weird!”
“Psh, you're not gonna be alone anyway.”
“That's even more stressful!”
Fair enough.
Actually, the most awkward part of being at a friend's house isn't when the friend's gone—
“Ranyori~! Come here for a sec~!”
—it's when you're alone with their parents.
“Y-yes...!”
A woman's voice came from the kitchen. My mom.
Ranyori shot up from the sofa like a reflex and scurried to the kitchen.
I finished getting ready to head out and watched what they were up to.
“How's this? Pretty good, right?”
“It's delish...!”
“Hehe~ Glad you like it! I'll make some as a snack later, so look forward to it!”
“Thank you...!”
Ranyori's cheeks were puffed out as she chewed away at something.
And Mom was beaming at the sight.
Like I've said before, my parents—and Mom especially—really like Ranyori.
They look at her like she's this super affectionate daughter they're raising.
She's got a sweet personality, plus she's my one and only friend.
And honestly, she's pretty pitiful.
The first time I met her, she was getting mobbed by the other kids.
We chatted a bit, and I found out by chance that she lived at an orphanage.
Anyway, the first day I brought her home to eat together, she was shaking like a leaf.
“H-hello... ugh...”
“...Hello! You're Aren’s friend? What's your name?”
“R-ra...”
“C-could you speak up a little...?”
“Ranyori...!”
“Hm... I see.”
Mom was smiling, but her eyes were full of pity.
“...Aren.”
“Yes?”
“Come here a sec.”
“Sure.”
And I got dragged into the room.
“...You haven't been bullying other kids, have you?”
“No. I actually helped her out.”
“How...?”
“The other kids were picking on her just for being a beastkin.”
“Oh no... So then...?”
“I beat them up.”
“...?”
It took a while to clear up the misunderstanding.
I still remember Dad's look—that resigned “my kid finally caused some trouble” gaze.
After that, Ranyori basically melted into our home.
She was awkward at first, but my parents treated her even better.
“Ranyori! Try on this outfit!”
“Pardon...?”
“Aww, so cute! Who'd you get that prettiness from~?”
“Um... I don't know... I don't really look like my parents—”
“No no no, that was just a figure of speech. You're super pretty, for real.”
“Ah...”
And as we spent time together, she got more comfortable.
She's still a bit shy now, but way better than before.
Back then, she was straight-up scared of people. Now it's just 'friend's mom' awkwardness.
Plus, she's adorable.
Mom's delighted watching Ranyori's tail swish back and forth.
“I'm heading out.”
“Oh? Where to, Aren?”
“Just a quick appointment.”
“Ooh... Guess that means I get a one-on-one date with Ranyori?”
“Huh...?”
Ranyori let out a bewildered noise.
She shot me these pleading eyes begging for help... but whatever.
Not my problem.
“I'm off.”
“Okay! Don't stay out too late~ I'll make something yummy for dinner~!”
“Sure.”
“Uwaaah... Don't gooo...”
“Haha! Auntie was just teasing, Ranyori~”
“Really...?”
“Yeah yeah. 'Date' just means chatting and eating good stuff.”
“Ooh...”
“Anything you wanna eat? Just say it! I'll make it all!”
“...P-pan, pancakes?”
“Of course!”
Putting on my shoes, it sounded like Ranyori and Mom would have a great time.
I stepped outside.
Where to? The publishing house.
“Oh, great to meet you. I'm Warrenberg, president of Warrenberg Publishing House.”
“Hello. I'm Aren.”
Still can't believe this.
I figured at best I'd get some feedback, not a face-to-face meeting.
Warrenberg had brown hair and glasses.
And he was super skinny.
I was like that in my past life too. Glasses and all.
But his position made him look more put-together.
We sat down.
Soon, a beastkin came in and poured tea into our cups.
She's tiny. Even sitting, her eye level's a bit below mine.
“I'm an adult.”
“Pardon?”
“Not a minor. We're not that kind of company.”
What kind?
“Ah, right. It's just... species differences?”
“Exactly. She's...”
“A hamster beastkin. Hamster.”
“That's right. Rodent beastkin. That's why she's small.”
“Ah, got it.”
“Oh, you know about hamsters?”
“Yeah. Sunflower seeds, right?”
I almost mentioned the wheel but switched it out—might be rude.
“Ah! Those are tasty. Who knew it wasn't cheese but sunflower seeds!”
“You really know your stuff.”
“Hamsters are famous, y'know.”
“...Ahem.”
“Hear that, President?”
“I'm weak on stuff I'm not into...”
“Wow, harsh.”
“...We need to talk business now, so step aside, Chabi.”
“Eh, I'm an employee too—can't I listen?”
“You ignore me when I tell you to listen usually.”
“It's about beastkin! I'm curious.”
...Yeah. Gotta wait for things to settle.
I was a little nervous coming here.
But no need.
The vibe's chill. Not super professional.
Which suits me. Lighter than heavy formality.
I picked up the teacup. Nice aroma.
Couldn't drink. Too hot.
“...Let's get started. She's my employee—she'll just listen quietly, no worries.”
“Chabi here. Nice to meet you.”
“I'm Aren. Pleased.”
“Does having a beastkin listen... bother you...?”
“Nah, it's fine. I like beastkin.”
“...No wonder you wrote a novel like this.”
In my eyes now: President Warrenberg.
And Chabi, peeking over the chair back.
She's ridiculously small.
“I read the manuscript you sent, and it left quite an impression.”
“Oh, honored.”
“Mind if I ask a few questions about the work?”
“Go ahead.”
Q. Can you keep writing steadily?
A. Yes. Not super fast, but consistently.
Q. Any plans for the next arc?
A. I've got a rough outline in my head. It'll stay close to volume 1's vibe overall.
Q. Planned length for completion?
A. Nothing set. I picked flexible material to adjust timing as needed. Just aiming to write appropriately.
Q. Last one: Making the protagonist human instead of beastkin might boost popularity—what do you think?
A. Hm... I centered it on 'beastkin daily life,' so it'd be tough.
“Good answer. I agree.”
“You do?”
“Just checking. Wondered if you made the protagonist a beastkin for novelty or if it's intentional direction.”
“Ah, a test of sorts.”
“Pretty much. Sorry if it bothered you.”
“Nah. So... I pass?”
“Yes. Let's publish it.”
“...You can decide that quick?”
“I'm the president, after all.”
“No say for me!”
“...”
Is that something to brag about? I thought, watching Chabi grin brightly.
“But if it flops after publishing, doesn't that hurt the company?”
“Small print run then. And I think this novel's got real potential.”
“If it tanks, it's all on you, President!”
“...Not quite, Chabi.”
“That's what being president means!”
“Why are you so hyped today?”
This time, I sipped my tea while watching.
Oh, nice.
“Read the contract, sign it... and we'll publish in a few days.”
“Small run?”
“For starters? We'll adjust based on response.”
“Sounds good. Who'd read tons of my stuff anyway.”
“Haha... Who knows.”
“I'm treating it as experience.”
“Right. We'll contact you if anything changes.”
I headed home.
In the living room, Ranyori was lying on Mom's lap, getting her head petted.
“I'm ho—”
“Shh...! Ranyori's sleeping...!”
“Oho...”
“Look...! Her ears are twitching! Isn't it adorable?”
“Definitely.”
“So, what'd you do? Out playing?”
“...Yeah, sorta.”
Didn't feel like announcing it, so I brushed it off.
It's true, but I'd rather keep it under wraps if possible. Just a hobby.
No point hyping it up with weird expectations.
Not like it'll go big anyway.
[Author-nim, demand's higher than expected, so we're planning another print run—what do you think?]
[...]
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[Also, any update on the next volume's manuscript...?]
“??”
What the—?