Laid-Back Life in Tokyo: I Really Didn't Want to Work Hard-Chapter 792 - 472: Uesugi’s Official Artist

"Hey, Uesugi, that guy who called himself Renwo Xia just sent a friend request!" Kitagawa Sakisa shouted to Uesugi Sakura.

"Ignore him." Uesugi Sakura got up from the sofa and said, "If you haven’t gotten your revenge, chances are that even if you add him as a friend, he wouldn’t care, so let’s do the same and refuse."

Kitagawa Sakisa thought it made sense at first, but then she felt something was off. However, unable to figure out what it was, she simply agreed, "Alright! I won’t add him! Who is that guy anyway!"

"Uesugi, are you better at gaming than Sakisa?" Kyujuu Rika handed out bowls and chopsticks, serving each of the four a bowl of rice.

"Not bad." Uesugi Sakura said as he sat on the chair next to Hanamaru Hanabi.

Kitagawa Sakisa picked up her chopsticks from across the table and said, "Uesugi’s skills definitely aren’t from playing this game for the first time. He must have tons of experience!"

It really was his first time.

But Uesugi Sakura knew better than to point it out, so he just ate quietly.

If Kitagawa Sakisa found out he was so good at this game on his first try, she’d definitely hound him with questions about it.

Better to keep quiet.

After lunch in the art research room, Uesugi Sakura noticed Hanamaru Hanabi washing dishes alone, so he went over to help.

"Sakura-kun, how’s your novel coming along?" Hanamaru Hanabi handed him a washed bowl.

"Just finished the first volume. Want to read it?" Uesugi Sakura took the bowl she handed him.

"Sakura-kun, is this one of those tragic novels?" Hanamaru Hanabi gave him a suspicious look.

"Why would you think that?" Uesugi Sakura was surprised, "I love when characters become better in stories. Actually, it’s a growth story about taking on responsibilities."

Hanamaru Hanabi nodded and turned to wash dishes, "I feel like your light novel is different from others."

"Ah? How is it different?"

"Well... it doesn’t have magic settings or anything."

"Hanabi-chan, this is a pure romance story."

"Is that different?" Hanamaru Hanabi looked puzzled as she handed Uesugi Sakura the washed chopsticks for another rinse.

"Of course, light novels can have otherworldly magic themes, romance themes, or even otherworldly romance magic themes. Anything’s possible." Uesugi Sakura, though he hadn’t read many light novels, had gained some understanding of them lately.

"Hanabi-chan, as long as you create great illustrations for me, my light novel is bound to sell well." Uesugi Sakura moved closer to the girl beside him with a playful smile.

"Sakura-kun..."

Hanamaru Hanabi shifted her body to the other side.

Uesugi Sakura, smiling again at her cute, blushing face, said, "Hanabi, you haven’t released an illustrated piece in a while. Your entire Twitter account is full of fans asking where you’ve been. You’ll have to reappear soon, so... could you do the illustrations for my novel, please?"

Besides, just partnering with Hanabi-chan before, with that author, the one who wrote "The Witch Miss is a Fox Demon."

The previous book response was average, but with Teacher Hanamaru’s backing on the second one, it was advertised all over the subways and trains.

It can be said that his novel became a hit this year.

Heard it’ll be animated next year too.

Uesugi Sakura had this strong support and couldn’t miss out on it. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Hanamaru Hanabi seemed hesitant: "But..."

Uesugi Sakura: "But what?"

Hanamaru Hanabi turned to look at him: "If your identity gets out, people will say a lot of nasty things... call you a freeloader or something..."

Uesugi Sakura: "Then we just keep it hidden for now. I’m using a pen name, no one knows my real identity. And for you, just say this teacher’s sincerity moved you, and you really like his novel, so you took the job."

Listening to him, Hanamaru Hanabi started to giggle softly.

Uesugi Sakura: "What are you laughing at? I’m speaking the truth, am I not sincerely inviting Hanabi-chan?"

"Yes," Hanamaru Hanabi replied.

"Does Hanabi-chan like the novel Sakura-kun likes?"

"Also yes," Hanamaru Hanabi thought for a moment and then replied to him.

Uesugi Sakura: "See? From now on, Hanabi-chan will be my official artist."

Hanamaru Hanabi opened her mouth, then adorably and slightly annoyed, she muttered, "Hanabi never agreed to be Sakura-kun’s official artist."

"That’s that then."

"No way! The favorability is just -5!"

...

In the afternoon, Uesugi Sakura and Hanamaru Hanabi took the train to Mimi Café.

Lately, they hadn’t been biking because the weather was getting cold, and riding in the chilly wind wasn’t comfortable.

Uesugi Sakura did want to show off his beautiful wife to make others jealous, but since there was no opportunity, he let it slide.

"Good afternoon."

"Ah, Uesugi, good afternoon."

After greeting the few maids who had arrived early at the shop, Uesugi Sakura started his work for the day.

Grinding beans, boiling water, organizing the counter, attending to the fat cat that liked to nap on the bar top, and officially opening for business.

Jingle~

The bell chimed as a customer walked in.

"Welcome."

Uesugi Sakura’s coffee-making skills had become increasingly adept, almost ensuring every customer received their desired cup of coffee.

As a result, the café had a loyal customer base, with many choosing to read and have their afternoon meal here just for a carefully crafted cup of coffee.