Laid-Back Life in Tokyo: I Really Didn't Want to Work Hard-Chapter 896 - 527: Light Novel Author_2

"The bookstore has just opened, we must be the first ones here."

"So, is Hanabi truly the first reader to buy Sakura’s book?"

"I guess so."

Hanamaru Hanabi held all three volumes of "Hanabi’s Love" in one arm, pulling him with the other: "Then Sakura, hurry along with Hanabi, let’s go to the front desk first to pay."

The price of a light novel is around 700 yen.

It’s quite cheap, about the price of three bottles of soda in Japan.

Because of this cheap price, light novels have become popular and loved by young readers and students.

There’s not much poetic implication, nor overly complicated storylines.

Even though light novels are gradually developing deeper social attributes over time, it’s undeniable that humorous youthful romances are still mainstream.

Uesugi Sakura is not sure if this novel, which focuses more on plot and emotional development rather than comedic elements, will be successful.

Eh, with Hanabi’s support, and the rookie king status of this novel, the sales shouldn’t be too bad, right?

Uesugi Sakura doesn’t want his series to be cut short after just three volumes, especially since he hasn’t even started on the fourth volume yet.

"Ah!"

"What’s wrong?"

"Up ahead! Someone seems to have Sakura’s book!"

"Where?!"

Uesugi Sakura looked ahead, and closer to the counter where people were lined up, indeed someone was holding his new book.

Hanabi Chiwa’s cover was quite eye-catching, vibrant enough to leave a lasting impression, making it easily noticeable.

But wait, he’s just an unknown author, even with little Hanabi, the famous illustrator’s support, it shouldn’t be possible for someone to come to the bookstore this early just to buy his book. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"Sakura, Sakura!"

"Huh?"

"Hanabi’s first-reader status is about to be lost!"

"What to do?"

"Hanabi’s asking you, Sakura, quickly think of something!" Hanamaru Hanabi was looking quite anxious.

Think of something...

Even if little Hanabi asked him to think of something, could he really go and stop the fan who bought his book from abandoning it?

"Sakura!"

"Okay, okay, I get it."

Seeing little Hanabi’s anxious expression, Uesugi Sakura couldn’t help but agree, "I’ll go and ask..."

"Alright, Sakura, hurry, go!"

Hanamaru Hanabi pushed him forward with a hand on his back, watching as he communicated with the customer in line.

During this time, she even saw Uesugi Sakura say a few words to the man, then pointed to where they were.

Hanamaru Hanabi curiously crane her head, wanting to know what was happening.

Not long after, she saw Uesugi Sakura bringing that male customer over.

The guy was slightly chubby, wearing round glasses.

"Teacher Hanamaru!" The man appeared extremely enthusiastic, so much so that he was a bit flustered.

"Ah?" Hanamaru Hanabi glanced at Uesugi Sakura beside her.

Uesugi Sakura just shrugged, indicating this wasn’t his problem.

He felt a bit heartbroken too.

What fan of his, this was obviously a fan of Hanamaru Hanabi.

"Teacher Hanamaru! Is it really you? I never thought... never thought I could meet you in person here!!!"

"Ah... hello, hi." Hanamaru Hanabi held the books and nodded politely to the man in front of her, "May I ask who you are...?"

"Sorry, I hope I didn’t scare you. My name is Kawai Taikou, and I’m a die-hard fan of Teacher Hanamaru! Since your first work two years ago, I’ve been following you."

Two years ago, if Uesugi Sakura remembered correctly, that should have been when Hanabi was in England, and started her account.

She had accounts on both Twitter and P Station for illustrations.

But back then, she only uploaded some artistic watercolor paintings, and not many people paid attention.

So, this Kawai Taikou was really an old fan of Hanabi-chan?

"Hello." Meeting a fan offline for the first time, Hanamaru Hanabi, who wasn’t great at conversing, truly didn’t know how to react at the moment.

"Uh... uh..."

Kawai Taikou excitedly displayed the cover of the first volume of "Hanabi’s Love" in front of her, with his hand trembling slightly, "I heard about your recent collaboration with this book. I found out online that it was released today, so to support you, I specially came to buy 9 copies."

"9 copies? But there are only three volumes out, right?"

Uesugi Sakura then realized that the canvas bag hanging on Kawai Taikou’s arm was filled with his books.

This is truly a die-hard fan.

"Here’s the plan: one for collection, one to recommend to my friends, and one for myself to read. Of course, it’s not because of the novel, but because of Teacher Hanamaru’s illustrations."

Hey hey... that’s a bit too much, making it seem like my novel is worthless...

Uesugi Sakura rolled his eyes from behind.

"I wonder... I wonder... I wonder if Teacher Hanamaru could give me an autograph? Please!"

Kawai Taikou bowed his head excitedly to Hanamaru Hanabi.

Hanamaru Hanabi encountered such a person for the first time but still spoke in her delicate voice to the person in front of her: "Well... it’s not necessary to do that..."

"Teacher Hanamaru’s voice is indeed so gentle!" Kawai Taikou suddenly lifted his head, almost startling Hanamaru Hanabi again.

"Sorry! Sorry!!"

"It’s okay, it’s okay." Hanamaru Hanabi said, realizing that Uesugi Sakura was hiding behind Kawai Taikou, smirking at her.

Bad Sakura!

"Could I ask if Teacher Hanamaru could give me an autograph? I would be grateful forever!! I will support you for life!!"

"Well, it’s okay... but living for a lifetime, is that a bit too exaggerated?" Hanamaru Hanabi cautiously asked the ardent fan in front of her.

"Not at all!" Kawai Taikou immediately retorted, almost shocking Hanamaru Hanabi again, as if a fierce white headband was tied to his head, "Teacher Hanamaru... actually, my whole life hasn’t achieved anything, more ordinary than an ordinary person. Graduated from college, I’m just a homebody, always relying on my parents to get by, but Teacher Hanamaru’s appearance, Teacher Hanamaru’s work... made me understand what liking means, what love is."

"Ah...? Is it that exaggerated?"

"When I look at your paintings, I often fall into contemplation, wondering why I have no chance to obtain the kind of life depicted by the beautiful girls in the paintings..."

No no no, the beautiful girls in the paintings, you’ll never get that, okay.

Uesugi Sakura commented on the side.

"In high school, I also learned to paint because of my love for anime, but I just couldn’t keep the faith, and there was nothing to support me to continue, it faded away over time. In recent years, I’ve gradually found life to be dull."

"It’s Teacher Hanamaru’s characters that have inspired me, the long-lost passion, the love at first sight, all emotions seem to return to me through Teacher Hanamaru’s paintings."

Hanamaru Hanabi wanted to understand this fan’s feelings, but he seemed too excited...

"So... Kawai-san, you want an autograph, right?"

"Yes!"

"Do you need all nine books signed?"

"No, no, just one is enough, to prove my uniqueness."

"If that’s the only request, I can definitely do it..."

"Thank you! Thank you Teacher Hanamaru!!" Kawai Taikou handed over the first volume of "Hanabi’s Love" to her, "Please!"

Uesugi Sakura casually picked up a pen and handed it to Hanamaru Hanabi.

Kawai Taikou of course noticed Uesugi Sakura, but he only thought of him as Teacher Hanamaru’s assistant.

Even though he heard the rumors about Teacher Hanamaru getting married, he firmly believed—Teacher Hanamaru is not married.

As for the wedding ring he saw now, it must be just a cosplay prop!

Indeed!

"Thank you! Thank you!" Kawai Taikou quickly put the book away, thinking that he must take a picture and tweet it today. Needless to say, those fellow fans of Teacher Hanamaru, kindred spirits, will surely envy his autographed copy!

"Then... may I have the opportunity to be the first to buy this novel?" Hanamaru Hanabi suggested cautiously.

"Of course, of course you can."

Before coming, Kawai Taikou heard about this from the assistant next to her.

After Hanamaru Hanabi finished the transaction at the front desk and received a bow of thanks from Kawai Taikou, she watched him walk out of the bookstore with brisk steps.

"Pfft!"

"Sakura! What are you laughing at!!" Hanamaru pouted at him, "So annoying! You kept watching just now!!"

Uesugi Sakura approached her small face, mimicking the fan’s tone, "I’m sorry! Teacher Hanamaru!!"

"Sakura deserves a beating!"

"Haha."