"Hmm…"

Kazeno Jun quickly recalled what her father had said that morning as she organized her next words.

"Shouko-sensei, you'll get 12% of the physical book's retail price, pre-tax. Once sales hit certain thresholds that percentage will gradually increase, capped at 20%. The editor gets 2%, and the remainder goes to Futaba Publishing."

Compared with Futaba's usual initial royalty rates for brand-new authors (roughly 6–8%), this was generous. As soon as the contract was reached, Akira was effectively being treated like a potential bestseller.

Jun, however, believed in Shouko-sensei's work. Even for a newcomer, she was confident the novel would take off.

"Hmm." Akira nodded thoughtfully.

Shouko's eyes had long since left the contract wording; she was watching Akira instead. All the talk of percentages and clauses made her head spin — it was just easier to look at him.

Kazeno Jun moved on to detailing merchandise and derivative-rights: animation, manga, games, and how revenue from those would be divided.

"Futaba will cover printing, promotion and distribution costs, right? I don't need to pay any upfront fees?" Akira asked, stating the main concern plainly.

Jun nodded and confirmed it.

Akira asked a few technical follow-ups; Daiki Miyamura had already looked into most of the thornier points, so Jun's answers were straightforward. After a little more small talk — with Shouko chiming in now and then, Jun stood to leave, reminding Akira to send the first volume as soon as possible.

When she left, Shouko checked the time, drained the rest of her drink, and popped up.

"Akira, let's go."

"Since we came all this way, don't you want one of those desserts?" Akira teased, taking her hand.

Shouko glanced at the counter menu and hesitated. She'd been eating sweets non-stop for two days; she'd secretly weighed herself that morning and had gained three or four pounds. Worry flickered across her face — what if Akira didn't like her if she got fat? And with her current situation she couldn't do intense exercise to lose it.

Akira noticed the worry and blurted out before he could think: "Don't worry — I wouldn't dislike you for getting fat."

He immediately realized how blunt that sounded. Shouko planted a mock headbutt on him, then stomped off to the counter to order, determined to punish him by eating every last dessert in sight — preferably on his allowance.

When the waiter returned, only one slice of cake and one drink were placed before them.

"Just one?" Akira asked, surprised.

"Akira, do I look like a pig?" Shouko asked, eyes narrowed.

Akira almost answered with a reckless nod, but restrained himself. He shook his head instead. Satisfied, Shouko fed him the first bite.

They lingered another half hour — mainly Akira explaining Jun's contract points; Shouko peppered him with occasional questions and admired how much he knew. The juice quickly became hers.

The evening spread like pale ink over Kyoto; stone lanterns lit along the shrine paths. Snow still clung to the weeping cherry branches by the Kamo River, but the water already rippled indigo.

Later, in Akira's room, Shouko sat bolt upright.

"Akira, you want me to draw the childhood versions of the main characters from your book in half a month?" she asked, stunned. She'd only just signed the illustrator agreement — she hadn't expected the schedule to be this tight.

After sending the first volume to Kazeno Jun that afternoon, Akira had learned another detail: Futaba preferred to include some artwork. Jun had offered a company-frequent collaborator, but Akira had refused immediately — he wanted Shouko to illustrate.

"Yeah…" Akira agreed. "Finish them in half a month and send them to Jun for review. If they pass, they'll go in the print run."

Shouko hugged a pillow that still smelled faintly of Akira and asked, "Color or black-and-white?"

"Both. Two color pieces — one childhood, one adult — the childhood piece at the front, the adult as a closing plate. Then five or six black-and-white illustrations at key moments in the text."

Shouko's eyes widened. "Akira… I still have class. There's no way I can do all that."

He sat beside her and smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. I'll do the black-and-white ones; I'll ask you for the two color illustrations."

Relieved, she agreed. She'd watched Akira's drawing improve over the years and trusted him. Jun had said that if the illustrations were approved, Futaba would rush-print five thousand copies within a month and distribute them.

"But the main thing is the illustrator fee," Akira added. New illustrators were usually paid per-piece buyouts — roughly ¥20,000 for a black-and-white illustration, with color running 30–50% higher. There were other issues, too: character-design fees, e-book rights, etc.

Shouko waved him off. "I'll do it even for free."

"Not scared I'll be a stingy boss and make you draw a hundred pieces for nothing?" he teased.

"Not scared." She looked at him truthfully. If he got out of line, she'd tattle to Aunt Shizuka and get him scolded — or steal his food.

Akira poked her forehead and grinned. "I'll leave some surprises. Tomorrow I'll have Dad talk to Aunt Yaeko."

Shouko swatted his hand. "If you won't say it, fine. Good night." She hurried off to start drawing — half a month was tight.

Akira watched the door close, then went to the study to find Daiki Miyamura. He wanted his father to handle Shouko's contract details with Aunt Yaeko properly; Shouko was still a minor and needed guardian sign-off.

That night, Kazeno Jun curled into bed, the first volume on her lap, and treated herself to a dessert delivery in celebration. She'd earned it — and how could anyone read a novel without a snack?

At 7:04 the next morning Tokyo's sky turned pale. Students in navy skirts streamed across Shibuya Crossing; trains at Shinjuku packed commuters like sardines.

Yaeko Nishimiya arrived at the office and was summoned to Daiki's office. He handed her a set of contracts.

"These are for Shouko to illustrate Akira's book," he said. "Please review them as her guardian."

Yaeko skimmed through the papers and nearly fainted at the fee. Daiki had offered Shouko 1% of royalties as the illustrator — far more than she'd expected for a beginner. After a few practical questions she signed and headed back to work, still astonished.

Back in class, Ms. Nobe dismissed everyone and left. The bustle of students warming lunches filled the room.

"Shouko, what time did you sleep last night?" Atsuya Ayumi whispered, noticing dark circles under Shouko's eyes.

"Huh?" Shouko blinked, confused.

Akira stepped in. "Give me your bento, I'll heat it. You can take a nap."

"Okay, thanks." She handed it over and laid her head down.

On the way to the cafeteria, Akira filled Ayumi and Takagi in on the illustrator plan. Both were amazed. Takagi tried not to show it, but the surprise was plain on her face. By the time they returned, Ayumi couldn't help shaking Shouko awake to get the full story.

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