Now that I was sharing a room with my lover, I set up a barrier to prevent strange sounds from leaking out. With children in the house, I had to be mindful of such things. On the first night, I was a bit too enthusiastic after so long, and Kurenai couldn't handle it and passed out, so we decided to take it easy from then on.
About two weeks later, Demon Slayer Volu 6 was finally published. Surprisingly, figures were released simultaneously. With the new characters Sumi, Kiyo, Naho, and Kanzaki Aoi from the Butterfly Mansion, I thought it would take ti, but the simultaneous release showed how much the village higher-ups had overworked Yamato.
"Hoo... Yamato... Please don't be overworked to death..."
"Huh? Yamato?"
Kurenai, who had co shopping with , asked. I told her about what had happened with Yamato. Kurenai seed shocked.
"Is that okay? What if he goes missing-nin? Wood Release users are rare..."
"Exactly."
Just then, two ninja wearing forehead protectors approached. Looking closely, they were Kakashi and Asuma. They spotted us and waved.
"Hey~ Long ti no see, Kurenai. I heard you quit being a ninja? And you are... Whoa! Silver hair and golden eyes... Author Jin!?"
Kakashi seed quite surprised to see .
"Yes, that's right. I'm Jin."
When I introduced myself, Kakashi took out the adult version of 'Ryoma and Yurie' from his pocket and asked for an autograph.
"I'm a fan, Author-nim. Could I have an autograph..."
I took the book, signed it, and handed it back.
"Thank you, Author-nim."
"Not at all. Since you're a fan, of course I should."
But the atmosphere between Kurenai and Asuma was odd. They had been close since childhood and, in the future, would have a child together. But because I had taken Kurenai, that would never happen.
"It's good to see you're well. But why did you quit being a ninja?"
"My boyfriend doesn't want doing dangerous work."
"Huh? Boyfriend?"
Asuma asked, flustered. Instead of answering, Kurenai hooked her arm through mine.
"Ah... I-I see. Congratulations. You were so eager to see Author-nim, and now this."
Asuma outwardly smiled and congratulated us, but his awkward movents and expression showed he was quite uncomfortable.
"Then, see you later. Author-nim, until next ti."
"Yeah, see you."
"Goodbye."
He seed eager to leave. Kakashi, catching on, followed Asuma. I watched them for a mont, then asked Kurenai. I already knew, but I wanted to see her reaction.
"You know them?"
"Yeah, we're classmates."
Kurenai said it without emotion.
"But that one seed very uncomfortable."
"Ah, we had a fight before. I guess it's still a little awkward."
The story was getting interesting.
"What did you fight about?"
"It was before I ca here, when the Hokage assigned this guard duty. I was really happy because it seed like easy work, I could et the author whose novels I love, and I could get recomnded for Jonin when it was done. But that Asuma you saw was very against it. So we fought."
So Asuma had tried to prevent the NTR. But failed, of course.
"I don't know why he was so against it, but anyway, that's why we drifted apart. I thought things were better, but seeing him still like that, I guess not."
"I see."
It seed that if Asuma had been more proactive in expressing his feelings, things might have turned out differently.
'Well, in the end, he lacked courage.'
Kurenai and I finished shopping and returned ho. On the way, I caught a glimpse of Kakashi and Asuma having a drink at a bar.
Another month passed. 'The Shower' was now complete, and Demon Slayer Volu 7 was almost finished.
I showed 'The Shower' to Kurenai. She didn't cry because she already knew the ending, but she read it with great interest, thanks to the added episodes.
"Wow... This is so good? Jin, you're really good at writing love stories. I wish you'd write more of these..."
"Next ti. I'm still writing Demon Slayer."
"Right. Too bad."
I also showed 'The Shower' to Jiraiya. He had asked to see it when it was done.
"Hoo... A great piece. It leaves a deep impression. I wish I could write sothing like this."
Jiraiya was deep in thought again.
When 'The Shower' was published, the village streets beca a strange mix of smiles and tears. Anyone watching would think they were on drugs.
"It's so sad... I thought it was just a cheerful adult novel."
"I know, right. At the end, when he asks to have his clothes buried with hers..."
"She was acting so coy I forgot she was such a sickly girl!"
I was enjoying the villagers' reactions while resting at ho when Hiruzen ca again.
"What brings you here today?"
"Well, you see, Yamato, who makes the wooden figures, is sick. After so discussion, we've decided to sell pictures instead of figures. If you could draw so nice pictures, we'll print and sell them. Of course, in return for your efforts, we'll give you 20% of the net profit this ti. How about it?"
This ti, they wanted to print and sell bromide photos. The pathetic leaf higher-ups were now making their own goods because Yamato had collapsed.
'How hard did they work Yamato...'
After so thought, I said to Hiruzen, "I'm sorry, but I'm already busy just writing novels. My wrists have been bothering lately, too. I might have to rest for a while, so I can't take on such tasks. Besides, if we're selling pictures, why would I involve soone else? I could just draw them myself and ask the printing press to sell them. Wooden figures and pictures are different."
When I stated the facts, Hiruzen couldn't argue.
"I-I see..."
"Instead, how about making and selling stuffed dolls? There are won in the village who lost their husbands and are struggling. It would kill two birds with one stone by providing them with jobs."
When I gave him the idea, Hiruzen slapped his knee in admiration.
"Oh~ That's a great idea! Stuffed dolls..."
"And about the wooden figures. Since there's no Wood Release user left, why not make them from ceramic? There are plenty of Earth Release users, so it would be easier to make."
"True... I was too fixated on wood."
With luck, Yamato might get so rest. Actually, Yamato was also capable of using Earth Release. But with other Earth Release users around, they probably wouldn't overwork him as much.
"Understood. I'll give it a try. Also, the theater is now complete, and we've decided to adapt your work into a play. We'll give you 10% of the net profit from that as well."
"Understood. But please make sure to send the finished products and tickets."
"Will do."
With that, Hiruzen returned to the Hokage's office.
A few days later, a large building began construction on the outskirts of the village. He must have taken my advice to heart, as they seed to be building a factory for stuffed dolls and ceramic figures.
'That factory is probably being built by Yamato too, right? Poor Yamato...'
I prayed again for Yamato's well-being and was drinking coffee when Jiraiya suddenly ca out of his room and handed a manuscript.
"It's finished, Author-nim. My new work. The title is 'Love Love New Paradise'."
"Oh~ I see."
I sat in the living room and read 'Love Love New Paradise'. It was certainly much improved. The narrative was good, and it incorporated many fetish elents from 'The Shower'.
"It's much better. But the heroines' personalities are a bit weak."
Indeed, the heroines in 'Love Love New Paradise' were all voluptuous and had easy-going personalities. His lack of experience showed. These were probably Jiraiya's type.
"Is that so?"
"Co with . I'll write so examples."
I took Jiraiya to my room and wrote short adult stories featuring various won, showing them to him one by one. One woman who was confident in public but affectionate at night, another whose words and actions didn't match—a tsundere—another who had lived a difficult life and was lancholic, and I also varied their physical descriptions.
"Ah... I see."
"The narrative is good, so you don't need to change everything. Just add a bit of personality to the heroines."
"Understood."
Jiraiya returned to his room and began revising. Except for als, he barely ca out for two days.
"Author-nim, I've finally finished the revisions."
I took the manuscript and read it again. The heroines' narratives were deeper, their personalities much stronger. It had beco a very enjoyable work.
"It's quite good. Publish it imdiately."
At my words, Jiraiya shed tears. "To have my work recognized by Author Jin... This is like a dream..."
I patted Jiraiya on the shoulder to calm him down.
"Jiraiya-san, calm down and let's go to the printing press right away. People are sure to like this."
"Understood, Author-nim."
Then Kurenai, who was nearby, said, "Wait a minute. Let see it too before you go."
"Okay, here."
We showed the manuscript to Kurenai.
"Wow~ It's clearly a very adult novel, but it has a good story. It's going to sell well."
Kurenai's positive evaluation made Jiraiya very happy. We imdiately took the manuscript to the printing press.
"Oh~ Did you write another novel?"
"No, this is his novel. Take a look. You won't be disappointed."
I pointed to Jiraiya. Unlike my words, the owner looked sowhat disappointed.
"I was expecting it to be your novel... That's a sha. Still, since you recomnd it, let see..."
The owner sat down and read 'Love Love New Paradise'.
"No way... This is good. Honestly, these days, if it's not your work, I don't expect much, but this is a genuinely good piece. Let's sign a contract right away. But there's no cover."
When the owner asked, Jiraiya scratched his head, a little flustered.
"Haha, I forgot. I've been so preoccupied..."
Then I said, "Don't worry. I'll do it. Please go ahead and start printing. I'll bring it tomorrow."
"Okay. Then co this way. We need to sign a contract."
Jiraiya signed the contract and left the printing press. He thanked .
"Thank you for today, Author Jin."
"Not at all. I'm also happy to have seen a good work. Ah, let's have a celebration party today."
"Sounds great!"
We went to the village market, bought a lot of ingredients, and so good sake. I prepared party food to be ready when the children returned. I also asked Satoru (the ninja dog) to inform Tenten's family. Satoru went and ca back quickly.
"Bro, I'm ho! Wow~ What's the occasion, ya know?"
The children were surprised by the party food.
"We're having a celebration party. Jiraiya-san has finally published a work."
"Oh~ Really? Then why won't you show it to us?"
"It's for adults, so read it when you're older. Tenten, you can stay and eat. I've told your family."
"Understood, Master."
We celebrated with a delicious feast. Jiraiya was so happy he drank too much and passed out. The funny thing was, he grabbed Naruto and started babbling, much to Naruto's dismay. Even Sasuke laughed, adding to the festive mood.
The next day, after sending the children off to the Academy, Jiraiya and I sat at the desk and began designing the cover for 'Love Love New Paradise'. As befitting an adult novel, I drew the protagonist and heroines very sexily.
"It's done. What do you think?"
"Oh~ I love it. It's exactly the protagonist and heroines I imagined."
"I'm glad. I was worried you might not like it."
Reviews
All reviews (0)