Life is a Mess Ever Since My Mother Won an Ero-Novel Grand Prize - V2 Chapter 1.3

Chapter 1.3

What was that all about…

So, who’s next?

“Hello, I’m from the newspaper club! Can I ask you some questions?”

The cheerful girl from the newspaper club asked, her cute pigtails bouncing as she spoke.

“It’s too much trouble. An interview? No thanks. I might end up saying unnecessary things, and there are also confidentiality obligations to consider.”

I was just a substitute for Mating Press, a secret I had kept hidden from everyone except my family. I hadn’t even told my editor at the publishing company. I wanted to avoid any risks of accidentally revealing it here.

“Oh, is interviewing not allowed? Can’t we work something out?”

“If it was for the publishing company, maybe, but not at school. Just leave me alone, please.”

“I’ll let you touch my breasts, then?”

“Eh!?”

The girls in the newspaper club smiled shyly, as if to say, “I’m okay if it’s with you, Shimomura-kun.”

No way, really, what?

“Don’t get swayed, Shimamura! Why’re you taking so long to reject her!!”

Rinka shouted angrily from behind in the line.

No, I didn’t sway, I didn’t even think about it. Seriously.

“Honey Trapping me won’t work. I’m a tough guy, after all.”

“I’m an E-cup, you know!”

“Huh, really? Are you the type that looks slimmer in clothes?”

“I told you not to take the bait, Shimamura!”

Rinka yelled at me again, snapping me back to reality.

Phew, that was close. I unintentionally took the bait. It’s quite tempting for a virgin like me.

“…Shimamura, you idiot, always getting carried away…! E-even my chest is big, you know…! I-if Shimamura wants to touch, i-if you really insist… then, I might let you…! W-what am I even thinking!?”

Rinka was banging her head against something at the back of the line… She occasionally does that, but what’s up with her this time?

Anyway, I still have a lot to learn about resisting seduction.

“I’m sorry, person from the newspaper club. No interviews. But I can at least give you my autograph if you want.”

“Hmm… Just an autograph might not be enough. Senpai might get mad.”

The girl from the newspaper club looks pitifully sad.

“How about just a photo then? It’s not like it matters anymore, everyone in school probably already knows your face from the school event.”

“Well, that’s true.”

I realized that refusing to have my photo taken here would be pointless. People could easily take sneaky photos or I might end up in pictures of school events anyway.

“As long as it’s limited to within the school, I’ll give you permission.”

“Yay! Thank you, Shimamura-kun!”

“Yatta♪” The girl from the newspaper club made a cute victory pose. Ah… besides Rinka, there are other cute girls at our school too… And she even said she’ll let me touch her breasts…

“Don’t get carried away, Shimamura!” 

“Huh!?”

No-no-no, I can’t do this. I’m devoted to Rinka. It’s embarrassing to be interested in other girls…

That being said, professional writers do seem to be popular. They get praised by everyone. I want to debut with my own skills as soon as possible.

“Alright, go ahead and take the photo. Hey, you guys, why’re you taking my pictures? It’s only for the newspaper club. Put away your smartphones!”

However, nobody listened to me and they kept snapping away with their cameras.

“Hmm… Shimamura-kun, can you strike a pose? You look too ordinary, it might not make a good picture.”

The girl from the newspaper club said, and I tilted my head in confusion. Pose? Even if she says that…

“How about this then?”

I strike a pose that I’ve seen in the author’s photobook. Putting my hand on my chin and looking sharp.

“Uwa, it’s just like Akutagawa.” The girl from the newspaper club remarks. “Aren’t you being a bit presumptuous?”

“What am I supposed to do then!?”

“Well, it’s fine like this.”

The girl from the newspaper club actually stood next to me and held up her smartphone as if taking a selfie.

Wait, hold on, her shoulder is touching mine.

Isn’t this supposed to be a photo for an interview or something? It looks more like a selfie of a couple in a close relationship…

“Say cheese!”

“Uh, yeah…”

The shutter clicks.

“Hehe, I’ve always wanted a photo of me with Shimamura-kun. I’m glad I had the courage to talk to you… Thanks, Shimamura-kun! Here’s my number!”

“Uh, yeah.”

She handed me a piece of paper with her contact information and left the classroom with a joyful smile.

But wait a minute…

Now, no way, no way, eh? Was she serious about me?

“──Hiii!?”

I felt a sudden surge of killing intent as I turned around.

There was Rinka, emitting a dark aura that sends shivers down my spine.

“…You idiot, Shimamura, allowing her to take a selfie…! Even though I’ve wanted it for so long too…! Why would you take a photo with some random girl instead of me…! I won’t forgive you for this…!”

She mutters angrily, glaring at me intensely. She’s so scary!

“Shimamura! I have something to talk to you about later! I’ll be waiting in front of the school gate, so come quickly, got it?”

With a pout, Rinka left the classroom with her bag in hand.

A sudden summons from Rinka after school… Is it about guiding her to Animate again, or something else?

Or maybe…?

I’m curious, but…

“Shimamura, sign, sign!”

“I can’t wait any longer!”

Damn, are there more people now than before!?

I want to go to Rinka as soon as possible.

I started signing with all my might, clearing the line of fans as I went.

Mating Press, Mating Press, Mating Press, Mating Press, Mating Press…