CH 88

The usual time, the usual commuter train.

Peacefulness suited me, Kazuto Sasamiya, well in the morning.

It was September from today, but the heat remained the same.

However, just by changing the date, the mood was completely different.

Autumn… huh?

It was going to be tough from now on.

I was often in charge of smartphone-related events, and autumn was a crucial time for me, when the new iPhone models went on sale.

Especially this year, partly because of the success of the Tanabata campaign, we have received large orders.

So far it’s going well, and it would be great if it would continue to be a trouble-free success. …

Oops, it’s about time.

The train doors opened and a high school girl entered.

Without breaking her natural posture, she came straight to me.

“Good morning, Onii-san”

“Yo, Yuika”

Yuika, dressed in her school uniform, leaned her back against the wall as usual.

Tepid as usual, but it sounded like there was more enthusiasm in her voice because it was a new semester.

For some reason, The first day after summer vacation felt so good.

After the second day of classes, you start wishing for a break as soon as possible. …

“Is the new semester starting today? Have you finished your homework?”

“I have plenty of time.”

“You really did it in a hurry yesterday, didn’t you?”

“No. I had most of it done by the time of the Bon Festival. “

“Seriously?”

“Yeah. Do you respect me?”

“I want to worship you”

For me, it was the last day of summer vacation, and there were many times when I wasn’t even half done.

I remember most of my friends being like that.

That’s just what you’d expect from a school for young ladies.

To me, she was just a cheeky high school girl.

Perhaps it was because I was so impressed that I stared at her so intently, but Yuika hid half of her face with her phone.

“I’ll tell you the truth, our CG department is very picky about grades, so I just couldn’t cut corners.”

“Really? They even meddle in your studies even though they’re a club?”

“In return, though, CG is fun because I can draw anything and they do not get mad at me.”

I don’t know much about design, but perhaps it was easier to maintain motivation if they were allowed to draw what they liked rather than being told what to draw.

If she manages not to neglect her studies because of that, it would be a great help.

I was the type of person who would linger around if I wasn’t warned.

To be honest, I envy her for having a teacher like that.

“So what are you drawing, Yuika? Show me.”

“Okay.”

Yuika quickly operated her phone and displayed the image on the screen.

It appeared to be an original mascot character, a kitten wearing a pumpkin hat and a Halloween costume.

“Hoo, isn’t she cute?”

“I wonder if it’s raining today, that Onii-san can give normal compliments like that.”

“If that’s the case, does that mean that my complementing skills have evolved to the point where I can manipulate the weather?”

“Isn’t it the skill of taking a joke and returning it with a joke that you’ve improved?”

“Right?”

Yuika continued to operate her phone, this time displaying a website with many illustrations.

“I’m going to enter this contest that will be held in the fall.”

It appeared to be a contest held on an illustration submission site for Halloween.

What they were looking for this time was “original characters inspired by Halloween”.

Some were mascot characters, like Yuika’s, while others were real people who applied for the contest.

They were all so good.

I wish they would join our company.

Low salary but…

But there was something that concerned me.

That’s the content of Yuika’s profile.

“Hey …. Why is your pen name ‘undecided’?”

“I haven’t decided yet. I have a few ideas.”

Tapping on her smartphone, Yuika typed in the candidate for her pen name.

The name was “KAZUTO”.

“Sounds like a guy’s name.”

“Yeah. I guess it’s playful.”

“Isn’t that a little cliche?”

“I feel like there’s something missing.”

“Hmm. It’s common or rather …, it’s just a name I’ve heard somewhere. …”

“It’s your first name, Onii-san.”

I knew it.

If it were my own name, it would seem so ordinary.

“But why is it my name?”

“It’s fine. I have a few left over anyway.”

“Don’t say it like dead stock”

But how could you remember?

""

I had only told Yuika my full name once.

While we were having this exchange, the train arrived at the Seijo Gakuin Mae station.

“See you later, Onii-san.”

“Yeah, see ya.”

As I watched Yuika head off to school, I was thinking about something else.

The logo design for the Halloween contest I just saw …… looked familiar.

I wonder where …….

Ah! That’s the project that Otomizu was in charge of right now!

(T/N: Genuine Question: Are you enjoying this novel? Dw I am not dropping it or anything, just curious)