"Arguing with a guy like you is just a waste of time, so I won't bother."
"Perfect, I feel the same way."
Although they parted peacefully, both sides left a deeper impression on each other after this exchange.
While he was somewhat concerned by Yamada Elf's appearance, compared to her manga works, it wasn't that important. Besides, Chihiro seemed to be quite at odds with her.
A few minutes passed after Eriri left.
Amidst anxious waiting, Yamada Elf finally welcomed the person she had been expecting.
"Chihiro, I'm going back to my room."
Mashiro walked inside without a hint of reluctance.
"To come for a second visit so quickly, it seems Yamada-sensei has something very important to discuss."
Izumi Chihiro said unhurriedly as he sat down on the sofa.
"Exactly!"
Yamada Elf said with conviction.
"I'm all ears."
He slightly tilted his head.
"Izumi, do you think illustrators are important for light novels?"
Yamada Elf initiated the topic.
"Of course, they are quite important. Good illustrations can give readers a more concrete impression of the novel's plot when they visualize it."
He certainly acknowledged this point.
"Right! That's something everyone knows."
Yamada Elf continued, her voice rising a few decibels as if she had found her confidence.
"I've always felt that Eromanga-sensei and your work styles don't match, limiting both Eromanga-sensei's potential and yours. So I think you should consider your future development direction…" Hmm?
She turned her head to glance at the stairs leading to the second floor, found nothing, and turned back.
"So, Yamada-sensei, are you suggesting breaking up the partnership between Eromanga-sensei and me?"
Izumi Chihiro maintained his smile.
"Not breaking up! I'm thinking of your best interests! Am I wrong? Eromanga-sensei's suitable drawing style is just like her pen name, not forcibly conforming to other styles!"
Yamada Elf said self-righteously.
"Only I can truly bring out Eromanga-sensei's full potential!"
She truly believed this in her heart; it wasn't simply a desire to steal him away or embarrass the Old Thief.
"Yamada-sensei, with all due respect, you're oversimplifying some things."
Izumi Chihiro shook his head.
At these words, Yamada Elf was truly at a loss.
Because the connection between him and Sagiri was not a simple business relationship, but a family one, so he wouldn't be too concerned with gains and losses.
His enigmatic behavior naturally couldn't convince the little blonde girl.
"Why, why won't you accept my suggestion! Clearly, this is the most correct choice, isn't it! Could it be that Izumi, you don't want Eromanga-sensei to have a bright future! Humph, humph, you're truly insidious."
Yamada Elf stood up, stomping her delicate little foot, encased in white stockings, then put her hands on her hips and pointed at him as she spoke.
"Of course not, Yamada-sensei, stop being so dramatic."
Izumi Chihiro responded calmly.
'It seems I can't get past this using conventional methods.'
Yamada Elf's mind was quick, and she changed her approach.
"How about this, Izumi, give me Eromanga-sensei's contact information, and I'll convince her! Let her make her own decision! Others shouldn't have the right to interfere!"
This statement did move him somewhat.
Indeed, this might just be his own presumptuous idea; letting Sagiri herself make the decision would be the most correct choice.
But before that, he needed to teach this impertinent Miss Yamada a lesson!
"Although that's what you say, this does involve my interests, so I can't just agree so casually."
Izumi Chihiro extended a finger, lightly tapping the table, as if waiting to be bought, his gaze lingering on the girl.
"What do you want to do? I, this young lady, won't sell myself! At most, I'll give you a chance to pursue me…"
The girl's expression was charming, and she made a defensive gesture.
"Save it, girl, don't be so narcissistic. I just want you to owe me a favor."
He waved his hand.
"A favor? That's not entirely unacceptable… but let me be clear, the favor is only within my capabilities. No lewd stuff… at most, I can give you a selfie of myself!"
As if making a difficult decision, the blush on the girl's face was already vivid.
"A selfie? What would I do with that?"
His expression was puzzled.
"Of course… to relieve stress! Guys your age, I understand!"
Yamada Elf winked suggestively.
'What do you know?!'
Izumi Chihiro was speechless.
Someone who could write a fantasy harem novel with nudity as its selling point clearly didn't understand men enough.
"Forget it, just remember you owe me a favor. As for whether you can persuade Eromanga-sensei, that's up to you."
He said with an indifferent expression.
"To treat my private selfies as trash, it seems I've underestimated you."
Yamada Elf expressed her agreement with him, then said with anticipation, "I believe Eromanga-sensei will understand that only I am the savior of the industry, the one who can make the light novel industry great again!"
'Speaking of which, it wasn't really 'great' before, was it?'
Izumi Chihiro muttered in his heart.
"So, can you tell me Eromanga-sensei's contact information now?"
Yamada Elf was already impatient.
"I will only be Ni-san's illustrator."
Sagiri had approached at some point and stated matter-of-factly.
"You're Izumi's sister, right? I'm discussing something with your brother, you..."
Yamada Elf was about to say, 'Could you excuse us for a moment,' but then she heard the silver-haired loli in front of her repeat herself.
"I will only be Ni-san's illustrator."
"You, you, you, you're Eromanga-sensei!?"
Yamada Elf's brain caught up.
"That's right, I am... Eromanga-sensei."
Sagiri was still a bit shy when introducing herself.
"Eromanga-sensei is actually such a silver-haired loli beautiful girl!"
Yamada Elf's heart trembled.
This was just too bizarre!
Eromanga-sensei had been active for several years; by that calculation, was she still an elementary school student when she started working?
She debuted even earlier than Yamada Elf!
After the shock, Yamada Elf finally realized the overly obvious rejection in Sagiri's words.
"Why are you rejecting me?"
She asked sadly.
"D-do I have to answer?"
Sagiri hesitated, glancing at her brother's expression.
"Please, you must tell me."
Yamada Elf wouldn't give up, wanting to find a way to win her over.
"Because I want to be with Ni-san..."
Sagiri said, blushing.
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💯 PS = 2 bonus chapter