After a few words of small talk, they hung up the phone.
Eriri's heart was still pounding wildly in her chest, a surge of joy and accomplishment wrapping around her, bringing a lovely flush to her pale cheeks.
She paced back and forth for quite a while before finally calming down.
Taking a deep breath, Eriri walked toward Seiji Fujiwara's room on the second floor.
She opened the door and entered.
Seiji Fujiwara was lounging lazily on the sofa, holding a cup of black tea, looking as relaxed as a cat taking a nap.
"Seiji," Eriri called out.
"Oh? It's Eriri." Seiji didn't even turn his head, responding lazily, "What's up?"
"It's about the manga." Eriri explained Yamada Aki's request for more chapters: "...Anyway, the readers and the editor are waiting. We need to discuss the plan for the next five chapters."
"Is that so? That's good." Seiji's tone was flat, as if discussing something that had nothing to do with him.
"What do you mean 'that's good'?" Eriri frowned.
Seiji's indifferent attitude annoyed her.
She walked to the sofa, looking at him with displeasure. "This is our joint work! The follow-up plot..."
"The follow-up plot? Of course I have it."
Seiji finally turned his head, a smile on his face, but his words made Eriri's expression freeze: "But, Eriri, did you forget? Our transaction requires a 'price.'"
"You paid the price for the first five chapters. But what about the rest?"
Eriri was stunned, looking at Seiji in disbelief.
She still had to pay a price?
She couldn't help but recall what kind of life she'd been living these past few months!
The routine "rent payment" every three days, waking up the next day with her waist and legs so sore she could barely move.
And anytime he was free!
In the living room, in the hallway, even in the studio—whenever he caught her, she'd be groped, and when his interest was up, he'd start a full-on "battle" right there... Of course, Seiji controlled the extent well enough that she was only embarrassed but didn't actually hate it.
But wasn't that enough?
She'd even surrendered her back door!!
"What more do you want?!" Eriri glared at Seiji angrily.
"It's simple!" Seiji smiled slightly. "I want you to take initiative, like Utaha does—be proactive instead of waiting for me to make demands before reluctantly complying... I want you to think for yourself and work hard to please me."
Eriri listened in astonishment, instinctively taking half a step back.
Certain shameful images flooded her mind.
In the morning, when she occasionally woke up early and passed by the master bedroom, she'd see the door slightly ajar. Inside, Utaha was kneeling beside the bed, wearing only a silk morning robe, feeding a plump strawberry to Seiji, who was still lying in bed, with an almost devout posture. Her eyes were sultry, full of undisguised flattery and seduction.
At noon, on that sunny afternoon, she went to discuss storyboards with Seiji, only to see Utaha sitting on his lap while they read a book together. Seiji's hand was boldly reaching under Utaha's skirt, while Utaha, like a lazy cat, read the words on the page in a soft voice, making satisfied little humming sounds, her body trembling slightly.
At night, the sound of water came from the bathroom. She'd accidentally glimpsed Utaha, like the most obedient maid, using her smooth long hair soaked in bubbles to playfully service Seiji. That scene was absurd yet filled with ultimate submission.
Even... even during their most intimate "battles," Utaha always seemed to be the person who understood him best, carefully and patiently cooperating with his every move.
Every action, every glance, filled with wholehearted enthusiasm.
Anytime, anywhere, as long as Seiji wanted it, Utaha would offer everything without hesitation.
To make her do the same?
Eriri's cheeks flushed hot—it was both shame and anger.
"You're too much!" She pointed at him, trembling with rage. "I'll never do that!!"
"Then I won't draw the rest of the Names." Seiji shrugged indifferently.
Eriri's anger stalled.
"You... you bastard!"
The girl glared at him, then turned and ran out of the room.
Fine, if you won't give them, you won't!
I'll draw the rest of the Names myself!
...
...
That evening, Eriri locked herself in her studio.
She sat there frowning, trying to figure out the storyboards and dialogue.
Tap tap tap—
A knock came at the door.
"It's me, Eriri." Utaha's voice came from outside.
"Come in."
Eriri stood up and opened the door to see Utaha holding a cup of hot milk, her face bearing its usual faint smile.
"You must be tired. Have some milk and take a break." Utaha said with a smile.
Eriri glanced up and down at her, her small face expressionless.
"If you're here to persuade me, please leave."
Her tone was icy cold, showing no intention of inviting her in.
"Don't be so unwelcoming." Utaha forcefully squeezed her way in, placing the milk on her drawing desk. "I heard about Seiji's new request."
"So what?" Eriri crossed her arms unhappily.
"I think you should try changing your mindset." Utaha leaned against the desk, looking at her leisurely. "Men are all like this. When they have money and power, they'll have women around them—especially someone like Seiji who achieved fame and success so young."
Eriri remained unmoved.
"Look, many writers, businessmen, politicians all have multiple women, right?" Utaha said gently.
Eriri looked disdainful, scoffing.
"Besides, treating that kind of thing as... a game between lovers, the experience isn't bad either, right?" Utaha's expression was sincere.
Eriri looked at her like she was looking at an idiot, then shook her head.
It's over. Utaha's brain was completely broken.
Just like the female protagonists in her own doujinshi, completely conquered by a man, becoming his submissive from body to soul.
She'd even started defending the aggressor, enjoying this life of being dominated.
Her personality was already twisted.
"Besides, this is good for you too."
Utaha chuckled, unbothered by her gaze, continuing to coax: "Think about it—if you completely let go, not only can you enjoy more pleasure and happiness, but you can also get his resources and support... For your current situation, isn't that a good thing?"
"If you came just to say this, then you've said it. You can leave now." Eriri said expressionlessly, showing her to the door.
Utaha's smile faded. She looked deeply at Eriri, finally sighing helplessly and turning to leave the studio.
"Alright, take your time to think about it."
"I'll never think about it!" Eriri snorted coldly.
...
...
After leaving the studio.
Utaha went to Seiji Fujiwara's room.
"Failed." She spread her hands, but her face showed no disappointment—instead, there was a hint of amusement, like watching a good show.
"Oh?" Seiji was leaning against the bed reading a book. Hearing this, he looked up, somewhat surprised. "You're the 'head wife,' aren't you worried about fire in the backyard?"
"What's there to worry about?"
Utaha narrowed her eyes, gracefully walking to the bedside, leaning down, her breath sweet: "Seiji-kun, I know your methods for dealing with girls all too well. Just like you did with me back then, I'm sure you'll soon have that stubborn tsundere golden retriever completely in your grasp."
Seiji couldn't help but laugh: "You understand me best, Utaha."
Hmph, it's just the firsthand experience of a victim.
Utaha rolled her eyes, thinking to herself.
"Actually, the method is simple. To deal with someone like her..." Seiji was about to explain his plan.
But Utaha reached out with her index finger, blocking his mouth.
"Right now, I don't want to hear that."
Her soft body, like a boneless water snake, slid smoothly into his arms.
"Seiji-kun, lately all your attention has been on that golden retriever." Utaha grabbed his hand, actively guiding it into her slightly open nightgown collar. "You haven't properly spent time with me in a while. Tonight's time belongs entirely to me."
As she spoke, she actively kissed Seiji's lips, her whole body radiating an enticing heat.
Ever since being developed, her body had become abnormally sensitive and needy.
One day was fine.
But if two or three days passed without being satisfied, it felt like a fire was burning inside her.
Seiji was momentarily stunned, then smiled and responded to her enthusiasm, kissing her while easily picking her up and turning to close the door.
...
...
On the other side, after driving Utaha away, Eriri's irritation didn't decrease—it increased.
She sat back at her drawing desk, continuing with the follow-up storyboards.
Back then, when Seiji gave her the storyboards for the first five chapters, he'd also provided a complete story outline.
She thought that with the outline, drawing the storyboards herself shouldn't be difficult.
However, when she actually put pen to paper, she discovered things were far from that simple.
The storyboards she drew had no problems with composition or linework, but when put together, something just felt off.
That kind of emotional impact that struck the heart, that "soul" that seemed to make the panels come alive in Seiji's hand-drawn Names—she couldn't replicate it no matter how hard she tried.
The sixth chapter she drew was like a soulless shell.
This made Eriri feel defeated.
"Ahhh, the gap is so huge!" She held her head, rolling around on the floor and wailing.
She couldn't help but think about asking Seiji for help.
But as soon as this thought emerged, it was immediately suppressed by her stubborn pride.
"No!"
Eriri got up from the floor, determination on her face: "I can't bow to him!"
...
...
Three days passed.
Eriri stayed in her studio, racking her brains over chapter six's storyboards until her golden hair was split.
Ring ring ring—
Her phone rang.
Eriri picked it up to see "Yamada Aki" on the screen, her heart tightening.
After hesitating for a few seconds, she took a deep breath and answered.
"Good morning, Izumi-sensei... How's the sixth chapter storyboard coming along?" Yamada Aki's energetic voice came through.
It had been two or three days since their last call.
Yamada Aki figured there should be results by now, so she called.
"Uh..."
Eriri looked at the pile of discarded drafts, feeling guilty, stuttering: "That... I, I have drawn it."
"Really?! That's great!" Yamada Aki didn't notice anything odd in her tone, immediately exclaiming excitedly: "Izumi-sensei, please fax it to me quickly!"
"I can't wait to see the sixth chapter's content!"
Uh...
Eriri could only bite the bullet and fax over the sixth chapter storyboard she'd drawn.
On Yamada's end, she hummed a tune, cheerfully picking up the storyboard pages the fax machine spat out.
"Sensei's sixth chapter must be as moving as always, right?"
Yamada muttered to herself, looking down.
With just one glance, the smile disappeared from her face.
...
...
Back in the studio.
The phone rang again, making Eriri jump.
She hastily answered, hearing Yamada Aki's gloomy voice from the receiver: "Izumi-sensei... Did you and your partner have a fight?"
"N-no!" Eriri stammered.
"Then... why does this storyboard and dialogue feel completely different?" Yamada asked. "The level, style, habits—completely different from the first five chapters!"
"Haha, I wanted to try drawing the storyboards myself!" Eriri gave a reason, but her voice was obviously weak.
On the other end, Yamada fell silent.
"Izumi-sensei!" After a few seconds of silence, she suddenly called out Eriri's pen name seriously.
"Yes!!" Eriri instinctively straightened up, looking nervous.
"Izumi-sensei... your team isn't breaking up, is it?" Yamada's despairing voice came through the phone: "I didn't expect that just after taking on such a popular work, the author team under me would fall apart... As expected, I'm not suited to be an editor, am I?"
"Don't despair so quickly, Yamada-san!" Eriri was scared by her reaction, hurrying to comfort her. "I really just wanted to try! I'll fax over the proper storyboard right away!"
"Please don't lie to me..." Yamada said tearfully, disbelieving. "Is the original author dissatisfied with our editorial department? I can communicate!"
Eriri had no choice but to swear an oath before finally calming down this editor who was ten years older but acted like a child.
After hanging up, Eriri slumped powerlessly against the wall.
Thinking of Seiji's shameless demand, she wanted to hit someone. But if she didn't agree, Anohana couldn't continue, and she couldn't explain things to Yamada-san either.
Feeling completely controlled by Seiji, Eriri became even angrier.
Just then, her phone buzzed.
On the screen was a Line message from Yamada Aki—just a pitiful expression and one line: "Izumi-sensei, I'm waiting for you (heart)."
Seeing this message, Eriri instantly deflated.
So in the end, she still had to beg Seiji?
Utaha's words of persuasion echoed involuntarily in Eriri's mind.
"...For your current situation, isn't this a good thing?"
She stood there, her expression changing.
Finally, she let out a long sigh of resignation.
"I guess I still have to beg him."
Eriri shook her head, smiling bitterly as she walked into her room, rummaging through a box in her closet and pulling out a bag.
Inside were various toys Seiji had bought and used on her.
Seeing these toys, Eriri inevitably recalled the scenes of them being used on her, immediately making the girl's face flush red as she quietly cursed "pervert."
While cursing, the girl selected three items from inside.
A fluffy tail with a plug.
A pair of heart-shaped gel nipple covers.
And a small remote-controlled vibrating ball.
These three were all toys Seiji liked to use on her most.
She put these three items into a clean bag, secretly criticizing herself in the process:
Why remember such things! Eriri, you're hopeless!
Picking up the bag.
Eriri took a deep breath, her face bearing a tragic expression of heroic sacrifice, and walked toward Seiji Fujiwara's room.
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50 p.s for extra chapter today.
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You can read up to chapter 110 on patreon.com/NiaXD.