EFB Chapter 57 Naruto's Vacation
Chapter 57 Naruto's Vacation
[Naruto-sensei, are you free this weekend? I'm Machida, the editor-in-chief of JUMP's editorial department. I heard recently that you were interested in a romance novel in the digital paperback. And coincidentally, my sister happens to be the editor for the author of that novel, *Love Metronome*...]
Huh? The younger sister of the chief editor of the manga department is working as an editor in the light novel department. Your family really likes being an editor.
This weekend... I'm going to meet Kasumigaoka Utaha, the girl I can only admire online?
It's not impossible, it's the weekend... a rare holiday, let's go check it out.
.....
At the Tokyo headquarters of JUMP, Naruto's teacher, Uchiha Ryo, who was invited by the editor-in-chief, was having an elegant meal on the second floor.
"Haha, every time I see Naruto-sensei, I'm always amazed at how young you are."
Uchiha Ryo smiled. "Editor-in-Chief Machida, so shall we head to the electronic document repository now?"
Machida smiled. "Of course... no, I've already sent my sister over with some people."
Downstairs at the JUMP headquarters, Machida Sonoko was showing Kasumigaoka Utaha around the place. Just a side note: if it weren't for Naruto-sensei's recommendation, *Love Metronome* might very well have been cancelled.
"When you meet them, be sure to thank them. Just don't be sarcastic or mean!"
"Of course I know that!"
Kasumigaoka Utaha's thoughts drifted back to half a month ago—
Kasumi Shiko: "I've only published two volumes... and it's going to be discontinued already...?"
Machida Sonoko, Kasumigaoka Utaha's editor, also looked rather grim. As an editor who had been with her since her debut, she too did not want "Love Metronome" to be canceled.
"I'm sorry... I've already spoken with the editor-in-chief. This is our last chance. Unless we achieve a significant sales leap within a month, otherwise..."
The first and second volumes of "Love Metronome" didn't sell very well.
Even though it received positive reviews in small online circles, its overall sales were dismal, and if this continues... it will be forcibly canceled.
"Let's write a happy ending and finish it here, Shiyu. It wouldn't be a good thing if the light novel publisher forcibly canceled it."
I came to the library and discussed it with the editor with the confidence to continue writing, but I never expected... I never expected to get such an answer.
Kasumigaoka Utaha thought about many things. As her debut work, she had truly put in a lot of effort. Unfortunately, reality wasn't kind...
She thought about what her fans, who were still following her work, would think after it was canceled, and about that anonymous gentleman... a junior from Shuchiin University, the Uchiha.
Until... Naruto posted a photo of himself reading a book.
-
"In any case, they saved my life, so don't worry, I won't do anything."
In the coffee shop on the second floor, Uchiha Ryo finally saw the senior with the white hair clip and black stockings again.
When Kasumigaoka Utaha saw Uchiha Ryo, she froze on the spot.
Machida Sonoko: "Shiha! Shiha, say hello..."
Kasumigaoka Utaha suddenly smiled. "Oh, you must be Naruto-sensei. Nice to meet you. My name is Kasumigaoka Utaha."
Sitting next to Uchiha Ryo, Editor-in-Chief Machida was slightly taken aback. As expected of Naruto-sensei, she hadn't expected the novel's author to be so beautiful.
"Ahem, Yuanzi. It's been a long time since you and I last saw each other, hasn't it? Let's go outside and talk."
Machida Sonoko was a little puzzled, but seeing that Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't object, she decided to go out first.
After the two editors left, Kasumigaoka Utaha exclaimed in surprise, "I never expected it to be you, Naruto-sensei!"
"I guessed it, you are Ms. Kasumigaoka, the senior student of Kasumigaoka."
Kasumigaoka smiled. "Hey~ my fan, junior, and benefactor. Actually, if Editor Machida hadn't asked me to come over today, I would have been looking for you."
"You want me to come out?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha's expression was slightly shy. "Well, because you said... I have no experience in love, so I can't write novels like that, so I wanted to ask you for advice on things related to love."
Uchiha Ryo was slightly surprised; Kasumigaoka was playing this big game!
"Naruto-sensei...is it okay?"
"Um, my real name is Uchiha Ryo, you can just call me Ryo. So, what do you want to talk to me about?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha tilted her head. "Yeah, let's discuss things related to love. After all, I'm a girl, and if I can get some theoretical knowledge from men, it should be more helpful for writing novels."
"discuss?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha revealed a sly smile, "Yeah, otherwise... what is Junior Ling thinking? Senior is currently rejecting romance~"
Uchiha Ryo fell silent, realizing he'd been teased by this Kasumigaoka guy. This wouldn't do; it was always him, Uchiha Ryo, who teased others!
"Discussion... I don't think it's enough."
"Huh?"
Uchiha Ryo looked intently at Kasumigaoka Utaha.
"Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth. Why don't I help Ms. Xia Shizi gather material today? After all, only firsthand experience can produce truly heartfelt writing, right?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha never expected Uchiha Ryo to say something like that. Going to gather information... that's basically going on a date!
"So that's what you're thinking, Junior Ling... Well then, I guess I'll have to agree. But not today. I'm not ready yet, and Junior Ling needs to plan things out too."
It seems she chickened out; her agreement was only superficial.
Uchiha Ryo chuckled, "It's okay if you're not prepared. A man is a warrior; he must be ready to take up arms and go into battle at any time!"
Kasumigaoka Utaha wanted to back down, but deep down she also felt a strange sense of anticipation.
"Junior Ling, are you really planning to go on this field research trip with me?"
Uchiha Ryouichi spoke with righteous indignation.
"Kasumigaoka-senpai, there's an organ in my body that's more important than my heart. Although most people can't see it, it's in the most important position in my body. Because of it, I can stand tall and say I'm a real man. So I will never back down! Even if my heart stops beating, it must always stand tall."
Looking at Uchiha Ryo's serious expression, Kasumigaoka Utaha felt that something was off, but after a moment of silence, she nodded slightly.
"In that case, let's use this holiday to go do some research together, Naruto-sensei."