Chapter 37: Saki-chan Almost Overwhelmed by Money
"5 million yen.
If you accept, I will immediately call someone to draw up the contract."
The clear voice echoed in the small music room, but the monetary magic it carried was enough to make one feel dizzy.
Hikigaya Hachiman had followed the music. Emperor bless, he finally heard a song that was usable.
Although it had some minor flaws, having other musicians and sound engineers polish the score in post-production should make it even more perfect.
Hikigaya Hachiman was making the decision on behalf of the wargame publishing company, so he offered the Third Prize money.
Moreover, the person was a novice newcomer, largely unknown in the composing world. A buyout price of 5 million yen (approx. $34,000 USD) was already the absolute maximum.
"Ah, excuse me."
This aggressive, boss-like way of making an offer almost stunned Togawa Sakiko.
5 million yen. Although it was still a long way from the debt her father owed, this was the highest amount of money she had heard since her fall from grace.
Togawa Sakiko's heart began to pound heavily. She was very nervous, and her breathing was rapid.
She vaguely remembered the baseball-cap-wearing boy who had suddenly appeared.
He was a friend of the Shirogane siblings next door to Togawa Sakiko's home. The last time she visited them, thanks to Kei, Shoko was able to taste an expensive cake she hadn't had in a long time.
However, this time, Togawa Sakiko didn't know his name or his intention.
"I apologize for being abrupt."
Hikigaya Hachiman always prioritized efficiency, forgetting to introduce himself.
Making an offer to a girl without context could lead to confusion about whether he wanted the person or the music.
Hikigaya Hachiman took off his baseball cap and formally introduced himself,
"My name—no, my pen name is Sanguinius.
After hearing your performance just now, I would like to buy out your song to use as promotion for the Blood Angels wargame."
"Sanguinius!" X2
Togawa Sakiko and Misumi Uika, who had been equally tense, said in unison.
To write the music well, Togawa Sakiko had spared no expense in buying all the original novels and reading the entire series late into the night.
The author was definitely a genius. The Warhammer world he constructed left her with only one thought after finishing: she wanted to cry.
The grand space opera, the solemn, epic feeling, and the stories highlighting humanity's unyielding will in desperation were profoundly moving.
All sacrifices were great and deserved to be remembered.
The moment "Sanguinius-sensei" entered the literary scene, it was like a deep-sea nuclear explosion. He was a winner of the highly anticipated Akutagawa Prize and Naoki Prize, as well as the Nebula Award for science fiction.
Misumi Uika immediately covered her mouth. This was too incredible.
Now she understood why he could silence their company president with just one sentence and why the president was so cautious, not daring to offend him.
The four characters, "Sanguinius," explained everything. (four characters in Japanese)
"This is my official social media account."
Seeing the exaggerated expressions on the two girls' faces, Hikigaya Hachiman showed them the backend of his official account used to promote his works.
"Followers: 89,656,789."
With nearly ninety million followers, and the ability to directly post, edit, and send new tweets from the backend, Togawa Sakiko and Misumi Uika were completely convinced that he was Sanguinius.
"That's wonderful, Saki-chan!"
Misumi Uika had initially been trying to figure out how to comfort her good friend.
But a slight feeling of resentment also surfaced in Misumi Uika: he only gave his pen name, not his real name.
However, with Saki-chan present, Misumi Uika, driven by certain thoughts, did not ask, forcing herself to endure her impatience once more.
"What is that sound?"
Suddenly, they heard the sounds of ambulances and police cars, seeming to surround the entire building.
Hikigaya Hachiman realized that the Cursed User Association, whom he had summoned, had arrived for cleanup.
Speaking of which, he found it strange: the previous customer service number didn't go through?
Hikigaya Hachiman had to be transferred to the human customer service line 2, only to be told that the previous representative was on leave today.
But on second thought, people are not machines; they will eventually take leave.
Hikigaya Hachiman used the memory search technique on the person who had offended him earlier.
Good news: The technique variant was feasible; he could indeed search memories.
Bad news: The subject of the technique becomes an idiot.
Hikigaya Hachiman did obtain some useful information. Searching the man's memories, he learned that he was a Cursed User wanted by the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association.
However, when he tried to probe deeper memories, he found they were locked.
Hikigaya Hachiman only found the name of a plan called the "Sorcerer's Paradise" and a cult called the Star Plasma Cult, and the trail ended there.
Hikigaya Hachiman made a mental note to have the Kamo clan investigate it later.
With the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association handling the cleanup, the group of judges and staff Hikigaya Hachiman had knocked unconscious wouldn't leak a single word to the outside world.
"In any case, let's find somewhere else to talk first."
Hikigaya Hachiman immediately requested the electronic contract from the wargame publishing company's project department.
Hikigaya Hachiman, who put his baseball cap back on, Togawa Sakiko, and Misumi Uika, who was wearing a baseball cap, mask, and sunglasses, left.
Togawa Sakiko, who was not wearing a cap, was completely out of place between the two people in disguise.
Togawa Sakiko glanced out of the corner of her eye at the "rigged" company, noticing that the vehicles belonged to the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association.
Although it was strange, she quickly looked away.
It wasn't her business, and she was on leave today.
Hikigaya Hachiman and the girls went to a high-end coffee shop near the company, which had small private rooms offering some privacy.
"What would you like to drink?"
Hikigaya Hachiman sat down and quickly scanned the menu.
"Coffee is fine."
Togawa Sakiko replied.
"Uika?"
"Coffee is fine for me too."
Misumi Uika kept stealing glances at the person she was thinking about, sighing inwardly with a touch of melancholy.
Hikigaya Hachiman put down the menu and said to the attendant,
"Three Gesha lattes."
"Miss Toyokawa, let's exchange contact information. I'll send you the electronic document so you can look it over carefully."
Hikigaya Hachiman sent the contract via social media. Togawa Sakiko checked it carefully and found no irregularities.
She then proceeded to sign it electronically with real-name verification.
With that, Unworthy of the Blood of Sanguinius was bought out for 5 million yen.
Hikigaya Hachiman handed them the coffee brought by the waiter, his tone softening slightly.
"If you have any further inspiration or new works related to the Warhammer world, I believe we will have opportunities to collaborate in the future."
"Thank you very much for your appreciation."
Togawa Sakiko was extremely excited, unable to suppress the smile on her lips.
It felt like a dream.
Misumi Uika, who had been feeling glum, was infected by the warm smile on Saki-chan's face.
"Gesha latte. You should drink it while it's hot."
Hikigaya Hachiman thought the Panama Gesha coffee beans were quite good. He first tasted them in the student council room and found them excellent.
The black tea and coffee beans in the student council room were supplied by Shinomiya.
Togawa Sakiko and Misumi Uika both held their teacups elegantly with coasters.
The aroma of the long-missed high-quality coffee beans further relaxed Togawa Sakiko's expression, even revealing a hint of a childish smile.
"So good... ah, wait."
"It's hot."
The words that slipped out unconsciously and the rush to drink that resulted in her burning her tongue made Togawa Sakiko flush, her ears turning slightly red.
"Please forget my indiscretion just now."
Misumi Uika smiled slightly at Saki-chan's slightly clumsy reaction, thinking silently,
"That's great. Saki-chan is still the same."
"It's fine. I'm glad you like it."
Hikigaya Hachiman took a small sip and put his cup down. He said,
"By the way, the agreed-upon 5 million yen for the manuscript should be credited ten business days from now.
If you can't wait, I can pay you the full amount right now."
"No worries, ten business days is fine. I'm not in a rush."
Togawa Sakiko felt slightly overwhelmed by the kindness.
"I'm already incredibly grateful to you. Without you, today I would have..."
Hikigaya Hachiman shook his head.
"It's merely a mutually beneficial transaction."
Togawa Sakiko and Misumi Uika finished their coffee. Hikigaya Hachiman called the attendant, preparing to pay the bill.
At this point, Togawa Sakiko stood up and proactively said,
"I'll pay."
Hikigaya Hachiman did not insist.
"Hello, the total is 27,000 yen. Cash or card?"
When Togawa Sakiko heard the amount, the smile on her face froze for a second, but she quickly masked it.
"Saki-chan, I can pay for my cup."
Misumi Uika noticed Saki-chan's abnormality and spoke up tactfully.
Togawa Sakiko shook her head, insisting she would pay for everything.
"It's okay, Uika, I'll pay with my card for all of it."
After swiping her card, Togawa Sakiko took a deep breath and bowed again to Hikigaya Hachiman in thanks.
"Thank you for giving me this valuable opportunity."
"I look forward to our next collaboration."
Hikigaya Hachiman hadn't finished his coffee, so he didn't leave with them.
His gaze lingered on the back of the blonde girl next to Togawa Sakiko.
As Togawa Sakiko walked out of the coffee shop, despite the three coffees being incredibly expensive,
it was nothing compared to 5 million!
Togawa Sakiko was completely revitalized.
5 million! How many shifts would Customer Service Shoko have to work to earn that? Even now, she felt giddy, as if she were in a dream.
"Saki-chan, see you next time. I still have some company business."
Misumi Uika suggested.
"Ah, okay, that's a shame."
Togawa Sakiko had wanted to chat properly with her good friend, whom she hadn't seen in a year.
It was perfectly normal for a popular idol to be busy.
So, the two parted ways.
Misumi Uika smiled as she watched Togawa Sakiko enter the subway station, but she didn't return to her company. Instead, she walked back into the coffee shop.
She had to find out the truth.
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