[CH.38] Formidable Rival (Part 3)
"Friendship that has been nurtured since childhood gradually turns into love over time! But if you realize it's love, it feels like the relationship you've had so far might fall apart. However, both the man and the woman want to move forward, and those feelings are encapsulated in childhood friend love!"
"Such things are illusions. Childhood friends are just neighbors or something like that. It's all about condemning the female cat that takes away the protagonist without putting in much effort. Childhood friends should definitely lose."
"I can't believe you have such beliefs, Asakawa-san."
"To be honest, I don't think I can understand with Mimasaka-san either."
"Why don't you understand the greatness of childhood friends!?"
"It's something to be abhorred. Childhood friends should perish from this world."
Oh, this soba is delicious. The soba here is incredibly tasty. Maybe I should come here privately.
They've been having a heated argument for a while now. Even though we're having lunch, there's a tense atmosphere as the manager and Asakawa-san engage in a debate.
Wait, what's going on? They were so polite and friendly just a moment ago. I really don't understand.
I waited for a pause in their intense discussion and decided to chime in.
"Um... Can I interject for a moment?"
"Oh, saying embarrassing things in front of Hanamura-san..."
Asakawa-san blushed and looked embarrassed. Eating soba while looking at such a beautiful face is truly delightful. It seems like I've completely disappeared from their field of vision.
Anyway, I've learned something.
"Asakawa-san, you also post novels on the web, right?"
"Yes, that's right. Asakawa-san and I are web novel buddies. We sometimes chat about it in private."
"Since Hanamura-san is also understanding, as Mimasaka-san mentioned... we got a bit heated."
I understand, but I don't think I can comprehend beautiful women engaging in a heated debate about childhood friends. To be honest, it was a bit unsettling.
"Asakawa-san, what kind of novels do you write?"
"Yes, I mainly write about childhood friend!"
She said it with such a bright smile. It seems like she's competing with the manager, and I'm starting to get that feeling.
"Embarrassingly... this is my pen name."
"Hmm, 'Kurenoha-san,' right? Wasn't your first name Akane? It's really nice name!"
I've seen this name before! Or rather, I've seen it quite frequently.
"You might know, Hanamura-kun. Asakawa-san, or rather, Kurenoha-san, is a top-ranked author in the romance comedy genre on a web platform."
That's right! I know this pen name.
Kurenoha.
An author who excels in the romance comedy genre, consistently ranking within the top 5 on web platforms. Although not a published author, it's undoubtedly because about 90% of her works are about Childhood Friend. She has many anti-fans due to her relentless criticism of childhood friends, but her popularity remains high. The reason for this is that the dark and intense manner in which she criticizes them is strangely beautiful.
Could this composed and beautiful Asakawa-san be the one who mercilessly bashes childhood friends to such an extent? This is quite intriguing. It's like the theory that beautiful roses have thorns.
"For me, she's a formidable rival. To make childhood friend romance more popular on the web, I need to defeat Kurenoha."
"Hehe, I won't lose to Mimasaka-san."
Certainly, it's difficult for Manager Mimasaka's romantic comedies, which can't even make it onto the rankings, to compete. They both seem to understand this well.
"Why do you write 'Childhood Friend-sama,' Asakawa-san?"
"Hehehe."
Those eyes were intimidating.
"That's decided. It's because I had my high school boyfriend stolen by my childhood friend."
Ah...
"He was my senior in the club, and I had liked him for a long time. I finally confessed and thought we could date, but a week later, he said he couldn't. The girl he chose instead of me was my childhood friend, even though I was better in looks, academics, and everything else."
"Alright, that's enough!"
"She's the opposite version of me. Even after nearly ten years, I still can't forget the grudge."
"Knocking down childhood friends."
Scaryyyyy.
Asakawa-san's hidden side is too terrifying. The darkness of a beautiful woman is really impactful. I see, so this darkness creates those pure dark works, huh? Well, I think it's okay since writing is a way to let out one's inner thoughts.
"That's why I decided. I will embrace childhood friend love and unleash Asakawa-san's darkness!"
"Wow, Manager, you're cool!"
"But, Mimasaka-san, my work once received feedback from Okome Takashi."
"I've lost..."
"Manager, ohhhhh!"
Actually, I like Kurenoha-san's works and have favorited them as a user. I genuinely respect her because I can't write such dark stories. I believe if she genuinely tried to write something popular, she would become a bestselling author in no time.
"I'll surpass Asakawa-san and reach first place in the daily rankings with my next new work!"
"Hehehe, childhood friends are just idols' creations. I will shatter them!"
Their argument intensifies further. Where is this story heading?
Beep beep.
The alarm clock indicating 1:00 PM went off. It seems to have come from the manager's phone.
"Shall we continue from where we left off? I sent the PDF data for the improved version of Tesmo's sample inlet filter."
"Yes, I've seen it. The cost is a bit concerning, but it reduces the replacement frequency, which saves us labor."
"Are you going into work mode all of a sudden!?"
Both of them returned to their professional personas, surprising me.
"Hanamura-kun, you should separate work from personal life."
"That's right. I think having a solid work ethic leads to a more fulfilling personal life."
"I agree. In that sense, I'd like to headhunt Mr. Asakawa to our company."
The two who were arguing about childhood friends just a minute ago started laughing amicably.
I don't understand anymore...
I couldn't say anything.
---
Today was quite shocking.
After that, the business negotiation proceeded smoothly, and the work ended without any issues once the lunchtime episode was over. If it weren't for that lunchtime story, it would have just been "the manager is amazing" and "Asakawa-san is beautiful"...
When I got home, I immediately opened the web novel site on my phone. It's Kurenoha-san... Oh, she has a new release. Since I've favorited her, her updates appear in my feed.
"The Love Comedy That Absolutely Destroys Childhood Friends."
As usual, the darkness is intense... She's turned into a woman who will definitely destroy her childhood friend. But what does she mean by using a love comedy to destroy them? Well, it's intriguing. She has undeniable writing talent...
Even if her opponent hasn't been published in books, an interesting story is still interesting.
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