[CH.54] Summer Beach Recreation (Part 9)
Manager Mimasaka took charge again.
"We're going to have a creative meeting now."
With her makeup-free face, she looked like a high school girl in charge of a group project, but I couldn't say that out loud.
"But we already had one during lunch," I pointed out.
"That was in the recreation room, where other people were present, so we couldn't be too loud," Kuhou-san explained.
It had seemed plenty loud to me, but I kept that to myself.
"I see... and you're planning to include alcohol?" I asked.
"Of course!" Manager Mimasaka replied.
The multi-person room had four beds and a large table, clearly designed for people to eat and drink while having a party.
The three women had bought some drinks and snacks. They might have considered my feelings since I was staying in the 50,000 yen room.
Most of the drinks were canned beer and canned chuhai from the hotel's convenience store, and the choice of snacks seemed a bit different from what a man might choose.
With three beautiful women and just one man, I should have been toasting enthusiastically, but I didn't have the courage for that. Instead, I was just hoping they'd get drunk and pass out soon, so I could make a graceful exit.
In these kinds of gatherings, I've seen them escalate into erotic situations in erotic romantic comedies.
Well, I couldn't possibly imagine it happening in real life.
No, on second thought, is there a chance I might get jumped by these three...? That would be a reward for my inner masochist...
"Since you're here, Hanamura-kun, we thought it would be great to have a male perspective on things," Manager Mimasaka said. "There are a lot of things that just don't click with us, so we'd appreciate your insights."
"That's true. There are many things I don't quite understand, so I'm counting on you to explain them to me, Hanamura-kun," Kuhou-san added.
"Please go easy on me," I replied with a nervous smile.
I need to be careful not to drink too much... I can't accidentally spill the beans about being an eroge writer or let myself get involved with these women. I have to stay strong and disciplined, just as I did in my swimsuit.
"Alright then," Nishina-san, who had already emptied two cans of chuhai, looked down thoughtfully.
"Do you think heroines should have big breasts?" she asked.
"Cough!"
I sputtered and spilled my drink. How could she bring that up?
My eyes involuntarily wandered to Nishina-san's chest as she mentioned breasts. They were peeking out from her loose T-shirt, curvaceous and ever-changing with her movements.
I quickly gulped down my chuuhai.
Okay, I'm a little tipsy now, I can answer.
"Some people prefer smaller sizes, but yeah, visually, bigger is often considered better," I replied.
"Yeah, you're right. After all, Okome Takashi-sensei's heroines are all well-endowed," Nishina-san chimed in.
"Okome Takashi-sensei is a big fan of breasts, it can't be helped," I added.
"Stop it, that's working on me," I thought to myself.
The chief was already onto her third beer, drinking at quite a pace.
"Hey, Hanamura-kun, don't just keep staring at Nishina's boobs!"
"I'm not staring, really!"
"Hey, I've been feeling your gaze for a while now."
"I'm sorry!"
"It's okay. You're aware of it, and you're a boy, so I guess it's natural," Nishina-san said.
"Says the one with an H-cup. Does each one weigh like two kilos?"
"H!?"
"They're not that big! They're just one size smaller! And stop staring, Hanamura-kun!"
Everyone was getting tipsy, and the boundaries seemed to blur.
Actually, I had a question. Would this conversation flow allow me to ask it?
"Is it true that having big breasts can obstruct your vision?"
"Hanamura-kun...?"
"No, sorry! I was just wondering if that was the case."
"Oh, come on, honestly, they can be a nuisance. I wish the manager had, like, E-cups instead!"
"Wait, you actually break down bra sizes like that!?"
But it seemed like having big breasts could obstruct your vision after all. This felt like valuable information that I could use in my writing. I should incorporate it right away.
"Being too big is just a waste. I think being slightly busty is just right."
"Manager, instead of your chest, it would have been better if you had grown taller."
"Hey, Nishina! Are you picking a fight?"
With alcohol in our systems, we were all speaking our minds freely. The manager, with her makeup-free, youthful face, couldn't help but be cute even when she acted tough.
"But~"
With her face flushed from alcohol, Nishina-san spoke in a soft voice. Her voice was irresistible.
"I wish more people would read my stories. Both Hinata-chan and the manager have really good writing skills. I'm just at the bottom."
"Really? I only have about 70... My bookmarks just don't increase."
"Hehe, well, I have at least 200, so I'm winning."
"Darn it..."
People always seem to want to set standards, even if the abbreviations sound strange.
"I think getting bookmarks is tough unless you make it into the rankings. The manager's romance genre has a lower ranking threshold, so it's easier to get in."
"Is that so?"
Nishina-san opened another can of chuhai.
"Also, for isekai fantasy, the ranking threshold is high. You need to get a reasonable amount of ratings in a day to make it into the rankings. But once you get into the rankings, I think you can easily surpass 100 bookmarks."
"I see."
"Another thing is the characters... A captivating protagonist is important, but the heroine is the key. Of course, having a busty heroine is one thing, but it's all about that gap, you know? When a cool girl suddenly shows her cute side... That's the best!"
"When do you get all worked up, Hanamura-kun?"
"Well, for example, I like it when a cool, expressionless girl shivers and turns bright red while I'm licking her armpits."
"Haha, Hanamucchan, you're just like Okome Takashi-sensei!"
"What!?"
I drank too much alcohol and my guard became lax!
Isn't it like saying you're Okome Takashi?
"Hanamura-kun has the same fetish as Okome Takashi-sensei. Big breasts, armpit licking, and...I wonder what happened."
“I have brought all of the books written by Okome Takashi-sensei, so let’s analyze them. Let’s unravel everything about Okome Takashi-sensei.”
"Hey, please stop."
They kept talking about nonsense.
Let's get back to the topic.
"So, let's go back to the discussion about rankings. What should Nishina-san do to get into the rankings?"
"Well, I think you should just keep churning out short stories and only serialize the ones that get a lot of ratings!"
"That's one approach, but..."
"But for us bottom-tier authors, we won't stand a chance in those rankings filled with powerhouses unless we do something like that."
"Um... I don't mean to be calculating about it, but maybe it's better to focus on improving the quality of your work."
"Hanamura-kun, that's a bit naive."
Wow, they told me I'm being too naive, even though I have a work on that site with a six-digit bookmark count.
"Whether it's work or hobbies, it's the same. Since time is limited, you should use every means available. The world is constantly changing. You have to take the initiative."
"Well, there's some truth to that."
"We won't be able to write forever. As work gets busier, we won't have time for our hobbies anymore. That's why doing things when you can is important."
That's absolutely right.
I don't know how long I'll be able to continue my career as a writer. While my job is technically a side job, I have stable income, weekends off, and even receive bonuses. Once you get used to it, the work environment is quite pleasant. Above all, I'm currently working with some amazing beautiful women.
In that sense, if I were asked which one to give up between my side job and my main job, I would be more inclined to give up my side job.
However, I want to put my all into my side job as much as possible.
You can't have everything in terms of time and effort. The director likely understands this implicitly.
"That's why there's something I want to ask. I couldn't understand it at all, and I wanted you to teach me during today's opportunity."
"Manager..."
"So, Hanamura-kun, can you teach me?"
"Yes, if it's me, I'll explain anything."
"Then, what does it mean when someone says their 'little buddy' is irritated?"
People really do become foolish when they've had some alcohol.
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