073. A Visit to Their Door

Early the next morning, Jiang Yu struggled out of bed, having gone to sleep early the night before after a bath to recover from his exhaustion. With a yawn, he drew open the curtains, and the brisk, fresh air of dawn instantly revived his spirits. After washing up, he noted that it was still early, and recalling the sorry state he’d been in yesterday, decided to go out for a morning run. Perhaps, he thought with a hint of laziness, he could pick up breakfast on the way back.

He returned to his room to change into his sportswear, grabbed his wallet and keys, and stepped out. The streets were sparsely populated, likely because it was the weekend. At this hour, most office workers were probably still nestled comfortably in bed, savoring the rare gift of sleeping in after five busy days. Of course, there were always those with burdensome workloads—animators for hit new series, or programmers rushing to meet game development deadlines—who would have risen early to continue their unfinished business.

Jogging slowly along the street that led from his home to the school, a gentle heat began to spread through Jiang Yu’s body. He breathed deeply, relishing the occasional breeze that carried with it a petal or two of cherry blossom. Usually, he only passed down this street after school or at night, so he had never seen it so empty before; the novelty of the scene struck him.

On his way home, Jiang Yu detoured into a 24-hour convenience store. The clerk, evidently just starting a shift, was still yawning and looked half asleep. Jiang Yu selected a few rice balls and sandwiches, paid, and began his walk home. The heat he’d built up from running had nearly vanished after lingering in the store for a while.

Back at home, feeling refreshed, Jiang Yu first warmed up the rice balls and milk, then went to rouse Tu Jian Mai, who was still fast asleep. He gently pinched his little sister’s cheek, urging her to go wash up, then brought his computer out from his bedroom.

He hadn’t forgotten that tomorrow was the deadline for the game proposal he had so confidently promised to deliver. Though whether “confidently promised” was the right phrase was up for debate.

Munching on a rice ball, Jiang Yu focused on the screen before him, pondering how to proceed with the proposal. He had already used some spare time to outline the framework, and now all that remained was to fill in the details.

In addition, to make it easier for high schoolers—who would be reviewing the proposal and were not industry professionals—Jiang Yu planned to include explanations for some of the technical terms and obscure theories featured in “Steins;Gate.” Even though, in truth, he was just as much an amateur attempting this for the first time.

He had barely typed a few words when he heard Tu Jian Mai’s voice from across the room. “Eh? Rice balls for breakfast today?” She eyed the offerings on the table with apparent dissatisfaction.

Jiang Yu snapped out of his thoughts, looked up, and explained, “I went for a run this morning and picked up breakfast on the way back. If you don’t like these, I’ll try to make breakfast myself for you next time.”

Tu Jian Mai shook her head. “It’s not that I dislike them. I’m just used to the breakfasts you make, so this change feels a bit strange.”

You ate Auntie’s breakfasts at the Tu Jian house for years, and suddenly switching to mine didn’t seem to bother you, did it? Jiang Yu tugged at the corners of his mouth but kept this thought to himself.

Since breakfast was just rice balls and sandwiches, there were no dishes to wash. The only two glass cups used to heat the milk were promptly volunteered by Tu Jian Mai for washing at the sink.

Jiang Yu soon immersed himself in work again, thinking through the proposal as he typed it out. Observing how busy her brother seemed, Tu Jian Mai chose not to disturb him. With her sleepiness gone, she started up the PS4 in the living room, launching into another round of games.

After about an hour, Jiang Yu had managed to fill in most of the proposal, except for the major sections on characters and plot. Right on cue, the alarm he’d set before bed rang out. Glancing at the “Contract” note he’d written, Jiang Yu paused, then immediately remembered his conversation the previous night with “Black Cat,” the editor from Undying River Publishing.

Exhaling deeply, Jiang Yu sensed there was no time to lose. He closed his laptop, stood, and went into his bedroom to change into clothes appropriate for going out. After telling Tu Jian Mai he’d be out for a while, he left with his usual trio of essentials.

As he walked toward the station, Jiang Yu mapped out the route to the Undying River Bookstore in his mind.

...

Shortly after Jiang Yu left, the doorbell rang. Tu Jian Mai, engrossed in her game, paused it and hurried to the door, hand poised to open it—when she suddenly recalled Jiang Yu’s warning not to open the door lightly. She had been gaming at the time and hadn’t paid much attention, but she remembered everything her brother said.

Peeking through the peephole, she was surprised to see Aki Tomoya, with whom she’d enjoyed a pleasant conversation the day before, standing outside.

Maybe he was here to see her brother? But hadn’t her brother just said he’d be out for a while?

With that thought, Tu Jian Mai opened the door. Tomoya greeted her, “Yo! Morning, Ah—? Mai?” then looked momentarily confused.

She asked curiously, “Senpai Aki, are you here to see my brother? He just went out.”

“Oh, really? Did he say when he’d be back? I arranged to come check out his proposal with him,” Tomoya replied, clearly not expecting this turn of events.

“He didn’t mention it, but if he didn’t ask me to prepare lunch, he’ll definitely be back before noon,” Tu Jian Mai said, frowning thoughtfully.

After a brief pause, she continued, “If you don’t mind, Senpai Aki, come in and wait. I’ll let my brother know you’re here.”

“Uh… then sorry to trouble you. Katou, shall we go in?” Tomoya said apologetically to Tu Jian Mai, then turned to address someone else.

Someone else?

Tu Jian Mai looked past Tomoya in surprise and saw a girl calmly playing with her phone. The girl wore a bob haircut, cropped pants, a white shirt, and a warm-toned jacket. At Tomoya’s words, the girl looked up, put away her phone, and said, “Oh… Jiang Yu isn’t here? Should we wait for him inside?”