Chapter 121 - Together (2/2)

Ami, you traitor…

”Don't go into a panic attack okay? I just answered your question,” Tohru suddenly added as he scanned her face.

”No. I don't think I'd have a panic attack,” Yanee deadpanned again.

Around this time, she was already immune to shocks as she had already reached her threshold.

”Tohru,” she called out again when she remembered something. ”Marian said it's our last day here in Kyoto.”

She hadn't discussed this with him yet so technically she's still unknowledgeable of the changes in their itinerary. As if remembering this, Tohru sat back down cross-legged next to her on the floor.

”Ah, yes,” he murmured as she whipped out his phone. ”We're supposed to stay here longer, but Jena notified me that she has free time this week so I arranged our travel back to Tokyo tomorrow.”

If it were an ordinary thing, Yanee would have been upset. But Tohru was all in a business mode right now, and she understood that it's very important to rush. But she wondered why. Usually, a person had at least a year or two years to prepare a book. If they're speeding up with the interviews, it meant that he wanted to have the interviews and research over and done with at the fastest time possible.

But why?

Ah… Yanee then realized that it might be because it's her first time writing an actual book and needed more time writing than research.

That must be it. Or not…

”You must be wondering why we're making this fast, right?”Tohru smiled at her. ”Since we just took over your company, we have to make a bang!”

Huh? What bang?

Yanee somehow had a bad feeling about this. But Tohru looked suddenly excited.

”We're joining the Ai Awards,” he announced and if Yanee were an uncivilized wench, she'd have crapped in her pants.

Ai Awards? AI AWARDS? THAT AWARD?

Yanee wanted to tear her hair out.

”Isn't that the awards for the best-selling romance novels?”

Of course, there's no other Ai Awards other than that.

Tohru nodded, and Yanee's heart stopped.

”Why?” she asked dumbly. Did she really need to ask the obvious? Of course not, since the answer was glaringly obvious. But she wanted to clarify anyway.

As if reading her mind, Tohru tightened his hand on hers. ”Honey, don't be frightened.”

Huh?

”Why? I only have one gut alright? How did I end up joining that?”

Panic mode on.

Yanee knew she asked another dumb question. Niji had just taken over her company. The publishing house's magazines were doing well, but the literary department's not doing that good— most especially the romance one. It's why Tohru James took over it personally in the first place. She should have known. Tohru's known as Midas. He'd touch even the poopiest things and they'd turn into gold— figuratively, of course.

Right at this moment, the romance department suċkėd. He took over not only to improve it but to make it strong— a gold mine. To do this, it had to win an award.

And it's all in her hands it seemed…

Tohru laughed again and Yanee wanted to punch him. But she's still unable to speak properly. She gave him a 'what's so funny' kind of glare instead.

”Honey, I already said don't be frightened,” he reminded her.

Nonetheless, it's still very hard to absorb. It's a huge responsibility after all. Even if it's cheesy, Ai was still a major award.

”I'm here. Do you honestly believe I'd leave you to your own device and work on the book on your own?” he asked teasingly.

Well, that's also true. Tohru James had been meticulous in helping her. In fact, the whole project was all thanks to him. Everything had been spoon-fed to her. All she needed to do was gather the information and write the book.

”This should actually be your book,” she told him matter-of-factly making him laugh again.

But he shook his head.

”This is our book.”

Oh…

Yanee's HP and heart took another hit. No more. There's no helping her situation anymore. With him smiling at her and saying sweet things like that, there's no longer an option for her but to fall in love. How soon, she didn't know.

Slowly but surely. She would try to analyze her feelings, but there's no rush.

”Alright. We'll work on this together…”