Chapter 248: The First Comic Exhibition
Of course, those contrasts are just Shimizumi's speculations.

Maybe Ayase Kotone is just an ordinary girl who likes to read erotic comics?
Therefore, although he was somewhat worried about Ayase Kotone's mental health, Shimizu Mi could do nothing.

After all, the reason why he knew that Ayase Kotone was secretly an Eromanga teacher was because of the in-depth communication in last week's program.

If he said it out loud now, Ayase Kotone would probably be socially dead on the spot.

"Shimizu-san, could you please wait for me for a moment? I'm going to pay the bill now."

Ayase Kotone held the two comic books contentedly and prepared to pay.

Now comes the most critical part.

Since I bought such a sensitive item, the clerk will definitely know it when I check out.

In order to avoid this embarrassment, some stores have recently begun to equip themselves with unmanned self-service cash registers.

Even in this small shop, there is one.

This not only protects the privacy of people who buy books, but also effectively avoids the embarrassment of being discovered.

Ayase Kotone walked to the self-service cash register next to the shelf with a comic book in her hand.

This is when the convenience brought by technology can be seen. You only need to scan the code of the comic book, pay the money, put it in a bag and leave.

However, unfortunately, things are unpredictable.

"I'm sorry, sir. The new self-service cash register in our store has been out of order these past two days and is currently under repair. If you need to check out, please come to my place."

The female clerk standing behind the cash register reminded Ayase Kotone who was walking to the self-service cash register to check out.

Ayase Kotone was like hearing bad news, and she stood there like a statue.

There was a hint of awkwardness in the air.

In this situation, even if it was Shimizu, he would feel a little embarrassed.

But now that this has happened, there is nothing we can do.

Shimizu Mi walked forward and took the two comics from Ayase Kotone's hands.

"...Shimizu-san?"

"It's okay, I'll go."

Although he was just there to help her pay the bill, Ayase Kotone looked at Shimizu Ken as if he was about to die heroically.

Shimizumi took a brand new 10,000 yen note from Ayase Kotone, but he still felt that it was just a small favor and he could not bear the heavy gratitude from her.

Of course, the recovered money will be returned to her.

Shimizu walked to the counter with the comic book in his hand. After taking the comic from his hand, the female clerk made a puzzled sound.

"Eh? Shimizu-san?"

Qing Shuijian was confused and looked up, only then could he see the appearance of the female clerk clearly.

"...Kikuchi-san."

"Oh, it's you, Shimizu-san."

The one who greeted Shimizu Ken with this cheerful voice was none other than his classmate, Kikuchi Megumi.

Her short brown hair swaying slightly with her movements and her healthy smile show her good character.

Kikuchi Kei is usually a nobody in the class with a weak presence, and she was wearing a cashier's uniform, so Shimizu Ken didn't notice her before.

Qingshuijian really didn't expect to run into two acquaintances in a place like this today.

I really don’t know whether to say it’s lucky or unlucky.

"Kikuchi-san, why are you here..."

"Of course, it's a part-time job. I recently found a piece of clothing that I really like, but unfortunately the price is not very attractive, so I have no choice but to come here to work."

Kikuchi Kei sighed slightly helplessly, then immediately perked up and looked at Shimizu Ken.

"By the way, Shimizu-san, what are you doing here... Oh, I'm so stupid. Of course I came here to buy comic books."

Kikuchi Kei smiled and tapped her head lightly.

"But I didn't know that Shimizu-san liked to read comics. So, what comics did Shimizu-san buy?"

Kikuchi Kei's gaze slowly moved down and looked at the comic book she had just taken from Shimizu Mi.

"A girl's...secret...garden"

Kikuchi Kei was looking at the comic book, her eyes unconsciously attracted by the eye-catching title in bold pink font on the cover, and she subconsciously read out the words on it.

"This, this is."

Kikuchi Kei's pupils couldn't help but widen a little. After realizing what kind of comic this was, she looked up at Shimizu Mi with an incredible look.

It seems that there is a big misunderstanding here.

"Shimizu-san, you, you like this kind of thing."

Kikuchi Kei covered her mouth in surprise, her face slightly red.

Although this comic was not what Shimizu Miki wanted to buy, to be honest, I haven't read it myself and I'm not sure whether I like it or not.

Maybe one day I might actually be interested in it.

Just as Qing Shuijian was thinking this, a voice came from behind him.

"Um. Sorry, this is what I want to buy. It has nothing to do with Qingshui, so please don't misunderstand him."

Ayase Kotone suppressed her shyness, walked over from behind and explained for Shimizumi.

"Eh? Excuse me, who are you?"

Kikuchi Kei stared curiously at the girl who suddenly walked towards her.

However, the other person was wearing sunglasses and a mask, and her body was covered tightly. Apart from her proud bust, there was really no obvious feature to be seen.

Kikuchi Kei always felt like she had seen him somewhere, but at the same time, she hadn't.

"So, you and Shimizu-san came here together today?"

Kikuchi Megumi's gaze moved back and forth between Shimizu Mi and Ayase Kotone, and what was revealed in her eyes was the gossip desire that is unique to most girls.

"We are not in that kind of relationship..."

"Hey, I haven't asked anything yet."

"what……"

Ayase Kotone was just telling the truth, but this seemed to have been misunderstood by Kikuchi Megumi, who took it as a confession.

"Oh, it's okay, it's okay. There's no need to be shy about this kind of thing. In fact, it's normal to buy this kind of thing. I've already met several couples who came to patronize the store while working these two days."

"No, but we are really not..."

"Oh, I understand. You guys are going to buy this and use it as a guide for your first time."

What guidance? What teaching materials?
What nonsense is she talking about.

"But since this is my first time, the gameplay of this book seems a bit..."

"Can you please pay the bill quickly?"

In order to prevent Kikuchi Kei from going too far, Shimizu Ken interrupted her directly.

If it were any other customer, she would probably be complained about directly for her service efficiency.

In that case, the wages earned with great difficulty will be deducted.

While Kikuchi Kei kept yelling "Don't complain about me", she quickly helped Shimizu Mizuki pay the bill.

When checking out, Qingshuijian glanced at the price displayed on the cash register.

The price of the two comics is the same, 1,200 yen each, for a total of 2,680 yen.

This price is still quite expensive, but Ayase Kotone didn't seem to care. She happily took the comic book and put it into the black bag that Kikuchi Megumi gave her.

Overwhelmed by joy, Ayase Kotone hugged her comic book and even forgot to take the change.

Qingshuijian collected the change for her and put it into the outer pocket of her coat.

"Then we'll leave first." "Well, I'll be off work soon, bye."

After saying goodbye to Kikuchi Megumi, Shimizu Mi and Ayase Kotone left the store.

Now that the mission has been completed, it's almost time for me to retreat.

Come to think of it, I wonder if Sakurai Shio would be angry for leaving her waiting outside alone for so long.

"Be careful tonight, Shimizu-san—"

When leaving the comic book store, Kikuchi Kei suddenly said this behind me.

"Just be careful on the road."

Shimizu Miki corrected her once before leaving the store with Ayase Kotone.

The night sky outside was much darker than before. Although there was an occasional breeze, it was far less cool than the air conditioning in the store, so I still felt a little hot.

Shimizu went back to the other side of the street and looked around, but there was no sign of Sakurai Shio anywhere.

Did I go back first?

Shimizu took out his cell phone and prepared to call Sakurai Shio.

"Shimizu-san..."

Ayase Kotone behind her pulled on the corner of Shimizumi's clothes.

"what happened?"

Shimizu thought she had already gone back, but it looked like she had something else to say.

"It's nothing actually. Just... Shimizu-san, do you have time tomorrow?" Ayase Kotone asked in a very gentle voice.

"tomorrow?"

Qingshuijian has been filming on the set these days and has basically no time.

However, after Ayase Kotone mentioned this, Shimizu Michi remembered that he seemed to be free tomorrow.

Just now on the way here, I heard from Sakurai Shio that the crew has been filming intensively and non-stop for the past two days, so all the actors and staff will have a day off tomorrow.

"What's the matter, President?"

Shimizu Mitsuki didn't say immediately that he was free. After all, he did feel a little tired from filming these days, and he wanted to have a good rest in the hotel for a day.

So if Ayase Kotone mentioned something that was too troublesome, Shimizu Mi still planned to refuse.

"Well... there will be a comic convention near the city center tomorrow."

"Comic Con?"

Although Shimizu had heard of such activities, he had never actually been there.

"President, you don't mean to say..."

"Well, if Shimizu-san has time, I'd like to invite you to join us."

As Shimizu Ken expected, Ayase Kotone invited him.

What should I do, should I refuse?

Although I am somewhat interested in the comic convention, what I want to do more now is to rest in the hotel.

"Why did the president invite me?"

As for comic conventions, it does feel like a place where you would go with friends, but even if Ayase Kotone went alone, there shouldn't be any problem.

"Well, it's actually a friend of mine..."

"friend?"

"Well, my friend is actually a cartoonist. She recently drew some comics and plans to take her works to the fan comics sale at the comic convention tomorrow."

Is this friend she is talking about really not herself?
However, Shimizu Mi did not say anything to interrupt Ayase Kotone, but listened to her continue.

"But my friend suddenly had something to do these days and couldn't go to the comic convention, so she asked me to help sell those comics..."

"I see. That means the president wants me to help sell those comics, right?"

"Yeah, that's it. Of course, I won't let Shimizu-san's efforts go in vain. I'll give you half of the money from selling the comics."

Half the profit? She's quite generous.

"But President, aren't those comics your friends'?"

Ayase Kotone's statement made it seem as if those comics all belonged to her and she could do whatever she wanted with the money from the sales.

"Ah... this, this is because... because my friend has a very good personality, so as long as I tell her that Shimizu-san will be of great help, she will definitely agree."

"That's right."

Qing Shuijian nodded, but...was she really not making friends out of nothing?

The more Qingshui listened, the more he felt so.

"President, how many comics do you plan to sell?"

"It's not me...it's my friend."

Ayase Kotone said hesitantly.

"Okay. How many copies does your friend want to sell?"

"There are about five hundred copies."

"Five hundred volumes..."

Although Shimizu Mi had never been to a comic convention, he had heard about it a little bit.

Generally, fan artists who participate in such sales will only print about a hundred copies, and those with lower popularity may even only print a few dozen copies.

After all, if you can’t sell them, they will all be stuck in your hands.

And Ayase Kotone actually planned to sell 500 copies.

It would probably cost a lot of money just to print so many comics.

Also, when will this be sold?
Of course, if the painter is very popular and has a certain number of fans, it is very likely that the paintings will be sold out.

"I'm sorry, if it's really inconvenient for Shimizu-san, I can go alone."

"go by yourself?"

"Well, after all, I am the one forcing you to do something, so Qingshui-san doesn't need to feel any psychological pressure."

Ayase Kotone bowed slightly to Shimizumi and apologized.

However, with her social skills, it was almost impossible for her to attend a comic convention with so many people by herself and sell 500 comics.

What's more, these 500 volumes of comics are not something that a single girl like Ayase Kotone can carry.

"I see. I'll go with you tomorrow."

"what?"

Ayase Kotone let out a small sound of surprise.

"That is to say, I promised you."

"Really...really?" Ayase Kotone's eyes couldn't help but widen a little.

"Well, after all, those comics have already been printed. If they can't be sold by then, wouldn't it be a waste of money?"

Without the cooperation of a publishing house, these comics are basically printed by the artists at their own expense. If they cannot be sold, they will probably lose a lot of money.

"Ah, thank you, Shimizu-san!"

Ayase Kotone was visibly happy, and she grabbed Shimizumi's hand and kept thanking him.

As the time was getting later, Shimizu Mi and Ayase Kotone said goodbye to each other after their appointment.

"Okay then, see you tomorrow."

"Well, see you tomorrow."

(End of this chapter)