288 The Scenario Seems Wrong Again! (2/2)

”Er… that…”

'I didn't have anything at all; it was just an excuse to come see you because I knew you would die… but of course I can't say that!'

Seiji thought about what to say.

”Actually… it's nothing,” he said after a pause. ”I originally wanted to discuss the conditions for publication, but now I feel like it's not a big deal, so let's just go with what we originally had.”

Saki blinked upon hearing this. ”You're not satisfied with your treatment as a newcomer and want better conditions?”.

”Er… that's how it was, but when I thought about it again, I felt it would be too arrogant of me. I must have not gotten enough sleep or something. So forget it; there's no need to even remember I mentioned it.” Seiji used this as his excuse.

Saki, however, had a serious expression.

”Harano, your Brother Monogatari is wonderfully written. The entire editing department, including the head editor, all believe that it's highly likely to become a popular hit, or even a bestseller! So you indeed have the right to request better conditions even if you are a newcomer. If you would like, I could try negotiating with the head editor for better conditions for you.”

Seiji had only wanted to come up with some excuse but didn't expect this type of development.

He wanted to tell her that it actually wasn't necessary, but felt that would sound unnatural so he could only go along with it.

”Er… is that really alright?” he asked haltingly.

Saki nodded in confirmation.

”Then… I'm sorry for the extra trouble.” Seiji felt awkward about all this.

”No need to be polite.” Saki's lips tugged upwards.

She was pleased to be able to help this boy out.

At this moment, Seiji's cell phone rang. He checked to find out that it was a call from Mai Houjou!

He instantly picked up the call.

”Hey, Senpai, how's the situation?” he asked.

”I found Shouhei Hirai,” Mai told him. ”He's currently in a hospital.”

”A hospital?”

”Yes, he's seriously injured and currently unconscious.”

”How could that be? I'm pretty sure that I only lightly injured him…” Seiji was astonished.

”I also inspected him with Astral Vision,” Mai continued. ”I'm certain that there's no undead spirit possessing him.”

”This…” Seiji was surprised to the point of not knowing what to say anymore.

”It seems that after battling with you, he fought with someone else, and was injured to this extent. Even the undead spirit was cleansed from him,” Mai added. ”Judging by his injuries, it's obvious that the person who did this must be a powerful Spiritual Ability user.”

Seiji was rendered speechless.

Shouhei Hirai was defeated by someone else!?

He was rather stunned by this occurrence.

Hey now, this scenario seemed wrong again!

After they located their opponent, they discovered that he was defeated by someone else and that he'd even been cleansed!?

Who did it? An enemy of his, or a passing-by defender of justice!?

A moment of silence fell between them.

”Since the enemy has already been defeated, does this mean that my task is completed?” Mai asked him.

”This… probably… I suppose so.”

Seiji had a conflicted expression. Shouhei Hirai was currently unconscious, so it would be impossible to ask him anything.

Everything was so perplexing!

Would the incident really end like this? It didn't seem like so, but…

”If we want to know what happened, I suppose we can only wait for Hirai to wake up,” Seiji said, sighing.

”There's another method as well. I could investigate where he lives, and perhaps there will be some clues,” Mai informed him.

”Oh, right… if we trouble you to do so, will you charge us additional fees?”

”Just count it as my full service instead. I'd feel awkward about accepting payment if things ended just like this,” the maid said with a chuckle. ”I'll get started on investigating Shouhei Hirai's residence right away, and leave it up to you to tell Milady Amami about things.”

”Alright.”

They ended the call there.

Seiji immediately explained the situation to Mayuzumi and Saki.

When they heard that Shouhei Hirai was defeated already by some other person, both ladies revealed subtle expressions.