By calling the bank card an advance on her first year’s salary, the effect was remarkable. Tomoka Yuigahama, who had been so resolute in refusing to accept it, no longer resisted as firmly as before.

“You already had this card prepared before coming here. Does that mean you were certain from the start that I’d agree to join?” Tomoka asked curiously.

“You have no reason to refuse me,” Kotomi Izumi replied with another bold line she had long memorized but never before had the chance to use.

Kotomi was feeling very pleased now—not only because Tomoka Yuigahama seemed ready to agree to join Type-Moon World, but also because she had finally gotten the chance to use two of her stockpiled “cool quotes” today. In her head, Kotomi had a warehouse full of lines ready for the perfect moment to make herself sound impressive.

Tomoka stared at the bank card, lost in thought. Kotomi didn’t interrupt, simply waiting patiently. She was convinced her victory was already halfway secured.

After about ten minutes, Tomoka finally looked up and spoke:

“Kotomi, I’m willing to join Type-Moon World.”

Yes! Kotomi cheered silently in her heart. On her face, however, she kept up the calm act, smiling lightly as though she always had everything under control.

“Mrs. Yuigahama, I’m very glad you made this decision. From today onward, you are the very first employee of Type-Moon World. Your position: Art Director.”

“Art Director, right from the start…? I’ve never even worked in a company before, let alone taken such a high position. Wouldn’t it be better to just let me join as an ordinary illustrator at Type-Moon World?”

“No. You are the Art Director,” Kotomi declared firmly. “Don’t think about whether you deserve it. Be confident, Mrs. Yuigahama. I can say without exaggeration—if Type-Moon World is to succeed, you are one of my most important allies.”

Kotomi’s words gave Tomoka pressure, but even more than that, a sense of validation. Ever since she met Kotomi, she had constantly received recognition from her, and that recognition had driven her to produce illustration after illustration at the highest quality.

Without realizing it, Tomoka had grown more and more unable to part with this feeling of recognition that Kotomi gave her.

“Once Type-Moon World opens, I’ll make sure to fulfill my duties as Art Director.”

Tomoka nodded firmly. She still didn’t fully understand the world of the gaming industry—she was just an illustrator. But she believed the least she could do was to live up to Kotomi’s expectations, and to push every piece of artwork she created to its very best.

“Phew… finally pulled you onto my ‘pirate ship,’ Mrs. Yuigahama~” Kotomi said half-jokingly, lightening the mood.

Tomoka gave Kotomi a long look. Then, leaning slightly forward, she reached out her slender hand. The distance between them shrank, the faint fragrance of each of them filling the other’s senses. The ambiguous atmosphere made Kotomi’s cheeks flush red. Against a woman like Tomoka Yuigahama, who embodied both maturity and playfulness, Kotomi had absolutely no resistance.

What is she trying to do? Kotomi’s mind raced. Could it be… she wants to kiss me?! Her face reddened further, her heart thumping wildly. She nervously bit her lip, just about ready to close the distance herself and press her lips against Tomoka’s—

Pinch—

Kotomi froze. Her eyes darted to the side, only to realize Tomoka had gently pinched her left cheek. She couldn’t quite make sense of what Tomoka was doing.

After giving her cheek a light squeeze, Tomoka finally let go, exhaling in satisfaction. She looked at Kotomi with a proud expression, gave a cute little huff, and said:

“Hmph. Little girl, you’ve been calling me Mrs. Yuigahama this whole time. Be good and call me Aunt Yuigahama, or Auntie, okay?”

“Uh—s-sorry.”

Kotomi gave an embarrassed laugh, realizing only now that her way of addressing Tomoka had indeed been a little inappropriate. After all, Tomoka was Yui’s mother.

But truthfully, Tomoka didn’t really care what Kotomi called her. Whether it was Mrs. Yuigahama, Aunt Yuigahama, or Auntie—it was all fine.

But because Kotomi had been acting so strong and domineering just now, looking nothing like a sixteen-year-old high school girl, Tomoka Yuigahama felt a sudden childish urge to strike back at her a little.

This was part of Tomoka’s charm—her occasional flashes of childlike mischief.

“Alright, let’s get back to discussing illustrations. Take a look at the illustrations I drew for Sword Art Online. While you do that, I’ll go over the character designs for Redo of Healer, Mushoku Tensei, and The Testament of Sister New Devil.”

As she spoke, Tomoka patted the seat beside her, signaling Kotomi to sit closer.

“Okay, Aunt Tomoka.”

Kotomi scooted over, almost pressing her whole body against Tomoka’s side.

“Eh?”

Tomoka blinked at the new form of address. It was the first time she had heard it, and it felt a little fresh.

“Calling you Mrs. Yuigahama or Aunt Yuigahama feels too distant. Isn’t Aunt Tomoka better?”

Kotomi turned her head, her moist pink eyes gazing at Tomoka as though they could draw her soul in. That look landing on Tomoka’s cheek felt like a pair of invisible hands gently toying with her emotions.

“Alright,” Tomoka murmured, dazed. Under that tender gaze, her mind seemed to lose the ability to think. Whatever Kotomi said, she felt like she would just agree.

So easily, Kotomi managed to close the distance between them in terms of address. She had long thought that constantly calling her “Mrs. Yuigahama” sounded too formal.

Kotomi didn’t want their relationship to feel distant. She wanted to be closer to Tomoka Yuigahama.

Close enough that one day, when Yui and Yuka saw her, they might call her… Mom. As she stared at the line art on the computer, Kotomi’s thoughts wandered recklessly.

While Kotomi looked at the illustration drafts, Tomoka wasn’t idle either. Kotomi had already sent her the manuscript and character designs for Redo of Healer Volume 1 via phone.

The first reader of Sword Art Online had been Haruno Yukinoshita. Haruno had been secretly proud, thinking she would also be the first to read Kotomi’s next work.

But before she even realized Kotomi had finished a new manuscript, Tomoka Yuigahama had already begun reading Redo of Healer Volume 1—becoming its true first reader.

Cross-referencing the design documents with the manuscript, Tomoka quickly formed an impression of the characters.

First, the male protagonist, Keyaru. Then the heroines: Freia, Setsuna, and Kureha.

Before reading, Tomoka had thought it would just be another standard Western fantasy harem novel with sword and sorcery elements—something she liked. But then she reached Redo of Healer Volume 1’s first infamous scene: the Hero of the Staff.

“….”

She had once thought some of the depictions in Sword Art Online already revealed Kotomi’s true colors. But now, reading Redo of Healer…

“Kotomi.”

“Mm?”

“Well… I think I understand now the kind of illustration scale Redo of Healer will require. I can handle drawing it, but if either the text or illustrations go too far, won’t the editorial department ask for revisions?”

“Aunt Tomoka, don’t worry about that. Before I even started Redo of Healer, I already discussed it with Editor Yukinoshita. When the volume is published, it’ll be classified as R18.”

“You’re not even 18 yet!”

“Hehe, little details, don’t worry about them~”

Tomoka suddenly realized—the racy descriptions in Sword Art Online had only been the tip of the iceberg. Now, with a new series officially marked R18, Kotomi might completely let herself loose!

And if the text went that far, then the illustrations would need to match.

The thought excited Tomoka—her motivation even surpassing what she had felt when illustrating Sword Art Online.

Until now, she had always drawn with all-ages publication in mind, deliberately restraining herself. Many times she had held back, even when she knew that adding a few more details could push the sensuality to another level.

But now that Kotomi was writing an R18 novel, it meant Tomoka could finally unleash her skills to the fullest.

“Kotomi, I think choosing to make your new work R18 was a brilliant decision.”

“I think so too!”

Clap!

Kotomi Izumi and Tomoka Yuigahama high-fived in perfect sync. Without words, their gesture said it all: Let’s have a great collaboration from here on out!

After finishing the illustrations for Sword Art Online Volumes 2 and 3, as well as the line art for the special edition illustrations, Kotomi stretched her arms slightly.

“Is there anything that needs to be revised?” Tomoka Yuigahama asked when she noticed Kotomi’s movement.

Kotomi shook her head. “Nope, they’re absolutely perfect. At first, I was worried that the text wouldn’t describe everything in enough detail, but Aunt Tomoka, you really get me. Especially this one—the texture on the stockings is just too good!”

Kotomi spoke with so much excitement that it looked like drool might spill from the corner of her mouth.

“As long as you like it,” Tomoka replied with a warm smile. To be honest, when she first began discussing with a sixteen-year-old girl how to make certain illustrations look even more risqué, she had felt somewhat awkward.

But after getting used to it, Tomoka discovered that she and Kotomi had many shared topics to discuss through illustration. She also came to understand Kotomi’s “XP system” more directly.

And the most obvious point was this—Kotomi had an extreme fondness for beautiful girls wearing stockings. Thigh-high stockings and pantyhose—but especially sheer pantyhose.

Even now, Kotomi was wearing white pantyhose so sheer that Tomoka could see the shape of her legs all the way from thighs to toes. The sight was direct and alluring in a way that matched perfectly with Kotomi’s tastes.

So when Tomoka created illustrations, she would intentionally or unintentionally tailor them to Kotomi’s tastes.

After confirming the illustrations for Sword Art Online Volumes 2 and 3, Tomoka finally let out a sigh of relief. Now, all she had to do was complete the special edition line art, and then she could send both volumes’ illustrations to Haruno Yukinoshita.

Once Haruno confirmed everything, within seven working days, Tomoka would receive the payment for the illustrations of both volumes.

Though drawing two volumes in a row was exhausting, the feeling of receiving payment for both at once was truly delightful.

“Will Volumes 4 and 5 of Sword Art Online also be released together?” Tomoka asked half-jokingly.

Right now, she wasn’t worried about the workload being too heavy or not having enough time. After hearing Kotomi’s suggestion earlier and agreeing to it, she was also considering whether she should close down her dango cake shop.

If she shut it down, she could devote herself fully to illustration, which would naturally increase her efficiency. Even if she had to illustrate two volumes back-to-back again, it wouldn’t be as overwhelming as it had been with Volumes 2 and 3.

But after running the shop for so many years, Tomoka had a deep attachment to it. And besides, transferring the shop to someone else wouldn’t happen overnight.

“Kotomi, I’ve decided not to shut down the cake shop completely. I used to take one or two days off a week, but now I’ll change it so the shop is only open one or two days a week. The rest of the time, I’ll spend at home illustrating and resting. Hmm… ever since I became an illustrator, I don’t even remember the last time I went to bed before midnight. This can’t go on—I need to fix my schedule quickly.”

After saying this, Tomoka leaned back against the armless chair and closed her eyes halfway.

“Then let’s start tonight. Try to be in bed by eleven,” Kotomi said with a smile.

“You’re right.” Tomoka nodded, then added, “Come on, let’s discuss the illustrations for Redo of Healer Volume 1. For character design, I already have a rough idea in my mind.”

Starting with Freia, Tomoka sketched a rough draft based on the character design document Kotomi had written.

“Will this work?”

“Change the thigh-high stockings to white garter stockings with lace trim at the top. And make her expression more evil and unrestrained—that way the contrast will stand out better.”

“Okay.” Tomoka nodded, now having a clearer grasp of Freia’s character design. Kotomi’s description gave her a vivid image in her mind, and she picked up her stylus to make the changes.

While Tomoka worked on adjusting the sketch, Kotomi, feeling thirsty, realized she hadn’t had a sip of water since she got home from school.

“Aunt Tomoka, do you have any bottled water in your bedroom? I’m kinda thirsty.”

“Sometimes when I’m rushing deadlines, I get too lazy to leave the room to get water, so I keep a case of bottled water right next to the wardrobe by the bedroom door. There should still be a couple bottles left. Go grab one—and bring me one too,” Tomoka Yuigahama said.

“Got it.” Kotomi nodded, stood up, and left the little workspace. By the bedroom door, she found the cardboard box filled with bottled water.

There were exactly two bottles left.

Kotomi bent down and picked them up.

Knock knock knock!

Suddenly, knocking came from the bedroom door. Startled, Kotomi dropped the two bottles in her hands onto the floor.

Outside, Yui Yuigahama’s voice called out: “Mom, dinner’s ready. Come out and eat.”

“I’m coming, I’m coming. Yui, could you bring dinner into the bedroom for me?”

Hearing the knocking, Tomoka quickly rushed out of the little workspace. When she spotted Kotomi’s school uniform jacket still lying on her bed, her heart dropped. In a panic, she grabbed it and tossed it into the workspace, slamming the door shut.

If Yui were to see her friend—and secret crush—Kotomi Izumi’s jacket lying on her mother’s bed…

Just imagining that scene made Tomoka feel dizzy. She had no idea how she would explain it to her daughter.

What would Yui think of her as a mother afterward? Tomoka didn’t dare imagine further. The only thing she could do now was to make absolutely sure Yui didn’t find out Kotomi was here.

“Oh, I see. But Mom, why did you lock the door? I’ll just open it now, okay?”

With that, Yui turned the doorknob, and the door began to slowly swing open.

Before Tomoka could signal Kotomi to run back to the workspace, Kotomi had already yanked open the wardrobe doors and slipped inside just before Yui entered.

Kotomi figured that even if she had dashed back toward the workspace, she probably wouldn’t have made it in time. The wardrobe stuffed with clothes seemed like the perfect hiding spot. Even if someone opened it, she could just use the clothes as cover.

Besides, who would open the wardrobe for no reason?

Feeling rather proud of herself, Kotomi thought she was really clever for finding such a perfect hiding place.

But Tomoka, seeing Kotomi hide in the wardrobe, didn’t feel relieved at all. Her face even paled. That wardrobe was full of her clothes! Shirts, pants, skirts, socks—and even a few pairs of stockings, though she rarely wore those.

And worse still—the bottom shelf under the hanging clothes was where she kept her underwear!

Which meant… Kotomi’s little butt was now sitting directly on her underwear!

Still, now wasn’t the time to worry about that. If Kotomi hadn’t hidden in the wardrobe in time and Yui had spotted her, there was no way either of them could explain it.

What’s more, Tomoka was Yui’s mother. If Yui saw Kotomi in her mother’s bedroom without her knowledge… Tomoka felt like she’d never be able to face her daughter again.

At that moment, Yui entered the bedroom. “Mom, are you not feeling well? Why do you want me to bring dinner in here?”

“I just want to rest a little longer. Is Yuka eating properly?”

“Of course. I made her favorite mapo tofu for dinner, and she ate a ton. But ugh, that annoying little sister of mine! Her mouth was all greasy, and she still had the nerve to say, ‘Onee-chan, your mapo tofu still isn’t as good as Penguin Onee-chan’s.’ And she was saying that while stuffing her face full!”

Hiding in the wardrobe, Kotomi couldn’t help but stifle a giggle. She had cooked for little Yuka once, and it seemed her cooking had left such a deep impression that the girl still remembered it vividly.

At the same time, out of caution, Kotomi grabbed a handful of the clothes she was sitting on and draped them over herself, covering her body as much as possible. That way, even if the wardrobe doors were opened, she might not be noticed.

The wardrobe was unlit. It wasn’t pitch black, but still too dim to make out what clothes she had just pulled over herself.

Why did the fabric feel… kind of strange?

Kotomi didn’t think too much about it. Whatever, just cover myself with it first!

It definitely wasn’t a shirt. Compared to normal tops, it was smaller, and the style felt odd—not quite a shirt, not quite pants, and definitely not a skirt… Better to just grab more and pile them over herself!

With Yui Yuigahama right outside, and the wardrobe closed, Kotomi couldn’t see clearly enough to think calmly. All she could do was grab whatever her hands touched and use it to cover herself, while curling deeper into the wardrobe.

She had thought Yui would leave right away, but instead Yui spoke again:

“Mom, on my way home from school today, I bought you a hair accessory.”

“A hair accessory?” Tomoka Yuigahama asked, a little surprised. She hadn’t worn one in years—at most, she used a hair tie to braid her hair.

“I happened to pass by a new accessory shop. Out of curiosity, I went in to look around, and I found one I thought would really suit you. So I bought it. Try it on, okay?”

“You silly child, why spend your money on this? Haven’t I told you to use your allowance to buy yourself something tasty instead? …But, this hair accessory is really beautiful. Thank you.” Tomoka took the gardenia hair ornament Yui had bought for her, her heart deeply touched.

That’s how parents are. When they receive gifts from their children, they always instinctively scold, “Why waste your money? Buy something nice for yourself instead.”

And then, holding that gift in their hands, they treasure it endlessly, their eyes filled with warmth and emotion.

Even the smallest gesture can make a parent happy for the whole day.

“Mom, try it on.”

“Alright. There’s no mirror in the bedroom, let’s go to the bathroom and try it on.” Tomoka nodded. She was eager to take Yui out of the bedroom quickly—after all, Kotomi was still hiding in the wardrobe.

“Wait, not so fast. This gardenia hair accessory will look even better if paired with the right outfit. Let me check which of your clothes would match best. I’ve been watching some outfit coordination videos recently, so leave it to me, Mom!”

For a moment, Tomoka didn’t process what Yui meant. But when she saw her daughter walking toward the wardrobe, she instantly realized—and inside her head, she screamed: How could I possibly feel at ease with this?!

“Yui!”

Tomoka didn’t know what to say, but the most important thing now was to stop Yui from opening the wardrobe!

“Hm?”

Yui was the type who often acted before fully thinking. Just like now—though she heard her mother call out, her hand had already pulled open the wardrobe door.

Tomoka froze.

Her neatly folded underwear, skirts, and stockings had all been turned into a messy pile by Kotomi. And nestled between a bra and a pair of black stockings… was a pair of pitiful, wide pink eyes.

Kotomi’s eyes were on the verge of tears, silently pleading to Tomoka Yuigahama:

Why did Yui open the wardrobe?!

—

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep