"Don't worry, Gale. Star Yan's class has something going on today, so she didn't come along. Your cheating won't be found out by her."

"What cheating? Don't talk nonsense!"

Still, hearing that, I felt slightly relieved—wait! If that's true, won't she discover I'm pursuing Yao Star Yan for my novel? After all, Willow Ran and Yao Star Yan are so close they eat lunch together daily. That's terrible!

I did ask Willow Ran to keep my identity as Gale Splendor secret, but Yao Star Yan might still figure it out. My pen name and real name sound almost identical—anyone could connect the dots. Then my grand revenge plan would be ruined!

I'm super regretting this. This revenge is for my "daughters," yet I carelessly spilled such a secret.

Honestly, I'm just reaping what I sow. In wartime, someone like me would probably betray the country without blinking.

"Will Star Yan be the protagonist? Sounds great, Gale! Give it a try! I'll help you too!"

—Huh?

Did I hear that right? Before we knew it was Yao Star Yan, fine—but now? I'm not chasing her out of love. It's for my novel, deeper down, for revenge. This has zero "love" in it. As her best friend, shouldn't Willow Ran be against me?

I don't get this at all!

Willow Ran tilted her head, confused by my shock. "Isn't it natural for your new work?"

"B-but Yao Star Yan is your friend! Doesn't it feel like you're setting her up?"

No, no—Willow Ran is the type who'd let strangers see her naked for a new story. Call it "natural" or just stubborn. Kinda scary.

"Well... I still think it's good for Star Yan."

"What?"

"Ah... you know she's popular at school, right? Normally, she'd be a princess-type character. But I sense another side to her..."

Gotta admit, girls' sixth sense is sharp.

"So this romance experience could make Star Yan more 'princess-like.' It's win-win for both of you!"

"...Hey, Willow, why are you imitating a crab?"

"It's not a crab! It's the win-win gesture! Win-win! Plus, getting to read your novel early? Why not?"

Saying "win-win" my ass—your real goal is that second part. Coming from a bookworm like Willow Ran, it's believable.

Actually, something's been bugging me since earlier.

"Willow, do you know 'Cha' from 'Illustrator Cha'?"

At the name, Willow Ran frowned unusually. "That guy who draws fan art for your novels without permission?"

...What did she just say? She sounds seriously pissed.

"Heh... that guy. His art's good, best style I've seen. But turning Gale Splendor's pure, cute heroine into something lewd? Unforgivable! And that gross pen name—what a creep!"

Guess I'm not the only one who thinks it's sleazy. Yao Star Yan naming herself that is impressive—total closet pervert?

"I don't judge people by personal taste, but on this, I won't budge. Desecrating beauty? That guy's the god of lewd!"

I wonder what Yao Star Yan's face would be if she heard that.

"Ugh, just thinking about him makes me furious! Coco's such an innocent, natural girl, yet he drew her so trashy! I don't know who he is, but from that pen name, he's gotta be some gross otaku—no, maybe even a furry. I won't forgive him!"

...Ah, so Master Cha isn't loved by all my fans. At least Willow Ran's on my side.

"So, Willow, you don't know who Master Cha is?"

"Of course not!" She admitted firmly, then eyed me suspiciously. "Do you know who he is, Gale?"

"Eh?"

Why's this airhead so sharp about trivial stuff?

"Don't tell me those lewd drawings were your idea? Ha, rumors online say you two are partners!"

"No way! I hate Illustrator Cha too!"

"Really?"

Her eyes screamed disbelief. I'm your once-idolized writer—can't you trust me a little? Wait, why did I say "once"?

"Hmph! Fine, whatever."

"It's true... Honestly, I only heard from fans that Illustrator Cha has a blog."

"Oh..." Her tone softened slightly. She believed me. "Hmph, but no one would follow that creep's blog. Just an otaku's self-indulgence."

"Y-yeah... heh, heh..."

Phew. Willow Ran probably won't check Master Cha's blog. Still, I'm curious—what would her face look like if she knew Yao Star Yan is Illustrator Cha? Must be epic.

Crap, I'm already looking forward to that moment.

"Oh, Gale, are you free between classes?"

I thought for a moment, then nodded.

Willow Ran shrugged casually. "Figured. No chance this afternoon. Meet me here tomorrow, first break."

Felt oddly underestimated, but I couldn't argue—I am free between classes. I focused on her last words.

"What for?"

"Tomorrow, I'll show you something good."

Willow Ran grinned mysteriously.