The class period passed quickly. Lin Yu spent the entire time mulling over how best to approach Miyoko Mangetsu, and by the end of it, he had a rough plan formulated in his mind.
The moment the bell rang for the break, Shizuka's voice pulled him from his thoughts. "Lin Yu, what were you thinking about so intently?" she asked, turning around to see him still staring at the business card with a puzzled look.
"Oh, nothing much," Lin Yu replied, looking up. "Just figuring out the details for submitting the manga."
Hearing the word "submission," Shizuka's eyes lit up. She knew how hard Lin Yu had been working towards this goal. "Are you worried about it?" she asked. "Don't be! Cardcaptor Sakura is amazing! I'm sure you'll be successful, Lin Yu!" She gave a little encouraging pump of her fist.
"Worry isn't the main issue," Lin Yu said, shrugging slightly. "The tricky part is, I can't exactly just waltz in and meet with an editor by myself." (Due to his family circumstances, he was mostly living alone. His aunt had already done so much; he couldn't burden her further by asking her to take time off work for something like this.) The main problem was his age. Even though he'd be eleven in a couple of months, signing contracts as a minor was a complicated legal process requiring a guardian. It wasn't as simple as just mailing in a manuscript. There were rights and protections for both the publisher and the artist that needed to be handled properly. And for Lin Yu, navigating all that presented a significant logistical challenge.
"Oh," Shizuka said, realizing the problem. "That does sound complicated. So, have you thought of a way to handle it, Lin Yu?" She looked genuinely troubled on his behalf.
"My aunt isn't around right now," Lin Yu explained. "So, I guess my best bet is to see if Doraemon has any gadgets that might be useful for this situation."
"Yes, that seems like the only way," Shizuka agreed thoughtfully. (Japan placed a high value on contracts; such matters couldn't be handled carelessly.)
"Are you planning to try and contact her today, Lin Yu?"
"I'll see how things go," Lin Yu replied. "If possible, getting it sorted out today would be best." (He knew Doraemon had many useful gadgets, and since they'd arranged for Doraemon to visit his house after school to read more manga, borrowing something then shouldn't be too difficult. The only concern was whether Doraemon had the specific kind of gadget he might need.)
"Then maybe we should all go to Nobita's house again after school?" Shizuka suggested.
"Huh? Shizuka, are you guys coming over to my place again today?" Just as she spoke, Nobita, who had apparently just returned from his hallway punishment, popped up beside them, backpack already on, looking surprisingly hopeful. (Lin Yu glanced at Nobita, figuring he'd just finished his stint in the hall.)
"Not sure yet, Nobita," Lin Yu replied, shaking his head slightly despite their expectant looks. "Time might be a bit tight." (Going to Nobita's house would take up valuable time, and he really wanted to get the submission process started today if possible.)
"Oh, that's too bad," Nobita said, his face falling. He quickly turned to Shizuka. "Shizuka, how about you? Maybe..."
But since Lin Yu wasn't going, Shizuka didn't feel much inclination to go either. "Maybe not today," Shizuka said with an apologetic smile, declining his unspoken invitation. (Compared to the boys, Shizuka generally preferred quieter activities like reading at home, especially if Lin Yu wasn't going to be there.)
"Oh... okay then..." Nobita's shoulders slumped. Invitation failed, he dejectedly shuffled back to his own seat. He'd only gotten halfway there when he seemed to remember something. He turned back. "Oh, right, Lin Yu!"
"When I left for school this morning, Doraemon told me he's coming over to your place after school to read more of your manga."
"Yes, I remember," Lin Yu nodded. "Tell him he's welcome anytime. The newest pages are with Gian and Suneo right now. If he wants to read them, he can get them from those two. Just... maybe not during class, okay?"
"Got it!" The mention of manga seemed to lift Nobita's spirits slightly. He gave Lin Yu a quick wave and hurried off towards Gian and Suneo, presumably to get in on the reading action.
"That's a shame," Shizuka said softly, a hint of wistfulness in her voice, once Nobita was out of earshot. "I was kind of hoping I could go with you when you submit your manga." (It felt like a very important event, and being there to witness it with Lin Yu would have been wonderful, she thought.)
Lin Yu saw the quiet disappointment on her face. He reached out and gently patted her head again. "Don't worry," he said with a warm smile. "If it gets accepted, I'll call your house and tell you the good news right away. You'll be the first to know."
Ambushed by another unexpected "head-pat attack" from Lin Yu, Shizuka froze for a second, then a vibrant crimson blush instantly suffused her cheeks, spreading down her neck.
"Wh-why do you keep touching my head...?" she stammered, quickly turning away to hide her burning face. "I-it'll... it'll make me stop growing taller...!" Her voice was barely a squeak, like the buzzing of a mosquito.
"Because Shizuka is very cute," Lin Yu replied, his voice soft and his eyes sparkling with a gentle smile – the classic, effortlessly charming line.
Shizuka, her face still flaming red, leaned back slightly against her desk as she processed his words. Her delicate palms, she noticed with a start, had also become warm and slightly damp, just like her cheeks.
"R-really? Am I... really cute?" she whispered, her heart in a flutter as she nervously pressed her lips together.
"Of course," Lin Yu affirmed smoothly. "Why would I ever lie to you?"
His words made Shizuka, despite her lingering fluster, feel a small, irrepressible smile begin to curve her lips, her eyes crinkling with a soft, happy light. A warm, ambiguous atmosphere began to diffuse between them. Shizuka felt her cheeks growing even hotter, and she shifted uncomfortably in her seat, suddenly feeling as if every single classmate in the room had their eyes fixed directly on her.
"I... I think I need to wash my face...!" With that, Shizuka abruptly stood up and, like a startled fawn, practically fled the classroom.
Watching her retreating figure, Lin Yu couldn't help but sigh contentedly. This kind of life, he thought with a smile, really was quite wonderful.