Published 2021.04.19
A sweat bead trickled down my forehead.
I squeezed the hem of my dress.
「T-that’s right~ I’m often mistaken for a boy~」
I’ve now bumped into my childhood friend that I’ve known for years. My determination to maintain a sense of normalcy will be reduced to dust like sand in a desert!
Not just Shizuku…but why also Rinko…?!?!
It’s true that Rinko is an otaku gal, who loves her manga, anime, and light novels. However, her favorite genre is limited to romantic comedies about childhood friends. She has read ones with stepsisters, but she hasn’t liked them very much.
A while back ago, I recommended the book I had written, but she had quickly replied saying, “I love this author’s writing and sense of direction, but I don’t like the fact that the heroine is a stepsister.”
And yet… Why are you now here….!
To keep Rinko from seeing my face as much as possible, I let my bangs down in front of me and turned my head.
A-anyways! If I get found out, I’ll be branded a pervert for life!
Right now, I just need to hold on to my breath, and get through this chaotic mess!
「A-ahmm….U-umm…」
「….hmm?」
Rinko stared at my face, making a small “Mmmm~?” sound.
This reaction… Perhaps she hasn’t realised who I was yet?
….If so, I never would’ve thought I’d run into my childhood friend while dressed up as a woman at a book signing for a romance author.
If that’s the case, then we still have plenty of chances!
「The book, I’ll sign it」
「Aa.. Yes. Sorry」
With as natural a smile as possible, I took the book Rinko was holding.
Alright..! I’ll just go ahead and quickly sign the book and see her off with sincerity, and then this Rinko event will end without any problems!
While hiding my face with my bangs, I quickly signed the book.
「Um.. Can I ask you a question?」
「Hiya! W-what is it?」
My body stiffened after hearing her line of questioning.
What’s with the question? Did she figure out who I am?
N-no, no. If she knew who I was, she wouldn’t have bothered to ask questions.
Asking a question means that you’re still in a stage of doubt. It means you’re not sure….!
Calm down…! No matter the question that comes my way, just stay calm and answer it. I won’t get caught…!
Right now, I’m a cute, black-haired, innocent girl thanks to Yoshizawa-san’s makeup.
Well! Come at me Rinko!
No matter what the question is, I’ll be able to answer it without getting shaken at all!
「Does Ichino-sensei have a very cute stepsister?」
Nope, it was a very specific, and brutal question!!!
No, she already knows, doesn’t she!?’
I’m 100% sure she knows!
As I’m sweating like a waterfall, Yoshizawa-san, sitting next to me, poked me knee.
「Sensei, please answer their questions. Look, your fans are curious whether or not the work is based on real experiences」
「….Ah-ahh…. I see.. Something like that…」
Ah, I just rushed it~
Of course, if you think about it calmly, it seems quite natural for fans to ask such questions to me, the author.
My own book is about a stepsister.
I guess fans are probably wondering whether the events and characters in the story are based on experiences or not.
「Um… well…」
Honestly speaking, I have a stepsister… but how I don’t know how to answer….!!
「I’m, an only child~!」
I replied, twisting out a girlish voice out my throat.
Yosh, if I keep this up, I’ll be able to fool her somehow.
I peered at Rinko through the gaps in my bangs.
「Hmm~ I understand now. So that’s the situation」
She placed her hand to her chin and muttered to herself as if she was a renowned detective.
I haven’t been exposed yet… right?
「Um… I signed the book」
There are still a lot of people who came to the book signing, so I’m sure Rinko will have to leave after I hand over the book.
Holding the autographed book with both hands, I carefully handed it over to her. As expected, Rinko gave me a soft smile, and headed towards the exit.
「…Sorry for the drawn out conversation. Well then Ichino-sensei, I’ll see you around」
See me around?
Feeling slightly uncomfortable at the strange comment, I gave RInko a tight smile and looked away.
「…Haaa.. I don’t know what’s happening」
「Ichino-senisei, are you acquainted with the person I just saw?」
Yoshizawa-san frowned her brow slightly as she asked this.
Hmmm.. Is she in a bad mood…?
「I don’t really know. She’s my childhood friend. I never mentioned to her that I was writing a novel, but somehow we bumped into each other…. 」
「What..」
Yoshizawa-san, who would always stay calm and collected, had an unusual expression on her face, as if she was dumbfounded in a state of disbelief.
「Yoshizawa-san? What’s wrong?」
「N-no.. I-it’s nothing……pfft」
「Eh..? What are you laughing at?」
「I said it was nothing!」
For once today, even Yoshizawa-san, who’s feared as a devilish editor, was busy laughing and getting angry.
Well, I guess so, since the author in charge of the book is dressed as a woman and is out signing books. It’s no wonder.
「Next in line, please」
Hearing the signal from the staff, I quickly made a smile.
There were some unexpected hiccoughs, but we’re back to where we started….!
I have to somehow deceive my mildly-M stepsister who hypnotizes me everyday…!
(TLN: Masochist)
I became even more determined to greet the fans coming to this sessions with a warm smile.
Machine Cherry 
Once again, poor guy. Thanks for the translation
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I’m pretty sure the editor knows that she’s his rivalling author and that the childhood friend romance novels she wrote are about her feelings for the MC.
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