"No, I am not a lolicon."
Uchiha Byakuya insisted firmly.
He wasn't about to let his innocence be ruined just like that.
"Denying it won't work~"
Eto chuckled.
"Besides, no matter how careless I am, I wouldn't go as far as cutting my own hand; So, really, you're just worrying too much~"
For a ghoul, ordinary knives were practically useless.
Unless the force applied was immense, or the angle was exceptionally precise it wouldn't do any damage to them.
That was exactly why ghoul investigators had to rely on their quinques to fight them.
Of course, there were exceptions.
In the original story, Arima Kishou once repelled a ghoul using only an umbrella, when compared to an actual weapon, an umbrella was obviously far weaker.
However, Arima's physical prowess was so absurd that when paired with his combat skills even an umbrella was suddenly enough to defeat a ghoul.
"Yeah, that's true…"
Byakuya realized he had instinctively forgotten.
Eto was practically immune to something like a kitchen knife.
"I guess I keep subconsciously treating you like a normal human girl.."
Byakuya admitted, his expression completely unfazed.
It wasn't even the first time something like this had happened with them.
"You really are an idiot; how do you keep making the same mistake?"
Eto scolded him with disdain, but her tone lacked any real irritation.
Although Eto didn't strongly identify as a human, being regarded as an ordinary human girl by Byakuya in a way like this; it still made her inexplicably happy.
In the past, she had always lived her life as a ghoul in the 24th Ward with her only memories being those of pain and loneliness.
But now, living among humans under a human identity, she had met a certain idiot who actually cared about her.
Even if she didn't realize it, her sense of identity, her sense as a human was slowly increasing.
"Can't help it, you're the closest thing to a human, no; A half-ghoul like you is basically superior to humans."
Byakuya wasn't just flattering her.
If humans could truly evolve into half-ghouls, that would essentially be a form of ascension for them.
Forget the enhanced strength, the most important aspect was that diseases wouldn't affect them, and they wouldn't suffer from the shortened lifespan of half-humans either.
"You're praising me so much I might get embarrassed."
Eto smirked.
"But honestly, I don't see being a half-ghoul as a good thing."
Her tone turned wistful.
She would have rather been born a pure human or a pure ghoul.
At least then, she wouldn't have suffered so much.
"Everything has its pros and cons; It's not all bad, right?"
Byakuya reasoned.
"I don't need to hear any of that philosophical nonsense, all I know is that my life isn't too bad right now."
Eto casually dismissed his words.
"That's all that matters, then."
Byakuya smiled slightly.
The final edits for 'Dear Kafka' were nearly complete.
Several revised drafts, including the original manuscript were all safely backed up on his computer.
Now, all that was left was to wait for the final confirmation on publishing.
But Eto wasn't idle either.
As of tonight, she had already begun planning out her next novel.
She had long decided that Arima Kishou and Uruka Minami would serve as the main character templates for her new story.
She even had a rough outline of the worldbuilding and framework already.
Right now, Eto was using Byakuya's computer to draft her outline.
Typing on a computer was obviously far more efficient than writing everything by hand.
However, since Eto had only just started learning how to use a computer, she still wasn't very good at typing.
For now, she had to rely on Byakuya to type almost everything for her, planning to practice on her own later when she had time.
"By the way, your typing speed is insane. Didn't you just start as an editor a little over a month ago?"
Hearing the rapid clacking of the keyboard as Byakuya quickly typed out all her ideas, Eto was genuinely surprised.
During the manuscript revisions, since they were only making small changes-a few words or short sentences at a time; She hadn't really noticed it before.
"Actually, I was already pretty good at this before getting the editor job." Byakuya responded casually.
Of course, the real reason was that he had been a writer before transmigrating. His muscle memory and mental familiarity with typing had carried over.
Eto didn't dwell on it too much. "I see. Well, that just makes things even more efficient."
With Byakuya's help, Eto successfully laid out a clear, overarching main plotline, along with a series of primary and secondary story arcs, all neatly summarized in a document.
The first draft of the outline was now complete.
Of course, it wasn't fully comprehensive. Eto had only mapped out a general framework for now.
After all, ideas change constantly, and new inspiration could strike at any time.
So, the outline would need to be updated and refined along the way.
For this reason, Eto never liked overly detailed outlines.
They were too rigid, limiting creative freedom and stifling new ideas.
Plus, if the story hit a dead end, she'd have to scrap and rewrite what had once seemed like a "perfect" outline.
This was especially true for her, as someone who thrived on spontaneous creativity.
An outline that was too rigid would only restrict her strengths.
"That's enough for today. After a few more days of preparation, I should be ready to start writing the actual chapters."
Eto said as she took a sip of water.
"Mhm. I can already see this novel becoming a massive hit."
After reviewing Eto's story concept, Byakuya gave his honest opinion.
"Yeah, right. We don't even know how my first book will do yet."
Eto still wasn't very confident.
She had originally started writing just to earn some money. Even now, she still saw it that way.
As long as she could make a decent income, that was enough.
"I guarantee it. Both 'Dear Kafka' and Takatsuki-sensei's new book will sell incredibly well." Byakuya said with absolute certainty.
That was the confidence granted to him by his "omniscient reader's perspective."
"I seriously don't get you. You have more faith in my books than I do." Eto muttered.
"And you did it again! I told you to call me Eto!"
Late at night.
Byakuya wasn't even asleep yet when he suddenly felt Eto wrapping herself around him again.
At first, he thought she had already fallen asleep. After all, she usually only did this unconsciously in her sleep.
But this time, Eto comfortably rested her chin on his shoulder.
If she was doing that on purpose, then she was definitely still awake.
"I thought you were sleeping. You normally only do this when you're fast asleep." Byakuya commented.
In a calm, quiet voice, Eto replied: "Is that a problem? From now on, you're my personal pillow~"