How to raise a random guy's wife

"what?"

“I haven’t seen our doujinshi yet,” Kasumigaoka Utaha said with an expectant look. “I have a feeling you’re going to get bullied pretty badly.”

"Then you're probably going to be disappointed."

"Ok?"

“A mature, black-haired woman like you is usually the passive type in these kinds of doujinshi,” Eriri scoffed. “The aloof, submissive type is quite popular.”

Kasumigaoka Utaha objected, saying, "My online persona is that of a lively and caring older sister."

"That would be even worse. In the doujinshi, I'd probably drive them crazy and completely manipulate them." As she spoke, Eriri became quite interested.

"That's just your own delusion." Kasumigaoka Utaha knew a thing or two. "The contrast between a seemingly gentle and understanding older sister who does whatever she wants to her pets at home is also quite popular."

"They have a really good relationship."

A familiar voice rang out, and Eriri froze.

"Mom...Mom? What are you doing here?" Eriri stared blankly at the woman in the kimono, even forgetting to let go of Kasumigaoka Utaha's hand.

“I came with my father,” said Sayuri Sawamura, who was wearing a kimono, as she closed her folding fan. “After all, it’s a book I drew myself, so I wanted to see how it would be received.”

Kasumigaoka Utaha asked curiously, "A doujinshi you drew yourself?"

"Because Eriri hasn't drawn any doujinshi for a long time, everyone misses her, so I have to come back again." Sayuri Sawamura pointed her folding fan in one direction, "Look, it's over there."

"Popularity...that's amazing..." Kasumigaoka Utaha looked up and saw the long queue.

Leonard, the blond guy at the far end of the line, was busy at work.

“I didn’t expect it to be so popular~” Sayuri Sawamura pretended to be worried. “I was thinking that since I haven’t published a book in so long, I might have been abandoned by everyone. But I didn’t expect that no matter what era, some themes will always be classics.”

Eriri immediately became alert. "What subject matter are you drawing?"

"It's a very normal subject matter," Sawamura Sayuri explained simply, "Something like my daughter's classmate."

"Hmm..." Kasumigaoka Utaha hesitated for a moment, "It's alright, I guess."

From the perspective of the script, this is indeed a classic theme.

Eriri vaguely sensed something was wrong. "Wait... tell me carefully, what exactly is the subject matter?"

"Do you want to buy one?" Sawamura Sayuri asked with a mysterious smile. "Lots of girls are lining up, don't be shy."

"I haven't seen Auntie's doujinshi yet," Kasumigaoka Utaha said, clearly interested. "I..."

"You're not allowed to go!" Eriri grabbed Kasumigaoka Utaha tightly. "That's a subject we absolutely can't touch!"

Kasumigaoka Utaha: "...Hmm?"

She suddenly thought of something.

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Sawamura Sayuri urged. “Aren’t you all adults already?”

“This has nothing to do with whether you’re an adult or not.” Eriri blushed. “I’m telling you, you should probably change your subject matter.”

Seeing the two holding hands, Sayuri Sawamura's smile widened. "Hmm... it seems like we should really switch. I have a good idea right now."

Eriri instinctively sensed a hint of unease and dragged Kasumigaoka Utaha away.

“Mom,” Leonard walked over proudly, “sold out!”

"Thank you for your hard work." Sayuri Sawamura fanned Leonard as a reward. "I just came up with a good story."

Chapter 868 Friendly Communication

Kobayashi Sora and Kobayashi Megumi, along with Kobayashi Ran, naturally couldn't go to the doujinshi section where the themes were diverse.

With the map memorized, Kobayashi Sora easily avoided areas unsuitable for Kobayashi Ran and strolled around the virtual idol zone with Kobayashi Megumi.

Compared to the crowds around them who were rushing around shopping, the family of three seemed somewhat out of place.

"It's Aunt Coco!" Ran Kobayashi pointed to the big screen. "It's huge!"

Although they have had few activities and works in recent years, as the first school idol group to appear on the Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red and White Song Battle), they are a regular presence at such large-scale events.

Hearing someone call her "Auntie," the fans next to the big screen turned around, saw it was a child, and smiled knowingly.

However, upon noticing that the Kobayashi couple were clearly popular and outgoing, their expressions immediately turned as if they had choked.

Kobayashi Sora nodded to the staff and then selected merchandise with Kobayashi Ran.

Badges, bags, notebooks, magazines documenting the daily lives of idols, character design books...

There are members of the star group, as well as their juniors, and recently debuted virtual idols with good data are also among them.

Because there was rice cake at home, Xiaolin Lan wasn't very interested in various cotton toys, and preferred notebooks and pens.

"Huh?" Kobayashi Megumi tilted her head and looked carefully, then tugged at Kobayashi Sora. "Look over there."

"They've come too." Kobayashi Sora saw Hashima Izumi and Sagara Mayu not far away.

"Auntie Mayu, Auntie who's going out to sea~" Ran Kobayashi waved her little hand and called out.

Upon hearing the sound, the two turned around in unison.

"Lanlan is so cute~" Mayu Sagara pulled a lollipop out of her bag. "Here you go."

"Thank you, Auntie~" Xiaolin Lan happily accepted the candy.

Kobayashi Megumi asked curiously, "Going to sea, didn't you release any doujinshi this time?"

"I originally wanted to publish it, but I haven't had any inspiration," sighed Izumi Hashima. "So I thought I'd come here to learn a bit. I bought a lot of notebooks yesterday, and today I'm accompanying Mayu to see this place."

"By the way, we have a collaboration with Ghost Castle, right?" Mayu Sagara asked excitedly. "Did you guys go to Ghost Castle's booth?"

"Not yet." Kobayashi Sora asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

"That's amazing!" Mayu Sagara gestured a couple of times, unsure how to describe it. "There was only one staff member there, and oh yeah, she was holding a cat. The effect was incredible!"

Kobayashi Sora asked her daughter in her arms, "Does Lanlan want to go see?"

"Ugh..." Xiaolin Lan hugged her father's neck, "Ghosts...it feels so scary..."

"It's not scary at all!" Mayu Sagara showed off the themed bag she bought. "Look!"

The bag is printed with a picture of Princess Mononoke sticking out her tongue. She wears a white dress that is both cute and elegant, and there are round little ghosts floating around her.

"So cute!" Lin Lan's eyes lit up. "Daddy, Daddy~ Let's go see!"

Sagara Mayu volunteered, "I'll lead the way!"

Led by Mayu Sagara, Kobayashi Sora and her group arrived at a rather large exhibition booth.

As one of the earliest virtual idol groups, their facilities and equipment far surpass those of other virtual idol groups.

On the big screen, the adorable Princess Mononoke is interacting with the fans in line. Unlike the monotonous backgrounds of other virtual idols, Princess Mononoke on the screen can generate various special effects with any finger swipe, such as advertisements for events, information on merchandise, and various interesting questions and props.

Kobayashi Sora noticed the staff member next to her, handed her daughter to Kobayashi Megumi, and instead of queuing with them, went directly to that staff member.

"Meow?" The white cat in the staff member's arms looked over.

"Welcome," Bei Ran said, wearing sunglasses and holding the white cat in his only remaining left arm.

“I also have a booth over there,” Kobayashi Sora said as she approached Bei Ran. “If you need any help, I can come over anytime.”

"I'm enough on my own," Bei Ran shook her head. "Too many people will cause trouble."

Kobayashi Sora was very curious about Bei Ran. Generally speaking, such activities should be left to subordinates, since professional matters should be left to professionals.

I didn't expect Bei Ran to take responsibility all by herself.

"Regarding the previous collaboration," Bei Ran and Kobayashi Sora found a place to sit down, "the action design should have been submitted by now. How was it?"

"It's exceptionally good, or rather, it's too good." Kobayashi Sora replied truthfully. "I didn't expect that we could design so many movements in such a short time, and the effects were all exceptionally good. Could you please introduce the motion capture equipment?"

The white cat meowed softly.

Bei Ran shook his head. "That device is a bit complicated, and the patent hasn't been finalized yet."

"Independently developed?"

"I guess so." Bei Ran moved his arm, and the white cat obediently climbed onto his shoulder. "Here, take this." He took out a USB flash drive from his pocket and handed it to Kobayashi Sora.

"This is?"

“Ghost Castle is planning a virtual festival.” Bei Ran scratched the white cat’s chin. “It’s tentatively scheduled for March 2nd.”

"next year?"

"The year after next."

Kobayashi Sora was somewhat surprised, "Two years to prepare?"

"The more thorough the preparation, the better the results."

“I completely agree with that.” Kobayashi Sora put away the USB drive. “What are the specific contents?”

"Global live streaming plus on-site events, the scale will be similar to this fan convention."

Kobayashi Sora glanced around. "Are you sure?"

This is no ordinary large-scale operation.

"The bigger the scene, the better the effect."

"What effect?"

“You could call it a ceremony.” Bei Ran turned her face toward the big screen. “I want as many people as possible to see them and like them. I want to turn that day into a festival for virtual idols, so the more virtual idols who participate, the better.”

“A massive project,” Kobayashi Sora thought quickly, calculating the related inputs and returns, “its symbolic significance outweighs its actual benefits.”

“I’ll take care of the funding and the venue. I hope you can help with on-site management and personnel communication. If we lose money, it’s on me; if we make a profit, we’ll split the profits.” Bei Ran pinched the bridge of his nose. “My situation is special. You’re more suitable than me when it comes to interpersonal skills.”

“A virtual idol extravaganza…” Kobayashi Sora murmured. “It is indeed a good idea, but with such a large venue, there are quite a few people to communicate with.”

Too many chickens will not lay eggs, and too many people will only cause trouble.

In this situation, Kobayashi Sora's expertise in coercion and inducement is difficult to fully utilize. After all, if someone is deliberately causing trouble, he cannot guarantee that everything will go smoothly for such a large-scale event.

Friendly communication can be incredibly time-consuming and expensive.

“Du Ruo knows a lot of people,” Bei Ran added, “and he will help when needed.”