Hyouka - Volume 03 - The Kudryavka Sequence - Welcome to KANYA FESTA! (1)

"It's fine."
...I felt my chest becoming tight again.
Irisu-san stretched out her right hand which she had rested on her hip. Was
she trying to shake my hand? Taking out my hand, I placed it on top of hers.
"?"
"Rather than shake my hand, you should be showing me a sample copy
instead."
A sample? I shook my head. Irisu-san gave a small sigh. Did I mess things
up? She then softly spoke while I remained startled.
"...It's all right since it's me, but if you're really going to ask someone to sell
your anthology for you, you should at least bring a sample with you. Or you
won't be able to convince anyone."
I-I see. So that's how one gets things done.
"I understand. Thank you so much!"
It was then that I began thinking. Yesterday I hardly achieved anything.
Maybe I spent so much time worrying about what to do next that my request
would still get turned down. I've spent a lot of effort explaining my situation
to both Tanabe-san and Toogaito-san, but if I had asked Irisu-san to come
with me back then, I might not have had my requests turned down.
Yes, I must not make the same mistakes as yesterday. I must ensure my
success rate is improved from now on.
Having made my mind, I decided to make another request to Irisu-san.
"Irisu-san,"
"W-what is it?"
Oh no, I ended up approaching too near to her. This was a bad habit which