"Kuangshao-sensei is launching a new book; the light-novel scene won't be peaceful," Kagurazaka Ayame said with a sigh. "The authors released on the same date are going to be unlucky."
With Kuangshao-sensei's new book, there's no doubt Kadokawa Bunko will throw massive resources behind the promotion. But resources are limited, so the other titles releasing at the same time can only step aside.
Machida Sonoko shook her head slightly. "Their luck is just too bad, nothing to be done."
"All right, the monthly meeting is about to start. I'm a little curious to see the editor-in-chief's expression," Machida said, the corners of her mouth lifting.
"Heh, I'm curious too," Kagurazaka Ayame chuckled.
Soon, at eight o'clock, the Kadokawa Bunko conference room filled with several dozen people, men and women editors with real ability at the imprint.
"Thank you for your hard work in March. Because of everyone's efforts, our Kadokawa Bunko can continue to develop steadily," said Editor-in-Chief Higashiyama Kota, already past sixty, sweeping his gaze over the editors-in-chief, deputy editors-in-chief, managing editors, and regular editors seated in order, smiling as he spoke.
In response, the editors below smiled and said it was nothing.
After that came Editor-in-Chief Higashiyama's rundown of each editor's performance and words of praise.
"Machida, is Kayoru-sensei still unwilling to let her novel be adapted into anime?" Editor-in-Chief Higashiyama turned to Machida Sonoko and asked.
"Yes," Machida answered with a wry smile. Kayoru-sensei is also a stunningly talented author; her novels have sold in the millions, and she writes the "Scenery" series, one of Kadokawa Bunko's top authors.
But, just like Kuangshao-sensei, she thinks manga/anime adaptations and such are too much trouble and has been refusing all along.
"I see…" Hearing Machida's answer, Editor-in-Chief Higashiyama frowned, then looked to Kagurazaka Ayame. "What about Senju-sensei?"
"Her," Kagurazaka sighed, head aching. "She's even more trouble than Kayoru-sensei. If I hadn't discovered her and pulled her into being an author, she might never have debuted. As for turning the novel into manga or anime, she keeps refusing for the same."
"That makes it difficult," Editor-in-Chief Higashiyama and the other editors sighed helplessly.
Senju-sensei's Fantasy Demon-Blade Legend is a ten-million-seller, absolutely one of Kadokawa Bunko's main pillars.
Unfortunately, whether it's Senju-sensei or Kayoru-sensei, they both think it's a hassle and don't intend to let their works be adapted into manga or anime or expanded into various merchandise. The ACG business chain simply cannot be rolled out.
That situation made them think of Kadokawa Bunko's one and only top-tier author, Kuangshao-sensei. Back then, it had been like this as well, worse, even. They couldn't get in touch with him at all.
"With Kayoru-sensei and Senju-sensei, we have to change their thinking, fully roll out the business chain and use it to drive traffic," Editor-in-Chief Higashiyama said, eyes narrowing. "Sanwa Bunko has been closing in recently. If we don't do something, our top spot won't be very stable."
"We can only do that."
"No helping it; in the past few months, we've had some decent works, but nothing at the very top level."
"Right. By contrast, over at Sanwa Bunko, Tanaka-sensei's new book is a big hit, with six million copies sold. If they go manga/anime and lay out the business chain, the impact won't be small."
For a moment, the group of editors began talking over one another.
"Um, Editor-in-Chief Higashiyama, we actually don't need to force Kayoru-sensei and Senju-sensei," Machida suddenly raised her hand and spoke up.
"Oh? Machida, do you have a good suggestion?" Editor-in-Chief Higashiyama looked to Machida and asked. The others also looked over.
"If we force Kayoru-sensei and Senju-sensei, it will only provoke their resistance. They're still young," Machida said evenly.
"Then what solution do you have?" Editor-in-Chief Higashiyama looked at Machida with a knowing smile. Her confident look suggested she had a better way.
"Mm. I didn't expect the timing to be this perfect, but three hours ago, Kuangshao-sensei called me," Machida nodded, the corners of her mouth lifting into a bright smile.
"Kuangshao-sensei!?" At that name, every editor, including Editor-in-Chief Higashiyama, widened their eyes, hearts thumping as they looked at Machida, all thinking of the same possibility.
"Kuangshao-sensei plans to launch a new book. He's already sent me the proposal. After carefully reading Kuangshao-sensei's proposal ten times, I can guarantee that his new book, Between the Little Garden, will set the entire ACG world on fire because it's simply too perfect," Machida said in awe.
When Machida's words landed, the entire conference room fell silent for a beat, then burst into an uproar. Everyone wore expressions of excitement.
"It's actually true!"
"Kuangshao-sensei really intends to start a new series at such a critical time."
"As expected, Kuangshao-sensei is our Kadokawa Bunko's great benefactor!"
…
All around the conference room, the editors were overjoyed.
After all, it was Kuangshao-sensei's Devil's Interlude that drew in countless readers to support Kadokawa Bunko, attracted a large number of talented authors to submit, and turned Kadokawa Bunko from barely cracking the top ten into the runaway industry leader.
"Kuangshao-sensei also said this new book will follow our Kadokawa Bunko's normal pipeline," Machida Sonoko added.
"Excellent!" Hearing that, Editor-in-Chief Higashiyama's whole face lit up; the old man was all smiles.
If it goes through the normal pipeline, who could compete with Kuangshao-sensei? Who could compete with Kadokawa Bunko?
You have to know that when Kuangshao-sensei first debuted, despite all that death-wish behaviour, he still became a legend.
"Oh, right, Kuangshao-sensei plans to open up Devil's Interlude's rights. Manga and anime adaptations can both be slated. As for Devil's Interlude's illustrator, he asked us to prepare one for him," Machida said with a grin.
Seeing the editor-in-chief and colleagues all dumbfounded, yeah, that felt great. Back then, she'd been just as shocked herself.
"This is one surprise after another!" Editor-in-Chief Higashiyama's face flushed red with excitement; he clenched his fist.
Even if Kuangshao-sensei weren't launching a new book, just opening up Devil's Interlude's rights and rolling out the ACG business chain manga, anime, etc., would already crush everything.
Add a new book on top of that, and Sanwa Bunko's Tanaka-sensei wouldn't even qualify as a rival. It's a complete stomp.
"Nice work, Machida," Editor-in-Chief Higashiyama said to Machida Sonoko with a broad smile.
"No, Editor-in-Chief, I didn't really do anything," Machida sighed. She was totally lying down and winning.
Hearing this, the other editors thought back to Kuangshao-sensei's past. Though he's a master of slacking and courting disaster, any editor who handled him had an absurdly easy time on revisions, no need for editorial intervention; absolute perfection; no edits required.
Thinking of that, the other editors looked at Machida with envy and jealousy. Who wouldn't want to rack up performance gains while lying down?
"No, Kuangshao-sensei contacted you; that shows he still recognises you as his editor," the editor-in-chief said with a smile.
"Uh…" Machida froze for a moment and didn't argue further any more, and she'd just seem ungrateful. In truth, in her heart, she muttered: if he "recognises" me, I suspect it's just that changing editors would be a hassle.
After that, Editor-in-Chief Higashiyama began discussing Kuangshao-sensei's Devil's Interlude and his new work, Between the Little Garden, putting Kuangshao-sensei completely in the top slot and pushing everything else to the side.
… …
At that time, in Shiro's room, Riku stretched, then saved his file. Knocking out a full volume in a bit over three hours, if other authors heard that, they'd probably be scared stiff.
How many years single would your hand speed have to be to manage that?
Suddenly, Riku's phone buzzed a text popped up. It was from Machida Sonoko, praising the proposal and laying out their next steps: planning to tilt a ton of resources, etc., all exactly as Riku expected.
So he just calmly replied, "Oh, got it. Thanks for the trouble."
That drew a helpless smile from Machida. Sure, he replied, but wow was that calm over the top.
Just as Riku was about to head over to Sora's place, the phone buzzed again.
This time, it was a call displaying the name "Kei-chan." It was, of course, Karuizawa Kei.
Riku smiled and picked up.
"Riku-oniichan, where are you? Do you have time right now?" Kei's voice came through, with a hint of coquettishness.
"Mm, I've got time. Kei-chan, what's up?" Riku rubbed his face and asked.
"Actually, I wanted to ask Riku-oniichan about a few math problems." In the girls' dorm at the Advanced Nurturing High School, freshly out of the bath, a white bath towel draped over her body and a large expanse of fair skin exposed, Karuizawa Kei held her phone to her ear, cheeks rosy. "I didn't really get everything in class."
"So… could I trouble Riku-oniichan to come to my dorm room?" Kei asked nervously.
"Kei-chan, this isn't home. A male teacher going to the girls' dorm to see you, no matter how you look at it, that's not great. If someone saw, wouldn't they take me for a pervy teacher?" Riku couldn't help but roast her.
Kei-chan, you're getting bolder and bolder…
Riku sighed inwardly.
"I see. Got it," Kei muttered, disappointed. She'd been planning a strong push to really close the distance, testing whether Riku saw her as a little sister or as the opposite sex.
At home, with her parents around, she'd never had a chance to be this bold.
Of course, she wasn't planning to actually cross that final line; she wasn't mentally prepared yet.
If Riku knew what Kei was thinking…
"Then… could we meet at the school's milk-tea shop?" Kei wasn't ready to give up; she still wanted a proper meetup with Riku, so she couldn't help asking.
"The milk-tea shop? Sure," Riku agreed without overthinking it.
--
"Yay, Riku-oniichan said yes!" After hanging up, Kei rolled around on her bed, cheeks flushed with delight.
Realising she needed to get ready fast, Kei tossed her phone onto the bed, sat up, and hurried to the wardrobe to pick an outfit.
For Kei, meeting Riku at the milk-tea shop at night would be a first; it totally counted as a date, right? "This one? …No." She held up a red dress, frowning. "Too bright."
After much back and forth, she settled on a light-blue T-shirt with a white skirt.
"Oh no, I wasted so much time." By the time she finished choosing, more than ten minutes had passed, and she started to panic.
She quickly got dressed, added white knee-highs to match the skirt, and…
All set, Kei-chan pulled on black long boots and hurried out of the dorm.
Just then, Kikyō Kushida, who was heading downstairs for a drink, caught sight of her leaving, all smiles.
Kushida's eyes flickered; she decided to follow.
So late at night, that dressed up, and looking that happy, something unusual had to be up.
Meanwhile, at the school's milk-tea shop, Riku calmly ordered a milk tea.
It was almost nine, but the place wasn't closed. Nights are when plenty of couples come out to hang.
"Hey, Ichinose, check him out, he's so handsome." A few girls were seated at a table not far away.
One girl nudged the blonde beside her, excited.
The girl called Ichinose had refined features and a striking presence; her long blond hair fell loosely down her back, an undeniable beauty.
"Huh? You're right." Ichinose Honami also looked over, seeing Riku with his milk tea made her heart beat a little faster.
They say first impressions matter; this was one of those times. Ichinose and her friends couldn't help but feel a favourable impression of Riku.
Honestly, any normal girl probably would.
"I wonder what class he's in same-year freshman or an upperclassman? I really want to be friends with him," another girl said, blushing.
"But I can't shake a sense of familiarity," Ichinose murmured, touching her chin.
"Hehe, Ichinose, that's classic pre-pickup talk. So you are interested," the girl on her left teased. "Can't blame you, though."
Riku glanced their way, smiled and nodded to Ichinose as a friendly greeting, then took a seat at an empty table.
"Uh… looks like we got caught," Ichinose said, embarrassed.
Being overheard talking about someone felt awkward. But since Riku didn't seem bothered, her goodwill toward him only grew.
"Ah, right, I remember now." After another look at Riku, Ichinose blinked as something she'd heard earlier that day clicked.
The D-Class homeroom teacher was supposed to be a ridiculously young, silver-haired hottie… could it be him?
With that thought, curiosity lit Ichinose's eyes.
"Sorry, wait here a sec," she told her friends. Cheerful by nature and not one for whispering behind people's backs, she headed straight toward Riku.
"See? Ichinose really is interested."
"Man, I wish I were as bold as she is."
The two friends whispered. "Forget it, we're out of our league," one sighed, thinking of his looks and their own merely "pretty" faces, suddenly feeling a bit inferior.
Maybe Ichinose was the right match; as friends, they'd just quietly support her.
"Um, may I sit here?" Ichinose asked with a smile once she reached Riku's table.
She looked lovely when she smiled; the refined features paired with that open, sunny demeanour were undeniably appealing.