"Are you free today? If it's convenient, let's go to Immortal River Publishing House together."
In the student union room after school, the girl said this concisely and concisely.
"Now?" Kato Yusuke, who was reviewing the documents, raised his head and asked.
"Well, Miss Machida will be waiting for us there."
"good."
After hearing her words, Yusuke was very straightforward. He temporarily put down the survey about students' opinions on the school and stood up to start packing.
Everyone's reaction to this varied.
Yinglili asked strangely: "Hey, what are you going to do? What about the work of the student union?"
"Of course you are doing something more in line with adults, well, although you may not understand it well, Sawamura." Shiyu smiled ambiguously, whetting her appetite.
Kato Yusuke packed up his things, told Hui to go back today, and then left the school with Shiyu.
Fusugawa Publishing House located in Jimbocho, like the private Toyosaki Academy, also belongs to Chiyoda Ward.
Because the two places were not far apart, Kato Yusuke wanted to take a train there, but Shiyu directly waved and hailed a taxi.
The driver, who was wearing a neat black suit, got out of the car and opened the rear door for the two of them.
"Time is of the essence, this is faster."
The girl sat on it very proudly and moved her body inside, leaving a space for one person.
"Come up quickly."
"..."
Kato Yusuke had no objection to this and simply sat on it.
The driver uncle closed the door and returned to the driving seat.
"Where are you going?"
"Go to the Immortal River Building in Jimbocho. Thank you."
The vehicle started moving smoothly.
After getting in the car, Yusuke placed his shoulder bag between the two of them, with the right side of his body slightly pressed against the car door.
Rustling.
There was a slight movement accompanied by clothing rubbing against the seat.
Shiyu moved closer, bringing a faint fragrance.
The graceful figure has proud double peaks, showing graceful and moving curves.
The soft semi-circular E cup is wrapped under a soft sailor suit, causing many tiny horizontal wrinkles in the outer vest.
"Before arriving at the destination, let me briefly introduce the situation to you."
"good."
Kato Yusuke took his eyes away from the scenery outside the window and turned around to look.
The girl was sitting in the center of the back row, invading his side slightly, only being blocked by her shoulder bag.
The rear space, which should have been very spacious for two people, was now slightly crowded as if three people were sitting there.
Shiyu seemed oblivious to this, her two thighs covered in black pantyhose were brought together, with her knees facing him.
Start talking.
"I have inquired with Shueisha. Since you have no experience in serializing works, the price quoted is 9,000 yen per piece."
"The advantage is that the popularity will increase to a certain extent in the future, and the youth comic has a huge audience, but all copyrights of the work belong to Shueisha."
"I also got the business card of a deputy editor in the editorial department of "Jump" where you want to submit your article."
Shiyu said and handed over a business card.
"This person is a veteran editor in the industry. He has rich experience and can give a lot of advice to newcomers. If he is here, he can help control the direction. He has a good reputation among comic book authors."
Kato Yusuke reached out and took the business card, nodded but said nothing.
There was some unfinished meaning in the girl's words, so he just waited quietly for the next step.
Seeing this, Shiyu couldn't help but smile knowingly and continued.
"Then you have another option, which is the "Undead" comic magazine inside Undead River."
"Although it is not as big as "Jump", it is still an established magazine that has been standing for many years among the youth comics magazines. Its shortcoming is that its sales volume is mediocre."
"But the good thing is that you will have a high degree of freedom here. Although it is not absolute, as long as it is not a random scribbling, no one will make irresponsible remarks on you."
"As for the original manuscript fee, the price is 15,000 yen per page. In addition, there is room for negotiation on the copyright of the work. At least it is an exclusive serialization of the comic, and you can retain other copyrights."
"You can take this time to think carefully about which side to choose."
After the girl finished speaking, she sat upright, said nothing, and acted as if she would never interfere, quietly waiting for his decision.
But is this really necessary to consider?
Let’s not talk about the difference in manuscript fees between 9,000 and 15,000.
The degree of freedom in creation is also completely different.
Perhaps some new cartoonists would prefer to have an experienced editor to help them control their works to prevent the plot from getting out of control.
However, Kato Yusuke is not included in this list. After all, he has a complete set of works in his mind. It does not matter to him whether there is anyone to give guidance, because he does not need guidance.
Not to mention the possibility of retaining rights to copyrights other than comics, which alone is already very convincing.
Kato Yusuke closed his eyes and thought for a while, crumpled the business card belonging to the deputy editor of "Jump" and whispered.
"I'll listen to you."
"oh……"
Shiyu nodded his head reservedly, his expression seemed very dull, and he just quietly clenched his fists on his knees.
Although she seemed to be very fair on the surface, she even thoughtfully explained the strengths and weaknesses of the two editorial departments, allowing him to make his own decision.
However, from beginning to end, there was only one answer she gave.
——That is to trick this little boy into the Immortal River and bring him into her territory.
As a result, the two are bound to have more intersections because of work.
Although the light novel editorial department and the manga editorial department are not on the same floor, they are actually just one upstairs and downstairs.
Even if he doesn't take the initiative to come to me, can't I go and look for him?
Shiyu was constantly calculating in her heart, and she was as excited as if she had wings.
Even at this moment, she couldn't help but thank Akane Kurisaka.
After all, if the other party hadn't interfered with it, she wouldn't have had such a fair chance to tie Yusuke Kato to her side openly.
Therefore, this gratitude is indeed real, but the vigilance and suspicion in my heart are also real.
Although she was "coaxed" by Kato Yusuke with a bowl of miso soup and instant noodles that day, she did not forget the ambiguous part of his words.
As a top figure in the industry.
Shiyu didn't think Akane Benisaka had enough reasons to do such "motivating" behavior towards Yusuke Kato.
This was a vague intuition without any concrete evidence to support it, and even her knowledge of Akane Benisaka was limited to rumors.
However, I was a little defensive for no reason.
She always felt that that woman had some secret plans, and she had to be on guard against her.
Amid such complex emotions, time passed quickly...
…
"Here we are, guest."
The taxi stopped in front of the Immortal River Building.
The two people who had paid the fare got out of the car one after another.
Kato Yusuke stopped where he was and looked at the tall office building in front of him for a moment.
The dark glass shines under the orange-yellow sunlight, reflecting some dazzling white light.
The scene from three weeks ago popped up in my mind.
His eyes were slightly absent-minded.
"Kato-san?" Shiyu took two steps forward and found that he hadn't followed, so she turned around and called out.
"...Well, here we come." Yusuke, who had come back to his senses, agreed, then raised his feet and chased after him.
The girl is in front and he is behind.
The two walked into the building together and waited in front of the elevator.
Wearing uniforms, they seemed a bit out of place among a group of adults in suits and ties.
Shiyu was very calm about this, and took him in the elevator with familiarity to the floor where the light novel editorial department was located.
In the second conference room on this floor.
Kato Yusuke met Machida Enko, a woman in a suit whom he had met once at a book signing event in Waho City.
"Oh~ Is this the teacher Eromanga? Please introduce it to me quickly, Xiaoshi."
"...That's ridiculous, please be quiet, Miss Machida."
Shiyu complained like this, with a rare expression on his face that showed a bit of weariness, as if he was helpless against this person.
"Oh~~ After all, I've been looking forward to meeting him for a long time. Just one piece of fan art has doubled the sales of his poems. You can't overestimate such a valuable artist, right?"
The female's lilting voice was filled with undisguised excitement.
She has neat short hair and light makeup on her face. She is wearing a neat black skirt suit and low heels. She looks very neat and active.
"Do you really want to talk about the Newcomer Award writer selected by your company to such an unbearable level...?"
Shiyu complained first, and then introduced the two of them.
"Anyway, Kato-san. This is my editor, Ms. Machida Enko, who is also the deputy editor-in-chief of the editorial department; and then, this is my junior student and guidance counselor, Kato Yusuke."
"Hello, Miss Machida." Kato Yusuke took the initiative to extend a hand and shook it.
"Hello~ Can I just call you Kato-chan?" Machida Enko smiled broadly, not unlike a woman in her late thirties.
"Can."
"Hmm~~ He is indeed a very handsome boy. Ah, speaking of which, are you willing to accept an illustration commission for a light novel?
I’m ashamed to say it, but actually we have a lot of authors here who are waiting for support, and we will definitely give you the best treatment in terms of price!”
"——Ms. Machida." Shiyu on the side took over the conversation, "Kato-kun, that's not why he came today. Isn't the person in charge of the manga department here yet?"
"It will be here soon. Please sit down for a moment."
As Machida Enzi said this, she motioned for the two of them to sit down.
There is a spacious long table in the conference room.
Kato Yusuke and Shiwa sat on one side, while Machida Enko sat alone on the other side.
While waiting, several people chatted.
The evil-minded deputy editor asked again about the illustration commission.
Yusuke did not refuse and nodded in agreement.
After all, he is currently heavily in debt, so it would be a good thing to have more income.
The atmosphere became more harmonious.
Machida Enko's attitude towards him became more and more friendly.
Almost 10 minutes passed.
A middle-aged man wearing square-rimmed glasses and a plaid shirt, who looked more like a programmer than a comic editor, walked into the conference room.
After introduction.
Kato Yusuke learned that the other person was the deputy editor-in-chief of the manga editorial department. However, when facing Machida Enko of the same level, he put himself at a lower level.
Although it is only a small aspect.
But this also reflects from the side how humble the comic magazines owned by Immortal River are.
Kato Yusuke doesn't care about these. After all, whether it's a light novel or a comic, in the end, you still have to read the content.
Including Akane Benisaka, who is now famous, he also started his rise from a small publishing house when he first debuted.
As long as the content is good enough, it will not be affected no matter where it is serialized.
Akane Hongsaka is the best example.
He listened silently to Mr. Kimura...that is, the deputy editor of the comics department, praising Machida Enko, and he couldn't help but think of Akane Kousaka.
By accident, he seemed to be on the same path as his opponent before he started.
I always feel a little arranged...
This made Kato Yusuke a little irritable for no reason, but it didn't show on his face.
Shiyu, who was sitting next to him, glanced at him, and then looked at the person opposite - the deputy editor of the comics department who had not yet gotten to the point.
His eyes became thoughtful.
Then he let out a cough just loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Ahem...Ms. Machida."
Machida Enko, who was exchanging social remarks with Kimura, immediately looked over.
Shiyu said in a calm but serious tone: "Kato-san and I will discuss the new volume of the novel later."
This kind of behavior of interrupting other people's conversations is very abrupt, but she still does it, as if she is going her own way, but also like something else.
Kato Yusuke turned to look at her, with some undetectable waves in his eyes, but it was fleeting.
As the person who knew Shiyu best, Machida Enko immediately understood what she meant and spoke to Kimura in a joking manner.
"I'm really sorry, Editor-in-Chief Kimura. As you can see~~ My precious writer is a high school student who doesn't know the rules yet. I'm sorry, let's chat later."
Kimura first glanced at Shiyu, then looked at her, smiled and nodded in agreement.
"It should be so. After all, Teacher Kasumi Shiko is the pearl of our Immortal River Library. I'm sorry, I said too much."
"Oh, if you praise her so much, she might become more willful in the future, and I will have a headache then."
After all, I got to the point smoothly.
Kimura looked at Kato Yusuke and asked, "Have you brought the manuscript with you? This teacher."
"have."
Yusuke nodded in affirmation and took out a USB flash drive from his pocket, which contained the manuscript of the first episode that he had drawn in advance.
"Is there a printer?"
Machida Enzi couldn't help but smile: "What do you think? Kato-chan, you must know that this is the editorial department? Give me the USB flash drive and I will arrange it."
Kato Yusuke then handed over the USB flash drive and said thank you.
Machida Enko walked to the door with the USB flash drive, handed it to an employee who looked like an assistant, and then returned to her seat and sat down.
Not long after, the assistant walked in with the printed manuscript and USB flash drive.
I don’t know if it was Machida Enko’s order, but the assistant printed four copies of the manuscript, and was so considerate that even Kato Yusuke prepared his own copy.
The assistant who divided the manuscripts turned and left.
Except for Yusuke, the other three people all read through the works in their hands...