"Sato san, you don't need to ask me about this matter. I will definitely approve the reprint," Yui Hanada replied firmly.
"I understand," Yumiko Sato said with a smile.
"Give me the documents, and I'll sign them. Print as many copies as you think reasonable; I have no problem with that," Hanada Yui continued after a brief pause.
"Yes, I'll go back and prepare the documents," Yumiko Sato said, bowing slightly before leaving the office.
Hanada Yui watched the closed door for a moment, then remembered she had a copy of Non Non Biyori's single volume—a gift from the editorial department that she hadn't opened yet.
She walked over to her desk, retrieved the volume from the drawer, and began to read.
When she saw the village depicted in Non Non Biyori, her mind wandered to her own hometown.
Observing Renge's friends reminded her of her childhood companions.
The little girl with pigtails who always called her "sister" must have grown up by now, she thought.
Suddenly—
Knock! Knock!
A knock on the door brought her back to reality.
"Please come in," Hanada Yui called.
Her assistant entered the room.
"President, the testing of the electronic comic (/manga) app is complete. All submitted comics have been collected and can now be published online at any time," the assistant reported.
...
Future Comics was the name of the manga app.
It included versions for mobile phones as well as a web platform.
The web version had been completed some time ago and contained most of Future Comics' serialized titles.
According to Akira, part of the serialized manga would be available for free, while the remaining content required payment using comic points.
Comic points were essentially a virtual currency obtained by charging real money.
Once users consumed comics, their accounts would be upgraded, granting privileges distinct from ordinary readers, including special comment sections.
Spending a certain amount of money allowed users to exchange points in the Future Comics Mall for various merchandise from the publishing house.
Additionally, the system featured reward mechanisms and bestseller rankings.
After receiving this news and testing the software, Hanada Yui immediately contacted Akira.
In reply to her, He only said one sentence:
"First publicize it, then work it out gradually."
After hanging up, Hanada Yui began contacting advertisers immediately.
Once the pricing was agreed upon, her assistant entered with news that surprised her.
"An advertiser wants to help us promote Future Comics' manga app, and they offered a very low price," the assistant said cautiously.
"Are you sure?" Hanada Yui frowned.
"I've verified it. There's more than one call, and the companies are legitimate." The assistant said as she handed over the recorded phone numbers and company details.
Hanada Yui quickly searched their contact information.
Within minutes, she confirmed that the calls were concentrated in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. A thought struck her as she looked at her assistant.
"Sign the contract according to their price."
"Yes, President." The assistant bowed and left.
Hanada Yui hesitated for a moment, then called Yukinoshita Haruno.
After listening, Haruno smiled.
"Just as you suspected, someone is helping Future Comics Publishing House. You see, they admire Akira Fujimiya very much. And there's no need to worry about ulterior motives."
"Understood," Hanada Yui breathed a sigh of relief.
"The Yukinoshita family also has advertising channels. I'll ask them to contact you," Haruno added.
"Thank you very much," Hanada Yui replied promptly.
.....
In the afternoon, school ended—
Akira stayed on the tennis court for an hour before heading back to Sakurasou.
On the way, he received a message from Yumiko Sato:
"Pre-order numbers: 300,000."
Akira put his phone away, no longer surprised.
By the end of the lunch break, Yumiko Sato sent an updated message: the total printed copies this time were one million. Orders from bookstores continued to rise. The books would be delivered to major bookstores by Friday for immediate sale.
The online store had increased its staff to manage the demand. Once 24 hours were up, sales would officially begin.
Pre-orders didn't equal actual sales, but many people would purchase multiple copies, potentially inflating the volume several times over.
.....
Back at Sakurasou,
Akira took a shower and changed into new clothes.
After he told her that he was going to Future Comics Publishing House, Saki Kawasaki ended her tutoring early and changed into her professional attire.
Akira glance at her outfit silently and walked out the door.
Saki caught up quickly, as they walked to the station together.
Akira slightly reached out his hand—
"Next year, you can take the driving test," Akira said, holding her hand gently.
"I… I haven't planned to buy a car yet," Saki Kawasaki admitted after a moment.
"As my assistant, you can't be without a car. If you have a license, I'll naturally buy one for you," Akira replied, without hesitation.
"I…"
"When the time comes, we can drive to the beach at night. I want to lie in the car and watch the stars."
"....I understand," Saki Kawasaki whispered softly.
Seeing her agreement, Akira leaned closer and whispered something in her ear.
Her face immediately turned red, and she averted her gaze.
They arrived at the station and boarded the train. Akira sat next to Saki Kawasaki, watching the scenery pass by.
"If… if I hadn't met you, I wouldn't have noticed the scenery outside the train," Saki Kawasaki said quietly.
"...Busy people don't stop to appreciate things that don't fill their stomachs," Akira observed, glancing at a dozing office worker across from them.
"...I'm grateful for that," she said softly, leaning against his shoulder.
"How grateful?" Akira asked, looking at her.
Her face felt hot as she whispered closer to him.
After hearing her words, Akira smiled faintly and rested a hand on her slender waist. Saki Kawasaki blushed and nestled closer into his arms.
.....
They arrived at Future Comics Publishing House,
Akira went straight to the editorial department.
Where Yumiko Sato poured him a cup of tea and updated him about the major bookstores in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto ordering Non Non Biyori's single volume.
Akira immediately suspected the involvement of the young lady who had lent him 50 billion yen; she was likely orchestrating the regional pre-orders.
Knock! Knock!
A knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," Yumiko Sato called.
Tamura Nanako entered, holding a cell phone with a strange expression as she glanced at Akira.
"What's wrong?" Yumiko asked.
"Please look at this," Nanako said, handing over her phone.
Yumiko's eyes widened when she saw the message. The next second, she looked at Akira in surprise.
"Akira Fujimiya, do you know Her Royal Highness the Princess?" Yumiko Sato asked.
Akira frowned.
He looked at her phone and saw the message clearly: the princess, unknown to him, had recommended Non Non Biyori from Future Comics Weekly to the media, claiming it was interesting and introduced to it by a friend.
Immediately, Akira remembered the young lady who had lent him the massive sum.
There was no doubt—she had arranged this recommendation. Anyone capable of becoming friends with Her Royal Highness the Princess was certainly no ordinary person.
"Fujimiya… you…" Nanako's eyes were fixed on him.
"I don't know Her Royal Highness the Princess. Maybe it's just a reader who liked my book and helped me," Akira said calmly.
"I see… then I feel relieved," Nanako replied, exhaling.
"This should had already become a news. I'll use my account to publish a message thanking the princess for her support," Akira instructed.
"Understood," Nanako said, putting her phone away and preparing to send the message.
"Fujimiya-kun, it seems your book may surpass the current number one on the bestseller list," Yumiko Sato added with a smile.
Akira didn't show much reaction.
He simply instructed her to prepare for additional printings.
Yumiko noticed he seemed lost in thought and wisely remained silent.
....
Leaving Yumiko Sato's office, Akira pondered the pros and cons of the recent developments.
He considered the young lady's involvement and the overwhelming pre-orders.
Looking at it optimistically, she might have acted simply out of goodwill and admiration for his work, without expecting anything in return.
...
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