Chapter 80: Machida Sonoko Gets Stimulated
Listening to Kaede recount some of the things that happened after he met Eriri, although it felt like being force-fed dog food, Utaha still gained something for her light novel writing.
The taxi soon arrived at the Bunko building. After paying a considerable fare, the two got out of the car.
Upon entering the editorial department, Editor Nakajima was quite surprised to see Kaede suddenly arrive.
"Finished the new volume?"
"Not that fast! Why do you always assume I'm here to give you a manuscript whenever I show up?!"
Kaede felt exasperated, wishing he hadn't come.
Editor Nakajima chuckled, "I can't help it! You always submit your new volumes so early. Unless you tell me in advance that you have something else, when you come here, isn't it always to submit a manuscript?"
"...So it's my fault?"
"No, no, it's good that you, Kaede, are willing to come and sit for a while. Have a seat first, I'll go get you something to drink. Coffee is fine, right? And Kasumiko-sensei? Coffee for you too?"
Machida Sonoko also stood up at this moment and quickly said, "Nakajima-senpai, I'll go prepare it."
This kind of thing was more suitable for her, as a junior, to do.
However, Editor Nakajima waved his hand carelessly and said with a smile, "It's fine, it's fine, I'll go. Machida, why don't you tell Kasumiko-sensei about the recent sales of her light novel?"
Seeing Editor Nakajima walk out directly, Machida Sonoko had no choice but to sit down and look at Utaha, saying, "Then, Utaha-chan, you're here today to ask about the light novel sales, right? Hehe, they're very good! Wait a moment, I'll get you the statistics sheet!"
She scooted her chair to her desk, found a freshly printed document, and handed it to Utaha.
"Come, take a look yourself. Although sales a few days ago were only average among new novels in recent years, after more online reviews came in, and with Kaede-kun and Kashiwagi Eri-sensei promoting it for you, sales have seen a leap. The Bunko estimates that the first print run will likely be sold out within the next two months, and then a reprint will be ordered. Congratulations, Utaha-chan, you'll soon be a rich lady!"
Looking at the statistics on the table, Utaha showed a joyful expression. Becoming a rich lady wasn't the main thing; what Utaha wanted most was for her novel to be popular, to be seen and loved by more people.
Kaede leaned over to look at the statistics on the table, nodding and saying, "Hmm, it's really good, especially considering the limited subject matter of your novel, Senpai. It seems now that as long as the writing is good and the plot is solid, there's a lot of potential. And Senpai's novel also has good potential for future animation. Editor Machida, have you considered applying for an anime adaptation for Senpai's novel?"
"It's too early for that."
Waving her hand, Machida Sonoko said, "We'll have to wait until Utaha-chan's novel has three or four volumes out before we can decide. Wasn't your konosuba, Kaede-kun, only confirmed for animation after the fifth volume was released? However, for Utaha-chan's love metronome, as long as her current outline doesn't change, the difficulty of animation is indeed not high; the main storyline is quite clear."
Hearing their conversation, Utaha put down the table and said, "Anime adaptation, that's something I don't even dare to think about right now. I haven't even finished writing the second volume."
"Take your time, Utaha-chan, you don't need to rush."
Just then, Editor Nakajima returned with coffee.
After handing coffee to Kaede and Utaha, Editor Nakajima sat down and asked with a smile, "Speaking of which, Kaede-kun, you haven't said why you came over today."
Sipping his coffee, Kaede replied, "Nothing much, I just came to check in since I had nothing to do, but Editor Nakajima, you don't seem busy either."
"Idle… Didn't you join a club? I remember it was the Art Club?"
Utaha, not one to shy away from adding to the fun, joined the conversation with a smile, saying, "He's not idle. It's mainly because Eriri went to submit her manga to Jump today, and Asakura-kun, though he doesn't say it, is actually too worried to go to his club."
"Oh~~~ Is that so?" Editor Nakajima listened, immediately nodding like an experienced person, looking at Kaede with relief, "Kaede-kun, this is youth! You must work hard so you don't regret it later!"
Machida Sonoko was the same, looking at Kaede with a gossipy smile.
"…"
Kaede stiffly turned his head and looked at Utaha, saying, "Senpai, please don't be so talkative, okay? You're not supposed to be such a chatterbox."
"Oh dear, I'm so sorry. It's mainly because I heard so much from Asakura-kun in the car earlier that I felt a bit stuffed and couldn't help but want to let some of it out."
So, it's my fault?
Sure enough, this guy can't be trusted. I need to be more careful when I speak in the future.
Noticing Kaede's expression, Utaha immediately put her hands together and said, "Sorry, sorry, it's my fault. But I believe Editor Nakajima and Editor Machida won't say anything, right?"
Both editors nodded repeatedly. Editor Nakajima said, "Don't worry, I, an old man, won't do anything annoying. I'll quietly cheer for you from the sidelines, Kaede-kun."
And Machida Sonoko, after her initial gossip, showed a conflicted expression: "Why does a young girl like Eriri have someone pursuing her? I graduated from college years ago and still don't have a boyfriend. I really want to have a sweet romance too!!!"
Sorry, we really can't help with that.
The three of them looked at Machida Sonoko, who had fallen into a slump, and decided not to continue that topic.
"However, submitting a manga to Jump is no easy feat,"
Editor Nakajima said with a sigh, "I know a few editors there, and Jump's review process for manga is very strict; they don't care about the author's previous fame."
Kaede nodded, "Eriri knows all this. Today was just an attempt to understand her shortcomings, and she's maintaining a pretty good mindset."
"Haha, it's good to have that mindset. And being a mangaka is quite tiring. This is also a good opportunity to understand it and be mentally prepared. Just reading interviews with mangakas online isn't enough to cover everything."
After chatting with Editor Nakajima for a while about the Bunko's recent new submissions and discussing the future arrangements for his novel, it was getting late.
After saying goodbye and leaving the Bunko building, and separating from Utaha to walk home alone, Kaede finally received a message from Eriri.
Eriri: [As expected, it didn't pass, hehehe.]
Although there was nothing wrong with her tone, Kaede knew that Eriri wasn't truly unaffected.
After thinking for a moment, he still called Eriri.