The next morning, Akashi successfully met the MF Bunko editor at the Make Café.
The editor who handled his contract was a very young woman, who looked like a recently graduated university student. She had a clean demeanor and was quite beautiful.
While it might seem that interacting with such a beautiful editor was a good deal for Akashi, it was actually not ideal.
This is because, according to the customary working environment in Japan, older employees are typically assigned to handle important clients, as their age conveys a sense of stability.
Only clients that the publisher is not particularly optimistic about are assigned to rookies for the purpose of accumulating work experience.
"Excuse me, are you Wakayama Hina, the editor?"
"Huh?" The editor, Wakayama Hina, who was seated, was initially startled, then quickly stood up and replied: "...Yes, I am. And you are?"
"We corresponded via email. My name is Akashi Asuka. Nice to meet you."
"Akashi Asuka... Akashi-sensei?"
Wakayama Hina was immediately shocked. She had been a little nervous, as she had just graduated and this was her first time meeting an author alone. She was worried that she might be seen as unstable due to her young age.
But she never expected that the author she was meeting was even younger than her.
It wasn't that their publishing house never received submissions from high school students, but generally, submissions from high school or university students rarely passed the selection process due to a lack of life experience.
However, the manuscript for Cautious Hero (慎重勇者) was not yet refined, but it was certainly not childish. Many senior editors in the publishing house had unanimously believed that the author who submitted this work was a young person who had graduated a few years ago and had some writing experience.
"Wakayama, please just call me Akashi. Can I review the contract now?"
There are advantages to being young. At least when dealing with Wakayama Hina, Akashi could get straight to the point, unlike his previous life, where he had to engage in insincere pleasantries with everyone he dealt with.
"Ah... oh! Yes, no problem, Akashi-kun."
Wakayama Hina quickly regained her composure, then took out a contract and handed it over. Akashi quickly reviewed it, finding it to be a standard template contract for rookie authors.
The Japanese publishing system pays royalties to the author based on a royalty rate. The standard royalty rate for a rookie author is uniformly 10\%.
If the sales skyrocket later and the author's fame increases, the publisher will proactively raise the share, even if the author doesn't ask, to ensure the author publishes their next book with them.
"Your work, Akashi-kun, follows an unconventional path. While the subject matter is novel, the publishing house is currently uncertain about the market's acceptance of this type of novel. Given your writing skill, Akashi-kun, you could easily take the conventional route. After all, Hero novels are still very popular in the market right now," Wakayama Hina advised.
The structure of Japanese publishing houses dictates that the success of a good work is inseparable from both the author and the editor. Many rookie authors grow under the guidance of veteran editors.
Similarly, behind many famous authors is an editor who treats them like a parent.
Therefore, it was normal for Wakayama Hina, as Akashi's editor, to offer suggestions on writing. Except in very few exceptions, editors generally don't try to sabotage their authors.
After all, no one wants to lose money.
However, after considering Wakayama Hina's suggestion for only a few seconds, Akashi shook his head and said: "No. The positioning of this work has been unconventional from the very beginning."
The theme of Cautious Hero was actually a little too progressive for the current market.
However, since Akashi chose this novel, he naturally had a plan.
Akashi understood that while Hero novels were popular in the market right now, it was actually the last glimmer of their glory.
Hero themes have a long history in Japan, and over the years, this genre has been thoroughly exhausted. The only Hero novels still selling in the market are those written by veteran authors, relying on their previously accumulated fame to force sales.
If Akashi were to switch to the conventional route, with his limited writing experience, competing with those veteran authors who have been writing for years would truly be a recipe for disaster.
Seeing that Akashi had made up his decision, Wakayama Hina naturally did not press the matter further.
The two discussed a few more details about the work and then parted ways.
...
The Restroom Encounter
Tuesday afternoon.
The Karasuno High School team arrived by bus at the Aoba Johsai school gate.
Because Hinata Shouyou was overly nervous on the bus, he vomited all over Tanaka Ryuunosuke's pants, making him... even more nervous.
So, as soon as they got off the bus, several Karasuno members rushed toward the restroom.
Just as they entered the restroom, they bumped right into three Seijoh players:
Kindaichi, Yahaba, and Mishita Ryuhei.
"Hmm?"
It was the first time they met, and both groups were momentarily stunned.
After a while, Mishita Ryuhei was the first to break the silence: "Long time no see, Oda."
"Uh... It hasn't been that long, has it? It's only been two weeks since school started."
Mishita Ryuhei: "..."
"Damn it, you're the one with the big mouth."
Mishita Ryuhei was speechless for a moment, then walked over and gently fist-bumped Oda Miki.
The two looked at each other.
Then they both laughed aloud.
"Are these your teammates now?"
"Yes, this is my upperclassman in the Volleyball Club, Tanaka Ryuunosuke. And this little one is named Hinata Shouyou," Oda Miki said.
"Huh? It's you! I didn't expect you to go to Karasuno too?"
Mishita Ryuhei showed a hint of surprise upon seeing Hinata Shouyou. They had seen Hinata Shouyou during the first round of the National Qualifiers when they were observing Kitagawa Daiichi.
And Hinata Shouyou's performance at that time had left a deep impression on Mishita Ryuhei.
" ! Hey, hey, hey! Oda, who is this guy? He looks quite familiar with you!" Tanaka did his best to put on a villainous face and spoke aggressively.
Oda Miki covered his face: "Please stop doing that, Tanaka. We're here for a match, not a fight. You're making me feel awkward."
"Hahaha~~~ Oda, your current teammates are quite interesting!" Mishita Ryuhei suddenly remembered something and, finding it amusing, laughed: "That Tanaka looks like Akashi used to look."
"Oh... Pfft!"
Oda Miki also recalled Akashi when he used to be a delinquent. He hadn't found it funny initially, but comparing it to the Akashi of today, Oda Miki couldn't hold back his laughter.
"By the way, where is that guy?"
"The guy you're talking about? Knowing his personality, what else would he be doing besides training right now?"
"Training? Is he not playing in this practice match?"
"Well! The thing is..."