Chapter 281: HSO!
Today's lunch was packed by themselves, but upon everyone's invitation, Kaede and Eriri still brought their lunch boxes and came to the cafeteria to eat with the group.
After bringing back the pork cutlet bowl he bought at the cafeteria, Kitamura Yusaku glanced at Kaede and Eriri's lunch boxes, which were identical except for the portion size, and immediately made a sour, jealous sound: "Tsk tsk tsk, I feel like I shouldn't have invited you two over. It's truly enviable."
Pouring a bowl of miso soup from the thermos for Eriri, Kaede smiled and said, "Isn't this ultimately your fault? I was originally planning to eat with Eriri in the Art Club."
"No way. Yesterday, you two snuck off and found somewhere else to eat. We can't keep doing this." Usami also spoke up, "If Eriri doesn't come, Taiga always runs off with Minori and won't come back, leaving me as the only girl. That's really awkward, you know?"
"Hmm... it really seems that way?"
Eriri looked around, observed the cafeteria, and said, "Where is Utaha? It's already lunchtime, why isn't she here?"
"She's probably revising her manuscript somewhere." Kaede leisurely started eating while saying, "I talked to Editor Nakajima on the phone yesterday afternoon, and I heard Editor Machida complaining about the manuscript Kasumigaoka-senpai had just submitted. I guess there are quite a few places that need revision."
"Eh~~ Did she write the new volume poorly? I haven't asked her about this recently; I thought everything was progressing smoothly!" Eriri took a sip of soup, squinting comfortably, and said, "She hasn't mentioned anything about research lately, but I didn't expect her writing to be unsatisfactory."
Kaede ate while taking out his phone and sending a message to Machida Enko. He quickly received an affirmative reply from her.
"Editor Machida replied to me. There are indeed quite a few problems with the manuscript, but they aren't issues with the plot structure; rather, they are problems with writing logic. I estimate the Senior often writes late at night, perhaps a bit delirious. She's likely revising the manuscript in some corner right now."
Hearing Kaede's words, Usami opposite couldn't help but laugh: "It seems the life of a light novel author isn't that easy."
"Of course, especially young ones like us. We can't compare to those old hands who slack off from time to time." Kaede shrugged. "I'm okay, after all, my debut work was very smooth, and it's already been adapted into an anime. But compared to me, the Senior had a harder start because of her work's genre. Plus, the Bunko has plans to cultivate her, so the editor will definitely keep a tighter watch. It's tough on the Senior; she's not the type who likes being restricted."
Everyone nodded in agreement. Having spent the last half year interacting with this famous Senior from their school, everyone knew that Utaha was the type to be quite spontaneous. She might suddenly get inspiration while chatting and pull out a notebook to jot it down. Aside from her occasional sharp tongue, she had the demeanor of a literary young woman.
Having such a Senior revise her manuscript under the editor's close scrutiny must certainly be depressing for her.
Imagining the long-legged, black-stockinged Senior typing away while eating a rice ball, everyone couldn't help but smile knowingly.
After all, who among those present hadn't been roasted by her once or twice?
Kaede glanced at the radish Eriri was putting on his plate, glared at her, and then, under Eriri's wide smile, put a piece of his chicken wing onto her plate. He continued, "Anyway, the Senior most likely won't show up today. According to the message Editor Nakajima just sent me, she's going to be very busy. He might even have to consider a second signing event at the end of the year or the beginning of next year."
"Another one?"
"Yes." Speaking of this, Kaede also showed a playful smile. "Perhaps seeing her success, several publishers have launched similar light novels targeting female readers in the past two months. They are also directly promoting that the authors are female, clearly intending to challenge her."
Although he rarely went to the Bunko, Kaede kept himself updated on the recent developments in the industry. While one's skill is the most important thing in this line of work, it's also crucial to understand the real-time industry situation.
Usami realized, "That's right. I occasionally see recommendations for similar novels, and I've seen them when I go to the bookstore. I've read the preview content, but compared to the Senior's writing style, I feel they fall quite short."
Eriri happily ate the chicken wing and nodded, saying, "Utaha is a genuine academic genius; her literary foundation is definitely high. She's not someone that other publishers can just pull two unknown minor authors to write something to compete with. It's a shame there are so many people like this; they see one success, think they can make money, and start replicating the operation. It's destined not to last. However, Fushikawa is also refusing to be outdone, not even giving others a chance to climb up by grasping their pant legs."
Scrolling through the information on his phone, Kaede said, "Fushikawa is a well-ranked light novel publisher in the industry. If the opponents make a move, they naturally can't ignore it. However, I didn't expect the Senior to agree to hold a signing event. It looks like she doesn't want to lose either."
Moreover, Kaede didn't think Utaha would lose. Setting aside the quality of her work, if the opponents brought out some "beautiful author" persona, if Utaha were truly pushed, all she would need to do is snap a simple selfie and post it—that would be the ultimate move. She herself is the biggest trump card.
This move, this move is about waiting for the opponent to strike, dismantling each move as it comes, leaving the opponent completely frustrated.
"Buzz~~"
The sudden vibration of a phone attracted everyone's attention at the dining table; it was Kaede's phone ringing again.
"Ah, it's Senior Shirogane!"
The corners of Kaede's mouth curled up involuntarily as he opened the message.
"Pfft!!!"
Eriri, who was already beside Kaede, saw him laugh, leaned over, and instantly burst into laughter too: "Pffft ha ha ha! Ho... Ho... Ugh..."
The original vulgar comment was barely swallowed back, but Eriri's eyes were fixed firmly on the phone screen.
Kaede hadn't expected Shirogane Miyuki to send the photos right away—it was only lunchtime. It seemed he had free time during lunch.
In the photo, Ishigami Yuu, who was not short to begin with, was wearing a Shuchiin girls' uniform. Since the uniform belonged to Shinomiya Kaguya, although he could wear it, it looked a bit small, giving it a tight-fitting feel.
Oddly enough, his hairstyle covered half his face. Looking at him from the side, combined with his already decent looks and tall figure, it actually seemed plausible?
It was just his somewhat lifeless, defeated eyes that were a bit distracting.
Sniffling, Eriri suppressed her laughter and couldn't help but give a thumbs up.
"NICE!"