A newbie's anime life diary

So, after asking Hiratsuka Shizuka for leave and receiving permission from her with a helpless look in her eyes, Yukiteru arrived at the Kadokawa Bunko editorial department on Monday afternoon.

After discussions with the editor-in-chief, Kadokawa plans to release Sword Art Online at the end of May. Before that, they will release a preview of three chapters online, which is a common practice for publishers to boost initial sales.

Regarding revenue sharing, Kadokawa's offer satisfied Yukiteru. Newcomers typically receive 10%, meaning they earn 10% of the revenue from each light novel sold. Yukiteru's contract, however, offered 15%. While this is still somewhat lower than that of the industry's top authors, it demonstrates Kadokawa's importance to Yukiteru.

The most important thing after that was Xuehui's pen name and the illustrations for the novel.

As for pen names, to be honest, Xuehui really has no talent for naming things, but on second thought, since he can't think of anything, he might as well just call himself "Kong".

It's a pity I don't have a younger sister named Bai, otherwise I'd be so awesome.

As for the illustrations, Xuehui thought about it and decided to do it himself. He had already mastered the basic drawing skills through his practice over the past few days, so drawing some character images and illustrations was no problem for him.

After taking out his sketchbook and drawing a character design of Asuna directly in front of the editor-in-chief, the editor-in-chief decided to let Yukiteru create the illustrations himself. The original work and the illustrations are by the same person. Isn't that a gimmick?

After finalizing everything and signing the agreement, Xuehui bought a drawing tablet on the way and then took a car back to Chiba.

After deducting the printing time, I only have about 20 days left to create the illustrations. Although it's not a tight schedule, it's still better to finish it as soon as possible.

Disliking procrastination, Xuehui prepared dinner after returning home, ate it alone first, and then went straight to his room to start working.

That evening, when Hiratsuka Shizuka returned home, she was surprised to find that she had to eat alone that day. However, after seeing Yukiteru engrossed in his work in his room, she felt relieved. She didn't need to worry about his grades, and now he even had his own career. Wasn't that great? She believed that his parents, if they knew in the afterlife, would be very pleased.

On Tuesday, Yukiteru finally appeared in the Service Club's office. Although he had sent a message to Yukino Yukinoshita yesterday, he did not explain the specific reason.

"Light novel publishing? I was wondering how you could give that piece of work to Zaimokuza. So you're involved in this yourself? If he finds out, he'll probably come back begging you to mentor him." Hikigaya listened to Yukiteru's explanation with an expression of sudden realization.

"This is the only thing you absolutely must not do." Xuehui shook his head and refused without even thinking.

"So Hiratsuka-kun is also writing light novels? Could it be a harem fantasy like that chuunibyou one?" After what happened last time, Yukino Yukinoshita also took the time to learn about the current information on light novels.

"No, no, no, how could they be the same? They're completely different types of novels. Hmm... let me keep it a secret for now. Kadokawa's official website should release a preview in a couple of days. You can check out Yukinoshita and Hachiman then."

Seeing Yukiteru's confident expression, Yukinoshita, unusually, did not refute him and nodded, saying, "Since Hiratsuka-kun has said so, then I will go and take a look."

Just then, the clubroom door opened, and Yui Yuigahama made a dazzling entrance, followed by Saika Totsuka, who was dressed in a tracksuit.

Honestly, even if you know beforehand that the other person is a boy, you'll still be completely charmed when you first see them.

The little angel Caijia truly lives up to her name.

"Ah-hello, Yuki, I brought a request!!!" Miss Dango cheered excitedly as soon as she entered. Because Yuki had joined the Service Club right in front of her, Miss Dango hadn't forgotten to fill out an application to join the club this time; in fact, she officially joined much earlier than expected.

After joining, Ms. Dango, who really enjoyed helping others, would often look for requests everywhere, but they were all turned away by Yukinoshita, who said they were too simple and didn't need anyone's help.

However, Miss Tuanzi was not discouraged and continued her search. Today, she brought another client.

"Ah, Hiratsuka-kun is here, and Hachiman is here too!!"

Initially a little shy, Totsuka Saika became excited upon seeing the two boys from her class. Yukiteru wasn't averse to interacting with Totsuka Saika, but to avoid irreversibly distorting his own orientation, he maintained a certain distance.

Moreover, Totsuka Saika's mind isn't on me right now. Didn't you see how different his reactions were to the two of them? When he called me, he added "kun" (a respectful form of address), but when he called Hachiman, he just called him by his first name without any other words, and there were two exclamation marks afterward!

Don't ask me how I saw it.

"Ah, well, I guess I can be considered a member of this club too." Looking at Totsuka Ayaka's fair and rosy face, Hikigaya blushed, a rare occurrence for him.

"So cute..."

At that moment, a soft murmur lingered in Hachiman's ears, causing Hachiman, who was already somewhat at a loss in front of Totsuka Saika, to subconsciously nod.

But the next moment...

"It's a pity it's a guy..."

"Hiss!!!" Mr. Hikigaya, who was instantly awakened, turned his head and looked at Yukiteru with a mischievous grin.

"You really have a terrible personality."

"Well, don't worry about it." Yukiteru patted Hachiman's shoulder without any concern and said with a smile, "Hachiman-kun, although I don't comment on other people's preferences, you should at least hold on a little longer and not fall for it so quickly."

"I'm so sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Hachiman's will is very strong." Hachiman said this, leaving the remaining two girls and Ayaka looking puzzled.

After finishing their arguing, Totsuka Saika finally revealed his request: to strengthen the tennis club, and his primary target was Hachiman Hikigaya.

Looking at Totsuka Saika's expectant eyes, Hachiman felt his half-dead heart pounding violently once again.

When was the last time I had this feeling? Ah, it was when I first came to the Service Club and met Yukino Yukinoshita, but I was immediately overwhelmed by her words and actions. After Yukiteru Hiratsuka joined, I never had this feeling again.

For some reason, the sunlight refracted through the window and shone on Mr. Hachiman's head, giving it a faint green hue.

Hmm, I feel very healthy.

Totsuka Saika's request really appealed to Hachiman Hikigaya, even though Saika was a boy. However, Yukino Yukinoshita didn't immediately agree. Although she didn't have much affection for Hachiman Hikigaya, who always had a deadpan expression and didn't seem to have any persistence in anything, he was still a member of her club. As the club president, it would be embarrassing for her to accept someone trying to poach her right in front of her.

Thinking this, Yukino Yukinoshita looked at Saika Totsuka and said, "Totsuka-kun, Hikigaya-kun is a member of my club, and he's also a client of Hiratsuka-sensei. Even if he's willing, I won't agree to your request. Besides, instead of thinking about strengthening the club members, you're thinking of using this method, which isn't a good approach."

"You can't say that. Aren't the tennis club members lacking motivation because they're third-year students? If I joined, maybe I could motivate them to work harder, and wouldn't it be much easier to achieve our goals?"

Ah, is Mr. Hachiman preparing to hurt himself? Yukiteru looked on, expressionless.

Please add to your favorites and recommend this weekend!

Chapter 19 Muscular Man Version of Caijia Little Angel?

Looking at Hachiman Hikigaya who had revealed his plan, Yukino Yukinoshita remained expressionless, just like Yukiteru, and even showed a hint of disdain.

"Hachigaya-kun, do you think someone like you can participate in group activities? Perhaps after you join, everyone will become a little more united because they have a common enemy like you, but that's just something done to eliminate you as an enemy, not to improve themselves. So it won't solve any problems. This is something I've experienced firsthand."

"Um...personal experience? What kind of experience have you had?" Hachiman Hikigaya looked at the woman in front of him.

"Xiaoxue, what's going on?" Oh no, even Miss Tuanzi is getting curious.

However, Yukino Yukinoshita seemed completely unconcerned, saying, "I'm a returnee from overseas. I transferred here in junior high. All the girls in the school were busy trying to deal with me, but not a single one of them managed to defeat me by improving themselves. Those idiots..."

"Ugh... Yuki looks so scary like this..." Hearing Yukinoshita's low voice, Yui-chan was so frightened that she shrank behind Totsuka Saika.

"In short, I'm sorry I can't agree to your request, Totsuka-san," Yukino Yukinoshita said, looking at Totsuka Saika.

"Ah, I thought so too. Making such a request all of a sudden is a bit unreasonable." Totsuka Saika was also somewhat ashamed, realizing it was wrong of her to make such a request without understanding the specific situation. "Well then, Yukinoshita-san, may I ask for a different request?"

"?"

"Assist me in my training and improve my strength," Totsuka Ayaka said earnestly, clenching her hands.

"To improve your strength?" Yukino Yukinoshita asked thoughtfully.

Totsuka Saika nodded: "If...if I become stronger, everyone will definitely be willing to work together!"

“Is that so…” Yukino Yukinoshita pondered for a moment, then stood up and looked at the other person, saying, “In that case, I accept your request. Be prepared, Totsuka-san, I’ll be very strict.”

Looking at Yukino Yukinoshita's seemingly composed smile, Totsuka Saika felt a chill in her heart: "Um, Yukinoshita-san, do you already have a plan?"

"A plan? Run until you die, swing until you die, train until you die, how about that?"

"She'll really die like this!" Mr. Hikigaya complained, as if he could already see the tragic state of Ayaka in the future.

"Devil...devil coach?" Miss Dango covered her mouth, giving Yukinoshita a new nickname.

Only Yukiteru wasn't surprised. Instead, he stretched and said, "Well, in short, training is essential. Totsuka will have to do a lot of training if he wants to improve his strength."

Yukiteru is right. Although Totsuka Saika is a member of the tennis club, his small stature means that even with skill, his stamina and physical fitness are still lacking. If he wants to achieve results, he can only train harder.

After hearing Yukiteru's words, Totsuka Saika paused for a moment, then said firmly, "I understand. I'll do my best in training!"

And so, the training centered around Totsuka Saika began.

"First comes physical training. Before each session, we run a kilometer, and then we start muscle training, including the thighs, calves, arm muscles, and the flexibility of the waist!"

Taking on the role of coach, Yukino Yukinoshita devised a series of training plans specifically for Saika Totsuka. Meanwhile, Yui Yuigahama, worried that Saika Totsuka wouldn't be able to handle it alone, also volunteered as a sparring partner.

Yukino Yukinoshita, who had originally thought that since there was already one, everyone should join in, looked at the remaining two boys.

Yukiteru said that he already had a training method provided by Hiratsuka Shizuka, which he could use for extra training at noon and after school. Then, under the watchful eyes of the others, he accompanied Totsuka Ayaka to finish running laps and continued running.

The amount of training he used to do in the mornings was no longer enough for Yuki, so he sought out Shizuka Hiratsuka, a woman skilled in martial arts. After thinking for a moment, she went to the storage room at home, took out a set of weights, and gave them to Yuki to use for training.

The weighted rings on his hands and feet, along with a weighted vest that looks thin but is actually quite heavy, weigh a total of 10 kilograms.

10 kilograms—that was the weight Hiratsuka Shizuka used during her training. Yukiteru figured he could handle it too, so he just took it with him.

Honestly, I couldn't stand it for the first couple of days. I suddenly gained 10 kilograms and had to carry it with me all the time except when I was showering or sleeping. It was so inconvenient to do anything.

However, after a week, I gradually adapted, and my physical fitness and strength gradually improved. My training volume gradually caught up with the amount before I started wearing weights.

"Hachiman, isn't it a bit unreasonable that you're the only one who hasn't trained yet?" Yukino Yukinoshita glanced at Yukiteru, who was maintaining a steady pace, and then looked down at Hachiman Hikigaya, who was not far away from her.

Although these two people usually have their own quirky interests, to be honest, in some aspects, there is no harm without comparison.

Hachiman Hikigaya's rating dropped by 3 percentage points.

"For me, one kilometer is the limit. I was dragged by Komachi to participate in a marathon before, but I was taken away by the paramedics halfway through. Since then, I have suffered from a disease that I will die if I run more than one kilometer..." Recalling the miserable state of that marathon, Hachiman Hikigaya fell into endless memories.

"Since you know your physical weaknesses, you should work harder on those areas. As a boy, your score isn't very high."

"I'm all about intelligence, so my physical abilities are lacking. And isn't there something wrong with how you address me?" Mr. Hachiman said shamelessly, looking at Yukiteru, who was still running away in the distance, with a slight frown. "His movements always seem a bit off; I noticed that before."

"It's just carrying a load, it's normal." Yukino Yukinoshita glanced at Hachiman again before explaining.

"A... a weight?" Mr. Hachiman once again refreshed his understanding of Yukiteru, finally understanding the source of the previous incongruity. People who have just put on weights will indeed feel a little uncomfortable in their behavior.

"Alright, we don't need to worry about that over there. Hiratsuka-kun's training is none of our concern." Yukino Yukinoshita withdrew her gaze and walked towards Totsuka Saika, who had just finished two sets of sit-ups and was resting, to begin the next round of arm training.

Mr. Hikigaya watched from the side, somewhat worried that the petite and adorable little angel Saika might turn into a muscle man under Yukino Yukinoshita's training.

Ah, my brain is trembling! I must find a way to stop this endless torment! I will protect the body of little angel Caijia!

Chapter 20 There's Always Someone Trying to Cause Trouble (Major Revision)

In the end, Mr. Hachiman was unable to protect the adorable body of the little angel, Saika.

Kidding.

Although Yukino Yukinoshita's training plan is very strict and demanding, it is still a set of training methods that she used before and modified. Haven't you noticed that this girl's figure has always been so slender? So Mr. Hachiman's worries are completely unnecessary.

Of course, Saika expressed that he still wanted to have some muscles, but unexpectedly, even Yukino Yukinoshita rejected his wish.

So, is Saika the gender of the little angel? She doesn't need any of that exposed muscle stuff!

The training proceeded smoothly. After completing his own training, Yukiteru would come over to help Yukino Yukinoshita correct Saika Totsuka's movements.

Hachiman Hikigaya had no experience in this area, so, not wanting to make things worse, he leisurely played with mud—no, watched ants—on the side.

I have a feeling that both of them are terrible.