Tokyo: Oreimo

"Well then, I'll get straight to the point, Editor Hayakawa."

After Takagi Ryosuke sat down, he prepared to state his purpose directly.

"I plan to collaborate with my younger sister on a comic book, and we will submit it to her editor for review today."

"Huh?!"

Although Hayakawa Rumi was prepared and had a premonition, she still felt dizzy when Ryosuke actually said it.

This decision was made in advance, right? The fact that Saito was asked to review it means that at least the initial writing was done.

Oh no, my partner is really going to be poached.

That's way too fast! Did Hattori's mouth get blessed at a temple?

Is this what you wanted to say in person? Is it because it affected the creation of "Kino's Journey" and squeezed out the time? It's probably going to be on hiatus when the third volume is finished?

Hayakawa Rumi couldn't help but think in this direction. She froze on the spot, opening her mouth but not knowing what to say.

"Get your act together, Hayakawa Rumi! We should be encouraging Shigawa-sensei to focus on her novel right now!"

Even though she kept encouraging herself, she couldn't bear the blow for a while.

'He probably found out about his sister's manga royalties.'

Hayakawa Rumi covered her face with her hands, forcing herself to hold back her tears.

She has a clear understanding of this.

As Takuya Hattori said, in this era, comics are more profitable than novels, and a bestselling comic artist earns many times more than a novelist.

As Ryosuke Takashiro's editor, she had naturally read his works in their entirety.

"With Shigaze-sensei's writing talent, if he really switched to writing manga scripts, he would probably be very successful."

As an editor, she should let Ryosuke focus on writing his novel, but as a friend, she should never hinder him from developing in a better direction.

Moreover, he is a benefactor.

Hayakawa Rumi forced a smile, her hands resting on her knees, her shoulders trembling slightly.

"It's alright. I wish you all the best in your writing, Shi Yuze. Even if Kino's Journey is temporarily suspended, it's okay. The manuscript for Volume 3 can hold out for a while. I will try my best to prevent this work from being canceled at the serialization meeting."

If a new author's updates are inconsistent, the editorial department will lower their priority. Unless it is a best-selling work, there is a high probability that it will be canceled prematurely.

'We should try to find new authors before Shi Yuze officially goes on hiatus, so they can stay in the editorial department.'

The idea had just been born in Hayakawa Rumi's mind when she immediately overturned it herself.

'What are you dreaming about? New authors aren't easy to find, and even if they were, it wouldn't be my turn!'

'He'll definitely lose his job because of this, right? He was so lucky to win the gold prize for best new author, but because he didn't maintain it properly, the author has to go on hiatus...'

Huh, why did it turn to ash?

Ryosuke Takagi sat opposite her, his face full of bewilderment; she seemed very strange about his demeanor.

I clearly didn't mean to tease her.

Seeing that the atmosphere was not right, Ryosuke quickly spoke up.

“I never said I was going on hiatus, Editor Hayakawa.”

"Huh? But didn't you say you were going to create a comic with your younger sister, Mr. Shi Yuze?"

"That won't take up much of my energy. Besides, I'm almost finished writing the fourth volume of Kino's Journey. I estimate I can submit it before winter break."

"What did Teacher Yuze mean when he and I discussed it face-to-face back then...?"

"Isn't it only natural to tell the editor about this situation of writing two works simultaneously? I assure you it won't affect the updates of 'Kino's Journey' or the creation of subsequent new works."

Upon hearing Ryosuke's explanation, Hayakawa Rumi couldn't help but redden her eyes, and tears welled up uncontrollably.

Why are you crying?

Ryosuke was somewhat at a loss.

I don't think I said anything offensive, did I?

"It has nothing to do with Teacher Shiyuze, I'm just a little scared."

Hayakawa Rumi realized she had lost her composure and tried hard to control her emotions, wiping away tears with her hands.

She just didn't expect to be so lucky.

The pressure she had been under due to the fear of losing her job suddenly dissipated, causing her to lose control of herself.

"Hmm? So what are you afraid of?"

After Ryosuke waited until she gradually calmed down, he asked curiously.

"I thought Shigaze-sensei was planning to switch careers to writing manga scripts, so..."

"I see. Don't worry, I will take responsibility for my work."

Ryosuke suddenly realized.

No wonder Hayakawa Rumi waited for him downstairs after receiving his text message.

He had originally planned to accompany Ling Nai to meet with Editor Saito before talking to her about this matter.

So this is because they're worried that if they get distracted, they'll ruin the whole "Kino's Journey" movie.

However, her editor seemed far less mature than she appeared; her normal reaction should have been anger.

From an editor's perspective, it is indeed a major taboo for an author to publish two works simultaneously, as it makes it difficult to guarantee the quality of both works.

Why did I end up scaring myself to tears?

Hayakawa Rumi stopped crying, took a deep breath, and placed her hand on her firm chest.

"I apologize to you for my mistaken idea, Mr. Shi Yuze."

"It's ok."

Ryosuke didn't care.

"It's wonderful to be Shi Yuze's editor."

"Ah, me too."

Ryosuke Takagi couldn't help but laugh out loud.

If it were any other editor, they would probably have gone on and on, trying to persuade him to focus on writing the novel, right?

Having an editor who cries so easily doesn't seem so bad?

Chapter 23 Reviewing

The manga editing department on the 32nd floor of the Kadokawa Building.

Takashiro Ryou sat somewhat reservedly in the small conference room.

A man wearing leopard-print glasses pushed open the door and entered. He looked to be in his thirties. He had a notebook tucked under his arm and was carrying two coffee cups in his hands.

He placed one of the coffee cups in front of Ling Nai.

"Nice to meet you, Professor Takashiro. Please take good care of me."

The person who arrived was none other than Ritsu Saito, who would later become the editor in charge of "Moon Witch Transformation".

Takashiro Ryouno also politely stood up and greeted him.

"It is I. Please take good care of me, Editor Saito."

"No need to be so polite. It is my honor to be entrusted with a best-selling work. As a member of Kadokawa, I should apologize to you for what happened to you before."

Saito pulled out a chair opposite the conference table, sat down, and placed his laptop on the table.

Takashiro Ryou was a little nervous. Although the other person was smiling, she still felt like she was facing a parent.

Saito Ritsu's seasoned professional career had cultivated a certain aura that possessed an intimidating quality, quite different from the feeling he gave Iori Setsuna when they first met.

Where is that guy?

From the moment Takashiro Ryono entered the manga editing department, she was arranged to wait in the conference room. Saito Ritsu was really busy and only now had time to free up his hands.

Thirty minutes had passed since she and Ryosuke parted ways.

Takashiro Ryou complained inwardly, her hands under the table holding her phone, lingering on the text message screen.

She originally wanted to send a text message to urge Ryosuke, but suddenly realized that she didn't know his number at all.

'Has he been bewitched by that woman and forgotten his business? So much time has passed!'

Takashiro Ryouno reluctantly took out a pre-sealed document bag from her backpack and handed the copy containing "Moon Witch Transformation" to Saito Ritsu.

"This is the original manuscript for the final chapter. I have finished the manga."

"Thank you for your hard work. Please wait a moment while I take a look."

Ritsu Saito took the original manuscript out of the file bag and began to flip through it page by page.

The meeting room fell silent.

The editor flipped through the manuscript very quickly. About ten minutes later, Takashiro Ryouno noticed that the editor had put the manuscript back on the table.

"The ending was a bit of a stretch, Professor Takashiro."

"Huh?"

Ling Nai was somewhat surprised; this was the first time she had heard the editor mention such a thing.

When she had previously collaborated with Iori Setsuna, the latter had never given her any negative feedback on her original manuscripts, even though she herself felt something was amiss.

Saito Ritsu rested his arm on the table, pushed up the nose bridge of his glasses with his right hand, and showed a somewhat regretful expression on his face.

“I have read your work from beginning to end. The first eighty chapters are quite exciting, but after that it falls into clichés. I think you should be aware of this yourself.”

"Yes, I do have that feeling."

Takashiro Ryouno was not offended by this; instead, she immediately nodded.

"I took over this work too late. The ending had already been set at the serialization conference, and the publication had already made a preview. Otherwise, with some changes, I might have been able to continue drawing it."

Ritsu Saito genuinely felt it was a pity, as very few works are adapted into anime and receive high praise, especially those from such a young author.