Tokyo: Oreimo

The girl felt a little confused. Why did she have to look at it a second time when she had already glanced at it once?

If a seasoned manga artist were present, they would understand the meaning behind Saito Ritsu's words.

Editors have to read a huge number of manuscripts every day, so the ability to quickly skim manuscripts is an essential skill.

When a work needs to be viewed a second time, it often means that the work is of a quality worthy of careful appreciation.

Ritsu Saito became engrossed in the story and spent more than ten minutes going over the manuscript again to make sure he hadn't misread it.

"The rhythm is just right!"

"The ending of each episode makes you want to keep watching!"

This is a fundamental condition for the success of a comic, but most authors do not understand this principle.

"The concept is quite ingenious; it can be said to have brought something new to a somewhat outdated theme."

"The art style has also completely changed. You can still see some traces of the previous work, but this change is appropriate and fits the tone of this work."

He couldn't contain his joy.

'I've struck gold!'

If he had any prejudice against magical girl themes before, he has now thrown those prejudices to the winds.

At this moment, Ritsu Saito was absolutely certain.

'This CLAMP, no... Ryosuke Takagi, has a very high chance of being the winner of the Dengeki Bunko Newcomer Award!'

This work presents a completely different structure and story compared to Ryō Takashiro's previous works, and it is impossible for it to be the work of a newcomer.

What puzzled him was why he had changed his pen name after submitting the article.

This is a new work created by Keiichi Sigsawa, the winner of the Light Novel Newcomer Award, who wrote the script, and Rumiko Takashiro, the genius bestselling manga artist, who was in charge of the original illustrations.

Such a gimmick is enough to attract two groups of loyal fans to read it in one go.

Saito glanced at Takashiro Ryouno, who was looking anxious across the table, and roughly understood what was going on.

Is it because we need to keep it from her?

He couldn't think of any other reason.

"Your brother is a very capable person to have mastered such skills and applied them to comic book scriptwriting."

Saito Ritsu placed the manuscript back on the table and said to Takashiro Ryono with a serious expression.

"Huh?"

Is that guy really that good?

Hearing the editor's praise, Takashiro Ryou was somewhat surprised, but mostly pleased.

Judging from the tone of his words, it seems the manuscript has been approved.

Just as she was about to say a few words of modesty, the frosted glass door of the conference room was knocked on by knuckles.

...

"Excuse me, Editor Saito."

A voice came from outside. After receiving permission, the colleague responsible for reception outside opened the door, and Ryosuke Takashiro walked into the conference room.

He met Ling Nai's gaze, and Ling Nai's fierce eyes, like those of a young tiger, seemed to want to devour him.

"You've been chatting with that woman for far too long, what's going on?"

Ryosuke had just sat down next to his younger sister when he was subjected to torture.

He forced an awkward laugh, ignoring the pain in his thigh.

There was nothing I could do about it. After explaining my thoughts to Rumi Hayakawa in detail, I also received some updates from her about the publication of "Kino's Journey," which took up some time.

"Sorry sorry."

In front of outsiders, Ryosuke didn't say much. He noticed that the original manuscript of "Cardcaptor Sakura" was lying next to the other person.

"Nice to meet you, Editor Saito. I am one of the authors of this work. You have already read the manuscript, haven't you?"

"You must be CLAMP-sensei! Nice to meet you!"

Saito Ritsu sized up the boy in front of him, already certain of his identity, but he didn't reveal it.

At the same time, they were also sighing.

The family has produced two such young geniuses. If I could have a son and a daughter like that in the future, I would probably be laughing in my sleep.

“I have already approved the manuscript. The quality is not a problem. I can decide to submit it directly to the Kadokawa Journal’s monthly award selection.”

The so-called monthly bonus is a mechanism mostly used by comic magazines.

Authors submit their work to the magazine, where editors conduct an initial screening and, based on individual recommendations, submit it to a monthly conference where the editors vote to select ten works for publication in the magazine.

After market validation and observation of reader feedback, a final assessment will be made as to whether the work is qualified for serialization.

Each editor can only recommend a limited number of works per month, at most one.

The fact that Ritsu Saito made such a direct decision fully demonstrates how highly he regards this work.

Despite the other party's undisguised praise, Takashiro Ryosuke remained largely unmoved and showed no excitement.

The quality of "Cardcaptor Sakura" goes without saying; it is a rare masterpiece in this era.

"This time it won't be a commissioned article contract again, will it?"

He chuckled casually and asked a question offhand.

"Regarding the contract issue, I can guarantee that a similar incident to 'Moon Witch Transformation' will never happen again. Please believe me on this point. You've probably heard about my reputation from editor Hayakawa, haven't you?"

Ritsu Saito answered immediately, while pressing down on the manuscript on the table with one hand, as if worried that the manuscript would slip away.

That is indeed the case.

Ryosuke Takashiro could have submitted his work to other magazines and received higher long-term compensation.

Compared to other publishing companies, Kadokawa's advantage lies in its complete industry chain, making it the most mature company in the industry in terms of manga, animation, and subsequent IP incubation.

However, if we only consider manga publications, Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump is the king of this field.

'That Iori Setsuna is a complete idiot!'

In his mind, Ritsu Saito cursed Ryoko Takashiro's former editor to the bone.

He clearly sensed that Ryosuke was expressing dissatisfaction; otherwise, he wouldn't have asked that question at all.

As for the reason, it's naturally because of the controversy caused by "Moon Witch Transformation".

"That's incredibly short-sighted. This kind of behavior—clearly recognizing the work's excellence but tricking the author into signing a commission contract—will be devastating to the company's comics business if word gets out in the industry."

This is utterly treacherous. If that's the case, which new manga artist would dare to trust Kadokawa?

Saito Ritsu did not believe that Hayakawa Rumi had not introduced herself to the other party. Even so, the other party still said something that would embarrass her, so her purpose was obvious.

This is a request for assurance from oneself.

"Mr. Takashiro, please rest assured that this work will be entrusted to me. I will take charge of it and it will definitely receive the treatment it deserves."

Ritsu Saito had a serious expression on his face.

"Then I'll have to trouble Editor Saito to put in the effort."

.....

The signing process went much more smoothly than expected.

Takashiro Ryouno was still a little shaken when she came out of the Kadokawa Building.

While the previous game went through this process quickly, it was completely different from this one.

The contract that editor Saito presented not only clearly stated the payment for each chapter, but also a high percentage of the copyright revenue.

However, to officially receive revenue, it will need to wait until the monthly award selection process ends and the serialization conference approves it before it can be implemented.

The complexity of the terms and conditions made her dizzy.

Finally, Ryosuke Takagi was put in charge of everything; all she had to do was sign off at the end.

"If you have no other plans, shall we go home?"

A voice came from behind her, and Takashiro Ryouno turned around, just in time to see her cheap older brother looking at her black cotton socks.

Ryosuke Takagi wore a satisfied smile.

"Now you finally understand the importance of keeping warm."

"What are you looking at?! Don't look like that!"

"Ha, fine, I won't look then. So you're not immune to the cold after all."

"I want you to take care of it!"

Takashiro Ryouko snorted and, ignoring Ryosuke, strode towards the station.

I wouldn't wear this if I wasn't worried my legs would get even thicker, even though I'm not cold at all! Seriously, does this guy have some weird fetish for legs?

The girl was preoccupied with her thoughts, and her mind involuntarily drifted to the female editor in a suit she had seen earlier.

Beneath her bodycon skirt were long legs encased in thin black stockings.

He really is a pervert! That guy!

Takagi Ryouno turned her head and glared fiercely at Ryosuke, then sullenly walked forward.

Ryosuke was completely confused.

I don't think I provoked them. They seemed quite happy when we first came out, so their attitude changed way too quickly.

He shook his head helplessly.

It seems that building a good relationship with his younger sister still has a long way to go.

Chapter 25 Intuition (Thanks to 秋俱老 and 白嫖怪 for the monthly tickets! ?oωo?)?)

After the Takashiro siblings left Kadokawa, Hayakawa Rumi returned to her workstation, her face no longer showing any worry.

Receiving Ryosuke's promise that the magazine wouldn't go on hiatus was a great thing for her.