Tokyo: Oreimo

Saito followed the gaze.

In the third seat next to the head of the conference table, Iori Setsuna sat chatting and laughing with the editor next to her.

"It's good to have a powerful backer. He was publicly criticized just a few days ago, yet he's sitting in such a prominent position."

Logically, given Iori Setsuna's seniority, she should be seated in the middle of the seating arrangement for editors. Considering her previous public criticism of her professional ethics, she should be sitting at the end of this monthly meeting.

However, the seating arrangement was placed so far forward, which clearly indicates that the person received special treatment.

"She was also assigned to be the silver prize-winning author of the Kadokawa Manga Newcomer Award. She's really favored."

Hideo Nomura said in a low voice, with a hint of sourness in his tone.

In fact, most editors share similar ideas with Nomura; they just gossip about it behind his back.

Hearing his colleague's complaints, Saito Ritsu remained expressionless, then slowly uttered a single sentence.

"That old man Yamazaki is shameless, so blatantly showing favoritism and encouraging the unhealthy practices within the company."

His voice wasn't deliberately lowered, and many editors around him heard it clearly. They immediately lowered their voices, and the conference room fell silent for a moment.

Iori Setsuna's gaze was like a sharp knife; if looks could kill, Saito Ritsu would probably have been torn to pieces by now.

"Is Editor Saito questioning the editor-in-chief? I think Editor Iori is qualified to sit in this position, after all, she developed such an excellent work as 'Moon Witch Transformation'."

"Exactly, Saito, you got such a great deal by taking over the best-selling book from her. Shouldn't you be grateful?"

The two editors who spoke sat below Iori Setsuna; they were newcomers to the company, having been with it for only one or two years.

Hideo Nomura couldn't believe his ears. What an arrogant junior he was, to say such a thing.

It's not hard to tell who he learned it from.

The veteran editors present remained silent, pretending not to hear, and showed no interest in getting involved in the matter between the two.

Iori Setsuna lacks professional ethics, which most editors are aware of, but the editor-in-chief values ​​her, so he just tolerates it.

As for the claim that Ritsu Saito benefited from taking on a best-selling novel that was about to end, that would be laughable.

Iori Setsuna ate all the profits, leaving behind a mess of contract disputes.

If this can be considered a good thing, then the cancellation of a serialization can also be considered a happy event.

Furthermore, although Ritsu Saito wasn't particularly popular, he was still a highly capable senior figure.

Does the new editor dare to speak like that?

Saito didn't get angry at such mockery; instead, he laughed.

"You're right. I'm truly grateful for this. Thank you, Editor Iori."

As soon as those words were spoken, the entire conference room seemed to be put on pause.

Even the two new editors looked bewildered.

Did Ritsu Saito take the wrong medicine today?

Normally, he's a ruthless person who dares to criticize even Editor-in-Chief Yamazaki.

Iori Setsuna was also stunned for a moment. Even though she sensed something was wrong, she couldn't figure out what the problem was for the time being.

Has this guy been subdued by Editor-in-Chief Yamazaki?

She maintained her composure and coldly uttered polite words.

"You're welcome. I hope Editor Saito can help Rumiko Takashiro complete her work smoothly."

"Of course, it's my duty."

Ritsu Saito laughed even more enthusiastically.

Just then, a group of editors-in-chief pushed open the conference room door.

Leading the group was a middle-aged man over forty years old, with thinning hair on his head, a large belly, and a pair of glasses with extremely thick lenses perched on his nose.

"Editor-in-Chief Yamazaki!"

The editors present all stood up and bowed in unison.

Ritsu Saito was also among them, but he only bowed slightly to the other deputy editors-in-chief behind him.

Yamazaki's gaze swept over the editors, but lingered on Saito Ritsu for a moment, his brows furrowing slightly, but he didn't say anything more.

"Alright, take your seats. Let's proceed with the monthly awards selection immediately."

Hideo Nomura, holding a number of manuscripts passed down from the head of the conference table, approached Ritsu Saito.

"What's wrong with you today? You actually gave in to Iori. This isn't like you at all."

"Heh, just you wait and see, there'll be a good show to watch later."

...

The monthly awards are determined by a unified vote of all editors, and this is a meeting that lasts for three hours.

Each editor needs to work together to select the seven works with the most votes.

Iori Setsuna flipped through the manuscript in her hands. She browsed at a fast pace, averaging one manuscript every five minutes.

"The quality of the entries for this month's award is quite good, and some of them are just as good as 'Moon Witch Transformation' in their opening."

She watched, gritting her teeth.

She should have been able to get a few good manuscripts.

Editor-in-Chief Yamazaki promised to arrange it for her as a stepping stone to her promotion to deputy editor-in-chief.

However, because the dispute over the commissioned article contract escalated, her promise to compensate the author aroused dissatisfaction among senior management.

Unfortunately, the editor-in-chief of the light novel editorial department also issued a professional ethics recommendation, submitting a lengthy complaint to higher-ups.

Iori Setsuna inevitably became the target of the operation.

Not only did she lose her chance for promotion, but she was also only given the silver award for Best Newcomer, "Magical Idol Yumi," while the grand prize and gold prize were given to other editors.

As for losing the role in "Moon Witch Transformation," compared to her other recent experiences, she doesn't feel any regret about it at all.

Takashiro Ryouno's writing style became somewhat sluggish in the later stages, and the repetitive plot was criticized by some readers, making it difficult for her to reach new heights.

Since there's no hope of promotion, getting rid of this mess is definitely a good thing for her.

"Let's start over. With Editor-in-Chief Yamazaki's help, even if it's just a silver award, we should be able to make it into the monthly prize."

Iori Setsuna had confidence in the editor-in-chief she had sided with.

Thinking this, she closed the manuscript in her hand and reached for the next one.

The title of the work on the cover caught her attention.

"Cardcaptor Sakura, are there other magical girl series besides Magical Idol Yumi?"

The manuscripts selected at the monthly meeting were not attributed to any author, in order to prevent interference with the editors' normal judgment.

After all, some cartoonists' names are their trademarks, which can greatly influence the rating.

"Then that would be my opponent. There's nothing I can do if we meet. Comparing the two, a work like 'Magical Idol Yumi,' which won a silver award, should have a better score."

"I wonder which editor submitted this. What an idiot! Don't they know how to do market research?"

Iori Setsuna suppressed a laugh.

While the opening of "Magical Idol Yumi," her new project, wasn't as stunning as her first appearance in "Moon Witch Transformation," it's still a work that other similar works can't easily rival.

It also made considerable innovations in terms of subject matter; otherwise, it wouldn't have been able to break through the competition.

"Let's take a look for now."

Editor Iori turned to the first page and began reading.

Chapter 27 Early Elimination (Thanks to "Wild Brown Bear" for the monthly ticket (?o?o)ノ??)

In the conference room, the editors were engrossed in reviewing the manuscripts, with only the rustling sound of pages turning.

"Card games? This game is surprisingly interesting."

Suddenly, one of the editors couldn't help but mutter something to himself.

"Cardcaptor Sakura? I'm reading this manuscript too, and I feel it's even better than the previous 'Moon Witch Transformation' edited by Iori."

"It's definitely the work of an established author. I wonder which editor submitted it and polished it for a long time?"

If there's one, there's two, and then there's three.

The editors began a small discussion.

"It's hard to judge from the art style alone. Is it possible that it was created by Momoko Sakura or Misui?"

"Impossible. Both of them have older works being serialized. I think they have some traces of Rumiko Takashiro."

"Are you kidding me? The Moon Witch Transformation just ended, how could it be so fast? Besides, the previous work was completely different in style."

"My judgment is not based on art style, but on habit. If you have read through the works of that new cartoonist in their entirety, you should be able to find that she likes to work on the characters' knuckles."

"A coincidence, perhaps?"

It's definitely a coincidence!

Iori Setsuna's grip on the manuscript tightened slightly, and beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

Regardless, as an editor, she still possesses basic aesthetic sense and knowledge.

As other editors have noted, this work is of extremely high quality.

"It was definitely not made by Takashiro!"

Iori's judgment was not without reason; long before the contract dispute, she had asked Takashiro Ryono about her thoughts on the new work.

The answer we received at that time was no.

It's said that he hasn't had any inspiration yet.

"It hasn't been that long, it couldn't have been her!"

Iori Setsuna was very confident, but the appearance of Cardcaptor Sakura still posed a great threat to her.

She has begun to hear some sounds.