Tokyo: Oreimo

Even though Dengeki Bunko is a relatively new company, it receives a huge influx of submissions from writers, with over 5,000 submissions for this year's grand prize alone.

Breaking through the encirclement here is no easy task.

"Yes, I can make the decision on this matter entirely on my own."

Ryosuke responded with a smile.

Hattori stared into his eyes for a moment, then nodded.

"As expected of an author capable of writing Kino's Journey, you are much more mature than your peers."

"You flatter me."

"Then let's discuss the details of the publication."

Ryosuke Takagi nodded, and the two continued their conversation for over an hour.

As a newcomer, he didn't really have any leverage to negotiate with the editor; this conversation was essentially just a basic introduction for him.

Make him understand the ownership of the copyright and his expected personal income.

This is something that Ryosuke is indeed lacking.

"That's enough for now. I'll have my assistant prepare the contract documents. Please come again tomorrow if you have time."

Hattori, the editor, tidied up the documents at hand and said.

“No problem.” Ryosuke had originally planned to stay in Tokyo for two days as he had other things to do.

"By the way, Editor Hattori, I'd like to ask you something. Is it convenient?"

"You said."

"Among the works you've collaborated on, are there any female authors whose age is similar to mine?"

Hattori, the editor, shook his head almost without hesitation.

"No, you are the youngest author our editorial department has ever received, but..."

Ryosuke frowned, realizing there was something more to the other person's words, and quickly pressed for an answer.

"But what?"

"I heard that there's a female cartoonist like the one you mentioned in the comic book editorial department next door. She seems to still be in high school."

Chapter 4 Inequality

High school? The age doesn't seem to match.

Takashiro Ryouno is only fourteen years old and still in junior high school, but she has developed early and is growing taller quickly.

At 1.58 meters tall, she is not considered short among Japanese women, and she is used to wearing makeup when going out, so it is difficult to tell from her appearance that she is a high school student.

Ryosuke Takagi decided to ask again.

"I don't know the name of that shoujo manga artist very well, since we've only been on the same floor and haven't had much contact with each other."

Hattori paused here.

"You'll laugh at me if I tell you, but I heard this happened because the cartoonist was signed to an unfair contract, which is considered a scandal within the company."

"Unequal contracts?"

Ryosuke Takagi frowned.

"That's right. The cartoonist submitted her work herself, and the editor in charge gave her a contract. Probably because of her age, the cartoonist didn't read it carefully before signing it."

"Is it the kind of contract that provides a fixed payment based on the number of words in the original manuscript?"

Ryosuke Takashiro asked a question.

Hattori looked at him with some surprise. "It seems you've looked into this beforehand. Yes, it's this kind of contract—buying out the copyright of an author's work at a low price."

"This matter caused quite a stir within the company recently. The editor in charge of that high school student manga artist received a hefty reward from his superiors and might be promoted to deputy editor-in-chief by the end of the year."

At this point, Editor Hattori sighed.

"The atmosphere within the company has been corrupted by this group of people. They do bad things but are rewarded. New editors, eager to achieve results quickly, will only follow suit, creating a vicious cycle."

Ryosuke Takagi smiled, but also seemed a little curious. "It's just a commissioned article contract, is it really worth being rewarded so handsomely?"

Hattori, the editor, gave a wry smile and shook his head.

"That shoujo manga artist's work was recently adapted into an anime due to its good market response, and it became an instant hit. You might have seen it; it's a magical girl theme."

Ryosuke Takagi was taken aback, and subconsciously thought of Ling Nai sitting at the dining table watching TV.

"Moon Witch Transformation?"

"Correct."

That was indeed somewhat despicable.

Ryosuke Takagi thought to himself.

Commissioned writing contracts are generally designed for new and emerging authors.

The original intention was to ensure that authors with potential but currently limited skills could continue to create by receiving remuneration.

The works of these authors are mostly of little copyright value, and their quality can only stay in comic magazines for two or three issues at most. They are works that are obviously bad at first glance.

However, he had seen the anime "Moon Witch Transformation," and its quality, similar to Sailor Moon, made it an exceptional work.

Ryosuke simply couldn't believe that the editors at Kadokawa Pictures couldn't see its commercial value.

It was absolutely intentional.

If we follow the trajectory of Sailor Moon as I recall, the subsequent impact of this work was extremely profound, and the profits it generated were enormous, potentially enough to support the creators for a lifetime.

However, with commissioned manuscript contracts, authors can only receive a one-time buyout payment based on the originally agreed-upon price for the manuscript.

It seems that the higher-ups in the film department had already foreseen the huge profits this work would bring, hence the so-called generous reward.

Ryosuke looked down at the tracker he was holding in his hand, and many clues came together.

He felt he needed to see for himself.

As Hattori spoke, he glanced at his watch.

"I've digressed a bit. I have a meeting to attend in a bit, so please excuse me. Editor Hayakawa will come to see you later."

Ryosuke Takagi nodded.

"In addition, I plan to arrange for her to be in charge of the follow-up serialization of 'Kino's Journey', to take on your responsibilities. If you have any objections, you can ask me to replace her."

Before leaving, the editor asked a question.

The first two volumes of this light novel won the Dengeki Bunko Gold Award, marking Ryosuke Takashiro's official debut.

Despite the publication, the third volume he brought this time was also agreed upon during previous negotiations with Hattori to be serialized in the magazine "Dengeki Bunko MAGAZINE".

The revenue is split based on word count, and if there is an opportunity to publish it separately later, the society will pay him additional copyright fees.

"It's ok."

Ryosuke had a good impression of Hayakawa Rumi; she had a kind of innocent purity about her first steps into society and seemed like a good person.

"Let Ms. Hayakawa Rumi take charge of me."

"Okay, I wish your work great success, see you later."

.....

After Hattori left, Ryosuke waited alone for a while.

About ten minutes later, Hayakawa Rumi rushed over, holding a freshly opened can of coffee.

Seeing her panting, Ryosuke guessed that she had run all the way here, as there were still some coffee stains on the collar of her white shirt.

"Mr. Shi Yuze, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. I heard from Editor Hattori that you specifically asked me to be in charge of 'Kino's Journey'. Is that true?"

Hayakawa Rumi's eyes were misty, her voice was agitated, and she looked like she was about to cry.

Ryosuke Takagi was somewhat surprised.

He didn't name names, but he quickly realized what was going on.

Hattori probably used this as a reason to promote this junior colleague, while keeping himself out of the picture and making Hayakawa Rumi owe him a favor.

They put in a lot of effort, keeping their achievements and fame hidden.

In that sense, I owe him a favor. It's true that those who can become deputy editors-in-chief are no ordinary people.

Three birds with one stone.

"Really, I look forward to your guidance from now on, Editor Hayakawa."

"It is I! Please give me your guidance, Professor Shi Yuze!"

Hayakawa Rumi bowed deeply in gratitude.

She had finally made it through the tough times. She had given up hope of a promotion, after all, she had embarrassed herself in front of the gold medalist several times and felt that she had left an unprofessional impression.

Unexpectedly, the other party not only didn't care, but also specifically named him.

"My luck has been amazing lately. First, I was entrusted with an important task by the deputy editor-in-chief, and then I was nominated by the newcomer award winner to take on the role."

As a new editor at Dengeki Bunko, if you want to work on a project on your own, you have to start as an assistant and do odd jobs for at least three years. Now, you've done it two years earlier.

Such incredible good fortune, once it spreads among other newlyweds, will surely make everyone incredibly envious.

"Teacher Shi Yuze, if you have time after get off work, please let me treat you to a meal."

In the Japanese workplace, it is customary to repay kindness received. Even a novice like Hayakawa Rumi would never forget this principle.

A meal is just the most basic way to reciprocate.

Hayakawa Rumi had already started selecting upscale hotels in her mind.

But Ryosuke waved his hand, "No need for dinner. Editor Hayakawa, could you show me around the company?"

"Huh?"

Hayakawa Rumi was somewhat surprised by his request.

"I'm quite interested in comics and would like to visit the comics editing department next door."