Tokyo: Oreimo

Chapter 6 Deterrence

Iori Setsuna made no move to shake Takagi Ryosuke's hand.

She glanced at it, completely unconcerned.

Is he the older brother of the young manga artist? Judging from his age and attire, he doesn't look as mature as Takashiro Ryouno, but he acts like an adult.

Did they hear some noises and come to seek justice for their sister?

"Even one or two of them are so troublesome."

Iori Setsuna curled her lip and made a 'tsk' sound.

"These unauthorized people were just let into the company like that. Did you bring them in?"

Iori Setsuna ignored Ryosuke and instead glared at Hayakawa Rumi, who was standing behind Takagi Ryosuke.

She recognized the person from the light novel editorial department next door based on their business attire and the name tag pinned to their chest.

“Um… Editor Iori, this is Mr. Ryosuke Takashiro, a light novel author who will soon be signed by our department and winner of the Newcomer Bounty Award. He is no ordinary person.”

If this were any other day, Hayakawa Rumi would probably have immediately bowed and apologized when faced with such a stern question from a senior colleague.

But not now.

Hayakawa Rumi's face turned serious. If it was an internal matter of the manga club, she really had no right to interfere.

But she was genuinely displeased by the other party's rudeness towards the writer she was responsible for.

"Teacher Shigaze clearly saw his sister being bullied, yet he still treated others with courtesy. This magnanimity only earned him disrespect from others. This is not how Kadokawa conducts business etiquette."

Hayakawa Rumi thought to herself, but she was still a little hesitant to act on it. After all, if the other party went to Hattori editor to complain and said some disrespectful things about her senior, it might be enough to make her suffer.

"So, this is why you brought people to the comic book editorial department? What are novelists doing in the comic book editorial department? Aren't they just some random people?"

“I’ll pretend I didn’t see it this time and quickly leave with my people. I have a lot of things to deal with and no time to deal with children.”

Iori Setsuna walked straight past Ryosuke without even glancing at him.

What gold medal winner? These days, light novels don't earn as much as comics.

She doesn't understand her position; she's about to be promoted to deputy editor-in-chief, and she's just a new writer.

Takashiro Ryouno is definitely hers. The contract was signed a long time ago and it's already finalized. Even the author himself can't change anything, let alone this brother who appeared out of nowhere.

Hearing this, Hayakawa Rumi's chest heaved with anger.

An apology is necessary, even if it has to be brought to Hattori's office!

Who are you calling an outsider? They're just an editor who's been here a few years longer. How can they be so arrogant?

Hayakawa Rumi raised her voice.

"The teacher is no ordinary person..."

"Are you a child too?" Iori rubbed his philtrum, looking very impatient.

"I remember the editor-in-chief in charge of you is Hattori, right? If you have any complaints, have him come to me. You're not qualified!"

"You!" Hayakawa Rumi couldn't help but reach out to stop Iori from leaving, but was stopped by Takashiro Ryosuke.

"Teacher Shi Yuze..."

"Oh, it's alright."

Ryosuke Takagi, seeing Iori's arrogant demeanor, wasn't angry. He simply said something to Iori's retreating figure:

"Editor Iori, I've heard that although authors who sign commissioned articles lose copyright income, the binding force of such contracts on authors is also limited, right?"

Iori Setsuna stopped in her tracks, turned around, and began to carefully examine the boy behind her, before closing the conference room door behind her.

"What are you trying to say?" She didn't change her attitude, but probed with her words.

Ryosuke Takagi shrugged. "It's nothing, but if Ayano's manga doesn't end properly, it will probably have a significant impact on its commercial value."

This kid knows his stuff.

Iori Setsuna was startled and looked up at Hayakawa Rumi standing beside her.

"Are you trying to get Ling Nai to cause me trouble? You should know that stopping updates or leaving a bad ending is also bad for a creator's reputation."

It's easy to communicate with fools, and it's just as easy to communicate with smart people.

After discovering that Ryosuke Takagi had some knowledge of the commissioned writing contract, Setsuna Iori immediately came up with a solution.

“I won’t interfere with Ling Nai’s decision, but the children of the Gao family are all principled. I think my sister is worried that stopping the serialization will hurt the real fans, so perhaps a temporary hiatus is a good choice.”

"impossible!"

Iori Setsuna immediately retorted.

Nowadays, Kadokawa Pictures integrates anime and manga, often starting an anime adaptation before the manga is even finished.

The story of "Moon Witch Transformation" is nearing its end. If the manga goes on hiatus due to the author's reasons, it will fall behind the anime production schedule.

In that case, she, as the editor in charge, will be held accountable.

Damn it, is this guy trying to fight me to the death?

Iori Setsuna was cursing Takagi Ryosuke to the bone in her heart, but she had to put on a cold face.

She forced a smile.

"I have always had high hopes for Ling Nai, which is why I have always supported her despite all the opposition. You know, it is extremely rare for a newcomer's work to be submitted for animation."

“Every cartoonist’s work is a labor of love; shouldn’t she give this work a happy ending?”

Ryosuke Takagi smiled.

He caught the editor red-handed.

Taking a break from publication is essentially the same as stopping updates altogether, but at least they gave advance notice.

Just like serialized novels, authors can also take leave and stop updating.

If it's a normal contract, this holiday might be very short, a few days, or at most a week before updates resume.

However, the commissioned article contract does not explicitly stipulate this time, which means that the publication can be suspended indefinitely.

"You're right, but it's just a hiatus. It's not a big deal if it resumes after the anime stops airing, right?"

"I said casually."

No, absolutely not!

Based on the current animation broadcast schedule, new artwork must be submitted before the end of the year.

This kid is no ordinary person; he's much more difficult to deal with than Takashiro Ryouno.

Iori Setsuna's forehead broke out in a fine sweat; she couldn't help but feel nervous.

"Moon Witch Transformation" brought her a promotion opportunity, which was almost a done deal, but it would have to wait until the end of the year to be officially announced at the conference.

If such a big mistake occurs, it will definitely have an impact.

My Achilles' heel has been hit.

What do you want me to do?

Iori Setsuna managed to utter a single sentence, which was a tacit admission of weakness.

"Hasn't Ling Nai already stated her demands?"

"That's impossible. Change your request."

Iori Setsuna could not possibly agree to this condition.

If the contract is amended, the company will definitely question her abilities, because this is something that has never happened before, and there are too many issues involved.

"Then there's nothing more to discuss. Let's go, Editor Hayakawa."

Ryosuke Takagi shrugged indifferently and gestured to Rumi Hayakawa.

Hayakawa Rumi didn't interrupt, blinking her eyes as she obediently prepared to follow Ryosuke out of the conference room.

"Can I apply for an increase in her fee per artwork, double it? Double it! Make up for the total number of all her previous artworks!"

Upon seeing this, Iori Setsuna hurriedly spoke up.

“No need, Editor Iori. Ayano’s request has been clearly stated.”

Ryosuke Takagi didn't turn his head.

Iori Setsuna reached out and grabbed Hayakawa Rumi's arm, as if she had grasped at the last straw.

"Editor Hayakawa, will the light novel editorial department let this situation develop? Although they are two departments, it is our duty to seek benefits for the company. The author you are in charge of is threatening me."

She no longer cared about maintaining appearances; these words from her mouth were meant to provoke conflict between the two departments.

Hayakawa Rumi looked at her with a rather incredulous expression.

"Editor Iori, do you know what you're saying?"

She looked at her intently, her expression more serious than ever before.

"Help me persuade him. I'll put in a good word for you with Editor Hattori. I know your department's editor-in-chief. Once I'm promoted to deputy editor-in-chief, I'll have access to the company's top management, and I'll give you a promotion."

Iori Setsuna realized that her previous words were inappropriate and quickly corrected herself.

Hayakawa Rumi refused without even thinking.

What a joke!

As a newcomer, she finally managed to be designated as a winner of the Newcomer Award and was given the opportunity to be promoted to editor.

Iori actually wants her to put pressure on her benefactor?

Hayakawa Rumi brushed her hand away and followed closely behind Takashiro Ryosuke as they left.

"Wait for me, Teacher Shi Yuze."

Iori Setsuna felt her whole body go limp and stumbled, falling to the ground.

What? You've given us so many benefits and you're still not satisfied? You insist on a fight to the death?

Chapter 7 Should we kill him?