Mochizuki returned home. He hadn't expected to run into Shiina Mahiru at the dessert shop, which made things a bit awkward. After all, the two of them basically pretended not to know each other at school. Also, because he went out with Kato Megumi today, he didn't go for his run. He checked his running proficiency and saw it had reached level three. Not a big problem. Mochizuki collected his thoughts; he would deal with that later. Right now, he had important matters to attend to. He turned on his computer, not to play games, of course. Mochizuki carefully reviewed the completed volume 2 of re:zero − starting life in another world, then sent the document to Machida Sonoko.
Machida Sonoko, who rarely got off work on time and had just returned home, took off her uniform jacket, the high heels she had worn all day, and then her black stockings, revealing her flawless white feet.
Machida Sonoko rubbed her slightly red ankles, which were sore from being rubbed by high heels all day. "Beep beep beep."
As a workaholic, her phone was naturally on standby 24 hours a day, ready to handle any information! As soon as her phone rang, her professional work ethic made her ignore the soreness in her ankles. She quickly picked up her phone, unlocked it, and opened Line.
Then she saw Mochizuki's message.
Machida Sonoko's expression instantly changed from surprise to joy, followed by a hint of bitterness.
The surprise was that Mochizuki had sent her the manuscript for volume 2.
Having been an editor for many years, she had read thousands, if not tens of thousands, of light novels in the Isekai genre, and her taste was very discerning.
But currently, Mochizuki's re:zero − starting life in another world had truly captivated her, and she was very much looking forward to the subsequent plot.
In Machida Sonoko's opinion, it had the potential to challenge the current top-selling Isekai novel, "Dark Blazing Demon."
Machida Sonoko didn't particularly like that work, but she had to admit that the author understood the market and catered to the preferences of a large number of otaku.
Also, this meant that they could speed up the publication of volume 2, capitalizing on the current high popularity of re:zero − starting life in another world.
They could definitely catch their competitors off guard.
However, this also meant she would be working overtime again tonight!
She had just finished negotiating the reprint issues for volume 1 today...
Machida Sonoko quickly adjusted her work mode and replied to Mochizuki.
Light Novelist Wang Yue: Good evening, Machida Editor, here is the document for volume 2 (Attachment: Document)
Machida Sonoko: Okay, thank you, Moonlit Night Teacher. You truly amaze me. I didn't expect you to finish it so quickly.
Light Novelist Wang Yue: Haha, it's alright.
Light Novelist Wang Yue: Then I won't disturb you.
Machida Sonoko: ...
Mochizuki also knew that Machida Sonoko was a very busy person, and with the submission of his volume 2, she would have to rush to review it.
And Machida Sonoko also began to read seriously, and the further she read, the more confident she became in this work.
She planned to finish reading it tonight and contact Izumi Sagiri as soon as possible to start the artwork production.
...
After finishing the conversation with Machida Sonoko, Mochizuki sighed, remembering that he had forgotten to ask about something, which was the manuscript fee...
Forget it, he would ask in a few days.
Currently, he had enough money.
Mochizuki also informed Izumi Sagiri that the illustrations for volume 2 were about to begin, and Izumi Sagiri was also very surprised.
She confidently stated that she would definitely work hard.
Mochizuki thought for a moment, preparing to send a message to Yamada Elf to see what she had to say.
This girl hadn't made any moves these past few days.
Then, their three-person gaming group chat received a message.
...
Ai Kele's Little Tuli: I recently found a great book called re:zero − starting life in another world. Have you guys read it?
Ai Kele's Little Tuli: It's really worth reading. It took a lot of effort to get my brother to buy me a copy, hehe (emoji)
Then, Umaru also sent a picture of the book.
In the distance, a girl wearing a hamster-shaped pajama at home was lying on her bed, surrounded by snacks and cola, holding her phone and typing messages.
Her name was Doma Umaru, and she was a perfect beautiful high school girl, but when she returned home, her personality would change drastically, and she would let herself go...
At the same time, Umaru was also a passionate lover of ACG culture, and during her time interacting with Mochizuki and Yamada Elf, she also learned that they were her fellow enthusiasts.
However, Umaru, of course, did not know about Mochizuki and Yamada Elf's identities as authors.
Light Novelist Wang Yue: I've read it. I think it's very good. @Yōsei-sama, what about you?
In her villa, Yamada Elf was holding her hair on top of her head with both hands, deep in thought.
Hearing her phone vibrate, she quickly couldn't resist checking it.
Then Yamada Elf saw the conversation between Umaru and Mochizuki, and the corner of her mouth began to twitch.
Especially since Mochizuki was even praising himself...
Yōsei-sama: I've read it too, it's alright, alright...
Ai Kele's Little Tuli: Eh, is it just alright? Elf is really strict!
Yōsei-sama: Cough cough... mainly the male protagonist is too ordinary
Ai Kele's Little Tuli: Ah, that makes sense too, but this one is very popular recently.
It's not like the previous overpowered stories, which are too formulaic, like that one called "Dark Elf"
Light Novelist Wang Yue: It should be "Blazing Dark Elf"
Ai Kele's Little Tuli: Right, right, Mochizuki-kun have you read it? Stare (emoji)
Light Novelist Wang Yue: No, no, that doesn't suit my taste.
Ai Kele's Little Tuli: That's good, I thought Mochizuki-kun was also someone who liked to read that kind of erotica light novel! You scared me to death
Yōsei-sama: I think... that book "Blazing Dark Elf" isn't that bad...
It's still a very good work, its sales are especially high.
Ai Kele's Little Tuli: Oh, Elf, you can't be so biased just because the protagonist in it is an Elf. This book often has those lewd scenes... it's too hateful! It relies on those scenes to attract people!
Yamada Elf was already crying with a long face. She couldn't just tell Umaru that she was the author of that book.
Moreover, Umaru was her good comrade, so she naturally wouldn't blame Umaru.
Damn it! It's all Mochizuki's fault.
She was originally in seclusion precisely because she had read Mochizuki's work and felt a sense of crisis.
And she hadn't had a new work for a long time, her brother was also urging her, so she was racking her brains to create.
...
And Mochizuki, who was at home, had already started laughing heartily. He could even imagine Yamada Elf's exasperated look.
As expected, Yamada Elf sent a private message telling Mochizuki not to be too arrogant, reminding him that her sales exceeded two million!
Mochizuki felt that she had a point. Currently, he was still a long way from two million sales.
He really didn't expect Yamada Elf's work to sell so well!
At this moment, there was the sound of the door opening.
It was Shiina Mahiru returning. After entering the door, Mahiru saw Mochizuki laughing heartily and asked strangely, "What's wrong? You're laughing so happily?"
"Cough cough, I saw something funny."
"Oh, I see."
...
At the dinner table, Mochizuki also talked to Shiina Mahiru about light novels.
"Did you finish reading it so quickly?"
"Yes, the plot is quite captivating. I couldn't help but finish reading it in one go last night."
"I didn't expect light novels to be so interesting."
"And now, I'm very curious about the next part of the story!"
After saying this, Shiina Mahiru looked at Mochizuki with a wistful expression.
Mochizuki looked at Shiina Mahiru's reminiscent expression. It seemed that Mahiru had truly fallen in love with light novels.
"Ending at a cliffhanger is really hateful."
"Cough cough, there's nothing I can do. It's all to attract readers."
Shiina Mahiru nodded, indicating understanding.
"However, if you want to read volume 2, I can send you a copy later."
"Eh? So fast?"
Shiina Mahiru now also understood that the publication cycle for light novels was generally quite long. Mochizuki's volume 1 had just been published, and he had already finished writing volume 2?
"Yes, I just finished it yesterday."
"But, is that okay?"
"It's fine, as long as you don't spread it."
"Okay! I will definitely keep it safe."
Shiina Mahiru earnestly promised Mochizuki as if she had taken on a great responsibility, which made Mochizuki not know whether to laugh or cry.
The two continued to eat.
Seeing Mochizuki finish the last bit of the sauerkraut fish, Shiina Mahiru spoke.
"I thought Mochizuki-kun would be too full for dinner after going out for dessert after school!"
"Eh! I only ate one ice cream."
Learning from the last lesson, Mochizuki already knew that Shiina Mahiru would not allow wasting food.
"Hmm, that's good..." Shiina Mahiru responded softly, then her expression became a little conflicted.
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