Chapter 47: Understanding Each Other
Afterward, Eriri updated her Twitter with a new post.
"I've completed everyone's request! Due to personal privacy, I won't be posting the original picture, so I've decided to use a sketch to draw Izumi Masamune-sensei's expression! By the way, pre-orders for the new work have already started, and it really does contain the content you're looking for~"
Following that, many comments from night owl fans poured in.
"Wow, it's the first time I've seen Kashiwagi Eri-sensei's more realistic figure sketches! It's completely different from her doujinshi style."
"Hmm, although it's not a photo of him, from this drawing, you can tell Izumi-sensei is indeed very young! And quite handsome, could Kashiwagi Eri-sensei have made him look better?"
"Izumi Masamune-sensei must have been completely dumbfounded! It's true, if a character he created suddenly became R-rated and was subjected to all sorts of abuse, he might even feel like he's been cuckolded!"
"After hearing the explanation above… so this is also cuckolding? I'm getting excited!"
"Speaking of which, shouldn't Eromanga-sensei be the one who's depressed! She's the illustrator for demon slayer, right?"
"Who is Eromanga-sensei? I don't know her well! Kashiwagi Eri-sensei's Daki is the best in the world!"
"Eromanga-sensei's drawing is pretty average; it looks like she's just an ordinary person who's studied art for a few years."
"Alright, alright, don't go too far! Although Kashiwagi Eri draws very well and has an excellent relationship with Izumi Masamune-sensei, Eromanga-sensei is the original creator. Doujinshi cannot override the original work, especially not R-rated ones."
"Who cares about that! Good is good, bad is bad!"
...
When Eriri woke up the next day, she saw many comments that she found interesting, but also some inexplicable arguments, which made her feel annoyed.
While being praised for her drawing skills was gratifying, belittling Sagiri was very irritating.
Firstly, Sagiri is her childhood friend's younger sister, and their relationship is currently harmonious.
Secondly, she also understood Sagiri's abilities; it's just that she hadn't taken it seriously before, but she is actually a very talented person.
"If Chihiro and Sagiri saw these comments, wouldn't they blame me?"
Thinking of this, she posted another statement.
"Eromanga-sensei is also well-acquainted with me and Izumi Masamune-sensei, so please stop saying such inexplicable things."
As soon as she said this, the focus of everyone's attention changed again.
What's going on? They're all acquainted? Is the relationship getting complicated?
They had already known that Izumi Masamune and Kashiwagi Eri had an excellent relationship. Logically, shouldn't Kashiwagi Eri, with her superior drawing skills, be the illustrator?
But why was it Eromanga-sensei?
Could it be that Izumi Masamune and Eromanga-sensei have an even better relationship?
This led to even more speculation.
However, after this, Eriri had no intention of explaining further, letting them guess on their own.
But because of this, this matter became a hot topic among many fans and continued to circulate for several years.
...
The commotion on the internet went unnoticed. After Chihiro finished his manuscript, he sent it to Machida Sonoko that evening.
The next afternoon, the two met at a cafe. As before, they discussed some of the content before the official publication.
"Hmm, Izumi-sensei, this volume also shows your consistent performance, not much different from the third volume. It's just that I feel the pace might be a bit too fast? By the way, I've felt since before that the chapters on the Upper Moons and the Pillars could be expanded a bit more, right? If it were set up more meticulously, it would even have a chance to run for twenty volumes."
Machida Sonoko expressed her concerns.
She had felt that the plot was progressing too quickly; the Lower Moons were directly dismissed, and the previous volume took care of Upper Moon Six…
If one Upper Moon corresponded to one volume of content, the length could be extended significantly. But after reading this volume, she was now completely certain of Chihiro's intentions.
"A complete story only needs a beginning and an end. As for the pace, sometimes there's no need to be too concerned… In the rhythm of this story's plot, it's arranged this way, and there's no need to drag out more content. If it can't be concluded later, that would be a dilemma."
Chihiro also had his own views.
Originally, he had also considered modifying the pace of the original work, but on second thought, he decided not to do such a boring thing.
He only needed to depict this storyline well, and he would have succeeded; there was no need to gild the lily.
"Alright then, since this is your own idea, Izumi-sensei, I won't stop you. Anyway, with the length of each of your volumes, it's already nearly double that of many novels, so it's not too little…"
Machida Sonoko pondered for a while and ultimately decided to respect his decision.
She didn't underestimate him because of his young age, thinking he lacked autonomy or was acting on impulse.
On the contrary, having collaborated with him for over half a year, she was already able to somewhat understand his thoughts.
Therefore, what she could do was trust him.
"Thank you, Machida Editor, for your approval of me."
He nodded slightly.
To have such a discerning editor was also a stroke of luck for a light novel author.
"By the way, Izumi-sensei, we've known each other for so long, shouldn't you change how you address me? 'Machida Editor' sounds too formal."
Machida Sonoko swept her hair back, revealing the bright earrings on her earlobes. With a smile on her face, she fully exuded the charm of a mature woman.
"Alright then, from now on, I'll address Machida Editor as 'Miss Sonoko'."
After some consideration, Chihiro came up with a polite yet not-too-formal way of addressing her.
"Then let's do that, Izumi-sensei. I hope our collaboration will get better and better, and your works will sell more and more."
Machida Sonoko stood up and extended her right hand.
This scene was reminiscent of their first meeting.
"Mm."
He also stood up and took her hand.