The black-haired, straight-haired beautiful girl with a hairband on her head had cold red eyes and a frigid voice, "Are you Lin Kongqing?"
As one of the two great beauties of Private Toyonosaki School, Kasumigaoka Utaha and Sawamura Eriri were complete opposites.
She possessed captivating, full curves, elegant long black hair, and a tall stature approaching 1.7 meters.
She also had the plot design ability that Eriri yearned for.
This was Lin Kongqing's goal.
Lin Kongqing stood up to greet her, "Hello, Senior."
"Hmm." Kasumigaoka Utaha sat on the sofa, her shapely legs crossed, "You want to be my editor?"
"That's right."
Kasumigaoka Utaha lifted her fair chin, "Tell me, why should you?"
"Do you know RER?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha's eyes flickered, "The super popular doujin Club. In ten years, the Club representative, Akasaka Akane, has never failed in multimedia adaptation."
"I am RER's second representative." Lin Kongqing handed over his business card, "Before this, I was responsible for market research, product promotion, channel development, sales planning, website editing, event planning, operations planning, publicity design, data analysis, and a series of other tasks within the Club."
"Akasaka Akane's white paper fan and red flower stick." Kasumigaoka Utaha's fair fingers toyed with the business card, "RER always offers courtesy before force. The courtesy is the doujin scammer, the red flower stick, Hashima Iori, and the force is the doujin peddler, the white paper fan, Lin Kongqing. Both possess excellent negotiation skills; the former uses his affability, the latter uses the deterrence of information. The industry calls them... the madwoman's two mad dogs."
Lin Kongqing didn't mind Kasumigaoka Utaha's appellation, "So, in terms of ability, I am qualified for the job of editor."
"Indeed." Kasumigaoka Utaha smiled sweetly, "And then?"
"I read all five volumes of 'love metronome' thirty times." Lin Kongqing returned a smile, "From the first volume, the editor-in-chief's assertion that it would be canceled after three volumes was not unfounded. A light novel, as the name suggests, is a novel that can be read easily. However, the Female Protagonist Sayuka's behavioral logic requires at least five careful readings to resonate. A girl's delicate thoughts and difficult choices need repeated contemplation to resonate—the story and character development are top-notch, but the reading threshold is too high."
Kasumigaoka Utaha took a sip of coffee, her crystal-clear lips curving slightly upward, but her red eyes held no smile, "You really did read it carefully. Continue."
"In contrast, the other Female Protagonist who appeared in the second volume—Mai's thoughts are much simpler, so her behavioral logic is easier to understand. This provides a counterpoint to the intelligent Sayuka's complex thoughts, making the entire story easier to comprehend..." Lin Kongqing paused, "By the way, this suit of mine is quite expensive."
"Hmm?" Kasumigaoka Utaha leaned back on the sofa, scrutinizing Lin Kongqing with a condescending gaze, and let out a questioning sound.
"Before entering the room, you had already heard Sister Sonoko's description of me, and naturally, you would also know what I did and her annoyance. Therefore, before meeting me, you had already condemned me to death." Lin Kongqing sighed, "Because of your manipulative personality and your desire to vent for your friend, you would patiently listen to my lengthy discourse and give very good feedback. Then, at the moment I believed I had succeeded, you would use the most incisive words to deny everything, clarify that you did not want me to be your editor, and then spill coffee on me..."
Splash!
Coffee splashed all over Lin Kongqing's face.
"Just like this." Lin Kongqing pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his face, "So I said, this suit of mine is quite expensive."
"The so-called 'gilded exterior' means exactly this." Kasumigaoka Utaha's gaze was icy, her voice even colder than her gaze, "Pressuring others with information, just like using money for prostitution, is merely a pathetic self-satisfaction achieved through despicable means by someone utterly lacking in self-confidence. Rather than a doujin speculator, he's more like a useless john. If you want to be my editor, go reincarnate and learn how to be a human first."
Kasumigaoka Utaha stood up to leave, then suddenly paused, "Oh, and I'm too lazy to touch your business card. You can tear it up for fun yourself."
"Whose love do you think you're accepting? You're accepting the love of a goddess." Lin Kongqing murmured, "If it were Sayuka, she would definitely say that."
Kasumigaoka Utaha's red eyes narrowed slightly, "What did you say?"
"New authors often have slight shortcomings in character development, so the Protagonist is often a reflection of the author himself. Compared to the somewhat superficial character designs in the first and second volumes, Sayuka's thoughts become clearer and more authentic in the subsequent three volumes. Correspondingly, even the author who created this story, who is the god of this world, could not control the later developments." Lin Kongqing finally wiped his face clean, "The male Protagonist Naoto and the later-appearing Mai eventually become a couple. This seems like Sayuka's failure, but in reality, it is the author's emotional failure. However, as a work, it is a success."
Kasumigaoka Utaha lifted her chin, "If you have time for nonsense, why don't you find a way to reincarnate?"
"A website created by an ardent fan named TAKI helped increase your work's sales by thirty percent. The three volumes released afterward were each better than the last. Sayuka also completed the three stages of sulking, falling in love, and heartbreak in these three volumes." Lin Kongqing touched his fingertips together, "As I said, the first Protagonist is a reflection of the author; this is unavoidable for new authors. In other words, Senior Kasumigaoka, you experienced heartbreak in reality, or more accurately, it ended before it even began. And the male Protagonist in reality, if I'm not mistaken, should be that ardent fan who appeared after the second volume was released and helped you a great deal. The last three volumes of 'love metronome' are your love letter to him, but unfortunately..."
"Shut up!" Kasumigaoka Utaha slammed her palm on the table, her red eyes seemingly burning.
"I want to make a game, and for that, I need a script." Lin Kongqing stated his true purpose, "I will invite TAKI to be the director. You can use the game script to write a new love letter, or you can give up, just like... Sayuka."
Kasumigaoka Utaha's chest heaved violently, her ample bosom surging, "He's a pure fan; he wouldn't make a game with someone like you!"
This sounded familiar.
"Well, how about a bet?" Lin Kongqing proposed, "If I can persuade him to join my Club, you'll come along. If he doesn't come, I'll never bother you again."
"Before that..." Kasumigaoka Utaha pressed one hand on the table, leaning forward, closing in on Lin Kongqing, her angry eyes fixed on him, "I will make good use of you."
"As you wish." Lin Kongqing ignored Kasumigaoka Utaha's almost murderous gaze, "Senior."
"Call me Teacher!"
"Alright, Senior."
Kasumigaoka Utaha's high-heeled foot subtly moved and landed on Lin Kongqing's foot—stomping.
"I'm giving you a chance to reconsider." While secretly stomping, Kasumigaoka Utaha still managed a smile.
"Hmm..." The air instantly quieted. Lin Kongqing asked with concern, "Does TAKI know you're this violent?"
A cold glint flashed in Kasumigaoka Utaha's eyes. She hadn't used much force initially, but hearing this, she slightly lifted her small foot, intending to press down harder.
Lin Kongqing seized the opportunity to pull his foot back. Kasumigaoka Utaha missed, lost her balance, and nearly fell.
Machida Sonoko, who had been observing, immediately rushed in, nervously shielding Kasumigaoka Utaha behind her.
"It seems the agreement has been reached." Lin Kongqing patted the shoeprint on his shoe.
"You..." Machida Sonoko saw the shoeprint and only then realized what Kasumigaoka Utaha had just done, "Are you alright?"
"I'll get used to it gradually, as long as Senior can create excellent content." Lin Kongqing suddenly remembered something, "Oh, and thank you, Sister Sonoko, for your help."
"What?" Machida Sonoko didn't react for a moment.
"If you hadn't talked so much about me to protect our senior, making her more vigilant, she wouldn't have listened to my rambling just to get back at you." Lin Kongqing blinked. "Please take care of me in the future, Associate editor."
Kasumigaoka Utaha's eyes trembled, and she declared, feigning fierceness, "This is just the beginning!"
Such a threat would have been more impactful if she had said it after stepping out from behind Machida Sonoko.
"Don't worry," Lin Kongqing replied with a smile. "This won't interfere with my normal work."
Machida Sonoko vaguely guessed something. "You… you're not one of those people with a special hobby, are you? Someone who likes being bullied by pretty women."
Kasumigaoka Utaha suddenly understood. Some people just enjoy being treated roughly; the rougher, the happier they are.
The prettier the aggressor, the better.
"Even the most beautiful appearance will one day fade," Lin Kongqing made an OK gesture. "What remains at the end is money, money."
So he wasn't making an OK sign, but rather the shape of a coin!
"Will you do anything for money?" Kasumigaoka Utaha stared at Lin Kongqing. "What if I tell you to kneel now?"
"While such behavior is common in the workplace, I am different from others. Prostrating myself would be a loss of dignity for me," Lin Kongqing said seriously. "It needs more money."
This guy is beyond saving, Kasumigaoka Utaha clicked her tongue.
"Well then, next is the onboarding process," Lin Kongqing tugged at his damp collar. "Sister Sonoko, you must have work uniforms, right?"
The second one, done.
All that's left is the most difficult one.
—
"Good morning, Uncle Yamaguchi!" Aki Tomoya pedaled his bicycle, greeting a familiar neighbor.
"Oh! Delivering newspapers this time? Tomoya is still so diligent."
"Because the Blu-ray disc for 'Imperial Kingdom Goreine' is coming out next month! Only the first-edition comes with a Nendoroid, so I have to work hard!"
"...You still speak those jargon terms as naturally as ever. I don't understand a single word."
"Next time I'll come to evangelize, remember to prepare a player, goodbye!"
After a brief exchange of greetings with the acquaintances living nearby, Aki Tomoya pedaled his bicycle with a burst of speed.
He rode his bike, turning left along the road, and his view suddenly opened up to a steep slope before him.
Going downhill was like heading to an oasis, climbing uphill was like crawling through a desert. This terrifying three-hundred-meter slope was named—Detective Slope.
As he entered the slope, a strong wind pushed Aki Tomoya and his bicycle from behind, carrying flying cherry blossoms.
At times like this, one should rush down the slope at full speed, achieving a collision of speed and youth.
Aki Tomoya took a deep breath, about to accelerate into a dive… "Long time no see." A voice suddenly rang out, "Tomoya."
That low, slightly hoarse voice—Aki Tomoya sharply turned his head and saw Lin Kongqing by the roadside.
In casual trousers, a slim-fit shirt, and all black, Lin Kongqing looked more like a host at a special Club than a high school student.
Aki Tomoya's face turned cold, and he immediately tried to cycle away.
He and Lin Kongqing had met in the spring of their first year of junior high school.
On the very first day they met in the same classroom, Aki Tomoya, also an Otaku, sensed a kindred spirit. They chatted for only a few tens of minutes on the way home that day and became sworn brothers with Lin Kongqing.
A year later, Aki Tomoya, realizing Lin Kongqing's true nature, began to keep his distance from him.
This guy participated in fan activities not to enjoy or promote his favorite works, but only to use popular works to elevate his own status.
While treating works that way wasn't entirely without love, he was absolutely ruthless when it came to using works to make money or gather crowds.
Compared to appreciating the works themselves, he focused more on their value, which was the money they could earn.
Otaku spend money for love, but this scoundrel, disguised as an Otaku, used others' love to make his own money.
Realizing this, Aki Tomoya decisively broke off their friendship.
Later, Lin Kongqing moved to Nagoya due to his family's work, and their next meeting was now.
Reaching out to grab the handlebars, Lin Kongqing's thin lips curved upwards. "After such a long time apart, don't be so heartless, will you?"
"Let go." Aki Tomoya pushed up his glasses, responding in a stiff voice. "Why are you back if not to enjoy Nagoya?"
"For you." Lin Kongqing said with a sincere expression. "I want to form a Club to make games. I need your passion and your love for works. I want you to be the director. A work that you love will definitely…"
"Definitely make money, right?" Aki Tomoya clenched the handlebars. "That's why I hate you, Lin Kongqing. What do you take an Otaku's love for excellent works for! A tool for making money?"
"No," Lin Kongqing corrected. "It's a tool for making big money."
"I won't help you!" Aki Tomoya declared righteously. "Let go!"
Lin Kongqing wrestled with him. "My negotiation skills and intelligence, plus your passion and drive, will surely succeed."
Aki Tomoya pedaled hard. "As a consumer, one should simply love the work; there's no need to become a production member!"
"Don't you want to create the best game?" Lin Kongqing gripped the bicycle handlebars. "To use your abilities to make a work even more perfect?"
"Fans should be subtle and restrained!" Aki Tomoya's speech quickened. "Even if they send a letter, they don't expect a reply; even if they become regulars at events or concerts, they shouldn't casually strike up conversations; even if the other party kindly talks to them, they must never be presumptuous. Giving expensive gifts is improper, and wanting to be friends or even deepen the relationship is utterly foolish. Normally, one should just silently support the work, feel satisfied upon acquiring it, and consider it a great fortune to receive special extras!"
"That's what a true fan is!" Aki Tomoya yelled as if no one else was around, completely oblivious to the girl passing behind him. Of course, even if he noticed, he wouldn't care. "Creators make beautiful two-dimensional worlds. Why must you defile this beauty with three-dimensional matters?!"
"Because all two-dimensional spiritual satisfaction must be built upon a three-dimensional material foundation. Can creators who can't even eat enough produce excellent works for a long time? No." Lin Kongqing stared into Aki Tomoya's eyes. "I'll be your foundation; you create the spiritual satisfaction. I need you, just as you need me."
"Kūsei," Aki Tomoya was stunned. "You…"
The spring sky during the spring break was already brimming with spring, bright blue streaked with white clouds, and pink petals scattered within.
A gust of wind rose, the cherry trees swayed, and amidst the dancing cherry blossoms, on the long slope, past events rushed by, and the two men silently stared at each other.
One was a man, and the other was also a man.
The air was filled with the scent of citrus… Huh?
Citrus?!
Before Lin Kongqing could react, something white accurately splattered on his face. A fresh yet sweet scent accompanied his breathing, permeating his heart.
Suddenly attacked, Lin Kongqing instinctively reached out to touch it.
Thus, Aki Tomoya, freed from restraint, accelerated down the slope.
The soft touch on his hand made Lin Kongqing somewhat dazed. When he took it off, he realized it was a white beret.
"Ah… I'm sorry…"
The pleasant and clear voice made Lin Kongqing instinctively look in the direction of the sound.
The warm spring breeze, entwined with flying cherry blossoms, encircled the girl's figure. Her cute short hair and pure white dress swayed in the wind, and a red knitted cardigan slightly softened the plain white, making the girl's skin appear even more delicate.
"Um…" The girl showed a somewhat embarrassed expression. "Did I interrupt you two?"
"Us?" Lin Kongqing only then remembered and turned his head to look at Aki Tomoya.