After 'Ao Haru Ride' paved the way in the first two chapters, the story continued for two more chapters, focusing on portraying the daily lives of the male and female protagonists, their classmates, and families. It was as if the author wanted the reader to become accustomed to the world before pushing them towards any precipice.
The following chapters focused on what, for many, is the heart of a Japanese school romance: everyday life. Conversations in the hallway, late-night messages, rushed lunches, class meetings, small embarrassments that seemed gigantic to those experiencing high school.
The romance between Futaba and Kou intensifies, and the friendship between Futaba and Yuri strengthens.
The reason this work received such a high rating in 'Momentary Blossoms' magazine is mainly due to its deeply moving depiction of everyday life.
Any author can write about romance and friendship, but it's difficult to create several memorable and captivating characters with such a limited amount of text. Both the development of the female protagonist Futaba and that of the secondary character Yuri resonate deeply with the audience.
Futaba had a carefully crafted personality: too firm at times, too fragile at others, always trying to balance the desire to be accepted with the fear of being seen.
And Yuri, who in theory could only be a supporting character, gained prominence with details that made the reader recognize herself: the way she held back her smile so as not to seem needy, the way she offered support before admitting that she also needed it.
But just when everyone thought this romance would continue smoothly with a sweet and romantic story...
The fifth chapter of 'Ao Haru Ride' brought a pleasant surprise to everyone.
In the plot, during a school trip that should have been trivial, an unforeseen event occurred. A situation that, on paper, might seem small, but in the narrative served as a trigger.
Yuri found herself in trouble. It wasn't anything absurdly dramatic, but it was enough to expose insecurities and create tension. And, at that moment, after an accident during a picnic, Kou appears when Yuri needs him and helps her out of trouble.
The subsequent plot clearly shows that Yuri has fallen in love with Kou.
Her gaze towards Kou, which until then was just that of a friend of the protagonist observing the boy from afar, gained a dangerous nuance: interest. An interest that wasn't explicit, but also wasn't innocent.
And this passion is problematic because, in reality, the protagonists, Futaba and Kou, are just friends. Perhaps the mutual passion they felt for each other in elementary school is slowly rekindling after their reunion in high school, but, regardless, if Yuri were to get involved with Kou at this moment, it wouldn't be a problem and wouldn't hurt Futaba's feelings.
So, if Yuri decided to get closer to Kou… wouldn't she be wrong?
This makes everyone very uncomfortable.
Because, in the public imagination, Yuri was "the best friend." The person who should be a safe haven, not competition. And suddenly the story presented a possibility that many people didn't even want to imagine: a love triangle.
"The author is up to something!"
"Hey, I'm a little worried! Is this novel going to turn into a story of best friends destroying each other over the male protagonist?"
"Probably not. From the first chapter until now, this novel has focused on the daily lives of young people, without conspiracies, complicated love triangles, or fights. I don't think that will happen later."
"I just want to read a light and sweet romance, not a story of best friends destroying each other!"
"Mizuki wouldn't do that. Her novel is very popular, ranking first in the 'Momentary Blossoms' ratings and third in reader votes. There's no need for her to add these adventure-filled plots."
"I agree, but I'm worried! It's so rare to find an interesting romance, and I'm afraid the plot will fall apart later."
On the Red Violet Literature website, fans are engaged in heated discussions about the plot of this novel. And these discussions aren't limited to the publisher's website; they've also appeared in various fan groups.
These discussions, at first glance, seem to be readers questioning the plot, but in reality, they are unintentionally helping to spread the influence of 'Ao Haru Ride'.
How can a novel become popular without discussion?
A work that no one comments on doesn't exist outside of the page. A work that doesn't cause a reaction, doesn't become a meme, doesn't spark theories, doesn't create a fan base, and is unlikely to become a hit.
If the plot follows the readers' expectations, what's the point of having an author? Constructive debates about the plot are also a sign of a healthy environment for the dissemination of a novel.
It was natural for the text to take a turn and for readers to discuss it. In many cases, this didn't weaken the work, but rather strengthened it. It was a sign that people cared.
This is also reflected in this week's results for 'Ao Haru Ride'. Although fans discussed the plot extensively, the work maintained its previous increase in popularity in the magazine's polls.
Chapter 5 of 'Ao Haru Ride' received 5,123 reader votes through the official website this week, placing second in the magazine, surpassing the novel that held second place last week, "Summer Fireworks". Regarding the rating, it remains firmly in first place with a score of 9.3.
The editorial team at Red Violet Literature had already predicted this week's results for 'Ao Haru Ride', as, given the novel's previous surge in popularity, it would be really difficult for 'Summer Fireworks' to maintain its position.
Although the author of 'Summer Fireworks' has put in considerable effort in recent editions, speeding up the plot and creating a forced short-term commercial appeal, the impression is still that everything was done artificially.
In this week's reader poll, 'Ao Haru Ride' surpassed the book by 600 votes.
On Thursday morning, in the Red Violet Literature editorial department, the topic of the day was unavoidable.
A group of editors gathered early, coffee in hand, and the conversation took shape as if it were an informal meeting.
"The unprecedented success of a debut author in 'Momentary Blossoms' magazine; could Mizuki Ito pull off a miracle, achieving first place in popularity and ratings with her debut novel?"
"Could a debut novelist handle the plot development of 'Ao Haru Ride'?"
"What are the future prospects for the author of 'Ao Haru Ride', Mizuki Ito?"
These discussion topics spread rapidly through the newsroom.
"However, we can't just focus on 'Ao Haru Ride'! Besides, if you look further down, have you noticed that 'The Light of Yesterday's Stars' is also performing incredibly well?"
Some raised their heads.
"The fifth chapter of 'The Light of Yesterday's Stars', thanks to fan support, achieved a rating of 8.5, placing third, and in the reader poll, it's in fourth place with 3223 votes." Another, older editor scratched his chin.
"If 'Ao Haru Ride' hadn't been so exceptional, 'The Light of Yesterday's Stars' would certainly be considered a phenomenal success."
"Actually, when we presented the first chapter at the serialization meeting, everyone thought it was above average, excellent, but not exactly incredible. However, the author showed remarkable growth."
"From the first to the fifth chapter, the quality of each one improved a little. That's why 'The Light of Yesterday's Stars' performance improved so quickly."
"Daiki Watanabe seems to be the type of author who improves with each chapter. Will 'The Light of Yesterday's Stars' manage to surpass 'Ao Haru Ride' in terms of performance after a while, haha?"
"My impression of these two novels is that 'Ao Haru Ride' is like a mature work, with high quality from the beginning and maintained consistently. 'The Light of Yesterday's Stars,' on the other hand, continuously improved in terms of plot, writing style, and everything else during the serialization process. This 'Daiki Watanabe' has a truly frightening growth potential!"
"Who is the greatest talent of Red Violet Literature this year? I still prefer Mizuki, the author of 'Ao Haru Ride.'"
"Her novel has such a pleasant pace, the plot has twists and turns, but without major flaws, and the immersion during reading is excellent. While reading, I even felt like I was going back to high school and gathering courage to confess to the person I was in love with."
The comments continued, mixing analysis and excitement. Someone mentioned how comfortable the pacing of 'Ao Haru Ride' was, with conflicts free of cheap "venom," and an immersion that made even adults want to go back to high school and confess to their own "impossible crush" from their youth.
However, after Miyuki left the editor-in-chief's office, everyone lowered their voices. After all, it's not very polite to talk about those things in front of the editor.
She had just received official confirmation of something that would change the rhythm of everything.
She had received the definitive news this morning at Yuki's office that the standalone volumes of 'Ao Haru Ride' and 'The Light of Yesterday's Stars' would be released nationwide on the 25th of this month.
Of course, although the magazine is said to be distributed nationwide, given Red Violet Literature's resources, they can basically only guarantee the promotion of novels in the southern provinces. In the other provinces, the magazine is left to its own devices, allowing the market to operate freely.
In practice, Red Violet Literature's real distribution strength was much greater in the region where the publisher had roots and partner networks.
For a popular magazine at the provincial level like 'Momentary Blossoms', the publisher needs to take care of promotion and distribution channels before bookstores run out of stock. After all, magazines, like newspapers, have a limited shelf life; nobody buys last week's newspaper.
That's why there are only a few novel publishers with nationwide distribution networks. Building a distribution network is difficult. It requires money, manpower, a network of contacts, and, most importantly, years, even decades.
But single-volume editions are different. Bookstores don't bother much to stock a few copies of single-volume light novels and hang them in a corner; if they sell, great; if not, they can simply be returned to the publisher.
A bookstore could put half a dozen new novels in a corner without fear. If it sold, great. If it didn't sell, it returned them. The logistics were more user-friendly.
Therefore, most bookstores don't worry much about stocking single-volume novels.
Thus, in reality, with Red Violet Literature's resources, it has the capacity to place the single-volume edition of 'Ao Haru Ride' on bookstore shelves in major cities across the country.
However, outside of the Southern Prefecture, Red Violet Literature cannot help with promotion; She could only rely on the potential of the novel itself.
In the art and production departments, work was already heating up.
New illustrations, cover adjustments, graphic design, text revision. It felt like the entire building had entered a silent war mode.
Preparations for printing the single-volume editions were also underway, and the partner printing company would be notified to schedule the work.
Miyuki organized what she needed and mentally marked the right moment to tell the authors about it. Not out of secrecy. Out of respect for their time.
On Friday, when Ren and Shiori came to her house to deliver the manuscripts of their novels, she also told them about the imminent release of the two single volumes.
"Your bound volumes will be released on the twenty-fifth."
Ren blinked, surprised.
"That fast?"
In her experience, most novels were only released as single volumes after a few months of serialization and when they had already gained popularity.
Miyuki, dressed in a black dress, her long, slender legs accentuated by black stockings, her hair pulled back in a bun, sat wearily on her sofa.
"The publisher still values you both quite a bit. As long as the content of the novels is sufficient to publish the first single volume, it's fine. The rest will be released as the serialization is completed."
She looked from one to the other.
"By the way, your novels are almost finished, right?" Miyuki looked at the two of them.
After all, the manuscripts they delivered today were already on the ninth and tenth chapters.
Ren scratched the back of his neck, embarrassed.
"Yes, if I'm not mistaken, 'Ao Haru Ride' will end in chapter fourteen," he said.
Beside him, Shiori spoke quickly, as if afraid of seeming late:
"As for me, 'The Light of Yesterday's Stars' will be even shorter than 'Ao Haru Ride,' it should end in thirteen chapters."
"I understand," said Miyuki, pondering for a moment before looking at the two.
"To be direct, I think both of your novels are of very high quality, especially Shiori's. Initially, I thought 'The Light of Yesterday's Stars' wouldn't perform well."
"But, in fact, its pace of development has exceeded my expectations. In such a short time, the final parts of 'The Light of Yesterday's Stars' are noticeably more interesting than the first ones."
Ren, without saying anything, looked at Shiori with an expression different from his usual one. It wasn't just polite admiration. It was a kind of recognition.
He knew what he held in his own hands.
Those on the same side know their own situation. Ren's serialized novel, 'Ao Haru Ride', was originally an excellent work from a parallel world. Therefore, its exceptional performance in the magazine was simply a consequence, fulfilling his many expectations.
But Shiori had none of that. She was, in truth, a novice in the world of pure fiction.
No memories of another world, no "shortcut," no tricks. It was just talent, discipline, and an intelligence that made things seem easy when they weren't.
That's what it means to be a genius, Ren thought.
She achieved success on her own, maintaining the top academic ranking in her class at the High School, a nationally renowned secondary school. And yet, his first attempt at writing a novel resulted in "The Light of Yesterday's Stars," a light novel serialized in "Momentary Blossoms," which currently enjoys remarkable success.
In recent weeks, whenever the two finished dealing with manuscript matters at Miyuki's house, Shiori undertook a strange and unavoidable ritual: he picked up the publisher's console with almost solemn seriousness, sat with perfect posture, and, with a face too calm for someone about to compete, looked at Ren and asked, pretending not to care:
"Ren… want to play a game?"
Even his gaming skills had visibly improved.
From the twenty-fifth onward, it wouldn't just be the school that would hunt them down out of curiosity. It would be the entire country, to some degree.
And at that moment, he understood that writing a story wasn't just about finishing chapters. It was about traversing what came after them.
End of Chapter 30