A red Aston Martin glided to a stop in front of Tokyo's Ginza district, and a woman with long hair and sunglasses stepped out of the car.
"So many people... Is this book really that popular?"
Observing the extensive queue outside the entrance of the Kadokawa Bookstore, the long-haired woman couldn't help but express her mild frustration.
"Huh? Wait, is that... Sonoko?" The realization struck her, a hint of surprise crossing her features as she spotted Machida Sonoko inside, organizing the crowd.
A suspicion formed in her mind, and she decided to verify it by making a call.
"Hello, Sonoko."
"Huh? Shizuka, what do you want?" Machida Sonoko's voice sounded surprised through the phone.
Indeed, the woman in question was none other than our beloved teacher, Shizuka Hiratsuka.
Shizuka and Machida Sonoko had been classmates during their college years, nurturing a strong bond that endured to this day. They often shared drinks and outings together.
Upon closer reflection, it became clear that both were formidable individuals. Despite being single women in their thirties, they embraced their independence with grace.
Given their shared attributes, it made perfect sense for these two strong women to become best friends.
"Shizuka, what prompted you to call me? Do you want to go out for a drink again?" Machida Sonoko's voice held a hint of confusion as she received an unexpected call from Shizuka.
"Not this time. I actually have something to discuss with you," Shizuka replied.
"Huh? Not for drinks? Shizuka,do you have any business with me?" Machida Sonoko's tone conveyed her surprise. It was quite out of character for her usually carefree best friend to have something serious on her agenda.
"Am I only good for drinks in your eyes? Do you really see me that way? Remember, I'm a teacher too, you know!" Shizuka retorted, a note of exasperation in her voice as she responded to her friend's teasing.
"Haha, who told Shizuka that every time you call me, it's to go out for drinks. It's hard to believe you've got something serious going on for a change. Alright, what's up?" Machida Sonoko dismissed Shizuka's complaints with a chuckle.
"Sonoko, do you know an author named Wakamono?" Shizuka inquired, her tone reflecting a sense of relief.
"Yeah, how did you find out?" Machida Sonoko responded with a touch of curiosity.
"I've read his novel too. He mentioned on his blog that there's a book signing event today, so I decided to check it out. And guess who I stumbled upon? You!" Shizuka explained, her voice filled with surprise.
"Huh? Shizuka, you're here too? Where are you?" Machida Sonoko's voice held a hint of surprise as she looked around.
"Sonoko, over here!" Shizuka waved her hand enthusiastically and called out from the direction of the signing table.
Following Shizuka's gesture, Machida Sonoko spotted her friend and quickly made her way over.
"Shizuka, it's been a while!" Upon reaching Shizuka's side, Machida Sonoko enveloped her in a warm hug.
Their chests brushed together lightly.
"Yeah, Sonoko, it's been a while!" Shizuka chimed in with an adorable smile after their tight embrace.
"Is that Wakamono-sensei?"
Observing the figure seated behind the signing table, Shizuka's curiosity got the better of her.
"Indeed, that's him. Wakamono-sensei is currently the most promising up-and-coming writer in our publishing house." With a sense of pride, Machida Sonoko gestured towards the bustling signing area, pleased that such a prominent writer was under her guidance.
"Interesting," Shizuka remarked, studying Hachiman as he sat in front of the eager crowd, signing copies. She observed from a distance, taking in his appearance.
"He looks quite youthful and rather handsome, with a certain air of refinement," she noted aloud, unaware that the person she was observing was actually Hachiman.
Due to his glasses, Shizuka hadn't recognized him.
"Hey, Sonoko, I must say, I find Wakamono-sensei quite handsome. Is there any secret crush going on there?"
"Huh? What? Shizuka, that's absurd! What are you even talking about?" Machida Sonoko was caught off guard by her friend's unexpected remark.
"Well, I'm just saying. He's an attractive and popular new writer. Isn't it possible you're charmed?" Shizuka's mischievous smile hinted at a playful teasing.
"And Sonoko, let's be honest, you put in quite an effort with your appearance today. Don't try to deny it."
Caught in Shizuka's observation, Machida Sonoko responded with a slightly guilty tone, "Come on, he's just a young author. There's no reason for me to be drawn to him."
"Wait, young author? What do you mean?" Shizuka's interest was piqued by this revelation.
"Yeah, you won't believe it, but Wakamono-sensei is only 16 years old and still a high school student," Machida Sonoko stated, relieved that she successfully shifted Shizuka's focus.
"Wait, a student?" Shizuka's eyebrows shot up in surprise. She had just glanced at him and he certainly didn't strike her as a high school student.
"That's right. What's even more interesting is that he's a student at Sobu High School. You might even know him," Machida Sonoko added, recalling that Shizuka also taught at Sobu High School.
"Wait, he's a Sobu High School student?" Shizuka's astonishment deepened. She hadn't anticipated that the author she was discussing would turn out to be one of the students in there school.
"Sonoko, what's Wakamono-sensei's real name?"
"Hikigaya Hachiman."
"Who are you referring to?"
"Hikigaya Hachiman. What's going on with you, Shizuka?"
Seeing her best friend's bewildered expression, Machida Sonoko was left utterly perplexed.
"Hikigaya Hachiman? Are you talking about that guy with dead fish eye?" Shizuka's reaction took a sharp turn as if she had a personal grudge against him.
"Oh, so it's really him!"
"Shizuka, did something happen between you and Hachiman?" Machida Sonoko could tell that there was some history between the two, prompting her to delve further into the matter.
"That infuriating, conceited brat had the audacity to claim I won't be able to marry by the time I'm thirty!" Shizuka seethed with anger as she recalled the incident.
The recent string of disastrous blind dates only seemed to fuel her fury, making her suspect that this misfortune was somehow orchestrated by that brat.
"What? Hahaha, he actually said you won't get married by the time you're thirty?" Hearing the explanation, Machida Sonoko burst into laughter.
"Why are you laughing? You're almost thirty yourself, hovering on the edge of becoming an 'older single dog,'" Shizuka retorted, playfully teasing Sonoko with a smirk.
Machida Sonoko, who had been laughing moments ago, suddenly found herself silenced.
"I'm in a different boat from you. Work keeps me swamped, and I hardly have time. Unlike you, who's been through a series of unsuccessful blind dates!"
"The reasons don't matter. The end result is that you're, like me, still unmarried."
"Shizuka, is there even room for improvement for people like us?"
"It's your own fault for laughing at me in the first place."
After their playful banter, Shizuka eventually took her leave. Now that she knew the author was Hachiman, asking for an autograph was out of the question. She mentally noted to address the matter with that kid when the opportunity presented itself.
Noon struck, signaling an intermission. After hours of signing, many of the attendees decided to take a break, dispersing to have lunch individually. The signing event was set to resume at 1:30 in the afternoon.
Finally getting a moment to rest, Hachiman could feel the relief. With his resilient physique, his hands were only slightly sore despite the continuous signing throughout the morning. As he stood up, stretching his stiffened muscles, someone handed him a refreshing drink.
"For lunch, let's make do with this for now. I'll treat you to a hearty meal after the afternoon signing session!"
Receiving the lunch box and juice, Hachiman beamed with pride. "Okay,I didn't anticipate such a turnout today!"
"Absolutely, as the hottest newcomer writer in our publishing house, you'll be delighted to know that you've already sold nearly 1,000 copies this morning. If this momentum continues, reaching 2,000 copies sold today is entirely achievable." Machida Sonoko conveyed the positive news to Hachiman, her smile bright.
"Well, it seems the light novel I wrote is not bad."
"By the way, Wakamono-sensei, I had no idea you knew Shizuka!" Machida Sonoko shared her amusement, recalling what Shizuka had mentioned.
"Ha!" Hachiman's startled reaction was undeniable as that somewhat familiar name reached his ears. With the memory of the encounter with Maki still vivid, the mention of Shizuka's name caught him off guard, leading him to unintentionally expel a mouthful of juice in surprise.
"Um, Editor Machida, who did you just mention?"
"Ahem," Editor Machida cleared her throat, causing Hachiman's hope to flicker. Despite not catching the full name, he held onto a glimmer of anticipation.
However, Machida Sonoko shattered his illusions: "Shizuka, I mean your homeroom teacher, Shizuka Hiratsuka? She's a close friend of mine. I never expected you to be Shizuka's student, Hachiman. It seems fate has quite the sense of humor."
I didn't want to encounter this kind of fate, encountering anyone connected to Shizuka, no matter where I went.
"But Wakamono-sensei, how dare you say that about Shizuka? You truly deserve it."
A wry smile appeared at the corner of Hachiman's mouth. Suddenly, he felt that the box lunch in his hand was no longer fragrant. "There seems to be a misunderstanding."
Observing the expression on his face, Machida Sonoko said with a reassuring smile, "No need to worry too much. You're still a young, and you're her student. From what I know of Shizuka, she won't take things too seriously."
"I hope so!"
Since he couldn't avoid it, he concluded he might as well confront the situation head-on; at worst, it would result in a few punches. Considering his current physical condition, he believed he could endure it.
"And I hope that next time Editor Machida will keep my identity hidden," Hachiman said.
"I'm sorry if I accidentally revealed your identity. Please forgive me," Machida said, her face showing guilt.
"It's okay, Editor Machida," Hachiman replied calmly, understanding the situation.
By 1:30 in the afternoon, following the lunch break, the book signings resumed, and the crowd reconvened. More people were observing the proceedings than in the morning.
"Wakamono-sensei, I'm a big fan of your 'Sword Art Online.' Please release a follow-up soon; I'll definitely buy it!"
It was unclear how many readers held his book with excitement.
"Thank you so much for your support!" Hachiman expressed his gratitude repeatedly as he signed using his pen name.
With numerous signatures and repeated expressions of gratitude, Hachiman's hand grew a bit numb. Finally, the signing session concluded at 5 pm.
At that moment, the person in charge, Sonoko Machida, approached: "Thank you for your hard work, Wakamono-sensei, and to everyone else. Today's autograph session has successfully come to a close."
"Phew, it's finally over. My hands are almost numb," Hachiman sighed, shifting his body to alleviate the stiffness from sitting for so long.
"Haha, thank you for your hard work, Wakamono-sensei," Machida Sonoko exclaimed, handing him a bottle of water. "Today, we sold over 2,200 copies. What a fantastic result!"
"So many! Really?" Hachiman responded with surprise, followed by a touch of excitement. "More than 2,200 copies means I've earned over 200,000 yen today."
"Over 200,000 yen in a day, which converts to more than 1,900 to 2,000 dollars if you consider the USD exchange rate. Light novelists do make money quickly."
"Of course it's true; the data has been verified," Sonoko Machida assured Hachiman, who was brimming with excitement. She then took out her keys. "Let's go. I'll treat you to some delicious food."
In light of the celebration, they decided to skip the Yukihira Family restaurant this time and opted for a more upscale sushi place. They agreed to address each other by their first names when they're not at work.
After parking the car and entering the sushi restaurant, Sonoko Machida waved her hand proudly. "Hachiman, order whatever you like. Enjoy!"
Since it was all going to be reimbursed, Machida Sonoko wasn't worrying about expenses at the moment. To those who didn't know her, she might have seemed like a wealthy woman.
With her encouragement, Hachiman saw no reason to hold back.
I ordered some of the more expensive sushi, and the two of us took our seats.
As they dined, Hachiman and Sonoko Machida delved into a conversation about Hachiman's novels.
"Hachiman, I've got some news for you," Machida Sonoko began, taking a sip of sake and slightly blushing. "Bunko has decided to release your second volume directly next month. We're estimating a conservative initial print run of at least 100,000 copies."
She continued, "What's more, over half of the 50,000 copies from the second batch of the first volume have already been sold. In light of this, the publishing house has decided to print another 100,000 copies."
"So quickly?" Hachiman expressed his surprise. He hadn't anticipated that Kadokawa would hold him in such high regard and choose to release the second volume.
You must understand that ordinary light novelists have to wait for openings in the publishing schedule to get their work published. For new writers, the wait could be as long as two or three months.
However, this is also influenced by the writing speed and quality of those light novelists. Given my fast writing pace and decent quality, it makes sense for the publishing house to prioritize my work.
Machida Sonoko drained her sake in a single gulp and let out a sigh of relief. "It's true. You're currently the most highly regarded new writer in our publishing house!"
After all, capitalists tend to prioritize whatever can generate profit. That thought put Hachiman's mind at ease.
However, when he heard that the publishing house intended to release the second volume, he hesitated and expressed: "Sister Sonoko, I actually suggest that we hold off on releasing the second volume for now. I'm on track to complete the third volume soon, and my proposal is to have the second and third volumes published together."
"Ah, well..."
Observing Sonoko Machida's hesitation, Hachiman offered a reassuring smile. "Exactly. Sister Sonoko, my plan is to conclude the protagonist's story in Aincrad by the end of the third volume."
"The third volume finishing it all? Won't that be too short?" Upon hearing his statement, Machida Sonoko thought that he was approaching the end of the story in the third volume and was considering advising against it.
Hachiman explained, "Sister Sonoko, I think there's a misunderstanding. The third volume will wrap up the protagonist's journey in the Aincrad game. Then, I'll delve into the story of the protagonist in other games."
Given his writing style, he believed he could expand the Aincrad arc from two volumes to three without any issues.
"Oh, I see!" Sonoko Machida let out a relieved sigh. "I'll explain your plan to the editor-in-chief. It shouldn't be an issue. Here's to your great sales!"
Hachiman raised his glass of fruit juice and clinked it against hers. "Then I'll borrow a good wish from you, Sister Sonoko!"
"Ha~ That's so cool!" Machida Sonoko exclaimed with satisfaction as she downed the sake in her glass.
Observing her bold drinking, Hachiman's expression became a little puzzled. He couldn't help but think to himself, "No wonder they're best friends. With this kind of personality, she might be one of those older women who resist getting married around 30!"
"Huh? Why do I get the feeling that you're badmouthing me in your thoughts?" Machida Sonoko looked at Hachiman with a perplexed expression.
What's going on? Do older single women have some sort of telepathic connection?
Swiftly changing his expression, Hachiman plastered a smile on his face once again. "How could that be? Sister Sonoko, you've helped me so much. I'm extremely grateful."
"Haha, that's true, you're quite the polite one!" Given his adept acting skills, Machida Sonoko couldn't possibly perceive anything amiss. She just dismissed it as her own imagination.
"However, Hachiman, how much time do you think you'll need to finish your third volume?."
"I should be able to complete the manuscript by the middle of the month," Hachiman said confidently. Writing at a pace of 10,000 words a day, submitting the manuscript by the mid-month mark was entirely feasible.
"That's great!"
"Since you're planning to combine the second and third volumes, the illustrations become crucial. Your next step should be to have a thorough discussion with the illustrator," Machida Sonoko advised after setting down her wine glass.
"Don't worry, Sister Sonoko, I've got a clear idea." Hachiman already had a mental image of how the character illustrations should look.
"Alright, then I'll provide you with the artist's contact details soon, and you can start communicating." Feeling assured since he understood the process, Machida Sonoko nodded.
"Thank you, Sister Sonoko."
"You're welcome, you're welcome."
After a satisfying meal and drinks, Sonoko Machida dropped Hachiman off at the tram station before departing. Once he was back home, Hachiman decided to call it a night and rest early.
A week had passed, and he was about to resume his classes the following day.
Starting tomorrow, I'll be updating one chapter a day instead of two, as I'll be busy studying at school.
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