novelhk Page 11
Page 11
Yes, that makes sense, it really makes sense.
Eriri's words truly embodied the principle of "appealing to emotions and reasoning with people." If it were someone else, they might have actually said something like, "Okay, stay as long as you want."
But... who is Kasumigaoka Utaha?
"Oh, I see." Kasumigaoka Utaha tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and chuckled softly. "I suddenly remembered that the plot of volumes two and three seems to need more consideration and refinement. Brother, as my only parent, could you please talk to the school about it?"
"I also want to take a leave of absence from school!"
Chapter 0031 The Crisis of Shinazugawa Bunko! (Third update, please add to your favorites and give flowers)
While a small-scale battle was unfolding at the Kasumigaoka family's residence, in the editorial department of Shinazugawa Bunko, the only dim light in the editor-in-chief's room was still on in the dark and empty office.
"Have the results been tallied yet?" The editor-in-chief silently lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and exhaled the white smoke that swirled in his mouth.
His eyes were bloodshot, and his slightly haggard, sallow face looked particularly terrifying under the light, like a zombie from a movie.
He looked at Machida Sonoko, who was typing away on her computer not far away, and suddenly seemed to age ten years. He repeated his question: "Have the results come out yet?"
The keyboard clicks stopped, and Machida Sonoko seemed to sigh. She raised her equally bloodshot eyes and answered in a trembling voice, "Yes, the first print run of 30,000 copies... has sold out completely since yesterday's book signing!"
Sold out in one day?!
The editor-in-chief's lips twitched incessantly, and his mind was completely blank except for the words "one day" and "sold out".
"Ring ring ring!" The sudden ringing of the telephone broke the silence and startled the two of them. Then, as if by prior arrangement, all the idle telephones in the office rang at the same time!
"Hello!" Machida Sonoko picked up the phone, but before she could even ask, "What's up?", the other end roared, "Deputy Editor-in-Chief! Isn't the reprint of Volume 1 of '5 Centimeters Per Second' finished yet? That person was the 156th person I'd ever seen ask, 'Do you have '5 Centimeters Per Second'?' At this rate, our Shinazugawa Bookstore's reputation is going to be completely ruined!"
"Don't worry, don't worry, we've already contacted all the major printing plants. With everyone working overtime, the first batch of reprints should be available by tomorrow afternoon to meet the demand from our readers!" Machida Sonoko explained with sweat beading on her forehead, her eyes glancing inadvertently at the editor-in-chief... The usually proud and arrogant editor-in-chief was doing the same thing she had just done.
"Hurry up! Right now, it's incredibly hard to find a copy of '5 Centimeters Per Second'. Many wealthy people are even willing to pay five to ten times the price to buy a brand new copy! This is a huge business opportunity!" The person on the other end of the phone sighed deeply and hung up the phone with great helplessness.
Machida Sonoko hung up the phone and immediately rushed to another phone: "Hello."
...half an hour later...
The editor-in-chief and Machida Sonoko, both limp and exhausted, sat in their respective chairs, too weak to even move a finger.
"Is it... over...?" Machida Sonoko groaned weakly, her ears filled with a continuous series of auditory hallucinations.
"Not yet, not yet. If this continues, tomorrow will be the same..." The editor-in-chief felt like dying at the thought of being annoyed by endless phone calls tomorrow: "Looks like we have no choice but to resort to this last resort..."
"Do you really need to use it?" Machida Sonoko looked at the editor-in-chief with a complicated expression. The latter nodded vigorously, then closed his eyes and collapsed onto the sofa as if he had used up all his strength.
"Beep beep beep..." With a hint of resentment in her heart, Machida Sonoko dialed Hyakuri Akira's number: "Hyakuri-kun?"
"Oh, it's Ms. Sonoko. Is there something you need so late?" Baili Xiao put down his computer, and Kasumigaoka Utaha, who was sitting next to him, immediately perked up her ears, leaned forward, and pressed her arm against Baili Xiao's: "Utaha, don't be silly. Ms. Sonoko must have something very important to say."
Upon hearing Kasumigaoka Utaha's soft humming voice coming from the phone, Machida Sonoko shuddered and unconsciously glanced at the digital clock on the table.
Time is ticking away, and it's almost eleven o'clock... This is the peak time for conception!
Shi-chan? Bai-li-jun? Although I have a feeling, you two are siblings!
Silently sighing to herself, Machida Sonoko coughed lightly: "Hyakuri-kun, could I ask you for a favor?"
"Hmm? What is it?" Baili Xiao frowned slightly.
"The sales of '5 Centimeters Per Second' were phenomenal. The initial print run of 30,000 copies sold out in just one day. This is something I've never seen before, not even our editor-in-chief could have imagined." Machida Sonoko lowered her head in embarrassment. "A reprint is now urgently needed. Even if the major printing plants we work with at Shinazugawa Bunko are working overtime, they can't keep up with the reprint schedule..."
"So... could you use your connections to alleviate this sales crisis?" Machida Sonoko took a deep breath after speaking, and immediately felt much more relaxed.
In fact, if the situation of "[5 Centimeters Per Second] re-release" wasn't so serious, or if "Shinzogawa could just tough it out," she wouldn't have made such a distress call to Baili Xiao at all!
Making this phone call is tantamount to admitting that the library is "insufficient in strength, preparation, and coping methods," isn't it?
The release of the first volume of "5 Centimeters Per Second" gave Shinazugawa Bunko hope of "joining the ranks of top-tier light novel publishers." They didn't want to upset Hyakuri Xiao because of this. If the latter was really dissatisfied and took the second and third volumes of "5 Centimeters Per Second," or even more exciting stories to other light novel publishers, then they would really... feel like jumping off a building!
At this point, Machida Sonoko could only pin her hopes on the fact that "her relationship with Hyakuri-kun and the others was still fairly good," hoping that Hyakuri-kun wouldn't take it too seriously...
"Use my connections?" Baili Xiao was taken aback. He was an unemployed bum; where would he get connections?
But then he thought of Akane Akasaka, who had sold the entire club to him: "You mean, you want Akane Akasaka's club to help you?"
“Yes! Akane’s group has good working relationships with many large printing plants. If Akane can step in, the reprint of Volume 1 of [5 Centimeters Per Second] can be easily resolved!” Machida Sonoko held her phone between her shoulder and cheek. Even though Hyakuri Akira couldn’t see her, she still clasped her hands together and bowed, saying, “Hyakuri-kun! I’m really counting on you for this!”
"Okay, sure."
Chapter 0032 This light novel is amazing! (First update, please add to your favorites and give flowers)
Three days later, a total of 500,000 copies of Volume 1 of "5 Centimeters Per Second" were released to the market. Each reprint sold out immediately, and then another emergency reprint was needed!
This unusual and abnormal situation naturally caused a huge sensation in the fan fiction community.
From major anime and manga magazines and websites to otaku who love anime and manga, everyone has heard of the name "5 Centimeters Per Second," and most people have even seen or touched it in person.
The plot is realistic and touching, and the writing is delicate and exquisite. Whether it is the character's personality or the psychological description, it always resonates strongly with people. Everyone who finishes the first volume of "5 Centimeters Per Second" will be moved by Shizuka Kasumi's novel and fascinated by Eri Kashiwagi's poignant illustrations.
This light novel is amazing!
Whether in Baili Xiao's past life or in the world he has traveled to now, there is a guidebook about light novels.
Of course, perhaps due to the difference in the world, the "This Light Novel is Amazing!" in this world is a quarterly publication, meaning it's published four times a year, one issue per quarter! (In the previous world, it was an annual publication, and it evaluated the previous year's works based on the current year's output.)
During the last two weeks of each quarter, the publisher will open a voting function, allowing everyone who loves light novels to enter their information, log on to the website to support their favorite light novel, and cast their precious vote.
And the first volume of "5 Centimeters Per Second" just happened to coincide with the spring issue election for "This Light Novel is Amazing!"!
"Hey everyone! Over the next two weeks, I hope you'll all cast your precious votes for your favorite light novels!"
Just after midnight, the publisher's official website launched a page for the "Amazing! Light Novel" selection for this quarter, and as usual, invited a popular light novel author to the live broadcast room.
This kind of live broadcast event, which lasts for more than half an hour, was once questioned as "suspected of soliciting votes," but the facts have proved that the "truly great light novels" in the minds of readers will not change because of a simple interview!
"This time, the production team is fortunate to have invited Ms. Yamada Elf to the live broadcast room. Ms. Yamada Elf has published the highly anticipated light novel 'The Exploding Dark Fairy,' which has even surpassed two million copies sold so far this quarter, making her a true million-copy bestselling author!"
On the live stream screen, a mature woman in a business suit turned her gaze to the side, and the camera simultaneously focused on a cute girl with blonde hair that curled at the ends, a petite figure, fair skin, and a body shape like an elementary school student: "Ms. Yamada Fairy, first of all, welcome to our live stream."
Wearing a pink dress with two slender, white-stockinged legs beneath the hem, Yamada Elf snorted softly, playing with her curly hair as she said with obvious pride, "Well, what can I do? I'm the strongest beautiful shoujo light novel author in history. As the savior of the light novel industry, even on such a boring occasion, I have to attend."
"Uh..." Upon hearing Yamada Fairy's words, the host was clearly taken aback for a moment, then an awkward smile appeared on his face as he forced himself to change the subject: "Mr. Yamada is really humorous. No wonder you are the light novelist who wrote the best-selling work 'The Exploding Dark Fairy'. So, regarding this poll, how likely do you think your book is to make the list? Or where will it rank?"
"Possibility? Where does it rank?" Yamada Elf looked at the host with a look of "concern for a fool," and sighed helplessly: "Under what circumstances do you think my work was created? From beginning to end, I have always believed that only articles written when my motivation is at its peak will be absolutely interesting! So, except when my motivation is at its peak, I will never write a manuscript!"
"That's why I have 100% confidence in my light novel. I'm absolutely certain it will make the list! And even take first place!" Yamada Elf slightly raised her chin, her face full of arrogance. However, her arrogance didn't make people feel disgusted; instead, it touched many people's hearts, making more people like her: "Hey! Let me tell you! I won't be happy if you vote for me. Really, I won't be happy at all, hmph!"
"Uh... Ms. Yamada, openly soliciting votes during a live broadcast is prohibited..." The host awkwardly patted Yamada Fairy on the shoulder, and when she found that the latter did not pay any attention to her at all, she couldn't help but raise her eyebrows.
If this brat were alone, I would have beaten her until she cried for her parents! —A complaint from the host.
"Since Mr. Yamada is so confident, let's take a look at the latest vote count!" The host didn't bother to argue with Yamada Fairy's lack of cooperation and gestured to the large screen behind him with his right hand.
The black screen lit up, and an image appeared.
First, the titles of each light novel and their brief story summaries appear, followed by the total number of votes each light novel has received so far.
Although only a dozen minutes had passed since the vote count began, many people had already cast their votes in support.
Without a doubt... "The Dark Fairy of Blazing Flames" in first place crushed all other light novels with an absolute advantage of 7853 votes, which was almost half more than the second place's 4032 votes!
"Hmph! I knew it! How could a light novel I write when I'm at my peak possibly lose to anyone else!" Yamada Elf's lips curled into a smile as she jumped off her chair, her Lolita shoes making a crisp sound on the floor. "If I can maintain this level of popularity for the next two weeks, the top spot on the 'This Light Novel is Amazing!' chart this quarter will be mine!"
"This is so boring. I'd rather go home and play mobile games. I remember there was a gacha event tonight? I'm going to spend whatever it takes to get an SSR!"
As Yamada Fairy waved and prepared to leave the live broadcast room, the host, who had been sitting in his chair in a daze, suddenly widened his eyes, stood up in disbelief, and slammed his hand on the table with a "bang": "This, how is this possible?!"
Chapter 0033 Yamada Fairy's Resentment! (Two chapters, please add to your favorites and give flowers)
While "The Dark Fairy of Blazing Flames" reigned supreme with 10587 votes, completely crushing the other selected light novels, the comment section on the voting page was absolutely in an uproar.
"Why can't I vote for [5 Centimeters Per Second]! I'll definitely save my vote for [5 Centimeters Per Second]! I won't vote for any other light novel!"
"That's right! Although '5 Centimeters Per Second' was only released two days before tickets went on sale, it's still considered a light novel of this season, right? Why isn't '5 Centimeters Per Second' included? I don't accept this!"
"Regardless of what others think, I personally believe that '5 Centimeters Per Second' is the best light novel of this season, no, this year!"
The intense resentment that erupted in the comments section of the voting website naturally attracted the attention of the website's backend staff, who were already aware that such a situation would occur.
In fact, even within the publishing house, there was a heated debate over whether or not to allow [5 Centimeters Per Second] to participate in the selection of this quarter's "This Light Novel is Amazing!".
Some people believe that "since it is a light novel released in this quarter, it is eligible to participate in the selection even if it is in the last few days of the quarter!"
However, some people believe that "[5 Centimeters Per Second] has just been released, with a total of only over 500,000 copies sold. Many people have just received the light novel or haven't even started reading it yet. It's unfair to let [5 Centimeters Per Second] participate in the selection now, because other light novels have had readers' attention for two months or even longer. If [5 Centimeters Per Second] gets a low vote rate, it will create a fatal misunderstanding for readers who see the voting results—that [5 Centimeters Per Second] is rubbish!"
Whether they supported or opposed "5 Seconds" in the competition, they all meant well. Therefore, after careful consideration, the publisher chose the more prudent second option.
"[5 Centimeters Per Second] is a near-perfect film, and I don't want its reputation to be affected by our mistakes. Let's not consider [5 Centimeters Per Second] in this selection!"
That's why the "Cannot vote for [5 Seconds]" situation occurred!
But... what does this have to do with the readers?
They just want to vote for the light novels they truly love! What do you think will happen when you see that you can't even vote for your favorite light novel?
"Oh no, this is terrible, things have blown up. This time... it's going to be difficult to resolve." A back-end staff member smacked his lips, glancing bitterly at his colleague. The colleague stared at the back-end data with a complicated expression, then gritted his teeth and said, "Come on! Help me put the '5 Centimeters Per Second' option up. No matter what the consequences, I'll take full responsibility! Even if the boss or Shinazugawa Bunko blames me, just push it all onto me!"
"Ah? Are you sure?"
"Yes! I'm sure! What Yamada Fairy! What 'Dark Fairy of Blazing Flames'? You really think you're number one if [5 Centimeters Per Second] doesn't come out?"
...
Before long, readers who had been following the voting results were surprised to find that at the very bottom of all the light novels, there was a light novel with "0 votes"... [5 Centimeters Per Second]!
"Holy crap! Stop arguing! We can vote for [5 Centimeters Per Second] now! Hurry up and cast your precious vote!"
"Haha! I'm a huge fan of Yamada Elf, how could I possibly give... Honey, don't be angry, I was just kidding. I'll cast my vote for [5 Centimeters Per Second] right now!"
"Yamada Fairy! Experience the terror of being enveloped by [5 Centimeters Per Second]!"
As soon as the voting option for "5 Seconds" was released, the number of votes surged by hundreds every second, and later even increased by several hundred every second! In an instant, it jumped from last place to the top five, and then surpassed one after another, heading straight for Yamada Elf's "Dark Fairy of Blazing Flames"!
This is precisely why the host exclaimed, "How is this possible?"
"What's wrong? What happened?" Yamada Fairy frowned slightly, turned to look at the host, and when she saw the unparalleled shock on the latter's face, her heart skipped a beat and she had a bad feeling.
Could it be that something...? No, no, as far as I know, there are no light novels this season that can compare to mine. They're all written by unknown light novel authors, so there shouldn't be any pressure at all.
Constantly reassuring herself, Yamada Elf's gaze slowly shifted to the screen... On it, the red pillar that had stood out had reached 15829 votes, while next to it, a dazzling blue pillar quickly rose up, easily surpassing the 10,000 mark. Its speed slowed slightly, but it was still rapidly approaching Yamada Elf's "Exploding Dark Elf"!
Approaching, equalizing, overtaking... it wasn't as difficult as I imagined at all. There was no back-and-forth, no epic battles...
Just like that, so easily and naturally, they approached, equalized, and then overtook each other...
Yamada Elf's face flushed red, her small, fair hands clenched tightly and trembled slightly.
She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself down, her slightly misty eyes fixed on the description of "5 Centimeters Per Second" on the screen.