novelraw Page 86
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A group photo at the top of Mount Omuro, Megumi Kato interacting with capybaras at the cactus zoo, Eriri and Utaha wearing yukatas at the festival, and scenic photos of the Kinosaki coastline...
This training camp was supposed to be a field trip, but in reality, they didn't do any material collection work; it was simply a vacation.
However, the relationship between the group is much better than before.
Eriri and Utaha still bicker, but their relationship is noticeably more harmonious than before, and Kato Megumi is also more cheerful than usual.
As for himself, he also had a rare few days of relaxation.
……
Around noon, the Shinkansen arrived at Tokyo Station.
"Finally back!" Eriri stretched. "Tokyo is so much better."
“Really? I think the hot springs in Izu are quite nice,” Utaha said.
“Then let’s call it a day,” Yuto said. “Everyone go home and find your mothers. Those who need to write, write; those who need to draw, draw.”
"I know, beautiful teacher." Shiyu smiled.
"After you send me the illustration requirements for Volume 3, I will draw a draft for you as soon as possible." Eriri also returned to work mode.
"Thank you all for your hard work," said Megumi Kato.
Of the four people present, she was the only one who neither wrote nor drew, but she felt excluded.
But... haven't I always been just an ordinary person? It's normal that I can't fit in with them, right?
Hui thought so.
……
After saying goodbye at the station, Yuto Itsuka dragged his suitcase back to his apartment.
After putting down his luggage, he first tidied up the room briefly, then took a shower and changed into his home clothes.
Sitting on the sofa, he picked up his phone, ready to send a message to Nishimiya Shoko.
He had promised to bring her a gift, which he had already bought at a souvenir shop at Ito Station.
"Who's more handsome than me: Shoko, I'm back. Are you free now? I'll bring you this present."
I received a reply very quickly after sending the message.
"Nishimiya Shoko: Welcome back, Yuto-kun! I'm home now."
Yuto picked up the gift and left the apartment.
……
Half an hour later, he arrived at Nishimiya Shoko's house and rang the doorbell.
The door was quickly opened, and Shoko appeared in the doorway.
She was wearing a light blue dress, and when she saw Yuto, a gentle smile appeared on her face.
She gestured to him in sign language: "Welcome back, had a good trip?"
“Izu is a lot of fun. If you have the chance, you can go with Aunt Yaeko and Yuzuru.” Yuto replied with a smile, then handed her the three gift bags in his hand.
"This is a gift for you, and also for Yuzuru and Aunt Yaeko."
Shoko took the bag in surprise, opened it, and found a beige straw sun hat with a blue ribbon tied to the brim.
Her eyes lit up, and she immediately put the hat on her head before running to the mirror to look at herself.
She turned around and gestured with her hands: "It's beautiful! I love it! Thank you, Yuto-kun."
"I'm glad you like it." Seeing her happy, Yuto's mood also improved.
"Would you like to come in and sit down? Mom isn't home," Shoko invited.
Girl, what you just said is a bit dangerous...
Yuto Itsuka quickly declined, "No, I just got back and I'm a little tired, so I'll go back first. You go in now."
Shoko obediently did not try to stop him, thanked him again, and waved goodbye.
Watching Shoko close the door, Yuto turned and left.
……
The weather was unbearably hot for the next few days after I returned to Tokyo.
Even with the blackout curtains drawn and the air conditioning on, the stuffy heat seemed to seep into my bones.
Yuto Itsuka had no desire to go out. He locked himself in his apartment and began working on the third volume of "Farming King".
He sat in front of the computer, the cursor blinking on the screen, but the sound of typing on the keyboard was intermittent.
The sea breeze of Izu, fireworks, Eriri's awkwardness, Kasumigaoka Utaha's teasing, Kato Megumi's indifference... these images played out in his mind, making it difficult for him to concentrate on his farming career in the other world.
Deeper still, perhaps, lies that fleeting figure on the beach—Sakurajima Mai.
"When you have something on your mind, you lose your inspiration when you write." He sighed and rubbed his temples.
He could only grit his teeth and write, deleting anything that didn't go smoothly, and then writing it again.
It's a question whether he can write two thousand words a day. Fortunately, the second volume has just been released, and there's still a long time before the deadline for the next volume, so he has time to adjust.
……
About two weeks later, on August 3rd.
Yuto Itsuka's writing progress has finally made some progress. Although there is still a long way to go before it is finished, at least he has gotten rid of the initial stagnation.
In the afternoon, he had just made himself a cup of iced coffee and was preparing to continue his work when his phone rang.
The caller ID reads: Machida Sonoko.
"Moshi moshi, editor Machida." Itsuka Yuto answered the phone. "Good afternoon."
"Good afternoon, Itsuka-sensei." Machida Sonoko's voice sounded a little tired, unlike her usual energetic self. "I'm sorry to disturb your writing. Is now a convenient time to talk?"
“It’s convenient, go ahead.” Itsuka Yuto keenly sensed the unusual tone in the other person’s voice.
"It's about Ms. Kasumi Shiko." Machida Sonoko paused, seemingly organizing her thoughts. "The initial sales figures for the third volume of 'Love Metronome' are in."
"Oh? What was the result?" Yuto asked.
Although the first volume of "Love Metronome" sold only so-so, the second volume saw a surge in sales after his recommendation, becoming a top-selling work in Shinazugawa Bunko.
"...Not ideal." Machida Sonoko sighed. "The sales were lower than the second volume, and it didn't meet the paperback's expectations."
"How could that be?" Yuto asked, somewhat surprised.
Generally speaking, sales of a series should steadily increase, unless a major incident occurs.
“Reader feedback… is very polarized,” Machida Sonoko explained. “Some readers think the plot development is very exciting, but other readers, especially those who have been following the series since the first volume, have reacted very strongly.”
"What did they find wrong?"
“Universalism,” Machida Sonoko said, using a common criticism term in the light novel world. “They think the plot development is too deliberate, especially the relationship between the male protagonist and the female protagonist Mayu, who appears in the second volume. It’s too fast and unnatural, which makes Sayuka, the female protagonist of the first volume, feel awkward.”
Yuto recalled the plot of "Love Metronome".
This is a typical love triangle story, in which the male protagonist wavers between two female characters with very different personalities.
This kind of subject matter really tests an author's ability to create characters and control the plot; a slight misstep can lead to disaster.
"Simply put, the readers on the side that lost the party war started to riot?" Yuto summarized.
“You could say that,” Machida Sonoko said with a wry smile.
"Moreover, the situation is more serious than we imagined. The online comments have exploded. The character of Makoto is very unpopular, and some radical readers have even started attacking Shizuko Kasumi herself."
"Attack the author?" Yuto frowned.
“Well, some people say she’s lost her touch, that she’s forcibly changed her persona to cater to the market, and some even say she doesn’t understand love at all…” Machida Sonoko’s voice was full of helplessness.
"Ms. Xia Shizi already knows about these comments, and she is feeling very down right now."
Yuto pictured Kasumigaoka Utaha's proud and confident face in his mind; he found it hard to imagine that she would be upset because of the readers' comments.
"Did Editor Machida try to persuade her?"
“Of course I tried to persuade her, from last night until this morning,” Machida Sonoko said. “But it didn’t work. She locked herself in her house, didn’t answer the phone or reply to emails, and I’m a little worried about her.”
Machida Sonoko paused for a moment, then said in a pleading tone, "Itsuka-sensei, I know this request is presumptuous, but... could you please go and see her?"
"I?"
“Yes, you are her most trusted reader and her most respected fellow writer. She might listen to what you have to say,” Machida Sonoko said. “I know you two have a good relationship in private, please.”
Yuto Itsuka remained silent for a moment.
His relationship with Kasumigaoka Utaha is indeed good, but it is limited to the interaction between upperclassmen and underclassmen and peers. Going to her house to comfort her seems to go beyond the scope of their current relationship.
However, when Yuto thought of his senior, who was always sarcastic and scheming but full of love for her work, now suffering the malice on the internet all by herself, he felt a little sorry for her.
“Okay, I’ll give it a try,” Yuto agreed. “Send me her address.”
"Great! I'll send it to you right away." Machida Sonoko breathed a sigh of relief, her voice filled with gratitude.
After hanging up the phone, Yuto quickly received the address sent by Machida Sonoko.
Before leaving, he sent a message to Kasumigaoka Utaha via LINE.
"Who's more handsome than me: Kasumigaoka-senpai, are you busy?"
After the message was sent, it disappeared without a trace.
More than half an hour later, just as Yuto was about to leave, his phone finally vibrated.
Kasumi Shiko: Is something the matter?
The reply was brief, conveying a sense of cold indifference that kept strangers at bay.
"Who's more handsome than me? I heard you haven't been doing so well lately, I'm a little worried about you."
Kasumi: I'm fine, don't worry.
"Who's more handsome than me? Really? Editor Machida says you've locked yourself in your house."
"Xia Shizi: She's being nosy. I just wanted to be alone."
As he looked at the text on the screen, he could almost see Kasumigaoka Utaha's expressionless face.
He knew that although this senior student usually seemed very strong, she was actually very sensitive, especially when it came to her own work, where she poured all her passion and effort into it.
Now that her hard work has been rejected, her self-esteem must have been severely damaged.
"Who's more handsome than me? Can I come over to see you? We can just chat for a bit downstairs at your place."
This time, the message took a long time to get a reply.
Kasumi: No need, junior. I don't want to see anyone right now.
Yuto Itsuka sighed. It seemed that this senior was truly withdrawn this time.
He put down his phone, stood up, and changed into his outdoor clothes.
Since she doesn't want to see him, he's even more determined to go.
Sometimes, the more people resist, the more they need companionship.
……
Volume 1: Chapter 105: The Round at Kasumigaoka
Wako City, Tokyo.
This is a well-known upscale residential area in Tokyo, famous for its quiet environment and rich cultural atmosphere. The streets are lined with lush trees, and the architecture is elegant and understated.
Following the address given by Machida Usagibayashi Shichiwa Shiba = Sonoko, Itsuka Yuto found a high-end apartment building. The apartment's exterior design was simple and elegant, and the security system looked very comprehensive.
"No wonder it's where a bestselling author lives; it's much better than my cheap apartment," he remarked as he stepped into the apartment building.
He went to the floor where Kasumigaoka Utaha was located and found the room number.
Standing at the door, he took a deep breath and rang the doorbell.
Ding-dong-
The doorbell rang in the quiet hallway, but there was no response from inside.