A super great writer in the second dimension

　Sanzenin Arashi was growing to admire this woman more and more. Putting aside the girl's beautiful appearance, her writing skills were also top-notch, and she was already capable of standing on her own. As a fellow sixteen-year-old genius, he found common ground with Kasumigaoka Utaha.

　There are many things I want to discuss with her.

　“I’m going to start a company that targets the entire entertainment industry, so I want to convince you that I will be responsible for packaging and publishing this novel, ‘Love Metronome,’ and you shouldn’t give this book to anyone else.” After saying this, Sanzenin Arashi looked at the girl, waiting for her reaction.

　A love metronome is more than just money; a clear story can earn you a great reputation. This kind of talent cannot be measured by common sense.

　Although Sanzenin Arashi had never been in a relationship, he found the plot of this novel to be truly captivating. After finishing it, he had only one thought—where is the second volume? Bring it to me right now!

　"Don't keep me waiting, popular author." Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at Sanzenin Arashi with an inscrutable gaze: "I agree."

　Arashi Sanzenin slammed his fist on the table. He didn't want to work on a simple romance novel for the time being. His schedule was already full of manga and anime. As for the novel, Kasumigaoka Utaha was definitely up to the task. As the heir of the Sanzenin family, his intuition told him so.

　"Hey, don't get too excited yet, popular author, when will your paperback be ready?" The girl intended to pour cold water on the slightly overconfident guy.

　Sanzenin Arashi took out the electronic key that Ulrika had given him: "A 47-story building near Ginza in Tokyo, with a rooftop garden, a private helipad, a solarium pool, and our private space on the roof. The company is downstairs. It's absolutely world-class. You won't regret following me!"

　Once the company is established, let's give her some shares. Exchanging a building for her own shares, this is a good deal, Ulrika.

　Kasumigaoka Utaha thought for a moment, then suddenly said, "Well, we can trust each other. Besides, I haven't decided on my future plans yet. I'll decide on my career path in my second year of high school. Working part-time here for now should be good. So, what kind of treatment will you give me?"

　As she spoke, Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at Sanzenin Arashi.

　The latter shrugged: "How about the CEO benefits?"

　"It's a deal, no backing out."

　..

43. Are you kidding me?

　Arashi Sanzenin finished the illustrations for Sword Art Online overnight, and the editorial department called early the next morning.

　"Teacher, Sword Art Online will be released in three days. I just took the printing work to the manufacturer, and now we're waiting for your confirmation!"

　Nishikawa excitedly said on the phone, "Several bookstore managers under the Shinazugawa Bunko Group are eager to meet you. Do you know what this means, teacher?"

　It's a win-win situation for us!!!

　The teacher's book can bring them a lot of benefits! That's why they're so proactive. Originally, even I, the son of the largest board member, couldn't get through to them, but as soon as they said it was the teacher's book, they immediately became interested.

　Does the teacher know what this means? It definitely means the light novel publisher has decided to prioritize the teacher's Sword Art Online!

　"I'll try to get it done by the morning. I have some very important personal business to attend to after lunch." Sanzenin Arashi nodded and smiled slightly as she looked at the dining table.

　On the table was a glass of milk, a few slices of bread, and a fried egg with the yolk half-cooked. Kasumigaoka Utaha was equally adept at social graces and domestic skills. Even though she had already gone to class, she didn't skimp on breakfast. A fruit salad was also laid out on the side, making the meal exceptionally lavish.

　"Meet me at the library entrance at 8:30. Teacher, you must be there on time. Don't be late!" After giving me a thousand and one instructions, Nishikawa hung up the phone. After finishing breakfast, Sanzenin Arashi drove straight to the Shinazugawa Library.

　Arashi Sanzenin understood the editor's attitude perfectly. The reason he was so enthusiastic was... well, the editor himself had said that Sword Art Online brought benefits to the bookstore's owners, so naturally, he, as the author, would bring a good reputation to this gilded editor.

　A thousand troops are easy to get, but a general is hard to find.

　Money is easy to make, but few people know how to make it; a good author is even rarer.

　The library would rather earn less money than have another great author. One of their books, like Sword Art Online, is worth seventy or eighty other ordinary books.

　What a terrifying number this is?

　After getting off the bus, Sanzenin Arashi quickly walked to the reception desk.

　"Hello, how can I help you with any business?" The receptionist's eyes lit up when she looked at Sanzenin Arashi. The Japanese thought that Europeans and Americans were rich, and Sanzenin Arashi was handsome, so she couldn't help but admire him.

　"I am Aoyama Arashi. There should be my appointment here."

　"I'll check for you right away!"

　It really is a world that judges by appearances. The receptionist was incredibly nice, her smile was like a flower, and she worked with lightning speed.

　"We have confirmed that Shinazugawa Bunko does have a reservation for you. We will contact them for you now."

　The receptionist was also marveling at how this was the day the light novel newcomer award was announced, and that only one person had made a reservation for the paperback, which meant that the person in front of her was indeed the grand prize winner, making her incredibly envious.

　Soon, editor Nishikawa personally came downstairs to greet Sanzenin Arashi.

　"Once this book is published, the money earned from it will be equivalent to several years of my salary!" Nishikawa flattered Sanzenin Arashi, "I don't know when I'll be able to get a board position, so I'll congratulate you in advance."

　After getting on the elevator, Xi Chuan quickly said, "Please keep today's itinerary in mind, teacher. The most important thing is this meeting, which will last about an hour. Then, at 10 a.m., we will arrange for you to visit a bookstore, and at 1 p.m., we will take you to the printing factory to make arrangements."

　Sanzenin Arashi nodded in agreement. Although the time was a bit tight, it would still be enough for the afternoon's events.

　Upon opening the conference room door, five or six middle-aged men sat inside, dressed in suits and ties, their faces impeccably groomed, all their eyes fixed on the doorway.

　After scanning Sanzenin Arashi's face, everyone couldn't help but sigh.

　It's good that a sixteen-year-old can write a good book, but isn't this kind of meeting just like casting pearls before swine?

　Just say some nice things and do things your way; after all, he's just a student who doesn't know anything.

　Before entering the meeting room, Nishikawa reminded Sanzenin Arashi that the main purpose of this meeting was to hear the author's opinions. With the new book going on sale, small lucky bags would naturally be bundled with it, and the contents of these bags would be ready in the next few days, so this meeting was necessary for communication.

　“Mr. Aoyama, I think this matter can be left to the bookstore. We will discuss and come to a conclusion. You just need to sit on the sidelines and give your opinions on anything you are not satisfied with. What do you think?” The leader of the bookstore’s management stepped forward.

　Arashi Sanzenin was looking at the original concept book, "Sword Art Online Promotional Project," on the table.

　"I have no opinion, but there is one point I need to clarify."

　Sanzenin Arashi was naturally happy not to contribute. Although he didn't know whether these people were looking down on him or really considered him a teacher, he didn't really want to hear their opinions.

　"Please speak, Mr. Aoyama." The bookstore representative waved his hand.

　“I want to remove the original illustrations.” Sanzenin Arashi said after looking at the Sword Art Online promotional material on the table. “These illustrations do not meet my needs, so I want to remove them.”

　"W-what?!" The bookstore representative slammed his hand on the table, saying incredulously, "Sword Art Online is in urgent need of distribution. These illustrations are a collaborative work commissioned from six illustrators. What exactly is it that you, sir, are dissatisfied with?"

　They had already made preparations, but they didn't expect that Sanzenin Arashi would immediately request a change of illustration.

　"Teacher, please don't be so willful. The printing time is already tight enough, and the illustrations..."

　boom!

　Sanzenin Arashi slammed her hand on the table: "Even if sales drop by 50%, are you willing to accept that?"

　A collective gasp rippled through the air.

　To them, Sanzenin Arashi's words were undoubtedly arrogant.

　"What are you talking about?!" someone still asked.

　"Illustrations are the body of a novel, and words are its soul. If my novel is published for the first time, it's like going to meet my first love. How can I not dress up a bit?"

　Sanzenin Arashi glanced at the bookstore representatives, her sharp eyes fixed on them: "That's not the main point. I don't mean to look down on those illustrators at all. Their illustrations are beautiful, they could be used as CG. The paperback publisher is also very sincere in arranging such good illustrators for me. But I'm sure that none of you here have ever read the original text of this book."

　The bookstore representatives were speechless. They had indeed never read the original Sword Art Online novel; middle-aged people simply couldn't stand reading light novels.

　“Very well, it seems I was right.” Sanzenin Arashi’s calm demeanor made him look like a dignified Vajra. “The problem is that these illustrators don’t seem to have read the original text either. Do they understand what I’m saying? Their drawings are completely off-topic, in other words, they’re completely irrelevant.”

　"I wrote that Asuna's hair was flaxen, so what is this long blue hair?"

　Why did Kirito's eyes turn red?

　Silica is clearly a loli, so why is she drawn with huge breasts? Is it to add a cute element?

　This book has no fantasy elements on the realistic side, so why is Suguha's hair green? Have you ever seen a Japanese person with naturally green hair? Everyone?

　..

44. Do you understand what I mean?

　The six bookstore managers sat silently in their seats, watching Sanzenin Arashi.

　"Of course you have nothing to say, because you don't understand your own products at all. But I think everyone understands how customers feel. You also buy things, so of course you know how it feels to buy bad products."

　Sanzenin Arashi looked at these people and slowly said, "There's no need to worry too much. I've already prepared the illustrations. I just didn't expect the light novel to be released in such a hurry. When the editor called me, he told me that there were only three days left."

　The bookstore representatives, who were initially somewhat displeased, all turned their gazes toward Nishikawa.

　Nishikawa was stunned. He had no choice but to listen. The editor-in-chief's sudden announcement probably meant that the book was going to compete with other books in the library and fight a battle. That's why the book was being released so urgently, in order to capture more market share!

　Nishikawa couldn't remain silent any longer, so he immediately said, "Since the teacher has already prepared the illustrations, we only have one thing left to do. I'll go to the printing factory to replace them later..."

　"Nishikawa-kun, what are you dawdling for? Go now!"

　The bookstore representative also found an outlet for their frustration. Someone immediately stood up and pointed at Xichuan: "Time is money. While you were daydreaming, countless books were printed. These are all waste products, a loss!"

　Nishikawa rushed out of the conference room in a hurry, while Sanzenin Arashi coughed to signal everyone to be quiet.

　The bookstore representatives immediately became serious; no one dared to treat the young man in front of them as a student now.

　This way of speaking, and the convincing results, immediately earned him higher regard.

　No matter where you are, capable people will be respected, and this place is no exception.

　Seeing the situation, Sanzenin Arashi simply stopped refusing.

　"Next is the lucky bag issue. I don't have much time, so I'll finish it within ten minutes. Everyone here can give their opinions from beginning to end."

　After Sanzenin Arashi said this, no one objected; instead, they obediently began to speak.

　"The first set of props I think is pretty good; it's one of the merchandise items."

　“Next.” Sanzenin Arashi waved his hand.

　"I agree, I second that."

　Everyone thought that the poster of the female protagonist that was given away when Sword Art Online was released was pretty good.

　Sanzenin Arashi sighed. "Poster my ass. Do these people only have one line in their brains?"

　Or is it that the way Japanese people do business has become rigid?

　Do you know why readers would buy this book?

　Sanzenin Arashi used to associate with top figures in various industries, but now that he's met this group of people, he's speechless.

　He continued, "A poster? I haven't read this book, what would I need this poster for?"

　"If I hadn't watched Sword Art Online, Asuna's poster would be utter garbage. What's so great about her besides being pretty? Is she even good for masturbation? I wouldn't recognize her if she were hanging in my house."

　"Isn't the point of lucky bags to increase readers' desire to buy? When they want to buy something but are hesitant to do so, seeing a lucky bag makes them buy it directly, isn't that the purpose? Hmm? Does anyone have any objections? If not, I'll continue."

　The bookstore representatives were embarrassed by the direct and incisive remarks.

　"I assume that the printing cost of a poster is 10 yen. If the book sells 500,000 copies, the cost would be 5 million yen. But if I give out ordinary bookmarks with a Q-version plastic pendant of the female protagonist attached to them..."

　Hmm, it's about the size of a little fingernail. If I don't like the main character, or if I feel embarrassed, can I take the pendant off and use it as a regular bookmark?

　And do you know what this bookmark means to a true book lover?

　Sanzenin Arashi looked around, shook her head, and continued, "It's currently the only merchandise related to this book. Do you understand what I mean?"

　"Then the topic at hand becomes simple."

　"Bookmarks or posters, you can choose whichever you prefer. Excuse me, I have to take my leave."

　As Sanzenin Arashi stood up, she glanced back at the door.

　"My personal advice to all of you is to never underestimate any competitor. We will have plenty of opportunities to cooperate in the future. I have left my contact number on the proposal on the table."

　Ok……

　I'll be able to use these bookstores myself in the future, so I'll take this opportunity to make a good impression.

　After Sanzenin Arashi went out, she saw Nishikawa, who looked terrified, walking towards her.

　"Teacher, how did the meeting go?"

　He took the opportunity to buy a bunch of drinks from the vending machine, handed over a bottle, and Sanzenin Arashi, who had been talking a lot, was thirsty. He gulped down the coffee and casually tossed it into the nearby trash heap. The coffee arced beautifully and hit the bullseye.

　"The meeting has ended early. Is there anything else going on?" Sanzenin Arashi asked casually.

　"I've taken care of the printing. All that's left is to go to the bookstore with the representative." Nishikawa took out his phone and looked at his schedule. "Apart from that, you can rest today, teacher. I'm so sorry."

　"Then please allow me to leave directly. The purpose of the bookstore field research was just to make my presence known, and that's fine." Sanzenin Arashi rubbed his temples.

　Nishikawa frowned: "Teacher, why are you in such a hurry? Is something important?"

　Sanzenin Arashi glanced at Nishikawa, who immediately understood and fell silent.

　"Then goodbye." Sanzenin Arashi waved.

　After getting into his car, he took out his phone and made a call.

　9 month 11 day.