As for what he actually wanted to write, he already had a plan in mind.
It would be nothing more than something like Your Lie in April or 5 Centimeters per Second.
However, these were ultimately still just light novels.
Unless they could achieve nationwide renown and become household names, they wouldn’t even be fit to grace the table in the eyes of certain big shots in the business and political worlds.
Indeed, in the eyes of Hiroto’s parents, who had already fled back to the mainland, light novels received exactly that kind of treatment.
Fortunately, their original business assets had helped cover a portion of the financial ruin, otherwise Hiroto really wouldn’t know how long he would have to write just to pay off that mountain of debt.
If it was a matter of works capable of achieving global recognition, he had those too.
For instance, series like Naruto or One Piece.
But those plotlines were dragged out for too long and were far too massive; he wasn’t confident he could perfectly replicate them from scratch.
After all, he was currently writing entirely based on the memories of his past life.
If he misremembered a single detail, the rest of the story could derail completely.
While light novels held a lower status, popular literature and sci-fi literature were a completely different story.
Why were they different?
No matter how popular a light novel became, at the end of the day, it was still just a craze within a niche subculture.
But once you stepped out of that circle, many people wouldn’t have even heard of it.
Popular literature and sci-fi literature were different.
The Three-Body Problem could have state leaders of various countries chasing after chapters to read, and could even prompt Barack Obama to personally send emails urging an update.
Norwegian Wood could enter the halls of literary greatness and be regarded as the symbol of an entire era.
These works didn’t just sell stories; they sold philosophy, grand scope, and social influence.
A single The Three-Body Problem could drive an entire sci-fi industry chain and have people discussing the “Dark Forest Theory” in international relations forums.
A single Journey Under the Midnight Sun could make readers ponder the boundaries of human nature, society, good, and evil.
No matter how brightly the fire of a light novel burned, it could never reach that height.
But sci-fi and popular literature could.
They could enter the prominent displays of bookstores, grace the pages of authoritative book reviews, and allow the author’s name to sit on the same shelves as those literary masters.
They could be adapted into movies, television dramas, and even become cultural business cards for a nation’s global outreach.
These were milestones that light novels simply couldn’t achieve.
At least, not right now.
Therefore, Hiroto’s idea was very simple: first build his fortune through light novels, accumulate enough capital and fame, and then transition into writing sci-fi and popular literature.
Once these works were released, many other things would naturally rise along with the tide.
Adaptation rights, cinematic adaptations, overseas publishing rights, and even his own social status alongside the standing of his publishing house.
Since everything could rise, why shouldn’t he use it to elevate his own status?
In this way, he, Hiroto Tachibana, might not necessarily fail to surpass the past glory of his parents.
He lowered his head, staring at the screen of his phone.
With his fingers hovering over the keyboard, he took a deep breath.
Then, he typed out the very first line.
Your Lie in April.
It was a new day.
Thursday.
Hiroto uploaded his completed manuscript first before setting off for Sobu High.
Along the way, he could faintly feel a few glances frequently shifting toward him.
In truth, whether someone’s complexion was good or whether their skin was fair was highly noticeable.
The current Hiroto was visibly much more vibrant.
Setting aside that chaotic, self-cut hairstyle, he could actually be considered a handsome guy now.
Arriving at the First-Year International Culture Class, he sat down in his seat.
With his mental state in excellent condition now, even if there wasn’t a class with the iron-fisted teacher this morning, he didn’t need to catch up on sleep anymore.
The final 5 million yen—the sooner it was paid off, the sooner he could enjoy life.
Just as he was thinking, a chorus of chatting and laughing echoed from outside the classroom door.
With Eriri at the center.
Several classmates surrounded her, chatting about weekend plans, the latest fashion magazines, and which shop served the best desserts.
Eriri responded with a smile, her tone light and her movements natural, occasionally tucking a strand of hair behind her ear—the quintessential school normie.
As she turned her head, she spotted Hiroto Tachibana.
Eriri and Hiroto had known each other since middle school.
Back then, their families also had business dealings, and they would occasionally cross paths during festive gatherings or formal occasions.
In middle school, Eriri had been the ultimate normie and the central figure of the class, and Hiroto had been the same back then—coming from a wealthy family, good-looking, and incredibly popular.
Privately, they could only be considered casual friends, not particularly close, but they were on speaking terms.
Because both of them were quite dazzling back then, there were always people shipping them as a couple.
Every time people teased them, Eriri would feel a bit embarrassed, but it wasn’t out of actual romantic interest or anything.
After all, Hiroto had never caught a glimpse of her truest self.
For example, the fact that she was a closet otaku, loved reading light novels and watching anime, and was even a renowned doujin artist in the industry…
he knew none of this.
Despite having many friends at school, Eriri would still occasionally feel lonely.
No one knew what the real Eriri was truly like.
Upon entering high school, Eriri noticed that she and Hiroto had been placed in the same class.
But he was completely different from how he used to be in middle school; he was no longer dazzling, and even appeared somewhat destitute.
He dressed poorly, his complexion was terrible, his hair was a messy nest, and he barely spoke to anyone.
Watching others gossip about him behind his back or treat him with cold indifference, she silently abandoned any thought of greeting him.
She quietly drifted along with the crowd, similarly pretending not to know Hiroto.
But right now.
Looking at today’s Hiroto, Eriri froze for a moment.
His skin was noticeably clearer, his dark circles were gone, and his entire energy level was completely different.
Eriri’s friends also took notice.
”Hey, isn’t that Tachibana-kun?” a girl gently nudged Eriri with her elbow.
“Why does it feel like he’s different from before?”
”Really?” another girl also tilted her head to look over.
“It seems like…
his skin got better?”
”I guess a little bit,” Eriri responded unnaturally, her gaze drifting toward the window, yet she couldn’t resist casting it back toward him.
She actually knew very well in her heart that he was indeed different.
But she didn’t voice it aloud.
Hiroto continued to write his novel during class.
The International Culture Class had an unwritten rule: as long as you didn’t disturb other students, the teachers generally wouldn’t interfere.
Except for that iron-fisted teacher.
In Shizuka Hiratsuka’s class, no one dared to act out of line.
Fortunately, this period wasn’t hers.
Hiroto kept his head down, his fingers clacking away on his phone screen, pushing the story forward chapter by chapter.
He paid absolutely no attention to what the surrounding classmates were doing.
Ring, ring, ring—
The lunch bell had only just rung.
Hiroto stuffed his phone into his pocket, stood up, and was just about to walk out.
He had barely taken a single step forward.
A figure suddenly materialized at the classroom door.
”Hiroto Tachibana.”
Hiratsuka Shizuka stood at the entrance, one hand bracing against the doorframe while the other held an unlit cigarette.
Her gaze locked directly onto him.
”Come with me to the office for a moment.”
Whispers broke out behind him.
Eriri looked at his departing back, her brow furrowing slightly.
Why is Hiratsuka-sensei looking for him?