“Kohai, this Miss Uemura is looking for you.”
The moment Sorata stepped inside, Misaki rushed over.
“Wuwu… Kohai, you already have someone else outside. I didn’t expect you to be this kind of person.”
“Senpai, stop fooling around.”
“Having someone new and forgetting the old, Kohai, you’re too heartless.”
“You should say that to Mitaka Senpai instead.”
After a few casual exchanges, Sorata sidestepped her and walked inside.
“You must be Goku Sensei. I am Uemura Yuriko, Editor-in-Chief in charge of online publications at Dengeki Bunko. I came today to discuss the publication of your novel, ‘Toradora!’.”
Uemura Yuriko introduced herself with an elegant smile.
Her tone was friendly and composed.
Iida Ayano, who understood her position, could not hide the surprise in her eyes.
“Goku? Oh, you mean the novel I submitted. It’s been so long without a response that I thought you weren’t interested.”
Sorata paused before remembering that Goku was the pen name he had chosen casually that night.
Its pronunciation was similar to Kanda.
“Goku Sensei must be joking. If a work like ‘Toradora!’ isn’t good enough, then aside from titles selling tens of millions, everything else on the market would be unqualified for publication.”
“I have personally read your work no fewer than ten times. The characterization, plot development, and delicate psychological descriptions have already reached a super first-class level in the light novel field.”
“By the way, Goku Sensei, do you have detailed plans for the story after volume two? Will Takasu Ryuji and Taiga’s relationship return to how it was before? And is Takasu Ryuji currently more fond of Kushieda Minori or Taiga?”
Once the topic shifted to the novel, the originally composed and intellectual editor behaved like an enthusiastic reader.
Her words quickened as she looked at Sorata expectantly.
“Cough… Miss Uemura overpraises.”
Sorata gave a light cough.
He did not accept the praise.
Although he did not care about the matter of copying, he understood that he had only borrowed it.
Looking at the calm young man before her, Uemura Yuriko’s eyes showed appreciation.
“Goku Sensei is too modest.”
“May I explain in detail my purpose for coming and the subsequent arrangements for this work?”
“You’re too polite, Miss Uemura. Please, go ahead. And just call me Kanda. Goku was simply a code name I chose casually.”
“Well then, Kanda. Miss Uemura. Everyone, please sit. If we continue standing like this, people will say Sakurasou neglects its guests.” This story is hosted at g.com.
Sengoku Chihiro, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke.
Her gaze moved back and forth across Sorata with scrutiny.
Since she had spoken, there was naturally no objection.
Uemura Yuriko had originally planned to find a quiet place to speak privately with Sorata.
But when she saw him sit down without hesitation, she swallowed those words.
Sorata sat to the left of Shiina.
On Shiina’s right was Iida Ayano.
To Sorata’s left sat Misaki, and next to her Sengoku Chihiro.
Uemura Yuriko sat opposite him.
Seemingly aware that this was an important moment, Misaki did not cause trouble.
She tilted her head, eyes shining as she watched Sorata as if he were an interesting toy, her thoughts unclear.
Uemura Yuriko took a document from her bag and handed it to Sorata.
“After reviewing your work more than a week ago, I attached great importance to it. This is an A+ level publication contract from Dengeki Bunko.”
“It includes publicity resources equal to those given to a new work by an author with tens of millions in sales. Full packaging and promotion through all channels. Master-level manga artists will provide illustrations.”
“The first volume will have a guaranteed initial print run of one million copies, with second and third printings prepared at any time.”
“Once sales reach three million copies, we will begin preparations for animation adaptation, game development, and peripheral merchandise.”
“If the first volume surpasses three million copies within half a year, the next volume will be signed under an S-level contract, granting the highest royalty share and even stronger promotional and copyright development support.”
“Kanda, do you have any opinions? I came here with the greatest sincerity and hope to cooperate with you.”
After delivering all of that in one breath, Uemura Yuriko’s expression remained elegant and steady.
However, Sorata noticed that her left hand, folded neatly on the table, trembled slightly.
She was not as calm as she appeared.
Sorata nodded.
“Your sincerity satisfies me. It could even be called astonishing, especially for a new author like me.”
“Then, Goku Sensei, you agree?”
She smiled faintly.
Sorata did not answer immediately.
“May I ask, Miss Uemura, why are you so optimistic about this work? For a large company, persuading them to offer such conditions to a newcomer must not have been easy.”
“Indeed, it wasn’t. But I am very optimistic about it. Whether commercially or in terms of narrative layering, from my perspective as Editor-in-Chief, it is a rare work.”
A sharp light flashed in her eyes.
Her temperament shifted into one of decisive confidence.
“I have confidence.”
Sorata smiled faintly.
In his previous life’s parallel world, Toradora!
had sold millions in Japan alone.
In this Sakura nation, where light novels and manga culture were even more developed, and after adjustments to fit the environment, poor results were unlikely.
Though he knew she had other reasons she had not mentioned, he did not pursue them.
He picked up the pen and signed the contract.
Uemura Yuriko carefully stored the document away, then stood and extended her hand across the table.
“Goku Sensei, from today onward, I am your lead editor. Happy cooperation.”
Sorata stood as well and reached forward, shaking her fair hand.
“Happy cooperation.”
Watching the two exchange smiles, Sengoku Chihiro and Iida Ayano were both deeply shocked.
Especially Sengoku Chihiro.
Looking at the young man who had remained composed throughout, neither arrogant nor submissive, she felt a strange unfamiliarity.
Was this still the sharp-tongued, hesitant boy who once seemed lost and unsure of his direction?
It felt as though, since the first day of school, something in him had changed.
As for Misaki, although she understood how extraordinary the treatment was, her thoughts were elsewhere.
She was already planning to borrow Toradora!
from her junior later.
For the other party to offer such conditions, it had to be interesting.
Sakurasou would likely become even livelier in the future.
Shiina’s gaze, however, rested on the hands Sorata and Uemura Yuriko were still holding.
In the world within her heart that had always been covered in white, faint ripples appeared.
She felt inexplicably uncomfortable.