[☆★Notice★☆] In the afterword,
there is a very important announcement written.
Please read to the end.
The next day, I arrived at the café I usually use, “Cafe Arkuma.”
Today was for a meeting with the light novel writer in charge, Rushia. She was sitting by the window.
She always sits with her back straight, but today she was looking down, biting her lip tightly. “Teacher, sorry to keep you waiting.” “Okaya…” I arrived exactly at the agreed time.
It seemed Rushia had arrived early and made me wait. That she was angry about it… didn’t seem likely. This girl is a child, but she isn’t so immature as to get angry over something so trivial. So then…
“Is there something troubling you about the light novel?”
”…Amazing, Okaya. You even understand things like that.”
“I’m an editor, after all. And then…?”
Rushia nodded and took a book out of the bag she had placed on her lap. It was a book with familiar cover art.
The book Prince and I made: Super Doctor XX.
It’s the Prince’s latest work, and thankfully, it’s a bestseller.
“I read it, Okaya. It was a really good book…”
Yet Rulia wore a pained expression, despite her praise.
“Okaya… is this new one selling well?” That’s the question Rulia asked about her own magnum opus, Senmoshi.
After that release, she collaborated with me to create a new work, which we published under our own imprint (SR Bunko).
“Oh. It’s doing quite well. With the manga adaptation kicking in, print numbers should climb even higher.”
”…Will the sales figures surpass those of XX?”
It was unusual for Rulia to care about sales performance.
She wasn’t really the type of author who obsesses over how many copies sell (much like Professor Kamimatsu).
So why is she suddenly concerned about numbers this time around…?
”…I apologize for asking about your sales. You likely can’t answer me, since it’s a matter of personal privacy.”
“Yes, you’re right. …What’s on your mind, Mr. Okaya? Why are you suddenly worried about print runs? Your new work is receiving excellent feedback.”
Rushia shook her head back and forth.
“But… the book you made with Prince White Horse is selling better.” “Sensei…”
“I know what Sensei White Horse has put in. I recognize his high level of writing skill. But… between him and me, the conditions are the same. We worked on our books with the same editor: you. Yet… his book is selling more. …That’s infuriating.”
Indeed, whether it was Prince’s work or Rushia’s, both were books made under the same label with the same editor.
So when his numbers come out on top of hers, it’s not hard to understand why that would make one start doubting their own abilities.
“Sensei… no, Rushia. You shouldn’t worry about other people’s sales figures.” Rushia is a genius-type author.
She is the type who ignores print runs and trends, capable of creating bestsellers regardless (the type who hits it big by writing what she wants to write).
Prince was the exact opposite… a worker-by-effort type. A calculated type. He wrote what sold and hit his mark.
“Rushia, hard work isn’t your forte. Just draw whatever you love, however you like it. That’s what the readers are waiting for.” “Even Oka?”
“Isn’t that obvious? What is there to be so upset about?” ”…”
Drop by drop… tears began to flow down Rushia’s face.
I instinctively pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to her.
What could have happened to make her break down like this…?
“I’m sorry… Ohagane… excuse me for a moment.” “Ah…”
Rushia stood up and headed to the bathroom.
…What exactly is going on with Rushia?
【★☆★ An important announcement for all readers ★☆★】 Thanks to the positive reception of my recent short story, I’ve posted the serialized version! The title has changed to:
『The Reason the Reincarnated Villainess Became the World’s Strongest Sorcerer I Hated a Tragic Ending, So I Decided to Master Magic. I Have No Intention of Getting in the Way of the Hero and Love Interest’s Romance. So Why Is Everyone Fawning Over Me?』
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