— — — — — —
Another Saturday arrived.
Oikawa Toru styled his hair neatly, combing it into a more mature look, then slipped into a sharp suit.
He studied himself in the mirror and nodded with satisfaction.
Today was the day he would receive his award.
All the writers who had won prizes in the Dengeki Novel Award had been invited to attend the banquet.
The event had two main purposes.
First, the award ceremony. Second, to let the authors from the sa year get to know one another.
Writing novels wasn't sothing you did in total isolation.
You also needed to exchange ideas with people in the industry, discuss writing techniques, and share experiences to improve your craft.
And the best people to talk to were the other award winners from the sa batch.
A few days earlier, Oikawa had been invited into a group chat with the other winning authors.
After several days of casual conversation, everyone had gotten to know each other a little.
But their backgrounds were all over the place.
There was a college student working part-ti at a convenience store. A single father raising his daughter alone. And even a lawyer from a well-known firm.
In Japan, lawyers represented high inco and high status.
Yet sohow this guy had wandered off into writing light novels and even won the Silver Prize.
Of course, everyone was even more shocked by Oikawa's identity.
No one expected the author with such a mature writing style to be a second-year high school student, the youngest person in the entire group.
"I'm heading out."
Oikawa stepped out the door.
His voice echoed briefly in the empty room before fading away.
...
When Oikawa arrived at the Dengeki Bunko banquet hall, most of the other authors were already there.
They stood in small groups, sipping drinks and chatting happily.
But the mont Oikawa appeared, the conversations stopped.
Everyone's gaze shifted toward him.
In their eyes, he was the true star of the event.
"You're here."
Aya Kagurazaka looked proud, almost like a parent showing off their child. Oikawa was the first Grand Prize author she had ever managed.
"Looks like I'm a bit late."
In reality, Oikawa had arrived half an hour early.
But the others had co even earlier.
"Every award winner wants to receive this honor as soon as possible," Aya said with a smile.
Oikawa nodded and followed her toward the center of the hall.
A man who looked every bit the successful professional walked up and extended his hand. Just as he was about to greet him, Oikawa spoke first.
"You must be Kensuke, right? The famous lawyer from Tokyo."
Usuda Kensuke blinked in surprise, then laughed heartily.
"Famous lawyer? I'm still far from that."
"Co on. I'll introduce you to everyone else from the group."
With just that simple exchange, the distance between them shrank considerably.
Under Kensuke's introductions, Oikawa quickly t all the other authors from their chat group.
As expected of a lawyer, Kensuke handled casual conversation with ease.
Even the more introverted writers weren't left out of the discussion.
'He's kind of like Hayato… but more mature.'
Oikawa held a drink and chatted with the others. Most of the ti he simply listened.
Various editors also ca over occasionally to greet him and exchange introductions.
"Oikawa-sensei, you're really young. When Aya told the author of Your Lie in April was a seventeen-year-old high school student, I thought she was joking."
"Oikawa-sensei, if things don't work out with Aya, feel free to co to anyti. I'd be happy to beco your editor."
The mont soone tried to poach her author right in front of her, Aya exploded.
"You shaless woman! If you want to steal Oikawa-kun from , you'll have to kill first!"
"Oikawa-kun is a writer who could sell over a million copies soday! Why would I hand him over to you, idiot?!"
Watching this scene, the other authors couldn't help laughing.
At the sa ti, they felt a little envious.
---
The award ceremony ended quickly.
Oikawa gave a brief acceptance speech filled with polished but mostly aningless formalities.
Afterward, he didn't leave right away.
Instead, he stayed at Dengeki Bunko to discuss the publication of Your Lie in April with Aya.
"Normally, the winning works from the Dengeki Novel Award are released between late August and early September," she explained.
"The Grand Prize winner usually cos out in late August."
Oikawa thought about it for a mont. "Can't it be earlier? If it releases in late August, students will already be going back to school. That might affect sales, right?"
Light novels were mainly aid at students.
Your Lie in April was the first book Oikawa would publish. Naturally, he hoped it could achieve strong sales.
"Statistically speaking, light novels released in late August do sell slightly worse than those released in mid-to-late July or early August," Aya admitted.
Then she spoke frankly. "Oikawa-kun, I'll try my best to request the editor-in-chief to move the release to early August or late July."
"But I can't guarantee it."
"The number of light novels released each month is planned well in advance. If we suddenly insert another title, the other editors will definitely object."
"..."
"Just do your best."
Oikawa didn't pressure her further.
If they could move it earlier, great.
If not, he wouldn't bla her.
"Oh right," Aya said suddenly. "Since you finished revising the manuscript early, you get to choose an illustrator to work with."
"I recomnd Haimura Kiyotaka. His skill is among the best illustrators Dengeki Bunko has worked with. Several editors have already contacted him because they want him to illustrate for your fellow award winners."
"Your fellow authors haven't finished their revisions yet. If you want him, they won't be able to compete with you."
Aya smiled like soone whose sche had succeeded.
"Then I'll go with him."
Oikawa felt a little guilty.
At the banquet earlier, those other authors had asked how his revisions were going.
He had replied that it was very difficult and he was still working hard.
He originally wanted to surprise them later.
Now it seed more likely he'd be buried under a storm of complaints.
Oikawa sighed helplessly.
He would've liked to be modest.
But unfortunately…
His ability simply didn't allow it.
.
.
.
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