Chapter 9 Hikigaya sees through everything

"So, Editor Imamura, you and Editor Machida were not only seniors and juniors in college, but you were also members of the same literary club, right?" Hikigaya asked after taking a bite of the melons his mother had suggested.

"That's right, but Machida-chan is a bit too obsessed with the second dimension. She even wants to turn the literature club into a light novel club. Since I don't like the second dimension, I decided to leave," Imamura replied.

Hikigaya and his mother fell silent for a moment. For the first time, Machida Sonoko did not dispute Imamura's statement, indicating that Imamura's assessment was indeed accurate.

"Well, Mr. Hachiman, I would like to continue addressing you by your pen name. The main reason I came here today is to confirm your bank account details. The prize money for this year's All Readings Newcomer Award, along with the royalties for the serialization of 'Confessions' in this magazine and any future royalties for your publications, will all be deposited into the bank account you provided," Imamura said.

"I'm ready," Hikigaya responded, handing over a Mitsubishi UFJ bank card to Naho Imamura. He had applied for this card just yesterday with his parents. This was the first bank account in Hikigaya's life that truly belonged to him.

Imamura noted down the card number and returned it to him. "Now, I would like to ask you some questions about your work, 'Confessions.' First of all, Mr. Hachiman, have you completed any follow-up work on it?"

This was actually the primary reason for Imamura's visit.

"I can't hide it from you. Yes, 'Confessions' has six chapters in total. Each chapter will have a word count similar to the first, approximately 20,000 words, leading to a total of around 120,000 words. It's basically finished now," Hikigaya explained.

There was no reason for him to conceal anything. He had submitted the first chapter of "Confessions" to "All Reader," which meant that the rest of the serialization could only take place there, and the publication would solely be managed by Sakuraba.

"That's wonderful, Mr. Hachiman. Based on the quality of the first volume of 'Confessions,' we are more than happy to offer you the highest serialization rate of 6,000 yen per manuscript. As a matter of routine, do you have the subsequent manuscripts with you? I would like to read them," Imamura requested.

"Of course, I have them with me. However, I'm sorry, Editor Imamura; I can only provide you with the manuscripts for volumes 2 to 4 at this time," Hikigaya replied, pausing to notice Imamura's confusion.

"I believe that if we just want to discuss something that will be serialized in a magazine, there's no need to meet face to face, Editor Imamura. I will send you the manuscripts, and you can just transfer the money to me. Isn't that the standard model for magazine submissions, from ancient times to the present?" Hikigaya maintained a polite smile, yet he sensed that Imamura felt exposed. 

It seemed that the strategy she had meticulously prepared was laid bare in front of him.

"From the moment you read my work, your company must have made its decision to publish it. But you are unsure whether I continued to write the follow-up to 'Confessions.' Assuming I did, the quality of the follow-up is another matter altogether. This is the true purpose of your visit today, isn't it, Editor Imamura?"

"Ahahaha, you've completely seen through me…" Naho Imamura said with a self-deprecating laugh, disregarding the smirk spreading across Machida Sonoko's face.

"That's right, Mr. Hikigaya. You are absolutely correct. From Sakuraba Publishing House to our editorial department, we all have high hopes for your 'Confessions,'" Imamura admitted, dropping all pretense. 

"If the subsequent plot remains excellent, they will sign a publishing contract with me and start promoting it. If the following plot is mediocre, they will possibly overlook it, hastily serialize it, and treat it like nothing of significance happened. This is the harsh reality, isn't it, Editor Imamura?" 

Hikigaya spoke with calm conviction, making Imamura wonder if he had eavesdropped on internal meetings at the editorial department. 

"But!"

Hikigaya's voice suddenly rose, prompting Imamura to look up at the genius boy in front of her. 

"I believe my subsequent works will be even more exciting than the first chapter. Please take a look, Editor Imamura."

"Okay! Okay! Thank you, Mr. Hachiman!" Naho Imamura replied, taking the manuscript with both hands as if she had received a blessing. Hikigaya was confused. Isn't it normal for authors submitting to magazines to hand over content to their editors for review? Why was Editor Imamura acting so exaggerated?

For the next hour or so, Machida Sonoko and Mrs. Hikigaya chatted about skincare while Hikigaya sipped his coffee, staring at Naho Imamura across from him. One of his favorite pastimes was watching other people's reactions as they read his work. 

Naho Imamura was completely engrossed in the narrative. She didn't even notice the waiter serving dishes or the conversations happening nearby. She was absorbed in the Rashomon-like story, unable to pull herself away. The characters in the story were both victims and perpetrators—could they really be defined by simple categories of black and white, good and evil?

After finishing the murderer's monologue in Chapter 4, Imamura quickly turned the page, only to find a smooth tabletop.

"Mr. Hachiman, what happens next? What happens to the other student?" 

Imamura didn't realize her voice was trembling with urgency.

"Well, Editor Imamura, my plan is to serialize only the first four chapters in the magazine. By then, it will have built enough popularity and discussion. The fifth and sixth chapters will be included in the published edition of 'Confessions.'"

"That's fine! Mr. Hachiman, please show me the last two chapters quickly. Didn't you say you had finished writing them?" 

"So you just want to finish reading..." Hikigaya replied, feeling a bit speechless.

"Eh? Senior, do you want to know what happens next? If you're willing to beg me, I can tell you orally, okay?" 

Naho Imamura's defenses crumbled.

"Even she has read the last two chapters?! Mr. Hachiman, I can't accept this!!" 

Naho Imamura pointed at Machida Sonoko, leaning forward to look at Hikigaya with a mix of protest and indignation. It felt shameful that even Machida, the editor of Dengeki Bunko, had read such an excellent mystery novel before her.

"Well, if this editor is a mystery novel fan, then the rest will be easy to discuss," Hikigaya thought to himself.

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