Chapter 22: Can You Mock Me a Few More Times?

Minami Yuuki pondered the meaning of the three options.

The first option refers to a youth romance novel, the second to an isekai novel, and the third to a music or idol-themed novel.

Firstly, he eliminated the third option, as Asano Nao did not have any knowledge about music or idols.

This left him with romance and isekai.

In Japan, romance light novels are more popular than isekai light novels, which is the opposite of China. In the domestic online literary world, romance themes are not worthy of being mentioned in the same breath with fantasy and xianxia.

However, the gap between romance and isekai light novels isn't very large, and in terms of top-tier works, isekai can even surpass romance.

From a purely pragmatic perspective, the two genres are on par.

It mainly depends on what Asano Nao is suited for.

Also, Minami Yuuki isn't playing a light novel creation simulator, but a romance simulator. The success of the light novel is secondary; the real consideration is which genre would be more helpful for Asano Nao's mental state.

Is it innocent romance? Or passionate battles?

It's hard to judge.

Perhaps thinking about romance could motivate Asano Nao, or perhaps depicting battles could make her more cheerful.

After much hesitation, Minami Yuuki still couldn't decide. He took a coin from his pocket.

Let fate choose!

Heads for romance, tails for isekai.

With a ting, the coin spun in the sunlight, flashing a few bright rays as it rose and fell.

Minami Yuuki clapped his hands over it, then lifted the top hand to reveal a paulownia flower quietly lying in his palm.

It was heads.

Option one, a youth romance novel.

[Under your encouragement, Asano Nao created a folder, and you suggested a school romance theme.]

[Asano Nao shook her head and hands, repeatedly saying it was impossible. She had never attended high school, nor had she ever been in a relationship, so how could she write a school romance novel?]

[You encouraged her, saying that only someone who hadn't attended school and hadn't been in love could write a truly excellent romance light novel.]

[Beauty often comes from distance. Students currently in school often understand the fatigue of studying, and lovers in the throes of passion often feel the pain of love. Fatigue and pain are demerits in school romance light novels. Unlike literature, which delves into emotions and explores pain, light novels adorn beauty and embellish fantasy.]

[Asano Nao still lacked confidence, so you gave an example, saying that Kasumi Shiko wrote "Love Metronome" while she was still single.]

[She became less resistant and decided to give it a try. However, she had one doubt; she asked you what "Love Metronome" was, and who Kasumi Shiko was, and why she hadn't heard of it. You brushed off her questions.]

[Upon hearing from you, Chitose Kazumi learned of Asano Nao's plan, and Asano Nao often discussed it with her.]

[To find inspiration, Asano Nao put down her games and sat in her study, pondering over school-themed light novels and manga.]

[Half a month passed, and the novel remained silent, still at the "new folder" stage.]

[Every time you asked, Asano Nao would awkwardly change the subject.]

[You finally couldn't stand it and, on a dark and stormy night, you raided Asano Nao, snatching her notebook.]

[Amid her sobs, you looked through the documents. You saw more than a dozen drafts: "Ten Thousand Yen Shrine Maiden," "The Immovable Purple Fairy of the Great Library," "Classmate Kiri Who Steals Books," "The Lady Who Can't Face the Sun," "Teacher Under the Moonlight with Horns"...]

[Unfortunately, none of these drafts were up to standard. It wasn't that the ideas were lacking; some of the settings were quite interesting. What these drafts lacked was the ability to depict characters. No matter what character Asano Nao wrote, they all had the same weak and gloomy personality.]

[Seeing the disappointment on your face, Asano Nao hung her head dejectedly.]

[You suggested she use herself as the character prototype, so the weak and gloomy personality would become a character trait, a plus.]

Memory scenes appear.

At the edge of the desk lamp's light, by the bed, Minami Yuuki sat with Asano Nao's notebook on his lap. Asano Nao knelt on the floor in front of him, cautiously observing Minami Yuuki's expression.

Minami Yuuki closed the notebook without speaking immediately. Asano Nao read the mood and lowered her head even further, feeling she had betrayed the boy's trust.

"Alright then, let's make the character based on you," the boy's voice came.

"Huh?"

Asano Nao was stunned. She felt it was inappropriate but didn't dare to oppose Minami Yuuki, so she softly said, "Wouldn't that be too annoying?"

"Ha? Sister, so you know your personality is troublesome?"

Minami Yuuki's sudden jab hit Asano Nao right in the heart, and she collapsed on the floor, remorsefully apologizing to the godlike Yuuki in her heart.

"But you're cute, so it's fine," Minami Yuuki continued.

Cute? Asano Nao became wary. Was this the legendary sarcasm? Saying the opposite to mock her?

But even knowing it's sarcasm, it's still so delightful!

Yuuki-kun called me cute, hehe.

"Snap out of it!" Minami Yuuki hit Asano Nao's head with a pillow.

Asano Nao resisted the urge to ask Minami Yuuki to scold her a bit more and sat up straight.

She wore a navy-blue pajama, her waist held straight, with her white hands resting on her bamboo-patterned pajama pants. Her head was slightly lowered, and she wasn't wearing glasses.

She indulged in the cute illusion, her gaze falling into an unknown place, making her eyes appear serene. Her moon-like face reflected her night-like hair, and her fair neck was hidden among the strands, only visible through the gaps like scattered stars.

Minami Yuuki's gaze was first drawn to the moon, then immersed in searching for stars.

A horn sounded from outside the window, and Minami Yuuki, with great effort, averted his gaze and hit Asano Nao's head again with the pillow.

Daring to seduce me, what a bad woman!

Awakened by the blow, Asano Nao looked at Minami Yuuki in confusion, not knowing what she had done wrong.

"Don't daydream!" Minami Yuuki preempted.

Asano Nao shrunk her head, nervously looking at Minami Yuuki.

The serenity in her eyes was gone, replaced by ripples, no longer giving Minami Yuuki the same feeling as before.

Should've taken a picture first, Minami Yuuki regretted.

He refocused on the matter at hand, putting down the pillow: "Since everything you write ends up like yourself, just write yourself. No objections; I said to write this way, so write this way!"

"So dictatorial!" Asano Nao muttered softly.

"I've given you a chance, but these drafts aren't acceptable, so follow my way!"

Seeing Asano Nao had no objections, Minami Yuuki continued: "The two main characters will be based on you and me. To avoid too much connection to reality, we'll reverse the genders."

He pointed at himself: "The female lead will be based on me, Japan's number one cheerful and lively beautiful girl."

He then pointed at Asano Nao: "The male lead will be based on you, Misaki's number one gloomy NEET."

He put down his hand: "Their story will begin with the female lead knocking on the male lead's door to borrow manga and game discs."