[18] Good news from the editor

Kadokawa Bunko

Right after the meeting concluded, Sonoko Machida massaged her aching forehead. "Lately, the sales of the novels by the authors I oversee have been lackluster. It looks like we need to find new talent."

Staring at the gloomy report in her hand, Sonoko Machida felt a wave of frustration. "Oh, and what's the status of Wakamono novel?" She suddenly remembered the impressive first-day sales figures for Hachiman's book and hurriedly sifted through a stack of reports.

"Ah, here it is!"

Amid the sea of numbers on the report, Sonoko Machida's eyes widened.

"Almost 6,000 copies sold in just ten days?"

She pondered that this was without even significant marketing efforts. If they did launch a large-scale campaign, the sales could potentially double.

Without a moment's hesitation, Sonoko Machida snatched up the sales report and strode purposefully to the editor's office. Recognizing the potential for this book to become a hit, she felt the duty, as an editor, to advocate for Hachiman!

Inside the Editor-in-Chief's Office, the middle-aged editor-in-chief's determination solidified as he reviewed the sales report handed to him by Sonoko Machida.

"Excellent. Given the promise this book holds, it's crucial that our library offers strong support. This benefits both the author and our library. Let's get publicity and reprints arranged immediately."

"Sure thing, I'll get right on it!" Machida Sonoko responded with a serious nod.

Leaving the office, a delighted Machida Sonoko wasted no time in sharing the fantastic news with Hachiman!

In Hachiman's home, a distinct "buzz" broke the silence.

It was 3:30 in the afternoon, and Hachiman was engrossed in typing on his computer. Suddenly, his phone started vibrating vigorously.

Confused but curious, he saw "Editor Machida" on the caller ID and answered without hesitation.

"Hello? Is this Editor Machida? How can I help you?" Hachiman asked, a hint of suspicion in his voice. He had no idea what was going on.

"Wakamono-sensei, I've got some great news for you," the voice on the other end exclaimed.

"Good news? What's the good news?" Hachiman was a bit puzzled, not sure what to expect.

Part of his confusion came from not really keeping up with his own blog, leaving him unaware of how popular his novels had become.

"It's about your light novel, of course. Don't you follow your own blog?" Machida Sonoko's excited voice came through the phone.

"Blog?" Hachiman quickly logged into Kadokawa's blog to see what was happening.

Hachiman's eyes widened as he look in the number of followers on his blog. The count had already surpassed 5,000, and even more impressive were the tens of thousands of comments below.

@1:Just started reading Sword Art Online light novel, and I'm already captivated by the descriptions. The imagery is so vivid!

@2:Wakamono-sensei prose is a masterpiece. The way he brings the landscapes and battles to life makes me feel like I'm right there with Kirito. ✨

@3:The level of detail in the character interactions is beyond amazing. The emotions practically jump off the page. ❤️

@4:The way the author navigates the virtual and real worlds is pure genius. The narrative is a tapestry of two realities.

The blog's tens of thousands of comments were a testament to Hachiman's light novels' popularity.

"Why is my light novel getting so much attention?" Hachiman mused in disbelief as he took in the bustling scene on the blog.

"It's because your light novel truly deserves it, Wakamono-sensei! It's gained recognition from readers!" Sonoko Machida chimed in with a laugh.

"Keep in mind that your novel has sold a whopping 6,000 copies in just the past ten days. That's undeniably a remarkable achievement. Consequently, the publishing house has decided to ramp up its promotional efforts for your light novel. Congratulations, Wakamono-sensei! You're on your way to becoming a well-known light novelist!"

Unconsciously, Sonoko Machida's tone shifted from formal to a more familiar and direct address for Hachiman.

"If we calculate based on 800 yen per light novel, with your 12% royalty rate, you're looking at nearly 600,000 yen for over 6,000 books sold, which is more than my monthly salary!" Machida Sonoko exclaimed towards the end, her tone tinged with amazement.

"It's still yen, not U.S. dollars. Still a long way from being substantial," Hachiman muttered almost to himself.

Indeed, if he intended to invest in those companies as per his vision, the funds were undeniably distant.

Upon hearing Hachiman's mutter, Sonoko Machida on the phone playfully rolled her eyes.

"You've got quite the imagination, but if you can keep up your current pace of writing, converting it to U.S. dollars might not be as far-fetched as you think."

"Well, I'll gladly accept your kind words, Editor Machida," Hachiman responded with a smile.

"Believe me, you can do it. By the way, Wakamono-sensei, you might want to start working on the second volume now. Don't delay the manuscript," Machida Sonoko reminded, her concern evident.

"Don't worry about that. I've already completed the second volume, and I've already begun writing the third one." Hachiman's confidence in his writing speed was unwavering, leaving no room for manuscript delays.

"Wait, you've finished writing it? That's remarkably fast!" Machida Sonoko's surprise was palpable. Barely a dozen days had passed, yet an entire volume was already written?

"As your light novel gains traction, remember not to sacrifice quality for speed," Machida Sonoko advised, her concern evident.

"No worries, really. The quality remains intact. I'll share the second volume's text with you for your review," Hachiman reassured confidently.

His writing skills had reached an impressive level, rivaling established authors.

"I'm glad to hear that. After your text check, we'll expedite the publishing process. Then, you can start counting the earnings," Machida Sonoko expressed appreciatively. Hachiman's rapid success was aligning with his goals.

"I genuinely appreciate your support, Editor Machida," Hachiman sincerely responded. Swift financial progress was pivotal for his aspirations.

"Politeness aside, this is a mutually beneficial partnership. If you keep this up, I might just find myself climbing the editorial ladder. In that scenario, a big 'thank you' might be in order!" Sonoko Machida chuckled.

"By the way, Wakamono-sensei, I have one more request," she added after a brief pause.

"What's on your mind, Editor Machida? Feel free to be direct," Hachiman replied, maintaining his positive demeanor.

"Utako-sensei—do you recall her?"

"Absolutely," Hachiman affirmed, the captivating image of that senpai immediately surfacing in his thoughts.

"Great. I'm hoping you, Wakamono-sensei, could lend a hand to Utako-sensei."