The meeting to Usagi was pointless and boring. He had to try his hardest just to keep his eyes open. The author didn't really see any point to him attending. Most of the time, he was just sitting there, barely speaking, and getting looked at by the female employees, who were literally undressing him with their eyes. He really wanted to give all of them a death glare that would make them afraid to even cast a glance in his direction. But no. Instead he had to meet all their stares with that ever so attractive smile of his. Usagi looked at the clock on the wall and sighed to himself for what seemed to be the millionth time that day. The majority of the meeting consisted of conversation about sales and advertisement, all of which Aikawa and Isaka were in charge of, so he didn't have to answer. He could have gone home or at least come late and save himself the hassle. Nearly two hours into the meeting and he had not so much as spoken a word. With annoyance, he wondered what he was even doing here in the first place, besides getting sexually harassed by the eyes of the women in the room. He decided that he was going to make sure that he got Aikawa back for this one. While feigning his interest for the conservations that were taking place, Murakawa's eyes shifted to his, giving Usagi notice that he would be spoken to next. The author was filled with the slightest hope and anticipation that maybe he could give what information he needed to and finally leave. Usagi smiled slightly and nodded his acknowledgement. The president of the company spoke after the final statement from the other employee had been ended.
"Now Usami-san", Murakawa began.
"Will you be as kind as to inform us all on the concept of your newest book", he said, turning to face Usagi, who smiled in response.
"Certainly. It would be my pleasure", Usagi said, still smiling. All attention turned in his direction. As always, the women payed the closest attention.
"This time around, I wanted to try writing a novel in which would be more understanding to the readers' younger selves", Usagi said coolly. The author then heard a chair scoot in closer to his side of the table. Apparently Masayoshi had leaned in closer and placed his elbows on the table, looking subtly interested.
"That's a very interesting goal you have in your book.", Masayoshi said. "Can you elaborate on it a little?",he asked.
Usagi felt his eye twitch in slight annoyance. He was slightly taken aback. No one's ever asked him to explain his work like that. It was more the way he asked about it that really bothered the author. Not to mention that if he was asked to go over every little detail, then he would probably be there until morning.
Since when does anyone in this meeting ever question me about my books like this? They always just go along with what I want. It's going to sell either way dammit., Usagi thought irritably. Though he was still feeling annoyed, Usagi answered in a clear and welcoming voice.
"What I meant was that when people read the book, I want them to feel as if they have been transported back in time towhen they themselves were in a similar situation or when they were younger. That way the book will be more appealing to the readers, as they will be able to relate to it on a personal level", Usagi said smiling coolly.
Masayoshi smiled and raised his eyebrow, meeting Usagi's eyes and still smiling.
"Thank you for explaining.",he said still smiling.
"It's no trouble. For some, it may be a difficult concept to understand. I just hope the readers will be able to feel that connection with the book", Usagi said, smiling back at him. He lightly laughed to himself, knowing that he had subtly insulted the CEO's comprehension of his book. Across the table beside Masayoshi, Isaka gave Usagi a warning look, understanding the insult that the author had given. Usagi smiled back in response. Surprisingly, Masayoshi did not respond in any way. His face remained cool and calm, an amused look in his eyes. He didn't seem to take his eyes off Usagi, even after his question had been answered. Usagi smirked in triumphant to himself. Next to him, Aikawa coughed nervously, signaling for him to let up. He turned his head to face her . She looked annoyed with him. Usagi simply shrugged his shoulder nonchalantly and brought his attention back to President Murakawa and smiled. The president smiled back and spoke again.
"Usami-san, now that you have told us what you're trying to accomplish in your novel, can you tell us what the book is about actually? We need to know what type of advertising methods and themes need to be used.", he said to Usagi, who nodded again and spoke.
"For my novel I focused on the aspect of love and hate", Usagi said.
People in the room nodded and made notations in their books and looked back up to him. They didn't seem to quite get it yet, so Usagi explained further.
"Ah, let me explain it from the book's point of view. It may be easier that way",Usagi said.
The president nodded.
"When starting a new marriage or a new life in another country how do you relinquish the past so that you may successfully begin a new without losing a sense of who you have become? What is the cost of leaving a country, a child, a marriage? What is the cost of not leaving? These are just some of the questions that will be the center of the book's making. In the story, For Annie andWill, who have left their marriages to be together, the future is fraught with the complications of starting over. Both have left pieces of themselves behind: For Annie, it is the husband and friend she has known since childhood; for Will,it is the five-year-old daughter he adores. And for the Korean-born Sungae, one of Annie's English-as-a-second-language students, it is a search for the words that will help her resolve the sorrows of her tragic past", Usagi explained. People around him began to nod in understanding, their eyes lighting up with interest. Usagi continued.
"As Sungae struggles with the new language and with her memories, her story begins to unravel in ways that will have consequences not only for Sungae, but for Annie and Will as well as their ex's. At its heart, this is a novel about the choices we make and the repercussions of those choices on ourselves and on others. As Sungae explains, "Duty is like an ancient tree which has survived many seasons. Love is only the blossom." In one way or another, success in their new lives depends on each character's ability to find their own balance between desire and obligation. Love will be a potential 'medicine' that may be able to right what has been wronged. That is the basis and plot for the book. The message and motifs should be clear to understand to those who read it.", Usagi finished. He looked up and saw that everyone in the room had gone quiet. Even the CEO and President Murakawa had gone silent with appreciation. Their eyes were opened wide in their awe and respect, they were feeling for Usagi. The author smiled to himself, knowing that he had sealed the deal. The president nodded and smiled deeply next to Usagi.
"My, Usami-san. Your work sounds amazing as always. I'm sure it'll be a bestseller as always", the president said, still smiling.
Mayayoshi looked over to the president and give him an inquiring look. The president took notice of this and turned his head slightly to look at him.
"Ah that's right Masayoshi-san. I never took the time to tell you about Usami-san here. Usami Akihiko has been our best selling author for over twelve years now. Several of his books have been turned into movies and have even won prestigious awards. He has also been nominated and won both the Kikukawa Prize and Eisner award for five years running. And also for three years he has won the National Literature Fine Arts Award.", Murakawa said, looking over at Usagi, his eyes full of admiration and deep respect. Masayoshi's shown with slight surprise for a moment, and then he smiled and looked over to Usagi and spoke.
"Well that is very, very impressive, Usami-san. Congratulations on both your past and present accomplishments. I'm sure there will be quite a few more in the future as well.", he said.
Usagi simply smiled and nodded.
"Yes,Usami-san is quite a gem here at Murakawa. I am very happy that his books are being published here. It is an honor to be associated with him a great deal", Murakawa said, smiling.
"Thank you. The pleasure is all mine", Usagi said smiling.
"Well then, I especially look forward to working with you Usami-san", Masayoshi said, smiling. There was a glint in his eyes that Usagi could not decipher so he simply ignored it.
"I look forward to getting your novel on the market as soon as possible", Murakawa said.
"The rough draft of the manuscript is halfway done. As soon as it's finishedIsaka-san and I will make any needed corrections to it and the process from there should be easy", Aikawa said.
"Not that we'll need to make any corrections, really", Isaka said, smiling lightly and casting a look at Usagi.
The other employees in the room murmured their agreements and compliments about Usagi. All he did was keep that same fake casual smile plastered on his face. Aikawa looked at him for a second, her eyes looking him over. She then turned her attention back on the meeting and began conversing witht he sales and advertisement teams, Murakawa explaining the budget that they would be using.
"Since all ofUsami-san's books always sell exceptionally well, there is no need to skimp on the budget like we do on other authors" ,Murakawa said. Usagi nodded. Just then Masayoshi spoke again, his voice as cool as ever.
"You sure put a lot of faith in Usami-san", he lightly joked.
"Well of course. He's been the number one selling author for over a decade", Isaka said.
"And most likely, it'll stay that way",he finished.
"I guess you're right", Masayoshi said, casting a glance in Usagi's direction.
"I think we need to further discuss the budget in depth", said a male employee across thet able. Usagi didn't even know his name, not to mention he was all the way at the other end of the long table. Usagi decided that he did not care and barely looked in that direction at all. He was getting so bored. The author didn't even know what to do with himself. Usagi glanced at the clock on the wall. It was quarter to one. Usagi smiled to himself, knowing that in the next fifteen minutes the meeting would be over and he could go home to Misaki and kiss and touch his soft, lithe body to his heart's content. It was true that he did like his work to a great extent but he loved Misaki more. He tuned out the conversations that were going on around him about the budget, advertising, and other work related things. The only thing that he could think about was being with Misaki. Usagi let his mind wander from work to love and for the last few minutes of the meeting he knew he would be content.