Chapter 9: Autograph Event?
"Is that so?"
Utaha sneered. Shido and her were both new writers. However, she believed that the quality of her works was much superior. In fact, the reception she got really proved her point.
However, she could not refute what the editors said. It was true that her work was well received, but there were fewer readers interested in it, and only a tiny group of loyal fans among them.
On the contrary, the novel written by Shido had a lot of readers, despite the fact that there were countless negative reviews.
Was this what the editors wanted her to learn?
Utaha lowered her head seriously, and began to consider the pros and cons of this matter...
Shido glanced at Utaha who had calmed down, and couldn't help frowning. He originally wanted to stimulate the other party, and then with Utaha's character, she would definitely quarrel with him.
When the time came, they would break up unhappily, and the autograph of the event would not be held.
However, Utaha actually endured it for some reason.
Before Shido could say anything, editor Toki put down a finger and continued:
"Second, because you are good at different things, fans rarely overlap. Generally, readers of Utaha will not like to read 'Smartphone Man', and those who like 'Smartphone Man' will not read 'The Metronome in Love'.
So if the two of you hold a sales meeting together, you can also let some people who didn't read your work realize that you two get along! "
"In other words, in order to increase sales of works..."
Shido sighed. Although editor Toki didn't say it clearly, everyone knew what he meant: Letting fans of both sides buy works from each other's side was the real purpose of this autograph event.
Generally speaking, there would be two writers in the autograph event, and readers would ask for both of their signatures.
Shido didn't mind such an approach, but the problem was that he would have to interact with Utaha.
Therefore, Shido declared in a stern expression:
"I don't like to swindle readers' money like this. If it's not for my fans, then it's pointless to sell light novels like this!"
"Pointless..."
Editor Toki said in a low voice, then circled his two fingers and made a symbol of money. The meaning he wanted to express was very clear: The sales of light novels are the royalties for Shido!
"Uh..."
Shido couldn't retort it since it was so true.
"Then the third reason?"
Utaha asked impatiently. Like Shido, she didn't like the arrangement of the publisher. Of course, the reason was different.
"Third... I forgot!"
Editor Toki smiled, but looking at his expression, it was obvious that he did not forget, but he just didn't want to say it.
Upon hearing this, Utaha shook her legs unhappily.
Originally, she was very upset because she was tricked by Machida into coming here and then learned a proposal for a two-person autograph event that she didn't like. Next, the male editor only said half of the words. How could she be happy!
But Shido guessed some of the reasons. If he and Utaha had anything in common, they were both light novel writers who were both high school students. This should be considered relatively rare, and it could be regarded as a selling point in itself.
What's more, they were a boy and a girl who belonged to the same high school. If they held an autograph event together and spread some deliberate propaganda, they could easily be packaged into the image of a pair of lovebirds.
In this way, even if their works were not well-known, their reputation would greatly improve.
If this matter was known to the Spirits, then he might be demolished.
Shido considered for a while, and then asked tentatively:
"If it's for sales, can't you find someone else for the autograph event?"
"Does Itsuka-kun think that I am not worthy to hold an autograph event with you?"
Utaha sneered. She didn't expect that the other party disliked her first when she didn't dislike him.. This reminded her of some strange rumors that she heard at school this afternoon, and her expression became even darker.
"No, I just..."
Shido shook his head, wanting to explain, but didn't know how to explain for a while.
Fortunately, at this time, editor Toki spoke, but he hesitated for a while, then shook his head, responding to the question from Shido:
"It has to be you, Itsuka-kun, because..."
"Because what?"
Shido asked curiously.
Editor Toki did not answer directly, but replied seemingly casually:
"Itsuka-kun, as you know, many of your readers are very interested in your exclusive illustrator..."
"Nia?"
Shido frowned. Indeed, many of his readers want to know who was helping him draw the wonderful illustrations!
After all, Nia's drawing skills were exceptional, showing that she might be a master-level artist. But, why would such an illustrator, under a pen name that no one knew, draw illustrations for a new piece of unknown fame. It made the readers very curious.
Of course, the publisher was also very curious, because this illustrator never showed her face. Also, the illustration expenses were collected by Shido in her name.
But no matter how much they guessed, it was impossible for them to guess that Nia was actually an artist from another world!
"Is that person's name Nia? The pen name registered in our library is Souji Honjo..."
Machida interjected a little suddenly.
In fact, she also wanted to find this artist. There are many writers under her banner, such as Utaha. They don't have any good illustrators, after all, they are the authors of newcomers.
Since Souji Honjo is willing to draw illustrations for newcomers like Shido, he might also help Utaha, so that Utaha's novels can attract more readers.
In many cases, the illustrations of light novels were more important than the quality of the novel itself!
"If you can find the illustrator, Souji Honjo, for this autograph event together, then you won't need to come..."
Editor Toki sighed and said directly.
In fact, he didn't like this approach very much, but this is what the publisher wanted, and it was true that for newcomers, fame was the most important trait.
Therefore, the editor-in-chief of Bunko made it clear yesterday that Shido and Kasumigaoka must hold an autograph event. Of course, if possible, it would be better to find Souji Honjo.
The publisher knew Honjo was not a rookie artist, and the appearance of this mysterious artist would be great enough topical itself.
However, because the probability of finding Souji Honjo was low, editor Toki directly approached Machida to discuss the issue of holding an autograph event between the two writers.
They thought that Shido would simply accept it. After all, it was a good opportunity to increase income and fame. Moreover, Kasumigaoka had also seen him. For a young teenager like Shido, a beautiful girl like her would definitely draw his attention.
But things were a bit beyond editor Toki's imagination, Shido refused him mercilessly. After all, it would be unacceptable for Shido.
Therefore, editor Toki gave Shido two difficult quests, hoping that he would take the lesser one, and agreed to hold an autograph event with Kasumigaoka!
However, what editor Toki didn't know was that Shido had no room for hesitation, and it was impossible for him to hold the autograph event with Kasumigaoka.
On the contrary, it would be quite easy to get help from Nia!
Shido collected his thoughts, nodded, and agreed:
"Okay, I can contact Nia for you. Let's hold an autograph event between me and Nia!"
"Uh..."
Editor Toki was a little embarrassed and didn't know what to say. If he had known that Shido would do this, he wouldn't need to find Machida.
What's more, as mentioned earlier, to find such a mysterious illustrator as Souji Honjo will indeed have a better publicity effect.
"Then it is decided!"
Editor Toki nodded affirmatively, not wanting Shido to repent.
But Shido couldn't regret this incident, so he just smiled and began to fantasize about the situation where he and Nia appeared together in front of readers at that time.
"Wait, what about Utaha?"
Machida asked anxiously, although most of Kasumigaoka's works were well received, the sales were still low, because her novels were too serious.
These were no exaggerated personal settings, no welfare scenes, no sci-fi superpowers, only ordinary campus life, and plain love stories.
Such a novel, no matter how good it was, readers didn't really buy it. According to the editor-in-chief, if the sales of the next volume of Utaha's works were still like this, it would most likely be cut!
As for the blow to a writer, Machida knew the most.
"Just find someone else to cooperate with!"
Shido smiled indifferently. He knew the industry had a lot of good writers. Since Utaha was a beautiful girl, no male writer would reject the idea of working with her, except him.
"I have two writers who are about to have their work animated. If necessary, I can contact them for help."
Editor Toki said carefully.
"But..."
Machida wanted to say something, but was stopped by Kasumigaoka who was sitting aside.
Utaha clenched her fists, recalling the experience of the whole day today. First,
Tomoya inexplicably came to her and asked her to make a game together, but she refused to do it. Even so, he insisted stubbornly.
Putting that aside, she heard a rumor in the afternoon, saying that she confessed to Tomoya, and then she was rejected, and he said that he would never like her in any way.
Who the hell did Tomoya think he was? Humiliating her like that? What's more, she never liked him at all. It was just a normal writer-reader relationship...
In a very upset mood, Utaha Kasumigaoka received a call from Machida, asking her to come to Fudokawa Bunko after school. Although she did not know the reason, she came here obediently.
As a result, after arriving at the library, Utaha learned that the conversation involved her with another writer, and this writer was late!
While waiting, Utaha learned of the publisher's idea. She didn't like this approach, so she resolutely opposed their decision.
After waiting for a while, the late writer finally came. He was a junior from her school. At first, she learned that this junior didn't like the arrangement either, and it was really great.
But at the end, he explained that the reason that he didn't want to hold the autograph event was not because of the autograph event, but simply because of her…
At this moment, Utaha finally snapped! She was rejected twice a day, and both times on the premise that she didn't like the other party herself! This was too annoying!
Why?
Utaha stared at Shido. After a while, she gritted her teeth and asked:
"Itsuka-kun, can you explain why you don't want to see me? I really don't deserve to hold an autograph event with you...?"
"Yes, you are not worthy!"
Shido wanted to answer in this way, but in the end he endured it. Even though he would make her hate him, this was not a good method. It was said that there was only a thin line between love and hate, who knew what accidents might happen in the future!
Moreover, if Utaha continued to pay too much attention to him, it would be a very troublesome thing for him.
Therefore, it was best that he could find a reasonable excuse for Utaha to understand his decision.
After thinking about it for a while, Shido pretended to be nervous, and explained to Utaha with a little breath:
"It's not like that. I'm just a little afraid to talk to new girls. The doctor said that I have a specialized female phobia..."
"Female phobia?" (WTF)
Utaha was dumbfounded, and the unfamiliar terms made her ponder for a few seconds.
If Shido did not lie, then the reason that Shido was unwilling to hold an autograph event with her was not because of her personally, but just because she was a female.
But female phobia, does this inexplicable disease really exist?
Machida, who was next to him, nodded in understanding. When Shido rejected her as an editor, she didn't understand it. It was obvious that the two had never cooperated. Why would Shido dislike her as an editor?
But if Shido really had any female phobia, then everything made sense...
Seeing that they seemed to have accepted this setting, Shido decided to increase its efforts!
After thinking about it, he said again:
"The doctor said that I should avoid being alone with girls, and if possible, reduce contact with girls until I recover from this illness!"
"Is that so...?"
Utaha frowned, then suddenly stood up and walked slowly towards the direction of Shido. She wanted to see if the other party's female phobia was real!
Seeing Utaha walking over, Shido didn't understand what the other party wanted to do, until the other party reached out her hand …
"No!"
Shido screamed instinctively, jumped up and took two steps back.
This was not a performance, but a natural reaction, because his mind has been brainwashed by the agreements set by the Spirits.
He couldn't have physical contact with girls other than the Spirits, even if it was a common etiquette such as shaking hands!
"It seems to be true..."
Utaha sighed, but inexplicably became a little happy.
Looking at Shido's reaction Utaha did not think that the other party was acting, but if he turned out to be acting, it would be a waste of his talent to become a writer!
In this case, Shido was not rejecting her just now, but rejecting all women!
Occasionally, Utaha would talk to Tomoya about novels, mainly because she knew that Tomoya was also a diehard fan to the 2d girls and would not be interested in her, a beautiful girl in 3d. It was relatively safe to chat with him.
But after experiencing the rejection incident in the afternoon, Utaha didn't want to go to Tomoya anymore. Who would ever love such a jerk? she didn't want to contact this person anymore.
But in this way, she didn't even have the only one who could talk about light novels. After all, most of the students approached her with the idea of pursuing her.
And now, a junior named Shido, who was afraid of women, appeared in front of her. This person would definitely not like her, and he was also a writer of light novels. The Bunko industry also thought there was room for them to learn from each other. Such a person would be 1 million times better than Tomoya.
However, since Shido had a female phobia, it would be difficult for her to talk to him. If she wanted to have closer contact with him, she would need some opportunities...
At this time, Shido didn't know that Utaha set her sight on him, and thought that the excuse he improvised was perfect!
"Sorry! Senpai, because of my own reasons..."
"It's okay, Itsuka-kun! We can be friends!"
Utaha smiled softly.
"Uh..."
Shido nodded gently. Such a gentle Utaha was absolutely unusual. Under such a smile, there must be some conspiracy.
Like giving him a friend card!
Shido watched Utaha with his guard up, but didn't know that his performance was interpreted as a sense of female phobia.
"Let's exchange phone numbers!"
Utaha suggested that if the other party couldn't meet women face to face, using SMS to chat should be no problem.
There was indeed no problem, but Shido does not want to talk too much with Utaha in private, and on the back of his smartphone, there was an intimate photo sticker of him with Mukuro. If it was exposed, then his lie would be crushed.
So, after thinking about it, Shido gave a wry smile, and then said embarrassedly:
"Sorry, I'm not used to using technology products, so I don't have a smartphone..."
"What?"
Utaha looked at Shido questioningly. Can people without smartphones live normally?
Editor Toki glanced at Shido. He knew that the other party was talking nonsense. If Shido didn't have a mobile phone, how did they contact just now?
But editor Toki did not express his thoughts. Whether or not Shido really had female phobia, it was Shido's own choice. As long as he wrote his own work well, as an editor, he will not intervene.
In the end, Utaha still couldn't get the contact information of Shido. Shido blocked all the possible ways for her. He didn't want to have more contact with Utaha.
After that, Machida and Utaha left the meeting room. Before leaving, Kasumigaoka looked at Shido deeply, contemplating something.
This made Shido very confused. He had made enough preparations to make the other party dislike him. Why was Utaha still interested in him?
But for the sake of his Spirits, he would never like Utaha anyway, so Shido decided to act more carefully in the future!
