Recently, the sales of the second volume of "Love Metronome" have been promising. In addition to the excellent writing style and fresh plot, the stunning character illustrations by the new illustrator have played a significant role in boosting sales.
One reader commented, "Wouldn't it have been better to switch to Kashiwagi Eri-sensei earlier? Then I would definitely buy the first volume." This statement highlights the importance of illustrations in light novels.
"That's right. Who would have thought that Mr. Kashiwagi would actually illustrate light novels?" Eri Kashiwagi is a well-known doujin comic artist who has gained widespread popularity for her exceptional painting skills and rich imagination. Her works are often the last images countless otaku see before they go to bed at night.
Typically, when such a master of the inner world chooses a work to focus on, the fan works they create are often NSFW (not safe for work). However, there was one project that prompted Ms. Eri Kashiwagi to change her usual approach: "Love Metronome."
She frequently shares relatively conventional artwork on her social media platforms. However, due to the lightly dressed characters she usually depicts, there's often an odd sense when she creates well-dressed characters.
Recently, Kashiwagi-sensei posted a fan art piece for "Love Metronome" on her social media, which, for the first time, felt completely natural and garnered widespread acclaim. Netizens jokingly remarked that Mr. Kashiwagi, typically drawing more risqué content, was somehow "healed" by "Love Metronome."
As the light novel gained popularity, thanks to Kashiwagi-sensei's fan artwork, Machida Sonoko and Kasumigaoka Utaha both agreed it was essential to express their gratitude to each other. Editor Machida expressed a desire to invite Kashiwagi-sensei to create illustrations for the second volume.
"Teacher Kashiwagi? Can we really invite her?" Kasumigaoka Utaha, who admires Kashiwagi's fan art, was skeptical, thinking that given her stature, she might not be interested in a light novel illustration job.
"Kasumigaoka, you shouldn't doubt your work so much. The fact that Kashiwagi-sensei is creating fan art for 'Love Metronome' shows she completely appreciates your talent. She may have already become your fan," Machida Sonoko replied confidently.
"Let me handle this. You don't need to worry. The illustrations for the first volume of 'Love Metronome' were delayed too much. Since the second volume will be different anyway and the library has already approved it, I'm determined to make this happen."
Machida Sonoko was resolute after a prior conversation with Mr. Hachiman. Kasumigaoka's novels were gaining traction, and pairing them with a renowned artist like Kashiwagi Eri would amplify their impact even further.
————
"Huh? Light novel illustrations! Why would someone ask me to draw this? Do they even want to publish it?"
Kashiwagi Eri, whose real name is Sawamura Spencer Eriri, was surprised when she heard her mother's words. Someone actually asked her, the creator of "Seqin," to illustrate light novels. Did they think her previous works had garnered enough recognition to be approached for this?
"My dear daughter, this is not just any light novel. It's 'Love Metronome,' the one for which you created fan art before," her mother, Sayuri Sawamura, explained. Not only did she support her daughter's passion for art, but she also took the initiative to handle business matters, allowing Eriri to focus entirely on her creative endeavors.
"Love Metronome... Ah! Is that the one by Kasumi Shiko-san?" Eriri's eyes lit up as she rushed to her mother's side, eager to check her work email alongside Sayuri.
She had a deep affection for this light novel, which was why she had taken the time to create serious derivative work for it.
"Yes, it's from Kasumi Shiko's editor, Ms. Machida. They were very grateful for the fan art you made and sincerely invite you to illustrate the second volume," Sayuri summarized the email's content.
"If it's 'Love Metronome,' then… it's not impossible," Eriri replied thoughtfully.
"Daughter, who are you trying to impress?" Sayuri joked, knowing that her daughter wasn't being entirely honest. She always worried that if Eriri met a boy she liked, she wouldn't be able to confess her feelings.
"Stop it, Mom. Please help me reply to Editor Machida. I accept their invitation and would like you to negotiate the follow-up collaboration." Eriri affectionately rubbed her mother's cheek before returning to her computer to continue her work.
Eriri is of British and Japanese descent. Her father is a British diplomat stationed in Japan and holds a somewhat influential position there. He loves his daughter dearly and understands and supports her artistic pursuits.
Eriri discovered her talent for painting at a very young age and is recognized as a painting prodigy. Now in her third year of junior high school, she has already decided to pursue a career in art. However, few people know about her identity as Kashiwagi Eriri, and even many of her business partners are unaware of it.
In formal social settings, Eriri presents herself as a polite and elegant lady, with her bright blonde hair being her signature look. In private, however, she embodies the typical stereotypes of an artist: messy, wearing thick glasses, with disheveled hair and dark circles under her eyes from late nights of work.
Although Eriri's father is British, her English skills are not very strong. Having focused intensely on her art, her academic performance has suffered. Since she aims to follow the special admission route in the future, she has set her sights on furthering her studies at the private Toyosaki Academy without hesitation.
"Hahaha—I've worked hard today; I'll work even harder tomorrow!" Eriri stretched, then returned to her bed, where she opened the half-read issue of "All Reading" magazine lying on her pillow.
Initially, Eriri had no interest in this type of popular literature magazine, but over the past year, her classmates and parents had introduced her to a writer named Hachiman, who was the same age as her. Out of curiosity, she read his two books, "Confession" and "Malice," and became an instant fan. Now, she was struggling to read "Disintegration of Causes."
Eriri felt a pang of envy toward Hachiman-sensei. To her, writers of popular literature seemed to be at the pinnacle of respect in the literary world, while characters in two-dimensional storytelling often lacked that recognition.
"It would be amazing if I could illustrate Hachiman's work one day," she thought, though she also believed it was unlikely. After all, most literary works didn't typically require illustrations to enhance their value.
-----