It wasn't until Ajitani's gaze met Tsuna's that she belatedly realized she had asked a foolish question.
She had forgotten that Miyamura wasn't just a new author… he also had the identity of a firm heir. She could only blame his usual 'low-key' demeanor.
Without asking, no one would ever believe he had these two identities…
"So, how many copies are in the first print run?" Ajitani chuckled, changing the subject.
Tsuna raised his hand, extending five distinct fingers. "Because it's a new book by a new author, the conservative first print run is 5,000 copies."
Regarding the printing quantity previously agreed upon with Fūno Jun, it was changed to 5,000 due to some immeasurable factors.
However, he didn't place much importance on these printing numbers, as he wasn't sure if this light novel, which was famous in his previous life, would sell well here.
Even if the quantity was small, if it sold well, they could print more urgently. Moreover, a shortage caused by strong sales could help him accumulate a 'bit' of fame.
"Miyamura, don't worry, I'll definitely buy a copy to support you this Thursday!" Nishikata promised, swallowing his food.
Takagi and Ajitani also chimed in.
"No need, physical copies will probably be delivered to my house tomorrow. I also asked Jun for a few copies with early printing serial numbers. I'll just give one to each of you then."
Tsuna waved his hand, refusing without hesitation.
Shouko closed her finished bento box and nodded in agreement:
"That's right, Tsuna and I both have copies. His is number one, mine is number two. But the ones we give you might have later serial numbers."
There was no other way; the first print run, number one, was the most commemorative among the physical books. It was impossible to just give it away.
The three politely tried to refuse, but under Shouko's 'firm' attitude, they still chose to accept.
"May I ask another impertinent question, Miyamura, how much does your book cost at the bookstore?" Ajitani asked, puzzled.
"One thousand five hundred yen."
(1,500 Japanese Yen is approximately 13 dollars in 2018)
"…"
"That's my whole month's allowance!!" Nishikata couldn't help but exclaim again.
Takagi and Ajitani were also surprised. Putting everything else aside, what Nishikata said was true!
Currently, a high school student's monthly living expenses in Japan are around 2,000 yen, or even lower, with some getting 500 or 1,000 yen.
Nishikata clasped his hands together again, casting an apologetic gaze at the students who were looking over. He really couldn't help it just now.
If he hadn't known the price at first, he might have accepted it in a daze, but now it was completely different…
"Miyamura, I also have an impertinent question." Takagi suppressed the emotion on her face and raised her fair, small hand.
"Just ask if you have a question, there's no such thing as impertinent." Tsuna suddenly felt a trace of speechlessness.
Seeing their reactions, he even wondered if the price was too high, but this price wasn't set by him, but by Futaba Publishing…
"Miyamura, is your book inlaid with gold?"
Ajitani asked first, but what she asked was not far from what Takagi-san wanted to ask.
"…"
Shouko held up her phone, showing the content she had just searched online to the three, and explained:
"Ajitani-chan, the first volume of Tsuna's book combines three volumes of content, so the price is higher, but it's already much cheaper than others."
"…" It really is…
The few people quickly scanned the content. A novel combining three volumes usually costs around 1,800 yen, and those by famous authors are even more expensive…
"First volume…? Does that mean there's a second volume??"
Nishikata looked at Tsuna in disbelief, but this time he wasn't overly surprised, as he had been surprised too many times already.
The two volumes combined would be equivalent to two months of his allowance. This was practically faster than robbery, and it was completely legal…
"Yes." Shouko nodded, helping him answer Nishikata's question. "But the second volume depends on the situation. If the first volume sells well, the price might be even higher…"
"But everyone, don't worry, the second volume only has two volumes, so no matter how expensive it gets, it won't exceed the price of the first volume."
"…" Nishikata felt that Shouko's explanation was even more confusing.
The few of them chatted about this topic for a while longer before getting up to leave the classroom to wash their bento boxes. Takagi and the other two also explicitly refused Tsuna and Shouko's offer of books.
The bell for the end of lunch break had just rung, and the lingering scent of bento still wafted through the classroom.
Tsuna lay on his desk and took a short nap. When he opened his eyes again, the sunlight was already slanting into the window, illuminating the chalk dust.
The thudding sound of the Baseball Club running could be heard from the corridor. The student on duty was standing on tiptoes, wiping the blackboard. Shouko had already packed her school bag, and her school uniform jacket was loosely draped over the back of her chair.
"Tsuna, school's out. Do you want to come with me to the Art Club?" Shouko raised the corner of her lips, looking at him.
"Ah…" Ajitani, who was beside her, pulled her arm, pouting. "Shouko-chan, isn't it enough to have me with you?"
Tsuna ignored the two who had started bickering, rubbed his sleepy eyes, and quickly packed his school bag.
The few of them said goodbye and parted ways at the stairwell. Today, due to some special reasons, Takagi and Nishikata chose to leave early and did not attend club activities.
Tsuna also received a message from Fūno Jun at the last minute. He walked out of the school gate, got on his motorcycle, and rode towards Futaba Publishing.
"Shouko-chan, have you unlocked Miyamura's phone browser password?"
On the way to the Art Club activity room, Ajitani's gaze returned from the students running on the sports field, and she asked curiously.
Shouko slowly shook her head. "No, I've tried many times, but I have no idea what password Tsuna set."
In the past half month or so, she had secretly tried countless times, and she even specifically kept a notebook to record the passwords she had tried.
However, that four-digit password was simply too vast, and she had only told Takagi and Ajitani-chan about this matter, even asking the two of them to help her brainstorm ideas…
"If it really doesn't work, why don't you act cute and ask Miyamura?" Ajitani suggested, extending her right index finger. She thought this method was feasible.
Before, being naive and unaware, she had even used her phone to search for this question, but the answer had shocked her worldview a bit.
So she was very curious about what Miyamura's browser content would be like…
Shouko sighed softly. "I don't think that will work."
"But if we don't do that, we'll never know how long it will take to try, and we have no clue at all."
As they chatted, the two walked into the Art Club classroom, greeted the seniors inside, and returned to their seats, starting to draw and chat.
Two class periods passed in the blink of an eye. Under Ajitani's persuasion, Shouko also decided to try her suggested method tonight.
After all, if she didn't, there really was no other way.
And Miyagi Yuki also stated during the break that she would buy a copy to support her and Miyamura.