Fujikawa Shoten Publishing House
As one of the largest publishing houses in all of Japan, Fujikawa Shoten occupied a full seven-story office building in the heart of the business district.
Naturally, it wasn't just the light novel division inside. Various departments for magazines, manga, and other media production and distribution were also housed within.
Sato arrived at the base of the building with Kuroneko, tilting his head to look up at what many light novel authors considered sacred ground.
After a long moment, he lowered his gaze.
Kuroneko, Gokou Ruri, was still staring up at the not-so-tall building, her eyes filled with longing and nerves.
"Nervous?" Sato asked with a smile.
"Yeah… a little," she admitted.
She'd wanted to be a light novelist for a long time. But without guidance, she'd been unable to take the first step. Fortunately, thanks to advice from the editors in Gensokyo and feedback from her readers, she'd finally gotten this chance.
For her, it was incredibly precious.
"You'll get used to it eventually. For now, let me take you up to meet the editor."
"Okay!"
"Relax. Your new manuscript already qualifies for a contract. Who knows? It might even be a bestseller."
"There's no need to flatter me, Miyabi-sensei. I know my own level."
Kuroneko exhaled softly. Right now, all she hoped for was to get published. As for hitting the top charts…
Well, while a tiny part of her dreamed of it, she knew how fierce the light novel industry was, ruthless as a battlefield. She'd seen many serialized works axed due to low sales. It was no secret.
Every light novel author, even those with several published works, lived with the fear of cancellation hanging over their heads.
Sato smiled. That kind of grounded mindset was good.
He'd seen plenty of authors recommended by the site, some faded quickly due to their own arrogance.
Suddenly remembering something, he turned to her and said,
"By the way, let's drop the 'sensei' thing. I'm not really worthy of that title."
"Just call me senpai."
Kuroneko blinked, then nodded.
"Got it!"
…
They took the elevator to the light novel division's floor, where Kuroneko was stunned by the scene of chaos.
"Hey, this is Fujikawa Shoten! Submissions? Use the submission email!"
"Moshi moshi, is this Inoryuu-sensei? Where's the draft you promised? What?! Another three days?! Heh… Inoryuu-sensei, please hold."
"Hey! Okamoto, what the hell are you doing?! Hey—!"
After slamming down the phone, a cold-faced editor grabbed a baseball bat by his desk and stormed past them like a gust of wind.
Kuroneko instinctively shivered.
So scary…!
She looked at Sato, eyes full of curiosity.
Is this what the world of the strong looks like?
Sato paused, wondering whether he should be calling the cops for that Inoryuu author.
"Miyabi-sensei, you're here. Editor Machida is in the meeting room," the receptionist quickly greeted them with a polite bow.
"Thanks."
Sato nodded, then led Kuroneko to the door of the meeting room and knocked.
Knock knock knock!
"Come in!"
The room wasn't large, but it was neatly decorated and very clean. Inside were two people: one tall and commanding, the other younger and refined.
The woman in the office attire with ear-length hair was Machida Sonoko, head of the light novel division at Fujikawa Shoten, and Sato's editor.
Across from her sat a beautiful black-haired girl, elegant and poised, who looked up in surprise at the door.
"Miyabi-sensei?"
"Oh? Kasumigaoka's here too."
Equally surprised, Sato greeted her.
"Is this the newcomer you mentioned?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha's gaze shifted past Sato, landing on Kuroneko. She narrowed her eyes, studying her carefully.
Kuroneko followed Sato with an air of calm, but her rigid posture and tightly pressed lips gave away her tension. Both Utaha and Machida easily saw through her act.
Sato noticed too and teased,
"What's with those looks? Can't you see the newbie's already terrified?"
"Senpai!"
Kuroneko whispered behind him, clearly embarrassed that he had exposed her.
"Let's sit and talk."
Sato smiled and gestured for her to take a seat, then introduced the people in the room.
"Kuroneko, this is Machida Sonoko, the editor-in-chief of Fujikawa Shoten's light novel division. She'll be your direct boss from now on that holds your life in her hands. Oh, and… she's also a single woman of advanced age who's still going on matchmaking dates."
Sonoko's face darkened.
"That last part was completely unnecessary."
If you weren't one of our star authors, I'd have RKO'd you by now…!
Of course, Sato could joke like that because he had the reputation and results to back it up. But for a newcomer like Kuroneko, Sonoko truly was someone who held the power to make or break her career.
Kuroneko stiffened, bowed deeply, and said,
"Nice to meet you, Editor Machida!"
Machida naturally wouldn't be harsh to a newcomer like her.
She smiled gently.
"Relax. I've read your manuscript, more than good enough for a debut."
Kuroneko visibly relaxed at that.
"This is Kasumigaoka Utaha, pen name Kasumi Utako. She's your senpai, known for her romance novels. Her current series Koisuru Metronome is selling quite well."
As he said this, Sato glanced at Machida meaningfully.
She couldn't help but smile.
"Nothing escapes you, huh? You really are a monster."
"Yes, Kasumi's sales are looking very good lately."
Her lips curled into a subtle, satisfied smile. After all, Utaha was a signed author under her name, her success meant better commissions for Sonoko, too.
"Nice to meet you, Kasumi-senpai!"
Kuroneko greeted her nervously.
"No need to be so formal. I'm just a newbie too,"
Utaha said with a wry smile, adjusting her seat. She had a complicated feeling in her heart.
To think someone's now calling me "senpai"…