It's another Saturday morning. The Unshikawakunko Bookstore is not yet open. In the cafe across the street, a disguised Eriri and Hiratsuka Ryosuke are already seated, waiting for ten o'clock.
Ryosuke feels the table vibrate and glances at the girl sitting across from him. Eriri is bouncing her leg and chewing on her thumbnail, her clear blue eyes filled with a subtle nervousness.
"Eriri, why are you more nervous than I am?" Ryosuke asks, taking a sip of his coffee.
"What do you mean?" she retorts, her voice as clear as a nightingale's. "I drew all the illustrations in that book! This is Kashiwagi Eri's first commercial project! Don't you know that the first reason many people buy a book is because the illustrations are good?"
The reason they are there is simple: it's the release day for Sword Art Online. A week ago, after getting the illustrations, Unshikawakunko Publishing House immediately went to press, printing an initial run of 50,000 copies. Most new authors don't get this kind of treatment; 30,000 is usually the maximum. With so many people's expectations resting on his shoulders for his first light novel, even the usually calm Ryosuke feels a bit nervous. He wrote the book himself with guidance from Yamada Elf, so it's a little different from the original literary hit in his past life.
At 10 a.m., the bookstore opens. A plump, silver-haired boy and a boy with dead-fish eyes walk in.
"Oh, Great Bodhisattva Hachiman, I'm so moved that you came with me on a weekend to search for secret sword-fighting manuals!" Zaimokuza Yoshiteru has become even more of a chuunibyo since witnessing the sword duel between the club president and vice president. He always imagines himself as General Yoshiteru. After seeing a traditional style of swordsmanship, he now dreams of a story where the protagonist finds an ancient martial arts manual in a library and becomes an all-powerful legend.
"You dragged me here," Hikigaya Hachiman says. He didn't want to go out on a weekend. He'd rather be sleeping, playing with his cat, or hanging out with his sister. But Zaimokuza is one of the few people he can talk to in his class. So, when Zaimokuza showed up at his house and asked him to come out, he agreed, much to the surprise of his sister, Komachi.
"Sword Art Online? A new book? It looks pretty good." The new book on the recommendation shelf catches Zaimokuza's eye. With its cool and powerful Black Swordsman on the cover, combined with the sword-fighting theme and beautiful artwork, it immediately grabs his attention. He picks up the novel and starts reading it in the bookstore.
Hachiman is good at academics, but he's not very interested in light novels. He prefers the works of classic authors like Natsume Soseki and Dazai Osamu. But since he's already here, he picks up a book and flips through it. Gradually, he finds himself immersed in the fantastical world of Aincrad.
Time passes without them noticing.
"Kirito is so cool! I'm willing to bet this will be a masterpiece that could reach number one on the Oricon charts this year!" Zaimokuza takes off his glasses and shouts excitedly. He's so happy to have found a book he loves so quickly that he decides to buy three copies: one for his collection, one for a friend, and one for reading.
Hachiman, uncharacteristically, doesn't object to Zaimokuza's words and nods in agreement. His dead-fish eyes are filled with appreciation and approval. "Light novels can be pretty interesting, after all," he thinks. "I should buy two for Komachi; she'll probably like it."
From the corner of his eye, Zaimokuza spots someone familiar, a member of his club. He excitedly walks over to greet him. "Hayama! Do you like this book too?"
Hayama Hayato laughs awkwardly, his face a little stiff. "Haha, yeah, what a coincidence to see you here." As a popular kid, Hayama prefers outdoor sports like soccer. But he heard that Hiratsuka Ryosuke was publishing a light novel, and today was the release day. This surprised him. They are only middle school students, after all. He knows that a novel can often reveal something about the author's personality, as writing requires emotion. Out of curiosity, he decided to come and see what kind of person Ryosuke really is. He didn't expect to run into acquaintances as soon as he walked in.
Hachiman and Hayato's eyes meet, and they feel a strange familiarity. But Hachiman sees Hayato's awkwardness. He pulls on Zaimokuza's sleeve and whispers, "Hey, don't bother him. Just buy the books and let's go."
"Hayama, as fellow members of the Kendo club, let's settle this with a 'Starburst Stream' at school!" the silver-haired boy says, still challenging Hayato as Hachiman drags him away.
After they leave, the smile disappears from Hayato's face. He looks at the Black Swordsman on the cover and starts reading. The first few pages contain character profiles and illustrations. "The art is quite good," he thinks.
A while later, the usual smile returns to his face. He remembers the duel between Takamachi Kyoya and Hiratsuka Ryosuke that afternoon, and his eyes are filled with admiration. He closes the book. "The fastest, the strongest, the one who breaks the limit, the Black Swordsman... that's so like you, Hiratsuka." This is the first light novel Hayato has ever bought, and he believes it won't be his last, as he is equally captivated by the story's thrilling adventure.
In the afternoon, at the Unshikawakunko editorial office, the sales editors receive call after call.
"What? It's already sold out in Toshima-ku?"
"The bookstore in Bunkyo-ku is almost sold out, too?"
"The main office will send more right away! Just hold on!"
Unshikawakunko bookstores across Tokyo are requesting more copies of Sword Art Online. The editor-in-chief, a middle-aged woman, nods repeatedly, her face creased into a happy smile. It's been a long time since she's been this happy.
"Machida! Tell the printer to print another 100,000 copies right away!" she orders. With the novel selling out on its first day, she's willing to take a risk and make up for all their previous losses.
As the sun sets, its last rays fall on Eriri and Ryosuke's faces. They've already had dinner outside. Throughout the day, they watched countless people leave the bookstore with copies of Sword Art Online. They exchange glances, nod, and walk into the store. They find only a few copies left of Sword Art Online on the recommendation shelf.
"Yes! Ryosuke, our book is a huge success on its first day! This is the power of our perfect light novel duo!" Eriri jumps up and down with joy, her golden twin tails swinging in the air.
Ryosuke, who has been anxious all day, finally relaxes. He was worried that readers' tastes might be different in this world. But after his extensive research and adapting the style to this world, it seems his first attempt has been a success.
"Yeah, thanks to you. It wouldn't have sold out so fast without you," Ryosuke says, picking up a book from the shelf and praising her without reservation.
His words make Eriri's eyes narrow into a satisfied smile, revealing her signature canine tooth. She knows that without Kashiwagi Eri's exquisite illustrations, a new author's work would never have attracted so much attention.
"Ryosuke, don't you think the main heroine, Asuna, has... a certain feeling? It gives me the urge to create a fanfiction," Eriri says hesitantly, her eyebrows furrowed. As an artist who specializes in a certain genre, the idea of a noble and powerful female knight captain has already sparked countless ideas for fan comics in her mind.
Ryosuke's eyelids twitch. What should I say? Is this the commercial intuition of a top-tier artist? Before he can respond, a girl's voice, devoid of emotion, comes from behind him.
"Oh, has Sword Art Online already sold out? I'm too late."
Ryosuke turns around to see a girl in a red vest, a white beret, and a short bob haircut. He searches his memory, feeling like he's seen her somewhere before. He can't place her. He glances at the empty shelf next to him, realizing the book he's holding is the last one.
"You can have this book," Ryosuke says calmly, handing it to the stranger. He knows she must be a reader since she came all this way. She probably heard about the book from a friend this morning.
When the girl sees Ryosuke, her emotionless eyes briefly flicker with surprise. Ryosuke doesn't even notice the subtle change in her expression. She takes the book with her delicate hands and bows slightly in thanks. Ryosuke waves his hand, telling her not to worry, and is about to say goodbye to Eriri when the girl's next words, still without any emotion, hit him like a tidal wave.
"Oh? Well, thank you very much... Guardian Knight."