Chapter 2 Eriri: Hmph! You?
"What are you saying, Chihiro? I didn't hear you clearly. Could you please say it again?"
At the desk, the blonde twin-tailed girl, wearing a green tracksuit, disheveled, and looking quite messy, stopped her paintbrush, turned her head, and looked very confused.
This was how Eriri looked at home, and Izumi Chihiro had long been used to it, so he didn't voice his opinion.
"I'll reiterate, I'm going to write light novels, enter the light novel world, and become a light novel master!"
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Izumi Chihiro leaned forward slightly, striking a pose similar to 'Second Son' (Sasuke), and said with deep eyes.
"Hmph! You? You're thinking too much! It's too naive to think you can write bestsellers just by reading a few light novels... You're just good at academics, not particularly talented in literature."
Eriri showed a slight look of disdain.
Becoming a light novelist was nothing, but becoming a light novel master, that was a huge challenge.
Although the industry didn't have a specific definition for a light novel master, at least for the most important metric, sales, it would definitely need to be over ten million copies, and within a relatively short period, like sales within any three years.
Just reaching a total of ten million copies was a daunting figure for ordinary light novelists, let alone with the time factor!
"Weren't you just 'I'm content with this,' willing to be a salted fish (lazy person) before? Why did you suddenly have this idea recently?"
Then she asked with some curiosity.
"Can't I suddenly want to work hard? Besides, what if my literary skill isn't good? Writing light novels doesn't necessarily require excellent prose."
Izumi Chihiro replied irritably.
"That's true. Aren't most recent light novels 'toilet paper with illustrations'? If you find a good illustrator, it's possible to gain some traction... Wait, Chihiro, were you serious?"
Eriri listed the current state of the industry, then suddenly realized, pointing at him with her finger, and said in disbelief.
It turned out that until just now, Eriri thought he was joking.
"Eriri, how many times do I have to tell you?!"
Izumi Chihiro was already too tired to complain.
In the eyes of his childhood friend, was his impression really that decadent?
"Since that's the case..."
Eriri took a few steps closer, carefully looked into his eyes, as if confirming something, then crossed her arms over her chest and hummed lightly, "If you want to do it, then do it. But if you get discouraged and give up halfway, I won't go out of my way to comfort you!"
All this time, Izumi Chihiro hadn't shown any particularly outstanding qualities. His academic performance was decent, his athletic ability was okay, and his art was average; none of it could be considered superior talent.
So, that was all there was to it.
No one succeeds easily; future difficulties are inevitable.
Even she, a genius with excellent drawing talent in the eyes of ordinary people, hadn't had a smooth journey on the path of art.
Therefore, she thought this way.
"Of course, I won't give up halfway. What kind of person do you take me for, Eriri! You managed to persevere when Mashiro discouraged you into becoming a salted fish, so why can't I?"
To this, Izumi Chihiro retorted.
With good reason.
"Huh? Is my memory failing me? Idiot Chihiro! You have the nerve to say that! You mocked me like crazy many times back then, tearing me apart! My persistence just shows my strong willpower, doesn't it?!"
After hearing this, Eriri's tone immediately became urgent, and she said indignantly.
Once upon a time, they had studied drawing at the same art cram school. Most people were greatly discouraged by Mashiro's terrifying talent and gave up drawing, and Eriri was one of them.
Izumi Chihiro, who had no great ambitions before, was purely there to accompany Eriri, so he wasn't affected at all. He was just amazed by Mashiro's ability and perseverance.
In his free time, he noticed Eriri's state and then used his own method to salvage the situation.
"You've misunderstood me, Eriri. To this day, I'll tell you the truth: back then, you were so discouraged that you wanted to give up. If I had just comforted you normally, it wouldn't have had any effect, so I deliberately said the opposite to motivate you!"
Izumi Chihiro spoke eloquently.
"Really? I don't believe you!"
Eriri's face was full of suspicion.
"If you're lying to me, then you're finished!"
Saying that, she bared her little fangs, looking as if she was ready to pounce and bite him at any moment.
"Who told you to look like an abandoned kitten? If I hadn't said something, you might have really given up drawing."
Izumi Chihiro said this sincerely.
Eriri naturally didn't doubt him then.
"Then... then I'll consider that time you helped me!"
Her voice paused, then she said,
Then she looked up, and with a light 'oh?', she asked, "Why are you bringing this up now?"
"Of course, I want you to return the favor."
Izumi Chihiro said with a smile.
"Could it be... Chihiro, you want me to be your illustrator? Although the quality of your work still needs to be evaluated, debuting doesn't require a very high level of skill. If you sincerely invite me, it's not impossible for me to agree..."
Eriri blinked her eyes, her face slightly red, as if waiting for a specific answer.
Although Kashiwagi Eri had just debuted, she had good talent and about five years of practice, so her drawing skills had achieved some success.
She was already good enough to be an illustrator for a new author's work.
But unfortunately, Izumi Chihiro had no such intention.
"As for this matter, I won't trouble you, Eriri."
He shook his head and said.
"Huh? Are you looking down on my skill?"
Hearing him say that, Eriri felt humiliated and became angry instead.
Her tsundere personality was both cute and troublesome like that.
"Don't you still have club activities to attend? If I made you my illustrator, you wouldn't be able to handle it, right?"
Izumi Chihiro had no choice but to explain the problem.
Oh, so that's how it is.
This explanation satisfied Eriri. She thought about it carefully, and it was indeed true.
She had just thrown herself into the adult industry, becoming Kashiwagi Eri, so her focus naturally had to be on the club.
Otherwise, everyone's hard work would be in vain.
The future adult industry would also lose a brilliant rising star because of this.
Such a loss would be immeasurable!