After a quick search, he found that Rincheon Library was going all out to promote Blessings on this Wonderful World.
He frowned slightly, but didn't say much.
"It's just that I'm not as good as him."
He told himself this.
But on LINE, in a casual chat with several other light novel authors—
"I really want to punch that Kagetsu Roro!"
"Hmph, a guy who got in through the back door. How did a newbie like him get such good treatment?"
The internet.
It magnifies people's dark sides.
"Yeah. There's definitely something shady going on. Let's publicize it, so our novels can get published normally!"
"Right, let's do that. How can a newbie get such good promotion?"
Afterward, these light novel authors expressed some dissatisfaction on their respective Twitters.
But they overestimated the moral bottom line of netizens in this era.
"I heard Kagetsu Roro is a female author who got the promotion through an unspeakable deal with the editor."
"Really? I just found out Kagetsu Roro is that kind of person. I won't read Blessings on this Wonderful World anymore."
"Exactly. I don't understand why so many people read the overused isekai theme. There must be data manipulation."
"Huh… So that's the truth? Kagetsu Roro is so disgusting! He should just die."
Comments flooded the Twitter posts.
Chapter 10: What does your cursing Kagetsu Roro have to do with me, Akizuki Roto?
Utaha Kasumigaoka tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep.
Finally, she drifted off, but the next day, she still couldn't let it go.
She still couldn't figure out how Kagetsu Roro could write so quickly.
This curiosity was like a kitten scratching, making her itch.
"Hmm… maybe it's his mindset."
"It's because of his happy mindset that Kagetsu Roro-sensei writes so quickly."
Utaha Kasumigaoka figured she was probably right.
However, her train of thought made her blush: "If I write Love Metronome, do I have to fall in love?"
"No, that's impossible."
She wasn't willing to sacrifice that much for her light novel career.
Writer's block was annoying, but if she worked hard, she could still write the third volume.
"Kagetsu Roro-sensei! Are you alright?"
Hearing the call from Reina Ryokawa, Akizuki Roto was a bit bewildered.
"Um... I'm fine," Roto said.
"That's good. Don't worry, our PR team is already working on it," Reina Ryokawa said, then hung up the phone, seemingly busy.
Roto: "?"
Tsk.
He felt like there was some kind of misunderstanding?
But since Reina Ryokawa didn't ask any in-depth questions, it probably wasn't a big deal.
So.
Several hours later.
While chatting with Shirayuki on LINE, I saw a trending topic.
"Kagetsu Roro is a woman? The behind-the-scenes story of the huge operation!"
"???" Roto was suddenly hit by this trending topic.
Just the subway, the elderly, and a phone.
Wait, wait, wait.
I haven't been gender-bent, thank you.
After the, Roto was also baffled.
To keep a low profile, he requested that the editorial department not publicize his personal information.
Some light novel authors are treated as part of the publishing house's marketing strategy these days.
Someone like Utaha Kasumigaoka is perfect for the "beautiful girl light novel author" image.
It directly attracts a bunch of otaku who don't read romance novels.
Logically, the pen name Kagetsu Roro should be shrouded in mystery right now.
Age, gender, background – the outside world shouldn't know anything.
How did Kagetsu Roro become a female author?
Unbelievable.
Roto had probably guessed at some of what was going on.
In his previous life, the internet environment in China was, well, let's just say, you know how it is.
Sure enough, after a quick search, Roto roughly understood what had happened.
Some light novel authors had posted slightly provocative statements on Twitter, expressing doubts about Kagetsu Roro's ability to get a lot of promotion from Rincheon Library.
Then, the netizens, being incredibly good at jumping to conclusions, somehow got the news that Kagetsu Roro was a woman.
Now, a whole bunch of people were jumping to conclusions and thought Kagetsu Roro was a woman.
And there were all sorts of groundless rumors.
Like, bribing the editor, or having an unspeakable relationship with the editor.
"Tsk. I wish." Roto said jokingly.
Reina Ryokawa, as an older sister type, was top-tier, and her explosive figure was enough to make people drool.
"Alright, we've got this sorted out."
"Let's come clean with our parents when we get back."
Roto brushed aside all sorts of comments and didn't feel much of anything.
Perhaps it was the influence of his past life, but he always felt a sense of emptiness when reading Japanese.
Simply put, Chinese felt more like home than Japanese.
After all, he had lived for several decades in his previous life. He had spoken Mandarin Chinese for several decades.
Now, although Roto could hear the Japanese, he felt a certain distance from these filthy remarks.
It was as if it had nothing to do with him.
That famous line had come out.
"You're looking for Kagetsu Roro, what does that have to do with me, Akizuki Roto?"
"Haha!!"
Roto laughed and stopped paying attention.
What was the point of caring? Was he supposed to just hurl insults back one after another?
"But, unfortunately, with these words, the public might make a wrong guess about my identity..."
Because Roto wasn't planning on revealing any information.
Kagetsu Roro was a pen name, which Roto used to release various works that didn't exist in this world.
It was that simple. That was the meaning of this pen name.
If he came forward to clarify things...
Then the information that "Kagetsu Roro is male" would be leaked.
Forget it.
Who cares.
It's just rumors. I'll remain as unmoving as a mountain. Regardless of the gossip outside!
Getting the money is all that matters.
After worrying about the gender of his pen name, Roto smiled broadly.
After school.
He headed home.
Today, his father and mother were both home, which was a good opportunity to have a showdown.
All parents are the same.
He would tell his parents that he could be independent and earn money, and that they didn't need to worry about him.
Hyoki Fujinomiya was in a daze.
Ningzi's figure appeared in his mind.
He couldn't help but pick up the document in front of him again.