Chapter 123: Submission
Glancing at Eriri beside him, Kaede asked, "I am currently collaborating with Eriri on a manga, which we plan to submit to Jump. The Bunko shouldn't object to this arrangement, right?"
This was something Kaede had just thought of. After all, he was a light novel author contracted with Fushikawa. While his subsequent collaboration with another publisher was not light novel related, it was better to check first.
"Oh? Manga?"
Editor Nakajima looked at Eriri in surprise, but he could understand. After all, a doujin artist cannot stick to the same path forever, and with Kaede, who has strong writing skills, helping with the script, the difficulty for Eriri to transition into a manga artist would be greatly reduced.
After thinking for a moment, Editor Nakajima smiled and said, "Don't worry, there's no issue with that at all, especially since you are collaborating on a manga. By the way, can you reveal the manga's theme?"
"We won't go into specifics, but we can say it's a manga related to yokai."
"Oh~~~ Manga, huh?"
At this moment, Machida Sonoko, who had recovered, returned, sat down next to the two, and said, "Should I introduce you to someone? I know two editors at Jump as well."
Eriri shook her head, smiling: "No need. I already went once before and have their contact information. This time, my mother will also help me make arrangements, and we will go within the next couple of days. Unlike last time, my confidence is very high now!"
"You've been once already?"
Suddenly, Machida Sonoko thought of something, lowered her voice, and whispered, "Eriri, have you considered changing your pen name?"
Considering Eriri's age, using the pen name Kashiwagi Eri could cause some trouble if her identity were discovered.
Caught off guard by the sudden mention of her pen name, Eriri blushed slightly and replied, "I have thought about it, but Kaede-kun and I tried for a long time and couldn't come up with a suitable one."
"Regarding that, I have a suggestion that shouldn't affect you personally."
Machida Sonoko's words piqued the curiosity of both Kaede and Eriri.
"What is it?"
With a smile, Machida Sonoko said, "You both know the light novel *Eromanga Sensei*, right? The heroine Izumi Sagiri's pen name is Eromanga Sensei, but she herself is Eromanga Sensei the Second."
As soon as she mentioned this, Kaede and Eriri understood.
"Are you suggesting I change my name directly to Kashiwagi Eri the Second?"
"Exactly!"
"But wouldn't that be too obvious?" Eriri hesitated, saying, "What if someone sharp-eyed compares my drawings and proves I'm the same person?"
"Just flat-out deny it. Say you learned well, mastered your master's skills, and then Kashiwagi Eri retired peacefully. Anyway, people only have evidence regarding the drawing technique, and no other proof whatsoever. Even if you are truly confirmed later, you can just say that your identity as a manga artist and your identity as a doujin artist are two completely different people, and that you have been reborn. Wouldn't that be fine? It's just a word game."
Kaede looked at Machida Sonoko and couldn't help but say, "The way you play word games, it's a real waste that you aren't working for the gossip media."
"Ahaha, you shouldn't say that. I merely provided a solution based on Eriri's request. I could tell that Eriri was reluctant to give up her former pen name, so isn't this better? If they are truly fans of Kashiwagi Eri, they should understand the reason for doing this."
No, if they were truly Kashiwagi Eri's fans, they would probably just clamor for her to go back to drawing adult comics.
However, Machida Sonoko's suggestion today was a very good one for Eriri and Kaede: they just needed to separate the past Kashiwagi Eri from the present Kashiwagi Eri, forming two distinct identities.
As for whether the old fans accepted it... anyway, once the serialization truly began, she definitely wouldn't have time to draw doujinshi, but occasionally uploading one or two fan art illustrations would still be fine.
That evening, after discussing it with her mother, Sawamura Sayuri, Eriri finally adopted Machida Sonoko's suggestion. Her pen name would be Kashiwagi Eri the Second.
The next day at school, Eriri immediately dragged Kaede to the bulletin board where the grades were posted.
Quite a few students had already gathered there, and because he was with Eriri, Kaede chose not to push his way in, instead looking at the list from the outside.
Thankfully, his name was easy to spot: second in his grade, which wasn't bad. First place for the second year was taken by that guy, Kitamura Yusaku. It seemed that after joining the Student Council, besides being busy with Student Council work, he had also studied harder.
Looking further down, he also found Eriri's name.
"Kaede-kun! I see my name! 28th in the grade!"
"Mhm, that's really great. Eriri's hard work this time has finally paid off."
"Hehe, when I tell Mom when I get home, she'll definitely be very happy too!"
After viewing the results, the two left. On the way, Eriri spoke to Kaede about going to Jump the next day.
"Kaede-kun, we're submitting tomorrow. I'm a little nervous, but also excited."
"What, aren't you worried it won't pass?"
Eriri immediately shook her head and said seriously, "Kaede-kun's script is so good, and we've been meticulously polishing the first few chapters this whole time. It will definitely pass! I'm not worried at all!"
Eriri's confidence was much greater than when she submitted the first time. With Kaede standing beside her now, Eriri felt like she could accomplish anything.
In that case, let's wait and see... The previous submission had been accompanied by Sawamura Sayuri, but it ended in complete failure.
Standing in front of the Shueisha headquarters building, the hands of Eriri and Kaede, which were clasped together, were inevitably starting to sweat.
Sensing Eriri's nervousness, Kaede looked at her and said with a smile, "Nervous? We're only one step away now. Let's go."
Eriri nodded vigorously and followed Kaede's steps inside.
Sawamura Sayuri had already made the appointment. After reporting their names at the front desk, a short-haired, bespectacled office lady walked over in less than two minutes. It seemed this was the editor Eriri had met before.
"Good afternoon, both of you."
Standing before them, the OL smiled gently and glanced at Kaede: "I am Izumi Kaori, an editor from the Jump editorial department. I truly didn't expect Eriri to find help this time, and a popular light novel author at that."
Kaede nodded with a smile: "Hello, Editor Izumi. I am Kaede."
"Alright, let's not talk here. Follow me inside."
With that, she led the two inside.