The Red Violet meeting room was softly lit in the late afternoon, filtered by metallic blinds that traced thin streaks of golden light across the walls after a cloudy day. The atmosphere was silent, so silent that the faint sound of the air conditioning seemed like a constant whisper. Seated at the rectangular light wood table, Ren kept his hands clasped together, trying to disguise his anxiety.
In front of him, Miyuki organized a stack of documents with the meticulous precision of someone who had long mastered the chaos of the editorial office. She seemed more relaxed, although her eyes retained that characteristic glint of someone who observes everything and understands more than she shows.
When she finally looked up, Miyuki took a deep breath and rested her elbows on the table.
"Before we begin…" she said, elegantly crossing her fingers, "I need to know: how much do you really know about our publishing house?"
Ren blinked. He had read the basics, researched what he could online, analyzed forum comments, and watched some explanatory videos, but… being questioned directly made him tense.
"Well… a little. Some basic things about the periodicals and Red Violet's reputation."
She smiled, as if she already expected that answer.
"Alright, then let me explain properly." Miyuki tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Red Violet is one of the five largest light novel and manga publishing houses in Minami Prefecture. We manage one hundred and three different periodicals. These 103 periodicals include tri-weekly, weekly, monthly, and even annual publications."
"That includes magazines that come out three times a week, others weekly, some monthly, and even annual."
Ren's heart raced slightly. He knew the publishing house was large, but hearing it directly from her made it all sound gigantic.
Miyuki continued:
"In Japan," she turned her chair slightly, making herself comfortable, "the evolution of the light novel market has followed different paths over the last few decades. Most novels published here begin as serializations, whether in print magazines or digital platforms; light novels are published in individual volumes, without fixed intervals, while comics and anime are generally updated weekly. And, unlike other countries where the publication pace is more spaced out, we have something… let's say… a little cruel. The more culturally developed a region is, the more rigorous the update schedule becomes."
"Cruel?" he asked, swallowing hard.
"Exactly." She smiled, but her smile had a certain weight. "We have magazines that publish new chapters every three days."
Ren's eyes widened. Each novel in each magazine usually contains between 10,000 and 20,000 words per issue. This frequency of updates every three days is comparable to online literature.
"The pressure is immense," he murmured, more to himself than to her.
"Enormous." Miyuki endorsed with a firm nod. "In Japan, we have those who write quickly, we have those who write well… but to survive at the top, you need to be both. Create excellent stories and, at the same time, deliver ten to twenty-page chapters every three days. So, to succeed in this competitive market, you need to write well and quickly, keeping up with the pace of magazine publications every three days."
"To make a living in this field, you need to be able to handle that level of speed and creative quality. Otherwise, there are many factories hiring, and those jobs don't require many qualifications."
She crossed her legs, resting her ankle on her opposite knee. Her leather heel gleamed under the lamp.
"And that brings me to the main point." Her fingers drummed lightly on the table. "Your case."
Ren straightened his posture.
Miyuki picked up a thin magazine from the corner of the table and placed it between them. The cover bore the title in elegant lettering: "Red Violet," the most prestigious periodical of the publishing house.
"Let's be realistic," she said with a light sigh. "You're talented, Ren. Your story has soul, it has rhythm, it has something that really stands out. But…"
The word hung in the air for a few seconds before she continued:
"…in your current situation, you definitely don't stand a chance with our main publisher's highest-circulation magazine. After all, the editorial department doesn't allow an inexperienced newcomer to test the waters in the publisher's flagship magazine."
"Red Violet Literature's highest-circulation light novel magazine has a print run of around 700,000 copies, with a typical publication three times a week."
"Of course, although it's called a three-times-a-week publication to cultivate readers' buying habits, it actually only publishes one edition on Wednesdays and another on Sundays, with a three- and four-day cycle."
He lowered his gaze. He had expected that, but hearing it so directly still hurt.
Miyuki, noticing his expression, softened her tone.
"It's not a lack of quality or talent." She leaned forward. "It's a lack of experience. No senior editor will put an author without a career, without anything published, in the company's highest-circulation magazine. Our company's top management doesn't have anyone adventurous. So, young man, keep going, work hard, accumulate some achievements in serialization."
Ren took a deep breath.
"I understand."
"But that doesn't mean you don't have a place with us," she added quickly, preventing him from sinking deeper into frustration. "On the contrary. I would even say your timing is excellent."
She pulled three more magazines from a drawer and placed them on the table, lining them up like pieces on a chessboard.
The covers had completely different styles, but all were vibrant: pastel tones, delicate lines, bright logos.
"These three here have open slots for serialization due to novels nearing completion or being canceled. All three magazines are light novel serializations focused on romance for girls. And they all fit perfectly with the genre of 'Ao Haru Ride': your work."
Ren's heart beat faster.
Miyuki pointed to the first magazine.
1 – "Seeking Sound" (Oto no Keshiki)
"Seeking Sound," she explained carefully, "has a circulation of about one hundred and thirty thousand copies per issue. It's a magazine focused on young adult romance and slice of life. It has very loyal readers and an audience that values emotional and delicate stories; it's a very popular fiction magazine from Red Violet. A chapter of yours would be very well received there."
Ren examined the cover. It was pretty and soft… but small.
She moved on to the second one.
2 – "Momentary Blossoms" (Setsuna no Hana)
"This one here," Miyuki touched the magazine lightly, "is our second largest publication in circulation. Around two hundred and fifty thousand copies per issue. It receives many strong authors, high-level stories, and…" her smile widened, "it also makes room for new authors who have above-average potential. It's a niche publication of Red Violet."
He imagined himself published there. The feeling was a mixture of euphoria and fear.
And then she pointed to the third magazine, with a bright orange cover.
3 – "Orange Heart" (Orenji Hāto)
"This one has a circulation of three thousand copies." Her voice became completely neutral. "It's a niche magazine, small, that constantly oscillates between thriving and being canceled." Most of the serialized works are high-quality submissions that lost out to superior submissions at serialization meetups and missed the opportunity to be serialized in Red Violet. Three slots open."
"The publisher can't reject these manuscripts. Therefore, it can be understood as a meeting point for unsuccessful novels vying for serialization rights in the magazine."
Ren immediately noticed the difference in tone. Miyuki clearly didn't value that option.
After the explanation, Ren took a deep breath and gradually understood the approximate status of these three magazines.
"So… these are the three real possibilities?"
"Yes." She leaned back in her chair.
He swallowed hard. He didn't want to sound arrogant, but he also didn't want to waste the opportunity of a lifetime. Without a doubt, the best choice for serialization is "Momentary, Blossoms," followed by "Seeking Sound."
A magazine's sales volume determines a work's reach. No matter how good a work is, if it's serialized in a magazine with only 15,000 to 20,000 readers, its influence won't spread.
Furthermore, the royalties Ren receives are also tied to the magazine platform where the novel is serialized.
"So, I'll help 'Ao Haru Ride' secure serialization opportunities in those three magazines at the serialization meeting the day after tomorrow. But I need to inform you in advance. You can express any opinions or ideas you have," said Miyuki, interlacing her fingers and resting her chin on her hand as she looked at Ren.
A magazine with a circulation of 30,000 copies pays only mediocre royalties and, more importantly, would be a waste for the work 'Ao Haru Ride'. The true quality of this work far surpasses Miyuki's initial impression, based on the first three chapters of the novel.
In fact, it would have been more than adequate for serial publication in Red Violet, given its extremely high quality. However, as a newcomer to the world of novels, the company's senior management disagreed with serial publication, leaving no room for negotiation.
"I prefer that 'Ao Haru Ride' compete for the slots of 'Momentary Blossoms' and 'Seeking Sound', 'Orange Heart'... I prefer to refuse."
Miyuki smiled radiantly, filling the office with a vibrant atmosphere.
"Perfect. Then we're aligned."
She took a deep breath and extended her delicate white hand to Ren.
"I hope our collaboration goes well! If all goes well, you'll be one of my contracted novelists in three days!"
Ren hesitated, then extended his hand and took hers.
Soft, slightly cold, yet firm.
"Now comes the important part and… perhaps the most difficult."
"Although your work hasn't yet been approved at the serialization meeting, from my point of view, I need to let you know in advance so you can plan. It's best to use this time, before the official start of the novel's serialization, to clearly conceive the subsequent plot of 'Ao Haru Ride'," Miyuki said with a smile on her beautiful face… "Although the outcome of the serialization meeting is still unknown, you need to prepare your work for the possibility of publication."
A heavy silence filled the room.
Miyuki stood up, walked to the window, and slightly opened the blinds, letting more light into the room. Her shadow fell on the table.
"Momentary Blossoms" and "Seeking Sound" are tri-weekly publications, released simultaneously throughout the Southern Province on Wednesdays and Sundays… – Her voice echoed louder. – This means that a novel of about fifteen chapters can be serialized from beginning to end in just one or two months. Don't get close to the deadline and tell me you have writer's block or lack of inspiration, which would prevent you from submitting your manuscript."
"I will insist that you finish, no matter what method I use, even if it means you don't sleep for three days straight, I will extract every drop of energy from you to ensure you complete the task on time and submit your manuscript without problems." At this point, perhaps realizing the ambiguity in her words, she added two more sentences.
"Furthermore, if the plot of your novel falls apart later, and the publisher decides to cancel your work, as a contracted novelist, you can't simply disappear, and you certainly can't abandon your work during serial publication, nor stop updating it; otherwise, I definitely won't be so easy to talk to."
She turned to face him directly. Miyuki's face still sported that calm smile, but her tone had become somewhat threatening.
"Are you prepared for this?"
Ren felt a shiver run down his spine. The truth is, no… not entirely. He hadn't yet seen all the contents of Mizuki Ito's memories. He only knew the first half of the original story…
But at that moment, a man couldn't show weakness.
"Don't worry, Hime Publishing, I never imagined I'd suffer from writer's block venturing into the world of light novels. So far, my writing career has been an instant success, without any writer's block. It's always been that way and will continue to be. Words like interrupted updates, delayed updates, bad endings, and abandoned works are completely foreign to me."
Miyuki smiled. Not a sweet smile, but a satisfied one.
"That's what I wanted to hear."
Miyuki sat down, tilting her head slightly, her clear, bright eyes intently examining Ren's face. Finally, she nodded contentedly. Then she returned to the table, picked up a pen, and wrote something on an internal form.
"Three days." She held up three fingers. "In three days we'll have the serialization meeting. If all goes well, you'll officially be one of our authors. Only then will hell begin."
She said "hell" as if saying "a long walk under the sun."
Then, as if remembering something, he tilted his head slightly.
"Oh. And one last thing."
"Don't call me Editor Hime next time." She wrinkled her nose as if the nickname had an unpleasant smell. "I don't like that title; it makes me feel like an old editor and makes me look older."
"Then, how about Sister Hime?" Ren still felt something wasn't right.
"Many people have called my aunt Sister Hime throughout my life. That's why I never liked that title."
Ren saw Miyuki's slightly half-closed eyes and immediately changed his tone.
"So… can I call you… Miyuki?"
"That's right." She smiled, satisfied. "But no "Senpai," "Editor," "Boss," or any of those bizarre things some authors invent to suck up."
Ren laughed, a little shyly.
"Okay, Miyuki."
"Much better." She smiled contentedly at hearing that.
With the conversation over, he stood up, bowed politely, and headed for the door. The weight of responsibility still swirled in his chest, but along with it came a spark of something warm: a strong motivation. So he quickly left the office.
To be honest, Ren felt a certain pressure during part of the conversation.
The main issue was that she was using terms like "discontinue updates," "delayed updates," and "abandon the story," with a tone that conveyed a strong sense of danger, and he felt guilty.
As he walked down the silent corridor, his reflection piercing the glass panels, Ren didn't notice when a girl, wearing a mask and a beanie, passed by him just as the elevator door opened.
She turned her face and observed him for a few seconds, her large, inquisitive eyes gleaming beneath her dark bangs. This girl was the same one who had come to deliver her manuscript with him yesterday.
It was Shiori Haruki.
And, like him, she also carried under her arm a revised manuscript of 'The Light of Yesterday's Stars', now with careful annotations.
She stood still for a moment, watching the elevator descend.
Then, she took a deep breath and walked to the same office where he had been moments before.
End of Chapter 7