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The moment the Dengeki Novel Prize results were announced, the internet exploded with discussion.
As one of the most influential publishers in the industry, the awards naturally attracted attention from everywhere. Industry professionals, light novel writers, devoted fans, and even the countless aspiring authors still stuck in the rejection pile were all watching closely.
Across social media and light novel forums, people debated the results like crazy.
"The Grand Prize from Dengeki Bunko? That's serious prestige."
"Wait, wasn't this supposed to be a healing-type novel? How did it win the Grand Prize?"
"I heard it's because Copycat Transmigrator's writing was just that good. Most editors couldn't bring themselves to place it at only the 'Gold Prize' level."
"A newcomer with writing like that? That's impressive."
"Sounds like something worth looking forward to. I'm already planning to buy it."
Oikawa Toru, however, wasn't wasting time browsing the forums.
Because he had just received another email from Dengeki Bunko.
{Dear author Copycat Transmigrator}
{Congratulations. Your work "Your Lie in April" has received the highest honor of the Dengeki Novel Prize—the Grand Prize.}
{Your novel will be given the opportunity for publication under Dengeki Bunko.}
{Please contact the Dengeki Bunko editorial department during business hours to discuss publication details with your assigned editor.}
{Maintaining a good mindset and steady writing rhythm is key to success. We hope your book becomes a bestseller and that you soon join the ranks of top-tier authors.}
{—Dengeki Bunko Editorial Department}
{Attachment— Grand Prize reward: 3,000,000 yen.}
{Please contact your chief editor as soon as possible and provide your bank information.}
{Chief Editor: Ayame Kagurazaka (Phone: **********)}
"…So that's it. Grand Prize debut… and publication on the way."
Oikawa had expected this outcome for a while, but actually reaching this point still made his nerves buzz.
He thought it over for a moment.
After steadying himself, he prepared to dial the number listed in the email.
Then his phone suddenly rang.
An unfamiliar number.
Well… not entirely unfamiliar.
Oikawa glanced back at the email on his computer. The number matched perfectly.
"The editor from Dengeki Bunko?"
He quickly answered.
A woman's voice came through the line.
"Hello. Am I speaking with Copycat Transmigrator?"
"Yes… that's me."
"Hello, Copycat Transmigrator. I'm Ayame Kagurazaka, chief editor at Dengeki Bunko—and your future editor in charge."
"Your voice sounds quite young. Before calling, I was wondering if the author who wrote such a warm, healing story might be a woman. Seems I was overthinking it."
Kagurazaka had made plenty of calls like this before. She knew how to keep the conversation lively.
"Well, Editor Kagurazaka, I'm sorry to disappoint you."
Oikawa had already shaken off his earlier nervousness and joked back with a laugh.
He'd seen Kagurazaka Ayame's photo on the Dengeki Bunko website before. In his mind, he easily pictured a short-haired woman.
"My name's Oikawa Toru. I'm still in high school, so you can just call me Oikawa."
"High school?"
"So high school students can write like this now? Suddenly I feel like I've aged ten years."
On the other end of the phone, Kagurazaka let out a melodramatic sigh.
They exchanged a few more pleasantries before getting down to business.
"Oikawa-kun, our editorial department believes Your Lie in April has strong bestseller potential. So we'd like to ask for your opinion—would you be willing to publish it with Dengeki Bunko?"
"I know you submitted it to quite a few publishers."
"But please trust that Dengeki Bunko will offer the best possible treatment and promotional support."
Oikawa had no objections.
He had already decided to publish Your Lie in April with Dengeki Bunko anyway. Besides, if he didn't, he might not get that three million yen prize.
"I'd be happy to publish with Dengeki Bunko."
Kagurazaka's voice rose a notch in excitement. "Oikawa-kun, you won't regret that decision."
"When would you have time to come to our office? It would be best if you could visit in person. Besides signing the contract, we also need to discuss publication matters for Your Lie in April, and possibly make some edits and refinements."
Oikawa glanced at the time.
12:20 PM.
Dengeki Bunko's office was in Chiyoda, Tokyo.
He, on the other hand, lived in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, about sixty kilometers away.
After a brief pause, he said, "If I take the Shinkansen, I should arrive in Chiyoda a little after three."
"Then shall we schedule it for four o'clock this afternoon?" Kagurazaka asked.
"That works."
"See you then, Oikawa-kun."
"Looking forward to it, Editor Kagurazaka."
The call ended.
Oikawa flopped backward onto his bed, staring at the ceiling with a wide grin.
The days of being completely broke were finally over!!!
Woohoo.
"But before that… I should let Kawasaki know today's tutoring session is canceled."
He picked up his phone and opened LINE, finding Kawasaki Saki. Her profile picture was of a little girl who looked about fifty or sixty percent like her—probably her younger sister.
He typed, "Going to Fukada's lecture this afternoon. Let's move the tutoring session to tomorrow."
A reply came quickly. "Is it a university lecture? Can I come listen too?"
Kawasaki Saki's response sounded oddly innocent.
Oikawa grinned and typed back, "You want to come too?"
"That's great. If Fukada knew she had such a beautiful female fan like you, she'd be thrilled."
In the chat window, the words "Kawasaki Saki is typing…" stayed there for a long time.
Apparently, that message had fried her CPU.
After quite a while, she must have looked up who this "Fukada" actually was, because a 60-second voice message popped up.
"Oikawa, go die!"
"Oikawa, you pervert! You…"
Mission accomplished.
Fully satisfied, Oikawa closed LINE and started checking Shinkansen routes to Chiyoda.
"Oh right."
"I think Utako Kasumi said she lives in Chiyoda, Tokyo too… Should I meet up with her?"
He thought about it.
Then he remembered a TikTok compilation he once saw—stories of people meeting online friends in real life and discovering they were… well… tanks.
After a moment's consideration, Oikawa decided against it.
The odds of losing that gamble might be low.
But even if it's just a one-percent chance…
For the person who loses like him, it's a one hundred percent disaster.
Oikawa figured things were just fine the way they were.
.
.
.