— — — — — —
Another Saturday arrived.
Oikawa Toru styled his hair neatly, combing it into a more mature look, then slipped into a sharp suit.
He studied himself in the mirror and nodded with satisfaction.
Today was the day he would receive his award.
All the writers who had won prizes in the Dengeki Novel Award had been invited to attend the banquet.
The event had two main purposes.
First, the award ceremony. Second, to let the authors from the same year get to know one another.
Writing novels wasn't something you did in total isolation.
You also needed to exchange ideas with people in the industry, discuss writing techniques, and share experiences to improve your craft.
And the best people to talk to were the other award winners from the same batch.
A few days earlier, Oikawa had been invited into a group chat with the other winning authors.
After several days of casual conversation, everyone had gotten to know each other a little.
But their backgrounds were all over the place.
There was a college student working part-time at a convenience store. A single father raising his daughter alone. And even a lawyer from a well-known firm.
In Japan, lawyers represented high income and high status.
Yet somehow this guy had wandered off into writing light novels and even won the Silver Prize.
Of course, everyone was even more shocked by Oikawa's identity.
No one expected the author with such a mature writing style to be a second-year high school student, the youngest person in the entire group.
"I'm heading out."
Oikawa stepped out the door.
His voice echoed briefly in the empty room before fading away.
...
When Oikawa arrived at the Dengeki Bunko banquet hall, most of the other authors were already there.
They stood in small groups, sipping drinks and chatting happily.
But the moment Oikawa appeared, the conversations stopped.
Everyone's gaze shifted toward him.
In their eyes, he was the true star of the event.
"You're here."
Ayame Kagurazaka looked proud, almost like a parent showing off their child. Oikawa was the first Grand Prize author she had ever managed.
"Looks like I'm a bit late."
In reality, Oikawa had arrived half an hour early.
But the others had come even earlier.
"Every award winner wants to receive this honor as soon as possible," Ayame said with a smile.
Oikawa nodded and followed her toward the center of the hall.
A man who looked every bit the successful professional walked up and extended his hand. Just as he was about to greet him, Oikawa spoke first.
"You must be Kensuke, right? The famous lawyer from Tokyo."
Usuda Kensuke blinked in surprise, then laughed heartily.
"Famous lawyer? I'm still far from that."
"Come on. I'll introduce you to everyone else from the group."
With just that simple exchange, the distance between them shrank considerably.
Under Kensuke's introductions, Oikawa quickly met all the other authors from their chat group.
As expected of a lawyer, Kensuke handled casual conversation with ease.
Even the more introverted writers weren't left out of the discussion.
'He's kind of like Hayato… but more mature.'
Oikawa held a drink and chatted with the others. Most of the time he simply listened.
Various editors also came over occasionally to greet him and exchange introductions.
"Oikawa-sensei, you're really young. When Ayame told me the author of Your Lie in April was a seventeen-year-old high school student, I thought she was joking."
"Oikawa-sensei, if things don't work out with Ayame, feel free to come to me anytime. I'd be happy to become your editor."
The moment someone tried to poach her author right in front of her, Ayame exploded.
"You shameless woman! If you want to steal Oikawa-kun from me, you'll have to kill me first!"
"Oikawa-kun is a writer who could sell over a million copies someday! Why would I hand him over to you, idiot?!"
Watching this scene, the other authors couldn't help laughing.
At the same time, they felt a little envious.
---
The award ceremony ended quickly.
Oikawa gave a brief acceptance speech filled with polished but mostly meaningless formalities.
Afterward, he didn't leave right away.
Instead, he stayed at Dengeki Bunko to discuss the publication of Your Lie in April with Ayame.
"Normally, the winning works from the Dengeki Novel Award are released between late August and early September," she explained.
"The Grand Prize winner usually comes out in late August."
Oikawa thought about it for a moment. "Can't it be earlier? If it releases in late August, students will already be going back to school. That might affect sales, right?"
Light novels were mainly aimed at students.
Your Lie in April was the first book Oikawa would publish. Naturally, he hoped it could achieve strong sales.
"Statistically speaking, light novels released in late August do sell slightly worse than those released in mid-to-late July or early August," Ayame admitted.
Then she spoke frankly. "Oikawa-kun, I'll try my best to request the editor-in-chief to move the release to early August or late July."
"But I can't guarantee it."
"The number of light novels released each month is planned well in advance. If we suddenly insert another title, the other editors will definitely object."
"..."
"Just do your best."
Oikawa didn't pressure her further.
If they could move it earlier, great.
If not, he wouldn't blame her.
"Oh right," Ayame said suddenly. "Since you finished revising the manuscript early, you get to choose an illustrator to work with."
"I recommend Haimura Kiyotaka. His skill is among the best illustrators Dengeki Bunko has worked with. Several editors have already contacted him because they want him to illustrate for your fellow award winners."
"Your fellow authors haven't finished their revisions yet. If you want him, they won't be able to compete with you."
Ayame smiled like someone whose scheme had succeeded.
"Then I'll go with him."
Oikawa felt a little guilty.
At the banquet earlier, those other authors had asked how his revisions were going.
He had replied that it was very difficult and he was still working hard.
He originally wanted to surprise them later.
Now it seemed more likely he'd be buried under a storm of complaints.
Oikawa sighed helplessly.
He would've liked to be modest.
But unfortunately…
His ability simply didn't allow it.
.
.
.