The Dengeki Bunko Grand Prize announcement usually happens on Wednesday. At that time, as long as he finishes the remaining chapters, he can take the full manuscript to meet with the assigned editor to finalize the contract.
Cao Shuang scheduled himself for Wednesday, figured he'd just need a few days; after all, his typing speed was fast enough. In the world of Japanese light novel authors, being able to pump out tens of thousands of words a month is already considered legendary.
After all, a typical Japanese author might take three or four months to write a single volume. Why else would "Solitary Confinement Warnings" from editorial departments exist?
With this update speed, to be honest, as a former web-novel writer, wouldn't Cao Shuang just curb-stomp the competition?
This hand speed might not have been enough to protect his family's honor in a League of Legends flame war back in the day, but in Japan, it was more than sufficient.
Sigh—I've truly become the kind of person I least wanted to be.
He promised himself he wouldn't be a "grinder," but at this rate, he could basically put out three volumes a month. How are the old-school light novel authors supposed to save face?
While brushing his teeth, Cao Shuang scrolled through his phone.
He was startled to see so many messages from Shizuka-chan. What happened to this "elderly" single woman? Did something trigger her? Why was she messaging him so much for no reason?
Opening the chat history, he saw... oh, she was just begging for updates.
Pah! You actually want to read for free? Go contribute to my sales properly!
Unsurprisingly, Cao Shuang sent a single "?" back to Shizuka Hiratsuka.
The response from the other side came instantly, as if she were cradling her phone waiting. She sent back a "?" of her own.
What? Are we playing a guessing game here?
Unsurprisingly, once he got to school, Cao Shuang was once again hauled into the office.
Truth be told, Hiratsuka-sensei has a great figure and is very beautiful—the perfect "Sugar Mommy" physique. If only he could just live off a rich woman's support, that would be the life.
"I don't know what you're thinking, but I get the feeling you're slandering me in your head."
You can tell? Did you turn on mind-reading hacks?
"Not at all, Hiratsuka-sensei. I wouldn't dare... Anyway, did you need me for something?"
Cao Shuang felt a cold sweat but quickly diverted the topic so she wouldn't dwell on it.
"Ahem. I read your light novel. It's quite good. I have to say, as your Japanese teacher, I'm very gratified. It shows my teaching has been effective."
Pah! You're really patting yourself on the back, aren't you?
"Your light novel is very entertaining, and I'm proud. HOWEVER! There are only twenty thousand words. As your teacher, I am very unhappy."
Good grief, you really do plan on reading it for free, don't you?
"Ahem, I'm typing, I'm typing. But Sensei, don't you think it would be better to buy a copy to support your student?"
"Why spend money when I can read it for free?"
Cao Shuang was speechless...
Old woman! No wonder nobody wants you! You deserve it!
"Alright, I'm done joking. I called you here for the matter we discussed last time."
"What matter?"
Shizuka Hiratsuka narrowed her eyes. Is he treating my words like the wind passing his ears?
"The club matter. As a youth still in the prime of your adolescence, I believe you need to find a suitable club to join. Although you have a certain talent for light novels, at your age, you still need friends. So, I..."
Before Shizuka could finish, Cao Shuang cut her off.
This earned him a resentful look from Shizuka. Could this kid not let a person finish their sentence?
"Got it! Sensei, I know exactly what you're talking about. After listening to you, I went home and felt deep remorse! After much soul-searching, I finally understood your meaning! So, I've decided!"
Then, Cao Shuang fished a club application form out of his pocket and slapped it onto Shizuka's desk.
"I've decided! I want to become the President of the Light Music Club."
"Huh?"
Hearing this, Shizuka Hiratsuka froze. This was not what she expected. For a "lazy" guy like Cao Shuang, let alone being a President, getting him to even join a club was hard enough.
She didn't expect him to want to be the President of the Light Music Club...
Well... it wasn't impossible. Fundamentally, Shizuka just wanted to change the kid's antisocial personality; after all, he didn't seem to have any friends at school.
In the past, his part-time jobs might have been the reason, and now his talent was showing, but that isolated personality seemed set in stone.
If he wants to be a Club President, he at least has to recruit new members, right?
After some thought, Shizuka decided it was fine. She nodded and approved his request.
"Listen up, kid. Since you're the President of the Light Music Club, you must have at least three members join within a month. Otherwise, your club will be disbanded, and I'll personally drag you into another club myself."
She signed her name on the form and gave him one last instruction.
"Also, you need to find a Faculty Advisor for the club."
Taking the form back, Cao Shuang looked at Shizuka with suspicion.
Don't think I don't know that YOU are the advisor for Yukino Yukinoshita's club, and her club hasn't met the requirements either.
Dammit! Does having connections mean you can do whatever you want? One day, when I make the big bucks, I'll donate to the school! I want to be a tycoon too!
"Understood, my most respected Hiratsuka-sensei!"
"Smart-aleck. Go on, get out."
She laughed and shooed him away. Seeing the office was empty, Shizuka happily lit a cigarette.
"Sigh... this kid has changed a bit. He used to be so antisocial he wouldn't even talk; now he's become so smooth. Can a person's personality change that much in such a short time?"
Shizuka didn't have the answer. And did he really think she couldn't tell? That kid was forced by her to the point where he'd rather be a President just to reject her arrangements.
However, she felt a slight worry about Cao Shuang's personality.
In society, this kind of personality won't suffer; in fact, you could say he's very well-adapted. But in a school where everyone is just a naive student, he seems a bit too out of place...
It's as if while everyone is just going to class, Cao Shuang is already wearing a suit and tie, hair combed back like an adult, with the air of a successful businessman.
This personality made Shizuka think of a certain someone from her past.
Those two are surprisingly well-matched...
Meanwhile, in the hallway.
Cao Shuang clutched the application form and rubbed his head, feeling a bit of a headache.
"I have to recruit three members within a month? Whatever—one step at a time. I'll worry about tomorrow's problems tomorrow. I still have a month. Even if the deadline hits, I can just use the 'busy with light novel work' excuse to bluff my way out."
Sigh—as expected of me! I'm a genius!
Just as Cao Shuang's mind was blankly pondering his next move, he didn't notice the girl jogging toward him.
THUD!
Unsurprisingly, the two of them collided.