At noon, in the company cafeteria.
Machida Sonoko had come by again today. After spending the morning collecting manuscripts, she stopped by for lunch and to hang out with everyone.
While eating, she learned about the creativity competition that would be held that afternoon and said with interest:
"Wow~~~ Things are really lively over here. And Nene is going to be giving a presentation too?"
Nene proudly raised her chin.
"That's right! This time we're determined to win!"
Given the status she and Umiko held within the company, they could have simply taken their proposal directly to Ichin and had the project approved immediately.
However, after discussing it, they decided to refine the concept further and participate in the company's internal creativity competition instead. It felt more meaningful that way.
Just like the other employees participating, they wanted everyone to learn about their idea through this event.
"That's really impressive."
After praising everyone, Machida thought about the authors under her supervision and sighed helplessly.
"If only the writers under me could make me feel this reassured."
Utaha smiled after hearing that.
"There's not much you can do about that. Novels are different from game development.
"A game is created by a team. As an editor, you can certainly provide suggestions, but the person holding the pen is still the author. If their writing ability or creativity isn't good enough, they still won't be able to produce a great work.
"If you ask me, you'd be better off looking for more promising authors."
"Ah, I've actually been doing that."
Machida nodded gloomily.
"Didn't I tell you before? About Yamada Elf?
"I heard that her contract with her current publisher is about to expire. I've been planning to meet with her soon and see if I can convince her to sign with our publishing company."
"Eh~~ Yamada Elf."
Nene, who often read light novels, thought for a moment.
"That author is pretty unbelievable.
"Even though she's a female writer, she really likes writing spicy scenes, and surprisingly, she's actually very good at it."
Utaha nodded as well.
"That's true. I've read her novels before.
"I have to admit that in that particular area, she's better than me."
Then she looked at Machida.
"Sonoko-san, do you think you can actually sign her? If you manage to, the profits would definitely be enormous."
"Of course I know that."
Machida sighed.
"The meeting is already arranged. We're meeting tomorrow.
"But whether I can successfully negotiate with her is another matter.
"From what I've learned, Yamada Elf comes from a very wealthy family. Writing novels is merely a hobby for her.
"Even her current editor is actually her own older brother. You can imagine how much freedom she enjoys."
"A wealthy family... and writing novels..."
Yukino quietly repeated the information to herself before looking at Machida.
"Sonoko-san, do you have a photo of Yamada Elf? Or perhaps one of her brother?"
"Ah, I do. Do you know her?"
While speaking, Machida took out her phone and pulled up a photo she had saved.
Everyone gathered around to look.
The image showed a cute girl with long blonde hair, wearing a pink dress and carrying a proud, confident smile.
"Wow! So this is Yamada Elf?"
Aoba exclaimed in surprise.
"She's so cute. She really does look like an elf!
"And her ears are actually pointed! Is that real?"
Machida laughed and nodded.
"It's real. She was born that way. I was shocked the first time I saw her too."
Then she turned toward Yukino.
After studying the picture for a moment and recalling her memories, Yukino nodded.
"So it really is her.
"I thought her background sounded familiar, and this photo confirms it.
"Yamada Elf is a pen name, but Yamada is her real surname.
"She is the daughter of a wealthy family in Chiba Prefecture. According to what I remember, the head of the Yamada family passed away quite early, and the family business has been managed by his wife ever since.
"I met both mother and daughter at a banquet years ago. She was much younger than she is in this photograph, but I can tell it's the same person."
Machida suddenly understood.
"Oh~~~ So she really does have quite a background.
"Yukino-chan, could you help me out?"
Looking at Machida's hopeful expression, Yukino smiled and nodded.
Taking out her phone, she said:
"I'll call my mother and ask.
"The Yukinoshita family has worked with the Yamada family before. With that connection, tomorrow's meeting should go more smoothly."
With that, she stepped away to make the call.
Machida happily pumped her fist in celebration before picking up her tray.
"I definitely came here at the right time today! Let me go grab a couple more dishes!"
By the time she returned with her food, Yukino had already finished her phone call and come back.
"I spoke with my mother.
"There won't be any problem. She'll personally contact both Yamada Elf and her mother shortly.
"Sonoko-san, when exactly is your meeting scheduled?"
"Tomorrow afternoon, at a house Yamada Elf purchased herself in Chiyoda Ward."
"The afternoon, huh..."
Yukino nodded.
"Then I should be free.
"After my morning classes tomorrow, I'll accompany you in the afternoon.
"If it had been in the morning, I'd have had to ask my sister to go with you instead."
"Really?"
Machida's face lit up.
"Then I'll be counting on you, Yukino-chan~~~ If this works out, dinner's on me!"
Even though she hadn't met Yamada Elf yet, Machida already knew this matter was essentially settled.
Once tomorrow was over, she'd have another popular author under her management besides Utaha.
Utaha herself was also curious about Yamada Elf.
"In that case, since Yukino is going, take me along tomorrow afternoon too.
"I'd really like to meet this Yamada Elf."
"Of course! Let's all go together!"
After lunch, Machida left happily and returned to the publishing company to continue working.
Yukino drove to the university to attend her afternoon classes.
After resting in his office for a while, Ichin gathered the materials he had prepared and headed to the conference room.
Hazuki came along as well.
Before the creativity competition officially started, they planned to review the presentations of the participants scheduled to speak that day.
This time, Ichin had done an excellent job keeping everything secret.
Other than himself, neither Hazuki nor Aoba knew any of the actual presentation contents.
After sitting down, Ichin handed Hazuki a printed document.
"Here, Hazuki. Take a look."
Accepting the materials, Hazuki said expectantly:
"I heard Nene is presenting first.
"You've already looked through it several times, haven't you? What do you think?"
"It's very good."
Ichin smiled.
"You'll understand once you read it."
Hazuki nodded and opened the documents, beginning to read.
...
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