Hikigaya wants to be a novelist

After remembering the main purpose of today's meeting, Naho Imamura calmed down. Now it seems that the most important task that the editor-in-chief had asked her to do has been completed. Through the first four chapters of "Confessions", about 100,000 words, she can boldly conclude that a masterpiece of social reasoning has been born. There is no doubt that this will be the most important publishing project of Bungeishunju Publishing House next year.

The matter was of great importance, and today's time might not be enough to discuss the next matters. She needed to return to the company immediately.

" Mr. Hachiman , can I take the manuscript of the first four chapters back to the publishing house? "

" Of course. I would rather welcome you to do so. Editor Imamura, please help me negotiate a reasonable price with your publisher. "

Hikigaya still maintained the calmness that seemed to see through everything.

" Okay ... Okay. "

Naho Imamura was stunned for a moment, then agreed. As a publisher, she should have made profits for the publisher, but now she had agreed to make profits for the author without knowing why.

" You may have many more questions about this novel, but let's eat first. You must be very hungry. "

Hikigaya picked up his chopsticks and said.

Naho Imamura realized that it was almost 1pm. Her stomach had protested countless times, so she had to pick up the chopsticks with a slightly red face. Imamura felt ashamed. All the conversations she had with Mr. Hachiman after meeting him were led by this boy who was 13 years younger than her. But she didn't feel uncomfortable at all. Instead, she enjoyed the boy's way of talking. When she realized it, the conversation between the two sides had completely ended.

After finishing their meal quickly .

" Well, that's all for today , Mr. Hachiman. Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, I will go to your home in person with the staff of Bungeishunju Publishing House to sign the publishing contract. "

" No problem. We will be there tomorrow. I believe that Editor Imamura will be able to bring a contract that Editor Machida will not find fault with. "

Hikigaya joked, and Imamura Naho instantly looked at Machida with resentment.

" I have already paid for today 's meal, Senior. But please don't get me wrong, I just want to thank Hachiman for letting me read such an amazing novel for the first time . You are treated as a by - product. See you tomorrow, Senior. "

Machida Sonoko said, smiled and waved to the Hikigaya mother and son, then drove away, leaving Imamura Naho standing there helpless and furious.

" Mr. Hachiman ! I am making a request to you as a fan! No matter what work you write in the future, you must send it to me as soon as possible! Let's exchange email addresses. "

The corners of Hikigaya's mouth twitched slightly, and he suddenly had a feeling that these two women, both of whom were at least ten years older than him, were jealous of him?

After seeing off Naho Imamura, Hikigaya's mother, who had been doing nothing but watching, suddenly patted Hachiman on the head.

" You kid, you can look so good if you dress up a little , but you always made yourself so withdrawn. You won't be able to make friends this way. "

" Mom, socializing will only affect my writing. I'm not a genius. I just use the time that others spend chatting, partying, and singing karaoke to write articles. "

Hikigaya Hachiman casually paraphrased a famous quote, took off his glasses , and instantly returned to his original dead fish eyes and poker face. After just over two hours of business, his facial muscles were almost completely frozen.

... ...

Chiyoda Ward

" I believe everyone has finished reading the first four chapters of Confessions. All our previous doubts and anxieties should have vanished at this point in time. As for the last two chapters that are still in Mr. Hachiman's hands, I firmly believe that they will be even more shocking than the first four chapters. "

" All Readings" editor-in-chief Koichi Matsui confidently announced this to the heads of the publishing department.

" I agree with Editor-in-Chief Matsui . Putting aside the biggest gimmick that the author is only fifteen years old, the content of this book alone is enough to trigger widespread social discussion. This type of novel is the easiest to sell. "

The publishing department chimed in. Other participants also nodded in agreement.

" Since everyone is optimistic about the prospects of Confessions, we must also show the sincerity of Bungeishunju Publishing House. "

the publishing department, said in a deep voice.

" With a royalty rate of 13%, we will do our best to get Mr. Hachiman to continue to submit his works to Bungeishunju. Editor Imamura, you and Sasaki from the publishing department should go again tomorrow. I look forward to your good news. "

... ...

On Sunday was very relaxed, and Naho Imamura and her companion Sasaki didn't even use the planned rhetoric.

" A 13 percent royalty rate is a very generous offer. The industry norm is 8 to 12 percent, and the top writers can get 14 percent. "

Machida Sonoko, who was in charge of overseeing the contract, said this to the Hikigaya family. Although she and Imamura had some unpleasant pasts, she was very fair when it came to serious matters.

" As for the additional terms, the serialization and publication of the next two novels must be carried out under Bungeishunju Publishing House, as well as the distribution rights of overseas copyrights. I think there is no problem with the former. They are the leader in the Japanese popular literature world, and both the magazine circulation and the number of cooperating bookstores are very impressive. As for overseas copyrights, they are usually taken over by publishing houses. They have mature overseas distribution experience, and you can still get commissions. "

Machida Sonoko added, as if she was the representative who signed the contract between Bungeishunju and Hikigaya Hachiman.

" As long as I have the rights to the film and television adaptation, I will have no problem with that. "

Hikigaya confirmed the contract again and said to Imamura and Sasaki.

Since Hikigaya was under the age of sixteen, after he signed, the Hikigaya couple also signed in the guardian column, which meant that the contract officially came into effect.

" I think this is something that should be celebrated. Please do me the honor of dining at my home today. "

Mrs. Hikigaya extended the invitation, believing that the true way to entertain guests was to cook for them herself.

Having accomplished their mission, Naho Imamura and Sasaki had no reason to refuse and gladly accepted it.

" Oh , by the way, now I can give this to you. "

Hikigaya took out the last two volumes of the manuscript of "Confessions", but before he could completely hand it over, Imamura took it with both hands with shining eyes. It was still a long time before lunch time, which was enough time for her to finish reading.

The last two chapters of Confessions are relatively short, but the narrators are the two most important characters in the book: the genius boy Shuya and the homeroom teacher Moriguchi who lost his daughter. Chapter 5 reflects the psychological distortion of Shuya caused by the loss of maternal love, which is one of the sources of the tragedy of the book.

Chapter 6 is the most exciting reversal chapter, and the biggest reversal appears on the last page of the book, which comes to an abrupt end when the reader's emotions are aroused to the peak. This is also a common writing technique in Japanese mystery novels.

" Hikigaya-san. "

who seemed to have finished reading, suddenly raised her head and called out to Hachiman without any emotion.

" You are truly a genius. "

It was still a voice without any emotion.

" Of course, that goes without saying. "

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