Oh no! They all seem a bit off!

Chapter 126 Refusal to Sign
"That's right, as you know, Ms. Akizuki, the sales of Snow Country far exceeded expectations. It only took four days to sell out 100,000 copies."

Reika Komatsu adjusted her half-rimmed glasses, took out a stack of contracts from her briefcase, and handed them to Makoto Akizuki.

"Therefore, we have decided to conduct an emergency reprint, and this time the print run is—300,000 copies!"

Upon hearing this, Akizuki Makoto was somewhat surprised, not expecting Shinchosha to be so ambitious, printing 300,000 copies for resale at once.

He originally thought it would only sell 200,000 copies at most. After all, no matter how wonderful "Snow Country" is, you can't eat too much at once.

Three hundred thousand copies is no small sum. If the sales of Snow Country are not as hot as expected and the sales are slow, Shinchosha will have a headache about cash flow for a while.

"Is it really okay to print so many at once?"

Curious, Akizuki asked, picking up the contract handed to him by Komatsu Fireworks and examining it carefully.

The first few contracts were all about resale, specifying how much money Shincho-sha would pay him. Their agreements were largely the same as those in the initial contract.

"No problem, no problem!"

Komatsu Fireworks proudly puffed out her chest, patted it vigorously, and declared confidently, "Three hundred thousand copies, we expect to sell them all within a month."

"That's quite a bit of confidence."

Akizuki Makoto sighed as he turned to the last few pages of the contract. It was a brand new contract concerning his in-depth cooperation with Shinchosha.

The contracted book has been changed to an exclusive contracted author under the Shincho Publishing House.

Although there was no signing fee, the revenue share was increased by three percentage points, and the revenue share for copyright development was also increased for each item.

However, becoming a contracted writer comes at a price: restrictions on the works one can create.

If it's a short story like "Snow Country," you have to write one book in a year. If it's a medium-length or long novel, exceeding one million words, it will take three to five years.

This was no problem for Akizuki Makoto; writing 100,000 words a year was a piece of cake, not to mention he had many other sources to copy.

"To improve the quality of my writing, perhaps I could use some advanced skills..."

Qiu Yuecheng pondered, not forgetting that he possessed several unused skills.

He kept it ever since he acquired it, since he really had no use for it.

He is a genius, intelligent, quick to learn and master anything.

Therefore, in the areas he is interested in or needs to master, he is already an expert and has no need for the skill books provided by the system.

Noticing that Akizuki Makoto had already read the last few pages of the contract, Komatsu Reika held her breath and tentatively asked, "Akizuki-sensei, what are your thoughts on signing a writer?"

"Um……"

After pondering for a while, Akizuki Makoto replied, "To be honest, the conditions offered by your company are very generous, and your foundation and strength are among the best in the industry. However, I am a student after all, and I also have club activities. I only have free time to write in the evenings."

He was tempted, but not that much. The reason he was still in the mood to write before was because he hadn't awakened the system and had no entanglements with abnormal women.

In the current situation, I'm constantly being driven crazy and exhausted by them. Every night, all I want to do is lie in bed and snuggle with my sister. How can I possibly be in the mood to write?

Most importantly, he's not short of money right now. The resale of 300,000 copies by Shinchosha will bring in nearly 40 million yen.

"We fully understand your current situation, Ms. Qiuyue, so we have very lenient requirements for signing you. A minimum of 100,000 words of writing per year shouldn't be too difficult, right?"

Reika Komatsu was unwilling to give up and continued to persuade Makoto Akizuki. After all, he was a rising star, a handsome and talented male high school writer. If he were willing to write a novel for women, even if it turned into a pile of dissertations, there would be plenty of people willing to buy it.

"It's really not difficult."

Qiu Yuecheng nodded, then smiled wryly and said, "I'll think about it."

"That's...ok."

Seeing that Akizuki Makoto looked very troubled, Komatsu Reika had no choice but to temporarily give up the idea of ​​signing him, lest it backfire.

"Thank you for understanding."

"It's nothing, Ms. Akizuki is too kind."

After a polite exchange of pleasantries, the staff brought over the black tea and desserts they had ordered and placed them on the table.

Dongzi, who had been quiet all along, suddenly brightened up when she saw the cake and parfait in front of her.

"Eat."

Qiu Yuecheng smiled and patted her head, his eyes full of doting affection.

"Speaking of which, Ms. Akizuki's younger sister is really cute. When I first met her, I thought she was a debuting idol or a child star."

"You flatter me, Miss Komatsu."

Akizuki Makoto smiled faintly. He and Fuyuko were already used to such praise, so they didn't react much.

"Oh right, there's one more thing I haven't mentioned yet."

Suddenly remembering something, Komatsu Reika quickly put down her porcelain teacup and said, "Could we invite Akizuki-sensei to the offline sales event next Saturday afternoon?"

"Next Saturday..."

Qiu Yuecheng thought about it for a moment. He didn't seem to have anything going on that day, did he?
"No, that was when Li participated in the inter-school competition finals, wasn't it?"

He suddenly realized that Shimizu Rei's competition schedule, if everything went smoothly, would be the finals next Saturday.

Both morally and logically, he should go to watch the game and cheer for Shimizu Rei, even though they are still in a state of cold war.

If things continue to be deadlocked like this, the day of the final will be the best time to talk things over, and they can settle things on that day.

Regardless of the outcome, Shimizu Rei will return to her hometown, and even if the final result is a complete break in ties, they will not feel awkward about it.

"Sorry, I have something to do on Saturday, but Sunday is fine."

"It's alright, it's alright. This event can be arranged according to Akizuki-sensei's schedule, after all, you are the main character."

"Then you can tell me the specific details when the time comes. I will be there on time and will cooperate with you actively."

After all, it was a company that had earned him tens of millions of yen, so Makoto Akizuki was happy to cooperate and help them expand their sales channels. In any case, it was just an afternoon autograph session.

Calling it an autograph session is more like a fan meeting; it's impossible for him to actually sign autographs for every fan who comes—he'd be exhausted!
After that, it was a leisurely afternoon tea time, during which Akizuki Makoto and Komatsu Reihan chatted and laughed about some interesting things in the industry.

They didn't leave Senbikiya until 4 p.m., and parted ways at the door.

After parting ways with Komatsu Fireworks, Akizuki Makoto didn't take Fuyuko home. Instead, he strolled around Ginza with her, buying clothes at the mall, and then going to the arcade to play games, win prizes, and take photos.

In short, they were just like high school students, enjoying their weekend to the fullest.

They spent the evening sightseeing in Ginza, had dinner at a restaurant, and then took the tram home.

On the tram back, Dongzi, tired from playing, nestled against him with her black plush rabbit in her arms and drifted off to sleep.

Even though Akizuki Makoto gave her a new doll while she was shopping today, she still hugged the black rabbit doll with great affection.

For her, besides her brother, this was the most precious thing she had, a treasure that she absolutely could not lose or allow to be damaged.

Even when she's at school, she still carries it with her and they're inseparable.

Because of this, she can feel that her brother is by her side, giving her warmth and peace of mind.

"She looks so cute and defenseless when she wakes up..."

Looking at Fuyuko's adorable sleeping face, and noticing a trickle of clear liquid seeping from the corner of her mouth, Akizuki Makoto couldn't help but chuckle softly. Before he knew it, the train had arrived at the station, and Akizuki Makoto gently woke her up.

"Dongzi, wake up, the tram has arrived at the station."

"Well……"

Dongzi half-opened her eyes, murmured something, and then closed them again, clearly wanting to continue sleeping.

Seeing that Dongzi was still sleepy and looked tired, Qiuyue Cheng smiled helplessly, took her arm, and carried her on his back.

As they walked out of the station, many pedestrians stopped and stared at them, as carrying someone on one's back on the street was indeed quite eye-catching.

But Akizuki Makoto never cared about other people's opinions or views. He steadily carried Fuyuko back to the apartment and placed her on the bed in the bedroom.

Goodnight, Dongzi.

Akizuki gently patted Fuyuko's head, covered her with the blanket, and left the bedroom.

After that, he took a shower, did some housework, and then went to bed around 10 p.m., lying down next to Dongzi.

As soon as he lay down on the bed, Dongzi seemed to sense his presence and hugged him, wrapping her arms and legs around him as if she were using him as a human-shaped pillow.

Akizuki Makoto was used to Touko's bad sleeping posture, so he let her hold him, closed his eyes, cleared his mind, and let himself fall asleep.

Today was a rare relaxing day. Although it was busy, it was incredibly relaxing and fulfilling.

……

……

New week, Monday.

When I went to school with Fuyuko today, I didn't run into Shiina Maki, and I didn't even see her when we got to school.

Shiina Maki arrived late, which was unusual for her, when the first class meeting began.

Akizuki noticed that her complexion was not good, and she looked tired. Her dark circles were also very heavy, and there were faint blood vessels in her eyes.

It seems she didn't have a good weekend; she was probably in a state of extreme anxiety and even suffered from insomnia.

"...Talk to her after school."

Makoto Akizuki thought to himself that if things continued like this, Maki Shiina's condition would only worsen and become more precarious.

Her heart was more fragile and cowardly than Ji Yexue's.

Ji Yexue has the courage to admit her mistakes, but Shiina Maki may not.

If Akizuki Makoto doesn't take the initiative to speak up, she will probably remain trapped in internal conflict and never have the courage to confess her guilt.

"If only I had known then what I know now, I wouldn't be doing this now."

Makoto Akizuki sighed softly. Even now, when he recalls what Maki Shiina did to him using time stop, he still feels lingering fear.

Shiina Maki's level of perversion is far more ruthless than Himeyasuki's.

Ji Yexue was just teasing him, but Shiina Maki was a real nymphomaniac.

Before, she was acting crazy towards him; now, she was holding his hand, and because of the strange resistance given by the groove system, his fingers could clearly feel that touch.

This caused him indelible trauma.

Thus, when lunch break arrived, Akizuki Makoto carried his lunchbox to the courtyard.

He made plans with Dongzi to have lunch together today—Dongzi suggested it when they went to school together.

He naturally had no objections and was quite happy to have lunch with Dongzi.

Eating in the classroom was never his choice, as it was too crowded and noisy. So he used to go to the student council room, which was quiet and had a good environment.

But given his current relationship with Ji Yexue, going to the student council room would almost certainly lead to some unusual event, so he no longer wanted to go unless absolutely necessary.

Arriving at the courtyard, after waiting for a while, Akizuki Makoto saw Fuyuko leading the Kaede sisters as they jogged toward him from afar.

"elder brother!"

Dongzi shouted excitedly and, as always, pounced on him enthusiastically, rubbing her little head against his chest.

"Good afternoon, senior."

The Maple Sisters greeted Akizuki Makoto in unison. Although they still seemed a little reserved and apprehensive, they were no longer as comfortable as when they first met.

Good afternoon, please have a seat.

Akizuki Makoto smiled, gestured for the Kaede sisters to sit down, and then asked, "By the way, does Touko have any other friends?"

"Yes!"

Dongzi answered first, smiling sweetly, "Dongzi has a few friends too, but they also have other friends, so Dongzi plays with Fengling more often."

"Dongzi, what you said was a bit rude."

Akizuki Makoto gently tapped Touko's head, saying helplessly, "What you're saying makes it sound like you're the only friend Kaede Rin has. They're both very cute and have great personalities."

"..."

The Fengling sisters lowered their heads somewhat guiltily and remained silent.

Believe it or not, they really only have Dongzi as a friend; the two sisters used to keep to themselves.

They were not good at socializing and were all socially awkward. If it weren't for their shared interests with Dongzi, and the fact that Dongzi was like a little angel and took the initiative to befriend them, they wouldn't have had any contact with Dongzi.

"I'm so sorry..."

Akizuki Makoto noticed the silence of the Kaede sisters, paused for a moment, then immediately realized what was happening and couldn't help but look embarrassed.

"It's alright, senior!"

"You don't need to apologize at all, it's...it's our problem!"

The Fengling sisters quickly shook their heads, their faces filled with fear and trepidation.

They were already very grateful that Dongzi came to visit them so often, so they naturally didn't care that Dongzi said they didn't have any other friends, since that was the truth.

"Ugh... Brother is bullying me."

Having been beaten for no reason, Dongzi pouted, clearly unhappy.

Seeing this, Akizuki immediately patted her head and comforted her, "It's alright, it was your fault, I apologize, I'm sorry."

"Senior is so gentle."

"Is this what it feels like to have an older brother?"

"I really want an older brother like my senior..."

As the Maple Sisters watched Akizuki Mako comfort Touko, their cheeks flushed slightly, and they felt a flutter in their hearts.

(End of this chapter)