Tokyo Soft Rice King.

I see……

Shiori Shirai is indeed a remarkable person.

Kuroba Akira said this in a rare serious tone.

"There's no need for that, Shirai-kun. Everyone has the right to evaluate a work. You don't have to force yourself if you don't like it."

However, Shiori Shirai did not accept this explanation and continued to bow as she spoke.

"No, after I calmed down, I realized that it was indeed something I shouldn't have said. Everyone has their own preferences, but I shouldn't use my own preferences to judge other people's preferences. I can say that I don't like it, but I can't say that light novels are lowbrow stuff... That's absolutely wrong."

She distinguishes them very clearly.

You can say you don't like light novels, but you can't say light novels are trash.

This is an insult to everyone who loves light novels; it's the most tasteless double standard.

It was my limited knowledge that led me to say such arrogant things. Without understanding, one has no right to speak. I shouldn't have presumptuously judged a genre of novels that I hadn't read.

If I have indeed read those boring teen novels that I brought to school, then I can certainly offer some sharp critiques.

But how can you conclude that light novels are low-quality novels if you haven't even read them properly?

It's incredibly arrogant of someone who clearly loves books to categorize books they haven't even read into different levels of quality.

Shiori Shirai felt ashamed of her outrageous remarks.

So yesterday after I got back, I borrowed some light novels from Mengmeng and read them all night. Although I haven't finished reading them all yet... but based on what I've read so far, I think they're very well written and very interesting.

At this moment, Shirai Shiori finally straightened up and looked directly at Kuroba Akira in front of her.

"But... therefore, I am even more certain that Kuroba-kun's idea of ​​publishing a light novel is far too presumptuous."

Shiori Shirai has changed her opinion on light novels, but she is still dissatisfied with Akira Kuroba's attitude of belittling creative work.

Kuroba Akira shrugged.

"Well, trying won't get you pregnant... cough, what I mean is, trying doesn't guarantee success, but if you don't even dare to try, you don't even have a chance of success, right?"

"But you were so sure yesterday that your novel would be published, otherwise you wouldn't have made that bet with me."

"..."

Kuroba Akira was indeed confident.

They are at least much more confident than the average new author.

It draws on decades of reading experience from a previous life, as well as professional experience in the content industry.

"Shirai-kun, I don't think you know me very well, so my attitude yesterday might have caused you to misunderstand..."

Kuroba Akira looked directly into her eyes and said this in a serious tone.

"However, I can tell you clearly now that I'm not joking around, nor did I decide to write a light novel on a whim. When I say it can be published, I'm not just making empty boasts, but rather, like when you won a short story award, I have confidence in my abilities."

"Oh? So you approached Mengmeng because of your own work?"

"That's right. Illustrations are an essential part of light novels. You could even say that a light novel without good illustrations isn't a good one. That's why I extended a warm invitation to Ai-en yesterday. But if this makes you think I have ulterior motives towards you, I apologize."

Kuroba Akira also bowed his head to apologize to her, but not to the point of a full 90-degree bow; he only leaned forward slightly.

"..."

Shiori Shirai was also surprised at this moment.

Kuroba Akira's frank and straightforward words made her realize that she might have indeed misunderstood his original intentions.

So that's how it is; he was serious after all.

Like myself, they earnestly want to become professional writers.

Are we kindred spirits...?

Maybe he was just acting, trying to leave a good impression on Tong and Mengmeng, and also to please himself...

At the very least, before things are finally confirmed, one should not be deceived by his appearance and become his companion.

Even Shirai Shiori secretly hoped that Kuroba Akira was a man who was true to his word.

After looking up, Kuroba Akira scratched the back of his head and asked.

"So, is the bet void?"

Now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, Kuroba Akira felt that yesterday's bet was no longer that important.

There's no need to embarrass Shirai Shiori; she's already realized her mistake.

However, Shiori Shirai did not intend to retract her words; she still wanted to verify whether Akira Kuroba's words were sincere.

"No... the bet continues. I want to see if you really have the ability to publish a light novel, so that I can believe that you are telling the truth."

"So the bet isn't going to be changed?"

"No changes!"

"Hmm...Shiori..."

At this moment, even Aizono Moe, who had been watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but worry about her and clasped her hands together in front of her chest.

She felt the bet was too much; being naked was just...the thought of it made her want to die of embarrassment.

However, Shiori Shirai also has her own unique sense of self-respect, which is the self-respect of a creator.

Now she no longer just wants to tear off Kuroba Akira's disguise and reveal his true colors, but wants to engage in a real contest with him.

Kuroba Akira saw through her thoughts and said something.

"I heard from a friend yesterday that Shirai won a well-known short story award in the industry."

"...Just luck."

"No need to be modest. I know that winning awards in the literary world is not easy. I heard that you have broken the record for the youngest winner."

"That was just the publisher's editor revealing my real age without my consent."

Shiori Shirai was actually quite unhappy about this, because she felt that the publishers were giving the award because of her youth, rather than because of the excellence of the work itself.

So since winning the award, Shiori Shirai has not submitted any more works. On the one hand, she felt that her level was not high enough and wanted to spend a few more years honing her skills. On the other hand, she wanted to get rid of the double halo of being young and a student and win awards with her own true abilities.

Kuroba Akira brought this up not to flatter her, but simply to change the terms of the bet.

"What I'm trying to say is, since light novels aren't your forte, you don't have to write them. Anyway, yesterday's bet was 'whoever's work gets published first wins,' and there were no specific rules about genre or subject matter, so just write the kind of novels you're good at."

Then, after he finished speaking, he added something else.

"Of course, you can submit your manuscript to a publisher you're familiar with; I don't really care."

"……Oh……"

Shiori Shirai smiled.

The smile that appeared on his indifferent face represented a burning fighting spirit.

very good……

You also want to have a fair and square showdown, don't you?

Exactly what I want!

But he actually made concessions. Is he that confident in his work?

However... I don't need your help!

In the field of writing, you are the challenger!

Chapter Ninety-Eight: It's on Fire!

"No need. I'll be writing a light novel this time too. Only by writing the same type of novel can we have a fair competition."

Shiori Shirai rejected Akira Kuroba's 'kind offer,' and she wasn't just being stubborn; her reasons were quite valid.

"Although I've only just started reading light novels, I discovered yesterday that there are all sorts of genres in light novels, including some with a more serious style, so I don't think that writing light novels means I'm at a disadvantage."

Early light novels were indeed diverse, encompassing all genres, including fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and even alternate history. Some of them were quite heavy and not easy to read. However, they were still classified as light novels because, as mentioned earlier, the concept of light novels was in a transitional period from 'light in weight' to 'light in content'.

In reality, once the concept of light novels becomes more and more generalized, light novels will once again become a super hodgepodge that can accommodate all kinds of themes, but the basic focus will still be on character dialogue, easier-to-read writing style, and a large number of isekai (another world) toilet paper (anime/manga/fiction).

Of course, there's an even easier way to understand it in Japan: novels are more likely to be adapted into manga and anime.

"Moreover, if I submit my manuscript to a publisher I'm familiar with, the editor is more likely to accept it, which would be unfair."

This time, Kuroba Akira didn't make any sarcastic remarks, but simply raised an eyebrow and asked a question in return.

"...Are you serious?"

"Of course I'm serious."

"Shirai-kun, do you know the saying, 'Don't use your amateur skills to challenge someone else's expertise'?"

After saying that, Kuroba Akira realized that he was just an unknown male high school student, and that his words didn't seem very convincing, so he added in a more relaxed tone.

"Well, while I'm not exactly a professional, I'm definitely more familiar with light novels than you are, Shirai-kun. You'll be at a disadvantage then, won't you?"

"I know, but I will catch up. Regardless of who is better at writing, I am very confident in my reading ability."

Indeed... after all, Shirai Shiori reads books all day long.

Moreover, light novels are not entirely detached from traditional literature; they still share commonalities.

With her extensive reading experience, she should be able to grasp the trick quickly.

However, this is still a case of creating one's own trap.

She clearly didn't need to leave her comfort zone and enter an unfamiliar field to become a challenger... but she did it anyway.

That's why Kuroba Akira actually changed his opinion of her a little.

Shiori Shirai's pride is not arrogance.

She had actually read, written, submitted, and won awards, so she clearly knew how difficult publishing was and how much effort it required.

She must have been mentally prepared to immerse herself in light novels for the entire month, which is why she was able to pursue the fair competition she envisioned.

Kuroba Akira laughed, the corners of his mouth curving upwards in a playful manner.

interesting……!

"Let's confirm this in advance. You're not planning to use 'light novels aren't my strong suit' as an excuse after you lose, are you?"