Tokyo Soft Rice King.

"So, Kuroba-kun, are you confident you can win this match?"

"I don't know either, because creative professions are about entrusting your fate to other people's judgment."

"I see, it really is a cruel industry."

"Yes, it's that cruel... So, class monitor, who do you hope will win?"

"I hope you can get along well."

That's quite a class monitor-like answer.

"Haha... Although I also want to get along well with her, I'm afraid that after this incident, Shirai and I will become irreconcilable enemies, it's either you or me."

"Is that so? I don't think so. Kuroba-kun, would you like to make a bet with me?"

"Oh? Class monitor, what do you want to bet with me on?"

"I'll bet on how Shiori will view you after this incident."

"That's interesting. So, what's the stake? How so?"

"If I win, I want the right to call Kuroba-kun by his name directly."

"Huh? That's too childish. Class monitor, you can call me by my name now."

"Of course, that's not all. You also have to respond when I call your name. You can't ignore me, and you can't pretend you didn't hear or see me. That's the kind of power I want."

"I see, so it means being available whenever needed... What if you lose, class monitor?"

"Hmm... Since I've brought up what I want, then Kuroba-kun, please bring up what you want as well."

What Kuroba Akira wanted most was, of course, a life of luxury.

"Lunch bento boxes will be extended to the first half of next year!"

Kuroba Akira felt that this request was already excessive. Just considering the size of the bento boxes that the class monitor was making, the ingredients alone were quite expensive.

"Oh ho..."

Anri Hitomi also wanted to say, 'This is too childish,' she thought Kuroba Akira would make even more outrageous demands.

For example, this kind of interaction, that kind of interaction, unspeakable, that makes people feel bad...

However, the fact that he didn't make any excessive demands indicates that he wasn't interested in his own body, although this also shows that Kuroba Akira wouldn't hurt his friend.

But as expected, it still hurts a young girl's heart.

So Hitomi Anri added another gamble to save the girl's face.

"No problem. If Kuroba-kun wins, I can not only continue to make you even tastier bento boxes, but I can also give you the right to enjoy a lap pillow anytime, okay?"

"Alright! It's settled then! I'll go first, I'm betting that Shirai will hate me!"

Fearing the bet might fall through, Kuroba Akira preemptively chose the side he was certain to win.

"Hehe, then I'll bet Shiori will idolize you."

"Huh? Class monitor, are you sure it's admiration?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

Actually, what Hitomi Anri wanted to say was that Shiori might even fall in love with you, Kuroba-kun.

However, if things really developed that way, Hitomi Anri would feel uncomfortable, so she changed her wording, which is also more accurate.

The first lesson my mother taught me was to always pay attention to people's stances and changes in their hearts.

Because you, Kuroba-kun, are a creator, and Shiori is also a creator.

Therefore, you will inevitably be attracted to each other.

Then... the weak will submit to the strong and become their vassals.

This is also a natural law.

So just wait, Kuroba-kun.

The moment Shiori's self-esteem was completely shattered by you...

She will be completely won over by you.

Chapter 115 You Can't Say Fast to a Man

Does Shiori Shirai worship herself?

Ha! How is that possible?! It's something that couldn't possibly happen even if the world turned upside down!

On his way home, Kuroba Akira thought back to his bet with the class monitor and figured that the class monitor was definitely going to lose this time.

This not only extends the lunchbox service period, but also allows me to enjoy the squad leader's lap anytime.

Just like the emperors of ancient times, lying on the lap of their concubines, waiting for them to feed them grapes... How wonderful!

Then, as long as the light novel gets approved smoothly, the start-up capital will be secured!

Hehe, life is finally getting better, isn't it?

The long, arduous six months were finally over, and everything was gradually getting back on track, with plans proceeding smoothly. This put Kuroba Akira in an excellent mood.

As soon as he returned to Kobayashi's house, he was greeted by the latest news.

He saw Zizhigong come out to greet him, holding a letter in his hand.

"My lord, there is a letter from you. It seems to have been sent from the publishing house."

"Oh?"

Wow, they replied so quickly!

That's incredibly efficient! It seems the editors at Hurricane Library are reviewing manuscripts on Mondays.

So what was the result?

As Kuroba Akira received the envelope from Murasomiya, he became a little nervous.

How long has it been since I felt this kind of tension?

It seems the last time I felt nervous was when I was graduating from university and looking for a job, waiting for the interview results...

This feeling of entrusting one's fate to others...

As expected, no matter how many times I experience it, I can't get used to it.

After taking a deep breath, Akira Kuroba opened the envelope and read the short letter.

The submission did not specify whether it was accepted or not. It only stated that an editor named Mori Keima wanted to invite him out for a meal, left his contact information, and said that he could choose the restaurant and time of the meal according to Kuroba Akira's arrangements and preferences.

This little bit of information alone was enough to make Kuroba Akira smile.

Being invited out to dinner by the editor means you're already halfway to success.

Seeing Kuroba Akira's smile, Murasaki no Miyako also smiled in empathy, and said with her hands behind her back.

"Looks like good news?"

"Yes, that's good news. I can get another free meal."

……

The following evening, Akira Kuroba took the tram to his dinner destination.

He contacted Mori Keima and said that the other party could arrange the place for the meal, but it would be best if the time was after 5 pm, because he had to go to school during the day.

Mori Keima was surprised to find that Kuroba Akira was actually a high school student. He had originally thought that the author who could write such a masterpiece as "Sister's Journey" would be a middle-aged man like himself, over thirty years old.

In fact, he was right; Kuroba Akira was a high school boy with the heart of an older man.

The meeting place was a long-established tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet) restaurant in Meguro Ward, Tokyo. After learning that Kuroba Akira was a student, Mori Keima specifically chose something that students would like to eat.

If the author is older, he would choose to meet at an izakaya (Japanese pub) where they can have a couple of chilled beers, which would facilitate communication.

Upon entering the store, Kuroba Akira was led to his reserved seat by a waiter, and finally met the editor he would be dealing with frequently in the future.

Keima Mori was dressed in a casual suit, with medium-length hair. He was a thin middle-aged man with stubble on his chin, and his appearance was more like an artist or actor than an editor.

Upon seeing Kuroba Akira, he warmly stood up and extended his hand to him.

"Oh! You've arrived! Although we've already exchanged names on the phone, please allow me to introduce myself to you again in person. My name is Mori Keima, and I'm the deputy editor-in-chief of Hurricane Bunko. This is my business card."

"Hello, hello, my name is Kuroba Akira... I'm sorry, I don't have a business card."

"It's alright, please sit down first."

Kuroba Akira accepted his business card and then sat down at his invitation.

Mori Keima originally wanted Kuroba Akira to order, but Kuroba Akira spoke as soon as he sat down.

"Then let's skip the formalities and get straight to the point. What does Editor Mori think of my work? Is it worthy of publication?"

Kuroba Akira didn't waste any words and went straight to the most crucial question.

Mori Keima paused for a moment, swallowing back all the words he had just prepared.

Is he in such a hurry...? But judging from his expression, he doesn't seem particularly anxious...

Is this a sign of confidence? Or is he testing the editor's abilities?

If you can't even appreciate works of this caliber, then you're not worthy of being an editor.

Mori Keima wasn't offended by Kuroba Akira's unconventional approach; on the contrary, he found him quite unique, a trait often found in young, talented authors.

So he didn't waste any words and announced the results first.

"That's true. So let me tell you the conclusion first: in my opinion, your work has reached a level that is ready for publication."

Become!

Kuroba Akira was overjoyed.

But he didn't show it.

In order to deal with the editor, he specially copied the talent of the Purple Palace, S-level Soul Performance, before he came, so that he could maintain a poker face.

"However, as your editor, I have a few questions I'd like to ask you... These may also concern the future publishing arrangements. Could you please answer them for me?"

"No problem, but you don't need to use honorifics with me. Editor Mori is older than me, right? You don't need to be so polite."

"In that case, how about I call you Kuroba-kun?"