Tokyo Soft Rice King

"……Ah……"

Shirai Shiori smiled.

The smile on the indifferent face represents the burning fighting spirit.

very good……

You also want to have a fair fight, right?

Exactly what I want!

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

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

In the field of writing, you are the challenger!

Chapter 98 It’s on fire!

"No need for that. I'll also be writing a light novel this time. Only by writing novels of the same genre can we compete fairly."

Shirai Shiori rejected Kuroba Akira's "good intentions", and she was not just trying to be stubborn, she had very good reasons.

"Although I've only just started reading light novels, I discovered yesterday that they cover a wide range of topics, including some with a more serious style, so I don't think I'm any less of a fan just because I write light novels."

Early light novels were indeed diverse, covering all types, including fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and even fictional history. Some of the content was quite heavy and not easy to read at all. However, they were still classified as light novels because of the changes in the concept of light novels mentioned earlier. They are in a transition period from "light weight" to "light content".

In fact, when the concept of light novels becomes more and more general, light novels will once again become a super hodgepodge that can accommodate all kinds of themes, but the basic style will still tend to be based on character dialogues and easier to read, as well as a large number of toilet paper stories in another world.

Of course, there is a more understandable statement on the Neon side, which is that novels are easier to adapt into comics and animations.

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

This time, Hei Yuming did not make any sarcastic remarks, but just raised his eyebrows and asked back.

"...Are you serious?"

"Of course I'm serious."

"Shirai-san, do you know there's a saying: Don't challenge someone else's expertise with your amateur skills?"

After saying this, Hei Yuming remembered that he was just an unknown high school boy. It seemed that this sentence was not convincing, so he added again in a more relaxed tone.

"Well, although I'm not an expert, I'm definitely more familiar with light novels than you, Shirai-san. You'll be at a disadvantage, you know?"

"I know, but I will catch up. Regardless of our writing skills, I am still very confident when it comes to reading."

Indeed... After all, Shirai Shiori reads all day long.

Moreover, light novels are not completely separated from traditional literature, and there are still some similarities.

With how much she reads, she should be able to get the hang of it quickly.

But this is still a self-defeating situation.

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

Because of this, Hei Yuming actually changed his opinion of her a little.

Shiori Shirai's pride is not arrogance.

She has actually read, written, submitted manuscripts, and won awards, so she clearly knows how difficult publishing is and how it requires full effort.

She must have been mentally prepared to immerse herself completely in light novels for the entire month, so she could calmly pursue what she considered a fair duel.

Hei Yuming also laughed, and the curve of his mouth was full of playfulness.

interesting……!

"Just to confirm, you're not planning on using 'light novels aren't my forte' as an excuse if you lose, are you?"

"You don't have to worry about that. If I really lose, I will definitely fulfill the bet and will never regret it."

Shirai Shiori also raised her chin slightly and looked at Kuroba Akira, speaking provocatively.

"On the contrary, I hope that you, Kuroba-kun, can act like a man and fulfill your promises and do what you say, instead of playing rogue when you lose."

Hei Yuming slammed the table and shouted.

"I, Bai... Hei Yuming, always keep my word! A real man, once he's spoken, he sticks to his word!"

"Then let's wait for the winner to be revealed."

Shirai Shiori cut off her own retreat, and at the same time cut off Kuroba Akira's retreat.

Both sides have no way out. If they lose, they lose. There is no excuse.

Hei Yuming, who has the mind of an adult, actually doesn't want to do things too drastically. Only a child who is impulsive will make a bet that is beyond his ability. If he loses, he will be completely embarrassed.

But, since Shirai Shiori is so serious...

Hei Yuming decided to respond to her determination.

"Then I must tell you, Shirai-san, I've already decided what to write and have already started writing, so you'd better speed up."

Shirai Shiori frowned slightly. She didn't expect that Kuroba Akira's progress was so fast. They just made a bet yesterday, but he had already started writing today... Doesn't he even write an outline?

No, maybe he had already thought about what to write.

That’s why he so eagerly invited Mengmeng to draw illustrations… This makes sense.

Shirai Shiori's suspicion of Kuroba Akira was reduced a little, but at the same time, she also felt anxious about falling behind others.

But when it comes to writing, you shouldn't rush. The more you rush, the worse your writing will be...

He said it on purpose, clearly wanting to influence his mentality!

Just like he smelled his own shoes yesterday... shameless villain!

"Hmph! Don't worry about it. I will create at my own pace. This isn't a competition to see who can write faster. Kuroba-san, you should focus more on the completion of your own work."

"Hey, that's what I'm doing now."

Now that he had borrowed the book, and the bet with Shirai Shiori had changed from an impulsive act to a fair duel, and there was nothing he could do to stay in the literature club, Kuroba Akira planned to go back and continue writing.

"Then squad leader, I'll go back first. See you tomorrow."

"Hei Yu-kun, are you leaving now? Can't you stay a little longer?"

"Anyway, there are no official department activities right now, so I have nothing to do if I stay. Besides, Shirai-san is still here, so I'd better try to avoid writing novels in front of her."

Shirai Shiori rolled her eyes and shouted.

"I'm not going to copy your ideas! I wouldn't even look at them even if you showed them to me!"

"I'm not worried about that. It's just that creation requires a familiar environment to calm down and get into the right state. You should feel the same way, right?"

"……snort."

Shirai Shiori agreed with this statement. It was indeed as Kuroba Akira said, it was difficult to concentrate on writing in a noisy school, so she would only read books at school and would only start writing in the evening after returning home.

"Tong, I'm going back today."

As if to get ahead of Kuroba Akira, Shirai Shiori said hello, picked up her schoolbag and walked out of the activity room.

"Ah! Wait for me! Shiori, let's go back together... Then Hitomi-chan, I'm leaving too... See you tomorrow!"

After hurriedly saying hello, Aizono Moeie quickly caught up with Shirai Shiori who had left earlier.

Hei Yuming shrugged, put the comics and novels into his schoolbag, raised his hand, said goodbye to the class monitor, and quickly left.

Anri Hitomi was left alone in the literature and art club.

"Really... I'm the only one left..."

Anri Hitomi showed a helpless smile and could only enjoy the brewed tea by herself.

She envied the members who were able to move forward towards their goals without hesitation.

Fortunately, she now has things she wants to do.

When it comes to the ability to make money... Anri Hitomi can only think of one person in her mind, and that is the most shrewd businessman she has ever met.

Her mother, Asato Megumi, the actual controller of the Asato chaebol.

Ever since Anri Hitomi was forced to break off relations with her childhood playmates because of her mother's words, her relationship with her mother has reached freezing point. Whenever they meet, they just greet each other and there is no further communication.

Anri Hitomi secretly swore in her heart that no matter what happened, she would not ask her mother for help.

But now... I may have to break this oath.

Anri Hitomi took out her cell phone, found the number she had never dialed, took a deep breath to adjust her mood, and then made up her mind to press the dial button.

"...Hello? It's me..."

"Who is it? If you don't tell me the name, I don't know... Oh, could it be my rebellious daughter? Huh? But my daughter never calls me... Ah, I get it, this is a 'it's me, it's me' scam, right? Haha, I won't fall for it, okay?"

A soft and gentle voice came from the other end of the phone.

Asato's impression of her mother still remains from her childhood. At that time, Asato was as cold-hearted and ruthless as an iron lady, doing things meticulously and without mercy.

However, she also knew that her mother had changed a lot in recent years, and it could be said that she had become almost a completely different person.

Maybe it was because of the nourishment of love, or maybe it was because of having a second child, but she became more rounded, gentler, more approachable, and always smiling...

In fact, Hitomi Asato also learned her smile from her mother.

This change in personal style also spread and affected the entire Anri Zaibatsu, but the internal cohesion increased instead of decreased. Under the leadership of Amritsu Eie, the highest profit record of the Anri Zaibatsu was broken several times.

The iceberg melted, the shell of the Iron Maiden opened, and what appeared was the Smiling Buddha.

As the third-generation president of the Asato Zaibatsu, Asato Ei's control has reached an unprecedented level.

"Mother, please don't joke with me. I think only Dad and I know about this phone call... I'm your daughter, Anri Hitomi."

"Wow... Mom, I'm so excited right now, right? Really so excited! This is the first time my daughter has spoken to me on her own initiative after eight years and ten months. I still remember the last time you took the initiative to speak to me, you said, 'I won't call you Mom anymore, I'll call you Mother'. Woohoo... Mom, I cried so much that I wet my pillow... Although this is all my fault... It's all my fault... Back then, Mom was just a stubborn idiot!"

"..."

Is this still the mother who makes me feel afraid?

Although in my memory, my mother changed after she had a big fight with my father and then reconciled because of my upbringing policy...

But at that time, Anri Hitomi didn't expect that her mother would become so...disinspiring.

Is this the power of love?

Can a woman make a 180-degree change after truly falling in love with a man?

"I want to ask you for advice on how to make money."

The voice on the other end of the phone was temporarily interrupted. After a long while, Asahi's voice sounded again, and it could be heard that she was serious.

"I think Tong you should know what this means...Mom, can I ask your reason?"

"Well... I have someone I care about, and he only looks at people who can make a lot of money."

"Is that so... My daughter Tong has also reached this age... Haha, great, that's great, right? No problem, let mom teach you step by step. Whether it's the methods of manipulating the market or the methods of manipulating men, mom will teach you everything she knows."

"Thank you... Mom."

The relationship between mother and daughter in the Asato family began to repair because of this opportunity, and Asato Hitomi's heart was filled with vitality and enthusiasm.

Please wait for me to grow up, Hei Yujun... I want to prove to you that I can also shine!

……

On the other side, Hei Yuming also returned to Kobayashi's house earlier than usual because he ran all the way back.

As soon as he got home, Hei Yuming took off his shoes impatiently. He ignored Zi Zhigong's welcome home and ran over to open his laptop.

Seeing that he looked very anxious, Zi Zhigong sat down next to him and asked.

"Mingjun, you seem to be in a good mood. Did something good happen at school?"

Hei Yuming asked back as he took out the manuscript.

"Oh? Can you tell that?"

"Well, it's obvious. He looks very motivated."

Zi Zhigong nodded. She was very good at reading other people's expressions and moods. As for Hei Yuming, the person she cared about the most, she could even feel the atmosphere he exuded and judge his current mood.

"Well, how should I put it... maybe it's because I've found a good opponent?"

He clearly just wanted to make his first pot of gold by writing novels, but Shirai Shiori helped him regain the excitement he felt when he first started writing novels.