"So that's how it is, that's how I should understand it! I really am too stupid. Even though I was deeply moved after reading it, I didn't know why."
"After listening to Mei-en's explanation, I understand puella magi madoka magica even better… This Teacher Izumi is truly an amazing person."
"Mm-hmm, I heard that Teacher Izumi is still just a middle school student, about the same age as us! But from the writing style, you can't tell at all."
"That's right. In the fourth volume, Homura kept repeating the cycle of reincarnation. The transition from despair to hope, then to confusion, and finally falling into deeper despair… If the creator didn't have exceptionally strong writing ability, it would be impossible to evoke such feelings in people."
The other female club members suddenly understood after listening, then began to discuss animatedly.
"Of course, if it were Hana, this level would be nothing to her!"
Usami Suzune, as Hana's number one fan, couldn't listen anymore and quickly emphasized.
"That's not my strong suit," Senju Muramasa said tactfully.
"I've read Hana's work, you know. Even if it's not her strong suit, reaching this level would be easy for her, wouldn't it?" Usami Suzune continued.
The other female club members also agreed wholeheartedly.
After reading Senju Muramasa's writing, they couldn't help but be impressed.
"Alright, that's enough talk," Senju Muramasa said expressionlessly, a hint of unhappiness in her tone.
Usami Suzune instantly realized her mistake.
She had picked the wrong person to brag about and put down others!
As Hana's number one fan, how could she admit to such a thing!
I actually forgot such an important point!
"Oh, right, Hana, didn't you say you like reading light novels but couldn't find any you liked? I think there might be something here you'd enjoy."
Usami Suzune's mind turned, and she pointed to the bookshelf next to them.
"Really?" Senju Muramasa was somewhat unconvinced.
Ever since she started creating fantasy demon blade chronicles, besides following Izumi Masamune's works, she hadn't paid attention to any other works.
Because she felt that no other light novel would be able to pique her interest.
"Yes, there's a work called silver season. Its sales growth is quite similar to your fantasy demon blade chronicles, Hana…" Usami Suzune whispered in her ear.
"I never pay attention to that," Senju Muramasa replied indifferently.
"Uh." Usami Suzune's expression froze.
She suddenly remembered that her childhood friend was someone who barely even used electronics, a person detached from worldly concerns, so what she said was likely true.
"Ahem, Teacher Kini'er is highly recommended by Teacher Izumi, who even specifically tweeted about her…" So she changed the subject, offering something that might interest her friend.
"Is that so?" Hearing this, a light gleamed in Senju Muramasa's eyes.
Without further hesitation, she walked towards the nearby bookshelf.
…
On the sofa.
"Ni-san, Ni-san, hurry up and tell me, what are you planning to write for your next work?" The petite girl shook her Ni-san's arm with both hands, asking in a cute, spoiled tone.
"Please, why are you so anxious? It only just finished three days ago! At least let me rest a bit! Since when did Sagiri become like those guys who rush me to my death? I'm not made of iron; I still need time to collect myself." Izumi Chihiro felt like his arm was about to be shaken apart, so he replied with a helpless tone.
"Hmph! It's all Ni-san's fault!" Sagiri snorted lightly, changing her attitude.
"Just thinking about having to wait so long to see Ni-san's new work makes Sagiri feel all ticklish inside… No, not just that, my hands are itching too."
She held out her fair, rosy hands, as if they were unconsciously trembling.
She couldn't wait to draw illustrations for the new work!
"At such a young age, you're learning 'to be competitive' instead of something good!"
With a 'pat,' Izumi Chihiro patted his sister's head.
Is she trying to work her Ni-san to death with competitiveness!
However, by industry standards, he was actually quite competitive. Many slacking authors often saw comments below their works saying—
["Izumi Old Thief can write a volume in just over a month. Your results aren't as good as his, aren't you going to work harder?"]
["At your age, at your stage, can you even sleep? How dare you? Why don't you learn from Old Thief?"]
["That's enough, it's been half a year and you've only updated one volume. Old Thief would have already finished] it!"
…
"What's going on, who is Izumi Old Thief / Old Thief?"
This left many veteran authors in the industry bewildered, wondering, "Who exactly is this person?"
After understanding the whole story, instead of admiring his efforts, everyone silently cursed in their hearts: "Young man, why are you working so hard? Can't you just lie flat and relax?!"
Izumi Chihiro himself never expected that his reputation in the industry would greatly increase because of such a matter.
Many people knew his author name without even having read his works.
When he heard about this, he actually felt quite innocent.
Is this what they call 'working hard'?
You know, in the era of online serialization he remembered, there were quite a few strong men who wrote ten thousand words a day, and some even achieved the feat of over fifty thousand words in a single day.
His level was just a small matter.
Of course, due to differences in environment, the serialization requirements of both sides were different, so the so-called writing speed couldn't really be compared.
…
"Ni-san is bullying me! I'm going to Kasan to get justice!"
Sagiri hugged her small head, looking on the verge of tears, which made people's hearts ache.
How could Izumi Chihiro not see his sister's 'realistic' acting?
"Alright, alright, I'll tell you then. It's not something worth keeping secret anyway, and as the original artist, Sagiri should indeed be the first to know."
He said softly.
"Hehe, Ni-san is the best!"
Sagiri's little expression immediately changed from cloudy to clear.
"Actually, I had already decided before that my next work would be the next chapter of 'puella magi madoka magica'."
What Izumi Chihiro said caught his sister off guard.
"A sequel to 'puella magi madoka magica'!"
Sagiri exclaimed with great surprise.
"Are you not happy?"
He asked.
"No, it's just that Ni-san's idea is a bit unexpected… Could it be that Ni-san also feels that the ending he wrote was too cruel, so he wants to change all of that in the sequel?"
Sagiri instantly thought of this.
If it's a tragedy, then these five volumes are already tragic enough, aren't they?
Ni-san's desire to make the world feel pain has already been expressed.
"Who knows."
Izumi Chihiro spread his hands, looking like he wanted to maintain an air of mystery.
Sagiri knew that the general plot was probably still in her brother's construction, so she didn't press further, but instead prayed in her heart, hoping that her brother could change that less-than-happy ending.
Could her wish come true?