Skipping class! And then, becoming a light novel author!
To be honest, taxis in Tokyo are insanely expensive, so Cao Shuang chose to take the Shinkansen to the Dengeki Bunko offices. While the Shinkansen isn't exactly cheap either, it's at least better than a taxi.
After picking up two tickets, he boarded the Shinkansen, ready to head into the city for Dengeki Bunko.
Mmm... how should I put it? Spending a day skipping school is honestly the best feeling ever!
After exiting the subway station, Cao Shuang arrived at the building where Dengeki Bunko was located. Following the instructions from his editor on LINE, he made his way to the third floor. As soon as he walked in, he saw a woman dressed in professional OL (office lady) attire waiting for him.
"Hello, Sensei. I am your assigned editor; my name is Ayame Kagurazaka."
It has to be said, upon seeing Cao Shuang, Ayame couldn't help but feel a surge of surprise. Although she already knew the author's age from LINE, seeing him in person still prompted a wave of admiration. To have such literary prowess at such a young age—he truly was a genius.
Moreover, Cao Shuang was undeniably handsome—at least much more so than that "Number One Host in Japan" guy. This was a marketable selling point they could package!
A genius 'healing-type' light novel author. With titles like that attached, it would be almost impossible for the book not to be a massive hit.
"Hello, hello. My name is Cao Shuang." He reached out and shook Ayame's hand.
"Judging by the name... is Sensei from China?"
"Yes, I am."
At this, Ayame felt another jolt of shock! The fact that his light novel suited the local palate so perfectly was a testament to what kind of genius Cao Shuang was.
"Then Sensei must have come to Japan at a very young age; otherwise, you couldn't have written such a high-quality masterpiece."
Following this, Ayame invited Cao Shuang into her office.
"Regarding the contract terms we're offering, the royalty rate is approximately 9%. Since Sensei's work won the Grand Prize, 9% is generally the best royalty rate we can offer a newcomer. If the quality of Sensei's work remains consistently excellent in the future, we can certainly negotiate a higher rate."
"A single volume will retail for about 950 yen. We're also providing promotional costs equivalent to those for our top-tier authors. Sensei doesn't happen to have a familiar illustrator, do you? If not, we can arrange one from our side."
It was clear that Dengeki Bunko placed great importance on this book; the conditions they offered were excellent.
Don't look down on a 9% royalty; what Cao Shuang earned was almost entirely tax-free for him at this stage. Furthermore, if he sold 100,000 copies, he'd receive about 8,550,000 yen—which convert to nearly 400,000 RMB.
That's a serious windfall!!
However, selling 100,000 copies in a single month would be quite difficult. Selling 30,000 copies in the first month is already considered a major hit. Later, they could aim for 500,000 in total sales. As for a million... honestly, without an anime adaptation to boost it, reaching a million is very hard for a series like Your Lie in April, even as outstanding as it is.
Ayame Kagurazaka spoke at length and with great sincerity. To be fair, light novel editors in Japan are incredibly dedicated! If you had to make a comparison, they act almost like a talent manager. From publication to promotion and release, there are many things an editor needs to worry about.
Thinking of the light novel authors from his past life—some authors really should bow down to their editors—the author of Sword Art Online, for example.
"That works. Let's go with the terms you mentioned."
"Great. Since Sensei agrees—however, Sensei is only sixteen, right? Normally you'd need a guardian, but since you're an international student, I think we can skip that part."
After all, they couldn't exactly ask his parents to board a plane and fly over from China across the ocean, could they?
As she spoke, Ayame handed over a contract. Cao Shuang took it and read it very carefully. You have to be meticulous with contracts; he didn't want to end up like one of those players trapped by a bad deal—that would be a total loss.
However, a big company like Dengeki Bunko wouldn't bother setting a trap for an unremarkable "little author" like Cao Shuang. There were no major issues with the contract.
Cao Shuang picked up a pen and signed his name.
"Good. Can I call you Cao Shuang-kun from now on? Calling you Cao-kun or Loli-con Sensei feels a bit strange."
"Of course, no problem at all. I'll be in your care, Editor Ayame."
In Japan, once you become familiar, you can start using given names. Cao Shuang naturally had no such hang-ups; it was just a name.
According to Japanese social hierarchy, Ayame should have called him by his pen name plus "Sensei," or his real name plus "Sensei." But looking at his youthful face, the word "Sensei" truly felt hard to say. To call a boy a dozen years younger than her "Sensei" felt awkward; a more intimate form of address was much better.
Besides... Cao Shuang's pen name was ridiculous! You couldn't expect Ayame to call him "Loli-con Sensei" in public, could you? Cao Shuang might not care about his reputation, but she still valued hers!
"But Cao Shuang-kun, your prose is incredible. Usually, when a light novel is handed to us editors, we have to go through it once to find irrationalities or inappropriate wording and ask the author to revise it. But the draft you sent the editorial department is already perfect. It makes me feel like I, as an editor, have no use at all."
Ayame grumbled slightly before sighing again. Is this just the world of geniuses? What do you mean 'revisions'? I just pass it in one go!
"Huh? I have to revise things too?"
For a former web-novel writer like Cao Shuang, the most painful thing was revising. Revise my foot! He'd rather scrap it and rewrite the whole thing than do revisions.
"By the way, when will the Grand Prize money be sent to me?"
This was what Cao Shuang was most concerned about! The Grand Prize came with three million yen! That was enough for him to survive in the "land of gold" that is Japan until his royalties started coming in.
"Usually, it's deposited into your account within a month before the confirmed release date. Are you very short on cash, Cao Shuang-kun?"
"To be honest, before I started writing light novels, I considered whether I should become a host."
"Pfft... that would truly be a waste of your talents. Though, given your face, the 'Number One Host in Japan' would indeed have to step aside and surrender his throne."
"Mmm, generally speaking, Your Lie in April can be released before mid-May, so the prize money would probably hit your account in mid-April. If you're short on cash, I can apply to the Chief Editor to release a portion to you early. It should be wired to you by tomorrow night at the latest."
Truly grateful! If it weren't for this money, Cao Shuang really would have had to attempt some "Wilderness Survival" tomorrow—too bad Japan doesn't allow begging.