By mid-September, as the 'Fate/Zero' anime reached Episode 10, the joint launch event for Volume Three of the 'Fate/Zero' novel and Gogyo Ruri's Type-Moon World derivative novel, 'The Mysterious Gate,' was officially held.
After the launch event concluded, there would also be an autograph sale for the first batch of books. Anyone who purchased a copy from the initial release would receive the handwritten signatures of both Kamiyā Yuu and Gogyo Ruri.
To ensure the event went smoothly, Chiyo Bookstore cleared out the largest brick-and-mortar bookstore in Akihabara and converted it into the event venue, hiring a large number of security personnel to maintain order.
Far from being an exaggeration, these extensive preparations still weren't enough to accommodate the scale of the joint launch event.
The event itself was scheduled to begin at nine in the morning.
Yet by seven o'clock, a massive queue had already formed outside the bookstore, stretching along the entire street.
The sea of people was bustling and lively, rivaling the atmosphere of one of Japan's annual summer festivals.
The hired security personnel could do little more than direct the flow of people. In the end, even the local police officers assigned to patrol the area had to step in to maintain order.
"Please remain calm! Chiyo Bookstore hasn't opened yet. Stay where you are and wait patiently!"
"Please don't push! Maintain proper order!"
"Beep! Beep! Please keep the line orderly! Do not engage in excessive behavior!"
Both the security staff and police waved their arms as they struggled to control the crowd.
On such a hot day, being packed shoulder to shoulder with thousands of people was torture.
As opening time drew near, the mood throughout the queue became increasingly restless.
Many people tried squeezing toward the front, hoping to secure the best positions inside the venue.
Because of the enormous line occupying the sidewalk, the other shops along the same street became innocent victims. Customers who simply wanted to enter those stores couldn't even make their way through the crowd.
The queue was made up of people from all walks of life.
Surprisingly, only a small minority wore the stereotypical Akihabara "otaku" attire.
Most were ordinary office workers or high school students.
From the makeup of the crowd alone, it was easy to tell that the majority of attendees had probably come because of Gogyo Ruri's reputation.
To be honest, even after producing several hugely popular anime, Kamiyā Yuu's combined fame as an anime director and light novel author still likely fell short of Gogyo Ruri's influence.
A simple comparison illustrated the point.
In Japan, many viewers might not know who Akiyuki Shinbo, Gen Urobuchi, or Nisio Isin were.
But they had almost certainly heard of Keigo Higashino.
Most Japanese readers still preferred physical books, giving traditional novels extraordinarily broad influence. Combined with the country's well-developed adaptation industry, being a novelist was far easier than being an anime director.
If Kamiyā Yuu wanted his social influence to surpass Gogyo Ruri's, he would at least have to reach the level of Hayao Miyazaki, backed by numerous nationally beloved works.
---
Near the front of the line...
"Why am I standing in this sweltering heat with you? When is Chiyo Bookstore finally going to open? I can't take this anymore!"
Andō Yuri wiped the sweat from her forehead with a tissue, pressing herself against the wall beside the street to escape the crush of the crowd.
Hearing his sister complain, Andō Shū spread his arms to carve out a little space in the crowd and used his own body to shield her.
"It can't be helped. This time, each person can only buy one signed copy."
"Hang in there a little longer. It's already after 8:40. It'll be nine soon."
"I heard Director Kamiyā is going to announce some major news during the event."
"I've already collected all of his previous signed works. I'm planning to complete the whole set as a collection."
Yuri sighed.
"You're really enthusiastic about this, Shū."
Shū laughed.
"Then why did you come if it's such a hassle?"
"Don't tell me you're planning to sell the signed book again after buying it?"
His casual remark immediately exposed Yuri's intentions.
She proudly lifted her chin.
"...You figured it out?"
"I'm a practical person."
"The complete signed set you bought for me last time sold for about a month's worth of my part-time wages."
"Then I bought another regular set afterward and still had money left over."
"I mean..."
Hearing her carefree explanation, Andō Shū silently apologized to Kamiyā Yuu.
He regretted helping her obtain that complete signed set.
"Those were signed by Mr. Kamiyā. They have real collector's value."
"Doesn't it bother you at all?"
Yuri yawned.
"Not in the slightest."
"I'm a practical person."
"A signed novel is still a novel."
"An unsigned novel is also still a novel."
Her attitude only irritated Shū more.
It felt as though something precious to him had been completely dismissed.
Knowing his sister's personality, he deliberately put on a serious expression.
"Yuri, do you know how much the signed set you sold is worth now?"
She shrugged.
"No idea. I don't pay attention to things like that."
Shū lowered his voice mysteriously.
"Then let me tell you."
"A complete signed set by Mr. Kamiyā is worth well over a hundred thousand yen online now."
Yuri's eyes widened.
"Over a hundred thousand!?"
"That's right!"
After doing the math in her head, Yuri immediately looked heartbroken.
"Isn't that several times more than what I sold mine for!?"
Seeing the regret on her face, Shū smiled with satisfaction.
"So maybe you should treasure signed books a little more."
"If you keep them for a few more years, they might become even more valuable."
"Andō Shū..."
Yuri looked at her younger brother seriously.
"...Sorry."
"Hm?"
"I always thought you were an idiot."
"I never expected your brain actually works."
Shū was left speechless.
Just who was the real idiot here?
---
Around them, many others were also discussing the launch event.
Their quiet conversations rose and fell throughout the crowd.
"Gogyo Ruri's long-awaited new work."
"Even if it's leaning more toward the light novel genre this time, I'm still incredibly excited."
"I can't wait to read it."
The young man in a business suit eagerly patted his companion on the shoulder.
His companion thought for a moment before shaking his head.
"I'm the opposite."
"The thing I'm looking forward to most is precisely because it's fantasy."
"Gogyo Ruri has always written realistic stories."
"I'm really curious to see what kind of fantasy world she'll create."
"Volume Three of 'Fate/Zero' is finally here!"
"They're releasing over four hundred thousand words all at once—that's almost an entire ordinary light novel series!"
"Ah... why aren't they opening already!?"
A high school boy wearing his school uniform excitedly spoke to his friend.
Before his companion could answer, both of them were distracted by a disturbance near the front of the line.
"The first printing isn't very large."
"If I miss this chance, I'll have to wait another week."
"That absolutely won't do."
A man dressed like an otaku, carrying a shoulder bag and wearing a T-shirt printed with Kaname Madoka Madoka from 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica,' stared resolutely toward the front of the queue.
Just as he steeled his resolve, someone shoved him from behind, causing him to stumble.
The front man immediately turned around angrily.
"Hey! Watch it!"
"You stepped on my foot."
"S-Sorry..."
The otaku apologized nervously, drenched in sweat.
It was obvious he wasn't accustomed to crowded places.
"I wonder what Director Kamiyā is going to announce this time."
"I can't wait~~"
"Hmm... It's probably related to 'Fate/Zero.'"
"'Twilight of the Knights' is already scheduled to premiere in October."
"And Director Kamiyā was the one who invited Gogyo Ruri."
"If it's really important..."
"...could it be an anime adaptation? Or maybe a theatrical film!?"
...
Kamiyā Yuu's side was also busy making final preparations.
Although it was called a joint novel launch event, it wasn't particularly formal.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have chosen a bookstore as the venue.
The event's main purpose was to promote the first public sale of the novels while Yosuganosora Animation Studio simultaneously announced the 'Throne of Heroes' game project.
The venue could only accommodate a few hundred people.
No chairs had been arranged for the audience.
Since the primary focus was selling books, all the promotional presentations and project announcements combined would take no more than thirty minutes.
That schedule had been carefully considered.
If the event dragged on too long, the waiting readers might tear the bookstore apart before they even had the chance to buy their books.
After all, Kamiyā Yuu's and Gogyo Ruri's signatures were one of the event's biggest attractions.
Anyone buying a book still had to wait until after the presentation before receiving their autograph.
To maximize the promotional impact, Kamiyā Yuu created a short promotional PV using unreleased footage from Episodes 11 through 14 of the anime.
Its highlights included Heroic Spirit Zhao Yun taking on Iskandar's Ionioi Hetairoi, the Army of the King, by himself, along with Saber releasing the true name of Excalibur.
Combined with the characters' narration, the selected scenes carried tremendous emotional impact.
Because 'The Mysterious Gate' had been completed in such a short time and lacked any existing visual assets, there was no way to produce an animated PV.
Instead, it would be presented as a slideshow of illustrations in an overall dark Gothic style.
Inside the venue, every staff member was drenched in sweat as they hurried to complete their assigned tasks.
Opening time was fast approaching, yet preparations remained far from satisfactory.
The event manager frantically directed the workers.
"Move that bookshelf over there!"
"Didn't I already tell you not to leave unnecessary things here blocking the customers?"
"Hirai! Bring me the benches!"
"Hey! Hey! Where's the table for the autograph session?"
"We'll need it immediately after the presentation ends!"
...
"Miss Amamiya, I'll leave the venue in your hands for now. I need to discuss a few matters concerning the novel with Gogyo Ruri."
Kamiyā Yuu greeted Amamiya Kae, the voice actress for Irisviel von Einzbern in the revised version of the 'Fate/Zero' anime.
This time, she would be serving as the event's host.
After a week of practice, coupled with her natural confidence on stage, Kamiyā Yuu had high expectations for her performance.
Irisviel von Einzbern could also be considered the official promotional ambassador for 'Fate/Zero.'
Thinking about it, aside from Irisviel's mature yet childlike personality, none of the other characters seemed suitable for such a role.
Just imagine replacing Irisviel with any other 'Fate/Zero' character in the 'Einzbern Consultation Room.'
The result would be disastrous.
"Understood. Please go ahead."
—Though at the moment, this host probably doesn't have much to do yet.
Amamiya Kae smiled softly as she watched Kamiyā Yuu leave.
She found an inconspicuous corner and quietly sat down to wait for the event to begin.
Her main responsibility today would be energizing the audience and asking questions according to the prepared schedule.
She wore a white dress, and her soft pink hair flowed down to her waist, giving her a graceful composure that seemed far more mature than her youthful appearance.
Much like Irisviel herself in formal attire, she naturally inspired warmth and trust.
As he walked, Kamiyā Yuu called Akiyama Gojō.
"Hello, Editor-in-Chief Akiyama. Do you have a moment?"
The phone was filled with noisy voices.
After a while, Akiyama Gojō answered helplessly.
"Honestly? No."
"I figured as much."
"But please spare me a little time and come to the meeting room."
"I'd like to discuss the event schedule."
"There are a few things I'd like to change."
Silence answered him.
"...Give me five minutes."
"Then Miss Gogyo Ruri and I will wait for you in the meeting room."
—What a disaster.
Everything had seemed perfectly arranged beforehand.
Yet the closer they got to opening, the more problems kept appearing.
After hanging up, Kamiyā Yuu rubbed his temples to ease his fatigue before heading to the backstage lounge.
As expected, Gogyo Ruri was sitting quietly on a sofa.
She held a thick hardcover book in her hands, her calm and aloof demeanor making it seem as though the commotion outside couldn't reach her at all.
"Miss Gogyo Ruri, do you know where your assistant, Miss Sakai, is?"
Kamiyā Yuu frowned as he approached.
Throughout their collaboration, most matters had been handled through her assistant.
This launch event itself had been jointly coordinated by Yosuganosora Animation Studio, Chiyo Bookstore, and Sakai.
The peaceful silence was broken.
Gogyo Ruri slightly raised her head.
Her cool eyes met Kamiyā Yuu's as she wrote in the notebook she always carried.
"Preparing the front."
—Now this is a true kuudere.
She only becomes a little more talkative online.
Kamiyā Yuu smiled awkwardly.
Gogyo Ruri perfectly embodied the archetype.
Silent.
Expressionless.
Emotionless.
Her delicate features and short silver hair created an aura that kept everyone at arm's length.
—If she's helping at the front, she probably won't be back anytime soon.
"Then... may I sit here?"
Kamiyā Yuu pointed at the sofa opposite her.
"As you like."
After sitting down, he glanced curiously at the book she was reading.
"What are you reading?"
Gogyo Ruri lifted the hardcover so he could see the title.
On the cover, written in English, were the words:
'The Last Chronicle of Barset.'
Kamiyā Yuu recognized the novel.
His English was excellent as well.
Still, he had never felt inclined to read such dry traditional literature.
In his opinion, most commercial fiction was far more entertaining—
though only more entertaining.
"Is it interesting?" he asked as he observed her expression.
Gogyo Ruri closed the book.
Her cool, upright gaze calmly met his before she shook her head and wrote neatly in her notebook:
"It's simply a story."
Being stared at so directly made Kamiyā Yuu unexpectedly uncomfortable.
He was normally good at getting along with people.
Only someone like Gogyo Ruri—who seemed wrapped in an impenetrable shell of ice—left him at a loss.
There weren't many topics they had in common.
Nor did he possess the shameless enthusiasm of the protagonists who effortlessly won over silent heroines in anime.
After a while, seeing that Kamiyā Yuu hadn't continued the conversation, she wrote again:
"Was there anything else?"
—This awkward atmosphere...
Doesn't she notice it herself...?
Kamiyā Yuu waved a tired hand.
"No."
"It's just that I'll be discussing the event schedule with Editor-in-Chief Akiyama in the meeting room shortly."
"I'd appreciate it if both you and Miss Sakai could come over then."
"I understand."