chsdbacks Page 14
Page 14
In the "rouge-en-rouge" club, Akane Kousaka held a glass of red wine, sipping it while observing her club members constantly carrying box after box of the second volume of the light novel "5 Centimeters Per Second".
They need to load these finished products onto trucks and then deliver them to bookstores in various cities. For some places that are far away, they even need to be airlifted to make it to the public sale date!
"I'm almost done on my end. The venue setup, sound system, and other things are all in the final testing phase. I've finally managed to meet Hyakuri-kun's requirements before tomorrow's launch event." Machida Sonoko sounded a little tired on the phone and couldn't help but complain, "Even if it's a few days later, it shouldn't be a problem, right? I don't know why Hyakuri-kun had to rush it so much."
Akane Akasaka smiled noncommittally: "Don't worry about what he's thinking. We just need to complete the tasks he assigned us, and that's enough."
She paused, then lowered her voice, sounding both joking and serious: "Perhaps... this is a test from Baili Jun, a test of whether we are qualified to keep up with him..."
"..." Machida Sonoko froze on the spot, then felt a little scared: "Akane, is it really necessary to say that? I think Hyakuri-kun is a really good person..."
"Well, who knows..." Akane Akasaka chuckled, downed her glass of red wine in one gulp, and hung up the phone.
Her black bodycon dress accentuated her perfect figure, and her waist-length hair reflected a beautiful color in the sunlight. Black stockings paired with high heels exuded a strong mature woman's aura. Her superior temperament would make anyone feel inferior and lower their head just by looking at her.
"Iori Hashima, come on, drive me to find Hyakuri-kun!"
...
"Ding dong!"
The doorbell rang, and Kato Megumi, who was tidying up in the entryway, opened the door: "Excuse me, who are you looking for?"
"Oh? Ms. Kousaka? Iori? What brings you here?" Before the two outside the door could speak, Hyakuri-kun looked up and smiled, "Ah-hui, let them in."
On the third day after Kato Megumi came to work at the Kasumigaoka family's house, Hyakuri Akira resolutely changed the "Kato-kun" he used to refer to her to "Megumi".
At first, it was met with opposition from everyone, with the most vehement opposition coming from Kasumigaoka Utaha and Kato Megumi themselves.
As Bai Lixiao's younger sister, the owner of this house, and someone with a special relationship with Bai Lixiao, Kasumigaoka Utaha naturally couldn't tolerate him calling Kato Megumi by such an intimate name.
As a "pure three-dimensional girl" and "someone that people don't know very well," Kato Megumi felt that it was extremely rude to allow a male voice to address her in that way!
You should know that in ancient times, this was a title that only married people who would stay together for life could use!
For various reasons, the two protested to Baili Xiao more than once, but... it was all in vain.
Bai Lixiao continued to call Kato Megumi "Megumi," and over time, everyone got used to it...
"Brother?" When she heard the name "Iori" while sitting in a chair drawing, Hashima Izumi stood up with some surprise. Although she had a very fulfilling two weeks and had learned a lot from Hyakuri Akira, she could now even compete with Eriri.
But the anxiety one feels when not seeing their loved ones for a long time is also very real.
"Hey, Izumi, I've seen your illustrations in Volume 2. You're completely different from before!" Iori Hashima praised Izumi Hashima, then turned her gaze to Akira Hyakuri. Right there in front of everyone, she knelt down in the entrance hall in a dogeza position: "Hyakuri-kun! Thank you for teaching me all this time! I'm ashamed of myself for doubting whether you would seriously teach me!"
The sudden development startled Baili Xiao. In his view, teaching Bo Island how to go to sea was something he had promised, so naturally he would not hold anything back.
It's perfectly normal for Iori Hashima to have some doubts at first; there's absolutely no need to apologize or express gratitude in this way.
"Get up, it's nothing serious." Baili Xiao stepped forward to help Hashima Iori up. In his eyes, it was a very normal action, but in Hashima Iori's eyes, it moved him to tears.
"Not only is Baili-kun very talented, but he is also broad-minded and approachable. I wonder what Baili-kun's thoughts are on going to sea? As his older brother, I hope to see Chuhai always by Baili-kun's side, serving and taking care of you!" Hashima Iori bowed respectfully to Baili Xiao and said this.
The moment the words were spoken, the atmosphere in the living room suddenly plummeted to freezing point.
Kasumigaoka Utaha stopped typing, crossed her arms in front of her chest, stretched her right leg over her left, and looked coldly at Hashima Izumi, quietly waiting for his answer.
Eriri's pressure-sensitive pen trembled violently, drawing a dark straight line that shouldn't have appeared. She took two deep breaths, put down the tablet, and looked at the sea off Hashima Island.
Kato Megumi came out of the kitchen, put down the glass and juice in her hand, looked at everyone with some puzzlement, and found that everyone's eyes were focused on Izumi Hashima. She also looked at Izumi with a puzzled expression.
Suddenly, the inexperienced Bodao Chuhai was stared at by everyone with cold eyes, and he blushed with embarrassment.
"What the hell are you talking about?!"
Chapter 0041 Akane Akasaka's Desire! (First update, please add to your favorites and give flowers)
"You! What are you saying! How can you just say such things!" Hashima Izumi's face flushed red, a mixture of embarrassment and anger towards her brother, Hashima Iori.
During the past two weeks, Baili Xiao has been wholeheartedly guiding Bodao Chuhai. Every time Bodao Chuhai sees the look in her eyes as she focuses on the drawing board, she feels a touch of sweetness.
Faced with a handsome, talented man who is about the same age as her, it would be hard for any girl to control her heart and not let it develop feelings.
However, even though she has feelings for Baili Xiao, she hides her emotions very well when she goes to sea at Bo Island... Don't underestimate her just because she's only a middle school student. In fact, when it comes to love, she's probably more professional than Eriri!
She knew perfectly well that in this not-so-big house, Kato Megumi, being new to the place, might not have "liked" Baili Xiao yet, but everyone else... admired the latter to varying degrees!
Especially the owner of this house, Kasumigaoka Utaha, constantly suppressed Eriri with her actions and warning glances, making her look like a defeated dog, always in a rather pathetic state.
Under these circumstances, Bodao Chuhai had been very good at hiding his feelings for Baili Xiao, but... but that incredibly foolish older brother actually blurted it out in front of everyone?!
"This..." As someone who rose to become the second-in-command of the club through his own abilities, Iori Hashima's sensitivity to the atmosphere was beyond doubt. He immediately realized that what he had said... seemed to have put his sister in a very awkward position!
Left with no other choice, he could only look at Baili Xiao with pleading eyes. The latter smiled and clasped her hands together, making a clear "slap!" sound: "Ms. Hongsaka, is there something important that you've come here today?"
Akane Akasaka gave Baili Xiao a half-smile, raising an eyebrow slightly: "Yes, the preparations for the second volume are complete. Will there be any problems with tomorrow's release...? The purpose of my visit today is simply to ask you a question."
The best way to ease the awkward atmosphere is to change the subject. Akane Akane saw through Hyakuri Akira's thoughts and was naturally happy to cooperate with him.
"Oh? What is it?" Baili Xiao walked into the living room and gestured to the sofa: "Sit down and tell me."
"First, I'd like to thank Hyakuri-kun for his meticulous guidance on Gosho. From the illustrations Gosho drew in Volume 2, it's obvious that she has made great progress." Akane Kousaka bowed slightly to Hyakuri Akira to express her gratitude, then a glint flashed in her eyes as she looked directly at him: "Second, I'd like to ask Hyakuri-kun, is your real purpose simply to release the light novel of '5 Centimeters Per Second'?"
Bai Li Xiao was slightly taken aback, but the corners of his mouth widened, and he couldn't help but applaud Akane Kousaka: "As expected of Akane Kousaka, who single-handedly built the strongest doujinshi circle, you saw through that?"
“Any illustration picked from Volume 2 would be perfect for an animated film. If I still can’t see such an obvious hint, I might really have to retire…” Akane Akasaka’s smile faded, and her voice unconsciously lowered: “Hyakuri-kun, you… want to make [5 Centimeters Per Second] into an animated film?”
Whether it was Baili Xiao's imagination or not, he actually heard a hint of excitement in Akane Akasaka's words.
“Yes, in my opinion, the best way to present ‘5 Centimeters Per Second’ to the world is through an animated film, not just three volumes of light novels!” Bai Lixiao nodded: “This is the idea I’ve had from the beginning, and I’m moving step by step in that direction. What? Ms. Kurosaka doesn’t agree with my idea? Or do you think it’s just wishful thinking for someone as insignificant as me to want to make an animated film?”
"No! Please don't misunderstand, it's perfectly normal for Baili-kun to have such thoughts!" Akane Kousaka gave a wry smile and said in a self-deprecating tone, "Several years ago, when my circle had just become the strongest in the doujinshi world, I, full of youthful vigor, also wanted to adapt my doujinshi novels and manga into an animated film..."
"For us doujinshi creators, it's already a great honor for a novel or comic to be adapted into an anime, but... everyone knows that the highest achievement is an animated film!"
"Some people even hold the thought that 'whether it's a novel, a comic, or an animation, as long as my work is made into something that can be shown on the big screen, I will die without regrets!'"
After Akane Akasaka finished speaking, a long silence fell over the living room. No one interrupted or refuted her, because everyone knew that what she said was true...
A pale, radiant face showed a hint of dejection. Akane Akasaka sighed, as if she were exhaling all her strength, and leaned weakly against the sofa behind her: "I failed, I failed completely."
"I thought the incredibly brilliant script was completely criticized by the production company, and the production budget they proposed was also beyond my means at the time. After that, I became increasingly depressed, and gradually gave up on managing things in the club, until..."
Her eyes, filled with longing, were fixed on Baili Xiao, as if she wanted to possess him completely: "It wasn't until I saw Kasumigaoka's [5 Centimeters Per Second] and Eriri's illustrations that my hope was rekindled."
"Bai Li-kun, with your personal charm and talent, you are absolutely capable of turning '5 Centimeters Per Second' into a movie! I knew that the moment I entrusted the club to you!"
Chapter 0042 "This Light Novel is Amazing!" - Editor-in-Chief Duanmu Yizi! (Two chapters, please add to your favorites and give flowers)
"Ding-dong!" Akane Akasaka was interrupted by the sudden ringing of the bell before she could finish speaking.
Despite opening and closing her mouth several times, Akane Akane managed to suppress her urge to speak and chose to remain silent.
Kato Megumi went to open the door, but before she could fully open it, Machida Sonoko's voice came from outside: "Hyori-kun! Shi-chan! You guys are really amazing! The plot and illustrations of the second volume completely crush the first volume! I really can't imagine how big a sensation it will cause after it's released! Shi-chan, pinch me quickly so I can see if it's really... Huh? Who are you?"
Machida Sonoko stared blankly at Kato Megumi, then glanced at the sign outside the door that read "Kasumigaoka House," and peeked inside a few more times on tiptoe before letting out a sigh of relief. She waved to Hyakuri Akira and said, "Hyakuri-kun, you're really something, aren't you? Every time someone opens the door for me, it's a different person..."
Bai Lixiao's face hardened, and he glared at Machida Sonoko. The latter shrank back, stuck out her tongue, and extended her right hand to Kato Megumi: "Hello, nice to meet you! I'm Machida Sonoko, the editor of Shinazugawa Bunko!"
“I am Kato Megumi, a student at Toyosaki Academy. I’ve been working for Hyakusato-kun for a while now.” Kato Megumi extended her hand and shook his hand briefly, then stepped aside. “Please come in, Sonoko-san.”
"Thank you." After changing into slippers in the entryway, Machida Sonoko immediately spotted Akane Akasaka sitting in the living room. "Well, Akane, you actually came to see Hyakusato-kun behind my back. That's so unfriendly!"
Akane Akasaka chuckled dismissively, "Didn't you also sneak off here in secret?"
"Uh...hehe." Machida Sonoko's smile froze. She chuckled twice and sat down next to Akane Kousaka. Using her bag as a cover, she secretly pinched Akane Kousaka's waist to vent her dissatisfaction with the latter's teasing. "I...I encountered an emergency and had to come here. Otherwise, how could I have abandoned the sales event?"
Bai Lixiao frowned slightly: "What's wrong? Is there a problem with tomorrow's launch event?"
Before she finished speaking, everyone's eyes were fixed on Machida Sonoko's face, waiting for her answer—for everyone present, the release of the second volume of "5 Centimeters Per Second" tomorrow was something that absolutely could not be missed!
"The launch event is all set, but..." Machida Sonoko scratched her head, looking somewhat embarrassed at Hyakuri Akira, "I just received a call from the editor-in-chief of 'This Light Novel is Amazing!' magazine. She'd like to do a short interview with you when you're free..."
She paused, her expression growing increasingly dejected: "The most crucial point is that I don't know what came over me at the time, but I readily agreed to her interview request and even brought her here. Now she's sitting in the car outside. Hyakusui-kun... you won't blame me for making this decision on my own, will you?"
Machida Sonoko spoke softly, her voice full of grievance, while her eyes darted towards Baili Xiao. Her hands were also unconsciously clasped together, just like a kitten that had done something wrong, curled up in a ball, trembling and waiting for its owner to get angry.
Baili Xiao forced himself not to laugh out loud, coughed, and said, "Miss Yuanzi, how could you do this? I'm so disappointed in you!"
"Hmm..." Machida Sonoko lowered her head further and further, no longer daring to peek at Baili Xiao, and naturally did not notice the upward curve of the latter's lips.
“Interviews like this will only make [5 Centimeters Per Second] more famous. Even if you don’t tell me, it’s not a problem if you agree to it privately.” Baili Xiao rubbed his temples in “pain”: “But… you’ve already brought her to your doorstep, and you’ve left her sitting there awkwardly in the car… Miss Yuanzi, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and bring her over! I don’t want to be the kind of person who is impolite!”
...
"Nice to meet you. I am Duanmu Yizi, the editor-in-chief of the magazine 'This Light Novel is Amazing!'. I am here to conduct a brief interview with Ms. Kasumi Shiko, Ms. Kashiwagi Eri, and Ms. Hashima Izumi. Please forgive me if I am abrupt!"
Following Machida Sonoko in was a tall woman exuding a professional aura.
Her fair and delicate face was framed by black-rimmed glasses that gave her a serious look, and her hair, tied in a ponytail, reached her waist, showing that she had taken great care of it.
She was wearing a tight-fitting suit—a shirt and blazer, paired with a black skirt, which perfectly accentuated her S-shaped curves.
The black stockings covering her legs reflected a bright sheen under the sunlight, radiating an alluring luster.
Her gaze swept subtly across everyone's faces, finally meeting Baili Xiao's eyes: "I suppose you must be the Baili-kun that Yuanzi mentioned? First of all, please allow me to express my gratitude for your consent to the interview. Secondly, I have a question I would like to ask Baili-kun."
"Go ahead," Baili Xiao nodded.
"Have you ever considered taking '5 Centimeters Per Second' beyond the realm of light novels, and perhaps even taking it a step further?"
Chapter 0043 Duanmu Yizi's Request! (Third update, please add to your favorites and give flowers)
Go a step further?
Bai Lixiao and Hongsaka Akane exchanged a glance, then turned their gazes to Machida Sonoko. She paused for a moment, then realized the seriousness of the situation.
Both of them had hinted to me that "the limits of '5 Centimeters Per Second' are not just in light novels," meaning... I have the potential to leak "secrets"!
Duanmu Yizi was someone I brought with me, and bringing up such a "secret" topic at this time would easily arouse suspicion from everyone!
This isn't as simple as "it's no big deal to agree to the interview." If people really believe that he/she leaked it, then...
Thinking of this, Machida Sonoko broke out in a cold sweat and shook her head at Baili Xiao without making a sound.
Baili Xiao narrowed her eyes, turned her gaze back to Duanmu Yizi, and smiled after a moment's thought: "Miss Duanmu, can we talk about this later? I think you should interview Shiyu and the others first, after all... it's getting late."
As Baili Xiao said, the sun had already begun to set in the west and would soon sink below the horizon.
...half an hour later...
"Well then, this interview is now over. Thank you very much, Ms. Kasumi Shiko, Ms. Kashiwagi Eri, and Ms. Izumi, for accepting this interview." Duanmu Yizi put away her portable camera and microphone, placing them in her tool bag. She sat up straight, her eyes fixed on Baili Xiao: "Baili-kun, can you now answer my initial question?"
"Please don't overthink it. I haven't been informed of the development direction of '5 Centimeters Per Second' by anyone. In fact, I'm a fan of '5 Centimeters Per Second'. A couple of days ago, I obtained a collector's edition of the second volume of '5 Centimeters Per Second' through personal connections." Duanmu Yizi took out the second volume of '5 Centimeters Per Second' from her bag. It could be seen that... the book's packaging had already been opened, and even the neatly arranged pages were bulging from being turned over.
"I've already read the second volume three times. It's precisely because of my love for '5 Centimeters Per Second' that I feel it's such a pity..." Long, slender, white fingers traced the book cover, and Duanmu Yizi's eyes shone with a kind of "motherly love": "Whether it's the plot or the illustrations, they are both so perfect. In my opinion, using light novels to express '5 Centimeters Per Second' is the most inferior and least touching form!"
"Readers can only grasp the view of love expressed in '5 Centimeters Per Second' from between the lines. Only by reading carefully can they truly immerse themselves in the story. But... we all know that this is the worst way to express it!"