My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 365

The guys who create free information magazines are practically no different from doujinshi circles. In other words, they're otaku in the "elite" realm.

To be honest, there are as many types of doujinshi as there are fields and people.

"So, what kind of doujinshi are you planning to make?"

When I asked him, the lumberjack lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then raised his head and said with a serious expression:

"Hmm. I guess it's still novels... I don't have any particular area of ​​expertise where I can excel, and I can't draw either."

That reason is just too pathetic.

"Because I can't draw, I'll just become a novelist!" — This golden formula is enough, can we please stop using it... If you want to become a novelist, at least your reason should be that you're afraid of not being able to find a job.

"In the end, it's still just light novels... If you want to write light novels, the internet is so convenient now, you can publish as many as you want on it. Isn't 'Let's Become a Novelist' that you just mentioned an example? In fact, you might as well publish your novels there and have a higher chance of making a name for yourself."

I rarely offer such constructive suggestions about the timber base, but the other party seems rather unenthusiastic about them.

"Hmm... I don't really like that type."

"Why? Right now, isekai (another world) reincarnation/harem/mighty protagonist stories are all the rage, what's wrong with that?"

"……What?"

Isshiki suddenly spoke in a low voice, as if to say, "What the hell is this guy talking about...?" What was with that expression? It was a little unsettling... Did I say something weird?

—Maybe I really said something weird.

The female members moved their chairs and formed a circle, discussing quietly.

"Another world? A cheat code? What did he just say...?"

"What's a 'harem with cheat codes'?"

"It sounds like a cheese alligator pastry-type dessert, doesn't it? (Note 9: The Japanese confectionery brand 'Cheat Harem' sounds similar to 'Cheat Harem'.)"

Do you usually eat crocodile-flavored desserts? Isshiki, you're a real expert!

The so-called "isekai reincarnation with cheat-like abilities and a harem-like protagonist" is a story where the protagonist is reincarnated into another world for some reason, and uses their overpowered abilities to dominate the world, eventually building their own harem. Wow, I was going to explain it properly, but in the end, even I don't understand it anymore.

Well, this type of light novel is fine for those who like it to read on their own. There's no need to explain it to those who aren't interested, nor is it necessary to force everyone to understand it.

Isekai (another world) reincarnation stories, or even light novels themselves, are fine as long as they make the people who like them happy.

It's not just light novels.

That's true of everything, isn't it? Like words, or intentions.

As long as you can convey the message to the person you want to convey it to, or the person you hope will be happy, that's enough.

However, for some reason, my words failed to reach the woodworker at all—

The woodworker completely ignored what we were saying and continued to frantically try to explain.

"That's not it at all! It's not about popularity or reader preferences! I don't care about that stuff at all, not even a little bit! It's just, how should I put it! Like rankings or reviews, I hate being tied down by that kind of thing! I don't want people judging my work in front of a computer screen!"

For a fleeting moment, I even had the illusion that what this guy said was quite cool, but there were a few keywords in his words that caught my attention. Based on those words, there's only one possible conclusion.

"Ah—so that website displays the ranking of works. It's one thing to feel that your work is unpopular, but to have it officially certified is really frustrating."

"No! Absolutely not! I don't care about rankings, numbers, or comments at all! Rankings are just for show! I'll make up for my shortcomings with courage!" (Note 10 is a famous line from the manga/anime series "Kaito Gaiga," whose voice actor is the same as that of Zaimokuza.)

Although Zaimokuza speaks with imposing force, there are many things in this world that courage alone cannot compensate for. I've already seen through what's on your mind; you have nowhere to hide! (Note 11: A line from the character "Atobe Keigo" in "The New Prince of Tennis".)

"...So you actually submitted your work, and your fragile heart is shattered."

"That's a lot of progress. It must take a lot of courage to expose something like that to the public."

"Yes, yes, very brave, very brave."

Although Yukinoshita and Yuigahama praised Zaimokuza with a mixture of surprise and admiration, let me confirm again, these two really were praising Zaimokuza, right? I thought it was some clever way of being sarcastic! Besides, Yukinoshita's comment was definitely sarcastic!

However, I think it wouldn't hurt to praise the wooden base.

Forget about awarding a new author prize; a man who can't even finish a proper manuscript has the audacity to put his work online—that alone deserves praise. Just imagining the pained expressions on other people's faces after reading that stuff fills me with unbearable pleasure. Let the world suffer even more! If everyone lived in pain, the world would definitely be more peaceful.

However, the timber stand shook his hand.

"No, I didn't submit anything. I just saw other works that were heavily criticized, and that's when the idea popped into my head."

"Oh, really...?"

World peace has not yet been achieved; comrades must continue their efforts.

As expected of Zaimokuza, the title "Useless Writer Aspiring Otaku" isn't just for show. No, on the other hand, just seeing others being criticized so harshly and being able to empathize with them shows he's actually quite perceptive. Hmm, maybe he's surprisingly got writer's potential…

However, I believe that for a light novel writer, the most important thing is not a delicate mind, nor first-class writing skills, nor organizational ability or creative ingenuity.

Most importantly, one must have a heart as strong as steel.

No matter how much criticism one receives, one should never admit defeat; one should never give up easily if one's work doesn't sell; one should never speak carelessly on blogs or Twitter; one should never be arrogant if one's work sells well; one should never be discouraged by being looked down upon by seniors; one should never surrender when faced with various disputes; one should never dwell on tragic situations; one should never overestimate one's abilities, or rather, one should never believe in oneself; one should never think about the future burdens on one's shoulders or one's old age; one should grit one's teeth and persevere even when feeling empty, lonely, and cold, and never shed tears easily; one should not have high expectations even when hearing good news; one should not care about the sales figures of one's peers; one should not go out to gather material casually if one cannot produce any work; one should not run away on the eve of a deadline; and one should never forget to be grateful to the people around one.

The above "Sixteen Rules" (Note 12 is the original pronunciation of "NAI NAI 16", the debut single of the Japanese male idol group "Shibukaki Yotai") are the most important spirit for light novel writers.

Having a strong heart is the most important thing. I vaguely recall a line from the light novel *If I Had a Sister* (tentative translation). No, maybe I don't. I think I probably don't.

However, Cai Muzuo isn't a professional, and his lack of backbone is well-known. In this situation, of course, we should try to guide him in an easier direction! This guy's emotional fragility is comparable to tofu, and since it's the perfect season, we might as well throw him into a hot pot, cook him, and eat him.

I straightened my posture, cleared my throat, and then spoke slowly in a more composed tone than usual:

"Zaimokuza, I can foresee that your doujinshi probably won't sell a single copy. Don't you find it painful to witness this fact?"

My words must have created a vivid image in the mind of the woodworker, because he was immediately speechless and could not utter a single word.

Sitting alone at his stall, lost in thought, silently enduring the sweltering summer heat and the bitter winter cold, he could hear the people at the next stall chatting happily with their cosplay mascots, and see the long, snake-like queue at the opposite stall. To avoid seeing his unsold doujinshi, he could only crane his neck and stare at the ceiling in the distance... Could Zaimokuza really stand it? No, absolutely not.

Finally, he slumped his shoulders weakly and managed to squeeze out a faint sound.

"...That makes sense."

"If your goal is editing, it's more practical to choose other methods than creating doujinshi."

"Hmm... I see..."

Timber seemed to have given up on his original idea, and after I added another sentence, he obediently answered. Very well, it seems I don't need to help the young master with making doujinshi...

As soon as the loud-mouthed timber worker shut up, the office fell silent again. I secretly breathed a sigh of relief, relieved that things were finally over. Just then, someone took a bite of their pancake, making a crisp crunching sound.

"So, how does one become an editor?"

Yuihama asked while biting into her pancake, and Zaimokuza seemed to be awakened, suddenly raising his head.

"Hmm, you're right..."

Now that you mention it, even I've started to care.

"Let's check it out a bit..."

As the woodworker said, the internet has everything and nothing is strange, even worthless junk articles.

"Yukinoshita, could I borrow your computer?"

"...The Service Club is not a computer lab."

Despite her complaints, Yukinoshita got up from her seat, took out her laptop, and prepared it efficiently.

Just as I turned my face to the computer screen, ready to ask Google for help, a chair suddenly appeared on my right with a "click".

I turned my head and saw Yukino sitting down in that chair, excitedly taking her glasses out of her bag.

She tossed her beautiful hair aside, and as if putting on a crown, gracefully and slowly put on her glasses.

After her slender fingertips left the edge of the glasses frame, she blinked, her long eyelashes almost touching the lenses. Yukinoshita, having finished her preparations, nodded, then quietly moved her chair forward and peered at the screen.

At this moment, her hair swayed with her movement, releasing the fragrance of a high-end shampoo.

So close……

The space next to me was taken up, and I felt a little itchy, so I shifted my body and moved the chair slightly to the left. At that moment, another light citrus fragrance wafted over, tickling my nose.

Yuihama somehow ended up on my left.

She leaned forward, her chin almost touching the table, and her elbow lightly brushed against my arm. I gestured for Yui to move aside slightly, and she glanced over as well; our eyes met.

I thought Yui was willing to give me some space, but she just looked away and showed no intention of moving. I tried to move, but felt my coat brush against Yui's skirt, so I froze in place.

...So close.

Then, I felt a presence behind me.

The rubber soles of the indoor shoes rubbed against the floor, making a series of sounds.

I turned around and saw Isshiki standing behind me. She peeked out from behind me, staring intently at the computer screen.

Not only that, she also put her hand on my shoulder and leaned closer. I couldn't help but notice the feel and warmth of her small hands, and I could hear her soft breaths in my ear from time to time. This gave me goosebumps.

...That's why I said it's too close.

I was surrounded on all sides and behind me, so I had no choice but to bend forward.

However, even the area directly in front of them was blocked off.

I leaned forward, about to step forward, when suddenly a colossal object appeared, uprooting mountains and felling trees—it was a wooden base. I lowered my head, and the entire screen was obscured.

Too close, get out of the way.

An invisible pressure came from all directions. I hunched over as I typed the keywords that came to mind into the computer. Immediately, a large number of search results appeared on the screen.

"Job search websites, job search forums... and even job search preparation courses related to publishing... there are all kinds of websites."

"Ah, an autistic man, who is this?"

I quickly scanned a few websites that seemed to be of some interest, when Yui Hama leaned over and pointed to the computer screen.

Yukinoshita turned her head to the side and read out the place Yuihama pointed to.

"The interview experience...it looks like a blog written by someone who actually applied for a job at a publishing house. I think it should be quite valuable."

"Senior, hurry up, hurry up!"

Yise kept patting my shoulder, urging me to keep reading.

That's why I said you're too close. It's making my back sweat for no reason. Could you please move back about 15 centimeters?

I looked at him, asking for his opinion, and he nodded vigorously.

"Yes, it's alright!"

"...Well then, let's take a look."

I clicked on the link pointed to by Yuihama and entered a website called "Admission Experience Sharing".

The title at the top of the website, written in huge font, reads: "Absolutely Number One! Jianjian's 'Successful' Job Hunting Experience at a Publishing House!"

"...Hey, what do you mean by 'absolute top'? Are there top and bottom rankings in the admissions process?"

"etc."

Yukino quickly reached for the computer, opened another page, and began searching for information about job hunting and recruitment. Her cascading black hair kept brushing against my fingernails, making me itch, so I naturally put my hands back on my knees and sat up straight.

Once the search results appeared, Yukino pointed to the computer screen.

"Although it's not made public, the publishing house seems to rank all the new recruits by their scores, with the highest scorer being the top candidate. It seems that the top candidate is considered a management trainee from the moment they join the company and is assigned to a more advantageous position."

"I had a bad feeling as soon as I heard the term 'reserve cadre'..."

The whole thing sounded incredibly gritty, and its level of unease was about the same as promotional statements like "a comfortable work environment like home" or "the younger generation injecting fresh blood into the company." I couldn't help but worry about Jianjian's future.

The more terrifying something is, the more curious people become. After Mr. Jianjian gloriously became the pre-selected top spot, will he really become an excellent corporate slave at the publishing house? Let's continue to follow the path he has taken and see.

I scrolled down the webpage and began reading the article.

Absolutely number one! Jianjian's "successful" job application experience at a publishing house!

This blog records my journey from applying to publishing houses to being accepted by the top of the list!

All rights reserved © kenken

1. Fill out the job application form

It's just something abbreviated as ES (Note 13 Entry Sheet, a Japanese term). (laughs)

Besides the ever-present questions about resumes, qualifications, and job motivation, there are also essays, keyword-rich short articles, questions about recent news and current events, three people you're currently most interested in, and even your most embarrassing failures, etc. Each company designs its own set of questions. Some more unique companies will even leave half of the form blank and add a note next to it saying, "Please feel free to use the following blank area to promote yourself."

Some companies' HR departments keep job seekers' ES (Employment Statements), so asking senior students in your book club or association to get some ES for you to review might be a good idea!

Just to add, regarding resumes...

Recently, more and more companies are no longer requiring applicants to fill in their university names on job application forms; in other words, academic qualifications are no longer the focus of the review.