My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 367

Caught off guard by her name being called, Yui made a strange sound, her large, watery eyes blinking as she stared intently at Isshiki. Isshiki operated the computer, scrolling down the website page.

"Oh, no. Judging from the photos on this website, they seem to select people with similar personalities or cute looks to join the club, so it should be a piece of cake for you, senior."

"Hmm, that makes sense."

Putting aside the written test for now, the interview should be no problem for Yui. She should be able to communicate with those kinds of guys without any issues.

I nodded in agreement with Isshiki's opinion. Yuihama, perhaps surprised by the praise, blushed and fiddled with her bun, glancing at me frequently.

“Is that so?”

"Yeah, Yuihama might actually be a good match for that annoying vibe."

"What kind of reason is that? You made me happy for nothing..."

Yui slumped her shoulders in disappointment, turning her face away. Ah, no, no, no, I didn't mean you weren't cute at all, hmm. I'm sure Yui can easily handle the energy and enthusiasm unique to university students, that's for sure. But, how should I put it! Getting too involved in the atmosphere of these clubs might not necessarily be a good thing~

"I think the other person will appreciate your appearance. But how should I put it—inner qualities are more important... Or rather, it's probably best not to join clubs that use appearance or personality as evaluation criteria, I guess."

"Huh? Uh, that's right. Hmm..."

Yuihama seemed somewhat unable to accept it, but still nodded reluctantly and turned to look at them again. Isshiki, standing to the side, couldn't bear to watch any longer and muttered a few words:

"Senior, you really don't know how to talk."

Mind your own business. If I knew how to speak nicely, I wouldn't have skipped the job interview.

"Inner world... If we're talking about inner world, is it really a good thing for people with the same values ​​to get together? I don't think there can be any growth in a closed environment where everyone seems to be molded from the same template..."

Yukinoshita, who was listening nearby, glanced at the website, a doubtful look on her face, and spoke up.

At that moment, the wood base tapped its palm.

"...Ahem. In other words, to give an example, it's like a super-large publishing house monopolizes the game magazine market, preventing other publishers' works from getting promotional space, and thus refusing to adapt a certain work into a game. But a game company producer readily agrees to adapt another publisher's work into a game, resulting in a huge sales flop—something like that, right?"

"Your example is too complicated, I don't understand it at all, and I think they are completely different things, but it's roughly what you said."

I couldn't understand a word he was saying and was just going to give him a few perfunctory replies. But Timber Seat nodded vigorously at him.

"Just as I thought! What they said online was all true!"

Is this for real? The internet is incredible! How did he do it? How did he find this kind of information? I hereby crown you a search expert. However, the future society needs experts in this kind of information gathering; perhaps this is a skill that truly meets the needs of our time!

I admire Qicai Muzuo for his fierce fighting spirit, though I don't know why.

"...Damn it! The reason my talent goes undiscovered and I can't make a name for myself in the light novel world is all because that evil empire of a certain mega-publishing company dominates the entire market!"

"over thinking."

In short, finish writing first before you start talking, okay?

× × ×

After a short break and some refreshments, we gathered back in front of the computer.

Since the previous post, "Absolutely the Top! Jianjian's 'Successful' Job Search Experience at a Publishing House!" was not very helpful, we decided to continue searching for other similar websites.

A job search website records employee reviews from those who actually work at the company, as well as company profiles for hiring, which are quite valuable for reference.

At that moment, I noticed a shocking number.

"The acceptance rate of a well-known large publishing house is ridiculously low... Several thousand people applied, but only fifteen were accepted in the end..."

"Although the actual number of applicants has not been released, so the true acceptance rate is unknown, it is roughly estimated to be between one in two hundred and one in three hundred."

Upon hearing the number that Yukinoshita had roughly calculated, Yuihama sighed with admiration.

"Sigh... Being an editor is really not easy."

"Fifteen is just the total number of openings. If we take into account the allocation of job positions, then the number of people who can become editors will be even smaller."

Yukinoshita is absolutely right. Some people might be assigned to general affairs or sales departments, and even if they're lucky enough to be assigned to the editorial department, they might not necessarily be responsible for light novels. The light novel editor that Zaimokuza hopes to recruit might, at best, be assigned one or two newcomers, and at worst, there might not be any positions for newcomers from the start.

"Hmm, hmm... gurgle, gurgle... If that's the case, isn't being a light novel author easier...?"

"I guess so."

Judging from the acceptance rate alone, it's relatively easier to debut as a light novel author under Gagaga Bunko. Besides, becoming a light novel author doesn't require an interview.

Just as I reached for the computer, intending to check the chances of debuting under GAGAGA Bunko, another hand suddenly reached out from behind and grabbed my hand tightly.

"Senior, wait a minute!"

Isshiki spoke in a trembling voice.

"W-What's wrong?"

"Uh-huh!"

I turned to ask her, and saw her pointing excitedly at the computer screen, her fingertips trembling.

"Look at this! This one!"

What on earth is going on...? I couldn't understand what had gotten into Issei. I peeked at where she was pointing, and saw it was a company review and job description written by a publishing house employee. Besides the employee's university, current job duties, and approximate weekly working hours and daily work schedule, everything was clearly described. I read on until I reached a certain part of the article.

"Twenty-five years old, annual income of ten million..."

This can't be real... A well-known publishing house is indeed something else... A recent graduate earning this much after three years of work? And the salary will definitely continue to increase, growing every year? They're practically living the dream...

Just as I was so shocked that I couldn't control myself and my body was trembling uncontrollably, I heard a deep breath behind me. I turned around and saw Isshiki resting her left hand on her cheek, revealing a sweet and lovely smile.

"I'm going to marry my editor."

"No, no, wait a minute, calm down, I'm about to marry my editor."

"You're the one who needs to calm down..."

Yukinoshita's helpless tone brought me back to my senses. It seems I really had lost my composure. Thinking about it carefully, ten million isn't a big deal at all. I'm Hachiman, for me, ten million is just one hundred and twenty-five versions of myself. What's so surprising? If there were one hundred and twenty-five versions of me in this world, it would be enough to drive anyone crazy. Conclusion: ten million is nothing! There only needs to be one me in this world; a lone wolf only shows its value when alone!

I convinced myself with a long string of nonsensical fallacies, while Yuihama muttered to herself beside me.

"Hmm... editor... editor, huh... hmm..."

"Isn't having a goal a good thing? I also strive towards my goal every day."

"The target, is that it...?"

I was drawn to this phrase, which wasn't something Isshiki would usually use, and gave her a surprised look. Isshiki put her index finger to her chin and tilted her head dramatically.

"My goal, of course, is to work hard for a few years, and then quit to get married."

"What efforts are needed here...?"

A sigh escaped Yukinoshita's lips. Upon hearing this, Isshiki pouted.

"Because, they're not very good at studying, and there's nothing in particular they want to do..."

"I understand, because I feel the same way..."

Yuihama slumped her shoulders in disappointment. Isshiki said to her curled-up body, "Right~", and then looked up at Yukinoshita as if he suddenly remembered something.

"Ah, but Yukinoshita-senpai seems more like the hardworking type."

Being called out without warning, Yukinoshita blinked hard in surprise.

"I……"

She probably didn't expect the topic to suddenly turn to her, and was momentarily speechless. Her slightly parted lips seemed to want to say something, but she immediately closed them again.

She lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes drawing an arc in the air, and her hair cascading down the back of her neck. I stole a glance at the back of her neck, and the glimpse of fair skin peeking through her hair made me instantly forget to breathe.

Yukinoshita's hand, which was elegantly resting on her skirt, moved slightly, her fingertips gradually tightening around her.

"Who knows? Although I used to think so... now, I don't know."

She looked up, a slightly shy smile on her face.

"I think so too~ After all, it's still a long way off."

Yi Se Yi Pai answered easily, but no one echoed her words.

It was probably because neither Yuihama nor I were listening to her.

After all, Yukinoshita's answer was somewhat unexpected.

Indeed, very few high school students can give a clear answer regarding their future life plans.

However, we all naturally assumed that Yukino must be seriously considering her future. Although this might just be a fantasy we've imposed on Yukino, a certain indescribable sense of unease still lingers in my heart.

I propped my cheek up and glanced sideways at the snow. She noticed my gaze and looked over with a puzzled expression.

I gently shook my head at her questioning gaze, indicating that "nothing is wrong." Yukinoshita nodded in agreement.

...Even Yukinoshita is only a second-year high school student, so it's not surprising that she can't make a decision about her future. It's understandable that she wouldn't give a clear answer because she hasn't figured out her future path yet.

Having reached this conclusion, and after overcoming my initial awkwardness, I shifted my gaze directly in front of me. As it turned out, my eyes met those of a wooden figure standing with his arms crossed, muttering to himself.

"Then, what is Hachiman's goal?"

"Huh? Me?"

"Asking someone like an autistic man is pointless..."

Yui looked at me with a cold gaze, and I nodded in agreement.

"Well, basically he's a stay-at-home dad."

"It was a wasted question after all..."

"You should really look up what 'basic' means..."

Yuihama lowered her head and sighed deeply, while Yukinoshita closed her eyes and pressed her temples. Just then, Isshiki patted my shoulder from behind. I turned around and saw her with sparkling eyes, as if she wanted to whisper something, putting her hand to her mouth and leaning close to my ear.

"Senior, I recommend you become an editor! Editor!"

"No way, I absolutely won't work, I'd rather die than be employed."

To avoid the faint scent of her perfume and her ticklish breath, I could only turn to the side to answer.

"Becoming an editor isn't easy. Although starting to work hard now might change the outcome."

"If I don't drink it, do I have to start working hard for several years from now...? This is so painful..."

The lumber stand groaned "NO~" in a low voice, held its head and groaned for a while, then suddenly widened its eyes, straightened its back and shouted loudly.

"...Being a light novel writer is definitely the best! Light novel writers are number one! Let's go, Hachiman, we don't have time to slack off here! Let's get started on our new work!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Cai Muzu ran towards the main gate of the community office. He suddenly stopped as he passed the gate, turned around and looked at me.

"Hachiman~ Hurry up, hurry up!"

The way the woodcutter was jumping and waving at me made him look like an unpleasant and suspicious person no matter how you looked at him. But inexplicably, seeing how happy he was, I couldn't help but smile.

"Why don't you go with him?"

"yes."

Yukinoshita and Yuihama said with wry smiles.

"...That's true, after all, it's a case I'm in charge of."

I used that sentence to give up on myself, and then got up from my seat.

On the other hand, Iroha was clicking away on the keyboard, seemingly looking up something.

"Creating a free information magazine seems pretty easy~"

You really don't care about the timber pedestal at all...

× × ×

Looking out from the window, there was a vast expanse of clear blue sky, without a single cloud. Strangely, this clear sky didn't bring any warmth; instead, it gave one a chill. Or perhaps, it was simply due to the completely silent environment of the library.

The library was silent after school; there was no one else there except us. There should have been a few librarians behind the counter, but they didn't seem to be coming out.

The man sitting diagonally in front of me, who had just been frantically writing in his notebook with a mechanical pencil, suddenly stopped.

Perhaps his fighting spirit had been completely exhausted, or perhaps he had racked his brains and started to space out, when he inadvertently spoke:

"Hmm, being a light novel writer is definitely not a good idea... I can't marry a voice actor either."

"No, if you insist on marrying a voice actor, most professions will be out of the question... including editing."

"Really? Not even light novel authors, not even editors..."

"Whoosh—" After pondering for a while, the wood-carrying stool suddenly had a gleam in its eyes and stood up from its seat with a strange sound.

"I understand! In that case, this is the era of anime directors! I swear on my life, I will become a great director! (Note 17 is from *SHIROBAKO*, where donuts are a recurring element throughout the series. The voice actor for the character 'Kinoshita Seiichi' is the same as Zaimokuza.)"