The lonely Hikigaya Hachiman wants to become the king of mystery novels

Hikigaya Hachiman asked suddenly curiously.

"Uh... Actually, no, Mr. Hachiman. For magazines like those that specialize in serializing comics drawn by Kashiwagi-sensei, the royalties are actually the same as normal magazines, maybe even lower. I guess Kashiwagi-sensei's main source of income is self-publishing , print the single volume and sell it directly at CM’s booth, and you can earn much more than serializing it in a magazine.”

Sakamachi Kinjiro explained with some embarrassment that in fact, he knew so clearly about these things simply because he had a wide range of interests. He had a wife after all and had stopped reading such comics for a long time.

During the next time on the road, two successful men, Hikigaya Hachiman and Sakamachi Konjiro, chatted for a long time in the car about the Kotose manga industry.After ending the call, Hikigaya Hachiman couldn't help but lament the long history and magnificent development process of this industry in Japan.

The car came to a villa area, where Spencer's house was located.Eiri and her mother, Ms. Sayuri Sawamura, had come to the door early and were waiting.

"Teacher Hachiman, I'm going to trouble you today. It's the first time that Eiriri signed a contract with a comic magazine by herself. It's time for me, Eri Kashiwagi's Kagemusha, to retire, hahaha."

Sawamura Sayuri patted the head of Eiri, who was already so shy that she was about to boil, with a smile on her face.

"Mom! Stop saying these things in front of Mr. Hachiman! It's so embarrassing!"

Eiri covered her face with her hands, not wanting Hachiman to see her extremely shy expression.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Sawamura. We are accompanied by a very good lawyer. He will help review all the details of the contract to ensure that Sawamura-san will never suffer a loss."

Hikigaya Hachiman has informed Yagami Takayuki in advance that he will sign the contract today.Normally speaking, signing a manga serialization contract is different from signing a publishing contract. There is no need to ask the giant Buddha of Yagami Lawyer to help.But after all, today is the first time that Eiri is real, so Hachiman still takes it very seriously.

"Teacher Hachiman, I feel relieved when you say that. Eiri is still a child, and my husband and I have always protected her very well. This is the first step for Eiri to get out of the ivory tower, and she will get rid of Teacher Hachiman in the future." You should give her more guidance and help her avoid detours."

Ms. Sayuri Sawamura said solemnly, her tone no longer as relaxed as before.

In the past, Yingli only had to concentrate on creating, and her father and mother would help with everything other than painting.However, starting from today, Eiri will appear in the public eye as an official cartoonist, and many things must be done by herself.Thinking of this, Sayuri Sawamura felt a little worried about her daughter's future. Only when she thought that Teacher Hachiman would be Eiri's guide, she could get some comfort in her heart.

"Sawamura-san and I are the same age, so we can't really talk about giving advice. We will make progress together."

Hikigaya Hachiman said humbly.

"Mom, I have a very clear understanding of what I am about to face. Please keep your eyes open in the coming days and wait to see the day when your daughter will kill everyone in the comics industry!"

Yinglili said with confidence.

"Okay, very energetic. But you have to practice writing your own scripts first. After all, Mr. Hachiman can't always provide you with materials."

Mrs. Sawamura inadvertently fired a critical hit, directly sinking Eiri, who now only knows how to draw pornographic plots.

Chapter 138 The first cooperation with Kodansha

The signing of the manga serialization contract between Hikigaya Hachiman and Sawamura Eri with Kodansha went very smoothly, especially Sawamura-san. She was very satisfied that she could get the royalties of [-] yen per page. In her heart The expected price was only about [-] yen per page.

"You deserve this, Teacher Eri Kashiwagi. You must know that your name is still very influential in the comics industry. The attention your name can bring is well worth the price we offer." . And after we read the first draft of the first episode you brought us, we have strengthened our confidence."

The editor of "Weekly Young Magazine" who was responsible for signing the contract explained to Eri Sawamura.A very realistic situation is that the fame of an author is valuable in itself. Authors who have become famous can get a much higher starting price than ordinary authors. Otherwise, the magazine will not directly offer Hachiman [-] days. It’s a sky-high price of [-] yuan per page.

"Well, although I'm very happy, I still feel a little embarrassed when I think about the source of the popularity of the name Eri Kashiwagi."

Yinglili signed her name on the contract with a blushing face.

"Nowadays, it is a general trend for comics authors to come ashore, and this industry will only become more and more popular. Believe me, Mr. Eri Kashiwagi, you entered the industry at the right time. Our "Weekly Young Magazine" is definitely the leader of the same type of comics magazine."

The editor lady encouraged Eri Sawamura.

Just like serialization in any other magazine, when a cartoonist is serializing, the publishing house must arrange an editor to answer the author's questions and urge updates.As a result, Yinglili got her first official editor in her career as a cartoonist.

"By the way, Ms. Editor, does the magazine have a general plan for the date when the serialization of "Jukakukan Incident" will begin?"

Hikigaya Hachiman asked.He was very concerned about this matter. After all, his original idea was to take advantage of the popularity of "The Clock Museum Incident" and serialize "The Jukkaokan Incident" to ride on his own wave of popularity.

"The magazine has already discussed it at the last serialization meeting. Since there is no serialization slot available yet, it is initially estimated that the first chapter will only be serialized in two weeks, that is, August [-]rd. Please understand, Hachiman-sensei.”

The magazine "Weekly Young Magazine" also understands how terrible the popularity of "The Clock Hall Incident" is right now, and they are even more anxious than Hachiman to make "Jukkakukan Incident" catch up with this wave of popularity.But the serialization of manga magazines is a matter of time and space. If other comics cannot make room, even Hikigaya Hachiman will have to wait for a while.

"August [-]rd? I think it's pretty good. Where's your side, Mr. Kashiwagi?"

Hachiman looked at Eiri Sawamura. The two had agreed before that in business situations, they should try to call her by her pseudonym instead of her real name.

"There's no problem for me. Two weeks is enough for me to roughly draw the second episode. I'm still very confident in my drawing speed."

Yinglili said confidently.

"But Mr. Kashiwagi. No matter how you put it, the pressure of serialization in a weekly magazine is still relatively high. If you need it, you can contact the magazine and we will recruit assistants for you."

Seeing the cartoonist in charge of her being so confident, the editor had a rather ominous premonition.Many authors are like this. Before serialization begins, they feel that they have a lot of room to spare. However, they start to dance on a dead line every week before serializing a few chapters.

"Assistant...is this really necessary?"

"It's better to hire one, Mr. Kashiwagi. You still have a lot of unfinished work on hand right now, right? "The Clock Museum Incident" requires a minimum of [-] drawings and updates every week, which is quite stressful."

Hikigaya Hachiman also advised from the side, he didn’t want Eiriri’s first manga to be stuck every week, which would have a certain impact on her reputation.

"Since you all said so... I will make a careful plan based on my current workload after I go back. If I really need it, I will not be stubborn. By the way, Ms. Editor, if I really want to find an assistant, please be sure Help me contact a girl."

Yinglili added one last sentence.Please forgive her for refusing to work with a man other than Hachiman-sensei.

After signing the contract, Lawyer Yagami Takayuki left first as he still had a lawsuit to fight. Naturally, the remaining people still had to have a dinner party.Hikigaya Hachiman led everyone to the Indian restaurant they had eaten at before. Somehow, he actually missed the taste.

"Teacher Hachiman, your taste is really unique..."

Looking at the indescribable mess that the waiter poured into the bowl in front of him with a large spoon, Assistant Sakamachi couldn't help but complain.

﹝千xun﹞55470755⑤

"Believe me, I've eaten here before, and you will never be disappointed."

Hikigaya Hachiman couldn't wait to put on his napkin and was ready to enjoy the food.

"By the way, Mr. Hachiman, how did you come up with the idea of ​​publishing "The Jukkaukan Incident" as a manga?"

The editor lady asked curiously.

As we all know, Mr. Hachiman's royalty income is an astronomical figure in the industry. Even "The Causes of Disintegration", which is currently the lowest-selling, brought Hachiman at least 7000 million yen in pre-tax income. The remaining novels are nothing. Doubts exceed [-] million.Therefore, if "Jukkaukan Incident" is published as a book, just relying on the gimmick of "prequel to "Clock Hall Incident"", the royalty income will be guaranteed to be [-] million yen.

"Reason? I don't think there is any reason. It's just that I prefer to express this story in the form of comics. It's just out of interest."

Hikigaya Hachiman said calmly, then stuffed a mouthful of paste into his mouth.

Of course, this is just a perfunctory statement.He couldn't say that he didn't think "The Jukkaukan Incident" would receive good reviews as a book. In order not to lower the reputation of the name Hachiman, he might as well just publish it in the form of a comic, right?That is disrespectful to Yinglili and the magazine.Moreover, this script is considered to be good enough in all aspects, it is just not good enough compared to Hikigaya Hachiman's previous works.

"You are so willful, Mr. Hachiman. But I got this advantage, which is also my blessing."

Sawamura Eiri said happily, and then carefully took a mouthful of the paste. After chewing it for a while, she immediately took a second bite.

Chapter 139 Kyoto University: I was obviously the one who came first...

How much has Hikigaya Hachiman's popularity grown in the past few weeks since the publication of "The Clock Museum Incident"?On Saturday morning, the Chiba University Mystery Literature Club posted a notice on the school's large display board that Mr. Hachiman would come to the school to participate in an event next Monday. In the afternoon, the information spread throughout the school, and then to the Internet.

However, most social animal netizens just glanced at this news and no longer cared about it.Isn't it normal for writers to go to school to participate in activities or something like that? It has nothing to do with social animals like them who are already working. After all, there is no way they can spare time to participate in such activities on a Monday like this.

For those college student fans of Hikigaya Hachiman, this news is more exciting, because it sends a signal: Mr. Hachiman can go to Chiba University to participate in activities today, and he can also go to other universities in the future.So they were all full of expectations. Only some students from one school had a relatively strong reaction to this matter, and that was Kyoto University's Mystery Fiction Research Club.

"No!!! Why did Mr. Hachiman choose Chiba University as the first stop for his speech? How is our Kyoto University inferior to Chiba University?"

After seeing the news, a member of the Research Society let out a desperate cry.

"Is there a possibility that Mr. Hachiman is originally a native of Chiba? Do you expect a Kanto writer to come all the way to give a lecture in a school in Kansai?"

"This is literature! It has no regional characteristics! It has nothing to do with Kansai and Kanto. I think you should reflect on why the Kyoto University Research Society, as a society with a wide reputation across the country, cannot compare with Chiba University. That society of imitators.”

A community cadre said with some sadness.

After the publication of "The Clock Museum Incident", the Kyoto University Promotion Agency sent emails to Hachiman's mailbox, but nothing happened.But the reason was not that Hachiman looked down on Kyoto University or something like that, but that they did not use a business email to send emails, which resulted in the emails being automatically filtered directly into the recycle bin by Hachiman's work email.

"Come and see! Chiba University will reserve some places for other schools for this event. We can form a group to participate in this event, but we have to say hello to them, otherwise there may not be enough seats. Minister, let's take leave on Monday and go together Chiba, please participate in this event, and you can also find an opportunity to talk to Mr. Hachiman in person, and I hope he can come to our school once."

A member who was reading the notice carefully asked the director of the Research Society for advice.The other members agreed.

"I think it's okay, but I need to tell our instructor that since so many people are asking for leave together, and the distance is relatively long, they still need to report it."

After thinking for a while, the minister agreed to the plan.

----

"...Are all the people in the Kyoto University Research Club crazy? They traveled more than 500 kilometers from Kyoto to come to Chiba University just to participate in a half-day event? And there were 25 people there?"

Fujita Nanako, director of the Mystery Novels Research Department at Chiba University, looked at the email in front of her and said somewhat speechlessly.

"Of course other people's associations can do this. They have enough money to manage their expenses. This trip is completely a public trip. The money spent can be reimbursed directly after returning."

A fourth-year college senior next to Fujita said with a somewhat helpless tone.

"Senior, is this true? Why is it always difficult for our club to apply for funds from the student union and the school? The gap is too big."

"Their money does not come from the school. It comes from donations from writers who came out of the Peking University Promotion Club. You also know that that club has produced many excellent writers. After they become famous, they are very willing to give back to their alma mater. The main thing is to give money. Of course, the threshold for joining the Peking University Promotional Research Club is also very strict. It is not the kind of club that you can join just by applying."

The senior explained.It is difficult for them to catch up with this gap in the short term, so they can only feel envious.

"I see... In fact, we don't envy others at all, so we should do our own things first. Monday's event is a good start. We can invite a writer of the level of Mr. Hachiman. It's our fault It’s a blessing, so we must hold this event well.”

Nanako Fujita responded to the email from the Kyoto University Promotion Association and said that she would leave enough seats for them.

----

"That's amazing, Hikigaya-kun. I didn't expect you to be able to give a lecture at Chiba University now. It's also my alma mater. If I wasn't really unable to get away, I would also like to go and witness your heroic appearance."

Mrs. Yukinoshita said with a smile, her eyes full of maternal love.

At this time, the Yukinoshita family and Hikigaya Hachiman had just finished their dinner, and were now sitting together in front of the table in the main hall.Of course, only Hikigaya still had the right to cross his legs, while everyone else sat upright.

"So Mrs. Yukinoshita, you were also a student of Chiba University. So this school is really related to the Yukinoshita family."

Hikigaya Hachiman said with some surprise.

"Haha, after all, our family's business is rooted in Chiba, so it is normal to study locally. This will also make it easier to get to know more people in Chiba."

"By the way, Hikigaya-kun, you will spend the night at my house tonight, and ask Haruno to drive you directly to the university tomorrow. You can also let her take you around the campus. Chiba University is quite beautiful. "

Mrs. Yukinoshita suggested.

Yang Nao, who was sitting upright, couldn't help but trembled after hearing these words.

From Harano's perspective, her mother was not optimistic about her future relationship with Hachiman. After all, she wanted to inherit the family business, and Hachiman was unlikely to marry into the family.From this point of view, Yukino is the most suitable match for Hachiman.This is also the source of Yangno's confusion.

However, just now, Mrs. Yukinoshita said such purposeful words as "Let Haruno take Hachiman around the campus."This made Yangno couldn't help but start brainstorming. Could it be that her mother didn't object and even supported her and Hachiman being together?

Just as Yono was thinking crazily, Yukinoshita Yukino on the other side stretched out her right hand and pulled the corner of Hikigaya Hachiman's clothes, looking at him with some longing, like a kitten coquettishly showing off to its owner.

"Let Yukino go with you tomorrow. Sobu Gao is on holiday anyway, right?"

Hachiman understood what Yukino meant and suggested to Mrs. Yukinoshita.

"This is a matter for you young people, you can just decide for yourself."

Mrs. Yukinoshita was still smiling gracefully.

Chapter 140 You Are My Wings

Hikigaya Hachiman believed that Chiba University really gave him a good deal of respect for his arrival. When he took Yukinoshita Harano's car and arrived at the gate of Chiba University's Nishi Chiba Campus with Yukino half an hour early, he had already There was a group of people waiting for him.

"Senior, why do you look a little serious?"

Hikigaya Hachiman looked at Yukinoshita Harano who looked a little tense in the driver's seat and asked doubtfully.

"You may not know him, Hikigaya-kun. Most of the people greeting you outside are well-known professors from the school. If I read correctly, the dean of the School of Liberal Arts is also there. After I park the car, let's hurry up Go over there. Yukino, don’t say anything after you get off the car. Wait until Hikigaya-kun introduces you before you speak."

Yukinoshita Yono warned her while skillfully parking the car.

Although Harano comes from a well-known family and has a confident and outgoing personality, she is only a freshman at Chiba University.Facing so many well-known professors and leaders in the university, Yangno could not guarantee that she could handle them appropriately.

You know, Chiba University is Japan's top public university. The professors and leaders in this school are all top academic leaders, and they all have a certain social influence.

"Hello, Teacher Hachiman, I am Makoto Ikawa, dean of the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Chiba University. On behalf of all the teachers and students of the Faculty of Liberal Arts, I welcome you."

When Hikigaya Hachiman approached to greet the crowd, a professor standing at the front took a step forward, stretched out his hands and shook Hikigaya Hachiman's hands with great enthusiasm.

"Hello, Mr. Hachiman, I am Naoki Uchiyama of the Faculty of Education..."

"Hello, Mr. Hachiman, I am Kotani Shingo from the College of Engineering..."

"..."

Hikigaya Hachiman shook hands with these professors one by one, but felt a little strange. If he was to greet him, there would be no need for so many professors and lecturers, and they were from different colleges...

"Isn't this another form of fan meeting..."

Hikigaya Hachiman realized the truth of the scene before him with some helplessness, but he still took the trouble to chat with these professors. After all, one of these people might be his teacher in the future.

"Teacher Hachiman, it's still some time before the event starts. Would you like to visit the Chiba University headquarters? I can be a tour guide."

After finishing the greetings, Dean Makoto Ichikawa smiled and invited.