Multi-Anime, Kira Yoshikage Desires a Peaceful Life

Although this behavior was essentially a leak, Kagurazaka Ayame didn't care.

If she was already meeting with the author in private, why would she worry about such trivial matters?

Kagurazaka Ayame thought for a moment, then explained:

"Among this year's Bunko Grand Prize entries, there are four works with the best chance of competing for the top award."

"Due to confidentiality rules, I can't directly tell you their names, Shimazaki-sensei."

"However..."

Kagurazaka Ayame paused, a smile playing on her lips:

"I've arranged to meet the other three authors here. They might be willing to tell you themselves."

"Three?"

Shimazaki Yuna murmured softly.

Kagurazaka Ayame thought she was feeling discouraged and was about to offer comfort.

But instead, she saw the girl lower her head, fiddle with her phone, and then suddenly turn the screen toward her, asking:

"Is it this one?"

"Huh?"

Kagurazaka Ayame glanced at the girl's phone, then at the contacts on her own.

Staring at the identical avatar and username, Kagurazaka Ayame froze on the spot.

"You're also The Last Gentleman of the Joestar Family?"

Kagurazaka Ayame's tone was laced with disbelief.

"Mm."

Shimazaki Yuna silently switched to another account and held the screen up to Kagurazaka Ayame again.

"'Fifteen, want to be a yangko star' is also you?"

Kagurazaka Ayame's expression went blank as she couldn't help asking:

"The last one isn't you too, is it?"

She had only invited four people in total, and now three of them were the same person...

Shimazaki Yuna put down her phone and gently shook her head:

"No, I only have these three accounts."

Not?

Kagurazaka Ayame felt no disappointment at all. Instead, she perked up, brimming with excitement.

Even if this one wasn't, that still meant three of her books were in the running!

Each of those three works had the potential to win the Grand Prize.

Even if the Grand Prize could only go to two at most, that would still be two Grand Prizes and one Gold Prize!

And over the past two years, the total number of works she had signed that made it to the finals was only three.

In other words, once she signed Shimazaki Yuna, her performance this year would surpass the sum of the previous several years!

That would give her a chance to become the lead editor at Dengeki Bunko, and in turn, secure more resources.

Only with enough resources could she attract more authors to sign with her.

It was a virtuous cycle.

Of course, that all hinged on successfully signing Shimazaki Yuna.

Thinking this, Kagurazaka Ayame couldn't help but feel curious:

"Why does Shimazaki-sensei use three different pen names?"

Not just three different pen names, but three different email addresses and three different LINE accounts.

Was it really necessary to go through all that trouble?

"I don't know either."

Shimazaki Yuna muttered inwardly, then pulled out the excuse she had prepared:

"I don't want to be too famous."

This was also the reason Kira-kun had her submit these three light novels.

"Don't want to be too famous?"

Kagurazaka Ayame took a sip of the cocktail Kira Yoshikage had handed her, a glint flickering in her eyes.

True.

For one author to have three works simultaneously win the Grand Prize and Gold Prize would indeed make them extremely famous. The upside would be a surge in sales, as fans of each book would buy the other two because of the shared author.

For most authors, this was a dream come true.

Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many authors insisting on using the same pen name.

Frequently changing pen names is something only those failing authors do.

Although Shimazaki Yuna said she didn't want to be too famous, the very fact she could say that meant she had enough confidence that her works would win awards, as if she already knew these three books would definitely take the Grand Prize and Gold Prize!

On the surface, she seemed like a gentle, obedient literary glasses girl, but deep down, was she actually this proud?

Still, that didn't matter.

With the quality of these three works, even without the pen name's backing, they were sure to sell big.

So today, no matter what, she had to secure Shimazaki Yuna!

For her performance, and for her future!

Kagurazaka Ayame stared intently at Shimazaki Yuna:

"Shimazaki-sensei, would you like to sign under me?"

"Huh?"

Kagurazaka Ayame took a light sip of her cocktail and tempted her:

"Shimazaki-sensei, do you know Fantasy Demon Blade Legend? Senju Murasama-sensei is one of my authors!"

"If you sign under me, you'll have the chance to exchange writing experience with Senju Murasama-sensei!"

The girl's violet-like eyes lit up slightly, her tone hopeful:

"Really?"

"Of course!"

Kagurazaka Ayame's lips curled slightly as she smiled:

"Is Shimazaki-sensei also a fan of Senju Murasama-sensei's books?"

Shimazaki Yuna nodded excitedly:

"Yeah, I've drawn some fan art for Senju Murasama-sensei's Fantasy Demon Blade Legend before."

"Fan art?"

Kagurazaka Ayame paused, surprised:

"Shimazaki-sensei can draw too?"

As she spoke, Kagurazaka Ayame seemed to recall something and blurted out:

"Speaking of which, there's an illustrator on YouTube named Shimazaki Setsuna..."

"That's me."

Shimazaki Yuna's eyes dimmed slightly.

"..."

Seeing the girl's expression, Kagurazaka Ayame remembered the online abuse and rumors about 'Shimazaki Setsuna's plagiarism' and quickly changed the subject, deliberately complaining:

"That other teacher still hasn't shown up. No sense of punctuality at all."

"Huh?"

Shimazaki Yuna was indeed distracted, her gaze cautiously shifting to the inner side of the bar.

"Shimazaki-sensei, did you want to say something?"

Kagurazaka Ayame noticed the girl seemed hesitant and asked with a smile.

Just then, a calm male voice came from the other side of the bar:

"Is it possible that it's not that I have no sense of time, but that you never once looked my way?"

Kagurazaka Ayame instinctively turned to the bartender wiping glasses at the inner counter and hesitated:

"Are you '17-sensei'?"

"If you mean '17, Afraid Campus Isn't Violent Enough,' then yes, that's me."

"Ah..."

Kagurazaka Ayame's expression turned awkward. Had she just been badmouthing him behind his back right in front of him?

"Sorry."

Kagurazaka Ayame didn't make excuses. She clasped her hands together and said sincerely:

"It's my fault. '17-sensei,' what can I do to earn your forgiveness?"

Other editors might find apologizing embarrassing, but Kagurazaka Ayame didn't care.

Compared to losing face, she was far more afraid of losing these two authors who were sure to make it to the finals!

"In that case."

Kira Yoshikage pondered for two seconds, then spoke:

"How about you agree to one condition of mine?"

"What conditions?"

Kagurazaka Ayame hesitated, then spoke cautiously: "As long as it's not too excessive, there shouldn't be a problem."

"Simple. I want you to guarantee that Infinite Stratos wins the Silver Prize."

"No problem!"

Kagurazaka Ayame breathed a sigh of relief: "Not just the Silver Prize—I can help you secure at least a Gold Prize!"

"No."

Kira Yoshikage shook his head, emphasizing: "I only want the Silver Prize. Even an Encouragement Prize would do! I don't want to be famous."

"Eh?"

Kagurazaka Ayame blinked, looking from Kira Yoshikage to Shimazaki Yuna.

So.

Both of you are authors with prize-winning prose—one doesn't like fame yet wrote three prize-level light novels.

And the other, also not wanting fame, only wants at most the Silver Prize?

"Actually."

Kagurazaka Ayame considered her words: "Light novel authors aren't idols; they don't need to show their faces. Even if the book is famous, as long as you don't disclose your information, the author's life won't be disturbed."

"The Silver Prize is enough."

Kira Yoshikage remained unmoved.