Laid-Back Life in Tokyo: I Really Didn't Want to Work Hard-Chapter 795 - 473: Editor Morisaki and the Light Novel_2

Chapter 795: Chapter 473: Editor Morisaki and the Light Novel_2

"Hello," Uesugi Sakura replied.

Editor Morisaki sat down: "Mr. Uesugi looks so young, may I ask what your current occupation is?"

"University student."

"May I ask... where are you studying, Mr. Uesugi? Ah, sorry, I’m not trying to intrude on your privacy, just wanting to know for easier future contact."

Sakura Uesugi paused to think and then said, "Tokyo University."

He initially wanted to say he was enrolled at Tokyo University but studying at Tokyo Art University, but it seemed too complicated to explain, so he just went with Tokyo University.

"Tokyo University? I see," Morisaki Taiichi said with mild surprise, turning around and pulling out a stack of documents from his bag, handing it to him, "I read your novel yesterday, Mr. Uesugi. I made some notes at night on areas that could be suitably revised and added. Please have a look."

He even went to the trouble of editing it?

Sakura Uesugi was surprised that this editor was so diligent, as other publishers hadn’t even replied to the submissions he’d sent.

Morisaki Taiichi handed the manuscript to Sakura Uesugi and patiently waited.

Uesugi Sakura carefully read through it. There weren’t many edits; instead, there were thoughtful explanations, respecting his original intent while enhancing the detail in the story’s conflict and character expressions to a certain extent.

After a long while, Uesugi Sakura put down the manuscript and sighed.

"What do you think, Mr. Uesugi?"

"I think it’s great, a lot of things I hadn’t noticed." Uesugi Sakura couldn’t help but admire the editor’s expertise after reading the annotated version.

These are areas that someone without any industry experience wouldn’t notice.

The transitions between the plots formed perfect hooks, making the reading experience smooth and pleasant.

"Since you’ve seen the strengths, Mr. Uesugi, I’ll now tell you about the current shortcomings of the novel."

Sakura Uesugi saw Morisaki Editor’s earnest expression and listened attentively. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"First, your beginning is excellent, from the protagonist’s dismay, to the childhood friend’s rescue and unintentionally revealing their own dream, to the protagonist regaining hope in life with their help.

"The protagonist is very grateful to this childhood friend, rekindling his life, but just as everything is improving, tragedy strikes, with the childhood friend and mother passing away suddenly, causing the protagonist to fall again, even more desolate than before...

"Such intense plot twists will deeply immerse readers, who will want to see how the protagonist uses the inheritance from the childhood friend to fulfill their last wishes.

"Until this point, the story is fine, but while the male protagonist is escaping Tokyo, you need to build some connections for him, like meeting new friends, new characters... With these elements, the protagonist isn’t living solely for the childhood friend’s last wish but is also caught in a struggle with friendship and reality... At the same time, through the protagonist’s friends, you can bring out more events that either positively or negatively impact the protagonist group or affect the female protagonist Hanabi Chiwa’s fate, all needing to be established early on."

Uesugi Sakura listened very carefully.

Morisaki Taiichi looked at him and said, "Second, I suggest adding a female lead."

"Add one?"

"Yes, add one. This female lead doesn’t need obvious emotions, can have a good relationship with the first female lead, and most importantly, can continue to aid the protagonist in many professional endeavors, whom the protagonist can also like."

"The purpose of this character?"

"Entanglements of emotions, choices, conflicts over the female lead’s fate, these are complex emotions that can become intriguing articles, which keep readers on edge. Having these makes them care more deeply and fear losing when they come to love this character."

Uesugi Sakura listened to these words and remained silent for a moment—is this the level of professional editing?

Morisaki Taiichi’s face turned expressionless: "Mr. Uesugi, I know your aim is not the usual light novel. Though rare, novels that emphasize emotional choices, with protagonists struggling between reality and love, instead of selling cuteness or settings do exist and have many successful cases... Since you are a student of Tokyo University with high cultural literacy, I believe you can depict this emotion, and I hope you consider it seriously."

...

As they waited, time in the coffee shop seemed to stand still.

Uesugi Sakura let out a light sigh, glanced subconsciously at the manuscript paper by his side, and said to Editor Morisaki in front of him: "Thank you, Morisaki-san. Your words have been very enlightening, but my main goal in writing this work is to express the male protagonist’s love for the female protagonist."

Morisaki Taiichi nodded: "I know. Is it the setting around the second female lead that makes it hard for you to accept?"

"Yes."

Morisaki Taiichi put away the serious expression he had as an editor and said with a smile: "There’s no need to worry, Mr. Uesugi. The protagonist’s love for the female lead Hanabi Chiwa is singular, but for the second female lead, it’s another kind of emotion, isn’t it?"

Another kind of emotion... Uesugi Sakura seemed to understand something and continued to listen intently.

"Mr. Uesugi, love is an emotion, and at the same time, it’s a feeling that can be misunderstood, like sympathy, respect, admiration, adoration—these emotions might be misconstrued as love. You just need to handle the emotions skillfully, and in the end, have the male protagonist suddenly realize who he truly loves... Of course, such cliché plots could be slightly changed by adding more turns, making not just a misunderstanding but a necessary real choice... Overall, just surrounding and deepening the male protagonist’s love for the female lead is fine."

"How exactly should I implement this?" Uesugi Sakura proactively inquired.

Editor Morisaki began using his years of experience to help Uesugi Sakura come up with some plot developments.

The conversation lasted for three hours before the meeting finally came to an end.

The coffee was left untouched, chilled on the side.

Editor Morisaki stood up, extended a hand: "Though you’re a newcomer, Mr. Uesugi, I understand you possess a great talent for creation."

Uesugi Sakura stood up as well and shook his hand, "I’ve gained a lot, thank you to Editor Morisaki for appreciating a newcomer like me."

"Haha, let’s end it here for today. Whenever you have revised the manuscript, you can contact me anytime. I’ll review it several times, and if it’s suitable, without the need for further revisions, we’ll arrange for immediate printing and publication."

"Thank you, sorry for the trouble today."

After exchanging pleasantries, today’s novel submission was smoothly concluded.

Upon stepping out of the coffee shop, Uesugi Sakura boarded the train to go home.

Thinking of the lack of groceries at home, Uesugi Sakura went to the supermarket, buying some ingredients for cooking from Hanabi and some instant meals for breakfast.

Sigh, ever since losing Hanabi’s breakfast, Uesugi Sakura felt as if there was a piece missing in his life.

Thinking of her, his heart filled with warmth.

At the checkout counter, the supermarket bill came to 2352 yen.

He once told her that she was the companion sun of his life, its only source.

Uesugi Sakura suddenly remembered that the cover of light novels, besides illustrations of girls, also had strange series of slogans. Why not write this sentence in? Hanabi-chan would surely understand when she saw it.

Given her easily moved nature, seeing how much she’s loved, wouldn’t her favorability skyrocket?

Looking upwards at the cerulean sky of the afternoon, with the sun hiding beneath the white clouds, Uesugi Sakura thought to himself:

Hanabi, oh Hanabi, the love for you will never change.

I have always been seeking the sweet love between us.

And am willing to give everything for it, every effort.