Laid-Back Life in Tokyo: I Really Didn't Want to Work Hard-Chapter 801 - 476: Light Novels, Visiting Family_2

Chapter 801: Chapter 476: Light Novels, Visiting Family_2

This is definitely just polite talk, although there’s indeed that layer of meaning in it, Uesugi Sakura primarily wants to write about Hanabi.

Editor Morisaki flipped through the manuscript papers, paused at a scene, thought for a moment, and pointed to a section saying:

"Hmm, this part is well written. The male and female protagonists meet, while the female protagonist also helps the second female lead with the male protagonist. Their relationship is expressed, showing the male protagonist’s unimaginable desire for the grand identity of the second female lead, and indirectly adding a sense of closeness for the female protagonist of equal status...

"How do you plan to develop the story next?"

Uesugi Sakura thought for a moment and said, "Even though the second female lead has a high status and cultural knowledge, there are some things she can’t accomplish alone outside and needs the male protagonist’s help."

Editor Morisaki immediately chimed in, "No problem, but you also need to write about the friendship between the female protagonists and the second female lead. Only when friendship and love conflict will the emotions explode intensely."

"The departed childhood friend’s entrustment to the male protagonist is currently the main storyline. As you complete this goal, you should arrange more obstacles to make things appear less smooth but secretly carry directions to resolve them."

Editor Morisaki continued to meticulously review the manuscript.

Uesugi Sakura waited patiently by the side.

"..."

More than ten minutes passed.

Editor Morisaki closed the manuscript papers, looked at Uesugi Sakura sitting opposite: "Sorry for the wait, I’ll go back and review it more carefully, make some changes, and then email it to you. If you feel okay, you can submit it for official publication."

Uesugi Sakura nodded: "Okay."

He hadn’t realized it could be this easy to get published.

"Oh, by the way," Editor Morisaki, who had just stood up, seemed to suddenly remember something and sat back down, "Have you contacted an illustrator yet?"

"Yes." Uesugi Sakura replied.

"Character designs, cover, illustrations, about ten in total. If you use an acquaintance illustrator, you’ll have to pay out of pocket."

"Is there a difference?"

"If you have no connections in this area, we’ll help you find a professional illustrator to create character concept art according to your requirements, and then further refine the cover and illustrations...

"This way, our publishing house will advance part of the cost since it’s included in the contract. But if you find one on your own, it’s not covered by our partner illustrators and isn’t within the effective range of the contract, so you’ll naturally need to pay the full amount out of pocket."

"I see." Uesugi Sakura nodded.

"Mr. Uesugi, this is your first light novel. I recommend choosing a good illustrator, preferably someone with certain fame and a fan base, so regardless of whether you’re a new writer, there will be people buying your work for the illustrator, and with sales, it won’t be easily canceled."

"If you have financial difficulties, you might consider illustrators with whom our publishing house currently collaborates. Of course, the decision is still up to you, Mr. Uesugi, and you can contact me anytime if you have thoughts."

Uesugi Sakura: "..."

From Editor Morisaki’s earnest expression, it seemed as if his novel was destined to be canceled...

It’s said that the light novel competition is particularly fierce.

Even if it passes the editor’s test, if sales are poor upon publication, it’s decisively canceled after the first volume is issued.

"Mr. Morisaki, may I ask, if sales don’t meet the standard, is the novel immediately canceled?"

"Yes." Editor Morisaki said bluntly, if not sincerely, "I hope Mr. Uesugi prepares for this in advance, as the success of a light novel largely depends on luck."

Alright then.

This is the harshness of the industry.

No writer wants their painstaking work to be neglected, seeing the living characters and beloved roles being snuffed out before they can gain traction.

That... would be too disheartening.

Uesugi Sakura even envisioned light novel authors sitting in dark corners, clutching their canceled novels and sobbing.

In their minds, they wonder why they couldn’t compete with those trashy novels with xxx settings, complaining while losing confidence in themselves.

Sigh, it’s just a part of life.

...

Uesugi Sakura took the train back home from Kadokawa Bunko.

When he arrived downstairs, he suddenly saw his father-in-law’s Toyota Crown parked.

His father-in-law came?

He hurriedly took the elevator upstairs and returned home.

He unlocked the door with his key and changed into his shoes at the entrance. Suddenly, he saw a little one crawling towards him.

"Sister!"

To prevent this little one from crawling into the entrance, Uesugi Sakura grabbed Hanamaru Hanami by the scruff and said, "Hey, how many times have I told you, it’s brother, you can call me brother-in-law too."

He put on his slippers and returned to the room, carrying Hanamaru Hanami who almost crawled out of the door.

This little one giggled in his arms and tugged at his ears.

"Hey, hey, it hurts."

In the living room, two mothers and two little girls were seated together.

Without paying close attention, Uesugi Sakura might not have realized there were four sisters.

He returned the mischievous Hanamaru Hanami to his mother-in-law’s arms, and his own sister Uesugi Shin climbed over to ask for a hug.

"Mom, aunt, why are you here?"

Mrs. Uesugi: "We were bored, so we thought we’d drop by and have a look. We called Hanabi, and she said you were home, so we decided to come over."

Mrs. Hanamaru shook her head: "You have no idea, Sakura, taking care of these four little ones is exhausting."

Uesugi Sakura glanced at Aei and Chiaei on the sofa, "It’s not too bad, they should all be quite well-behaved."

Aei was currently lying on her sister’s lap, head facing down, her fine hair touching the floor. She saw Uesugi Sakura upside down, reached out her hand, and lazily called him, "Brother’s back."

"Yes."

He hadn’t seen the two of them much lately.

It wasn’t that Uesugi Sakura didn’t want to take Aei and Chiaei to live with them, but since custody had been transferred, they had to stay with the legal guardian, with government officials conducting periodic checks.

If they weren’t up to standard, then there’s nothing to be said, and custody would be directly revoked.

Mrs. Uesugi: "Sakura, what were you doing while you were out?"

"Ah, I started a new job." Uesugi Sakura sat down beside Chiaei. Aei, who was lying on her, got up, stepped onto his lap, and pointed to the tangerine on the table.

Mrs. Uesugi: "Weren’t you working at the coffee shop? Did you lose that job and find another one?"

"No, this is a part-time gig, so it doesn’t affect my time much." Uesugi Sakura picked up the tangerine, peeled half of it, and fed it to Aei, then peeled a little more to Chiaei’s mouth; the little girl was a bit shy, playfully refusing, but eventually ate the tangerine he offered.

Aei: "Ah! Sister, you’re so sly!"

"?"

Chiaei seemed a little confused.

Uesugi Sakura quickly peeled two more slices and fed them into Aei’s mouth as she sat duck-like on his lap, silencing her.

His finger accidentally touched her hair, surprised at how smooth it was.

Mrs. Hanamaru: "What kind of job is it?"

"Writing novels."

Mrs. Uesugi appeared curious: "Light novels?"

"..."

Uesugi Sakura hesitated for a second; Aei’s little mouth bit down on the tangerine slice along with his finger.

Seeing his mother’s expression, why does it seem a bit expectant?

Perhaps noticing Uesugi Sakura’s puzzlement, Mrs. Hanamaru laughed and explained: "Your mom recently developed a liking for these."

"What?!"

Uesugi Sakura found it hard to believe; could his mother, already in her thirties or forties, really be into this?