Chapter 17

Standing by the window, the man who was mocked as the "window seat editor," Okaya Masahiko.

After he left, the editorial department... what happened to it?

"Hey, what do you mean by that! Kiso-kawa!"

Editor-in-Chief Jūnikan Toshie, at her desk, reprimanded the editor, Kiso-kawa.

"S-Sorry... I dropped the manuscript... it won't make the August issue."

"Again! This is the fifth time... all the August issues are delayed, aren't they!?"

TAKANAWA Books publishes about five or six light novels each month.

All the books scheduled for next month have been dropped.

"What are you doing!?"

"I-I heard that the illustrator I commissioned was not feeling well..."

Kiso-kawa stammered.

"According to you... why didn't you confirm!?"

"W-Well... because, you know? They're getting paid professionals, so if they don't deliver on time, it's their fault, right...?"

A vein popped on Jūnikan's forehead.

"Managing the schedules of creators is also part of an editor's job, isn't it!?"

Bang...!

Kiso-kawa was intimidated.

"S-Sorry... But, you know! If we just move the release to next month, it'll be fine, right? Right?"

"It's not that simple! The schedules have already been sent to the distributors and printers! Who do you think will apologize to them!?"

"Eh, ah... um..."

Sigh... Jūnikan sighed.

She hadn't slept properly for several days.

Things at work had gone completely wrong.

All the August issues of the light novels were delayed.

Only one (Kamimatsu's new work [Dedicate My Heart to You]) was published as scheduled in July.

(Are we really a bunch of incompetent people in the editorial department...?)

Everything went wrong after Okaya left.

From talking to the other editors, it became clear that he had been handling all the small, detailed tasks.

For example, with illustrators, Okaya would check on their progress in detail and adjust to ensure they didn't fall behind schedule.

With writers, Okaya would hold frequent meetings, provide mental care, and manage the schedule to produce books.

He also covered for other editors who were slacking off or missing things.

...This realization came when only one light novel was published in July.

"...That's enough, get back to your work."

"S-Sorry... Are you mad, Toshie?"

Kiso-kawa said, looking like he was about to cry.

Seeing his face, she couldn't bring herself to be angry anymore.

"...It's fine. Try harder next time."

"Thanks, Toshie! ...I'm looking forward to tonight, okay?"

Kiso-kawa whispered.

"B-Baka... We're at work. We can talk about personal stuff later..."

Jūnikan blushed as she said this.

"Toshie, I love you."

After Kiso-kawa returned to his desk, she sighed deeply.

"..."

Jūnikan realized how low the level of the entire editorial department was after Okaya left.

But among them, Kiso-kawa was the worst.

His communication was poor, and he always had trouble with illustrators and other departments.

...And he hid these troubles.

For the shallow reason that he didn't want to be scolded.

But Jūnikan couldn't remove Kiso-kawa from the team.

Because they were already in a romantic relationship.

"It can't be helped, I have to cover for my subordinates' mistakes..."

Jūnikan reached for the phone.

After a few rings, the other party answered.

"Kaida here."

It was a woman's voice.

"Thank you for your help. I am Jūnikan Toshie, the editor-in-chief of TAKANAWA Books. Is Kaida Ruria, or Ruriko, at home?"

"What business do you have with Miss Ruriko?"

"I came to apologize for the rudeness of my subordinate the other day."

The other day, the final volume of the popular series [Senmushi] was published.

When they requested a new series, Ruria declined.

Kiso-kawa went to apologize in person afterward, but was turned down.

...He reported this fact to her quite late, actually this morning.

"I'm very sorry, but Miss Ruriko is out... Wait... President?"

"Kazekawa, give me the phone."

Another voice came from the other end of the line.

"Are you Jūnikan Toshie, the editor of TAKANAWA Books?"

It was an old man's voice.

"Y-Yes... that's right. Excuse me, but who is this?"

"I am Ruriko's guardian."

"I see... I apologize for the rudeness."

Kaida Ruria, whose real name is Kaida Ruriko, is only 18 years old.

It's not a problem that she lives with her guardian.

...The problem is that Jūnikan Toshie didn't know that Ruriko's guardian is Kaida Kōgen...

...One of the most influential figures in Japan.

"This time, we have been very rude to Miss Ruriko, and I apologize deeply."

"Indeed. Bursting into her home and scaring her. Was that your order?"

"N-No... it was my subordinate's decision."

"I see. So, if the subordinate is incompetent, the boss is also incompetent, right?"

...Why does this "ordinary person" have to be mocked so much?

"So, what do you want?"

"I was wondering if Miss Ruriko could write for us again."

"Refused. Ruriko is already writing books with Okaya."

"Okaya...? You mean Okaya Masahiko?"

"Yes. ...Oh, I see. You're the incompetent editor who fired Okaya."

...Why does this person on the phone know that I fired Okaya?

"Both Ruriko and I are very grateful to Okaya. If he were still at TAKANAWA, Ruriko would have continued writing. But... you fired him, didn't you? Then it's impossible."

Losing Kaida Ruria would be a significant blow.

Currently, TAKANAWA Books is at the top of the light novel industry.

This is because they have three genius light novel authors under their label.

The industry's top author, Kamimatsu.

The veteran author of Arts Magic Online (AMO), Shiraba Ōji.

And... Kaida Ruria.

Especially Ruria, who debuted three years ago and has achieved results close to Shiraba, is a promising newcomer.

Losing Ruria would be a significant blow to the label.

"We have many excellent editors besides Okaya! If Kiso-kawa doesn't suit you, we can assign someone else, please!"

"Hmph. There are no editors in your label who can be used, including you. Kamimatsu and Sakuhei have already moved to other labels."

Kamimatsu, the deputy editor-in-chief, and the young hope, editor Sakuhei, recently left the editorial department to start a new label, [SR Bunko].

...Why does Ruriko's guardian know this?

"I don't want my grandson's wonderful works to be made into books by scum like you."

"W-What! You...!"

After being mocked so much, Jūnikan Toshie finally raised her voice.

"Who do you think you are...!"

"...Me? I am Kaida Kōgen."

"Huh...?"

Kaida Kōgen. No one in Japan doesn't know this name.

The president of the Kaida Group, which has a significant influence on politics and economics.

"Eh...? Why...?"

"To put it simply, Kaida Ruria and Ruriko are my granddaughters."

"Wh-What...!? T-Then...?"

"...How dare you fire the love of my granddaughter's life from the label. Remember this, Jūnikan Toshie. I will also consider you a target for punishment."

Click, the phone was hung up.

"No way... Why... is the granddaughter of the Kaida Group a light novel author...?"

Muttering in shock, at that moment...

Ring ring ring!

Suddenly, the phone on her desk rang.

"Y-Yes... TAKANAWA Books editorial department."

"Jūnikan!?"

"Head of the department...?"

The editorial department Jūnikan belongs to is one of the departments in the publishing division.

The head of the department is, in other words, Jūnikan's superior.

"What's the matter, Head of the department?"

"Idiot! What are you doing!?"

"Wh-What... what do you mean?"

"Kamimatsu has announced his transfer!"

"W-What!? Mr. Kamimatsu!?"

Kamimatsu.

The top author in the industry and the author of the super popular series [Digital Masters], the backbone of the label.

"Not just Mr. Kamimatsu! The other authors too! Shiraba Ōji and Kurohime Erio! They're also transferring their publishing rights to other labels!"

"Such...!"

If Kamimatsu, Shiraba, and others leave, TAKANAWA Books will collapse.

"And why now! The president of TAKANAWA, [Nakatsugawa], has been exposed for a scandal!"

"W-What!?"

So shocked, Jūnikan froze.

The president of the company she works for has been arrested.

If that happens, the label, and the company, will go bankrupt...

Why is misfortune happening one after another?

Indeed... there is something that comes to mind.

Just a little while ago, she had angered the president of the Kaida Group.

But... can misfortune continue like this just 30 seconds after hanging up the phone...?

"Rumor has it that the Kaida Group is involved. They are one of our major investors."

"Such...!"

Jūnikan trembled.

So, because I angered the president of the Kaida Group...

The label, the company... will go bankrupt.

People will eventually realize that the cause is me.

When that happens, Jūnikan will bear the brunt of the employees' resentment.

"A... Ah..."

Thud... Jūnikan dropped the phone.

I've done something terrible...

Jūnikan curled up and trembled.

The company will go bankrupt. Of course, the editor-in-chief will be fired.

What about re-employment? With the president of the Kaida Group against me, it's impossible...

So...

"Hey, Toshie. It's time to go... What's wrong?"

Kiso-kawa called out with a carefree face.

"It's your fault..."

"Huh?"

"Ultimately, it's all your fault...!"

Jūnikan stood up, grabbed the nearest phone, and hit Kiso-kawa.

"Ow...!"

She kicked him as he fell.

"It's your fault! It's all your fault!"

"What? What is it...!"

Kiso-kawa, pitifully crying, but Jūnikan didn't stop kicking.

"Damn...!"