Chapter 9

"Senior, do you understand Chinese as well?"

At this moment, the senior's face was flushed, her breathing rapid, her body trembling, and her eyes dazed. When Senxia saw her state, she instinctively wanted to step back, but her seat was by the window, and if she took another step back, she would fall.

"Actually, I've been learning it recently. I can understand the content you wrote quite well. I really like this kind of passionate language." The senior completely ignored the gazes of those around her. The younger students, seeing such a bold senior barging into their class, were already speechless.

"Can you tell me about the setting of your story?" The senior looked at Senxia with excitement, a look that reminded Senxia of fans who had just met their idols.

"Are you sure here?" Senxia glanced at the classmates in the classroom. At this moment, everyone had stopped what they were doing and was just watching Senxia and the senior.

"Follow me." The senior also realized this, but there was no trace of embarrassment on her face. She took Senxia's hand and left the classroom.

She continued to hold Senxia's hand, went down the stairs, out of the teaching building, and to the cherry blossom tree in the small garden at the back.

It was spring, the season when cherry blossoms were in full bloom. The senior held Senxia's hand and stopped here.

"Alright, no one will disturb us here," she smiled at Senxia, "Tenchai-kun, I really like your writing. It's filled with a sense of passion."

"Uh, it's okay." Senxia scratched his head. Japan was originally a country of middle school second-year syndrome, so adding such a feeling was just right. He had previously not understood this, which was why he had faced rejections. However, there were some differences in writing techniques between Chinese and Japanese, and it was quite a feat for the senior to recognize his style.

He quietly observed the surroundings. This was a small garden in the school. In Sakano Academy, such places were quite common, but one centered around a cherry blossom tree was unique.

"Tenchai-kun, in your writing, I see a kind of hysteria like in Evangelion, a heart-stirring quality like in Evangelion, and a reflection and cry like in Evangelion..."

Although being compared to Evangelion was quite flattering, why were all the comparisons to Evangelion?

"Tenchai-kun, I agree to your application to join the club. From today, you are a member of the Animic Club!" Before Senxia could react, the senior grabbed his hand and placed it on her chest. She was breathing heavily, her eyes shining.

Indeed, the senior herself was a middle school second-year syndrome patient. Otherwise, a club with such a name would not exist. Moreover, writing in Chinese in Japan was itself a manifestation of middle school second-year syndrome. One could say that Senxia's actions had completely hit the senior's sweet spot...

"But the club needs at least five members, right? Even if I join, it will definitely be dissolved." Senxia still remembered the club rules.

To be honest, Senxia initially wanted to join the literature club. In Sakano High School, there were three literature clubs, but none of them were related to light novels. The literature club studied classical Japanese literature, the Western literature club and the mystery literature club focused on serious literature. So, Senxia settled for a club related to ACG, but in the school, there was only this nearly defunct anime club.

To be honest, what Senxia really wanted to do was not light novels, but 18X games like visual novels.

18X, for men, was such a romantic term!

But unfortunately, he was only 16 years old, and light novels were almost his only means of development.

Although the senior looked very excited, Senxia still had some concerns because of the club's potential demise.

"That doesn't matter. I just think that Tenchi-kun is really amazing. Even if the club is dissolved, it's fine. Let's go to Comiket together! It's my lifelong dream, please!" The senior tightly held Senxia's hand and took a step forward. "Your writing is very moving, and your story is very engaging. Please, join me!"

Comiket, short for Comic Market, is a doujinshi fair. Many doujinshi that have become popular in the 21st century originated from these fairs. For example, if someone downloaded a comic with a prefix like "[C82][Doujinshi][XXXX]," it means the comic came from Comiket 82. Incidentally, the Comiket to be held in a few months is C52, or CM52.

Originally, Senxia planned to try his hand at doujinshi fairs if he could join a large club, but now his plan was to write novels.

"Senior, what exactly do you want to do?" Senxia couldn't help but ask.

A rare blush appeared on Senior Chiyahara's face: "I want to make games. I love animation, comics, and games. But I can't do it alone, so please help me, Tenchi-kun."

The sky was clear blue, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom, and the small garden was empty. The scene of the girl holding the boy's hand felt like a confession.

How strange.

Senxia hesitated: "But I still need to write novels. I want to..."

"If you agree, I can introduce you to a publisher after we succeed!" Senxia was interrupted by the senior before he could finish.

"Eh?!"

"My father, due to his work, knows editors from Kadokawa and Dengeki Bunko. If you help me make a game, I can introduce you to them." The senior smiled, like a fox. "You should know that selling doujinshi at a fair is much easier than getting a book published in a regular bookstore, right?"

In Japan, like in China, connections are very important. The fact that the senior could study at Sakano Academy suggested that her parents were likely upper-middle class, and it was normal for them to know people in the publishing industry.

In Japan, getting a book published is not an easy task. It's not the internet era where anyone can see your book if you put it online. If an editor doesn't like your book and rejects your manuscript, no matter how good your writing or story is, it won't make a difference. This situation is more common in manga, but it also applies to light novels, especially in terms of choosing illustrators and other aspects.

Although Senxia was confident in his story, he wasn't so confident in the publishers.

"Please, let me help you!" What a joke, when it's time to be decisive, be decisive. If there's a shortcut, take it. With money now, he could make 18X games sooner.

18X games are the most interesting!

"So, what kind of story do you want to make?" Since he had agreed, it was time to get down to business.

"To be precise, I don't just want to make a story, but to dedicate myself to this entire industry. For the first story, I don't have any grand ideas. I just hope it's interesting and eye-catching... Oh, something like your 'Earth Defense Boy,' a heartwarming and healing story, would be nice." The senior finally let go of Senxia's hand, picked up his notebook, and waved it.

"Oh, so it's a healing story!" Senxia hit his palm.

With that, it was clearer. So, what kind of game should he make?

Senxia thought of the classic healing game "Saya no Uta," but then he considered that it was only the 90s, and such a story was too early and not suitable.

"So, it should be a game that seems inspiring on the surface but is actually terrifying when you think about it." Senxia understood.

"Senior, if you put it that way, I have a story in mind called 'The Witch's House.' It might work..."

...

You thought the title would be a confession? Too young =.=

This book is a pure healing story. How can it have inappropriate 18X content? You're really too young.

→_→

The artist is working on the character and sister designs.

Come on, give me recommendations and favorites! Let's take down the top of the charts together!

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