Chapter 97 97 If You're Not Ruthless, You Won't Stand Firm. Good People Don't Get Good Rewards.
Yuji looked at Hakuto. "Don't be too confident. I've looked into Kasumigaoka Utaha. Her light novel 'Love Metronome' is quite good. It's sold 500,000 copies."
Hakuto smiled at Yuji.
"Don't worry. I'm confident. You'll just have to wait and see. But I appreciate the sentiment. However, you should seriously consider the matter with Kirishima. As your friend, Kirishima is definitely the most suitable woman for you!"
Hakuto's persuasion made Yuji smile helplessly. Then he looked at Hakuto helplessly. "Shouko is wonderful. I admit that too. But Hakuto, you should understand that feelings can't be forced."
Hakuto thought of the mess with his past self and Eriri.
"Fine. But if Kirishima falls for another man later, don't regret it."
"Don't worry. If Shouko really falls for someone else, I will only wish her well and not have any other thoughts!"
Hearing this answer, what else could Hakuto say?
[Yuji is hopeless. Really. He won't listen to advice about a girl like Kirishima. He won't listen. When Kirishima falls for another man later, I wonder if this guy will regret it!]
[Tch. A guy who doesn't know how lucky he is. It really makes me jealous!]
[Whatever. I've advised him as much as I could. Since Yuji won't listen, there's nothing I can do. It's just a pity that Kirishima's deep feelings are feeding the dogs.]
[Never mind him. I'd better consider my own situation. Although I'm confident I can win, what if something unexpected happens? And although the quality of '5cm/s' and 'Slime' is solid, there's still a gap catching up to Utaha, who has already sold 500,000 copies. To be safe, I might need to pad my sales a bit.]
[Although the method might not be glorious, so what? History is always written by the victors. And I will be the victor. The bet with Kasumigaoka Utaha doesn't say I can't pad my sales, right? If she can, let her pad her own sales.]
[If you're not ruthless, you won't stand firm. Good people don't get good rewards. So, for your enemies, you must use all means to attack them!]
Putting away the diary he had recorded, Hakuto looked at Natsuki, who had walked into the classroom.
Hakuto felt that Natsuki's gaze seemed a bit off when she looked at him. It seemed like... a headache?
After the day's classes ended, Hakuto went to the student council with Utaha to modify the contract. Then, watching Utaha leave, Hakuto took out his phone and called Chris.
"Byakuya-sensei, is there something you need?"
"Editor Yamada, I want to know when my two light novels will be released."
Utaha said she would release hers at the same time as Hakuto. So Hakuto needed to know when his light novels would be released.
"The release date will be in three months. We have already started our promotional plans. In three months, the effect will be maximized. Releasing the light novels then will be most appropriate."
Hakuto raised an eyebrow, then said, "Kasumi Utako just came to me and made a bet, betting on the sales of her final volume of 'Love Metronome' against mine. I hope Editor Yamada can do his utmost to help promote my work."
"Of course. Our imprint also highly regards your works, Byakuya-sensei. Please rest assured. Our imprint will do its utmost to help promote Byakuya-sensei's work!"
"Heh, then I'll trouble you. Oh, right. I've already written 'Slime' up to the sixth volume. I will send volumes two through six to your email, Editor Yamada. Please take a look, and if there are no problems, help me publish them."
Chris's eyes widened, not expecting Hakuto to have already written up to the sixth volume.
"Yes, I understand. However, Byakuya-sensei, please pay attention to the storyline!"
"I understand that. Editor Yamada can take a look first. If the quality is fine, then set a release date. If there are problems, Editor Yamada can contact me directly, and I'll consider rewriting them."
Chris breathed a sigh of relief.
"Alright. Then, Byakuya-sensei, please send the content of volumes two through six to my email."
Before Hakuto could put away his phone after ending the call, the phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, then answered the call.
Not long after, the corner of his mouth gradually curled up.
[Aki Tomoya. I haven't even figured out how to mess with you yet, and you take the initiative to deliver yourself to my door. Ha. Should I say that heaven is helping me?]
…
Let's go back about ten minutes.
After school, Tomoya went directly to find Kazuo.
Although Tomoya had joined Akane's circle, he wasn't stupid. He knew he had been able to join because of that game proposal.
So Tomoya planned to buy off Kazuo, making him completely forget about that proposal.
Kazuo naturally couldn't decide this matter himself. So he used an excuse to call Hakuto and ask for his instructions.
Hakuto thought for a moment, then made his decision.
"Take all of Aki Tomoya's money. I believe you know how to do it."
A flicker of amusement appeared in Hakuto's eyes.
'Aki Tomoya. Heh. He's digging his own grave and running right into my line of fire. Wouldn't I be doing myself a disservice if I ignored him?'
Having received Hakuto's orders, Kazuo didn't hesitate. He immediately started making arrangements.
"Aki Tomoya, it's okay that you don't want us to spread this around. But you understand, right? Hush money."
Aki Tomoya hesitated, then nodded. "I can give you one hundred thousand as hush money!"
Aki Tomoya thought giving one hundred thousand as hush money was enough!
After selling the proposal for twenty million, paying back Utaha and his debt to Kazuo, Tomoya had over ten million left.
Tomoya hadn't spent this over ten million recklessly like before. He had saved it, so taking out one hundred thousand now wasn't a problem.