bdsm-fiction Page 55
Page 55
"Itsuka-sensei!" came Machida Sonoko's excited voice from the other end of the phone.
"What's got you so agitated?"
"It's more than just excitement!"
"Teacher Wuhe, can you guess how many pre-orders the special edition of 'Farming King' Volume 2 reached after Saturday's live stream?"
"How many?"
"100,000 copies! And that's just pre-orders! It's already broken our library's all-time pre-order record for new authors!"
"The editor-in-chief just finished a meeting and decided to print an additional batch for you!"
“Really? That’s great (Part 2) (Part 1)! III Ryuko Izumi.” Yuto Itsuka’s lips unconsciously curled up.
It's truly something to be happy about when so many people like your work.
"Not only that! The editorial department has decided to apply for and approve a special activity fund for your creative team. You can use this money to travel, gather material, or do whatever you want, as long as you can guarantee the quality of the upcoming third volume!"
Yuto Itsuka paused for a moment, holding his phone. He glanced back at the three girls still arguing in the clubroom and suddenly realized how coincidental this good thing had come.
……
Volume 1: Chapter 70: The Plan! A Summer Trip to Izu!
Yuto Itsuki hung up the phone, walked back to the clubroom, and wore a mysterious smile on his face.
Inside the classroom, Eriri and Kasumigaoka Utaha were exchanging intense glances, while Kato Megumi sat quietly in her seat.
"Ahem." Itsuka Yuto coughed lightly, successfully attracting the attention of the three girls.
"Editor Machida just called," he announced slowly.
"What did she say?" Eriri asked anxiously, fearing that something had gone wrong at work.
“She said—” Yuto Itsuka drawled, “To celebrate the great success of the pre-sale of the second volume of ‘Farming King,’ Shinazugawa Bunko has decided to provide full funding for our summer activities.”
"Funding?" Eriri's eyes lit up instantly.
"Full price?" Kasumigaoka Utaha also showed an interested expression.
“That’s right.” Itsuka Yuto nodded. “In other words, accommodation, transportation, and meals are all included, as long as we can produce ‘source material results’ that satisfy the editorial department.”
Yuto Itsuka had planned ahead for Volume 3, and the funding this time was practically free.
"Since it's the library's requirement, there's nothing I can do about it." Eriri pouted. "I'll just have to sacrifice my precious vacation for work."
"This guy changes his tune so fast," Yuto Itsuka thought to himself.
Kasumigaoka Utaha elegantly picked up her teacup and took a sip. "It seems my suggestion was quite farsighted. Sawamura-kun should also learn to listen to other people's opinions more often."
"Mind your own business! I'm doing this for Yuuto... no, for work!" Eriri retorted, her face flushed.
"Alright, alright," Yuto Itsuka stepped in to smooth things over. "Since everyone agrees, let's discuss where we should go for a summer camp now?"
“I recommend going to Izu,” Kasumigaoka suggested, setting down her teacup.
"You've read 'The Dancing Girl of Izu,' right? We can go to Mount Amagi, walk through the old Amagi Tunnel, and go to a hot spring inn. While soaking in the hot springs, we can brainstorm new stories. This is an excellent way to inspire a writer."
"Going to a hot spring during summer vacation? You really dare to say that!" Eriri immediately exclaimed in disgust.
"Oh, it seems Sawamura-kun has a different suggestion?"
"Okinawa, of course! Sunshine, beaches, and the sea—that's what summer should be like! I can draw lots of beautiful backgrounds and collect swimsuit inspiration, which is the most valuable source of material for an illustrator!"
"Sawamura-kun's vision is still stuck on this kind of superficial glamour," Kasumigaoka Utaha commented bluntly.
"What truly touches people's hearts is the profound heritage that is embedded in history and culture."
"Then let's go to the other side of the sea. That's where the real cultural heritage lies," thought Yuto Itsuka.
“That’s what you call outdated thinking!” Eriri retorted, not to be outdone. “Readers have discerning eyes. They want to see pretty and cute girls and trendy scenes, not some dark tunnel.”
This is true.
Yuto Itsuka looked at Megumi Kato, who had been silent all along, and asked, "Kato-san, what are your thoughts?"
The girl whose name was called thought for a moment, then said seriously, "Izu and Okinawa are both good. However, Izu is closer to Tokyo, making transportation more convenient and the cost relatively lower."
"Regarding Okinawa, even though the library reimburses expenses, shouldn't we still consider the efficiency issue?"
“Kato-kun is right. Our training camp is mainly for research and relaxation, so we don’t need it to be too long. Three to four days would be more suitable. If we go to Okinawa, the travel time alone will take up a lot of time,” Yuto Itsuka said.
“And…” Yuto Itsuka changed the subject and looked at Eriri, “Izu is not only about mountains and tunnels, but also about beautiful seas. The Izu Highlands have Mount Omuro, which overlooks the entire coastline. The eastern Izu coastline also has many places suitable for sketching. It should meet your requirements, Eriri.”
"Well... alright then, since you've put it that way, I'll reluctantly agree to go to Izu." Eriri finally gave in.
“Then, we’ll settle on Izu. We’ll discuss the specific itinerary and accommodations this weekend. Everyone can go back and do some research to see if there’s anywhere you’d like to go,” Yuto Itsuka decided.
"Hmph, I'm too lazy to look it up." Eriri said this, but she had already secretly taken out her phone and started searching for the keywords "Izu, coast, sketching".
Kasumigaoka Utaha picked up her teacup again, a victor's smile on her lips.
……
After leaving the club activity room, Yuto Itsuka boarded the train home.
"Kasumi Shiko: It seems that reconciling conflicts is an essential skill for bestselling authors."
"Who's more handsome than me? I think I should apply for the Nobel Peace Prize."
Kasumi Shiko: Oh my, that prize money is much higher than the paperback's operating budget!
Kasumi Shiko: I'm really looking forward to this trip.
"Kasumi Shiko: Together with Itsuka-kun."
Upon seeing the last sentence, Yuto Itsuka paused for a moment.
One of the three greatest illusions in life—she likes me.
Before he could reply, another message popped up; it was from Eriri.
"Eriri: Hey! You idiot Yuto! If you dare let that woman decide Izu's schedule, I'll... never draw illustrations for you again! (Dolphin spitting water.jpg)"
"Eriri: Shall we discuss this together?"
"Who's more handsome than me: Eriri, just tell me where you want to go."
Arrive at the station, get off the train, and head to the nearby supermarket.
The cashier at the checkout counter had changed. He remembered that at this time before, he always saw a male student working part-time, but now it was a young woman who looked to be around twenty-five years old.
Eriri: ...Okay.
Yuto Itsuka first went to the deli section to take a look. The most popular pork patties and chicken skewers were no longer available, but there were some oden, daikon radish, chikuwa, kelp rolls, etc...
He didn't really like this food; he felt it was a bit bland compared to the spicy hot pot in China.
When he arrived near a row of freezers, since it was still early, the staff hadn't put discount tags on the bento boxes yet, so he just glanced at them and moved on.
Although he can afford to stop eating discounted lunch boxes now that he has financial means, he has also developed the habit of planning his spending.
Why should I buy the full-price bento box when there's a discount?
That's what he thought.
Walking to the shelf area, he planned to buy some curry and seasonings to take home.
Flavored fermented black beans, spicy diced vegetables, chicken oil chili sauce, steamed fish soy sauce... emmm, are these Japanese seasonings? Where are my shirade sauce and shichimi togarashi powder?
I glanced at the prices, and they were all around 400 yen.
Okay.
Yuto Itsuki took two bottles of fermented black beans.
Then I took a few more boxes of Indian curry.
That's right, he's always thought Indian curry tastes better than Japanese curry.
After that, I went to the snack section to stock up on some more food, and bought some Coke to put in the refrigerator. That concluded my shopping trip for the day.
……
……
[P.S.: Recommending a friend's book]
Uma Musume Pretty Derby, Shall We Sprint Tonight?
Volume 1: Chapter 71: The Promise! Saturday Swimsuit Trip!
Yuto Itsuka created a new group and then added Eriri, Utaha Kasumigaoka, and Megumi Kato to it.
The group name is: Shinazugawa Bunko First Summer Research Trip Group.
And he was the first to send a message in the group.
"Who's more handsome than me: Everyone, in order to improve efficiency and ensure the smooth running of this training camp, let's discuss and decide on the detailed itinerary for Izu together here. Please feel free to speak your mind, and I will put together a final plan."
Less than ten seconds after the message from Yueyi was sent, there was a buzz in the group chat.
"Kasumi Shiko: Itsuka-kun is very thoughtful."
Eriri: !!!
"Kasumi: I did a little research and found that there are seven waterfalls in Kawazu Nanataki in Izu. The scenery is beautiful, and it's the route that the protagonist of 'The Dancing Girl of Izu' took. We can stay at a hot spring inn there for one night."
"Eriri: Huh? Hiking to see waterfalls in this heat? Did you feed your brain all that energy down there? If you're going to go anywhere, go to Shirahama Beach! Don't you know what a swimsuit is? That's where you should be getting your summer clothes!"
"I understand, I understand," Yuto Itsuka nodded to himself.
He also quite approved of Eriri's plan.
"Kasumi Shiko: Sawamura-kun's thinking really can only stay at such a shallow level. Do you really expect the heroines in Itsuka-kun's novels to just run around on the beach in swimsuits?"
"Eriri: What do you know, you scheming, sharp-tongued woman! Yuto's novels aren't your kind of gloomy love stories!"
Kasumi Shiko: Ah, to presume to portray someone else's child as a gloomy love story, that's not something to be easily forgiven.
Just as Itsuka Yuto was about to steer the conversation back on track, the last member of the four-person group chimed in.
"Passerby Girl: Um... I checked the map. If we stay in Ito City on the first day, we can go to Shirahama Beach first, and then go to Mt. Omuro to take the cable car in the afternoon. On the second day, we can head south to Kawazu Nanataki and stay at a hot spring inn that night. This way, we can visit both places, and the route is quite suitable."
Kato! My Superman!
"Kasumi Shiko: ...Kato-senpai's suggestion is very reasonable."
Eriri: ...It's not that it's impossible.
Yuto Itsuka looked at his phone screen and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Kato, you single-handedly resolved a war without bloodshed. You are truly terrifying.
"Who's more handsome than me? Well then, as Kato said, I'll book the hotels and transportation. If there's anything else you'd like to do or want to go somewhere else, feel free to suggest it."
"Xia Shizi: I want to go see the Old Tiancheng Tunnel."
"Eriri: I want to eat seafood paella!"
"Girl on the street: I want to try the wasabi ice cream over there."
Akuta... As expected of you, Kato.
The topic finally turned to a harmonious discussion, and Yuto Itsuka watched their discussion while taking the heated bento box out of the microwave.
He suddenly realized that this wasn't so bad.
They may bicker and argue, but they are ultimately moving towards the same goal, surrounded by companions with diverse personalities, and there is a worthwhile career to strive for.
He now feels that he may not be alone anymore.
He picked up his phone and sent a message to Megumi Kato alone.
"Who's more handsome than me? Kato-kun, thank you so much, you've been a huge help."
"Random girl: You're welcome, Itsuka-kun (cat nods.jpg)"
Yuto Itsuka smiled, turned off the screen, and started eating his bento.
Curry pork chop rice is truly the best in the world.
……