My Tokyo Celebrity Girlfriend Is Love-Struck, What Should I Do? - Chapter 50

Not in Vain

Clatter, clatter, clatter…

Inside the activity room of the Photography Department at Kiyomi Art University.

Kimura sat in front of the computer, editing the novel document for “Even if This Love Disappears from the World Tonight.”

Initially, when he was writing the script, he had modified a version of the novel at Asuka’s request to see the complete storyline. 

However, if he wanted to submit it to a publishing house, the manuscript needed some further adjustments.

Fortunately, with the foundation from before, there wasn’t much to modify. Just a few additions and deletions were needed.

Kimura scanned the text on the screen, his fingers swiftly moving across the keyboard.

In addition to the basic novel text, a synopsis was required.

After hesitating for a moment, Kimura slowly typed the novel’s synopsis at the beginning of the document.

【Once, my life was colorless and transparent until I met Hino Maori.】

【I was forced by my classmates to confess to her with false feelings. I thought she would reject me, but unexpectedly, she made three requests and accepted my confession.】

【…】

【”I’m sick. I have a condition called ‘Anterograde Amnesia.’ I wake up every day and forget everything that happened the day before.”】

【…However, this unexpected journey came to an end suddenly…】

After entering the last few characters, Kimura stopped his actions.

His fingers scrolled the mouse wheel, examining the manuscript that was about to be submitted to the publishing house.

Whether it was because of multiple rejections from publishing houses in the past or the world’s indifference to pure love themes, Kimura always felt a hint of uneasiness.

He feared that the publishing house would ruthlessly reject this manuscript, as if the world were indifferent to pure love stories.

After a while, confirming that the manuscript was in order, Kimura copied half of the content into a new document.

Submitting to a publishing house doesn’t require the entire manuscript; only a portion is needed. 

Although large publishing houses like Hane Company don’t have issues with content absorption, Kimura’s past experiences made him choose the most secure approach.

“Next… I just need a suitable pen name.”

Kimura relaxed in his chair, gently rubbing the mouse with his fingertips.

After a moment of contemplation, he sat up straight.

His fingers landed on the keyboard, entering the pen name he had used before.

… Kojo Ryuuto.

Looking at the neatly organized document, Kimura stood up and opened the photography department’s printer.

After learning that the photography department’s printing expenses were reimbursed by the school, Kimura decisively placed all the files in the photography department for printing.

After all, the head of the photography department was Koike Koichi.

In his eyes, not properly utilizing such a good resource was like committing a crime.

Opening the printer, confirming an adequate amount of paper, Kimura pressed the print button on the computer.

Soon, the sound of the printer working, “ka-chunk, ka-chunk,” echoed in the room.

While the printer was running, Kimura picked up his phone.

Opening Hane Company’s official website, he checked the journals and books available for submission in the near future.

For newcomers like Kimura, who haven’t won any awards, even if they submit to a publishing house, it’s challenging to publish a tankobon. (1)

The best option is to choose one of Hane Company’s journals and submit the manuscript to the corresponding editorial department.

This way, the probability of the manuscript being accepted is higher.

These are conclusions Kimura arrived at after being rejected multiple times before.

His fingers slid across the screen as various journals under Hane Company flashed before his eyes.

“Wow… there are so many.”

Kimura furrowed his brows slightly, looking at the various journals under Hane Company.

As one of the largest publishers in the country, Hane Company manages journals in various categories, including manga, novels, and pure literature.

Under different categories, there are also annual, monthly, and weekly journals…

Kimura reached up, touching his neck and inspecting it carefully.

Finally, his gaze landed on a weekly magazine under Hane Company’s pure literature division – “Light Objects.”

“Light Objects?” This journal rang a bell for him.

There was a time when Kimura helped deliver books to customers at the bookstore. Many customers subscribed to a journal called “Light Objects,” which was said to be relatively famous among the country’s pure literature magazines.

After a brief contemplation, Kimura made up his mind.

He decided to submit “Even if This Love Disappears from the World Tonight” to “Light Objects.”

“Hey? Kimura-senpai?”

From the direction of the activity room entrance, Koike Koichi’s surprised voice echoed.

Kimura looked up and saw Koike Koichi entering the room, carrying a backpack.

“Koike-kouhai.”

“Kimura-senpai… Aren’t you supposed to attend the offline screening of T-Station’s microfilm tonight? Why are you still here now?”

Koike Koichi walked to the long table, placing his backpack on an empty chair.

“Oh, I can’t make it to the offline screening, so I came to the photography department to do something else.”

“Can’t make it? Did something happen?” Koike Koichi scratched his head.

He had heard about the T-Station offline microfilm screening from his sister.

It seemed like every senior who wanted to participate in the T-Station film festival competition unit would go to the scene to gain experience.

He distinctly remembered that Kimura-senpai had mentioned submitting his graduation work to the T-Station film festival competition unit.

“The ticket got damaged by me, so I can’t go,” Kimura said helplessly.

“What?!” Koike Koichi widened his eyes, “Such an important thing, and Kimura-senpai actually managed to damage it?”

“Yeah… so I can’t participate.”

Kimura turned around, checking the printing progress of the printer behind him.

“Aren’t there any extra tickets? How about I ask my sister for another one?” Koike Koichi was stunned for a moment but quickly suggested.

At a critical moment, he could still think of helping himself ask Koike Yui for a ticket.

Truly a trusted right-hand man he personally brought into the crew.

Not in vain…

Kimura felt inexplicably pleased.

“Let it be; Yui-nee already mentioned before that the other tickets were given to other film students from the directorial department who wanted to participate in the T-Station film festival competition unit… There shouldn’t be any extra tickets. Let’s not bother her,” Kimura replied.

“…I see.” Koike Koichi expressed disappointment.

The printer finished its job.

Kimura reached out and took out the printed manuscript.

He tapped on the table, arranging all the papers neatly.

“Kimura-senpai, are you…” Koike Koichi noticed the documents in Kimura’s hand.

“A novel,” Kimura raised the manuscript, as if worried Koike Koichiwouldn’t understand. He added, “It’s the novel version of ‘Even if This Love Disappears from the World Tonight.’ I plan to submit it to Hane Company.”

“Are you going to publish it?” Koike Koichiasked in shock.

“Yeah. Consider it an early promotion for the work,” Kimura replied.

TL Notes:

1. 1. A tankobon (単行本) is a term used in the manga industry to refer to a complete volume or book of a manga series. It is a compiled edition that typically includes a certain number of chapters or episodes from a serialized manga series.