Chapter 5: The Battle of the Maidens
I was waiting quietly at home with Arisa and Ryo for the moment to arrive.
It would soon be the release day for MARIA’s paper book and Ryo Takemi’s e-book.
About two months have passed since Ryo moved in and the three of us started cohabiting.
The battle involving the general public is finally about to raise its curtain.
The time is 11:59 PM.
All that’s left is to watch the hands of the clock advance.
There was a sense of fulfillment that we had done everything we could.
That’s exactly why the start of the battle is both frightening and exciting.
And finally, the hour and minute hands overlap—midnight.
The destined battle has begun.
“I-Is my book selling, Kenichi-san!? The release embargo is lifted, right!? Can’t we see it right away on the distributor’s database!?”
Arisa started making a fuss the moment it was released.
“Data isn’t sucked up that quickly. And it’s not like bookstores line up the books exactly at midnight.”
“Then… we have no choice but to check the A&G rankings! It’s slightly against my will, but!”
Arisa browsed the site of A&G, one of Japan’s largest online bookstores, on her laptop.
“Even if you stay glued to the rankings, there are cases where it’s surprisingly disconnected from reality.”
“Guh… isn’t there anything that shows sales trends!? Do we have no choice but to ego-surf on SNS!?”
“It’s tough to ego-surf when you’ve experienced a massive flaming…”
But I understand Arisa’s frustrating feelings. I’m feeling something similar.
In contrast to Arisa, Ryo was intently gazing at her tablet PC.
“Amazing… it’s selling at an amazing pace!”
Ryo, who was selling her e-book herself through a WEB service, could track her sales performance in real-time.
“It sold… again… again, again…! It normally never sells this much!?”
Ryo held the tablet PC with both hands, her eyes wide.
“How cowardly…! Is this a jab at me!?”
“It sold again again again again again!”
“Is it really that amazing?”
“Amazing doesn’t even begin to cover it…! I’ve never seen anything like this…!”
It must truly be considerable.
“I-I’m jealous…! But my book too, once the bookstores open…!”
Due to MARIA and Ryo’s promotional activities, both their books were gathering attention.
Pre-orders for MARIA’s book had also gathered in numbers incomparable to her first work.
There was a premonition that it might become an explosive hit.
Someone’s smartphone vibrated. Was it Arisa’s?
“…Huh? It’s from Grandfather.”
Answering the call, Arisa switched to a video call so we could see the screen too.
“He said to do it like this.”
KIMISAKAYA Bookstore President, Renji Kimisaka, was dressed in a crisp Japanese kimono despite it being the middle of the night.
『Now then, it has begun. To reiterate, this contest will be decided by the amount of money both parties earn based on their content within a one-month period. The amounts will be reported daily to the Competition Committee by a prescribed method.』
We had President Kimisaka serve as the representative of the Competition Committee.
『And if Ryo Takemi wins, KIMISAKAYA Bookstore will invest funds in the new WEB service Toranosuke Takemi is launching. If Arisa wins, I will grant one of Arisa’s wishes using the power of KIMISAKAYA Bookstore.』
Arisa must win, staking her pride as someone who loves bookstores. She cannot allow people to say that paper books and bookstores are finished.
Against her, Ryo’s future idol activities and author activities are riding on this contest.
It is an absolutely unyielding battle for both parties.
『I am looking forward to seeing what you two… and Kenichi-kun will show me.』
I must show the potential of books and bookstores together with Arisa.
That is the true victory in this battle as well.
“Grandfather…”
Arisa muttered, staring at the screen.
“Did you call in the middle of the night just to say that?”
『…W-Well, I thought a signal to start the battle was necessary.』
President Kimisaka seemed to be quite enjoying it too.
“Let’s go, Kenichi-san!”
“It’s too early. It’s only 6 AM, you know? There aren’t many bookstores open…”
“It’s an early morning date.”
“It’s so early it’ll be mistaken for coming home in the morning after staying out.”
Somehow pacifying Arisa, who was highly energized and impatient from the morning, we visited a bookstore we were close with right at their 10 AM opening time.
“You’re here, Hinosaka-san!”
As soon as we entered the store, Store Manager Wakiya in his aloha shirt called out to us.
“Good morning, Store Manager Wakiya.”
“You came to check the sales of the new book together with MARIA-chan today, didn’t you?”
“Hiii, that’s right~. Long time no see~.”
Today’s Arisa had her gal makeup perfectly done and was in MARIA mode.
“Since you said you’d attach store-exclusive bonuses to the places that supported MARIA since her first work again this time, I got fired up~.”
We had reached out to the bookstores that pushed MARIA’s first work, asking them to generously stock and display the book this time as well. This is because there is a high possibility that people who bought the first work will revisit.
“More than anything, being told it’s vs. digital content… I have no choice but to put my back into it!”
The effect of Toranosuke煽ing up the “Paper Book vs. Digital Content” angle had rippled out to bookstores as well.
The bookstores’ motivation to “sell” MARIA’s book was extremely high.
“To build up loyal stores that support MARIA like this… Hinosaka-san, you’re a tactician. I’ve been played right into your hands.”
“I’m not really a tactician.”
I merely did what I could as a distributor.
How many bookstores we can get to push MARIA’s book is also a key to winning the contest.
“So with that said, take a look!”
Honestly, it had caught my eye before he even said it, and MARIA’s eyes were sparkling beside me too.
On the fair display right at the front entrance, in the absolute prime spot, MARIA’s books were stacked flat.
“Actually, since the day before the release date, we’ve had inquiries asking ‘Are you not selling it yet?’. It’s already starting to move today too.”
“Does the initial movement look good?”
“It seems there are many customers coming with the specific purpose of buying MARIA’s book because it’s being released. Must be the fruits of your promotional activities! For a recent book to be picked up by the media that much before its release is unheard of. In that respect, I guess we have Ryo Takemi and her brother Toranosuke Takemi to thank.”
The start doesn’t seem bad. But the battle has only just begun.
“You’re planning something else after this too, right?”
“Yes. Just selling the book… won’t be enough to beat Toranosuke or digital content.”
“Reliable. …Make sure you crush the enemy!”
“No, it’s not a crushing match…”
“Oops, there’s a line at the register, I’ll be right back.”
Even while the store manager ran to the register, a pair of high school girls picked up MARIA’s book.
MARIA was staring at the duo while nodding mm-hmm. Or rather, she was no longer able to hold back and was applauding as she approached them. If she does something like that, naturally…
“…Huh, could it be.”
“…MARIA-chan!?”
“Ah~, did you find out~?”
Of course they’d find out. Sticking her tongue out with a tehe, MARIA looked happy, though.
“Were you guys perhaps just about to buy my book~?”
“Yes! We’ve been looking forward to it since before the release… um, is it okay if we shake hands?”
“Okay~. Don’t you want an autograph? Ah, after you check out at the register, okay. Pictures are okay too~.”
It’s a new style of promoting herself.
“Is that okay? Please take a picture with us!”
“But I have a favor to ask~. When you upload it to SNS, don’t forget the hashtag, #MARIANewBookOnSale~.”
It might lean a bit too heavily towards being greedy, but this is also one sales method.
The fact that MARIA would make guerrilla appearances at stores in Tokyo running MARIA book fairs on the release day had already been spread online.
The thought that “If I go today, I might meet MARIA” would surely be a trigger for many people to visit bookstores.
Furthermore, MARIA checked SNS even while moving to the next bookstore.
[Bought the MARIA book! Gonna read it now!]
[@Let me know what you think after you read it~]
[@I got a direct reply from MARIA-chan!? I’ll report back as soon as I read it!]
She never forgot to enthusiastically reply to purchase reports.
It’s a steady effort, but this kind of activity pays off.
Coupled with the rumor that going to the store meant an impromptu autograph session, “MARIA” even trended in searches for a short while.
MARIA and I continued to visit as many bookstores as possible after this.
The day after the release, despite it being a day off, I went to work and checked the sales performance.
Sales at the storefronts were—in excellent condition.
At this sell-through pace, a reprint would likely be decided very soon.
The contest being held between MARIA and Ryo this time is a battle of author income over a one-month period.
While the actual royalties won’t be transferred to MARIA until after a month from release, the rules stipulate that guaranteed profits can be accounted as income within the month.
Royalties for this MARIA book are paid based on the number of copies printed.
In other words, a large part of MARIA’s income depended on the initial print run plus how many reprint copies were decided upon within this one month.
Because royalties are paid based on printed copies rather than actual sales, in terms of guaranteed income, MARIA would be able to take a complete lead in the early stages.
“MARIA’s new book is doing well, isn’t it~. But… Ryo-rin isn’t losing either!”
Senga, sitting at the next desk, said.
“Whose side are you on anyway?”
“As The Sisters’ big sister, I’m supporting Ryo-rin’s digital content. Fifty percent of me is made of The Sisters’ big sister components.”
“What about the remaining half?”
“A professional gossipper.”
“What happened to your position as a distributor?”
In terms of sales scale, paper books are still larger than e-books.
However, Ryo’s e-book has a different profit margin.
In this case, the sales revenue minus the 10% fee becomes Ryo’s cut.
Selling one copy on the digital content sales site is practically equivalent to the income from nine copies of MARIA’s book.
The power of that single copy is immense.
“Here we go, Ryo-rin’s counterattack broadcast has started!”
“You’re fully on that side, aren’t you.”
On Senga’s PC screen, idol Ryo Takemi was waving with a smile.
『The singing, dancing, and “writing” intellectual idol, Ryo Takemi here! Please treat me well!』
Ryo had kicked off a twelve-hour stream on a video streaming site.
Of course, this was to promote her released e-book.
“I feel like this isn’t something you should be watching at work…”
“What are you saying, monitoring the rival’s movements is a respectable part of the job! Besides, this is a privilege of working on a day off.”
『Please stick with me until the end today. Now then, let me introduce our supporting guests.』
When standing on the main stage, Ryo displays a cool and dignified demeanor.
With a “Hello~,” the number of people on screen suddenly increased.
『We are everyone’s little sisters, The Sisters!』
It seemed the members of The Sisters, the idol group Ryo belongs to, had rushed over to support her.
“Here they are, the full lineup of The Sisters members!”
『All the members of The Sisters read my work. For those who purchase it before the end of this broadcast, we will exclusively release their impressions.』
“All the members’ impressions… I want to see them! I want to see them, Senpai! Will I be able to view them since I already bought it?”
『While purchases of the work are made through “Shop BOX,” this bonus will be a service on “Future Creator System.” The method to obtain the bonus is—』
Future Creator System is the new service Toranosuke is creating.
Because Ryo insisted on fighting with her own power, he is strictly participating as support, but Toranosuke’s wisdom is definitely playing a major role in hyping up Ryo’s side.
『I read it, and it was interesting, wasn’t it.』
『More moving than interesting, maybe?』
『It was surprising that the usually cool Ryo would…』
『Even though I… did selfish things like the cohabitation uproar and caused trouble for everyone…』
『Not at all. After all, you’re just staying at MARIA-chan’s house, right?』
『Besides, The Sisters has always been a free place. It’s an idol group, but it’s a stepping stone to the next stage. Everyone is chasing their own dreams.』
『And amidst all that, Ryo-rin always works hard writing books, yet never slacks off on stage as an idol. I respect you.』
『…Thank you.』
“Wonderful! A veritable storm of moving tears! We can really look forward to everyone’s impressions of this. To think they’d entertain us not just with the work itself, but afterwards as well…!”
The variety of billing models and the breadth of additional content are the strengths of digital content.
『By the way~, since it’s a special broadcast, I’m going to ask: how is MARIA-chan’s fiancé usually? Is he cool?』
『T-That kind of talk doesn’t really matter, does it?』
『Are you trying to dodge the question~?』
『No, not really… …I suppose he is cool. His… inner qualities!』
『Falling for his inner qualities sounds even more serious, doesn’t it? Love theft?』
『No! Please don’t misunderstand, everyone! That’s absolutely not the case!』
“Why is Senpai the only one… getting such sweet treatment… Wait, if that’s the case, if I cohabit with Senpai, I can cohabit with Ryo-rin too…?”
“What kind of logic is that… More importantly, look at this.”
I showed Senga my PC screen.
Epic music played against the backdrop of outer space.
It was like the opening of a blockbuster space opera movie.
Text appeared and disappeared on the screen, followed by the next text with flashy visual effects.
『A battle between two girls, staking the future of “books”—.
Paper or Digital.
In the 15th century, Gutenberg established letterpress printing technology, sparking an information revolution for humanity.
The greatest information revolution since then: the Internet.
The two information revolutions now intersect across eras.
MARIA vs. Ryo Takemi.
The outcome of the battle that will settle the score is—』
“This video series is going viral, isn’t it~. There are even fans of the videos themselves now.”
When things get hyped up on the WEB, the side that has the advantage is Ryo’s, which has a natural pathway that easily leads to purchases.
『The mastermind behind this is Mr. Toranosuke Takemi.』
“Huh, is this a TV program?”
“He’s being featured.”
The TV personality hosting the program in the studio and Toranosuke in his usual T-shirt were shown.
『So these videos are being made in collaboration with creators planning to participate in the new service.』
『That’s right. Creators are paid incentive bonuses based on the number of viewers for the videos. It’s not just getting money once from some ad agency and being done with it; creators can earn compensation corresponding to the evaluation of their final product.』
『That seems like it would lead to creator motivation as well.』
『Drawing out the creators’ true dedication is the biggest merit. The instances where the talent of a single person impacts the world will surely increase from now on.』
Toranosuke looked directly into the camera.
He appealed to me… no, to the world.
『It’s always a single genius who changes the world.』
Partly due to the influence of Ryo’s streams and Toranosuke’s promotional videos, sales of Ryo’s e-book seemed to be doing well.
Of course, MARIA’s sales weren’t losing either.
Word-of-mouth from early buyers had started to emerge for both, creating another wave of excitement.
As the days passed, a particular essay from each of them began to gather attention amidst it all.
“The Me Who Couldn’t Go to School,” included in MARIA’s work.
“The Me Without Talent,” included in Ryo Takemi’s work.
The works, which poured out their unvarnished true feelings, were gaining a reputation for being highly relatable.
“They were actually really good. Kenichi, you drew them out well.”
Kaede Furuoka, who served as the editor for both their works, said so.
“No one is looking for technical perfection. Not from two young girls. Generally speaking, being able to write that much at their age is enough, and their potential is terrifying.”
“I’d like you to convey those thoughts directly to them if possible.”
No way, I want to remain the scary editor, Kaede laughed.
“I wanted to draw out something that only they could write. The raw emotions lying at the bottom of their hearts. They both seemed to be struggling, but that must have been a necessary process for their growth. In the end, they successfully grasped the trigger.”
Even without my help, they probably would have eventually followed the same path. But this time, I was able to lend a hand just a little bit.
“A work imbued with genuine feelings will absolutely pierce someone.”
Glimpses of Kaede’s pride as an editor could be seen there.
“And a work that pierces someone allows others to feel the heat when they see it, which results in it selling.”
“Because it’s so raw… problems are also more likely to occur, huh.”
“Problems? Did something happen?”
“Well, it’s more like we got a complaint…”
I decided I should consult Kaede.
“In this day and age, you’ll get complaints no matter what you write, so you should just ignore them, right? Ah… could it be about the school?”
“You figured it out easily.”
“Well, yeah, no school would be happy having it revealed that their student is truant.”
If she wrote a piece titled “The Me Who Couldn’t Go to School,” naturally people would pry into which school it was and what happened. Because the main subject was strictly MARIA—Arisa’s—feelings, she didn’t write the details of the incident, but that might conversely be fueling people’s imaginations.
“So, there’s a request for Arisa right now…”
I remembered the phone call I received from Koizumi, Arisa’s homeroom teacher.
『—MARIA-san… I read Kimisaka-san’s book! I was deeply moved, and it made me think a lot as a teacher! However… there is a problem.』
Transitioning completely from his joyful and excited demeanor, Koizumi spoke in a dark voice.
『Voices are being raised saying that writing about not being able to go to school affects the school’s reputation…』
“But, that’s the truth.”
『No, I also think it’s self-serving! But considering the feelings of the students attending, we can’t just do nothing…』
“Isn’t it the school’s role to do something about that?”
『A-Anyway, we want to make it look like she has no hard feelings towards the school, but is just too busy to come right now…! So, to prove that in a way that’s easy to understand… how about having her give a lecture at the school—』
“Hmm, that homeroom teacher is pretty awful too. Though it might be the school’s intention.”
“The teacher probably doesn’t have any malicious intent.”
“So, what do you plan to do? Have you told her yet?”
“It seems she was contacted separately as well.”
Arisa had been continuously staring at that email.
“I’m telling her there’s no need to accept it just to save the school’s face, but…”
One week had passed since the books were released.
Today, we were having a strategy meeting at the bookstore where Sumire Suhara works.
“How is the situation? The interim progress on the special site reports that MARIA-chan is in the lead.”
On the special site prepared by Toranosuke, the situation was reported periodically, with the monetary amounts kept hidden.
“MARIA is in the lead.”
As expected, the royalties coming in from the initial print run were large, allowing MARIA to take the lead.
“However, Ryo is in fierce pursuit right behind her.”
On Ryo’s side, in addition to the e-book, they had been dropping related content one after another.
Behind-the-scenes stories, additional essays, the sale of a one-minute music track themed after the work, and furthermore, commentary discussing the work with The Sisters’ members and other guest commentators… and so on.
They were selling these individually piece by piece, of course, but also offering them through plans like an “all-you-can-use for one month” plan. They were fully utilizing the advantages of digital content.
“We have to counter with our own methods over here.”
We barely missed making it in time for the start of the release.
But next week, limited-time pop-up corners for MARIA will open nationwide.
Furthermore, at several bookstores, we are executing large-scale rollouts that could practically be called “MARIA Bookstores.”
The contest has only just begun—or so it was supposed to be.
—Rattle rattle rattle!
In the morning, I was suddenly awakened by a loud noise.
“What happened!?”
I shouted in front of Ryo’s room, where the sound came from.
『Ah… ah… aah…』
I heard a muffled voice. Something must have happened, an emergency without a doubt.
I burst into Ryo’s room.
Arisa, having probably reacted the same as I did, had also opened the dividing fusuma and entered Ryo’s room.
Ryo was slumped on the floor, covering her mouth with both hands and trembling.
Looking at her… there were no major injuries. Nothing had collapsed. Did she fall?
It was morning, and Ryo hadn’t changed clothes yet; the loose T-shirt she wore as pajamas was slipping open, putting her in a precarious state of undress.
“Kenichi-san, don’t stare! If you want to see, I’ll show you my skin!”
“I have no idea what you mean! But there was a loud noise, so…”
Making an excuse, I did an about-face.
“…So, what happened?”
I asked after stepping out of the room.
“Are you okay? Can you speak?”
Arisa was also calling out to her with concern.
“…’Shop BOX’ has… the service I’m streaming on right now has…”
“What happened to Shop BOX?”
“………… The service has been suspended.”
“Eh—”
Upon being told that, I immediately opened my own PC and accessed the site.
However, the usual colorfully decorated page didn’t appear; instead, inorganic black text was displayed on a white background.
『Notice of Service Suspension』
The chilling words conveyed that a major problem had occurred with the Shop BOX site.
—Thank you for your continued patronage of Shop BOX operated by our company.
—We apologize for the sudden notice, but Shop BOX will be suspending its services.
—We deeply apologize for the immense inconvenience this will cause to all our users, and we humbly ask for your understanding.
—Furthermore, regarding currently available products and products already purchased, we will provide guidance at a later date.
—We kindly ask for your patience as you wait for a while.
There were other lengthy explanations, but the only thing clear was that the service was being suspended; other crucial details were completely unknown.
However, reading the text, it didn’t seem like a temporary server glitch.
After a while, starting with internet news, reports in the media began.
When the media went to interview them, the company was an empty shell.
It was reportedly completely unknown whether there would be any relief measures for the service users in the future.
『This kind of service suspension is rare nowadays. Usually, even if a company goes under, they get bought out by another company or something, and the service continues.』
Senga said from the other end of the phone.
『It seems the operating company was quite sketchy~. Apparently, their management was sloppy and they were doing gray-zone things. In the end, they completely abandoned it and skipped town in the middle of the night, you know~.』
Following the internet news, it was also picked up by mass media like television.
People paid money but could no longer use the monthly service. Sales revenues hadn’t been transferred to the sellers. The more they dug, the more problems emerged.
『It’s a lesson to be careful of sketchy WEB services that pop up out of nowhere, but… That’s not the issue here! Is Ryo-rin okay!?』
“Whether she’s okay or not… it’s hard to say.”
『She’s depressed, isn’t she? Being criticized on the net too… even though Ryo-rin didn’t do anything wrong!』
Shop BOX had been thoroughly advertising that Ryo’s digital content would be released on their site.
Ryo, wanting people to buy her work, had also been enthusiastic in promoting Shop BOX.
Because of that, Ryo was seen as the villain who led many people to Shop BOX.
[I bought it but now I can’t read it] [It’s a scam] [Give me my money back]
Slander and defamation directed at Ryo’s personal account were pouring in on SNS as well.
Now that the main service was suspended, the users who purchased the content couldn’t use it either.
[Scam work] [An e-book made just to make money] [She was in cahoots with Shop BOX] [No one should read a work like this]
Even though it was originally unrelated, criticism of Ryo’s work had also begun.
『Please tell her that her big brothers and big sisters nationwide are her allies!』
Promising to absolutely convey Senga’s passionate feelings, I hung up the phone.
“…How was it?”
I called out to Ryo, who was reading Shop BOX’s terms of service and contract in the dining room.
In just this half-day, Ryo was completely exhausted.
“The contract says… I have to leave a three-month gap before publishing the work somewhere else…”
“Does that mean you can’t sell it during the period of our contest anymore…?”
Ryo looked down without answering.
She would probably be able to sell it again in the future.
But the contest with MARIA… was it completely decided?
The color of despair dominated Ryo.
“As expected… I was only ever meant to go this far.”
I couldn’t find any words of comfort.
“Even though I was able to show something different from before… With a bad reputation attached, this work too… will die.”
Ryo wasn’t crying.
“If I had done it at my brother’s place… would something have changed…? No, it would have been the same in the end… No matter what I do… I’m…”
But her figure, unable to even shed tears, was conversely heartbreaking to watch.
Do people lose even their emotions when they are truly in a state of absentmindedness?
“…I’ll end up causing trouble for Kimisaka-san and the others too. The project… is ruined, and—”
“Is this the time to be saying pathetic things!?”
I never expected Arisa, who had come out of her room, to shout like that.
“You are… my rival, aren’t you!? Ryo Takemi!”
Arisa had never acknowledged Ryo as her rival in front of her before.
“If you’re my rival, don’t give up over something like this!”
“You know… you say ‘something like this’, but…”
Arisa’s emotion ignited a fire in Ryo’s heart, which had almost lost hope.
“Are you saying this is worse than my flaming!?”
Arisa fanned the flames to make it burn even brighter.
“I want to do something about it too! I still… don’t want to give up!”
Tears welled up in Ryo’s eyes.
“But I can’t find… a way!”
And finally, the sea of tears broke its banks.
What am I cohabiting for?
At first, it was because I thought she was in trouble. But now, it’s because I know she’s fighting for her dream.
“Ryo. I’ll cooperate too.”
Even without a concrete plan in sight, I voiced my support.
Therefore, when that man came to our house, he seemed just a little bit like the arrival of a hero.
“—Ryo, your big brother has come to help.”
It was the genius, Toranosuke Takemi.
Toranosuke’s moves were truly a masterpiece.
“You can’t say rule-making and regulations are keeping up with the development of IT. There’s a mountain of problems, like what to do when a service is suspended.”
But, Toranosuke continued.
“Logic doesn’t care whether it’s the WEB world or reality.”
Toranosuke turned the display connected to his laptop towards us.
“It’s wrong for innocent people to be bashed. The ones at fault are the guys who ran away, right?”
On the screen, three young men in black suits were bowing their heads.
“Tch, it already started?”
『We deeply apologize for the inconvenience caused. All responsibility lies with us, the management…』
An apology press conference regarding the suspension of Shop BOX services—that’s what the on-screen text said.
“I caught the guys from the operating company and made them hold an apology press conference.”
“Caught them… how did you do that?”
I couldn’t imagine the means to find managers who skipped town in the middle of the night with this kind of speed.
Saying it was a “trade secret,” Toranosuke continued.
“With this, society knows who the real enemy is. Now these management guys will just rightfully take the bashing.”
In truth, the ones at fault in this matter are the operating company.
Now that the true villains have appeared, Ryo probably won’t be bashed anymore.
“Also, I got back the ownership rights to Ryo’s content.”
Toranosuke took a contract out of his bag and placed it on the desk.
“Brother… you got them back…?”
This man is truly so amazing that I don’t even feel like being jealous.
“I went and negotiated today. I asked them nicely, and they agreed to tear it up.”
Setting aside the scary ring of “asked them nicely,” if the rights have returned…
“I could broadcast it on my Future Creator System right this second.”
“Then, is it resolved? That’s great!”
Arisa rejoiced as if it were her own matter.
“However—there is a problem.”
Even though a ray of light should have appeared, Toranosuke’s expression was grim.
“We need to provide relief for the users who have already purchased it. It defies logic to sell the content to new people while the ones who bought it first still can’t read it.”
“That’s… true.”
“It would have been fine if I could have just bought out Shop BOX as is. But, you see, they were trying to sell the service piecemeal to some shady overseas company… Because of that, sorting out the buyer information and implementing relief measures for them is likely to take two weeks.”
“Does that mean… in the end, she almost certainly won’t make it in time…”
For some reason, Arisa sounded tearful instead of Ryo, clinging to Toranosuke.
“Can’t it be done… even just a little faster? If so, then somehow…”
“Of course, I won’t say the probability of a miraculous comeback is zero. I won’t say it, but…”
Toranosuke ground his teeth hard and groaned.
“…Thank you, Kimisaka-san, and Brother too. Even though this is all my own fault…”
“It’s not your fault, Ryo!”
“I was an idiot to be blinded by a sweet contract. I’m just… reaping what I sowed.”
Trying to accept it, but unable to hold back, tears welled up in Ryo’s eyes, and she looked down.
“Damn it!”
Toranosuke punched the floor with all his might.
“What’s the point… of being called a genius or whatever… if I can’t even save my own little sister!”
In that space where everyone’s emotions were swirling, I was strangely calm.
“You’ve recovered the rights, haven’t you?”
Perhaps it was because I believed there was still a possibility.
“Then how about publishing it on paper?”
“On paper? What are you talking about?”
“It’s insincere to ignore the people who already bought it and sell the digital content on another site. But if it were on paper, wouldn’t it still be acceptable as an emergency relief measure?”
“Using another medium temporarily until the digital content can resume… might still garner understanding. …But Kenichi!”
Toranosuke shouted, glaring at me.
“You haven’t forgotten the theme of this contest, have you? It’s Digital vs. Paper, you know?”
“That has nothing to do with an emergency situation.”
“…And you intend to claim victory with that?”
“Winning or losing is a separate matter. I want to think of the best plan for both Ryo and the readers.”
“Sorry to throw cold water on this, but binding it and lining it up in bookstores starting now… will it make it in time?”
Arisa interrupted and asked.
“It’s probably impossible with ordinary methods.”
“Impossible with ordinary methods…? Can’t you do it with your power?”
Toranosuke closed the distance between us aggressively.
“It’s impossible with my power alone.”
“Are you screwing around at a time like this!?”
He grabbed me forcefully by the collar and glared down at me.
“That’s why I’m going to borrow the strength of various people. Various people in the publishing industry.”
“There’s no reason for people in the industry to lend you their strength, is there!? We’re completely picking a fight with them!”
“Don’t you underestimate them!”
I grabbed Toranosuke back by the collar.
“I thought Ryo’s work deserved to be read.”
I saw from the corner of my eye that Ryo lifted her head.
“Acting as an intermediary for books… no, for the author’s feelings, is our job as distributors.”
Glaring straight back at Toranosuke, who was right in front of my nose, I said.
“Staking that pride, I will not let Ryo’s work die.”
“Why go that far—”
“Because I fell in love with it!”
I felt the air in the room freeze for a moment.
“With Ryo’s… work.”
I was deeply moved by the work Ryo created by facing her own lack of talent head-on.
“This writing will reach people who are agonizing over their many possibilities. It moved me too. Reading this… made me realize once again that as a distributor, I have to do what I can.”
Perhaps it resonated particularly with me because I harbor similar feelings.
But if that’s the case, this heat will surely reach people in the world who share the same feelings as me. It should be delivered. It’s a piece of writing with that much power.
After glaring into my eyes for a few seconds, Toranosuke lowered his hand. I lowered my hand as well.
“Not wanting the work to die… is the same for me.”
“Regarding the contest… I am the enemy. Hinosaka-san… should only be Kimisaka-san’s ally…”
Ryo, a cool character who is actually a bit clumsy. Either way, a tearful voice doesn’t suit her.
“But before that, we’re cohabitants, right?”
I tried bringing that up as a reason. Honestly, it’s a bit of a stretch, but.
“Cohabitants are, after all, in the same boat, so I can’t just ignore you when you’re in trouble.”
Ryo smiled for me, even while crying.
“Thank you… very much.”
“…Kenichi-san, just to confirm.”
“Of course, my top priority being Arisa hasn’t changed. You’re my fiancée, after all.”
“Good. You know exactly what words I want to hear.”
I’m glad I got praised instead of scolded.
Having made the declaration, I had to show it in form.
I immediately began preparations.
It’s difficult to turn it into a normal book and put it into circulation in a short period of time.
But I thought it wouldn’t be impossible if it took the form of a special booklet rather than a proper book.
The MARIA pop-up corner project was originally scheduled to start in a week.
I decided to replace the content of the exclusive MARIA booklet planned to be distributed there.
Due to page count limitations, including all of Ryo’s work was impossible, so I included just one piece, “The Me Without Talent.”
Also, I contacted the bookstores, explained that the contents would differ from the prior explanation, and requested that they handle Ryo’s work.
I contacted bookstores nationwide by phone, email, and fax.
“People still use faxes nowadays? What era are you living in?”
I was slightly mocked by Toranosuke, but.
“Don’t underestimate faxes! In the end, paper catches the eye more! It gets the message across!”
Toranosuke gave a half-hearted reaction, saying “Huh…” This is why people working in the IT industry are…
With the cooperation of people in the company, including Section Chief Mizuno and Senga, we contacted the bookstores.
We asked bookstores we were close with to call upon bookstores they knew to cooperate as well.
『Hinosaka-san! I saw the fax requesting rescue! Honestly, I kind of thought “Serves them right” when those guys who got carried away with their new service or whatever failed.』
Store Manager Wakiya of the store I visited with MARIA on the first day of release also contacted me.
“However, please bear with it this time…”
『Well, I’m going to sell Takemi’s booklet anyway!』
“…There was zero need for persuasion, wasn’t there.”
『We have a sense of rivalry against the WEB. But a good work is a good work.』
Being told that by a veteran store manager gave me confidence that I hadn’t made a mistake.
“So you read it properly, didn’t you.”
『Of course. Digital or whatever, a work is a work. A good work should be delivered to the world.』
Our feelings were the same.
One store, then another. Offers of cooperation from bookstores nationwide poured in endlessly.
“…Just how good-natured are the people in the publishing industry? Even though I provoked them that much…”
Even faced with the results, Toranosuke wore an expression that said he couldn’t believe it.
“I’m a business enemy, you know?”
“To deliver what should be delivered, that is what distributors and bookstores are.”
“…So you’re saying they disregard profit and loss. They’re idiots. That’s why the industry is declining.”
Toranosuke scoffed with a “Hmph.”
“But that’s exactly why… they still think they want to protect it, huh.”
Is something starting to get conveyed between Toranosuke and me as well?
“Kenichi. It looks like it’s too early to give up.”
“I’ve been saying that.”
“Then… let me do things my way without worrying about appearances. Knowing it’s shameful, even using lame tactics.”
The decision to continue the contest despite the suspension of sales for Ryo’s digital content was met with surprise.
[The contest isn’t valid anymore, right] [This is a set-up, isn’t it] [In the end, didn’t they just fabricate this because they want to sell books in stores] …and so on. Naturally, voices of criticism arose.
In response, Ryo sincerely and continuously apologized for the blunder.
Even though she wasn’t originally at fault, it was as if she was taking it all upon herself.
MARIA also mentioned the uproar surrounding Ryo’s content during her own video stream.
『Of course, there is the fact that I’ve gained an advantage~. I wonder if I was also able to show that paper books are surprisingly resilient in situations like this?』
But, MARIA continued.
『Since it’s an emergency~, I want to cooperate where I can~. Of course, I’m fully intent on winning, but~. Winning by default can’t be called a true victory, right?』
However, a few days later, Ryo and her team took an unexpected tactic.
Ryo began accepting pre-orders for the resale of the digital content whose release had been suspended.
It was provided by Toranosuke’s new service, Future Creator System.
Moreover, it seemed they weren’t just taking pre-orders.
“It goes against my aesthetics, but. We’ll prepare a bonus as an apology for not being able to read it immediately. We’ll of course provide it to the people who bought it earlier too… so I guess it’s barely permissible.”
Toranosuke continued explaining to us.
“Also, I put in a system where fans who want to rescue Ryo can support her more actively. Sales of premium editions like ‘Pre-order ticket + Credit as Special Thanks’ or ‘Pre-order ticket + Right to request the theme of the next work’.”
It was an unknown how many people would pre-order an e-book. Having caused trouble once would also be a factor making people cautious.
However, Ryo and Toranosuke had taken measures to cover for that.
Of course, there was criticism asking if they were prioritizing pre-orders over relief for buyers, but they explained that when the work is republished, they would absolutely prioritize purchasers from Shop BOX, seeking understanding.
It seemed about a fifty-fifty split between those who showed understanding and those who didn’t.
“…You’re putting Ryo Takemi’s booklets in my MARIA pop-up corners too, right?”
Arisa asked.
“Yeah… I’ve already proceeded with it.”
“It seems Ryo Takemi is attaching a preferential purchase ticket for the digital content to them.”
“…Seems like it.”
“Don’t give me ‘Seems like it’! Aren’t you giving the enemy too much of an advantage!? They’re aggressively attacking without holding back…”
“S-Still, winning despite that is what makes it cool, right!”
Honestly, it was a bit of a miscalculation, but I glossed over it with momentum.
Helping Ryo will eventually have a ripple effect… it should.
Today, finally, MARIA pop-up corners open in bookstores nationwide.
The corners are prepared in over three hundred bookstores across the country.
For this kind of fair, it is quite a large scale.
Furthermore, in several locations nationwide, they will be rolled out especially large as “MARIA Pop-up Bookstores.”
And in the main store, the plan was to completely dye the entire store in MARIA’s colors as a “MARIA-Produced Bookstore.”
A bookstore that originally had an event space and regularly held unique fairs offered its cooperation. However, it seemed to be their first attempt at having a single theme hijack the entire store.
“The store’s sign has become ‘MARIA Bookstore’…”
On the morning of the day, standing in front of the store, Arisa had a nervous expression.
“If sales drop for the two weeks we hijacked the whole store… it’ll be completely my fault, won’t it.”
She was being unusually nervous.
“Conversely, there’s also the possibility that sales will double.”
“Are you confident, Kenichi-san?”
“I am. Because this is a MARIA Bookstore created by borrowing the strength of many people.”
I can believe in it because it’s not just my own doing, it belongs to everyone.
“More than anything, I believe in MARIA… in Arisa, after all.”
“That’s a lot of pressure~.”
Muttering that, Arisa then let out a breath and smiled.
“Then… maybe I should demonstrate it, this power of mine.”
Yes, a smile brimming with confidence suits Arisa well.
In perfect sync, without either of us initiating, we held out our fists and bumped them lightly.
Now, let us show you how we fight.
The General Coordinator for MARIA Bookstore is the overly angelic bookstore clerk, Sumire Suhara.
“To be allowed to do whatever I want like this even though it’s not my own store… this is the ultimate joy for a bookstore clerk.”
Standing at the store’s entrance, Sumire gazed contentedly inside the store.
The store was so successful that a line formed even before opening, and the interior was bustling from early in the morning.
“I’m glad they’re enjoying it.”
Even though her own store was busy, she came in today to help out as a ringer.
“That doesn’t mean a sudden theme change while preparations are underway is forgivable, though.”
She had an angelic smile, but her eyes weren’t smiling. Scary.
“I-I’m sorry… But sometimes that final flash of inspiration is important…”
The night I saw Arisa and Ryo’s handwritten manuscripts, the vision of the bookstore we should aim for finally solidified.
“Don’t say things like some sensitive creator type, okay? I haven’t slept, you know?”
…I guess she won’t forgive me for a while.
“But because of that, it turned out to be something good, I think.”
The MARIA Bookstore was built entirely around a single theme.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how far your collaboration with Kenichi-kun will be accepted by the world.”
It was also a contest aimed at the dream of further enlivening bookstores and books.
“I think the people who lined up today are originally MARIA fans. How much appeal we can convey from here and get other people to come as well is what’s important.”
We hadn’t made it in a way that only MARIA fans could enjoy.
“That also depends on future announcements and promotions, so I’m counting on you, Kenichi-kun. Well then, I’ll go back into the store. You have to guide a very important customer, right, Kenichi-kun?”
“Yeah… it’s about time to meet him.”
Even though I’m leaving the operations to the bookstore, there are still things I can help with. For the sake of a certain man who could only make time on the first day no matter what, I plan to come to the store as a customer today and do a job.
A tall man wearing round glasses appeared.
He’s slender and pale, so he looks frail for a moment, but perhaps due to the aura he exudes, he’s a man who gathers public attention.
“I’ve come, Kenichi. Let’s see this thing that you say only paper books and bookstores can do.”
Toranosuke Takemi has come to our store.
Right at the front entrance, the MARIA pop-up corner is prominently displayed first.
Naturally, MARIA’s new work and previous work are the main focus.
Merchandise like book covers and bookmarks themed after the works are also being sold.
In addition, magazines featuring MARIA are displayed simultaneously.
We also prepared a bookshelf of books selected by MARIA.
I also featured a range of materials, from general novels to magazines rich in cosmetics and fashion info, and even children’s books I used to read when I was young.
People whose interest was piqued by her work would likely react to the novels MARIA read, while the demographic interested in her as a charismatic model would probably respond well to the magazines.
The revenue from MARIA merchandise and royalties associated with her book selections also count towards the profits for this contest.
“Quite a few people have come…”
Muttering to himself, Toranosuke picked up a book from a shelf decorated with MARIA’s POP displays.
“‘This is the book that has influenced my writing the most,’ huh. Fans will definitely be curious about this.”
MARIA had prepared handmade POP displays for all the products in the corner. Even those who aren’t die-hard fans would likely find their eyes drawn to them.
“Well, but you can introduce this on the WEB too.”
“How about this?”
It could only be rolled out in select stores, but we prepared a cafe produced by MARIA.
This MARIA Bookstore was originally a shop that had a cafe. They were offering a special menu there, distinct from the usual one.
It was fully booked, but it looked like takeout would be available with a short wait.
“You can’t replace food and drink with IT, after all. Not a bad focal point.”
And so, the two of us men lined up in a queue with a high percentage of girls and bought drinks for takeout.
“But just how far does this MARIA-produced menu go? Is it just lending her name? What the heck is MARIA Curry…?”
“It’s a perfect recreation of the curry MARIA usually makes.”
By the way, that recipe is also included as a bonus in MARIA’s book.
“That’s way more hardcore than I imagined!”
It’s become a bookstore where you don’t just buy a book and leave; you can stay and enjoy yourself.
We were also setting up a letter-posting corner where people could send their thoughts directly to MARIA.
It wasn’t just about receiving; she could also broadcast. She planned to reply to some of them on the WEB, creating something that continued after the visit, rather than ending as a one-off.
“Until now, buying and reading a book might have been the end of it. But by expressing it like this with the help of a bookstore, we can create a stronger connection between the author and the reader than ever before.”
Furthermore, with the concept of connecting readers with each other, we created an exchange area in a corner of the cafe where people could swap impressions.
“We designated this place as ‘Talking to the stranger next to you is recommended.’ There must be many fans who want to interact with each other, after all. It also gives birth to horizontal connections between readers.”
The oval table designated as the exchange area was completely full.
People who probably just met today were engaged in lively conversation.
“I’d like to say you can do similar things on the WEB… but between virtual and real, I know real life gets more hyped.”
I asked for his impressions after touring the main corner prominently featuring MARIA.
“Well, my impression is that you’re fully utilizing the value of reality. That being said, I still just feel like I’ve been shown an elaborate pop-up shop.”
“Then this is next. From here on out, this will be the centerpiece of this bookstore, in a sense.”
We headed to the area where normal books were lined up.
“I designed the entire bookstore around a single theme.”
The theme is—”Making it a place to face yourself.”
“A theme? Just what… whoa.”
Right as we entered the aisle, Toranosuke was startled, exactly as planned.
“A mirror, huh… It suddenly appeared, so it startled me.”
A large mirror reflected my and Toranosuke’s full bodies.
“Does this have some meaning too…?”
Directly across from it, masterpieces from all ages and cultures were lined up.
From easy-to-read essays to philosophy books, works perfect for deepening one’s own thoughts were recommended.
“Self-help books? I know there are people who like them, but it doesn’t click with me.”
“This way might be better for you, Toranosuke,” I said, guiding him a little further ahead.
Lined up there were books on healthy eating. Muscle training books. Body-making books. Primarily focusing on practical guides, with some specialized books as well. There were also books by athletes.
“…Are you trying to tell me to put on some muscle?”
Toranosuke said, checking the thinness of his own arms. Does he actually care?
“It’s not really like that.”
“You even put a scale that can measure muscle mass here!”
The theme here is having people face their own bodies.
We aren’t pushily appealing for people to build muscle or aim for a slim body. We just…
Is there anything you’re concerned about regarding your own body?
Yes, we are using the bookshelves to speak to the visitors.
“…Since people tell me I’m too skinny and unhealthy, I was thinking of graduating from my one-meal-a-day lifestyle, though.”
“Isn’t it better to graduate from that without even needing to think about it?”
Toranosuke turned around and looked at the shelf on the opposite side.
“This side is entrance exams and qualifications, huh.”
“We’re not just lining up books, you know?”
We aren’t just stocking an array of standard qualification books.
We present lesser-known qualifications, like those related to cooking or rooted in daily life, to the customers. It’s a place where they can encounter qualifications they didn’t know about.
Would you like to try challenging yourself to something new?
“…It makes you feel like you’re being spoken to by the shelves.”
Toranosuke and I proceeded further.
“Ooh… Idea books! That’s tempting!”
This was the most Toranosuke had bitten so far. As expected of an engineer.
Toranosuke picked up a book and flipped through it.
“Business idea books are good too, but… surprisingly, books aimed at artistic creators also seem like they could provide new design inspiration.”
“Aren’t you just enjoying yourself normally?”
“…To be blunt, it’s been a long time since I came to a bookstore. E-books were enough for me, after all. But…”
Toranosuke gazed at the books lined up on the shelf in order.
“When you look at books on the net, you only search for things you’re interested in. You might encounter books recommended by others on SNS… but in the end, that’s just stuff liked by clusters similar to yourself. I hadn’t encountered a book I never even thought about… in a long time.”
“That’s the real thrill of a bookstore.”
“I feel like I’ve been cut into from a different angle than usual.”
Toranosuke looked around the store’s interior.
“Facing yourself, huh. …There are things that make you think. However, it’s not impossible to express this on the WEB either. I don’t feel the need to stick to the format of bookstore clerks selling in a bookstore, but…”
“Was there a genre that caught your interest?”
Popping up suddenly, Sumire appeared wearing the store’s apron.
Slightly surprised, Toranosuke answered.
“Ah… books on food and health, a bit.”
“In that case, I recommend this one. Hardcore Daily Recipes 365 to Turn a Soft Boy into a Lean Macho.”
“Isn’t that the PB (Private Brand) book I made!”
“Heh, you made me want to buy that one. I have to see what kind of content is behind such a damn lame title.”
“Then, I’ll put it on hold for you at the register. If you hand them this number tag, they will bring out the product at the register.”
Having finished her business, Sumire quickly stepped back.
And then I realized, Oh.
“…You immediately got made to buy a book by a bookstore clerk.”
It wasn’t like I had set it up, though.
“D-Damn it!? I had an ulterior motive to tease Kenichi a little, but…”
“Maybe she saw right through that.”
“Saw right through it, there’s no way she could grasp my mind…”
Following Sumire with my eyes, I saw she was now talking to another customer.
It was a pale girl, probably in the upper grades of elementary school, who was holding a MARIA book with a manga tucked under her arm.
“Are you hesitating about which one to choose?”
“Eh… yes. I came to buy a manga… but I only have money for one book…”
Slipping in from the side to speak and instantly getting into the other person’s heart—that is Sumire’s amazingness.
“If it’s MARIA-chan’s book, you can sit over there and read it even before you buy it.”
Sumire pointed to the chairs set up on the floor.
“B-But… is it really okay even though I can’t buy it?”
“It’s fine. But please read it cleanly, okay?”
The girl nodded happily and immediately sat in a chair to begin reading MARIA’s new work.
“…No, is that really okay? You won’t make a single yen off that.”
I understand why Toranosuke would want to say that.
Sumire turned around briskly and walked briskly towards us.
“Because I thought that child needed that book.”
“Then you should have just made her buy MARIA’s book instead of the manga.”
“Because buying the manga was also necessary for her. Well then, please excuse me.”
Smiling brightly, the bookstore angel fluttered back into the store.
“It’s not rational.”
Watching her back, Toranosuke muttered.
“Kenichi. I understand that you put effort into producing this bookstore. Looking at the reactions of the other customers, I can tell it’s not a bad thing.”
People were constantly coming and going in the wide aisles of the store.
Compared to the morning, the number of ordinary customers who probably had no interest in MARIA had gradually increased.
Those customers were also stopping at each corner. Their stay times were also long.
“But with this… will MARIA make a profit?”
“No, there are no special royalties generated outside of the MARIA corner.”
“Then it’s meaningless, isn’t it?”
“MARIA’s book is a book where she faced herself. People who felt something from the bookstore as a whole might not have intended to buy MARIA’s book when they came into the store, but they might want to buy MARIA’s book when they leave.”
The very embodiment of the theme of this entire bookstore was MARIA’s book. If that intention was conveyed, the value of MARIA’s book would also be understood.
“Also, we’re asking people who thought about facing something at MARIA Bookstore to talk about it with people around them or post about it on SNS. With bonuses attached. If the theme of ‘facing yourself’ becomes a boom like that…”
“No, I understand what you want to say. But… isn’t that an awfully big detour?”
“There are things born from that detour. Passing through a distributor, passing through a bookstore—value is being created there too.”
Toranosuke listened to my assertion, but he wasn’t convinced.
“It’s the polar opposite of my idea that you should just cut out the waste and have authors and readers connect directly on a WEB platform.”
In the afternoon, the number of customers visibly began to increase.
And naturally so; since today was the opening day of MARIA Bookstore, there was a special event.
『Well then~, let’s start the special event “Facing the Fans”~』
An event held with MARIA herself visiting the store.
MARIA appeared holding a microphone on a stage one step higher than the audience seats.
Just with that, it was as if a spotlight had suddenly illuminated the venue, and she was enveloped in massive cheers.
Fifty fans who had won a lottery were gathered in the seats of the event space. It’s a shame we couldn’t have more winners due to capacity constraints. There were dozens of times more applicants.
However, since the store interior and the event space were only simply partitioned, it was possible to view the event from the outside.
Perhaps due to a natural gift that instantly attracts people, more and more people were gathering.
『First, let me introduce our special guest~. And so~, please!』
In contrast to the flashy and cheerful gal MARIA, a slender, cool, and elegant girl stepped onto the stage.
『Please, treat me well.』
It was the super idol and beautiful author, Ryo Takemi.
The sight of the charismatic JC model MARIA and her standing side-by-side was a picture in itself.
This event was also being broadcast at special venues in other bookstores. In addition, we were running a video stream for people who couldn’t go to the participating bookstores.
“Thanks for arranging the internet stream. It helped.”
I said to Toranosuke next to me. We were watching standing in the staff area at the back of the venue.
“Hmph, it’s for Ryo’s sake. If Ryo’s charm explodes here, the number of pre-orders will jump up too, right?”
First up was a Q&A corner, serving as an opportunity for MARIA and Ryo to connect with the fans.
Questions were gathered by a show of hands from the participants at the bookstore venue, which was connected to the nationwide broadcast.
Because the stage was attached to the bookstore, the distance to the participants was close.
“Which one is your favorite among the works this time?”
『’Favorite’ is difficult, isn’t it~, since I have strong feelings for all of them~』
It started with friendly questions, but since nothing was staged, there were also merciless questions.
“Ryo-rin is living with you too, right. Is there any chance MARIA’s fiancé will be swayed by Ryo-rin?”
And there were stray bullets aimed at me, too.
『N-No, there’s nothing like that… It’s true I was told he fell in love recently, but…』
『Yeees, that has a different meaning, doesn’t it~. Kenichi-san is just clumsy, you see~』
I’m sure I’m getting bashed on the internet right now. I’ve stopped looking at it, though…
“I mean, give Ryo back already! She can stay at my house now, right!”
Toranosuke was being loud, too. If he makes too much noise, people will realize I’m here.
Following that, the final question for the first half came from a participant at another venue.
『What do you think of each other?』
Receiving that question, the two of them fell silent for a moment.
What they wrote that night was surely everything, and trying to put it into words now probably felt off.
『Let’s see~…』
However, since she was asked, she couldn’t just not answer. That’s also the thrill of a live event.
『Ryo-rin, got anything?』
『…You just passed the buck to me and ran away, didn’t you. And you don’t even usually call me Ryo-rin.』
Ryo glared at MARIA reproachfully.
『Let’s see… Then I’ll share one thing I felt while living together. I used to think MARIA was a genius, but…』
『Wait, that’s already embarrassing right from the start~』
『Listen until the end. …I realized that geniuses also worry and make efforts just like the rest of us. It made me think that I have to work even harder.』
The fans stirred with an “Ooh—”. From one section, cheers that sounded almost like screams of “Kyaa!” erupted.
『Well then, that brings the Q&A corner to a close for now—』
『You have to answer too!』
This time, laughter broke out.
『I don’t really have much left to say at this point~, but if I had to put it into words~…』
MARIA spoke while scratching her cheek, looking a bit shy.
『Ryo is… my rival, I guess.』
Those words, delivered not in her fabricated MARIA voice but in Arisa’s natural tone, were undoubtedly her true feelings.
The main event was yet to come.
As a further guest, Kaede Furuoka now took the stage.
『Nice to meet you all. It’s a pleasure.』
The fact that the same person served as the editor for both of their works was met with surprise.
『Their initial drafts were so poor I wondered what to do. Ryo-san was trying too hard to write well and ended up stiff. MARIA-san was getting arrogant from her previous success.』
『H-Hey, I wasn’t getting arrogant, right? Right?』
Kaede’s merciless, sharp tongue was a hit with the audience. Coupled with her sharp look in a suit, it wouldn’t be strange if she gained popularity under a nickname like “The Too-Beautiful Spartan Editor.”
『Now that you’re all sufficiently warmed up… shall we move on to the battle?』
『Everyone’s thinking, “Huh?”, right~. Don’t worry, I felt the same way at first~』
An impromptu short story showdown.
The rules were simple.
They would write a short story based on a theme announced that day, and the printed physical copies would be distributed to the participants at the main venue and the other venues. Viewers of the online stream would download it as digital content. Everyone who read it would be given one voting right to determine the winner.
Actually, I had given MARIA and Ryo the theme this morning and had them working on their pieces.
『This is a project shoved in by a man who got a taste for success after an impromptu showdown once before.』
Kaede’s explanation was quite venomous.
“It’s an exciting prelude to their content showdown. …That’s exactly why I think it would have been fine to charge for the digital content downloads, you know?”
We were using Toranosuke’s site to distribute the digital content.
We plan to release a simplified booklet version at the MARIA pop-up corners nationwide later, but when it comes to delivering it to a massive number of people right this second, digital is overwhelmingly more suitable.
“I want people to read the free work and use it as a trigger to get interested in the main books.”
I was confident that if we could just get them to read a little bit, the appeal would come across.
『The theme for this time is “Gratitude.” This was chosen completely at random from a list of candidates.』
On stage, Kaede was acting as the MC and moving things forward.
『Well, you can all just read the works yourselves. Do either of you have anything to say before that?』
『I basically let my work do the talking~. Ryo-rin seems to have something she wants to say, though~』
『Don’t just act cool and pass it to me! It really is hard to work with you in this character mode…』
To me, the two of them looked like they were getting along quite well.
『The theme is gratitude, and I… wrote about my feelings of gratitude toward my big brothers and sisters nationwide.』
The ones who reacted with an “Ooh” and clapped were likely The Sisters’ fans.
『Even though I’m an idol, I also work as an author… and even when I cause trouble, the fans still support me… I can’t thank you enough. Please read the work for the rest.』
Ryo bowed deeply and politely.
『And, there’s one more person.』
For just a second, Ryo’s gaze caught me… no, Toranosuke, in the staff area.
『I also wrote it with gratitude toward my biological older brother, who is always worrying about me.』
“R-Ryo… to think you felt that way…! Guh… that makes me wanna cry…”
“At least read it before you cry.”
I mean, I can kind of understand how he feels, though.
However, wouldn’t this message really fire up The Sisters’ fans? If they exercise their organizational power… Ryo’s content sales might see a further explosion.
『As for me… it’s Kenichi-san.』
Hearing MARIA say that made my heart race.
『…Is what I’d like to say~, but that’s too obvious. Plus, I’ll just tell him when we’re alone, you know?』
MARIA laughed mischievously.
『What I want to show gratitude to… is books and bookstores.』
MARIA began speaking in a more serious tone than usual.
『I love books and bookstores, and I always wanted to convey that, but… when I thought about it, I realized books and bookstores are just a means to an end~.』
MARIA—Arisa—had always been fixated on books and bookstores.
『I love books because they solve all sorts of things. So when I write a book too, I think about wanting to change something for someone~. Of course, it’s not like the lives of everyone who reads it will change, and that’s probably not necessary anyway, but I’d be happy if it pierces through to someone~.』
Yeah, in the end, MARIA continued.
『What’s important is… the feelings put into the contents.』
The author’s feelings and possibilities hidden within a single book.
『Someone’s feelings connect with someone else’s feelings, and maybe that’s how we start seeing various new things. Books and bookstores are things that help with that~. …Sorry. I talked too much.』
『Didn’t you say you basically let your work do the talking?』
Ryo pointed out, as if returning the favor.
『While everyone takes time to read the works, maybe I’ll do an extra Q&A corner~. Anyone have a question~?』
『You completely ignored me.』
『Is it okay if I pick? The girl over there… wait, you’re not a participant.』
The person Kaede was about to point to was a girl watching the stage from outside the event space.
『Eh~, it’s fine, isn’t it? She’s listening, after all. Go ahead with your question~』
I recognized the girl who MARIA permitted to ask a question.
“…That’s the girl the clerk let read the MARIA book for free.”
It was the pale girl, around the upper grades of elementary school, who Sumire had spoken to.
“Umm, actually… I…………”
Starting to open her mouth, the girl looked down and fell silent.
The venue murmured.
『What’s wrong?』
MARIA crouched down on the stage, bringing her eye level closer to the girl’s, and asked.
“I can’t… go to school right now. I know I have to go, but… I read MARIA-san’s book earlier, and I thought we were the same. So… um… I wanted to ask for advice.”
The murmuring venue fell completely silent.
『Do you want to go to school?』
In the midst of that, MARIA simply asked, without taking a negative or sympathetic attitude.
“…I do want to go. I have… friends there, too…”
The girl said.
“But… I just can’t find the courage…”
『Did you read my book all the way to the end? I couldn’t go to school either because of certain circumstances. Just seeing girls in uniform was enough to make me tremble. But,』
Standing up, MARIA looked incredibly cool, flashing a fearless, confident smirk.
『Even someone like me is now doing things like giving a lecture at a school~』
I’m pretty sure she hasn’t replied to the school about that lecture yet, but.
『You, who are fighting with the desire to go to school… are stronger than I was when I was just constantly running away. So you’ll absolutely be fine.』
MARIA deliberately turned her back, then twisted just her upper body to look over her shoulder.
That pose was so picture-perfect I thought she was truly a goddess.
『When you can’t find the courage, just look at my back.』
—After the event had fully concluded and we stepped outside the store, Toranosuke let out a long breath.
“I feel like I just got force-fed a full-course meal.”
“Can I take that to mean you enjoyed it?”
Just then, a voice called out from behind.
“Hey, Hinosaka… Oh, you’re with a customer.”
It was Section Chief Mizuno, who had come to help. He had taken on various miscellaneous tasks despite being busy.
“Kenichi’s boss? Oops, sorry for the late introduction. I’m Toranosuke Takemi.”
For some reason, Toranosuke bit.
“I know who you are.”
“I wanna ask you one thing. In the industry… is Kenichi considered amazing?”
“Hey, what kind of question is that?”
I thought he wouldn’t understand the meaning, but Section Chief Mizuno was pondering it with a serious expression for some reason.
“This guy is amazing. But there are others who are amazing too.”
It’s abstract, but did it get through?
“But what’s good about this guy is that he can combine various ‘amazings’. Aren’t you one of them?”
Hearing that, Toranosuke chuckled.
“I see, indeed. Not bad, Kenichi.”
“O-Oh?”
“To be acknowledged by someone like Takemi-san… I’ve reevaluated you, Hinosaka. You can’t say you’ve created a new kind of bookstore with just this yet. But someday… you really might create one.”
Having said his piece, Section Chief Mizuno returned inside the store.
To be praised unconditionally like that… what happened? I wouldn’t be surprised if high school girls started falling from the sky tomorrow.
“I want to ask you again, Kenichi. Are distributors and bookstores necessary in the publishing industry?”
I understood it to mean, Let me hear your thoughts.
“Let’s say a certain author wrote a book. That work is something only that author could write. And ultimately, the ones who read it are individual readers.”
Books ultimately exist for the author and the reader to connect.
“So I understand the argument that you only need the author and the reader. But the author doesn’t know where the people who need that work are. Similarly, readers don’t know where the book they need exists.”
It would be fine if it were a world where anyone could instantly know what book they needed.
But the world isn’t like that.
“Besides, if things go poorly, sometimes even the author themselves doesn’t know what kind of value their book has, right? That’s why people who mediate are definitely necessary.”
I didn’t have the kind of talent to be recognized by the world all on my own.
First of all, if there are no people writing books, we aren’t needed. —Even so.
“I will continue to deliver books.”
Did my feelings reach Toranosuke?
“…I understand your thoughts well, Kenichi. Then, let me say my piece.”
He’s on a stage one step higher… That’s how I had arbitrarily been looking up at Toranosuke.
“I couldn’t agree with everything you said. Honestly, there’s waste too. But… I saw it, after all.”
But perhaps Toranosuke had been in the same place as everyone else from the very beginning.
“A store clerk recommended a book to a girl… that girl read the book, was inspired, came to the event, and if things go well, she’ll go to school. I saw the moment where a bunch of waste and coincidences changed someone’s life.”
The fact that things went well was probably just a coincidence. But the world is made up of a chain of such coincidences.
“I have to acknowledge that, and I suppose… places like that should be preserved.”
“Even in the realm of creation, I was made to realize that it doesn’t just consist of the guys making things. Professionals who select books based on themes, or pick out books that suit a specific person, are also necessary, huh.”
Toranosuke acknowledged the value of distributors and bookstores, at least to some extent.
“And so, I made a pilot beta version of the new service!”
…Just when I thought that, he showed up a few days later, triumphantly declaring he had made a new service. Are you a genius?
“Being able to introduce content that solves someone’s worries, classifying books with your own unique tagging, treating a bookshelf like a single work of art—in other words, professionals at selecting books can demonstrate their abilities on the WEB!”
It seemed he intended to recreate the roles of distributors and bookstore clerks through IT as well.
“Since IT evolves like this, the real-world side that opposes it will have to evolve too, won’t it?”
And then, several days after that—.
“What should I do!? Isn’t my hairstyle a bit off!? The twin tails that were closer to MARIA were cuter after all, right!?”
Arisa, who was unusually wearing her school uniform properly, said.
“It’s fine. You’re plenty cute just as you are.”
“Y-Y-Jeez! You’re telling the truth again!”
“The swing from zero confidence to max is incredible.”
Arisa and I were alone in the prepared waiting room.
The location was the school that Arisa and Ryo attended.
I was visiting the girls’ secret garden once again.
Why did it end up like this? It was… triggered by the event at the MARIA Bookstore.
『I went and said I’d do a lecture at school~! “When you can’t find the courage, just look at my back,” I tried way too hard to act cool~!』 Arisa had lamented extensively at home, but before we knew it, things progressed, and today was the day of her appearance in the current students’ speaking segment at the school information session for prospective students.
“Prospective students and their guardians, and… why are there current students here too. Sigh…”
At Arisa’s school, there are apparently many students who excel in fields like sports, and they frequently have students speak at the information sessions, including presenting their activities to current students.
Arisa, who initially showed reluctance, had no choice but to appear after her remarks at that event, and she agreed to participate on the condition that I accompany her to the school.
“Another twenty minutes, huh…”
I can understand why Arisa is feeling depressed.
When we went to peek together earlier, the hundreds of seats in the auditorium where the event was being held were completely packed.
Apparently, the turnout was excellent because MARIA was coming. I heard that more current students than usual were attending, showing off their fangirl sides.
To top it off, there were requests for interviews, and some mass media seemed to be entering the venue as well. Though it seems they made it an approval-only system to shut out weekly magazines aiming for scoops.
For Arisa, who has a phobia of large groups of middle schoolers in uniform to the point of trembling, this is quite a hard situation.
The fact that MARIA hadn’t been going to school for a while due to psychological issues was already a well-known fact due to the release of her book. However, she hadn’t mentioned the specific reasons, nor did she clearly state what she was doing now. And seeing the positive ending, most people who read it probably assumed MARIA is currently attending school.
But in reality, counting from the middle of her second year, Arisa came to school today for the first time after a blank period of nearly a year.
“…Maybe it would have been better to be MARIA.”
Standing on the school stage not in her MARIA persona, but as Arisa Kimisaka—that was what Arisa herself desired.
Because otherwise, it wouldn’t mean she had truly overcome it, she said.
“You’ll be fine as Arisa. In fact, Arisa is better.”
I truly think the connection with the girl we met at the MARIA Bookstore venue was a mysterious thing.
The girl gained courage from MARIA, and perhaps went to school again.
But actually, she probably never dreamed in a million years that she was the catalyst that brought MARIA to school.
It’s not just the author influencing the readers.
The author is also influenced by the readers and changes.
“Should we check the situation on the other side too?”
Actually, she isn’t the only one fighting today.
I displayed a live stream on my laptop screen.
The text in the upper right corner of the screen read:
『Lemon Tsuta vs. Ryo Takemi』
Even now, remembering Ryo’s reaction when she found out about that match makes me laugh.
“Whaaaaaaaat are you saaaaaaying!?”
Ryo had screamed in a loud voice that felt like it could be heard throughout the entire condo building.
“Y-You startled me… No, but Ryo, it’s a great project, right! Ryo, who is facing her talent, challenges her destined opponent Lemon Tsuta, who made her realize the gap in their talents! Isn’t it awesome!”
The one who brought the project was this man, her biological older brother, Toranosuke Takemi.
“Why are you deciding things on your own! Idiot! Brother, you idiot!”
Ryo threw her belongings at random.
“O-Ouch!? But Ryo, MARIA is getting all hyped up doing a lecture at her school. We have to do something on our end too…”
“That’s true, but… but…”
The fact that MARIA gave courage to a girl at MARIA Bookstore was picked up by newspapers as a heartwarming story and generated a huge buzz.
Thanks to that, lecture requests started pouring in, and above all, it had a massive impact on in-store sales.
The newspaper feature succeeded in unearthing a new fan demographic that couldn’t be reached at all through WEB announcements or MARIA’s usual activities.
“They’re facing their wall over there, so we have no choice but to show you challenging talent on our end too. You don’t honestly think it’s okay to lose to MARIA, do you?”
“…Of course not.”
Ryo, who was initially flustered, cemented her resolve.
“Because I am Arisa’s rival.”
“I knew you’d say that, Ryo! With the newspaper feature, MARIA is gaining momentum again. But… the title of ‘The Supernova Who Defeated the Genius Lemon Tsuta’ will have outstanding promotional effect!』
“I’ll show you… The contest isn’t over yet… I won’t give up!”
And today, with only a few days left until the final day of the content sales showdown.
At exactly the same time Arisa was heading for the stage, Ryo was battling Lemon.
The content of the battle: an impromptu novel showdown.
A one-shot match where they write a piece based on a theme given on the day, and have the readers vote.
『Fuhahahaha! There’s no way you can defeat me!』
『Tsuta-sensei is brimming with confidence~』
『She truly is the wall standing in Takemi-san’s way~』
Lemon was playing the villain perfectly. The MCs seemed to be favorably interpreting it as her purposely acting out a character, but… it was just her true nature.
『Now then, Takemi-san, how confident are you?』
Asked by the MC, Ryo let out a short breath before speaking.
『Normally speaking… the difference in our abilities is so massive that I have absolutely no chance of winning.』
『That’s right~, it’s like challenging the final boss with starter village equipment!』
Lemon had apparently been promoted to final boss.
『But… I will make a miracle happen. …Because I can’t afford to lose to my rival who is fighting just like me in another place—』
“It’s about time.”
I closed the laptop.
“…I can’t afford to lose, either.”
Arisa muttered.
Perhaps Arisa hadn’t been very blessed with her school life.
But at the very least, there is no doubt that she made the greatest friend and rival.
Arisa stood up from her chair.
According to the schedule, there were five minutes left until Arisa took the stage. A staff member would probably come to call for us soon.
“…Kenichi-san. Thank you for coming with me today. I probably couldn’t have come alone.”
With her back to me, Arisa was trembling just a little.
“Are you… scared after all?”
At my question, Arisa gave a small nod.
Even if she acts mature, even if she has the courage to stand up and fight various things, Arisa is still a fifteen-year-old girl.
“If you want to run away, I’ll run away with you anytime.”
We can just blame it all on me, say that her overprotective fiancé hated letting her out.
“No, I don’t want to run away. I want to move forward too. Because I wanted to go to school. I’m glad I finally solidified my resolve.”
Arisa faced forward.
“I… met you, Kenichi-san, and I learned so many things, and had so many new encounters. I’m truly happy about that, and I’m grateful.”
“Thank you too. Thanks to you, Arisa, my world expanded as well.”
“I didn’t know that connecting with someone could give birth to so many things.”
This relationship, which started from a joke-like zero-days-dating “fake” marriage, has come quite a long way.
Am I properly guiding Arisa toward happiness?
“So, because of that… is it okay if I get some courage from you one last time?”
“Well, I didn’t really understand the connection there, but sure. If it’s something I can give.”
“Then—”
Saying that, Arisa turned around, trotted over, and closed the distance between us.
A soft, pleasant scent drifted over.
Her slender body, which I could completely envelop if I made a ring with my arms, lightly bumped into me.
Arisa looked up at me and closed her eyes.
She stood on her tiptoes a little. Her face gradually came closer to mine.
As I stood frozen, captivated by her incredibly beautiful and endearing face—.
Kiss.
Soft lips touched me for just a split second, then quickly pulled away.
“…………Hey, hey, hey! What are you…!”
What happened? I don’t understand. Because, wait, we’re a fake couple, and…
Ignoring my confusion, Arisa, her cheeks flushed, smiled contentedly.
“Thanks for the courage. …I’m off.”
—Come to think of it, I was already certain at this moment.
That Arisa would surely show her ultimate brilliance on stage after this.
And that she would take flight, taking yet another step forward.
The month of fierce fighting passed, and the content showdown between MARIA and Ryo concluded.
The winner was MARIA, whose reprint was decided before the final day of the showdown due to the impact of her school lecture being reported as “giving courage to children nationwide.”
