Kanzaki Saku's words left Eriri completely stunned.
But she reacted quickly. This guy, could it be that he wasn't her fan at all, but a troll who came specifically to mock her?
He looked so good, yet his heart was so vicious.
Since she had determined that Kanzaki Saku was a troll here to cause trouble, there was no need for her to be polite.
Eriri immediately assumed a queen-like sitting posture, lifting her chin to look at Kanzaki Saku.
"Mr. Kanzaki, although you are a boy, I can feel from your words that you are a person completely satisfied with low-level tastes."
"You came to visit the comic convention just to buy smutty books, didn't you?"
"Oh?" Kanzaki Saku raised an eyebrow, surprised by Eriri's sharp-tongued counterattack. It seemed that this wasn't just an exchange of lives; she had even exchanged personalities with Kasumigaoka.
"Does Teacher Kashiwagi have any brilliant insights?"
"I wouldn't call them brilliant insights, but at least judging from that 'exquisite' review you just gave," Eriri crossed her arms, cupping her non-existent chest, her tone becoming sharp.
"Your understanding of story structure and character arcs probably still lingers at the infantile stage of 'the prince and princess lived happily ever after'."
She pointed to the book in Kanzaki Saku's hand: "The main line of Metronome in Love is indeed emotional development, but those 'psychological monologues' that make you want to fast-forward are the very skeleton that makes the characters three-dimensional. If you only want to see plot progression..."
She raised her eyes and smiled faintly: "The booth next door has a more direct classic shonen battle series. Do you need me to point the way for you?"
Kanzaki Saku laughed out of anger. Classic 'talking about reality in a light novel', is it?
She likes to pursue literary quality in light novels, and even ridicules others for not knowing how to appreciate it.
"Teacher Kashiwagi, you are right. I indeed like stories where the prince and princess live happily ever after, because at least watching them makes me happy."
Eriri frowned: "What do you mean?"
"It means that light novels are primarily entertainment products. Readers open the pages to temporarily escape the pressure of reality, not to attend a class. Your so-called 'delicate portrayal of adolescent psychology'."
"If it makes the story drag and makes the characters pretentious, then it is a failure."
Kanzaki Saku's words precisely poked at the problem Eriri had vaguely sensed herself recently but was unwilling to face directly.
But she would absolutely never admit defeat in front of a guy suspected of being a "troll"!
"Is your understanding of 'creation' limited only to providing instant dopamine? Should all light novel works be brainless power fantasies?" Eriri retorted.
"Interesting does not equal brainless." Kanzaki Saku shook his head. "Tragedy also does not equal youth angst literature."
He picked up the book and quickly flipped to a page: "This part with the female lead's self-conflicting inner monologue—frankly speaking, when I read this part, I just wanted to fast-forward to the conflict scene between the female lead and the male lead."
Eriri bit her lower lip: "You... you don't understand at all! That kind of delicate emotional change is the soul of the character!"
"The soul cannot be eaten as a meal." Kanzaki Saku's tone suddenly became serious.
"Readers have ten light novels to choose from today. Why must they read yours? Because your writing style is the best? Because your psychological descriptions are the most delicate? No, first of all, it must be because your story is the most gripping."
Eriri opened her mouth, the words stuck in her throat.
"Light novels are not entries for literary awards." Kanzaki Saku watched her wavering expression and pressed his advantage.
"Its primary task is to accompany readers through half an hour on the subway or an hour before bed. Boring reality is already plentiful enough; why must the fictional world also be so heavy that one cannot breathe?"
Eriri stared at the cover of the new book on the table. The male and female protagonists were smiling at each other under the cherry blossom tree, the image bright and warm.
But within the novel's text, this plot segment was stuffed full of worries about "youth is fleeting" and "the uncertainty of love" before and after.
"But..." Her voice grew quieter, "If one completely abandons depth, won't the work be reduced to fast food?"
"Depth is not piled up by large paragraphs of psychological monologues, but melted into the plot progression, not by holding the reader's head and saying 'Look here, this is very philosophical'."
He paused, looking at Eriri's thoughtful expression: "Teacher Kashiwagi, you actually understand. Otherwise, you wouldn't have been axed during your first volume."
This sentence became the final blow, causing Eriri to shut up completely.
A few seconds later, she raised her head, looking at Kanzaki Saku with a complex gaze: "Did you... really read my book seriously?"
"I bought the book, why wouldn't I read it?" Kanzaki Saku closed the book. "Although I criticized a lot, to be fair, the writing is not bad, and the character dialogue is natural. It just needs a little more control over the pacing and a reduction of the overly vigorous desire to express oneself."
Eriri held it in for a long time, finally turning her face away and muttering in a low voice: "...None of your business. Whether it's written well or not, sales will speak."
"Sales do indeed speak." Kanzaki Saku nodded, his gaze sweeping over the empty booth. "That is why Teacher is sitting here today."
"You—" Eriri turned back to glare at him, so angry that her breathing missed a beat. "Every single sentence you speak is truly infuriating."
"Faithful words grate on the ear." Kanzaki Saku's smile remained unchanged. "However, compared to those polite words like 'Teacher, do your best', a reader like me should be more useful, right?"
Eriri glared at him, her chest heaving a few times, before finally collapsing her shoulders as if deflating:
"...Fine, fine, you're right, I flopped, are you satisfied now?"
"Not satisfied." Kanzaki Saku said. "I think Teacher can write better. You just need someone to help you look at it from a different angle."
He took out his phone from his pocket: "If you don't mind, let's exchange contact information? In the future, if there are new chapters or ideas, you can send them to me to look at. Free reader feedback, take it or leave it."
Eriri was stunned. She looked at the phone, then at Kanzaki Saku, her eyes full of suspicion:
"You... you aren't some editor disguised as a reader, or an even more suspicious person, are you?"
"Teacher overthinks it." Kanzaki Saku laughed involuntarily. "I have no interest in flat board figures. It's purely because I feel that an author willing to persist at a deserted booth in a comic convention should be given a chance."
"Who, who is a flat board figure!" Eriri exploded again, but her hand honestly took out her own phone. "Add then add! Don't get annoyed when I bombard you with daily updates then!"
"I couldn't ask for more."
The two exchanged LINE contacts. Eriri's account avatar was indeed that chibi twin-tailed girl.
"Well then, Teacher Kashiwagi Eri," Kanzaki Saku stood up. "I look forward to your messages. I hope that when the time comes, I can give a different evaluation."
"Just you wait!" Eriri clenched her fist, fighting spirit reigniting in her eyes. "I will absolutely make you look at me with new eyes!"
When leaving Eriri's booth, Kanzaki Saku looked back once. The blonde girl had already sat up straight again. Although there was still no one in front of the booth, she was no longer dejected; instead, she took out a notebook and was writing something seriously.
He smiled, turned around, and merged into the stream of people.
When he returned to Area B, there were still two or three customers browsing in front of Sagiri's booth, while Kasumigaoka next door maintained her high-and-mighty book-selling machine state.
"Brother! You're back!" Sagiri's eyes lit up when she saw him. "Why were you gone for so long?"
"Too many people, queuing took some time." Kanzaki Saku handed over the snacks and refreshments he had bought. "Here, your lunch."
The three of them ate their lunch respectively, the atmosphere subtly quiet. Only Sagiri occasionally uttered exclamations like "This takoyaki is so delicious."
"Brother," Sagiri suddenly remembered something. "While you were away just now, a customer asked if they could take a photo with you."
"Me?" Kanzaki Saku raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah! They said Brother looks like a certain game character." Sagiri snickered. "I refused for you, saying you aren't a cosplayer."
"You did the right thing." Kanzaki Saku rubbed her head.
A slight coughing sound came from next door.
Kasumigaoka put down the half-eaten crepe and stood up: "I'm going to throw away the trash."
After she walked far away, Sagiri leaned close to Kanzaki Saku and whispered: "Brother, do you feel that Teacher Kasumi Utako seems particularly nervous today?"
"Really?" Kanzaki Saku played dumb. "Maybe it's her first time participating in such a big exhibition."
"True..." Sagiri nodded, thinking no more of it.
At four in the afternoon, the exhibition approached its end. The flow of people began to decrease, and stall owners started packing up one after another.
Sagiri counted today's income, her eyes shining brightly: "Brother! We sold so many today! Double what I imagined!"
"Congratulations." Kanzaki Saku helped her organize the remaining books. "It shows that Sagiri is very amazing."
"It's all because Teacher taught me well!" Sagiri turned her head to look next door. "Right, Teacher Kasumi Utako?"
Kasumigaoka was rapidly packing books into a cardboard box. Hearing this, she didn't even lift her head: "...Mhm."
Her movements were very fast, anxious to leave.
"Is Teacher leaving already?" Sagiri asked.
"Mhm, I have something to do." Kasumigaoka answered briefly, picking up the full cardboard box. "Going first, let's chat online."
"Goodbye, Teacher!"
Kasumigaoka nodded, holding the box and walking away quickly, disappearing into the crowd in no time.
"Teacher is really weird today..." Sagiri muttered.
"Maybe she's tired." Kanzaki Saku helped Sagiri pack the last of the items and lifted the box. "We should go home too."
"Mhm!"
The two walked out along with the departing crowd. Kanzaki Saku looked back at the exhibition hall, the corners of his mouth curling up.
The harvest today was not small. Not only did he confirm Kasumigaoka's secret, but he also accidentally picked up an interesting flopped author.
Next, it depends on how that Disciplinary Committee Chair will face me when we arrive at the Student Council on Monday.
Truly something to look forward to.
________
Monday, lunch break.
Kanzaki Saku took the initiative to find Kasumigaoka Utaha. At this moment, she was sitting in the independent office of the Disciplinary Committee members. A thick school regulation manual and a clipboard were spread out in front of her, her brows slightly furrowed, looking like she was working seriously.
She had resumed wearing that meticulous Shuchiin uniform today. Her long black hair was tied neatly into a high ponytail, the Disciplinary Committee armband was pinned perfectly straight, and there was no superfluous makeup on her face, only her lips glowing with a natural pale pink.
She was like a completely different person from the Kasumi Utako at the weekend comic convention who was wrapped up tight and radiated a hidden eroticism.
Kanzaki Saku put a standard teacher's smile on his face and walked towards her.
"Kasumigaoka-san, excuse me."
Kasumigaoka Utaha raised her head upon hearing the voice. Seeing it was him, a trace of panic flashed deep in her crimson eyes but was quickly covered by calmness. She put down her pen, her voice cold: "Vice President Kanzaki, is something the matter?"
"It's about some thoughts regarding the Disciplinary Committee's recent campus patrol arrangements; the President had some instructions for me to convey." Kanzaki Saku directly used Kaguya's banner.
"It's not very convenient to talk here. Is it convenient to go to the small garden nearby for a few words? It won't take long."
His reason was reasonable and fair, and coupled with his identity as Vice President, Kasumigaoka Utaha had no room to refuse. She pursed her lips, nodded, closed the manual, and picked up the clipboard: "Okay."
The two left the office one after the other, passed through the quiet corridor, and arrived at the small garden behind the teaching building that few people usually visited. The afternoon sun cast dappled light and shadow through the leaves, and all around was only the rustling sound of the breeze brushing through branches and leaves.
Kasumigaoka Utaha stopped beside the bench by the flowerbed and turned to face Kanzaki Saku. One hand held the clipboard, while the other hung habitually by her side, her posture proper: "Vice President Kanzaki, please speak."
Kanzaki Saku, however, did not immediately enter the main topic. He paced slowly for two steps, admiring the small flowers blooming vigorously in the garden, before turning around to look at Kasumigaoka.
"First of all," he spoke, his voice unhurried, "I want to apologize for what happened at the comic convention over the weekend."
Kasumigaoka Utaha's heart tightened, and the hand gripping the edge of the clipboard exerted slightly more force, but her face remained expressionless.
She didn't panic, because there was no evidence whatsoever. Kanzaki Saku might be bluffing her; what was important now was to respond calmly.
"What do you mean by comic convention? I was reviewing my lessons at home all weekend."
"Is that so?" Kanzaki Saku raised an eyebrow, taking a step forward to close the distance between them. Kasumigaoka subconsciously wanted to retreat but held back, merely straightening her back even more.
"Although she wore a mask and sunglasses, that figure, that temperament, really resembled you, Kasumigaoka-san."
Kasumigaoka Utaha's breathing was disordered for an instant. She forced herself to meet Kanzaki Saku's gaze, her voice cold and hard: "You must be mistaken; it was probably someone similar. I have no interest in that kind of occasion."
"Did I see wrong?" Kanzaki Saku stroked his chin, pretending to think. "But I kept a signature from Teacher Kasumi Utako. Could you let me compare it with Kasumigaoka-san's signature handwriting?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha's expression became very ugly. She began to regret why she went to the signing event on the weekend, and why she didn't use a variant handwriting for the signature...
"Vice President Kanzaki, this is too rude. If you have no official business, I still have to go back and organize the patrol report." Kasumigaoka directly rejected Kanzaki Saku's request.
"Of course there is official business." Kanzaki Saku followed up, as if the probing just now was merely a casual mention. "However, before discussing official business, I still have a small private doubt that I would like to ask Teacher Kasumi Utako."
_____
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