All Beautiful Girls Want to Stick with Me

”Whether in terms of popularity or the quality of the work itself, Sword Art Online is a light novel worth nurturing. Unless something unexpected happens, Sword Art Online is very likely to be among the top three in this competition,” one editor remarked.

”No, no, no,” Yukinoshita Haruno interjected. ”The popularity of Sword Art Online is still steadily rising. I believe it might even win the grand prize.”

At this, the other editors exchanged glances. While Haruno’s enthusiasm was clear, there was still some skepticism among them regarding whether Sword Art Online was worthy of the Dengeki Novel Award.

”While Sword Art Online’s popularity is indeed impressive, it’s still too early to determine the grand prize winner. The competition isn’t over yet, and it’s unwise to make such decisions prematurely,” one editor cautioned.

”That’s true,” another editor added. ”Even though Sword Art Online has garnered a lot of attention, we still don’t know how it will perform in sales once published.”

Realizing she might have spoken too hastily, Haruno nodded in agreement. ”You’re right, I may have gotten ahead of myself. It’s just that I’ve never seen a new work garner a million views on the first day.”

”But,” Kagami Ai spoke up, ”even though we can’t predict final sales, we can’t ignore the current million-view milestone that Sword Art Online has achieved. I suggest we strike while the iron is hot.”

The other editors quickly voiced their agreement with Kagami’s suggestion.

”Indeed, regardless of the final sales numbers, we should contact Izumi-sensei as soon as possible and secure a contract.”

”We must act fast,” said Ryo Oowada, another editor. ”Even though Sword Art Online was submitted as part of Dengeki Bunko’s contest, that doesn’t mean we automatically hold the rights to it. Until the contract is signed, Izumi-sensei is free to submit Sword Art Online to other publishers.”

Oowada voiced the concern that had been on everyone’s mind. The Dengeki Bunko contest had been heavily promoted across various platforms—online, in bookstores, magazines, and on social media. This ensured that both readers and authors were well aware of the competition, but it also meant that their competitors, particularly Kadokawa Bunko and Fujimi Bunko, were likely keeping a close eye on the entries.

These rival publishers could very well be analyzing the submissions right now, hoping to poach any promising new works from Dengeki Bunko.

”The scenario Oowada-san described is quite likely,” Hiratsuka Yuko said with a knowing smile. ”Given how popular Sword Art Online has become, it’s possible that even as we’re having this meeting, other publishing houses are holding their own discussions on how to snatch Sword Art Online away from us.”

”There’s no need for ’possible’—I’m sure Kadokawa Bunko is already trying to reach out to Izumi-sensei through private messages on our site,” one editor remarked.

Everyone in the room felt a sense of urgency. Losing Sword Art Online to a competitor would be a significant blow to Dengeki Bunko’s standing.

”It seems we’re all in agreement,” Hiratsuka concluded. ”In that case, there’s no time to waste. Let’s contact Izumi-sensei immediately and negotiate the contract terms. Also, since it was Yukinoshita Haruno who first discovered and recommended Sword Art Online to me, she’ll be responsible for overseeing this project. Does anyone have any objections?”

”None!” Kagami Ai was the first to respond loudly.

”Of course not, it’s only fair.”

”Congratulations, Yukinoshita-san.”

”Please make sure to secure the contract with Izumi-sensei, Yukinoshita-san!” the other editors chimed in, applauding.

”Thank you, Hiratsuka-sensei, and thank you all,” Yukinoshita Haruno nodded in gratitude.

Although she was the one who first discovered Sword Art Online and brought it to Hiratsuka’s attention, she knew that in the workplace, expressing thanks and acknowledging the support of colleagues was a vital skill.

However, she truly did feel grateful to Hiratsuka Yuko and Kagami Ai. If it hadn’t been for Hiratsuka’s intention to support her, a high-profile light novel like Sword Art Online would typically be assigned to a more experienced editor. Despite being the first to discover it, Yukinoshita might not have ended up being the editor in charge.

Hiratsuka had given her a significant opportunity, and it was now up to her to seize it.