Chapter 704 - 704: Signing the Contract, Game Enthusiast Yamada Elf

Besides the figure, Utaha also noticed a Nintendo Switch sitting on the computer cabinet.

It seemed that Yamada Elf was quite the gaming otaku.

After thinking about it, Utaha decided that she could bring it up later. If Yamada Elf really liked games from their company, perhaps they could use that as a way to become closer.

After all, Machida Sonoko had been her editor for years and had helped her greatly. If there was something she could do to help Sonoko, Utaha was more than willing to lend a hand.

Ten minutes later, Yamada Elf finished reading the contract carefully.

Putting it down, she looked at Sonoko and said:

"There aren't any problems with the contract. I'm very satisfied with the conditions. They're much better than those offered by my current publisher. However, there's one thing I'd like to confirm."

"If I sign with Fujikawa Fantastic Bunko, you'll be my editor, right, Editor Machida?"

"That's right. Once you sign, I'll be responsible for you," Sonoko nodded before asking, "Are you thinking about your brother?"

"Exactly. Looks like you've done your homework."

Yamada Elf smiled.

"Changing editors is something I've wanted to do for a long time. I can finally get rid of my big brother!"

"You have no idea. Whenever I delay my manuscript even a little, he comes and blocks my door, then practically locks me inside the house and forces me to write."

"But inspiration is the most important thing for creators. If I'm forced to write, I can't produce anything!"

Then she suddenly looked at Sonoko.

"By the way, Editor Machida, you won't come block my door when I miss deadlines too, right?"

"Uh..."

Sonoko had heard about Yamada Elf's tendency to delay submissions, but she hadn't expected her to say it so openly.

After thinking for a moment, Sonoko replied:

"If you're worried about missing deadlines, you could always ask for a longer schedule from the beginning. As long as it's not an indefinite delay, it's generally acceptable."

"After all, stable output is very important for light novel authors. I'm sure Elf-sensei understands that too."

"Relax! I definitely won't postpone things forever!"

As she spoke, she confidently waved her hand.

"In that case, I'll sign the contract."

"However, I'm only fifteen, so I can't sign it myself. I'll need to call my lawyer over. Is that alright?"

"Of course."

As long as she could secure the signing, Sonoko had no objections.

Taking out her phone, Yamada Elf made a brief call.

After hanging up, she said to Sonoko:

"Please wait a bit. My lawyer will arrive in fifteen minutes."

"After that, we'll officially be on the same side. Please take care of me, Editor Machida."

"And Utako-sensei, please take care of me as well!"

Utaha smiled and nodded.

"Likewise, Elf-sensei."

Now that things had relaxed, everyone chatted casually, and Utaha naturally brought up games.

"Elf-sensei, I noticed the game console and figures over there. Do you play games often?"

"Of course!"

Yamada Elf immediately placed her hands on her hips, her eyes sparkling.

"Creators need inspiration from all kinds of sources, and games are one of my favorite ways to find inspiration!"

"Take Dark Souls, for example. I'm actually a veteran player who even posted strategy guides online using another account!"

"Oh? I didn't expect that at all. That's impressive."

Utaha clapped lightly and smiled.

"Then, once Bloodborne finishes development, would you like to try it in advance?"

"Huh? In advance?"

Yamada Elf looked at her in confusion.

Machida Sonoko suddenly realized something and said:

"It seems that although Elf-sensei is a gamer, you don't pay much attention to other things."

"Utaha here is actually the boss lady of YC Games."

Yamada Elf blinked blankly.

"The boss lady? Wait... do you mean the kind of boss's wife I'm thinking of?"

"That's right."

Utaha smiled and showed the ring on her finger.

"The company president, Ichin, is my husband. So I can make decisions about small things like this."

"I noticed your Fire Keeper figure and some game strategy materials. I figured you must really like our company's games."

"There's actually that kind of relationship?! I seriously had no idea!"

Yamada Elf shot to her feet in shock.

"I knew Utako-sensei got married, but I never imagined your husband would be someone so incredible!"

"I want to go! Please let me come when the time arrives!"

Although she seemed to have plenty of free time since she didn't attend school, Yamada Elf's schedule was actually packed.

Besides writing novels, she also attended script meetings for anime adaptations, dealt with her older brother, and spent her time either doing housework, cooking, or playing games.

As a result, she rarely paid attention to gossip, so she knew very little about Utaha and Ichin's relationship.

There were plenty of people like her who only cared about games. Unless someone told them directly, they would remain completely unaware of outside news.

As a fifteen-year-old girl, Yamada Elf became so excited upon hearing this that she started bouncing around energetically.

Seeing her reaction, Utaha found it amusing and simply said:

"If you're this excited, how about after the contract is signed, we take you to the company right away?"

"It's almost afternoon tea time anyway. We can have some drinks and show you around. Ichin won't object."

"Really?! I want to go!"

"It's only a matter of one sentence. I'll just send him a message."

Utaha calmed the excited Yamada Elf and took out her phone to text Ichin.

Ichin quickly replied with his approval.

He even said he'd prepare an afternoon tea set for Yamada Elf and asked Utaha what kind of milk tea she wanted.

"Then... I want caramel pudding flavor!"

"Alright, caramel pudding it is."

After sending another message, Utaha smiled and said:

"My real name is Kasumigaoka Utaha. If you don't mind, you can call me Utaha."

"Okay, Utaha! You can just call me Elf, or Emily!"

Then she turned toward Yukino.

"Yukino too! Just call me by my name!"

"Ahhh, we're really going there soon! Can I ask for autographs?"

"I need to find some game cases for you to sign! Please wait here, I'll go upstairs for a moment!"

With that, she dashed upstairs like a gust of wind.

Watching her leave, Sonoko sighed with emotion.

"She really is still a child. She's so excited."

"At this rate, I'll have to ask her to visit the publishing company tomorrow and meet the chief editor instead."

Utaha crossed her arms.

"Well, now that the contract is signed, there's no need to rush everything else, right?"

"That's true."

Soon, the lawyer arrived.

After reviewing the contract once more and confirming there were no issues, the signing was officially completed.

Yamada Elf had now become an author under Fujikawa Fantastic Bunko.

The moment everything was finalized, she immediately turned to Utaha impatiently.

Clearly, she couldn't wait to leave.

"Then let's go."

...

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