CHAPTER 411: CHAPTER 297 FRIENDS_2

Uesugi Sakura said, "People are different, even the slightest impression can subtly change a person’s perception, and what people see and hear is not completely the same, so why insist everyone be like ourselves? If it’s niche, then let it be niche. At least Seisa likes this book, right? Finding a true friend like that is far better than getting the masses online, who chase trends, to understand what truly is correct."

"Exactly, that’s why I came to the sparsely populated Tokyo University, to see if I could find friends to share things with." Todaka Keichiro looked up at the bright red gate, "Uesugi, what was your purpose in coming to Tokyo University? Don’t tell me it’s to create value for humanity, because the chance for literature to be valuable for humans is very rare."

"I want to be the kind of person who can earn money while lying down." Uesugi Sakura looked at the rows of green ginkgo trees ahead, having already passed through Tokyo University’s red gate, stepping into the inevitable ginkgo avenue.

Todaka Keichiro laughed, "Then you should go to the department of economics."

Uesugi Sakura shook his head, "I still have some pursuits, I want to find some solace for my idle, restless mind, just staring at rising and falling numbers, economic rules and effects dissected out—my head might explode at any moment."

"I know, I understand that."

Todaka Keichiro smiled and handed the original manuscript that Uesugi Sakura gave him yesterday back to him from his backpack, "Regarding this new novel, my suggestion is to speed up the story pace, quickly give the audience reasons to like the protagonist, and when the protagonist pursues a goal, make dangers or unfair treatment appear to increase anticipation, immersing people quickly—a light novel’s most important aspect is its immersion, the audience anticipates seeing different transformations."

Uesugi Sakura held this white document, hearing these words, and was convinced that Todaka Keichiro genuinely made efforts to help him, "Thanks."

"No problem, if this novel sells big, just treat me to a kaiseki meal!"

Uesugi Sakura smiled too, saying, "Kaiseki meals aren’t cheap."

"Haha, I don’t care."

If this light novel sells big, it won’t be Uesugi Sakura who directly benefits—it will be Hanamaru Hanabi. But helping one’s wife—that’s just natural, right?

Then it was another typical day of lectures.

Seisa Takeshun and Umezu Nana also handed their suggestions regarding the light novel to Uesugi Sakura.

He quickly glanced through them, and they indeed contained detailed analyses and notes.

This indicated that Uesugi Sakura’s classmates from Tokyo University were very reliable—truly dependable people willing to help when needed.

"Thank you, next time you need anything, just call me."

"It’s nothing, senpai."

"Uesugi, you said that yourself!"

After lunch, Uesugi Sakura sorted through the suggestions given by the three in the library, then sent them to Shinomoto Yasuhiko, the author of "The Witch is a Fox Demon."

Uesugi Sakura: {These are the suggestions from several friends from the humanities department at Tokyo University. You can extract what you need and modify the details accordingly.}

In his current role as Hanamaru Hanabi’s assistant, it’s only natural to contact this light novel author.

Seeing that the document was indeed sent in the chat box, Uesugi Sakura stood up to go to the coffee zone to order a coffee. Passing by the library administrator’s desk, he also saw a working fax machine.

To be honest, many places in Japan still use fax machines to this day.

Some companies are so focused on efficiency, yet unwilling to change—how stubborn.

Uesugi Sakura had heard his father’s complaints more than once, saying that abroad their structures have iterated over many years, while they’re still using the same things from over ten years ago.

When asked, companies reply that customers do not like new technology.

Technology changes daily, yet literature remains classic; even works from a thousand years ago can be enjoyed with relish.

Ten minutes later, Uesugi Sakura picked up a cup of hot coffee at the counter and returned to his original seat, glanced at the computer screen, and found a message replied to him.

Shinomoto Yasuhiko: {Mr. Uesugi, thank you very much! This document pointed out many of my shortcomings, and analyzes each flaw from a more professional angle. As expected of Tokyo University students, it mentions points even editor Kawaichi didn’t cover; this must be something someone involved in literary research could discern. Thank you very much!}

Uesugi Sakura put down the steaming coffee, his hands typing on the keyboard in response: {No problem, keep up the good work. Teacher Hanamaru’s character designs should be shown to you sometime these days.}

Shinomoto Yasuhiko: {Many thanks to Teacher Hanamaru, I’m looking forward to it.}

After reading the final word of Shinomoto Yasuhiko’s reply, Uesugi Sakura picked up the coffee cup next to his computer and took a small sip.

Slightly bitter, a bit sour.

Due to the coffee beans not being roasted properly.

As conceited as it sounds, Uesugi Sakura still felt this was far inferior to his own brews, much less compared to Mr. Blaise in distant London, likely a newcomer barista.

In the afternoon, sitting at the long table by the library window, under the gentle sunlight, occasionally gazing outside, post-rain bright sunshine lent the lush ginkgo leaves a brilliant, moist sheen.

Tokyo University always loves planting ginkgo trees; even their emblem features two overlapping yellow and blue ginkgo leaves.

Though many seniors have said, when coming to the school in November, you must wear a mask, as the ginkgo trees planted throughout the campus will mature and drop fruit, making the campus smell foul.

What does ginkgo fruit smell like?

Uesugi Sakura truly didn’t know.

Still had a biology class in the afternoon, after hanging around the library, Uesugi Sakura just reached the classroom door.

"Uesugi! Uesugi!"

"What’s up, in such a hurry." At the classroom door, Uesugi Sakura glanced at Todaka Keichiro who was anxiously talking to him.

"Professor Banjiri said there would be a school exam this class."

Professor Banjiri was their basic biology course teacher.

Uesugi Sakura gave a glance up and down at this classmate in front of him, "You’re very anxious?"

"I’ve been playing all these months."

"Can’t pass?"

"I can pass."

"Then why are you anxious?"

"I’m talking about you, most of the biology classes you’ve skipped, probably didn’t review at all." Todaka Keichiro tilted his head towards the classroom, checking if the professor was there.

"All these months of playing" apparently referred to Uesugi Sakura.

After a slight pause, Uesugi Sakura said, "Don’t worry, basic biology isn’t hard, just need to write about proteins."

Reality was indeed as he claimed.

The exam ended, Professor Banjiri glanced at his paper and let him out of the classroom.

"Senpai... did you cram at the last minute?"

"No, I didn’t."

Todaka Keichiro: "I thought for sure you’d be kept by the professor today."

Professor Banjiri is an old traditionalist. If you skip his class, as long as there’s one mini-test you fail, you fail the entire course at the end.

Failing isn’t a big deal, but the retake would be awkward.

Everyone at the end of the term constantly talks about surely failing, yet when it comes to the retake, the proctor just ends up watching one person in an empty classroom.

A group without camaraderie.

"Is there anyone retaking during finals?"

"Of course there is, but those retaking are usually high achievers—either running companies outside or traveling the world. Last semester, a senior didn’t even attend the retake just because it was his shift at the convenience store."

"What happened to the one traveling the world?"

"Dropped out, heard he just arrived in Malmo."

Malmo is Sweden’s third-largest city.

"What about the convenience store one?"

"Retaking, as he’s writing a book trying to win the Akutagawa Prize."

"Emulating Murata Sayaka?"

Murata Sayaka is a convenience store clerk who won the Akutagawa Prize—Uesugi Sakura had read her "Human Convenience Store."

"I don’t know about that; I’m not familiar with that senior." Todaka Keichiro shrugged.

Uesugi Sakura realized, universities have many eccentrics.