316 This Is Gender Equality! (1/2)

”Alright,” Seiji said. ”Thank you, Editor Yoshizawa.”

”I should be the one thanking you, Harano,” Saki replied. ”Mayuzumi hasn't had any nightmares for the past few days, and her androphobia is well on track to being cured now. It's all thanks to you... I'm truly grateful for what you've done.”

”Editor Yoshizawa...”

”In the future, if there's anything I can help you with, please let me know,” Saki said solemnly. ”I'll do everything within my power to assist you, no matter if it's related to your story, or to something else.”

”Editor Yoshizawa, you said something almost identical to Peach-sensei,” Seiji said, chuckling. ”I only did what I should have for Sensei. There's no need to be so polite with me, but still, please take good care of me in the future.”

”Yes... likewise. Please take good care of me, Harano... Haruta-kun,” Saki said, smiling to herself.

Saki ended the phone call.

Seiji told Mika and Chiaki that Brother Monogatari was approved for publication and he had received a formal contract, and both of them congratulated him.

”I think this book of yours is incredibly fun to read. I've already read it three times.” Chiaki smiled. ”It'll definitely become a bestseller!”

”I feel like that as well,” Mika added. ”It's a wonderfully written story.”

Both of them had already read the draft that Seiji sent them multiple times.

”I have more confidence after hearing your reviews,” Seiji said with a smile. ”Shika-chan is currently hard at work thinking of the storyline for the second volume of Brother Monogatari. I intend to write the light novel and work on the game storyline simultaneously.”

”Will you be able to cope?” Chiaki asked.

”Of course—neither is on a tight deadline. It'll be simple enough to do both.” Seiji paused for a moment. ”And as for the game storyline, I need to discuss that with you before anyone, Chiaki. Do you have any thoughts regarding the female lead's route?”

Chiaki looked towards Seiji and grinned. ”First, I'd like to ask you something—what are you intending to write about me?”

”I'm not going to write about you. I'm just using you as inspiration.” Seiji rubbed his chin. ”First, I need to establish a theme for the female lead. I have a few thoughts on this—we could go for 'drama club ace,' 'rich girl,' 'very popular,' 'bright and starry,' 'elegant,' or something else of your choosing.

”The basic route could go something like this: the male and female lead meet, and they interact with each other from day-to-day. I could then create a catalyst, which leads to them falling in love, then show daily life after the first date. After that, an obstacle to their love would crop up, and after a struggle, the main characters overcome their love obstacle, and they live happily ever after.

”I'd like your opinion on the specifics, though.”

”Yes, I'll take whatever you say into consideration and do my best to write it in. However, I can't promise that I'll use everything exactly as you say it.”

”Hmm...” Chiaki rubbed her chin, a sly smile spreading across her face. ”My first opinion… is about the male lead!

”He needs to be tall and handsome! Even if he's dressed like a girl, he needs to seem like one of those girls who appear powerful and spirited, not the weak type who need protecting. Also, he needs to be a skilled fighter, filled with a sense of justice, open and direct, and have otaku hobbies!”

Seiji was rendered speechless.

”That's right, I'm talking about you!” The tomboy pointed directly at him. ”I want the male lead to be just like you, Seiji, and the more similar he is to you the better!”

”Why?” Seiji asked hoarsely.

”For fairness!” Chiaki responded, acting as if she were on the side of logic and reason. ”Since you're using me as the female lead, then the male lead should be the same as you. This is gender equality.”

'Gender equality… that's not what it means!' Seiji didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

”Is it that necessary to have equality in this aspect? The storyline should be written so that it's interesting...”

”I think that this is rather interesting—perhaps it's even the most interesting storyline possible! Mika agrees with my opinion, right?”

The pigtailed girl hurriedly nodded.

”I-I agree with Chiaki; I think her idea is excellent!” Mika blushed slightly.

”And now, it's the combined opinion of two of your voice actresses! That should be quite weighty.” Chiaki flashed a brilliant smile.

Seiji didn't know what to say to this.