CHAPTER 387: CHAPTER 285 TEACHER HANAMARU

After introducing each other’s names and identities, Kawaichi Saburo poured two cups of tea for Hanamaru Hanabi and Uesugi Sakura, placing them in front of them on the table.

In terms of age, he was the senior among the few people here, with graying hair, yet not putting on any airs.

He poured another cup for the two of them.

Uesugi Sakura sat beside Hanamaru Hanabi, taking a small sip from the teacup while listening to Editor Kawaichi and Hanabi discuss matters.

As mentioned before, this invitation was to ask her to illustrate a novel long-term.

Kawaichi Saburo continued promptly, "Teacher Hanamaru, although Shinomoto-san is a new author, his second work has great potential on our library website. After much discussion in the editorial department, it was decided that I should be responsible for this work."

Quite frankly, Uesugi Sakura didn’t fully grasp the situation yet.

He knew Hanabi would occasionally take on art commissions from those who actively reached out to her online.

From companies and individuals alike.

Prices varied dramatically, some offered 500,000 yen, others only 5,000 yen.

Of course, the requests were equally peculiar.

Some people would simply send an email saying "Freestyle is fine, just not androgynous" along with a high offer.

Others would attach lengthy stories in an email, demanding the artwork strictly follow the story’s character design, or they wouldn’t pay, using a threatening tone.

Uesugi Sakura sipped his tea, listening to the tactful exchange between Hanamaru Hanabi and Kawaichi Saburo.

"Teacher Hanamaru, we’ve collaborated before, and this time we still wish for you to handle the illustrations for this work. This is our hope, and also the hope of Shinomoto-san, so please do give it thorough consideration."

Seeing his sincere tone, Hanamaru Hanabi found it difficult to refuse immediately: "...Initially, I was only responsible for your company’s promotional graphics, where I could afford detailed revisions. I believe other illustrators could take over as well."

"No way!"

Shinomoto Yasuhiko suddenly jerked as if by reflex, blurting out his words until he realized the gazes of the trio had fallen on him, lowering his head in apology, "So-sorry, I apologize deeply."

Uesugi Sakura thought he was a bit too emotional: "It seems Shinomoto-san very much wishes for Teacher Hanamaru to be your novel’s illustrator."

"Yes." Shinomoto Yasuhiko appeared not very articulate.

Uesugi Sakura: "Could you briefly introduce the designs you need?"

Shinomoto Yasuhiko glanced at Editor Kawaichi, then organized his thoughts and slowly said, "Let’s talk about the protagonist first... She’s a fox, narcissistic, often referring to herself as a ’beautiful girl.’

"She’s very clever, cleverly deflecting anything troublesome with interesting methods, keeping away from trouble, always smiling, yet there’s an elusive secret in her smile."

Uesugi Sakura understood what he meant but couldn’t illustrate.

He couldn’t analyze useful information from the brief character description, so he shifted the conversation to Hanabi.

"An interesting protagonist," Hanamaru Hanabi saw the gesture he made under the table, "but a light novel illustrator doesn’t simply repeat drawing the same character, they also need to keep up with the work... which takes a lot of time...."

Uesugi Sakura felt gratified that little Hanabi understood his implication.

Kawaichi Saburo listened and, after thinking for a moment, focused his gaze on the steaming tea in the cup:

"Well... for now, we can’t give Teacher Hanamaru a reply, if it’s too high... our company needs temporary discussion."

Discuss what?

Shinomoto Yasuhiko didn’t catch what Editor Kawaichi meant, wasn’t Teacher Hanamaru saying she didn’t have time, declining indirectly?

To be honest, he desperately wished for Hanamaru Hanabi to be his novel’s illustrator.

Because the artistic style perfectly matched his envisioned characters.

That texture, that captivation, that vibrant color....

He had tried letting other illustrators attempt the protagonist’s image, but he wasn’t satisfied with the results.

Kawaichi Saburo pondered for a bit longer before raising his head, facing the two sitting opposite, "How about this, Teacher Hanamaru, we’ll discuss this afternoon, and give you a reply this evening.

"You should also know, the price for an illustration is determined by the royalties from a book, Shinomoto-san’s book isn’t officially published yet, and the offer we previously gave Teacher Hanamaru was already an exception."

Uesugi Sakura: "Don’t you need more time to consider?"

"No, no need."

At 11:56 AM, Uesugi Sakura and Hanamaru Hanabi said their goodbyes and left SG Library.

In the meeting room, Editor Kawaichi and Shinomoto Yasuhiko began a discussion over tea.

"What do you think?"

Shinomoto Yasuhiko nodded, "If it’s a bit higher, I could still accept it."

Editor Kawaichi felt an urge to cover his face, "Do you know how much a good illustration costs per piece now?"

"I don’t know..."

"Between 10,000 to 20,000 yen, your work is new, requiring at least six illustrations per volume to attract readers, with a total of eleven volumes, do the math to see roughly how much it costs?"

The reason for six illustrations per volume was that light novels sell based on character design, the more illustrations the better.

"600,000?" Shinomoto Yasuhiko wasn’t good with math.

"Calculating at 10,000 per piece it’s 660,000 yen, at 20,000 per piece it’s 1,320,000 yen, whereas for inviting Teacher Hanamaru to draw, we offered 50,000 per piece, and even requested that she doesn’t need to be as detailed as works on Twitter, just draw simple character designs and scenes.

"According to her and her assistant’s intentions, the actual required price for illustrations is much higher than 50,000, as she draws publicity-level colored illustrations."

"So expensive?" Shinomoto Yasuhiko was a bit shocked.