Chapter 165: This Comes with Conditions

Upon hearing the word "contract," Akiwara Yuto, who had been resting with his eyes closed, sat up at once.

He had expected to go through some trouble and haggle with the other party, but he had not expected this editor-in-chief surnamed Ooshiro to decide to sign so quickly.

Akiwara Yuto hesitated for a moment, but still took the contract handed to him and began to read it carefully.

There were no issues with the terms of the contract; they were basically consistent with the requirements he had previously submitted to *April Youth*, and as for the publishing rights for the collected volume and film/television adaptations, they remained in his own hands and had nothing to do with Keikyokan.

After checking it twice, Akiwara Yuto signed his name and stamped it with his personal seal.

He looked up at Ooshiro Rika, who was sitting opposite him, and handed the document back.

"For the subsequent four installments of the manuscript, you can have Editor Awazu come to my house to collect them at a fixed time each week. As for other promotions, I will leave that to your editorial department."

Ooshiro Rika smiled and said, "Akiwara-sensei, thank you for the trouble this time. As for the promotion, we will arrange the follow-up work here as well."

After saying this, the two exchanged a few more polite remarks before ending the conversation.

Akiwara Yuto then left Keikyokan, accompanied by Awazu Hideki.

……

After Akiwara Yuto left, Ooshiro Rika organized the manuscript into a file folder.

She took the manuscript, left the floor where *April Youth* was located, and took the elevator to the 10th floor. On this floor, there was an executive director specifically in charge of magazine operations.

Unlike the multi-layered management system of Mantansha, Keikyokan did not have many hierarchical levels, but was instead composed of multiple offices and departments.

Under such a system, the autonomy of a department head or editor-in-chief was often greater, allowing them to make various arrangements for a magazine or periodical.

Although flexible, this system also had a major drawback: because different departments had the same rank, disputes between departments often arose over things like obtaining promotional budgets.

In order to allocate funds more efficiently, Keikyokan had increased the power held by the executive director.

Ooshiro Rika took the document, walked to the door of an office, and knocked.

Upon hearing the voice saying "Please come in," she pushed the door open and walked inside.

At the desk behind the door sat a middle-aged man who looked to be in his 50s.

"Editor-in-chief Ooshiro, you're here. Please sit down and let's talk slowly."

The middle-aged man said with a chuckle upon seeing Ooshiro Rika.

He stood up at the same time, gestured for Ooshiro Rika to sit on the sofa on the other side, and called his assistant to pour two cups of tea.

Ooshiro Rika sat down, accepted the tea, expressed her thanks, and then continued.

"Executive Director Mitsuhashi, I am here today regarding the next step in the plan for *April Youth*, and I would like to report it to you."

The middle-aged man sat on the opposite sofa, nodded, and signaled for her to continue.

Ooshiro Rika said earnestly, "Thanks to Editor Awazu's introduction, we have established a cooperative relationship with Akiwara-sensei, and we will publish the first installment of his work next Monday."

The middle-aged man revealed a kind smile.

"Editor-in-chief Ooshiro, you have already submitted the proposal regarding the editorial department's next steps, so please state your purpose for coming today?"

Ooshiro Rika nodded and replied, "Executive Director Mitsuhashi, in order to better promote Akiwara-sensei's work, we hope to have an additional budget allocated to increase the newspaper's advertising space."

The middle-aged man frowned.

"Editor-in-chief Ooshiro, I remember that an additional budget of over 20 million yen per week has already been added for this aspect. Judging by the quantity, there is already about three pages of promotion. Should these funds not be enough?"

"Executive Director Mitsuhashi, that was the situation before, but currently the other three major publishers are further increasing their promotions. If we maintain the status quo, subsequent sales may fall further."

Ooshiro Rika shook her head and said in a sincere tone, "Therefore, I hope you can increase our promotional budget."

"How much do you need?"

"An increase of 30 million yen will suffice. As for the specific promotional plan, we will communicate with our colleagues in the public relations department."

Hearing this request, the middle-aged man frowned and began to think.

Should he agree to Ooshiro Rika's request?

Regarding *April Youth*, there were currently two different schools of thought within the board of directors.

One was the young and vigorous faction, which believed that this business should be scaled back and changed to a semi-monthly or monthly publication to avoid unnecessary capital investment.

As for the extra budget, it should be placed into more promising businesses like manga.

The other was the traditional faction, which believed that since the other three major publishers all had corresponding magazines, the business of *April Youth* should also be maintained.

After all, for a period of time in the past, *April Youth* had brought in significant cash flow; it was only in the last three months that it had started to go downhill.

So, if he were to make a choice rashly, would he be seen as a thorn in the side by some of the young and vigorous faction?

This could have a certain impact on his career.

Then again, if *April Youth* could really turn the tide, it seemed he would also have some credit.

The middle-aged man pondered for a long time without reaching a conclusion.

Ooshiro Rika looked at this Executive Director Mitsuhashi, feeling a bit nervous inside.

She herself firmly believed that Akiwara Yuto's work was enough to attract everyone's attention.

But if the budget funds were not sufficient, the final effect might still be limited.

This did not align with her own plans.

The middle-aged man sighed, "Editor-in-chief Ooshiro, is it necessary to do this?"

In his view, as the editor-in-chief of *April Youth*, Ooshiro Rika had very extensive connections. Even if *April Youth* were changed to a semi-monthly publication, she could be transferred to other good positions.

So he really did not understand this risky move of hers.

Once it failed, she might also have to bear no small amount of responsibility.

Ooshiro Rika replied, "Executive Director Mitsuhashi, *April Youth* is like my child; it is very difficult for me to abandon it. So, I beg you!"

After saying this, she stood up and bowed deeply.

Facing her bow, the middle-aged man was silent for a while before answering.

"Editor-in-chief Ooshiro, I understand. I agree to your request. In these two days, I will submit the budget sheet to the finance department."

Hearing these words, Ooshiro Rika looked up in surprise, "Thank you very much, Executive Director Mitsuhashi."

But to her surprise, the middle-aged man added another sentence, "Editor-in-chief Ooshiro, this budget comes with corresponding conditions, so please be prepared."

"Conditions?" Ooshiro Rika was a little confused for a moment, but after thinking about it, she nodded and accepted, "Please tell me in detail."

"If funds are continuously allocated to you unconditionally, not only will other editorial departments have opinions, but even relevant members of the board of directors will not approve. Therefore, I hope *April Youth* can achieve results as soon as possible!"

The middle-aged man said seriously.

His decision had his own calculations behind it.

If the subsequent sales of *April Youth* were indeed poor, then he could naturally stop allocating the budget.

In that case, not only would Ooshiro Rika have nothing to say, but neither side of the board of directors would have any objections.

Conversely, if the sales of *April Youth* increased, he could claim a fair amount of credit and would not have to worry about what others might say.

Ooshiro Rika was a little puzzled, "Executive Director Mitsuhashi, how long is 'as soon as possible'?"

The middle-aged man replied, "Three weeks. If there is no significant increase in sales within three weeks, I will cut the budget back to its original level. Please be prepared for this, Editor-in-chief Ooshiro."

This time was a bit too short, wasn't it?

Ooshiro Rika hesitated, but she immediately realized that if she did not accept this condition, this Executive Director Mitsuhashi would likely not agree to her request at all.

She gritted her teeth and quickly made her decision.

"Executive Director Mitsuhashi, your requirements are no problem for *April Youth*!"

She lowered her head and looked at the manuscript in her hand, her confidence growing significantly.

Akiwara-sensei, whether *April Youth* can turn the situation around depends on your work!