She hadn't spoken very loudly, but the college student hadn't said anything yet. Plus, the word "cheating" was a sensitive word, so everyone noticed it.
"My story didn't cheat at all," Seiji stated helplessly. "There was even an announcement on the internet stating it."
He was already mentally prepared to receive criticism.
Miyabi wanted to say something, but hesitated.
"You mentioned cheating? Could you be referring to 'Brother Monogatari'?" someone inquired.
It was the college student … and his name was Koushi Nomura.
Seiji nodded towards him.
"I know a little about what happened during the review process. That story wasn't cheating at all. Just as the announcement on the internet stated, it was truly selected and won the award based on its own abilities. It was quite amazing, "Nomura told him." If it was officially submitted, it would definitely have won the Gold Award, not just a special award. "
"Thank you." Seiji was rather surprised to hear him say this. "I'm glad to hear that, Nomura-san … but saying that it won the Gold Award is too much for me."
"It's not too much. It's the truth," Nomura insisted. "The quality of 'Brother Monogatari' is even better than the story that won the Gold Award."
"Tsk!" someone said unhappily.
It was a boy in the school uniform … and his name was Linpu Kotaro.
He glared at Nomura in disgust with an expression that said, "What right do you have to say that?"
"That's the review panel's evaluation, and it's an evaluation from everyone." Nomura looked towards Linpu and said, "Every single review panel agreed that 'Brother Monogatari' was the best, and that it surpassed all the other stories that were selected."
Not only did Linpu's expression freeze over upon hearing this, everyone else was astonished as well.
"Every single review panel … is that true?" the one-piece dress girl couldn't help but ask.
"That's what I know. If 'Brother Monogatari' wasn't selected as a special award, but instead officially submitted for the competition, it would definitely have won the Gold Award without any objections. Unfortunately, it wasn't, "Nomura replied. "This story is truly amazing. It doesn't live up to its name to only receive a special award."
The entire room fell silent for a moment.
"Nomura-san, how did you learn about all this?" Seiji asked.
"I have a relative who's an editor here. He told me," Nomura answered.
So it was someone from the inside.
"Hmph … Who knows if he's lying," Linpu said in a low voice.
"That's the truth. Believe it or not, it's up to you, Mr. Linpu." Nomura pointed out Linpu Kotaro's true identity. "Your story 'The Undying and Indestructible Avenger' is excellent, but it can't compare to 'Brother Monogatari.' Especially in terms of writing, it's rather immature. One look and you can tell that it was written by a middle school student. "
Hearing this, the middle school boy's face turned a little red.
"So … so what!? Words are the most insignificant part of a light novel! "
"You can say that. That's why your work won the gold medal."
"Getting a gold medal is the best! My work is the best! It's definitely not that Brother Monogatari!! "Linpu raised his voice." That's just a trash story with a terrible name! He shouldn't have been chosen!! "
"Hey."
A cold voice came from Seiji's mouth.
His tone wasn't fierce, nor was his voice loud, but when he said "Hey", everyone in the room felt his imposing manner.
It was as if a lion had opened its eyes in this room.
"It's fine if you have an opinion about my work, but don't say it out loud in front of me," Seiji spoke in a heavy tone. "Otherwise, I'll beat you up."
Linpu Kotaro's entire body froze over.
Everyone else also felt an almost tangible pressure.
This was especially so for Miyabi Ishihara. She recalled how this Harano -san was a legend and nickname at school, causing her heart to beat even faster than before.
"Nomura-san, thank you for acknowledging my work. However, please don't say something like that again." Seiji then told Nomura after he warned Linpu.
Koushi Nomura nodded.
"My apologies … I was a little too talkative." Nomura reflected on his actions.
Silence fell after that.
After his anger subsided, Seiji realized that he had made the atmosphere awkward, so he spoke up again.
"I'm quite happy to be able to meet with all of my fellow authors. I'd also like to discuss my story with all of you … as long as you don't have any ill intentions, I'm fine with anything," Seiji spoke sincerely.
"The organizers probably wanted all of us award winners to arrive early and wait here together. They probably wanted to give us a chance to have a chat with each other.
Although we might not be able to become friends, I think that it's fine to have a good chat together. What do you all think? "
Several seconds of silence fell between them.
"I'd be happy to have a chat with you. Could I have a chat with you? Harano -san. "Nomura was the first to speak up.
"I … would like to have a chat as well," the one-piece female author named Yuuko Hashimoto spoke up.
"After hearing Nomura-san's words just now, I'm rather interested in just what type of story 'Brother Monogatari' is," the office worker male author named Shousei Maishi spoke up.
Seiji smiled at all the authors who were trying to be friendly.
And so, the atmosphere eased up.
…
When Saki came to inform the award winners to enter, she saw that everyone was chatting peacefully in the preparation room. It was obvious that Seiji was in the center.
The Gold Award winner Linpu Kotaro seemed to be excluded from the group. He was sitting by himself and looking at his cell phone.
The female editor wasn't surprised at all by such a scene.
Arranging for the award winners to stay in the preparation room for a period of time before the award ceremony was the Thunder Bunko Newcomer Award's tradition. The goal was to allow the newcomer authors who debuted at the same time as Seiji to communicate with each other.
There were suggestions of canceling this tradition. There were also suggestions of shortening the time, increasing the time, adding one or two editors to guide the conversation, and so on. But for now, the tradition remained as it was now.
This method had indeed promoted the friendship between the rookies, but at the same time, it had also fostered the unhappy relationship of enemies. Of course, there were also situations where nothing happened. In general, every batch of rookies had different personalities, resulting in different outcomes.
Seiji's work was criticized. Logically speaking, he would be ostracized by the others, but Saki wasn't worried at all. And the result was just as she expected: not only was he not ostracized, he even became the center of the circle.
On the contrary, the Gold Award winner Linpu Kotaro was all alone … This wasn't strange at all. Although Linpu's novel was awarded the Gold Award, he was a rather solitary middle school student. It was normal for him to not fit in with the group.
"Sorry to keep everyone waiting. Please follow me now."
Saki led everyone to the front of the venue and explained the procedure to them.
At this moment, they could hear many people talking and laughing in the venue. Then, they heard a microphone amplifying the sound, indicating for everyone to quiet down.
"The eighteenth Thunder Bunko Newcomer Award Ceremony will now begin!" a clear and bright male voice announced.
"First, let's welcome the seven award winners!" a clear and melodious female voice announced.
The female editor then gestured for Seiji and the others to enter the venue.
Many people were already standing in the venue.
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