(Old) This Wasn't My Big Break

AUTHORS NOTE: SKIP THIS CHAPTER

“Hey, Makoto.”

“Hm?”

“I wonder what it’s like… If it’s just as I read in manga or heard about from friends. I want to know what it feels like to tell you I—”

My head dropped from my hand and onto the table. I quickly scrambled to grab my glasses which fell onto the floor.

I really shouldn’t be so careless… my mom just got these for me.

When I set them back on my face it still took me a moment to realize where I was, as the blinds were shut making the room almost pitch black. The only exception being the light from my laptop.

I was in the writing club’s “office”.

Well I wouldn’t say it’s an office… It's more of an oversized closet stacked with books and a printer. If it were up to me, we’d have one of the largest rooms. Maybe the English club’s room, theirs is the size of two rooms… Or they could at least share.

Now that I think about it, we don’t really do much writing either. The last generation of club members that actually did any writing was what… five years ago now?

The last few years of members were only into manga and light novels… turning this club more into a storage room for a massive collection than a place for writers. That also being reason I joined… But that’s besides the point.

Also, now that I’m saying “we”, that isn’t right either. It’s just “me”. I had trouble recruiting new members when last year's seniors graduated, leaving me to fill every position.

I even made a small name plate for myself. It reads, “Kiyotaka Makoto — The Writing Club”.

Looking around the clubroom makes me feel like its glory days were long before I came around. Still, it’s a good space to get away from all the annoying people in school.

Anyways, none of that is important, what is though is my email.

I set my hand on the mouse and began spamming the “refresh” button.

A few months ago there was a light novel writing contest announced and I submitted what I believe is my best work.

Probably not just my best work, but the greatest that any of the judges have ever read.

I’m guessing they’ve gotten hundreds or thousands of submissions that are cliche isekai stories. All about some loser getting every girl he wants with a convoluted power system. Or some romance, again about a loser, who helps a harem of girls solve their trivial highschool problems.

I, on the other hand, have meticulously crafted the perfect romance. An incredible blend of believable down-to-Earth characters, real problems, mystery, and comedy—all coming together to effortlessly sail me to the next round of judging.

After refreshing my email for almost the hundredth time, my laptop made a dinging-noise—a new email came in.

Yes finally! I’ll graciously accept my digital letter-of-acceptance.

Subject: New 30% Off Deals From Akiba-Soul
Re: These deals don’t last long! Make su—

My computer is messing with me!

I stood up and walked over to the blinds. This may sound trivial, but it’s quite the opposite. Near the back of the clubroom where the windows are, books begin getting stacked. Some of which are almost to the ceiling—those ceiling high stacks were there when I joined, and my seniors, and the seniors before them. It’s like lost knowledge of who or how they were stacked so high. But everyone since has respected it.

After I invited the light into the clubroom I cautiously returned to my laptop.

Looking outside of the window, it revealed a new school day was beginning… I must’ve slept here overnight. I’m assuming my mom realizes I’ve slept here too as I see she hasn’t called me…

Seemingly endless waves of students, all dressed in our school’s uniform, walked up the small hill-road leading to our highschool. It was a new semester and the start to my second year. Springtime brought with it the blooming of cherry blossom trees—a timeless cliche.

As I sat, my laptop produced another dinging noise. Another new email…

Subject: RLNP Light Novel Contest Judging

“Yes! This is the first step towards becoming a famous author. I will be able to change the trend of crappy, low-effort light novels, and inspire people to write with passion! And they’ll all credit me as the inspiration of this new age of light novel writing!”

Re: Greetings!
This email is to inform you that unfortunately, the work(s) that you submitted to the RLNP Original Light Novel Contest did not make it past our first round of judging. Thank you very much for participating, the large variety of stories and creativity—

“Ahhhhh!! No! No-no-no! This is another joke email! They’re messing with me right!? How can those fools not see the dedication and passion I put into my work!? It’s miles ahead of the countless isekai and harem garbage that was submitted!”

I grabbed at my hair and cast my gaze downward in despair.

“This isn’t happening… This was supposed to be my ticket to the big-leagues.”

It’s so unfair… those snobs with no taste get to judge such a crucial contest. They hold back visionaries like myself.

“I included every part of the formula to write a good light novel… A lot of cute girls, a relatable MC, a highschool setting, and an easy to follow plot… Maybe the plot was too easy to follow? Was it boring? Stupid? Too simple?”

I began involuntarily tapping my right foot.

It just doesn't make sense. Well, whatever… First class is starting soon, I don’t have time to dwell on this…