May 7, the second Monday of May.

After the first physics class ended, Dubian Che sat reversed in his seat, facing Jiutiao Meijie and using her desk as his own.

"You guys help me think too." He was holding the pen and paper that Xiaoquan Aonai bought for him from Kamakura yesterday.

"Think about what?" Jiutiao Meijie supported her chin with her hand, shifting her gaze from the window.

"Saito Huijie's bishoujo game script. You all trashed the one I wrote last Friday as completely useless, so I have to rewrite it," Dubian Che explained.

"It was you who wrote it completely useless," Kiyono Lin, who was reading a book, pointed out Dubian Che's linguistic error.

Dubian looked at Jiutiao Meijie, hoping the two would start arguing.

This time, he was definitely on Jiutiao Meijie's side!

Jiutiao Meijie lazily yawned, and Dubian, being close, could see her moist, delicate tongue and her neat, white teeth.

...but they didn't start arguing.

He had to handle it himself.

Dubian's gaze turned to Kiyono Lin: "Since you say my writing is completely useless, I'd like to see you write a brilliant script."

Kiyono Lin didn't respond; she was reading some book with a cover on it.

"I came from the countryside to Goda, then from being third in Goda to the top in the nation. Although I chose science, my arts subjects are also impeccable. You haven't produced anything yet, and here you are, calling my work completely useless. That doesn't sound like you, Kiyono, speaking with your true abilities."

"Being asked for feedback and then complaining about criticism, now you want me to write one too?" Kiyono Lin retorted sarcastically.

"Yes, that's the kind of person I am. So, what? Are you scared?"

Kiyono Lin looked up from her book, unimpressed, and gazed at Dubian Che:

"Since you want to challenge me, I'll just show you the difference between us."

"The difference between the first and second in the nation?" Dubian Che asked curiously.

Jiutiao Meijie, supporting her head with her hand and looking relaxed and carefree, just smiled unapologetically.

"Oh dear, the third place is laughing." Kiyono Lin spoke with a cold laugh.

"Speaking of study time, I indeed only deserve third place," Jiutiao Meijie retaliated with a cold laugh.

"Study time? Being in the top three nationally isn't something you can achieve just by spending more time. Some people could try all their lives, and even given one opportunity a year, they still wouldn't make it into the top one hundred."

In conclusion, Kiyono Lin said, "Jiutiao, true intelligence belongs to the clever; no amount of effort will help if your brain doesn't work."

Jiutiao Meijie released her supporting hand and narrowed her eyes at Kiyono Lin, her gaze sharp yet alluring.

She was about to speak.

"I agree." Dubian Che placed the pen on the crease of his upper lip as if smelling the hydrangea scent from Kamakura, "I believe only the national champion is truly smart, the rest aren't worth mentioning."

Both ladies looked at him, their gazes icy, their smiles cruel.

"Just joking," Dubian Che slapped the pen on the desk, looking at them, "True intelligence belongs to those who are smart and hardworking. To remove 'effort' as a factor, why don't we decide who's the best using our scripts?"

He added another sentence: "The best at writing scripts."

"Who will be the judge?" Ever-so-clever Kiyono Lin accepted the challenge.

"Hmm—" Dubian Che thought for a moment, "Submit it to a competition? Let those editors decide."

"Submit it?" Jiutiao Meijie asked.

"Kadokawa, Fuji, Dengeki, MFJ, GA and other publishers all host annual writing contests. The prizes are high, with the grand prize being three million yen, and the gold prize one hundred yen."

"That kind of thing takes a long time for selection; I don't have time to play games with you," Jiutiao Meijie, ignorant of the industry's details but immediately deducing the operation model from a business perspective.

Dubian Che took out his phone and entered the Kadokawa Bunko contest page.

From April to November, they accepted submissions, and the results wouldn't be announced until March next year.

"It really does take a long time," Dubian Che half-answered, half-muttered to himself.

He browsed through the contests of various publishers looking for any upcoming competitions. Eventually, on the page of a publisher he'd never heard of, he found a suitable one.

"Submissions from March to May, results announced early June—timing's just right. But there's only one prize, with an award of 200,000 yen, enough for you two to treat me to a meal." Dubian Che looked up and asked them, "Shall we go with this one?"

"Too much trouble, not participating," Jiutiao Meijie lazily sprawled on the desk.

"There's nothing else to do for the club activities anyway, why not give it a try?" Dubian Che spoke softly, as if talking to someone about to fall asleep.

"Don't bully the third place, Mr. Dubian," Kiyono Lin advised without a shred of sincerity.

Jiutiao held her position on the desk, her beautiful eyes unblinkingly fixed on Kiyono Lin.

"Let's forget it," Dubian Che regretted, "Even if it's well-written, it might not win."

"But usually, those who win are those who write well," Kiyono Lin spoke leisurely.

Dubian Che looked at her with a 'Hey! Are you really going to do this?!' expression, but Kiyono Lin ignored him.

Jiutiao Meijie shifted her gaze from Kiyono Lin and asked Dubian Che, "What are the submission requirements?"

"... Light novels, light literature, with themes limited to high school or university life."

"What about the stakes?" Kiyono Lin added.

"Stakes too?!" Dubian Che couldn't take it anymore.

"A year's personal living expenses," Jiutiao Meijie said coldly, "and the loser can't accept money from their family for a year."

"The money you earn using the Jiutiao family resources must be counted as family money," Kiyono Lin set her terms.

"No problem."

"And you're not allowed to give Dubian money in advance to support you."

"Look at you, talking like you've already won. I'm actually looking forward to see you work part-time," Jiutiao Meijie flashed a cruel smile, "Since we grew up together, I could refer you to a job—come work as a maid in my house, ten thousand yen per hour."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.