Yukinoshita’s Method of Correction [26]

“To decide which of us helped him more.” Higashigumo Sugi explained, “Zaimokuza, your final choice will settle the score between us.”

“But you don’t have to worry about our feelings,” Yukinoshita Yukino added coolly. “This is between us.”

“So basically…” Yuigahama Yui blinked. “Just follow your heart—that’s it, right?”

Higashigumo and Yukinoshita both nodded in perfect sync.

“My choice…?” Zaimokuza Yoshiteru stood on trembling legs like a newborn fawn. Just as he tried to sit, he staggered and straightened up again. “Would you two… still be willing to read my work?”

“Huh?” Yuigahama could hardly believe her ears. “After everything they just said, you still want to keep writing? Are you some kind of masochist, like Higashigumo?”

“Excuse me?” Higashigumo turned. “What kind of weird misunderstanding do you have about me?”

Yukinoshita shot him a sidelong look. “Or maybe she’s just perceptive.”

Higashigumo: “This is an adult conversation, so kids should cover their ears.”

Yukinoshita: “……”

Yuigahama’s face broke into a bright smile.

Yep. Banter really is the most entertaining part after all.

“Um…” Zaimokuza raised his hand as if answering a question in class. “Can I keep talking?”

Higashigumo and Yukinoshita both gestured for him to go ahead.

“Even though you two picked my story apart, and sometimes I felt like dying—since it’s not like I’ll ever be popular or have any cute girls bantering with me anyway…” Zaimokuza took a deep breath, “Even so, I’m really happy. Letting someone read something you wrote because you love it, and hearing what they thought… it’s just great. I don’t really know how to describe this feeling, but I… I’m really happy!”

A genuine smile appeared on Zaimokuza’s face.

It wasn’t the grin of the “swordmaster general,” but the real smile of Zaimokuza Yoshiteru.

No more acting.

Just honesty.

“…I’ll read it. Looking forward to your next one,” Higashigumo said with a quiet laugh, glancing at Yukinoshita. “Looks like I lost.”

Thanks to Yukinoshita’s relentless criticism, Zaimokuza had genuinely gained the courage to face harsh feedback.

“Hold on, your critique hurt him more than mine did,” Yukinoshita refused to accept the result. “That can’t be my victory.”

“That’s your method, not mine,” Higashigumo pointed out. “So of course it’s your win.”

Yuigahama: “……”

So what is up with these two? Just now they were fighting to win, and now they’re arguing over who lost?

“That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.” Yukinoshita fixed Higashigumo with an unwavering stare. “You haven’t even tried your own method yet. Even if you weren’t planning to use it, say what it is.”

“I already did.” Higashigumo rummaged through his bag and handed Zaimokuza a business card. “Find a club.”

“This is…” Zaimokuza glanced at it and started trembling. “Is this the legendary circle I’ve heard about?!”

“Hmm?” Yuigahama peeked at the card. “Is it a big deal?”

“It’s a super popular doujin circle!” Zaimokuza’s eyes sparkled. “They’ve had their booth set up right in front of the entrance at Comiket for ten years! No venue can handle the lines, so they set up at the gate and let everyone queue outside!” He held the card like it was the Holy Grail. “The genres, the merch, and the creators—they’re all over the place! Doujinshi, games, music CDs, all-ages, R18, derivative works, original content… It’s basically a corporate-level operation!”

“Higashigumo!” Zaimokuza wiped away excited tears. “How did you get this?!”

“I have a friend who works there. I showed him your manuscript. Everything I told you before was from him,” Higashigumo admitted, surprised by how emotional Zaimokuza was. “He said, even though your writing still needs a lot of work, the sheer amount you’ve written and your passion really stand out. With training, you could at least handle QA for games, and with effort, maybe even become a project director. If you want to try animation, you could look at production assistant or setting design—even director someday.”

Zaimokuza’s voice even wavered with tears. “R-really?”

“I was skeptical at first too,” Higashigumo reassured him with a steady look. “But he said, in this field, passion is everything.”

“That’s right!” Yuigahama cheered him on. “You should give it your all for what you love!”

“Just keep in mind, anime is a labor-intensive industry. The pay is bad, the overtime is brutal, and there’s a new crisis every other day.” Higashigumo gave a frank warning. “If you don’t love it, you won’t last long. You won’t even get the chance to die at your desk.”

Yuigahama: “…Huh?”

“Your method was based on the idea he’d give up writing after being hurt,” Yukinoshita observed. “But he didn’t break—he still wants to write. So your method isn’t needed.”

“Exactly.” Higashigumo gripped the edge of the card in Zaimokuza’s hand. “So I have to concede—hmm?”

He couldn’t pull it away.

“Actually…” Zaimokuza clutched the card tightly. “I think I can use it. I’ll keep writing while getting ready for a job—for the sake of passion!”

“Looks like both your methods worked,” Yuigahama glanced from side to side. “So it’s a tie?”

“I’ve got no problem with that.” Higashigumo let go of the card. “What about you, Yukinoshita-chan?”

“…Tie,” Yukinoshita agreed, though she shot him a glare.

Zaimokuza carefully put the card away. “I’ll go right now—”

“You still need to finish school. Work is for after you graduate,” Higashigumo advised. “You can join a related club for practice—like the anime club. Actually, you’ve probably watched enough. The film club’s not a bad choice either; it broadens your perspective.”

“No, no!” Zaimokuza waved his hands in alarm. “Haven’t you heard?”

Higashigumo was startled by his sudden panic. “Heard what?”

“The film club…” Zaimokuza swallowed hard. “It’s haunted!”

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This is a fan translation of 雪之下的矫正方式 by 微凉温热 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!