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Today is April 2nd, my birthday. I officially turned 19 today. Though my mom thinks I am still a baby who needs a birthday cap and a big cake. Well, I do need it.
It's been 3 months since the release of *Grave of the Fireflies*, and it has become a bestseller in a lot of cities. International reception for the book was overwhelming too, especially in Japan.
I also finished my second book, "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder." Though it is a different genre from my first book, I have full faith that it will be a hit too. I have also finished the second and third parts of the series; it's not difficult to copy. Though I am still contemplating if I should write the fourth, since it is a prequel.
I had already sent the first to Evans and Dad to see their reaction. At first, they were not keen on reading it, maybe because I can't write every genre to perfection. But after reading the whole book, Evans called me and congratulated me on another hit. Terry was ecstatic and proud of my work.
But, Mom, after reading, she started nagging me again about some themes in the novel like drugs or the pedophiles in the book. Well, I can't change the book, right? It's one of the conditions.
After talking to Evans, he proposed that we would strike while the iron was hot and release this book in 2021. My popularity on all social media had increased a lot, and the rave reviews and praise for *Grave of the Fireflies* had still not stopped.
Though I didn't like the idea since it would mean I would have to release the other part faster, I wouldn't want people to think I am not writing the books. I want to keep my image as someone who takes time but is faster than other authors.
So I denied the fast release of this book. If I could, I would delay it to 2022.
I would let my first book marinate, and at the right time, I would release my second book. Though I do not like interviews, I can still release some statements here and there to keep myself relevant. I do need a PR team; Evans was right.
Well, anyway, writers do earn a lot if their books click with the masses. I can say, looking at my bank account, that I can live a luxurious life for some years, and there is more to come.
There is a reason *Grave of the Fireflies* is my first book. Yes, I am waiting for Studio Ghibli to call me and ask for the rights. That is when I will strike gold. Though it was produced by the original author, I don't think Hayao Miyazaki can ignore my book.
My intuition was correct...but.
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"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you," everyone sang the song for me.
Well, it was just Mom, Dad, Evans, and his wife.
"Sniff...already 19...my boy...has grown," said Terry, crying a little bit.
"Oh, come on, Dad. Don't cry. It's my birthday!" I said after rolling my eyes.
"Well, everything is set. Come eat," Mom said.
"Hey, Mike. I have something to tell, but it is not that important though," Evans said with a smug smile.
"Just say it," I said, looking at him with my deadpan eyes.
"So listen to this: your book has become so popular that studios have lined up to adapt it. Well, most of them are small, and you don't really have to care about them," said Evans.
"Oh nice! I hope you didn't reject any Japanese company since you know this is a Japanese story. Hahahaha," I said while laughing.
"Well, I did, but you don't have to worry about them," Evans said, a little confused.
After hearing he rejected a Japanese company, my blood pressure skyrocketed. I moved closer to him.He was 5'6" i am 6 feet so he looked like a baby infront of me.
"Whom did you reject? Tell me the name..." I said, looking at him murderously.
"Eh? I don't—" he tried to say something, but I stopped him and said, "I want the name..."
Evans swallowed his saliva, looked at me, and said, "Studio Ghibli."
Everything stopped for me at that moment. It all crumbled. All of it.
"YOU...REJECTED...STUDIO...GHIBLI??!?FU*K!!!!!"
"MICHEAL!!!" Janet screamed.