Shitayomi Danshi to Toukou Joshi

"Just once, I want to make it past the first round of screening..." "Please, teach me how to write a novel." To his classmates, Ao is just an ordinary high school boy. In secret, however, he works as a manuscript screener for a prestigious light novel debut competition. His quiet double life takes a sudden turn when he discovers a familiar name among the pile of submissions: Hiyuki Hinomiya, his own classmate. Known throughout school as the aloof "Ice Maiden," Hiyuki has poured her heart into a manuscript complete with wildly varying font sizes and expressive onomatopoeia, all in hopes of winning the contest. Stunned by the discovery, Ao finds himself drawn into her creative journey, stepping up to offer guidance after this unexpected encounter. When harsh feedback from the screening process leaves Hiyuki deeply discouraged, Ao gently helps her rebuild her confidence. Together, they begin refining her work, making steady progress on everything from world-building and character development to overall story structure. Yet, even as their collaboration deepens, unseen challenges loom on the horizon. What follows is a bright, youthful tale about the passion, struggles, and triumphs of creating something truly original.