Chapter 114: Promotional Effect

This signing event started at 9:00 AM and lasted until 8:30 PM.

Except for the 2-hour break at noon, Akiwara Yuto had been constantly shaking hands, smiling, and signing.

After a day, he felt that his right hand had become a bit stiff due to excessive signing. And the muscles on both his cheeks were twitching because he had been smiling for too long……

Fortunately, he didn't have to bow repeatedly; otherwise, his waist would be ruined too……

Come to think of it, he really met a lot of people today.

Akiwara Yuto collapsed in his chair, recalling the many readers he met today.

Most of the readers who came for autographs today were in Tokyo, but there were also those from surrounding cities.

There was even a reader from the Southern Sea Continent who didn't know where he got the news and traveled a long distance to get here…… which made Akiwara Yuto a bit surprised and moved.

In addition to the different regions, the readers who came to the scene also included all kinds of people, and among them were some strange ones.

A young man in work clothes held Akiwara Yuto's hand tightly and wouldn't let go while signing, sobbing, "How could you send Ishigami to prison?!"

Although Akiwara Yuto could partially understand his feelings, he still felt a sense of disgust. After all, he wasn't gay, and it was still uncomfortable to have a man hold his hand for so long.

Just as he was considering whether to ignore his demeanor and push the other party away, Satake Maki and another female clerk named Sugihara Aisa hurried forward, saying "Sorry" while pulling the person away.

This allowed Akiwara Yuto to breathe a sigh of relief.

After all, if he had really pushed the other party away, who knew if rumors of him being arrogant would spread……

"Mr. Akiwara, you've worked hard today." Satake Maki walked over and handed him a drink, "Please have a drink to quench your thirst."

Akiwara Yuto took it and found it was a bottle of oolong tea. He said "Thank you" and unscrewed the cap to drink.

After taking a big gulp, Akiwara Yuto straightened up and asked a question: "How many books were sold here at Yamazaki Bookstore today?"

Satake Maki hesitated for a while and replied, "About 600 copies."

"Only that many?" Akiwara Yuto was a bit puzzled.

After all, he had been signing non-stop, and even with the most conservative estimate, he had signed at least a thousand names.

Satake Maki nodded and explained, "Mr. Akiwara, those books you signed, in addition to those purchased now, a considerable portion were those that readers had already purchased and brought with them. Moreover, the situation at the scene has exceeded our expectations."

"Before this, President Anjiu and I both thought that maybe only 300 or 400 people would come, but we didn't expect that at least over a thousand people came today."

Satake Maki paused again and then said with a smile, "Mr. Akiwara, from this point of view, it has been a great success!"

Akiwara Yuto wasn't that happy. In his view, he had only helped sell about 600 copies.

In that case, if he wanted to sell over 100,000 copies of "Suspect X," would he have to hold over 200 signing events?! This efficiency was too low!

Seeing Akiwara Yuto's expression, Satake Maki seemed to have guessed his thoughts and took the initiative to persuade him, "Mr. Akiwara, the influence of a signing event is not what you think."

"Hmm?" Akiwara Yuto didn't quite understand.

Satake Maki straightened her expression and said in a serious tone, "A signing event, although it has the effect of promoting sales, its more important point is to help you narrow the distance with readers, so its essence is a form of promotion."

Akiwara Yuto lowered his head and pondered. He recalled all the readers he met today, some even traveled thousands of miles to get here, so there was indeed some truth to it.

Satake Maki continued, "Readers who get your autograph, compared to ordinary readers, will be more convinced of you. Therefore, these readers will also recommend your work to their friends around them."

"Taking today's signing event as a case, there are at least a thousand readers who will spontaneously recommend your work to their friends and relatives."

Hearing this, Akiwara Yuto was stunned. He hadn't thought of this, but a term from his past life suddenly appeared in his mind: "fan circle culture."

So, today's signing event still had some effect. He nodded, indicating he understood.

Seeing Akiwara Yuto's expression relax, Satake Maki also smiled, "Mr. Akiwara, President Anjiu asked me to say sorry to you; he had something to do and had to leave early."

Akiwara Yuto responded, "I understand."

It seemed he could only take the train back. After all, the funds for "Suspect X" hadn't been recouped yet, and he was still in a state of being short of money, so he really couldn't afford to take a taxi many times.

At this time, Satake Maki thought for a while and tentatively asked, "Would you like to take my car?"

Discovering he could get a ride, Akiwara Yuto followed the trend and immediately agreed.

Immediately after, Akiwara Yuto followed Satake Maki, said goodbye to the other staff members, and left Yamazaki Bookstore.

……

"Editor Satake, is this your car?" Akiwara Yuto's mouth couldn't help but twitch.

In front of him was a pitch-black cruiser motorcycle. This motorcycle was 180 centimeters long, and the seat was 80 centimeters high.

Besides that, the motorcycle's engine and frame were exposed, looking a bit wild.

Satake Maki took off the helmet hanging on the handle, put it on, then opened the trunk, took out a helmet, and handed it to Akiwara Yuto, "Hmm? Mr. Akiwara, is there a problem?"

Akiwara Yuto took the helmet, hesitated, but still put it on carefully. After all, life safety was the most important.

In his heart, his impression of Satake Maki underwent a earth-shaking change. What was this? A motorcycle-loving cute girl?

But he thought about it carefully and found it wasn't that strange.

In Japan, many people used motorcycles as a commuting tool. After all, although the price wasn't very cheap (about the same as a slightly worse used car), there was no need for parking fees and other car miscellaneous expenses.

Then, Satake Maki sat in the front seat, and Akiwara Yuto followed and sat in the back seat.

After confirming that both of their feet were on the pedals, Satake Maki turned the key and pressed the clutch with her left hand.

After a low "engine sound," the motorcycle started slowly and drove towards Chiyoda Ward.

In the oncoming wind, Akiwara Yuto, sitting in the back seat, felt a bit awkward.

After all, when a man and a woman sit on a motorcycle, their bodies inevitably have some contact, and he could even feel the body temperature coming from the girl in front.

To avoid the suspicion of sexual harassment, Akiwara Yuto could only clamp the motorcycle body with his legs, and his hands were honestly placed on his thighs.

But what he didn't notice was that Satake Maki, sitting in front, had a bright smile on her face…… ===== CHAPTER 115 =====