Chapter 135: *Negligent Homicide* (Two-in-One)

Chiyoda Ward, Garden Restaurant.

By 7:00 PM, Akiwara Yuto waited for Asano Aiko at the entrance, walked into the restaurant with her, and was arranged by the waiter at a four-person seat by the window in the non-smoking area.

After sitting down, the two ordered a pork cutlet rice and spaghetti respectively, and began to talk.

Akiwara Yuto coughed lightly, then took out the envelope of the Mystery Literature Newcomer Award from his pocket and placed it in front of Asano Aiko. "Asano, is this the thing I want to tell you?"

"Hmm?" Asano Aiko was a bit confused.

She was a bit curious, so she picked up the envelope, saw the line "Mystery Writers Association" on it, and then she opened the envelope, took out the invitation letter, and read it carefully.

"... Your work *Negligent Homicide* has been successfully shortlisted..."

Reading this line, her beautiful eyes widened involuntarily.

"Akiwara, congratulations!" Asano Aiko said happily. She didn't expect Akiwara Yuto to be shortlisted for the Mystery Literature Newcomer Award.

As a literature award of the whole Japan, this award is far beyond the Mantanshe Literature Award in terms of status and influence.

Although it hangs the name of a newcomer award, in fact, the range of writers it selects includes all writers who have debuted within 15 years. In terms of gold content, it can be considered second to none.

Akiwara Yuto shook his head. "It's just shortlisted for now, and the specific winner has not been announced yet. I may not necessarily win the award."

"No, I believe that with your talent, you will definitely succeed," Asano Aiko said to Akiwara Yuto with a serious attitude.

For her, failing to let Akiwara Yuto win the Gold Award of the Mantanshe Literature Award was already a shame that was unbearable to look back on.

During that period, she felt that she was very incompetent and didn't even know what attitude to use to face Akiwara Yuto.

In fact, she also knew in her heart that Akiwara Yuto wouldn't blame her...

But no matter what, this was a knot in her heart.

Akiwara Yuto heard Asano Aiko's "recognition" and could only nod to indicate that he would do his best.

But whether he can really win the award, he really has no bottom in his heart. Except for not choosing the work to submit at the beginning, he is also worried about other reasons.

Thinking about it, Akiwara Yuto raised a doubt: "Asano, will Mantanshe intervene in the selection of the Mystery Literature Newcomer Award?"

This point cannot be prevented. After all, Mantanshe can block him without any wind, so it is not impossible to prevent him from winning the award through some influence.

Hearing this question, Asano Aiko also began to ponder. After a long while, she replied: "Akiwara, do you know the Mystery Writers Association?"

Akiwara Yuto thought about it and replied: "It seems to be an association formed by a group of senior mystery writers. The mystery writer we met at Tokyo Women's University before seems to be one of them."

In his past life, the Japanese Mystery Writers Association was formed by Edogawa Ranpo, known as the "Father of Japanese Detective Mystery," but in this world's Mystery Writers Association, he really doesn't know much.

Asano Aiko nodded and asked back: "Akiwara, let me give an example. If you were a judge, and a publisher with great influence asked you to fake it, would you agree?"

Akiwara Yuto was silent for a while and then gave an answer: "No."

In his past life, as a graduate student in the Department of Literature, he participated in many essay competitions and activities, and because of this, he hated any results that might be faked from the bottom of his heart.

Asano Aiko was not surprised by this answer and said: "Then why do you think the judges of the Mystery Writers Association might accept Mantanshe's influence?"

Akiwara Yuto heard these words and understood Asano Aiko's heart to comfort him, so he said with a smile: "I understand, Asano, don't worry."

Asano Aiko saw Akiwara Yuto encouraged and also showed a smile.

In fact, she just used a sophistry method to make Akiwara Yuto not worry too much about this aspect.

After all, people are different. The choice made by Akiwara Yuto is not necessarily the choice of the judges of the Mystery Writers Association.

As for what Mantanshe will do and whether they have the ability to do it, Asano Aiko herself has no bottom in her heart.

After all, from the level, she can't even be called a middle-level cadre.

At this time, the waitress with fluffy hair delivered the dishes they ordered. The two said "Thank you," moved their chopsticks, and continued to talk.

Akiwara Yuto suddenly remembered the phone call Asano Aiko made today, so he asked: "Asano, you have something to tell me today, which aspect does it refer to?"

Asano Aiko put down her chopsticks, wiped the corners of her mouth with a tissue, and then took out a black and white document from her bag and placed it on the table next to the tableware. "It's this. I think it might be helpful to you."

Akiwara Yuto also put down his chopsticks, took the document, and read it. After seeing the line "Mantanshe Public Relations Bureau Work Report" on the document, his eyes widened involuntarily.

"Asano, where did you get this?"

Asano Aiko smiled and didn't answer this question.

As a functional department of Mantanshe, the Proofreading Department, in addition to the most basic work of proofreading manuscripts for writers, is sometimes arranged for extra work, such as helping administrative and other departments check documents to avoid simple errors in document content.

After discovering the rumors about Akiwara Yuto before, she began to move within the Proofreading Department, and even took on more unrelated work to facilitate contact with more information.

And this report was also contacted when she took the initiative to help a newcomer take on work.

Akiwara Yuto picked up the document and read it carefully several times, and found that it recorded a series of work matters of the Public Relations Bureau recently, including the promotion of new books, the publicity of writer activities, the maintenance of Mantanshe's image, and other matters.

In the other matters column, a line was recorded: "Due to the requirements of the Editorial Bureau, recently, through relevant cooperative media, cold treatment has been carried out for individual writers..."

Akiwara Yuto lowered his head and pondered.

According to the meal with Kawada Keiji before, he already understood Mantanshe's "blockade" against him, and the candidates he guessed were "Kihara Daigo" and "Takei Kohei." After all, except for these 2 people, no one else had the motive.

This document further proved that it was these two people.

While Akiwara Yuto was lost in thought, Asano Aiko patted the back of his hand holding the document, and after he raised his head, she said, "Akiwara, I have a plan. Can you consider listening to it?"

She paused and continued: "If you can win the Newcomer Award, I plan to..."

Then, she explained her thoughts.

After listening to Asano Aiko's plan completely, Akiwara Yuto was surprised.

If Asano's plan can proceed smoothly, he can even hit Mantanshe back.

But for Asano personally, will there be legal risks?

And how should the source of the document be expressed? After all, this is non-public content.

It seems that Asano Aiko knew Akiwara Yuto's doubts, so she smiled slightly and replied: "This document was copied by me. No one will know. Even if it is exposed, I will only take the way of an anonymous letter."

"As for me personally, I will submit my resignation then."

After finishing this sentence, she said in a relaxed tone: "You won't refuse to take me in, right?"

Akiwara Yuto learned of her choice and replied with a smile: "How could it be, but don't blame me for being a black-hearted boss then..."

Although he didn't care on his mouth, he was still ready to find a lawyer to ask again, so as to make relevant preparations to avoid any mistakes.

"Then don't blame me for jumping ship again."

Although Asano Aiko had a smile on her face, she was still a little worried in her heart.

The plan she proposed was entirely based on Akiwara Yuto winning a well-known award.

If there is no such award, the effect will undoubtedly be much worse. After all, only by winning a well-known award can it attract more public and media attention and break Mantanshe's blockade.

In short, I hope the Mystery Writers Association can fully recognize Akiwara Yuto's talent! ===== CHAPTER 136 =====