Chapter 138: An Unexpected Invitation

While He Heintai was preparing for the awards ceremony, Akiwara Yuto was standing beneath the Daimaru Department Store in Ginza, wearing a gray suit and waiting.

Ginza is the main commercial district in Tokyo's Chuo Ward, once touted as "the most expensive place in Asia," and it gathers famous brand goods from all over the world. Besides that, the nightclub culture here is also very prosperous, making it a place that most Japanese men yearn for.

But Akiwara Yuto's purpose for coming today was simply to replace the clothes he was wearing.

In truth, he originally felt it didn't matter, but Asano Aiko believed that if he were to attend the Mystery Literature Newcomer Award, major national media outlets would all be present, and he couldn't just wear anything simple and casual.

Under her strong insistence, Akiwara Yuto had no choice but to agree, and promised to go buy a new suit together.

"So slow, why hasn't Asano come yet?" Akiwara Yuto checked the watch on his wrist, then looked up at the crowd coming and going before him, unable to stop himself from letting out a sigh.

It was the same in his past life; whenever he went out with female classmates or female friends, it would often take a while longer than the scheduled time.

Just as Akiwara Yuto was considering whether he should make a phone call, he suddenly felt someone gently pat his back.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Akiwara." A gentle voice sounded from behind him.

Akiwara Yuto turned his head and saw Asano Aiko smiling slightly.

Today, Asano Aiko had specifically worn a light green cardigan, and underneath the cardigan was a white short skirt. Perhaps because the clothes were well-fitted, the lines of her figure were set off to be extremely soft and beautiful.

Akiwara Yuto was stunned for a moment, but quickly reacted, pretending to complain: "If you hadn't come any sooner, I was prepared to go straight home."

"Sorry, sorry," Asano Aiko revealed a slightly apologetic smile.

Because she had considered makeup and dressing up, she had been delayed for a while; by the time she realized it, the time had already exceeded the expected time, and she had rushed over in a hurry.

Akiwara Yuto shrugged, "It's fine, as long as someone gives me an apology gift."

Just as Asano Aiko was confused, Akiwara Yuto said with a smile: "I'll leave today's lunch to you."

Hearing this request, Asano Aiko found it a bit funny, but she still agreed immediately.

Then, the two turned around, walked into the department store named "Daimaru," and headed toward the direction of the escalators. Only on the third floor of the department store were there stores for men's suits.

Watching the scenery below the escalator gradually change, Akiwara Yuto said to Asano Aiko: "Asano, although I know you have confidence in me, I feel the uncertainty is still too great regarding whether I can win the Mystery Literature Newcomer Award this time."

Winning an award is something that is inherently full of too many uncertainties.

The preferences and stances of the judges, the level of other shortlisted works, the plans of the Mystery Writers Association, and other external factors could all potentially hinder him from winning the Newcomer Award.

For example, if the judges for the selection don't like the style of the work *Negligent Homicide*, or if the judges are influenced by Mantan Society, or perhaps the Mystery Writers Association has other plans...

All of these various things could potentially make him have high hopes for nothing, which would be equivalent to repeating the same mistakes as that time with the Mantan Society Literature Award...

To tell the truth, he didn't want Asano Aiko to feel as uncomfortable as he did.

Asano Aiko listened carefully to these words, then said sincerely: "Akiwara, I know you might be worried about many things, but I hope you can have a little more confidence in yourself."

"Do you remember that sentence you said to me?" She paused, then continued: "So-called writers must use their own words as weapons and constantly struggle in the literary world."

She looked up, meeting Akiwara Yuto's gaze: "Even if you have many doubts in your heart, don't you believe in the pen in your hand?"

"Even if it doesn't work out this time, there is still next time, and the time after that. No matter what, I hope you can firmly believe in your own ability."

Hearing these words, Akiwara Yuto was somewhat surprised; he had originally worried whether Asano Aiko would be overly concerned, but he hadn't expected her to have this thought.

He thought for a moment, and also revealed a smile, "I understand, Asano!"

5: 0 PM, Chiyoda Ward, Mantan Society Headquarters, top floor.

Kihara Daigo and Takei Kohei took the elevator together, coming here from the 14th floor where the Editorial Bureau was located.

The two walked along the corridor between the floors, their posture held very straight; after all, this floor was where the President and Vice President were located, the place belonging to the true power-holders of Mantan Society.

As a Department Head, although he had a high degree of say, he was still quite far off compared to such big figures. And as a Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Takei Kohei's status went without saying.

At this time, Takei Kohei lowered his voice and asked Kihara Daigo beside him: "Department Head, do you know what it's about that Vice President Yokoyama called us here this time?"

Kihara Daigo frowned and shook his head.

15 minutes ago, the executive secretary of Vice President Yokoyama's office had suddenly called, telling him and Takei Kohei to go to the office together in half an hour, saying there was something to inform them of.

Upon hearing this instruction, Kihara Daigo was completely confused, but he still agreed and found Takei Kohei to go over together.

To tell the truth, Kihara Daigo felt a bit uneasy in his heart; after all, being summoned by a superior without any prior word makes it hard not to be concerned.

On the other hand, Takei Kohei didn't think that much; even if there was trouble, Kihara Daigo would be the first to take the blame.

Just like that, the two, with different thoughts, arrived one after the other at the entrance of an office. Kihara Daigo stepped forward and knocked gently on the door.

Hearing the sound, the door opened. Behind the door was a woman wearing a professional suit. Kihara Daigo recognized her as Vice President Yokoyama's female assistant.

The female assistant nodded and said "Please come in," then led the two into the office. This also allowed Kihara Daigo and Takei Kohei to see the person in charge today, Seiji Yokoyama, who held the position of Vice President of Mantan Society.

Seiji Yokoyama, sitting in his chair, saw the two and nodded, then let the female assistant leave to handle other work.

Then, he turned his gaze toward Kihara Daigo and Takei Kohei, asking: "Department Head Kihara, Deputy Editor-in-Chief Takei, do you know the purpose of me calling you here today?"

Kihara Daigo and Takei Kohei looked at each other, then answered in unison: "We are not aware, my lord."

Seiji Yokoyama was not surprised to hear this answer.

He thought for a moment, then opened a drawer, took out two letters from it, and handed them to his two subordinates, "Take a look."

Kihara Daigo and Takei Kohei were puzzled, but they still took the envelopes and opened them. However, after seeing the contents of the letters, the two could not help but be surprised; written on them was the line "Mystery Writers Association Invitation."

Kihara Daigo felt even more strange in his heart: Mystery Writers Association? Why are they inviting us to go over?

Seiji Yokoyama saw the two open the envelopes and said: "The award ceremony time for this Mystery Writers Association's Association Award and Newcomer Award has already been set. According to the original schedule, I am to go attend the ceremony that night."

He paused, then added: "But for some unknown reason, they sent two more invitations, and specified that you two must attend."

After hearing these words, Kihara Daigo and Takei Kohei both fell into confusion.

For the selection of these two awards this time, except for Teacher Seto Tamae who could not participate again because she had already won an Association Award, other contracted writers of *Tokyo Literature* and *New* had also submitted manuscripts to participate.

But this award, after all, covered the entire Japanese literary world, and the difficulty of the selection was too great, resulting in no one from *Tokyo Literature* and *New* being able to be shortlisted this time.

In fact, according to the intelligence they had obtained, the contracted writers of the other three major publishing houses also seemed to have been wiped out.

Seiji Yokoyama saw the two were silent, frowned, and asked again: "Do you have any connection with the Mystery Writers Association?"

Other than this, he really couldn't think of any reason why his two subordinates would be invited.

In the entire Japanese literary world, the Mystery Writers Association has an extraordinary significance, and within it, it contains a large number of old writers referred to as "monsters."

These old writers include stalwarts of the literary world who have won the "Uemura Award" and many other awards multiple times, literary veterans with annual sales of millions of copies, and management-type authors who have connections with both political and business circles...

Therefore, even Teacher Seto Tamae, who had the most seniority in Mantan Society, was only an ordinary member within the Mystery Writers Association.

But this made Seiji Yokoyama even more confused: why would such an organization, while inviting him, also invite Kihara Daigo and Takei Kohei?

Although the sales of *Tokyo Literature* were not bad, it was not the No. 1 mystery journal, and its sales could not be compared to those newspapers and periodicals that had serializations at the same time.

And in the eyes of some people in the literary world, so-called magazines were just platforms provided for newcomers and some mediocre people.

After all, true writers basically publish standalone books directly.

So, it really is strange...

Seiji Yokoyama saw that Kihara Daigo and Takei Kohei were still clueless, so he didn't delve into it further. After all, no matter how you look at it, it's unlikely to be a bad thing, right?

He thought for a moment and waved his hand, "In any case, on November 25th, you two will come with me to Kyoto to attend the awards ceremony."

"Yes."

Hearing these words, Kihara Daigo and Takei Kohei immediately bowed in response.

When they lowered their heads, their hearts were also filled with confusion.

What exactly is the reason?