Chapter 138: Unexpected Invitation

While Kawai Shinta was preparing for the award ceremony, Akiwara Yuto was wearing a gray suit, standing under the Daimaru Department Store in Ginza waiting.

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

But Akiwara Yuto's purpose for coming here today is just to replace the clothes on his body.

In fact, he didn't feel anything, but Asano Aiko thought that if he were to attend the Mystery Literature Newcomer Award, all the major media in the country would appear, and he couldn't just wear anything casually.

Under her strong request, Akiwara Yuto had to agree and promised to go buy a new suit together.

"So slow, why hasn't Asano come yet." Akiwara Yuto looked at the watch on his hand, then looked up at the crowds coming and going in front of him, and couldn't help but sigh.

It was the same in his past life. Whenever he went out with female classmates or female friends, they often took a while longer than the scheduled time.

Just when Akiwara Yuto was considering whether he should make a phone call, he suddenly found someone gently patting his back.

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

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

Today's Asano Aiko specially wore a light green cardigan, and inside the cardigan was a white short skirt. Perhaps because the clothes fit well, the lines on her body were set off extremely softly.

Akiwara Yuto was stunned, but soon reacted and pretended to complain: "If you don't come again, I'm ready to go home directly."

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

Because she considered makeup and dressing up, she was delayed for a while. By the time she found out, the time had already exceeded the expected time, so she rushed over in a hurry.

Akiwara Yuto shrugged, "It's okay, as long as someone gives me a compensation."

Just when Asano Aiko was confused, Akiwara Yuto said with a smile: "Today's lunch is up to you."

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

Then, the two turned around, walked into this department store called "Daimaru," and walked towards the escalator. On the third floor of the department store, there were men's suit stores.

Looking at the scenery below the escalator gradually changing, Akiwara Yuto said to Asano Aiko: "Asano, although I know you have confidence in me, whether I can win the Mystery Literature Newcomer Award this time, I think the unknown is still too big."

Winning an award is full of too many uncertainties.

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

For example, the judges don't like the style of *Negligent Homicide*, or the judges are influenced by Mantanshe, or the Mystery Writers Association has other plans...

All these kinds of things could make him look forward to it in vain, which is equivalent to repeating the mistake of the Mantanshe Literature Award...

To be honest, he doesn't want Asano Aiko to be as uncomfortable as him.

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

"Do you still remember that sentence you told me," she paused and continued: "The so-called writer is to use his own words as a weapon and then keep fighting in the literary world."

She looked up and aimed at Akiwara Yuto's line of sight: "Even if you have a lot of doubts in your heart, don't you believe in the pen in your hand?"

"Even if it doesn't work this time, there will be next time, and the next time. No matter what, I hope you can firmly believe in your ability."

Hearing these words, Akiwara Yuto was surprised. He was worried that Asano Aiko would be too worried, but didn't expect her to have this idea.

He thought about it and showed a smile, "I understand, Asano!"

5:00 PM, Chiyoda Ward, Mantanshe Headquarters, top floor.

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

The two walked in the corridor between the floors, their posture was very straight. After all, this floor is where the president and vice president are located, and it is the location of the real power figures of Mantanshe.

As a department head, although he has a high right to speak, he is still much worse than such big figures. And Takei Kohei, as a deputy editor-in-chief, has a lower status.

At this time, Takei Kohei lowered his voice and asked Kihara Daigo on the side: "Department head, do you know what's going on with Vice President Yokoyama calling us this time?"

Kihara Daigo frowned and shook his head.

15 minutes ago, the administrative secretary of Vice President Yokoyama's office suddenly called, asking himself and Takei Kohei to go to the office together in half an hour, saying there was something to inform.

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

To be honest, Kihara Daigo's heart is actually a bit uneasy. After all, it is a superior talk, and there is no wind, so it is hard not to care.

On the other side, Takei Kohei didn't think so much. Even if there is trouble, Kihara Daigo will be the first to take responsibility.

In this way, the two with different thoughts came to the door of an office one after another. Kihara Daigo stepped forward and knocked on the big door lightly.

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

The female assistant nodded, said "Please come in," and led the two into the office, which also allowed Kihara Daigo and Takei Kohei to see the speaker today, Yokoyama Seiji, who served as the vice president of Mantanshe.

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

Then, he focused his eyes on Kihara Daigo and Takei Kohei and asked: "Department Head Kihara, Deputy Editor-in-Chief Takei, do you know the purpose of my calling you here today?"

Kihara Daigo and Takei Kohei looked at each other and replied together: "Subordinate doesn't know."

Yokoyama Seiji was not surprised when he heard this answer.

He thought about it, opened the drawer, took out two letters from the drawer, and handed them to his two subordinates, "You guys take a look."

Kihara Daigo and Takei Kohei were confused, but still took the envelope and opened it. But after seeing the content in the letter, the two were surprised. It said "Mystery Writers Association Invitation Letter" on it.

Kihara Daigo's heart is very strange. Mystery Writers Association? What do they invite us to do?

Yokoyama Seiji saw the two open the envelope and said: "The award time for this Mystery Writers Association Award and Newcomer Award has been determined. According to the original schedule, I will go to attend the ceremony that night."

He paused and added: "But for some reason, they sent two more invitation letters and designated the two of you to participate."

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

The selection of these two awards, except for Seto Tamae-sensei who cannot participate again because she has won an Association Award, other contracted writers of *Tokyo Literature* and *New* also submitted manuscripts to participate.

But this award covers the entire Japanese literary world, and the difficulty of selection is too great, resulting in no one from *Tokyo Literature* and *New* being shortlisted this time.

In fact, according to the information they obtained, the contracted writers of the other three major publishers also seem to have been wiped out.

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

Besides that, he really couldn't think of the reason why his two subordinates were invited.

In the entire Japanese literary world, the Mystery Writers Association has an unusual meaning. Inside it, it contains a large number of veteran writers called "monsters."

These veteran writers, some are the backbone of the literary world who have won many awards such as the "Uemura Award," some are veteran writers with annual sales of millions of copies, and some are management-type authors who have connections with political and business circles...

So, even Seto Tamae-sensei, who has the oldest qualifications in Mantanshe, is only an ordinary member in the Mystery Writers Association.

But this also made Yokoyama Seiji more confused. Why does such an organization want to invite Kihara Daigo and Takei Kohei while inviting himself?

Although the sales of *Tokyo Literature* are good, it is not the no. 1 mystery journal, and the sales cannot be compared with those newspapers that have serials at the same time.

And in the eyes of some literary circles, the so-called magazine is just a platform for newcomers and some mediocre people.

After all, real writers basically publish single volumes directly.

So, it's really strange...

Yokoyama Seiji saw Kihara Daigo and Takei Kohei still confused, so he didn't pursue it deeply. After all, no matter how you look at it, it's unlikely to be a bad thing, right?

He thought about it and waved his hand, "In short, on the night of November 25, you go to Kyoto with me to attend the award ceremony."

"Yes."

Hearing these words, Kihara Daigo and Takei Kohei immediately bowed to respond.

When lowering their heads, their hearts were also full of doubts.

What is the reason? ===== CHAPTER 139 =====