Chapter 139: The Victim's Statement

Time passed quickly, and soon it was November 25th, the date on the invitation.

Akiwara Yuto got up early to wash and change into the high-end suit he had bought with Asano Aiko at the Daimaru Department Store, then began to pack his luggage.

This awards ceremony was being held in Kyoto, and since it was in the evening, he figured he wouldn't be able to make it back to Tokyo once it ended.

However, according to routine arrangements, the organizers usually provided accommodation, so there was no need to worry too much.

Akiwara Yuto opened his suitcase, crouched down, and placed his change of clothes and towel inside one by one. Just then, the telephone rang.

Akiwara Yuto stood up, walked to the Xuanguan, and picked up the receiver. "Hello, this is Akiwara Yuto. May I ask who this is?"

"Akiwara, it's me." Akiwara Yuto recognized Asano Aiko's voice.

"Asano, is something the matter?"

Asano Aiko held the receiver and replied, "Nothing much, I just wanted to tell you something."

"What is it? Go ahead," Akiwara Yuto said with a smile.

Asano Aiko was silent for a moment, and just as Akiwara Yuto began to feel a bit strange, she continued: "I wish you a triumphant success."

Hearing this, Akiwara Yuto was stunned for a moment, then smiled and replied, "I understand."

He paused, then added, "When I return, I'll treat you to a grand meal at a high-end restaurant."

Hearing Akiwara Yuto say this, Asano Aiko felt relieved and replied, "Understood, then I shall look forward to that grand meal."

After saying this, Asano Aiko hung up the phone, using the excuse of not wanting to disturb him.

Just as Akiwara Yuto intended to go back to continue packing, the doorbell rang.

Who would be visiting at this time?

Akiwara Yuto was puzzled for a moment, but he opened the door anyway.

Standing outside the door were Ankutsu Goichi and Satake Maki.

"Akiwara-sensei, sorry to bother you," Ankutsu Goichi said with a smile, then declined Akiwara Yuto's offer to let him inside.

"We came here today simply to wish Akiwara-sensei success in winning the Mystery Literature Newcomer Award."

After saying this, he handed over his gift. "I wish you a triumphant success, Akiwara-sensei."

In doing so, he actually had the intention of building a better relationship with Akiwara Yuto.

Ever since he had visited the book critic Kawada Keiji with Akiwara Yuto, he had learned of Mantan Publishing's blacklisting of Akiwara Yuto, and he had been worried about whether Anku Bookstore would be implicated by them.

Therefore, he had not only actively avoided Akiwara Yuto for a period of time, but even held an internal meeting in private to discuss the feasibility of breaking their contract early.

But to his surprise, on the very day of that meeting, Akiwara Yuto had called to inform him that he had been shortlisted for the "Mystery Literature Newcomer Award," which shocked him greatly.

Soon, he ordered his subordinates to collect information on the "Mystery Literature Newcomer Award."

But the more he learned, the more surprised he became.

The "Mystery Literature Newcomer Award" was a national mystery award presented by the Mystery Writers Association, and the selection criteria included all mystery writers who had debuted in Japan within the last 15 years.

Therefore, if he could win this award, Akiwara Yuto's standing in the Japanese literary world would undoubtedly rise to a new level.

And as for Mantan Publishing, it was very likely they would end their blacklisting of Akiwara Yuto.

After all, once he won this award, it meant the Mystery Writers Association intended to strongly support this writer. If Mantan Publishing were to continue their blacklisting, they would undoubtedly anger the former.

Regardless of the reason, such behavior would be more trouble than it was worth.

After weighing the options, Ankutsu Goichi immediately brought Satake Maki over to make contact with Akiwara Yuto first.

He had actually prepared two contingency plans: if Akiwara Yuto failed to win, he would reconsider whether to continue their cooperation; but if Akiwara Yuto succeeded, he was prepared to offer further concessions to secure their partnership.

Otherwise, an Akiwara Yuto with higher prestige could easily end their cooperation and go to those large publishing houses.

In that case, whether or not to cooperate would be a question for Akiwara Yuto to consider.

Akiwara Yuto accepted the gift with a smile, but he couldn't tell if it was his imagination, he just felt that Ankutsu Goichi was acting strange today.

On the other side, Satake Maki also stepped forward. "Akiwara-sensei..."

Akiwara Yuto turned his head to look at her.

Satake Maki hesitated for a moment, then took a bento wrapped in cloth from her bag and handed it to Akiwara Yuto. "The journey to Kyoto is not short; you can eat this bento on the way..."

Akiwara Yuto was a bit confused.

From Tokyo to Kyoto, taking the Shinkansen only took about three hours, or four hours at most even with transfers; how was that far?

However, he thought about it and accepted the bento, saying, "Thank you."

After all, she had made it specifically for him, and he would have to figure out his lunch anyway.

Seeing Akiwara Yuto accept the bento, Satake Maki felt relieved, nodded, and stood to the side.

Seeing that his purpose for coming had been achieved, Ankutsu Goichi said his goodbyes, turned around, and left with Satake Maki.

Akiwara Yuto said "Goodbye" and turned back to return upstairs.

At 2: 0 PM, having finished packing, Akiwara Yuto set off from home and headed to the nearest train station.

After a few transfers, he boarded the Shinkansen to Kyoto.

Watching the scenery outside the window constantly receding due to the train's high speed, he couldn't help but think about a question.

If he successfully won this Mystery Literature Newcomer Award, what should he do next?

According to Asano Aiko's plan, after winning the newcomer award, she would submit her resignation, and then, in the form of an anonymous letter, mail a copy of the "Mantan Publishing Public Relations Department Work Report" to the outside world.

After attracting public attention, Mantan Publishing would then bear the reputation of suppressing talented writers.

But there was a major problem with this.

At the same time she resigned, this document would conveniently appear in the public eye; wouldn't that, to a certain extent, point to her as the culprit who leaked the file?

In that case, there was a high probability that Mantan Publishing would sue her for corporate espionage.

Although Asano Aiko said that such scandals were usually settled privately or even dropped,

Akiwara Yuto still felt it was inappropriate no matter how he thought about it.

Compared to Mantan Publishing, his and Asano Aiko's strength was far too weak; even if they went to court, it would be very difficult to win against them.

Forget it, he should just let her abandon this plan and think of other ways.

Akiwara Yuto thought for a while and came up with an alternative idea.

If he really could win the award, should he take the initiative to expose this matter himself afterward?

After all, shouldn't the statement of the victim be the most effective way to attract the public?