Chapter 139: Victim

Time passed quickly, and soon it was November 25, which was the day on the invitation letter.

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

This award ceremony was held in Kyoto, and the time was in the evening. After the ceremony, it was estimated that it would be too late to return to Tokyo.

However, according to the routine arrangement, the organizer generally provides accommodation, so there is no need to worry too much.

Akiwara Yuto opened the suitcase, squatted down, and put the change of clothes and towels in one by one. Just then, the phone rang.

Akiwara Yuto stood up, walked to the entrance, and picked up the receiver. "Hello, I am Akiwara Yuto. May I ask who you are?"

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

"Asano, is there anything wrong?"

Asano Aiko held the receiver and replied: "Nothing, just want to tell you one sentence."

"What sentence, tell me." Akiwara Yuto said with a smile.

Asano Aiko was silent for a while. Just when Akiwara Yuto was a bit strange, she continued: "Wish you success."

Hearing this sentence, Akiwara Yuto was stunned, and then replied with a smile: "I understand."

He paused and said: "When I come back, I will invite you to a high-end restaurant for a big meal."

Asano Aiko heard Akiwara Yuto say this, and she was relieved, replying: "Understood, then I will look forward to this big meal."

After finishing this sentence, Asano Aiko hung up the phone with the excuse of not disturbing Akiwara.

Just when Akiwara Yuto intended to go back to continue packing his luggage, the doorbell rang.

Who would come to the door at this time?

Akiwara Yuto was a bit confused for a while, but still opened the door.

Outside the door stood Anju Jin Gangyi and Sasaki Maki.

"Akiwara-sensei, excuse me," Anju Jin Gangyi said with a smile, and then refused Akiwara Yuto's proposal to let him in.

"We came here this time just to wish Akiwara-sensei to win the Mystery Literature Newcomer Award."

After finishing this sentence, he handed over his gift, "Wish Akiwara-sensei you can win."

He did this, in fact, also intending to have a good relationship with Akiwara Yuto.

Since the last time he went to visit the book reviewer Kawada Keiji with Akiwara Yuto, he learned about Mantanshe's blockade action against Akiwara Yuto, and thus was afraid of whether Anju Bookstore would be implicated by the other party.

Therefore, he not only avoided Akiwara Yuto for a period of time, but even privately held an internal meeting to explore the feasibility of early breach of contract.

But unexpectedly, on the day of the meeting, Akiwara Yuto called and informed him that he had been shortlisted for the "Mystery Literature Newcomer Award," which surprised him extremely.

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

But the more he understood, the more surprised he was.

"Mystery Literature Newcomer Award" is a national mystery award issued by the Mystery Association. The selection criteria include all mystery writers who have debuted in Japan within 15 years.

So if he can win this award, Akiwara Yuto's status in the Japanese literary world will undoubtedly go one step further.

And Mantanshe, it is very likely that they will end the blockade against Akiwara Yuto.

After all, once this award is won, it means that the Mystery Writers Association wants to vigorously support this writer. Mantanshe making blockade actions again will undoubtedly anger the former.

No matter what the reason is, this behavior can be considered not worth the loss.

Anju Jin Gangyi weighed it and immediately brought Sasaki Maki over to make contact with Akiwara Yuto first.

He actually made two preparations here. If Akiwara Yuto fails to win the award, he will consider whether to continue the cooperation; but if Akiwara Yuto succeeds in winning the award, he will prepare to further bundle the profits.

Otherwise, Akiwara Yuto, who has gained higher prestige, can completely end the cooperation and go to those large publishers.

In that case, whether to cooperate or not is a problem Akiwara Yuto has to consider.

Akiwara Yuto took the gift with a smile, but he didn't know if it was an illusion, he always felt that Anju Jin Gangyi today was strange.

On the other side, Sasaki Maki also came up, "Akiwara-sensei..."

Akiwara Yuto turned his head and looked at her.

Sasaki Maki hesitated, then took out a bento wrapped in cloth from her bag and handed it to Akiwara Yuto, "The journey to Kyoto is not close, this bento can be eaten on the way..."

Akiwara Yuto was a bit confused.

Taking the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto is only 3 hours, even with transfers it is at most 4 hours, how is it far...

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

After all, it was specially made by the other party, and he had to find a way to solve his lunch.

Seeing Akiwara Yuto accept the bento, Sasaki Maki's heart was also relieved, and then she nodded and stood aside.

Anju Jin Gangyi saw that the purpose of the visit had almost been achieved, so he greeted and left with Sasaki Maki.

Akiwara Yuto said "Goodbye" and turned back upstairs.

2:00 PM, Akiwara Yuto, who finished packing his luggage, set off from home and went to the nearest train station.

After several transfers, he boarded the Shinkansen to Kyoto.

Looking at the scenery outside the window that was constantly moving backward due to the high-speed train, he couldn't help but think about a question.

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

According to Asano Aiko's method, after winning the Newcomer Award, she will submit her resignation, and then send a photocopy of the "Mantanshe Public Relations Bureau Work Report" document to the outside world in the form of an anonymous letter.

After attracting outside attention, Mantanshe will bear the name of suppressing talented writers.

But there is a big problem here.

At the same time she resigned, this document appeared in the outside world very cleverly. Doesn't this indicate from another level that she is the culprit who leaked the document?

In that case, Mantanshe has a high possibility of suing her in the name of commercial espionage.

Although Asano Aiko said that such scandals are generally settled privately, or even give up investigation.

But no matter how Akiwara Yuto thinks, he still feels it is inappropriate.

Compared with Mantanshe, the power of himself and Asano Aiko is too weak. Even if they go to court, it is difficult to win against the other party.

Forget it, let her give up this plan and think of other ways.

Akiwara Yuto thought for a while and thought of an alternative idea.

If he can really win the award, should he take the initiative to expose this matter afterwards?

After all, what should attract the public most is the victim's statement, right? ===== CHAPTER 140 =====