[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-literary-master-of-tokyo":3,"chapter-literary-master-of-tokyo-literary-master-of-tokyo-chapter-14":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Literary Master of Tokyo",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2354863,4607,"Chapter 14: This is Important","literary-master-of-tokyo-chapter-14",14,"\u003Cp>After leaving the Asano residence, the two did not head directly to the station; instead, at Asano Aiko’s suggestion, they took a turn and walked a bit further to a tiny park nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although it was called a park, it was actually just a patch of outdoor concrete, furnished with a swing set, a slide, and two wooden benches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The equipment looked quite old, clearly intended for the local children to play on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto did not know why Asano Aiko had suggested going to this park, but he guessed she had something she wanted to say to him, and he felt it wouldn't hurt to listen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was now a little past 9 o'clock, and there was plenty of time to catch the last train back, so he followed her into the park.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the soft evening breeze blowing, the two sat on a bench, and for a moment, the atmosphere was a bit silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while, Asano Aiko took the initiative to speak, saying softly, \"Akiwara-san, I still need to apologize to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto thought she was talking about what happened earlier that day and waved his hand, \"No need to apologize. I didn't take what your mother said to heart; I should be the one thanking you for the hospitality tonight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's not what I meant,\" Asano Aiko’s voice suddenly turned a bit irritated. She paused, feeling that this didn't seem right, and switched back to a gentle tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know you didn't take my mother's words to heart, but what I want to apologize for is that I failed to secure more promotion for your work.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto glanced at her; he hadn't expected Asano Aiko to still be dwelling on it, and he felt a bit worried that she might go off to drink again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly said, \"It's fine, Asano-san. After all, I'm just a newcomer; these things take time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asano Aiko sighed and said in a slightly dejected tone, \"Akiwara-san, you don't understand, this is very important.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gathered her thoughts and slowed her speech.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If there is good promotion, one can often get more votes in reader feedback surveys. This will be a great help for you to win the publisher's internal literary award in the future.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto took it seriously, feeling that he should indeed listen carefully, so he sat up straight and began to listen attentively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through Asano Aiko’s description, he learned more inside information and gained a deeper understanding of his career path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a newcomer, if one wants to continue in the literary world, constantly winning various literary awards is an inevitable choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And within the publishing house, there is a literary award specifically for literary journals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This award is called the Mantan Publishing Literary Award, and the selection covers works published this year, with the Grand Prize, Gold Prize, Silver Prize, and Bronze Prize awarded based on the work's popularity and the judges' opinions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only one Grand Prize is awarded, which is the highest honor of the literary award. Two Gold Prizes are awarded, mainly for popular works in various magazines; three Silver Prizes are awarded, mainly for works with good feedback; but there are a full eight Bronze Prizes, which are somewhat similar to consolation prizes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking of this, Asano Aiko shook her head gently and said in a very helpless tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because the circulation of 'New Novels' is limited after all, to win an honor above the Silver Prize, one must rank in the top three in the reader feedback polls. This is why I tried so hard to fight for promotion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto did not know there was such inside information, frowned slightly, and couldn't help but ponder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the genius level of Otsuichi's works, wouldn't it be easy to win the publisher's internal Gold Prize even without promotion?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's hard to say; after all, it's only a possibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his past life, there were famous Japanese writers who, despite having both critical acclaim and high sales, never won certain awards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, Keigo Higashino failed to win the Naoki Prize five times and only received it on the sixth attempt; or Haruki Murakami, who has been active for over forty years but has never been associated with the Akutagawa Prize or the Naoki Prize.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, winning awards is really a bit of a metaphysical matter...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Akiwara Yuto thinking, Asano Aiko continued to say softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Akiwara-san, actually, whether it's about being a newcomer or the Ministry of Education's initiatives, those are just excuses. After all, we are a magazine, and we must put the quality of the work first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking of this, she realized it touched upon the internal situation of the editorial department, weighed it for a moment, and decided to continue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, this was not just her own business, but also concerned Akiwara Yuto's interests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The reason my proposal was rejected this time is mainly because of the person in charge of another column. Because if your work could get promotion and gain high popularity, it would likely have an adverse effect on the writer the other person is currently in charge of regarding the Grand Prize selection. According to past practice, 'New Novels' can only win at most one Gold Prize.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She slowed her speech further, then said in a very firm tone: \"But whether from the perspective of an editor or a reader, I believe your work is far superior to others.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto was a bit stunned; he had never thought that Asano Aiko had such great confidence in this work, and for a moment, he was quite moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asano Aiko’s face began to turn red again; because of her mother's ramblings in the evening, many things felt a bit strange to say now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, her purpose in saying this was not to complain to Akiwara, but to show him her attitude toward his work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After knowing her own feelings, even if Akiwara-san finds out later that he only won a Silver or Bronze Prize, he wouldn't be too discouraged, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In any case, it's better to cheer him on more often.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, another gust of wind blew, messing up some of the bangs on her forehead. She looked up at the sky and realized it was getting a bit late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh no, if she didn't go home now, she would be nagged by her mother again, and might even get her forehead flicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stood up, took the initiative to say goodbye to Akiwara Yuto: \"Akiwara-san, I'm sorry to have bothered you today. Please go home early and stay safe on the way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto nodded, returned the farewell, and prepared to walk toward the train station.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asano Aiko suddenly seemed to remember something and quickly said to his back: \"Akiwara-san, the new issue of 'New Novels' will be released next Monday. I will send it to you then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying this, she trotted away. Akiwara Yuto watched her back, but he felt a bit worried in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seems that 'Kazarie to Yoko' will be released next Monday. I wonder how the readers will react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the world is different now, I hope it can also be loved by the readers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he strode toward the station, he considered another question in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the way, whether it's promotion or awards, they aren't necessarily limited to the publishing house, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps I should look for other avenues?\u003C\u002Fp>",1239,"2026-06-21T03:58:01.347Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","5f68827866f478ce4fe3b476f9957f34487a97b46afeea756a24241326120b24","literary-master-of-tokyo-chapter-15","literary-master-of-tokyo-chapter-13",334,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fliterary-master-of-tokyo-cover.jpg"]