Chapter 143: Akiwara Yuto: The Chaotic Press Conference

For news, the timeliness of a report is especially critical, particularly for news regarding special events; the effect of publishing a step earlier versus a step later is often worlds apart.

After receiving a call from a colleague, *Adachi News* reporter Sakaguchi Keito immediately modified his pre-written draft based on the latest information he had gathered, and then he took the manuscript to the editor-in-chief's office.

While walking, the corners of Sakaguchi Keito's mouth curled upward involuntarily; he believed that once this report was released, it would surely cause quite a stir.

At the same time, the scene of the Mystery Writers Association awards ceremony at the "Zhushi" restaurant was slightly chaotic.

Because of that shocking statement from Akiwara Yuto, many reporters under the stage began to stir, causing no small impact on the order of the venue, to the point that the press conference originally scheduled after the announcement of the award results was interrupted halfway through.

During this interruption, Hika Ken, as the vice president of Mantan Publishing, left the scene directly through the back door with an ashen face.

Leaving with him were Kihara Daigo and Takei Kohei, but on their faces, besides being grim, one could also see obvious anxiety.

Even so, the exit process for the three of them was not that simple.

As the other party accused by Akiwara Yuto, many reporters tried to break through the obstruction of the venue staff in order to snap some pictures that could be used in their news content.

After all, no matter how detailed the text is, sometimes it is not as impactful to the reader as a clear photo. This also made the departure of the three a bit disheveled.

After the three left, the order of the venue gradually stabilized, and the press conference for the reporters began to be arranged.

"Akiwara-sensei, what are your thoughts on the unfair treatment you suffered at Mantan Publishing?"

"Akiwara-sensei, regarding the blacklisting against you, have you ever tried to reconcile with Mantan Publishing?"

"What is the main purpose of your words today? Does it represent the interests of many writers?"

……

Hearing these messy questions at the press conference, Takeda Yuxian, who was in charge of the venue's order, felt a bit between laughter and tears for a moment.

According to past practice, at this time, reporters should be asking questions prepared in advance surrounding the two awards presented by the Mystery Association, including the author's own views on the future of Japanese mystery literature, the author's own plans, etc. …

Moreover, the subjects of the questions should also have included the Mystery Writers Association and the other winner of the association award.

But because of these words from Akiwara Yuto, all reporters were now not only asking Akiwara Yuto alone, but even repeatedly scrambling to raise their hands to speak regardless of order……

What is all this?!

He subconsciously wanted to cover his forehead with his hand, but the corner of his eye couldn't help but glance to the side.

But he was surprised to find that there was no expression of surprise on the face of Vice President Kawai Shinta; instead, he had a calm and breezy smile.

Forget it, if the superior doesn't mind, why should a subordinate like him worry so much.

Takeda Yuxian shook his head, then stood up, held the microphone, and raised his voice to the crowd below: "Please, reporter friends, ask your questions in the specified order……"

……

On the other side, Akiwara Yuto sat on the podium arranged for the press conference, in the position to the right of Sudo Shuichi.

Facing the continuous flashes and reporter questions from below the stage, Akiwara Yuto began to organize his language in his mind.

According to the series of "riddle" hints from before, it could be seen that the Mystery Writers Association had already expressed their "support" for him. So he didn't need to worry too much.

Besides that, he also had to play the role of a "victim" well, and use this to achieve a counterattack against Mantan Publishing.

Akiwara Yuto didn't think for more than a few seconds, then gave a light "cough," stood up, held the microphone, and said: "Please, reporter friends, be quiet for a moment; I will answer everyone's questions one by one now."

Hearing these words, the reporters below immediately quieted down. Except for a few reporters who were still pressing their shutters, the other reporters took out paper and pens.

Akiwara-sensei, please, you must say something shocking again! Whether the newspapers for these two days can sell well depends on you!

Akiwara Yuto did not let them down, and then started directly.

"Regarding these actions by Mantan Publishing, I personally express great disappointment. After all, I debuted with Mantan Publishing's *New*, so I am not willing to criticize too much…… However, even though I have repeatedly conceded, Mantan Publishing still implemented a blacklist against me. Because of these reasons, I was even unable to guarantee my own livelihood for a time."

Akiwara Yuto was still playing the image of someone who only fought back because he was "forced to have no choice." After all, only in this way could he block some people's mouths.

Otherwise, who knows if Mantan Publishing would take the initiative to splash dirty water, saying he was blacklisted because he acted like a diva.

However, for some reporters, the second half of Akiwara Yuto's description that he "could not even guarantee his own livelihood" was a key point.

If he couldn't guarantee his livelihood, would his mental state have problems, and then was it possible he would commit suicide?

This possibility is not low; after all, the profession of a writer is a high-incidence group for suicide in Japan!

In that case, should they process these words of Akiwara Yuto and change it to "Talented Writer Nearly Commits Suicide Due to Mantan Publishing's Blacklist"?!

However, would it be better to change the word "blacklist" to persecution?

Yes, yes, yes, this headline will definitely attract readers' attention; let's change it to that!

Akiwara Yuto did not know that his words had been misinterpreted by some reporters into this "meaning," and even if he knew, he wouldn't care.

What he needs to do now is to make this matter bigger and bigger, preferably to the point where everyone knows about it.

Otherwise, the general public would not be interested in topics like the Mystery Literature Newcomer Award.

He held the microphone and continued: "Before blacklisting me, I also encountered very unfair treatment at the Mantan Publishing Literature Award ceremony……"

"Department Head Kihara, who was in charge of the Mantan Publishing Literature Award, awarded this prize to his daughter's boyfriend, Kadowaki Yuzhen, because of nepotism. In my opinion, this is an insult to the two words 'literature'!"

Akiwara Yuto turned around and bowed to Kawai Shinta, the vice president of the Mystery Writers Association, "Therefore, I am very grateful to the Mystery Writers Association for being able to withstand the pressure from Mantan Publishing and awarding this prize to me!"

Kawai Shinta smiled and nodded.

He knew what Akiwara Yuto meant, which was to show goodwill to the Writers Association while highlighting the unfairness of Mantan Publishing by praising the fairness of the association.

However, he didn't say anything; after all, these words also had certain benefits for the association.

But off the stage, many reporters were in an uproar.

This scoop was not small; for the sake of nepotism, this Department Head Kihara actually publicly awarded the prize to his daughter's boyfriend.

This kind of thing could only be considered a small piece of news in the past, but if linked to the news this time, it could become a new news scoop!

It seems there was some accident during the award ceremony for this prize before, and it seems Mantan Publishing even did some public relations?

Some reporters immediately took out their mobile phones, started to lower their heads, and made calls in low voices.

"Hey, hey, hey, hurry up and collect the relevant reports on the previous Mantan Publishing Literature Award here; it's best to find a few insiders."

"By the way, does that writer named Kadowaki Yuzhen have any public photos? Hurry up and find out if there are any of him with a woman, and organize them all!"

While these reporters were scrambling to collect information, other reporters began to imagine other aspects.

Is the Mystery Writers Association trying to achieve some goals through Akiwara Yuto? After all, in recent years, these large publishing houses all want to have their own awards for publicity.

Once this matter is exposed today, the credibility of the Mantan Publishing Literature Award will be finished.

Even if someone wins the award in the future, it is estimated that some people will think it was won through nepotism……

Besides that, does it also involve the infighting between writers and publishing houses?

Some reporters' eyes lit up, and they immediately stood up to continue asking questions, directly asking relevant questions, and even digging some pits in their words.

But Akiwara Yuto was not stupid; instead, he answered by avoiding the important and dwelling on the trivial, and directly blurred over some key places.

After finishing what he wanted to say, he handed the initiative of the conversation back to Kawai Shinta on the grounds that this press conference should focus on the "Mystery Writers Association Award and Newcomer Award."

Although he had already received the association's signal for today's press conference, he had already been enough of a guest who usurped the host's role; it was better not to say too much.

Akiwara Yuto bowed and sat back in his seat.

Looking at the flashes that were still constantly lighting up, Akiwara Yuto relaxed his expression.

What could be said has been said; as for the rest, it depends on tomorrow's reports!