Chapter 143: The Chaotic Press Conference

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

After receiving a call from a colleague, *Adachi Shimbun* reporter Sakaguchi Keito immediately made partial revisions to the draft he had already prepared based on the latest information he had gathered. Immediately after, he took this draft and headed to the editor-in-chief's office.

While walking, the corners of Sakaguchi Keito's mouth rose involuntarily. He believed that once this report was released, it would certainly cause a considerable stir.

At the same time, the scene of the Mystery Writers Association award ceremony, located at the "Takeishi" restaurant, was slightly chaotic.

Because of that astonishing remark by 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, Higa Ken, as the vice president of Mantanshe, left the scene directly through the back door with a livid face.

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

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

As the other party accused by Akiwara Yuto, many reporters tried to break through the obstruction of the venue staff, hoping to capture some pictures that could be put into the news content.

After all, no matter how detailed the text content 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 is your opinion on the unfair treatment you have suffered at Mantanshe?"

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

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

Hearing these messy questions at the press conference, Takeda Yūshō, who was responsible for the order of the venue, felt a bit between laughter and tears for a moment.

According to past practice, at this time, reporters should focus on the two awards issued by the Mystery Association and ask some questions prepared in advance, including the writer's own views on the future of Japanese mystery literature, the writer's own plans, etc...

And the objects of the questions should also include the Mystery Writers Association and the other winner of the association award.

But because of Akiwara Yuto's remarks, all reporters now not only ask Akiwara Yuto alone, but even disregard order and repeatedly scramble to raise their hands to speak...

What is all this?!

He subconsciously wanted to cover his forehead with his hand, but his eyes 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 Hehe Shinta, but rather a calm and light smile.

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

Takeda Yūshō shook his head, then stood up, took the microphone and raised his voice to the bottom: "Please ask questions in the designated order..."

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

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

According to the series of "riddle" hints before, it can be seen that the Mystery Writers Association has expressed its "support" for him. So he doesn't need to worry too much.

Besides this, he also needs to play the role of a "victim" well, and use this to achieve a counterattack against Mantanshe.

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

Hearing this, the reporters below immediately quieted down. Except for some reporters who were still pressing the shutter, other reporters took out paper and pens.

Akiwara-sensei, please be sure to be astonishing again! Whether the newspapers of these two days can be bestsellers depends on you!

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

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

Akiwara Yuto is still playing the image of counterattacking only "out of helplessness". After all, only in this way can he block some people's mouths.

Otherwise, who knows if Mantanshe will take the initiative to splash dirty water, saying that he was blacklisted because he was acting like a big shot.

But for some reporters, the second half of Akiwara Yuto's description that he "could not even guarantee his life" is a key point.

If life cannot be guaranteed, will there be mental problems, and is it possible to commit suicide?

This possibility is not low. After all, the profession of writer is a high-incidence group for suicide in Nihon!

In this case, should we process Akiwara Yuto's remarks and change it to "Talented Writer Almost Commits Suicide Due to Mantanshe Blacklist"!

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

Yes, yes, yes, this title will definitely attract readers' attention, let's change it like this!

Akiwara Yuto didn't 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 it.

Otherwise, ordinary people are not interested in topics like the Mystery Literature Newcomer Award.

He took the microphone and continued: "Before blacklisting me, I also encountered very unfair treatment at the Mantanshe Literature Award ceremony..."

"Department Head Kihara, who is responsible for the Mantanshe Literature Award, awarded this prize to his daughter's boyfriend, Menxie Youzhen, because of nepotism. In my opinion, this is an insult to the word literature!"

Akiwara Yuto turned around, bowed to Hehe Shinta, the vice president of the Mystery Writers Association, "So, I am very grateful to the Mystery Writers Association for being able to withstand the pressure from Mantanshe and award this prize to me!"

Hehe Shinta nodded with a smile.

He knew Akiwara Yuto's meaning, that is, while showing favor to the Writers Association, he highlighted Mantanshe's injustice by praising the association's fairness.

However, he didn't say anything. After all, these words also have certain benefits for the association.

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

This material is 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 can only be considered a small piece of news in the past, but if linked to this news, it can become a new news scoop!

It seems that there was some accident in the award ceremony of this prize before, and it seems that Mantanshe also did public relations?

Some reporters immediately took out their mobile phones, began to lower their heads, and lowered their voices to make calls.

"Hey, hey, hey, hurry up and collect the relevant reports on the Mantanshe Literature Award before, it's best to find a few insiders."

"By the way, does that writer named Menxie Youzhen 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.

Does the Mystery Writers Association want to achieve some goals through Akiwara Yuto? After all, in recent years, these large publishers all want to engage in their own awards for publicity.

Once this incident is exposed today, the credibility of the Mantanshe Literature Award will be finished.

Even if you win the prize in the future, it is estimated that some people will think it is a prize won by nepotism...

Besides this, does it also involve the infighting between writers and publishers?

A reporter's eyes lit up, and then immediately stood up to continue asking questions, directly asking relevant questions, and even digging some pits in the words.

But Akiwara Yuto is not stupid, but answered by avoiding the important and taking the easy way, and directly blurred some key places.

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

Although this press conference today has already received the hint from the association, he has already been enough to overshadow the host, so it is better not to say too much.

Akiwara Yuto bowed and sat back in his seat.

Looking at the flashes that were still lighting up, Akiwara Yuto slowed down his expression.

What can be said has been said, the rest depends on tomorrow's report!