Chapter 149

The temperature in Tokyo in mid-November is only about 10 degrees, and because of being surrounded by the ocean, even indoors, one can feel a clear damp cold.

Akiwara Yuto wore a thin sweater, lay on the bed, looked at the ceiling, and couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

After being requested by Mantanshe to publish a "statement of understanding," 3 days had passed. In these 3 days, he had been thinking about whether to accept it, and if he didn't accept it, how to solve it.

After multiple considerations, he still intended to refuse to publish this statement.

After all, once the statement was published, his "image" among the public would undoubtedly be considered as surrendering to capital, and this would be extremely unfavorable to the development of his future career.

After all, once readers formed a negative impression of the author, it was very likely that they would no longer buy his books.

Besides this, Asano Aiko would also be more troubled by public opinion...

Akiwara Yuto stood up, walked back and forth in the room twice, then walked to the window, looked at the pedestrians walking on the street outside the window, and continued to think.

But that Mr. Furukawa's meaning was also very clear: if he didn't accept it, Mantanshe would inevitably have some follow-up moves.

After all, as a publishing group, Mantanshe had many cards to play. As long as the other party was willing, it was estimated that they could spend more PR expenses.

By that time, what means could he use to respond?

Akiwara Yuto frowned and thought for half a day, but finally decided to "drag it out" first.

After all, no matter what, Mantanshe's "blacklist" on him had now been substantially lifted. And he had also made a good wave of personal promotion through the rendering of this public opinion.

If nothing unexpected happened, even if he suffered a setback for a while, he could slowly climb up step by step based on his many works later.

By that time, no matter how Mantanshe "splashed" dirty water, it would be of no avail.

It's just that it's a bit stifling...

Having made the decision, Akiwara Yuto let go of his mind, stretched, and prepared to go to Anju Bookstore to ask about recent sales.

Because of the recent public opinion storm, he hadn't paid attention to the two works *The Devotion of Suspect X* and *Death of a Detective*.

He walked to the entrance and was just about to put on his shoes and leave when a "ding-a-ling" phone ring suddenly sounded.

Akiwara Yuto stopped putting on his shoes, picked up the phone, "Hello, I am Akiwara Yuto..."

Before he finished speaking, Asano Aiko's voice came from the other side of the phone, "Akiwara, look at the TV quickly, turn to Tokyo TV!"

"What's wrong?" Akiwara Yuto was still somewhat confused.

"No time to explain, you'll know when you turn it on..." Asano Aiko's voice was somewhat anxious.

Hearing this request, Akiwara Yuto was somewhat confused for a moment, but still put the phone aside, walked straight to the room next to him, turned on the television that had been unused, and turned to Tokyo TV.

Immediately after, some images that surprised him very much appeared.

On the television screen, it was densely packed with people. These people were uniformly wearing white shirts, with white or red headbands tied on their heads, and they were all holding signs.

While walking forward, they seemed to be shouting something loudly.

Akiwara Yuto listened carefully for half a day before he faintly heard words like "equality... promotion... rights."

But what's strange about this? Why did Asano Aiko ask me to watch this? Akiwara Yuto was somewhat confused for a moment.

Due to Japan's special national conditions, demonstrations among the public could be seen from time to time. For example, the US military did something outrageous again, and the public demonstrated; for example, the government had a nuclear leak, and the public demonstrated again...

He watched for a while, still somewhat confused in his heart, but continued to watch.

Just at this time, the demonstration team arrived in front of a building he was extremely familiar with, and then confronted the security guards and police in front of the building.

Akiwara Yuto looked carefully for half a day and confirmed that this building was Mantanshe's headquarters building!

What's going on?!

Why did the public go to demonstrate in front of Mantanshe?

Did it do something outrageous?

Akiwara Yuto thought for half a day but couldn't think of a reason, and didn't think this matter had anything to do with himself.

He still had self-knowledge; the little mess between him and Mantanshe was at most a little chat for the public after tea and dinner. It was estimated that after another month or so, not many people would care.

On the screen, after the demonstration group stopped, the picture changed and turned to the interview room inside the television station—a man and a woman in suits and ties appeared at the venue and began to explain.

The female host held the microphone: "This demonstration is mainly organized by political groups representing the rights of the Burakumin, such as the Tokyo Rights Equality Promotion Association, the Kyoto Chongren Residents' Joint Association, and the Hokkaido Ainu ethnic group."

While she was speaking, a box appeared in the upper right corner of the screen, in which information introductions about these groups appeared.

The male host took over: "According to our understanding, the relevant person in charge stated that the purpose of the demonstration is mainly to safeguard the rights of the Burakumin group. As for the explanation of the specific reasons, let's connect with Professor Sakata from Yokohama National University."

The picture changed again, and a middle-aged man wearing a loose gray suit appeared in front of the screen. He sat at the office desk and said in a serious voice.

"Regarding this demonstration, the main reason is... the cause is Akiwara Yuto's work... and the person in charge of the relevant group requested that Mantanshe, as a cultural circle... should apologize and promise, and..."

Akiwara Yuto listened while his mouth opened slightly.

According to Professor Sakata's description, this demonstration was really caused by himself.

The reason made him feel even more ridiculous: it was because he published *Death of a Detective*, which talked about the unfair treatment received by the Burakumin, and as a result, he was suppressed by Mantanshe.

Where did this come from?!

Before he serialized this work on the forum, Mantanshe had already suppressed him.

And what kind of idiot publisher would suppress a writer because of this kind of thing.

Just when he was confused, the Professor Sakata on the screen took out a newspaper again and read a paragraph.

"I believe that all companies and schools should no longer stick to their own opinions and discriminate against the Burakumin; and the government should also legislate to protect the interests of the Burakumin."

Hearing this sentence, Akiwara Yuto immediately remembered the reporter who came to his home for an interview before.

At that time, that report had not been released, and he thought it had been suppressed by Mantanshe again... but he didn't expect...

As a detective fan, Akiwara Yuto immediately began to sort it out according to this series of clues.

No, these political groups representing the interests of the Burakumin might not necessarily know the real reason why he was suppressed...

But because of the storm between him and Mantanshe, it provided a very good opportunity for these Burakumin political groups.

If they could grasp this opportunity well, the Burakumin group might be able to gain more benefits...

But for himself, is it good or bad?

He closed his eyes and weighed the pros and cons.

After some thinking, he found that this matter was beneficial to him and had no harm.

After all, according to what the host said on the program, these demonstrators demanded that Mantanshe apologize to him and publicly promise not to discriminate against the Burakumin.

So the PR crisis facing Mantanshe was undoubtedly greater!

As for himself, he just needed to occasionally support from the sidelines and wait quietly for the result...

Having reached the conclusion, the haze between Akiwara Yuto's brows dissipated a lot.

Mantanshe, after carrying the pot of discriminating against the Burakumin, how are you going to handle it?