[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-literary-master-of-tokyo":3,"chapter-literary-master-of-tokyo-literary-master-of-tokyo-chapter-171":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},2355020,4607,"Chapter 171: Akiwara Yuto is Nothing to Fear","literary-master-of-tokyo-chapter-171",171,"\u003Cp>\"...Colleagues, I have already reported on the sales figures for the latest week of *April Youth*. According to the statistics department's estimates, their future sales will remain steady at around 150,000 copies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Setagaya Ward, Keihan Publishing, *Literary Spring* editorial department conference room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the deputy editor-in-chief, Iwaki Harumasa held the report and presented it to the editorial staff sitting in the conference room. In the document in his hand, the curve representing the sales trend of *April Youth* was leveling off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone raised a question: \"How were our sales for the most recent issue? Could you please explain, Deputy Editor-in-Chief Iwaki?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iwaki Harumasa smiled, revealing his white teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For the most recent week, our sales were 210,000 copies. Although there is a gap between us and *Tokyo Literature* and *Tokyo Youth*, it is not something *April Youth* can compare to.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then emphasized: \"And a very important point is the polarization of reviews and reader opinions regarding Akiwara Yuto's work.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Polarization, what do you mean?\" Someone in the audience asked, confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iwaki Harumasa nodded and asked his assistant to distribute a report to everyone. Only after seeing that everyone had received the report did he begin to describe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Regarding the work *The Invisible Guest* that Akiwara Yuto is serializing, some critics have stated that it is too unorthodox and does not fit with traditional mystery literature. Some readers have even stated online that they have no interest in this work.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the people in the conference room were slightly surprised and whispered to each other for a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while, a refined man wearing glasses raised his hand to ask a question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Since the market reaction is mediocre, why is *April Youth* still able to sell around 150,000 copies? After all, compared to the previous 70,000 copies, that's nearly a twofold increase, which is pretty good, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people in the conference room also looked up, falling silent one after another, waiting for Iwaki Harumasa's answer to this question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently, the competition among the four major literary journals is fierce, and *Literary Spring* is neither here nor there, stuck in third place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, *Literary Spring* is actually the most concerned about the sales changes of *April Youth*, which is ranked at the bottom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, if they were to be surpassed by them, the upper management of the publishing house would certainly be very dissatisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iwaki Harumasa nodded and replied: \"Akiwara Yuto has made quite a name for himself in the news recently, so the public still has some interest in him. Therefore, seeing that he is serializing in *April Youth*, many people will choose to buy a copy of the magazine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He patted the tabletop and raised his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I personally believe that these readers attracted by his name will sooner or later give up buying it because of the poor reading experience of *The Invisible Guest*.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up and scanned the room, saying with a tone of conviction: \"In other words, in a little while, it wouldn't be impossible for *April Youth*'s sales to fall back below 100,000 copies!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding this speculation, the people in the audience became restless, and many began whispering to each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't until a while later that the commotion stopped under the \"coughing\" of a middle-aged man sitting in the main seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man stopped coughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Regarding the potential threat of *April Youth*, Iwaki and I have already discussed it. Although Akiwara Yuto has been quite famous recently, if his work is not popular in the market, then he is nothing to fear. So, let's temporarily shelve the topic of *April Youth*.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head and met Iwaki Harumasa's eyes, \"Editor Iwaki, have you finished the preparations for the book signing event scheduled at Yokohama National University?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iwaki Harumasa nodded and answered confidently: \"I have already reached a partnership with a relatively large bookstore nearby and scheduled the time for next Thursday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. That way, most students will have time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man smiled, \"Then thank you for your hard work.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No problem, I will definitely ensure the success of the signing event and make sure Takeda-sensei is satisfied.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iwaki Harumasa revealed a confident smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed quickly, and it was suddenly next Thursday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the stage of the Yokohama National University teaching building, Asano Aiko sat on the ground with her knees bent, holding a copy of *April Youth* in her hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sunlight in late November was not blinding; rather, it was somewhat soft, making the cover of the book look a bit yellow. The breeze that blew from time to time made her beautiful hair flutter in the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If someone were to look from afar, they would think she was exceptionally beautiful at this moment, with a feeling of Princess Kaguya returning to the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But on the face of this \"Princess Kaguya,\" there was some distress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What exactly is Akiwara-sensei trying to write with this work?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asano Aiko frowned, feeling a bit conflicted for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had always been a loyal reader of Akiwara Yuto; from the *Zoo* series to the recently released *Manslaughter*, she hadn't missed a single one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even before this, she had specifically traveled from Yokohama to Setagaya Ward in Tokyo to attend Akiwara Yuto's new book signing event.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to her surprise, this *The Invisible Guest* released by Akiwara Yuto had a completely different style from his previous works; it didn't even look like it was written by the same person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she first started reading it, she thought it was about a lawyer helping a wrongly accused client clear their name, but as she kept reading, it started revealing the client's past crimes...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But isn't this kind of plot usually supposed to happen after the detective reveals the real culprit?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did Akiwara-sensei make a creative mistake this time?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asano Aiko couldn't help but feel a bit worried. After all, she had always viewed Akiwara Yuto as her idol and had been striving toward him as her goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hoped that one day, she could also be like him and officially debut in the literary world!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, a sound of footsteps approached. Asano Aiko looked up and discovered it was her good friend Asami Yuki.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asami Yuki quickly walked to Asano Aiko's side, patted her shoulder, and teased: \"Reading your idol's work again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not an idol, a teacher.\" Asano Aiko rolled her eyes in dissatisfaction and retorted: \"To me, he is the signpost for my progress on the literary path.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, alright,\" Asami Yuki said, shaking her head, then continued: \"Big sister, could you please put down this signpost teacher for a moment? Aren't we supposed to go to Yamada Bookstore?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yamada Bookstore?\" Asano Aiko was a bit confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asami Yuki made a speechless gesture, \"Did you forget? A notice was posted on the bulletin board earlier. Keihan Publishing's *Literary Spring* is arranging a signing event at Yamada Bookstore. I heard Takeda Michi-sensei will be there signing books.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this name, Asano Aiko immediately recalled it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Takeda Michi is a core writer for *Literary Spring* in recent years. It is said that before publishing her standalone book, she even won the Gold Award of the Keihan Publishing Literary Prize.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, in Asano Aiko's view, although she debuted earlier, there was still a significant gap between her work and that of Akiwara Yuto, whom she had always liked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Never mind, she would just accompany her friend; consider it a way to relax.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asano Aiko stood up, patted the dust off her skirt, and smiled: \"Alright, let's go now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asami Yuki grabbed her hand and said with a smile: \"Let's go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She then pulled Asano Aiko along toward the direction of the stairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a journey of about 15 minutes, the two walked to the school gate of Yokohama National University. But just as they were about to walk out the gate, a girl suddenly stopped them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Two students, *April Youth* from Kaikyo Hall is holding a signing event at the gymnasium. If you are interested, why not go take a look?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing this sentence, she handed a flyer each to Asano Aiko and Asami Yuki.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why is there a signing event at the gymnasium too?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it's *April Youth*?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asano Aiko looked down in confusion and read the flyer handed to her, which said: \"*April Youth*, Akiwara Yuto live signing event, location: Gymnasium.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this name, Asano Aiko couldn't help but be surprised; she hadn't heard any news about this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hesitated for a moment, then turned to her friend who was still looking at the flyer on the other side, and said in an apologetic voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sorry, Yuki-chan, I plan to go to the gymnasium first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asami Yuki was also a bit speechless, but she thought about it; she was just going to the signing event to join in the fun anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since that was the case, rather than running further away to Yamada Bookstore for a signing, it was better to go to the gymnasium first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, she also held no small amount of curiosity about the \"famous\" Akiwara Yuto who had been in the news lately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's fine, let's go. If there's still plenty of time, we can go to Yamada Bookstore afterward.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asami Yuki smiled and pulled her friend toward the direction of the gymnasium.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, Yamada Bookstore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iwaki Harumasa stood at the entrance of the bookstore, looked at the banner hanging above the door with the words \"*Literary Spring* Takeda Michi Signing Event,\" and nodded in satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The venue for the signing event had been set up, and the promotional work had been assigned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All that was left was to wait for those student readers who wanted autographs to arrive!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He revealed a satisfied smile and clenched his fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today's signing event will definitely be a complete success!\u003C\u002Fp>",1649,"2026-06-21T03:58:01.347Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","92890efafaf31b90a26eef95f387147397afa9d81777051085e4c280a17c48ac","literary-master-of-tokyo-chapter-172","literary-master-of-tokyo-chapter-170",334,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fliterary-master-of-tokyo-cover.jpg"]