Chapter 196: This is a Good Omen

The *Tokyo Youth* editorial department naturally could not agree to Furuya Masaaki's request to stop the serialization of *Detective Kamimura*.

There was no other reason; the work had been serialized for over 60 issues and already had a large base of loyal readers, making it difficult to abandon. Furthermore, a television station had recently expressed interest in the serialized work, intending to adapt it into a drama.

For the editorial department, if it could be adapted into a drama, both the *Tokyo Youth* magazine and the *Detective Kamimura* collected volumes could achieve further success, or even become bestsellers!

Furuya Masaaki fell into hesitation regarding the editorial department's request.

If he stopped the serialization while the editorial department was negotiating the copyright, it would undoubtedly cause great trouble for their work—because a work that has finished serialization is certainly not as valuable as one currently being serialized.

But if he continued to write like this, how could the quality of the work be guaranteed?

Damn it, he could no longer think of any more brilliant tricks or case-solving methods; he couldn't just plagiarize!

Tokyo, *Tokyo Youth* editorial department, conference room.

"Furuya-sensei, if you don't mind, we can have someone else take over this work here and continue creating it. Of course, we will still claim it is your work to the public; you can rest assured about that."

Facing the troubled Furuya Masaaki, a young man wearing glasses offered his proposal.

Upon hearing these words, Furuya Masaaki's pupils instinctively contracted; he quickly understood what the other party meant—finding a ghostwriter or a hired gun to take over his work.

However, literary creation is different from manga or film and television formats, and its status in the public's heart is also different.

For the latter two, one can use a studio or assistant format to let assistants or others create, and the public would not have much of an opinion.

But if this were done in literature, once exposed, it could land him in deep public opinion trouble, and he might even be criticized and attacked by the public.

Looking at it this way, is it really appropriate?

While Furuya Masaaki frowned, the young man added, "Furuya-sensei, I hope you will consider it carefully. If possible, the editorial department intends to make this work a serialization of over one hundred issues, and the corresponding royalties and manuscript fees will also be paid to you according to the normal process."

"All you have to do is announce your decision to continue the serialization to the public!"

The young man took out a notebook, tore off a sheet of paper, wrote a number on it, and placed it in front of Furuya Masaaki.

"If you agree, the royalty percentage for the collected volumes will be approximately this figure."

Furuya Masaaki picked up the paper, frowned as he looked at it for a few moments, and found that this amount was indeed hard to resist.

He hesitated as he took the note and sighed, "I agree, but I still want to ask, aren't you afraid that the follow-up to *Detective Kamimura* won't be as good as *Furuhata Ninzaburo*?"

The young man shook his head and said with a smile, "Furuya-sensei, don't underestimate the strength of our publishing house. Besides, there are plenty of works that are critically acclaimed but don't sell well; who knows if it will be the next one?"

Although he said this, he himself did not notice that his tone became much more serious when mentioning *Furuhata Ninzaburo*.

Akiwara Yuto was completely unaware of the importance *Tokyo Youth* placed on him. In fact, even if he knew, he wouldn't think too much about it.

At this moment, he had finished his autograph session work and was taking the Shinkansen with Asano Aiko, preparing to return to Tokyo.

The reason he did this was simply because the Japanese New Year had arrived.

Due to Western influence, the Japanese New Year adopts the Gregorian calendar, meaning January 1st to January 3rd are the New Year. But in fact, due to folk customs, the time before January 15th can also be included.

During this period, the Japanese public basically enters a "hibernation" state, stopping work and resting at home.

So even if he held another autograph session, there probably wouldn't be anyone coming...

However, during the New Year, what could he do?

While Akiwara was lost in thought, Asano Aiko moved her gaze from the window beside her seat, looked at Akiwara Yuto, and asked, "Akiwara... what are your plans for the New Year?"

Akiwara Yuto shook his head and said helplessly, "Sleep... eat... sleep... eat..."

He really didn't know what he could do; even if he went to find a friend, there was only Imamura Yuto, and the other party said he was going back to his hometown for the New Year.

Asano Aiko smiled; she didn't expect Akiwara's New Year to be so boring, it was just like that...

She thought about it and found it not surprising; Akiwara Yuto was still single and grew up in an orphanage, having no parents or relatives.

She hesitated for a moment, considering whether to invite him to her home for the New Year.

After all, the other party was a man; if she brought him home for the New Year, it might be a bit inappropriate—her mother already liked Akiwara Yuto and even wanted to set her up with him. Although she wouldn't object, wouldn't this be a bit too rushed...

And as a woman, making such a proposal would be too blatant.

She thought for a long time, the more she thought, the shyer she became, and in the end, she could only pretend and say, "Uh, I see. Then you should get some good rest, and I will visit your house after the New Year."

Akiwara Yuto nodded and didn't say anything. In his view, he should just honestly eat and sleep for this New Year... just consider it a vacation for himself.

While the two were silent, the train continued to move.

When it reached a viaduct, Asano Aiko suddenly seemed to see something, "Akiwara, look!"

Akiwara Yuto looked in the direction she was pointing, which was the train window, and saw a huge mountain standing directly above a city area.

The very top of this mountain was covered in white snow, and the whole thing revealed a sense of remoteness and weight, making one feel solemn.

Akiwara Yuto quickly realized that this mountain was the sacred mountain in the hearts of the Japanese people—Mount Fuji.

Asano Aiko said with a smile, "Akiwara, we are so lucky!"

"Why do you say that?" Akiwara Yuto was a little confused; in his view, it was just looking at a mountain.

Asano Aiko shook her head, "You can only see Mount Fuji on the Shinkansen when the weather is very good. When I came to Osaka before, I didn't see it because the weather was gloomy."

She paused and emphasized, "It seems our work after the New Year can make great progress!"

"Hmm?"

"Akiwara, isn't this a good omen! Seeing Mount Fuji under such special circumstances indicates that your work will continue to sell well!"

Akiwara Yuto laughed dumbly and also replied with a smile, "Yes, you are right."

He didn't know if Asano was truly superstitious or just wanted to encourage him, but he had no intention of being a killjoy and refuting her.

On the contrary, it was just looking at a mountain; regardless of whether it was a sacred mountain or not, even if it were, it had nothing to do with a young man educated under Marxism-Leninism.

But since it could be taken as a good omen, then let it be taken as a good omen! Hopefully, the work will continue to sell well after the New Year!

Before that, let's just have a good New Year!