[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-literary-master-of-tokyo":3,"chapter-literary-master-of-tokyo-literary-master-of-tokyo-chapter-198":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},2355047,4607,"Chapter 198: I Want the Real Thing","literary-master-of-tokyo-chapter-198",198,"\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto did not expect Satake Maki to make this request, and for a moment, he did not know how to respond—he and Satake Maki had quite a few connections, but they were limited to the time before he won the Newcomer Award for Mystery Literature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, with the arrival of Asano Aiko, he and Anjiu Bookstore had not communicated directly for a long time. Even matters like sales figures and payments were relayed on behalf of Asano Aiko.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought for a moment and felt that Satake Maki might be worried about the hotel's lack of security, which was why she made this request.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, public safety in 1990s Japan was different from later generations—due to the economic downturn, many unemployed citizens turned to crime, and even in schools, delinquent culture was quite rampant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at her carefully for a moment and advised, \"Satake-san, if you are worried about safety, I will book you the best hotel in this area, so you don't need to worry too much.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Satake Maki shook her head, \"Akiwara-sensei, there is no need to go to such expense. Can't I stay at your place?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wouldn't that be a bit inappropriate?\" Akiwara Yuto replied hesitantly, \"Your family surely wouldn't agree to it, would they?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I certainly won't cause you any trouble.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Satake Maki stepped forward and said in a sincere tone, \"I'm sorry, I just don't want to spend New Year's Eve alone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Akiwara Yuto felt a bit guilty in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other party couldn't even go home now because she had come to deliver food to him. If he were to turn her away, wouldn't that be a bit too cruel?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truth be told, he didn't mind if this caused him any trouble; Japanese citizens had always been indifferent toward the personal conduct of writers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pondered for a moment, then nodded, \"If you don't mind, then stay at my place tonight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Akiwara Yuto agree, Satake Maki revealed a joyful smile, \"Thank you for the trouble, Akiwara-sensei.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two stepped through the accumulated snow and walked back along the road they had come from. On the way, they specifically made a trip to a 24-hour convenience store to purchase the items she needed. Twenty minutes later, they returned to Akiwara Yuto's home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By this time, it was nearly 10:00 PM, and the snow on the side of the road was even deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto opened the door and welcomed Satake Maki inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two walked one after the other to the living room on the second floor, sat around the low table, and continued watching the Red and White Song Battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they saw the host announce the \"White Team's victory,\" Satake Maki glanced at Akiwara Yuto and asked with a smile, \"Akiwara-sensei, would you like some soba noodles?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Akiwara Yuto recalled the Japanese folk tradition of eating soba noodles on New Year's Eve—because soba noodles are easier to cut than other types of noodles, Japanese people believe that by eating them on the last day of the year, one can cut off the bad luck of the current year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he didn't feel hungry, he still nodded and said, \"I'll trouble you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Satake Maki waved her hand, saying \"Don't mention it,\" and went out. After about 20 minutes, she returned with a tray and placed two bowls of soba noodles on the low table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two picked up their chopsticks and began to eat, chatting at the same time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Akiwara-sensei, I've been wanting to ask you, how old are you this year?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto searched the memories of his predecessor for a moment, then waved his hand, \"After the New Year, I'll be 22.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Only 22?\" Satake Maki was somewhat disbelieving for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do I look that old?\" Akiwara Yuto couldn't help but pout. His predecessor had come to Tokyo to make his way right after graduating from high school, and then kicked the bucket and left the mess to him, so his age was normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, I just feel that you, Akiwara-sensei, are more mature; you don't seem like you're only 22.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn't lying. In her view, Akiwara Yuto had written so many works at such a young age and had experienced so much; he didn't seem like someone only two years older than her at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto sighed, \"Whatever, anyway, you're not the only one who thinks I'm older than my actual age.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When handling affairs and book signings, he had been mistaken for a senior more than once, so he had become indifferent to these things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Satake Maki put down her chopsticks and asked in a probing tone, \"Akiwara-sensei, then do you not have a girlfriend?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her question was actually a bit presumptuous; after all, the relationship between the two was still quite formal, and they had been using honorifics the whole time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, after discovering that Akiwara Yuto's attitude was very casual, she posed her confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto shook his head and replied in a nonchalant tone, \"I've never had one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, when saying this, he faintly thought of Toyama Miho in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Satake Maki had already learned from Asano Aiko that the two were not dating, but confirming it again from Akiwara himself made her feel at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pressed further, \"Then what kind of girl do you like?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto looked at her suspiciously, wondering why Satake-san was so gossipy today; she hadn't acted like this before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He considered it for a moment and asked in return, \"Satake-san, how do you view love?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Satake Maki didn't expect to be asked in return, but she still answered honestly, \"Love is two people being together and doing the things they want to do together.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto shook his head and gave an answer, \"Someone once said that in love, everything is as follows: love at first sight is just being moved by looks, love growing over time is weighing the pros and cons, and growing old together is just a matter of habit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the end, it's hard to say if there is really such a thing as love in this world. In such a situation, what meaning is there in liking or not liking someone?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Satake Maki didn't expect Akiwara Yuto to be so pessimistic, so she advised, \"Akiwara-sensei, your thinking is too extreme!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that he had startled her, Akiwara Yuto laughed out loud, \"Don't take it seriously, I'm joking. I actually have my own considerations in my heart. Satake-san, may I ask if you know what is 'the real thing' and what is 'the fake thing'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Satake Maki thought for a long time and answered hesitantly, \"Reality and falsehood?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto nodded and then shook his head, \"The so-called 'real thing' is to persist in one's own path regardless of how the outside world changes, without changing because of the outside world. As for the 'fake thing,' people give it all sorts of suspicions and concerns, hiding their true thoughts and performing false actions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused and added, \"I don't know what kind of girl I like. I only admit one thing, and that is that I don't dislike having pretty girls around me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The problem is, if I fall for her because of her appearance, can I still love her when her appearance fades with the years?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this kind of love brought about by appearance a 'fake thing'? If it is, then what is 'the real thing'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying these words, he was silent for a while, then sighed, \"Sorry, I talked a bunch of nonsense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Satake Maki shook her head vigorously, \"Although I didn't understand it, what you want, Akiwara-sensei, is 'the real thing,' which is liking someone from the bottom of your heart, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto was stunned for a moment, then smiled, \"I suppose so, but I don't even know how to like someone from the bottom of my heart myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up at the alarm clock and found that it was nearly midnight, so he said, \"The hot water should be ready. You go take a bath first. As for the table, I'll clean it up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How could I trouble you like that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When in Rome, do as the Romans do. I am the host, after all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright.\" Satake Maki had no choice but to accept Akiwara Yuto's suggestion and went to the bathroom with the change of clothes she had bought at the convenience store.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to the sound of water coming from the bathroom, Akiwara Yuto carried the bowls and chopsticks to the kitchen and washed them until they were sparkling clean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After 15 minutes, Satake Maki, having changed her clothes, walked out of the bathroom and said softly, \"Akiwara-sensei, I'm done.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto nodded, took her to the bedroom on the third floor, and took out bedding from the closet, \"You sleep in the bedroom tonight, and I'll sleep in the living room. Please make do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Satake Maki smiled while wiping her wet hair with a towel, \"Akiwara-sensei, thank you so much for today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then get some rest early, good night.\" Akiwara Yuto waved his hand and then walked to the bedroom door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was about to close the door, Satake Maki grabbed the doorknob, preventing the door from closing immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto looked up in surprise, looking at her, not understanding what she meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Satake Maki revealed a smile and then said, \"Akiwara-sensei, if possible, I would like to become your 'real thing'.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying this, she let go of her hand, letting the door close, \"Good night, Akiwara-sensei...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What she didn't know was that because of this sentence, Akiwara Yuto suffered from insomnia until the middle of the night...\u003C\u002Fp>",1621,"2026-06-21T03:58:01.347Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","6794a4e73713acf12d94c2efeb276d077e393f8523606ca0343dd63bd8b10160","literary-master-of-tokyo-chapter-199","literary-master-of-tokyo-chapter-197",334,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fliterary-master-of-tokyo-cover.jpg"]