Chapter 22: Sales Figures Released

While Akiwara Yuto was struggling, Asano Aiko was preparing to attend the weekly editorial department meeting.

She placed the chairs she brought over, then went to the tea room to make tea—she was the only woman in the editorial department, and this kind of work was arranged to her head as a matter of course, and she couldn't push it away.

In the Japanese workplace, women are always in a subordinate position; cleaning is good, pouring tea is also good, and it will always be defaulted to women's work; in many companies, they even have to help male colleagues wash bento boxes.

Although she really wanted to get rid of this encounter, as far as the current situation is concerned, only by having another female junior come could this task be handed over; however, if she did this, her conscience would be a bit uneasy.

She made the tea, carried the tray back to the conference room, and at this time, people came one after another. She placed the tea in position one by one, and then returned to her position closest to the door.

At 3 PM, the meeting started on time.

This meeting was still presided over by Kikuchi Tai; he had a happy face and announced to everyone in a tone with a hint of excitement: "Gentlemen, I have good news here. The statistics department just brought the sales data from Monday to Friday; according to the current trend, our sales this week can break through to 33,000 copies, a full 20% higher than last week!"

He was indeed a bit excited, because although the circulation of "New Novel" is claimed to be 30,000 copies, it is actually fluctuating around 27,000 copies, and there is even a hidden trend of decline.

If performance declines significantly again, it does not rule out the possibility of others coming to take over his editor-in-chief position.

The people below also made slight disturbances—this is indeed good news; the increase in magazine circulation means higher profits and status for the editorial department, and everyone can obtain higher performance wages.

Asano Aiko looked at the excitement of her colleagues, but fell into deep thought; why did the magazine's circulation increase? It seems that last week, in addition to adding Akiwara Yuto's new column, only two relevant newspaper book reviews were written using the budget.

She was a bit puzzled...

Kikuchi Tai looked around the conference room and found that some people were still discussing in low voices; he signaled everyone to be quiet and said with a smile: "According to the statistics department, the increase in sales this time mainly comes from the influence of the "Tokyo Daily News" book review on readers; although it still needs reader feedback to further confirm, it is generally no accident."

He turned to the side, toward Songdao Kazuhiro, "Songdao, please help me convey my gratitude to Mr. Kadowaki; in addition, please continue to do a good job in his work, and be sure to ensure the quantity and quality of the manuscript."

Songdao Kazuhiro's face also showed a very proud smile; he nodded and responded that he would continue to do the relevant work well.

After finishing this topic, everyone began to discuss the cover of the next issue and the publicity afterward.

Asano Aiko, however, was always a bit puzzled; she read the book review of "The Footsteps of Searching," and felt that although it was written very long, she didn't have the desire to buy it after reading it for a long time.

At this time, a thought popped into her mind; could it be Akiwara Yuto's book review?

She pondered carefully, and felt it was not feasible, laughing dumbly; after all, it was only 500 words, and readers might have ignored it subconsciously. It couldn't be that this drove the sales, right?

However, it's really strange...

After the meeting, Asano Aiko immediately called Akiwara Yuto's residence, preparing to report this good news, but she called 3 times, and no one responded. She was a bit puzzled; why has she been unable to contact him recently?

No, understanding the writer's situation is also an important responsibility of the editor; I must investigate clearly, she silently made a decision.

But the Akiwara Yuto she was worried about was now sitting in a cafe, asking a beautiful female college student "three soul questions."

"Ms. Igawa, may I ask if you have any writing experience in scripts or similar?"

"Besides TV dramas, have you read any detective works?"

"You have neither created stage play scripts nor read detective novels, so how can you guarantee that you can write a suitable detective stage play?"

After experiencing a "severe" lecture, Igawa Akemi couldn't hold on, her eyes became tearful directly, and she said in a slightly choked voice: "So... sorry, I will work hard, but now there is a shortage of people..."

Akiwara Yuto heard the other party's crying voice and felt a bit embarrassed instead; he originally thought that since the other party dared to invite him, she should be relatively outgoing; he didn't expect...

However, he had his own reasons for saying this.

After weighing it just now, he decided to participate in the stage play project.

As a writer, if you want to climb higher, the visualization of works is a topic that cannot be avoided.

If you don't want to just be a "bystander," the writer himself must have a certain adaptation ability. And this ability also helps him adapt foreign works into works suitable for Japanese localization.

So for him, the stage play script in front of him provided a very good opportunity; not only could there be a certain reward, but he could also practice.

He pondered for a while, slowed down his attitude, and said in a polite tone: "Ms. Igawa, I understand your proposal, and I can participate in your club's stage play."

Igawa Akemi cheered up immediately; she just thought she had been politely refused, but didn't expect him to agree directly.

But isn't Akiwara-san not optimistic about our stage play? Why agree? Is it because of me?

Thinking of this, a blush appeared on her face.

Akiwara Yuto found that the other party's expression was a bit strange, but he didn't care and continued to state his plan, "Before this, I have a request."

He prepared to show his cards to the other party and make his requirements clear.

Igawa Akemi, however, had a strange expression on her face, and her mind kept wandering; what other conditions did he want to raise? Does he want to pursue me? What should I do?

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but look at Akiwara Yuto.

About the same age as her, he had short, shiny black hair, fair skin, and bright eyes; his whole person looked scholarly, and he had a temperament of being well-read, but his eyes were always not very focused, always as if he were thinking about something.

How should I put it, if he were thrown into the school's club, I guess there would be quite a few junior sisters actively pursuing him, right?

However, if he asked for a date as a condition for helping, should I agree or agree or agree?

Thinking of this, her face felt a bit hot again.

Akiwara Yuto saw her absent-mindedness and was a bit dissatisfied; after all, he had already agreed to participate in the script creation, but he didn't get the other party's attention.

He pretended to cough twice, tapped the table with his knuckles, and said solemnly: "Ms. Igawa, I hope that I will serve as the main creator of the script, and it will be my independent creation."

He decided that instead of being held back by this unreliable girl, it would be better for him to take over the creation of the script entirely, and also take this opportunity to practice more.

Igawa Akemi was stunned; she was considering what skirt to wear for a date, but didn't expect to wait for this answer.

However, she quickly reacted; if Akiwara Yuto served as the main creator of the script, then what would she do? Perform on stage?

She looked at Akiwara Yuto with a puzzled face, preparing to ask the other party carefully; after all, the quality of the stage play performance was related to the image of their Women's University and could not be entrusted to others casually.

Akiwara Yuto saw the confusion in the other party's eyes; he picked up the coffee and took a sip, then said solemnly: "Let me introduce myself; I am a novelist, currently serializing on "New Novel" which is published every Monday..."

Listening to Akiwara Yuto's self-introduction, Igawa Akemi felt abnormal surprise, and her small mouth couldn't help but open a few times.

She originally just wanted to find a detective fan, but ended up finding a detective writer; this possibility was too small.

However, is what the other party said true?

She was a bit skeptical... ===== CHAPTER 23 =====