Chapter 221: The Author's Own

Just as Akiwara Yuto had anticipated, after *Weekly Bunshun*, the largest gossip magazine in Japan, published the "ghostwriting scandal," the public began to pay close attention.

For a time, keywords like *Detective Kamimura*, *Tokyo Youth*, and Onuki Masakazu became hot topics of social concern. Many newspapers followed up and reported on the related news.

Upon seeing the news, many members of the public left comments online, claiming they would no longer watch *Detective Kamimura*. They asserted that a work using ghostwriting to deceive the public lacked any sincerity!

This also caused a significant impact on the viewership ratings of *Detective Kamimura* and the sales of *Tokyo Youth*!

*Furuhata Ninzaburo*, airing in the same time slot, instead reaped the benefits of this audience, with its viewership ratings climbing in a straight line to reach 34%. Furthermore, it significantly boosted the sales of *April Youth*!

In the latest weekly sales statistics, the sales of *April Youth* reached 285, 00 copies, while the sales of *Tokyo Youth* were 310, 00 copies, placing them in second and first position, respectively.

Regarding this achievement, the Board of Directors of the Kejiaoguan was very satisfied and increased their support for *April Youth*!

……

"Mr. Wada, regarding the matter of Onuki Masakazu becoming your apprentice, what should we do?"

Inside the tea room, the square-faced man wearing a kimono continued to ask Wada Xin. He had not expected that in just about a week, the public opinion situation would have undergone such a world-shaking change.

Wada Xin glanced at him and frowned, saying, "Does a matter like this still require me to explain it clearly?"

Originally, he had taken Onuki Masakazu as a disciple not only because he cherished talent, but also to take the opportunity to strike at Akiwara Yuto and Kawai Shinta, who stood behind him.

But after Onuki Masakazu was exposed as a ghostwriter or shadow writer, these plans had already been shattered, and there was no value at all in taking the other party as a disciple anymore.

The square-faced man felt a bit of sympathy.

In his view, ghostwriting was merely a means for the other party to make a living; this was being a bit too harsh, and the other party did indeed have talent.

He tried to persuade him: "That Mr. Onuki has called many times recently, hoping to have a talk with you. He says he can explain everything clearly."

Wada Xin frowned and looked at the square-faced man, saying, "What is the use of explaining it clearly? After the ghostwriting scandal broke, what award judge would dare to present an award to him?"

The square-faced man was silent, because he found that what Wada Xin said made sense.

Looking at the award selections over the past decade or so, there was basically no precedent for awarding someone who was a writer associated with such industry scandals.

To a certain extent, the other party's path in the literary world had already been half-severed.

After considering it for a while, the square-faced man sighed and said, "I understand..."

Just then, a burst of hurried footsteps approached. The two raised their heads and discovered one of Wada Xin's disciples running over in a rush, holding a newspaper in his hand. "Master, something terrible has happened!"

Under Wada Xin's angry rebuke, the disciple stopped his footsteps.

The latter knelt on the tatami mat and handed the newspaper to the low table in front of Wada Xin, saying, "Master, you will know once you take a look."

Wada Xin took the newspaper and began to read the article the disciple was pointing at.

This article was titled "The Conspiracy of *Tokyo Youth*," and it took up nearly two-thirds of a page. It was written by a columnist and book reviewer named Matsushima Sota.

In Wada Xin's impression, the other party seemed to be a book reviewer who would publish reviews as long as he was paid.

He frowned and continued reading, discovering that this book reviewer first talked about the competition between *Furuhata Ninzaburo* and *Detective Kamimura*, then pointed out that if the viewership of *Furuhata Ninzaburo* dropped, *Tokyo Youth*, which stood behind *Detective Kamimura*, would benefit the most.

Then the book reviewer hinted that in order to achieve this goal, *Tokyo Youth* had hired a well-known veteran writer in the industry to frame the author of *Furuhata Ninzaburo*, Akiwara Yuto!

After reading the whole thing, Wada Xin immediately understood that this "veteran writer" was hinting at himself.

He frowned and said, "Nonsense," then threw the newspaper onto the table.

The disciple bent his knees and stepped forward, flipping the newspaper to another page. "Master, there is still this side you haven't finished reading."

Wada Xin said disdainfully, "Nothing worth looking at; it's all lies."

Even so, he still took the newspaper and began to read.

To his surprise, it was a photo of him from a year ago attending an event organized by *Tokyo Youth*.

"Master, what should we do now?" the disciple asked anxiously.

If the public believed this news to be true, it was estimated that even Wada Xin himself would be dragged into this storm.

Wada Xin closed his eyes, and after a long while, he said, "You don't need to worry about this matter; I will find a way to handle it."

After saying this, he stood up, pushed open the shoji door, and walked out.

He prepared to go and call several of his "old friends" next.

……

While Wada Xin was trying to pull strings, Akiwara Yuto, with the help of the Kejiaoguan, held a press conference.

In the large conference room on the top floor of the Kejiaoguan, Akiwara Yuto and Ojiro Rika sat on the podium, facing the countless cameras and microphones below.

"Mr. Akiwara, there were previous reports claiming that you refused to give the award to Onuki Masakazu out of jealousy. What is your opinion on this view?"

A reporter raised a hand to ask.

Akiwara Yuto laughed, "I don't feel there is anything for me to be jealous of regarding the other party. He has not written a single work that I consider valuable."

The many reporters below "stirred" with excitement; they loved this kind of news content that had a point of view and was direct enough.

If it were all official pleasantries, the public probably wouldn't have the slightest interest.

"Mr. Akiwara, Mr. Wada Xin believes that this work is excellent. Don't you think so?" the reporter pressed.

Akiwara Yuto shook his head, "I don't think this work is an excellent work. In fact, I think it is a bit terrifying."

"Terrifying?" The many reporters were puzzled, and even Ojiro Rika beside him was a bit confused.

Akiwara Yuto continued, "May I ask the reporter friends here, have you read the work *Death Duet* submitted by Onuki Masakazu?"

Seeing everyone below nodding, Akiwara Yuto began to explain.

"In my view, this work is entirely written by Onuki Masakazu from his own perspective. The protagonist, Yamawaki Junpei, is a high-earning painter who yearns for the violin. Just like Onuki Masakazu himself, although he has a high-earning ghostwriting career, he hopes to become a writer with his own works."

"And the protagonist's parents' obstruction of his career is just like Onuki Masakazu's own parents' obstruction of his literary career. According to the revelations of *Weekly Bunshun*, his mother once burned his manuscripts, which is exactly the same as the plot where the protagonist's mother burns the protagonist's violin."

"And that agent who threatens the protagonist—no matter how I look at it, it feels like the editor at *Tokyo Youth* who was his point of contact."

He sighed, "To tell the truth, after understanding the whole situation, I can't help but worry a little about whether Onuki Masakazu might take some measures to kill his parents and that editor."

After hearing Akiwara Yuto's explanation, the many reporters below were in an uproar.

Beyond the ghostwriting scandal, Onuki Masakazu had actually hidden his murderous intent toward his parents and editor in his writing!

Presumably, once this news is reported, it will be able to attract great attention from the public again!

For a time, many reporters raised their hands again, trying to grab the next question.

Akiwara Yuto chose a beautiful female reporter to ask, and the latter immediately posed her question.

"Mr. Akiwara, there are reports claiming that Mr. Wada Xin framed you at the instigation of *Tokyo Youth*. Is that so?"

Akiwara Yuto really wanted to say "yes," but he knew he had no actual evidence, so he could only change his approach to criticize the other party.

"I will not comment on Mr. Wada Xin's views, but I think he is already old. Otherwise, how could he think that a writer who wants to kill his own parents is a talented writer?"

Pausing, Akiwara Yuto emphasized.

"I am very grateful for Wada Xin's contribution to Japanese mystery literature, but to tell the truth, I hope he can consider retiring as soon as possible."

Hearing Akiwara Yuto's accusation, the many reporters were even more excited.

The showdown between the old and new writers was undoubtedly another highlight that could interest the public!

Akiwara Yuto looked at the many reporters below taking notes and taking pictures, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

Wada Xin, you treated me as the weak one, and even wanted to kill the chicken to warn the monkey by suppressing me.

But at this point, I would like to see how you respond to the counterattack of this "weak one"!