Chapter 300: Writers Are Lonely

Two days later, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, Double Café.

"Akiwara, what do you think of the terms offered by Toei Film?"

After ordering coffee and sitting down, Asano Aiko looked at Akiwara Yuto and asked.

This morning, Toei Film sent a senior executive who proposed more favorable terms, even including a 10% share of the box office.

Akiwara Yuto thought for a moment and replied, "Wait a little longer."

Seeing that he neither agreed nor refused, Asano Aiko asked curiously, "The reason?"

Akiwara Yuto answered, "Asano, Toei Film caused us quite a bit of trouble before. Naturally, we can't just hand over the rights to them so easily now."

"Besides, once the final box office figures for *Memories of Murder* are out, there might be other major film companies with more sincerity coming to us."

Previously, because he proposed a box office share—a condition that didn't conform to the rules in Japan—major film companies in the industry had refused to talk to him.

But now, Toei Film had actually jumped out on its own, breaking the "industry tacit agreement" with other major companies.

He didn't believe that, under the temptation of naked profit, other companies wouldn't step forward.

Asano Aiko had no objections; after all, Akiwara Yuto was the lead on this matter, and as long as the rights remained in their hands, they could sell to anyone.

She had only been worried that Akiwara Yuto would refuse to hand over the rights out of spite, and instead be determined to continue investing in and filming movies himself.

In her view, the fact that *Memories of Murder* was a big hit this time involved many accidental factors.

So if he were to make another movie, it might not necessarily reach the same standard.

At this moment, the coffee arrived. Akiwara Yuto thanked the server, took it, and then asked with a smile, "Based on the current situation, what is the projected final box office?"

Although only the opening weekend box office had been released, the ratio of theaters to screens was roughly clear, and combined with the occupancy rate, one could generally estimate the final box office.

Speaking of this topic, Asano Aiko also became energized and took out her notebook to report.

"It is expected that the heat surrounding the Kanagawa serial murder case will continue for another week, so the current dissemination effect is very good."

"The occupancy rate in popular commercial district theaters in Tokyo is at 100%, and the occupancy rate in cities like Guandong is generally around 90%. The vast majority of theaters have indicated they will continue to add screenings."

"Besides that, regarding public opinion and promotion, quite a few magazines have also indicated..."

Akiwara Yuto nodded as he listened. The movie *Memories of Murder* was a massive hit in his past life due to very profound social reasons.

And this world just happened to catch onto the hot topic; with the film's high quality, there was naturally no reason for it to fail.

However, hot topics fade sooner or later. After some time, the box office would likely see a cliff-like drop.

After all, those who were interested had already seen it in theaters, and those who weren't naturally wouldn't watch it.

But by that time, it would be about time for it to be pulled from theaters.

Asano Aiko finished most of her report, closed her notebook, and sighed deeply, "It is estimated that in two months, the box office for this film will reach about 4.5 billion yen!"

She looked up, gave Akiwara Yuto a complicated look, and said, "Akiwara, you've succeeded again!"

With a production cost of about 200 million yen, an unknown third-rate director, and a group of ordinary actors who only performed in television dramas, he had actually managed to create a result like 4.5 billion yen.

It could even rank in the top three for total annual box office.

According to the fact that investors could get one-third of the final total box office revenue, there would be at least 1.5 billion yen in net profit this time.

This money was earned quite easily; it was as if it had been blown in by a strong wind!

Sometimes she really couldn't understand why Akiwara Yuto could succeed so easily; it was simply incredible.

Akiwara Yuto was unaware of her admiration and said, "By the way, arrange for the publication of the *Memories of Murder* book edition in the near future as well."

"I understand, don't worry."

Asano Aiko agreed casually—now that there was the heat from the movie, the book edition would definitely sell well.

However, the little money earned from the book edition was at most just an incidental profit.

After all, this was not a serialized series; the plot that needed to be told had already been told, and at most, it would just supplement some details.

Just then, her phone rang. After saying "excuse me," she walked outside the café to take the call, not returning until 10 minutes later.

"Akiwara, Xinchuan Film Co., Ltd. just called me."

Akiwara Yuto smiled, "Do they want the film and television rights to my work?"

Asano Aiko shook her head and said, "No, they want to hire you to write a script specifically, and they offered a fee of 20 million yen."

Akiwara Yuto was stunned. He had thought they were coming to discuss rights, not expecting them to invite him to write a script.

He thought for a moment, analyzing the pros and cons of the matter.

He did indeed have many suspense crime movies in his mind, but many of them were not suitable for adaptation into literary works and were only suitable for filming as movies.

But as long as he kept them, perhaps he could use them someday.

And the film company's offer of 20 million yen seemed a bit low.

To be honest, although his cooperation on new books with the two distributors, To-Han and Ni-Han, was not very pleasant right now, relying on his previous foundation, his monthly net profit was still at least over 100 million yen.

He thought for a moment and waved his hand directly, "Help me decline it."

Asano Aiko nodded, having no objections.

Although the price offered by the other party was already the highest in the industry, for Akiwara Yuto, it was only at an average level.

After finishing the business, Asano Aiko brought up a private matter: "Akiwara, Miho-chan has had some problems recently, did you know?"

Hearing this, Akiwara Yuto was puzzled.

He had always cared about this talented disciple he had taken on.

"I only gave her a lesson last week, what kind of problem?" Akiwara Yuto asked.

Asano Aiko paused, sorted out her thoughts, and said seriously, "It seems she has been failing in her submissions recently, so she is very depressed. I asked her before, and she said she couldn't write good works."

Akiwara Yuto's smile faded as he considered whether to offer any help.

But after considering it for a while, he said seriously, "Asano, this matter can only rely on herself."

In his view, the problem his disciple, Toyama Miho, had fallen into was undoubtedly a block in inspiration and a drying up of thought, but this was not something others could help her with.

If he were to offer help rashly, it might even cause her psychological trauma or even lead to a reliance on him.

So this hurdle must be overcome by her own continuous creation.

In his past life, a writer once discussed writing, and he believed that writers are lonely, because only loneliness can provide writers with constant inspiration.

"Let's go," Akiwara Yuto stood up and signaled for Asano Aiko to leave with him.

Next, he needed to find Nishijima Sota to discuss the follow-up plan for opening chain bookstores.