Chapter 37: Editor-in-Chief's Treat

The next day, Asano Aiko called and brought Akiwara Yuto the first-day sales data for the third issue of *New Novel* this month—a full 15,000 copies, which was much higher than the second issue before.

You have to know that this is only the first day's data!

According to this trend, it is not impossible for the circulation of the third issue of *New Novel* to exceed 60,000 copies.

Asano Aiko discussed with Akiwara Yuto over the phone for a while, and both of them were a bit surprised by this phenomenon.

After all, generally speaking, it is not a rare thing for a magazine to be reprinted once or twice because of a certain book review.

But if it can be sold better and reprinted one after another, it is a bit surprising.

It seems that many of the readers brought by the boy incident last time have been converted into fans of *New Novel*.

Asano Aiko sighed: "Although the estimated data of the statistics department has not been submitted to the editorial department, it should be no problem to exceed 60,000 copies."

In fact, she was also very surprised.

Before July, that is, before Akiwara Yuto's manuscript was published, the sales of *New Novel* were always at the bottom among several publishing houses.

Sales hovered between 25,000 and 27,000, and there was even a downward trend.

So if the sales during that period could exceed 30,000, the entire editorial department would breathe a sigh of relief.

Unexpectedly, after Akiwara Yuto's article was published, the sales of each issue of *New Novel* were increasing at an incredible speed.

The first issue sold about 30,000 copies, the second issue sold 50,000 copies, and now the third issue is expected to reach 60,000 copies. The range is very amazing, making colleagues in the statistics department couldn't help but be surprised.

So far, everyone in the editorial department is full of energy.

Not only is everyone constantly spurring their contracted authors, but some even take the initiative to take over the work of duty and manuscript collection—trying to dig up a genius like Akiwara Yuto.

Editor-in-Chief Kikuchi Tai has even formulated a plan for the first edition to be 50,000 copies, preparing to submit it to the higher-ups for review.

Currently, the possibility of passing is very high!

And because of the surge in sales, Asano Aiko felt that everyone's attitude toward her was different.

When going to work, colleagues took the initiative to greet her one after another, and many people had smiles on their faces.

The miscellaneous tasks she was responsible for, such as serving coffee and pouring tea, were all arranged for other male colleagues.

Even her own work, such as submitting plans, etc., progressed inexplicably smoothly.

"Akiwara, thank you!"

Asano Aiko said across the receiver, but her gratitude was very sincere.

If it weren't for Akiwara Yuto's help, she didn't know how long it would take for her to change her status as a marginal person in the editorial department.

Who would have thought that it would be so fast, it really felt like a dream...

Akiwara Yuto heard Asano Aiko's gratitude, but he didn't accept it, but responded: "Asano, these are all what you deserve."

If it weren't for the other party digging him out from the rejected manuscripts, he would probably be wandering the streets now, only able to work part-time while looking for opportunities.

Where would he be like now, able to carry out his writing career safely.

Although his qualifications and fame are still behind those older writers with more influence, among the new generation, he can already be considered to be at the forefront.

Seeing that Akiwara Yuto didn't appreciate it, Asano Aiko's gratitude toward him deepened by a point.

She prepared to continue to do her job well and help him strive for more benefits within her duties.

She was planning to end the call when she suddenly remembered something, so she continued: "Akiwara, do you know, your work is also very popular in Yokohama, selling more than 1,000 copies."

This number is very small, but because *New Novel* doesn't have many sales outlets in Yokohama, the previous sales were only about a hundred copies.

Akiwara Yuto was a bit confused. He remembered that the main market for *New Novel* was in Tokyo, and he suspected whether the editorial department had done promotional work in Yokohama.

Asano Aiko explained further.

She indicated that the sales mainly came from bookstores near Yokohama National University, and many students seemed to know Akiwara Yuto's work because of an internal bbs.

Akiwara Yuto vaguely guessed whether it was the credit of the *Mystery Taxi* he posted online before, and prepared to find another time to see it.

But what was the account?

Ichijo Chitoge? Ichijo Onodera? Kirisaki Marika?

Forget it, it doesn't matter, at worst register a new one, just call it Yuki Konno.

Asano Aiko didn't hear the other party's reply for a long time. She guessed that the other party might have thought of something, but she didn't intend to explore it and talked to herself.

"By the way, Akiwara, are you free tonight?"

"Are we going to discuss work?" Akiwara Yuto was a bit confused.

However, after he finished writing the script, he had a lot more time.

"No, the editor-in-chief wants to treat you to dinner, and I will go with you."

Akiwara Yuto suddenly realized, it seems that Editor-in-Chief Kikuchi saw that the results were better, so he came to contact feelings.

However, the way of contacting feelings seems to be the same everywhere, all eating and drinking.

He also understood the importance of human feelings. If he refused, he couldn't help but be suspicious that he wanted to jump to other magazines.

Forget it, let's go to this kind of entertainment.

Thinking of this, Akiwara Yuto said with a smile: "Completely free, tell me the time and place, I will go there myself."

Asano Aiko originally wanted to drive to pick him up, but seeing Akiwara Yuto insist, she could only give up.

She picked up a sticky note, looked at it twice, and read it out: "7 o'clock in the evening, at the 'Asakusa' restaurant in 3-chome, Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku."

"Understood, I will arrive on time."

After saying this, Akiwara Yuto took the initiative to end the call.

Okay, let's see what clothes to wear today?

This kind of formal dinner should not be too simple.

At 6:50 in the evening, Akiwara Yuto arrived at the Asakusa restaurant mentioned by Asano Aiko in advance.

He didn't find out that he couldn't go directly until he arrived at the bus stop, so he could only take a taxi, which made him feel a bit distressed, and he regretted not letting Asano Aiko come to pick him up.

No way, he was moving and donating money, and now he didn't have much money in his pocket.

And he took a fixed manuscript fee, so even if the sales doubled a few times, it had nothing to do with him, it was just how much it was.

He walked to the restaurant entrance, looked up at the lanterns hanging at the door, stopped, tidied himself up to ensure that he had no problems with his appearance, and then walked in sternly.

A waitress wearing a kimono took the initiative to greet him, and after greeting, led him to a private room.

Kikuchi Tai and Asano Aiko were already waiting, and they took the initiative to greet him after seeing him.

Kikuchi Tai's attitude was even more kind, as if he had changed into a different person, and he even arranged him in the main seat—the position furthest from the door.

Akiwara Yuto hurriedly declined, but was pushed to sit in the position, and could only show a helpless wry smile for a while.

Kikuchi Tai showed a satisfied smile and signaled Asano Aiko to call the waiter.

This meal today must be a good way to contact feelings! ===== CHAPTER 38 =====