Chapter 38: Is a Gold Prize in Sight?

Kikuchi Tai was very intent on building a better relationship with Akiwara Yuto.

After all, the three short stories Akiwara Yuto serialized had actually caused the magazine's sales to multiply several times over; he could simply be called a monster.

Because of the sharp increase in sales, he had been feeling quite proud of himself lately when attending editorial meetings, and many tasks that were previously very difficult to coordinate had now become easy to handle.

This made him regret not placing more importance on Akiwara Yuto when they first met.

If he could turn back time, he would not only override the objections of others to arrange the cover for him, but he would even tilt the promotional budget in his direction.

Now, he could only try his best to make amends and see if he could close the distance between them.

Akiwara Yuto did not know what Kikuchi Tai was thinking, but he did not intend to refuse the other party's goodwill either.

Looking at future benefits, whether it was the publication of his subsequent works or Asano Aiko's promotion at work, neither could be separated from the other party's help.

The two of them, harboring the same intention of befriending each other, began to exchange pleasantries.

The waiter brought the appetizers at this moment; Akiwara Yuto took a few glances and discovered that this seemed to be a banquet-style meal.

Banquet-style meals are common at weddings and receptions; it is said to originate from the feasts held by haiku poets after their poetry gatherings, and it is a type of banquet cuisine centered on alcohol, which is completely different from the kaiseki cuisine that comes from tea ceremonies.

The general order of dining is to serve appetizers, braised dishes, sashimi, grilled dishes, and the like first, and finally serve rice and soup.

He felt slightly surprised; a meal like this looked like it would cost quite a bit, potentially topping two of his manuscript fees, and it should have exceeded the publishing house's reimbursement standards.

It seemed this Editor-in-Chief Kikuchi was going to take a big hit.

Kikuchi Tai smiled and said, "Teacher Akiwara, please don't be formal; let's eat and talk."

Akiwara Yuto nodded, feeling that this was, after all, the other party's good intention, so he settled his mind and began to taste the food.

After eating a few bites, he found that the taste was indeed much better than an ordinary izakaya, and the freshness of the ingredients was also a cut above.

However, if the price was as he imagined, he would still rather go to an ordinary izakaya.

Forget it, I'll just mooch off this meal for now...

The three of them did not stop talking while they ate.

Kikuchi Tai praised Akiwara Yuto thoroughly, expressed great appreciation for the manuscripts he wrote, and hoped that he would write better and better in the future.

Because her superior was by her side, Asano Aiko also politely added the suffix and began addressing him as "Teacher Akiwara."

Akiwara Yuto naturally understood what the other party meant and indicated that he would treat his future writing work well, deciding that he would never slack off just because of this small achievement.

At the same time, he kept helping Asano Aiko claim credit, signaling that she had played a great role in his writing process.

Hearing these words, Asano Aiko felt even more grateful toward Akiwara.

Kikuchi Tai nodded even more, indicating that he understood very well.

After eating for a full hour and a half, Akiwara Yuto felt he had drunk too much alcohol.

He excused himself and immediately got up to head to the restroom, but he did not expect to run into an acquaintance—Kadowaki Yuma.

It hadn't even been two days since they last met, but he noticed that the other party's spirit looked worse by more than a notch.

With a scruffy beard, a pale complexion, and even some stains on his clothes, he looked like he had encountered some setback, and the whole person had a decadent aura.

Kadowaki Yuma saw him at this moment and froze for a second; although he looked a bit drunk, he immediately straightened his back, gave him a look of disdain, let out a "humph," and walked away quickly.

Akiwara Yuto was a bit strange; after all, even without the cover position and the most prominent column, the other party's article was still ranked at the front.

And wasn't it said that "Searching Footsteps" could be adapted into film and television and win a gold award?

What was there to be discouraged about?

He couldn't figure out the situation for a moment, so he turned his head and stopped thinking about it; the other party and he could be considered enemies now, and he wished for the other party to be as miserable as possible.

He put aside his concerns in this regard, returned to the previous room, and continued to drink with Kikuchi Tai and Asano Aiko.

This meal lasted for another full hour; they didn't eat much food, but instead kept drinking, which very much corresponded to the theme of a banquet-style meal—drinking.

To be honest, he felt a bit dizzy from the alcohol.

However, this round of drinking achieved the desired effect.

Akiwara Yuto and Kikuchi Tai not only talked about all aspects of work but also deepened their mutual affection.

He also received the guarantee he wanted: that he would receive the greatest attention from the editorial department in the future.

Seeing that Akiwara Yuto was satisfied, Kikuchi Tai also breathed a sigh of relief; he was truly worried that Akiwara Yuto would jump ship.

After all, although the other party hadn't won an award, he had already proven his strength through sales, and presumably, other literary magazines could not remain indifferent.

Moreover, the conditions other magazines could offer would never be lower than "New Novel," as the resources of "New Novel" were very limited, and even manuscript fees could not be raised at will.

Seeing that Akiwara Yuto was a bit tipsy, Kikuchi Tai also stopped urging him to drink, coughed lightly, and said in a "kind" tone, "Teacher Akiwara, I must congratulate you on this."

Akiwara Yuto was a bit muddled but hadn't lost his reason yet, and asked suspiciously, "Editor-in-Chief Kikuchi, is there anything worth congratulating?"

"Teacher Akiwara, we are preparing to send your serialized work to compete for the Mantan Society Literary Award."

Kikuchi Tai paused and said in a tone with a hint of certainty, "There is a high probability that it can be awarded the Gold Prize."

Hearing this news, Akiwara Yuto was instantly invigorated, and most of his drunkenness disappeared; after all, wasn't this what he had been worrying about before!?

He subconsciously looked at Asano Aiko and found that she was smiling and nodding, suspecting that she had known this news for a long time.

Seeing that Akiwara Yuto was much more spirited, Kikuchi Tai smiled and said, "We just decided on this matter this morning, so please keep it confidential, Teacher Akiwara; after all, it still has to be decided by the judging committee in the end."

Akiwara Yuto nodded to indicate that he understood; this kind of award matter involved unwritten rules, and if it caused too much of a stir, it would undoubtedly make people jealous.

If it affected his award, it would undoubtedly be more trouble than it was worth.

Things having reached this point, he also knew the reason for Kadowaki Yuma's loss of composure earlier.

According to custom, "New Novel" could only take one Gold Prize; if this award was given to him, then Kadowaki Yuma would inevitably miss out.

He was in a great mood and, ignoring his drunkenness, downed two more glasses of alcohol.

Good fellow, he even wanted to ask me for cover resources, and in the end, he even lost his own award.

By this time, it was around 11:00 PM; Kikuchi Tai said he still had things to do, so he took his leave early, leaving only Akiwara Yuto and Asano Aiko behind.

Seeing that Akiwara Yuto was quite drunk, Asano Aiko smiled and said, "Akiwara, you've had a bit too much to drink; let me drive you back to rest."

Although Akiwara Yuto was muddled, he still tried to make himself a bit clearer and asked a question: "Asano, do you know the reason for the award? I heard rumors before that it would be awarded to 'Searching Footsteps'..."

"It is said that there seems to be a problem with the negotiations with the Hokkaido government." Asano Aiko replied with some hesitation after hearing this.

After all, this was a matter for the higher-ups; she didn't actually know the situation very well, and only heard the gossip faintly today.

Akiwara Yuto nodded and stood up, though he was swaying when he stood up; seeing Asano Aiko approach, he grabbed her hand: "Asano, let's work hard together!"

Asano Aiko was startled; she thought Akiwara Yuto was going to do something, but she didn't expect to hear these words.

The expression on her face softened, revealing a hint of a smile, and she also gripped his hand firmly, "Okay, let's work hard together!"

She knew the other party was drunk, but she still felt heartfelt emotion; she had known him for less than a month, yet her life's circumstances had undergone such a great change.

If she hadn't met him, maybe she would still be making coffee every day.

She thought for a moment and decided to express her gratitude to Akiwara Yuto again, but when she looked up, the other party was already sleepy-eyed and couldn't even stand straight.

She was both annoyed and amused for a moment, but she still supported Akiwara Yuto with effort, stuffed him into her car, and drove him all the way to his home.

Fortunately, the key was in the other party's pocket, otherwise, they wouldn't even be able to open the door.

Finishing all this, Asano Aiko drove her small car toward the direction of her home while complaining in her heart.

She held the steering wheel, looked ahead, and her face was full of smiles.

Akiwara, the future is still long; let's work hard together...