Chapter 4: A Phone Call

While Asano Aiko was reading the manuscript, Akiwara Yuto, who had already returned home, was a bit restless. The success or failure of the submission was related to his subsequent situation, and it was difficult for him to set his heart at ease.

He was uneasy for a long time, feeling that entanglement was of no avail. After all, with time to think about these messy things, it was better to make plans for the next step early. In this way, even if the submission failed, he wouldn't be panicked all of a sudden.

After making up his mind, he dealt with dinner with instant noodles, took out paper and pen again, bit the pen, and began to ponder other methods.

Should he submit to multiple places at once?

No!

Submitting to multiple places at once was a bit of a taboo in the industry. If this matter were exposed, it would have a significant impact on his future. He couldn't do such a thing that was easy to leave a handle on just for a temporary predicament. Not to mention he was just a newcomer who hadn't debuted yet; banning him was just a matter of saying a word.

Then it seemed he could only wait for "Tokyo Literature" to have a reply before submitting to other publishing houses.

It was just that according to his understanding of publishing houses, to get a reply, it could take a few days or a week if fast, or even a month if slow. If that were really the case, it would be completely too late to pay the rent.

Beg the landlord to delay the rent?

Although the law was relatively biased toward the interests of tenants, the place where he lived was the poorest and most chaotic Sanya area, and it wasn't a regular housing source found through a guarantor. Who knew if the landlord would find someone to kick him out.

Akiwara Yuto pondered for a long time and decided to go to the roadside to see if there were any odd jobs, and at the same time planned to write another short story, and immediately find other targets if the submission failed. If neither worked, he would try his best to persuade the landlord to delay the rent.

After thinking, he washed up simply, pulled down the light cord, lay on the futon, and fell into a deep sleep.

The next day, Akiwara Yuto got up early, shoveled a few mouthfuls of instant noodles, and went out. Time was tight, and not a single second could be wasted.

He walked along the street deep into the Sanya area where he lived, while staring at utility poles and walls, looking for suitable job recruitment flyers.

The Sanya area had been a place where prostitutes, homeless people, and butchers walked since the Edo period, and it was also a recognized slum in modern times, so there were many migrant workers and recruitment flyers here.

Unfortunately, he searched all the way and found that there were very few jobs suitable for him. Even if he occasionally found one, they had stopped recruiting when he went to ask.

This made him understand the original owner's pain even more. How difficult it was to find a good job; after all, the streets were full of "fellow sufferers."

He searched like this for 3 whole days, wasting another half a week, and before he could start writing the second manuscript, he received a notice from the manager when he got home: "Akiwara-san, there is a call for you."

After finishing this sentence, the manager added in a joking tone: "It's a call from a young lady."

Akiwara Yuto was confused instead. He didn't know any women in Tokyo. Could it be that there was news from the publishing house?

Thinking of this, he hurried to the management office with the manager, took a deep breath, picked up the receiver, and said in a polite tone: "Hello, I am Akiwara Yuto."

"I am Asano Aiko, an editor of Mantan Society's 'New Novel' magazine." A crisp female voice came from the receiver.

"Sorry to bother you, the magazine here wants to publish your manuscript. May I ask what your intention is?"

Hearing this news, Akiwara Yuto subconsciously gripped the receiver tightly.

His manuscript was finally recognized, which meant he didn't have to worry about being kicked out of the house because he couldn't pay the rent.

He was a bit excited, but also a bit confused. Wasn't the object of his submission "Tokyo Literature"? How did it become "New Novel" of the same publishing house?

However, he didn't ask the reason. After all, the most important thing now was to find a platform to obtain manuscript fees.

As for the future, he believed that he would definitely be able to stand out step by step by relying on the numerous literary works in his mind.

Settling his heart, Akiwara Yuto tried his best to make his voice not sound very urgent and responded calmly.

"No problem, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity at 'New Novel'. May I ask what else I need to do?"

"That's really great." After hearing Akiwara Yuto's answer, Asano Aiko also breathed a sigh of relief. She was worried that the other party would have his heart set on "Tokyo Literature."

"Akiwara-san, are you free tomorrow morning? If you don't mind, I'd like to invite you for a cup of coffee and have a simple talk."

She decided to meet Akiwara Yuto first. Although she thought the other party had literary talent, she also wanted to understand what kind of person the other party was.

As an editor, she had to be responsible for the writer's words and deeds, so she thought it was necessary to communicate with the other party first and make further confirmation.

Although Akiwara Yuto couldn't wait to get the manuscript fee, he still suppressed his thoughts and responded with a smile: "Yes, I am free all morning tomorrow."

"Then at 9:30 tomorrow morning, please come to the double cafe next to Mantan Society, Akiwara-san. It's a green cafe, very easy to find."

"Okay, I will arrive on time tomorrow morning."

After hearing Akiwara Yuto's response, Asano Aiko was polite for a few more sentences, and finally said "excuse me" before hanging up the phone.

She had to think carefully about how to talk tomorrow. In fact, she was very curious about what reason Akiwara Yuto had to be able to write such an article.

Akiwara Yuto put down the phone, his expression very pleasant, which made the apartment manager next to him very surprised.

According to his observation, this Akiwara-san always frowned, as if there was something on his mind. He didn't expect a phone call to make him beam with joy.

The manager had a guess in his heart, but didn't show it, just looked at Akiwara Yuto with a smile.

Akiwara Yuto calmed his mood, saw the manager's smile, and bowed to express his thanks.

He hadn't bothered the manager less recently, not only frequently borrowing newspapers and phones but also often asking the other party about information around, causing the other party quite a bit of trouble. Fortunately, this manager was a good person and didn't mind these.

However, the kindness owed must be repaid. Since others helped him, he must return the favor properly. When he got the manuscript fee, he would buy a bottle of shochu as a gift.

The manager looked at Akiwara Yuto's spring-breeze-like face and couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

Love, it really is a panacea for all diseases.

But he really wanted to see what the young lady who made Akiwara-san's mood change looked like. Just hearing the voice, he felt she was a beauty.

Akiwara Yuto knew nothing about the manager's misunderstanding. He prepared to return to the apartment to sort out the manuscript again and prepare well for the subsequent talk.

Although he had succeeded halfway, it hadn't succeeded yet, and it was far from the time to relax! ===== CHAPTER 5 =====