[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-literary-master-of-tokyo":3,"chapter-literary-master-of-tokyo-literary-master-of-tokyo-chapter-41":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Literary Master of Tokyo",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2354890,4607,"Chapter 41: As Partners","literary-master-of-tokyo-chapter-41",41,"\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto had not been unmoved by Takei Kohei’s proposal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he became a contracted author for *Tokyo Literature*, he would undoubtedly receive higher manuscript fees and royalties for his collected volumes, not to mention the potential gains from increased influence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it also meant he would be leaving *New Novel* and betraying the promise he had made to Asano Aiko.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he was at his lowest, it was Asano Aiko who had called him and helped him out of his predicament. Furthermore, in terms of his actual work, she had constantly fought for his interests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without a doubt, Asano Aiko was not only a professional partner but also a like-minded friend. If he were to abandon her for the sake of his own future, he would never be able to forgive himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto wanted to succeed, but he hoped that this success would be achieved on the foundation of being able to repay Asano Aiko.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having confirmed his thoughts, Akiwara Yuto straightened his back and looked at Takei Kohei with a firm gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Editor Takei, thank you very much for your kindness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Takei Kohei’s face lit up with joy; he felt that the matter was settled and was about to speak when Akiwara Yuto continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I am sorry, I refuse.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Takei Kohei was stunned; he had not expected the other party to express a refusal so bluntly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought for a moment and said in a slightly persuasive tone, \"Teacher Akiwara, if you are not satisfied with the terms, we can still discuss them further...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could finish, Akiwara Yuto interrupted him: \"Editor Takei, I am not dissatisfied with the terms you proposed; I know what I am saying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice became serious: \"I have already decided. I, Akiwara Yuto, wish to remain at *New Novel* and work with Editor Asano. She is the partner I want to collaborate with; I am very certain of this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Takei Kohei fell silent; he had thought this matter was a sure thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of reason, he had made Misaki Sawako kneel, giving the other party plenty of face. In terms of benefits, he had made very significant concessions, which he was confident far exceeded those of the *New Novel* editorial department.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misaki Sawako, who was still kneeling to the side, looked up in disbelief—was this Akiwara-san crazy? The conditions had been raised to such a level, so why refuse? Any other author would have already agreed happily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for partners or whatever, how could that be more important than one's own future? Besides, that woman Asano, other than being pretty, only had mediocre professional ability. No, wait, could it be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She thought of a possibility, but was unsure, so she asked in a tone filled with doubt: \"Teacher Akiwara, are you and Asano dating?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Takei Kohei was startled, and he also realized this possibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s right, if the two were dating, then everything could be explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto was young and vigorous, and Asano Aiko was also quite attractive; it was not impossible for the two to be together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto did not expect this Miss Misaki to guess like this and was speechless for a moment. However, he only felt gratitude toward Asano Aiko, so he had a clear conscience and answered very frankly: \"No, we are just in a normal author-editor relationship.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought for a moment and began to explain further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss Misaki, do you know? At the time, I really needed money to pay my rent. If it weren't for Miss Asano, I would be wandering the streets of Tokyo right now. I am endlessly grateful for this kindness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misaki Sawako was stunned upon hearing the reply and did not know how to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Takei Kohei could not help but fall silent as well. He did not know there was such a backstory, but he was a complete egoist and did not believe there were people who would be so grateful and eager to repay kindness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pondered for a while and then said in a softened tone: \"Teacher Akiwara, that was just her job duty. You don't have to be like this; you should consider yourself more...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up and took a careful look at Akiwara Yuto, finding that the other party’s gaze was firm and showed no intention of changing his mind at all, so he sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In any case, we will take our leave now. Regardless, as long as you want to come to *Tokyo Literature*, the conditions I mentioned before will not change.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying these words, he signaled for Misaki Sawako to stand up. The two bowed and prepared to leave. Akiwara Yuto also stood up and saw them off to the entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching their backs, he felt a sense of relief in his heart, feeling that he had finally not been tempted by profit. For this reason, it shouldn't be too much to go to the Asano house for a few meals, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, Takei Kohei sat in the taxi on the way back, but his mind was still constantly mulling things over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto refused to leave *New Novel* simply because of Asano Aiko, so should he transfer Asano Aiko to *Tokyo Literature*?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought about it and felt it wasn't very feasible. After all, personnel transfers required approval from above, and it would also require Kikuchi Tai to agree to let her go. However, although this Kikuchi Tai was rather mediocre, he wasn't stupid to that extent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even if Kikuchi Tai agreed to let her go, Akiwara Yuto would demand that Asano Aiko, not himself, serve as the editor-in-charge, which did not conform to his principle of maximizing profit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Takei Kohei looked at the ever-changing scenery outside the window, frowned, and made a plan in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Takei Kohei was thinking about how to make Akiwara Yuto change his mind, Ikawa Akemi was busy pushing forward with various tasks for the stage play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She watched everyone on stage busy at work, but felt a mix of joy and helplessness in her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The joy was that everyone in the drama club was very motivated. The helplessness was regarding her own role.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the scriptwriting work had all been taken by Akiwara Yuto, she had been assigned the role of stage manager by the instructor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Generally speaking, a stage manager is a pivotal role with absolute authority, capable of directing all personnel. But after all, they were just a regular university club, and everyone still had to listen to the instructor's directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So while she sounded like a stage manager, in reality, she was just a stage hand, going wherever she was needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, she could have performed on stage, such as playing a supporting female role—but the instructor thought she was too pretty, which would steal the spotlight from the lead and ruin the overall effect of the stage play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Out of helplessness, she could only settle for second best and accept the instructor's arrangement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ikawa Akemi was moving props with two other female members when she heard a voice from afar: \"Everyone, come over here for a moment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked up and saw that it was the instructor calling everyone, so she and the others put down the props and walked over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instructor stood on the stage with her hands on her hips, holding a script in her left hand and a small microphone in her right. She looked around, and seeing that everyone had arrived, she began her lecture: \"I won't talk about the script situation; I hope everyone memorizes it thoroughly to avoid any missed lines.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that everyone had answered \"Yes,\" the instructor continued seriously: \"This stage play is very important. It is not only an honor for the school but also concerns the honor of our drama club. I hope everyone keeps this firmly in mind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is a mystery play, but compared to the human nature displayed within, the mystery element is not very prominent. Everyone must pay more attention to the human nature of their characters: the younger brother's panic, the older sister's readiness to die, and the inner struggles of the other supporting characters facing death—all of these require you to grasp them well. You must delve deeper and immerse yourselves into these roles.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gestured to the crowd and raised her voice to emphasize: \"We must use our performance to make the audience feel oppressed, and then use the deaths of many characters to push this oppression to the extreme. When this emotion reaches its peak, we will then use the scene where the older sister sacrifices herself to bring this stage play to a climax!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people off-stage listened with extra care, and Risa Atsumi, who played the older sister, and another petite girl playing the younger brother, nodded frequently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that everyone understood her meaning, the instructor continued, making deployments for lighting, props, and other backstage work, so that everyone was perfectly clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ikawa Akemi was a bit speechless; weren't lighting and props the stage manager's job? Now that the instructor had arranged everything, it seemed she was only left to continue doing odd jobs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was grumbling in her heart when she suddenly heard a voice: \"Ikawa, I have a task for you here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ikawa Akemi was startled, but within two seconds, she became happy again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was she going to be assigned a role? It seemed this young lady's beauty was still useful after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked up at the instructor with expectant eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instructor looked at her suspiciously, not knowing why her eyes had become so joyful, but she still stated her request.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ikawa, you are quite tall, so how about you play the murderer with the chainsaw? Anyway, if you wear a cloak, no one will be able to tell you're a girl.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ikawa Akemi’s eyes widened, and she was so angry she couldn't speak for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is there a murderer as beautiful as me!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of Ikawa Akemi’s protest, the instructor finally gave up on having her play the murderer, only muttering regretfully that her height was wasted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ikawa Akemi was so angry she wanted to drop the props and quit on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for the sake of the club's honor, she still honestly went back to work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, she was also given an additional task, which was to invite Teacher Akiwara to watch the performance on the day of the stage play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encouraged by the instructor, everyone’s fighting spirit was ignited, and they rehearsed one scene after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amidst their day-to-day busyness, the day for the new issue of *New Novel* to go on sale arrived once again...\u003C\u002Fp>",1778,"2026-06-21T03:58:01.347Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","b2ded51dbcec530022eadf217cfa0fcaec9ca1881a8b0b70d9013460c0a82b5d","literary-master-of-tokyo-chapter-42","literary-master-of-tokyo-chapter-40",334,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fliterary-master-of-tokyo-cover.jpg"]