[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-literary-master-of-tokyo":3,"chapter-literary-master-of-tokyo-literary-master-of-tokyo-chapter-5":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},2354854,4607,"Chapter 5: Source of Inspiration","literary-master-of-tokyo-chapter-5",5,"\u003Cp>On the appointed day, Akiwara Yuto got up early to wash and groom himself. He stuffed a manuscript into his pocket, walked out of his home with high spirits, and strode toward the train station.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was still early, but Tokyo’s morning rush hour traffic was notoriously brutal, so it was better to leave a little ahead of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon reaching the station, he passed through the ticket gate and squeezed into the train along with the dense crowd. With people pressed against his front and back, he felt a bit suffocated, and for a moment, he had the sensation of riding the subway in the Flower Capital during his past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because it was so crowded, the train doors couldn't close for a while. Uniformed staff pushed the passengers inside with force, causing many to apologize for stepping on others' shoes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a short while, the train finally closed its doors and started moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing all this, Akiwara couldn't help but recall a term from his past life: sardine can.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, he was one of the fish in the can.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After enduring a \"nightmarish\" 40-minute ride, Akiwara finally arrived at his destination station and headed toward the direction of the publishing house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, he found the coffee shop with the \"double\" sign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cafe was not large, and the structure was almost entirely floor-to-ceiling glass. Looking through the glass at the greenery inside, it appeared quite chic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood in front of the shop's glass and peeked inside. Seeing no customers, he wondered if he should wait for the other party at the entrance since it was still early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could decide, a gentle, soft female voice sounded behind him: \"Excuse me, are you Akiwara-san?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto turned his head immediately and saw a woman with short black hair who looked very gentle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman was about twenty-four or twenty-five, 1.6 meters tall, petite, and had a lovely face. Her hair draped over her shoulders, and she wore a red cardigan and a white dress, giving her a very clean aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto reacted immediately and asked politely: \"Are you Ms. Asano?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other party smiled slightly and responded politely: \"Nice to meet you, I am Asano Aiko, an editor from the *New Novel* editorial department.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pushed open the glass door and smiled: \"Akiwara-san, let's sit down and talk in detail.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto nodded and walked into the shop with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two were led by a waiter to a corner seat further inside—it was quieter there, suitable for a conversation between the two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asano Aiko ordered two coffees and said politely: \"Akiwara-san, we are meeting today to confirm your thoughts. I would like to ask, what prompted you to write such an article?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Akiwara Yuto knew the real test had come. However, he had already rehearsed for this question many times; after all, he couldn't just say he only submitted it because he couldn't pay his rent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He straightened his posture and said seriously: \"It was because of my own experiences and encounters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asano Aiko looked puzzled and asked curiously: \"Experiences and encounters?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that the other party was interested, Akiwara Yuto immediately began to persuade (bluff): \"Ms. Asano, did you know that people often create greater works in situations of increasing pain and despair?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asano Aiko nodded slowly, believing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This world was not much different from his past life; there were artists similar to Van Gogh, and these artists, without exception, created great works while starving and cold, only to be recognized by the world after their deaths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was a bit curious—could this Akiwara-san have had some bad experiences?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto continued: \"I have been an orphan since I was a child. Before being adopted by the Fuli Academy, I wandered in parks, slept under bridge arches, and fought with wild dogs for food in trash cans.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice became a bit lonely: \"Later, after graduating from high school, I left the Fuli Academy and came to Tokyo, where I hit wall after wall. Facing such circumstances, my inner world underwent earth-shaking changes, and I began to have the motivation to create.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn't a lie; the original owner's memories were indeed like that, though the original owner was lucky enough to be adopted by the Fuli Academy and raised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had been born earlier, he probably would have died on the road while wandering, just like the brother and sister in the controversial film *Grave of the Fireflies* from his past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, his purpose in saying this wasn't to win her sympathy, but to build the image of a genius who struggled to create out of poverty, which would be helpful for his future career.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asano Aiko's eyes were filled with sympathy. She really didn't know that this fresh-faced young man, who looked a year or two younger than her, had gone through such experiences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn't doubt that he was lying. More than 20 years ago, the economy in Japan was still very bad, and there were many instances of parents abandoning their children; she just hadn't expected him to be one of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the change in her expression, Akiwara Yuto said in a slightly solemn tone: \"In the midst of struggling, two girls vaguely appeared in my heart.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asano Aiko's expression turned surprised: \"Are they Yoko and Kazari?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, the characters that appear in the novel are all changes in my inner emotions. Yoko is the version of myself that is painful, desperate, and sees no hope, while Kazari is the version of myself that is confident to the point of arrogance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, his expression seeming a bit conflicted, but he continued anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The image of the mother comes from myself. Due to the hatred of my own incompetence, I tried to kill Yoko, who is similar to me, but I didn't know that I was actually killing Kazari, whom I yearned to be.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a bit worried, not knowing if he could convince her. He had spent an entire night thinking up this explanation, killing off a large number of brain cells—he had almost pulled his hair out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after seeing Asano Aiko's expression, most of his worry vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, upon hearing Akiwara Yuto's astonishing \"creative inspiration,\" Asano Aiko couldn't help but cover her mouth with her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although she was an editor, she was also a woman, and it was hard not to feel sympathy for him. She admitted that she was moved by Akiwara Yuto's explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of silence, she intended to talk to Akiwara Yuto with a gentler attitude and comfort him a little before discussing the contract. But before she could speak, she noticed he had a new move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto took a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"*Kazari and Yoko* is just one of a series of stories I have conceived. I have 10 similar stories in my mind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stories he had prepared came from the work *ZOO* by the Japanese author Otsuichi from his past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This author was hailed as a new generation of \"horror novel elites\" in the Japanese literary world. His works were very popular among young Japanese readers and were even made into films due to good sales.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the *Kazari and Yoko* he submitted was written based on his memory of the film and novel's plot. However, because too much time had passed, he could only restore the general idea and fully sort out the main storyline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There are 10 more works like this?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asano Aiko looked at him with some surprise. This was beyond her expectations; she thought it was impressive enough to write one such article, let alone so many.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She began to think further: if there were 10 more similar stories, she could apply to the editor-in-chief to create a column and become the dedicated editor for Akiwara Yuto.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, she would likely be able to escape her status as a marginal figure in the editorial department.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was an opportunity!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, she couldn't help but size up this Akiwara-san again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was around 20 years old, and his appearance looked refined, just like a university graduate who had just entered society, but the experiences revealed in his words all indicated that he had already endured many trials in society.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most importantly, when he talked about his work, he had a very confident feeling, completely lacking the timidity of a typical newcomer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps this was the temperament inherent to a genius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After marveling in her heart, Asano Aiko took the manuscript Akiwara Yuto handed over and began to read it seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the paper was a title, *Seven Rooms*, and a few small grids drawn on the side, which made her a bit confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was this? Why was a genius's outline so hard to understand?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her confusion, Akiwara Yuto began to slowly describe a story:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sister and brother are kidnapped and thrown into a dark room. The door in the dark room has no keyhole, and there is a water channel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To escape, the sister lets the brother crawl into the water channel to swim out and report to the police, but he fails. However, it wasn't a total loss; the two discover that there are three rooms on each side, each holding a woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After asking these people, the siblings learn that there is a murderer who kills in order from left to right every day, and the fragments of the bodies flow from left to right along the water channel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After confirming the body fragments flowing down the water channel, the siblings fall into terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sister calculates that 6 days later will be the day they are killed. To save themselves, she lets the brother swim to each room to collect supplies and makes a decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On that day, the murderer breaks into the room with a chainsaw. The sister uses a dummy made from the supplies to fool the murderer and hugs him tightly, allowing the brother to successfully escape through the door and close it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for herself, she is locked in the room with the murderer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This article also came from Otsuichi's *ZOO* and could be said to be one of the most astonishing stories in the entire series; many readers could not forget it even years after finishing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the article was not long, the elements it contained were exceptionally rich, completely transcending the connotations of typical thriller novels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of exploring human nature, the article was unique; for example, the feelings between the siblings and the different reactions of the people facing death were all meticulously depicted and deeply described.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This could be considered his trump card; it should be able to further convince her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, he raised his head and carefully observed Asano Aiko's expression. To his surprise, her expression became a bit strange, far from the astonishment he wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asano Aiko's mood was actually a bit complicated after hearing *Seven Rooms*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On one hand, she marveled at Akiwara Yuto's talent, but on the other, she wondered if he had any mental problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, her impression of Akiwara Yuto had undergone an earth-shaking change, and she subconsciously sat a little further away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a plot was something an ordinary person wouldn't even think of; why could Akiwara-san conceive it so completely?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wouldn't really be putting himself in the murderer's perspective and wanting to take revenge on society, would he?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, the more she thought about it, the more terrifying it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was silent for a moment, put the manuscript back on the table, tried hard to cast the thought of Akiwara Yuto being a potential criminal out of her mind, and further pondered the feasibility of creating a column.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides *Kazari and Yoko* and *Seven Rooms*, if the other stories were of a similar level, then this column would be enough to become one of the facades for the current serialization of *New Novel*, which would be of no small benefit to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One had to know that an editor's career prospects were tied to the writers they were responsible for; the more a writer was loved by readers and the more popular the book sales were, the brighter the editor's career prospects would be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, this series of stories from Akiwara-san was simply a rare opportunity. If she missed it, she would regret it for the rest of her life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, how should she talk to him next?\u003C\u002Fp>",2096,"2026-06-21T03:58:01.347Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","b12ff6b0ab17907b19696b14fac493c26e1f379f8b72057784dc2c5dd4d6e47f","literary-master-of-tokyo-chapter-6","literary-master-of-tokyo-chapter-4",334,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fliterary-master-of-tokyo-cover.jpg"]