Chapter 59: Small Actions

Awazu Hideki's expression was very sincere, his voice was very powerful, and his bowing angle was very large, looking very sincere.

Akiwara Yuto saw his move, although a bit surprised, but not very surprised. Although deep bowing often means sincere attitude, it is used too frequently in Japanese society, making it hard for him to attach importance to it again.

Just like the Fukushima nuclear accident in his past life, the Prime Minister and relevant responsible persons bowed deeply to apologize, but as for the sincerity of the other party, anyone who knows it knows it.

Akiwara Yuto decided to refuse, but seeing Awazu Hideki sweating profusely from waiting in the sun, he felt it was better to let the other party drink a cup of tea before politely refusing.

He took out the key to open the front door and said politely: "Editor Awazu, please come in first and then talk."

Awazu Hideki also realized that his move might be too forced, so he could only end the bow, accepted Akiwara Yuto's invitation, lowered his head slightly and responded politely "Sorry to bother you."

Subsequently, he and Akiwara Yuto changed shoes at the entrance and walked to the living room on the second floor. Akiwara Yuto invited him to sit down and made a cup of tea and placed it in front of him.

Awazu Hideki took the tea, first expressed his gratitude, looked at Akiwara Yuto sitting opposite, and continued to say in a frank voice: "Akiwara-sensei, please consider it, our 'April Youth' is sincerely inviting you."

He came prepared today.

In order to obtain Akiwara Yuto's address and information, he spent a lot of energy, even opening up some relationships within the Mantan Society and doing some things that couldn't be seen.

But he believes that everything he did is very valuable.

Although there are still people who think Akiwara Yuto has no works and is just a flash-in-the-pan genius, he feels that since he is a genius, he should be netted first. If the other party writes more excellent works, wouldn't it be a big profit.

Thinking of this, his voice became more sincere.

"The relevant treatment you have now, I also know a little bit, so our condition is that the royalty of the stand-alone book is increased to 16%, the manuscript fee per page is 10,000 yen, and if there are other losses, we are also willing to bear them all."

Akiwara Yuto was a bit surprised. This condition is much higher than his income in "New Novel," or rather, it is almost doubled, which cannot be considered a small amount of money.

But he was not moved. After all, he even refused "Tokyo Literature," and would not run to other literary journals of other publishing houses.

Thinking for a moment, he decided to tell the truth: "Thank you very much for the kindness of your journal, but I still hope to cooperate with 'New Novel,' so sorry."

But to his surprise, Awazu Hideki's expression didn't change, but said with a smile: "Akiwara-sensei, can you tell me the reason for your refusal?"

"Sorry, it's not convenient to disclose." Akiwara Yuto refused; after all, the other party is not a member of the Mantan Society, and he doesn't want the other party to know too much.

Unexpectedly, Awazu Hideki said it directly, "Is it because of Editor Asano?"

Hearing this sentence, Akiwara Yuto was surprised and uncertain for a while.

Why does he know?

He was about to open his mouth to ask, but didn't expect Awazu Hideki to continue: "Akiwara-teacher, do you think your cooperation with Editor Asano is really a good thing?"

Akiwara Yuto frowned even more. He thought the other party was threatening.

However, he thought about it, the other party is not an employee of the Mantan Society, so it's not a threat, right?

Awazu Hideki picked up the tea and took a sip, "Akiwara-teacher, for 'New Novel,' you are the most popular writer at the moment, and your talent is irreplaceable. But Editor Asano is not. There are quite a few people who can replace her, so..."

Akiwara Yuto frowned, "So?"

"It doesn't rule out that someone will be jealous of Editor Asano and do some small actions."

Awazu Hideki put down the teacup, aimed his gaze at Akiwara Yuto's line of sight, and said seriously: "At that time, what will you do?"

"May I ask how Editor Awazu learned about these." Akiwara Yuto was still a bit suspicious.

"Akiwara-sensei, as competitors, we always have some small means, but it is not convenient to disclose specifically, please forgive me."

Akiwara Yuto raised his head, carefully looked at Awazu Hideki a few times, and found that the other party's expression was very natural, not like he was talking nonsense. He thought for a moment and began to seriously ponder the other party's words.

He originally thought that as long as his results were better, it would help Asano Aiko. As a result, he didn't expect this to happen.

If someone really wants to deal with Asano Aiko, what would the other party do?

Awazu Hideki seemed to see through his thoughts and said directly: "Akiwara-teacher, although no matter what plans you have, your identity is a writer after all, and you are only in a cooperative relationship with the publishing house. If you intervene rashly, it will only be more unfavorable to Editor Asano."

He lowered his voice: "In the process of you helping 'New Novel,' what kind of feedback did 'New Novel' give you? In terms of manuscript fees and other bonuses, did they give you more concessions?"

Akiwara Yuto shook his head and refuted: "The editorial department has promised to discuss with me later, and also gave me a bonus."

Awazu Hideki nodded, showing a somewhat meaningful expression, "That is to say, the formal manuscript fee has not been determined."

He paused and said in a positive tone: "Akiwara-sensei, there are some other aspects related to your interests, but I am not convenient to tell you here. However, please believe that as long as you are willing to come to 'April Youth,' all the conditions I promised are still valid."

"In short, as long as you decide, Akiwara-sensei, you can call the phone on the business card at any time, and 'April Youth' will always open its doors to you!"

His words were very solid, and Akiwara Yuto couldn't say anything. Although he was very concerned about the "other aspects" he mentioned, he was embarrassed to ask further, so he could only nod and say: "I understand."

Awazu Hideki finished speaking and stood up to say goodbye. His purpose had been achieved, and he had buried a nail between "New Novel" and Akiwara Yuto.

As for whether Akiwara Yuto will come to "April Youth" in the future, it can only be said to be fate.

Akiwara Yuto also stood up to send him away, then returned to the desk, sat on the office chair, and looked at the street outside the window and fell into deep thought.

This Editor Awazu said a lot of things today. Although not all of them can be believed, they cannot be ignored.

His home address, according to reason, only internal personnel of the Mantan Society knew, but the other party actually obtained it, which is a problem that makes people think deeply.

However, what the other party said has some truth. If someone is jealous of Asano Aiko and used some small means, then how should he deal with it?

And who is most likely to do this?

At this time, two names suddenly popped into his mind... ===== CHAPTER 60 =====