Chapter 67: Forgive Me

For *New Novel*, the importance of Akiwara Yuto is unquestionable. It can be said that *New Novel* could go from a magazine that couldn't even sell 30,000 copies to one that can sell more than 200,000 copies now, and his contribution accounts for at least 90%.

So for the title of "genius" given to him by many book reviewers, Kikuchi Tai agrees very much in his heart.

He believes that Akiwara Yuto already has enough capital to get his own column and cover in any literary magazine of any publishing house.

However, the reason why Akiwara didn't choose to leave is nothing more than because of Asano Aiko.

To be honest, Kikuchi Tai didn't pay much attention to Asano Aiko at first. After all, in his view, the other party was just a woman. According to the habits of Nihon society, when she reached a certain age, she would have to get married and have children.

So he delayed arranging writers for her to be responsible for, and only let her do some small things like serving tea and pouring water.

But what he didn't expect was that Asano Aiko actually gave him such a big surprise, digging up such a genius author who could change the fate of *New Novel* magazine.

Today, he has attached great importance to this female editor he didn't care about before. He feels that the other party is a long rope that can well help *New Novel* tie Akiwara Yuto so that the latter will not be dug away by other magazines.

As for what kind of relationship Asano Aiko and Akiwara Yuto have, he doesn't care at all. Even if the two announced their marriage tomorrow, he would only say "Congratulations" and rejoice in his heart that this rope is more secure.

However...

Thinking of this, he looked at the paper in his hand and let out a helpless wry smile.

If he does what Takei Kohei wrote on the paper, Asano Aiko will completely lose her role, and Akiwara Yuto will inevitably part ways with the editorial department.

If there are no accidents, he will never see the other party's work on the pages of *New Novel* in the future.

He was silent for a while, raised his head and looked at Takei Kohei: "Editor Takei, what will happen if I don't agree?"

Takei Kohei's expression was still "hypocritical," but the content of his answer was not polite at all, and he was even too lazy to use honorifics: "Kikuchi Tai, please think clearly, is *New Novel* important, or is your own life important?"

He also said as if he was thinking for Kikuchi Tai: "As long as you agree to my request, I will give you the photos and negatives, and in that case, you will still be the editor-in-chief as always..."

Although Takei Kohei said so, he felt disdain for Kikuchi Tai in his heart.

Without Akiwara Yuto, with Kikuchi Tai, the recognized incompetent editor-in-chief, *New Novel* would probably be beaten back to its original form soon and would not threaten the status of *Tokyo Literature* at all.

Whether he can sit firmly in the position of editor-in-chief at that time is another matter.

Kikuchi Tai heard Takei Kohei's underlying meaning. If he didn't agree to the other party's request, then these photos would likely appear in other places, such as his home, his office, or in the hands of his superiors...

At that point, he would face the separation of his wife and children and unemployment. If Mantanshe was still not satisfied, he might even be sued and go to prison...

He picked up the paper, read every word on it again, and silently made a choice in his heart.

He raised his head, met Takei Kohei's gaze, and lowered his voice: "I know what to do, but Takei, although Akiwara Yuto is very talented, is it worth it for you to do this?"

Takei Kohei restrained his smile, looked at him coldly, and said in a tone as if he were ordering a subordinate: "This doesn't need your concern, I have my own considerations."

How could he not know Kikuchi Tai's point of view? But he was forced to choose these means even if he offended Kikuchi Tai, which was also a helpless choice.

As the sales of *New Novel* got higher and higher, Akiwara Yuto's status within the publishing house undoubtedly got higher and higher. And all of this was like a slap, ruthlessly hitting his face.

During this period, whether on the surface or behind the scenes, he had heard many words mocking him for being blind. But even so, he couldn't refute it, after all, he was the editor who saw Akiwara Yuto first.

To make up for it, he specially visited and gave Akiwara Yuto enough face and benefits, letting the other party transfer from *New Novel* to *Tokyo Literature*. He thought his sincerity was enough, but to his surprise, he was still rejected!

In the past, he would have given up. After all, it wasn't that he hadn't seen the fall of so-called "genius" writers.

But the situation now is different from before. The editor-in-chief of *Tokyo Literature* is about to retire, and there is another person besides himself as deputy editor-in-chief.

So for the sake of his professional interests, he had to find another way to let Akiwara Yuto transfer to *Tokyo Literature*. At that time, he could logically serve as the other party's responsible editor, giving others no reason to blame him.

To achieve this goal, he must make Akiwara Yuto and the *New Novel* editorial department alienated, and then use this as an excuse to come forward to appease the other party and handle the relationship with the upper management.

Among them, Asano Aiko is an unavoidable reason. As long as the other party still holds the position of editor, then Akiwara Yuto will inevitably not let others serve as his responsible editor... so, she must be transferred to other departments.

However, the person who proposes her transfer must be Kikuchi Tai, which can become one of the reasons for Akiwara Yuto to resent *New Novel*.

Thinking of this, Takei Kohei suddenly seemed to think of something. He sat up straight and asked Kikuchi Tai: "Kikuchi, regarding the copyright of publishing Akiwara Yuto's collected volumes, how many years is the contract you signed?"

Kikuchi Tai didn't know why he asked this, but still told the truth: "3 years, it can only be authorized to Mantanshe for publication within 3 years."

Hearing this answer, Takei Kohei showed a satisfied smile. In this way, he could block Akiwara Yuto's way of wanting to leave the publishing house because of dissatisfaction.

After all, if he wants to leave Mantanshe, then the collected volumes will inevitably not be published, and this income of 20 million yen will have nothing to do with the other party for at least 3 years.

Kikuchi Tai looked at the other party's expression, was silent for a while, looked at the paper in his hand, and asked another question: "Editor Takei, regarding the literary award, if there is no permission from the jury and the general manager, even if I have objections here, it may still not work."

But to his surprise, the smile on Takei Kohei's face became even stronger: "How do you know that the general manager didn't tacitly approve?"

Kikuchi Tai was surprised. He didn't understand the other party's meaning, but before he could ask, Takei Kohei explained the reason.

"Editor-in-Chief Kikuchi, you really don't understand the authors under your command, you don't even know that Kadowaki Yuzhen and the general manager's daughter are dating."

Hearing this, Kikuchi Tai had no more luck. He lowered his head and sighed long and hard. At the same time, his inner emotions were extremely complex.

Teacher Akiwara, forgive me, I had no choice but to do this... ===== CHAPTER 68 =====