Chapter 8: Knowing the Truth

The two returned to the editorial department and soon walked to the editor-in-chief's office. Before they got close, a conversation came out of the room: "Editor-in-Chief Kikuchi, then I'll leave this matter to you."

As soon as the words fell, Akiwara Yuto saw a familiar figure walking out of the room. It was Takei Kohei, who still wore that politician-style smile.

Asano Aiko immediately bowed to greet, but Takei Kohei ignored her, instead freezing after seeing Akiwara Yuto.

Why would the other party appear in the "New Novel" editorial department? Could his manuscript have been accepted? That shouldn't be.

He immediately changed his attitude, greeted Akiwara Yuto in a hearty tone, and probed: "Akiwara-san, has your manuscript been accepted by 'New Novel'?"

Akiwara Yuto had always thought that Takei Kohei had transferred the manuscript to Asano Aiko, so he said politely: "Yes, thanks to the love of the editorial department, the contract has been officially signed just now."

Takei Kohei reacted immediately. He guessed that Akiwara Yuto had submitted to "New Novel" at the same time, otherwise how could he sign the contract so quickly.

He was a bit suspicious that the quality of the other party's manuscript was not bad, otherwise how could he sign the contract.

After thinking for a moment, he decided to make an investment, pretending to congratulate: "Akiwara-san, congratulations on your debut. You should be called Teacher Akiwara from now on."

He patted Akiwara Yuto's shoulder with feigned intimacy.

"If you feel that 'New Novel' is not suitable, you can consider 'Tokyo Literature' later. Just hand the manuscript to me then."

Actually, he still wasn't sure if Akiwara Yuto had talent, but the acceptance right of the manuscript was in his hands after all. If it was submitted and not to his liking, he would just pretend not to see it. After all, he didn't make any more guarantees.

Asano Aiko, who was silent on the side, took a deep breath after hearing this. She walked to the front and squeezed out a very reluctant smile.

"Senior, I am currently serving as Teacher Akiwara's responsible editor. During this period, I will try my best to complete my work."

Being dug for a writer under her banner in front of her face, Asano Aiko didn't dare to protest openly. After all, Takei Kohei was not only the deputy editor-in-chief but also a "big senior" whose time of joining the job was far longer than hers.

Hearing Asano Aiko's "stubbornness," Takei Kohei felt a bit disdainful. The circulation of "New Novel" was not good, so it was better to honestly be the talent delivery base for "Tokyo Literature."

He didn't pay attention to Asano Aiko, nodded at Akiwara Yuto with a "smile," and then walked away.

Akiwara Yuto didn't get a word in, but he had doubts in his heart. At first, he thought Takei Kohei had a good relationship with the "New Novel" editorial department, but now it seemed not to be the case.

Then, why was his manuscript transferred to Asano Aiko's hands?

Seeing him silent, Asano Aiko was also a bit nervous. She was worried that Akiwara Yuto was really moved. After all, "New Novel" was indeed not as good as "Tokyo Literature."

However, for some reason, she always felt that Akiwara Yuto was not the kind of person who would abandon his partners.

Perhaps, this was just an illusion?

The two, each with their own thoughts, walked to the door of the editor-in-chief's office one after another.

Asano Aiko knocked lightly and pushed open the slightly open partition door, letting Akiwara Yuto see the scene behind the door. It was a middle-aged man who was carefully looking at documents at his desk.

Hearing the sound, the other party also looked up.

Asano Aiko took the initiative to introduce them to each other.

"Editor-in-Chief Kikuchi, this is Teacher Akiwara who will be serialized in the magazine. Akiwara-san, this is Editor-in-Chief Kikuchi Tai of the editorial department."

Akiwara Yuto took the initiative to look at this editor-in-chief and found that he was a bit bloated, his hairline was relatively high, and he looked ordinary, belonging to the kind that couldn't be recognized if thrown on the street.

However, the other party looked very approachable and had the feeling of a neighbor's uncle.

He intended to step forward to salute, but this editor-in-chief named Kikuchi Tai took the initiative to stand up, walked over, and held his hand.

"Teacher Akiwara, I have read your article, and it is written very well. Come, please sit, please sit."

Then he led him to sit on another office chair next to the table.

Kikuchi Tai returned to his original position and ordered Asano Aiko: "Asano, go make a cup of tea, use that box of sencha I brought back from Shizuoka Prefecture."

Asano Aiko indicated she knew and then walked out.

Akiwara Yuto was a bit flattered and quickly declined: "Thank you, no need to be so troublesome."

After a pause, he probed: "Editor-in-Chief Kikuchi, may I ask, is there anything you want to see me for?"

Kikuchi Tai put down the action in his hand, and the smile on his face remained unchanged.

"Teacher Akiwara, as the editor-in-chief, it is a convention to talk to new authors. But this time I invited you here, I still want to say a few things."

Akiwara Yuto nodded, indicating that he would listen carefully.

"Just now, I also heard Editor Takei's words through the door. The circulation of 'New Novel' is indeed different from 'Tokyo Literature.' Please understand this point."

Akiwara Yuto quickly waved his hand. He didn't know how to answer this, but his impression of this editor-in-chief had improved slightly. Just now, he thought the other party was afraid of trouble and didn't dare to stand out.

Kikuchi Tai continued: "Although this is the case, for Teacher Akiwara, we might be a better choice."

He paused, and his voice became slightly serious.

"Although the circulation of 'Tokyo Literature' is higher, if the reader feedback is at the bottom for 2 consecutive issues, then the work will be cut immediately."

He sighed, "Before this, several newcomers with potential have announced their departure from the literary world because they couldn't bear this pressure."

Akiwara Yuto also nodded in cooperation to show understanding and regret. These newcomers would rather quit the literary world than transfer to "New Novel." This editor-in-chief should indeed sigh.

Asano Aiko brought the brewed tea at this time, then bowed and left. Akiwara Yuto looked at the tea leaves gradually opening in the cup, but in his heart, he drew a conclusion based on the previous series of conversations.

It seems that "New Novel" is not only worrying in status but also has very serious talent loss.

He was not very interested in these internal personnel struggles of the publishing house, but he also understood that this was the moment to express his attitude, so he stood up and seriously expressed his attitude.

"Editor-in-Chief Kikuchi, it was 'New Novel' that gave me the opportunity to debut. I am very grateful for this point."

Kikuchi Tai smiled with relief. He heard Akiwara Yuto's meaning.

But he understood that people are driven by interests, and what will be done in the future is another matter.

He decided to take the initiative to give the other party a little benefit.

"Teacher Akiwara, Asano has already mentioned the cover matter to me before. I promise here that if the reader feedback of the work can be ranked in the top five, then the cover position will definitely have your work."

Actually, according to the regulations, newcomers who want to get the cover recommendation position must get the top three in reader feedback, but he had read Akiwara Yuto's article and felt that it was amazing in terms of human nature depiction.

Akiwara Yuto was a bit surprised, but not very excited. Out of confidence in the work, he felt that being on the cover was just a matter of time, but he also expressed his thanks "excitedly."

Subsequently, he decided to clarify one of his doubts.

"Editor-in-Chief Kikuchi, I don't know if you are aware that my manuscript was submitted to 'Tokyo Literature' at first. So I ask presumptuously, where did Editor Asano see my manuscript."

Kikuchi Tai was a bit surprised. He thought Asano Aiko had already explained the reason to the other party. He didn't expect Akiwara Yuto to be kept in the dark. Thinking of Takei Kohei's performance outside the editor-in-chief's office just now, he felt it was better to reveal a little bit tactfully.

"Teacher Akiwara, I don't know the specific situation very well, but there are clear regulations within the publishing house. If the editorial department of one magazine does not reject the manuscript, other editorial departments absolutely cannot adopt it."

He picked up his cup, took a sip of tea, and continued, "Aiko has a close friend from her school days who is an editor at *Tokyo Literature*, and she often entrusts Aiko with the work of rejecting manuscripts."

Akiwara Yuto couldn't help but frown. He thought of Takei Kohei's performance on the day of submission and continued to ask: "Editor Takei, does he seem to have a lot of work, and he seems to be very busy at night?"

Kikuchi Tai sneered and said in a tone that all men understand: "Indeed very busy, busy drinking with writers in clubs in Ginza every day."

Akiwara Yuto's face didn't change, but his heart sank. He had already analyzed the cause and effect.

That day, Takei Kohei probably went straight to the club to spend time and drink, and didn't read the manuscript he left at all. And Asano Aiko obtained his rejected manuscript by chance.

Drawing this conclusion, he wished he could give Takei Kohei a couple of punches in the face, but he knew this was not realistic, so he could only make a note in his heart first. Besides that, he was increasingly grateful for Asano Aiko's kindness of knowing him, and secretly made a decision.

Seeing Akiwara Yuto's solemn expression, Kikuchi Tai was a bit confused.

However, his purpose today had been achieved, so he didn't say anything more. Akiwara Yuto was just a newcomer writer, and he had fulfilled the editor-in-chief's responsibility by saying so much.

The two chatted for another twenty minutes. Akiwara Yuto saw that the time was almost up, so he got up to say goodbye, and Kikuchi Tai also got up to see him off.

After walking a few steps, Kikuchi Tai patted his head, as if he had remembered something.

"Teacher Akiwara, you haven't visited the publishing house yet."

Immediately after, he walked to the door and said loudly to Asano Aiko who was proofreading the manuscript: "Asano, take Teacher Akiwara to visit the publishing house."

Asano Aiko heard this, immediately put down the work in her hand, and walked over.

Akiwara Yuto also nodded to express his thanks and said goodbye to Kikuchi Tai politely.

The rest was the two-person time between him and Asano Aiko...

How should he express his thanks? ===== CHAPTER 9 =====