Chapter 8: Knowing the Truth

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

As the voice faded, Akiwara Yuto saw a familiar figure walking out of the room; it was none other than Takei Kohei, still wearing that politician-like smile.

Asano Aiko immediately bowed in greeting, but Takei Kohei ignored her, instead pausing in surprise when he saw Akiwara Yuto.

Why would he appear in the *New Novel* editorial department? Could his manuscript have been accepted? That shouldn't be possible, right?

He immediately shifted his attitude, greeting Akiwara Yuto in a hearty tone as he probed, "Akiwara-san, has your manuscript been accepted by *New Novel*?"

Akiwara Yuto had always assumed that Takei Kohei had forwarded his manuscript to Asano Aiko, so he replied politely, "Yes, thanks to the kindness of the editorial department, we have just officially signed the contract."

Takei Kohei reacted instantly, guessing that Akiwara Yuto must have submitted his manuscript to multiple places including *New Novel* at the time; otherwise, how could he have signed a contract so quickly?

He felt a bit suspicious that the quality of the other's manuscript must be quite good, otherwise how could he have been signed.

After a moment of thought, he decided to make a small investment, pretending to congratulate him: "Akiwara-san, congratulations on your debut. From now on, I should address you as Teacher Akiwara."

He feigned intimacy by patting Akiwara Yuto on the shoulder.

"If you feel that *New Novel* isn't a good fit, you can consider *Tokyo Literature* in the future. Just hand your manuscript to me when the time comes."

In truth, he wasn't yet sure if Akiwara Yuto had talent, but the authority to accept manuscripts was in his hands anyway. If he submitted something and it wasn't to his liking, he could just pretend he hadn't seen it; after all, he hadn't made any further promises.

Asano Aiko, who had been silent on the side, took a deep breath after hearing this. She stepped forward, squeezing out a very forced smile.

"Senior, I am currently serving as Teacher Akiwara's editor-in-charge. During this time, I will strive to complete my work."

Having her author poached to her face, Asano Aiko dared not protest openly; after all, Takei Kohei was not only a deputy editor-in-chief but also a "great senior" who had joined the company long before her.

Hearing Asano Aiko's "stubbornness," Takei Kohei felt a bit of disdain. Since *New Novel*'s sales were poor, it might as well honestly serve as a talent-supply base for *Tokyo Literature*.

He ignored Asano Aiko, "smiled" and nodded at Akiwara Yuto, then strode away.

Akiwara Yuto hadn't been able to get a word in, but he felt a sense of doubt. At first, he had thought Takei Kohei and the *New Novel* editorial department had a good relationship, but now it appeared that wasn't the case.

Then, why had his manuscript been transferred to Asano Aiko?

Seeing him silent, Asano Aiko felt a bit nervous. She worried that Akiwara Yuto might actually be tempted, as *New Novel* truly couldn't compare to *Tokyo Literature*.

Yet for some reason, she always felt that Akiwara Yuto wasn't the type of person to abandon his partners.

Perhaps, was this just an illusion?

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

Asano Aiko knocked lightly and pushed open the ajar door, allowing Akiwara Yuto to see the scene behind it: a middle-aged man carefully looking at documents at his desk.

Hearing the sound, the man also looked up.

Asano Aiko took the initiative to step forward and introduce them to each other.

"Editor-in-Chief Kikuchi, this is Teacher Akiwara, who will be serializing in the magazine. Akiwara-san, this is the editor-in-chief of our department, Editor-in-Chief Kikuchi Tai."

Akiwara Yuto took the initiative to size up this editor-in-chief, finding him a bit bloated, with a high hairline, and quite ordinary-looking—the kind you wouldn't recognize if you threw him into a crowd on the street.

However, the man looked very approachable, giving off the feeling of an uncle next door.

Just as he was about to step forward to pay his respects, this editor-in-chief named Kikuchi Tai stood up himself and walked over to shake his hand.

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

He led him all the way to another office chair beside the desk.

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

Asano Aiko acknowledged and then walked out.

Akiwara Yuto was a bit flattered; he was just a newcomer and hurriedly declined, "Thank you, there's no need for such trouble."

After a pause, he probed, "Editor-in-Chief Kikuchi, is there something you wanted to see me about?"

Kikuchi Tai set down what he was doing, the smile on his face remaining unchanged.

"Teacher Akiwara, as editor-in-chief, it is customary for me to speak with new authors. But I invited you here today because there are a few things I would like to say."

Akiwara Yuto nodded, indicating he would listen carefully.

"I heard Editor Takei's words just now from behind the door. It is true that *New Novel*'s sales lag behind *Tokyo Literature*; please understand this point."

Akiwara Yuto hurriedly waved his hand; he didn't know how to respond to this, but his impression of this editor-in-chief had improved slightly. Just a moment ago, he had thought the man was afraid of trouble and didn't dare to stand up for himself.

Kikuchi Tai continued, "Even so, for Teacher Akiwara, we might be the better choice."

He paused, his voice becoming slightly more serious.

"Although *Tokyo Literature* has higher sales, if a work's reader feedback ranks at the bottom for two consecutive issues, it will be immediately axed."

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

Akiwara Yuto also nodded in agreement, expressing understanding and regret. If these newcomers would rather quit the literary world than transfer to *New Novel*, this editor-in-chief certainly had reason to sigh.

Asano Aiko brought in the brewed tea at this moment and then bowed and left. Akiwara Yuto watched the tea leaves gradually unfurling in the cup, but in his heart, he had reached a conclusion based on the previous series of conversations.

It seemed that not only was *New Novel*'s status worrying, but its talent drain was also very severe.

He wasn't very interested in these internal personnel struggles of publishing houses, but he understood that this was the moment to express his own stance, so he stood up and stated his position earnestly.

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

Kikuchi Tai smiled with relief; he had understood Akiwara Yuto's meaning.

But he understood that people are driven by interests, and what would happen in the future was another matter entirely.

He decided to take the initiative to offer the other party a benefit.

"Teacher Akiwara, Asano has already mentioned the cover issue to me before. I promise here that if your work's reader feedback can rank in the top five, then the cover position will definitely be yours."

In fact, according to the rules, a newcomer wanting to obtain a cover recommendation must reach the top three in reader feedback, but he had read Akiwara Yuto's article and felt that the portrayal of human nature was truly remarkable.

Although Akiwara Yuto was a bit surprised, he wasn't overly excited. Out of confidence in his work, he felt that making the cover was just a matter of time, but he still "excitedly" expressed his gratitude.

Subsequently, he decided to clarify a doubt of his own.

"Editor-in-Chief Kikuchi, I wonder if you are aware that my manuscript was originally submitted to *Tokyo Literature*. So, I must ask, where did Editor Asano see my manuscript?"

Kikuchi Tai was somewhat surprised. He had thought Asano Aiko had already explained the reason to him. He hadn't expected Akiwara Yuto to be in the dark. Thinking of Takei Kohei's performance outside the office just now, he felt it was better to reveal a little bit tactfully.

"Teacher Akiwara, I don't know the specific circumstances, but there are clear regulations within the publishing house: if the editorial department of one magazine has not rejected a manuscript, other editorial departments are absolutely not allowed to adopt it."

He picked up his cup, took a sip of tea, and continued, "Asano has a close friend from the same intake who is an editor at *Tokyo Literature*, and she often entrusts Asano with the work of handling rejected manuscripts."

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

Kikuchi Tai sneered and said in a tone that all men understood, "He is indeed very busy—busy drinking with authors at clubs in Ginza every day."

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

That day, Takei Kohei had likely gone straight to a club to indulge in debauchery and hadn't looked at the manuscript he left behind at all, while Asano Aiko had obtained his rejected manuscript through a stroke of coincidence.

Reaching this conclusion, he wished he could land two punches on Takei Kohei's face, but he knew that wasn't realistic. He could only make a mental note of it for now. Beyond that, he felt increasingly grateful for Asano Aiko's kindness in discovering him and secretly made a decision.

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

However, his goal for the day had been achieved, so he didn't say anything more. Akiwara Yuto was just a new author; he had already fulfilled his responsibilities as editor-in-chief by saying this much.

The two chatted for another twenty minutes. Seeing that the time was about right, Akiwara Yuto stood up to take his leave, and Kikuchi Tai also stood up to see him off.

Before they had walked many steps, Kikuchi Tai slapped his forehead as if he had remembered something.

"Teacher Akiwara, you haven't toured the publishing house yet, have you?"

He then walked to the door and said loudly to Asano Aiko, who was proofreading manuscripts, "Asano, take Teacher Akiwara for a tour of the publishing house."

Upon hearing this, Asano Aiko immediately put down her work and walked over.

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

What remained was the time for just him and Asano Aiko...

How should he express his gratitude?