Chapter 82: Rumors and Plans

Chiyoda Ward, Mantansha Headquarters.

Misaki Sawako held a thick stack of documents and took the elevator from the 14th floor, where the editorial department of *Tokyo Literature* was located, down to the 3rd floor, where the publishing bureau was located.

As Takei Kohei’s assistant, this task was not originally her responsibility.

However, because of the previous incident involving Akiwara Yuto’s rejected manuscript, she had angered Takei Kohei and was subsequently assigned these tasks that originally belonged to others.

Although she felt aggrieved, she dared not say anything; after all, according to the rules of the Japanese workplace, one must unconditionally accept and obey everything a superior says.

That said, she felt that before long, she would be reassigned to her original, easier work. Because as an assistant, she had noticed that his mood had seemed much better lately.

As Misaki Sawako thought this, she walked into the office where the publishing bureau was located. She noticed that when she entered, many employees who were talking stopped speaking and turned their heads to look at her several times.

She was a bit puzzled, but she still handed the documents to the contact person and then left the office.

She did not return directly to the editorial department, but instead went to the restroom on the publishing bureau’s floor.

She closed the stall door, sat down on the toilet, opened her handbag, took out her makeup mirror, and began to check her makeup in the mirror.

The foundation and lipstick are fine, aren't they? Why were those colleagues from the publishing bureau looking at me just now?

Just then, the sound of a faucet turning on came from outside the stall, followed immediately by the voices of two women.

"The one who just came to the office was Misaki Sawako; I heard she is Takei Kohei’s assistant."

"Then, did she participate in what Takei Kohei made Kikuchi Tai do?"

"I don't know, maybe. Sigh, Kikuchi Tai is truly pitiful; he finally had some achievements in his work, only to have his weakness seized by someone."

"Isn't this matter just a rumor? It's not certain yet..."

"It doesn't make sense, why would he do such a thing..."

Misaki Sawako put down her makeup mirror and pricked up her ears to listen. Before the two outside left, she finally managed to hear the gist of it.

According to what the two were saying, Takei Kohei had seized some weakness of Kikuchi Tai’s, thereby threatening Kikuchi Tai into changing the candidate list for the awards ceremony. Not only that, he also made Kikuchi Tai take the blame, which served to strike a blow against *New Novel*.

Hearing this "explosive" news, Misaki Sawako subconsciously opened her mouth, wanting to go out and refute it, but then she thought of Takei Kohei’s perennial "politician-like" face and felt that it was indeed something he could do.

As the footsteps outside gradually faded away, she stood up and hurried out, preparing to report to Takei Kohei immediately.

On the other side, Takei Kohei received a call from General Manager Kihara Daigo. The other party not only informed him of this matter but also demanded: "Takei, no matter how you handle the rumors, do not drag me into it."

After saying this, Kihara Daigo ended the call.

Takei Kohei frowned; he had not expected to encounter such a situation. How should he handle this rumor?

Should he use the explanation he gave to Asano Aiko and Akiwara Yuto to deal with it and thereby correct the current rumor?

Although it was feasible, it seemed inappropriate.

That explanation was that Kikuchi Tai had voluntarily changed the candidate list to curry favor with the General Manager and had voluntarily confessed after the awards ceremony accident.

But this explanation would implicate the General Manager and would inevitably offend him.

But if he didn't say that, what else could he use to quell the current rumors?

One must know that regarding Kikuchi Tai’s previous confession and apology, many people in the editorial department and other departments had doubts in their hearts.

After all, in terms of contribution to the sales of *New Novel*, Akiwara Yuto was undoubtedly the greatest contributor, and falling out with him was certainly not a wise move.

The rumor currently circulating undoubtedly answered these people's doubts perfectly.

He (Takei Kohei), because of jealousy over the sales of *New Novel*, used Kikuchi Tai’s weakness to make the other party do such a self-destructive thing, causing *New Novel* and Akiwara Yuto to become estranged.

Takei Kohei frowned, not knowing how to handle it for a moment. In the current situation, it was inappropriate for him to explain publicly. The more he came out to explain, the more suspicious he appeared, and it would only become increasingly difficult to clear his name.

Moreover, who exactly started this rumor?

At this moment, a series of names appeared in his mind.

Kikuchi Tai—he was probably even more afraid than him upon hearing this rumor; after all, if it were investigated, he could even go to prison.

Asano Aiko—judging from her performance in the last few days, she had completely accepted his explanation and was working honestly in the Proofreading Department.

Akiwara Yuto—the other party had no source of information other than Asano, so he shouldn't know the truth; furthermore, he shouldn't have the channels to spread rumors.

Then, could it be the other faction, acting to hinder him from succeeding as editor-in-chief?

Damn it, those bastards.

While Takei Kohei was thinking about how to handle the rumors, Akiwara Yuto was also thinking about problems.

However, what he was thinking about was the series of things he had done since coming to this world.

Before this, he had always believed that as long as he wrote manuscripts in a low-profile manner, he could climb the peak of the literary world step by step and also let Asano Aiko benefit.

However, the facts told him that he was truly too "naive."

Because he had always ignored the personnel matters of the publishing house, he hadn't received a single whisper about this award; because he always felt that taking it slow was fine, he was powerless even when Asano Aiko was sent off to the "Proofreading Department."

This situation had to change; he could no longer be so passive.

Akiwara Yuto took out paper and a pen, spread the paper on the desk, and began to write while thinking about his next plan.

First, obtain a sum of money.

Since he did not intend to continue cooperating with Mantansha, the publication plan for the *ZOO* series of books would inevitably be delayed, which meant he only had about 3.5 million yen in savings, which could only sustain his life for half a year or so.

Therefore, he must get a sum of money so that he could maintain his life and have more confidence to do other things.

With money, he could be like many famous writers from his previous life and have his own copyright company and relevant private lawyers.

Second, subsequent cooperation with Asano.

Asano Aiko had shown him kindness by recognizing his talent, and she was his partner; this was undeniable.

But he also had to admit that for his current literary career, Asano Aiko couldn't help much.

For an average writer, the role of an editor, besides proofreading typos, also included correcting the content of the work and providing guidance on writing ideas. But the works in Akiwara Yuto’s mind were already complete, and he didn't really need this help.

And how to put it, if he continued to be tied to Asano, it might make her face more open and hidden arrows, which was also something he didn't want to see.

So it would be better to wait until he had more ability and fame before helping her.

However, before that, he must tell Asano Aiko that he would stick to his promise of advancing and retreating with her.

Third, regarding Mantansha and Takei Kohei.

Judging from the previous series of judgments, the mastermind was undoubtedly Takei Kohei, but Kihara Daigo, as the General Manager, should have also given a push behind the scenes for the sake of his daughter.

Reasonably and emotionally, he had no need to cooperate with *New Novel* and *Tokyo Literature*. When he had the ability, he should properly retaliate for everything he had encountered.

The rumor he had previously arranged through the informant Awazu Hideki was undoubtedly a part of his retaliation, but such a simple rumor would probably only cause the other party some minor trouble; he still needed to think of other methods.

Akiwara Yuto frowned, stood up from his chair, and paced back and forth in the room.

Since the plan was determined, he had to start executing it.

Then the question was, how could he obtain a sum of money in the fastest time possible?