Chapter 104: Forgot all about the award

Naoki Nagayama didn't take this matter to heart.

In his heart, *Paranormal Activity* was already a thing of the past.

Apart from the box office split, he didn't want to spend too much thought on it.

In addition to reports about *Paranormal Activity*, there were some national events and entertainment gossip in the morning paper, such as a Beijing girl named Lang Ping winning the first world championship for China in volleyball in Osaka, Japan.

Seeing this familiar name, Naoki Nagayama felt a bit inexplicably moved. Did he actually witness history like this?

The glorious achievements of the women's volleyball team echoed in his mind, and then he thought of the men's football team... he~tui~

After sighing for a while, Naoki Nagayama continued to flip through the newspaper and read on.

The front page of the morning paper was mainly about major events, and the other pages were about small things in local life, where accidents happened, which kind person helped whom, what policies government agencies issued, and so on.

Flipping the thin newspaper to the end, there was actually another piece of information related to Naoki Nagayama.

*The selection results for the latest batch of this year's Japanese Children's Literature Newcomer Award are out! *

This year's winning work is *Summer Garden*...

Ah, so it was this matter.

Two weeks ago, Shogakukan editor Kuniharu Morikawa had specifically called to inform him.

But these two weeks were too busy,

and he had forgotten all about it!

Naoki Nagayama decided to contact Kuniharu Morikawa immediately after returning home.

It seemed there were activities like awards ceremonies that he had to participate in.

Having made up his mind, Naoki Nagayama closed the newspaper and continued to enjoy the autumn scenery of the park. Stealing half a day of leisure, he decided to spend this morning here, and no one should bother him.

When a person is in a daze, time always passes very quickly.

He had only breathed the fresh air of the park a few times, and an hour had passed.

Sure enough, young time flies like an arrow.

Naoki Nagayama stood up from the bench and began to walk towards Sanying-in.

From time to time, he met a few elderly people. Seeing such a young man in the park, they all looked at him with a surprised look, conveying the meaning of "Why are you still not working hard when you are so young!" or perhaps "Where did such a handsome young man come from?"

Fortunately, Japanese society has many etiquettes and human feelings are indifferent. There wouldn't be many sentences when talking to people who are not familiar. If they met face to face, Naoki Nagayama and the opposite side would nod and pass by. True silence is gold.

If it were in China, the grandpas and grandmas in the park would have come up to chat a few words, and if they chatted happily, they might even develop into introducing a girlfriend to Naoki Nagayama...

Sanying-in still sat quietly in the surrounding dwarf bamboo. After a period of time, the bamboo was about to exceed the wooden wall, and the first floor couldn't be seen at all, and the second floor had been partially blocked.

After Naoki Nagayama entered the door, he sat on the sofa in the living room, his whole body sinking into the soft sponge, and he couldn't help but let out a satisfied sigh.

The phone was right at hand. Naoki Nagayama found Kuniharu Morikawa's contact information in the phone book and dialed it.

"Moshi moshi, this is Shogakukan! Is there anything I can help you with?"

Was it the front desk? Was this voice the glasses girl with a wild heart inside?

"Good morning, I am Naoki Nagayama. I'm calling to find editor Kuniharu Morikawa."

"Ah~ it's Naoki-sensei!!"

Naoki Nagayama already had a certain reputation at Shogakukan. After all, *Summer Garden* was already considered a bestseller, and he had also won the Japanese Children's Literature Newcomer Award.

At least within Shogakukan, most people knew such a young author.

"Sumimasen, please wait a moment, Naoki-sensei, I will transfer you immediately." In Japan, apologizing is basically equal to a pause particle, and you can say it at any time.

"Arigato~"

After a while, Kuniharu Morikawa's gentle voice came from the receiver: "Naoki-san? Are you still there?"

"Hai, I am." Naoki Nagayama also had to say a sentence, "Sumimasen, I was relatively busy during the previous period, so I didn't contact Banji-san."

"Ah, it's fine! It's fine!" Kuniharu Morikawa's tone was very relaxed. "Did Naoki-san see the report?"

"If it's the report about the award, I just saw it today." Naoki Nagayama replied, "To be honest, it's a bit rude, but I only remembered this matter after seeing this report."

"Hahaha, Naoki-san is really straightforward."

Kuniharu Morikawa had met many authors, and it was the first time he had seen someone who didn't care about winning an award.

"Then does Naoki-san have time to come over today? It's best to discuss the follow-up matters in person." Kuniharu Morikawa paused, "By the way, you can also get the royalties for these two times in advance."

"Eh? Isn't it settled at the end of the year?"

"Daijobu, Naoki-san's book was reprinted 200,000 copies this time, and it shouldn't continue to be reprinted by the end of the year."

"Is that so? Then I'll trouble Banji-san. I'll set off and come over immediately."

"Hai, I'll wait for you at Shogakukan!"

New home Sanying-in,

was very close to Shogakukan,

the straight-line distance was less than 1000 meters.

Naoki Nagayama walked towards Shogakukan very easily.

However, the 10-minute journey was based on the premise of strolling slowly all the way.

When he came to this building that looked like a brick again, he still couldn't help but complain about Shogakukan's aesthetics.

Glasses girl Reiki Nozawa was still at the front desk, but there seemed to be a young little sister beside her.

Seeing the door pushed open and a sunny and handsome young man coming in, recognizing that it was Naoki Nagayama, Reiki Nozawa's voice was very enthusiastic.

"Good morning, Naoki-san~"

"Good morning, Reiki-san, and this newcomer-san~" Naoki Nagayama came to the front desk and said to the glasses girl, "I'm here to find Banji-san, we had an appointment~"

"Hai, I'll go immediately. Mitsuko-chan, hurry up and notify editor Morikawa that someone is looking for him~"

Reiki Nozawa sent the newcomer to help notify, while she stayed to chat with the handsome guy.

When hearing that someone was looking for him, Kuniharu Morikawa didn't seem to react until he saw the real person at the front desk.

"Naoki-san? Why did you come so fast?"

When the front desk little sister went to call him, he was still a bit puzzled. Now seeing the real person, he was really a bit surprised.

"I moved recently, and now I live in Chiyoda Ward. Speaking of which, it's less than 1000 meters away from Shogakukan."

"Is that so? Then you can come and chat often in the future~ Hahaha~"

Kuniharu Morikawa led the way while chatting, "Naoki-san, please this way."

The two laughed and went to the meeting room.

At this time, the newly arrived front desk little sister asked the glasses girl:

"Reiki-chan, is that super handsome guy also a writer?"

"That is the author of the bestselling children's novel *Summer Garden*, Naoki-sensei! He is indeed very handsome, right!"

Reiki Nozawa's glasses flashed with white light, "Mitsuko-chan, as far as I know, Naoki-sensei is still a minor!"

The newly arrived Mitsuko Nishihara covered her mouth: "Hontoni? Is he that young?"

Then the two of them started chattering about something, making a burst of silly laughter~ ===== CHAPTER 105 =====