Chapter 123: Hehe! Six-pack abs!

Because he had to go to the awards ceremony with Morikawa Kuniharu at noon,

Naoki Nagayama stayed at home honestly this morning.

The formal suit was naturally brought over last night. At this time, it was hanging in the bedroom wardrobe, and he would change into it before going out.

Sure enough, when passing by Aoyama store, the store was already closed. It seems that he will have to wait until next year to see old man Aoyama and Aoyama Chikako again.

After solving breakfast in a dawdling manner, he fell into the bored mood of having nothing to do.

Watching TV, reading magazines, listening to music, appreciating the scenery of the courtyard, every item that could have spent a half-day was barely enough for an hour today.

Clearly, sometimes he could just be in a daze to kill a whole day, but when waiting for the next itinerary, he was restless,

not because of nervousness or excitement, but because there was something on his mind, and he couldn't be calm.

Naoki Nagayama examined himself. This skill of calming the mind is still not practiced well~

Since he couldn't calm his mind, then move! It's been a long time since he exercised!

Picking a record with a strong sense of rhythm, Naoki Nagayama followed the music and started doing HIIT exercises in his living room.

Burpees, vertical jumps, sliding squats, mountain climbers, dive-bomber push-ups...

If a camera was used to record the construction process at this time, maybe Naoki Nagayama could also become a "Liu Genghong boy" in the Showa era.

Short-term high-intensity exercise made Naoki Nagayama sweat profusely, but the dopamine secreted in his brain made him unable to stop. This feeling of rapid breathing, accelerated heartbeat, and surging blood was indeed a bit like falling in love.

No wonder people say fitness is addictive.

An hour passed in a flash during the exercise. Until he felt sore all over, he drank the prepared warm water and rested for a while.

Naoki Nagayama went upstairs to take a bath.

When taking off his clothes, he narcissistically looked at the half-length mirror in the bathroom. Hehe, six-pack abs!

After a toss, the time was almost noon.

When Naoki Nagayama was leaning on the sofa, looking a bit weak watching TV,

Morikawa Kuniharu called.

"Naoki-san, are you ready? I'm coming over."

"Hi, I'll just change into a suit."

"Okay, then see you later."

"Okey"

After changing into a suit, he became that kind of elegant and handsome guy again, but he was still a bit weak after exercising.

Naoki Nagayama waited for a while, and the doorbell rang at the door. Sure enough, Shogakukan is very close to here~

"Naoki-san, I'm here to pick you up!"

"Hi, right away, right away~"

Naoki Nagayama opened the door and saw Morikawa Kuniharu wearing a formal suit, and not far from the door was Shogakukan's black bus, which was actually equipped with a driver.

"Naoki-san, you look so handsome!" Although he had been in contact many times, Morikawa Kuniharu was still full of praise. "You might be the youngest and most handsome one at the awards ceremony!"

"Hahaha, Kuniharu-san, stop joking." Naoki Nagayama laughed. "Let's get in the car!"

"Hahaha, I'm not joking..."

The two got into the car while talking. The driver was an unsmiling uncle who nodded to the two and started the car.

"Kuniharu-san, where is the location of the awards ceremony?"

"It's also in Chiyoda Ward, but it's just across the Imperial Palace from us, in Hirakawacho."

"There are all government agencies there~"

"Yes, it's also very close to the entrance of the Imperial Palace. It should have taken Empress Kojun's age into account."

"Eh? Is it still Empress Kojun presenting the award? She should be over 80, right?"

"No, she's only 78."

"That's also very amazing~ Elderly people should be sleepy in the afternoon..."

"That is Empress Kojun!"

The two chatted one after another, and soon arrived at the destination.

"Naoki-san, let's go eat something to pad our stomachs first. There will be a salon after the awards ceremony, and there will be food then."

This kind of salon should be specifically for the big shots in the literary world to communicate.

The two ordered a cup of coffee at a nearby cafe and ate snacks by the way.

"Kuniharu-san, what is the so-called salon like?"

"Probably just a few old men saying a few words, and then we chat with each other~ Generally, they will take out the winning works of the day and judge them or something. Anyway, it's very relaxed."

"Is that so~"

The venue was arranged in a hotel. The front was a podium, and the seats were below. In fact, it was not much different from the promotion meetings in later generations, except that the "Japan Children's Literature Awards Ceremony" sign was hung on the podium in front.

However, the walls were covered with golden folding screens to show solemnity, and a small table was specially vacated in front of the venue for Imperial Family personnel.

At this time, there were more and more people. Morikawa Kuniharu pulled Naoki Nagayama to sit in the area specifically for Shogakukan.

"Naoki-san, just watch how the seniors do it later."

"Mm mm," Naoki Nagayama answered very easily.

After the awards ceremony officially began, the Imperial Family personnel officially attended. Empress Kojun, who was very old, sat on the side, and Crown Princess Michiko performed the Imperial Family duties and delivered a speech.

Crown Princess Michiko, who was nearly fifty, wore solemn makeup. The interaction between her and Empress Kojun was also harmonious. On the surface, one couldn't see any contradiction between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

A very official speaking attitude, which not only showed the Imperial Family's emphasis on children's literature but also expressed encouragement to the winners, and also expressed expectations for their future great displays in the field of children's literature. One could tell it was written by an experienced old hand.

After the Crown Princess sat down, the host finally started today's focus: awarding prizes.

"First, let us congratulate the writer of 'Summer Garden', Naoki Nagayama, for winning the Japan Children's Literature Newcomer Award! Congratulations!" Such words came from the host's mouth.

Naoki Nagayama was stunned. Why is it the first one?

He hurriedly asked Morikawa Kuniharu next to him: "Why is it the first one? Kuniharu-san, what should I do?"

Morikawa Kuniharu was also caught off guard and didn't know why it was ranked first: "Naoki-san, walk up to receive the award, and then bow to the Crown Princess to thank her!"

At this time, the host was still introducing: "'Summer Garden' has a fresh writing style and moving plot. The beauty produced by the trust between the protagonists allows everyone who has read it to realize the meaning of growth in the book. It is a rare masterpiece. Let us congratulate the author!"

Naoki Nagayama had to tidy up his clothes and stand up.

Whispers came from the crowd at the venue: "Such a young author?" "Newcomer award is naturally young~" "I thought it was written by a female writer~" "So handsome?" "You guy, put away your drool..."

Under the gaze of the crowd, Naoki Nagayama walked to the side of the host and waited for his command.

Seeing Naoki Nagayama's stiff movements, the host made a joke: "I didn't expect Naoki-san to be so young and so handsome!"

Naoki Nagayama could only smile reluctantly. What should I do now? Why am I on stage?

Ah, I have to receive the award...

Fortunately, the host finally remembered his duty, "Please invite Mr. Furuta Ashihi to present the award!"

Mr. Furuta Ashihi was a very gentle old man in his 50s. He was a well-known children's literature writer and critic in Japan. What was more coincidental was that he had also won the Children's Literature Newcomer Award before.

"Naoki-san, congratulations!" Furuta Ashihi presented the medal to Naoki Nagayama. "'Summer Garden' is written very well!"

"Arigato!"

Naoki Nagayama bowed after receiving the medal.

Then he walked to the "Imperial Throne" of the Crown Princess and bowed~

Only then did he finally return to the Shogakukan area in a relaxed manner.

Fortunately, I wasn't asked to say any acceptance speech or something... ===== CHAPTER 124 =====