Chapter 547: No spoilers! That is the basic etiquette of reading a novel!!!

As the sky slowly brightened, inside the bedroom of Shanying Yuan, Naoki Nagayama opened his eyes, guided by his powerful biological clock.

Last night, he had been drinking with Haruki Kadokawa, and after moving to another venue, Naoki Nagayama himself was a bit dazed by the end.

In any case, when it came to drinking, Haruki Kadokawa was truly a formidable opponent.

Looking at Eitaro, who had run inside, Naoki Nagayama shook his slightly heavy head:

"It's decided, Eitaro, let's go for a morning run for the first time in a while!"

Naoki Nagayama, taking Eitaro out for a morning run, exhaled clouds of white mist, looking like a cultivator breathing out Qi. Some people who encountered him would look at the man and the dog with an expression that said, "Is there something wrong with this person?"...

Once he returned to Shanying Yuan and washed away the thin layer of sweat, his whole body felt refreshed.

This morning, Naoki Nagayama planned to go to the studio a bit later; Otomo Yoshimura and Shuichi Itang there had also drunk quite a bit last night, and given their age, they were likely still at home enjoying the sour experience brought on by a hangover.

After finishing breakfast, Naoki Nagayama took the full copy of the novel *I Want to Eat Your Pancreas* (Note: The source text uses the title *Tomorrow I and Yesterday's You Date*, which is the Japanese title *Boku wa Ashita, Kinou no Kimi to Date Suru*) from his study, preparing to take it directly to Shogakukan today.

Wearing a trench coat, Naoki Nagayama headed out, slowly walking toward Shogakukan, which was not very far away.

It was already February, and the weather in Tokyo remained cold, with even a possibility of snow.

Pedestrians on the street were all wearing thick down jackets or cotton-padded coats, with scarves and gloves being essential for keeping warm, walking quickly toward their homes or companies under the somewhat chilly morning sun.

Naoki Nagayama observed the hurried pedestrians around him as he walked, even feeling a sense of detachment from the world.

"The old me was also a worker doing nine-to-nine... fortunately, I don't have to work in this life..."

Ten-odd minutes later, Naoki Nagayama arrived at his destination.

"The Shogakukan building, no matter how you look at it, it looks like a coffin... I wonder who designed it." Naoki Nagayama grumbled as he pushed open the main door.

"Welcome to Shogakukan, may I ask what..." Mitsuko Nishihara at the front desk was busy inputting something, and upon realizing someone had arrived, she subconsciously said the greeting. However, the next moment, she recognized the person, "Naoki-san!"

"Nishihara-san, good morning~" Naoki Nagayama greeted, "Are you the only one here today?"

"Hai, Reiki-chan is at the supplies department..." Mitsuko Nishihara explained, then immediately asked again, "Is Naoki-san here to see Editor Morikawa?"

"Hai, may I ask if he is in?"

"Sumimasen, Editor Morikawa seems to have been delayed by something today and hasn't arrived yet." Mitsuko Nishihara hadn't seen Kuniharu Morikawa's figure all morning, "Is Naoki-san in a hurry?"

"..... It's not too urgent...." Naoki Nagayama thought about it; there wasn't anything too important today.

"Hai, then Naoki-san, please go to the reception room to rest for a while..." Mitsuko Nishihara led Naoki Nagayama toward the reception room, "Editor Morikawa has a car phone in his car; I will make a call to confirm when he will arrive..."

"That's truly troubling you, Nishihara-san~"

"Daijoubu, that is what I should do..."

Arriving at the Shogakukan reception room once again, Naoki Nagayama felt a bit sentimental. He had already published three novels in this reception room, yet this room hadn't changed at all~

Naoki Nagayama skillfully took a literary journal from the magazine rack nearby and began to read.

Before long, the door to the reception room was knocked, and Yuji Furuya, an editorial assistant with a baby face, walked in:

"Naoki-san!"

"Furuya-kun?" Naoki Nagayama was a bit surprised.

"Hai, Morikawa-senpai's car broke down, so he is late... He asked me to come and chat with Naoki-san first." Yuji Furuya said, looking a bit shy.

Naoki Nagayama had a good impression of this second-generation rich kid; after all, he had organized the book signing at Keio University very well.

"Haha, then thank you for your hard work, Furuya-kun~"

"Not at all~" Yuji Furuya shook his head, then asked, "Naoki-san, what brings you to see Morikawa-senpai today?"

"Ah, nothing major." Naoki Nagayama opened his backpack and took out the manuscript paper from the document bag, "It's just that my new novel is finished, and I wanted to let Kuniharu-san take a look."

"Eh? A new novel?" Yuji Furuya's eyes widened; this was his first time encountering an author submitting a manuscript, "When you visited during the New Year, didn't you say you had only written the beginning..."

"Haha, sometimes inspiration is a very strange thing~" Naoki Nagayama could only laugh.

Yuji Furuya's eyes sparkled with curiosity, and he said somewhat hesitantly: "Ano... Naoki-san, could you let me take a look..."

As expected, he was a second-generation rich kid who didn't know the ways of the world; he didn't understand any social etiquette. This was the original manuscript for Kuniharu Morikawa, and before publication, besides relevant personnel, no one else should be looking at it.

Otherwise, what if some unscrupulous person plagiarized it? What should be done then!

However, Naoki Nagayama looked at the pure curiosity in the eyes of the person opposite him, plus what Kuniharu Morikawa had hinted at before—this guy opposite him was born with a silver spoon in his mouth; he wouldn't covet this little bit of publication fee.

"Haha, there's nothing wrong with that." Naoki Nagayama handed over the document bag and said, "But it's a youth romance novel; I don't know if Furuya-kun likes reading them."

"Hai, Arigato!"

Yuji Furuya happily took the document bag, then saw the title of the novel written on the cover of the stack of manuscript paper—*Tomorrow I and Yesterday's You Date*.

"What a strange name..." After a thought flashed through his mind, Yuji Furuya opened the cover, "... Omo series~"

Kuniharu Morikawa felt that he had truly had terrible luck today. Not long after leaving the house, his car broke down. Yet, with his decades of driving experience, he couldn't find the cause.

He had no choice but to call for a tow truck...

While waiting, he discovered that the benchmark author under his name had come to the company...

He let his new assistant keep the person company so he wouldn't feel neglected, but when he arrived at the company, he discovered...

"Yuya-kun....... what are you doing......"

Kuniharu Morikawa opened the door to the reception room. The first thing he saw was Naoki Nagayama standing up, boredly looking at the scenery outside the window, while the assistant he had called to keep him company was actually sitting in a chair, engrossed in reading something, not even hearing the knock on the door.

"What am I doing..." Yuji Furuya didn't react for a moment, "I'm reading a novel..."

Kuniharu Morikawa said helplessly: "Didn't I ask you to keep Naoki-san company and chat?"

"Ah!" Yuji Furuya finally remembered his responsibility and hurriedly stood up to bow to Naoki Nagayama, "Sumimasen, Naoki-san, I was momentarily engrossed in reading..."

"Naoki-san, I am very sorry, I was delayed on the road." Kuniharu Morikawa also apologized sincerely, "I didn't expect this kid Yuya wouldn't have greeted you well..."

Naoki Nagayama waved his hand: "Haha, it's fine......"

Then he said to Yuji Furuya, who was very embarrassed nearby: "Furuya-kun, come to think of it, when Kuniharu-san read my first novel, he was exactly the same as you just now~ Hahaha~"

"Eh? Honto?" The young man looked at Kuniharu Morikawa with some surprise.

"Cough cough~" The old editor Morikawa gave a strategic cough, then looked at the manuscript paper on the table, "In that case, is this Naoki-san's new novel?"

"Hai, the novel's name is *Tomorrow I and Yesterday's You Date*." Naoki Nagayama nodded.

Yuji Furuya said excitedly from the side: "Morikawa-senpai, this novel is very interesting; it talks about the timelines of a couple..."

"Chotto matte! Stop!"

Kuniharu Morikawa rushed over in one stride, pinned the young man against the wall, and covered Yuji Furuya's mouth with his hand. The speed that erupted in an instant made even Naoki Nagayama unable to help but be surprised.

Seeing that he had stopped Yuji Furuya's behavior, Kuniharu Morikawa then said with a serious expression:

"Yuya-kun, having been at Shogakukan for so long, don't you know such an important thing?"

"No spoilers! That is the basic etiquette of reading a novel!!!

If you tell me this story, then how am I supposed to keep reading?! The expectation and excitement of reading a novel for the first time will be ruined!"

Yuji Furuya, with his mouth covered, could only make helpless muffled sounds, barely nodding, his eyes seeking help from Naoki Nagayama.

Naoki Nagayama hurriedly patted Kuniharu Morikawa on the shoulder: "Kuniharu-san, Furuya-kun must have learned his lesson; let go quickly, he can't breathe!"

"Mmph mmph~" Yuji Furuya also nodded frantically.

Kuniharu Morikawa then let go of his hand and returned to his steady appearance: "Sumimasen, I was a bit rude just now."

Leaving the baby-faced editorial assistant nearby, still recovering from the shock, breathing heavily.

"*Tomorrow I and Yesterday's You Date*...... Naoki-san's new novel, there will definitely be no problem!"

Kuniharu Morikawa skillfully tidied up the manuscript paper on the table.

"Naoki-san, if there are no major problems, we will still use the royalty standard of the previous *Koizora*, 10% is already the highest tier, but the first printing will be increased to 200,000 copies."

Because he was already a Naoki Prize winner, Shogakukan had great confidence in Naoki Nagayama, and Kuniharu Morikawa also easily stated the condition of a 200,000-copy first printing.

"Hai, I have no objection to this." Naoki Nagayama nodded.

Kuniharu Morikawa continued: "However, the pricing of the novel will have to wait for the subsequent review..."

Since they had already gone through this three times, Naoki Nagayama was already very familiar with this process. However, because he had come in a hurry today, Shogakukan definitely hadn't prepared the contract, so after Naoki Nagayama learned the situation, he prepared to take his leave:

"Then Morikawa-san, since the manuscript has been delivered, if there is nothing else..."

"Wait, Naoki-san!" Kuniharu Morikawa suddenly thought of something, "Didn't we talk about a variety show before?"

"Ah, that *New Words and Buzzwords Awards*." Naoki Nagayama laughed, "What's wrong?"

"It just so happens that our Editor-in-Chief Toshi Matsui is here. After telling him your idea last time, he was very interested." Kuniharu Morikawa invited Naoki Nagayama to go to the Editor-in-Chief's office to chat with him.

Naoki Nagayama naturally agreed, but on the way, a thought kept running through his head,

"Editor-in-Chief Toshi Matsui? Wasn't he the chief editor before...... he got promoted again?"

In the mansion of Sekoda, Kinji Fukasaku was receiving Fumio Ishikawa. Kinji Fukasaku said while folding the newspaper:

"The nomination lists for the Japan Academy Film Prize and the Blue Ribbon Awards have all come out. *Love Letter* actually received nominations for almost all the awards?"

Fumio Ishikawa nodded helplessly: "Yes, they seem to want to challenge for all the awards."

"Hahaha......" Kinji Fukasaku suddenly let out a laugh.

"What is Director Fukasaku laughing at?" Fumio Ishikawa asked, puzzled.

"I'm laughing at Naoki Nagayama's recklessness and Shuichi Itang's lack of wisdom! Should I say they are too greedy?" Kinji Fukasaku said disdainfully, "If they had clearly focused on one or two awards, they would still be very competitive. If they want everything, then they definitely won't get their wish!"

"The jury cannot let one movie take away all the awards!"

"...... They also have *Be-Bop High School* and *Ring*...." Fumio Ishikawa added another sentence from the side.

Hearing this familiar name, Kinji Fukasaku's expression stiffened: "*Ring*? What is good about this movie? It's just an ordinary horror movie......."

Fumio Ishikawa listened silently, grumbling to himself: "It clearly scared you like that, and you still call it ordinary?"

"Also, didn't President Tomoyuki Tanaka promise to block the evaluation of *Ring*?" Kinji Fukasaku glared at Fumio Ishikawa.

Fumio Ishikawa was completely unruffled: "Hai...... so this time *Ring* is being evaluated for a small award, the Best Topic Award. After all, this movie brought many shadows to the audience, making very many people afraid of the television, this kind of....... ordinary home appliance."

Fumio Ishikawa, who was speaking, turned his head around and actually discovered that there was no television in Kinji Fukasaku's bedroom...... For an elderly person bedridden, if there is no television, how boring must it be!

As expected, he had psychological shadows!

Kinji Fukasaku didn't notice Fumio Ishikawa's small actions, snorted, and said: "This kind of small award is also an award. If you ask me, *Ring* shouldn't appear on the nomination list at all!"

Fumio Ishikawa didn't argue with this old man, but instead said:

"Director Fukasaku, President Tanaka's meaning is that support for *The Makioka Sisters* needs to be increased. According to the news received so far, *The Ballad of Narayama* for Best Film is basically no problem, *The Antarctic Story*'s Ken Takakura has basically been set for Best Actor, but for Best Director and Best Actress, *The Tenjo-san Case* and *The Makioka Sisters* are competing very fiercely."

"In addition, regarding the Best Screenplay award, *Love Letter* has a great advantage!"

"Hmm? Best Screenplay? On what basis?"

"Because *The Ballad of Narayama* and *The Antarctic Story* are both adapted from true stories..... *Love Letter* is adapted from a novel." Fumio Ishikawa explained the reason.

"But, *The Makioka Sisters* is also adapted from a novel?"

"...... But *The Makioka Sisters* is a novel from decades ago; how can it have the momentum of *Love Letter*....."

"...... How can this be!" Kinji Fukasaku's expression changed, muttering in his mouth, "Only those that have experienced the passage of time are good books; current books are all too shallow and don't know how to appreciate them....."

Fumio Ishikawa listened to his complaints without saying a word. After all, the director in front of him was already nearly 60 years old; decades ago was exactly when they were young, and what they naturally liked to read were old novels.

"Also, Director Fukasaku, currently there seem to be many forces competing among the jury...... Originally there were only film production companies and other related film and television factions, but this time, even financial groups and publishing houses have participated, and there are even some shadows of the yakuza....."

"Is it actually this complicated this time?"

"Hai, so until the final result comes out, everything is uncertain." Fumio Ishikawa confirmed, "That's why President Tanaka is thinking about making more preparations....."

Kinji Fukasaku thought for a while and nodded: "I will find some old friends again....."

"That is truly appreciated~"

Continuing to say some pleasantries, Fumio Ishikawa heard the partition door open, and Kinji Fukasaku's wife, Sanae Nakahara, walked in carrying a tray.

"Father of the children, it's time for medicine...."

"It's this kind of nourishing medicine again!" Kinji Fukasaku said unpleasantly, "Eat, eat, eat, after eating for so long, I feel my body is getting worse and worse!"

"This is the medicine's ingredients eliminating the lesions in the body, so naturally it will have some impact on the body." Sanae Nakahara explained with a calm expression, and even nodded slightly to Fumio Ishikawa, "Drink it quickly, you will be fine after drinking it!"

Kinji Fukasaku drank a few mouthfuls with an unhappy expression, angrily throwing the bowl with a small amount left on the tray:

"It tastes terrible! I'm not drinking it!"

"Eh..... how can you, this old man, be like this!" Sanae Nakahara seemed to be angry too, "This is what I painstakingly decocted!"

"I said I'm not drinking it, so I'm not drinking it!"

Kinji Fukasaku actually didn't believe in this kind of nourishing decoction in the first place, not to mention that his body had been getting weaker during this period. At this time, when his temper flared, he was like a cranky child.

"You!"

Sanae Nakahara saw Kinji Fukasaku directly ignoring her and continuing to talk to Fumio Ishikawa, so she could only angrily put away the medicine bowl.

Fumio Ishikawa didn't think much of it; it was normal for an old married couple to bicker.

So, after chatting with Kinji Fukasaku in the bedroom for a while longer, he prepared to take his leave:

"Director Fukasaku, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave~"

"Hmm, please ask President Tanaka to rest assured, I will work harder." Kinji Fukasaku said, "We must not let Naoki Nagayama's *Love Letter* win the award!"

"Hmm~"

Just as he wanted to get up and leave, Fumio Ishikawa saw Sanae Nakahara walk in again carrying the medicine bowl, with a small half-bowl of medicinal soup inside.

She walked to the bedside, handed the bowl over, her expression calm but with determination:

"You old man, there was still a small half-bowl left just now, drink it for me quickly!"

Kinji Fukasaku was furious: "Didn't I say I'm not drinking it?!"

"This is the painstaking result of others! Are you going to waste it like this? Besides, the doctor said, you must drink a bowl's amount every day! Otherwise, the previous treatment will be in vain! Hurry, while it's hot!"

"I said, I'm not drinking it!" Kinji Fukasaku roared excitedly.

Sanae Nakahara's expression became even uglier. She seemed to think of a lot, then pointed outside the window: "Look there, there's a UFO!"

Kinji Fukasaku and Fumio Ishikawa subconsciously turned their heads, only to find a clear sky outside the window.

Then Fumio Ishikawa saw Sanae Nakahara press her right hand on Kinji Fukasaku's head, and then her right hand quickly, accurately, and ruthlessly pushed the medicine bowl to his mouth, pried open his mouth, and poured it in all at once!

Kinji Fukasaku was choked by the pouring, but a mouthful of medicinal soup had already entered his throat. He could only roar furiously:

"Kono yaro! Are you trying to murder your husband?!"

"Who told you not to drink it!" Sanae Nakahara returned to her virtuous appearance, bowing slightly to Fumio Ishikawa, "Sumimasen, I was rude just now, my husband's temper has been like a child's recently."

Fumio Ishikawa waved his hands repeatedly: "Ah..... haha..... I didn't see anything....... If there is nothing else, I will take my leave first!"

After saying that, he ran away in a panic.....

Kinji Fukasaku coughed for a long time before recovering, roaring at his wife: "You guy, I'm telling you, I'm not drinking it anymore! Even if you forced me to drink it this time, I won't drink it later!"

"When you feed me, I will definitely resist with all my might!!!"

Sanae Nakahara, however, had a calm expression, looking at her husband and saying:

"Anyway, you can't move. If you don't drink it next time, then I will drink it first, hold down your hands.......

And then feed it to you mouth-to-mouth!!!"

Kinji Fukasaku was frightened by this statement, taking a look at the old woman's face full of wrinkles now.......

"Forget it.... isn't it just a bowl of nourishing medicinal soup......."

"I...... I'll drink it!" ===== CHAPTER 548 =====