Tokyo Mystery Writers

Chapter 104 Many VIPs at the Book Signing Event

January 20, 1980, 6:05 PM.

Inside Kinokuniya Bookstore in Ginza, Chuo Ward, Tokyo.

Having changed into a clean suit, Maijo Kyosuke appeared at the autograph session amidst enthusiastic applause!

At this time, the autograph session venue was already surrounded by many loyal fans of Kyosuke Maijo.

Everyone held a beautifully packaged "collector's edition" of "The Tokyo Zodiac Murders," eagerly hoping to get Maijo Kyosuke's autograph as soon as possible.

The autograph session was an event designed to give loyal fans a piece of his collection and to increase the popularity of Maijo Kyosuke.

Therefore, we must resolutely resist the despicable act of buying and selling for profit.

Most people who come in need to verify their identity and provide their name when signing. Maijo Kyosuke then signs the book's title page with the recipient's name and his own signature.

Although this effectively increases Maijo Kyosuke's workload.

But it also brought unexpected gains to Maijo Kyosuke.

After signing more than twenty books, a very magnetic voice reached Maishiro Kyosuke's ears: "Mr. Maishiro, my name is Kasai Kiyoshi. Could we take a picture together after your event?"

Upon hearing the name, Maishiro Kyosuke abruptly looked up and saw a mature-looking man in his thirties gazing at him with adoration: "Mashiro-sensei, your book, 'The Astrological Murder Magic,' is absolutely amazing!"

"A grand dismemberment plot, an unexpected and stunning reversal—no matter what, I want to take a picture with you, Mr. Mai, to commemorate this rare moment!"

"Because in my opinion, Mr. Maijo, you have a very good chance of becoming the third master of orthodox mystery fiction, following in the footsteps of the first master, Seishi Yokomizo, and the second master, Akimitsu Takagi!"

"If my judgment is correct, I've witnessed history!"

Kiyoshi Kasai praised Kyosuke Maijo without regard for others, but this drew the ire of many fans behind him.

Kyosuke Maijo was actually very familiar with the author Kiyoshi Kasai, because this guy was the Kiyoshi Kasai who was later hailed as a "philosophical mystery writer"!

Seeing that Kasai Kiyoshi greatly admired him and even wanted to befriend him, Maijo Kyosuke naturally wouldn't refuse.

After all, Kiyoshi Kasai is an outstanding mystery critic, and can be considered the most famous mystery critic in Japan after Manji Gonda.

Being on good terms with Kiyoshi Kasai can only bring benefits, not harm!

Maijo Kyosuke quickly signed his and Kasai Kiyoshi's names on the title page of the "Collector's Edition" of "The Tokyo Zodiac Murders," then gestured to Kasai Kiyoshi to wait for him.

Although Kiyoshi Kasai was already a well-known critic and writer in a small circle at this time, his admiration for Kyosuke Maijo made him put aside all his status.

Seeing that Maishiro Kyosuke had agreed to his request, Kasai Kiyoshi immediately picked up the book signed by Maishiro Kyosuke, bowed deeply, apologized to the readers behind him, and stepped aside.

"Snapped!"

Not long after Kasai Kiyoshi left, a Western man with a full beard piled ten copies of the "Collector's Edition" of "The Astrological Murder Mystery" on Maishiro Kyosuke's desk and spoke to Maishiro Kyosuke in broken Japanese.

"Oh! My dear teacher! I'm Otto Penzel, your biggest fan. I'm from the United States, and I came all the way here because I heard you were having a book signing!"

When Maijo Kyosuke heard this name, he was speechless and his mouth dropped open.

It would be quite reasonable for me to have met Kiyoshi Kasai at a book signing event.

But encountering Otto Penzel was absolutely unexpected!

Because this guy was later hailed as the world's most knowledgeable person about detective novels and the most knowledgeable about collecting.

He not only wrote the book "The Book Hunter Detective", but also owned no fewer than 60,000 detective novels!

In my past life, when I was collecting mystery novels, I had bought his works.

I've found that as long as it's a book I like, such as Dashiell Hammett's *The Bloody Harvest* and *The Maltese Black Hawk*, I can enjoy it.

The first personally signed edition, Raymond Chandler's "The Big Sleep," and other world-renowned works are all in this guy's possession.

Otto Penzel is not only a top collector of mystery novels.

He is also a well-known bookseller, a famous publishing house president, and a literary anthologist. His "Mysterious Publishing House" is almost equivalent to the last pure land of European and American mystery fiction after its decline!

Thinking about all of this, Maijo Kyosuke felt that he had to befriend him no matter what.

If I can successfully become friends with Otto Penzel.

Putting aside the wonderful opportunity to access a vast number of mystery manuscripts, if a collaboration is established in the future, it will not only help my book reach overseas markets but also allow me to be nominated for prestigious international awards such as the Edgar Allan Poe Award!

As he thought this, Maijo Kyosuke quickly signed the title pages of the ten books.

After signing all the books, Maijo Kyosuke looked at Otto Penzel and asked with a smile, "Mr. Otto, I've heard of you and even seen your anthology published by your mysterious publishing house."

"I'd like to ask, how long will you be staying in Japan?"

"Could I invite you to dinner after the book signing?"

Otto Penzel was clearly surprised that Maishiro Kyosuke knew him and had extended an invitation. A happy smile naturally appeared on his face: "Of course! I'd be delighted to accept an invitation from Mr. Maishiro!"

Upon hearing Otto Penzel's words, Maishiro Kyosuke turned to Uyama Hideomi and said, "Mr. Uyama, could you please do me a favor and arrange a room for Mr. Otto and Mr. Kasai over there? I'd like to invite them to dinner after the book signing to discuss some matters."

As an editor with over a decade of experience, Hideomi Uyama naturally recognized Kiyoshi Kasai and Otto Penzel, and also understood what Kyosuke Maijo was thinking.

They immediately left the autograph session with Kiyoshi Kasai and Otto Penzel.

The next few dozen fans were mostly orderly, without saying much, quietly handing over their books, giving their names, and quickly leaving.

Occasionally, a few enthusiastic fans would either steal Maishiro Kyosuke's pen or grab his hand and kiss it, leaving Maishiro Kyosuke and Jiang Liu Meili, who was beside him, somewhat amused and exasperated.

Time flies, and the book signing soon reached eight o'clock.

After signing over 300 books, Maijo Kyosuke's fingers were aching from exhaustion. He was just about to have his staff stop the book signing and continue it the next day when...

A pair of fair hands laid out three collector's edition copies of "The Astrological Murder Mystery" on the table in front of Maishiro Kyosuke.

"Miki, I am your devoted fan, Kenzaki Mitsuki."

"May I invite you to dinner after your book signing?"

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