Tokyo Mystery Writers

Report on the delayed release of Chapter 120

January 21, 1980 (Showa 55), 5:00 AM.

Almost all bookstores and newsstands open promptly at five in the morning.

They started selling the various magazines that had been set up yesterday.

This naturally includes the 800,000 copies of the second issue of Kodansha's "Top Hat" magazine, which was printed.

only----

This time, Top Hat magazine failed to replicate the success of its first issue.

Everyone could clearly feel that the second issue of "Top Hat" magazine was not selling well!

After a morning, let alone selling out completely, they probably didn't even sell 100,000 copies in total.

Clearly, this is because Matsushima Shunma, the sales manager of Takarajima Publishing, successfully spread rumors using his public relations skills.

This led many readers to develop a backlash against Kodansha's "Top Hat" magazine for manipulating the competition and protecting Kyosuke Maijo, resulting in a boycott of the magazine!

Inside the Takarajima-sha building in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo.

Takarajima Publishing President Hosei Shirakawa and Sales Manager Matsushima Shunma stood by two telephones, constantly exchanging sales information with their dispatched subordinates.

The more the two talked, the more smug smiles appeared on their faces.

Because Matsushima Shunma's excellent public relations skills are extremely useful!

It not only dealt a heavy blow to Kodansha, but also caused Takarajimasha's "Fiction Mystery" magazine to rebound in sales, returning to its original level!

What pleased them even more was that not only had the sales of Kodansha's "Top Hat" magazine stagnated.

It seems that all the newspapers have stopped praising Maijo Kyosuke and have become silent, or rather, unusually quiet. Many newspapers have even stopped publishing their own publications.

Hosho Shirakawa was satisfied with the result and a smile appeared on his face.

Because it's obvious that he killed two birds with one stone!

Not only did they complete their counterattack against Kodansha, but they also smeared Maishiro Kyosuke, extinguished his arrogance, and halted his immense popularity!

Now all we need to do is send out Mr. Nishimura Hisayuki to launch the final blow against Maijo Kyosuke!

I am confident that I will be able to successfully nip this once-in-a-century genius, Kyosuke Maijo, in the bud!

Hosho Shirakawa took out whiskey and a highball glass from the liquor cabinet, intending to have a good drink with his "beloved general" Matsushima Shunma to celebrate.

But they found that Matsushima Shunma, who had just been all smiles, was now holding the newspaper that had just been delivered, his hands trembling uncontrollably, and his face showing an indescribable and terrifying expression!

That expression wasn't one of panic from a magazine's plummeting sales.

It's a deeper, more soul-crushing terror!

"Minister Matsushima, what's wrong? Why do you look so frightened?"

"Don't tell me you were scared by the news in the newspaper."

Hosho Shirakawa swirled the whiskey in his highball glass and asked the question, half-jokingly.

But then Matsushima Shunma wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, placed the newspaper in front of Hosho Shirakawa, and said with a pale face, "President Hosho, something terrible has happened."

"President Ito—President Ito—his hands have been chopped off!"

Upon hearing Matsushima Shunma's words, Hosho Shirakawa was so surprised that he dropped the golf cup in his hand.

His previously smiling face now showed a look of panic: "How could this happen—how could this happen—"

Hosho Shirakawa's hands were stiff as if they were frozen. He tried to pick up the newspaper on the table, but failed three times in a row.

For the fourth time, he picked up the newspaper, which he had already crumpled up, and smoothed it out.

Hosho Shirakawa saw a man tied to a tree, without arms, looking like a pillar.

It was impossible to tell who the person was just by looking at the poor quality of the newspaper.

But the reports beside him seemed to be under a spell, flooding into Hosho Shirakawa's eyes!

"At 3 a.m. today, a report was received that a naked man with severed arms was found in Kabukicho, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo. He is currently receiving emergency treatment due to excessive blood loss."

"After investigation, the man's identity has been verified: Ito Kyosuke, 52 years old, is the current president of the well-known Tokyo publishing house, Social Thought Publishing House —"

What was written on the back of the newspaper was no longer important.

Hosho Shirakawa just wanted to know, who did this?

Who could have committed such a cruel act?

Hosho Shirakawa and Ito Kyosuke, the president of the Social Thought Society, had no connection whatsoever.

There was no exchange of benefits.

The reason why Hosho Shirakawa was so angry, so fearful, and so worried upon seeing this news was because...

In reality, it's all about considering one's own personal safety.

The "publishing war" more than 20 years ago led to the bankruptcy of many publishing houses, the mysterious disappearance of many presidents, and the murder of Shimizu Yuichi, the editor-in-chief of the well-known Hakubunkan "Jewel" magazine.

To prevent such a terrible situation from happening again, and to ensure that any future conflicts will not escalate to the point of a life-or-death struggle.

Therefore, the various publishing houses had already reached an agreement.

If you want to seize the market, it's understandable to manipulate publicity and public relations, but no one should involve outsiders in such a murder!

This is why Hosho Shirakawa was willing to offer Nishimura Toshiyuki a 30 million yen commission plus an 18% royalty rate to compete with Maijo Kyosuke.

But now—it seems everything has changed.

Kyosuke Ito, the president of the Social Thought Society, had both arms cut off.

Someone broke the rules and brought in outsiders to cause trouble!

Hosho Shirakawa took two big gulps of whiskey, a look of worry on his face.

Because he simply couldn't figure out who would want to mess with Kyosuke Ito of the Social Thought Society.

Because the president of the Social Thought Society had an accident.

This resulted in the entire front page of the newspapers being occupied by the headlines.

Kodansha's special announcement was delayed until the afternoon before it was officially published in major newspapers: "In view of the recent malicious manipulation of speech and the spread of rumors."

"Smear Kodansha's magazine 'Top Hat' and smear Kodansha's guest writer, Mr. Kyosuke Maijo."

"This has had an extremely serious and negative impact on Kodansha!"

"Kodansha hereby issues a statement clarifying that it has absolutely no intention of hoarding manuscripts or manipulating the Top Hat magazine competition."

"To ensure the competition remains fair and just, Mr. Maijo Kyosuke hereby declares his second war against all mystery writers in Japan."

"Kyosuke Maijo will continue to participate in the third issue of 'Top Hat' magazine, challenging all Japanese mystery writers with his short mystery stories!"

Kodansha's announcement had to be postponed until the afternoon because the president of the Social Thought Society, Kyosuke Ito, had both arms cut off.

However, such arrogant remarks still sparked heated discussions among the public!

"What?! Ms. Maishiro has published a second declaration of war in the newspaper?"

"Is he going to challenge all of Japan's mystery writers once again?"

"What did I say? Teacher Wucheng's writing ability is so strong, she wrote 'A Bellflower' one after another."

"Even if Kodansha wanted to maliciously manipulate the competition, Maijo-sensei would never agree to the two masterpieces, 'The Tokyo Zodiac Murders'!"

"We've all wronged Mr. Maishiro. The bad guys might be Kodansha, or the magazine club, but it definitely can't be Mr. Maishiro!"

"If Ms. Wucheng was afraid of being compared to other writers, she would never have launched a 'second declaration of war'."

What does this tell us?

"This shows that Ms. Mai has absolute confidence in her work and is not afraid at all!"

With the release of Kodansha's announcement.

Readers seemed to be able to feel Kyosuke Maijo's heart even through the newspaper.

In this atmosphere, all readers abandoned their previous disdain for Kodansha.

I rushed to the nearby bookstore, supermarket, and newspaper office to buy the second issue of "Top Hat" magazine.

I'm eager to see what kind of work Mr. Maijo Kyosuke will bring us this time!

Those who still doubted Maijo Kyosuke's abilities and believed that his "second declaration of war" was just a publicity stunt.

I also had to buy a copy of "Top Hat" magazine.

They wanted to see whether Maijo Kyosuke was just trying to attract attention or if he was truly capable!