Tokyo Mystery Writers

Chapter 126 Mystery novels are the best refuge when you have no motivation.

Nishimura Toshiyuki reached out and picked up the "Collector's Edition" of "The Tokyo Zodiac Murder Mystery" from the table. On the title page, Maijo Kyosuke had written in a wildly arrogant hand: "I will defeat you in your area of ​​expertise!"

Nishimura Toshiyuki admitted that he was consumed by anger!

Because it's obvious that Maijo Kyosuke is using words to provoke him!

"Ms. Mai, I will pass on your message to President Hosei."

Enraged, Nishimura Toshiyuki grabbed a copy of "The Tokyo Zodiac Murder Mystery" with a challenge letter written on it and left the autograph session amidst a crowd of fans.

Watching Nishimura Hisayuki's retreating figure disappear into the crowd.

Maijo Kyosuke gestured to the security personnel to adjust the order at the scene so he could continue signing autographs for the long-awaiting fans.

Before he could even reach out, he felt two sword-like gazes piercing towards him from behind!

Maishiro Kyosuke turned his head to look behind him and saw Uyama Hideomi staring at him with a very serious expression.

Jiang Liumei, standing to the other side, also rarely showed the same expression.

"What's wrong? Is there something dirty on my face?"

Maishiro Kyosuke wiped his face with his hand and asked with a relaxed smile.

But at this moment, Uyama Hideomi and Jiang Liu Meili couldn't bring themselves to smile.

Uyama Hideomi looked at Maishiro Kyosuke with a serious expression and said, "Mashiro-sensei, do you know what you just said?"

"Are you going to give up the advantage of your orthodox mystery style?"

"Challenging the 'King of Hard-Hard Mystery' Toshiyuki Nishimura with a single hard-boiled mystery book?"

Upon hearing Uyama Hideomi's words, Maishiro Kyosuke nodded: "Yes, that's exactly what I meant. Is there a problem?"

Uyama Hideomi looked at Maijo Kyosuke, opening his mouth several times before finally managing to utter a complete sentence in fits and starts.

He was clearly furious at Maijo Kyosuke's sudden change of plans.

"You—you—why didn't you discuss this with me and Miss Jiang Liu beforehand?!"

Uyama Hideomi's face turned red in an instant, as if he had been drinking.

Jiang Liu Meili, standing to the side, wasn't much better off than Yu Shan Hideomi: "Mr. Maishiro, I don't know what you're thinking—"

"However, if you use traditional mystery-solving methods to challenge Mr. Nishimura Toshiyuki, you might still have about a 5% chance of winning."

"But if you suddenly switch to hard-boiled reasoning now," your chances of winning might get infinitely close to zero.

""

"You should know that Mr. Nishimura Toshiyuki is a king of the hard-boiled school of art!"

"Among living authors, perhaps only Haruhiko Oyabu, known as the 'Ruthless School of Mystery,' can rival Toshiyuki Nishimura in this regard!"

"I don't know how much you, Professor Mai, know about hard-boiled mystery fiction —"

"But to be honest, as a traditional mystery writer, if you suddenly switch to writing hard-boiled mysteries, even if you write very well, your original fanbase may very well find it difficult to adapt to this change!"

"After all, the core of classic mystery fiction lies in trickery, puzzles, alibis, and captivating logical reasoning."

"Hardcore mystery, on the other hand, features weak puzzles, or even no tricks. It focuses on the moral or emotional choices faced by ordinary people, whether from the lower classes or the general population, and their desperate counterattacks against society or their enemies!"

"I don't understand—Mr. Mai, why did you choose a track you're unfamiliar with to challenge the strongest enemy on that track?"

"This is really—a bit too abrupt."

Jiang Liu's beautiful voice had a slightly hoarse quality.

This clearly shows that her impatience and anxiety have broken through her psychological defenses, making her feel that her hope for Maijo Kyosuke's victory is slim.

Seeing that both Uyama Hideomi and Eri Misaki were looking at him with such concern, wanting him to give a reasonable explanation, Maijo Kyosuke said nonchalantly, "Just like what I just said to Nishimura-sensei."

"I don't have time to play with such small stakes."

"Since we've agreed, we should gamble big!"

Maijo Kyosuke waved to the security personnel in the distance, signaling them to let the fans who wanted autographs in.

While signing autographs for fans, Maijo Kyosuke said to Uyama Hideomi and Eri Ryumi, who were sitting on either side of him, "And do you remember what I told you in the car yesterday about the promise I made with Cheng Yi?"

"I don't know if you guys read the newspaper this afternoon."

"The newspaper said that Kyosuke Itō, the president of the Social Thought Society, was killed in Kabukicho, Shinjuku, with his arms cut off and hanging from a tree."

"Since Cheng Yi did it, he kept his word."

"That means he really wants a chance to live with dignity in Tokyo."

"so----"

When Uyama Hideomi heard Maishiro Kyosuke's conversation veer towards Cheng Yi, he quickly interrupted, "Wait a minute, Mr. Maishiro, weren't we talking about the challenge with Mr. Nishimura Toshiyuki, and why you're writing hard-boiled mystery?"

"What does this have to do with Cheng Yi?"

Hearing what Maishiro Kyosuke said, Jiang Liu Meili seemed to remember something: "Mr. Maishiro, I remember you told us something in the car."

"You want Cheng Yi to set up a film company, and then you will write a script for Cheng Yi's film company as a reward for Cheng Yi protecting you underground."

As Maishiro Kyosuke signed, he nodded and said, "Ms. Eri, it seems you understood what I meant."

"My decision to challenge Professor Toshiyuki Nishimura to a contest using hard-boiled mystery techniques wasn't a spur-of-the-moment thing; it wasn't a decision made on a whim."

"Actually, after agreeing to Cheng Yi's request, I planned to write a 'hard-boiled mystery' novel based on Shinjuku, depicting the various aspects of life in Shinjuku."

"In other words, regardless of whether Takarajimasha or Mr. Nishimura Juuki challenge me, I will write a hard-boiled mystery novel."

"It was just a coincidence that these things happened all at once."

Upon hearing what Maishiro Kyosuke said, Uyama Hideomi and Eri Ryū finally understood what was going on.

Although I still have a lot of concerns about Kyosuke Maijo's decision to write "hard-boiled mystery".

However, since Uyama Hideomi and Eri Miri chose to believe in Maishiro Kyosuke, they could only respect Maishiro Kyosuke's choice and do their best to help him succeed!

Time flew by, and it was already around 9:30 pm.

Although Maijo Kyosuke still held a pen, he kept signing off on the collector's edition of "The Tokyo Zodiac Murders".

But my thoughts had already entered a meditative state.

I tried hard to recall the plot of "The City That Never Sleeps".

Since my last successful polishing of "The Mystery of the Death Row Inmates" was a great success.

Kyosuke Maijo clearly understood that to become a literary giant, one needed more than just the vast "library" in one's mind.

Furthermore, by catering to the present era and adding even more exquisite touches to an already brilliant masterpiece, the work can shine even brighter!

The same applies to "The City That Never Sleeps".

Since I have a "partner" like Cheng Yi, I should make the most of him.

Through in-depth investigation and interviews, we experience what the real Kabukicho in Shinjuku is like, making the already wonderful world in the story of "Sleepless Town" even more real and dazzling!

"Mr. Yushan, I'm a little tired. Let me let the rest of the readers know."

"That's enough for today's book signing. I'll sign two more, then I need to rest."

As soon as Maishiro Kyosuke spoke, Uyama Hideomi immediately took Eri Ryumi and went forward to comfort the readers who had been queuing up behind them.

I will try my best not to offend any reader, after all, every reader here is a loyal fan who is willing to support Maijo Kyosuke.

These loyal fans of Kyosuke Maijo were also very understanding of him, after all, they had seen him diligently sign autographs for each reader for two consecutive days.

After the fans who had gathered at Kinokuniya Bookstore in Ginza were calmed and left by Eri and Hideomi Uyama, they departed.

The once bustling bookstore lobby quickly emptied out, leaving only a handful of people.

Just as Maijo Kyosuke was yawning and preparing to pack his things to go home.

A tall woman wearing a black trench coat and light blue jeans walked towards Maijo Kyosuke, holding a "collector's edition" of "The Astrological Murder Mystery".

The woman was very beautiful, but her beauty was different from Jiang Liu's lively charm, Ming Shen Qingyin's gentleness, Mikoshiba Kyoko's sunshine, and Kenzaki Mitsuki's radiance.

The woman had a cold, alluring face that seemed to tell a story.

Combined with the three black beauty marks under her eyes, her high proportions, tall figure, and somewhat pale skin.

She looks just like Ryoko Kuonji, who stepped right out of the story of "Summer of the Ubume"!

Although she exudes a cold and dangerous aura, she also makes people want to get closer to her and hear her story.

In short, it's a very distinctive face that you won't forget after just one look.

To use Jiang Liumei's comment on mystery novels, she had a face that left a lingering aftertaste.

"You must be Teacher Wucheng?"

The woman compared the photo of Kyosuke Maijo printed on the "Collector's Edition" of "The Tokyo Zodiac Murders" with Kyosuke Maijo's photo, and looked at him hesitantly before saying, "Miyajo-sensei, my name is Uguisuke Isama."

"Hmm... how should I introduce myself?"

"I am someone who has never read a mystery novel."

"However, by chance, I bought a copy of the second issue of Top Hat magazine."

"I saw your article 'Conclusion' published there."

"Before this, I always thought that movies were the best thing in the world."

"But your 'Convergence' shattered my preconceived notions."

"In my opinion, mystery novels are the best refuge when I lack motivation!"