Tokyo Mystery Writers

Chapter 129 The Living Myth

The operator noticed the man on the phone sounded somewhat agitated.

She covered the microphone part of the phone with her hand, turned to Jiang Liumei who was reviewing the manuscript, and asked, "Editor-in-Chief Jiang Liu, a strange man says he has something urgent to discuss with you—"

Jiang Liumei looked somewhat confused when she heard what the operator said.

Jiang Liumei didn't know who would contact her at this time, and they even said it was something important.

"Take it."

Jiang Liumei pressed the answer button and picked up the phone.

"Hello, I'm Eri Miri, the editor-in-chief of the magazine department at Kodansha. How can I help you?"

Upon hearing Jiang Liumei's beautiful voice, the man on the phone was as excited as a long-term patient who had found a cure.

"Miss Jiang Liu, my name is Otomo Saburo, please!"

"Please return the novel I submitted to your magazine!"

"Please, please return my novel! Thank you!"

Saburo Otomo's words carried a pleading tone, which surprised Jiang Liu Meili: "Mr. Otomo, please don't be in such a hurry."

"May I ask—what is the reason you requested for returning the manuscript?"

Upon hearing Jiang Liu Meili's words, Otomo Saburo seemed to have his confidence shaken. He remained silent for a while before finally speaking somewhat embarrassedly, "I want to withdraw the manuscript because of Maishiro Kyosuke—no, I should call him Maishiro-sensei!"

"It was because I read Ms. Wu Cheng's book, 'Convergence,' that I decided to read it."

Saburo Otomo sighed heavily on the phone: "I'm a third-rate mystery writer from Iwate Prefecture. Most of my works are published in obscure magazines."

"Sixteen days ago, Mr. Maishiro's arrogant remarks at the Edogawa Ranpo Ryusho Awards made me think that Mr. Maishiro was nothing more than a clown trying to attract attention."

Even with the appearance of "A Bellflower", I only thought that Teacher Wucheng was a writer who was good at marketing and packaging tricks.

"9

"But the sudden appearance of 'The Astrological Murders' was a slap in the face for me!"

"But back then, I was still unconvinced and believed I still had the ability to compete with Teacher Mai!"

"But—Ms. Mai's presentation yesterday, 'Convergence,' shattered all my confidence!"

"It made me realize even more clearly that a writer of my caliber would probably never be able to produce such a great work in my entire life!"

"My proudest work is actually utterly awful!"

"Therefore, Editor-in-Chief Jiang Liu, please return my manuscript. I am far from qualified to compete with Teacher Wu Cheng, who was able to write 'Conclusion'!"

Hearing Saburo Otomo praise Maishiro Kyosuke, Jiang Liu Meili was very pleased and nodded slightly: "Mr. Otomo, thank you for your appreciation of Mr. Maishiro."

"I have received your feedback, but we currently have a large backlog of manuscripts, so please be patient and I will return your novel in due course."

Upon hearing Jiang Liu's beautiful words, a relieved voice came through the phone: "Thank you, Editor-in-Chief Jiang Liu, for your help."

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Liumei wrote Otomo Saburo's name on the whiteboard in the magazine department and informed all the editors in the magazine department of what had just happened.

Jiang Liumei thought this was just a small matter.

But to everyone's surprise, by 2 p.m., the whiteboard that listed those who wanted their manuscripts rejected was filled with more than 400 names!

The postman pushed his cart, carrying load after load of manuscripts to be returned from Kodansha's magazine department.

Jiang Liumei looked at the whiteboard, which was almost completely blacked out with names, and asked the deputy editor-in-chief behind her, Takahashi Kaoru, somewhat bewildered, "Takahashi, how many manuscripts do we have left now?"

Kaoru Takahashi looked back at the room, which had been almost overflowing with manuscripts but was now empty, and a helpless expression appeared on her face: "Hmm—around fifty copies?"

Jiang Liumei sighed, then a relieved smile appeared on her face: "That's good too. Without so many backlogged manuscripts, it's like giving our magazine department a break."

"I just didn't expect that Teacher Wucheng's 'Convergence' would be so powerful. It has only been released for less than two days and it has already scared away so many writers."

"By the way, Takahashi, go and issue a notice that from now on, submissions to 'Top Hat' magazine will not be allowed to be withdrawn. Otherwise, we'll be worried about not having enough articles for the next issue."

7

While Jiang Liumei was processing manuscripts in the magazine department, Yu Shan Hideomi, the deputy editor-in-chief who was about to take over as editor-in-chief, was also busy.

Yesterday morning, Uyama Hideomi had already sent out the photocopies of "Summer of the Ubume" to everyone.

Naoki Akimoto, his former boss who was about to be promoted to head of the publishing department.

Yasunori Mikoshiba, the head of the sales department.

And then there's Noma Genjiro, the president of Kodansha, who never reads manuscripts but suddenly had the urge to do so this time.

After spending the entire day yesterday, Akimoto Naoki, Mikoshiba Yasunori, and Noma Genjiro had finished reading the entire 300,000-word novel, "The Summer of the Ubume."

Including Hideomi Uyama.

The four people are currently in the president's office, evaluating "The Summer of the Ubume" and discussing how to promote the book.

Naoki Akimoto, a staunch supporter of "social mystery" fiction, rarely showed a smile on his face.

The reason is self-evident.

Because of the fact that Maijo Kyosuke's "The Summer of the Ubume" still has a very "orthodox mystery" core.

However, the various fascinating discussions about family traditions, folklore, spirituality, psychology, and neuroscience have a very "social mystery" feel to them!

Reading "The Summer of the Ubume" is a wonderful experience for Naoki Akimoto, a fan of "social mystery"!

"Let me start by sharing my thoughts?"

Naoki Akimoto looked at the other three and said, "I don't know how President Noma, Department Head Mikoshiba, and Deputy Editor-in-Chief Uyama evaluate 'The Summer of the Ubume'."

Yes, but in my opinion, "Summer of the Ubume" is a rare and groundbreaking work.

"Reading 'The Summer of the Ubume' is like embarking on a mysterious journey with the protagonist, Tatsumi Sekiguchi."

"From initial bewilderment, to the bizarre and terrifying atmosphere in the middle, and finally to a moment of profound enlightenment, this wondrous feeling is something no other work can give me!"

Mikoshiba Yasunori, who was standing to the side, nodded and also gave his opinion: "I don't really have much to say about Maishiro-sensei's 'Summer of the Ubume'."

"If I had to give a rating, I'd say it's innovative."

"I read Mr. Maishiro's newly published novel, 'Conclusion,' yesterday. It's all over the place now, with people saying that 'Conclusion' has created a new genre in Japanese mystery fiction."

"But I don't quite agree with their ideas, because these people have only read 'Convergence' and haven't had the chance to see the copy of 'Summer of the Ubume' that we have in our hands!"

"If they have read this book, 'Summer of the Ubume,' they will know that 'Conclusion' is just an appetizer thrown out by Teacher Maicheng."

"What truly made Teacher Wucheng a master who founded his own school of thought must have been this book, 'The Summer of the Ubume'."

start!"

Noma Genjiro frowned and scratched his double chin with his fingers: "Your evaluations of the book are all very accurate, and you've mentioned most of its merits."

Personally, I also think this book is quite good.

"But this is just my personal feeling."

"If I wanted to hear all this stuff, I could just grab any random person on the street and they could rattle off a whole bunch of it!"

Noma Genjiro tapped the table with his hand: "Remember this, we are a publishing house that has been operating for nearly eighty years, one of the top three publishing houses in Japan!"

"You three are the sales manager, the publishing manager, and the editor-in-chief of the publishing department!"

"It's certainly a good thing that a book is good, but you also need to know that a good book doesn't necessarily mean it will sell well!"

"You must see many good books every year, but only five thousand copies are sold, right?"

'

"Then why did Ms. Mai's 'The Astrological Murder Mystery' sell 400,000 copies?"

"Of course, one of the reasons is that 'The Tokyo Zodiac Murders' is so good."

"There was also the reason why the magazine 'Top Hat' founded by Ms. Jiang Liu laid the groundwork for 'A Bellflower'."

"But the main reason."

"With Mr. Maishiro around, Edogawa Ranpo's arrogant remarks at the Dragon Award ceremony are truly remarkable!"

"And Ms. Maijo's courage to challenge all mystery writers in Japan!"

"To put it simply, Ms. Mai, a new writer who has only been in the industry for a little over ten days, was able to sell 400,000 copies of 'The Tokyo Zodiac Murders'."

"Most importantly, it's Ms. Mai's personal charisma and her fearless courage to challenge the world!"

"This is also the core reason why I chose to promote Teacher Wu Cheng, even though there are so many other writers to promote!"

"Dare to declare war on the whole world? That's the natural aura of a king! That confidence is Teacher Wu's most powerful charm!"

After Noma Genjiro finished speaking, he slammed his hand hard on the manuscript of "Summer of the Ubume".

He then looked at Yasunori Mikoshiba, Naoki Akimoto, and Hideomi Uyama and said, "So, you three, hurry up and show me your skills!"

"Let's have a good talk about how to promote and package Ms. Wucheng's book, 'The Summer of the Ubume'!"

"Don't spout nonsense about replicating the glory of 'The Tokyo Zodiac Murders'!"

"What I want is to surpass 'The Tokyo Zodiac Murders' and make Ms. Mai Shiro a million-selling author!"

Upon hearing Genjiro Noma's words, Naoki Akimoto spoke first: "As for promotional methods—?"

"I think we should just produce 'Summer of the Ubume' directly, and then we can work with 'The Tokyo Zodiac Murders'."

The collected volume will be released together!

"This bundled sales method should increase sales of 'Summer of the Ubume' by about 50,000 to 100,000 copies!"

Upon hearing Akimoto Naoki's words, Noma Genjiro shook his head vigorously: "There's no need to mention bundled sales, a promotional tactic that lacks any innovation."

"We don't even need to do this kind of promotion; the bookstore will handle the marketing activities on its own."

Noma Genjiro shifted his gaze to Mikoshiba Yasunori: "Yasunori, tell me your thoughts."

Upon hearing Noma Genjiro's words, Mikoshiba Yasunori pondered for a long time before slowly speaking, "As for publicity methods—"

Mikoshiba Yasunori looked at the title "Summer of the Ubume" and a smile appeared on his face: "Ubume—a yokai—"

"Although there are no real monsters in the story of 'Summer of the Ubume,' the Ubume has always been buried in people's hearts."

"President Noma, how about this?"

"We'll create a new genre for Ms. Maishiro's 'Summer of the Ubume,' different from all other mystery genres, and call it—'Monster Mystery'!"

Upon hearing Mikoshiba Yasunori's words, Noma Genjiro's eyes, which had been hidden deep within his flesh, flashed with a glint of light: "6"

"A mystery involving monsters?" While this seems like a scam, it sounds rather intriguing.

Noma Genjiro then turned to look at Uyama Hideomi beside him and asked, "Hideomi, what about you?"

"You were the one who discovered Teacher Wucheng, so logically you should be the one who knows Teacher Wucheng the best."

""

"Is there anything you'd like to say about promoting 'Summer of the Ubume'?"

After pondering for a moment, Hideomi Uyama pointed to the cover of the manuscript of "Summer of the Ubume" and said, "The conventional publicity methods have already been mentioned by Editor-in-Chief Akimoto and Department Head Mikoshiba. What I want to say is that we should put some effort into the cover."

"You should know that there are some very strange and terrifying scenes in the story of 'Summer of the Ubume'. These eerie scenes and terrifying atmosphere will make readers feel very immersed."

"Just like Minister Mikoshiba said, although there are no yokai involved, the yokai reside in people's hearts. Therefore, we can use the 'yokai mystery' premise to promote 'The Summer of the Ubume.'"

"On the other hand, we can also have the design department invite some talented illustrators to create cover art and illustrations for the story of 'The Summer of the Ubume'!"

In this way, it might not only attract readers who enjoy "classic mystery" stories, but also those who like folklore, supernatural elements, horror, thrillers, and "unconventional mystery" stories!

"If we combine these promotional methods together and promote the 'Monster Mystery' faction!"

'

"I believe this will definitely make Teacher Wucheng famous once again, and she will become a bestselling new author with sales consistently in the millions!"

Noma Genjiro touched his chin, his already small eyes narrowing into squinty ones: "Hinode's idea is quite good."

"Especially since Hideomi just mentioned folklore and the atmosphere of terror, it reminded me of someone."

"If—if I could get him to write a review for 'Summer of the Ubume,' I reckon it could boost sales by another 100,000 copies!"

Mikoshiba Yasunori, Akimoto Naoki, and Uyama Hideomi all widened their eyes upon hearing Noma Genjiro's words.

Because they simply couldn't figure out who Noma Genjiro was talking about.

"Among those still alive, who else possesses such strength?"

"Just one review? That's enough to increase sales of 'Summer of the Ubume' by 100,000 copies?"

Mikoshiba Yasunori frowned and asked in confusion.

Noma Genjiro snorted coldly: "Of course there are, and currently only he has such a powerful influence on 'The Summer of the Ubume'."

'

Calling him a living legend is no exaggeration!

Naoki Akimoto raised an eyebrow: "A living legend? President Noma, are you referring to Seicho Matsumoto?"

Noma Genjiro stood up, buttoned his suit jacket, and smiled. "Of course not. Although Matsumoto Seicho is also a living legend."

"But Matsumoto-sensei's comments couldn't have boosted the sales of 'Summer of the Ubume' by that much."

"Hinode, go and inform Maijo Kyosuke."

"Tell him to get ready immediately. I'm going to risk my father, Eiji Noma's, reputation to take Ms. Maishiro to meet that living legend in person!"