Tokyo Mystery Writers

Chapter 130 The Romance of Flying to the Sky

October 22, 1980, 1 PM.

Maijo Kyosuke lay calmly, like a corpse, on the large bed in the No. 8 VIP suite on the third floor of the "Longevity Bath".

The two-day book signing event nearly took my life.

The once energetic Maishiro Kyosuke now didn't even want to touch a pen, and just wanted to lie quietly in bed and while away the time.

Unfortunately, the road to becoming a literary giant is destined to be full of thorns.

Just as Maishiro Kyosuke was relaxing and feeling a little sleepy, the phone rang suddenly, like a deadly curse.

"Ding! Ding! Ding!"

Hearing the annoying phone ring, Maijo Kyosuke took a deep breath, reluctantly rolled off the bed to the headboard, and answered the phone that was fixed to the headboard.

"Hello, I am Maishiro Kyosuke."

"Please don't speak yet, you on the other end of the phone."

"Let me guess, are you Mr. Yushan? Or Ms. Jiangliu?"

Maishiro Kyosuke glanced at his watch; the hands were pointing to four o'clock. "If I'm not mistaken, Ms. Jiang Liu should still be in the magazine department dealing with those piles of manuscripts at this time, so you must be Mr. Yu Shan, right?"

Upon hearing Maishiro Kyosuke's words, Uyama Hideomi, who was on the other end of the phone, laughed with some relief: "As expected of Maishiro-sensei, who can write a masterpiece of logic like 'The Mystery of the Death Row Inmate,' he can even deduce who called you."

"But since you enjoy deduction so much, Mr. Mai, why don't you try deducing it again? What's the purpose of my call?"

Maijo Kyosuke lay back on the bed, straightening the bent telephone cord, and continued, "It's only four o'clock in the afternoon, and there are still two hours until the book signing at six o'clock today. So it's obvious that Mr. Uyama, your call for me has nothing to do with the book signing."

"Mr. Yushan enjoys drinking, but he drinks mostly after 6 p.m.

"Based on the average duration of our previous three drinking sessions, each session lasted no less than four hours."

"If you ask me to have a drink now, it will definitely affect the book signing event at 6 pm today, so Mr. Yushan is definitely not here to ask me to have a drink."

"After ruling out these two options, and considering that I handed over the manuscript of 'Summer of the Ubume' to Mr. Yushan the day before yesterday."

"So, I guess—Mr. Yushan called me to tell me about something related to the publication of 'The Summer of the Ubume'."

After a brief silence on the other end of the phone, Uyama Hideomi laughed heartily and said, "You guessed right."

"I just met with President Noma, Department Head Mikoshiba, and Editor-in-Chief Akimoto in the president's office to develop a detailed promotional plan for your novel, 'Summer of the Ubume,' sir."

"We plan to use a completely new genre, 'Yokai Mystery,' as our main promotional focus."

"Although this title feels somewhat fraudulent, the gimmick of 'Master of Yokai Mystery' still sounds quite intriguing."

"Moreover, and most importantly, only Ms. Mai Cheng could write a book like 'Summer of the Ubume.' After all, it's a book that no one has ever read or heard of, and no one else can imitate its style!"

"I've already thought of the promotional slogans for Teacher Wucheng!"

"Let's use a line from Kyogoku-do, the exorcist and famous detective from Maijo-sensei's work."

"Only things that should exist will exist in this world, and only things that should happen will happen!"

With a hint of excitement in his voice, Uyama Hideomi continued before Maishiro Kyosuke could speak, "Mashiro-sensei, as you know, President Noma really likes you. Although he likes your money-making ability, that's not important."

"The important thing is that President Noma wants your 'Summer of the Ubume' to sell better, and also wants you, Mr. Maishiro, to join the ranks of million-selling authors."

"President Noma is prepared to disregard the reputation of the former president, Mr. Eiji Noma, and take you to meet someone!"

"In President Noma's words, just one simple comment from this person could increase the sales of 'Summer of the Ubume' by 100,000 copies!"

Upon hearing what Hideomi Uyama said, Kyosuke Maijo sat up abruptly in bed, a look of curiosity in his eyes: "Who could have such a huge influence? A single comment could increase the sales of 'Summer of the Ubume' by 100,000 copies?"

Hearing the change in Maishiro Kyosuke's tone, Uyama Hideomi deliberately kept him in suspense: "Of course this person has such a great influence; after all, President Noma called him a living legend!"

"Mr. Mai, can you guess who he is this time?"

"I guarantee you'll never guess!"

Maijo Kyosuke pondered for a moment, then a knowing smile appeared on his face: "First of all, to be called a living legend by President Noma means that this person's status in the mystery genre is definitely not low; at the very least, he's someone who will be remembered in the history of Japanese mystery fiction."

"Then it's quite obvious that this includes 'the father of social mystery' Seicho Matsumoto, and 'the three giants of social mystery' Tsutomu Mizukami, Seiichi Morimura, and Kazuo Shimada."

"And the grandmaster of classic mystery, Seishi Yokomizo; and the three giants of classic mystery: Takao Tsuchiya, Akimitsu Takagi, and Tetsuya Namikawa."

"And there are also the versatile teachers like Futaro Yamada, Shunchen Chen, and Tetsu Miyoshi."

"These eleven people are almost all still alive and capable of making their mark on the history of detective fiction."

"Since President Noma said that we need to risk the reputation of former president Eiji Noma, then this person must be quite old, at least of the same generation as Eiji Noma."

"Therefore, we should first exclude Professor Seiichi Morimura in 1933, Professor Toru Miyoshi in 1931, Professor Shunchen Chen in 1924, Professor Futaro Yamada in 1922, Professor Akimitsu Takagi in 1920, and Professor Seiichi Morimura in 1919."

Teachers like Tsutomu Mizukami (1968), Tetsuya Namikawa (1969), and Takao Tsuchiya (1917).

"After eliminating eight people, only Mr. Seicho Matsumoto, Mr. Kazuo Shimada, and Mr. Seishi Yokomizo remain."

"Before this, I had already met Professor Seicho Matsumoto and Professor Kazuo Shimada, which shows that Professor Seicho Matsumoto and Professor Kazuo Shimada are not that difficult to meet."

"Adding to the previous Edogawa Ranpo's Dragon Award win, almost everyone in the Japanese mystery fiction circle came, except for the grandmaster of orthodox mystery fiction." So it's quite obvious that the person President Noma wanted to take me to meet was probably Yokomizo Seishi, right?

"If—this chain of logic is not entirely rigorous, there is another clue that can corroborate it."

"President Noma said that this living legend" was able to increase the sales of "The Summer of the Ubume" by 100,000 copies with just one comment.

"Then it's quite obvious that the writing style of this 'living myth' is similar to that of my 'Summer of the Ubume'."

"Since both Seicho Matsumoto and Kazuo Shimada are representative figures of the 'social realism' school of mystery, it means that this living legend 'should belong to the orthodox school of mystery,' so naturally, this person is Seishi Yokomizo!"

On the phone, Hideomi Uyama listened to Kyosuke Maishiro's meticulous analysis and remained silent for a full two minutes.

It wasn't until Maishiro Kyosuke thought that Uyama Hideomi had hung up the phone that Uyama Hideomi said in a helpless tone, "Playing logic games with a mystery writer like Maishiro-sensei is just asking for trouble."

"However, Mr. Maishiro, you were right."

"The person President Noma wants to introduce you to is Professor Seishi Yokomizo, who is still receiving treatment in the hospital."

"Anyway, Ms. Mai, please get ready. I'll come pick you up in a bit. We can discuss the details when we meet."

Just before hanging up, Hideomi Uyama added, "By the way, Mr. Maishiro, I have some good news to tell you. Because I need to meet with Mr. Seishi Yokomizo today, your autograph session has been canceled and will be held tomorrow."

When Maijo Kyosuke heard that the autograph session was canceled, he felt an indescribable sense of joy.

The fact that he would soon be meeting the "master of classic mystery fiction," Seishi Yokomizo, made him even happier.

After hanging up the phone, Jingjie Maishiro took a shower in his room.

He then changed his clothes, eagerly anticipating today's important meeting.

Oncology Hospital, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo.

Following Noma Genjiro, Maijo Kyosuke and Uyama Hideomi arrived by car at the hospital where Yokomizo Seishi was located.

Led by a grieving family member, Maijo Kyosuke, Noma Genjiro, and Uyama Hideomi entered the hospital's intensive care unit.

An elderly man with thinning hair, a gaunt figure, and dull eyes, lying on a hospital bed wearing an oxygen mask, appeared before Maishiro Kyosuke.

Although Noma Genjiro had already given Maijo Kyosuke a heads-up before they came.

Inform Maishiro Kyosuke that Yokomizo Seishi's condition is not optimistic, and tell Maishiro Kyosuke to prepare himself mentally in advance.

But when Maijo Kyosuke actually saw Yokomizo Seishi, who looked like he was about to die.

Maijo Kyosuke still couldn't believe that this top "master of orthodox mystery" in the Japanese mystery world had become like this.

Noma Genjiro placed the gifts he was carrying on the table and said with a smile, "Uncle Yokomizo, I am Genjiro, the second son of the Noma family. I have brought gifts to see you."

Noma Genjiro clearly had a close personal relationship with Yokomizo Seishi, and he changed his address for Yokomizo Seishi from "teacher" to "uncle".

Upon hearing Noma Genjiro's words, Yokomizo Seishi regained some clarity in his cloudy eyes. With his wrinkled hands, he pulled off the oxygen mask from his face and looked at Noma Genjiro, saying in a hoarse voice, "It's Genjiro. It's been half a year. You big fat boy, how come you've gotten even stronger?"

Yokomizo Seishi put on an oxygen mask, took a breath of oxygen, and looked at the valuable gifts on the table. He had a smile on his face, but he couldn't quite manage it: "You big fat boy, you're just like your old man Eiji. You're the kind of person who doesn't come to the temple without a reason. You brought so many gifts to see me. You must have some bad intentions."

"Tell me—what brings you to this old man this time?"

Hearing Yokomizo Seishi's words, Noma Genjiro remained unfazed, chuckling dryly as if he were already used to Yokomizo's sarcastic remarks about his father: "Uncle Yokomizo, you truly understand the Noma family's traditions, having watched me grow up!"

"I did come to see you on important business, but—that doesn't stop me from coming to see you, Uncle!"

Yokomizo Seishi, while inhaling oxygen, showed a hint of disdain on his face, but his eyes still held a doting affection for his junior. These subtle actions all indicated that Yokomizo Seishi and the Noma family had a close relationship.

Noma Genjiro chuckled and slapped Maijo Kyosuke's shoulder hard with his chubby hands, introducing him to Yokomizo Seishi: "Uncle Yokomizo, I don't know if you've been paying attention to the mystery genre lately, but judging from your current state, you probably don't have time to care about these things."

"So, please allow me to introduce myself first."

"This is none other than the genius mystery writer, Kyosuke Maijo, whom Kodansha recently recruited."

"Don't let his young age fool you; he's only in his early twenties. He's incredibly talented. Not only did he write 'The Astrological Murder Mystery,' which is described as a celestial riddle with a celestial solution,' but he also penned 'A Bellflower,' a stunning work that repackages an old trick!"

"One of these two works is comparable to your 'Gokumon Island,' while the other completely surpasses Mr. Osaka Keikichi's work. You are truly rare talents!"

"When we were chatting yesterday, Kyosuke Maijo said that he has always admired you, Uncle, and would like to meet you. It would be great if you could write a review of his new work, 'Summer of the Ubume' —"

Upon hearing Noma Genjiro's words, Yokomizo Seishi's previously cloudy eyes slowly began to light up.

However, the light was not directed at Noma Genjiro, but at Maijo Kyosuke.

Seeing this, Noma Genjiro gave Maijo Kyosuke a hard push from behind, clearly trying to help Maijo Kyosuke and Yokomizo Seishi close the distance between them.

Maijo Kyosuke did not disappoint Noma Genjiro. Following the force of Noma Genjiro's push, he directly grasped Yokomizo Seishi's hand, his eyes revealing admiration.

Before Maishiro Kyosuke could utter his prepared words, Yokomizo Seishi removed his oxygen mask, looked at Maishiro Kyosuke, and said, "Maishiro Kyosuke—you are the new writer who won the Edogawa Ranpo Dragon Prize and dared to challenge all of Japan's mystery writers?"

"Did you write 'A Bellflower' and 'The Astrological Murders'?"

Maijo Kyosuke nodded upon hearing Yokomizo Seishi's words.

Then, a hoarse laugh was heard coming from Yokomizo Seishi's withered body.

Seishi Yokomizo grabbed Kyosuke Maijo's hand with one hand and patted the back of Maijo's hand repeatedly with the other, as if he had found a kindred spirit: "Good! Good! I know about your two mystery novels, one long and one short!"

"Excellent! It truly embodies the spirit of classic mystery!"

"Just like the declaration I made when I was young, the future of classic mystery novels should leave the ground and fly into the sky!"

"How romantic it would be to let mystery novels soar into the sky!"

Unfortunately, I can't do it.

"But you—Kyosuke Maijo—you did it!"

"The astonishing plot and unbelievable solutions in 'The Astrological Murder Case' gave me a sense of soaring through the skies!"

Seishi Yokomizo's love for classic mystery is clearly deep-seated.

Even though his body had reached its limit, he still cared about the future of classic mystery.

She was unwilling to let go of Maijo Kyosuke's hand.

These subtle actions all point to one thing.

Seishi Yokomizo had a very high opinion of Kyosuke Maijo!

Furthermore, I believe that Kyosuke Maijo is qualified and capable of carrying the banner of "orthodox mystery"!

>