Tokyo Mystery Writers

The flashes from the cameras at the Dragon Show made it hard for Maijo Kyosuke to open his eyes.

As the applause subsided, the flashbulbs stopped flashing.

Seicho Matsumoto handed the microphone to Kyosuke Maishiro, clearly indicating that Maishiro was to give his acceptance speech.

In his previous life, Maijo Kyosuke was also a mystery novelist. He had won many awards, both big and small, thanks to his love for mystery novels, so he was not intimidated at all in front of nearly two thousand people.

Standing under the spotlight, feeling the admiring gazes of the newlyweds and the appreciative looks of his seniors, Jingjie Maishiro felt very satisfied. He immediately raised the Sherlock Holmes trophy and, in a charming tone, addressed the audience:

"My name is Maishiro Kyosuke. Seven days ago, I was living in Adachi Ward, in a dilapidated room, barely able to feed myself. Now, I'm standing here, a rising star in the world of mystery."

"Although I was very poor at that time, and sometimes I didn't know where my next meal would come from, at the worst time I even had to go to the supermarket's tasting area to make a living by tasting samples."

"Even so, I have never given up writing detective novels, because I know clearly that with my abilities, one day I will stand on this podium and become someone you admire and respect!"

Maijo Kyosuke's words surprised the audience.

Because most of the award recipients are humble and low-key.

They never expected that the seemingly refined and gentle Maishiro Kyosuke would show no humility whatsoever, but instead appear extremely arrogant!

Although romantic entanglements, harassment scandals, decadent private lives, arrogant personalities, and low moral character are very common among Japanese writers.

Many writers like to refer to these things as "the spirit of the literati".

However, this kind of "integrity" does not exist among mystery writers, because most mystery writers' works depict a society that is dirty, chaotic, and wretched.

Therefore, in fact, within the mystery writer community, there is almost a strong aversion to the so-called "literary integrity" and arrogant personality!

While the crowd below the stage was discussing the matter...

Maishiro Kyosuke glanced at the reactions of the crowd below the stage, a smile appearing on his face, and changed the subject back.

"When people hear what I say, they'll probably think, 'Wow! How can this guy be so arrogant? How can he be so shameless? How can someone so arrogant deserve to receive the Dragon Award?'"

Looking at the bewildered crowd below the stage, Maishiro Kyosuke continued:

"I believe there are quite a few people in the audience who share this thought, so let me answer your questions!"

"The reason I was able to receive the Dragon Award is because I knew clearly that I couldn't stand on this podium by my own strength alone."

"And the reason I can stand here today is mainly thanks to two people who appreciate me, admire me, are willing to work for me, and walk alongside me!"

"Although I don't know what efforts they made or how much they sacrificed behind the scenes, I know clearly that it is because of their existence that I, Maijo Kyosuke, can stand here today!!!"

Looking at the tearful Eri Ryu and Hideomi Uyama below the stage, Kyosuke Maishiro raised his hand, holding the trophy high:

"Mr. Yushan, Ms. Jiangliu, did you see that?"

"This trophy doesn't just belong to me, it belongs to you all too, because it's our shared trophy!"

"Now, I would like to invite both of you to come up on stage and share in today's glory with me!!!"

Kyosuke Maishiro's impassioned speech made everyone in the audience understand that he was repaying Hideomi Uyama and Misaki Eri in his own way for discovering, appreciating, and helping him.

Many of those present had participated in the Dragon Appreciation competition five days prior and witnessed Jiang Liumei's dashing demeanor on stage!

Naturally, I have great admiration for Jiang Liumei, the editor-in-chief of the magazine!

The audience erupted in enthusiastic applause once again!

Jiang Liumei and Yushan Richu stepped onto the stage amidst applause.

Hideomi Uyama has been working as an editor in the publishing department for fifteen years, during which time he has discovered countless new talents in the mystery genre and brought them into the industry.

Although none of these newcomers received the opportunity like Maijo Kyosuke, who was personally awarded by the grandmaster Matsumoto Seichō.

But no matter who wins the award, they thank their parents or their spouses, but not a single one thanks the editor, Hideomi Uyama, who discovered them.

Therefore, this is the first time in his fifteen years in the industry that Hideomi Uyama has been specifically thanked, and it is also the first time he has appeared at an awards ceremony!

Even though Hideomi Uyama was a grown man nearing forty, he was still moved to tears when Maijo Kyosuke called him onto the stage to share his joy amidst such enthusiastic applause!

Maijo Kyosuke only wanted to hug Uyama Hideomi, but as soon as Uyama Hideomi walked onto the stage, he gave him a solid bear hug!

The enormous impact caused Maijo Kyosuke's ribs to ache slightly!

Maijo Kyosuke rubbed his ribs. He had originally planned to have Uyama Hideomi say a few lines on set, but who knew that the old man would turn out to be such a snob!

As soon as he let go, he pulled out paper and pen from his pocket and ran to ask Matsumoto Seicho for an autograph!

Seeing this, Maijo Kyosuke looked at Jiang Liu Meili, who was wiping away tears with her fingers, and opened his arms to embrace her.

Jiang Liu Meili was naturally happy to see Mai Cheng Jingjie open his arms to her.

However, Jiang Liu Meili was worried that her intimate behavior with Mai Shiro Jingjie on stage would give the media a reason to make a big fuss.

Therefore, Jiang Liu Meili could only suppress the urge to hug Mai Shiro Kyosuke and took Mai Shiro Kyosuke's hand.

Maishiro Kyosuke was unaware that five days ago, Jiang Liu Meili had risked her career to confront the judges for his sake, nor did he understand Jiang Liu Meili's concerns, let alone that she was doing this for his future.

Seeing that Jiang Liu Meili was unwilling to hug him and instead held his hand so distantly, Mai Shiro Kyosuke's face showed a look of disappointment and pain.

But that's normal, isn't it?

Anyone who stumbles upon themselves having sex with Kyoko Mitsuki in a mixed-gender bath would feel like a fickle, promiscuous lecher.

Ming Shen Qingyin is one, as is Jiang Liu Meili.

Given such a coincidence, no one would believe themselves, right?

The complex expression on Maijo Kyosuke's face was all taken in by the perceptive Eri Ryumi.

This left Jiang Liu Meili feeling somewhat at a loss, because she clearly realized that although her actions just now wouldn't cause the media to make a big fuss, they had caused Mai Shiro Jingjie to misunderstand her!

But what should we do now? Explain it in front of so many people?

Should he let himself ruin the glorious moment that should have belonged to Maijo Kyosuke?

Jiang Liumei bit her lower lip and lowered her head, completely at a loss as to how to deal with what was happening.

Although Matsumoto Seicho was not present five days ago, he had heard from Miyoshi Tetsu that Eri Ryumi, like Suzue, had engaged in a fierce confrontation with the judges on behalf of Maishiro Kyosuke!

As the world's most brilliant social realist writer who depicts women, Seicho Matsumoto naturally understood Eri's complex love and knew even better why Eri was unwilling to publicly reveal her feelings for Kyosuke Maijo.

Seeing the disappointment in Maijo Kyosuke's eyes, Jiang Liu Meili hesitated to speak.

Matsumoto Seicho naturally wanted to separate the two temporarily to avoid misunderstandings and estrangement between them.

"Teacher Mai-shiro? Thank you, thank you."

"Why are you holding Miss Jiang Liu's hand and not letting go?"

Matsumoto Seicho, with a half-joking remark, separated the tightly clasped hands of Eri and Maishiro Kyosuke, then looked at Maishiro Kyosuke and asked:

"Mr. Wucheng, I heard that you wrote 'A Bellflower' in one night."

"Since Ms. Mai is a fast-paced writer, she must already have plans for a new book, right?"

Although Maijo Kyosuke didn't know why Matsumoto Seicho had suddenly jumped out, his sudden appearance saved him from his earlier loss of composure.

"As for the new book... I am indeed writing it, and it's already nearing completion."

Matsumoto Seicho originally only wanted to break the awkward situation between Maishiro Kyosuke and Eri Miri.

Unexpectedly, Maijo Kyosuke is actually writing a new book, and it's already nearing its end!

Even Matsumoto Seichō, who had created hundreds of works throughout his life, asked with some surprise:

"Ms. Mai, are you writing a novel or a short story?"

"Could you give everyone here a brief overview of the story?"

Upon hearing Matsumoto Seicho's words, Maijo Kyosuke's disappointment gradually transformed into a proud smile:

"Is it a long novel, or rather, a very long novel?"

"A story? It's a completely new mode of reasoning."

"It incorporates many novel ideas from folklore, psychology, psychology, neuroscience, and other fields."

"Although it may sound arrogant of me to say this."

"However, I can guarantee that my next work is a mystery novel that none of the writers here could write, nor have ever read before!"