Tokyo Literary Masters: Starting from the Late 1980s

"Something special?"

Upon hearing this, Sachiko Kamachi couldn't help but press for more information.

But Kitahara Iwa didn't continue. Instead, he put his index finger to his lips in a shushing gesture: "The rest is a trade secret. If I spoil it all now, you won't want to buy the book when it comes out."

Kitahara Iwa paused, then continued, "In short, this is a story about ethics, revenge, and... a desperate counterattack when faced with pure malice."

As Kitahara Iwa's words fell, Kamachi Sachiko felt a chill run down her spine and up her head, and goosebumps rose on her arms.

But at the same time, she was deeply attracted by this story, which was full of cruel beauty and tension.

In fact, the idea for the book "Confessions" came from Akina Nakamori, whom I just mentioned.

That foolish woman is currently being strangled by the scumbag Kondo Masahiko and the cold-blooded agency, much like the female teacher in the book who lost her beloved daughter but was unable to seek justice through the law.

They are both bound by rules and surrounded by malice.

At first, Kitahara Iwao only wanted to write a story from an observer's perspective to reflect the darkness of human nature.

But upon closer reflection, the novel "Confessions" might have a greater purpose.

It is a powerful medicine.

Kitahara Iwao wanted the songstress who would eventually despair and choose to commit suicide by cutting her wrists to see that when the world betrays you, when the law and rules can no longer protect you, there is actually another option besides self-destruction.

That means using a calm and ruthless approach to make those who hurt you pay the price they deserve.

……

Time flies like an arrow.

It's been a full month since our karaoke date in Roppongi.

Tokyo.

Kitahara Iwa sat at his desk in his apartment, beneath a priceless high-end leather office chair that had just been imported from Italy.

The coffee in my hand was replaced with freshly ground Blue Mountain coffee, and the air was filled with a rich aroma.

In the corner of the room, a brand-new Sony laser record player was spinning, playing soothing classical music.

With the arrival of his first huge royalty payment, Kitahara Iwao finally bid farewell to the dire situation he had been in four months ago, where he was writing just to survive.

At this time, Kitahara Iwao was no longer like he was when he wrote "The Ring," writing day and night on draft paper in his dilapidated apartment with red eyes.

The current Kitahara Iwa knows better how to enjoy life and how to control the rhythm of creation.

"call……"

Kitahara Iwa put down his Montblanc pen, looked at the dense text on the manuscript paper, and gently rubbed his temples.

The current progress of "Confession" is 40,000 words, which is still more than halfway to the planned 90,000 words.

This is not because Kitahara Iwa has become lazy, but because the psychological descriptions in this book, especially the first chapter, "The Cleric," are simply too oppressive and dark.

In order to perfectly recreate the extreme calm and madness of Yuko Moriguchi after her heart shattered by grief, Iwao Kitahara had to immerse himself completely in the inner world of the desperate mother while writing.

This thorough dissection of human nature is extremely taxing on the mind.

That's all for today.

Looking at the last sentence on the manuscript, a cold monologue about "mixing blood into milk," Kitahara Iwa decided to let go of himself and got up to go to the window for some fresh air.

Just then, the phone rang in the living room.

Kitahara Iwa walked over and answered, "Hello, who is this?"

"Brother Kitahara! It's me, Kume Hiroshi."

A signature energetic voice came through the receiver: "Did I disturb your rest this late? Have you been hiding at home counting royalties until your hands cramp up?"

"Mr. Kume is joking."

Kitahara Iwa responded with a smile, casually turning off the record player, and asked, "What, don't you need to prepare your script for tomorrow's live stream tonight?"

"That's all the work of my subordinates."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Kume Hiroshi's tone quickly became serious: "Actually, I have something to discuss with you tonight."

"Do you remember at the celebration party, I mentioned the screenwriter?"

Upon hearing this, Kitahara Iwa raised an eyebrow: "What, a TV station has come knocking on our door?"

"That's right, and it's Fuji Television, which is currently the most popular TV station."

At this moment, Kume Hiroshi's voice carried a hint of amusement: "Speaking of which, this matter is actually related to you."

"Ever since that night you pulled off the 30% miracle on News Station, and with The Ring going on like crazy, the entire television industry is now swept up in a horror craze because of you."

"The people at Fuji TV are the most shrewd. They saw the huge traffic behind this and want to ride your coattails."

Hiroshi Kume explained, "So they decided to launch an experimental program in the late-night slot, focusing on urban legends, thrillers, and suspense."

"The format is episodic, with each 30-minute episode telling an independent story."

"The current tentative title is 'A Strange Event'."

Upon hearing this name, Kitahara Iwa's hand gripping the microphone tightened slightly.

"Strange Events"?

If I remember correctly, although this program only aired for half a year, it was the predecessor of the national IP that dominated Japan for 30 years of the Heisei era and became the childhood nightmare of countless people - "Tales of the Unusual"!

The sunglasses-wearing uncle Tamori, the eerie background music, and those mind-blowing, chillingly unsettling episodes...

"I see."

Kitahara Iwa didn't show much surprise, but calmly asked in return, "So, what does Mr. Kume mean?"

"The director of this project is an old friend of mine, Masayuki Ochiai."

Kume Hiroshi sighed and explained, "But he's having a huge headache right now. Although the station has given him a slot, all the scripts he's receiving are garbage."

"The screenwriters nowadays are still stuck in the Showa era. They write either the old-fashioned female ghost in the rain or the kind of boring cause and effect retribution where you can even guess the ending."

"When Ochiai watched your Ring, he was immediately blown away. He yelled at me on the phone, saying that only you understand what modern horror is, what kind of chilling logic is."

At this point, Kume Hiroshi paused, his tone becoming somewhat hesitant and embarrassed as he said, "So he asked me to inquire whether it was possible to persuade you, a big shot, to write a couple of short scripts for this new program to tide us over?"

"After all, this is a new program for the late-night slot, and the budget is limited, so it certainly can't compare to a prime-time Taiga drama. The fee I'm giving you will probably be less than a fraction of the royalties from The Ring... I know this is a bit unreasonable... but..."

After the words were spoken, there was a brief silence on the other end of the phone.

Just as Kume Hiroshi thought Kitahara Iwa was complaining about the low pay and was about to smooth things over by saying, "If it's inconvenient, then forget it," Kitahara Iwa's voice came through the receiver clearly.

"I don't care about the royalties."

"But I'm very interested in the ideas behind this TV series."

"Why?"

Kume Hiroshi was taken aback for a moment, then quickly said, "This is just a new drama that hasn't even aired yet, Kitahara-kun, you think it's so good?"

Kitahara Iwao's voice came through the microphone with a sense of certainty: "Compared to those TV series that are bound by rules and regulations and have padded plots, these short and concise urban legends can accommodate the craziest ideas and the most extreme plot twists."

Kitahara Iwa looked out at the pitch-black night, his eyes gleaming.

He was acutely aware of the future value of this IP.

The reason why "Tales of the Unusual" has been able to dominate the world for the next thirty years is not because of its big productions or prime time slots, but because of its core creative ideas that are chilling upon closer examination.

More importantly, this is also a once-in-a-lifetime entry point.

In this money-obsessed era, Kitahara Iwao didn't want to be just a literary giant...

Taking advantage of this opportunity with Fuji TV, I can finally extend my reach into the world of fame and fortune in the film and television industry.

As long as we grasp the source of content, perhaps in the future, we can transform ourselves from a product being selected into the capital that sets the rules.

Thinking of this, Kitahara Iwao said, "Mr. Kume, please have Director Ochiai come to see me tomorrow."