Tokyo Literary Godfather

Nanako Togata looked nervously at the TV screen, and when Kei Fujiwara appeared on the screen, she subconsciously clenched her fists.

Will "White Night Walk" win the Naoki Award?

She actually hoped that Sima Keita would win the award from the bottom of her heart, because she really liked this novel so much, and she herself was very attached to Sima Keita.

Thinking of this, she rubbed the "White Night Journey" on her lap, and suddenly opened the front, and there was a sentence on the title page:

"I wish you a happy life. Besides, you look better in person than on TV - Sima Guitai."

Seeing that sentence, Nanako Togata's cheeks flushed slightly, and she only saw this line of words after returning home. At that time, I was very pleasantly surprised, and even felt like a deer bumping around.

So he recognized me...

Togada Nanako had a sweet smile on her face, but as the sound from the TV came, she slightly suppressed her smile and stared at the TV screen with a serious expression.

"Thank you to all members of the media for coming, and thank you for your attention to the Akutagawa Prize and the Naoki Prize. It is because of your support that Japan's literary career can thrive to this day. Here, I would like to express my gratitude to you."

The first person to take the stage to deliver a speech was Hattori Junshan, Japan's most famous master of Honkoku reasoning, the king of bestsellers and the president of the Mystery Novel Association, with profound qualifications.

"I have been nominated for the Naoki Prize four times, and finally won the highest award for popular literature for the last time. Although in the first three times, after each failure, I would repeatedly emphasize to the media: The award is not important, I am here for the readers. For writing... But when I actually won the Naoki Prize, I suddenly changed my mind: the Naoki Prize is quite important for a writer, especially a popular novelist."

Laughter came from the audience, and the camera swept across Kei Fujiwara who was smiling, and Nanako Togata smiled subconsciously after seeing it.

"The Naoki Prize represents the recognition of a writer by the mainstream literary world. If you have ever won the Naoki Prize, then remember, maybe you will never be able to kiss the cheek of the goddess of art in your life, but it is true that at some point in your life Every moment, your fingertips have brushed the skirt of the goddess. And the moment you brush the skirt is also the moment when a writer awakens a moment of divinity."

There were bursts of applause from the audience.

"I have been a judge of the Naoki Prize. Oh, to be honest, being a judge is really a headache. Facing five masterpieces, I have to choose the most outstanding one. It is like facing five stunning beauties. In the end, you can only marry one.”

"Fortunately, I am not a judge this time. I am just acting as a sounding board, responsible for conveying the judges' opinions on the works. The name of the Naoki Award recipient is on the card in my hand. I haven't opened it yet. , so even I don't know his name now. As for Akutagawa Tour..."

Hattori Junshan paused for a moment, "This year's situation is quite special, so I would like Mr. Fujiwara to come on stage and explain in person."

As soon as the word Fujiwara was spoken, Fujiwara Kei was startled and subconsciously moved his buttocks. Itagaki Kazuhiko pressed his shoulder with quick eyes and hands, and said in a deep voice: "It's not you, it's Fujiwara Ryosaku."

Fujiwara Ryosaku is a well-known pure literature writer in Japan. He is over 70 this year, and he is also one of the judges of the Akutagawa Prize.

Ryosaku Fujiwara took the stage, took the microphone and said, "I'm sorry, no one has won the Akutagawa Award this year."

As soon as this remark came out, there was an uproar in the audience, and the cameras in the hands of the media reporters flickered non-stop.

"None of the shortlisted works this time has reached the level that can win the Akutagawa Prize. The other four judges and I do not want this Akutagawa Prize to be the worst one in history, so we collectively decided to make this Akutagawa Prize The Akutagawa Prize is empty round."

After all, Fujiwara Ryosaku bowed to the audience and walked to the audience.

The clever media reporters pointed their cameras at the five shortlisted authors. The five shortlisted authors for the Akutagawa Prize were all applauding stiffly, with awkward and helpless smiles on their faces.

"As expected of a national award... so strict..." Nanako Togata murmured.

"Don't be sad for the five. Losing the election is the only way for every writer to climb the tower of literature. You must know that I have been defeated four times! So don't be upset."

After briefly comforting the five unlucky ones, Hattori Junshan continued: "Okay, then I will announce the recipients of the Naoki Award, but before that, I have to take a look."

As he said that, Hattori Junshan made a slightly surprised expression, but 90% of it was pretending. Fujiwara Kei smiled, I have always heard that this Mr. Hattori is old, but has a funny personality, and he really lived up to his reputation when he saw it today.

He must have known the result already, a fool would believe that he only looked at the cards in his hand now.

But Nanako Togata believed it. She stared nervously at the TV screen, subconsciously chanting: Sima Guitai, Sima Guitai...

"This result is really surprising, but it's not because the work won the award, but because of the identity of the author..."

Hattori Junshan gave a slap in the face, and then glanced at the faces of the five shortlisted writers for the Naoki Award one by one: "The works that won this year's Naoki Award are—"

"Sima Guitai, "White Night Journey", congratulations."

Kei Fujiwara pursed his lips, he had expected various results in his heart, no matter whether he won or not, or all the members lost like the Akutagawa Award, so he didn't appear too surprised.

It seems that the situation in this world has changed... You must know that in the parallel world "White Night Walk" was unsuccessful, it was not until Keigo Higashino came up with the award harvester "The Devotion of Suspect X" that he won the Naoki Award in one fell swoop.

Itagaki Kazuhiko almost screamed out in excitement, and slapped Kei Fujiwara on the shoulder, asking him to quickly come to the stage to receive the award. The moment "Byakuya Go" was uttered, the eyes of Shimada sitting not far away were filled with excitement. The last bit of light was extinguished, and he leaned back on the chair with his eyes closed, as if he had fainted.

A trace of disappointment flashed across Ikema Watanabe's face, but he still politely extended his hand to Kei Fujiwara: "Teacher Keita Sima, congratulations."

"Thank you." Fujiwara Kei straightened his clothes and walked to the stage. Hattori Junshan said into the microphone: "Why am I surprised that "White Night Walk" was awarded? It is obviously such an excellent masterpiece. That is Because the author of "White Night Journey", Shima Keita, is only 23 years old this year, a graduate who has just left school. He broke the record of the youngest winner of the Naoki Prize at 24 years old. And this is his first work in his life, It’s really enviable.”

Before Kei Fujiwara took the stage, a staff member handed him a hardcover book of "White Night Walk" for display in front of media personnel.

Kei Fujiwara held "White Night Walk" with both hands on his chest, and the flashlights in the audience kept flashing. At this time, the staff thoughtfully moved a chair, and Kei Fujiwara sat down.

What follows will be a conversation lasting about an hour...probably answering questions from reporters and sharing creative experiences.

"Teacher Sima Guitai, when did you start writing novels?"

"Mr. Sima Guitai, why did you choose the genre of socialist novels?"

“Do you have anything to say to the readers?”

"Someone questioned that the tricks of "White Night Journey" are too simple and have lost the essence and charm of mystery novels. Do you have any reply?"

Most of the questions have actually been asked before...but just now Kei Fujiwara answered as a finalist, but now he has to answer as a recipient.

The flashing lights were too dazzling, and Kei Fujiwara's eyes couldn't take it anymore under the repeated bombing. Blinking uncontrollably, tears were also secreted. It's a pity that I don't have the ability of South Korean idols to not change their face in front of flashing lights.

Blinding flashing lights, aggressive questions...these two things can be uncomfortable for anyone. But if you want to reap fame and fortune, you have to endure even the most uncomfortable things.

Thinking of this, Kei Fujiwara opened his eyes, straightened his back, and answered the reporter's questions in an orderly manner.

At the same time, Nanako Togata rolled excitedly on the sofa in front of the TV.

"Great, Mr. Sima won the award! Long live "White Night Journey"!!!"