I am a literary giant in Japan

Chapter 11 Ah, it turns out to be that guy

It was already 5:43 p.m. when Kitagawa Hide arrived at Kodansha.

After briefly greeting Hashimoto Yudai at the door, he headed straight for the building.

Rena Saito seemed to have been waiting downstairs for a long time. He felt a little embarrassed, but he tried his best.

In order to arrive quickly, he didn't even have time to change his clothes. He wore a security uniform and followed Saito Rena upstairs amid the strange looks of many white-collar workers who were off work.

All of Kodansha's contractual matters are handled by a dedicated contractual department, which is located on the third floor of the company.

When he arrived at the third floor, Kitagawa Hide found that the entire floor was filled with small cubicle reception rooms separated by simple baffles, similar to the large job fair that college students went to in the film and television drama "Hanzawa Naoki".

Reina Saito placed him in one of the cubicles and turned to find the employee who was in charge of the contract signing business.

After a while, two enthusiastic employees, a man and a woman, dressed in neat uniforms, walked towards him.

The two men exchanged a few brief pleasantries with Kitagawa Hide, politely asked him to sit down, and then handed him a thick contract.

Japan attaches great importance to the spirit of contracts. Even contracts that are more form than substance are made very formal, with many details written out word for word.

One of the two people responsible for the signing reception was an employee who specifically answered Kitagawa Hide's questions related to the contract.

Although it was just a formal contract, Kodansha put in a lot of effort and it was full of ceremonial sense, giving Kitagawa Hide the illusion that he would become a great writer just by signing.

After reading it carefully, Kitagawa Hide's eyes fell on the signing fee column.

The guide immediately explained that this was an extra benefit that Reina Saito had fought for him.

Generally, new writers do not receive any signing fee when signing a contract.

It’s not a lot of money, just 10 yen.

But for Kitagawa Hide now, it is like a timely help, it seems that he has followed the right person.

He signed his name readily, and then filled in his personal information such as name, age, address, etc.

After the contract was successfully signed, two staff members stood up and shook hands with him warmly, and then informed him that the signing fee would be transferred to his bank account within three working days.

Walking out of the cubicle, Saito Rena, who was waiting outside, came over with a smile. This time she stretched out her hand and shook hands lightly with Kitagawa Hide.

"Congratulations, Mr. Kitagawa." Saito Reina said with a smile as she led him out, "Your manuscript has also been successfully shortlisted."

"Thank you so much, Mr. Saito." Kitagawa Hide felt relieved. If he had not been shortlisted through internal recommendation, the 10 yen signing fee would not be worth it.

Fortunately, Rena Saito is very supportive.

"You're welcome. The reason you were able to pass the review is that your novel is good enough." Saito Reina smiled politely, and the twin ponytails behind her head swung back and forth, gently hitting her perky buttocks. "By the way, do you want to go for a drink together tonight?"

It is rare for editors to take the initiative to invite authors.

If the two genders were swapped, Kitagawa Hide's first reaction would be that the editor was trying to take advantage of me.

But this is obviously not the case now.

In fact, from the moment they met, he noticed that there was a hint of sadness on Saito Rena's face.

It seems that although the result of this internal recommendation is good, the process is rather tortuous, and there may be some secrets that need to be revealed in person.

The two took the elevator to the lobby on the first floor. Kitagawa Hidemasa was about to agree, but a voice suddenly came from the elevator on the other side: "Editor Saito, is this the new writer you risked your career to recommend? She's actually a security guard?"

The man's voice was calm and steady, but the sneer between the lines was almost bursting out.

The short and fat An Yuanxian stood with his hands behind his back, and next to him stood Tanaka Aoi, who looked surprised.

Kitagawa Hide recognized this woman at a glance. Wasn't she the strange girl who had inexplicably shown disgust to him in the morning?

The world is really small sometimes.

Saito Reina's expression changed slightly, but she still bowed respectfully to the short and fat man: "Yes, Deputy Editor-in-Chief Yasuhara."

"Good evening, Mr. Saito." Although Tanaka Aoi didn't want to see Kitagawa Hide's face, things had come to this point, so she could only say hello first and then respond accordingly.

She had just heard about Kitagawa Hide from An Yuanxian.

It turned out that Rena Saito was really desperate and just tried every possible means. She just found a manuscript handed by the security guard and submitted it internally.

No wonder Editor-in-Chief Muramatsu and others were so hesitant at the editorial meeting.

Yes, if word gets out and colleagues know that a security guard was shortlisted for the Group Portrait Newcomer Award, wouldn't people laugh their heads off?
When she heard that the author recommended by Saito Rena was a security guard, Tanaka Aoi subconsciously thought of Kitagawa Hide, and she didn't expect it was really him!

Wow, there really is some way!

How could he hook up with Saito Reina and have her willingly help him with internal referrals?

But it’s better this way, it’s better than having to pester me.

If he really wants to use this as a springboard to come back to me, I also have a way to ruin his reputation.

Of course, the best outcome would be for him and Rena Saito to become the laughing stock of the editorial department, and then both be fired.

What Tanaka Aoi is most worried about now is that Kitagawa Hide will suddenly say something stupid like he is her ex-boyfriend or that he has slept with her. After all, he has done this many times before.

Fortunately, it seems he has no intention of doing so.

And it seemed that in order to hide it from Rena Saito, he simply pretended not to know her.

On the other side, Yasuhara Kensho was teaching Saito Rena in the tone of a senior, and the latter had no choice but to obey.

In the Japanese workplace, it is very common for senior employees to teach new employees a lesson, and no one has any objection to it.

Kitagawa Hide originally wanted to stand up and support his immediate superior, but when he thought about his current identity, the other party's identity, and the current situation, he held back.

If I rush out to talk at this time, it will most likely only cause trouble for Saito Rena.

In the Japanese publishing industry, without solid works and strength, you have no status and human rights, and no one will listen to what you say.

On the contrary, if you become a great writer or even a literary giant, even if you fart, countless people from all over Japan will come to breathe it in, and they are afraid that they will be too slow to catch the first breath!
Kitagawa Hide, who found the discussion a bit boring, began to think about how to spend the 10 yen more appropriately. Maybe he should improve the quality of Pete's cat food?
If it stops shedding, you can hold it in your bed to warm it.

Or maybe buy a little gift for my wife Yumeko and then try to take it a step further?
No, no.

If this were a game, Agatsuma Yumeko's favorability would obviously have reached the level where she could engage in "real behavior".

Now he was just one step away from the final shot, but he obviously didn't find the ball, not because his skills were bad.

As I was thinking about all this, my thoughts were suddenly interrupted by An Yuanxian's words.

".Forget it, it doesn't matter. Our judging committee has basically finished reading Otsutake-san's "The Residual Epidemic". To be honest, in previous years, this quality would have been enough to win an award. Just give up this year."

Yasuhara Ken patted Saito Reina's shoulder meaningfully.

"Then we'll leave first. If you want to reconsider the job transfer I mentioned earlier, you can always come to me. The editorial department has more than just the one position."

"Working hard is a good thing, but you have to work in the right direction, right?" Then, without waiting for Saito Rena to answer, Yasuhara Akira left with Tanaka Aoi.

After the two left, Saito Reina was obviously relieved. She forced a smile and walked out with Kitagawa Hide: "Sorry, I made you laugh."

"This deputy editor-in-chief Yasuhara doesn't seem to like us very much." Kitagawa Hide shrugged. When the deputy editor-in-chief scolded Saito Rena just now, he obviously had very strong personal emotions. The two must not get along well at work.

Considering the sad look on her face when they met tonight and her invitation to have a drink, Kitagawa Hide probably guessed what she would talk about that evening.

The internal recommendation is not going smoothly. Is it that someone big shot at the deputy editor-in-chief level is obstructing it?
This is really a bad thing.

However, this is consistent with the information Kitagawa Hide got from the security guards. Saito Rena is not welcome in the editorial department, her performance is poor, and she is indeed on the edge of a cliff.

For Kitagawa Hide, such an editor who is in urgent need of performance is much better than those old editors who have no shortage of authors.

After all, even good wine needs to be hidden if it is not well known.

Unfortunately, the uncles’ intelligence capabilities are limited and they are unable to provide detailed information about people at the deputy editor-in-chief’s level.

"It's not that I don't like you. It's a long story." Saito Reina's ability to withstand pressure has been maxed out after a year of hard work, and she quickly adjusted her mindset. "I know there's an izakaya nearby that tastes pretty good. How about we eat and chat?"

"With pleasure." Kitagawa Hide nodded.

"Your fried udon with miso soup is ready, please enjoy." The izakaya owner came over with a steaming plate.

Looking at the colorful noodles on the plate, Kitagawa Hide suddenly felt so moved that he cried.

It's been half a month.

In order to save money, he hardly had a hot dinner.

I was really hungry, so I boiled some instant noodles to satisfy my hunger. They were the cheapest kind of expiring food in the convenience store, and they were buy one get one free.

The two of them had just eaten a round of grilled chicken skewers and beer. Saito Rena was feeling upset and had no appetite. She was mostly talking about things they should pay attention to when getting along with each other in the future, and the problems they would encounter after being shortlisted.

Later on, she talked about a lot of details about the work, and when she came to her senses, she smiled embarrassedly.

I seem to have said too much.

Every time I see Kitagawa Hide’s face and think of his poem “Hear the Wind Sing”, I subconsciously feel that he understands me and understands the workplace dilemmas, loneliness and confusion faced by this group of “baby boomers”.

Noticing that he was a little hungry, Rena Saito considerately ordered some udon noodles for him, so they could chat for a while.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Saito." Kitagawa Hide slurped his udon noodles and said sincerely, "I haven't had a hot dinner for a long time."

When it comes to playing the victim, Kitagawa Hide has never been embarrassed.

Only the crying child gets the milk!
"Oh, this." Saito Rena was surprised because she saw Kitagawa Hide writing the manuscript by hand and the manuscript paper was of very low-quality quality, so she guessed that his financial situation was not very good.

Since you've staked your career on it, you might as well get more benefits for him!

With this idea in mind, Saito Rena helped Kitagawa Hide to get a signing fee.

But she didn't expect that Kitagawa Hide was already in such a predicament.

No wonder the security uniforms on his body have become a little white after washing.

"Because of various things, my financial situation was very bad before. Anyway, I am very grateful for your help, Mr. Saito." Kitagawa Hide stood up and bowed slightly, and Saito Rena quickly stood up to return the greeting.

"By the way, could you please share some information about that Otomu-san?"

After asking this question, Kitagawa Hide felt that this question was too simple and crude. He paused and added,
"I'm sorry, Mr. Saito. I didn't mean to pry into other writers' privacy, but he looks a lot like a friend I know."

Friends are fake, impressions are real.

I heard a lot from Saito Rena while we were having dinner just now. Although she didn't explain it in detail, based on the information I have, I can piece it together to say that Saito Rena was backstabbed by her author.

Deputy Editor-in-Chief Yasuhara, who was aggressive before coming out, was probably one of the instigators of the backstabbing incident, and his target was the young body of his immediate superior.

Hey, the academic circle’s tricks apply to every circle, right?

What Kitagawa Hide was more concerned about during the whole incident was the name, Otaku Yomiuri. If that was really the writer, then his psychological pressure would be much less.

"The information I can tell you is that Otomu-san was born with four limbs amputated, but she is very inspiring."

Saito Reina didn't dare to give too many details and could only talk about the most basic ones.

After listening briefly, Kitagawa Hide just finished eating the udon noodles, wiped his mouth and breathed a sigh of relief.

Ah, so it's that guy.

Although he was born with a handicapped body, he was able to be admitted to Waseda University despite his limited mobility.

I have been submitting my works but they have always been rejected, and I have always been a stranger to major newcomer awards.

But in 1997, he inspired many people with his self-published autobiographical novel "Five Bodies Are Not Satisfied".

Unexpectedly, after becoming famous, Okatake Yomiuri revealed on a variety show that he had cheated on five women while married, and was mocked by netizens for being "genitally satisfied."

In response to this, his wife Renmei issued a statement saying that "she is also responsible for her husband's infidelity" and that this happened because she did not take good care of her husband.

This sounds outrageous, and his wife's behavior is even more shocking, but it is very normal in the Japanese literary world.

Who made Japanese writers known as national teachers and have such an outrageously high social status?
Shortly after that show, Japanese media revealed that Okamoto Yomiuri might have had affairs with not just 5 people, but "10 times" as many as 50 people!
Not only that, later on, Okamoto Yomiuri stopped pretending and simply divorced his wife and lived with a mixed-race beauty.

When asked whether he would marry this mixed-race beauty, he smiled and said nothing.

This guy is totally sucks.

Putting aside his personal conduct, his writing ability is also very poor. His only famous novel is his autobiography, which mainly relies on marketing by selling misery and the gimmick of "incomplete limbs".

His real writing ability can be seen from the fact that he has been repeatedly rejected from major newcomer awards.

Seeing Kitagawa Hide's expression changing all the time, Saito Reina, who stood up to pay the bill, felt sorry. She couldn't stop talking after drinking some beer tonight, and she must have put too much pressure on him.

Yomiuri Okata's novels are very well written and are favored by the editorial department. He can almost be said to be the designated winner of this Newcomer Award.

In comparison, Kitagawa Hide looks like a child born by a stepmother.

It's really unfair for him to compete with such an opponent before he even makes his debut.

I am still putting pressure on him at this time.
"Mr. Kitagawa, it's normal that you didn't win the award this time. It's amazing that a newcomer can be shortlisted for his first article!" Saito Rena felt that he should be encouraged.

Kitagawa Hide said "Huh?" and then smiled: "Thank you Mr. Saito for your hospitality tonight. And for the signing fee, I haven't had the chance to thank you. This meal today should have been my treat."

"Anyway, due to a lot of messy reasons, I can't express my gratitude to you better. But don't worry, I think if the opponent is that Okatake Yomiuri, there will be no problem in winning the award."

"I have confidence in myself!"

(End of this chapter)