The lonely Hikigaya Hachiman wants to become the king of mystery novels

Hikigaya Hachiman does not intend to serialize the content of the last two chapters. The first four chapters are undoubtedly exciting enough, and the fifth and sixth chapters will be directly put into the published book.Want to know what happened next?Please buy "Confession", thank you, meow.

This is not a despicable business method. Rather, isn't this the point of magazine serialization? Just like a singer always releases a few songs before releasing an entire album, consumers need to have a preliminary Only by making good judgment can you firmly decide whether to pay or not.

...... ......

Mr. Ryutaro, a 63-year-old literary giant, is reviewing the submissions for the "All Readings" Newcomer Award at home. He is the current chief judge of the "All Readings" Newcomer Award.Having written numerous books and read countless articles throughout his life, he naturally would not be impatient because of the uneven quality of submissions.But I couldn’t stand it, and the editorial department would urge me from time to time. After all, there were more than 2000 submissions of at least [-] words, and the work was really heavy. As the writer with the most important opinions on the jury, Mr. Ryutaro’s evaluation can largely determine the work. life and death.

"What a delicate brushstroke, but underneath this delicacy, there is a ruthlessness that is rational to the extreme."

This is a comment written by Mr. Ryutaro after the contribution of this article titled "Confession".

"It's incredible. As a mystery novel, it not only does its job very well, but it is also remarkable in terms of literary quality. I have to give Arisukawa a call."

Arisukawa is a famous mystery writer. Since a large number of mystery novels are submitted for the "All Readings" Newcomer Award every year, a mystery novelist needs to be among the judges. This year, he was invited to be a judge for the "All Readings" Newcomer Award for the first time.

"The person you dialed is currently on a call..."

"This Arisukawa, what are you busy with?"

Mr. Ryutaro, who didn't answer the phone, muttered.But soon, his cell phone rang, and the caller was Arisukawa.

"Finally the call got through. Hey, Ryutaro, aren't you busy? The line I just called you was busy."

"I was just calling you."

"Hahaha, we really have a good understanding of each other. Let's not talk about this anymore. I'm just reading the submissions for the Newcomer Award. This is really a good mystery novel. It should be the highest quality among this year's batch. I Let me tell you..."

Arisugawa kept chattering, but Mr. Ryutaro was already eager to confirm the answer.

"Oh, I haven't told you my name for a long time. This submission is called..."

"'Confession'?"

"Yes, yes, yes, Ryutaro, how did you know? Did you also see this?"

"What if I said, I made the call also for this submission?"

From this moment on, the winner of this year’s Newcomer Award seems to be a certainty.

Chapter 6 Hikigaya Hachiman is about to get on the right track

The scorching sun in Chiba in September has not faded away, and Hikigaya Hachiman is also in a very anxious mood.

"I hate waiting the most."

He said so.

Hikigaya Hachiman is very confident in the completion quality of the first volume of "Confessions".Although there is also the possibility that a strong man will suddenly appear from among the competitors in the same year and take away his rookie award. Even if this happens, it is a certainty that "Confession" will win the alternate spot.

There are more than 2000 submissions for the "all Readings" Newcomer Award every year. There is only one winning work and a bonus of 50 yen. The number of candidate works is generally less than five. These works will be selected in the "all Readings" on October 22 every year. Published in the November issue of "Readings".

Hikigaya Hachiman was not completely unacceptable after receiving the waiting list, but the loss of 50 yen in bonuses made him feel a little sad. He was also counting on the money to buy a good typewriter.

"Hikigaya-san, zaima? Are you free tomorrow?"

Hikigaya Hachiman was in a daze when his attention was attracted by a sudden email on his mobile phone. The sender turned out to be Kaori Orimoto, whom he had not communicated with for a long time.

"What does she want to do, go on a date?"

Hikigaya Hachiman is very strange. Now she is not very interested in folding books or even the opposite sex. He just wants to write (move) books and socializing is a hindrance.

"I've actually been quite busy lately. What can I do, Orimoto-san?"

Now it only takes more than ten seconds for Hikigaya Hachiman to reply to Orimoto Kaori's email.

Soon, Orimoto-san’s reply came again.

"Well, it's nothing serious. A few friends and I didn't do very well in Chinese language classes. We plan to have a study session tomorrow and Saturday. I want you to tutor us... Since you're not free, forget it. .”

"Okay, let's talk about it later. Good night Orimoto-san."

Hikigaya Hachiman didn't want to have too much communication and just said good night.

This little episode didn't draw Hikigaya Hachiman's attention too much.

...... ......

Editorial Department of "all readings" published by Bungeishunqiu Publishing House, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

"Because there are quite a lot of submissions for this year's Newcomer Awards, several judges spent a long time reviewing them. Now that the results have been confirmed and will be published on October 22, we only have more than half a month left to work with them. Awarded and candidate authors sign contracts and discuss future related cooperation matters.”

Things sounded urgent, but Matsui Koichi's voice sounded unhurried.He is the current editor-in-chief of "All Readings". This time, he called several editors from the magazine together for a meeting to arrange matters related to the newcomer award.

"Qianxun" two five five five nine five three zero

"This year's situation is quite special. Several judges rarely voted unanimously for this mystery novel called "Confession." I also think this is a rare masterpiece among the works that have been awarded in recent years. Editor Imamura?"

"Yes!"

Naho Imamura stood up immediately when her name was called. She is the new editor of "All Readings" magazine this year. She is responsible for connecting mystery novel writers. She is also the only editor in the entire publishing house who is under 30 years old.

"You are responsible for connecting with Mr. Hachiman. After discussing with the judges, I believe that this "Confession" has great potential for follow-up. If the standard of submission of this chapter can be maintained, it may become a classic. Our "all reading" "Magazine has provided many excellent mystery novels to Literary Spring and Autumn, and now this task is left to you."

"I understand, editor-in-chief, I will start contacting you as soon as possible."

Naho Imamura took the file bag containing a copy of "Confessions" and returned to her workstation to start reading it carefully.

Naho Imamura, who just became the editor of "All Reading" magazine at the beginning of this year, is an avid fan of mystery novels. When she was in college, she also wanted to be a writer and write amazing mystery literature.But obviously she doesn't have this talent.Accepting her fate, she entered the publishing industry after graduation. With her high education and rich theoretical experience in mystery novels, she officially became an editor at the age of 28, responsible for her favorite mystery novels.

As a qualified editor, what Imamura is best at is reading quickly but carefully. He finished reading a 10-word manuscript in just [-] minutes.

"Is this really a new author..."

Naho Imamura was shocked, and as an insider in the publishing industry, she quickly came to the same conclusion as the editor-in-chief at the meeting: the [-]-word submission was just the tip of the iceberg, and the story the author wanted to tell must be more than that.

"We need to get in touch with this teacher Hachiman quickly..."

...... ......

"Hikigaya-san, Hikigaya-san?"

Hikigaya Hachiman, who was taking a nap on the table after lunch, felt someone calling him, but he didn't want to pay attention.His "Confession" is currently being finished, and he is very particular about words and will accidentally stay up late.

Poke...poke...

Hikigaya Hachiman helplessly jumped up from the table as his cock was tickled.Standing next to him was a girl with short brown hair. She looked gentle and quiet. Hikigaya recognized her as a member of Orimoto Kaori's small group, a member of the listening role who seldom spoke.

"Excuse me, what's the matter, Nakamachi-kun?"

"Ah! So Hikigaya-san knows my name? I was planning to introduce myself."

Hikigaya Hachiman's memory is very good. He was able to match the faces and names of all the classmates in a short period of time after he entered the second grade of junior high school. However, he only received a "kimo" comment from some classmates.

"There's no need to be so surprised. If you woke me up just to introduce yourself, then I'm going to go back to sleep."

"Huh——? Hikigaya-kun, I came here with good intentions to return some of your lost belongings, but you are so indifferent."

"What on earth are you talking about? It's really..."

As he spoke, Hikigaya Hachiman, who subconsciously wanted to take out his flip phone to check the time, was stunned. The pocket where he usually kept his phone was now empty.

On the side, Nakamachi-san was looking at Hikigaya with a smile. She held a lanyard in her right hand, as if to hypnotize Hikigaya Hachiman, and shook the mobile phone tied to the end of the lanyard.

"...Thank you very much, Nakamachi-san, where did you find it?"

"It's the place where you often eat lunch alone, Hikigaya-san. By the way, Hikigaya-san, you've been really out of your mind lately. Even after Orimoto-san rejected you, you weren't so listless."

"...Don't mention that matter. I just have poor sleep quality. Thank you for your concern."

Nakamachi-san seemed to be still talking, but Hikigaya Hachiman didn't want to listen anymore. He found that there were several missed calls on his cell phone that he didn't recognize. No outsider would call him as a junior high school student for no reason. He seemed to realize something.

Chapter 7 Hikigaya Hachiman’s Heaven’s Way Rewards Those Who Have Served

"Hikigaya-kun, there were two calls on your cell phone on the way I came here. Don't you need to call me back?"

"What are you talking about...Oh, it may be an advertising promotion or something, just ignore it."

Qianxun Resource Group 255595300

Hikigaya Hachiman, whose thoughts were far away in the sky, was startled by Nakamachi-san's reminder and hesitated.

"But the sales call will be made twice in a row, and each time it is forced to hang up until the prompt tone comes out. Aren't sales calls a race against time? I think it must be urgent."

"Damn it! Such a keen girl hates this kind of caring that she thinks is gentle."

Hikigaya complained secretly.

"Then I won't disturb you, Hikigaya-san. Don't be so careless in the future. Bye."

Sensing that Hikigaya was a little embarrassed, Nakamachi-san left the room very well and looked mature, unlike a junior high school student.

Hikigaya waved his hand with a stiff smile, but he didn't expect that Nakamachi-san, who looked at him quietly, had some little devil attributes.He quickly walked out of the class and came to a deserted place on campus.This clamshell phone has never had a phone call with anyone outside Hikigaya's family since it was purchased, and he has never exchanged mobile phone numbers with any other classmates. So the only time I took the initiative to publish the phone number was.

"Registration for Newcomer Award..."

Hikigaya muttered to himself.

"The "All Readings" Newcomer Award receives about two thousand submissions every year, but in the end, only the five winners and candidates can be published. The remaining unselected ones will definitely not be notified by phone one by one. That's a lot of work. too big."

The more Hikigaya Hachiman thought about it, the more confident he became. He had to convince himself that the call must be good news, and then he would have the courage to call back.

...... ......

Naho Imamura is very confused

In her understanding, Mr. Hachiman, the author of "Confessions", is either a part-time novelist with his own job or a full-time novelist who makes a living by writing, even if he is a college student who has not yet graduated (PS: "all readings" 》The youngest winning writer in the Newcomer Award is a freshman at the University of Tokyo, aged 19). At noon on a working day, he should have time to answer the phone.

However, I called twice, but no one answered each time. In any case, it would be rude to call again.

"I'm going to report the situation to the editor this afternoon. Mr. Hachiman, don't mess with me... call me back quickly..."

The anxious Imamura began to randomly tap on the keyboard of her phone to relieve stress. She suddenly remembered that she had often seen people online recently saying things like "Buck 1 is really useful."

The 1 deduction really moved God. Teacher Hachiman's call came back. Naho Imamura took a deep breath quickly to avoid being too excited on the phone.

"Hello, this is Naho Imamura from the editorial department of "All Readings". Are you Mr. Hachiman?"

"Ah...yes, Ms. Imamura, Hachiman is my pen name."

At this time, Hachiman was in a high-spirited mood and was confident in his answer.

But in Imamura's opinion, the voice was too young, just like that of an energetic young man. But since the other party had already revealed his identity, she chose to get to the point directly.

"Teacher Hachiman, please allow me to congratulate you. Your work "Confession" has been unanimously recognized by the judges of the "All Readings" Newcomer Award. Congratulations on winning this year's "All Readings" Newcomer Award."

Hikigaya Hachiman wanted to roar now.That’s right!Not only did it win, but it was unanimously recognized!Those prominent writers in the Japanese literary world who are in their 60s and [-]s unanimously approved of this work!That's how it should be!What am I worried about?

Hachiman's right hand was clenched into a fist, and his manicured nails dug into his flesh.

"Okay...Okay, I understand. Thank you very much for your company's recognition of me. What should I do next?"

"We would like to thank you, Mr. Hachiman. It is our honor that you choose to submit your article in "All Readers". Your novel will be published in the November issue of "All Readers" ten days later. Before that, please ask Mr. Hachiman. If you have time, I would like to discuss some contract-related issues with you in person, and I will just go to you."

"Of course it's no problem. I'm free both days on weekends. If it's convenient, we'll schedule it on Saturday at [-] noon. The location is the restaurant called Suzusen across the street from Chiba Municipal Chunmori Middle School. We can... Let’s talk while eating.”

Hikigaya randomly found a restaurant near the school. In fact, he had only been there once.

"Ring... Qian... Okay, Mr. Hachiman, I have remembered it. I will discuss more detailed matters when we meet. If Mr. Hachiman has nothing else to ask, I won't disturb you."

"Wait a moment, Ms. Imamura."

Hikigaya Hachiman has one more important thing that he hasn't said yet.

"Please speak, Hachiman-sensei."

"I need to bring my parents to meet you on Saturday. There is no other reason. The main reason is that my current age may not allow me to sign a contract alone."

"...Teacher Hachiman, I can understand your words to mean that you are not yet sixteen years old."

Naho Imamura felt that her mind was a little blank.

"Yes, I just celebrated my fifteenth birthday two months ago, although I didn't celebrate much."

Hikigaya Hachiman complained quietly.

"This...I think it's okay."

Imamura could no longer say any unnecessary words, and he couldn't even utter the honorific.

"Okay, let's see you on Saturday. I wish you a happy life, Editor Imamura."

Teacher Hachiman hung up the phone, leaving Naho Imamura alone.

...... ......