Two days later, at the Maruzen Marunouchi Bookstore in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo.
Sawamura Sayuri stood at the entrance of the bookstore. Today, she was wearing a light-colored knit cardigan over a pale blue striped shirt and light blue jeans. This casual outfit shed some of her usual student air, replacing it with a bit more girlish liveliness and playfulness.
The agreed-upon time had passed by nearly twenty minutes, yet Machida Sonoko and Kosaka Akane had still not appeared. She glanced towards the subway station from time to time, her fingers unconsciously winding around the straps of her backpack.
The entrance seemed to have gathered more people than usual today. Faint sounds of discussion could be heard drifting from inside the store, sparking a hint of curiosity in her heart.
Finally, two familiar figures appeared around the street corner. Machida Sonoko was walking briskly towards her, walking arm-in-arm with Kosaka Akane. A smile instantly bloomed on Sayuri's face, and she waved her arm high.
"Over here, over here!"
Upon seeing Sayuri, Machida Sonoko and Kosaka Akane exchanged smiles and trotted over to her.
The three of them, enjoying their day off, had agreed to spend the whole day here reading manga together.
"Honestly, I've been waiting for you guys for ages," Sayuri said, looking at her two best friends with feigned anger.
"Sorry, sorry, we got delayed waiting for Akane," Machida Sonoko explained with a laugh.
"Eh? Why blame me? I didn't want to be late either!"
Kosaka Akane immediately protested.
She had tied her long hair into a neat ponytail today, looking full of energy.
"It's all my grandfather's fault. Early this morning, he insisted on dragging me along to visit some old friends. He said they were seniors in the literary world and they needed to discuss some newly published article from Shinchosha. I had a hard time finding an excuse to slip away!"
As Kosaka Akane complained, she tossed the responsibility squarely onto her grandfather.
Sayuri quickly took their hands. "Alright, alright, let's hurry inside and find a place to sit."
Just as the three of them walked into the store, they saw a huge promotional poster next to the entrance.
The large black characters of the headline were incredibly impactful: "Shinchosha Newcomer Award Finalists — Grand Announcement!"
The poster design was simple yet powerful, listing many shortlisted authors and the names of their works below.
At this moment, the area in front of the poster was already packed with customers. Various whispers, exclamations, and questions intertwined into a wave of noise.
"The Master of Dassai-ya? Who is this? I've never heard of him."
"Seems to be a blank-slate writer. Are you kidding? Has Shinchosha finally gone mad? Not only did they start the selection process early, but they also forced a complete unknown into the list?"
"Shouldn't the Newcomer Award go to actual newcomers? Those authors who have been writing for years or even decades and are still circling the Newcomer Award list should just go get a job already!"
"Ah, I know who this is! This is the author of that 'Cheesecake' story that was reported on the internet and in newspapers last time!"
Once someone linked 'Cheesecake' to the Master of Dassai-ya, the other onlookers suddenly realized that, indeed, there had been a short story heavily reported by the media after being posted online.
Sayuri and the others, who were joining the fun on the periphery, also heard the crowd's discussion and looked at each other.
The Master of Dassai-ya seems to be the pen name Kagami-kun used to publish articles at Shinchosha, right?
Sayuri looked at Kosaka Akane and Machida Sonoko to double-check that she hadn't remembered incorrectly.
"That's right. And they just mentioned 'Cheesecake', so it must be Kagami-kun."
After Machida Sonoko spoke, she looked at the author and entry work listed on the banner again.
However, the entry work wasn't Cheesecake, but The Setting Sun.
"But Kagami-kun never told us he was releasing a new novel."
"Ah, I remember now!"
Just then, Kosaka Akane struck her left palm with her right fist.
The other two looked at Kosaka Akane. "Remembered what?"
Kosaka Akane replied, "I remember my grandfather saying this morning that the reason he was going to Shinchosha today seemed to be to read a novel called The Setting Sun."
After she spoke, the three of them looked back at the promotional poster bearing the name 'The Master of Dassai-ya' and the work The Setting Sun.
*
Inside Shinchosha.
Today, the shortlist for the Shinchosha Newcomer Award was finally released on schedule. Various chain bookstores, large and small, had also posted the promotional posters in the most conspicuous positions where customers could see them at a glance, just as agreed.
Kobayashi Tomoaki, having made a round of the nearby bookstores and feeling that everything was in order, finally returned to the editorial department as if a heavy load had been lifted from his shoulders.
However, just as he entered his office and before he could even sit down, he heard a knock on his door.
Kobayashi Tomoaki opened the door and revealed a look of surprise.
"Professor Kosaka, Professor Takeuchi, and Professor Matsushita? Why have you come here?"
Standing outside the door were three middle-aged to elderly individuals with extraordinary temperaments.
The leader was Professor Kosaka from the Department of Literature at the University of Tokyo. He had a lean figure, his hair was combed meticulously, and he wore gold-rimmed glasses. However, at this moment, his usual scholarly composure was gone, replaced by a look of obvious urgency.
Beside him was Professor Takeuchi, also from Todai, the only female among the three. She wore a well-fitted light gray suit and exuded a refined elegance. The other was Professor Matsushita from Waseda University, who was slightly stout with graying hair. At this moment, the eyes of both also revealed a trace of impatience.
The three of them ignored the surprised Kobayashi Tomoaki and asked urgently, "Where is the manuscript?"
"What manuscript?" Kobayashi Tomoaki was completely baffled by these inexplicable professors.
"Ah, The Setting Sun! The manuscript for The Setting Sun!"
Professor Kosaka said hurriedly.
"Um, isn't the judging scheduled for a few days from now?"
"Who's talking to you about the judging? We are here to read The Setting Sun."
"Eh? The shortlist was only released this morning, and it's a newcomer author. Why do you professors specifically want to read The Setting Sun?"
At this point, Professor Matsushita said in a flustered rage, "That old geezer Sasaki! He faxed us a part of the manuscript yesterday but didn't send the whole thing at once. He's left us hanging on purpose! It's truly detestable! He must be hiding in his office snickering right now!"
Sasaki was the surname of the Editor-in-Chief.
"Kobayashi-kun, please. We have already read that portion of the manuscript over and over again. We are practically itching with anxiety."
"Can you let us see the complete original manuscript?"
Professor Takeuchi, the only woman among the three, also spoke up hurriedly.
"Alright, alright, alright." Kobayashi Tomoaki walked to his desk, opened a drawer, took out the original manuscript, and handed it towards the three professors.
"Don't snatch, don't snatch!" Seeing the three professors reaching out impatiently to fight for the manuscript, Kobayashi Tomoaki pulled his hand back.
"This manuscript paper can't withstand a struggle. How about this: let's go sit on the sofa over there. I'll hold it and turn the pages for you?"
Kobayashi Tomoaki pointed to the sofa nearby.
"Who needs you to turn the pages! Give it here!"
Professor Kosaka had sharp eyes and quick hands. Taking advantage of Kobayashi Tomoaki's distraction while speaking, he lunged forward with an agility that defied his age, snatched the manuscript, and quickly sat down on the leather sofa by the window.
Professor Takeuchi and Professor Matsushita immediately sat down tightly on his left and right. Three heads eagerly leaned in toward the manuscript paper.
Instantly, the only sound left in the office was the subtle rustling of turning pages.
Kobayashi Tomoaki shook his head helplessly. These professors were usually so high and mighty; he hadn't expected them to look like children who had just found a beloved toy.
However, he could understand the feeling. When he first read The Setting Sun, hadn't he been just as captivated?
In the end, he could only helplessly go to the tea room to prepare tea and snacks to entertain the professors.
____
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