raknovel Chapter 163 The Most Thrilling Narrative Masterpiece
Chapter 163 The Most Thrilling Narrative Masterpiece
Chapter 163 The Most Thrilling Narrative Masterpiece
Kyosuke Maijo was overjoyed to receive a large sum of royalties from Kodansha.
Upon receiving the royalties, Maijo Kyosuke's first thought was not anyone else.
It was my two teachers, Seishi Yokomizo and Takao Tsuchiya.
After all, the success of "Summer of the Ubume" led to the complete sell-out of all the "single volumes" of "The Tokyo Zodiac Murders".
This is undoubtedly related to his recent surge in popularity.
However, the comments from Seishi Yokomizo, the "Grandmaster of Authentic Mystery," and Takao Tsuchiya, the "Master of Authentic Mystery," also played an indispensable role in the sales of "The Summer of the Ubume."
Of course, we should also express our gratitude to Dr. Shigeru Mizuki, the "Monster Doctor" who designed the cover for "Summer of the Ubume".
Unfortunately, this was only learned through questioning Noma Genjiro.
Like Tetsuya Namikawa, Shigeru Mizuki is slightly socially awkward, dislikes people visiting him, and doesn't like having too much contact with other writers.
Therefore, the wish of Kyosuke Maijo to personally visit and thank Professor Shigeru Mizuki could not be fulfilled.
Therefore, Maishiro Kyosuke could only take Eri Miri and Uyama Hideomi with the expensive gifts they had bought to the cancer hospital in Shinjuku, Tokyo, to visit Yokomizo Seishi.
However, this plan failed to materialize.
Outside Yokomizo Seishi's hospital room, Maijo Kyosuke met Tsuchiya Takao, whose face was full of sorrow.
After some conversation, I finally understood why I couldn't meet with Seishi Yokomizo.
The main reason is that Seishi Yokomizo's health has been really bad lately, and he can't even speak when we meet.
Seishi Yokomizo lived a life of unparalleled glory.
In his youth, he was a close friend of Edogawa Ranpo, the "father of Japanese mystery novels," and in his middle age, he was both a rival and a friend of Matsumoto Seicho, the "father of social mystery."
Simply put, Yokomizo Seishi's friends and rivals are all among the top ten in the history of Japanese mystery fiction, which gives him an innate arrogance that sets him apart from others!
With such pride, Yokomizo Seishi was not afraid of death.
What he feared most was that others would see him at his most wretched before he died.
I can understand Maishiro Kyosuke's feelings towards Yokomizo Seishi.
He also understood why Seishi Yokomizo refused to see him.
However, this trip wasn't entirely in vain for Maijo Kyosuke.
I learned this through a brief conversation with Takao Tsuchiya.
Seishi Yokomizo has accepted Kyosuke Maijo's invitation to serve as the nominal president of the "New Orthodox Mystery Club".
He even promised that even with a ventilator on, he would attend the next episode of "New Authentic Mystery Club" to support Kyosuke Maishiro!
Maijo Kyosuke was very happy with Yokomizo Seishi's promise and sincerely hoped that Yokomizo Seishi could live a long life.
Kyosuke Maijo really didn't want to see the death of a grandmaster who represented "orthodox mystery" and influenced the landscape of Japanese mystery fiction.
February 4, 1980, 6:00 AM.
The magazine "Top Hat," featuring Maijo Kyosuke's latest short story, "The Third Statute of Limitations," has been released as scheduled.
After the impact of two full-length mystery novels, "The Astrological Murders" and "Summer of the Ubume," as well as three short mystery stories, "A Bellflower," "The Convergence," and "The Mystery of the Death Row Inmate,"...
And newspapers were filled with special reports on Kyosuke Maijo, such as "Japan's youngest million-selling mystery writer in history," "Kodansha's new hope," and "a true future of mystery surpassing Tsumabuka Awasaka."
Kyosuke Maijo has truly stepped into the realm of "renowned author"!
Correspondingly, the news was released in advance by Top Hat magazine.
On the cover of the fourth issue of the magazine "Top Hat," a huge black top hat, along with telephone lines and a clock, was specially drawn to highlight elements from the work "The Third Validity Period" by Kyosuke Maijo.
Therefore, as soon as the fourth issue of Top Hat magazine was released, bookstores were instantly packed with readers eager to buy it.
At first, many onlookers found the rush to buy the Top Hat magazine utterly incomprehensible.
Because Mingming's "Top Hat" magazine was only a short story mystery magazine that had been established for just over twenty days.
What kind of magical power does it possess?
How did it manage to defeat Takarajimasha's "Novel Mystery" in one fell swoop and become one of the "Three Great Short Story Mystery Magazines" alongside Bungei Shunjusha's "ALL Reading" and Kobunsha's "Novel Gem" in such a short time?
Is that "newly renowned writer" named Maijo Kyosuke really as deserving of the title as the newspapers claim?
With overwhelming and exaggerated publicity, and a large number of readers scrambling to grab the fourth issue of Top Hat magazine.
More and more readers who are not yet familiar with Kyosuke Maijo are also becoming curious.
They crowded into the bookstore like a tidal wave.
Their idea was simple.
I just want to see how Maijo Kyosuke's latest short mystery novel, "The Third Statute of Limitations," is written!
"Phew~"
Isama Uguisuke stood at the bookstore entrance, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and let out a heavy sigh.
Looking at the readers who were almost packed together in the bookstore, Isama Uguisuke felt both gratified and resentful.
What's gratifying is seeing Maijo Kyosuke's popularity soar and be loved by more and more people; Isama Uguisuke feels a sense of satisfaction from gaining group recognition.
The reasons for complaining are the same.
Because Maijo Kyosuke's popularity has been soaring lately.
This made it as difficult as going to war every time Isama Uguis came to buy books or magazines!
Getting your hands on a full-length novel published by Maijo Kyosuke isn't too difficult.
Even if you can't buy the first edition of the new book, you'll still be judged.
If you wait patiently for a few days, you can still expect the release of a single-volume paperback or a collector's edition.
But Top Hat magazine is completely different from a novel.
Because Top Hat magazine targets a wider audience.
Leaving aside Maijo Kyosuke's loyal fans.
Many people buy Top Hat magazine not because they like Kyosuke Maijo.
This also includes:
Passersby who had nothing better to do than join in the fun.
Readers who simply enjoy reading short mystery stories.
Readers who enjoy other writers featured in Top Hat magazine.
And, just for working people who want to kill time while riding the Shinkansen.
Therefore, even though the circulation of each issue of Top Hat magazine has reached a staggering 800,000 copies.
However, because it targets a wider readership, the magazine "Top Hat" is much harder to get than the novels by Kyosuke Maijo!
The more fatal problem is that Top Hat magazine is just a weekly magazine and not a regular product in bookstores.
Apart from the first issue of "Top Hat" magazine, which was reprinted, there were no other instances of reprints.
The remaining second and third issues of Top Hat magazine were never reprinted.
To put it simply, if you can't get your hands on a copy of Top Hat magazine, you still want to see the short mystery stories published in it.
You either have to borrow it from someone else, or you'll have to find a secondhand bookseller and buy it for more than twice the original price!
Although Isama Ui understood that Maijo Kyosuke was currently very popular and had a lot of fans.
It's only a matter of time before Kodansha compiles and publishes a collection of short mystery stories by Kyosuke Maijo, which were published in the magazine "Top Hat".
But falling in love with a writer is no different in essence from falling in love with a person.
If I can't see the author's latest work as soon as possible, it's like having ants crawling on my body, making me toss and turn at night, unable to eat or drink!
Although Isama Uguisatsu was not originally a fan of mystery novels, and didn't even particularly enjoy reading novels.
But ever since the 21st of last month, when Isama Uguisuke accidentally saw the short story "Conclusion", she has been deeply fascinated by Maijo Kyosuke's writing and the worlds he creates!
In just thirteen days, besides going to various TV stations to participate in auditions, Isama Ui was busy with other tasks.
For the rest of the time, as if possessed, I wandered around various secondhand bookstores, searching for other versions of Maijo Kyosuke's works.
Whether it's a "new book review", a "paperback edition", a "single volume", a "collector's edition", or a magazine.
Isama Uguis bought them all.
Even on January 1st.
Uguisuke Isama also traveled to Jimbocho, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, to attend the centennial celebration of Tatara Used Bookstore!
She truly idolizes Kyosuke Maijo!
After all, Isama Uguisuke's attraction to Maishiro Kyosuke was a projection of her own unfulfilled potential onto him.
Seeing Maijo Kyosuke's success, Isama Ui felt that she would one day make a name for herself!
It is precisely because of this that the "motive" is slightly distorted.
That's why Isama Uguisuke came to the bookstore early in the morning to snap up the fourth issue of "Top Hat" magazine!
After all, the book "Summer of the Ubume" that I bought last time has become Isama Uguisuke's new bedtime reading and pillow after "The Tokyo Zodiac Murders".
The dreamlike reading experience of "Summer of the Ubume" also deeply resonated with Isama Uguisuke!
However, Isama Warbler had a very unpleasant aftertaste after reading "The Summer of the Ubume".
It's not that the story of "The Summer of the Ubume" made Isama Warbler feel sad.
What truly saddened Isama Ui was that Maijo Kyosuke's popularity, fan base, and sales were still far from sufficient!
Isama Uguisuke's reason for having this idea stems from her resentment towards Mayumi.
Because nowadays, directors of various film and television crews all like to find actresses like "Mayumi" from "Kimi, Cross the River of Wrath," who are free-spirited, cheerful, and have bright smiles.
This makes it impossible for a cold and aloof beauty like Isama Uguisuke to get any roles!
If Maijo Kyosuke's popularity, fan base, and sales could reach the level of "hard-boiled mystery king" Nishimura Hisayuki.
Naturally, directors will buy the rights to "Summer of the Ubume" and adapt it into a movie or TV series.
If this situation really occurs, then "Summer of the Ubume" might provide a completely new environment for actors with a cool and aloof style like themselves!
After all, the female characters in "Summer of the Ubume" – whether it's Ryoko Kuonji, Kyouko Kuonji, or Atsuko Chuzenji, Kyogoku-do's sister – are not characters like Mayumi!
If the story of "Summer of the Ubume" could actually be made into a film.
That would definitely reverse the current dire situation for actresses in the film and television industry!
Thinking about all this, Isama Uguisuke stuffed the fourth issue of "Top Hat" magazine that she had just snatched into her bag, lit a cigarette, put it in her mouth, and muttered to herself, "I really hope that a film and television company will find Ms. Mai and buy the copyright of 'Summer of the Ubume'."
"When the time comes, I'll do anything, even fight tooth and nail, to audition for the role of Ryoko Kuonji!"
"After all, if I can get the role of Ryoko Kuonji, then I will naturally play the role of Kyouko Kuonji, who looks exactly like Ryoko Kuonji."
"Add to that the 'motherly' personality of Kyoko within Ryoko Kuonji's body, and if she can actually land this role, it's practically like playing four different characters!"
"If I act well, not only will the audience appreciate my excellent acting skills, but I can also use this opportunity to make a name for myself in the entertainment industry!"
As soon as Isama Eri thought of these things, a happy smile appeared on her face, which was inconsistent with her cold and beautiful appearance.
Although she knew perfectly well that these were all "fantasy moments".
But people always need something to look forward to, something to strive for, just in case.
What if one day, "Summer of the Ubume" is actually going to be made into a movie?
What if I actually get chosen by the director to play the Kuonji sisters in "Summer of the Ubume"?
Isama Uguisuke patted her face, stubbed out her cigarette on the trash can, sighed, and headed home.
Asakusa, Taito Ward, Tokyo, Chomei no Yu (Long Life Hot Spring).
Kyosuke Maijo sat in the study of the luxurious suite.
He was writing furiously on the manuscript paper, creating a new short mystery novel.
Beside him was the manuscript of "Two Bottles of Seasoning" given to him by Genjiro Noma, as a reference.
Clearly, the inspiration for Maijo Kyosuke's latest short mystery novel was awakened by "Two Bottles of Seasoning".
Kyosuke Maijo is about to present the world with the most bizarre, terrifying, thrilling, and structurally unique narrative masterpiece in the history of mystery fiction! "Dear S-kun"!
This short mystery story can be considered an ambitious attempt by Maijo Kyosuke.
Because the entire story of "Dear Mr. S" uses a very special structure and an extremely bold "narrative trick".
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This can be considered as fulfilling the "New Orthodox Principles" that I mentioned to Takao Tsuchiya before.
Maijo Kyosuke's idea was very simple.
The intention was to test the waters in the Japanese mystery market with this "narrative masterpiece," "Dear S-kun."
Let's see what the public thinks of this type of mystery novel.
If "Dear Mr. S" can win the readers' favor.
Kyosuke Maijo can then present works with bolder designs and more ingenious structures to pave the way for his "new orthodox mystery."
If "Dear S-kun" does not gain recognition from the general public, then Maijo Kyosuke can adjust his direction appropriately, release a relatively conservative mystery work, slowly build up popularity, and then continue to make a move when the time is right!
The reason why Maijo Kyosuke has this concern is quite simple.
The main reason is that Maijo Kyosuke has now reached the level of a "well-known writer".
No matter what you do or what book you publish, you must think twice before you act.
Because it all started when I stepped into the level of "well-known writer".
It was only then that Kyosuke Maijo truly stepped onto the stage of Japanese mystery history.
From then on, the opponents that Maijo Kyosuke would face were no longer obscure, unknown figures who would never make it big in their entire lives.
Instead, any one of them is a well-known author in the history of Japanese mystery fiction!
If we don't carefully consider the path we're about to take...
The journey of Maijo Kyosuke to becoming a "mystery writer".
It's very likely that this will be the end of it!
Thinking of all this, Maijo Kyosuke became extremely focused.
I began writing "Dear Mr. S".
Kyosuke Maijo not only wants to make "Dear S-kun" deceive all readers!
It also requires that even figures like Seishi Yokomizo, Takao Tsuchiya, Manji Gonda, and Kiyoshi Kasai, who have an extremely deep understanding of mystery, be considered.
You'd never guess the truth of the story until you read the very last line of "Dear Mr. S"!
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