Tokyo Mystery Writers

Chapter 19 A Pinky Oath

"What time is it? How long have I been asleep?"

Uyama Hideomi slowly straightened up, using his hands to support himself on the table.

Looking at Maishiro Kyosuke and Eri with puzzled expressions, they seemed completely unaware of what had just happened.

But those dozens of fake movements in a minute still made Maijo Kyosuke inwardly complain that his acting skills were really quite clumsy.

-

The negotiations have been completed; all that remains is to wait for "The Tokyo Zodiac Murders" to make it to the finals.

Although there is a significant age difference between Uyama Hideomi and Eri Miri, they are both very sensible.

Even though they've only known each other for less than a day, with Maishiro Kyosuke around, the chances of them meeting again are likely to increase.

Fortunately, one of them was in charge of the publishing department and the other was in charge of the magazine department, so they kept to themselves and didn't interfere with each other.

Otherwise, they might become irreconcilable enemies because of the competition for Maijo Kyosuke, this supernova!

After several rounds of fighting, Hideomi Uyama finally paid the bill.

Only then did the two realize that Maijo Kyosuke had left the restaurant and disappeared without a trace.

Just as the two were wondering why Maijo Kyosuke had left without saying goodbye.

The intelligent "Watson" squatted outside the restaurant door and suddenly barked excitedly a few times towards the distance.

Uyama Hideomi and the Jiang sisters curiously looked towards the door.

Then they saw Maijo Kyosuke carrying a beautifully packaged transparent box containing blue items, walking slowly towards them from a distance through the white snow.

When they got closer to the crowd, they saw that inside the transparent box was a blue and white Doraemon cake.

Jingsuke Maishiro walked up to Miyako Eryu, squatted down, and put the Doraemon cake into her hand.

Then, she reached out and gently tugged at Jiang Liumei's swollen little face, and smiled:

"Little Red Riding Hood, from now on your sister and I will be partners."

"Even if you're unwilling, you'll inevitably have to see me frequently."

"I scratched your face in the alley today, which was wrong of me, so I bought you a cute Doraemon cake as compensation."

Maishiro Kyosuke raised his little finger and continued speaking:

"But we can't just take the cake for free. We need to pinky swear that everything is forgiven, how about that?"

Jiang Liumei tightly gripped the colorful rope binding the cake box with her small hands, her eyes completely captivated by the adorable Doraemon cake inside, unable to look away.

"So cute!"

Jiang Liumei sighed involuntarily, a smile spreading across her face.

Her eyelashes stood up beautifully, and her big eyes, just like her sister's, were happily squinted into slits.

But this happy expression didn't last more than a few seconds before it was overshadowed by a troubled and conflicted look.

You don't need Maishiro Kyosuke to know that.

Reason and desire were currently battling within Jiang Liumei's small head.

When Maishiro Kyosuke saw that Eryu Miya was hesitating while holding the cake, he immediately reached out and pretended to take the cake back.

Jiang Liumei is, after all, only a seven-year-old child.

I simply can't resist cakes, especially cute Doraemon cakes!

Seeing that Maishiro Kyosuke was reaching out to take the cake back.

Jiang Liumei took several steps back in a panic, then looked up at Jiang Liumei with pitiful eyes:

"Sister, can I have this cute Doraemon cake?"

Jiang Liumei was both annoyed and amused to see her younger sister's pathetic state:

"Miya, it was you who led 'Watson' to steal Maishiro-sensei's food first."

"It's one thing if you don't apologize to Teacher Wucheng first."

"Why are you still thinking about Ms. Maishiro's gift?"

Upon hearing Jiang Liumei's words, Jiang Liumei's eyebrows drooped, and she looked extremely aggrieved.

She pouted and mumbled "I'm sorry."

Reluctantly, she walked over to Maishiro Kyosuke and handed the cake back to him.

Seeing that the little guy's eyes were brimming with tears, Maijo Kyosuke naturally couldn't actually take the cake away.

She simply extended her little finger again and waved it in front of Jiang Liumei's eyes.

"Little Red Riding Hood, don't be sad anymore. If we pinky swivel, the cake is yours!"

"If you don't believe me, ask your sister."

Upon hearing Maishiro Kyosuke's words, Eri Miya's hope seemed to be rekindled.

With a child's adorable gesture, he turned to look at his older sister behind him, clearly seeking her opinion.

Jiang Liumei saw the longing in her sister's eyes and couldn't bear to refuse, so she could only nod in agreement.

Seeing that her sister nodded in agreement.

Despite the excruciating pain in her face, Jiang Liumei still managed a happy smile, revealing her small, adorable canine teeth.

She extended her little finger and hooked it around Maishiro Kyosuke's little finger, then pressed her thumb tightly against Maishiro Kyosuke's thumb and began to shake it rhythmically:

"Urusei-kun, we made a deal!"

"All past grievances are wiped clean. Anyone who dares to renege or act like a rogue will have to swallow a thousand needles!"

Maishiro Kyosuke affectionately rubbed Eryu Miya's little red hat:

"Okay! It's a deal."

"Anyone who dares to go back on their word will have to swallow a thousand needles."

-

After bidding farewell to the Jiang sisters, Uyama Hideomi.

Maijo Kyosuke did not return to his home.

Instead, they took a taxi directly to Asakusa in Taito Ward, Tokyo.

Because it has the most famous Asakusa Atami Onsen in all of Tokyo!

Having lived two lives, what Maijo Kyosuke finds most unacceptable is living a mediocre and aimless life.

Previously, I was short of money, so I tried to save as much as I could.

They even skip showering to save on water and electricity bills.

But I am not the same person I used to be!

Because of the success of "The Tokyo Zodiac Murders", he was shortlisted for the Edogawa Ranpo Award.

I even got a commission to write for a short mystery magazine!

And from Jiang Liumeili, he received his first payment of 300,000 yen.

Although 300,000 yen is not a huge sum in Tokyo, where the economy is booming and land is extremely valuable.

But even before "The Tokyo Zodiac Murders" won the Edogawa Ranpo Grand Prize, it was able to get commissions from magazines and occupy the best section of a magazine.

This is almost the same treatment that only top-tier writers receive!

Because in Japan in 1980, magazines were the most widely circulated publications!

Compared to that mere 300,000 yen in royalties for a short story.

The most important thing is to quickly gain popularity among the Japanese people by relying on Jiang Liumei's short mystery magazines and make everyone know her name!

After all, brand recognition is a resource.

As long as one's fame reaches the point where everyone knows them.

Then money, status... everything you want will be delivered to your door!