Tokyo Mystery Writers

Chapter 8 Unprecedented and Unparalleled

As a passionate mystery novel enthusiast, Maijo Kyosuke is also the author who created the astrological murder mystery for this parallel world.

Seeing that Uyama Hideomi had finished reading the entire book and was standing there in surprise, he wanted to ask what the other party thought.

Before Maishiro Kyosuke could even open his mouth, Uyama Hideomi, having recovered from his daze, spoke first:

"Mr. Maishiro... no, from now on I should call you Teacher Maishiro!"

After speaking, Hideomi Uyama's smile vanished. He stood up, straightened his clothes, and solemnly addressed Kyosuke Maishiro:

"Mr. Maishiro! Just as that editor named Matsuura Kuni said before, we are in an era of social realism mystery novels, while traditional mystery novels are in a winter."

"As the deputy editor-in-chief of the third publishing department of Kodansha's Bungeikan, I believe he is right."

"But after reading your book, *The Astrological Murder Mystery*, I felt like the spring of classic mystery fiction had finally arrived!"

"I can already foresee that once this book on astrological murder mystery is published, it will inevitably spark a frenzy in the world of classic mystery novels!"

"Therefore, I cannot accept that this book, which will usher in a new era, will slip through my fingers!"

As Hideomi Uyama spoke, he bowed slightly and lowered his head, showing the utmost sincerity to Kyosuke Maijo:

"Ms. Mai, please, you must entrust this book on astrological murder magic to me!"

"I will definitely make this 'Book of Magic' stand out from the Edogawa Ranpo Prize!"

Uyama Hideomi's sudden action caught Maijo Kyosuke off guard.

Until he saw Uyama Hideomi, his face flushed, reeking of alcohol, looking at him with eager anticipation.

It was only then that Maijo Kyosuke realized that the astrological murder magic had completely won over Hideomi Uyama, the deputy editor-in-chief of Kodansha!

"Mr. Uyama, would you be willing to submit this book for the Edogawa Rampo Award?"

Uyama Hideomi looked at Maijo Kyosuke's incredulous expression, unsure whether he was drunk on sake or simply overwhelmed with emotion.

He slammed his hands on the table forcefully, stared at Maishiro Kyosuke, and loudly proclaimed:

"Ms. Maishiro! Can't you see my sincere attitude?"

"If I don't submit this groundbreaking book on astrological murder magic for the Edogawa Ranpo Prize, even the heavens will curse me for being blind!"

"Although... I don't know if, in the context of the social realism mystery craze and the winter of orthodox mystery, the Astrology Murder Mystery will ultimately be able to win the Edogawa Ranpo Prize..."

"But I promise you, even if the Astrological Murder Mystery doesn't win the Edogawa Ranpo Prize, I will do everything in my power to get this book published!"

"No matter what! I cannot let this masterpiece be buried in my hands!"

"I want the world to see what a truly unprecedented and unparalleled cunning scheme looks like!"

After speaking, Uyama Hideomi downed the sake in his coffee cup in one gulp, then looked at Maishiro Kyosuke with anticipation, hoping that Maishiro Kyosuke would agree to his request!

Maijo Kyosuke had previously wondered what kind of reaction Uyama Hideomi would have after reading the Astrology Murder Magic in a parallel world.

Could it be that, due to the butterfly effect, it will also end up being rejected?

But it is clear that even across time and space, the spirit of classic mystery remains immortal!

The excited expression and expectant gaze of Hideomi Uyama are the best proof!

At this moment, Maijo Kyosuke is at a crossroads in his life, and his manuscript has been rejected by eight editors of Kobunsha.

To be honest, it's a little embarrassing to say, but now, let alone straw, even if it's just soaked noodles, Maijo Kyosuke will hold on to it tightly and never let go!

Not to mention, Hideomi Uyama is not some mushy noodle or dry straw.

To use an imperfect analogy, Hideomi Uyama, the editor who mentored countless mystery masters in another parallel world, is a divine weapon!

Not only can it help me break the "Qing Zhang Curse", it can also help me ascend to the throne of the God of Deduction!

Thinking of this, Maishiro Kyosuke also stood up, straightened his clothes, and solemnly extended his hand to Uyama Hideomi:

"Mr. Yushan, please guide me in the future!"

Uyama Hideomi didn't know why either. Perhaps it was just the atmosphere? Or perhaps he had met a kindred spirit?

Hearing what Maijo Kyosuke said, I felt a lump in my throat and my eyes welled up with tears!

"Ms. Mai, I wish us a pleasant collaboration!"

Uyama Hideomi gripped Maishiro Kyosuke's hands tightly, but he never expected that this unexpected meeting in the coffee shop would lead to this.

He not only created the god of detective fiction who would later become a legend, but also laid the foundation for a new era in detective fiction!

-

"Ms. Mai, let's go! I'm in a good mood today, let's go for a drink!"

Uyama Hideomi and Maishiro Kyosuke reached a cooperation agreement. He was so excited that he couldn't express it in words. He decisively put the manuscript into his briefcase.

He insisted on dragging Maishiro Kyosuke along for drinks.

Unable to refuse, Maishiro Kyosuke had no choice but to follow Uyama Hideomi to a 24-hour izakaya (Japanese pub).

Uyama Hideomi was clearly a seasoned drinker. After entering the izakaya, he greeted the owner and then led Maishiro Kyosuke to a table to sit down.

"Order whatever you like, it's on me!"

"You won't have to pay a single penny!"

Hideomi Uyama handed the menu to Kyosuke Maishiro and said it with great gusto.

Kyosuke Maijo had no idea what was so good about this izakaya, so he politely pushed the menu back to him.

"Mr. Yushan, I'm not familiar with this place, so why don't you order?"

Upon hearing what Maishiro Kyosuke said, Uyama Hideomi no longer refused and called out to the boss:

"Boss, give me ten skewers of secret-recipe grilled chicken, four skewers of salt-grilled chicken wings, two portions of Matsusaka pork, and two tempura set meals, for two people. Oh, and two bottles of Gekkeikan sake, Junmai Daiginjo, please."

The owner placed two bottles of Gekkeikan Junmai Daiginjo sake on the table.

Uyama Hideomi was clearly impatient. He unscrewed the bottle, poured a glass for Maishiro Kyosuke, then poured one for himself, and drank it all in one gulp!

After a few drinks, Uyama Hideomi became more talkative:

"Ms. Mai, we're not in a collaborative relationship now. I'm not an editor. Just think of me as... your fan!"

"Could you share your creative inspiration with me?"

"Ever since I read your Astrological Murder Mystery, I've been incredibly curious about which book inspired you to write such a breathtaking and ingenious plot."

"I've been in this industry for fifteen years now, and I've read tens of thousands of manuscripts, but apart from Seishi Yokomizo's *Gokumon Island*, you're the first orthodox mystery novel to have such a huge impact on me!"

The manuscript was appreciated by the editor and successfully entered into the Edogawa Ranpo Award.

Maijo Kyosuke has finally taken an important step in this world, and he and Uyama Hideomi are like kindred spirits, drinking together endlessly.

From Edgar Allan Poe to Sherlock Holmes, from Sherlock Holmes to the three great masters of mystery fiction, and from the three great masters to the five Japanese mystery writers and the development of social mystery fiction, and the winter of orthodox mystery fiction.

As dawn broke, Uyama Hideomi and Maijo Kyosuke, both so drunk they could barely stand, finally managed to leave the izakaya, supporting each other...